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An Elegant Wedding at Lune 1860

An Elegant Wedding at Lune 1860

A heartfelt meeting blooming into an endless embrace of love at this unique venue

Dezi and Francis’s wedding at Lune 1860 was nothing short of a fairytale, a dreamy blend of timeless elegance and intimate charm. Set against the backdrop of a stunning 1800s Victorian Italianate-style home, lovingly transformed into a minimalist oasis, the couple’s celebration evoked the romance of the Italian countryside. The ceremony took place by the flower-adorned fountain in Lune’s front yard, where vows were exchanged by a cascade of blooms. The bride, breathtaking in a strapless silk gown with a cathedral-length veil and tiers of ruffled tulle, was a vision of grace and beauty. For the reception, guests gathered under a tent bathed in the soft glow of a peachy sunset. Long, 16-person tables set the stage for an elevated family-style dinner soirée. Lune 1860, perfectly nestled between the couple’s loved ones, created the ideal setting for this celebration of love – a day that was both personal and beautifully unforgettable. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this celebration of love and enjoy photos from our talented member, Sara Claudia Photo.

An Elegant Wedding at Lune 1860

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

Francis and I met online in May 2019, just after I had finished several months of chemotherapy. I had made an inconspicuous Hinge profile just looking to entertain myself and relearn how to socialize, having completely isolated myself during treatment, but with no intentions of actually dating just yet. However, after a few days of talking, Francis asked me out, and I was faced with the dilemma to either ghost him or explain my story and risk him running away.

From what I could tell, he was way too sweet to disappear on, so I gave him the rundown, and to my pleasant surprise, he showed empathy and reiterated his request for a date. Upon meeting in real life, he was completely unfazed by my appearance, and by our second date, he was massaging my bald head and supporting and encouraging me as if we’d known each other for decades. We think that the timing of our meeting and the friendship we developed through the slow pace we took at the start were what laid the foundation for the deep, loving, and inseparable bond we now share.

^{The Proposal}

We share a deep love for the ocean, so it made perfect sense that the proposal happened during a picnic date at a gorgeous Malibu beach while on vacation. It’s not unusual for us to set up a tripod for a photo or video, so when Francis suggested doing so after we ate, I was only partially suspecting at that moment, but definitely didn’t think anything would happen on the first recording. However, I had a sneaking suspicion that this trip was special, based on the past few months of Francis making sly jokes about the ring and teasing his vague plans. We set up the camera, and after a quick smooch and hug, he uttered, “Are you ready?,” as he stepped back onto one knee. Even though I had suspicions that it might happen soon, I was in euphoric disbelief that it was really happening.

^{The Engagement Ring}

I’m a bit type-A in some ways, so you best believe I did my research far in advance and sent Francis a doc with examples outlining the specifics of my dream ring – with a few options for him to choose from, of course! Looking back, a part of me wishes I had given less direction, but at the same time, it’s something I’ll wear and look at every single day, so it’s important to me for it to line up with my personal style.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

We wanted our wedding day to feel like we were hosting our nearest and dearest for an elevated, intimate dinner soirée, loosely inspired by the Italian countryside. Family-style dining and long 16-person tables helped create that casual, intimate feel, while our venue effortlessly tied into and enhanced the overall vision without requiring excessive florals and decor.

^{Our Team of Vendors}

We did extensive research to find vendors that suited our vision for the day, and we’re so glad that we spent so much time and energy on this step, because they absolutely delivered! Our photographer, Sara Kelly, brought her unique mix of candid storytelling and editorial style while also executing on all of our personal photo preferences. Florals by the talented Serena of Philia Flora were a dream come true, and the music by DJ Patty V set the tone for each phase of our wedding day so perfectly. Katya at Anelo Calligraphy brought our playful and unique stationary ideas to life, and our peaked sailcloth tent from Guelph Tents was a masterpiece of its own against the backdrop of a late July sunset. Full-day video coverage was shot by our talented friend, Jonah, at Goldstein Visuals, and we’re eagerly anticipating the final video after seeing his breathtaking work on my brother and sister-in-law’s wedding last year. Our friend, Rachel, at Sugar Fairy Kitchen delivered on our Pinterest-worthy cake dreams with the most gorgeous and delicious white-frosted carrot sheet cake with a classic bride and groom figurine and the message “forever and ever, darling.” Our content creator, Vanessa, from Dear Diary Social recorded the sweetest behind-the-scenes footage of the day so that we can relive the little moments forever, while my aunt, who’s a well known Rabbi in Toronto, officiated our ceremony with a mix of Hebrew and English blessing songs and interjections of mine and Francis’ love story. The whole day was so perfectly pulled together by Codey Erin and her dedicated team at Codey Erin Event Co.

^{The Location}

We had spent a whole year agonizing and debating on where we wanted to host our wedding, but when we stumbled upon and visited Lune 1860, we completely fell in love with the idea of what our special day could look like there, and we knew we had to make it happen. The venue was a few hours away from our hometown, where most of our guests also live, so it was a lot to ask of them, but we had always thought we wanted a destination wedding, so this actually felt like the perfect in-between distance.

The owners of the property, Lisa and Ezra, converted the interior of their gorgeous 1800s Victorian Italianate-style home into a minimalist ethereal oasis that provides an immediate sense of inspired calm and awe from the moment you step inside. We couldn’t fit all 90 of our guests seated inside the home, so we opted for an extended standing cocktail hour inside Lune to allow guests to experience the transformative setting before heading to a sailcloth-tented dinner in the field just outside.

An Elegant Wedding at Lune 1860

^{The Ceremony}

Our ceremony took place in front of the flower-adorned fountain in Lune’s front yard, at the top of the long, tree-lined driveway leading up to the house. I had been so nervous for this part of the day, but from the moment I stepped down from the front steps onto the aisle, I was filled with a sense of calm excitement and overflowing joy that lasted all through the night. Francis frequently talks about the ceremony as his favorite part of the day. “I could see her figure standing at the door, and at that moment, it felt like a lifetime waiting for her as I so eagerly wanted to see her. As the doors opened, I was in complete awe, looking at my bride, who was even more beautiful than I could have imagined. I often think about that moment, seeing her walk down the aisle, and relive it over and over. I’ve told her before, but when I pass, that will be my last memory and image: my beautiful wife, walking down those steps and towards me to say, 'I do,' forever.”

^{The Reception}

The reception was magical. The evening began with a golden hour and a peachy sunset casting a warm glow over our guests, setting the perfect tone for the night ahead. As master of ceremonies, my uncle treaded a perfect balance between humor and romance and so sweetly tied in pieces of who Francis and I are as individuals and together as a unit. We were intentional about keeping the bars close to the dance floor, ensuring that the party stayed lively and that everyone had a drink in hand as they danced the night away.

We opted for a family-style dinner, giving our guests the freedom to enjoy a variety of dishes and making sure no one left hungry. In the later hours of the night, Francis took to the dance floor with a bottle of Clase Azul tequila in hand, pouring shots straight into our guests’ mouths, boosting the energy even further. From the heartfelt speeches to our first dance, the interactive dinner spread, and the party that followed, it was the perfect celebration of our love, filled with laughter and happy moments that we’ll remember forever.

^{The Special Touches}

A few months before we got engaged, Francis’ grandmother entrusted him with her wedding rings, to be given to me when the time was right. Sadly, she passed away about a year later and wasn’t able to be with us at our wedding. However, we decided to repurpose the small diamonds from her engagement ring for both of our wedding bands, ensuring that we carry a piece of her with us every day. She meant the world to Francis, and her loss was deeply felt by us both, so having this beautiful reminder of her in our lives is something we cherish greatly.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

It’s truly impossible for us to pick one single favorite moment, with a whole evening that felt like the most perfect version of our dream wedding. Francis spoke about the ceremony as his most memorable moment, but for myself, more than any one significant moment, my most prized memories of the evening are the little in-between moments that felt like a brief pause wherein I could visually drink in my surroundings and the fact that I had just married my best friend.

An Elegant Wedding at Lune 1860

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

My wedding dress was the gorgeous Katherine Tash Cecilia gown that I fell in love with at my first bridal appointment, having originally thought I’d go for something completely opposite to the fitted silk that’s classic of Katherine Tash’s designs. My veil was a bit of a game-time decision, as I had actually made the purchase long before I had finalized my gown, and it felt a bit dramatic, if you will, with its cathedral length and tiers of ruffled tulle. In the end, I was so glad that I chose to wear it, because I feel like it added just the right amount of edge and completed my bridal look so perfectly.

I normally wear ultra-high platform heels, but because our wedding was set partially outside, and the aisle was an uneven cobblestone, I opted for a lower and more sturdy shoe. I searched high and low for months, finally deciding on the Amina Muaddi 70mm Begum pumps that I wore from ceremony through reception. My second-look dress was a Meshki find that I customized with my bridal alterations specialist to reduce the amount of crinoline in the skirt, slightly shorten the length, and tighten the bodice to my exact measurements. I kept my jewelry super simple with a pair of curved gold droplet earrings and made another last-minute call to stack on a set of bold diamond studs when, that afternoon, my mom gifted me the pair she received from my dad when I was born.

^{The Groom Looks}

Francis had always known he wanted to keep his outfit traditional with a tux, so he designed his with Suit Supply and added the embroidery of our wedding date to the inside left chest pocket. He completed his look with the Louboutin dandelion tassel patent leather loafers he fell in love with on one of our shopping trips together in the weeks leading up to the wedding.

An Elegant Wedding at Lune 1860

^{The Bridesmaid’s and Groomsmen’s Looks}

We didn’t have a formal bridal party, but because we knew that we’d want to frame our family portraits, we asked all the women in our immediate families to wear colorful gowns that made them feel beautiful and confident, and all the men to wear black suits to keep things cohesive and formal.

Our Advice

^{For The Planning Process}

It’s easy to get caught up in the stresses of timelines and endless decision-making, which can result in disagreements, so just remember that tension during this time is less about you as a couple, and more about the shared feelings of stress from outside pressures. When things feel overwhelming, try to refocus on what truly matters and the reason you’re doing all of this in the first place — your love and commitment to each other. That's the heart of it all.

^{For On The Day}

Groom’s perspective: My advice for the day of your wedding is simple: do what makes you feel most relaxed. For me, I started the day with a casual breakfast with the guys. Afterward, we hit the beach and hung out for a few hours, playing beach football and spike ball. It was a fun way to keep the nerves at bay. When we got back to the room, I realized I needed some time alone. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and just relaxed for a while. In that quiet moment, I found myself reminiscing – thinking about all the life experiences and memories that led to this day. Reflecting on it all helped me appreciate the journey and calm my mind before the big event. Those few hours before the wedding were spent in a way that truly made me feel grounded, and I recommend you do the same – find what brings you peace and enjoy those final hours before the celebration begins.

Bride’s perspective: I thought I’d be a ball of stress on our wedding day because of the nerves associated with being the center of attention, but I was super intentional with my self-talk and made sure to reframe the anxieties that crept up into the excitement I knew was behind them. Leading up to the big day, I also made a point of repeatedly telling myself that none of it is that serious and to just be present and enjoy because we’re all only humans and ultimately all that matters is our love and health. My advice would be to check in with yourself throughout the day to ensure that you’re present in each moment and to not let anyone else’s expectations of what a wedding day should look like influence how you choose to spend yours.

^{For Post-Wedding}

The day after our wedding, we continued the celebrations with a brunch for all of our guests, which was a really fun way to keep the festivities going and hear what everyone thought about the night. A few weeks later, we treated ourselves to a mini-moon in LA, and while it was lovely, one piece of advice we would share is to take your honeymoon right away if you can. Transitioning back into reality right after the wedding was tough, and in hindsight, extending that joy with a honeymoon would have been amazing. That said, we’re currently planning a European honeymoon for next spring, and we couldn’t be more excited!

An Elegant Wedding at Lune 1860