Satoko & Ian’s Simple Backyard Wedding

Happy Friday everyone and how are you, how has your week been? I hope you have had a good one? Now the children are back at school I feel like I can get back to some sort of routine. The summer holidays have been great but work wise I haven’t known if I’m coming or going. I’m back in the office full time again now, so ready to get more content up on the blog and get things moving. Do let me know if there is anything you would like to see on the blog, or any wedding planning questions you may have. Today’s wedding takes us to Canada for Satoko and Ian’s simple, DIY, backyard wedding. It was a simple, fuss free day with gorgeous flowers and 100’s of origami paper cranes. Natalia Zuk Photography  was there to capture the day for us.

It was like a summer festival with good food, companies and music.

Satoko and Ian were married on 25th August at Ian’s parent’s house and backyard in Canada. ‘We wanted to make our wedding very intimate and casual. It was all about people, food and good vibe We had 100 guests and it took 6 months to plan’ 

How they met 
We both worked for the same restaurant at different times, but through the restaurant and the people we have known each other for a while before we started to date. We dated two years before the wedding.

The proposal
At my house in Japan when we traveled together, was in front of my family and friends, and of course I was the only one who had no idea what’s coming… surprise!

How did you allocate your budget?
Food and beverage were the most important items for Chef Ian. We both also love flowers, so other than those items, we tried to save as much as possible.

Where did you splurge and where did you save?
With my belief and passion, my dress was purchased second hand from the organization that donates most of sales to cancer research. We asked people around for musicians, photographers and the officiant.

How did you choose your photographer?
Online research and found Natalia, who got my YES instantly with her personality and listening skills. She understands well what’s important for me and what’s not.

The dress 
Truvelle, Canadian company! Others are no brand

Theme or colour scheme
Light blue, yellow and white

Flowers 
Not sure but we have the florist we trust and she selected the seasonal flowers for us

Decoration 
Flower arch, origami cranes from my families in Japan, paper lanterns

Food 
Food from our friends restaurants, mostly Japanese

Wedding cake
Simple white with flower, which was also from the pastry chef who we trust

Entertainment
DJ, Dance, Pool, Karaoke, Fireworks

Who supplied the stationery?
We sourced ourselves from different vendors and companies

Where did you go on your honeymoon?
San Francisco (Ian was working for a restaurant in Nappa Valley, so we combined work/honeymoon as we were super busy)

Personal touches
Origami Crane, decorations of the house/tent, vows, music playlist for the guitarist

Special moments 
At speech, as my parents don’t speak English, they sang a song “going to the chapel of love” with the guitarist. My mother started to cry and that brought everyone tears

Advice for other couples
Pick only items that you want to take full control of and compromise others. It is your wedding but also for your partner and families. It is stressful but remember you and your partner are teammates, not enemies! The wedding day is just a start of your long journey together, not the finish line so save your energy.

Biggest surprise 
My husband’s speech in Japanese. He does NOT speak Japanese but has been practicing secretly!

Supplier Shout Outs

• Photographer: Natalia Zuk Photography 
• Floral Designer: Parterre Flowers
• Caterer: Skippa

For more information on Natalia Zuk Photography go to

www.nataliazuk.ca / www.nataliazuk.ca/blog / [email protected] / +1 647-705-8327 / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM

About me & my style: I’m Toronto, Canada based photographer. My style is candid, natural & romantic. I believe in capturing authentic emotions and spontaneous moments that show the love between the couple and family. I focus on storytelling and capturing the feel of the day.