LAUREN & ANDRE TRUE LOVE. TRUE LUXURY.

PICTURESQUE PROPOSAL
Lauren and Andre began dating while they were students at the University of Toronto in 2007. Years later, Andre proposed to Lauren at the couple’s special spot—a picturesque park in Toronto’s financial district. “We went to our usual spot and when the moment was right, I took out the ring and proposed. Joyful tears filled Lauren’s eyes as she smiled and nodded. I still vividly remember both of us being overwhelmed with joy that night and we were very excited to get married,” shares the groom.

PARISIAN INSPIRATION
Lauren and Andre are both artistically inclined and opted to design their entire wedding day themselves. They created a luxurious “Rococo-themed” wedding which took place on August 17, 2013. “We had a clear vision of how we wanted the day to look,” says Andre who describes the day as “extravagant, elegant and, of course, fun.” The couple’s wedding ceremony was held in the TRINITY COLLEGE CHAPEL at the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO and was followed by a lavish reception at the PARK HYATT TORONTO YORKVILLE. Dr. David Neelands, Dean of Divinity at Trinity College, officiated the couple’s ceremony. Liz Scheniman and Danielle Rea of GUSH WEDDINGS & EVENTS provided same day co-ordination for the event. “The ceremony was beautiful and meaningful. As we had met at the University of Toronto, having our ceremony there was very significant to us.” -Andre

FASHION NOTES
Lauren wore three different gowns on her day. She chose a French tulle gown by Rivini from WHITE TORONTO for the ceremony, a traditional Cheongsam for the Chinese Tea Ceremony, and a vintage-inspired dress by Pronovias for the reception. Vivian Wu from VIVIAN WU MAKEUP finished Lauren’s look with beautifully styled hair and makeup. Bridesmaids wore floor-length chiffon dresses by The Dessy Group from RITCHE BRIDAL in shades of taupe, silver and blush. They accessorized with gold bracelets in the shape of a knot from KATE SPADE NEW YORK, a thank-you gift from the bride. Andre wore a Hugo Boss suit from HOLT RENFREW.

BELLE FLEUR
Fiona Liston of STEMZ designed the floral arrangements for the day including Lauren’s bouquet that was a beautiful mix of bright peach, apricot, and coral-coloured blooms wrapped with an ivory satin ribbon to complement Lauren’s Rivini gown.

DECADENT DETAILS
The ceremony was followed by a reception in the Roof Salon at the Park Hyatt Toronto Yorkville that boasts breathtaking views of the city’s skyline. The couple’s lavish white and gold wedding invitation from WILLIAM ARTHUR influenced the design schematic as did the Rococo period. “We were also fueled by the extravagant details from Sofia Coppola’s film ‘Marie Antoinette,’” shares Andre.

For reception floral, the couple asked Stemz to produce arrangements reminiscent of those found in Rococo paintings.

Tables were topped with low floral centrepieces in shades that mirrored the bride’s bouquet along with hints of yellow and green foliage. Gold mint julep cups and small glass vases filled with seasonal blooms also adorned tables. Some arrangements were placed on vintage gold perfume trays for height.

Guests were seated in gold Chiavari chairs and dined using gold flatware from CHAIR-MAN MILLS. At each place setting, guests received a pair of French macarons from CAKE OPERA CO. 

The couple’s head table featured two crystal candelabras that created a beautiful focal point in the room. The table linen and napkins for the head table were a soft blue colour with a taupe overlay that mirrored the gold fresco designs on the linens used for guest tables. Susan Murray International and chair-man mills provided all of the gorgeous linens for the event.

Alexandria Pellegrino from Cake Opera Co. designed the couple’s ornate six-tiered wedding cake. The pale green cake featured a hand-painted image of a couple in love inspired by Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s “Progress of Love” paintings. Delicate gold adornments, similar to those found at the Palace of Versailles, were used to decorate each layer of the structure.

Along with the elegant chandeliers in the Roof Salon, the space was romantically lit with a sea of twinkling candles. Soft amber uplighting was provided by DJ FLOH BACK PRODUCTIONS.

After dinner, guests hit the dance floor to music provided by DJ Rich Sweet from DJ Floh Back Productions.

END NOTES
Guests enjoyed a luxurious four-course plated dinner provided by the Park Hyatt Toronto Yorkville that included warm duck confit with white asparagus. The couple also treated guests to a late night crepe station. “The chef attended to guests and made crepes fresh on the spot, adding to the overall French experience,” says Andre.

The couple tell us they wouldn’t change anything about their day. Lauren and Andre are currently planning another wedding celebration with their family and friends in Asia. We’re guessing the talented couple will create an event that’s equally as fabulous as their Toronto union.