Doesn’t a ballroom wedding at a gorgeous hotel sound dreamy? While those sorts of gatherings were paused last year, we’ll soon be twirling under chandeliers again! In the meantime, feast your eyes on Kristen and Kell’s stunner of a black-tie affair. These two were wed in 2019 before COVID-19 hit the scene. Thus, they could plan a gorgeous, big wedding in the Crystal Ballroom at the King Edward Hotel. Hosting their day in the space, Kristen told us, was one of the details she couldn’t have lived without. Said Kristen, “The Crystal Ballroom is something out of a dream. I especially loved seeing the room change as the sky faded from bright blue to black.”
Kristen and Kell were introduced back in 2010 when they met for drinks with a bunch of friends, and the two immediately hit it off! Actually, at that moment, Kristen knew he was her person, “It was the first time I met him that I knew! He was handsome, a gentleman, and we had a great time.”
That love-at-first-sight moment was followed by a sweet winter proposal and their dreamy modern fairytale of a wedding, and they just welcomed their little boy into the world this March!
Get the details about their day below from Kristen, who floated on the dance floor with Kell to the Righteous Brothers’ iconic “Unchained Melody” for their first dance:
How did you guys get engaged?
“Kell was being called to the bar in British Columbia in December of 2017. We had planned a trip to attend the ceremony and then go to Whistler for a few days. On the day we arrived, we went for a walk in Stanley Park and had some sushi. We were walking back to head home and paused to admire the view of the ocean. Kell got down on one knee, and the rest is history! We had a fancy dinner that night and a fun weekend of skiing after that!”
wedding gown: Lea-Ann Belter Lucille via the flagship Toronto boutique | photographer: Mango Studios
How did you choose your gown?
“I had gone to a million stores and couldn’t find anything that was “right.” My friend Alessandra and I had driven by Lea-Ann Belter many years before and were always interested in the dresses they sold. I made an appointment and was welcomed by Vanessa. While there, I tried on many different styles and loved everything. There was a gorgeous blush gown with a big bow on a mannequin that I wanted to try on “for fun.” It was so different from all of the styles I had tried on before! As soon as I tried it, I was sold—Lucille was the most gorgeous piece of clothing I have ever worn!! The light pink colour, floral detail, and giant bow were so different and made me feel like a princess.”
What was your first dance song?
The Righteous Brothers, “Unchained Melody”
Describe your wedding day in five words or fewer:
“Bliss
Perfection
A dream come true!!”
What was your something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?
“Old: Shoes…not really old, but I wore them to my bridal shower a few months earlier!
New: The dress!
Blue: A sweet little blue bow added to the inside of the dress.”
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
“Bali. We had to make changes last minute—our original plan was to go to Sri Lanka and The Maldives, but we changed our plans after the bombing on Easter Sunday 2019, a few weeks before our wedding.”
Kristen + Kell’s Ballroom Wedding Vendors
‘wedding gown: Lea-Ann Belter Lucille via the flagship Toronto boutique | photographer: Mango Studios |makeup: Dawna Boot | venue: Crystal Ballroom, King Edward Hotel | decor: Have a Seat | florals: Quince Flowers | band: St. Royals
