after heidi & bryce’s beautiful ceremony, the three hundred guests were invited over to a friend’s home for a backyard reception. from the moment we entered, details galore. it was really important to heidi and bryce to make their wedding day all about them–so that meant a ton of do-it-yourself details and personalization. heidi’s dress was mentioned in the comments of part one–and yes, heidi and her aunt made her wedding dress, all the bridesmaids dresses, and the groomsmen + ushers ties. these are serious DIY people. ;)

one of my favourite details. guests participated in building the table centrepieces in honour of heidi’s mom, who passed away four years ago to cancer. heidi didn’t need perfect flowers–she was more interested in her guests being involved. every table looked different and that’s just the way her mom would have wanted it. before the brunch reception, guests enjoyed pink lemonade, ice tea, cold water with fruit kebobs, cheese sconesand berry scones as refreshments. the full buffet included waffles [with strawberry and bananas and whipped cream and maple syrup and other sweet toppings,] scrambled eggs, canadian bacon. for dessert, a yogurt, fresh fruit and granola parfait station. if that wasn’t enough, fresh croissants with four different kinds of jam. all the food was made [and served!] by friends and family. heidi and bryce’s most-loved recipes were printed and placed at the corresponding food table.

the “people” part of my job never gets stale to me. that’s why i always love hearing the stories. the long, extended version of the stories. tell me who you are, i want to know. bryce + heidi are rad people who love the Lord and want to serve Him for the rest of their lives as they learn to serve one another in marriage. they also love people. they had three hundred guests at their reception, as mentioned, [and twice as many at the ceremony] and greeted every, single, one by name and with a hug in a receiving line. it took over an hour. afterwards, i walked up to see how they were doing and although heidi looked tired [rightfully so] bryce was pumped. he smiled, that was my favourite part of the day right there. i’m such a people person. being able to look everyone in the eye on our wedding day was really important to me.

that amazing quality this couple has together was echoed in their speech at the conclusion of the reception. bryce held the mic with his left hand, his right hand around his wife’s shoulders. that moment a few hours ago, when heidi and i walked into the tent for the first time as mr. and mrs… i thought it would be this cheesy moment, like, sure, everyone is clapping and cheering for you, but i was overwhelmed. holding heidi’s hand, looking around at three hundred faces, all supporting us as husband and wife. each and every one of you here mean so much to us. it was pretty awesome. and emotional.

instead of a wedding cake, heidi and bryce had a cinnamon bun tower. hello! what a great idea. in the hour between speeches + heidi and bryce’s grand exit, they invited guests to play games and mingle. of course, there was more specialty food, including a smoothie the bridal party got together to create. it includes every one of their favourite ingredients + although that could be sketchy, it was amazing. heidi and bryce had drawn a map of the reception property and made custom signs to point the way to badminton, ladder golf, washers, bocce ball and croquet.

heidi and bryce. you two are amazingly special people. you are part of an awesome church, that i was so so blessed by sunday morning. you have an awesome friend group and two awesome families. i left ontario sunday night thinking, if i needed to move across the country, this would be the kind of community i’d want to settle in. thank you for everything. i hope as you read these words, you are having an amazing time in greece. i would like to go there soon. so enjoy it for me. God has such beautiful things in store for your ministry as a couple. i’m excited to keep in touch. love, jamie delaine.

[if you missed it, check out part one]