Late Summer Wedding at The Ancaster Mill in the Governor's Room

This Ancaster Mill wedding from August 2023 was one of the dreamiest late summer weddings we’ve done. Jess and Greg got ready at The Barracks Inn, a beautiful hotel in Ancaster which in itself was a lovely setting both inside and out. Their ceremony took place in the Miller’s Chapel and reception in the Governor’s Room of the Ancaster Mill.

Jess’ bridesmaids wore satin dresses in the loveliest shade of vintage rose, each with a different cut for the top to suit them best, which in my opinion is a timeless wedding trend. Greg and his guys were dressed in classic black suits with ties and bowties. Hair and makeup were done by one of our favourite and best Toronto wedding beauty teams, ES Bridal.

The team at Forever Wildfield did the most wonderful job of the floral elements which really were the star of the show at the reception and more than a gorgeous topper to complement the linens and tabletop rentals from Simply Beautiful Decor.

All photography was captured by Jeff Shuh and stationery was by All That’s Lovely.

We truly feel so lucky to have been a part of this incredible wedding that bride, Jess, so carefully planned and trusted us in executing!

Service: Event Management

Colourful Tented Wedding in Burlington, Ontario

This private estate tented wedding in Lowville was such a joy to design and plan. Julie, our bride, wanted flowers everywhere and she certainly wasn’t afraid of colour. Pulling together all the spring colours created a fun, upbeat, upscale, and romantic wedding aesthetic at their home. Food and guest experience were incredibly important to our couple, Julie and Tom, and they wanted to ensure guests had a choice for all courses. We were fortunate to work again with Gourmet Chef at Your Table who did an incredible job bringing that goal to life.

The available level ground was limited so we did a long narrow tent 15’ deep and 50’ long in addition to a canopy on the patio to connect the dining tent with the house. A huge thank you to Special Event Rentals for their assistance in creating an intimate setting for their 65 guests and a feeling of an extension of their home.

Their dog, Harper, was almost the star of the show with his own place setting at the head table including the beef tenderloin for dinner. Have a scroll through the photos to see him being a very good boy!

We were thrilled to assist Julie and Tom with their wedding planning. Tent weddings are tricky to plan as there are so many moving parts but with careful consideration, they can be a success and worth all the effort.

Photographed by Cleland Photographs, florals by Kendon Design Co., tent and rentals from Special Event Rentals, stationery by Statue Rue, catering by Gourmet Chef at Your Table, cake, and sweets from Sweet Celebrations, and beauty by ES Bridal.

Service: Full Planning and Design

Private Estate Tent Spring Bridal Shower in burlington, ontario

Lianne’s gorgeous bridal shower took place in June of 2022 under a tent in her parent’s beautiful backyard in Burlington, Ontario. Spring weather can change on a dime and will pose extra challenges for outdoor events so planning accordingly is key. We certainly lucked out with the most gorgeous weather and ran into just a little rain for about 5 minutes; thank you, Weather Gods!

Also, can you even believe we ended up in the most perfect location with the tent perfectly sitting atop the beautiful artificial grass? It made for the most incredible base for an outdoor setting.

We’ll let the images speak for themselves with all the gorgeous details from some incredible local vendors.

Photographed by Robin Sassi, tent and rentals from Special Event Rentals, florals by Sue Gallo Designs, stationery by Statue Rue, cake from Cake and Kale, and catering from Gourmet Chef at Your Table, this day truly is one of our favourites!

The Pearle Hotel and Spa, Upscale Burlington Wedding Venue

When I first found out that Pearle Hospitality was opening their latest venue, The Pearle Hotel and Spa, I think my jaw dropped to the floor. Burlington has been in desperate need of a high-end hotel and an upscale event space that can hold larger guest counts. Knowing Pearle (who owns Spencers at the Waterfront and Elora Mill just to name a few), the new hotel wasn’t going to fall short of being anything but an incredible experience.

The Northshore Room, Pearle Hotel and Spa Wedding Photos. Designed by Studio Munge.

The Northshore Room, Pearle Hotel and Spa Wedding Photos. Designed by Studio Munge.

There’s going to be a Hammam Spa and an indoor pool. The restaurant, Isabelle, offers a dining experience that highlights the locality, seasonality, and freshness of Ontario produce with much of it grown at their very own Earth to Table Farm. Its incredible waterfront patio will be perfect for a summer lunch or dinner under the stars. Designed by Studio Munge, check out some of the incredible renderings by them below!

The Pearle Hotel and Spa, Burlington Wedding Venue
The Pearle Hotel and Spa, Downtown Burlington Hotel

The Pearle Hotel and Spa, Downtown Burlington Hotel

There are two event spaces, both designed with neutral, but high-end decor, meaning there’s no worry of needing to cover up an unsightly wall or fight with an ugly carpet in your design; you just need to add your own personal touches to make the space unique to you. You’ve heard me talk before about my favourite Toronto wedding venues offering epic design and culinary experiences, and The Pearl Hotel and Spa will be nothing short of that.

The Edgewater Room

The Edgewater Room can host larger groups of up to 350 guests. Enjoy the use of the entire floor and private ceremony space. This beautiful room offers a fresh neutral décor with 16-foot ceilings and a south-facing view of the waterfront.

The Edgewater Room at The Pearle Hotel and Spa, Wedding Photos. Designed by Studio Munge.

The Edgewater Room at The Pearle Hotel and Spa, Wedding Photos. Designed by Studio Munge.

The Northshore Room

For more intimate weddings of up to 170 guests has 14-foot ceilings and a west-facing view of Lake Ontario, this room offers fresh and neutral tones with bronze accents, perfect for bringing any vision to life.

The Northshore Room, Pearle Hotel and Spa Wedding Photos. Designed by Studio Munge.

The Northshore Room, Pearle Hotel and Spa Wedding Photos. Designed by Studio Munge.

THE PEARLE HOTEL AND SPA WEDDING PHOTOS

I was asked last summer to participate in a photoshoot on the property to help showcase the incredible views The Pearle Hotel and Spa has to offer from the event spaces. Even though it was still very much a construction zone, we made something beautiful. Check out some of the images from the shoot below.

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The Pearle Hotel and Spa Wedding Photos | The Team

Earth to Table Farm Wedding

Hold your hats, people, because this one is a stunner. Lauren and Craig's Earth to Table Farm wedding in Flamborough took my breath away at multiple points throughout the planning and, of course, on the wedding day itself. I have been trying to find the words to describe exactly how wonderful this day was, but my emotions get the better of me and all I want to use are the words that describe love in various ways. I have been sitting on these images so beautifully captured by Christine Lim, since shortly after their September wedding. Not because I don't love them, but because I was so terrified I wouldn't put together the right collection of images to showcase this day in the way it deserves to be shown.The respect and love that Lauren and Craig have for each other is something that is a once-in-a-century. They love keeping beautiful traditions alive. He is a true gentleman and her etiquette is impeccable.They wanted to create something colourful and incorporated their love for antiquing but was elegant and formal. Most importantly, it had to feel authentic and I think we did it. I think the images speak for themselves beyond that lead-in, so I'll leave you to peruse the gorgeousness below. Keep scrolling for details on the amazing team who helped bring this Earth to Table Farm wedding together.

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Photography Christine Lim Weddings
Florals Ashley Elaine Florals
Planning and Design Laura Olsen Events
Venue Earth to Table Farm, Pearle Weddings
Hair Ashley Readings
Makeup Caitlin Keddie

 

Sweets Table Sweet Celebrations Wedding Cakes
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Musicians Barrell Boys
Band Oldies 990
Production Metalworks
Videography Pocket Change Productions
Linens Simply Beautiful Decor

How to Plan a Sophisticated Bachelorette Party

Not every bride dreams of hitting the dance floor in a white boa. Whether you are the Maid of Honour or planning it yourself, here are ten fresh ideas about how to plan a sophisticated bachelorette party that'll make your party unique (and Instagram-appropriate!)!

1. Remember the old days—before boys—when we’d pile into our bestie’s living room and watch movies all night? Long live girls’ nights in with popcorn, flicks, mixtapes and makeovers! Make it extra special with bubbly, pretty sweets and even a mobile manicure service!

Pro-tip: it’s a great low-budget option if you’re concerned about cost.

Olive Photography

Olive Photography

You could also…

2. Raise the barre! Hit a high-intensity cardio class like spin or barre and reward yourself with a steam, spa day, or cocktails. Pro-tip: many city hotels offer spa day passes that include a steam and soak by the pool.3. Looking for a rustic option? Try glamping! Go where the wild things are and head out of town for a girls’ weekend in the woods4. Opting for urban? Attend a high tea, private dinner at your favourite restaurant, or something new like belly dancing lessons!

And speaking of learning…

5. Cooking classes! These can range greatly in price tag so choose the option that works for you from full course meals to (super-fun) fish-mongering at the local market.

6. Make scents of it all. There are numerous perfumeries that have workshops on how to make your own blends. Same goes for patisseries, cosmetics, tea, and jewelry. You’ll go home with a treat, too! Keep an eye on Bloom School here in Toronto as they are always running fun, unique workshops that could be perfect for a sophisticated bachelorette!

Some other mid-range options include…

7. An escape room, murder mystery, or a night at the comedy club! If it’s hilarity you’re looking for…8. Sign the gals up for something that none of you has ever done before. Be it a golf lesson, high-speed go-kart racing, horseback riding or even dog sledding, you’re bound for laughs when everyone is a beginner.

For bigger budgets…

9. There’s no place like Ohm. (Sorry, we couldn’t resist.) Yoga retreats are an ideal getaway for gals because they typically already have itineraries, meals, and sometimes even spa options.

10. Looking to really splurge? Pack your bags and find your best jet-setting aviators. Head to a new city and try a culinary tour of New Orleans, take in the architecture of Chicago, or get jazzy at the festivals in Montreal.

BONUS IDEA: How to PLAN a Sophisticated Bachelorette Party

Grab your girls and head to the spa! It could be as simple as spending the afternoon somewhere like the Scandinavian Spa at Blue Mountain in their glorious Scandinavian Baths and sipping on mimosas, or something closer to home such as Her Majesty’s Pleasure, a global award-winning salon/spa and cocktail bar. Afterwards, get dolled up and head out for a beautiful dinner, just the girls! Breaking it up into a couple of experiences throughout the day or weekend makes it easier to cater to varying budgets and schedules!

Above all else, bond. The bachelorette is absolutely about celebrating the bride, yes, but it’s also a chance to spend time with just the girls. Try to pick something that will suit everyone’s style, comfort level, and budget.

Horse Farm Wedding in Burlington, Ontario

Taylor and Brad came up from Ohio to celebrate their big day on her uncle's horse farm here in Ontario. The estate had a special place in Taylor's heart and right from the moment we met I knew I wanted to be involved. I then fell in love with the stunning countryside estate and I knew this horse farm wedding was going to be one full of love! Planning a tent wedding is difficult enough but doing so from out of town creates an added level of complexity. I was happy to help them with both the planning and styling of the event. It was important to Taylor that the beautiful landscape be the focal point so we were careful to pull inspiration from our surroundings.

tent wedding, country wedding, farm wedding, horse farm wedding, private estate wedding, backyard wedding

THE DESIGN

We used wood harvest tables for the head table and buffet tables to relax the beautiful champagne linens used to dress up the guest tables. Each centerpiece was carefully assembled by Ashley Elaine Florals in heirloom trophies won by the family's horses over the years. Using a bright palette in shades of pinks and greens, we anchored it all with a deep raspberry colour. Brad handmade the table numbers out of horseshoes as a subtle nod to the beautiful animals that mean so much to Taylor.

THE FOOD

Jake's Grillhouse handled the catering and oh my goodness, it was yummy! During cocktail hour canapes were passed while oysters were shucked in front of guests at the beautifully prepared oyster bar. As for dinner, we wanted to be mindful of budget and the relaxed outdoor environment so we opted for buffet style. Buffet tends to get a bad rap, but the longer it has to sit the better the flavours get! Is also allows for more flexibility in terms of timing with speeches and event flow.

Flowers Ashley Elaine Florals
Photography The Wayfarers
Catering Jake's Grillhouse
Tent and Rentals Special Event Rentals
Hair and Makeup Pretty in Pink Mobile Makeup
Videography Archangel Productions
DJ Jarek Gora
Ceremony Musician Chantal Dube