Nick and I met over 11 years ago in college where we both had the same 2 psychology classes. We started by being project partners, then it was friends getting coffee between classes and eventually dating. Our relationship started very naturally, where it just sort of happened and just continued forward. We continued our relationship even after having separate career paths taking us to different schools but we made it work. Now, just over 11 years later we were ready to finally become husband and wife.

Nick proposed to me in August of 2019, he had been working abroad for half the year and he managed to get some time off for my family's annual Tofino trip.

We came to Tofino a couple days earlier and we stopped at Chesterman Beach (our favorite beach) to take a walk to the little island at the end of the peninsula. It started to lightly rain and as were watching the crashing waves he shared his thoughts and feelings about us and what we've been through together as he went down on one knee and asked the big question. I don't think I have ever been truly so surprised in my life and I admit, I was a little teary eyed in the moment. The sun peaked out through the rain as I said "yes", it was one of the sweetest moments. My siblings came a couple days after to continue our Tofino trip while also celebrating our engagement - they secretly knew Nick's plan for a while, so they were all in on it.

What really inspired our elopement vibe was really our love for nature and having a really relaxed and simple ceremony in a natural and rustic setting. Nothing big or fancy, just us surrounded by beautiful beach and forest. We wanted to escape the stress and anxiety of wedding planning so we went sweet and simple.

We ended up getting married early in the morning at around 8:15 am (I know it was very early) at Tonquin Beach in Tofino, witnessed by our siblings - my sister and brother along with Nick's brother and his brother's fiancée. This beach was a little cove where you followed a trail, wooden stairs, a wood bridge that led to the beach. It's a really chill beach and in the morning it was even more serene especially with the weather being overcast and misty - a typical Tofino morning, just how we liked it. A little moody with calm flat water and the tide out enough to expose a long stretch of sandy beach. This was where we exchanged our vows and our "I dos".

Tofino has always had a special place in our hearts. I spent the majority of my childhood summers camping there with my dad and siblings since I was 12 years old. I also introduced this place to Nick when we started dating, it's also where he first met my dad and it was the site of our engagement - a lot of milestones. Even after my dad passed away we always managed to find time in the year to come to Tofino as a way of honoring his memory and it was this year we decided to turn our annual trip into our elopement. We couldn't have picked a more perfect place for us to finally get married.

Finding a wedding dress was quite a process for me as it was an area I never really had experience in and the options were infinite. I had gone to quite a few shops and tried on A LOT before ending up at Everly Bridal in order to find out my likes and dislikes. I realized I was drawn to the effortless boho inspired looks with intricate lace and unique details.

After a few appointments at Everly I managed to narrow down the designer and was torn between two Alena Leena dresses. However, it wasn't until the last appointment where I went by myself that I was able to really make the choice best for me. I tried on both dresses and I took the time to give myself a long look in the mirror. After a good few minutes, I knew which of the two designs wasthe one for me was. Both were beautiful but "the one" had just enough unique details to make me feel extra special and excited to the point where I didn't want to take the dress off.

Fast forward 3 years as I put my dress on just before I head out to get married and I still knew this was "the" dress. I looked at myself in the mirror one more time and I felt exactly the same electric excitement back when I tried on the dress at the studio.

At first, all I could think about was that the dress has off-the-shoulder sleeves, but everything else about it felt so good. I felt like it hugged my body in all the ways I dreamed, it had a slit to bring in the sexy feel, and I loved the train. When I found out the sleeves could be removed, it was game over. I still have a video of that moment when the sleeves were coming off and it felt perfect! I couldn't believe it!

Honestly, the whole day was so amazing, but getting married was my favorite part and it was probably because of the anticipation from waiting over 3 years to finally do it that added to the excitement.

Nevertheless, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. From our morning ceremony and photos to Tacofino burritos on the beach, then visiting the Tofino brewery and having our special dinner at Pluvio; it was exactly what we wanted.

Do what makes you and your partner happy, don't feel pressured or obligated to do something that you feel isn't right for the both of you. Remember that you are celebrating each other. Your marriage, unity and love for one another is what truly matters.

The amazing people and businesses that truly made our elopement day so special:

Photographer extraordinaire - Jen McLeod, @jenmcleodphoto

Our dried floral bouquet & boutonniere - Lizi and Fern Floral Design Studio @liziandfern

Lovely rooms and best intimate dining experience for our post-elopement dinner - Pluvio Restaurant and Rooms @pluvio_restaurant_and_rooms

Our wonderful officiant - Heidi Shaw