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Minimalist Wedding at Berkeley Fieldhouse

Friday, 30 September 2022 by eventsbywhim

Berkeley Fieldhouse Minimalist Dream Wedding

Jaimie’s mom reached out to me way back in early 2020 to help Jaimie and Matt with their wedding planning goals and I was thrilled when I met them in person. We met one wet Saturday morning at the cafe owned by Patricia’s Cake Creations in Toronto and had a warm drink and got to know each other.  Their style, and especially their personalities really drew me in. Jaimie and Matt are fun and a little sarcastic, really warm, and overall, just such genuine souls. What I really liked best about working with them was that they were really interested in hosting a wedding that was genuine to who they are as a couple and individually. That is a whole different topic for another blog post, but I will say that authenticity in your wedding planning is critically important and a key factor to enjoying the process and your wedding day. No one wants to feel like they are stepping into an artificial role on their wedding day. After so many years of planning, I’ll say that the best weddings we plan are the ones where your guests are overheard saying, “Wow this is SO them!” Anyway, onto the recap! All of these beautiful photos were captured by the talented Kat from Boakview Photography!

Berkeley FieldhouseBeautiful lace dress
Berkeley FieldhouseWe love a flat lay
Berkeley FieldhouseHelping the bride get ready
Berkeley FieldhouseLet’s hear it for the girls!
Berkeley FieldhouseTaking a walk to the first look location
Berkeley FieldhouseThe happiest crew!

As you probably guessed, the Covid19 pandemic ended up derailing our collective plans for the wedding and we ended up postponing their big day twice to September 2022. Their original venue was Airship 37, but Berkeley Events ended up undergoing a restructuring and that venue is no longer in operation so we moved to Berkeley Fieldhouse and moved the date a third time. Our amazing troop of vendors diligently stuck with us and moved the date and venue location and we continued on with our plans. Berkeley Fieldhouse wasn’t a huge pivot for us in terms of location and style, as it is nestled in the heart of Toronto and also has a blank-slate feel. The space itself is open concept with lots of neutral colour and tons of natural light. Jaimie and Matt envisioned sustainable local wild flowers, fresh and in season, alongside touches of romantic candle light and dainty watercolour stationery pieces to complete the look.

Berkeley FieldhouseMatt patiently waiting for his bride
Berkeley FieldhouseFirst look live!
Berkeley FieldhouseBest reaction ever!
Berkeley FieldhouseThey’re the cutest aren’t they?
Berkeley FieldhousePicture perfect!
Berkeley FieldhouseA first look is a great chance to have a moment alone
Berkeley FieldhouseDapper and elegant
Berkeley FieldhouseThe whole squad!
Berkeley FieldhouseLet’s hear it for the ladies!

Our team works with a lot of couples and bridal parties on the wedding day, but Jaimie and Matt’s squad stood out to us because everyone was so friendly and lively, and genuinely excited to be apart of the festivities. From the early start to the trek on foot over to Berkeley Fieldhouse for photos, these guys and girls were up for anything. We felt the love from their families throughout the day. We loved that this couple opted to buck a traditional ballroom style wedding that would have been expected given their cultural backgrounds and went for a celebration more in tune with their hearts. We also especially loved that they weren’t afraid of a little colour in their wedding palette! They opted for a neutral base for the larger elements, romantic candle glow and so much colour in the wild flower arrangements, artfully designed by our friend Lisa at Whiskey Jack Flowers. Everyone had a wonderful time, including all of our vendors. Thank you again to Jaimie and Matt for choosing us to be your wedding planners!

Berkeley FieldhouseWild flower bouquet in beautiful pastels for our bride
Berkeley FieldhouseDainty minimalist details
Berkeley FieldhouseWe love the bold pops of colour
Berkeley FieldhouseExquisitely simple
Berkeley FieldhouseTime to take a walk with mom and dad
Berkeley FieldhouseThat look of love!
Berkeley FieldhouseThe outdoor patio space at Berkeley Fieldhouse
Berkeley FieldhouseSucculents for guest favours
Berkeley FieldhouseSweet details
Berkeley FieldhouseThis colour combo has my heart!
Berkeley FieldhouseI adore the growing greenery on the mirror
Berkeley FieldhouseFirst dance
Berkeley FieldhouseMore sweet dainty details
Berkeley FieldhouseFirst dance
Berkeley FieldhouseGroup selfie before the dance floor opens!

Vendor love:

Venue & Catering: Berkeley Fieldhouse
Photography: Boakview Photography
DJ: Alley Entertainment
Hair: Shannon Petrolito
Makeup: Rebecca Kupferstein
Florals: Whiskey Jack Florals
Officiant: My Wedding Officiant

Events by Whim is a Toronto-based wedding planning company that travels across Canada to create modern, romantic and timeless celebrations. Our Toronto Wedding Planners work with you every step of the way to plan weddings that celebrate your unique love story and capture the elements of your lives that matter most to you. Get in touch with us today to start planning!

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All About Rehearsal Dinners

Saturday, 03 September 2022 by eventsbywhim

rehearsal dinners

What are wedding rehearsals vs rehearsal dinners? What do we do at a rehearsal dinner?

The wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinners are two separate items, though the guest list can have some overlap.

The wedding rehearsal is a practice run of the wedding ceremony, and features the full bridal party, parents and any additional attendants (like readers, singers, etc) who have a stake in the program. These typically happen for officiant-led ceremonies and church ceremonies, though any type of wedding can benefit from a run through before the big day. The rehearsal is a great opportunity to practice where all key players will be during all parts of the ceremony, and can help settle frazzled nerves leading up to the big day.

Rehearsal dinners are traditionally held after the wedding rehearsal and is held the night before or two nights before the wedding. This is a kick off to the wedding festivities and an opportunity for the couple, bridal party and families to relax before the big day. The wedding day can be very busy, with lots of guests vying for attention from the couple, so the rehearsal dinner is a great opportunity to spend time together in an intimate setting. This is also a wonderful way to alleviate any pre-wedding jitters by spending time in a warm environment with your nearest and dearest.

Who should I invite?

The Must Haves:
The rehearsal dinner guest list should include your immediate families, all wedding party members and their significant others, and the immediate families of any children in the bridal party. It is also a great idea to invite your officiant and their spouse, though this is optional.

The Nice To Haves:
It’s a lovely idea to invite any folks that are coming in from a long distance to attend the wedding, or may not have any other ties to the location of your wedding. Are you having a destination wedding? Consider opting for a welcome cocktail after the wedding rehearsal rather than a full dinner, to save some cost.

Where should it be held?

You have tons of options here! Rehearsal dinners can be held at home, in a restaurant, or even a more formal setting like a banquet hall. Typically the rehearsal dinner is less formal than the wedding itself, so consider that when planning. It wouldn’t make sense to have a super formal rehearsal dinner for a casual bbq wedding. Whatever you do, be sure to specify dress code to your guests so they are comfortable on arrival.

What should I serve?

Again, there are lots of options here! Traditionally rehearsal dinners were formal sit-down dinner affairs, but these days couples are planning backyard bbqs, cocktail receptions and potluck affairs as well. Your budget will ultimately guide you here!

Do I need physical invitations?

This will depend on the style of rehearsal you’re hosting. If you plan to have a formal sit-down affair, invitations with rsvps that indicate dietary restrictions will be required. Your catering team will need a final head count and meal selections in advance.

Alternatively, if you are hosting a more casual event, phone calls, word of mouth, email invites or wedding websites invitations are perfectly acceptable. You will still want some sort of headcount to ensure you have enough food and drink.

Invitations to the rehearsal should be sent out within 3 months of the wedding to ensure that guests coming from further can make necessary arrangements.

Are there any formalities to the itinerary of a rehearsal dinner?

These days rehearsals take so many shapes, but there are a few things that should happen:

  • Take a few minutes to greet everyone and thank them for attending your wedding festivities and share any important information about the wedding that may be worth repeating, like transportation schedules and family photo shoots
  • The host typically gives a speech. Traditionally, the groom’s family hosts the rehearsal, but more and more couples are hosting themselves.
    • if the groom’s family is hosting, the groom’s parents would give the first speech, thanking guests and welcoming their new daughter in law
  • The couple will then thank each other and their guests
  • The couple may opt to hand out attendant gifts at this time

Most importantly, have fun! If the rehearsal dinner is the night before the wedding, remember to not make it a late night, or to imbibe too much – you’ll want to feel fresh for the wedding day!

Final Notes

I say this a lot, but there is not a right or wrong way to approach a wedding rehearsal dinner. The main item you’ll want to consider is the formality of the event and plan accordingly from there. You’ll want to ensure that you book a space that can comfortably accommodate your crowd, and plan for any dietary restrictions. Rehearsal dinners are a wonderful way to kick back with your wedding party prior to the wedding and enjoy some downtime before the hectic wedding day.

Events by Whim is a team of Toronto wedding planners that service almost all of Ontario as well as Banff, Alberta! Get in touch with us today to start planning your big day! 

bridal partyrehearsal dinnerwedding daywedding partywedding rehearsalwedding rehearsal dinner
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