Taryn and Brad envisioned a wedding filled with creativity, unique touches, and vibrant colors. Their goal was to create a joyful celebration of love infused with contemporary flair and plenty of fun! Drawing inspiration from the stunning colors of a summer sunset, they transformed their VanDusen Botanical Garden wedding into a kaleidoscope of hues. Every aspect, from attire to flowers and decor, reflected the warmth and beauty of a summer evening sky.

Their enchanting outdoor ceremony was beneath a majestic willow tree, surrounded by natural beauty. Opting for simple decor that complemented the picturesque setting, they added vibrant, grounded floral arrangements to enhance the serene ambiance. Upon entering the reception, guests were greeted with a burst of confetti, setting the tone for a joyous celebration. Inside, meticulously curated tablescapes with color-blocked centerpieces added a touch of modern elegance to the festivities.

The couple poured their hearts into every detail, ensuring each aspect reflected their personalities and style. Their meticulous planning and personal touches resulted in a breathtaking celebration that perfectly captured their love. With the help of Junebug member Hennygraphy, every cherished moment was beautifully preserved in exquisite images. Scroll down to witness the magic of their special day unfold.

The Couple:

Taryn and Brad

The Wedding:

VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada

Embracing a Summer Sky Sunset Gradient Color Palette

Brad and I, both artists in our own right, were determined to make our wedding a blend of creativity, uniqueness, and, above all, fun! Taking cues from the mesmerizing colors of a summer sunset, shifting from warm oranges to soft purples with a touch of green, we knew we had found our inspiration. We wanted our celebration to radiate joy, so we decided on a color theme that would reflect the happiness of the occasion. We infused this gradient of colors into every detail of our wedding, from the attire to the decorations. Each bridesmaid embodied a different shade from the gradient, carrying matching bouquets, while the groomsmen coordinated with ties, pocket squares, and boutonnieres in complementary hues.

Personalized Touches at Their VanDusen Botanical Garden Wedding Ceremony

For our outdoor ceremony under the magnificent willow tree, we aimed for a minimalist approach to highlight the natural beauty around us. Our talented florist created stunning ground-level arrangements that perfectly matched our gradient color scheme, adding a pop of color to the setting. Personal touches were essential to us, so we wrote our own vows and worked closely with our officiant to design the entire ceremony, ensuring our unique story took center stage. As we entered and exited, bubbles and confetti filled the air, setting a joyful tone for the celebration. Our first dance beneath a giant disco ball marked the perfect end to a truly unforgettable day filled with love, laughter, and endless happiness.

Transforming the Reception Space into a Gradient of Hues

For our reception, we wanted to create a mesmerizing spectrum of color throughout the entire space. Each table was carefully adorned with matching napkins, candles, and candle holders, blending seamlessly from one hue to the next. The floral arrangements and bud vases were thoughtfully chosen to complement the color theme of each table, uniting everything in a beautifully intentional way. We kept the linens and chairs neutral white to ensure the colors popped, while black plates added a grounding touch to each place setting. Although incorporating so many vibrant elements felt daunting, meticulous planning and color mockups helped us strike the perfect balance and prevent clashing. When everything came together on the big day, it surpassed our wildest expectations. 

Tips for a Meaningful Wedding Experience

Our advice for couples starting their wedding planning journey is simple: stay focused on what truly matters to you both. Embrace the excitement and challenges that come your way, and always stay true to yourselves. Remember, your wedding is about celebrating your love with your closest family and friends. Create a day that reflects your bond and personalities and will be a success. We found it helpful to stay organized with a task board, like Trello, to avoid any last-minute surprises. Writing your own vows is a special touch that allows you to express your love uniquely and meaningfully, deepening the connection between you and your loved ones.

Why They Chose to Tie the Knot at the VanDusen Botanical Garden

For our wedding in July, we wanted to make the most of the beautiful summer weather by creating an indoor/outdoor atmosphere. Choosing a well-known tourist spot as our venue meant we could invite all our out-of-town guests to a special location. The botanical gardens provided a magical backdrop for our ceremony, while the indoor reception area was filled with natural light and had a modern charm. With a lovely patio, our guests could move around as they pleased. With its contemporary design and stunning views of the gardens through floor-to-ceiling windows, the reception venue allowed us to personalize the space exactly how we wanted. It was the perfect combination of indoor coziness and outdoor beauty, making our day truly unforgettable.

Personalized Perfection: Homemade Favors and Customized Newspapers

For our wedding favors, we wanted to give our guests something unique and heartfelt. We decided on two special gifts: a personalized wedding newspaper and homemade bean-to-bar dark chocolate bars. We poured our hearts into making each of the 95 chocolate bars from scratch, starting with roasting the cacao beans and carefully tempering the chocolate. To add a personal touch, we designed custom labels for each bar, using them as place cards for our guests. We also created our wedding newspapers at home, filling them with photos, fun facts about us, tips for visiting Vancouver, sweet messages from our parents, a cocktail hour drink menu, and even games like a crossword puzzle. It was a labor of love, and we were excited to share these meaningful keepsakes with our loved ones on our big day.

A VanDusen Botanical Garden Wedding Filled with Personal Touches

In the year leading up to our wedding, we got fully into DIY projects as an artist and a designer. We were surprised to count a total of 28! Some highlights include making 95 chocolate bars as unique place cards, hand-painting 85 concrete candle holders, and handling everything from save-the-dates to our wedding website. Adding personal touches like sparkly disco letters, a fancy gin cocktail with butterfly pea flowers, and a shiny welcome sign made the day extra special. I even sewed the sleeves for my dress and veil myself, adding delicate embroidered pearls. We ensured everything, even the napkins we ordered and dyed by hand, matched perfectly. One of our favorite DIY projects was creating our wedding bands. With Brad’s design skills, we worked together to craft the perfect rings, tweaking designs until they were just right. The final gold bands turned out stunning, representing our love and creativity.

Congratulations to Taryn and Brad on their VanDusen Botanical Garden wedding. A huge shoutout goes to Junebug member Hennygraphy for skillfully capturing every standout detail and heartfelt moment from start to finish. For more stunning celebrations to spark inspiration, be sure to explore her profile in our highly-vetted directory of the world’s top wedding photographers.

This wedding proves that colors and flowers can truly transform any celebration into something breathtaking. They add depth, texture, and vibrancy to every aspect of the wedding, from the ceremony to the reception. The result is an unforgettable experience that leaves a lasting impression on everyone who attends.