Amy and Nick wanted a wedding that reflected their easy-going personalities and chose Starling Lane Winery in beautiful Victoria, B.C. as the perfect venue to host their intimate ceremony and bbq reception. Amy put her talents to work over the course of their engagement, crafting her heart out, and with a little help from their friends, a ton of hard work and a lot of love, they pulled off the ultimate vintage-inspired DIY wedding. They capped off the evening with marshmallow roasting and s’mores for a truly sweet finish to a beautiful day!
Thanks to EA Photography for sharing all the wonderful details with us!
Amy, 29 & Nick, 28
Victoria, BC
Wedding Date: July 14, 2012
Number of Guests: 70
Wedding Cost: $13,500
Wedding Ceremony Location: Starling Lane Winery
Wedding Reception Location: Starling Lane Winery
Why did you have an intimate wedding?
We decided to have a small, intimate wedding because we didn’t feel it was necessary to spend tons of money on just one day.
What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?
It was very easy to get ahead of ourselves and buy into things we should have, do etc. You can find so much beautiful inspiration online these days, it was very difficult to not get carried away.
Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?
Extremely. Since I have a huge family the pressure from my parents to invite everyone was difficult.
Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?
No, in fact, some people we felt obligated to invite, didn’t even RSVP, so it sort of worked out. It was a little awkward at times when I’d run into some friends and they’d ask how wedding planning was going, or how the wedding was afterwards, when they didn’t make the list.
What were the highlights of the ceremony?
Seeing all of our close friends and family relaxing and enjoying the beautiful setting. It was a busy 16 months of planning, so seeing it all come together was amazing.
What were the highlights of the reception?
It’s hard for me to pick a specific event, since it all seems like a blur now, but just sitting back and enjoying our company with amazing food, funny and heartfelt speeches; also, hearing how we did such an amazing job putting the day together.
What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?
I was genuinely happy to see each and every person who attended, and was able to mingle and spend time with most of them.
What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?
Meet with several vendors and go with one you really hit it off and connect with. Sometimes it can be hard to find vendors who are genuinely excited about your wedding vision when you are working with a small budget; someone who is understanding about your plans and won’t push you to do more than you can budget for. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family, they are almost always willing to help with lightening your load.
Vendors:
Florals: Verbena Floral Design
Photography: EA Photography
Caterer: Moonlight Catering
Stationary: Kelli Murray Design
Venue: Starling Lane Winery
Dress: Anjolique purchased at Luz Bridal
Brides shoes: Seychelles from She She Shoes
Grooms Attire: Banana Republic and Club Monaco
Bridesmaids: Aritzia and Modcloth
Groomsmen: Quicksilver, American Eagle, DIY suspenders
Dessert Buffet: DIY bride’s friend
Vintage Furniture Rentals: Dovetail Creative Furnishings
All decor: DIY
