1. Real Weddings

A Rustic-Cool Wedding at John Street Roundhouse in Toronto, Ontario

Knit-hat favors, comfort food and cozy cocktails transformed Michael Neil Capp (41) and Mike Caringi's (31 and a photographer) city wedding into a ski

Knit-hat favors, comfort food and cozy cocktails transformed Michael Neil Capp (41) and Mike Caringi's (31 and a photographer) city wedding into a ski chalet fete, complete with a snowball fight against a Toronto, Ontario, skyline backdrop. "We decided to host a winter bash in hopes that it would give our friends and family something to look forward to—mission accomplished," Mike says. Since he works in the wedding industry, Mike knew this celebration would stand out if they put a twist on typical traditions. With "Nordic chic" in mind, Michael and Mike transformed the industrial space at John Street Roundhouse into a birch-accented lounge complete with leather couches, wishbone chairs and bronze accents. Hundreds of candles lit up the room, and streamlined arrangements of white parrot tulips, amaryllis and blue spruces added a fresh dimension. Both men nixed a classic black tux and instead donned variations of velvet jackets, and they enjoyed cocktails with their guests before the ceremony (which didn't even have an aisle). To honor their supportive mothers, the couple had their first dance with their moms. And for cake? Four tiers of flakey sfogliatelle pastries with cream filling, Mike's favorite dessert. —Stephanie Cain

After a failed attempt at tuxedo shopping, Mike donned an emerald green, velvet blazer with black peaked-lapel, while Michael rocked a textured velvet blazer. Both men sported bow ties and cozy winter scarfs.
Guests left with colorful knit hats, each stitched with names of different, popular ski destinations. Each pom-pom hat held a "hangover kit," including Advil and a personalized water bottles reading: "You'll REALLY thank us for this in the morning."
After seeing and falling in love with a Dolce & Gabbana forest green blazer, Mike fell heartbroken when the special order wouldn't be ready in time. Not one to change his look, he sought out a local tailor to design and produce a similar jacket in an emerald green velvet.
While many couples do a first-look photo, Mike and Michael got dressed together with their pup.
Since the couple share initials, the grooms wore custom silver cuff links ingraved with MC-squared.
Included with the knit-hat favors were monogrammed gift bags containing two end-of-the-night treats to honor the grooms' backgrounds: mini rugelach for Michael and mini cannoli for Mike.
Mike and Michael walked to John Street Roundhouse in Toronto, Ontario, hand in hand, along with their dog, Georgia.
Mike jokes that the couple's planners "skiied" with the idea of a ski chalet, since the wedding took place in the dead of Canadian winter. Inspired by a rustic, Nordic aesthetic while paying homage to the urban setting, the couple's friend coined the term "Nordic chic" to describe the look. "Our ultimate goal was to be fresh and wintery, yet still cozy and inviting for our closest friends and family," Mike says.
Warm, bourbon-spiked apple cider started the evening, followed by artichoke tostadas, smoked black cod, eight kinds of doughnuts and late-night "Big Macs" served on bao buns. "We're both real foodies," Mike says.
Playful typeface and bold signage kept guests on track, including the table setting and the cocktail hour. "Because our event schedule was unusual, we didn't want people to be confused," Mike says of the inspiration behind the cheeky lingo, like napkins that read "Mangia!" and "Drink Up: We want you on that dance floor!"
Minimal accents, like small white votive candles and clear, low vases holding bunches of white parrot tulips, kept the space looking chic yet cozy. "The whole look was modern, clean and very masculine," Mike says. "Not too froufrou or over-the-top."
Guests held taper candles as the couple exchanged personalized vows on a stage in the center of the room. To honor Michael's Jewish heritage, the pair broke glasses and danced the hora. Then an Italian accordion player serenaded the crowd in an ode to Mike's family.
In addition to the wedding cake, the men offered a doughnut bar, with eight of their favorite flavors from a local shop. Other sweet treats included salted-caramel pudding cups, orange-olive oil cakes and fresh fruit cups.
In addition to the massive bar, the vodka cart served rocked T-shirts emblazed with "It's all downhill from here."
The classic Italian dessert sfogliatelle is Mike's favorite, but he had never seen it in cake form. "I didn't know if it would be possible!" he says of the baker's extraordinary skill of staking the flaky pastry.
"The day was perfect," Mike says. "Our guests are still talking about how our wedding was the best wedding they've ever been to."