I really love New Years Eve, but plans rarely live up to the expectations. So when Jess and Neil came to me proposing a New Years Eve wedding I jumped right on it. Now, if you're going to be the couple to invade on your guests' NYE celebrations, it had better be one good party. Being party animals themselves, it wasn't difficult to convince these two! I mean, the girl had three dresses! THREE! And they were ALL stunning.Some fun ideas we incorporated to make sure everyone had a great time:
During the signing of the register, catering staff came around with trays of prosecco so guests were ready to toast the bride and groom at the announcement of the new couple.
Boxes of handmade Cuban cigars were placed at the bar.
Christmas crackers, handmade by the bride and groom, adorned each place setting.
Since the bar is typically the gathering spot for any good event, we added marquee letters to the existing ceremony backdrop statement piece.
At midnight, a small confetti toss by the bride and groom was a fun way to ring in the new year.
THE DESIGN
Jess wanted a design that felt both appropriate for the winter season without being too literal. She also wanted something that said 'New Years Eve wedding', without carrying the emphasis. We started with a neutral palette and put focus on mixing a variety of textures. Complimented by lush greens and lots of candle light, we gave the industrial downtown venue a warm and cozy feeling.We chose cross-back vineyard chairs in a light wood and lined the back row with a lush green garland that was then repurposed for guest table centrepieces. They almost felt as if they had grown out of the ground. A velvet ribbon, a nod to the holiday season though more relaxed in its soft blue-grey colour, roped off the aisle.Two stunning statement pieces of a variety of greens, roses and cotton balls were created for the ceremony backdrop and as a chandelier in the middle of the room. When guests moved to the Gooderham Lounge for cocktails after the ceremony, the room was flipped and the head table was then placed beneath this garland chandelier to set it apart from the rest of the group, while still being surrounded by their guests. We strategically placed the bar where the ceremony had been as to not waste such a pretty structure. This also created a focal point and a nice surprise to the guests on entry to the room.We used a mixture of round and rectangular tables to assemble an intimate floor plan. For consistency, we chose linens that had a burlap texture but still had grandeur with a hint of metallic thread running through. Beautiful centrepieces of amaryllis, (a nod to the holiday florals) roses, and a variety of greens in cement-like vessels brought the design full circle, leading back into the industrial space.
Photography C. Davidson Photography
Florals Blush and Bloom
VenueAirship 37
Hair and Makeup Ashley Readings
Linens Susan Murray International
Rentals Exclusive Affair Rentals
Chairs CF Rentals
