Rustic Wedding Venues In the GTA
And we’re back with another edition of Wedding Venues in the GTA! This time we’ll be tackling rustic wedding venues in the GTA, for all of you who are aiming for that shabby-chic vibe on your big day. These venues aren’t just suited for casual affairs (although they’re perfect for those, too), they can also be glammed up for for a glitzy event with an added rustic edge. Rustic glam weddings have been on the rise in popularity, and we aren’t mad it it. From naked cakes, lace dresses, to venues strewn with fairy lights, we can’t get enough of this trend. Living in the big city can make it tough to find the perfect venue that’s a mixture between rustic and chic, but you don’t have to worry since the Whimlets are here to help. We’re super excited to share some of our favorite rustic wedding venues around the city with you, so let’s jump right into it!
RUSTIC WEDDING VENUES IN THE GTA
Photo by Erica Hammer
Ward’s Island Clubhouse
Steps from the Ward’s Island Ferry docks, you can find this adorable clubhouse on the Toronto Island. It may be a bit of a treck, but it’s totally worth it— you can get that beach house vibe without venturing too far from the city. In addition to its charming aesthetic, the location of this rustic wedding venue offers a great opportunity for stunning photos against Toronto’s skyline. Whether you choose string fairy lights from the stunning cathedral ceiling and go all out with decor or leave the setting in its natural beauty, you can’t go wrong with Ward’s Island Clubhouse.
Photo by Chris Luk
Berkley Fieldhouse
You probably won’t believe us when we say you can have cocktails in a tree house and a stroll along a creek, followed by a gathering in a natural garden in the heart of downtown Toronto, but at Berkley Fieldhouse, you can have it all. Located in the centre of our bustling city, this venue is an ideal option for those that want the feel of a country carriage house, without having to actually go into the country. With quaint accents like antique chandeliers, wood walls, and french doors that lead to a garden patio, it’s tough to beat the charm of this rustic wedding venue. rustic wedding venues in the GTA
Photo by Lushana Bale Photography
Black Creek Pioneer Village
This name might ring a bell— and yes, it’s the place you went on your seventh grade field trip to. But we promise we aren’t insane to suggest you have your wedding here! You might be surprised at how adorable the facilities are. With different options, both indoor and outdoor, of where to have your ceremony and reception, Blackcreek Pioneer Village gives you a ton a freedom when deciding what your big day will look like. Whether you choose to get married at Town Hall and celebrate in the Grand Pavilion, this village offers its 19th century charm wherever you go. rustic wedding venues in the GTA
Photo via Tiffany’s Bridal Tips
Cambium Farms
There’s no better way to achieve that rustic vibe than getting married in a barn. You may question how you’ll prepare a barn for a chic wedding, but it’s simple when you choose Cambium Farms. An architectural masterpiece with exposed beams, braces, posts, and rafters, the intricate craftsmanship on display here doesn’t require draping or sheaths to be covered up. You can use the barn’s original form along with a few delicate embellishments to create a perfect setting for your big day. rustic wedding venues in the GTA
Photo via Pleasurevalley.com
Pathways on Pleasure Valley
Located just 45 minutes outside Toronto, this is the perfect rustic wedding venue for couples who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy their day in a tranquil location. Described as a “hidden gem” on their website, Pathways on Pleasure Valley is just that. You can choose to hold your event at their picnic area underneath a heavenly canopy, or inside their quaint lodge. If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing venue to get married, then look no further. rustic wedding venues in the GTA
Photo via Artscapeeventvenues.ca
Artscape Wychwood Barns
A wonderfully unique venue in midtown Toronto, this is another option that offers the charm of a rustic barn without leaving the city. With soaring ceilings, a full-length skylight, and incredibly detailed architecture, it’ll be tough to find a more stunning rustic wedding venue in Toronto. The Covered Street Barn can accommodate up to 450 guests in the theatre, and up to 600 in the reception area. However, if you’re planning on a slightly small affair, the barn can be partitioned into smaller spaces for a more intimate feel. rustic wedding venues in the GTA
These are just a few of our favorite rustic wedding venues around the GTA, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more. Toronto is crawling with rustic-chic venues that might be perfect for your big day, so if you didn’t fall in love with any of the ones on our list, don’t get discouraged! Have we left out any rustic wedding venues you think should have an honourable mention? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
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!
Wedding Guest Etiquette
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Everyone knows the unspoken wedding guest etiquette that should be followed, but do you actually know all of the rules? There are the old favorites, like not wearing white to upstage the bride, but there are definitely a few more that you should abide by as a wedding guest. If you’re unfamiliar with the proper wedding guest etiquette, don’t you worry- you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of a 5 key rules that we feel are the most important. Follow these tips, and we guarantee you’ll be the best wedding guest ever!
WEDDING GUEST ETIQUETTE
Remember to RSVP… on time
Most couples pay their venues by the head, so the RSVP date isn’t just a suggestion. The bride and groom need an accurate headcount in advance, so that they can make arrangements with their venue, as well as other vendors accordingly. On this note, remember to RSVP for the right amount of people! If your invitation is addressed to three people and you RSVP for two, make sure no more than two people show up.
Wedding RSVPs are very important to the bride and groom! Accurate numbers drive every part of the final wedding planning details! Be kind and send yours in on time! Huge thanks to ChriLee Photography for the lovely capture of our stationery suite!
What happens if you have a last minute emergency and can’t make it? Sometimes these situations can’t be avoided, so let your soon-to-be newlyweds know ASAP, and apologize for the short notice.
Don’t bring uninvited guests
Unless your invitation specifically elicits that you’re invited to bring a plus one, don’t assume that it’s okay to bring a date. Since couples are typically charged on a per guest basis by their venue, they’ve budgeted and made arrangements for the exact amount of guests they’ve invited. Bringing an uninvited guest can cause tension and create an awkward situation, especially if there’s assigned seating.
Be punctual
Some individuals enjoy arriving fashionably late to events and making an entrance, but a wedding ceremony isn’t a situation where that’s appropriate. The couple invited you to share in the joining of their lives, and you should show your respect by arriving on time, and not making a disruptive entrance.
Bride’s grand entrance.. be punctual or you’ll miss it and interrupt important moments for the bride and groom! Photo by In Your Prime Photography
Choose a gift from their registry
Couples spend a ton of time carefully curating their registry, and they pick items that they actually want. It’s a good idea to stick to their registry or even a monetary gift, since you know it’ll be something they’ll actually use. This way, the couple isn’t left with 15 different photo albums, and won’t receive any duplicate presents.
Take your own pictures non-disruptively
The bride and groom pay a professional photographer to capture every important moment on their wedding day, and the last thing they need is for a guest to get in the way of them doing just that. We know it’s tempting for guests to want to get some shots for their Instagram collage, and maybe a snap here and there for their Snapchat story, but let the photographer get their shots first. Trust us, you’ll cause the photographer a lot less stress by waiting the few extra minutes, and the couple will be grateful for the beautiful shots they’ll receive.
See, these guests get it! Take photos, but let the professional (paid) photographer do their job so the bride and groom get the best possible wedding photos! Many thanks to Ian Liwanag Photography for this sweet shot!
These are just a few simple guidelines that you may not have thought about as a wedding attendee, but trust us; follow them and you’ll be everyone’s favorite wedding guest! Do you have any pet peeves, or things you think guests should take into consideration when attending a wedding? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
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 2017, Wedding TIps
2017 Wedding Cake Trends
by Alisha Chadee
As wedding season 2016 is drawing to a close, the planning for 2017 is ramping up! We’re elbows-deep into the planning for our winter, spring and summer weddings, and the fun never stops! We’ve seen a lot of lovely trends emerge (and continue) in 2016, but now it’s time to focus on 2017! We love cake, and we know you do, too!
Here are our picks for 2017 Wedding Cake Trends!
Some of these styles started to peek out in 2016 and we’re hoping they’ll continue in a big way for 2017!
Water Colour Cakes
We are in love with this stunning wedding cake by Sinfully Sweet Co, a dear friendor of ours based here in Toronto. This lovely hand-painted water colour cake boasts incredible elegance and natural charm. This style allows for a broad range of customization, and can work with virtually any theme. We particularly love the gold metallic detailing on the middle tier, and the delicate painting along the base tier. Sinfully Sweet Co is ahead of the 2017 wedding cake trends with this beauty!
Beautiful hand-painted water colour cake with gold metallic embellishments – photo by 5ive15ifteen Photography
Geode Cakes
Geode cakes are incredibly beautiful, and deserve top billing for 2017 wedding cake trends! We love the combination of rock candy and smooth fondant cake tiers. Geode wedding cakes act as an extension of your wedding decor and theme, as the colour combinations are custom to each design. We particularly love the beauty depicted below, by Toronto’s own For the Love of Cake. The intricate design, paired with beautiful metallic detailing makes for a stunning, show-stopper cake that guests will rave over for years!
We are swooning over geode designs on cakes, like this beauty from For The Love of Cake, based in Toronto!
Partial Naked Cake
Over the past few years, naked wedding cakes have made a big splash at rustic celebrations. We’ve heard the range of opinions from loving to hating this trend. Recently we’ve noticed the rise of the partial-naked cake, and we’re loving it! This beautiful design has a great mix of rustic chic charm and elegant craftsmanship. We particularly love this beauty, by Patricia’s Cake Creations in Toronto, for combining a partially naked cake with beautiful gum-paste flowers! This cake is more glam than rustic, and we’re digging it!
We are loving this rustic-glam partially-naked cake by Patricia’s Cake Creations in Toronto
We hope you loved checking out some of our favourite 2017 wedding cake trends, and even more, we hope you’ll consider one of these beautiful styles for your big day! Let us know which one is your favourite, or tell us about another cake trend you’re digging for 2017!
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 2017, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps