If you're planning a destination wedding [1] in our northern neighbor — or if you're Canadian and planning a hometown big day — get ready for some luscious lakeside inspiration. Tessa and Tyrell met as staff members at Camp Firwood in Bellingham, WA, and they tried unsuccessfully to keep the relationship from getting too serious due to all the family ties at the camp. Bride Tessa told us, "Since we both have lots of family that has worked at Firwood, our first conversation was about how we could never get married — otherwise all of the Camp Firwood staff would be related!" But just a year later, they began their two-year dating relationship. They were engaged for six months before tying the knot.
Taking place outdoors at Tessa's family's home on Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, the wedding had a beautiful, nature-filled backdrop that didn't require much in the way of decor. "We didn't really have a theme for our wedding," Tessa explained. "I just wanted it to be elegant. We chose to have it in the evening and have purple, charcoal, and black as our colors. We had lots of damask pattern in the dark colors, which I think helped us achieve the classy/sophisticated look that I wanted."
See stunning photos of the wedding and learn more about how it all came together ahead.
Friendly Preparation
In addition to her bridal party, Tessa had some extra help from a long-distance friend when she was getting ready the morning of the wedding. She says, "My BFF Laura flew all the way across the country to get ready with me!"
Designer Dress
Tessa's intricate gown — covered in tiny flowers and beads — was Oscar de la Renta.
Ladies in Waiting
Tessa's bridesmaids consisted of her sister, two sisters-in-law, and a childhood best friend.
Bouquet Beautiful
Tessa's richly colored bouquet packed a punch with purple.
Twinkle Toes
Tessa flashed her bridal shoes.
Something Blue
A vintage settee made for great photo ops.
Well Groomed
Tyrell's groomsmen included two brothers, a brother-in-law, and a childhood best friend.
Suited Up
Tyrell laughed with two of his groomsmen.
Backyard Bash
Both the outdoor ceremony and reception took place at Tessa's parents' lakeside house in Kelowna, British Columbia. The location was a no-brainer for Tessa: "I've always wanted to get married in the backyard I grew up in."
Crowd Pleaser
The programs doubled as fans to keep guests cool in the sun.
Scene Stealers
The flower girl and the ring bearer were too cute walking down the aisle.
Father of the Bride
Tessa's father walked her down the aisle.
Lakeside Vows
Okanagan Lake made for a serene backdrop for the ceremony.
Kiss the Bride
Tessa and Tyrell sealed their union with a smooch.
Look of Love
The happy couple returned down the aisle.
Family Ties
Tessa's family members and their significant others posed with the newly married couple.
Jump For Joy
Tessa jumped on the vintage couch for a picture-perfect moment.
Two of a Kind
Tessa and Tyrell walked on her parents' property.
Romantic Rendezvous
Tessa offers some words of wisdom: "My advice to other brides would be to sit down and enjoy your wedding. We were so busy saying 'hi' to everyone that we didn't really get to enjoy the party or even eat the food."
Seeing the Signs
Modern-styled signs pointed guests in the right direction.
Good Eats
Tessa and Tyrell wanted to focus more on the food at their wedding than the entertainment, so they created a lounge vibe with cuisine catered by nearby Manteo Resort. "I think our wedding was unique because we had lounge-style seating with the 'food stations' scattered throughout," said Tessa. "Plus, all the food was made right in front of you!"
Toast to Love
Pretty bubbly was served during the reception.
Fired Up
Food was prepared right in front of guests at the dining stations.
Sweet Ending
Tessa and Tyrell kissed behind their intricately designed wedding cake.
The Little Things
The chic modern decor was pumped up with vibrant florals and a modern damask print. But there was one minor oversight. "Our biggest disaster was that the favors didn't get put out," Tessa admitted. "I didn't even realize it until we had gotten home from our honeymoon! So there was really no solving that."
Starry Night
The reception took place under big tents with lots of comfy seating for lounging.
Tented Romance
The tents were glammed up with ornate chandeliers.
By Candlelight
The glowing head table featured bold florals and plenty of candles.
First Dance
Tessa and Tyrell's first dance was to "Can I Stay" by Ray LaMontagne.
Honeymoon Bound
For their honeymoon, the newlyweds went to Kauai, HI. Tessa explained, "We were looking for a tropical destination with a more 'local' feel, and Kauai definitely fit the bill!"