SAN DIEGO STYLE ROOFTOP WEDDING AT OTTAWA ART GALLERY

A planned wedding in Greece. That reality started slipping away in the early stages of the Pandemic. All their dreams of a sunny elfresco wedding in Europe was but a glimmer. It was inevitable, the wedding had to be cancelled. Both Anastasi and Saam were respectively devastated and disheartened. Lost deposits and a painful feeling in their hearts they didn’t realistically feel that they could recreate their vision, and in, of all places- Ottawa while also living in Toronto.

Amidst the pandemic Anastasia & Saam re-grouped and started contacting vendors to help them celebrate their wedding day the best they could. But they were up against a Covid and the world had other plans. Newly updated restrictions without notice, grey areas of interpretation and guest safety was a major concern. Dancing was officially banned, while food and beverage was being served guests were to remain at their seats, masks to be worn if a guest left their designated seats, live performers had to be placed far from guests, 1 meter physical distance had to be maintained at all times, tables needed to be spread far apart, guests had to be seated in their own bubbles, contact lists needed to be formulated for contact tracing for guests and vendors alike, security was tight etc which continuously posed new challenges Anastasia and Saam didn’t have the strength to get through. The obstacles mounted and the murky logistics seemed like a never ending battle they weren’t prepared for. How could you possibly celebrate in such circumstances?

When Saam and Anastasia contacted us we could feel the tension in their voices, the mourning for their beautiful wedding in Greece. We had large shoes to fill. With the unknown ahead of us, we began planning their wedding in stages with a 2 month head start. The date changed numerous times, the amount of guests permitted changed based on our local health regulations and the work put forth was as if we were planning 4 weddings at once. There was a plan A-Z and I think at the end we were on plan W. Covid provided its own set of hurdles to overcome with short supply in vendor availability, constant price changes, scarce furniture rental ability, short supply of floral product, staffing shortages, and new costs associated to Covid cleaning procedures and food safety. All of these things played into how we would be able to design and plan their wedding. A spiderweb of complications which left all of use with extreme highs and lows. A roller coaster ride no one want to be on. Where was this silver lining everyone talks about?!?!

In over a decade of working in this industry, I had never had to deal with so many unknowns. In some respects it felt like this was the first wedding I had ever planned. Nothing was the same and every day had a new surprise which was completely out of our control. It took a lot of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, major discussions that were hard to have and a lot of personal favours called in to make this wedding happen as close to the clients vision as possible.

We personally had sleepless nights, mini anxiety attacks and mini fits of disbelief. But we pulled through and it made us strong for it. It’s an experience my team and I will not soon forget and a huge learning opportunity. It pushed us to the brink- but the reward of hearing “It was the best day of our life”made it ALL worthwhile.

I remember meeting with Saam and Anastasia after the wedding and the sheer joy they emitted was palpable. They explained that throughout the whole process they were skeptical of how they would actually feel on their wedding day having been robbed of the privilege in having their dream wedding in Greece. But, they explained, it was everything and more then what they would have expected for their dream wedding. It was incomprehensible how the day all came together and that their day was truly special in every way. Cloud 9.

And this only begins to scratch the surface of this wedding story….

Vendors:

Planning & Design Toast: Events

Photography: Lace & Luce

Venue: Ottawa Art Gallery

Florals & Decor: Wedecor  

Makeup Artist: Klava Z Beauty

Hair Stylist: Hair By Adamo

Cake: Girl With The Most Cake 

Caterer: My Catering Group

Entertainment: Luxe Duo 

Videography: Up North 

Entertainment: Shawn Marino 

DJ: Matt Ferguson 

Transportation: Antique Limo Services & Maestro Limousine

---

---

ALT/AR Ottawa's Luxury Socially Distanced Ceremonies

I know it’s been really hard. The uncertainty, constant challenges, mounting anxiety with the hope that something may change. But as soon as the clouds start to part and the sun start shining- the world has other plans.

But love always finds a way. It’s been a tough couple of months which has challenged me in ways I’ve never had to in my decade of planning weddings and events. What can I do to help that supports deserving brides & grooms and our industry... Many of my couples have postponed BUT still wanted to tie the knot in 2020 and celebrate their one year anniversary with all their nearest and dearest... like ringing in the new year with champagne and those scarce things called hugs. But even though they were postponing I still wanted to provide them the gorgeous ceremony they had envisioned for their special day. That even though not everyone could be with them, that there was still as much pomp and circumstance. And ALT/AR was born. The all inclusive socially distanced Luxury ceremony with the most sought after wedding professionals. The image you see here is what YOUR ceremony will actually look like. YOU will be walking down that same aisle... 

NOV 7TH & 21ST

NEW YEARS EVE & NEW YEARS DAY

Imagine walking down this exact aisle as you celebrate with your nearest and dearest.

Each date has 5 openings. Upon booking you will be connected with myself to guide you through the process of planning your ceremony. On your wedding day, upon arrival I will greet and escort your guests to the bright and airy socially distanced ceremony space. As you take your first steps down the aisle, musically accompanied by Luxe Duo, Edward, The Hitch Doctor will be in waiting to guide you through your vows. After the ceremony a Champagne toast, cake cutting and a fine art portrait session with Europe’s Finest traveling photographers Lace & Luce. And we can’t forget those keepsake details photos! Your ring placed and captured in Toast’s signature flat lay vignettes with a custom take home Vow Booklets.

INCLUSIONS

Ceremony in a light & airy space

Florals & Decor as seen in photos

Wedding Planning Assistance

Bridal Bouquet & Boutonnieres

Officiant

Live music by Luxe Duo

Champagne Toast

Petite Wedding cake

Fine Art Photography Session

Keepsake Vow Booklet

Let’s edit 2020 ; love always finds a way.... 

Or contact Beth from the Ottawa Art Gallery at bevans@oaggao.ca