Rich Cozy Autumn Vibes at Stanley Park Pavilion

Posted January 1, 2025

DreamGroup planner Alexa Gayton was absolutely obsessed with everything about Shelby & Eric’s gorgeous Vancouver Wedding! The aesthetic and every thoughtful priority the couple had for their celebration was perfection. It all aligned so beautifully with my planning style, making the process not only seamless but incredibly rewarding. Shelby and I worked so well together, and her unique vision made this Rich Cozy Autumn Vibes at Stanley Park Pavilion wedding truly one-of-a-kind. One of the most memorable highlights was Shelby’s bold request for a clear-top tent in the middle of fall in Vancouver. She’s the first bride who has actually welcomed rain on her wedding day in hopes of creating a truly moody, cozy, quintessential fall atmosphere she dreamed of.

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As exquisitely captured by The Godards.

Shelby’s stunning dress was by Sarah Seven, wearable art indeed!

Makeup provided by Swank Makeup and Hair by Ramzie Mach.

When I first sat down for a consultation with Shelby and Eric, Shelby shared her vision for a vibrant, colorful wedding that embraced the rich, cozy vibes of fall. She wanted to incorporate a bold mix of burgundies, blues, reds, and pinks, creating a design that felt uniquely hers. Her ideas were outside the box and filled with creativity, which made me even more excited to dive into the planning process.

Shelby’s passion for color and her eye for details were so inspiring, and I knew that with the right approach, we could create something truly extraordinary. To help bring her vision to life, I reached out to Sarah from Beholden Event Design. Sarah is incredibly talented at taking big, bold ideas and refining them into a cohesive, breathtaking plan. Together, we collaborated to weave Shelby’s colorful palette and unique style into a design that felt polished yet personal.

What was the most successful part of the day?

The most successful part of the day was the seamless flow of events, from the timeline to the logistics of moving guests between multiple locations. The ceremony was held in the ballroom, followed by cocktail hour in the Tea Room, dinner in the tent, and then back to the ballroom, which we flipped for the after-party and dancing.

It was an ambitious plan, but through careful coordination and meticulous attention to detail, everything came together beautifully.

One of the more challenging aspects of the day was managing the band and DJ setups across multiple locations. The band had to move between two spaces, while the DJ required three separate setups. All within a heritage building with limited electrical capacity.

The result was a perfectly executed celebration that felt effortless to guests and allowed Shelby and Eric to fully enjoy their incredible wedding day without worrying about a thing.

Another standout element was the ceremony. I’ve never hosted a ceremony inside the ballroom at Stanley Park Pavilion before, but the setup was simply breathtaking. It was dramatic, elegant, and entirely unexpected. I recommended to Shelby to add draping in the back of the ballroom using rich burgundy velvet, which added a luxurious and dramatic focal point. Initially, I was hesitant about whether it might feel too over-the-top, but it turned out to be one of my favorite design choices of the entire wedding. The richness of the drape paired with the moody lighting made the ceremony space show stopping.

Shelby’s love for bows became a standout detail, adding an element of whimsy and sophistication that tied everything together beautifully. On the wedding day, all of our hard work paid off. The vibrant color palette of burgundies, blues, reds, and pinks worked harmoniously to create an atmosphere that was both bold and elegant. The richness of the colors paired perfectly with the fall season. Thoughtful details throughout the space added layers of personality and charm.

“This wedding taught me the importance of adaptability and detailed planning, especially when managing multiple locations and unpredictable weather. Coordinating the transitions between the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and after-party required a well-structured timeline and clear communication to keep everything running smoothly. I also learned a lot about temperature control in a tent during colder months—balancing warmth without overheating is something I’ll monitor more closely in the future.

Managing the technical setups for a band and DJ in a heritage venue with limited power reinforced how crucial it is to communicate thoroughly with vendors and test equipment in advance. Overall, this wedding showed me the value of preparation and teamwork. Even with challenges like rain and logistical hurdles, careful planning ensured a seamless and enjoyable day for the couple and their guests.” ~ Alexa

The tent choice was perfect—we positioned it to showcase the changing leaves and the rain cascading down the roof, creating a magical, intimate vibe. The weather played along perfectly! It stayed dry during the tent setup, but a big windstorm the night before left a sprinkle of leaves on the tent top. It looked like natural confetti, and when Shelby walked into the tent for the first time, she was overjoyed. That moment was unforgettable.

“We can’t begin to describe how perfect Alexa made our wedding day at Stanley Park Pavilion. From start to finish, she turned every wild dream and off the wall idea into the most incredible reality. Every detail felt like it was straight out of a dark fairytale (because Halloween). From the first meeting, Alexa was warm, attentive and deeply invested in bringing our vision to life. She really got to know us as a couple which made every choice feel personal and meaningful. She added so many beautiful details we’d never think up ourselves.

On the day itself, Alexa was a miracle worker — handling every detail seamlessly so that we could be in the moment and enjoy each other and our loved ones. She even pulled a bee stinger out of my ear before walking down the aisle! Everything was flawless and way better than we could have ever imagined. We can’t recommend DreamGroup enough. If you want a planner who will make you feel cared for, constantly at ease, and that you can trust to bring your vision to life, call them up (and ask for Alexa).

Thank you for making our day perfect in every way, Alexa – we’ll forever be grateful!”

~ Shelby + Eric

The perfect retro buttercream heart shaped cake prepared with love by Cassandra Cake Co.

Were there any issues/challenges that arose?

One of the biggest concerns leading up to Shelby and Eric’s wedding day was ensuring that the tent would be comfortable and warm enough for their guests, especially considering it was mid-fall in Vancouver. This wedding was a full destination wedding for Eric and Shelby, who came from Texas. Many of the guests traveled from California and other warmer parts of the United States.

With Vancouver’s chilly and unpredictable autumn weather, I wanted to make sure everyone felt cozy and comfortable throughout the evening. We opted for heaters in the tent to combat the cold. During the dinner, however, the heaters initially made the space a bit too warm. Given the cooler temperatures outside, this was unexpected. After some quick adjustments and fine-tuning of the thermostat, we were able to strike the perfect balance. The tent was made comfortable without feeling overwhelming.

It was a great reminder of how important it is to remain flexible and responsive to unexpected challenges.

Especially when working with outdoor spaces during colder months. This was my first time working with a tent in such a cold season. The experience was a valuable learning opportunity. It reminded me of the importance of planning for both extremes. Too cold and too warm —when dealing with temperature control in unique environments.

In the end, the tent not only kept everyone cozy but also added to the charm and intimacy of the day. The moody fall atmosphere Shelby envisioned came to life beautifully! The warm, inviting tent made it all the more special for her and Eric’s loved ones.

The talented Godards captured the day flawlessly, showcasing every intricate detail and special moment. Looking back at the photos, I’m in awe of how beautifully everything came together. Shelby and Eric’s wedding was a perfect celebration of their unique style, and it reminded me how exciting it is to work with clients who think outside the box and embrace their creativity. This wedding was truly unforgettable, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results!