Displaying all entries tagged as 'Niagara Wine Country Wedding'

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Niagara vineyard wedding at Good Earth Food and Wine Co. designed by Mimosa Flower Studio

"Fortunato in amore, fortunato nella vita. Siamo molto benedetti."  (Translates to "fortunate in love, fortunate in life … we are very blessed!")

When the summer heat hits its peak, wise Italians escape the city and head to the country to join their loved ones for the mid-summer festival of Ferragosto on August 15. This was the inspiration for Janine + Roberto's Ferragosto wedding among the vineyards at Good Earth Food and Wine Co. in Niagara’s wine country.

The wedding ceremony was held in a verdant meadow under century old willow and sugar maple trees. Our nieces and nephews helped out in the religious service with a rousing responsorial psalm and handmade alleluia signs. The groom’s papa led the guests in reciting an Italian version of the Our Father – Il Padre Nostro. The ceremony ended with a prosecco toast: viva gli sposi! and we were deluged with handfuls of rice thrown from every direction. 

As the sun was setting behind the orchard, guests strolled toward the winery bistro alongside the vineyard. The communal dinner table was waiting under the pergola, softly lit by sparkling crystal chandeliers and votives in a combination of mercury glass and custom hand-sewn vintage fabric sleeves in tones of muted mauve, pale lavender and mulled grape. 

The last word goes to Janine + Roberto's five-year old nephew who whispered into the groom's ear: “Zio, can I tell you something?” “Yes, Ryan, what is it?” “This is the best wedding I’ve ever been to. It’s only the first wedding I’ve ever been to, but it’s the best!” 

This wedding was perfectly captured byuber-talented wedding photographer Nataschia Wielink!

Event Photography: Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema / Private Photography: K Black and Co. / Wedding Venue: Good Earth Food and Wine Co. in Niagara, Ontario / Floral + Event Design: Mimosa Flower Studio / Menus + Programs: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Place Cards: DIY / Wedding Cake: Good Earth Food and Wine Co. / Music: Claudio Santaluce / Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham via White Toronto / Bride’s Veil: Antique Belgian Lace / Bride’s Shoes: Sigerson Morrison / Bride’s Earrings: Laurent Gandini / Hair + Makeup: Jessica Jean Myers / Groom’s Suit: Ermenegildo Zegna via Holt Renfrew / Groom’s + Pageboys’ Ties: Pomp & Ceremony / Flower Girls’ Dresses: David’s Bridal / Pageboys’ Suits: J.Crew Crewcuts

 

Wedding Destinations

Inn on the Twenty: A Posh Getaway in Ontario’s Niagara Wine Country

Ontario’s Niagara region may be far better known for a certain famous waterfall than for its wines, but the Niagara Peninsula is now home to more than 60 wineries.

The Niagara wine district known as the Twenty Valley — around the towns of Jordan, Vineland, and Beamsville — is a popular day trip from Niagara Falls, or a destination in its own right for a weekend getaway, less than two hour’s drive from Toronto.

While the Twenty Valley doesn’t have the vast range of lodgings, restaurants, and other services of a more developed region like, say California’s Napa Valley, it’s a friendly, laid-back destination for wine tasting and touring.

Its wineries range from established producers like Vineland Estates and Fielding Estate Winery (in a particularly striking wood-and-stone building overlooking the vines), to homier destinations like the Good Earth Food & Wine Company, which also runs a recreational cooking school.

One of the first lodgings to set up shop in the Twenty Valley is still its most deluxe: the Inn on the Twenty, in Jordan Village.

Most of the Inn on the Twenty’s 27 rooms are located in a former winery warehouse, with two additional “cottage suites” and the more modest Vintage House suite in nearby buildings. The room decor is quite traditional, with lots of antique pieces, quilts, and plaid or floral upholstery.

Even the smallest rooms are spacious, measuring over 500 square feet, with fireplaces and large bathrooms with whirlpool tubs. In my “wine country suite” (pictured above), I could have hosted a small party.

Several of the suites are even larger — multi-level, loft units, with a seating area, fireplace, and half bath on one level, and a bedroom and full bath upstairs.

More a country inn than a full-service resort, the inn nonetheless has a small spa with a pretty garden and the normal range of massage, facial, and body treatments. Several boutiques and art galleries surround the inn as well.

The inn’s owners also operate the Cave Spring Cellars winery across the street, so you don’t have to go far from the tasting room to your bedroom. The winery building, which dates to 1871, houses Ontario’s oldest functioning wine cellar.

I didn’t have a chance to dine at the highly regarded Inn on the Twenty Restaurant, which has an ever-so-romantic setting overlooking the adjacent vineyards. It’s a formal, white-tablecloth dining room that draws extensively on local ingredients. Both the inn and the restaurant attract lots of couples for getaway weekends.

Since I was traveling alone, I opted for a more casual supper down the road at another property under the same ownership, the Jordan House Tavern, a rustic roadhouse that’s been pouring brews since the mid-1800s. From the menu of updated pub fare, I can recommend the lamb burger with a tangy green tomato chutney.

Inn on the Twenty double room rates range from CAD$259 to $389, including breakfast, during the summer and fall high seasons. From November through April, rates drop significantly, with nightly tariffs starting as low as CAD$159.

Reposted from www.hotel-scoop.com. Original article found at http://www.hotel-scoop.com/inn-on-the-twenty-a-posh-getaway-in-ontarios-niagara-wine-country

Hotel review by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller, author of the new travel guide, Moon Handbooks: Ontario, which features fun and funky attractions and experiences, lodgings, and places to eat across the province. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. The Inn on the Twenty hosted my stay for review purposes.

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Kendra + Chris {I do} by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema

This Niagara wedding is so full of pretty it nearly bursts with joy!!

Enjoy the rustic details and design of this Niagara winery wedding at Inn on the Twenty.

Cinema by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema.
Florals & Event Design by Mimosa Flower Studio.
Wedding Venue is Inn on the Twenty.
Wedding Cake by Vineyard Sweets.
Linens & Chiavari Chairs by Simply Beautiful Decor.
Vintage Rentals by The Warehouse.

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Anthropologie inspired wedding at Inn on the Twenty

Okay, we’ve got a bit of a different post for you this time ... all you wedding purists might want to hang on to your seats!

From the florist / designer: “When we first met with our bride, she told us that she didn’t want her wedding to *feel* like a wedding. She said she loved the store Anthropologie! We’re big Anthropologie fans and we decided to get involved a little bit more with the staging aspect of her wedding ... the fabrics, pillows and the antiques ... all the lovely, lovely details!”

See the full blog entry with tons of pictures on Mimosa Flower Studio’s blog!

Featured Vendor Profiles

Mimosa Flower Studio ... Inspirational Short FIlm

We’re loving this inspirational short film produced by the uber talented Niagara wedding florist team at Mimosa Flower Studio ... one of our recommended Swish List wedding vendors.

Shot on location around Niagara’s prolific and stunning wine region, the crew at Mimosa Flower Studio spent three days producing a suite of five different 'scenes' to inspire and excite you about all the dreamy possibilities for your wedding ... we're over the moon to be able to share them with you!

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Concept & Production: Jennifer Elliotson of Mimosa Flower Studio.
Floral Design & Installation: Jennifer Elliotson, Heidi Taylor, Helen Bang of Mimosa Flower Studio.

Photography & Models: Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema / Bride’s Wardrobe: Anthropologie, About a Bride
Groom’s Attire: RW & Co. / Hair & Makeup: ALLURE Hair and Makeup
Linens & Chiavari Chairs: Simply Beautiful Decor / Location: Stone Mill Inn
Cinematography: Enns Visuals / Print Design: Mark Elliotson
Macarons: Bobbette & Belle Artisanal Pastries

Featured Vendor Profiles

White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa

Give us three words that best describe White Oaks.
Modern. Chic. Upscale.

What makes White Oaks stand out from other wedding venues?
The location and décor of White Oaks certainly sells itself ... but it’s our attention to detail and outstanding team give us the WOW factor!

What is the specialty at White Oaks?
Customization.  While we do offer theme packages to help kick start the planning process, anything and everything can be customized to suit the desires of our couples.  We take great pride in our flexibility.

Talk about trends for the season.
As far as colour goes, we’re seeing lots of Tiffany Blue around White Oaks this wedding season. Mini ‘treats’ are also very popular ... candy stations are all the rage!  Tall multi-tier wedding cakes seem to be making a resurgence as well ... some boasting as many as 5 or 7 tiers!

What advice would you give couples investigating your services?
We suggest couples prepare specific questions to ask or a have vision in mind for their day. This helps to give the planner something to work with ... a jumping off point. Also, knowing your needs ... Do you have out of town guests that will require guest rooms? Will you need golf booked? A rehearsal dinner? Any special needs or dietary requests?  The more information you can provide the better we can help! 

What is the consultation process with your clients?
We’ll respond to a bride and groom’s inquiry and invite them to visit White Oaks for a face to face meeting with our wedding planner! We’ll give them a guided tour of the White Oaks property and discuss and address their needs, wants and overall vision for their wedding day. 

During the booking process, everything is confirmed in writing to ensure a clear picture of the day is properly communicated.  Referrals for specific vendors like flowers, cakes, entertainment etc. are also discussed.

As the wedding date grows closer, we’ll finalize any last minute details in a subsequent meeting.

Give us some detailed information on the key services provided at White Oaks.
We can host intimate weddings for 10 right up to 450 guests! With our beautiful hotel rooms, spa, amazing fitness club, Royal Niagara golf course and onsite restaurants (LIV and Play Urban Café), there is something for all guests to enjoy over the course of a wedding weekend.  Guests of the bride and groom can stay at White Oaks on a special wedding room rate and no one needs to worry about driving home after all the fun!  Bring your workout clothes or your tennis racquet and enjoy the gym to work off the wedding cake the next morning! Or treat yourself to a luxurious spa treatment and have a fabulous family breakfast in our award-winning LIV Restaurant! 

Our wedding specialist holds your hand throughout the entire process, helping you to make special arrangements with other suppliers, overseeing the set up of your day and ensuring your vision becomes your dream wedding!

What do you wish you could do more often?
We’d love to be more involved in the total wedding celebration experience including engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelor and/or bridal party weekends to the rehearsal dinner and brunch the next day!

Talk about Niagara as a ‘destination’ wedding region. What brings your clients to Niagara?
Niagara is known as the wedding capital of the world for many reasons.  It’s a very picturesque location ... which our couples are definitely looking for! Accompany this by the many attractions available for their guests ... such as Niagara Falls, local wineries, Shaw Festival Theatre, shopping and golf ... and our proximity to all of these options make for a great weekend getaway for everyone involved in the wedding whether it be the bride, the groom or their family and friends!

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Celebrating Niagara’s Goodness with The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.

We couldn’t be happier for our friends at The Good Earth Food and Wine Co.  Our fellow Swish List member is celebrating the opening of their new Niagara winery and this weekend.  We were able to preview the venue last weekend and it is nothing short of lovely, delightful ... and full of all things good!  The food, the wine, the company, the setting - really quite wonderful - the property is stunning!

Sit and stay a while - you won’t be able to get out of those muskoka chairs!!

To learn how The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. could accommodate your Niagara winery wedding, please visit their profile.

Featured Vendor Profiles

The Good Earth Cooking School + Food Co.

We recently took a little field trip over to Swish List Member The Good Earth Cooking School and Food Co. in Niagara’s Lincoln County. As we navigated our way between the birches and past the vineyard rows to the transformed schoolhouse cooking school, we were welcomed by the scent of late spring in Niagara. Sitting down at the harvest table for a fun chat with Good Earth proprietor Nicolette, it was as if we had entered another world. A deep, peaceful breath of fresh air - a culinary escape in the heart of Niagara’s wine country.

For more than a decade, The Good Earth has had the edge on the ‘Farm to Table’ food movement. Their 55 acre working fruit farm, vineyard and ‘potager’ vegetable and herb gardens provide seasonal ingredients absolutely exploding with Niagara freshness. Just the thought of it makes us salivate!

When it comes to people, happiness and food, you’ll discover that Nicolette is an extremely passionate person! Whether you’re planning your Niagara wedding, stopping in to pick up your Moveable Feast Picnic or simply sampling the latest vintage (winery coming this fall!) … whatever your connection to The Good Earth, you can count on an unrivaled culinary experience, with a healthy dose of laughter on the side.

We peppered Nicolette, the Good Earth’s self proclaimed “facilitator of fun”, with many questions and she was quick to share her thoughts and passions with us ...

Philosophy ...
The Good Earth’s philosophy is a simple one - authentic, natural and spontaneous. By using the best of what Niagara has to offer ‘in season’, in combination with sourced ingredients from all over the world, the Good Earth keeps it simple to let the beauty of the natural tastes and textures shine through.

Weddings ...
Although predominately a cooking school (classes run every weekend taught by resident chefs and local Niagara restauranteurs), The Good Earth property is also an ideal location for an elegant outdoor Niagara wedding with an upscale, yet earthy feel. Specializing in events that range from 12 to 120 guests, Chef Patrick and his staff spin their culinary magic to make each event a unique and memorable one.

Standing out from the crowd is something that The Good Earth does naturally. Proud of their authenticity, each menu created is an original work of culinary art - inspired by the season and nature. Using uncommon cuts of meat as well as jams and jellies made on the property is standard fare at The Good Earth.

A reception tent is set up up on the west side of the outdoor ‘al fresco’ BBQ - complete with old-fashioned lanterns lighting the way through the garden. Wedding ceremonies typically take place just a few steps away in a shady spot in amongst the ferns to the south of the reception tent.

Nicolette and her staff have the best opportunity to let their creative juices flow when there is a genuine connection between their client and all things “Good Earth”.  There is a creative process in the building of a unique event - and when the involved parties are ‘in sync, you’re guaranteed an experience that will be both tasty and fun!

Niagara first ...
An ambassador of sorts for Niagara,  Nicolette is very ethusiastic about the plethora of ‘farm to table’ delights that the Niagara Region offers - especially The Twenty Valley, where The Good Earth is located. Award winning wines, fresh ingredients, breath-taking nature ... The Good Earth is very deliberate about supporting local farms, markets, wineries and cheese factories.

On the horizon ...
Breaking ground this summer,  The Good Earth will be opening the doors to their new winery in the late fall of 2009. The winemaking is already underway ... Chardonnay and Cab Franc are in production! In true ‘Good Earth’ fashion, this will be no ordinary winery ... guests will also be able to enjoy a unique culinary experience while sampling the latest vintage! The new winery will feature a dining space suitable for lunch, dinner, rehearsal parties, weddings and special events in the unique Good Earth way - harvest tables, natural light and unforgettable food!

Photos by Nataschia Wielink Photo + Cinema.

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A Vineyard Wedding

Niagara’s wine country is a Mecca for fine cuisine, premiere spas, first-class service and exquisite scenery. With event coordination available at most wineries and nearby or on-site accommodations, it’s relatively easy to combine the wedding of your dreams with the convenience of Niagara’s finest wedding vendors.

Swish List Member Inn on the Twenty provides their Vineyard Retreat as an option for your Niagara wedding ceremony! Getting married outside in the middle of the Cave Spring Vineyards surrounded by the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment is an unforgettable way to begin your lives together!

Images and Inspiration from Boston Images via Inn on the Twenty, Brides and HannaHou Productions.

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