140 WINTER/SPRING 2015 • TORONTO EDITION

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: STOREY WILKINS PHOTOGRAPHY

s u m m e r l o v e Caitlin Acs and Greg Parlardg’s love story began in the summer of 2005 in Muskoka, Ontario. The two met while working together in cottage country and their relationship blossomed as they attended Queen’s University together. After eight years of dating, Greg proposed at the Toronto home the couple share with their much-loved dog, Kensie. The pair were packing for a trip to Florida when Greg popped the question. “After many ‘are you serious?’ comments and tears from Caitlin, we opened a bottle of champagne and prepared ourselves for an amazing week away to celebrate our engagement,” remembers Greg.

p l a n n i n g

Melissa Haggerty of SpectacularSpectacular provided full-service planning and design assistance for the couple’s wedding on May 24, 2014.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS AND PINK DETAILS EVOKE THE ROMANCE OF SPRING AT THIS SPECTACULAR SOIRÉE.

GREG

CAITLIN

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c u s t o m s t a t i o n e r y PALETTERA Custom Correspondences created custom stationery for the event. The wedding invitation and day-of stationery prominently featured illustrations of dusty miller, a plant found in the gardens of the bride’s family cottage on Georgian Bay. The plant was also incorporated into the floral arrangements at the wedding.

b l u s h b e a u t y

Caitlin’s blush pink wedding gown by Monique Lhuillier was purchased at White Toronto. The bride had always envisioned wearing blush pink on her day, as her maternal grandmother wore the colour at her wedding nearly 60 years earlier. The bride accessorized her dress with a matching Monique Lhuillier lace veil for the ceremony and an embellished belt by Jenny Packham for the reception. Her jewellery for the day was custom-made by a family jeweller, including pink pearl and diamond earrings. She wore two pairs of shoes for the occasion; a glittery pair of Jimmy Choo

pumps in rose gold and a classic pair of Christian Louboutin heels. Tony Pham of JiE Privé styled the bride’s hair and Angela Min provided makeup.

s t y l e n o t e s

The bridal party wore floor-length, grey dresses by Monique Lhuillier from White Toronto and Jimmy Choo heels. Caitlin’s sister served as maid-of-honour and embellished her dress with a crystal belt by Anne Barge.

t r a d i t i o n a l c e r e m o n y The couple’s ceremony took place at Toronto’s Islington United Church. The church holds a special significance for Caitlin as her parents and grandparents were also married there. Event designer Lidia Tacconelli opted for minimal decor for the ceremony, as the church is known for its beautiful architecture. A white carpet runner from Reznick Carpets was used to mark the aisle and four cherry blossom trees beautifully flanked the altar.

The reception unfolded at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Baillie Court.

Lidia Tacconelli of FIORI Floral and Event Design produced the floral and decor for the event. Caitlin’s beautiful pink and white bouquet was tied with two silk ribbons and secured with a silver cuff that belonged to the bride’s grandmother—a surprise sentimental touch orchestrated by Caitlin’ s mother.

i n t i m a t e r e c e p t i o n The couple worked closely with planner Melissa Haggerty of SpectacularSpectacular and designer Lidia Tacconelli of FIORI Floral and Event Design to orchestrate a fairytale-like evening that felt intimate yet grand. “We wanted the room to feel like a large family dinner party,” says Greg.

AGO's Baillie Court was draped in white fabric from Micki’s (part of The Event Rental Group) and six, enormous, custom fabric wall panels with images of cherry blossoms were erected in the space. Produced by FIORI Floral and Event Design, the 18ft tall by 10ft wide panels created a more cozy dining space and a dramatic backdrop for the celebration.

Tables were topped with tall centrepieces filled with cherry blossom branches along with an array of pink flowers and candles. Blush napkins from Around The Table and rose quartz chandeliers from Contemporary Furniture Rentals Inc. added to the dreamy, romantic feel of the event.

“I will never forget the moment I walked into Baillie Court. From the chandeliers to the cherry blossom wall coverings, everything was perfect," remembers Caitlin.

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m e m o r a b l e m o m e n t s

Annick Le Goaix, Special Event Chef at the AGO, designed a memorable menu that included a spring trifle with strawberries for dessert and mini grilled cheese sandwiches for a midnight snack. Guests sipped Veuve Clicquot Rosé during the evening toasts (gifted from the bride’s grandfather) and danced the night away to music provided by DJ Justin from Sole Power Productions.

s w e e t d e t a i l s

The bride’s grade four students (Caitlin is a Peel District School Board teacher) got in on the wedding fun and hand-painted ornaments that were displayed on trees at the escort table. PALETTERA Custom Correspondences created a sticker for the ornaments notifying attendees that a charitable donation has been made in their honour to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in lieu of favors.

h o n e y m o o n

The couple followed their wedding with a two-week honeymoon in Greece. The pair arrived in Athens and then traveled to Mykonos before ending their holiday on the beautiful island of Santorini.

“Caitlin’s grandmother was all about the flowers, and her mother honoured that tradition by making them one of the priorities at the wedding,” shares planner Melissa Haggerty. “The combination of flowers and candles in amber containers helped to add the warmth that was needed to soften up what is essentially a big, white room.”

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