Toronto Reference Library Wedding | Adriana + Jack

The library is such a wonderful place—wall-to-wall stories and information, and a hushed yet bright energy that’s hard to replicate. So, when Adriana visited our flagship boutique while planning her and Jack’s wedding at the Toronto Reference Library, our book-loving hearts flipped!

Adriana’s choice of wedding venue had everything to do with her heart—and Jack’s. “As an editor with degrees in English literature, the library was a magical wedding location for me. It also suited us because Jack is a proud nerd and lifelong learner, and he happened to be reading a book the first time I saw him (I tell him it was a good thing I was late to our first date, otherwise he wouldn’t have pulled it out). As wedding favours, guests were able to take home used books from the library system’s used bookstore. In exchange for the books, Jack and I made a donation to the Toronto public library. It was a meaningful way for us to support a critical public service and share the joy of reading with our guests.”

wedding dress: custom Lea-Ann Belter gown via the flagship Toronto bridal boutique | photographer: Lucy Lu Photography | scroll down for cull vendor list

Our bibliophile bride worked with Vanessa to create a custom wedding gown that combined a beautiful textured textile and a striking silhouette.

“My dress suited my style and personality so well, and the fabric is not a typical offering for bridal wear. wanted something with a print or texture of some kind. I fell in love with the brocade as soon as I saw it. The texture elevated the simple high-neck style of the front of my dress, and the pleats on the skirt felt regal to me. The fabric photographed beautifully, too. Although I was nervous about combining elements of two dresses in one and not knowing for sure what the end result would be, Vanessa really helped shepherd me through the process and deliver a stunning gown at the end.”

More about Adriana and Jack’s beautiful, bookish wedding from our lovely bride below.

How did you and Jack meet?

“Jack and I met on Bumble in the fall of 2018. We connected over our general nerdiness (he didn’t believe me at first, but I was happy to prove how very wrong he was), which we mentioned in our respective dating profiles. Through our first few dates, we also connected on our shared values, especially regarding family. We moved in together when the pandemic hit in 2020. That summer, we hunkered down in a bachelor apartment with no air conditioning. Despite such an uncomfortable situation, we worked as a team to navigate the challenges. We were relieved that we weren’t sick of each other…but we did find a larger apartment with central air conditioning to make it a little easier.”

How did you get engaged?

“In April 2022, in the botanical gardens at UBC in Vancouver, Jack presented me with a ring pop and asked me if we wanted to begin the process of designing a custom engagement ring. He had already reached out to the jewellery designer I wanted to work with, Emily Gill, and she spent the summer with us working on a stunning ring with a yellow sapphire as the centre stone. We ended up prioritizing custom and local vendors throughout the wedding process, and they all absolutely delivered—Lea-Ann Belter included!”

What was one of your favorite wedding day moments?

“One of our favourite comments about our wedding came from Jack’s uncle, who told us that Jack’s vows made him cry and my vows made him laugh. The sentiment seemed universal, and cathartic. We felt so fortunate that we were able to celebrate with the people we love, enjoy excellent food, and be surrounded by books. It really helped make all the stress leading up to the event feel justified. That said, I’m looking forward to never losing sleep over seating charts and centrepieces again!”