This is the kind of wedding that makes you rethink a Bride in white or that pink is just for girly girls. It’s an affair that will have you wholeheartedly on board with poofy veils and Team Blush because frankly, it’s drop dead gorgeous as seen through the lens of Erin Samuell of A Simple Photograph. And that camera has captured many a beautiful image. Each boasting a rosy glow paired with spring-infused florals by Smashing Violets and cozied up to the modern architecture of the Gardiner Museum. No words can express how much we adore this combo. Get yourselves to the gallery for so much more.
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From the Bride… We have been together for a very long time, and I wasn’t sure if we would ever bother getting married! When we got engaged, we knew we wanted a small guest list, a simple ceremony and a fun dinner party with great food. Jamie Kennedy is one of our favourite Toronto chefs, and when we walked into the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art where he is the resident caterer, it turned out to be the perfect venue.
Our goal was to have an evening that was elegant and sophisticated but still fun and relaxed. We did as much as possible ourselves (it helps to have a husband who is an architect) and kept it simple. We tried to incorporate only the traditional wedding elements we liked and didn’t include the ones we didn’t — no designated maid of honour or best man, no head table, no bouquet toss, no father-daughter dance, no wedding favours and no white dress (I have always wanted to wear pink!). We started the ceremony at six o’clock in order to take advantage of the setting sun in the all-glass Terrace Room. Then everyone headed to the lobby for champagne and hors d’oeuvres and we surprised everyone by right away having our first dance (I wanted to get it over with) and my father’s speech. This speech was pretty epic — our guests still ask me if they can hire my dad for their weddings! Dinner was served at long harvest tables, with the antipasto course served family style. We wanted it to be intimate and encourage everyone to mingle. Our wedding party made some great speeches presented along with slideshow photos of our past. Cutting the cake consisted of my husband trying to pry the top piece off our croquembouche — not easy! Then our DJ (a friend) got the party started, and everyone danced until the early hours of the morning.
All in all, I think everyone had a great time, which was the goal! I enjoyed planning it immensely and was lucky to find some incredible vendors to help. At the end of the day, the marriage is more important than the wedding, and I am so lucky to be able to spend the rest of my life with my husband.
Wedding Photography: Erin Samuell of A Simple Photograph / Wedding Venue: Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art in Toronto, Ontario / Floral Arrangements + Centerpieces: Smashing Violets / Bouquets + Boutonnieres: Sweetpea’s / Catering: Jamie Kennedy Kitchens / Wedding Croquembouche: Daniel et Daniel / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride & Groom / DJ: A Friend / Custom Wedding Dress: Joy Theatricals / Makeup: Anita Belanger of Fabulous Faces / Groom’s Custom Suit: Gotstyle