A Modern Hacienda Hipster Wedding in Toronto

Jess and Nate met while studying at Queen's University, where Jess lived in a house with Nate's friends. "Nate would often come over to the house to hang out with the guys," Jess recalls. "Eventually, it became apparent that he was just coming over to hang out with me." The pair began their relationship with a six-week backpacking trip across Spain after graduation. "We haven't stopped exploring the world together since," the couple shares. On an impromptu weekend trip to Ireland, Jess was surprised when their taxi rolled up to the stunning 800-year-old Ashford Castle instead of the Airbnb Nate said he booked. In the walled garden of the castle, Nate got down on one knee and proposed to Jess after 11 years together.

For their wedding venue, Jess and Nate chose Baro because of its hacienda-hipster feel. "We wanted to embrace the Latin-inspired food served at the venue and have the feeling of a big family gathering," the pair explains. The couple incorporated clean and modern decor elements to match the venue's atmosphere, including greenery and string lights hung from the ceiling.

Early on in the planning process, Jess told her mom that their wedding wouldn't be beautiful, but it would be hip. "She misunderstood and told the whole family I was having a "hip-hop" wedding," Jess recalls. Although the bride corrected her mother, this didn't stop her best friend from rapping her entire speech to "Gangsta's Paradise." "She's the only person I know who has received a standing ovation for a wedding speech," Jess shares. "It was a total mic-drop moment!"

"We aimed to have more of a party than a wedding," Jess and Nate explain. After dinner, the reception party moved to Escobar, a nightclub located downstairs from the venue. "It was chill, raw, hip and had just the right amount of couches and tables for us to dance on," the couple shares. At midnight, the couple surprised their guests with a late-night McDonalds delivery to the club. The pair gave their DJ 10 must-play old school hip hop songs and told him of Jess' habit of constantly changing radio songs. "He nailed it," the newlyweds share. "Guests were asking for the soundtrack to our wedding!"

Jessica Khuat and Nathan Roth, September 2, 2018, Toronto, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Barb Simkova of Tara McMullen Photography.

Vendors Venue & caterer: The Loft & Escobar at Baro
Wedding planner: Nagham Cararah of Love by Lynzie
Bridal gown: Marchesa
Hair: Jen Evoy
Makeup: Karen Kim
Groom's tux: Kent Wang
Flowers: Stok Floral & Design
Cake: Momofuku Milkbar
Stationery: Minted
Favours: Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society
Music: DJ Lexx of Spectrum Agency