A Modern + Multicultural Downtown Vancouver Wedding in Gastown

Weddings

May 2

bride and groom standing in front of windows at Nelson the Seagull in Downtown Vancouver

Photographing Laina and Jaime’s stylish and intimate Downtown Vancouver wedding felt like reuniting with old friends.

A few years earlier I had photographed Laina’s brother’s wedding and just the year before, I had photographed her best friend’s wedding. So I was extra excited when Laina reached out for her own special day.

What Jaime and Laina had planned for their wedding was right up my alley: a cool cocktail bar venue, lots of personal touches to honour their heritages and a dance floor no one would ever forget!

A blending of two cultures

Laina and Jaime paid a lot of respect to their cultures throughout their wedding day, weaving in important traditions and attire.

Laina started the day dressed in a Japanese kimono, which she wore to greet guests, before changing into her very stylish wedding dress (those sleeves!). Jaime sported a Scottish kilt which he rocked all day long.

Both their parents and close loved ones were honoured throughout the day, joining them in their processional down the aisle and giving heartfelt speeches during cocktail hour.

To kick off the reception, Laina’s mom performed a traditional Japanese dance. And Jaime’s Scottish roots were honoured when everyone participated in a ceilidh and showed off their best Scottish dance moves.

After their wedding, Laina and Jaime got matching tattoos of each other in their wedding attire. Now Laina’s gorgeous dress and Jaime’s awesome kilt are memorialized forever!

Why I love shooting in Gastown

I loved the Vancouver cocktail bar wedding venue that Jaime and Laina chose. It had the best moody, industrial vibes and incredible lighting. It was the perfect atmosphere for their intimate wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony, we headed out to do portraits around the city. This is always one of my favourite things to do because of all of the textures, pockets of light, interesting compositions and unique corners that a downtown Vancouver wedding can offer.

If you’re getting married in Gastown or downtown Vancouver, don’t overlook the unassuming or seemingly weird spots I might suggest for your portraits. I love the opportunity to push myself, get creative and find the hidden gems around our city.

Trust me, these are going to be some of your favourite portraits from the day!

Let’s party all night!

Laina and Jaime told me they wanted their reception to feel like a big party, so I expected the dance floor was going to be fun. And it absolutely lived up to the hype!

After warm speeches and a delicious dinner, Jaime and Laina’s friends “iced” them by hiding two Smirnoff Ice coolers in gift bags. The bride and groom were troopers, downing their drinks as their friends cheered them on.

Then it was onto the dance floor! It started with a traditional ceilidh, which everyone had a blast learning, and then the dance floor really heated up. Laina and Jaime had the best time dancing the night away with their loved ones.

Planning your own Gastown wedding? I’d love to hear more about your wedding plans and introduce you to some incredible photo spots in downtown Vancouver. Get in touch and let’s chat!