It has been a whirlwind season thus far for the DWE team; the busiest season we have experienced yet, and we haven't slowed down yet, with a busy fall and winter ahead! Gone are the days of a 'wedding season', as these days couples are booking well throughout the year!
So far this season we've had the pleasure of being involved in very unique weddings at very unique venues, including that of Bec and Brett that took place at the Meadowview Barn at the Canada Agriculture + Food Museum. For us, that meant one very exciting thing: road trip! And to a familiar place at that, as I often visited the area while my dad was posted at the Canadian Military Headquarters in Ottawa. The drive to Ottawa was a familiar one, and being in the area brought back wonderful memories.
I met Bec and Brett back in December of 2018, where Becky was a bridesmaid for our other clients, Amanda and Jonathan. Shortly thereafter, Becky contacted me regarding the planning of her own wedding, telling me that Amanda and Jon had referred her and Brett to me. (Thanks again, A+J!) We chatted about their initial plans, and how Rebecca was torn between two venues and two times of the year. For Bec and Brett, their wedding, as it should be, was always about a feeling, and which choices they made felt right. In the end, they chose the Meadowview Barn at the end of July, which for us meant planning the wedding in four months! (our agreement was booked in March)
Becky always had a vision for what she wanted; she wanted the wedding to reflect their love of nature, she wanted the look to be simple yet elegant in a rural setting, and most of all to be a celebration of their love with their most cherished loved ones. We got to work right away, having planning meetings over the phone with B+B in Ottawa and me here at home.
The ceremony was held on the property just outside the main barn, on a grass clearing under large shady trees. The soundtrack to the ceremony, provided by Samantha of Quality Entertainment Services, included the likes of 'First Aid Kit' by Emmylou, 'Sweet Thing' by Van Morrison, and 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love' by The Darkness (gives you a feel for the kind of couple B+B are). The bride wore a form-fitting, long sleeved lace overlay dress from Renewed with Love Bridal, which was complimented by sleek all-black bridesmaids dresses, individually selected by her maids. The ladies were all dolled up by Noah representing One Fine Beauty and Lori and Suzanne of Show Pony Hair. The Groom wore a custom suit from Indocino, along with the groomsmen who all opted for custom suits as well.
After the I-do's were all said and done and the paperwork was all signed, guests enjoyed cocktails under the trees, along with delicious appetizers by Meatings Barbecue and succulent oysters - an absolute must of Becky's, by The Whalesbone Group.
Into the evening, guests were invited into the barn for an intimate family-style dinner prepared by Meatings. The guests were seated at three stunning virgin wood-coloured harvest tables with matching Harvest chairs rented from Creative Edge Studios. The tables were dressed with a mix of simple white and silver bud vases with blush and ivory florals by bridesmaid and friend Amanda Powell (yes, the same Amanda who referred the couple!), silver mercury votives, and white pillar candles. The couple and I wanted to create a few dynamic elements that were simple yet impactful, so we opted to incorporate a heather grey napkin instead of white, pops of black in the stationery (the menus, place cards, seating chart and Welcome sign were all designed by Brett himself - who runs his own furniture design company, Harris Made - so he knows a thing or two about design and lines!), and a show-stopping piece for the centre of the room.
Enter the floral chandelier - which, believe it or not, was a DIY project between myself and the groom. Becky had fallen in love with the idea of hanging greenery, but we wanted to do something that would be cost effective, simple, and impactful. The frame was designed by the groom to be easy to hang and lightweight, and the DWE team simply added the greenery on site. This is the first time our team has done anything quite so bold on the day of the wedding!
The party went well into the evening, with the couple opting to move the dance party outside under the stars. The whole event was captured beautifully by the extremely talented Marianne Rothbauer or Rothbauer Studios, assisted by Rebecca Turner. This one was definitely one to remember, a labour of love as I was eight months pregnant, the heat stayed from day well into the night, and I got to work alongside my family in Ottawa, as naturally, I would employ my baby brother and his girlfriend for the weekend as they are local to the area. I love every minute of the planning of this intimate affair as well as the wedding weekend. Bec + Brett are truly one of the sweetest, most laid-back couples I have ever worked with, and their friends and family are all the same (constantly checking on me to make sure that I was okay!) Thank you both so much for the memories, and for trusting me to pull your vision together.
Cheers to Bec + Brett, and a lifetime of happiness together.
xo, Shana
Vendor Love
Photography - Rothbauer Studio
Bridal Gown - Renewed with Love Bridal
Groom and Groomsmen Tuxedos - Indocino
Hair - Show Pony Hair
Makeup - One Fine Beauty
Officiant - All Seasons Weddings
Florals - Amanda Powell
Catering, Cake & Desserts - Meatings Barbecue
Oysters - The Whalesbone Group
Venue - Meadowview Barn - Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Furniture Rentals - Creative Edge Studio Inc.
Custom suits are tailored according to the specific measurements of the person who wishes to buy the suits. These are available for men and women and most tailors are able to provide an end result from a picture shown of the most favored cut or style and fabric color.
Shana -can’t thank you and your team enough. When I think about the gorgeous finished product and everything that was working against us (the strong winds, the heat, the short time frame the team had to put everything together) I am amazed. The decor was incredible!! And to think it was all planned in 4 months. Thank you thank you thank you! xoxo Bec