Emily and Michael were married on January 19 – the very same date on which the bride’s parents were married 40 years earlier. Two-hundred-fifty people attended the ceremony, at St. Basil’s Catholic Church, University of Toronto, and the reception at the Liberty Grand. The event exuded winter romance with a pink and gold theme.
The couple met through a friend in 2001. “While I would talk to Michael’s best friend on the phone, Michael would pick up on the other line and start chatting with me,” says Emily. “At the time I thought he was cute, but a bit dorky. A few months later, he called me up to ask me on our first date.”
After 10 years together, it was hard to keep the engagement a complete surprise. Emily had high hopes when Michael made special reservations at her favourite restaurant. His attempt to propose at the restaurant was foiled, but after he drove her home, they got out of the car and Michael led Emily by the hand to the park across the street. “Right there, in the middle of Yorkville where I grew up, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes!”
For their wedding, the couple paid tribute to Emily’s parents’ anniversary. “My parents are a huge inspiration to us,” says Emily. “Not only have they been married 40 years, but they also dated for nine years before that, and they work together every single day!”
To honour their anniversary, they prepared a slideshow with photos from their wedding day, some of which included the same guests who were at Michael and Emily’s wedding! “They also dedicated their favourite song to them – Unchained Melody – and asked all the long-married couples at the wedding to join them on the dance floor.
There were so many other favourite details at the wedding as well. The newlyweds loved the flowers – they were romantic, pretty, fragrant, and everything they dreamed of. The gold brocade linen overlays gave the tables a very “vintage glam” feel. The bride also loved the bridal party accessories – UGG-style boots and fur stoles, which one of the bridesmaids made for all the girls. The boys wore fur hats and scarves – a perfect way to incorporate the winter theme and give the photos a styled look, while keeping everyone warm!
Other nice touches: “We made a donation on behalf of all our guests to Free the Children. We also provided our guests with candles wrapped in our wedding theme colours explaining the donation and a bit about the organization, and asked guests to light the candle in honour of the children in the world that need our help.”
Photographer: Pegasus Studios Photography / Ceremony location: St. Basil’s Catholic Church, University of Toronto / Reception location: Liberty Grand, Toronto, ON / Bridal gown: Mona Richie / Long-sleeve lace overlay: Bride / Bridal party: After Six / Groom’s tux: Ralph Lauren / Cake: Fabulous Cakes & Confections / Caterer: Liberty Grand / Favours : We made a donation on behalf of all our guests to “Free the Children.” and provided our guests with candles wrapped in our wedding “theme colours” explaining the donation, and a bit about the organization, and asking guests to light the candle in honour of the children in the world that need our help / Music: Good Vibrations / Hair: Paul Pecorella Hair Salon & Spa / Makeup: Jackie Gideon Beauty Bar / Flowers & Decor: Creations by Gitta / Stationery: Emily & Michael Designs! With a lot of blood, sweat and tears, we made our own wedding invitations! We had a lot of fun (at least for the first 150 invites!) / Videographer – Calico Cat Productions / Wedding planners: We did it ourselves!
