Canada - DIY Bride

Amanda + Dennis’ Cuddle in the Snow E-Session

I can’t think of a better way to round out our V-Day features than with this picturesque snowy e-sesh starring Amanda + Dennis. It’s been unbelievably cold here in the East Coast with the recent snow storms… and while most of us were dreading the winter chill and the ice AND the potential power outtage, my best friend, who’s getting married in June and has yet gotten to do her engagement shoot because she is currently in sunny San Diego while her fiance is in snowy NYC, told me just how “jelly” she is of all the snow we’re having and how she wish she can do a snowy e-sesh because… well, it’ll just be so darn pretty.

I have to admit… I was laughing at her at the time when she told me this, but as soon as I saw the submission for Amanda + Dennis’ e-session with Green Autumn Photography, I literally melted at all the gorgeousness, the colors, and the romance of it all (Hello! Doesn’t cuddling together and being wrapped in a super comfy wool blanket just seems oh-so-romantic??).

Photographer: GreenAutumn Photography//E-Session Date:01/09/2013//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Rebecca + Kenneth’s Vintage Glam Farm Wedding

You definitely don’t want to miss this super gorgeous DIY wedding today. I’m so in love with all the photos that Jamie Delaine Photography submitted… so much so that I kept them all and am sharing with you here!

Rebecca is a graphic designer who designed, well, pretty much all aspects of this wedding. She and Kenneth were able to pull all the details together with the help of their tight-knit Coquitlam community in British Columbia, Canada, on their family friend’s farm.

There were many awesome details that I want to share. From the photographer:

“all of their photo canvases (from our two engagement sessions!), horseshoes, photo “nets,” rowboat paddles instead of a guestbook, seeds as guest favours, posters instead of programs, wooden signs all over the property, the gorgeous pink & lace cake…”

I want to point out that the use of various big photo canvases near the front entrance to the wedding is a common Asian wedding practice.
So much details, so much sweetness! There are way too many aspects that I love about this wedding and this couple’s oh-so-laid-back style. My favorites are definitely Rebecca’s invitation suite designs, the wedding party’s sweet (bridesmaids) & hip (groomsmen) style that really work so well together, and the ceremony decor.

Rebecca + Kenneth did a fantabulous (yes, it’s fantastic and fabulous) job of creating this warm, inviting, and laid-back atmosphere for the wedding. This wedding is a great example of how you can use the same elements (burlap, lace, doilies, colors pink/green/brown, mason jars, and bunting) for a vintage rustic wedding and make it look glamorous somehow without the bling.

Congratulations Rebecca + Kenneth and thank you guys so much for this spectacular wedding!
Photographer: Jamie Delaine Photography//Wedding Date: August 03, 2013//Wedding Location: BC, Canada//Hair+Makeup:Lovely Wedding Studio//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Super Love- A Creative Styled Shoot

We featured a fun Real Weddings a couple of days ago where the clever bride crafted a superhero themed get-ready room for the groom and groomsmen. Today, I’m featuring a styled shoot chuck full of great ideas for any Superman lovers out there OR for anyone with red and blue as their main colors. This Superman-inspired styled shoot that the photographer Christine Picheca and wedding planner/stylist Dawn Fillion are sharing with us today called it their “Super Love” shoot. They, along with their talented team of vendors in Ontario, Canada, want to showcase that a couple can be creative, fun, and whimsical, and keep it classy and elegant all the way. They have SO much details going on, I LOVE it!

Where do I begin? SO MUCH DETAIL! The invitation suite is fun and looks like it came straight out of the comics. I absolutely adore the centerpieces of blue hydrangea and red roses. The florist did an incredible job of somehow creating these centerpieces without looking like they’re celebrating Independence Day. Hydrangea and roses are ubiquitous in weddings and these particular types wouldn’t make any budget conscious brides cringe.

The Event planner Dawn Fillion from I Do’s by Dawn was on top of all the Superman details ensuring it created the perfect blend of geek chic. The Superman/Clark Kent painted shoes, the “Super Love” sign, the “Cootie Catcher” Menus and the super-duper adorable sign on the dog were all her inspiration and were created and designed by Carla Tilt of Tilted Shoes and Olga Loeffen of Defining Moments Stationary.
This is definitely one of the best themed style-shoot I’ve seen! From the gorgeous center pieces and bouquet designed by Christine Owen of Settings Design Stylist, to the invitation suite, Dawn Fillion didn’t leave anything to chance. It’s so beautifully styled and incorporated details with so much talent that anyone can be inspired from something in here. I can’t wait to see if one of you will use it in your own engagement shoot/wedding!
Photographer: Christine Picheca Photography//Styled Date: October 12, 2013//Event Planner/Styler/DIY:Dawn Fillion of I Do’s by Dawn: Think Geek, Be Chic//Model(Groom): Damian//Model & Make-up: Ashley//Bride’s Hair: Chelsea’s Hair & Aesthetics//Bride’s Shoes: Carla Tilt of Tilted Shoes//Bride’s Dress & Necklace: She’s So Beautiful//Cake Designer: Mandy Arsenault of Baby Cakes Inc.//Stationary and All Things Paper: Olga Loeffen of Defining Moments Stationary//Museum:Dundurn Castle//Floral Designer/Candy Buffet: Christine Owen of Settings Design Stylist//Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Francesca + Brodie’s 20’s Inspired Canadian Wedding

When a wedding starts with a handmade gown this stunning that fits perfectly into a 1920’s inspired fete filled with lawn games and some crazy amazing DIY details you know you have one happy wedding blogger. Kandise Brown captured this gorgeous Prince Edward Island semi-destination/potluck wedding that is sure to go down in history.

From the photographer:

Brodie used to be an historical interpreter on Prince Edward Island, and that was the launching pad for their semi-destination wedding in Charlottetown (Brodie & Francesca live in Toronto; their guests came from all over). They handmade MOST of the details, including: the bride’s gown, the groom’s bowtie and pocket squares, the paper flowers and flower crowns worn by the flower girls, the moon photobooth backdrop, the crocheted table runners, the bunting, guestbook, food markers, and even the food itself was a potluck put on by the guests.

Thank you Kandise Brown for sharing this fabulous wedding! Congratulations Francesca and Brodie!

Vendor Information:

Date: July 20, 2013

Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Photographer: Kandise Brown

Ceremony Location: Zion Presbyterian Church

Jewelry: Twigs & Honey

Officiant: Kenneth MacRae

Tuxedo and Men’s Attire: Indochino

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Michelle + Devon’s Canadian Vintage Wedding

Michelle + Devon are high school sweethearts. No denying that love stories that include this title are going to draw a major “AWW!!” But these two are not your average duo! Despite growing up together only being separated by a few years, these two got together at prom. A few years later than your’re thinking though. When they crossed in the hallways this time around, these two super sweet, quirky, fun loving teachers had so much share the and with hearts so big. Michelle asked Devon to prom, and the rest is for the books. Family Creative Imagery has captured and shared their sweet story filled with whimsical and vintage details.

Now let’s talk about a crafty team here. Devon’s mother took care of the calligraphy for the invitations while his sister created the illustrations. That brilliant teal and red color combo was a mix of the couple’s favorite colors. The decor was themed after their love of books. Michelle created the beautiful aisle vignettes and centerpieces from vintage finds and good old schoolhouse crafting. She and her bridesmaids also crated all of the flower arrangements. My favorite twist from this wedding was that in order to get the bride and groom to kiss at the reception, a donation had to be made to a charity called Child of Mine, supporting the construction of a school for orphans in India.

Thank you Family Creative Imagery for sharing such a lovely school house romance! Congratulations Michelle + Devon!

Vendor Information:

Date: July 14, 2012

Location: British Columbia, Canada

Photographer: Family Creative Imagery

Event Venue: Chateau Cargill

Dress Store: Belle Bridal

Dress Designer: Mori Lee

Bridesmaids Dresses: Mori Lee

Shoes: TOMS

Jewelry: Era Designs

Bakery: Krause Berry Farms

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Jessica + Adam’s Styled Picnic Engagement

I’m a little obsessed with his e-sesh. So perfectly styled by bride-to-be Jessica and beautifully photographed by White Willow Photography, this shoot oozes with so much romance, intimacy, and warmth it’s hard to imagine that Jessica and Adam braved such a chilly& rainy day. Luckily, White Willow Photography is a master at capturing all the warm and fuzzies that come from the inside.

Thanks White Willow Photography for this perfectly styled picnic session! Congratulations Jessica and Adam! We hope you have a wonderful November wedding and that you’ll share it with us too!

Vendor Information:

Date: June 26, 2013

Location: Newfoundland, Canada

Photographer: White Willow Photography

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Kieu + Kevin’s Modern-Boho Canadian Wedding

Each and every couple are what make my job awesome! They add all the unique and irreplaceable elements that make no wedding equal. And Kieu + Kevin? Well, they are certainly no exception! They have managed to infuse equal parts of tradition and whimsy, modern and minimal, with eclectic boho style and yet remain the stars of this show! You just know these two are great to be around! R.A Photography was there to capture this totally amaze wedding where the sum of all the pretty little details glow just as bright as Kieu and Kevin’s smiles.

From the photographer:

Almost 90% of the details were done by the bride, groom and their families. Even the DJ was the groom’s friend and is in the bridal party. I loved all the special little details that made this wedding truly unique and special to Kieu and Kevin, especially the instagram photo posters they had hanging around the venue. What made this wedding even more special is that Kieu was 3 months pregnant on that day which made their celebration extra special.

Kieu’s insanely talented aunt is the floral goddess behind the utterly amazing floral crown and bouquets. She also made the beautiful cake that played off of the Native American dream catcher theme.

Oh! What a dream wedding we have caught here! Thank you R.A. Photography for sharing this extra special day! Congratulation Kieu + Kevin! (If I’m doing my math right, should owe you a double congrats on the birth of your baby!) Good luck with all that comes your way!

Vendor Information:

Date: April 13, 2013

Location: Toronto, Canada

Photographer: R.A. Photography

Event Venue: Hotel Ocho

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Alyssa + Darin’s Vancouver Island Wedding Weekend

If you’ve never been to Canada, you may be planning a vacation to the west coast after seeing this amazingly beautiful scenery. The perfect photos from Janelle Photography combined with this brilliant backdrop and made better by a stunning bride and groom will having you Googling a vacation or destination wedding in this lovely locale for sure! Taking place on Vancouver Island, Alyssa and Darin’s friends and fam enjoyed a lakeside ceremony, stellar scenery, and darling little details and finished off the evening staying at The Old House Village Hotel and Spa.

Now I don’t know about you, but I want to send a big thank you shout out to the first couple to take a photo under a willow tree and be inspired its romance. Alyssa took it on step further and handcrafted that willow branch arch herself. Beautiful beaches and willows aren’t the only standout of Alyssa and Darin’s wedding though. Everything about this wedding is full of romantic outdoor goodness. Shutter escort card displays and handmade blackberry jam with simple stationery accent the gorgeous grounds and create a a fabulously homey and chic wedding. Punching up the pretty factor, are the perfect dahlia and spider mum arrangements that Alyssa and fam arranged themselves. Even the dazzling dahlia cake was also handmade by a friend!

This is so the kind of wedding that has me planning a vacation or vow renewal because it’s so pretty. I can’t thank Janelle Photography enough for sharing this stunning scenery and super DIY. Congratulations Alyssa and Darin!

Date: September 22, 2012

Location: Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada

Photography: Janelle Photography

Event Venue: Courtenay Fish and Game Club

Accommodations: Old House Village Hotel and Spa

Lucy + Nick’s Sweet Spring Engagement

Ever since I fell in love with love shoots, I get a little giddy when I see the infectious love of a super sweet couple. Lucy and Nick are one of those couples you just have to love! There young, fresh, and fun vibe combined with a super sweet spring day and the fantastic photography of Micheal B equals e-sesh perfection.

There’s not too much else to wish for from an engagement session like this one. Micheal B. has snapped up a beautiful blend of all things fabulous about an engagement shoot and everything fun and adoringly loving about Lucy and Nick. Thank you Micheal B. Photography for sharing this sweet session with us. Congratulations Lucy and Nick!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Micheal B.

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Amy + Chris’ Vintage Elegance Wedding

Amy and Chris and hoped for a simple and quaint wedding. I would argue they achieved that and much more! A third generation wedding gown and the gorgeous images from Emma at barebonephoto could only lead to a wedding full of vintage inspired perfection.

The intimate gathering held at Eden Mills provided the beautiful backdrop for an old fashioned and casual gathering celebrating all the right things. Vintage embellishments like the mismatched china and the typewriter created the opportunity to write the perfect storybook day. Simple bunting, elegant florals and a sweet as heck candy bar rounded off the charming little details that helped focus your attention on the important stuff; the two people creating one life.

At the end of the day, isn’t this the kind of day we all dream of? A wedding that celebrates love and happiness, simplicity and sophistication, and a second to-die-for pink dress never hurts either. Thanks to barebonephoto, the vintage vibe of the day was perfectly captured with a combination of vintage, black and whites, and color photos that you have to see in the whole gallery. Thanks so much barebonephoto and congratulations Amy and Chris!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: barebonephoto

Caterer: Van Galis

Floral Designer: MORGANN HILL DESIGNS

Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Broderick’s

Ceremony Location: Eden Mills United Church

Event Venue: Eden Mills Community Hall

Officiant: Douglas Bolger

Submitted via Two Bright Lights