Tie the Knot - January 24, 2023

The Victoria and Vancouver Island Greek Community Society

Tues, January 24, 2023

A Victoria Times Colonist publication

Publisher: Dave Obee

Director of Advertising: Ed Kennedy #201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria, BC

To advertise in the next issue and or submit content please contact: Aaron Ross, 250-380-5313 aross@timescolonist.com

The Victoria and Vancouver Island Greek Community Society warmly invites guests to celebrate their big day at their community event venue in Victoria BC offering multiple rooms for rent 7 days a week with full catering services.

The spacious Main Hall is designed for weddings and gatherings of up to 200 guests and includes amenities such as tables, cushioned chairs, bar, Wi-Fi, PA and sound systems, projector and screen.

For smaller gatherings and special events of up to 50 guests, the Second Hall is the perfect choice and includes chairs, tables, Wi-Fi and stereo system.

Catering is available for events of all sizes. Whatever your catering needs they will have you covered. They will create a menu that will meet all your expectations and then some.

Their professional chefs work with only the freshest ingredients ensuring the highest level of quality and offer diverse culinary choices to fit your taste.

There is ample parking on site, public transportation nearby, and hotel and lodgings are only a step away.

The Victoria and Vancouver Island Greek Community Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1974 focused on preserving and promoting the Hellenic Culture, Language, History and Orthodox Faith on Vancouver Island. Come explore!

4648 Elk Lake Drive (250) 479-9391

victoriahellenicsociety.org/ hall-rental

Brown’s The Florist

way to dress up the table. This is another table that would be an easy spot to re-purpose wedding ceremony florals too!

• Don’t wait too long to plan your wedding flowers. Planning in advance allows us the ability to better accommodate your wishes and bring your vision of a beautiful wedding day to life.

• With three beautiful locations to choose from, we are able to provide full service throughout the Victoria area, from Downtown Victoria and Sidney to the Western Communities. We strive to provide all of our communities with top-notch quality and service. Call us, visit us in-store, or go online to book your consultation with us.

BrownsTheFlorist.com

One of the best parts about planning your wedding is making it entirely your own. Flowers are an essential part of wedding décor because they can bring your vision to life, pulling together textures, colours and that ambiance you really want your guests to feel!

At Brown’s The Florist, we have a talented team of designers to provide you with some peace of mind with your wedding planning. We really love helping you make your floral dreams become a reality, and that is why each wedding we work on is absolutely unique and custom-made to the couple we are designing for. We know that the list of benefits for using locally grown flowers is a long one, which is why we are grateful to say that more than 80% of our flowers come from local growers or from the mainland.

A FEW BROWN’S THE FLORIST WEDDING PLANNING TIPS TO HELP YOU START:

• Much like bouquets and boutonnieres, hair pieces or accessories will be in all of your wedding photos. If you want flowers in your hair, bring it up with us as part of your wedding

flower checklist. We can help and give you tips to keep your florals in tip-top shape the entire day.

• Along with the bar, the guestbook table will be a popular spot for your guests as they enter your ceremony, during dinner, and through the reception. Adding an arrangement or two is an easy

PHOTO: SWEET HEIRLOOM PHOTOGRAPHY

An unequalled air of fantasy and romance

St. Ann’s Academy, a National Historic Site, has a rich history in Victoria. This stunning location has elegant indoor, outdoor and combination settings available to suit your unique love story.

Outside, the Academy grounds feature a variety of garden settings – two in particular that are ideally suited to outdoor ceremonies and receptions. The Novitiate Garden is very secluded, which makes it the ideal location for an outdoor ceremony and smaller reception.

The verdant green manicured lawn, perimeter flowerbeds and gazebo create a pleasing, cozy atmosphere.

For larger scale affairs, the Academy Green offers a sunny field as well as shade under the canopy of grand trees.

Inside, the Academy offers a chapel, parlours and a spacious foyer. The chapel is the true jewel of the Academy. Built in 1858, the chapel’s gently flattened arches and hand carved and gilded ornamentation is reminiscent of the baroque inspired chapels common in Quebec.

With golden sunlight cascading through its original art-glass windows, the chapel lends an unequalled air of fantasy and romance to every wedding held within. Though historically Roman Catholic, the chapel has been rededicated as an interfaith chapel, welcoming everyone’s beliefs.

If you prefer something less religiously-reminiscent, St. Ann’s also has a theatre-style auditorium with beautiful art-glass windows and a greater capacity for your special day.

Experience the ultimate romantic wedding at St. Ann’s Academy. The historic buildings are the perfect location for your wedding photos. stannsacademy.com

PHOTO: NICHOLE TAYLOR

PHOTO: D. LOWES

Sea Tree Weddings & Events

We offer custom wedding packages that can be built around what you need and that fits within your budget. We will take care of all of the boring stuff like checklists and schedules, while emphasizing the small personal details that make your wedding as unique as the two of you. Ultimately, we will ensure you can focus on the most special moments of your wedding day, and the overwhelming feeling of love when you are surrounded by your friends and family who are there to support you in your “happily ever after” Seatreeweddings.ca

All eyes are on you as you take the floor

All eyes are on you as you take the floor… spinning and swaying in perfect harmony. This is a once in a lifetime moment. Your first dance as spouses!

Sea Tree Weddings & Events is a wedding planning service based out of Victoria, BC. We specialize in creating naturally beautiful west coast weddings that focus on what truly matters: love. We are a team that loves weddings and what they represent. Our goal is to allow you to focus on what your wedding is truly about - marrying your person, and we will take care of the rest! We always cry during the wedding vows, and you can also count on us to hit the dance floor with you once before the night is through! Most importantly, we will make sure you are taken care of in all of the in-between moments, such as making sure you eat before you walk down the aisle (this small but important tip will prevent your stomach from rumbling during your vows).

While we are detail-focused planners at our core, we like to think of ourselves as coordinators that don’t fit inside the usual “wedding planner box”. Our priority is to build authentic relationships with our couples so that we can understand what your dream wedding is, and then work hard to make it a reality. As your team, we want to grow a relationship with you that allows for open communication so that you can feel completely comfortable leaving your special day in our hands.

Let the professionals at Arthur Murray help you create the dance you envision. Most couples say that taking dance lessons together was the most fun they had in preparation for their wedding! With over 100 years of experience, we’ve taught everything from a romantic Rumba to a traditional Waltz to a spicy Salsa. The possibilities are truly endless. What are you waiting for?

3567 Ravine Way, Phone: 250-940-6050 victoriaarthurmurray.com

Sea Tree Weddings & Events is a wedding planning service based out of Victoria, BC that specializes in creating naturally beautiful, west coast weddings that focus on what truly matters: LOVE.

ARTHUR MURRAY DANCE STUDIO

FestiLight

All forms of celebrations can be elevated with the addition of thoughtfully designed lighting. As we look towards an exciting 2023 wedding season where nearly-weds can plan for a wedding full of friends and family, we thought we’d share 4 unique ideas for wedding lighting.

1 Combine greenery with lighting. Pairing your lighting with greenery is a beautiful way to enhance your wedding venue. Whether paired with delicately designed swags or a trailing vine, our various styles of fairy lights are the perfect delicate addition to any greenery.

2 Add layers to your lighting. Having the warmth of candlelight on your guest’s tables invites a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere. Our globe lights glow at a warm ~2800K, the perfect temperature to pair with warm candlelight. Add depth by hanging sparse strings of these charming bulbs overhead to “mirror” your candlelight.

3 Light up trees and shrubs. Whether at the entrance to your venue, or scattered about your reception area, lighting up trees is a simple and captivating way to brighten up your wedding day.

4 Use a portable light hanging system. If your wedding is taking place in open air, you might be scratching your head about the best way to light your dinner tables or dance floor. Our portable posts make it super easy to create a dazzling overhead display of lights that is both functional and decorative, even if you don’t have a tent to hang them from.

No matter the scale, FestiLight is here to bring light to your special day. Send us an email at service@festilight.ca to get the conversation started. And, in the meantime, don’t forget that we also offer professional Christmas light installation!

A wedding in a garden –a perfect match

It’s a hidden gem, tucked away in Saanich. Horticulture Centre of the Pacific offers nine acres of award-winning botanical gardens as a beautiful natural backdrop for you to celebrate your love and commitment.

The staff at HCP know that your love is too big and joyous to be kept indoors – that’s why when you say your vows in HCP’s outdoor ceremony area, you will

find yourselves accompanied by birdsong, joined by soaring eagles, and surrounded by flora whilst the waters of our conservation park sparkle in the background.

TIPS FOR THE PERFECT WEST COAST FAIRYTALE WEDDING?

• The smaller, the cozier! HCP can accommodate up to 100 guests.

• Don’t worry about the weather, embrace it, rain or shine.

• Plan the day however it works best for you. The centre’s wedding package includes full access to the gardens and the Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so organize a ceremony and reception (or one or the other) however you see fit.

CONSIDERING AN ELOPEMENT?

HCP’s award-winning elopement package offers three hours in the gardens for you and up to 10 guests! There is an off-season discount of 20 per cent for weddings October through April.

As one of Equally Wed’s preferred vendors, HCP is committed to always being a safe and accessible place to celebrate love. The staff at the centre know the importance of quality event services, and how nothing goes together quite as well as ‘garden’ and ‘wedding.’

As Frances Hodgson Burnett once wrote about a Secret Garden very similar to the one at HCP: “And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed, and every morning revealed new miracles.”

So it is true for gardens, and so it must be true for marriages. Come bring these two truths together – with a wedding hosted by the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific. Contact the centre online at Hcp.ca, or at Facebook.com/ HCPGardens/, or on Instagram at @hcpweddings

“ Kelsey Lageri was an absolutely amazing photographer, I couldn’t say enough good things about her! She’s incredibly easy to talk to, and a great communicator! We had never done a photo shoot before, and she was very helpful at guiding us with poses and helping us feel relaxed in front of the camera. I found her through her many positive reviews and recommendations on Facebook, and her work speaks for itself! Her editing style is gorgeous and she is so quick getting the photos done! I would definitely recommend her for any photo shoots you have in mind, she’s an absolutely incredible photographer!!!" – E.S

Kelsey Lageri Photography

Capturing love for over 10 years

“ If you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding or anything else, this is your girl! She went above and beyond to achieve the photos you will forever show your loved ones of your beautiful day! She not only came early but took photos of every little detail of something that you will be able to remember of your special day! Kelsey was the most kind person I met and leading up all the way to my wedding kept it touch, asked and communicated everything we needed to make sure it went smoothly for me and got exactly and more then I wanted my wedding day! A huge thank you to this wonderful lady!” – B.B

“ Kelsey did a fantastic job of making us feel very comfortable and relaxed during our sessions, and the photos turned out beautifully! We were very drawn to how happy she seemed to make her subjects, and that came through for us as well. She was easy to communicate with and we felt like she really understood what we were hoping for and how help us get there.” -C.D

Now accepting bookings for 2024, with a few remaining dates for 2023. kelseylageri.com

Kelsey Lageri

is a Professional Photographer with over 10+ years of experience. Located on Southern Vancouver Island, she travels across the island for weddings and elopements.

Her Photography style is natural, candid and has a focus on emotions She has a playful and laid back approach to posing, while keeping things moving efficiently to follow wedding timelines

Now accepting bookings for 2024, with a few remaining dates for 2023

Vancouver Island's Wedding Guide to venues & much more!

Ash & Mike, August, 2022

Photo: Kelsey Lageri • kelseylageri.com

Welcome to Esquimalt

Memories start here

SHARE YOUR DAY WITH US AT THE

Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion

Sitting at 6000+ sq ft, the Pavilion covers two floors, both with stunning views of the Gorge Waterway. Chose one or both floors. Celebrate your day surrounded by Japanese gardens, open green space and forested natural beauty—all ten minutes from downtown Victoria.

Contact us at esquimalt.ca

You’ll find the region’s newest event venue and historic Japanese gardens a short distance from downtown Victoria. The Gorge Park Pavilion features remarkable Japanese-inspired architecture to complement the pristine gardens and natural setting.

The Pavilion is tucked away in Esquimalt Gorge Park—a large park that blends open green space, forested natural beauty and the popular Gorge Waterway. The venue is a wonderful space for weddings, vow renewals, celebrations of life, conferences, reunions, meetings or any special occasion.

Sitting at 6000+ sq ft, the Pavilion covers 2 floors, both with stunning views of the water.

Each floor contains 3000 sq ft of rentable space that holds 120 guests in banquet seating. Service for your event is made easier with a dedicated servery that

includes prep counters, residential fridge, range, dishwasher and sink. Each floor has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the park and water way. The lower floor opens to a large patio and the upper floor holds two balconies; the largest is 500sq ft and overlooks the Japanese gardens.

The building boasts an impressive second floor banquet hall with breathtaking cedar beams and panoramic views of the Gorge Waterway.

AMENITIES:

• Two serveries each containing a residential fridge, range, dishwasher and sink

• Secured loading dock

• Three outdoor food truck hook-ups

• Parking stalls for 100 vehicles

• Proximity to the Japanese gardens

• Accessible washrooms and elevator

• Ample natural light

• Large patio and balcony

• Reflecting pond

For an outdoor ceremony by the sea, consider booking Saxe Point or Macaulay Park for your special day. Accessible, scenic and unique—create memories at Esquimalt Parks.

For booking requests and inquiries, please contact Esquimalt Recreation at Esquimalt.ca/ recreation or contact us at 250-412-8525

Saxe Point Park

Japanese garden at Gorge Park

PHOTO: DEBORAH PRICE PHOTOGRAPHY