Wedding | Richard & Kevin

15 hours ago
5 min read

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We’ve been together for 5 years. We met online a year into the pandemic amid bubbles and curfews. From the first day we started talking, it was an instant connection. After a month we were celebrating birthdays (we are both Pisces) and making it official. After a year we started looking for a home to call our own. A year after that Kevin proposed in Japan.

Our proposal was in a hidden garden, on a small bridge over a stream of koi fish where the world seemed to disappear, and everything got quiet while Kevin began to profess his love. Through a sudden rush of happy tears and overwhelming mutual feelings, Richard said yes. They hugged, laughed, and with both of them crying looking down at their interlocked hands, they noticed two beautiful koi fish who seemed to have stuck around for the proposal.

We never had a mind for needing to meet certain milestones in our relationship, we just felt like we both found our person and everything naturally fell into place. Actually, on our first date, Kevin told Richard he felt like he was meeting a whole person, not someone who was looking for someone to complete them, but to complement them and share in a full life. Richard felt the same, and after hearing how well Kevin could communicate his feelings, he was sold that this was his person for life.

We married on August 30, 2025.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We got married at a farm owned by a member of the family. We chose it for its peaceful, bucolic atmosphere. It afforded the flexibility to do things our way, without any of the rules or curfew a real wedding venue might bring.

How many guests did you have?

About 190 guests.

What was your budget?

Started at an optimistic $35k, but it ended up being more like $55k.

Tell us about your outfits.

Finding the right outfits for each of us was a journey.

For Richard, it was about finding the right balance between masculine and feminine energy. Shopping online felt risky and a little hopeless because it was hard to invest in something that could not be touched or worn. Richard first found his shirt, a lace button-up with pearl accents from Simone Rocha. He then found a local designer in Montreal (MAR – Maria Karimi) to make his dream pants. He was able to try on a few pieces in her atelier before landing on a design that felt right. He then chose the fabric and had a few fittings and they were his.

Kevin landed on a double-breasted off-white linen suit from SuitSupply, which he highly recommends to anyone looking for that “say yes to the dress” feeling but for buying a suit. He had on Marc Nolan shoes, and for a personal touch his grandmother’s pearls that his mom gifted him for the wedding.

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

We had three key elements that were important to us. The first was guest experience or flow – we wanted to make sure that no one felt like they were waiting around too long (whether that was for food and drinks or ceremonial aspects). The second was aesthetics – we wanted the space to speak for itself, with added touches that could enhance its natural beauty. Lastly, music and vibe was extremely important because we love to be on the dance floor and wanted to make sure our DJ could bring in a crowd.

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

One of our favourite moments was our entrance and ceremony. We were very intentional about how we could do something our own way.

It started with the walk. We created a curving pathway out of posts and string lights that we asked our guests to stand along and form the aisle. It was when we arrived together at the top of the small hill and took in everyone’s faces that we knew we made the right choice. The feeling of love that washed over us as we walked through the runway of our friends and family was everything we hoped. As we moved through the crowd the top started filing in behind us to follow us to where the ceremony would take place. At the foot of the small hill we greeted our parents and they came along with us to the ceremonial arch. We asked friends and family to surround us, some sitting, others standing.

For the ceremony, Kevin and I did not have an officiant (we legally got married a few weeks before). Instead, we were our own emcees, greeting the crowd, sharing in our humour and light, and invited them to listen to our exchange of vows.

It was short, sweet, and felt incredibly intimate even in a crowd of almost 200 people. We sealed the ceremony with a kiss by ending with, “And with the power vested in us, we are going to kiss now!”

Any tips for couples getting married?

Having a wedding planner is worth it! Especially because we didn’t have a traditional wedding venue. Amelia Carleton Weddings was our lifeline. We had a wedding that had to be built from the ground up on a private residence. From design to contracts to logistics and day of support, there was a lot less pressure when someone who is a professional in this space has your back. We placed a lot of trust in Amelia and she brought it all together. Saved a few headaches along the way for sure, and allowed us to be totally present day of knowing she’s got it under control.

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

Our photographer Kristina Bastien (Maison Bastien) was the energy we needed. She made us both feel like models on our wedding day. She brought a calming energy for a day that is full of nerves and big moments. She made sure we felt good every step of the way, and delivered a gorgeous gallery that we are in awe of!

Torta Boyz were incredible caterers – not only did they make the most delicious food that our guests are still talking about, but also had the best service/bartending staff who kept the energy up, the drinks flowing, and the venue clean. We couldn’t have asked for a better team. If you want your wedding staff to be professional and fun, they are it!

Extreme DJs – and specifically our DJ Nicholas Packer. We loved how easy the app they worked with was to use, and how the company talks to you to find their best fitting DJ based on your music taste. Nicholas saw our vibe, and brought it to the dancefloor! He was laid back, smiling, and kept people dancing all night.