The Bridal Affair Magazine www.thebridalaffair.ca Volume 1, Issue 1 Ontario
editor-in-chief & founder Rohit Sharma // ro@thebridalaffair.ca
graphic designer Sharan Dhillon
general inquiries Advertising // sales@thebridalaffair.ca
contributing photographers 5ive15ifteen Photo Company Boundless Weddings Dave Abreu Photography L’Atelier Lumiere MPSG Weddings Purple Tree Wedding Photography Sunny Kaura Photography We are thrilled to share with you The Bridal Affair, Toronto’s newest wedding publication! The events leading up to the big day are just as momentous as the wedding day itself but are often overlooked. The Bridal Affair aims to inspire and celebrate your bridal journey from the moment you say ‘yes’... to the moment you say ‘I do’. Through real-life stories and inspirational shoots there is something for every bride to create her perfect affair. When dreaming of our first issue we wanted to inspire our readers to think outside the box to when creating their events. We reached out to some of the best wedding professionals in Toronto to find stories and create inspiration that would inspire our audience – we could not be happier with what we have put together! We would like to thank all the partners that worked with us on our first issue, we truly appreciate their trust and support for the launch of The Bridal Affair, and are so excited to be working with such an amazing group of professionals. With a dream team the possibilities are endless, and we’d like to thank our partners for helping create our first issue.
publisher Hot Stove Media Inc.
special thanks to Dave Abreu Roenna Tara 2018 Hot Stove Media Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced online or in print without the expressed and written permission of the Publisher. The Bridal Affair does not guarantee or endorse the quality of services or products of our advertisers or featured suppliers. “The Bridal Affair” and it’s logotype are registered trademarks of Hot Stove Media Inc. Printed in Canada.
The Bridal Affair’s goal is to inspire you to tell your story how you want to. With every bride having their own story and unique experiences, what better way of planning your wedding, than learning from real couples and their intimate moments. Our fashion and beauty features showcase current trends in the wedding scene, for you to explore and find your look for your events. And our inspirational concepts bring unique ideas to life, for you to draw inspiration from. We hope you fall in love with all the eye-candy in our first issue. This issue is inspired by the chic and sexy woman, who’s not afraid to express herself, and today more than ever, is empowered to control her wedding journey to showcase her beauty and uniqueness. From the risqué boudoir shoot to the very confident real brides, we hope you find something to help write your story. We hope with each coming issue, we continue to inspire you so that your individual style, essence and beauty shines through to help create the wedding of your dreams. The Bridal Affair Team
cover image Photography: Dave Abreu Photography Fashion: Ines Di Santo Beauty: All Things Pretty Florals: Royal Orchid Venue: Estates of Sunnybrook
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Photos by: Everlasting Moments
The Arlington Estate
8934 Huntington Rd., Kleinburg , ON L0J 1C0
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647-429-8934
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experience@thearlingtonestate.com
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The journey of finding one’s perfect wedding starts with creating a dream team. The List is our fancied index of Toronto Wedding Professionals that pursue perfection in every event they do.
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Yellows and greens create this fresh and pretty bridal shower!
Styled by Fidan from Designed Dream Tablescape: GQ Travel // Drink Cart: Gina Meola Photographyl // “Grab a Drink�: Jen Rodriguez // Plate Setting: Gina Meola Photography // Fashion: Dolce Gabbana // Shoes: Rock My Wedding Cake: LewChan Photography // Wild Flower Vase: Z Design At Home // Vase: Designed Dream // Earrings: Chloe + Isabel // Invitations: Momental Designs
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Shades of pink pair with white for this classy and yet chic bridal shower!
Styled by Treasa from Leigh Events “Love” Balloon: Kara’s Party Ideas // White Undergarments: La Perla // Champagne Glasses: Pinterest // Fashion: Grace Love Lace // Fashion (Evening Gown): Diana Kagotho Luxury Pink Cake: Pastel de Boda (Pinterest) // Macaron Pyramid: Laduree // Rose Napkins: Shop Sweet Lulu // Champagne: Moet & Chandon Necar Imperial Rose Earrings: Wedding Chicks // Nails: Dior // Designer Shoes: Valentino // Chanel Floral Centrepieces: Pinterest the bridal affair
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Black and white with accents of greens and pinks make for sexy bridal shower!
Styled by Anya from Le Chic Soiree Balloon Arch: Pinterest // Fashion: Zuhair Murad // Ace of Spades Gold: The Champagne Company // Perfume: Chanel // Checkered Floor Setting: The French Bedroom Company Gold Pineapples: Cutting Edge Stencils // White Shoes: Aquazzura // Lipstick: Tom Ford // Pillow: Tonic Living // Black Shoes: Aquazzura Roses & Champange Setting: Pizzazzerie // Handbag: Chanel // Earrings: Chanel // Flower Ice Cube: Food La La
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Photo: iStock.com/SeanPavonePhoto
Written By: Shannon Coyle – I Luxe Travel
A destination with an electric nightlife, jazz clubs and live music, laid-back locals, historic bars, cherished architecture and a distinctive French flair – welcome to New Orleans. Nicknamed the “Big Easy,” it’s known for its round-theclock nightlife, vibrant live music scene and spicy cuisine – this city never sleeps and the party never has to end! Whether this is your bachelor or bachelorette party destination for the food, the drinks or simply for a getaway, a trip to New Orleans is great for a memorable and rowdy bash with your friends before you tie the knot. New Orleans sits on the Mississippi River in southern Louisiana. It was founded in 1718 by Phillippe d’Orleans, then the Regent of France. The city was under Spanish control for decades before it was passed back into French hands, and then later sold to the United States in 1803.
There are eight famous neighbourhoods to explore, with the French Quarter being the most renowned. Sample traditional New Orleans food, including po’boy sandwiches, fresh Louisiana crawfish, spicy gumbo, jambalaya stews and sugary pralines. And don’t miss a night out on iconic Bourbon Street, known for its nightspots and jazz clubs that have hosted many famous musicians, such as New Orleans native Louis Armstrong. In this city, the possibilities are endless for you to celebrate your bachelor or bachelorette party weekend Big Easy style, filled with delicious food, drinks and jazz.
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bachelor pa rty day one Once you’ve arrived and checked into your hotel, let the celebrations begin! Hailed as one of the French Quarter’s best sports bars, American Sports Saloon first opened its doors in the late 1890’s. This Decatur Street tavern, which houses the largest second floor public balcony in the Quarter, serves typical sports bar food, on tap and bottled brews, and specialty cocktails everyday. Because they’re subscribed to every sports package – NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, to name a few – the American Sports Saloon, whose views overlook the historic French Market, Gov. Nicholls and Decatur Street, is the go-to spot for those looking to catch the game near all the city’s main attractions.
day two Take a break from the traditional bachelor party festivities and engage in some friendly competition at Nola Motorsports. This 700-acre park is perfect for any guy with a need for speed. Home to the largest karting track in the country, you and friends can enjoy 40-acres of pure gokart racing fun, filled with hair raising twists and turns. For something a little more extreme, strap on a helmet, hop in the driver’s seat and go head-to-head with your Photo: iStock.com/Rauluminat
friends in some of the world’s best supercars. Choose from the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini LP560-4, Porsche 911 GT3 or the Nissan GT-R for some high-speed fun during your weekend bachelor bash. The day is still young! Get cleaned up and head over to Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel and Casino and try your luck. Located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, Harrah’s is a great place to get the night started. With over 100 table games, 20 poker tables and more than 1,800 slot machines; your group can try their luck all night long.
day three Get an early start to the day and meet Captain Brock for a charter fishing trip with Brock’s Charter Fishing. Relax on the water and try your luck on the river for the day. Start the evening at the Bourbon House, the official home of the New Orleans Bourbon Society. This society hosts regular whiskey events and tastings catered towards the bourbon enthusiast. This being your last night in the Big Easy, swing by Bourbon Street, have a hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s and then bar hop around the street enjoying all the action. Or check out some live music at the House of Blues, Tipitina’s, the Howlin’ Wolf or at one of the many other clubs on Frenchmen Street.
day four Sleep in before heading back home and start your morning with a visit to Café Du Monde to enjoy a cup of Café au lait and beignets; or take the streetcar to Commander’s Palace for the Jazz Brunch.
bon voyage!
Photo: iStock.com/bhofack2
Photo: iStock.com/Photoservice
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Photo: iStock.com/PageLightStudios
bachelor ette pa rty day one Once you’ve arrived and checked into your hotel, start the party by exploring the historic French Quarter. Check out the rooftop bar at the Monkey Board and its spectacular views of New Orleans. Definitely Instagram worthy and the perfect time for a little happy hour drinks with your girls!
day two No trip would be complete without a visit to Café Du Monde for their notorious beignets – fritters covered in powdered sugar that just melt in your mouth. Once you’ve got your sweet fix, soak in the gorgeous views around French Quarter’s main plaza, Jackson Square. While the square and the surrounding buildings date back to the 1700’s, today, the area remains as lively as ever. You are sure to run into street performers and artists, and you may even spot a few beads left behind from Mardi Gras in the trees lining the park. It is easy to recognize, and the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral is an excellent landmark when exploring. While visiting Jackson Square, stop by Daiquiri Paradise Island for a smooth, frozen Daiquiri to go. New Orleans has been hooked on daiquiris and you can't go anywhere in the city without coming across one. Follow that up with some afternoon shopping in the funky boutiques on Magazine Street. Head to the Carousel Bar, a local hotspot, for a middaylittle post shopping pick-me up. For 65 years, the revolving bar has been entertaining guests while they enjoy drinks from their comprehensive list of cocktails. Vogue magazine selected Carousel Bar as one of the top 20 bars in the world, praising Sazerac, one of the bar’s many cocktails. The bar has views of Royal Street, a
Photo: iStock.com/Allard1
perfect place to relax and people-watch before you make your way over to Gold Mine Saloon where you and your girlfriends can dance the night away to 90’s music videos.
day three As beautiful as New Orleans is, the city has quite a haunted history. To learn all about the creepy tales and haunted homes of NOLA, you can take a Ghost Tour of New Orleans. This is a great way to hear some of the more twisted tales of the French Quarter and see the city’s haunted spots. You may even discover that your hotel is haunted! Get ready for your last night in New Orleans by getting a little “me” time in at Buff Beauty Bar in the Central Business District. You and your girlfriends can get mini makeovers. They love hosting parties for bachelorettes. You can end the night enjoying live jazz and delicous food at Snug Harbor, a well-regarded intimate jazz club.
day four
Photo: iStock.com/Photoservice
Taking it a little easy on your last day of your getaway, take a nice stroll down St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District; followed by brunch at Brennan’s. A New Orleans tradition since 1946, Brennan’s is famous for their Creole cuisine, posh breakfasts and bananas foster.
bon voyage! the bridal affair Photo: Wikimedia
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Photo Credit: Mango Studios
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Photography: Parlour Boudoir – parlourboudoir.com Planner, Creative Director, Producer, Floral Wall & Makeup: All Things Pretty – allthingspretty.ca Hair: Ladylyn Gool – ladylyngool.com // Lingerie: La Perla – laperla.com & Agent Provocateur – agentprovocateur.com // Skirts: Ines Di Santo – inesdisanto.com Flower Boxes: Chateau Des Fleurs – chateaudesfleurs.ca // Furniture: Vintage Bash – vintagebash.ca // Cake & Sweets: Amanda Foong Cakes – amandafoongcakes.ca Venue: Arlington Estate – thearlingtonestate.com // Models: Plutino Model Agency – plutinomodels.com the bridal affair
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L atelier Lumière International Photographie
P r i va t e C o m m i s s i o n s Wo r l d w i d e info@latelier lumiere.com | 647-821-0566 | latelier lumiere.com To r o n t o | T a m p a | N e w Yo r k
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Bianca's bridal shower was inspired by her love for Italy. With her wedding just a month away, in beautfiul Lake Como, the bride wanted to bring a taste of what her guests will experience right here in Toronto. The event included the most beautiful ruscus garlands accompanied by ivory and yellow roses to match the lemon accents throughout. The charming venue by Peter Pan made for the perfect setting to host this Italian and lemon themed bridal shower with large windows and generous space certainly emphasized the white and bright yellow palette. The citrus theme made for the cutest details with mini wing top bottles full of lemoncello and it was no different when it came to creating the perfect sweet table which was adorable and delicious.
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Planner: All Things Pretty // Photography: The Mariner Agency // Florals: D&D Floral Design // Cake & Sweet Table: Nadia & Co. // Makeup: Lac + Co // Venue: Peter Pan Bistro
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This modern and elegant event integrated an array of beautiful flowers, which draws inpiration from Rana’s love for blooms. The room was filled with ombrÊ tulip centrepieces on long harvest tables, while the headtable was adorned with lush ombrÊ roses. Each place setting was gold and black, had a runnuculus bloom in a bud vase and a gold hand painted placecard. The guests loved the bouquet making techniques demonstrated by the professional florist and five lucky ladies each got to leave with a gorgeous arrangement. No shower is complete without a mimosa bar, which had a variety of juices and fruits so guests could custom make their drink, and this paired beautifully with the sweet treats!
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Event Production, Design, Stationery & Planning: Truly Yours Planning // Photography: Dave Abreu Photography // Florals: King West Flowers // Cake & Sweet Table: Nadia & Co Floral Cart: Sugar Carts // Floor Decal: Event Graffiti // Flatware & Charger Plates: Plate Occasions // Chairs & Black Goblets: Chairman Mills Linens & Napkins: Covers Couture // Venue & Catering: Copper Creek Golf Club the bridal affair
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FIT FOR A KING g u ys g e t c e l e b r i t y t r e at m e n t at n o r t h a m e r i c a’s first suit shop for grooms
James Bond’s Albert Thurston suspenders, Kanye West’s favourite ties by Drake’s London and the Holland & Sherry vintage barathea shirt and Barneys New York stud sets worn by Barack Obama at his wedding are just a few of the accoutrements available to guys at Garrison Weddings - Garrison Bespoke’s luxe new Toronto shop devoted exclusively to grooms and their groomsmen. The first of its kind in North America and located in Toronto’s iconic Omni King Edward Hotel, Garrison Weddings gives husbands-to-be the kind of royal treatment women have been treated to for centuries. “Wedding culture has become so focused on the bride that the groom is often an afterthought. Tablecloths and dinnerware are often given more attention than the groom’s outfit, so it is our vision to change that. We not only give men the best-looking, best-fitting suits for their wedding days but also the bespoke experience they deserve leading up to it,” said Michael Nguyen, owner of Garrison Bespoke. Garrison Weddings offers private, byappointment-only experiences where grooms and their brides-to-be or their groomsmen sip champagne or scotch and listen to
tai lo rs fo r su its t v
their favourite music while perusing the largest selection of fabrics and formal wear accessories for men in Canada. Each groom then begins a five-fitting design process with a personal stylist who helps him select fabrics, colour schemes and details to complement his skin tone, personal style and wedding theme, while one of Garrison Bespoke’s Master Tailors ensures the perfect fit. Garrison Bespoke suits and tuxedos are designed to make grooms look sharp down the aisle and sleek in photos while still being flexible and comfortable enough to allow them to do the splits at the reception and carry the bride over the threshold. Garrison grooms are in good company. Since opening its first location at King Street and Yonge Street in Toronto in 2008, Garrison Bespoke has attracted Toronto’s most influential figures in business, finance, law, sports, fashion to book an appointment and food and entertainment with a st ylist, call 416-566-2041 including the cast of Suits and Hannibal, The Toronto Blue Jays, The Toronto Raptors, The Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC and Drake to name a few.
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Concept Creator, Styling, Decor & Florals: Rias Designs – riasdesigns.com Coordinator & Planner: Fab Fete Planning Boutique – fabfete.ca Photography & Videography: MPSG Weddings – mpsgweddings.com Specialty Decor: Glamourous Affairs – glamourousaffairsinc.ca Makeup & Hair: The Beauty Concept by Shirley Wu – thebeautyconcept.ca Stationery: So Pretty In Print – soprettyinprint.com Cake: Vanilla Bean Cakery – vanillabeancakery.ca Dresses: Ines Di Santo – inesdisanto.com Evening Gown (Designer Jovani): Fusion Couture – fusioncouture.ca Jewellery: !Xam Diamonds – xamdiamonds.com Shoes (Christian Louboutin): David’s Footwear – davidsfootwear.com Furniture: Detailz Couture – detailzcouture.com Tableware: Plate Occasions – plateoccasions.com Vinyl Floor: Designer Dance Floors – designerdancefloor.com Venue & Cocktails: One King West – onekingwest.com Model: Elite Models – elitemodel.com the bridal affair
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The beautiful art-deco inspired bride gets ready at an antique vanity, with gold brushes and mirrors to adorn her as she prepares for the big day. With Christian Louboutin heels, Chanel perfume and sparkling diamonds, this setting is sure to excite the bride as she prepares for her wedding day!
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The style shoot draws inspiration from emeralds, and with accents of gold and black to help them dazzle. While incorporating earthy elements and romance of candlelight and lush foliage, the custom vinyl marble floor creates an ocean of colour. The marble creates a magical focal point for the glamorous tablescapes and decor to situate on. The head tablescape features an ornate emerald cake as the backdrop for the sweetheart table. Surrounded by lush florals and candlelights, the scene encompasses glamour and romance. The wedding cake is decorated with lavish details, including emeralds and gold leaf piping. The contrasting black and gold plateware is showcased on the mirrored Vienna table, reflecting the opulent ceiling of the Grand Banking Hall of One King West. The family table continues with the lush white florals with touches of green and gold, bringing out the beauty of the marble floor.
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Concept Creator, Producer, Styling, Decor & Florals: Rias Designs – riasdesigns.com Planner & Coordinator: Platinum Events Group – platinumeventsgroup.com Photography: 5ive15ifteen Photo Company – 5ive15ifteen.com Videography: MPSG Weddings – mpsgweddings.com Makeup & Hair: Fancy Face – fancyface.ca Stationery & Calligraphy: Kimi Arya Events – kimiarya.com Cakes: Fruitilicous Cakes – fruitiliciouscakes.com Gowns: Fusion Couture – fusioncouture.ca Shoes: Christian Louboutin – christianlouboutin.com Tables & Chairs: Detailz Couture – detailzcouture.com Tableware: Chairman Mills – chairmanmills.com Champagne: Ace of Spades Venue: Graydon Hall Manor – graydonhall.com Model: Vogue Models – vmtm.com the bridal affair
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Inspired by the venue – Graydon Hall Manor – this style shoot carries its dark aesthetic through a bold colour palette and brings to life the vision of omnious beauty. Keeping with this ambiance, the trio of unique cakes push the creative envelope, each being a masterpiece in itself. The lush florals and delicate gold details exhibit elements of playful femininity, further carried through the black lace gown, while adding a pop of colour to this luxurious setting.
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Co-Creative Direction, Co-Production, Planning & Styling: August In Bloom – augustinbloom.com Photography, Co-Creative Direction & Co-Production: Purple Tree Wedding Photography – purpletree.ca Florals: Flowers Time – flowerstime.ca Makeup & Hair: Jen Evoy Makeup Studio – jenevoymakeupstudio.com Printed Decor Handlettering: Love Lettering By Doris Wai – lovelettering.ca Stationery: Simply Sealed – simplysealed.com Cake: Sweet Philosophy – sweetphilosophy.ca Dresses, Shoes & Accessories: Sash & Bustle – sashandbustle.com Furniture, Chandeliers & Tableware: Simply Beautiful Decor – simplybeautifuldecor.ca Swing: Engineered Arts – customengineeredarts.com Printed Decor: Event Graffiti – eventgraffiti.com Venue: Mint Room Studios – mintroom.ca Model: B&M Models (Alice) – bnmmodels.com
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This style shoot is inspired by the magnolia flower which symbolizes feminine beauty, sweetness and gentleness. Aside from featuring the flower, the colour palette is derived from the plant’s various blossom colours. Cotton branches are intertwined with the florals, creating a wild look of a mystical garden with soft beautiful blooms that accentuate the bride’s elegance and grace. The design and overflow of florals creates a luxurious setting and a breathtaking tablescape. Grand chandeliers hang over the table adorned with a low lavish centrepiece and tall majestic black candles. The wooden harvest table and wicker chairs compliment the cotton branches and organic aesthetic.
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The stationery is on cotton paper with raw edging. It is simple, clean and chic with romantic cursive and small floral details. The colour envelopes incorporate exquisite detail with a beautiful magnolia wax seal and a watercolour liner.
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Concept Creator, Co-Producer, Stylist & Planner: La Chic Soiree – lachicsoiree.com Co-Producer & Floral Design: Precious Flowers Event Design – preciousflowersnthings.com Photography & Videography: MPSG Weddings – mpsgweddings.com Makeup & Hair: The Beauty Concept by Shirley Wu – thebeautyconcept.ca Pre-Makeup Facial & Manicure: Irena’s Esthetics – irenasesthetics.com Stationery: The Paper Boutique – thepaperboutique.co Cake & Dessert Table: LiMa Cakes – limacakes.com Mini Bonbons: Succulent Chocolates – succulentchocolates.com Julie Vino Dress: Mona Lisa Bridal Gallery – monalisabridalgallery.com Black Berta Dress: White Toronto – whitetoronto.com Veil & Black Robe: Daphne Newman Design – daphnenewmandesign.com Diamond Jewellery: Glitz Jewellery Boutique – glitzjewellery.com Shoes (Gianvito Rossi): Holt Renfrew – holtrenfrew.com Ring Boxes: Lace Byrd – lacebyrd.com Tables, Chairs, Couches, Charger Plates & Dessert Bar: Detailz Couture – detailzcouture.com Glassware, Cutlery & Plates: Tableauscapes – tableauscapes.com Black & Gold Chez: Glamorous Affairs – glamourousaffairsinc.ca Floor & Bar Decals: Designer Dance Floors – designerdancefloor.com Venue: W Event Boutique – weventboutique.com Model: B&M Models – bnmmodels.com
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Black has been a big trend over the past season; its always classic, sleek and chic. Playing with an unconventional wedding colour palette, this style shoot uses bold colours, pops of bright florals and lush greens, and modern elements and shapes. A highlight is the dessert bar with the custom gold foil printing that extends to the floor. An over-the-top centrepiece with an abundance of lush florals and greens adorns the tablescape, accented with pops of black and gold.
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Concept Co-Creator, Co-Stylist, Planner: Designed Dream Wedding & Event Planning – designeddream.com Concept Co-Creator, Co-Stylist, Plates & Glasswares, Cutlery, Table Accessories: Sweet Bee Tea Party – teapartyshop.ca Photography & Videography: Boundless Weddings – myboundlesswedding.com Florals: Blossom Moments – blossom-moments.com Makeup & Hair: Dawna Boot – dawnaboot.com Stationery: The Paper Boutique – thepaperboutique.co Cake & Sweets: Amanda Foong Cakes – amandafoongcakes.ca Dresses: Catherine Langlois – catherinelanglois.com Jewellery: !Xam Diamonds – xamdiamonds.com Shoes (Sophia Webster): Davids Footwear – davidsfootwear.com Furniture: Detailz Couture – detailzcouture.com Runner, Napkins, Arch & Edison Lights & Gold Chairs: Posh Stylings Inc. – poshstylings.com Venue: The Factory Lounge – thefactorylounge.com Model: Haute Agency – hauteagency.net
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This moody style shoot plays with the raw textures of its venue – The Factory Lounge. The deep coloured florals used in the bouquet and centrepeice work beautifully against the brick backdrop, meanwhile a navy blue chiffon runner hangs perfectly from the rustic wooden table. The beautiful sugar flower work on the cake makes it a focal point in this industrial setting.
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Planner, Creative Director, Producer & Makeup: All Things Pretty – allthingspretty.ca Photography: Dave Abreu Photography – daveabreuphotography.com Videography: Elle & Be Films – ellebefilms.com Florals: Royal Orchid Florist Hair: Ladylyn Gool – ladylyngool.com Stationery: The Paper Boutique – thepaperboutique.co Cake: Fine Cakes by Zehra – finecakesbyzehra.com Gowns: Ines Di Santo – inesdisanto.co Jewellery: Tara Fava – tarafavajewellery.com Shoes: Jimmy Choo – jimmychoo.com Furniture: Detailz Couture – detailzcouture.com Tableware: Tableauscapes – tableauscapes.com Floor Decal: Designer Dance Floors – designerdancefloors.ca Venue: Estates of Sunnybrook – estatesofsunnybrook.com Model: Plutino Model Agency – plutinomodels.com
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Born through the inspiration of an exaggerated floral theme with the idea of living luxury in a dream; this style shoot brings this mesmerizing dining-on-a cloud concept to life through the perfectly painted sky on to the floor of Sunnybrook Estates Lane House. The design is accompanied with lush floral garlands beautifully cascading from the sky, through the dining table, and over the clouds. The tablescape has the finest details from a mirrored king table paired with a custom mirrored menu turning the romance up with an array of dusty rose candles.
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Photography: 5ive15ifteen Photo Company – 5ive15ifteen.com Creative Direction, Production, Planning & Styling: August In Bloom – augustinbloom.com Suits & Male Accessories: King & Bay – mykingandbay.com // Dresses: Ferré Sposa – ferresposa.com Bridal Accessories: The Loved One – thelovedone.ca // Makeup: Rachel Renna – rachelrenna.com // Hair: Beauty by Kat S Bridal Bouquet: Teatro Verde – teatroverde.como // Venue & Furniture: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto – fourseasons.com/toronto Models: Plutino Model Agency (Marc) – plutinomodels.com, Lang Models (Sheila) – langmodels.com & Angie’s Models & Talent International (Kendrick, Giancarlo, Jeremy & Darren) – amtimanagement.com the bridal affair
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Photography: Dave Abreu Photography – daveabreuphotography.com
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boho floral
avante-glam
The beauty of incorporating petal tones to the eyes and lips speak to the bride who wants to swoon her guests with romance. Perfectly paired with naturally flowing beachy waves and accented with a forehead grazing floral hair accessory, which adds a touch of sparkle to this soft, enchanting look.
Playing with colour and full, fluttery lashes – all attention is on the eyes. Vivid colours are not often seen in bridal makeup so the punch of green adds a wow factor. Make a statement with a grand textured high-updo to add modelesque height and complete this high fashion look.
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Makeup & Hair: Rachel Renna – rachelrenna.com // Dresses: Reem Acra (left) – reemacra.com & Ines Di Santo (right) – inesdisanto.com
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Makeup, Hair & Floral Wall: All Things Pretty – allthingspretty.ca // Gown: Ines Di Santo – inesdisanto.com Jewellery: Tara Fava – tarafavajewellery.com
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royal romance
glow getter
Super long, fluttery lashes are back in a big way and conveniently the perfect secret to making your eyes pop in wedding photos. Keeping the face pretty natural, pop on a pair of falsies to add some drama to the eyes and combine it with a messy updo for a timeless romantic look.
It’s your wedding day – go full goddess. Get that 24-carat golden glow with a bronze base and a slate shadow to add a hint of sexiness to an otherwise natural makeup look. For hair, brides are saying ‘I Do’ to messier, more romantic styles, the laissezhair is the way to go.
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hollywood glam
pretty princess
Inspired by Meghan’s acting background, this look is for a bombshell bride ready for her spotlight. Subtle pops of royal blue on the eyes and a statement red lip would make everyone take note that Meghan is a trendsetter willing to take risks. Long flowing hair with signature old Hollywood waves completes this look for the Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan is often seen wearing a soft peach lip and cheek. Peachy tones are a classic colour palette that are a natural choice for a Spring or Summer bride. Accents of subtle gold highlights will make the new Duchess glow for her Prince. Paired with a romantic soft swept up-do, this look is timeless and perfect for any Princess.
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Makeup & Hair: I Do! Beauty Co. – idobeautyco.com // Crowns: Blair Nadeau Bridal Adornments – blairnadeau.com Dresses: Mona Lisa Bridal Gallery (Designer Rosa Clara) – monalisabridalgallery.com // Hair Extensions & Lashes: Tesoro Hair – .com the bridal affair
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Makeup & Hair: Nicole Grittani Artistry – nicolegrittani.com // Dresses & Jewellery: Elite Bridal – elitebridal.ca
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sleek and smokey
gorgeous glow
The dominant, fashion-forward woman with the world at her fingertips. This look combines simplicity with fierceness. A low, well addressed ponytail combined with silver smokey eyes and intense highlight and contour reveal a sexy, confident bride.
Tousled lightweight curls beautifully frame the face in this look. To compliment the hair, a mixture of warm tones enhance the bride’s complexion in the most gorgeous way possible.
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ethereal refined
minimal glamour
A natural makeup look with a strong eye liner, is all the rage this season in fashion and we are seeing it in bridal too! We are also seeing more effortless hairstyles using the natural texture of the hair, in this case our bride’s hair is wavy.
It’s all about perfect skin that highlights the natural features. Blended smokey eyes using rose and ebony with feather soft lashes, a subtle rosy cheek and a blush-nude lip, sets the tone for this minimalist blushing bride paired with softly curled hair.
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Makeup: Dawna Boot – dawnaboot.com // Hair: Ladylyn Gool – ladylyngool.com Dresses: Blair Nadeau Bridal Adornments – blairnadeau.com // Floral Wall: All Things Pretty – allthingspretty.ca the bridal affair
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We met 18 years ago on a school trip to France. Jason went to an all-boys school and I went to an all-girls school, and together the schools had organized a trip to France for March Break. We initially met on the plane and politely smiled and acknowledged one another, not thinking anything of it. Once we were in France we spent a lot of time together – sightseeing, eating, partying and just being teenagers! I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, in fact, it was quite the opposite. During the trip there were several times Jason tried to talk and flirt with me, only for me to be cold or unresponsive, but Jason kept persisting. One day we were shopping at the Champs d’Elysee in Paris, and I found the perfect gift for my father. For some reason my debit card didn’t work, and in came Jason, ready to help out a girl in need. I was happy I could make the purchase, and he was ecstatic I would have to see him again in Canada, to return the money. A few weeks later, back in Toronto, we decided to meet up. A quick coffee turned into a dinner, which led to future dates, which led to the start of a beautiful relationship. After a few years of dating, Jason, who is originally from Antigua, returned to his home country. We decided to try a long distance relationship, which worked out great, but I missed being close to him. Skeptical and completely out-of-my-comfort zone, I decided to move to Antigua and be with Jason full-time, in a beautiful island paradise. Jason was excited and planned a “welcome” party when I arrived on the island, where I was greeted by over 500 people at his residence in a beautifully decorated beach party. During the party, to my surprise, he went down on one knee, and in front of family and friends, he proposed! I was so excited! And even more excited when I saw my brother and his girlfriend come out in the crowd. Jason had them fly in earlier in the day to be a part of the proposal. Needless to say, I said Yes!
Photography: Krista Fox Photography // Videography: Images Life Media // Event Planning: Fabulous Occasions // Decor & Florals: Stemz Linens: Around the Table // Chairs & Chargers: Detailz Couture // Aisle Carpet: Reznick Carpets // Vinyl Dance Floor: Event Graffiti Draping: Micki’s Fine Linen // Cake: Truffle Cake & Pastry // Donuts: Tim Horton’s // Stationery: Ferris Wheel Press Wedding Dress (Designer Galia Lahav) & Bridesmaids Dresses (Designer Jenny Yoo): Boca Raton Bridal // Chinese CheongSam: This is Art Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Per Lui // Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Makeup: Dawna Boot Makeup // Hair: Angel Group Salon & Spa Toronto Chinese Lion Dancers: Wushu Project Toronto // Samba Dancers: Tropicana Queens // DJ & Master of Ceremonies: DJ Floh Back Productions Quartet for Ceremony: Wellington Music // Photobooth: Shots & Giggles // Steel Band: Island Nice Entertainment Officiant: Ceremonies to Remember // Venue: The Four Seasons Hotel
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A few months after the wedding, we were so excited to go through the albums. One of our favourite candid moments was when Jason was anticipating me walking up behind him, for his first look at his bride. I remember when he turned around he literally had no reaction. I said to him, “you’re supposed to act surprised!� He immediately made the most exaggerated surprised face, capturing several emotions in that one expression! We both started to laugh, and to this day we laughingly remember that intimate moment and just how precious it was.
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There were so many memorable moments throughout the 18 years we’ve known each other – but I can definitely say the entire wedding day is something I’ll never forget. We had a challenging time planning the wedding from Antigua, getting immigration for guests to come to Toronto, and working through 3 hurricanes that passed through the island. But that is what made the day so special. After exchanging our vows and walking back down the aisle, seeing our families together despite the up and downs, is definitely the most memorable moment of our relationship.
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Entertainment was a very large part of our wedding as we are from different cultures and wanted to have each side respresented. Jason wanted to bring a Caribbean flaire to our Toronto wedding, and the Samba Dancers did just that! They brought everyone up on their feet and dancing, including my 99-year old grandfather! We also included lion dancers – it was nice to bring a part of my Chinese heritage to the reception. I also wore the red Cheong Sam during the grand entrance into the reception with the dancers. I loved it! It made it very special for my family and something Jason’s family had not seen before.
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For the wedding and reception, Jason and I wanted to express ourselves through our fashion. I was born and raised in Toronto, and my parents are from Hong Kong, so I wanted a more western style wedding with a touch of my culture and roots. Jason, on the other hand, was born and raised in Antigua, and his mother is Indian from Trinidad and father is Lebanese. With all the different cultures, we knew this wedding was going to be original! We chose to have both the ceremony and reception at the Four Seasons Hotel. For the ceremony and our first dance, I wore a modern western style white gown; and for our reception entrance, I changed into a traditional red Chinese CheongSam. The venue was absolutely amazing and really set the stage for us. Jason and I wanted it to be in a modern hotel in the heart of the city with impeccable service; the Four Seasons Hotel was perfect! I loved that the ballroom had high ceilings and the crystals in the window were gorgeous! Jason insisted that the wedding be grand, and I wanted it to feel romantic, modern and elegant. Our amazing wedding planner put everything together, perfectly executing our vision. After going through a few options and concepts, we decided on candlelights with dark burgundy and blush florals, which looked stunning and complimented the venue so well.
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Daniel and I started as friends, we had first met 5 years ago through a mutual acquinatance and would often run into each other at social gatherings and dinners. One particular night we were out at dinner with a group of friends, and ended up chatting exclusively with one another. Before we knew it, most of the guests had left, and the waiter had to tell us the restaurant was closing down. We had been talking for over four hours and I didn’t even realize it, and so began the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Whenever we would go out Daniel would make me carry anything that he had in his pockets – keys, change or gum for example – I ended up hauling his items in my purse. So when he handed me an envelope one day to hold for him, I thought nothing of it. He said we would stop by the post office later to mail it out. It was Canada Day, and we decided to walk along the Harbourfront and enjoy the beautiful day. It was an area we used to visit quite frequently to watch planes take off and land from a lookout point. As we were watching the planes up above, Daniel asked me to open the letter he had given me earlier – it was titled to me, and he expressed his love and dedication to me. When I looked back at him he was on one knee and he proposed…of course, I said yes!
Photography: Mango Studios // Videography: The Love Studio // Event Planning: Kari Lywood // Florals: Secrets Floral Floral Garland: Creations by Samantha // Plates: Plate Occasions // Rentals: Chairman Mills // Green Boxwood Rental: J’Adore Floral Vintage Mirror Rentals: Southern Charm Vintage Rentals // Cake, Macaron & Choux Tower: The Cake Canvas // Favours: Krispy Kreme Ice Cream Cart: Mr. Wilson // Invitations & Stationery: Beet & Path Designs // Calligraphy on Place & Escort Cards: Pina Calligraphy Lettering on Mirrors: Sarah Kim Lettering & Design // Laser Cut Sign for Boxwood Wall: Straight Laser Wedding Dress (Designer Badgley Mischka): Camellia Wedding Gown // Vietnamese Dress (Bridal Ao Dai): Kym’s Bridal & Ao Dai Menswear: 4Men United // Shoes: Charlotte Olympia // Makeup: Aglow by Joan // Hair: Ana Sorys // Wedding Bands: Twain Designs Bridal Accessories: Kleinfelds (Peter Langner veil) & White Toronto (Keren Wolf earrings) // MC: Empire Entertainment DJ, Band & Entertainment: The Digs Band & Sole Power Productions // Catering: Couture Cuisine // Photobooth: A & P Retro Gallery Steel Band: Island Nice Entertainment // Officiant: Ceremonies with Choice // Venue: Thompson Landry Gallery
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I think most girls have a look in mind when choosing their white bridal dress. I imagined I would be in a high neckline, lace dress either figure hugging or with a slight princess feel with cap or long sleeves. The dress that I chose had almost none of those elements! I ended up with a high neckline sleeveless silk mikado gown with tons of embroidery on it. I generally veer towards what I think suits my body type (I’m on the shorter side) and things that I haven’t seen previously. I think it’s safe to say that you should always try on a variety of gowns when you first visit a bridal salon. The gown I chose literally looked like a carpet on the hanger due to all of the heavy embroidery but once I was clipped in, it was instantly a front-runner. Also, it helps to keep in mind your venue and season when purchasing a gown. Initially, I was also considering a tulle ball gown but, in hindsight, my venue is a lot more intimate and cozy…it would have been tough to walk in it through the rows of tables.
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I’m more of a traditional white, pastel wedding type of girl. When we chose the Thompson Landry: Cooperage Space, I decided to compliment rather than compete with the ambiance. Therefore we embraced more of an edgy, modern, colourful design! Deciding on the colour palette, particularly when it involved lots of colour, was out of my comfort zone. The paintings in the Thompson Landry Gallery are quite colourful so I decided to pull some colours from a few of the paintings and incorporate them throughout all of the florals. In the ceremony space, we opted for traditional white pillar candles along with tall colourful alter floral arrangements as the focal point of the space. My goal for the ceremony was a more subdued, romantic, and traditional feel. For the reception space, guests were introduced to a more modern feel. This was accomplished through all of the gold accents, the tall tapered candles, cutlery, goblets, signage, plates, calligraphy and so on. I’ve always loved how candles can create a romantic, moody vibe so I made sure that we had lots surrounding the ceremony and the reception space.
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We wanted the wedding to reflect our personal tastes, so a lot of our favourite meals and desserts were served. We did a slight spin on the traditional Asian wedding – we made sure we had the traditional fried crab claws but we also had salmon with Japanese rice cake. I have a sweet tooth and love donuts so our favours were Krispy Kreme donuts for the guests to take away for the ride home. On the other hand, Daniel loves his savoury food, so we had McDonald’s burgers as our late night snack. I was very happy with how all of the decor and florals turned out. Zoe, from Secrets Floral, was extremely patient with me as I changed my mind countless times over the span of our two year engagement. I was very nervous about having colourful bouquets and flowers, but they turned out so well! It was amazing to see it all come together on the day. All the hours of meetings and planning definitely paid off. All the stationery and signage turned out so beautifully as well. It was a labour of love across multiple vendors. I’m sure no one else really noticed those smaller details, but knowing that so many people were involved in these designs and yet they all turned out to deliver the same theme and leverage the overall ambiance was amazing.
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My Vietnamese bridal dress had a few elements I had been searching for in my white bridal dress – the lace, high neckline and long sleeves. I decided to forego the traditional red colour and went with a silver grey evening colour for a different spin. It was the first time I had ever had an ao dai custom made for me so it was so much fun to pick the different lace, beading, style and colour! Tina from Kym’s Bridal & Ao Dai is the best in Toronto for custom ao dai. My mom absolutely loved it too as she now gets all of her ao dai from Tina!
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Anthony and I met during high school, but we lost touch after graduating. Almost 10 years later we reconnected through a Facebook message; it led to a dinner between old friends where we instantly connected and we have been together ever since. Our first New Years Eve as a couple, we shared a beautiful evening at the Boiler House in the Distillery District. It was one of those magical evenings with great conversation, good food and drinks, and fun moments laughing and dancing the night away. It was probably one of the best nights we ever had. I think we both knew in that moment, despite only dating for a short period of time, that we were meant to be together. After a few years of dating, we went to Italy on vacation. Both our grandparents were originally from there, and we both wanted to explore the old country. We were staying in a town called Briatico, a coastal town in Calabria, Italy, which has the most beautiful sunsets. One evening, walking along the beach during the sunset hand-in-hand, Anthony asked me to take a picture of the beautiful view. After I took the picture, I turned around and he was on one knee, with a ring, asking me to share the rest of his life with him. It was such a magical and heartwarming moment, especially for it to happen in Italy, where our roots are and our families once lived. Of course I said yes!
Photography: Dave Abreu Photography // Event Planning: La Chic Soiree // Florals: Royal Orchid Florist // Cake & Favours: Nadia & Co. Seating Chart & Menu: The Paper Boutique // Wedding Dress (Designer Sottero & Midgley): Amanda-Lina’s Sposa Boutique Suits: Empire Customs // Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Makeup & Hair: Fancy Face // Jewellery: Tara Fava Acoustic Guitar Player/Singer & Smooth Jazz Trio: Bongo & B Entertainment Group Venue: Casa Loma (ceremony) & Universal Event Space (reception)
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We wanted to mix old fashioned grandeur with more trendy decor. The traditional ceremony was held in the Conservatory Room in Casa Loma, a naturally beautiful space that didn’t need a lot of props. So we decided to keep the decor to a minimal and added decorative vases with grand floral pieces to compliment the venue. Our reception was at the very chic and monotone Universal Event Space, which really made our colour palette pop and was the perfect backdrop for our vision. For my gown I knew I wanted something in lace and a hint of sexy with a plugging neckline, the Sottero & Midgley gown I chose was modern and glamourous perfectly fitting for both events.
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The most memorable moment by far was our ceremony. Walking down that aisle in one of Toronto’s most iconic venues – Casa Loma – was just pure perfection. Remembering the look on each others faces, so full of love and happiness, to be sharing this moment and the rest of our lives together, was simply incredible.
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When it came to decor for our reception we never wanted a white wedding. I loved the recent trend for lush greenery and wanted to incorporate that into our wedding decor. We had white, blush and burgundy florals with some darker tones and gold accents. Anya, our wedding planner, understood our vision completely and was exceptional at bringing this look to life with the help of some amazing vendors.
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We both love live music and knew early on that we wanted to incorporate live entertainment into our events. Bongo & B Entertainment took the songs we loved and entertained the audience. We also had the Smooth Jazz Trio band play during our dinner and they offered sweet soul sounds that got people dancing early on in the evening which is exactly what we wanted.
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Technically we met online, but this particular app required you to have mutual friends, and lucky for us we had a few great people in common. We began to exchange messages online, but never set a date to meet. A little while later, a group of common friends organized a trip to a PAC 12 Championship Game (College Football in the US). At the game, one of my friends who knew Brett, quickly introduced us. After months of chatting online, it was great to put a face with the name and we immediately hit it off! He teased me about my Canadian routes, while I teased him about his team losing. After the game, we exchanged numbers and made plans to meet up for drinks. Later that week we met up for a glass of wine, and enjoyed a beautiful evening together. It was the beginning of our beautiful journey together. I was headed to New York for a work trade-show and Brett decided to tag along to take in the sights and spend some time with his relatives. On our free-day together, we decided to go take a stroll through Central Park. I’ll always remember how hot and humid the day was, something I was not used to. Brett kept dragging me all over the park, he was looking for a specific area, but all I could think about was how my feet were swelling and how tired I was getting. Just when I thought we would be heading back to our hotel, he grabbed my hand and led me to the ‘sundial’, an area just around the corner from where we were. Suddenly he got down on one knee and started to recite a poem – I was in shock! I heard the sounds of what he was saying but couldn’t understand the words. It felt like time froze, I realized he was proposing and we both started to be overcome with emotion. We celebrated with champagne in the park, followed by a dinner with his family.
Photography: Purple Tree Wedding Photography // Videography: Images Luis // Consultant: Ashley Pigott Events // Decor: Simply Beautiful Florals: Lush // Cake: Sarah // Sweet Table: Sweet Celebrations // Makeup: Dawna Boot Dawna // Hair: Hair By Ladylyn // Ceremony Music: Fox Duo DJ: Sole Power // Late Night Guitarist: Aaron Berger // Fireworks: Fire Master // Officiant: Stephanie // Venue & Catering: Kurtz Orchard
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There were a few moments that were unforgettable during the wedding. We both wrote a letter to one another, which we exchanged in the morning to express our wishes and intentions. It was beautiful to share our excitement for the day. But I’ll never forget the first look! It was so lovely to really just have a moment together, just him and I, before all the festivities began. Several people gave us advice before hand, to pause to take it all in – the day truly does go by very fast, and is very overwhelming, but it’s those small moments that made everything more special.
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We chose Niagara-on-the-lake for our wedding. We thought it was the perfect place that bridged where we were from – the United States and Canada. It was a quaint beautiful destination, which was perfect for our out of town guests too. The wedding was an elegant orchard garden setting, as we wanted to embrace what the beautiful fruit orchard and vineyard had to offer. We had an archway covered in flowers, and soft owing greenery with a whisp of chiffon. All the bouquets included silk ribbons, and soft pinks, creams and whites with lots of greenery to pull in from our surrounding. The guests were seated in all white chairs, and the back row lined with chiffon and flowers as well. It was clean, crisp and light – it matched well with the venue and our outdoor tented wedding.
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Planning our reception was the fun part! Our florals were over-sized hanging baskets that captured our guests attention when they arrived. It was a beautiful white tented space, and the natural wood floors paired with the hanging baskets made it very romantic. We had champagne and ivory linens, lined with gold candle holders and tall white pillar candles.The sweetheart table complimented the florals on the tabletops and had a live greenery wall, and was surrounded by tall floral pillars. The bars were rustic wood, with gold accents around the room.The gold rimmed chargers, and hand calligraphy menus stamped with gold seals tied all the details together. We chose to share maple syrup from a family friends farm with our guests as the favours. Our cocktail reception was a favourite of mine, we had vingettes of couches and chairs set up to really host a garden tea party where our guests could be comfortable and really enjoy the setting. The bar was lined with fresh local cheese and meat boards on wooden planks, we served rose bubbles and fresh juices.
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Our first dance, the DJ accidentally played both songs in full, so we had a good 6-7 minutes of us just dancing and entertaining our guests. The first song was fun, fast and upbeat, while the second was our slow-dance song and more heartfelt. It was some of my favorite photos and captured both our happiness so well. As the night went on, we enjoyed a sparkler lit dance on the outdoor dance floor, where we were serenaded by Brett’s Mother and Sister in song. As the music wrapped up the fireworks show started, and it was truly a beautiful way to kick off the evening. Fireplaces surrounded the venue, and smore kits were handed out to enjoy the evening a little while longer.
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It was a bit serendipitous how Evan and I met. My brother and Evan were both in residency and one particular night were working a night shift. They didn’t know each other, but struck up a conversation while getting coffee. The next day my brother told me he met the man that I should marry. I laughed it off. The two of them became good friends but the timing wasn’t right for us to meet. Two years later, one of my friends who works at the same hospital, ran into Evan while he was working on a computer, singing to Adele aloud. They had a great conversation and later told me she met a guy who I should meet…I was completely shocked to know it was the same person my brother had mentioned a few years earlier. Trusting my brother and friend, I agreed to a blind date. We went for dinner and spoke for hours, I instantly knew they were both right. After dating a few years, we bought a house together and were still madly in love. One particular day we came home and there was a white package at our front door. I would have stepped right over it, but Evan pointed it out and I could tell by the way he was nervously smiling that something was up. I opened it and he had made a picture book of all of our favourite moments and travels through the years. It was so cute! I didn’t think anything of it, but on the last page it told me to go outside to the backyard. He set up flowers and champagne, and proposed. A few hours later our families and close friends came over and we celebrated with an impromptu engagement party. It was a truly magical night! A few days after we got engaged we went to South Africa to visit my family. A few days into the trip my grandmother pulled us aside and struggled to take a gold ring off her finger. She told us that it was her mother’s wedding band, who I was named after, and she wanted us to have it. It was an incredibly meaningful moment. I still remember looking up at Evan through blurry eyes and seeing him crying as well. Their wedding date from 1912 was inscribed on the inside. When we got married we had ours inscribed next to it. I hope to pass it down to a grandchild one day.
Photography: Purple Tree Wedding Photography // Videography: Big Ticket Productions // Planner: Fab Fete Planning Boutique Decor & Florals: Flowers Time // Invitations: Paper Impressions // Seating Chart & Place Cards: Double Click Advertising Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo // Shoes: Manolo Blahnik // Makeup & Hair: Fancy Face // Grooms Tux & Shoes: Suit Supply Mirrored Table & Harvest Chairs: Detailz Couture // Napkins & Runners: Linen Closet // Floor Decal: Axe Media Group Band: St. Royal Entertainment // AV: Sole Power Productions // Venue: York Mills Gallery
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For my wedding gown I wanted something soft and romantic, and not too fussy. The one I choose was perfect, I felt like myself. My bridesmaids wore black dresses in different styles. I wanted my sister, who was my Maid of Honour, to wear something different that she felt special in and she found the most stunning silver gown.
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I wanted the overall look and feel to be warm and romantic, but still modern. Our ceremony and reception both took place at York Mills Gallery, the venue is completely draped in white, has industrial floors and ceilings, and romantic string lights across the room. I loved it because it was an open space that we could transform however we wanted. I have always loved a soft and more natural “undone� look, and wanted to incorporate different textures, neutrals, greenery and candles. Our invitations were a soft grey with white writing which really inspired the foundation for our decor. We decided to go with lilac and dusty rose as the floral accent colours, and incorporated different gold metals for the vases and candlesticks. Everything looked amazing, walking down the aisle and seeing Evan standing under the chupa. I was so happy to see our vision come to life with the whole planning process being so surreal.
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We loved all the details of the reception. There were over 1000 pillars and taper candles spread among the long, family tables with grey linen napkins and runners. Each row of tables alternated between a flower arrangement and loose garland greenery. For the family tables, we used mirrored tops with taller flower arrangements, mini vases and extra candles.
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We have the best friends and family and they really brought it on the dance floor. We were thrown up on sheets, raised up on chairs and danced with everyone all night. The band was amazing and brought so much energy. The dance party went on until well after 1am!
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We originally met at a local coffee shop, where I was a waitress. He’d come in, we’d chat, and later on we started to spend time together, but always as friends. One particular day, I had come in for a shift and my bracelet had broken off without me even realizing it, it was from my godmother, and when I got home I was heartbroken that I had lost it. A few days later George came in, and surprised me with my bracelet. I was ecstatic! He had found it a few days earlier, recognized it as mine and fixed it. I’ll never forget that moment, I saw a different side of him. A few days later, not being able to forget about George and his act of kindness, I picked up the phone to let him know exactly how special he made me feel. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, but I told him I had feelings for him, and we started to date. A year later we went to Greece for the summer. There was this beautiful spot in Santorini, with the perfect view of the sunset, we’d go there often and sit hand-in-hand. One of the last days there, we came to the spot, there was a sea of rose petals and hundreds of candles. He proposed, and I said yes! The colours of the Santorini sky were gorgeous, and the moment was a true fairytale. My childhood best friend became my prince charming.
Photography: MPSG Weddings // Decor & Florals: Anthi Floral // Backdrop: Enzo Mercuri Designs // Cake: Vanity Cakes // Makeup & Hair: Lucia Makeup: Gina // Bridal Dress: Superior Bridal // Bridesmaid Dresses: White Toronto // Groom’s Suits: Garrison Bespoke // Shoes: Rene Caovilla Henna: Breath of Henna // Furniture Rentals: Detailz Couture // Floor Decal: Dance Floor Decor Bongo Drums: Sahab Habibi // Dancers: Dance Migration
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I have always been a tomboy and had no desire for a fairytale wedding, yet once the planning process started, I began to see myself as a princess on my wedding day and wanted a royal lavish wedding. I walked down the aisle in a very innocent white princess dress with a custom veil in crystal and lace. The flowers throughout the wedding signify fertility and are used to bless the bride and husband-to-be with a healthy family. One of my favourite details from the wedding was my henna sleeve. My mother is Indian, so I wanted to incorporate something traditional in our wedding, and it worked beautifully with my gown. You only get to plan a party of this scale once, so do everything your heart desires! Get three dresses because they will get dirty, wear a crown because you truly are a princess and have your makeup artist handy, because you will cry.
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The ceremony was definitely my favourite part. The church was decorated with cherry blossoms and white lanterns with candles and we had this beautiful floral arch entrance as you walked down the aisle. The church was stunning, it had the enchantment of an outdoor whimsical wedding yet paintings of orthodox saints surrounded you. We were crowned in gold olive branches and the moment the priest placed them on our heads I began to cry, it felt like such a blessing. We walked out to the ghost theme song with doves released before we were ambushed by our friends and family throwing rice.
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The theme of our wedding was Beauty and the Beast elegance with a touch of vintage romance. We draped the entrance in blue velvet and had several cherry blossom trees and lanterns through the venue. We also had an amazing modern live jazz band. I wore a blush vintage Beauty and the Beast inspired ballroom gown, it had layers upon layers of cascading tiers of blush tulle and crystal embellishments. At the end of the night I changed into my favourite outfit which was a low back Indian inspired gown with a jewelled headpiece.
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I loved the front of the room and it meant so much to have our family and friends sitting up with us on our special day. Each of the tables were filled with white, dusty rose and vintage greenery and had regal gold cutlery, glasses and gold-rimmed charger plates. The area was draped in ivory with chandeliers. The headtable featured a lush blanket of roses and hydrangeas with floating white candles that lit the whole room. We had a white vinyl dance floor monogrammed with the same emblem of our initials designed for the invitations and a quote that read ‘You make me believe in fairytales.’ Our cake was truly a piece of heaven, seven tiers of every flavour you can imagine. Every layer had a different flavour to accommodate our guests – oreo, caramel crunch, red velvet and raspberry lemon cheesecake to name a few. We made sure we had it all. Our blush pink cake was the show stopper with its gold accents and gorgeous blush peonies.
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Photo by: L’Atelier Lumiere International Photographie
905-670-1073
info@gpsdecors.com
gpsdecors.com
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Peaches and cream are the soft pretty colours for this fresh setting. A stone table is set for two with tall white orchid centrepieces and mini three-tiered cakes, and a wedding cake adorned with handmade sugar flowers on a pedestal under the ceremony archway.
Photography & Videography: L’Atelier Lumière // Co-Production, Planning & Styling: August In Bloom // Co-Production & Art Direction: Jarar Kazmi Creative Direction, Decor & Floral Design: G.P.S. Decors // Furniture, Props & Accessories Rentals: Chairs & Thrones // Cakes: Fine Cakes by Zehra Makeup & Hair: Fancy Face // Bridal Gowns & Jewellery: Ferré Sposa // Tableware: William Ashley // Floor Decal: Designer Dance Floors Doves: Dove Releases Toronto // Model: B&M Models (Emma) the bridal affair
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A fresh floral design using orchids and colourful wild florals to create a stunning contemporary backdrop. When coupled together, they bring bright pops of colour, bold greenery, and playful lightness to the installation
Photography: Sunny Kaura Photography // Florals & Design: Opening Night Flowers // Makeup & Hair: Look By Brooke Dress: Sash & Bustle // Venue: CosMic Plants Inc. Greenhouse
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the bridal affair
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Inspired by a fairytale, this setting uses pops of red and pink flowers to create a lush garden backdrop. This secret garden is beautiful and magical where the bride enjoys a slice of her favourite red velvet cake.
Photography & Videography: L’Atelier Lumière // Co-Production, Planning & Styling: August In Bloom // Co-Production & Art Direction: Jarar Kazmi Creative Direction, Decor & Floral Design: G.P.S. Decors // Furniture, Props & Accessories Rentals: Chairs & Thrones // Cake: Fine Cakes by Zehra Makeup & Hair: Fancy Face // Bridal Gowns & Jewellery: Ferré Sposa // Model: B&M Models (Emma) the bridal affair
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SIMPLY
SEALED
C U S TO M S TAT I O N E R Y A N D I N V I TAT I O N S
SIMPLYSEALED.COM
The Element of Passion.
DESTINATION WEDDING PACKAGES DESIGNED FOR YOU. Beautiful landscapes frame the most awaited moments. Our Shaadi Royal Bliss Package offers authentic details, personalized ceremonies, fabulous food, and endless options. Exclusively designed by renowned wedding planner Karen Bussen and set against your choice of spectacular settings. Here you’ll fi nd your element, from romantic venues to all-inclusive accommodations. This is Weddings by Palladium – South Asian style.
To discover us or book your travel, contact your preferred travel provider,
visit PALLADIUMWEDDINGS.COM or call 1 888-442-3127
4 color: 45C 40M 25Y
If using as 1 color: PMS 5285
MEXICO • DOMINICAN REPUBLIC •
JAMAICA • BRAZIL •
SPAIN
Live the unexplored luxury of a new destination. Costa Mujeres, Cancun. Coming Fall 2018.