A serene home-away-from-home remotely located in a natural, picturesque setting: The Brew Creek Centre.

Just an hour and a half from downtown Vancouver and about 20 minutes south of Whistler Village, The Brew Creek Centre is a very secluded venue ideal for intimate destination weddings or corporate retreats.

I had the pleasure of touring the entire property (which has a beautiful creek running right through the middle of it complete with small bridges to cross) with their wonderful staff. There are meeting areas to accommodate group gatherings, shared accommodations for 70 guests in four buildings and a main lodge that houses the dining and lounge area flanked by outdoor decks and a hot tub.

The 12-acre property has an endless selection of gorgeous outdoor areas perfect for outdoor summer wedding ceremonies. Whether you prefer your backdrop to be a stunning garden, trickling creek, charming pond or prefer to use some of the man-made structures such as wood archways or stone paths - all of the options are there.

For the winter months or “plan B’s” on rainy days, the venue has three different buildings which can be used for indoor gatherings or ceremonies. The Sacred Learning Space - a large, bright space with a glass ceiling and wood beams, the Bridge House - a cozier room with stone fireplace or the Main Lodge - dining room.

As mentioned, this venue is ideal for those looking for a “destination” haven even if you are as close as Vancouver. The venue has sleeping accommodation for up to 70 guests in shared and private rooms.

The various different guest accommodation buildings and rooms are tastefully and comfortably decorated. All of the buildings are within a two minute walk from each other and depending on which building you stay in, the size and capacity of the room varies. From two single beds or one double bed to a loft space with two separate sleeping areas to a stand alone private accommodation. But one thing remains the same; no matter which room you are in it will be without today’s biggest distractions - TV and telephone.

The Brew Creek Centre is committed to well being and has designed their venue to encourage guests to enjoy “time off” and each others’ company. A common kitchen area is located in the Guest House, a tea station in Brew North Reading Room and a kitchenette in Trapper’s Cabin - just like in a home, your bedroom is where you sleep and store your belongings and your kitchen and living room is where you gather to connect. In the summer, an outdoor deck with large BBQ and picnic tables is also available to use.

One very unique rule is that the guest accommodations and some of the lodges have a strict “no shoes allowed” policy. This is to sustain the longevity of their beautiful spaces. It shouldn’t really interfere with your use of the space if you look beyond simply informing guests to remove their shoes at the door. A rule for no shoes - my dream come true! Who loves wearing heels anyways?!

The Brew Creek Centre is committed to sustainable practices in all areas of their operations and actions. Every part of the venue is simply natural and beautiful.

For an overnight stay - up to 70 guests

For more information, please visit: www.thebrewcreekcentre.com

Enjoy! x

Happy, shiny, full of promise, New Year! We had an amazing 2011 and cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store for us. New couples, new love stories and new weddings to be a part of are certain to be a highlight! We want to start off 2012 right so what better way than to do a GIVEAWAY!

What are we giving away you might ask? Vasia Photography and I are partnering up to give away a stylized engagement or love photo shoot to one lucky couple! Perfect for an engaged couple looking to have some professional engagement photos taken or a couple that are madly in love and would like to finally have some great photos taken together as a keepsake.

Included: Wedding Planner, Jessica of Petite Pearl Events, to completely style + coordinate the shoot (theme/style to be determined based on your personalities + story) and a professional photographer, Vasia of Vasia Photography, to capture all that love. Professional hair and makeup is included as well! You will receive a disc with all images (high res + edited).

How might you enter the giveaway? A new year means new adventures, new goals, new challenges and new memories to be made. We want you to reflect on 2011 and share your most memorable moment with your significant other/fiance(e). Whether it’s a funny, mushy-gushy, close to home or far off on travels memory - we want to hear it! Do you know a couple that you think would be perfect for this? Get them to enter!

NOTE: ** photo shoot will take place in Vancouver, BC in May 2012 - winning couple must be available to be in Vancouver on date organized**

How to enter:

1. ‘Like’ Vasia Photography (Vasia Weddings) on Facebook here

2. ‘Like’ Petite Pearl Events on Facebook here

3. Email your story (100 words or less) + photo of you and your significant other from that memorable moment/day to: love@petitepearlevents.com

For more chances to win you can:

 - Share the contest on your own Facebook page, tagging both Vasia Weddings + Petite Pearl Events (2 extra entries)

- Tweet on Twitter: “I just entered to win a stylized engagement or love photo shoot from @vasiaweddings + @petite_pearl! Here’s how: http://on.fb.me/AAmqAP” (1 extra entry)

Good luck! ♥

The fine print:

The Contest Winner hereby acknowledges that they have granted permission for Vasia Photography + Petite Pearl Events to use the winners names, biographical information, and/or contest entry (including memorable moment story), in any media for any commercial or promotional purpose. Prizes are non-transferable and have no cash value. The contest will run daily from January 5th, 2012 to February 5th, 2012 11:55PM. Winner will be announced on February 14th, 2012. In the case that the winner is unavailable for any of the dates to choose from in May 2012, that winner forfeits their prize and a runner up will be selected.

I am so thrilled to have been awarded “Best New Vendor” at last night’s aislewalk 2012 wedding magazine launch party! This was an unexpected, wonderful surprise that made my night! Being in a position to be considered for this award just wouldn’t be possible without the amazing industry team mates, friends + clients who have supported me from the get-go - I owe each of you a huge thank you!!

Erin Gilmore, the talented editor in chief of aislewalk wedding magazine and owner of Erin Gilmore Photography threw one heck of an industry bash at the Shangri-La Hotel to reveal the 2012 issue of aislewalk. The evening was complete with signature cocktails, delicious appies, speeches, awards and of course the party wouldn’t have been complete without Photobooth Vancouver + SideOne Band!

It’s always great to reconnect with industry professionals in a setting other than a clients’ wedding day or via email. On wedding days, us “vendors” are more often than not rushing past each other to complete set up of separate aspects with little time to say hello let alone get to know or thank each other. We know we mean it but it’s nice to actually have an opportunity to say it in person while off the clock and spend time chatting over a glass of wine. Thank you Erin for throwing a fabulous party where we were able to do this!

In addition to reconnecting + meeting new friends, I had a great time hanging out with my fav wedding gals, Vasia of Vasia Weddings, Charrisse of Charrisse Mae Makeup Artistry, Lele of Le Soirees + Elsa of Elsa Corsi.

For the other well-deserving award recipients, if I didn’t get the chance to tell you last night - congratulations to each and every one of you!

♥

This space is great for those couples who are on the hunt for a ceremony location separate from their reception location. As one of The Chapels locations, the Celebration Pavilion is a very well managed, accommodating venue that provides couples with one of their awesome Marriage Officiants as well as a talented musician for their ceremony. Their Marriage Officiants are wonderful, know the space and definitely know weddings especially when it comes to tailoring their services to accommodate various needs.

Located in Queen Elizabeth Park at the highest elevation in the center of Vancouver, this venue provides gorgeous views of the city. The venue itself is a contemporary circular building with glass walls that retract on the backside. When weather permits, the walls can be opened creating a very bright, open space with a beautiful garden backdrop.

The Celebration Pavilion is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens which provides plenty of great spots for photos before or after the ceremony. Additional bonuses of this ceremony location are: rental includes silk flower arrangements which you can choose to use/not use, a separate bride’s room and your choice of grand piano, harp or violin for the ceremony music. There is also a large parking lot just a short distance from the venue which makes parking very accessible.

Seating for up to 125 people

For more information + photos, please visit: www.thechapels.ca

Enjoy! x

I figure I’d best to pay tribute to this wonderfully rustic venue in Victoria, BC since it played a key role in our most recent stylized shoot. Plus I’ve been thinking of it lately…I’m craving one of their tasting plates paired with their delicious organic ciders!

The Sea Cider Farm + Ciderhouse is located in Saanichton, just minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria Int’l Airport, Sidney and about 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. Several hotels + Victoria attractions including Butchart Gardens are just minutes away as well.

The venue + farm is very secluded which allows for a private reception of any kind. The Tasting Room (main floor) of the Ciderhouse looks out over their organic orchard with views of the ocean in the background and a small Mezzanine area provides additional space overlooking the Tasting Room. During the Spring, Summer + Fall months, a Marquis Tent is set up just steps away from the Ciderhouse on a flat clearing to accommodate larger events.

Two large, beautiful iron chandeliers adorn the high ceilings and add old century elegance to the room. The space is very open + neutral which accommodates almost any colour scheme.

CEREMONY

Up to 160 people (with standing room on the mezzanine)

RECEPTION

Winter - Up to 64 people (dining), 100 people (reception)

Spring, Summer + Fall (with Marquis Tent) - Up to 120 people (dining), 160 people (reception)

For more information on weddings at Sea Cider: http://www.seacider.ca/weddings-at-sea-cider/

For more information on corporate or private events at Sea Cider: http://www.seacider.ca/corporate-questionnaire/

Enjoy! x

Our vintage romance engagement shoot was also featured on Storyboard Wedding! See the full feature here.

Enjoy! x

Our Victoria, BC vintage romance stylized engagement session with Laine + Marty was featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs!

We have many talented vendors to thank for being a part of this: Kari from Eternal Reflections Photography, Vanessa from Verbena Floral Design, Laura from Laura Lavender Calligraphy + Illustration, Caroline from Caroline Calvert Couture, Jessica from Trove Vintage Rentals, Alida from Alida’s Gowns (who custom designed the dress for this shoot), Sharon from Sharon Rai Hair + Makeup Artistry as well as the team at the Sea Cider Farm + Ciderhouse for allowing us to use their gorgeous venue.

We will have more photos from this shoot to share soon!! See the full feature here.

Enjoy! x

“Jessica of Petite Pearl Events is a pleasure to work with in every way!!!  As an event planner, she is punctual, very organized, friendly & enthusiastic about her work! She organizes amazing events with every little beautiful detail taken care of… Highly recommended!!! :)”

- Laura Lavender Calligraphy + Illustration | www.lauralavender.com | @lauralavender

Thank you so much for the kind words Laura!! Can’t wait to work with you again soon! x