Janik & Andrew
Janik and Andrew chose to get married on family property on the banks of the French River in Ontario. Having met on a backcountry hiking trip in the Bruce Peninsula, the two have a strong appreciation for nature, and wanted to host their 80 guests in a space of significance, merging nature with clean and modern design in each detail of their day.
Since they planned their wedding themselves (with help from lots of family and friends), they totally customized their day. From Andrew canoeing in for the ceremony, to having their first dance at the most magical golden hour (followed by a massive dance party on the dock), these two spent their entire day exactly how they wanted.
About the location: “Getting married on the banks of the French River was hugely significant for us due to family history and our shared love for the area. We have made many memories there together and the natural beauty created the perfect spot for us. We were also extremely fortunate to have family members who were willing to entertain our crazy ideas.”
About working with local vendors, family and friends: “If you decide to be your own wedding planner, at some point it is highly likely that you will hit a point where you don’t want to answer any more questions. At this point we were incredibly lucky to be approached by our good friend Janessa who is no stranger to baking. She offered to make our wedding cake and with a bit of direction it was all taken care of. The result was by far the best tasting wedding cake we have ever had and we loved the simplicity of it. You really can’t go wrong with wild blueberries in a dessert.”
The song: “Our wedding song was ‘I Wonder’ by Bobby Bazini. The first time we heard this song was live at the Sudbury Jazz festival and we really liked his sound. We thought it was a unique option for a first dance and loved the classic feel to it. It is also a bonus to support smaller Canadian artists.”
It takes a village: “This wedding was what it was because of our amazing family and friends; countless hours of labour, brainstorming, planning, designing with multiple groups. We even hosted a firewood moving party as part of the pre-wedding landscaping! 22 cords of wood, 10 people, 1 dump truck, and a couple beverages. We were fortunate to be able to lean on friends and family to help us add special touches. Some notables that come to mind are: audio setup, decor, photography, woodwork, violin, and baking.”
Vendors:
Photography: Amanda Thirkill Photography
Dress: Cathy by Rebecca Ingram (Maggie Sottero), from Elliott & Olivia in North Bay, Not
Rings: Matsu Jewellery
Flowers: Leslie’s Bloom Room
Caterer: La Cascade Catering
Cake: Janessa St Louis
Stationery: Gates Godin
Groom’s suit: Tip Top Tailors
Hair: Catherine Taillefer
Makeup: Jess Hillier
Music: Linda Gagnon
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