Wedding Planner to Bride to Mother-to-be ...aka Mrs. Allems

I've tried to write this blog post multiple times, finally I think I've found the right words and the perfect timing. Flashback Friday to eight months ago...the day that inspired the birth of Aspen Florist. Almost 2 years prior my beautiful niece came to me and asked if I would do her wedding florals. Little did I know then, that yes would change my life forever in ways I couldn't imagine. Two short months later I opened Aspen Florist thanks to her encouragement and we began working side by side on countless weddings together. To say I was a little excited to design and create gorgeous blooms for her when the time finally came would be an understatement…not only was she family but she was a wedding planner that I admired in every sense of the word.

Their love story began in the spring of 2013, Mitchell, the brave & strong Canadian Soldier fell hard for this beautiful hard working, intensely driven young woman. From the moment our family met Mitchell, we knew he was the one for her but never was that more evident than the fall of 2013. Courtneys' Nanny, my mother in law took ill very suddenly and sadly passed away with all of us by her side. Courtney was Nanny's one and only baby girl , also known as our little princess alongside 5 kings...my two nephews and my three sons. These 6 kids grew up like siblings, 5 brothers and one sister, until Mitchell came along. When Courtney fell to pieces Mitchell was her rock and the 5 boys quickly accepted him as their 6th brother as the family bond strengthened to new depths from the overwhelming grief. Their love was inspiring to everyone around them, they supported each others dreams while working together as a team when her Token of Love Weddings business grew to new heights. Mitchell proposed July 3rd, 2014 and they bought their first home that November. Courtney spent the next year and a half planning her dream wedding.

By the time June 24th 2016 rolled around I had also grown my business in ways I didn't think were possible. I had over a year of being a chapel designer under my belt by then and a network of flower friends that had my back so I had no doubt I could pull off my biggest wedding to date with ease when the day came. Their wedding looked like a fairy tale fit for two of the best human beings I had ever known. Her florals consisted of gorgeous blush and white peonies, faith and patience garden roses, lavender scabiosa with cool water roses, silver brunia, hanging green amaranthus & silver dollar eucalyptus to name a few.

Courtney planned her own wedding and trust me, no detail was overlooked but I'm thankful she left the floral details to me, I had her colour palette and knew her loves from working so closely with one another. She chose three of her talented friends to capture the day and they did so beautifully. Monika and Trevor from Ackland Photography covered the entire event from start to finish and Ashley from Flashback Photo Co shot some of the ceremony and reception details because wedding professionals love the details and this bride didn't want to miss a thing! I personally couldn't have done it all without my 4 guys and my amazing girls. My family helped with load in, installation set up and the event tear down, my incredibly talented cd sister Robyn Scott, my dear flower guru bestie Donna Martin and my youngest sons' sweetheart Jenn helped me create magic on site for this sweet couple.

Primary Photographer: Ackland Photography

Details Photographer: Flashback Photo Co.

Florist & Styling: Aspen Florist

Wedding Planner & Decorator: Token of Love Weddings

Day of Coordinator: Krystina Colangelo

Venue: Paradise Banquet Hall Vaughan

Baker: Samantha Sciarra (MOH)

Custom Hangers: Touch of Heart

Suits: Moores (Belleville)

Bridal Gown & Maids: One Love One Dream Bridal

Band: Beyond the Sun (Courtney's cousins)

DJ: DJ Mastermix

Officiant: Pastor Dave

Sword Party: Mitchell's Army Comrades from the Ontario Regiment (RCAC)

Take a look...

Next three detail photos by Flashback Photo Co.

Back to Ackland Photography &

The beautiful bride...

Her maids..

Daddy's Little Girl..

Mitchell is overwhelmed with love for his new bride...

The sword party...

Mr & Mrs Allems..

A bride and her maids is a beautiful thing...

The wedding party...

Sweet Charlotte

The Head Table...

A memorial for lost loved ones...

Shots anyone?

Beautiful cake by Courtney's life long friend and Maid of Honour - Samantha Sciarra

Three More Detail shots by Flashback Photo Co

Mr & Mrs Allems following their receiving line..back to Ackland Photography

Mr & Mrs Take the dance floor for the first time...

First Dance - Change Your Name - Performed by Beyond the Sun

The lovebirds enjoyed a quiet honeymoon at their lovely country home in Wooler & fast forward to present day...their honeymoon baby is due in 4 weeks! Yep...that's right...their sweet little one is due nine months after the wedding day! I can't wait to see these two as new parents and I'm beyond excited to be a great Aunt for the first time!