August 1^st,  2015,  was Lauren Palmer and Matthew Smith’s  big day. A wedding day loaded with a lot of heart and a lot of laughter.  An ideal combination for wedding photographer, Karen, of Love and Laughter Photography. Clearly, the focus of the day reflected the personalities of this couple. There was light-hearted fun, with lots of banter and goofing around, with touches of traditional, tender- hearted moments as well. At moments like these in the reception, not even Lauren, with her wide smile, could keep a dry eye as meaningful wishes were spoken.

Their ceremony and reception were held at one of RSVP’s top venues, The Ottawa Marriott, famous for their revolving Summit Restaurant, boasting singular views of the city.

It made perfect sense, then, that the bride and her bridal party prepare at their Marriott room perched high above the city. The photos speak of the importance of family to this young couple. Not just the bridesmaids sat in the room to join in the preparation, but Lauren’s Mom and two tiny nieces sat with Grandma as well.  They watched as Clarisse Make-Up added her glamorous touches to Lauren’s beaming face and Mandy Hair create the most beautiful and intricate up do for her.  While Lauren’s oldest niece, Willa, was given a flower to pin in her short bob.

Simple, but very cute touches in the ceremony was the little flower girl, Willa Palmer, taking her job of scattering pink and purple rose petals down the aisle, very seriously.  Followed by Lauren’s two nephews, Zachary and Jackson, both shy but determined in their mission, delivering the rings to the bride and groom.

Lauren and Matthew added a more serious and personal touch:  blending their wedding colours of plum and white sand in a clear vase, representative of their hearts and lives now intertwined. Vows were exchanged and officiated by Roger and Sheila.

Lauren’s bright bouquet of complimentary colours was designed by RSVP’s partner, Beaudry Flowers.  The less conventional and vibrant mix of zinnias, roses, lisianthus with wax flowers really complimented the bride’s personality as well as her strapless white gown.

I am guessing Lauren’s cheeks hurt the next day from all the wide grins and laughter. However, Matthew also had his own fun with “the boys.” For their photo shoot, the handsome groomsmen sported grey suits, purple ties and….umbrellas!  Both open and closed, this prop switched up the standard group shots. Leaping in the air with “brollies,” open their collective expression in reminiscent of “Bert” or Dick Van Dyke, in Mary Poppins.

The couple’s fun loving antics were again then highlighted later that day.

Lauren, jokingly, brandished the cake knife like a machete and then proceeded to pretend to aim for Matthew’s neck.  Contrary to the staged drama was the elegant cake itself on a chandelier-like cake stand. The one layer white wedding cake provided by J.S. Creations, was decorated with cascading white flowers and a simple purple ribbon at the base.

Wedding Days may have many of the same elements but they are, of course, never the same. Just as Lauren and Matthew, have their unique fit, and so created a day that suited their style, RSVP keeps in mind that your wedding day needs to be as individual as you are.

 VENDORS:

Venue: Ceremony –  Ottawa Marriott 

Reception –  Ottawa Marriott Summit Room

DJ: Quality Entertainment 

Photographer: Love and Laughter Photography 

Video: Two Rings Video 

Makeup Artist: Clarisse Cale

Hair: Mandy

Cake: JS Creations 

Wedding Stylists: RSVP Team – Divine and Marina 

Wedding Planners: RSVP Team – Divine and Marina