Couple:

Katelin & Doug

Location:

Creemore, Ontario

From the Photographer:

These two have a wonderful authentic love. The found each other and lost each other and then found each other again. I don't know if I cried more than they did through the speeches. The whole family had planned this beautiful wedding and the rain rocketed across the sky as they were saying their vows. It was the fastest ceremony I have ever photographed but it was still intensely full of so much love and celebration. Kate was not the least bit fazed by the rain pouring down on her, she was so full of joy. It was a special thing to be a part of.
While the rain made things complicated, the whole team involved were rock stars. Amanda, of Amanda Jerome Events, didn't even blink, she pivoted again and again to make sure everyone’s needs were met. The team at Bruce Wine Bar were also amazing. The open fire cooking added a special element to the day and they were major troopers for doing it all in the rain. Also the installation made by Kettlewells for the ceremony was the most beautiful I have EVER seen.

Jessica, Jessica Crandlemire Photography

From the Couple:

How did you choose your venue?:

Our wedding venue choice was our family farm, a very special weekend retreat for us away from the hustle of city life where we have been coming for over 20 years. It was my dream to get married on our property, and everyone was very supportive of helping it come to life. The property in located outside of Creemore on 200 acres deep in a valley. We held the ceremony in a field hidden from guest's views when they arrived and the breathtaking view of the escarpment behind our outdoor service was something that couldn't be recreated anywhere else. Dinner, drinks and dancing was served up under a marquee closer to the main house up on a plateau. Our ceremony was cut short by a downpour of rain, but the mist post August deluge was spectacular and guests couldn't believe their eyes at the magic it created. The plan was always to host outdoors, which helped with the uncertain pandemic changes.

What was the most important thing for you for your wedding day?:

After nearly 2 years of the fear and uncertainty of COVID, we wanted to throw a party for the ages and to make our guests feel comfortable and to give them all a real treat after so few celebrations. Being in the beverage alcohol industry, serving our guests great drinks and a spectacular day celebrating was paramount. Food was a close second, and Bruce Wine Bar did a spectacular job at bringing to life our vision of outdoor cooking - the stump ovens used to cook the wild mushroom risotto set an incredible ambience.

Please describe any unique details from your day and why they were special to you:

Being able to host our closest friends and family on my family property was incredibly meaningful, as there is a lot of sentimental value there. Though not everyone could be there on the day due to international travel restraints, everyone recognized the important of the space and the meaning it brought. After 2 years of uncertainty, including inviting, dis-inviting, and inviting our guests again we wanted to throw a major celebration - which we did successfully!

We splurged on two musical acts - the first was a pop string trio (Wellington Muise) which elevated both the ceremony and cocktail hour. Most guests had not see a pop violinist move through the crowd like they did on our wedding day, and this got great reviews and dialed up the 'fun'. Graham Playford Band did an amazing job of nailing the dinner and dancing tunes, including a fabulous version of 'Wild Horses' which was our first dance song.

Ultimately, we had wished for no rain but the heavens had other ideas. While it created a moment of panic, the boys banding together to put up the walls of the tent and everyone laughing and taking off their formal jackets eased everyone into a full day of celebrating. The most special moment from our day is when the skies cleared up and the sun beamed out, and this magical mist rose from the valley. That is something that us and our guests will never forget.

What was the atmosphere you were trying to create?:

My theme was farm fancy - I wanted outdoor, fun and comfortable with a touch of fabulous. The dinner tables were long farm tables with gold dinnerware accents and TONS of candles to bring in the mood once the sun set. Ultimately, it was about creating a vibe that made everyone go 'WOW'.

What area of your wedding did you splurge on? (what was your top priority):

Our two biggest expenses were the marquee and floor (thank god we ended up getting it with the rain!), and the food. While one of the biggest line items, Bruce Wine Bar blew our socks off - the food and their staff were incredible and really elevated the whole event. I wouldn't have changed a thing!

What area of your wedding did you save on?

Fortunately, being in the beverage alcohol industry I had been planning for a couple of years. That being said, we wanted to give our guests options and elevated cocktails. My colleagues Hugo Silva and Simon Hooper ran our bar for the wedding day and did an amazing job. They were able to get drinks out to 155 thirsty guests who all ran over the hill to dry shelter at the same time - no small feat to execute against!

Did you have a signature cocktail? What was it? :

Did we ever! We offered guests (in addition to Champagne, Beer and Wine) the following:
- Ketel One Lavender Lemonade
- Johnnie Walker Black Penicillin
- Don Julio Spicy Pineapple Margaritas

Did anything go wrong on your wedding day? How did you handle it?:

Our ceremony was rained out after 7 minutes! This delighted the groom who was angling for a short ceremony.

The table settings were blown off all the tables in the rain storm, which was made a bigger challenge by the fact that everyone had set their tables independently and there was no master list. That was a real moment of panic for me. Ultimately everyone was seated and bread was broken. We laugh about it now, almost...

What wedding advice would you give to someone planning their wedding now?:

No one knows if something goes wrong except for you. The day goes by too quick to sweat the small stuff.

Also, if you think you need more champagne you are probably right!

What was your most memorable moment of the day?:

Due to the flash rain, we were moving fast to keep everyone as dry as possible. In this moment, we didn't take the opportunity to go away the two of us as a newly married couple for a couple of moments of reprieve. Our first 'true' moment alone was out on the ridge as the mist was rising deep from the valley post rainstorm - it was a fairy tale moment.

What was your biggest challenge in the planning process?:

The uncertainty of COVID, what were we allowed to do and the number of guests. A lot of my family is international and weren't able to make it but they supported us moving forward. Also, Doug's immediate family is more than 60 strong and so we were so hopeful that we would be permitted larger numbers to ensure everyone was able to make it.

What was your first dance song?:

Wild Horses by Rolling Stones

Is there anything you would do differently if you could go back in time?:

While our day had its own challenges leading up with COVID, and small bumps executionally on the day, I wouldn't have changed it for the world <3