Wedding Two - Dean and Laura

[All Photos - The Grower's Daughter]

The second wedding we attended this past weekend was held in the most gorgeous of settings - the woods.

I have to hand it to the bride for being able to pull off such a feat. Honestly, with the rain we've been getting, I would have been a nervous wreck. This wasn't just any outdoor wedding. We were up the side of the escarpment in the middle of the woods. It had stormed all morning and by the time we were getting ready for the evening ceremony, we were convinced they would have found us another venue. But, upon arriving we were ushered up the winding hill, into the coziest of spots.

The rain did hold off for the rest of the evening, and even the mosquito's seemed to stay at bay. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the camp mess house and shortly there after were enjoyed a night of dinner and dancing.

It really turned out to be the a perfectly intimate wedding and a lovely night out.

Congratulations Dean and Laura!

The bride, with her beautifully natural bouquet and elegant dress, was escorted by her father up the path.

They exchanged rings and vows on the simple wooden platform surrounded by moss covered boulders and a plain wooden cross.

We all sat on old wooden benches tucked into the side of the hill. The view surrounding us was breathtaking. Everything was slightly damp and earthy and the birds were singing happily. The forest was lush and green thanks to the rain that morning.

We were ushered out by a guitarist who lead us all back down towards the reception.

The bride and groom.

The entire ceremony was almost completely natural with the exception of some white covers for the benches and a couple pretty baskets of flowers.

As we got to the bottom of the hill, we crossed a small wooden bridge, over a small creek.

The car the bride arrived in.

And, the reception. I thought this old mess hall made a fabulous venue. I especially loved the old lights! They roasted a pig on a spit and we enjoyed an assortment of salads, meat and fresh breads for dinner, as well as cupcakes for dessert. Each guest brought a bottle of Peach Chardonnay, made by the bride, home as a favour. Guests were able to lodge in the camp cabins for the night, and were invited to join the bride and groom for breakfast the next morning.

Wedding One - Rebecca and Nathan

[All Photos - The Grower's Daughter, and Family]

As promised, here are a few photos from our first wedding, my sister's, this past Friday.

I was in the wedding party, and when I wasn't busy with pictures and other duties, I was styling the set up for the reception which took place in the same barn afterwards. It was so busy that I just didn't have time to take as many photos as I would have liked, but I was busy with more important things!

It was quite literally the perfect day. The weather was as good as it could possibly be and everything went as planned and looked gorgeous. Really, the photos don't nearly do it justice.

Congratulations Rebecca and Nathan!

She was the most stunning bride in her antique white dress that was simple and elegant. Her veil was trimmed in pretty lace and she wore a simple strand of pearls. Isn't she gorgeous?

She carried a simple bouquet of luscious cream and soft pink peonies tied with lace.

This was the reception in the barn. There was awful fluorescent lights (hence the horrible lighting in the photos), so we hung strands of garden party lights which made the ambiance so romantic.

The tables were simple with cream tablecloths, truffle brown napkins and a burlap table runner. The guests got homemade biscotti as a favour, which was made by my mom.

We stenciled the table runners with a monogram which really personalized them.

The front of the barn was decorated with old sap buckets full of white Hydrangeas and cream Garden Roses, as well as huge bundles of curly willow.

I used old windows as place settings and my chalkboards to write out the menus for the evening.

This was the entrance she walked through during the ceremony, and then all of us again later for the reception.

Old mason jars with zinc lids were filled with peonies and placed around the barn, on tables and in the windows which made the whole barn smell so lovely.

Our bouquets - cream Antique Garden Roses.

The head table was decorated with all of my old crates and ironstone, carriers and anything else I had stored in my garage!

I made chocolate and vanilla cupcakes for dessert, which matched the cream and brown colours.

As well, I did her wedding cake. It's a vanilla bean cake with vanilla buttercream and a chocolate truffle filling between one layer and a Robin's egg blue buttercream filling between the other layer.

And because I couldn't resist - my son. He was the ring bearer and he was just the most handsome little guy ever! I was so proud.

They were the happiest couple, and really are the perfect pair.

Inspirations - Bridal Shower Theme

[via postcardsandpretties.blogspot.com]

We've decided on a theme for my sisters bridal shower. It's a spring wedding in a historic barn so naturally, my sister went it a more rustic, simple wedding inspired by nature and all things vintage. I couldn't have been more happy with her choice.

While searching for some shower themes, I came across these two gorgeous collages. I thought that the fresh Robin's egg blue and pretty Jade greens, paired with greys and creamy ivory said both spring and vintage.

I thought I would share them. They are just so lovely. Plus, I love wedding themes. I think I would one day like to venture into being a professional event/wedding planner just for this reason! I just think weddings are so lovely when the couple pays special attention to detail and theme. Wouldn't you agree? Little personal touches and careful planning really does pull the whole event together. And why not? It's such a special day.

Enjoy!

[ project wedding.com]