Countryside Estate Inspiration at Dundurn Castle

Canadian couples take note: you don't need to fly across the ocean to find the European setting of your dreams! Located in Hamilton, Ontario, Dundurn Castle is a little piece of the English countryside - tucked in a busy downtown core. It is the perfect spot for dreamy photos in the heart of the city and provided a beautiful backdrop for our English countryside editorial. Our talented team of local vendors was inspired by the colours, textures and scents of summer in the country. We were struck by the beauty of sweet cherries on the trees and the warm, caramel glow of sunsets in lush meadows. Imagining a beautiful bride running through a field in the English countryside set our hearts a flutter and we knew we had to capture that magic and share it with stylish brides and grooms-to-be. With this inspiration in mind, we chose a palette of peach, caramel and blush, which were a perfect warm contrast to the stone architecture of the castle. This mix of classic softness and modern, cool elements were carried throughout the editorial and gave it a beautiful depth. The sweetheart table, set in a tree-lined gravel lane, had a perfect view of the castle and the lush grounds beyond. We chose ivory linen with a soft blush runner and accented it with charcoal grey chargers, modern silver flatware and beautiful etched goblets. The stunning florals, golden miniature cakes and fresh local fruit added just the right warmth and texture to the tablescape. The paper goods coordinated perfectly in soft blush and metallic gold with sweet vintage stamps. Naturally, our blushing bride looked absolutely radiant in an off-the-shoulder gown and ethereal jewels as she explored the grounds. Our team loved being transported to summertime in the English countryside! We hope our editorial inspires stylish Dear Gray Magazine readers to share a bit of this feeling with their guests.

-Vivian Lyttle

I am sooo excited to say that you can find this shoot in the pages of the newest issue of Dear Gray Magazine!

Thank you to the incredible team who helped me put this shoot together and for making it as stunning as I had hoped!  

Styling: Vivian Lyttle Events

Menus and place cards: Via Calligraphy

Florals: Fiorella Floral Design

Hair accessories: Frilly Bits

Hair: Sarah Baksh

Wedding dress: By Catalfo

Invitation Suite: Little North Company

Makeup: Love Me Makeup

Cake: Sweet Avenue Cakery

Decor: Simply Beautiful Decor

Jewellery: Kim Drosdick

Model: Zoe from Elite Models

Film Lab: Canadian Film Lab

Ioana & Danny's Mexico Wedding

Last year I was sooo bad at blogging and keeping up to date with all the work I had to share so it only made sense to share the first wedding I shot last year that also happened to be my first destination wedding!
Ioana and Danny found me through one of my other brides and I am so glad they did!  I photographed their small church ceremony in snowy Ontario and then we jetted off to Playa Del Carmen in Mexico the same day.  Before that I had only been on vacation to one other tropical country so I was super excited, and even better I got to bring my fiancé along with me!
We went with about 30 of their closest family and friends to Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda.  Their wedding took place right on the beach under the swaying palm trees and with a breeze coming in right off the ocean.  It was beautiful!  After the ceremony we took the bridal party along the beach for some photos and then by the palms for photos of just the bride and groom.  I have never seen any location so beautiful and obviously so different from what I am used to in Ontario.  I was so excited to be there and capturing their wedding! 
Their reception took place at one of the a la carte restaurants on the resort.   It was a beautiful French restaurant called L’Atelier where we had the whole place to ourselves to celebrate and then dance the rest of the night.
The rest of our vacation was spent sipping Bahama Mama’s on the beach and swimming in the ocean.  Please take me back!
Thank you Ioana and Danny for trusting me to capture your day and for bringing Joey and I along to such a beautiful country for your wedding!