A Vintage Shabby Chic Wedding in Clarendon, Quebec

Chrissy Hall and Brian Bruce shared something between them that few engaged couples have: a brood of five children. "Brian and I were playing hide 'n seek with our two youngest, Brooke and Wade. Wade and I were 'seeking' Daddy and Brooke. When we found them on the other side of our kitchen island, Brian was down on one knee," says Chrissy. "Brooke was holding the ring (in a box) and said 'Mommy, marry Daddy' in a very sweet and expectant voice." After happily accepting the adorable proposal, Chrissy and Brian planned a vintage shabby chic wedding filled with thoughtful details. "My mom and I were constantly on the hunt for decor," says Chrissy, who not only planned the wedding but also created the invitations, ceremony decor and wedding cake. The day of the wedding, June 12, 2012, was meaningful in more ways than one: it was the six-year anniversary of Brian and Chrissy's first date. The pair initially met through their best friends Darleen Robinson and Sonny Brownlee, who were dating themselves at the time and got married one year before Chrissy and Brian. The sweet couple from Clarendon, Quebec filled the roles of best man and maid of honour at their matchmakers' wedding and asked Robinson and Brownlee to fill the same shoes at their own celebration. The couple exchanged vows at their home surrounded by 150 family members and friends. Bridesmaids dressed for the vintage shabby chic wedding in various shades of lovely champagne while the groom and groomsmen wore their own thrift store finds along with simple white button-up shirts, suspenders and a mix of fedoras and driving caps, the perfect attire for a sweet celebration in the country. After the ceremony, guests proceeded to Jack Graham Hall for a reception catered by a local cafe. The bride and groom enjoyed their first dance to "Reason is You" by Hoobastank. "This song struck a chord with Brian and I early on in our relationship. He had previously been married and had two beautiful children and I had been in a long-term relationship and had a beautiful son of my own, so the idea of 'starting over new' definitely appealed to us and fit our situation perfectly," says Chrissy. Guests departed the vintage shabby chic wedding with equally charming favours: tomatoes, parsley and basil plants, homegrown by the best man and maid of honour in biodegradable pots. Chrissy Hall and Brian Bruce, June 12, 2012, Clarendon, Quebec Photography courtesy of Leslie Stanton, Lestanto Photography (www.lestantophotography.com) Vendors Ceremony location: The couple's home, Clarendon, QC Reception location: Jack Graham Hall (819-647-5555) Dress: Galina from David’s Bridal Groom’s tux: Thrift store Bridal party attire: Bridesmaids wore their own dresses in various shades of champagne Hair: Studio Jen (819-647-3168) Makeup: Isabelle Labbe, Canvas Art of Beauty Music: DJ Chris Godin (819-683-1046) Cake: DIY Caterer: Café 349 Favours: Homegrown tomato, parsley and basil plants in biodegradable pots Flowers: Christina Ouellet, The Flower Factory Stationery: DIY, printed at The Equity Others: Eileen Sheppard, reception decor (819-647-5641)