When Christine and Morgan told me they were planning their Pemberton wedding at Riverlands Red Barn, I was excited. It’s one of my favourite Pemberton wedding venues and one I’ve loved shooting at many times.
I got even more excited when I realized how much Morgan, Christine and I have in common. Like my family and I, Morgan and Christine love to spend their time outdoors – hiking and camping with their family dog (who was a star at their wedding!) in the summer and snowboarding or snowmobiling in the winter.
Above all, Christine and Morgan have a deep love for family and great food – two loves I also share! I knew we were going to have an incredible time together on their wedding day.
Planning a wedding that feels like you
My favourite weddings are the ones where I can see my couples in every detail. Morgan and Christine definitely accomplished that by creating a day that was fun, family-focused and unique to them. Every decision they made honoured their love for their families and their love of the outdoors.
Case in point, Christine and Morgan chose to get married in Pemberton, where Morgan’s parents live and up the road from Christine’s dad in Whistler. They held their wedding at Red Barn which is not only a beautiful wedding venue, but where Morgan’s parents board their horses.
Family was a theme throughout Morgan and Christine’s wedding day. From walking down the aisle with their parents and sharing special parent/child dances to emotional (yet hilarious!) speeches and adorable photos with Fudge (Morgan’s beloved grandma) and Kobe (Morgan’s family dog). These family moments definitely had me tearing up behind my camera.
Family traditions and heritage also played a large role in Christine and Morgan’s special day. Christine’s father took to the alphorn, a large Swiss instrument, blowing it to welcome everyone to the reception. Christine also took a turn blowing the alphorn – I was very impressed!
Making the most of a wedding in Pemberton
The main reason to get married in Pemberton is because of its natural beauty. If you’re looking for a scenic backdrop for your wedding photos, you’ll find it here! Morgan and Christine were drawn to the mountain scenery in Pemberton. Having lived nearby in Whistler for over 20 years and having shot many weddings in Pemberton, I was thrilled to help them find the most stunning places for their first look and couple’s portraits.
Riverlands Red Barn offers incredible views of the mountains and valley from its large field. But the Barn doesn’t just deliver a beautiful outside view, the interior is pretty impressive as well! I love the rustic wood of the barn and the glow from the string lights at night.
Of course, you can’t make the most of a Pemberton wedding without hiring a team of experienced Pemberton wedding vendors. It was such a pleasure to work alongside my friends and fellow vendors who know this area so well.
5 tips for planning your Riverlands Red Barn wedding
If you’re thinking of holding your Pemberton wedding at Riverlands Red Barn, check out my top tips so your wedding day is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
1. Lean into the vibe: If you’re going to hold your wedding at a barn, you want to lean into the barn vibes! Think: country western, exposed wood and a rustic atmosphere.
2. Make the most of the views: One of the best things about the Red Barn is the gorgeous mountain view. Hire a photographer who is familiar with this venue and who will know the best locations for your ceremony and portraits.
3. You’ll need to bring in everything: Keep in mind that Riverlands Red Barn is a fairly bare bones venue. This is great because it allows you to get creative and personalize your day. It also means you’ll have to bring in a lot of outside vendors, including caterers.
4. Hire experienced vendors: Because you’ll need to bring in a lot of vendors, you’ll want to work with people who are familiar with the location. I highly recommend hiring a wedding planner who has planned weddings at Riverlands Red Barn before to help you coordinate everything.
5. Arrange transportation: Riverlands Red Barn is a little ways outside of Pemberton, so you’ll definitely want to arrange transportation for you and your guests. This is something your wedding planner can help you with.
Pemberton wedding vendors
- Pemberton wedding photographer: Logan Swayze Photography
- Wedding planner: Hayley Ostridge at Alpenglow Events Co
- Venue: Riverlands Red Barn
- Catering: Left Coast Catering
- Rentals: Spark Rentals
- Hair & makeup: Brenda Bakker
- Florals: Stems at Stong’s Market
- Transportation: Whistler Connection