Nick + Florence - December 31, 2019

I met Flo on our first consult. You’d think we would’ve met sooner, since our partners are friends. But life always seemed to get in the way! We chatted all the way through happy hour right into dinner at the Flying Pig in Gastown, over wine and their dang good truffle jumbo macaroni. One of my favourite consults!

Florence and Nick decided to get married on New Years Eve, this past year. How fun, to host your wedding surrounded by family and friends and then follow it with the best dance party after!

MORNING

Since everyone was staying at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, which was also the Reception Venue, it was easy for everyone to get ready there. Cathy from Nadia Albano Style Inc did Florence’s hair up into a sleek chignon and makeup was done by Makeup by Mikaela Goyarzu. Nicole of nmofrad photography captured everyone as they got ready. Nick in a Ted Baker suit, Eton Shirts bowtie, and Hugo Boss shoes. Florence’s gown was purchased in the USA, her heels were Vera Wang, and her engagement was a custom design from local Kara Yoo Jewelry Our Little Flower Company provided Florence’s elegant orchid bouquet, and her Maid of honour walked down with a single protea stem.

Florence and Nick opted to have a small bridal party, with their siblings as the respective Maid of Honour and Best Man, but they wanted to have their friends with them on the day. It was nice to check in on them in the morning and see them surrounded by their immediate family and close friends.

PRO TIP – It’s ok to have a small bridal party! No one says you need to endure the drama that can come with having two many personalities not getting along. You can still include your friends in the day – have them ride with you in the limo, get them to join in the family photos, or sit at the king-styled head table.

AFTERNOON

Luxury Life Limo brought the bridal party to Holy Rosary Cathedral, in waves as Nick + Florence chose not to do a first look.

PRO TIP – You don’t have to do a first look if you don’t want to! While logistically, it allows for you a quiet moment together to get the anxious nerves out (and you can get more bridal photos in!), it’s also pretty special to see each other for the first time as you walk down the aisle.

Holy Rosary Cathedral is one of downtown Vancouver’s oldest churches. The Cathedral dates back to 1900 when it was completed, and has a beautiful interior with a long aisle and stained glass windows. My inner *art-history* nerd is poppin’ out right now!!

Florence was able to incorporate a few cultural Philipino elements to the Ceremony, with her adorable nephews bringing in the cord and veil, and Nick’s sister and Florence’s Brother in Law assisting with the ceremony.

Once the Ceremony finished, we did one group photo and guests made their way to the Reception location while Florence and Nick went out for bridal photos near the Vancouver Public Library.

EVENING

Florence had a very clear vision for her decor for the reception. White on White, minimal but elegant, textured fabrics.

A large print of the seating chart was affixed to the wall, accented with tall cylinder vases. The welcome table included personal photos of Florence + Nick’s family. We set a table aside for the favours – Christmas ornaments covered in white shells, hung from manzanita trees. Let’s not forget the feature wall! Tall cylinder vases of varied height and width were set up against the wood-paneled wall in the Cocktail area.

The ballroom’s north facing wall is a floor-to-ceiling bay window with views looking towards the north shore. We placed the dance floor behind the king head table, with giant marquee LOVE letters against the wall. It provided a great backdrop for the king table. The head table, which was set up in a king table (think Harry-potter style!), was topped with a sheer fabric down the length of the table and layered over the venue’s simple white table linen. We covered it with cylinder vases filled with white floating candles and white pillar candles, and each place setting had the menu cards laid over the white napkins and personalized opaque shells used as ‘name cards’, which were brought from the Philippines. Our Little Flower Company provided Florence’s elegant orchid bouquet, as well as the orchid centrepieces for the guest tables. We added votives to the guest tables along with the menu cards and shell-names.

PARTY TIME

JM from iDJ Services provided the MC and DJ for the evening. He had the guests on the dance floor all night and helped to ring in the new year with a rockin’ countdown. I think we can agree one of the best parts of the dancing was watching Florence and her Auntie’s line-dancing to YMCA!

While all the dancing was happening, Nicole provided guests with a unique photobooth experience. Up close and personal, Black + White photos. They turned out so well, there was a constant lineup.

What better way to ring in the new year with your family and friends. Congrats, you two!!