Mai & Brandt’s Whytecliffe Park Styled Bridal Photos came into being at the perfect time. I was itching to plan a simple styled shoot, and then suddenly I have a message from Mai asking for exactly that! Impeccable timing.

Mai and Brandt are expecting their first baby (Yay! I can’t wait to cuddle him!), and they decided that they would tie the knot in front of their family in an intimate ceremony towards the end of September. They were waiting for Mai’s parents to fly in from Japan, but in the meantime they really wanted some photos done that were of the bridal nature. So when they asked if it was possible, I of course said heck yes, and off we went.

We decided on Whytecliffe Park as the location, and on the day of while Mai was getting her makeup done at M.A.C. I set to work on the bouquet. I was really inspired by how Fall was changing Vancouver’s landscape, so I chose colours and flowers that would pop, but also suite the surroundings. In case you didn’t know, I’m secretly obsessed with DIY so I had so much fun selecting flowers, and then building a giant bouquet for Mai to hold throughout the shoot. I mean, it turned out way larger than I anticipated, and I’m sure Mai felt like her arm was going to fall off by the end from carrying the weight of it, but it was still pretty fun! (Side note: if you ever want to remind yourself why florists are amazing, incredible, talented people, attempt to build your own bouquet. This will remind you that they are a VERY important investment, whether it’s for a styled shoot, or a real wedding).

This styled shoot turned out a bit darker than any I’ve ever shot before, but I honestly fell in love with it. I’m so used to bright and airy, this was a totally different feel for me and it was fun to start to explore and shoot on such a chilly, almost dreary evening. I feel like one moment everything was green and lush in Vancouver, and then in a blink of an eye it was Fall. All the tree’s were turning, the light was fading earlier, and clouds were hanging heavy over the ocean. There was this grey feeling to the city, and it was really exciting to shoot something bridal within that environment.

Mai & Brandt were modelling pro’s. They were total troopers and seriously up for anything. I’m telling Mai to go stand by the edge of the cliff and she’s like SURE! I’m like Brandt can you go down that slope? He’s like ‘Hey I’m wearing gorgeous shoes with no grip but I’m totally game to try’. Come to think of it, I think that I have these conversations with my clients a lot…

Regardless, they were troopers and wonderful to work with and photograph!

Keep an eye out for Mai & Brandt’s wedding ceremony, which happened a few weeks later at the same location. But while you’re looking at these check out her cute little baby bump! At this point it was pretty easy to miss!

Details: 

Dress: Ellebay Bridal Boutique
Makeup: M.A.C. 
Flowers: Angela & Gabriel’s Flowers Inc.