Straight to the Hart House: Pastel Dreams & Dance Floor Energy

Lauren and Josh’s Hart House wedding was the kind of day that felt beautifully personal from start to finish. With a vibrant spring palette, a garden ceremony surrounded by greenery, and a tented reception that shifted effortlessly from romantic dinner to high-energy dance party, their celebration at Hart House Restaurant on Deer Lake was fresh, joyful, and full of personality.  DreamGroup planner Alexa Gayton supported the couple through DreamGroup’s Wedding Day Essentials service, helping ensure all of the beautiful details Lauren and Josh had envisioned came together smoothly on the day itself. And truly, there was so much to love with Straight to the Hart House: Pastel Dreams & Dance Floor Energy with photos by Mariel MacLean.

A Ceremony in the Garden at Hart House

Set against the natural beauty of Deer Lake, Lauren and Josh’s ceremony took place outdoors in the garden of Hart House Restaurant. The weather could not have been more cooperative. It was slightly overcast in the loveliest way, keeping the day comfortable while also giving everything that soft, flattering glow photographers dream about.

The ceremony design was especially memorable thanks to two stunning floral statement arrangements by Rosewood Event Design. Positioned as the ceremony focal point, the arrangements framed Lauren and Josh beautifully as they exchanged vows.

Hart House is already such a charming venue, with its lakeside setting, heritage character, garden space, and tented reception space. However, when paired with Lauren’s colourful floral vision, the setting felt even more romantic and alive.

A Wedding Palette That Popped

Lauren chose a gorgeous pastel spring colour story that felt refreshing, romantic, and playful all at once. Rather than leaning into an all-neutral palette, she embraced colour in the prettiest way.

The wedding colour palette included: lavender, purple, peach, coral, orange, yellow, hints of blue, fresh greenery, and gold accents.

The palette carried beautifully from the bridal bouquet to the ceremony flowers, cake details, reception tables, and lounge styling. In the garden setting, these colours truly came to life.

The bridal bouquet was a true showstopper on its own, with layers of peach, pink, orange, lavender, and blue blooms. It felt cheerful without being loud, romantic without being predictable, and perfectly suited to the setting.

A Little Love for Alexa…

“I hired Dream Group for my wedding and specifically Alexa Gayton and she did not disappoint! The day went absolutely flawlessly and every tiny detail was handled without any worries. I was so happy that I could hand off all responsibilities and just be able to enjoy my special day. Whenever I had any questions leading up to the event she was so quick to look into it and get it resolved. If you hire Alexa Gayton you are in great hands!”

~ Lauren Thom

Inside the tent, the reception design continued the same joyful spring palette. Long tables were styled with delicate floral arrangements in slim glass vases, allowing the flowers to feel airy, organic, and garden-inspired.

Gold charger plates, gold flatware, and candlelight added warmth and elegance, while the tent’s draped ceiling and chandeliers created a soft, elevated atmosphere. The overall look was polished but not overly formal, which suited Lauren and Josh’s day perfectly.

Favourite reception details:

• Gold-rimmed charger plates
• Tall glass candle hurricanes
• Petite floral arrangements in colourful spring tones
• Soft neutral linens
• White folding chairs for a garden-party feel
• Warm candlelight as the evening settled in

It was cohesive, thoughtful, and full of personality.

A Wedding Cake That Matched the Mood

The couple’s wedding cake by Cakes by Liz was another beautiful design moment. The clean white tiers were accented with pastel sugar flowers that echoed the wedding palette so seamlessly. From soft pink roses to lavender and blue floral details, the cake felt like a natural extension of the overall design.

Next Level Dance Floor Vibes

One of the most talked-about elements of Lauren and Josh’s wedding was the live saxophone experience from Sax with Eric.

Eric played during cocktail hour, throughout dinner, and again during dancing. Then, when the party really got going, he brought out his robot light-up suit and debuted his brand new clear light-up saxophone. It was interactive, unexpected, and completely unforgettable!

Planner Pause: “There is something about live music that shifts the energy of a wedding in the best possible way. It creates movement, personality, and those “you had to be there” moments guests keep talking about long after the night ends.”

For Lauren and Josh, Sax with Eric was more than entertainment. He became part of the experience.

Another element planner Alexa especially loved was the cozy lounge area Lauren and Josh created for their guests. It was not just decor for decor’s sake. It gave guests a comfortable place to pause, chat, and enjoy the atmosphere. Those thoughtful guest-experience details can make such a difference on a wedding day, especially when they blend beautifully with the overall design.

With We Know Music behind the DJ booth and Sax with Eric adding that live performance layer, the dance party had incredible energy. The tent transformed beautifully after dinner, with candlelight, colourful uplighting, and a packed dance floor.

The result was a celebration that moved from romantic and sweet to playful and fun in the most wonderful way!  

The Power of a Great Vendor Team

One of the most successful parts of Lauren and Josh’s wedding was the vendor team they chose. Everyone worked together beautifully, which is one of those things guests may not always notice directly, but they absolutely feel.

Alexa loved working with Rosewood Event Design for the first time. Their team handled both florals and decor, travelling in from the Valley and arriving with a large, organized crew. They were efficient, kind, and clearly invested in bringing Lauren & Josh’s vision to life.

The ceremony was led by Lindsay McDonald of Vancouver Officiant, who brought warmth, professionalism, and the perfect balance of emotion and lightness.

And, as always, the Hart House team was wonderful to work with. Their staff are consistently professional, kind, and on the ball, which makes wedding days at this venue feel smooth and well-supported from beginning to end.

Why We Loved This Hart House Wedding

Lauren and Josh’s wedding was such a beautiful example of what happens when a couple embraces colour, prioritizes guest experience, and chooses vendors who genuinely care.

It was romantic, colourful, personal, and full of joy — exactly the kind of wedding that feels effortless on the surface because so much care has gone into every thoughtful choice.

The team that brought Straight to the Hart House: Pastel Dreams & Dance Floor Energy to life…

• Officiant: Vancouver Officiant – Lindsay MacDonald
• Ceremony & Reception Venue: Hart House Restaurant
• Photographer: Mariel MacLean Photography
• Flowers & Decor: Rosewood Event Design
• Makeup: Jasmine Hoffman
• Hair: Erin Lyons – Hair Design by Erin
• Dress: Isabelle’s Bridal
• Cake: Cakes by Liz
• DJ: We Know Music
• Live Music: Sax with Eric