Ashley & Chris.

EVENT: Ashley & Chris’ Wedding
DATE: May 2013
LOCATION: Casa Loma – Toronto, ON
FORMAT: Instrumental acoustic guitar

It’s not every day you get asked to perform in a castle.

Needless to say, when Ashley contacted me about her wedding ceremony at Casa Loma (Toronto, ON), I jumped at the chance.

While I always arrive quite early for a ceremony performance, this one I was even more eager to savour. With a section of the castle reserved for the event, it was incredible to experience it without the backdrop of tourists.

The grandeur, size and opulence of Casa Loma are hard to match for a wedding in Toronto. At once, there’s a sense of serenity, awe and presence. You can’t help but be elevated to another level. I enjoyed a long, relaxed sound-check. It’s not very often you get to play for an hour, unencumbered, in such a massive, beautiful-sounding room. When a space reverberates in such a profound and pleasant way, it radically changes the way you play.

As guests began to filter in, it was fun to watch their reactions; which were much the same as mine a couple of hours prior. The room slowly began to buzz in anticipation of Ashley and Chris’ arrival.

Musically, Ashley, Chris and I had a lot in common. Chris is a big fan of sound quality, and we talked at length about sound systems when we met earlier in the year. For the pre-ceremony, their song selections provided the perfect counterpoint to Casa Loma’s opulent formality. They were extremely creative, modern, and had a lot of contrast. Tracks included Everlong (Foo Fighters), Crash (Dave Matthews Band), Daughters (John Mayer), Yellow (Coldplay), I Won’t Give Up (Jason Mraz), She Will Be Loved (Maroon 5), Nothing Else Matters (Metallica) and Just Breathe (Pearl Jam).

The Bridesmaids’ entrance couldn’t have been more poignant. They proceeded down the aisle to Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol). The particular timing of this song was perfect, with the single notes of the introduction filling the room with an amazing presence. This lead elegantly into I’m Yours (Jason Mraz) for Ashley’s processional. For the signing, they chose Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars), the receeded down the aisle to Free Falling (Tom Petty).

It was tremendous event on every level, due in large part to a lot of great people behind the scenes. Lisa Kaplan from Casa Loma was extremely accommodating with the set up. There was also the amazing work of Michelle Garber and Tamara Niyazov from Fab Fete Events. Every detail, from the decor to the cues, was managed flawlessly. It was also a pleasure to meet filmmaker Katherine Keene from Bright Sky Weddings who did an extremely creative job filming the ceremony.

As always, it was a privilege to be part of such a special occasion.

Jake Dudas
Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter

All photography by Sue Morley Photography.

2014 Wedding, Corporate & Private Event Performance Schedule

01.04.14 – Private Event – Huntsville, ON
02.01.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
04.12.14 – Archeo Restaurant – Distillery District – Toronto, ON
05.10.14 – Thompson Landry Gallery – Distillery District – Toronto, ON
06.21.14 – Private Residence – Pigeon Lake, ON
06.28.14 – Sherwood Inn – Port Carling, ON (Muskoka)
07.12.14 – Berkeley Church – Toronto, ON
07.26.14 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
08.02.14 – Taboo Resort – Gravenhurst, ON (Muskoka)
08.15.14 – Market Hall Performing Arts Centre – Peterborough, ON
08.16.14 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
08.23.14 – Bala Bay Inn – Bala, ON (Muskoka)
09.07.14 – White Oaks Resort & Spa – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
09.27.14 – Grandview Golf Club – Huntsville, ON (Muskoka)

2014 Public Event Performance Schedule

01.15.14 – Trent University – The Celie – Peterborough, ON
02.14.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON

2013 Wedding & Corporate Event Performance Schedule

01.26.13 – Locks Salon & Spa Event – Peterborough, ON
04.07.13 – Aria – Peterborough, ON
05.09.13 – Systagenix Event – Toronto, ON
05.11.13 – Casa Loma – Toronto, ON
05.18.13 – White Oaks Resort & Spa – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
05.19.13 – Auberge du Pommier – Toronto, ON
05.23.13 – SSFC Private Event – Peterborough, ON
06.01.13 – Jamie Kennedy @ The Gardiner Museum – Toronto, ON
06.06.13 – Trent University – President’s Dinner – Peterborough, ON
06.08.13 – Graydon Hall Manor – Toronto, ON
06.15.13 – Greyhawk Golf Course – Ottawa, ON
06.29.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
07.05.13 – Evergreen Brickworks – Toronto, ON
07.06.13 – Willow Springs Winery – Stoufville, ON
07.13.13 – St. James Gardens  – Toronto, ON
07.20.13 – Holland Marsh Wineries – Newmarket, ON
07.26.13 – Parkwood Estates/Deer Creek Golf – Ajax, ON
07.27.13 – Private Event – Toronto, ON
08.04.13 – Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
08.11.13 – Atlantis Pavillion – Toronto, ON
08.17.13 – Oakview Terrace – Toronto, ON
08.24.13 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
08.29.13 – Le Select Bistro – Toronto, ON
08.31.13 – Hart House – University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
09.07.13 – Rosewater Room – Toronto, ON
09.14.13 – Greystone Golf Club – Milton, ON
09.21.13 – Bala Bay Inn – Muskoka, ON
09.28.13 – Lumina Resort – Huntsville, ON
09.29.13 – Vineland Estates Winery – Vineland, ON
10.04.13 – Royal Ashburn Golf Club – Ashburn, ON
10.19.13 – Marriott Kingston – Kingston, ON
11.01.13 – Private Event – Toronto, ON
11.30.13 – Evinrude Centre (Private) – Peterborough, ON
12.03.13 – Market Hall Performing Arts Centre – Peterborough, ON
12.07.13 – Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
12.15.13 – Private Event – Peterborough, ON
12.20.13 – Peterborough Golf & Country Club – Peterborough, ON

2013 Public Event Performance Schedule

02.14.13 – McKeck’s – Haliburton, ON
02.16.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
03.31.13 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
04.04.13 – Parkhill on Hunter – Peterborough, ON
05.12.13 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
06.30.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
09.06.13 – Market Hall – Peterborough, ON (Artsweek opening)
09.27.13 – JW Marriott – Minett, ON (Muskoka)
11.02.13 – Art Gallery of Peterborough – Peterborough, ON
12.06.13 – Prince of Wales Hotel – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
12.31.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON