trish & alan are two very talented people with impeccable taste... and they happen to be two of the kindest souls you'll ever meet. i feel blessed to call them my friends and so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to collaborate with them on their wedding celebration... to craft those fleeting moments into photographs. so much of their wedding was literally handmade by the two of them from start to finish. they asked me to shoot some film so we brought along a hasselblad and a super 8 camera in addition to our regular cameras. you are invited to join us on their wedding journey. we unveil to you their sacred & intimate celebration of love and friendship.
From the couple:
Trish and Alan met during their design undergrad in university, and got married just a couple months before their 10-year anniversary. Trish knew she wanted to be engaged to Alan before 30, who didn’t seem to be in a rush. Little did she know, Alan’s granny had offered him her ring, which belonged to his great grandmother before her. Alan said no way, he couldn't take her ring, but granny did what granny does, and went to the jewellers and got it cut off (the ring, not the finger). She gave it to Alan on the day he moved in with Trish. He kept it in a hiding spot, constantly afraid that Trish would find it, or worse, vacuum it up (she's serious about cleaning) as she’d been wearing it for 50 years without taking it off. The right time didn't really come for over a year. As her 30th birthday approached her dream seemed long gone, and she’d have to wait. Alan hadn’t forgotten though, he just waited until a few minutes before midnight (he's serious about procrastinating), and when Trish said she could see his heart beating right through his neck, she asked what was going on. The washing machine stopped, the city got quiet and it started snowing… He pulled out the century-old heirloom ring from behind a couch cushion, and met the deadline with a full minute to spare. They cried like crazy, and stayed up talking, and slow dancing half the night.
Two years later, they got married in Toronto’s oldest free school — coming full circle, with school being the setting where they first met and fell in love. Since cultural differences have played a big role in their relationship, their invitation included a mini-textbook of of Greek-Canadian cultural observations that they wanted to share with their guests. Designed and painted by Trish and Alan, it included language lessons, anthropology, culinary studies, and dance step instructions. Certain Greek traditions were part of the humanist ceremony: Trish carried herbs in her bouquet (believed to drive away evil spirits, and symbolize prosperity), as well as sugar cubes (symbolizing a “sweet” married life). Wedding crowns were worn, as symbols of joining the bride and groom as king and queen of their own little kingdom. Their custom wedding cake was made with honey, a traditional element of Greek wedding cakes. The traditional wedding favour of koufeta (Jordan almonds — symbols of good luck) were placed near the guestbook. Guests went home with either a Greek or Canadian jar of honey; one from one of the tallest mountains in Peloponnesos where Trish’s father was born, and the other from the orchards in Ontario where Alan’s family has a two century old fruit farm.
— AFTER OUR WEDDING —
Most people say their wedding was the happiest day of their lives, and it was for us, too. But, more than that, it was the funnest and most fulfilling day. While the planning process felt all-encompassing at times, the moment our wedding day arrived, it became instantly clear that it was all worthwhile. It was the perfect way to celebrate love, with our favourite people, and we wouldn’t change a single thing (not even the rain).
THANK YOU to the team at Martha Stewart Weddings for sharing Trish & Alan's wedding with your readers!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL TALENTED FOLKS who helped bring Trish & Alan's wedding to life:
Bridal gown and accessories: Jenny Packham, White Toronto, www.whitetoronto.com
Makeup: Frank Marc Aiello, Laura Mercier Cosmetics
Bride’s and maid of honour’s shoes: Stuart Weitzman, www.stuartweitzman.ca
Grooms suit and tie: Paul Smith, www.paulsmith.co.uk
Groom’s shoes: Cole Haan, www.colehaan.com
Ring bearers’ shirts and jackets: Jacadi Paris, www.jacadi.ca
Ring bearers’ trousers and suspenders: J. Crew, www.jcrew.com
Ring bears’s bow ties: General Knot & Co., www.generalknot.com
Flower girl dresses: J. Crew, www.jcrew.com
Maid of honour’s dress: Hugo Boss, Holt Renfrew, www.holtrenfrew.com
Best man’s bow tie: QP Collections, www.qpcollections.com
Florals and some vintage prop rentals: Coriander Girl, www.coriandergirl.com
Cake and desserts: Bobbette & Belle, www.bobbetteandbelle.com
Catering: L-eat, www.leatcatering.com
Transportation for bride and groom: The Electric Bus Co., www.theelectricbusco.com
Custom wedding rings: Fair Trade Jewellery Co., www.ftjco.com
Invitations, and all other graphic design: Trish Papadakos & Alan Smith
Photography: Rebecca Wood, www.rebeccawood.ca