As the creative force behind SELIBRATE, Selina’s talents transform Toronto “I dos” into magical evenings. So, when she and Luca got engaged (hurray!), she approached the day with a designer’s eye and a lover’s heart. Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated charm of a 1950s hotel lounge, their Toronto wedding at Château Le Parc was filled with intentional details. “We designed it to feel like a 1950s hotel lounge, with guests dining in chic curved booths illuminated by custom-made lamps. Towering Bird of Paradise plants brought in a sense of minimal, mid-century sophistication, while warm textures and timeless florals made the space feel inviting and elevated.
It was important to us that the space felt cohesive from morning to night, so we carried through thoughtful design elements like custom cushions, branded ribbon, and curated stationery. One of my favorite personal touches was the custom matchboxes. Luca has been collecting matches for years, so creating one to mark this milestone felt especially meaningful.”
A Custom Gown with Vintage Flair
When Selina visited our flagship Toronto bridal shop, she knew she’d walk down the aisle in a timeless gown. “I first saw this exact silhouette four years ago and instantly fell in love. From that moment, I knew I wanted something simple, elegant, and classic. What drew me in was the beautiful structure and the unique curved neckline, which added just the right amount of modern sophistication.” Created in Mikado silk sourced from Italy, her custom Lea-Ann Belter gown featured a sculptural neckline and classic structure. Then, in a nod to a ’90s Vogue-inspired bridal aesthetic, she added long opera gloves and two veils to her fabulous look!
Selina and Luca’s Toronto Wedding Story
Read more about our sweet couple’s day—and how Selina and Luca surprised their guests with a late night treat —from our bride below.
When did you realize Luca was special?
I’ve known Luca was the one for a very long time. So much so that I didn’t cancel our second date even though I accidentally smashed my brother-in-law’s car on the way there. I just knew I had to be there, and I was right. The thing about Luca is that he’s the coolest person you’ll ever meet, but with the biggest heart. Cool and kind in equal measure.
When my grandfather passed away five years ago, Luca reached out to every single wiener dog account I followed and asked them to send a personal picture and message offering their condolences to me. That was the moment I knew I had found someone truly special. The definition of “if he wanted to, he would.”
Since then, I’ve fallen more in love with him every single day. He always entertains my “okay, call me crazy” ideas with a smile, even when they really are a little crazy. Like when he willingly planted sausages with me in the backyard the night before our wedding to keep the stormy weather away!
But most importantly, no one has ever made me feel as strong, beautiful, smart, and capable of absolutely anything I set my mind to. Luca has always given me the space to be exactly who I am, free of judgment. I’ve truly never felt more seen, loved, understood, and valued by someone. Whether it’s his patience, his empathy, his thoughtfulness, or his laugh, Luca, without a doubt, is my soulmate and simply makes life fun.
What feeling or atmosphere did you want to create for your day?
We wanted our wedding to feel like an upscale, intimate experience with the sophisticated charm of a New York City restaurant, lounge, or hotel bar. Our goal was to create a moody yet cozy atmosphere that radiated warmth, exclusivity, and intention in every detail. The design leaned into mid-century modern cues, with sleek lines and minimalist touches that brought a sense of timeless simplicity.
Custom-made lamps cast a dim, ambient glow that set the tone for an inviting environment, while booth seating offered both comfort and intimacy, evoking the feel of a high-end lounge. We transformed the venue into more than just a wedding space. It became a one-night-only gathering place designed to reflect who we are. Through thoughtful branding, we created the feeling of a private club or members-only lounge, making our friends and family feel like part of something special. Ultimately, it was about crafting a setting that felt personal, stylish, and distinctly ours, where every guest could feel a sense of belonging and understated luxury.
Tell us about finding your gown!
I’ve always dreamed of wearing a timeless gown. I first saw this exact silhouette four years ago and instantly fell in love. From that moment, I knew I wanted something simple, elegant, and classic. What drew me in was the beautiful structure and the unique curved neckline, which added just the right amount of modern sophistication.
I envisioned myself in long opera gloves and wearing TWO veils at once to complete the look: a nod to a ’90s, vintage, Vogue-inspired bridal aesthetic. For me, craftsmanship and quality were the most important elements. I knew I wanted Mikado silk, and having the fabric sourced from Italy made all the difference.
In the end, the gown embodied everything I was looking for: timelessness, elegance, and a sense of refined simplicity. It was a look I knew I’d still love decades from now, a classic bride moment that felt entirely my own.
What little detail or decision are you especially glad you included?
One detail I’m especially glad we included was the way we transformed our reception space to reflect our personal style. We designed it to feel like a 1950s hotel lounge, with guests dining in chic curved booths illuminated by custom-made lamps. Towering Bird of Paradise plants brought in a sense of minimal, mid-century sophistication, while warm textures and timeless florals made the space feel inviting and elevated.
It was important to us that the space felt cohesive from morning to night, so we carried through thoughtful design elements like custom cushions, branded ribbon, and curated stationery. One of my favorite personal touches was the custom matchboxes. Luca has been collecting matches for years, so creating one to mark this milestone felt especially meaningful.
We also loved collaborating with MirMir photo booth as a keepsake for our guests. It was such a fun way to capture candid moments and gave everyone something special to take home. In the end, all of these little decisions came together to create a space that felt warm, personal, and uniquely ours.
What unexpected moment brings a smile when you think back on your day?
One unexpected moment that always brings a huge smile to my face was when Luca and I surprised our guests on the dance floor with late-night trays of branded McDoubles and Krispy Kreme donuts. We had them wrapped with custom stickers that read “Sel & Lu are McMarried”, and it became such a fun, lighthearted highlight of the night.
Instead of just having them passed around by staff, we decided to hand them out ourselves. We carried trays around to each guest, making sure everyone got a treat. It turned into such a joyful and unexpected interaction. We were laughing, dancing, and watching our friends and family light up with huge smiles. It brought such a fun energy to the party and felt like a sweet way to thank everyone for being there.
People still talk about it and tell us how memorable that moment was. It felt perfectly us: playful, personal, and full of love.
Do you have advice for couples currently planning their wedding?
Have fun!!! Luca and I are a goofy, fun-loving couple who don’t take ourselves too seriously, and that energy truly shaped the day. While I’m definitely type A and planned the entire wedding through my event design and planning company, SELIBRATE, I knew I had to let go of control once the day arrived and just be present.
It’s easy to get caught up in the details like the gown, the decor, the venue, or the food, but ultimately, it’s about who you are. If you show up with joy, love, and good energy, your guests will feel that and mirror it right back. We love to dance and have a good time, and our guests fed off that vibe all night long.
And here’s a fun little tip: plant a sausage in your backyard the night before the wedding. Rare or cooked, we did both (for extra luck). It’s an old superstition for good weather on your wedding day and we swear it worked!! Clear skies!!!
Selina + Luca's Toronto Wedding Vendors
custom wedding dress: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal via the flagship Toronto wedding dress shop | full event design & planning: SELIBRATE | photography: 515 Photo Co. | video: John Butler Films | wedding venue: Château Le Parc | shoes: Badgley Mischka | jewellery: Atelier Elise | suit: Atelier Munro Yorkville | hair: Kroma Salon | makeup: Noèva Muse | church: St. Paul’s Basilica | creative: University of Toronto | venue: Château Le Parc | furniture: Detailz | chargers: Nayos | welcome sign + plinths: Decor & Fiesta | linens: Chair Decor | stationery: Paper Palette | photobooth: MirMir
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