Casual Country Farm Wedding in Ontario

If you’re looking for a wedding that oozes love and community with joy and laughter in abundance then search no more!

This beautiful, rustic wedding was held on a gloriously sunny day in July 2016 at bride Tessa’s favourite place; the family farm in Ontario.  It’s easy to see why groom Ryan fell for this enchanting place too with its inviting farmhouse, sweeping golden fields and tree-lined roads; what a meaningful and idyllic place to celebrate, all captured beautifully by Tied Photo & Films.

The location for their wedding reflects just how important friends and family are to Ryan and Tessa.  They incorporated loved ones into their ceremony and reception in such special and thoughtful ways.  Not only does the pure joy of the day shine through beautifully but the entire wedding party looked splendid too with Tessa’s stunning lace gown, the bridesmaids in gorgeous mismatched dresses and the chaps looking very dapper indeed in their light summer suits.

It really is a wedding to swoon over; wildflower bouquets, bountiful bunting, hay bale pews and tractors for transport, Tess and Ryan have captured country-chic at its finest.  So dive in – you’re going to love this!

THE PROPOSAL | Nov 14^th, 2015 on a rugged beach on the Oregon Coast in Washington state. Ryan seized the moment when the clouds parted for a moment and the rain stopped long enough for him to slide onto one knee.

THE VISION | Country casual with a focus on our friends and family.

THE VENUE | Apple Grove Farm, Tessa’s cherished family gathering place in Creemore, Ontario. Her parents bought the farm when they got married and spent their honeymoon wallpapering the bathroom. It’s been Tessa’s favourite place for as long as she can remember and Ryan quickly saw why.

THE DRESS & ACCESSORIES | For Tessa finding the dress was surprisingly easy. When she walked out of the change room in the third dress she tried on, her mum burst into tears and she knew she’d found the one.

GROOM’S ATTIRE | Ryan was very worried about getting married in the middle of a field in July under the hot sun so he made sure to buy a suit that was light in colour and fabric to minimize his risk of overheating. He was very grateful when the couple were blessed with a nice breeze and a comfortable 25 degree day to say their I-dos and was perfectly comfortable in his J-Crew summer suit.

THE READINGS & MUSIC | Harvest Moon by Neil Young for bridesmaids arrival, Heart of Gold by Neil Young for bride’s entrance (the sound of that beautiful harmonica riff still makes her smile), Lucky Man by the Verve for bride and groom and audience exit. All instrumental and played live by close friends of the couple.

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS | In-keeping with the comfortable country wedding vibe the couple were aiming for, Tessa’s bridesmaids all wore long colourful dresses of their choosing.

THE FLOWERS | The flowers were done by a florist from the local town of Creemore. She used all flowers and herbs from the bride’s parent’s farm and from friends on the surrounding properties. The beautiful bouquets included kale (a favourite salad fixing of the bride’s!) and herbs such as rosemary and basil.

THE DETAILS & DÉCOR | The bride’s parents worked for months to make the farm shine on the day of the festivities with luscious gardens and meandering pathways through tall hayfields to lead the guests to the ceremony location. Wild flowers grown by the bride’s mum were used in small doses to add to the pastoral setting.

THE HONEYMOON | The couple luxuriated for two nights following the wedding at local inn but their real honeymoon took place a few weeks later and was a nine day Canoe Trip down the iconic Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories in northern Canada.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS | For Ryan, walking out to the ceremony site being led by Tessa’s cousin playing the bagpipes arm and arm with his mum.

For Tessa, riding to the ceremony site in a decorated trailer towed by an antique tractor driven by her dad.

During ceremony, the couple’s friend who was officiating the ceremony surprised them with glass jars of sand from the couple’s favourite places around the world including Black Rock City where Burning Man takes place, Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto, and Apple Grove Farm where they were standing. The couple poured the sand into a bowl and scattered the blended contents on the ceremony site.

Father of the bride speech was heartfelt, loving and full of laughs.

The open air dance party with the Julian Taylor band with carefully positioned colourful strobe lights orchestrated by the bride’s brother was the perfect way to celebrate late into the night.

ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES | Make it about your community, make it personal, and make it full of laughter. People don’t remember the details, they remember how they felt.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE |

Photography | Tied Photo & Films

Day of Coordinator | Christine March

Bridal Bouquets & Boutonnières | Flowers by Ms Design

Catering | Emily Worts

Officiant | Geoff Stoker-Lavelle

Music |  Sam Applegate and Dan McGauley (ceremony) and Julian Taylor Band (Dancing), Amac (late night DJ)

Thank you so much to Ryan and Tessa for sharing their gorgeous day with us; such a treat! Petra x