Vows in the Vineyard
July 18, 2015
by Lindsay Ruck
photos by Stephanie Beach Photography
Kristyn and Alistair’s first date was short, sweet, and catapulted their happily ever after.
“Our first date was only an hour – dragon boat practice was that night – but I didn’t want it to end!”
Alistair chose Kristyn’s “favourite place in the world” for the perfect summer proposal.
“We had a week off together in the summer and were headed up to the cottage for a little vacation. We sat down on the edge of the dock together and he started getting all cute and mushy before getting down on one knee and asking me to marry him.”
Kristyn’s family arrived shortly after to toast the couple and to celebrate her parents’ wedding anniversary.
“He knew I would want to celebrate with my family, so he had already secretly told my parents to come up that afternoon.”
With the help of wedding coordinator, Tara MacCuaig, the couple planned a day filled with several personal touches.
Jabulani Vineyard and Winery in Richmond, Ontario proved to be the perfect venue for their ceremony and reception.
“We were looking for a venue where we could have the ceremony outside and then have an indoor reception in a rustic location. Jabulani provided all this and more! It is an absolutely beautiful location.”
The bride chose an ivory lace Maggie Sottero gown with a pearl rose underlay from Dominique Levesque Bridal. Kristyn’s strapless stunner took the groom’s breath away.
“When Kristyn came over the hill, I was floored. She was absolutely stunning and it is something I will never forget. She was gorgeous and right then I saw how lucky I was to be marrying her.”
Kristyn’s father was also so mesmerized by the moment that he forgot to capture their walk down the aisle.
“He really wanted to capture the moment, so he held a video camera while we walked together. Unfortunately, in the haste to get down the aisle, he forgot to turn it on.”
With a blank canvas, the couple added their own decor to the reception venue. Jars and bottles adorned with lace, oversized tissue paper flowers, banners, framed photos, handcrafted signs, and pink and cream roses and green hydrangeas provided by Hazeldean Florist, peppered the indoor space.
The couple’s 90 guests were encouraged to sign a wooden bench which doubled as a guestbook.
“It will be in our hallway as a memento for the rest of lives.”
Guests could also peruse a scrapbook made with love by Kristyn’s Grade 3 class entitled, What To Do, Or Not To Do, On Your Wedding Day.
“It was so sweet and funny and provided such great advice.” Words of wisdom included: “Kiss your fiancé to make him your husband.” “Don’t kiss the wrong person or you will have to find someone else to marry.” “You should dance romantically.”
To match the rustic backdrop, Lindsay Slobodian of Lindsay’s Bake Shop created a tiered cake designed to look like a birch tree.
The couple highlighted a military tradition to cut the sweet treat.
“We used my grandfather’s military sword. My parents had used [the sword] to cut the cake at their wedding 35 years earlier. I had told Alistair we would be using it, but he hadn’t seen it. The look on his face when my dad handed it to him was utter awe.”
When asked to describe their wedding, this couple only needed three words: Best. Day. Ever. W
