Rustic Chic Toronto Wedding: Simon & Arbora’s Special Day

When long-time friend Simon announced his engagement to Arbora, I knew I wanted to help plan this cool and laidback couple’s wedding. With Arbora living afar in sunny San Diego, I had a suspicion that the couple might need a planner on their team. Luckily, they were happy to have me aboard, and after months of planning, their day was nothing less than wonderful. Toronto’s Berkeley Fieldhouse was the perfect backdrop for the day, with its rustic chic charm that enhanced the couple’s simple and fresh style. Decoration ideas began with a box full of my grandma’s mason jars and a bundle of handmade chalkboards. Their palette choice was soft and organic, inspired by the venue’s urban garden setting. Decisions about details happened organically throughout the planning process. These included a pallet seating chart, a wood crate card box (another discovery from my gram’s shed), and terracotta lavender favours.

The wedding was beautiful, and the sun even came out to play, but by far the best part of the day was seeing the couple’s genuine happiness. Simon, a comedian, and Arbora, a neuroscientist, are not the most sentimental people I know, but their pure joy and sense of gratitude were infectious. In their speech, they invited the room full of family and friends to visit them in their new San Diego home and extended a heartfelt thanks for everyone involved in the wedding from their family to the Berkeley’s bar staff. For me, this truly exemplified the kind and gracious spirit of the couple, whose future together will undoubtedly be filled with love, happiness, and an endless lineup of house guests.

Wedding Planner, Floral Design, Decorator : Blush and Bowties

Photography : Paul Aihoshi

Venue : Berkeley Fieldhouse