A Gucci-Inspired Celebration: Nicole and Sasha's Wedding at The Arlington Estate

Love Story

We were absolutely thrilled when Nicole and Sasha shared their incredible love story with us. As the couple recounted, they met on Instagram, and it was truly love at first DM. "He DM'd me, and from that moment on, it was history," Nicole gushed. They've been happily together for four years, and their connection only continues to grow stronger.

When it came time for the proposal, Sasha outdid himself. While vacationing in Turks and Caicos, Nicole was told there was a beach party that evening. Little did she know, Sasha had meticulously planned a breathtaking surprise. "As we got closer, I saw it—large, glowing white letters spelling out 'Marry Me,' with a heart made of candles and rose petals scattered around. It was perfect. I was completely caught off guard," Nicole recalled, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Nicole and Sasha's wedding was a true vision of timeless elegance and vibrant modern flair. With 350 guests in attendance, the couple had been planning their special day for two years, ensuring every detail was thoughtfully curated.

"Our vision for a dream wedding was to capture the essence of Italy, bringing that timeless European feel to our celebration. It evokes a sense of class and romance that we wanted to infuse into every moment," the couple shared.

Although they kept the ceremony classic with a timeless, predominantly white theme and minimal colors, Nicole and Sasha drew inspiration from the Gucci garden theme for the cocktail hour and reception. "This infused our celebration with happiness and excitement, adding a unique and memorable twist to the event," the couple explained. "We combined the timeless romance of a Tuscan summer night with the bold, artistic flair of Gucci, creating a celebration that was both luxurious and alive with modern energy," they said.

A key moment the couple will remember from their wedding was the ability to enjoy the day as if they were their own guests. "We made sure to stay in the hall with our guests, allowing us to mingle and have personal conversations with everyone. This made the event special not only for us but for our guests as well, who appreciated the chance to connect personally with the bride and groom," the couple shared.

Morning details

Nicole designed the couple's wedding stationery herself, showcasing her creative talents. When it came to their wedding rings, they opted for classic, timeless gold bands, perfectly complementing the elegance of the day. "Our wedding rings were simple, as we both knew we wanted classic, timeless gold bands," the couple shared.

When it came to bridal jewelry, Nicole shared: “I chose simple and classy jewelry to complement my wedding dress, which was an elegant, soft gown adorned with delicate floral details in a gentle white hue. I wore diamond stud earrings gifted by my mother—timeless pieces that added just the right touch of elegance without overpowering the dress.”

The wedding was a beautiful celebration of love, with every detail, from the stationery to the jewelry, reflecting the couple's shared vision

Bride getting ready

Nicole's wedding dress was a true showstopper, designed by the acclaimed Mira Zwillinger. "Believe it or not, I found it in the very first store I visited during my search. It was one of the first three dresses I tried on, and it truly felt like it found me," Nicole beamed. The elegant, soft gown was adorned with delicate floral details, and Nicole accessorized with diamond stud earrings gifted by her mother, adding the perfect touch of elegance.

The bride's wedding bouquet was a stunning mix of soft lavender Phalaenopsis orchids, deep purple dahlias, soft blush garden roses, and a mix of unexpected yet beautiful tones and textures.

Nicole had her getting ready photoshoot at the venue, surrounded by her girls and family. "I asked my bridesmaids to choose their own dresses in any shade of pink, knowing they'd pick styles that suited them best. I was initially unsure if the varying tones would work together, but on the wedding day, the blend of different pinks looked absolutely perfect," she shared.

Groom getting ready

Sasha selected his dashing emerald green suit from Atelier Munro, a boutique in downtown Toronto. "He chose an elegant emerald green suit, featuring a subtle, soft design on the jacket," the couple shared. Sasha got ready surrounded by his family and groomsmen, filled with anticipation for the day ahead.

First Look

The couple's first look took place at a beautiful willow tree near the pond on the grounds of The Arlington Estate. "I was nervous, but also filled with anticipation and excitement. As I tapped him to turn around, my stomach fluttered with butterflies," Nicole recalled. Sasha's first thought was, "Wow, she looks stunning!" as the couple locked eyes, their nerves quickly giving way to pure excitement.

Photoshoot before the ceremony

For their pre-ceremony photoshoot, Nicole and Sasha chose the stunning grounds of The Arlington Estate, capturing beautiful moments with their family and bridal party.

Ceremony

Nicole and Sasha incorporated a meaningful Jewish tradition into their ceremony, using the tallit, or prayer shawl, to symbolize unity and commitment. During the ceremony, Nicole placed the tallit on Sasha's shoulders, and he then draped it across both of them, covering their shoulders. "This act represented the formation of our new family and the protection and blessing of our shared future," they explained.

The ceremony took place under a gorgeous decorated pergola adorned with white cherry blossoms. For their musical selections, the couple chose two songs performed by a live trio of harp, violin, and cello. "The groom walked down to "Caruso" by Andrea Bocelli, while I chose "Con Te Partirò" for my entrance," said Nicole. "We selected Bocelli’s music because his songs capture the power of love, the beauty of music, and the optimism of life. Celebrated for his ability to convey deep emotion through his singing, Bocelli’s music did exactly that for our special day."

The flower girls were from the groom's side, while the ring bearer was the groom's 5-year-old cousin. One of the standout moments was the incorporation of colorful fireworks following the glass break and the couple's official pronouncement as husband and wife. "Inspired by the vibrant fireworks often seen at weddings in Europe, we decided to bring this spectacular touch to Canada. Although we were a bit skeptical about being the first to try this here, it turned out to be absolutely stunning. The fireworks provided a beautiful transition from the elegant white ceremony to the lively, colorful atmosphere of our Gucci garden-themed cocktail hour and vibrant reception," the couple shared.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

After the emotional ceremony, the couple continued their photoshoot, capturing more stunning images around the gorgeous venue. "The venue as it is stunning a has many beautiful areas inside and outdoors," the couple shared.

Wedding Venue & Decor

The Arlington Estate provided the perfect backdrop for Nicole and Sasha's vision, with its beautiful outdoor spaces and well-appointed indoor halls. The couple's color palette featured different shades of pink, complemented by touches of orange, yellow, green, and light blue. "The combination of these colors worked together beautifully and created a harmonious and vibrant atmosphere," the couple shared. The couple also included personalized touches, such as custom-made truffles for each guest, as well as individual caviar jars with a pearl spoon for each attendee.

In selecting the venue, Nicole and Sasha prioritized finding a space that could accommodate their large guest list of 350 guests and allow them to be the sole event of the day. "It was crucial for us to have a beautiful outdoor space for the ceremony. The venue met all our needs with an outdoor summer ceremony, a cocktail hour in a smaller indoor hall, and a larger hall for the reception. The terrace spaces provided a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor ambiance. Most importantly, we were impressed by the venue's cleanliness and maintenance, which ultimately sold us on the choice," the couple explained.

Reception

The reception was a true celebration, kicking off with an unforgettable first dance. "For our first dance, we chose "Sway" by Michael Bublé, setting the stage for an unforgettable moment. We surprised our guests with a stunning Latin dance performance that seamlessly blended salsa, cha-cha, and rumba. The unexpected choreography and the vibrant energy made it a highlight of the evening, leaving everyone in awe," the couple shared.

Nicole and Sasha also incorporated special traditions into the reception, placing small tins of black caviar on each guest's dinner plate, accompanied by mini blintzes and unsalted butter.

For the wedding cake, Nicole and Sasha selected three distinct flavors: chocolate hazelnut, strawberry shortcake, and a unique raspberry spinach vanilla. "The spinach, made from natural ingredients, added a vibrant color without the need for food coloring, while the raspberry provided a touch of sweetness. It was the perfect blend of flavors, creating a truly memorable dessert experience," the couple shared. The wedding cake was provided by Royal Cake Boutique.

"Working with our wedding vendors was an exceptional experience. Their communication was impeccable, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. Everything was delivered on time, and there were no issues, contributing to a truly seamless planning experience," they said.