Polygon Gallery Industry Open House

West Coast Weddings Magazine loves getting the invite to the Polygon Gallery Industry Open House every year. It’s a real honor to be included with Vancouver events and tourism professionals to celebrate the upcoming 2024 season. As always, there was delicious food, great company, incredible art, and a golden hour to take your breath away! 

All photos by SoWedding Photo & Cinema

We enjoyed the yummy cocktails by Lavish Liquid and tasted our way through seven amazing catering partners onsite: Cocktail & Canapes, Edge Catering, Louis Gervais Fine Foods & Catering, Peak Catering, Railtown Catering, The Lazy Gourmet, and Truffles Fine Foods Catering—all while lounging in a party-scape like no other, thanks to the creative minds at Social Ingredients. 

Our favorite parts of the evening? We loved the eye-catching floral that complemented the bright spring color palette and the ‘get this party started’ sign. Did you see the perfect bejeweled pastries on the gold cake stands? Plus, the view never gets old, and we enjoyed sipping our liquids as we watched the sun go down.

 And of course – we were invited to see the latest spring exhibition: Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia – a landmark survey of the feminist art collective’s decade-long story during its final weeks at the gallery. Don’t miss this! Polygon Gallery is filled with wonderful things to do and see as well as being one of Vancouver’s premiere event venues.

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Rustic Romance on Vancouver Island..a lovely story of candlelight, lace, and roses. The ultimate in forest fairytale wedding inspiration. We love the reception table surrounded by towering pines. The whole reception palette is moved indoors and shows off the newlywed style in front of a fireplace.

Let’s talk about the bride’s gown. It’s incredible and locally designed by She Wore Flowers. The dress features a lace overlay over blush, a stunning train, and fringed sleeves. The bride’s sexy loose curls are pinned back to show the smoky makeup look. The piece de resistance to her bridal style is the exquisite bouquet. Italian Ruscus, varying white and cream blooms, and apricot beige roses come together to complete this dreamy ensemble. 

The reception design starts on a wooden farm table. Taper candles march down the center atop a white ruched runner paired with cream and apricot floral posies. The paper suite adds perfect details to the whole picture. We love the imaginative hand-drawn map of the day’s plans alongside the ‘where you go – I will go’ calligraphy cards. 

Anytime you can have your newlywed photos in front of a vintage brick fireplace is a good time! The mantle carries the taper candle theme from the West Coast long table, and we can’t imagine a more romantic candlelight wedding shot. 

Let’s not forget the darling wedding cake! A petite affair for the sweethearts decored with Ruscus, ferns, and figs. The flair for the lush table settings is where the rustic brown plates have their fabric charger. And a pretty thank you card for each guest. 

We loved this inspiration shoot so much that we featured it in the 2021 Vancouver Island West Coast Wedding Magazine! It brings together all the wonderful elements that make Vancouver Island so perfect. Forest, flowers, ferns, and chic boho beauty. 

See more Rustic Romance  in the Vancouver Island 2021 Issue

PHOTOS: Secret Waters Photo | VENUE: Keating Farm  | PLANNER + STYLING: Vow and Co.  | HAIR + MUA: Erin Bradley  | MODELS: Meg + Kevin  | PAPER SUITE: Petite Paperie Design Co.   | FLORAL: Beyond the Bloom   | DRESS: She Wore Flowers  | Style: Willow | DÉCOR & LOUNGE: Trend Rentals & Design Studio  | TABLE: Tabletop Curated Rentals  | EARRINGS: Honey Baby Studio   | GRAZING BOARD: The Noble Grazer 

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A Forest Wedding Vision Artfully Catered…often the last thing on a wedding list is the food but, in this case,  the cuisine was just as beautiful as everything else!  Truffles Catering worked with Prestlee and Scott to create a gorgeous culinary vision amongst the majestic trees of Vancouver Island.

This wedding was our 2020 issue cover shot and story in the magazine. We loved everything about this wedding and we soon realized we wanted to draw attention to the catering at this woodland reception.

The long tables were set amongst the giant trees, with the stump of one serving as a stage for the speeches. Each table was covered in lush west coast flowers, greenery and candles. Above the tables were strung strings of café lights that lit up the entire tableau after dark. Each white plate held a fern leaf and place card on white vellum paper.

The real star of this show, however, was the drinks, appetizers, desserts, cake and main course. Truffles Catering had servers in formal wear offering both sweet and savory throughout the evening. A lovely seating area offered a cocktail bar with all of the fixings and a cake table filled with sweet things. We loved the doughnut sticks where the treats, with different shades of icing, waited for guests to choose their favorite. The wedding cake and sweets around it were also in white icing with lush greenery décor.

Family and guests enjoyed the wonderful night of food, many toasts to the bride and groom and speeches under the stars. The newlyweds danced under the stars knowing their their forest wedding vision artfully catered had been a success!

VENUE: Cowichan River Wilderness Lodge |  PLANNING | RENTALS | FLORAL: Party Mood | PHOTOS: Erin Wallis Photography | GOWN: Willowby by Watters at The White Peony | MENSWEAR: Tip Top Tailors | CUISINE: Truffles Catering | RENTALS: Black and White Party Rentals 

You are invited to another West Coast Forest Wedding!

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Romantic Black Lace and Dramatic Floral showcase hints of gold and a gorgeous cake!  Olivia, of Lavish Engagements, was inspired by an out of this world black lace gown at The Bride’s Closet. She teamed up with Thrifty Foods Comox to showcase this beauty with lush yet bold floral design and wedding cake.

The bride wears this one of a kind black wedding dress with perfection. The fitted lace flares with a small train and scoop neck is an inspiring gown for a unique and stylish bride. The groom rocks a formal look and wears a boutonniere made of calla lily and greenery.

The floral design is the star of the show with beautiful lilies and roses in dramatic hues. This is a perfect way to showcase floral at an intimate wedding. The more flowers the more the occasion feels special! So we see flowers dripping from above the stone wall backdrop and all around the wedding cake. The lovely pink peonies, eucalyptus, blue thistle and ‘black’ calla lilies are breath taking. The table settings of black edged plates with fern leaf on each black napkin and black cutlery is the epitome of sophistication.

We love this wedding cake from Thrifty Foods! A touch of gold is perfect for this inspiration palette. The flowers surrounding the cake bring all the attention to the three tiered creation. Weddings that mirror the vintage idea of family and friends plus flowers and cake are all the rage and this palette shows how to do it with style!

If you are hoping for a sophisticated west coast wedding, this romantic black lace + dramatic floral is the way to go!

PHOTOGRAPHY  Joanna Moss Photography • PLANNING  Lavish Engagements • FLORAL & CAKE DESIGN  Thrifty Foods • STATIONERY  Stay Magical Studios •  VENUE  The Beach Club Resort • HAIR Sofia Pastro & MUA Amy Broere for Artistry by Alexa • BRIDAL GOWNS  The Bride’s Closet • LINENS Hollyhock Originals • CHAIRS Black & White Party Rentals • DECOR  All In One Party Shop • FLATWARE  Party Mood • COUPLE Natasha + Mitch

You are invited to another Thrifty Foods styled wedding shoot! 

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Poet’s Cove Wedding Romance of Alexandra and Michael! This celebration showcased the very best of this resort and marina on Pender Island. Friends and family were able to gather round the couple in this secluded and tranquil spot. We love that we first saw this wedding when searching for the perfect photo for Poet’s Cove to use in wedding advertising. It was not a hard decision once we saw the shot of these two kissing at the end of the pier with the beautiful boats and scenery behind!

The bride and groom had their ceremony and dancing out on the terrace with the view of the marina just beyond. The waterfall beside them was the perfect backdrop. They chose to have their reception in the Seaglass Ballroom which was filled with decor by the bride. The resort chefs wowed guests with a delicious BBQ Buffet and kept the glasses filled throughout the evening. (Did we mention the bride works at the Driftwood Brewery and was able to bring a few kegs for the special occasion – talk about connections!) The newlyweds and their guests danced under the sky and strings of cafe lights.

The real star of this show, besides the couple themselves, was the bridal gown! The Truvelle dress was just perfect for the sea side wedding. It featured a ballerina bodice attached to a voluminous white on white patterned skirt. The portrait was complete with the bouquet and flower crown of white blooms, delicate ferns and eucalyptus. The groom looked dashing in his blue suit and boutonniere.

The newlyweds had a wonderful photo session around the marina and resort including the forest area nearby. Their sense of fun imbues their romantic photos with flirting and laughter. We love that these two had a Poet’s Cove Wedding Romance and it’s an West Coast inspiration.

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Charming Farm Wedding at Bilston Creek fulfilled Mykaela and Isaiah’s vision for their special day. The sun shone at just the right moments, a wandering violinist added the perfect soundtrack and friends and family enjoyed every moment of this boho inspired palette.

Mykaela and Isaiah both wanted lots of quirky touches, vintage vibes and fun to be what was remembered by friends. However, there was also a lot of beauty, detail and colour that added to the occasion.

The ceremony was held against the wood sided house on the property which was surrounded by colourful chrysanthemums and greenery. The bride and groom sat upon an antique settee while their officiant helped them through their vows to each other. Guests were delighted to find each chair had a name card with flower to help them know where to be seated. Glass jars filled with berries and white daisies hung from the trees around. The best guest? The awesome family dog who had his own place along the aisle! 

The wedding party was delightfully eclectic with the guys in different coloured suits, ties and vests. Each one wore a different boutonniere sitting in their coat pockets. The bridesmaids complemented with autumn colours which suited this auburn haired bride perfectly. Bridesmaids carried simple hand tied greenery. This allowed all the attention to be on the amazing bridal bouquet of bright autumn blooms. The bride wore the most amazing embroidered vintage feel gown with a wreath of floral in her hair – the same blooms found in her bouquet. 

After the ceremony, guests and the wedding party mingled in the field of fruit trees and enjoyed champagne and cuisine while the violin music kept everyone in high spirits. 

The barn reception outdid the ceremony with so many flowers and autumn colours. Each wood table had multiple hues of  hydrangeas and dahlias in small coloured glass jars and vases. The head table highlight was the two antique chairs for the newlyweds – one deep raspberry and the other deep green! Floral arrangements were heaped up and down the table with the bridal bouquet having the place of honor, of course!

The settee from the ceremony made the trip into the reception and was surrounded by colourful mums. Guitar playing guests could be seen sitting there throughout the evening entertaining guests. The supper was over the top with local ingredients  and delicious flavours. (And he fed all the wedding vendors, too!)

This charming farm wedding at Bilston Creek Farm is a real example of a chill, relaxed wedding that exudes style and beauty. The lavender fields and fruit trees are the perfect backdrop to the reception barn lined with purple dried flowers. Guests won’t forget these nuptials and the newlyweds who chose to make their day such a special one! 

VENUE: Bilston Creek Farm | PHOTOS: LumiPhoto + PhotoJinnic | BRIDES BOUQUET + CROWN: Bespoke Blossoms | RECEPTION DECOR: Laura Kalcsa (and helpers!) | HAIR: Brooklynn Seefried of Head Case Hair Studio | MUA: Nicki Lakas of NL Beauty | BRIDAL GOWN: BHLDN | CHEF: Chris Irving | VIOLIN; Kierah of Irish Madness

You are invited to another Vancouver Island Farm Wedding!

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Join us at the beautiful Hatley Castle on March 29 2020 from 12:00 noon – 3pm for the Champagne and Cake Wedding Show, presented by Royal Roads University + Truffles Catering + West Coast Weddings Magazine.  

Sip bubbly & taste delicious cakes while meeting some of South Vancouver Island’s inspirational and creative talents in the wedding industry.  Speak with wedding planners and decor stylists, florists, caterers, Dj’s & bridal shops and so much more….

Hatley Castle is one of the most sought after wedding venues in the Victoria area.  The property offers three unique ceremony locations, perfect for your wedding or vow renewal.  There are several wedding ceremony and reception packages to choose from.  This show provides the ideal opportunity to explore your options with the assistance of one of their event specialists.  Highlights of the afternoon include a never ending bridal fashion show and a ride in a limo to the castle courtesy of LA Limousines!  

Donations at the door to Benefit BC Cancer Foundation 

Keep up with all the details on our Instagram @champagneandcakeshow

Photo credit: Secret Waters Photography

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Tips and tricks to finding your perfect wedding caterer can be very helpful! The role of a caterer is integral to your successful wedding day – they provide set up, service, cocktails, cuisine, and clean-up. They are there for you from your backyard wedding to the cater-less venue to the fancy ballrooms.  They can help you choose your cuisine style, the proper wine, assist with decor and rentals and work within your budget.

But how to choose this so important wedding professional for your nuptials? What are some tips and tricks to finding your perfect catering match? 

We spoke with Heidi Jones, Senior Sales & Event Manager of Vancouver Island’s  Truffles Catering, to answer some essential questions. We asked her what she thought were the most crucial things to look for in your caterer – so here are her tips & tricks to finding your wedding caterer:: 

1}  Determine your budget first. You can have your caterer help you figure out how much you are hoping to spend per guest and if you are hosting a bar/table wine or providing a cash bar. These factors will affect your budget and culinary possibilities.

2}  Look for a caterer that aligns to your ‘couple cuisine philosophy’ such as environmental concerns, any wish to source locally, and any particular culinary wishes.  Are you looking for a food truck or a personal chef? Be sure to search for your perfect caterer in the right place!

3}  Location can be a factor – some caterers will only work locally, and others will travel.  Those that are willing to travel may ask for additional mileage charges and perhaps even accommodation for staff. So if you are planning your wedding at a remote spot, keep this in mind.

4)  Caterers can help you with the food-specific day of planning – timelines for receptions and dinners, bar service plans, creating specialty cocktails, ensuring dietary requests service, and all kinds of other helpful advice and action. However, caterers often work with and interact with your wedding planner or the event planner at the venue you have chosen.

5) Pricing can seem confusing, so keep in mind that there will be costs other than the actual food, such as staffing, equipment, rentals (glassware, flatware, place settings, linens, tables, chairs, dance floors, etc.), and decor (if requested).  Price will also fluctuate depending on your choices of cuisine.

6)  Caterers will offer pre-set menus or a curated menu if you desire. Curated menus will be more unique and unusual. The culinary team would be happy to sit and consult with you to bring your vision to life but keep in mind that pricing will be according to the requests you are making and perhaps even the growing season.  Strawberries in December? Those would not be local, and that will reflect in the price.

6)  Caterers know all the best wedding professionals, so they will have great advice for you on who to hire and may even offer to contract them on your behalf.

7)  Anyone who has tried to deal with liquor licenses in BC will be thrilled to know that your caterer can deal with the BC Board on your behalf  – providing they buy the alcohol and serve. They will handle all your alcohol and specialty cocktail needs or contract in a company specializing in liquor service.

8) Deposits are required for a caterer to start purchasing your choices – expect the request to be 50% of the estimated total to confirm the caterer. The remaining amount is normally due before the event – often 30 to 90 days before your wedding day. This is so that your caterer can line up staff, ensure that all product is ordered and that rentals arrive.”

So don’t be in a hurry – take a look at it and meet with a few caterers before making your decision. Be sure you feel happy and comfortable around the Catering Team that will be handling your day. Have fun with a tasting that should include the wine pairing (this may require payment, but it is worth every dime for peace of mind!) and enjoy your culinary choices on this most important day.

Point of Interest…some of Truffle Catering’s Suppliers:

Sun Wing Tomatoes

Saanich Organics

Top Soil Urban Farms

Gobind Farms

Silver Rill Corn

Fol Epi Organic Bread and Pastry

Qualicum Cheese Works

Rossdown Farms

Berryman Farms

Parry Bay Farm

Maple Hill Farms

Fraser Valley Meats

Two Rivers Meats

Level Ground Coffee

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Charming Decor Trends and Beauty were the themes of this ‘live editorial’  – wedding professionals brought a romantic and luxurious vision to life, creating an interactive experience. Couples who visited the showcase could taste, feel, look, and enjoy the ambiance and culinary delights. We loved the great trends, such as the fabric table menus, gorgeous hats, one-of-a-kind linens, and beautiful culinary details.

Charming Décor Trends for West Coast Weddings

We love the intricate, detailed décor filled with vintage candlesticks and furniture! Small floral arrangements dotted about the tablescape create a wonderful feeling of lush colour heaven below the larger candelabra floral designs—a true Vancouver Island wedding inspiration palette.

Gorgeous hats are the perfect way to complement the beautiful lace gowns trending with brides. Local talent can create a custom hat to match your wedding vision! The table linens were custom-created for the vision, allowing the gilt to shine through the cloth.

What an inspirational piece for brides or bridesmaids! A flowing wrist bouquet of white flowers showcases the blinged-out gown without taking attention away. It’s a great idea and charming decor trend!

Who knew florals could look so wonderful inside a cage? A fascinating twist on a floral design that showcases floating bouquets. 

Antique furniture ‘rooms’ are making quite a statement using bold colours, vintage fabrics, and lots of detail. The lovely bride wears another signature hairpiece from local designer Lynda Marie. Altogether, this charming decor trend design live masterpiece inspires all Vancouver Island wedding couples!

You are invited to more beautiful West Coast Wedding Trends!

PHOTOS: Tyson Airaksinen Photography | CATERING: Toque Catering | DECOR: Charming Decor Event Design | GOWNS:  Shades Of White Bridal | FLORAL: FLEURtacious By Lynda Marie | MAKEUP:  Elate Cosmetics | MILLINERY: Lynda Marie Couture Millinery | MODELS: Coultish Management | PAPER: Refinemark |  VENUE: Villa Marco Polo

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Wedding Cuisine Trends

Is it art, or is it cuisine? Couples are happy to report that the answer is both when it comes to event culinary trends! Insta-worthy wedding day moments are no longer reserved for just the decor, floral, or fashion—the cuisine has also become a masterpiece.

Couples want works of art on the plate, and Edge Catering Vancouver is all about that. Gone are the days of getting as much food on one plate as possible. It’s now all about giving each ingredient space to shine and the art of plating the results. Edge Catering Vancouver shared some of the wedding + events culinary trends they see happening!

Menus on the Move 

“Whether it’s because of space restraints, budget limitations, or a couple wanting to mix it up, fully passed menus will be big.  Don’t stress; this doesn’t mean you must give up a great food selection or leave your guests wanting more. Passed food is not only appropriate for canapes, you can offer passed small plates, petite desserts and late night snacks! The breakdown: A small plate is a scaled-down version of a traditional plated meal but in a smaller presentation. Examples of small plates are the Braised Beef Short Rib or Soy Carmel Sablefish – you don’t have to sacrifice incredible flavor profiles or artful plating with these magical small plates. 

Desserts: Sweet tables are out, passed desserts are in! Treat your guests to mini desserts that can quickly be passed and eaten standing or sitting down. Work with your planner/catering team & customize your very own perfect sweet bites! Contrary to popular belief, items on late-night snack menus are available anytime, not just after 10 p.m. If you are having a more casual affair, why not serve your guests tacos, poutines, or sliders for dinner? In short, let the food come to you and customize a menu that is 100% on the move! 

Stations over Seated

In recent years, we have seen food stations rise in popularity, and the trend of stations over the seated option is staying strong. Variety and choice are a top priority for many couples, and stations allow you to offer that to your guests! Bao, Gnocchi, and Ceviche bars are hot this year and provide amazing options and variety! 

Creative Food Installations & Custom Food Service Items

How something is served has become almost as important as what you serve. Whether it’s canapes, small plates, late-night snacks, or cocktails, this season, we will see much more thought and investment put into how food and beverages are presented to guests. It’s time to reimagine how we serve food.”

CATERING: Edge Catering @edgecaters

PHOTOS: Mathias Fast & Jamie Lee Fuoco  @mathiasfast  @jamieleefuoco

DECOR: Bespoke Décor  @bespokedecor

VENUE: The Polygon Venue  @thepolygonvenue

COCKTAILS: Lavish Liquid  @lavishliquid

FLORAL: The Flower Factory @flowerfactory

RENTALS: Pedersens Event Rentals  @pedersenseventrentals

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