Last Saturday marked a very pivotal moment in two lives. Hicham and Jim were wed after eight years of un-wedded bliss in a simple, suave, sophisticated and utterly romantic ceremony at Sassafraz's Yorkville restaurant.
I have to say, this wedding, may also be a most cherished moment in my life.
I had the pure joy of meeting Hicham and Jim four months ago when they approached me to plan their soiree in a very short time frame. They wanted charm, they wanted elegance, they wanted their personalities and most of all their relationships to be the glue of their celebration. I couldn't wait to get started!
From the very beginning we discussed colour.... bold reds and clean whites were to be the palette with some touches of black to set it all off. They didn't want a boring contrite wedding day. These men wanted heartfelt, romantic and extremely personal. Step one, for me, was getting to know them...
Over a routine taste test at their chosen venue we dined on what would become their wedding meal including a host of entrees, appetizers, desserts and yes... wine! What was most memorable however wasn't the palette but the people... Hicham & Jim really opened up and told me, in their own words, their own love story. Everyone has one if you stop to listen long enough and I was honoured they shared theirs with me. Armed with enough information to create a lifetime of parties for these two lovebirds I was struck by how overwhelming their love for one another felt. I deal with couples daily, some newly engaged, some longtime engaged, some tying the knot that very day or even re-tying the knot but something here struck a cord. It's love, pure, simple and true at it's core. These men with a look make each other melt and let me just say... it was magical!
So, tried and true love does not deserve an ordinary celebration and we aimed to please. We started the celebration off right with pre-ceremony cocktails of champagne and raspberries transitioning slowly into a wedding ceremony. The ceremony was custom designed with the help of Officiant, Jeremy Citron, and included readings from Jim's family, including a very special tribute from his daughter that didn't leave a dry eye in the room (including my very own)! Guests gathered around them, we did no seating. It was a very big circle of love and you could feel it all around. The Grooms proudly exchanged rings and I couldn't help but share Hicham's BLING... I think I was jealous... Chanel & diamonds *sigh*
After the ceremony guests congratulated the happy couple before entering a red & white world for the reception. Nicole North from Petals, Stems & Leaves, created a vivid world of masculine artistic floral compositions imbedded on each table. Silver containers overflowed roses, dahlias, anthurium and oncidium orchids floating on twisted wire frames between centrepieces. Each guest was greeted by a bold red water goblet and custom menu to order from. The Grooms' placesettings were each marked with roses & floating orchids on their napkins as the place of honour.
As gracious as ever a couple were, Jim & Hicham began the dinner by personally toasting their guests and each other. This started a whirlwind of speeches and toasts lovingly given by guests so moved by the wedding they just couldn't help themselves! Even to an outsider it was hard not to get wrapped up, dragged in, and desiring to hear more.
Dinner was a fanciful collection of scrumptious food! Salads, soups, beef tenderloin, salmon, moroccan chicken, mushroom risottos, lemon curd and chocolate prevailed. Not a bottle of bubbly was missed or a crumb of dessert not devoured.
And then, the entertainment... Anuka from Mirage Bellydance wow'ed guests as a surprise tribute to Hicham's Moroccan heritage. This confident Groom even got up to show this seasoned dancer a few moves and wow did it take off! All of a sudden all 55 guests were on the floor sharing their skills! It was a wedding on fire and at the heart of it none burned brighter than Hicham & Jim.
Ending dinner with a special surprise from yours truly was a cake... a perfect replica of a rose made in paperthin fondant icing for the Grooms. Konstadin from Cakes by Konstadin worked closely with me to make sure the look, the feel, the essence of the wedding was just right with this custom cake and they couldn't have got it more right. The stunned grooms were overwhelmed and thrilled with their special surprise.
I have to also do a shout out here to the amazing photography duo - Erika & Ryan from Rowell Photography who PERFECTLY captured the essence of this wedding. You did an amazing job... as always!!!
In the end, surrounded by family, friends and each other, Hicham and Jim made a commitment to the world - to live, to love and to always be hand in hand together. To a couple that made me not only believe but see that true love is possible... thank you from the bottom of my heart. May you love for the rest of your lives as much as you did today...
To Hicham & Jim!
Amazing! Great job on this one Crystal!
xoxo
Denise
Posted by: Denise@WeddingsJubilee | July 10, 2009 at 02:18 AM
A beautiful story~
Best wished:)
Posted by: Wedding Bridal Veil | July 10, 2009 at 12:56 AM
I love this Crystal! what you have written is beautiful. You should be proud, you knocked this wedding outta the park!!!!
Posted by: Erika & Ryan | July 10, 2009 at 12:18 AM