Real Weddings
TorontoOver 5,000 Stems of Baby's Breath Were Used for this James Bond-Inspired Black Tie Wedding at Casa Loma
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Leslie Woods met Saline Hage for the first time when they were seated next to each other at a charity event in honour of The University of Ottawa Heart Institute. “Saline entered the room and everything went quiet in my head,” shares Les. “From that moment I knew she was going to be in my life for a lifetime. In her, I found my missing piece.” They’ve been side-by-side ever since.
In November of 2019, after dating for two years, Les proposed to Saline while the pair were on vacation at THE FLEMING VILLA, at the GOLDENEYE resort in Jamaica — once the home of Ian Fleming, who wrote the James Bond novels there (Les is a big fan!). One evening, with a bright moon shining down on the beach, Les got down on one knee and popped the question with a flawless round 3.2 carat diamond ring designed in collaboration with the team at CARNABYS BESPOKE JEWELLERY.
The team at Carnabys expressed concern about transporting the valuable piece of jewelry overseas and wanted to fly it in themselves! Instead, Les’ business partner Lennox Lewis, who holds the title of the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, coordinated the safe arrival of the ring via special expedited service through customs and immigration.
Saline and Les postponed their original wedding date due to the pandemic, but were eventually married on August 18, 2022, at
CASA LOMA
Completed in 1914, Casa Loma is a historical landmark as one of North America’s only...
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in Toronto, Ontario. The adults-only event had a black-and-white color palette, a formal dress code, and was partly inspired by Les’ affinity for James Bond.
Event planning and design services were provided by BAOS EVENT PLANNING & DESIGN, with floral design by Oudalova Events & Design .
The modern black-and-white wedding invitations featured an envelope liner printed with a photo of the bride and groom.
Saline wore two wedding gowns. The first, a customized PRONOVIAS gown created pre-Covid for the couple’s original wedding date. Her second gown was designed by VERA WANG. She accessorized with two pairs of AMINA MUADDI shoes and YOKO LONDON diamonds and pearls.
Leslie wore a traditional kilt to the ceremony before changing into a tuxedo for the reception.
The ceremony took place under CASA LOMA’S chapel-shaped gazebo structure where an in-memoriam sign was placed over a chair to honour Les’ best friend who passed away from Covid-19.
Margarita Oudalova of
Oudalova Events & Design
used over 5000 stems of baby’s breath throughout the wedding’s floral design, including the heart-shaped floral installation that decorated
CASA LOMA’S
Completed in 1914, Casa Loma is a historical landmark as one of North America’s only...
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gazebo where the couple exchanged “I Dos,” officiated by RANDY HARRIS.
“The arch at the ‘gazebo’ was what I dreamt of and more! (A big shout out to Margarita Oudalova of Oudalova Events & Design !),” shares Saline. “The amount of baby’s breath that was ordered for my wedding was the most she had ever ordered! It looked absolutely spectacular!”
SARAPHINA VIOLIN performed at the sun-filled cocktail reception while guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and Champagne Bollinger.
To ensure the event had exceptional service, a high-end, red carpet hostess welcomed guests and directed and assisted them throughout the evening.
The newlyweds sat at a glass sweetheart table decorated with a cloud of baby’s breath so that it appeared to be floating. A “Mr & Mrs Woods” neon sign hung behind them.
British-Canadian musician and the lead vocalist of the Canadian rock band PLATINUM BLONDE, MARK HOLMES, was the MC and performed a song at the wedding.
Other special quests included former NHL players KEVIN MAGUIRE, DARRYL GLEN SITTLER, and GLENN HEALY (who also played the bagpipe as Leslie walked into the reception), former WBC light- heavyweight champion ADONIS STEVENSON, and Scottish football player MAURICE JOHNSTON.
The couple both changed into second looks for the reception. Saline wore a gown by VERA WANG, while Les traded his kilt for a James Bond-style suit from TOM FORD.
The wedding cake was designed by Saline and provided by NICKY RICE at KICKICUPS.
The Bond theme continued with a late-night lounge, tying-in to the couple’s engagement at GOLDENEYE and included a cocktail bar provided by BARCHEF EVENTS, serving three on-theme cocktails.
Late night snacks included fish and chips and Shawarma to reflect both the bride and groom’s heritage, while a spectacular selection of desserts delivered the sugar high!
CREDITS
Photography @purpletreephotography, Bride @saline_h, Groom @leswoodsjr, Event Planning and Design @baosevents, Floral Design @oudalovaeventsdesign, Getting Ready Venue @bishatoronto, Wedding Location, AV @casalomatoronto, Officiated by Randy Harris, Stationery @paperandposte, Seating Chart and Rentals @decorandfiesta, Engagement Ring @carnabysbespoke, Ceremony Dress @pronovias, Reception Dress @verawangbride, Bridal Shoes @aminamuaddiofficial, Bride’s Jewellery @yokolondonpearls, Bride’s Makeup @makeupbygeanella, Bride’s Hair by Nadia Abou-Jaoude, Groom’s Reception Formalwear @tomford, Cufflinks @cartier, Wedding Cake @kickicups, Late-Night Desserts @fruitilicious_cakes, Furniture Rentals @detailzfurniturerentals, Tabletop Rentals @splendidsettings, @simplybeautifuldecor, Napkins @have_a_seat_events, Carpeting @reznickeventcarpets, Reception Floor Vinyl @paragon.designs, Draping and Backdrops @eventrentalgroup, Neon Sign @eventgraffiti, Custom Acrylics @dangdesigns.ca, Cocktail Bar Service and Decor @barchef, Lighting and Sound provided by Event Media Design, 360 Camera @bopbooth, Violin Performance (Cocktail Hour) @saraphinaviolin, Bagpipe Played by Glenn Healy (Ceremony), Zaffeh (Reception) @omry__events, Violin and Drum Performance (Reception) @skinnstrings, DJ (Reception) Youssef Sharaf, Fire Performance (Reception) @pyra.ent, Dancers (Late- Night) @topnotch_entertainment, MC Song Performance (Reception) Mark Holmes, Cinematography @everlastingmoments, Transportation @acelimostoronto, Audio Guest Book @audioguestbook, Valet provided by Empire Valet
