Real Weddings 2013: an intimate wedding in a Distillery District art gallery
Real Weddings 2013: an intimate wedding in a Distillery District art gallery
By Michelle Reddick | August 28, 2013
By Michelle Reddick | 08/28/2013
By Michelle Reddick | Photography by Vanessa Heins
Location: Arta Gallery in the Distillery District | Guests: 102 | Date: September 22, 2012
Lawyer Ashley Richards, 35, and business software consultant Anthony Dixon, 35, first met as undergraduates at Queen’s University, but they never dated and lost touch after graduation. Nearly a decade later, Anthony heard Ashley was living in Toronto and looked her up on Facebook. This time, the romance was there. After two years together, friends of the couple speculated that Anthony would propose during a two-month vacation to South East Asia. “I didn’t want to be too predictable,” said Anthony, “so I proposed on the plane.” (Ashley accepted just as they flew over the International Date Line, and the whole plane applauded.) Bucking the tradition of no peeks before the wedding, the couple stopped for outdoor photos with Ashley’s dog Libby before heading to the Distillery District gallery where they would be married. When the American cocker spaniel left three muddy paw prints on the train of the bride’s dress, “everyone froze and looked at me,” says Ashley. “They were all waiting for my bridal freak-out.” Ashley just let the mud dry, brushed it off her dress and headed off to get married.
229915 When Ashley and Anthony stopped at Evergreen Brick Works for photos with their dog Libby before the ceremony, Libby left muddy paw prints on Ashley’s custom dress. Luckily, the mud came off after it dried (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-02.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-02/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-02 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229109 The couple fell in love with the Arta Gallery in the Distillery District because it fit their vision for an intimate wedding (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-03-e1377204799630-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-03/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-03 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229111 They emphasized the gallery’s cozy atmosphere by filling it with candles and flowers (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-05-e1377204773995-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-05/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-05 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229110 A friend advised Ashley to spend time working on the ceremony. The couple wrote it themselves and were very happy they did. “It was short, but very meaningful,” says Ashley (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-04-e1377204786916-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-04.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-04/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-04 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229112 Ashley and Anthony wanted guests to feel they’d had a full meal and not just a bunch of hors d'œuvres. The menu included braised short ribs, salmon, shrimp, scallops and vegetarian butternut squash cannelloni (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-06-e1377204752848-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-06.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-06/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-06 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229120 The couple only served truffles and fruit at the end of the meal, so the late-night table was laden with cake, cookies, squares, tarts and cheese (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-14-e1377204625749-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-14.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-14/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-14 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229118 They gave Mary MacLeod's Shortbread as their wedding favours. Ashley says, “I chose them because they are super delicious and I liked the look of them plated on the table” (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-12-e1377204657981-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-12.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-12/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-12 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229115 The soft-coloured bouquets were by Wild Thyme (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-09-e1377204700881-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-09.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-09/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-09 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229116 Anthony and Ashely each only had one attendant: Ashley’s sister Gillian was the maid of honour, and Anthony’s best friend Evan was the best man (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-10-e1377204686497-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-10/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-10 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229119 The best man’s speech was especially heartfelt and funny, touching on Evan and Anthony’s childhood antics (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-13-e1377204642518-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-13/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-13 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
229107 <strong>Bride’s dress</strong>: custom from Lowon Pope<br /><br />
<strong>Groom’s suit</strong>: Tom’s Place in Kensington Market<br /><br />
<strong>Makeup</strong>: Julia Church<br /><br />
<strong>Flowers</strong>: Wild Thyme<br /><br />
<strong>Catering</strong>: Sublime Catering<br /><br />
<strong>Cake</strong>: Yummy Stuff<br /><br />
<strong>Music</strong>: students from U of T’s music program<br /><br />
<strong>Invitations</strong>: Wedding Paper Divas<br /><br />
<strong>Photography</strong>: Boyfriend/Girlfriend<br /> (Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend) Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony Real Weddings 2013: Ashley and Anthony https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-01-e1377204828702-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-ashley-and-anthony/slide/real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-01/ real-weddings-toronto-2013-ashley-and-anthony-01 0 0
(Image: Boyfriend/Girlfriend)
Love the Distillery District! Great setting!