Set on the ridge overlooking Trincomali Channel, Chris and Chelsea’s spring wedding at Bodega Ridge combined natural West Coast beauty with thoughtful, travel-inspired details. With a green color theme, a donut wall, and a first dance under twinkle lights, the day felt personal, relaxed, and deeply reflective of the couple’s shared style. Photographed by Nomad by NK, every moment was captured with warmth, intimacy, and effortless elegance.
Location: Galiano Island, British Columbia, Canada
Style: Understated, rustic, elegant
Time of planning: 9 months
Number of guests: 100
Setting: Outdoor
Season: Spring
Chris and Chelsea met at their best friends’ wedding, where they were both in the wedding party. Though their friends had been trying to set them up for years, it all came down to timing. Three years later, Chris proposed at Chelsea’s family cabin—on the dock, with their morning coffees in hand, in her favorite place. Just two weeks after the proposal, they left for a six-month trip around the world, traveling through Europe, Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific.
Bridal Morning
Chelsea got ready in the quiet comfort of a rustic wooden cabin, surrounded by soft morning light and wild coastal air. Her look came together slowly and thoughtfully—every detail chosen with meaning. She wore a Newhite dress from Rituals of Love Bridal, modern and fluid in shape, with sculptural lines that moved with the wind. The dress stood out for its clean elegance and a non-traditional silhouette, which Chelsea had fallen in love with the moment she tried it on. Her Stuart Weitzman heels added just a hint of shimmer, and she kept her jewelry simple—a single pearl bracelet from Mejuri and diamond earrings borrowed from her mom.
Her makeup and hair were styled by Wildflower On Location, with a natural, effortless glow and long hair worn down in relaxed waves. As the morning passed, nerves crept in—but Chelsea stayed grounded by the quiet presence of her mom.
Chelsea’s bouquet tied it all together with a soft palette of peonies, creamy roses, and eucalyptus, wrapped with a locket holding a photo of her late father.
Groom's Fashion
Chris wore a custom deep green suit by Bespoke Made Suits, paired with a crisp white shirt, cream tie, and brown leather dress shoes. His boutonnière mirrored the soft florals in Chelsea’s bouquet, with dried elements and pale blooms that added subtle texture. The green felt personal—something a little different, yet still timeless and grounded in the natural surroundings.
He spent the morning with his closest friends, laughing and getting ready on the porch of a wood cabin, feeling calm, excited, and ready to see Chelsea for their first look.
First Look
Chris and Chelsea chose to share a private first look in the middle of a quiet forest, surrounded by towering trees and filtered light. Chelsea walked toward him slowly, her dress trailing behind her as the sound of leaves underfoot marked each step. Chris stood waiting, and when he turned around, they both instantly smiled—completely absorbed in each other. The nerves melted away, and the moment became their own calm before the celebration. It was playful and emotional, with hugs, laughter, and a sense of peace between them.
They then spent time together exploring the fields, leaning on an old Land Rover, dancing under the trees, and soaking in the view of the ocean. The lightness of Chelsea’s dress and the deep green of Chris’s suit looked right at home in nature, and the photos captured every carefree, unfiltered moment.
"This moment and the photos before the ceremony were such an intimate, grounding and special for the couple to soak up the moments just the two of them."
Ceremony
The ceremony took place at the top of the ridge overlooking Trincomali Channel, where the view stretched wide across forest and sea. The couple wanted the setting to speak for itself, so the decor stayed minimal and intentional. Rows of wooden benches lined a natural grassy aisle, where oversized arrangements of pampas grass and soft blush roses framed the altar.
Designed by Gossip Floral, the floral installation mirrored the textures Chelsea and Chris loved from their travels—New Zealand’s pampas, South African greens, and a soft blush tone to tie it all together. The sky was clear, the light golden, and the ridge felt like it was holding the entire moment.
"Chelsea and Chris decided not to have a wedding party, but instead have their nieces and nephews walk down the aisle."
Chelsea started the walk on her own, honoring her father’s memory with a locket tied to her bouquet, and was joined halfway by her mom. Both their sisters acted as witnesses, and they shared hand-written vows surrounded by 100 of their closest people. Just after signing the documents, Chelsea surprised Chris with a performance of Fools Rush In sung by his cousins.
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, guests made their way to the cocktail hour, where string lights hung between trees and wildflowers framed the space. The mood was light and celebratory, with Soundstripe Music Co.’s Martin Acosta looping live guitar melodies that filled the air with warmth.
The couple’s signature cocktails—spicy margaritas and espresso martinis—circulated among guests, adding energy and personal flavor to the gathering. Chelsea and Chris joined their friends with glowing smiles and glasses in hand, sharing hugs, laughter, and moments of pure ease as the champagne tower bubbled. It was casual and joyful, a perfect lead-in to the night ahead.
"Right after the ceremony the couple poured a champagne tower and the mother of the bride shared a toast to the couple."
Private Moment
After the cocktail hour, Chris and Chelsea slipped away for a few quiet moments by the water. The rocky shoreline framed them in solitude, with the sea stretching wide and the clouds rolling low above. They laughed, held hands, kissed, and danced barefoot on the stones, letting the wind catch Chelsea’s dress as it flowed around her.
The images from Nomad by NK captured this time with striking intimacy—showing not only the landscape, but the way they moved together, lighthearted and completely at ease. It was a pause in the day that felt honest and unscripted, and the photos reflect every bit of that.
"Natalie and Kerstin did an amazing job making us feel at ease, beautiful, but in our own world."
Decor & Setting
The reception took place under a sailcloth tent tucked into the hillside, surrounded by native trees and blooming gardens. Long wooden tables stretched beneath string lights, set with amber goblets, white linens, and travel-themed table cards—each marked with a destination from Chelsea and Chris’s round-the-world adventure. The floral design continued with soft arrangements of pampas grass, blush roses, and dried textures, bringing their global inspiration into every corner of the space.
Small bud vases and low candlelight created a cozy, lived-in feel, while personalized place cards and a rust-colored seating chart added warmth and style. The neutral tones and handcrafted details felt refined yet relaxed, staying true to the couple’s vision of understated rustic elegance. The setting felt curated without being overly styled—personal, inviting, and completely them.
Reception
Dinner was served beneath the glowing canopy as golden light from the string bulbs reflected off amber glassware and flickering votives. Guests dined family-style at long wooden tables, passing plates and pouring wine while conversations flowed as easily as the drinks. The atmosphere was relaxed and communal—just as Chris and Chelsea had envisioned—offering everyone a chance to connect, laugh, and linger.
Throughout the evening, close friends and family stood to give heartfelt toasts. There were tears, laughter, and plenty of moments that had the entire tent clapping or wiping their eyes. The speeches celebrated not just the love between Chris and Chelsea, but the story they had lived so far—ten years of growing together and traveling the world.
Instead of a traditional cake, the couple chose a donut wall from Lee’s Donuts, one of their favorite spots from Granville Island. Rows of old-fashioned, powdered, and chocolate-covered donuts lined the wall, and guests helped themselves between dances. Chris and Chelsea shared a bite of one together, standing in front of the display and laughing through the powdered sugar.
Their first dance took place under the stars, surrounded by guests wrapped in shawls and jackets as the night cooled. With string lights overhead and the dark blue sky behind them, they swayed to Warm Love by Van Morrison. It was simple, romantic, and full of joy—a dance that didn’t need choreography, just connection.
Advice from the couple:
• Take time during the wedding to be present. It’s so easy to get lost in what is next, but let the wedding happen and just be in the moment.
PHOTOGRAPHER Nomad by NK | VIDEOGRAPHER Beautiful Life Studios | VENUE Bodega Ridge | PLANNER Filosophi | FLORALS Gossip Floral | MUAH Wildflower On Location | BRIDAL BOUTIQUE Rituals of Love Bridal | SHOES Stuart Weitzman | SUIT Bespoke Made Suits | CATERING Bodega Ridge | DESSERT Lee’s Donuts | MUSIC Soundstripe Music Co. + Karla Sax | RENTALS & TABLETOP Winstons Events
