Lindsay + Jamie: The Lovely Details

We always hope and wish for good weather for ALL our clients, but there are some weddings that just wouldn't be the same if it rained -- and this was one of them. The ceremony spot, quite literally, clings to the bluffs, hundreds of feet above Lake Ontario; there is no other venue quite like it in Toronto. The rain plan would've seen the ceremony take place inside the club house -- which would have been heartbreaking! Happily, the skies were bright and the sun was shining down on this gorgeous day last August.

I love these sun-dappled photos of Lindsay being escorted by her father to the altar where Jamie awaited. Poor Gabi drove herself crazy following the weather reports all week -- I kept reminding her that the ONLY time that mattered was a 2-hour window on Saturday afternoon!

Now THIS is a kiss! I always think (after the fact), that I really should suggest that my clients practice their Big Kiss beforehand... So many are fast and furious, when really they should be slow, deliberate and almost sensual. Clearly, Lindsay and Jamie needed no such advice...

The ceremony programs doubled as fans; while hardly an original idea, it's downright genius on a sweltering summer's day. One of my favourite details was found on the back, where the wedding party was listed out. It looked so formal and serious, but next to the Best Man's name it said: "My Brotha from Anotha Motha."

 Event Designer Bill Fulghum designed a gorgeous lattice structure that Gabi painstakingly tied all the placecards to. The bows had to be tied in a way that guests could easily untie them using one hand (while holding a yummy cocktail in the other)!

Pulling off a wedding of this magnitude in such a short period of time takes A Village. Very special thanks must go to all our partners who helped create the wedding of Lindsay and Jamie's dreams: Event Designer: Bill Fulghum, Florals: Gisele Sterling, Invitations and Day-of Stationery: Pantry Press, Tent: Advanced Tent, Draping: Micki's, Audio/Visual: Visual FX, Cake: Roxy Cakes, Rentals: Contemporary Furniture Rentals and Chair-man Mills, Band: Lady Kane and last but certainly not least, our Sexy Beast of a photographer: Anthony Manieri from 5ive15ifteen Photo Company.

You can read the story that appeared in the Winter/Spring edition of WedLuxe Magazine by clicking here.

Table For 100

Once upon a time, we had a very unusual bride and groom who came to us with a most unique vision: "We want a single table for all of our guests to dine at and we want it to look like something out of a old Flemish painting; dripping over with oysters, pearls, candles and ripe fruit and flowers." We worked closely with Bill Fulghum, who at the time still owned Church Street Flowers, to execute this very particular request; here are some detailed shots of what the guests got to experience that night.

Mushrooms, garlic, oyster shells and quail eggs were strewn down the length of the table, with spanish moss scattered throughout.

Tall stands covered in bulrushes and moss with candles hanging off gave the table the height it needed to balance the soaring ceiling in the tent.

I loved this detail Bill came up with: rusted treasure boxes filled with orchids... you can just make out the pattern on the box. The pattern on the petals perfectly mirrored the leopard print seats on the chiavari chairs that the groom's grandmother (and two of her friends) just happen to own... how funny is that? We've never had clients with their own stash of chairs before.

Artichoke blossoms, red roses with the texture of velvet and shamrock chrysanthemums gave the table the necessary burst of colour.

I always remind clients that their wedding should be a direct reflection of who they are as a couple and I cannot think of a better example than what we achieved here. The drama of the single, long table, the hundreds of small details going down the length, the nerve to serve lamb (!) as the main course made for a most memorable evening. When I heard a guest exclaim "Oh my God, this is so them," I knew we had hit the nail right on the head.

We have photographer Storey Wilkins to thank for the smorgasbord of beautiful pictures.

The Single-Flower Bouquet

The Local Favourite: The Late-Spring/Early-Summer Peony


The-a-Little-More-Exotic: Gloriosa Lily


The Classic: Phalaeonopsis Orchid

There is something so simple yet impactful about choosing a single flower and using it over and over again in your bouquet. Here we've shown some of our favourites... all designed by the wonderful Bill Fulghum, formerly of Church Street Flowers and now of William Fulghum Designs. The single-flower bouquet adds colour and drama but doesn't fight with the dress... and, most importantly, photographs so beautifully...
Photography credits: Leigh Tynan for the first and Storey Wilkins for the last two.