Lauren and Alex are two incredibly kind, effortlessly beautiful, fun-loving souls who radiate love in everything that they do. They wanted to treat their family and friends to the ultimate Gulf Island weekend getaway and celebrate their wedding in a place that means so much to them. We will forever remember their relaxed wedding on Pender Island as the ultimate West Coast wedding celebration!
Lauren and Alex came into our lives very serendipitously! Emma was on the hunt for a spot on the Gulf Islands for another client’s wedding and ended up connecting with Alex’s dad through a shared friend. Fast forward several months and a few emails exchanged and Alex’s dad suggested to Lauren and Alex, who were recently engaged and starting to plan their wedding, that they should reach out to Emma as he knew she had a love for all things Pender Island! It was a fast friendship and we were quickly off to the races to turn Alex’s family’s property into the bohemian, yet modern, wedding they were dreaming off!
Check out all the goodness below from Lauren and Alex’s 3 day/4 event celebration on Pender Island. Wedding day and portrait studio photos provided by The Collective You with rehearsal dinner/welcome mingler/brunch photos provided by Sewari Campillo.
Our team packed up our confetti and hit the road! We hopped on a ferry and after navigating the windy roads of Pender Island, we reached the stunning property that belongs to Alex’s family. With a forest, fields, an ocean view, and a stunning pool, this property truly had everything you need for an epic wedding weekend!
Our first event was the rehearsal dinner. The set up was a simple, yet elegant, long table dinner overlooking the water. It was the perfect West Coast evening with blooms from a local floral market placed in bud vases, driftwood place cards from Melanie Anne Designs, and a delicious meal prepared by Toque Catering.
Before dinner was, of course, the ceremony rehearsal. What Lauren and Alex’s guests didn’t know that when they began their rehearsal, they were actually planning on getting legally married that night with their closest friends and family as their witnesses! As the practiced walking down the aisle, the officiant came out and made it legal. That way, Lauren’s Grandmother could preform the ceremony the next day. It was the perfect surprise!
After getting legally married, having some fun with their guests around the property (hello, trampoline!) and eating a delicious meal as the sun set, everyone moved to Port Browning Marina to meet the other guests who had arrived on the island that afternoon to mix and mingle! And have a few cocktails of course!
On wedding day, Lauren and her gals got ready at Poets Cove Resort & Spa while the guys had an adventure of their own over on nearby Galiano Island! The Artistry by Alexa team traveled over from Victoria to provide makeup services and Nadia Bullock, from Vancouver, provided hair services!
Lauren and Alex’s pup, PJ, even got all dressed up for the occasion! Have you ever seen a better good looking group?
Once they were suited up, Alex and his groomsmen boated across Bedwell Harbour to meet Lauren. They had their first look on the boat dock and it was perfectly relaxed and totally them.
Everyone hopped on board and the wedding party headed back to prepare for the ceremony!
Finally, guests arrived, the sun was shining, and it was go time! The ceremony arch was hand built by one of Lauren and Alex’s very talented friends, Caleb Beyer, and it was the perfect backdrop for their wedding. We kept things super casual for seating with a mix of rugs, poufs, pillows, and bamboo folding chairs for guests!
Lauren + Alex said their vows, Emma cried a lot, and PJ his debut as an excellent ring bearer!
Of course, there was confetti!
Guests moved into cocktail hour surrounding the pool, and enjoyed canapes and cocktails while trying to beat the heat! Colin Bullock kept everyone entertained with his gorgeous tunes!
Across the property and into the woods was the reception tent, maybe up of three canvas tents. There were multiple lounges for guests to hang and relax in, tying in pillows and poufs from the ceremony site to create a cohesive look.
A beautiful dried floral installation from Gossip Floral was hung across the tent. The tablescape was clean and modern, but so elegant, with tapered candles and large floral centrepieces dripping with amaranthus and orchids . Clean, modern stationary showed guests where they were sitting, plus all the delicious food they could expect through the night!
The Collective You provided a portrait station and it was a huge hit. Stunning black and white portraits provided keepsakes not only for Lauren and Alex, but the guests themselves.
One of our favourite moments for our couples is when they get to sneak away just the two of them and have some alone time. Lauren and Alex were able to sneak away to get some beautiful sun set photos and have a moment together as husband and wife.
Guests, ate, drank, danced, and Lauren and Alex cut the cake! It was a night filled with beautiful speeches and lots of laughing.
The fun didn’t stop on wedding night. The day after the party, we continue the fun with a pool party brunch for all the guests! Guests rolled out of bed, rehydrated with mimosas and a Caesar bar, and jumped into the pool! Toque wowed everyone once again with a delicious breakfast display, featuring their famous Eggs Benny Bar, and guests enjoyed a chill afternoon in the sun, full and happy!
After 3 full days on Pender Island with 4 full event set-ups, our team was tired but so proud of everything we had accomplished! Lauren and Alex, their family, and friends were so happy with their weekend and we were truly honoured to be a part of such a relaxed celebration!
(Not pictured: Sarah G. who was busy working, and riding around the property in the gator!)
Cheers to your first year married, Lauren and Alex! We are so glad to have met you! ❤️️
Vendors:
Wedding Day Photography: The Collective You
Rehearsal Dinner + Brunch Photography: Sewari Campillo
Catering: Toque Catering
Music: Colin Bullock
DJ: Musos Entertainment
Florals: Gossip Floral
Decor Rentals: The Wise Co.
Trend Decor Event Design
Tabletop Curated Rentals
Faire La Fete Linen
Decorate Victoria
Makeup: Artistry by Alexa
Hair: Nadia Bullock
Cake: Ruth and Dean
