The Internet contains various definitions of destination weddings: a celebration in an exotic or resort location; marrying at least 100 miles from where the bride lives; where more than half the guests need to travel to attend.
Of the five weddings hosted last year at Two Eagles Lodge, two were destination weddings. Each occasion brought in nearly 100 people, and benefited some ancillary businesses such as Ambassador Transportation, Comox Taxi and Pacific Pro Dive.
"They bring in so much income to the economy," said Carolyn Touhey, owner of the Union Bay Bed and Breakfast. "They have to go to the rental places and get their chairs and their tables and their cutlery and their plates, so there's revenue there. They have to fly people in, so there's money coming in through the airport or people driving."
Be it Two Eagles, the Kingfisher or Mount Washington, destination weddings are big business for resorts.
"The brides are thrilled once they're here," said Touhey, who considers the Valley to be the 'Riviera of Canada.'
"It's such a beautiful location. We've got all the parts here in the Valley."
The two weddings she hosted brought in people from Ontario and Manitoba.
"Two Eagles is an amazing place to get married," said Annika Klopp of Winnipeg, who tied the knot last year with Mike Wahl. "Not only is the view breathtaking, but the hosts, Carolyn and Steve, are incredibly accommodating and thoughtful — they went to great lengths to make our destination wedding perfect. It was so nice to work with organized and proactive people when planning a wedding from afar. It took away so much of the stress."