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An Elegant, Intimate Wedding In Toronto

Updated Jun 17, 2020

| By Mackenzie Patterson

Derek and Simon's friendship began one sweltering day outside the Toronto Eaton Centre. Simon was in town from the UK to open his new store on Queen Street West, and Derek, noticing that he was lost, offered his help. "A tall dark stranger came up and asked if I needed directions. This was the start of a long friendship," says Simon.

Seven years later, it was Simon's turn to ask Derek a question. The pair were at a wedding in the South of France eating duck confit and drinking red wine when he proposed. "We had already decided to get married, but Simon wanted to do things the old fashioned way," Derek says.

Exactly one year after the proposal, Derek and Simon tied the knot in an intimate ceremony with just 28 guests. The reception was held at the University Club of Toronto, which had been beautifully decorated for their small party."One of our favourite moments of the wedding was sharing our reaction to the beautiful dining room with our guests," Simon says.

Other memorable details from the day included an elegant cake featuring the first letters of their last names and their invitations, which were handmade in England using a traditional letterpress technique. For an added touch of personalized sophistication, Simon designed and produced matching onyx-and-mother of-pearl cufflinks etched with their initials.

The couple held another wedding in the UK on August 22, a date which also holds special significance for them as it was the day they first met. "As this is our 'Tale of Two Cities,' it made perfect sense to celebrate on this date. Luckily, it was also a Saturday! Equally luckily, it was one of the sunniest and hottest days of the year!" Simon remembers.

Simon Carter and Derek Taylor, May 15, 2015, Toronto, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Gillian Williamson of Ikonica Images.

Vendors
Reception venue: The University Club of Toronto
Cake: Dufflet
Florist: Lena Grower’s Flower Market & Gift Grooms' attire: Simon Carter (Simon’s suit) and Chester Barrie (Derek's suit) Music: Stringscapes Guitar Duo