Helicopter Wedding

Kitsilano & Port Coquitlam

Matt and Rachel

I met Matt and Rachel about three or four years ago at English Bay Beach. My roommate and I were looking for opponents for spikeball, spotted them, and invited them to play. We exchanged numbers and became friends. They mentioned they were leaving the following week to teach English in Korea for a year and a half, so we stayed in touch.

Shortly after returning home, they had Bowen, who became the absolute love of their life. They bring him everywhere—hiking, camping, biking, running. They're outdoorsy people who love spending time together as a family.

When they told me they were renting a helicopter to get married on a remote mountaintop, it felt perfectly them. Adventurous, outdoorsy, and unique.

Before the wedding, we skipped traditional engagement photos and went to the park with Bowen instead. We brought a blanket, props, watermelon, and champagne, and just let him be a kid. Those photos became some of my all-time favorites—he was laughing, smiling, and being his ridiculous self.

On the wedding day, I met them at 7am in Kitsilano for their first look. Rachel's family flew in from Galway, Ireland, bringing that warm Irish energy—always ready for good drinks, good stories, and a great time.

We headed to Sky Helicopters in Coquitlam for Matt and Rachel's first helicopter ride. We flew to a gorgeous lake tucked between two mountains. It felt surreal—so quiet and beautiful, with just the sound of fish jumping and wind rustling through the trees. We spent just over an hour there, integrating the helicopter, mountains, and water into their photos.

After flying back, we stopped at their house for refreshments before heading to the church for a short, heartfelt ceremony. The reception at Crate and Barrel in False Creek was classic Vancouver—30 of their closest friends and family, hanging out and laughing. No one stressed about timelines. It was simple, intentional, and fun.

Matt and Rachel didn't worry about wedding "shoulds." They did it their way, focusing on what mattered most—quality time with the people they love. This wedding was the definition of being present.