Nicole and Michael Ashfield
Michael and Nicole met playing co-ed soccer in 2012. They were 16 and 17 years old at the time. They went to separate high schools and never crossed paths until playing soccer against each other one night. Turns out their parents grew up together so it seems like their meeting was destined to happen. Fast forward 8 years, they had started their new chapter together buying their first home together and that summer Michael proposed. Nicole shares the experience of their wedding, below.
What were your original plans for your wedding day? Our original plans for the wedding were not far off from what we ended up being allowed to have with restrictions at the time. Our original guest list was 130 people. We had to trim that down to 100 for the Ceremony, and then we had to unfortunately cut down to 75 for the reception inside. That was the toughest part about wedding planning, having to make those calls to the 25 people and explain that they had to leave after the ceremony and cocktail hour.
If you had to change your plans, how did you feel before and after? Cutting those 25 people from the 100 guest count down to 75 was very tough. We had to tell a lot of guests that they couldn’t bring their plus-ones. Although everyone was extremely understanding given the circumstances of COVID at the time, it still didn’t make it any easier having to call our friends and family and tell them.
We ended up slightly changing plans but allowing a longer cocktail hour, and adding in some appetizers during this time from our caterer, to allow the guests that had to leave early a chance to stay a bit longer and mingle with us.
Although we would’ve loved to have everyone there from the start of the day to the end of the day, it truly felt like the perfect amount of people inside the reception when we were all there. The space didn’t feel empty like I thought it may have, we spaced out the tables in a way in which it still felt nice and cozy with a lot of our guests. And looking back, 75 felt like the perfect number for the night.
What was your favourite part of the day? My favourite part of the day was getting to sit down next to my husband at our own private sweetheart table during the reception. I knew I wanted to do a sweetheart table where it was just the two of us, but I didn’t understand until we were actually at the reception how much it meant to us. The day goes by so quickly, and you’re constantly greeting and chatting with people that you maybe haven’t seen in a while, that getting to sit down next to each other for 2 hours just the two of you was so special. We were able to have our own conversations with each other, and truly just spend time with each other just the two of us away from the guests. We constantly just looked around the room and couldn’t help but smile seeing all the faces we know and love enjoying their night and celebrating with us. The table set-up was very intimate but at the same time in the middle of the reception so we could see everyone. It was perfect!
Favourite wedding detail? Décor wise, probably our wedding arbour that Michael’s Dad built for us. He even carved our our initials into the side of it. We had so many compliments on it, and it was exactly what I had imagined for our day.
For our Guests, definitely our photo booth, everyone had a good time taking fun photos, and they printed out right there on the spot so everyone could keep a copy for themselves too.
What will guests remember most about the day? I think just having a regular night out again. All of us were vaccinated at the wedding, COVID protocols were followed, but I think people hadn’t socialized and danced in such a long time that having our wedding felt like a normal night again. Everyone just had such a fun time talking and seeing people they haven’t seen, being in a big group setting again, enjoying food and drinks, and dancing to music.
What advice can you give to couples planning a wedding? Don’t stress the little things, what you might think is the biggest detail of the night, others won’t even notice. I would also tell everyone 100 times over that hiring a wedding planner is the best money spent during wedding planning! And I’m sure this is the number one piece of advice anybody tells you, but truly just soak up the day. It goes by so fast; living in every little detailed moment made the day feel a little slower and just that much more special.
Number of guests: 100 for the Ceremony, 75 for Reception
Ceremony/reception venue: Lake to Skyview Farm, Cobourg, On.
Wedding dress: Paloma Blanca (with custom sleeves sleeves), Bliss Bridal Boutique
Suit: Moores Clothing
Photographer: Knott Studio
Décor: Perfect Party Rentals and DIY
Flowers: Garden of Aden
Invitations: Minted
Cake: Handmade by a family friend, Cindy
Planner: Van Dorp and Company
Hair/makeup: Jsfaces
Caterer: Barn and Country Catering
DJ: On air Disc Jockey Services
Videographer: Reel Love Story Films
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As the mom of the groom I can say this was the most beautiful magical day ❤️