A tiny wooden chapel tucked among the trees, guests riding miniature trains between the ceremony and reception, and homemade pies replacing a traditional wedding cake—Fiona and Josef’s wedding at Heritage Acres was full of details that reflected exactly who they are. They leaned into a relaxed “modern peasant wedding” aesthetic with DIY touches, plenty of good food, and traditions that encouraged everyone to slow down and enjoy the day.
The couple first met while playing intramural dodgeball at university, bonding over what they jokingly describe as their shared “skills (or lack of)” at both throwing and dodging. Although life eventually took them to opposite sides of the world, they both found their way back to British Columbia. Once Josef invited Fiona to visit him in Victoria, “living together felt natural,” she says, “and I never really left for long after that.”
What We Love About This Heritage Acres Wedding
- A tiny woodland chapel that made the outdoor ceremony feel cozy
- A restored two-person crosscut saw used for a traditional log-cutting ceremony
- Miniature train rides through the Heritage Acres property during cocktail hour
- Homemade wedding pies baked by family and friends instead of a traditional cake
- Bridesmaids choosing their own blue dresses while the groomsmen wore beer socks
- A quick dress repair by the bride’s aunt just minutes before the ceremony
Featured Vendor:
Latitude 49 Photography
How Heritage Acres Inspired Their “Modern Peasant Wedding”
Neither Fiona nor Josef started planning with a detailed vision board. In fact, Fiona says she only knew one thing growing up: she wanted pies instead of a wedding cake.
As they planned the celebration themselves, they came across the old tradition of a newly married couple cutting through a log together with a two-person saw. Once they discovered Heritage Acres, everything else started to fall into place.
They described the overall style to their vendors as a “modern peasant wedding”—rustic, outdoorsy, relaxed, and centered around good food and drink. The property’s tiny wooden church, open-air dining hall, and wooded surroundings naturally fit the direction they were already heading.
Keeping The Planning Simple Made Room For What Mattered
The couple handled the planning themselves, approaching it with one goal: make the process enjoyable rather than overwhelming.
They found most of their vendors through a Vancouver Island wedding Facebook group, comparing reviews and websites until they found businesses that fit both their budget and vision.
Rather than stretching their budget for elaborate decor, they focused on creating an atmosphere where family and friends could simply enjoy spending time together.
“We wanted to keep a modest budget and have money for a honeymoon or our future life together,” they explain. “However, the purpose of a wedding is in large part to throw a party for our friends and family.”
Simple DIY projects paired naturally with the venue, while plenty of loved ones pitched in to help make everything happen.
A Ceremony Filled With Traditions And Tiny Adventures
The couple skipped a first look, choosing instead to see each other for the first time as Fiona walked down the aisle.
After the ceremony, they tackled the traditional log cutting together using the restored two-person saw. “It represented our first act and obstacle to work through together as husband and wife,” they share. “It represented the give and take, trust and teamwork required in marriage.”
The tradition was just as entertaining for guests as it was meaningful for the couple, and it quickly became one of everyone’s favorite moments of the day.
Instead of heading straight to cocktails, guests climbed aboard the miniature trains operated by the Vancouver Island Model Engineers. The ride wound across bridges and trestles, through a tunnel, and past a pond, offering a fun way to explore the Heritage Acres grounds before the reception began.
Personal Details That Reflected Their Everyday Selves
Fiona and Josef never wanted to look like different people on their wedding day. Fiona chose professional hairstyling but did her own makeup, keeping her look classic with a lace veil that added just enough personality. Josef opted for a gray suit paired with playful beer socks, while the bridesmaids were simply asked to choose any blue dress they genuinely liked.
Many of the wedding details were made by hand. Josef spent hours refurbishing the vintage crosscut saw that now hangs in their home, turning it into both a ceremony centerpiece and a keepsake they’ll keep for years.
One of the sweetest contributions came from their family and friends, who baked the wedding pies themselves. Some even learned how to bake specifically for the occasion.
When Family Comes Together, Even The Unexpected Becomes Part Of The Story
Not everything went exactly according to plan.
As Fiona sat down in the car to head to the ceremony, one of her dress straps broke. Fortunately, her aunt, who had once worked as a seamstress, was there to repair it on the spot.
Later, the reception became exactly what Fiona and Josef had hoped for: a chance to gather loved ones from near and far. Some guests had traveled from Scotland and Indonesia to celebrate alongside them, making the day feel even more special.
Why Less Really Was More For Their Wedding
Looking back, Fiona and Josef wouldn’t change much about the way they approached planning.
Their advice to other couples is short enough to remember and practical enough to actually follow:
“KISS—and we mean that both ways (smooch and keep it simple stupid).”
Looking back, it’s clear they practiced what they preached. Keeping things simple gave them room to focus on the people, traditions, and little moments that made the day their own.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Latitude 49 Photography
Venue – Heritage Acres
Hair Styling – Heartwood & Co.
Wedding Dress – Jenny Yoo gown from Everly Bridal
Groom’s Apparel – Spier & Mackay
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