106 WINTER/SPRING 2015 • TORONTO EDITION

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: KRISTA FOX PHOTOGRAPHY

SONIA

MANNY

MANNY m e e t i n g

Sonia Gangar and Manny Singh went on their first date in 2011 and the two have been inseparable ever since.

d a y - l o n g p r o p o s a l Manny planned a lavish proposal that started early in the morning on July 25, 2013. Sonia was woken up by her family with a request to watch a slideshow prepared by Manny compiled of photos from her childhood and the couple’s dating years. At the end of the presentation the words “Will You. . .” popped-up on screen and Sonia’s phone rang. It was Manny

calling her, not with a proposal, but a request that she pack a bag for the weekend and get in her car for further directions.

Once in the car, Manny called Sonia and led her on a scavenger hunt to various locations that marked milestones in their relationship. From a restaurant in Milton where they first met, to Casa Loma where they had their official first date, Sonia was anxiously waiting for Manny to arrive and propose at each location. Her final stop on the itinerary was Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport where photographers

and a camera crew sent by Manny were awaiting her arrival. As the cameraman asked Sonia about her day, she saw both of the couple’s parents and her brother walking towards her. Sonia then noticed a small charter plane and Manny stepping out of the aircraft. “He headed straight towards me, got down on one knee, and asked, ‘Will you marry me?’”, remembers Sonia. After the proposal, the couple toured Toronto by plane and then headed to Miami for a celebratory weekend getaway.

A TWO-DAY, INDIAN WEDDING JUXTAPOSES A RED & GOLD CEREMONY WITH AN ALL WHITE FLORAL FANTASY RECEPTION.

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s t y l e n o t e s

Sonia wore a traditional red and gold bridal lengha for the wedding ceremony that was custom designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, one of India’s top designers. She accessorized the dress with gold jewellery from India and gold Christian Louboutin heels purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The bridesmaids’ red and gold ceremony outfits were designed by Sonia who had the garments produced in India. Manny wore a traditional blue and gold sherwani designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee to the wedding ceremony and a Giorgio Armani tuxedo purchased from Harry Rosen at the reception.

r e d & g o l d c e r e m o n y The couple’s traditional Hindu ceremony was held at the Golden Triangle Sikh Association in Petersburg, Ontario.

Manny rode to the ceremony in a carriage led by two white horses dressed in customary red and gold fabric. For an added dose of celebratory fun, confetti cannons deployed as the groom, along with his family and a seven-piece band, made their way to the ceremony.

The inside of the temple was beautifully draped in white sheer fabric to create an ambience of calmness and purity.

f l o r a l & d e c o r

Raj Matharu of Dream Party Decor Inc. was commissioned to provide full-service design management for the wedding. Sonia filled a wedding binder with inspirational images and worked closely with Raj to ensure her vision was executed every step of the way. “Raj was great to work with and thinks big. We were on the [exact] same page during the planning process,” say Sonia.

Daniela Miceli-Perri for Dream Party Decor Inc. produced the floral designs, including Sonia's beautiful bouquet featuring a mix of cream-coloured roses and cascading, white phalaenopsis orchids.

A red carpet led to an elaborate, four-sided canopy designed by Dream Party Decor Inc. at the entrance of the temple. The elevated canopy was draped in red fabric and adorned with red blooms and gold accents.

d a y o n e Sonia and Manny hosted a two-day, authentic Indian wedding over the weekend of August 9 and 10, 2014 with an impressive guest count—300 guests attended the ceremony on August 9, 2014 and 700 joined the pair for their reception the next day. Malvina Chevolleau of Fabulous Occasions was hired to provide full-service planning and design assistance for the lavish, royal-inspired celebration.

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d a z z l i n g d e t a i l s Sonia wore a pair of nude Jimmy Choo pumps with bead detailing from Davids Footwear.

d a y t w o Sonia worked directly with Toronto designer Ines Di Santo to create an original ball gown for the ‘day two’ reception. The champagne-coloured gown was handmade with Italian silk and embellished with Swarovski crystals.

The couple enjoyed a photo session at the Thompson Toronto before heading to the Paramount Conference & Event Venue in Woodbridge, Ontario for their magical all-white reception.

Dream Party Decor Inc. and Fabulous Occasions designed the celebration.

d a y - o f s t a t i o n e r y

Deborah Lau-Yu of PALETTERA Custom Correspondences designed the day-of stationery, including an elegant welcome sign and escort cards with three-dimensional lotus flowers. Each petal was cut by hand and sculpted to resemble the eastern floral.

Guests entered through a canopy adorned with silk ribbons, candles, and flowers. Ceramic peacocks with floral tails composed of cascading white orchids were placed throughout.

Jackie Gideon Beauty styled Sonia's makeup and hair.

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g r a n d e n t r a n c e Dream Party Decor Inc. created a spectacular rotating stage adorned with white floral and decor elements. The stage featured white furniture framed with twinkling candles and a series of ponds at the front. The couple wanted a unique entrance for their big reveal, so when the MC announced “Mr. & Mrs. Singh” the stage rotated to reveal the newlyweds standing in front of a massive floral wall. “The floral framing and detailing of the stage was just beautiful,” recalls Sonia.

Two parent tables placed at the front of the room featured low and tall floral arrangements made with white orchids, roses, and hydrangeas. The floral arrangements were accented with candles, hanging glass balls, and lucite structures beautifully topped with flowers.

e n t e r t a i n m e n t

Flare bartenders from BartenderOne served drinks behind the 15ft custom white bar.

Aerialists from Zero Gravity Circus effortlessly swung from the ceiling as guests entered the dining area.

r e c e p t i o n d e t a i l s The ballroom of the Paramount Conference & Event Venue was draped in wall-to-wall fabric and decorated in a dreamy white and silver colour scheme.

Over sixty guest tables were set up in the space and topped with different types of white floral displays, including a 7ft tall tree arrangement decorated with flowers and hanging candles. Table numbers displayed on lucite slabs and clear Louis Ghost chairs added to the airy, romantic feel of the room.

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PALETTERA Custom Correspondences also produced a custom monogram of the couple’s initials with a beautiful lace motif that was incorporated across the decor.

Photos of attendees were taken upon arrival at the reception venue. By the end of the night, the photos had been printed and framed to be given as a unique and personalized wedding favor for each guest.

e n d n o t e s Guests were treated to a midnight snack of Gino’s Pizza, as a nod to the bride’s family business—Sonia’s father is the President/CEO of the Ontario pizza chain and she’s the director of marketing.

Famed Punjabi pop star Sharry Mann wowed guests in the evening. The performer got everyone out of their seats and dancing, something the bride and groom loved.

Film Style Weddings captured the performance on film.

h o n e y m o o n Sonia and Manny followed their wedding with a two-week honeymoon in Bora Bora. They stayed at the InterContinental Le Moana Bora Bora in an exclusive overwater bungalow.

KRISTA FOX PHOTOGRAPHY; Krista Fox is a widely published and well-traveled visual storyteller. Fueled by her desire to wander from the beaten path, she photographs weddings from the heart, drawing inspiration from nature, fashion, light and love. KRISTAFOX.COM | 416.824.7659

AB OUT T H E PH OTOGR A PH ER

Bobbette & Belle created a spectacular, 5ft all-white wedding cake with cascading flowers on alternating tiers.