On a secluded beach in the south of France Sukrit popped the question to Janet in a most unusual way—he handed her a personalized crossword puzzle. All the clues and answers in the puzzle related to aspects of their relationship (like the name of their cat!). The puzzle also included the big question: Will you marry me?

Obviously Janet said, “Yes,” but she always teased Sukrit that he wasn’t down on one knee when he proposed. Fast-forward to their wedding day when Sukrit greeted Janet on bended knee pre-ceremony. “I guess he wanted to make it up to me,” Janet laughs. “I’m not usually an emotional person, but I burst into tears when I saw him,” she recalls.

Shortly after their engagement Janet and Sukrit brought planning professional Melissa Andre on board to help narrow down their vision for the big day. They didn’t have a specific theme in mind, just that they wanted to host an urban celebration with great food and vibrant colours. “We wanted something modern and fluid that would be guest-friendly,” Janet explains.

The two decided on a late afternoon ceremony followed directly by a reception at a venue nearby. “That way guests didn’thave to wait around for hours in between,” Janet notes.

Another important consideration was paying tribute to their diverse backgrounds: Janet is of Korean descent and was raised in Canada while Sukrit grew up in Dubai. “We’re a unique couple and we wanted our wedding to reflect two different people coming together,” Janet confirms. A traditional Christian ceremony at Toronto’s Metropolitan United Church acknowledged Janet’s family background, while a Hindu ceremony at Malaparte in the TIFF Bell Lightbox honoured Sukrit’s roots.

With so many diverse components scheduled for the day, Janet also organized several outfit changes. For the church she donned a dreamy blush pink gown by Monique Lhuillier, while for the Hindu ceremony she changed into a fuchsia sari that was a gift from her mother-in-law. She slipped into a slinky lace dress by Claire Pettibone to finish off the night.

Despite the fact Malaparte was dressed to the nines for the reception with floral print chairs, shimmering gold lamps and bold flower arrangements in bright shades of orange and pink, Janet only had eyes for her magnificent wedding cake, a six-tiered Cakes by Konstadin confection adorned with gold leaf details and lifelike orchids. “I was a cake skeptic,” Janet admits. “I really didn’t think the cake was that important, but Melissa (Andre) encouraged me to reconsider.”

Janet did some research and presented her ideas to Konstadin, who merged them all into one astonishing creation. “I had seen some sketches of the cake but nothing prepared me for seeing it in person,” Janet states. “It ended up being my favourite detail.”

To end the night on a high note, Janet and Sukrit headed to the dance floor for their first twirl as husband and wife. The quirky twosome selected the upbeat tune “I’d Rather Dance with You” by Kings of Convenience. “It reflects us in a nutshell,” Janet observes. “It’s different, not overly serious, fun and happy.”

Janet and Sukrit agree the wedding was a perfect representation of who they are. “Our wedding was colourful, modern, multifaith and multicultural,” the duo concludes.

Janet Lee and Sukrit Ganguly, September 22, 2012, Toronto, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Jean-Marc Robin at Ikonica.

Vendors
Ceremony location: Christian ceremony at Metropolitan United Church; Hindu ceremony at Malaparte in the TIFF Bell Lightbox
Reception location: Malaparte in the TIFF Bell Lightbox
Bridal gown: Monique Lhullier (ceremony); Claire Pettibone (reception)
Cake: Cakes by Konstadin
Caterer: Oliver & Bonacini
Flowers: Hoopla Event Design & Styling and Jackie O
Hair: Salon Y
Music: Mint Lifestyle Events
Stationery: Smock
Wedding planner: Melissa Andre Events

See more photos from this chic multicultural wedding in Toronto, Ontario.

 

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