WEDDING BLOG

Teri and Keith combined bohemian and rustic vibes with sentimental details in their entirely DIY wedding in Ontatio, Canada. Their lakefront ceremony took place on family property, in front of the original green cabin that Keith’s father bought in 1971, and their reception was held at the new property, just across the lake. Every element of this wedding was handmade by the couple and their creative families, from the wooden pews to the candle holders, which made an already sentimental wedding even more magical to see through the lens of Katia Taylor Photography. To match the woodland wonderland feel, the bride wore a bohemian-inspired Junko Yoshioka gown and bold flower crown that matched her burgundy suede boots and the bridesmaids’ pink and burgundy autumn-inspired looks. We can’t get over how this creative couple was able to transform these cabins in the woods into a cozy ceremony space and a reception space that were equal parts rustic and elegant without losing any of the natural charm.

The Couple:

Teri and Keith

The Wedding:

Private Residence, Cressy Lake, Ontario, Canada

Honing in on the vision was for me, the most important part of planning the wedding. We were planning a celebration in a space that on its own is incredibly charming, so we were looking to honor and keep to our roots. However, we were also looking to pull from the space some sort of northern Canadian natural magic.

Canoe Entrance – “Way Over Yonder” by Billy Bragg & Wilco
Processional – “Praise You” by Fatboy Slim
Recessional – “Simple Life” by The Dandy Warhols

Keith’s father, Gordon, purchased a small green cabin in the ’70s on “Little Eddie” Lake in Haliburton County. He scraped together all of his savings to purchase this piece of land and eventually, over the years, built an entirely new unit from the ground up. His new cottage was a larger, all-season cottage on that same piece of land but kept the original cabin as symbol and reminder of the early days. We decided to marry in front of that sacred green cabin to build on that legacy. We held the reception across the lake at our new cottage and the site of the proposal. There was no question that we would marry on such sacred space in the north Canadian wilderness. The moment he proposed we knew we were to execute the party of our dreams on the newly named “Cressy Lake” at the cottage. We had “Legacy” in mind, and it was important to the both of us to be building on that family story.

Together and with the help of our friends and family, we created every single wedding detail, from the wooden pew benches in the ceremony, to the copper arch, to the individual candle holders on the dining room tables. We sourced and procured everything independently – the aisle runner, the ceiling swagged fabrics, the copper “disco” balls, the hay bales and their accent fabrics and the amber bottles for the flower arrangements. 

People arrived in a school bus at 6 PM for what we called “Snacks + Sips + Sunset” and were greeted with 5 rounds of seasonal canapés. There was an active oyster station and a charcuterie bar. The bar was open and was serving house bubbles (champagne) and a variety of canned beer from the “beer canoe.” The idea was to feed people instantly (as they arrived off the bus), to get some booze and food and their bellies before the ceremony at 7:45 – 8:00 PM.

After the ceremony, guests followed the bridal party down the gravel road and to the reception site across the lake. We arrived at the reception and shortly thereafter food was placed buffet style inside the converted 3 bay garage on a large table. The bar was open and we featured a variety of taps from a Toronto brewer.

Our dear friend, Chef Kevin Rickey of Food Benders, crafted a delicious hot sauce on our behalf to use as our wedding favor. I came up with the drawing of the deer with antlers (my pet name for my husband is “deer”) as a small gift to Keith who is always requesting that I draw him something. It was a surprise. So I went ahead with a basic drawing, developed the concept and had the help of an illustrator/graphic design friend who put it together for me. The hot sauce was super delicious and the design was flawless! Chef Kevin prepared 110 bottles, and I labeled each one with my friend and bridesmaid, Shannon.

Congratulations to Teri and Keith, and a special thanks to Katia Taylor Photography for sharing this entirely DIY wedding with Junebug! Love the idea of getting married at a cabin in the woods? Then you’re going to love this casual Hollywood wedding at Rock and Roll Cabin!