OUR WEDDING

Today marks our first anniversary (how!?) and so I wanted to share photos from our big day last year.

While I’ve shared tons of posts on our wedding, the planning process, tips & our wedding video, I have never shared a full post dedicated to the photos captured from the day, until now.

So, with that, let’s jump back to October 28, 2018…

I feel like these photos are just the tip of the iceberg–it was hard to narrow down which ones to post! We have so many photos of our families, friends, getting ready, the ceremony, first looks, arriving at the reception, and more, but ultimately these are some of my most favourite.

When we started planning our wedding, we knew we wanted it in the fall–but to our surprise it ended up snowing like crazy on our day! The leaves on the trees were multi-coloured and the snow covered the ground and stopped just in time for the outdoor ceremony. The views were picturesque and stunning (and it was chilly!).

I got ready at home with the moms and my bridesmaids, we had hair and make-up come to us, and Marco spent the night at the Andaz downtown with his groomsmen. We did a first look in his hotel room around noon since our ceremony was later in the day and we wouldn’t have enough light afterwards to capture all our bridal party photos.

Between the first look and the ceremony, the entire wedding party and us took a limo to our bridal suite cabin, that’s on site at Le Belvedere (where we got married and had our reception), also where we would be staying together that night. We had about an hour there before the ceremony, and my Dad came to shuttle the guys over to Le Belvedere (just a little too far to walk, in the snow and heels 😉 ) and then came back for us girls.

I had a few outfit changes throughout the day, which I talk about here, including a change after Marco and I parted ways before the ceremony, in order to surprise him.

For our ceremony, we had our good friend marry us, and he put such a sweet and personal twist on it. He shared personal stories, and had us and the crowd laughing and tearing up. The girls walked down to this song. My dad walked me down to this one. We wrote our own vows.

After the ceremony, we rushed inside to warm up briefly and ended up having an unplanned receiving line! We had said we weren’t going to do one, but everyone started coming inside and we were right at the doors so it just happened organically and it is actually one of my favourite parts of the day! Everyone was hugging us and just so excited to be there! Soon, our Photographer was getting us outside to capture some final photos of us before the sunset, and some with our families as well.

While we took photos, our guests enjoyed some passed appetizers and the bar, while the band played some chill lounge-style music.

Then it was back inside to be welcomed into our reception–first the flower girl and ring bearer, the groomsmen, the bridesmaids and then us. We asked our MC in advance to get everyone up to the dance floor right before the two of us came in, and as Michael Jackson’s, ‘Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough’ blared through the speakers, we entered and everyone joined us on the floor to dance! The band slowed it down afterwards and we went immediately into our first dance, before having everyone sit down to dinner.

We had our close friend MC the night, and he did a great job timing the speeches and first dances during dinner. The band planned a mixture of slow and upbeat sounds, it was truly l like having front row seats to a concert–it was so special! Between courses and speeches, we tried to make our way around to the tables to visit with our guests–it was so nice, but also so hard because you want to give everyone you’re time and everyone is pulling you in a different direction. Sadly we did not make it to everyone (still feel a little bad and sad about that) but did our best.

After dessert, our MC announced that everyone could take a 10 minute break, but to come back in time for a ‘special toast’.

Marco and I tucked away to the basement of our venue and I changed into my cocktail dress and different heels. Our MC brought us champagne and announced our entrance and we came out and gave our speech.

After that, it was party time! The band played two more sets and DJ’ed in between and got everyone on the dance floor. We did a midnight poutine buffet and had miniature donuts as well. One of the best moments was when Marco surprised me and sang an Ed Sheeran song in front of all our guests with the band playing in the background. And finally, we were the last ones standing to see everyone off and collapsed into bed that night with the biggest smiles on our faces and so much love in our hearts (cheesy but true!).

Happy anniversary my love, to a lifetime more!

A few wedding related posts you may have missed:

SEE ALL WEDDING POSTS HERE.

Photography by Lisa Provençal.

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