A Wedding at Home: Our Celebration in Erin, Ontario
Photography by Brian Bettencourt of 3B Photography
On September 7th, 2024, I married my boyfriend of over 10 years at my family's farm in Erin, Ontario.
To call the day magical feels like an understatement. As a self-professed control freak and perfectionist, I took it upon myself to plan every last detail, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Both my husband and I share a deep love for cooking, creating, and spending time with our loved ones.
Hosting is second nature to us, so we wanted our wedding to feel like an intimate friends-and-family gathering. Looking back, I think we managed to pull it off beautifully!
The celebration truly began the night before, with a cozy sleepover alongside my bridesmaids - two sisters, one cousin, and four best friends. Matching pyjamas set the tone for the evening as we double-checked every last detail. On the morning of, hair and makeup arrived, followed by my family and the groomsmen, creating a lively buzz as the day unfolded.
Our first look, captured by the incredible Brian Bettencourt of 3B Photography, took place in the garden and was nothing short of magical. It was one of the most nerve-wracking moments of the day, but I was so grateful we did it. It gave us the chance to ground ourselves and tackle the rest of the day together as a team.
Our wedding parties and families then joined us before hiding away before the ceremony.
The ceremony, held on the lawn outside my family’s home, was deeply personal and moving.
My sister Nathalie played Songbird by Fleetwood Mac on the piano as I walked down the aisle.
Our dear friend Eleanor officiated, and we exchanged our own vows. Despite a chill in the air, the sun came out just in time for the most important moment: saying, “I do.”
For cocktail hour - we had Rodney’s Oyster Bar, a dumpling stand (made by yours truly, my husband, mom, and a couple friends weeks prior), a grazing table, and passed hors d’eurves. We also had three specialty cocktails – a paloma, boulevardier, and espresso martini. The parent speeches during this time were heartfelt and emotional for both of us.
Our wedding was a true labour of love; many DIY elements made it uniquely ours.
My husband’s cousin, Nat, designed our invitations and menus. The minimal yet stunning florals were crafted by Susannah of Bloem Please.
My most ambitious project?
Cutting, fraying, and dyeing all the napkins from linen curtains my mother-in-law no longer needed - a detail I would unknowingly pour my heart into.
For dinner, we opted for family-style service featuring paella and fresh salads, a dish close to our hearts and a perfect crowd-pleaser. Speeches during dinner were equal parts hilarious and touching, leaving us laughing one minute and tearing up the next.
My youngest sister Julianne flew in from London a week before the wedding to bake all the desserts, which were truly unforgettable. The spread included Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake, Carrot Cake, Elderflower and Lemon Cake, and trays of Brown Butter Skor Chocolate Chip Cookies.
The band, Let’s Party Entertainment, absolutely crushed it, keeping us on the dance floor all night. The only pause in the festivities came with a delicious late-night meal: fresh pizza made on-site by two pizza chefs from Badiali’s.
