Vista + Brenden: Engagement Photos and Persian Engagement Party, West Vancouver

At an outdoor wedding reception last summer, I met Vista and Brenden under rather usual circumstances. During the speeches the rain came pouring down and we still had to keep photographing, so I casually popped under their umbrella with them in an attempt to help keep my camera and flash somewhat dry from the colossal raindrops. I continued to bounce from umbrella to umbrella as I photographed in the rain, always coming back to their umbrella.  Later last year, when Vista and Brenden were engaged, she said she just had to have Justin and I as her photographers. She had enjoyed meeting us and had seen firsthand how dedicated we were at her friends wedding, plus she loved the photographs we had created and hoped we could do the same for her.

Luckily we had their date available and the rest is history. We are so pleased to have the opportunity to be able to photograph her and Brenden for their engagement and their wedding later this Autumn. For now, here is a selection of photographs from their engagement session, along with photographs of their engagement party. We had such a nice afternoon with both Vista and Brenden, and really enjoyed meeting their immediate family at their Persian engagement party.

Vista and Brenden both went to West Vancouver Secondary School, so what a perfect location to have their engagement session.

We just love this moment – you can just feel the comfort, joy and love they share together.

Of course we had to go and hang out on the school steps! Didn’t we all do that at some point in high school?

I just love the way she looks at him.

After their engagement session, we headed back to Vista’s parents home to capture their Persian engagement party.  One of the wonderful and truly enjoyable parts of our work is being so welcomed into our clients homes, their lives, their culture and at such beautiful and exciting points in their lives. It makes us feel so lucky to do what we do. In Iranian culture, it is customary to set up a spread of meaningful items to represent life, love, religious significances and marriage advice. The sweet treats signify the happiness and joy which will be brought into the couple’s life. The glass ‘Golab posh’ pitcher is used to serve rose water which is offered to guests to celebrate a new beginning. The Shahnameh is the ancient Persian storybook by the poet Ferdowsi. And the sewing scissors are representative to cut away the negative moments that the couple may encounter, while the needle and thread are to sew a patch for a new and stronger beginning.

Vista’s sister is presenting her with a mirror so she can see herself, because she is the greatest gift to herself and to the world. Isn’t that lovely!? Brenden was also presented to view himself in the mirror and the same words were spoken. It was a thoughtful and moving moment for us to be a part of.

Wedding rings and Zoroastrian gold pendants.