I love this wedding! We featured Lindsay and Steven’s styled engagement session last week and wanted to share their equally beautiful wedding. I think that Lindsay and Steven really created an event with heart. They look like they are truly in love and have family that will support them as they grown their own. They say love is in the details, and did they ever put some tender love and care into cultivating a wedding with personality. And holy cow, are the outdoor shots gorgeous or what?! Beautiful work everyone, and congratulations Lindsay & Steven! From Anne-Marie Bouchard:
Sei la mia vita amore mio baciami!
When English words aren’t enough, say it in Italian! Right? Granted, my google search may not be accurate but I think I get the point across. Lindsay and Steven are love, loving and lovely, down-to-earth and fun and their wedding day was gorgeous – boiling hot! – and gorgeous. I don’t think they would’ve had it any other way. I met these two, two years ago! That’s how long they have been seeking out milk vases, dreaming of colour palettes and designing invitations. I’ve heard about wedding details here and there and imagined what it would all look like when it came together. I was blown away. It’s pretty fun to see a whole table of pies, cookies and biscotti baked by family members. Family is key for these two and they weren’t shy to talk about one day starting one of their own.
Needless to say, I’m very sad to see this day come to an end. Congratulations Lindsay and Steve. You two are amazing and I wish you all the love and happiness the whole wide world has to share.
Everything about this beautiful backyard wedding is simply elegant. From the delicate neutral and refined chambray ensembles worn by the groom and his men to the dreamy breezeway entrance to the backyard reception. You are going to adore the sweet and lovely polished bouquets and the dainty diy table centerpieces.
You are especially going to swoon over the dreamy photographs captured by Nashville,Tennessee film photographer Ryan Bernal. Are you already swooning over the bridesmaid dresses above? Most of all this entire stylish affair was put together for 200 guests for less than $6,000. Read on to hear tid bits from the bride and of course see more from Ryan in the full wedding gallery.
How fabulous is Andrew and Hannah’s entrance sign? You could easily recreate this personalized rustic sign buy stenciling on burlap and framing it. We guesstimate the entire project, including the easel would run you about $45 depending on the price of your frame.
Andrew and Hannah were able to save a huge amount on having their wedding at their family’s home. We are certainly aware that all of you do not have huge backyard, but we recommend sharing with family and friends that you are interested in having a backyard wedding. Sometimes just spreading the word will do the trick. One of Hannah’s main tips is to ask for whatever you might need and if that happens to be a backyard, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
From the Bride:
If i can give any advice – its to not be afraid to ask for help. A lot of help! I had so many people involved down to the smalllest details and it relieved so much of the pressure from myself and it also involved everyone! I had people in Indianna collecting vintage plates from thrift stores for me while one of my friends in Georgia addressed the invitations…I utilized everyone!
We also love the mason jars that had a piece of raffia wrapped around it with a cute blank label to ensure ownership of the cup for the evening. The table decor was mismatched bottles and vases with loose flowers placed on a burlap table runner. Click here for a great tip, from another bride on how to acquire free bottles for your floral arrangements.
Simple is key…the simplicity of everything made it all the more lovely. I wanted people to feel as if they were at a backyard picnic, but with the feel and elegence of a wedding…and I think I was able to do just that.
Another great way to save money is having a taco bar, as opposed to a traditional fancy wedding menu. To jazz up the taco bar you could add gourmet items like duck confit and pickled red cabbage like Andrew and Hannah did. Having a limited bar will also reduce your budget. You could simply offer one type of wine or beer or a signature wedding cocktail.
Our Free Thumbprint Wedding Guest Books measures 11″ X 14″ and can be personalized with your names and wedding date. You can use smear-resistant dye ink.It is currently on sale at Joanne’s Fabric for $9.59.
Another money saver was the cupcake tower made by friends. Using the same book paper roses from the entrance sign along with burlap for a cohesive yet stylish look.
Venue: Family home |Veil or Hair Accessories: The flowers in the bride’s hair were made from scraps of her wedding dress to match the gown | Jewelry: Vintage jewelry from my grandmothers | Coordinator: Friends and Family – A special thanks to Brooke Jones | Cake: Home-made cupcakes – Rachel Brewer | Makeup: Bridesmaid – Brittany Roth | Cinematography: Bethany Ufema
Besides all of the creamy, dreamy details (like the veil, gorgeous pink and blush-toned florals, and the five-tiered cake), when I originally saw this wedding on photographer Anne-Marie Bouchard’s blog in December, I couldn’t stop thinking about the ballroom where Karen and Dustin’s beautiful reception was located. I have never seen anything quite like it and wanted to know more. The French provincial decor is literally jaw-droppingly beautiful with its seemingly periwinkle blue walls with gold and cream accents. Of course, it is located in none other than the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.
Fondly known as the “Wedgwood” or “Oval” Room, the Adam Room was named after the British architect Robert Adam, who made this style of decoration famous in the late 18th century. The Adam Room can best be described as breathtaking. It truly stands alone in the luxurious beauty and design of its sculpted ceiling and oval shape, enhanced by a magnificent entrance platform. (excerpt found here)
As a funny little side note, even though I have seen this wedding on Anne-Marie’s blog a number of times now, I have just noticed that Karen is actually the daughter of my former boss, Tom. Congratulations on your lovely daughter’s wedding, Tom!
From Anne-Marie:
Karen’s incredible flowing veil, the bright pinks and soft blues that kept popping up throughout the day, the sweet feminine touches everywhere and the classic formal elegance these two loves exude. What a day, what a night. Congratulations Karen & Dustin! Thank you so so much for including us in your beautiful day.
I feel like I would have had a great time at Shauna and Ben’s wedding – they look like they really know how to throw a party! Love the shot of the bride and groom fishing and drinking beer – honestly, weddings don’t have to be stuck-up formal events. Have fun! Laugh! Be yourself! It’s a big party, and you’re there to have fun! More from the photographer:
After shooting engagement photos for Shauna and Ben in summer of 2011 I was definitely looking forward to photographing their wedding this year. They’re a lot of fun to be around so I figured it was going to be a pretty good time, and they didn’t disappoint! It was also an excuse to get back up to my hometown of Kitimat, which is 1/2 hour away from where there wedding was in Terrace.
Shauna and Ben had set up their ceremony on one of their grandparents properties which was right on the edge of the Skeena River – a very beautiful location, and the weather cooperated beautifully. They were a lot of fun to work with on the creative portraits section as well, since they allowed my creative spirit to take over.
Ceremonies are generally very under-decorated. Most of the decor budget goes towards the reception, but I personally think it is important to set the tone during the ceremony. The couple should always be the main focal point, but it is lovely to see some beauty wrapped around them as they are announced husband and wife for the first time.
Outdoor ceremonies are usually quite beautiful, but all the open space and beautiful scenery can dwarf the alter sometimes. Sarah & Chris’ ceremony is one of the most impressive alters that I have ever seen. The Vermont rolling hills in the background are breathtaking, but the alter stole the show. It was a perfect staging. Kathleen Landwehrle, the photographer, has more to say about the couple and the wedding itself:
Sarah and Chris had a relaxed playful day with a wedding party of athletic family and friends including Olympic mountain biker Lea Davison fresh back from London. The Trapp Family Lodge overlooks Vermont rolling hills and the town of Stowe. Sarah wore a beautiful lace gown with a long satin sash her bridesmaids helped wrap into a bow. Her bouquet was a wonderful accent with pinks and soft yellows. She spent most of the day relaxed in her bare feet. Chris and his groomsmen wore tan. Chris lined his jacket with a camouflage accent as a proud member of the Army National Guard. Prior to the ceremony the couple shared a first look and were able to tour the Trapps gardens and even meet the Scottish Highlander cows while taking wedding portraits.
The ceremony was held in the Wedding Meadow as the sun lowered towards the Worcester Mountain range. Following the ceremony was a cocktail hour tucked in a birch tree cove. The evening concluded with a soft lit tent reception. The ceiling of the tent was lined with colorful paper lanterns. Japanese words accented centerpieces guiding guests to their tables. The Trapps Lodge catered and the onsite gardens provided the floral decor.
I have to say, I am not a fan of winter weddings. At least in Ottawa. As beautiful as snow can be sometimes, I cringe when I think of a beautiful bride about to walk into the church and become someone’s wife, stepping out of her limo and getting smacked in the face with -20 degree winds and flurries that make her hair go limp and her eyes water… but some couples know how to do it right. Meaghan and Kelly’s Fredricton, New Brunswick wedding was classy, timeless, and so very suitable for the season. And they had one hell of a time considering they got slammed with snowstorms right before their wedding. Here’s a little more from the photographer:
Two big snowstorms in the days leading up to the wedding meant a flurry of flight reschedules and itinerary checking, but it all worked out — the last groomsman arrived about 15 minutes before the limo took off for the church to start the day.
And what a day. Many friends and more laughs. The World Juniors in the background. Something borrowed… AND blue. Full Catholic mass. Sparklers and champagne. A pit stop at Brewbakers because it was just too bloody cold to take photos outside (they were troopers, though). Glitter and gold… with more than a little romance. Capping everything off with a dance party. On my way out, Meaghan gave me a big hug and Kelly gave me a bigger kiss. That’s just how they are.
They rang in the New Year together, husband and wife.
They incorporated winter into their theme rather than simply ignoring the snow. Winter white bouquets with pinecones artistically arranged within them, cream gold and navy blue on the ladies, adorable winter boutonnieres on the gentlemen, and even gold charger plates with pinecone placeholders. Understated, and totally appropriate. Lovely job!! And PS Meaghan, those shoes are HOT!
Megan is from British Columbia, and Allan is from Pennsylvania. They met when they were 12 years old at Crane’s Lochaven Wilderness Lodge in the French River. Their families continued to go to the lodge throughout their adolescence and that’s when this adorable couple started their courtship.
This wedding took place at the lodge where they first met, Crane’s Lochaven Wilderness Lodge, a remote fishing lodge on an island in the French River in Northern Ontario. All 75 guest got shuttled in by boat, and stayed the weekend in huts on the island. The weekend was freezing, raining, and almost snowing, the locals and lodge workers were wearing snow suits for the boat ride!
All the adorable details were made by Megan or her entourage. Even supper was cooked by the grooms mother!
I love how colourful this wedding was! Kirsty & Mark really incorporated colour into a number of really fun aspects of their September wedding other than just the venue. The different sock colours for the groomsmen and matching tuxedo handkerchiefs, the multi-coloured bouquets, and Kirsty’s shoes made for some great pops of unexpected colour. Their engagement story was really sweet too. Apparently, Kirsty was tricked into thinking she was given two free passes for Tofino Air. Kirsty and Mark took off in a small float plane and circled around some breaching whales, then flew down the beaches until they reached the beach they were going to land at. Kirsty looked down at the beach and spotted her now sister- and brother-in-law on the sand… then saw, written in the sand, “Kirsty Marry Me?” So romantic! Congratulations Kirsty & Mark!
Melissa Gauthier of MJG Photography and I have been talking about publishing one of her weddings since last June, and I am pleased to finally post one! Catherine and Marc-André are such a cute couple, and their wedding looked like it was loads of fun. With bright violets and contrasting summer greens, it also looked quite glamorous too. From Melissa:
I met Catherine and Marc-André in late 2011 and right away I knew that this wedding would be a great one! Catherine is a nurse at the Montfort Hospital in the maternity ward. She was referred to me from the nurse whom helped deliver my son in 2009. My son had many complications at birth and the nurses were beyond amazing with the care of our son. So when Catherine came to me to book her wedding, I was so very excited.
The engagement session went very smoothly – it was fun and they were fun and easy-going. It was clear they were really in love and I could really see how much they adored each other through their photos, especially the way he looked at her.
The wedding day was stunningly beautiful. Marc-André had one exquisite bride and Catherine had one good-looking groom! The ceremony had so much emotion and happy tears from the moment she walked down the aisle (I’m such a suck for ceremonies… I should really include a box of Kleenex in my camera bag!) Overall the day was wonderful and the photos turned out amazing: from the venues they picked, the overcast day – and the happy couple. It was definitely one of my favorite weddings to date.
From the Bride:
Marc-André and I had been together for 11 years before our wedding – it was a classic tale of high school sweethearts!
We were married at the Trés-Sainte-Trinité , a beautiful large cathedral church located in Rockland, Ontario off Laurier Street. The ceremony was so perfect, emotional and full of love. We decided to do our formal photos at the beautiful Cumberland Heritage Village Museum. The museum has wonderful vintage feel all over the property, from old barns to antique schoolhouses. It was the perfect location for our photos. The reception was held at the RiverRock Inn also located in Rockland. The ballroom was beautifully decorated with purple silk backdrops along with sharp green accents to complete the hall. The day was amazing and beautiful – all that we ever dreamed of.
This may be my favorite wedding submitted to Satin and Snowflakes to date. I love an elegant wedding loaded with personality. Mike and Jackie, congratulations, I think your choices in venue were genius. The shots in the Fairmont Vancouver are elegant and timeless, and when paired with the unique and trendy (not to mention famous) Waldorf Hotel you really achieved a wedding that was a true extension of yourselves. More about the day from the photographers, Jason and Laura of Two Peas Photography:
This winter wedding was a day full of contrasts– beginnings and ends, happiness and sadness, darkness and light. From the wedding’s theme of ‘black and white’, to these two finding each other after years and countries apart. From the day beginning in the opulence of the Fairmont Vancouver and ending in that infamously kitsch East Van haunt. And of course the topic that has been occupying the dinner table and water cooler conversations of so many Vancouverites, it felt bittersweet celebrating a new chapter in Mike and Jackie’s relationship in the dimly-lit Tiki Bar days before the final chapter of The Waldorf Hotel comes to a close. It was a pleasure to be with Jackie and Mike on their incredible day, and an honour to have the opportunity to photograph in this venue before it shuts it’s doors.
The Waldorf Hotel has a great story itself. It’s a cultural hub in Vancouver and is unfortunately closing its doors for good soon. I found this great article about it in the Globe and Mail if you are interested in learning more about the Waldorf, here’s an excerpt:
Judging by the line-up that stretched outside the Waldorf Hotel for almost a full city block Monday night for the venue’s final Ice Cream Social, masses are likely to descend on the place tonight for one final eclectic, big-city experience. Forget the return of NHL hockey: Last call at the Waldorf will bethe place to be in Vancouver.
And last call it will be. In what has become a defining cultural moment for Vancouver, the operators who have animated the Waldorf the last few years are shutting down operations. It is a development that has stunned the artistic community in a city that has suffered a troubling list of cultural losses over the past year… [read more]
