Every one of my weddings is personal for me, but every once in a while, they are extra personal, like this one. I have known Jill for longer than I can even remember, since she was in kindergarten, and when she reached out to share with me that she was engaged to the greatest guy and planning a wedding I was so excited! We got to work finding the perfect outdoor location to bring their ideas to life. We looked in Bermuda, California, Florida, Hawaii, Mexico (briefly), Vancouver Island, Whistler and the Okanagan before we landed on a Painted Rock wedding near Spirit Ridge.

With a minimalist feel and a colour palette that complimented the landscape of BC, Jillian and Andrew’s wedding had a stylish, modern style that reflected who they are perfectly.

Jill designed her own hair and makeup for the day of her wedding. She kept her hair down in loose waves and used a natural makeup pallet. To complement the backdrop of her Painted Rock wedding, she wore a simple white dress by Calvin Klein with a strappy black and white block heel sandal from Saint Laurent. Her bridesmaids wore long black dresses from Park and Fifth with nude shoes. The groom, Andrew, wore a dark charcoal suit with a light grey tie and Cole Haan brown leather shoes while the groomsmen wore grey suites with black ties and black shoes.

Jillian and Andrew’s ceremony took place on the lawn of Painted Rock overlooking Skaha Lake and the Okanagan hills. Flower arrangements from Our Little Flower Company lined the aisle and were made to feel as though they were growing in situ, organically. At the top of the aisle we blended the décor seamlessly into the landscape with dense greenery cascading over a copper arch softened by the use of Plumosa Fern. During the ceremony, guests enjoyed a song by friends of Jillian and Andrew and were shaded from the sun by white paper parasols.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed Painted Rock Rose and passed canapes such as duck confit crostini with Waldorf salad. Following cocktail hour, guests were escorted into the stretch tent where dinner was to take place.

In the tent, long harvest tables were lined with vineyard chairs with linen cushions. The tables were set with black stoneware plates from Pedersen’s Rentals, linen napkins from Faire la Fete, and gold cutlery. White pillar candles of various sizes were set in glass votives and placed along the centre of the tables among the greenery garlands, creating a romantic and cozy atmosphere under the tent when it got darker. Table numbers and name cards by Love by Phoebe were inspired by the couples black and white wedding invitations from Minted, and helped to steer the look towards minimalism rather than more of a rustic feel.

During the reception, guests enjoyed numerous speeches by the friends and family of Jillian and Andrew while enjoying a three-course plated dinner inspired by local and seasonal ingredients by Joy Road Catering. After the dessert of homemade pie was served, the couple enjoyed their first dance to Coldplay’s ‘Paradise’ under the stars before the party began.

xo Alicia