The ceremony took place in the couple’s backyard, overlooking the ocean and the beauty of Iqaluit, Nunavut. With no local planning services, friends and family stepped in.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Barb Simkova, Tara McMullen photography
VENUE: Couple’s home, Iqaluit, Nunavut
NUMBER OF GUESTS: 50
BRIDE’S GOWN: Paloma Blanca
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Aritzia
GROOM’S SUIT: Harry Rosen
FLORALS: Blush & Bloom, Toronto
CATERING AND CAKE: Black Heart Cafe
RINGS AND TABLEWARE: Cynthia Findlay Antiques, Toronto
Heritage: Sima says they wanted to showcase both their cultures on the big day – Jeff’s Inuit heritage and her Iranian ancestry. “We had a ‘Qulliq’ (oil lamp) lighting ceremony to kick off the wedding led by Jeff’s mom and incorporated elements of Iranian weddings like a ‘sofreh-ye-aghd’, a wedding spread and a sugar grinding ceremony. It was very meaningful to us and our families.”
Tricky venue: “We wanted to have our wedding in the backyard of our new home, but didn’t end up taking possession until a few days before the wedding,” says Sima. “We were literally hanging art and assembling furniture just before the ceremony. In the chaos, I misplaced my dad’s poetry book, which included the poem he was going to read at the ceremony.”
Flower power: Blush & Bloom created beautiful arrangements reminiscent of the Arctic sunset. The bouquets travelled from Toronto to Iqaluit and even survived a day-long delay due to the plane’s mechanical issues.
The honeymoon: The couple travelled to Ontario, visiting Ottawa, Prince Edward County, Stratford and Toronto.
