The minute I met Hilda and Oliver, I knew that their wedding was going to be very special and heaps of fun and they didn’t disappoint! This couple had a fresh and vibrant approach and definitely had their own ideas about the kind of celebration they wanted to have. They wanted to pull different parts of their Ghanaian and Jamaican culture together to include both families and have a big party!

Oliver was the planner of the duo as he is a noted DJ on the Toronto scene and having provided his professional services at many other weddings, knew precisely what he did and did not want. He was very keen on the logistics of the reception as he wanted to incorporate a very fun and funky grand entrance using a drummer and many other special touches including parents of both the bride and groom.

The day started out a bit rainy but the group was undaunted as they had a great time getting ready at the chic waterfront hotel, The Waterside Inn on Lakeshore, where the bride dispatched one of her bridemaids (who incidentally is the sister of the groom) to drop off a pre wedding gift to her fiancé while he was getting ready. What she didn’t realize was that he was also just about sending his best man to do the same and so we intercepted him and brought back her treasure trove. The day was filled with special and thoughtful touches like this and it was so easy to see that this couple was totally in love.

Pictures were done at Mississauga City Hall pre ceremony because of the rainy weather and a beautiful ceremony was held at St. Anne’s RC church in Brampton. Luckily I am a Minister of Communion in good standing as I was called upon to assist Father Leo with communion at the wedding Mass! I was absolutely honored to be a part of their beautiful celebration of marriage vows.

The evening progressed to The Venetian in Vaughan for the reception where Ria’s Designs wowed us with their beautiful set up of the room and the banquet hall staff delighted us with the efficient and very attentive service.

The grand entrance had DJ Jonathan Shaw playing specific songs for each couple in the bridal party so they could rock to their own beat and take their seats. The newlyweds however opted for an African drummer and delighted everyone by starting with some Ghanaian beats where Hilda tried to show her new husband a few moves and then Oliver reciprocated with a few reggae moves. They certainly grooved their way to the sweetheart table in the middle of the room to everyone’s delight. We were all certainly set up for a great night and it was delivered.

The videography team made good on the promise of a fantastic same day edit during dinner but not before the Mother/Son dance got everybody grooving to the reggae song of “Thank You Mama”.   Oliver’s mom showed us a few cool moves that showcased her prowess on the dance floor and blew away some of the guests who didn’t realize that she was just as young at heart as her son! Hilda’s family also got some of their tunes showcased as DJ Johnathan found a few Ghanaian rhythms in his arsenal as well.

Two very personal and sweet notes in this celebration were the cake that was done by the bride’s aunt who came in from the USA the night before the wedding and the customized wedding favours and guestbook. Joel of Event Imaging was on hand to take pictures of all the guests as a momento but also so that the B&G could have extra shots for their guestbook. All the guests were delighted to jot down their thoughts and well wishes to the couple on coloured paper cut into shapes that were provided for the scrapbook/guestbook.

My fav highlight of the evening came when the couple revealed their “true story”. Throughout the planning of the wedding, there was a website chronicling the events leading up to the nuptials and there was a version of how they met and got together in each of their own words. There was also a note that there were 3 sides to every story…her side, his side and the truth! They told us the truth at the wedding and it was a perfect topper for the day. For those who followed this love story, it was a perfect and happy ending to several years of courtship, separation, finding each other again and happily ever after!

Special thanks to the Matt and his team at Xero Digital for providing some of the shots for the blog…we wait in anticipation for their professional shots in a while and I will happily update you with those (all the shots that scream amateur would be mine!)

Congratulations Hilda and Oliver!