Toronto Pop Art
Today’s weddings often rival the budget and scale of corporate events. Interestingly, it’s the one area of the event business the recession hasn’t taken a big bite out of.
Planners Karina Lemke of Posies, and Cachelle Odette Fry of Savoir Flare, share the following wedding trends, while TSEvents XS spotlights some great resources even Bridezilla will love:
Personalization
No matter budget, the couple’s spend is on details that “brand” the occasion "It’s all about us." Tradition faces off with personalization such as monograms that shine from invitation to dance floor holograms and details that reflect a special something about the couple. Old Hollywood, along with retro-chic from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s theme up today’s weddings.
TSEvents XS Notes:
We love the Warholesque boldness that Toronto Pop Art portraits can lend to wedding décor. The online service turns any supplied photo into iconic poster art in varying framed and unframed sizes. Available as repositionable water-resistant adhesive wall decals, too. The artwork can also be customized for invites, place card holders and thank you cards.
Posies
Petal Power
Ta-ta tall and tapered centrepieces. Hello low, monochromatic, one-flower choice en masse arrangements. A love of orchids lives on, with popular votes to peonies, hydrangeas and all in-season blooms. Create table texture with several same-hued arrangements in varying sizes. Hand-tied bouquets continue to make the march down the aisle.
TSEvents XS Notes:
Even if we hadn’t interviewed Posies’ owner for this article, we’d be spotlighting Karina Lemke’s way with flowers. Host of HGTV’s floral reality show Petal Pushers and a featured planner on Rich Bride Poor Bride, Lemke makes garden-inspired simplicity exquisite.
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The Green Couple
Eco-friendly choices continue to influence the big day. Jaye Marsh-Graham of It’s Personal! Occasions and producer of the Eco Wedding & Lifestyle Show helps couples celebrate their union with sustainable options.
Reduce: A wedding website (or Facebook page) minimizes paper communication for RSVPs and directions. A charming outdoor setting with early afternoon timing offers natural décor and requires less lighting. Make a menu of local wines, beer and seasonal, organic selections.
Reuse: Go the rental route, from furnishings to flowers. Use artificial flowers (they’ve come a long way!) or living plants rather than cut blossoms. Retool a vintage gown, resell the dress or donate to charity.
Recycle: Everything from plantable wedding invitations to spring bulb favours. Have the ceremony site double as the reception setting or incorporate décor from one into the other. Ensure venue and other suppliers’ greening efforts and recycling programs are a fit. |
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Experiential Does It
Destination weddings are booming as the modern-day version of elopement that brings along a whole party for the adventure. Local near but far locations are increasingly popular. It truly is about delivering an interactive experience — even bordering on spectacle — which is why portable photo booths, strolling entertainment, instructor-led dance numbers and aerial artists and more are hot wedding enhancers.
TSEvents XS Notes:
Invite guests to get in on the day’s wedding photo action with DIY black-and-white snaps in Expose Yourself’s mini digital-photo studio. The simple onsite set up includes background, lights and camera. Using a corded trigger, guests take their own candid, goofy and posed shots.
Décor & More
Ambient Decor
Full-on wedding white is waning as classic black, slate grey and purple infuse wedding palettes. Pink is the new black. Tulle and twinkle lights give way to sleek and sophisticated. Ghost and Chivari chairs prevail. Lounge chic shouts out with clearly defined mix-and-mingle areas marked by cruiser tables and inviting pillow-strewn sofas.
TSEvents XS Notes:
Working with one globetrotting couple's Amazing Race theme, Décor & More turned up the colour wattage with hot, bright hues furnishings for an exotic flavour reflective of Hawaii, where they’d secretly got hitched the week before. After guests raced through the city looking for clues, The Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District was the final destination and big reveal. Four lounge areas were scattered throughout the reception space — “Keep them just the right distance from the music to encourage conversation, but close enough to keep an eye on the dance floor action,” says Décor & More’s Leslee Bell.
Love’s Food
Sit-down will always have a place, but current wedding-hip wining and dining translates into cocktail-style receptions and experiential food and beverage stations. Think interactive risotto table, poutine bar, even a grilled cheese sandwich chef! Food selections play up the wedding theme or unite a couple’s ethnic backgrounds in a fusion menu. Dinner and glassware are premium quality.
TSEvents XS Notes:
Sebastien Centner of Eatertainment is the media’s favourite go-to source for all things event-related. His visionary entertaining ideas, hosting tips and unique menu suggestions have brides looking at their catering menus in a whole new light.
Cake Opera Co.
Cakewalk
Lavishly decorated, creatively themed personalized wedding cakes are the must-have splurge, existing as much for the décor as for the cake-cutting money shot. Toronto is filled with cake artists. Au courant is the full edible splendour of a macaron tower in place of tiered frosted creation.
TSEvents XS Notes:
Sweet whimsy, works of art, inspired sugar sculpting, distinctly original … all words to describe Cake Opera Co.’s ornately creative, hand-painted cake confections. Owner and artist Alexandria Pellegrino recently won a Food Network Cake Challenge … we can see why.
Joanna Jordan
Dance Groove
Live music is where it’s at — from big band to string quartets. Even small budgets are opting for live with a flautist or classical guitarist as ceremonial accompaniment. While iPOD plug-in is tempting, guests are better attuned to a masterful band leader or pro DJ reading their dance cues to fuel the mood.
TSEvents XS Notes:
Joanna Jordan of Clazz Ensembles plucks beautiful notes from an electric or Celtic harp in a solo performance or as part of a group. Along with her versatile stylings — from classical to pop — Jordan has a background in comedy that helps inject a sense of fun and ease into the day’s pomp and circumstance.
Bobbette & Belle
Favoured Guests
A well-planned occasion married with distinctive details, upscale food and great entertainment is thank you enough by today’s guests’ standards. However, where takeaway favours are presented, beautifully wrapped high-end yummy prevails. Elegant macarons are one way to go, as are gourmet marshmallow bites.
TSEvents XS Notes:
Among its many confectionary masterpieces, Bobbette & Belle does theme-coloured, monogrammed if wish, flavour-customized French macaron treats so deliciously well. Prettily package them as stylish takeaways. There are also gorgeous cupcakes, sugar cookies and adorable two-tier mini replicas of the wedding gateau. Wedding cakes by Allyson Meredith are an undeniable Bobbette & Belle specialty.
Little Party Goers
In The Details
Wedding television, the Internet and media’s obsessive coverage of celebrity nuptials are filling couples’ wish lists with grand visions. To make those dreams come true, even weddings with small budgets see the value in turning to a wedding planner to help them spend wisely, flesh out elements and connect them with reputable resources.
TSEvents XS Notes:
Little Party Goers lays to rest the often hotly debated question of inviting children. Bring ‘em on we say … and, while parents enjoy the wedding festivities, the company’s certified early childhood educators mind the kiddies in a separate area nearby, entertaining the pint-sized troupe with an age-appropriate party of their own, including crafts, activities and a loot bag to take home. 
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