Chic, modern and elegant is how I would describe Alex and Tristan’s amazing Royal Conservatory of Music wedding. These two were the dream couple to work with! They are stylish, smart and super fun. I had a great time hanging out with them on their very special day.
I love the story of how they first met. Alex spotted Tristan leaving a restaurant with a group of friends, one of whom he recognized. Dashing Tristan really caught Alex’s eye as he searched for him all over Facebook later that night. He skimmed over 800+ profiles until he finally found Tristan. Alex immediately messaged him asking if he wanted to go out for drinks. Tristan declined and continued to do so for the next nine months. After a few more messages back and forth, Tristan finally accepted the invitation and the rest is history. Fun fact: Alex and Tristan have a long interest in Toronto’s famous Lovebot street art (when they travel and see murals of it, they send a photo of it to one another). So, when it came to planning a proposal, Alex commissioned the artist to create a Lovebot statue just for them. Early one morning Alex woke Tristan and told him to go downstairs claiming there was somebody waiting at the door. When Tristan finally opened the door he saw a Lovebot with a ring perched on its hand. As the sun came up, Alex bent down on one knee and asked Tristan if he wants to spend the rest of their lives together. Of course, Tristan said: “YES!”
When I asked them what they are looking forward to on their wedding day, they said: “We love the bright and airy feel of the photos Mango is known for. We have had several friends use Mango Studios for their special occasions and are very much looking forward to our turn!” I was excited to hear that! Not only would I get to photograph a couple who is excited about having us to photograph their wedding, I would also get to work with someone who already knows our style and approach.
Because Alex and Tristan love the juxtaposition of the old and new (Tristan is a fan of modern architecture, while Alex is keen on traditional design), I took them on a walk around the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto for their wedding creative. The area is famous for its beautiful architecture with marble buildings on one side and the ultra-modern ROM’s Crystal on the other. I thought it would be a perfect spot to take some candid photos and let them pose for a couple of portraits with the Toronto’s finest architectural structure. We had a great time strolling along Bloor Street and I couldn’t wish for a more fun couple to work with that day!
Moving onto the Royal Conservatory of Music wedding ceremony, I knew there was a few very special surprises. As of the grooms works as a buyer for a well-known furniture store, I assumed that their wedding decor is going to be nothing but extraordinary. However, my jaw literally dropped when I saw their fabulous ceremony and reception at the Royal Conservatory of Music wedding space! The talented Flowers Time provided lush tropical florals for the ceremony that perfectly accented the greenery outside the venue’s windows. Three custom-made golden walls covered in palm leaves and geometric shapes created a sort of maze for the guests to enter through. In the entrance was the Lovebot that Alex used for the proposal, it greeted everyone cheerfully with an extended robot hand. Anya from La Chic Soiree provided the same-day Royal Conservatory of Music wedding coordination and made sure that every detail was flawless. Alex and Tris ordered a custom-made golden altar and pedestals for the ceremony by Engineered Arts. Right before the ceremony, Tristan shared a secret with me: “I have a few special surprises planned for Alex! The first being a special hammered rose gold band that I had made for both of us. When we got engaged, we both got a silver band that we have been wearing for the last year – to me this silver ring is a reminder of the day we got engaged and I will never forget that moment. I wanted something special to remind us of our wedding day as well. The rose gold band will be hammered and stacked against the silver band we already have to remind us that nothing and no one is perfect, that patience and kindness is key to a loving relationship. I will present this to Alex during the ceremony… he has no idea!” The two exchanged personalized vows and I will never forget their joyful faces when they finally said their I Do’s.
The cocktail hour and the wedding reception also took place at the Royal Conservatory. The space had been transformed into a formal sit-down dinner in the tropical garden with palm and ficus leaves overflowing from the tables. At this point, Tristan tipped me on yet another secret: “As a musician and recording artist, everyone kept asking if I would sing at my wedding, including Alex… several times and I remained adamant that I had no interest and didn’t want to make the day all about myself, Alex does not know but halfway through our first dance, I will join the band and sing the rest of the song to him!” As they were waltzing by their first dance song, Tristan joined his musician friends and I saw how Alex’s face changed from a delightful surprise to tears of joy. It was such a magical moment!
Tristan and Alex, thank you so much for letting me a part of such a beautiful day! I wish you many years of love and happiness and I can’t wait to see you in our studio again.
As seen in WedLuxe
Day-Of Coordinator: La Chic Soiree
Florals: Flowers Time
Furniture and Rentals: Contemporary Furniture Rentals
Custom Made Props: Engineered Arts
Wedding Venue: The Royal Conservatory of Music
