A Whimsical Flower Farm Elopement at Sage & Solace: Ilana and Jordan’s Intimate Langley Wedding

Photography by Unspoken Photography.

There is something extra magical about marrying your childhood sweetheart in a field full of flowers. Ilana and Jordan have loved each other, in one way or another, since they were kids, and on a golden September day they said their vows under a willow tree at a private flower farm, surrounded by wildflowers and the people they love most. Their day was whimsical, relaxed, and full of heart. Let me tell you all about it.

A childhood friends to forever love story

Ilana and Jordan’s story is nostalgic. They met through Ilana’s cousin when she was about twelve years old, and she thought Jordan was the dreamiest boy she had ever seen, braces and all. They became friends, then something more, and after years of growing up side by side, Jordan officially asked her to be his girlfriend. Eleven years later, here they are.

Ilana calls it their Hallmark love story, two childhood friends who slowly realized they were meant for each other. Their relationship has grown and deepened through every season of life, and now it is stronger than ever.

When Jordan proposed, he planned it for a night when the Northern Lights would be at their brightest, right in her parents’ backyard. Ilana had no idea, and had even invited her sister out to watch the sky with them, so her sister got to be part of the moment too.

Why they chose an intimate elopement (and how we found the perfect venue)

Ilana and Jordan are homebodies at heart. A big traditional wedding, with a long guest list of people they rarely see, felt performative and stressful to them, and it was never what they wanted. What they dreamed of was simple. A beautiful, private ceremony with their closest people, somewhere relaxed and truly them.

Finding the right spot took some searching. We looked at gorgeous public nature locations around Vancouver and kept running into the same challenges. They craved more privacy, they needed it to be crowd free on a long weekend Friday, and they needed it to be easy for Jordan’s grandmas to get around. So I suggested a private venue instead, and once they saw it, everything clicked into place.

Here is my favorite part. Ilana told me she had never once pictured getting married in a flower garden. When I suggested Sage & Solace Farm, she said she suddenly could not imagine anything more perfect. It is one of those things where, once you see it, you cannot unsee it. That is exactly what a planner is for.

Photography by Unspoken Photography.

Sage & Solace Farm, a whimsical wildflower dream

Sage & Solace Farm in Langley is a private flower farm, and it was the whimsical, wildflower setting Ilana did not even know she was looking for. Because they had the property for the full day and into the night, with lodging right on site, the whole celebration got to unfold in one beautiful place. No rushing between locations, no crowds, just room to breathe and be present. The couple stayed right on the farm, which made the morning feel calm and cozy.

A slow and happy morning

Ilana got ready in the carriage house while Jordan got ready in the groom’s suite. She wore a delicate hair vine and her whole look came together beautifully. One of my favorite touches was that Ilana’s dear friend Bella brought flowers straight from her own garden for the tables, which made the space feel even more personal and full of love.

A first look and private vows

Ilana and Jordan are not big fans of public speaking, so we found a way to give them the best of both worlds. They shared a private first look in the garden and read their personal vows to each other right there, just the two of them. Then they saved a shorter, more traditional ceremony for in front of their guests.

There happened to be several guests gathered right where Ilana needed to walk to get to Jordan, so Destinye (our stellar coordinator) drove Ilana in her SUV, like a celebrity, that had tinted windows, down to Jordan to keep Ilana hidden from view.

If reading vows in front of a crowd feels like a lot to you, this is such a beautiful option. You still get that intimate, tearful, just-us moment, and you get to share the celebration with everyone too.

Photography by Unspoken Photography.

A whimsical ceremony under the willow tree

Their ceremony took place under a gorgeous willow tree, with our officiant Angela leading the way. Ilana walked down the aisle with her stepdad, and their niece and nephew completely stole the show as flower girl and ring bearer.

Now for my favorite whimsical detail of the whole day. Instead of choosing their witnesses ahead of time, Ilana and Jordan taped two "witness" cards to the bottom of two random chairs. When it came time to sign the marriage license, the guests got to look under their seats to find out who the lucky witnesses would be. It was a surprise for everyone, including the couple, and such a playful way to pull their guests into the moment.

A full day of celebrating

Because they had the whole property from morning into the night, the celebration got to be a real party. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with a charcuterie spread while the couple slipped away for portraits. Then everyone gathered for a buffet dinner followed by cake, toasts, a first dance, and dancing well into the evening. It was exactly the smooth, relaxed, joyful flow Ilana had hoped for.

The secret to a day that feels effortless

Here is something I really want couples to understand, because it is one of the biggest reasons a day like this gets to feel so easy and calm. While I handled the planning, our wonderful coordinator Destinye ran the entire day on site, and she is the reason everything flowed.

A private venue is a blank canvas, which is a big part of its magic, and it also means someone has to make all the little pieces happen. Destinye did all of it, mostly behind the scenes. When it was time for the first look, she drove Ilana over in her SUV with the tinted back windows so Jordan would not catch an early glimpse, like a bride with her own getaway car. She smoothed over a small music hiccup so seamlessly that no one noticed. She moved chairs, styled tables, kept the caterers in sync, made sure every guest actually got up to eat, cut and served the cake, and tracked down a few supplies the couple had not realized they would need. She kept the whole evening moving so Ilana and Jordan never had to think about a single logistic.

That is the real difference a coordinator makes. You get to be a guest at your own wedding.

Photography by Unspoken Photography.

What they said

The day after their wedding, Ilana sent the sweetest note. Here is a little piece of it.

I cannot explain to you how absolutely magical the day felt. I felt like royalty the entire day and evening. If we could do it all over again, we would.

That, right there, is everything I hope every couple feels.

The best day

Ilana and Jordan, thank you for letting us be part of your love story. Watching two childhood friends promise each other forever, in a field full of flowers, is a day we will always hold close.

Dreaming of a flower farm elopement in BC?

If you are picturing an intimate, whimsical elopement or small wedding in British Columbia, whether it is at a flower farm, in a forest, or somewhere entirely your own, I would love to help. From planning every detail to running your day on site, my team makes sure you get to be fully present for all of it. Reach out and let’s dream up something beautiful together.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flower Farm and Private Venue Elopements in BC

Can you elope at a private flower farm in BC?

Yes, and it is one of the loveliest ways to do it. Ilana and Jordan eloped at Sage & Solace Farm, a private flower farm in Langley, in the Fraser Valley just outside Vancouver. A private farm gives you privacy, gorgeous natural scenery, and the freedom to shape the day exactly how you want it.

Can an elopement include guests, dinner, and dancing?

Absolutely. An elopement does not have to mean just the two of you. Ilana and Jordan celebrated with around thirty of their favorite people, complete with a cocktail hour, a buffet dinner, cake, and dancing. You get the intimacy and ease of an elopement with the celebration of a small wedding.

How many guests can you have at an elopement?

There is no hard rule. Some couples elope just the two of them, and others invite twenty or thirty of their closest people. The spirit of an elopement is keeping it intimate and focused on what matters, whatever guest count feels right for you.

Do you need a coordinator for a private venue?

It makes a world of difference. A private venue is often a blank canvas, which is part of its beauty, and it also means someone needs to handle setup, vendors, timing, and all the small details on the day. A coordinator runs it all behind the scenes so you can simply relax and enjoy. For Ilana and Jordan, having our coordinator Destinye on site is what made the day feel effortless.

Where is a good intimate wedding venue near Vancouver?

The Fraser Valley, including Langley, is full of beautiful private properties and farms that are perfect for intimate weddings and elopements, and they are an easy drive from Vancouver. Sage & Solace Farm is a wonderful example, with a full day rental and lodging right on site.

Can you have a first look and private vows before the ceremony?

Yes, and it is perfect for couples who feel shy about public speaking. Ilana and Jordan shared their heartfelt personal vows privately during their first look, then kept a shorter ceremony for in front of their guests. You get an intimate, emotional moment just for the two of you, and a beautiful celebration to share.

Why choose a full day private venue instead of a public spot?

A full day private venue gives you privacy, a guaranteed spot with no crowds, easy accessibility for guests of all ages, and the freedom to celebrate from morning into the night in one place. For couples who want to relax and be present with their people, it is hard to beat.