Gin Botanical Garden Party Styled Shoot

I had been dreaming of doing a styled shoot with Ivy Pearl, our converted horse trailer bar for months (possibly years!) and it was finally time. I was inspired to come up with a series of “spirit” styled shoots and since we launched our bar trailer in the spring, Gin was the obvious choice!

Our Bar Menu was gin-based cocktails. With signature cocktails, we always recommend serving no more than 3. We served:

• Elderflower Rose Gin Sour using Empress 1908 Gin (See recipe here)

• Classic G&T using Tempo Gin

• Jenn & Tonic (Jenn’s twist on the classic)

Hand Painted Fabric Bar Menu by Jaclyn

Creative Director of Tamp & Muddle Co. Photography by Bre Poole Photography

I put together a list of vendors I wanted to work with or have worked with previously and to my delight, everyone was stoked to join! They all loved the theme and you can’t ask for anything better than that!

Coordinating this was no small feat, but as an unofficial party planner, it was a challenge I was ready to take on.

I knew right from the get-go I wanted Events by Elle to provide decor and especially a lounge set up. Elle has beautiful taste and we had been communicating for several months about collaborating. She was thrilled to be a part of the shoot and recommended some photographers she’d like to work with. That’s how I found Bre. (Love this collaboration thing!)

We got a contract together and the date was set!

Decor by Events by Elle Photography by Bre Poole Photography

I’ve learned over my 18 year experience as an entrepreneur to delegate tasks that either don’t bring me joy, are stressful, or simply not my forte. I reached out to Stephanie from Simply Stone Events to be my Day of Coordinator, so the timing of everyone setting up was off my shoulders. I’m so glad she accepted because she absolutely rocked it!

Here she is with her assistant and Wine Maker of Cavallo Winery. We got to taste their Rose before it was released to the public!

Day of Coordinator: Simply Stone Events and Wine Maker of Cavallo Winery Photography by Bre Poole Photography

While we eagerly waited for great weather, we continued to plan and coordinate and here’s how it turned out:

vancouver & fraser valley event Vendors involved

Photography: Bre Poole Photography

Venue: Bloom Garden Weddings

Bars: Tamp & Muddle Co.

Bartender: Jenn & Tonic Bartending

Decor & Styling: Events by Elle

Day of Coordinator: Simply Stone Events

Charcuterie Grazing Table: Rustic Grazing

Glassware: Host Collection

Florals: Ethereal Flower Farm

Content Creation & BTS: Home Body Media Co

Five things to know if you are serving alcohol at your wedding

If you're planning to serve alcohol at your wedding, there are several important things you need to know to ensure that everything goes smoothly. From legal requirements to practical considerations, here are five essential things to keep in mind:

1. Check Local Laws and Regulations

Before you even begin planning your wedding, it's crucial to research local laws and regulations regarding alcohol service. Depending on your location, there may be restrictions on the types of alcohol you can serve, the hours during which you can serve it, and the licensing and insurance requirements you need to meet. Make sure you understand these regulations and factor them into your plans.

2. Hire a Professional Bartender or Caterer

Unless you're planning a very small and casual wedding, it's usually best to hire a professional bartender or catering company to handle alcohol service. Not only will they be experienced in serving large crowds, but they'll also have the necessary licenses, insurance, and equipment to ensure that everything is safe and legal. Additionally, they'll be able to help you choose the right types and amounts of alcohol to serve based on your budget and guest preferences.

3. Offer Non-Alcoholic Options

While alcohol is often a big part of wedding celebrations, it's important to remember that not everyone drinks or wants to drink. To be inclusive of all your guests, make sure you offer a variety of non-alcoholic options, such as soda, juice, and water. You could also consider serving mocktails or other creative alcohol-free drinks that everyone can enjoy.

4. Plan for Transportation and Accommodations

One of the biggest risks associated with alcohol service at weddings is drunk driving. To help mitigate this risk, consider arranging for transportation options for your guests, such as a shuttle or ride-sharing service. You could also offer accommodations for guests who need a place to stay overnight, such as booking a block of rooms at a nearby hotel.

5. Set Clear Limits and Expectations

Finally, it's important to set clear limits and expectations for alcohol service at your wedding. This includes things like establishing a last call time, providing plenty of food to help guests pace themselves, and designating someone to monitor guests' alcohol consumption and intervene if necessary. By setting these expectations upfront, you can help ensure that everyone has a fun and safe time at your wedding.

In summary, serving alcohol at a wedding can be a great way to celebrate, but it requires careful planning and consideration. By following these five tips, you can help ensure that your wedding is a memorable and enjoyable experience for all your guests.

Looking for a mobile bar and quality bartending? Let us know the details of your event, and we’ll send you a custom proposal!

6 Benefits of hiring a Wedding Planner

Our wedding guide continues with 6 BENEFITS OF HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER.

As a previous Bride, I do get the draw to plan your wedding yourself. However, there are some definite advantages to having a pro by your side. If you love planning parties and are a creative person, you can still have a large part in the planning process and leave some of the not so fun details to a wedding planner, or even just have a Day of Coordinator.

Here are some great reasons why hiring a planner for your wedding is the way to go:

1. You save time.

   Life is busy. Think of how much time you have now to get together with friends or dive into your favorite hobby. How much time do you have?

   If you’re like most people, there isn’t much left over after the daily needs are taken care of.

   From choosing the venue to organising suppliers, professional wedding planners take care of all the hard work, allowing you and your partner to focus on other things-like celebrating your engagement!

   
   
   Featured Wedding Planner: Events by Elle

   website: www.eventsbyelle.ca Instagram: @eventsbyelle
   

2. You profit from their connections

Likely you are not involved in the wedding industry, so you’re trying to sift through all the vendors. It can be overwhelming to know who to choose. There are a plethora of reputable wedding vendors in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, but knowing who the right fit is for you can end up costing you valuable time and funds.

Leave it up to the Planner who has worked with different vendors, developed relationships and can negotiate prices for you. They will know who fits with your vision the best, and be able to provide you a smooth sailing day.

Featured Wedding Planner: Sit Pretty Events

Website: www.sitprettyevents.com Instagram: @sitprettyevents

3. Details, details, details!

Inevitablly, there will be something you haven’t though of. A wedding planner makes sure that there is nothing overlooked. They take care of all the logistics such as scheduling, having backups in case things go wrong, handling everything down to the smallest detail, such as a spare hairpin. (Remember Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner??)

Featured Wedding Planner: Valley Weddings & Events

Website: www.valleyweddings.ca Instagram: @valleyweddings

4. To understand your vision and ensure it is created.

A wedding planner is dedicated to bring your vision to life. They will be your spokesperson for other suppliers, caterers, florists, bartenders, etc to make sure that what you dreamt of in your head is exactly (or better) what you see on your big day.

Featured Wedding Planner: Smitten Events

Website: www.smittenevents.ca Instagram: @smitten_events

5. Maximize your wedding budget in the best possible way

When a wedding planner is involved, you can be sure your money is being used in the best way possible to help your vision come true.

Their contacts from forming great working relationships allows them to not only know which supplier will be most efficient for your big day but also gives you the bonus of being able to attain discounts, and avoid making costly mistakes.

Featured Wedding Planner: Wednesday Wedding Co.

Website: https://wednesdayweddingco.com/ Instagram: @wednesdayweddingco

6. Stress-Free Wedding Day

On your big day, you'll feel great knowing that your planner is taking command of the venue and vendors, coordinating logistics, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly. If any issues arise during the ceremony or reception, they'll be the first one on the scene-and you won't need to worry about anything except enjoying your special day with loved ones.

Featured Wedding Planner: Above & Beyond Event Planning

Website: www.aboveandbeyondeventplanning.ca Instagram: @above.and.beyond.events

Now you know the benefits of hiring a wedding planner, scroll back up and check out the Vancouver and Fraser Valley Wedding Planners we think are gems in the wedding game!

Next up in our wedding guide: Caterers