Tell us a little about yourselves!
We met just over 6 years ago when Danielle first moved to Toronto. We met on a yoga mat at the gym, started dating two weeks later and the rest is history. Why did you decide to get married where you did?We were married at Strat’s family property in the country side just outside Toronto, a very special place for us and where Strat proposed to me. One of my favourite things about the location is that during the summer months, the property is bursting with wild flowers. So naturally, me and my love affair for florals, were beyond excited play with the natural landscape and host a beautiful dining experience at sunset, situated in the property’s open field.
**Cue unprecedented storm**
How many guests did you have?
We had 90 guests.
Tell us about your outfits.
I placed heavy emphasis on a look that felt like an extension of my everyday. For my dress, I knew I wanted something light, effortless, and sexy. Something I wouldn’t want to take off. When I came across Luna Bea Bride on social media, I immediately ordered in a sample to Toronto’s Loversland—tried it on, felt weightless, felt like myself and called it a day. I accessorized in heavier, chunky jewelry pieces. I wore a personal staple of mine, a Spinelli Kilcollin ring and our friend, Parris Gordon from Beaufille designed our wedding rings, my necklace, and earrings.
Strat wanted a timeless tuxedo, something that he would be able to wear over and over again. He was more focused on ensuring the perfect fit over any special brand or material.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We wanted to celebrate our wedding in way that was authentic to us, super intimate and not too traditional, with our closest friends and family by our side and an out of control dance party to follow.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
We had numerous ‘important elements’ to our day—an intimate ceremony, a beautiful sunset dinner in the field, and a curated chaos of florals. But when our storm hit, all of the pretty stuff was, very literally, swept away. Airborne. Gone with the wind.
We were one of the ‘lucky’ couples to be graced by a massive storm on our wedding day. The weather apps showed nothing but light cloud coverage and brief rain that would quickly pass. Everything was set up for our outdoor wedding. Then, the forecast shifted. First came the rain, then hurricane winds, then fallen trees and even hail. Safe to say the physical elements of our wedding were destroyed.
When the clouds parted momentarily, we were able to come together surrounded by our closest friends and family. Just a few minutes into the ceremony, the dark clouds started rolling in. The rain returned, umbrellas were popped but everyone stayed. The second we made it official, we made a run for the tent and the party started. Everyone was smiling, drenched, soaked to the bone, but so happy to be there—the energy was electric, filled with laughter and love- and it carried through the entire night.
All this to say, when all the ‘extras’ were stripped away, it created even more space for the most important element of the day. The storm meant that the meaning of the day was kept front and center and truly made for the most memorable, special day imaginable.
Any tips for couples getting married, particularly during the pandemic?
Lean into the limitations and don’t sweat the small stuff, you’re going to love your day regardless. And also- rain isn’t that scary!!!
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
We could write a novel on this. Our vendors were incredible. Alex from Blush + Bowties, our powerhouse wedding planner, was a rockstar. She made the entire wedding planning process so seamless and stress-free. Even on the big day when the tables literally turned, she handled the day with such grace and empathy. We couldn’t be more grateful to have had her with us on our day. Post-wedding, she even hosted a dinner for us with our closest in her space Archive Studios alongside the rest of our vendors to bring to life a little glimpse of what our dinner would have felt like since we didn’t get to see it on our day, which meant the world to us! Scarlet O’Neill, our beyond talented photographer, despite battling all of the elements, captured every moment and the overall feeling of our day so perfectly. She made it look like the rain was on purpose. Jordana, our florist from White Oak, was a dream. Although we didn’t get to see our floral design fully come to life that day, working with her was a really special experience, she was so creative and so collaborative, we were totally in flow throughout the whole process. I feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to work with her. Food Dudes (our catering company). Despite losing electricity and half our rentals, they pivoted and managed to pull off a wonderful dinner for us. Their hospitality was amazing. And a special Shoutout to Guelph Tents for holding down the wedding. Living proof that their tents can weather any storm. They are the real MVPs.
Photographer : Scarlet O’Neill @scarletoneill | Ceremony + Reception Location : Private Estate | Celebrant : Friend of the Couple | Entertainment : Conor Cutz @conorcutz | Planning + Styling : Blush + Bowties @blushandbowties | Tent : Guelph Tents @guelphtents | Rentals : Divine Furniture Rentals @divinefurntiturerental | Flora : White Oak @joeybutta | HMUA : Schulz Beauty @schulzbeauty | Catering + Beverages : Food Dudes @fooddudes | Stationery : Pink Peony Press @pinkpeonypress | Bride’s Dress : Luna Bea Bride @lunabeabride | Groom’s Suit : Garrison Bespoke @garrisonbespoke | Rings : Beaufille @beaufille | Bride's Heels : Amina Muaddi @aminamuaddiofficial | Groom's Shoes : Dolce & Gabbana @dolcegabbana | Bride's Jewellery : Beaufille @beaufille (Necklace and Earrings) + Spinelli Kilcollin @spinellikilcollin (Ring)