This Dolce and Gabbana Inspired Real Wedding is Anything But Basic

We love a good love story! And we're guessing you do, too... That's why every Wednesday, we're bringing you real life "I dos" that are sure to inspire (and give you a peek into couples' planning experiences). Want to share your happily ever after? Submit your wedding here! #realweddingwednesdayRenata and Aundrae's glamorous Toronto wedding was a fashion girl's dream come true... Drawing inspiration from Dolce & Gabbana's 2014 Fall Collection (how could you go wrong?), they pulled off a statement wedding that stunned their family and friends. Get the first hand account of how these childhood friends fell in love and their journey to "I do." Let's get some background. So how did you and your S.O. meet? When Aundrae was about 14 years old, he was on the soccer team my dad coached, and became best friends with my brother. He was always at our house and he eventually moved in with us for a year. Although we were childhood friends, we lost touch for a bit and didn't reconnect until a New Year’s Eve party in 2004. And how did the proposal go down? As a manager of Harry Rosen, Aundrae has done his fair share of making custom suits for clients. He made me a video pretending it was for work - it was apparently to show potential clients the process of getting a custom suit - and in the video he popped the question to me. Tell us about your big day! We knew when planning our wedding we wanted anything but the cookie cutter wedding - we wanted every element to scream "Renata & Aundrae" and that's exactly what we got! We held our ceremony at the Spoke Club, with a simple white and green color palette; then guests enjoyed a pre-cocktail treat with beverages and hors d'oeuvres, before heading to Berkeley Church for the cocktail reception. Our first dance was nothing short of magic - we danced on stage to a very important song to us, while our guests watched us from the overhead mezzanine. It was so nice to have a moment with just each other. After dinner, we danced the night away to some of our favorite tunes and truly enjoyed everyone's company. It was a day to never forget! When it came to the wedding, what was your overall theme and vision? How did you bring it to life? Inspiration came from D&G Fall 2014 – warm golds, rich reds, black, and a stain-glass window blue. We we wanted something that represented us and our style, and something we had never seen before. We didn’t want any soft pinks, ivories, or champagnes in the palette – instead wanted a statement wedding with a warm, welcoming atmosphere for our family and friends. We left it up to Melissa and her team and we couldn’t have asked for anything more “us” than what we got! What part of wedding planning came as the biggest surprise? As a wedding planner myself, I always tell clients the last month is usually the most challenging because everyone needs information from you and payments. This was the most surprising, I guess, as I didn't know just how overwhelming it was. What was the most helpful piece of advice someone gave you about wedding planning? Don't sweat the small stuff - things will happen on the big day that may not be perfect, and just roll with it. It's the best day ever! Now that you've been through it yourself, what is the one thing you think all engaged couples should know before they plan the big day? Engaged couples should just really take it all in. I try to tell my clients to enjoy every moment of the planning process. Things can get hectic and overwhelming, but it is one hell of a ride and definitely worth the journey! At the end of the day, you get to have the most magical celebration with those you love (and your new spouse!) VENDORS Photography by Boyfriend/Girlfriend Pictures Wedding Planning by Melissa Andre Events Ceremony at The Spoke Club Reception at Berkeley Church Stationery by Paper & Poste Flowers by Nous Design Group Bouquets by Blush & Bloom Linens by Around the Table Cake by Nadia & Co Ice Cream Sandwiches by Sweet Sammies Photo booth by Mango Studios Check out more real weddings here: This Glamorous Gatsby-Inspired Real Wedding Will Never Go Out of Style Because a New York City Wedding is Always a Good Idea This Dairy Queen Love Story is About to Melt Your Heart (VIDEO) Got a tough wedding question? Download the Loverly app to chat FREE with one of our virtual wedding planners and choose from affordable planning packages.