Heather and Reid’s wedding felt like a deep breath of fresh alpine air. The golden foliage, snow-dusted peaks, and warm presence of loved ones created an atmosphere that felt both cinematic and deeply personal: from heartfelt vows shared in private to a mountaintop ceremony above the clouds. Their celebration at British Columbia’s Sea to Sky Gondola was exactly what they dreamed of—refined, outdoorsy, and rooted in everything they love about the West Coast.
Location: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
Style: Refined, Outdoorsy, Chic
Time of planning: 2 years
Number of guests: 75
Setting: Mountains, Gondola
Season: Fall
Heather and Reid met at a graduation party in eighth grade. Reid still remembers it as love at first sight. Heather remembers Reid singing “So Long, Goodbye” by Sum 41 on stage. Over time, their friendship grew into something more. They started dating in tenth grade, spent their university years navigating long-distance relationships, and eventually moved to Kingston, Ontario, together for graduate school and medical school. Reid proposed on a cross-country ski trip at sunset, in -30°C weather, with champagne and candles at their favorite lookout in Algonquin.
That blend of romance and nature, a little adventurous, a little poetic, set the tone for the wedding they would later plan together.
Planning & Location
After moving west, choosing a mountain venue felt like the most natural decision. They discovered the Sea to Sky Gondola on Instagram and, after seeing it in person, never looked back. Their vision for the day was “granola chic” — earthy and relaxed but elevated with thoughtful details. Petite Pearl Events took care of every detail with calm expertise, allowing Heather and Reid to focus on being present.
"We got married on October 12th, which is also the anniversary of Heather’s grandparents, great grandparents, and great-great grandparents!"
Wedding Day
Bridal Fashion
Heather wore the ‘Margot’ gown by Alyssa Kristin: a fitted off-the-shoulder silhouette that was both timeless and fresh. She added classic details like a row of buttons down the back and layered in texture with Christian Dior heels adorned in soft floral embroidery. Her pearl earrings were organically shaped, a subtle nod to the natural setting.
"I loved how the look came together."
The bridal bouquet by Flowers and Jules brought in the hues of the surrounding landscape: creams, blush, rust, and blue, with thistle and dahlias adding texture and depth. Her hair and makeup by LCC Wonderland completed the look with soft waves and a gentle glow.
Groom's Fashion
Reid chose a forest green wool suit from Harry Rosen with a few subtle twists: burnt orange buttons to match his signature glasses, a borrowed blue watch from his father, and “Sure” stitched under the collar — the exact word Heather used when he first asked her out in high school.
“It felt just like me,” shared the groom.
His boutonniere echoed Heather’s bouquet with thistle and small seasonal blooms. Reid wore a custom cologne they had created together during a workshop in Calgary.
First Look and a Legal Ceremony
In the quiet morning light, Heather and Reid shared a first look at their Airbnb, a moment made even more special by the glacier peeking out from behind the mountains. They also used this time to exchange their private vows and conduct their legal ceremony. Their moms served as witnesses, a symbolic and meaningful role for two women who had shaped their lives.
"It was so intimate, just the two of us with nobody else around. We highly recommend this to any other couple! Plus, you get to ugly cry where nobody can see you."
Framed by Nature
One of the standout moments of the day was the couple’s portrait session, beautifully captured by Revel Photography. From the riverside to the open decks overlooking endless forest and snow-capped peaks, each frame told its own story.
The lighting, the movement, and the color palette of the mountains came together with Azra’s styling to create images that felt editorial and emotive at once. The couple also took a ride in the gondola together before the ceremony — a quiet moment suspended above it all, just the two of them.
Second Ceremony
For the main ceremony, the guests gathered on a mountaintop deck, offering panoramic views that stretched across the horizon. The couple’s longtime friend, Stephen, officiated the same friend who had once convinced Reid to ask Heather out back in high school.
With personal stories, thoughtful reflections, and a poem by Mary Oliver, the ceremony felt intimate despite the grand setting. Heather and Reid exchanged their handwritten vows, with Reid’s brother holding their rings. “Our guests all said that Stephen did an incredible job as an officiant”, shared the couple.
"When the ceremony was over, we felt on top of the world! It went by super quickly, and we definitely blacked out a bit, but hearing the words that we were married and the cheers of all our friends and family was an incredible feeling."
Cocktail Hour with a View
As the ceremony ended, guests flowed into a cocktail hour overlooking the same dramatic vistas. They sipped Empress Gin & Tonics with dried grapefruit slices, dehydrated lovingly by Heather herself, and Boulevardiers, as the light shifted and the party began to unfold.
The relaxed energy of the cocktail hour carried into the evening, where laughter and conversation filled the crisp mountain air.
Sunset Moment
Before joining the reception, Heather and Reid took a few minutes alone to watch the sun dip behind the mountains. Standing on the deck, arms wrapped around each other, the golden light poured across the wood planks. It was one of those rare pauses where everything felt still.
"Our photographer, Azra, was great about telling us to just look out, enjoy the view, and take it in while she kept taking photos so it felt like we really got a lot out of our time."
Dinner & Decor
Inside the reception space, the design was intentionally understated. Floor-to-ceiling windows kept the forest and sky visible from every table. Petite Pearl Events kept the decor clean and cohesive with cream and green candles, wood accents, and loosely gathered florals from Flowers and Jules. The couple repurposed ceremony arrangements to keep things sustainable and seamless.
Guests sat down to a beautiful family-style dinner, and speeches flowed throughout the night. Each toast ended with a glass raised, keeping the celebration in motion. The couple shared their first dance to “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra—a moment that brought everyone in close. “We had taken some dance lessons, and I think we pulled it off pretty well! It was so much fun,” shared the bride.
The dance floor kicked off with ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and stayed full the rest of the night thanks to the curated sounds of Will Sea Music.
Nostalgia and Sweet Endings
There were so many memorable details, but a few stand out: a heart-shaped chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream from Hillcrest Bakery, a popcorn machine serving Heather’s favorite late-night snack, and a table of childhood treats like Dunkaroos and Ring Pops.
One of the most touching surprises came from Heather, who gifted Reid a journal she had secretly kept for eight years, documenting milestones and little moments since their fifth anniversary.
Every part of the day was layered with meaning, intention, and a touch of mountain magic. Heather and Reid carved out time for each other amid the celebration, trusted their vendor team fully, and stayed grounded in what mattered most. It showed in the smiles, the ease, and the joy that carried through the entire day.
Azra at Revel Photography captured the essence of it all: the quiet glances, the sweeping views, the joy of a dance floor packed with loved ones. These images will carry the memory of this day for decades to come.
Advice from the couple:
• Everyone says this, and it’s true — the day flies by! Delegate tasks to the people around you, and carve out as much time as you can to spend together. Take a few moments to pause and really take it all in — it’s tempting to keep running from one thing to the next.
PHOTOGRAPHER Revel Photography | PLANNER Petite Pearl Events | VENUE Sea to Sky Gondola | DRESS Alyssa Kristin | SHOES Christian Dior | MUA & HAIR LCC Wonderland | FLORIST Flowers and Jules | CAKE Hillcrest Bakery | DJ Will Sea Music | TRANSPORT Squamish Connector
