Lisa + Pete’s Wedding

on in Real Love

Lisa + Pete’s wedding was the ultimate rustic getaway that was brought to life with warm, seasonal colors.

Of her FREYA gown, Lisa said: “My fitting was done virtually, but I just knew that FREYA was my dress. I loved that it was form fitting, yet had enough room for me to run around in. FREYA really had that mix of classical and boho that I was looking for.”

Names: Lisa + Pete

Wedding Date: 07.31.2021

Guest Numbers: 25

Wedding Location:The Buffalo Farms, ON

Photographer: Stephanie Iannachino

Tell Us Your Love Story

How did you meet?

Pete and I swiped right! We met on Bumble over 3 years ago. We bonded over common interests; love for nature, adventures, and animals. We continued to try new experiences together, and fell in love with portaging and anything water related. This had a heavy influence on how we wanted our wedding weekend to go.

How did he put a ring on it?

Pete was adamant that we go paddle-boarding one chilly morning back in April 2021. Our two small dogs were eager to come with us as well since it was one of the first paddles of the season for us. We paddled out in a beautiful pond, which was one of the first locations we ever tried paddle-boarding at the beginning of our relationship. It was a super windy day, and Pete was insisting that I “try to stand” on the board, as we were both kneeling or sitting to make our paddling easier. I stood up, veered off a bit due to the wind, but once I managed to turn back around, Pete was down on one knee sharing his sentiments, asking me to marry him. Our dear friend had paddled off by himself that morning as well to capture the moment and was hiding on a small island nearby!

Where did you draw inspiration from?

With the successive lockdowns we endured, we were determined to make this wedding a “getaway” for our friends and family. I had wanted to visit the Buffalo Farms since we started dating, as we both loved the rustic aesthetic of the yurts, and the winding nearby river provided the perfect opportunity to share our love for canoeing and paddling with our friends. I wanted to work with the seasonal natural colours that were provided on the farm and make the whole experience feel organic and lowkey.

What made the wedding personal to you?

We really wanted our friends to have a getaway. We wanted them to experience our love for camping and portaging, and made a few “glamping” options for a few of my friends who were nervous about the idea. Pete and I also wanted to make sure the food was not just your typical “catered” feel, but more homestyle. My mother ended up cooking traditional Polish dishes, the boys cooked up a roast all day, and our best friends made us beautiful pies and tarts for dessert. I made my own bouquet and the guys’ boutonnieres (which half of them ended up putting on backwards, including Pete!). We also had the most amazing photographer, Stephanie Iannachino, who stayed with us for the weekend and captured our most genuine moments.

What were you most nervous or excited about?

The weather was probably what we were most nervous about! We had set up the wedding arbour outside, but it started to pour just a couple of hours before. Our amazing friends reacted quickly, packed up everything in trucks, and whipped up the sweetest little wedding aisle in the Farmhouse. The storm had also cut out the power and water – I was in the middle of my shower while this happened, so time was of the essence!
When I asked Pete what he was most excited about when he thinks back to our wedding date, he said “marrying you again.” We had eloped earlier that month in Alberta, but wanted to still have a short and sweet ceremony to celebrate with our closest loved ones.

Now, the most important part – the Dress!

Tell us about your dress? 

I fell in love with the FREYA dress when I was starting my search. I had limited time, and my fitting was done virtually at the time, but I just knew this was my dress. I loved that it was form fitting, yet had enough room for me to run around in. I loved the style of the layered lace of this dress, it had that mix of classical and boho that I was looking for. I also opted to cut off majority of the train of the dress (much to my seamstress’ dismay), but I was thankful I did since I knew I wanted majority of our wedding pictures taken outside. During my last fitting, my seamstress was really pleased I talked her into doing it!

What stockist did you get it from?

Sash + Bustle, ON. They were a wonderful group to work with. Brendan had guided me efficiently through the dress options, and helped me do my dress fitting virtually at home. It was not your typical dress fitting due to the pandemic, but I felt the experience was intimate nonetheless

What was your most memorable moment from your day?

We both didn’t want a rigid itinerary, but we knew that we wanted to incorporate a paddle out on the river at some point with all of our friends. We planned it the morning of the wedding, and grabbed our canoes, paddle-boards, and kayaks. We took some time to also get our wedding jitters out by jumping off a dock that we paddled out to. Getting our best friends together and doing a group paddle was such an amazing experience I’ll never forget. As a bonus, the sunshine also cooperated with us.

Vendors to credit:

//    Photography Stephanie Iannachino    //    Bridal Boutique Sash + Bustle    //    Venue The Buffalo Farm    //

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