Ward's Island Clubhouse Wedding
Jackie and Sam’s Ward's Island Clubhouse wedding will always hold a special place in my heart. When Jackie and I sat down to chat about her wedding a couple months before the big day, we instantly clicked. Jackie’s openness, free spirited-nature, and all around awesomeness made assisting with her and Sam’s wedding an absolute dream. In the days leading up to their wedding, the weather was looking a bit iffy. Luckily, the sun gods were on our side and it turned out to be a truly beautiful summer day. As I rode over on a water taxi (which was by far the coolest ride I have ever taken to get to a wedding), I could feel it was going to be a good day.
Their wedding took place at the rustic and relaxed Ward’s Island Clubhouse. In true carefree island nature, there were no rules to where we could set up their ceremony, so we decided on a lovely park adjacent to the clubhouse. The clubhouse had these wooden pews that my team and the amazing groomsmen carried into the park. A heavy task but totally worth it! Sam, who is in construction, built a stunning birch arch which we draped with lace and adorned with flowers. The ceremony was perfectly sheltered under a large tree making it the perfect little oasis for their vows.
After the ceremony, guests were invited to the grounds of the clubhouse for beverages and lawn games (which again were built by the groom!). Jackie and Sam collected tons of amazingly cool vintage decor for their wedding. Including one the most unique guest books I have ever seen. Jackie found an old dictionary (which serendipitously had the groom’s last name handwritten on the inside) and guests were asked to reference their love word for the couple and sign their name beside it.
Dinner took place inside the clubhouse (which included some truly quirky items such as an antler head adorned with with pom poms). Long harvest tables were decorated with vintage jars, simple and pretty florals, candles in mason jars, and copper table numbers. Cafe lights were strung across the room which gave the rustic space a little something extra. Guests were entertained by the local Toronto band The Mercenaries and treated to a delectable late night candy table. As the evening came to a close, guests hopped upon “The Island Princess” chartered boat and were brought back to the mainland.
Although the island is only a 10 minute ferry ride away from the downtown core, Jackie and Sam’s wedding felt like a destination wedding hundreds of miles away from the bustle of Toronto. The island’s small community of charming cottages, lush greenery, and serenity all lent to the romance and whimsy of the couple’s wedding. I could tell by the infectious smiles on Jackie and Sam’s faces that they enjoyed every last minute of their truly loved filled and joyous wedding day. In my books, their wedding was an absolute success and one I will always cherish being apart of. A huge thank you and shout out to Lauren of LV Imagery for these gorgeous photos!!
By Certified Wedding Planner Alexandra McNamara
Photography: LV Imagery | Venue and Catering: Ward's Island Clubhouse | Flowers: Creations by Samantha | Band: The Mercenaries | String Lighting: Toronto Event Rentals | Makeup: Makeup by Hassan | Hair: Charise Hair Factory