Surrounded by the sweeping landscapes of British Columbia, Ellisha and Jason’s wedding took place on her family’s cattle ranch in Aspen Grove, a place deeply connected to their story. With mountains, open fields, and the quiet rhythm of ranch life as the backdrop, the couple envisioned a celebration that felt intimate, timeless, and true to the land that shaped them. From a heartfelt ceremony rooted in family traditions to unforgettable moments like riding into the reception on horseback and sharing a first ride together instead of a first dance, the day reflected both their heritage and adventurous spirit. The entire celebration was beautifully documented by Sara Rogers Photography, capturing the emotion, movement, and natural beauty that defined the day.
Location: Aspen Grove, British Columbia, Canada
Style: Thoughtful, Refined, Ranch-Inspired
Time of planning: About 2 years
Number of guests: 200+
Setting: Private Ranch
Season: Summer
“We’re two Pacific Northwesterners whose lives ran parallel long before we ever realized it,” Ellisha shared. She and Jason first met when they were sixteen and stayed close friends for nearly a decade. After years spent living in different parts of the world, they eventually found themselves back home in British Columbia at the same time, where their friendship naturally grew into something more. Looking back, they later discovered their families had crossed paths years before, making their connection feel less like a coincidence and more like something meant to be.
British Columbia has always been at the heart of their story. “The mountains, the ocean, the forests, and the open range have always been home,” Ellisha said. Jason proposed at her family’s cattle ranch in Aspen Grove, a place filled with memories of adventure, family, and the freedom of wide-open land, and later the very place where they chose to celebrate their wedding.
Bride's Morning & Fashion
Ellisha’s bridal look blended timeless elegance with personal touches that reflected the spirit of the day. She wore a gown by Monique L’Huillier, with white cowboy boots by Jeffrey Campbell, which she kept on all day for both comfort and a subtle connection to the surrounding landscape.
Her fragrance, Jo Malone Wild Bluebell, served as a delicate nod to the tradition of “something blue,” while a Toni Federici Goddess Veil completed the look with a soft, romantic finish.
Groom's Fashion
Jason’s look reflected the same balance of elegance and Western spirit. He wore a custom tuxedo by Brascia Tailors, paired with Boulet cowboy boots from OK Boot Corral (7” 1863). A mother-of-pearl bolo tie completed the ensemble, adding a distinctive detail that tied the look to the landscape and the couple’s style.
First Look
The couple shared their first look at the ranch, surrounded by the open fields and horses, a moment that felt deeply connected to the landscape that has shaped their story.
“We envisioned something bespoke, understated, and timeless,” the couple shared. They wanted the day and the photographs to feel just as meaningful decades from now as they do today. While modern ranch culture is having a moment, they were intentional about keeping everything refined and subtle, honoring the land and their heritage without leaning into anything that felt themed or gimmicky. Sara Rogers Photography beautifully documented the entire day.
Ceremony
The couple envisioned a ceremony that felt intimate, familiar, and deeply rooted in the land. Instead of a traditional arch, they chose aspen posts framed with soft florals that moved gently with the breeze. Before the vows, “beer boys” tossed cold cans to the guests, bringing laughter and a relaxed energy to the moment.
Ellisha walked down the aisle to an acoustic version of “Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Chicks, escorted by both of her parents. Jason’s aunt officiated the ceremony, speaking about the land, the wind, and the generations before them, leaving very few dry eyes.
Instead of signing a traditional license, the couple branded leather with their custom insignia as a symbol of their union and shared legacy. They recessed to an acoustic version of “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, ready to celebrate with more than 200 friends and family who had traveled to be part of the day.
Cocktail Hour
Cocktails were served outdoors beside the century-old farmhouse under the summer sky. Guests enjoyed rosé sangria, spicy ranch water, and thoughtfully prepared canapés while acoustic covers played softly in the background.
Inspiration & Design
Transforming a working cattle ranch into a wedding venue took time and care. Nearly a year went into preparing the land itself, from moving cattle to irrigating the ceremony site and getting the grounds ready. It was important to the couple that the ranch still felt like itself, simply thoughtfully prepared to welcome their guests.
Knowing the land so well, they trusted Filosophi Events to guide the planning with the same level of care. Together, they created a celebration that honored the ranch’s history while welcoming friends and family from many different places and walks of life.
Riding Into the Celebration
Their photographer, Sara Rogers, shared that one of the most magical moments of the day was when the couple rode into the reception on horseback. “The most magical moment of the day was the couple riding into the reception on horseback — it gave me goosebumps,” she said. “It was particularly hard to capture since the horses were moving fast, and I had to focus and frame the shot without knowing exactly where they would be going.”
"Including our horses felt like a true reflection of our partnership. We practiced ahead of time, making sure everything from the veil to the reins worked seamlessly."
Reception
A large black cattle bell rang to invite guests to dinner beneath a white circus-style tent set in the middle of a hayfield. Aspen trunks framed the tent poles, with lights woven through the branches overhead. For their entrance, instrumental “Billy the Kid” by Billy Joel played as the couple rode in on horseback, Jason on Johnny and Ellisha on Glory, circling the tent before disappearing for one final gallop and returning to cheers and applause.
During their final speech, the couple shared a surprise they had kept private until that moment: they were expecting a baby via surrogate and would be welcoming their child in just four months.
"I loved that the couple was very specific on what they wanted and didn't want, the entire day felt very personal and oddly intimate even though there were over 200 guests."
The Couple’s First Ride Together
Instead of a traditional first dance, the couple shared a first ride together, slipping onto their horses and heading off as their guests cheered them on. It quickly became one of the most memorable moments of the celebration.
Advice from the couple:
• Figure out what truly defines you as a couple and build from there. Let go of expectations and traditions that don’t feel right. Your wedding should feel unmistakably like you.
PHOTOGRAPHY Sara Rogers Photography | PLANNING Filosophi Events | FLORAL & DECOR Perspective Event Design | HAIR & MAKEUP Faye Smith Agency | DRESS DESIGNER Monique Lhuillier | BRIDAL BOUTIQUE Bisou Bridal | SUIT DESIGNER Brascias Tailors | VEIL Toni Federici Veils | BOLOS Folk on the Edge | BRIDE’S BOOTS Jeffrey Campbell | STATIONERY Little Black Press | LIVE MUSIC Courtney Hunt | BAND The Hair Farmers | TENT & RENTALS Avalon Rentals | CATERING Cocktails & Canapes
