After two-and-a-half years together, Kelly Dawn Mitchell, a makeup artist and co-owner of bridal beauty agency Dawn Artists, and Thomas, who works in wealth management, got engaged in her home country of Canada. “He kept telling friends, ‘We’re going to have our wedding next summer,’ and I kept reminding him that we most certainly wouldn’t be if he didn’t hurry up and propose,” Kelly laughs. When they arranged a trip to Vancouver Island, she knew a proposal was coming.
Tom worked with her family to pull off a special surprise. On their way to a barbecue, Kelly’s aunt called asking if they could pick her up, lying that her car had broken down. “My aunt and uncle live at a private lake, which is a very special place for our family, where I spent many summers growing up,” Kelly shares. “It’s also the place where my dad’s ashes have been spread and a special memorial tree has been planted in his honor.”
When she and Tom arrived, there was no answer at the door, so they went past Kelly’s father’s tree and down to the dock. “I got to the end of the dock, chatting to Tom telling him some long-winded story, and I turned around to find him on one knee,” Kelly recalls. “I was in complete shock, and it was the most beautiful proposal in a place that we will forever be able to revisit.”
The following summer on July 16, 2022, Kelly and Tom wed in a 10-person ceremony in that same spot on the lake. As Kelly discovered she was pregnant during the planning process, she made sure to choose a flow-y design and went with a Catherine Dean dress, paired with a vintage cape and her mother’s jewelry. “In the ceremony, I felt a lot more emotional than I could’ve imagined,” Kelly reveals. “I didn’t expect to be so tearful, but there were so many happy emotions and also some sad ones too knowing my dad wasn’t there with us. I’m so glad we kept our ceremony so small and private, as it felt like such an intimate moment.”
Then on June 22, 2024, they celebrated their marriage with a reception at Tom’s family home in the English countryside. Natalie Hewitt brought the couple’s “quintessentially English garden party” wedding to life. And Sara Cooper Photography and Lumos Produzioni were behind their lenses, capturing every moment.
With no ceremony, Kelly chose a dress that had more of a party feel and worked with a local London seamstress on a high-lo mini. On the day-of, the bride got ready with celebrity hairstylist Luke Pluckrose and applied her own makeup. Bridesmaids and guests also received glam services from pros from Dawn Artists.
Kelly and Tom made their grand entrance to “Praise You” by Hannah Grace, as the bridal party tossed confetti, and then enjoyed Champagne with loved ones. Their daughter sweetly joined the festivities before tiring out in Tom’s arms.
Mixology Brothers served signature drinks to everyone that nodded to the couple’s families: Canadian Campfire, English Garden Party, Irish Jig, and French Kiss. Guests then moved under the marquee, decorated with summer florals by Dream Boats and Carousels.
After a delicious seated dinner by Karen Rhodes Catering upon Castle Crockery Event Hire tabletop pieces, saxophonist Alastair Grant got everyone back on the dance floor with DJ Bazza Ranks. Kelly changed into a sparkly Clio Peppiatt dress, and the couple, celebrating two years of marriage, cut their tiered cake by Wren Cake Design. And as a midnight snack, Canadian favorite dish poutine kept the party going.
