Posts in Real Weddings

Karley & Timon

Sometimes I can hardly believe how lucky I am to be doing the job that I am. Every couple that invites me into their lives during this incredible exciting time is special, and I love the relationships that are created with each one throughout the planning. Every once in a while though, a couple comes along that steals my heart completely. Karley & Timon were one of those couples. They immediately welcomed me with open arms into their lives, and our year of planning was filled with some serious laughs, lots of baby cuddles, hilarious antcidotes of motherhood vs. wedding planning, and more love than I can imagine. You see, Karley & Timon decided to take on the immense task of planning their dream wedding, right after the birth of their twin boys. Combine that with also raising the sweetest 4 year old around, you could say their life was a bit hectic.

It was such an honour to be able to create this day for them, and take away all the stress that can come along with planning. The details were absolutely exquisite and will go down as one of my favourite weddings of 2015. They wanted a day all about family & friends, and we designed just that. In the afternoon, an English inspired garden party took place, with 40 of their nearest and dearest. Elegant lounge seating, gourmet food stations (like a pretzel bar!), a live string strio and gorgeous florals, all helped to set the tone. In the evening, 20 of the couples closest friends came together and experienced one of the funniest evenings I have ever witnessed! A murder mystery group took over, and entertained the guests throughout courses of the gourmet dinner. Truly a day that I will never forget. Thank you so much to the incredibly talented Ryan MacDonald Photography, for the photos below. Make sure to scroll to the end, for a complete list of all the vendors who helped make this day so perfect.

Planning/Design: French Kiss Events
Florals: Verbena Floral Design
Photography: Ryan MacDonald Photography
Venue: Villa Marco Polo
Catering: Toque Catering
Tent & Rentals: Black & White Events
Furniture Rentals: Bash Specialty
Hair: Conscious Hair
Makeup: Melanie Baird
Invitation: Minted
Day of Stationery: French Kiss Events
Music: Allegro Con Trio
Murder Mystery Group: Victoria Murder Mystery

Real WeddingsBarb WalkerAugust 27, 2015Comment

FKE Featured in Utterly Engaged

Seeing our work printed, is always incredible. But seeing a wedding that was a true labour of love for all the vendors and for 2 very special people...well that is just as good as it gets folks! The most recent copy of Utterly Engaged is available to order, and amongst it's gorgeous pages of drool worth inspiration, is the wedding of Stephanie & James. I first met Stephanie through my good friend Vanessa, of Verbena Floral Design, who snatched her up to join her crew, once discovering Steph's insane floral talent! So, you can only imagine all the fun that we had planning their wedding, which included an over abundance of beautiful blooms, the perfect setting, a team of vendors who all know and love each other, and 2 of the best people I know! Thank you, Steph & James, for asking us to be a part of your wedding! We couldn't have asked for a better couple, and have loved being a part of your story ever since! And thank you to ALL the amazing vendors who helped make this day what it was! Make sure to read below to see some of my favourite moments from the day.

Photography: E/A Photography
Planning - French Kiss Events
Florals & Decor - Verbena Floral Design
Venue - Starling Lane Winery
Bridal Gown - The White Peony
Beauty Team - Conscious Hair by Elena, Melanie Baird Makeup Artistry & Beauty & Style by Erin Bradley
Cake - Pure Vanilla
Catering - Truffles Catering
Decor Rentals - Simply Sunday Vintage Rentals

All images courtesy of E/A Photography

FKE Featured, Real WeddingsBarb WalkerJune 10, 2015victoria wedding planner, Victoria Wedding Planning, Verbena Floral Design, E/A Photography, Starling Lane Wedding, Rustic Wedding Comment

Our Wedding: The Moments

I can hardly believe that it has been almost 6 months, since my handsome hubby & I officially tied the knot! Where does the time go?!! Before I know it, I'm going to be on the hunt for something "paper" to celebrate our first anniversary! How exciting!

In celebration of our wedding being featured on one of my favourite blogs, Style Me Pretty, last week, I thought it was about time that I shared a more personal look into what truly was, the best day of our lives! Over on SMP, I wrote a long blurb (what Nick refers to as "the essay") that shares a bit beyond our story, the design inspiration, and why we chose Maui. Over here though, I thought I would keep things on the simple side, and share my top 10 favourite moments of the day.

So, without further ado, here are my Top 10 Favourite Moments (in no particular order), all captured beautifully, but the insanely talented AMERIS.

1. After arriving to the location where Nick & I would share our first look, I was informed that I had to hop the fence. Challenge accepted.

2. Our first look. I'm pretty sure Nick was feeling the same thing I was in this moment...

3. A quick pit stop with our wedding party. The guy at the taco truck didn't know what had hit him when we showed up.

4. The moment when my Dad came to get me to walk me down the aisle.

5. Exchanging our vows, and getting to share smiles with this man throughout them.

6. Our first kiss as a married couple. This was definitely a good moment.

7. Walking through our reception for the first time, with the amazing ladies of Belle Destination. It was fun getting to be on the other side of this "tour" for once!

8. Sharing our first dance, under the Hawaiian sky.

9. High Fives all around!

10. Laughing over the piece of cake that fell down my dress. Yup. That happened.

Real Weddings, FKE FeaturedBarb WalkerApril 22, 2015Maui wedding, Hawaii wedding, Maui wedding planner, Destination wedding, Ameris Photography, Mandy Grace Designs, Garnish EventsComment

FKE in Print: Wedding Bells

One of my business goals of 2014, was to have some of my work featured in print. Well, 4 features later, I would say that it is safe to say that when you put your goals out there, and are willing to work hard to achieve them, anything is possible! The most recent feature, is in the current issue of Wedding Bells (it's their anniversary issue, and oh man...it is a good one, so make sure to pick yours up!), and features Karly & Matt's Fairburn Farm wedding. It's full of charm, love, and gorgeous images (courtesy of Christie Graham Photography), and perfectly sums up this wonderful day. Thank you so much Wedding Bells, for the feature!! It is truly a career highlight, seeing our name in your magazine! Last summer, on the hottest (seriously) day of the year, Karly & Matt got married. And oh, it was lovely! I had been working with this sweet as can be couple, for over 18 months, and seeing everything come together just as they had dreamed it would, was so special! When the planning first began, all we really knew was that they wanted a venue that felt like home. Somewhere that they could relax with their family & friends, and celebrate in a space that truly felt like them. When we discovered Fairburn Farmstay, we knew that the hunt was over, and the planning all just fell into place after that!

With a vintage palette of blues, peaches and purples, the decor was kept soft and romantic, through the locally grown flowers, simple table settings and small touches of glamour. Lavender was found throughout (and was sourced locally here on the Island), and the lavender bridesmaid bouquets were just too pretty for words! Simplicity at its best! This wedding day was one of many laughs, beautiful moments, and the most perfect setting, and I am honoured to have been a part of it. And here's a look at some of my favourite pieces of the day, all made possible by the following amazing vendors:

Photography: Christie Graham Photography 2nd Shooter: Kelly Brown Photography Planning/Design: French Kiss Events Venue: Fairburn Farmstay Florals: Cartref Gardens Catering: Food For Thought Vintage Rentals: Simply Sunday Vintage Rentals Beauty: Belle Amour Wedding Dress: Ladybelle Bridal

FKE Featured, Real WeddingsBarb WalkerJanuary 16, 2015Christie Graham Photography, Farm wedding, Food For Thought Catering, Local wedding florals, Victoria Wedding, victoria wedding planner, Victoria Wedding Planning, Vintage wedding inspiration, Wedding bellsComment

FKE Featured in Print: Real Weddings

Well, isn't THIS exciting?!! Shannon & Steve's spring time wedding, was featured in the Fall/Winter 2014 issue of Real Weddings BC, and I couldn't think of a cooler wedding to have grace the pages of this fabulous publication! Their wedding was filled with lovely little details, delicious food, and a setting as unique as they are. So much heart was put into their big day, and it puts the biggest smile on my face, knowing that so many people will get a glimpse at their wedding in the magazine. If you haven't done so already, definitely make sure to pick up your copy of the magazine next time you're out, and have a read below to see some of my favourite moments of the day.

I still remember getting my first email from this couple, asking me if I was available to help them plan their wedding that they were hosting at a Lawn Bowling Club here in Victoria. I was completely intrigued of course, and after meeting them in person, hearing their love story (they met at this exact club as kids), and their vision for their wedding, I was in!

Being lawn bowlers themselves, the ceremony was set on the lawn, with the aisle made out of the bowls; and their new marriage was made official, with their "first bowl". To keep the budget in check, and to honour Shannon's love of tea, the wedding was an afternoon tea party! Beautiful vintage china was used, small bites, and delicious treats were served, along with various types of tea and iced tea for the guests to enjoy throughout the day. Following the reception, the guests gathered around the lawn, performing a "spider", and celebrated the newlyweds over many spirited games. So many lovely details were put into this wedding, and I loved every minute of helping plan with Shannon & Steve. Thank you so much to this wonderful couple, for asking me to a part of your day! It was truly one I will never forget!

And an incredible team of vendors helped make this day as magical as it was! Thank you so much to:

Photography: Taylor Roades Photography Planning/Decor: French Kiss Events Florals: Cartref Gardens Catering: Toque Catering Vintage Rentals: Simply Sunday Vintage Rentals Beauty: Sigma Squared

FKE Featured, Real WeddingsBarb WalkerDecember 11, 2014Lawn Bowling Wedding, Taylor Roades Photography, Tea Party, Tea Party Wedding, Toque Catering, Victoria Wedding, victoria wedding planner, Victoria Wedding Planning, Wedding Planning Comment

FKE Featured on Junebug Weddings

What a way to kick off back to work, after 3 weeks of vacation!!! I am SO excited to have this Intimate West Coast Wedding, featured on Junebug Wedding's: What Junebug Loves, for 3 reasons. Reason #1: I love this wedding SO much, Reason #2: They only feature the best of the best wedding photography (enter Jesse Holland Photography who killed this wedding!), and Reason #3: I seriously LOVED this wedding! Seeing Brandy & Mitch's beaming faces on this beautiful blog is the cherry on top, and I am so thankful that they fell in love with it as much as I did! Make sure to check out the feature here.

At the end of June, on the longest day of the year, Brandy & Mitch got married. And what a wedding it was! Set at the stunning Brentwood Bay Resort, and overlooking some of the most breathtaking views around, this stylish couple had a destination wedding that blew everyone away!! With all their guests coming from Alberta, they wanted to make sure that their guests had an evening they wouldn't forget. So, keeping this in mind, we created an intimate and elegant soiree that had a strong focus on the celebration and the coming together of families. By infusing a few pops of raspberry into the details, and incorporating ferns and other foliage that are found in abundance on the west coast, we were able to put a fresh spin on the classic wedding they desired. High-end finishes were found throughout, and the details remained simple but extremely elegant. And by creating an intimate dinner party atmosphere (as lets be honest...the food at the Resort is amazing!!), the guests were able to mingle, share stories, and enjoy the experience of fine dining. The energy of the event carried on late into the evening with a Photo Booth, dancing, and a s'mores bar! Yum!

So many incredible vendors came together to help make this wedding as special as it was! Big thanks to:

Photography: Jesse Holland Photography Second Shooter: Shane Deringer Photography Planning/Decor: French Kiss Events Florals: FLEURtacious by Lynda Marie Beauty: Belle Amour Live Music: Allegro Con Trio Food/Drinks: Brentwood Bay Resort

I've said it before, and I'll say it again....photo booth's are awesome!! Such a fun way to get your guests more interactive and lets be honest...after a few drinks, who doesn't love a good photo booth?!!

FKE Featured, Real WeddingsBarb WalkerNovember 11, 2014Brentwood Bay Resort, FLEURtacious, Jesse Holland Photography, Victoria Wedding, victoria wedding planner, Victoria Wedding Planning, West Coast wedding inspiration Comment

The Weekend Roundup

This past weekend, I got to: hang out at a castle, play with soft blooms and rustic pieces (love!), spot a bald eagle, and oh yeah, help an incredible couple get married!! Not too shabby of a job, if you ask me! And my favourite part of this wedding was hands down, the ceremony. Having a friend perform your ceremony always adds an extra level of intimacy, and this guy totally nailed it!! I laughed with them, I cried with them, and I am so honoured to have witnessed their beautiful day.

And thank you so much to the lovely Nichole Taylor Photography, for passing on these wonderful sneak peek's! They're perfect!

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs.!! It was absolutely lovely getting to know you both over the past couple of months!

xo Barb

Real WeddingsBarb WalkerMay 26, 2014Charming Decor, Hatley Castle, Victoria Wedding, victoria wedding planner, Victoria Wedding PlanningComment

Freddie & Jeremy

A barge. A private Island. A Rabi flown in from Australia. Need I say more? The wedding of Freddie & Jeremy last summer, on a privately owned Island in East Sooke, was the definition of epic! Guests flew in from all around the world to spend the week with this lovely couple, and to party well into the night at their black tie affair. Being from England & Australia, Freddie & Jeremy really wanted to embrace the west coast, and the natural beauty of the Island, and with a setting like this, how can you not?!! They say it takes a village, but this wedding (in my mind) took a city of incredible vendors! Verbena Floral Design & her crew set up a mini floral studio on the Island, and blew everyone away with their floral creations! Nava Creative Kosher Cuisine and Side One (only THE best wedding band in BC) both made their way over from Vancouver and impressed everyone beyond belief! And a HUGE thanks to Ameris, for the incredible photos below, and for also being so much fun to hang out with on this wedding day!!

I am so happy that I was able to work with Freddie & Jeremy on their fairytale wedding, and still to do this day, get a huge smile on my face when I remember how incredible it felt to pull this one off! I wish nothing but the best for this incredible couple, and hope that our paths cross again in the future.

xo Barb

Real WeddingsBarb WalkerMay 16, 2014Ameris Photography, Side One, Verbena Floral Design, Victoria Wedding, victoria wedding planner, Victoria Wedding Planning Comments

The Weekend Roundup

Now that wedding season 2014 has officially begun, I am so excited to be starting a new weekly series, called The Weekend Roundup. A chance for me to share with you, a small glimpse into my weddings from the past weekend! And to kick it off, I spent this weekend at a Lawn Bowling Club....yes, that's right, a Lawn Bowling Club!! The place where they met as kids was the place where they said their i-do's, and I couldn't think of a more fitting place for Shannon & Steve's afternoon tea reception! And a HUGE thank you to Taylor Roades Photography, for these seriously AMAZING sneak peeks!! I can't wait to see the rest of them!!

Congratulations to the newlyweds! Laura & I had a blast being a part of your wedding!!

xo Barb

Real WeddingsBarb WalkerMay 12, 2014Lawn Bowling Wedding, Taylor Roades Photography, Victoria Wedding, victoria wedding planner, Victoria Wedding PlanningComment

Melissa & Sean

The story of Melissa & Sean's wedding is a good one (you might recognize Melissa from this party). 12 bridesmaids, champagne baths, a spontaneous dance party, white and gold (love!!), a stunning Bride & Groom, and most importantly, a LOT of heart. It can be best told, through these ridiculously amazing photos, courtesy of the ridiculously talented, Ameris. I have been dying to share these with everyone, and was thrilled to see their wedding featured on Wedding Bells last week. So before you loose yourself in the photo's below, let me tell you a bit more about this really special day...

I began working with Melissa & Sean almost 18 months before their wedding, back in the Spring of 2012. This power duo was after a wedding like no other, and placed a really strong emphasis on their guests and the coming together of their 2 wonderful families. Over the next year and a half, I loved getting to know them, their story, and being able to create a wedding that was perfect for them! From concept to execution, every part of the planning was just so much fun! And with a fantastic roster of vendors alongside us, the results were spectacular! Chocolate Lily Floral Design, Beauty & Style by Erin Bradley, Studio 745, Designer Weddings and Events, Passion for Cakes, and Melting Moments Catering, pulled out all the stops! And the talented team of iDo Productions created one of the best wedding videos I have seen to date! Definitely make sure to check it out at the end of this post.

Thank you, Melissa and Sean, for asking me to be a part of such a big part of your life! I am blown away with your kindness, generosity, and love for each other. I can't wait to see what is next for the 2 of you!!