ALT/AR Ottawa's Luxury Socially Distanced Ceremonies

I know it’s been really hard. The uncertainty, constant challenges, mounting anxiety with the hope that something may change. But as soon as the clouds start to part and the sun start shining- the world has other plans.

But love always finds a way. It’s been a tough couple of months which has challenged me in ways I’ve never had to in my decade of planning weddings and events. What can I do to help that supports deserving brides & grooms and our industry... Many of my couples have postponed BUT still wanted to tie the knot in 2020 and celebrate their one year anniversary with all their nearest and dearest... like ringing in the new year with champagne and those scarce things called hugs. But even though they were postponing I still wanted to provide them the gorgeous ceremony they had envisioned for their special day. That even though not everyone could be with them, that there was still as much pomp and circumstance. And ALT/AR was born. The all inclusive socially distanced Luxury ceremony with the most sought after wedding professionals. The image you see here is what YOUR ceremony will actually look like. YOU will be walking down that same aisle... 

NOV 7TH & 21ST

NEW YEARS EVE & NEW YEARS DAY

Imagine walking down this exact aisle as you celebrate with your nearest and dearest.

Each date has 5 openings. Upon booking you will be connected with myself to guide you through the process of planning your ceremony. On your wedding day, upon arrival I will greet and escort your guests to the bright and airy socially distanced ceremony space. As you take your first steps down the aisle, musically accompanied by Luxe Duo, Edward, The Hitch Doctor will be in waiting to guide you through your vows. After the ceremony a Champagne toast, cake cutting and a fine art portrait session with Europe’s Finest traveling photographers Lace & Luce. And we can’t forget those keepsake details photos! Your ring placed and captured in Toast’s signature flat lay vignettes with a custom take home Vow Booklets.

INCLUSIONS

Ceremony in a light & airy space

Florals & Decor as seen in photos

Wedding Planning Assistance

Bridal Bouquet & Boutonnieres

Officiant

Live music by Luxe Duo

Champagne Toast

Petite Wedding cake

Fine Art Photography Session

Keepsake Vow Booklet

Let’s edit 2020 ; love always finds a way.... 

Or contact Beth from the Ottawa Art Gallery at bevans@oaggao.ca

D & B THEATRE ST JAMES MONTREAL WEDDING

This past summer we were privileged to have meticulously planned and designed Dana’s exclusive wedding in Montreal’s Old Port at the Theatre St.James’ Imperial Ballroom. The venue was like none I had ever seen before, formally being the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce built in 1907. The St James Theatre has been transformed into one of Montreal’s most prestigious event venues, complete with 70ft walls, marble floors and suspended stained-glass ceiling. My favourite feature includes the former bank vault where we hosted our champagne bar.

Owners Ezio Carosielle & Luisa Sassano have protected this heritage gem, restoring and impeccably maintaining it over the years. Among the St James, Ezio and Luisa also have Theatre Rialto and are currently renovating a gorgeous church- newly minted as the Theatre Cartier due to open sometime in the near future.

My first site visit was in winter of 2017, this gorgeous brunette arrived draped in a beautiful vintage fur coat. #Queen. We toured the property, looked at all possible event spaces, staging areas and chatted logistics on lighting such a large space and designing a proportionate floor plan. During our conversations she point to the balcony on the second floor overlooking the main reception space and said- “And that’s where we are going to do our thank you speech and bouquet toss.” #died #queenx2 #areyoumystwin? Suffice to say this venue was a blank canvas with endless possibilities. In the end we deiced to fill the entire space with only candles. In person it was a scene out of a 1940’s Vogue Magazine and was beautifully captured by Joel & Justyna Photography . To be honest I’m not sure any guests realized there wasn’t a flower in sight as our main objective was to highlight the architecture of the building through the twinkle of the light reflecting through our 100 crystal candelabras.

Logistically the design was challenging in terms of- we flipped the main event space in 45mins. It’s these types of weddings I live for…. and also almost die for lol…. since I typically have multiple mini heart attacks while planning a seamless transition. Only the best vendors can accomplish the tasks I set forth before them and Wedecor came through without skipping a beat. This all goes to show- we can plan, design, decorate etc literally anywhere, no matter the logistics or complexities. So if you’re planning a wedding in another city-if you have the right planning, design and installation team of vendors, anything is possible.

Dana’s wedding day was absolutely perfect. We arrived onsite at 10am to begin set-up for a 4pm ceremony. Our core planning team of 3 were on our toes until 1am while working with over 15 vendors with a total over 120 staff to manage throughout the day. I’d like to personally thank Wedecor, Brera Catering from Montreal, the wonderful tech & event specialist team at Theatre St.James, Joel & Justyna Photography, Reno Video, Makeup Artist Jaquie Pogue, Hair Stylist Tara Kieran and Primetime Entertainment for their commitment in making Dana’s dream come true. Your dedication for perfection does not go unnoticed and I am forever grateful for having worked with such a great team of vendors.

So without further ado, enjoy the collection of images bellow.

xo

Elise

OTTAWA NEWEST VENUE: PARISIAN INSPIRED BARN

Last night the team and I attended Stonefields Loft Reveal- and it was everything we had hopped for! I keep saying to myself "Where was this 3 years ago when I got married!". And it's true, Ottawa has grown leaps and bounds with creative new wedding venues, indie vendors with super cool niche products to truly customize your wedding to your own personal brand. 

So let me tell you why I love this venue so much. First it starts with the people who run it. The very heart of Stonfields, Steph & Steve, the power couple.- well, at least that's what I call them, and I'll tell you why. 

Husband & Wife team + 3 year old twins divided by building the prettiest 130 year old Parisian inspired countryside barn, you ever did see! = POWER COUPLE

Steph & Steve, if your reading this- Way to raise the bar guys..... ;)

I had a nice chat with Steve and I asked him, "How do you do it..the re-build, running a full catered establishment..with small twins..." . Kids are a mystery for me and I loved his response, "Passion and dedication.". And it's true -if your passionate about what you do, you will not feel as though you have worked a day in your life. And from there he told me it took him 3 days to assemble every little crystal on their 8ft chandelier. And that my friends in patience.

The story behind the barn is quite astonishing. Not even 365 days ago this exact barn was located a few miles down the road fully functioning with cattle! Yup, yah heard me right...livestock people! I'de really love to see the before pictures.... So with this being said, the barn was dissembled board by board, numbered and re-assembled onsite where Stonefields big white tent used to me. The reconstruction started last October and was completed just in time for Steph & Steve's own wedding.

Decorated & Styled by Wedecor

With me, it's all about the subtle details. And let me tell you, there were no detail or expense spared. Two elements really took me by surprise, where I stood back and thought to myself; someone really knew what they were doing- like a boss! It might not matter to you but choosing the right tinted crystal for your chandeliers is extremely important. It defines the line between class and meh. I truly am hard to impress, but these statement works of art have the perfect amber undertone. Think Beauty and the Beast....yes that chandelier that literally glows without the lights turned on. I think it might have hypnotized me, because I'm sure I stared at it for a good 5 mins.

Second item- chairs. Oh no, not just any chair, the chair. You know the one, Parisian/Tuscan looking wooden chair we all drool over....well, these ones perfectly matched the 130 year old beams of the barn. I know what your thinking and no, it's not matchy-matchy, it's cohesive providing that detail which provides that polished look.

And lastly, throwing another style detail in here, the hay loft ladders. Their still there! Preserving the character of the barn by these simple details told me, Steve & Steph really put their heart and soul into building a unique wedding venue like no other.

THE DEETS

• Capacity 200 sit down dinner
• Heated floors
• Covered patio across the length of the barn
• Vaulted ceilings
• Large indoor integrated bar
• Tuscan/Parisian style chairs included with space
• Indoor & outdoor ceremony space
• Mini resort feel
• Exclusivity
• No barn animals :)