Jen and Tim first met in grade nine. Among other things, Tim worked to win Jen over by writing witty French comments on her tests and eventually his “bon travail” paid off. A short time later (about 15 years) Jen and Tim began making plans for their wedding.
Tim tried to propose by surprising Jen on her bike ride home in their favourite park, but was thwarted by a change in her usual route. Tim later showed up at Jen’s door with a scrapbook of mementos from their past which the two had always joked about making, but Tim had actually assembled.
This couple’s wedding has to be one of the smallest in Today’s Bride history. The only people who knew that Jen and Tim were getting married were the eight wedding guests. The couple had planned on sending announcement cards to surprise all of their friends and family with the news, but they wanted to have some surprises for their guests too. And that’s where the couple’s favourite wedding moment comes in.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed fresh cut fries and cokes in the limo, but they had their driver take everyone to a secret destination. As they pulled into the little Niagara-on-the-Lake airport, Jen and Tim told everyone they were going on a helicopter ride over the falls. “They were all super excited, and their huge smiles were amazing,” says Jen. “Our helicopter pilot was an old friend who we’ve known since elementary school, which made things extra special.”
Since Jen and Tim wanted such an intimate wedding, hiring a musician didn’t seem to fit with their theme, so the bride and groom put their guests to work. The couple’s wedding favours (tin kazoos engraved with their names and the date to double as keepsakes) were their favourite wedding detail. “Kazoos just seemed to fit our April Fools theme, so we handed the kazoos out at breakfast before the wedding, and our waitress even let us practice in the restaurant,” says Jen. “Our wedding song was ‘Skinnamarink’.”
Photographer: Celine Kim
Ceremony location: Living Water Wayside Chapel
Reception location: Trius Winery at Hillebrand
Decor: Chapel garlands provided by Etsy; chapel flowers from Home Depot
Bridal gown: Dress by Burberry Brit and jacket by Scotch & Soda Amsterdams Blauw c/o Hudson’s Bay
Bridesmaid gowns: Bridesmaids chose their own dresses
Bridal/ bridesmaid accessories: Scarves from Club Monaco
Hair: Frosting Beauty
Cake: “Marie Antoinette” themed cake from Nadège
Favours: Tin kazoos; engraved by Toronto Laser Services
Flowers: Lush Florals and Events
Invitations: Designed by the bride; printed by Trip Print Press; envelopes from The Paper Place
