Shemeka & Michael first met at the Canadian Radio Music Awards in 2013. Michael spotted Shemeka from across the room and asked her media journalist friend to take a picture of the two of them. From there they exchanged numbers and four years later the pair became husband and wife.
Read all about Shemeka & Michael’s engagement as well as their sophisticated outdoor wedding at McLean House in Toronto, Ontario. The couple’s wedding was beautifully captured by MunaLuchi coterie member Samantha Clarke Photography.
Bride & Groom: Shemeka & Michael
Occupations: Nurse Educator & Music Producer
Wedding date: July 7th 2017
Wedding location: Sunnybrook Estates, McLean House
Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. Shemeka and I met at the Canadian Radio Music Awards in March 2013. I saw her from across the room and approached her and her friend (who happened to be a media journalist who was taking pictures) to take our picture. From there, Shemeka and I connected, exchanged numbers, and the rest is history. We spent 4 years building a relationship that eventually led to marriage.
The proposal: Shemeka is a smart girl, so I had to be subtle and quick with my proposal. I had designed the ring with a local jeweller in my home town of Cornwall Ontario. For me, going back to a small town to work closely with someone on a unique ring was important to me. Pommier Jewellers is a family business that has been around since 1937. Andre, now in charge, was the perfect fit to design the ring. After the ring was made, I drove to Cornwall after dropping Shemeka off at work to pick it up and then drove back. I hid the ring for 2 months while planning the proposal. The day of the proposal we woke up like any other day. I couldn’t make it obvious that anything was out of the ordinary. Once Shemeka got in the shower, I got into a full suit. When I heard the shower stop, I began to play “I Wanna Be Your Man” by Zapp & Roger on the bluetooth speaker in the bathroom. I swung open the door, got on one knee and asked her to marry me. Still soaking wet, she said yes. Following the proposal I revealed to Shemeka that I had called her boss and asked for her to have the day off. We then proceeded to have breakfast at the Thompson Hotel Dinner and then moved on to a stylish downtown Toronto nail salon for a full manicure and pedicure. If she was showing the ring to people, she had to have nice hands. From there we headed back to our condo. I had gone shopping the day before with her friend and picked out three dresses. I asked her to pick a dress to wear to dinner that evening at Bent, one of Susur Lee’s restaurants – one of Toronto’s top chefs. Once we arrived at the restaurant, Shemeka was greeted by friends and family for a surprise party that I had planned. It was a great end to a day and the beginning of a long journey together.
What was wedding shopping like for you? My wedding dress was timeless and beautiful. It was champaign and had a sweet heart neckline outlined with jewels. One fine detail was the lace and crystal which was embroidered throughout the entire dress from the bust to the end of the train. It was form fitting and elegant. Dress shopping was exciting and at times stressful. Looking for the perfect dress can consume your entire life because it’s such a magical and fun experience. I felt like a princess and could continue to try on dresses forever. But when I found “the one” I knew it for certain and was extremely excited.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? We incorporated a traditional Jamaican rum cake as a specialty dessert.
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: Custom robes embroidered with bridesmaids initials and matching silver earrings to be worn during the wedding.
Favorite item on the menu: Pasta and chicken
First dance song: Etta James’ “At Last,” then Snoop Dog’s “Drop it Like it’s Hot”
What is your best memory from your wedding? The best memory would have to be when my husband sang a portion of his vows to me which brought everyone to tears. It was so romantic and hearing his voice crack as he tried to hold back tears just melted my heart. He also performed an impromptu piano solo for me that brought a beautiful ending to a perfect night.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Start planning early. There are so many little details that you don’t even think of so if you have ample time to organize and plan, it will help to keep you stress free and sane. A wedding is an extremely personal event. Do not let others influence your vision or direction. Be fully present and take it all in as the day passes by so quickly.
Vendors:
Matt Pines – Live Ceremony Music and Dinner Music
Terence Lam – DJ
Flowers and decor- MW Flower & event design
Photography- Samantha Clarke
Wedding officiant- Enduring Promises
Wedding venue- Estates of Sunnybrook
Wedding dress- Bella’s Brides
Bridesmaids dresses- David’s Bridal
Hair- Carlene’s Beauty Lounge
Makeup- Neo’s Beauty [email protected]
Shoes- Nordstrom
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