Function Design House

Where every detail says “welcome” 🖤

We love Pride - AND - quietly creating inclusive events beyond just Pride month is what we know makes this world a better place.

When it’s entrenched in the details, sometimes we forget to talk about it. It struck me during a recent staff training, when a new (and incredibly thoughtful) team member asked how we address couples in our communication. I hadn’t even thought to include that note… because of course, couples are couples. Clients are clients. The people standing up with them are wedding parties. We meet everyone exactly where they are, and we celebrate exactly who they are. But you know what? It deserves to be said.

Inclusion is in the way we address emails.
In the way we honour pronouns.
In the way we don’t assume attire.
In the way we call it styling instead of hair and makeup so it’s thought of for all.
It’s in our anti-harassment policies.
In our non-gendered bathroom baskets.
In our timelines that say wedding party.
In how we consider public safety.
In our trauma-informed guest communication.
It’s in our donations to q***r events.

Inclusion is in the details, not just the rainbow… AND you better believe we’ll be dancing down the street with our Pride flags not once but twice this season. 👯‍♀️🎉

We’re here for it all.

In 2022 (second slide), I had one of my favourite event moments to date, sitting down with the students at .vanier via to talk honestly about how non-inclusive this industry can be, how we can build safer, more joyful spaces on purpose, and how they can be part of that change.

I got to tell them the things I wish someone had told me:

– That you can actually make a living designing experiences that centre inclusion, art, identity, and joy – aka the things they were already doing as volunteers.
– That you don’t need to “fit in” to succeed, you can reshape the space.
– That this industry doesn’t just need you, it’s better with you in it.

Here’s to the reminder: this work isn’t JUST about performative allyship or rainbow decor in June & July. It’s about structure, policy, access, and joy.

To all our 2SLGBTQIA+ couples, clients, team members, vendor pals, friends and family:
Happy Pride y’all 🌈
- Sara

Leadership by day. Leg warmers by night.
Planning this conference reminded us just how good a corporate event can feel when it’s built around the people at the heart of it.

By day, our team transformed a raw space into a leadership and development conference complete with keynotes, breakouts, and a seamless blend of strategy and celebration. All grounded in their bold, fun brand values, team culture, and of course, logistical excellence.

By night, the space flipped into the 80s throwback party of their dreams. Because to this team, connection and celebration are just as essential to leadership as the learning itself.

We’re here for the kind of moments that build trust, spark joy, and remind teams why they show up (hint: it’s for each other!)

The team that helped pull this all together:

We’re Hiring!
Looking for a fun, flexible job in events? Join our team as a Casual On-site Event Assistant and help us bring weddings, corporate events, and other celebrations to life with set-up, coordination, and takedown.

We’re a team built on kindness and committed to ending burnout culture in events. Our typical shifts are 8 hours (with a 12-hour max for those who prefer extended days), and we pay overtime - and double overtime! ;)

Pay: $22–$25/hour for assistants (based on experience and on-site leadership requirements)
Shifts: Flexible schedules - you can say yes or no to shifts! Most are Friday/Saturday/Sunday in the summer, with some midweek opportunities.
Perks: A chance to get creative, on-site meals during dinner shifts, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to travel throughout BC.

Requirements: Must be legally allowed to work in Canada, have a drivers license with access to a reliable vehicle and a cell phone!

How to Apply:
Email your resume, summer weekend availability, and a quick note about why you’d love to work with us (plus your relevant event experience, if any) to “sara @ functiondesignhouse.ca “

As our officially unofficial slogan says - LFG! 🖤

Photos from the wonderfully talented

Timeless || the word we held close while designing this luxe ceremony space amidst the historic orchard at Bilston Creek for E&V.

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Behind every beautiful design is a team of incredible creatives & vendors.

Directly pictured here:
 
 


With installation support from:
 


Captured beautifully by:


A few others from this day:

Holy heck it’s been a hot minute.

We’ve been so focused on executing this year’s events, that we haven’t even had a second to post about them! But with a fun-filled holiday season now behind us, we’ve finally got the space and we can’t to share what we’ve been up to 🖤

We wanted to start by acknowledging something you won’t see in all the professional photos though - and that’s the incredible amount of hard work that goes in behind the scenes to make functions happen. See below for Sara’s thank you to the team that made it all possible!

“THIS TEAM. I cannot say enough about how incredibly fortunate we are to have the support of this group of hard working, talented, and patient folks alongside us.
This job is not a glamorous one and let’s be honest, working for a small business is hard. Katie, Ashley, Berni, Brooke, Gen, Taryn, Rae - I am SO thankful for everything you’ve done for Function this year, and more importantly, your patience with me (especially anyone who had to stick around for takedown with me - iykyk). Your problem solving, great ideas, and genuinely kind spirits were so paramount to our success this year and I can only hope y’all had as much fun as I did celebrating with so many rad groups. It was an honour to watch you all dive in head first to your roles and absolutely fu***ng crush it. It takes a village - and I’m so lucky that you’re apart of mine. Thank you for this year, and here’s to many more to come!”