A Hip DIY Hotel Ocho Wedding

Some think that having a DIY wedding means making compromises and coming up short on the details, but Jessica and Matt’s Hotel Ocho wedding prove the exact opposite. This colourful couple had a beautiful wedding, featuring some of the most stunning DIY details we’dve ever seen. Keeping in theme with their creative vision they had for their wedding, Jessica and Matt chose the iconic  Hotel Ocho as their venue, located downtown Toronto near Chinatown. Needless to say, this classically quirky couple pulled off their dream Hotel Ocho wedding.

It was pretty amazing how well Hotel Ocho’s ambiance flowed with the couple’s aura, and their vision for the day. The exposed brick walls provided a warm, rustic feel to the day, and was complimented by Jessica and Matt’s choice of decor. Being sure not to go over the top with draping, pin lighting, and the whole nine yards, they managed to make the space their own with just minor details. Some colorful throw pillows, a banner for the bar, some paper flowers and lanterns were all they needed to create the venue of their dreams.

Both the bride and groom were able to get ready for their Hotel Ocho wedding at the actual venue, thanks to the uber cool rooms on the upper levels. Jessica’s whimsical wedding gown fit the theme flawlessly, and her pointy-toed polka dot heels definitely added a dose of her fun personality to her look—not to mention her fabulous headpiece that nearly stole the show. Keeping up with his soon-to-be wife’s awesomely quirky fashion sense, Matt accessorized with a dashing pink floral tie and matching pocket square, along with a blue rose lapel pin to match his snazzy blue suit.

Jessica and Matt shared their first look in front of their homemade cloud of paper lanterns, and was one of the most intense first look moments we’ve encountered. The photos capture the raw beauty and emotion of their first time seeing each other on their wedding day—a moment they’ll have to cherish and look back on, forever.

The pair looked picture perfect on their big day, and their bridal party was no exception. Jessica’s bridesmaids donned flowy pale pink dresses that accentuated her decor and bouquet perfectly, while Matt’s groomsmen rocked black suits that contrasted beautifully with his blue one.

After snapping some shots at Hotel Ocho, we headed to the couple’s favorite record store, Sonic Boom for some nostalgic photos—they got some adorable shots wandering through the aisles, and listening to some of their favorite tunes. We then moved onto a graffiti alley, where the vivid colors created a backdrop perfect for Jessica and Matt.

Once the ceremony and photos were finally over, it was clear the newlyweds were ready to let loose. They celebrated their nuptials by having a New Orleans jazz band march through the venue to get the party started, and didn’t stop until all their guests were on the dance floor, getting down and eating donuts. We can’t think of a better way to end the night.