Are you ready to tie the knot and looking to create a unique event? An outdoor wedding can be the perfect solution for a truly memorable experience. We’re lucky enough to have so many stunning locations in British Columbia that are perfect for special moments, so we’ve listed some of the best outstanding outdoor and forest wedding venues near Vancouver, BC.
Outdoor and Forest Wedding Venues Around Vancouver
Island Lake Lodge (Fernie)
Find mountains, 800-year-old trees, and a beautiful lake to set the scene for your wedding in historic Fernie, available for use year-round. This outdoor wedding venue near Vancouver has everything you need for an elevated experience, while still feeling connected to nature with its epic surroundings.
Make use of the spa and massage options, as well as nearby hiking and biking trails to make the most of your time here. Yes, there’s only one wedding day, but if you can afford a few days away with some of your favourite people, why not? They also have yoga with goats, if you’re that sort of person.
Maan Farms (Abbostford)
Maan Farms is a perfect place to celebrate your love during spring, summer and fall, where you can choose between a ceremony by their strawberry fields or a heritage walnut tree. Alongside the scenic backdrops for the ceremony, your reception can take place in their antique barn which has been restored to create a special space that can hold up to 150 guests.
Earthwise Society Agassiz (Delta)
Earthwise Society is an organic working farm with endless possibilities for your special day. Whether you say ‘I Do’ beneath their forest canopy or with their mountain backdrop, the friendly team love to accommodate your requests to make the day truly about you and your loved one.
There is also wonderful seasonal produce for delicious meals and appetizers, providing a quality farm-to-table experience. This outdoor wedding venue is a more affordable option for hosting.
Sunwolf (Squamish)
Exchange vows at a family-run venue with boutique accommodation, all set within a five-acre woodland in Squamish. Even though the location feels totally remote it is only an hour drive from downtown Vancouver. Sunwolf has been praised for its relaxing and festival atmosphere, tied in with the perfect balance of down-to-earth luxury feel.
Nita Lake Lodge (Whistler)
Head to the snowy mountains in Whistler to wed at a nationally recognized wedding destination with various outdoor ceremony spaces to choose from. Not only will you have your wedding in a striking outdoor landscape, they also have bridal spa services and an executive chef to create a personalized menu for the event. For a true luxury event, Nita Lake Lodge has everything you need for the ultimate outdoor wedding.
Bodega Ridge (Galliano Island)
Tie the knot on the bluffs of Galliano Island to celebrate in serene surroundings with ocean views. Part of the incredible location also boasts coastal cuisine using organic ingredients from a Galliano farm, and a BC-centric wine list. If you’re looking for something secluded and intimate, they also have a lovely option of a fully private space just for elopements.
Outdoor and Forest Wedding Venues on Vancouver Island, BC
Sea Cider (Vancouver Island)
Close to downtown Victoria on Vancouver Island, Sea Cider offers panoramic sea views and a woodland, creating a magical scene for a west coast wedding day.
The team has access to many quality local resources for catering assistance, and to suit different tastes and budgets, making it a popular place for an outdoor wedding venue. Don’t forget to sample their very own award-winning organic cider!
Cedar Haven Weddings (Vancouver Island)
If you’ve dreamed of a true forest wedding with a wow factor, then look no further! Cedar Haven Weddings is a private property nestled within an old growth forest on Vancouver Island. With everything you need to create the perfect rustic setting, this forest wedding venue has all the magical vibes for a memorable experience and perfect setup for your wedding day photographs.
Creating forever memories is what we’re most passionate about, and that all starts with organizing your dream event! Contact us for a free consultation to learn about how we can take care of your wedding day from start to finish. We can’t wait to hear from you!
If this article got you thinking, you can find our earlier article on Vancouver wedding venues too.
Banner image by Wedding Dreamz on Unsplash
Congratulations, you’re planning a wedding! There are many things about your day that you can delegate to your partner or event planner, but (luckily) wedding dress shopping is not one of them. Odds are you already have an idea of what kind of dress you like, whether you have been scouring pinterest since you were 14 or you ended up watching Say Yes to the Dress when you claimed there was nothing better on TV.
It is so exciting to think that your perfect dream dress is out there waiting for you, but there are so many choices that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Wedding dress shopping should be a day (or weekend!) where you feel happy, loved, and absolutely beautiful. To make planning this event as stress free and fun as possible, we’ve done the research and put together the top 6 most important tips from brides and wedding planners to have the most success finding your dream wedding dress.
Research Types of Wedding Dress
We don’t mean staying-up-all-night-writing-your-thesis type of research, just spend a bit of time on pinterest and online dress websites so you have an idea of what kinds of dresses you like. Knowing the difference between a mermaid-style dress and a fit and flare dress is much simpler than trying to describe (or draw!) a shape when you get to the bridal shop.
Bring some photos, know what you like and what you don’t like, but don’t overplan and certainly don’t rule anything out. Let yourself be surprised if you end up liking something that looks nothing like what you thought you wanted. Being open to trying different styles and colours will help you feel more confident that when you find the one, you’ll know.
Plan Your Hunt for the Perfect Wedding Dress
Making an appointment with a bridal consultant 9-12 months before the big day ensures you have enough time not only to find your wedding dress but also to alter it, which is often what takes the most time. Planning appointments within days of each other (or making a weekend out of it!) is recommended so the dresses you have tried on are fresh in your mind. You will also want to call the bridal shop before your appointment to let them know what styles you like. That way, they can have some dresses ready for you before you arrive. If you have a specific gown in mind find out if they have it ahead of time and let them know.
When you call the bridal salon, make sure you also ask about their COVID-19 precautions and protocol. Ask how many people you are welcome to bring, whether or not you need to wear a mask the entire time (and if they offer complimentary neutral-toned ones) and whether or not they have sanitizing wipes available for you to use.
Be Prepared
There is nothing worse than getting somewhere and realizing you forgot something you needed. This is why packing a special “dress shopping” bag is so important and will help ease your stress. In it you want to make sure you have:
—underwear and a bra similar to what you think you’ll be wearing on your wedding day
—heels similar in height to the ones you will be wearing
—a simple neutral-coloured mask that won’t draw attention away from you or the dresses
—any accessories you are thinking of wearing on your wedding day, especially if you want to build your look around a specific item or piece of jewelry
—your favourite snack
—any hair products you might need to touch up your look
—your favourite hand sanitizer—preferably one that does not leave residue on your hands
—anything else you think you might want to bring
If there is a remote chance you might need something, bring it. You’re always better safe than sorry. (Better make it a big bag!)
Get Excited!
This day is all about you, so if you have the opportunity to plan an entire day for yourself, do it!
Have your hair and makeup done in a way similar to what you would like on your big day. Accuracy is not important here, it’s more about the style (hair down/updo/half up, half down etc.) and feeling confident and beautiful. You don’t want to be hungry when dress shopping so make sure to eat and to do something fun before your appointment. It is so important to be in the right mindset and to feel good about yourself when you’re trying on dresses. You also want to choose your posse carefully; bring people you have fun with who have your best interest at heart.
Document Each Dress
Take pictures! Take notes! Have someone take one or two good pictures of you in all the dresses you try on and don’t delete any. As you are trying them on, sort them into different folders so you can show bridal stylists which you like and which you dislike. It also helps to come up with nicknames so you can refer to dresses quickly within your group.
Trust Your Gut
This is the most important piece of advice you will ever receive about your wedding. Trust your gut. No one knows you better than you know yourself and if you get a good or bad feeling about any dress, trust it. At the end of the day your feelings and opinions are the only ones that matter. Your wedding, your dress, your decision.
Unfortunately, trying on wedding dresses and feeling beautiful is not the only thing you need to do before getting married. (How amazing would that be though?!) Thankfully, YouForever is here to guide you step-by-step with ideas and planning because we want to make sure that the day you marry your forever person will become a forever memory.
Whether it’s a wedding, rehearsal dinner, engagement or anniversary, birthday or graduation, get in touch today and let’s plan your perfect day!
Image credits:
Photo by Vasily Koloda on Unsplash
Photo by Scott Broome on Unsplash
Photo by Anna Docking on Unsplash
Know someone who’s getting married this year? Congratulate the happy couple by spoiling them with a gift at their engagement party! There are no strict rules, so feel free to go big and splurge or keep it small and simple. Whatever you’re thinking of doing, take a look at the engagement gift ideas below for inspiration.
Bespoke Bouquet
You can’t go wrong with sending a big bunch of flowers to make the engaged couple smile! With so many different colours and flowers to choose from, the florist can create pretty much anything to match your taste.
Google nearby florists in your area, or take a look at free-spirited Vancouver florist Wild Bunch or botanical-inspired Celsia Floral for something beautiful and memorable. If flowers aren’t really their thing, consider getting them a plant for their home that they can watch grow.
A Romantic Book
Books for couples are going to be big this year. A quick browse on Amazon or in your nearest bookstore will surprise you with all kinds of romantic reads perfect for anyone about to tie the knot!
Image by Debby Hudson on Unsplash.
Leslie Koren’s Love Rituals offers readers meaningful ways to enhance their relationships through daily gestures and fun date night ideas. Or consider a book where they can write down their new favourite memories, such as As We Grow: A Modern Memory Book for Married Couples by Korie Herold.
Luxury Spa Gift Card
The gift of an experience is increasingly becoming the most popular way to show you care. We’re all about special moments, so we think it’s a wonderful way for you to gift something that will create an everlasting memory.
Gifting a spa card will be a thoughtful gift because although it is an exciting time for the happy pair, they will definitely have some stressful moments ahead during their wedding planning and preparations. Check out these gift card ideas from Vancouver-based hotel Shangri-La or the Scandinave Spa in beautiful Whistler.
Cheese and Charcuterie Board
Buy something the happy couple can use in their new home together, and everyone loves a cheese and wine night! Buying something like a cheese board will be a great addition to their home, where they can enjoy creating new moments with loved ones around the table.
We found this stylish cheese board made of oak or add a personal touch by getting an engraving of their names or a message from Etsy, like this one here.
Personalized Engagement Gift Ideas
Sometimes you want to add a special touch to a gift you’re buying for someone. It shows them that you’ve put extra thought into what you chose for them which goes a long way. We found this beautiful personalized candle they can enjoy in their home. Or, if your engaged friends are the outdoorsy type, choose a pair of matching camping mugs and they can use them for their adventures together in the years to come!
Photoshoot Experience
Help the excited couple capture this special milestone in their relationship by purchasing a gift card from a local photographer. Google search local photographers near you, or take a look at some of our favourites. TMC Weddings take stunning couple shots all over Canada. Julia Loglisci has a beautiful portfolio of black and white work. Isle + Oak take intimate shots in natural settings. Three Sisters Photography use incredible BC scenery as a backdrop while still keeping the images personal. With an engagement shoot, your loved ones will not only have photographs to cherish but will be a romantic memory to look back on too.
Image by Nathan McBride on Unsplash.
Feeling more confident buying an engagement gift but stuck on organizing the engagement party? Check out our blog on Engagement Party Ideas for everything you need to know. Creating forever memories is what we do best, so contact us for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you plan the event of a lifetime!
Header photo by micheile || visual stories on Unsplash
It’s time to pop some bubbly and celebrate the news–you’re getting married! The knee has been bent, the ring is on your finger, the “YES” has been emphatically stated. Planning an event is the perfect way to share your excitement with friends and family, and we’ve got great engagement party ideas below to help you get started.
Pick Your Host
First things first, decide who will be planning your engagement party event. It can be you and your partner, or anyone you both trust and who will be happy to arrange the details. They can deal with vendors and location managers, then do all of the heavy lifting of hosting the event so that you get to relax and enjoy it. If you’re looking to do something really special, this is the perfect moment to hire a party planner to create an event to remember.
Set the Date for Your Engagement Party
You’ll both be feeling excited from your good news, so we believe there is no time like the present to celebrate! Choose a date for the party that’s within the first few months of getting engaged. You want it to be close to the proposal to keep it relevant and before you all your focus is needed for planning a wedding.
Create the Guestlist
It’s always best to have a smaller engagement party full of people you’ll be inviting to the wedding too. That way, you have a great place to start when planning your wedding guestlist. If someone else is hosting for you, always discuss the guests with them too so you’re happy with who will be joining the celebrations.
Choose a Suitable Venue
Look for a venue that will have the right amount of space for all your guests and think about how formal or casual you want it to be. It might be a private function at a restaurant or hotel, or a smaller engagement party at your house. It could be somewhere that takes you back to a certain time in your relationship. If you’ve enlisted the help of a professional party planner, they’ll have helpful suggestions ready to help you choose!
Set Up a Gift Registry
As soon as your loved ones hear the good news, they will want to send you gifts to show they’re excited for you! It’s a great idea to set up gift registry and have it ready before the invites go out for your engagement party. Your guests will appreciate the organization and will help them know the best way to say congratulations.
Send Out Engagement Party Invitations
The invites should reflect the style of the event, so your guests know what style of event to expect. It will help them plan accordingly by dressing appropriately, knowing if they can bring their children, and if they can bring a date. Send out traditional paper invites or beautifully designed paperless invites using websites such as Paperless Post.
Give at least a month’s notice for an engagement party and remember to add the RSVP with a date. The RSVP date gives a deadline for you to know who will be attending in advance, which means less time spent following up with prospective guests, and more time to organize catering and other details.
Book Your Vendors
When you have an idea of guest numbers and have a venue booked, you or your host can arrange some of the fun details of the engagement party. Think about how you would like to set the scene. Maybe you like the idea of a themed event, or to keep it simple with some flower arrangements and candles for ambiance.
More importantly, figure out what you’ll be feeding your guests. Depending on the size of your event, plan out a menu for a dinner event or appetizers for a more informal gathering. Also, if you’d like to capture all your loved ones being in one place, don’t forget to book a local event photographer!
Consider Special Moments
Your engagement party is the ideal time and place to formally ask your best man and maid of honour if they will be a part of your wedding, along with groomsmen and bridesmaids. If you have someone unconventional you would like to walk you down the aisle, or a loved one you might even want to preside over the wedding, that’s an option too. It’s up to you whether you want these to be intimate moments with the individuals or share the excitement with everyone.
Now you have the know-how to planning an engagement party, you might be excited to start organizing right away. If you’re looking for further guidance to make it happen, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation to hear how we can make your event extra special!
If you enjoyed reading this, see our last post on how to make events eco-friendly.
Who doesn’t want to spend a day celebrating love? Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to take a moment to express your true feelings to the one you cherish. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day ideas, read on for inspiration to make your partner feel really special – especially if you’re planning to propose!
Valentine’s Day Date Ideas
Romantic Breakfast in Bed
Start the day off right by surprising your partner with a tray of their favourite breakfast foods, such as coffee and waffles. If you’re feeling really loved up, you can boost the romance by adding a single red rose and a hand-written card alongside your tasty treats.
Dinner Reservation for Two
Do you both have a favourite place to eat? Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to try somewhere with a cuisine and menu that you’ve never tried before. Now is your chance to surprise your partner with a Valentine’s Day dinner reservation they’ll always remember. Add a little mystery by not telling them where you’re planning on taking them for dinner! If you’re looking for a spot, here’s a list of the romantic dinner restaurants in Vancouver.
Go Hiking Together
There’s nothing like going on an adventure with your partner. If you both love the outdoors and being in nature, plan a local hike or somewhere new to explore for a little excursion. Whether it’s a hike or just finding a special spot, pack a lunch and find somewhere scenic to sit and enjoy the view, the peace and quiet, and each other’s company. Lucky for us Vancouverites, there are tons of winter trails to choose from!
Watch a Movie and Snuggle
Watching a movie together with plenty of popcorn and snuggles is a relaxing way to spend your evening. If you both want to head out, check out what’s showing at your local cinema, and you might just find your new favourite film to watch together. It’s a classic for a reason and gives you something to talk about over dinner.
Cook your Partner’s Favourite Meal
Your partner may have a favourite meal, but have you ever cooked it for them? Test out your chef skills by preparing their most loved dish; it’s sure to make them feel very special and show them that you pay attention to the things they love.
Book a Getaway
We’re sure you both likely deserve an overnight trip or weekend away! Book someplace different and get away from your usual schedules for a relaxing break. Explore inspiring homes on Airbnb to find somewhere romantic to unwind together and make new memories. It might be just what your partner was hoping for!
Plan a Valentine’s Day Proposal
Perhaps it’s time to take your relationship a step further and a Valentine’s Day proposal is sure to make it a February 14th you’ll never forget. If you’ve been waiting to choose the right moment, there is no time like the present! Below are some tips to help set you up for success when planning a Valentine’s Day proposal.
Go Big or Small
Maybe you want to plan a huge proposal event to surprise your partner, or you’re not those kind people and would prefer something small and intimate. Both are wonderful event styles, but it’s important to plan an occasion that will best suit your partner, because you want them to give you a big ‘Yes!’ and remember this as one of the best nights of their life. That requires them to feel at their most comfortable.
Do You Want Anyone Else There?
While proposing is one of the most intimate things that we do, some people plan to have carefully chosen friends or family members there when they get engaged. These should be people who are close to you both and make you feel comfortable and yourselves. They should have nothing but love for you and be in full support of your relationship. And they better know how to hold a camera steady. Planning a double date or couples’ night for Valentine’s Day might also be a good decoy to hide your proposal plan – more on this later. You can read all about a couple we helped plan a whole party for their proposal.
Revisit your First Date
Where did you first meet? Going back to the place you first met can be a beautiful way to set the mood. Or perhaps there is somewhere special you and your significant other love to visit or frequented while dating? Choosing a sentimental place will help create a proposal full of meaning. It provides a perfect moment for you both to see how far you’ve both come in your relationship, and what more perfect way to take it to the next phase than by getting engaged?
Plan a Decoy
Making your partner believe they have a completely different Valentine’s Day activity planned to what you actually have organised will make it the ultimate surprise proposal! We have a great blog post here all about how to create an illusion to pull off the big reveal.
We’re passionate about creating one-of-a-kind proposal settings and have a tonne of experience organising decoy plans.
Whether you’re looking for general Valentine’s Day ideas or planning a proposal, we love to take care of the logistics so you can spend more time getting excited about popping the big question. We’re also running a limited-time special offer on our Valentine’s Day Package! Get 20% off regular price and receive:
- A personal Planner who works closely with you to organize & design your dream proposal up to a minimum of 48hrs.
- A personalized photo presentation of what you envision
- Privately curated suitable vendors
- Organization of all bookings
- Itinerary of proposal day
- A personal planner who executes a full proposal set up and is available on-site throughout the entire event.
- A planner who is available for unlimited communication (emails, texts, or phone calls) throughout the planning process.
Contact us for a free consultation to see how we can help create your forever memories!
Find out how to make any of your events eco-friendly.
The key to a personalized engagement event is to get to know the couple as a couple, as well as who they are as individuals. Once you understand what makes them who they are you start having all kinds of engagement party ideas. You can include elements of each of them in the decorations, activities and food for their engagement party or event.
Reconnecting With an Old Love
In November of 2018, I had a gentleman in his 70s reach out to me to plan an intimate engagement for his high school sweetheart whom, until 2017, he hadn’t seen since they graduated from high school in 1969. The gentleman told me that they had both lost their partners back in 2014 and 2015 due to illnesses. When they ran into each other at a coffee shop in the middle of downtown Vancouver they just knew it was a sign for them to reconnect.
That first encounter, after 52 years, was very significant to both of them together and individually. At the beginning they just reconnected as old friends and as the months went by they realized that spark from 52 years ago was still there, and they didn’t want to waste another moment without being together.
An Engagement Plan 50 Years in the Making
After hearing this beautiful love story, the gentleman and I brainstormed on what kind of engagement plan would represent them as a couple and individually. It came down to the theme of going back in time.
For this specific engagement, we worked with both of their families on decoration as he wanted something simple but special. We started by getting pictures from their albums, so that we could create a timeline with their most treasured memories, starting with individual portraits of them and down the line showing pictures of them together and ending with current pictures. The gentleman wanted to do this surprise proposal in his backyard to make it as intimate as possible. We hired a company to build a rectangular frame so that we could hang the fairy lights and attach the string of pictures to give the effect of walking along memory lane. On the grass we had red rose petals that were brought in from Ecuador specifically for this intimate engagement party.
A Wonderful Success
As I was setting up his backyard, the couple went for dinner at her favourite sushi restaurant. I did a quick sound and light check and had everything ready for their arrival. We had the family hidden, we had champagne in an ice bucket and music was ready to be played from the minute she walked in. When the couple walked into the house and went to the backyard, she started crying happy tears as the gentleman took her hand and guided her through the aisle so that they could go back in time together. When they reached the end of the photos, he pulled out an engagement ring and proposed. The happy couple and their families celebrated such a special occasion that became a forever memory.
Making that couple’s day perfect, those happy tears and helping them celebrate their love after a lifetime apart is why we do what we do. If you are looking for engagement party ideas – an intimate proposal dinner, help choosing an engagement ring, or have already popped the question and want to crack open the champagne with your closest people at an engagement party – we want to help. Get in touch today and we’ll do our best to make your story as special as this one.
For more engagement party ideas, we’ve written a full article on the fundamentals here.
Congratulations! You’ve found your forever person, but now comes the tricky part: proposing with the perfect engagement ring! Luckily, we’re here to give you some advice on what to look for and where to find the best engagement rings in Canada.
Consider Which Engagement Rings Are in Your Price Range
An engagement ring is a significant gesture, but there is no reason to spend outside of your budget. You do have the cost of a wedding to keep in mind! First of all, it’s best to get an understanding of your partner’s preferences. If they would prefer something subtle, it will be much less expensive than something big and sparkly. When choosing what to spend, a good rule of thumb is to set aside around two to three months’ worth of your salary.
Decide on a Metal Type
The four most popular metal types for engagements rings in Canada are White Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold and Platinum. When choosing a metal for the band of the ring, an easy tip is to take a look at the colours in your partner’s wardrobe and the jewellery they already wear. Look at the rings they currently wear to find out their ring size or sneakily ask their bestie if you can.
If you’re looking for a metal that will stand the test of time, choose a more durable material like yellow gold and platinum. From the data on engagement rings people bought in Canada, white gold and rose gold are quickly becoming the number-one choice, but they do need slightly more care to retain their beauty, as they are softer metals and can corrode over time. You can pick various weights of these too, depending on how dense you would like the ring band.
Choose Between Diamonds, Gemstones… or Both!
Diamonds
Let’s talk diamonds. Choose something that best fits your partner’s personality and lifestyle. They may prefer a classic style such as Solitaires, or a three-stone engagement ring. Perhaps they have a love for all things contemporary and would suit a sparkling pavé style, or a band with diamond and gemstone accents instead. If they love the outdoors, they might prefer organic elements, such as a twisted band mixed with decorative floral additions.
Gemstones
Let’s not forget about Gemstones. Although diamonds are said to be higher in value than gemstones, you might like to propose with something less traditional. This is where you can have a little fun and choose from a variety of colours! Popular gemstones are sapphires, rubies and emeralds because they are tough, making them an ideal piece to wear daily. Another enjoyable aspect is to look up what certain gemstone colours symbolize, which helps create more meaning behind the colour you choose for your partner.
Consider Adding an Engraving
A rising trend is to add a special engraving for an additional surprise and to make the ring even more unique to your partner. If you’re thinking about creating a custom piece, adding a few thoughtful words or letters to your band makes for a wonderful family heirloom for generations to come.
Where to Find Engagement Rings in Canada
Ready to shop for something they’ll never forget? Take your pick from these jewellers to get started.
Crest Jewellers
This family-owned business has more than 30 years of experience in guiding couples through their important ring decisions with kindness and clarity.
Ecksand
Book a virtual design consultation and learn all about their wonderful values, such as providing sustainable jewellery, all carefully crafted and at unparalleled prices.
Luxury Diamonds
Based in downtown Vancouver, they pride themselves on offering a personalized service while making it an easy and fun experience.
Cavalier Gastown
Have a team of specialists help you in a boutique setting, by appointment. You’ll be given expert advice as well as guidance on custom ring-design requests.
Era Design
Choose your ideal ring in a “no pressure” east Vancouver studio, all made by local craftspeople. Be inspired by their selection of rare gemstones and unusual pieces.
Need help with setting up a beautiful engagement backdrop or event? We can create the ideal celebration from start to finish. Contact us today and let’s get planning!
Now you’ve decided on a ring, take a look at our engagement ideas or our guide on how to surprise your partner! It’s also never too early to start thinking about venues.