4 minute read
Saying ‘I do’ in a winter wonderland
wedding: Saying ‘I do’ in a winter wonderland
Jayne and Chris Andrews found their unique wedding venue at the top of Mount Sproatt
by: BRIGITTE MAH
Amidst snow-covered trees, glistening icicles and the crisp mountain air, Jayne and Chris Andrews celebrated a love that began 18 years ago.
The UK couple said their Whistler wedding was nothing short of perfect, as they and their close friends were able to squeak in overseas travel before the full brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
The pair met in a pub nearly two decades ago and, eight years later, Chris proposed on a snowboarding trip. But in between their engagement and their wedding there were triathlons, a trip around the world, and two children. Then one evening, at the same pub where they first met, they decided it was time, and began planning the annual snowboard trip that would be unforgettable.
Jayne wanted something unique that wasn’t a replica of the weddings they had experienced on repeat over the past few years, and when the idea of getting married on a mountain by a log cabin in the winter was floated, she knew that’s what she wanted.
The couple chose Canadian Wilderness Adventure’s Mount Sproatt cabin in the Callaghan backcountry as their venue and invited a small circle of family and friends along. Although they told their guests that the trip would include a wedding, they held back all the details.
“We keep it a secret from them,” said Chris. “They were told where they had to be, and that’s all they knew. They had to pack something warm and a change of clothes, but we kept the whole wedding a secret.”
Three days after arriving in Whistler, Jayne and Chris’ guests stood in the Village waiting for a mini van to pick them up and shuttle them to the Callaghan. Jayne was with them, resplendent in her elegant dress, and together with their two young children, they loaded into the snowcat to travel up Sproatt.
“I had this big princess dress and was trying to get into the snowcat with it,” said Jayne. “It was a bit ridiculous, really, but I didn’t care. I had chosen this dress and I loved it.”
While Jayne was travelling in the snowcat, Chris and his brother sledded to the ceremony site on snowmobiles. Chris had kept this part a secret as well.
“When [my brother] saw the snowmobile he was like ‘No way!’” said Chris, who had only ridden on a snowmobile for the first time a few days prior.
When they all arrived, everyone was greeted by a sparkling wintery wonderland at the top of the mountain.
Jayne and Chris’ youngest daughter scattered flower petals on the snow while Jayne walked through the fresh flakes and petals to meet Chris. The sky was a brilliant blue, the sun sparkled off the trees and the icicles hanging from the cabin’s eaves, and whiskey jacks fluttered around as Jayne and Chris solidified the feelings they had experienced when they met 18 years ago.
photography:
Zoe Lomoro
I don’t like to toot my own horn, but I’m just going to say it, I’m pretty fun at a wedding! I’m supportive, helpful, I love to get to know people, and I like to make people laugh and enjoy each other’s company. I want the couples to feel at ease and have a good time on their wedding day, and if I can help achieve that what a WIN!
zoelomoro.com
vendors:
Venue Canadian Wilderness Adventures
Officiant Jeremy Postal
Hair and Makeup Kerry Waring
Video Calling Mountains Productions
Flowers Senka Florist
Catering Kim Eijdenberg, Canadian Wilderness Adventures
They shared a charcuterie board with their guests before sitting down to a steak dinner. And while their guests were inside, Jayne and Chris snuck outside to experience their first moment alone as husband and wife. They danced in the snow under the velvety night sky as a myriad of stars twinkled above. From the cabin a warm orange glow emerged and as they watched their family and friends laugh and eat, the glow echoed in their hearts, reflecting the love they felt for each other and their guests.
“It was just magical,” said Chris. “It was the wedding pulled out of our imaginations and we couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Love wins!
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