Lavender Field Love
Getting married surrounded by all of your friends and family can be such a wonderful moment. To share your love with them, to celebrate your union, can be such a gift. I’ve noticed a trend over the last few years, however, where couples decide to limit the number of people invited to their ceremony, keeping it more intimate than their reception. Sometimes even deciding to have no guests at all, just their photographer and videographer, who also act as witnesses.
It continues the trend of couples doing what makes sense for them and not following tradition for tradition’s sake. Maybe it’s an artifact from a time when we were forced by regulations and social distancing to limit the size of weddings.
Regardless of why, these small, intimate ceremonies can open the door to some magical moments.
On a Wednesday evening, at dusk, I walked through lavender fields with Amanda and Justin, trailed by their photographer (the incredible Heather Gosling) and two videographers, to help them elope as the sun started its decent. It was magic hour at Kelso Lavender Farm in Campbellville, Ontario, and we could all sense how special this moment was.
While the heat tried to melt us, the breeze over the Escarpment helped keep us cool. Amanda and Justin chose the perfect location to exchange their personal vows and then we all worked together to ensure the magic was captured on (digital) film. We retreated to the shade to sign the paperwork, but because they had the whole field to themselves, they could take their time wandering around capturing the dreamiest images.
This fall these happy newlyweds will celebrate their union at a dinner with 30 of their closest family and friends at their favourite restaurant in downtown Toronto. A slideshow of images will play throughout and they’ll share their wedding video before dessert. A few select speeches will be made, and everyone will get to witness the magic of that evening.
An elopement in a lavender field isn’t for everyone, but creating the wedding of your dreams is well within reach, no matter what your dream looks like.
Amanda Gulka-Armstrong is a Milton wedding officiant serving the area from Guelph to Oakville. Read more about Amanda