Love at First Sight
High school sweethearts have a fairytale wedding
by Iris Winston
photos by Miv Photography
From their first meeting as students at Sacred Heart High School in west-end Ottawa, Anthony Tomacic and Amanda Abdulla of Stittsville knew they would marry one day. Some 10 years later, on October 11, 2014, that is exactly what happened.
“Ever since we first met, I had the feeling we would land up married at some point,” says Anthony, now a chartered accountant.
“I think we knew right away,” says Amanda. “We always talked about getting married and it feels as though we have been together forever.”
“The way things started was funny,” says Anthony. “I met Amanda in class at the beginning of the school year and was definitely very attracted to her immediately. After school that day, I went to my friend’s house. His family had just moved close to my parents’ house. We were playing basketball outside and it turned out that Amanda lived next door, so we met twice on the same day.”
From that moment, he says, the pair spent as much time as possible together. “We were young, so we weren’t really going on dates. It was more going for walks in the park, just growing up together and becoming best friends in the process.”
Some years later, on June 27, 2013, Anthony proposed. Although the question may not have been a surprise, given their long association, the timing was, says Amanda.
“We were just taking the dogs for a walk, so it was unexpected,” she recalls. “He just went down on one knee on a bridge in Stittsville.”
“There was some sentimental value in the location,” says Anthony. “That bridge and that part of the bridge was the exact spot where I first told Amanda I loved her three months into our relationship, when we were both in high school.”
Anthony had also taken the initiative in selecting the engagement ring. “He knows my style, so he chose a very pretty, old school, vintage diamond ring,” says Amanda. “I really, really like it.”
As the dogs, both dachshunds, were part of the proposal, it seemed fitting that they be part of the wedding too, says Amanda, noting they waited with the groom as he prepared for the ceremony at the Notre Dame Basilica.
The reception, held at the Château Laurier, was “better than I had ever imagined,” says Amanda, adding that even the weather — which had been very uncertain throughout the previous week — cooperated. “Everything just fell into place.”
Some of the highlights of their special day were the chocolate and dessert tables that followed the five-course meal for the 160 guests, and the naming of the tables for Frank Sinatra melodies.
“We both like Frank Sinatra, so we were playing his songs,” says Amanda. “Everyone seemed to enjoy that. The whole wedding was a fairytale to me.”
“We’re both big foodies, so the meal and the music afterwards were the main focus,” says Anthony. “Everything went very smoothly. The wedding was very traditional, with a lot of different cultures represented. I have a mid-European background. My family is Croatian and Amanda’s is Italian, Lebanese and Greek.”
Before settling into married life in Stittsville, the couple decided to time their honeymoon in the Caribbean at the same time as their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple. W
Wedding Details:
Date: October 11, 2014
Ceremony: Notre Dame Basilica
Reception: Fairmont Château Laurier ballroom
Wedding planner: Marry Me Productions
Wedding gown: The White Dress
Dress designer: Monique Lhuillier
Get the Look
Can’t get enough of Amanda and Anthony’s special day? We’ve compiled a breakdown of a few of our feature couple’s most spectacular items. And since imitation is the best form of flattery, we’re also sharing how you can snag the look for your upcoming nuptials.
Lace and tulle
A grand entrance into a grand wedding deserves a grand dress; and Amanda’s Monique Lhuillier ball gown did not disappoint. The bride entered the dramatic hallows of the Notre Dame Cathedral donning a lace corset top and multiple-layered tulle bottom, perfect to cascade across the dance floor with her groom. A shot of sparkle came from Amanda’s Swarovski crystal beaded belt, which complemented the rich metallic hues found throughout the wedding decor. To find the ball gown of your dreams, check out With Love Bridal Boutique at withlovebridalboutique.ca.
Seeing red
Perhaps the most coveted of items was found on our feature bride’s feet. To complement the sophisticated style du jour, Amanda slipped into Glacier Glitter white Louboutin heels (yes please!). These dainty sparklers with the classic red sole – officially named Décolleté – paired beautifully with the bride’s ball gown. Amanda found her red soled slippers at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. For your own designer pumps, look no further than Nordstrom Canada at ca.nordstrom.com.
Timeless table cards
Instead of going with the traditional numbering of tables to assist guests in finding their seats, some couples like to get a bit more creative and add their own personal touch. Our feature couple chose to take a cue from ol’ Blue Eyes himself and pair each table to a classic Frank Sinatra tune. Created by Paper Studio, the name cards were vintage botanical glitter and gold. The floral backdrop and gold frames paired perfectly with the vintage-luxe feel of the day. To bring your stationery vision to life, check out paperstudio.ca.
Fabulous favours
It’s hard to know what to give your guests for wedding favours. Anthony and Amanda wanted
a unique bomboniere that would also speak to their theme. Vintage-inspired lanterns from
Pier 1 proved to be the perfect gift. “We attached a beautiful gold tag with a thank you message along with five confetti candies, which are known to be good luck.” The lanterns were lit and beautifully displayed before being handed out personally by the bride and groom at the end of the evening. To check out potential favours for your loved ones, check out pier1.ca.
To top it off
Amidst the delectable and delightful truffle table was yet another nod to the king of crooners. Designed with cursive font using gold lettering, “the best is yet to come” cake topper was placed on a single-tiered cake in the middle of the table. Created by BetterOffWed, a bridal shop on etsy.com, the delicate topper fit right in amongst the luxurious goodies.
Compiled by Lindsay Ruck.
