Stylish & Small Wedding + Two Guys Bow Ties $500 Giveaway
Small weddings may not be for everyone, but Mike and Justine's gorgeously intimate day has us truly sold on the idea. With just over 30 guests they were able to keep everything relaxed, and at a venue that held meaning to them.
Besides this great wedding we also have a Two Guys Bow Ties $500 giveaway. If you haven't heard of them they are an innovative and distinctive brand that has reinvented the classic bow tie. They are all about creating accessories for a daring new generation of men set to express themselves with originality and flair. And guess what! They are looking to set you up with ties and lapels for 5 groomsmen, that's a $500 value! Excited? We are too, so scroll down and fill out the form so that you or your favorite fellas can look fabulous on your big day! All Beautifully captured by Blake Loates, be sure to check out the entire wedding here.
Bonus ... be sure to continue on to see the budget breakdown for this wedding day of 30.
From Two Guys Bow Ties:There’s nothing as radiant as a bride who is completely confident in who she is and her distinct style. Justine Vendors was just that bride. She and her husband Mike were married in glorious Edmonton, Alberta (Canada), with photographer Blake Loates there to capture every moment.
The beautiful photos taken outdoors were shot on Justine’s grandparents acreage. The rugged, green landscape is the perfect backdrop for Justine and Mike’s sophisticated, vintage style. The couple incorporated their style and affections into everything around them: Justine’s dress and headband show her artistic, genuine beauty, and Mike’s suit is a classic. The flowers combine pops of color with twigs and greenery, and the boutonniere was mounted on bacon (yes, bacon!). The colors of Mike’s wooden bow tie complement each aspect perfectly.
For the ceremony, Justine and Mike were married in Blake’s studio. The decorations were simple, elegant, and stunning: paper garlands, a chandelier, and simple flowers. Guests were made of family and the closest of friends, all of who sat on unique, vintage chairs. Because Justine and Mike have a creative flair, they made many things for their big day. Justine owns her own design company and created the invitations and all stationary for their wedding. The couple created a wooden sign for their reception that guests signed with love, as well as golden horses to mark each guest’s seat.
Small Wedding Pros and Cons:
We love an over the top wedding bash as much as the next girls (they make for some phenomenal photos) but sometimes the more intimate settings can be incredibly heartfelt and meaningful. If you are trying to weigh your options here are a few pros and cons of having a short guest list.
Pros:
1. You can welcome and thank everyone and still have time to relax and mingle naturally. 2. That super cute little restaurant that you and your soon-to-be hubby love is more likely to accept a sub-50 guest list. 3. There is far less stress about little mishaps when its just your nearest and dearest friends and family.
Cons:
1. Your dream of a cathedral length train may not fit into the casual setting that small weddings tend to be. 2. Excluding people is always hard and you may encounter a feel hurt feeling. 3. With a small crowd you may miss out on some time honored traditions like a large wedding party, best man and maid of honor, toasts, and reception dance parties.
My advice for future brides: Make this day about you and your husband. Listen to others advice but ultimately, this day is for you and your love and it should represent your lifelong partnership. We originally had a big wedding of 130 people and we decided to really simplify it. We cut our guest list from 130 to 34 (which was terribly difficult), chose a really intimate venue, made it about love, great wine, and food with our nearest and dearest family and friends. It was perfect.
Visit Two Guys Bow Ties. Pick out your favorite bow tie and leave a comment below on which one you have selected. The Winner will be selected at random and announced next Wednesday, May 28th on our facebook page here.
Thank you for entering! This contest is now closed.
Read on to see how much this intimate wedding cost. Please note that costs change as the years go by, and prices are subject to change. This is just one couple’s breakdown to give you a rough estimate on how much a wedding like this may cost you.
Wedding Coordination: High Culture: Weddings and Special Events: $2000
Florals: Fabloomosity $800
Photos/Ceremony Venue: Blake Loates Photography $3000
Reception Venue: Corso32 $5500
Marriage Commissioner: Rose Rosenberger $550
Wedding Bands: People's Jewellers $500
Bride's Dress: Ellana's Bridal $300
Bride's Dress: BHLDN (Caplet) $150
Bride's Jewelry (headpiece and slave bracelet): HuntAmor $150
Bride's Shoes: Town Shoes $90
Groom's Suit: Hugo Boss $800
Groom's Bow Tie: Two Guys Bow Tie $55
Groom's Shoes: Town Shoes $100
Cake: Fancy That Cakes (made by Bride's Mother) $1800
Ceremony Decor: (made by Bride's sister, Mother and Bride) $300
Supplies Ceremony Furniture: Collected from friends + family Stationery/Placecards/Chalkboard Sign: Justine Ma: Design & Hand Lettering Guest Book Letter + Wedding Favours: Groom + Bride
- Cakes & Catering: Fancy that Cake
- Coordinator: Rebecca Fisher Swarbrooke
- Dress & Apparel: BHLDN
- Dress shop: Ellana Bridals
- Flowers: FaBLOOMosity
- Groom & His Men: Hugo Boss
- Groom’s attire: Two Guys Bow Ties
- Jewelry: Amor Jewelry
- Photographers: Art and Grace
- Stationery & Decorations: Justine Ma Design & Hand Lettering
- Venue: Corso 32