LOVE AT FIRST SITE
Bethany and David met in a Blockbuster store. “I recognized David across the store from the band that he is in,” remembers Bethany. “I went over and introduced myself, had a little small talk and that was pretty much it! A few months later we ran into each other again in Kelowna, he got my number, and the rest is history.”


THE PROPOSAL
David had a big elaborate plan to propose on Christmas Day but he got a little too anxious and instead proposed on the very day that he picked up the engagement ring.

“We spent the evening driving around to places that were significant to us when we were dating; first date, first kiss, all that good stuff!” Bethany recalls. “Our last stop was the beach. When we were sitting on a log by the water David stood up and got down on one knee, and pulled out a ring box. His first words were, ‘Don't get excited!’ and he continued to tell me how he couldn't get my ring yet but still wanted to propose. Inside the box was a ring-shaped piece from the inside of his guitar amp. He asked me to marry him and I of course said yes, but wasn't too sure if this was a joke. After the failed attempt at trying to fit the make-shift ring on my finger, I put my gloves back on. On our walk back to the car David was saying, ‘We’re engaged!’ yet I wasn't too convinced, so he said, ‘I'll prove it to you.’ He took me over to a light and pulled my glove off. Somehow, he had snuck the real engagement ring on my finger! That was when the jumping, squealing, crying, and phone calls started!”

Their wedding took place on July 16, 2011 and was planned with the assistance of Soha Lavin of COUNTDOWN EVENTS.

“Soha, our wedding planner, did an amazing job of making our ceremony and reception breathtaking!” says Bethany. “We were very involved with the planning, and making sure it was very ‘us’ in all the little details. We wanted the wedding to reflect our own style. At the time (and still) I was going through an obsession with antlers! So I really wanted to play that up, and go for a rustic-yet-elegant feel. We had lots of antlers, birch and succulents, mixed in with pretty and delicate details.”


WITH A FLOURISH
Bethany worked closely with Colleen Winton of FLOURISH to create the stationery suite. “The stationery was a design I created—it was meant to look almost like a vintage luggage tag. All the text was in its own boxes like it had been filled out with a typewriter. Our RSVPs were really fun—a fill-in-the-blank mad lib. Colleen had them printed letterpress on thick paper and it really added to that vintage feel,”explains Bethany. 


THE FASHION 
Bethany fell in love with her dress while attending the Crème de la Crème wedding show the previous year amidst planning her sister’s wedding.“We were able to source the dress in the US with the help of BISOU BRIDAL and brought it in specially for her,” says Soha Lavin of COUNTDOWN EVENTS. She also wore a long veil for the ceremony (also from Bisou Bridal) which she switched to a fun fascinator from JEWELIETTE for the photos and reception.

Bethany paired the gown with a big sparkly Badgley Mischka collar-style necklace covered in jewels and pearls. She also wore a pair of bright blue, suede high heel shoes by Jeffrey Campbell with a big bow on each toe. “They were very high. I had to hold my Dad's arm tightly while walking down the aisle,” she remembers.

At Bethany’s request, her bouquet featured succulents and pastel-coloured flowers. The bridesmaids’ bouquets contained succulents and peonies, mixed in with pastel pink, and orange blooms.

The bridesmaids’ pewter dresses were from J.CREW, paired with brown leather belts and brown leather heels. Each wore a chunky pearl necklace to match the chunky collar necklace worn by Bethany.

David wore a suit from ZARA.


 THE CEREMONY
The ceremony was held at St. Andrews-Wesley United Church with floral by GRANVILLE ISLAND FLORIST and decor by Colin Upright and his team from UPRIGHT DECOR.

The reception was held at THE FAIRMONT HOTEL VANCOUVER, in the Pacific Ballroom with rustic, yet modern and luxe decor by UPRIGHT DECOR. GRANVILLE ISLAND FLORIST created alternating centerpieces for the tables. They used some of the same flowers that were seen in the bridesmaids’ bouquets arranged in oversized wreaths around candelabras; while others featured individual types of flowers separated into their own square vases.

“The bride really loved antlers so we worked creatively to work them into the design elements starting with the stationery all the way to the décor including the head table centerpiece, it was a 5 ft wide moose antler sourced from The Cross,” says Soha Lavin of COUNTDOWN EVENTS.

Soha also ordered custom made birch wood chargers for every place setting to be cut and made in Whistler. “It is a natural detail but highly personalized,” she says.


SWEET REGARDS 
Peter Fong of GANACHE PATISSERIE created the macaron tower with sugar flowers to match the flowers on Bethany's dress.


LET THEM EAT DOUGHNUTS!
“From one of the earliest meetings I had with Bethany I remember that she expressed her love of doughnuts and her desire to incorporate a doughnut cake!” says Soha. “As we refined the design of her wedding we designed a beautiful, decadent and delicious doughnut bar instead! It was a huge hit.” The doughnut bar incorporated some of the bride’s favourite flavours and secret recipes by FAIRMONT HOTEL VANCOUVER pastry chef.

“We took it one step further and added banner flags to the doughnuts with the couple’s wedding themes: Love & Faithfulness, I Do, antlers and printed doughnut bags with the word ‘Yummy’. We also created a surprise Doughnut Bar banner in Bethany’s favourite shade of grey,” Soha explains.


GOOD NIGHT, MY DEER!
At the end of the night, to go along with the whimsical (and unusual) antler theme, female guests received necklaces featuring a large gold deer pendant. They were presented in an adorable little bag with a tag that said, ‘Thank you for coming, my deer!’ “It was the perfect day, with the perfect person,” says Bethany. “It poured rain and didn't even matter because everything else was so magical.”

Re:SOURCE IT

Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia

Getting Ready Venue, Bride:
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Getting Ready Venue, Groom:
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Ceremony Venue:
St. Andrews-Wesley United Church

Reception Venue:
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Pacific Ballroom

Photographer:
Jana Vackova Photography

Gown Boutique: 
Bisou Bridal

Gown Designer:
Watters

Shoes: 
Jeffery Campbells

Fine Jewellry:
Badgley Mischka

Groom Formal Wear:
Zara

Wedding Planner:
Countdown Events

Invitations:
Flourish

Floral:
Granville Island Florist

Decor:
Upright Decor

Cake Company:
Ganache Patisserie 

Catering:
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Make-up Artist:
Michelle Luking

Hair Stylist:
Tiffany Gatto