One of the things we learned over the course of the pandemic was how to adapt. Now, this wasn’t easy — in fact, we still look back on it as the most challenging times we’ve ever faced — but it also taught us that a changed vision can still be beautiful. Defne and Ryan’s garden party celebration is the perfect example of this.
Defne and Ryan first met with Angie in late 2019, with the aim of hosting their wedding in the summer of 2020, bringing together friends and family from all over the globe. Like many other couples that year, they had to make the challenging decision to postpone their wedding day indefinitely, as it was unclear when travel restrictions would be lifted for family members abroad.
While the wedding date was unknown, the couple decided that they still wanted to have a small, intimate celebration with local friends and family.
So, in 2021, on a very hot day, Defne and Ryan held a very stylish intimate garden party at the Reception Center of the UBC Botanical Gardens. The evening started with drinks and treats from Cocktails & Canapes on the terrace. The outdoor space was framed by the bar, much-needed parasols, and an iconic forest green, semicircle velvet couch that somehow looked like it was made to be there.
Beyond the amazing furniture from Bespoke Decor, what made the space even more effective was how stylish and colour-coordinated the guests were!
The dinner itself was set at one long table on the covered deck, styled with simple and elegant table settings and vibrant centrepieces from Nicola Adam Floral. The guests all seemed to dress to match the flowers, taking the garden party feel to another level.
Menu features, provided by Cocktails & Canapés, included a summer berry salad and marinated Haida Gwaii sablefish — yum!
One of the most impactful pieces of this event are the beautiful photos from The Godard’s Photography. As we mentioned, the garden party was on a very hot day and the overcast sky looked almost orange. This created a wonderful, unique light that was captured in most of the photography.
As Defne’s parents weren’t able to attend, the couple made sure to FaceTime them in for their speech. This was a bittersweet moment for everyone, but it showed just how important family was to the couple.
As a quick aside, we’re so happy to share that Defne and Ryan were finally able to have a small ceremony with their families in 2022. So, even though it was delayed, they still got to experience a celebration of their love with the people that matter most to them.
After dinner, the couple danced the night away on the patio with their guests. It was the perfect way to spend a warm summer evening.
Thinking of having a small, intimate wedding celebration? We’d love to help. Reach out so we can chat about what you’re thinking.