If you’re looking for a unique site for your wedding ceremony and reception, consider the John MS Lecky UBC Boathouse on Richmond’s River Road. The facility, which opened in February 2007 to serve as an operations base for the Richmond Rowing & Paddling Centre, can accommodate a standing reception of 192 guests, and has sit-down facilities for 150. Weather permitting, ceremonies can be held outside on the dock of this floating boathouse, which sits on and grants spectacular views of the Fraser River. “We’re completely independent of the land, and 90 percent of our facility is windows, says Rena Varnes, boathouse coordinator. The boathouse, which is operated separately and does not share the policies of Cecil Greene Park House at UBC, has no galley fee for caterers and does not charge couples for bringing alcohol onto the premises. Info: www.ubcboathouse.com or call 604 247-2627.
Bisou: Bigger, Better
Bisou Bridal owner Colleen Karavidas and her new partner, Athena Cho, are pleased to announce their recent move from the Waterfall Building to a larger location at 440 W. 2nd Ave., Vancouver. Brides will still be surrounded by Bisou’s signature industrial elegant atmosphere as they peruse gowns from Monique Lhuillier, Lazaro, and Nicole Miller. Bisou Bridal is also offering gowns by Rosa Clara of Spain beginning in December. www.bisoubridal.com
Eating-On-The-Go
Keeping up your energy on your wedding day is important for all the activities going on. If you don’t have the time to pause and grab a quick bite, Soiree Designs offers Gourmet Boxes for Two, practical three-tier packages containing healthy, largely local, organic, and gourmet snacking treats that provide tasty energy on the go. Entrepreneurs Amy Williams and Sarah Morgan hand-picked yummy treats such as mini packages of Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps, Saltspring Island goat cheese, and Bumble Bee snack bars. “We also made sure that the items are all ‘dress-friendly,” says Amy, describing the easily consumable, bite-sized contents. When you’re done, the top tier contains an “emergency kit” which includes moist towelettes, breath fresheners and a stain removal stick, just in case you drop a few crumbs on your outfit.
Prices and contents vary and delivery is available. For more info: www.soireedesigns.com.
I Do My Way
Not everyone wants a three-tier wedding cake or the groom to wear a black tux. Find some inspiring alternatives at Indie I Do, a new wedding show mixing the traditional with the not-so-much. Taking place on January 17, 2009 at hipster central Heritage Hall on Main Street, this show promises fresh and edgy wedding ideas. For more information or for tickets, contact Miranda Lievers: 604 605-1272, miranda@blueolive
photography.com, or visit
www.indieido.com.Luxury Loos
If you’re having a destination wedding and want to give your guests easier access to the washroom, you’ll be glad to know there’s a luxury alternative to the dreaded porta-potty. Abbotsford-based Sunshine Washroom Rentals offers deluxe flush portable toilets with sinks, warm running water, soap, paper towels and heat or air conditioning depending on the weather.
“Our mobile washrooms have marble countertops, mirrors and no scary dark holes,” says Amy Green, spokesperson for the company. “If you’re having a backyard or outdoor wedding, overuse of your septic system is a real concern.
We can drop off and set up a fully stocked, cleaned and ready-to-use washroom trailer the day before your wedding, and pick it up the day after. That means the last thing you have to worry about on your wedding is the washroom.”
Depending on the number of guests at the wedding, couples can choose a two- or three-unit trailer, and the company services all areas of British Columbia.
Info: www.sunrisewashroomrentals.com; 1 800 337-8399.
Peace of Mind: Wedding Insurance
Planning a wedding involves many elements that in the end, should all work together to create your perfect day. Just in case anything goes awry, there’s wedding insurance to provide you with some peace of mind. Among other things, wedding insurance covers you for vendors you’ve enlisted, for accidental injury during the period of insurance, and for damage or loss of such things as the rings or attire. “It’s quite a quick process to apply and depending on how many people are involved, plans are usually in the $500.00 range,” says Lindsay Decraene of Yaletown Insurance in Vancouver. To contact Yaletown Insurance or find other agencies in the Lower Mainland who offer this service, go to www.yaletowninsurancebc.ca.
Fake the Cake
Maybe you don’t like cake or you’d rather have a dessert buffet. Maybe your venue includes sweet treats in their catering yet you’d still like to enjoy the tradition of cake-cutting. Why not fudge it with a beautifully decorated but non-edible fake cake. Cake designer Catherine Ross of Sugarfix Cakes is offering SugarFakes. These rentable or buyable cakes are decorated to suit your colour scheme and décor but only one tier is actually cake that can be cut into and eaten. The cost is minimal in comparison to a full edible cake. Contact SugarFix at 604 970-7077 or go to www.sugarfixcakes.com for more info.
The Gift of Travel
Uniglobe Geo Travel has recently launched its Online Honeymoon Gift Registry. Through this registry, guests can contribute financially to a couple’s honeymoon or in the form of special adventures. Horseback riding on the beach, scuba diving tours and parasailing are a few of the options.
Couples can sign up, view and update their honeymoon registry online at any time. To register, go to www.romantictravel.ca.
