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

The post Champagne + Cake Show 2025 at Hatley Castle appeared first on West Coast Weddings.

 

Wedding in the Woods Cover Story! We have a lot of questions about how we choose a cover for our magazine. Our 2020 Vancouver Island issue was a case of falling in love…with a shot of newlyweds in the forest. Erin Wallis Photography caught newly married Prestlee and Scott in a magical woodsy moment. And voila! a cover was born.

This wedding is the epitome of the elegant forest wedding – the groom is even in black tie. The sit down reception would do any five star hotel proud but these guests enjoyed the luxury under the open skies. Our fav moment is the bride and groom speaking to their guests from a large tree stump. 

The cake at this reception is truly a work of art sitting atop a delicate gold stand and draped in fine greenery. Table settings feature white on white with the stark relief of a fern on each plate and green garlands. 

The bride is in a stunning Willowby by Watters gown, along with a flowing veil, showcasing her natural blonde beauty. Her wedding party shone beside her in pale full length gowns while they carried Bouquets of Lush white rose and Italian ruscus.

Not to be forgotten is the cutest little flower girl ever with white roses and ruscus around her hair. And the beautiful details around the reception. All in all…there could not be a better wedding in the woods cover story. We thank Prestlee and Scott for the privilege of featuring them on the cover of our 2020 Vancouver Island magazine.

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 forest wedding on Vancouver Island!

The post Wedding in the Woods Cover Story appeared first on West Coast Weddings.

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

The post Champagne and Cake Wedding Show appeared first on West Coast Weddings.

 

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

The post Tips & Tricks to Finding Your Wedding Caterer appeared first on West Coast Weddings.

 

This Hatley Castle wedding was truly a wonderland! Welcome to the romance of Lucia & Adam who married at Hatley Castle on June 25, 2016!

There is so much to love about the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party themed nuptials but it actually all started in August 2015 when Adam first bought Lucia’s engagement ring. It turned out Adam was quite nervous about proposing and kept putting it off until the last few days of the year.  Finally, on Boxing Day, Adam and Lucia were at a outdoor plaza in downtown Vancouver which was filled with lit up trees.  He sensed the magical atmosphere was right and surprised Lucia with his proposal!

This same love of the magical and quirky (along with her British background and love of all things Disney) inspired them to have a castle wedding with a Wonderland theme. They worked with their wedding planner, Anne of Party Mood, to include colour, whimsical touches, tea sets and lots of floral to create a memorable wedding day for themselves and their guests!  Our favs are the vintage doorknob table numbers and edible centerpieces…

This couple seems to agree on their fav moment as well.  When asked, Adam felt his moment was when Lucia came down the aisle and Lucia felt her moment was when she came down the aisle and saw Adam.

Photos: Carla Elaine Photography | Planner & Décor: Anne of Party Mood | Venue: Hatley Castle | Catering: Truffles Catering | Florist: Floralista | Videographer: Cassie O’Neil Films | Hair: Ashley Krobath | Makeup: Rhea Sjoberg | Gown: Everything But the Groom | Chairs: Scene About Town | DJ: Chris Poynter

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