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		<title>Staying at Rowena’s Inn on the River in Harrison Mills, BC</title>
		<link>https://lezseetheworld.com/rowenas-inn-harrison-mills-bc/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lez See the World]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 May 2021 02:40:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[British Columbia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Canada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BC Getaway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Golf Course]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Harrison]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Luxury Cabin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://lezseetheworld.com/?p=3733</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We were so fortunate to be able to do some local exploring last year, and we’re looking back on some of our favourite BC destinations. Make sure you add this&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/rowenas-inn-harrison-mills-bc/">Staying at Rowena’s Inn on the River in Harrison Mills, BC</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We were so fortunate to be able to do some local exploring last year, and we’re looking back on some of our favourite BC destinations. Make sure you add this spot to your travel list for when the province opens back up!</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Harrison Mills is a community in the BC Fraser Valley, only 90 minutes outside the city of Vancouver. If you’re looking for a quick getaway from the city, we can’t recommend this place enough! Harrison Mills is home to The Sandpiper Resort and Rowena’s Inn on the River. With stunning views of the Harrison River, the grounds are absolutely beautiful and the accommodations are really unique. The main inn has been converted from an old English-style manor and has a variety of rooms available. They’ve also added both rustic and luxury cabin accommodations to the 160 acre property if you’re looking for something more secluded. We stayed in one of the luxury cabins last summer and it was such a great experience. Keep reading for more details on the accommodations and more info about Harrison Mills, BC.</span></p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3742" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-Katie-Cabin-2.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="500" height="625" /><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3740" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Harrison-Lake-2.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="700" height="467" /><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3748" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-Katie-Cabin-8.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>How to Get There</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Harrison Mills is located on the Harrison River, and is about an hour and a half drive from the city of Vancouver. It’s most accessible by car and makes for a great road trip through the Fraser Valley! It’s also just 20 minutes away from Harrison Hot Springs, another great tourism community that is worth a visit. We highly recommend taking your time driving to Harrison Mills to enjoy the entire area!</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3754" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Kilby-Farm-3.jpg" alt="Harrison Mills, BC" width="700" height="467" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3752" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Lavender-Farm-3.jpg" alt="Harrison Mills, BC" width="700" height="467" /></p>
<h3>Rowena’s Inn</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Rowena’s Inn on the River is such a unique accommodation. The <a href="https://rowenasinnontheriver.com/vancouver-boutique-hotel-rowenas-inn/">historic inn</a> is a boutique style bed and breakfast, and the rooms are absolutely beautiful. It will feel like you’re being transported back in time! Rooms in the inn include breakfast, and many of them have views of the Harrison River. There is also a dining room as well as a separate restaurant on the resort property called <a href="https://sandpiperresort.ca/clubhouse/">Clubhouse</a>, along with a golf course and a pool. This is such a gorgeous place and it makes for a really special getaway. You won’t be disappointed!</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3736" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rowenas-Inn-4.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="700" height="467" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3737" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rowenas-Inn-5.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="700" height="467" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3738" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rowenas-Inn-6.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="700" height="467" /></p>
<h3>The Cabins</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">There are both rustic and luxury style cabins on the property, and both of them are a great choice if you’re looking for something quiet. We stayed in a one bedroom luxury cabin last summer and it was one of our favourite places that we’ve ever stayed. The cabins are gorgeous and there are one, two, and three bedroom options! It would be such a great spot for families and large groups, and there are even pet-friendly units! Amenities in the different cabin layouts differ, but expect to find fully equipped kitchens, air conditioning, spacious patios, wood burning fireplaces, and jacuzzi tubs. Even the “rustic” cabins are beautifully decorated and have plenty of luxury touches. Our stay was in the Heron Cabin, and it was beautiful. We loved sitting out on the deck with a glass of wine and enjoying the views of the river. It’s such a great place to rest and recharge, and a perfect getaway that isn’t too far from the city.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3744" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-Katie-Cabin-4.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="500" height="625" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3743" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-Katie-Cabin-3.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="500" height="625" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3747" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-Katie-Cabin-7.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="500" height="625" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3746" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-Katie-Cabin-6.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="500" height="625" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3745" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-Katie-Cabin-5.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="500" height="625" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3741" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Steph-Katie-Cabin-1.jpg" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>Harrison Mills</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Harrison Mills is a great outdoor destination, and would be a nice spot to visit any time of year. If you want to fully enjoy some nature activities, the summer is a great time to fully appreciate everything the area has to offer! If you venture off the resort property be sure to visit the Kilby Historic Site and do the Circle Farm Tour. There’s also a lavender farm and some great local businesses to check out! For a full list of what to do in Harrison Mills, be sure to read our complete guide <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/harrison-mills-hot-springs/">here</a>. We really enjoyed our visit and will definitely be back. We felt completely welcomed and comfortable as a same-sex couple, and we can definitely recommend it as a great destination.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3751" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Lavender-Farm-4.jpg" alt="Harrison Mills, BC" width="700" height="467" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3755" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Back-Porch.jpg" alt="Harrison Mills, BC" width="700" height="467" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3753" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Farm-House-Natural-Cheeses.jpg" alt="Harrison Mills, BC" width="700" height="467" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3756" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Lost-Marble-2.jpg" alt="Harrison Mills, BC" width="700" height="467" /></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">For information on Rowena’s Inn and more about Harrison Mills, you can visit their website <a href="https://sandpiperresort.ca/">here</a>.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Has anyone else been to Harrison Mills in BC? Let us know in the comments!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3750" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rowenas-Inn-Pinterest.png" alt="Rowen's Inn Harrison Mills Pinterest" width="400" height="600" /></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: medium;">Disclosure: This post is in no way sponsored by Tourism Harrison Mills or Rowena’s Inn on the River. Rowena’s Inn did generously host us for a one night stay during our summertime visit, and we are so excited to share this property with our audience. We had an amazing experience at their cabin and we can highly recommend their accommodations!</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/rowenas-inn-harrison-mills-bc/">Staying at Rowena’s Inn on the River in Harrison Mills, BC</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
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		<title>A Day Trip to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver</title>
		<link>https://lezseetheworld.com/capilano-suspension-bridge-vancouver/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lez See the World]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2020 00:30:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[British Columbia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Canada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North America]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Capilano Suspension Bridge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://lezseetheworld.com/?p=2447</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is located just 20 minutes outside of downtown Vancouver, and offers incredible views of Capilano River and the stunning coastal rainforest. Along with the main suspension&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/capilano-suspension-bridge-vancouver/">A Day Trip to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.capbridge.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Capilano Suspension Bridge Park</a> is located just 20 minutes outside of downtown Vancouver, and offers incredible views of Capilano River and the stunning coastal rainforest. Along with the main suspension bridge, which hangs more than 200 feet above the river, the park offers additional attractions including the Treetops Adventure and the Cliffwalk. The park is dog friendly (must be leashed), and there is <a href="https://www.capbridge.com/visit/shuttle-service" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">free shuttle transportation</a> from downtown Vancouver. Capilano is such a special place and an absolute must-visit for all Vancouverites and anyone travelling to the city. Make sure this unique experience goes on your travel list!</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2474" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Steph-Katie-Cliffwalk.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="500" height="625" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2479" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Theo-Cliffwalk-1.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge Dog" width="500" height="625" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2476" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Steph-Suspension-Bridge-Theo.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Capilano’s main suspension bridge was originally built in 1889 and has become an iconic Vancouver attraction. It’s more than 450 feet long and connects the two sides of the park. If you don’t do very well with heights it’s best to take your time, walk slowly, and hold onto the cables. There is plenty of time to enjoy the sights while you’re crossing and take plenty of photos, so don’t forget your camera! You can also see amazing views of the bridge from either side of the park.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2463" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Capilano-Suspenion-Bridge.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="700" height="467" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2468" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Suspension-Bridge-4-1.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="500" height="625" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2467" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Suspension-Bridge-3.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="700" height="467" /></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">The Treetops Adventure is the best way to truly admire Capilano’s West Coast rainforest. This attraction has 7 small suspension bridges hanging among the huge Douglas-fir trees, with viewing platforms offering a unique perspective of the beautiful forest. This attraction has been recognized for its innovative engineering and is a must-do adventure when visiting the park.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2472" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Treetops-Bridge-3.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="700" height="467" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2469" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Treetop-Adventure-2.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="500" height="625" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2471" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Treetops-Bridge-2.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="700" height="467" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2470" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Treetop-Adventure.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Capilano’s newest attraction, the Cliffwalk, is definitely the most thrilling of them all! With 700 feet of walkways and platforms, the Cliffwalk offers a stunning viewpoint of the canyon that is unlike anything else in the park. Again, if you are weary of heights you will want to walk slowly and use the hand rails. There are platforms where you can stop to take in the view and let others pass if you want to go slowly and take your time.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2465" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cliffwalk-Sign.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="700" height="467" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2466" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cliffwalk.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="500" height="625" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2464" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cliffwalk-2.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="700" height="467" /> <span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">The park is open all year round (except Dec 25), rain or shine and tickets can be purchased online. Be sure to give yourself at least a couple of hours to enjoy all of the main activities as well as the smaller attractions, including nature walks and complimentary guided history tours. You also need to check out Kia’palano, a display where you can learn about BC’s First Nations people, and admire the park’s collection of totem (story) poles. If you’re looking for food, drinks, or souvenirs, there is also a small store, as well as cafes, a restaurant, and an ice cream shop on the property. Each winter Capilano puts on <a href="https://www.capbridge.com/explore/canyon-lights/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canyon Lights</a>, an incredible holiday festival where the entire park is lit up with festive decorations and hundreds of thousands of lights. If you’re visiting between November and January this is a great way to see the park!</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2475" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Steph-Katie-Treetop-Adventure_.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="500" height="625" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2477" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Steph-Katie-Treetop-Adventure-Theo-2.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge Dog" width="500" height="625" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2473" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Katie-Treetop-Adventure-Theo_.jpg" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Have you already been to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park? Share your experiences in the comments below!</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/700028335822494669" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2449" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Capilano-Pinterest-683x1024.png" alt="Capilano Suspension Bridge Pinterest" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/capilano-suspension-bridge-vancouver/">A Day Trip to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
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		<title>Top 10 Holiday Activities In and Around Vancouver, BC in 2019</title>
		<link>https://lezseetheworld.com/top-10-holiday-activities-vancouver/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lez See the World]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Nov 2019 13:59:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[British Columbia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Canada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Destinations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North America]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2019]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christmas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holiday Activities Vancouver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Top Ten Vancouver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel Vancouver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lezseetheworld.com/?p=679</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We are so proud to be Vancouverites! We both grew up in suburbs outside the city, and Vancouver is where we met and where we made our first home together.&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/top-10-holiday-activities-vancouver/">Top 10 Holiday Activities In and Around Vancouver, BC in 2019</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We are so proud to be Vancouverites! We both grew up in suburbs outside the city, and Vancouver is where we met and where we made our first home together. It’s also the city where we got married, and where we usually spend the holiday season. We both love the month of December, and one of our favourite traditions is going on plenty of holiday dates! Vancouver has tons of amazing activities and events happening this time of year, and it’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit during our time at home. Keep reading for a list of our ten favourite holiday activities in and around Vancouver in 2019!</span></p>
<h3>The Vancouver Christmas Market</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">This German style Christmas Market is a must! It has more than 80 amazing vendors with artisan crafts, locally made products, food stands, festive drinks, and so much more. There is plenty of traditional German fare as well as great vegan food options (our favourite!), and of course plenty of mulled wine. There’s also beautiful light displays, plenty of great photo ops, and awesome live entertainment. It’s a really fun activity to do during the daytime or in the evening, and we always go a couple of times each season!</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.vancouverchristmasmarket.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vancouver Christmas Market</a><br />
Where: Jack Poole Plaza in Downtown Vancouver<br />
When: November 20 to December 24<br />
Price: $13 online for adults (includes a seasons pass)</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1999" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Christmas-Market-Kiss-819x1024.png" alt="Lesbian Couple Kiss Christmas Lights" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>Bright Nights in Stanley Park</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Stanley Park is a really fun place to visit during the holidays! Bright Nights decorates the park with incredible light displays, and there are food and drink vendors as well as Santa’s Village. You can also get a ticket for the miniature Christmas Train (highly recommend), which takes you around the park for a closer look at the three million lights they put up! The whole event is truly magical, and we always make sure to visit each year.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/bright-nights-train.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bright Nights in Stanley Park</a><br />
Where: Pipeline Road in Stanley Park<br />
When: November 28 to January 1<br />
Price: Admission by donation (Christmas Train tickets $13 online)</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-700" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Steph-Katie-Bright-Nights.jpg" alt="Lesbian Couple Christmas Lights" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>Ice Skating at Robson Square</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">This has to be one of our favourite holiday activities! It always feels very romantic to go ice skating in December, and Robson Square is the perfect spot to do it. The Robson Square rink is right in the middle of downtown Vancouver, and is always very festive for the holidays. There are skate rentals if you need them, and a beautiful Christmas tree in the square which makes for a great photo opportunity! If you love ice skating, make sure you add this one to your list.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.robsonsquare.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Robson Square Ice Rink</a><br />
Where: Robson Square Ice Rink (Robson St between Hornby &amp; Howe)<br />
When: November 30 to February 29<br />
Price: Free admission (skate rental $5 cash only)</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1154" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Steph-Katie-Christmas-Market-1-819x1024.jpg" alt="Lesbian Couple Vancouver Christmas Market" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>VanDusen Festival of Lights</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">The light display at the VanDusen Botanical Garden is truly amazing! It’s a beautiful place to take photos, or just walk around and enjoy. There are holiday lights all over the grounds and around the ponds, as well as scheduled dancing light shows each half hour. There is also a carousel, fireside lounge, and Santa’s village. It’s a beautiful event and definitely worth the visit this time of year!</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/festival-of-lights.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VanDusen Festival of Lights</a><br />
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden<br />
When: November 30 to January 5<br />
Price: $19-$22 online depending on dates</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2000" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Christmas-Market-Tree-819x1024.png" alt="Lesbian Couple Christmas Tree" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>Christmas at Canada Place</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Canada Place sits on the beautiful Burrard Inlet Waterfront, and has a ton of things going on around the holidays! We love checking out the classic Christmas window displays that have been preserved from the Woodward’s Department Store, as well as the avenue of Christmas trees. We always visit in the evening to see the beautiful night time views of the water. Canada Place is also home to FlyOver Canada, a flight simulation ride that does a Christmas edition each year! We highly recommend checking out Canada Place around the holidays, and it’s a only a few minutes walk from the Vancouver Christmas Market if that’s on your list.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.canadaplace.ca/events/christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christmas at Canada Place</a> and <a href="https://www.flyovercanada.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FlyOver Canada</a><br />
Where: Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver<br />
When: December 6 to January 1 (FlyOver Canada November 21 to January 5)<br />
Price: Free admission (FlyOver Canada $26-$32 online depending on dates)</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-701" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Steph-Katie-Canada-Place.jpg" alt="Lesbian Couple Canada Place Vancouver" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>Aurora Winter Festival</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Aurora is Canada’s largest winter festival, and this is it’s second season in Vancouver! It has amusement park rides, a frozen river for skating, incredible light displays, live performers and entertainment, and tons of food and market vendors. The festival is huge and there is so much to do! Our favourites are the vegan food truck, the character performers, and the gorgeous light displays. If you’re looking for a big winter festival jam packed with activities, don’t miss this one! </span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.aurorawinterfestival.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aurora Winter Festival</a><br />
Where: Hastings Park/PNE<br />
When: November 22 &#8211; January 5<br />
Price: $18-$20 online for adults (amusement park rides are extra)</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-681" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Steph-Katie-Aurora.jpg" alt="Lesbian Couple Christmas Lights" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>Canyon Lights at Capilano</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">The Canyon Lights Festival is one of the more expensive holiday attractions, but Capilano Park in North Vancouver is truly amazing to visit. The park is incredible at any time of year, but the holiday festival is extra special! The rainforest and canyon look absolutely beautiful filled with festive lights, and the suspension bridges are magical. There is additional festival entertainment including a holiday band, and the canyon views are incomparable. Capilano Park is about 20 minutes outside of Vancouver, but there is a free shuttle that leaves from various spots downtown. </span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.capbridge.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canyon Lights at Capilano</a><br />
Where: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park<br />
When: November 22 &#8211; January 26<br />
Price: $54 online for adults</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1968" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Capilano-819x1024.png" alt="Lesbian Couple Capilano Suspension Bridge" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>Glow</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Glow is an amazing indoor holiday festival that we love to visit every year! Our favourite part is that we can stay cozy and warm inside while we enjoy all of the festivities. Glow has really beautiful light gardens and tons of great spots to take photos. There is also a Christmas Market, live entertainment, a licensed bar, interactive displays, and a miniature train. This event is also very family friendly, so don’t be afraid to bring young kids!</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.glowgardens.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Glow</a><br />
Where: Harbour Convention Centre<br />
When: November 21 to January 5<br />
Price: $20-$23 online for adults</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2006" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Steph-Katie-Glow-Lights-819x1024.png" alt="Lesbian Couple Glow Langley" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<h3>Lights at Lafarge</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Lafarge Lake is located outside of Vancouver, but it has the best free holiday light display! Hundreds of thousands of lights decorate the park and walkway around the lake, and we especially love this activity because it’s dog friendly! It’s a beautiful spot to take photos, and it can be much quieter than the holiday events in the city. It’s a really beautiful walk around the lake with lots to see, and they even have certain dates with special activities. The lake is accessible by transit from the city, and in our opinion it’s definitely worth the trek!</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.coquitlam.ca/parks-recreation-and-culture/arts-and-culture/special-events-calendar/LightsatLafarge.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lights at Lafarge</a><br />
Where: Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam<br />
When: November 30 to January 19<br />
Price: Free admission</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-699" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Katie-and-Steph-Lafarge-Lights.jpg" alt="Lesbian Couple Lafarge Lights" width="500" height="624" /></p>
<h3>Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">This is the most unique event on the list, as it takes place in a living museum of a 1920’s village about 25 minutes outside of Vancouver. Heritage Christmas includes holiday light displays throughout the village, a carousel, live entertainers, amazing vintage museum displays, and Father Christmas. This is one we really love to do because it’s so different from the other holiday events in December! The museum is accessible by transit from Vancouver, and is the perfect activity this time of year.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/EN/main/visit/events/events/heritage-christmas.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Heritage Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum</a><br />
Where: Burnaby Village Museum<br />
When: November 23 to January 3<br />
Price: Free admission (carousel $2.65)</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1997" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Christmas-Market-Carousel-819x1024.png" alt="Lesbian Couple Kiss Carousel" width="500" height="625" /></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Do you have a favourite holiday activity in Vancouver that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments! We can’t wait to hear which festive activities you love to do this time of year.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/700028335815142258" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-2001" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Vancouver-Holiday-Pinterest-683x1024.png" alt="Lesbian Couple Holiday Pinterest" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/top-10-holiday-activities-vancouver/">Top 10 Holiday Activities In and Around Vancouver, BC in 2019</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
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		<title>A Major Life Update!</title>
		<link>https://lezseetheworld.com/life-update/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lez See the World]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2019 21:03:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[House Purchase]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Money]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lezseetheworld.com/?p=1271</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We have exciting news that we’ve been waiting to share for the past couple of months, and it’s finally official! We are so thrilled about our new venture, and it’s&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/life-update/">A Major Life Update!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We have exciting news that we’ve been waiting to share for the past couple of months, and it’s finally official! We are so thrilled about our new venture, and it’s been something that we’ve been working toward and hoping for, for a long time. Keep reading for the full story!</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">When Steph and I met in Vancouver 8 years ago, she owned a condo in a four unit building in East Vancouver, and she was renting it out to a long term tenant. Several years after we moved together to Toronto, the Vancouver real estate market was at its peak, and Steph sold her place. The sale allowed us to buy out our home in Niagara Falls, and gave us a down payment for another investment sometime down the road. At the time, we weren’t sure we would ever want to live in Vancouver full-time again, as we had fallen in love with a life of travel. We owned a home in Niagara Falls that was working well for us, contributing to our income with short term rentals, and giving us the financial freedom to keep travelling. We felt good about getting out of the Vancouver market, but over the past couple years we kept coming back to the question of whether or not we would ever want to own property in our home city again. </span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We recently started having more and more conversations about what it would look like to buy something in Vancouver, whether or not we would ever be able to afford it, and how we could leverage a property there with the strict rental restrictions that the city has imposed. Even though we didn’t want to move back full-time, we’ve always known that Vancouver is home for us, and we really liked the idea of owning a little piece of our favourite city. It felt like a far off dream, but one that we continually came back to, hoping that it might be possible for us at some point in the future.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">At the start of this year, we started paying closer attention to the Vancouver real estate market, as it was dipping into a low. Properties were sitting on the market for months, prices were down and being reduced multiple times before selling, and things had cooled off to a point that we really took notice. We thought that it might be our one and only chance to get back into the market, so we started considering the idea of an investment property. Something small that didn’t need to be suitable for us, and we would just get a long term tenant to pay down the mortgage. We figured it could be a nice way to ride the market back up, and maybe one day we could buy something else to live in ourselves. We started looking at listings online and crunching the numbers to see if it all made sense, and it looked possible.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">When we got home from Mexico in January, we decided to go to an open house in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood, to see a very small condo unit in our price range. On a cold and sunny winter Sunday, we walked over to the building with Steph’s parents to have a look. The unit was nothing special, but certainly nice enough. We knew it would be a fine investment and we could get a long term tenant in there to cover our monthly mortgage and other costs. It was a safe choice, in a great neighbourhood, and it would have a good appreciation in value over the years. We left feeling like it was an alright option, and as we walked out of the building we saw a sign for another open house around the corner. I remembered seeing a listing online for the building next door, and I knew there was a small studio unit that was a similar size and price to what we had just seen. There had been an open house for it the day before, and I figured they must be showing it again, so I convinced everyone to go take a look.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">When we walked into the building, it instantly reminded Steph and I of the first building in Vancouver we ever rented in together. It was modern and quirky, and had a great energy. We met the selling agent and wandered into the unit, quickly realizing that it wasn’t the small studio we expected. The condo was a bright and beautiful one bedroom plus den, with huge windows, two balcony spaces, tons of natural light, and a perfect floor plan. I immediately grabbed the brochure to find out what we were looking at, and my eyes darted to the price which was quite a bit more than we wanted to spend. Steph and I walked around the condo both with the same overwhelming feeling of how perfect the place was, and I grabbed her arm at one point to tell her that it just felt like our home. It was one of those moments where it just felt RIGHT. The corner unit was spacious and unique, private and well organized, and it ticked all of our boxes for a place to live. The agent explained to us that this was the third time the unit had been listed, and the price had been greatly reduced. She also went on to tell us that this was one of the few buildings in Vancouver that allowed short term rentals, meaning that new owners could Airbnb the space for a portion of the year. After we heard that, our feelings deepened. This was something we never expected to find, and it would mean that we could leverage the property as a lucrative investment, while also having a part time home when we came to Vancouver. It felt too perfect!</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We walked out of the open house chattering excitedly about what a good opportunity this was, how we never expected to find a condo that suited us so well, and how it made perfect sense to buy. We started doing all of the calculations to see if it was even possible. We researched mortgage rates, utility costs, rental rates, and Airbnb licenses, and we spent hours going over everything to continually come to the same conclusion. We could do this. This made sense for us.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">The following day we met with our realtor to gush about the place, and explain that we had completely fallen in love with it. He walked us through what we would need to do to make a move on it, and we quickly started gathering everything. The next day we were working on an offer, and that evening we submitted it, knowing that another offer had also gone in. We waited impatiently, so sure that this place was meant for us, trying to squash any doubt in our minds. A couple of hours later, we got the incredible news that our offer had been accepted! We screamed and cried and popped open a celebratory drink, in disbelief that this was all happening in just a matter of days.</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">After our accepted offer, the hard work really began. We had one week to get our financing arranged, and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy to qualify for a mortgage with the new regulations in Canada. We are both self-employed, and regardless of the fact that we have equity in another home, we don’t necessarily look great on paper. Steph spent days compiling everything we would need, and discussing our options with a mortgage broker. We were willing to do whatever it took, including asking for help if we needed it. We were dedicated to making this happen because we knew it felt right. At the end of the week the mortgage broker came back to us with bad news, and told us that no matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t make it work. The numbers just weren’t there, and the rules were too strict. I fell apart in tears wondering why this would have all happened, only to reach a dead end. I knew we could do it. We knew the place was ours and it was all meant to work out. We had to keep trying. </span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Later that day we sat down with our personal bank to try and put together an application. We also reached out to our realtor who referred us to a mortgage specialist at a local credit union. We weren’t going to give up, and we decided to exhaust all options before we were ready to admit defeat. We started going back and forth with the bank and the credit union answering all of their questions, compiling all of our documents, and trying to make it happen one way or another. The weekend came and we were waiting for answers, having no idea what was going to happen. On the Monday we still didn’t know. We had a 6pm deadline on Tuesday and it was down to the wire. Tuesday morning we got an email from the bank with a conditional approval. It wasn’t perfect, but it was promising. We could make it work if we had to. We were waiting to hear from the credit union to see if they had better news, but it was getting so close. In the late afternoon we decided we had to move forward and remove the subjects on our offer, deciding that the conditional approval was good enough to go ahead, but we still felt weary. As we sat down to sign the documents, another email came through from the credit union: Approved!</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">It was the biggest rollercoaster of a week that we have ever experienced, but when it was all over, we had an accepted offer on our dream condo, and an approved mortgage with great terms, despite being told it wasn’t possible. We couldn’t possibly be more excited!</span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">So, what does this mean for us? Well, we aren’t moving back to Vancouver full-time, and we aren’t going to stop travelling. But we are going to have a place that’s fully ours when we come home, and another investment that we can leverage. It’s a new endeavour that will further contribute to our life of adventure! These next few months we are going to find out how we will handle managing three units in two different properties (wish us luck!). We are going to set up our new place, and pour all our energy into making it perfect. We are going to tackle this new chapter, and see where it takes us. We’re so glad that we followed our hearts and pushed ourselves to make this happen. It was a lot of work, we had to stretch ourselves beyond what we thought was possible, get out of our comfort zones, and even ask for help (which isn’t always easy to do). But we’re SO glad that we did, because we know this is what we are meant to do next. </span></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading!<br />
</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/life-update/">A Major Life Update!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
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		<title>Our Lesbian Wedding in Vancouver</title>
		<link>https://lezseetheworld.com/lesbian-wedding-vancouver/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lez See the World]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2018 22:22:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Lesbian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Our Story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gastown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lesbian Wedding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marriage Equality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wedding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wedding Planning]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://lezseetheworld.com/?p=797</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When we started dating at the beginning of 2011, we always knew that one day we would get married. Being Canadian, we were so fortunate to have the option of&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/lesbian-wedding-vancouver/">Our Lesbian Wedding in Vancouver</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">When we started dating at the beginning of 2011, we always knew that one day we would get married. Being Canadian, we were so fortunate to have the option of a legal wedding that would grant us all of the rights and freedoms as a heterosexual couple. The idea of marriage in the LGBTQ+ community means something different to everyone. A lot of same-sex couples aren’t able to legally marry. Some couples don’t believe in same-sex marriage. Some same-sex couples choose to commit to one another and live in a common-law partnership, without ever marrying legally. We respect everyone’s personal decisions regarding this topic, and we can understand why anyone might choose to marry, or choose not to. For us, neither of us were raised in a strict religious household, and we have never viewed marriage as a firmly religious institution. We have both always seen it as something that has evolved over time, and today it represents a modern partnership between two people who want to commit their lives to one another. The LGBTQ+ community has fought for this legal right in countries around the world, including our home country of Canada. It was very important to us to exercise this right, and so after being together for five years, we got married at the end of 2015.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-801" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Pinterest-Image.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Kiss Gastown" width="500" height="750" /></p>
<h3>A HOLIDAY WINTER WEDDING</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We were living in Ontario when we planned our wedding, and we decided to get married at home in Vancouver in the winter. We knew that the holidays would bring a lot of our family and friends together, and thought it would be a magical time of year to celebrate our wedding as well! We were married on December 28, 2015 in our home city of Vancouver, in Gastown, our old neighbourhood. Between the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Years, we brought the most important people in our lives together. Friends and family travelled from all over the world to celebrate our beautiful day. Despite Vancouver being iconically rainy, we miraculously enjoyed a dry and sunny wedding day, and we love to look back on our amazing memories from the occasion.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-803" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/HOLIDAY-WINTER-WEDDING.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Collage Vancouver" width="1920" height="1080" /></p>
<h3>OUR VENUE</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We chose a venue in the Gastown neighbourhood of Vancouver, because it’s where we used to live. It’s the oldest part of the city, with beautiful lamp posts lining it’s cobblestone streets, and it&#8217;s full of amazing restaurants, bars, and nightlife. In our opinion, it’s the most gorgeous neighbourhood in Vancouver, and it will always feel special because it’s where we made our first home together. After visiting a few venues that didn’t quite suit us, we found <a href="https://di6mond.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Diamond</a>, a gorgeous cocktail bar on the second floor of an old building in the main square of Gastown. The room had old wooden floors, wood tables, and great ambiance. Gorgeous brick walls lay between windows looking over the city, with white twinkle lights strung through the branches of the trees outside. It was small, intimate, and perfect for us.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-804" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/108-DSC_8761-copy.jpg" alt="Gastown Twinkle Lights the Diamond" width="749" height="500" /></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-805" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Venue-Collage.jpg" alt="The Diamond Vancouver Wedding" width="770" height="577" /></p>
<h3>OUR CEREMONY &amp; RECEPTION</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Neither of us wanted to get married in a church, or have our wedding reception in a banquet hall. We wanted a venue where we could do everything in one place, and keep things small, personal, and less formal. The Diamond was the perfect venue for us, and we used it for both our ceremony and reception. We got ready separately in the morning on our wedding day, and did our “first look” and formal photos in the afternoon. We had our ceremony in the early evening, and it was immediately followed by a casual cocktail hour and dinner reception. The staff at The Diamond did a beautiful job transforming the room from an intimate ceremony, to a fun reception. They had a small hidden bar just off their main room, where our guests mingled while the room was changed over. Our ceremony was quite casual, and was officiated by the incredible <a href="https://www.health.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/vs/marriage_commissioners.cgi?rm=mode3&amp;pk=92" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Karen Ell</a>. We walked ourselves down separate aisles on the perimeter of the room, and read our own personal vows to one another. Our reception was emceed by our hilarious friend Flick Penman, and included a taco buffet, a vegan ice cream bar, and an awesome dance party to a self-curated playlist! We definitely did things in a way that suited us, and we couldn’t be happier with the way it all worked out.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-807" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Bar-Collage.jpg" alt="The Diamond Vancouver Bar" width="1920" height="1080" /></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-810" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Wedding-Dance-Collage.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Vancouver" width="1920" height="1080" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-809" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Reception-Collage.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Vancouver" width="1920" height="1080" /></p>
<h3>TWO BRIDAL GOWNS</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We both chose to wear wedding dresses, and it was important to us that our gowns suited us individually, but also complemented one another. We both knew that we didn’t want to wear white, and we also knew that we likely weren’t going to find what we were looking for in a bridal shop. We decided to have our dresses custom made by Vancouver designer <a href="http://www.nicoleguzzodesigns.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nicole Guzzo</a>, and she did an amazing job bringing our visions to life. Steph decided on a stone blue colour, while I wanted something gold, and these colours helped shape all of our decor themes and even our wedding cake. Both of our dresses ending up suiting us beautifully, and they also looked really wonderful as a pair. We kept our accessories simple, and wore matching sparkly Betsey Johnson heels, and changed into matching gold Keds for our reception. We picked everything out together and saw each other in all of the fittings rather than keeping it a surprise, but that didn’t take away from the magic of seeing one another in our dresses on the wedding day.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-814" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/32-DSC_7387-copy.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Dresses" width="751" height="501" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-812" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Dresses-Collage.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Dresses" width="1920" height="1080" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-813" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Shoes-Collage.jpg" alt="Wedding Shoes" width="1920" height="1440" /></p>
<h3>OUR BRIDAL PARTY</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We didn’t stick to any rules or traditions when we planned our wedding, and so we organized our bridal party in a way that worked best for us. We decided not to have a flower girl or a ring bearer. We also decided not to have a maid of honour or a best man. Our wedding party consisted of four brides ladies and two brides men! It was important to us to have our closest friends and family members in our bridal party, and so we had a mix of women and men. We didn’t stick to the confines of what is typically normal, but it meant that we had the people who were most special to us by our sides on our wedding day.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-815" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Bridal-Party-Collage.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Bridal Party" width="1920" height="1440" /></p>
<h3>HAIR &amp; MAKEUP</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We took on a lot of things ourselves when it came to our wedding, but one thing that we didn’t want to do ourselves on the big day was hair and makeup. We had the wonderful Vancouver makeup artist <a href="https://www.fayesmithmakeup.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Faye Smith</a> and her team do our hair and makeup, as well as our brides ladies, and our moms. It was important to us that everyone feel comfortable and confident, and we kept all of the looks polished, but not too formal. Steph and I both had braids incorporated into our hair styles, and were sure to have our makeup complement one another. We’re so happy with the way that everything came together.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-817" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Make-Up-Collage.jpg" alt="Make Up" width="1920" height="1440" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-818" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Roof-Collage.jpg" alt="Two Brides Dresses Make Up" width="1920" height="1080" /></p>
<h3>OUR WEDDING HOTEL</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We chose <a href="https://victorianhotel.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Victorian Hotel</a> in Vancouver to stay at on our wedding night, and we also used it as our location to get ready before the ceremony, as well as take some of our bridal photos. It’s a beautiful, old boutique hotel that has been completely renovated, and it suited us perfectly. The manager was also lovely enough to give room discounts to our friends and family, and a lot of our wedding guests stayed there as well. The manager also offered us a great rate when we went back to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary in 2016.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-819" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Hotel-Landscape-Collage.jpg" alt="Victorian Hotel Vancouver" width="1920" height="1440" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-820" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Victorian-Hotel-Collage.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Victorian Hotel" width="1920" height="1080" /></p>
<h3>CAKE &amp; DECOR</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Our magical winter wedding was made complete with some beautiful, simple decor. We decided not to use any fresh flower arrangements, but chose pieces that added a little festive warmth to the venue. We covered the room in candles, decorated the tables with gorgeous lanterns and winter branches, and added only small touches where we wanted, as The Diamond was already so gorgeous! Our vegan cake was actually baked and decorated by Steph (have I mentioned how many incredible hidden talents she has?), and sat on a custom made wooden cake stand. We found a lot of our smaller decor pieces from Etsy, and personalized everything the way we wanted, like ordering a Mrs &amp; Mrs sign for our chairs. We also made a lot of decor ourselves including table place cards featuring our favourite Broadway musicals (yes, we’re nerds!), and a framed seating chart using extra fabric from Steph’s gown. Rather than having a guest book, we made a photo guest board, and had everyone take polaroids to pin on the board with a message written on the back. We had a lot of fun getting crafty and organizing the decor ourselves!</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-822" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Venue-Decor-Collage-2.jpg" alt="The Diamond Wedding Vancouver" width="1920" height="1080" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-821" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Venue-Decor-Collage-1.jpg" alt="The Diamond Wedding Vancouver" width="1920" height="1080" /></p>
<h3>OUR RINGS</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">When <a href="http://lezseetheworld.com/engagement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Steph proposed on the sidewalk in NYC</a>, she proposed with a place holder ring, and told me that she wanted me to pick out my dream ring when we got home. Every lesbian couple is different, but we both wanted to wear engagement rings. When we got home to Toronto, where we lived at the time, we both picked out beautiful vintage diamond rings on Etsy. I wanted something simple and classic, and I chose a traditional solitaire diamond with a white gold band. Steph wanted something more intricate, and she chose a three stone setting with round cut diamonds and a white gold band. For our wedding, we each chose different bands that would suit our engagement rings, and exchanged them during our ceremony. A lot of same-sex couples don’t wear wedding rings, and we don’t wear ours all of the time. But to us, they are a powerful symbol of our love and commitment, and we are so happy to have them.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-824" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Rings-Collage.jpg" alt="Two Brides Wedding Rings" width="1920" height="1440" /></p>
<h3>OUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER</h3>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">We were picky when it came to a lot of our vendors, and for that reason many of the people we hired were people that we already knew. Our amazing photographer <a href="http://www.sararogersphotography.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sara Rogers</a>, was one of them. We knew that we wanted somebody who would make our friends and family members feel at ease throughout the day, but also someone who would capture our wedding in a way that truly suited us. Not only did Sara do a fantastic job of capturing our ceremony and reception, she also planned the perfect locations to take our bridal portraits including the busy Gastown square, and the roof of a downtown parking garage (seriously amazing). We are so incredibly happy that we placed the utmost importance on finding the perfect photographer, because we absolutely love our wedding photos. They are the perfect capture of the most beautiful day, and years later they are still incredible to look at.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-826" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Wedding-Photo-Collage.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Two Brides Vancouver" width="1920" height="1440" /><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-825" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Wedding-Photo-Collage-2.jpg" alt="Lesbian Wedding Two Brides Vancouver" width="1920" height="1080" /></p>
<p><span class="" style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue; font-size: large;">Did anyone else get married around the holidays!? Let us know in the comments what time of year you got married, or what time of year you’re planning to have your wedding!</span></p>
<p class=""><a href="https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/700028335808069986" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-800" src="https://lezseetheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/LSTW-Pinterest-Lesbian-Wedding.jpeg" alt="Lesbian Wedding" width="400" height="599" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com/lesbian-wedding-vancouver/">Our Lesbian Wedding in Vancouver</a> appeared first on <a href="https://lezseetheworld.com">Lez See the World</a>.</p>
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