After meeting as teens at summer camp, David (ever the romantic) knew right away Kate was his person. The two stayed in touch, but by the following summer, he and Kate knew there was something special between them. Says Kate, “High school, university, travels abroad—we’ve been through it all and grown together. In 2012, we moved to Ottawa for our undergraduate degrees and the city has been our home ever since.”
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the two took a road trip on the east coast. While camping in Cape Breton, a storm came rolling in, sending them into their tent for an earlier night. “In the morning, there was a beautiful sunrise. David asked me to marry him as we watched the sun come up over the Atlantic, and said he wanted to be with me through all of life’s “storms and sunrises.”
In search of the right gown, Kate visited us at our flagship Toronto bridal boutique with her mom, Cori, and her maid of honor, Maria. “We loved the experience at LBB. Vanessa made it easy to imagine what I’d look like on my wedding day, and the LBB team really did make my dream dress come true. Every detail, right down to the last button, was perfect.”
Putting together David’s wedding day look was a special experience, too. Says Kate,
“David wore a cobalt blue three-piece suit from Tom’s Place. His dress shirt, tie, pocket square, and socks are from H. Halpern Esq. This was very special to us because H. Halpern is a family business run by my aunt Meredith and grandfather Howard Halpern. They helped to make sure David and our groomsmen looked the part! And on the day of the wedding, my grandfather was there to make sure everyone’s ties were done just right!”
More about their glorious late October day from our bride below.
wedding dress: custom Lea-Ann Belter gown via the flagship Toronto bridal boutique | photography: Union Eleven | venue: Stonefields Estate | scroll down for full vendor list
Tell us about your outfits! How did you choose your gown?
“I went dress shopping with my mum, Cori, and my maid of honour, Maria. We had been to a couple of stores before arriving at Lea-Ann Belter Bridal. We loved the experience at LBB. Vanessa made it easy to imagine what I’d look like on my wedding day, and the LBB team really did make my dream dress come true. Every detail, right down to the last button, was perfect.
David wore a cobalt blue three-piece suit from Tom’s Place. His dress shirt, tie, pocket square, and socks are from H. Halpern Esq. This was very special to us because H. Halpern is a family business run by my aunt Meredith and grandfather Howard Halpern. They helped to make sure David and our groomsmen looked the part! And on the day of the wedding, my grandfather was there to make sure everyone’s ties were done just right!”
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
“We decided to get married in Ottawa because it has been our home for more than 10 years. We knew we wanted a venue that had personality. Stonefields had such a special quality to it, and the staff made us feel so welcome.“
Tell us about your day!
“Where to begin? The day was a dream come true. It’s still hard to believe it was real!
We had originally planned to get married in October 2020. When we decided to move the date to 2022 because of the pandemic, a lot of people thought we were crazy. It was a difficult decision to make, but ultimately, we were so glad we waited because our wedding was more magical than we could’ve ever imagined. Even though the pandemic is still very much with us today, we were able to have a celebration with our loved ones and we were so grateful for that.
One of the most meaningful parts of the day was the Ketubah signing ceremony, which is an intimate ceremony with our parents, grandparents, and signatories. We signed our civil marriage documents and our Jewish marriage contract. It was a quiet moment with some of the closest people in our lives and it’s really when it sunk in for us that this was really, finally happening.
The wedding ceremony itself was also very special to us. We wanted our ceremony to feel like a reflection of us as a couple. It was important to us that it felt accessible and welcoming to everyone. We wrote our own personal vows and selected transliterations of blessings that resonated with us.
And, of course, the weather! For late October in the Ottawa area, we had an unseasonably warm, sunny day. It was nearly 20°C around the time of the ceremony. The leaves were falling, the sun was shining, and that all contributed to that dream-like feeling.”
What was your first dance song?
“Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel, but we danced to a cover by Paul Canning.”
One detail you couldn’t live without?
“My mum and I worked with Penwarden Fine Jewellery to design the beautiful earrings I wore on my wedding day. My mum had some of her grandmother’s pearl and emerald jewellery and knew she wanted to turn it into a pair of earrings. The vintage-inspired clusters are so beautiful and added a pop of colour, which I loved. “
Kate + David’s Stonefields Estate Wedding Vendors
wedding dress: custom Lea-Ann Belter gown via the flagship Toronto bridal boutique | photography: Union Eleven | venue: Stonefields Estate | menswear: Tom’s Place, H. Halpern Esq. | jewelry: rings by Studio 1098, earrings by Penwarden Fine Jewellery | bridesmaids dresses: Bill Levkoff | hair + makeup: Mahogany Salon and Spa, Carleton Place | florals + decor: Wedecor
