Morgan + Greg by Alecia Patrick - Together Journal

I wanted something timeless yet untraditional.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Greg and I are a laid-back couple who appreciate life’s slower moments. I work at a university, while Greg’s career in the motorsports industry stems from his background as a professional motocross racer. Outside of work, you’ll often find Greg racing mountain bikes, mentoring young riders, or the two of us unwinding at our cottage in Prince Edward County. We love the peacefulness of small-town life and spending time on the water, which made it an easy decision to say “I do” just a couple of towns over from our favourite place.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

Greg’s university journey started a little later due to his racing career, and by the time I began my studies, he was just finishing his degree at the university in his hometown. Though we had mutual friends, I transferred back to my hometown university before we ever really crossed paths. A few years later, Greg messaged me out of the blue—he was moving to my city and was looking for someone to show him around.

We set up a first date, and I was so nervous that I accidentally sped past him to get into his car. He mistook it for me being standoffish, but the truth was, we were both equally smitten. That first date turned into an entire weekend together, and from that moment on, we were inseparable.

When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?

For me, it was the moment I introduced Greg to one of my best friends. We were at a summer concert, and after Greg stepped away for a moment, I leaned over and asked, “Well, what do you think?” Without hesitation, my friend said that the way Greg looked at me spoke volumes—he didn’t even need to say the words because his love was so evident in his actions. Hearing that from someone I trusted made me realise what I already felt. It changed when I knew others felt Greg was a very genuine person, and at that point, I knew he was the one.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

To be honest, I think I gave my wedding team—and my husband—the hardest time because I didn’t have a clear vision. Just when I thought I did, I would change my mind. The only things I knew for sure were that I wanted something timeless yet untraditional. I can be indecisive, so creating a wedding that I could look back on and love for years to come was incredibly important to me.

My ideas for florals changed weekly, from rich fall tones to delicate white roses and baby’s breath. In the end, I opted for something even more understated: just a bouquet, no florals, and instead, an abundance of pillar candles. It wasn’t until about a month before the wedding that my vision truly came together—an intimate evening ceremony that would begin with a cozy, inviting feel and build into a romantic, candlelit atmosphere.

We also embraced a few untraditional elements, like skipping the first dance. Instead, we gathered everyone on the dancefloor for a big group photo and used that moment to transition straight into the party. It was the perfect way to bring all of our guests together and set the tone for the rest of the night: celebratory, lively, and full of love.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

We held our wedding in November and fully embraced the late fall aesthetic. Our venue was perfect because it felt like one big sleepover—we did a full buyout of the hotel, which created an intimate, relaxed atmosphere with minimal stress. Everything was an easy pace, allowing us and our guests to truly be present in the moment. We lucked out with the weather—it was just warm enough for an outdoor ceremony, with cozy blankets keeping guests comfortable. The transition from golden hour tonight added to the magic, with string lights and candles casting a warm, romantic glow. One of the best decisions we made was leaning into the venue’s existing design rather than adding traditional wedding decor. It’s natural charm, and character set the perfect tone, allowing us to create a space that felt effortless, intimate, and uniquely ours.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

What we loved most about the planning process was that every step became a memory in itself. Whether it was making friends with our vendors or turning wedding planning into date nights and weekend getaways, we truly had fun along the way. Choosing a venue we can return to for dinner or a weekend stay anytime makes it feel even more special—it’s a place that will always hold meaning for us. Our biggest tip for couples starting their planning journey is to slow down and connect with your vendors. To this day, each person who was part of our wedding holds a special place in our hearts. We don’t usually love being in front of the camera, but because we trusted our photographers and felt comfortable with them, the experience became fun instead of stressful. If you surround yourself with the right people and trust them, the entire process becomes a million times more enjoyable.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?

I found my dress purely by chance—it was in a bridal shop window, and I knew instantly it was the one. I was in and out of the shop in 30 minutes, much to my mom’s disbelief. She still asks why we didn’t take more time to experience the whole dress-shopping moment, but the truth is, I didn’t need to. My reaction—and the reactions of my best friend, mom, and grandma—told me everything I needed to know. It was simple, elegant, and exactly what I had envisioned.

Greg’s suit was handpicked by his best man, who owns a men’s clothing store. It was the perfect fit in more ways than one. He drove up to his hometown to go through the process with his best man and close friends, turning it into a meaningful experience filled with laughter and great memories. In the end, both of our outfits came together in a way that felt effortless, personal, and perfectly us.

What was one, or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Without hesitation—food and photography were worth every cent. Chef Albert Ponzo at The Royal Hotel created an unforgettable dining experience from start to finish. We opted for a family-style meal, which felt like a bit of a risk, but the staff handled it so seamlessly that guests kept telling us how it made everyone feel like family—even those who didn’t know each other. By the end of the night, people were making plans to return to our venue for the food and experience! Guests were raving about the steak, taking leftovers home, and reminiscing about the experience long after the wedding.

Photography is probably what we receive the most compliments on—even from people who weren’t at the wedding! We were so intentional about finding a photographer we connected with because we wanted the images to capture not just the day itself but the love and energy of the people around us. As a couple, you’re so caught up in the moment that it all feels like a blur, but having a photographer who can bring those emotions back to life is truly priceless. To this day, we hope to keep our photographers in our lives because they mean that much to us.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?

We had always heard stories about wedding-day disasters but never worried too much—maybe that was fate’s cue to test us. It started before the big day when Greg’s family attended a wedding less than two weeks before ours, and all ended up sick. Many of them, including his dad, had just recovered in time to be there. Then, on the morning of the wedding, there was a mix-up with our florist, who had moved locations, leading to a last-minute scramble to track down our flowers. Shortly after that, our entire decor plan revolved around candles—and somehow, no one could find them. In a small town with limited options, our team miraculously sourced candles from our florist at the last minute, saving the day.

But the biggest disaster (and, in hindsight, one of the best moments) happened just as I was finishing my hair and makeup—the fire alarm went off. Suddenly, all of our guests and staff had to evacuate the hotel. Greg was out front of the hotel with fire trucks and emergency responders. I was still in my robe, so I made my way to an annex building while everyone else gathered outside. What could have been a stressful, chaotic moment turned into one of the highlights of the day—our DJ ran to grab a speaker, and before we knew it, there was an impromptu dance party for me and my bridal party.

We didn’t let those moments ruin the day and all of these little “disasters” just became part of our story, and in the end, everything fell into place exactly as it was meant to.