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Melissa Augimeri and Tyler Pullen owe their serendipitous meeting to a Kings of Leon concert in Toronto at the Budweiser Stage eight years ago. Though they were both at the show with friends, they found themselves alone in line waiting for pre-show drinks and noticed each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was behind Tyler in line, and he struck up a conversation\u2014we had an instant connection,\u201d says Melissa. \u201cWe got our drinks but didn\u2019t go back to the show immediately. We just lingered and chatted for a few songs.\u201d<\/p>\n In that moment, they discovered they were both music lovers and Tyler called Melissa a few weeks later and invited her to a Blue Rodeo show at the same venue they met at. \u201cWe had a blast, and being together felt natural and organic from day 1,\u201d says Melissa. \u201cI know we both felt something special was happening, and that wonderful feeling we had from the beginning of our relationship has remained and grown.\u201d<\/p>\n Melissa and Tyler will also tell you everything about their togetherness has felt spontaneous, exciting and fulfilling. As they grew as a couple their careers flourished (Melissa is the currently the vice-president of Toronto PR firm NKPR; Tyler is a technical advisor), they bought their first home in 2020 and added pup Leon to their family. Tyler proposed to Melissa in June 2021 just as Ontario was opening up after months of pandemic lockdown. The location: the very same spot they first met at the Kings of Leon Concert.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had the day off and planned to meet up with one of our best friends in the west end of the city, but this was actually not Tyler\u2019s plan,\u201d says Melissa. \u201cWith Leon in tow, Tyler suggested we take him for a walk through Ontario place before heading to the patio. We approached the spot where we met, and I saw flowers and a bottle of champagne and then Tyler got down on one knee. My sister Jessie was there hiding and took photos, and then our parents came running out to celebrate with us in that moment. We went out for dinner at Casa Loma afterwards, the first time we were able to go out in months. I couldn\u2019t have imagined a more thoughtful and perfect engagement<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n The pair said \u2018I do\u2019 on a warm and sunny late October day in 2022 with 150 guests joining them for a dream party at the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa. The village of Elora, with its blend of historic charm and romantic natural vistas was exactly the spot Melissa and Tyler envisioned for their celebration. \u201cWe fell in love with the picturesque village of Elora and the incredible venue, which we loved being able to personalize for our day, adding a modern touch to its historic architecture. Influenced by the European-inspired design and its natural surroundings, we leaned into a classic palette of whites and blacks as the foundation, but also brought in subtle pops of muted autumnal tones such as mauves and caramels through floral accents and our bridesmaids\u2019 dresses. This palette was woven into all our wedding details. from our initial invitations to our tablescapes and our signage.\u201d<\/p>\n For a couple who is incredibly close to their families, this was a special day that truly celebrated bringing everyone together. Melissa and Tyler exchanged vows on the property\u2019s Foundry Chapel, and their vows were written by them, reflecting their unique love story. \u201cWe felt exchanging these vows and affirmations with each other while being surrounded by our closest family and friends\u2014many who have been a part of our journey together since the very beginning\u2014was the most beautiful way to begin our marriage,\u201d says Melissa. \u201cOur vows were vulnerable, raw, sentimental, but also playful, which is very authentic to us and the love we share.\u201d<\/p>\n For their reception in the Grand Room, they kicked off the party with cocktails, including a signature drink called the Leoni Negroni named after their pup, Leon, which was a huge hit. They also included a \u201cGenerations of Love\u201d table in the area with wedding photos from both of their families, which was a special and sentimental tribute to their nearest and dearest. The room decor was elegant and warm brimming with gold accents, candles and modern floral arrangements.<\/p>\n \u201cOur florist Tascha did an incredible job bringing our vision to life,\u201d says Melissa. \u201cMy bouquet was another very special part of the day. It was romantic with an organic twist tying in subtle autumn details. My mom also surprised me with a beautiful locket that belonged to my Nonna Fortuna who was unable to be there with us. The inside of that locket had special photos of my Nonna.\u201d<\/p>\n When it came to the sounds of their wedding day, this music-loving couple curated a killer playlist for dinner, featuring a mix of songs and artists they loved, from Father John Misty to David Bowie to Mazzy Star. The evening morphed into a high-energy dance party, and Melissa says standing back and taking in the scene of everyone enjoying the party was incredible. \u201cWe loved seeing tables of people enjoying and singing along during our reception. When the DJ announced the last song, everyone crowded around us and embraced us on the dance floor while we danced the night to a close. It was a moment of complete bliss; I was so overwhelmed with happiness that I started to cry. I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n