Many people had asked me how much that I spent on my wedding from top to bottom?
The answer is just below 16K CAD. Is that expensive? or reasonable? In fact, I don’t know. I did the best I can and I tried to minimize the spending by comparing deals.
And I have 60 people reception and not 200. I was actually quite happy to see everything turned out.
If you are interested to see my balance worksheet. Feel free to download it here.
Download Alexandpatty wedding balance sheet
Tags: toronto, Toronto Wedding & Bridal Resources, wedding resources
31.Oct.08 
wedding 
Comment (1)
Finally, after one month and half wait, my photos are now here in my hands. Jon from Union Photography dropped them off this afternoon with care. I ordered 1 8″x12″ with 16″X22″ frame for extra large signing mat that I will be using it as guestbook at my reception.
Here’s all my engagement photos. It’s around 36 images, so get ready to scroll. I will later take those and feature them on my alexandpatty.com homepage.. stay tuned.
Osgoode Hall
The Docks
The Distillery District (well, it’s near there, I don’t remember exactly where..)
Don Valley Brickworks
Tags: engagement photos, toronto, Toronto Wedding & Bridal Resources, toronto wedding blog
22.Jul.08 wedding Comments (4)
on June 25th, Alex and I along our two friends – Gloria & Maureen to taste our Menu for the wedding reception.
First of all, my general impression of it was that they were not extraordinary, but it’s acceptable.
The Soup – Caramelized Butternut Squash Soup
For some reason, I don’t think I actually ordered this soup, the one I actually ordered is Sweet Potato & Roasted Pepper Bisque. Anyhow, this soup is not too bad, but it does not impress me as something that cost $6.50. The portion is small. It’s a cup size.
The Salad – Romaine Hearts, Radicchio, Red Oak, Endive & Watercress – with candied Pecans, Gorgonzola Cheese, Sherry – Black Truffle Vinaigrette
I think the Salad is absolutely wonderful. The taste of it is amazing. I just think it need more pecan and cheese.
The Main Course – Oven Roasted Breast of Chicken
Filled with Spinach, Ricotta and Red Pepper with Basil Cabernet Sauce
Medley of Market Fresh Vegetables
Rosemary Roasted Chateau Potatoes
It’s actually too bad when we got the food from them for the tasting, the chicken was abit too dry. I was not very happy that I actually have to talk to the chef and the catering manager to make sure everything is done right. Overcooked chicken? big no no.
The Dessert – Venetian Rhapsody
Chocolate, Hazelnut and Mocha Italian Ice Cream Tower embossed with The Old Mill Crest
Accompanied with Red Wine Berry Compote
Literally, this is just an ice cream but setup a fancy way. This is actually not my ice cream when I got it. This is actually Gloria and Maureen’s ice cream. The one we had has no crest stamped on it, and the ice cream has freezer burn.
So after the food tasting, we immediately address those issue to the Chef and the Catering manager. Especially this 4 course meal is 62 dollar person, then I really want to get them done right.
Tags: menu tasting, old mill in, toronto
10.Jul.08 wedding Comment (1)
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.
****UPDATE*****
Before you are heading out there to take photos, make sure you call ahead and ask for fees/rules..etc. The list I have below might be outdated for the fees listed.
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
(U of T Harthouse wedding)
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. $200 (please call ahead to confirm)
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: 67 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) 392-1111
________________________________________
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
Todmorden Mills
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 jointhe 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 (5)
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 Comment (1)
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)
