A Whimsical Garden Wedding in Vancouver With a Romantic Rainy-Day Twist

“The inspiration behind our wedding was simple: to have fun and be fully present in the moment with our closest family and friends, many of whom have witnessed our 8-year journey together,” Cindy and Alex say. This love story began at a job right out of college, where they both worked as software engineers. Cindy’s first impression of Alex was that he was quiet, but she soon found out he was also kind, thoughtful and patient. Sparks flew from there, and the two went from co-workers to a couple. During a snowstorm at Joffre Lake Trail years later, they’d take another step in their relationship. “He remembered that I wanted something intimate with just the two of us—so he took me snowshoeing to a frozen lake with no one else in sight. As we stood in the snow by the icy shoreline, he asked me to marry him,” Cindy says.

With a “whimsical summer garden theme” as the centerpiece for the day, their wedding combined vibrant colors like yellow and blue to bring the energy of the season, while traditional customs honored their shared Chinese heritage. Cindy says, “We also included a traditional Chinese tea ceremony to honor and thank our parents from both sides—this was a meaningful way to blend cultural tradition with our modern celebration.” The Cecil Green Park House served as their backdrop, a Tudor-style mansion in the heart of Vancouver with views of the nearby mountains, the sea and private gardens.

And what better way to create a whimsical garden than with an abundance of spring and summer blooms? “Our floral design was vibrant and wild, with a mix of cosmos, dahlias, lisianthus, scabiosa, hydrangeas and delphinium in lively hues of green, white, soft blue and cheerful yellow,” the bride says. From the sunroom installation with cascading blooms and mossy ground pieces, to the aisle florals and our asymmetrical ceremony arch, every arrangement was thoughtfully styled to feel organic and free-spirited.” The decor felt like a real-life Monet painting, especially the draped floral screen in their getting-ready space, full of fresh flowers hanging from the ceiling and displays covering the floor.

For the Chinese tea ceremony, the bride wore a simple, high-neck lace gown with traditional, golden hairpieces before changing into a Vera Wang gown. The ceremony look was timeless and minimalist, with a deep V-neckline that she paired with fresh greenery in her low bun hairstyle. “It felt elegant, effortless and completely me,” she adds. Her groom wore a classic navy blue tuxedo, to match the summery blues of their color palette, with a pop of color in his burgundy bow tie. His boutonniere matched the bride’s bouquet, its mix of greenery and shades of white, purple and yellow.

Having decorated the outdoor gardens with wooden benches to “evoke a sense of community and closeness,” the bride says, the lush green space’s focal point was the wooden, floral arch with asymmetrical arrangements at the end of the aisle. The couple even created a custom, DIY welcome sign with the phrase “To love, laughter and happily ever after,” greeting guests as they entered the garden. However, the weather had other plans for the day, as the morning was filled with a torrential downpour. By the time of the ceremony, the rain had become a light drizzle, and the couple, their loved ones and wedding party powered through with clear umbrellas. Cindy says, “We walked down the aisle as our guests stood in the garden, holding umbrellas, sharing this intimate and powerful moment with us. Surrounded by our long-time friends and family, in the middle of nature and a little summer rain, we felt incredibly moved and loved.”

The reception space, under the safety of a garden terrace, was decorated with more florals and another unique summer touch: fresh fruits along the center, like cherries, lemons and citrus. “Not only did they add playful color and texture, but they were also edible and symbolic of the sweetness of our love,” Cindy adds. The fireplace was adorned with a floral installation to create a romantic ambiance, and foliage was draped over the terrace lights while live music by Cassandra Maze played during the light rainfall, which the bride described as a scene from a movie.

Guests enjoyed two interactive stations that Alex and Cindy crafted especially for the reception. One was a Lego photo frame guestbook, where their friends and family assembled a mini figure to represent themselves beside the Lego bride and groom. The other was a Chinese herbal sachet station with a blend of 16 aromatic herbs like jasmine, cinnamon, peppermint and rose, for a one-of-a-kind favor to commemorate the day.

For the after-party and a night of dancing, Cindy had another outfit at the ready, one more suited for movement. She says, “I changed into a fun short sequin dress with playful ostrich feather details, perfect for dancing and switching to celebration mode!” She and her groom performed a choreographed dance before leading their guests into a conga line, the perfect end to a whirlwind day.

Though the rain initially seemed like a hurdle, the moments it created became the newlyweds’ favorite parts of the day. They add that the wedding day goes by so quickly, so soaking up every second is a must. “Focus on creating a day that feels like you. It’s easy to get caught up in expectations and trends, but the most magical moments come when you’re fully present and connected—with each other and your guests…Plan all you want, but on the day of, just let go and enjoy it,” they say.