Strathmere Lodge summer wedding in Ottawa: Stephanie and Kyle |

This day. My heart.

A few weeks ago, I was back at Strathmere Lodge for this beautiful summer wedding in Ottawa. My day started off at the bride’s family home as she and the bridesmaids were getting their finishing touches on hair and makeup. I got to work with the best of the best, including the beautiful Kesia of The Hair Hustle.

bride getting her hair done by hair stylist bride looking out the window while she gets her hair done

The most gorgeous makeup, as always, by the one and only Klava Z. She said it the best – it’s so fun when you arrive on the wedding day to find vendors you’ve worked with before.

makeup artist putting on bride's lipstick flat lay of wedding invitation and bride's jewellery makeup artists putting on bridesmaid's makeup bride laughing in lace robe boutonniere resting on blue kate spade box engagement ring on blue box with flower bride's mother tying up the bride's wedding dress

This gorgeous dress was perfection. It also had a gazillion buttons…the mother of the bride worked hard to put the finishing touches on Stephanie’s bridal look.

silhouette of bride's mother tying up the bride's wedding dress bridesmaid laughing while mom puts on the bride's dress bride walking out wearing her wedding dress bride putting on her dad's boutonniere bride putting on her mother's corsage Mr and Mrs sign on head table

The Strathmere Lodge was decked out with all the perfect touches.

table setting at Strathmere Lodge 5 tier wedding cake with succulents and roses

And I mean, really. This cake is insane. Five tiers. And those flowers and succulents are made out of icing people. No joke. Dulce Couture Cakes knocked this one out of the park. Big time.

reception at the Strathmere Lodge in Ottawa wedding cake with succulents and roses

The boys got ready at the Lodge before the girls arrived for the first look.

Groom tying up his dress shirt groom's mother putting on the groom's cufflinks groom and groomsmen tying up their jackets groom adjusting his cufflinks groom's father putting on the groom's boutonniere groom in front of fireplace at the Strathmere Lodge groom and groomsmen by the stone fireplace inside the Strathmere Lodge

Once the groom was ready to go, we met in the garden for the first look.

bride walking up to her groom for first look bride walking up behind the groom for first look first look underneath the cherry blossoms bride and groom seeing each other for the first time

Kyle was so genuinely excited to see his bride for the first time. It was adorable.

groom seeing the bride for the first time bride and groom exchanging cards from one another

The couple exchanged cards which they read together. And someone managed to keep it together. I would likely have bawled my eyes out.

bride and groom exchanging cards from one another bride and groom reading letters from one another bride and groom smiling at each other under the trees

Steph, you made such a beautiful bride!!

bride resting her head on groom's shoulder bride and groom walking holding bouquet bride and groom sitting on rod iron bench under trees bride and groom cuddling under trees groom's hands around the bride's waist bride and groom kissing underneath trees bride and groom walking into field of dandelions holding the bride's train bride and groom kissing in a field bride standing in a field with train of dress laid out back of bride's dress holding bouquet of white flowers bride and groom cuddling in a field groom in a field

I was so happy to have finally worked with the lovely L’Orangerie Floral. I’ve been admiring her work for so long. Jenna killed it with these bouquets.

bride holding white and green bouquet in a field bride looking over her shoulder in a field

When you find a pitchfork, you just gotta. A little American Gothic reenactment for ya. At a wedding no less.

American Gothic inspired photo of bride and groom wedding party in a field of yellow dandelions bride and bridesmaids in a field flower girl being silly groom and groomsmen in a field bride and groom with their families bride and family walking together

Also, this arch by L’Orangerie. Nailed it.

floral arch with draping flower girl and ring bearer at wedding bride walking down the aisle with her parents groom seeing the bride at the ceremony bride's parents hugging the bride and groom

Guh. These two photos give me all the feels. The father of the bride was jittery all morning and you can just tell this moment right here was a big one for him. Giving away your daughter is never easy.

father of the bride giving away his daughter outdoor wedding ceremony at Strathmere Lodge in Ottawa bride smiling at the groom during ceremony groom putting on the bride's wedding ring bride putting on the groom's wedding ring bride and groom hand tying ceremony

The bride and groom decided to do a hang tying ceremony, symbolizing their commitment to one another.

bride and groom hand tying ceremony bride and groom first kiss under pergola bride and groom pronounced as husband and wife bride and groom recessional as husband and wife

Cocktail hour was a treat. The mother of the bride started baking cookies in January in preparing for this wedding. The spread was incredible.

platters of homemade cookies

Also, let me tell you, this thing was incredible. The only way I can describe it is a like a Beavertail with melted brie cheese and apple. Not going to lie…I went to town on this thing. It’s possibly the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

melted cheese and apple appetizer at wedding bride holding a glass of champagne after ceremony bride and groom among tulips in the garden bride and groom kissing in the garden black and white portrait of bride and groom in Ottawa bride and bridesmaids in the garden at Strathmere in Ottawa wedding party in the garden at Strathmere bride and groom walking through the grass with wedding party laughing wedding party walking down dirt road laughing wedding party outside of old barn bride and groom cuddling outside of old barn bride and groom outside the Strathmere Lodge barn bride and groom grand entrance bride dancing during grand entrance bride and groom kissing at head table mother of the groom giving speech bride smiling during speeches bride and groom laughing during reception groom giving thumbs up during best man speech bride and groom toasting during speeches first dance outside under twinkle lights