Lana McBride and Will Van Saane
May 19, 2018, Fraser River Lodge, Agassiz
Photography by Nadia Hung, nadiahungphotography.com
Lana and Will’s first date almost didn’t happen. Lana, a registered nurse, had come home exhausted from a 12-hour shift at the Chilliwack hospital and was thinking about cancelling. But her mother called to chat, learned what was going on and convinced Lana to go. “She gave me a lecture about how she raised me to follow through with my commitments,” Lana recalls. “Thank goodness for moms.”
Will decided to make it official a couple of years later on a weekend trip to Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in Oliver. “We went for a vineyard stroll,” says Lana. “Will had actually planned to have flowers delivered up there the next day, but [the ring] was burning a hole in his pocket, and on the stroll he ended up proposing.”
For the wedding, Lana decided she wanted to do everything herself, rather than hiring a planner. She had a vision and a venue in mind: Fraser River Lodge in Agassiz, at the foot of Mount Cheam, with the lodge’s herd of wild bison grazing in the distance. “Will and I are quite outdoorsy people,” she says. “I love that the bison are roaming around.” She knew she wanted decor that was “elegant, intimate and heavy on the florals,” with abundant greenery and timeless white blooms, accented with cream and dusty pink. To bring her verdant wishes to life, Lana brought in Carli Spielman of Wild Rabbit Flowers. Spielman delivered, with garlands of olive branches, eucalyptus, garden roses, anemones, peonies, ranunculus, pink-dipped kiwi leaves and more, laid lushly on nearly every surface.
After 14 months of planning, Will got to see the results of Lana’s hard work. “He said it was probably the happiest day of his life,” she says.
Photo by Nadia Hung
Photo by Nadia Hung
Delicate lace edged the neckline of Lana’s gown, purchased at RITUALS OF LOVE BRIDAL and designed by Dan Jones. TOWNLINE TAILORS custom-designed Will’s suit with a camouflage lining as a nod to his hunting hobby. The couple’s German shorthaired pointer Ruby was on hand to pose for photos. MONTANA'S BRIDAL HAIR took care of the bride's beautiful locks.
Photo by Nadia Hung
The couple said their vows in a simple ceremony, before 75 friends and family, under an arbour draped with fabric, cascading foliage and florals.
Photo by Nadia Hung
Dove grey bridesmaid’s dresses from PARK & FIFTH paired perfectly with bouquets of garden roses, ranunculus and peonies. A harpist played softly as the couple walked down the aisle.
Photo by Nadia Hung
A mantel swathed in greenery by WILD RABBIT FLOWERS highlighted a laser-cut wooden wreath of the couple’s initials. RINTZYLEE DESIGNS created the wreath, along with cake toppers and table numbers in the same style.
Photo by Nadia Hung
A floral chandelier loaded with blooms and anchored by white rope hung over tables lined with garlands. Olive branches graced linen napkins, which were tied by the bride and her mother with silk ribbon from STELLA WOLFE and placed on white filigree charger plates. Rather than using the venue’s furniture, the bride brought in rustic wooden tables and chairs to complement the organic feel of her decor, with runners of dusty-rose fabric that cascaded from the table ends.
Photo by Nadia Hung
Thicker garlands with extra blooms adorned the head table, with eucalyptus and-olive-branch wreaths marking the bride and groom’s chairs.
Photo by Nadia Hung
Photo by Nadia Hung
Monogrammed cookies from VANILLA BEAN HOMEBAKERY accompanied a two-tiered coconut and lemon cake by REDDY MADE CAKES.
Photo by Nadia Hung
As a tribute to Lana’s grandfather, who passed away two-and-a-half years before the ceremony, the outdoor seating included an empty memorial chair, next to her grandmother, with a photo, wooden angel wings and garland.
Photo by Nadia Hung
For the main meal, the couple served a buffet of barbecue-inspired gourmet comfort food, catered by FRASER RIVER LODGE, that included steak, chicken, salmon, mussels, corn on the cob and mac ’n’ cheese. A midnight hot dog bar, with all the fixings, ensured guests didn’t go hungry later on.
Photo by Nadia Hung