Wedding | Bianca & Duncan

34 minutes ago
6 min read

Tell us a little about yourselves!

Duncan and I met seven years ago on a dating app (with a bit of encouragement from my roommate), and things took off quickly.

We found each other during a chapter of life that was full of movement: traveling often, going to shows, and exploring new places together, from Mexico City to Europe and British Columbia, where Duncan grew up.

Now we’ve settled into life in Toronto’s West End, spending our time staying active, collecting pieces we love for our home, and winding down together. Duncan proposed in High Park after brunch at the Old Mill, which turned out to be a meaningful coincidence; it’s where my grandparents were married. More than anything, we laugh a lot, and that’s been the constant that’s carried us through every stage together.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We chose to get married in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario’s wine country, because it had become a meaningful place for us over the years. We spent many weekends there throughout our relationship, and it always struck the right balance of charm, ease, and quiet romance.

We loved the idea of a destination-style wedding that was still easy for guests to attend — close enough for a simple getaway, while feeling special for those traveling from British Columbia and Mexico.

We knew from the start that we wanted a big celebration. With large families and a wide circle of friends, it was important to find a venue that could comfortably host everyone without feeling like a typical banquet hall. Our venue was just a short walk from the white church where we were married and included a welcoming outdoor space for a garden champagne hour. It felt classic and timeless, yet warm and full of character.

Just as important was peace of mind. With busy careers, we wanted a venue that truly knew how to run a wedding; one that could handle the details seamlessly and allow us to be present, relaxed, and fully enjoy the day.

How many guests did you have?

150 guests.

What was your budget?

$90k.

Tell us about your outfits.

Bianca: I wore my dream dress from Toronto designer Former Girlfriend. I’ve always loved period-inspired pieces and wanted something classic, romantic, and a little whimsical — a dress that let me live out my Marie Antoinette dreams without looking costume-y. It was light, easy to move in, and I felt amazing wearing it. Supporting a local designer made it feel even more personal and unique.

I wore a mantilla veil, which I had always dreamed of, and it was even more meaningful because it belonged to Duncan’s family.

For the reception, I changed into a short number from Lovers and Friends with a similar bodice shape, so I could dance and move freely all night.

Duncan: I have rented tuxedos for black tie events in the past but knew that I wanted to buy my own for my wedding. There are a few different places to buy tuxedos in Toronto, but I gravitated towards Sydney’s for their premium fabrics and bespoke options.

I wanted the jacket and the pants to fit with a bit of room — not oversize but not slim. When I met the team at Sydney’s, I felt that they clearly understood what I was looking for, and they really delivered.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

We wanted our wedding to be fun and memorable. While décor, florals, and our looks were important, our main focus was on how the day would feel for our guests.

We took inspiration from the weddings we loved attending ourselves and what always stood out was the same thing: great music, fun drinks, and an atmosphere where people could relax and truly enjoy themselves. Style and details were important, of course, but for us, the ultimate goal was creating a day that felt alive, joyful, and authentic.

Music was a huge priority for both of us, especially Duncan. We didn’t want a standard DJ setup; we wanted someone who could read the room and build energy naturally. We met with DJ Marinko a few times over glasses of wine to share our tastes, our backgrounds, and the vibe we were after, and he truly made the night unforgettable.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

For us, the most important elements were the personal choices that reflected our families, our backgrounds, and how we wanted the day to feel.

My mother is from Mexico City, so incorporating my Mexican heritage was especially meaningful. We had Mariachi Fuego play as we exited the church and led us to the venue for a champagne toast. It was one of the most memorable moments of the day.

Family involvement mattered deeply to us. We had our aunts and uncles do readings during the church ceremony, and during the family party, Duncan’s dad wore a traditional Scottish kilt, honoring his heritage in a way that felt meaningful and celebratory. We’re both very close to our families, and it was important that they felt included — this day was just as much about them as it was about us.

We were also very intentional about the flow of the reception. Our friends and family love to have a good time, so we worked with the venue to keep the dance floor and bars close together. The venue’s usual layout places the bar outside the dance floor, but we knew that would pull people away. We wanted a full dance floor all night, and honestly, it worked.

Finally, I made time for a dress change, which became one of my favourite moments of the day. Sneaking away with my best friends to change, laugh, and quite literally jump on the bed, gave me a chance to pause and reset. Those moments and the photos that came from them ended up being some of my favourites.

Any tips for couples getting married?

One of the best pieces of advice we can give is to hire a wedding planner if you’re able to! It takes so much pressure off in the weeks leading up to the wedding and on the day itself. We worked with Lasting Events who stepped in three months before the wedding and helped organize all the details we’d already planned, making the day run seamlessly and letting us truly enjoy it.

While décor, styling, and personal touches are important, the most memorable weddings are the ones where the guest experience comes first. People may notice the flowers and table decor, but they’ll truly remember the energy, the music, and whether they felt included, comfortable, and celebrated. Focus on creating an atmosphere that feels authentic to you as a couple, and don’t be afraid to prioritize fun and connection over perfection.

Finally, hire a photographer you love and feel comfortable with. We chose Chelsea Gurr not only because her work is incredible, but because she made us feel like a friend. You want to feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera, so that being photographed feels effortless and natural — and when you look back, the photos truly capture the joy of the day.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Chelsea Gurr (our favourite person): Her talent is incredible; she captured so many beautiful, candid, and honest moments that it was almost impossible to choose our favourite photos from the day. Chelsea has this amazing ability to make you feel completely at ease in front of the camera, so the images feel effortless and natural, and they truly capture the joy of the day.

Alex Godin, our wedding planner from Lasting Events, was an absolute angel. She made the entire process seamless, taking care of all the details in the weeks leading up to the wedding and on the day itself, so we never had to worry about a thing. Beyond her professionalism, Alex is a wonderful person to have around. We honestly miss her!

Sarah Singleton, our content creator from Hype Gal Media, was amazing. She captured so many of the best moments from the night, giving us tons of fun, dynamic footage to look back on. She is professional, creative, and just an all-around cool presence to have around on your wedding day. Honestly, we think every couple should consider having a content creator; she added a whole extra layer of fun and energy that made the day feel even more alive.

And then there’s DJ Marinko, who we would recommend without hesitation. He is exceptionally talented and a true master of his craft, able to read the room and keep energy high all night. He is unlike any other DJ we’ve worked with, and he played a huge part in making our wedding unforgettable.