real weddings

Ever since she was a little girl, Michelle told her father that she wanted to get married at Casa Loma in Toronto. She fondly remembers family outings to the grandiose castle and, when she announced her engagement, her father knew the perfect place for his daughter’s celebration. Michelle and Andrew hosted a fabulous celebration that oozes old-world charm. From their vintage-inspired fashions and the stylish 1957 Bentley rental, to the venue itself, the wedding was an Art Deco fete Jay Gatsby would be proud of. Michelle is a fan of classic authors, such as Charles Dickens and Victor Hugo, and the couple’s wedding was laced with literary references: from the readings at their ceremony and DIY decor elements, to the Casa Loma library where the newlyweds and their guests dined amidst stacks of old books. Step back in time as you swoon over Click Photography‘s stunning images of this oh-so stylish event.

From the Bride… “I knew I wanted a vintage literary theme for our wedding, as I believe books are the most captivating art form and I have always had an intense love affair with Dickens and Hugo. The theme had to be vintage to keep with the venue that I picked out with my father when I was a child. With all this, I wanted a touch of Gatsby glam with a frolic of vintage classic. Andrew and I collected hundreds of vintage books, tracked down an old typewriter, created our own escort cards, had a sprig of rosemary placed with each menu and a different literary love quote on each table number. We certainly couldn’t have done it without Linda (my father’s partner) and her friends at Zenergy–they ensured everything from the invites to the day-of were perfect. Our gift to guests was my favorite tea imported by my amazing friend Robin from England.

Our wedding day was perfection and the manifestation of our labor of love. We planned every last detail that allowed us to truly relax and be in the moment of the day, which passed way too quickly. I spent my last night as a single lady at my Dad and his wonderful partner’s home, surrounded by my younger sister and amazing friends. We all had a casual morning together joking around as my sister and my girlfriend practiced walking in their heels and we got our hair and makeup done. Andrew arranged for a 1957 Bentley to pick up me and my girlfriend Robin to go to the Evergreen Brickworks for our ‘first look’ photos.

As I walked down the aisle I felt my father’s love and looked ahead to see Andrew, the love of my life waiting for me standing with his father. It was important to me that I was not given away by my father, but that Andrew and I were given to each other. Our fathers shook hands and I will never forget this gesture or the depth of its meaning. We wrote the ceremony together and our officiant was kind enough to oblige. It included a memorial to my mother, who I had lost to breast cancer, and Andrew’s aunt, who we had lost to the same disease ten years earlier. The readings were perhaps the highlight. My sister (the maid of honour) read a passage from Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, my favorite romantic passage since I first read the novel in grade 7. It brought tears to our eyes as it was so overwhelmingly personal. Then of course there was the first kiss… a moment where I felt alone with Andrew, my new husband, and just felt a wave of love fall over me.

After the ceremony, we retreated to have photos done while our guest enjoyed cocktails. Two signature drinks were served: Manhattans for Andrew as it is his favorite drink (and also the name of the city where we got engaged) and Peach Bellinis for me, as I wanted something spring like. We entered the reception to the song ‘I got you Babe’ by Sonny and Cher, a classic. Our master of ceremonies started the reception by stating, ‘ I believe we can all agree that that was just enchanting.’ a description that made me so pleased and made every late night worth it. Dinner was delicious and speeches were hilarious and touching. The day was perfect.“