Katrine and Joseph’s wedding theme all started with a song. When they were picking a date, the line Do you remember the 21st night of September? from Earth, Wind & Fire’s iconic hit felt like a perfect fit. “It’s one of our favourite songs,” Katrine said. “We thought it’d be cool to actually get married on that day.” As if the stars aligned, the 21st of September the year after their engagement fell on a Saturday. It also happened to be Joseph’s parents’ wedding anniversary.
With a nod to the song’s infectious 70s vibe, the couple leaned into a retro disco theme for their reception, blending it with boho and industrial touches “We wanted something fun and unique, rather than formal and classic,” Katrine explained. “After the church ceremony, some of our guests switched into their disco inspired attire for the reception.” They chose warm, autumnal tones to match the season, even though on the day itself it felt more like summer than autumn!
For their outfits, Katrine managed to find a sample dress at a liquidation sale that fit almost perfectly, needing only minor alterations, while Joseph’s suit lining featured artwork from one of his favourite artists.
The day began with a traditional Catholic ceremony, a priority for both of their families. Katrine walked down the aisle to a piano rendition of ABBA’s Dancing Queen. “Our first look happened in the church backyard, which felt really intimate,” she said. After the ceremony, they gave their guests banh mi sandwiches, and Vietnamese coffee that Joseph brewed and bottled the day before.
Their reception at The Loft in the Distillery District was perfect for their intimate guest list of 70. The space was already naturally beautiful, so it didn’t need much in terms of décor. They crafted table number records, name cards, a mirror seating chart, and had a guest book fashioned from a record sleeve.
Looking back, they appreciated their choice to keep the guest list small, focusing on quality time with loved ones. “Having an intimate wedding allowed us to spend more of our budget on each guest,” Katrine said. It also meant they could invest in meaningful details without breaking the bank.
Their advice for other couples? “Focus on what matters most to you,” Katrine concluded. “Not everything will go according to plan, but just have fun in the moment. And if you can, invest in a day-of coordinator or a trusted friend to help things run smoothly.”
