Your Wedding Day Dream Team
Photographer: Brittany Niehaus Photography https://www.instagram.com/brittany.niehaus/
https://www.brittanyniehausphotography.ca
Videographer: DIY handheld cams – will send video once created
Florist: Boutique Florist – Derby
https://www.boutiqueflorists.co.uk
Band/DJ: DJ Jamie Taylor https://www.instagram.com/dj_jamietaylor/
Sax: Jess Hughes
Makeup: Alexandra Pearson https://www.instagram.com/makeupbyalexandra.x/
Hair: Chloe https://www.instagram.com/cheveuxbyc/
Tell Us About Your Incredible Outfits What and who did you wear?
My main dress was from Grace Loves Lace https://www.instagram.com/grace_loves_lace/
My second look dress was from Coast, which I had altered, shoes were from Dolce Vita
What and who did your partner wear?
Liam’s suit was from Tweedmaker https://www.instagram.com/Tweedmaker/
What and who did your wedding party wear?
Bridesmaid dresses were from Birdy Grey, groomsmen wore the same Tweedmaker suits.
Your Love Story – how did you meet, was it love at first sight? Tell us about the proposal!
Liam and I met while working at a summer camp in upstate New York. Despite both being from the UK, after camp I went to live in Australia, and Liam went down to Florida. Our time at camp was just supposed to be a summer fling, nothing serious. We had carried on talking, and one day our facebook messenger showed we had exchanged 40,000 messages – maybe a little more than “keeping in touch”. As time went on, Liam moved to Canada, and my visa was running out. Seeking another country I could get a visa for, I too moved to Canada. Despite it being the second largest country in the world, I “somehow” ended up moving a 10 minute bus ride away from Liam! I think we always knew there was something special about the other. We picked up right where we left off and fell more in love every single day.
It had always been a dream of mine to see the northern lights. Even joking off hand to Liam one day “if you ever want to marry me, ask me under the Northern Lights”. With the promise of high solar activity, we planned a trip to the Yukon for my 30th birthday, a dream trip with hopefully a huge bucket list item ticked off! We landed in Whitehorse full of anticipation, and every single night? Clouds. Thick, unmoving, apocalyptic-looking clouds. We tried to not let it put too much of a damper on their trip; we hiked, visited breweries, relaxed at a spa, and even made a day trip to Alaska! On the final evening of our trip, with all hopes dashed of seeing the dazzling pink and purple skies, but with a gorgeous sunset to make up for it, Liam got down on one knee on the deck of the gorgeous cabin and asked me to marry him.
Your Wedding Day Vision & Inspiration What was your inspiration and vision for your day?
We had a small ceremony in Whistler – just us and a few close family and friends, and it was one of the most special, emotional days of our lives. We held our celebration at The West Mill. Our relationship has always been overseas, so we chose a unique venue between our home towns. It was the most joyful celebration, seeing the beautiful patchwork of our lives woven together.
We wanted each day to be super relaxed and fun! An opportunity to bring everyone together and just enjoy ourselves.
Why did you choose The West Mill Venue?
Our relationship has always been overseas, so we chose a unique venue between our home towns. We wanted a venue that was an interesting location, not something too traditional.
Having the various floors and also an outside area was such a huge plus for us, it made everything so seamless!
Did you do any DIY projects?
We DIY’d all our signage designs, backdrop for our video guestbook, and set up a projector with a sheet for the backdrop to show photos from our Canadian ceremony.
We also put together individual place cards with a personal thank you note for each guest when they reached their seat for the wedding breakfast.
Tell us about the details – Flowers, Cake, Decor, Stationery….
Our flowers from Matthew at boutique florist were just absolutely stunning!
Our table names were all hikes Liam and I have completed together, we had photos of us at the top of each hike on the cards.
The flower graphics we used as a theme for all of the stationary were our birthflowers
While we didn’t have a wedding cake, it was one of our friends’ birthdays on the day of the wedding, so we all sang him happy birthday!
Alcohol. Because No Great Story Started With A Salad (…or did it?) What was on your food & drinks menu?
The food provided by Jenkinsons was so delicious! They catered so well to all of our dietary needs.
Our signature drinks were Espresso Martinis, Spicy Margs, and pickleback shots (a Canadian delicacy), served on a shot ski!
The Hangover Only Lasts A Day But The Memories Last A Lifetime Can you sum up your wedding day in 3 words?
Joyous, unforgettable, relaxed
What are your favourite memories or highlights of your day?
Coming out of the building into our confetti throw and seeing all of our loved ones for the first time, followed by setting the tone with a champagne spray was so much fun.
Seeing all of our guests enter the wedding breakfast, and all the emotions that came with everyone reading their personalised notes was very special.
Do you have any advice for future Brides & Grooms?
Don’t get too bogged down in the details because at the end of it all you will be married to your favourite person in the entire world. Remember that, and remember that everyone is there because they love you!
Loved reading about Josie & Liam’s day? Read more real wedding stories here.