WEDDING BLOG

This Gorgeous Winnipeg Wedding Took a Minimalist Approach to Its Nontraditional Greenhouse Venue

March 29, 2019 | Junebug Weddings

Alexandra and Chad’s Winnipeg wedding reminded us just how much we adore greenhouse weddings! The bright and airy Gro Greenhouse space was the perfect backdrop for their minimalist, modern reception — and the fact that it wasn’t a traditional wedding venue made it all the more impressive. The white, green, and gold color palette complemented the fresh and organic look brilliantly while the pops of coral and red added a touch of glam that we can’t get enough of. From their sweet first look to their joyful wedding party portrait session to their ceremony in an open field, every moment of this Winnipeg wedding was dreamy beyond belief — and Kassandra Donaldson Photography captured it all beautifully!

The Couple:

Alexandra and Chad

The Wedding:

Gro Greenhouse, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Kassandra Donaldson Photography
Event Planning – Divine Weddings
Venue – Gro Greenhouse
Floral Design – Fache Floral Designs
Catering – Urban Prairie Cuisine
Cake – Sweet Impressions
Makeup Artist – Jeanna Lee Artistry
Hair Styling – Cass Brown
Wedding Dress – Maggie Sottero
Groom and Groomsmen’s Apparel – EPH Apparel
Rings – Mokada
Rentals – C&T Event Rentals and The Last Limb Woodworking
Ribbons – Honey Silks & Co
Table Numbers and Head Table Tapestry – Tiny Mighty Moments
Transportation – Tony’s Transport

Congratulations to Alexandra and Chad, and a big thanks to Divine Weddings for sharing this beautiful Winnipeg wedding with Junebug! Love greenhouse weddings? Then you have to see this colorful ’70s boho wedding at The Greenhouse at Driftwood!

17 Heartfelt First Looks

March 28, 2019 | Junebug Weddings

photo by Monique Serra Photography

Are you considering whether or not to share a first look with your partner before tying the knot at your wedding ceremony? A first look can be a great way to release pre-ceremony jitters and—most importantly—spend more time with your spouse on the big day. Of the thousands of real weddings we review every year, no couple has ever regretted a first look, so we decided to share a few of our favorite heartfelt first looks with you.

Before you start scrolling through these emotive photographs, it’s important to remember this was their wedding day. Your first look won’t be exactly the same as these—and it shouldn’t. Let go of any expectation or standard you might be holding your partner to. First looks aren’t always about tears and gasps of astonishment. Sometimes they’re funny, or quiet, or simple—keep scrolling to see what we mean.

Let these photos spark excitement for your own first look experience. Remember: Just be yourselves and let your expert photographer do the rest.

This Groom Was All Smiles When He Saw His Bride

photo by Anna Elizabeth Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

This Couple Read Heartfelt Letters Before Seeing Each Other

photo by Rachel Rowland Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

Consider Giving Your Love A Squeeze Before The Big Reveal

photo by Northern Native Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

This Groom Snuck Up Behind His Beautiful Bride

photo by Towards The Moon; see more of this real wedding here.

This Quiet Heartfelt First Look In A Library Room Brings Us Tears

photo by Maggie Grace Photography, Summer Leigha Photo; see more of this real elopement here.

We Love This First Look Photo Idea

photo by Meltem Salb; see more of this styled wedding photoshoot here.

Nothing Is More Intimate—Or Cool—Than A Rooftop First Look Moment In The City

photo by Maggie Grace Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

This Couple Shared A First Touch Before The Big Reveal

photo by Gabrielle Desmarchais; see more of this real wedding here.

Getting Ready At A Busy Hotel? Sneak Away To A Private Corner For The First Look

photo by Aspen Jeanné Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

These Two Eloped But Didn’t Want To Miss A First Look Moment

photo by Zoe Steindl Photo; see more of this real wedding here.

Consider Reciting Your Vows Privately During The First Look

photo by The Forwards Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

This Bride Met Her Groom At The Bottom Of The Stairs For A Heartfelt First Look Moment

photo by Cody & Allison Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

Let Emotions Take Over During A First Look—It Only Happens Once

photo by Katie Ruther Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

This Huge Smile On This Groom’s Face When He Sees His Bride Can’t Be Beat

photo by Ashley Paige Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

This Fashion-Forward Couple Was All Smiles During Their First Look

photo by Jeff Brummett Visuals; see more of this real wedding here.

We Had To Include This Father-Daughter First Look

photo by Valerie Gay Bessette; see more of this real wedding here.

This One, Too, Because This Dad Is The Sweetest

photo by Stefanie Keeler Photography; see more of this real wedding here.

We hope these photos encouraged and inspired you for your own first look experience. Still searching for the perfect wedding photographer to capture sweet moments like these? We’ve got you covered. Visit our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers—and check out our list of videographers while you’re there.

photo by Monique Serra Photography

This Desert Glam Wedding at Under Canvas Brought the Boho Flair to Zion National Park

March 28, 2019 | Junebug Weddings

champagne gray light pink orange

Want to know why spring and summer are two of our favorite seasons? Because we get to gush over all the boho desert weddings again, like this one at Under Canvas! Jamie and Johnny brought boho glam to the max with their decor, colors, wedding party style, and floral design. The couple’s goal was to create a celebration not only worthy of their love, but that let their guests get a deeper understanding of their life and views on marriage. So, their festivities included yoga, karaoke, dancing, and pizza. No detail was included just for the sake of tradition, and that level of personalization made this wedding something truly special! Luckily for us, Lauren Mihae Photography was there to capture every incredible moment!

The Couple:

Jamie and Johnny

The Wedding:

Under Canvas, Zion National Park, Utah

I think the most important planning aspect was making the entire wedding weekend a very personal, authentic reflection of who we are as a couple. Often times a bride and groom get so caught up in pleasing other people – your parents, your community – that you lose your sense of self in the process. However, we wanted people to leave with a better understanding of our relationship – the depth of our love, what we enjoy doing together, and what marriage means to us.

We have been to so many weddings where we felt like it was simply going through the motions of traditions that they felt they had to do, but the wedding itself didn’t reflect the true essence of the couple. Whether it be through our activities like karaoke, yoga and late night dance sets, or through our favorite foods, our very personal vows, or our unorthodox ceremony music choices…we wanted our personality to shine through the moment the guests drove up to the venue, to the moment they left to catch their flight.

Johnny and I did not do a first look, because I wanted me walking down the aisle to be the first time he saw me. I wanted his natural, unrefined, authentic reaction. I will never forget that moment, and to me (and him), it was certainly the most memorable part of the day. I was walking down the aisle with the sun setting on the Zion Mountains in the distance, and “The Beatles” playing in the background. There were 40 mph winds and my hair was whipping violently and the pampas grass was flying everywhere…but at that moment, all I could see were him and his tears, and my two dogs at the end. It was incredible.

With our love for travel, we knew we wanted an adventurous destination wedding, and with our love for nature and the outdoors, we were highly interested in a National Park wedding. After months of searching and after sincere consideration to just get eloped, I finally came across Under Canvas when searching for National Park wedding ideas. They have several locations, but their Zion camp was the easiest and least expensive travel option for guests to get to.