Collaborating with our brides to create a gown that makes each feel gorgeous is one of our favorite things. So, when Brady walked into our Toronto flagship boutique searching for a wedding dress that combined her favorite design elements and made her feel like a million bucks, we were thrilled! Our creative bride chose a gown and accessories that gave her three different looks to wear throughout her celebration at Canoe in Toronto.
“Vanessa was a huge help in having my wedding day look come together. When I first started shopping, I wasn’t 100% sure that I wanted to wear a strapless gown. However, right after I got engaged, I was in London, UK with my family, so my mom and I went to Sassi Holford to try on dresses. It was there that I realized a strapless dress might be best for me. While there, I also tried on a lace dress with pearls and fell in love with the idea of pearls.
Thanks to the help of Vanessa, we were able to find the perfect strapless dress with a material I loved (although I did change the style multiple times) and then come up with the idea of the jacket with pearls. I felt that the jacket added personality to the dress, which was what I was looking for. I wanted a classic/sophisticated dress but with a flare.
I hadn’t even thought of the wrap option—that was all Vanessa. I honestly loved every part of my wedding dress and the fact that it was three gowns in one was even more perfect!”
wedding dress: custom Lea-Ann Belter gown, wrap, and sheer shrug via the flagship Toronto bridal boutique | photographer: Hannah Brown Photography | scroll down for full vendor list
As they planned their Toronto wedding, Brady and Josh kept their guests’ experience firmly in mind. At the same time, they never lost sight of the day’s purpose—the two of them! “We decided to have our official ceremony in our backyard surrounded by our immediate family, which I would suggest to every couple. It allowed us to share our own vows and make it very personal and allowed us some time after with our everyone to celebrate with a glass of Champagne before heading to Canoe.”
More about their day from our sweet bride below!
How did the two of you meet?
“It is a long story but involves my best friend, who was our officiant, and Tinder.”
How did you two get engaged?
“We got engaged on our 4th anniversary in NOTL. It was the perfect day and I was so surprised.”
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
“We chose our siblings to be our special people and my aunt did a reading and my best friend was the officiant. We also had our official wedding ceremony in our backyard with just our immediate family to make it very personal.”
Tell us about your outfits! How did you choose your gown?
“Josh and I both loved our outfits and picked them with Canoe in mind.
I wanted a dress that was sophisticated but also had some flare to show my personality. I went to many bridal stores but knew immediately that I would be getting my dress from Lea-Ann Belter.
Vanessa was a huge help in having my wedding day look come together. When I first started shopping, I wasn’t 100% sure that I wanted to wear a strapless gown. However, right after I got engaged, I was in London, UK with my family, so my mom and I went to Sassi Holford to try on dresses. It was there that I realized a strapless dress might be best for me. While there, I also tried on a lace dress with pearls and fell in love with the idea of pearls.
Thanks to the help of Vanessa, we were able to find the perfect strapless dress with a material I loved (although I did change the style multiple times) and then come up with the idea of the jacket with pearls. I felt that the jacket added personality to the dress, which was what I was looking for. I wanted a classic/sophisticated dress but with a flare.
I hadn’t even thought of the wrap option—that was all Vanessa. I honestly loved every part of my wedding dress and the fact that it was three gowns in one was even more perfect!
Josh designed his suit and picked a forest green with a subtle floral print throughout the jacket. He looked amazing!”
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
“We picked Canoe as we wanted to get married in Toronto at a venue that showcased our city, amazing food and service, and space to dance the night away. We knew that Canoe was the venue and didn’t look anywhere else. Canoe didn’t disappoint at all!”
Tell us about your day!
“Our day was exactly what we wanted. To calm my nerves, I started the day doing yoga with my friends. That was followed by a very relaxing morning getting my hair and makeup done with my mom and sisters-in-law. Josh and I wanted to ensure the day was about us so we decided to have our official ceremony in our backyard surrounded by our immediate family, which I would suggest to every couple. It allowed us to share our own vows and make it very personal and allowed us some time after with everyone to celebrate with a glass of Champagne before heading to Canoe.
Once we got there, we got all of our photos done—the moment our Celebration of Love (as we called it) started, I didn’t want to think about photos. The Celebration of Love was perfect! The moment guests got off the elevator, each guest got a glass (or two) of Champagne to start the night. It was an 8-min celebration with my best friend, Robyn, making it so special with her being the officiant and my aunt doing a beautiful reading. It was incredible to look around the East + West room with all our friends and family there. Of course, music was very important to me, and I loved that we had our band sing for our processional and also for us being announced as husband and wife.
The cocktail hour was simple, and the dinner led perfectly to a dance floor in the East + West room with a seven-person band that had everyone dancing until the very end of the night. We couldn’t have asked for a better day and had the most stunning sunset that showed off how beautiful Toronto was!”
What was the funniest moment of your day?
“When my dad did an outfit change in the middle of our father/daughter dance! It was the perfect dance and moment that I will never forget!”
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
“Our guest experience, which impacted our experience which included the food, service, view and band!”
Brady + Josh’s Toronto Wedding Vendors
wedding dress: custom Lea-Ann Belter gown, wrap, and sheer shrug via the flagship Toronto bridal boutique | photographer: Hannah Brown Photography | planner: Kari Lywood Events | venue: Canoe Restaurant | makeup: Brittany Sinclair | hair: Katie Didham | florals: Grower’s Flower Market & Gifts, Maria | entertainment: Next Level Entertainment | menswear: The London Bespoke Club
