A Modern Irish-Canadian Same-Sex Wedding in Toronto

In an effort to meet new people after moving to Toronto from Ireland, Barry downloaded OKCupid. From there, he found Mark—and thus sparked the start of their relationship. Fast forward two years, they took a trip back to Barry’s home in Ireland. After an foggy drive through the windy roads along the west coast to the Cliffs of Moher, Barry popped the question. “Even though the weather was terrible, the trip had a happy outcome!” Barry says. 

For the wedding, the couple wanted a venue that would reflect both of their upbringings in Toronto and Ireland. “Aside from wanting our day to be very chill, low-key and fun, we wanted our wedding to almost be a welcome to the city for people,” Barry said. In the end, they went with the Gladstone Hotel for their venue and chose a botanical theme for their wedding, with candles, white paper lanterns and a greenery arch for their ceremony.

Since they wanted to include an Irish element in their wedding, they kept with tradition and had a late wedding party. “We closed out the dance party at 2:00 a.m. with a rendition of ‘Riverdance,’” Barry shares. “The Canadians looked on, bemused!"

Throughout their wedding, they included personal touches in every detail: Barry and Mark made the rings themselves in a workshop in Toronto, the florals were done by Barry’s aunt, and the photographer was a close friend of the couple. One person who made the day memorable was their offiicant, who they met prior to the wedding and became a friend. “It really was a group effort which really tied everyone together,” Barry says. “It made the day so meaningful to have so many people special to us involved."

Barry O’Connor and Mark Bernhardt, May 18, 2019, Toronto, Ontario. 

Photography courtesy of Natalie Castellino.

Vendors 
Venue & caterer: Gladstone Hotel
Groom’s tuxes: Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein
Flowers: Elaine Coughlan Hair: ManCave Barbers Lounge 
Favours: Donations to Pieta House Ireland 
Stationery: Vista Print
Rings: The Devil’s Workshop
Officiant: All Seasons Weddings