Sunshine Coast, BC Wedding Guide 2021

WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE

sunshine coast, BC wedding tips & inspiration

rocky mountain bride sunshine coast wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com

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BR I DE

EDITOR’S LETTER

Sunshine Coast 2021

digital publication editor Savannah Reynolds

graphic designer Jessica Goldy

u.s. editorial

& sales staff

COLORADO & NEW MEXICO Brit Tucker-Kline IDAHO, MONTANA & WYOMING Mackenzie Stevens UTAH Heidi Zeh

canadian editorial

grace gatto photography

UTAH SALES Hannah Wollenzien

& sales staff

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Celynn Bowman ASSISTANT Carly Cooper

COPYWRITER Lily Harris

digital team

DIGITAL EDITOR - Laura Osborn SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER - Bailey Jameson STYLE EDITOR - Tasha Tagliani CONTENT CURATOR - Lauren Phillips

operations ACCOUNTING Lynn Kieffer PUBLISHED BY RMB Media, LLC

PUBLISHER Erika Oltmann

DISTRIBUTION Disticor Magazine Distribution Services Storefronts in the U.S. & Canada or online at shop.rockymountainbride.com

The Sunshine Coast is a true gem of the Canadian Rockies. With spectacular mountain views, sandy beaches and miles of lush forest, the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia is a dreamy destination for a Rocky Mountain wedding because of the endless activities, breathtaking resort and abundance of indoor and outdoor ceremony locations.

This wedding guide is full of every vendor, location and resource you may need when planning your wedding weekend in the Sunshine Coast. My hope is that you’ll fall in love with this gorgeous Rocky Mountain location when planning your dream wedding. Whether you’re in the throes of wedding planning or waiting on the start of your forever, always remember that love conquers all.

contact INQUIRIES - hello@rockymountainbride.com ADVERTISING - rockymountainbride.com/advertise SUBMISSIONS - rockymountainbride.com/submissions proudly printed in the rockies

Rocky Mountain Bride Magazine is published by RMB Media, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of its publisher. We greatly appreciate those who have contributed to this publication. Contributors’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Rocky Mountain Bride.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. The publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided.

Rocky Mountain Bride cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in this magazine. We reserve the right to refuse advertising.

Happy Planning! xo

Savannah @savannah_rockymtnbride

RMB’s favorite shops, products, and services!

ROCKYMOUNTAINBRIDE.COM/MARKET

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Table of Contents LOVE STORIES weddings

&

engagements

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morgan + connor - Sunshine Coast

22.

rahim +zafira - Sunshine Coast

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I N S P I R AT I O N 14.

ancestral traditions

I N F O R M AT I O N 6.

sunshine coast - Seasonal weather and activities

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make it official - Where to get your license

26.

essentials - Local places to stay & getting around

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restaurants for rehearsal and dinner

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venue guide - Top spots to tie the knot

from top to bottom: kaylyn mclachlan, jen + brian, photo and film and paige lorraine photograph

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FOLLOW ALONG WITH RMB

\rockymountainbride

@rockymtnbride

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rocky mountain bride

In order from top left to right: hannah mann | karli elliott photography | jake anderson | rmb original | keeley mckay photography robin sassi | amanda crean photographers | kate osborne photography | lisa teuscher photos

jen + brian, photo and film

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sunshine coast Situated in the southwest corner of British Columbia sits the sandy beaches and lush forests of the Sunshine Coast.

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inside scoop what to do, weather to expect & what to pack

BREAKD OWN OF TH E CITY

FA S T FAC T S

Tucked into the southern corner of British Columbia sits the Sunshine Coast. This beachfront gem features kilometers of dandy beaches and rugged mountains filled with mossy forests. Take in the rich culture of the traditional territories of the Squamish, Sechelt, and Sliammon and Klahoose First Nations. Enjoy your Rocky Mountain wedding weekend exploring, learning and basking in the sun on the Sunshine Coast.

• • • • • •

Population: Over 50,000 Land: 4.32 km² 1,400 and 2,400 hours of sunshine per year 100cm of annual rainfall Warmest month is July with an average temperature of 23°C Coldest month is January with an average temperature of 0°C

HOW TO GET TH ERE

Fly from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Powell River or Sechelt

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Pacific Coastal Airlines www.pacificcoastal.com

Fly! Coastal www.flycoastal.ca

Harbour Air www.harbourair.com

Sunshine Coast Air www.sunshinecoastair.com

rockymountainbride.com / rocky mountain bride sunshine coast wedding guide

To bring a vehicle to the Sunshine Coast, you must take a car ferry.

BCFerries www.bcferries.com

AV E R A G E T E M P E R A T U R E S

SUMMER

SPRING

17° | 7°

8° | 0°

WINTER

AU T U M N

1° | -5°

9° | 1°

RMB Tip: The Rockies are known for unpredictable weather. Make sure to pack a waterproof jacket for your visit - even if it’s summer!

rocky mountain bride sunshine coast guide photo / rockymountainbride.com jenwedding + brian, and film

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jen + brian, photo and film

W H AT T O D O F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N O N T H E S U N S H I N E C O A S T , V I S I T W W W . V I S I T S U N S H I N E C O A S T . C O M

R E L A X AT I O N

ADVENTURE

BALI CASA RETREAT www.balicasa.ca

Hike Canada’s longest hut to hut hiking trail on the Sunshine Coast Trail

SHADES OF JADE INN & SPA www.shadesofjade.ca PAINTED BOAT RESORT SPA & MARINA www.paintedboat.com

FOOD & DRINK CHECK OUT THE CRAFT BEER SCENE ON THE SUNSHINE COAST ALE TRAIL sunshinecoastcanada.com/ itineraries/sunshine-coastale-trail

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rockymountainbride.com / rocky mountain bride sunshine coast wedding guide

www.sunshinecoast-trail.com

Snag an adventure sailing charter around the Georgia Strait and Howe Sound www.adventuresail.ca For a full list of boat planning resources, visit www.ahoybc.com

Mountain bike across more than 700 kilometres of bike trails

Enjoy a day of golf with your friends:

Experience the history and culture of the First Nations:

•

•

•

Myrtle Point Golf Club

www.myrtlepointgolf.com

Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club

www.sunshinecoastgolf.com

• •

Blue Ocean Golf Club

www.blueoceangolf.ca

Kayak with a private tour by Powell River Sea Kayak

www.bcseakayak.com

Klahoose Wilderness Resort

www.klahooseresort.com

•

Powell River Historical Museum & Archives

www.powellrivermuseum.ca

•

•

Tems Swiya Museum

www.shishalh.com/culturelanguage/shishalh-nation-temsswiya-museum

Talaysay Tours Authentic Cultural & Eco Experiences

www.talaysay.com/tours

Make it official HEADS UP! •

•

•

• • •

In British Columbia, you can get your marriage licence within three months of your wedding date, at any marriage licence issuer or Service BC location only.

Only one member of the couple is required to be present when applying for the marriage license, but they must apply in person and show proper identification for both parties.

Examples of proper identification include: a birth certificate, IMM/immigration form, permanent resident or citizenship card. A passport or driver’s license is only acceptable in some cases.

Your licence will cost $100, and is nonrefundable.

You must have at least two witnesses at your ceremony, in addition to the commissioner or religious official.

U.S. citizen? No problem! Canada, like the United States, has no legal residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license.

To find your closest Service BC location, visit www2.ca.bc.gov

paige lorraine photography rocky mountain bride sunshine coast wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com

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beginnings

beginnings

Morgan + Connor sunshine coast

Connor and Morgan met very unintentionally and luckily, at very different times in their lives at University.

Morgan is from Vancouver and Connor from Toronto. For the first few years of their relationship, they balanced dating long distance by travelling both internationally and domestically in Canada.

In August 2019, Morgan was back home visiting family in her hometown of Vancouver. She had just come back from an island trip with a girlfriend and was planning to have dinner with her parents, uncle and aunt, and cousin. Without her knowledge, Connor flew out to Vancouver to surprise her. Before dinner he knocked on the door and when she opened it, he was there with a ring and proposed on the steps of her childhood home.

Full of happy tears, surprise, and excitement, they celebrated together with her family. Best surprise ever!

Photographer: Kaylyn McLachlan | www.kaylynmclachlan.com Rings: Corona Jewellery | www.coronajewellery.com

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ANCESTRAL TRADITIONS

Hues of white, black, tan, golds and burnt yellows set the scene for this thoughtfully curated styled shoot. This shoot features waffles, cuddles on the beach and a traditional blanket ceremony on the Sunshine Coast. Kristy of Save the Date Beauty dreamt up this day to showcase the natural beauty of her Cree culture with intentional details.

Shaina and Kristy wanted to make an elegant cape that was inspired by old images of the ancestors and what they would wear to the Ceremony. They incorporated faux elk teeth, which in those days, would have been real.

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inspiration

rocky mountain bride sunshine coast wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com

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rocky mountain bride sunshine coast wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com

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inspiration

CALLING THEIR ANCESTORS “In a blanket ceremony, the blanket you step on together represents entering the world together. The blanket that is wrapped around you represents the ancestors that would be called to the Ceremony.”

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FINDING INSPIRATION “When I was planning my own traditional wedding ceremony, I found it really difficult to find published shoots online that featured indigenous weddings or let alone indigenous people. I really wanted to share the strength, resilience and beauty of my Cree culture and feature a real indingenous couple and beadworks of indigenous artists.”

-Kristy of Save the Date Beauty

creative team Planner, Designer, Beauty & Bride’s “Elk Tooth” Cape: Save the Date Beauty www.savethedatebeauty.com Photographer & Videographer: Jen + Brian, Photo and Film | www.jenniferpicardphotography.com Bridal Boutique: Union Bridal | www.unionbridal.com Dress Designer: Luna Willow Bridal | www.lunawillowbridal.com Jewellery & Moccasins/Sage: Cree Beads | @cree_beads Florals: Wild Flower and Twigs | www.wildflowerandtwigs.com

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rocky mountain bride sunshine coast wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com

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LO C A L W E D D I N G I N S P I R AT I O N

Rahim + Zafira sunshine coast

Rahim and Zafira grew up together They started at the same school at five years old in Nairobi Kenya and started dating at the very end of high school when they were 18 years old. Nine years after they first started dating, the couple went away for a weekend in Squamish, British Columbia, and Rahim proposed to Zafira over a homecooked, candlelit meal in a sweet AirBnb cabin. Their dog Mars had the ring box attached to his collar and was very helpful in executing Rahim’s planned proposal.

They planned a modern, bohemian elopement in the fall months on the Sunshine Coast. They chose to elope first with a small group of just their closest friends and siblings, and then traveled back home to Kenya for a more traditional Indian wedding - they lucked out and had the best party.

Rahim and Zafira’s favorite part of their elopement was reading their views to each other and trying to take in every single moment before it disappeared! They got lucky with the most beautiful, warm and sunny day at the end of September after a week of pouring rain. Their ceremony was on a beautiful dock overlooking the water, and it was perfect.

sunshine coast

real wedding

WHY THE ROCKIES? “We chose the Sunshine Coast because we’ve always been drawn to the sense of calm we feel whenever we used to visit. The scenery is stunning and it’s hard to believe it’s only a 40 minute ferry from the city! It’s no surprise that we ended up moving to Gibsons just a year after we got married - we couldn’t keep away and now live steps from the ocean.”

-VENDORSVenue & Catering The Painted Boat | www.thepaintedboat.com Planner Coastal Weddings & Events | www.coastalweddingsandevents.ca Photographer Paige Lorraine Photography | www.paigelorrainephotography.com Sweets Cheeky Monkey | www.cheekymonkeycakes.ca Bridal Boutique Park & Fifth | www.parkandfifthco.com Shoes Nine West | www.ninewest.com Bride’s Jewellry Bride’s mother’s wedding jewelry Ring Designer Era Design | www.eradesign.ca Groom’s Suit Indochino | www.indochino.com Hair Fuzhan Artistry | www.fuzhanartistry.com Officiant Patricia Carswell

essentials local places to stay & getting around

A C C O M M O D AT I O N S

T R A N S P O R TAT I O N

THE LUND RESOR T AT KLAH AH MEN www.lundresort.com | 604 414 0474

BC FERRIES www.bcferries.com | 888 223 3779

WEST COAST WILDERNESS LODGE www.wcwl.com | 778 280 8610

C O A S TA L R I D E S www.coastalrides.ca | 604 210 7420

R O C K W AT E R S E C R E T C O V E R E S O R T www.rockwatersecretcoveresort.com | 877 296 4593

HARBOUR AIR SEAPLANES www.harbourair.com | 604 885 8773

BEACH GARDENS RESORT & MARINA www.beachgardens.com | 800 663 7070

SUNSHINE COAST AIR www.sunshinecoastair.com | 604 740 8889

BACKEDDY RESORT & MARINA www.backeddy.ca | 800 626 0599

S C O T T Y ’ S R E N TA L S I N C . www.scottysrentals.ca | 604 993 0432

B A L I C A S A R E T R E AT www.balicasa.ca | 604 401 6274

S AVA RY I S L A N D F E R RY www.savaryislandferry.com | 888 263 0570

KLAHOOSE WILDERNESS RESORT www.klahoosereosrt.com | 250 935 8539

EMERGENCY SERVICES I N C A S E O F E M E R G E N C Y, D I A L 9 1 1 S E C H E LT H O S P I TA L 5544 Sunshine Coast Hwy, Sechelt, BC | 604 885 2224

NAIL SALON 2 5 4 5 S A L O N A N D S PA www.2545hairsalonandspa.com ADORABLE NAILS AND MORE www.adorablenailsandmore.com

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SUNSHINE COAST TOURS www.sunshinecoasttours.ca | 604 883 2280

DRY CLEANERS BERGNER PROFESSIONAL DRY CLEANERS 604 885 8546 C A N A D A W AY B U S Y B E E 604 435 7535

jen + brian, photo and film rocky mountain bride sunshine coast wedding guide / rockymountainbride.com

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dining rehearsal dinner & day-after brunch

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BASTED BAKER @basted_baker | 604 885 1368

SHIFT KITCHEN & BAR EDIE RAE’S CAFE www.oldcourthouseinn.ca/restaurant | 604 483 3343 www.shiftkitchenatpasbar.com | 778 458 3372

L AU GHIN G OYS TER www.laughinoyster.ca | 604 483 9775

THE LIGHTHOUSE PUB www.lighthousepub.ca | 604 885 9494

T Y’S FINE FOODS AND BISTRO www.tysfinefoods.com | 604 740 9818

DRIFT CAFE & BISTRO I N L E T S R E S TA U R A N T www.wcwl.com/inlets-restaurant | 778 280 8610 www.drift-gibsons.ca | 604 886 5858

rockymountainbride.com / rocky mountain bride sunshine coast wedding guide

THE MODERN PEASANT www.facebook.com/TheModernPeasant | 604 489 1221

Q + A with

Laura Olson What is your favorite part of the job?

I love connecting with people. I am fascinated by how unique each of us are, how we are shaped by our individual stories, and how we draw others in and create bonds with them. Truly getting to know my clients and being invited to capture the most meaningful moments for other humans is so humbling. I am forever grateful to everyone who has trusted me to be a part of their love story.

Do you have a favorite tool of the trade?

I absolutely love my Nikon D850. I upgraded last year and never looked back. I am always in awe of the colours it produces, the sharpness of the images and the touch screen really comes in handy, especially when I want to capture intimate moments during the ceremony without being too obvious.

What is one thing you wish you could educate your clients on?

I believe in planning a meaningful elopement or wedding with personal touches that reflect who you are and your relationship. It is easy to get caught up in trends (hello, pinterest!) but at the end of the day, this is your wedding. Sit down and write out your priorities separately, then look over them together as a couple and compare and build a day that you will both look back on and know that you did everything to make it the best day ever.

this or that EARLY BIRD

NIGHT OWL

AUDIBLE

REAL BOOKS

What is your dream creation?

One of my dreams is to photograph a 70’s inspired elopement. I feel a real connection to that time, the style, the freedom and the music.

MOUNTAIN LOVER

BEACH BUM

SPRINGTIME

AUTUMN LEAVES

Which occupation would you like to try for a day?

I think being a florist or a makeup artist for a day would be fun. I used to be a hairstylist before I became a photographer - creating beauty and making people feel good about themselves is a big passion of mine. I don’t see myself doing anything that isn’t creative.

BAND

DJ

SOUP

SALAD

DONUTS

CAKE

HAIR UP

HAIR DOWN

NATURAL MAKEUP

BRING ON THE GLAM

TULLE

LACE

DOG

CAT

Where do you come up with your ideas?

I am very inspired by romance, music, and old movies. I am inspired by people. I love to get to know clients on a deeper level and find out what makes their hearts beat the fastest and incorporate that into their engagement session and wedding.

What trend do you wish would disappear?

Guests using their phones during the wedding ceremony. If we can call that a trend? Haha. The ceremonies I have witnessed where every guest is watching intently, tears are falling, and every single person is present, well it’s enough to give you goosebumps. We live such fast paced lives and we want to record every thing but it’s important to remember that the couple chose you to be at their wedding for a reason. Practicing presence during the ceremony is something I will always encourage.

SUNSHINE COAST Ruby Lake Resort

Pender Harbour Resort & Marina

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort Beach Hideaway B&B

Sun

shin

eC

oast

High way

Linwood House

The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery

High Beam Dreams

sunshine coast V E N U E S

beach hideaway b&b 5203 sunshine coast hwy sechelt, british columbia 604 885 3031 www.beachideaway.com high beam dreams

350 glassford rd. gibsons, british columbia www.highbeamdreams.com linwood house

3144 linwood rd. roberts creek, british columbia 604 998 8039 www.linwoodhouse.ca & marina 4686 sinclair bay rd. garden bay, british columbia 877 883 2424 www.penderharbourresort.com

pender harbour resort

rockwater secret cove resort

5356 oles cove rd. halfmoon bay, british columbia 877 296 4593 www.rockwatersecretcoveresort.com ruby lake resort

15426 sunshine coast hwy, madeira park, british columbia 604 883 2269 www.rubylakeresort.com 101 brewhouse + distillery 1009 gibsons way, gibsons, british columbia 778 462 2011 www.the101.ca

the

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plan your escape!

featured image: umaya resort and adventures, honeymoon collective resort