Rachel and Royston have been in the community I’m lucky to call my own for a long time – I can’t remember meeting either of them for the first time! But I sure do remember living next door to Rachel when I lived with her cousin, Kathleen! I’d found our place and committed to it, but it was only afterwards that we realized Rachel’s family was literally next door!! When she was 16 I took photos of her at Campbell Valley Park just for fun, so it was extra special to go back there for photos of her on her wedding day!!

Their wedding plans changed because of COVID-19 regulations and they made the most of it! Of course, there were family and friends they wished could have been there, but the intimate gathering in a friend’s backyard was full of life and love nonetheless. Rachel’s desire for an outdoor wedding came true and all the details they lovingly created (she hand lettered all the signs, the two of them made that wooden backdrop!) and curated made for a celebration reflective of them; laidback and intentional. Classy, too – their wedding day looks were top notch!!

We laughed and cried all day long as we celebrated their commitment to each other in the Sacrament of Marriage. Their wedding mass was beautiful and the mix up around communion actually led to a stunning visual for Rachel & Royston to remember as they begin their marriage. There were only two hosts in the tabernacle, so they were the only people (apart from Fr Lawrence – it’s not his parish, so he didn’t know it hadn’t been prepared!) to receive communion that day. Marriage is a mission to bring Christ to each other and the world and these two were living, breathing examples of that calling on day one of theirs. 

Rachel & Royston, I didn’t feel like I fully communicated to you how much I loved being with you on your wedding day – and gah I’m tearing up as I write this – but it really felt like a gift to be watching you two wholeheartedly enter into your vows. It feels like I’ve seen you each grow into your own, taking life by the reins while letting God surprise and delight you along the way, especially as you met and began discerning marriage together. You’re up for the hard work of marriage and always down for the good times that will come, too – I’m so proud of you. And so, so grateful to be called your friend. 

Congratulations!! Happy honeymooning in Naramata!!