Weddings

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January 16, 2012 | 2:20 pm

Sixteen fantastic picks from this year’s Wedding Co. Show (and yes, brides-to-be, macarons are still trendy)

Wedding tip: people will only eat your cake if it tastes good.

Macarons! Cupcakes! Sugar! (Image: Simone Olivero)

This past weekend, The Carlu played host to an intimate (albeit overwhelming) boutique-style wedding extravaganza. The 11th annual Wedding Co. Show, curated by former wedding photographer Catherine Lash, filled room after room with frosted creations, lace-trimmed gowns, DJs, musicians, caterers, florists, photographers, videographers, invitation artists, jewelled and feathered accessories, bespoke menswear, venue ideas and even dry cleaners. Unlike many of the other bridal shows that infiltrate the city at this time of year, this one had a relatively modest list of 125 vendors, hand-selected by Lash, who believes they’re the best of the best in a sometimes oversaturated market. Creative displays (that we actually wanted to stop and look at), delicious samples (lots of them), an etiquette booth (we may have needed to know when to stop sampling) and a soaring tree installation by artist in residence Marjorie Campbell were all important in making this show welcoming and interactive. But it’s still a trade show focused on weddings, and much like the brides-to-be in attendance, we were overwhelmed with how much there was to see. Check out 16 of our favourite vendors, including some of the best-designed booths, after the jump.

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October 27, 2011 | 12:08 pm

Attention lazy wedding guests: The Gift Network—an online wedding registry service—has launched in Toronto

Gift registries for the internet generation, like these two crazy kids. (Image: Gene Chan)

Toronto-based website The Gift Network launched earlier this month, providing a free online gift registry that features partnerships with over 100 stores across the GTA. Soon-to-be-wedded folk who want to skip the process of entering a few stores and scanning a few gravy boats can now avoid human contact altogether—that is, until the big night. The Gift Network offers products from boutique stores like Golda’s Kitchen, The Cookbook Store, Bohm Furniture, BlackBird Vintage Finds, Metropolis Living, Umbra Concept Store and Grassroots Environmental Products, and it also allows users to post links to registries from stores that are not offered by the website, which means maybe we’ll take one HBC multistripe point blanket for our collection after all. We’re intrigued by the idea of a catchall registry that allows brides- and grooms-to-be to register for a lot of what they need all in one place, but much like those wedge booties you bought online that you’ve never worn, the one downside to this whole project is that newlyweds might get things they never needed in the first place—online shopping is still hit or miss, and if you don’t hold it, touch it or scan it, it might mean a series of decorative collectibles that looked decent on a screen, but not in your home.

Weddings

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October 3, 2011 | 4:45 pm

Toronto’s second ever Gay Wedding Show to take place on October 16

First dance (Image: David Goehring)

The State of New York approved same-sex marriage earlier this summer and Ontario passed a similar law back in 2003, yet we haven’t seen a wedding show that caters primarily to homosexual couples in Toronto. OutTV’s Shaun Proulx has noticed this void and will be emceeing this city’s first second Gay Wedding Show on October 16 at the Delta Chelsea Inn. It’s a cause particularly close to Proulx’s heart, as he experienced discrimination while planning his own wedding—the owner of Proulx’s would-be wedding venue cancelled his booking after learning it was for a same-sex marriage.

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March 25, 2011 | 3:19 pm

Weddings Week 2011: seven Toronto couples share the intimate photos from their special day

Seven Toronto couples share snapshots from the day they tied the knot By Denise Balkissoon

Bryan Soucie and Amanda Martin wed at the Royal York on the day of a Justin Bieber concert just down the street at the ACC (Image: Joseph and Jaime)

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March 25, 2011 | 3:13 pm

Weddings Week 2011: our 25 picks for fabulous honeymoon destinations

The best part about getting hitched—arguably—is the honeymoon. Here, 25 fabulous escapes for newlyweds by Chelsea Holden Baker, Rachel Heinrichs, Viki Peitchev and Olivia Stren

Marrakesh, Bali, Rio de Janeiro and more.

See the list »

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March 25, 2011 | 12:52 pm

Weddings Week 2011: Toronto’s top wedding photographer shares his secrets for success

Shooting in his signature photojournalistic style, Johnny Lam is booked solid every weekend during high season. His best advice to couples: pick the right person for the job, and then back off

(Image: Vanessa Heins)

Best thing about the job: The most rewarding moment is when I show the couples the final product, and I get to see the expression on their faces when they relive the details of the day.

And the worst: Weddings move at an insanely fast pace, with lighting changes and moves from indoor to outdoor, location to location. A great photographer needs to be prepared for anything. I shot one wedding during a downpour so heavy that I had to run to Shoppers Drug Mart to buy new socks, and one in a barn where the power went out.

What every couple should know: My best advice is to look for not just a great photographer, but the right photographer for you. The bride and groom need to familiarize themselves with the range of styles out there and identify what they want: glamorous, traditional, artsy, journalistic. After that, it’s important to communicate your expectations. If there are certain pictures you absolutely must have, make sure the photographer knows that beforehand—we’re not mind readers.

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March 25, 2011 | 12:43 pm

Weddings Week 2011: an insider’s look at how to be the best MC

The best MCs are quick with a joke and adept at wrangling the mike from drunk relatives. Lawyer-by-day Greg Power has become the go-to MC among a growing circle of friends. Here, he talks about the dos and don’ts of the gig

(Image: Vanessa Heins)

Best part of the job: I love introducing the bridal party. It’s my job to make these people come alive, so I always contact the bridesmaids and groomsmen in advance to find out a funny story or a shared experience with one of the people getting married. I find this works a lot better than a sort of standard résumé intro like “This is Lindsay. She met the bride at university and currently works for TD Bank.”

And the worst: I’ve done eight weddings in eight years, but there is still that fear of bombing that happens right before every reception. I get butterflies—there’s nothing worse than knowing you’ve delivered a groaner.

What every couple should know: Tell your MC to avoid the open mike. The MC role is like that of a traffic director, and it’s really hard to keep things running smoothly when you have people going on and on—drunk or otherwise. The open mike, clinking of the glasses so the bride and groom will kiss, and the Macarena should all be banned.

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March 24, 2011 | 10:00 am

Weddings Week 2011: our top 10 list for fabulous finger foods

Eating finger food in formal wear can be tricky. Give your guests small portions with big flavours By Eric Vellend

: Poppy seed–crusted ahi tuna, taggiascha olive, a sliver of quail egg and sliced green bean drizzled with dijon vinaigrette. $3.50 each. The Salt and Pepper Catering Co., 416-924-0715, salt-peppercatering.com.

: Double-baked fingerlings filled with smoky bacon, Fifth Town goat cheese and chives. $4 each. Chezvous Dining, 416-347-3609, chezvousdining.ca.

: Chili-fried shrimp on a polenta cake with romesco sauce. $3.50 each. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., 416-979‑6634, ago.net.

: Sous-vide pork belly, carrot kimchee, cilantro and black garlic mayo on a steamed Chinese bun. $3 each. C5 Catering, 100 Queen’s Park, 416‑586-7928, c5restaurant.ca.

: Applewood-smoked salmon with crème fraîche and Lake Erie whitefish caviar on a puff pastry twist. $3.75 each. Canoe, 66 Wellington St. W., 416-364-1211, oliverbonacini.com.

: Scotch Mountain lamb patties with Ontario tomato jam and minted crème fraîche on a Yorkshire pudding cup. $3 each. Sequel, 105 Vanderhoof Ave., Unit 8, 416-480-0996, sequel.ca.

: Grilled Guernsey Girl cheese on toast with a piquillo pepper salad. $3.25 each. Dish Cooking Studio, 390 Dupont St., 416-920‑5559, dishcookingstudio.com.

: Heirloom tomato soup with a grilled cheddar cheese sandwich triangle. Served in an espresso cup. $3.50 each. Bite Catering, 416-222-2483, bitecatering.com.

: Citrus-dressed lobster with pickled ginger, jicama, mango and key lime in a crisp beet shell. $4.60 each. North 44° Caters, 2537 Yonge St., 416-487‑4897, ext. 3, north44caters.com.

: Chopped beef tenderloin mixed with capers and sweet onion, topped with a quail egg. $4 each. Couture Cuisine and Event Artistry, 185 Graydon Hall Dr., 416-449-5432, couture-cuisine.com.

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March 24, 2011 | 9:26 am

Weddings Week 2011: 50 dreamy dress picks for one special day

First things first (because it’s much more fun to dream about the dress than to set the date). To help you in the quest for The One, we scoured the runways and found 50 gorgeous gowns By Alon Freeman

See the gowns »

(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani; Far right, next page: Peter Stiger)

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March 23, 2011 | 12:44 pm

Weddings Week 2011: Sarah Houston, Yorkville’s new bridal boutique

Enter Sarah Houston's boudoir (Image: Lia Parsley)

The place: What used to be a mutual fund trading office on Hazelton Avenue is now the latest Yorkville bridal salon. The main floor is open and airy, with a bright showroom of sophisticated dresses, while the second floor “boudoir” houses fuller, more formal gowns. We loved our journey upstairs, where we tested out a birch runway, equipped for sashaying, twirling and hand-on-hip posing. The private (read: no moms allowed) dressing room is fit for Marie Antoinette, but, alas, there is no cake

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March 23, 2011 | 11:49 am

Weddings Week 2011: an insider’s look at how to buy the perfect wedding gift

Unless you want three fondue sets and two toasters, you need to register. Jackie Chiesa, a 30-year veteran at William Ashley with impeccable taste and the tact of a diplomat, has helped hundreds of picky couples say “I do” to the right dinnerware

(Image: Vanessa Heins)

Best part of the job: I get to attend merchandise shows in Milan and Paris, which is pretty great, but it’s working with excited young couples that I love the most. The experience of registering at Ashley can be overwhelming—it’s 24,000 square feet of stuff. My job is to navigate the hundreds of options and collections to help couples choose pieces they’ll truly enjoy.

And the worst: When couples are bickering, I just step away and give them a moment. If the groom wants bold patterns and the bride wants basic white, that’s going to require some figuring out. But there is always a way to combine two aesthetics.

What every couple should know: If you’re not going to use fancy china and Waterford crystal, don’t get it. I always encourage couples to choose things they will use frequently. If something is going to sit in your cabinet collecting dust, what’s the point of registering for it?

Professional philosophy: The dinnerware sets the tone for the rest of the table setting. It’s like the gown. Obviously you wouldn’t start picking out the shoes and jewellery before settling on the dress.

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March 23, 2011 | 9:38 am

Weddings Week 2011: Reverend Michael Marshall’s behind the scenes look at holy matrimony

Reverend Michael Marshall, parish priest at St. Andrew-by-the-Lake on Ward’s Island, has been joining couples in holy matrimony for 20 years. Before you pick your officiant, consider the view from his side of the altar

(Image: Vanessa Heins)

Best part of the job: I like spending time with the bride and groom prior to the big day. I talk to them about their hopes, the meaning of marriage, and then also a lot of practical stuff, like finances, if they plan to have children, what role they want friends to play in their relationship.

And the worst: There is no “worst,” but there are challenges, like maintaining Anglican traditions while allowing couples to express their individuality. I recently officiated for a couple who, in addition to their vows, wanted to pinky swear. I was hesitant but ultimately decided that it wasn’t harming anyone.

What every couple should know: Where to get married and whether or not to have a religious ceremony is a big decision. People get very wrapped up in the reception and other things. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but religion is an important consideration.

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March 22, 2011 | 12:54 pm

Weddings Week 2011: our top 8 picks for must-have floral centrepieces

Stunning centrepieces—from soft and simple to bold and brave—that will take your table settings to the next level By Stephanie Saunders, photography by Felix Wedgwood

For more information on how to make a wedding perfect, see our Weddings Week 2011 coverage

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March 22, 2011 | 8:15 am

Weddings Week 2011: 14 top tier cakes that taste as good as they look

It’s the second most important statement of the day (and probably the only time you’ll drop four figures on dessert), so the cake had better look spectacular and taste even better By Sasha Seymour, Photography by Natasha V

For more information on how to make a wedding perfect, see our Weddings Week 2011 coverage

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