Vancouver Island Wedding Industry 2020 Awards Special Edition...it was a year of changes in every way and that included this year’s Vancouver Island Wedding Awards. The Board members looked for a way to recognize the industry while acknowledging the difficulties and positive moments. The decision was made to create categories that reflected the circumstances and celebrated the community.

This Gala format was something completely new, so everyone was relieved when 17 Black Events came onboard with their online event experience. Mary Winspear Centre once again offered their theatre for filming while Sara of The Good Party worked away at scripts. Friendors throughout the Island sent in pre=taped intros while Painted Sky Films put together a mix of images from the previous year.

Tamara and Scott, surrounded by decor and floral by The Good Party and Fleurtacious by Lynda Marie, guided us through an evening of awards, giveaways, music and recognition of those who are supporting the Island wedding community. DJ Chris Poynter opened the evening with a half hour set while Jill Cooper played the intermission and ended the evening with her vocals. We especially loved Derek and Lindsay with their hilarious ‘in bed’ working moments and the crowd out in Tofino who crowd sourced their ‘friendor’ intro! (thanks to Long Beach Lodge Resort!)

Giveaways throughout the Awards were provided by Bilston Creek Farm, Charcuterie and Co. , Gardens at HCP, Bear & Joey Cafe, Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, Jam and Co. Luxury Picnics and The Fat Macaron. The most important portion of the evening were the Community Contributors being recognized for their work on behalf of the wedding industry. Jon-Mark Photography, Rare Earth Events, Artistry for Alexa, Four Frames Photo Booth and Paper Heart Films were all nominated by their fellow vendors for this honor.

Many thanks to everyone who worked to make the 2020 Awards happen: the Sponsors, the Industry Association board members, the volunteers and, of course, our judges. A special thank you to the creator of our one of a kind West Coast awards this year – Melanie Anne Designs. 

The past year has certainly not been what anyone was expecting…in business or personally. However, we hope to come out a stronger group of ‘friendors’, ready to help couples as they choose to marry on Vancouver Island. We look forward to the Vancouver Island Wedding Industry Awards Gala in 2022. See you there!

WINNERS

THE BALANCING ACT: Kelsey Goodwin of KGOODPhoto
FINALISTS: Tammy of Blue Lily Event Planning + Susan of Cobble Hill Cake Co.

BEST VIRTUAL/AT A DISTANCE EXPERIENCE: Twist Victoria
FINALISTS: Karen of Bezaire Floral and Events | Kailli of Dancing Dandelion Farms | The Good Party

POSITIVE UNEXPECTED OUTCOME: Bilston Creek Farm
FINALISTS: KGOODPhoto and Twist Victoria

MOST UNIQUE SERVICE DELIVERY: Dakota of The Good Party
FINALISTS: Vow and Co. and Oak Bay Beach Hotel

MACRO TO MICRO: Details Planning + Design
FINALISTS: The Good Party + Tulle and Tweed Photography

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The Vancouver Island Wedding Awards, hosted by the Vancouver Island Wedding Industry Association, returned to its roots with this year’s Gala on Feb 28^th, 2020. Mary Winspear Centre was showcased beginning with a cocktail hour in their foyer area featuring savory and sweet treats alongside Twist Victoria and fun photo booth action. There was so much chatter it was difficult to persuade guests into the Charlie White Theatre for the actual Awards experience! 

Photos by Dave Delgado Photography

Over forty awards were handed out by hosts Kelsey Goodwin, Jon-Mark Wiltshire and Kenny Podmore, who were surrounded by balloons, flowers and bright lights! Popcorn, macarons, an Empress Gin sponsored drink and personal charcuterie boards were delivered by an army of servers during the Awards ceremony. Decorate Victoria’s Ian and Sandy ended the Awards portion of the evening with heartfelt speeches handing off the Industry Award to Nicholas Waters of Toque Catering.  Guests then heard the music of Noah Edwards and the Flood, who began to play, inviting them to the rest of the evening.

Bodine Hall was transformed by lounges – each lounge sponsored by a team of planners, florists and friends. Alongside these lounges was a spectacular Dessert Showcase featuring various cake makers. The entire edge of the Hall showcased various food and drink sponsors featuring chefs from Toque Catering, Inn at Laurel Point, Truffles Catering, Songhees Centre Catering , Charcuterie & Co., and House of Boateng.  Bubble Bus Co and Twist Victoria kept everyone well supplied during the entire evening. Decorate Victoria, The Good Party and Fleurtacious by Lynda Marie headed up the colourful decor which included thousands of flowers from Eurosa Farms, too many balloons to count and ceiling decor that wowed! Guests partied late into the night with DJ Chris Poynter, ending the evening with swag bags in hand, promising to return next year.

We are so grateful for all the ‘friendors’ on Vancouver Island coming together this year and we look forward to working together creating memories for all the couples marrying here in 2020.  See you all next year at the Vancouver Island Wedding Awards! 

If you would like to be part of the Vancouver Island Wedding Industry Association Board please email viwedindustry@gmail.com. 

Congratulations to all the Finalists and Winners!

2019 Vancouver Island Wedding Awards!

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The 2016 Awards Gala starred the Fairmont Empress, Vancouver Island wedding professionals, and stunning photos featuring weddings from the past year. We were pleased to welcome back hosts Steve and Courtney Julien, who entertained us the entire evening, along with presenters and winners. Amanda of Tickle Tree Stationery & Design created perfect programs, signs, and certificates. Anne of Party Mood organized the entire Palm Court, which featured tastings from the Fairmont Empress chefs, Schur to Please Boutique Cakery, Bon Macaron Patisserie, and Coastal Cake Company, along with the stylings of Geoffrey Lundstrom. The Crystal Ballroom itself was sponsored by Sandy of Decorate Victoria.

All photos by Spark and Whimsy Photography

Huge thanks to our founding Sponsors Four Frames Photo Booth, who provided great photos all night, and The Bride’s Closet, who has always provided the actual awards that we present (+ lovely ladies to present them)! We were astounded to receive gala photos just days later from Spark & Whimsy Photography and a video teaser by Ria of Jesse Hlady Studios. And, as always, a big hat’s off to the behind-the-scenes crew: Beckie Ross, Snap&Twigs Media, Blue Lily Event Planning, the Anticipate Hospitality team, PSAV (audio/video), and Laura Kalcsa of West Coast Weddings Magazine. The evening ended with the incredible voice of Eva from Beauty Bride.

The afterparty was held at Q At The Empress, the perfect space to unwind with Vancouver Island wedding friends. There was a signature ‘Awards Drink’ and Empress popcorn on every table. Finally, many made their way up to their rooms overnight! 

We would also like to thank Table Sponsors who worked with the ’empress + royalty’ theme: Sherri of Dolphin’s Resort (Table Décor Organizer!), Decorate Victoria, Purely Flower, Beauty Bride, West Coast Weddings Magazine, Wedding & Event Design by Christina, Lavish Engagements, Sublime Celebrations, Details Planning & Event Design, Salish Sea Events, Absolute Rentals and Always Invited. Live Floral Sponsors: Fleurtacious by Lynda Marie, Brown’s the Florist, Platinum Floral Designs, Fresh View Events, and Campbell River Florist.

We were thrilled to see Lynda of Fleurtacious by Lynda Marie win the Industry Award for the year – she surely deserves it for her wonderful work with her clients as well as her support of all the ‘friendors’ on Vancouver Island. We hope she enjoys the weekend presented by Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet!  

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists at the Vancouver Island Wedding Awards 2016!

We look forward to next year with a new website, an easier submission process, and the change to a non-profit organization named Vancouver Island Wedding Industry Association. The Board of the Association will run the Awards and no charge Industry Events throughout the year. These events will provide networking opportunities and learning sessions based on business, marketing, and creativity. The first VIWIA Day will occur on January 31, 2017, at the Olympic View Golf Club. To register or for more information, please email viwedindustry@gmail.com.  If you would like to be part of the upcoming Board, please visit viweddingassociation.com. 

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