A Chic Garden-Style Wedding at the Ornamental Gardens | Audra + Mike

They were connected to one another when they were young kids. But their circles only intertwined decades later as adults. Mike’s dad, Audra’s doctor when she was a little girl, pointed her out to him as a girl to watch for. And on this day, they stood in front of one another and promised to spend the rest of their lives side by side.

My favourite moments at Audra and Mike’s garden-style wedding at the Cereal Barn:

• Even though Audra and Mike had a first look earlier in the day and spent a couple of hours hanging out and having a good time with their best friends, it was still such an emotional walk down the aisle. Especially for Audra and her mom!

• The cow's went out to pasture during their cocktail hour, so Audra and Mike grabbed all four of their adorable nephews and went out to watch them pass through the barn!

• The traditional Lithuanian cake, brought to Ottawa all the way from Toronto, was made of 60 eggs!

• You can’t tell from the photos, but the weather on their wedding was all over the place. It was hot, then it poured rain several times during their bridal party photos. We then had a beautiful RAINBOW as a result (see below for proof!) then the glowiest and warmest of sunsets to end the day just right.

I am so truly honoured to have captured Audra and Mike’s special day filled with beautiful, meaningful traditions and their favourite people to celebrate their union. Here are a few of my favourite photos to share with you all below! The full wedding team to make this day come together are detailed afterwards!

Audra’s flowers perfectly created by Flowers Talk Tivoli in my favourite design style: natural, wild and free!

Audra got ready at her parent’s home in the country, so we took advantage of their beautiful backyard to capture her ‘getting ready’ moments with her mom and best friends!

Her flattering mermaid-shaped dress is by Essence of Australia from a local bridal dress boutique called Sinders Bridal.

Gorgeous freshwater pearl earrings from Sarah Walsh Bridal.

We got to hang out with the bridal party before, during and after the first look. They were so much fun!

Their first look took place just down the road from their reception space at the Ornamental Gardens. To say it was an emotional moment is an understatement!

We took advantage of the empty grounds to walk through the gardens and capture some of their bride and groom photos throughout before the ceremony.

These two love nature, so it made complete sense to take their first round of photos as husband and wife amidst the flora and fauna!

The bridal party then joined us for some hilarious moments running in and out of their limo. The rain was also emotional that day. It came and went several times until it decided to hold off for a few minutes of photos with the whole gang!

After their church ceremony, the guests joined the newly weds at the Cereal Barn for the reception.

The venue welcomed everyone with a faint rainbow off into the distance.

We had a few minutes to greet the cows who went out to pasture that afternoon!

Then came back to celebrate the beginning of the festive night with some Lithuanian traditions! A huge entrance full of dancing and kisses and offering the bride and groom cake upon entering the reception space.

A heartfelt moment between sisters after the bride’s sister gave an emotional speech!

And then we caught the rainbow before it disappeared in the sky!

When sunset approached, we had a few minutes to run off on the grounds to capture these fleeting ‘just married’ moments between the two. We were blessed with a golden glowy sky.

The remainder of the evening was full of life’s reminiscing and well wishes for the future of these two wonderful people.

WEDDING TEAM:

Photography: Ali and Batoul Photography

Flowers: Flowers Talk

Venue: The Cereal Barn

Hair: Richardson Hair Design

Makeup: Elvira Rino

Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia from Sinders Bridal House

Earrings: Sarah Walsh Bridal Jewellery

Groom + Groomsmen Attire: E.R Fisher

Invitations: Vistaprint

Catering: Tulips and Maple

Lithuanian Wedding Cake: Irene from Toronto

Classic Cake: Groom’s sister and aunt

DJ: Midnight Music

Second Shooter: Teah Lizée

Assistant: Zaynab Al-hemed