A close-up shot of the brides on the wooden bridge, their foreheads touching and eyes closed. The soft fabric of the bride’s veil and the intricate braiding in the other bride’s hair are visible, along with the serene expressions on their faces as they stand together in the winter setting.

A Black Queer Jewish (Winter) Wedding

At Amy (she/her) and Tamika’s (she/her) chic winter wedding in the heart of Montreal, Amy rocked a stunning white gown with a daring slit, and Tamika turned heads in a sharp white suit. Their day was full of those little moments that make a wedding unforgettable – from their intimate first look to dancing the night away with their closest friends and family.

How did you two meet, and when did you realize you were meant to be together?

It all started on an ordinary day at a mutual friend’s gathering. There wasn’t any dramatic movie-style moment – no slow-motion eye contact across the room – but there was definitely a spark. 

At first, it wasn’t love at first sight, but there was something that drew us together. 

As we spent more time together, that initial curiosity blossomed into a deep connection. We found shared passions, endless laughter, and a comfort that felt like home. It wasn’t long before we knew we had found something special.

Tell us about your engagement. What made it so unforgettable?

Our engagement story is one for the books! It happened at a Taylor Swift concert. The energy of the crowd, the excitement in the air, and the music we both love – it was the perfect backdrop for the start of our forever. We were on such a high afterward that we didn’t want to wait long to get married! 

We set our wedding date for just a few months later, which, of course, brought its own challenges, but we were too excited to care. 

We were just so ready to start this next chapter together.

Planning a wedding on a short timeline must have been intense. How did you manage it?

It was definitely a whirlwind! We faced some logistical challenges, like coordinating with vendors, finalizing the guest list, and ensuring every detail was perfect. But we were lucky to have an incredible support system. 

Our friends and family rallied around us, offering their time, resources, and talents. Every detail became a labor of love from those closest to us. We made a pact to stay focused on the joy of getting married and not let the stress overshadow our happiness. 

Whenever things got tough, we reminded each other that the most important thing was our love and commitment. Everything else was just icing on the cake.

A pair of pointed white heels are arranged on a dark wooden surface next to a clutch adorned with pearls and rhinestones in an intricate floral pattern.
A bride in a white double-breasted suit stands with her hands in her pockets, her hair styled in a high braided bun, in a warmly lit room.
The two brides stand facing each other in front of a large window, with natural light illuminating their outfits—a white suit and a flowing gown.
The brides are closely embracing, with one bride resting her head gently against the other, as they stand in front of a window.
The brides are shown holding hands with their fingers intertwined, standing side by side. The fabric of their outfits, a suit and a gown, is softly draped.
The brides stand together with four bridesmaids, who are dressed in deep green velvet dresses and hold small bouquets. The group is gathered in a living room, sharing smiles.
A small, delicate bouquet of blush pink roses, accented with soft green foliage, rests on a wooden windowsill. The bouquet's petals are gently illuminated by the natural light streaming through the nearby window, highlighting the intricate details of each flower.
A bride stands outside the River Café, dressed in a white double-breasted suit with a long, flowing white cape draped over her shoulders. The venue, adorned with twinkling lights and winter greenery, provides a charming backdrop as she walks confidently along the path.
The two brides walk arm in arm outside the River Café, one in a white suit and the other in a gown with a deep V-neckline and a thigh-high slit. The bride in the gown holds a bouquet of pastel flowers, and the couple shares a quiet, tender moment as they walk together.
The brides walk side by side on a snowy path, both smiling and engaged in conversation. The bride in the gown holds her bouquet, while the bride in the suit casually places her hands in her pockets, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.
The brides stand close together on a wooden bridge with their foreheads gently touching. Behind them, a snowy landscape and tall buildings create a serene, urban winter backdrop. The bride in the gown lightly holds the arm of her partner, who stands with hands in pockets, creating a moment of quiet connection.
A close-up shot of the brides on the wooden bridge, their foreheads touching and eyes closed. The soft fabric of the bride’s veil and the intricate braiding in the other bride’s hair are visible, along with the serene expressions on their faces as they stand together in the winter setting.

What inspired the overall theme and vibe of your wedding?

We wanted our wedding to reflect us: elegant, simple, and full of love. The River Café was the perfect choice, with its beautiful location and exceptional cuisine. We had dined there many times before, so we knew we were in good hands. The food, the atmosphere, the ability to host both the ceremony and reception all in one place, it all aligned perfectly with our vision. It was also important for us to have an inclusive and diverse celebration, with elements that reflected our Black, Jewish, and queer identities.

Did you incorporate any special traditions or personal touches into your wedding?

Yes! Our ceremony had a unique “Jew-ish” twist, blending elements of Jewish tradition with our own personal touches. It was important to us that our wedding day honored our heritage while also reflecting who we are as a couple. 

We also wrote our own vows, which made the ceremony even more personal and meaningful. Sharing those promises in front of our loved ones was one of the most memorable moments of the day.

What were some of your favorite moments from the day?

There were so many! One standout moment was our first look. Seeing each other in our wedding outfits, in that quiet, intimate moment before the ceremony – it was everything we hoped it would be. 

The ceremony itself was incredibly special, especially when we exchanged our vows. 

But we also loved the little moments like the champagne toast, the lively cocktail hour, and dancing the night away with our friends and family. The whole day was a blur of joy and celebration.

Guests sit attentively inside the warmly lit venue, waiting for the ceremony to begin. The black-and-white image captures a mix of adults and children, with expressions ranging from calm anticipation to light conversation, all seated in rows of wooden chairs.
One bride walks down the aisle with her partner and an older man, each holding one of his arms. The bride wears a sleek gown with a thigh-high slit, while her partner wears a tailored white suit. They are surrounded by guests who watch with smiles and admiration as they make their way down the aisle.
The brides stand hand in hand during their ceremony in front of a rustic stone fireplace adorned with a floral arrangement. One bride is dressed in a white suit, while the other wears a flowing gown with sheer sleeves. The officiant reads from a book, creating an intimate and warm atmosphere inside the cozy venue.
The brides share their first kiss as a married couple in front of the stone fireplace, which is decorated with a garland of flowers. The image captures the couple's embrace as they hold each other close, framed by the rustic, warm setting of the venue.
The couple, hand in hand, steps back together after completing a traditional wedding ritual in front of the fireplace, both looking down with smiles on their faces.
The couple walks into their reception holding hands, each holding a glass of champagne, as they are warmly greeted by their guests.
The couple poses with their bridal party, all wearing coordinating outfits in deep green velvet, sharing smiles and laughter during an outdoor photo session at dusk.
The couple shares a tender kiss at their reception table, with their guests seated around them, engaged in conversation.
A close-up of the wedding table, showing a bouquet of pink and cream flowers, a candle in a gold holder, and a slice of dessert, with an elegant beaded clutch placed next to the plate.
The couple shares an intimate embrace during their first dance, with the bride in a white dress and the other bride in a white suit, as they hold each other closely.
The couple kneels together on the dance floor, holding hands and sharing a moment of connection during their first dance, surrounded by their guests.
The couple dances joyfully together during their reception, with one bride in a dress and the other in a sleeveless top and trousers, both smiling brightly as they celebrate with their guests.

Photography by Brent Calis Photography

Other VendDress Park And Fifth
DJ Prince Morbucks
Caterer River Cafe
Makeup Freckles Artistry
Officiant Passing Time With Craig
Venue River Cafe

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