Nine pairs of last minute lovers said “I do” in a marathon pop-up wedding event in Toronto on Friday.
“Essentially they pay six hundred bucks, they get their flowers, their music, their legal officiant, their ceremony setting, a champagne toast and a photographer and a portrait session,” Lynzie Kent, the wedding planner who put on the multi-matrimonial event, told CTV Toronto.
The weddings were held in the basement of the swanky Drake Hotel, with couples saying their vows from 11 a.m. until seven that night. No planning was necessary - the soon-to-be-betrothed simply had to show up.
With most of the products and services for this event being donated by local businesses, all of the money made -- about six thousand dollars -- was donated to SKETCH Working Arts, a charitable organization that provides art programs to homeless youth.
“Most people said they just didn't want the stress,” Kent said of the event’s appeal. “They're trying to buy a house in Toronto. It's so expensive, they don’t want to spend a lot on a wedding.”
A one-stop wedding definitely appealed to the de Guzmans.
“I think we wanted to do something unique -- something small and simple with our family,” Aaron de Guzman said outside the Drake, donning a resplendent blue suit and pink sneakers.
“It was wonderful,” his beaming bride, Andrea, added. “It was beautiful. It was exciting. We were tickled!”
With a report from CTV Toronto’s Scott Lightfoot
