Did you think we were done with the wedding blogs?! LOL, not quite! I still have a few more posts up my sleeve that I’m so excited to share… especially for anyone planning a 2026 (or beyond!) wedding. These next few blogs will dive into all the nitty-gritty details from our big day, from scheduling, to florals, to (you guessed it!) the food. I’m thrilled to welcome the incredible Carlyanne Pruger of White Table Catering and Events to the blog today to share all the delicious details behind our wedding menu. Without further ado, Carlyanne, take it away!
How it All Began
Five years ago, we (Mark and Carly, owners of White Table Catering) met Jillian and Justin on their 10-year anniversary trip to Kelowna to chat about wedding plans. At that time, the wedding was going to be held at their home. We talked about everything—from where to place the tent, to how to incorporate the cherry tree, to where the cocktail reception might take place around the pool. We even brainstormed cocktail names inspired by their pets and began imagining a menu that would highlight the best of the Okanagan, featuring recipes from Jillian’s brand-new cookbook.
Along the way, we also collaborated on The Academy at the Farm, an event Jillian hosted for female entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses. Together, we curated charming details and planned the very first event on the farm with an amazing team. As the event wrapped, Jillian, Justin, Mark, and I were chatting, and they shared how much fun it had been to host on the farm. Looking at each other, Jillian and Justin said, “Maybe we should just plan our wedding here?”
Fast-forward five years, and that dream became reality. The wedding was now set on their farm property, yet the heart of the celebration remained the same: family traditions, meaningful details, and elements that were deeply personal to the couple. It was incredibly important—to us and the entire White Table team—to honor that love and intention in every aspect of the food and beverage experience.
The Rehearsal
The rehearsal dinner for Jillian and Justin was a celebration of love, laughter, and the kind of food that brings everyone together. Held at their home around the pool, the evening was inspired by a long-held dream: an Italian-style cocktail dinner that felt relaxed, fun, and full of flavour.
Guests were welcomed with fresh Aperol Spritzes, setting the mood for a night of casual elegance, followed by passed Lambrusco (Justin’s fave) to toast the evening.
The evening centered around two interactive Italian food stations. At the live-action pasta station, guests chose between spaghetti or rigatoni, chef-tossed with fresh garnishes including parmesan, chili flakes, capers, and olives. Sauces included Rao’s classic pomodoro, a rich Braised Short Rib Rigatoni with garlic, ricotta, and fresh parsley, and a vegetarian Wild Mushroom Sauce with basil cream, fricassée of mushrooms, and asiago cheese. Every detail—from the custom “Pasutto Pizza and Pasta Cans” created in-house by the White Table design team to jars of olives, local tomatoes, and homemade pasta tied with striped ribbons—was thoughtfully curated in collaboration with Vintage Origami and Smitten Events.
The Neapolitan pizza station offered homemade pies crafted with DOP Italian tomatoes and fior-di-latte mozzarella. Guests could enjoy a Margherita Classico with fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil, a Fennel Sausage pizza topped with peaches, hot honey, and micro basil, or a Funghi Classico featuring truffled mushroom fricassee, béchamel, shaved parmesan, and chiffonade parsley. Of course, gluten-free pizza crust was available, so every guest could enjoy a slice.
In true Italian fashion, we wanted to complement the stations with traditional family-style dining. Baskets of homemade rosemary focaccia and golden breadsticks were served with Modena balsamic and rich olive oil, alongside bowls of crisp arugula salad brightened with lemon, olive oil, and plenty of parmesan. And, of course, platters of generous, creamy burrata were passed down the table—because, really, you can never have too much.
As a sweet surprise, the White Table team brought out a roaming cannoli tray, allowing guests to enjoy freshly made cannolis at the table or while mingling around the pool, along with a gelato cart by Stephen at Gelato del Sol for a fun and refreshing treat.
By the time laughter filled the air, it felt as if a little slice of Italy had landed in Jillian and Justin’s backyard. The evening wasn’t just about a meal—it was a heartfelt celebration of family, friends, and all the personal touches that make a wedding weekend truly unforgettable.
The Wedding
For the wedding, our team worked alongside Smitten Events and Jillian and Justin to weave meaningful personal touches throughout the food and beverage experience.
Guests were welcomed in the garden with a thoughtful selection of canapés that set the tone for the evening. Grannie’s famous beet rolls made a special appearance, a heartfelt nod to Jillian’s late grandmother, featuring perfectly soft white buns, honey, beet greens, and fresh cream. The menu also included Okanagan Cherry Tarts topped with whipped goat chèvre, roasted cherries, and a hint of fried rosemary, as well as Yee-Haw Buffalo Halloumi, halloumi paired with WT fermented chili hot sauce and a touch of blue cheese aioli for a bold, flavorful bite. For guests seeking a gluten-free option, Wild Mushroom Polenta offered a delicate balance of fermented mushroom purée, pickled shimeji, pine salt, and micro arugula. Each canapé was thoughtfully curated to reflect the couple’s favourite flavours and the warmth of family-inspired hospitality.
By the flower shed, Pearl’s Oyster Station showcased freshly shucked oysters on a vintage table from Jillian’s collection, served with red wine and shallot mignonette, cucumber and grapefruit mignonette, lemon wedges, fresh horseradish, and Tabasco—a display as beautiful as it was delicious.
As the White Table team finished setting the tables, each table was made cozy and personal with salt and pepper grinders from Jillian’s collection. Two large bars, designed by Vintage Origami, welcomed guests into the dinner tent, where our bartenders whipped up classic margaritas and espresso martinis, and Earnie, the bartender, crafted the popular mocktails for the kids.
Charcuterie boards featuring local and imported meats, cheeses, candied nuts, Salt Spring Island preserves, and olives—served in small bowls from Jillian’s collection—were pre-set on tables for guests to nibble on before dinner began.
After months of discussion about plated versus family-style service, a family-style menu was chosen to honour special family recipes and create a warm, homey feeling for guests. The tables were filled with a curated selection of the couple’s favourite dishes, starting with Country Sourdough served with whipped honey butter and a sprinkle of Maldon salt. A vibrant Burrata & Stone Fruit Salad showcased whipped Italian burrata, prosciutto di Parma, honey herb gluten-free croutons, barrel-aged balsamic, olive oil, micro basil, and juicy Okanagan peaches.
Justin’s signature Captain’s Kale Caesar offered a fresh twist on the classic, featuring local green kale and gluten-free croutons tossed in his homemade Caesar dressing. For a comforting, indulgent touch, guests enjoyed Summer Gnocchi, hand-rolled potato gnocchi with local grape tomato pomodoro, fresh basil, olive oil, and cracked black pepper, with a gluten-free option available.
From Jillian’s Full Hearts Cookbook, we served Dill Mushrooms, roasted local mushrooms in a fresh cream and dill sauce, alongside Pierogi Mashed Potatoes with whipped russets, sour cream, caramelized onions, fresh herbs, and served in scallop baking dishes from Jillian’s collection. Heartier options included Roasted Game Hen from Rossdown Farms, finished with Kalamata olives, roast chicken jus, and chervil, and Roasted Striploin, organic grass-fed beef with chimichurri and a Madeira demi glaze. The vegetarian-friendly Mushroom Wellington, a fan favorite from the first Fraiche Foods Full Hearts Cookbook, featured roasted mushroom farce, vegan puff pastry, and cashew creamed spinach.
For dessert, the White Table design team curated sweet treats in mason jars, including homemade tiramisu and crème brûlée, beautifully displayed on platters and cake stands from Jillian’s personal collection. Later in the evening, churros were passed around in honor of the family’s new puppy, Churro, adding a playful and personal touch to the night.
Even the youngest guests felt special, with a charming movie and play area, a popcorn and candy bar, and custom candy dispensers filled with sweet treats inspired by the couple and their family.
Jillian and Justin are true hosts, and their spirit of hospitality was felt throughout the entire celebration—even down to the White Table staff, who were each gifted scalloped baking dishes to take home as a memento of being part of this unforgettable weekend.
As Jillian and Justin describe this weekend as a dream come true, it truly was for our team as well. Being welcomed into their family’s celebration made every moment unforgettable—a beautiful reminder of the joy found in celebrating love, family, and the memories that last a lifetime.
A huge thank you to Carlyanne and the entire White Table Catering and Events team for helping bring our wedding menu dreams to life, and for sharing such a great behind-the-scenes look at how it all came together. The food was truly one of the highlights of the entire weekend, and we’ll be talking about it for years to come!
Thank you again, Carlyanne, for being such a big part of our special day and for sharing your expertise here on the blog.
xo
Jilly
White Table Biography:
White Table Catering is an internationally recognized, award-winning catering company known for creating elevated, heartfelt dining experiences that bring people together through food and design. From intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations, their team delivers chef-driven menus, personalized service, and thoughtful presentation. White Table is the exclusive catering partner at several of B.C.’s most sought-after venues and has been featured in more than 75 local and international publications. Connect with the team at [email protected] or find them on Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn @whitetablecatering.
