Elegant Covid Tent Wedding with Peaches and Blues
Nicole and Colin’s backyard tent wedding was a really special one for me, because it was my first “full” wedding post-Covid. They were originally planning for 250+ guests at a large venue, but they were not interested in postponing. One month beforehand, they cut the guest list to about 35 people, and changed the plans to host both the ceremony and reception in Colin’s parents’ backyard in La Broquerie.
Nicole gave me total flexibility with the flowers, and basically just told me to surprise her. I decided on a palette of warm neutrals and was then surprised when I walked into the cooler at the wholesaler that week and found some eye-catching peach tones that I wanted to use — and I think they worked perfectly!
2020 has been a weird year for weddings, and sometimes it seems like it’s not even worth talking about anymore. That’s exactly why I’m starting this blog series, because I want to celebrate our “Covid weddings” and, at the same time, inspire you with ideas on how you can make sure that Covid-19 doesn’t define your wedding!
This is the 5th instalment of the Covid Weddings series, and today I’m sharing a backyard wedding at the family home in La Broquerie.
NICOLE AND COLIN ~ JULY 4, 2020
Photos by Janice Wiebe Photography
Nicole and Colin’s backyard tent wedding was a really special one for me, because it was my first “full” wedding post-Covid. They were originally planning for 250+ guests at a large venue, but they were not interested in postponing. One month beforehand, they cut the guest list to about 35 people, and changed the plans to host both the ceremony and reception in Colin’s parents’ backyard in La Broquerie.
Nicole gave me total flexibility with the flowers, and basically just told me to surprise her. I decided on a palette of warm neutrals and was then surprised when I walked into the cooler at the wholesaler that week and found some eye-catching peach tones that I wanted to use — and I think they worked perfectly!
It’s a good thing momma was around, because she fixed the placement of that boutonniere 😂 For the record, boutonnieres are affixed to the lapel on the left side of your chest, and you shouldn’t see any pins once it’s pinned in properly. Traditionally, you wear either a boutonniere OR a pocket square, and not both.
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: Sahara roses, beige/peach carnations, anemones, butterfly ranunculus, forget me nots, larkspur, bunny tail, and various eucalyptus foliages. I loved the way this bouquet was on the smaller side but still felt like it was spilling over.
Nicole’s dad made the arch, and I tossed around a few ideas for florals, including a heavy floral piece for the arch, or taller pedestal arrangements, some ground based florals, and in the end I decided on a slightly lighter application on the arch itself, with large arrangements on pedestals at the start of the aisle. I tucked a few extra peonies and larkspur stems into galvanized buckets near the pedestals and welcome sign.
You’d really have thought that this was the Plan A, considering how perfectly everything fit. This flagstone patio was ideal for the wedding ceremony, especially with the way the landscaping gives privacy. Going heavier on the florals with multiple pieces brings a sense of purpose to the space, too, which I think is really nice especially for a smaller wedding. I also just LOVE these cross-back chairs from Planned Perfectly. They’re so versatile and can go with a number of different styles.
The soft blue textured linen that Nicole chose from Planned Perfectly is one of my faves, and it pairs so well with those chairs, doesn’t it?
I chose to design 2 centrepiece styles for Nicole, but I wasn’t entirely sure what the floor plan was going to be in the tent or how much space we’d have.
This is one of those incidences where giving your vendors trust and flexibility ends up being the best — because Nicole had told me to do whatever I thought was best, I could change up the plan on the fly. Originally, I was going to place one large arrangement on each table, and flank them with stem vases. But, the guest tables were REALLY narrow (which isn’t terribly uncommon with banquet tables), but some of the tables were set for 4 people and some were for 6 people. The tables set for 4 were a little roomier, so I chose to place the larger floral arrangements there, and then I lined the centre of the 6 person tables with stem vases. The rest of the larger floral arrangements were placed on the U-shaped head table, along with a few extra stem vases, and the numbers were worked out perfectly — almost like we planned it 😉 The tall white candleholders are from Planned Perfectly!
Our original plans were to have a 275 person wedding at The Gates on Roblin. Due to uncertainties in May with gathering sizes, we chose to move our 50% deposit with them to a new date next year to celebrate our 1 year anniversary with family and friends (fingers crossed MB is still in the clear by then).
One month ago, we decided to shift everything over to my in-laws backyard outside of Winnipeg. We had to reduce our guest list to only parents, siblings, god parents, the wedding party and 4 friends. We had 27 people attend and it was still the best day of our lives. Seriously—you will not regret keeping your day.. at the end of the day, it’s all about the marriage, not the wedding.
My heart is with all of the couples that are juggling with the decision on whether they should move forward or not, but just know that whatever you choose is completely validated and nobody else’s business. We’re living through unprecedented times and all opinions outside of yours are just noise! Enjoy your relationship as a couple and know that everything will work itself out.
Janice wiebe photography ~ JP Media Works ~ Planned Perfectly ~ C&T Rentals ~ Tentation Tent Rentals ~ Chantal’s bridal ~ moore’s ~ Jeanna Lee Artistry
Need more Covid-style intimate wedding inspiration?
Check out this Birds Hill Park elopement (they’re planning their reception for 2021!), and this backyard Jewish wedding ceremony and dinner!
If you're planning a small tent wedding and need help figuring out your seating arrangements, don't miss this casual al fresco tent wedding with great ideas for socially distanced seating!
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
2021 wedding dates are limited and my 2022 wait list is now started! Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
Colourful Summer Covid Wedding on the Farm
2020 has been a weird year for weddings, and sometimes it seems like it’s not even worth talking about anymore. That’s exactly why I’m starting this blog series, because I want to celebrate our “Covid weddings” and, at the same time, inspire you with ideas on how you can make sure that Covid-19 doesn’t define your wedding!
This is the 4th instalment of the Covid Weddings series, and it’s extra special because the bride is my second cousin / lifelong best friend!
2020 has been a weird year for weddings, and sometimes it seems like it’s not even worth talking about anymore. That’s exactly why I’m starting this blog series, because I want to celebrate our “Covid weddings” and, at the same time, inspire you with ideas on how you can make sure that Covid-19 doesn’t define your wedding!
This is the 4th instalment of the Covid Weddings series, and it’s extra special because the bride is my second cousin / lifelong best friend!
ROBERTA & FERNANDO ~ AUGUST 7, 2020
Photos by Esther Funk Photography
We made the official decision June 1 but knew probably mid May and discussed alternatives prior to making the decision. So when we made the decision all it took was drafting the email we sent out and sending it out.
Our decision was to go ahead with the ceremony, and postpone the reception to whenever the borders opened. Our ceremony consisted of my immediate family (unfortunately Fer's family could not attend being from out of the country), the girls who would be in my wedding party, and Fernando's groomsman and wife. We had 15 people total, then had a delicious meal.
Now I’m not going to share TOO many of the details of this wedding today, because I am going to basically cover my blog with them all winter long lol. I did both floral and event design, so I have a LOT to tell you. Basically, all you need to know for now is that Roberta and Fernando both love colour and we took that very seriously.
I realized that the change took a lot of pressure off me, because despite loving planning events and parties and things, I hate being the centre of attention (I'm a choir director...I am in the middle of everything but people look right past me!) Fernando always wanted to have a small wedding but was having a big wedding for me. Planning was now a lot of fun because things that were too expensive if you had to order 150 of, were now very affordable when you only need 15! So I could splurge on fun things like fancy cutlery and funky seating options.
When we made the decision to replan, we were strict in our list and although there were quite a few people who would have most likely been "number 16, 17 or 32, 33" we drew the line and people understood.
Our wedding was fantastic. My family surprised us with a fireworks show at the end of the evening. I grew up in a very close-knit rural community and my dad invited the neighbours in our community to the fireworks show. As we were walking down the gravel road people would roll down their windows and say congratulations, but being dark outside, I couldn't tell who was out there, but it still meant soooooo much to see all these neighbours come out for the fireworks. The weather was absolutely beautiful, and it was so so nice to be with such a close group. The food was delicious, and we could create our own menu with Chew. They were so fantastic to deal with throughout the entire process too!
It was a beautiful day but there are parts I wish I had the other way too.
- I wish Fernando's family was with us. That was the hardest part of the day for me. We Facetimed them throughout the day at various points, but wish we could have them with us in person. That's when Covid sucks the most. The summer before we visited his family in Mexico, and Fer's mom asked "If you get married, can I be invited?” I was shocked and replied "OF COURSE YOU WILL BE THERE. WE WON'T HAVE THIS DAY WITHOUT YOU!" But then Covid changed that.
- I wish I had my choir there. I am one of those girls who has dreamed of the wedding day for years...and years...and years....and years..... I had planned things for a lifetime, one of which was walking down the aisle to a choir (made of my students and the people I sing with on a regular basis) singing the song "The Ground" by Ola Gjielo. Instead, my brother played Harvest Moon on acoustic guitar. It was beautiful. He sounded fantastic. I am glad I am part of such a musical family.
- I knew many people were celebrating with us that day even though they were not there. Some of my closest lifetime friends sent many messages, snapchats, and sweet videos. I wish they were there. Some family members "drove by" the day of and ended up pulling in and having cake with us. I wish they could have spent the entire day with us. But in actuality I realize I probably wouldn't have seen them much during the day anyways. I honestly don't understand how a wedding of 150+ could do it. I felt the day was crazy and I didn't see the 15 people who were there celebrating with us.
I am so glad we still made our wedding feel like a wedding. In reality, we might not have a party later. We know that the border might not open for a while, and who knows if we will still feel like having the big party when the border opens (but let's be real, I will wear my dress again WHENEVER I get the chance). But if we don't get the chance to have the party, I don't feel like my wedding was a "mock wedding" — our wedding felt like a wedding.
Here’s my best advice: Do what works best for you. If you want to go ahead with the wedding, do it! If you want to postpone, do it! Know where you are comfortable with Covid things, and allow that to guide your decisions. Follow the guidelines of the province (or your local authorities), but then make decisions based on your comfort level. People may judge you for having a 50 person wedding, but if you follow Covid guidelines, and everything is allowed that you are doing, enjoy the day!
Some of your guests may not feel safe attending and that is on them, not you. It is not your fault if someone chooses not to attend your special day, and you should not let that burden you. If you are not comfortable in big group settings these days, or work in a high risk environment, then know that everyone will hug you that day and plan accordingly (I loved getting every hug I got that day!). But try not to focus on Covid all day. Be smart and safe, but still enjoy your wedding. Don't let other's Covid intensity drive every decision you make.
One of things I really enjoyed was intentionally planning the day, and making it feel special with little things like the flowers, getting your hair and makeup done. Especially if your day has had to change a lot, you can still make the day very special.
Finally, know that people understand. It is tough to cut the list, but everyone's life has been affected.
Esther Funk Photography ~ Essense of Australia ~ Bliss Bridal Boutique ~ BHLDN ~ RW & Co ~ Stone House Creative ~ The Blushing Blonde ~ Justine Barry Artistry ~ Planned Perfectly ~ C&T Rentals ~ Trend Decor ~ Chew
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
2021 wedding dates are limited and my 2022 wait list is now started! Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
Intimate Country Wedding during Covid
Please tell me that you all love this colour palette as much as I do! It’s juicy, interesting, deep, with both warm and cool tones. The peachy tones with a bit of blue were the original focal point, and we added in the darker blue/purple a little later on as the bridesmaids’ dresses were selected. I love that the palette is vibrant and full of life, without looking immature or too “Crayola,” if you know what I mean.
I’ve known Amanda casually since we were kids — I played soccer with her sister, she’s close friends with one of my best friends, we grew up just outside of the same town — that kind of thing. I was so excited to be asked to be part of her wedding, because Amanda has gorgeous style and is an incredibly talented person at basically everything she puts her mind to — she built her own arch, created all the gorgeous signage, crafted her own gumpaste flowers for their cake…she’s one of those people who can just DO the things that she sees, and she does these things to a very high level.
This intimate wedding in the country (just outside of Stonewall) was a dream to be a part of — covid and all.
Amanda is tall and willowy, and she didn’t want her bridal bouquet to be too large. We wanted interesting texture and a garden-inspired and airy feel, but without any massive focal flowers. Amanda is a big flower lover and had some really great ideas for specific blooms and colours, and I just filled in the rest.
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: ranunculus, bachelor buttons, tweedia, lisianthus, sweet pea, wheat (Ryan is a farmer, after all!), and eucalyptus foliages.
Please tell me that you all love this colour palette as much as I do! It’s juicy, interesting, deep, with both warm and cool tones. The peachy tones with a bit of blue were the original focal point, and we added in the darker blue/purple a little later on as the bridesmaids’ dresses were selected. I love that the palette is vibrant and full of life, without looking immature or too “Crayola,” if you know what I mean.
We finished them off with beautiful Stella Wolfe ribbons that we’ll hopefully be able to re-use for part 2 of the wedding next year!
One thing I really appreciated about Amanda and the way they planned their Covid-friendly celebration was the seriousness with which they took the comfort of their guests in this uncertain time. As you can tell, there was LOTS of space available for social distancing thanks to their country property just outside of Stonewall, and they made sure to give their guests a lot of room with the seating arrangements for the ceremony.
Amanda, Ryan, and her dad built the arch together and I really loved it! The stain was a beautiful tone, and it was super sturdy which is an oft-overlooked necessity 😂We worked with the peaches/purples/blues to create a few floral pieces for the arch and they were the perfect finishing touch to the ceremony space.
I bet those gorgeous stone walls have caught your eye. Aren’t they the perfect photo backdrop? If you’re anything like me, they might also be the perfect inspiration for your business name…that’s right! These photos were taken in the ruins of the stone foundation of a barn across the road from my parents’ farm (their stone farm house is the one that I pay homage to in my business name), built by my ancestors. My husband and I took our wedding photos here, my cousin was married here in the barn, and the week after Amanda and Ryan’s wedding, one of her bridesmaids (who is also my cousin!) also had her wedding photos taken in the stone barn!
And of course, a few wheat field shots for this newlywed farming couple!
I love this sweet little teaser trailer from Prairie Film Co… the slow mo in the wheat is gorgeous!
I can’t wait for part 2 of this wedding next year, where they’ll be able to celebrate with a larger group of people!
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
2021 wedding dates are limited! Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
Elegant Peaches and Cream Wedding at Cielo's Garden
Mmmm, this bridal bouquet. About 6 weeks before the wedding, Carly told me that she wanted to add some colour to her otherwise white and green colour palette. She showed me an inspiration picture that had some oranges and peaches, and I was SO on board. Those additions bring lightness and freshness, and I think they look really good with the stormy grey/blues of the bridesmaid dresses, too.
June at Cielo’s Garden - two of my favourite things!
Carly was such a lovely, lovely person to work with. She was open to my suggestions and interested to hear what I had to say, which in my opinion, always results in the best possible end product! This wedding featured an incredible ceremony design, a delicious peaches and cream palette, some really juicy locally grown flowers (including a few stems from my own garden!) and an elegant reception design that I just can’t wait to share with you.
Mmmm, this bridal bouquet. About 6 weeks before the wedding, Carly told me that she wanted to add some colour to her otherwise white and green colour palette. She showed me an inspiration picture that had some oranges and peaches, and I was SO on board. Those additions bring lightness and freshness, and I think they look really good with the stormy grey/blues of the bridesmaid dresses, too.
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients: peonies, ranunculus, spray roses, godetia, sweet pea, hypericum berries, Bells of Ireland, eucalyptus foliages, and white bleeding heart from my garden!
Carly really wanted to make a statement in the ceremony space. Like the rest of the flowers, this was originally going to be all white and green, which definitely would have been nice, but the added peach, pink, and orange tones really added dimension here. I love that this design really frames the couple in and creates a beautiful stage for their vows.
Amanda Douglas Events did a beautiful job of designing this reception space. Cielo’s Garden transitions really easily from a casual tent setting to an elegant, formal venue and this wedding was one of the most elegant that I’ve seen there! Gold-rimmed glassware and gold flatware, candle after candle after candle, and really pretty blue accents brought in through linens on the head table.
Carly chose a combination of fuller floral arrangements mixed with cut glass stem vases with petite arrangements and single stems.
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
2021 wedding dates are now booking! Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
