our story

 

Every couple, along with their family and friends, should be able to truly enjoy their wedding. Passing tasks off to parents, or keeping the wedding party up late on the eve of your big day sounds manageable in theory, but it never plays out as you would hope. We also understand that bringing on a full service wedding planner might not be the right fit for everyone. Heyday Events was born out of the love for weddings, and a desire to offer the BEST wedding coordination and partial-planning services around!

Founded in 2016 by Barb Walker, owner and lead planner of the luxury wedding planning & design firm French Kiss Events, you can relax knowing that your Heyday Maker has not only been trained by the best, but is filled with serious passion for making your wedding day, your heyday! Over the past 8 years, our team of planners has been honoured to be part of hundreds of celebrations, and has become known as some of the most professional, experienced, and trusted planners in Victoria, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands.

The Heyday Makers come from all sorts of backgrounds in the event industry, and it’s their years of experience and true JOY for what they do that makes us who we are.

 

 

the heyday makers

Portraits by AMERIS

Founder & Director, aka: the boss lady

Heyday Coordinator

Heyday Coordinator & admin guru

Heyday Coordinator

 
Barb Walker - wedding planner Victoria, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands; founder French Kiss Events

Barb Walker

founder & director, aka: the boss lady!

Where I call home

Victoria

What makes me smile

Car jamming & dancing with my daughter.

a few favourite thingS

In no particular order, my family, Hawaii, tuna tartare, bourbon, freshly made bed, and weekly flowers.

Favourite wedding moment

Sending the bride down the aisle. It’s the absolute best feeling!

Favourite wedding venue
(At the moment)

I’m a sucker for a private property lawn and big white sail cloth tent. Preferably by the water. Gets me every time.

Fun Fact

I’ve only ever owned Volkswagen cars.

Photos by AMERIS.

 
Hailey Cooke Wedding Coordinator & Planner, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands

Hailey cooKe

heyday coordinator & admin guru

For more goodies…

@heydayevents

Where I call home

Victoria

What I do at heyday

Admin Guru
Wedding Coordination
Wedding Design & Partial Planning
Corporate Event Coordination & Planning

What makes me smile

Playing with my kiddos and cooking delicious food!

a few favourite thingS

My family, cooking, a gorgeous glass of wine, the ocean, and summer lounging (preferably at a beach WITH a glass of wine).

Favourite wedding moment

When the groom sees the bride turn the corner and start coming down the aisle.

Favourite wedding venue (at the moment)

If we’re talking Vancouver Island, Shawnigan Lake School. It’s a large and very versatile venue! For the Gulf Islands, I hold a very special place in my heart for Bodega Ridge.

Fun Fact

Being part of a blended family, I am both a middle child AND the baby of the group.

 
Vanessa Dolbec Wedding Coordinator & Planner, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands

Vanessa Dolbec

heyday coordinator

Where I call home

Victoria

What I do at heyday

Wedding Coordination
Wedding Design & Partial Planning
Corporate Event Coordination & Planning

What makes me smile

Babies, birthdays, coffee dates, hugs, spa days, sunshine, The Lizzie McGuire Movie soundtrack.

a few favourite thingS

Any and ALL things pink. California (especially Disneyland and Palm Springs). Funfetti cake. Mani pedis. My besties. Talking about weddings.

Favourite wedding moment

The first moment after the ceremony when I get to hug the newlyweds and say, “you did it”! Smiles all around!

Favourite wedding venue (at the moment)

Give me a pretty private property all day every day - so personal, so special, and always unique! If I had to pick another venue, I’ll take all the garden vibes like Starling Lane!

Fun Fact

Taylor Swift fanatic. Constantly trying to talk my way into starring in a Hallmark movie (but seriously, if you know someone, please contact me because it’s my dream).

Photos by AMERIS.

 
Emily Pollock Wedding Coordinator & Planner, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands

Emily Pollock

heyday coordinator

For more goodies…

@heydayevents

@em___pollock

Where I call home

Victoria

What I do at heyday

Wedding Coordination
Wedding Design & Partial Planning
Corporate Event Coordination & Planning

What makes me smile

All things beautiful, especially florals! Flowers of all kinds.

a few favourite things

Great local food, plane tickets, long conversations with good friends, trying new teas, living with the seasons, sweet soul music, especially a groovy saxophone solo!

Favourite wedding moment

That moment a bride and groom get to have some time that’s just for them, either the first look or those first moments after the ceremony.

Favourite wedding venue (at the moment)

Outdoor space takes the cake for me, either a private property buildout or a venue with a great garden, like Bilston Creek! Also love the classic glamour of hotels, like the Inn at Laurel Point and the Empress. Okay, you got me, I love them all. 

Fun Fact

67 houseplants (and counting). Michelin star habit. Science nerd. 

Photos by AMERIS.

 
Yvonne Choi Wedding Events Coordinator & Planner, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Salt Spring

Yvonne Choi

heyday coordinator

For more goodies…

@heydayevents

@vonnchoi

Where I call home

Vancouver & Salt Spring Island

What I do at heyday

Wedding Coordination
Wedding Design & Partial Planning
Corporate Event Coordination & Planning

What makes me smile

Cat cuddles. Seeing older people holding hands. Breaking bread with friends and family. Making dumplings.

a few favourite things

Uni nigiris & chopped scallop rolls. Gin & sake cocktails. Chopping wood & building fires. Kayak trips & picnics on a beach. And of course, my cats.

Favourite wedding moment

The drama of keeping the couple hidden, and then capturing the joy and excitement from the guests for the reveal! I also love a perfectly set table setting.

Favourite wedding venue (at the moment)

I love a tented wedding and a private property buildout - so fun to turn a space into something completely different. But I also love a hotel on the water like Oak Bay Beach Hotel.. and I’m also loving the Hastings House property on Salt Spring Island - a blend of a tented wedding and house party fun! Clearly, I have many favourites.

Fun Fact

My latest tattoo is Jerry (from Tom & Jerry) who’s disgruntled over a spilt glass of wine (who wouldn’t be), and my dream is to build an animal sanctuary so I can home all the cats and dogs!

Photos by Billie Woods.