Backyard Bliss

About the Couple
Bride: Shannon Pickell
Groom: Chris Talbot
Occupations: Shannon is a product manager and Chris is an advertising sales rep.
How they met: Chris approached Shannon at the Bier Markt in Toronto and after talking for a while asked her if she’d like to see a baseball game with him sometime, to which she agreed. He then told her that she had just committed to dating him for a few months as baseball didn’t start until April and it was only January.
Favourite date: Their second date. Chris made Shannon dinner, and they just sat and talked and then towards the end of the night they slow danced in his living room. It was really romantic.
What attracted her to him: His sense of humour.
What attracted him to her: How stunning she was.
Engagement story: Chris had planned a weekend at Lake Placid, and knowing that Shannon was expecting him to propose there, he decided to wait until they got home. He had the house decorated with pictures, flowers and music, and as soon as they walked through the door he got down on one knee.
Words they live by: “Dance as though no one is watching you, love as though you have never been hurt before, sing as though no one can hear you, live as though heaven is on earth.” (Souza) 

The Wedding Day
Wedding date: July 5, 2008
Guests: 150
Wedding theme: Enchanting outdoors.
Her best moment: “Hearing Chris’ vows he wrote for me.”
His best moment: “Seeing Shannon come down the aisle.”
What they would have done differently: Absolutely nothing—it was better than expected.
Advice they would give to other couples that are getting married: “Don’t worry about the small things and make sure you enjoy your big day.”
Wedding song: “What a Wonderful World.” Before they were engaged Chris and Shannon heard “What a Wonderful World” on the radio and at the exact same time said they would like it to be their wedding song someday.
The day in three words: Relaxed. Fun. Happy.
Favourite wedding gift: Chris surprised Shannon by getting her brother to deliver her a Tiffany bracelet and a letter as she was getting ready.
Most unexpected moment: One of the groomsmen showing up with poison ivy.
Best surprise of the day: Shannon had been taking singing lessons and sang “Never tear us apart” by INXS to Chris during the reception.”
Honeymoon: New York City and a Caribbean cruise.
Favourite wedding detail: The scenery.
What made her day: “Being surrounded by the people we love and seeing those we hadn’t seen in a long time.”
What made his day: “How much our guests enjoyed themselves.”

Vendors
Bridal gown: Bridal Elegance (bridaleleganceexeter.com)
Bridal party attire: The Dressroom (beckersbridals.com)
Cake: Anne Hogarth
Caterer: The White Carnation (519-482-9228)
Ceremony: North Street United Church (519-524-2103)
Favours: Donations to the CBCF (cbcf.org), Run Across Canada for Autism (runthedream.ca)
Flowers:Marie Scott
Groom’s tux: Moore’s (mooresclothing.com)
Hair: Lori’s Hair Den (519-524-9850)
Linens and decorations: NJS Designs (njsdesign.on.ca)
Makeup: Peggy Denomme from Mary Kay Cosmetics (marykay.ca)
Music: Flashpoint Productions (flashpointpro.com) and Stevie Gee & Carson Freeman
Reception: Parents’ backyard, Godrich
Registry: The Bay and Home Outfitters (hbc.com)
Tent and chair rental: Burke’s Tent Rentals (burkestentrentals.com)