Elegance and Joy
Compiled by Pam Dillon and Photos by Brittany Lee
Some advice from a stranger helped make Genevieve and Vincenzo’s summer wedding extra special. Before the July 2018 ceremony at St. Anthony’s Church, and reception at Sala San Marco in Ottawa’s Little Italy, that person talked to the bride-to-be.
“She told me that once we got to the end of the aisle, to look back at the pews, take a deep breath, look at all our loved ones, and take in the moment,” Genevieve says. “I took her advice and I am so glad I did because it is something I’ll always remember.”
The celebration, with 160 guests, went off without a hitch. Even the weather cooperated. “From getting ready with our bridesmaids and groomsmen, to the food, the speeches, and the amazing dancing, it was really a day to remember.”
The theme was timeless elegance with a modern twist, the colours were blush, gold, light grey, and ivory, and another standout element was glass.
Genevieve’s satin, pleated ball gown, with off-the-shoulder sleeves, was by Canadian designer Rita Vinieris and it was purchased at Kleinfeld Bridal in Toronto. Her earrings and bracelet were from Swarovski and her blush flats were by Badgley Mischka.
Her hair — “sleek in the front, with old Hollywood waves in the back” — was by Allaha Balouch, and the look complemented both her gown and the style of the event.
As Genevieve points out, the theme was evident in all aspects of the day, from the dress, centerpieces and favours, to the invitations.
As the groom is a graphic designer, Vince custom-designed the invitation suite. To add another personal note, the couple had custom glass-and-gold place cards created.
“Guests loved this touch and many of them brought theirs home as a memento of the day.” The favours — a set of coasters — also included glass and gold.
Since Genevieve is a lover of décor, she particularly enjoyed that aspect of wedding planning, and one of the style components that made her most happy was the head-table backdrop.
It featured chandeliers, ivory draping and a flower wall. Tall floral centrepieces included ivory hydrangeas, blush roses and dusty miller, while the bride’s bouquet was made of her favourite blooms: peonies. The day’s lush floral look was thanks to Ottawa Flowers.
Prior to the festivities, the couple did their first look in a small park where they sometimes walk their dog.
“Seeing each other before our ceremony melted our nerves away, and made us even more excited to get married,” Genevieve says
There were a number of other unforgettable moments. For starters, the bridesmaids surprised her with a book entitled 8 Letters to Genevieve.
It included letters from her mom, dad, maid of honour, bridesmaids, in-laws and Vince. The father-daughter dance was also especially meaningful.
Her dad lives in Vancouver, so Genevieve doesn’t get to see him often. Since they both love the BeeGees and used to watch their concerts on DVD, she asked the DJ, from Momentum Music, to play the concert version of the BeeGees’ To Love Somebody on a projector.
“My dad had no idea and I think he was really surprised and touched.”
Finally, although Genevieve and Vincenzo were not able to write their own vows for the church service, they chose to say those words from the heart during their speeches later in the day.
“Being able to express our love for one another in front of our loved ones was so special. We laughed, we cried, it was a true roller-coaster of emotions.”
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