COUPLE: Zoe & Jermaine

COUPLE: Zoe & Jermaine

DATE: February 3, 2024

CEREMONY: St. Mary's Parish Church

RECEPTION LOCATION: Sassafraz, Toronto (Belaire Room)

GUEST #: 50

PHOTOGRAPHY: I Alam Photography "Jermaine had the unique experience of working as a story producer on the show Bollywed, which was such a fun adventure in itself. When it came to finding a photographer who would understand the vibrant, celebratory energy we wanted to capture, the cast had the perfect recommendation." - Z

COLOUR PALETTE: Emerald, Gold & Cream

TELL US YOUR STORY: "Jermaine and I actually go way back to our university days, though it took us a while to connect. He was studying at Laurentian and playing on their basketball team, while I was at the University of Ottawa, deep into my studies. My friends convinced me to go to one of his games, and that’s where we had our first introduction—a quick hello. Honestly, I wasn’t looking to date a basketball player; I was too focused on keeping up my GPA!

Years later, though, we crossed paths at another one of his games, and this time, the timing just felt right. Jermaine asked for my number, and I thought, why not? I was more settled with my GPA by then and curious to see where things might go. For our first date, he took me to a bookstore, and that’s when I knew I’d found someone special. We spent hours walking the aisles, sharing our favorite books, and I loved discovering that he was a bookworm like me. Nerds unite! I thought, feeling like we had an instant connection beyond what I’d imagined.

Over time, our love has grown into a deep commitment, rooted in our shared Catholic faith. For us, marriage is a sacred sacrament, and that spiritual foundation made our wedding day all the more meaningful. It felt like a beautiful expression of our faith and future together.

One of the best parts of the day was sharing little pieces of ourselves with everyone there. We bottled Sorrel for our guests to take home. The night was a true celebration—our dance floor was packed, and we felt so much love from friends and family. Now, we’re looking forward to all that lies ahead: more travels, more memories, and of course, time with our dogs, who keep life at home joyful and busy right now." - Z

BRIDE'S ATTIRE: Monique Lhuillier

GROOM'S ATTIRE: Indochino

HAIR & MAKE-UP: Cia Mandarello

DECOR: Prescence Events

FLORALS: Designs by Law

DJ: Brown Brothers

Wedding Planner: Nicole Anna Events

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: "Our families are enormous, and pulling off an intimate wedding with such a large guest list seemed like an impossible feat at times! It was a balancing act between including all the people who are so important to us while keeping the vibe personal and close. But, in the end, we managed to bring everyone together in a way that felt intimate and meaningful, surrounded by those who have been there for us all along." - Z&J

BEST MEMORY:
Jermaine: "Turning around and seeing Zoe for the first time is a memory that’s forever etched in my mind. In that moment, everything else melted away—it was just her, looking absolutely stunning, and it felt like time had stopped. That single moment set the tone for the entire day."

Zoe: "One of the moments I’ll never forget is when Jermaine and I saw the venue all set up for the first time. Nicole had transformed it into something that felt warm and cozy, like a family dinner on a crisp winter night, with every detail just right. It was amazing to see our vision come to life in such an intimate, beautiful setting."

ADVICE FROM ONE COUPLE TO ANOTHER: Zoe: "For brides especially, it’s okay to go solo when choosing your gown. I went dress shopping on my own and found the exact dress I had dreamed of. It was a decision made from the heart, and once I knew it was the one, my maid of honor and sister-in-law joined for the fittings. Don’t be afraid to follow your instincts—it’s your day, and your vision matters most."

Jermaine: "Start your day with a big meal! Seriously, it’s so easy to get swept up in all the excitement and barely eat. And, most importantly, remember to be present. You’ll want to soak up every second, so find those moments to pause, look around, and let it all sink in. The day flies by, but those little moments of presence make all the difference."

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT NICOLE ANNA EVENTS | To speak with Nicole Anna Events about your wedding options, you can reach them using the form below.