Tofino Weddings

by Jan Brubacher, Tofino

There is something about the wide expanse of sandy beaches and rolling surf that inspires romance in the hearts of lovers. It is no wonder that brides and grooms arrive in Tofino in great numbers to exchange vows and celebrate love in this landscape of beach, old growth forests, and raw wilderness.

And out of this wild landscape has emerged a plethora of services that pamper and fulfill desires and whims. From spa treatments to luxury rooms to fine dining – and lots of special extras for that wedding day. Tofino is a perfect host to wedding parties of all sizes and styles. From the elaborate weddings that some of the larger resorts host to the simple wedding on the beach and a night in one of the local B&B's.

I spoke with one couple who were married in late February at Long Beach Lodge in Tofino. What they were looking for was a relaxed, informal setting where they could have an intimate wedding with a few family members. "It is such a special place… it is good to visit with people over a longer period of time, something you don't get with a traditional large wedding." This couple wanted a beach wedding but it was too wet and cold so the ceremony took place inside in the Great Room were they had a panoramic backdrop of rolling surf.

What about the rain? A Spring wedding on the beach is a lovely thought, but for the rain. This might be the only deterrent in this grand picture of westcoast weddings. And what could be more westcoast than rain? The muted tones of sandy beaches meeting soft green gray water and frothy white surf meeting blue gray sky. A bride in white lace walking barefoot by the ocean hand in hand with her beloved. Both soaking up love and that light wet spring rain. Romantic—n'est pas? In truth it is all cold and wet—but thankfully there are many lovely indoor venues available as a backup to that rainy beach. And regardless of the weather there are ways to grasp a moment for a photo opportunity with that incredibly stunning beachy backdrop or a quick stroll under the canopy of old growth forest.

So were does a couple begin in this grand scheme? Find a place to stay and most resorts and B&B's offer useful information for help in planning that special day and offer alternate spaces for the wedding ceremony to take place in the event of rain. There is a wedding planner in Ucluelet. And the internet has lots of helpful information—check out the Tofinotime website!

 

Here are a few of those special extras that make a wedding in Tofino glow:

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Flowers for the bride

A bouquet of trailing ivy, bear grass, cascading orchids and pale blue florets from a Hydrangea, all hand-tied with a pale blue ribbon.

Camilla Thorogood of Crabapple Floral Design does flower arranging for special occasions and is particularly well set up for providing a westcoast atmosphere for weddings. She has twig stands that hold flower arrangements for the beach and is commissioning an alderwood gazebo to be made by Vargas Dan. And, more than just flowers, she has set the stage with candles in the sand and has even made a path of shells for the bride to walk down.

Camilla gets flowers from various sources: she orders some in, picks from her garden and on occasion calls up a friend to see if they may have a particular shade of flower. She adds herbs and forages for salal, bear grass and such to bring a westcoast feeling to her arrangements. Crabapple Floral Design: 725-2911.

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Truffles for the Wedding Party

Chocolate hearts filled with strawberry cream, nestled in a small box and tied with a ribbon.

Gordon Austin of Chocolate Tofino makes delicious chocolate truffles, wedding cakes, and cake toppers crafted from chocolate. He specializes in chocolate art: "If you want it in chocolate, I can pretty much do anything." And he can —wood grain, seashells, salal leaves, hummingbirds and more. His focus is on westcoast themes.

For wedding favours Chocolate Tofino offers specially packaged truffles, custom made with many styles and flavours to choose from: hearts, leaves, starfish; wildflower honey, strawberry cream, raspberry cream and more! A label on the box

Recently he and his partner Leah have opened a retail spot in the same building as The Lounge Collection and Tofino Massage Works. Open from 11am to 6 pm for all your chocolate desires! Chocolate Tofino: 725-2594

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Recording the Event for Posterity.

Black and White photos for the photo album and digital video for friends and family.

Aperture Overtures.

Marilyn McEwen offers photographic coverage of the event with a medium-format camera to ensure superb quality enlargements, in colour or black and white, or a combination of the two. Some print alternatives available for you to order include sepia toned black and white (the old fashioned "antique" look), hand-coloured black and white (objects such as flowers are selectively coloured, leaving the rest of the image b&w), and enlargements printed on canvas. We also offer cards with the photo of your choice, for thankyou's or announcements. Aperture Overtures: 726-2762.

Vesta Productions.

Jan Brubacher offers digital video coverage and full non-linear, computer editing of the day's events giving a moving memento that captures the humour, spontaneity and feeling of the wedding day. Choose simple video coverage or stock footage of the area edited into a final tape. Many extras are available from video shorts for the wedding website to a dvd combining video clips with stills resulting in a layered treasure box of memories. Whether it is impromptu or planned your wedding will be captured in style. Various packages are available. Call VestaProductions: 725-8183.