Don’t you just love that cake topper? I love how it really captured Tricia’s, our bride, wedding gown with the sweetheart neckline. It’s the cutest thing and for you information, this was actually painted by the beautiful bride herself. Aside from that, I love how it really reflects their wedding altogether – rustic but still elegantly chic. Upon seeing this album, I swooned over the details and decors they had. Add our beautiful couple and their stylish entourage and I was super sold that this wedding was one for the books. From their floral choices, chalkboards, and outdoor venue, the rustic elements came out to play but without overpowering the elegance. Congratulations Tricia & Adam!
Bride
What is your story as a couple, how did you meet & fall in love?
We were new neighbours. The first time I saw Adam, he was shoveling our shared walkway during the coldest month of winter, without a winter jacket on. I thought he was crazy but cute so when he invited me to a housewarming
party he and his best friend were throwing that weekend, I showed up… and the rest is history.
What makes the two of you a perfect match?
We complement each other… some of my weaknesses are his strengths, and vice versa. He makes me laugh and I keep him grounded with my sharp wit (don’t tell him I said that!)
How did he (or you) propose?
We were in his home-town visiting his parents for Christmas. On Christmas eve he asked if I’d like to take a drive, and even though it was well below freezing outside I said yes. He took me on a drive through his old neighbourhood and told me stories about his life there as a child. Our last stop was the ice Hockey rink he used to skate at when he was younger. We got out of the car and walked around on the ice. He started talking about our relationship and how happy he was to be in the place that made him happiest as a kid and when I looked around he was down on one knee with a ring in his hand. Even though there were hardly any lights out I could see it sparkle. I was so shocked that I just screamed… in fact I don’t think I said yes until the ring was already on my hand and he asked “So does that mean it’s a yes?”
How long was the planning process? Did you think it was enough time?
We wanted to get married that year and I have always wanted a fall wedding. Miraculously there was a date still available in September at the venue we loved so snapped it up. We had exactly 8 months to plan… and while it often felt like it wouldn’t be enough time… everything worked out perfectly. Once you get the venue in order, everything else falls magically into place.
What was the best advice you received when you were planning your wedding?
“Don’t sweat the small stuff… as long as you are married to each other at the end of the day, the wedding was perfect.”
What tips & tricks (can we use “hacks”?) can you share future brides that you yourself have learned during and after your wedding?
A day-of-coordinator is worth every penny. Having someone there to run/organize the entire day means that any problems or unimportant questions will be handled by a knowledgeable person that’s not you! Leaving you to actually be in the moment and enjoy your day.
What were some challenges you faced while planning your wedding & what did you do to address them?
Requests of those around us… they are never-ending! We knew what we wanted and stuck to our guns so we surmounted that challenge quite easily. There’s really not much that I would do differently. Invitations were a struggle as well. I have a large family that made up almost half of our guest list. Narrowing down the list of names so that we could include more of our friends was a challenge, but it helped that we decided that plus ones weren’t going to be a given to people whose significant others we did not know (unless they were married of course)
What inspired your wedding décor? Why did you choose the things that you did?
I wanted something barn-like… without the barn. Rustic yet chic. For us, it was very important that our wedding was filled with things that we loved and reflected who we were as people. We didn’t want to end up doing things just because “That’s the way it’s always been done at weddings” So, we had a conversation and listed all of the things that we loved and hated about weddings that we’d been to. Then we just kept all of the things that we loved, and chucked the things that we hated. With that, we had the perfect blueprint for our day.
What was the wedding budget?
In the end I think we spent around 35,000 for just under 150 people
Where did you save the most money?
We saved money with some DIY or GFTDI (Get friends to do it) projects. Our friends and family were so helpful and talented. One of my bridesmaids designed our invitations, A friend constructed the chalkboards that we used for the menu and signage, my aunt made our wedding cake, and I took on a few projects as well (making the cake toppers, and teaching myself how to write fancily in chalk). I also think it’s a great idea to get creative about where you purchase things. The wood planks for our centerpieces sometimes run upwards of 10$- 15$ a piece, and shipping can be insane! Instead I found a tree cutting service and asked if they could cut up some trees they had recently removed for a fair price, which saved me greatly. It pays to be resourceful!
What was the biggest expense?
The venue and alcohol came out to the biggest expense, but obviously that’s unavoidable!
How many guests were invited in your wedding and what was the final guest count?
We invited approximately 200 and 147 guests showed up.
How did you narrow down your list?
Both sides of the family were allowed to invite 50 people, which left 100 for us. We chose to only extend plus one invitations to married couples and other significant others, that we knew.
What songs did you use during the ceremony?
Processional (and while guests arrived): Steel pan band
Bride Entrance: Perfect Day – Holley Maher
Recessional: One Love – Bob Marley (by steel pan band)
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Secrets Resort Montego Bay
What are you most excited about for the future?
Spending our lives learning about each other and growing together.
Do you have advice for couples still in the planning process?
Plan with the following question in mind “Are we doing this for us or for someone else?” Remember that if you’re happy, then all those who love you will be happy too. It may sound harsh but do not feel bad about fighting for what you want. Remember that this day is to celebrate the love between you and your partner and so putting together a day that reflects the both of you is the most important thing. If you don’t want to throw a bouquet, don’t throw one… if you want to see each other before the ceremony, go ahead. Don’t let anyone else force you to do something that isn’t you. Reminding yourself that this is YOUR day to celebrate YOUR union should help you plan a day that will make you smile from start to finish.
What was your favorite part of the day?
There are too many to count! Besides the ceremony itself, seeing my dad cry when he first saw me in my wedding dress is high on the list. I recommend doing a first look with your dad and one with your fiance. it is a remarkably special moment that you get to share before all eyes are upon you.
Was there any Do it Yourself (DIY) projects? If so, can you describe them in detail?
DIYs can save money as long as you don’t go overboard. Having creative friends and family also helps a great deal. One of my Bridesmaids made our invitations, My Aunt made our cake, friends helped make chalkboards, I used youtube to learn and practice fancy chalkboard writing and I also painted the cute cake toppers.
What were the highlights from the ceremony & reception?
The ceremony itself was a highlight. Martin, our officiant helped us craft a ceremony that was perfectly us. The Soul Train line that my brother/MC started to get people on the dance floor… people really got into it! The dance floor stayed packed until the end of the night Watching the Wish Lanterns everyone released floating up into the night sky. The poutine bar… definitely the poutine bar!!!
Was there a theme for the ceremony and reception?
Rustic yet chic
Links to Wedding Videos?
Tricia & Adam from Cinema Works Entertainment on Vimeo.
What part of the ceremonies do you think was the most memorable for you? Your guests?
The I dos!
Vendors
Photographer: Lyn Ismael: Evocative Imagery of Love Stories
Event Planner: Bliss Events Toronto
Makeup Artist: Candace French Hair and Makeup
Reception Venue: Holland Marsh Wineries
Videographer: Cinema Works Entertainment
Dress: Maggie Sottero
Shoes: Designed by the bride @ Shoes of Prey
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff
Groomsmen Attire: Moore’s
Shuttle Busses: Stinson Bus Lines
Food (incl. Poutine bar): O’Malley’s Catering
Steel Pan: Gareth Burgess
Beverage Station Rentals: Happily Ever After Events
Celebrant: Martin Firth
DJ: Teresa @ Almost Famouz
Wedding Consultant: Tara O’Grady @ Bliss Events
Floral Design: Lesley Humphrey @ Bliss Events
Cake: Aunt of the Bride
Cake Toppers: Bride
Stationary: Sarah Barrable-Tishauer (Bridesmaid)
Wedding App: AppyCouple
Leave a Reply