West Coast Elopement

When COVID hit us here in BC, it turned everything that we previously knew as normal upside down. Like many of our fellow vendors, we reached out to all our clients to see how they were feeling, what our options were, and figure out what needed to be done to either make their day happen, or move them to another time.

Marleigh and Marshall were our first scheduled couple of the year last year, and had decided they wanted to go ahead with their wedding day, no matter what that looked like. I let them know that just because it's a smaller celebration doesn't mean it had to be any less special. We could still do all the traditional things that larger wedding days have. We love a big party, but the intimate days with your closest friends and family, or just you, are our favorite.

They rented a lovely little west coast cabin and we got to planning! We pulled together the decor, florals, and catering quickly. Restrictions were really tight at this point, so it was only myself, Marshall and Marleigh, Chelsea from Paper Heart Films, Sarah from Fragment of Light Photography, and Cecilia our Officiant. No other guests were in attendance that day.

That day was one of the most special and rewarding times in my career as a wedding planner. I arrived in the morning and set up the event, and spent time with Marleigh while she got ready. I helped her with a few final touches and gave words of encouragement. It was easy feeling, calm, and so very lovely.

The ceremony was wonderful. Heartfelt vows were exchanged on the shore under a cliff. We all stood and watched through teary eyes and congratulated them when it was over. Bubbly was popped and photos taken. The cake was cut and there was even a first dance. They spent the evening having a dinner that Toque Catering had prepared for them, and video chatting with family and friends.

Words from the Bride:

Although our wedding day ended up being so different than we imagined, I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. Covid-19 completely sidelined our perfectly laid plans, and coming to the decision of what to do was not easy. Through all the emotions, decisions, vendor calls and cancellations, our wedding planner Tam (Blue Lily Event Planning), was there. We chose to elope on a private beach on the coast and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting to marry my best friend. The waves crashed around us in our perfectly intimate ceremony and it was followed up with a champagne toast, cake cutting and our first dance. We decided that being married was our priority, and we will celebrate with all of our loved ones when the world is right again.

I’ve been asked by so many people what advice I have for any brides who decide to elope, and my answer is 100% to hire a wedding planner. Just because you are scaling down your day completely, maybe to just a few people, or like in our case, just the two of us and our pup, you still deserve the beautiful details of a traditional wedding. To say she was the reason we had such a perfect day is an understatement. In our last minute switch to an elopement, Tam was able to source us a cake, flowers and help me choose our decor. On the wedding day, I didn’t have to to worry or think about anything. She delivered our dinner, decorated, kept us on time, and made sure every detail was perfect. She was even our DJ! I know the day wouldn’t have felt so personal and special without her there.

Marleigh Edwards

I hope you all have the loveliest day.

Tam xo

Vendor love:

Planning and Design - Blue Lily Event Planning

Decor - Darling Vintage Rentals

Photography - Fragment of Light Photography

Videography - Paper Heart Films

Florals - Foxgloves Flowers

Catering - Toque Catering

Cake - Schur to Please Boutique Cakery

Dishware - Table Top Curated Rentals