Weddings are amazing. It’s such a rare thing to have all the people you love together in one spot. Everyone is so happy for the couple. There’s nothing but support for them and well wishes for their future. Buzzing on all of that, people are quick to keep the energy high and get on the dance floor. It’s just the best. I love going to weddings – especially when the couple getting married are close friends or family.

Being the couple actually getting married, hosting the wedding, and having all of our close friends and family together in one spot to celebrate OUR future. Wow. It was the most intense feeling of love and support I have ever experienced. And it is impossible to put it into words.

We are just so thankful for everyone who helped us celebrate, who helped us get to where we are today, and who continue to support our future. Especially thankful to our parents and our wedding party who go above and beyond. We love you!!

We have so many memories we’ll treasure… I mean, there were blood, sweat and tears before the day even got started!

Here are some of my favourite moments: Kellie (MOH) walking the Best Man down the aisle because Age-girl’s heels were too epic for grass – Giuliano’s reading – Billy’s tank top MC intro – Bike rides and kilts – Ash’s surprise song for Dallison – The speeches ❤ – Grandpa doing grace – Dan sang O’Canada – Jayce got the party started – SV high jacked the staff golf cart – late night poutine and bond fire moments – almost burning down the tent from a sparkler incident and then getting kicked out of the hotel after-party because we were belting out Alanis Morissette isn’t it Ironic WAY too loud.

Everything was amazing. And it was the unplanned bits that were my favourite.

During the planning phase I was looking all over the internet for wedding timelines and vendors etc. So to pay it forward, here’s the planned stuff…

Vendors

• Venue: Kurtz Orchards (Niagara-on-the-lake, Canada) < Wedding Pros, beautiful location and delicious food. They’ll send you a blueprint to fill out which makes wedding planning idiot proof. We used their DJ and he was great.
• Floral and Decor: Design Services by Laurie < Laurie knows Kurtz like the back of her hand. She made the day-of totally stress-free by taking care of all the decor setup and more.
• Photography: Erin Blackwood Photography < Erin and Ian added to our day. We loved them and the moments they captured. 
• Videography: Life’s Reel < Grateful Steve captured our day. We watch the video over and over again. 
• Wedding dress: Anais Anette Bridal < Comfy and just what I was looking for (even though I wasn’t sure what I was looking for). I felt like a princess in that dress. The bridal shop I bought it in is called The Modern Bride, based in Guelph. They recommended a local seamstress for alterations which was perfect. Flying in from London 2 weeks before the wedding, I had to pick up the dress and get alterations done in a short period of time. It all get’s sorted – vendors are used it it. Currently for sale on StillWhite. 
• Groom’s Suit: Paul Smith. Tie was from Ted Baker < Goal was to invest in a suit Dan could wear again
• Officiant was my Uncle. < It was really special having a family member take us through the ceremony and make it official 
• Wedding Invites: designed on Canva
• Wine: Vieni Estates < lovely local winery

Best Advice I got and I used:

• Don’t rush through the day; take in all the special moments and find sometime for just the two of you to reflect on how amazing this is. Doing a first look ahead of the ceremony and all the wedding party photos, gives you more time during the day to enjoy yourself
• You’ve been dressing yourself for 30 years, I’m sure the dress will be fine (I bought my dress without trying it on… first time I put it on was 2 weeks before the wedding and I ordered it a size smaller then the bridal shop suggested)
• Baby wipes are great emergency stain removers (I’m a huge klutz and managed to get a stain on my dress before the ceremony – couldn’t even tell!)
• There are few things in life a spreadsheet can’t solve. We used a shared Google sheet to keep track of everything
• Outdoor wedding’s don’t need huge floral budgets, use the natural beauty. Also, reuse the bridal party bouquet’s at the reception.
• You don’t need a wedding cake
• Get a wedding coordinator for day-of
• Make sure the dance floor is near the bar
• No one cares about the little details, so you shouldn’t either
• It’s a long day – if the venue closes at midnight it’s not a big deal. For the group that want’s to carry-on, have an after party location in mind.
• Remember what the day is all about – you get to marry your best friend!

Married my number 1