WEDDING BLOG

Jewel Tone Ontario Wedding at Lake of the Woods

February 3, 2017 | Junebug Weddings

Ever since she was a little girl, Cassidy knew she wanted to say “I do” on the dock of her family’s cottage located in the Lake of the Woods community. So, when Nick proposed and they began to plan their wedding, there was really no other option. The couple’s main goals were to create an amazing weekend for all of the guests who traveled to be with them and to incorporate their beloved dog into the day. We love how they let the lake and natural environment be the focus of the ceremony space and carried the natural, elegant feel into the reception with an abundance of greenery in the table runners and hanging arrangements. The bride wore a gorgeous champagne colored Vera Wang gown that was both non-traditional and romantic, and looked beautiful against the waterfront landscape. The talented Sugar + Soul Photography worked her magic to capture all the portrait-worthy moments, personal details, and laid-back quirkiness this wedding had to offer.

The Couple:

Cassidy and Nick

The Wedding:

Private Residence, Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada

I went into shopping knowing that I wanted something different and was open to trying on anything. I just wanted the dress to feel bridal, and I knew I wanted to wear a long veil. I chose the second dress I tried on. The tones of the dress where so dramatic and different; I knew I would never be happy with a white dress. I loved the low front and back that flowed into the most gorgeous full shirt. I was always going to go barefoot (who wears shoes at the lake?) and this dress added the perfect amount of femininity.

To this day, the Green Camp remains an important part of summer life for us. We make the trek from Vancouver every summer to spend as much time as possible at the lake. It was with this in mind that we wanted to share this experience with our guests.

We had so many guest traveling to the wedding that had never been to the lake before that we wanted to make sure that they got to experience the lake while getting to see us get married! Because of that, we planned a full weekend of events with a laid back Fish Fry/Shore Lunch meal on the Friday and a lunch on the Sunday. We are a pretty easygoing couple and we wanted the wedding to reflect that. We didn’t want the wedding to feel forced or too complicated.

Nicholas and I really wanted our ceremony to be about us coming together as partners. We had been together for over ten years, and this day was also for our family and friends who have supported us. My cousin’s husband officiated the wedding. We are both very close with him, and it made the ceremony fun and relaxed. We also had the wedding party stand as couples instead of girls on one side, boys on the other. It was so nice to have our support team from both sides surrounding us as we said our wedding vows.

When picking the bridal party outfits, we wanted something subtle but beautiful. I am also a big fan of green, which the dresses where and the groomsmen had a slight green tone in their grey suits. The bridesmaid’s dresses were chosen since the brand had the nicest shade of green with the largest selection of options so that everyone could wear something they felt comfortable in.

There once was a very young girl who stood on the newly constructed deck at her parents’ cottage and proclaimed that this is where she is going to get married. Twenty-five years later…that dream came true.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Sugar + Soul Photography
Venue – Lake of the Woods
Event Planning – At the Lake Events
Floral Design – Linda Moraaly
Catering – Deer + Almond
Live Music – Danny Kramer Dance Band
Videography – Dirty T Shirt Productions
Makeup Artist – 2 Chicks and a Bag of Makeup
Hair Styling – Amy Maurer
Wedding Dress – Vera Wang
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Nouvelle Amsale
Groom and Groomsmen’s Apparel – EPH Apparel
Rentals – Special Events Rentals
Tent – Phoenix Tent and Event Solutions

Congratulations to Cassidy and Nick, and a special thanks to Junebug member Sugar + Soul Photography for sharing their gorgeous weddings photos! Get ready for more waterfront wonder because this delightful lakefront wedding in Whistler, B.C. will give you butterflies!

How Not to Get Sucked Into a Pinterest Wedding

February 2, 2017 | Junebug Weddings

photo by Autumn Nicole Photography

Pinterest has become one of the most useful wedding planning resources in the history of time. How often have you heard someone who tied the knot pre-Pinterest say how much they wish the site had been around back when they were planning their big day? While you can find endless inspiration for wedding décor, bridal style, and DIY projects, Pinterest can be incredibly overwhelming and can even begin to take away from what’s most important in your wedding day. If your wedding board is bursting with ideas and your pinning has gotten out of control, this post is for you!

photo by Amelia Fletcher Photography

The Magic of You

A wedding is not only a celebration of your love and the beginning of your forever together, but also a representation of what is most important and beautiful to you as a couple. Those are the things you can’t find on Pinterest (because you have to look inside to find them!). We know that sounds a little hokey, but it’s true. Your wedding is special because it’s yours. There is something remarkably magical about your connection as a couple, and that’s what your friends and family want to come celebrate on your wedding day.

When it comes to planning your wedding, before evening opening Pinterest, start by making a list of things you love together. Waffles, Harry Potter, travel, making playlists, your dog, the type flowers you got on your first anniversary — these are the types of unique things that should be on display at your wedding. More memorable than your table décor is the meal you shared with your new spouse and guests around it; more important than your bridal hairstyle is the music you heard while letting it down to dance the night away. Let what makes your relationship exceptional be on display at your wedding, rather than the biggest trends Pinterest has to offer.

photo by Abby Floyd Photography

Reinterpret, Don’t Copy

Once you’ve made a list of personal details you want included in your day, one of the things we do recommend is to make a mood board. Gathering inspiration in one place is a helpful way to see what you like and how to make those aspects of your wedding style cohesive. As you start to envision your wedding, don’t forget to put your own spin on things! The pins you’ve collected for your mood board came from already-existing weddings. Instead of fully recreating what another couple did for their day, reinterpret what you can. For instance, if you love the bouquets from a particular wedding, either use the same flowers in a different color palette, or the same color palette with a different variety of blooms. If you love a banner hanging above the sweetheart table, pick a quote that is meaningful to you as a couple instead of reusing the one you pinned.

photo by Emily Delamater

Be Realistic about Your Budget

One of the most important ways to reinterpret what inspires you is to look into your own budget. You may or may not know how much another couple spent on certain details of their wedding, but you do know how much you have to spend. The easiest way to take a realistic approach to your décor is scale. Consider your centerpieces; if you love a wedding with many lush centerpieces down long farm tables, you can choose to make them either fewer or smaller. Perhaps having the same number of smaller centerpieces helps you achieve the look, or having only a few very lush pieces helps them each stand out.

Hiring a planner or florist can be especially helpful here as they can consult you on similar options to achieve the look you envision. Instead of scale, there may be a less expensive alternative. If we’re still talking centerpieces, look to your florist for a suggestion on flowers that have a similar look to the ones you love but at a lower price point that is within your budget.

photo by Daring Wanderer

Know What You’re Getting Into

When it comes to DIY, the most common mistake is overestimating how much someone can accomplish before the big day. There are three main considerations for DIY: cost, time, and resources. A lot of people assume that choosing the crafty route is choosing the inexpensive route, but this can be far from true! Depending on your project, you may end up spending more money on supplies doing it yourself than you would have purchasing or renting outright. Do some research into how much each material costs and the amount you will need (factoring in a little extra in case of a mistake — it happens!) and see if a DIY is actually more cost effective than leaving it up to someone else.

Time is, of course, a major factor in wedding projects because there is a concrete deadline — your wedding date! Be realistic with yourself about how much time you have before the big day, including the other wedding-related work you have and your non-wedding life schedule. While you may want to DIY several aspects of your day, you may only actually have time for one or two so that you can focus your attention on making them great (and not losing your mind along the way!).

Resources are something you will want to procure as early as possible. Not only does this include the materials to create your project, but any rentals (a table saw, for instance) or outside help you need. Schedule an equipment rental as soon as you know you will need it, and be sure to touch base with friends and family about both their schedules. Keep in mind that your bridesmaids and family members have their own projects in life to attend to, so they may not all be able to lend a hand. Don’t count on anyone’s help who hasn’t been explicitly asked, and be mindful of their time when considering your own project timeline as well. Lastly, be sure to include the equipment rental costs into your project budget, as well as a few lunch dates with any bridesmaids who have spent long nights bringing your vision to life!

Is all this budget talk reminding you that you don’t have one yet? Head on over to this post that breaks down how to set a wedding budget, plus six ways to save!

Down-To-Earth Lake Rosseau Wedding

February 2, 2017 | Junebug Weddings

champagne light blue sage green white

Martha and Liam’s wedding on Ontario’s Lake Rosseau combines our fave summer camp vibes with woodland sophistication. The couple gathered their friends and family on their family’s island on Lake Rosseau for their enchanted forest ceremony, complete with mismatched Persian rugs and a handmade teepee-inspired arbor. We love Martha’s Free People boho gown and find her story incredibly inspiring: Martha was diagnosed with leukemia a few months before her wedding, so finding a bridal gown to accommodate her needs was a seemingly daunting task until she found her perfect gown (on sale!) from Free People. Laura Rowe Photography and Kayla Rocca Photography captured every moment of the couple’s wedding beautifully, including stunning couple portraits in the forest.

The Couple:

Martha and Liam

The Wedding:

Family Island & Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club, Ontario, Canada

We wanted the day to be really fun and really personal. We just wanted to have a day where our friends and family came together to have a big party in our favourite place in the world.

I was very excited about making my dress as there wasn’t really anything out there I liked – I wanted something that was comfortable enough to eat lots of burgers and cut a rug in, but also that made me feel beautiful, and was covered in vintage embroidery. A few months before the wedding, leukemia decided to knock at my door, and although the wonderful staff on C6 at Vic may have let me bring a disinfected sewing machine and bolts of fabric into the ward, I didn’t really feel up to it.

My sister forced me one day to just find something online, but the task seemed impossible as I had a new appendage I preferred to be covered (PICC line) and had gained a few (30) pounds in a few days and had no idea whether I’d gain more or lose it all by the wedding day so needed an adjustable dress. For some incredible reason, Free People had a dress that met ALL criteria above (minus vintage embroidery), on sale! It was perfect in all ways, and still so hilarious I found it. The jewellery was a mix of my mom’s and Indian-inspired pieces found in Kensington in Toronto.

Our family cottage on Lake Rosseau is our favourite place in the world. It’s a bit of a magical Fern Gully to me, and a place that makes us feel whole. We wanted all the people we hold closest to see what our love affair with this place was all about, but we were in a bit of a pickle deciding on how to get that many people onto the island, not have our rustic cottage and septic tank blow due to sheer numbers, and then there was the rain contingency plan…

Our cottage was built in the 1800’s and they had put a clay tennis court in the middle of the island. It was never kept up, and you couldn’t pick it out from the rest of the forest up until last year unless you spotted the big iron posts running along the perimeter, which are amazingly still there. Liam and I spent two summers clearing the space of trees and brush. My brother and dad made the wood benches out of log stumps from trees that had fallen. My sister and mom were on outhouse resurrection duty. It was a family affair getting the space ready, and everything came together!

Almost everything was homemade. Birchbark invites, signage, etc. There were lots of components that were done by our friends and family, too, which made the day so much more special and meaningful. We didn’t use an event planner, so it was very humbling to have people we love want to help and take part.

My aunt and cousin did all the bouquets and table arrangements, my dad and brother made log benches and an arbor, aunts and uncles and cousins helped with the ceremony space (and log-rolling!), my brother, dad, and I made the log centrepieces, another cousin chauffeured us to the ceremony in his beautiful boat, people made delicious apps for the ceremony, a ‘maid did my henna. My sister made the outhouses pass as legitimate bathrooms, and my mom made an outdoor handwashing station filled with quartz from around the island.

We had an amazing Humanist officiant, Tom Cooke. He was hilarious, down-to-earth, fun, and helped us make it our own. We did our own vows. Our cousin, Caroline Brooks from The Good Lovelies (who is also one of my idols), sang ‘Sh-Boom‘ in her beautiful style during the certificate signing. She got the audience singing, it was so great.

Processional: Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley (Violin Cover)
Bridal Processional: Harvest Moon by Neil Young (Instrumental) – We couldn’t decide on this one for forever, but this was the song Liam danced with me to in the hospital in the previous few months, so it ended up being a solid choice!
Recessional: Lovely Day by Bill Withers
First Dance: You Send Me by Sam Cooke

We wanted it to be easy for the wedding parties, and they were told to just wear whatever they wanted – any neutral colour for the ‘maids and any shade of grey for the groomsmen. For some other incredible reason, the ‘maids’ dresses ended up making a perfect ombre (?!), which was also hilarious.

Our photographers Laura and Kayla were a dream team. I’m not just saying that. They were so easy-going and lovely and just the gentlest people. They were so fluid moving around getting candid shots yet somehow could also direct us around to get great shots without us feeling directed in the least. They were incredible. I recommend them both for any event.

Make the day your own. Everyone said this to me and I’m glad I took their advice – just have fun and enjoy every moment because it will go by so quickly, so pause every now and then and take it all in. Not everything will go as planned, and don’t care if it doesn’t. If it’s not fun, figure out why it’s not and change that. Also, get a videographer! It’s our biggest regret!

I would say the roasts were the most memorable moment – instead of best man and maid of honour speeches, we opted for roasts by our bridal parties. They were utterly hilarious and completely shocking and rude; they did NOT hold back, and they pushed some questionable truths… I don’t think some of our guests really understood the idea behind a roast and were extremely uncomfortable and appalled, but Liam and I (and most others) were crying laughing. I REALLY wish we had videotaped them. It’s our biggest regret.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Laura Rowe Photography, Kayla Rocca Photography
Ceremony Venue – Family Island
Reception Venue – Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club
Floral Design – Emblem Flowers
Officiant – Tom Cooke
DJ – Jen & Matthew Johnston
Live Music – Good Lovelies
Makeup Artist – Cassidy Shkimba of The Powder Rooom
Hair Styling – Majestic Hair Design
Wedding Dress – Free People
Bridal Accessories – Kensington Market
Rings – Cynthia Findlay Antiques, Mayur Dave

Congratulations to Martha and Liam, and a huge thanks to Laura Rowe Photography for sharing their wedding with us. Love this wedding’s summer camp vibes? Then you’ve got to see this black and white Muskoka wedding at Camp Mini-Yo-We!

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