OUR FAVOURITE EUROPEAN INSPIRED PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS IN OTTAWA

Sometimes you just want to feel like your somewhere other than where you are. Transported to another time and place. Or at the very least have your wedding photos look and feel like Europe. At least I do. As a first generation Canadian, I’m always searching for a little bit of what oddly feels like home to me. Europe. So i’m sharing all my secret.

Ottawa is truly a hidden gem when it comes to its remarkable historical architecture, and if you carefully curate and thoughtfully plan your wedding day accordingly, here are the top sites I enthusiastically suggest to all of my clients who are seeking stunning European-inspired wedding photography in the beautiful city of Ottawa.

National Art Centre Rooftop Patio

The National Art Centre is iconic for its views of the Chateau Laurier, Historical Train Station now turned Senate, Parliament Hill etc. The upper balcony which used to have a tent for weddings is now a public access rooftop terrace. A perfect place to capture larger group photos such as bridal party photos and even family photos. The National Art Centre has plenty on-site parking for traveling bridal parties and a few cute nooks for pictures closer to the canal. No reservations needed and walkable from the Chateau Laurier and Lord Elgin.

Stephanie Mason Photography

Stephanie Mason Photography

Centre for pluralism

Located right beside National Art Gallery, the Centre for Pluralism is stunning in its European style architecture and with a gorgeous courtyard. Steps from the Notre Dame Basilica, this is my go to for family and bridal party photos as its quiet and has close to no foot traffic. The courtyard is also available to rent if you would like to host an outdoor ceremony or pitch a tent for your reception. I suggest you book transportation as there is no formal onsite parking and The Royal Canadian Mint next door is pretty strict with security.

Chateau Laurier

My second home. If you know me, you’ll know my affinity for the Chateau Laurier. There’s a catch 22. Access to the exterior of the building is available for all to take pictures. However the inside of the Chateau is reserved solely for couple who are getting married AT the Chateau. If you’re looking for a rain plan- this is not it. For lucky couples getting married at the Chateau, you wouldn’t need to leave the property to have a wide range of photography.

Lace & Luce

Amy Pinder Photography

Lace & Luce

Lace & Luce

NATIONAL ART GALLERY

The National Art Gallery is more modern in aesthetic and provides a beautiful blank canvas. Perfect for minimalistic photos with and abundance of negative space. It’s hot though- so bring water, hand held fans and a pair of walking shoes. If it’s raining many couple will opt for photos inside. There is a fee and places to take photos is limited. Most of the gallery is off limits due to publication rights of art work.

SUPREME COURT OF CANADA

Often overlooked is the Parliament Buildings, due to their construction, but also the Supreme Court. With little shade and with the sun high in the sky during key photography times, this property can seem challenging to some photographers. But I love this building. It’s quiet, easy for a limo to pull up and stand by as you run out for some gorgeous photos. This spot is a 10 on an overcast day!

Joel & Justyna Photography

Joel & Justyna Photography

SENATE BUILDING OF CANADA

A very long time ago I did an event in this building when it was The Government Conference Building. If you had written permission from a member of parliament and a lot of luck, it was possible to host the odd event in a blue moon. The charm of this building is found when it’s used in the background of beautiful wedding photos. Its limestone exterior is also quite gorgeous for closer photos, but because of its scale and grandeur the more prominent features of the building is missed.

CONNAUGHT BUILDING

Another stunning building across from Majors Hill and beside the Chateau Laurier perfect for bridal portraits, iconic in-motion promenade photos.

Notre DamE Basilica

I really love this spot. It’s easy to just walk by without a second glance. Just an entrance. But to a trained photographer- just look at the opportunities to do bridal party, family or even portraits! If you’re looking at the Notre Dame, this alcove would be on the right hand side of the building on St.Patricks Street.

Lace & Luce

Agatha Rowland Photography

Wellington Building

Paris in Ottawa. And if you were to ask me, November in downtown Ottawa in general feels like a rainy day Paris. The location of the Wellington Building with it’s sandstone exterior and rod-iron portico provides photographers a stunning backdrop to make your wedding photos feel like Europe. As you can see in these two pictures you could spend 30 mins alone shooting various angles and it could look like multiple various locations.

Agatha Rowland Photography

Agatha Rowland Photography

The Arboretum

Only in cherry blossom season would I suggest the Arboretum for your wedding photos. Plain and simple there are just too many tourists and better park like places that will give you the same effect without the crowed. But if you’re looking for blooming trees the window in May is short but glorious. In the picture on your left, our bride from California caught the last glimpse of a blooming tree June 11th. So don’t be deceived. Late April to Mid May is cherry blossom, crab apple, service berry, dogwood, magnolia season. Parking is slim. 100% book a limousine that can hover in the distance as you take your wedding photos. I know someone is going to ask me where we got this 1938 Ford antique car so here is a link to that wedding’s post for further pictures and the company we worked with is Antique Limo Services

Lace & Luce

Lace & Luce

ROCKCLIFFE PARK

The images below are from a wedding ceremony we hosted in the Rockcliffe Park. It takes a bit of exploring to find these abandoned columns and hidden cherub fountain. From the main parking- its hard to see. Down a winding path along a hillside you’ll find these ruins tucked away in a beautiful private nook. To have a ceremony onsite you will need a permit from NCC. They also have strict regulations on what they permit you to do onsite, but if you’re looking for a casual micro ceremony or for bridal portraits this is a really picturesque spot.

Joel & Justyna Photography

MAJORS HILL PARK

I’m wondering if Majors Hill Park will become more popular for photography now that AI is advanced enough to be able to take out unsightly signage, random pedestrians etc. This park is often an at sunset or after sunset “if we have time” last minute location since its always so busy with tourists. But as you can see. The view of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is iconic and non-other. My client seen in the bottom right photo left dinner in order to get this photo. And I have to say, it was worth the stalling of catering ;)

Anita Peeples Photography

Stephanie Mason Photography

Agatha Rowland

Mackenzie Avenue

How quaint as bride is it to walk with your bridal party from your presidential suite at the Chateau Laurier to the Notre Dame Cathedral to get married. Just the thought brings chills. The moments captured during that walk are priceless. Full of excitement and butterflies. I’ve walked this path with many brides and i’ve even searched for a scooter or two for my staff to zip back and forth from each location. Our bride Brittany is seen here on Mackenzie Avenue with her bridesmaids.

Lace & Luce

Lace & Luce

CONFEDERATION PARK

I’m just going to leave these images here and let them speak for themselves. Especially when your photographer is one of Vogues top photographers list.

Hanguyen Photo

Hanguyen Photo

Joel & Justyna

Joel & Justyna

Joel & Justyna

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA

If you don’t venture down Sussex often this building can be missed. I first noticed the building doing events for the British High Commission. We shared an entrance to Earnscliff, the official residence of the Ambassador. At the time I had never seen it used in any wedding photography before. So when the opportunity arose and with the clients explicit trust, we ventured over with Age of Indie. This might be #2 on my list of all-time favourite spots because it just isn’t used by photographers and desolate on the weekends with a massive empty parking lot. This would also be lovely for family photos.

Age of Indie

Age of Indie

CENTRAL POST OFFICE

Photos By Emma

Logan Scott Photography

SIR JOHN A MACDONALD BUILDING

TABARET HALL

Photo by Errol McGihon

MACKENZIE KING ESTATE

ROCKCLIFFE PAVILLION

Back when I first started doing weddings, the Rockcliffe Pavilion was the designated space to rent for an outdoor wedding ceremony and a rain plan all built into one. Mind you the parking isn’t great and the pavilion is very dark inside for photos. These days if you call NCC they will say that the structure is under renovation and not accepting bookings. However, if you were to swing by now you’ll see that it’s not entirely the case. once a year i’ll give them a call to see if it’s available, but I seem to strike every single time.

Vatican Embassy

This image is very misleading. The entrance to the Vatican’s Embassy is absolutely stunning. If you come at the right time you may see their decorated guards. My first experience at this Embassy was to host a birthday event in honour of the Pope. Driving through these gates left me feeling like I was back in Geneva Switzerland.

Rideau Hall

Rideau Hall has a lot of tourists so naturally most photographers would err on the side of caution and forgo these beautiful parklike grounds. But I often have a select few ambitious enough to tackle the obstacles and shoot here.

ST RAPHAEL’S

Outside of Ottawa. Closer to Cornwall is St Raph’s ruins. One day I will do a ceremony here.

canal locks

Shawn Kerr Photography

STRATHCONA PARK

PRIVATE ROCKLIFF ESTATE WEDDING

In the middle of a Pandemic and we had huge plans. Plans for a unique botanical take of The Great Gatsby. Ceiling of greenery and twinkle lights, oversized chandeliers, and a midnight champagne tower…. but as we all say now, the world had other plans. Quickly we pivoted and pitched the idea of hosting Emilie & Simon’s private wedding at their family home in Rockliff with their reception still to be hosted for the date of their one year anniversary. As their petite wedding drew near, we were in official lockdown- yet again. Gatherings of 10 only. And thankfully their bubble was just that.

I have to say- a small wedding is almost- in my eyes, a styled shoot. We have time to capture every little detail of the day to truly string in the story line through photography. I can narrow my vision into the tiniest details on a scale I could never do for a 150 person wedding. I was even able to set and style the dinner table myself. One of my favourite things to do. Needless to say, I really hope the trend of smaller weddings continue.

Before their backyard wedding, we hopped in the car and drove a few streets over to the Rockcliffe Park lake for a first look and pictures with my dear friends and photographers Joel & Justyna.

Dinner for the evening required chopsticks and enough Chinese food for an army. Emilie & Simon ordered every single item from the take-out menu of their favourite restaurant and had custom bamboo chopsticks designed for the occasion.

And all you need to know is that at the end of the day, I left with egg rolls. The rest is history.

A Modern Wedding at The Adelina Barn #teambull

When I first met Natascha & James I knew we were a match made in heaven when they said that they wanted their wedding to be as if the were in a modern industrial warehouse in Berlin. Both Tasch & James work at Shopify so you can just imagine the creativity and design precision on demand. Secretly I knew then and there I had found my creative soulmates. The conversations alone on design techniques, subliminal visuals as we created their ultimate celebratory environment and the couples attention to the smallest details had me weak at the knees. It’s a real honor to work with clients that just get what you’re all about.

Although we worked tirelessly to provide Natascha & James visuals to convey our design intentions, they really put their trust in me to deliver an aesthetic that completely shocked them on their wedding day. It’s one thing to dream it, and another to see it, feel it, touch it and immerse yourself in it.

From the very beginning we chose The Adelina for its intimate setting, urban barn and its potential to transform into a chic modern tropical paradise. The acrylic details, custom geometric candle holders, thousands of blooms and Eiffel chairs transformed the space like no other.

As i’m typing this now- damn I get teary eyed! Because it was just so beautiful and I am so lucky to have met two of the nicest human beings i’ve had the privilege of working with. Natascha and James. If you’re reading this, I wish you were in my life everyday! Our year long planning just wasn’t enough!! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to plan and design something truly beautiful for you.

S+D O'Born Room National Art Centre Wedding

I first met Sarah about a year before her wedding as she was preparing to leave and move to England with her fiance. Planning a wedding while being away left Sarah feeling a little overwhelmed, and so she sought our help to ensure her wedding was designed and executed seamlessly. Planning her wedding was truly effortless. In our initial consultation she said:

““I love everything you do, so even if you tell me to put my bridesmaids in white dresses- i’ll do it!!”. ”

— Sarah

Music to my ears! And so we began to tour spaces for her minimalistic monochromatic wedding. Sarah chose the perfect venue, the O’Born Room at the National Art Centre- my current favourite space to design in. With such a gorgeous blank canvas with endless natural light it was easy to envision, design and choose vendors for Sarah’s wedding.

Our mood board boasted fresh crisp colours with my signature touch of acrylic furnishings, invitations and table stationary. I went as far as designing and building acrylic charger platforms that allowed for a gorgeous pave of florals to be seen through them.

During her time abroad, Sarah gave us complete trust and allowed us to guide her through the wedding planning process without question. I mention this because it’s important to understand that a wedding materializes in it’s own time. Should you try and rush the process- chances are you’ll be making decisions too far in advance, where in reality- I can guarantee you’ll be changing your mind closer to the wedding date.

About %80 of our clientele is what I like to call “reverse destination brides”. Meaning, they now live abroad and are planning their wedding back in Ottawa. It’s also not uncommon for us to officially meet out brides the day before their wedding. Crazy right?!?

This all goes to show, when you trust your planner and vendors to do what they do best- magic happens and expectations are exceeded.

So without further ado- Sarah & Darien’s gorgeous wedding bellow.

Enjoy:)

Planning & Design: Elise Toast Events

Photographer: Photography by Emma

Florist: We Are Pollen Nation

Invitations & Stationary: Milestone Paper Co

101 ON WEDDING CATERING CONTRACTS

There are so many things to consider when signing on that dotted line. But if you've never thrown an event before how are you supposed to know what to looks for or even understand what this contract is actually saying. To help put things into perspective I'm answering my top 6 most asked questions.

 

MINIMUM GUARANTEED DINNER GUESTS 

When you request a catering quote likely you'll provide a potential number of expected dinner, let's say 130 dinner guests. In your contract you may see a statement like " Minimum guaranteed dinner guests of 120." This means that your responsible in paying for that number of guests regardless of what your ultimate number is. Keep in mind that also means 120 adults and does not include children!!! Ultimately if your end up having 115 guests you're still paying for 130ppl. What I like to do is calculate what the cost difference is between 120 and 130 guests and ask if you can use that dollar amount in upgrading your meal or adding a course- that way you're not "loosing" money!

 

RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE WHAT (IF ANY) FOOD IS SUITABLE FOR TAKE HOME

This is a health issue. Once food is out in the open and in an unregulated temperature food can spoil quicker then you expect. Most venues and caterers wont allow you to bring ANY food home. But if they add a clause like this- you're very lucky! 

GraTUITY POST EVENT

This means there is not gratuity included in your current bill. If you don't consider this while your comparing notes on various quotes, in the end it can end up in thousands of extra dollars you didn't factor in. Typically %15 grat is standard- for restaurants only. For caterers you're looking at %18 and for luxury hotels it can be upwards of %20+. 

 

CALCULATING COSTS

If you're trying to do your own math here is the formula you should use. Subtotal all the food and beverage. Now add your grat onto that. Subtotal again and then add your taxes. That's right! You read that right, your grat is taxed. Another sneaky way if your numbers don't add up when you get a real revised quote from a caterer.

 

PLANNING & COORDINATION FEE

But you might already have a wedding planner- so why should you pay for a coordination fee to a caterer? Well, it's because there's so much paperwork and time required to ensure your food & beverage team are prepared and ready to perform for your wedding. This includes the following:

• In person appointments
• Multiple emails throughout a 1- 2 year period
• Meetings with culinary team to map out custom menues
• Research for specialty requests
• Tasting
• Food & Beverage timeline prepration for behind the scenes
• Organizing staffing
• Inventory & renatls lists 
• Food requisitions
• Ordering food & beverage 
• Working with your planner on the elements of the day 

And this is just the tip of the iceberg, because a good catering company does so much more! 

 

FOOD & BEVERAGE COST INCREASES

We never really know what the economic climate will be like in the next year or two. For example there could be a Beef shortage and so the price in 2019 vs. 2018 has risen. Typically you can ask your caterer to lock in a max increase of %10. On a side note- this happened in the floral world a few years ago when there was a volcano erupt in Asia. This stopped air traffic and importers were unable to bring in orchid varieties for 2 weeks. So crazy right! This is also a huge reason why you should hire a planner. So we can impart this type of information onto our clients. They type of information that just isn't out there to find for yourself! A great planner will make it their business to know the inner workings of all these things you might never in your life think to consider!

And there you have it. Some of the most sneak hidden costs that can seriously break your budget! 

xox

Elise

5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER

“Time is the new definition of luxury”

— Elise

Choosing your wedding planner will be your most important decision. An investment that can pay of two-fold in saving time, keeping it stress free, and convenience- industry short-cuts. But disclaimer- only if you research and choose the right planner for you. 

So where do you begin? Well the fact that you know you need a planner means your a million miles ahead the rest. You're already saving yourself hours of research and anxiety. What I can tell you is that the basic questionnaires provided online to interview a planner are, well- garbage. A good planner will most likely have an FAQ page that answers all those questions. But what's most important can't be obtained through blasé questions. So here are 5 things you need to consider.

VIBE 

Does she get you? I always love it when a client does their research about my company prior to contacting to obtain our services. By doing this, it's already been established that they already have a good feeling for who the planner is and what their company stands for. So ask yourself- are you looking for a planner who is more design oriented or one who focuses only on planning and organizational and administrational details? Or do you require a planner that specializes in Day Of Coordination only?

Discovering what type of partnership your looking for first and foremost important. This will help you narrow down your choices. Ultimately you want your planner to vibe on your level. When speaking to them you should automatically feel a genuine connection and be able to establish a good level of trust. 

REFLECTION

Does this planner mirror the style of wedding that your looking to create? Does she inspire you? And most importantly is their marketing and advertising genuine. Are they showcasing they're own clients or just inspirational images that aren't they're actual work? With social media these days, it's sometimes hard to tell. What I can say is "buyer beware". Some companies talk the talk but when push comes to shove- the experience is less than enthusiastic. I'll be writing about this exact subject in the coming weeks so be sure to check back! 

EXPERIENCE

It's not enough to only gauge a planner on how many weddings she's planned or how many years she's been in business or if she's "certified". If you really want to know her standing, ask whom her recommended vendors are, whom she's affiliated with, if she's on any preferred vendors lists, if she's been published and where, lastly, how many employees does she employ. This can provide you huge insight into how she operats her business and the success it's provided her. 

CERTIFICATION

I cringe at this all the time. Some of us dinosaurs have been around before wedding planning was considered a profession. So to now spend money to take a weekend course just to have an acronym behind their name - doesn't make sense. What they teach you in class is a quick crash course and theory. It doesn't prepare you for real-life situations, teach you how to make on the spot decisions etc etc. Because all of that is learn't on the job. The amount of experiences I've accumulated over the years can't be taught in a class, it's impossible. And to answer your question, I do have a degree in Event Management as well as Hotel & Restaurant Management. BUT I am not WPIC certified, and never will be. I personally refuse to take the course for said reasons above. HOWEVER! If you are looking for a wedding planner that's new in the game with less experience then she should at least have a course or two under her belt. Because if not- know that she's learning as she goes ;)

CLIENT ROSTER 

This is a big one for me. How many clients do they take on per year. If your looking for a more attentive planner, their client roster will most likely not exceed 10-16 weddings per year. If their boasting 20+ clients, you can count on delayed emails, details missed and a tinge of stress. If your a chill bride- then perfect. 

All the insight provided in this post is purely so that you're "in the know". A bit of insider insight so that you can make an informed decision. And if I can give you any advice- don't rush, if your going to do any research at all, make sure it's on your potential planner. Because with a good planner the rest should be history! Literally.

xoxo

Till next time lovelies! 

 

GBD HOLIDAY GUEST BLOG - ADVENTURE COCKTAILS

I love having guest bloggers, especially when it's my sister because she has such great taste and her posts are super cute! She's a landscape designer with a super cool Scandinavian design style (runs in the family) that's all about bringing the indoors, outdoors. Essentially the concept of extending your living space outside.

In the new year you'll be seeing a bit more of her, me, my other sister, lot's of Hugo etc as I ramp up my blogging to include a bit more of a lifestyle component. 

Enjoy! 

GBD'S HOLIDAY COCKTAIL MIX

As we all gear towards the holidays and are hosting parties for family and friends, it’s always nice to stumble upon a unique cocktail recipe. Going hand in hand with our belief in encouraging people to get out and enjoy the outdoors, we wanted to create a fun and dual-purpose holiday punch that could play a part. 
  
Start your night with your guests indoors, with a chilled, boozy punch. Later in the night when it’s time for a change of scenery, turn your chilled punch into a hot beverage to take outside! Start a campfire, take a quick jaunt around the neighborhood, or if it’s February in Ottawa –go for a night skate on the Rideau Canal! Which ever you choose, grab a thermos and take your GBD Holiday Adventure Punch with you.

INGREDIENTS:
2  (200 ml) Ginger Beer
2  (200 ml) Ginger ale
2 1/2  (1L) Perrier Original
1  mickey Jameson Whiskey
4  tbsp. Grenadine
2  lemons
2  oranges
2  cups frozen cranberries
1  bag Ice
6  Cinnamon sticks
Rosemary Sprigs, for garnish
2  cups apple cider 

INSTRUCTIONS:

CHILLED PUNCH

1.    Turn on the song ‘Mele Kalikimaka’ from the Christmas Vacation soundtrack and put on repeat…. It just feels right for some reason 

2.    Pour all liquids into punch bowl except for Grenadine & Apple cider and stir.

3.    Squeeze 1 full Lemon and 1 full Orange into punch bowl. Slice up remaining Lemon and Orange and add to top of bowl along with frozen cranberries.
4.    Pour in Grenadine and stir

5.    Add ice

6.    Ladle into ice filled punch glasses and garnish with Rosemary sprig
 
 

HOT PUNCH

1.    Pour contents of punch bowl into pot and place on stove top on medium heat
2.    Add cinnamon sticks and Apple Cider and let simmer for 5-6 mins. 

3.    When punch is heated to your liking, pour into mugs or thermoses and head outside!
  
Enjoy!

-The GBD Team

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

 

INDUSTRIAL WEDDING SPACE -OTTAWA-

Hottest trend for 2015 and I'm sure for a few years to come, industrial space.  A lack of which we have in Ottawa, until just recently. But before we unveil our three new top secret locations, let's take a look at what's already available. You may be surprised!                 

   Museum of Nature   

Horticulture Building

New kid on the block, this rejuvenated City Of Ottawa building is sure a stunner. Wide open, barn board wall accents, licensed patio and the best catering staging area i've seen in a while. Biggest bonus is that underground parking has it's own private entrance leading into your event space. Although parking is not included, you can negotiate and pre-purchase parking spaces. On the flip side, they do recommend getting a security guard...you will most likely have wedding crashers from local adjacent bars.

A space, well used and well loved by all planners. A girl can get used to being here every weekend with limitless possibilities and a nice blank canvas. Their T-shaped 3rd and 4th floor gallery space is perfect for host cocktails & dancing with an intimate dinner in the second back half of the room. There are some tricky logistics to pulling this off without a hitch which is why a planner is key when working in this space. 

---

 Makerspace North  

Pretty awesome right? This new space has been added to my list of "must-have" spaces. Not many planners know of this awesome gem located in the City Centre building. Although I haven't been onsite, this venue is at the top of my list for clients looking for industrial space. 

Ernst & Young

The big box. Of the mid-century modern weddings we could host in here. There is never too much space especially if your looking for something larger than life. We'll be transforming this space next year for the EY's first ever wedding.

---

  Table 40    

For smaller parties looking for just the right mix of Mid-Century Modern with industrial touches where the food surpasses expectation. This is where you'll want to be.

 Side Door

I love this venue for its versatility and wide range of seating options. Perfect for a couple looking to host a celebration rather then a "wedding". Probably one of the coolest basement venues we know of. 

---

Restaurant 18

Lofty, chic with a gothic wine cellar ambiance, this spot really doesn't need any decor. With 18's large oversized ornate doors, it may feel as though your partying in your very own mansion. If you haven't been recently, check it out. They've recently renovated. 

---

Although Ottawa has a lack of raw space, we've just been introduced to something very new and exciting. Zibi a "world-class" sustainable community and redevelopment project transforming the old Domtar grounds into industrial waterfront event space and condo living. Pretty cool right?!

Albert Island   

Albert Island is currently booking events and weddings for 2016. I recently toured this facility with a client with a guest list of 120. The space is long an narrow and has many posts which we can work to our advantage. This space used to be a storage facility for Domtar and is located at the water edge. With industrial spaces comes tricky logistics. Currently the building has no running water facilities, no washrooms and no onsite parking no air conditioning. Although these may seem like tedious hurdles, washrooms should be installed hopefully before next summer. Fun fact, there is actually a random shower near the main entrance...so if you do pull the chain link handle you will get wet! P.S This location is on the Ontario side which makes it easier for liquor licenses.

   1 Eddy

This old machine workroom is in stage 1 of being rejuvenated. It is connected to the Zibi building. Less posts than Albert Island and connects with a gorgeous outdoor courtyard seen in the picture below. What you don's see in this image is a second part of the room behind the back wall which will soon be torn down to seat up to 140 guests. This space is due to be ready for late fall 2015. Take note that this space is on the Quebec side and local alcohol permits must be obtained by SAQ.

---

The Zibi Courtyard

Currently looking at this gorgeous space for a wedding el fresco. Since it's connected to the Zibbi show room and the space mentioned above, you can safely plan to have your wedding either inside or outside. BIG BONUS, you probably won't get any noise complaints! 

This property is located on the river banks however there is a line of trees and shrubery which takes away from a direct view of the water. The best part about Zibi is that as they redevelop the area new warehouse event space will become available. 

If your looking for information or would like to book a tour here is your contact. Jaquie Westeind at jw@windmilldevelopments.com

I can't tell you enough how excited I am to start seeing gorgeous events and weddings planned here, so hastag it for all of us to see #zibbiwedding 

xox Elise

DESIGNING WITH TOAST

Although i'm a serious paper pusher and a little bit too organized for my own sake, I really am a designer at heart. I design purely on feeling, so if your talking to me about a particular creative element you'll hear me say something to the tune of "I'm really "feeling" the tattered look, haunted...almost like we printed your invitations on a piece of torn wall paper from an 18th century Parisian chateau"...  or "I need to "feel" the movement in the florals, wispy, ethereal..".

There are so many things we take into account when we're styling a wedding. Because we want it to reflect the client style, we'll take in as many details as possible from Pinterest, movies you love, books you read, places you've traveled and really just things you like. I sometimes think knowing exactly what you don't want can help me hugely in the long run. It's like a spiders web, if you don't like modern design styles then we know you also wont like a host of other thing which we can rule out right at the get-go!

““Well I know what I want and I have everything I like on Pinterest, so why do I need a stylist?” ”

— Client

It's a good question and I have a great answer! It's all about sourcing. Since your wedding is most likely a year away, the items you are renting now will have gone through on average minimum 60 more weddings before gracing your guests. So that two year old chivary chair that looked decent last year when you booked them, is now- falling apart, wobbly, the cushions are flat, uncomfortable and stained. And that goes for all rentals. Linens, lounge furniture, tableware etc. And that white dance floor you ordered....well it's beige now because the vendor didn't care for it properly....

It's also about curating your wedding to the smallest detail from font choices, RGB color codes, paper weights, creative twists on traditional wedding decor etc. We even go as far as hand-making specialty "one-of" decor accents to ensure your wedding is completely unique- a reflection of you. We want Aunt Betty to walk in and say "OMG that is so Sarrah". 

So what does styling look and feel like with us? Well! Your customized style file comes wrapped in a pretty little box right at your door step, the old fashioned way. Snail mail. I like to think it makes the experience a little bit more tangible! 

Bellow is a great example. Enjoy! 

xoxo

Elise 

Comfy & Cozy Boudoir

Recently I've been doing a lot of styling. I just can't help myself - I love beautiful things, sprucing up areas and just all around refreshing everything and anything. So when Meg from the Handmade Bride told me she was doing a Boudoir shoot, I just had to get involved. 

The thing I liked most about this particular shoot was the emphasis on building a "comfy and cozy" environment to allow participants to feel more at ease and among friends. There was champagne, fruit & croissants upon arrival, with a professional makeup artist Klava Zykova, jewelry and lacy embellishments to enhance their experience from The HandMade Bride and of course the lovely Katie Soulier or KJS Photography.

Fingers crossed that The Handmade Bride will be hosting many more of these!

Photographs provided by KJS Photography 

Win Tickets to Love Handmade

Sharing is caring right?! 

Well, I've got 6 tickets to giveaway to three lucky couples! All you have to do is tell us, in the comment section below, what DIY project your going to tackle for your very own wedding. Simple no? :) Be sure to like us on facebook so we can find you afterwards and get you your tickets!