Shawn and Jillian met in high school. The two kept in touch after graduating and, a few years later, they began to date. From then on, the two were inseparable, adventure partners as their love continued to grow.
Shawn first proposed in 2011, getting down on one knee in a snow covered field. Shortly after getting engaged, illness forced the couple to postpone the wedding. Once everything returned to normal, Shawn proposed a second time. He used the same ring, picked a new location and said, “It’s a new beginning for us, but we’re still using the same pieces.”.
The couple’s favourite wedding moment was their reception. “Every moment from beginning to end was so full of love and joy,” says Jillian. A few of the special moments included the wedding party surprising the bride and groom with a music video, an original (and hilarious) song sung by two of the bride’s uncles, and last but not least a special toast from the groom’s parents that had the newlyweds in tears. Near the end of the reception, Shawn pulled out his old acoustic and surprised Jillian by singing “I Wanna Grow Old With You”. “Looking back on those moments makes me feel so full of happiness,” says Jillian.
And as for the couple’s favourite wedding detail, that’s an easy one! “Family was the most important thing to us, so we tried to incorporate as many family-oriented details as possible,” says the bride. Jillian used lace from her mother’s wedding dress in her bouquet, and a homemade family recipe for cookies as wedding favours. “My favourite of all these details would have to be Shawn’s wedding band,” recalls the bride. “When Shawn’s parents got married, they were accidentally sent two matching men’s rings. Shawn’s mom never wore hers, but always held onto it. We got the ring resized, and now it’s Shawn’s wedding band.”
Photographer: Kelsey Goodwin of KGOODPHOTO
Ceremony and reception location: Brock House Restaurant
Reception décor: DIY, with some rentals from Bespoke Decor
Bridal gown: Eddy K gown, from The Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaid gowns: Novelle and The Bridal House
Bridal / bridesmaid accessories: Etsy
Hair & makeup: Emily Cheng
Cake: Harmony Cakes
Favours: Homemade cookies and IKEA blankets
Flowers: DIY centerpieces; bouquets from Family Dried Flowers
Invitations: Nostalgic Imprints
Wedding planner(s): Day of coordinator, Filosophi
