A Modern, Romantic Garden Wedding in Ottawa, Ontario

A chance message from David to Ivy on a meet-up site online brought this couple together, where they got to know each other over the course of three months. After making such a strong connection online, with David in Baltimore, Maryland, and Ivy in Toronto, Ontario, the pair realized that they were meant to be more than just friends. David then took the leap and asked Ivy out on a real date in Baltimore at the National Aquarium. The couple maintained a long distance relationship until David proposed at the site of their first date nearly one year later.

Being an American citizen presented some challenges for the couple, who decided to marry in Toronto in an intimate civil ceremony in 2014, in order for Ivy to sponsor David's entry into Canada. "No one from our respective families was present, and we did not put much thought or effort into this part as for us, it was a necessary step that we needed to take toward our future together," Ivy says. It wasn't until 2016 that David finally became a permanent resident of Canada, and the pair was able to plan the wedding they really wanted.

One of the most emotional parts of the wedding was the traditional tea ceremony that David and Ivy hosted to honour Ivy's Vietnamese heritage. The pair served tea to their elders while incorporating traditional Vietnamese elements like the custom-made ao dai dress that was brought over for Ivy from Saigon. "It was my maternal grandmother’s first wedding that she was able to attend out of all her grandchildren, and it was very raw and emotional," Ivy shares. "Everyone was in tears during the tea ceremony due to how much it meant for my grandmother and for my family to have this wedding."

The couple's Western ceremony featured shades of purple, cream and gold along with plenty of greenery to tie in their romantic garden theme. Ivy and David wrote their own vows, which included plenty of personal jokes and details to make sure that guests had fun during the ceremony too. At the reception, guests were seated family-style at long farmhouse tables where touches of gold geometric accents brought in the modern elements the couple wanted. The intimate first dance took place to Skylar Gray's version of "Stand By Me." "This is actually David's favourite song and movie of the same name that eventually became my favourite song as well," Ivy explains. "We ultimately settled on this rendition as we felt it was the best suited for us to dance to."

Ivy O and David Carollo, August 18, 2018, Ottawa, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Brittany Fleming.

Vendors
Venue & catering: The Sidedoor Contemporary Kitchen and Bar
Bridal gown: Maggie Sottero from Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay
Bridesmaid gowns: Morilee from Jolie Bridal
Groom’s tux: Tip Top Tailors
Groomsmen attire: Moore’s Clothing
Hair: Selena Lebond of Hairapy by Selena Makeup: Klava Zykova of Klava Z Beauty Day of Coordinator: Julie Normandeau of Julie & Co. Events Flowers and decor: Amanda Powell of The Gathering Event Company
Stationery: Wishtree Invitations & Design Inc.
Cake and favours: Dulce Couture Cakes
Officiant: Lynne Langille of Exceptional Ceremonies
Chairs: Pearl Decor
Music: James Boutros of Interlace Group Events