Make It Sunny!

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NO, this post is not about the weather (although we could ALL use some sunshine & warmth in Toronto).

This is about the wonderful, luxurious, and historical venue located in Toronto – the Estates of Sunnybrook. Composed of three buildings: Coach House, McLean House, and Vaughan House. McLean House was built in 1928 and Vaughan House built in 1931. Both estates have undergone renovations to keep it in tip-top shape for any event: corporate meetings, graduation celebrations, bar/bat mitzvahs, engagement party, bridal shower, wedding ceremony in the gardens and wedding reception in the ballroom, or whatever your fancy. There are many rooms for any group size. Hardwood floors, chandeliers, high ceilings, and a roaring FIREPLACE in every room (may not be suitable during summer).
Bonus: Each estate has a “Plan B” in case of inclement weather.

Exterior: McLean House

Exterior (portion): Vaughan House

The venue offers plated, buffet, or cocktail service for any event and are very flexible in creating your menu according to your budget and taste! I had the pleasure of a tour and tasting with fellow Wedding Planners, courtesy of WPIC. We were treated like royalty!! Oyster bar, salmon canape, lamp chop, venison, jerk chicken, scallops, lobster bisque “shots”, and wine and cheese!

See more photos on the Facebook page!!!
© Envision Elegance

Throughout the tour we viewed every room (at least, I did…) and the final ballroom had a showcase of table settings and centerpieces. The flowers were provided byJackieO and the linens and design were created by Susan Murray.

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I’m All In!

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Love is a gamble. How much are you willing to bet?

You’re risking everything. You calculate the odds of “winning” (finding “The One” and having a long, happy & healthy relationship). You put your heart out there for all the world to see when you say “Yes to that first date and to that proposal, and finally saying “I Do”.

How about risking it all for a night to remember? Casino & Vegas theme weddings are here to stay! There are endless possibilities with this theme!! Have fun with it, enjoy it, have “playing tables” – craps, roulette, poker, blackjack and more! Here are some pointers:

Theme: Las Vegas, Casino Night, Casino Royale
Invitations: Large playing cards
Color Scheme: Black, red, white, green
Seating Cards: Use poker chips or playing cards
Entertainment: Magician, Fire breathers, Circque acts
Wedding Cake/Sweets: Cupcakes, Topsy turvy 3-4 tier wedding cake, cake pops
Wedding Favours: Deck of cards with bride & groom names & wedding date; poker chips; mini gumball “slot machines”

Source: Wedding Girl
 
Source: Style Hive
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Wedding Boxes Galore!

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There’s so many details in regards to your wedding. The wedding box is just one of them! Usually displayed in the front hall before entering the reception hall, along with your guestbook or wish jar (See Post: A Wish for You). Guests can drop off their congratulatory cards & well wishes for you and the groom! You can carry out your theme with the wedding box or make it traditional or have something totally different! Don’t forget to send your Thank You cards!! (See Post: Just Saying Thanks)

 Traditional Card Box

 Source: Wedding Ideas 
Wedding Cake Card Box
For the Princess Bride: Cinderella Carriage
Birdcages

For something personal and elegant, try an engraved glass box. This is re-useable and can be displayed in your home holding mementos from your wedding day.

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Pick Your Poison

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They don’t call it Cocktail Hour for nothing! A wedding is not a wedding without some flowing drinks! When having an open bar at your wedding, you can SAVE quite a bit of money by choosing the standard serving of liquors, not premium. The majority will drink wine, beer or straight liquor shots… but, what if you’re not a fan of those? Try incorporating a Signature Cocktail or have several cocktails offered to your guests.

Cocktail: mixed drink made with a distilled beverage (gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, or rum) and mixed with other ingredients (juices–pineapple, cranberry, orange etc.; soda – Coca Cola, 7-Up, ginger ale etc.)

Have a “Cocktail Menu” along with your dinner menu – and have fun with it! Have different names for different drinks (instead of their usual names) and make it so that there’s some significance to you & the groom. If you’re having a theme wedding, name the drinks based on your theme! For example, if you and your groom are avid travelers and having an “Around the World” theme, choose different drinks from the countries you have visited and name it after the country/town/event that took place there!

*Note: these are only suggestions!
New York City = Big Apple (Cosmopolitan)
Paris = City of Lights (Chardonnay)
Japan = Land of the Rising Sun (Sake)
Napa Valley = Wine Country (Merlot)

If you’re having a destination wedding, have fruity tropical cocktails named after different elements of the area (e.g. beach, sky dive, snorkel, sunny, C-Shell etc) !!

Did you know that bartenders are also entertainers? Some are specialized in doing flairsand can put on a show for your guests. Think Tom Cruise in the movie “Cocktail” or Coyote Ugly (minus the singing & dancing on top of the bar).

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Too Hot at Malaparte!

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Last night I had the pleasure of attending a speaking engagement (courtesy of ISES Toronto) with Michael Cerbelli of New York in Malaparte. This was my first time attending an ISES event as well as going to the 6th floor event space at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The view was gorgeous on the patio! I can fully see a rooftop party going on with white tents, candles, and the champagne flowing!

 

Malaparte is an event space owned and operated by Oliver & Bonacini. They also have other restaurant/event venues in Toronto: Auberge du Pommier, Canoe, Toronto Board of Trade, Arcadian Court, Jump, and Luma. If you’re ever in Collingwood/Blue Mountains, make sure to check out O&B at the Westin Trillium! They’ve even expanded into Muskoka (cottage country) at Windermere House.

 
 
 

The food was highly anticipated… and it did not disappoint! The food for any event can either make it – or break it. The synchronization of the wait staff for each course was a nice little touch. After the soup, a few of us went outside to check out the patio and I come back to find my napkin is folded and placed on the back of my seat — SUPERB service and a wonderful delight! I just love those little details!

(All photos taken by Envision Elegance)
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