Rustic Wedding at Grouse Mountain Resort

Ever wonder how a professional hockey player ties the knot?  Well, exactly like this, lovelies: in a dreamy meets rustic mountaintop wedding complete with breathtaking views of Vancouver, perfectly imperfect florals from Garden Party Flowers and one stunningly beautiful image after another captured by [stu-di-o] By Jeanie.  Oh, and there’s even a BBQ-filled party.  See it all in the full gallery.

And a sweet film from Vincent And Theo for even more pretty…

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/71390109 600 338]

Colors

From Alicia Keats Weddings and Events… We are excited to share with you a special wedding that took place on top of Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Lindsay (a lover of Style Me Pretty) and her groom Andrew invited all of their guests to travel from Minnesota to Vancouver to experience a truly Canadian wedding on the top of Grouse Mountain, which is just a few minutes outside of downtown Vancouver.

Guests took a tram to the peak of the mountain, and were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime West Coast experience. Most of Linsday and Andrew’s guests had never been to Canada, let alone be on top of a mountain to experience jaw-dropping sea-to-sky views on a clear sunny afternoon.

Lindsay and Andrew knew the very first time they visited Grouse Mountain that one day, they would return there for their wedding ceremony. They were not engaged at that time, but felt that there was something very special about Grouse Mountain. They couldn’t think of a more magical place to exchange their vows. Not much later, Andrew popped the question, and they quickly started to plan!

Because of Andrew’s hectic professional hockey schedule that would take the couple out of the country for months at a time, and because their home base was in Minnesota, Lindsay and Andrew hired me to assist them with the long distance planning of their wedding.

Using Grouse Mountain as our inspiration, we began to design their Canadian wedding. We settled on a theme of understated natural West Coast elegance. Nearly all of their guests would be travelling to celebrate their love in a very intimate way, and it was very important to Lindsay and Andrew that their guests fall in love with Vancouver, the West Coast and the mountains, just as they did.

The flowers were designed by Garden Party Flowers in a natural way, tied together with lace and burlap, the centrepieces were made out of evergreen logs, and there was an abundance of organic natural flowers everywhere, which fitted the setting perfectly.We also incorporated Andrew’s love of hockey. Instead of a guest book, guests signed a hand painted hockey stick as a moment for the couple.

The Save the Dates (and all of the stationery) were carefully designed by Love by Phoebe. Lindsay knew most of her guests didn’t know much about Vancouver, so we used a hand drawn map (create by Love by Phoebe) with symbols of iconic Vancouver landmarks to set the tone of the wedding, and build excitement for the trip to Canada.

The morning of the wedding was calm and relaxed. The sun was shining and it was going to be a perfect day for a trip to the top of Grouse Mountain. The girls got ready with the assistance of Jayna Marie (Jayna Marie Hair and Makeup). Tears were shed when Lindsay put on her gown.

Guests arrived at the base of Grouse Mountain, and were invited to get on the tram, which would take them to the very top in a matter of 15 minutes. They were greeted at the top with hand personalized ceremony programs, and invited to walk down a path to the ceremony site. The ceremony spot was carefully chosen by Linsday and Andrew; they wanted to ensure that their guests would be able to have the best views of the city below, and they did.

Trove Vintage provided handmade rustic benches, each of which had to be transported up the mountain by way of the tram. At the end of each row was a mason jar tied with burlap and lace, and filled with wild flowers, similar to those collected in a mountain top field.

By far, the most favourite decor element for Lindsay and Andrew and myself was the cusom made altar. Even though the ceremony was not going to be taking place in a church, Lindsay and Andrew wanted to ensure that their faith was evident. Trove Vintage built an altar for them, as well as a handmade wooden cross. Garden Party Flowers decorated the altar with moss and wild flowers. It was truly magnificent, set against the evergreen tree backdrop. Both Lindsay and Andrew said that it was exactly what they had wanted; it took their breaths away.

Another personal detail was the person who led the ceremony. Andrew asked his good friend and minister, Ross, to officiate the wedding. Ross customized the ceremony with heartfelt words, advice and love. There was not a dry eye to be seen. There was such a feeling of support and intimacy in the ceremony. After the wedding was over, Trove Vintage was so kind and gifted Lindsay and Andrew the handcrafted cross, so that they could have a sacred momento reminding them of the vows they had exchanged.

Following the ceremony and a cocktail hour, guests were invited into the reception, held in Grouse Mountain’s Timber Room. This room is lined with wooden logs on one side, and floor to ceiling windows on the other, showcasing breathtaking views of Vancouver. Each table had a delicate collection of vintage bottles with wild flowers in an array of white, green and purple shades. The vases were placed on wood log slices, and placed on a burlap runner. Each place setting had a place card matching each guest’s Vancouver icon symbol (in lieu of the traditional table number), and a small bouquet of fresh herbs and flowers on their napkins.

Lindsay and Andrew wanted their guests to feel relaxed and to be able to have lots of time to visit with one another. They requested a customized BBQ dinner, and had it served outdoors on the patio. Before long, the grill was fired up, and the guests were able to eat, mingle and watch the sun begin to set over the city of Vancouver below. After some heartfelt speeches, it was time for dancing, and dance they did until the very last tram ride down the mountain.

Photography: [stu-di-o] by jeanie | Videographer: Vincent + Theo Studios | Wedding Planner: Alicia Keats | Floral Design: Garden Party Flowers | Wedding Dress: Casablanca | Wedding Cake: Sweet Thea | Hair And Makeup: Jayne Marie | DJ: DJ BFAD | Ceremony Music: Musical Occasions | Ceremony And Reception Venue: Grouse Mountain Resort | Decor: Spruce Collective | Invitations And Stationery: Love By Phoebe | Minister: Minister Ross (Good Friend Of Groom's) | Rentals: Spruce Collective