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A LOW KEY BACKYARD WEDDING WITH A COLOURFUL KEEPSAKE BOUQUET!
Shannon and Jean-Paul got married on a rainy (then sunny) day in Thunder Bay, Ontario. They wanted to keep their wedding simple and the day full of their very closest friends.
“When planning our small (yet big) day, we wanted to keep everything intimate and low key” Shannon began. The couple know the ‘wedding industry’ all too well, as Shannon is a wedding photographer and Jean-Paul is an entertainer, so they felt it important to stay away from a lot of the cliches. It was also the reason Jean-Paul chose not to have live music, ” it simply would have been too hard to choose a favourite act within our community.” He told us.
The wedding was held at Jean-Paul’s parents’ property, about 30 minutes outside of Thunder Bay, ON. “Their property includes a lovely home, lawn areas, a small orchard, a hobby farm and about 125 acres of fields so we knew that there’d be lots of opportunities for great photos!” Shannon continued.
Since Shannon is so used to working at weddings, she chose a short dress since she knew that long dresses could be cumbersome, especially at a more casual wedding. The fact that it was made out of lace was a throwback to her preferred fashion style, while still being modernly short and her wedding ring was a vintage Victorian style gold ring with an opal.
Her bouquet was a work in progress for 6 months, but included a lifetime of collecting vintage enamel flower brooches. “After scouring antique shops all over Canada and the US, my collection neared completion just after our engagement. After attaching the individual floral brooches to metal stems, the “flowers” were collected together and turned into a stunningly beautiful bouquet. Not only did it represent my passion for all things old-school, but I will be able to keep it forever as it will never wilt! There was definitely no bouquet toss either as it would have killed someone!” she added.
Jean-Paul chose to wear a simple long sleeve grey dress shirt with dark grey vest, there was no suit jacket and the sleeves were rolled up, to match the casual feel of the event. His brightly coloured socks were picked out by Shannon at Target, “Jean-Paul’s never put an emphasis on fashion, so his outfit reflected that laid back attitude. While the outfit was entirely new, it was mostly from more affordable retailers like Le Chateau and The Shoe Company.”
Decorations at the wedding were all homemade,continued Shannon “Again, keeping in theme with a smaller wedding, we wanted to do something that was not only more fiscally responsible but represented the small, backyard wedding a bit more honestly.”
She spray painted mason jars in various colours to hold candles as well as purchased some additional gold candle holders from Target to house the tea lights that helped light up the outdoor tent. Shannon also had a polaroid station for guests, so she made a photobooth background from crepe paper which she fringed by hand whilst Jean-Paul’s parents loaned out their canoe to hold all the beverages for the festivities.
Super Suppliers – Photography: Jono & Laynie Photography// Dress: Jola Dress by Yoana Baraschi for BHLDN// Shoes: Seychelles Footwear// Birdcage Veil: Twigs and Honey// Bride’s Makeup: Alison Chandra Beauty// Groom’s clothing: Le Chateau//
Why We Love the Idea of a Low Key Wedding
There’s something magical about a low key wedding. It’s like choosing a quiet, intimate café over a bustling restaurant—it’s about who you’re with, not the grand show. When I think of a low key wedding, I picture close friends, heartfelt moments, and zero pressure to perform. No one’s judging whether your napkins match the bridesmaid dresses, and that, my friends, is priceless.
Low key weddings strip away the fluff. Instead of stressing about a 12-piece orchestra, you can dance barefoot under fairy lights, glass of wine in hand. I’ve attended big weddings that felt more like productions, but the low key ones? They feel like home. There’s a charm to that laid-back vibe—a spontaneity, even. One minute you’re saying your vows, the next you’re toasting with a cold beer instead of champagne.
But here’s the thing: while I love a good low key wedding, it’s not without its challenges. Some might think “small” means “less special.” Trust me, it’s the opposite. I’ve seen couples turn a simple backyard into a magical space, and those little touches, like homemade bunting or a cake baked by a friend, are what make it unforgettable.
What I’ve learned? A low key wedding doesn’t mean sacrificing elegance or sentiment. It means focusing on what truly matters—love, laughter, and a killer playlist. It’s the day you look back on and say, “Yeah, that was so us.” And isn’t that what weddings should be? Just pure, unfiltered you.
I like these guys! Can’t change the page after reading this. I must say I love the boquete, Shannon is really creative-minded, and I admire that a lot. The couple is so hilarous and humorous! I think they had really good time that day!