Step into the world of lush spring romance! Set at a grand estate, once home to royalty in the English countryside—this Ashridge House wedding inspiration is a captivating ode to the beauty of spring. Drawing inspiration from the delicate hues of the season, planner Tania Russel teamed up with a talented team of professionals to create a styled shoot that exudes a soft, ethereal ambiance combined with sophisticated grandeur.
One of the standout elements is the wild and overgrown florals that adorn every scene. For the ceremony, stunning arrangements on either side of the cantilevered staircase led to the landing-turned altar. Meanwhile, the reception at the glass-enclosed Fernery overlooking the gardens featured an elegant tablescape of lush blooms and gilded accents. The greenery-filled space was elevated further with a stylish lounge, while the garden-themed cake added the perfect touch of whimsy.
As you browse through the stunning photos captured by Jo Elvis, you can’t help but be inspired by the attention to detail, the creativity, and the love between the two grooms palpable in every frame. Whether you are planning a same-sex wedding, a traditional wedding, or something in between, this shoot proves that love knows no boundaries and that spring is the perfect season to celebrate new beginnings.
Thank you to Tania Russel for sharing this Ashridge House wedding inspiration shoot with us and Jo Elvis for capturing every exquisite detail. The soft color palette, the lush florals, and the enchanting setting can be easily adapted to any wedding style. It’s truly a versatile source of inspiration for modern, spring-loving nearlyweds.
For more tips on bringing your spring celebration to the next level, be sure to check out our list of refreshing spring ideas!
Ivanca and Kevin’s Stanley Park elopement was a dreamy affair that beautifully captured their love for nature and each other. And with the help of their dream team of vendors, they pulled off a celebration that was intimate, fashion-forward, and packed with personality.
Starting their day on a non-traditional note, the bride and groom spent the morning getting ready together. After sharing in the excitement and anticipation for their big day, they headed off to Stanley Park for a cozy forest ceremony in a secluded spot under a canopy of towering trees. The couple exchanged heartfelt vows with their closest family and friends as witnesses. That’s right, just because you elope doesn’t mean your loved ones can’t share in the joy of your special day. Remember: your wedding, your rules.
As if the wedding ceremony and reception weren’t already perfect enough, the fashion choices took everyone’s breath away—ours included. The bride was an absolute vision in her white jumpsuit, adding drama with a detachable tulle overskirt. The groom was equally dashing in his timeless tux, complete with a boutonniere complimenting the bride’s stunning bouquet by The Wildbunch.
Thankfully Junebug photographers The Godard’s captured this couple’s enchanting forest wedding, inspiring couples to forego their traditional plans in favor of an intimate elopement. Get ready to take notes.
The Couple:
Ivanca and Kevin
The Wedding:
Vancouver, Canada
Not Even A Rainy Forcast Can Get in the Way of Love
The weather forecast called for rain during our outdoor ceremony, but thankfully it didn’t. Turns out the forecast was for our happy tears. We–and the guests–were 100% crying during the whole ceremony, especially Ivanca.
Advice From Their Stanley Park Elopement
Our biggest piece of advice is to be flexible during the planning process. You can have a million plans in your head, but things may not go as expected, and that’s okay. These moments will likely become the most memorable to you and your partner, so you might as well make it fun!
Custom Wedding Scent Wedding Favors
Our wedding favors were a custom-scented room spray created by Hairess Home—owned by Kevin’s sister in Indonesia. The scent was quite woody and a bit smokey, reminding us of the fall season. We wanted our guests to be able to remember that moment.
Working With Junebug Photographers The Godard’s
The Godard’s were very easy to work with on the day of and even before the wedding. We had our engagement photos taken by them, and when we decided to do an elopement, they were our first choice. They were patient with us even with all the changes and questions. Since we didn’t have anyone helping us with the wedding planning, The Godard’s were very helpful in giving us some good input during the day’s run-down.
Congratulations to Ivanca and Kevin on their Stanley Park elopement. And big thanks to Junebug photographers The Godard’s for capturing every moment worthy of celebrating. If you want to see more of their work, check out their profile in our directory of the top wedding vendors from around the world.
After scrolling through these photos brimming with inspiration, you might be feeling inspired to elope—we don’t blame you. If that’s the case, kickstart your planning journey by checking out our elopement planning checklist. Here you’ll find the best locations, vendors, and inspiration that proves sometimes less is more.
As avid gardeners, collectors of antiques, and art lovers, Laura and Kiley wanted their wedding to reflect their passions and interests. This inspired them to incorporate fragments and elements of their personal love story into their wedding day’s overall design and theme. Held on the bride’s family’s property–which boasts stunningly restored heritage homes—this Ontario backyard wedding was brimming with blooms, vintage elements, and heartfelt details that made it an unforgettable occasion.
The ceremony was set at the beautiful Windermere United Church, with its stunning stone facade and opulent interior. Lush florals adorned the entrance, and ground arrangements graced the altar. Following a traditional petal toss, they made their way to the dock, accompanied by a bagpiper. They boarded a restored wooden boat, complete with florals and a “Just Married” flag, which served as their “getaway car.” As guests waved vintage hankies, the pair sailed away in style.
The couple’s tented backyard reception was filled with unique details, and one of their favorite elements was the signage. Vintage oil paintings in white calligraphy were used as a seating chart, welcome sign, and bar menu. Drawing inspiration from their cherished Victorian cottage and the natural beauty of the surroundings, the wedding design incorporated custom vintage linens on the tables and a sage and ivory checkerboard dance floor that exuded old-world charm. While we could keep gushing about it, you’ve got to see these mind-blowing images by Wade Muir for yourself. Trust us. You don’t want to miss out on this!
Exchanging Hand-Written Letters and Gifts For A Meaningful Connection
We exchanged hand-written letters and small gifts on the day of the wedding. We had them delivered by the best man and maid of honor, which was a wonderful way to connect before seeing each other at the church. We had decided to be traditional and avoid each other all day. I gave him a pair of cufflinks shaped like the wheels of the car he restored, and he gave me a beautiful pair of earrings. We hadn’t discussed what to give each other beforehand, but it was perfect. We have framed both of our notes to each other alongside our beautiful photographs from the wedding.
The Heart Of Their Celebration Was The Presence Of Their Loved Ones
The representation of our friends and family at our event was significant. Most of our guests came from across the border and had to put in much effort to attend our wedding. Ultimately, we wanted the people who support us in our life together to be present at our union, and we were grateful to see them in large numbers. We feel incredibly fortunate to have such supportive friends and family, and the love in the tent was palpable throughout the celebration.
Crafting A Personalized Ceremony By Including Their Loved Ones
We worked with friends, family, and advisors to craft our ceremony. We based it on a traditional Protestant service but sought advice from friends and family on readings, musical selections, and our vows. Ultimately, we heavily crafted a very bespoke service to ensure it hit all the right notes for us as a couple. We found a reading on marriage and commitment by T.S. Lewis that resonated with us perfectly. Since the bride’s family has a strong musical background, consulting with them on the hymns and the processional and recessional music was a joyful experience.
A Memorable Wedding Procession: From Church to Wharf with Bagpipes, Boat, and Heartfelt Farewells
Walking out of the local church as newlyweds, followed by our assembled guests and the bagpipes, we processed down to the town wharf. There, we boarded my grandfather’s wooden boat and drove away while the guests waved goodbye with handkerchiefs. It was a truly fun, unexpected moment, and it embodied everything we love about our friends, family, and the place where we got married.
The Inspiration Behind Their Ontario Backyard Wedding
We wanted something authentic to us. As avid gardeners, collectors of antiques, and art lovers, we sought a natural and of-the-moment ambiance without feeling too engineered or over-designed. Ensuring our guests’ experience was well cared for was necessary, given our remote location that made it difficult to have “downtime.” Overall, we aimed to have an authentic, fun-filled weekend where all our favorite people came together to celebrate this next step in our life.
Congratulations to Laura and Kiley on their Ontario backyard wedding. And thank you to Wade Muir for capturing all the beautiful details that showcase their love story.
Your unique love story is extraordinary and worth sharing on your wedding day, just like this couple did. If you envision a wedding that reflects your personalities and is filled with unique ideas, take a look at our guide for planning a one-of-a-kind celebration that truly represents you and your partner.
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