22 September 2019
by Mark Burnham
Back at Dolan Creek!
I've watched this venue grow over the years and was pretty eager to see all of the work they've done to the farm, most notable of which was the new ceremony site at the top of the property. Stunning views overlook Shuswap Lake and Mt. Ida but with wee less bushwhacking this time around with the stairs Jordan and her team recently put in.
The day went off without a hitch until dinner.
We made it through the first speech when the first drops of rain were felt. Guests acted quickly and brang all of the tables and decor underneath the huge barn for cover. It was another hour of speeches and dances before the first lightning strike.
What followed was one of the most intense electrical storms I've ever seen.
With the crack that came from the first strike I turned quickly to Brie and Will. Before I had a chance to really say anything they agreed and we ran out into the field.
I threw a light on a stand to give me a little control over the scene. Really it was just a waiting game. I had them hold a kiss while lightning struck in the background. I took close to 50 frames over the next 5 minutes until I had the perfect bolt.
I showed them the image on the back of the camera and we were all pretty dumbstruck. A perfect bolt framing them in a kiss.
A sudden rush of wind came in from up the valley cutting our session to an end. We ran back to the barn to try and control the decor, the greatest victim of which was the wedding pie.
At some point during the storm Brie and Will gave in to the chaos and ran out in the full force of the storm with the full wedding party. My camera could barely focus with the amount of water in the air.
Overall, one of my all time favourite wedding experiences, happy to have given it a little justice in the photographs:)
Brie and Will were more than a treat to work with. They had a natural, laid back charm which came through effortlessly in the images and their spontaneity was infectious!
