Date

Guests

65

August 15, 2015

Rosemary was an aspiring writer when she pitched Jordan, an established editor, a story about knitting circles at a magazine launch. "He never took the story, but he did take me on a date the next week!" she laughs.

When it came time to get hitched, the two weren't sure they even wanted a traditional wedding, but they eventually agreed on a small family affair. "We thought about local Toronto restaurants and even tying the knot right in our home, but ultimately decided that we'd probably regret if we didn't use Jordan's family property-a 200-year-old farm and apple orchard in the Eastern Townships," Rosemary says.

The couple's 65 guests came from all over the world for the event, so Rosemary and Jordan tried to keep everything as local and Canadian as possible. A patriotic colour scheme of red and white with apple details created a fresh, natural look for the wedding. In keeping with the apple theme, Rosemary and Jordan borrowed his mom's pottery bowls and filled them with fresh, juicy apples straight from the orchard, and the escort cards were decorated with apple art. Red-and-white gingham tablecloths and red roses completed the look. "We wanted to keep everything as low-key as possible and source as much as we could from the farm, so of course we used the apples. And we love Canada, so red and white was an easy choice for a colour palette," Rosemary explains.

Many of the couple's wedding necessities were supplied by family members. Rosemary's mom baked 20 pies in one weekend in lieu of a cake, while the bride's father did the reading and the groom's father provided soft acoustic music for the ceremony. The couple's signature drink was also the product of a group effort: Rosemary's three brothers mixed together 10 gallons of apple cider and whisky. "The cider was pressed from farm apples, from a hand-crafted and engraved barrel, served with in Mason jars with cinnamon-stick garnishes," Rosemary says.

The couple's guests were sent off at the end of the night with a reminder of the wedding's personalized charm. "We sent our guests home with an extra special party favour: a batch of homemade soap by my mom, inside a hand-crafted pottery bowl by my new mother-in-law. It was so special to have both of our moms' crafts, together finally," Rosemary says.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Verger Heath Orchard
Bridal gown: Allure Bridals from Becker's Bridal
Cake: Pies made by bride's mother
Caterer: Dufferin Heights Country Club
Groom's tux: Hugo Boss from Hudson's Bay
Favours: Pottery by Lynn Heath and Soap by Karen Mitchell
Hair: Jean at Delsy Look Coiffure (819-847-8225)
Flowers: Holland Gardening & Landscaping, Inc., (819-838-4906)
Stationery: Magnet Street Weddings