5 BEAUTY ESSENTIALS YOU NEED FOR YOUR WEDDING

I'm a professed skin care junkie, and a skeptical one at that. I loathe false advertising and gimmick-style products, which why I am SUPER excited to share my top 5 beauty essentials you absolutely NEED to include in your monthly skin care routine leading up to your wedding day.

Having healthy skin is so important before your wedding day and can enhance your makeup two fold! That means a nicer foundation glow, a more natural strobing or contouring effect and it goes right down to the way your skin absorbs makeup. With healthy and properly moisturized skin, your makeup won't look like it's "sitting" on top of your face. - You know what I mean! Cakey foundation, wrinkles you've never seen before in full display etc etc

For the last two years, I've been investing in my skin care. I've also made myself a promise- to only purchase highest quality creams, oils, serums, tonners and sheet masks. And I'm not shy to admit having had $400 IPL laser facials to repair and soothe my super sensitive skin in the hopes to wear barely-there makeup. #liveyourbestlife am I right!??!

So before I go into detail on my facial routine and why I love the following products, here are a few of my personal skin facts... because not every product I use will work the same for you... which obviously your results may vary.

 

MY SKIN TYPE

FAIR / SCANDINAVIAN SKIN TYPE
HIGHLY SENSITIVE
DOES NOT ABSORB SKIN CARE PRODUCTS WELL
SLIGHT ROSACIA ON CHEEKS
MINIMAL SUN SPOTS & SIGNS OF AGING
DRY TO COMBINATION 

Truth be told, my skins in pretty good condition...

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH KOREAN OBSESSED #SOKOGLAM

So how did this journey start?!

To be honest it was a random trip to Nordstroms when my girlfriend- scolded me for purchasing a "mildly" expensive jacket. 

“You should be investing that much into your skin care girl!!!!” ”

— Klava Zykova

And she's right. How can I justify that purchase and then cheap out on self-care. And to make a long story short, she introduced me to the wonderful world of South Korean skin care products and that little thing called THE 10 STEP KOREAN SKIN CARE ROUTINE......

SHEET MASK ADDICT! 

After doing some mega research, to kick off the whole skin care makeover experience I decided to do the 7-day Sheet Mask Challenge. I knew my skin was in bad shape, so this seemed like the perfect way into prepping my face for the 10 Step Korean Skin Care Routine I so desperately wanted to master. But I also wasn't going to put just any old sheet mask on my face... you know the basic of basic Shoppers Drug Mart brands you used to purchase every time you had a sleep over with your girlfriends in high-school. Number one- they never worked and number two.... I just didn't see the benefit suffocating under a slimy ill fitted piece of cloth... I needed to re-educate myself on the whole concept before committing.

So I turned to SOKO GLAM. and their blog called The Klog - now my newest addiction. After reading a few articles I settled on the Green Tea Pre Care + Moisturizing sheet mask which was recommended and developed by SOKO's editor. I really loved the fact that it was a gelly mask. So instead of being a creepy mummy, it felt like I had a velvety layer of Jello on my face....I know it sounds weird - but I loved it. And even better, my skin LOVED it. 

The results were astounding. After just 3 days my face was looking super hydrated, plump with a  serious J-LO glow. Charlotte Cho the editor of SOKO GLAM collaborated to create this latest innovative sheet mask. The hydrogel mask is infused with whole green tea leaves to ensure that your skin is getting high-quality ingredients straight from the source. Green tea is a natural antioxidant that cools, de-puffs and soothes acne-prone skin. I did learn one valuable lesson when looking for the perfect sheet mask.... careful choosing any Korean products that include the term "lightning". It's a subtle word for "whitening" aka bleaching the skin. No bueno if you're trying to keep a tan or have super sensitive skin... the whitening can be intense. 

 

My 5 Step Korean Skin Care Routine

Once I gave my skin that boost I jumped right into using these 5 products + 1 extra lil something you deffinitely need in your like - like yesterday! 

Seve de Bamboo Eye Matte $34

This eye cream  helps to visibly reduce the signs of fatigue such as fine lines, dark under-eye circles and dehydrated skin. This moisture-rich gel-like moisturizer contains Bamboo Sap, which helps to intensely hydrate the sensitive eye area for a healthy glowing look as well as Bamboo Fiber, which helps to lock in the moisture, diminishing the look of fine lines. AM & PM ladies! Although it didn't get rid of my inherited dark circle - thanks mom, It did improve the plumpness around my upper cheek bones.  

PHA Moisture Renewal Power Cream $25

I'm new to acids and normally have very sensitive skin. BHAs or AHAs can leave your skin red and irritated. That’s when you need PHAs (polyhydroxy acids), a gentler acid that's also effective in eliminating dead skin cells and smoothing skin texture. This cream is formulated with 3% PHA to give your skin the exfoliation it needs while hydrating your skin with 50% coconut fruit extract and 2% niacinamide, If your dry or dehydrated, this cream is amazing for intense moisture your skin needs. The first morning I woke up after using this moisturizer--- I looked like I had slept for a year. My skin tone was incredibly even with my inherent dark circles actually minimized.  

Eye Envy $65

So I like breaking the rules...and Eye Envy isn't SK or what you could consider part of the traditional 10 steps- but I like to mix things up and this miracle serum is a daily must. I first saw its results on my sister. She came over for dinner and I thought she had a new fresh set of mink lash extensions. NOPE! She had just finished 1 month of the Eye Envy. And so I had to try it. 1 month exactly and I had doll lashes. I highly recommend. 

Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing stick  $24

The Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick is a travel-friendly cleanser created by Charlotte Cho that offers a 3-in-1, travel-friendly experience. Formulated with 13 natural oils to breakdown makeup, natural green tea leaves to exfoliate and a low pH to gently cleanse your skin. This cleanser will lead the way to bright, clean skin. Perfect product to take on your honeymoon ;)

Benton Snail Bee High Content Pack $20

This sheet mask is made of pure cotton and is soaked in snail mucin to deeply nourish and hydrate irritated skin. Bee venom extract helps improves skin tone and texture. I know what you're thinking- and with sensitive skin I was leery about the Bee venom. But fear not my lovelies! No stinging at all. Now one of these sheet masks actually gave me the same results that I got after a full 7 days of sheet masking. I personally believe that everyone skin absorbs things differently and mine just so happens to love...snails ;)

Hanacure Set $110 

The only product that I though was too good to be true- but bought it anyway. I blame Drew Barrymore - queen of all facial junkies, who posted it to her IG and endorsed it. Since this kit is always sold out, I ended up waiting 3 months for it. And every minute spent waiting was worth it. The technology behind it is intense and granted the older your skin is- the more results you'll see. So what did it do to my face?! One things for sure, it increased the circulation in my skin two-fold. The mask naturally tightens on your face as it dries while pulling out impurities. From the first mask to the third you could see a huge difference in the color of the product after it dried. After one treatment I literally couldn't believe that it had erased some little pesky sun spots on my forehead. I did all four treatments, once a week for a month. Now I'll be scaling down a bit and doing 1 a month as maintenance. FYI if you order there'll be about $20 worth of duties...

 

Adding 5 More Steps

I'm building up to the 10 step method and will share along the way right here on my blog! So stay tuned and follow along on our IG @toast.events

10 STEPS TO PLANNING YOUR TENT WEDDING

The first thing you need to know is that tent weddings are never inexpensive. And if it is, it's because you're doing ALL the work right up to the very last-minute. 

Planning your tent wedding can and will be stressful if you don't have a planner.  Your hopes and dreams for DIY wedding seem attainable, especially if you start planning and making things a year in advance. Wrong. Time will escape you, because planning a wedding can easily become a second job on top of your everyday life. Before you know it priorities kick in and what was important on your wedding to do list is pushed back. 

I know this all sounds so pessimistic, but it's the reality. Even my most organized brides whom we've planned with for their tent weddings - end up feeling that DIY crunch and often email us unattainable to-do-list at 1:45 am just hours before the wedding day. Which is also why we always have 4 Toast staff onsite on the wedding day. 

So here are 10 steps on how to plan your tent wedding- because I know you're brave! 

 

HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE

Go to Chapters and buy yourself a cute agenda JUST for wedding planning. Live by it. When you add a due date for a DIY- stick to it. Don't ever delay or postpone. You owe it to yourself to me timely. If you want to sew 150 napkins, schedule it so you sew 20 every Wednesday....so you're breaking up the work and don't become overworked and discouraged. You should also have a binder that has every contract and invoice. Even if an invoice has been altered 4 - 5 times, have that copy infile to make sure there are no miscommunications in the days leading up to your big day.

 

TIMELINE BUILD

It's important that your vendors have a good grasp of the timeline of your day so that they can judge what is feasible within your itinerary. 

 

HAVE A RAIN PLAN

Now that you have a timeline you'll need to think of a rain plan. What happens if your ceremony is outside? What do you want to do if your cocktails are outside? Where will you take your pictures if it's raining? How will you address lightning and thunderstorms? What provisions will be made for catering?

 

BOOK THE BEST OF THE BEST

You're building your venue from scratch. Think about that for a minute. Just let that thought really resonate. You're  temporarily transforming a space where there once was zippo. The smartest thing you can do is hire an extremely reputable tent company and the best caterer in your area. You'll regret any penny-pinching. It means you'll be paying minimum 7k for your tent and around 28k for your catering for 140ppl. If you just did some major eye rolling thinking that "this girl doesn't know what she's talking about". Let me tell you that your 2k tent quote doesn't include a liner, any lighting, flooring, tables, chairs, bug screens, catering tents, added fees incase you need a water truck to fill up your tent weights, drilling if they'res rock bed underneath your grass etc etc. 

 

MINIMIZE YOUR VENDOR LIST

If you don't  have a planner to coordinate all your vendors and provide you with floor plans, timelines etc in the months leading up to your wedding, have all your decor and florals come from one company. Make sure they have a standing relationship with your caterer and tent company. It's important because they most likely have the logistics of set-up down to a science. If they work well together - they can communicate amongst themselves for set-up with you having to provide them a 7-page timeline on logistics. That saves you the hassle of min 50 emails, 1 panic attack and 2 sleepless nights.

 

HIRE A LANDSCAPER

Take the pressure of your parents and hire a lanscaper to grade the area you'll be having the tent at least a year prior to your wedding date. This gives the lawn time to set and seed well in advance. Unless of course, you're paying for a leveled floor. Don't assume, getting flooring means it'll be leveled. Some are just plywood they lay down and paint on the spot or come as lego pieces. There is a big difference between a 2k floor and 6k floor. Take a look at the video series bellow as I chat about the effects of flooring and table sizes from a wedding we just did.

 

PAY THE EXTRA

Pay the extra fee to have your tent installed a few days in advance. And I'll tell you why it's soooooo important. Because that hand-drawn floor plan isn't actually to scale. So you actually have less room than you anticipated, and woups!, the tent that was installed is actually smaller than you expected... So you're going to have to play around with all the tables. Then move them again because you realized that tables are one thing, but when you place chairs around them.... the tables had to be moved because they were close together too tight. Remeber that cute Chapters daytimer you were supposed to get. Markdown an afternoon to tackle this task ;) 

CONSULT A PLANNER

Schedule an appointment to consult with a planner once you have all your RSVP's and final estimates. Paying $200 - $300 for a few hours of her time to look over all your details will save you three times as much in mistakes you might have made. She'll let you know if there are any red flags or things you might have altogether forgotten. And bring her EVERYTHING! even your floor plans. I'de even go as far in having her check your inventory lists

 

COUNT EVERYTHING

When all you rentals arrive to make sure you count and cross-reference your invoices. You only have a limited time to report missing items that can be charged to you as lost or stolen when they come to pick up again. 

 

HIRE A DAY OF COORDINATOR

Treat yourself. Like I always tell my clients, you deserve to feel like a guest at your own wedding. The time passes so quickly it's sometimes hard to live in the moment. Just remember wherever you are - be all there ;)

So there you have it. The best shortcut advise I can give you to help you on your way. We're always here for you - if you need us ;)

xox

Eliza 

H+S WEDDING AT HORTICULTURE BUILDING W/ KYMBERLIE DOZOIS

ieHOLLY + SHAWN

What a dream client to work with. Holly's cool and chill vibe lasted from planning right through to her wedding day. Unlike any other venue in Ottawa, The Horticulture Buildings' unique industrial look and feel is always an opportunity to design something out-of-the-box that truly reflected Holly and Shawn on their wedding day. Simple, unfussy details with just the right amount of intrigue. There was an understated elegance about the day that Kymberlie Dozois captured so beautifully.

BEFORE & AFTER INDUSTRIAL WEDDING AT THE HORTICULTURE BUILDING

In popular demand, the Horticulture Building has been one of the toughest venues to reserve. Other than Zibbi, the Hort is the only other trending warehouse venue to accommodate a 200+ guest list.

This space leaves a lot to the imagination and with little to no help from the booking department at the City of Ottawa- a planner is almost essential in navigating permits, rentals, catering, space access and liaison to city staff and security on your wedding day. 

We're no stranger to Landsdowne, as we've planned their largest wedding to date in the Aberdeen Pavillion as well as several other weddings in the Horticulture Building.

So here's the space you have.  And it comes with some tables and chairs and no garbage bins-note to catering ;)

A gorgeous blank slate where you can hold your ceremony and reception with cocktails on the patio. Separate catering entrance and work stations located at the back of the space. All patio doors open.

HOLLY & SHAWNS TRANSFORMATION

We started planning H+S's wedding back in late 2015. The perfect example of a client who stated their vision then said -- run wild! Now I wouldn't say we went crazy by any means, but we kept the decor chic and minimalistic.

 

INITIAL VISION

LAYOUT

We included a ceremony in the front half of the space which had never been attempted before which left city staff skeptical. The ceremony turned out perfectly and were able to re-purpose the ceremony floral arch behind the head table.

BEFORE

AFTER

PHOTOGRAPHY: Kymberly Dozois

ELEVATE RETREAT GIVEAWAY

What would a launch week be without and awesome giveaway!

AND ALL of my favorite things no-less! 

I adore taking photos of my clients with my own Polaroid camera, my motto in life is "Live Simply" and I'm obsessed with vegan fur poofs! UGH I wish I could just keep all these goodies to myself! And you want to know what the funniest thing is! Laura went out and bought these gifties- I swear we share the same brain! 

It's so simple to enter, and we just cannot wait to send this care package out into the world and give a lucky someone some new visual assets to brighten up their instagram feeds. here's how to enter:⠀
⠀
1️⃣ make sure you're following us at @elevateretreat, @laurakellyweddings, and @toast.events⠀
⠀
2️⃣ like this post!⠀
⠀
3️⃣ tag a friend who would rock this styling kit like no other! ⠀
WINNER announced later this week, so get going friends!! #ELEVATElaunchweek ⠀

THE ELEVATE MASTERCLASS

I'm so excited to announce the launch of The Elevate Retreat, all about taking your business to the next level! 

ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS

ELEVATE YOUR BRAND

ELEVATE YOUR LIFE

I seriously couldn't think of a better life then being an entrepreneur and blazing my own trail. It's never easy, but the thrill of the ride is a feeling like no other! 

I started in the business just shy of a decade ago. When Pinterest and Instgram didn't exist and Facebook didn't allow company pages. Yes, 2007 was a time in business where there was no online anything! No content management websites, no one really understood the concept of a blog, SEO was a made up word and there were no workflow cloud organizational tools. Now, when I think of this, I'm astounded!

I literally had zero tools to set up my business except my own brain, an agenda, my blackberry and a hand written binder for each client. I created my own workflow, developed my own client experience, made all my consultation forms from scratch and lived and learned from my own mistakes. 

I remember one of my old professors say to me, "Don't open your own business up right away. Make mistakes on someone else's dime." And even though I was little appalled, it made sense. So I'm going to be honest- that's what I did. Granted my mistakes were little and insignificant because I had such a wonderful teacher & boss. And so now it's my turn to be here for you! To guide you through life and business without making the same mistakes as I did, and to teach you how to get to the top- faster! 

The ELEVATE MASTERCLASS is all about this journey. My journey and Laura's journey. How we came from nothing to something pretty incredible - Industry Influencers. Our stories are crazy and the knowledge we have gained along the way is yours for the taking. 

So I invite you to check us out! 

FACEBOOK 

ELEVATE WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM @elevateretreat

33 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Union Eleven 

Who is the founder/owner of Toast?
Fur baby lover, cappuccino sipper, Elise Schmitz founded Toast Events in 2007 and quickly became one of Ottawa’s most sought after event planners. Elise’s work has been internationally published, garnering her exclusive clients and opportunities to collaborate with Elle Magazine & The Huffington Post. Over the past decade Elise has redefined the wedding planning process exclusively for her clients. Her passion and commitment to her design and client process is unmatched in the industry.

How many people work at Toast?
There are six full time staff members at Toast, not including interns. 

How long have you been planning weddings?
In October 2017 it will officially be 10 years! 

How many weddings have you planned?
If you could see our faces right now, we’re blushing big time because it feels like people never believe us when we say that we stopped counting once we reached 300 weddings in 2013. But     it’s the truth!

How many clients do you book a year?
Toast exclusively accepts a maximum of 10 full plan clients per year.

If I pick great vendors, why do I need a wedding planner?
Choosing fantastic vendors is not the same as planning a fantastic wedding. It’s like cooking; having spectacular ingredients doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a delicious meal. It’s all about the execution of the ingredients by the talented chef that brings it all together. Similarly,    extraordinary weddings have vision behind them and it takes an expert wedding planner to pull all of the elements together and know how to masterfully orchestrate the day. 

How do I know I need a wedding planner?
The fact that your asking this question is a clear indication that you do! Planning a wedding can take over 500 hours, hundreds of emails, late night research and expert industry insights. A wedding planner will help guide you along every step of the journey and help keep stress at bay so you can enjoy the process from proposal to “I do.”

All wedding planners are the same, right?
No way. Consider this, you’ve probably had good hair cuts and bad hair cuts in your lifetime, because not all hair stylists are the same. Similarly, not all wedding planners are the same. 

Here at Toast this is our full-time day job. We aren’t hobbyists and we don’t plan weddings on    the side. Our couples have our complete and undivided attention, as well as the benefit of our decade of experience. We only take a select amount of clients per year to ensure that every    client feels like they are our only bride. 

What is the difference between a venue provided wedding coordinator and an actual wedding planner?
A wedding planner is responsible for the look and feel of your event. A wedding planner designs your day, attends to vendors, helps to style every detail, keeps you on budget, creates floor plans, oversees your itinerary to keep the day flowing and oversees a thousand other significant details. 

A venue provided wedding coordinator simply confirms details which only concern the venue’s best interests. 

If I hire Toast as my wedding planner, can I still be a part of the planning process?
Of course! You can be as involved as you would like to be. We strongly believe that you should only do the parts that you find fun and leave the rest for us!  Also, because no two brides are the same, Toast customizes all of our services around what you want  – not what the wedding    industry may tell you you need.

I definitely want to plan my wedding, but I need guidance along the way. Can you help me?
Absolutely! All of our clients have access to Toast’s exclusive Online Planner which is customized to each of our brides. This tool helps you keep organized every step of the way. Plus we’re here to check in with you, add a few consultation hours at key times during the planning process and to generally help out so you have the best experience possible.

What if I only need help for a couple of hours on my wedding day?
We highly recommend our Half Day Service option, which provides you with management of your wedding from 2pm until your grand entrance. This service is ideal for assisting with the busiest parts of your day and set-up.

I love your style, but I already have a planner. Will you still work with me?
Absolutely! Not all wedding planners are stylists. Toast’s styling process is fluid and transmittable as a valuable tool for your planner to use. Our process begins with an in-depth design consultation, which results in a curated design profile and a list of recommended vendors/sources for your planner to then draw from. 

Will Toast set up my decor?
Absolutely! During one of our final consultations we will ask you to compile a list of items you would like our team to set up and style on your behalf. This includes placecards, table menus, table numbers, favours, simple napkin folds, signing table, sweets table, cake table, gift table etc. We request these items during your ceremony rehearsal with the exception of larger decor items and baked goods which should be delivered to the venue directly.

How many Toast staff will be on-site on my wedding day?
There will be 2-3 Toast staff members present on your wedding day. Due to the fact that wedding days are long (and depending upon the logistics of your event) you will have overlapping staff throughout the day to ensure we are fresh and energized to pay attention to every detail of your day.

Typically Elise will be on site as soon as the venue opens to ensure vendors are arriving on schedule, rentals inventories are taken and that set up is progressing on time. 

Shortly before your ceremony Madison and another of our Principle Planners with their assistant will arrive to greet the groomsmen, the officiant, musicians, confirm cues and ensure decor is set up before the first guest arrives. 

As soon as you’re down the aisle, part of the team will head to the reception venue to ensure all the final details are completed. As the dinner progresses and finds its rhythm, our staff gradually leaves one by one, but we guarantee a Principle Planner will remain on-site until 1am to ensure rentals are returned, gifts are packaged into your vehicle and tear-down goes smoothly.

When do I get to meet the whole team who will be at my wedding?
If you are a full plan bride, you will have met and worked with Madison extensively. If you’ve hired Toast for Day Of only service, you will meet the whole team at your ceremony rehearsal     or in your final information meeting a week or two before your wedding day.

What if you’re sick on my wedding day?
Madison and Elise co-plan every wedding, so we can take that fear out of the equation completely. Also, all of our Principle Planners are highly trained with a minimum of 5 years     experience in the industry with multiple weddings under their belts. In other words, even if one     member is ill on your wedding day, the Toast team is more than capable of expertly completing     your event as originally planned.

What will you not do as a wedding planner?
There are countless things happening on your wedding day in a relatively short amount of time, so Toast is very careful to avoid any tasks that may take us away from our main objective; event management and ensuring your vision for your day comes to life. 

Items we are not able to set up include: backdrop installations, chair covers, moving of chairs from ceremony to reception site, moving large florals from the ceremony to the reception area etc. If you have questions about this, please don’t hesitate to ask us!

What happens if there is an issue on my wedding day?
Toast’s job is to anticipate problems before they happen and fix them in ways that we can’t even begin to explain. It’s what makes us leaders in what we do. We’re here to troubleshoot at a moment’s notice and to make expert judgment calls that suit your personalized day. This ability takes years of experience to hone and we can confidently say that we’ve got your back no matter what!

I’m planning my wedding for Ottawa, but I live in Australia? Are we a good fit?
Half of Toast’s clients live abroad and we offer years of experience crafting gorgeous Ottawa weddings for clients who live all around the world. We call this ‘reverse destination brides.’ If     you fall into this category, we’re prepared for Skype chats that odd hours (on our end) to     accommodate your time zone. And we have a ton of fun along the way!

Have you planned destination weddings before?
Yes and we love them. Toast has planned with clients living in Switzerland, France, China, the    Yukon, Germany, United States, California and across Canada. 

I’m planning a destination wedding. Will you travel?
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! We’ve worked with all sorts of destination brides from a Calgary bride who got married in Halifax, to a couple from Berlin who exchange vows in a    German castle! Although accommodation and travel fees are extra of course, our fundamental service fees remain the same. It would be a pleasure to travel for your day.

Have Toast weddings been published anywhere?
We have had articles in ELLE Magazine, Canadian Living, Wedding Bells, The Huffington Post, and The Ottawa Citizen. Toast weddings have been featured on countless blogs as well, including Style Me Pretty, Grey’s Likes, Ruffled, Wedding Chicks, Wedluxe, Perfect Palette and The Knot to name a few. We also had the pleasure of shooting the cover of Ottawa Bride for     four consecutive years.    

I’m having a casual tent wedding and I’m unsure what a planner can do for me. What things should I be considering?
Quick go to my blog…the perfect post is waiting for you!

Do the Toast planners have day jobs?
You are our day job!

Are you a wedding planner or a wedding designer?
While both of these titles operate hand in hand here at Toast, we would have to say that we are primarily designers first and foremost. Our process begins with the art of transforming spaces to reach an elevated aesthetic and is then continued with the design of a tailored planning    experience unlike any other planner. We believe that less is more and that simplicity and    exclusivity can coincide.

I want to hire you, but you’ve never planned a wedding at my chosen venue. Will this be a problem?
This is a non-issue. We’ve planned weddings in gorgeous industrial spaces that had no running water or even electricity. You shouldn’t choose a planner based on if they’ve worked at your     specific venue before or not. You should first find the planner that’s a right fit for you, who     you’ll enjoy working with. We are versatile, resourceful, imaginative and creative – we can     make your desired location work.

Are you on any preferred vendors lists?
We are exclusive/preferred planners for the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, The Westin Ottawa, Le Belvedere, and the Museum of Nature. 

How do you stay organized with brides?
Over the past 10 years we’ve streamlined our planning process on our new exclusive Online Planner. This includes checklists, appointment calendars, timelines, a digital design studio,     guest management, budgets, wedding website creation and so much more! This gives our brides the ability to check in at anytime and see where we are during the planning process. We work very closely with our clients to ensure they feel like they are our only bride, never a runner-up.

Do you work solely off your own preferred vendors list?
No way! Although we have strong relationships with specific vendors which we’ve nurtured     over the years, we are not opposed to looking for new rising stars or vendors that you have     booked prior to reserving our services.

What’s the average cost for a wedding?
This 100% depends upon the number of guests you have. On average we would say that most elegant weddings are typically $250 to $300 per person, which is around $40k for 140 people. 

I still have questions. Can I speak with someone?
Of course! Please contact us at info@toastevents.com with any additional questions you may have and a member of our team will get back to you.
 

BRITANNIA BEACH POP-UP PICNIC ELOPEMENT

This past week the lovely Intimate Weddings featured our Britannia Beach Pop-Up Picnic Elopement. And the story behind this shoot is really a true testament on how some of our best work comes together in the spur of the moment.

7pm the night before Laura Kelly Photography called me.

24hrs. That's all she gave me. 24hrs to come up with a last minute beach styling concept because the lovely Presh had extra blooms left from one of her gorgeous weddings. 

So I scrambled together my favorite props, made a bunch of phone calls for attire and jewels. Did we know exactly where at Britannia we were going to shoot? No. Did we bring any furniture with us? No. We simply brought all of our jazz onsite and literally- magic happened. I even made the stationary from scratch.....

I love these little collabs because with the right team it takes limited effort, the creativity is contagious and on the spot designing so much more thrilling. It's like opening a tickle trunk of treasures and making something beautiful with limited resources. 

So, I hope this last minute creative provides you with endless inspo! 

Emjoy :) 

COLLABORATORS

Styling: TOAST Events
Photography: Laura Kelly Photography
Makeup: One Fine Beauty
Dress: The Handmade Bride
Florals: Presh 
Decor: Amy & Jen Decor 

D.I.Y OLIVE BRANCH WEDDING FAVOR PRINTABLE

A few months ago Laura Kelly Photography, myself and Lafabere along with a host of other industry professionals, came together for a creative collab in Montreal which was featured on Ruffled Blog a few weeks back.

Christine from Lafabere hand painted this D.I.Y printable live on canvas as we shot the Ruffled campaign. Needless to say we're thrilled with the outcome and that we're to finally able to share her beautiful printable. 

See below for link

xox

Download it here! 

Styling and Coordination: TOAST Events
Photography: Laura Kelly Photography 
Invitation Suite and Live Painting: LaFabère
Decor: Makin'It Lovely
Videography: Up North Wedding Films
Models: Savanah and Kyle from Angie's Models 

Minimalist Montreal Loft Wedding

Pre-pandemic a classic weddings began at around 120 guests upwards. But when the pandemic occurred we had no choice but to look into the future and re-image what a small intimate wedding would look and feel like. It was a lot of change in a small period of time, and at some points it challenged our industry to the breaking point.

It’s been three years now and we’re through the thick of it. The pandemic gave us small and intimate lavish affairs that burst with embellished details and weddings tailored to each couples own identity which made each wedding unique in its own right. Brides and Grooms invested in higher quality vendors and because of their smaller guest list embellished in gorgeous floralscapes, transformative event furniture and event strayed from the usual wedding format embracing rooftop cocktail parties, alfresco dining and estate events.

It doesn’t quite register with me that it’s now been 3 years since the pandemic. Enough of a time gap that it’s seriously changed the way brides and grooms plan and envision their weddings. I am sensing a new shift, but how it will materialize is still a mystery to me. Will it change our landscape forever? Or is this another transition into our new normal. All I know is that it’s 2023 and we’re here for the small intimate weddings and I want to see more creative weddings. And with that being said Im taking a look back at one of my favourite micro weddings from 7 years ago. It’s timeless and the location is still one of Montreal’s best kept secrets for small intimate loft-like weddings in the heart of Montreal. And I'm particularly proud to share it’s feature on Ruffled. 

Styling and Coordination: TOAST Events
Photography: Laura Kelly Photography 
Hair: Topknot 
Makeup: Klava Zykova 
Dress: The Handmade Bride 
Hairpiece: White Ribbon Accents
Earrings: Sarah Walsh Bridal Jewelry
Florals: Floralia 
Menswear: L'HEXAGONE
Rings: Stór by Margot 
Invitation Suite and Live Painting: LaFabère
Decor: Makin'It Lovely
Cake & Sweets: OSSO Sweet 
Videography: Up North Wedding Films
Models: Savanah and Kyle from Angie's Models 

MEET MEGHANN, OUR PARISIAN INTERN

Meet Meghann. Or Parisian intern who flew across the pond from France to learn from us for 3 months. I have to say, her 10 minute email return time is impressive and boy is she ever sharp. And even though she's with us until the end of June, I'm already sad she's leaving us. But enough about that and more about her! 

From Meghann.....

I was born in France, and grew up in a little town named Tours, located in the Loire Valley, a beautiful area full of castles. Do the names Chenonceau, Chambord, Amboise sound familiar?

I absolutely adore my country. There is so much history, so much culture… so many places to go and so many things to do, see… and taste! French gastronomy is probably the thing I like most about France, and I have to admit that I can’t live without my wine and cheese (yep, stereotypes can be true sometimes, except that we don’t wear beret and don’t eat snails).

I love travelling. I am the type of person that needs challenge all the time, to push myself to my limits, and get to know myself a little bit more each time. I love discovering new cultures, meeting new people, speaking different languages and for all those reasons, I’ve planned to go on a one year round the world trip at the end of the year with my hubby… I can’t wait!

As one of passion is travelling, it made sense to me to do my Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages before pursuing with a master’s degree in Management & International Marketing. In order to be graduated, I had to complete an internship and I finally ended up in a wedding planning company based in Ireland, where I worked as a marketing and event assistant for several months. And guess what? I have enjoyed it so much! 

It has been such a enriching experience… For the first time in my life, I was happy to get up and go to work, and that was the trigger. From this moment, I have never stopped dreaming of becoming a wedding planner someday, and have promised myself never to give up and work non stop until I reach my professional goal. 

Starting a wedding from nothing (literally), and see how remarkable it is once everything is finally done is what I love most about planning. Seeing the couple enjoying their big day and celebrating their love… I get emotional every time during ceremonies!

With that being said, being a wedding planner is not as easy as everybody could think: weekend and evening work, deadlines, stress, tough clients… It is mental AND physical hard work. But that didn’t prevent me from loving this job as a whole.

Coupled with my urge for travelling and my hunger for learning even more in the wedding planning field, to kill two birds in one stone, I finally have decided to go to Canada.

After a few researches on google, TOAST EVENTS caught my interest: professional and friendly message through its website, excellent reviews, impressive behind the scenes videos… I just knew I could learn so much from Toast. And that is the case! Elise is so remarkable when it comes to plan and design weddings for her clients. She is really talented, kind and pro, and is a great help to me. I couldn’t find any better!

xox

Meghann

SO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT WANT TO BE A WEDDING PLANNER

PROTEGE PROGRAM 

We've heard you loud and clear! In answer to an overwhelming demand in internships with Toast and a waiting list 25 deep for 2018, we're thrilled to announce our new Protege Program in partnership with Wedecor.

So you think you might want to be a wedding planner, huh? Well let me tell you- you're in for a ride! This industry isn't for the faint-of-heart and sitting in a classroom learning the basics on paper will never prepare you for what it's really like in real time. 

Chances are you’re more than a little wary of launching a new career in an industry where the most experience you’ve likely had is helping your cousin Sarah hang seven hundred fairy lights for her wedding. Don’t worry, we’ve got you!

This program is aimed at those who are seriously considering working in the wedding industry, but don’t quite know where or how to start. This opportunity gives participants an intense, exclusive behind the scenes experience of what you can expect your new career to look like, without the stress and uncertainty of having to quit your day job first.

You’ll have the opportunity to pick their brains, observe and participate on the front lines of two luxury weddings; all with a safety net knowing you’re working under the guidance and coaching of highly skilled professionals.

planning + styling + design

The program is split into three parts:

PLANNING: Join the industries highly sought-after wedding planner, Elise Schmitz as she manages the flow and orchestration of her most detailed weddings in some of Ottawa's most exclusive venues. Witness first hand how Elise handles in-the-minute decision making while coordinating up to 13 vendors at any given time.

STYLING: Collaborate with Elise on her next styled shoot where you'll gain comprehensive insight into her design process and business philosophy which has shaped her identity and elevated her brand to what it is today. 

DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION: Shadow Nancy Tremblay, owner of WEDECOR as she prepares for a weekend of weddings. You'll have the opportunity to work side by side with her floral designers, learn the tips and tricks behind over-the-top designs all while learning the art of transforming spaces.

Each student will complete the Protégé Program with a reference letter and a head start in the industry thanks to its invaluable on-the- job training. 

Interested? Send us a note! Only a few dates for 2017 remain!

WHY THIS MADE ME CRY ON A MONDAY MORNING

It's Monday and I really didn't need to get all teary-eyed over my cappuccino. Why did this make me cry, then make me laugh, then make me cry again.....?!

It wasn't just because it's my favourite song or because he has such a great singing voice. I think it's because every single guest will remember this and hold on to this moment for the rest of their lives. A singular experience given just to the special few who came together to celebrate biggest day of your life. And to me, this is what weddings are all about. 

Enough of my sap! 

Happy Monday lovelies!

xox

Elise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSALzLcDGk8

TWENTYTWO - THE WESTIN OTTAWA'S GLASS ENCASED BALLROOM

It's all about the hashtag #views am I right?! I'm calling it TwentyTwo's hastag will be #twentytwocurrentviews or maybe something like #tewntytwocurrentvibes or #twentytwoskyhigh, either way this space is definitely what Ottawa's been missing and we can't wait for it's opening in June 2017!

The Westin's TWENTYTWO is sure to be Ottawa's next exclusive luxury wedding venue, and as their preferred wedding planners, yesterday Madison and I were given a private hard-hat tour of the space. Our experience with The Westin's Jill Wright was quite the treat with no details spared to make us feel welcome from the moment valet parked our cars to the cute welcome sign. This no doubt instills that the TWENTYTOW experience is all about exclusivity and attention to detail.

So here's the low-down on all those details which aren't necessarily released to the public and not on their website ;) 

The sky-high glass encased ballroom is perfectly built around that guest list sweet spot of 135 dinner guests. Preliminary floor plans include round tables of 8ppl, head table, bar and dance floor space. Floor plans have confirmed a max of 152 dinner guests without a dance floor or the option of covering the dance floor with tables and removing before dancing. 

TwentyTwo is due to open June 2017. This new venue is located on Westin's 22nd floor and provides a 270 degrees un-interrupted breath-taking view of Ottawa's Parliament Buildings, Ottawa River, Chateau Laurier, Byward Market and Gatineau Hills. Their emphasis really is the view and it's minimalist take on design with a neutral pallet and simple clean lines . Now when I say "glass encased ballroom" that's literally no understatement! The windows begin about a foot and half from the floor and sky rocket almost two stories tall. The space will have one 6ft x 8ft media wall with flat screens which can be used by DJ's to impose graphics, music videos or even slide shows.

PERKS

In building this space primarily for weddings and special events, The Westin Ottawa paid special attention to all-inclusive needs. With the rental of TwentyTwo comes the sunlit Rideau Suite with a very generous "getting ready" area. There is also an option of renting the Westin's Boneaventure Suite with an outdoor terrace (one floor up) if both the Bride and Groom would like to get ready on-site. 

Essentially the whole 22nd floor can be yours!

The Westin Ottawa is also offering Brides and Grooms the option of an exclusive room block of up to 14 upgraded guestrooms located on the 22nd floor at a discounted rate.

TwentyTwo has new specialty modern looking china and chairs.

TwentyTwo's chairs... we like!

Picture of TwentyTwo's-  actual A La Cart Menu 

TwentyTwo has no set menu or packages and instead invites clients to sit with their Executive Chef Kenton Leier ato create a custom menu.

PRICING

Depending on your guest count and menu choices, the food and beverage pricing is expected to start at $20k. There is a rental fee for the space of $5k which includes the Rideau Suite, pre-function space (cocktail area) and reception area. At first glance you might gasp, but to help put these numbers into perspective here's some general stat's: 

Restaurant Eighteen

• Minimum food & beverage spend on 16k-18k 
• seat 135ish 

Andaz 

• Minimum food & beverage spend on 25k 
• seat 150 

National Art Gallery - Great Hall 

• Rental of space sits around 5k

National Art Centre (N.A.C) 

• New space rental is rumored to be around 3-5k depending on size of room required minimum f&b 15-20k.. their new space and details are limited and all TBD..

Horticulture Building

• Rental fee is $4,400

Aquatopia 

• Minimum spend 25k, although includes a few more decor related services

All in all for this venue we find their pricing to be fair and competitive and can't wait to tour our clients here!  If you're interested in more information check out their new website or contact Jill Wright jill.wright@westin.com

ERIKA & JASON : MUSEUM OF NATURE

What's this I see? Erika + Jason's 2015 wedding in my blog "drafts"?. Impossible I think to myself...

I will admit it's been a while since we've been at the Museum of Nature, once our stomping grounds a few times a month. So falling across this gorgeous wedding shot by Joel & Justyna of Joel Bedford Photography made my day! And come to think of it the first wedding we planned at the Museum of Nature was way back in 2012 was with these same awesome photographers. 

I remember Erika emailing me in the March before her wedding. Her email was simple. "I'm freaking out, am I forgetting something? I feel like I'm not doing enough." Naturally I laughed and said, "Welcome to the world of having a wedding planner!". My best and happiest clients give me complete trust. The trust that I will design, plan and execute their wedding with quality vendors that inspire them. They also don't overthink or overcomplicate. And these two cat loving hipsters embodied what I wish every Toast planning experience would be. 

LAURA KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY INSTAGRAM TAKEOVER

Last week the Queen Bee of light and airy wedding photography took over our Instagram and flooded it with gorgeous pictures and hilariously genuine advice. If you missed it - Your in luck! 

Here is what you missed....

heyoooo instagram people! 💁🏼 if this voice sounds a little different to you, then you'll appreciate knowing that this is not, in fact, elise from toast events. I'm laura kelly, owner of laura kelly photography as you might imagine, and I'm pretty stoked to be taking over the @toastevents instagram today! 🙌🏻 5 things you need to know about me -- 1️⃣ I'm a mama of two little babies 👦🏼👧🏼 (#coopkelly and #jillykelly) and a wife to my high school sweetheart 💋 (@therealrkells). 2️⃣ I am beyond obsessed with rosé. I feel like if you're going to drink wine, it might as well be pink. 3️⃣ I am a lover of all things graphic design and typography.  🖊 4️⃣ fourth, I have a minor to semi-serious fear of old people. 👵🏻 also garbage. 👎🏻 5️⃣ last but not least, I have been photographing weddings for over 6 years, having started when I was only 21! 📷 it's my passion and I feel blessed every morning when I wake up and get to do my dream job. I plan on keeping it SUPER real today during the #laurakellytakeover, so settle in and keep checking back! #guestblogger #laurakellyweddings #ottawawedding #ottawablogger
 

forget the article called, "what to ask your wedding photographer." 👌🏻  you don't really care what flashes your photographer has in their camera bag. instead, here are a few things you should be looking for during your consult. 1️⃣ the photographer presents their business to YOU, not the other way around. a professional photographer will run the show and answer all of your questions before you even ask them. 2️⃣ this is the person who will be spending the MOST time with you on your wedding day, other than your wedding party. do you click? do you want to hang out with this person on the best day of your life? if not, NEXT! 3️⃣ this is a purchase you should be excited to make. does booking this photographer make your heart sing? because it should. 💜 the same joy and excitement that happens when you put on the perfect wedding dress, that's how it should feel to sign your name on the dotted line of the photography contract.  #guestblogger #laurakellyweddings #ottawawedding #ottawablogger
 

〰 my absolute favourite topic, what to spend on and what to skip when it comes to enhancing your wedding photos. ✔️ 1️⃣ your bouquet is the biggest statement piece from a photographic standpoint. it'll be featured in almost every part of your day, whether in the background during your getting ready shots, in your hands during your portraits, or as the centrepiece at your head table during photos of the speeches. invest in this beauty! you'll never regret it. 2️⃣ a vintage car for the bride and groom is way more special in photos than a stretch limo. if you're on the fence, I'm siding with vintage! 3️⃣ your ceremony backdrop is critical. it will make you fall in love with your "I do" shots and frame your first kiss. 💋 and of course, the elements from your backdrop can be translated for use at the reception! now that's a pro-tip and @toastevents would approve 💁🏼
 

if your fiancé asks how much you're spending on your bridal heels, lie and say $50. then spend exactly as much as your heart desires. they're your WEDDING SHOES, girl! 🙌🏻 #guestblogger #laurakellyweddings #ottawawedding #ottawablogger #shoes #badgleymischka #shoelove #bridalshoes

a moment like this looks effortless, but the truth is there's a tribe of people in the background who make it possible. one of my favourite portrait session tips: make use of your bridesmaids! 👯 you chose those girls for a reason; they're the wind beneath your wings and they're there to make sure you look and feel your best. you'll always appreciate having one of your girls holding the bouquet for shots that don't feature it. plus, one girl should always be on the lookout for a potential lipstick re-application moment. 👄 I would also really recommend having a couple of the groomsmen on drink-duty. scotch for the groom and white wine for the bride? perfection. 👏🏻  #guestblogger #laurakellyweddings #ottawawedding #ottawablogger

all good things come to and end, and sadly, my amazing @toastevents friends, this is my last takeover post. 🌿 I hope you've enjoyed a few tips, a few tricks, and are starting to crave an ice cold glass of champagne right about now... 🍾 I'm leaving you with this beautiful photo and a message of inspiration: trust your gut, don't be afraid to make waves, sleep an extra 15 minutes whenever you can, marry the right man, and never stop looking for great friends. #laurakellyOUT. 👊🏻  #guestblogger #laurakellyweddings #ottawawedding #ottawablogger

OTTAWA'S BEST LIGHT & AIRY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Photo Cred: Laura Kelly , Style shoot by Elise Schmitz - Toast Events

Light and airy, minimalist, negative space, feminine, ethereal... All of these elements combined makes for stunning timeless photographs. If your not following these lovely ladies on Instagram - you're missin' out! 

LAURA KELLY 

The Queen Bee of light & airy photography. Laura's bubbly personality is contagious. I've worked with her professionally and personally. I'm always amazed at how she captures everything just-right. She's directive, honest, attentive and detail oriented. If your looking to be spoiled, adored and possibly have a new bestie - Laura's your girl!

www.laurakellyphotography.ca

BATOUL 

The sweetest husband and wife team. Their goal; photograph a couple in each country they visit. They're loving life and their little bump. - Yes, Batoul is pregnant:)

Batoul is such a generous soul and genuinely cares about each and every client. She brings a calmness with her - there's no such thing as nerves on your wedding day with her by your side.

www.alibatoulcreatives.com

AMY STURGEON

Amy will tell you each wedding takes 50 hours of retouching, 5 lenses used, 13 cups of iced coffee and 1000 photo's delivered. She's and everyday girl that loves thrift shops and avocados.....and so do I ;)

www.amysturgeonphotography.com

ANNE MARIE BOUCHARD

She was hooked at the age of 10 - starting with film photography and gradually digital. Both mediums which, still today shows up in every clients gallery. 

www.ambphoto.com

MELANIE REBANE

If she were a spice girl- she'd be ginger. This girl has a contagious zest for life. When you meet Mel, you'll instantly feel like you've know her for life. But for all her vivaciousness she's very much low key in the industry which has garnered herself some top clients and a stellar reputation. Everything Mel touches ends up in a magazine ;)

www.melanierebanephotography.com

NICOLE AMANDA

Little mouse! A quirky millennial who even has a little photo of her bag on her website that you can click to see whats in it! Nicole wants her brides to "love your images not only for the first time, but every time, and not just love them but remember how you felt in each and every moment of them. See your perfume and remember how it smells. See your venue and remember how you felt your vision come to life."

www.nicoleamanda.ca

R+J Wedding at Le Belvedere

As the wedding seasons ramps down we can't help but look back and reflect on all our weddings this year. We were truly spoiled by working with some truly amazing clients and industry friends. I'm sad this 2016 chapter is closed but I am so excited for our 2017 and 2018 brides! 

R+J's wedding was oh-so romantic with a cliffside ceremony at Le Belvedere accompanied by a dream team of vendors. The execution was flawless and every thoughtful detail accounted for. But before I go all out about why this wedding was so amazing and the team behind - lets take a peak at their video! 

xoxo Elise

Further photo's and blog post to follow...

Planner: Elise of Toast Events
Photography: Union 11
Venue: Le Belvedere 
Floral Design: Erin at The Design Co Florals
Makeup: One Fine Beauty
Hair: Show Pony 
Sweets Table: Osso Sweet & Osso Beautiful 
Entertainment: Oxygen Entertainment  Videography: Up North 

WEDDING DETAILS YOUR GUESTS WILL NOTICE

I always say it's all in the details, but there are those who decorate like a fabric bomb literally exploded in the reception room. Don't shake your head like you don't know what I'm talking about. It's almost like they have a mathematical equation that goes something like this:

Chair covers + Chair Bands + Crystal Broach + Satin linen + Sheer Lace Overlay + Satin Table Runner. And that's just the basic foundation. Then they add.... Gold Charger Plate, Bow-tie Napkin with a Crystal Napkin Ring +  Personal Table Menue + Place Card + Bonbonierre + a bedazzled mirror with a cylinder vase with glue gunned crystals........ and in that vase there are water beads and a tinny little florescent light glowing from within............ Then the ceiling swag fairy came and went to town.....

Layers upon layers of decor which will overwhelm your guest into a blur. The biggest and most costly mistake you can make is definitely within your decor budget, because it can start to look tacky reeeaaallllll fast.

My number one piece of advice, "Don't waste your money on trying to have everything while cheaping out along the way. Sacrifice, re-evaluate your priorities and shift the dollars you would have spent on mediocrity towards a larger element that will leave your guests with a lasting impression." 

I'll give you a few examples, and if your a client reading this, you might have already heard this story. Back in the day when ghost chairs were only coming out of Toronto with a  price tag of $20 per chair, I had a client who just simply had to have them, but couldn't make it work within her budget. So I said "No problem, we'll trick them!". We ordered 1/3 ghost chairs and 2/3 white flip chairs. We used the ghost chairs at square tables and the flips at round tables and strategically laid out our floor plan accordingly. A few months later I heard back from my newlyweds and they said every single guest thought that they were sitting on ghost chairs... they raved about it endlessly. Keep in mind we're talking 2010 when the thought of mixing table types weren't even a design thought in anyone's mind. - I'm actually pretty proud that I hit that before the curve :) 

That's just one example of how I design to be budget conscious with intention. In case your curious, here is where we think you should spend your money.

OUR 5 PICKS

Linen-less tables and chairs

Personal dinner menus 

Over-sized organic bouquets

Embellished wedding dresses

Handwritten calligraphy invites

 

OTTAWA's NEWEST WEDDING VENUES

Toast Events wedding 2014, National Art Gallery Great Hall corridor | Photo Cred: Joel Bedford Photography

Are you looking for the next "it" venue in Ottawa? Do you feel like some venues are a bit overplayed of leave little to the imagination in terms of a trans-formative space?

Well as you can imagine a wedding planner can get equally uninspired by what Ottawa has to offer. But I have to tell you, since 2014-2016 Ottawa has taken leaps and bounds in the venue and rentals departments. 

Before I get started on hat will become some of Ottawa hottest new wedding venues, first I need to say "thank you" to Ottawa for it's 150th birthday - because this is reason why we have so much to look forward. Any pending renovation on the horizon was set in stone to be ready for 2017. 

So here's the skinny on some of the nicest spaces you'll likely see for years to come. 

Current Locations Opened 2017 

Andaz

This Hyatt group boutique hotel opened late this summer and boasts luxury amenities and breathtaking views of downtown Ottawa. This venue can accommodate up to 140ppl Studio 1 +4 and provides brides a all inclusive feel from getting ready to gettin' busy on the dance floor. 

Infinity Convention Center

I first caught wind of this project back in 2012 when one of the owners approached me for feedback on their potential endeavor. And today, 4 years later - it's a reality. Let me first say that even-though this space is extremely high-tech, nicely outfitted- it is still a conference space without windows and a shared lobby. But if this is what your looking for a banquet hall type feel or have over 200ppl, it's hands-down the place to be. There are three hotels in the area for guest accommodations, ample parking, close to the airport and has bridal suite. 

Stonefields Loft

A Gorgeous contemporary loft style barn near Carleton Place. A few months ago we did a full review of the beautiful venue. If your looking for a more modern version of Evermore - look no further, or better yet stop by for a peak if your doing a site visit at Evermore.

National Art Gallery

Yes my lovelies, the Great Hall has resumed accepting weddings since it's hiatus back in 2013. There's been a lot of rumors floating around but what I can tell you is #1 Tulips & Maple is the new in-house caterer and #2 the first wedding was hosted this spring. Now currently the galleries website does not provide any additional information or indication that this space is now available. I also have not heard any formal announcements, Which leads me to believe that based on my sources- they're accepting weddings on a case by case basis. Either way, I have clients dying to get in there for 2017 and 2018... and I'll keep you posted on any new developments.

OPENING 2018....

The following locations have no pictures and aren't even currently booking. I have though confirmed a few details but brief details.

The Westin Rooftop Ballroom 

Is currently under construction. No renderings, pricing but is due for completion in January 2017. The rose glass encasement photo above is the only visual i've been able to find.

The National Art Center Panorama Room

See my arrow? That's what I "think" is the new Panorama room which will host up to 600ppl.. It was supposed to be finished fall of 2016, but with construction set backs it should be ready for July 2017. No pricing, no renderings and no exact date yet. My last conversations with their event planners was- "we'll get back to you"...

The epic rooftop tent however will not be open until 2019. 

So there you have it! Everything you need to know about Ottawa's newest and trendiest wedding venues to come! 

xoxo