Ocala Winery & Orchards

Our Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

First Dance & Speeches

Brazilian BBQ Dinner

Family Dances

Dancing & Celebration

Cake & Desserts

Shuttle to Hotel

Our Wedding

Our Engagement Day

On Tuesday, August 26, our journey began around 9:00 a.m. as we left Moncton, New Brunswick. The skies were gloomy as we crossed the Confederation Bridge into Prince Edward Island, but in my pocket was a secret I carried all day—the ring I would use to ask Tess to be my wife. By late morning, we arrived in Charlottetown. Just as we stepped out, the skies finally opened and rain poured down. I thought about asking her then, but it didn’t feel right. We pressed on, still chasing clearer skies. Around early afternoon, we reached Cavendish Beach. The setting was beautiful, but another wave of rain sent us running back to the car. A second chance had slipped away, and I could only hope the right moment was still ahead. By late afternoon, we made it to Summerside. The rain lifted, and the sun finally broke through, casting light across the pier. Tess noticed the Shipyard patio opening for dinner and suggested we stop there. Normally, I never turn down food, but I smiled and told her, “I’ll be hungry for dinner only after we’ve walked to the lighthouse and back.” She agreed, and we set off down the pier. It was just after 7:00 p.m. when we reached the lighthouse. The waves were calm, the light was golden, and everything felt perfectly still. With my heart racing, I dropped to one knee and asked Tess to be my wife. She said yes. We walked back to the Shipyard patio, now with a joy unlike anything we’d felt before, and celebrated with dinner as the sun set across the water. What began with gloomy skies and missed opportunities ended in the most perfect place, at the most perfect time. The Man above guided us through every step of that day, leading us to the moment that began our union and brings us now to our wedding day with all of you.

Our Story

Photos

Michael Lopes

Haley Louvelle

Wedding Party

Dress Code

Located in Port Perry, 25min from Wedding venue. Group rate finalized and available for booking through your wedding invite enclosure card. Reach out to Tess or Matt if any question or issues with your hotel booking. A complimentary shuttle will run between Great Blue Heron and Ocala Winery &amp; Orchards before the ceremony and after the reception. WORLD CUP TRAVEL REMINDERThere is a FIFA World Cup match taking place in Toronto on Saturday afternoon, with road closures and heavier-than-usual traffic expected around Exhibition Place, Liberty Village, Fort York, and surrounding routes. Guests travelling from or through Toronto should allow plenty of extra time, check traffic conditions before leaving, and avoid downtown Toronto where possible. FOR GUESTS DRIVING TO THE VENUEIf you are not staying at the hotel and will be driving directly to the venue, parking will be available at the back of the property and along the barn. FOR GUESTS STAYING AT GREAT BLUE HERON HOTELPlease note that hotel check-in begins at 4:00 PM, which is the same time our ceremony begins. You will need to arrive dressed and ready for the wedding and plan to check into your room after the festivities conclude that evening. You are welcome to contact the hotel to request an earlier check-in; however, this cannot be guaranteed. We recommend planning as though your room will not be available before the wedding. We have already informed the hotel that many of our guests will be checking in later that evening. TOWN TROLLEY/SHUTTLE NOTE:We will have two trolley departures from Great Blue Heron Hotel to Ocala Winery &amp; Orchards, where both the ceremony and reception will take place. Trolley #1 – Immediate Family and Guests Who Would Like to Arrive Early Departure from Great Blue Heron Hotel: 2:05 PM sharpArrival at Ocala Winery &amp; Orchards: Approximately 2:30 PM Please be outside and ready to board no later than 2:00 PM. The trolley will leave promptly at 2:05 PM. Trolley #2 – All Other Guests Departure from Great Blue Heron Hotel: 3:05 PM sharpArrival at Ocala Winery &amp; Orchards: Approximately 3:30 PM Please be outside and ready to board no later than 3:00 PM. The trolley will leave promptly at 3:05 PM. If you miss the trolley, you are welcome to drive directly to the venue and park there. Vehicles may be left overnight and picked up on Sunday, June 21 after 11:00 AM. DRIVING IN + PARKING:Plenty of parking available as soon as you arrive at the venue (Ocala Winery &amp; Orchards). Please arrive latest at 3:45pm as ceremony will begin 4pm. SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFASTFor those staying at the hotel, we will be having breakfast Sunday morning at Water’s Edge, the restaurant located inside the casino. The restaurant opens at 8:00 AM, and we will likely be there around 8:30–9:00 AM. We tend to be early risers, even when we finally have the chance to sleep in! Anyone is welcome to stop by for breakfast, say hello, or say goodbye before heading home. Feel free to message either of us that morning so we can make sure we have the chance to thank you before you leave. We cannot wait to celebrate this special day with all of you and look forward to seeing everyone very soon!

Tess & Matthew

Tess & Matthew

Wedding Party