A Rustic Garden Party Wedding In Ayr, Ontario

Sarah and Jordan met back in high school thanks to their the teacher's alphabetical seating plan. "Jordan was wonderfully kind," Sarah recalls.  "He always gave me paper and let me borrow pens." It wasn't until their final year of high school, when they shared another class, that Jordan finally asked her on a date—via email. Sarah wrote back with a "yes."

The couple got engaged on their 10-year anniversary on a trip to California. Despite the news reporting wildfires, the pair decided to drive to a hotel north of LA. "As we got closer to our hotel, the mountains on both sides of the highway lit up the night's sky with golden flames and ash fell on the windshield," Sarah says. Each town the couple drove through was without power, and the hotel was unable to check them in due to encroaching flames. After the couple was alerted to evacuate the area they eventually found a hotel. The next morning, they finally made it to their destination, Big Sur, and Jordan proposed. After a hike up a mountain Jordan proposed and Sarah said yes.

The theme for the wedding was a rustic garden party. The celebration took place on Jordan's family farm in Ayr. The natural scenery of the venue was breathtaking and one-of-a-kind. "We had our ceremony on the top of a hill over looking a pond and dinner in a field next to 3 acres of lavender," Sarah enthuses. By the end of June, the whole farm was in bloom with wild flowers and floral trees. Wanting to keep the focus on the venue, the couple so they opted for whites, soft pinks and clear acrylic chairs for their flowers and decor.

One of the most important wedding details for Sarah were her bridal gown and bridesmaid gowns. They were custom made by her best friend that she has known since kindergarten. "Our group consultations included trying dress styles on, drawing up different designs and picking different fabrics," Sarah says. It was important to the bride to have each one of her bridesmaids to feel comfortable with what they were in so each got to work with Paige to design a custom dress.

The wedding was a surprise event for the guests so the couples favourite part of the day was getting to shock everyone with their nuptials. The guests were invited under the ruse of the event being an engagement party on the farm. "After a drink or two, my father-in-law began to thank our guests for coming and said he had a surprise for them," Sarah says. It was only after attendees walked up the hill, with cocktails in hand,  did they see the ceremony set up and slowly came to the realization that this was a wedding. "All the hard work gone into planning our wedding was worth it and I knew this was going to be the most special day of my life, so far."

Sarah Walker and Jordan Van Der Heyden, June 23, 2018, Ayr, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Elisha K Photography.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Willibald Farm Distillery
Wedding planner: Kendra Coons of Confetti & Co.
Bridal gown and bridesmaid gowns: Emma Paige
Groom’s tux: Suit Supply
Groomsmen attire: Frank & Oak, Zara and Hudson's Bay
Flowers: Just Blooms
Stationery: Hubub Paper Co.
Cake: Q's Cakes & Cafe
Caterer: NJLB & Co. Hair: Sallie, Vaniti Hair
Makeup: Christina Pfaff
Favours: Willibald Farm Distillery
Music: Exclusive Vibez
Rentals: Plate Occasions, Chair-man Mills and ABC Party Time Rentals