Season one at Stevenson Estate was capped off with a wonderful day celebrating the Bethunes. An intimate October wedding with all of their closest friends and family. A beautiful sunny outdoor ceremony surrounded by a colorful fall backdrop with the changing leaves and dried corn fields. Followed by cocktail hour as the sun set on the patio and dinner, dance & speeches in the original barn. 

The Burbidges – the couple that had the best kept secret… to be announced on the evening of their wedding. During one of the venue visits prior to their wedding day, Haley & Cody, let us in on the surprise that they had planned for their guests. Something so special that Haley & I had in common, that we could bond over – we were SO excited for them…

We encourage every couple that chooses to get married at Stevenson Estate to bring in personal touches to truly transform the space into their own. It’s incredible how we can provide a backdrop for each couple and every one can create their vision. That’s exactly what Kelsey and David did…

Before moving to Stevenson Estate we had a wonderful spot in Pefferlaw in the beautiful neighborhood of Duclos Point a few steps away from Lake Simcoe. Around the end of 2020 we decided to list our house for sale in pursuit of a farm property where we could build out our dreams of Stevenson Estate. You might be wondering how this relates to Courtney and Trevor’s wedding day?

Aside from cleanup the following day, the wedding day had passed and we said our thank you’s and goodbye’s and thought that would be the last we’d see of everyone. Fast forward 5 months. Andy and I are at Southlake Hospital in the delivery room getting ready to meet our beautiful baby girl. The delivery nurse says “I recognize you from somewhere, where did you grow up?” We exchange our backgrounds, and come to the conclusion that it can’t be from growing up. She comes and goes throughout the next few hours. Finally she comes in and says …

The Sanguinetti’s, a beautiful wedding that we will never forget. Let’s start with a little backstory – when we began touring for Stevenson Estate it was the winter of 2022. Laura & David braved a snowstorm and massive snow banks to tour our property. At the time the venue was nothing but an old barn, a large piece of land & a vision. The tour began with “if you can picture it, there will be a big patio off the barn here and a big pole barn over here”. They took the leap of faith, trusted us and decided in February of 2022 to book their wedding for August 27th 2022. The countdown was on – we had roughly 6 months to create everything that we envisioned.

When we started building Stevenson Estate and renovating our property we had really big dreams for the space. How incredible that our property would be the setting that couples would remember for the rest of their lives? A place that holds so many meaningful memories for many years to come. The location for day one out of forever. A piece of their happily ever after.

Here’s to –

The couples who have recently been able to (finally) marry the love of their life.

The couples who have been able to move forward with planning their special day.

The couples who are recently engaged.

All the couples who have booked with us for 2022 &2023.

Here’s to love.

Time to celebrate.

Cheers.

A wedding not only tells a story about the couple it’s celebrating, but is a celebration where memories are created that will transport you back to this day for years to come. A significant chapter of your lifelong story. These memories will be relived during future dinner conversations and everlasting moments that will be framed and admired on mantels and in parents’ hallways forever.

There is no substitute for sharing a meal with those you love. Selecting a wedding caterer is one of the most significant (and delicious) parts of planning your big day – and budget. Not only is catering a big piece of your wedding budget (if not the biggest), it’s also one of the most enjoyed parts of the reception for your guests. Certain meals are meant to be elevated and elaborate. But complex recipes and fancy ingredients are not the only way to celebrate with your guests. Organize and plan your celebratory dinner in a way that is close to how you entertain at home, perhaps that’s with a family-style preparation that encourages your guests to mingle. However you decide to serve the meal, nourish your loved ones with dishes that work to connect your families. Even in the most informal setting, it’s a chance to slow down, engage with your guests, rest your feet and most importantly – eat something. Convention tells us to offer entrée choices of chicken, fish and streak, with a vegetarian option upon request. Consider instead serving simply what you love. Consider basing the meal around what’s local and in season. The only stipulation when planning your dream celebratory meal is that it’s authentic to you! 

What comes to mind when you hear “wedding dress”? A white gown is a seemingly timeless tradition, along with something borrowed & somethings blue. Wearing a wedding dress dates back to the middle ages when brides were expected to look and wear their best to represent their family’s status. From medieval times and throughout early western society, marriages involved a lot of politics, business and the union of two families. It was therefore important that the bride dressed in the most presentable way as she represented more than just herself. Did you know that back in the 1700s & 1800s brides were more likely to wear – brace yourself – red when they tied the knot! Wealthy brides would have jewel-toned dresses edged with fur and embroidered in gold and silver to make a statement as they married their loved one. Dresses were a display of wealth with the brightest of colors, the most luxurious fabrics and decorated to the extreme. 

In this speed obsessed era with access to everything at your fingertips in an instant, the process of designing marketing material caused us to think carefully about how we want to communicate with you. Do we want to create something tangible? Or do we want to follow up with your appointment virtually? These marketing materials are a preview into your wedding day here at Stevenson Estate. We decided to create something tangible, that you could take home with you, that you could read and review in your own time and on your own terms. You may already have a virtual impression by exploring our website or following our social media, but we wanted our first “in-person impression” to exude simplicity, ease, and a blank slate. A blank slate where you can create everything that you’re envisioning for your special day. We are strong believers that your wedding day should be a true representation of you.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the wedding industry evolved into such a massive enterprise. Pushing mass-produced gowns & luxurious parties that people can barely afford. Evolving into a show put on to impress everyone rather than a celebration of the bride and groom and their unity as a team, as a pair, as one. But — thankfully, attitudes have begun to shift. The newly engaged want a celebration that is unpretentious, beautifully designed, and completely reflective of their partnership. So, what exactly does that look like, & how do you pull it off?