1. Real Weddings

Claire & Patrick: A Formal Wedding in Toronto, Ontario

Though Claire and Patrick went to the same high school, they were barely even acquaintances. The summer after Claire's freshman year at college, she w

Though Claire and Patrick went to the same high school, they were barely even acquaintances. The summer after Claire's freshman year at college, she went to a friend's party and it turned out that Patrick was there. They wound up partnering for a game of pool and, Claire says, there was definitely chemistry. The Bride Claire, 28, public relations consultant The Groom Patrick, 30, management consultant The Date September 16 After both graduated from school and moved back to Toronto, it wasn’t long before Claire and Patrick became a certified couple. A few years later, they moved to London together. Two days before they left, Claire and Patrick went to brunch at one of Claire’s favorite places. On their way back, the couple took a meandering route along a snow-covered trail connected to a park. Patrick led me through the playground to a bench under a tree where he had first told me how he felt about me, five years earlier, Claire remembers. And then he got down on one knee in the snow and proposed!

Surrounded by votives, chunky square glass vases filled with white and green hydrangeas and bear grass sat atop the tables. The entire space was transformed following the ceremony, now dimly lit by the chandelier, wall sconces, and candlelight.
Claire and Patrick held their ceremony and reception in the Great Hall at St. Lawrence Hall, a structure built in the 1850s with large windows and high ceilings accented by an antique chandelier. The couple personalized their ceremony with two readings from the works of contemporary poets. They chose The Master Speed by Robert Frost, which Claire had copied into a scrapbook which she gave Patrick as an anniversary gift, and an excerpt from Song of the Open Road by Walt Whitman.
Claire and Patrick's guests enjoyed a cocktail hour held in three connecting, Edwardian-style lounges while the Great Hall was transformed for the reception. The signature drink was a sour apple martini with a thinly sliced green apple garnish. So tasty, and suited our colors! Claire says. The couple also served beer from a local microbrewery. This was followed by a three-course, sit-down meal and dancing.
Claire's four three bridesmaids wore burgundy, tea-length dresses accented with ribbon at the waist and hem from the Dessy Collection. Her sister, the matron of honor, who was more than eight months pregnant on the wedding day, wore a similarly styled black dress from Thyme Maternity.
I tried it on in the first store I ever went into and, months and months, stores and stores later, kept coming back to it! Claire says. She wore a strapless, A-line dupioni silk gown by Pronovias.
Claire carried a bouquet of white roses encircled by miniature cymbidium orchids in bright green and burgundy. Her bridesmaids held bouquets of full-sized cymbidiums.