A Beautiful Ripples Winery Wedding in Abbotsford | Alecia & Sean

Some weddings feel like they're built around a timeline. Others feel like they're built around the people. Alecia and Sean's wedding at Ripples Winery in Abbotsford was definitely the second kind.

From the moment the morning started, it was obvious that every decision they made was about creating a day that felt comfortable, meaningful, and true to who they are—not about following traditions just because they're expected.

A Relaxed Morning Getting Ready

The day began in two very different places.

Alecia spent the morning at her in-laws' home, surrounded by the people closest to her. One of my favourite details from the morning was that she had her hair and makeup done by a close friend. The atmosphere felt more like everyone hanging out together than rushing through a wedding morning. There was plenty of laughter, conversation, and excitement, but without any unnecessary stress.

Meanwhile, Sean got ready at home with his groomsmen. Once everyone was dressed, they did something I don't think I've seen before—they sat down and played video games together while waiting for the day to unfold. It suited Sean perfectly and gave everyone a chance to relax instead of simply watching the clock.

Starting the Day with a Private Legal Ceremony

One of the most memorable parts of the day happened long before guests arrived.

Alecia and Sean chose to have their legal ceremony earlier that morning at Ripples Winery with only their wedding party present. It wasn't about skipping the main ceremony—it was about easing the nerves of standing in front of all their family and friends later in the day.

Watching that quiet ceremony unfold was incredibly special. Without the pressure of a full audience, they were able to focus entirely on each other. It created such a calm start to the day, and by the time the larger ceremony began later, you could already see how much more relaxed they both were.

It's one of those choices that made complete sense once you witnessed it.

The Moments After "I Do"

After the legal ceremony, Alecia headed to the bridal suite to finally put on her wedding dress.

What followed was a series of emotional first looks that became some of my favourite moments of the entire day.

Her dad's reaction was one of those genuine moments you can't recreate. Then came first looks with Sean's parents and with their children, each one carrying its own emotion and excitement. Because everything happened after the private ceremony, nobody felt rushed. Everyone had time to simply enjoy the moment together.

A Ceremony Filled with Family

When guests gathered for the main ceremony, it felt incredibly personal from beginning to end.

Sean's stepmom officiated the ceremony, and you could immediately tell how close she is with both Sean and Alecia. Rather than feeling scripted, every word felt genuine. There was a warmth throughout the ceremony that reflected years of family memories and relationships.

Those are the ceremonies that people remember—not because they're elaborate, but because they feel authentic.

Exploring Ripples Winery (and Avoiding the Spiders)

After the ceremony, we wandered around Ripples Winery for portraits.

The property offers so many beautiful backdrops, from the vineyards to the open fields, but one unexpected challenge kept everyone laughing throughout the afternoon: the spiders.

Every few minutes someone would spot another web stretched across the field, leading to quick detours, plenty of laughter, and a few funny reactions. It's one of those behind-the-scenes memories that never makes it into the timeline but becomes part of the story everyone remembers afterward.

Those little unscripted moments are often the ones that bring out the most genuine smiles in photos.

A Reception Inside the Greenhouse Oasis

As guests made their way into the greenhouse reception space, it felt like stepping into a completely different setting.

The greenhouse at Ripples Winery has such a welcoming atmosphere. Surrounded by greenery, natural light, and beautiful décor, it created an intimate space where everyone settled in quickly and simply enjoyed being together.

Dinner was followed by heartfelt speeches that had people laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. It was obvious how loved Alecia and Sean are by the people around them.

The evening continued with some fun games that kept guests involved before moving into the traditional dances.

Ending the Night on the Dance Floor

After their first dance and parent dances, the energy shifted from emotional to unforgettable.

As soon as the LED glow stick wands came out, the dance floor filled almost instantly. They transformed the room into a colourful celebration, and for the rest of the evening, nobody seemed interested in sitting down.

Watching everyone—from kids to grandparents—waving glowing wands while dancing together was the perfect ending to a day that had already been full of genuine moments.

A Wedding That Felt Completely Like Them

Looking back on Alecia and Sean's wedding, what stands out isn't one big moment—it's how intentional every part of the day felt.

The private legal ceremony helped calm their nerves. Having a close friend do Alecia's hair and makeup made the morning feel personal. Sean playing video games with his groomsmen reflected exactly who he is. Their family played meaningful roles throughout the day, from first looks to having Sean's stepmom officiate the ceremony.

Nothing felt like it was done simply because it was expected.

Every choice reflected their personalities, and that's what made their wedding at Ripples Winery in Abbotsford so memorable. It wasn't about creating a perfect wedding—it was about creating a day that genuinely felt like Alecia and Sean.

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Vendors:

Venue: Ripples Winery

Catering: Coast and Country Catering

Dress: Champagne and Lace

Photography: Daisy and Lily Photography