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

OTTAWA NEWEST VENUE: PARISIAN INSPIRED BARN

Last night the team and I attended Stonefields Loft Reveal- and it was everything we had hopped for! I keep saying to myself "Where was this 3 years ago when I got married!". And it's true, Ottawa has grown leaps and bounds with creative new wedding venues, indie vendors with super cool niche products to truly customize your wedding to your own personal brand. 

So let me tell you why I love this venue so much. First it starts with the people who run it. The very heart of Stonfields, Steph & Steve, the power couple.- well, at least that's what I call them, and I'll tell you why. 

Husband & Wife team + 3 year old twins divided by building the prettiest 130 year old Parisian inspired countryside barn, you ever did see! = POWER COUPLE

Steph & Steve, if your reading this- Way to raise the bar guys..... ;)

I had a nice chat with Steve and I asked him, "How do you do it..the re-build, running a full catered establishment..with small twins..." . Kids are a mystery for me and I loved his response, "Passion and dedication.". And it's true -if your passionate about what you do, you will not feel as though you have worked a day in your life. And from there he told me it took him 3 days to assemble every little crystal on their 8ft chandelier. And that my friends in patience.

The story behind the barn is quite astonishing. Not even 365 days ago this exact barn was located a few miles down the road fully functioning with cattle! Yup, yah heard me right...livestock people! I'de really love to see the before pictures.... So with this being said, the barn was dissembled board by board, numbered and re-assembled onsite where Stonefields big white tent used to me. The reconstruction started last October and was completed just in time for Steph & Steve's own wedding.

Decorated & Styled by Wedecor

With me, it's all about the subtle details. And let me tell you, there were no detail or expense spared. Two elements really took me by surprise, where I stood back and thought to myself; someone really knew what they were doing- like a boss! It might not matter to you but choosing the right tinted crystal for your chandeliers is extremely important. It defines the line between class and meh. I truly am hard to impress, but these statement works of art have the perfect amber undertone. Think Beauty and the Beast....yes that chandelier that literally glows without the lights turned on. I think it might have hypnotized me, because I'm sure I stared at it for a good 5 mins.

Second item- chairs. Oh no, not just any chair, the chair. You know the one, Parisian/Tuscan looking wooden chair we all drool over....well, these ones perfectly matched the 130 year old beams of the barn. I know what your thinking and no, it's not matchy-matchy, it's cohesive providing that detail which provides that polished look.

And lastly, throwing another style detail in here, the hay loft ladders. Their still there! Preserving the character of the barn by these simple details told me, Steve & Steph really put their heart and soul into building a unique wedding venue like no other.

THE DEETS

• Capacity 200 sit down dinner
• Heated floors
• Covered patio across the length of the barn
• Vaulted ceilings
• Large indoor integrated bar
• Tuscan/Parisian style chairs included with space
• Indoor & outdoor ceremony space
• Mini resort feel
• Exclusivity
• No barn animals :)