Back in June I had the opportunity to photograph a styled wedding shoot at Aquatopia Conservatory. A few months prior, I contacted an industry friend of mine, Lisa from Posh Affairs (who’s talents I have blogged about before….click here to see it!) about organizing a bohemian-chic wedding with all the beautiful details. We discussed briefly the style and feel I wanted for the shoot and let Lisa go wild with figuring out her vision for the decor. It didn’t take long to get other wedding industry favourites involved with the endeavour and I can’t tell you how impressed I was with the level of talent and comittment that went into this project.
The Venue
The first task at hand was to find a unique and beautiful venue in the Ottawa area. I heard about Aquatopia last year and was intrigued by it’s concept. When I first e-mailed them about the project, I wasn’t sure if they would take me on as they had told me they had been approached by several other photographers with similar requests. At the end of the day though, they said my concept sounded most interesting and they would welcome a styled shoot at their location. When Lisa and I first went to visit, it was under construction and perhaps a little difficult to envision the finished project. They assured us though that the venue would be completed in time for our shoot as they were having their very first wedding there in May. When it was time for the shoot to happen, we were not disappointed, the massive greenhouse was up and running and ready for us.
What’s different about it?
Aquatopia is home to a “dramatic events venue with an on-site café, completely immersive aquatic garden retail experience, and largest indoor water garden open to the public in the region.” It can accommodate weddings, parties as well as corporate functions. What makes this up-scale venue so unique is that you can hold your ‘destination’ wedding in the cold Canadian winter months indoors and still feel like you are in a tropical paradise. Aquatopia suggests booking your weddings in the spring, fall and winter months at the conservatory. Being a greenhouse, you can imagine why it may not be the most comfortable temperature in the height of summer. The grounds outside are beautiful also, boasting two sprawling ponds with groomed lawns and greenery.
The Vendors
Our assisting vendors were outstanding. The dress our model was wearing was supplied courtesy of the Handmade Bride and designed by Maureen Patricia Bridal called mid-summers night dream. It looked beautiful on our mode Chanelle. Our bride also had a handmade fascinator in some of the shots made by Delia Leogreen owner of Charlie Wolford Millinery in Burritts rapids. Our groom’s wardrobe was supplied by Surmesur, who specializes in custom made men’s clothing. If you want something original, stylish and want it to fit like a glove, I would suggest heading over for a personal consultation with these professional folks. So much attention to detail!
We also can’t forget the chic wedding cake produced by the ever-so-talented Tanya Mercer at Sugar House Cakes, the creative and beautiful stationary courtesy of Jessica Fahey from Ink Blossom and the breath taking floral arrangements done by Aquatopia’s in house florist Andrea Murray.
Faces
I also want to extend a special shout out to our models Chanelle and Nick who are a real life couple, they came all the way from Cornwall and Montreal to participate and they did a great job as this was their first modelling gig! Of course these two are naturally gorgeous, but they were taken to the next level by our talented make-up and hair styling team. Emily Percival from Primp Beauty Services and Kristina Burnett from Art of Hair Studio in Ottawa.
I had a great time working with all of these wedding professionals who devoted their time, products and expertise to make my photographs stand out as well as showcase everyone’s talent involved in the project.
I am also happy to announce that our styled shoot will be featured in the up-coming spring and summer issue of Ottawa bride magazine.
If you are looking for talented and reliabale people to help make your wedding a success, I would not hessitate in contacting anyone mentioned above. For a full list of vendors and contact info, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Thank you to everyone who participated and I hope to be able to work with you again in the near future.
The dress.
The decor
The Stationary
mmmmmm the cake!
The details
What our handsome model was wearing.
and our beautiful bride
Our couple ventured out on the grounds for an intimate pic-nic
Serenaded by mandolin
some fun with a mini cake that compliments the large one….great if you just want a little taste before the cake cutting.
back indoors to the beautiful backdrop waterfall and wedding table.
The brides gorgeous bouquet
The front facade of Aquatopia at sunset…..beautiful
VENDORS LIST:
Photographer: Stacey Stewart – info@staceystewartphotography.com www.staceystewartphotography.com Tel: 613-258-0839
Venue: Aquatopia Conservatory, Ottawa, Ontario. – info@aquatopiaevents.com, www.aquatopiaevents.com Tel: 613-225-7663 ext 2
Bridal gown: Boutique – The handmade bride, Ottawa. email info@handmadebride.ca, www.thehandmadebride.ca Tel:613-695-8247
Groom’s tux: Custom clothing created at Surmesur Ottawa – www.surmesur.com Tel: 613-233-5255
Cake: Sugarhouse Cakes, sugarhousecakes@gmail.com Contact: Tanya Mercer Tel: 613-258-9355 http://sugarhousecakes.wix.com/sugar-house-cakes
Wedding planners and decor: Posh Affairs – info@poshaffairs.ca, www.poshaffairs.ca Tel: 613-298-1998
Make-up: Primp Beauty Services ottawabeauty@gmail.com www.primpbeautyservices.com Tel: 613-851-8479
Hair – Art of Hair Studio, kristina@artofhairstudio.com, www.artofhairstudio.com Tel: 613-769-2279
Flowers : Andrea Murray info@aquatopiaevents.com, www.aquatopiaevents.com Tel: 613-225-7663 ext 2
Stationery: Ink Blossom info@inkblossom.ca www.inkblossom.ca Contact: Tel:613-794-0290
Millinery Services: Charlie Wolford Millinery charliewolfordmillinery@gmail.com (No website at this time) Tel: 613-809-6219
Necklace – The handmade bride. Other Jewelry provided by myself and other vendors.
