This week’s bride is one of us! You might know her as the consultant who is bursting with enthusiasm and really LOVES love. Yes, we’re talking about the one and only Ashley. Before we get into her spectacular camp out wedding, let us rewind a bit. When we first met Ashley we were riffling through the Haven in search of a laid-back, bohemian number.  Our conversation quickly turned from wedding dresses to a full-blown girl pow wow. By this point, as you can expect, we were smitten by her. The next thing we know, she was applying to work at LoversLand. 

It's no surprise that Keenan instantly fell for her charm and decided to lock it in this past June. Ashley and Keenan's enchanting camp-out was truly a unique and personalized celebration of their relationship. From the smoked bbq catering and DIY details to the late night fire spinning and music, every element of the day unfolded beautifully. 

Ashley, were so thrilled to have been there with you through this wonderful process. You wore Rue De Seine's "Moon" gown with so much class and grace, and we couldn't be happier to have played a small part on your special day. 

 Read on for more from Ashley, the bride: 

Take us back to the beginning, how did you and your Lover meet? 

To make a long story short, we met in high school, immediately became friends and then started a relationship shortly thereafter. We broke up (as most relationships do when you're a teenager) and then went our separate ways. Jump five years later, and I found myself moving to Vancouver Island to be with him and the rest is history. Fate definitely was on our side. 

How do you and your partner celebrate love on a daily basis? 

With Keenan being a chef, we don't have the opportunity to see each other as much as we'd hope to on a day-to-day basis, so we really put our focus on quality time over quantity time. We're best friends and we really let each other know that every day. We always make time in the morning to grab a coffee together on the way to work or have a nice bottle of wine ready for when one of us comes home in the evening, so we can wind down and be present in each other's company. 

Can you tell us a little bit about your wedding’s aesthetic and scenery?

After attending weddings in the past, we both always noticed that the bride and groom never really gets the opportunity to spend quality time with their guests, so we knew that we wanted to do something different. We rented a summer camp in Mansfield, Ontario and decided to make a weekend out of it. 

It was also important for us to have our friends and family be involved in many of the aspects of the wedding. From finding music for our playlist and tying fabric knots for the bunting to creating our beautiful floral arrangements and setting up all the tables and chairs - we were able to spend time with each of them and it gave us the opportunity to let them know how important they have been to us, both individually and as a couple. 

We said our vows under a beautiful oak tree surrounded by our closest friends and family and later had our reception under the stars amidst pine trees and camp cabins that slept all of our guests. I DIYed every bit of the decor and together with some close friends and family, we were able to set everything up in no time. It really was a great accomplishment to take a step back and see the labour of love that was our wedding. 

You chose, a Rue De Seine "Moon" Gown. What was it about this dress that made you fall in love? 

Based off of my personal style, I knew that I was going to be more of a bohemian bride and so Rue de Seine immediately jumped out at me. Their background story is also pretty magical and I couldn't help but fall in love with their brand. They're a husband and wife team based out of New Zealand who lived on and celebrated their own wedding on the Rue de Seine in Paris (which of course is where their company name comes from). The Moon Gown itself had everything I was looking for in a dress - a low cut back, skinny straps and a fitted draped silhouette. The celestial crocheted lace and scallop details made it impossible for me not to choose and the simplicity of it made it easy for me to pair with mixed metal bangles, long gold earrings, and chunky wooden heels. 

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a fellow LL Bride on her journey for the perfect dress? 

Please don't overthink it! Always remember that at the end of the day, you are going to be married to the love of your life and so as long as you feel like the best version of yourself in your dress, then really - that's all that matters. (Also don't get so hung up at looking at dresses online that are unattainable to you. Do your research on the designers that you know you have access to, and go from there.)

How is married life? 

People always say that if you've been living together for a while that it isn't much different, but it absolutely is. Being a wife is my most favourite thing. Just when you thought that you love someone with every ounce of your soul, marriage really makes you feel like you're falling in love all over again every single day. It's the greatest feeling of all. 

-Vendor Credits- 

Venue: Mansfield Outdoor Centre  | Photographer: Khristel Studios  | Wedding Dress: Rue De Seine "Moon" x Loversland | Florist: Kelly Lily |  Caterer: Victor Dries| Suit: Sydneys |