“This was my perfect day. My husband(!) is Australian, so we had a small ceremony with 35 guests that we livestreamed so that our friends and family all over the world could witness & celebrate with us. We were so lucky his best man, parents and sister could travel to be there in person!

I’m an author, and Jimmy is a composer. We met in spring 2019 on Hinge, and very quickly knew our relationship was special. At the start of the pandemic, Jimmy had to return to Sydney, Australia to wait for his Canadian permanent residency. We thought we’d be apart for 8 weeks. It was 377 days until we got him home to Toronto again. I don’t recommend a global pandemic to know for sure that you’ve found the one, but our relationship feels unshakeable.

On July 23, 2021 he proposed under the cherry trees of High Park where I’d taken him on our first date, with a ring designed to match the amethyst necklace I’d inherited from my late grandmother. And one year later, we said ‘I do’ to a love big enough that I could feel it even from the other side of the world while we were apart.

We were married in the backyard of a high school best friend’s home, a beautiful property with a log cabin built by the original owners in the 1800s. We had our first look on the front porch, while guests peeked from the windows. We decided we wanted to keep our outfits a surprise for each other, so I had no idea what his suit looked like either! He wore a bespoke suit that made me swoon by Sydney’s in Toronto in a British heritage style. The one accessory we bought together was matching Akubra hats from New South Wales, Australia where he grew up, to honour his roots and mine as a Grey County girl.

Our processional music was When We First Met by GAL, a song Jimmy composed for me while we were separated by the pandemic. The groomsmen wore black trousers with brown suspenders, and the bridesmaids wore deep mauve dresses. We had 6 flower people, including friends’ toddlers, my little cousins, our darling 10-mth old niece, and my Grandma McComb! It was the best kind of chaos. I walked down the aisle with my Mom and Dad, and could not stop smiling. 

I only cried once, during our vows, which we had written for each other. Jimmy was prepared with tissues <3 

Instead of a champagne toast after the ceremony, we did one with Revel Cider’s Posey, our favourite cidery. We ate dinner as a family at big harvest tables decorated with wine bottles with fairy lights inside, fresh lavender, and greenery and florals from our friend’s garden and my bridesmaid’s farm (which used to belong to my great-grandparents). The catering by Pineapple Sage was delicious, and they also did the taco feast at the reception later that night. 

We left to watch the sunset over Georgian Bay on a private rock beach, and it was so wonderful to spend some time alone as newlyweds to slow down and appreciate the day. I remember as we did the sunset shoot how much I appreciated the S+B styling appointment we did, because the veil was extraordinary and gave it that wow effect. I had options throughout the day between the veil, the hat, and the boho glam braids & beachy waves by my hairstylist Alexis Ibero. 

My dress, Woodrose by Willowby, was the very first that I tried on, and I came out dancing. My mom and bridesmaid were with me at the appointment, and my grandmother, future mum-in-law, sisters, and bridal party were all sharing and commenting on photos and videos in a group chat that I will treasure forever. I tried on 6 or 8 dresses, but it was clear that I kept looking back to the first one. It was so fun to wear! The deep V-neck and tailoring made me look like a model, and the layers of fringe highlighted every movement. There was just something about it! The textures showed beautifully in our photos, and I loved how unexpected and dramatic it was everytime I moved. 

Which brings us to the reception, where I danced all night. <3 

We arrived like rockstars. We had 100 guests upstairs at my hometown music venue, Heartwood Concert Hall, and walking in hand-in-hand to see all their faces was electric. Our first dance was to Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. We had a live band, Parkside Drive, and the singer Stacey did Karen O proud. Jimmy and I had practiced a few moves, but just went with what we were feeling, including a spontaneous head-banging to the big guitar solo, because yes. I can’t wait to see the videos! 

One of my favourite photos is us sharing one of the wedding donuts we had in lieu of a cake. Baked apple cider donuts dusted with sugar and spices, so delicious. We just look so happy, and it’s this beautiful candid shot. 

I’d just like to say thank you again to my S+B team, Jessica & Vanessa who were there for my ‘YES’ moment, and Ife who helped us find the perfect veil. I found the S+B instagram shortly after Jimmy and I started talking about a wedding (he bought the amethyst for the ring a couple months before our Canadian reunion), and started dreaming of this day. I didn’t know what to expect, but you created such a comfortable, intimate, celebratory experience, I knew right away and felt confident in my choice. It’s not an easy thing to have all eyes on you on such a momentous day, but I felt and looked good thanks to your expertise and care. My mom especially loved being there for it all, and how fancy and personal you made everything feel. 

So, thank you S+B! I can’t wait to bring my friends through your doors for their special days. Until then, please accept all the joy and happiness from my heart to yours. “

– SashAndBustleBride Rebecca

Bride is wearing  Woodrose by Willowby

Photographer: Good Noise Photography

FLorals: Weathered Meadow Farmstead

Venue: Heartwood Concert Hall

Alterations: Deanna Fokes

Suit: Sydney’s Toronto