wandering eye photography lauren and will · the couple’s wedding dream team (bill fulghum of...
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W E D L U X E | Toronto Edition134
salvatore leonetti
salon styled the
bride’s hair, and gee
beauty and medulla
& co. yorkville
provided makeup
services.
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Lauren menkes and will dempster were introduced by mutual friends while attending a toronto international film festival party. The two had an instant connection and spent the entire night chatting. “We both knew from the start that we had
something special between us,” says Lauren. The couple were engaged in San Cassiano, a ski resort village in Italy. Will used to spend his winters working in the village for a luxury travel company and Lauren was visiting him on holiday at the time. The pair had just woken up when Will surprised Lauren with a proposal on a beautiful sunny morning. “We spent the rest of the day celebrating and taking in the views of the magical Italian town,” Lauren recalls.
Lauren and Will were married on October 18th, 2014 at the royal ontario museum (rom) in Toronto. Martina Stritesky of white bow events was hired to provide full-service planning and design assistance for the autumn celebration. The couple looked to Martina to orchestrate a wedding that felt intimate yet grand and reflected the fall season. “The vision was a luxurious and cozy, fall setting,” the couple shares. “We wanted to bring guests into a historic space but make it extremely personal at the same time with all of the details.”
On the morning of the wedding, Lauren got ready a short stroll away from the museum at the four seasons hotel toronto. She wore a beautiful, vintage-inspired beaded gown designed by Jenny Packham, purchased from white toronto. She accessorized her dress with diamond drop earrings and a diamond bracelet belonging to her mother that served as her “something borrowed.” Her pear-shaped diamond engagement ring with an Art Deco feel was created by a family jeweller.
Lauren and Will’s traditional Jewish ceremony and formal reception was hosted in Bronfman Hall at the rom.
photography by:
WA N D E R I N G E Y EP H O T O G R A P H Y
L A U R E NW I L L
and
S E A S O N A L D E TA I L S A N D A R I C H A U T U M N A L C O L O U R PA L E T T E
E V O K E T H E R O M A N C E O F F A L L
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palettera custom correspondences designed the wedding stationery,
including a custom monogram of the couple’s initials that was
incorporated across the day-of stationery.
Bill Fulghum of william fulghum
design associates provided
full-service design management for
the wedding. Bill worked closely with
floral designer Lidia Tacconelli of
fiori floral and event design who
produced the floral for the occasion,
including Lauren’s bouquet that
featured a romantic mix of cream
and white blooms tied with a luxe
trailing ribbon. Bridesmaids carried
flowers in blush tones that matched
their dresses.
Will was dressed in a classic black
Ermenegildo Zegna tuxedo and
Prada shoes. His cufflinks, a wedding
gift from Lauren’s mother, were
designed by Jan Leslie.
Bridesmaids wore different styles of
floor-length Amsale dresses in
barely-there shades of pink from
white toronto.
“It was a nighttime ceremony, so we had plenty of candlelight to add warmth to the room.” –lauren
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The couple recited vows under a
spectacular chuppah in the epicenter
of the space. The chuppah was made
with countless magnolia leaves and
was big enough to fit both of their
immediate families who were an
integral part of the ceremony. Lauren
describes the setting as “magical.”
A white carpet runner from reznick
carpets with a soft gold border was
placed down the centre of the room
and framed with rows of gold Louis
Ghost chairs from contemporary
furniture rentals inc. Tall white
stands adorned with pillar candles
and bountiful leaves beautifully lined
the aisle.
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The couple offered their guests two
signature drinks during cocktail hour;
a “Sweet Lauren” aperol-based
cocktail and a “Spicy Will” margarita.
Drinks were served with custom stir
sticks and napkins that showcased
the couple’s personalized monogram.
Escort cards with three-dimensional
flowers were elegantly displayed on
a table with magnolia leaf
arrangements in mirrored containers
and pillar candles housed in
amber-coloured, glass holders.
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The couple’s wedding dream team (Bill Fulghum of william fulghum design associates, Lidia Tacconelli of fiori floral and event design, and Martina Stritesky of white bow events) transformed the Currelly Gallery into a sophisticated, autumn oasis for the reception. Lighting/AV services were provided by westbury national.
Dining tables were covered with chestnut-coloured linens and paired with a mix of gold Chiavari chairs from chair-man mills and mahogany chairs from detailz couture event rentals. Long tables were decorated with low centrepieces
that featured roses, magnolia, and mums in shades of white. The arrangements were accented with rich copper and green magnolia leaves along with feathers for an unexpected twist. Round tables were topped with lush, tree-like arrangements overflowing with magnolia branches and leaves. Place settings featured gold-beaded glass charger plates adorned with leaf-inspired, copper menus. A custom dance floor with a leaf design was printed and installed by dance floor décor. Giant pillar candles housed in glass cylinders and hundreds of twinkling votive candles gave the space a soft, warm glow.
FABULOUS FALL
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AUTUMNSPLENDORdaniel et daniel event creation & catering served a seasonal meal that included an entrée of black cod with pistachio pesto, yellow tomato sauce, brussel sprouts, apple, red onion, and squash parisi-enne.
A sweet table filled with fall-inspired desserts was provided by nadia & co~. Guests could indulge their sweet tooth with caramel apples, mini pumpkin pies, chestnut éclairs, salted caramel French macarons, and more. The couple commissioned a number of musical performers for the wedding, including a jazz band for cocktail hour and an 8-piece band for the reception (both from grooveyard). DJ Guillaume Viau spun music at the ‘after-party’ hosted in the Rotunda. “We had great music and dancing throughout the evening that continued into the after-party,” recalls Lauren.
“We had the rom stay open extra late to keep the dancing going.” images weddings captured the entire event on film, having been commissioned by the couple to create a wedding keepsake video.
Lauren and Will tell us they couldn’t have been happier with how their wedding unfolded. “It was a day filled with love,” share the newlyweds.
to see more, visit
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At the end of the celebration,
everyone took home butter
tarts and mini apple pies from
nadia & co~ as a tasty,
on-theme wedding takeaway.
Have cameras (lots of them actually), and will
travel just about anywhere to capture your special
day. I love people, I love their energy and I love
capturing their special moments through the eye
of my lens.
WAND E R I N G E Y E . C A | 416.451.3438
A B O U T T H E P H O T O G R A P H E R
Wandering Eye Photography
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