Deep Cove Winery Wedding...where colour is beautiful, and out-of-the-box thinking creates a magical wedding inspiration palette. Touches of black bring the classy element and entwine around flames and shadows. The surprise is how perfectly it mirrors the mood of the casks and the history of the wine. A wine cellar draped in burnt orange and yellow flowers and fabric, in one of the most original wedding ceremony backdrops we have ever seen.

Weddings and elopements can be non-traditional in that they present to the world a couple’s personalities. This shoot even makes a clay pig look beautiful! The mood is enhanced by the use of only candlelight, with myriad pillars and tall candles lining the aisle. Afterward, the bridal couple enters the light amid lush flowers and the soft presence of guitar music, adding a relaxed West Coast elopement charm to the moment.

The most memorable wedding palettes are often the ones rooted in the couple’s own story. Personal inspiration can come from anywhere—an unforgettable trip, the café where you first met, a shared love of music, art, or the outdoors. These meaningful bits of your life can subtly shape the celebration, from colours and textures to food, fashion, and décor. When couples design their wedding around the moments, places, and passions that define them, the result is far more than a beautiful event—it becomes a heartfelt reflection of their journey together and the life they are beginning to build. In this winery cellar, we experience a wild journey through a love for rich colour, pagan symbols and gothic romance.

Deep Cove Winery Wedding offers a setting that feels both rustic and refined, the perfect canvas for couples looking to design something truly personal. The wine cellar itself has a rich atmosphere, with wood, stone, and shadow textures that naturally lend themselves to creative styling. Draped fabric, vibrant blooms, and candlelight transform the space into a moody yet romantic ceremony setting that feels worlds away from a traditional wedding venue.

The bridal style is just as unique as the rest of this palette. The groom is wearing a grey suit, white shirt, and patterned suspenders/bow tie. The bride is magical in a flowing gown (the grey skirt boasts an impressive slit up the front) with a white ballerina bodice. The gown sparkles bejeweled in the candlelight. As Taylor Swift says, “A diamond’s gotta shine!” The bride’s bouquet is a bold mix of burnt yellow and orange blooms.  The candlelit shadows cast across the walls of the wine cellar reflect the artistic look and draw the eye right onto the couple themselves. Which is the point! Micro weddings and elopements are allowing couples to marry in spaces never thought of before and allowing for more artistic freedom.

The cream cake sitting on a glass plate stand boasts a more colourful floral design and is surrounded by lanterns and candlesticks. The dried grasses are a subtle way to add a touch of trend and complement the theme perfectly. Every detail feels thoughtfully chosen, contributing to the layered and artistic look of the celebration.

Deep Cove Winery Wedding Magic

We really love this Deep Cove Winery Wedding for its fearless creativity. It proves that when couples embrace imagination and personal style, the result can be something truly unforgettable — a wedding atmosphere that feels romantic, unexpected, and perfectly West Coast. 

You are invited to another unusual artistic wedding inspiration!

PHOTOS: Dayla Weiss Photo | PLANNER/DÉCOR: Eva of Beauty Bride | HAIR: Dayla Weiss | GOWN: She Wore Flowers | JEWELRY: By Lacey Janette | MENSWEAR: Outlooks for Men | MUA: Alexandra Loughton | FLORAL: Jennings Florists | CAKE: Cake by Taryn | SIGN/PAPERY: Love Letters Co. | MODELS: David + Hailey

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Champagne Bubbles: Capturing Your Newlywed Moment…We love that moment when a couple steps away from their ‘I do’s and pops the cork on their first champagne bottle as a new couple. There will be more bottles in the future with new homes, babies, promotions, and holidays. There was likely a bottle involved in your proposal!  So this is one of those ‘must capture’ moments with your photographer. But how to catch the perfect photos?

Of course, it would be wonderful if every champagne moment was caught without any planning, but the truth is that the best shots have some thought behind them. Try to imagine where you would like your backdrop for the champagne opening, and have the bottle and glasses set up ahead of time. Make it part of the schedule to run there immediately after the ceremony. Ensure your photographer is well-informed about your preferences by sending ‘photo ideas’ ahead of time.

Opening a bottle of bubbly out of sheer joy is not the only moment that champagne can be used at your wedding. Think champagne toasters, tiny bottles as giveaways, having a glass poured for each guest for a toast, duelling cocktail hour, and during pre-celebrations with bridesmaids. Thankfully, we no longer ‘behead’ the bottles with sabres (yes, that’s from the French), but remember to aim away from anything you might not wish to damage.

The champagne bottle moment is an opportunity for newlyweds to take a little time out of an exciting day for themselves. Be joyful about the ceremony that has just celebrated their love and acknowledge the future that is created. So take the time to be sure you capture your first champagne bubbles as newlyweds – raise a glass to yourselves and the milestone you have reached together!

Photography: Secret Waters Photography | Florals: Bespoke Blossoms | Design/Styling: Brittany Sagal Event Design | Location: Powerhouse | Cake: July’s Girl Cake Co | Skirt: She Wore Flowers Isra Bridal Skirt Jewellery: Emma Glover Design | Stationery: Studio 745 | Decor  + Rentals: Trend Decor Event Design | Tabletop Curated Rentals | Linens: Faire La Fete Linen | Hair and MUA: Every Strand Matters | Artistry by Alexa | Suit: Outlooks For Men | Model: @misty.moss

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Explore Hatley Castle

Unforgettable events need unforgettable venues. Discover the iconic Hatley Castle, formal Gardens and the Quarterdeck Ballroom, while interacting with Vancouver Islands best event pros.

Still looking for the perfect venue for your special day, visit HatleyPark.ca for more information. Hatley Park National Historic Site, home of Royal Roads University is located on the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

Bridal Fashion

The Bride’s Closet and Botanical Bride will be bringing gowns for sale off -the-rack ~ rooms will be provided for you to try on what might be the dress of your dreams! 

Erin Bradley (local beauty and fashion expert) and Kharma Salons will be graciously organizing all things fashion for our showcase + live makeover!

In partnership with Shine Fashion Event to benefit BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.  Presented by West Coast Weddings Magazine. 

Get your TICKETS  to Champagne + Cake Show Now! 

If you are a  Local Business or Professional who would like to join us for this showcase and fundraiser – please contact us!

Email: Champagneandcakeshow@gmail.com

Phone +1 250 732 0222

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We were curious as to how much wedding art came about so we asked the designer, Karen Bezaire, to describe her inspiration. “Enduring Covid-19 for four months back in July 2020 definitely left me feeling like I needed an opportunity to expand my creativity. I felt really inspired seeing couture dresses online and fashion designers using the form and textured textiles to create beautiful gowns. I was inspired to design something of my own. Although I’ve never sewn and I’ve never made a wearable flower structure before I was excited to try. I asked my good friend Kailli from Dancing Dandelion Farms in Duncan if she wanted to help. Kailli has grown such gorgeous flowers and I’m constantly obsessed with her varieties and quality of blooms. Natalia from Ingrid Rose is another good friend of mine. The most thoughtful and gentle soul you will ever meet, along with being an incredibly talented florist herself. I also asked Natalia to model. She is also drop-dead gorgeous. I made a circular wireframe for the skirt and backed it with some soft fabric along with a halter top. The day before the shoot the three of us got together (6 feet apart) and started adhering all of Kailli’s beautiful flowers to the frame. It was a process but the end result was pretty exciting. I also made an outrageous headpiece, cuff bracelet, and necklace that went with the flower dress. There really isn’t anything better than creating with your friends and having the most fun.”

As if all the floral splendor was not enough there is also the stunning cake and cookies sitting on a vintage dresser in the flower meadow. The white wedding cake has pressed flowers as well as fresh roses while the cookies have delightful pressed floral and fauna on top. We just want to sit down and start tasting these beautiful goodies.

We especially love the subtle colours used for the floral creations. A peachy-pink tone along with plenty of off-white gives the illusion of a wedding gown. Roses and orchids are used lavishly in the dress, head wreath, bracelets, and necklace. This flirty floral gown at Dandelion Farm is a unique take on wedding finery!

You are invited to more creativity by Karen Bezaire….

FLORAL DRESS & ACCESSORY DESIGNER: Bezaire Floral & Events | FLOWER HELPERS: Ingrid Rose Floral Artistry & Dancing Dandelion Farms | FLOWERS Donated by: Dancing Dandelion Farms | PHOTOS: Shantina Rae Photography | HAIR + MUA: Makeup Artistry by Trish | CAKE: Schur to Please Boutique Cakery | MODEL Natalia of Ingrid Rose Floral Artistry 

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A Stylish Elopement at HCP Gardens…This lovely styled elopement had so much detail, featuring a floral groom’s lapel, antique roses, and a sweetheart picnic. All of the colours, and details are tied stunningly together- from the hand-crafted butterflies to the incredible floral.  The theme of this session was rustic yet elegant, with tones of mustard yellow & merlot. The beautiful venue, HCP Gardens, was the perfect location for this elopement.

The paper suite for this inspiration shoot is so imaginative and beautiful. The paper butterflies are amazing, with ‘bride’ and ‘groom’ delicately penned onto the wings. The invites, place cards, etc., are placed on ivory and merlot stock. All this artistry creates the style story of this palette.

The flowers are the star of this show. They spill all over the elopement picnic table, are nestled in the bride’s hair, and are in the showy bridal bouquet. The crowning achievement, unusually, is the groom’s lapel. What a floral statement for a groom! The bride and groom are so stylish! The groom shines in his blue/grey suit, and the bride is classic and gorgeous in a white lace overlay gown with spaghetti straps and a train. We love the peach ribbon on the bridal bouquet – a wonderful colour touch that ties in with the groom’s floral boutonniere.

Let’s talk about this amazing outdoor sweetheart table for the newlyweds. The roses are in deep colours of antique yellow, merlot, peach, and white. The table features deep mustard napkins with merlot menus and a perfect white cake with flowers and butterflies. The tall white candles, lace, and crystal are the finishing touches to this boho look.

HCP Gardens brings the natural decor for ceremony and reception. Who can imagine better than the flowers and greenery as a backdrop? A stylish elopement at HCP Gardens is a naturally beautiful West Coast Wedding. A real inspiration for elopements and intimate weddings.

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Love Letters at Dolphin’s Resort in Campbell River…we love all the wonderful details in this lovely palette. Take a look at the linen-covered in lettering, modern and traditional decor, blush floral, and, of course, the amazing ceiling decor!

Dolphin’s Resort boasts a sweeping ocean view and this beauty is used as a backdrop to the wedding table. Pale flowers are placed in a quirky manner in white vases while white on white linens and tableware shine. We especially love the gold flatware, tall white taper candles, and twigs that are spread across the tablescape. The piece de resistance is the linen that pools over the edge and onto the floor. A poem espousing love is beautifully done in calligraphy across the linen. The gorgeous wedding cake sits in a gold stand on the pooled linen. The bridal couple is so stylish and sophisticated. The bride is in a stunning white, V-neck, lace gown with a stunning back feature. The fit and flare is perfect for the West Coast relaxed formal look.

A real piece of art within this shoot is the ceiling decor made of twigs and floral. The delicate creation appears to hang in the air above the long table. The rich brown chairs are the perfect foil to the twig decor. Love Letters at Dolphin’s Resort is an inspiration for a naturally beautiful West Coast Wedding!

PHOTOS: Erin Wallis Photography | DESIGN + FLOWERS: Bezaire Floral & Events | HAIR + MUA: Wildflower on Location | GOWN: Unbridled Courtenay | TUX: Jim’s Clothes Closet | CAKE: Cakebread Artisan Bakery | COOKIES: OMG Macarons | LETTERING: Melanie Anne Designs | RENTALS: All in One Party Shop | COCKTAILS: Wild Coast Cocktails | VENUE: Dolphins Resort

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Purple Lilac Spring Wedding…Sam + Jessie and a surprise wedding in the Gardens of HCP. It started as a design shoot and ended in a real elopement. That is not something that can be said by too many vendors! A truly magical experience of helping a couple fulfill their dream of marrying each other in a real-life secret garden.

In mid-March 2020 the entire wedding industry and all the couples that were planning their beautiful days came to a screeching halt. The days and weeks that followed involved a lot of tough decisions, rescheduling, and pivoting. Hattie, an Island photographer, and Rad, a Victoria wedding planner, were chatting over Instagram about their new elopement packages. Somewhere in the conversation, they excitedly decided to pull off a socially distanced elopement photoshoot and the creative sparks flew! A design idea was chosen that was intended for a pre-COVID frame of mind but was adapted with input from Megan at HCP Gardens and Reay the florist.

The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific  (HCP Gardens) was thrilled to welcome the small group of vendors onto the grounds to appreciate the spring blooms after being closed to the public for seven weeks and counting. The abundance of wide-open spaces was essential for social distancing, but the tranquility and magic of having the place empty elevated this picnic and ceremony to something truly special. As a small nonprofit organization, the sudden loss of wedding revenue has been painful, but Group Sales Manager Megan Stacey looked forward to welcoming more couples for intimate elopement-style ceremonies.

Reay, the florist, whipped up a beautiful foam-free lilac chandelier as the focal point. Reay had to source all of those lush lilacs so she put the call out on Social Media and foraged, not only in her back yard but friends of friends’ yards as well. After some trial and error, the lilac chandelier was placed delicately with many strands of fishing wire! 

The bold blooms in the Gardens, as well as the hues of purple that tied the whole day together, inspired the hand-drawn invitation suite by Addison at Petite Paperie Design Co.. She also spent a fair time referencing photos of the couple and the dress designer’s social media pages to create an illustration that would be a beautiful keepsake for their day.  The vows themselves were sourced from a reading from the shoot designer’s own wedding day – a quote from the poet R.M. Drake that seems to speak volumes during this time more than any other time.

The beautiful cake was lovingly made by a classic French bakery, La Roux Patissiere, where Chef Lynn created yet another edible masterpiece inspired by all of the different hues found in a dusky evening. The chocolate sponge cake was layered with vanilla buttercream and fresh raspberry cream for a truly delectable combination as Rebecca, the owner, was insistent that we have a real cake for this occasion and that was even before she found out about the elopement which are the occasions they feel they best serve.

Jessica and Tom of Farmer’s Daughter, who met and fell in love while working at a wine shop, thoughtfully curated the mouthwatering cheese and charcuterie board.   As they say, “Like every great cheese and wine pairing, it’s about making two things that are good on their own, become great when paired together.” With this amazing spread, they paired a bottle of Charme De L’Ile from local winery Unsworth Vineyards. The bright, green apple and citrus notes lend themselves effortlessly to the welsh cheddar; French Brie, and Four Quarters Calabrese salami.

As everyone was acutely aware of the situation with COVID it was ensured that the vendors on-site that day had been practicing social distancing guidelines by working at home, only going out when needed, and practicing good hygiene prior to the day of the shoot. The shoot itself was socially distanced and everyone wore masks/gloves as was necessary.

As hairstylists and makeup artists work very closely with a bride it was simply out of the question to have some on-site for this aspect of the day. So the bride,  Sam,  did her own hair and makeup including the floral hairpiece that pops in her dark, wavy hair.

As things started to come together, a couple was found who was willing to model and suddenly everyone started to realize how much more this was meant to be. For one, Sam + Jessie had been directly affected by COVID-19 as they had found themselves rescheduling their June 2020 wedding on Salt Spring Island. It turned out that the ring designer who was to be featured had also made their wedding rings and the Reclamation dress that the bride had canceled was the exact same dress we had for the shoot.  Hattie then asked the couple if they would be open to eloping once the shoot was over and they very happily agreed to this! All of the wedding vendors were excited to be on board to make someone’s wedding day a reality!! What an exciting turn of events!!

As the sun set, the couple was wed by Amanda Tarling, a local Victoria celebrant, under the serene presence of the eucalyptus tree. The only people present with the couple, other than vendors, were the groom’s parents via Facetime. However, in the couple’s hearts and minds were all their loved ones. They enjoyed a wonderful picnic under the lilac chandelier amid a newlyweds paradise.

This purple lilac spring wedding photoshoot turned real-life elopement for Sam + Jessie was born out of necessity – the necessity to feel connected, for normalcy, and for a magical and beautiful moment between two people when they are declared officially married.

Editorial written by Hattie Root Photography and Rad Occasions!

PHOTOS; Hattie Root Photography | PLANNING: Rad Occasions | VENUE: HCP Gardens | FLORAL: Paloma Floral | PAPER SUITE: Petite Paperie Design Co. | CUISINE: The Farmer’s Daughter | OFFICIANT: Amanda Tarling | CAKE: La Roux Pâtisserie | RINGS: Emma Glover Design | GOWN: Reclamation Design Company BUBBLY: Unsworth Vineyards

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West Coast River Lodge Romance…an elopement filled with love and laughter. Add to that lace, a picnic plus a rustic venue and you have the perfect ceremony for two.

Elopements have become a necessity for the last year but it has also focused a lot of creative imagination into saying your vows intimately. Soon. we will be able to add guests again but the beautiful quietness and luxury will stay. Sweetheart tables filled with flowers, candles and food too pretty to eat make for unforgettable moments that are here to stay. 

The West Coast River Lodge is an amazing venue for this elopement tableau. Our couple share their hanging table for two with charcuterie and wedding cake. We love the pampas grass, greenery and flowers that grace the tableau. Stone walls, ferns and wood doors make perfect photo backdrops for this picnic elopement.

The highlight of this bridal palette is, of course, the gorgeous off the shoulder bridal gown featuring a fringed bodice and lace overlay.. The dramatic dress is paired with a brown felt hat and bouquet of  eucalyptus greenery and white flowers. Our groom stays with the relaxed boho look wearing a black fitted shirt. The bride graces a veil for the ceremony before changing out to the more casual chapeau look.

A West Coast River Lodge romance culminating in a wedding picnic, with macramé backdrop, is a beautiful way to celebrate your special day. A perfect moment to make memories to last a lifetime!

PHOTOS: Alison Dawn Photography | STYLING + DESIGN: Michigan Lane Picnic Co.  | GOWN: She Wore Flowers | HAT: Shop West Von | CAKE: Hometown Confections | FLORAL: Leave Her Wild Container Design | CHARCUTERIE: Table and Graze Co. | VENUE: West Coast River Lodge | MUA: Makeup by Marielle |  MENSWEAR: Jim’s Clothes Closet |  MODEL: Nicole

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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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Tofino Beach Wedding for Liz + Cam...this inspired elopement took place at Cedarwood Cove Cabin. The couple’s day was filled with romance and laughter as they sipped on champagne, exchanged vows, tripped over the waves and enjoyed the sunset.

Karley, of Bracey Photography, caught some amazing shots as Liz and Cam had their first look and then walked to the beach for their ceremony. The peacefulness of the beach setting was perfect for the intimate ceremony where they exchanged vows. The natural beauty of a west coast wedding truly served as the backdrop to their special day.

Liz wore the perfect sophisticated lace gown for a beach wedding (we are also impressed with the heels on a beach!!). The V neck, fitted gown flared slightly along the bottom edge and she held a bouquet by Crab Apple Floral. The floral design included dried grasses, ferns, baby’s breath, roses and eucalyptus along with ribbons.

We love how this Tofino Beach Wedding for Cam + Liz brings all the love a wedding day should have and shows off the best of the West Coast landscape. Congrats to you both – best wishes for the future! 

PHOTOS: Bracey Photography | VENUE: Cedarwood Cove Cabin  |

FLORAL DESIGN: Crab Apple Floral 

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