Manal and Nuwan met here in Toronto, but when the two became engaged, they envisioned a destination wedding in Sri Lanka. One that was true to their style with a candlelit ceremony and neutral color palette, which Manal tells us is “pretty unconventional in Sri Lanka/South Asia where vibrant, bright colours are always preferred for weddings and big celebrations.”
That elegant, romantic aesthetic was what Manal was searching for in a wedding dress, too. When she visited our flagship Toronto bridal boutique, Manal pictured herself becoming a Mrs. in a slim A-line gown with long, lace sleeves. But when she slipped on our Ariel top and Star skirt? It was love!
From Manal:
How did you choose your gown?
“I did a ton of research online and visited a handful of bridal boutiques before finding the perfect wedding dress, which actually turned out to be a lace top and ball gown skirt with layers of tulle. Every store I visited, I found myself gravitating towards the same wedding dress silhouette and style: slim lace A-line gowns with wrist-length sleeves.
Just for fun (and mostly to appease my mom and best friends), I agreed to try on a dress that embodied everything I thought I wanted to avoid! The bridal separates that would ultimately form my wedding dress were so different from what I had envisioned wearing on my wedding day, but when I put them on, as cliché as it sounds, I knew I’d found the one. The dress was everything I wanted it to be: feminine, romantic, elegant, and timeless. It felt like the perfect reflection of my personal style, and most importantly, I could picture myself so clearly marrying my future husband in the dress.
Since we planned to get married in Sri Lanka, it was also really nice to be able to wear something that was handmade by a Canadian designer in our hometown of Toronto. Wearing a dress from Lea Ann Belter’s flagship store in Toronto gave me a tie back to the city I love, was raised in, and where I met my husband.”
bride’s gown and veil: Lea-Ann Belter Ariel Top, Star skirt, Ava veil via the flagship Toronto bridal boutique | photographer: Amarante Lifestyle Studio | vendor list at bottom
What’s your favorite wedding day memory?
“Too many to choose from, but the one that sticks out for me was walking down the aisle to my husband, and making it official by exchanging rings at the altar.”
Describe your wedding day in 5 words or less:
“Surreal, chaotic, full of love.”
What was your something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?
“I had one item, which served as my something old, something borrowed, and something blue. It was my late great-grandmother’s handkerchief.”
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
“We spent our honeymoon at the most beautiful and serene resort, nestled on a tea plantation in Madulkelle, Sri Lanka.”
Manal + Nuwan’s Sri Lanka Destination Wedding Vendors
bride’s gown and veil: Lea-Ann Belter Ariel Top, Star skirt, Ava veil via the flagship Toronto bridal boutique | photographer: Amarante Lifestyle Studio | ceremony + reception venue: Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka