Thank you for this lovely submission, Robyn Fisher of SOS Special Occasion Services in British Colombia.
What was your inspiration behind this wedding/styled shoot?
This wedding/photoshoot happened at our local ski hill, Troll Resort. Troll Resort is the winter playground for our small community. The inspiration to do a photoshoot of the lodge “in her formal wear” was based on trying to draw attention to this big beautiful venue in the off-season. Normally there are multiple long black floor runners that act as tread for those in ski boots. The logs are often polka-dotted in neon paper signage. The lodge is never seen in this manner, it was a huge hit!
What elements influenced the colour palette that was chosen?
Both colour palettes were chosen by the brides. The 1st in wildflowers picked the morning of the wedding off the mountain. The 2nd wedding was done in Sunflowers that were gifted from a nearby garlic farm!
What is the feeling that you wanted to invoke with this wedding/photoshoot?
I wanted this venue to feel clean, simple, warm and welcoming. I wanted our community to see that they have options for their weddings, reunions and get-togethers.
What were some of the special or unique touches and elements that you included in this wedding/photoshoot?
Big answer. The ceiling drape, lighting, flower arrangements, vintage vases, backdrop, table settings, cedar octagon arbour, arbour flowers, ceremony seating and signage all belong to SOS Special Occasion Services, this is my event equipment rental business. My husband and I disassemble an old cabin on our property. We personally milled the logs, planed and sanded the edges and finished them to what they are today. The octagon arbour was constructed from rough cut cedar benches that needed repurposing.
Why did you select the venue?
I recommended this venue to my clients because it was offered for use to me by Hildur Sinclare, the owner. It was serendipitous really. I put it forward to two different brides after their chosen venue cancelled on them due to COVID -19. The wildflower couple were forced to change venues twice due to the COVID restrictions. Troll Resort really hit all the buttons despite being a backup. Camping, breakfast, mid-mountain ceremony site, bar, wood tables and benches, (no linens were needed).
Why did you select the Wedding Professionals that you chose to work on this wedding/photoshoot? On both wedding days, the couples had their own hired photographer and I had mine. I have always had a hard time getting the photos I needed for advertising if I didn’t take them myself. Andrea Abercrombie took the photos of the wildflower wedding and Janelle Zacharias of Wild Darling photography took the photos of the sunflower wedding. I had worked two previous weddings with Janelle and I know Andrea personally. I often hire her to help with setup. As far as the decor goes, this is my main business. Usually, couples approach me looking for rental equipment, having all to most of their vendors lined up.
Since finishing the WIPC course I have been able to offer the Month of Coordination services. I have tackled one full Wedding coordination (the wildflower wedding) as a gift and have recently been hired for a second, due to take place this coming October… Covid permitting.
I do find it hard to determine what my role is. My focus is on the equipment and design with some coordination attributes. I can see how I will have to depend highly on my team when both services are required! Oh boy.
What was the biggest challenge you faced creating this wedding/editorial styled shoot? How did you overcome it?
This is a tricky question. I don’t feel this was a challenge, it just took me a ton of time. I showed up every day for a week prior to the wedding to wash logs, hang drapes, mop floors, clean bathrooms and find a ceremony site on the mountain, (which I personally mowed by hand).
It’s hard to explain just what my role is… my main business is wedding design and equipment. I offered the planning part to those who need it. The wildflower bride Jessy needed it. She grew up in Quesnel but she and her husband-to-be were living 7 hrs away. Most of the planning and decision-making was done over the phone and through email. I built her bouquets, arranged her entire tea, including soup and chilli from Craig’s Table. I shopped and assembled Charcuterie boards for each table. I also glass etched every guest’s name onto mason jar mugs which acted as a place setting, their mug for the day and their take-home gift. It was brilliant. My team and I cleared and cleaned all the tables and the lodge when the tea was over.
Based on your experience, do you have any tips for planners or couples who are inspired by your wedding/photoshoot?
Due to the COVID -19 restrictions in place for BC at the time, we had to be a little creative when it came to table placement. We were limited to 6 people at a table, seating family groups together whenever possible. To keep guests from breathing in each other’s faces we only sat guests on one side of the table and staggered the tables into a stepped pyramid alignment having the head table as the base of the shape. The stepped pyramid formation was great as it allowed a clear uninterrupted view of the head table for EVERY guest and created a dance floor in the centre of the room for the traditional family dances.
Professionals
Andrea Abercrombie Quesnel Andrea is nothing short of amazing.
Wild Darling Janelle Zacharias was born and raised in Quesnel and has a family connection to the hill. We have worked a few of the same weddings in the past.
Craig’s Table I have worked at a number of weddings with Craig and Rebecca Sherstan and their team. Craig’s Table is often the caterer of choice for our small town. They specialize in Gluten-free meals and desserts.
Troll Ski Resort is a family-owned and operated ski hill 43km up BCs Barkerville Highway. The log buildings, tables and benches were handcrafted by Lars Fossburg and his family who immigrated from Norway in the late 1960s. Much of the styled buildings clearly have a Norgiegan flare. The Barkerville highway is the tail end of The Gold Rush Trail, a once goat trail through the mountains emerging into the small village of Wells BC and onto the historic ghost town of Barkerville, a booming mining town in the mid-1800s.
Kid Productions Not much to say about these guys other than they are fun and keep the party going. I’d work with them again.
Bliss Coffee Jass Sabawal and his team are a local go-to for Indian Cuisine. They also tackle a pretty amazing beef sirloin and garlic mashed potatoes. Jass is very easy to work with, welcoming and professional.
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