Caught in a moment: a real wedding

Tell us a bit about your love story: Maciej and I met at a tech conference in Vancouver in November 2007. We spoke for two minutes (not more), exchanged contact details and planned to meet for group drinks later that afternoon. I couldn’t join the group and took an early flight home the next morning. Over the next few weeks, and quite by accident, we kept texting and eventually started to speak on the phone for hours and hours. That December I was flying to NYC for a family event and Maciej flew to NYC to meet me. We spent the day together, went to the museum and had a sushi dinner. He came home to his family in the GTA that Christmas, where we both met each other’s families. Maciej moved to Toronto that July and we have been together ever since. He proposed to me 3 years later during the Thanksgiving weekend in front of my family – in my mom’s living room. It was one of the most special moments of my life.

What was your favourite part of the day? I think our favourite part, although really hard to choose, would be our ceremony. Our ceremony took place in the Foundry on the Elora property and beautifully decorated with white florals. Guests were greeted with warm apple cider for what turned out to be beautiful autumn day. We had selected very special pieces of music to be played by our quartet. The processional was Guns n Roses’ November Rain, and the rest of the music was classical pieces that we personally love. Maciej and I had shared a first look just before the ceremony started, but that moment of walking down the aisle was filled with emotion and love.

Favourite wedding detail ? Our flowers, our food, our band – everything! Maciej surprised me with a live performance during the reception of a song he had written for me. Our flowers and décor were just so stunning and lush, the candlelight and the overall beauty of the room was so romantic and perfect. The flowers covered all of the tables in such a tasteful way and allowed for guests to see each other. The room smelled incredible. We had personalized menus on each place setting with an individual bloom. All of these little details were so intentional and beautiful.

What will guests remember most? We have heard from guests that they really appreciated all of the love and energy in the room that day and night, that our band was beyond amazing. They all enjoyed the 4-course dinner of almost all local ingredients that Maciej and I had spent a lot of time deciding on with the Elora team. We also had a live water colour painter onsite, who painted images of each guest so they could always remember our special day.

How did you show your personalities in the wedding? With our music. Having live music was very important. Of course Maciej performed a surprise song for me and our guests! We also had a choreographed first dance; it was a waltz, to We Are the Champions by Queen. I also had a few looks at the wedding (not full changes as that would have been a lot). I had one look for our ceremony, another for our first dance and dinner, followed by another for our cake and thank you speech. Finally I changed into a little party dress for the rest of the night.

What cultural aspects did you include, if any? My mom hosted a day after party which is very traditional in my culture, there she hosted 50+ guests with Guyanese dishes and music.

What advice can you give to couples who are planning their wedding?  Be you! Pick the things that you love and are the true representation to both of you. Also, eat your dinner and enjoy that delicious food (we did).

Number of guests: 130
Ceremony/reception venue: Elora Mill, Elora Ontario
Planner: Confetti and Co.
Photographer: Lindsay Coulter Photography
Dress designer: Milla Nova Suit designer: Caruso Fine Tailoring
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Morilee
Reception dress: Selkie
Décor: Sue Gallo Designs
Flowers: Sue Gallo Designs
Cake: Sweet Celebrations Wedding Cakes
Stationery: Red Bicycle Paper Co.
Hair/makeup: Bride: Lesonne Bridals; Bridal party: AnnimationsMKUP
Band: Soular band
Videography: Timothy Muza Photography and films
Ceremony music: Cecilia Chang and quartet
Fashion painter artist: Sarah Symons

Check out this real wedding at the same venue.