Can You Have a Small Wedding Ceremony and a Larger Reception?
JESSICA & BRIAN’S SEA TO SKY WEDDING (REAL COUPLE’S STORY)
Over the last year or two, I’ve seen more couples choosing a wedding format that I am VERY into: a small, intimate ceremony followed by a bigger dinner reception with the wider crew.
And by “bigger,” I don’t necessarily mean 150 people and a ballroom. Sometimes it’s 20. Sometimes it’s 40. Sometimes it’s 100+. The point is, you don’t have to invite every single person on your guest list to every single part of your wedding day.
Jessica and Brian’s wedding is the perfect example.
They exchanged vows surrounded by just their immediate family, high above Howe Sound at the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. Then they headed into Vancouver to celebrate with around 40 of their closest family and friends at the Stanley Park Tea House.
Here’s a peek at their day.
WEDDING MORNING: GETTING READY IN SQUAMISH
The day began at Executive Suites in Squamish, where Jess and Brian got ready together before the celebrations began. Paul from Cameron Videography captured the morning on video while Natasha Trottier worked her magic on hair and makeup.
And we need to discuss Jess’s dress for a moment. She wore the most elegant modern drop-waist gown with removable bow sleeves, which meant she could switch up the look throughout the day. The bow sleeves were outrageously cute - I am still thinking about them! Before we headed up the mountain, Jess and Brian shared a quiet first look outside the hotel, giving them a few minutes together before everyone else joined the celebrations.
THE MARRIAGE LICENSE MISHAP
Rather than travelling to the gondola with everyone else, Jess and Brian rode with me so they could get some beautiful couple photos with those epic views before the ceremony. I put on my favorite pre-ceremony playlist, but as the chorus started, we realized the couple had left something behind in Vancouver……. “going to the chapel and weeee’re gonna get marrrrrrrrried” ….
Well, the licence was at the couple’s home in Vancouver! Rather than letting it derail the day, we simply carried on with the ceremony exactly as planned while a friend kindly went to collect the licence - as I was their officiant and coordinator, it was no big deal, I was going to the reception venue anyway, so we’d simply sign the paperwork later in the day! It's a great reminder that even when something unexpected happens, it doesn't have to become stressful. Having me coordinating the day as well as officiating meant Jess and Brian didn't have to worry about chasing paperwork or figuring out what came next. We simply adapted and kept the day flowing.
PRE-CEREMONY PORTRAITS
One of the best decisions Jess and Brian made was taking most of their couple portraits before the ceremony. I LOVE when couples do this - you get time together before your guests arrive, nobody is standing nearby patiently waiting for you to finish taking photos, and once you’re married, you’re free to actually celebrate with everyone. Win. Win. Win.
Sea to Sky Gondola also gives you a ridiculous amount of portrait variety without needing to drive anywhere. Obviously, you need a few photos in the gondola. Then you’ve got the suspension bridge, forest, mountains, views toward Sky Pilot and epic huge Howe Sound views!
AN INTIMATE MOUNTAIN CEREMONY
While the portraits were happening, Jess and Brian's immediate family caught the gondola up, and I was there to meet them as they got off the gondolas. I whisked them away to the Howe Sound viewpoint for the ceremony.
There wasn't a dry eye among their family … or their vendors (guilty)... as they shared personal promises and remembered two people who couldn't physically be there with them that day, Brian's father and Jess's grandfather, both of whom were lovingly woven into the ceremony and later into the speeches. I’m tearing up again just writing about it, so MOVING ON.
TIME TOGETHER BEFORE THE RECEPTION
One of my favourite parts of the day happened immediately after the ceremony. Instead of rushing off for more portraits, everyone stayed together. They enjoyed sandwiches and cake at the gondola while taking in the mountain views, chatting with family and simply enjoying being together before heading down to Vancouver.
Because the portraits had already been taken, there was no pressure to disappear for photos. Every minute after the ceremony was spent celebrating with the people who had travelled halfway around the world to be there, from Ireland or Australia.
A RECEPTION AT STANLEY PARK TEA HOUSE
Eventually, it was time to say goodbye to the mountains and head south to Vancouver for round two. The Stanley Park Tea House hosted their evening reception for just under 40 guests, and the private room was such a lovely fit for this size of wedding: intimate enough that everyone felt connected, with plenty of gorgeous natural light.
Before the guests arrived, I helped set up the décor while Bespoke Rentals transformed the space with bud vases, soft lighting and elegant details. Then the rest of Jess and Brian’s people started arriving.
This is where the wedding changed gears. The morning and ceremony had been quiet, emotional and intimate - Now it was party time! Cocktail hour kicked off with live acoustic music performed by friends of the couple, which immediately made the evening feel personal. Then came a delicious dinner, finished with Vancouver fave, ice cream from Earnest. IYKYK.
SUNSET AT THIRD BEACH
After dinner, we all went outside for a sunset photo so the Teahouse staff could flip the room, clearing tables, and making way for a dance floor. For photos, instead of dramatic mountain peaks, Gabriela Le photographed them along Third Beach and the Stanley Park seawall as the evening light settled over Vancouver.
It's another reason I love splitting a wedding day across multiple locations. Couples can enjoy completely different scenery and create a gallery that feels incredibly varied.
ENDING THE NIGHT ON THE DANCE FLOOR
By the time the couple and guests returned, their band, Super Sonic Hearts were ready to go. Jess and Brian shared their first dance before inviting everyone else onto the dance floor, bringing an already emotional day to a joyful finish surrounded by the people they love most.
WHY I LOVE THIS WEDDING FORMAT
Jess and Brian's wedding is proof that you don't have to choose between an intimate wedding and celebrating with a wider group of family and friends. By keeping the ceremony small, they created space for deeply personal vows, meaningful conversations and time together with the people closest to them.
By hosting a reception afterwards, they were still able to enjoy speeches, incredible food, live music and a lively dance floor with everyone who had travelled to celebrate alongside them.
For couples planning a wedding in Squamish, Whistler or Vancouver, separating your ceremony and reception can be the perfect way to combine breathtaking scenery with a relaxed celebration that never feels rushed.
If you're dreaming of a small mountain ceremony followed by an unforgettable reception, I'd love to help you create a day that feels just as intentional, personal and uniquely yours.
FAQ’s
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You sure can! You need to book it in advance. In 2027, their elopement rates are $2,500 + gst, and their full weddings start from $10,000 + gst - you can download their wedding package on their website. I used to manage the weddings here, so now as an officiant and elopement planner, it’s safe to say I know the venue very well.
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Not at all - The key is making the format clear from the beginning. If your guests understand that you’re choosing to have a very small ceremony with immediate family, followed by a larger celebration, most people completely understand.
You can even frame the reception as exactly what it is: the chance for your wider community to celebrate your marriage with you.
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Yes! Thanks to Paul Cameron, Brian's grandmother was able to watch the ceremony live from Ireland, allowing her to still be part of such an important moment despite being on the other side of the world.
All Photos by the lovely Gabriela Le
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I’m Jude! 👋 I’m the founder of ELOPE Squamish, a local wedding officiant and elopement planner specialising in intimate weddings and adventure elopements throughout Squamish, Whistler and the Sea to Sky.
Before becoming an officiant, I managed weddings at the Sea to Sky Gondola, so I know this venue VERY well! These days, I help couples create wedding days that feel like them, whether that’s a private mountain ceremony, a bigger celebration with all their favourite humans, or a little bit of both.
With hundreds of weddings under my belt, I bring together my local knowledge, trusted vendors and love of a good logistical challenge to make it all happen. Think of me as your local wedding expert, planner and new friend in the mountains.