We were so proud to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation while showcasing the best of Vancouver Island’s wedding and event professionals at this year’s Champagne + Cake Show. West Coast Weddings Magazine presented the show along with Blue Lily Event Planning, Decorate Victoria, Truffles Catering, and Lee Entertainment. And, of course, our iconic venue sponsor, Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University. 

New at Champagne+ Cake Show!

Ceremony setups in the Hatley Park Gardens, peacocks strutting their stuff, and ocean views off the front patio. Live hair and makeup demos, floral displays, tablescapes, and cake cake cake! DJs spinning tunes, couples dancing to our cellist, or singing along with our live music. We loved the mini dance lessons. Photographers, artists, filmmakers, planners, decorators…everything you need for a wedding or event. The food is, as always, a big part of the show. We hope you sampled the Mexican or Thai food, had some coffee, and tried the mocktails. 

Fashion was all through the castle. Models descended the staircases wearing the latest designs and immediately became stars as our photographers snapped! The best part was the brides who found their gown at the dress sale held by The Bride’s Closet with 50% off. Can’t beat that. 

The pièce de résistance of Champagne + Cake Show 2025 at Hatley Castle is…Hatley Castle Park! The gardens are gorgeous this time of year. Many wandered through the Italian Gardens set up for a ceremony. Others took advantage of the sunshine and lounged on the front patios. 

Thank you to everyone for supporting a good cause at the Champagne + Cake Show 2026 at Hatley Castle! See you next year!

Featured Image: Ross Kyker Photo

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Sun Kissed Winery Wedding

Jared and Olivia’s wedding day was filled with sunshine and joy. Everyone was just so happy to be there and to be together to celebrate such a beautiful wedding. It was one of the first post-COVID weddings without restrictions, and it showed. Of course, there were some setbacks along the way as decisions were changed, changed, and changed again. As often happens, all these changes ended up creating an even better day than the couple and family had imagined.

The couple, along with their friends, each stayed over the night before at homes nearby (we hear there were hijinks aplenty). The bride and groom arrived at the Cowichan Bay winery for their ‘first look’ photos. The sun reached its zenith just as Jared and Olivia exchanged vows under the frame backdrop covered in lush roses, hydrangeas, and ivy. Guests looked out at a field of grape vines and countryside scenery as they witnessed the first kiss.

No one was in a hurry to leave on such a sun-kissed afternoon, and guests leisurely tasted the local wines and nibbled on appetizers while visiting the gardens. The call to the reception was happily greeted, and everyone carried their wine into the eucalyptus-filled room. One of the happy accidents of this wedding turned into a very popular dinner. The venue had included a chef and sit down meal in the original contract but then reneged at the last minute. So a desperate search for a caterer had ensued but none was to be had for a July Saturday afternoon. Enter an amazing charcuterie table – 16 feet long and three feet wide. What a display of delicious food and guests were enchanted with the idea of choosing their supper! The wedding party and family entertained everyone with speeches – some tearful but mostly full of laughter. The gorgeous detailed wedding cake was cut and enjoyed along with the dessert table. 

The first dance was held at the garden pavilion, and the sun finally set at the perfect moment. As guests wandered back to the reception, they were met with a sparkling wonderland of candles and twinkle lights among the creme roses—a wonderful tableau under the stars.

We loved the super fun bridal party, the elegant blush bridesmaid gowns, the vintage car, and the unique giveaways. Jared + Olivia’s sun-kissed winery wedding was magazine-worthy (which is why it is in the 2023 Vancouver Island wedding issue!). 

PHOTOS: Kacie McColm Photography

GOWN: Blush Victoria

HAIR: Kiana Rogers

CAKE: Yvonne Ashley

CATERING: Charcuterie and Co.  

FLORAL DESIGN + DECOR: West Coast Weddings Company

RENTALS: Decorate Victoria  | Trend Décor

SUITS: RW & Co.

RINGS: Staghead Designs

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Champagne + Cake Wedding Show will take place at a gorgeous new venue…Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion.

Talk to event planners, florists, wedding gurus, cake makers, gown experts, table top designers, make up artists, hairstylists, calligraphers, and more!

Tour the brand new Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion and enjoy the views out of all those glass windows!

A local garden specialist and historian will give free tours of the Japanese Gardens during the afternoon highlighting some of the oldest gardens in North America.

See beautiful gowns and dresses modeled all afternoon and… guys – we have the latest fashions for you too!

Sponsors Truffles Catering + Decorate Victoria and in partnership with SHINE Fashion Event. 

Meet local Island vendors who specialize in events, weddings, and celebrations! Share some bubbles and cake for a good cause! All proceeds will go to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Get Your Tickets now

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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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Oak Bay Beach Hotel was the beautiful backdrop for Ricky & Hannah’s wedding . Their special day was blessed with an abundance of sunshine! Guests enjoyed incredible ocean views while Ricky and Hannah exchanged vows by a unique ceremony arch.  The floral display in the arch was rivaled only by the blue skies behind. 

We loved Hannah’s veil which was showcased in some wonderful photo moments! And the light pink bridesmaids gowns were the perfect foil to the white and pink hues in the floral bouquets. 

The reception was stunning with the head table in white ruched linens and an abundance of white lilies and roses joined by various shades of pink flowers. A unique arrangement along the bottom edge of the head table was a highlight of the evening. Guest enjoyed favors in blush crowned topped boxes and pink roses spilled out onto the tables. High above guests’ heads were stunning floral displays which were lighted up by endless candles and twinkle lights. 

A great tip to take from Ricky and Hannah’s wedding is the #hashtag sign. No need for guests to wonder what to hashtag photos and they were able to enjoy their guests’ photos later. 

You are invited to Oak Bay Beach Hotel – one of Victoria’s most beautiful venues! 

VENUE: Oak Bay Beach Hotel | PHOTOS: Jesse Holland Photography | DECOR, DESIGN, PLANNING and FLORAL: Decorate Victoria 

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Dessert Tables are one of the best part of weddings and this one with gorgeous greenery and sweet cakes tops it all. So much goodness and fun! Cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, doughnuts and lots of other yumminess are found on all the best wedding dessert tables.  To top it all off, it won Best Dessert Table at the 2017 Vancouver Island Wedding Awards!

This dessertscape was a surprise gift for the bride and groom. Cake Designer, Laura of Schur to Please Boutique Cakery, and Tammy of Blue Lily Event Planning, put their heads together to create this amazing  West Coast Boho Chic look. The glassware and barrels were provided by Decorate Victoria and Laura Kalcsa put together the garlands that were draped across the table. Element Photo Co. captured all the details including the paper suite by Tickle Tree Stationery + Design.

The beauty of this tablescape is it’s white iced cakes, cupcakes and pops sitting on glassware and surrounded by white roses. The warmth of candlelight made for a pleasing scent from the greenery and roses. The lovely fountain and landscaping of Olympic View Golf Course served as the perfect backdrop.

The tablescape was designed to be added to the reception décor provided by Decorate Victoria. Boho chic and lush florals were showcased  with blush pink and gold centerpieces highlighted by vintage lights which were strung behind the head table.  Succulents were randomly placed on the tables and served as giveaways to guests. The piece de résistance – the 26′ live edged head table which included 300 roses and 600 foliage stems!

Family Heirloom Included with Cakes!

The lovely lace gracing the middle of the tablescape is a piece of linen tatting that was provided by the bride’s grandmother. The original piece was handmade in 1861 by the bride’s great great grandmother.

A Modern Cake + Goodie Touch

It is an interesting touch to have antique linens alongside Tim Horton’s timbits!  The table designer was careful to only choose timbits that were the correct colour and texture to match the cakes and cupcakes colour palette. The ultimate in Canadian wedding touches, eh?

To see more of this wedding visit A Dreamy Boho Chic Romance!

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Jewel Tones with Into the Woods Decor in Schoolyard Setting! Apples, pine cones, birch wood, succulents and red roses…into the woods we go! We loved the jewel tones and colours combined with all the woodsy touches. Our favourite thing, though, was absolutely the burgundy and green wine glasses with the square plates.  Such a fun modern twist with the west coast theme!

Jewel tones can be a wonderful pop to the blush colours that are so trendy for weddings. Choose one of the tones that is the darker version of your pastel and include one floral into your bouquets and reception décor. It will highlight your pastels beautifully.

You are invited to more Into the Woods Inspiration!

Design: Decorate Victoria with Huff n Puff | Photos: Bracey Photography | Venue: Brentwood College School

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