After 8 years together, Guillaume brought Valerie to Quebec City to celebrate New Year’s Eve with an elaborate proposal planned. After watching a fireworks show, the couple returned to their hotel room, where Valerie found a trail of rose petals and the custom designed wedding ring Guillaume had created using a family heirloom diamond. A toast to the new year ensued, and the wedding planning began.

Valerie and Guillaume wanted every aspect of their wedding day to have a personal touch and to reflect who they are as a couple. Spending hours customizing everything from the invitations and favours, to the signs and decor helped them achieve their desired effect. As well as the DIY accents, Valerie and Guillaume invited a friend to officiate the wedding—in French and English to honour their families—and had guests play a special role in their ceremony. “We loved the idea of involving our guests,” says Valerie. “We passed the wedding bands around for friends and family to warm them with their love and wishes for a happy marriage.”

When it came to decorating their stunning venue, Au Jardin D’Emmanuel, Guillaume and Valerie were inspired by the rolling hills and lush greenery of the vineyard and wanted to play up its romance. With this in mind, they opted for colours in ivory and blush pink, with touches of antique mauve and gold. For decor, they used greenery, glass and mirrors to keep a light and whimsical feel.

To get the party started, Valerie and Guillaume’s DJ mixed all the top hits with ballads to create the perfect soundtrack. “He was able to create a laid-back, romantic ambience during dinner, and kept the floor packed until 3 a.m. with top dance tracks,” Valerie recalls. “To this day guests still talk about how fantastic he was!”

Valerie Sullivan and Guillaume Brisson, June 2nd, 2018, Oka, Quebec.

Photography courtesy of Sara-Maude Photographie.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Au Jardin D’Emmanuel
Bridal gown: Stella York from Punta Chiara Boutique de Mariage
Bridesmaid gowns: Dessy Collection
Groom’s tux: RW & Co.
Groomsmen attire: Le Chateau
Videography: AFC Films
Flowers: Astilbe Fleuriste
Makeup: Jean Francois CD
Hair: Hair by Jess G
Music: Martin Robert at MRzik
Hotel accommodations: Hotel Le Finlandais