A Black-Tie Affair: Leila & Julien's Intimate Montreal Wedding

Tucked away on Île Notre-Dame sits Pavillon de la Jamaïque, where Montrealers Leila and Julien gathered their nearest and dearest for a wedding that was, frankly, cool as hell. The pair (who first crossed paths back in 2011 but didn’t get serious until reconnecting five years later) hosted just 95 guests in a celebration that somehow managed to be both effortlessly stylish and deeply personal.

We’re a little obsessed with their black dress code for guests – such a bold choice that transformed the already gorgeous venue into something straight out of a magazine spread. Against all that black, the lush greenery of the pavilion popped even more dramatically, meaning they barely needed any additional décor. Smart, right?

Behind the scenes, Catherine from CM Planification helped them pull everything together, focusing on quality over flash. The menu? Sharing plates from Robert Alexis Traiteur that had everyone talking. The cake? A retro black-and-white strawberry shortcake that was as delicious as it was Instagram-worthy.

What really got us, though, was hearing about their vows. By the time Leila and Julien finally tied the knot, they’d already built a home, survived renovations (the true relationship test!), and welcomed three kids into their lives. Their self-written promises weren’t just wedding-day sentiments but acknowledgments of the incredible life they’d already created together.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Jessica Samyn for sharing these gorgeous photos with us. Her knack for catching all those genuine little moments really brings this wedding to life.

We asked Leila to tell us more about their story and the wedding day itself…

Why did you choose Pavillon de la Jamaïque?

Being Montrealers, it was essential for us to tie the knot close to home. We were already familiar with the venue, which is a natural oasis close to the heart of the city. The serene and picturesque setting provided the perfect backdrop for our special day, offering a unique blend of nature and urban charm. We took advantage of the venue’s natural beauty and lush surroundings to keep the décor to a minimum.

The dimensions of the venue forced us to keep our guest list quite short, around 95 people, creating an intimate atmosphere for our wedding. This also gave us the freedom to select our own catering company. We partnered with @robertalexistraiteur to craft a delicious sharing plate menu that perfectly represented us and was praised by our guests.

Tell us about working with your planner, Catherine Michaud from CM Planification.

Catherine was instrumental in bringing our vision to life while respecting our style and budget. She embraced my idea of asking our guests to dress in black and keeping the decor minimalist yet very chic. She introduced us to incredible vendors and guided us through every step of the planning process, ensuring that we experienced no stress related to the preparations or the wedding day itself.

How did your story begin, and how did you get to your wedding day?

Our story began in 2011 when we met during a trip through mutual friends. We were very young and had a wonderful time during that summer. We then went our separate ways for study abroad. It turned out perfectly in the end as we reconnected five years later when we were both ready to commit to a serious relationship. We quickly embarked on several projects, including buying our first house, renovations, and the birth of our first daughter.

We got engaged in 2019 during a trip to Vietnam with our daughter present. We didn’t have a specific wedding date at the time and decided to wait until we had all our children before getting married. We tied the knot in the summer of 2024 in the presence of our three children.

Who designed your dress, and where did you find it?

My dress was designed by Made With Love Bridal and purchased at Dressscoop. We customized it to bring my vision to life by adding the sleeves.

What made you fall in love with your dress?

I had a very clear idea of what kind of dress I wanted. I was looking for something simple, timeless, and sophisticated, and I really wanted puff sleeves. Dressscoop was the only boutique I visited and I chose the dress in less than 45 minutes. Lucy from the boutique expertly assisted me in making my decision, without ever making me feel pressured.

What drew you to your photographer, Jessica Samyn?

Our photographer was Jessica Samyn, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results! She perfectly captured the spontaneous moments of the day and translated all the happiness and joy we felt into images. Her photos are timeless, filled with sincerity and life. She has exceptional talent.

Who styled your hair and makeup?

My hair and makeup were styled by the incredible team at Atelier Eva Blanca. I wanted a natural yet elegant look that would complement my dress and the overall theme of the wedding. They did a fantastic job in enhancing my features without making me feel overdone.

What did the groom wear, and why did you choose it?

The groom wore a tux from Waxman House, chosen for its timeless elegance.

Tell us about your flowers.

Our florist was Kyoto Fleurs. We were going for timeless elegance. Just like we asked our guests to dress in black, we opted to limit the colors of the flowers. The vendor prepared sophisticated arrangements with various white flowers.

What was your wedding cake like?

Our cake was a strawberry shortcake crafted by @bymarielaure. Its retro design beautifully respected our black-and-white theme.

What did you do for entertainment?

Entertainment was one of the highlights of our wedding. Manny Occean from @oceaneventgroup was absolutely incredible! From the very beginning of the planning process, he was available and efficient, offering excellent advice for selecting music that made our evening a true success. He also managed the music for our wedding ceremony, ensuring everything went smoothly. During the reception, he perfectly captured the vibe of our group of guests, creating an amazing atmosphere that got everyone onto the dance floor.

Who designed your stationery?

The bride did all the stationery herself!

Who walked you down the aisle?

The bride’s father.

What song did you walk down the aisle to?

“This Years Love” by David Gray.

What can you share about your vows?

We wrote personal vows, reflecting on our journey together, the family we built, and our achievements. We expressed gratitude for how we improved each other and felt loved daily, and shared our excitement to continue life with a loving partner.

Who officiated your wedding?

Our celebrant was a close friend.

What was your first dance song, and why did you choose it?

“I Was Born to Love You” by Ray LaMontagne is one of our favourite songs, often played on weekend mornings while we dance in the kitchen and make breakfast for our family.

What was your favourite moment of the day?

Our favorite moment of the day was the exchange of our personal vows. It was a deeply emotional moment that truly captured the essence of our relationship and the journey we have taken together.

We wouldn’t have done anything differently because we chose to design the wedding entirely in our image. Every detail, from the ceremony to the music and decorations, reflected who we are as a couple, making our day uniquely perfect for us.

Do you have any advice for couples planning their wedding?

We would recommend having a clear vision of what you want and being confident enough to express it clearly to your various vendors. But then, trust your vendors to handle the finer details and avoid micromanaging.

What a beautiful, authentic wedding, we’re sure you’ll agree. Thanks so much to Leila & Julien for sharing their story and their wedding photographs with us.

We wish them continued happiness with their beautiful little family.