A Fairmont Wedding at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
“It’s timeless, elegant, grand, luxurious, beautiful, and a landmark within the city...”
Congratulations on your wedding! What made you decide on having your wedding with us at Fairmont?
My husband and I work, live and started our life together in Vancouver so it was only fitting that we get married in the city. My husband knew he wanted to have our reception at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver as soon as we started planning. The hotel represents “classic Vancouver”. It’s timeless, elegant, grand, luxurious, beautiful, and a landmark within the city. After viewing the Pacific Ballroom and meeting with the event coordinators we were hooked.
Where did you have your ceremony? Did you incorporate any special or cultural traditions?
We were married at Christ Church Cathedral, located across the street from the Hotel Vancouver. We had a traditional Anglican ceremony, and it was beautiful. The church is grand, elegant and perfect for a winter wedding! My husband's parents were married at CCC 40 years ago so it also holds sentimental value for us. My step-dad passed away three years ago and to honor his memory my sisters and I incorporated a photo charm into our bouquets so that a piece of him was present when we walked down the aisle and when I married the love of my life.
Tell us about the flowers you chose. Did you go traditional or contemporary?
Elegant, decadent, romantic and sophisticated best describes our décor theme. Wedding Design Studio did an incredible job of bringing our inspirational ideas and vision to life. Soft colour palettes (gold, blush and cream), candle light, romantic floral designs and personal touches brought the Pacific Ballroom to life! Pale pink roses, rose petals, creamy hydrangeas and baby’s breath were used throughout the décor. The guest tables featured an array of candelabras, candles, pearls, gold frames, floral arrangements, mirrors and beautiful glassware. The head table was Tuscan style located in the middle of the ballroom. Lining the center were 4ft tall wine glasses filled with baby breath, water, floating pearls and candles. Silk pink linens, candles, gold ascents and rows of strings of pearls completed the head table.
Tell us about the meal you served your guests. What type and flavor cake did you have at your reception?
We decided to serve a buffet style dinner at our reception since we know a lot of picky eaters! We wanted our guests to have different options for both dinner and dessert. Our wedding buffet included: trio of salads, antipasto, several pasta options, roasted vegetables, rack of lamb, roast beef, cheesecake, crème brulee and much more! We even had a chocolate fountain later on in the evening. All the food was INCREDIBLE. So many of our guests commented on how beautiful and delicious the food service was. My one regret is that I didn’t have time to go back for more.
What element(s) did you add to make the wedding uniquely ‘yours’?
Although we worked with a design company we tried to incorporate as many personal touches a possible to warm the space and make our guests feel welcome. For the ceremony we created personalized programs that included a “fun facts” section and a special #TheLaurieWedding instragram/twitter postcard. The entry of the ballroom featured blown up photos on easels, pictures tables, candles, pearls and personal notes. Inside the ballroom we set up a photo booth to help with our unique guest book. Guests were asked to take a photo then add it to a photo album and sign a message to the Bride and Groom. A memory table was created to honor my step dad who passed away. Each table featured gold painted frames used for table numbers and a heartfelt note thanking our guests for being a part of our lives and our special day at each place setting! My sisters presented a beautiful slideshow and our amazing photographers, SoWedding Productions, presented a same day edit film during the reception. The video included clips from our proposal (yes my husband filmed it), engagement photo session, morning of the wedding, ceremony and even our grand entrance to the reception - it was a show stopper!!!
Another integral part of the day is the wedding dress! Tell us about what you chose to wear. Did you follow the old English saying “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue”?
I wore a stunning haute couture inspired gown designed by Maggie Sottero. It was Opal Organza with dramatic structured folds, ruched bodice, dropped waist line, low cut back and complemented by a detachable silk belt featuring Swarovski crystals. The dress weighed about 15 pounds but it was worth every second. The veil was waltz length in an off ivory tone with silk ribbon piping the trim.
Something old was my mother’s wedding veil broche. It was custom added to my veil which provided a touch of sparkle. Something new was a gift from my now mother in law, a detachable champagne coloured silk belt featuring Swarovski crystals that I wore with my wedding dress. Something borrowed was my mom’s gold diamond marquise wedding ring that she received from her late husband. Finally I had two something blue items; 5” Betsy Johnson crystal embellished heels with a velvet baby blue sole and gorgeous diamond and topaz drop earrings (a wedding gift from the groom).
What was the first song you danced to as newlyweds? Why did you pick that particular song?
Marry me by Train. It has been “our” song for as long as I can remember and neither of us had to think twice when deciding which song we wanted for our first dance.
Vendors & Service Providers:
• Décor, floral arrangements by Wedding Design Studio
• Photography and Videography by SoWedding Productions
• Faux Cake by Marked edible designs
• DJ Services by Hot Wax Entertainment
• Invitations, place cards, seating chart, other print material by E Three Design Studio
• Wedding Dress from Isabelle’s Bridal
• Wedding belt from Bisou Bridal
For more information or to start planning your wedding at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver:
www.fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver/meetings-weddings/weddings
