Wishes 2015

2015 the ultimate guide to sea to sky weddings whistlerweddingmagazine.com

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Contents wedding :

wedding :

Wedding dreams take f light

A mysterious winter wedding

6

22

wedding cakes

ask the expert

Find the perfect wedding cake

Local advice for your big day

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26

wedding :

wedding :

A laid-back Pemberton wedding

Walking through wonderland

16

28

activities

photography

Fun for all the guests

Behind the lens

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32

Director y 34

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editor Alyssa Noel Brigitte Mah, Olivia Bevan, Philippa Johnson, Roxanne Cave art director Lou Stevens sales manager Susan Hutchinson sales executives Tessa Sweeney, Amy Allen, Jennifer Gibson, Kate Whitley contributors

cover photo

Logan Swayze / coastphoto.com

Whistler Publishing LP and Glacier Media Inc. wplp president Sarah Strother address #103-1390 Alpha Lake Rd., Function Junction, Whistler, B.C., V0N 1B1 phone 604.938.0202 published by

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4 WISHES 2015 WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE

wedding :

Wedding dreams take f light When Marco del Fierro popped the question, he and his bride-to-be Ann Marie Miller knew exactly where they would tie the knot

W

HEN ANN MARIE Miller saw an online deal for a trip to Whistler, she had no idea

BY: BRIGITTE MAH that a three-day trip with her boyfriend Marco del Fierro would lead to the most memorable day of her life.

As Washingtonians the couple had never been to Whistler, and unbeknownst to Ann Marie, Marco

had been looking for the perfect opportunity to propose.

“The second I saw the link from Ann Marie, I knew that was the place to do it,” said Marco. “I like to go all out and I wanted to propose in a big way. I don’t do boring.”

At the inukshuk on the top of Whistler, Marco co-ordinated with a Coast Mountain photographer and tricked Ann Marie into taking several photos before pulling out the ring.

6 WISHES 2015 WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE

Before Marco could even speak, Ann Marie said, “Yes.” After photos of their proposal the two skied Peak to Creek and collapsed with shaking legs at Dusty’s to top off their Whistler experience in style with poutine and hot chocolate.

From that moment they knew Whistler was where they would get married. The hardest part wasn’t coordinating family, or finding a location, it was choosing a date.

P. Anastasia Photography P. Gadbois Photography

BOOK YOUR WEDDING AT WHISTLER BLACKCOMB Celebrate your special day in one of Whistler Blackcomb’s iconic venues. Whether you want to celebrate in the valley, or high on a mountain top, we have a location that is just right for you.

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WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE WISHES 2015 7

“There is always something going on in Whistler,” said Marco. “We wanted our families to experience Whistler, but not the craziness of some festival.”

The pair found a quiet weekend on Aug. 24, 2014, and from there the plans took flight — a familiar sensation, given both of them are Boeing engineers.

In fact, airplanes and grand style were the themes of the wedding. Ann Marie folded over 200 paper airplanes that peppered the centerpieces and tables of the Roundhouse Lodge’s Glacierview room on top of Whistler.

The couple chose orange and purple as their primary colours, with an accent of

green to represent Marco’s love for the Seattle Seahawks.

“I wanted to do something a little different with the colours,” said Ann Marie. “I love purple and wanted bold colours that would pop against a neutral background.”

The pair’s desire to be unique trickled throughout the décor and dress, from the guest book propeller right down to Marco and the groomsmen’s personalized Nike shoes that had their nicknames and the date of the wedding embroidered on them.

The ceremony took place on the outside deck at 5:30 pm, under a brilliant sun, with roughly 70 guests in

8 WISHES 2015 WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE

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attendance. A buffet dinner followed, although the couple added barbeque ribs to the menu in honour of Marco’s family from Houston, where barbeque is a staple. Dessert was ice cream since it is Marco’s favourite, and local’s favourite, Lucia Gelato made personalized flavours of lavender honey and green tea mango for the newlyweds. The wedding cake was not the traditional vanilla or chocolate, but was a specialty cake from the Philippines called ube macapuno that has a purple centre.

Although there were challenges with lost luggage, delayed flights and botched first dance rehearsals, both Marco and Ann Marie will never forget their gondola ride down the mountain later that night. They were surrounded by darkness, and in the silence that exists when two people feel they are the only ones in the world, they were able to relax and fall into the moment of being husband and wife.

After all, even though the day showed off their favourite vacation spot to their family and friends, all the little moments were about their new flight together — in nothing short of grand style.

photography by

Tallevi Studios Photography tallevistudios.com As a bride calmer-downer, expert dress doer-upper and mother-of-the-bride tamer, Karen Tallevi has over 100 weddings and six years of experience. Her level-headed approach keeps the mood light and fun on your wedding day, allowing her to capture real moments and genuine emotion.

10 WISHES 2015 WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE

Anastasia Photography

Tallevi Studio

Wedding & Event Planning ~ Design & DĂŠcor Gadbois Photography

Rachael Lythe Whistler | 604-935-7781 enquiry@seatoskycelebrations.com

Kerry Thompson US | 425-422-4070 |

www.seatoskycelebrations.com

wedding cakes

How to find the perfect wedding cake From traditional to “naked” to cookies and cupcakes, the Sea to Sky corridor boasts a variety of sweet wedding treats

Ann Marie and Marco’s wedding cake was an ubemacapuno cake from Goldilocks Bakery in Vancouver (Read more about their big day on page 6) photo by: tallevi photography

M

ANY ASPECTS OF a destination wedding can be compacted, vacuum-sealed,

BY: BRIGITTE MAH and transported across thousands of kilometres, but the one component that

remains nearly impossible to bring is the wedding cake.

For the hundreds of couples who tie the knot in scenic Whistler every year, finding the right cake to satisfy their guests is no easy task, especially in a town full of talented pastry chefs.

So where does one begin?

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“Because there are so many choices nowadays, I always suggest that the cake is where they should show their personality as a couple and add their own elements of their celebration,” said Linda Marshall, the creative force behind Whistler Wedding Planners.

With over 1,030 weddings under

her belt, she has seen her fair share of cakes and guided many anxious couples through what can be an overwhelming process.

Those elements can be anything from personalized cake toppers that highlight activities or jobs of the couple, to a miniature gondola, favourite fruits, flowers, or colours.

“A wedding cake is art,” said Marshall. “And you have to take responsibility for the artistry of it.”

To help couples begin the process Marshall asks about their menu, the number of guests attending and their budget. She poses questions to help narrow down their identity and then she and her sister, pastry chef Trisha Field, fold those answers into wedding cake suggestions.

Time and time again, the most popular choice is a one-to-three-tiered chocolate cake with chocolate ganache, although Field does a decadent carrot cake that is very popular.

“When you’re in Whistler, there is a tendency to be more non-traditional and natural,” said Marshall.

On the rise in non-traditional popularity is the naked cake, where there is no icing. Decoration is simple and rustic with either a dusting of icing sugar and a ring of fresh flowers or fruits. Becky Lane of Baking Lane has been making naked cakes for locals and visitors and has seen her requests jump in the past year.

“Not everyone wants a cake dripping with fondant,” she said. “My cakes aren’t too fussy. They’re beautiful cakes that are delicious.”

Much of the inspiration for her cakes comes from Whistler’s natural surroundings and she sources her ingredients at the farmers’ markets.

Most hotels in Whistler have their own pastry chefs, so couples having their wedding in a hotel co-ordinate with their venue and choose a cake the pastry chef can make. Often, though, hotels charge a cake-cutting fee, which can range from $2 to $6.50 per guest.

As a result, many couples have begun to choose more creative and

Tara and Brent provided delicious wedding treats for their guests thanks to Tara’s aunt who baked them all herself. (Read more about their wedding on page 16) photo by: darby magill Macaroons are a great idea for those keen to carry their wedding colours through the menu. stock photo

Wedding Cakes

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pre-cut options like cupcakes, dessert buffets, or even cookies.

Sabrina Perfitt of Sugar Momma Pastries is Marshall’s go-to pastry chef for decorative and delicious cupcakes and cookies. With the talented ability to wield any shape out of buttercream or fondant and a background in design, Perfitt can make anything from intricate snowflake cookies to elegant floral cupcakes.

For the most delectable dessert bar treats, Marshall recommends Purebread, Whistler’s renowned bakery.

With every option available from lemon bars to Nanaimo bars to addictive crack bars and giant macaroons, their dessert options are the easiest way to offer a large selection that’s guaranteed to have guests returning for seconds.

“Whatever a couple is imagining, chances are it can be made,” said Marshall.

So go ahead and dream big. There are more than enough options in this town to make your vision come true.

Zoe and Michael wowed their guests with irresistible cookies at Nita Lake Lodge.

(Read more about their day on page 22) photo by: darby magill

There are pleny of unique cake ideas to suit every wedding. stock photo

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wedding :

A laid-back Pemberton wedding Brent Larson and Tara Kandulski explored all their hometown had to offer for their spring nuptials

F

ROM THE MOMENT Brent Larson proposed to Tara Kandulski on a secret beach in

BY: PHILIPPA JOHNSON Tofino the couple knew two things: they wanted a local wedding and they wanted everyone to have fun at it.

The pair met in Whistler in 2006, and tied the knot eight years to the day later on May 3, 2014. When it came to picking a spot for the nuptials, they couldn’t have imagined anywhere other than the beautiful mountains they’ve come to call home.

“We live in Pemberton, we love Pemberton!” said Tara. “We wanted

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all of our family who don’t live here or haven’t been here to have a chance to experience it. It’s beautiful where we live.”

As the owner of Mynt Salon in Pemberton it was “very important to me to be supporting local businesses,” said Tara.

From the event planner, Flock

Weddings and Events, to the flowers from Pemberton Valley Nursery, everything in the wedding was as locally sourced as possible.

Tara had her hair done at her own salon, and her makeup done at Ivy Esthetics next door, owned by one of her best friends and bridesmaids.

For the wedding itself, Tara and Brent wanted to avoid clichés, long trips out of town and boring their guests. The Old Vineyard in Pemberton was a perfect fit.

“I took all the things I didn’t like about other people’s weddings and just tried to avoid them… Mostly stuffiness!” Tara said.

To that end, the couple chose not to have a sit down dinner where their guests might be forced into an uncomfortable seating arrangement.

Instead, they had five hours of canapés, so people were free to come and go as they pleased.

Catered by The Collective Kitchen in Pemberton, the couple had curried chicken kabobs, ahi tuna, oysters on the half shell, beef sliders, crab salad and ribs, to name a few of the creations by chef John Ferris.

“John’s food is absolutely fantastic.

I couldn’t do it any justice with a description, but I’m so grateful for it. It was amazing,” Tara said.

In keeping with their consideration towards their guests, Brent and Tara had their photographs taken in the morning before their wedding, so that the reception could immediately follow the ceremony with no waiting around.

“The bar was open from the get go,

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photography by

Darby Magill Photography darbymagill.com

food started flowing and the reception started immediately. We didn’t want people waiting around for us to take photos and it gave us more time with everyone as well,” Tara explained.

“People sat on log rounds during the ceremony. We had booze there.

I wanted it to be very casual and I wanted everyone to have a good time.”

She said her favourite details of the wedding were the candy bar, the Cheesebox photo booth and the mason jars which eliminated the need for plastic cups.

After winning a trip at the Vancouver Wedding Fair, the couple honeymooned for two weeks in Fiji.

“It was absolutely amazing!” said Tara. “We snorkled and scuba dived, we stayed in little resorts on different islands and just relaxed.”

For the couple, the wedding was perfect. “We just had a ton of fun,” Tara said. “Nothing about it was stuffy. It was super relaxed… It was very unorganized! I got to wear a pretty dress and Brent looked super handsome, and it was a fun day.”

Getting the opportunity to photograph one of the most intimate and memorable celebrations professionally is a true honour. Creatively I get to explore the relationships amongst family and friends with a strong focus on the organic interactions. That is where my eye gravitates to and hopefully my photography shows that.

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activities

Fun for all the guests There are plenty of activities to do with friends and family who come to the corridor to celebrate your big day

Enjoy a sightseeing tour and glacier landing

Horseback tours at Copper Cayuse

photo by blackcomb aviation

photo by crystal brown photography crystalbrownphotography.com

Sample all that Whistler has to offer. /

photo courtesy of whistler tasting tours

BY: OLIVIA BEVAN

Y

OUR WEDDING DAY is undoubtedly the highlight of your guests’ visit, but ample fun

BY: OLIVIA BEVAN can be had on either side of the nuptials by arranging events in advance.

If extended celebrations are on your mind, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the Sea to Sky corridor.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM It’s important to take time out of your busy wedding to spend as a couple. For the more adventurous bride and groom looking for an unforgettable experience Rachael Lythe, founder of Sea to Sky Celebrations, suggests a scenic helicopter tour over hidden lakes and valleys to an ancient glacier, with a backcountry picnic included (visit

blackcombaviation.com). Tours run all year round, though they are weather dependent.

Horseback riding suits all levels of experience, said Jenny Pedersen, group sales specialist at whistler.com.

While beginners typically ride through spectacular old-growth cedar forests via sandy riverbeds, seasoned riders can enjoy a full day adventure, high above a glacial lake.

North of Whistler lies cowboy country, and those heading up to Pemberton won’t be disappointed with the backcountry treks through beautiful scenery, which can last from one hour up to several days with overnight camping. There are many stables in Pemberton, and Adventure Ranch (adventureranch.net), Adventures on Horseback (adventuresonhorseback. ca) and Copper Cayuse Outfitters (coppercayuseoutfitters.ca) all have

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excellent reputations.

If food and drink are on your mind, you can satisfy both in Whistler and Pemberton. Whistler’s guided walking tour takes you to some of the finest restaurants where you will enjoy a multi-course meal, with a different course served at each venue. (Visit whistlertastingtours.com for details).

In Pemberton, Carlee Cindric, founder of Pocketful Productions, suggests a tasting tour around Pemberton Distillery, where couples can learn more about the distilling process and sample Canada’s only organic potato vodka. If pampering is more your pleasure, try one of the many outstanding spas in Whistler such as Scandinave Spa, which Lythe suggests, can be followed up by a special dinner, or even a romantic, privately catered meal in the couple’s hotel room.

And, if you’ve a head for heights, Michael Zuccolin, general manager at Nicklaus North Golf Course, suggests a scenic float plane ride landing at their dock, before enjoying a meal in their restaurant, Table 19 with spectacular views from “Whistler’s best patio.”

ACTIVITIES FOR LARGER GROUPS There are many activities for larger groups (all of which can be tailored to any number of guests), from golf and ziplining in the summer, to snowshoeing, dog sledding and playing in Whistler’s tube park in the winter.

For something special, a horsedrawn sleigh ride through Whistler’s snow-covered trails with indulgent fondue at your destination is a spectacular way to enjoy the winter scenery while staying cozy and warm (blackcombsleighrides.com is one option). However, if this sounds a little too tame, There’s also the option to arrive by snowmobile or snow cat.

And while the snow certainly adds

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a magical element to any event, the summer mountains reveal incredible hikes that can be enjoyed by any group, including the stunning Joffre Lakes which, Cindric suggested, is a moderate hike suitable for many.

An adventurous group that doesn’t mind a few spills with their thrills might enjoy white water rafting through the wild waters of Whistler (visit wedgerafting.com for details). Though if you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, Lythe suggests a rehearsal barbecue at the Edgewater Outdoor Centre with games, barbecue, live music and access to canoes, kayaks and paddle boards so that guests can get out on the water.

For family focused fun in the summer, Cindric says the water spray parks at Pemberton Community Centre and Whistler’s Meadow Park are great options.

Another great way to explore the area is a hike or snowshoe atop the new Sea to Sky gondola in Squamish.

Blackcomb Sleighrides can cater romantic afternoon outings or fun group activities. photo by gadbois photography

(seatoskygondola.com) And finally, summer isn’t complete without a visit to North Arm Farm in Pemberton, where you can pick fresh berries and visit the animals. They also offer cooking classes for a variety of group sizes.

If you’re planning to host events at your wedding, remember that almost all can be customized according to group size and budget.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: whistler.com pocketfulproductions.com seatoskycelebrations.com

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wedding :

A mysterious winter wedding Michael Lane and Zoe Downing dug into their bookshelf for their Agatha Christie themed wedding

W

HEN MICHAEL LANE tried to propose to his thengirlfriend in October 2012,

BY: PHILIPPA JOHNSON she inadvertently foiled his first two attempts.

“We were practicing soccer because I’d just started playing,” said Zoe

Downing. “We’d brought those plastic cones to do drills around, and he asked me to go and pick them up. I didn’t think anything of it and I picked them all up and then next thing he’s rooting around in the grass because of course he’d hidden the ring under one of the cones. Then he put it by the balls and told me to put away the balls and at this point I was getting annoyed as to

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why I had to do all the tidying. I didn’t see it that time either and eventually he just had to get down on one knee!”

The couple first met at convenience store 7/11 in Whistler in 2008, just having wrapped up a ski season and looking for temporary work. One month later they moved down to Vancouver together, and the rest is history. After living in the city for a year

and a half while Zoe went to school, the couple moved to Sydney, Australia in order for Michael to get his law degree.

Four years later, they tied the knot at Nita Lake Lodge on Feb. 24, 2014.

For them there was nowhere other than Whistler to have their wedding.

“Whistler means so much to us because it’s where we met and probably also where we’ve been the happiest,” Zoe said.

The theme of the wedding was “Agatha Christie,” a nod to Zoe’s favourite author and time period — the 1920s.

The couple had Agatha Christie books as wedding favours, every table was named for a Christie novel and the bride’s bouquet was made from paper taken from the books.

“I wanted to have a murder mystery wedding, but that got vetoed pretty quickly!” said Zoe. Planning a wedding from halfway across the world might sound like no easy feat, but Rachael Lythe from Sea to Sky Celebrations helped to make it as easy as possible for the couple.

“The cool thing about getting married in Whistler is that there are

only a certain number of choices you need to make because it’s quite a small place,” said Zoe. “Rachael would send us a selection of photographers or venues, and we would just choose the one we liked the best.”

Planning the wedding from Australia was easier, Zoe insisted, because being so far away meant that she “couldn’t control freak it, and it was just pretty chill.”

Whistler worked out perfectly as a middle ground wedding location for a couple whose guests travelled primarily from the UK (Zoe’s family) and Australia (Michael’s family).

“It was a lot easier for everyone to go to Canada than for half the guests to travel from the UK to Australia or vice versa,” said Zoe. On the day of the wedding it snowed. This meant good things for the skiing honeymoon the couple had planned for the rest of their stay, but it also meant that the outdoor ceremony had to be cut down to 12 minutes.

“I ended up getting married in my ski jacket!” said Zoe. “I was lucky because it was yellow, so it ended up looking like I’d planned it. Our wedding colours were yellow and black.”

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The couple had plenty of personal touches throughout their wedding day.

“I lived in Nanaimo for a while,” said Zoe, “and I lived with my bosses’ mom. She was a busker and she had a band of really great, old buskers and they were our wedding band. Everyone we know from Canada means a lot to us, so it was nice to have them involved.”

A standout moment for the bride was walking down the aisle to a recording of a close friend playing the bagpipes. “He was going to play the bagpipes when I walked out, but he couldn’t come, so he sent a recording.

That was really emotional, but it was

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so nice as well that he was there even though he couldn’t be there,” Zoe said.

Most of all, the couple wanted everyone to have fun. When the officiant asked Zoe if she took Michael to be her wife, the bride and groom burst out laughing along with the guests. “I think that’s one of my favourite moments because it was so funny,” said Zoe. A lot of the guests stayed in Whistler for a skiing holiday in the weeks before and after the wedding.

“It was really cool because Whistler means a lot to us, but for some of our friends and family it’s not the kind of thing they’d ever do,” she said. “It was good to bring others into the place that we love so much and for them to experience it.”

After their Whistler and Pemberton honeymoon, the couple returned to Sydney. Whistler remains in their hearts as the town they met and married in, and they hope to return to live here again someday.

photography by

Logan Swayze coastphoto.com loganswayze.com Logan is an award winning graduate from the Western Academy of Photography.

With his combination of a professional yet relaxed and friendly style, he allows the day to unfold naturally and captures the moments as they happen. Logan likes to keep things light, doing unique shots and having fun while showcasing the emotions and beauty of each moment.

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ask the expert

Local advice for your big day Wedding planner Roxanne Cave offers couples tips on getting married in Whistler

The perfect location for your big day could be right under your nose! Whistler has options for every type of wedding you can dream of. stock photo

T

HE FIRST THING I ask my couples is “why Whistler?”

There are many responses to

BY: ROXANNE CAVE that question and from there we ask them to think about the experience they want their guests to walk away with and the memories they’d like to create.

Always asking “why?” gives a planner so much insight into the couple and their perception of our resort. It really

helps to frame the vision for the wedding and the experience they’re looking to achieve. There is just so much to choose from as far as venues, locations and themes. It comes down to only a couple key points.

restaurant, cultural centre or golf course. Whistler and the Sea to Sky have many options to satisfy almost any wedding dream. The first thing to think about is the vision of the day and the general style you would like to see.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION The perfect location can range from a field to a barn to a mountaintop, park or even lakeside. Alternatively, we also search for the perfect indoor space, like a ballroom, fine dining or mountaintop

BUDGET The budget determines what you can do with the space you choose, your food and beverage, how your guest gets there and, sometimes, the challenges.

Taking the budget into

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LOGISTICS As Whistler is filled with many unique locations, we also want our clients to take into consideration the flow of the day and how the guests are being moved around. It’s important for your guest to have a nice, relaxing and enjoyable time and as the host, it’s the couple’s responsibility to ensure that the guests aren’t wondering where they should be or how they are getting there.

If you have multiple locations, consider making room in the budget

for transport for your guests. The other element that can be very helpful is providing an itinerary either in the invitation or at hotel check-in points.

It’s a lovely way to welcome your guests to Whistler and let them know what you have planned.

ITEMS TO BRING Whistler can provide many elements and your planner can help with all of the décor, floral and stationery you need for the creative components. The one big piece I would always encourage a couple to bring is suit and tux and any other clothing items you may need. They will be tailored to fit and you will know before you leave home that everything is in order. Relying on rental companies to get the correct measurements can be a little worrisome and I’ve had many clients arrive in Whistler after picking up rentals that don’t fit and cannot be adjusted. It’s an added layer of stress that can absolutely be avoided.

While Whistler is well equipt for all wedding needs, grooms often opt to bring their own suits as renting a suit last minute is one extra stress they can do without! stock photo

Come Celebrate with us Lori Miles / Sweetpea Photography

consideration when choosing your venue is extremely important; you want to make the most of what you have to work with and at some point should be realistic about what can be achieved.

Working with an experienced planner will really help with this process. As planners we work very closely with our clients to ensure they stay on budget and, as a result, we help you find the perfect venue and catering team to fit your needs.

decor rentals

EVENT PLANNING

Tel: 604 905 7775 | celebrateevents.ca | roxanne@celebrateevents.ca

WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE WISHES 2015 27

wedding :

Walking through wonderland Amy and Jeff Dunk raised a few eyebrows when they asked their wedding party to head into the woods where they’ve made their best B.C. memories

W

HEN AMY DUNK told her bridesmaids that they would be walking through the

BY: BRIGITTE MAH woods on a mountain bike trail to take their wedding photos, the girls balked.

Most were from Ontario and picking

their way through a rooted dirt trail in a dress was not their idea of fun.

“The B.C. girls were into it, but the Ontario girls thought it was brutal,” recalled Amy. But for Amy and Jeff Dunk, who had moved from Ontario seven years earlier to be closer to the mountains, the Wonderland bike trail symbolized

28 WISHES 2015 WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE

everything they had built their west coast life around and the reason their move went from one year to seven.

“We bike a lot more than we ski and that’s what we mainly do together,” said Amy. “I always want to be in the forest and we said it was worth it even if we only got five photos.”

In fact, Wonderland was where Amy

and Jeff chose to do their first look — when the couple sneaks a peak at one another in their wedding attire before the ceremony — on the day of their wedding on Aug. 6, 2014. The morning sun dappled through the trees and the scent of pine needles warmed the air.

“I was a little nervous,” confessed Jeff. “I had made a point of not wanting to see the dress before, and it was

nerve-wracking just standing there and waiting for her to walk up behind me.”

But once Amy slid her hand around Jeff ’s waist and saw her, he was overcome with emotion. “I got more teary than Amy,” he said. “I was thinking about how beautiful she was and how lucky I was to be out in such beautiful surroundings and for Amy to be my wife.”

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30 WISHES 2015 WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE

VINTAGE O RUSTIC DECOR RENTALS for weddings & events

From there the couple relaxed into their West Coast-inspired wedding.

Because many of their family and friends were from Ontario and had never been to B.C., Amy and Jeff wanted to showcase the area they had fallen in love with. The top of Furry Creek Golf and Country Club was perfect, with its sweeping vistas of Howe Sound and the rugged coastline.

“You could see everything,” said

photography by

Tallevi Studios Photography tallevistudios.com As a bride calmer-downer, expert dress doer-upper and mother-of-the-bride tamer, Karen Tallevi has over 100 weddings and 6 years of experience. Her level-headed approach keeps the mood light and fun on your wedding day, allowing her to capture real moments and genuine emotion.

Amy. “The mountains, islands and the forest.”

Guests were shuttled up to the lush lawn in golf carts, where they were served refreshing gelato before the ceremony. The couple’s personal touches were everywhere, from elegant chalkboard signs inviting guests to use their Instagram hashtag, to the giant Jenga game, to handmade fans and the painted window pane seating chart.

Amy and Jeff were married under a chocolate-coloured arbor by one of their closest friends, Carrie Antonniazzi, and the reception was held in the banquet room, where guests dined on a buffet assortment of lamb, prime rib and salmon.

Although Amy’s dress sustained a few minor tears from walking through the woods and down to the beach, she doesn’t regret asking everyone to accompany her. It was worth it to have memorable photos of the places near and dear to her and Jeff, and to show those places to their visiting family.

Amy’s mother’s speech will stay with the couple forever. After embracing the West Coast by camping at Alice Lake, bike riding local trails and going ziplining, she told Amy and Jeff how good she felt about their life in B.C. — that even though their family isn’t here, they have the incredible support of their friends.

For Amy and Jeff, that was the proverbial icing on their wedding cake.

BUNGALOW968.CA T: 604.892. 4800

Your Home Fill

With Happiness

wedding registries available Fine housewares, small appliances, linens, home decor and more. visit upstairs at home hardware in whistler’s function junction

604-932-1903

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14-11-20 3:29 PM

photography

Behind the lens We talk to two local wedding photographers to learn more about the best way to capture your big day

There is a special bond between same-sex couples which Gadbois loves to capture photo by pascale gadbois /gadboisphotography.ca

BY: OLIVIA BEVAN

When it comes to weddings vintage cars are a great choice for stunning, timeless photographs. photo by rebecca amber / rebeccaamberphotography.com

W

HEN THE FINAL guests have gone and everything has been packed up, one of the

BY: OLIVIA BEVAN few things that remain after a wedding are the memories. Photographs of your big day help capture those moments that keep the memories alive, and allow you to share them with others.

On the other side of the lens are the photographers who capture it all. We spoke to two local wedding photographers to find out about the pleasures and pitfalls of documenting the biggest day of a couple’s lives.

BEST WEDDING MOMENT For Pascale Gadbois, owner

of Gadbois Photography (gadboisphotography.ca), the best moments are the stories behind the lens. “I am amazed still to see how unique and special each of my couple’s love story and celebration truly is,” she said. “The emotion that my couples allow me to capture is so intense… It’s exhilarating and humbling all at once.”

She also holds a very special place in her heart for same-sex marriages.

“Their bond is incomparable; their journey of finding each other, making their decision to marry and deciding on Whistler to be their location…is simply amazing.”

Rebecca Amber, a Squamishbased professional photographer at Rebecca Amber Photography (rebeccaamberphotography.com),

32 WISHES 2015 WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE

said she’s also shared some amazing moments with her couples.

“If I could choose two, I would say that driving in a vintage Rolls Royce in the Hamptons and having a glass of Cristal champagne with my bride and groom was definitely a wow moment for me!” she said. “Also, flying in a helicopter to a capture an elopement on a remote mountain top was very breathtaking and intimate.”

MOST CHALLENGING WEDDING MOMENT The most difficult weddings, Gadbois said, are ones where tragedy has hit. “It has unfortunately happened a few times that either a very close family member had tragically passed away only a few weeks before the

wedding, or even the bride or groom was terminally ill,” she said. “With their trust, I am given the honour to capture the beauty of this moment in time.”

For Amber, the worst moment happened by accident. “We were at a wedding on a dock. The groomsmen went to hand the ring to the groom and he dropped it and it went down a crack in the dock into the ocean!” she recalled.

PHOTOGRAPH TIPS Through all the happy moments and mishaps, Gadbois and Amber have learned a few things. They offered some tips to make sure your wedding photographs capture the truest, most beautiful moments of your day.

Amber: “Just show up and be yourself. Hair, makeup and colours don’t matter as long as they represent you.”

“Always trust your photographer when it comes to posing, lighting, location, etc.”

“The best moments come when you least expect, and the candid moments always come in between the shots. I like to make my couples do cheesy things like bunny nose kisses — the laughing and reactions are always the best moments to capture.”

Gadbois: “Get to know your photographer. Ask yourself, ‘Does she get me? Is she getting me excited about my wedding photos? Could I see myself becoming friends with her?’ If you feel like you have a great connection with her, it’s a really good start in making you feel comfortable.”

“Show your photographer style and images you love. Doing so will help inspire her to capture your wedding day and you in a way that embodies her style while also highlighting your ideas and likes.”

“Be yourself and relax. If you are stress-free and carefree on your wedding day, it will translate to the camera. Your features will appear calm, joyful and natural.”

Be yourself and relax and it will translate beautifully to the camera. photo by pascale gadbois /gadboisphotography.ca

brenda falvey photography

wedding photography & beyond

senkaflorist.com since 1995

604.932.3301

falveyphotography.com info@falveyphotography.com 604.907.2257

WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE WISHES 2015 33

Director y CAKES

PHOTOGRAPHY

Sugar Momma Pastries

Brenda Falvey

604-935-3929 sugarmommapastries.com

604-907-2257 falveyphotography.com

FLOWERS & DECOR Bungalow968

bungalow968.ca

Senka Florist 604-932-3301 senkaflorist.com

GIFTS Whistler Home Hardware 604-932-1903 homehardware.ca

JEWELRY Gem Jewellers 604-892-3002 gemjewellers.com

MUSIC Pemberton DJ 604-935-9358 pembertondj.com

Rachel Thom 604-902-7464 rachelthom.com

V & G Music 604-255-6603 violinandguitar.ca

Darby Magill Photography 604-902-1427 darbymagill.com

Logan Swayze 604-698-6753 coastphoto.com / loganswayze.com

Pascale Gadbois 604-938-1444 / 604-815-1441 gadboisphotography.ca

Rebecca Amber

Pemberton Meadows Golf 1-800-390-4653 pembertongolf.com

Pemberton Valley Lodge 1-877-894-2800 pembertonvalleylodge.com

Whistler Blackcomb 604-905-3007 whistlerblackcomb.com

Whistler Sport Legacies 604-964-0041 whistlersportlegacies.com

WEDDING DRESSES Isabelle’s Bridal

604-849-5877 rebeccaamberphotography.com

604-986-5200 isabellesbridal.com

Tallevi Studios

WEDDING PLANNERS

604-898-6658 tallevistudios.com

SPAS Scandinave Spa

Blue Violet 604-902-5483 bluevioletevents.com

Celebrate

604-935-2424 scandinave.com/en/whistler

604-905-7775 celebrateevents.ca

VENUES

Event Labour Works

Big Sky 1-800-668-7900 bigskygolf.ca

Edgewater Lodge 604-932-0688 edgewater-lodge.com

Nicklaus North Golf Course 604-938-9898 golfbc.com/weddings

34 WISHES 2015 WHISTLER’S WEDDING MAGAZINE

1-800-994-0989 eventlaborworks.com

Sea to Sky Celebrations 604-938-1627 seatoskycelebrations.com

Whistler Wedding Planners 604-938-2564 whistlerweddingplanners.com

From the ‘will you’ to the ‘I do’ and everything in between...

FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE IN WHISTLER!

Over 1000 weddings planned by Linda and her team.

Wedding planning I Event and day of orchestration I Birthdays/Wedding and Baby Showers Corporate Productions I Event and Decor Rentals I Floral Designs by Mountain Blooms Event Decor Cupcake and Wedding Cake Designs by Tricia Marshall Field

whistlerweddingplanners.com I 604-938-2564

Credit: www.gadboisphotography.ca

Linda Marshall Director of Special Moments I linda@whistlerweddingplanners.com Whistler’s most experienced wedding & event specialists

The Edgewater is one of British Columbia and Whistler’s most spectacular wedding locations.

The views from the lodge, the garden areas, and the dining room are unparalleled in Whistler.

Contact us today!

Visit us at edgewater-lodge.com Reserve online or call 604 932 0688.

8020 Alpine Way. 10 minutes north of Whistler Village at Hwy 99 & Alpine Way

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