It was a beautiful September afternoon of weddings ending with Jesica and Kyle saying I do at his parents’ home in the country! We were in the middle of the roller coaster that was the 2020 wedding season and our sweet couple did a fantastic job of making their wedding feel very normal, while staying within the rules for social gatherings. The most exciting moment was when we saw the huge limousine coming up the long, winding driveway – we knew the girls were all in there probably bursting with excitement! The limo pulled into a barn next to the ceremony site where they could get out and make sure their dresses were perfect and take a deep breath before we got the show underway!
They loved all of the readings I picked for them which were nods to their hobbies, how they met, and where Jes works. There was one particularly funny line and it was pure magic when everyone started laughing! I love my job!
The signage was so cute and welcomed everyone to the festivities! I see a lot of these signs at weddings and they are so helpful for guests to know what time everything is happening, where to be, and what is expected of them (like turning off their phones!)
The vibes were high this day and everyone was excited for the ceremony and party! Not long til we pop the champagne!
Of course Jes and Kyle thought of everything and made sure their guests would be safe at their wedding with kits of masks and hand sanitizer! ProTip – please don’t make masks and hand gel your wedding favours – it’s a bit like getting socks in your stocking from Santa and honestly once this is over, I don’t think anyone is going to want any reminders of it. Don’t worry – Jes & Kyle had super cute favours…just keep reading!
The ceremony site! I loved it! When you are looking for a place for your ceremony, make sure to check for lighting at the same time of year and time of day. If you are getting married in September at 4pm – try to take photos of the light a year earlier and see what the shadows are like. Will the sun be right in your eyes? Will the trees make dappled lighting on your faces? Are there shadows from trees or buildings?
Jes and Kyle picked the perfect spot on the property – the full canopy of trees made for perfect lighting for their photos and we allll look amazing with a vibrant green background!
This arch! WOW! It was obviously handmade by someone very dedicated to their craft! The flowy fabric and flowers make the perfect woodland touch! Who wouldn’t want to step through it and take a stroll in the beautiful forest!
The arch from another angle – perfection no matter where you are looking!
So pretty! I love how simple yet impactful their decor was – easy to be inspired and try similar ideas!
When prioritizing your wedding budget, one of the ways to save a few dollars is the ceremony flowers. They don’t need to be real unless you really want that and have the money for them – otherwise fake flowers are just as pretty these days and you can reuse them – ask your florist if they work with fake flowers too! Arches, fake flowers, and other ceremony décor can also easily be rented for the day and are all very affordable.
My office for the day! Often the first thing I do when I arrive (after getting the licence) is check out the ceremony site and signing table to make sure everything looks good for the photos. I have been seen working with photographers to carry tables and chairs to get them in a better spot, checking for back lighting, and making sure the signing area is easy to get in and out of (this is why so many of your photographers hire me to perform their own married ceremonies!). Jes and Kyle’s signing table didn’t need any adjustments except getting the huge, gorgeous chair pulled out enough to accommodate a big white dress! I make sure all of this is done ahead of time so we aren’t wrestling with chairs in the middle of your ceremony.
The view from here! Jes wanted this pretty peacock feather pen for the photos of them signing all the paperwork and the marriage register – I always use whatever pen you would like, as long as it has blue or black ink, and I have my own fancy pen handy just in case we need it!
With the ceremony done and our lovebirds off for a few photos I had a little wander around their reception area for some pics – how sweet is the check in table? There were so many sweet details every where I looked! Notice the mums? They are in season and perfect for autumn weddings – they are big and make a statement, and come in a variety of colours!
Even if your wedding is small, it’s always a nice idea to have a card box of some sort. That way you know everything is in one place and at the end of the day you can just grab it and pop it in your car or in the house. After every ceremony I need to leave paperwork behind and I always pop it into a congratulations card and then need to find a place to leave it or a person to hand it to so it won’t get lost – I always look for a card box first!
The reception took place in a tent steps away from the house – I love the old tables and chairs they used for dinner! Easy, no muss, no fuss! Candles and flowers always make things feel cozy and festive!
Wedding favours! I love the chalkboard stickers – like the chalkboards at the ceremony entrance! Just don’t ask me what was in them because 6 months later…I can’t for the life of me remember! Candles, jam, syrup, candy, bath salts…it’s all appreciated!
A sweet little dance floor for the limited amount of dancing that was allowed!
The head table! Notice the rattan theme than has been running trough the whole day? Simple themes usually have the most impact – here we have lots of greenery and the dark brown décor making every photo belong with the next!
One last photo before I head home! Thank you Jes and Kyle for inviting me to perform your ceremony! I had a fantastic time at your wedding!
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Avril Ewing Officiant & Celebrant 