A DayBeautiful on the Bay

LAURA & JASON ... ... ...

With a beloved family cottage as a backdrop, this happy couple were able to bring everyone together in a place near and dear to their hearts.

The cottage wedding. To be able to celebrate a commitment of love in a place that also has special meaning for Laura Turkstra and for her partner, Jason Sirr, is heartwarming and familiar. e Georgian Bay cottage is the summer home of the Turkstra Family, and it’s lled with good vibes. e Turkstra family is known throughout the community for their kindness through their philanthropy and volunteer work, and it spilled over onto a wedding day brimming with positivity and warmth.

On a gorgeous August day, the couple hosted 100 of their closest friends and family. “It was the greatest joy of our lives to celebrate our wedding day at our favourite place, with our favourite people, and with a theme that brought so much happiness and warmth to all who attended,” says Laura. ... ... ... e classic, wrap-around porch served as the location for cocktail hour; white tents were set up on the front lawn surrounded by the gardens and tall pines, while inside the decor was over owing with sunshiney-bright lemon trees and fresh greenery and accented with warm candlelight. “We wanted our guests to feel like they had been transported to Italy while still appreciating the Bay, and wow did [planner] Gregory deliver!” says Laura.

“ e cottage is where we got engaged along with countless other memories, so getting married there just felt right!” ... ... ...

As guests arrived, they were ferried by chartered boat dockside, where the wedding ceremony took place; it was part of Laura’s goal “to keep the layers of the event a true reveal.” With a light breeze o the lake, Laura and Jason exchanged their vows and welcomed everyone to enjoy the cottage to its fullest. “Our goal was to create the vibe of the Amal coast on the Georgian Bay, with lemons, olive and lemon trees, and lots of yellow sunshiney goodness in every detail,” she adds.

Laura credits Gregory’s vision and ability to execute in such a magical way. Once dinner was done, and the heat of the setting sun had faded, the cottage doors were opened wide, beckoning guests to make their way inside to a crackling re, or take in the lakeside views while dancing the night away from the back porch.

Event Design and Planning: Gregory Fast

Tenting and Rentals: Special Event Rentals

Catering: The Other Bird (Chef Matt Kershaw/ Rapscallion)

Photography: Castle Avenue

Videography: Locket Productions

Charter Boat: Chippewa Boat

Invitations: Sienna Mai Invitations

Hair: Lauren Ouellette

Makeup: Glitz Galz Makeup

Rings: Brilliant Earth engagement ring (diamond swirled rose gold band, with a cushion cut Morganite stone and diamond halo), Rose gold Ti any & Co. Her wedding band, and Martin’s Jewelers (Dundas, Ontario) His wedding band.

Dress: Louie Fitted dress by Made With Love, purchased at The Modern Bride

Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade

Suits: Indochino

Bartending: 2 Girls and Your Bar

Cake: Cakes by Design

Cocktail Hour Band: Honeymoon Phase

DJ: Supreme DJs & Entertainment

Transportation: Hammond Transportation

Danielle & Sheldon Into the Woods

AFTER A MEET-CUTE ON MOVING DAY IN THEIR BUILDING’S ELEVATOR THAT BLOOMED INTO ROMANCE, EIGHT YEARS OF TOGETHERNESS LATER, IT’S A SUMMER WEDDING DAY.

Photography: BKH Photography

Venue: 100 Acre Wood Video: Brad Cole Film

Tent and Ceremony Florals: Reevewood

Collaborative Bouquets and Boutonnières:

Begonia Moon Hair: There She Glows Hair

Makeup: Jacquie K. Dress: Tara Lauren

Cape: Ines Di Santo Embroidery on Veil: Laura

Jayne Accessories Tuxedo: Garrison Bespoke

Rings: Brilliant Earth

“While I was waiting in the barn to walk down the aisle, I could see Sheldon and his emotions take over as he began to cry before even seeing me,” says Danielle Hotzwik. “It made me want to kick o my heels and run to smooch him.” For Sheldon, “being able to see my beautiful bride at our rst look will forever be one of the best moments of my life.” Before going down the aisle, Danielle added a long veil embroidered with words that Sheldon had written to her over the years as a surprise for him. Guests were treated to a menu featuring local ingredients and two signature cocktails – a Paloma and a Bourbon Smash.

Love At First Sight

Becky & Kris

is couple’s mutual crush started in Grade 6! A joyful day was in order to celebrate their lifelong love and commitment.

Photography: Scarlet O’Neill Venue, Food and Planning: 100 Acre Wood

O ciant: Weddings by Karin Dress: Prea James from Loversland Veil: Ofrenda

Shoes: Loe er Randall Makeup: The Look Bridal Hair: Thairapy Suit: Suit Supply

Shoes: Belgian Shoes Becky’s ring: Custom through Fireworks Gallery in Halifax Kris’ Ring: Birks Florist: Bloem Please

When you marry your best friend, it’s a gi , and having a shared best friend marry you ups the ceremony a notch – as does a location that’s been the backdrop for your love story. “We both grew up going to Picton as kids so Prince Edward County holds a special place in our hearts, memories of long summer days at the beach frolicking in the sand dunes,” says Becky Mak of the joyful spirit and youthful energy she and Kris Hicks took as inspiration for their wedding. Take, for example, the couple riding a tandem bicycle to their reception as a nod to a date they had on Centre Island in Toronto. “ e perfect wedding day for us meant sharing an incredible family-style, outdoor meal in an intimate setting with family and friends. Mary and the 100 Acre Wood team helped us develop a menu that had subtle nods to our own personal history with some of our favourite dishes,” she adds. Topped o by a DIY Pavlova bar for dessert, a sweet time was had by all.