The Reception

Well hello again! Let's pick up from the receiving line shall we? After we had hugged and kissed all our guests, they grabbed their escort cards out of the wheatgrass on the barnboard table Dan and his friend Luke built. It was gorgeous! The button on each escort card was covered in fabric that matched the jam (caramel) jar skirts on each table. Each table had its own fabric pattern that my sister and I picked out on a trip down to Buffalo where we discovered the amazingness that is JoAnn Fabrics.

Once our guests were settled in and the wedding party had been announced we had our first dance to Joshua Radin's Today. 

 

And from there, we sat down at our sweetheart table for our first meal together as husband and wife. I'm so happy we decided not to do a head table. We chose our wedding venue based on having our favourite chef/caterer Ezra Title with us. It's nearly impossible to find a venue who will allow you to bring in your own caterer as we discovered, but it was worth all the hard work. Ezra's meals are such special and important nights to Dan and I, we wanted to make sure our wedding meal was equally as private and special as when we have him in our home. Our guests loved that we had our own table and I appreciated being able to eat without 150 people staring at us! 

 

 

I'll step back a moment and show you the whole tent. My wonderful husband and a literal team of helpers worked for two solid days to set up and decorate the tent. It was a huge schmozzle to say the least, but it got done and it was gorgeous. Some of the little details that were supposed to happen had to be missed but only myself and Dan knew about them and overall, I think it still turned out beautifully. 

(The chairs are over at the ceremony in this photo)

This tree was a total show stopper for me. The Alton Mill built a huge firepit in the middle of the event space after we booked with them, and while we loved the look of it, we weren't really sure what in the world we were going to do with it to make it "wedding pretty". Enter our friend Luke again. He somehow found this corkscrew hazel bush while traipsing out in the woods one day and dragged it home for us. The thing was literally about 18' long and we had to cut it down to size (about 10'). I purchased stems of orchids and some different types of moss from a wholesale florist shop (one of the perks of being an interior designer is access to cool stores not open to the public!). Two of my very good friends spent hours decorating the tree wiring on the orchids, placing the moss and votives around the base to make it perfect for me. It was breathtaking. I couldn't stop staring at it. Seriously, whatever it was I had in my head that it would look like, they totally surpassed. And as beautiful as it was in the daylight, at night with all the votives lit and the uplighting.... oh gosh.... it was like a fairytale. Simply stunning. It was the perfect backdrop for our sweetheart table.

The whole look of the wedding I called rustic elegance and were inspired by our silver teapot centrepieces sitting on barnboard at each table.

At each place setting, each guest got a little jar of homemade caramel, a packet of Forget-Me-Not seeds from the Alzheimer's Society of Toronto, a menu and their place card. I cut the menus and the little birds on the place cards using my Cricut and then punched the corners using a cut and emboss corner punch.

 

 

And then we feasted! Unfortunately as of yet, I only have two photos of the meal because it was so tasty everyone was too busy eating to take photos! Trust me when I say it was a m a z i n g. Simply the best food I've ever had at a wedding if I do say so myself! 

During dinner it started raining pretty heavily and the heaters we rented weren't really very effective, so we moved inside early to start dancing. We'll pick up next at the late night buffet!

The cocktail hour (and we're home from our honeymoon!)

Hi all! We're back from paradise! I'm dying to tell you all about it, but I don't want to jump the gun here. Let's get back to where we left off shall we? 

Once that whole "getting married" thing was done with, we had a cocktail hour with a jazz trio. I'd love to say that it was amazing and the music was wonderful, but I have no idea. This is likely the biggest regret of the day for me. Dan was so excited about the jazz trio, but because we had fallen behind in the photo area earlier, we had to use the cocktail hour to make up for it. We did the photos pretty quickly, but every time you try to move along, someone stops you to congratulate you, you speak for a few minutes, etc and before you know it, it's time for the receiving line! I insisted on going downstairs for just a few minutes to say hi and thank you to our musicians, check out what was left of the cheese buffet, and have a precious few moments with my stepson before getting ushered back upstairs to keep the evening moving. 

 A lovely surprise sign from the Alton Mill!

 

The bread for the cheese buffet on a lovely cut wood platter.

 

Cheese buffet. There were also passed apps, but I haven't seen any 

photos of them since I assume people were inhaling them rather than

taking photos of them. I don't blame them, they were delicious!

 

My husband loves cheese. He is also lactose intolerant. My solution.

 Showing my stepson into my secret room! He didn't fall for it.

The cocktail reception area outside in the Waterfall Courtyard.

The guests making their way down over the waterfall. 

The musicians Dan and I unfortunately missed. 

I'm thrilled I finally got downstairs to say hi!

One of my favourite pictures of the day: Taking a few minutes with my 

stepson to tell him what a great job he did as ringbearer. 

Then we were on our way to the receiving line. Here's tip #2 of today. Be clear to the people involved in the receiving line to keep things short and simple. This is not the time for 10 minute conversations (*ahem* parents). Since our parents were in a chatty mood, I think we had the world's longest receiving line. I felt bad for our guests. Dan and I started waving people through since it was taking so long and jeez, we were all hungry! Thankfully our guests were good humoured and thought the whole thing was quite funny and we got people through and seated even if they didn't say hi to the parents and just came straight to us. 

 "Hey! Parents! Stop yakking and keep the line moving! My feet are 

killing me and we have to feed these people! Love you!"

 

A VIP skips the line to say goodnight.

Next up, moving into the tent for the reception!

Well hello! You can call me Mrs!

Where do I even begin right now? I'M MARRIED!!!!!!! I have the most amazing husband, the most incredible friends and family, I loved every single second of my wedding and I'm so excited to share it with you too! 

Let's back up a second. The day before the wedding was a mess. I had a mani/pedi day with my girls while a dear friend of mine, along with Dan and some of his groomsmen, went up to the venue to supervise the tent set up and begin the decorating. Things did not go smoothly. I honestly can't say very much about it since this is a very public forum and I'm not sure what actions are going to be taken because of the issues we had with our rental company. I had a wonderful blissfully ignorant day with my girls being pampered at French Nail Co in Mississauga, and then watching Patch Adams while packing my overnight bag and taking care of last minute details like putting together Dan's present.

I arrived at the venue Saturday morning to get my room key from a friend and to pass off some orchids for our tent centrepiece. It was a hive of activity but I could tell something was a little off. I was not allowed near the tent, and I realized I couldn't see the top of the tent over the walls but in my bridal brain I insisted everything was fine, the tent just wasn't that tall and there was nothing to worry about. Thank god for that part of my brain because I knew in my heart of hearts the tent wasn't up yet. Ya you read that right. Let's skip that part and move onto the fun stuff shall we? 

So over to the Millcroft Inn I went to get ready. My team of hair and make up artists arrived and set up in our teeny tiny room to get 10 women ready in a space meant to accommodate 4. We'll call it cozy. I had a moment to myself while waiting for Dan to arrive (at which point I'd hop into my dress), so I snapped a quick pic of the anxious bride!

I was so excited to see Dan I could barely stand it!!!! When he finally arrived, I got into my gown and hiked across the property to find him with our Winnebago. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of our first look yet, but we had 2 photographers and 2 cinematographers capturing the moment, so I know there will be plenty! Dan looked a bit awestruck when we first saw each other and he looked so handsome in his new suit. I started crying pretty much immediately so our first look is literally a bit of a blur to me. We took a bunch of photos around the Winnebago and then drove over to the Alton Mill to find our wedding party and families for a few more photos. 

We actually ran out of time since Dan was so late picking me up, so family photos had to wait because it was time for the ceremony! Let me tell you, getting bridesmaids in order, kids arranged, guests seated, and guys up at the front is like herding bloody cats. This was the only time of the day I think I lost my cool. Large wedding party=12 people in 12 different places=1 frustrated bride. The kids were really excited too, so they were acting up a bit and I had to pull my first "So help me god I am not being the child wrangler right now. Smarten up, I look way too pretty to put you over my knee and give your butt a swat!". Goodness gracious. Despite all that, everyone pulled it together and we got down the aisle. 

Dan's dad and stepmother went first, followed by my grandfather, then our two moms escorted by my nephews, my stepson as ringbearer, and then the bridesmaids. 

 

 

I was hiding around a corner so I missed all of this, but the first thing I saw was this:

That's our cinematographer Patrick with a Steadicam. I used to work in film and television so the fact that there was a Steadicam at my wedding completely blew me away, and I stopped to exclaim "COOL!!! A STEADICAM!!!" before I went down the aisle. I'm a unique gal. 

Back to the show. My bridesmaid Sara is a ridiculously gifted singer. I asked her years ago if she would sing Ingrid Michaelson's "The Way I Am" when I came down the aisle. Like before I met Dan. That's how long I had been looking forward to my wedding and this moment. So after all my girls were down the aisle, the officiant asked everyone to stand and Sara began to sing. It was truly so beautiful, I loved it. It was everything I had wanted and more. I hope my guests enjoyed it and listened to the words of the song because it just encapsulates everything I feel about Dan and our relationship. 

There I was. At the front with Dan, giving my dad a kiss, and looking into Dan's eyes about to be his wife. Oh. My. Gosh. I could hardly wait. I think I did actually bounce up and down a few times! The ceremony was beautiful, I think there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Dan wrote gorgeous vows and I had a few ugly cry moments when he read them to me. I'll ask his permission to post them for you later. Our officiant also read Robert Fulghum's "Union" which never ceases to make me cry: 

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –
This is my husband. This is my wife.

Then the exchange of rings. And then bingo bango we were husband and wife! Let's kiss shall we?!
 

Dan calls this photo my "bridal war cry" as we recessed down the aisle.

A few more of the recessional since they turned out so great with the bubbles. I had actually totally forgotten about those stupid bubbles I slaved over for days, so when they came towards me I was both shocked and loving it! It was an awesome send off from the ceremony! I'm so happy the guests used them!

Next we were off to the cocktail hour. I'd love to write more, but this is already a LONG post and I have to get to packing! Hopefully I'm able to squeeze in a bit more before we leave for the honeymoon, but if not, please forgive me! I want to share each and every minute with you, but boy, is there a lot to do before we leave!!! 

I'll post again ASAP. Love to you all for your support and kind words! 

The New Mrs  xoxo

Tomorrow's the day.....

Things have been hectic in the week or so leading up to the wedding which I'm sure you can understand. Tomorrow I get married. I get my hair and make up done, I slip on my dress, and I walk down the aisle to the man I love. I'm so lucky to have him in my life, to have him love me so much, for him to want to spend his life with me, for us to have even found each other in this big world of ours. 

So yes, tomorrow we're having a wedding but it's not about the wedding. It's not about the dress or the food or the tent or the photos; it's about our marriage. It's about standing in front of the people we hold near and dear and saying "This is the person I choose. This is who I want to spend my life with." Each and every day I get to wake up beside him and fall asleep with him. I get to share hopes and dreams with him, I get to have him wrap his arms around me when I'm scared of what's to come. I don't think lucky is even the right word. I am blessed. I am overjoyed. I am beyond happy. I don't even think the word I need exists right now. 

Thanks to you all for your support and love, for reading my rants, for giving your input. I promise to be back ASAP (definitely before the honeymoon) to let you know how it all goes. On my way out, a few photos from our relaxing mani/pedi afternoon with my girls. 

 

xoxo

Let me do you a favour

I'm going to preface this by saying I have amazing friends and family. I know I've said it before, but I feel it needs to be said again. You guys are incredible and I'm one lucky girl to have you all! A good few months back, I knew I wanted to make homemade caramel for our favours. It's a recipe I discovered online and it's been a hit around our house ever since! I enlisted a bridesmaid to help me cut the skirts after the jars had arrived, while I made coordinating buttons. 

Since caramel is a perishable item I couldn't make it until a week or so before the wedding. So after I got the Sears/fridge debacle sorted out and had a fridge to store said caramel in, another lovely bridesmaid came out to lend a hand. We had a great afternoon of cooking, jarring, and decorating the jars, along with a few surprise guests! 

A few notes from our experience: We made the caramel in double batches which had turned out badly for me previously, but this time worked out beautifully thanks to my awesome new pots. If you have old hand me down pots, make this in single batches, trust me. We had two pots going at the same time, a larger pot makes the batches go much faster since the simple syrup is a bit shallower and can reduce and caramelize faster. I used fleur de sel rather than plain old rock salt to bring out the flavour and add a little of that salty/sweet combo I love! Use good vanilla, not the artificial $1.99 stuff from the baking aisle at the grocery store. The Kirkland brand Madagascar vanilla at Costco is actually pretty decent!

   

Start with your line up of jars, and a handy dandy cappucino milk pot thingy for pouring. 

Next, look perplexed at the recipe since it's been a while since you've made it. Also be impressed by the new Gordon Ramsay pots that were a shower/wedding gift from the parents. Ooooh even cooking! They're amazing, I totally love them!!! They made such a huge difference, I didn't burn one batch of caramel! 

Next, make your simple syrup, let it caramelize, and then turn off the heat. 

Stand back when you add in the cream and whisk that caramel wearing an oven mitt because that's a lot of really hot steam that comes off that sucker. 

 Third degree burns are not sexy bridal accessories.

Enlist one cute bridesmaid to pour into jars as you get the next batch going. 

Don't forget to test for "quality control". Having a few apples on hand 

for dipping good health is a great idea. 

Make sure your lids are on tight!

A couple surprise guests pop by while they're in the neighbourhood 

and are put to work cutting twine, putting on skirts and tags, 

and are rewarded with a few samples. You guys are awesome! 

(Please ignore my hideous lack of make up. Clearly I forgot about the 

whole "photos for the blog" thing that morning!)

Finally the big moment! Ta daaa!!!! Homemade caramel favours! One tag says

"From our kitchen to your belly" and the other says "Love is sweet". 

Many thanks again to my caramel helper elves. You guys are amazing! T-minus eight days people!!!!

Carebear Countdown

(Source)

Well. Today is September 1st. My wedding is in ten days. The last few days have been a bit of a rollercoaster, emotionally, physically, and mentally. I had a to-do list a mile long that I managed to zoom through in a couple of days, and thankfully now there are just a few small things left. I have wonderful family and friends who have been so amazingly helpful, there just aren't enough words to say thank you to them. I'm getting all choked up thinking about it. 

Where to begin. Our fridge broke. It's two years old, top of the line GE Profile. Lovely. Upon inspection, a crack with scorch marks around it was found in the back of the freezer. Sears wasn't very obliging in helping until I had paid $300 to fix the control panel. Next I get to battle with them to replace the whole stupid fire hazard. This wouldn't be such a huge ordeal if I hadn't planned on making my homemade caramel this week which needs to be refrigerated. Thankfully we have a fridge downstairs (which was a dented special and hasn't given me a lick of trouble), but since it's holding all our groceries, I can hardly fill it with caramel jars. You can imagine the calls to Sears in which I tried being nice, I tried being mean, and ultimately ended up bawling my eyes out to some poor customer service lady while repeating "I'm sorry! I don't mean to be emotional, but I have to make 150 jars of caramel and put them in the fridge!!! Please just send the part and the technician!!!!" Talk about embarrassing. In any case, the fridge is fixed and is humming away cooling down and tomorrow I'll be making caramel. 

Thankfully I've been working diligently over the past 14 months getting everything done as early as possible, which means right now I don't have that much to do. Shhhh don't tell!! Even the items I had crossed off mentally as not having enough time for I've managed to get done! Yay! However, since I can now slow down and breathe, my body has been deciding how to react to this. For a few days I just felt sick. Sick sick sick. Couldn't eat. Couldn't sleep. Too hot. Too cold. Ugh. Apparently I'm allergic to relaxing. I seem to have gotten through the worst of it and am now acclimatizing to my new found friend: time.

Another big thing off the list that was totally stressing me out is our Winnebago. Dan and I got engaged at the beginning of a trip to the East coast in which we decided it would be a great idea to drive a 1973 Winnebago to the other side of the country. Vehicles that old that have been ill-maintained don't fare well on a journey that long just to give you a heads up. Right. Read the blog for the full story ;)  In any case, it was an amazing trip for so many reasons and we love our Winnie. We wanted to make sure The Colonel made it to the wedding after so many of our guests both helped us get her ready for the trip and heard all our stories afterward. The Colonel has been parked out in the country in a parking lot since last Fall so we weren't sure how she'd fare when we tried to start her up. 

(Personal Photo - The Colonel alive and kicking! Hooray!!!!)

Thankfully the worst problem was a flat tire which a willing set of hands helped us pump back up. Dan managed to get The Colonel rolling and we got her home! YAY!!!! I'm not going to reveal all the plans for her just yet because I want to save some surprises for you. 

Here's the lesson of the day that I learned from the Winnebago: Take a break, step away from the wedding planning every now and then. The Colonel was parked about an hour and a half from our house. I was really stressed out and I wanted to send Dan alone so I could work on wedding things at home. I felt guilty sending him to do all that work himself, so we loaded into the car and headed out. When we got there, a few classic cars pulled into the same parking lot. Then a few more, and a few more. Soon enough there were probably over 100 gorgeous classic cars in the lot for a car show! A dj set up and started playing some rockin' oldies, a chip truck with pulled pork, fish and chips, and all other sorts of goodies was doling out some awesome food. Oh my gosh it was amazing! I knew Dan still had things to do at home, and goodness knows I did too, but we took about half an hour to grab some food, enjoy the music and chat with some of the car owners before heading home. The entire drive home I had a huge smile on my face. It turned out to be an awesome surprise date afternoon. What I needed more than anything was to just walk away from "The Wedding" for a few hours and hit the reset button, I just didn't know it. It's so easy to get wrapped up in every tiny detail, stress about finding wooden toys for kids boutonnieres or getting silly rattan suitcases from that cool Chinese shop in the city. You know what? If those things aren't there, it doesn't matter. No one will know, only you. And really, there's going to be so much else going on, you're not even going to notice! I got my toys, I got my suitcases, but I also got some quality down time with my fiance and that is worth more than anything else. 

So brides. Take a breath. Close the laptop. Grab your fiance and go for a walk. Get an ice cream cone. Enjoy being together and being engaged. You deserve it.