Annie & Jamie's Wedding

The place

Haida Gwaii is a spectacular place full of life and culture. Everyone in Haida Territories shares a responsibility to care for the Air, Ocean, Land and People.

If you are planning to celebrate with us we ask that you educate yourself beforehand about how to be a respectful visitor and take the pledge to do so.

Haida Gwaii Pledge

The Venue

Please join us at the Tlell fall fair grounds where the ceremony and reception will take place. Be prepared for music and dancing. Food and drinks will be provided.

View Larger Map

Address: Hwy 16, Tlell, BC, V0T 0A2
Get Directions to the Venue

Parking available on site.

Please note that Tlell is a small, rural community with no phone signal. Please plan ahead.

The Day

This will be a very relaxed and fun wedding but its going to be all hands on deck. If you're able-bodied and willing to help out, this will be the kindest gift you can offer.

What to Expect

Think of our celebration like a mini music festival. Here are a few things to know so you can arrive comfortable and ready to enjoy the day:

Outdoor celebration

The ceremony and festivities will take place outside, with covered areas available for rain or sun.

Music all day

Live bands will play during the day and early evening, with a DJ later in the night. Feel free to dance, wander, or take breaks as you like.

Easy, flexible flow

This is a come-and-go kind of day. Shuttle transportation will be available throughout the evening.

Island weather

Haida Gwaii weather can be unpredictable, so layers and weather-friendly clothing are always a good idea.

Natural terrain

Expect some walking on grass, sand, and gravel. Comfortable shoes are encouraged.

Dogs

Leashed dogs are welcome in the parking area. Within the main festival area, only certified guide and service dogs are permitted. If possible, we recommend leaving furry friends at home so you can fully enjoy the day.

Schedule

2:30pm Arrival and kick off
3:00pm Ceremony
3:00pm - 12:00am TBD

Dress code

The dress code is relaxed and festival-friendly. Think colour. Think Slim Aarons. Think Wes Anderson. Party shirts encouraged (looking at you, Tim).

Jerseys (sports shirts) are welcome ONLY if they are Canucks or Forest.

View our pinterest board for ideas

Getting Here

The archipelago of Haida Gwaii is separated from the mainland by the ḴandaliiGwii | Hecate Strait. This means travel to the islands requires either a flight or a ferry ride.

Flights to Sandspit (YZP)

The easiest way to the islands. Flights arrive daily from Vancouver (YVR) via Air Canada.

Note: Requires a short ferry crossing from Moresby Island to Graham Island. We can help coordinate pickups if you let us know your arrival time.

Book with Air Canada

Flights to Masset (ZMT)

Alternative service via Pacific Coastal Airlines. Flights are available daily from Vancouver (YVR).

Convenient if you are staying in the north end of the island, though it's about a 1.5-hour drive to Daajing Giids.

Book with Pacific Coastal

By Car & Sea

The scenic route. BC Ferries runs between Prince Rupert and Skidegate. You can also take the Inside Passage from Port Hardy.

Essential: Reservations are highly advised, especially if traveling with a vehicle. Book cabins for long journeys.

BC Ferries Reservations

Transport Around the Island

Renting a car is strongly recommended as there is no public transportation. Availability is limited, so book early!

Sandspit (Airport)

Budget Car Rentals

Budget Sandspit

Daajing Giids & Skidegate

Local Operators

Island Auto Rentals: 250.559.4118

Haida Gwaii Vehicle & RV: 250.637.1202

Budget Daajing Giids Gwaii Adventure Campers

General Info

For more options including bike rentals, visit the official tourism site.

Go Haida Gwaii

Wedding Day Shuttle

We will offer shuttle transportation to and from Daajing Giids, Skidegate, and the venue in Tlell.

Stay tuned: Specific schedules and pickup points will be shared closer to the date.

Want to see more of what the islands have to offer?

Explore the Islands

Accommodation

Haida Gwaii has a limited number of accommodations, so we strongly recommend booking early and checking locations carefully, as communities are spread across the islands. Most accommodations are located in and around Daajing Giids (formerly Queen Charlotte City), Skidegate, Sandspit, and Masset/Old Massett. Our wedding day will take place in Tlell, approximately 40 minutes from Daajing Giids and 45 minutes from Masset. We’ll be spending most of our time in and around Daajing Giids, so many guests may find staying in that area or along the route between Daajing Giids and Tlell the most convenient. If you would like advice on location or suitability, feel free to ask. We’re happy to help.

Please see some of our suggestions here.

RSVP

Please let us know if you can join us here by May 1st.

By emailing: gilbertswedding@gmail.com

Please include who in your party will plan on attending, where you will be coming from and if you have any special considerations or dietary requirements.

Please add your phone number if you would like to be added to a WhatsApp group for updates closer to the day.

FAQs

Is this an outdoor wedding?

Yes

Do I need a car?

Not necessarily, but it would make your time exploring the island easier if you do stay beyond the wedding date

Are children welcome?

Yes

Is there cell service or Wi-Fi?

Service is spotty throughout the island and particularly so at the wedding venue

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Please let us know ahead of time so we can accommodate you, particularly regarding allergies

Can I arrive late or leave early?

We will have multiple shuttle buses throughout the day going to and from the venue.

What is the dress code?

Festival atire!

Do you have a registry of gifts?

No gifts please, your company is all we ask for! But if you would like to consider a donation to charity in our names, please get in touch.

Words You Might Hear While Here

As we celebrate with family and friends from many places, we thought it might be fun to share a few words and phrases you may hear on Haida Gwaii, in our families, or around Canada. This is completely optional, just for fun and curiosity.

Haida Words & Place Names

Pronunciations are approximate and shared with respect.

Háw'aa (how-ah)

Thank you

Daajing Giids (dah-jing geeds)

Town formerly known as Queen Charlotte City

Tlell (te-lell)

Village where our wedding day will take place

Yahguudang (yah-goo-dang)

Respect for all things (land, ancestors, each other)

Filipino Words You May Hear

Salamat (sah-lah-mat)

Thank you

Tita (Tea-tah)

Aunt

Used for older women who are normally close family friends.
Ex. You will meet Tita Rosie at the wedding

Ate/Kuya (Ah-tay/Coo-yah)

Older Sister/Brother

Used for those only slightly older than you.
Ex. Annie’s sister Ate Candy/Vicky and her husband Chef Kuya Reggie.

Mabuhay! (ma-boo-hai)

Literal translation means long live, it is similar to the Hawaiian Aloha and can be used as a greeting and during toasts.

Nakakapagpabagabag (Nah-kaka-pag-pa-ba-ga-bag)

One of the longest words in the language that even some Filipinos can’t say, but Jamie insisted on learning.

Canadian Phrases

And finally, a few Canadian expressions you might overhear, included purely for fun.

Oh yeah, no, for sure (exact meaning depends entirely on tone)

Generally means “yes”

Yeah, no

No, yeah

Yes

Canuck

Term for a Canadian, also the Vancouver hockey team that has been breaking Annie’s heart since the 90’s.

Sorry

Can mean apology, sympathy, or simply acknowledging someone exists. Context and delivery are everything. Add an “Eh” for extra emphasis.