Ultimate wedding & party destination since 2009

Canadian wedding: Tanessa + Sheldon

December 9, 2009

Two words: Llama farm.

How many weddings include a herd of llamas? Kay, we’re focusing on the wrong thing, but we didn’t want that little detail to go unnoticed. Tanessa and Sheldon were married in a little wooden church in Cloverdale, British Columbia. And then had their reception at The Barn on The Mountain in Abbotsford. It is a stunning barn if we do say so ourselves. On 40 acres with huge wooden doors open to look over the entire valley, anyone who’s planning to get married up that way should most definitely check it out.

This wedding just feels so true and so heartfelt. Of course all the weddings we feature are heartfelt, but something about the tiny wooden-walled church, crammed full of close friends and family makes you sit down and pay attention.

100lc_rwtanessnsheldon1a1 100lc_rwtanessnsheldon81

Tanessa made her hairpiece and her mom made her veil. Her grandmother made apple pies for the reception and Sheldon’s sister Jaylene and cousin Jody arranged the flowers they purchased from a local dahlia farm.

100lc_rwtanessnsheldon91 100lc_rwtanessnsheldon101 100lc_rwtanessnsheldon21 100lc_rwtanessnsheldon31 100lc_rwtanessnsheldon51

And now if this isn’t the most epic DIY project ever, not sure what is… Tanessa (with the help of her friend Monica) designed the programs to look like a classic novel. She spent months collecting old novels and used their covers to bind the programs. Such a beautiful idea!

100lc_rwtanessnsheldon61 100lc_rwtanessnsheldon13

So in love with this intimate photo of their ceremony. They had a bunch of friends serve as musicians and everyone sang old gospel songs that Tanessa and Sheldon chose. Amazing.

100lc_rwtanessnsheldon41 100lc_rwtanessnsheldon72 100lc_rwtanessnsheldon111

Llamas!!! (Or maybe alpacas? We don’t know the difference).

100lc_rwtanessnsheldon121

They decorated their reception tables with old books and antique picture frames filled with black and white photos of their family heritage.

100lc_rwtanessnsheldon131

Beautiful venue…

100lc_rwtanessnsheldon14

So pretty, you two! The sentiment really comes through. And those programs are unbelievable. Congratulations!!!

Photography: James Moes (you can see lots more photos on his blog) / Ceremony venue: Historic Christ Church / Reception venue: The Barn on The Mountain / Catering: Savoury Chef / Band: The Sumner Brothers