WHO: Danielle and Grady
When : December 8th, 2012
Where : South Bonson Community Centre
What was your single most favourite moment from when he proposed?
We have a love for Salt Spring Island, and pie. When Grady proposed, both those lovely things were involved!
Our talented Sister Jenny Whims found us the most romantic field of tall grass for some fun photo shots! Photo Credit of Jenny Whims
How long was your engagement before you said, “We do”?
Quick engagement of 7 months, if we could have eloped sooner we would have!
Tell us a little bit about the wedding you’re planning: style, theme, feel, and colours?
Elegant and Natural. I love nature, and I’m not personally into sparkle or glitz. We went for birch candle holders, wood slab guest book and home made cookie jars for guest favours.
Has your vision for your wedding changed or evolved over the course of your engagement? If so, how?
Our original vision was to keep it small and intimate. It grew profoundly.
What unique element did you have at your wedding?
I really wanted our guests to feel “us” in the wedding, to think that our elements were personal and original. We put a lot of thought into our DIY projects and had a really amazing team of family and friends to help us make this come true.
What part of the wedding were you most looking forward to? Did it live up to the dream?
I was most looking forward to seeing my Parents when I was all ready. When my dad walked in the room, we had a whole group of people needing a tissue. There is something so special about knowing you parents are proud of where you are on that day.
As advice to future bride-to-be what was the one thing that you felt was a energy stealer and you wished you had never spend time/money on
I really can’t stress the importance of spending time with your new Husband on the day. I felt that I was so concerned with how my guests were and how the day was going that I truly did not have the experience I had dreamed of. With all the planning and concerns, with the wedding getting larger than I had hoped. Keep sight of what YOU the bride want. Yes a wedding is for the whole family, but it is also about what makes you happy and how you want that moment in your life to be.
On the flip side, what is the ONE MUST HAVE item/detail/service that you would recommend to each and every bride-to-be that would meet?
We had a wedding organizer and a decorator and recruited family and friends to help with a room flip after our ceremony. Trust your people! and if that means saying the same thing 5 times, know that they all understand and want to make you happy! trust your gut and accept help!
What was your most favourite moment with your husband at your wedding?
Most favorite moment was when we were able to hide away for a few moments after the ceremony and family photos. We had our AMAZING photographer Sherry Lu Photography, come outside with us and snap some beautiful and fun evening shots.
Who or what has been most helpful and/or inspiring in the wedding planning process?
Photographer, by far worth whatever extra dollars you have left to make sure you get beautiful photos. Also your girls!!!! Bridesmaids can be a nightmare, but when you find a gem, make sure you let them know how much you appreciate their support. I wanted to make sure my ladies knew what a big part they played in my day.
How have you involved your “community” (friends, family, etc.) in the wedding planning process?
Local! local food, caterers, photographer, dressmaker etc.
Did you DIYing any of your details?
What part of wedding planning, if any, has made you the most anxious?
The ceremony in front of all those people.
How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
I wanted a natural bright space, South Bonson delivered both of those.
Tell us about planning with your fiancé. Has it gone smoothly? Is he more involved, or hands-off?
It went smoothly on that end, but we had some trouble deciding on size of our wedding.
What do you wish you would have known at the beginning of your engagement?
I wish I had know I was allowed to say no to some things
Any advice you’d like to pass along to fellow brides?
It goes by so fast. and it will be the most beautiful whirlwind day of your life. Take the time for you and to enjoy the moment that is taking place. Make this day about you and your to be husband :)if you take away all the stress of a venue, food and seating chart. The main purpose of it all is to say I Do.
What wedding-related decision have you been the most indecisive on?
Its all the little details that will cause you grief
If you had to pick three top priorities for your budget, what would they be and why? Are your fiancé’s priorities different?
Food (everyone talks about it after)
Venue (you will remember that location forever)
Attire (a chance to showcase your style and personality
Now the “where are they now” questions ; What are you most looking forward / Enjoying about marriage?
the everyday things. Coming home to my husband and knowing in this life I have a partner who has chosen me out of all the women in the world.
What big changes/additions have you made as a family since saying “We Do”
We are back in school, adopting dogs and planning our lives
For those of you that are entrepreneurs or have a passion for specific project/causes, tell me what your speeding your time and energy on, since you no longer have wedding planning to occupy your time .
Grady is working as an apprenticing mechanic and loving it! I am working at developing a Canine Massage Practice, Full Circle Canine Massage and continue to operate The Paw Spaw
Editors note- thank you so much to Danielle and Grady's photographer Sherry-Lu for capturing many of these amazing images :)