In 1851 Bilston Creek Farm made its mark on history as the first settlement outside of Fort Victoria, several years before Canada was founded. The twelve-acre property that hosted this wedding event was one of the first properties in what would become British Columbia. It’s also the very same farm that the first-ever (non first-nation) wedding was held in British Columbia in 1855 between Martha Chaney and Captain Henry Ella. Although being 168 years old, the venue had only been in business for one year, and this was their first summer being open to weddings.
As weddings do not always run perfectly, it takes experienced professionals to be able to adapt to changing conditions and handle the unexpected. Not unlike most, this wedding had its share of challenges.Â
On the morning of the event, mother nature brought her voice to the table, leaving the lavender fields too wet for dinner, so it had to be quickly relocated to the barn. Additionally, they had to build not only one but two kitchens and set up 3 full-service bars to cover the different areas the wedding would occupy.
The bride and groom took it in stride as Nicholas explained the dilemma “rain on your wedding day is good luck because it signifies that your marriage will last. As you know, a knot that becomes wet is extremely hard to untie – therefore, when you “tie the knot” on a rainy day, your marriage is supposedly just as hard to unravel.Â
While the Toque team worked to get the timing back on track after rain delays, the couple exchanged vows under towering fir trees. They and their guests wandered through fields of lavender, sipped signature cocktails in the Orchard Pub, tasting an array of passed canapes and eventually made their way to the barn for the wedding dinner.
The couple asked for high-end comfort food that was locally sourced and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Toque custom created a family-style meal using ingredients that were fresh, not processed, and, wherever possible, locally produced using sustainable practices.
The chef-designed the entire menu with all new items that the team had never created or tested before. His vision came through several meetings with the bride and groom and was truly representative of who they were, as individuals and as a couple, with nods to the places they travelled, childhood memories, favourite foods etc.Â
The Catered event at Bilston Creek Lavender Farm was a spectacular affair with unique and complex challenges, sustainably produced and flawlessly executed, which is why it is nominated in the 2020 Canadian Event Awards for Best Catered Event.Â
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Signature Cocktails
Burnt Peach Old Fashioned
Burnt Peach, Orange, Cherry Syrup, Lemon Simple Syrup
Orange Bitters, Bourbon & Splash of Soda
Blackberry Lavender Prosecco Spritz
Blackberry Infused Gin, Lavender Shrub, Maple & Prosecco
Garnished with Fresh Bilston LavenderÂ
Passed CanapesÂ
Mini Yorkshire Pudding – Rare Beef Tenderloin, Horseradish Cream Pork Tinga Tostadas – Adobe Spiced Guacamole, Cotija Cheese, Crema Mexicana
Southern Fried Chicken & Waffle Cones with Pickled Jalapeno Collard Greens Slaw and Spicy Mayo
Roasted Fig, Brie and Spiced Honey Rosemary Infused PolentaÂ
Family Style DinnerÂ
Heirloom Tomato and Grilled Plum Salad, Crispy Halloumi, Pea Sprouts, Sweet Onion Dressing
Roasted Cauliflower & Kale Salad with a Walnut Caper Salsa & Roasted Garlic & Herb Dressing
Sticky Lemongrass Chili Chicken Breast with Cucumber, Cashew, Basil, Mint Cilantro Salad
Confit Potatoes & Shallots, Garlic & Fresh Herbs
Spring Kildara Farm Seasonal Vegetables
Korean Braised Beef Brisket with House Made Kimchi, Pickled Jalapeno’s, Natural Jus
Buttery Leek Risotto
Maple Roasted Sweet Potato Falafel with Roasted Tomato Sauce, Apple Salad (Veg option)
Dessert
Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches – French Vanilla Ice Cream
Mini Rhubarb Crumble with Lavender Crème Fraiche
Lemon Meringue Pie Shots – Lemon Curd, Meringue, Pie DustÂ
Late Night Poutine Station
BBQ Pulled Pork, Beer Battered Ling Cod, SautĂ©ed Mushrooms, Bruschetta, Cheese Curds House Made Gravy, Tartar Sauce, Malt Vinegar, Caramelized Onions & Fresh HerbsÂ
VENDOR LISTÂ
EVENT PLANNER The Good Party www.thegoodparty.caÂ
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERÂ Meghan Hemstra Photography www.meghanhemstra.comÂ
FOOD PHOTORAPHER Tyson Airaksinen Photography www.instagram.com/tysonairaksinenÂ
VENUE Bilston Creek Farm www.bilston.caÂ
DESIGN & DECOR Trend DĂ©cor www.trenddecorevents.comÂ
TABLETOP RENTALS Tabletop Curated Rentals www.tabletopcuratedrentals.comÂ
FLORAL Platinum Floral Designs www.platinumfloraldesigns.comÂ
CAKE Ruth and Dean www.ruthanddean.comÂ
HAIR & MAKEUP Heartwood & Co. www.heartwoodandco.comÂ
BAND The Borderline Bluegrass Band www.borderlinebluegrass.com
CATERING & BARÂ Toque Catering www.toquecatering.com
STATIONARY Decor by Nature www.decorbynature.com