HAPPY BRAND NEW YEAR AT SANCTUARY GARDENS
January 2, 2019
“There are years that ask questions, and years that answer.” When I saw this quote by Zora Neale Hurston, there was something about it that rang true for me as I looked back over the events of 2014. For at the start of this past year (and my first full wedding season), I was full of questions, with so many unknowns yet to be answered. Every aspect of my life seemed to have a question mark precariously waiting for the answer to reveal itself. One thing for certain, this was going to be the year of finding out.
Here at Sanctuary Gardens, 2014 started off with our first celebration of love in January and the wonderings of how the first ever winter wedding would unfold. My answer to that question was found as I witnessed the adoring glances between the groom and his beautiful bride, warming the air on that cold January day. From this kitchen window perspective, no words were needed to explain why they were there that day, surrounded by family and friends.
Would the relatives in Finland be able to watch from the other side of the world as two families united? Yes, thanks to Wi-Fi and Skype! All systems were a go, making it not only our first winter wedding but also the first internationally “broadcasted” one. I love this photo by Adrian Photographers showing the love reaching across the miles.
With Spring came more questions, ones that pertained to the finishing up of some last minute projects before the start of wedding season. Rockwork, and parking, and pathways oh my! One by one, each looming project was completed, falling into place like the pieces of a puzzle. I am thankful for my crew of help who provided answers by way helping hands and quality work.
I cannot even begin to type out all the questions that were rolling around in my mind as I embarked on this love filled adventure called Sanctuary Gardens. I could only imagine at that point what would this first wedding season be like? But the questions found their answers through the lens of my camera, captured as images of love that surrounded me.
Would my personal sanctuary, that I was soon to share with the world, become the wedding sanctuary as I envisioned it to be?
There were the logistical questions like how would the new path from the parking lot work as a processional for the bride into the Sanctuary?
What would be the special moments that I would be privileged to witness because of this leap of faith taken?
In what ways could Sanctuary Gardens go beyond weddings to contribute or make a difference in the world?
Did the wedding photographer catch that moment during the father and bride processional when the deer went bouncing through to the delight of all the guests? Sadly no and all I got was a little peek but it will live on in our memories and be a fun story to tell in future years.
Would he ask? And would she say yes?
How would the fundraising partnership with Opera Kelowna work with Sanctuary Gardens hosting their Hampton styled brunch, complete with Opera performances by up and coming musicians and singers?
What would be some other potential uses of the space?
With so many talented industry professionals around, who would I have the opportunity to work with?
And if a picture speaks a thousand words then the answers to the many questions could easily be a novel sized picture book full of wonderful memories from this first season.
I am thankful for this year of answered questions and especially thankful to all who helped answer them by way of entrusting me with their most special day. And with each answer, life has a way of posing yet another question. But as I sit here amongst my answers with still so many questions contained in the unknown, I feel at peace with letting each wondering unfold in its time.
Thank you to all who follow along on social media as I post the many day-in-the-life-of photos from Sanctuary Gardens. I appreciate every single “like” and your kind words of encouragement.
And because “we all need somebody to leeeean on,” I am so very thankful for my family and friends for hanging in there with me this first season! Whatever I needed whether it was a listening ear or standing in as parking lot attendants, you were there! And… thank you to the ‘One True Love’ from above for shining down on me with so much love… and giving me a firm foundation to stand on and a level path to find my way back to love!
Wishing you all a Happily Ever After New Year!
