Date

Guests

30

October 8, 2016

Ashley and Andrew's love story began in their first year of college, where they lived a floor apart and shared everything from the elevator to the grilled cheese maker. By the summer after their second year, the pair had become pen pals and watched "Say Anything" as their first official date, but it wasn't until five years after they had met that they shared their first kiss. "It took Andrew a while to muster up the courage to kiss me, and when he finally did, I kissed him first!" Ashley says.

When it came time to propose, it was only natural that Andrew would pop the question during their favourite winter pastime: skating. "Sipping hot chocolate with a drop or two of Bailey's and testing the twirl-ability of Toronto's skating rinks had become our favourite way to spend the winter, so it was an obvious choice for the proposal," Ashley explains. "Andrew dropped to one knee as he was lacing up my skate, and I said yes-of course!"

For their wedding, the couple swapped ice for the ocean, choosing Cape Cod as the backdrop for their big day. "We always knew we wanted to get married by the sea. Andrew whisked me away to The Cape for my birthday a couple of years ago and it's been a special place for us ever since," Ashley says. "Its unpretentious charm and natural beauty made it feel like the perfect place to exchange our vows."

The stunning seaside setting made the cool blue and white colour palette a given, while the work of the late Canadian painter Alex Colville inspired the couple to create a dreamy, artistic feel for their wedding. "We wanted to feel like we were getting married inside a Colville painting. Our shared love of the ocean guided us towards a cool palette of blue and white accented with a hint of blush and a pop of peony pink," Ashley explains. Aside from the flowers, candles, and other subtle touches within their colour palette, the couple kept the décor to a minimum. "We didn't want the look to swing in the direction of nautical as we felt that would read as too literal. Instead, we highlighted the colonial design of the home, the sea in view, and fun patterns like gingham," Ashley says.

The couple made sure to infuse the day with plenty of personalized touches to create a memorable experience for each other and their guests. "Our wedding bands were created by combining the gold of my late grandmother's ring along with heirloom jewelry from Andrew's family," Ashley says. Full of sentimental details and meaningful moments, the ceremony was one of the most romantic elements of the entire weekend. "We asked our dear friend, Dave, to be our officiant and we went through the entire process with him. It was incredibly special and something we'll always remember," the bride says. In addition to writing their own vows, the groom, a writer and journalist, put his talents to good use by penning "Table Talk" cards with quirky facts about each guest to spark conversations and add even more personality to their day.

Ashley and Andrew's intimate celebration ended with a feast of lobster and champagne in true Cape Cod fashion. "As we sat down to dinner, we raised a glass of 'Sofia' Coppola champagne (our favourite) to our intimate group of family and the friends who have become family. We made a toast and had a moment of absolute gratitude as we looked out at the tables of people who had traveled far and wide to be with us on Thanksgiving weekend," Ashley says. "Seeing thirty of our friends and family, impeccably dressed, tugging at lobster claws in lobster bibs was truly unforgettable!"

Photography courtesy of Tara McMullen and Barb Simkova from Tara McMullen Photography.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: The Ocean House
Bridal gown: BHLDN
Bridal shoes: Holt Renfrew
Flowers: Anchor & Grace
Groom's tux: Ted Baker
Hair: Jenna Pando of The Cabinet Salon
Tablescapes: Plate Occasions
Wedding planner: Ruby Social Co. (a creative consultancy firm owned by the bride)