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Real Wedding: Natalie and Jeff, Ontario, Canada

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Real Wedding: Natalie and Jeff, Ontario, Canada

September 30, 2013

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Natalie and Jeff’s Autumnal Wedding

Rebecca Amber Photography

Ontario natives Natalie and Jeff didn’t initially connect when they met on a skiing trip in Whistler. Still, they kept in touch and saw each other at social gatherings a few times throughout the year. When Natalie learned that Jeff had become single, she called him up for a coffee date, and the rest was history. Five years later, on October 6, 2012 (Canadian Thanksgiving weekend), the pair wed on Natalie’s family farm before celebrating among vintage details, farm-to-table cuisine, and festive fall elements.

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Custom Stationery

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Rustic Wedding Invitations

Mae Mae Paperie created the couple’s letterpress save-the-date.

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A Meaningful Venue

Rebecca Amber Photography

Not wanting to go the country club or ballroom route for their celebration, Natalie and Jeff were searching for a more personal venue when Natalie’s sister suggested Valleyview Farm, which their family owned. The pair quickly realized that the countryside spot was exactly what they wanted—unique and personal with plenty of fresh air.

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Fall Fashions

Rebecca Amber Photography

Natalie paired her Jenny Packham gown with Jimmy Choo heels and a feathered J.Crew stole. Jeff looked dapper in a J.Crew suit.

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A Sparkly Accent

Rebecca Amber Photography

The bride complemented her dress with a crystal J.Crew headpiece.

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The Bride’s Bouquet

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Bouquets from Real Weddings

Natalie toted a pastel bouquet of garden roses, ranunculus, lamb’s ear, snowberries, and dusty miller, finished off with a lucky sixpence – a gift from her grandmother. “Including it meant a lot to me, as my grandmother was too ill to attend the wedding,” she said.

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The Bridesmaids’ Blooms

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Bridesmaid Bouquets from Real Weddings

Natalie’s 'maids carried bouquets of garden roses, spray roses, santolina, dusty miller, and snowberries.

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A Dapper Dog

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Dogs at Real Weddings

Harley, the couple’s Boston terrier, was an integral part of their wedding celebration. He looked sharp in a children’s bowtie from Forage.

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The First Look

Rebecca Amber Photography

Jeff stood blindfolded (as the couple’s parents and bridal party looked on) until his bride-to-be approached him and removed his blindfold for their first look. They chose to pose for portraits before the ceremony to ensure they wouldn’t miss out on mingling during cocktail hour.

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A Canadian Detail

Rebecca Amber Photography

A striped blanket from Hudson’s Bay Company—one of the oldest and most iconic companies in Canada—kept the couple warm during their chilly-weather photoshoot.

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A Handmade Arbor

Rebecca Amber Photography

Jeff built the ceremony arbor out of birch trees he found chopped down on the side of the road and embellished it with vintage windows. Sweet Woodruff made the lush floral garland that topped the ceremony backdrop.

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The Program

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Unique Wedding Ceremony Programs

Spread Love Events created tiered craft-paper programs that were tied at the top with green yarn.

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The Ceremony

Rebecca Amber Photography

It was very important to Natalie and Jeff that they recite traditional vows in front of their 30 loved ones. "We wanted to encourage our married guests in attendance to take a moment to remember the sacredness of their own wedding vows." Two of their favorite songs—"Ho Hey" by the Lumineers and "White Moth" by Xavier Rudd—played while they signed their marriage document.

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A Nod to Heritage

Rebecca Amber Photography

To honor their shared Scottish heritage, the couple asked one of Natalie’s students, a talented bagpiper, to play during the processional. He also played at the end of the ceremony to welcome guests for a group photo.

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Autumnal Decor

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Fall Ideas from Real Weddings

White pumpkins placed throughout the space lent a festive feel to the autumnal celebration.

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A Warm Welcome

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Signs from Real Weddings

Welcome signs guided guests to the reception.

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Find Your Seats!

Rebecca Amber Photography

Spread Love Events hand traced the table assignments onto a large chalkboard.

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French Flair

Rebecca Amber Photography

Table numbers were written in French, a nod to Natalie’s profession as a language teacher.

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Handmade Centerpieces

Rebecca Amber Photography

See 50 Great Wedding Centerpieces

Jeff used aged wood he had left over from a construction job to build flower boxes for the centerpieces. They were filled with hydrangeas, ranunculus, olive leaves, garden roses, and dahlias. Mercury glass vases and candles also topped tables.

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On the Menu

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Menu Cards from Real Weddings

Dinner was listed on a large chalkboard menu. The couple chose to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal option, complete with roasted turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Natalie, a vegetarian, also made sure that there were plenty of fresh, locally grown vegetables for guests to enjoy.

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A Sparkly Transition

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Amazing Fireworks and Sparklers from Real Weddings

The newlyweds wanted a distinct way to mark the end of dinner and the beginning of the dance party, so they had their emcee make an announcement asking everyone to get up and join them outside the barn, where they were given sparklers. Once everyone lined the pathway, the couple made their way to the tent and began their first dance.

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The Couple’s First Dance

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More First Dance Songs from Real Weddings

The pair danced to "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young. "Considering it was Thanksgiving, it seemed so appropriate," said Natalie.

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Fun and Games

Rebecca Amber Photography

Jeff and Natalie cut and stained large pieces of wood to create a life-sized Jenga game for friends and family to play at the reception.

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Photobooth Props

Rebecca Amber Photography

Several festive photobooth items—including confetti and a chalkboard—were on hand for guests to have fun with.

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S’More Love

Rebecca Amber Photography

See More Dessert Tables from Real Weddings

After indulging in a dessert of cupcakes, candies, and chocolates, loved ones took home goodie bags filled with s'mores ingredients.

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The Getaway

Rebecca Amber Photography

Since Jeff is a long-time golf cart aficionado, it was fitting that the couple made their great escape on the back of a cart, which was decorated with colorful cans and ribbons.

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Sources

Rebecca Amber Photography

Photography: Rebecca Amber Photography (primary); Maui Maka Photography (secondary)

Day-of Planning: One Fine Day

Styling and Décor: Spread Love Events

Catering: 10tation Catering

Florist: Sweet Woodruff

Stationery: Bella Figura (invitations); Spread Love Events (day-of stationery)

Calligrapher: Kelle McCarter of Designs Girl

Music: The Rockwilders (band); Jason from The Muskoka Touring Company (DJ)

Rentals: Chair Man Mills; Contemporary Furniture Rentals; Hazzlit Vintage

Makeup: Nechia from Gee Beauty

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Real Wedding: Natalie and Jeff, Ontario, Canada

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Natalie and Jeff’s Autumnal Wedding

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Custom Stationery

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A Meaningful Venue

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Fall Fashions

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A Sparkly Accent

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The Bride’s Bouquet

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The Bridesmaids’ Blooms

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A Dapper Dog

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The First Look

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A Canadian Detail

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A Handmade Arbor

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The Program

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The Ceremony

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A Nod to Heritage

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Autumnal Decor

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A Warm Welcome

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Find Your Seats!

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French Flair

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Handmade Centerpieces

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On the Menu

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A Sparkly Transition

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The Couple’s First Dance

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Fun and Games

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Photobooth Props

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S’More Love

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The Getaway