Hatley Castle ~ A West Coast Destination Wedding Celebration

Destination weddings are proving quite popular as of late, especially for the DreamGroup Planners who have found ourselves supporting many beautiful celebrations beyond our typical Vancouver borders.  Planner Bonnie Wong recently ventured to sunny Vancouver Island on a hot summer August weekend to bring to life the most incredible destination wedding experience for clients Mandy and Richard.  Enjoy this romantic recap of the joy and adventures as Bonnie shares her story of this Hatley Castle ~ A West Coast Destination Wedding Celebration with photos and film by Nadia Hung Photography.  Click here to enjoy the beautiful highlight film of the wedding day!

I love working with out-of-town couples who have a close connection with Vancouver. So many of them want to show off just how beautiful the West Coast is.  The ocean, the mountains, the lush greenery — and I never tire of helping them do exactly that.

Mandy grew up in Vancouver before moving to the East Coast. She has deep roots here, with family still in the city, so when it came time to plan the wedding, it felt natural to come back “home” to tie the knot.

Their Hatley Castle wedding on Vancouver Island became the perfect way to honour their love story, their families, and their shared connection to the West Coast.

From Vancouver to Vancouver Island: Finding the Perfect Castle Wedding Venue

Mandy & Richard placed complete trust in the planning process, design, and vendor recommendations, which made planning their wedding an absolute joy.

The venue search began in Vancouver and slowly expanded to include Vancouver Island and other beautiful locations within BC. Their vision was very clear… The wedding “must haves” were that it be timeless, elegant, and regal with a touch of modern.

After narrowing the options down to 2–3 venues that aligned with this aesthetic, Hatley Castle emerged as the one. Its iconic stone façade, manicured gardens, ocean views, and old-world grandeur checked every single box.

Here’s the fun fact:
Mandy and Richard never once visited the venue in person prior to their wedding weekend.  Their first time seeing it was the day before their wedding!  They trusted the process, the photos, and our shared vision — and it paid off beautifully.

With most of their guests traveling from the U.S. and Asia, their Hatley Castle wedding became a heartfelt destination celebration for everyone… including their beloved pup, Oatmeal, who played a starring role as ring bearer.

A New York City Love Story

Although their wedding took place on Vancouver Island, Mandy & Richard’s love story began in New York City in the fall of 2022.

What started as a connection in the heart of NYC quickly grew into something much deeper. Two years later, Richard proposed aboard a yacht — a romantic, cinematic moment on the water that earned an effortless “yes” from Mandy.

To honour the city where they fell in love, they enlisted Vancouver-based photographer Nadia Hung to fly to New York to capture their engagement photos. The result was an elevated “New York date night” vibe: romantic, chic, and authentically them.

Engagement Photo Gallery

These images beautifully bridged their New York chapter with their upcoming West Coast castle celebration.

Wedding Weekend kicks off with a Welcome Soirée at Rudi Restaurant

The wedding weekend officially kicked off with a welcome soirée at Rudi Restaurant. Guests from near and far were greeted with a warm, relaxed atmosphere — the perfect way to ease into the festivities.

Over cocktails and canapés, friends and family had the chance to mingle, reconnect, and settle into the rhythm of the weekend. This welcome event set the tone: intimate, intentional, and full of joy.

Mandy’s Hair & Makeup was provided by Carol Hung Makeup Artistry.

Wedding Morning at the Fairmont Empress & Tea Ceremony

On the wedding day, Mandy & Richard and their wedding party got ready at the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria. The Empress, with its historic charm and harbour views, offered a fitting prelude to the castle celebration to come.

Before heading to Hatley Castle, the couple honoured their heritage and family traditions with an intimate tea ceremony with their immediate family. It was a meaningful and emotional moment, layered with gratitude and respect, and it created a beautiful bridge between past, present, and future.

Ceremony in the Croquet Garden at Hatley Castle

Mandy and Richard exchanged vows in the croquet garden with Hatley Castle standing majestically behind them. The castle provided a breathtaking backdrop, while the garden offered a sense of intimacy and romance.

Their ceremony design featured a deconstructed floral arch by Folklore Floral, framing the couple in soft, romantic tones of:

• Sage
• Blush
• Almond
• Butter yellow

The florals felt like a dreamy, curated garden — organic yet intentional, elevated yet effortless. Oatmeal, their sweet pup, made his appearance as the ring bearer, delighting guests and adding an extra layer of personality to the ceremony.

Live Music by Cascadia Strings.

Golden Hour in the Italian Garden

After the “I dos,” the midsummer celebration flowed naturally into the adjacent Italian Garden for wedding party photos and dreamy golden hour portraits.

The sun dipped low, casting that perfect soft glow across the stone staircases, fountains, and manicured hedges. It was the ideal backdrop for:

• Romantic couple portraits
• Joyful wedding party shots
• Quiet in-between moments full of laughter and stolen glances

Throughout the celebration, Oatmeal popped up in the details as well — from custom stir sticks to napkins and signage. These touches, featuring their pup, added a playful and personal note to the otherwise regal setting.

A Floral Meadow & Romantic Wedding Cake

For the cake display, Folklore Floral created a floral meadow that looked as though it had simply grown around the cake table. The design incorporated their wedding palette of soft blush, almond, and butter yellow, beautifully echoing the ceremony flowers and overall aesthetic.

Nestled within this lush floral landscape was their all-white, two-tier wedding cake by Butter & Bloom.

The result was a cake moment that felt Romantic, Whimsical, and Perfectly integrated into the garden setting.

It wasn’t just a dessert — it was an intentional focal point that guests couldn’t stop admiring (and photographing!).

A Testimonial for the Wedding Planner

We had the absolute privilege of working with Bonnie Wong as our wedding planner, and we cannot recommend her highly enough. Our wedding at Hatley Castle could not have been more perfect, and it was all thanks to Bonnie’s dedication, expertise, and incredibly calm presence.

As someone who tends to be type A and detail-oriented, I usually find it hard to let go and trust others to execute my vision. But very early in our planning process, I was in awe of Bonnie’s ability to anticipate everything I was thinking. Every question I had, she had already thought of, had a thorough answer for, and even came back with well-considered options for us to choose from. From that moment on, I felt such peace of mind knowing that Bonnie truly had our backs.

Leading up to the big day, Bonnie was always just a message away – responsive, organized, and reassuring whenever last-minute questions popped up. I had always heard that wedding planning is stressful, but with Bonnie by our side, the process felt so much lighter and more grounded.

On our wedding day, Bonnie carried that same calm and poise, and it set the tone for the entire celebration. Everything flowed seamlessly, and so many of our guests remarked on how beautifully run the day was. Paired with her trilingualism (Cantonese, Mandarin, and English), Bonnie was an absolute force.  She managed every detail gracefully and making sure everyone felt included and cared for.

We are endlessly grateful to have found Bonnie.  If you are looking for a wedding planner who will go above and beyond to make your dream wedding a reality, she is the one.

~ Mandy Lam

Choreographed First Dance & Castle Reception

As golden hour reached its peak, the couple surprised their guests with a choreographed first dance on the castle terrace. With the stone walls of Hatley Castle as their backdrop and the summer sky overhead, the moment felt truly magical.

Afterwards, the celebration moved inside the castle, where DJ Chris Poynter took over and brought the party to life. Guests danced the night away within the historic halls, surrounded by architecture that felt straight out of a fairy tale.

The entire evening felt elegantly curated, deeply personal, with a joyful high-energy! Everything Mandy & Richard had hoped for — and more.

Florals by Folklore Floral and Decor by Trend Décor.

Mandy’s Two-in-One Randy Fenoli Gown from Kleinfeld Bridal New York

Mandy’s bridal style was the perfect blend of classic elegance with a playful twist.

She wore a stunning two-in-one Randy Fenoli gown from Kleinfeld Bridal New York. The gown featured a flowing, romantic ceremony design that transitioned into a beaded mini-skirt for the dance floor.

This seamless transition let Mandy fully embrace the regal castle aesthetic by day, and then switch into a more playful party-ready look by night — without sacrificing style.

A West Coast Destination Wedding Filled with Heart

From a New York City love story to a Hatley Castle destination wedding on Vancouver Island, Mandy & Richard’s celebration was a beautiful fusion of Old-world romance, West Coast beauty, thoughtful personal details, and trust in the planning process.

Their day was a reminder of how powerful it can be when couples lean fully into their story, their values, and their vision — and allow their vendor team to bring it all to life.

The wonderful Vendor Team that helped bring Hatley Castle ~ A West Coast Destination Wedding Celebration to life…

• Officiant: Nicholas Akrawi (Groom’s Friend)
• Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hatley Castle
• Photographer & Videographer: Nadia Hung Photography
• Flowers: Folklore Floral
• Decor: Trend Décor
• Bride’s Makeup & Hair: Carol Hung Makeup Artistry
• Bridal Party Beauty: Carol Hung + Blo Victoria
• Dress: Designer Randy Fenoli from Kleinfeld Bridal New York
• Cake: Butter & Bloom Cake Design
• DJ: Chris Poynter
• Live Music: Cascadia Strings
• Transportation: L.A. Limousines
• Stationery: Polka Dot Paper Shop

 

As planned by DreamGroup Planner Bonnie Wong:

Bonnie Wong ~ Associate Planner