If you asked me what some of the best weddings look like I’ll instantly tell you that it’s the ones that are seemingly elevated dinner parties with amazing food and an intimate set of your favourite people (and dogs). I guess if you asked Jen and Rob the same question you might get the same answer because those are the exact things they served up during the intimate wedding at Casa La Palma in Toronto’s Little Portugal neighbourhood. Using an incredible restaurant to host their wedding was probably the best choice they could’ve made considering their high standards for foods and bevvies.
This elopement (or wedding, or whatever you want to label it) had a very low-key, no fuss vibe to it. Jen and Rob were totally chill from the get go opting to have their first look in the beautiful garden lobby of their rustic condo before jetting off to the Fairmont Hotel to spend some one on one time together. The Fairmont Royal Yorkis a stunning place that blends seamlessly the art deco charm at every corner, it made for the perfect atmosphere to welcome the bride and groom who were sporting beautiful contemporary and fashion forward wedding styles that brought the magic all together. Whether we were jetting through the halls of the grandiose hotel or whether Jen and Rob made their way through a grungy alleyway, they had this effortless coolness that every bride and groom is striding for when getting married in the heart of a metropolis. Jen’s fashion forward bridal look was inspiring and a modern take on what a city bride should look like. Take notes if you’re a Toronto bride looking to take their look to another level on their own wedding day.
There was a little cute mixed into the cool however, as Jen and Rob took a moment to welcome (and walk) their two cute pups up and down Dundas Street, stepping to the side for a brief moment to let them take the spotlight away from them, if not only temporarily.
The ceremony was hosted upstairs in La Palma and was witnessed by a select handful of immediate family members and two cherished pets. As the bride made her way through the space arms linked with her father, she could’ve help but reach down and pet the cute bulldog as it was half sprawled across the floor nearly taking up too much aisle space. The ceremony itself was beautiful and intimate, with everyone in attendance giving their full attention to Jen and Rob as they exchanged vows and rings through a few hard fought tears. It’s in moments like these that I realize that THIS is what intimate weddings are really about, feeling the energy and nearly tangible emotions between everyone involved, being so close that you can hear the quivers during the vows, the subtle laugh when the ring doesn’t quite slip on easily enough but ultimately you get goosebumps because you can literally feel the amount of love within a given moment.
Once things were official the small group immediately began to celebrate the union between Jen and Rob and the restaurant transformed into a beautiful private dinner room courtesy of a long harvest table lit by candlelight and enhanced by lovely florals. A wedding at La Palma is a no brainer if you have high standards for foods and bevvies, if you’re craving elevated atmosphere and décor, it has that too.
Throughout the evening the bride and groom indulged in a few signature cocktails, smiling at one another every time their glasses clinked all while their families shared in many laughs as speeches flowed like the premium wine being served. The food was on par with the atmosphere of the evening and the intimate crew took full advantage of the opportunity to celebrate in what I would consider a very European and traditional way, at the dinner table.
As the evening sun set Jen and Rob took the time to enjoy a quiet moment in the middle of a bustling Toronto street, to soak in the emotions of the wedding day under the moody evening light as the rain drizzled down, but they didn’t care, it was all part of the experience, their experience on their wedding day.
City weddings, urban elopements, whatever you want to label it, Jen and Rob executed it to absolute perfection.
Song of the day - Sometime by DIIV
