Intimate Backyard Wedding in Orilla | Amanda + Jeff

When they are the right one, they just fit into your life

Amanda and Jeff’s story started with Jeff walking into a gathering and trying to impress with a joke…which did the opposite. But he valiantly recovered, and, over time, he and Amanda became good friends. It wasn’t until a couples’ night out turned accidentally on purpose into dinner for two that things turned into something more.  

As things evolved, they both realized they’d found their person. Explained Amanda, “My dad told me that when they are the right one, they just fit into your life. That is how it was for us, everything just came so naturally. We have our differences but share the most important values. There was no question, we could just feel it was right.”

Backyard Wedding Plans

As Amanda and Jeff started planning, they knew one thing for sure—their celebration would be low key. Inspired by Jeff’s mom and stepdad’s back-garden wedding, they decided to do the same.  Says Amanda, “We are extremely close with our family and host every holiday at our house. The day before the wedding, we had all six of the parents, our grandparents, our siblings and their partners, and our six closest friends to an Italian restaurant in town for a smaller gathering. The wedding itself was held in Jeff’s mom and stepdad’s backyard. All the moms and sisters got ready with me on the wedding day. My dad has owned a 1970s Challenger my entire life and he loves that car. He picked me up and drove me to the wedding in it. My parents and Jeff’s parents all made speeches at the wedding.”  

Amanda’s Romantic Wedding Dress and Jeff’s Red Suit

When Amanda headed out to find her gown, she had no idea what she wanted to wear. As she tried dress after dress, nothing spoke to her until she visited us at our Toronto bridal shop! “When I went to Lea-Ann Belter, not only did I love the quality and the styles of the dresses, I loved that they offered a personal experience where they work with you to make the dress. We had multiple appointments, where I was able to make changes to make the dress for me. On my final fitting, I finally felt that love and knew that I had my perfect dress.” Her customized Isadora gown followed her shape, and its bodice topped with elegant lace turned sheer in back. Just the right look for Amanda and her home wedding!

Jeff knew he loved red, and, says Amanda, “Since we did not have a formal wedding party, it was easy. I told him to wear whatever he wanted. His Dad has an amazing guy he uses in Thailand and Jeff was fitted over a video call and ordered. The quality was amazing and it fit him perfectly. He picked it because it is untraditional and one of his favourite colours.” 

Amanda + Jeff’s Orilla Wedding Day

Get all the details of Amanda and Jeff’s beautiful wedding at their Toronto home and their love story from our wonderful bride below.

 

How did the two of you meet?

“In 2014, my best friend Sam (friends since age two) had a bunch of friends up to her cottage in Penetanguishene. Her then boyfriend, now husband Chris, also invited some friends. Chris and Jeff worked together at the time. None of us girls had met Jeff. He was two years younger and trying to be funny. He walked into the cottage and in front of a room full of girls and said, “Sup ladies who’s going to make me a sandwich?” Initial impression, I did not like him and did not find him funny. However, over time Chris brought him to more social events and as he grew older and matured a little lol, Jeff and I eventually became good friends. In 2017, we had plans to meet Sam and Chris for dinner. They intentionally bailed last minute, so that it would be just Jeff and I alone. This was our accidental first date where we realized we were interested in being more then friends.” 

How did you two get engaged?

“On Sunday, August 27, 2023, it was a beautiful summer day. We were just hanging around the house and Jeff said he was going to cook dinner. He set up the table outside on our deck with flowers and candles. He had made lobster risotto, steak with a full lobster tail and BBQ pull apart bread. Right as we were sitting down for dinner, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.” 

What was the funniest moment of your day?

“My dad drove me to the wedding and right before we were about to walk down the aisle, I realized I had forgot my bouquet. It didn’t matter at all. I walked down the aisle and yelled out to my guests, “Oops I forgot my bouquet!” Everyone started laughing and my guests knew it is very within my character to have forgotten something like that.

(After the ceremony my best friend drove over and got it for me, so I still had it for pictures.)”

What part of your wedding day was most important to you?

“You always hear how the bride and groom don’t eat. We are both such foodies, we knew we couldn’t do that so we took the time to sit and eat. It is such a crazy busy day and that brief moment of silence while we ate and looked out over all of our guests was great. It allowed us to take a moment to appreciate being married and surrounded by all of our friends and family.” 

Any tips for couples getting married?

“You are going to receive a lot of unsolicited opinions on anything and everything. Make sure you ignore all of it and focus on what the two of you want.”

 

Amanda and Jeff's Backyard Wedding Vendors

 wedding dress: customized Lea-Ann Belter Isadora wedding dress via the flagship Toronto bridal shop | photographer: KG Photography | venue: Parents, Lyn and Don’s backyard | MC: Friend, Keith | bartenders: Friends, Kenny and Cathy | florals: Friend, Kelley | DJ: Family Friend, Jeff | officiant: Rev. Carmen (Agius) Novosky | catering: Krew Catering | suit: Daniel in Thailand

Were you a Lea-Ann Belter bride?

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