My Love Has Come Along at Hycroft

Posted April 11, 2025

A Glamorous 1920s-Inspired Wedding at Hycroft Manor

When Crystal and Phil first connected with DreamGroup planner Alexa Gayton, they made one thing clear—they weren’t interested in a traditional, cookie-cutter wedding. Instead, they dreamed of creating a non-traditional wedding experience filled with fun, flair, and unexpected moments that would truly surprise and delight their guests.

As their planning conversations unfolded and they toured the iconic Hycroft Manor in Vancouver, it quickly became evident that the couple shared a deep love for the elegance and drama of the Roaring Twenties. Naturally, a Great Gatsby-inspired wedding theme began to take shape, blending vintage charm with modern sophistication. Now, travel back in time as we unveil the story of Crystal and Phil’s unforgettable celebration—“My Love Has Come Along at Hycroft”—captured beautifully by Lumina Weddings and Events.

Crystal and Phil Wedding

Three generations of beautiful women captured as Crystal poses with her Mom and daughter. Hair & Makeup by Caked by Fe.

Crystal and Phil Wedding

Meanwhile, Phil looked ever so dapper—perfectly poised and ready to be married!

Crystal and Phil Wedding

A Great Gatsby-Inspired Wedding at Hycroft Mansion: Elegant, Entertaining, and Unforgettable

Crystal and Phil’s vision for their Great Gatsby-themed wedding was clear from the start. Thy wanted all the glamour and sophistication of the Roaring Twenties, without tipping into anything overly theatrical or costume-like. With a generous budget and a desire for timeless elegance, I assembled an incredible team of luxury wedding vendors who could execute this theme with style and subtlety.

The result was a stunning 1920s-inspired wedding that perfectly balanced opulence and fun. From start to finish, the experience was thoughtfully curated to impress guests without ever feeling overdone or gimmicky.

To keep guests entertained and engaged throughout the night, we incorporated a range of unique and stylish elements. To kick off the evening and set the tone, the incredibly talented Nikita Afonso performed live during guest arrival—creating an inviting and classy atmosphere. As guests arrived at the iconic Hycroft Mansion in Vancouver, they were greeted with trays of chilled champagne, offering a luxurious first impression. They mingled, explored the elegant interiors of the mansion, and soaked in the ambiance before taking their seats for the ceremony.

The overall theme for the wedding was inspired by the glamour and sophistication of the 1920s Great Gatsby era. We wanted to subtly introduce the theme from the moment guests arrived and gradually build up as the evening progressed. The ceremony was elegant and timeless, featuring mostly white draping and lush white florals accented with pops of greenery.

A white ceremony platform embellished with custom vinyl lettering read, “My love has come along” — lyrics from “At Last” by Etta James. This was the song that Crystal chose for her walk down the aisle. This touch added a romantic and personalized element to the ceremony.

Crystal and Phil Wedding

Stunning bar from Bespoke Decor and show-stopping florals by Flower Factory.

As with many great love stories, a little unpredictability added to the magic. Although the original plan was to host the ceremony in the lush garden, Mother Nature had other ideas. Due to an unexpected rain shower, we had to quickly pivot. Fortunately, the terrace offered a beautiful alternative. In fact, with its grand pillars and sweeping views, it provided a dramatic and breathtaking backdrop that elevated the entire ceremony. Looking back, the change was truly a blessing in disguise—proving once again that sometimes, the best moments are the ones we didn’t plan for.

Crystal and Phil Wedding

Shawn from Young, Hip & Married offered the perfect level of brevity and charm for Crystal & Phil’s vow exchange.

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to a lovely cocktail hour in the drawing room, where Nikita Afonso continued to entertain guests. The infamous The Near and Dear portrait station was on hand, offering guests the opportunity to capture exquisite portraits with friends and loved ones.

Emerald Green Elegance: A Cohesive Cocktail Hour Experience

As the celebration moved seamlessly into the cocktail hour, guests were welcomed by cocktail tables dressed in luxurious emerald green velvet linens—a thoughtful design choice that echoed the speakeasy-inspired after-party decor to come. This intentional use of color created a beautifully cohesive aesthetic, tying the evening together from start to finish.

Meanwhile, the bar was strategically set up in Hycroft’s signature green-tiled room, which perfectly complemented the event’s Gatsby-era theme. To elevate the space further, dramatic asymmetrical floral arrangements by Flower Factory added texture and visual interest, with cascading blooms that captured both drama and romance.

In addition, the seating chart made a bold statement. Displayed across three large gold Casbah stands of varying heights, the romantic lyrics “For you are mine at last” added a personal and lyrical touch to the decor—blending sentiment with sophistication.

The vintage Bentley from Luxury Life Limousine added a perfect touch!

After the ceremony, the terrace was transformed into the dinner reception. Each table featured Art Deco-inspired charger plates, green velvet napkins, and custom menus and place cards featuring gold tassels, all of which added to the overall feel of the day. To incorporate some black elements from the Art Deco era, we used gold candleholders with black tapered candles, which added contrast to the table settings. Koncept’s gold fanfare chairs were the perfect final touch, completing the luxurious and sophisticated dinner setup.

Crystal and Phil Wedding

Beautiful gold chairs provided by Koncept Event Design.

A decadent 3-course plated dinner was served on the terrace while friends and family shared beautiful memories and anecdotes of the couple. Menus + stationery by Violet Grey Creative.

Exquisite themed cake created by Cake by Annie.

After dinner, Crystal and Phil took to the grand foyer for their first dance. From the beginning, Crystal expressed a desire to feel like she was dancing on a cloud. Michael of About Town Entertainment arranged for a fog machine to create a dreamy, cloud-like effect as they danced. The moment was pure magic, and it perfectly captured the romantic atmosphere Crystal had envisioned for her first dance.

Following their first dance, Crystal made a quick change into her second dress of the evening. This change up added an element of surprise and glamour to the night. I positioned her and Phil for a dramatic re-entry on the top of the grand staircase.

To elevate the party atmosphere we hired dancers from Obsidian Arts to dress as flappers! They performed a choreographed fan dance with feather fans, setting the stage for Crystal and Phil’s grand reveal of their outfit change. Following the formal festivities, the couple led their guests downstairs to discover a surprise speakeasy tucked within the mansion’s elegant ballroom.

The speakeasy was kept a secret all night, thanks to Scotty, our awesome “Speakeasy Bouncer”. The reveal was exactly what I had envisioned. The looks of amazement and delight on the guests’ faces were priceless as they were led down the stairs by the dancers into our hidden lounge, designed by Bespoke Decor to perfectly capture the feel of a 1920s speakeasy.

Obsidian Arts dancers dressed to perfection in 1920s flapper style!

A Speakeasy-Inspired After-Party to Complete the Gatsby Experience

To further define the Great Gatsby wedding theme, the celebration continued with a dramatic after-party in the downstairs speakeasy lounge. As guests descended into the moody lower-level space, they were enveloped by emerald green velvet drapery, setting the tone for a dark, romantic, and immersive experience.

In addition to the rich textures, the space featured four inviting lounge areas—perfect for relaxing between dance breaks. The Art Deco-inspired dance floor, custom-designed by Luxury Floor Wraps, added the perfect geometric flair that tied the era-specific aesthetic together flawlessly.

From start to finish, every detail of Crystal and Phil’s wedding was thoughtfully curated and meticulously executed. Seeing the vision we had spent months designing come to life on their wedding day was truly magical—an unforgettable moment that highlighted the power of intentional and luxurious wedding planning.

The Speakeasy was the perfect spot to enjoy dancing, drinks, and portraits with the Near and Dear. The evening concluded with a party bus from Boss Limousine transporting guests to an after-party at Mansion Nightclub. From the glamorous decor to the captivating entertainment, Crystal and Phil’s wedding was an unforgettable celebration. Combining sophistication with the unexpected, making it an event that their guests will talk about for years to come.

What was the most successful part of the day?

The most rewarding aspect of the day was definitely seeing the vision I had meticulously planned come to life. From the very beginning, I had envisioned every moment, planned out every detail, and carefully considered all the logistics and vendor coordination necessary to execute each element of the day. Every touchpoint, from the décor and ambiance to the flow of events, was carefully curated to create a seamless and unforgettable experience for Crystal and Phil and their guests.

While we faced the unexpected challenge of the weather, which required us to pivot quickly and adapt our plans, everything else unfolded exactly as I had hoped. A smooth day with an atmosphere filled with joy, elegance, and excitement. Just as I intended. I could not have achieved this level of success without the incredible support of my DreamGroup team and talented vendors involved. Their professionalism and hard work invested brought every detail to life and made the day a huge success.

What did you learn?

With every wedding I support I find myself learning valuable lessons that shape future planning. Each experience has takeaways that help me grow as a planner and adapt to new challenges. This particular wedding was a learning experience. It tested my ability to manage a highly complex, logistically demanding wedding with lots of moving parts. It required a high level of coordination, attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate and navigate unexpected challenges. Successfully pulling off this wedding proved I can handle complex expectations. I can’t wait for the next one!