Working on Mackenzie & Ira’s wedding in early August was a dream. As the owners and operators of Upcycle Collective this couple is dynamic, creative, and excels at collaborating together personally and professionally. Here’s a bit about Mackenzie & Ira’s love story from Mackenzie’s perspective:
“This year we are celebrating 5 years together and boy it’s been an incredible 5-year journey.
5 years ago I was washing dishes for the Parsonage cafe, figure skating and coaching at Oak Bay Rec. At the time Ira was starting what he thought was his full-time career at the time, teaching and coaching tennis on weekends. Through our mutual upbringing in learning sports through Oak Bay Rec Center, we met. Ira was teaching tennis and I was teaching skating. I noticed an Anian hat of all things on a human with a staff shirt on so from there I introduced myself. Ira will tell you he doesn’t remember our first interactions but somehow after that, he DM’d me on Instagram.
From there, we went on to build a business while continuing our side hustles, getting engaged, going through COVID to buying a house, quitting our side hustles and getting married with a thriving business. SO much growth has happened in the last 5 years and that’s how I’d sum It all up. Ira and I spent countless hours communicating, working and learning how to be there for each other and now we are a duo that most people know together. We are dynamic and we complement each other. It’s out of fate that he walked through the rec center that day wearing that specific hat I liked. Now, 5 years later we truly can say our lives changed for the better that day.”
– Mackenzie
Vendor Love
Florals: Keep Floral
Photography: Chiara Sparanese Photography
Makeup: Dani P Beauty
Catering: House of Boateng
Dress: Blush Bridal Boutique
DJ: Club Loading
Commissionaire: Amanda Tarling
