Anyone who meets Michelle wants to be friends with her. She’s got this big heart that just loves on people. She is passionate about everything she takes on and is one of the most loyal friends you could ever have.

I first met Michelle through UFV Volleyball! We never actually played on the team at the same time, but UFV volleyball is a small and VERY close knit group of friends  family so we quickly became friends! She hosted many many parties at her house that included cooking late night mini bagel pizzas, flexibility contests in the living room and everyone crowding into the kitchen for pictures!

In college, like everyone else, Michelle was trying to find her way and her place in life. She was headed towards Physio and along the way she found Tyler and everything fell into place. Just listening to her talk about Physio, it’s so obvious she’s found her calling. Seeing her around Tyler and it’s even more obvious she’s found her place!

I got to spend a week with them both last year when I flew to Calgary for their Banff engagement photos. They are so adventurous together…Tyler is always looking out for her, and planning things for them to do and I love following along on Snapchat as they post about their stunning hikes and camping trips.

Michelle had been telling me about her dream wedding for about a year and she wanted nothing more than a rustic, outdoors destination wedding. A place where everyone could spend the weekend together around campfires and playing backyard games. She found the PERFECT venue at BeaverFoot Lodge.  All us Volleyball players rented out the chuck wagons and got to spend the weekend celebrating Michelle and Tyler just as she always imagined.

The lodge was definitely rustic but it was so much fun. Every night a lodge truck would drive down to all the campfires and drop off a huge pile of wood and get the campfires started. We spent the night before her wedding all packed in around the campfire catching up, trading stories and roasting marshmallows :)

The morning of the wedding we headed up to the lodge for a big breakfast with her family! Everyone dressed in their plaid shirts and ready for a day full of festivities. The girls cabin was calm and excited. The girls had put together a book for Michelle with letters for her to read the morning of her wedding and it was beautiful. Michelle had the most amazing women surrounding her as she got ready and I LOVED getting to hang out with them! Marco headed to the guys cabin and helped them celebrate with a few drinks and some crazy socks :)

We did their first look in some light rain with the Rocky Mountains in the background and it was incredible. The rain let up and we toured the property for photos. Right before the ceremony, the skies opened and it started POURING. Michelle and Tyler waited to make a decision and they both decided to go ahead with their dream…an outdoor wedding with the Rockies in the background. I am so glad they did! The guests huddled under umbrellas and Marco thankfully umbrella’d my camera and me!

After their ceremony everyone went back to the reception hall to warm up and dry off with some drinks. Michelle and Tyler have relatives who own Old Yale Brewery and they drove up a MASSIVE amount of beer! Their mango is the best!

During dinner the sun opened up and ended their day off with the most amazing sunset! We rushed down to the field behind the reception and did some impromptu sunset photos and then headed back for more drinks, speeches and the party! Tristan’s speech was a highlight for all of us Volleyball players. Michelle at every party, would challenge someone to either a plank off or pushup competition. It never failed. So Tristan challenged her to a pushup competition and she enthusiastically hopped up and got down dress and all to compete with Tristan!

Michelle and Tyler, your wedding is one we will remember! It was amazing being there with the volleyball crew again and we loved the venue so much! It was perfect for you guys and we loved seeing you guys so happy!! We especially love that you moved so close to us now so we can have dinner dates!

Love you guys!

 

 

 

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