Today mark the day that Alex got his perfect fit suit from Indochino . I actually found Indochino’s name through a blog on National Post. It was by Jesse Kinos-Goodin’s Man with Wedding Plan. It was under one of his blog entry called “Man with a Wedding Plan: Tuxedos the easy way“. I got so impressed by his blog that I decided to check out Indochino. First of all, it’s a Canadian company based in Victoria, B.C., but the suit was made in Shanghai, China. We didn’t really care where it was made as long as it is good quality.
I was quite impressed on how easy to get a suit made ONLINE. Indochino’s site provide images or videos for instruction on how to measure. I measured Alex from top to toe and then we just bought the suit online. Two weeks after, the suit is here.
Despite the fact that Alex is 6 feet 6″ tall, and have long arms, we were having a difficult time to find a custom made suit that the price tag is not over our budget. The custom made suit in toronto all start with at least $1000 CAD if you want a 120 thread count tuxedo. I know ordering suits or clothes online is risky because you never really know how it fits.
However, Indochino said that they will refund you $25 if it ever needs alteration, OR you can return the whole suit too. So we took our risk and ordered it.
And? The suit is great! It’s 150 thread count, and 100% wool. I think it’s very nicely made, and the cut is great! There’s only few things that need to get fixed up (eg. button won’t go through the button hole, the arm is a bit long, and the waist is an inch wide) but nothing major.
And how much is the suit? $265 CAD including shipping and taxes. AWESOME deal.
I guess now Alex just need to find his vest and a shirt 
See the photos below if you like to see other than just front view
Tags: Toronto Wedding & Bridal Resources, toronto wedding blog, tuxedo
30.May.08 
wedding 
Comments (0)
I know it’s only 80 day till my big day. Now I have to seriously watch what I am eating.
It’s not like I need to go on a diet to lose 30lbs… but I think it might be a good post for those who wants to change their lifestyle to lose weight.
1. set Realistic and Small goals - eat smaller portion and avoid unhealthy food
setting a goal to lose 40lbs might be good, but what happen after 40lbs? you gonna keep it up or you gonna gain it all back?
I personally set small and realistic goal for me. Right now, all I am trying to do is to eat smaller portion and avoid unhealthy food. Instead of looking at the number of pounds that I should be losing, I am looking at conditioning my body with better food and not eat a huge portion at one shot
2. Frequent meals
It’s actually pretty bad to eat only 3 meals a day. You are really starving your body till certain time of the day and then stock up with a lot more food that you should consume. So I am now trying to cut my lunch and dinner portion in half.. and eat small snacks in between meals. Small snacks can be a bowl of cereal, fruit salad, or two cookies.
3. Maintain active lifestyle
Losing weight is basically you spent more energy than what you take in. Now I will be playing 3 nights of Ultimate in summer, it will definitely keeps me active and burning my extra calories.
Active lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to go to gym. In fact, I am quitting gym in July. Gym is just another evil corporation like cellphone companies in Canada. $80 a month for membership? I would invest it to my RRSP.
Active lifestyle are things like walking to work, carrying grocery bags from supermarkets, climbing stairs, cleaning the house..etc. As long as you are moving, you are burning off your extra energies.
4. It’s a lifestyle that you are changing, not a number of weight that you are losing
If you seen my photos on my wedding site, you’d know that I lost 50lbs before. And to maintain my body not to gain weight is extremely difficult. I personally gained back 15lbs when I moved to downtown toronto. Everyday I am just fighting not to gain anymore weight is really stressful. Now I realize that, if I only thinks about follow the above 3 rules I set for my life, then it is less stressful for me to think about losing weight.
So, that’s it. 4 simple tips!
Now I can go get my yogurt in the fridge for my afternoon snacks.
20.May.08 wedding Comments (0)
Me and Alex hired a photographer for our engagement shoot - Jon Thorpe from Thorpe Photo. I actually found him from Facebook Ad. When I saw his site and his work, I was blown away by how beautiful they are.
Me and Alex visited Jon at his studio as well, and had a brief chat with him to take photo for our wedding.. however he was booked full on Aug 8. So we decided to have him to take our engagement photo.
Engagement photos are basically photos with casual wear except the photos are professionally taken. I need the photo so I can put them on the website, and show them off at the reception. lol
We have booked Jon the first week of June to take our photo. The session is around 3 hours, and the price is $400. Prints are extra. We didn’t mind the price because as long as they are good photos. How about where to take photos in toronto? I can’t really think of any on top of my head. So I asked Jon to sent us a list of location with details.
Osgoode Hall
Features: A stunning 1800’s historic building, with colourful manicured
gardens, cobblestone pathways and ornate iron fencing.
Location: Queen and University Streets
Permit: No permit required, however, be sure there are no events or
filming scheduled.
________________________________________
University of Toronto
Features: Charming old architecture on a beautifully landscaped campus.
Use is limited to certain areas, but those areas are great.
Location: College and University
Permit: $120 for non-alumni / $60 for alumni
Phone: 416.978.2187
________________________________________
High Park
Features: Incredible gardens and a wonderful pond.
Location: Bloor and Parkside (west, just north of the QEW)
Permit: Permission may be required, as events may be planned.
Phone: 416.392.8188
________________________________________
Casa Loma
Features: This famous castle provides a spectacular setting. Access to the
conservatory, terrace and gardens are all available.
Location: 1 Austin Terrace (near Bathurst and Dupont)
Permit: $200 to $300 depending on time of day
Phone: 416.923.1171
________________________________________
James Gardens
Features: Traditional park; lots of trees, flowers, bridges, some water.
Location: Edenbridge Drive (east off Royal York Road)
Permit: $50 to$100 per hour
Phone: 416.392.8188
________________________________________
Distillery District
Features: historic distillery built in 1832. Cobblestone streets, narrow
alleyways, and old brick buildings make a unique background for
interesting photos
Location: Mill St. (Between Parliament St. and Cherry St.)
Permit: $150.00
Phone: 416.364.4793
________________________________________
Centennial Park Conservatory, Etobicoke
Features: Three glass houses with interesting plant collections.
Location: 15 Elmcrest Road (west off Renforth Road, just north of Rathburn
Avenue)
Phone: 416-394-8543
________________________________________
The Old Mill Inn, Toronto
Features: Historic building with a beautiful waterfall and landscaped
gardens.
Location: 21 Old Mill Road
Permit: Permission normally required.
Phone: 416-236-2641
________________________________________
Union Station (Toronto)
Features: One of the largest and most opulent train stations in Canada,
with fascinating old architecture, both inside and out.
Location: 65 Front Street West (at Bay Street)
Permit: $100
Phone: 416-392-8188
________________________________________
Edwards Gardens Conservatory, Toronto
Features: Similar to James Gardens, but larger with a fountain and a
staircase. Edwards Gardens website
Location:
Permit: $50-$100 per hour
Phone: 416-392-8188
________________________________________
Cherry Beach, Toronto
Features: Situated on Lake Ontario (East end of Toronto), featuring Sandy
beach, wooded areas and a boardwalk.
Location: at the south end of Cherry St.
Permit: None required
________________________________________
Humber Bridge, Etobicoke
Features: Situated on Lake Ontario (West end of Toronto), featuring sandy
beach, parkland & trees, and walkways
Location: Lakeshore Rd. and South Kingsway
Permit: None required
________________________________________
Alexander Muir Gardens, Toronto
Features: Situated next to a ravine, beautiful sunken gardens, treed
walkways, benches, stone wall & stairs
Location: Yonge St. & Lawrence Ave.
Permit: $80.00
Phone: 416-392-8188
Example wedding: Tammie & Andy
________________________________________
TD Centre, Toronto
Features: Urban environment, tall skyscrapers, concrete walls, and small
greenspace
Location: Bay St. & Wellington St. W.
Permit: None if venue is canoe restaurant
Phone: 416-869–2277
Example wedding: Melissa & Kevin, Diane & Colin
________________________________________
Front Street/Esplanade area, Toronto
Features: Nice architecture, shops and outdoor cafes, greenspace with
flowers and water fountain.
Location: Front St. & Market St.
Permit: None required.
________________________________________
St. Lawrence Market, Toronto
Features: City architectural landmark, farmers’ market, indoor food market.
Location: Front St. & Jarvis St.
Permit: Call for permit information
Phone: 416-392-7219
________________________________________
Ashbridges Bay, Toronto
Features: Situated on Lake Ontario, features expansive beaches, a harbour
& marina, and boardwalk cafe
Location: Lakeshore Blvd. E. & Coxwell Ave.
Permit: Call for permit information
Phone: 416-392-8188
________________________________________
Hart House, U of T, Toronto
Features: Beautiful courtyard, grounds and Gothic style architecture
Location: 7 Hart House Circle (U of T Campus)
Permit: No permit required if wedding is held at Hart House.
Phone: 416.978.2187
________________________________________
Glendon College, York University, Toronto
Features: Beautiful Rose gardens, treed pathways, an old manor, and stone
walkways
Location: Bayview Ave.& Lawrence Ave.
Permit: permit required
Phone: 416-487-6798
________________________________________
Spadina House
Features: Victorian mansion surrounded by restored victorian gardens.
Location: 285 Spadina Rd.
Permit: Call for permit information
Phone: 416-392-6910
________________________________________
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Features: Fully restored rural ontario 19th century village
Location: Steeles Ave. & Jane St.
Permit: Call for permit information
Phone: (416) 736-1740 ext. 5444
________________________________________
Don Valley Brick Works, Toronto
Features: Comprised of distinctive industrial buildings, a quarry garden,
surrounded by parkland.
Location: Bayview Avenue and Pottery Road
Permit: Permission required.
Phone: 416-392-8188
________________________________________
Todmorden Mills, Toronto
Features: Adjacent to the Don Valley Brick Works historic site, the
Todmorden Mills Museum is a unique industrial settlement built in the 18th
century.
Location: Pottery Road, west of Broadview at Mortimer Ave.
Permit: permit required
Phone: 416-396-2819
________________________________________
Sunnyside Park & Pavillion, Toronto
Features: Situated on Lake Ontario, featuring beaches, Late 1800’s
architecture, iron gates, Courtyard with fountain, treed areas and a
boardwalk.
Location: Lakeshore Blvd. and Colborne Lodge Drive
Permit: $40 per hour (for up to 20 people)
Phone: 416-392-8188
________________________________________
Allan Gardens Conservatory, Toronto
Features: Six indoor greenhouses ¬ great for late fall and winter weddings.
Location: 19 Horticultural Avenue (south side of Carlton between Jarvis
and Sherbourne Streets)
Permit: $40 per hour (maximum 12 people)
Phone: 416-392-8188
Example Weddings:
________________________________________
Harbourfront, Toronto
Features: Toronto’s newest waterfront park.
Location: South side of Queen’s Quay Blvd. West (between Spadina Avenue
and Bathurst Street)
Permit: No permit required for outdoors; please call to inquire about
indoor permits.
Phone: 416.392.1111
Example Weddings:
________________________________________
North York Rose Garden, Toronto
Features: In the heart of North York, the Rose Garden has winding
pathways, mature trees and a lovely array of greenery and flowers.
Location: Northwest corner of Yonge Street and Park Horne Avenue
Permit: $12.25 per hour
Phone: 416-395-6055
________________________________________
Toronto Music Garden, Toronto
Features: Beautiful outdoor architecture, with spectacular indoor
opportunities.
Location: 65 Front Street (between Bay and York Streets)
Permit: Permission may be required, as events may be planned for certain
dates.
Phone: 416-864-3440
Example Weddings:
________________________________________
Fantasy Fair, Toronto
Features: Ontario’s only indoor amusement park, complete with rides and
attractions!
Location: Woodbine Centre, 500 Rexdale Blvd.
Permit: No permit required; however, rides can be reserved for a fee.
Phone: 416-674-5200
________________________________________
Other “Alternate” locations
Downtown Streets (candid walking shots)
Fields
Alleyways
Train Tracks
Building Ruins
Train Tracks
Other Locations to Consider
Allen Gardens
George Brown House
Humber Arboretum
Kensington Market (candid walking shots)
Mackenzie House
Old City Hall
Ryerson Campus (Gould Street)
St. James Park (downtown)
Toronto Island
Indoor Locations to Consider
Most indoor locations require permits, although often we are allowed to
take just the bride and groom inside for some quick shots, without a
permit. However, if the bridal party and/or family members need to join
the shoot, then a permit is always needed.
King Edward HotelFour Seasons Hotel
University of Toronto (Victoria College & Hart House)
Toronto City Hall
Old City Hall
Mississauga City Hall
Markham City Hall
The Eaton Centre
The Manulife Centre
Union Station / The Skywalk
Fairmont Royal York Hotel
St. Lawrence Hall
York Event Theatre
BCE Place (they will say “no” if you call in advance, but they have said
“yes” many times on the spot if we do some quick shots of just the bride
and groom)
If I found some where else interesting in toronto, I will post it up. Stay tuned!
Tags: toronto, Toronto Wedding & Bridal Resources, toronto wedding blog
15.May.08 wedding Comments (0)
Alright, after realizing that I really only need to make 5 special invitations for those who don’t use computer, so I might as well just make them myself.
I decided to make a photo wedding invitation, so hopefully people who received it will want to keep it afterwards.
You need:
a) Blank cards and paper
b) Scissors and tapes
c) A nice friend who can take you nice photos
d) Digital photo print outs
e) A bridesmaid who can print out your invitation with her home inkjet paper
f) ribbons
g) …and some patience~
TO GET STARTED…
1. Photo frame blank card - I got those from Aboveground art supplies, but I am sure you can get those any craft stores. They are a bit pricy. 10 cards for around 13 bucks.
2. Printed invitation on special paper - I got some special paper while shopping at abovegrounds, so I asked Linda to print the invitation out on her inkjet printer, and then I trimmed them with a paper trimmer.
3. Scissors, tapes, and ribbon - I got the ribbon from this store called “B&J trading” in chinatown. I don’t know how long in a roll, but I know it’s 7 bucks for a big roll.
4. Digital photo print outs - I had my friend - Byron took us photos at 6:30am at Harbourfront with -15 degree temperature. And the photo turned out nicely so I used them on the invitation. I just go to Shoppers Drug mart and they have a self-serve machine to print out your own digital prints. It’s pretty fast and not bad of a quality.
5. Putting the cards together
a) insert the photo to the photoframe card
b) put double sided tape at the back of the invitation insert
c) stick the insert to the photoframe card
6. Attaching ribbons - I want to add a ribbon to wrap around the card to add abit of kick to the look.
a) Put the double-sided tape at the edge of the ribbon and trim the ribbon to fit around the card
b) Make sure the edge matches
c) to hide the connecting part, I am going to tie a little knot.
7. Final Product - Viola!! Nice and Unique wedding invitation in few hours!
a) inside
b) outside
I am not a super crafty person, but I think I did a good job. lol
Tags: home made, invitation, wedding
13.May.08 wedding Comments (3)
few week ago, we finally sent the payment to Brian from High Five Entertainment. We didn’t really spend a lot of time looking for a DJ mainly because most of the DJ site I went.. they all suck. Either they don’t provide pricing, or their site is so outdated that needs to fix it up.
We actually got Brian’s name from Hello DJ , we were looking for someone who’s hip, fun and trendy. I think both Hello DJ and High Five fits what we were looking for. Except Hello DJ is totally booked, so we looked into High Five. The price and the package is perfect for my reception! (700 + Tax for 8Hrs of DJ-ing, and lighting rentals)
I guess now me and alex just have to figure out what music we want for the reception! stay tuned!
Tags: toronto, Toronto Wedding & Bridal Resources, toronto wedding blog, wedding dj
12.May.08 wedding Comments (0)
I just rented a car on Sat to our biggest asian mall in toronto - Pacific Mall. It’s located at the corner of Steels Aves and Kennedy.
I suppose to just pick up a pair of new eye glasses, but then I end up doing dress shopping for my bridesmaid - Linda.
If you go up to the top floor of Pacific Mall. You will find people are selling all kinds of stuff and all kinds of prices. We found this store called “earth”.
They sell dresses all under $100! It’s good for events that you just want to look fabulous for one day!
So I got a cute brown dress for Linda as her bridesmaid dress for $90, and it also includes a shawl. Best deal EVER.
Their website is at http://freedress.ca/
If you are good at bargaining, you should definitely go there to check it out!
Tags: bridesmaid, deals, evening gown, gown, toronto, Toronto Wedding & Bridal Resources, toronto wedding blog
05.May.08 wedding Comments (0)
