Who says wedding traditions have to be traditional?
Some of the most memorable wedding details aren't necessarily the most elaborate, expensive, or even particularly trendy. Sometimes, they're the ones that tell a story, bring back a memory, or give an old tradition an entirely new meaning. When our team provided day-of wedding coordination for A & M's beautiful celebration at a vineyard in Prince Edward County, we had the pleasure of bringing together a collection of personal details that did exactly that. From vintage champagne to homemade limoncello and a guest book with a little local history, their wedding was a wonderful example of how couples can add their own touches to wedding traditions.
For A & M, much of that inspiration came from their shared love of the 1990s, the decade they were born. Rather than incorporating nostalgia simply for the sake of a theme, they selected meaningful pieces that connected their past, present, and future. As a wedding planner, I love seeing couples breathe new life into old wedding traditions, but what I enjoy even more is finding creative ways to bring those ideas to life. After all, the little details are often the ones that leave the biggest impression.
A Vintage Bottle of Veuve Clicquot Worth Waiting For
Champagne has been associated with weddings and celebrations for generations. Whether it's a toast during the speeches, a champagne tower, or a celebratory glass shared after the ceremony, it's one wedding tradition that doesn't seem to be going anywhere. However, A & M found a particularly meaningful way to make this longstanding tradition their own.
The couple sourced a vintage bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne dating back to 1996, the year they were born, with every intention of opening it together on their wedding day. This wasn't simply a beautiful bottle of champagne selected for the occasion. It was a special bottle that had been waiting almost three decades to become part of their story.
Of course, having a special bottle of champagne is one thing. Making sure it's safely stored, properly chilled, and ready at exactly the right moment is another. That's where our wedding coordination team came in. We left the bottle carefully stored in the onsite accommodation refrigerator until it was needed. As A & M prepared to sit down for dinner, we retrieved the champagne and placed it in a gorgeous silver champagne bucket, ready for its long-awaited debut.
A sip of history.
Once their guests were comfortably seated for dinner, we found a quiet moment for the newlyweds to slip away into the vineyard for a private champagne toast. We all anticipated the familiar pop of a champagne cork, perhaps accompanied by a little celebratory fizz spilling over the top. Instead, the opening was rather understated, which made the laughter that followed even more memorable. Surrounded by vines, A & M poured their champagne, linked arms, and shared a toast together.
For those looking for unique wedding traditions, consider sourcing a vintage bottle of champagne from the year you were born or another significant year in your relationship. Alternatively, purchase a special bottle to save for a future wedding anniversary. Pair it with handwritten letters, copies of your wedding vows, or a few favourite photographs to create a keepsake you'll look forward to revisiting. Just be mindful that vintage champagne requires appropriate storage, and not all champagne will remain suitable for drinking.
Homemade Limoncello, Made with Love
While champagne may be one of the most recognizable wedding beverages, A & M incorporated another favourite into their celebration: homemade limoncello. This traditional Italian lemon liqueur, typically enjoyed chilled after a meal, brought a little European charm and another layer of personality to their wedding day.
Wedding Favors
Rather than simply offering limoncello as a beverage, A & M turned it into a charming and personalized wedding favour. The homemade liqueur was poured into adorable miniature bottles, each finished with a custom label featuring a bride and groom illustration alongside the couple's names. As part of the wedding day setup, we carefully placed a bottle at each guest's place setting, adding a lovely pop of yellow to the reception tables.
Not only did these little bottles contribute to the overall tablescape, but they also gave every guest something personal to enjoy or take home as a reminder of the celebration. It was a wonderful example of how a traditional wedding favour can become both a thoughtful gift and a beautiful part of the wedding décor.
I love when couples find ways to incorporate homemade elements into their celebrations, particularly when those details reflect something they genuinely enjoy. Wedding favours and signature beverages have been around for years, but they don't have to follow the same formula we've seen a hundred times before. A homemade beverage, a favourite family recipe, or something inspired by your travels can be a lovely way to share a small piece of your story with your guests.
For couples planning a Prince Edward County wedding, there are also wonderful opportunities to draw inspiration from the region itself. Locally sourced honey, handmade preserves, regional wines, and seasonal ingredients can all add a little County character to your celebration. Whether you're incorporating something homemade or locally produced, my advice is to choose details that have meaning rather than simply adding another item to your wedding checklist.
One important consideration when planning homemade alcoholic beverages is ensuring they comply with your venue's policies and Ontario's liquor regulations. These are the kinds of details worth discussing with your wedding planner and catering team well before the wedding day.
Reinventing the Traditional Wedding Guest Book
One of my favourite wedding traditions to see reimagined is the guest book. While the idea of collecting handwritten messages from wedding guests is certainly nothing new, the ways couples are choosing to preserve those memories have changed considerably.
Throughout our 2026 wedding season, we've seen couples move beyond the traditional guest book in favour of audio recordings, vintage telephones, personalized books, and interactive keepsakes. I love this shift because it encourages couples to think about what they'll actually enjoy revisiting years after their wedding.
For A & M, their guest book was another opportunity to connect their love of the 1990s with the location they had chosen for their celebration. Rather than purchasing a conventional wedding guest book, they selected Impressions of Prince Edward County by Sue Cory, a book published in 1990 featuring 96 pages of photographs showcasing the County's buildings, waterfronts, and landscapes.
We displayed the book for guests to browse throughout the celebration, inviting them to select a favourite page and leave their handwritten messages for the newlyweds. The result was something far more personal than a collection of signatures. It became a keepsake filled with local history, beautiful photographs, and memories from the people who shared their wedding day.
What I particularly appreciate about this idea is that the book can become part of their home rather than something tucked away in a keepsake box. It's a beautiful reminder of where they celebrated their marriage and the people who were there to witness it.
For couples searching for unique wedding guest book ideas, consider choosing a book that reflects your shared interests or a meaningful place. A photography book featuring your favourite destination, a cookbook filled with recipes you love, or a travel book documenting somewhere you've explored together can all become wonderful alternatives to a traditional guest book.
Something Old, Something New, Something Meaningfull To You
A Nod to the 90’s
One of the things I loved most about A & M's wedding was how their personal details came together to create a story of people and places that began in the 90’s.
Their vintage champagne, homemade limoncello, and nostalgic guest book are details from their wedding day that will become a part of their history. Each detail had a purpose, a connection, or a story. As a side note their venue, the Waupoos Estates Winery became the county’s first winery in the early 90’s.
As a wedding planner, I often remind couples that they don't need to abandon wedding traditions to create a celebration that feels more like their love story. Sometimes, all it takes is looking at an old tradition from a different perspective. A champagne toast becomes a private moment in the vineyard. A traditional guest book becomes a piece of local history. A familiar wedding beverage becomes something lovingly made at home.
At Bowtied With Love Weddings & Events, we believe the most memorable weddings are those that reflect the people at the heart of the celebration. We love helping couples weave their personalities, family traditions, and meaningful keepsakes into a wedding day. Whether we're guiding couples through the planning process from the very beginning or providing day-of coordination for a beautiful Prince Edward County wedding, our goal remains the same: to bring every thoughtfully chosen detail together seamlessly. From full-service wedding planning to wedding day management, our services are designed to take care of the logistics behind the scenes so our couples can simply enjoy the moments that memories and traditions are made of.
Creative Team
Venue: Waupoos Estate Winery
Photo: Lushana Bale
Video: Dominque Montesano
DJ: Aidan gratton
Live Music: Amber Chello
Baker: One Pound Bakery
Florist: Early Grey
Hair: jsfaces
Makeup: Ibero + Co
Officiant: The MacArthur Collection
