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This elopement styled shoot was created with Vermilion area businesses and wedding vendors who are ready to help you create your dream elopement.
Why did we create this shoot?
If you could elope somewhere that feels like home, why wouldn’t you?
Charlotte (CW Creative) and I were discussing the increase in interest in elopements this year, and we found that when couples picture an elopement, they often worry about cost and stress of traveling long distances for “epic views” and “adventurous destinations”. Your elopement can absolutely be in a totally new place, if that’s what excites you, but couples often have places that have meaning to them close to home. For example, the path they were engaged on, the river valley they walk every weekend, or the trip they took when they realized they were in love. Their backyard, their local park, or under their favourite tree. Often, these places bring WAY more emotion and nostalgia to the day than a destination that would “look pretty for photos”.
We witnessed couples struggle with defining what kind of wedding feels best to them, and it really got us thinking. Since we have amazing locations, wedding professionals and accessibility right here in our area, why shouldn’t couples elope where they feel at home? Why should they feel forced into 2 ideas: either the big traditional wedding or the minimal, wild elopement? It’s always been possible to elope close to home, but for some reason, the connection between “home” and “elopement” isn’t often made. So, we put this Vermilion elopement styled shoot together to show you that you CAN elope anywhere, and you CAN focus on only the things that really matter to you. You CAN have the intimate wedding you imagine. And when you’re ready, the businesses that contributed to this set are here to help you with your dreams.
What does this mean for couples planning intimate weddings?
Getting married close to home does not mean you have to have a traditional wedding. You don’t have to invite 200 people, 50 people, or anyone at all. On the other hand, eloping doesn’t mean you have to run off somewhere crazy to say your vows. You don’t need to hike up a mountain, or keep it a secret, get on a plane, or make 3 day reservations to have the intimate wedding you feel connected to. Your elopement can look however you want it to. I’m here to reassure you that you can let go of expectations about what your elopement “should” look like, and instead, create the day that feels exactly right to you.
We aimed to work with vendors and businesses local to Vermilion for this elopement styled shoot to prove the point that we can make anything happen for you, right here at home. This was all set up at the Vermilion Provincial Park – can you believe we have amazing places like this so close to town?! Now, I want to introduce you to each of the amazing talents that contributed to this shoot:
Businesses and Vendors:
Event Planning and Design:
Charlotte with CW Creative is our planning expert. She has a serious talent for event planning and management, and kept us all organized and on schedule, both in planning and in day of events. This beautiful sweetheart table was all her design! She is your girl for event planning, ideas and day of organization!
Florals:
Janine of Petals And Stems is THE BEST FLORIST you’ll ever meet. Have a look at that arch design and you’ll understand! And that bouquet? I mean, how much better does it get? Janine offers on-site design and delivery, which is one less thing for you to think about and you can’t go wrong when you let the expert set it up for you.
Cake:
This perfect and stunning cake is Sheila of Half Caked Bake Shop‘s work. Sheila puts her heart and soul into all her baking and sweet creations, and it seriously shows. I let her have complete creative control over the cake, and with some florals from Janine, she created this masterpiece! Sheila will understand your vision and make it come to life.
Stationery & Calligraphy:
Shaunda with Vintage 3 created our stationery and invitation suite, and lettered them beautifully for us. She specializes in hand-lettered decor and calligraphy. Her lettered globes are a bit of a signature piece from her shop! If you can picture it, Shaunda can make it happen for you.
Decor & Rentals:
Stacey and Brian with Piece of Cake Wedding & Event Planning are the go-to in Vermilion for wedding decor, rentals & design. They probably (definitely) have the exact pieces you’re looking for, and if they don’t, they’ll go find it for you. They’ll set it all up for you and take it all away when you’re wrapped up with your amazing day.
Hair & Makeup:
Djenie with Jolie Muse Makeup painted our model Kayla’s lovely face, with absolute talent! I gave her a vague idea of the look we were picturing and described the aesthetic of the set, and she totally nailed it. Kayla’s makeup didn’t budge at all! I’ve seen Djenie work on all different skin types and tones, and her work always looks flawless.
Tara with Tara Lebsack Hair Design rocked Kayla’s hair and touched up Ty’s mop too! The hairstyle was effortlessly beautiful, and simple, yet elegant. It perfectly suited the vision and the style stayed put all night, through running around, laying in grass and champagne spray! Tara can make any hair design happen for you!
Outfits:
Fresh Apparel provided some of the menswear for Ty, and helped out with the outfit styling! They are a local shop in Vermilion that’s ideal for laid back attire for engagement or elopement outfits. Melissa can also give you all kinds of awesome ideas and tips for outfit styling!
All photography by me, Nicole Nawrot Photography.
You can follow all these vendors on Instagram here:
