“The story of Malissa and Fraser began at a faith-based summer camp on Anvil Island, 13 years before they knew they would say ‘I Do!’ They continued to attend the bible camp each year and kept in touch throughout that time with lots of mutual friends. When their lives intersected again during the pandemic, it was finally the perfect time to come together as more than friends. He proposed just 6 months after they began dating on Crescent Beach at golden hour, the same spot where they had their first official date, with a gorgeous custom-made diamond ring he designed. Malissa is a wedding planner and had worked in the events industry for 10 years. She had worked at one of the most successful wedding planning company in Vancouver (DreamGroup Productions), and was eager to plan her dream wedding despite the challenges and uncertainty that the pandemic provided. Her wedding consisted of her favorite industry colleagues and her network coming together to support them and make her vision of an autumn wedding a reality. With several family and friends they wanted to celebrate with, they were inhibited by the current capacity restrictions on weddings. So they planned a two-day celebration in their parent’s backyard, inviting their favourite people to a special wedding celebration complete with live band, catering, desserts, and lawn games. However, things did not turn out exactly as planned for the wedding day itself. Their original wedding ceremony was booked at Canadian Memorial Church, with the reception to take place at Shaughnessy Restaurant at VanDusen Botanical Gardens. With 6 weeks prior to the wedding, the provincial restrictions changed, resulting in a last-minute decision to move the wedding to a new location at Bos Estate Vineyard in order to celebrate with their 70 guests. Malissa replanned an outdoor wedding in a different city and different venue in 5 weeks. While their dream of getting married in a cathedral was no longer possible, she recreated a similar, more intimate atmosphere with a clear-top tent complete with a white aisle runner, crystal chandeliers, ceiling draping, and greenery. The forecast also had autumn showers in store for their wedding day in October, so they decided to keep the ceremony under the tent but move the reception under the covered area along the house the day before the wedding. The rain did not tamper their spirits! Although wet, the couple felt it encompassed their westcoast romantic vibe even better and contributed to a unique atmosphere. They saw the rain as yet another challenge that would not take their special day away from them. The day was perfect and had several customized details and personal touches. Before leaving for the venue, Malissa did a first look with her father at her parent’s house and met by her dad’s classic car, an award-winning 1941 Willys Coupe, that he built himself and took her to car shows when she was a young girl. Her best friend, graphic designer and her business partner, created a custom stationery set and brand for their wedding that was weaved throughout the details of the day. Her mother-in-law custom made the four flower girl dresses for her nieces, with burgundy tulle and ivory lace, complete with flower crowns of baby’s breath. The ceremony was emotional and included a string quartet, live worship, communion, and personal vows from the couple. Dahlias, her favourite flower, were incorporated into the bouquets and ceremony floral arrangements. Her cape with Italian lace embroidery was displayed dramatically out on the wet pavement, causing it to glisten even more brightly. For their first dance, the couple were surrounded by sparklers as their friend performed a version of “Dads & Daughters,” by MaRynn Taylor on the piano for the father-daughter dance. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room! The couple was transported to The Fairmont Pacific Rim and then enjoyed a honeymoon to Croatia for two weeks for some much needed R&R. Although her dress became very dirty and waterlogged after the wedding, her mother was able to clean it until it sparkled white again!”
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