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A Boho-Chic Wedding In Northern Ontario

Updated Apr 11, 2016

| By Roseanne Dela Rosa

For Lucia Graca, owner of Toronto-based Analogue gallery, and Jeffrey Remedios, CEO of Universal Music Canada, a wedding filled with all the makings of a fun music festival was a given—after all, the music scene is what brought the pair together. “I met Jeffrey when he was at Arts & Crafts, and he wanted to host a photo exhibition of their artists,” Lu shares. “He cold-called Analogue, my fine art rock ’n’ roll photography gallery, and I answered. The rest is history.”

With their fancy festival theme in mind, and Lucia’s request for a curfew-free zone, the two set on the path to find the perfect space to accommodate their 300 guests and offer a whimsical ambiance. “Music festivals are our happy place, and what better place to be wed than on the most amazing festival grounds of Burl’s Creek,” Lu says. “We are friends with the guys who own it and have been to festivals they’ve held there in the summer. It seemed like an idyllic place for our celebration.”

The weekend affair started Friday night with an all-white-attired Argentine rehearsal dinner, which paid homage to Lucia’s roots, at the nearby Verandahs B&B. The 80 guests in attendance enjoyed a traditional meal by Negro Piattoni, whom they flew in from Argentina.

Saturday’s main event took place on the grounds of Burl’s Creek, just as the sun was setting, with Lu walking down the aisle in a stunning Elizabeth Filmore gown. “The first time I saw Jeffrey, I felt like I was floating. It was like a dream,” Lu recounts with a smile. “And my dress—I loved it! I even went to New York to meet with the designer so she could assist with alterations.”

Following their ceremony, the two whisked guests to the main area of their reception, where they were greeted with vintage furnishings, a “Just Like Heaven” marquee sign, a custom dance floor, personalized bars designed with large photos of the couple, a DIY make-your-own flower press with quotes from Arts & Crafts artists, twinkle lights, plated food from North 44, and sweet treats from Nadège Patisserie. “Our event was just us and very personal,” Lu says. “Jeffrey’s nieces and mother even helped by painting and writing out all of the signs, menus and ‘glamping’ trailer names.”

With the venue being north of the city, Jeffrey and Lu invited guests to stay at nearby B&Bs, take a shuttle to the casino close by, bring their own tents or RVs, or stay on property in an adjacent forest where 30 trailer dressing rooms were converted into glamping accommodations. “We even put a piano bar in the forest and hung out there until dawn with various musicians taking turns tickling the ivories,” Lu recalls.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a true music festival without some amazingly talented (and local) acts. “We had Stars singing a song by The Beautiful South, Dan Mangan singing Phil Collins’s ‘Against All Odds’ and Kevin Drew, who performed a beautiful original entitled ‘Jeffrey and Lu’,” Lu says. “With so many musician guests, our wedding turned into a concert for the ages. Dwayne Gretzky served as house band backing up a revue-style show that included Broken Social Scene, Feist, Jason Collett, Reuben and the Dark, Kaelen Ohm, The Darcys, and more.” Between sets, Bedouin Soundclash’s Eon Sinclair took control of the DJ booth, while the Charlotte Day Wilson quartet performed soulful jazz standards during the reception. “Quite the soundtrack for our day,” the two sum up. “It couldn’t have gone any better.”

Lucia Graca and Jeffrey Remedios, August 22, 2015, Orillia, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Boyfriend/Girlfriend.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception location: Burl's Creek Event Grounds
Bridal gown: Elizabeth Fillmore from Kleinfeld Hudson's Bay
Videography: Dowling Pictures
Rehearsal dinner: Verandahs B&B By The Lake
Accessories: Birks
Rings: Ecksand
Groom's tux: Bespoke by Philip Sparks
Dessert: Nadège Patisserie
Cheese: Cheese Boutique
Caterers: North 44, Negro Piattoni and homemade empanadas Favours: Hot Pop Factory
Wedding planner: For the Love of Food
Music: DJ Eon Sinclair, Dwayne Gretzky Band, Reuben and the Dark, Broken Social Scene, Kaelen Ohm, Stars, Feist, Dan Mangan, Jason Collett, AroarA, Charlotte Day Wilson, The Darcys
Hair: The Loft Toronto
Makeup: Nicole Grittani from RADFORD
Flowers: Roadside Florist
Stationery: Robyn Kotyk
Photo booth: Photostar