A Rustic-Chic Waterfront Wedding in Toronto

When Danielle entered her apartment one afternoon, she found rose pedals leading from the doorway to the living room, where her boyfriend Trevor was surrounded by candles. "I proposed on a Wednesday so that Danielle would have no idea," Trevor explains. While their song, "Hey Pretty Girl" played in the background, the pair slow-danced before Trevor got down on one knee. While Trevor had planned a romantic picnic in High Park for after the proposal, it began raining once the couple arrived at the park. "We took the picnic back to our living room floor and enjoyed the moment together before telling the rest of the world," the bride shares.

Danielle and Trevor, who met at Oktoberfest in Waterloo, chose a mid-October day for their wedding. "We wanted to bring the rustic colours of fall into our wedding venue," the bride explains. Set against the backdrop of Toronto's lakeshore, the neutral colour scheme included soft ivory, cream and taupe mixed with lots of rich dark green. "It was the perfect fall day," Danielle recalls. "What started as a bit of overcast turned into the sun piercing through the clouds and off the lake, creating a warm ambiance on a cool day."

"Our flowers were hands down the best wedding detail," the couple shares. At the ceremony, tall grasses and foliage lined the aisle to a traditional Jewish Chuppah was covered in greenery and pops of fall flowers. At the reception, the head table included a 16-foot live garland with mixed greens and a gorgeous floral arrangement hanging overhead. A unique touch was Trevor's boutonniere, which included hops to honour his love for craft beer. "We love how personal our designer, Shea, made everything!"

Danielle and Trevor's reception began with a traditional Jewish Hora dance. "Even though both sides weren’t Jewish, everyone got involved and absolutely loved it," Danielle shares. The dance circle continued during speeches and was even joined by a saxophone player at one point in the evening. "Not one person was in their seat," Danielle recalls. "Grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and parents were all dancing and it did not stop until the lights came on!"

Danielle Swartz and Trevor Thiessen, October 13, 2018, Toronto, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Barb Simkova for Tara McMullen Photography.

Vendors Venue: Palais Royale
Wedding planner & designer: Shealyn Angus Weddings & Events
Bridal gown: Rime Arodaky from Loversland
Hair & makeup: Ashley Readings
Groom's tux: Empire Customs
Flowers: Patchouli 
Stationery: Brooklin Paper Co.