Tia & Tony’s Fun Reception at Bellvue Manor
This past July, the Whimlets had the pleasure of coordinating a lovely wedding for a very special couple, Tia and Tony! Tia and Tony had a multi-day celebration, culminating in a gorgeous reception at Bellvue Manor! Take a peek at the fabulous photos below, from Treasured Photography!
Tia and Tony have such a great sense of style, as evidenced from Tia’s incredible Hayley Paige Dory gown. She spun to her heart’s content, and made it look effortless all day long! We loved the many stunning details that Tia and Tony thoughtfully tailored to reflect their relationship, like the beautiful multi-tier cake by Spring Bloom Cakes, that featured a Superman emblem, because Tony is Tia’s Superman :). We also realllly loved the cultural flash mob-style dance that Tia and Tony had choreographed for the reception. It started with the bridal party, and by the end almost half of the guests were in on it! The video is very impressive because it’s captured in one take!
Check out the awesome video captured by PhotoKitch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTI11FAO-z0
This doesn’t even scratch the surface of this standout wedding! Tia and Tony thoughtfully planned with their guests in mind, and managed to stay cool and look like movie stars in the process. There are so many amazing vendors to thank for working hard to make this day perfect. Check ’em out below!
Vendor Love:
Wedding Coordination – Whim Event Planning & Design
Church: Immaculate Heart of Mary
Venue: Bellvue Manor
Photography: Treasured Photography
Videography: PhotoKitch
DJ: DJ Haresh
Hair & Makeup: AK Makeup & Luxotic Studios
Cake: Spring Bloom Cakes
Decor: Beyond the Limits
Decor: Enzo Drapes
Decor: Wonderwall
Photobooth: SelfieShootr
Whim Event Planning and Design is a team of Toronto wedding planners and day of coordinators specializing in modern romantic weddings for fun, sweet couples. Get in touch with us today to start planning your dream day!
- Published in 2016, GTA, Real Wedding
The Hudson Bay’s Fall Scanning Event
The Hudson’s Bay Wedding Registry Event
This September and October, we had the pleasure of attending the Hudson Bay’s fall scanning event at the flagship Queen Street location in Toronto, and boy was it a blast! Hudson’s Bay wedding registry
Many of the couples in attendance were aware that the event would feature an up-beat atmosphere, but quite a few guests were pleasantly surprised by the different interactive stations scattered throughout the registry area.
Both events were very well received, with couples coming out from all over the GTA just to partake the great product demonstrations, yummy snacks and beverages and the opportunity to receive personalized assistance from the Hudson Bay’s friendly and knowledgeable staff. Quite a few of our own couples attended, which was great to see, because it’s easy to fall behind on finishing the registry! We always recommend starting early so you can add new seasonal items later on ;).
A few features we especially loved:
Delectable Snacks
Anyone who knows Michelle and I, knows that we loveeee oysters! Our friends at Oyster Boy had a beautiful display and spent the afternoon happily shucking away! 
Sweet Godiva treats that had us begging for more!
Sparkling wine and Beer from Pelee Island Winery and Steam Whistle! I think guests especially loved sipping a good drink while building their dream home interiors!
As you can see, I was enjoying myself hugely :).
I also want to give a shout out to the event DJ, from TypeO Dj Service for absolutely killing it and creating such a fun and upbeat vibe throughout the event!
All in all, this event was fantastic! We want to give a huge shout out to the Hudson’s Bay and all of the event sponsors for putting together such a fun and thoughtful experience for engaged couples across the GTA. It’s a magical time in any couple’s courtship, and we’re so happy the Hudson’s Bay Wedding Registry team added that extra oomph to the fall scanning event! We encourage you all to check out the next opportunity to Sip, Scan and Celebrate, and we’ll keep you posted on when that will be!
xoxo,
Whim Event Planning and Design is a team of Toronto wedding planners and day of coordinators specializing in modern romantic weddings for fun, sweet couples. Get in touch with us today to start planning your dream day!
Wedding Invitations: Why so Pricey!?
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Your wedding invitations are the first glance that your guests have of your wedding, and you obviously want to set a tone that screams nothing but fab for your big day. Leaving a good first impression is important, but at what cost?
We’ve given you the inside scoop on why wedding photography and bridal hair and makeup seems so costly, and guess what! We’re keeping up the momentum, and now we’re to tell you a little bit about why wedding stationery can seem so costly. I spoke to our very own wedding stationery genius Michelle, and she’s told me all about why wedding invitations can seem so costly.
Here are some of the stunning stationery suites Michelle has created for previous clients!
Why are wedding invitations so expensive!?
Truth is, there are a bunch of factors that come into play when considering the price of your invites. These factors can include whether or not you opt for a custom design, different print processes, and the quality of the papered goods that you choose.
Design
If you choose to opt for a custom design as many couples do, there’s a design fee charged to cover the amount of time and love that your designer has to put in, in order to create your dream invitation. This process generally takes anywhere from three days to two weeks, depending on the number of revisions requested by the couple. Michelle takes great care with all of her designs, and makes a conscious effort to get to know each client so that she can create something that’s “unique to their own style and love story.”
Quality & Print Processes
Our simple, single sided invitations and plain white envelopes here at Whim start at $3 an invite, with a minimum quantity of 50. If you’re someone who wants a thicker and heavier cardstock, or even a shimmer cardstock, that would be an additional charge added onto the cost per invite. Color upgrades to your envelopes can also add on to these costs. Upgraded print processes like foil, thermography, and letterpress can also get pretty pricey. If you have no idea what those words even mean, here’s a quick breakdown:
FOIL: THIS METHOD INCLUDES THE APPLICATION OF METALLIC OR PIGMENTED FOIL ONTO YOUR INVITATION. THIS ACHIEVES A BEAUTIFUL METALLIC FINISH ON YOUR FONT OR ACCENTS!
THERMOGRAPHY: WITH THIS TECHNIQUE, HEAT IS USED TO CREATE IMAGES ON PAPER. THIS TYPE OF PRINTING IS IDEAL IF YOU’D LIKE RAISED LETTERING.
LETTERPRESS: A TYPE OF RELIEF PRINTING, INVITATIONS ARE PRODUCED BY THE REPEATED IMPRESSION OF AN INKED, RAISED SURFACE AGAINST CARDSTOCK. THIS LEAVES AN IMPRESSION OF THE WORDS ON YOUR INVITATION.
Assembly
Adding little embellishments to each of your invitations are another additional charge that you need to consider when thinking about your design and cost of your invitations. Add-ons like ribbons, belly bands, jewels, rhinestones, and buckles can give your invite that extra oomph, but come at a cost. Purchasing these embellishments is only a part of the extra cost- those ribbons don’t tie themselves! Each of our custom invitations here at Whim are handmade; even though this process can be time consuming, it helps us make sure that our couples are receiving the highest quality possible.
Just to give you an approximate estimate of the total amount of time that it takes to design, print, and assemble your invitations, here are some general timeframes: A more simple invitation design takes about 1 month, and more complex designs take around 1.5 months.
We hope that we’ve helped to highlight some reasons surrounding the cost of wedding invitations- like most other things in the event planning industry, there are valid reasons as to why invitations can seem so costly, but actually aren’t. When you consider the time and effort it takes to design, print, and assemble each invitation, the cost of wedding invites seem less and less outrageous.
Huge thank you to Michelle for taking the time out to educate me on cost of wedding invitations! Check out more of her fabulous designs on the official Whim Instagram and Facebook pages.
What’s your take on the cost of wedding invitations? Drop us a line, we want to hear what you think!
Whim Event Planning and Design is a team of Toronto wedding planners and day of coordinators specializing in modern romantic weddings for fun, sweet couples. Get in touch with us today to start planning your dream day!
- Published in 2016, Budget, GTA, Wedding, Wedding Planning
Live Music Options for your Wedding Ceremony
By Tarisha Beniprashad
For some, the wedding reception is the main event of all their wedding festivities, but we’re strong believers that your ceremony should be the highlight. Vowing your love and life to your SO in front of your friends and family is a significant and beautiful affair, and should be decorated as such! Hiring a live musician or vocalist is a fantastic way to accentuate the elegance of your ceremony. We’ve compiled a list (you know us Whimlets love lists) of some live music options that we think would give your ceremony an extra flair! Keep on reading if you’d like some…
Live music options for your wedding ceremony!
Pianist
As long as there’s a piano at your venue, it’s tough to compete with this classic sound. There are
some incredible pianists in the GTA like Liz Craig who can play practically anything, making this a versatile option for any ceremony.
Harpist
If your venue’s got the space to accommodate the instrument and you really want to up the elegance factor, a harpist is the way to go. Whether your harpist is an angel or not, we guarantee a harp will sound angelic at your ceremony! Joanna Jordan is a fantastic harpist based in Toronto, and would definitely emphasize the grandeur of your vows.
Violinist
A violinist is an ideal option for almost any wedding. Your violinist can play songs and adjust their sound to suit the tone of your ceremony, whether its a backyard affair, or a black tie event. We’re big fans of Jill Daley’s versatile sound.
Organist
Organs are usually hidden out of sight and most commonly found in churches, so you’ll probably have a more formal ceremony if you’re opting to have the sounds of the organ grace the ears of your guests before your ceremony. You can’t go wrong with this traditional sound!
Vocalist
What’s more romantic than walking towards your groom to the sweet lyrics of your special song? Nothing, that’s what. Susan Dunstan is an amazing singer, and we’re sure she’d moisten some eyes before you even walk down the aisle!
Do you really think we could’ve wrote this article without special mention of the greatest wedding singer of all time?
Ensemble
You probably won’t opt for a full out wedding band for your ceremony, but a small ensemble or even a quartet would be a lovely option to orchestrate your processional. We’re big fans of violin and cello duets; check out Walla Music for some heavenly ensembles, and samples of their work!
Band
Hiring a versatile band is another great option if you’d like to incorporate live music into your ceremony. From a graceful ceremony duo to a full dance band at your reception, groups like Brent Miller Live can entertain your guests throughout the days events! We had the privilege of hearing this band live at the 2016 WPIC kick off at The Forth, and we can personally assure you they’ve got an amazing sound!
This list ins’t exhaustive, but we hope that we’ve helped you out a little when contemplating your options when it come to live music at your wedding ceremony. You can’t go wrong with any of these sounds- any of them would be the perfect way to begin your happily ever after!
Leave us a comment and let us know what you think about live music at wedding ceremonies, and if you think we missed any interesting options!
xoxo,
The Whimlets
Whim Event Planning and Design is a team of Toronto wedding planners and day of coordinators specializing in modern romantic weddings for fun, sweet couples. Get in touch with us today to start planning your dream day!
- Published in 2015, GTA, Trends, Uncategorized, Vendors, Wedding, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Toronto Wedding Entertainment
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Deciding on what type of entertainment to hire for your big day can be a tough decision- but worry not, Whim is here to help you with all of your entertainment woes! Most couples opt to hire vendors to charm their guests during cocktail hour and/or dinner, so you’ll find that many of our suggestions will fit flawlessly into your reception program. If you’re interested in learning about some wedding entertainment ideas that are sure to leave your guests in awe, keep on reading!
Toronto wedding entertainment sure to wow your guests
Popular Toronto violinist, G Pinto
Violinist or Pianist
Hiring a musician that’s open to taking song requests is a great option for both cocktail and dinner time entertainment. We recently attended the WPIC Kick-Off at The Forth, and G.Pinto did a fantastic job providing pre-dinner entertainment!
Wine/ Liquor Tasting
Setting up a wine a liquor tasting is perfect if you’ve got a few wine and liquor connoisseurs in your clan. Consider fun stationed ideas like a scotch or martini station.
Caricatures
We know caricatures are not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, but they can actually be a fun addition for your guests. What better way than a larger-than-life portrait for your guests to take home with them, to commemorate your wedding? One of our favourites is Michael McDonnell – he has experience with large corporate events and intimate weddings alike! Toronto wedding entertainment.
Showgirls/ Dancers
Hiring a few showgirls to do a number on the dance floor during dinner can be an awesome way for your guests to cleanse their palate between the main course and dessert! You can also opt to go with some cultural dancers; this would be a great touch to incorporate some of your (or your SO’s) culture into your big day. A surefire way to please your guests! One of our favourites is RS Divas – ask for Jana and tell her Whim sent you :). Toronto wedding entertainment.
Singing Waiters
What’s more entertaining than being serenaded while snacking on shrimp toast? Nothing, that’s what. – just ask the talent from the Three Waiters! Toronto wedding entertainment.
Photo taken from The Three Waiters website
Flash Mob
You can either hire some faux wedding guests to burst into dance during cocktail hour, or you can enlist your bridal party to learn a routine to surprise the rest of your guests! This option is sure to shock everyone, and can be a great bonding experience for you and your bridal party. Toronto wedding entertainment.
Guest Video Box
Photo taken from the Living Tables website – Carmen Miranda.
We’ll be honest, this option is more for your entertainment than your guests. Instead of a guestbook, you can opt to rent a video booth for your guests to leave you a special message. You’ll probably find that the video messages get more entertaining as the night goes on!
Living Tables
A living table is a great way to wow your guests while serving hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour. Your guests can be served a refreshment while taking in the sight of an expressively costumed performer. Check out Carmen Miranda from Living Tables!
We realize what a daunting task choosing entertainment for you big day can be, but remember: your guests are there to join in the celebration of your love, and will undoubtedly enjoy anything you choose!
Have you ever been to a wedding with any of these forms of Toronto wedding entertainment? Think we missed an exciting option? Leave us a comment below and let us know! Contact us today to get started on designing a wedding or event that will keep all of your guests entertained all night long!
- Published in 2016, GTA, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Intimate Wedding Venues in the GTA
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Having trouble finding the perfect venue for your intimate wedding? Did our Unique Venues in the GTA post not help you find the ideal spot for your nuptials? Fear not, we’ve come up with a new list…
Intimate wedding venues in the GTA
These spots are ideal for a cozy ceremony and a reception just for you and your closest loved ones. Keep on reading if you’d like to find out more about some of the most popular intimate venues in the GTA!
Old Mill Inn & Spa
With a variety of rooms to choose from, the Old Mill offers class and Victorian style like no other. They also have an on-site 16th century candlelit wedding chapel with stained glass windows that would make for some amazing photographs. With amazing in-house catering and luxurious outdoor gardens, Old Mill is an ample choice for any small event.
Camera Bar
Located next to the Stephen Bulger Gallery, the Camera bar is decorate with beautiful art pieces. However, the majority of the space had been left raw, which allows for you to run free with your creativity and create your ideal room. Capacity is 30 for a seated dinner and 110 for a cocktail reception.
Miller Lash House
Featuring high arched ceilings, fireplaces, antique furnishings, and wooden trim, the Miller Lash house is both versatile and beautiful. The University of Toronto owned spaces allows for 50 seated guests, and a cocktail reception of 100.
Le Select
An authentic Parisian bistro in the heart of downtown Toronto, Le Select features a beautiful rear garden equipped with heaters for the cooler months, and a wine cellar with 1,200 different labels. This bistro would be a great option for a slightly more casual affair.
Ancaster Mill
The Ancaster Mill is a little oasis in the scenic suburb of Hamilton. With a waterfall complementing the exquisite exterior, this is the ideal location for a small outdoor wedding. There are also a number of rooms inside of the inn to choose from, if you’re interested in an indoor ceremony. You can choose from rooms with a more modern feel, or go for something a little more rustic. intimate wedding venues in the GTA
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
This location might be the most unique amongst our suggestions. You have the opportunity to exchange your vows amidst free-flying butterflies, serene waterfalls, and lush tropical foliage. The conservatories facilities may accommodate up to 200 reception guests. intimate wedding venues in the GTA
The Arts and Letters Club
Established in 1908, this club features a Tudor style hall, baronial fireplace, cathedral ceilings, and gothic stained glass windows. In-house catering features seasonal flavors, and local tastes. The largest room in the club had the potential to accommodate 112 reception guests. intimate wedding venues in the GTA
Sassafraz
Offering exceptional French-inspired Canadian cuisine, Sassafraz is set in an array of Victorian row-houses in the historic city of Yorkville. Despite having been around for decades, the interior of this intimate wedding venue in the GTA has a refreshingly modern twist. intimate wedding venues in the GTA
We hope that this collection of intimate wedding venues in the GTA helps narrow down your search, and gets you closer to finding the perfect venue for your wedding! Are there any venues you think should be on our list? Contact us today so we can get started on finding the perfect intimate venue for your wedding!
xoxo,
intimate wedding venues in the GTA
- Published in 2016, GTA, Rustic, Trends, Uncategorized, Venues, Wedding, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Wedding Venues in the GTA: Volume 1: Unique Wedding Venues
Unique Wedding Venues in the GTA
If you’re in the process of planning a Toronto wedding, I’m sure you know how endless the possibilities are when it comes to choosing a venue. Planning a wedding in a city brimming with stunning wedding venues to choose from can become overwhelming very quickly. A wedding planner often comes in handy when it comes to this aspect of the planning, but if you’re on your own the options can seem endless. With all of these choices, how do you know what to look for?
Worry not, we’ve created a comprehensive list of wedding venues in the GTA to help you decide where to have your big day; this is only the first post of a new series where we will list a number wedding venues in and around the GTA. Focusing on the aesthetics of each venue, we’ve linked the website to each respective site below, so that you and inquire about pricing and decide which works best for your budget. For our first addition to this series, we’ve chosen unique and “artsy” venues that would likely be best suited for those who aren’t fond of garden gazebos and banquet halls, and who would like something a little different for their nuptials. Keep reading to find out what are some of our favorite wedding venues in the GTA!
Imagine the insane wedding pictures you’d be able to get, having your nuptials inside Toronto’s aquarium that houses jellyfish, stingrays, and a variety of exotic fish.
The only thing cooler than saying your I do’s alongside sharks is doing it beside dinosaurs. Choose to get married in your favorite exhibit at the ROM!
Located in Toronto’s quaint yet popular Distillery District, Arta Gallery exhibits world-class pieces from international artists.
Get married in the Gardiner Museum’s Terrace room, where you’ll have a stunning view of Queen’s Park through their floor-ceiling-windows. The ceramic pieces in the actual museum will have your guests raving!
Originally a stone distilling and milling building, the Fermenting Cellar features heavy timber beams and trusses, as well as Kingston limestone walls from its initial construction in 1861.
This multi-purpose lounge and venue space features incredible exposed brick walls, as well as tasteful vintage furniture that will transport you back to the 19th century Victorian era.
Located on Queen Street West and constantly featuring new exhibitions by a variety of artists and photographers, Twist gallery is the perfect venue for a modern, intimate wedding in the city.
Aside from the food, the architecture of this restaurant is the real stunner. High pine ceiling, concrete floors, exposed brick walls, and reclaimed timber bar and tables combine the contemporary style with the historic tradition of the Distillery District.
Originally built in 1907 as a department store, the Burroughes now functions as an event venue, boutique retail spaces, and office suites on the ever-trendy Queen Street West.
The University Club of Toronto
Prestigiously located on Toronto’s University Avenue in the heart of the city, the University Club of Toronto is an inspiring and historical space. To top it all off, there’s access to a treasured wine cellar!
It’s a castle… Need we say more? Doesn’t everyone dream about getting married in a castle? This Gothic revival style house and garden is located in midtown Toronto was built in 1911. It’s now a museum and landmark with decorated suites, secret passages, stately towers, estate gardens as well as luxurious stables
This is only a small portion of the available wedding venues in the GTA. If none of these sites pique your interest, look out for our next addition to this series, where we’ll be featuring more tradition banquet hall styled venues. Wedding Venues In The GTA.
Toronto Wedding Band Spotlight: Ascension Groove Band
Toronto Wedding Band
Toronto Wedding Band Ascension Groove Band
Ascension Groove Band is made up professional musicians. We have been together for more than twenty years. The band has played various venues locally and internationally. We primarily worked overseas a lot. It just takes one client to see you at a club and book you for a wedding and that’s what happened. We still perform at clubs and casinos and also do corporate/private events. It is always a thrill to be part of someone’s special day and provide lasting memories.
Our first wedding gig was more than 10 years.
Toronto Wedding Band Ascension Groove Band
We can’t imagine doing anything else but we all would still be involved in music. We have all harnessed our craft through school and performing over the years. Once in your system, you never leave music.
We are always making sure everyone is having a good time and things are running smoothly. So when we are not on stage entertaining we are perhaps on a short break, having dinner while speeches taking place but we are constantly keeping track and in close contact with the planner if the client has one. My job primarily during breaks is to connect with the planner or if there is no planner I help with coordinating between the client and venue.
Being in a wedding band is fun!!! You perform a variety of genres, you meet interesting people and at the end of the day you were part of a special moment and it’s quite an honour to be the entertainment that was chosen. It not only means something to the client but to us as well…you like what we do.
Toronto Wedding Band Ascension Groove Band
I don’t think people realize the work put into preparing for a wedding. A band learns new repertoire, perhaps performing their first dance, coordinating and booking of musicians whether it’s for the ceremony or the reception, organizing/arranging for sound and lighting etc.
Besides music we are family type individuals. Our downtime is spent with family, sports, travelling and photography.
Are you a Toronto-based wedding vendor? We’d love to get to know you and feature you on our blog! Contact us today at inquiries@eventsbywhim.ca or click here to contact us!
- Published in 2015, GTA, Vendor spotlight, Vendors, Wedding