A DIY Winter Wedding In Ottawa

Nada and Eddie met at a mutual friend's party and kept in touch for years. Although Nada lived in Toronto and Eddie lived in Edmonton, they realized that they were more than just friends and started a long-distance relationship. After three-and-a-half years of dating, Eddie proposed to Nada on a catamaran during a trip to Nicaragua.

The wedding was a DIY project by Nada, who designed everything from the initial vision to the decor. Rich colours of burgundy, plum, peach, and gold popped against the snow-covered Rideau Canal. Playing with the DIY theme, the couple added personal touches including a donut wall and a photo booth with a custom backdrop. "My dad and I built the donut wall together in the summer," Nada explains. "We were so happy with the outcome—it looked awesome, and we loved that it was homemade."  In the evening, guests danced away to a fusion of hip-hop and music from both the bride and groom's cultures.

Nada attributes much of the wedding's success to those who helped make it happen. "The bridal party put in serious work with set-up," Nada says. While the groom and groomsmen were unloading a moving truck worth of decor and polishing the copper arch, the bride and bridesmaids were setting up floating candles everywhere."

For Nada and Eddie, simply being surrounded by family and friends made the day memorable. "Standing at the altar with all my best friends next to me and physically seeing my soon-to-be wife walking towards me was an amazing moment," Eddie says. "The emotion that came over me at that moment was something I had never felt before." Nada agrees. "Having everyone that we love there supporting us and so genuinely happy for us was magical and unlike any other time in your life."

Nada Gawad and Eddie Edward, January 27, 2018, Ottawa, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Grace & Gold Studios.

Vendors Ceremony and reception venue: The Westin Ottawa Bridal gown: White One from All That Glitters Bridesmaid dresses: Lulus, Laysieng Couturier, David's Bridal, and Jolie Bridal Groom’s tux: Indochino Caterer: The Westin Ottawa Flowers: Satin & Snow Stationery: Vistaprint Cake: Cucina Dolce Doughnuts: Maverick’s Donut Company Hair: Starz Salon Makeup: Taryn Miller Photobooth: Flash Photobooth Ottawa Music: DJ Kwame Telemaque