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Fashion-forward Red Wedding at Nobu Toronto and Luma

  • 2 days ago
  • 4 min read

Updated: 5 minutes ago




Make Up Artist: Estelle Phillips
Digital Video: Patrick Hodgson

Joe and Sundy first met in residence at King’s Court at Wilfrid Laurier University, both enrolled in the business program and completely unaware that a lifelong story was quietly beginning. What started as friendship slowly unfolded into something deeper; and after a first date at Swiss Chalet, they both sensed this was more than just university romance.


They grew up alongside one another in many ways, navigating the natural highs and growing pains that come with building a life together so young. After graduation, they moved in together, later became engaged, and three years after that, promised each other forever.


After eleven years together and having earned their graduating class’ “Cutest Couple” title, they were one of the longest-standing love stories to come out of Laurier. Many had been cheering them on for years, waiting for this moment.


On November 22nd, 2025, surrounded by their closest family and friends, they finally celebrated their marriage with an intimate dinner party in downtown Toronto; a day that felt less like a milestone and more like the most natural continuation of a love that had already stood the test of time.






The morning began at Nobu Toronto, where they got ready alongside a small circle of close friends and family. In a serene suite overlooking the city, the bride, her bridesmaids, and both mothers were styled by Shannon Petrolito, Estelle Phillips, and Lexi Odin; setting a tone that felt intimate, calm, and quietly celebratory.



Sundy leaned into her signature aesthetic with a bold red lip — Fenty’s Stunna Lip Paint — paired with a matching red manicure in Take My Hand. Deep red Jacquemus Cubisto pumps added a striking, fashion-forward contrast beneath her Kyha wedding dress.


DUE TO THE COUPLE'S LOVE FOR ANALOG FILM, THIS WEDDING WAS
SHOT ON A MIX OF DIGITAL, 35MM, MEDIUM FORMAT FILM AND SUPER 8.

She personally conceptualized the wedding’s visual identity, drawing inspiration from the mood of an intimate, candlelit date night layered in deep reds and rich, shadowed tones. The aesthetic extended beyond florals and fashion into thoughtfully designed paper and signage details. From custom bar menus and a mirrored welcome display to the guest book and a pared-back seating chart, each element was created and printed by Sundy herself, reinforcing a cohesive, modern atmosphere that felt entirely their own.

When collaborating with Fable Floral Designs, Sundy shared a deeply personal detail: her husband’s last name, Flaifel, translates to “pepper” in Arabic. Rather than treat it as a novelty, she envisioned it as a subtle design motif woven thoughtfully throughout the day.


The florals embraced structural silhouettes and a modern monochrome palette, punctuated by delicate hot peppers tucked into her bouquet, Joe’s boutonniere, the ceremony installations, and even the tablescapes. The effect was sculptural, unexpected, and entirely personal.


The detail did not go unnoticed. A family friend gathered as many peppers as he could find and later surprised them with homemade chili oil labeled “Red Hot Lady” and “Strong Spicy Man.” It was a playful nod to Joe’s Arabic heritage (and a fitting reflection of her spirited personality), turning a symbolic design choice into a memory their families will never forget.


She walked down the aisle to "Can't Help Falling In Love with You," overcome with emotion from the first note to the last. It was a moment that felt both deeply cinematic and moving.

Rather than choosing a traditional officiant, they opted for a celebrant who could speak to their story with honesty and familiarity. The role was entrusted to the groom’s cousin, someone who had witnessed their relationship unfold over the years and could reflect on it with warmth and authenticity.


They wrote their own vows, reading them to one another surrounded by their closest family and friends in a standing ceremony at Luma. With the restaurant’s intimate setting framing the moment, guests gathered closely around, cheering and sharing in the reflection of eleven years together. The result was deeply personal: a ceremony that felt less like a formal exchange and more like a collective celebration of a love that had quietly grown alongside them.



Following the ceremony, they transitioned seamlessly into cocktail hour, raising glasses of their signature drinks: a classic gin sour and a perfectly chilled dirty martini. Passed hors d’oeuvres circulated as they moved effortlessly through the room, fully present with their guests and savoring every moment of the celebration. Not a second of the evening was missed.



What unfolded that evening was not simply a wedding, but a reflection of who Sundy and Joseph are: thoughtful, spirited, deeply rooted in history, and unapologetically themselves. From the symbolic details woven into the florals to the music that carried their story, every element felt intentional. Set against the backdrop of downtown Toronto, their celebration at Luma was intimate yet electric: a gathering shaped by eleven years of shared growth, laughter, and love, and the effortless confidence of two people who had long known they would end up here.

 
 
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