Mixing a culturally rich Christian Egyptian ceremony with a fun and glamorous theater reception, Melissa + Michael’s wedding day was an absolute marvel! I love the ancient symbolism of this couples Coptic Orthodox nuptials…like the 2000 year old tradition of blessing and crowning the bride and groom amidst the most decorative and ornate surroundings of the Orthodox Church. Other details not to miss: the couple’s names in lights and the movie sized posters of the bride and groom displayed out front of their old theater venue, or my favorite, Melissa’s Monique Lhuillier gown called Treasure. Such an apt name for this dress for a complete gem of a day. Congrats Melissa + Michael and thank you for sharing!
Melissa + Michael | June 1, 2013 | Toronto, ON | Dress Listing: Monique Lhuillier, Treasure
The Ceremony
Mike was raised Coptic Orthodox (Christian), so we decided to get married in a Coptic church! I was baptized a month prior so that we were able to do so! The two head priests married us in our church, as well as one who flew in from Egypt (who was a friend of Mike’s father). Most of our guests assumed the ceremony would be very serious, but our priests have quite a sense of humor (as do Mike and I) and it was very loving and spiritual.
The Reception
We got married at The Capitol Event Theater (now called the Castlefield), at Yonge and Eglington. It used to be an old theater, and it was the uniqueness that caught our eye. Inside, we had our cocktail hour on a three-tiered balcony that over looked the entire main floor of the theater (where we had dinner). The main floor had a gorgeous stage where we had a trio play for dinner, and where our DJ set up later that night. The outside also caught our eye, as we were able to put our name in lights and have some movie-sized posters of us! We had 220 guests, which was perfect because the max was 228!
Melissa’s Dress Search
I always knew I would end up wearing a very timeless, romantic, and lace dress. However, when I first started looking I had my heart set on a few ball gowns I had seen online (Ex. Oscar De La Renta 12E04) but when I tried them on they looked like they swallowed me whole! I’m short (5’1) so those dresses definitely “wore me” instead of the other way around. I finally found the Monique Lhuillier gown, Treasure at White Toronto (in Yorkville). I honestly took one look at it and said “this is my dress!” I tried it on and fell in love (EVEN THOUGH it was in an awkward silver color). I ordered it in Ivory and the rest is history!
How Melissa Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Beautiful, Romantic, Classic
Why Melissa Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I originally bought the dress for $7590, so with taxes and alterations it came to about $10,000. My mom passed away two years ago, so I decided to use the last bit of my inheritance to purchase the gown…sort of as a gift from her. I kept some of the lace from when they hemmed the dress so in the future my daughter/daughter in law can use a bit of it at their wedding! Also, this dress is something I would have NEVER been able to afford without the help of my mom. I loved it and felt amazing in it…so it’s nice to think that someone else could also feel that way in it if they couldn’t afford a $10,000 gown.
