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An Art-Inspired DIY Wedding In Hamilton, Ontario

Jan 11, 2018 | By Kimberly Aglipay

a garden-inspired diy wedding in hamilton, ontario - bride and groom

Jacky proposed to Joan on a weekend trip to Vancouver to watch the Women's World Cup soccer finals. "We're both travel and sports enthusiasts, and on the first night of the trip, he popped the question!" Joan recalls. "He had planned the perfect weekend: dining at the city's best restaurants, the World Cup final, as well as VIP tickets to The Lion King, my favourite musical."

When it came to their wedding, the couple was inspired by their love of travel as well as art. "We had our first date at Nuit Blanche, the overnight art festival in Toronto, and we've travelled to nearly 50 countries together," Joan explains.

The bride and groom incorporated a number of DIY touches into their big event, spending hundreds of hours planning and handcrafting as many of the details as possible. Joan designed and hand-painted all of the wedding stationery, and the couple created giant free-standing paper flowers for decor, as well as the floral wall backdrop, the custom painting used as the guest book, and many other custom items. "Guests also took home unique paintings as part of their wedding favours," Joan says. Even though she wanted to try her hand at calligraphy, Joan ultimately left the job up to a professional. "It added a level of sophistication to the stationery envelopes and place cards."

Bright flowers in shades of pink and coral adorned much of the ceremony and reception space. Joan and her bridesmaids collectively agreed on coral as the dress colour. "With my favourite flower being the coral charm peony, the bouquets and dresses were a perfect match," Joan says. "Our florist knocked it out of the park with the blooms to create the vibrant and energetic environment we were going after."

The couple exchanged vows at an intimate ceremony at Whitehearn House, with the stunning floral backdrop as the focal point. "The ceremony was short, simple and sweet," Joan says. "Being surrounded by our closest friends and family, including a number of family members from Hong Kong, was the highlight of our day."

Joan Ho and Jacky Lam, June 17, 2017, Hamilton, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Lisa Mark Photography.

Vendors
Ceremony venue: Whitehearn House
Reception venue: Art Gallery of Hamilton
Bridal gown: Madison James
Groom’s tux: Wingmen Suits
Caterer: Scarlett House
Flowers: Blooms Studio
Stationery: DIY Calligraphy: Ivory & Twine Co.
Cake: Sweet Garden
Hair: Bridal Hair Couture by Katie
Makeup: Windy Chiu
Favours: Burberrie Jam
Music: RJM Sounds
Videography: One Heart Films
String duo: Bel Canto String Academy
Live event painter: Olga Pankova
Caricature artist: Michael McDonnell
Watercolour artist: Stephanie Anne
Linens: Around The Table
Photobooth: Selfie Time
Chairs: Special Event Rental