chateau laurier terrace winter wedding photos

Ludmila & Bhavaye – Winter Wedding with Old World Charm

October 24, 2022

If you’re looking for reasons to have a winter wedding, this is your little nudge because winter weddings are GORGEOUS. With photos taken by Rubicon Photography, L + B’s wedding day was captured in a very romantic and magical atmosphere.

winter wedding chateau laurier terrace polish indian bride groom

Getting Ready

A great way to feel connected on the morning of your wedding (if you’re getting ready apart) is to write each other letters or give each other something sentimental. It may help slow down your morning so you don’t feel rushed, and gives you a moment to bask in the happy vibes your wedding celebration will bring. 🙂

L + B’s wedding happened when crazy changes were happening in Ontario, and restrictions changed the WEEK of the wedding. In all the hecticness, it was helpful for the two of them to be able to relax and take a few moments just for themselves.

getting ready chateau laurier reading letter

getting ready chateau laurier indian groom

The Winter Wedding Style

This winter wedding was full of beautiful old world, classic European and vintage items that were handmade by the bride. Their wedding was at St Hyacinth Polish Catholic Church whose Christmas decorations were up the first week of January. Everything, including the string musicians, added to the atmosphere!

st hyacinth catholic church ottawa winter wedding

Wedding Photos

The couple headed to a few different locations to take their photos, including the Aviation Pathway Trails, the terrace between the Chateau Laurier and the canal locks, and later outside the Global Centre for Pluralism where they got permission from the staff once we heard about the massive change in COVID restrictions that week.

We’re not going to lie, it was a COLD cold day, but we didn’t make the wedding party stay outside too long. L + B braved the wintery weather and were not only able to have their couples photos outside – they also had their first dance on the terrace of the Global Centre for Pluralism since we weren’t allowed to have an indoor reception.

winter wedding old world vintage European

winter wedding old world vintage European first dance

The Private Dinner

With changes creating chaos the week of the wedding from sources outside our control, we were so happy to be able to help L + B celebrate their nuptials finally! From international travel woes, to major government shut downs, to having to sub in a musician due to sickness, at the end of the day none of it ended up impeding their ability to say I DO from the bottom of their hearts, and have some of their closest family and friends with them to celebrate. ♡

We were able to set up a table in L + B’s Prime Minister suite at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier for their immediate household in a gorgeous, old world/European inspired vintage style with blue and silver accents. The dried floral arrangements were made by the bride and the dishware was a thrifted set the couple were using for at home social events. It’s not the reception they were imagining for the hall downstairs at the Chateau, however this intimate setting transformed into a wonderful space for dining with their closest loved ones.