K+D Horticulture Building

One of our favourite spaces in Ottawa is the Horticulture Building at Landsdowne Live. With concrete floors, floor to ceiling windows an subtle wood elements, this space provides a blank canvas for any style of event.

We started planning and designing Kathryn + David’s wedding back in 2016. Their overall vision was to have a relaxed atmosphere that encouraged their guests to mix & mingle, peruse food stations, play a few larger then life games like Jenga and simply have fun. No assigned seating, bar always open and only a few speeches.

With this in mind we created an experience which revolved around an un-traditional seating layout, minimalistic floral details with an emphasis on sleek modern furniture and a mexican taco food truck station. All this being said- their wedding was a hit!

PHOTOS: AMY PINDER

DECOR & FLORALS: WEDECOR

CATERING: MY CATERING GROUP

VENUE: HORTICULTURE BUILDING

WHY A WEDDING PLANNER, HIRED A PLANNER FOR HER OWN WEDDING

Confessions of a wedding planner: Why I hired a wedding planner for my own wedding day. 

Because look at this photo...... a fraction of the team you'll have behind the scenes on your wedding day. Now ask yourself... do you really want to be the go-to person for the day?

I've been in the game for quite some time, and even though I am more than capable of planning my own wedding, I knew on the day-of I needed a team of professionals to see my vision through.  I'm a firm believer that people are best at what they do for a reason. I can humbly digress and say that even as a planner, I can't and won't work on my wedding day. And here's why. 

 

I FORGOT MY CELL

You think I've mastered everything when it comes to wedding planning, but on the day of, I forgot my cellphone and even my overnight bag. Let's be honest- i lost my brain on the wedding day too. #toolegit

 

TIME WARP

For that day I literally lived in another dimension. A time warp that didn't care about the numbers on the clock. And to be honest, I never even checked the time to make sure I, master planner- was on schedule.

 

RECEIVING LINE

I always thought receiving lines were old fashioned. But there I found myself loving every second of The unscheduled and impromptu hugs and kisses as each guest left the church and wished me well. 

 

HOUDINI AKA THE HUSBAND

My groom disappeared and thought cocktails were more important that our bridal pictures. Hah! If it wasn't for my trusted planners I might not have reunited with my newly minted husband on the Chateau Laurier locks for some of the best pictures I hold dear to my heart today. 

 

MIC DROP

At the end of the night, I simply left and forgot to check in with my planners to make sure everything was taken care of at the end of the night. Yeah, I totally did that.

And to finish everything off, my planner actually took off her shoe and said. "Look at the hole in my shoe! I literally ran around like a maniac all night, and this is the result.

So what am I saying? Don't be the bride that works her wedding day and has a hole in the bottom of her shoe instead of her planner. 

10 THINGS TO DITCH ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

It seems like now days I can almost predict what traditional wedding notions my clients are willing to ditch. It's true these things are out-dated and a bit ridiculous. So here is a list of 10 things you won't feel bad about ditching! 

I really personally dislike choreographed first dances. Let's get real, it looks unnatural. Not to mention of the DJ plays a different rendition of your song....well you better be good at improvising!  

---

Too much icing and maybe 5 of your guests will actually indulge leaving you a month worth of cupcakes for breakfast. Donut Bars and Pie Tables are all the rage.

---

When I first started in the business 8 years ago the average age to get married was 25. Now my clients all tend to be around 30. So with and older general attendance there seems to be less single people at weddings. So why throw a bouquet with only 5 people behind you?

---

It's embarrassing! Sure it can be funny, but most brides are not really into this type of display.

---

Step away from that mason jar girl! I know your tempted...but it's been overdone and has entered the "tacky wedding trends" book. You'll thank me later!

---

Ditch your bridesmaids? *Gasp* I know right! Well it seems to be the trend. One standing for each or none at all. Although this is not a huge "thing" yet, my prediction is that you'll be seeing a lot more of this.

---

The days of a book where guests just sign their name and sometimes leave a awkward note it way pasee. The polaroid scrap book is where it's at! Cute washi tape, glittery pens and retro polaroids. Can't get any better then that! 

---

It's not quantity, it's quality! Seems like now days everyone is a foodie. B&G's are rather opting for a gourmet 3 course meal with an option than a two star 5 courses and a chicken main.

---

Overdone just like cup cakes. Seems like there's no other alternative. Well let me tell you when I say gelato bar, espresso & macaroon bar, shawarma bar, andI have even ordered Mcdonalds cheese burgers and nuggets for late night.

---

It's just too much fabric. With minimalism now trending in weddings most clients will splurge on bringing in chairs...even if we can only order them from Montreal or Toronto

---