Siena and Nate’s wedding was a celebration of timeless Vancouver traditions. It was filled with thoughtful tributes to their guests, as well as the infectious energy that characterizes this couple. Held at the Stanley Park Pavilion, an iconic Vancouver venue, the wedding was planned and designed by one of our amazing planners, Jamie-Lee Clooten. What follows is her account of the event.
Siena and Nate’s love story traces back to their university days at Queens. By the time I met them, their journey together had been marked by over six years of adventure and shared milestones, including relocating from Ontario back to Vancouver and embarking on exciting endeavours both personally and professionally. Finding balance with one another, they are a power couple, and I have no doubt that they will continue to thrive as they pursue new adventures.
From the moment I met Siena and Nate, I knew their wedding would be a celebration like no other. Their infectious energy and penchant for throwing unforgettable parties set the tone for an amazing event. I was also really inspired by their desire to make the event as much about their guests’ experiences as their own. Throughout the planning process, so many of the choices they made were aimed at improving the guest experience and paying tribute to their community.
For Siena, a sixth-generation Vancouverite, it was really important that they incorporate the timeless elegance of old Vancouver. After exploring various options, Stanley Park Pavilion emerged as the perfect choice. It was steeped in history (including some of Siena’s own family history) and offered a blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. Plus, Stanley Park Pavilion would also provide the ideal outdoor setting that the couple envisioned for their big day.
As we started designing the event, the couple made it clear that they wanted a classic twist on the West Coast theme. Our design board had a blend of greenery, lush florals, and countless candles, with a dreamy and stylish aesthetic. The result was absolutely stunning. On the day, a sunny Saturday in early September, the various spaces in and around the Stanley Park Pavilion looked resplendent.
From the very moment guests arrived, they knew they were in for a treat. The groom and groomsmen greeted everyone as they arrived, ensuring that they comfortably found their seat for the ceremony. The evening was planned to perfection. We ensured that the flow across each part of the event was seamless, and guests never felt like they had to wait for anything. After the event, the couple had multiple people tell them how much they appreciated the flow of the wedding!
Wanting guests to feel like stars, Siena and Nate also hired The Collective You so that guests could have a professional portrait taken over the course of the evening.
The ceremony itself was a heartfelt expression of love and commitment. The first thing that made it special was that it was officiated by a close friend who added joy and hilarity to the event. (Siena and Nate were married by a licensed officiant in their living room a few days prior to make this happen.) It also included personal vows that reflected Siena’s magnetic presence and Nate’s charming demeanour. As bubbles filled the air to mark the conclusion of the ceremony, and Siena walked down in her stunning Bisou Bridal dress with her new husband, the mood was set for an evening of celebration and joy.
For cocktail hour, guests were guided to the patio, where they were treated to sparkling wine and custom mocktails. Since the couple had a number of toasts and speeches they wanted included in the timeline, we took the opportunity to include some in the cocktail hour. Nate’s sisters welcomed everyone as they had flavourful snacks and mingled with each other.
The guests also fawned over some of the stationery that Siena and her mother crafted. This included a vintage mirror with the welcome decal, as well as a seating chart that was written up on an ornate gilded mirror.
Siena also created the table signs, which were vintage silver trays with names of Vancouver streets that were meaningful to the couple. These were nestled in the rest of the table decor, which included table runners made from roses and greenery, and delicate candles. In the tented setting — which was made more elegant with a romantic liner and twinkle lights — the guests gathered together for a wonderful meal.
As the night unfolded, Siena and Nate’s infectious energy took centre stage. As the Ten Souljers band played on in the ballroom, they had a dance-off that left guests cheering for more. Siena changed her outfit for the dancing, and she looked amazing. It was particularly special when she took to the dance floor with her dad, who kept up with all her moves!
The couple continued to treat their guests throughout the evening with a candy bar, donuts from Lee’s Donuts, and cheeseburgers from McDonald’s.
Siena and Nate ended the night driving home in a family friend’s vintage car. It was a wonderful way for everyone to bid farewell to the couple, and it was the perfect way to wrap up what turned out to be a hell of a party.
Some of the vendors I would love to thank and feature from this wedding are photographers The Macleans, and Koncept Events, who were instrumental in bringing our design to life with florals and decor. We were also so grateful for make-up artist Kym Davidson and hair stylist Ramzie Mach, who both came in at the last minute when we were dealing with having to replace vendors following the pandemic.
Are you looking to create a timeless, West Coast wedding like Siena and Nate’s? We’d love to help. Get in touch today.