Serving custom-designed drinks is the latest wedding craze, but that doesn’t mean you have to go without a champagne toast. Below, four of Toronto’s most creative bartenders riff on the classic sparkling cocktail

THE SPARKLING BOUQUET
Brad Gubbins, bartender at SpiritHouse

This elegant emulsion blends 1 oz Lillet Rosé with ¾ oz gin, a spoonful of simple syrup and 2 dashes of rhubarb bitters. Gubbins tops up the flute with chilled champagne and a grapefruit twist.

JEWEL OF PANJÉMO
Jan Ollner, bartender at Reposado

Ollner’s cocktail is bombastic yet balanced. He blends ¾ oz reposado tequila, ¾ oz Lustau Moscatel Emilin sherry, ½ oz Amaro Montenegro and 3 oz cava, then adds a brandied sour cherry for an extra boozy kick.

MAPLE LEAF FOREVER
Moses McIntee, beverage director at L-Eat Catering

Champagne gets a patriotic makeover from Moses McIntee, who mixes ½ oz rye, ½ oz maple syrup and ½ oz lemon juice with 3 dashes of maple bitters, then finishes the drink with champagne and a maple leaf.

FLOR DE PASIÓN
Christina Kuypers, bartender at GwaiLo

Kuypers’ concoction is fruity, frothy and fun: 3 oz cava combined with ¾ oz ginger-honey syrup, ¾ oz passion fruit purée, 3 dashes of Bittered Sling Grapefruit and Hops extract and a curl of ruby grapefruit zest.

(Images: Reena Newman. Jewel of Panjémo by Carlo Mendoza)

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A toothsome feast is a critical part of every wedding—which is why we asked the chefs at Toca, Acadia, Canoe and GwaiLo to design reception-ready dishes that’ll please the most discerning crowd

SHRIMP AND VANILLA RISOTTO
Gihen Zitouni, chef at Toca

Zitouni, who runs the Ritz-Carlton’s fine dining restaurant, makes a risotto as pretty as the bride. She cooks the rice with vanilla-infused butter, then tops it with slivered almonds, two seared shrimp and a cloud of pecorino air.

SALMON AND CAULIFLOWER
Patrick Kriss, chef at Acadia

For his modernist take on salmon, Kriss vac-packs the fish with thyme and olive oil, cooks it sous-vide and finishes it in the oven. He adorns the plate with cauliflower two ways (puréed and pickled), kohlrabi, brussels sprouts and turnips.

CHANTECLER CHICKEN
Anthony Walsh, chef at Canoe

Walsh gives the classic roast chicken a glam makeover, upgrading both the bird (Chantecler is a trendy heritage breed) and the sides (crushed Klondike red potatoes, brussels sprout gratin and a cranberry-sherry jus).

KOREAN SHORT RIB
Nick Liu, chef at GwaiLo

Liu mashes up a continental classic (braised short rib) with Korean comfort food (barbecue ribs). It comes on a kimchee potato purée with a rich fried egg yolk, sweet Asian pear and coriander and chili for zip.

(Images: Reena Newman)

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By Courtney Jane Walker | Photograph by Jo-Anne McArthur

In the early weeks of 2005, I attended a tsunami relief fundraiser at a vegetarian co-op in the Annex, where I met a cute guy named Andrew wearing hemp necklaces and a Burton Cummings T-shirt. Andrew and I both left with other people, but we ran into each other a few months later and fell into conversation like old friends, talking for hours on the sidewalk. We were both still in undergrad at U of T when we started dating, and it got serious fast. After just a few months, we moved in together, occupying a bedroom in a shared house on Borden Street that should have been condemned, especially given the size and frequency of our parties. We weren’t thinking about marriage, and that was fine by me. But I knew early on that I wanted to hang on to this guy who always called me when he said he would and loved to travel as much as I did and tolerated my incessant renditions of scenes from Les Miz. We fell into a natural rhythm and time flew by, as it does when you find someone who fits. We graduated from university, acquired a couple of cats and abandoned our Annex slum for a cozy one-bedroom in Cabbagetown. Before we knew it, we were grown-ups—kind of.

I had never wanted to get married. Ever. I wanted to get married less than Taylor Swift wants to get back together. There was a lot about marriage that didn’t sit well with me, and weddings typified everything that was wrong with the institution—astronomical debt in exchange for the perfect centrepiece, for example, not to mention the feminist red flags (the bride being given away, merging identities, virginal white meringue dresses). I read up on the benefits of common-law relationships in Ontario, and they seemed good enough for me.

I probably inherited my anti-marriage bias from my parents. They always claimed they only got married for their parents’ sake. My father, a playwright, and my mother, a music teacher, were products of the ’60s, convinced that marriage was a harmful, misogynistic institution. When they did marry, my mother wore a grey skirt suit and the reception was a lobster boil at the cottage. Throughout my childhood, they were constantly threatening divorce. They didn’t want to break up—just destroy the contract in a ceremonial act of defiance. They were chagrined to see marriage make a comeback among people my age. “I thought we’d gotten rid of all that bullshit,” my dad grumbled.

Yet, somehow, six years into our relationship, Andrew and I found ourselves talking about marriage. Gently at first, like the idea was a baby bird we were trying not to scare away. As I got used to the idea, marriage began to feel less like an evil institution and more like an adult choice. I wish I could give a definitive reason for the shift—that I’d had an epiphany in which all my conflicts were resolved—but it just happened, much like my decision to start eating meat again after eight years of vegetarianism. When Andrew spontaneously got down on one knee and proposed to me on a Blue Ridge mountaintop, I said yes immediately (I’d figure out how to break it to my folks later). He didn’t have a ring, but it didn’t matter—I didn’t want a blood diamond anyway.

Yes, I was getting married, but I still didn’t want a traditional wedding. We wanted an amazing party—the kind of wedding where people walked away waxing poetic about the cheese boards, and where we ate butter tarts instead of cake. I happened upon a cache of blue French lace at Designer Fabrics in Parkdale and bought it up for my dress, and we picked the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse for the venue—a sturdy old place with soaring green beams and lots of character. For our officiant, we chose a non-denominational humanist chaplain who had once studied with Kurt Vonnegut at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop before fleeing to Canada with her draft-dodging husband—perfect.

Despite all our attempts at tradition bucking, we learned that when it comes to weddings, there’s no such thing as being a true original. There was one night when I began to question every decision I’d ever made in my life that brought me to this moment—it was 1 a.m., and I was drowning in 100 feet of hand-sewn vintage bunting banner, tying sisal twine around hurricane vases and fretting about finding candles that would fit in 500-millilitre Mason jars. What had this wedding become? More importantly, what had I become? The only thing missing from my reclaimed-urban-rustic wedding was fake moustaches on sticks.

Plenty of things went wrong on my wedding day in September 2012, but I don’t even remember what they were. What I do remember is dancing with all my friends and my new husband to Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend” (he knows all the words). I remember the rap video one friend made in our honour. I remember the surprise burlesque dance from two of our other friends.

In the end, Andrew and I were married by the draft-dodging writer, our loved ones stood around us in a circle, and my best friend read a Vonnegut quote. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted it to be: a celebration of the fact that we’d both found someone who made life better and easier. I’m never doing
it again.

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(Image: Cranky Pressman)

Dear Wedding Diplomat,
My fiancé and I are having a destination wedding in Cancún in April. We reserved a villa for 40 guests but sent out 60 invites, assuming at least 20 people—acquaintances, second cousins and the like—would decline. We were shocked when we counted the RSVPs and realized we had 66 people, including partners and kids. The rest of the resort is booked. Should we tell them about the room shortage and hope they back out?
—RSVPeeved, Roncesvalles

Sending out half-hearted invites was your first mistake. Passive-aggressively floating the hotel shortage and hoping your guests get the hint would be your second. You should have known that any vitamin D–deprived Torontonian with disposable income would seize the opportunity to escape the city’s 50 shades of winter grey. An invite is a contract between a guest and a host that should be honoured once the RSVPs are in the mail. It’s your responsibility to find alternative accommodations at a nearby resort, and to send the link to your B-list guests. Once you’re all down there, arrange for transportation between the two spots, so no one feels like a wedding exile. Then, toss back a few umbrella drinks and enjoy the matrimonial mariachi band.

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(Image: Fylkesarkivet i Sogn og Fjordane)

Dear Wedding Diplomat,
My fiancé’s mother and grandmother are pressuring me to wear his great grandmother’s dress from 1915, which has been worn by three generations of brides. This dress is as frumpy as a Mormon frock, with a chin-skimming neck and long sleeves that button up to the elbows. I can’t imagine walking down the aisle in it. When I suggested trying on new dresses, his mom nearly broke into tears and said I would be destroying a century-long tradition. To make matters worse, my fiancé agrees with her. What should I do?
—Dressed Down, Bayview

You’ll be making dozens of compromises as you plan this wedding. Let your future in-laws meddle with the menu, the centre­pieces, the soundtrack—but not the dress. It’s the one thing that should be all yours. You want to feel radiant on the big day, not like a walking daguerreotype. Tell them you’re very honoured to be joining their line of ladies, but that the dress just isn’t your style. Then, quickly follow up with ways to include it in the ceremony. You could display it in the foyer, along with photos from their weddings. Or, if they don’t mind you cutting up the dress (something tells me they would), you could offer to incorporate some of the fabric into your gown or veil. And if all else fails, you could always wear it for the first dance at the reception. All brides love a costume change.

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(Image: ~Someone Else~)

Dear Wedding Diplomat,
My bridesmaids planned my bachelorette party but didn’t invite one of my close friends because he’s a guy. Instead, he’s supposed to go to my fiancé’s bachelor party, which will involve a trip to the Brass Rail strip club. He’s gay and has no interest in boobs; plus, I’d really like him to be part of my night. I explained this to my bridesmaids but they gave me the old “no boys allowed” spiel and breezed over the issue. It feels sexist to exclude him. Should I call them on it?
—Gender Defender, Yonge and St. Clair

Throw “sexist” into any argument and things get real. Don’t do it. These ladies sound well-intentioned, swept up in the bachelorette spirit and a little traditional. Let them know you’d like the stag and stagette guest lists to be determined by allegiance to the bride or groom, not anatomy. Then invite your guy friend to the party personally. Post-wedding, you can have your bridesmaids over for a homo-educational Glee marathon and toast the new normal.

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Styling by Simone Olivero | Photography by Renata Kaveh | Makeup by Veronica Chu | Hair by Tomara Patchett and Vili Nikolouzos of Philosophy Salon

As soon as you’ve said yes to the dress, it’s time to start thinking about the hairstyle, makeup and accessories to go with it. To help, we assembled four beauty looks with four very different inspirations: Old Hollywood starlet, ballerina, flower child and ‘60s retro.

See all the looks »

The post Wedding Guide: gorgeous hair and makeup ideas for brides-to-be appeared first on torontolife.com.

(Image: Ines di Santo)

Becker’s Bridal
387 Danforth Ave. (at Chester Ave.), 416-463-6601
A family business since 1944, this Danforth boutique is reliable, safe and considerate—the same qualities as a good marriage. Friends and family of the bride can settle into oversized club chairs and watch as the lucky lady tries on jewel-trimmed, beaded and lace styles from international labels like Pronovias from Barcelona, Sottero and Midgley from Australia and Cymbeline from France ($800–$5,000, plus alterations). Look for dresses by Barbra Allin Couture, the in-house line known for customizable gowns in contemporary silhouettes (tea length, empire waist). Some Swarovski crystal–encrusted combs and clips ($70–$250) can be turned into brooches after the big day.

The Bride’s Project
431 Broadview Ave. (at Victor Ave.), 416-469-6777
Helen Sweet came up with the Brides’ Project one Friday night as she was contemplating the wastefulness of her upcoming blowout bash. It’s now run in her Broadview home, primarily by volunteers, and it sells new and gently used gowns to raise money for cancer charities. The selection is huge (around 500 dresses), and prices typically range from $300 to $1,250. A Vera Wang creation in silk organza is gush-worthy ($1,250), while an ivory gown spun from ribbon and tulle is a steal at $600. Beach brides can slip on a sexy nude dress with a cream lace overlay ($300). Those opposed to fuss may don a simple off-white dress with a taupe hem ($400). Traditional Eastern pieces—such as silk cheong­sams and intricately beaded lehengas—are also available. Gowns are grouped in different rooms by size, letting brides-to-be try on dozens at a time.

Catherine Langlois
416-652-9587
Anyone looking for the bridal equivalent of a bespoke suit will find a good fit with Catherine Langlois, who creates timelessly elegant dresses from the third floor of her private studio. Her process is entirely one on one, and her involvement from start to finish is an uncommon luxury. Although Langlois recommends three to five fittings, she can turn around a dress in as little as six weeks. Four-ply silk charmeuse, silk, satin organza and guipure French lace are among the premium materials she uses, while keeping prices between $1,500 and $3,000 (short dresses go for as little as $1,000). Couture lace starts at $3,200. By appointment.

Dina Alonzi Bridal
3020 Bloor St. W. (at Royal York Rd.), 416-236-0270
The extreme makeover of her Kingsway boutique in 2007 means that veteran bridal retailer Dina Alonzi has a space that reflects the quality of her inventory. With 23 years of experience, she parses trends (fuller skirts, “tattered vintage”) and edits her selection down to bestselling brands, including Monique Lhuillier, Amsale, Rivini and Project Runway alum Austin Scarlett. Then she, or one of her consultants, oversees every last stitch of the alteration process, thanks to an in-store studio. An average gown starts at around $4,000. Closed Sunday.

Felichia Bridal
601 College St. (at Clinton St.), 647-350-5559
Downtown brides looking for modern, easy-to-wear gowns adore this Bathurst and College boutique. Such big-name designers as Pronovias Couture and Watters (of which Felichia has the largest selection in Toronto) share space with new lines, like Alyne by Rivini (which offers Rivini luxury at more affordable, down-to-earth prices, starting at $2,000), and up-and-coming names, including Martina Liana, which is known for its use of French lace and delicate beadwork (as in a fun, floor-length frock with a beaded bodice and an oversized bow). With designs by Paloma Blanca and Wtoo (Watters’s lower-priced line) ranging from $1,800 to $1,500, your dream dress doesn’t have to break the budget. Closed Monday. By appointment.

Ferré Sposa
924A Bloor St. W. (at Concord Ave.), 416-535-8999
Ferré Sposa’s Bloordale boutique offers personalized service and popular brands (Allure Bridals, Barcelona’s La Sposa and Pronovias and Aussie line Sottero and Midgley) at relatively decent prices—most brides fork over as little as $800 to $1,500 for a gown. The shop leans toward slimmer silhouettes (lace sheaths and fitted mermaid styles), but also carries full-skirted ball gowns. A delicate cap-sleeved lace frock has a keyhole back ($1,150), while an edgier fit-and-flare number is adorned with feathered accents and razor-cut organza ($1,900). The front of the store is devoted to bridesmaid dresses; a navy floor-length chiffon option ($205) is basic but stunning.

Ines Di Santo
168 Davenport Rd. (at Avenue Rd.), 416-925-0002
This Yorkville space feels more like a salon than a showroom, and the dresses offer big-time drama from designer Ines Di Santo. She’s not afraid to play up the female form, accentuating the bust and waistline while balancing a tight fit on top with her signature full skirts. She often deviates from classic off-white, creating gowns in blush pink, antique ivory and champagne. Hand beading, Swarovski crystals, French lace, delicate fabric flowers and feathers can cause prices to creep upwards of $5,000, but these truly are Costume Institute–calibre designs, made from scratch. There is no better seal of approval than that of socialite Suzanne Rogers, who chose one of Di Santo’s designs when she married her media scion husband, Edward, in 2006. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Jealous Bridesmaids
2479 Bloor St. W. (at South Kingsway), 416-915-1654
Owner Charmaine Mendyk always tells clients to keep an open mind while trying on wedding dresses. She carries a huge variety of styles, so start here if you want something more exciting than the ubiquitous strapless dress. A romantic Casablanca gown has a sweetheart-necked sheath topped by a sheer lace overlay with a scalloped hemline; other lines include Maggie Sottero and Blue by Enzoani. Along with trendy illusion necklines and tea-length hems, there are plenty of traditional mermaid- and ball gown–style dresses. The average price is $1,500, and turnaround is about five months. Mendyk also stocks a selection of veils, tiaras and custom jewellery, and there’s a separate bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride shop in the basement. Closed Monday.

Jolie Bridal
1158 St. Clair Ave. W. (at Dufferin St.), 416-651-6777
For 30 years, Jolie Bridal has matched brides and their dream gowns in a charming, no-pressure atmosphere. The dresses range from ethereal embroidered sheers to flowing chiffon numbers, and are purchased from a variety of international suppliers. Many styles and prices ($99–$3,000) make it easy to find the perfect piece. A gown with a delicate beaded bodice and ruffled hemline is on trend for 2013.

Lea-Ann Belter Bridal
238 Broadview Ave. (at Dundas St. E.), 416-778-6868
Owner Lea-Ann Belter has been dressing brides for 22 years and knows how to give them exactly what they want while still remaining true to her classic aesthetic. All gowns are silk—whether sexy satin crepe or stiffer, more formal dupioni—and all are elegantly feminine without being frou-frou. Shorter, casual frocks are in this season; we spotted one with a ruffly crinoline peeking out the back. Draped bodices, asymmetry and feathers are also on trend, as are intricate lace gowns. Feathery fascinators and other accessories can be made to match. Six to eight months of lead time is required. Appointments are preferred. From $2,500. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Lowon Pope
117 Jefferson Ave. (at King St. W.), 416-504-8150
Lana Lowon and her husband, Jim Pope, take an old-fashioned approach to bridal fashion. Often made with antique lace or brocade, the dresses channel old Hollywood glamour. For this reason, Lowon attracts the type of bride who wants bias-cut Jean Harlow gowns or structured, full-skirted Grace Kelly styles. Dresses in antique ivories and lace are available for purchase off the rack ($1,000–$2,500), but Lowon is also able to build a look from the ground up—if you want a custom corset, she’s more than happy to make it happen. Made-to-measure gowns fall between $2,300 and $4,500; that’s before adding a circle veil ($200), an ingenious swath of sheer chiffon that can be worn in dozens of styles. Closed Sunday and Monday, except by appointment.

Mrs. Bridal Boutique
164 Davenport Rd. (at Avenue Rd.), 416-925-1674
An urn filled with fresh flowers greets visitors as they enter this three-storey space, and tasteful sofas are dotted throughout so friends and families can relax while the bride picks her dress. Owners Kelly Power and Michelle Teslia tend to shy away from ball gown styles, instead opting for simple but stunning silhouettes: a silk number with an understated ruffle that winds its way around the torso ($3,890), or a stunner in French lace with three-quarter-length sleeves and dainty lace epaulettes ($4,589). A Nicole Miller column dress offers a modern take on Grecian draping, with beaded straps crossing over in the back and a ruffle falling from one shoulder ($1,125).

Pearl Bridal House
76 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga, 905-278-5407
Pearl Bridal House lures Toronto brides to Port Credit with luxe gowns by hard-to-find designers. If you’re seeking Christos’s feminine white dresses, Pearl has the Toronto-area exclusive. The shop’s focus is on high-end couture gowns, so this isn’t the place for a bride on a budget; most gowns run from $4,000 to $6,000. But if you want a showstopper, such as a dramatic satin ball gown, or whimsical details, like a tea-length skirt covered in thousands of hand-sewn bows, it’s worth a visit. Appointments are encouraged. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Powder
Market Lane, 140 Woodbridge Ave., Woodbridge, 905-605-1750
It’s a long drive north of the city, but this intimate atelier in Woodbridge has been a godsend for style-savvy brides in search of a non-traditional, statement-making gown since it opened in 2010. The look is modern sophistication, as found in couture-worthy gowns by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad and red carpet–inspired numbers by Reem Acra, not to mention the country’s most extensive selection of Jenny Packham dresses. Renowned for her intricate beading and crystal work, Packham’s designs combine ’20s elegance with Hollywood glamour—actress Elizabeth Hurley was married in one of her gowns—for the bride who cares more about cutting-edge style than indulging her inner princess.

Sarah Houston
24 Hazelton Ave. (at Yorkville Ave.), 416-921-8882
At her Yorkville boutique, Sarah Houston designs sophisticated gowns whose simplicity belies their meticulous craftsmanship. One creation has a hand-tufted peplum cascading over a silk ball gown silhouette; another style pairs a cloud-like tulle skirt with a beaded lavender bodice. A bias-cut Chantilly lace trumpet dress with a silk cape looks like something out of a 1940s noir film. Gowns from $3,700.

Sash and Bustle
233 Carlaw Ave. (at Queen St. E.), Unit 2, 416-414-3617
A ground-floor space in a Leslieville loft is the ideal location for this three-year-old bridal shop: it’s resolutely urban and confidently stylish without being too showy. Owner Cynthia Martyn got into gowns as an answer to some of the complaints she heard from brides-to-be—too many customers in the store at once, or rude staff. “If you’re looking for a voluminous ball gown, we’re probably not going to have something for you,” says Martyn. Instead, consider a casual dress by Saja or a silk eyelet gown by Toronto’s Catherine Langlois. Most ring in under $2,000. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Valencienne
1104 Eglinton Ave. W. (at Glenarden Rd.), 416-781-6885
When uptown Toronto brides want custom couture, they head to Kim Ironmonger’s 28-year-old Eglinton West shop. Among the confections are three gowns in a regal icy blue, the first hint that Ironmonger isn’t afraid to colour outside the lines. She expertly merges various inspirations into the bespoke dress of your dreams. Incorporating fabric from a mother’s vintage gown is a common request. Floor models lean toward full-skirted fairy-tale fantasies of peau de soie or dupioni in the ever-popular trumpet shape. Swarovski crystal beading and embroidery are done by hand, which is why lead time is six months and dresses start at $2,500.

Vintage Bride
588 Markham St. (at Bloor St. W.), 416-818-1104
“Right now we’re seeing a lot of tea-length frocks, antique lace and draped Grecian gowns,” says owner Cher Thornton. If the wedding demands a ’50s frock puffed out with a crinoline, start here; the same goes for a mod miniskirt or a ’20s dress with a low silk plissé back. Prices vary based on era and quality. Most items are second-hand—people bring Grandma’s dress here hoping a starry-eyed almost-Mrs. will find it—but Thornton finds never-worn dead stock, too. By appointment.

White Toronto
19 Hazelton Ave. (at Yorkville Ave.), 416-849-9196
This Yorkville atelier is the ne plus ultra when it comes to statement-making dresses. Owner Andrea Anastasiou has created an experience worthy of a Parisian boutique, complete with spacious and stylish dressing rooms and a champagne toast when a customer has selected a dress. She leans toward wedding magazine mainstays: Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Rivini, Oscar de la Renta and Reem Acra. Not all items will induce sticker shock, though some run as high as $15,000. You can score a Nicole Miller for $750, but most dresses range from $5,500 to $6,000. Closed Sunday and Monday.

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(Image: Marigolds and Onions Catering)

À la Carte Kitchen
2 Thorncliffe Park Dr. (at Overlea Blvd.), Unit 43, 416-971-4068
Founders Simon Kattar (a chef) and Brian King (a sales and events professional) count royalty and other VIPs among their clients; they move effortlessly from large-scale events (at Roy Thomson Hall, the ROM and the Ontario Science Centre) to more intimate settings. The kitchen’s roster of chefs might start a meal with a chilled foie gras–fig jam appetizer with sauternes gelées and frisée-almond salad. Kattar strives to include local, organic ingredients, and has been pursuing his Lebanese roots with Middle Eastern–French cuisine, as in speckled trout with bulgur and green onion salad. Cocktail menu from $17.50 per person. Sit-down and buffet dinner $30–$60 per person (with a maximum of 2,000), plus wait staff and chef’s charges. No charge for tasting if event is booked. By appointment.

All the Best Fine Foods
1101 Yonge St. (at Marlborough Ave.), 416-467-0580
When the Heather-and-Gerry crowd throws a shindig, this Rosedale mainstay is the go-to spot. The menus change weekly, but expect to find such gourmet comfort foods as beef tenderloin with cracked pepper and Dijon crust, vegetarian chili and mushroom agnolotti with chive cream, as well as savoury sides like couscous-stuffed tomatoes. Wedding banquets (they’ll accommodate up to 400 people) deliver customized menus emphasizing seasonal freshness, natural flavours and local produce. An impressive collection of Canadian artisanal cheeses provides plenty of selection for after dessert. Buffet dinner $40–$95 per person. Sit-down dinner $50–$150, plus wait staff, chef’s charges and buffet rentals. Book two months ahead. By appointment.

Belong Catering
416-821-3607
As the resident caterer at the Evergreen Brick Works, Belong is surely the city’s most virtuous catering outfit. Chef Brad Long sources foods from the best sustainable producers, including Vicki’s Veggies and 100km Foods. He serves composed plates and elegant sharing options like a spit-roasted heritage-breed pig and a bucolic crudité table with just-pulled baby vegetables and an array of dips and pumpernickel soil for dipping. Even the drinking water will leave you with a clear conscience: it’s filtered at his facility using a Vivreau water system. Cocktail menu from $60 per person. Sit-down dinner from $180 per person. By appointment.

Couture Cuisine and Event Artistry
185 Graydon Hall Dr. (at Graydon Hall Pl.), 416-449-5432
Chef Arpi Magyar (formerly of Splendido and Auberge du Pommier) joins forces with a formidable team of event specialists—a sommelier, a stylist, an interior designer and planners—to create extravagant dos. Couture is the in-house caterer for Graydon Hall Manor, but also handles off-site functions. At one winter feast, they served cauliflower soup with veal meatballs followed by squash ravioli, then a main course of rack of venison with potato croquettes and steamed chestnuts and finally a dessert of caramelized quince with vanilla ice cream. Cocktail menu from $40 per person. Buffet and sit-down dinner (for up to 1,000) $50–$70 per person, plus wait staff, chef’s charges and rentals. By appointment.

Daniel et Daniel Event Creation and Catering
248 Carlton St. (at Parliament St.), 416-968-9275, ext. 10
Often hailed as the city’s top caterer, this company specializes in classical French cuisine with international influences. Daniel Clairet works the kitchens and develops customized menus for clients, while Daniel Megly oversees all other aspects. They accommodate casual sit-down dinners as happily as formal events for 2,000 guests. Pork belly bánh mì on mini baguettes and shrimp boudin with pickled onion make great hors d’oeuvres. Salad options include smoked beets with sour apple, braised leeks and white balsamic vinaigrette. The current doughnut craze has inspired the Daniels to offer up beignets in flavours both savoury (short ribs, bacon and pimento) and sweet (dulce de leche). Cocktail menu $20–$40 per person. Buffet dinner $30–$50. Sit-down dinner $35–$70, plus wait staff, chef’s charges and rentals. Book at least six months ahead. No charge for tasting if event is booked.
By appointment.

Eatertainment Special Events and Catering
55 Bloor St. W. (at Bay St.), Ste. 216, 416-964-1162
The company’s catering package showcases 80 pages of options, but the chefs will happily tailor menus to suit any client, whether they’re serving 20 or 2,000 guests. Event planning services, including valet parking, invitations, decor, audio­visual elements and transportation, are also available. Buffet dinner $25–$50 per person. Sit-down dinner $35–$150, plus wait staff and chef’s charges. Free tasting. Book three months ahead.
By appointment.

En Ville Event Design and Catering
165 Geary Ave. (at Bartlett Ave.), 416-533-8800
Chef René Kramer’s excellent team comes from all over the world, inflecting wedding menus with eclectic international influences. They smoke fish and pork in-house, and the chocolate fountain is a favourite among sweet tooths. En Ville can also coordinate music, entertainment, security, transportation, rentals, flowers, videography and photo­graphy, wine pairings and customized table design for wedding clients. Buffet and sit-down dinner $20–$55 per person, plus rentals, wait staff and chef’s charges. Over 1,000 people can be served. No charge for tasting if event is booked. By appointment.

The Food Dudes
647-346-0114
Adrian Niman started catering out of his parents’ house in 2005. Along with business partner Brent McClenahan, he now handles over 700 events annually, and usually at least one wedding per week. Niman challenges catering’s stodgy reputation with modernist touches and an equal emphasis on big flavours and balanced textures. He saves butternut squash soup from its cliché status by first smoking the vegetable, then garnishing it with a crispy pakora and icy liquid nitrogen–blasted sour cream. A mozzarella bar featuring cheese flown in from Campania, Italy, is currently the it item at weddings. Cocktail menu from $30 per person. Sit-down dinner from $55 per person, plus wait staff and chef’s charges. By appointment.

Hearty Catering
1255 Sheppard Ave. E. (at Old Leslie St.), 416-410-2928
Evelyne Gharibian is the go-to caterer for vege­tarians, vegans, raw foodists and people with
gluten intolerance, sourcing her ingredients from organic, Local Food Plus–certified producers and making everything from scratch. The Cornucopia, a signature cocktail hour display of fresh crudités, dips, veggie pâtés and crusty breads, is so stunning that it’s been known to upstage the wedding cake. She ensures carnivores leave just as satisfied as veggie heads; they get their proteins from free-range and sustainable sources (smoked fish from Manitoulin Island, Mennonite-raised chicken). Cocktail menu from $21 per person. Buffet dinner from $45 per person. Sit-down dinner from $49 per person, plus wait staff and chef’s charges. By appointment.

Jamie Kennedy Event Catering
111 Queen’s Park (at Bloor St. W.), 416-362-1957, ext. 201
Since selling the Wine Bar in 2009, Jamie Kennedy has been focusing more on the catering side of his business. He’s the exclusive caterer at the Gardiner Museum (150 for a sit-down meal; 250 for a cocktail reception), a magnificent, glassed-in event space used by stylist Jessica de Ruiter and artist Jed Lind to exchange vows (the event was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings). An in-house team attends to every detail. Trademark locavore dishes include rosemary-crusted lamb chops with caramelized sunchokes, sautéed greens with wild mushroom ragù and a late-night snack of mini poutine in ramekins. Cocktail menu $24–$45 per person. Sit-down dinner from $75, plus wait staff. No charge for tasting if event is booked. Book at least two weeks in advance. By appointment.

Marigolds and Onions
2700 Dufferin St. (at Briar Hill Ave.), Unit 18, 416-256-4882
This elegant caterer can accommodate sit-down dinners for 2,000 as easily as it can handle smaller, more intimate affairs. For one wedding at the Miller Lash House, they set up food stations for 130 guests in a tent with cruiser tables, bar stools, table seating and lounge couches. The choices included a summer barbecue grill on the patio, hand-rolled sushi to order, pad Thai with flaming woks and a “sweet endings” station with house-baked treats. Later in the evening came homemade gourmet pizzas and sweet bites (cheesecake lollipops and house-made chocolate maki). Wedding packages $126–$175 per person, including rentals, wait staff and chef’s charges. Free tasting. Bookings are taken on as little as 24 hours’ notice. Appointments recommended.

North 44° Caterers
2537 Yonge St. (at Sherwood Ave.), 416-487-4897, ext. 3
In addition to four restaurants and a gourmet grocery store, Mark McEwan owns one of the top catering outfits in the city. No wedding is too big (or too small), and his planners will arrange every detail, right down to custom invitations. Seasonal restaurant-quality food and service can be delivered to any venue. Halibut wrapped in a banana leaf has crispy skin and a flaky middle, and comes with a side of lemon-scented basmati rice. An herb-crusted bison tenderloin comes with ricotta gnocchi, braised onions and a spiced plum chutney. Cocktail menu from $50 per person. Buffet from $80. Sit-down dinner from $90, plus wait staff and chef’s charges. No charge for tasting for two if event is booked. Order two to six months in advance for peak season events. By appointment.

Partout Catering
538 Manning Ave. (at Harbord St.), 416-821-0763
On little more than word of mouth, this four-year-old caterer has developed a loyal clientele of discerning foodies. It’s run by Lyon-born chef Jean-Pierre Challet, best known for the excellent Harbord Street restaurant Ici Bistro and the new pâtisserie Le Matin in Leslieville. At a wedding held in the Thompson Landry Gallery, he received a standing ovation for the five-course extravaganza, which included salmon tournedos with maple pecans and a clementine beurre blanc. Shrimp pommes frites—crispy potato-wrapped tiger prawns—are a crowd favourite at stand-and-mingle affairs. Cocktail menu from $25 per person, buffet dinner from $45. Sit-down dinner from $55, plus wait staff and chef’s charges. No charge for tasting if event is booked. Book two months in advance. By appointment.

Sequent Event Catering
105 Vanderhoof Ave. (at Laird Dr.), Unit 8, 416-480-0996
Co-owners Eric te Boekhorst and Lisa Rutland can plan every party detail, including venue, valets, entertainment and food. The team has served hors d’oeuvre and sit-down dinners for 1,200, but can also design intimate affairs, with chefs cooking à la minute in your home. Locally sourced, seasonal ingredients make for a bevy of catering delights. Cocktail menu from $30 per person. Buffet and sit-down dinners from $40 per person, plus wait staff and chef charges. No charge for tasting if event is booked. By appointment.

The Stop
1583 Dupont St. (at Franklin Ave.), 416-537-7867
Few people know that The Stop, the community food centre that runs a drop-in lunch program, food bank and community garden project out of the Wychwood Barns, also has one of the city’s best high-end catering companies (not surprisingly, it’s certified by Local Food Plus). Chef Chris Brown’s canapés soar: butter-poached lobster with pickled fennel; artichoke fritters with tarragon aïoli; oxtail poutine. Cocktail menus from $20 per person. Sit-downs $50 per person. Wait staff and alcohol are extra. By appointment.

Vert Catering
963 Dovercourt Rd. (at Hallam St.), 416-535-2412
Co-owners Marilyn Simms and chef Pedro Dos Santos have impeccable green credentials: they’re affiliated with certification body Local Food Plus, they compost on-site, their delivery vehicle runs on bio-diesel fuel and David Suzuki is a fan of the food. Menu staples include smoked salmon bannock blini with blackberry crème fraîche and maple-glazed pork belly doughnuts. Vert will cater cocktail receptions for up to 300 guests and serve dinner for up to 100. Cocktail menu $24–$40 per person. Buffet dinner $35–$75. Sit-down dinner $55–$100, plus wait staff and chef’s charges. Book up to a month in advance.

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(Image: Bobbette and Belle)

Bakerbots Baking
416-901-3500
Trained as a visual artist as well as a baker, Rosanne Pezzelli loves to experiment with non-traditional shapes and sculptural forms (a cake that looks like a geisha, for example). Her sense of whimsy is evident in a simple cream-coloured three-tier with a handful of pastel macarons tumbling down the side. A stunning white cake with a sugar bow edged in black showcases beautiful restraint. Each cake—made with eggs, milk, butter and Belgian chocolate—features at least two layers, with possible fillings including chocolate-hazelnut buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Cakes from $1,000. By appointment.

Bobbette and Belle
1121 Queen St. E. (at Caroline Ave.), 416-466-8800
At their spacious Leslieville pâtisserie, Allyson Bobbitt and Sarah Bell make some of the city’s most wedding-appropriate cupcakes and macarons, as well as cakes. Custom creations are strong on details: a recent cake was five feet tall and adorned with thousands of sugar flowers. Also popular for weddings are French macarons, hand-painted and letterpress cookies, mini cakes and decorative cupcake towers. Cakes from $1,200.

The Cake Lady
416-539-9415
Some sculptors work in marble, others in bronze or clay. Vanessa Le Page, a.k.a. the Cake Lady, works in ganache-filled chocolate cake. The Dufflet alumna’s portfolio includes a three-dimensional Eiffel Tower, an elaborately iced reproduction of a Delft blue china plate and, for Mr. Dressup’s retirement party, an edible Tickle Trunk. Quirky requests are happily accommodated (she once did a cake shaped like a roast chicken). Flavours include crowd-pleasing vanilla, chocolate and carrot; all receive a thick coat of fresh buttercream icing. Vegan options available. Rates vary. By appointment.

Cake Opera Co.
1136 Eglinton Ave. W. (at Glenarden Rd.), 647-347-2626
After meeting with a bride-to-be, Alexandria Pellegrino draws up a sketch, a work of art in itself that becomes a treasured memento of the big day. The OCAD grad and Cake Walk judge crafts ornate, jaw-dropping cakes like the Piratess, a baroque sculpture inspired by 17th-century tall ships. Flavour combinations include red velvet cake with white-chocolate buttercream icing and banana with milk-chocolate buttercream and salted caramel ganache. Cakes from $1,000.

The Caketress
info@thecaketress.ca
Lori Hutchinson’s one-woman operation is usually booked up to a year in advance for high wedding season, and in the winter, a Dubai wedding planner flies her to the United Arab Emirates to make cakes from scratch. Her designs flow like fabric, with 24-karat gold detailing providing subtle bling. A recent splashed-out wedding had a six-foot-tall edifice decorated with more than 500 sugar flowers. Fillings include banana split, Bailey’s-infused dark chocolate ganache and strawberry buttercream. Cakes from $1,000. Byappointment.

I Do! Wedding Cakes
2700 Dufferin St. (at Briar Hill Ave.), Unit 43, 416-787-6666
Meticulous attention to every fondant detail has helped I Do! evolve from a home kitchen operation to a shop with a six-month waiting list. While prices for elaborate custom jobs have reached summits of $15,000 (six tiers with edible jewels and handmade, hand-pressed flowers), it’s the $335 to $500 I Do! line that keeps the place buzzing. Couples select
one of the chic, clean-lined designs and customize the colours and filling flavours (the mango–passion fruit is outstanding). Owner and head designer Olivia Nguyen is often assumed to be a trained artist, but she humbly insists that she can’t do in clay what she creates in cake. By appointment.

It’s the Icing on the Cake
1238 Queen St. E. (at Leslie St.), 416-469-4973
Armed with an arsenal of sculpting tools, Lynda Paul transforms cake, icing and buttercream into an array of impressive edible sculptures: a Lego model, for example, or a mountain (for a couple who met while rock climbing), or maybe a neatly wrapped pink present, its white fondant ribbons just waiting to be untied. Fanciful and always personalized, Paul’s wedding cakes come in a multitude of creative flavour combinations (just ask) and sizes (from daintily decorated single-serving mini cakes to multi-tiered towers that serve 500). All products are nut-free. Make an appointment for a consultation. Cakes $5 per serving. Closed Sunday and Monday.

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(Image: Let’s Party Consultants)

Bliss
60 Sumach St. (at Queen St. E.), 416-323-3353
Wedding coordinator Tara O’Grady is known for her unflaggingly good taste. Bliss’s staff of four consult from their downtown studio, pulling off six-tent high-society extravaganzas, small out-of-town gatherings in Niagara-on-the-Lake and chic urban restaurant weddings at places like Canoe. Clients’ budgets range from $50,000 to $250,000. Wedding day service from $2,500. Full service from $5,000. By appointment.

Great Events
liz@greatevents.ca
Whether you’re planning a garden party wedding in Stouffville or an extravagant ballroom affair at the Four Seasons, planner Liz Wanless and her team of three assistants do everything. Live butterfly release after the ceremony? Sure. An after-party on a pirate ship, with drag queen entertainment? No problem. Clients’ budgets range from $30,000 to $150,000. The hourly rate is $100. Wedding day service is $1,800. Full service is $5,000. By appointment.

Hand-Made by David Vallee
416-260-1982
A former restaurateur, David Vallee has been planning events in the city on and off for more than 20 years. True to his role on television’s Rich Bride, Poor Bride, Vallee has orchestrated weddings with budgets as small as $2,500 and as large as $325,000, from Toronto to the Caribbean. For tree-hugging couples aspiring to an eco-friendly event, the company’s caterer specializes in local, sustainable food. Full service from $5,000. By appointment.

Karina Lemke
416-937-9357
An intimate gathering at a stylish Yorkville restaurant, a celebration in the cellars of a Niagara winery, a romantic reception at a family cottage, complete with roaring bonfires and beachside s’mores—these are just a few examples of the weddings Karina Lemke has planned. Lemke has been in the wedding business for almost 20 years. She helps couples looking for an alternative to the traditional banquet hall wedding, specializing in more intimate gatherings at unique locations. She works with budgets ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Day-of coordination ranges from $650 to $1,650, depending on the size of the wedding. Full planning services start at $2,800. By appointment.

Let’s Party Consultants
147 Liberty St. (at Fraser Ave.), 416-697-2789
Owner Leena Nasir has 13 years of experience in the business, which means she can spot unpleasant surprises before they happen. Her nine-person team of wedding planners aims to look after your every request while striving to save more money in the wedding’s budget than the cost of their services. Wedding day service from $800. Full service from $1,500. By appointment.

Luxe Destination Weddings
171 East Liberty St. (at Hanna Ave.), Ste. 140, 416-536-7422
This 15-person company was conceived when owners Tara and Matt Soloway suffered the headaches of planning their own beach wedding. Matt heads the in-house travel agency and Tara the wedding planning division; together they’ve sent eloping couples and groups of up to 150 to high-end resorts in the Mayan Riviera and Jamaica. Clients’ budgets range from $10,000 to $250,000. Travel services start at $500. Wedding day service starts at $4,000. Full service is $10,000. Closed Sunday, Saturday by appointment.

Melissa Andre Events
182 Davenport Rd. (at Avenue Rd.), 647-352-5552
Melissa Andre and her team of five planners provide a range of packages, whether you’re planning a brunch reception for 20 or an elaborate winter gala, including a performance by professional figure skaters, a beaver tail buffet and a custom fragrance bar. Budgets range from $75,000 to $500,000. Wedding day service starts at $1,650. Full service starts at $6,500. By appointment.

SpectacularSpectacular
416-921-2444
Whether it’s polishing a 4,000-square-foot ballroom floor with an extra coat of stain the day before the wedding, hanging chandeliers from trees at a forest wedding or building a 5,000-square-foot floating tent on Lake St. Joseph in Muskoka, Melissa Haggerty has no limits. Clients’ budgets start at $75,000. Full planning services start at $5,500. By appointment.

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(Image: Palettera Custom Correspondence)

Carte Blanche Design
35 Collahie St. (at Gladstone Ave.), 416-885-5399
Customized invitations allow the bride and groom to show off their personal style, but graphic designer M. J. Fontaine also has prototypes on hand to get the creative juices flowing. She specializes in creating
a specific look to be used throughout the special day. For an art deco wedding, she created a period monogram and all the printed materials (including seating board and gift tags). She also does thermal engraving. From $7 per custom invitation set. By appointment.

Cry If I Want To
1175 Queen St. E. (at Jones Ave.), 416-466-2797
At their Leslieville storefront, sisters Rochelle and Allison Straker carry everything you need (or just really want) to throw a memorable and intimate wedding. Eco-chic stationery (printed on 100 per cent post-consumer-waste paper and embedded with seeds, such as bird’s eye, clarkia, coreopsis, poppy, catchfly and snapdragon) is a specialty and comes in a range of colours and styles, including layered and photo invitations. Once the wedding ends, the invitation can be planted in a wildflower garden. Invitations $2.50–$3.50 each, reply cards $1.75–$2.50. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Elegant Invitations
93 Laurelcrest Ave. (at Bathurst St.), 416-631-0366
Owner Marla Kamin has been assisting brides and society doyennes in selecting the perfect party parchment for 16 years. Good news for those “We’re getting married in a month” daredevils: Kamin and her partner, Renee Brill, can ship invites within a week to 10 days, though a month’s lead time is recommended. They’ll take care of the whole wedding, from save-the-date cards to thank-you notes. Kamin sources from a well-curated selection of Canadian stationers, handling every type of affair, from a black-tie dinner at the Park Hyatt to a Muskoka barbecue. She also provides a personal touch, addressing invites by hand in smart calligraphy. From $150 per 100-invitation set. By appointment.

Invitation House
453A Eglinton Ave. W. (at Duncannon Dr.), Suite 204, 416-593-0519
Presiding over one of Toronto’s oldest upscale stationery outfits, owner and designer Terry Kirshenbaum ensures quality is high, using cotton, linen and brocade paper and paying close attention to detail. Special touches include foil stamping, copperplate engraving, offset printing, calligraphy, custom die-cutting and blind embossing. Digital printing is available, but Kirshenbaum is faithful to the tactile charm of letterpress. She once even fashioned an engagement party invitation from a cocktail napkin. Order three to four weeks ahead. A set of 100 invitations starts at $800. Closed Sunday. By appointment.

Keemika Design
28 Sommerset Way (at Doris Ave.), 416-557-7424
Letterpress, movie passes and comic books are just a few inspirations for Keemika’s clever and inventive invites. The small team set up shop in 2008 and works closely with each couple to create highly personalized invitation packages. Guests at destination beach weddings have received 10-page passport invitations, complete with the couple’s proposal story, wedding party biographies and details about the venue. Average price for a package of 100 invitations is $2,000. By appointment.

Kid Icarus
205 Augusta Ave. (at Denison Sq.), 416-977-7236
Last year, Kid Icarus owners Bianca Bickmore and Michael Viglione gave their business an upgrade, moving from a tiny shop to a sprawling retail space better suited to showcasing their handmade and silkscreened wedding invitations. Offering a plethora of papers, inks and envelopes to choose from, the two encourage couples to add their own design inspiration. From $4 for a postcard invitation and RSVP card.

Love the Design
1362 Queen St. E. (at Greenwood Ave.), 416-408-1727
Christine Flynn is a design phenomenon, producing photography, furniture and stationery for celebrities like Juliette Lewis, Douglas Coupland, Cecily Eaton and George Stroumboulopoulos. Her invitation designs are bold, graphic and modern and can be printed digitally or via letterpress, depending on the client’s budget. One of her most popular designs includes an illustration of the wedding venue with a vintage map of Toronto used as the envelope lining. Invitation sets run between $9 and $15 each. Custom design is an additional $600. Order four to eight weeks in advance. Closed Saturday and Sunday. By appointment.

Palettera
548 Carlton Rd., Unit 206, Unionville, 905-604-8220
The name Palettera is a combination of palette, letter and era. These words define graphic designer Deborah Lau-Yu’s vision for creating her customized invitations and thank-you notes. Lau-Yu specializes in translating her clients’ love stories into beautiful art. A vintage letterpress from 1905 and hand-drawn designs make for one-of-a-kind invitations that come in myriad formats, including layered, pocket folds, Lucite box and chequebook. Packages start at $1,800. By appointment. Closed Sunday.

The Paper Place
887 Queen St. W. (at Walnut Ave.), 416-703-0089
You can’t beat DIY for charm, and this Queen West shop is a trove of Japanese paper. Silkscreened and tissue-thin sheets are handmade from kozo, mitsumata and gampi (Japanese fibres known for their durability). The store also offers Nepalese varieties, handmade cotton rag paper from Quebec’s Saint-Armand paper mill and marbled Brazilian sheets. Staff will counsel on how to design and layer invitations; you can also draw ideas from a binder full of inspiration. Buy some embellishments or make your own with the help of a book on origami. Pick up crafting tools (cutters, punches), pens, pencils and calligraphy markers. Materials are roughly $2–$7 per invitation.

Sweet Peony Press
647-292-3017
When Shelley Weir, an OCAD graduate and graphic designer, produced her own wedding invitations in 2004, she didn’t anticipate that it would lead to an overwhelming demand for her creations. A year later, equipped with a 1916 foot-treadle letter­press and a portfolio of elegant designs, Weir opened Sweet Peony. She puts an enormous amount of care and meticulous craftsmanship into each piece, and her invitations incorporate vintage handiwork, like swooping calligraphy fonts. She produces custom creations for weddings and offers complimentary consultations. From $10 per invitation set. By appointment.

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(Image: Coriander Girl)

Bloom the Flower Company
1009 Yonge St. (at Crescent Rd.), 416-324-9900
Event planner–cum–floral designer Paul Girling set out to bring inspiring flower design to Rosedale. The shop is famous for its jaw-dropping window arrangements, which feature unconventional elements like green roses, proteas, kiwi branches, asparagus and brussels sprouts. Bouquets start at $35, but average $150 for brides and $80 for bridesmaids. Centrepieces are $75–$600 plus delivery and set-up. Full service available. Closed Sunday.

Blossoms Rosedale
1 Rowanwood Ave. (at Yonge St.), 416-960-8903
Arrangements at this cozy Rosedale shop are simple, feminine and elegant. Owner Rivers Ranscombe says her designers prefer to keep things loose and natural. A bridal bouquet (from $150) might include Ontario delphiniums, tulips and cymbidium orchids. The shop focuses on local and seasonal flowers and will work within a variety of budgets. For one September wedding, Ranscombe designed a Jewish bedeken room with freshly picked late-summer blooms. Brides may be tempted by such centrepieces as lime-green celosia with white hydrangeas, pale yellow cabbage roses and coral mini calla lilies (from $85). Closed Sunday.

Coriander Girl
1604 Queen St. W. (at Callender St.), 416-532-3333
Stepping into Alison Westlake’s charming Parkdale flower shop, you can’t help but fall in love with her sweet, country-chic approach to florals. Her signature loose, romantic arrangements of locally sourced blooms (tulips, peonies, dahlias and feathery astilbe) come in rustic containers, such as vintage pitchers, Mason jars and apothecary bottles. The look is natural, understated and not overly stylized. Bridal bouquets from $100, centrepieces from $45. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Emblem
390 Dupont St. (at Brunswick Ave.), 416-972-9878
In summer, this floral atelier makes for a luscious, blooming spectacle: heaps of delphiniums, lilies, hydrangeas and roses, all bundled in buckets. Up to 25 designers are at work, creating tightly bound bouquets. Emblem does full-service weddings, preferring rich, dense arrangements, and changes palettes by the season. For one reception, they lined a table with test tubes filled with coral peonies, orange roses and berries. Bridal bouquets $185–$350, centrepieces from $85, full wedding $4,000–$60,000. Saturday and Sunday by appointment.

Flower Plus
1709 Bayview Ave. (at Eglinton Ave. E.), 416-485-1167
The secret to many perfectly appointed drawing rooms of the Bridle Path, Forest Hill and Rosedale might just be this upscale Leaside flower shop. In business since 1985, it’s a family-owned fixture serving regulars and customers from as far away as Kitchener. Flower Plus will accommodate any style, but it mostly deals in classics like roses, peonies and hydrangeas. It tries to tailor the blooms to the overall style of the nuptials: an English garden for the Estates of Sunnybrook, for example, or a modern look for a ceremony at the ROM. Bridal bouquets from $150, centrepieces from $65. Full service available from $3,500. Closed Sunday.

Forget Me Not Flowers
594 Chartwell Rd., Oakville, 905-845-8996
Oakville event designer Frank Rea’s sophisticated designs have been glamming up film festival galas and beautifying soirées for over 30 years. The difference is in the details: when creating arrangements, Rea considers the entire venue, including the lighting and the colour scheme. His 20,000-square-foot warehouse holds everything necessary for a luxe party, all custom designed and available for the big day. Rea prefers seasonal flora but does made-to-order work for every couple. Bridal bouquets from $150, centrepieces from $125. By appointment.

Parterre Flowers
182 Davenport Rd. (at Avenue Rd.), 416-966-8669
This is the kind of irresistibly quaint florist you might stumble upon in London’s Kensington district; Parterre specializes in formal, European-style arrangements. A classic grouping might include roses, orange ranunculuses, grape hyacinths and green snowballs. Bouquets are compact and vibrant. Venues are put to creative use: a banister wears a necklace of orchids; children’s tables are adorned with moss topiaries shaped like bunnies. Parterre also does wedding planning, starring at $1,000. Bouquets from $100, centrepieces from $75. Saturday by appointment, closed Sunday.

Poppies
1094 Queen St. W. (at Dovercourt Rd.), 416-538-2497
Owner Laura Tarbat tends to combine exotic blooms—Australian proteas, heart-shaped anthurium, Malaysian orchids—with more familiar flora (dahlias, tulips, roses). A favourite of local galleries and visiting film crews, Poppies is the designer of choice for a number of neighbourhood hot spots, including The Drake. A traditional all-white wedding bouquet might include roses, calla lilies and white snowberries. Bridal bouquets from $100, centre­pieces from $50, plus delivery.

Quince Flowers
660 Queen St. E. (at Carroll St.), 416-594-1414.
A former art student, Rosemary Jeffares specializes in contemporary styles with a simplified palette. Mixing local favourites with more exotic blooms is a specialty: familiar varieties, such as snowball viburnum or ranunculus, might share space with striking gloriosa lilies or delicate mokara orchids. Twisted branches and curly willow and cocoa fronds are on hand to add a structural element and a dose of drama to larger bouquets. Customizable full-wedding packages available. Bouquets from $150, centrepieces from $75.

The Rose Emporium
204 Dupont St. (at Huron St.), 416-922-9909.
Owner Justina Flores—her last name means, appropriately, flowers in Spanish—has access to hundreds of varieties and colours, and can fulfill just about any floral fantasy. Rose shades include red, chartreuse, tangerine, mauve, pale yellow and traditional wedding white. Flores makes use of seasonal flowers that work well with roses. This year, she’s using a lot of garden varieties, which have larger blooms and headier fragrances. All weddings are customized. Bridal bouquets from $75, centrepieces from $50. Full service available. Closed Sunday.

Stemz
31 Saulter St., Unit 2 (at June Callwood Way), 416-686-8526
Stemz’ studio is located in a renovated woodwork factory with large arched windows and copper orbs hanging from the beamed ceilings. It forms the perfect backdrop for owner Fiona Liston’s full-bodied arrangements—her palette is often colour blocked, placing blooms in lovely glassware for a chic and sophisticated look. All her wedding arrangements are customized with the venue and theme in mind. Bridal bouquets from $275, centrepieces from $150. By appointment.

Wild Thyme
388 Carlaw Ave. (at Gerrard St. E.), Studio 200D, 416-440-2614
Having fallen in love with floral design while working at a Notting Hill flower shop and at London’s upscale Park Lane Hotel, Margaret Corrigan returned to Toronto in 2000 and opened a place of her own. Arrangements lean toward the fresh and modern. Corrigan likes to use in-season flowers and local blooms whenever possible. For weddings, she prefers a warmer look with looser, monochromatic bouquets. Bridal bouquets $150–$250, centre­pieces $100–$200. By appointment.

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(Image: Mango Studios)

Boyfriend/Girlfriend
416-841-9125
Partners Vanessa Heins and Jess Baumung use their doubles act to get multiple perspectives on the client’s big day, producing stylish, candid images backed up by Heins’s experience in editorial photography and Baumung’s background in live-music shots. They only do 20 weddings a year, so book early. From $3,500. By appointment.

5ive15ifteen Photo Company
429 Spadina Rd. (at Lonsdale Rd.), 416-487-0515
The photographers at 5ive15ifteen like to keep their work natural and relaxed, but with the lush colours and elegant composition of a high-toned editorial spread. (The studio’s work has appeared in Martha Stewart Weddings, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style and Today’s Bride.) From $3,950. By appointment.

Ikonica Images
388 Carlaw Ave. (at Dundas St. E.), Ste. 302B, 416-259-6795.
One of Toronto’s best-known studios, Ikonica captures breathtaking shades, settings and fleeting moments that often appear right out of a storybook, whether it’s a flower girl running down the aisle or a couple gazing at a sky full of fireworks. Typically $5,000. By appointment.

Johnny Lam Photography
416-893-3974
Johnny Lam’s shots are casual, breezy and fun. A traditionalist, the photographer prefers to shoot outdoor weddings and use natural light (he almost never uses a flash, claiming it drowns out a lot of the ambience). Lam “soft poses” couples, having them just stand and talk to each other casually. By appointment.

Joseph + Jaime Photography
416-214-2588
Joseph Paget and Jaime Maddalena have been married for seven years and shooting weddings for eight, favouring a documentary style and fresh compositions inspired by their editorial work. Those looking for something different can have a few pics taken on a toy camera. From $2,900. By appointment.

Let Them Eat Cake Films
70 Ward St. (at Lansdowne Ave.), 416-252-7768
Owner and lead cinematographer Mike Rybinski has embraced video to the benefit of brides and grooms everywhere: he can have an expertly produced DVD documenting wedding preparations and the ceremony itself in the couple’s hands in time for the reception. LTEC’s shooters use Hollywood techniques—including professional off-camera lighting, audio and Steadicam—to capture primping bridesmaids and a behind-the-scenes peek at the bride-and-groom photo shoot. From $3,000. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Mango Studios
477 Richmond St. W. (at Brant St.), Unit 101, 416-366-4723.
Co-owners Nancy Da Costa and Mo Govindji like to think of Mango as a collective of artists helping each other hone their craft (many of the shooters are graphic designers and fine arts majors). They describe their aesthetic as timeless nostalgia, making use of light (solar flares are de rigueur in their pics) and eschewing Photoshop for more natural looks. Packages start at $3,900, but Govindji recommends the $5,500 one, which comes with two photo­graphers and an album to make the day all the more memorable. By appointment.

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(Image: Fairmont Royal York Hotel)

Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St. W. (at McCaul St.), 416-979-6634
For a truly magnificent celebration, Frank Gehry’s transformed AGO offers an awe-inspiring event space. On the third floor of the south tower, the 7,200-square-foot Baillie Court affords panoramic city views on one end and overlooks the gallery’s iconic spiral staircase on the other. Designed in modern glass and Douglas fir, the room can be divided as needed and seats up to 300. Executive chef Anne Yarymowich works with couples on customized menus, and a small army of professional event staff ensures the experience is as effortless as it is unique. Baillie Court rental includes a one-year membership to the AGO for the newlyweds. The Walker Court is available to rent outside of gallery hours in conjunction with a reception in Baillie Court.

Artscape Wychwood Barns
601 Christie St. (at Benson Ave.), 416-653-3520
A shining paradigm of urban renewal, this series of long-abandoned TTC streetcar repair buildings reopened in late 2008 as Wychwood Barns, a mixed-use community of artists’ residences, urban agriculture, non-profit groups and an event space. With exposed brick, concrete floors and 22-foot ceilings, the skylit Covered Street Barn holds legitimate claim to the industrial chic label. The nearly 8,000-square-foot hall accommodates up to 400 people for dinner. It’s a residential site, so all events must end by 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday or by 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. $2,000–$3,500 per day.

Berkeley Events
315 Queen St. E. (at Berkeley St.), 416-361-9666
Built in 1871, the Berkeley Church did religious duties for nearly a century before becoming a charming special events spot with lofty ceilings, original stained-glass windows and hardwood floors. The main-floor Yorktown Room has two gas fireplaces and a 500-square-foot stage; the mezzanine is bordered by antique railings on one side and stained glass all around. The 50-seat Circa Room has a wine cellar and fireplaces. Together, the two can seat 400. Next door, the Field House (which hosts 150) leads out to a patio near a stream. $1,800 per day Monday to Tuesday, $3,100 per day Wednesday to Friday, $3,800 Saturday, $3,100 Sunday. Catering in-house; rates vary.

The Burroughes Building
639 Queen St. W. (at Bathurst St.), 416-360-5757
With draped fabrics, enormous chandeliers, theatre lighting and a wide range of furnishings, couples can customize a century-old building into a space as modern as a Wallpaper interior design spread or as old-fashioned as a prim Edwardian sitting room. The sixth floor has stunning hardwood floors and can hold 450 for cocktails and 260 for a seated dinner. It also offers access to a rooftop bar and features the original building’s former outside wall, complete with the old furniture company’s retro signage. Renting the rooftop for the evening means unobstructed skyline views of downtown (holds 100 standing).

Canoe
66 Wellington St. W. (at Bay St.), 416-364-1211
Guests can dine on Canoe’s award-winning contemporary Canadian cuisine while surveying the impressive view from the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower. Two private dining rooms (seating 24 and 40, though they can be combined to accommodate 64) are available during the week, and the entire 140-seat restaurant can be rented out on weekends. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of Union Station, the CN Tower and the lake. Room rental included with minimum food and beverage order (wedding package includes tasting for two). Full restaurant rental from $12,000.

The Carlu
444 Yonge St. (at College St.), 7th flr., 416-597-1931
A breathtaking example of art moderne, the seventh-floor space at the top of the former Eaton’s College Street store was designed by one of the style’s masters, French architect Jacques Carlu. The look is ’30s glam, from the art deco Lalique fountain in the Round Room to the ebony and bird’s-eye maple in the concert hall. The airy lobby opens onto a 1,200-seat concert hall that can accommodate 1,500 for cocktails or 600 for dinner. Rental $1,100–$5,500 per room, $15,000 for full floor. Choose from five preferred caterers; seated dinners are $175 per person.

Design Exchange
234 Bay St. (at King St. W.), 416-216-2140
Built in 1937 for the Toronto Stock Exchange, the site now houses a design museum and hosts weddings, parties, fundraisers and events. The key attraction is the former trading floor ($3,600), which holds 550 standing. Graced with 40‑foot ceilings, the glamorous room features marble wainscotting, vintage fluorescent lights and eight murals by the Canadian master Charles Comfort. Also available: a large space that can serve as a bridal dressing room. Choose from seven approved caterers.

Distillery District
55 Mill St. (at Trinity St.), 416-203-2363
When the Gooderham and Worts distillery was revamped in 2003, Toronto not only got a new historic attraction—an amazingly well-preserved example of Victorian industrial architecture—but also a popular party venue. Built in 1859, the Fermenting Cellar is a fine example of the district’s charm, with plenty of windows (it’s not actually a cellar), rustic limestone walls, original wood trusses and high, beamed ceilings. Popular with everyone—celebrities, brides, bar mitzvah organizers, corporate types—the 7,500-square-foot space holds up to 600 people for cocktails and 300 for dinner. Prices vary, but there is no rental charge for customers who use the in-house caterers. It’s booked up to a year and a half in advance.

The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St. W. (at Beaconsfield Ave.), 416-531-5042, ext. 244
Wired in more ways than one, this adrenalin-fuelled Queen Street hot spot is not exactly your classic wedding venue—unless you’re a rock star. One L.A. couple had their ceremony in the club-like Underground bar, a reception in the lounge, dinner in the elegant main-floor dining room and nightcaps in the Sky Yard (the rooftop patio). With its Rorschach-print walls and deconstructed stools, the lounge has a sensual vibe; the spacious ground-floor room holds up to 175 for cocktails. The Underground can play almost any role you like; it morphs from club to theatre to party zone. There are dedicated bars in each of the main areas, as well as digital projection, wireless Internet and other audio­visual services. Room rental and event planning services included with minimum in-house catering fee; rates vary.

Estates of Sunnybrook
2075 Bayview Ave. (at Lawrence Ave. E.), 416-480-4960
These two restored Georgian-style mansions sit on 40 acres of manicured countryside in north Toronto. The Gatsby-esque grounds are specta­cular: the English-style gardens at McLean House are fairy-tale perfect, while couples who marry at the Vaughan Estate have the option of doing so in the Arbor, a leafy grove. Interior spaces include the Vaughan Estate’s stately main ballroom (200 standing, 150 seated), the more modern courtyard ballroom below (175 standing, 140 seated) and the self-contained McLean House (120 standing, 72 seated), as well as the petite coach house (60 standing, 40 seated). Individual estimates are available upon request. Catering is done in-house; buffet, à la carte and international options available.

Evergreen Brick Works
550 Bayview Ave. (at Pottery Rd.), 416-596-1495, ext. 293.
The former brick-making quarry has been transformed into a vibrant community centre and event destination where everyone—the high-society yoga mom, the University of Toronto urban planning student and the eco-minded bride and groom—feels equally at home. Two on-site spaces are suitable for weddings. The Holcim Gallery offers seasonally available covered outdoor spaces with views of the surrounding gardens, and Koerner Gardens is an open-concept building with native plants and a skating trail in winter. They accommodate up to 500 for dining (or 1,000 for cocktails, if your future mother-in-law wants to invite the whole neighbourhood), while the BMO Atrium and Young Welcome Centre provide year-round facilities for smaller affairs (150 sitting or 400 for a cocktail reception). Green is more than a colour scheme here: all eight approved caterers— the Food Dudes, The Stop, Belong Catering, En Ville Event Design and Catering, 10tation Event Catering, Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering, Jamie Kennedy Event Catering and Daniel et Daniel Event Creation and Catering—meet strict sustainability guidelines. Hotel partners are all Green Leaf certified through Tourism Toronto.

The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front St. W. (at Bay St.), 416-860-5092
The Royal York is a favourite destination for establishment weddings. The Imperial Room can hold 575 for cocktails and 250 for dinner, with a dance floor. The ballroom (590 for cocktails, 250 for dinner) has an eye-catching ceiling, with a fresco of clouds and a chariot suspended above 25-foot windows and hardwood floors. The concert hall holds 1,085 for cocktails or 450 for dinner, while the Canadian Room can accommodate 1,670 for cocktails or 850 for dinner. There is no rental fee if a minimum food and beverage charge is reached. Hotel packages can include a bridal suite with breakfast in bed. Catering is done in-house (although kosher cuisine is outsourced).

Four Seasons Hotel
60 York­ville Ave. (at Bay St.), 416-964-0411
Brides in need of a massive ballroom (the kind that can easily host more than 200 people) will find what they’re looking for in the new, large, modern Four Seasons on Yorkville Avenue, which opened last year. The sparkling new space replaces the old hotel’s Regency Ballroom as the go-to venue for the city’s elite. The two marquee ballrooms (the smaller Vinci can seat 250 and the larger Aria can seat 430) were designed by famed local firm Yabu Pushelberg (they’re responsible for the decor at the luxe power broker restaurants One and Bymark). The spaces are clean-lined and sleek, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the trees of the Rosedale Valley. The Czech crystal chandeliers, which look a bit like an elegant rain shower, add some razzle-dazzle to the sophisticated space. Catering is done in-house. Prices to be determined.

The Gardiner Museum
111 Queen’s Park (at Bloor St. W.), 416-362-1957, ext. 201
The KPMB-designed Gardiner is a modernist prism of limestone and glass. The light-filled lobby is ideal for receptions, and early arrivals can peruse the ceramics, glass, wood and textiles in the gift shop. The third floor is for the main event. Jamie Kennedy tailors a seasonal sit-down menu for up to 150 guests, cocktails for 250. The room’s outer walls are glass, with knockout vistas of the Royal Ontario Museum and U of T’s Victoria College. Drinks can be served on one of two terraces, and galleries can remain open for guests when the lobby and terrace are booked. Rates vary. In-house catering is available.

Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. W. (at Gladstone Ave.), 416-531-4635
This Victorian landmark is the city’s funkiest hotel; it’s also the oldest, and comes complete with
a hand-operated elevator. The guest rooms have been redone by local and Canadian artists and designers; public rooms mix historic grandeur with street cred and are natural settings for an artsy do. The grandest of the four public spaces is the 2,000-square-foot ballroom, with exposed brick walls, pine flooring, a high ceiling and Victorian windows. The Art Bar, a smaller venue for more intimate events, such as a post-wedding brunch, can accommodate up to 40. On the second floor, the hotel’s wide hallways provide an exhibition space and reception area, with 14-foot ceilings and a balcony overlooking Queen Street. The two-storey Tower Suite is perfect for bridal party preparation. Spaces range from $350 to $5,550. Catering is in-house: buffet dinner from $45 per person; sit-down rates start at $50.

Graydon Hall Manor
185 Graydon Hall Dr. (at Don Mills Rd.), 416-449-5432
Partying in this venue is like being in a Merchant Ivory film. English country gardens, stone terraces and flowing fountains transport guests from Don Mills to a veritable Sissinghurst. Built in 1936 for financier Rupert Bain and owned by just one other family until the mid-’60s, the manor got a facelift 13 years ago and opened as an event facility. Private receptions have access to eight fireplaces, a library, a dining room and a conservatory. Luxuries include silk, damask and peau de soie linens, Rosenthal china, crystal stemware and the use of a bridal boudoir and groom’s room. Entire facility $1,500–$10,000 per day, daytime rental (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) from $1,000. Catering is by Couture Cuisine: cocktails from $30 per person, dinner from $60.

Hart House
7 Hart House Cir. (at Queen’s Park Cres.), 416-946-7196
Few places are as magical as the Hart House quad in summer. With its ivy-covered grey stone walls, raised flagstone patio and baronial Great Hall, it feels a bit like an outdoor church or a nobleman’s private park. A slice of Oxford in downtown Toronto, the late-Gothic building has rooms lined in leaded windows, polished stone floors, vaulted ceilings, Gothic arches and fabulous Canadian art (check out the extensive Group of Seven collection). The quad and Great Hall (which together hold up to 250 with a dance floor) are popular sites for weddings, as is the tiny nondenominational chapel. The on-site restaurant, the Gallery Grill, is also available for smaller celebrations. Great Hall and quad $3,045. Catering is in-house: dinner from $50 per person.

The King Edward Hotel
37 King St. E. (at Yonge St.), 416-863-3233
For grand fairy-tale weddings, Toronto’s oldest luxury hotel, in business for more than a century, is one of the city’s most popular venues. But keep in mind that romance knows no budget: a function in the Vanity Fair Ballroom, a favourite of socialites, doesn’t come cheap—wedding packages start at $170 per person. Nevertheless, the room plays the part beautifully, with flawless decor, including gold curtains, teardrop chandeliers and grand faux-marble pillars. The ambience—with service as polished as the gleaming silver trays— is pure class. All told, the ballroom and reception areas can hold up to 280 people for a sit-down affair or 500 guests for a stand-up one (including a dance floor). The Sovereign Ballroom (400 for cocktails, 180 for dinner) is a light-filled, photo-friendly space with lovely full-length windows. Rates vary. Catering is done in-house.

Liberty Grand
Exhibition Place, 25 British Columbia Rd. (at Lake Shore Blvd. W.), 416-542-3789
The Grand’s three gleaming beaux arts–style ballrooms are notable for their crystal chandeliers, soaring 27-foot ceilings, iron-laced balconies and arched windows. The Governor’s Room hosts grand affairs (800–1,200 people for cocktails, 400–800 seated); the Centennial and Renaissance rooms each accommodate 550 for cocktails and up to 300 seated. The upper mezzanine features rooms that can be used as bridal suites or hospitality rooms. Decor is decadent: mahogany ballroom chairs upholstered in luxurious fabrics, large tables set with Royal Doulton china and silverware. The Artifacts Room holds up to 1,800 for cocktails or up to 300 for dinner and has extensive audiovisual equipment. Kosher and vegetarian meals are available. Venue rental included with minimum food and beverage order; bridal suite included. Catering in-house by chefs Daniel Ponte and Michael Ewing; rates vary.

Malaparte
350 King St. W. (at John St.), 416-364-1211
Oliver and Bonacini’s endeavour on the sixth floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox is a clean-lined, modern option for the urban bride and groom. It holds 150 guests seated and 200 for a standing cocktail reception, and it’s lined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking King West. The adjoining rooftop terrace and band-ready outdoor amphitheatre are ideal for those who want to celebrate with a raucous downtown party—the two spaces hold up to 200 for a cocktail reception. As expected from O&B, both the in-house event planning and the food (which includes elements blended from Canadian, Japanese, French and Spanish cuisines) are masterfully executed.

McMichael Canadian Art Collection
10365 Islington Ave., Kleinburg, 905-893-1121, ext. 2536
Surrounded by 100 acres of lush green parkland, this Group of Seven landmark provides secluded serenity. Most couples choose to be married on the isolated outcrop known as Hilltop and hold their reception indoors, either in the Grand Hall, with its rock walls and wood-beamed cathedral ceiling, or in the smaller restaurant and terrace that overlook the Humber River valley. The hall seats 150 people, the restaurant about 100. Another option, best suited to smaller functions, is the Founders’ Lounge; it can seat 40 and looks out onto the canopy of the Humber River forest. For a small fee, you can arrange to have the galleries remain open for private viewing. Hilltop $600, Founders’ Lounge $750, galleries $500, McMichael Restaurant $1,000 (includes use of terrace), Grand Hall $1,500 per night. Catering is in-house and can accommodate specialty requests, including vegetarian, vegan, kosher and gluten-free.

Neubacher Shor Contemporary
5 Brock St. (at Queen St. W.), 647-933-0193
Located off an unassuming Parkdale alley, this warehouse turned contemporary art gallery has clean, modern white walls, but retains the character of the original building: rough brickwork, buffed concrete floors and a 16-foot wood-beamed ceiling. Movable partitions make the 3,000-square-foot space malleable to individual visions; the room holds 250 standing and 150 seated. The gallery is curated by owners and art experts Manny Neubacher and Anya Shor; guests can leave up the current art show or create their own projections and installations (though that option comes with a fee). The space is $2,000 Sunday to Wednesday, $2,500 Thursday through Saturday. The preferred caterer is Eatertainment, but outside catering is also permitted. Couples also have the cost-saving option of providing their own alcohol.

The Old Mill Inn and Spa
21 Old Mill Rd. (at Bloor St. W.), 416-236-2641
Nestled on the edge of the Humber River, this Tudor-style mansion is the epitome of old-fashioned Anglo tradition. The timbered walls and wood-beamed ceilings evoke historic England, while flower gardens and waterfalls provide a photogenic backdrop. Almost 600 couples get hitched every year in the Old Mill’s 120-seat private chapel, a brick and stained glass building based on a 16th-century model; receptions are held in one of 15 function rooms that hold anywhere from eight to 800 people. Four of the rooms—the Guildhall (up to 250 for cocktails, 200 for dinner), Garden (80 for cocktails, 54 for dinner), Kingsbrook (60 for cocktails, 50 for dinner) and Drawing (50 for reception, 36 for dinner)—open onto private patios or gardens. Each room offers a unique ambience. Outdoor weddings can be held in the garden ($975) any day except Saturday. Wedding packages, including catering, are $96–$134 per person.

One King West
1 King St. W. (at Yonge St.), 416-548-8200
One King, built in 1914, retains its classic architectural magnificence—it’s kept the original marble bank deposit tables and an impressive 40-tonne vault in the basement (perfect for photo ops). The Grand Banking Hall (500 standing, 250 seated) is a guaranteed showstopper, with 35-foot ceilings, a 100-foot bar, floor-to-ceiling cathedral windows, Corinthian columns and a meticulously restored carved relief ceiling. Guests can also opt for one of five other heritage spaces, including the wood-panelled Chairman’s Boardroom (50 seated, 80 standing) or the 2,000-square-foot Austin Gallery (100 seated, 300 standing) with overlooking balcony. Packages from $140 to $180 per person. Catering is in-house; plated dinners from $46 to $70 per person, buffet dinner $57 per person.

Ontario Heritage Centre
8 and 10 Adelaide St. E. (at Yonge St.), 416-314-4914
Built in 1909 by architect George Gouinlock, this restored beaux arts beauty retains its Edwardian charm and dignity. The former banking hall, now known as the Gallery, seats up to 120 guests and feels like a grand ballroom. With its high ceilings, gilt details, marble staircase and three chandeliers, it could double as a set for My Fair Lady. (Cinderella Man and other Hollywood movies have been shot here.) One of the last manually operated elevators in the city delivers guests to the Birkbeck Room, which looks onto Adelaide Street through oak-trimmed Romanesque windows. The room is often used for wedding ceremonies. A small, oak-panelled boardroom suits private dinners and bridal prep. A private entrance (8 Adelaide St.) leads into the Gallery. $1,550–$2,100. Choose from four preferred caterers.

Palais Royale Ballroom
1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at Parkside Dr.), 416-533-3553
In its heyday, the Palais Royale hosted such jazz greats as Count Basie and Duke Ellington. It was built in 1922 as a boathouse; a 2005 renovation restored the dance hall’s art deco charm. The light-filled grand ballroom can accommodate up to 350 people for a sit-down dinner or 800 for cocktails, with a full dance floor. A 4,000-square-foot lake-facing patio provides a romantic setting for summer vows. All catering is done on-site by executive chef Steffan Howard, with primarily local ingredients. Menus can be customized. Wedding packages (including space rental and food) are $185 per person.

The Rectory Café
102 Lakeshore Ave., Ward’s Island, 416-203-2152
It takes some careful planning to hold a reception at the picturesque Rectory on Ward’s Island, but the quiet charm of the former priest’s residence, surrounded by trees, rewards the efforts of couples looking to escape the city without much travel. Fifteen minutes from downtown by ferry, the popular lakeside patio seats up to 130 and, for the right price, will close to the public for special events. The restaurant itself holds 50, and a smaller, semi-private lakeside bar is available for more intimate groups of 20 to 30. Prices range from $250 to $2,000, depending on the day of the week and the time of year. Catering is done exclusively in-house.

Ritz-Carlton
181 Wellington St. W. (at Simcoe St.), 416-585-2500
Getting married at the Ritz comes with bragging rights—there aren’t many venues in the city with the same level of pedigree. The name helps, but the hotel stands on its own in terms of amenities: the 7,400-square-foot ballroom—adorned with shimmering chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows and a sweeping wraparound foyer—makes the one in Beauty and the Beast look shabby (it seats 500 for dinner), while a comparatively small 1,666-square-foot gallery is suited to smaller receptions of 80 to 140. Catering is included, and special packages (including romantic wedding night suites) are also available.

The Royal Conservatory of Music
273 Bloor St. W. (at Bedford Rd.), 416-408-2824, ext. 500
The RCM offers the kind of stunning architectural backdrop that was unheard of in the city a decade ago—which is perhaps why it is quickly becoming one of its most popular wedding venues. Three levels of beautiful gallerias, which serve as the Koerner Hall lobbies on concert evenings, are connected by a floating staircase; they offer breath­taking views of Philosopher’s Walk ($2,200 for the lower level, $1,900 for the middle, $1,000 for the top). The lower level, with access to an outdoor patio, is the largest of the three, accommodating up to 350 for cocktail receptions and 200 for a seated dinner (or 150 with a dance floor). Rooms cannot be redecorated quickly, so those wishing to have both the ceremony and the reception on-site may have to book two levels. Choose from seven caterers: 10tation; Presidential Gourmet; À La Carte Kitchen; Couture Cuisine; Marigolds and Onions; Daniel et Daniel; and North 44°. The venue also houses the Glenn Gould School, so you can have a young musical prodigy wow the guests at your event.

Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen’s Park (at Bloor St. W.), 416-586-5572
TIn addition to the restaurant c5, which has a dinner capacity of 110, the ROM offers eight gallery spaces and reception rooms that can accommodate dinner parties for between 50 and 500 guests. You can, for example, dine among the dinosaurs in the Temerity Galleries, housed in the futuristic Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, or marvel at the Ming tombs in the Gallery of Chinese Architecture. Many spaces include additional artifact galleries for private touring. Ceremonies can be held in the intimate rooftop solarium, the RBC Foundation Glass Room. Chef Corbin Tomaszeski oversees globally inspired menus. $750–$30,000.

Shangri-La Hotel
188 University Ave. (at Adelaide St. W.), 647-788-8888
If you want to tie the knot at the city’s luxury hotel du jour, you can’t do better than the Shangri-La. Outside the glimmering glass edifice, there’s an undulating silver sculpture designed by Chinese artist Zhang Huan. Inside, the Hariri Pontarini–designed building is done up in elegant chinoiserie and luxe details like hand-blown green glass chandeliers and onyx accents. The hotel features nine event spaces that can accommodate intimate gatherings for 40 or splashy affairs for 400. Internationally inspired catering is available from Bosk, the hotel’s signature restaurant.

Sunnyside Pavilion
1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at Parkside Dr.), 416-531-2233
A relic of the old Sunnyside Amusement Park, this former bathing pavilion now draws couples seeking waterside nuptials. The lake is the unquestionable draw here, and two open-air Mediterranean-themed banquet areas are available for the ceremony and reception. The Corinthian-columned ground-level courtyard features botanical gardens and a fountain and seats up to 500 for dinner, while the covered upper observation terrace offers stunning water views and holds as many as 250. Seasonal (May to September). $2,500 for courtyard or terrace. Catering is done in-house, or you can bring in your own.

Thompson Hotel
550 Wellington St. W. (at Bathurst St.), 416-601-3606
This hotel offers retro-modern spaces for couples who want New York–style opulence tempered with the laid-back attitude of L.A. The two most impressive areas—the Rooftop Lounge (up to 250 for cocktails) and the Lobby Bar (400 for cocktails)—offer views of the Toronto skyline, one 360 degrees and stunningly real, the other playfully hand-painted on a grand scale by Spanish artist Javier Mariscal. A lingerie model pillow fight broke out during the hotel’s June 2010 opening party in the Wellington Ballroom (seating up to 160 for dinner and dancing); it features striking hand-blown glass chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling mirrors and dark, natural wood interiors. Rental fees start at $2,500 or are included with a minimum food and beverage rate. Packages are available, including a honeymoon suite with chocolate-dipped strawberries and breakfast in bed—familiar romantic elements that contrast with the hotel’s otherwise cool, masculine modernism.

Toronto Botanical Garden
777 Lawrence Ave. E. (at Leslie St.), 416-397-1349
Following a $5-million reno, the formerly dingy TBG has a new lease on life. The two main event halls are closely tied to nature. The 3,300-squarefoot Floral Hall overlooks a courtyard filled with seasonal flowers and bordered by a water curtain. The lobby, with its soaring glass walls, leads to the TBG’s innovative gardens—no need to have your reception and take photos in different places. The smaller Garden Hall (designed by Raymond Moriyama in the ’50s) opens onto a garden of rhododendrons and Japanese maples. And you won’t risk running into other newlyweds: wedding parties need a permit to take pictures on the grounds. Garden Hall $1,200–$1,300, Floral Hall $2,100–$3,100; rates for the lobby vary. Choose from a dozen preferred caterers, but there’s a $5 corkage fee. Free parking available.

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By Michelle Reddick | Photography by Jaime + Joseph

Location: Trinity Chapel and the Gardiner Museum | Guests: 96 | Date: June 8, 2013

Lindsay Pringle, 30, suspected her boyfriend Tim Gordon, 30, was going to propose during a quick trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake in late March. “We had a perfect day: a perfect bike ride, a perfect dinner. But then it never happened,” says Lindsay, an accessories designer. Once she had given up and started getting ready for bed, Tim, who works in regulatory compliance for BMO, pulled out his guitar. “I performed a song that I wrote,” he says. “The last lines were the proposal.” For their wedding, the pair considered a few rural venues but ultimately settled on the gothic drama of U of T’s Trinity College Chapel, around the corner from their home. After the ceremony, a traditional Scottish pipe led the cheering and clapping guests across the street to Gardiner Museum. To bring a contemporary and classic feel to the reception, Lindsay opted for a neutral palette, but couldn’t resist a few pops of bright pink in the decor, candy table and cocktails. Tim also paired his suit with bright, patterned socks (his signature) and picked out a pink bowtie—a choice Lindsay insists was all his own.

See the wedding album »

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By Amanda Panacci | Photography by Catherine Farquharson

 Location: St. Lawrence Hall | Guests: 150 | Date: November 24, 2012

Kathleen Killen, a 34-year-old owner of a PR marketing firm, wasn’t sure about Robinder Kahlon, a 40-year-old high school teacher, when she first saw his online dating profile. For one, she says, “Rob had one of those really dreaded pictures of himself in the washroom mirror.” After a quick conversation, she agreed to a first date, but continued to postpone for another month while she was working overseas. When they finally met up for coffee, Kathleen was pleasantly surprised: “I thought, ‘Holy cow, this guy is handsome!’” The couple quickly forged a strong connection, so much so that they were living together after five months and engaged a month after that. For the proposal, Rob filled the apartment with scattered tulips, Emmylou Harris tunes and Ethiopian cuisine—all of Kathleen’s favourite things. When it came to choosing a wedding venue, they needed an all-in-one space that could combine her shabby-chic style with his love of the ultra modern. Enter the historic St. Lawrence Hall, which offered an open space that allowed the couple to get creative with a bright and festive Indian decor. Kathleen calls the finished product the perfect “hybrid Indian wedding.”

See the wedding album »

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By Amanda Panacci | Photography by Mango Studios

Location: Sherwood Inn in Muskoka | Guests: 112 | Date: May 25, 2013 | Budget: $25,000

On her first and only date through eHarmony, Erin, a 34-year-old event coordinator at the Estates of Sunnybrook and catering business owner, went to Murphy’s Law Irish Pub with Stephen, a 36-year-old project manager at the Ministry of Health and part-time musician. Two years later, Stephen proposed, laying a trail of roses to lead Erin to where he was waiting on the boardwalk in The Beach. (It was dark and raining, which only made the moment more memorable—especially since Erin’s umbrella flew out of her hand just as she said yes.) The couple searched for a wedding venue that felt rural but wasn’t too far from the city. They chose the Sherwood Inn in Muskoka, which had a fire pit, outdoor games, country flowers and a dining room perfect for a raucous reception. The highlight: when all the guests broke out in an a-capella rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Stephen says, “It was pretty amazing to have forty of your closest friends, arm-in-arm, singing and playing air-drums and guitar together at the top of your lungs.”

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By Amanda Panacci | Photography by Mango Studios

Location: The Burroughes Building | Guests: 150 |Date: June 8, 2013 | Budget: $100,000+

George Gracon, a 38 year-old portfolio manager and Priscilla Christo,a 31-year old fashion buyer at Target Canada, met in 2004 while moonlighting as part-time bartenders at Crocodile Rock in Mississauga. Nine years after leaving the beer-stained backdrop behind, George still had yet to propose—but he promised he would do it before Priscilla turned thirty. He showed a flair for dramatic timing when he finally dropped to one knee in a restaurant wine cellar in Quebec City, says Priscilla. “He waited until it was a minute before I turned thirty!” The couple, who love wine and ‘80s music, wanted a large wedding venue where they could bring in their own caterer and entertainment. The Burroughs Building on Queen West was the ideal blank canvas, with the added of bonus of being a short distance from the ceremony at Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Church on Bellwoods Avenue. Best of all, it had a huge patio perfect for a few extra extra photos in front of the Toronto skyline.

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By Bronwen Jervis | Photography by Johnny Lam
Location: Metropolitan United Church and Canoe | Guests: 120 | Date:  October 20, 2012

Despite having several friends in common, management consultant Glenn Parkinson and executive recruiter Suzi Chang didn’t get to know each other until a group trip to Argentina for New Year’s three years ago. During a 14-hour delay at Pearson, they joked and laughed. After the New Year’s Eve countdown in Buenos Aires, they shared their first kiss. And, on a day trip to the Iguazu Falls, they realized they were getting serious. A year later, Glenn began conspiring with a jeweller friend in New York to create the perfect engagement ring. The finished product, which he presented to Suzi on a last-minute trip to Langdon Hall, was inlaid with stones the colour of the Argentinian flag. (The night after the proposal, Glenn surprised Suzi again by throwing a party for their families at Le Select.) The couple wanted a simple, fun wedding that would show their love for Toronto in general, and the financial district in particular. After a ceremony at Metropolitan United, the 120 guests headed up to Canoe Restaurant for a traditional Korean tea ceremony and a sit-down dinner. The party was everything they wanted: raucous speeches, gorgeous views of Toronto and—thanks to a friend who performed “Gangnam Style” in their honour—lots of laughter.

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