Helen + Richard by Hennygraphy

We envisioned our wedding as a celebration deeply rooted in nature, art, and the sense of place.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We’re definitely proof that opposites attract. In many ways, our interests couldn’t be more different, from music to movies to how we like to spend a Saturday afternoon. I gravitate toward R&B and hip hop, while he listens to everything from indie rock to classical. I love a good romcom, and he’d happily spend an evening watching a black-and-white foreign film.

But instead of those differences creating distance, they’ve actually brought us closer. We’ve learned to appreciate and embrace each other’s worlds to expand our perspectives, finding joy in things we may not have discovered on our own, and building a relationship rooted in openness and respect.

At the heart of it all, we’re both endlessly curious people who love to explore, whether that’s through travel, food, ideas, or simply hearing each other’s take on things. Our relationship is a constant reminder that you don’t have to be the same to be deeply connected.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We actually met through a very modern matchmaker back in 2015 — Tinder! Our first interaction on the app was brief; nothing really came of it at the time. About a month later, we randomly bumped into each other at a bar. You’d think that’s where sparks flew and conversation started, but in reality, we were both too shy to say anything! We made eye contact, smiled, but didn’t exchange a single word.

Luckily, that wasn’t the end of the story. A few days later, Richard slid into my DMs and asked me out. From our first proper conversation, things clicked in a way that felt easy, comfortable, and genuine. Looking back, it’s funny to think how close we came to missing each other.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes, etc.).

We envisioned our wedding as a celebration deeply rooted in nature, art, and the sense of place that Salt Spring Island has come to represent for us. Inspired by 16th-century still life paintings, we were drawn to the richness of their deep, earthy tones and the way they capture the beauty of natural abundance. This vision carried through every aspect of our styling — from the florals to the tablescapes — as we sought to echo that timeless, organic feel.

It was important to us that our florals didn’t just sit alongside the landscape, but felt truly married to it. Molly at Bullock Lake Farm brought that vision to life in a way we never could have imagined. She created stunning arrangements that incorporated seasonal blooms with local produce, creating lush, painterly compositions.

Red was also a key colour for us, not only as a grounding accent, but also because of its cultural significance in Chinese tradition. You could find it throughout the day in subtle but intentional ways: in the place cards, floral arrangements, and other details that nodded to heritage while staying true to the aesthetic we’d envisioned.

Salt Spring Island itself holds a very special place in our hearts. We’ve grown to love the local community and the slower pace of life there, and we wanted to share that with our guests. Bringing our loved ones to this island that means so much to us, and grounding our celebration in its landscape, made the day all the more meaningful.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

One of the most impactful visual elements for us was the way the natural beauty of Salt Spring Island was seamlessly woven into the styling. Bullock Lake Farm provided the most stunning backdrop, with its wild gardens, open fields, and serene lake; we didn’t feel the need to over-style or compete with the landscape. Instead, we leaned into what was already there and let nature take the lead.

The florals were absolutely a standout. Our florist, Molly from Bullock Lake Farm, created incredible arrangements that incorporated both seasonal flowers and local produce, blending artful still-life inspiration with the textures and tones of the land. The tablescapes were moody yet inviting, and the ceremony arch felt like a natural extension of the surrounding garden.

We also loved our long, family-style dining tables, which helped create a sense of intimacy and togetherness. Everything, from the linens to the place settings, felt thoughtful, earthy, and beautifully cohesive with the environment around us.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

What we enjoyed most about the planning process was creating a celebration that felt intentional and true to us. From the very beginning, we knew that spending quality time with the people we love was a top priority. We didn’t want to feel rushed or pulled from one activity to the next. Instead, we focused on designing a day that allowed space for real connection, good conversation, and lots of joy. At the end of the day, we just wanted everyone (including ourselves) to have fun and feel relaxed.

That intention became our guiding star throughout the planning process. Whenever we were unsure about a decision, we came back to the atmosphere we wanted to create and whether it felt meaningful to us as a couple.

Our biggest tip for couples starting their wedding planning journey is to remember that your wedding is about you and your partner, not anyone else. Do what feels right for you, not what’s expected. Skip traditions that don’t resonate. Prioritise what brings you joy. In the end, our guests told us the day felt completely and unmistakably “us,” and that was the best compliment we could’ve received.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We genuinely loved everyone we worked with. Each vendor played such an important role in bringing our day to life. The team at Bullock Lake Farm was exceptional. They handled everything: décor, florals, catering, and day-of coordination.

Working with a team that cared so deeply and poured so much intention into every detail made all the difference. They truly listened to our vision and brought it to life in a way that exceeded all expectations. The florals, in particular, were breathtaking. Seeing everything come together for the first time was an unforgettable moment.

The food was another major highlight. Chef Haidee Hart created an incredible family-style meal using ingredients sourced entirely from the farm. Her son even caught the salmon we served!

Adina from Loves Galette made the most beautiful and unique sheet cakes — a chocolate raspberry and a pandan coconut — decorated with fresh florals from the farm. And our photographer, Henny, was such a calming and kind presence. Richard and I are both camera-shy, but she made us feel so at ease and captured every moment with warmth and authenticity. We couldn’t have asked for a better team. Lastly, our DJ Niña Mendoza curated the perfect vibes to keep everyone on the dance floor all night.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

I’ve been obsessed with Kamparett for years, so when it came time to pick my wedding dress, I knew exactly where to start. My mom and I flew to San Francisco to visit their studio and try on some dresses. I love how they use silk. It made the dress feel light and dreamy but still classic and simple enough to fit perfectly with the environment of our wedding.

Richard went for a custom suit that really matched the landscape and season, plus it had to look great with my dress. The team at Surmesur were awesome, helping him pick fabrics that would be breathable and comfortable, and a suit he could actually wear again after the wedding. We both wanted our outfits to feel timeless but still relaxed and true to us, and we were both very happy with the outcome.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

We designed my wedding and engagement ring with Cavalier Jewelry (I decided to combine the two instead of getting two separate rings). I knew I wanted a red gemstone because red holds so many meanings for us. It’s an important colour in my Chinese heritage, it’s the colour of Richard’s favourite football team, Liverpool, and it matches our birthstones. We created a thicker gold band set with four emerald-cut rubies, and I still love looking at it every day.

Richard is very hands-on and practical, so we knew a fancy ring wouldn’t suit his lifestyle. I always thought it was unfair that the bride gets a special ring and the groom doesn’t get much, so my wedding gift to him was a watch, something he could wear daily and hold memories from our wedding. The team at Rodeo Jewellers in Vancouver were fantastic, and Richard got one of his dream Tudor watches.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

One of the things we loved most about Bullock Lake Farm was that they offered a complete package: food, décor, florals, and coordination all in one. Having all those vendors centralised made the planning process so much easier and more cohesive.

The two elements we knew we wanted to invest in were food and photography. Food was a big priority because we wanted to make sure our guests had plenty of delicious options and that the meal would be a true highlight of the day. Everything was locally sourced and thoughtfully prepared, which made it even more special.

Photography was also incredibly important to us. We knew these photos would be memories we’d cherish forever, so finding someone who could capture the spirit of our wedding was key. When we met Henny, we instantly connected. She made us feel completely at ease in front of the camera, and her organic, natural style felt perfect for our day. Having her there felt like having a close friend with us, and we especially loved our sunset photos in the field.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

One of our favourite moments was simply seeing our friends and family genuinely enjoying themselves: smiling, laughing, and feeling relaxed. That sense of connection is something we’ll always treasure. The wedding speeches were definitely a highlight. They began with emotional and heartfelt words from my brother and best friend, followed by two playful roasts from Richard’s best friend and brother. It had everyone laughing so much that tears were rolling down faces, and those speeches are still talked about today. It really captured the tone we wanted, less formality, more fun and real moments.

On a more personal note, walking down the aisle together was very special to us. Since we had been legally married previously, we chose to walk side by side down the aisle to our celebrant, Neil. Neither of us enjoys being the centre of attention, so holding hands and seeing our guests from that perspective helped ease our nerves. It was a quiet, meaningful moment that we’ll always remember as the perfect way to start the ceremony.