Canada - DIY Bride

Nicole + Greg’s Canada Cottage Wedding

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

Lorel + Sean’s Whimsy Just Because Engagement

Happy holiday weekend crafters! Whether you will be roasting your hot dogs and s’mores on the beach or in the woods, set up camp here this morning for some amazing inspiration. Lorel and Sean decided to do a just for funsies couple shoot which is full of whimsical, movie themed details that bring you somewhere back to being a kid in your basement and watching the dancing popcorn concession trailer at the drive-in. Who says you have to have a ring to show off your couple cuteness factor?

Even though these two acting students may be comfortable in front of audience, there’s no doubt that the magic between these two lovebirds is like the combinations of popcorn and Raisinettes: 100% pure goodness. Sweetly shot by Emmy L ou Virginia Photography, we can’t thank you enough for this sneak-peek.

Good luck Lorel and Sean on your sure to be prosperous endeavors! We hope you’ve enjoyed today’s show and have healthy, happy holiday weekend!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Emmy Lou Virginia

Event Venue: Stanley Park

Melissa + Derek’s Eco-Friendly Backyard Wedding

I am quite keen on green weddings. Although I do love the color, I mean the green, eco-friendly- reduce the carbon footprint your union, kind of green. And although Kermit may have said it’s not easy, Melissa and Derek prove that it’s not only possible but beautiful too. Lucky for us, Sharalee Prang Photography was there to capture the beauty of green surroundings, environmentally friendly DIY, and a couple so darling it will make you green with envy.

Held on a relative’s property, (which is always a great way to reduce energy usage for those looking to go green) Melissa created the succulent bouquets, bouts, and centerpieces herself. The groom and his boys even wore recycled rubber tire sandals blending fashion conscious with eco-conscious. The fabu favors of home roasted coffee and homemade jam make a great breakfast treat for guests the day after ensuring not dust collecting goodies here. And in what I think might the best bridal entrance I’ve seen in a while, the bride’s dad rowed her in on a boat while Derek’s brother played guitar. Minimal carbon emissions and an in-house band, double earth friendly bomb! The clincher of this carbon friendly day, was a tree potting ceremony symbolizing their union. (Move over sand ceremony, I may have a new favorite tradition…

All in all this is the kind of wedding that makes you look at all the ways you can declare your love to each other and the earth without sacrificing design and style. A little bit of boho and whole lot of chic Melissa and Derek’s wedding is great blueprint for leaving a smaller footprint. Thank you, Sharalee Prang Photography for capturing this gorgeous green day. And congratulations Melissa and Derek!

Vendor Information:

Photographer: Sharalee Prang Photography

Catering: Formaggio Fine Foods & Catering

Krystyn + Matt’s Garden-Style Waterfront Wedding

Oh Canada! You have outdone yourself. Warning! Prepare your pin fingers people. This one’s a beaute!

A Brit & A Blonde photgraphers have done such a fabulous job capturing Krystyn and Matt’s outdoor garden wedding on Lake Rosseau that it will have you wondering why they call it “Great White North.” It should just be Great. A Brit & A Blonde summed up this wedding weekend perfectly calling it “A really sweet cottage feel with garden party fun. Muskoka is one of those places where Canadians love escaping the city and enjoying pure cottage country life and air.” I know I certainly wouldn’t mind escaping to Windermere House after seeing these shots.

The bride Krystyn added the perfect touches of vintage garden party to the day taking care of all of the paper and design details herself. I highly recommend viewing the entire gallery for some serious pretty. (I must say I am drooling over the glittery Kate Spade’s. I mean glitter and shoes?! Does it get any better?)

A couple of awe inspiring DIY creations from the breathtaking and stylish bride herself that are absolute must-sees are the phenomenal moss covered initials and table number, the lace embroidery circles over the dessert table, and the punched tin can candle holder centerpieces on the cocktail tables.

It doesn’t end there. The birch place card settings are the perfect earthy balance to the other natural, vintage elements. And those photo fans at the ceremony…um, love them! I know many will be asking about the “love is sweet” and “happily ever after” books, so for the record, those the bride purchased on Etsy. These and the florals created by Seasons in the Country, worked in perfect harmony Krystyn’s super star status DIY projects.

Congratulations Krystyn and Matt!

Vendor Info:

Photography: A Brit & A Blonde
Reception Venue: Windermere House
Flowers: Seasons in the Country
Catering: Creative Catering by Cathy Beneway
Wedding cake and sweets table: Le Delice Pastry Shop
Wedding dress: White by Vera Wang
Bride’s shows: Kate Spade
Groom’s outfit: Harry Rosen

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Weekend Love: Shawn + Dawn

Good morning and happy Saturday everybody! We’re doing things a little bit differently this weekend – it’s all wedding all day up in this business.

Today we have the first part of Shawn and Dawn’s wedding from our neighbor to the north (Hi Canada!), and I am loving the influx of brightly colored weddings we’ve been getting recently. Their colors of pink and blue are rocking my world this morning – just check out the contrast of the bouquets against the bridesmaids dresses!

Tomorrow we’ll be showcasing the couple’s sweet reception, with all the details on the DIY goodness, and one fabulous dessert table.

DETAILS

Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Photography: Taylor Roades Photography

Venue: Victoria Park Pavilion

Allison + Spencer

It’s no secret that I love weddings that make me seven kinds of stupid-happy, and the wedding of Allison and Spencer is no exception. The joy, happiness and love are so palpable that I just cannot stop smiling like an idiot. This wedding makes me so happy! The bride is stunning, the groom is ridiculously handsome, the details so lovingly crafted by the bride, her mother, and bridesmaids – you can even see one gluing together a last minute boutonniere before heading out the door. All the pops of blue and green, combined with a light beachy theme make for a lovely celebration. By the way, their first look? It’s enough to make you get rather sniffly with happiness.

DETAILS:

Location: Vancouver, B.C.

Photographer: Tallevi Studios

Venue: University Golf Club

Florals: Garden Party Flowers

Cake: Sweet Obsessions

Linens: Trinklets Creations

Hair and Makeup: Sarah Stevens

Karine + Ryan

One of the things I love about DIY is that it’s so versatile. It can be cozy and comfy projects or, like this beauty of a wedding from Karine + Ryan, it can be elegant and charming.

Karine and Ryan went all-out DIY for their February 2011 wedding day.

In the photographer’s words…

“Karine incorporated a great many elegant DIY details into her wedding!

1. A button bouquet – a stunning take on the traditional bouquet.

2. 150 ‘mardi-gras’ type masks – one for each guest. She photographed each one and put a number in it. The images were then placed into a printed book. Each guest signed next to the mask they took providing both a momento of the favors and a guest book!

3. Boutineers for the groom/groomsmen – incorp. a Lego man into each!

4. 15 different centerpieces using feathers, candelabras, large vases, strings of pearls, etc.

5. Custom graphics for the wine bottles and for the menu’s (which she also designed).

6. Embellishment on the menus & menu design

7. A purse clutch for each bridesmaid.

8. Accessorizing of her own shoes (adding lace and ‘bling’ pearl accents!)

9. “Saying” cards for each table (read them out for the couple to kiss).

10. Place-card display. A fun-loving & relaxed pair – she French Canadian and he English Canadian. To honor their mixed roots they had a ‘handfasting’ ceremony, where they were bound together with green fabric. The Arch in front of which they were married was decorated by her uncles and cousins to accent her wedding theme. Karine honored her father & brother (not present) by putting their pictures into vintage frames and having them overlooking the ceremony. She also lit a candle for her father. Each bridal party member read a part of the wedding vows & the groom’s mother sang. It was definitely a night to remember!”

The Details:

Karine & Ryan
February 26, 2011
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Photographer: Kiss The Girl Photography
Reception Venue: Viscount Gort Hotel
Dress Store: Stella’s Bridal Galleria