Real Weddings 2013: a fanciful wedding at the Royal Conservatory of Music
Real Weddings 2013: a fanciful wedding at the Royal Conservatory of Music
Date: August 25, 2012 | Location: Royal Conservatory of Music | Guests: 200
“Everything was whimsical and surreal,” says 29-year-old Muqu Ahsan, a marketing professional, of her wedding to 33-year-old Miguel Pacheco, who works in PR. The theme was “A Monochromatic Dream”: they transformed the Royal Conservatory into a David Lynchian landscape with a wooden swing, black trees and a mysterious locked box. Every guest got an antique key; one key opened the box to reveal a phone number that, when called, unleashed glittering flakes of snow drifting from the ceiling. The couple wanted to upturn expectations of what a wedding could be: that meant a black and nude Lucian Matis wedding gown for Muqu and cake before entrées (“I’ve always eaten dessert before dinner,” she says). Muqu is Bengali and Miguel is Portuguese, and they integrated elements from both of their cultures into the wedding. A midnight feast of McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish was a nod to the Portuguese tradition of late-night seafood, and the iPod playlist included Bollywood Bhangra music. “Our officiant was a gay man, and the room was full of Muslims and Catholics,” says Miguel. “Our wedding was like a microcosm of Toronto.”
See the wedding album »
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- “I tried on pink dresses and multicoloured dresses. The only thing I knew was that I wasn’t going to wear white. It’s not true to who I am” —<em>Muqu</em>
- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- Guests received a gift box of porcelain Peeps vases. Miguel vetoed Muqu’s first favour idea—black Slinkys
- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- The caterers, Couture Cuisine, transformed Bengali and Portuguese street food, like this lentil stew, into elegant hors d’oeuvres
- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- Muqu wanted the flowers to look like clouds, so she had them made from organic cotton balls
- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- Each guest got an antique skeleton key as a party favour. Miguel and Muqu had collected them on a trip to Lisbon
- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- The couple set up a milk bar serving kids’ breakfast cereals and cookies, with a TV playing old Saturday morning shows like <em>Saved by the Bell</em> and <em>G.I. Joe</em>
- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- Muqu’s henna tattoo was a nod to her Bengali background. It usually goes on the bride’s hands as well, but she didn’t want it to compete with her dress
- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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- <strong>Photographer</strong><br /><br /> Emma McIntyre<br /> <p><strong>Bride's Dress</strong><br /><br /> Lucian Matis</p><br /> <p><strong>Groom's Attire</strong><br /><br /> Sydney's</p><br /> <p><strong>Venue</strong><br /><br /> Royal Conservatory of Music</p><br /> <p><strong>Caterer</strong><br /><br /> Couture Cuisine</p><br /> <p><strong>Cake</strong><br /><br /> Sweets From the Earth</p><br /> <p><strong>Flowers</strong><br /><br /> Designs by JP</p><br /> <p><strong>Music</strong><br /><br /> Royal Conservatory students; DJ Kevin Ritchie</p><br /> <p><strong>Invitations</strong><br /><br /> Michael De Pippo</p><br /> <p><strong>Wedding Coordinator</strong><br /><br /> Francine Sokette</p>
- (Image: Emma McIntyre)
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
- Real Weddings 2013 | Miguel & Muqu
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![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/style/real-weddings-2013-miguel-and-muqu/&title=Real Weddings 2013: a fanciful wedding at the Royal Conservatory of Music&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/real-weddings-2013-miguel-and-muqu-intro-624x395.jpg&description=By Michelle Higgins, Bronwen Jervis, Sharon Monuk and Amanda Panacci | Photography by Emma McIntyre
Date: August 25, 2012 | Location: Royal Conservatory of Music | Guests: 200
"Everything was whimsical and surreal,” says 29-year-old Muqu Ahsan, a marketing professional, of her wedding to 33-year-old Miguel Pacheco, who works in PR. The theme was “A Monochromatic Dream”: they transformed the Royal Conservatory into a David Lynchian landscape with a wooden swing, black trees and a mysterious locked box. Every guest got an antique key; one key opened the box to reveal a phone number that, when called, unleashed glittering flakes of snow drifting from the ceiling. The couple wanted to upturn expectations of what a wedding could be: that meant a black and nude Lucian Matis wedding gown for Muqu and cake before entrées (“I’ve always eaten dessert before dinner,” she says). Muqu is Bengali and Miguel is Portuguese, and they integrated elements from both of their cultures into the wedding. A midnight feast of McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish was a nod to the Portuguese tradition of late-night seafood, and the iPod playlist included Bollywood Bhangra music. “Our officiant was a gay man, and the room was full of Muslims and Catholics,” says Miguel. “Our wedding was like a microcosm of Toronto.”
See the wedding album »
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Bloody awesome is all I have to say.
Stunning… !