The Dress That Found Her: Jess & Chris’s DIY Wedding

Some weddings are crafted around tradition; others are shaped by pure creativity. For Jess and Chris, their wedding at their off-grid property near Grenville-sur-la-Rouge was an unapologetic reflection of who they are: resourceful, imaginative, and deeply connected to the land. With a vibe they described as “wilderness chic,” the day combined natural beauty with inventive DIY elements, making their intimate gathering feel both personal and unforgettable.

The most striking detail? Jess’s wedding dress wasn’t bought from a boutique or borrowed from a family member—it was found in a box left on the side of a Montreal street. Jess, a fan of urban scavenging, saw potential in the gown and picked it up. Remarkably, the dress fit perfectly without any alterations. Her eye for beauty in the unexpected turned what could’ve been a quirky anecdote into a deeply symbolic part of their wedding story—proof that magic can be found in the most surprising places.

Chris brought his own flair to the day, wearing a light green suit he discovered on sale while shopping with his teenage daughter. Together, the couple radiated an effortless charm that carried through every part of the celebration. From hand-painted signs leading guests down a winding 2 km driveway to origami floral arrangements made by Jess’s best friend, every detail was infused with thought and care.

Their ceremony began with the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, honouring the history and living culture of the unceded lands where their property lies. As Chris nervously awaited Jess’s walk from the cabin, their guests—seated on handmade benches beneath an arbour of felled trees—shared in the quiet anticipation. Their first dance to Father John Misty’s “I Went to the Store One Day” was a nod to their whirlwind first date, which spanned three days just before the pandemic hit.

Jess and Chris’s wedding wasn’t just a celebration of their love; it was a testament to creativity, partnership, and their shared respect for the environment and community. For anyone planning their own wedding, this one is a shining example of how a little ingenuity—and a found wedding dress—can create something truly extraordinary.

Chris told us all about their truly unique wedding…

Where did you get married, and why did you choose that venue?

We were married at our off-grid property located near Grenville-sur-la-Rouge. We had bought the property the year before and felt only natural that we be married there. The vibe we wanted could be described as « wilderness chic ».

Did you work with an event planner?

We did not use a wedding planner – it was a very small and intimate gathering with the unusual peculiarities of being in a remote wooded location, so we thought it best to plan everything ourselves.

How did your story begin, and how did you get to your wedding day?

We met at a house party my future wife was hosting with her boyfriend at the time, who knew my girlfriend at the time. I stayed in touch with her for the next few months and when we both found ourselves single we went on a date that ended up lasting for 3 days. This was just over a month before the pandemic hit. We made excellent lockdown partners and moved in together seven months later and have been madly in love ever since. She actually proposed to me on a road trip we took with our camping trailer in 2022 but we forgot to set a date. When we found the property it felt like a perfect moment.

Tell us the story about the wedding dress.

My wife found her wedding dress in a box by the side of a street in Montreal. I do not believe she had to make any alterations.

What made her fall in love with that dress?

We are both fans of urban scavenging, and my wife loved the idea of giving something discarded a new life. The dress already had so much character, and it fit perfectly without needing any changes.

Who was your photographer, and what did you think of their work?

Our photographer was Steve Gerrard. His style of photography spoke to us, as he is very good at capturing spontaneous moments. He also specializes in live music and unique locations.

Who styled your hair and makeup?

My wife loves doing her own hair and makeup, so it was only natural that she do it herself. I helped her re-dye her hair and shave the sides a couple weeks or so before the big day.

What did you wear, and why did you choose it?

I found my suit on sale while shopping with my 14-year-old daughter. We wanted a light green, and the suit we found was the perfect colour.

Tell us about your flowers.

My wife’s best friend (maid of honour) made the wedding bouquet and my corsage from decorative paper, using origami folding and cutting techniques. They are amazing and remain as permanent decor at our cabin.

What was your wedding cake like?

Our cake was made by our caterer and was a Persian Love Cake, made with pistachios and rose water and drizzled with a sugar glaze.

What did you do for entertainment?

My wife and I added songs to a shared Spotify playlist in the months leading up to the wedding and one of her closest friends in her wedding party organized them so it would play through. All of the songs were either special to us or had a unique memory attached to it with one of our guests.

How did you style your venue?

We used The Knot for all of our invitations and hand-painted signs on the day-of. We are both artists, so we were able to make or DIY many of the elements of our wedding. My best man built an arbour from felled trees which we draped in thrifted lace curtains. We assembled tables from pieces of an old fence my wife found on the street and cocktail table legs I found on the street. Montreal truly knows how to provide. We even found some of the dishes and glassware on the street, but the bulk of it came from second-hand stores. Fresh flowers were picked the day-of by my wife’s wedding party who also made the table settings.

Who walked Jess down the aisle?

My wife’s father walked her down the aisle – or from the cabin to the arbour.

What song did she walk down the aisle to?

The music was « Grandpa’s Theme », a simple, beautiful piano piece from the Stardew Valley video game we played so much of during the pandemic.

What can you share about your vows?

We began our vows with a reading of the Thanksgiving Address, or The Words Which Come Before All Else, which in traditional Haudenosaunee culture—upon whose unceded lands our cabin sits—are the words of thanks and gratitude that are spoken before any gathering. It felt natural and important for us to acknowledge the living history of this place and our new role as guests and caretakers of the land.

Who officiated your wedding?

Our officiant was Erin Lindsay, a natural performer and a good friend of my wife. She officiated the ceremony and wrote some of the ceremony herself.

What was your first dance song, and why did you choose it?

Our first song was “I Went to the Store One Day” by Father John Misty because at some point during our first 3-day date the song came on and we both sang it together and so it naturally became our song.

What was your favourite moment of the day?

So many moments were wonderful and memorable! Including my kids participating in the ceremony to bring us wine for a part of the ritual; nervously waiting for Jess to emerge from the cabin; and seeing all our closest friends and family witnessing us.

Do you have any advice for couples planning their wedding?

I would advise them to delegate tasks and communicate their vision as clearly as possible. Also, marry someone who you can communicate well with and who wants to be an equal partner in planning the wedding, as well as in life.