A few short weeks ago, Shannon Guihan and Chris Twerdun, two Torontonians, tied the knot at Ravine Vineyard, an historic piece of agricultural land, and the original site of one of the oldest commercial vineyards in Canada, which dates back to 1869. When we contacted Shannon last week, she emailed: “The choice of an outdoor wedding at a winery was natural for us …  our criteria were great food and great wine, after that we just wanted to show up! The over-sized harvest table[s] that … Ravine had custom made sealed it for us, they were the piece of country that we wanted.  After that we just let it happen to us, with the help of an incredibly talented group of friends we took care of the invitations, the music, the food was all local and in season, it was the little wedding that just grew up around us in time for harvest!”

{Note: The Wedding Co. stands corrected that Ravine Vineyard itself isn’t one of the oldest commercial vineyards in Canada, which we implied when this post was first published; the current vineyard stands on the site of one of the first, which was established in 1869 – the land has been used for various other agricultural pursuits in the interim. Additionally, Olson Foods at Ravine was not responsible for the custom harvest tables; Ravine Vineyard’s owners, Norma Jane and Blair Harber had the tables and the sails made for their son’s wedding a year ago, his was the first at Ravine.}

Shannon also wrote: “I’d do it again this weekend if I could, but after last week’s rain my dress looks like it should be put on a scarecrow, I may have spent a little too much time outdoors kicking around in the grass!” The evident fun of this wedding permeates her words despite the fact that she’s referring to the unfavourable weather – always a questionable element in the fall, and something every harvest wedding plan should take into consideration.

While Shannon and Chris had hoped to wed outdoors, surrounded by vines and windswept by the escarpment’s fresh air, they had to re-organize themselves as the rain began.  They weren’t out of luck however, The Wm. Woodruff House, one of Canada’s 50 most architecturally significant, just happens to be part of the estate and provided much more than a warm, dry spot for vows!

While the vineyard’s gorgeous ’sails’ were initially going to cover the outdoor meal, they were re-purposed as the custom harvest tables moved under a tent, and became shelter for a quick group photo. Luckily photographer Keri Knapp was able to capture the harvest tables and the seasonal flower arrangements as they were supposed to be, nestled against the vines, before the meal was moved inside.

“The theme of the whole night was a mix of rustic, harvest, vineyard, and autumn approaching. The colours were primarily black & white, accented with aubergine & green. It was a little bit country & a little bit Rock & Roll,” wrote Caitlin Ryan, a close friend and unofficial planner for the couple. “The seated dinner, on rustic handmade harvest tables, was held under a big tent with hanging white lanterns. Marsha Howe’s beautiful green & aubergine harvest centerpieces, clippings from the spring pruning at the vineyard, and tea lights were scattered on the tables.”

Coming from Anna Olson’s in-house catering services the meal itself was designed to evoke the season and work with wine tastings and pairings. Hors d’oeuvres included Triple Crème Brie on Endive with Signature Peach Pepper Relish, Medjool Dates with Chorizo and Roasted Pepper, Gently Spicy Crabcakes with Goat Cheese Remoulade and Mini Pulled Pork Sammies with Red Cabbage Slaw. The dinner, which was planned as a leisurely three hour affair offered guests station options which included: Roasted Parsnip Soup with Toasted Hazelnuts & St. David’s Pepper Bisque with Chive Cream, Fall Harvest Vegetable Lasagna with Basil Cream, Pumpkin Risotto and Crepes with Berry Preserves.

From the colour scheme to the {very!} local vines used in the decor and wine to the selection of local produce, this wedding is proof in the pudding that a harvest wedding can be many things, from green to golden without taking on a typical orange hue and that the weather really can’t damage a great thing!

Venue: Ravine Vineyard / Catering: Olson Foods at Ravine

Flowers: Marsha Howe, Marsha Designs

Photos: Keri Knapp/Magenta Weddings