OUR FAVOURITE EUROPEAN INSPIRED PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS IN OTTAWA

Sometimes you just want to feel like your somewhere other than where you are. Transported to another time and place. Or at the very least have your wedding photos look and feel like Europe. At least I do. As a first generation Canadian, I’m always searching for a little bit of what oddly feels like home to me. Europe. So i’m sharing all my secret.

Ottawa is truly a hidden gem when it comes to its remarkable historical architecture, and if you carefully curate and thoughtfully plan your wedding day accordingly, here are the top sites I enthusiastically suggest to all of my clients who are seeking stunning European-inspired wedding photography in the beautiful city of Ottawa.

National Art Centre Rooftop Patio

The National Art Centre is iconic for its views of the Chateau Laurier, Historical Train Station now turned Senate, Parliament Hill etc. The upper balcony which used to have a tent for weddings is now a public access rooftop terrace. A perfect place to capture larger group photos such as bridal party photos and even family photos. The National Art Centre has plenty on-site parking for traveling bridal parties and a few cute nooks for pictures closer to the canal. No reservations needed and walkable from the Chateau Laurier and Lord Elgin.

Stephanie Mason Photography

Stephanie Mason Photography

Centre for pluralism

Located right beside National Art Gallery, the Centre for Pluralism is stunning in its European style architecture and with a gorgeous courtyard. Steps from the Notre Dame Basilica, this is my go to for family and bridal party photos as its quiet and has close to no foot traffic. The courtyard is also available to rent if you would like to host an outdoor ceremony or pitch a tent for your reception. I suggest you book transportation as there is no formal onsite parking and The Royal Canadian Mint next door is pretty strict with security.

Chateau Laurier

My second home. If you know me, you’ll know my affinity for the Chateau Laurier. There’s a catch 22. Access to the exterior of the building is available for all to take pictures. However the inside of the Chateau is reserved solely for couple who are getting married AT the Chateau. If you’re looking for a rain plan- this is not it. For lucky couples getting married at the Chateau, you wouldn’t need to leave the property to have a wide range of photography.

Lace & Luce

Amy Pinder Photography

Lace & Luce

Lace & Luce

NATIONAL ART GALLERY

The National Art Gallery is more modern in aesthetic and provides a beautiful blank canvas. Perfect for minimalistic photos with and abundance of negative space. It’s hot though- so bring water, hand held fans and a pair of walking shoes. If it’s raining many couple will opt for photos inside. There is a fee and places to take photos is limited. Most of the gallery is off limits due to publication rights of art work.

SUPREME COURT OF CANADA

Often overlooked is the Parliament Buildings, due to their construction, but also the Supreme Court. With little shade and with the sun high in the sky during key photography times, this property can seem challenging to some photographers. But I love this building. It’s quiet, easy for a limo to pull up and stand by as you run out for some gorgeous photos. This spot is a 10 on an overcast day!

Joel & Justyna Photography

Joel & Justyna Photography

SENATE BUILDING OF CANADA

A very long time ago I did an event in this building when it was The Government Conference Building. If you had written permission from a member of parliament and a lot of luck, it was possible to host the odd event in a blue moon. The charm of this building is found when it’s used in the background of beautiful wedding photos. Its limestone exterior is also quite gorgeous for closer photos, but because of its scale and grandeur the more prominent features of the building is missed.

CONNAUGHT BUILDING

Another stunning building across from Majors Hill and beside the Chateau Laurier perfect for bridal portraits, iconic in-motion promenade photos.

Notre DamE Basilica

I really love this spot. It’s easy to just walk by without a second glance. Just an entrance. But to a trained photographer- just look at the opportunities to do bridal party, family or even portraits! If you’re looking at the Notre Dame, this alcove would be on the right hand side of the building on St.Patricks Street.

Lace & Luce

Agatha Rowland Photography

Wellington Building

Paris in Ottawa. And if you were to ask me, November in downtown Ottawa in general feels like a rainy day Paris. The location of the Wellington Building with it’s sandstone exterior and rod-iron portico provides photographers a stunning backdrop to make your wedding photos feel like Europe. As you can see in these two pictures you could spend 30 mins alone shooting various angles and it could look like multiple various locations.

Agatha Rowland Photography

Agatha Rowland Photography

The Arboretum

Only in cherry blossom season would I suggest the Arboretum for your wedding photos. Plain and simple there are just too many tourists and better park like places that will give you the same effect without the crowed. But if you’re looking for blooming trees the window in May is short but glorious. In the picture on your left, our bride from California caught the last glimpse of a blooming tree June 11th. So don’t be deceived. Late April to Mid May is cherry blossom, crab apple, service berry, dogwood, magnolia season. Parking is slim. 100% book a limousine that can hover in the distance as you take your wedding photos. I know someone is going to ask me where we got this 1938 Ford antique car so here is a link to that wedding’s post for further pictures and the company we worked with is Antique Limo Services

Lace & Luce

Lace & Luce

ROCKCLIFFE PARK

The images below are from a wedding ceremony we hosted in the Rockcliffe Park. It takes a bit of exploring to find these abandoned columns and hidden cherub fountain. From the main parking- its hard to see. Down a winding path along a hillside you’ll find these ruins tucked away in a beautiful private nook. To have a ceremony onsite you will need a permit from NCC. They also have strict regulations on what they permit you to do onsite, but if you’re looking for a casual micro ceremony or for bridal portraits this is a really picturesque spot.

Joel & Justyna Photography

MAJORS HILL PARK

I’m wondering if Majors Hill Park will become more popular for photography now that AI is advanced enough to be able to take out unsightly signage, random pedestrians etc. This park is often an at sunset or after sunset “if we have time” last minute location since its always so busy with tourists. But as you can see. The view of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is iconic and non-other. My client seen in the bottom right photo left dinner in order to get this photo. And I have to say, it was worth the stalling of catering ;)

Anita Peeples Photography

Stephanie Mason Photography

Agatha Rowland

Mackenzie Avenue

How quaint as bride is it to walk with your bridal party from your presidential suite at the Chateau Laurier to the Notre Dame Cathedral to get married. Just the thought brings chills. The moments captured during that walk are priceless. Full of excitement and butterflies. I’ve walked this path with many brides and i’ve even searched for a scooter or two for my staff to zip back and forth from each location. Our bride Brittany is seen here on Mackenzie Avenue with her bridesmaids.

Lace & Luce

Lace & Luce

CONFEDERATION PARK

I’m just going to leave these images here and let them speak for themselves. Especially when your photographer is one of Vogues top photographers list.

Hanguyen Photo

Hanguyen Photo

Joel & Justyna

Joel & Justyna

Joel & Justyna

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA

If you don’t venture down Sussex often this building can be missed. I first noticed the building doing events for the British High Commission. We shared an entrance to Earnscliff, the official residence of the Ambassador. At the time I had never seen it used in any wedding photography before. So when the opportunity arose and with the clients explicit trust, we ventured over with Age of Indie. This might be #2 on my list of all-time favourite spots because it just isn’t used by photographers and desolate on the weekends with a massive empty parking lot. This would also be lovely for family photos.

Age of Indie

Age of Indie

CENTRAL POST OFFICE

Photos By Emma

Logan Scott Photography

SIR JOHN A MACDONALD BUILDING

TABARET HALL

Photo by Errol McGihon

MACKENZIE KING ESTATE

ROCKCLIFFE PAVILLION

Back when I first started doing weddings, the Rockcliffe Pavilion was the designated space to rent for an outdoor wedding ceremony and a rain plan all built into one. Mind you the parking isn’t great and the pavilion is very dark inside for photos. These days if you call NCC they will say that the structure is under renovation and not accepting bookings. However, if you were to swing by now you’ll see that it’s not entirely the case. once a year i’ll give them a call to see if it’s available, but I seem to strike every single time.

Vatican Embassy

This image is very misleading. The entrance to the Vatican’s Embassy is absolutely stunning. If you come at the right time you may see their decorated guards. My first experience at this Embassy was to host a birthday event in honour of the Pope. Driving through these gates left me feeling like I was back in Geneva Switzerland.

Rideau Hall

Rideau Hall has a lot of tourists so naturally most photographers would err on the side of caution and forgo these beautiful parklike grounds. But I often have a select few ambitious enough to tackle the obstacles and shoot here.

ST RAPHAEL’S

Outside of Ottawa. Closer to Cornwall is St Raph’s ruins. One day I will do a ceremony here.

canal locks

Shawn Kerr Photography

STRATHCONA PARK

CULTURAL BEAUTY AT THE FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAURIER

My enduring passion lies in immersing myself in the exploration of diverse cultures and traditions. This began as a little girl traveling the world with my parents to far off remote destinations like Africa, Mauritius, Mid-East, Europe and beyond. The allure of delving into the intricacies and profound meanings embedded within each cultural never fails to captivate me.

In the realm of event planning, my journey took a particularly enchanting turn with Ayesha and James's wedding. It marked not only a professional milestone but a deeply personal and privileged experience. Ayesha and James, with their Sri-Lankan heritage, brought forth a cultural richness that was both novel and resonant in their wedding.

Being entrusted with the planning of their wedding ceremonies bestowed upon me a unique opportunity to not only contribute professionally but also to intimately connect with the vibrant traditions of Sri-Lankan nuptials and celebrations. The intricate details of the ceremonies, the symbolic gestures, and the familial nuances became more than just elements to coordinate; they became windows into the soul of a culture, allowing me to appreciate and celebrate the uniqueness of Ayesha and James's union.

CHÂTEAU LAURIER ELOPEMENT

Amid the most challenging days of the pandemic, a remarkable love story unfolded at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. The usually bustling corridors of this iconic hotel were eerily quiet, mirroring the stillness that had settled over the city. It was a time when the world seemed to come to a standstill, and uncertainty hung in the air.

However, even in the midst of these darkest days, Julie and Dave's love shone brightly. It was a beacon of hope and resilience, a testament to the enduring power of love. Undeterred by the circumstances, they made a bold and beautiful decision to elope.

On that special day, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier became their private sanctuary. With exclusive access to the hotel's empty ballroom, they transformed it into their own intimate haven. In the luxurious confines of the presidential suite, Julie and Dave exchanged their vows, with their photographers serving as the only witnesses to their love story.

After sealing their commitment, they indulged in the hotel's room service, savoring a private feast together. In a world where everything seemed uncertain and distant, they found solace in each other's company and created a cherished memory that would forever be a testament to their love's resilience.

Julie and Dave's elopement at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier was a poignant reminder that love has the power to prevail even in the darkest of times, illuminating our lives like a bright light in the midst of uncertainty.

Collaborating with Julie to reimagine her wedding amidst the challenges of a pandemic was a delightful experience. The restrictions imposed by regulations that prevented us from gathering and celebrating in the traditional sense presented us with a unique set of challenges. However, as we embarked on this journey together, we discovered a new path that was equally meaningful and special.

Navigating these uncharted waters with Julie was not just a task; it was a privilege and a true honor. It required creativity, adaptability, and a shared commitment to make her wedding day as memorable and beautiful as possible, given the circumstances. Julie's unwavering determination to create something extraordinary in the face of adversity was inspiring, and it brought out the best in our collaborative efforts.

We explored innovative ways to celebrate love and togetherness while prioritizing safety and compliance with health guidelines. This process of reimagining the wedding allowed us to infuse unique and personal touches into the event, making it a reflection of Julie and Dave's love story, even in the midst of uncertainty.

In the end, what emerged from this journey was a wedding that was not just a compromise but a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of love. It was an absolute honor to be a part of this transformation and to witness Julie and Dave's unwavering commitment to each other, proving that love can truly conquer all obstacles.

Photography: Joel & Justyna

Florals: Gathering Event Co

Venue: Chateau Laurier

Planner: Toast Events

Tuscan Inspired Wedding at Chateau Laurier

We are so excited to feature our very own lead planner Brittany’s wedding which was recently on the front page of Style Me Pretty!

Wherever she ventures, Brittany always carried a touch of Italy in her heart, and her wedding day was a true testament to this. The fusion of her love for Tuscany's charm and the pursuit of life's exquisite pleasures permeated every aspect of the event. From the beautifully whitewashed wooden furniture to the enchanting floral arrangements, linen textiles, and meticulously crafted invitations, every detail reflected a sense of romance and sophistication. The imported tableware added an authentic European touch, leaving the guests with a feeling of being transported to the heart of Italy.

We collaborated tirelessly with Brittany and Pollen Nation to carefully select the precise floral ingredients for her arrangements, aiming for an abundant display of delicate, lace-like textured blooms. Her vision encompassed an array of Queen Anne's Lace, Astilbe, Heather, and freshly cut Savila Lace Hydrangeas. These unique flowers were not readily available from flower farms, so they were skillfully foraged from gardens, adding a touch of exclusivity to the arrangements. The resulting designs featured fluffy, airy compositions that resembled the organic act of strolling through one's own garden and hand-picking blooms, foliage, and vines along the way. It was a beautiful amalgamation of seasonal flowers, deliberately crafted to capture a perfectly imperfect aesthetic.

In a heartfelt tribute to their beloved companion, Lenny, Brittany and Scott commissioned a talented sketch artist from Wish Tree Invitations to craft a charming illustration of their cherished puppy. This endearing portrayal of Lenny became an integral part of their special day, adorning their cocktail napkins and embodying his presence in spirit. It was a touching gesture that allowed them to honor their furry friend and infuse their wedding celebration with a sense of warmth and love.

Brittany firmly embraces the philosophy of indulging in life's luxuries, cherishing each moment and sparing no expense in the pursuit of joy. This mindset permeates every aspect of her life, including her profound love for fashion, evident in her meticulously selected attire and accessories for the day. From her exquisite Miu Miu clutch and elegant Manolo Blahnik heels to the meticulously engraved ring boxes, every detail has been carefully chosen to align with the storyline of her special day. Brittany's wardrobe changes throughout the evening further exemplify her passion for fashion and her desire to curate a memorable experience for herself and her guests.

Venue: @fairmontlaurier Coordination: @toast.events Photography: @laceandluce Cinematography: @upnorthweddingfilms

Floral: @wearepollennation

Decor: @wedecor_tm

Decor: @joesprophouse

Tabletop Dinnerware: @simplybeautifuldecor

Cake: @thegirlwiththemostcakeottawa

DJ: @rayray_oxygen_entertainment Hair: @showponyhair

Makeup: @onefinebeauty

Invitations: @wishtree_invites Wedding Attire: @galialahav

CHATEAU LAURIER WEDDING PORTFOLIO

CHÂTEAU LAURIER PORTFOLIO

There is nothing that quite compares to a wedding at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. From its historical charm, it’s hidden secret passageways to its timeless elegance, this castle has felt like home. It’s where I planned my very first wedding and created bonds with staff that are still there over a decade and a half later.

If you’re looking to feel transported to another time and place, the Chateau Laurier is the epitome of elegance and sophistication, making it the perfect historical icon in the heart of Canada’s capital city for your dream wedding. For over 110 years, the chateau has welcomed guests from around the world to their grand castle overlooking the Ottawa River. With its all-inclusive approach, Chateau Laurier and our planning team ensures that every aspect of your special day is meticulously taken care of, allowing you to relax and enjoy the moment.

Imagine starting your day in one of their iconic presidential suites ordering a European breakfast, sipping a cappuccino, surrounded by luxury, as you prepare for your big day with your nearest and dearest. From there, you can seamlessly transition to hosting your ceremony onsite, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the venue.

The serene ambiance and stunning architecture provide the ideal backdrop for exchanging vows and taking all of your wedding photos. As the day transitions into night, the grand ballroom awaits, ready to accommodate your guests as you dance the night away. With Chateau Laurier's commitment to excellence and our unmatched attention to detail, it truly is the best place to embark on your journey of love.

Highly competitive all-inclusive wedding packages

Best host bar prices in the region

One-night complimentary accommodation for the couple (minimum 75 guests)

One-night complimentary accommodation in a Fairmont Room for the parents of each couple (if you choose the Sweet Toast package only)​

Complimentary breakfast for the bride and groom the morning after the wedding

Complimentary parking for the bride and groom on the night of the wedding

Discounted guest room rates for out-of-town guests

Parlour room for getting ready

Get a behind the scenes dining in the depths of the chateau’s kitchen with Chef for your taste test

At Chateau Laurier, the culinary experience is truly a delight. With chefs hailing from around the world, the diversity of flavors and cultural influences is evident. Whether you are a bride looking to offer your guests a traditional Indian menu, Asian or even a California style diner, Toast has worked with Chateau staff to fulfill those requests. It's a place where the boundaries of traditional cuisine are pushed, where brides and grooms can embark on a culinary journey unlike any other. And for those who wish to add a personal touch, Chateau Laurier invites the bride and groom bring their own cultural sweets for your the late-night table, making each dining experience truly unique and tailored to your individual taste.

Now with further adieu here are some of our favourite weddings Toast has planned over the years.

BRITTANY & SCOTT

Featured on Style Me Pretty

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LAUREN & ELIAS

Featured on Ruffled

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MANISHA & DINU

Featured on Style Me Pretty

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SOGOL & FIRAS

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MORE Chateau laurier REAL WEDDINGS

Our first featured wedding at Chateau Laurier

Australia’s Nick & Anna

Critically acclaimed Speaker & interviewer Komal & Mitch

Ayesha & James

Julie & Dave Turnbull

Marika & Jordan Tannis

INQUIRE

Loved what you saw and want to become a Toast bride?!

Luxurious Chateau Laurier Wedding with Floral Tunnel

For one of the most highly anticipated weddings in our extensive decade-long history, it's taken me a solid five years to finally share the complete story on my blog. Despite these iconic images circulating on Instagram and serving as inspiration on my Pinterest feed, I am thrilled to reintroduce Elias & Lauren's wedding, a truly special event close to my heart that was originally featured on Ruffled.

My initial encounter with Lauren occurred during the summer of 2017 when she made the journey from California to Ottawa to visit her fiancé, an Ottawa native. I believe both Lauren and I can attest to the fact that it was a perfect match. She once mentioned feeling as comforted and reassured as when consulting with the top California wedding planners before deciding to plan her wedding in Canada.

Lauren's vision of a French chateau provincial wedding was remarkably ahead of its time. Today, six years later, we are witnessing French estate weddings emerging as the latest trend. We obsessed over every detail together, from selecting the perfect handmade paper for her stationery to contemplating the potential wrinkles in the white curtains specially commissioned for the 60-foot ballroom window by Wedecor. We even pondered the idea of carpeting the entire floor. After weeks of deliberation, we shifted our focus to an epic secret floral tunnel that would only unveil itself to guests as they entered through the Chateau walls at the back of the ballroom following the cocktail hour. The moment when the room was revealed to the guests is still talked about today, and I highly recommend watching the video by Rowland Films for the goosebumps-inducing experience.

Throughout the year leading up to the wedding, numerous calls, virtual dress showings, and personal chats formed a beautiful and professional working friendship. This allowed us to be honest with each other and provided me with the opportunity to support her during the tougher moments with grace.

The wedding day itself was nothing short of magical. My team of five and I hit the ground running and never stopped. It took my Event Stylist and her Assistant four hours to meticulously arrange the stationery and tie each silk bow with precise tail measurements to achieve the desired "two loops and a bow" effect.

Now, as I sit here enjoying my cappuccino with Hugo by my side, nudging me for a share of the foam, I can honestly say that I would relive it all in a heartbeat. Looking back at these photos, I can't help but wonder, "How did we manage to make it all happen?" It truly does take a village.

xo Elise

Wedecor (Decor & Floral) Rowland Films (Videography) Chateau Laurier (Venue) Show Pony (Hair Stylist) One Fine Beauty (Makeup Artist) Valentina’s (Cakes & Sweets) Stella Luna (Gelato Cart)Adrenaline Entertainment (DJ)Jeff Rogers (Pianist) Aces Parade (Zaffe) MDRN (Photobooth)

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Sarah and Moe's ethereal Arabic wedding at Le Belvedere

You may recognize this gorgeous bride and if not you will soon come to know this ray on sunlight as Sarah is now part of our team here at Toast! But before this, Sarah stepped into my life as the sweetest client. Her trust in me to plan her wedding and bring her vision to life with some added tulle and that “je ne sais quois” signature Toast style evolved into a longterm friendship and trusted co-planner.

Everytime I look back at Sarah’s wedding I melt. I remember telling her that we needed more softness, tulle overlays atop the standard table linens to look like frothy waves….create movement in a still design. And without hesitation she said “Yes!!!! I see it! It’s going to look dreamy!.”

The color palette was exceptional and all Sarah’s friends and family came dressed to impress with the most beautiful fashion. Not bad for a wedding that was anticipated to be 300 guests at the Infinity Centre to a pandemic in full swing with a reduced guest list to 100 guests at the intimate cliff side wedding venue Le Belvedere.

We’d love to hear from you!

For more information regarding this wedding or if you would like Toast to make your vision a reality send us a note!

Planner & Design Creation: Toast Events

Florist & Decorator: Moe Signature Design

Furniture & Floral Backdrop Rental: Lavish

Venue: Le Belvedere

Cake: The Girl With The Most Cake

Photographer: Agatha Rowland

Videographer: Liam Rowland

Invitations & Table Stationary: The Invitation Studio

Zaffe: Zaffetna Entertainment

DJ: Adrenaline Entertainment

Before & After: A Ottawa Wedding Transformation Like No Other

I first met with Samantha and Amin back in the summer of 2013 at small coffee shop in New Edinburg. Little did I know this potential client was about to give me carte blanche for what would be the most amazing concept to creation a planner could have ever dreamed of at a super exclusive venue. A space which will only ever see one wedding. Samantha & Amin’s.

When I first walked into the reclaimed church Amin & Samantha has chosen for their wedding venue I could immediately see the space transforming in front of my eyes. I've been asked about my creative process, and it's something I can't quite put into words. The best I can explain, it's like walking into a space- closing your eyes, and reopening them to see the space completely transformed by my creative vision. As I walk through spaces I can see them transforming almost as if I am in the future present wedding day.

The church itself had been gutted with no immediate plans for any renovations or improvements. Patchy paint, green stained parliamentary looking carpets, 60 scattered unhinged pews, no washrooms or running water. The church in day-light looked weathered. But at night it emanated character of an age gone by and an old world ambiance almost as if you were in transported to little Italy. 

The opportunities this church in shambles provided were endless and by the time we walked out of the space I knew exactly every design element and the vendors needed to make this an absolutely gorgeous wedding. The work in front of me was tremendous. It would take painters, carpet cleaners, movers and a dedicated team of vendors to transform this space. And the parents of the Bride and Groom were skeptical, and I was up to the challenge!

CURATED DESIGN PROFILE

Before I take you on the journey of this wedding transformation and we delve into the before and after pictures, we should begin with the vision. Our Design Profile we created for Samantha & Amin in 2014. This was great way to provide a glimpse into the future of how our initial style boards come translate to "the day of". 

I do have a very specific process of how we plan and design a wedding. The very first thing we do is establish concept and priorities, solidify venue, then move into design, choose a photographer who will document the wedding according to the clients overall design and style, and lastly secure reputable vendors to ensure a strong cohesive look and feel based on intention and fore-thought can be brought to life. For this we need strong visuals to convey our thoughts. And that's just the beginning. Below is a small snippet of what our Design Profile looked like in 2013. As you can imagine- things are very different 10 years later in 2023.

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About our design

CHURCH PEWS

Since the "church" was now desacralized everything was fair game. This meant we could use the space however we wanted. During our meeting Samantha said something that really resonated with me which unintentionally became the driving force behind our design. She said, her grandmother always wanted her to have a church wedding, but that she herself did not want a traditional "churchy" wedding. It was almost like a light bulb when off inside my mind.......no nuptials inside the church.....we're going to bring all the pews outside on the lawn and we’ll mary on the steps leadings up to the church. She loved the idea! Little did I know the groom was a New Yorker and didn’t enjoy the outdoors and more specifically bugs.... good thing I'm a great convincer!

BANNERS

I tend to pride myself in incorporating a unique design element which I like to call the "Piece de Resistance" that will leave a lasting impression with guests. Something slightly extravagant and unlike anything else you've seen at a generic wedding. on the furthest right picture below you will see unsightly purple banners. I turned these into suspended waterfall florals with hanging candles. An ethereal floating element that would not only enhance the space but capture the guests attention in the evening with its glowing candlelight.

SUBTLE GRAND ENTRANCE

As our official altar and entrance to the venue was a bit baren. I didn’t want an extravagant floral arch as we too commonly see. So we created an asymmetrical climbing vine to soften and accentuate the doorway. It was so perfectly designed, guests thought it was part of the landscape and had been growing there for years.

LAST MINUTE SURPRISE 

Two weeks before the wedding the groom spontaneously requested some sort of entertainment.. “like maybe some fire dancers."

My reaction.... "Ummm what?!. lol let me ponder on that for a bit!". 

My thought process thereafter: fire + old church divided by insurance = what better options may we be able to incorporate… interpretive dancers in glow in the dark costumes- was that even a thing? Aerial Silks.

But this generated a new problem; space was tight and I needed to find a creative way to incorporate a 20ft structure into the venue without it looking like an eye-soar. It also had to be dismantled before the night was over with guests still milling about and I personally hate moving things while guests are using the same space as it’s disruptive. This structure was a couple hundred pounds and took 45 mins to set up and would equally take as long to be taken down. If you look closely in the picture to your right, you will see that I situated the acro structure at the back of the venue right in front of the main doors. I took a huge risk in its ultimate placement but I also felt like a genius when every guest walked into the space underneath this structure but only noticed it's presence when it was show time.

Below you can see more of the the space before and after our transformation.

FUTURE RECEPTION AREA

ALTER BEFORE DANCE FLOOR TRANSFORMATION

RECEPTION AREA WITH PEWS REMOVED

ALTER WE REMOVED FOR DANCE FLOOR

Fast forward to the wedding day, dinner is coming to a close and the skeptical parents I mentioned before presented themself at our vendor table graciously imploring our efforts as they could not believe their eyes and how we had transformed the space. They thanked us for making them feel as though they had taken a flight and were celebrating their children’s wedding in Europe.

Full gallery captured by Joel & Justyna below

THEIR STORY UNFOLDS

WEDDING PLANNER: Toast Events, Elise Schmitz, Madison Kelly, Victoria Denofrio, Allie Darwin

CONCEPT & DESIGN: Elise Schmitz Toast Events 

DECORATOR & FLORIST: Wedecor

PHOTOGRAPHER: Joel Bedford Photography

CATERER: Tulips & Maple

OFFICIANT: Exceptional Ceremonies

LIMOUSINE: East Coast Limos

INVITATION: Minted

TABLE STATIONARY: Wedecor

CAKE: Thimbles Cakes

MAKEUP: Natalie Peachy

DJ: Marco Ferri Entertainment

AERIAL SILKS: Quality Entertainment (Montreal Acrobats)

INDUSTRIAL WEDDING FEATURED ON STYLE ME PRETTY

Ass seen on Style Me Pretty

Our bride and groom found a way to beautifully blend their South Asian heritage with their North American upbringing. Through food, traditions, and outfits they were able to celebrate their culture while incorporating a modern romantic design aesthetic.  Toast Events planned and designed the dreamy day, while Maison Anthea filled it with lush, romantic blooms.  The love and joy of the day radiate in imagery captured by Stephanie Mason & Co., visit the full gallery by clicking the image above to see it all.

Before I design a space, I like to create a story in my mind for my main characters- the client, and watch that narrative come to life in my imagination and transfer it to my canvas; which was this gorgeous industrial space. When envisioning Tasnia and Evan's wedding design I knew right away that to honor the beauty of the architecture, we wanted to enhance the rustic disposition of the building while creating an elevated and intimate environment lush with wild floral elements. Because our space was cavernous we specifically chose to centralize the floral elements to floating hoops of branch work and strategically placed blooms so that our design looked like the building had been abandoned and nature simply took over and beautified the space. For this, I crafted a floral recipe to include natural elements such as Smoke Bush, Raspberry Bush, wild vines, etc which couldn't necessarily be purchased from a wholesaler or flower farm. This required our carefully chosen florist to physically forage from the forest to obtain the wild foliage to create that effortless natural aspect of a design I had envisioned. I specified that the florist add blooms in clusters so that it mimicked a rose bush we could see growing in our backyards. The aim was to embody and embrace imperfection. These hoop elements created the ambiance and provided the eye with a central place to gaze upon which created a feeling of intimacy in such a large space. While 90% of our budget was spent suspended, our next design challenge was creating warmth in a cold industrial space. For this, we lit hundreds of candles on all our reception tables in beautiful striped eclectic glassware vessels that transformed the flame of a single candle into a million rays of light which filled the room with a glow illuminating guests' faces and in turn amplifying the ability for our photographer to capture human expression & celebration throughout the evening. We also reused many ceremony florals in the reception space maximizing the overall aesthetic and budget.

From the bride... We met on bumble, turns out dating apps do work! The proposal was perfectly us, we woke up one Saturday morning and got ready to go get a coffee from one of the coffee shops around us, that's our Saturday tradition so nothing felt out of the ordinary. He was definitely acting weird though, and after we got our coffee insisted that we keep walking towards a sandwich shop a few kilometers away which felt strange given the time and the fact that we both got pastries with our coffee but I went with it. Eventually, we found ourselves walking through Confederation Park which is where we would always meet up after work when we started dating and have always called it our park. He asked me to sit down on one of the park benches for a minute and suddenly he was down on one knee! I was so surprised that instead of saying yes, I shouted out "No", because I couldn't believe that this was really happening. I said yes eventually after the shock wore off of course. I really wanted the wedding to feel very soft, and romantic, with a bit of an indoor-outdoor feel. The color palette was very neutral with greens, beiges, and whites, our wedding was right in the middle of summer and I wanted to keep things feeling as light and breezy as possible. My family is from Bangladesh and my husband is half Indian so we wanted to blend our South Asian heritage with our North American upbringing and lifestyle. The main ways that we did that was through food, we had an incredible Indian buffet catered by the East India Company; the music, we asked our DJ to play a mix of English and South Asian music; and lastly, through our outfits, both my husband and I wore traditional South Asian outfits with me in a lehenga and my husband in a sherwani. The bridesmaids also all wore saris. The florals and greenery played a large role in the design elements of our wedding. Our florist, Maison Anthea did an incredible job, my bridesmaids and I carried bouquets made up of white and blue roses as well as dahlias. We had a beautiful asymmetrical altar which had a variety of greenery, smokebush, and large cream and blush roses, the altar was moved into the reception area after the ceremony as a backdrop to our sweetheart table. We also had four massive greenery and floral halos hanging from the ceiling in the reception areas that included the same florals. The actual ceremony itself was very special. I really wanted the ceremony to be personal to us our relationship. Our officiant, Evelyn Hope from All My Tomorrow's Officiant, crafted a beautiful ceremony that focused entirely on our journey together, what we love most about each other, and what we hope for in our next chapter. We were also able to include a few of our family members that were close to our hearts in the ceremony, my Grandma came up and did a reading in our native language which was incredibly special, we also had my husband's parents each do a reading as well. We also included a garland exchange as part of the ceremony which is a part of our South Asian culture which both of our mothers helped with. All in all, the ceremony was just really special. Another unexpectedly special moment was our first look photos. My husband and I were on the fence about whether we cared to do that or not but our photographer, Stephanie Mason & Co., really encouraged us to do it so we went ahead with it and it really was so nice to see each other all dressed up and have that one special, quiet moment together before the craziness of the wedding continued. The photos in general ended up really being the only time that both of us got to spend one on one time with each other and talk a little so that was really special too!

Our wedding was on July 29th so we knew it was going to be very hot so we had an ice cream truck from the Merry Dairy one of our local ice cream shops come after dinner. There Merry Dairy is also both my and my husband's favorite ice cream shop. It was a huge hit with all of the guests! It was really important to me to wear a traditional South Asian outfit for my wedding, its what I always envisioned myself wearing. I chose a lehenga which is an outfit made up of a full-bodied, floor-length skirt, a cropped blouse, and a long scarf that is typically worn as a veil for weddings. I bought the dress from a store in Markham, Ontario called Dulhan, it was the first store that I went into and I immediately fell in love with my lehenga. It was white net fabric, fully embroidered with little white flowers, pearly beads, and crystals. I also wore traditional South Asian jewelry with a heavy collar necklace, earrings with white stones and navy beads as well as a tikka which is a dangly headpiece worn in your middle part. Because my outfit was so big and ornate, for shoes I kept it simple and comfortable with some white leather block-heel sandals. My husband was debating between a suit and a sherwani, but as soon as he put on a sherwani he was sold! A sherwani is like a longer coat sale garment worn with thin, tapered pants. His was from a store in the GTA called XXXX. It was a navy jacquard fabric, with large gold buttons, a gold embroidered collar, and cuffs. The pants were white linen pants. To finish off his look he wore a pair of cognac loafers from Harry Rosen. The one wedding advice that I've been giving all my friends is: get a wedding planner. Having Elise Schmitz from Toast Events plan our wedding was the single greatest wedding planning decision that we made and the best part is, that's really the only wedding planning decision that we had to make. Having a wedding planner made it so that my husband and I could pick the fun stuff like having an ice cream truck but not have to worry about all of the little details. A wedding planner takes all the stress out of the wedding, they have the best recommendations for vendors, and are able to really execute your vision in a way that would be impossible to do if you don't plan weddings as a full time job! And it's so nice to have someone with a wealth of knowledge about weddings at your disposal.

Vendors: 

Photography: Stephanie Mason & Co. / @stephaniemasonandco / www.stephaniemasonandco.com 

Event Planning & Design: Toast Events / @toast.events / www.toastevents.ca

Florals: Maison Anthea / @maisonanthea / www.maisonanthea.ca

Venue: Horticulture Building 

Make Up: One Fine Beauty / @onefinebeauty / www.onefinebeauty.com 

Hair: June & Flora Hair / @juneandflora / www.juneandflora.com

Rentals: Lavish Events Ottawa / @lavisheventsottawa 

Invitations: Invitation Studio / @invitationstudio / www.theinvitationstudio.ca

Wedding Dress: Dulhan / @dulhanbymischief

Entertainment: Primetime Entertainment 

Officiant: All My Tomorrow’s Officiant / @allmytomorrows.ottawa / www.allmytomorrows.ca

Catering: East India Company /@eastindiacomanyrestaurants / www.eastindiaco.com

Food Truck: The Merry Dairy / @themerrydairy / www.themerrydairy.com  

Minimalist Montreal Loft Wedding

Pre-pandemic a classic weddings began at around 120 guests upwards. But when the pandemic occurred we had no choice but to look into the future and re-image what a small intimate wedding would look and feel like. It was a lot of change in a small period of time, and at some points it challenged our industry to the breaking point.

It’s been three years now and we’re through the thick of it. The pandemic gave us small and intimate lavish affairs that burst with embellished details and weddings tailored to each couples own identity which made each wedding unique in its own right. Brides and Grooms invested in higher quality vendors and because of their smaller guest list embellished in gorgeous floralscapes, transformative event furniture and event strayed from the usual wedding format embracing rooftop cocktail parties, alfresco dining and estate events.

It doesn’t quite register with me that it’s now been 3 years since the pandemic. Enough of a time gap that it’s seriously changed the way brides and grooms plan and envision their weddings. I am sensing a new shift, but how it will materialize is still a mystery to me. Will it change our landscape forever? Or is this another transition into our new normal. All I know is that it’s 2023 and we’re here for the small intimate weddings and I want to see more creative weddings. And with that being said Im taking a look back at one of my favourite micro weddings from 7 years ago. It’s timeless and the location is still one of Montreal’s best kept secrets for small intimate loft-like weddings in the heart of Montreal. And I'm particularly proud to share it’s feature on Ruffled. 

Styling and Coordination: TOAST Events
Photography: Laura Kelly Photography 
Hair: Topknot 
Makeup: Klava Zykova 
Dress: The Handmade Bride 
Hairpiece: White Ribbon Accents
Earrings: Sarah Walsh Bridal Jewelry
Florals: Floralia 
Menswear: L'HEXAGONE
Rings: Stór by Margot 
Invitation Suite and Live Painting: LaFabère
Decor: Makin'It Lovely
Cake & Sweets: OSSO Sweet 
Videography: Up North Wedding Films
Models: Savanah and Kyle from Angie's Models 

IM ENGAGED NOW WHAT? 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOUR START WEDDING PLANNING

Congratulations, you’re engaged! And what an exciting time.

You’re on Pinterest pinning or maybe revising your wedding board with all your ideas of how you envision your wedding day, looking at wedding dates while considering a dash of unsolicited advice from all your married friends;) and family members.

Slowly you start feeling overwhelmed with how to make this all happen. What you do know though- is that you want to truly enjoy your wedding day without interruption. As you should!

You’re at a pivotal crossroad and before you hit the ground researching, interviewing, requesting pricing, booking etc you need to consider these three things.

BUDGET

It is arguably the toughest and most important conversation to have. Before you can start dreaming and planning, you’ll need a realistic view of what to expect.

1. How involved do your family members want to be?

   • Do they have any special requests for the wedding day…

   • Do they want to be involved in anything specific…

2. Whom would like to contribute financially to the wedding?

   • How much woud they like to gift monetarily…

   • Do they have an expectations on how they would like you to spend that gift, for example towards food and beverage or nice flowers…

3. How do your family members envision the event leading up to your wedding and how they foresea your wedding day.

   This is THE BEST way for you to gauge how your family will react to the decisions you make while you plan your wedding and how to expect how they emotionally react. It also helps you identify where your family would appreciate being involved in a special way without being overly involved. I always advice to assign tasks to family based on these conversations. They have a focus. This could be a cute well executed DIY, a well-planned event menu, the perfect bridal shower you would be happy to allow your mother-in-law to plan etc.

prioritiES

Once you have gathered all the facts, let them sit and simmer for a bit, you’ll be able to establish:

YOUR PRIORITIES AND THE PRIORITIES OF OTHERS

When these two things come together you’ll be able to clearly see and understand how to move forward. Make a list.

For example:

MY PRIORITIES

A fun party with all my family and friends

Stunning bridal fashion; shoes, dress, veil + accessories

No bridal party

Short Timeline so that we can party

Untraditional venue with great ambiance and decor

Champagne tower instead of cake

FAMILY PRIORITIES

Mother in law wants to plan her own bridal shower for all her friends

My mum wants to make a really cute DIY and have our wedding photos in her garden

My sisters and friends want to get ready with me even though I dont have a bridal party

Dad wants open bar

Fiance wants really good steak for dinner

Mom wants a band if possible

See how great of a picture that paints?! Well for a wedding planner- this is all we need to know. From this we can plan your whole wedding expertly. For you, it provides tangible goals- how to get there and where to start is another dilemma which brings me to my final question; Can you do this on your own?

Support

It a question no many brides can answer for themselves, sometimes much latter in the planning process when they realize they’re over their head or feel overwhelmed. Or even in hindsight after the wedding. So many married couples have said how after the fact, now knowing all that was involved and how their wedding day actually happened- they wished they had at the very least hired a planner for the day of.

Now that you have an idea of your wedding it’s time to take stock of how much support, if any you’ll need to pull of the biggest and most expensive party of your dreams while also being able to enjoy every minute of it.

1. Are you inquisitive?

Be prepared for the steep learning curve knowing that there are is not enough information out there in the blogsphere to properly tell you how to plan a wedding, what to expect cost wise, how to gauge if a vendor is actually great or if they just have a flashy instagram, confidence and a good price? Sure you can ask your friends for recommendations- but they have also only planned their own wedding and yours will likely not be the same. So to be successful in planning your wedding you will need to be forever inquisitive, seeking out information to help make the best decisions.

2. Do you like research?

Never take anything at face value. Pay attention to personal recommendations and continue to inquire as to why that person is recommending them. but keeping in mind- what good for them is not always good for you- you’ll need to do your own vendor research; photographers, musicians, makeup artists, hair stylists, transportation, planners, cake bakers, caterers, stationers, florists, decorators, rental companies, venues etc.

There is a lot out there and if you don’t have a well seasoned planner to listen to your previously made priorities list- then you won’t have the privilege of the planner shortcuts where we give you all the recommendations and advice needed.

You’re researching prices, value, comparing vendors, creeping their instagram, understanding what makes each vendor unique and does it truly line-up with what you're looking for, reviewing contracts, google reviews, vendor affiliates etc- Then re-assessing priorities based on the data your gathering and hopefully coming to a conclusion.

3. Do you procrastinate?

Hate the word and the feeling. But sometimes it a product of being fed too much information, becoming overwhelmed and then stalling not knowing what to do next. Or ignoring, because you have time right?! But you’re wrong. Wedding planning goes by within a blink of an eye and you could be missing out on key opportunities or deadlines unbenounced by you. With a wedding planner you only need to be involved in the fun parts. You have the power at anytime to say- i’m too busy and i’m leaving this in your hands to bring to fruition.

Having planner allows you to enjoy the journey on your own terms and not feel guilty if work commitments take over your work while your trying to plan.

4. Do you have trouble asking questions or are shy when communicating?

Your ultimate happiness depends on your ability to ask questions and not be shy about your own feelings. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know, and if you don’t ask for what you want- you’ll likely never get it. Don’t be fooled, your vendors will not tell you what they ultimately need to do their job until the week before the wedding. Wether is be specific power, space, delivery needs, sign-off etc, rest assured they are focusing on events with a lead-time of week to week. If you wedding is not happening that Saturday- likely you’re not a priority and any email to you will be delayed until the vendor really needs to know. And sometimes they don’t give you the courtesy and simply show up on the wedding day demanding certain things that just aren’t attainable when your in makeup hair having your hair done.

A wedding planner’s job is all about foresight and understand how every vendor does their job, anticipates their needs and has it all organized for them before they need it. And it takes years to learn this art.

5.Strategy

There is no right or wrong way to host or plan a wedding but your success will be in your ability to make order of the chaos. Strategy is what planning is all about. First you establishing your end goal, then list all the things that need to be done…then strategize the order of what needs to be done first; right up until the wedding day. But if you’ve never planned a wedding before, how are you supposed to know what needs to consider in order to formulate this master plan. Even the most organized person can have trouble navigating these waters. Which vendors to book first, which vendors work well together, will building your timeline before booking be important etc etc. The perfect analogy I alway fall back on is cooking. You can have all the best and freshest ingredients, a fairly good cook, but that doesn’t necessarily ensure you’ll have a wonderful meal in the end. Same thing goes for wedding.

You can choose and book all your vendors, but how they all come together as a team is masterfully orchestrated which takes extensive experience for best results.

6. Risk Taker?

Without a planner you are constantly taking a risk with every decision you make. But do you truly understand what that risk is? It can be as simple as finding a chair rental company. How hard can that be? It’s a simple chair right? Let me share a real life situation an associate of mine went through which will help you understand one of the many risks you take without a planner.

REAL LIFE SCENARIO

You really want those trendy black bistro chairs but you’re seeing most companies with the price of $12 per chair with a $300 delivery fee + $150 pick up fee and most companies can’t do a late night pick up which you JUST by chance have been told is a must from your venue. So you decide to find the cheapest company on facebook marketplace and book for $5 a chair. There is a high probability that your chairs will never show up- but you ignore that, because that would never happen to you. The company you found on facebook marketplace dont have a contracts so nothing is signed legally or legitimately confirmed but you send them a small deposit via e-transfer. You haven’t established a proper line of communication and all you have is facebook messages to fall back on so you continue to communicate through messaging apps and have never spoken too anyone in person. But now that you’ve booked the response time seems to lag and your questions are never fully answered. Finalizing details have been tricky when they’re just not getting back to you in a timely manner- which was stressful. It’s three days before your wedding and the company send you a message to confirm when you would like to pick up your 150 chairs…. um what? Delivery was not included? Why didn’t you mention this before???? But unfortunately the reality is that you assumed it was included and the company never brought it up and you’re not about to rent a Uhaul. So you inquire on pricing and the company says $250 for delivery, $250 for set-up, $250 for late-night pick up. (basically the same price as the other companies)…. so now you’re feeling a little sour. the experience of trying to communicate with them has been difficult, they hid information from you which is costing you extra and you no longer trust this company. But you're financially committed at this point. Fine, you trudge along and focus on other wedding planning things that make you happy. Your wedding day comes and it looks like this.

END RESULT

The company arrives late. What was an AM drop of period confirmed by the company in reality ends up being 30 minutes before your cocktails are due to start and their now wheeling in stacks of chairs through your cocktails and into the reception area. And they’re not being very discrete. From the corner of your eye something looks off but your cocktailing with your guests and think it’s too late now anyway. You have your grand entrance and finally sit down. Your chair has no cushion…… and it’s a hard uncomfortable chair. As you look closer you realise the chair is actually plastic…..and to be honest, not well cared for being all scratched up with missing paint. Suddenly you hear a high pitched yelp, a bit of laughter and a kerfuffle in the back of the room. It’s your uncle and his chair just broke. A one off right? No, it seems as though the company shorted you chairs and you can see you guests standing around their table looking confused at to where their chairs might be. It’s like this all night during dinner- you see wait staff bringing in ugly banquet chairs to replace guests chairs because they’re either wobbly or extremely uncomfortable. The next morning at 8am you get a call from your venue. Your chairs are still here- they were supposed to be picked up late last night and we have a function this afternoon…….you agree and explain that you even paid a late night pick up fee. Now you’re really angry. The nerve of this company! You write to complain but no one ever answers and your chairs are left in limbo. -End to story-

I’ve also heard of companies just not showing up and disappearing or substituting the chairs for another without notice…. I mean over the 15 years of being a planner I have seen and heard it all!

7.Time for emails?

Know that when you confirm a detail with one vendor by email you will likely need to confirm it with multiple other vendors and your venue.

It’s like a domino effect. Each vendor is connected and relies on the other to do their job in a timely and effective manner or a chain reaction unbenounced to you will occur.

And when this does, without a planner, once this happens it’s already too late and you’ll just have to come to terms with the end result.

8. Patience

Be prepared to wait for responses when emailing vendors or requests for quotes. You aren’t a number but you are in a lineup of 60+ brides that’s a mile long, also with questions. With a established wedding planner, you get to butt in at the front ;).

Vendors are more apt to working with couples if they have a planner

because they know it will be organized, communication will be packed with all the appropriate information, process is seamless as the planner can guide the client and explain things which alleviates the vendor and its easier to work as a team throughout the whole process since the planner knows what everyone needs.

9. Are you a go-getter? Are you a good communicator?

You gotta be on those vendors!!! Multiple follow ups to make sure you’re at the top of their in-box. Better yet are you a good communicator? Can you speak the vendors language when describing what you want and what your expectations are? Do you know how to organize visuals to get your wants and need across to a vendor? Mood boards, design visuals and descriptive paragraphs, multi- layered floor plans for design, catering, food & beverage selections, seating charts etc? If this overwhelms you- planner. You gotta be a self starter… and motivation when the going gets tough is very real.

10. Can you work under pressure?

How responsive are you to deadlines and effective at gathering the information needed for particular vendors with little notice? It all leads back to being organized and having the know how to have the information handy for when it’s needed. A wedding planner already does this along the way but if you have a hectic work or life schedule and all of a sudden your asked for your final catering numbers, individual meal selections and you forgot to ask on your RSVP exactly what each person is eating…then your left scrambling. It’s a THIS VS THAT.

If you can’t tell the difference… You need a planner.

And lastly,

11. Do you have time?

Planning a wedding is like a second job. On average I send over 1200 emails and send over 500 hours planning a simple wedding. If your planning a tent wedding- double that.

If after reading this article you still feel confident or simply don’t care, you don’t need a planner.

If some of this leaves you feeling overwhelmed but up to the challenge, you would benefit from a partial plan.

If considering your busy life and work commitments that this is just too much and you really want a nice wedding or just dont like planning- you are a perfect candidate for a full plan.

If you love the challenge of everything I mentioned above but want to make sure your plans come to fruition on the day, a day of coordinator is the right decision for you!

And now you’re ready to start planning your wedding.

xo Elise

SAN DIEGO STYLE ROOFTOP WEDDING AT OTTAWA ART GALLERY

A planned wedding in Greece. That reality started slipping away in the early stages of the Pandemic. All their dreams of a sunny elfresco wedding in Europe was but a glimmer. It was inevitable, the wedding had to be cancelled. Both Anastasi and Saam were respectively devastated and disheartened. Lost deposits and a painful feeling in their hearts they didn’t realistically feel that they could recreate their vision, and in, of all places- Ottawa while also living in Toronto.

Amidst the pandemic Anastasia & Saam re-grouped and started contacting vendors to help them celebrate their wedding day the best they could. But they were up against a Covid and the world had other plans. Newly updated restrictions without notice, grey areas of interpretation and guest safety was a major concern. Dancing was officially banned, while food and beverage was being served guests were to remain at their seats, masks to be worn if a guest left their designated seats, live performers had to be placed far from guests, 1 meter physical distance had to be maintained at all times, tables needed to be spread far apart, guests had to be seated in their own bubbles, contact lists needed to be formulated for contact tracing for guests and vendors alike, security was tight etc which continuously posed new challenges Anastasia and Saam didn’t have the strength to get through. The obstacles mounted and the murky logistics seemed like a never ending battle they weren’t prepared for. How could you possibly celebrate in such circumstances?

When Saam and Anastasia contacted us we could feel the tension in their voices, the mourning for their beautiful wedding in Greece. We had large shoes to fill. With the unknown ahead of us, we began planning their wedding in stages with a 2 month head start. The date changed numerous times, the amount of guests permitted changed based on our local health regulations and the work put forth was as if we were planning 4 weddings at once. There was a plan A-Z and I think at the end we were on plan W. Covid provided its own set of hurdles to overcome with short supply in vendor availability, constant price changes, scarce furniture rental ability, short supply of floral product, staffing shortages, and new costs associated to Covid cleaning procedures and food safety. All of these things played into how we would be able to design and plan their wedding. A spiderweb of complications which left all of use with extreme highs and lows. A roller coaster ride no one want to be on. Where was this silver lining everyone talks about?!?!

In over a decade of working in this industry, I had never had to deal with so many unknowns. In some respects it felt like this was the first wedding I had ever planned. Nothing was the same and every day had a new surprise which was completely out of our control. It took a lot of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, major discussions that were hard to have and a lot of personal favours called in to make this wedding happen as close to the clients vision as possible.

We personally had sleepless nights, mini anxiety attacks and mini fits of disbelief. But we pulled through and it made us strong for it. It’s an experience my team and I will not soon forget and a huge learning opportunity. It pushed us to the brink- but the reward of hearing “It was the best day of our life”made it ALL worthwhile.

I remember meeting with Saam and Anastasia after the wedding and the sheer joy they emitted was palpable. They explained that throughout the whole process they were skeptical of how they would actually feel on their wedding day having been robbed of the privilege in having their dream wedding in Greece. But, they explained, it was everything and more then what they would have expected for their dream wedding. It was incomprehensible how the day all came together and that their day was truly special in every way. Cloud 9.

And this only begins to scratch the surface of this wedding story….

Vendors:

Planning & Design Toast: Events

Photography: Lace & Luce

Venue: Ottawa Art Gallery

Florals & Decor: Wedecor  

Makeup Artist: Klava Z Beauty

Hair Stylist: Hair By Adamo

Cake: Girl With The Most Cake 

Caterer: My Catering Group

Entertainment: Luxe Duo 

Videography: Up North 

Entertainment: Shawn Marino 

DJ: Matt Ferguson 

Transportation: Antique Limo Services & Maestro Limousine

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TOP 5 PLACES TO ELOPE OR HOST YOUR MICRO WEDDING IN ONTARIO & QUEBEC

Yesterday on my Instagram Live I spoke about my top five places to elope or host a micro wedding in 2021. And to be honest I have a long list of adventurous niche spots that didn’t make the list but are amazing options for couples who crave that unique intimate wedding or ceremony spot. If you’d like to hear the full Live, click this link, select my profile and click the little IGTV button. There you will see all my recent lives including “Ontario Covid Restrictions for Weddings in 2021”, “Quebec Covid Restrictions for Weddings in 2021”, “My Predictions for Covid and Weddings in 2021” and so much more….

I absolutely love micro weddings. It allows us vendors to really create something truly unique and detailed to our clients which is unreplicable. There is no other experience like small micro weddings and elopements. It allows you to really slow down, live in the moment and truly enjoy being a guest at your own wedding. My hope, even without a pandemic, small intimate weddings are here to stay. So without delay, here are my personal top 5 places to elope or host your micro / petit wedding in Ontario and Quebec.

OTTAWA ART GALLERY": ALT/AR Luxury Wedding Ceremonies

IMAGE: Lace & Luce

YOU DESERVE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL You've found the love of your life, you're read to say "I Do". But the world had other plans. ALT/AR - is a new collaboration between Ottawa's top luxury wedding vendors, offering everything you need for the unique, intimate, wedding ceremony of your dreams. A complete wedding ceremony package for you and up to 20 guests. A stunning, award-winning venue, design and styling by with editorial-worthy photos are just the beginning. The best part? All you need to do is show up and let their dedicated team take care of the rest.

THE ALT/AR ceremony package: INVESTMENT: $3600 + HST

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IMAGE: Joel & Justyna

FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAURIER

I’ve been planning weddings at the Chateau Laurier for over a decade and I am privileged to be one of their preferred wedding planners. During the pandemic I experienced the Chateau in a completely new light. With the halls empty and not a guest in sight, for an elopement- it felt as though our couple had the castle to themselves. We planned their elopement in Suite 458, which design wise has not been changed since the hotel was built. Dark wooden paneled walls, asian patterned wallpaper, deep burgundy curtains, antique furniture and a gorgeous fireplace gave way to a beautiful transformative Victorian Era experience for the bride and groom. The ceremony for two took place in the Suite’s living room with pictures in the seemingly abandoned ballroom and dinner back in their suites dining room. The Chateau also has The Karsh Suite which is more creamy colored and newly furnished, The Prime Minister’s Suite and also the Quebec Room which is perfect for a micro wedding. The presidential suites I have mentioned all have a living room and dining room which can seat up to 10-12ppl. Depending on restrictions you are able to order your dinner from Zoe’s and have the wait staff drop-of your f&b just outside your door. Currently they are not permitted to enter any guest rooms. Since I was already present, I set the dinner table for my couple. Another note to consider is that the hotel will always be open, so if we fall into a red or grey zone, though your service may be different- you likely will never need to cancel or postpone your elopement. If you are having a micro wedding with guests, additional restrictions would apply.

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FOREST & STREAM CLUB

For over 130 years, The Forest & Stream Club, one of Canada’s premier clubs invites both members and non-members to host their weddings on their beautiful property on Lake St. Louis in Dorval Quebec. The Club is a 20-minute drive from downtown Montreal. This Mansion was built in 1880 and offers the capability to have your wedding elfresco, tented or indoors with bridal suits for getting ready. I haven’t planned any events at this location, however it checks all the boxes for a private lakeside mansion elopement or petit wedding. All the english countryside charm is sure to transport you to feeling as though you’re in Europe.

IMAGE: cepstudio.com

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IMAGE: The Wander Resort Website

WANDER THE RESORT, PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

Imagine it’s your wedding day, you’ve scheduled an early morning yoga session with your bridal party on the sandy beach. As the Club House prepares your breakfast charcuterie boards and mimosas you take your pup to their DOG PARK!!! Your private modern scandinavian cabin and beauty team awaits for you and your bridal party to get ready. Ceremony beach side, dinner alfresco, in your cabin or at the Club House, ending the night with a bonfire, live music and smores. Your weekend micro wedding retreat in Prince Edward County. This newly built resort is beautiful all season round. It’s the perfect setting for a modern alternative couple looking to escape the everyday.

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IMAGE: Julia Garciaprat

LE PONT COUVERT

I have fallen in love with this quaint boho wedding venue quite literally built atop a bridge. Nested in the heart of the Bucolic village of la Conception, Le Pont Couvert is located 10 minutes from the renowned Tremblant Resort. With a ceremony outside the venue or a quick flip inside, this venue would be perfect for a micro wedding under 30 ppl. Imagine all the possibilities. Hanging florals or twinkle lights… Le Pont Couvert also has a green policy in an effort conscious waste reduction, plastic straws, water bottles plastic , the confetti non-compostable , the floating & flying lanterns are prohibited. If you’re an eco-friendly bride, this might just be what you're looking for!

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IMAGE: The Wakefield Grand Website

THE WAKEFIELD GRAND

30 mins or so from the Ontario border, in Wakefield is a precious and unique boutique hotel owned by le Belvedere. It’s swiss and scandinavian aesthetic provides and intimate getaway in a charming village. It beautiful pergola lends itself for the perfect ceremony backdrop or outdoor dinner. Complete with a firepit and indoor dining space. The Grand is the perfect place for small weddings of 10 to 20 persons. This is the closest you’ll find to a close retreat like wedding within the Ottawa area.

Intimate Wedding Package Includes:

• Overnight Accommodation

• On-site Ceremony

• Complimentary Champagne Toast

• Post Ceremony Canapés

• 5-course Gourmet Plated Dinner

• Late night Fireside Snacks

• Complimentary espresso, coffee, tea and non-alcoholic drinks

• Price Includes 15% Service Charge

Price per person is $375 (+ tax)

IMAGE: Paul Sanderson Photography

Q & A: WHAT WILL MY WEDDING LOOK LIKE IN 2021 WITH CURRENT RESTRICTIONS

A few days ago I innocently asked my Instagram followers if there was any intrest in sharing my predictions for 2021 weddings and how covid will likely impact them. At the start of this Pandemic we all thought this would be a simple 2 week to a month quarantine and the tail end of Summer and fall would be likely on schedule as per usual. And as we sunk into our first lockdown it became evident that planning weddings was going to become a logistical nightmare. The number one thing I have learned is that a lot can change within a few days AND being strategic about your planning isn’t a thing.

In the first few days of the Pandemic I made a point of not addressing our current situation via social media because I didn’t want to add to the fear factor. Everyone was already overwhelmed with their own life situation- now was not the time to scare all my clients by getting on Instagram and projecting my worries for their weddings. What I did do was reach out to all my clients on a case by case basis with a narrative that would change based on when their wedding was scheduled to take place. My communication was positive, I reassured my clients that I am 100% here for them in any capacity and that I would do my absolute best to advocate on their behalf. My goal was and always has been to provide as much information and insight as possible so that my clients can make their own informed decisions.

Which leads me to my innocent IG of seeing if any one was interested in what I was seeing in my crystal ball. I had quite a few responses to do a set of stories- and so I did. The reaction I received was, well, extremely overwhelming. My stories went viral, shares were rampant and dm’s we’re off the hook. I received so many messages of thanks, for being honest and open. May people said that they needed to hear my message even if it made them cry and re-evaluate their current situation.

All I ever want is to help people in a positive way. To empower those who seek knowledge by sharing a real perspective unfiltered and share my knowledge. I like making people feel better about their situation while keeping that realistic view point. In life, I find it’s a waste of time to beat around the bush and a disservice to everyone is you gloss over the facts. The most important thing to me is to not be insensitive of other people’s feelings or unfairly judge a situation based on personal opinions. It’s a tricky role to play that I work on constantly because I can come across sternly… thank you Oma Schmitz for that. LOL

Before I answer your question here is a link to our current restrictions

So without further ado, here are the answers to some of the questions asked you’ve all asked me yesterday. My initial stories have been saved on IG under the bubble “Covid + 2021 =”. I have also answered all these questions in a live as well and have saved it on IGTV for future reference.

Should couples be considering setting up a BACKUP date for summer wedding to fall?

What we learned in 2020 is that things can change quickly. Weddings postponed too quickly missed the opportunity to have their wedding when restrictions were more relaxed. This put couples in a position they didn’t expect and added more stress to their current situation. My advice, wait until 1-2 months before you make a solid decision. Prior to that, explore all your options and implement them when the time comes.

What have couples done for entertainment where dancing is not possible?

This is a great question. One client of mine decided to focus their evening on a food and wine pairing. Mini courses paired with delicious wine which kept guests in their seats for most of the evening. Others have included entertainment such as dance performances, live singers and also changing locations throughout the evening with food & beverage served in seperate locations so that guests didn’t feel like they were stuck in one place for too long. For example, cocktails in their backyard on the water, dinner in the tent at the side of the property, dessert, entertaining performances, first dance and speeches to finish the evening in the backyard again with fireworks. Guests will stay longer if the environment is comfy: seating, lounges etc. and if there is good food and side entertainment.

Do you think it’s wise to push a July wedding later in the year like December 2021?

This answer depends on the roll out of the vaccine which we cannot comment on yet. Keep in mind that come mid September, we’re officially in “flu season”. This could increase cases with restrictions increasing. To better set yourself up to make the call on postponement, wait until late April before you consider anything. By then we should have a good idea if our vaccination program is rolling out well or not. Keep in mind we will not have heard immunity until 70% of the population is vaccinated. That means BOTH vaccinations. We also don’t know yet even if we are fully vaccinated if we can still transmit the virus, thus masking will be in effect for some time.

What to do with min spend food/drink when you can’t reach that amount with the # of guests allowed now?

This is a tough question to answer and you might not like what you’re about to hear. In most f&b contracts when a venue is providing these services, they likely lock you in to a minimum guest count or “x” of minimum spend in food and beverage. Why is this? This minimum is calculated based on what that venue needs to make in order to cover their overhead. Staffing, heat, hydro, property taxes, rent/mortgage, water bills, venue repairs etc etc + a small profit margin. If they make any less then this- they would shortly go out of business. When you sign that contract you are essentially agreeing to spending that minimum amount. Now say you have 50 ppl and your shy of meeting that say 10k mark. You simple add more food. A better cut of steak, adding a lobster tail, hosting an open bar, upgrading your dessert, adding additional food courses. You can also ask if they have a baker in-house that can make your wedding cake, does this venue provide any additional decor services? Sometimes venues will be flexible and open up their min spend to not just f&b but services all together. Pull from every resource that venue has to offer, and it doesn’t hurt to ask- can you do this? Ask them if they can make small take away food baskets which can be delivered to guests who can’t make it to your wedding. Like a little charcuterie board and champagne all packaged up.

What can we as venues add as a covid clause for refunds and date changes?

This is a question I’m not qualified to answer in any formal way. I can’t even begin to explain what it has been like for some venues that have had to reschedule 200+ weddings this year alone. The amount of time it takes to communicate with one client on a date change is unreal. Then for that same client to come back and ask to reschedule AGAIN a second time!??!?! It’s really unfair for venues and the amount of money they are spending on staff just answering emails and doing admin work is astronomical and isin’t accounted for in their pricing at the time of that client booking. For this reason venues have had to drawn a hard line in the sand to keep clients from rescheduling multiple times. This takes shape in additional fees for moving dates and increase in food pricing.

Does live music have to wear a mask and shield outside?

In August 2020 (green code) we were allowed to have a singer perform behind a standing plastic plexiglass shield. In September we were permitted to have a singer without a shield 15ft away from any guests. Best bet is to wait until your wedding to see what is allowed and what isn’t.

Was October 202 for 200, now May 2021 for 50-80. When should we send invites?

Since times have changed I would suggest an E-save the date and a paper invitation only 1.5 months prior to your wedding date. it always advisable to have a website so that you can communicate any changes as they come.

Are you returning deposits to couples who decided to cancel or had to move their date and didn’t have the new date available?

Non-refundable booking deposits are always non-refundable. For us planners, we typically have deposits throughout the planning process based on work completed. Therefore all deposits are non-refundable.

What would a timeline for the day look like when no dancing? How do you entertain guests?

Timelines are still the same except, depending on our color code for the area where additional restrictions are inplace. For example when food & beverage must cease. If you have alcohol ending at 9pm- you may want to move your schedule back and hour or so.

Can you still gave first dances?

Yes you can! As well as parent dances- and they do not need to be masked. Same with speeches and whomever is walking down the aisle

Can you still socialize with guests?

Outdoors- masks on if you can not maintain 6ft distance. Indoors- masks on at all times unless you sitting down with your buble at your table. In August if you were drinking or eating you needed to remain seated. This means cocktail hour with alcohol was seated. Some couples opted for an beverage free first 30 mins as they greeted all their guests. Then asked everyone to find their seats and the bar opened.

DO you think a May wedding can happen?

Right now, if I were to make an educated guess, 25ppl.

I needed to hear this! Oct 2, 21 date, outside but worried about dancing restrictions- thoughts?

I think 2021 will always have a dancing ban unless your wedding is outdoors and in QC

Have you worked with a venue who isn’t accommodating a couple who wants to cancel?

Cancelling and postponing are very different. likely if you consciously cancel your wedding- you will loose your initial deposit. Depending on how close your wedding date is, you may lose additional deposits.

I really want to get married in 2021, but everyone is urging me to wait until 2022. Should I?

If your wedding was scheduled to happen in 2020 and you postponed to 2021- have your wedding. If you were planning on a 2021 wedding from the get-go, postponing to 2022 may be a good idea if you haven’t already booked any vendors. If you have booked vendors, commit to 2021.

What are your thoughts on cross border venues? AKA if you’re in ON & want to get married in QC

Historically QC has always come out of a lock down faster and has had looser restrictions for gatherings. If you haven’t chosen a venue yest., QC will likely be a better bet. But don’t swap venues due to the added risk it may not work out as you had anticipated.

Vendor and also 2021 bride..if we have out of country guests, should we just livestream and not wait for a covid-free life? ALso I’m thinking of cancelling the venue as we are required to pay 4K for food and bev for 50 ppl...which seems steep now.

There will never be such a thing as a covid free life. We will always have some sort of protective measures in place depending on our current state. Live stream.

If somebody decides to postpone their wedding now, are you considering it a conscious cancellation of contract and regular cancellation fees apply, or are you allowing them to move to next year with no admin fees?

Conscious and fee apply. If you are steadfast and your wedding is scheduled and the day of or a few days before your wedding is cancelled by the venue due to a lock down, you may not have an postponement fees as this was a government shutdown and completely out of your control. HOWEVER, you’re initial deposit may not be transferable to a new date if you postpone again.

I’m getting married and I booked a pre-covid wedding in 2019. That being said, the venue told me that regardless of how many ppl are competing, I have to pay for the full amount, let’s say 10k for the venue because it’s a Sat and its a minimum is 85 guests. Are they allowed to still do that if covid permits only 50 guests. Are they allowed to make me pay for 85 guests or should they have covid modifications?

Yes they can. The monetary amount they list is the guiding principle. This represents what it costs for their overhead to ensure they can simply exist when your wedding rolls around. It’s not about profit margins. It pays the bills. A venue only makes money once that benchmark is hit and higher.

So then those weddings that were cancelled due to the complete lockdown in 2020 that have re-booked within 6 months as per their contract will or will not have administrative charges if this second lockdown extends through to their second date picked?

There shouldn’t be another charge as you’re not “consciously” postponing again if the lockdown is extended- it’s the government and you have no say, nor do you have a crystal ball to predict the future.

I would love some real talk from you about dancing. I don’t care about reducing numbers and masks, but dancing was such a key part of my Spanish wedding. I wanted Flamenco performers and to dance with my friends most of all. I’m having a hard time envisioning just dinner as I wasn’t keen on speeches before. Now it seems like that’s all you can have. Any thoughts? I was hoping to postpone until September but that doesn’t mean dancing will be allowed?

Dancing will likely not be allowed until 2022. We can’t keep waiting with a hope and a prayer. Get married now. If you wait, you’ll likely still have some restrictions and be disappointed in the end.

Is the trend that you’re seeing that fees are increasing for 2022? Or just those who cancelled/postponed from 2020/2021?

Fees will certainly increase in 2022 across the board. Some vendors have had slight increases depending on the services they provide.

FINDING SPRING MICRO WEDDING AT OTTAWA ART GALLERY

This beautiful micro wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty this past summer and was shot the week before our Canadian Covid lockdown.

Inspired by the Art Nouveau era perfume ads, we desired to create an editorial to radiate the change of the season from Spring to Summer. Wanting to use the idea of fragrance and how it evokes memories our main elements consisted of highlighting the abundance of arching florals to the essence of our delicate blooms creating fragrance in form of a parfumerie infused shoot.

Careful attention was made in the creation of crystal etched and antique perfume bottles as favors, a DIY Parfumerie bar where guests could create their own personal scent, and an art-deco inspired hand painted floral canvas which resembled European perfume advertisement in the 1920’s.

From the SMP article

“Today's stunning editorial captured by Lace and Luce, was inspired by European perfume advertisements in the 1920’s - I mean, how cool is that? Toast Events brought their vision to life with every thoughtful detail, including crystal etched and antique perfume bottles as favors and a DIY Parfumerie bar where guests could create their own personal scent.”

Photos by Lace and Luce

MODERN SPRING WEDDING

A blank canvas. Light, bright and airy. With a creative mind, anything is possible. Limitless. I love the feeling of minimalism with it’s carefully and consciously chosen design aspects. Clean, fresh, easy to the eye. But I also am a maximalist when it comes to infusing some European flare to any of my designs. I think it’s because it reminds me of home. There’s something comforting about old world details we don’t often see in abundance the western world. AND I absolutely love mixing those two styles together, especially in intimate settings with the smaller weddings we are seeing these days. Here are a few words from Amber & Muse, where our work was featured.

“As spring approaches us in great stride, winter is approaching somewhere else in the world, which can feel charmingly warm and heavenly light with a modern spring wedding like this. The wedding planners of Toast Events show us how that works.

„Stuck deep in the depths of the cold winter here in Canada we wanted to create an inspiration shoot that dissipated the winter clouds and made us feel the warmth of the coming ‘primavera’.“ Jen and Salvatore of Lace & Luce reveals. „Using spring florals and adorning the bride in greenery, with modern touches of Renaissance decor, this vision alluded to Spring with lavish but yet graceful details.“

From this era came the source of inspiration in which the ladies apparently took a long bath. Following the example of Botticelli’s famous painting “Primavera”, they transformed the Ottawa Art Gallery into a magical place somewhere between the 15th and 21st century when they realized their stylish visions.

And so, just as the fantastic artist once did with “Flora”, they adorned their bride with magnificent flower arrangements of the Fleuriste Flower School and let juicy green foliage glide down her silhouette.

Underneath, a stunning bridal dress by Catherine Langlois flashed out. An absolute highlight itself due to its feather-light tulle, seductive transparency and enchanting floral applications.

 „Paired with our wedding dress, an exquisite pair of tulle sock heels which were also custom designed and made by Elise Schmitz from Toast Events, hand-stitched and beaded to compliment the wedding dress with ruffles of tulle, raw silk ribbons and Swarovski crystals.“the team told us excitedly.

In a second we too can swarm and revel about what we are about to sse, when the photographers Jen and Salvatore of Lace & Luce invite us to look around in their fantastic picture gallery. Have fun!”

PERSIAN WEDDING AT FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAURIER

The Chateau Laurier feels like a second home to me. I’ve had the honor of planning weddings here since our first in 2012 and have been one of their preferred wedding planners for some time now. I love designing in this space as it’s a little slice of Europe. The construction of the Chateau dates back to 1909 with some of its furniture bound for Ottawa sinking to the depths of the ocean with the Titanic in 1912. As iconic as this building, we have equally designed some beautiful fairytale weddings here. This Persian weddings ceremony was held in the Laurier Room with the reception in the grand Ballroom. We incorporated a stately floor plan with long angled tables which stretched the length of the room. The details were simple and decadent.

Photography by Lace & Luce

ALTA/AR : Ottawa's Intimate Socially Distanced NYE Wedding Ceremonies

It is with great pleasure that we announce our New Years Eve and New Years Day preview film for our luxury ceremonies in partnership with the Ottawa Art Gallery.

We created this wedding concept to help couples overcome their postponements offering you everything you need for the unique, intimate, wedding ceremony of your dreams.

THE ALT/AR is a complete wedding ceremony package, providing everything you need for an intimate ceremony for you and up to 20 guests. A stunning, award-winning venue, design and styling by an internationally renowned luxury wedding planner, and editorial-worthy photos are just the beginning. The best part? All you need to do is show up and let our dedicated team take care of the rest.

INCLUSIONS

• Large, brought ceremony & portrait space

• Room & Decor set-up (as pictures in our video)

• Bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere

• 1.5-hr photography session

• Officiant

• Live musicians

• Mini cake

• Sparkling toast

• Custom vow booklet

• Wedding planner to assist with ceremony preparations

$3,600 + hst

PRIVATE ROCKLIFF ESTATE WEDDING

In the middle of a Pandemic and we had huge plans. Plans for a unique botanical take of The Great Gatsby. Ceiling of greenery and twinkle lights, oversized chandeliers, and a midnight champagne tower…. but as we all say now, the world had other plans. Quickly we pivoted and pitched the idea of hosting Emilie & Simon’s private wedding at their family home in Rockliff with their reception still to be hosted for the date of their one year anniversary. As their petite wedding drew near, we were in official lockdown- yet again. Gatherings of 10 only. And thankfully their bubble was just that.

I have to say- a small wedding is almost- in my eyes, a styled shoot. We have time to capture every little detail of the day to truly string in the story line through photography. I can narrow my vision into the tiniest details on a scale I could never do for a 150 person wedding. I was even able to set and style the dinner table myself. One of my favourite things to do. Needless to say, I really hope the trend of smaller weddings continue.

Before their backyard wedding, we hopped in the car and drove a few streets over to the Rockcliffe Park lake for a first look and pictures with my dear friends and photographers Joel & Justyna.

Dinner for the evening required chopsticks and enough Chinese food for an army. Emilie & Simon ordered every single item from the take-out menu of their favourite restaurant and had custom bamboo chopsticks designed for the occasion.

And all you need to know is that at the end of the day, I left with egg rolls. The rest is history.

A MODERN WEDDING AT 50 SUSSEX

I had the pleasure of working with Pascale & Simon in design and sourcing decor elements for their wedding at 50 Sussex. Pascale, a designer herself had a wedding planner but also felt a connection with our design style and sought our professional advice in design. She had a strong vision which a-lined with everything I loved about weddings, soft modern, minimalistic and romantic. We worked with Pascale through our design process and developed visual documents, mood boards, floor plans and technical decor docs to aid her in her quest to bring her vision to life which her planner could implement for her. I wish I could take complete credit for this work but so much is owed to the bride own creativity. Her style is clearly ahead of the industry’s design curve!

Photographer: iDream Studios

Design Collaboration: Toast Events

Wedding Planner: En Amour Events

Venue: 50 Sussex

Florist: We Are Pollen nation

Brides Design Company: Smart Design