Raptors Superfans Return Home to Marry On Top of Toronto

From our first FaceTime ‘meet up’ with Geraldine and André in late 2017 to talk about their 2019 Toronto wedding, we had the feeling that we had known each other and been friends for years. The similarities in our stories, our interests and aspects of our backgrounds were unreal. There was an instant connection and so much to talk about!!

They’re incredibly cute when they talk about how they met. Here is how Geraldine describes their meeting:

The year I moved back home to Toronto was a life changing one. I started a new job at a downtown architecture firm, made new friends and was starting fresh after spending quite a few years in Ottawa.
When I heard the office organized a beach volleyball team, I jumped on it. Volleyball was my all time favourite sport to play and it had been years since I competed on a team. So I joined. Amongst the players there was one that stood out. Not just because he literally stood a foot above the rest, but because he played pretty decently. (He's lucky that most of our team was trash). This guy had skills, spiked the ball like a pro, and best of all was so humble about it. He was generally just a nice guy, and even invited his sister to join us for a few games, and she was super friendly too. I knew he came from a family with good values.
I didn't think too much of it until later in the year. I'd see him around similar circles of friends. It wasn't long before he and I started talking about all the things we had in common. A passion for volleyball, the Raptors, music, travel, and a love for Toronto. He was so kind-hearted, patient and he actually listened to and remembered everything I had to say.

The interest was growing and sparks were flying!! A lunch together turned into dinners (plural!!) which turned into dating which turned into the sweetest of love stories.

In 2016, a very exciting opportunity presented itself: to work and study in Central London, UK! A few months into their English adventure, after a memorable dinner, André proposed to Geraldine on a rooftop garden. She immediately said yes. As he puts it, 'It was the best feeling in the world’, so good in fact, that he proposed a second time the next day at the top of The Shard where Geraldine reiterated .... Yes!

Junilo and I had the honour of travelling to London, UK to document their English engagement story in some of their favourite architectural sights. We spent the day roaming through the city, with two of the best tour guides possible, capturing their love for each other and the city that had become their home.

Fifteen months later, it was time for the lovebirds to ‘fly’ home to celebrate their wedding with their families and friends on top of Toronto. As it was such a homecoming, everything about the day was full of meaning and appreciated by both André and Geraldine. We captured getting ready photos in Geraldine and Andrés old condo buildings, we travelled to one of their first dates locations for photos and ended on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre at the stunningly chic, The One Eighty wedding venue. With clear sight lines of downtown Toronto and the CN Tower, Geraldine and André celebrated their wedding in the city they love so much. Their wedding festivities wouldn’t have been complete without incorporating their great love of basketball and the Toronto Raptors into their wedding decor! All around the wedding venue, they posted quotes of different Raptors players. Guests were welcome to guess ‘who said what’ which added to the entertainment during the wedding reception. And in true basketball style, the wedding party made their wedding reception entrance as the starting lineup for the night. The entrance got the crowd hyped for a memorable night celebrating DIne and Dre’s marriage.

One of the most memorable wedding experiences to date, we ended the day feeling incredibly appreciative for the experience and memories our couples give us. #memoriestolastalifetime

Venue: The One Eighty | Caterer: Eatertainment | Wedding Dress: Vagabond Bridal | Groom’s Suit: William Hunt | Hair: Nicole Graftner | Makeup: Artistrhi | Floral Design: Bloom Plus | Wedding Invitations: Designed by Bride