Natalie & Nathan | August 20, 2011 | The Drake Hotel Café
Natalie Sammut and Nathan Vella were 15 and 16 when they met at Waterloo Collegiate Institute. Their romance started over a shared pack of Hubba Bubba. Even though they were apart during university (Natalie went to McMaster, Nathan to Ryerson), they remained a couple and moved into an Annex apartment the day Natalie finished school. On a trip to New York in 2010 (their 15th year together), they visited a vintage jewellery store, where an art deco piece caught Natalie’s eye. “Once I saw the ring on her finger, some switch in my brain flipped,” says Nathan. A two-month wait and sleepless nights followed until he finally proposed in bed on a Sunday morning. “It was perfect,” says Natalie, “other than the part where I forgot to open the ring box.” When it came to the wedding, they opted for something true to their style: a small, unfussy affair set deep in the heart of city. “The Drake took care of everything,” she says. “It was almost too easy for us.”
Photography: Joseph + Jaime Bride’s dress: Alice + Olivia Groom’s attire: Hugo Boss suit and tie; custom shirt from Holt Renfrew Bridesmaid dresses: Co-maids of honour wore their own dresses and shoes Venue and Caterer: The Drake Hotel Café Flowers: Jerry Furtado, who works in special events at The Drake
Dessert: A “bake sale” table with doughnuts, brownies and cookies from the café Music: A mostly indie iPod playlist Invitations: DIY, with the help of artist Vic Nguyen Guests: 46 Cost: $16,000
NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY
Sign up for This City, our free newsletter about everything that matters right now in Toronto politics, sports, business, culture, society and more.