There’s something undeniably magical about a New Year’s Eve wedding It’s an excuse to infuse your special day with extra sparkle, festive atmosphere, and a guaranteed memorable celebration As you begin your new life together, the countdown to midnight will be etched in your memory forever Your guests arrive already primed for a party, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.
Even if you’re still unsure about this unique date, Lisa and Thomas’s enchanting New Year’s Eve wedding in Toronto, beautifully captured by Rebecca Wagler of Wee Three Sparrows, is sure to win you overThe couple’s gold sequin theme was flawlessly executed, starting with Lisa’s stunning Truvelle gown Their big day expertly balanced fun and celebration with refined elegance and romance.
With nods to the special night, they incorporated countdown cocktails, NYE party hats, alarm clock decor, and midnight treats – creating an atmosphere that was equal parts whimsical and memorableWhat truly resonates is how Lisa honored her late mother in a thoughtful yet tasteful manner As any couple will attest, finding ways to pay tribute to loved ones without overshadowing the celebration can be a challenge.
I believe Lisa and Thomas’s ceremony gestures offer valuable lessons for couples seeking inspiration on how to do just thatLisa also offered some sage advice: ‘I had to remind myself that hours of Pinterest browsing and blog searching aren’t actually planning’ A cautionary tale many of us can relate to, including myself.
Wedding Day Snapshot
The Inspiration
As we were planning our special day, the inspiration for the wedding was straightforward – our own wedding date: New Year’s Eve It symbolized a new chapter in our lives together, a fresh start Our guests echoed this sentiment, thrilled to have an excuse to dress up and celebrate outside of their usual holiday routines The theme emerged naturally as we combined elements of New Year’s Eve elegance with art deco and Gatsby-inspired flair, which I incorporated into the font choices.
A rose gold and gold sequin colour palette added a touch of sophistication In essence, our wedding was about exuding elegance, glamour, and intimacy all at once.
The Photography
While searching for my ideal photographer online, I stumbled upon Rebecca Wagler of Wee Three Sparrows on a wedding blog that had become my go-to resource It was love at first sight – her featured work immediately caught my attention and when I delved deeper into her website, I was hooked What drew me to her style was its raw, organic quality, perfectly capturing intimate moments where the bride and groom exuded a natural ease, as if they weren’t aware of being photographed at all.
Her photos didn’t scream ‘commercial’ or ‘staged,’ but instead felt deeply personal and artistic, striking a perfect balance between modernity and timeless classicism.
The Attire
Embracing unconventional style, I opted for a show-stopping rose gold sequin dress that exuded the perfect blend of glamour and sophistication for New Year’s celebrations The decision to venture beyond traditional norms allowed me to truly express myself through fashion In a similar display of trust and empowerment, my sister was given the freedom to choose her own outfit as my Maid of Honor, allowing her to shine in whatever made her feel confident and beautiful.
Remembering Those Not Present
Three years ago, my mother passed away, leaving me with a deep sense of loss As I prepared to marry the love of my life, the thought of celebrating without her present was almost too much to bear To mitigate this emotional pain, I chose to infuse our special day with small yet meaningful tributes to her memory A memorial chair at the ceremony became a poignant focal point, where I placed flowers and other mementos that reminded me of her love and guidance.
I also adorned the signing table and mantle with vintage black and white wedding photographs, including cherished images of my mother and father, as a way to honor our beloved family members who had preceded us in passing This thoughtful gesture allowed us to feel their spirits lingering around us, even in their physical absence To further honor my mother’s memory, I curated a playlist featuring her favorite artists’ songs and invited loved ones to share readings that spoke to their souls.
Meanwhile, distant relatives unable to join us in person were able to participate in the ceremony through a live Facetime feed on an iPad, allowing them to feel included and part of our joyous celebration.
The Music
One of the most memorable aspects of our special day was the music, which added a level of sophistication and romance to the evening The trio from Strings for Wedding set the tone perfectly, making every moment feel like a fairytale The processional family and bridal party walked down the aisle to the soothing sounds of Sheep may Safely Graze by Bach, while the bride made her entrance with Storybook Love, the iconic wedding song from The Princess Bride.
As we exchanged our vows, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen created an intimate atmosphere, making it a truly unforgettable experience During the recessional, Viva la Vida by Coldplay got everyone’s spirits soaring, and our first dance to What Are you Doing New Year’s Eve by Ella Fitzgerald and Rod Stewart was the perfect way to cap off the night.
The Venue
We were initially informed that our booked venue wouldn’t be able to honor our reservation due to a surprise sale, leaving us with limited time to find an alternative for New Year’s Eve Little did we know that this setback would ultimately lead us to discover a more suitable location for the celebration
As fate would have it, the second venue we found was a perfect match for the theme and exceeded our expectations in terms of ambiance and space.
The high ceilings, chandeliers, large windows, and dance floor created an atmosphere that was far more conducive to a memorable New Year’s Eve party than our initial choice
In hindsight, settling for the first venue would have resulted in a commercial banquet hall feel, which wasn’t part of our vision The Rosewater Supper Club, on the other hand, offered unique elements and versatile spaces that allowed us to create a more personalized experience.
One major advantage was having both the ceremony and reception at the same location, eliminating the need for transportation between venues The cocktail lounge downstairs from the ceremony and reception space provided an elegant setting where guests could mingle while we transitioned from the ceremony to the reception
The reception area itself featured a cozy lounge with a fireplace and comfortable seating, as well as an outdoor space with a fire pit, making it an ideal spot for socializing.
And perhaps the best part The venue was just steps away from our hotel, allowing us to stroll home at the end of the night without having to navigate the city’s crowded streets on New Year’s Eve.
The Budget
We were thrilled to find that the venue, food, and drink packages for New Year’s Eve were more reasonable than expected The venue itself was a gem, with characterful features like chandeliers, high ceilings, large windows, and crown moulding that required minimal additional décor The existing Christmas decorations around the windows added a lovely touchI did splurge a bit on flowers, but it was worth it to me as I love them.
The florist also provided glass votives for the tables and hurricane lamps that lit the aisle They cleverly used the reception table centrepieces to decorate the ceremony area using acrylic pedestals, and then flipped the room for the reception This multi-purpose approach not only saved on décor costs but also created a seamless transition between the two eventsThe same flowers were repurposed as lovely gifts for special guests to take home at the end of the night.
I found that small budget items can make a big impact, like my glittered gold canvases from Homesense and custom-made sequin table covers at a reasonable cost These thoughtful touches allowed me to create a unique atmosphere without breaking the bankI was also mindful of our guest list, limiting it to keep the event intimate yet still feel like a big celebration It’s easy to get carried away and want everyone you know there, but I wanted our guests to feel special and appreciated.
By being selective with our invitees, we were able to afford full dinner and drinks for everyone, making the night truly unforgettable.
The Flowers
The centerpiece of the bouquet was undoubtedly my beloved white peonies, harmoniously paired with Italian ruscus To add an extra layer of sophistication, I incorporated gold and rose gold sprayed greens, glittered berzelia berries, rose gold seeded eucalyptus, and silver dollar eucalyptus to create a stunning arrangement that was hand-tied with a long gold ribbon The result was nothing short of breathtaking.
Similarly, the centrepieces were designed around elegant rose gold mercury vases, filled with an assortment of white flowers including hydrangea, tibet white roses, quicksand roses, and sahara roses I added some subtle pops of color with white peonies, Italian ruscus, and a sprinkling of gold glittered berzelia berries and rose gold sprayed loose seeded eucalyptus.
For the groom’s bouquet, I opted for a simple yet elegant arrangement featuring a cluster of white spray roses, accented by gold berzelia and rose gold seeded eucalyptus A touch of Italian ruscus added some much-needed texture, tied together with a long gold ribbon.
The Decor & Details
My rose gold dress served as the muse for our New Year’s Eve-themed wedding To capture the festive atmosphere, I incorporated rose gold and gold accents throughout the venue Mercury glass votives and hurricane lamps lined the aisle, while gold glittered party crackers added a touch of whimsy to each seat Tom created custom easels for gold sequin canvases featuring fun sayings, and we designed specialty NYE drink menus for the bar.
A table filled with NYE party favors and hats offered guests a chance to get into the celebratory spirit The venue’s existing winter-themed décor, left over from Christmas, added a perfect touch of green and gold around the windows, striking just the right balance between festive and understated.
The Refreshments
As the clock struck midnight, our celebration kicked off with an array of signature New Year’s Eve cocktails that set the tone for an unforgettable night The Countdown Cocktail, Midnight Madras, and Resolution Rum Punch all made appearances on our menu, each one carefully crafted to toast the start of a new yearIn place of traditional wedding cake, we opted for something a little more indulgent – gourmet wedding doughnuts.
But these weren’t just any doughnuts – they came with a special ‘cake topper’ treat and a nod to the romantic moments that come with midnight, in the form of large gold Hershey kisses It was a sweet way to cap off an already magical night.
The Honeymoon
After exchanging vows, we deliberately postponed our honeymoon to allow ourselves time to recharge and unwind The initial quiet period following the wedding was a perfect opportunity to slow down, reflect on the special day, and enjoy opening gifts from loved ones Having a long-term goal in sight – in this case, planning a romantic getaway – has been a wonderful motivator for us to stay focused and work together as a team.
By delaying our honeymoon plans until spring, we’re able to recoup and save more for an unforgettable 2-week adventure.
