Sunday, July 27, 2014

Official Wedding Photos: Part I (The Ceremony)

We (excitedly) received the photos from our June 21 wedding yesterday!

Our venue was the idyllic Reader Rock Garden and Reader Garden Cafe in central Calgary.

Our photographer, the lovely and amazing Genevieve Renee, captured our dreamy day so beautifully.  

Our wedding day was perfection - I could not have ordered more perfect weather.  The temperature was mild, neither hot nor cold (around 21C/70F), and the light was gorgeous after several days of rain (and light rain the morning of the wedding).

So without further ado, here are the photos of our ceremony and the champagne toast that followed (we cut our cake right after the ceremony, and had champagne and hors d'oeuvres before our formal photos and our dinner reception)

~ Before the Wedding ~

My dearest Mom and me, in the bride's room, before the ceremony:

My bridal bouquet, a soft composition of white and blush peonies, pink garden roses, ivory claire du lune spray roses, sahara roses, pink astilbe, blushing bride flower, jasmine vine, scabiosa and sweet peas:


My dress and veil, with fine satin edging:

Pale pink patent shoes:



Meanwhile outside, David waits for the festivities to begin:
The little box in his hand (with an orange kitty on the wrapping paper) is a little gift for me...

David having his lovely boutonniere pinned: 

 I wanted a slightly overscale boutonniere - ivory spray roses accented with pale pink miniature wax flower and dark foliage, all wrapped in muslin:
David's tie is a pale ivory, to match to my dress - but it appears lighter in the photos

We're ready to get married!  

I chose a simple lace dress for it's heirloom/vintage quality, which suited our historic venue, my traditional tastes, and our "warm garden elegance" theme.  Also the 3/4 (or half) sleeve look is a bit of a signature in my wardrobe:
I liked how the clean, slightly more modern lines of the veil created a counterpoint to the detail of the lace. I think I needed simplicity in the veil for 'balance'.

The entrance to our garden ceremony, with a charming small vintage sideboard, tall floral arrangement in a footed urn, and a pale pink velvet guest book to welcome guests:

Velvet guest book: Anthropologie

The ceremony site, with our classical guitarist Jason Delaney getting ready in the background:


Our stylist, Alexandra, draped our focal tree with panache in stunning white fabric.  The gentle breeze made it flowy and dreamy:

Ceremony chairs with wedding programs for arriving guests:


Roses, for our mothers.  We included a "mother honoring" part in our ceremony, to honor the amazing women who raised us and enrich our lives every day:

The Ceremony Begins


David's brother and his wife - our best man and matron-of-honour: 
I. wears a champagne satin A-line dress, nude pumps, and gold and glass earrings from Anthropologie

David and I arrive together (our processional was The Beatles,"In My Life"):


The ceremony begins:





I thee wed (the ring exchange):


With the power vested in me, I now pronounce thee:

Husband & Wife!

(Our recessional was to the Beatles "Here Comes the Sun", which was sooo pretty!)


~ Champagne & Wedding Cake ~


After the ceremony, we returned to the veranda of the Reader Garden Cafe for champagne, wedding cake and hors d'oeuvres:

Our wedding cake, a gift from my mother, was a stunning confection of lemon (3 layers) and chocolate cake (4 layers), filled with vanilla and chocolate buttercream respectively.  The outside was frosted with vanilla buttercream and decorated with tiny white sugar flowers.  It was delicious, as well as delightful to behold:

The charming veranda was so prettily styled with a gorgeous vintage white sideboard we found, perfectly framed and backlit by an archway overlooking the garden:




Champagne for everyone!


A toast to us, by David's brother:

A variety of gorgeous (and delicious!) gourmet hors d'oeuvres arrive, courtesy of the venue's amazing new chef, Merritt Gordon:



Visiting with guests:






And now time to relax with a little cake:

Mmmmm cake!

*

Making our day perfect were all our amazing vendors, who I cannot thank enough:

location reader rock garden & reader garden cafe (proprietor katherine moore)
photography: genevieve renee
decor styling by alexandra of pink and honey (and a very involved bride!)
florals by blue hydrangea
paper goods by mon voir
wedding cake by crave
vintage furniture rentals by vintage loved
ceremony chair rentals by special event rentals
officiant tamara jones
guitarist jason delaney

Clothing, accessories and hair:

bride's dress: sonia's bridal 
bride's veil: david's bridal
bride's shoes: Nine west
bride's earrings: Adorn boutique
bride's bracelet: nordstrom
groom's suit, shoes, shirt, tie, cufflinks: all henry singer (suit and cufflinks hugo boss)
matron-of-honour's dress: the bridal centre
bride's hair: jennifer mcfarlane
bride's makeup: ashley gill

I hope you've enjoyed the photos from our ceremony!  

Please stay tuned for my next post, where I'll share some of our formal photos and also our dinner reception photos!

xo Terri

44 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:00 am

    Oh wow and ooh ahh Terri! Thanks for sharing these fabulous photos of your and David special day. You both look stunning as do your wedding party and your dear mom. I think your dress is an absolute standout! The flowing lines, lace pattern and that satin belt are all perfection as are your dress and earrings. Your cake looks fabulous and delicious. That photo of you with a slice of it is priceless and make me smile. Thanks for sharing so many of the lovely details of your day. It really is all so very elegant and beautiful. I am so glad you had a wonderful day, it shows in all the photos. The happiness and beauty shines through. Ah, it has made my weekend, seeing this post, xo

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  2. Dear Terri, What a beautiful bride, what a gorgeous day - congratulations to you and David! How wonderful to have such stunning photographs of this glorious event So beautiful! xoxoCatherine

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  3. What perfection! What attention to detail! Your wedding was beautiful, and I know from reading your blog that the details were very important to you. Well, girl, YOU NAILED IT!

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  4. I've been waiting for these - absolutely beautiful!!!! My favorite is the one of you facing each other, holding hands and you're laughing. SO HAPPY for you both!! xoxox Michele

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  5. Oh Terri this brought happy tears to my eyes. I am so very happy for you and David! Wonderful images and thank you for sharing them with us!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  6. Everything is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing these images with us. Your dress suits you so well and the veil is a perfect counterpart to the lace of the dress. Love the smiles and laughter. Congratulations once again.

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  7. Anonymous9:18 am

    I love a wedding, each one unique to the bride and groom! Congratulations!
    Karen

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  8. Oh my God, you looked incredible! What a gorgeous dress - absolutely perfect for you. The flowers, the cake, the venue - everything was amazing. Congratulations and a lifetime of happiness to you both!

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  9. Pure perfection!! Such a lovely wedding. You looked beautiful and very elegant. David, so dashing and handsome. Many congratulations, once again! And thank you for sharing the special day with us - gorgeous photos! xoxox, Loi

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  10. I almost want to start a "Perfect Wedding" Pinterest board. I wouldn't have to make a single decision; you've done it all perfectly. I adore everything right down to the fabric draped around the tree. What a genius way to make a focal point. Flowers, cake, everything is pure perfection...and you two looked stunning. You should take satisfaction in everything you created.

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    1. I was thinking the same thing! If I were to have a Pinterest wedding board, I'd be pinning many of these photos. Lovely!
      Claudia

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  11. What a truly lovely wedding! Congratulations and best wishes!
    Your blog has been supremely inspirational as admire your sensiblilty of design and the ability to find drama in subtle color schemes. Warmest greetings,
    Carolina Elizabeth carolinaelizabeth-art.blogspot.com

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  12. I have been anxiously awaiting these photos. You look divine! I am smitten with the overall look you chose. Everything looks so perfect and like it was from a magazine.

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    Replies
    1. such sweet and kind compliments from you all - thanks!!

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  13. jeanne7:40 pm

    thank you for sharing your photos of your beautiful marriage and receptions with us, all the best to you and david. :J

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  14. Anonymous2:09 am

    ..................just perfectly beautiful, classic and so completely timeless.
    Wishing all the happiness of married life together.

    Lisa, London

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  15. Oh it's all impossibly lovely and you both look radiant! So glad it all turned out well - looks like fabulous weather. Congratulations again!

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  16. Gorgeous! So happy for you! xoxoxo

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  17. Just stunning!!! Every little detail. Thanks for sharing!!

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  18. gorgeous! how simple that white swag in the tree is, but how beautiful. love the beatles songs, my aunt walked down the aisle to "something."

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  19. omg!! First - you look gorgeous! your dress is beautiful!!! and your groom! I love his white tie. And the reception - what a beautiful place - and the CAKE!!! So beautiful. You both look so happy!!! I am crying!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for you both. You deserve this!!!!!!

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  20. So stunning from the typeface to the cake. Really the most lovely wedding, you both look so happy. Every detail was perfect and perfectly you.

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  21. Congratulations! You look absolutely gorgeous glowing with happiness. I adore every detail, so simple yet lovely & elegant! And the wedding cake is absolutely charming! Perfection!

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  22. i think this was quite possibly the most beautiful wedding i've ever seen.
    it was exquisite. right down to the last detail.
    it was totally YOU.
    it had ultimate style and grace and simplicity and elegance and nothing... nothing 'over~the~top'.
    it was perfection.
    and it doesn't hurt that you make me think of grace kelly... and david could be a stand~in for the actor who plays james bond!
    LOLOL.
    what a delight this post was. thank you for sharing. can't wait for the next.
    i'm not a constant commenter. but how i love your blog dear heart!

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    Replies
    1. Oh thank you!!! So glad you are reading if not always commenting. :)
      I won't tell David you said he looks like James Bond. He might get a big ego. Haha.
      Xox

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  23. I so enjoyed all your photos! Such a gorgeous wedding. Congratulations xoxo

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  24. Dear Terri - Congratulations to you both and thank you for sharing your mesmerizing and inspirational wedding photographs. Can't wait for your next update. Best wishes Pam

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  25. Terri, what can I say. Your wedding was exquisite. Every detail so beautifully thought out and executed. From your dress to your shoes, from the flowers to the gorgeous cake -- and that dresser that it was displayed on! -- everything is lovely. You and David look so pretty and handsome. Thank you so much for sharing your photos, details and experience with us. I look forward to Part 2!
    Claudia

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  26. So inspirational photos! Such a gorgeous wedding. Congratulations and the warmest of hugs!

    Love
    Katarina i Sweden <3

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  27. Anonymous2:00 am

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  30. Dear Terri,

    I am so happy for you and look exquisite. Simply breathtaking photos- they make me smile!!
    xo,
    Mimi

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