A DIY wedding like this one makes us smile from ear to ear. The lovely handmade details personify what a wedding is all about – sharing your love in a creative way.  Erin & Jason are lucky to have found such perfect matches in each other, and Taylor Roades Photography certainly captured the true joy and infectious passion between this adorable couple.  Join us as we share their beautiful wedding photos and stories below.

 

 

Companion & soul mate

From the bride (Erin): We met while doing one of the things we love the most: playing sports. I was asked to fill in on a softball team one evening and since I didn’t know anyone there, I awkwardly pretended to stretch and warm up on my own until Jason spoke to me and made me feel welcome.

After the game was over, Jason invited me out to join some of the team members at a pub which was a regular post-game ritual. Later we discovered that we both played volleyball as well so between the 2 sports, we ended up spending a lot of time together, and eventually started dating. We both felt lucky to find someone with so much in common!

 

Proposal in the moonlight

Erin: After about 3 and a half years together, we went on a trip to the Dominican Republic. We spent our days basking in the sun, and of course playing beach volleyball! One night Jason decided we should try out the ‘special’ restaurant down at the beach. We got dressed up and walked down along the beach (which was dark and there was no one around so I started to wonder where the heck we were going). Finally up ahead there was a beautiful table set for two in the moonlight, surrounded by torches, and covered with candles and decorative jewels.

We were served a delicious meal, and I was playing with the giant fake diamonds that were on the table, trying to pick one out that I could sneak home with me to remember the occasion. The next thing I knew, Jason was down on one knee with a ring, saying I could take ‘this’ one home and asked me to marry him!

 

 

Wedding planning priorities

Erin: Sticking to a budget was a big deal for both of us and I had always wanted to make my own invitations and as much of the decorations as I could myself which really helped us stay close to our budget.

We then had to choose which elements were most important to us that we would ‘splurge’ on and which we were ok to just go with more of a baseline. We also really wanted to hold the wedding in a place with character that was a bit different than a more traditional hall, so finding the perfect location that was more ‘us’ was a big priority.

 

Advice to other couples planning their day

Erin: We got married only 5 months after our engagement because we wanted it to be in the summer and didn’t want to wait until the next year. For all those couples stressing out over a shorter time frame, it can be done! Just make a schedule and do a little bit at a time and eventually it will all get done. Then on the wedding day, relax and enjoy it.

 

Wedding design

Wedding Theme: We went with a ‘love-bird’ inspired theme with potted plants in birdcages as the centerpieces, birdhouses scattered throughout, and love-birds on a string of bunting used as a motif for the signage and printed pieces. A combination of blues and purples gave it a fresh, summery feel.

Number of Guests: approximately 100

Budget: $25,000

Best Wedding Moment: Jason’s speech at the reception made everyone laugh and cry all at once. It was so heartfelt and meaningful. And then I had to follow that!

Favorite Wedding Details: All of the hard work coming together in a perfect day, the homemade jam that my mom made as favors, the beautiful cupcake tower with so many delicious flavors to choose from, and the photobooth which provided hours of fun and hilarious memories.

Special memory: We had our dog Parker walk down the aisle wearing a little blue bowtie. It was so nice to have our little guy there with us, and he was a big hit with all the guests!

 

 

About Taylor Roades Photography

Taylor Roades is an international wedding photographer and journalist based between Toronto Ontario Canada and Victoria British Columbia Canada.

Over the past four years photography has taken her across Asia to China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan and Indonesia to the Canadian Rockies and northern Alberta and most recently to Northern England and Scotland.
She has been published most recently in Photo Ed Magazine for her photo work on the culture of the tourism industry, as well as Wedding Bells Magazine for her wedding work.

 

 

Find the photographer:

Taylor Roades Photography website   |   Facebook   |   Instagram

 

Other vendor information:

Venue: Berkeley Field House   |   Wedding Dress: Ferré Sposa   |   Cake/Cupcakes: Shortie Cakes   |   Bridesmaid’s Dresses: David’s Bridal   |   Flowers: Birchmount Plants & Florist   |   Makeup & Hair: Nerissa Haines   |   DJ: Impressions Music & Entertainment