The Toronto-based couple chose Parkview Manor at Eglinton & Don Mills for their venue. If you’re familiar with the area, there was a venue there named Spirale. I’m from the neighbourhood and remembered it being torn down. As I got to know the event coordinator for Parkview Manor, she told me a little bit of them moving. Ladies & gents, if you have not heard of Parkview Manor, it is a place worth checking out and comes well-recommended by other couples.

The venue in itself has a simple elegance and as it’s only a few years old, everything is impeccably well-kept. The staff was also friendly and helpful, which put a little spring in my step as we worked together with the mindset that we were there for Katie & Pierce  – that we would help them have as close to perfect as any wedding can be. Shout out to Parkview Manor‘s awesome staff!

And as the guests arrived I spotted a familiar face: it was Emma Kate! I knew she would be there and it’s always fun to work with great people again. Katie had texted and said she had a great time at the photoshoot. It really shows.

When I say that I like to keep things on schedule, I mean I take note of the time each part of the wedding begins and ends, down to the minute. The largest gap of time was between the end of the photoshoot and the beginning of the ceremony. The wedding party had finished early and Katie was sitting in the car on the other side of the parking lot where no guests could see her. We texted back and forth as I gave her the updates of the % of guests that had arrived. Generally, I wait to see at least 80% of the seats filled and when we had most of the incredibly well-dressed wedding guests seated, I called Katie to make her way inside the venue (although I’m sure her brother kept her well entertained 🙂).

My first thought when I saw her? She was glowing. She looked content and radiant. Happy. In her gorgeous off the shoulder dress by Essense of Australia with beautiful button detailing down the back. As a coordinator, you can’t really ask for much more. So as I got everyone lined up, there was still one person I had not officially met as I kept losing him in the crowd. As the crowd thinned out with the guests entering the ceremony hall, I asked one of the groomsmen, “Where’s Katie’s father?”

“Blue suit, glasses. Over there!”

I walked over, tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Hi, are you Katie’s dad? I’m her wedding coordinator.” As he turned to fully face me a little dread came over me. He smiled and answered,

“No.” 

There’s that awkward moment. 

The kind gentlemen pointed across the room. I did a check. Blue suit. Glasses. It wasn’t completely my fault. Note to self: walk slower; check before tapping.

Moving on.
 

And.. Action! 

And it all went down hill from there..

Just kidding! It was perfect. 🙂

The officiant, Jeremy Citron, was personable, light-hearted and incredibly well-seasoned at what he does. And just in case he was too nervous the first time, Jeremy had the groom kiss the bride a second time. 🙂

After that, everything moved smoothly. It was like Katie had a fairy godmother and sprinkled magic dust on the clock. It’s, by far, the smoothest wedding I’d ever taken part in and the most relaxed I had ever felt. As per usual, I hung out with the DJ at his table and honestly, I think I had the best view.

Wined and dined

Julio, the head maitre’d kept the courses on schedule and any worries over dietary restrictions were well taken care of. There was both a pasta and a salad appetizer. Honestly, by the time I finished the pasta I was quite full, so when the entrée came out with a hefty size of chicken on it, I was surprised. It was tender and juicy and delicious to the last bite. I relaxed for a moment into my chair and glanced around me.

I realized the bride & groom had been missing from the head table for a while. I scanned the room and found them circling the tables and talking to all their guests. Katie had also prepared packages for all the kids to keep them occupied throughout the evening. The little touches, the care that they put in was incredibly heart-warming. And with tributes to Katie’s grandmother and Pierce’s mother, they showed that even though there are those who are unable to be there in person, they are still there and they are loved and remembered.

But then I had to get back to business and with a great dinner and loving speeches spoken, it was time for the bouquet toss. Not every wedding there’s a bouquet toss – sometimes the guests don’t feel comfortable, sometimes the bride wants to keep her bouquet. I’ve had both and it’s ok to forego it. Remember, flowers can be kept for a long time. It’s incredibly thoughtful when the bride knows her friends may not feel comfortable. If you decide to keep your bouquet, but also want to toss it, you can have a smaller one made similar to the bride’s that’s just for the toss. Any of those scenarios work. For Katie, we weren’t entirely sure about the bouquet toss. We had penciled it in, but the bride wanted to be sure the ladies in her company were comfortable. And as the time drew closer, she gave me the thumbs up. Bouquet toss: Go.

Now, I’ve been hurdled into one of these before and let me tell you, I’m not one of those who would actively participate in it. There was one wedding with the bouquet toss and after the bride threw it, it just landed it in the middle of floor and nobody picked it up. It was both funny and painful all at the same time. But Katie’s bouquet, it was a battle. I mean, why not, it was beautiful. I positioned everyone so that they would have maximum amount of space and once in the air, there was a scramble. A bit like watching a movie, actually. They had fun with it and that’s what it’s all about. 🙂

With the planned events ended and time to spare, the guests – the kids! – were very ready to party. And the songs of the night for me? Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop the Feeling as requested by the kids (these kids can really bust a move! So can Katie’s mom 🙂) and Joe Cocker’s Have a Little Faith in Me (a sweet father-daughter dance). Awesome job and two big thumbs up to the DJ, Abdullah Ali, who was working on very little sleep with a newborn at home.

Once I’d finished cleaning up and taken a tart (or two…) in a box, I said good bye to Katie & Pierce and wished them all the best and gave them my congratulations again. 

They have this quiet way of looking at each other, the gentleness in which they spoke to their friends and family – that is what I ultimately took away from that day.

Congratulations to Katie & Pierce! I’m so happy to have witnessed it all and the very best wishes to you both.