Samantha and Shane wanted to keep their big day simple and elegant. They were able to achieve this with Ivey Spencer Leadership Center as their back drop. They also had a beautiful colour palette of dusty blue, wood tones and touches of gold. All of these elements really brought together a simple and elegant wedding day.

COUPLE: Samantha & Shane

DATE: June 17, 2023

GUEST #: 100

CEREMONY & RECEPTION LOCATION: Ivey Spencer Leadership Center "A client of mine had mentioned they had bern there for many business conferences. They commented on how amazing the food was and how beautiful the property is. After having looked at a few venues we thought we would give it a shot. Immediately after arriving for our tour we were greeted with friendly faces, fancy cocktails and a small congratulatory gift.

The property was even better than we expected and the service was exceptional. They made wedding planning as smooth and stress free as possible and any questions we had were answered quickly. They really helped with our simple and elegant wedding day to life. The day of the wedding they had things so under control. Even the smallest hiccups didn't even have a chance to reach us on our day." - S&S

PHOTOGRAPHER: Woodgate Photography "Good friends of ours got married in 2022 and used Erin as their photographer and we immediately loved her and booked her. She was absolutely incredible to work with. Erin knows weddings like no other and helped our day run smooth and stress free. She went above and beyond in so many ways including doing up the buttons of my dress when my mom's nails and nerves wouldn't allow her. Doing up the bustle of my dress when we were in a pinch for time. Hand feeding me hors d'oeuvre in between shots and making us laugh and smile the whole way through. She was the perfect choice for our simple and elegant wedding." - S

COLOUR PALETTE: "Our colour was dusty blue. We kept things as simple and elegant as possible with dark wood and touches of gold. Our flowers were white roses and peonies with greenery like eucalyptus and lambs ear." - S

TELL US YOUR STORY: "Shane and I met in science class in my first year of high school, we were sat next to each other and the giggling started immediately. Shane is actually 1 year older than me, so if it wasnt for his lack of interest to the point of failing grade 9 science, we may have never met at all. We didn't see eachother much outside of that class at the beginning, but it quickly became the most exciting part of both our days. It didn't take long at all before we were basically inseperable.

I would have my mom drop me off at school half an hour earlier than the bell so we could sit in the hallway infront of my locker, sharing one set of headphones and listening to our favorite music. Our first real date Shane had sent a checker cab for me at my parents. We had dinner at the Windemere Manor where Shane worked. The kitchen staff decided it would be funny to write " will you marry me " on our dessert plate in chocolate sauce. Little did they know they were actually onto something!

For the following 5 years we shared so much of our young adult lives together, I was his best friend and he was mine. Things got complicated after graduation as most stories go. Shane was taking off in his career and I was just starting mine with post secondary school. Our time for eachother got shorter and we grew further apart, ending our relationship all together.

Five more years passed without seeing or hearing from eachother. Until a twist of fate had us bumping into eachother at a bar in London, Ontario. Just as it started back in highschool we were talking all day everyday again. Coffee dates turned into dinner dates and without a second thought we were " Shane & Sam " once again. We had both changed tremendously in the years apart but somehow we fit together just as well, if not even better than ever.

Although falling back in love was easy, there was much more to consider this time around. In the 4 years we were apart, Shane was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. After being together again for 6 months, Shane asked me if I would like to meet her. You wouldn't think meeting a 2 and a half year old would be so intimidating but I was terrified. Knowing Shane loved her more than anything, our fate was in her tiny little hands. Although shy at first, we bonded quickly over crafts, fun outings and singing along to our favorite disney movies.

Just like that I had gained two best friends instead of just one. She even helped her dad propose to me, fully equipped with confetti and a noise maker on New Years Eve, surrounded by family and friends. We were all equally excited for this new chapter. Our wedding day was the happiest day, not only for Shane and I, but for all three of us, officially becoming "The Bradshaw's"." - S

CAKE: The Frosted Flour Design

BRIDE'S ATTIRE: Once upon a time Weddings

GROOM & GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: Joseph’s Clothiers

BRIDESMAIDS ATTIRE: Davids Bridal

DJ: DJ Format

HAIR: Ninth House Salon

MAKE-UP: Blue Velvet Esthetics

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: "We really enjoyed the whole process of wedding planning but if we had to pick the most challenging thing it would be getting RSVP's and meal choices. Although you put a deadline, some times you still have to chase people!" - S

BEST MEMORY: "Its hard to pick a best memory when the entire day was a dream, but we both agreed that we loved our first look. Having that special and emotional moment before the biggest day of our lives was both unforgettably emotional and romantic. We also loved listening to all the speeches including the one from my stepdaughter. She not only wrote but read flawlessly in front of 100 people with little help. Hearing your closest friends and family talk about their love and support of you on your big day is an indescribable feeling of pure bliss." - S

ADVICE FROM ONE COUPLE TO ANOTHER: "If you love it, book it. Go with your gut, keeping things rolling is the best way to keep your mind clear and your stress minimal! The more opinions you ask for, the more confusion you receive!" - S

See this simple and elegant wedding in the Fall/Winter 2024 issue of The Wedding Ring Magazine

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WOODGATE PHOTOGRAPHY | To speak with Woodgate Photography about your wedding options, you can reach them using the form below.