An Elegant Wedding with a Historic Twist

Berkeley and Majeed had a vision of an elegant wedding with a combined colour palette of sage green, blue and off white. With the historic Cottonwood Mansion as their backdrop they were able to bring their elegant wedding theme to life.

COUPLE: Berkeley & Majeed

DATE: August 12, 2023

GUEST #: 110

CEREMONY & RECEPTION LOCATION: Cottonwood Mansion “Cottonwood Mansion holds a special place in my heart as it’s been a cherished family property where my Nana still resides. Growing up, I spent countless hours exploring its grand halls and lush grounds, making it one of my most beloved places. Over the years, it’s become a cherished tradition for our family to celebrate weddings there. My nana and my parents exchanged vows there. We were thrilled to continue the tradition by ringing the bell after our ceremony. We knew it would be the perfect spot for our elegant wedding day.

Working with Cottonwood was an absolute delight. They took care of every detail with grace and professionalism, ensuring our special day was nothing short of magical. Their dedication to making our experience unforgettable was evident, and they went above and beyond to exceed our expectations.” – B

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jenna Graham Photography “When searching for a photographer, it was crucial to find someone skilled in capturing images of interracial couples with just the right balance of mood and light. Jenna’s Instagram page immediately resonated with me. Her stunning photos exuded warmth and authenticity. Working with her was a joy; she effortlessly brought our vision to life and skillfully captured the essence of our relationship. Jenna’s genuine passion for her craft shone through in every shot, resulting in cherished memories frozen in time. Anyone can take a photo but it takes a special eye to capture heart and emotion in one still frame. Jenna was the perfect choice to capture our elegant wedding.” – B

COLOUR PALETTE: “Our chosen colour palette consisted of sage green, hydrangea blue, and off-white. We melded our favourite colours to arrive at these distinctive hues. It was essential to us that the palette reflected both of our preferences.

With the elegance and historic charm of Cottonwood Mansion in mind, I aimed to infuse a whimsical burst of color into our decor. It was about breathing new life into the timeless beauty of the venue. While the mansion itself is already breathtaking, I focused on enhancing the gazebo, which served as both our ceremony backdrop and later, the dance floor.

The gazebo was adorned with stunning hydrangea arrangements, cascading gracefully along the posts and railings. We also incorporated antique pieces, such as the place settings, to complement the vintage ambiance of the site while infusing a modern twist with our chosen colour palette. Everything combined brought our elegant wedding vision to life” – B

TELL US YOUR STORY: “Majeed and I met about eight and a half years ago at my high school. I was doing a victory lap, taking an extra year to finish up some courses, and he was a rock climbing instructor from Toronto who was a guest teacher for the week in our physical education class. When we first met, I approached him and the first thing I asked was if he could teach me how to tie a knot.

He taught me how to tie the belay knot, which is basically like a double figure eight, resembling a double infinity sign that signifies never-ending love. From that moment, there was an instant connection, as if nobody else was there. Our conversations flowed effortlessly, and it felt like we had known each other forever.

A weekend later, I brought him down to Simcoe, about two hours from his home. Our first date was at The Barrel, a cozy restaurant that quickly became our favourite. After dinner, I took him to the duck park to see the Christmas Panorama light display, a tradition my family had cherished for years. Majeed was enchanted by the lights, his eyes reflecting the magic of the moment.

However, it wasn’t until later that night, back at my house, that we shared our first kiss. We sat on the front lawn, under the starry sky, lost in each other’s company. The air was filled with anticipation, and when our lips finally met, it felt like time stood still. It was a moment of pure bliss, a culmination of the feelings we had been harboring since we first met.

Fast forward six years, and Majeed proposed to me by recreating our first date. We dined at The Barrel, reminiscing about our journey together, and then he led me to the duck park, now illuminated with the familiar glow of the Christmas Panorama light display. As we walked through the park, my heart raced, sensing something special was about to happen. We walked across the illuminated bridge, its soft light casting a romantic glow around us. It was a spot where we had often paused during our evening strolls, taking in the beauty of the park and the twinkling lights. My pulse quickened with anticipation, knowing that this moment would be etched in my memory forever.

In the middle of the bridge, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was a perfect, magical moment, and of course, I said yes.” – B

WEDDING PLANNING/INVITATIONS: Nicole Anna Events “What initially drew us to Nicole was her impeccable attention to detail and unwavering commitment to crafting unforgettable events. As we delved into discussions about our vision for the day, I felt an instant connection with Nicole—a sense that she would not only understand our aspirations but also have our backs every step of the way. She was a huge reason why our elegant wedding theme was brought to life” – B

CAKE: Cravings by Brittany

DECOR RENTALS: Simply Beautiful Decor

FLORALS: Windflower Floral and Events Inc.

DECOR: Presence Event Design & Decor ” They really brought our elegant wedding vision to life.” – B

BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Bridal Boutique of Cambridge

GROOM’S ATTIRE: Indochino

DJ: Black Creek Music

HAIR & MAKE-UP: Ashley Laplante Hair & Jeige Beauty

CATERING: Devlin’s Country Bistro & Catering

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “The biggest challenge we faced was probably navigating the unpredictable weather on our wedding day. It rained all morning, casting a shadow of uncertainty over our plans. But miraculously, just before I walked down the aisle, the rain stopped. It was as if the skies had cleared just for us, a moment of serenity amidst the chaos.” – B

BEST MEMORY: “Our first dance was to the acoustic cover of ‘Kiss the Girl’ by Brent Morgan, a song that held special meaning for us. We both share a love for Disney, and that song reminded Majeed of our first date and our first kiss. To celebrate this shared love, we incorporated some hidden Disney elements into our wedding. it was a subtle yet meaningful way to weave our story into the celebration, making our special day even more magical.” – B

ADVICE FROM ONE COUPLE TO ANOTHER: “My advice for couples planning their wedding is to remember that while the day itself is important, it’s just one part of the journey you’re embarking on together. It’s easy to get caught up in the details and the pressure to make everything perfect, but ultimately, what matters most is the love you share and the commitment you’re making to each other.