Mini-destination weddings are a favourite of mine. They combine the best of local and destination weddings. It’s not too hard or expensive for guests to travel to the location, yet you still get the extra time together and the unique getaway experience of a destination. It does come with some challenges though. Often you are required to bring in a large amount of rentals to make the location wedding ready. This can be quite a feat depending on how remote the location may be. Planning away from home is always a little trickier because you can’t be on site to make a lot of the decisions.
Today’s featured wedding was one of my favourites to work on and attend. It was perfectly suited to this couple and their love of travel and the outdoors. They spent the weekend with their guests at the Kikomun Creek Provincial Park on Lake Koocanusa. They had been camping on this lake with family for many years and it was the ideal choice for their wedding. The lake was beautiful, the weather was ultra hot and the mountains are a backdrop no decorator can outdo.
MINI-DESTINATION: LAKE KOOCANUSA
The girls got ready at this charming little cottage in the park. The bridesmaids each wore their own unique cream coloured dress while the bride looked stunning in her Grecian-inspired gown. The groomsmen complimented in eclectic grey suits. This group made the whole weekend a blast. A fun and relaxed wedding party makes for a great day!
Six adorable flower girls delighted the guests. Aren’t they sweet? Daughters of close friends, they were a special addition to the ceremony. As they adorned the aisle with petals, the groom surprised everyone by serenading his bride. Let’s just say everyone pulled out their Kleenex a little earlier than they expected!
The groom hand built the wedding arch and added a rustic beauty to the mountain setting. Together with the wildflower bouquets and stunning evergreens, it was as if nature was celebrating as well. The couple had collected sand from two local beaches and used it for a personal sand ceremony. I love it when couples infuse their own personality into a ceremony.
This bride had worked hard to pull together quite a diverse colour scheme and it was shown off beautifully in the wildflower bouquets. The mix of blooms was just right to look elegant and whimsical. If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought they picked them in the field that morning!
The tented reception featured hand made bunting circling the all-white tent. Centrepieces were made of sand and driftwood collected on nearby beaches. Packaged s’more favours were at each place, waiting to be enjoyed at the bonfire later that evening. All you need is love, and there was plenty to go around.
This weekend was all about celebrating, and the reception was the culmination of that celebration. The food and games had everyone enjoying themselves. The groom was a great sport trying to guess his new wife. Embracing the campground setting, even the drinks had a special place to stay cool. And the warm summer night was perfect for a party!
As night fell the celebration continued. No one had far to travel and could stay as long as they liked before walking home for the night. Coffee and cinnamon buns, followed by s’mores, ended the evening. The perfect ending to a perfect day. We left feeling full of love and full of life.
You can see why mini-destination weddings have a special place in my heart. There are so many ways to make these a memorable weekend for your guests. While it can mean more planning ahead of time, once you get there, it’s all worth it! Have you ever attended a mini-destination wedding? Tell us in the comments!
Photo credit David + Katie Photography
