An electrifying mix of glamour, elegance, wow-worthy entertainment and remarkable hospitality made for a wedding unlike anything Ottawa has ever seen before.
Nicole and Saverino Spagnolo | August 10, 2024
Photos by Abner Reyes, Air Studio
When Saverino Spagnolo proposed to Nicole Khalil in epic style at an international hotspot, it was the prelude to a 2024 Ottawa wedding that was absolutely dazzling.
Coming from the families behind two iconic restaurants in the city—Nicole from Napoli’s Cafe and Saverino from Mamma Teresa Ristorante—these two were uniquely equipped to make their big day incredibly special.
And boy did they ever.
First though, Saverino headed to another local family business on an all-important mission: “My fiancé purchased a stunning ring from Howard Fine Jewellers at 220 Sparks Street,” Nicole notes. “The ring was everything I ever dreamed of and more.”
Saverino presented it—and asked her to be his wife—at one of their favourite places outside Ottawa: the Versace Mansion in Miami, Florida. The date was February 27, 2023, and Nicole describes the backdrop as “a landmark with incredible history, architectural beauty and European, Italian craftsmanship.
“It was such a beautiful surprise. He even flew in our family and closest friends to share the moment with us, making it feel truly magical.”
The bride-to-be embraced that magic and added a whole lot of extra sparkle for the summer nuptials 18 months later in Canada’s capital. She knew just what she wanted: “A glamorous, old-Hollywood celebration with a Marilyn Monroe and Great Gatsby vibe, filled with entertainment.
“Our priority was to create an unforgettable experience for our guests, where they felt entertained and wowed from the moment they arrived. I wanted everyone to feel the love and passion we had put into it.”
To that end, the couple chose two iconic settings for the day: the Hilton Lac-Leamy for festivities the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica for the ceremony.
Angelic tones in a splendid, historical cathedral
At the grand Gothic Revival cathedral near the Parliament Buildings, Nicole and Saverino’s hundreds of guests filled the pews as internationally acclaimed Neapolitan
singer Patrizio Buanne performed Ave Maria, accompanied by the Harea String Quartet. “Patrizio’s rendition of Un Angelo during the signing left me breathless,” the bride recalls. “It was as if time stood still; the entire church was captivated.”
The enchantment continued—and was ramped up a few notches—at the Hilton Lac-Leamy. Not only did the premier hotel meet the couple’s logistical needs to accommodate 600 people, Nicole mentions, “From start to finish, the Hilton offered an unparalleled level of service and sophistication. Over half of our guests stayed at the Hilton the night of the wedding, which made it perfect for hosting a brunch the next morning. Looking back, we wouldn’t have chosen anywhere else. It was absolutely the best decision.”
Guests were certainly thrilled. Nicole says they were greeted by moving statues—women painted in gold, playing harps and embodying living, breathing art.” As the cocktail hour commenced, there were stilt walkers, dressed in sequined gowns, towering over the crowd and elegant women offering champagne in martini glasses as guests enjoyed international buffet stations both indoors and on a patio.
Then, the first look into the ballroom amped up the wow-factor even more. “I was mesmerized by the moving floral women and the 20-foot-high violinist in the centre of the dance floor,” says the bride.
The look was glamorous and sultry, with a colour palette of purple, magenta, black and gold, along with grand flourishes including huge floral installations and 24-foot drapery with floral overhangs. “Sharon House from Avant Garde Designs worked tirelessly to bring our vision to life,” Nicole notes. “Every detail was crafted to create the most extraordinary party, bringing together entertainment, elegance and spectacle in one unforgettable evening.”
The culinary experience was also extraordinary. The couple worked with Hilton executive chef Frederick Archambault and sous chef Jonathan Royer-Michon to craft a menu that reflected their Italian and Lebanese traditions, while also delighting their guests. Martini and specialty coffee bars featured signature cocktails, including espresso martinis, and the bomboniera (wedding favour) for guests was a cocktail shaker with recipes to make the couple’s favourite martinis.
Stilt walkers, samba dancers and showgirls
Patrizio Buanne’s music at the reception was another heady mix. The crooner dedicated his own song, Forever Begins Tonight, for the couple’s first dance and also performed Italian classics and ballads in an extended show. Elegant ballerinas, Vegas showgirls with feathers and lively tarantella and samba dancers added extra pizzazz.
Another memorable surprise was the performance by Roberta Battaglia, who gained fame as a standout 10-year-old performer on America’s Got Talent. “My father-in-law arranged for her to grace us with her presence and her powerful voice and sweet personality were a gift to both us and all our guests,” says the bride. “She sang hits by Lady Gaga, Adele and Etta James and ended with Vivo per Lei by Andrea Bocelli. The duet with her father added another layer of magic to an already extraordinary night.”
Guests spent much of it on the liquid gold-inspired ballroom dance floor, dancing to the Big Band sounds of SophistOccasion along with party classics spun by DJ Marco of Montreal. Sound and light effects by Encore Enterprise and D’urbano Sound enhanced the impact, continuing into the late-light, Miami-inspired after-party.
In all, “It was an unforgettable, immersive experience right from the start.”
Her Style:
Nicole admits that, for her, the hardest part of wedding planning was finding the dress. “Creating my bridal look was a journey. After trying on over 50 gowns, I decided to create my own,” she says, adding, “I envisioned a regal look.”
Coming across an Élysée gown at Atelier Nu Style in Montreal, she decided to use it as the foundation for an elegant, versatile ensemble. “I ordered extra matching fabric and worked with my designer, Aslma, to create a custom overskirt, bolero and additional 3D florals.
“Instead of a jacket, I had a choker-style bolero that looked almost painted onto my skin—my favorite detail. I also wore an overskirt with a sparkle overlay in a peony pattern.” By some quirk of romantic fate, when Nicole set eyes on Saverino at the altar, he had the same peony motif on his jacket.
As for bridal style, “I started with a grand, haute couture look and then removed layers as the day went on. I wanted to enjoy the party without being away for too long, so taking off layers instead of changing into three different dresses made things easier,” says Nicole. “For our receiving line, I removed the overskirt and kept the bolero. At the reception, I entered without the bolero, showing custom straps. I loved the dramatic transformation my dress allowed.”
Key Elements:
Nicole started with Gianvito Rossi pumps in the morning and later changed into Christian Louboutin wedges, describing them as “lifesaver on the dance floor.”
Zak and Tony, hairstylists who have been part of her life since she was a flower girl in 1999, worked their magic on her hair from 4:30 to 7:30 a.m. and she says it held up beautifully all day.
“I chose my tiara from designer Maria Elena from California because it was unique and perfectly complemented my dress, adding the final touch to my look.
“My makeup artist, Yllkë Deliu Mushkolaj of MakeupByYllke, even flew home early from Europe for me and her finishing touches made me truly feel like a bride. I couldn’t have asked for a better team or experience.”
His Style:
“Saverino sported a custom-made Zegna white silk double breasted jacket and black tuxedo trousers for the church ceremony. For the evening reception, he donned a black tuxedo by Ariston di Napoli,” the bride says, giving credit to “Joey at Harry Rosen for making him look dashing.
“It was Saverino’s wish that our nephew, the ring bearer, would mimic his dress attire as a mini-me. Ramy from Third Son Tailor delivered, custom-making an identical miniature version of both tuxedos for Francesco to wear alongside him.”
As for the finer details, Saverino and his groomsmen were coiffed by hairstylist Elie Hitti.
It Takes a Village
Nicole credits her dream team—including both local experts and out-of-town pros—for making the day outstanding. For instance, she says, the Hilton’s Lise Sarazin and Amelie Leblanc, “were absolute miracle workers,” while photographer Abner Isaias Reyes and videographers German Medina and Luis Galena, who captured the engagement in Miami, came to Ottawa to record this wedding day in extraordinary style. “Having them there made the experience so exciting,” says the bride.
The Details:
Venue and Food: Hilton Lac Leamy Ballroom
Photographer: Abner Reyes, Air Studio
Design Planning and Event Coordination: Sharon House and Frank Spagnolo
Officiant: Father Stephen
Videographer: Gamut Miami
Bride’s Gown: Customed Élysée design
Groom’s Attire: Zegna and Ariston di Napoli
Decor: Avant Garde
Jewelry: Howard Fine Jewellers
Hair: Zak & Tony, Fadi Hair Design; Elie Hitti
Makeup: Makeup by Yllke; BF Aesthetics; Taryn Miller; Krista Price
Shoes: Gianvitto Rossi and Louboutin
Flowers: Avant Garde Designs
Entertainment:
SophistOccasion Orchestra from Montreal
Live Guest DJ: Marco M Entertainment
Guest Performing Artists: Patrizio Buanne & Roberta Battaglia
QueBra Entertainment & Dancers
Virtuosi Productions & The Harea String Quartet
Sound and Light Special Effects: Encore Enterprise and D’urbano Sound
Cake: Delightful Tastes
Limousine: Millenium Limos and Luxe Montreal
