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Desirée and Steven’s wedding at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York combined timeless elegance with fresh Rococo style. Soft powder blue and gold accents elevated the historic ballroom, creating a chic, dreamy setting for over 400 guests. From the lush florals to the custom drapery, every detail perfectly captured their vision of classic meets contemporary.
In early 2023, Desirée was ready to trade Toronto for a cruise ship sales role, yet something told her to stay put. Soon after, a mutual friend introduced her to Steven, who comes from a large Italian family. Although Desirée was (uncharacteristically!) late to their first date, the pair bonded instantly over dirty martinis, travel, and a shared love of family. A whirlwind romance—complete with a trip to Italy—led to a heartfelt Valentine’s Day proposal in 2024. The couple were married on September 14, 2024 with a ceremony at St. Basil’s Catholic Parish, a setting that also inspired the custom invitations—its exterior was hand-sketched and lined the envelopes of the invitation suite. One of the most meaningful moments came as Desirée’s 90-year-old grandmother walked her down the aisle, adding a deeply personal touch to the day. Their celebration continued at the Fairmont Royal York with a stunning Rococo-inspired reception, designed and planned by Rita Al-Shaikh of Simply Sienna.
Desirée wore the “Colette” gown by Rita Vinieristhat featured a sheer floral skirt that shimmered in the light. She accessorized with satin gloves and a simple cathedral-length veil. A standout moment was receiving a pair of Victoria Pearl Diamond earrings fromTiffany & Co., gifted by her future in-laws at the rehearsal dinner—a sentimental heirloom she plans to pass down. Steven wore a bespoke tuxedo with cufflinks gifted by his parents that morning—another nod to family heritage.
DREAM REALIZED
Steven promised Desirée a wedding beyond her dreams, and the celebration at Toronto’s iconic Fairmont Royal York delivered exactly that.The black-tie evening began with a cocktail reception, where guests were welcomed by the sounds of a string quartet. They then transitioned into the Concert Hall, where Desirée’s dream vision came to life—a blend of French country charm and Regency-era formality, elevated with a fresh Rococo twist.
SOMETHING BLUE
The custom-designed, three-level curved stage—where Desirée and Steven’s sweetheart table was placed—served as a regal, garden-inspired focal point, brought to life in collaboration with Simply Sienna and Blossom Boutique. To enhance the atmosphere, the drapes of the Concert Hall were replaced with custom dusty blue panels, creating a soft, romantic backdrop that completely transformed the space. “The Fairmont Royal York usually has off-white drapery, and our planner, Rita, asked if we’d be open to changing them to our signature dusty blue colour. We were hesitant at first, wondering if it was necessary, but it made all the difference,” shares Desirée. “It created such a dreamy atmosphere and was the perfect backdrop to an already stunning setup.”
IN FULL BLOOM
The floral design was nothing short of spectacular, with approximately 8,000 blooms used throughout the celebration. The installations featured 2,500 white roses, 1,750 blue hydrangea, 1,000 white campanula, 750 blue delphinium, 500 locally sourced white ranunculus, and 500 helleborus imported from Holland. At each place setting, napkins were carefully hand-folded into delicate rose shapes, echoing the floral motif and adding a personal, artful detail to the table design.
ELEGANT ENERGY
Steven, a musician himself, took charge of all music selections—a role he was passionate about. “Steven’s only ask throughout our entire wedding planning process was to be in charge of music,” shares Desirée. For the reception, he chose Main Event Music, whose high-energy performance had the band stepping off the stage and into the crowd, keeping the dance floor packed all night. An interactive photobooth offered a playful way for guests to capture memories, while wedding favors—gold brass picture frames engraved with the Royal York’s iconic window sketches and a thank-you message—served as elegant keepsakes of the day.
After the wedding, the couple embarked on a 3.5-week European honeymoon, starting with lakeside relaxation at Villa D’Este in Lake Como, followed by romantic canal-side stays at the Aman Venice. They then traveled to Desirée’s hometown of San Sebastian, Spain, for beach time and family-rooted nostalgia before ending in Paris at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, dining with Eiffel Tower views and touring Versailles. Just ten days after returning home, the couple received the happiest surprise of all: they were expecting their first child, a daughter, due in June 2025.
