Our Tuscan-Inspired Outdoor Wedding in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Our September wedding at Kurtz Orchards was a testament to love, family, and the beauty of an intimate celebration woven with Tuscan and English garden party charm.

From the moment we set foot on the grounds of Kurtz Orchards in Niagara-on-the-Lake, we knew this was where we would have our outdoor wedding. The picture-perfect oak trees and lush blooms felt straight out of a storybook. It was an enchanting celebration held entirely outdoors, where we were surrounded by our closest friends and family.

When the wedding planning process began, we were looking at venue’s in Tuscany. Having a Tuscan wedding was always a dream of mine. But as we got further into the planning, we realized that Tuscany would be missing the most important piece of our wedding – our family.

Instead, we chose a venue in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake so that the seniors in our life were able to attend. My 92 year-old grandmother was proudly in attendance, my father walked me down the aisle, and our 66 cherished guests spent every moment alongside us.

We chose an intimate guest list and planned the wedding on our own which helped us to focus our budget. We chose to splurge on the venue, delicious food, and exquisite florals.

Our Niagara-on-the-Lake Outdoor Wedding

Hosting our wedding entirely outdoors was a gamble, but we were blessed with a sun-kissed day and the golden rays of the sun.

The venue itself, a picturesque haven, was adorned with breathtaking green and white floral arrangements courtesy of Niagara’s esteemed Bloom & Co. I wanted a timeless and sophisticated colour scheme which is why I chose chose green and white. To help our floral budget stretch, I gave the florist free reign to choose flowers that were in season. We also reused the ceremony florals to decorate the inside of the reception tent. This helped save over $6,000 and helped make the tent look even more lush and beautiful.

Picture-perfect oak trees stood sentinel. Underneath their sprawling branches and in front of an oversized floral arch, we vowed our commitment to one another.

Photography by Tiffany Lynn

The arch was a huge splurge – the most expensive part of our florals. To justify the cost we reused the arch inside of the tent and placed it behind the wedding cake, ensuring the arch was a continual presence throughout the night.

Adding to the ambiance, the furniture from Simply Beautiful Decor lent an air of sophistication to the rustic setting. Each piece seamlessly complemented the outdoor landscape, inviting our guests to bask in the comfort and charm of our enchanting day.

Our guests loved having the additional seating that we added inside the tent. This was one of my must-haves for the wedding. Personally, one of my biggest pet peeves at a wedding is not having a place to sit during cocktail hour. Let’s face it ladies – our feet are killing us by cocktail hour!

The older guests really enjoyed these couches as well as the kids.

Photography by Tiffany Lynn

As the night unfolded, the golden sun dipped beyond the horizon. Instead of having a head table, we dined alfresco-style alongside our guests. The enchanting fairy lights casted a celestial glow upon our intimate gathering, a seamless blend of Tuscan elegance and English garden allure.

The outdoor dining was also a hit with the kids. In the middle of my meal I looked up to see the kids playing soccer between the oak trees, their laughter dancing towards the table.

My Timeless Crepe Wedding Dresses

Choosing a wedding dress was a long process for me. We went to over 5 different boutiques and shopped for four months. The biggest challenge was finding a ‘theme’ as I knew I wanted two different dresses.

Although there were so many styles I loved (puff sleeves, big bows, gloves) I choose to go with a simple yet timeless look. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the ‘trends’ when it comes to wedding dresses. But as I did more research I realized that keeping it simple can be just as impactful — simple IS a style statement. With this in mind, I drew inspiration from Meghan Markle and Carolyn Bessette — two style icons that always look elegant and classy.

For my ceremony I wore a long-sleeved French crepe gown called River by Pronovias Atelier. Exuding timeless sophistication, the dress was perfect for an outdoor ceremony.

The long sleeve crepe Pronovias dress was from Powder Bride in Toronto. Powder was amazing and I highly recommend them. The tailoring was exact and they take a lot of pride in the gowns that leave the shop. I had a total of four fittings to make sure the dress was exact.

For the reception I wore the iconic Made With Love Archie dress. This dress has been in style season after season. I also loved how low the back was, highlighting my waist. The Made With Love Archie was from Pearl Bridal House in Mississauga. At Pearl, there was only one fitting as the dress needed little altering.

Was Hosting Our Wedding At Kurtz Orchards Worth It?

Having our wedding in Niagara was a must given my family’s health. My father and my grandmother wouldn’t have been able to attend if we chose to wed outside of Niagara-on-the-Lake which is why we chose to get married at Kurtz Orchards. I was also set on alfresco dining for the wedding.

In my opinion, no other venue visually compares to Kurtz Orchards. It’s beautiful and unique. And although there were some small hiccups with the day of execution, I wouldn’t change a thing.

The venue worked in over-drive to help accommodate my requests and I was lucky enough to live down the street. I visited the site with my co-ordinator, videographer, and sister multiple times which really helped with the planning process.

Capturing Our Outdoor Wedding at Kurtz Orchards

Soar Media Group produced the videography and social content and Tiffany Lynn shot the photography. Here is a popular video from the wedding, titled, “Hits and Misses at my wedding” featuring what went well and what didn’t. The biggest hit was the heart-shaped sunglasses, the guests loved taking photos with them and it was a fun way to get everyone involved.

Our wedding in Niagara-on-the-Lake wasn’t just a momentous occasion. It was a testament to the timeless beauty of love, friendship, and the everlasting allure of an intimate celebration. And I can’t thank our vendors enough for tying everything together.

Wedding Vendors

Venue – Kurtz Orchards
Florals – Bloom & Co
Decor – Simply Beautiful Decor
Photography – Tiffany Lynn
Planner – Me 🙂
Dresses – Powder Bridal and Pearl Bridal