Our woodsy wedding day unfolded just as we imagined it would. All of the stress, planning & hard work leading up to the big day was worth it, because on the day of everything went off without a hitch and we joyously enjoyed every second of our day. Having photographed, assisted & attended over 75 weddings, it was safe to say it didn’t take me very long to develop a strong wedding day vision.
I knew from the very beginning, it needed to be small. At one point, we toyed with the idea of having only immediate parents & siblings for the entire day. However, there were so many people we wanted to still celebrate with, so we came up with a compromise. We would have a very small immediate ceremony (less than 35 guests), followed by a casual afternoon reception with our extended family & friends. During this time, we would have 3 solid hours to mingle which was really important to us.
On January 15th, 2016, while celebrating 6 years together, Adam and I took a walk back to the bush where he asked me to marry him. We had already chatted about the idea of getting married back in one of our bushes, and so he figured it would be the perfect place to ask (and it was, I said yes of course haha). I knew that I didn’t want the stress of trying to cram over 150 guests in our small bush and that I also didn’t want that many people watching. I’ve always been uncomfortable being in the spotlight in large groups (hello public speeches, excuse me while I go hide) and this is probably why I like to be behind a camera at most wedding days.
Right away we knew we wanted a spring wedding. Adam and I both have very busy summer & fall seasons, and we didn’t want the stress of trying to plan and enjoy our own wedding when we had so many other things going on with work. We started our day together, and then didn’t see each other again until our ceremony.
We had cleared a path amongst the trees leading into a small clearing where our immediate family and friends sat. The both of us felt so relaxed and really enjoyed the whole day. Following our ceremony & afternoon reception, we had set aside 2 hours for wedding party and couple portraits. This time holds some of my favourite memories of the day. Taking time to reflect on the day we just had with our closest friends and being able to truly relax during our portraits was an amazing experience.
I’ll include our timeline of events, incase anyone else is thinking of planning a slightly untraditional day!
I could continue explaining our woodsy wedding day vision, but the photos that our amazing photographer Darlene McCowan and her second photographer Melissa Pushelberg took, really say it all. Scroll on through to relive our day.
12:00-12:20 Groom, Groomsmen, & Family Portraits
12:35-1:30 Bride & Bridesmaids Getting Ready + Reception Details (shown later in this post)
1:35-2:00 Ceremony Details & Guests Arriving
2:00-2:20 Ceremony
2:20-3:15 Family & Friend Portraits
Shout out to Adam’s amazing sister Sherrie for officiating our ceremony! Send me an email if you’d like her contact information!! 🙂
3:15-3:45 Couple Portraits
4:00-7:00 Reception, Mingling & Photos with Friends & Family
Our barn has never looked so good!! : )
Shoutout to these two amazing humans : ) Thank you Darlene & Melissa for capturing every single moment of our day and vision!
7:00-9:00 Wedding Party & Couple Portraits (taking advantage of that beautiful soft light around sunset and the golden hour!)
If you made it to the end here, thanks for sticking with us!! 🙂 There are so many wonderful people & businesses that helped make this woodsy wedding day what it was:
All of our friends and family of course!!
Photographer’s: Darlene McCowan & Melissa Pushelberg
Hair: Hair by Holly Jane
Makeup: Jennifer Cousteils
Florals: Luann’s Flowers & Gifts
Invitations: Designed by Maid of Honour, Ashley of Smash Designs
Decor: NJS Design Event & Party Rentals (lights, vintage cake stands & vintage side plates)
Ceremony Bush: cleared & cleaned up by close family & friends
Ceremony Gold Chairs: collected by Adam’s parents at various yard sales and hand painted by Alison
Tractor & Wagon: Driven by friend Mark McLean & son Eldon, borrowed from the McPhee family
Officiant: Adam’s Sister Sherrie Oliver
Hanging Pennants: fabric picked out by Alison & Adam’s Sister Steph, pieces were cut by multiple family members and glued together by Alison
Our Barn: Floor was fixed beforehand by Caldwell Construction
Reception Decor: Signs made by Alison, Gold OLIVER letters collected from Michaels, Guest Globe gifted by Alison’s Parents, Card’s suitcase was a yard sale find by Adam’s Parents, Photos printed, cut and hung with mini clothespins by Alison, Cans on tables were collected by family members and spray painted by Alison, Canoe was a wedding present from Adam’s parents which we filled with ice & drinks for guests, Antique Dressers and white table are from our own home decor, Parking & Welcome signs painted by Adam’s Sisters Steph & Theresa
Maple Syrup: Handmade & bottled with love by Adam & Alison
Tent, Picnic Tables & Sound Equipment: Borrowed from friends Lynda & Mark Montgomery
Wedding Cake: Baked & decorated by bridesmaid Sarah McLean
Wedding Cake Toppers: Plastic deer toys spray painted gold by Alison
Wedding Cupcakes: Baked & decorated by Adam’s Sister Steph
Catering: Bayfield Berry Farm
Adam’s Suit & Shoes: Moores
Alison’s Dress: David’s Bridal
Alison’s Pink Petticoat: Malco Modes
Alison’s Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear
Alison’s Jewellery: Etsy Shop (Lulu Splendor)
Alison’s Engagement Ring: Goderich Anstett Jewellers
Alison & Adam’s Wedding Bands: Peoples Jewellers
Ring Boxes: Etsy Shop (DownInTheBoondocks)
