Today’s wedding is not only an example of eco-friendly wedding inspiration, and wedding weekend fun; it sets a new bar for DIY. Talk about making it your own! Everything from the mini canoes and floral arrangements to the shirts on their backs and even down to the rings was handmade. Nicole and Greg’s goal was to a summer camp, destination type weekend wedding where their guests could enjoy Greg’s family cottage on Otter Lake in Ontario, Canada. The organic, woodsy wonderfulness was captured brilliantly by Teresa Rehmann who also shared all of the little details of this sweet and relaxed celebration of love.
From the photographer:
The weekend started with their sunrise ceremony on Friday morning, after the couple went for a canoe ride around the lake. For Greg and Nicole, creating their own ceremony and rethinking the meaning of marriage and the purpose of the celebration was a crucial part of the weekend. They worked with Greg’s dad and uncle, both ministers, to create a ceremony that reflected their values and interpretation of life-long commitment. This led to some DIY tradition creation! They chose to include an old Celtic tradition of handfasting, performed by Greg’s brother and his partner, and for which they handmade a beautiful hemp rope. Greg’s mom and brother collaborated to write and perform a song of the promises Greg and Nicole wrote, as a gift for the newlyweds. Greg and Nicole also took a ring-making course and made their own wedding rings!
Other DIY elements included the chalkboard signs and glasses, outdoor seating on hay bales, a “memory tree” guestbook, and log stump seating. The little canoes on tables were made by hand and Greg’s mom crocheted little butterflies for favors. The flowers and boutonniere were made by a friend from wildflowers and twine. Nicole’s parents hand weaved Greg’s shirt, and as well!) and Nicole’s mom made her blue shawl. Thank you Teresa Rehmann Photography for capturing the fantastically laid back, budget-friendly, beautiful details of this woodland wedding. Congratulations Nicole and Greg! Thank you for sharing your sustainable and attainable DIY ideas!
Vendor Information:
Photography: Teresa Rehmann Photography
This was very lovely indeed; holding at its centre all that makes God alive in creation and in your hearts lovely indeed.