You Won't Believe This Is a Backyard Wedding — but It Is!

Glen Durrell Photography

If you're planning a destination wedding in our northern neighbor — or if you're Canadian and planning a hometown big day — get ready for some luscious lakeside inspiration. Tessa and Tyrell met as staff members at Camp Firwood in Bellingham, WA, and they tried unsuccessfully to keep the relationship from getting too serious due to all the family ties at the camp. Bride Tessa told us, "Since we both have lots of family that has worked at Firwood, our first conversation was about how we could never get married — otherwise all of the Camp Firwood staff would be related!" But just a year later, they began their two-year dating relationship. They were engaged for six months before tying the knot.

Taking place outdoors at Tessa's family's home on Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, the wedding had a beautiful, nature-filled backdrop that didn't require much in the way of decor. "We didn't really have a theme for our wedding," Tessa explained. "I just wanted it to be elegant. We chose to have it in the evening and have purple, charcoal, and black as our colors. We had lots of damask pattern in the dark colors, which I think helped us achieve the classy/sophisticated look that I wanted."

See stunning photos of the wedding and learn more about how it all came together ahead.

Friendly Preparation

Friendly Preparation

In addition to her bridal party, Tessa had some extra help from a long-distance friend when she was getting ready the morning of the wedding. She says, "My BFF Laura flew all the way across the country to get ready with me!"

Designer Dress

Designer Dress

Tessa's intricate gown — covered in tiny flowers and beads — was Oscar de la Renta.

Ladies in Waiting

Ladies in Waiting

Tessa's bridesmaids consisted of her sister, two sisters-in-law, and a childhood best friend.

Bouquet Beautiful

Bouquet Beautiful

Tessa's richly colored bouquet packed a punch with purple.

Twinkle Toes

Twinkle Toes

Tessa flashed her bridal shoes.

Well Groomed

Well Groomed

Tyrell's groomsmen included two brothers, a brother-in-law, and a childhood best friend.

Suited Up

Suited Up

Tyrell laughed with two of his groomsmen.

Backyard Bash

Backyard Bash

Both the outdoor ceremony and reception took place at Tessa's parents' lakeside house in Kelowna, British Columbia. The location was a no-brainer for Tessa: "I've always wanted to get married in the backyard I grew up in."

Crowd Pleaser

Crowd Pleaser

The programs doubled as fans to keep guests cool in the sun.

Scene Stealers

Scene Stealers

The flower girl and the ring bearer were too cute walking down the aisle.

Father of the Bride

Father of the Bride

Tessa's father walked her down the aisle.

Lakeside Vows

Lakeside Vows

Okanagan Lake made for a serene backdrop for the ceremony.

Kiss the Bride

Kiss the Bride

Tessa and Tyrell sealed their union with a smooch.

Look of Love

Look of Love

The happy couple returned down the aisle.

Family Ties

Family Ties

Tessa's family members and their significant others posed with the newly married couple.

Jump For Joy

Jump For Joy

Tessa jumped on the vintage couch for a picture-perfect moment.

Two of a Kind

Two of a Kind

Tessa and Tyrell walked on her parents' property.

Romantic Rendezvous

Romantic Rendezvous

Tessa offers some words of wisdom: "My advice to other brides would be to sit down and enjoy your wedding. We were so busy saying 'hi' to everyone that we didn't really get to enjoy the party or even eat the food." 

Seeing the Signs

Seeing the Signs

Modern-styled signs pointed guests in the right direction.

Good Eats

Good Eats

Tessa and Tyrell wanted to focus more on the food at their wedding than the entertainment, so they created a lounge vibe with cuisine catered by nearby Manteo Resort. "I think our wedding was unique because we had lounge-style seating with the 'food stations' scattered throughout," said Tessa. "Plus, all the food was made right in front of you!"

Toast to Love

Toast to Love

Pretty bubbly was served during the reception.

Fired Up

Fired Up

Food was prepared right in front of guests at the dining stations.

Sweet Ending

Sweet Ending

Tessa and Tyrell kissed behind their intricately designed wedding cake.

The Little Things

The Little Things

The chic modern decor was pumped up with vibrant florals and a modern damask print. But there was one minor oversight. "Our biggest disaster was that the favors didn't get put out," Tessa admitted. "I didn't even realize it until we had gotten home from our honeymoon! So there was really no solving that."

Starry Night

Starry Night

The reception took place under big tents with lots of comfy seating for lounging.

Tented Romance

Tented Romance

The tents were glammed up with ornate chandeliers.

First Dance

First Dance

Tessa and Tyrell's first dance was to "Can I Stay" by Ray LaMontagne.

Honeymoon Bound

Honeymoon Bound

For their honeymoon, the newlyweds went to Kauai, HI. Tessa explained, "We were looking for a tropical destination with a more 'local' feel, and Kauai definitely fit the bill!"