Rooted in Nature – Part 2

A New Wedding, A New Beginning

Fast forward to 2014. Our daughter was getting married, and like us, she wanted an outdoor, backyard wedding — something simple, cost effective and personal touches. She asked Craig if he still had the benches from our island wedding. The idea of reusing them sparked something in him… but also reminded him of what he didn’t like about that first set. Plus, they were no longer around. 

So Craig got to work.

Crafting Something Better

Craig decided to build something stronger — benches that would last, benches that could weather the elements without warping or bowing. He chose beautiful 2” cedar planks, created a sturdier structure, and experimented until he found just the right stain and varnish.

That same stain color is still used today.
It’s become part of our signature look — warm, rich, and timeless.

The new benches were a beautiful addition to our daughter’s backyard wedding. Solid. Elegant. Natural. Once again, they blended effortlessly with the outdoor setting — this time on a family property.

After the wedding, the benches went into storage. But they wouldn’t stay there forever.

A Spark Ignited

In 2017, a family friend called. They were planning an outdoor wedding and asked if they could borrow the benches. Craig said yes.

After the event, the couple sent us a few photos of the benches at the ceremony. And just like that, something clicked. Craig saw it — not just the beauty of the benches, but the possibility.

“What if these could help other couples too?”

Testing the Waters on Facebook

In 2018, Craig posted a photo of the benches on Facebook Marketplace. He wanted to see if anyone else might be interested in renting them for their special day.

The response? Immediate. That first year, eight couples booked with us. Just from one post.

Encouraged, we shared more the following year. Bookings trickled in again — slowly, but steadily. We were watching something grow.

A Big Decision

At the time, we were running a small tea store — a business we had built from the ground up. It was a fun venture, but it felt like it was time to let it go. 

In early 2020, we made the bold decision to close the tea shop and go all-in on wedding rentals.

We officially closed our store in February 2020.
What uncanny timing — weeks before the world shut down.

It wasn’t easy, but we followed our instinct. We believed in what we were building — something handcrafted, grounded in nature, and meaningful to others.

The Start of Wedding Benches of Muskoka

Looking back now, it’s clear that every moment — from our own island ceremony, to our daughter’s backyard vows, to that one borrowed wedding — was leading us here.

This business didn’t begin in a boardroom.
It began in the woods. On an island. At the heart of family celebrations.

We never set out to create a wedding business. We simply built something for a day we’ll never forget. But when something is built with love, intention, and quality — it often finds its way into other people’s stories, too.

And that’s exactly what happened.

Coming Soon…

How We Grew Our Rentals into a Full-Service Wedding Decor Business
→ Stay tuned for the next chapter of our journey — how our benches became the foundation for backdrops, harvest tables, and a full suite of elegant rustic rentals, made for Muskoka weddings.