Alicia & Michael's Bangin' Errington Hall Wedding - Devee Photography: Parksville Wedding & Family Photography

Alicia and Michaels Errington Hall wedding was a day I will forever cherish. I met Alicia way back in grade 1, and reconnected with her shortly after high school. Infiltrating her circle of friends, I am grateful to call her a bestie and all my other gals too. ♥ It started with my wild ask to road-trip across Canada in my 1991 Honda Civic. I invited my coworker Willow, who said yes. After that summer-long adventure, I joined Willow’s circle and Alicia was one of them! I remember meeting Michael for the first time- Alicia and I were editing a video to submit for a job hiking across the Trans Canada Trail. Suddenly, Alicia started putting on red hot lipstick and said, “well, Michael is on his way!” I got the hint and didn’t stay too long. These are two brilliant minds, down-to-earth and devoted to whatever they put their minds to. Sitting at a bonfire one day, they started discussing canons and their evolution, mechanisms etc. They are both highly intelligent and are seriously a wonderful pair. I was thrilled when they asked me to be their wedding photographer.

The Iconic Errington War Memorial Hall

The Errington War Memorial Hall is an iconic and historic building in the Errington community. Built in 1922 to memorialize those lost to World War 1 and 2, it is now a thriving community space that garners connection, fun and learning. Hosting weddings, concerts, musicals, open mic, free recreation nights and various other shows and events, there is always something to look forward to at the Errington Hall. It is on the same property as the Errington Farmers Market, which hosts a weekly Saturday market from Spring to Autumn which began in 1973. This venue is a sublime gem of a wedding venue, with a ton of possibilities and unique features. Bonus, it is very budget friendly!

Alicia and Michael chose to marry on the outdoor stage in front of the concession, took family photos in the small field clearing in front of an old growth Douglas Fir tree, and held their reception in the Hall. After a short mingling break, the newlyweds and I took off to nearby Little Mountain, about a 10 minute drive away. This setting is a stunning location for photos, with views of Errington and the iconic mountains beyond of Arrowsmith, Cokely and Moriarty. Guests stayed behind and meandered through the market grounds where covered tables held goodies and games. Upon their grand entrance, everyone was seated and ready to begin the evening event. Emotional speeches, a hilarious emcee Devon, delicious family-catered dinner and deserts, a photobooth, dancing and DJ made for a extremely fun night. The stage is designed for dramatic effect- with the red curtains, spotlight and black background, it made for some very cool stage-worthy moments.

Senbazuru; 1000 Paper Cranes

The Japanese tradition of senbazuru, folding 1000 paper cranes, is done to grant the folder a wish. In the case of a bride folding 1000 paper cranes, it is good luck for the wedding. This is quoted from a plaque at their wedding, “As a child, Alicia was profoundly impacted by the novel, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, in which a young Japanese girl dies of leukemia from the bombing of Hiroshima. We should remember that today is anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. 78 years later, in a Hall built to commemorate a different war, we offer these thousand paper cranes as a wish for peace.”