Antique Summer Garden Wedding
Charming doesn't even begin to describe this darling DIY wedding captured by Tied Photo & Film. The amount of thought behind each and every detail makes my heart feel full, and I am sure every guest at this wedding felt the same way. This gallery will warm up every little bit of your soul, and you can see it all here.
From the bride.. We met in 1987— the year I was born. As babies, we played together. Growing up, I always thought Bryan was dreamy (after all he looked like Cory Matthews from the TGIF hit “Boy Meets World”). But Bryan was far more interested in hockey than he was me.
In January 2012 I was on Facebook "creeping" some people from Toronto that I had met traveling in Dublin, Ireland the previous summer. And just who were these fellow Facebookers friends with? Bryan. It’s such a small world. I "crept" Bryan and then told my mom that Bryan was still DREAMY! My mom vowed to never tell her friend (Bryan's mom) what I had said. For those of you who know my mother, you know that keeping things quiet is not her strong suit. To her credit... we probably wouldn't be here today if she hadn't let that secret slip (...so thanks, Mom)! Bryan and I reconnected and in February we set a date to meet up! We agreed to meet at King subway station, to go for sushi in downtown Toronto. During dinner I texted my sister, saying: “I am going to marry Bryan Heartthrob.”
Fast forward to July 2013 when we planned a vacation to New York City. On July 30th our vacation to the big apple came to an end. We started our day at Port Authority where I spilled hot coffee all over myself and spent the next 9 hours in a cramped, hot car driving home to Toronto from New York. I had no idea what was in store for me...
When we FINALLY arrived home, I unlocked the front door and Bryan immediately covered my eyes! His hands were shaking and his palms were really sweaty! When I opened my eyes, Bryan dropped down on one knee and proposed to me in the living room of our very first home together (a special spot to propose). The house had been transformed -- there was an elaborate dinner and a decadent dessert waiting for us (homemade by Bryan’s Mom and sister). There were candles, fresh flowers and a bottle of champagne. There was a Scrabble board that read “Claire Violet Will You Marry Me?" It was perfect. Absolutely perfect. I cried... and cried... and cried... but I said YES!
The Big Day... On August 3rd, 2014 we wrote and exchanged their own vows at the elegant Toronto Hunt Club in Toronto, Ontario. The ceremony was outdoors, right by the water, just as I had ALWAYS imagined! My best friend, Chance, played the violin. Chance played an original song written by my late father, Mark Brown, as I walked down the aisle --accompanied by my 90 year old grandfather. He wore a bow tie, and looked SO handsome! After the ceremony, a sommelier sabered a bottle of champagne -- a huge hit!
My dress (Barbra Allin from Becker’s Bridal) had POLKA dots (dotted lace). Anyone who knows me well, knows I have always loved polka dots. The fabric of the dress was unique and special and everyone said it was SO ME. On my mother’s wedding to my father she ALSO wore a dotted lace dress! Like mother—like daughter!
We danced to “One Fine Day” by the Chiffons... It was a perfect day!
DIY & Details...
-We wrote our own ceremony, which was performed by our family’s minister.
-We wrote our own vows (in blush and grey HIS & HER vow books, which we purchased from BHLN.
-I wore my mother-in-law's bracelet.
-My aunt handmade all of the chalkboard signs.
-My sister (a floral designer) designed all of our bouquets and floral centre pieces (Sweetpeas made them).
-My grandfather made the frame for the Seating Chart (Please find the key to your seat).
-We spent the year collecting antique skeleton keys for the “Key to your Seat” seating chart.
-We cut out hearts from old Shakespearean plays and sheet music (to scatter like petals across lace table cloths).
-We collected black and white wedding photos of our loved ones, and put them in old frames and an old farm window (which we found at an antique market).
-We displayed the Grade 7 school photo with my Mom and Dad, and Bryan’s Mom and her twin sister.
-We borrowed our mother and grandmother’s lace table cloths and tea cups and saucers for the cruiser tables.
-We borrowed an old teapot from Bryan’s mother and ordered a “wild flower” flower display from to be spilling out of the teapot. This sat on the signing table.
-Our friend Chance played the violin during the ceremony and our friend Anjie played the guitar.
-My friend Nicole made the cake, and Bryan’s little sister made the cupcakes! We purchased the Vanilla Bean macarons from San Remo (an amazing bakery in our neighbourhood).
My favourite moments of the day...
I LOVED spending the day with my FAVOURITE ladies! We laughed, we drank champagne, we ate, we danced, and we were pampered.
I LOVED our first look photos and the time Bryan and I got to spend alone before the ceremony. He kept me SO calm, and gave me lots of kisses.
But if I HAD to choose just one moment…..I think I would choose when my proud grandfather walked me down the aisle, whispered “I love you” and gave me a kiss.
In January 2012 I was on Facebook "creeping" some people from Toronto that I had met traveling in Dublin, Ireland the previous summer. And just who were these fellow Facebookers friends with? Bryan. It’s such a small world. I "crept" Bryan and then told my mom that Bryan was still DREAMY! My mom vowed to never tell her friend (Bryan's mom) what I had said. For those of you who know my mother, you know that keeping things quiet is not her strong suit. To her credit... we probably wouldn't be here today if she hadn't let that secret slip (...so thanks, Mom)! Bryan and I reconnected and in February we set a date to meet up! We agreed to meet at King subway station, to go for sushi in downtown Toronto. During dinner I texted my sister, saying: “I am going to marry Bryan Heartthrob.”
Fast forward to July 2013 when we planned a vacation to New York City. On July 30th our vacation to the big apple came to an end. We started our day at Port Authority where I spilled hot coffee all over myself and spent the next 9 hours in a cramped, hot car driving home to Toronto from New York. I had no idea what was in store for me...
When we FINALLY arrived home, I unlocked the front door and Bryan immediately covered my eyes! His hands were shaking and his palms were really sweaty! When I opened my eyes, Bryan dropped down on one knee and proposed to me in the living room of our very first home together (a special spot to propose). The house had been transformed -- there was an elaborate dinner and a decadent dessert waiting for us (homemade by Bryan’s Mom and sister). There were candles, fresh flowers and a bottle of champagne. There was a Scrabble board that read “Claire Violet Will You Marry Me?" It was perfect. Absolutely perfect. I cried... and cried... and cried... but I said YES!
The Big Day... On August 3rd, 2014 we wrote and exchanged their own vows at the elegant Toronto Hunt Club in Toronto, Ontario. The ceremony was outdoors, right by the water, just as I had ALWAYS imagined! My best friend, Chance, played the violin. Chance played an original song written by my late father, Mark Brown, as I walked down the aisle --accompanied by my 90 year old grandfather. He wore a bow tie, and looked SO handsome! After the ceremony, a sommelier sabered a bottle of champagne -- a huge hit!
My dress (Barbra Allin from Becker’s Bridal) had POLKA dots (dotted lace). Anyone who knows me well, knows I have always loved polka dots. The fabric of the dress was unique and special and everyone said it was SO ME. On my mother’s wedding to my father she ALSO wore a dotted lace dress! Like mother—like daughter!
We danced to “One Fine Day” by the Chiffons... It was a perfect day!
DIY & Details...
-We wrote our own ceremony, which was performed by our family’s minister.
-We wrote our own vows (in blush and grey HIS & HER vow books, which we purchased from BHLN.
-I wore my mother-in-law's bracelet.
-My aunt handmade all of the chalkboard signs.
-My sister (a floral designer) designed all of our bouquets and floral centre pieces (Sweetpeas made them).
-My grandfather made the frame for the Seating Chart (Please find the key to your seat).
-We spent the year collecting antique skeleton keys for the “Key to your Seat” seating chart.
-We cut out hearts from old Shakespearean plays and sheet music (to scatter like petals across lace table cloths).
-We collected black and white wedding photos of our loved ones, and put them in old frames and an old farm window (which we found at an antique market).
-We displayed the Grade 7 school photo with my Mom and Dad, and Bryan’s Mom and her twin sister.
-We borrowed our mother and grandmother’s lace table cloths and tea cups and saucers for the cruiser tables.
-We borrowed an old teapot from Bryan’s mother and ordered a “wild flower” flower display from to be spilling out of the teapot. This sat on the signing table.
-Our friend Chance played the violin during the ceremony and our friend Anjie played the guitar.
-My friend Nicole made the cake, and Bryan’s little sister made the cupcakes! We purchased the Vanilla Bean macarons from San Remo (an amazing bakery in our neighbourhood).
My favourite moments of the day...
I LOVED spending the day with my FAVOURITE ladies! We laughed, we drank champagne, we ate, we danced, and we were pampered.
I LOVED our first look photos and the time Bryan and I got to spend alone before the ceremony. He kept me SO calm, and gave me lots of kisses.
But if I HAD to choose just one moment…..I think I would choose when my proud grandfather walked me down the aisle, whispered “I love you” and gave me a kiss.