As wedding planner, coordinator and officiant Heather MacArthur notes, weddings are trending toward more intimate, personalized occasions that reflect a couple’s unique story and values.
Heather is founder of Bowtied With Love (bowtiedwithlove.ca) based in Kingston and she shares a recent styled shoot that presents some fresh ideas, along with the talents of wedding pros from the region. The theme, History and Charm: The Legacy of Luxury Design, “brings a modern twist to Victorian-era romance, blending old-world elegance with contemporary sophistication,” she says, adding, “Rich historical references were paired with sleek, updated elements to create a timeless yet fresh aesthetic. The result was a celebration steeped in charm and tradition, while embracing the refined minimalism and personal touches that define luxury design today.”
A noteworthy component of this shoot is the circular seating arrangement for the ceremony. A marked departure from the standard aisle scheme, Heather says it creates “a more inclusive, communal atmosphere—placing the couple at the heart of the celebration, both literally and symbolically.” Other standout elements include the hand-carved fireplace, the antique car, the jacquard print wedding gown and the beautiful cake, crafted from edible wafer paper, chocolate, vanilla, espresso and dulce de leche.
A colour palette of creamy whites, soft pinks, mocha and greens was chosen to keep the vision soft and elegant.
In terms of wedding aesthetics in general, Heather says, “The minimalist trend continues to resonate, marked by clean lines, natural textures and an emphasis on quality over quantity. Importantly, this design approach is also aligned with a growing awareness of sustainability. Couples are opting for locally sourced florals, reusable décor and eco-conscious materials to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing style.”
The Talent:
Photographer: Viara Milev, viaramileva.com
Planner: Heather MacArthur, bowtiedwithlove.ca
Venue: Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre, queensu.ca/donaldgordoncentre/special-events
Models: Katrina and Noah
Wedding Gown: Essence of Australia design from Love Bird Bridal, lovebird-bridal.com
Groom’s Attire: Tip Top Tailors, tiptop.ca
Bride’s Hair: Alex Todd, freebirdbeauty.ca
Bride’s Makeup: Jenna Makeup, jennamakeup.com
Cake: Baked By Britt, instagram.com/bakedbybritt.ygk
Flowers: Kingston Flower Market, kingstonsflowermarket.ca
Invitations: Wish Tree Invites, wishtreedesign.com
Tabletop Décor: simplybeautifuldecor.ca
Rentals: afterhoursevents.ca; kingstonpartyrentals.tapgoods.com; encoretentsrentals.com
