tiedphotography.com

So Kristie and I got iPhones. Yippety skip.

Don’t get me wrong I’m a Mac user and I enjoy my ipod and what not, it’s just really humbling and kinda depressing standing around at the Rogers store and having a 17 year old teach me how to use my phone. I should note, we’re not technophobes, we use a variety of hardware and software every day as part of our jobs, it’s just… I think I might be an old person now. When my new phone rang for the first time, I didn’t answer it. I was afraid. The second time it rang, I answered it but I couldn’t hear anything so I had to have my entire conversation with my Mother on speakerphone. I resolved the problem by googling my stupidity and then removing the thin piece of plastic that was covering the front of the phone. So there’s that. Also, I tend to drop the controller for the television every single time I pick it up, so at the moment I am handling my phone as though it were the Rothschild Faberge Egg.

This egg costs 14,155,124 CAD

The point of this is to tell you all about this handy new App we discovered while searching around for things for our phone to do besides talk to people who are not standing in front of us.This App was created by Appstract Art with assistance from Toronto’s very own Indie Wedding DJ. We had the pleasure of working with him at Kathryn and Brendan’s wedding this past summer, and can vouch for his ability to keep the dance floor full and moving. This is him describing how the App works.

This would have come in very handy when we planning our wedding let us know what you think.

Hi everyone! When last we spoke (type/read) I was tie-deep in apparel anxieties. Trying my to put together a wedding outfit that fit our day, looked great and was as local as possible. Those days are behind me now. I am a married man and as such I will be dressing myself exclusively in old boxers and discolored white t-shirts. Gone are the days of co-ordinating, ironing and dry cleaning, now I live forever in the halcyon days of comfort clothes and Dorrito stains (um… no. He does not. -K).

I’m mostly kidding. I love dressing well when the opportunity arises and my wedding was the greatest reason to treat myself to some great clothes. So now I’m gonna break down where I got my fancy duds.

But first, one of my favourite pics

Alright, so first my vest. We looked all over town for one and apparently it’s really hard to find just a vest. At least one that’s suitable for your wedding day and that’s not meant to be worn as a part of a suit. So we decided to get it tailor made, which is wonderful thing to do. We went to Gian-Paolo at Tailor Muse and he completely ruled. I can’t tell you how awesome it is to have someone (someone who is dressed as well as Gian-Paolo) assist you in coordinating you outfit. The vest was exactly what I was looking for and I couldn’t have been more pleased.

Next… the ties.

Keira at Handsome and Lace made these fantastic canary-yellow gingham ties for me and my mens. If you enjoy tying beautiful handcrafted things around your neck there is no one better to got to.

Socks!

I got these orange and yellow beauties at Theodore 1922. There definitely something to be said for buying a really nice pair of socks. Do it, you’ll see.

Lastly, my chapeaux (and a smushy pic).

While not made locally, my hat was purchased down the street at Brimz by Big it Up. So that sort of counts.

So that’s the first ‘what it is and where we got it’ post, stay tuned for more on our decor and of course my beautiful bride Kristie.

Hopefully that punny title didn’t scare everybody away, cause I’ve got something lovely to share with all of you. Toronto’s very own, original neck tie reformatory… Handsome and Lace!

Trying to find a unique tie that goes with what I’m wearing (Browns and Blues… I think) and one that also matches our over all colour scheme (Yellow, Blue, Pink and Orange) is no easy task. Oh sure, I could walk into any reputable men’s store and find a tie to match, but, I’d most likely be getting a solid colour, diagonal stripes or some sort of dot style pattern, any of which would be fine, if I wasn’t getting married on an island in what is essentially a barn. So what is a discerning groom to do?

The answer to that question is, to search the internet for hours, cursing the heavens, only to find what I’m looking for in my very own backyard.

Check it!

I’m leaning pretty heavily toward the last one. What do you think?

Now don’t get all crazy about that title, I realize there are plenty of sharply dressed grooms online. Just take a look at these TIED photographed fellows here, here, here and here. All of those gentlemen have found a way to bring a little something extra to a more traditional groom’s look. If mine and Kristie’s wedding weren’t taking place on an island in Toronto, at a clubhouse that was built in 1918 (so no AC), in the middle of August (I’m of Irish descent, so I’m pale and don’t do well in the heat), I would certainly take a page or two from their style books. Basically what I’m saying is, if I had to wear a three piece suit at my wedding I would probably faint. Luckily the look we are kinda going for is island-cocktail-retro-chic, unfortunately that is a look that doesn’t really exist as a Google search term.

This is as close as I’ve been able to find so far.

So, pants, vest, shirt, tie (maybe bow) and a sharp-ish hat. Why is it so difficult to find examples to share with our parents who are going crazy trying to coordinate their outfits out to what colour and style I’ll be wearing? I think it’s a very rare occurrence for the groom’s clothing to be more trouble than the bride’s, but that is where I’m at. Sorry Mom.

Anyways, I’ve decided not to order my clothes online and instead buy everything in my neighbourhood. I’ll start with the closest to our studio, Grreat Stuff. These fine folks specialize in designer clothing samples and one of a kind pieces that never went into production. I’ve found great trousers and shirts there. Yeah, I say trousers. So I’ll start looking there first just to see what is out there.

Next up I’ll pop in for a visit with our friend Tao at Cabaret. There I’ll be purchasing my hat and hopefully tie clips for myself, my Groomsmen and our Fathers.

They got Biltmore’s new spring summer line.

Lastly I will be completing my clothing journey at Got Style’s new location at Bathurst and Wellinton. Kristie and I popped in there recently and were super impressed with their selection, staff and price point. I’m pretty confident I will be able to find the majority of my wedding day wear with them.

I’ll pop back in when I’ve  got the entire ensemble put together. Until then you will have to wait patiently with bated breath.

Oh and no post about mens fashion would be complete with out making fun of male models.

Honestly watch this video and try to imagine all the awesome conversations these guys must have with one another. The guy at 00:09 secs is the best.

We’re very excited….Tied’s lovely couple Lakeyshia and Adam have been featured on Wedding Nouveau and MyWedding.com.
Check it out, and while your there, look around and get inspired!

The Demoiselle- The Inspired Wedding Accessory Blog has featured one of our weddings on their site!

You can find our wonderfully adorable couple Lakeyshia and Adam, plus info on all Lakeyshia’s wedding accessories by clicking here

If you have not been to The Demoiselle Blog yet.. you need to go now- and give youself a few hours, its fantastic!

having a night out with your honey and not sure where to go…

check our list of favorite date spots around the city

this list is a compilation of mine and Brendens favorite spots with input from our clients , friends and family.

please help us to populate this list

a cozy way to spend a snowy sunday evening listening to city’s best country music.. The Cameron Family Singers at the Cameron House

 tequila testing for two!

 share your fish n chippy’s under a tree in Trinity Bellwoods Park

Cinemacabre at the Bloor   here’s your chance to hold her close… enjoy a delicious microbrew at  The Victory Cafe afterwords

 

it doesn’t get much datier than ice cream… and the Big Chill has fresh made waffle cones!

a romantic little side street patio and the best cuban food in town.. make a reservation

 The EX… nothin’ says lovin’ like corn dogs and nausea

 our personal favorite, we wish we could eat it everyday

Music down by the water all summer long… great food,  TO sunsets and tonnes of art.