The COVID Wedding Curveball
Keeping love alive in the COVID-19 era has been challenging. As someone whose livelihood depends on being able to deliver spectacular occasions, this year presented a huge curveball that I could never have planned for. I had to have heart wrenching conversations with distraught couples that I’d never had to have before. We needed to decide whether to cancel, reschedule or scale back celebrations that had been planned over several months, as well as keeping on top of all the new regulations and restrictions. It has been an emotional and stressful time, but I am writing this blog post with renewed optimism for weddings and elopements on the west coast.
Changing Celebrations
Love is love and no pandemic will be able to keep it under wraps for long – couples are adjusting their wedding plans from what they originally envisioned, and most are moving forward within the BC COVID rules. The celebrations might be smaller and more intimate with no dancing – just a lot of visiting and storytelling, love and laughter.
Getting Creative with Weddings & Elopements
I have been working with my couples to bring more creativity to their plans. With the money saved from the bigger gatherings ,couples have been looking to create even more memorable experiences. Heli tours have become more popular – imagine flying to a remote location where picturesque caves provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding album. Being part of creating a unique wedding on the west coast is amazing and I feel very lucky to play a small part in planning such amazing unique wedding days.
Creating the Perfect Proposal
COVID has helped me to realise that I can adapt and make things happen, just as I always have done. Recently, I was asked to bring an excited Fiancé’s idea of a West Coast Surprise and very spontaneous ‘Surprise Marriage Proposal’ to fruition. He had a vision and wondered if I could create a romantic and elegant scenario with an abundance of beautiful flowers with only a few days notice. I reached out to my team of local vendors to see if this was even possible – knowing that flowers have to be ordered weeks in advance. Due to the increase in West Coast Elopements my ‘Go To Locals” were busy!
My client asked “could I not just go to the local Florists to ‘Fluff up the Order’ if some items were shorted” not realizing there are only three florists in the area and their flowers were all accounted for.
A Dreamy Floral Forest Walkway
My very good friend suggested that her daughter who was presently living in Mackenzie could possibly pull this of and would love the challenge! So long story short, Taryn began designing a scene from a Hollywood Event that I could not have envisioned on the West Coast. I forgot to menion that this was going to take place 100 steps down on a private beach at the beautiful Snug Harbour Inn in Ucluelet. She created a dreamy walkway of stunning flowers through the forest and we lined it with Japanese hanging paper lanterns and candles in lanterns to create the perfect magical atmosphere for a one of a kind proposal.
Hidden by the trees was local guitarist Geoff Johnson softly serenading the couple as a beach fire brought a warm romantic glow to the area. Chilled champagne waited on the bistro table and the aromatic smells from the hundreds of flowers draped everywhere lingered in the air.
Mission Accomplished 💖
After the preparations came the nervous excitement waiting at 10.30 pm to see if I had captured my clients vision. The couple were thrilled with the moment and I relaxed with the feeling that these special moments can still happen. Things may be a bit different, but weddings and elopements will be ok. And just in case you are wondering, she said “yes”.
