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Archive for the ‘Toronto Wedding Venues’ Category

Toronto Wedding Venue – Arcadian Court

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

We were invited by Oliver & Bonacini to their open house at their new Toronto Event Venue Arcadian Court and Arcadian Loft yesterday. It was by far one of the most upscale and elaborate open houses we have ever attended. I have to give it up to O&B for an amazing job. There was great entertainment, loads of food stations, photobooths, sweet tables, hip-hop-dancers, Dj’s, Bands, Greeters and more. They really rolled out the red carpet for this.

The venue has recently undergone a major renovation which has brought it back to it’s original Art Deco glory (the venue opened in 1929). They had already pretty much sold out every Saturday in 2013 before the immense renovation took place. Needless to say they did a great job, We already have several clients that have booked here and can hardly wait to work at this new and improved venue!

Here is a video tour of the open house:

By: ArthurK, WPICC


 

Mint to be – Intimate Farm Wedding

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

This week’s wedding inspiration comes to you from Fusion Events Certified Wedding Planner, Jessie Huang, WPICC.

If you are a shopaholic like me, you have probably noticed, MINT, is one of the most popular colors for this year. I love mint because  this color has such a fresh and vibrant hue. For couples who are not afraid to step out of their color safety zones, why not consider hosting a fashion forward minty wedding!

Wedding Colours - Mint Inspiration Board

The ambiance of this wedding is casual, intimate and nature inspired. I chose the ceremony and reception venue at a beautiful farm where the couple and their guests can get away from the busy city life.

The bride is dressed in an elegant ivory lace gown complemented by an off white rose bouquet with mint accents. She will arrive at the ceremony in a vintage wedding car painted in bright mint. The groom and groomsmen are dressed in light earth tone linen suits. The groom stands out with a white tie and a mint rose boutonniere among groomsmen in mint ties and white rose boutonnieres.

During the cocktail hour, guests will mingle at the backyard of the farm, provided with freshly squeezed mint lemonade and Stacked Tomatoes & Buffalo Mozzarella and Artichoke & Spinach Dip. The catering would be all organic from local farmers. To be more creative with the resources, freshly picked green apples are used as seating cards for the reception! If you can’t resist the freshness of the apple, feel free to have a bite.

The wedding reception is held outdoor and begins just when the sun is about to set. Tables are decorated with flowers and tea lights, and plates are arranged neatly with bags of favours placed on top. Each favour consists of a personalized mint tin with “Mint to Be” printed on the package! The dinner is plated with the choice of local organic Filet Mignon or free range Cornish Game Hen paired with local vintages. To sweeten up the night, a dessert table filled with chocolate truffles, brownie bites, and mini macaroons in mason jars of various colors will impress your guests and add a whimsical touch to the decor.

This color theme will definitely show off  your fun and creative side and make a statement on your wedding day! In love with this wedding idea? Feel free to contact one of our Toronto wedding planners and we will make your big day flawless and unforgettable!

Photo Source: Bouquet,Mint Lemonade, House, Favor, Decor, Salad,Men’s Attire, Mint,Cake,Wine,Bride,Apple Seating Card,Couple with Horse.


 

Toronto Wedding Venues Review – Scarpetta Toronto

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

By Dana Mattar, WPICC.

Last week we were invited to Toronto Wedding and Corporate Event Venue , Scarpetta Restaurant at the Thompson Hotel, for a tasting of their delicious food and tour the space for our wedding and corporate event clients.

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, this Italian restaurant, which first opened in Manhattan, has topped various “Best New Restaurants” lists. After tasting the food there, this is not surprising at all! Scott Conant, who is the Executive Chef of all Scarpetta Restaurants, runs and overseas the Toronto branch.

Upon our arrival at Scarpetta, we were greeted with a glass of Champagne. Different breads, along with different dips, were then brought to the table. The three dips were butter and Marscapone cheese, citrus olive oil, and eggplant and tomato. For the main courses, our waitress put together a tasting menu of the most popular dishes from the menu so we could get the chance to sample a selection of their top menu items.

Chef’s Tasting Menu

Bread

Dip

After they cleared away the bread, appetizer plates paired with a glass of Feudi Di San Gregorio 2010 followed. This white wine has a rare Italian grape that you will not find anywhere else except in a small region of Italy.

Feudi Di San Gregorio 2010

For the appetizers, we had Crispy Vegetables, Burrata Salad, Braised Short Ribs of Beef over seasonal vegetables and risotto, and Creamy Polenta with shallots, mushrooms & truffle, and chicken stock. Every appetizer we tried was absolutely delicious!

Crispy Vegetables

Burrata Salad

Braised Short Ribs over Risotto

Creamy Polenta

Gigi Rona 2009

For our first main course, we had Duck & Foie Gras Ravioli, and one of their signature dishes, the Spaghetti with tomato and basil paired with a glass of Brecciarolo along with the Spiced Duck Breast paired with a gorgeous red wine by Gigi Rono – Barbera D’Alba 2009. By this time, we were absolutely stuffed, but everything was so good we had to keep going!

Duck & Fois Gras Ravioli

Spaghetti with Tomato & Basil

Spiced Duck Breast

Brecciarolo

After a few minutes of digesting, it was time for dessert. We had a glass of Trockenbeerenauslese (or TBA for short), a German dessert wine with a sweet fruity and honey taste. Dessert was absolutely divine. We had the Chocolate flourless cake with burned orange gelato, the Caramel with whipped cream and salted peanut butter waffles, and the Petite Forest Platter.

Various events can be held at the Scarpetta Toronto, from Corporate events, to Rehearsal Dinners, to Private Parties. The capacity of this restaurant is 120 people total with an additional private party room that seats up to 20 people. The uplighting of the restaurant can be changed to the colour of your choice to suit your event theme colours or company colours.

We did not have a single complaint about the food, the service or the ambiance. Everything was absolutely fantastic.

A huge thanks to the Manager, Robert Faichney, Chef Michael Hunter, and the unbelievable wait staff who were nothing less that amazing.

The Fusion Events Team – Melissa Sobotka, WPICC, ArthurK, WPICC, and Dana Mattar,WPICC

For more information regarding booking Scarpetta for your next event please contact Scarpetta or call (416) 601-3590.


 

Top Wedding Venues in Toronto – Part 1

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

By: ArthurK, WPICC AND Dana Mattar, WPICC.

Today’s blog post is all about wedding venues. We have had the opportunity to plan events at many of Toronto’s finest establishments however there are a few that really stand out. The following venues have been selected because they offer something unique to couples getting married. Whether it be breathtaking views, unique atmospheres in unique locations, history or exceptional customer service these are some of our favourite Toronto Wedding Venues.

Thompson Hotel:

550 Wellington Street W

416.640.7778

The Thompson Hotel is one of Toronto’s newest and most modern venues to hold a wedding. It is located in the middle of Toronto’s artistically driven King West Village. If you are interested in holding an event at the Thompson, there are a few different options in the Thompson Hotel to hold it, whether it is a wedding, a corporate event, or any other special event.

They have the Wellington Ballroom, which is a 3,100 square foot ballroom that can be divided into two sections. The decor in the room is rich and dark wooden tones, which are accented with glass chandeliers.

The next option is the chic and exclusive Rooftop Lounge. With breathtaking 360 degree view of the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario, the Rooftop Lounge is surely not one to miss.

Finally, there is 1812. If you are looking for a lounge experience, 1812 is the place to hold your event. For those of you looking for a sophisticated and intimate feel, 1812 offers you just that.

Palais Royale:

1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

416.533.3553

Overlooking the Lake Ontario, the Palais Royale is designed acoustically for live music and has a great history of well known singers who have performed there such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. With that said, this venue is surely like no other.

The most common room used to hold weddings at the Palais Royale is the Ballroom. this 8000 square foot room can gold up to 350 guests for a seated dinner, and up to 880. The decor in the Ballroom is contemporary, with earth colours such as cream, gold taupe and chocolate brown.

Overlooking Lake Ontario, the Patio is perfect for holding wedding ceremonies or cocktail receptions.  With the ability to fully tent the patio, there is access right to the Ballroom from the deck, which is perfect for couples holding their ceremony and/or cocktail hour on the patio and their reception in the Ballroom. With a 318 person capacity, this patio is perfect for the summer to fall months.

The Lower Lounge is a quiet space at the Palais Royale, and is ideal for holding Cocktail Hour. Clients also have the option of having a portable bar.

Eglinton Grand:

400 Eglinton Avenue West

416.485.5900

Old Hollywood Glamour is always in style. For those clients who like art deco decor, the Eglinton Grand is a great location. Formerly the Eglinton Theatere, this venue has been restored and renovated and is now used as an banquet hall for weddings and events.

The Gallery is perfect for holding a wedding ceremony. Seating up to 220 guests, its art deco decor perfectly compliments the style of the main ballroom.

As for the reception, it is held in the Main Ballroom.  Since it was a former theatre, it is equipped with a stage and great in house A/V and lighting. The Balcony level can be used as a private Cocktail Hour space, which is very convenient for the guests as it is just above the Main Ballroom.

 Liberty Grand:

25 British Columbia Road

416.542.3789

The Liberty Grand is one of Toronto’s most popular venues to hold an event, whether it is a wedding or a corporate event. The venue has 3 grand ballrooms, each with a different vibe. Two of which are traditional, and one of which is a contemporary open concept. There is the Governer’s Room, the Renaissance + Centennial Rooms, and the Artifacts Room. In addition to those rooms, they have the Courtyard, which is perfect for holding ceremonies or cocktail hour.

One of the great things about this venue is that they have their own in house production, which is perfect for clients who are having a Live band or a DJ.

Artifacts Room

Fermenting Cellar

55 Mill Street

416.203.2363

Located in the heart of Toronto’s Distillery Historic District, the Fermenting Cellar is an urban space with an industrial chic setting. This venue can hold up to 600 guests for a stand up event, and up to 400 guests for a seated dinner. They provide great decor and production by in-house A/V and decor company, 5th Element Events.

The space at the Fermenting Cellar can be divided so that clients can hold their ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception in the same room. From the heavy timber beams and trusses to the original Kingston limestone walls, the Fermenting Cellar offers your event a memorable atmosphere.

Photos Courtesy of:

http://www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/toronto/thompson-toronto

http://www.palaisroyale.ca/

http://www.lisamarkphotography.com/2011/nadira-andrew-palais-royale-wedding-toronto/

http://www.eglintongrand.com/main.html

http://www.libertygrand.com/

http://www.fermentingcellar.ca/


 

Sunnybrook Estates Wedding – Anne-Marie and Alex

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

By: ArthurK, WPICC

Last February I was contacted by this lovely couple, Anne-Marie and Alex, for their upcoming wedding at Sunnybrook Estates (Vaughn Estate). They were interested in booking one of our top Toronto Wedding Bands, Shugga. Upon meeting them to discuss booking the band, we instantly hit it off. They are our ideal couple; young, modern, tech savvy, and fashion forward. Not to mention they were planning the wedding themselves without any of their parents involvement in the planning process – can anyone say dream client?! After meeting with them to discuss the band, and asking the normal questions we ask in an initial consultation, they started to realize that they needed help in planning and executing their vision. Which led them to their next decision – to have myself and the Fusion Events team on board to make it happen.

The wedding was in mid-November in that grey area between fall and winter weddings. The inspiration for their design was neither winter nor fall, but rather festive, yet not over the top Christmasy! They wanted their colours to be Red, Black and White with hints of Damask. For florals the bride fancied red roses so that’s what we went with as the main theme for Centerpieces and Bouquets courtesy of Designing Trendz. They wanted a sophisticated, upscale wedding that was also a fierce party. Not too many formalities and lots of dancing!

Here is a video of the event as seen through the perspective of the wedding planner…me! This wedding went very smoothly and on time to almost the second. I even had enough time to sit down at the beautiful grand piano at Sunnybrook Estates for a moment of Zen before the storm, as seen in the video…I also sat in on the saxophone with the band for a couple numbers (see the video):

The Beautiful Couple
Bride and Groom

The Dress

Mini Red Cake Topper, Red Velvet Cupcakes, and Decor

Table Setting
Wedding Decor - Table Setting

The head table with hand made giant roses. Each rose can take up to 2-3hrs to make.
Decor - Table Setting

Toronto Wedding Singer – Alana Bridgewater and Shugga.
Bride dancing at wedding with toronto wedding singer Alana Bridgewater.

 

Suppliers:

Wedding Planner – ArthurK, WPICC – Fusion Events

Wedding Planner Assistant – Melissa Sobotka, WPICC

Venue – Sunnybrook Estates – Vaughn Estate

Decor/Flowers – Craig Gruzd, Designing Trendz

Band – Shugga

Photography – Jamieson Dean

Video – WeDo by Daniel Royer

Wedding Dress – Ritche Bridal designed by MiKaella

Grooms Attire – Saks Fifth Avenue designed by Hugo Boss

Shoes – BCBG

Hair and Make Up – Kristjan Hayden

Cupcakes and Mini Cake Topper – We Bake In Heels

Invitations – Stephita

Officiant – Sarah Bunnet Gibson

 

 


 

Middle Eastern Wedding Toronto – Golden Petals Decor Theme

Monday, March 12th, 2012

This weeks wedding inspiration comes to you from Fusion Events very own Certified Wedding Consultant, Dana Mattar, WPICC.

My inspiration for the “Golden Petals” theme was “East meets West”. As a wedding planner I enjoy fusing cultural themes together, and in this case I added some Middle Eastern flavor with some of the Western culture. I incorporated the Middle East through the colors and the  grandness of the venue and the decor, yet kept it very Western and modern by using contemporary furniture. I used two bold colors, orange and purple, to create a grand and rich feel.

The Ceremony would be held outdoors under a tent with orange flowers hanging from the ceiling, and purple petals along the aisle. After the ceremony, guests will then go to the terrace right outside the reception space for cocktails and Middle Eastern finger foods, where they will listen to the sounds of the Middle Eastern Sitar and Tabla. The cocktail space is adorned with lots of purple and gold candles.

The guests make their way into the reception space, as they wait for the Bride and Groom to make their grand entrance. The reception space is bold and filled with bright colours such as purple, orange, and gold. For dinner, there are different food stations such as the salad station, Middle Eastern station, the fish and sea food bar, children’s station, the carving station, the dessert station, and the espresso bar.

This theme is definitely for the couple who is willing to be bold and take a risk with this dramatic color combination and setting, yet still likes to keep it classy and sophisticated.

GOLDEN PETALS

 

Inspiration Board by: Dana Mattar, WPICC.

Photos Courtesy of: Bridal Canvas


 

Toronto Wedding Venue – Casa Loma – Black Lace Inspiration Board

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

This weeks wedding inspiration comes to you from Fusion Events very own Certified Wedding Consultant, Dana Mattar, WPICC.

My inspiration for this board was, as you can tell, lace! I love lace, I think it is so classy and elegant. It gives a vintage feel, which I also love.

I chose to use black lace to add a bit of an edge and make the setting a little less traditional.

From the aisle runner, to the flowers, to the bride’s dress, everything is traditional with a major twist.
I chose to have the ceremony and the reception at Toronto Wedding Venue, Casa Loma Castle because it exudes a sort of mysteriousness and darkness, especially at night. The ceremony will be held in the beautiful Conservatory of the Casa Loma Castle as the sun is setting. After the ceremony, the guests will then proceed to the Garden Terrace, where they will be served cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. As for the reception, it will take place in the Library. This room is the focal point of the castle.

This theme is for the couple with an edge and is not afraid to experiment with the colour black for their wedding day!

 

BLACK LACE

Black Lace Wedding Ideas - Inspiration Boards

 

Photos courtesy of: Bridal Canvas


 

Toronto Wedding Planners – Rustic Elegance Inspiration Board

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

This weeks wedding inspiration comes to you from Fusion Events very own Certified Wedding Consultant, Dana Mattar, WPICC.

My inspiration for this board was a Rustic Vintage kind of elegance. There is something about a rustic vibe that I personally find very romantic (if it is pulled off well, of course).

The ceremony would  be held outdoors at dusk under the open sky. Guests would be greeted upon arrival by gloved servers with signature cocktails for a short pre-ceremony cocktail reception. The ceremony itself would be held under a tree with gorgeous off-white kissing balls, and lanterns hanging form the tree. The aisle would be heavily adorned with candles and branches to give it that rustic feel.

The reception is held indoors in a barn. An antique window is used as seating plan. To add the to the vintage element a special table would be set up and decorated for the guestbook. An antique desk with pictures of the bride and groom in vintage frames will be set up at the entrance to the barn. On the desk a vintage typewriter where guests can type their messages to the newly married couple. A projection on the side of the barn of the couples favourite black and white movie would be playing throughout the evening.

The decor is very simple, yet says a lot by using its simplicity to portray a romantic feel. Custom draping would accent the vaulted ceilings of the barn which would be further accented by using soft up lighting. There would be accents of green and pastels to add dimension against the champagnes and off whites of the Brides dress and general decor.

This theme is for the couple who likes simplicity to speak for itself, and who wants everybody in the room to feel the romance and the love in a truly unique and classical setting.

RUSTIC ELEGANCE

Rustic Wedding Ideas - Inspiration Boards

Inspiration Board by: Dana Mattar, WPICC.

Concept and Design: Arthur Kerekes, WPICC AND Dana Mattar, WPICC
Photo Courtesy of: Bridal Canvas


 

Toronto Wedding Planner – Winter Wedding Inspiration Board

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

This weeks wedding inspiration comes to you from Fusion Events very own Certified Wedding Consultant, Dana Mattar, WPICC.

My inspiration for this was definitely ice and bling. There is something about those two elements together that make a room look so regal. To enhance the ice and the crystals, I added blue lighting to the room to give it that cool icy feel. The ceremony site is very “fairy tale” like with the blue lighting, the white furniture, the white branches creating a cave like feel, and the long aisle. The reception site has a very similar feel, with the long dinner tables and the “kissing ball” flowers hanging from the ceiling. It is a formal sit down dinner with one butler assigned to every 3-5 guests. Almost everything is encrusted with crystals from the cake, to the bridal bouquet, to the flower girl and bridesmaids dresses. I added a full Ice Bar for that extra “wow” factor which will be sure to impress all of the guests. It is something different and unique and everyone will enjoy it. This is definitely a formal wedding and is for the couple who is willing to pull out all the stops to impress a crowd.

ICE BLUE
Winter Wedding Ideas - Inspiration Board
By:Dana Mattar, WPICC – Photos Courtesy of Bridal Canvas.

About Dana Mattar, WPICC – Certified Wedding Consultant:

Originally half Saudi Arabian and half Lebanese. Dana was born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and at the age of 14 moved to Dubai, UAE. In Dubai, she completed high school and attended her first two years of university. At the same time she worked as a television host hosting a 2 hour daily Live show.

In January 2010 Dana moved to Toronto and attended George Brown College, where she studied Hospitality and Tourism. In May 2011, Dana decided to make her dreams of one day becoming a wedding planner a reality, which led her to enroll in, and successfully graduate from The Wedding Planning Institute of Canada.

For Dana it is an honour and privilege to make couple’s dreams come true on what is surely one of the most important days of their lives.

Certified Wedding Planner - Dana Mattar


 

Wedding and Event Decor Toronto – Designing Trendz

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Hello World! If you are here there is a good chance you are planning a wedding. If that is the case you might be wondering what your options are in terms of decor as in what your colour scheme is, centerpieces, linens, chair covers, lighting etc. You may be thinking you can do it yourself. Before you go down that dangerous road I have gone to meet with a great decor company for you and recorded the whole thing so you can get an idea of how much work, energy, and preparation, not to mention skill and talent goes into designing decor for events. Granted there may be the odd DIY project you can do yourself but if you are looking for that “WOW” factor for your wedding or event…use a professional!

In the first part of this series we go and meet up with Head Designer Craig Gruzd from Designing Trendz. We get a chance to learn about Craig and his business and see some behind the scenes footage of them prepping and setting up for a wedding at the Westin Prince Hotel in Toronto.