A Storybook Bridal ballgown..but Make It Blue
When Lexie began searching for a timeless, elegant wedding dress, she knew one thing for sure. It was definitely not going to be white. “Historically, wedding gowns were full of colour, and I loved the idea of bringing that richness back.” So she worked with Vanessa at the Lea-Ann Belter Toronto bridal shop to create a gorgeous, pale blue gown. “When I slipped into the gown, it felt like everything I wanted the day to be: whimsical, romantic, empowering, and uniquely me.” In addition to being exactly what’d she’d dreamed, the color of Lexie’s bridal ball gown held meaning. “The colour gave it a storybook quality, but it was also a quiet feminist statement — this marriage, this celebration, would be on our terms. Walking down the aisle in it, carrying the same calla lilies from our first date, was a moment of both romance and empowerment.”
A Fairytale Wedding in Ireland
When guests arrived at Lexie and Stephen’s wedding, they wanted it to “feel like stepping into a storybook — whimsical, romantic, and magical, but also intimate and easy.” So, they created that aesthetic together through vintage books and bud vases as centerpieces, and twinkle lights and greenery adorning the chandeliers. Our creative bride also designed and made all the stationery herself, from the invitations and open-book seating chart to the place cards and parchment-style menus.
Read on for more about Lexie and Stephen’s wedding journey (including their Jamaican beach engagement story) from our lovely bride below.
How did the two of you meet?
Stephen and I met in October 2020, on the most ordinary day that turned into the most extraordinary. We both started at Babylon by Telus Health on the exact same day and ended up in the same online training group. For six weeks, we were on Zoom together eight hours a day. What could have been endless small talk and awkward silences quickly became the highlight of my days.
Stephen — who is not a morning person — started logging in early just to chat with me before training began. That small, consistent way of showing up has been at the heart of our relationship ever since. By January, we had our first date, and he arrived with calla lilies, chocolate, and a book. Those flowers would later be woven through our wedding, a reminder of how our story started.
When did you realize your husband was your person?
It wasn’t about one big gesture, but the way Stephen consistently made the everyday feel meaningful. I remember FaceTiming my maid of honour (something I never do) and blurting out, “I think Stephen’s the one.”
With him, I learned that love doesn’t have to be chaos. It can be steady, safe, and deeply comforting. It’s in the way we laugh doing dishes at the lake, sneak pizza into the bedroom during parties, or curl up with Bucky and Skittles to watch reality TV. It’s those little moments that made it clear: Stephen wasn’t just my partner, he was my home.
Could you share your engagement story?
Stephen proposed in Jamaica at sunset. On paper, it sounds like a movie — crashing waves, golden light, the ocean behind us. In reality, it was wonderfully imperfect.
He nervously asked a stranger to take our photo, dropped to one knee, and I completely froze — even stepping back in shock. Just as he started to speak, a group of kids nearby started screaming at us. It was chaotic, hilarious, and somehow perfect.
The most meaningful part was the ring, because we designed it together. We used heirloom stones from the women in my family — my mom, Oma, grandma, and aunt — and added an engraving from an old Newfie coin to honour my stepmom. It wasn’t just a ring; it was a piece of both of us, carrying our families and histories into the future.
Between the waves, the yelling children, and the way Stephen looked at me, it captured exactly who we are: a little chaos, a lot of laughter, and love that runs deep.
Tell us about finding your gown! What made you realize it was perfect?
I knew from the start I didn’t want to wear white. For me, choosing colour was about more than being different — it was about reclaiming history and challenging the expectation that brides should all look the same.
Historically, wedding gowns were full of colour, and I loved the idea of bringing that richness back. When I slipped into the gown, it felt like everything I wanted the day to be: whimsical, romantic, empowering, and uniquely me. The colour gave it a storybook quality, but it was also a quiet feminist statement — this marriage, this celebration, would be on our terms. Walking down the aisle in it, carrying the same calla lilies from our first date, was a moment of both romance and empowerment.
What feeling or atmosphere did you want to create for your celebration?
We wanted our wedding to feel like stepping into a storybook — whimsical, romantic, and magical, but also intimate and easy. Nothing overly staged, just thoughtful details and a flow that felt natural.
Stephen and I designed the whole atmosphere together. Our tables were stacked with vintage books, bud vases with single blooms, and menus with delicate Art Nouveau borders that I created. Each napkin held a dried slice of citrus — a tiny detail that added colour and charm. Above us, chandeliers draped in greenery twinkled with lights, while the beams and fireplace grounded the room with warmth.
It wasn’t about grandeur. It was about weaving our personalities into every corner — literary, romantic, playful, and uniquely ours.
What little detail are you especially glad you included?
What part of your wedding celebration felt most meaningful to you both?
Any advice for couples currently planning their wedding?
Create it together. The most special parts of our day — from the stationery to the cocktails to the ring — came from the fact that we dreamed them up as a team. Don’t feel pressured to follow tradition unless it feels meaningful to you. Wear the dress that feels right, include the details that make you laugh, and skip the things that don’t matter to you.
And when things go wrong (because they will), laugh them off. Perfection is overrated. It’s the quirks and the little surprises that will make the day feel alive.
Lexie + Stephen's Ireland Wedding Vendors
wedding dress: custom blue ball gown by Lea-Ann Belter Bridal via the Toronto flagship boutique | photography: Folklore Photography | venue: Poulaphouca House | florals: Nebula Floral | suit: Suitsupply | hair: Claire Barry Hair | make-up: Makeup by Mandi Jay | stationery: Lexie Diemer | rings: Fair Trade Jewellery Co. | music: First dance to “Jane” by Picture This
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