A Modern and Elegant Wedding in Canada With Personal Touches

Featured Members:

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Setting: Chapel Ceremony & Courtyard Reception
Wedding season: Fall
How long did the couple plan the event: 1 year
The number of guests: Under 100
Wedding theme/style: “Modern, elegant, fun, the perfect mix of the two of us!”

Hilary and Cameron are a stunning couple living in Vancouver. Cameron is a YouTuber, and Hilary is an Art Director. Hilary moved to Vancouver to be with her twin sister, while Cameron moved there for work. Their modern love story began with a Tinder date in November of 2018. Cameron surprised Hilary by inviting her to a Novo Amor concert, not realizing it was one of her favorite bands. They hit it off right away and dated for two years before Cameron proposed at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver.

Deciding to tie the knot sooner rather than later, they had a small ten-person wedding during the pandemic in March 2021. However, they planned a larger celebration with friends and family once restrictions were lifted. Since she was a little girl, Hilary had dreamed of styling the perfect wedding, and Cameron had always wanted to curate the ultimate dance party playlist. “Music, art, design, and fashion are some of the things we love most, and this wedding was a way to bring it all together in a way that perfectly represented us,” added the bride.

Hilary’s wedding look was truly special, beginning with a unique dress specially created for her by her sister: “My sister makes wedding dresses, so there was no question that she would be making mine when the day came. She goes by Relic Atelier on Instagram. Until a few weeks before the wedding, I had planned to wear the dress she made me for our pandemic wedding, but we kept sending each other pictures and style references, which kept both of us wanting to do more! So, after trying on a couple of dresses, draping some fabric, and pooling ideas, she was able to design and sew a brand new custom dress in the last weeks leading up to the wedding – and it was incredible. I still can’t stop thinking about that dress!”

For her makeup look, Hilary knew she wanted dewy skin and a more modern glow than traditional bridal makeup. She also desired a sleek updo reminiscent of a modern-day ballerina without any fussy curls. Finding the right makeup artist and hairstylist proved challenging, and she left it until the last minute. However, she ended up finding the perfect MUA and hairstylist Rio Translado, who made her feel glamorous and special on her big day.

Cameron opted for an updated version of his first suit for their wedding, but they chose a KidSuper suit for the reception. Colm, a favorite designer of Cam’s, crafted the suit, and upon seeing it, they knew it would be the perfect look for the reception – fun, fashionable, and truly aligned with Cameron’s style. In addition, the bowtie Cameron wore was made by Hilary’s sister, who also crafted the hat and shorts worn by their nephew, the flower boy.

The couple made a special choice for the ceremony venue: “For the venue, we knew we wanted to have a vow renewal ceremony in the same chapel we had our 10-person wedding in. It’s the church that both Cam and I attend and it’s been a very special place for us to establish community since living in Vancouver.”

The ceremony was heartwarming, with touching vows and a special, intimate atmosphere for Hilary, Cameron, and their beloved guests.

After the ceremony, there was a lively cocktail hour, during which the newlyweds received well wishes and enjoyed the company of their friends in a stunning setting.

The couple chose Meghan Hemstra as their photographer, and she captured stunning photos of the entire celebration, from the intimate ceremony at the church to beautiful portraits of the couple and their guests and the lively celebration and dancing. “I was obsessed with Meghan’s portfolio of work, and the minute Cam and I met Meghan, we knew she was perfect,” shared Hilary.

Hilary dreamed of a reception venue with tall glass windows, modernist architecture, and a garden party setting. When Celebration Hall & Courtyard came into view, it was perfect. After a quick viewing, the rest of the wedding details fell into place effortlessly.

Inspired by their shared Pinterest board and preferences, Hilary focused on baby blue and gold, reminiscing about a dress from Mary Poppins. The bridesmaids and groomsmen needed to incorporate the color combination and trendy chrome accents. After consulting with the florist, Yellow Oncidium orchids were selected. The vibrant yellow orchids in shiny chrome vessels at La Bobma sealed the decision for the wedding décor.

So many of the details felt unique and personal. Hilary illustrated postcards for the place settings, her brother and sister crafted cookies as wedding favors for each guest, and her mom made the cake. Additionally, her sister curated decor pieces for the table settings. These special touches made Cameron and Hilary’s wedding even more memorable.

After the reception, everyone hit the dance floor. Cameron’s thoughtfully selected music for the entire day and his mixed set for the dance. “Cam curated what has to be one of the best dance party playlists anyone has ever heard!” shared Hilary.

Advice from the couple:

• Make the day a mix of your and your partner’s favorite things—colors, music, and decor! Everything should reflect you, and it’s magical to see it all come together. It’s literally the best party of your life, so make it a party you’ll never forget.