I got all dressed up, gathered round my closest friends and family in a beautiful garden to celebrate life, love and the fact that I get to spend my life with my best friend by my side. There was laughter, a few tears, cupcakes, balloons, singing, dancing, eating, drinking and general merry-making! I can't wait to share all the little details with you - here is a little sneak peak - a photo by my fantastic and talented cousin, Rebecca.

Just had a lovely, productive weekend filled with 80th birthday parties, bridal showers, hair appointments, lots of driving and lots and lots of rain! Can't believe my wedding is two weeks from today...

{A big thank you to everyone to my amazing family for
such a wonderful shower, I love you! x}

With only a few weeks to go till my own wedding this August, I'm frantically trying to scurry around to sort out lots of little details. And, of course, as luck would have it suddenly I'm second guessing all the plans I'd made months ago. One detail I haven't been able to finalize are table tops for the reception. I love the idea of using decorations that can re-purposed and possibly used around the house later on. We only have eight tables, so I am hoping to have a central theme but with each table being unique.

I loved this bright, sunny tabletop on OnceWed by Chelsea of Oh My Deer. Very eclectic and charming. I adore the light fluttering petals of this DIY wonder mobile simply strung together with fishing line.

The multiple vases could easily be used later - and I love this group of small informal blooms vs. a large ostentatious arrangement. We are having a cocktail reception so it is a rather informal affair, I think this style would be a good fit for the tone of the event.

I love the idea of little thank you cards at each seat rather than place cards (always mind your manners!) The lemon wedges are a clever little accent that carries through the colour theme.

Isn't this clever? - old books glued shut then spray painted white serve as props for this tablescape. I love that my favourite little white Ikea vases have been used in this design. And I don't think that anyone would complain about lovely colour themed candy being used in the centre piece. The only danger would be that I might eat them all before we even get started.

Have you seen any fun eclectic centre pieces lately? What do you think of having each table different from each other - will it make life a little easier or more difficult?

{PS - thanks again for all your input! Your comments on balloons earlier were such a big help!}

{All photos:OnceWed}

We met through mutual friends in Zimbabwe over 10 years ago. I always thought Andrew was 'really cool' and had a wicked sense of humour. We were thisclose to getting together but then - I left to go to University in Toronto. Over the next couple years we stayed in touch and would talk from time to time, through many marathon phone conversations he soon became my one of my closest confidantes and frequent advice giver during through all my relationships drama at the time (yep, let's just say there were alot of duds back in the day...) We'd talked about being together for a couple years, and then finally, after a fateful trip to visit him in New York, we actually were :). Together we moved to Colorado, which is where we got engaged. During this time we decided to make our home back in Toronto (where I was born) and so to do that I had to sponsor him to come over. So we did things the old fashioned way - we eloped, just the two of us in a small courthouse. Now that we are finally able to live in the same country, we can't wait to have a celebration with our friends and family and are having our wedding this August...

It's at long last that I finally share some of the photos from my wedding just over a month ago - time just flies when you're having so much fun! :)

Our beautiful wedding photographs were taken by my very talented little cousin Rebecca Christink who worked so artfully to capture so many beautiful images.

Our ceremony began early evening, performed by our favourite priest, Father Murray. It was such a special experience to be surrounded by so many loved ones, and such profound, meaningful words. Andrew's Aunt Marcey and Ambuya (Grandma) rose in song from their seats, offering a blessing in Shona, followed by an Irish love song Andrew's grandfather used to serenade his grandmother with.
{There were a few tears.}

Immediately after the ceremony, cocktails and appetizers were served (Andrew's mum's famous rum punch). The room was decorated in all white with Tiffany blue accents and lace. The centrepieces were small hedges adorned with butterflies I'd cut out of iridescent velum (they glow in candlelight...). On each place setting was a Thank You note with a special message from Andrew and I to all of our guests. Our lovely favours with homemade Molasses Cookies from my Nana Ruth's recipe (a family favourite she'd brought home from Zimbabwe).

We were lucky enough to have wedding cupcakes made by my favourite new bakery in town, Desmond & Beatrice - they were absolutely heaven - perfect, buttery richness, and even with a little sparkle! My husband was asking for them on our way to the hotel after the reception. If you live in Toronto - place your order quick, quick, quick!