Let’s talk about having a vision and a purpose.
This week we have been focusing on recreating our philosophy and really honing down on the real reasons why we do this kind of work. Our intentions behind a special event. Because let’s be honest; it is very easy to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance. The fluffy, lush flowers. The ambient lighting. The sweeping cathedral ceilings.
But why do we have events to celebrate milestones? What is the difference between having an intimate party in one’s backyard (and we have hosted quite a few due to COVID) and a lavish reception for 150 of your nearest and dearest friends?
Truthfully, not much, besides the sheer numbers of it. There are still flowers, lighting, music, great food. There are still your nearest and dearest - maybe not all 150 of them but definitely the MVPs. There is still the intention of celebrating something that is so precious to you and wanting everyone to witness and experience that joy.
But that sweet spot is when the celebration is meaningful, purposeful and completely gorgeous, well designed in flow and beauty, and flawlessly executed.
And that was Kari and Lou’s wedding, a true fairy tale come true.
Kari and Lou approached me to design their wedding at the end of 2017 when Kari noticed a sparkly skirt that I was wearing in my headshot profile when doing research on wedding planners in Toronto. Kari - if you ever meet her - is this exceptionally bubbly, joyous, energetic, and (also) sparkly personality. As a stylist and wardrobe consultant, she felt it was fate that she saw my outfit that day through that photo. A quick meeting at my studio and a jaunt over to the Old Mill, where they were hosting their reception, and I was theirs for the next year or so as we planned this event.
Lou is a Toronto native, but the two of them had been living together in Florida, which is where they met. But they didn’t just live anywhere in Florida. They lived behind the Magic Kingdom. That Magic Kingdom. Not only that, but he had proposed inside Disney World, and then recreated their proposal in the Canada pavilion at EPCOT (I’d like to believe that Canada proposed to Kari that day, too). And not only that, but I had just so happened to be visiting Disney World that following January for my own vacation with the huz. A match made in Hercules’s stars.
Throughout the planning process, there were things that I also discovered about these two: There was nothing ever unintentionally done. From the choosing of Casa Loma for their ceremony - because a princess deserves a castle to be married in - to the secret serenade that professionally-trained singer Kari wanted to gift her husband with her singer friends, to the lightly-themed Beauty and the Beast reception we put together in the Guild Hall at the Old Mill. They even designed a wedding cake fit for a royal couple, complete with hidden Mickeys, their family crests, maple leaves (for him), Florida oranges (for her), and elderflower lemon flavours (tipping their hat to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). Everything made sense. Everything tied in.
Thank you for giving us this honour to piece together such a beautiful, meaningful celebration for you both - we wouldn’t have traded in the 8-hour set up, the countless little details, and all the laughter and tears for anything.
Cheers to your upcoming anniversary! YAY!
Planning and Coordination: Envision Weddings and Events
Photography/Cinematography: Fable Studios
Hair/Makeup: Ford Beauty
Floral Design: Piante Design
Linens: Susan Murray International
Chairs: Detailz
Chargers: Table Tales
Tabletop Rentals: Envision Floral Studio
Shuttle Bus, Bentley and Limousine: Toronto Limo Rentals
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