Location: Ontario, Canada
Setting: Mill
Wedding season: Summer
Number of guests: 140
Wedding theme/style: Minimalistic, elegant, neutral.
Diana and Paul’s journey together reached a new milestone when Paul proposed on his birthday: “We had been out for dinner and karaoke, and when we came home at midnight, we took our dog Milo to the park to play. We were the only ones there, and he got down on one knee because it felt like a special moment between the two of us,” Diana shared.
Their wedding was a beautiful experience, with Blush & Bowties leading the planning process. The couple envisioned a day that harmonized the wabi-sabi design with natural textures, evoking a European vibe that was both clean and classic, deeply rooted in earth tones. The planning team’s talent for creating a seamless and elegantly managed event shone through, making the day unforgettable.
Set in the historical Elora Mill in Ontario, Canada, the venue provided a romantic atmosphere, as the couple wished for.
Diana looked radiant in her dress: “I wanted something that felt timeless but fun, which led to a more classic silhouette but a different style of fabric, and I wanted the longest veil I could find for something extra since the dress itself was more simple.”
For his look, Paul wanted sleek black with a bowtie. He had it custom-made, with the tailor adding the sentimental initials of Diana’s and his dad’s names on the back of the neck.
Their first look was held in the lush park of the mill. The couple had a serene walk on the property, making memorable photographs of tender moments before the ceremony.
The ceremony setup echoed the wedding theme: white florals and lush greenery framed the couple as they exchanged vows under a wooden arch.
“We had live musicians play ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ as we walked down the aisle, a nod to our parents’ first dance at their weddings.” the couple shared.
The bridesmaids in shades of green and the groomsmen in classic black suits complemented the couple’s elegant attire, highlighting the ceremony’s natural atmosphere. As they signed the registry, the intimate moment was celebrated by smiles and applause from the guests.
The couple wanted to incorporate as many natural elements into the setting as possible. Neutral colors and white and ivory flowers decorated the tables, with candlelight adding a soft, warm glow to the scene.
Diana and Paul added a thoughtful touch to capture their reception from all perspectives: “We had two camcorders and six disposable cameras distributed so that we could see the evening through our guests’ eyes,” the bride shared.
As evening fell, the celebration continued with heartfelt speeches, a champagne tower instead of cake, and the traditional Macedonian bread dance.
The newlyweds’ first dance seamlessly led guests to the dancefloor, launching a night of joy and festivity that marked the perfect end to this wonderful day.
Advice from the couple:
• Focus on each other – the day goes by so fast, so any time you can take to really soak it all in is important.
• Try to take a moment to look at everyone during the ceremony – this is something we wish we did, but we were so in the moment we only looked at each other during the ceremony.
• Splurge on the things you think will make an impact – we have no regrets about the add-ons we chose, and think the small details made the wedding what it was.
• Include things for yourself — the day is about you and your partner, not the guests (i.e., your food choices, music choices, etc.).
• Let go of expectations on the day and just enjoy yourself.
• Take time the next morning to reflect on favorite moments and read all of your cards – we did this in bed the next morning and cried a lot of happy tears.
PLANNING & DESIGN Blush & Bowties | VENUE Elora Mill | PHOTOGRAPHER Scarlet O’Neill | FLORAL Floret | MUA Fancy Face | HAIR Allyssa Helm | STATIONERY Pink Peony Press | RENTAL Simply Beautiful Decor
