Destination Wedding planning at Sea to Sky Gondola

Kelly here! This picturesque wedding with mountain backdrops and layered with black and white pieces blends modern with the wild. See how this couple and all of their guests from Minneapolis had an amazing destination wedding on a mountaintop!

This wedding holds a special place in my heart. Sam and I first met almost ten years ago at school – oh god, I feel old – when we were doing the same program together. We met at yoga, I admired her tattoos, and that made us friends for life. Through the magic of social media and texting, we’ve been able to stay in touch – even though she’s in the Midwest of the USA and I’m here on the Canadian west coast. I’ve visited her amazingly generous family during my first American Thanksgiving (they do NOT mess around with Black Friday shopping either – 4am at Kohl’s, you better believe it!), and she’s become an addition to my family (we gave her the full Canadian Turkey-day experience, complete with leftover pumpkin pie for the road). When Sam told me she was engaged and was planning on doing a destination wedding in Vancouver, BC, I was so excited to hear she was making her way, along with 100 of their closest family and friends. During her few trips back after we graduated from school, we would climb the Stawamus Chief in Squamish and enjoy the breathtaking views. And while doing research for their big day, Sam and Tom discovered that there is a venue up there that offers wedding services!! The Sea to Sky Gondola platform overlooks the mountainous terrain, with views stretching down the Howe Sound area. So, while planning this huge wedding adventure for her guests, we worked to bring everything together.

May I interrupt and say this one thing. Sam is a wedding planner in Minneapolis. Sam understands that there are a lot of moving parts on the day. Sam didn’t rely on her Mom to manage all the vendors, or set up the decor by herself. Be like Sam. Hire a DoC!!!

Aminda Villa Photography and Whistler Wedding collective videography team started the day with getting ready photos at the Georgian Court in Vancouver.. The talented hair and makeup team of Rory James makeup got Sam and her ladies got done up for the big day! Sam’s elegant and timeless wedding dress is from The White Room Boutique. The first look took place on the rooftop of the hotel between the couple. A lovely private moment between the two before everything happened!

So that we didn’t have any late comers or guests getting lost, Sam (very smartly) arranged for shuttles to bring the bridal party and all of her guests to the base of the mountain. Since all of Sam’s guests travelled from Minneapolis, it just made sense to arrange transportation for everyone!

While she had a very clear vision of the team she wanted to work with, there certainly were logistics that needed to be addressed. The Sea to Sky Gondola is a venue that requires precision in its deliveries. For example, the rentals had to be delivered in such a way that would not impede the day-to-day activities of the mountain. All while remembering that it would take some time to bring all guests up the mountain in time for the ceremony upon arrival, but we made it happen!

The ceremony was set up on the viewing platform over the suspension bridge, with Sam’s ‘flower girls’ Grandma Rita and Grandma Barbie (who took their roles very seriously!), making their way through the forest like queens!!! You don’t need much at the end of the aisle when surrounded by mountains, so two arrangements on pillars and a carpet were all that was needed to complete the look. Colin Bullock set the tone, playing the acoustic guitar and singing live for the ceremony.

All the stunning flowers you see were provided by Our Little Flower Company, a boutique florist located on Granville Island. The two arrangements from the ceremony were eventually re-purposed and set up behind Sam and Tom as part of the unique head table backdrop.

The decor for the evening was modern but elegant. Black accents were everywhere: the venue’s white dinnerware were overlaid with black plates to give a layered look, and custom designed menu/name cards provided by Blanche Paperie were placed on the black bistro napkins to finish the setting. Plates and napkins were provided by Pedersen Event Rentals. All the decor was a combination of us and Cahoots Creative. Sam + Tom’s son, Martin, couldn’t get enough of the BIG LOVE BALLS!

The catering team from the Sea to Sky venue offered family style service in the private dining space. Speeches took place organically as guests just stood up where they were sitting.

Only on the west coast, can you have an outdoor dance party on top of a mountain! The unique space offers a private covered patio large enough for mingling and dance offs. DJ Eddie from Musos Entertainment spun some throwback tracks for a serious dance party! At the end of the night, all the guests made their way back down the Gondola. Because the day was long and the ride back always feels longer, snacks were provided for everyone to enjoy!