A Boho Forest Wedding In British Columbia

Canadian Chantal met Alison, who is British, in the HR department of a London casual dining restaurant, where both were employees. Their relationship began after a work trip had them seated next to each other on a plane ride, and the rest is history. When it came time to plan their wedding, Chantal and Alison chose to incorporate both their British and Canadian heritage in a colourful and vibrant celebration. "We used inspired prints from our favourite designer, House of Hackney," says Alison. "We wanted it to feel like our house in England, which is very colourful and a tad over the top."

Special touches were also included in the wedding ceremony, such as an aboriginal elder performing a traditional wedding song to represent Chantal’s family heritage and to pay homage to the reserve the venue was situated on. The ceremony was very personal, as the officiant Beth, from Young, Hip & Married, spoke to the brides' friends prior to the day to gather stories to better understand the couple.

Alison and Chantal wanted the wedding to feel “like David Bowie and Elton John had come together in the forest,” and requested florals that would suit their vision. "The small pineapples, moss and flowers made it all come together beautifully. It was a showstopper!" recalls Alison. To incorporate even more colour into the reception, the brides collected House of Hackney fabric for two years for the tablecloths and brought it from London, U.K. where they live. The lively prints made the perfect accompaniment to the elaborate florals, and added a whimsical feel to the venue.

As for favours, the brides opted for more personal touches to surprise their guests. "We personalized them to our day, stitching them while drinking tea and watching the telly," says Alison. "The leather label read “50 N & 122 W | A+C,” which represents the exact coordinates of the venue and our initials." Thanks to their sweet gesture, guests stayed warm in the B.C. forests throughout the evening's festivities.

Chantal Wilson and Alison Crook, August 18, 2018, Birken, British Columbia.
Photography courtesy of Melissa Baker of BAKEPHOTOGRAPHY.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Birken Lakeside Resort
Bridal gowns: Temperley London & Heritage Brides
Officiant: Young Hip and Married
Wedding planner: Gabriella Fleur 
Caterer: The Collective Kitchen
Flowers: Flowers and Jules
Music: Blame the Weekend