When Carolyn and Steve Touhey began Two Eagles Lodge bed and breakfast on their 12-acre property in Union Bay, they never set out for it to be a wedding venue.
Eleven years later, their lodge is now being recognized as the Best Outdoor Wedding Reception Venue by the Vancouver Island Wedding Awards, an annual award ceremony which recognizes the best of the Island wedding industry.
“It’s an honour to have couples choose our home for their once-in-a-lifetime celebration … it is particularly personal for us since we built this place from a dream,” explained Carolyn.
“To win an Island-wide award, given the number and diversity of all kinds of venues, is so rewarding.”
While they never pictured the lodge initially as a wedding venue, they took the attitude of: “if we can’t figure out a reason to say no, let try it. ”
Since opening, the couple has hosted 30 weddings, with the number growing every year. They already have nine weddings booked for 2019.
Carolyn said hosting weddings are emotional, from the initial inquiry to the actual family, many times they “feel like family” because they can customize the venue to the party.
They offer a spot for campers and tents so that other family or the wedding party can stay on site, and Carolyn ensures a hot buffet breakfast every morning.
“Sometimes I feel like big sister or auntie because some of the couples will drop by two years later with a baby. While it’s a B&B, it’s a home.”
While many of their outdoor weddings can accommodate up to 200 people (most around 150), they also offer indoor winter weddings for unto 30 parties.
For more information on the lodge, visit www.twoeagleslodge.com