Any wedding that wraps up with late-night pizza and cupcakes is mostly definitely a friend of mine – and this stunning Ontario soiree is not only filled with my fave delectable goodies, but sweet vibrant blooms by Flowers & Sense, a breathtaking snowy setting and gorgeous purple and red hues. All planned to absolute perfection by Fresh Occasion Coordination and captured in brilliant images by Jennifer Klementti Photography, it just doesn’t get any DREAMIER than this. Click here for more.
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And we’re definitely not done yet. We have a breathtaking film from Honey & Dear for you all to enjoy. It’s awesome.
From the Bride… We were wed at the MacLaren Art Centre, an architectural landmark in downtown Barrie, Ontario, that beautifully combines a historical setting with contemporary elegance. It was a perfect day, from the venue and décor to the flowers and food. Our winter romantic theme was brought to life with the help of our wedding planner, Debbie Savic of Fresh Occasion Coordination. Debbie took all of our ideas and dreams and captured them with a beautiful ambiance. We wanted a very romantic and classic feel to our wedding, which was designed through the use of red roses, plush drapery, soft lighting and a little bit of sparkle. For colours, we decided to go with charcoal and then brought in some richness with deep reds and purples. The bouquets and centerpieces showcased the beautiful flower combinations of red roses, purple calla lilies and orchids, as well as frosted greenery to give that wintry touch. We also wanted the room to have a winter’s evening feeling, which we stylized with up-lit white trees and large arrangements of birch branches with hanging candles. As a fairly non-traditional couple, we decided to have an early reveal prior to the ceremony to create an intimate moment between us and our wedding party, as well as allow for plenty of photography time. The reveal took place at the studio of our photographer, Jennifer Klementti. It was the perfect setting for both the bridal party and me to get ready, as well as to capture that special moment when Mark saw me for the first time.
The ceremony featured a live musician, Jon Gillman, who performed our own rendition of “Northern Wind” by Dallas Green as I walked down the aisle. It was a special moment for us, and the ceremony itself was made even more unique with a reading by Mark’s cousin Heather of “I Carry Your Heart” by E.E. Cummings, and our officiant, Carol O’Kane who added just the right amount of humour to the service, relaxing both us and our guests and truly setting an uplifting mood for the rest of the night. “I definitely do” were the words we said to each other, as we were filled with the excitement and joy of beginning a new journey together. Following the ceremony, our guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and cosmopolitans served as our signature drink while the venue was transformed from the beautiful wedding site to the perfect setting for our electric, evening reception.
As this wedding was 11 years in the making, we wanted to give our family and friends an evening to remember. It truly was everything we asked for and more, highlighted by a delicious three-course meal catered by the local restaurant Michael & Marion’s, heartfelt speeches that captured our guests with emotion and laughter, and a lot of fun and dancing made for the perfect night. Instead of wedding favours for our guests, we decided to give a donation on their behalf to a local charity, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barrie & District. We also chose to have cupcakes and ordered late night pizza, to everyone’s delight. Our most favourite moment of the entire evening was when our cinematographers, Andrew and Emily Sorlie of Honey & Dear, presented our “Same Day Edit” video that they shot leading up to the reception. The video is truly amazing and captures the beauty of our day.
Wedding Photography: Jennifer Klementti Photography / Wedding Venue: MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie, Ontario / Event Design: Debbie Savic of Fresh Occasion Coordination + Elite Party Rentals / Event Planning: Debbie Savic of Fresh Occasion Coordination / Floral Design: Flowers & Sense / Wedding Cinematography: Honey & Dear / Officiant: Carol O’Kane / Ceremony Musician: Jon Gillman / Catering: Michael & Marion’s / Wedding Cake: Holly’s Sweets & Eats / Wedding Invitations: The Paper Merchant / DJ: Time Bandits Music / Charity Donation: Big Brothers Big Sisters / Wedding Dress: White Toronto / Bride’s Shoes: Sparko Bridal Boutique / Hair: Alexsandro’s Hair Studio (905-853-2596) / Makeup: Jennifer Godfrey / Men’s Suits: John McNabb Clothier via Freeman Formalwear / Rings: Michael Smiley Fine Jewellery