Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/223347
Years later, she got the surprise of her life when Alex showed up in India — where she was visiting family — and popped the question. Once the initial shock of her Taj Mahal engagement wore off, those magnificent Island blooms instantly came to mind. "We wanted a destination wedding, and I really wanted to be surrounded by flowers, so Vancouver Island was an easy pick," says Anjali. "The real challenge was trying to pin down a venue from over 2,000 miles away." She and Alex needed local help. After researching wedding planners in Vancouver and Victoria, they met Jessica Minnie of Petite Pearl Events. "She was so sweet and lovely and organized," Anjali says. "We connected right away." That immediate "spark" was key for Jessica, too. "When it comes to planning a long-distance wedding, trust is the most important thing," says Jessica. "When my clients can't be there in person to meet the vendors and see what I'm seeing, I need to sit right on the border of friendship with them, even though it is a business relationship." With Alex and Anjali's wish list in mind — outdoor ceremony, garden setting, intimate reception — Jessica sourced the perfect venue in Saanichton's Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. Rustic and secluded, the property includes an organic orchard and dazzling ocean views. While the couple did manage to view the farm in person 10 months ahead of their summer nuptials, they simply weren't able to make any further trips to the Island before their wedding. "That made keeping in touch and communicating openly and honestly with Jessica really important," Alex says. "She was great at staying on top of things — making sure we stuck to our deadlines and filling us in on what was going on every step of the way. We set up monthly Skype sessions and she even kept our email threads organized by subject line." Jessica also asked Anjali to create a Pinterest board, which would give her more insight into the bride's vision. "I typically create a board for each of my clients, too, so they can follow me and see what inspiration I'm gathering for their wedding along the way," she says. "Another really useful platform is Instagram; whenever I posted photos of anything related to Anjali's wedding, I'd tag her so she'd know to take a look." Technology and the Internet, Jessica says, have made a huge difference to how wedding planners and their long-distance clients are able to share information "in an instant." "From the beginning of the planning and throughout the process they're coming across ideas for floral arrangements, p24-27_Anjali+Alex.indd 27 theDream Team Photographer Vasia Weddings vasia-weddings.com Venue Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse seacider.ca Wedding Planner & Décor Petite Pearl Events petitepearlevents.com Bride's Dress Allure Bridal 8965, from Belle Saison Bridal bellesaisonbridal.com Pink ghagra choli, from Rani Boutique raniboutique.com Hair & Makeup Elena from Conscious Hair conscioushair.com Groom's Outfit Hugo Boss, from Nordstrom nordstrom.com Bride's Shoes Enzo Angiolini, from Nordstrom Groom's Shoes Allen Edmonds, from Nordstrom Flower Girl & Ring Bearer Outfits Chasing Fireflies chasing-fireflies.com Stationery Design by Dainty designbydainty.com Flowers Verbena Floral Design verbenafloraldesign.ca Catering Food for Thought Catering Ltd. foodforthoughtcatering.net colour schemes, bridesmaids' dresses," she says. "Now, no matter how far away they are, all they need to do is text or email me an image. It's that easy." For Anjali and Alex, these modern-day conveniences made the wedding of their dreams possible, despite the distance. Even now that the "I dos" are over, the couple remains in close touch with their wedding planner. "We're still in contact with Jessica for sure, through social media and text messages," Anjali says. "Our long-distance relationship has been very successful." rw Cupcakes Lighthouse Cake Company lighthousecakecompany.ca Disc Jockey Jeremy from Spin the Black Disc spintheblackdisc.com Jewellery The Bay thebay.com Wedding Rings Almaza Jewelers almazajewelers.com See our iPad issue for even more photos 13-11-26 11:57 AM