Seen in MunaLuchi Bride Magzine Issue 31, this romantic fairy tale wedding in Quebec City, Canada, features timeless decor and Liberian wedding traditions.
A smile is worth a thousand words. At least that’s how the saying goes. But for Aisha, when she first met her future husband, Francis, his smile brought to mind one word only: love.
“Francis’s smile is contagious, and it’s infectious and it makes you feel safe and close to him immediately,” Aisha shares lovingly. “That’s what made me fall in love with him in the first two minutes we met, and it hasn’t changed since.”
After meeting online only one month before the COVID lockdown, the couple’s connection quickly grew into something much deeper. Despite the state of the world, love blossomed between them.
Post-Covid restrictions, the couple ventured to Positano, Italy, where Francis planned an intimate proposal at the Adamo ed Eva by Eden Roc restaurant overlooking the Amalfi coast. At dusk, Francis proposed with a gorgeous Tiffany engagement ring while a photographer waited incognito to capture all the details!
Their romantic fairy tale wedding in Quebec City, Canada, was a beautiful celebration of their union and culture.
The Bride honored her Liberian roots with a traditional African Kola nut ceremony during their reception while the Groom paid tribute to his ancestors (one of whom was a workman who helped build Le Petit Seminaire–their wedding venue!) in 1675.
Aisha adds, “…We felt a deep connection to the venue. We loved the classic beauty of the all-white ballroom, its immaculate carved walls, and its French charm, which matched the vision of our wedding.”
From a romantic ball gown to elegant decor and white florals, prepare to fall in love with Aisha and Francis’ beautiful wedding day!
*Purchase a copy of issue 31 here!
- Couple: Aisha Dukule & Francis Levesque
- Location of Wedding: Quebec City, Canada
- Wedding Date: July 22nd, 2023
- Photographer for Wedding: Cagdas Yoldas Photography
Quick Facts From the Bride:
- Wedding flowers: White roses, white spray roses, white hydrangeas, and a touch of greenery run down the chandeliers. We had a broken arch for our church wedding statement piece; the bouquet was white roses.
- Favorite item on the menu: My favorite item on the menu was the fresh oysters we shared during cocktail hour. I felt like they were such a special treat for guests and really added an extra flair of opulence.
- Ceremony entrance song: “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen (song by opera-trained singer, Pascale Boulanger)
- First dance song: KEM, “I Can’t Stop Loving You”
- Advice for brides: Make sure to be present and enjoy the process of wedding planning and the day of the wedding. Nothing is perfect. Just have fun!
Tell us how you met:
Francis and I met online a month before the COVID lockdown.
Describe your wedding dress and your favorite wedding accessory.
My dress was a romantic royal ball gown in Mikado with an off-the-shoulder wrapped bodice and an absolutely gorgeous long train made by Milla Nova. The dress was purchased in Old Town Alexandria. I tried on over 40 dresses and went all the way to New York until I found the perfect one. I had a one-of-a-kind bow created that had long tails over 120in long, and a cathedral-length veil. The bridesmaids’ dresses were from Birdy Gray and in a champagne color.
Francis proposed to Aisha with a Tiffany engagement ring in Positano, Italy in a restaurant (Adamo ed Eva by Eden Roc) overlooking the Amalfi coast at dusk. They went for dinner at a restaurant, and Francis had a photographer waiting incognito. Once they settled in, the moment for the big question arrived!
– Elisabeth B. Weddings & Events
How did you know they were “the one”?
He’s the kind of guy I always dreamed of. I still remember the first time I saw him. I remember thinking that he seemed so nice. He had a huge smile across his face, and I couldn’t wait to reach out and grab his hand. Francis’s smile is contagious and it’s infectious and it makes you feel safe and close to him immediately. That’s what made me fall in love with him in the first two minutes we met, and it hasn’t changed since.
Describe your wedding style:
I’ve always loved a romantic fairytale. We wanted to use the gorgeous backdrop of the oldest fortified city in North America, Old Quebec, and really play on that elegant, timeless beauty. I also wanted the details to shine and made sure to use restraint.
For my dress, I chose a ball gown dress with a dramatic train but simple pearl jewelry, all-white roses, and fresh greenery with candelabra centerpieces that gave the room brightness but a vintage touch at the same time.
I also wanted to make the wedding feel really personal, so we had a crest, personalized napkins, and a bar menu created. Our champagne escort wall with vintage glasses and scrolls gave it an old-world feel. I also love rose petals and wanted to make sure we were surrounded by them on our wedding day.
The venue:
Francis’s ancestor was one of the workmen who built Le Petit Seminaire in 1675, so we felt a deep connection to the venue. The mezzanine in the venue hosts a spectacular view of the Château Frontenac and the St. Lawrence River. We loved the classic beauty of the all-white ballroom, its immaculate carved walls, and its French charm, which matched the vision of our wedding.”
What is your best memory from your wedding?
We choose to let our mothers sign our wedding certificates. It was a beautiful moment and an opportunity to let them play a large role in the wedding ceremony, which mothers often don’t get. They are our best friends, so it was important for us as a way to show our appreciation for their love. We also loved sharing oysters during cocktail hour right after the wedding.
Food & Drink:
Oysters and finger food were served at the cocktail hour. We had late-night poutine served to celebrate Francis’ culture as a Quebecois. A Champagne wall was standing at the entrance of the reception room. Upon entrance, guests had to find the vintage champagne flute with their name on it to find their table number!
Aisha and Francis personalized the napkins used for the cocktail. They printed fun facts about the couple on them. Aisha designed her own invitations and menu cards.
– Elisabeth B. Weddings & Events
The tables were adorned with white silk-skin tablecloths and napkins, complemented by golden Chiavari chairs. Each place setting was a work of art, featuring 10” white porcelain plates with a golden rim, elegantly overlaying 13” glass show plates with matching gold rims. Vintage wine glasses and silver cutlery added a touch of classic refinement to the dining experience.
– Elisabeth B. Weddings & Events
Wedding Cake:
My cake was the perfect pop of color. A white cake with four tiers and blue ombre flowers made from rice paper cascading down from two little blue hummingbirds placed on top. It really stood out from the rest of the color palette and was a fun way to add personality to our wedding. Also, a week before the wedding, the groom’s parents were showing us their wedding keepsakes from 30 years ago, and to our surprise, they also had twin birds as their cake toppers!
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
We held a traditional African kola nut ceremony during the reception. The groom, together with his family, presents gifts such as kente cloth, money, and kola nuts to the bride’s family. They then announce their intentions and discuss the prospects of joining the two families through marriage. Once accepted the kola is eaten as a symbol of unity at weddings, and the groom’s acceptance into the family. The rest of the guests then join the family in a dance. It’s a Liberian tradition.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Be true to yourself. Your wedding is about your love for one another. There will be a lot of opinions on what you wear, food, colors…and that can be confusing. Remember that your wedding is about you and what you want, and won’t go wrong.
Looking for more Liberian wedding traditions?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Photographer: Cagdas Yoldas
- Planner: Elisabeth B. Weddings & Events
- Venue: Salle des Promotions
- Ceremony Location: St. Michael of Sillery Church
- Catering: Équilibre traiteur
- Cake: La Fleur Sucrée
- Florist: Élysée Fleurs
- Hair Stylist: Taiwo Oladipo
- Makeup Artist: Bianca Perez
- Rentals: Groupe ABP
- Rentals: La vie est une Fête
- Rentals: Occasion d’embellir
- DJ & MC: Kevin Oslen & Frédéric Malo
- Videography: Loic Dupuis
- Transportation: Limo Québec
- Transportation: Unitours
- Musicians: Pascale Boulanger & Laurent Porter
- Suit: Moore’s
- Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey
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