Teagan and Tyrell Lisson
Thirty-five guests watched this couple tie the knot in a backyard ceremony, and it had all the vintage feels. Below, Teagan tells us all about this perfect wedding day.
Tell us about your love story: Tyrell and I met on the second day of University (Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont.). We met in a Facebook group for first-year students and started messaging each other, knowing we’d have a lot in common since we were studying the same major (Film Studies). We’ve been together ever since.
What were your original plans for your wedding day? We were originally planning for 100+ people at the Elm Hurst Inn in Ingersoll, with the focus being on dancing, drinking and having fun. Because we got married during peak COVID times, we had to change our plans multiple times and quickly respond to ever-changing government restrictions. To keep everyone safe, we cancelled our original venue and invited only 35 of our closest friends/family.
We had guests seated in their social bubbles at tables that were all 6 feet apart to practise social distancing. After the ceremony, we had to split our guests into two groups for a small dinner reception. The first group that stayed was brought a vintage picnic basket to their table; inside the basket guests found plates, cutlery, and an assortment of finger foods, all individually wrapped. While guests ate, my parents, best man, and maid of honour all did a speech. After an hour and a half, the first group left and the second group was seated to enjoy their dinner baskets (and the speeches were repeated for a second time!).
All guests also received masks and individual hand sanitizers (with a custom wedding label). Guests also picked out their own unique drinking glass that they could use at the bar for the entire afternoon (this ensured no accidental mix ups and was more environmentally friendly). Our signature cocktail was named after a line from our favourite movie To Have and Have Not and was a huge hit! At the end of it all, we had planned the day four whole times due to COVID restrictions.
When you had to change your plans, how did you feel before and after? We felt a mix of emotions, mostly sadness and frustration that the day we were so excited for wasn’t going to be how we imagined it. However, we always knew we were going to put guest safety above everything else, so we just had to come to the understanding that we couldn’t have our friends there, we couldn’t dance, we’d be wearing masks, etc. However, the day felt magical! I honestly would not change anything. Having less people made the day less stressful. We couldn’t dance, but we could sing along with music, we wore masks but our pictures are so memorable. Every little thing that seemed to “ruin” our day actually made it better.
Will you be having a second celebration? We are hoping to do a “we do re-do” in October of 2021 at the Elm Hurst Inn, our original venue, with our original guest list.
What was your favourite part of the day? I loved the ceremony! Surprisingly, Tyrell had tears in his eyes (something he swore would never happen). We had perfect weather (even though it started to rain soon after) and it was just so nice to see Tyrell after a day apart, hold hands and celebrate our love.
Tell us about that dress! I originally ordered a dress, but due to COVID it was severely delayed and arrived only 2 weeks before the wedding day, not leaving enough time for alterations. In the interest of time, I found a vintage dress for $70 and the seller kindly threw in a matching pearl veil. My grandma altered the dress to be more modern and flattering, turning it into a two-piece skirt and crop top. Later in the night I swapped the skirt for a pair of jeans and the crop top still looked great!
What will guests remember most? Everyone said it was a lovely wedding because everything was so personal – we couldn’t buy the things we wanted so we had to make them! Therefore everything was touched by us and picked purposely for that day.
What advice can you give to couples planning a wedding? Don’t sweat the small details! People will appreciate them if they’re there, but it’s not worth stressing over. There’s so many small things that you don’t even need at your wedding, so if it’s stressing you out just skip it!
Ceremony/reception location: The backyard of the bride’s childhood home, Ingersoll, Ont.
Gown: Vintage
Suit designer: H&M Men
Photographer: Tara Haynes
Décor: Vintage/secondhand
Flowers: Amanda Evely from Floral Occasions
Pie: Jackie Fraser and Derek Roberts at Fraberts Fresh Food
Cake topper: Vintage (used by the bride’s parents 30 years ago)
Stationery: Minted
Caterers: Jackie Fraser and Derek Roberts at Fraberts Fresh Food
Band: Bride’s brothers: Duncan Chevrier, guitar and Max Chevrier, vocals
Tables and chairs: Signature Event Rentals
Cookies & dessert table: Groom’s sister, Chloe Lisson
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