Jessica & Mark got married at the beautiful and scenic Summerhill Winery in Kelowna, BC in June. Summerhill over looks Okanagan Lake with amazing views. It was a perfect place for a couple wine lovers to get hitched. I still remember when I first met Jessica and Mark. Jessica told me about all their plans about getting married in Kelowna at a winery. I got pretty excited as I usually do when someone wants to take me with them to their destination wedding. I had already been to Summerhill on a personal trip before, so I knew exactly what they were describing. I couldn’t wait to photograph them in the vineyard.
Jessica and Mark stayed at the Manteo Resort Waterfront Villas. The getting ready pictures were done there for both of them and it was also where they held the traditional Chinese tea ceremony. Even the view for the tea ceremony was amazing! But before the tea ceremony Mark and his boys had to partake in some traditional ribbing of their crew. The bridesmaids held nothing back as they made the guys arrival as tough for them as they could. After a few games, they made Mark drink some tea that was supposed to be gross. Too bad Mark liked it, so that kinda backfired on the girls.
Once the tea ceremony was done, it was time for Jessica to change out of her Chinese dress and into her white bridal dress. Soon after that we were headed to Summerhill for the wedding ceremony. What a view! The lawn where the ceremony took place was perfectly situated…. well, just look at the photos, I don’t really need to describe it. The ceremony was attended by all their guests, some of whom came as far as New Zealand where Mark is originally from.
We did almost all of the wedding photography right there on the Summerhill Winery site. I mean, with a location like that, why would you need to go anywhere else? The reception held inside at the winery was one heck of a party. Jessica hand made all the bouquets including her own, the decor and did all the design herself. The color palettes of orange, green and yellow blended so well together, I was more than impressed. I even mentioned to her that there is a business in there somewhere, because I am sure other brides will see these paper bouquets and will want them for their own wedding.
The wedding was definitely a neat union of 2 different cultures that you wouldn’t see every day. A Chinese Canadian girl and a Kiwi boy. Love definitely just happens. Thank you for having me and Ryan be a part of your special day. We had a great time in Kelowna with you guys and we’ll never forget the fun we had with you guys there. Congrats again. I still want to come over for a BBQ one of these days if the invite is still there. 
