MARRIED october 1, 2021
THE BEGINNING
How did you two meet?
Natasha: I was having lunch with a friend at Fanshawe College, when Andrew stopped by our table to say hi to my friend. As soon as he left, I felt a strong desire to learn more about him. About a month later, I made the decision to text him, and now, here we are!
THE PROPOSAL
How did Andrew pop the question?
Natasha: We often walk on a trail at the Fanshawe Conservation Area. During one of our hikes, we found ourselves at my favourite part of the trail, right at the opening. It was there that Andrew knelt down on one knee.
Andrew: After she said yes, we headed to our family cottage and spent the weekend there with our families to celebrate.
THE PLANNING
What made you choose St. Marys Weddings as your wedding venue?
Natasha: Even before the proposal, St. Marys Golf & Country Club had always caught my attention. So, as soon as we got engaged, I was eager to visit the venue. Although we considered a few other locations, they all seemed impersonal, like mere business transactions. However, the moment we stepped through the doors of St. Marys, we instantly felt a sense of being nurtured. We had the privilege of meeting Ashton, who genuinely wanted to understand our story, our engagement, and our vision for the wedding, before even embarking on the tour.
Originally, our wedding was scheduled to take place in 2020. However, due to the impact of COVID, we had to postpone our day until 2021. The silver lining of postponing was that we were able to enjoy the newly renovated Ballroom, which was absolutely breathtaking and definitely worth the wait!
Who did you work with for your decor?
Natasha: After looking at past wedding designs at SMGCC, it became evident that we absolutely had to work Kim from Above & Beyond Event Design and Decor. Kim displayed an exceptional understanding of the venue, and her recommendations for design ideas elevated our wedding to a whole new level of uniqueness. Following our meeting with Kim, she skillfully incorporated personalized details that truly resonated with us. The combination of vintage books and a travel theme brought about a dreamy ambiance that perfectly complemented the space. The main design of our harvest head table, with a trio of greenery-laced chandeliers hanging above, was inspired by Ashton’s own wedding. As soon as I looked through her wedding photos, we knew we needed something similar for our day. We also incorporated harvest tables throughout our seating plan, and this really complimented the new wood beams in the room. But the real showstopper was the new fireplace feature at the center of the Ballroom, which Kim styled with loads of beautiful candlescaping!
What other vendors did you work with?
Natasha: For our floral design, we worked with Harris Flower Farm, which was such a fun experience. Aside from the colour palette, the floral arrangements were a complete surprise on the day of, as what she would put together for us was a unique creation of the varieties that were in season at the time of our wedding. Walking into The Ballroom, seeing the decor and floral together, was one of the best memories from our day.
Andrew: St. Marys Weddings was so helpful during the planning process, with a recommended stacked list of preferred vendors who brought our day together so perfectly. The Alpha DJ Company was such a hit, and we had so many guests ask for their information after the wedding. Grandma’s Oven created our beautiful cake, with a custom topper that one of our friends made for us (an ode to the COVID waiting game). We found our photographer Kelly Taylor and our videographer One Shot Films on our own, and their teams did an amazing job capturing our day. Actually, Adam from One Shot did such an incredible job with our wedding film that he’s now one of the preferred videographers at St. Marys.
THE ATTIRE
Who designed your wedding dress?
Natasha: I had been searching for a while to find the perfect dress, but wasn't having much luck. Finally, when we visited David's Bridal, I found the exact dress that had been in my mind all along. I knew I wanted something fitted, with lace and a low back, and there it was, just as I had envisioned.
What did the rest of the wedding party wear?
Andrew: All of our suits were rented from Channer’s in London. I had the idea that if I couldn't see Natasha's dress before the wedding day, it would keep her guessing if she couldn't see my suit either. Interestingly enough, without any coordination, our suits perfectly matched the bridesmaids' attire.
Natasha: My bridesmaids had the wonderful fortune of finding matching dusty rose dresses at David’s Bridal, in a style that fit each of them perfectly. To my surprise, the groomsmen also happened to match flawlessly (as Andrew mentioned), even though it was not a deliberate plan.
THE BIG DAY
How did your day unfold?
Andrew: The guys and I started our day In London. We ate breakfast together and got ready at my Mom’s house, before heading into St. Marys.
Natasha: The night before, we had a fun slumber party in St. Marys, and definitely stayed up too late! The next morning, we started our day with a much-needed boost of mimosas, as we started on hair and makeup. Prior to the ceremony, the entire bridal party gathered for our first look and family photos. We even had the opportunity to exchange our vows privately beforehand, creating an incredibly special and unforgettable moment.
The weather on our big day was sunny and warm, setting the stage for a perfect ceremony. The guests are still raving about our reception, particularly the delectable food, fantastic music, and seamless organization by SMGCC, which all made the evening truly memorable.
What are some of the moments from your day that stand out?
Andrew: Our first look was such a special moment for me, as I finally got to see Tash in her beautiful dress. It was a heartwarming experience that filled me with joy. Another highlight of the evening was our first dance. Initially, I was apprehensive, considering the number of people watching, and the fact that I'm not much of a dancer. However, to my surprise, I ended up thoroughly enjoying it, and it became a cherished memory. The speeches during the reception were fantastic, filled with heartfelt and humorous moments that had everyone laughing. Lastly, who doesn't love an open bar? It added an extra element of fun and celebration to our special day, since our guests could just enjoy and not worry about paying for their drinks.
Natasha: I understand that people often say they loved everything about their wedding, but in my case, it truly was an exceptional experience. Every moment felt incredibly special, and the entire day flowed seamlessly. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day, including the weather. It was surreal and filled with overwhelming happiness to have all our loved ones gathered in one room. It's an indescribable feeling, one that can only be truly understood by experiencing it firsthand.
One particularly cherished moment was our first look. It allowed us to savour some private time together, before the whirlwind of the day began. It was during this intimate moment that we shared our vows, creating a deeply personal and emotional connection.
How would you describe your wedding experience?
Natasha: The team at SMGCC went above and beyond, guiding us through every step and catering to our every need. They paid attention to the smallest details, like when Hailey brought me a drink she thought I would enjoy after the ceremony photos. Their treatment of us was exceptional, making us feel like our wedding was their sole focus for the entire year. Even now, nearly a year later, we still keep in touch with them, and it meant so much to us when they reached out after the wedding to congratulate us again and share kind words.
As the bride, I had a few precious moments before walking down the aisle that hold a special place in my heart. Our wedding journey initially began with Ashton, but due to postponement, Hailey stepped in while Ashton was on maternity leave. I can vividly recall standing in the Bridal Suite, moments away from walking down the aisle, when Ashton walked in and enveloped me in a warm hug. She expressed her desire to witness me walking down the aisle since she had been there from the beginning. Alongside my parents, we proceeded to the aisle, where Ashton carefully adjusted my veil and train, ensuring I looked flawless. Simultaneously, Hailey stood by our side, sharing in the anticipation. As my song played and signaled my entrance to meet my future husband, I glanced at Hailey and saw tears glistening in her eyes. These heartfelt moments demonstrated that this was more than just a job to these remarkable women, and their genuine care for their clients was evident. These seemingly small gestures held immense significance for us. We feel incredibly fortunate to have had not just one, but two amazing women who played instrumental roles in making our wedding day absolutely perfect. It really was the wedding of our dreams!
As told by Natasha & Andrew Gravett
Photography by Kelly Taylor Photography
Videography by One Shot Films
