A Handmade Travel-Themed Wedding: Mikey + Shaun

grooms

Mikey + Shaun literally fell in ‘Love at First Flight’ when they met at the Toronto Pearson Airport on Christmas Eve five years ago! An excerpt from their wedding invitation explains the night perfectly:

Unlike most love at first sight tales, ours began at an airport one Xmas eve. We each were traveling alone, set to see our families. We shared a few glances. An introduction. Then somewhere between poor weather conditions, fate and a cancelled flight, we found ourselves seated side-by-side as the plane took off. And that’s how we plan to stay.

Since their story is so charmingly unique, they knew that it would make the perfect theme for their wedding. Everything was inspired by travel: from the invitations, which were designed to look like airline tickets + postcards; to the vintage suitcases + globes that decorated the venue; to the (e)motion sickness bags (filled with tissues!) passed out to guests right before the ceremony started.  The food was served as boxed in-flight meals + their officiant was dressed as a pilot. Mikey branded + designed all of the paper goods and styled the entire event. I love that they incorporated so much of themselves + their story into their day!

love at first flight

illustration invitations

city wedding

grooms

grooms


Mikey + Shaun have such great style! I love their looks, which they put together with the help of stylist Vaughn Stafford Gray.  Also loving these portraits of the two of them, captured by Toy Piano!

grooms

grooms

tissue bags for ceremony

photo collages

night time city ceremony

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Mikey's:
At the stroke of midnight, we surprised guests with drag queen, Katinka Kature. With no introduction, she burst onto the dance floor while lip-synching to Toxic by Britney Spears. She was dressed as a sexy flight attendant in a black cat suit. Everyone, young and old, went nuts! I’ve always been a firm believer that if a drag queen shows up, you know it’s a damn good party. It was an incredible moment.

Shaun's:
We had our officiant, Daniel Bereton, show up in a full pilot uniform which we rented at Malibar Ltd. His entire speech was catered to our theme:

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome aboard. I am your Captain, Daniel Brereton and on behalf of Shaun, Michael and the rest of the crew here at Love at First Flight airlines, I want to welcome you aboard flight 09/03/13 service from St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto to Who Knows Where! We are currently flying at about 249 ft above sea level, however our ultimate cruising altitude will depend on you….and how much you enjoy yourselves this evening."

Our guests loved it. It was entertaining from start to finish.

night time city ceremony

night time city ceremony

night time city ceremony

night time city ceremony

night time city ceremony

night time city ceremony

succulents in jars

in-flight meal menu

meal packaging

cupcake tower

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

I think it's a common misconception that you have to spend a lot of money to have the perfect wedding. DIY projects are the best! It gives your wedding a personal touch while keeping your costs down. Plus it's fun. Get all the help you can from your friends and family; it will take some of the pressure off.

And most importantly, relax! It's key to be laid back and not take things too seriously. I think what people remember most, is not how pretty the flowers look, but how much fun everyone had. If something goes wrong, and something WILL go wrong, don't let it ruin your mood. Water off a duck's back.

photography: Toy Piano // venue name: The Market Kitchen, inside the St. Laurence Market, Toronto, Canada // event design: Michael De Pippo // florals: Michael De Pippo // hair stylist: Tyler David Marr // makeup artist: Tyler David Marr // paper goods: Michael De Pippo // catering: Daniel et Daniel // music: DJ Kevin Ritchie // event planner: Muqu A Pacheco // copywriter: Nimo Awil // stylist: Vaughn Stafford Gray // mikey's jacket: Gian Paolo Mazzotta // pants: Gian Paolo Mazzotta // mikey's jacket: Gian Paolo Mazzotta // pants: Gian Paolo Mazzotta // mikey's vest: Theodore 1922 // mikey's shirt: Brooks Brothers // mikey's tie: Eton // mikey's shoes: Hawkings McGill // shaun's jacket: Biella Collection from Theodore 1922 // shaun's vest: TopMan // shaun's pants: Surface To Air // shaun's tie: Eton // shaun's shirt: Brooks Brothers // shaun's shoes: Ted Baker // cupcakes: Sweets From The Earth // prop rentals: Abraham's & Queen West Antiques

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