This urban jungle oasis wedding was nothing short of unique – a 12ft cage as the main focal point, burlesque dancers, and an emersive jungle theme carried throughout. This wedding was also held at the Museum of Contemporary Arts and was their very first wedding held onsite. The bride and groom wanted something that no one had ever seen before and did not want your typical wedding reception, and that’s exactly what they got.

Planned by Rebecca, and photographed by Mango Studios. As seen in Toronto Life.

Wedding photos at the Annex Hotel
Wedding photos at the Annex Hotel

Wedding photos at the Annex Hotel
Urban jungle wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Urban jungle wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Arts

The cage was the centrepiece of the space, and we created everything around it. The gold cage stood 12 feet tall, with a swing inside and tropical plants surrounding it. Natural arches with moss and overgrown twigs lined the walkway towards the cage for the bride and for the guests.

Urban jungle wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Urban jungle wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Arts with a 12 foot cage.
Urban jungle wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Arts, with a cage.

Urban jungle wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Urban jungle wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Urban jungle wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Urban jungle wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Urban jungle wedding ceremony at the Museum of Contemporary Arts

The cage sat in the middle of the venue’s large concrete pillars which were covered with trailing greens and foliage, to mimic the look of it being an aged forest (like it had been there for decades).

Right as we began the ceremony, fog crept into the room preceding the couple’s entrance. The room was dark, moody, and dramatic. It was just what the couple envisioned. The ceremony was only for family and intimate.

Urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts

The bride did not want flowers, so we brought in LOTS of greenery to elevate the space and still feel lush and full. The bride’s green bouquet was made to match all the foliage in the venue.

Black furniture was used to anchor the space, to give it a modern aesthetic. Two grey velvet couches flanked the cage for luxurious seating in the centre of the action.

Welcome table at an urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Miss and greens covered welcome table
Urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Modern black furniture at an urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts

Cabaret dancers at an urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Sultry cabaret dancers greeted guests upon entering the reception
Urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
The best seat of the house
Modern black furniture at an urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Modern black furniture at an urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Intimate seating areas were created for guests at this food station style wedding
Modern black furniture at an urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Modern black and green urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts

When we were ready for dinner, we welcomed guests back into the main space where we had transformed it for the reception. Surrounding the cage were ample seating areas, cruiser tables and food stations.

The groom had originally wanted live butterflies and animals to surprise the guests. However we were not able to bring any in, so we got the next best thing – sultry cabaret dancers dressed in animal print. These dancers took their place in the cage and guests were greeted by a very unusual caged centrepiece as they walked in.

The bride and groom shared a first dance in front of the cage. Their siblings jumped in at the end with confetti poppers, and the cabaret dancers did a final performance in their LED wings to open up the dance floor. A glow station offered guests glow sticks and glow glasses for some extra fun.

Modern black and green urban jungle wedding reception at the Museum of Contemporary Arts
Prior to the couple’s entrance into the dinner reception, the cabaret dancers changed and led them in through the fog.
The bride in her evening dress.
Cabaret dancers with LED Wings at an urban wedding.
Cabaret dancers with LED Wings at an urban wedding.
Cabaret dancers with LED Wings at an urban wedding.

Melissa and Justin from james frodyma on Vimeo.

See more featured weddings here.