When a mutual friend pointed out George Witzel to Samantha Rich at a college football game, she playfully hinted, “I’m going to marry him,” prior to their initial introduction. “I was right!” Samantha laughs.

Eight years later, George dropped to one knee on his family’s private island, Rockhaven, in Muskoka—sparkling emerald-cut diamond in hand. “We had spent the week on the island just us and our Bedlington Terrier, Eloise,” she shares. “On the second last night, we went for a sunset cruise on a vintage wooden boat that belonged to George’s grandfather. George proposed as the sun was setting with Eloise on my lap, it was perfect.”

Samantha who is the founder of Rich & Co., took to the wedding planning herself alongside Patrick Colas of Bureau Colas and hired photographer Sammie Chan to capture the August nuptials. The bride-to-be envisioned a small City Hall ceremony in Toronto followed by a celebration on the island on Lake Rosseau. “George’s grandparents bought the island in 1968 and loved a good party. We are one of many family weddings that have been celebrated at Rockhaven over the last 60 years,” she notes. “The cottage very much aligns with my personal aesthetic. I wanted the entire evening to feel like a Nancy Meyers movie, and my mission was definitely accomplished!” 

Laura Vogel designed the stationery with a playful yet classic aesthetic–as deemed by the bride. Envelopes were adorned with vintage stamps and wax seals from Samantha’s favorite stationery shop in Paris. “Light blue was our main color, it was brought in with our stationery, the Italian Frette table linens, and the scalloped umbrellas,” she says. “It was contrasted with orange in the florals and the cocktail napkins.”

For Wednesday’s City Hall ceremony, Samantha wore a tea-length Kika Vargas dress and paired with Manolo Blahnik floral pumps, a cream The Row bag and a Jennifer Behr bow. “I wanted it to be fun and easy, since it was an afternoon civil ceremony,” the bride shares. “I bought the dress a week after we got engaged. It just felt right.”

“For the party, I immediately knew I would turn to my dear friend and incredible Over The Moon designer Molly Moorkamp for my custom dress,” Samantha says. The bride trusted Molly completely. “I am a big sleeve girl—Molly designed these stunning large pleated bell sleeves that gave the impact that I wanted while being different from a typical puffy sleeve. The shirred skirt was the perfect way to get volume and a dramatic train, while still showing my bright orange Valentino pumps. I am very proud to be an MM bride.”

The final touch—a Carolina Herrera veil—brought her look together. As for the groom, George donned a custom double-breasted chocolate brown wool suit courtesy of Drakes and Cartier accessories. 

On August 23, 2023, Samatha and George arrived at City Hall in their 1985 Mercedes. The bride’s parents walked her down the aisle as a song by The Beach Boys played out in the background and siblings stood as witnesses. Following the I dos everyone met for an intimate soiree at Enoteca Sociale. “There are virtually no photos, everyone was very much in the moment,” she recalls.

On Saturday, the newlyweds hosted 145 of their closest friends on Rockhaven for the liveliest of post-marital celebrations. “A highlight was the convoy of George’s grandfather’s vintage wooden boats, one driven by George and me, that picked up our out-of-town guests from the hotel just across the lake,” the bride shares. “Guests had flown in from New York, L.A., Chicago, Vancouver, England, and Italy—including two former OTM Brides! It was very special to be able to welcome them to Muskoka in this exciting way!”

“We opted for a cocktail dînatore—a cocktail party with passed faire that was substantial enough to serve as dinner–on the front point of the island, so our guests could explore, mingle, and watch the sunset,” Samantha explains. Caterer Toben passed the maritime fare.

Duo Nick & Benton strummed acoustic guitars all evening, and as the sun went down, everyone transitioned to the deck for dancing underneath florals by Jong Young Flower Market. A close friend deejayed and the bride switched into a Prada shift dress. Samantha concludes, “We danced the night away under the disco balls and Muskoka stars!”