Candlelight, Calla Lilies, and Classic Charm: Nicolette and Victor's Exquisite Nuptials at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel

Love Story

Fate intertwined Nicolette and Victor's paths at a fateful Stag and Doe event,where love blossomed amidst friendly competition. As the charming best man orchestrating the evening's games, Victor couldn't help but be captivated by Nicolette's spirited competitiveness. According to Victor, as the mastermind behind the games, he graciously allowed her to emerge victorious.

Their bond deepened over time, and after some time together, Victor orchestrated a memorable proposal. While Nicolette was away in Alberta for work, he planned a surprise weekend getaway to Banff. Amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Lake Louise and the golden hues of the larch trees on the Big Beehive Trail, Victor seized the moment to get down on one knee. With a light picnic as their backdrop, they savored the joy of the occasion. Despite having discussed marriage and ring preferences before, Nicolette was pleasantly surprised by the timing and couldn't imagine a more perfect setting for their engagement.

Nicolette and Victor's vision for their wedding day was nothing short of a grand, romantic celebration – a "classic Big Italian wedding with a modern artful twist." They envisioned their nuptials to be hyper-modern and elegant, with art woven into every aspect of the celebration. Their venue, boasting a magnificent fresco adorning its ceiling, set the stage for a visually stunning affair.

"Growing up, my younger sisters and I would eagerly watch their wedding video, just as enthralled as we were with Disney movies," she reminisced.

With 250 guests in attendance, the couple's grand vision took eight months of meticulous planning to come to fruition, culminating in a celebration that seamlessly blended tradition and modernity, love and artistry, in a truly unforgettable way.

Morning details

Inspired by her parents' wedding, which held a cherished place in their family lore, Nicolette incorporated elements of classic Italian customs alongside modern touches, such as the inclusion of elegant Calla lilies in both her mother's and mother-in-law's bouquets—a timeless symbol of elegance.

Collaborating with the incredibly talented floral artist at Martin's Flowers, they reimagined the classic floral choice into a modern equivalent, creating bouquets that were both reminiscent of tradition and strikingly contemporary. "It was a beautiful fusion of the past and the present, paying homage to the love stories that came before ours while forging our own path forward," Nicolette mused.

Bride getting ready

Finding the perfect wedding dress was a journey of self-discovery for Nicolette, who had a very specific vision in mind. “I sought a gown that exuded timelessness, elegance, and a touch of artistic flair,” she shared. Eschewing the typical lace and beading, she yearned for something architectural and modern, yet still possessing classic charm. It seemed like a tall order, but when she emerged from the changing room in a breathtaking Pronovias creation, she was met with unanimous agreement from her trusted entourage – comprising her nonna, mom, mother-in-law, and sisters – that this was indeed "the one." It was a moment of collective affirmation that Nicolette will forever cherish in her heart.

On the morning of her wedding day, Nicolette's childhood home became the backdrop for a cherished getting-ready photoshoot, surrounded by the love and support of her nearest and dearest. Her bridal look was completed with a delicate veil, white satin pumps, glistening earrings, and a headpiece expertly woven into her updo, creating a vision of radiant beauty.

For her bouquet, Nicolette turned to the artisans at Martin's Flowers,where floral artist Tam brought her dream of "a modern twist on classic floral choices" to life. Tam's talent and creativity elevated their floral design to new heights, as she brilliantly reimagined traditional blooms into sleek, contemporary arrangements. The bouquets she crafted were notably tall and exuded a strikingly modern vibe, perfectly complementing the overall aesthetic of their celebration and adding a touch of sophistication and uniqueness to their special day.

By Nicolette's side throughout the morning's preparations were her beloved bridesmaids – her two sisters as co-maids of honor, two cousins, two friends from elementary school, and two friends from university – their unwavering love and support enveloping her in warmth and joy as she prepared to embark on her next chapter.

First Look

Nicolette and Victor's first look was a classic and timeless moment shared before their ceremony. As Nicolette stood at the doors of her childhood church, she caught sight of Victor waiting for her at the altar. "It was a profoundly special moment, shared not only between us but also with all of our guests, who bore witness to our love and anticipation. In that brief exchange of glances, amidst the hushed whispers and palpable excitement, we felt an overwhelming sense of connection and joy, setting the tone for the beautiful ceremony that was about to unfold," Nicolette fondly recounts.

Ceremony

Nicolette and Victor's ceremony was a beautiful tapestry of traditions, both old and new, woven together with love and meaning. "Before heading to the church," Nicolette recalls, "I shared a heartfelt first look with my immediate family members, a cherished tradition in my big Italian family. Gathered at our family home, it was a special moment to see everyone together on the morning of the wedding, enveloped in love and excitement."

A delightful modern twist on tradition came in the form of Nicolette's mother's attire. "My mother's attire—a stunning blue dress that served as my "something blue." It was a subtle yet meaningful nod to the customary rhyme, adding a touch of contemporary flair to the age-old practice,'" Nicolette reminisces.

As the couple stood before their loved ones at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, they incorporated a candle lighting ritual to symbolize their unity. "Inspired by a similar tradition observed by my parents in the 1990s, we used their original candle, infusing the moment with a sense of heritage and continuity," Nicolette explains. "As we each lit our individual candles and then together ignited the larger one, it served as a poignant representation of our journey merging into one, bound by love and commitment."

The ambiance of the church ceremony was elevated by the soulful melodies of a singer accompanied by a piano, adding a touch of classic elegance to the proceedings. As Nicolette walked down the aisle to the timeless strains of "Canon in D," she recalls, "I stood at the end of the aisle, moments away from being reunited with my love and embarking on our ceremony together. It was akin to the effervescence of tiny bubbles in a glass of champagne—bubbling with excitement and anticipation for the journey ahead."
Photoshoot After the Ceremony
After the emotional and joyous ceremony, Nicolette and Victor embarked on a photoshoot that captured the essence of their love and the elegance of their special day. "Following the ceremony," Nicolette shares, "our photoshoot took place on the rooftop of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel—a stunning backdrop that added an extra layer of elegance to our special day."

With their phenomenal photographer at the helm, every moment was expertly captured. "Throughout the hotel and atop the rooftop, our photographer worked tirelessly to ensure that every angle and expression was beautifully immortalized," Nicolette recounts. “The resulting photographs are more than just images; they are cherished memories that we will treasure for a lifetime. They capture not only the beauty of the surroundings but also the love, joy, and excitement that filled the air on our wedding day.”

Photoshoot after the ceremony

After the emotional and joyous ceremony, Nicolette and Victor embarked on a photoshoot that captured the essence of their love and the elegance of their special day. "Following the ceremony," Nicolette shares, "our photoshoot took place on the rooftop of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel—a stunning backdrop that added an extra layer of elegance to our special day."

With their phenomenal photographer at the helm, every moment was expertly captured. "Throughout the hotel and atop the rooftop, our photographer worked tirelessly to ensure that every angle and expression was beautifully immortalized," Nicolette recounts. “The resulting photographs are more than just images; they are cherished memories that we will treasure for a lifetime. They capture not only the beauty of the surroundings but also the love, joy, and excitement that filled the air on our wedding day.”

Wedding Venue & Decor

"Our wedding exuded timeless elegance with a sophisticated color palette of black and white," Nicolette shares. "While both the church and the venue boasted hues of dark green and burgundy, we chose to accentuate these rich tones with classic black and white elements to maintain a clean and refined aesthetic."

This deliberate juxtaposition of bold, deep colors against the crispness of black and white created a striking visual contrast, adding depth and dimension to their decor. As Nicolette explains, "It was a deliberate choice to infuse our celebration with a sense of classic sophistication while allowing the natural beauty of our surroundings to shine through." The result was a seamlessly cohesive design that embodied both tradition and modernity, reflecting the essence of their love story.

Rather than a traditional guest book, the couple opted for a unique and meaningful alternative. "At a table, we placed four bottles of wine, each labeled to signify a milestone anniversary: our 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 10th," Nicolette describes. "Guests were invited to sign these bottles with heartfelt messages, allowing us to preserve memories from our wedding day in a truly special way."

Victor chimes in, "As we uncork these bottles on the corresponding anniversaries, we'll not only savor the exquisite wine but also revisit the sentiments shared by our loved ones, transporting us back to the joy and love of our wedding day. It's a thoughtful and sentimental tradition that will undoubtedly make those future celebrations even more memorable and meaningful."

Choosing the perfect venue was no easy feat, as Nicolette reveals, "We visited about 18 venues and liked this one the most." Their meticulous attention to detail and unwavering vision for their special day culminated in a celebration that was a true reflection of their love and style.

Reception

tradition. As Nicolette reminisces, "During our cocktail hour, guests were treated to the unique experience of having live poets crafting personalized poems on vintage typewriters—an ode to creativity and individuality." As the festivities transitioned to the reception, the couple “introduced a nod to Italian tradition with the enchanting melodies of a classic accordion player, infusing the atmosphere with warmth and charm."

Nicolette beams, "Our phenomenal photographer expertly captured the essence of each moment, ensuring that every artistic detail was immortalized in timeless imagery, creating a wedding day that was as visually captivating as it was memorable."

One of the most unforgettable moments of the night was the exuberant dancing that filled the entirety of the reception. "From the moment the reception started until the very end of the night, our guests were on their feet in between each course," Nicolette recalls with a radiant smile. "Creating an atmosphere of pure fun and celebration was paramount to us, and seeing everyone enjoy themselves so thoroughly was incredibly rewarding. It was a night filled with laughter, love, and boundless joy, etched into our memories forever."

As the newlyweds took to the dance floor for their first dance, the strains of "Just the Two of Us" by the Sunmoon version filled the air, setting the perfect romantic tone for their new journey together.

In keeping with their commitment to supporting women in the industry, Nicolette and Victor entrusted their wedding cake to the talented artist Daniella's Desserts. "We were thrilled to have a predominantly female team of vendors contributing to our special day," Nicolette gushes. "Among them was our incredibly talented cake artist, whose creations not only dazzled the eye but also delighted the palate with their delicious flavors."

From the artistic touches to the heartfelt traditions, Nicolette and Victor's reception was a true reflection of their love story – a night filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories that will forever warm their hearts.