When Carter proposed to Katie—“on a rainy November day, standing on the dock of his grandparents’ cottage on Lake Muskoka”—it was a life-changing moment in a place dear to their hearts. That’s why, “When it came to our wedding, we both knew it had to be in the fall,” says the bride, adding Muskoka’s “Sherwood Inn was the perfect choice. Built in the 1930s, it was brimming with the kind of vintage charm I adore.”
The couple spent over two years planning this autumn wedding and Katie says, “It was so worth it!” Envisioning “an exclusive experience that felt like an 80s weekend at the cottage,” they booked the Sherwood Inn in its entirety so their guests could enjoy all the resort’s amenities.
“We wanted to share all of our favourite things with our favourite people—from the fall pumpkin pie desserts at dinner to the 80s vintage music and the ambiance of the lake,” the bride says. It was “a weekend full of love with those we love.”
“We treated our guests to an unforgettable experience, with private chefs crafting delicious meals, an open bar that kept spirits high and canoes available for anyone who wanted to explore the tranquil beauty of the lake. As the sun set, the crackling wood-burning fires and s’mores nights brought everyone together under the starry sky, adding to the warm, intimate atmosphere we had envisioned.”
The fun started Friday, on the night before the wedding. “We held a dinner where anyone could come in and have pasta made by the chiefs, followed by drinks at the bar, music and dancing. It truly felt like our wedding had already kicked off and it was just as fun as the day itself…. We had such a blast!”
The wedding theme was Vintage Fall Cottage, with a colour palette of burnt oranges, deep reds and green. The ceremony was held outdoors, along the side of Lake Joseph, with the shimmering water and vibrant autumn leaves as the backdrop. As for the indoor festivities, tables featured hundreds of floating candles down the middle. “White roses flooded the space, the entire room smelt like a garden.”
There were personal touches, too. The couple’s friend Jaedon played the violin during the ceremony and cocktail hour, Carter’s godfather served as the master of ceremonies and, for wedding favours, the bride’s grandma made jars of jam while the bride’s father made jars of honey.
The Details:
Venue: Sherwood Inn Resort Muskoka
Florist: Hygge Bloom Florals Muskoka
Cake: Sweet T’s Muskoka
Hair and Makeup: Vanessa Monteith
Bride’s Gown: & FOR LOVE design from Chantilly Lace Bridal Boutique
Photographers: Ricky and Kiara, Ricky Sando Photography
Music: DJ Steve Muskoka
Violinist: Jaedon Daly
Officiant: True North Ceremonies
