Colourful Intimate Forest Wedding Vancouver // Marie + Tash
Being one of the first vendors booked by Marie and Tash I had to anxiously await their celebration for almost two years! I knew it was going to be an amazing day but these two went above and beyond with planning an executing a day that was so unique and personal in every way to them. I have started this wedding blog a few times always knowing that it would end up on my website but it has been so difficult to narrow down the images I wanted to share as there are so many magical moments from this wedding day.
The day started off with the couple getting ready separately with their closest friends and family. After they finished prep we headed over for a fun first look in front of a bright pink wall I knew would be perfect once they told me they were planning on incorporating pink into their day. We had planned a decent amount of time for portraits as the couple wanted to spend time together before meeting up with their guests so we were able to explore the area a bit and found some interesting urban spots (a favourite of mine if you are familiar with my work) around the area.
In the green forest of Pacific Spirit Park we again met up with the couple’s close friends and took some fun pictures in what I can only describe as giving me “Alice in Wonderland tea party kind of vibes.” Yes please to wonderfully mismatched, colourful party outfits! The ceremony was in a clearing in the park and guests sat on nearby logs witnessing the pair marry under a fantastic DIY arch project of bright tassels. I would love to share a few of Marie and Tash’s words about the day: “Marie had been really nervous about the ceremony. The same fears you hear all the time: everyone is going to be watching me, how can I say how I feel in front of a crowd?! But on the day, fear and embarrassment disappeared. As we stood under the towering trees, our small group of loved ones so close at hand, everything felt just right. Marie remembers looking around at the “crowd” and seeing only love and support. She made eye contact with different people in the group and laughed and cried along with them as our officiant told our love story. Memorably, at one point Marie’s sister, the MOH, asked us to switch places because she wanted to see Marie’s face while the vows were said! (to rounds of laughter, of course). Then when it finally came time to say our vows, everything was just as it was meant to be. Happy and calm.”
The ceremony concluded and led into a fabulous forest cocktail hour complete with a custom mixed purple potion drink and of course speeches filled with laughter and (lots of!) happy tears <3 Marie + Tash had their “first dance” under the ceremony arch while the acoustic guitarist played on and their friend sang in accompaniment.
Dinner was at the pair’s favourite local Vietnamese Restaurant, Anh + Chi. Another great thing about having an intimate wedding is that it opens up all sorts of possibilities for unique venues. This restaurant perfectly fit the small number of guests that they had and the food and surroundings fit the whole wedding day incredibly well. After more drinks (check out the amazing monogrammed M+T cocktail!), more merriment, and an amazing meal I left the party to continue into the night.
I later described Marie and Tash’s wedding as “pink, sparkly, unicorn, magic, love” and it was definitely all of those things. But what you can’t fully describe was the feeling of the day, the love between these two wonderful humans and also the support and care shown to them by their families. It is what makes an intimate wedding all the more special in my opinion. The feelings I can’t describe (I’m no wordsmith), I hope is felt in the images I captured of their day. I sprinkled in a few of the words by the couple about key moments throughout the day. I hope you enjoy the fully gallery!
Vendor Credits
Ceremony Location: Pacific Spirit Park
Reception Venue: Anh + Chi Restaurant
Planner: Filosophi Events
Officiant: Beth Carlson-Malena with Young Hip & Married
Florist: Our Little Flower Company
Marie’s Attire: BHLDN, Veil hand-dyed
Tash’s Attire: RW&Co Suit, Collartips Kellyssima
Hair & Makeup: Denise Elliot Beauty Co.
Cake: Livia Sweets
Musician: Graham J Bannerman
Stationary: Stephy Gale