2018 Vancouver Island Wedding Awards Gala
An amazing evening celebrating the best of Vancouver Island!
The 2018 Vancouver Island Wedding Awards Gala celebrated receiving more entries than ever before as well as selling out all event tickets. The 'Under the Sea' theme transformed the Songhees Wellness Centre and showcased the over 20 decor sponsors involved with the guidance of Emma McCormick (The Good Party), Sandy Long (Decorate Victoria) and Lynda Miller (Fleurtacious by Lynda Marie). A sea of blues and greens, a dramatic stage backdrop, tons of draping, hundreds of candles and balloons floating above as water bubbles made everyone's jaws drop upon entering!
The Industry Award Winners were a highlight as Ian and Sandy Long were shocked to hear their names announced. (A special shout out to Lynda and Steve who cased Sandy's office to 'borrow' photos of Huff & Puff's early years!) Erin Bradley, the 2017 winner, handed off the honor to the new recipients. Black Rock Oceanfront Resort awarded them with a trip as they have since the first Awards in 2013.
The 2019 Awards were marked by a huge growth in Volunteers and Sponsors - and it showed in the Swag Bags! The evening began with delicious hor d'ouerves by Toque Catering, Little Piggy Catering, The Wandering Mollusk , Truffles Catering and House of Boateng. Drinks were provided with style by Twist Victoria. Of course, guests were able to take photos together with Four Frames Photo Booth - a founding Awards Sponsor. The Awards themselves were lined up and all shiny - provided by The Bride's Closet, who also brought the lovely Awards girls!
The evening continued with dinner by the chefs at Songhees Wellness Centre while the din of conversation never stopped. The Awards began with the new President of the Vancouver Island Wedding Industry Association, Tamara Olson, thanking the previous president, Anne Pollock, for her work in setting up the new Board and creating the path forward. Beckie Ross, of Plan It Events, provided coordination as Kelsey Goodwin and Jon-Mark Wiltshire took to the stage. These two hosts provided the fun and the serious as they went through the first half of the evening's Awards.
Desserts were showcased from Schur to Please, Alison Shelrud Cake Design, Marvellous Cakes and Bon Macaroon provided a custom made goodie on every plate to match the amazing program designed by Amanda of Tickle Tree Stationery + Design.
Tegan McMartin could be seen with her camera all night as she was the evening's official Photographer. Along side her WholeHearted Productions were filming all of the action.
The Photography portion of the Awards was emceed by James Green culminating in the After Party hosted by Ron Larson of Hi-Way Productions. He organized Revelry Photo Booth and live band The Midnights which lasted til the wee hours of the morning.
