Romantic Hycroft Brix & Mortar Wedding

Hycroft Romance Meets Brix & Mortar Magic

Posted May 6, 2026

When your couple chooses to celebrate their union at not just one popular Vancouver wedding venue, but rather two, it’s call for extra celebration. Tess & Kevin’s Hycroft Manor and Brix & Mortar wedding was rooted in meaning, music, and modern romance. DreamGroup planner Jessie Kumagai was there through it all. Photos by Love Frankly.

Tess and Kevin’s intimate Vancouver celebration was both equally thoughtful as it was beautiful. Originally from Vancouver and now based in Toronto, the couple approached their wedding day with intention, warmth, and a deep desire to create a meaningful experience for the people they love most. With just under 70 guests, their wedding had the kind of cozy, heartfelt atmosphere that made every moment feel noticed. From a joyful Chinese tea ceremony at the JW Marriott Hotel, to a romantic ceremony at iconic Hycroft Manor, to a candlelit dinner reception at Brix & Mortar, the day unfolded with ease, emotion, and so many lovely details.

This wedding was a beautiful reminder that intimate does not mean simple. In fact, when done well, an intimate wedding can feel that much more layered, personal, and unforgettable.

Hair & Makeup by Silvia Pro MUA.

A Joyful Chinese Tea Ceremony at the JW Marriott Hotel

The wedding day began with tradition, laughter, and love at the JW Marriott Hotel. Before the tea ceremony, the bridesmaids hosted lively door games, bringing a playful energy to the morning and setting the tone for a celebration filled with personality.

The tea ceremony itself was intimate and deeply meaningful. Surrounded by close family, Tess and Kevin served tea to their parents and two sets of cherished aunts and uncles. The room was adorned with classic red “double happiness” décor, while the couple’s traditional red and gold attire brought a beautiful sense of cultural richness, celebration, and family honour to the morning.

It was the perfect way to begin the day: honouring tradition, celebrating family, and making space for joy before the formal ceremony began.

An Elegant Hycroft Manor Wedding Ceremony

For the ceremony, guests gathered at Hycroft Manor, one of Vancouver’s most timeless wedding venues. Known for its historic architecture, lush grounds, grand staircase, and graceful old-world charm, Hycroft created an elegant setting for this modern romantic celebration.

The design was understated yet striking. A palette of crisp whites and fresh greenery was accented with soft touches of light blue and grounding black details, giving the overall look a refined and contemporary edge. Tess’s gown featured delicate floral detailing that echoed the softness of the day, while her bouquet carried subtle blue accents that tied beautifully into the overall palette.

A lush, rounded floral arch by All Occasions Decor framed the ceremony beautifully against Hycroft’s classic pillar architecture. Meanwhile, soft aisle arrangements created a serene, garden-inspired pathway for the processional. The result was romantic and effortlessly elegant.

One of the most memorable moments came from Kevin himself. As the bridal party walked down the aisle, he played a live piano piece, creating an incredibly personal and emotional start to the ceremony. Then, as he made his own entrance, a recorded version of that same piece played, carrying the music forward with beautiful continuity before Tess’s processional.

It was thoughtful. It was moving. And it felt completely true to them.

A Warm and Intimate Reception at Brix & Mortar

Following the ceremony, the celebration continued at Brix & Mortar, a beloved Yaletown restaurant and wedding venue known for its cozy elegance, intimate courtyard, and approachable atmosphere.

The reception carried the same modern romantic feeling from ceremony to dinner. Long tables were dressed in crisp white linens and layered with candlelight, glassware, delicate bud vases with soft white florals. The black chairs, dark architectural details, and chandelier-lit space added a polished contrast, creating a look that felt both romantic and contemporary at the same time.

The room glowed as the evening settled in. Candlelight stretched down the length of the tables, greenery and twinkle lights softened the space, and guests gathered in a setting that felt intimate without ever feeling understated. It was the kind of dinner reception where the design supported the experience rather than competing with it.

The sweetheart table was especially lovely, with a lush tabletop floral arrangement spilling gently over the edge and glowing candles placed on either side. It created a picture-perfect setting for speeches, quiet glances, and all the little in-between moments that make a wedding feel deeply personal.

A Wedding Reception Designed for Connection

Rather than centering the evening around dancing, Tess and Kevin chose to focus on meaningful connection. Guests mingled, enjoyed the photobooth, shared stories, and spent the evening in conversation.

That choice gave the reception such a warm and relaxed feeling. With an intimate guest count, a delicious three-course meal, moving speeches, and candlelit tables filled with loved ones, the evening felt less like a production and more like a beautifully hosted dinner party.

It was an early wrap, but every part of the night felt intentional, relaxed, and memorable.

A Dessert Buffet Full of Personality

One of the sweetest details of the evening was the custom dessert buffet. Instead of offering only a traditional wedding cake, Tess and Kevin included some of their favourite treats, making dessert feel playful, personal, and entirely their own.

Guests enjoyed mini brioche donuts from Mello, Belgian waffles from Nero Belgian Waffle Bar, and even Costco cookies, which added such a fun and personal touch. A soft, romantic wedding cake from Salty Sugar Patisserie completed the dessert offering beautifully, with delicate florals and blue accents tying back into the wedding’s overall design.

The result was indulgent, joyful, and completely reflective of Tess and Kevin’s personalities. It was not just dessert. It was a little love letter to the things they enjoy sharing.

Modern Elegance with a Romantic, Personal Touch

The overall feeling of the day was modern elegance softened by romance. Crisp whites, fresh greenery, light blue accents, black details, candlelight, historic architecture, and meaningful cultural traditions all worked together to create a wedding that felt refined without feeling overly formal.

What made the day especially successful was how clearly it reflected Tess and Kevin. Tess was wonderfully organized and had a strong sense of how she wanted the day to flow. With thoughtful planning, a strong vendor team, and clear communication throughout, the celebration came together beautifully.

The couple was thrilled with how everything turned out, and the gratitude shared by them, their maid of honour, and both sets of parents was such a meaningful reminder of why we love what we do.

This was the kind of wedding where every detail had a reason, every space felt intentional, and every guest felt welcomed into something truly special.