Date

Guests

200

August 18, 2013

One Sunday afternoon last August, Barbara Ann and Trevor surprised 200 guests by tying the knot at what was supposed to be their engagement party. "My husband and I were planning our wedding for Sunday, September 21, 2014, and our engagement party was planned for August of 2013. Richmond Hill Country Club was booked for a brunch engagement party, filled with Trevor's favourite breakfast foods," Barbara Ann explains. "This was planned to be our biggest event, as we knew to achieve our dream wedding in 2014, it would have to be an intimate affair. Then on Canada Day long weekend 2013, Trevor and I were hanging with some of our bridal party and discussing the stresses of planning. We joked that we should just get married in August and forget about the rest of the traditional wedding stuff. The joke became a real thing and by the Tuesday it was agreed upon that we would keep the secret between our bridal party of 10, and surprise all the rest of our guests."

"With just 40 days to plan everything, the wedding seemed to magically all fall into place," says Barbara Ann. "On August 18, our guests arrived at 10am and were given slippers, fans, and programs then were invited onto golf carts to be taken into a valley, where it became very clear - with a white rose petal-lined aisle leading to a chuppah - that they were there for a wedding."

The couple's brunch reception was filled with lovely floral accents and whimsical details, including the DIY gold dinosaurs which served as both escort card holders and favours, but Barbara Ann admits the surprise element of her big day was one of her favourite wedding details. "It was magical," she reminisces.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception location:Richmond Hill Country Club
Bridal gown: J. Mendel from Hudson's Bay The Room
Bridal party attire: Topshop, Mendocino, Hudson's Bay and ASOS
Groom's tux: Brooks Brothers
Cake: Pauline's Pastry Kitchen
Cronuts: Le Dolci
Favours: DIY dinosaurs
Music: The Truly Band
Hair: Natalie Shemuel
Makeup: Michelle Margulis
Flowers: The Toronto Florist
Stationery: DIY
Live illustration: Danielle Meder
Wedding planner: Heidi Gruenspan