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A Backyard Wedding Filled With Thoughtful DIY Touches

Updated Apr 28, 2015 | By Kylie Conner

Sarah and Lauren met during a summer youth program. With them both being ministers for the United Church of Canada they found common ground and a friendship started to blossom. After about a year, their friendship had turned to love. They like to say to one another, "'you are nothing I ever expected and everything I ever dreamed.'"

The couple say that their ceremony was by far one of their favourite parts of their wedding day. For their vows, Sarah and Lauren each wrote a list of the top five things they love about each other. "As ministers, we both spend a lot of time helping other couples plan meaningful wedding ceremonies; we both love this part of our jobs, and share a passion for the beautiful details that speak beyond words. So, it wasn’t a surprise that we poured our hearts and souls into our ceremony," says Sarah. Each guest also wrote their wishes and prayers for the couple on a purple square sheet of paper during the ceremony.

Sarah and Lauren's reception, which was held in Sarah's parents' backyard, was filled with thoughtful handmade details. There were little fabric-covered name tags for each guest, a family photo tree and even handmade napkin rings. "We poured our hearts, souls, and many, many metres of handmade bunting into our wedding!" Sarah exclaims.

Sarah Chapman and Lauren Hodgson, August 10, 2013, Meagher’s Grant, Nova Scotia.

Photography courtesy of Candace Berry Photography.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception location: Sarah's parents' backyard Bridal gowns: Impression Bridal
Bridal party attire: RW & Co. and Tip Top Tailors
Cake: Sarah's Aunt Dee Dee Hair and make-up: Alecia Melansen Flowers: Lauren's mother Caterer: Cocoa Pesto Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas and Printable Press Rentals: Something Borrowed Vintage Rentals