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WEDDING & EVENTS AFFAIR 2019

MAKING HOME OWNERSHIP EASY

A MILESTONE INVESTMENT PARTICULARLY WHEN COUPLES FIRST JOIN TOGETHER

UNIQUE VENUES

VANCOUVER ISLAND GEMS WITH VIEWS OF LAND AND SEA

WEDDINGS IN GOOD TASTE CUSTOMIZE YOUR CAKE

When you choose to work with our team you gain the

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support of three experienced, successful Real Estate Agents. By working together we are able to share our expertise and experience leading to more ideas, perspectives, and overall better service for our clients. Working as a team with a full-time support staff gives us more time to spend with our clients, listening to and understanding their needs. Whether you’re selling your family home, investing in a property, or purchasing your very first family home, you have our full support every step of the way. Come visit us at our new ocean view offices on the 3rd floor of the Comox Mall

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hitched NORTH ISLAND

CONTENTS 05

Wedding flowers are something to have and to hold, and the possibilities don’t end there

WEDDING & EVENTS AFFAIR 2019

MAKING HOME OWNERSHIP EASY

UNIQUE VENUES

MEN'S WEAR & JEWELLERY

n behalf of the team at Black Press, thank you for picking up our annual edition of Hitched.

The North Island is full of amazing local businesses, entrepreneurs and artisans who we are so excited to highlight in this magazine and the second annual Hitched Wedding & Events Fair. From flowers and baking to fashion, venues and event planning, everything you need for your dream wedding is right here, so why not go local! As a community news media group, we are committed to strengthening and supporting the communities where we live, work and celebrate. We know that by buying champagne from the winery down the road or ordering flowers from the second generation family business on the corner, we build the local economy, but also strengthen the community as a whole. Inside, find the tools, creative ideas and, of course, the incredible local vendors who can help you put the finishing touches on your big day. We hope you enjoy Hitched as much as we loved bringing it all together.

A WEDDING SEASON IS ALWAYS IN BLOOM

Helping couples start a life together in a new home Hold your wedding at one of these three Vancouver Island jewels Find a style that suits you and your budget

CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR JOLENE RUDISUELA

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT CHRISSIE BOWKER

EVENT CO-ORDINATOR SHERI JACKSON

BLACK PRESS WRITERS

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Alistair Taylor Erin Haluschak Greg Sakaki Karly Blatts Mike Chouinard Mike Davies Scott Stanfield Susie Quinn Terry Farrell Tyson Whitney

Karen McKinnon Erin Wallis

COVER PHOTO BY

McKinnon Photography

GRAPHIC DESIGN TAMMY ROBINSON

Hitched is produced by:

Hitched magazine is published by Black Press. The points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher of Hitched. The contents of Hitched magazine are protected by copyright, including the designed advertising. Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher. PHONE: 1-250-338-5811 MAILING ADDRESS: 407D 5th Street Courtenay, B.C., V9N 2J7

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT EVENTS@BLACKPRESS.CA OR VISIT US ON FACEBOOK @HITCHEDWEDDINGEVENTS WINTER 2019 | H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E

W|www.bezaireeventandfloraldesign.ca E| bezairedesigns@gmail.com

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WEDDING SEASON IS ALWAYS IN BLOOM BEZAIRE EVENT & FLORAL DESIGN MAKES WEDDINGS EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL

STORY BY GREG SAKAKI

edding flowers are something to have and to hold, and the possibilities don’t end there.

The role of flowers in beautifying any wedding celebration is limited only by the imagination – flowers can go on cakes, on charcuterie boards and even inside ice cubes. Karen Bezaire, owner of Bezaire Event & Floral Design in the Comox Valley, said the best results come with collaboration and she loves hearing the wishes of brides-to-be. “When we come to the table to do planning, I’m [asking], ‘just tell me what your big, big dream is – what’s been floating around in your head for the last year?’” she said. The responses she gets fuel her creativity. Bezaire said most venues tend to have reception areas with relatively neutral colour palettes, so basically any colour choices are available. Any flowers can be used, as no varieties are ever out-ofseason in the wedding flower business. “If she has the budget, she can really get any flowers she wants,” Bezaire said. “If she doesn’t have the budget, then no, then we’re sticking with localgrown flowers. And generally those can come in a variety of colours – getting the colours she wants would be easy enough.” Certain kinds of floral design are always in fashion at weddings. Bezaire said garlands of greenery or smaller floral arrangements on the tables will always be good choices. But some new trends seem to be emerging. “I think for 2019, we’re going to see some more brides stepping out with some bold colours; that’s what’s predicted,” she said.

And other wedding trends can have an impact on floral design. Fresh-cut flowers on wedding cakes have become common, and with the current trend of multiple smaller wedding cakes rather than one large one, more flowers are needed. Bezaire will co-ordinate with bakers to ensure that the cake flowers work with the rest of the floral arrangements at a wedding; sometimes she takes care of that, sometimes the bakers can handle it. Bezaire said sometimes mixologists are now hired at weddings, and said she looks forward to working with Vancouver Island growers on edible flowers to go inside ice cubes, for example. Something else she’s seeing are charcuterie boards for each wedding table, with the crackers, meat and cheese complemented by a floral decoration. “If you get somebody who can arrange it really beautifully, it looks lovely on the table along with flowers,” she said. A trend she hopes catches on is moving closer to “zero-waste” weddings where limiting waste is taken into consideration in all facets of the plans; she has personally stopped using foam in her arrangements to using wire instead, and after a wedding, she’ll present unclaimed flowers at a local seniors home. Whatever is in store at Vancouver Island weddings in 2019, Bezaire looks forward to it, even during the crunch of wedding season. “I’m one of those weird people that love projects and I never get stressed out,” she said. “I get really, really excited.” For more information, bezaireeventandfloraldesign.ca

visit

STYLISTS THAT COME TO YOU STORY BY SUSIE QUINN

ust as brides and grooms are taking their nuptials on the road, mobile wedding services are becoming a big trend. Two Courtenay businesses— Wildflower Beauty On Location, and Hairpins Boutique Salon—have set the bar high in this regard. Makeup artist Jacklyn Van Bourgondien runs Wildflower Beauty on Location with Aveda-trained hairstylist Anuschka Steigemann. They don’t have a storefront; their business is solely on location hair and makeup. “Mobile or on-location is what is most booked,” says Van Bourgondien. “I think it’s easier for clients to have the hair and makeup artists to come to their location so they don’t have to hold everybody up and go to a location.” Van Bourgondien had a busy cosmetic boutique in Whistler, but moved to the Comox Valley with her husband, who grew up in the Vancouver Island

community. When she moved to Courtenay, she applied her skill as a makeup artist to a new business— Wildflower—and admits it was slow going at first. “Wedding tourism is the future of the Comox Valley, or one of the futures,” Van Bourgondien says. “I’ve seen it in my bookings. The price of having a wedding here is half what it is at Whistler.” The Comox Valley also offers all the amenities a wedding party needs, from photographers, makeup artists and hairstylists to caterers, bakers, DJs, stunning alpine-to-ocean venues and everything in between. Collaboration is key for Wildflower’s mobile wedding services, says Van Bourgondien. “The whole concept of Wildflower is to be a collective of hair and makeup artists. We have a large team…Wildflower doesn’t take a cut, we just find freelancers to work the weddings.”

TOP LEFT: HAIRPINS BOUTIQUE SALON-PHOTO BY KAREN MCKINNON. TOP RIGHT: WILDFLOWER BEAUTY. PHOTO BY: ERIN WALLIS 6

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Each wedding location evokes different memories, says Van Bourgondien, but she will never forget one particular elopement. “I was going somewhere in the North Island I had never been before and it was very remote,” she recalls. “I was led up what looked like an abandoned road. I opened the gate and came upon the most beautiful home… just simple, elegant, beautiful. It was early morning and there was a bit of fog.” It was the first time Van Bourgondien met the bride, as she was from out of town. “She was so excited and sweet. It was so memorable because she was so in love and it was so intimate.” Assisting a bridal party on location “is definitely a little more intimate,” says Megan Griffiths from Hairpins Boutique Salon. Although Hairpins has a storefront (#4–224 Sixth St., Courtenay), Griffiths and co-owner Staysea Brown like to get out on location too. “It’s nice because quite often the ‘getting

ready’ process can take quite a while. It’s nice for the bridal party to hang out together in their own comfort.” From post-breakfast coffee in their robes to mimosas for brunch, it’s a beautiful bonding time for the bridal party too.

Many of the locations to which Griffiths and the Hairpins stylists travel are on some of the islands such as Quadra or Hornby, where salons are not easily accessible. Bringing someone on location just makes sense, she says.

vendors,” Griffiths says.

Griffiths has been styling hair for 14 years—the last seven with Hairpins— and says she started the movement towards on-location wedding styling parties.

“I love getting out of the salon. I enjoy shaking things up a little bit. We always work in such beautiful locations, amazing backdrops with the ocean at our backs, or up at Mount Washington.

“We do a huge amount of mobile and on-location business for weddings in the summer,” she says, whether at a family’s home, a resort or an Air BnB. “Last year we booked almost 35 weddings so we’re quite busy on weekends.”

“It’s always a nice treat.”

“They do a phenomenal job of bringing out the best in a person, while staying true to that person’s vision. Also, and the importance of this is not to be undervalued, the team at Hairpins always adds to the flowing positive energy,” McKinnon said.

While Brown also provides makeup services with Hairpins, she and Griffiths often team up with other vendors such as Wildflower Beauty on Location. “We work with so many amazing

“I always feel good when I walk into a room with a bride getting ready and see the team from Hairpins,” says photographer Karen McKinnon of McKinnon Photography.

“Their calm, professional and warm demeanor adds to the tone of the day.” For more information, visit hairpins.ca and wildfloweronlocation.com

LEFT: HAIRPINS BOUTIQUE SALON-PHOTO BY ERIN WALLIS. TOP RIGHT: WILDFLOWER BEAUTY. BOTTOM RIGHT: HAIRPINS BOUTIQUE SALON-PHOTO BY KAREN MCKINNON WINTER 2019 | H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E

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10 THINGS YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER WANTS YOU TO KNOW BY ERIN WALLIS PHOTOGRAPHY

Ask your photographer what will work best for light and timing before the wedding. The right lighting can literally make a location magical or not magical. Having your wedding at noon in the summer is most wedding photographers' nightmare, however a time closer to sunset is more ideal for lighting. Dried rose petals are my personal fave and the best for your guests to shower you with after you're announced as the newlyweds. They are more impactful in photos than most things. Always have a back up plan for weather (not just sometimes, ALL the time). My motto is plan for the worst, hope for the best. Be prepared and hope for the best – you’ll be less worried and stressed if you have a “just in case” plan in place. Trust me! Embrace bad weather... like rain! Seriously folks, rain is ok. It adds mood, dimension and forces your photographer to be more creative and may even inspire them to try something new or more creative. Embrace your day – worrying about it isn’t going to change a thing. Be present. Stress less, be in the moment more. Breathe and try and sink into your moments! Go with the flow!

Your photos will reflect YOU and your day. If you are having the time of your life with the love of your life your photos will ALWAYS be better. Have your wedding outside of “wedding season”. Wedding season on Vancouver Island is about May to September. Some places and vendors are more flexible with rates in their slower season as well as your guests will love a wedding outside of the busy summer months when they may already be attending a handful of weddings! Hello fall weddings?! Most beautiful! Expect the unexpected, and roll with it. Try as much as humanly possible to keep all things in perspective and try to have a sense of humour about it. When in doubt, ask. We’ve seen it all and we want your wedding to be rad. If you are doubting or questioning something about your ideas or timeline. Ask us. Follow your vendors on social media for a good while BEFORE booking them. You should get a feel for who they are and what they value through their feed. Do your wedding YOUR way. It doesn't have to be something out of a trendy blog or magazine, it can be as elaborate or as intimate as you desire. Just whatever you do, DO YOU. WINTER 2019 | H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E

MAKING HOME OWNERSHIP EASY STORY BY ERIN HALUSCHAK PHOTOS BY ALI RODDAM

arla Arnold, Nicole Minions and Andrena Koch-Schulte understand that buying or selling a home is a major life event – a milestone for a family, particularly when a couple first joins together. The award-winning Royal LePage trio came together in early 2016 and have a combined 27 years experience in the real estate profession. They see Hitched and the Comox Valley Real Estate Group as a good pair. “We see ourselves as helping agents,” explains Minions. “When a couple comes together or gets married, it’s a family coming together, and buying a house is one of their major milestones.” Arnold says that another reason the team gets involved in Hitched is that the event doesn’t just focus on weddings,

H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E | W I NTE R 2 019

but corporate events and networking opportunities.

blending of families.

Another advantage is to explore what resources are available on Vancouver Island she notes, and it demonstrates the role of vendors when planning events.

“We want to be a resource. We’re so low pressure, and so many people expect high pressure. We really want to get to know our clients. With them, we don’t just want to sell a home, but we often have a relationship with them before that happens – we’re looking for the long term relationship.”

“Sometimes you should bite the bullet and pay for the expert – there’s less to oversee. I realize I can’t do and know everything, and this way you can relax and enjoy your event. They really know what they’re doing and sometimes you can even save money.”

Minions notes she also enjoys working with couples or a family to improve the value of a home prior to selling. The team brings a diverse perspective, have bought and sold multiple homes and have done a variety of renovation projects.

She adds at the event the trio sees a lot of mature couples entering their second marriage and they are experiencing a

“If anyone can get through a renovation for the first time, that’s the true test of a relationship,” adds Arnold with a laugh.

“We enjoy entertaining and it’s a good place to see what other people offer.”

Elegant wedding cakes, spectacular flowers & more!

They also help couples who are transitioning from either a strata or townhouse into a single family home for the first time navigate finances and expectations. "We sometimes look at more creative financing. If a couple says, ‘if this is all I can afford, how can I afford to improve it?’ We guide them through that process with financing options and contractors as well." In terms of their favourite moments of weddings, Minions says it’s the gathering of friends and family which she enjoys the most. “(A wedding) brings everyone together in a positive, shared experience.” For more information, visit comoxvalleyrealtors.com Carla, Andrena and Nicole were awarded Chairman’s Club Award status by Royal LePage for Achieving Top 1% Sales in Canada for 2017 & 2018.

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JOINING FAMILIES ON THE FARM STORY BY SCOTT STANFIELD

veryone assumed Zoe Norcross Nu’u would have to sell Minto Farm when her husband passed away in 2013. But against better judgment, she decided to hang onto the 25-acre spread on Minto Road in the Comox Valley. “I was in a state of shock, because it was an unexpected death,” said Norcross Nu’u, whose husband, Rick Nu’u, was from New Zealand. “I was kind of in shock for a year, but thankfully during that time I didn’t follow people’s advice. I didn’t sell the farm.” She returned home from the funeral in New Zealand to an empty house. An appraisal had been conducted, and friends and family had organized an auction for farm equipment. But she never listed the house. At the same time, she realized it wasn’t exactly realistic for a single, working mother to be running

H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E | W I NTE R 2 019

a farm. “It’s an incredible amount of work,” she said. But Norcross Nu’u was inspired after speaking with Amara Farm owner Arzeena Hamir, who understood the farm is “like a lifeboat.” Hamir helped her outline a plan to lease to young farmers, and have them live on the property. About 10 people came through and farmed at Minto. Most have since moved on, but Norcross Nu’u still has a few people living on site. She wanted to support the farmers, not charge them for living on the land, so instead she thought about hosting weddings and other events. “I have this amazing space,” Norcross Nu’u said. “I have this beautiful barn. The farm itself is picturesque, it’s really

pretty. The whole venue is sweet. It’s got a lovely feel to it.” Along with the barn, Minto’s sloping field by the pond, complete with fire pit, provides another ideal venue for outdoor weddings, reunions, barbecues or gatherings by the fire. “It’s an active working farm, but we go to great lengths to try to make it look active, but pretty,” Norcross Nu’u said with a laugh. “Which is hard.” Last summer, she hosted a wedding which happened to fall on a rainy weekend. “But the way that my space is set up, it didn’t matter, because we have this beautiful, indoor-outdoor covered space.” At the event, she met Levi Smith, who

where history

Meets Nature. IMAGINE GETTING MARRIED AT ONE OF

CANADA’S MOST UNIQUE NATURAL SETTINGS. was volunteering with Tria Fine Catering. “I developed an instant liking for Levi,” Norcross Nu’u said. “He wants to host events. His energy is contagious…I’m a geologist by education, and I’m an introvert by nature, so promoting and marketing is not my cup of tea. It’s his thing.” Though people refer to them as partners, there’s no formal relationship because they’ve never hosted an event together. “We work with each other in a sense,” said Smith, who this year launched Smithco Events, a design and co-ordination company that specializes in corporate events, weddings, private parties and fund-raisers. “So excited to host events at her farm. It’s an amazing venue. We don’t have anything like it here.” They have a couple of weddings planned for next summer. Minto Farm is also an Airbnb. FMI: mintofarm.com For more information about Smith’s company, visit smithcoevents.com

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CUSTOMIZE YOUR COCKTAILS STORY BY ALISTAIR TAYLOR

aking the big day an experience you’ll never forget means paying attention to all the details and that includes the bar. Go beyond just offering beer, wine and high balls. Make the bar another stylish element of the event. “You’re already going all out for your wedding, most likely with the caterer and with the decorations and just with the general set up and the venue,” said Caitlyn Zandvliet, co-owner of Wild Coast Cocktails. “Everything is already very special, you know, why not go for the special bar as well, make it personal to you.” You can be creative with your alcohol

offerings as well. Cocktails can be customized to incorporate the wedding colour palette, says Jeff Wright, regional manager of the Truffles Group of which Cascadia Liquor is a member. “If the wedding colours are blue or purple and green, use blueberries or lavender as garnish,” he says. A big trend in “designing” the bar is the bride and groom selecting a signature cocktail. Brides and grooms often like to have two signature cocktails for their wedding day rather than the wide range of high balls that don’t have a classy feel. One of the cocktails might have a male flavour preference that is bourbon or whisky based, while the other cocktail might be a more female flavour

preference that is gin or wine-based. Another trend in modern weddings is offering mocktails because even kids like to partake in the sophistication of the event. A non-alcoholic drink makes it special for them and others who don’t want to imbibe. Like everything else about the big day, catering the bar helps push the event to another level. “It’s just the experience and the craft of everything,” said Aaron Mercer, coowner of Wild Coast Cocktails. “It just makes it so much more elegant.” For more information, cascadialiquor.com or Wild Cocktails on Facebook.

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LEFT: TRUFFLES CATERING. RIGHT: WILD COAST COCKTAILS WINTER 2019 | H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E

JENNA & BRENDAN A PHOTO STORY BY KAREN MCKINNON

SEEKING A UNIQUE VENUE TO HOST YOUR WEDDING OR SPECIAL EVENT? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THESE THREE VANCOUVER ISLAND JEWELS STORY BY KARLY BLATS

ituated on 24 picturesque acres, 40 Knots Vineyard and Estates Winery is the largest grape winery in the Comox Valley and one of the largest on Vancouver Island. The venue offers views of land and sea and is capable of seating 150 guests, making it an ideal location for weddings, conferences, parties and celebrations. “What I felt when I came on this property, and what everybody feels, is it’s a very special piece of land and people feel most at ease,” said 40 Knots owner Brenda Hetman-Craig. “It’s quite picturesque; we’re one of the few wineries in the world that is adjacent to the ocean.” What makes this North Island venue unique, Hetman-Craig says, is the option for guests to stroll through the vineyards on interpretive trails and learn the different varieties. “The photos you can get in the vineyards are absolutely stunning,” Hetman-Craig said. Hetman-Craig says 40 Knots is “aggressively local,” so guests will

H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E | W I NTE R 2 019

experience a real taste of Vancouver Island during their visit. “There's a belief that what grows together goes together, so working with the different incredible chefs across Vancouver Island, we can pair our wines beautifully to the local food,” she said. Besides local culinary options, the winery also often hosts entertainers from around Vancouver Island during events and celebrations. “We’re very authentic in that we mirror what Vancouver Island is and its values and its beauty,” Hetman-Craig said. The venue is also quite accessible for guests coming from off the Island. “I think what else makes us a spot that people want to come to is it’s just so convenient. We’re just a couple kilometres from the Comox airport and with the ferry we’re easy access,” Hetman-Craig said. “We’re also one of the few places that have a helicopter landing pad that the bride and groom can get dropped off in a helicopter, go up to the glacier, have a tour around the

ocean and then land for their reception.” Hetman-Craig said the venue has hosted large weddings that saw close to 200 guests, but have also entertained groups of only four. “We tend to host for weddings that are at the most about 120, but we can really pull off the smallest, most intimate weddings. We’ve had as few as four people to tie the knot at 40 Knots and just have a private area on our balcony, or we’ve had 200 people and what we can also set up is our vineyard terrace,” Hetman-Craig said. “We’re incredibly flexible so we can adjust to whatever decor or style or agenda that the bride and groom have planned.” In addition to weddings, 40 Knots is also a popular destination for private dinners, rehearsals or “very upscale stagette parties or bridal showers.” “Our slogan is old world elegance with new world comforts,” Hetman-Craig said. For more information, visit 40 Knots online at www.40knotswinery.com.

Resting on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, Telegraph Cove Resort offers another unique destination for weddings and adventure. Telegraph Cove, located approximately 210 kilometres northwest of Campbell River, is a popular eco-tourism destination, where visitors will come to enjoy fishing, whale watching, bear watching and kayaking. The resort offers a large variety of accommodation choices, from lodging in hand-crafted cabins to more modern condominium complexes with apartments located directly over the water. “It’s one of the last boardwalk villages remaining in B.C. and I think the only one at this point on Vancouver Island,” said resort general manager Taso Staikos. “The view is one of a kind… the scenery up here is just amazing.” Another aspect that makes Telegraph Cove Resort a unique destination to tie the knot is you can hold a wedding

On the West Coast of Vancouver Island, the Tofino Resort and Marina offers guests the chance to have their wedding or event right on the water.

ceremony in a whale museum. “We can put upwards of 200 people in [the museum] and you get a unique situation where there’s all kinds of whale bones hanging above your head. It’s not everybody’s cup of tea but it’s definitely on the unique side of things,” Staikos said. “Also at the whale museum there’s a beautiful big patio on the far end which is right at the very end of Telegraph Cove overlooking the Georgia Strait.”

“We have a beautiful patio overlooking the marina and big patio glass doors,” said Eva Thouvenot, resort marketing manager. “We have a full bar service upstairs with some draft line… and we have our 1909 kitchen that caters. It’s been nominated as one of the top 30 new restaurants in Canada.”

Staikos said some wedding parties have been lucky enough to experience whales breaching in the background during a ceremony.

Thouvenot said the resort is flexible in accommodating adventures like whale and bear watching and hot springs tours for wedding parties.

“The feel, looks and atmosphere up here, there’s nothing that can touch it,” he said.

“We have our own adventure centre here on the property,” she said. The resort typically holds 20 to 50 weddings each year.

Staikos added that the resort’s restaurant and pub can cater to pretty much any food preference requested by the wedding party.

For more information, visit www. tofinoresortandmarina.com.

To learn more about Telegraph Cove Resort, visit www.telegraphcoveresort. com.

LEFT PAGE: 40 KNOTS VINYARD AND ESTATE WINERY. RIGHT PAGE: TOP LEFT: TELEGRAPH COVE RESORT. TOP RIGHT: TOFINO RESORT AND MARINA WINTER 2019 | H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E

WEDDINGS IN GOOD TASTE HOT CHOCOLATES’ CAKEBREAD ARTISAN BAKERY CAN MAKE A CAKE TO SUIT ANY COUPLE STORY BY GREG SAKAKI

edding cakes aren’t something that can really be ordered from a menu, a catalogue or a form.

“We used to do lists: here’s the cakes, this is what you can do,” said Ian Harris, head baker at Hot Chocolates’ Cakebread Artisan Bakery in the Comox Valley. “And every time, someone would come in and would want something totally different.” Now, wedding cakes are completely custom. It means that if a cake can be imagined, it can probably happen. “There’s interesting colour choices and dynamics that a bride likes. There’s so many different brides,” Harris said. “We’ve had very fine, glitzy, solid-gold-coloured cakes spray-painted with edible gold, really blingy, and then we’ve had the exact opposite, where we have a bride and groom both wearing full camo and they would like realistic camo all over their cake.” Wedding cakes can vary greatly on the inside, too. Harris said he’s had a couple insist on key-lime flavour, and he’s done a five-tier cake where every tier is a different flavour. He generally recommends light, fruity and tart flavours for summer weddings and richer flavours in the winter. While every cake ends up a little bit different, there are some trends. Last year Harris and his team decorated a lot of ‘ombre’ cakes, where the colour of icing fades from one tint at the bottom to another at the top. “Pink up to white is a very popular one and that can be in lots of different formats,” he said. “It could be rosettes – little piped roses of different colour butter cream, all fading up to different colours moving up. Or just in the icing itself, just fading it all the way up.” He and his team have also done a lot of butter cream wedding cakes decorated with fresh-cut flowers. Harris said over the last two years, another popular choice has been the ‘naked cake.’ “Basically they’re cakes with a very thin amount of icing, where you can see the actual cake underneath through the icing,” he said. That’s the trend – cleaner lines as opposed to more traditional cakes with a lot of piping, Harris said. As for another tradition, the miniature bride and groom atop the cake, he said a lot of couples still want that, though they’ll generally take care of that final decoration themselves after ordering one of a thousand sets available online. Hot Chocolates’ Cakebread bakery has made cakes for weddings up and down Vancouver Island and on the Gulf Islands, and staff can handle three wedding cakes per weekend. “Book early,” Harris advised. For more information, visit hotchocolates.ca

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GETTING WEDDING READY INSIDE AND OUT STORY BY MIKE CHOUINARD

etting ready for a wedding means endless preparations, but don’t forget to take care of yourself before your big day.

A spa treatment at Ohspa is a great way to help you get yourself ready. Ohspa is a sanctuary nestled on the banks of the Courtenay River in the heart of the Comox Valley – part of the same complex that includes Locals restaurant and the Old House Hotel. “We are technically separate companies… but we work really closely together,” said spa manager Rebecca Hawthorn. Visitors can take a dip at the outdoor heated pool, or enjoy cuisine and beverages in a private lounge for two, escape with a custom Éminence Organics Facial, release tension with a relaxation massage, or brighten their day with an OPI pedicure. Ohspa also offers specific packages for couples, such as side-by-side massages for the bride and groom in the couple’s suite, a package that includes food from Locals. Hawthorn describes it as a great way to come in and decompress. “We all know it can be a little stressful planning a wedding,” she said. “You can come in, stay at the hotel, get a dining credit at Locals and then come in for a couple of massages.” Hawthorn says Ohspa also gets a lot “staycation” clients after a wedding is over, especially if couples stick close to home for the honeymoon. “There’s packages with the hotel that you can get,” she added. Ohspa has a pedicure room with four chairs along with two manicure stations, so there’s capacity for six at one time, which can be a great activity for a bridal party. “We do get a lot … even a week or so before the wedding to get their nails done,” Hawthorn says. “It’s just really nice that they can all be in the same room, and they can chat.” The spa also has a pool and hot tub available, so the bridal parties can come for a swim and hang out in the lounge. As to how soon before the wedding to come by? Hawthorn says it really depends on the service. For nails, she recommends only a week or so, while for a treatment like a facial, people should aim for at least a week in advance. Ohspa even offers makeup services for the big event. Ultimately, a pre-wedding spa visit can help you get yourself ready for the event, both on the outside and the inside. “What we really recommend is coming in for your mental health,” Hawthorn says. “Yes, it’s amazing for your physical health, for your skin and everything, but we really think it’s important to come in and reflect on what’s going to happen, let it sink in and have a day that’s just about them. They’re starting the process of pampering themselves and they’re really starting to feel like a bride.” Ohspa is located at 1730 Riverside Lane in Courtenay. For more information, call 1-250-703-4770 or toll free at 1-877-703-4770, email info@ohspa.ca or go online to www.ohspa.ca. WINTER 2019 | H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS WEDDING DESIGN AND RENTAL BUSINESSES TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF YOUR BIG DAY STORY BY JOLENE RUDISUELA

lanning a wedding can be a daunting process.

From finding the perfect venue, choosing colour schemes, designing table decor and creating that ‘wow’ factor, couples have a lot on their plates before the big day. That’s why three Comox Valley businesses are here to help. “I want to make a difference in people’s lives through my work and my ideas and my colours,” said decorator, designer and florist, Christina Leaman of Wedding and Event Design by Christina Leaman. “When I’m creating something for the bride and groom – whether it be flowers or folding napkins – I think about them and I think about their story.” ABOVE: ALL IN ONE PARTY SHOP.

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For Leaman, getting to know her clients is key to designing detailed decor that truly represents the couple – after all, the day is all about them. While Leaman does not provide rentals herself, she works closely with two local event rental and design businesses to bring clients’ visions to life. All In One Party Shop and Relay Event Rentals rent out everything from tents, chairs, tables, linens and decorative items. And with in-house designers, both businesses help clients put together the details of their perfect day. “It’s not what we have as an idea for what we think they want, we want to make sure we’re delivering what they’re looking for,” said Coleen Anderson with

Relay Event Rentals. “As much as you need is what we’re offering. If they just want to come in and view things, we can help them with that, or if they want everything looked after then we can do that.” While some clients come to each business with specific design elements in mind, others have no idea where to start. “We usually start with what colours they’re thinking,” said Anderson. “As we start pulling things out, we pull out a table so that they can see what’s developing.” Tessa Stover, owner of All In One Party Shop, has been in the business for 25 years and says offering both design

services and rentals in one place is a huge stress reliever for the couples. “We do try to live up to our name,” said Stover. “The end result is we can go in and do a full set up right from the tenting to the tables to the linens to the floral and we’re part of that whole real magic to see it from the beginning to the end.” She adds that renting wedding decor cuts down on a lot of waste and allows couples to get exactly what they want without breaking the bank. Each business offers delivery, setup and take down to allow couples to enjoy their wedding day. Anderson adds, “When you’re done with the dishes, or the linens or any of that, it comes back to us and we do the cleaning up.” For more information, visit eventswithchristina.com, relayevents.ca and allin1partyshop.com

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ABOVE: CHRISTNA LEAMAN DESIGN, TOP PHOTO BY ERIN WALLIS BOTOM PHOTO BY: NEW LEAF PHOTOGRAPHY WINTER 2019 | H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E

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FOLLOW THE TREND OR FORGE YOUR OWN WAY? DECIDING ON MEN’S FASHION AND JEWELLERY FOR THE BIG DAY DOESN’T HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED

STORY BY MIKE DAVIES

uys don’t, if we’re generalizing here, pay too much attention to “what’s trending?”

Which is why it’s good that the folks at Jim’s Clothes Closet do. With three locations across Vancouver Island – Port Alberni, Courtenay and Campbell River – Jim’s has been serving up quality menswear for a long time. They know what’s been hot in the past, what’s hot now, and can go whatever direction you’d like – even if you don’t care about that. After all, they’ve seen it all over the years. From full-blown formalwear to flipflops and shorts on the beach, they’ve dressed grooms and their groomsmen on Vancouver Island for over 50 years. Preston Jewellers has a similar pedigree. Now in its third generation of being family-owned-and-operated, the Preston family has been searching out quality and reputable suppliers, goldsmiths, gemologists and watchmakers to be sure their customers

receive nothing but the best since 1975. Every piece of jewellery that comes into the Preston Jewellers store has been hand selected, every piece is warrantied, and they go out of their way to ensure their customers will love their new pieces of jewelry for generations. And they, too, know what’s hot and what’s not.

“But of course white gold and platinum are not far behind,” said Kim. And then there’s deciding on a stone. “Diamonds are always the best choice, as they are the hardest material and can stand the wear and tear of daily wear,” Kim said. “While coloured stones are often displayed in bridal ads, their longevity is limited. Most of them are soft and susceptible to chips and breaks. Canadian diamonds are still strong.”

“As for engagement rings, all colours of gold are popular right now, including Located at the base of the whatever your River plans are for mixing white, rose and yellow gold,” SoDiscovery Inn, Campbell menswearToll andFree: jewellery – or if you don’t according to owner Kimberley Preston,250.286.6421 1.800.984.1133 adding that customizing is popular and even know where to begin – head to any www.prestonjewellers.ca of of the Jim’s locations across the Island easier than ever, too. and Preston Jewellers in downtown “If a person finds a picture of a ring they Campbell River on Shoppers Row. love, it can be made based around their They’ll make sure you look and feel your taste and budget,” she said. best on your important day – and every And apparently, in terms of men’s bands, day – as you move forward in your lives gold is back! For a while there, platinum, together. titanium and all kinds of non-yellow metals were all the rage, but the biggest For more information, visit trend right now is going back to yellow jimsclothescloset.ca and prestonjewellers.ca gold.

TOP LEFT: JIM"S CLOTHES CLOSET PHOTO BY GOLD SPUN PHOTOGRAPHY. TOP RIGHT: PRESTON JEWELLERS WINTER 2019 | H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E

BRAYLEY & CLIFF GOWLLAND HARBOUR RESORT WEDDING

BY ERIN WALLIS PHOTOGRAPHY

rayley and Cliff met in New Zealand in 2012 and have been inseparable ever since. Cliff being from Australia and Brayely from Canada they began on their many adventures together and were engaged in Tofino in 2014. On September 2, 2018 they joined with family and friends from as far away as Australia and England to make it all official. They chose Gowlland Harbour Resort for their easy going, ocean front celebration and even embraced the elements as they shared their first dance as husband and wife in the rain.

READY AND WILLING TO SERVE MID-ISLAND RESIDENTS STORY BY TYSON WHITNEY

eah Jones loves seeing the smiles on peoples’ faces every time they see her limousine pull around the corner. Jones is the owner of Limo Ride Co., a business she started from the ground up after finding out there weren’t too many chauffeur companies along Vancouver Island. She’s a former highway driver with over 30-years of experience on the road who decided to turn in her truck keys for a much more luxurious ride back in 2010. Jones runs her limo company alongside her husband, Shannon. They offer a variety of services ranging from weddings, proms, and birthdays to

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more personalized rides like Christmas lights tours as well as wine and craft beer tasters.

servicing Nanaimo and the surrounding areas, and driving as far North as Campbell River.

“Folks want to ride together and be chauffeured around in style,” said Jones.

Life’s milestones, like weddings, are now the days that Jones feels honoured to make extra special for Vancouver Islanders.

For weddings, couples can send Jones their wedding colours before hand and she’ll make sure the inside of her limo matches their colour palette. She will even happily decorate the interior or exterior of her vehicles if requested. As for what sparked her passion for the business, Jones noticed when her son graduated high school there was a curious lack of luxury limousine rides in Parksville. Not too long after, the Jones family expanded beyond Parksville,

She said her favourite thing about owning the business is getting to be “included in some of the happiest moments of people’s lives.” She adds, “And how lucky are we to be able to play a unique part in some people’s fondest memories.” For more information, visit limorideco. com

PICTURE PERFECT STORY BY TERRY FARRELL

emember those old photo booths at the mall? You’d deposit your money, then sit in a seat behind a dark curtain, and hold various poses while an unmanned camera takes four wallet-sized photos, spitting them out of a slot afterwards? Welcome to the 21st century. Revelry Photo Booth takes that penny arcade attraction from generations past and gives it a modern spin. This is far more than sitting on a stool, waiting for the flash. This is backdrops, props, and as many participants as you want in the shot. Revelry Photo Booths can be found at corporate events, parties, and yes, weddings. “Weddings are full of beautiful moments and professional photographers capture them well, but one thing that we specialize in is capturing the fun,” said owner and operator Melanie Coulter. “When people are in front of the booth with no one staring them down through the lens, they cut loose and are truly themselves. We have captured so many hilarious, energetic, and sometimes very sweet images that otherwise would have been missed.” This is no cheap disposable camera operation. “Top it off with unique props, a fun booth attendant to encourage guests to jump in, as well as the immediate gratification of a physical image in hand, and digital copies sent via text or email on the spot. Revelry really is that something special every wedding needs,” added Coulter. With a number of different backdrops, the open air booth can be matched to any wedding decor or colour schemes to bring it all together. And with an attendant on hand to constantly update props, Revelry guarantees no two events will be the same. The regular lineups for photos at the booths at every event are testimony to the concept’s mass appeal. Having Revelry Photo Booth at your wedding reception is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. And with the photos produced, the couple will have an extra keepsake from their wedding. For all the information you need on booking a Revelry Photo Booth for your wedding, visit revelryphotobooth.com WINTER 2019 | H I T C H E D M A G A Z I N E

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