“I threw on some platform shoes that everyone hated up until the day of the wedding - no regrets!”

It definitely made heads turn and I even got a few "congratulations" from strangers as we walked down King Street.

“What makes a wedding successful is the love people witness between the two partners.”

“There are so many opinions and comments and at times it feels like everyone has a hand/voice in your wedding. It all comes from the right place, but trust your gut. If you feel like doing something and people just don't get it, do it anyway. It's your day, make it your own and stay true to you.”

“Hire a day of coordinator so you can totally enjoy your day!”

“You don't need a huge 200 guest list wedding to have a good time or to make it memorable. As long as there's good food, good music, and close friends/family, you can't lose.”

“People always “slow down” ON your wedding day so you can take it all in - I say slow down the day/week before. Calm down and take a breath and make sure you’re organized. Double and triple check everything against a list before you leave so you don’t have to make any extra trips or send people to buy new shoes at the last minute because yours are at home. Once you load in and set up, everything is done so relax - you did it!”

“Enjoy the planning process, it's definitely a once in a life time opportunity - let it be a long-super-detailed or simple-elegant wedding. Enjoy it all the way, because after that comes pure bliss.”

“Just remember that it's one day so spend your energy enjoying every minute instead of fussing over details no one will notice. Make sure you eat, drink water and have at least 10 minutes alone with your official new partner! Simply put, just have a great time!”

Leading up to June 11, 2016, I was frantically practicing calligraphy. Every scrap piece of paper in my home had "just married" scrawled on it.

When I finally brought paint to leather, I accidentally created a project that has me meeting up with a new bride every weekend.

“Don't spend outside your means, don't stress the details, stay true to you and your partner... and make sure you can DANCE!!!”

“We originally wanted a tiny city hall wedding for 12. But then realised that a wedding is about sharing love and joy with your family. And to both of us, family is aunts and uncles, family friends, and our friends. So we chose a venue that could make our grandparents and our Parkdale-loving friends feel comfortable. We had all the things we liked about weddings - open bar, great food, midnight poutine, tons of dancing and laughs and none of the things we don't enjoy (wedding cake, hours of speeches, a formal sit-down 3 course meal, first dance)”

"So do you. Make your own new traditions. This is your day and should represent what your relationship is about. And I promise that when you do, you’ll have absolutely no regrets.”