(Not Just Pretty — Actually Useful Advice for Queer Couples in Love)

Weddings are evolving in exciting ways — from how people eat and celebrate to where they say “I do.” Whether your celebration is big or intimate, here’s a guide that mixes trend insight, practical tips, and creative ideas to help you plan a day (or weekend) that feels like you.

Wedding Catering: Eat, Drink, and Be Unforgettable

Gone are the days of a generic sit-down dinner that no one remembers. Today’s catering trends blend taste, experience, and personality — and they’re perfect for couples who want food to be part of the story.

High-Low Pairings & Playful Menus

Couples are mixing elevated ingredients with comfort classics — like caviar with fries or popsicles with prosecco — as a way to surprise and delight guests. These combos bring fun energy and personality to the menu.

Sustainable, Local & Eco-Friendly

Plant-based dishes, farm-to-table menus, and locally sourced food are trending strong in 2025. These choices are not only delicious — they reflect values many couples share: community, sustainability, and supporting local makers.

Interactive & Immersive Stations

Food stations (like build-your-own pasta bars, grazing tables, or interactive dessert walls) make the meal a social event. These spaces encourage movement, conversation, and joy — especially great if you want your reception to feel lively and inclusive.

Global Flavors & Cultural Fusion

Menus that blend cultural tastes — Mediterranean mezze, Asian-Latin fusion bites, or Middle Eastern platters — bring more meaning and connection to your celebration, especially if food reflects your heritage or travel stories.

Tip: Talk with your caterer about dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free, celebrant favorites) early — that’s now part of what good service means.

Choosing a Venue: Beyond Four Walls

Your venue is more than a pretty backdrop — it sets the tone and flow of your wedding day.

Sustainability Matters and we’re seeing couples increasingly choosing eco-friendly venues that reduce waste, support local ecosystems, or come with sustainability credentials. Outdoor spaces — gardens, vineyards, forests — are especially popular for their natural beauty and “green” feel.

Think outside the ballroom. Non-traditional spaces like museums, art galleries, industrial lofts, private estates, or rooftops are trending. They offer more unique vibes and help weddings feel personal instead of cookie-cutter.

Successful venues offer multiple use spaces — outdoor ceremony, cocktail hour in a covered courtyard, and indoor reception — giving couples variety without moving places.

Practical Venue Tips
• Book early — popular locations fill up fast.
• Ask about noise restrictions, lighting, chairs, and vendor policies (especially if food, DJ or décor come from outside).
• Think guest access — parking, transit, accessibility make a big difference for everyone.

Tip: Consider what feels like home for you — a venue near family, somewhere you love to visit, or even a destination that holds special meaning.

Trends Across the Wedding World — Why They Matter

Here’s what the wedding community is talking about — trends that go beyond aesthetics to shape how weddings feel and function:

Sustainability Isn’t Optional

From plant-based meals to low-waste invites and eco-friendly décor, sustainability is central — couples want their celebration to reflect care for the planet.

Bold Colors & Strong Personality

Rich jewel tones, unexpected décor, and statement florals are replacing neutral palettes — weddings are becoming visual extensions of couple identity, not just traditions.

Intimate & Intentional Celebrations

Smaller guest lists and multi-day experiences are growing. People are choosing deeper connection over big numbers, which often frees budget for better food, venues, and unique experiences.

Tech & Connection

Live-streamed vows, QR programs, and interactive guest experiences are keeping far-flung loved ones included and making planning easier.

Final Thought: Make It Yours

A wedding in 2025 isn’t about following the script — it’s about creating something that feels true to you and your partner. Whether you lean into trends or break all the rules, the goal remains the same: a celebration that reflects your love, your community, and the life you’re building together.

Before the Rings: Conversations Every Queer Couple Deserves to Have

For queer couples, marriage is often more than a celebration — it carries history, visibility, resilience, and choice. While weddings focus on a single day, marriage is built through conversations that happen long before and long after the rings are exchanged.

Marriage isn’t just a wedding — it’s a series of conversations.

Taking time to talk openly about expectations, values, and realities can create a stronger foundation — one rooted in intention rather than assumption.

Defining What Marriage Means to You

Marriage doesn’t arrive with a single definition, especially for queer couples. Some grew up without seeing relationships like theirs reflected in tradition, while others are intentionally reshaping what commitment looks like.

Before planning anything else, it’s worth asking: What does marriage actually represent for us? Is it emotional security, legal protection, shared life-building, spiritual commitment, or something else entirely?

Talking this through helps partners align on expectations — around independence, partnership, and long-term goals — rather than defaulting to scripts that were never designed with queer lives in mind.

Chosen Family, Birth Family, or Both

One of the most meaningful (and sometimes complex) parts of queer marriage is deciding who holds space in your life together.

Some couples are surrounded by deeply supportive birth families. Others rely primarily on chosen family — or a mix of both. Discussing boundaries early helps avoid unspoken tension later.

Who is involved in decision-making? How do you navigate holidays, caregiving, or public milestones? What does support look like when things are difficult, not just celebratory?

There’s no right structure — only what feels respectful, safe, and affirming for both partners.

Money, Power & Protection

Finances are one of the least glamorous but most important conversations couples can have. Queer couples, in particular, often navigate unequal income histories, delayed financial security, or gaps in legal protection.

Talking openly about money — savings, debt, shared expenses, and financial autonomy — isn’t about mistrust. It’s about clarity and care.

Understanding how power shows up financially allows couples to build systems that feel fair, transparent, and protective of both partners, now and in the future.

Safety, Visibility & Public Life

Visibility is not a neutral experience for queer people — and marriage can heighten that reality.

Couples benefit from discussing where and when they feel safe being visible, how public they want to be, and how they’ll support each other if they encounter discrimination, hostility, or emotional fatigue.

These conversations aren’t pessimistic — they’re grounding. They help partners show up for each other with awareness, empathy, and shared strategy in a world that doesn’t always offer equal safety.

Planning a Wedding That Feels Like Home

At its best, a wedding reflects more than aesthetics — it reflects belonging.

Whether the celebration is intimate or expansive, many queer couples prioritize working with affirming vendors, asking direct questions, and creating an environment where joy doesn’t require explanation or emotional labor.

A wedding should feel like home: a space where love is celebrated freely, identities are respected, and the focus stays on connection rather than performance.

In Closing

Marriage should feel like expansion, not erasure.
However it’s shaped, queer couples deserve partnerships grounded in intention, honesty, safety, and celebration — both on the wedding day and far beyond.

All photos by pexels.com

The post What’s Hot in Weddings Right Now appeared first on PinkPlayMags.

The Importance of a Master of Ceremonies (MC) at Weddings

A Master of Ceremonies may sound like a circus role, but it’s actually a big part of your wedding reception.

As your reception host, your MC plays an important role in keeping your reception running smoothly while ensuring all of your guests are having a great time.

Without an MC, your guests may be confused about what is happening and when. With so many moving parts – food service, first dances, cake cutting, speeches – it’s helpful to have someone steer the ship and keep your guests informed.

That person is your charismatic, outgoing and personable Master of Ceremonies!

Keep reading to learn all about the emcee role – what duties this person performs, how to choose the best person for the job and how to prepare them.

Plus, don’t miss our list of tips for MCs that you can share with yours!

What is a Master of Ceremonies (aka MC)?

A Master of Ceremonies at a wedding, also known as the MC, emcee or wedding host, is the person who hosts the reception. They’re up at the mic stand, introducing everyone and everything, while keeping the party running with a smile on their face.

This person is a comfortable public speaker with an engaging personality who sets the tone for your wedding reception. They can be a friend or a professional wedding vendor.

Are an MC and a DJ the same thing?

Not always! Many wedding DJs or wedding musicians offer emcee services, since they’ll be at the front of your reception anyway and already have the audio equipment set up, but not all do.

Even if a DJ does offer an add-on MC service, it’s not their main job. Their priority is the music you’ve hired them to play – that’s their area of expertise. Asking them to also be your Master of Ceremonies may mean they have less time and attention for the music.

Lastly, with DJ/MC vendors, you’ll likely receive a less personalized MC experience. Expect them to focus much more on to-the-point announcements and less time engaging with the crowd, sharing personal anecdotes about you two, etc. This works for some couples but others prefer something more personal.

What does a wedding MC do?

As the host of the wedding reception, a Master of Ceremonies is often seen on the mic making announcements. But the job is much more than just reading names off a piece of paper. Here are a list of MC duties this person might perform:

Make housekeeping announcements: Before the reception officially kicks off, the MC may make some quick housekeeping announcements, such as pointing out the location of the bathrooms or any zones that are off-limits.

Warm up the guests: Your MC is usually the one encouraging your guests to join in on the fun, whether that’s standing up to cheer as you enter or meeting you on the dance floor.

(op) Give a short speech: If you choose a friend/family member to be your MC (more on that below), they’ll often share a short speech about their relationship with you two and how much they love you before jumping into their first announcements.

Introduce the couple & the wedding party: If you’re planning a grand entrance into your reception, or even if it’s going to be more low-key, it’s customary for the Master of Ceremonies to announce your entrance to your guests.

Announce the meal, cake-cutting and last call: Throughout the night, the MC will grab the mic to let guests know about important foodie moments, such as when the buffet is open, when the cake-cutting is happening and when the bar is closing.

Invite speakers: Before each speech, the Master of Ceremonies will introduce the speaker, share their relationship to the couple and invite them up to give their speech.

Present the first dance, parent/child dances and other events: As the reception host, your MC is also responsible for letting guests know when important reception events are happening, such as the first dance, parent/child dances, bouquet/garter toss, wedding games, sparkler exit, etc.

Check in with key wedding vendors: The Master of Ceremonies will need to coordinate with your key wedding vendors to ensure they’re making announcements at the right time and when everyone is ready. For example, they’ll need to make sure the band is ready before announcing the first dance.

How to choose the right MC for your wedding

When choosing a Master of Ceremonies you’ll have to decide between asking a friend/family member or hiring a professional wedding vendor. Like most things in life, there are pros and cons to each!

Asking a friend to MC your wedding

With a friend/family member as your MC, you can expect a more casual and personal vibe. This person likely knows some of your guests and has a relationship with the two of you. That can make their MC role feel much more intimate and meaningful.

Plus, when you ask a loved one to take on the emcee role, it’s typically assumed this will be unpaid, saving you some money! An MC also doesn’t need to be licensed, so you don’t have to worry about any legal issues.

Of course, there are downsides to asking a friend to step into a “friendor” (friend + wedding vendor) role. You may worry that your friend will get stage fright or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, try to make the MC role all about them and their latest comedy routine.

You’re also putting a lot of responsibility on your friend. They have to make announcements and coordinate with your vendors throughout the night, which can feel like a big job. If they hit the open bar too hard, this job can go downhill quickly!

If you do ask a friend or family member to be your Master of Ceremonies, choose someone who is confident speaking in front of a crowd. They don’t have to be a professional speaker or comedian, but they should be outgoing and charming. This person should also be dependable and comfortable with the responsibility of the MC role.

Bonus tip: Keep language considerations in mind. If you need to translate parts of your reception for your guests, it might make sense to choose an MC who speaks that language.

Hiring a professional to MC your wedding

Your other option is to hire a professional wedding vendor to emcee your wedding. There are wedding vendors who work strictly as MCs and others, such as DJs and officiants, who do MC gigs on the side.

The big pro of hiring a pro as your Master of Ceremonies is knowing your reception is in trusted hands. This person is a professional with experience. You don’t have to worry about them being nervous, getting drunk, stealing the show or telling inappropriate jokes.

A professional will also be better at communicating with your other wedding vendors and ensuring your reception stays on schedule. You won’t have to babysit them or stress about running behind.

Of course, there are downsides to having a professional MC. This would be a paid role, so you’ll have to factor that into your wedding budget. This person also won’t know you personally, so may not be able to offer that same intimacy.

Option: Hire your wedding officiant as your MC! As wedding officiants, we’ve been asked to emcee receptions before and always have a blast doing it! You already know that your officiant is good with words and comfortable in front of a crowd – they proved that at your ceremony – so they’re a natural choice as emcee.

Plus, if your officiant has crafted a custom ceremony with you in the months leading up to your wedding, they will already know you and have a leg up over someone who just shows up for the day. And for your guests, it might be nice to have the same person leading the reception who led the ceremony.

How to prepare your emcee for the wedding

As the couple getting married, there are lots of things you can do to ensure that your Master of Ceremonies is prepared and ready to deliver at your reception.

Note that most of these tips below apply to asking a friend to MC; a professional will have some of this information already.

Give them the script, schedule and all of the details ahead of time: Your MC will need a script that tells them exactly what to say and when. But the first time they read that script shouldn’t be at your reception. Send it to them ahead of time so they have a chance to practice and ask any questions.

Set up a meeting & give them info in writing: Not only should you provide this MC script ahead of time but you should provide it in writing and, if possible, in person. That way you have a chance to chat through the reception with your emcee and ensure you’re all on the same page.

Tell them how you’d like to be introduced: It’s not enough to tell your MC, “Introduce us as the newlyweds at 5pm.” They need to know exactly how you’d like to be introduced (new last name? just your first names? no names at all?).

And if they’re introducing the wedding party or any speakers, make sure they have correct pronunciations of everyone’s names.

Tell them when they should and shouldn’t speak: Some couples prefer their emcees take the mic at precise times to make announcements while others don’t mind if their MC riffs and jumps on the mic when the mood strikes. If you have a preference, let your MC know.

Tell them anything you do or do not want included: Especially if your Master of Ceremonies is giving a little speech, make sure they know about anything you do or do not want included.

For example, maybe you do want them to acknowledge your grandparents who couldn’t be there but don’t want them to tell that one story from freshman year…

Test the audio/tech: Once at your reception, ensure your MC is comfortable with whatever audio or tech they need to use. Give them a chance to test out the mic and set up their space.

For example, they may want to leave a glass of water and copy of their MC script at the podium where they’ll be speaking from.

Introduce them to the wedding planner & other vendors: If your Master of Ceremonies will need to coordinate with your vendors (and they probably will!), introduce them to each other before the reception begins.

If you have a wedding planner, they will usually be responsible for cueing your MC and letting them know about any changes to the schedule.

Seat them close to the mic: Since your emcee has to jump up and make announcements throughout the night, you want them to be seated somewhere that’s close to the mic. Don’t make them run across your reception hall every 20 minutes!

11 Tips for Being the Best Master of Ceremonies Ever!

Want to set your MC up for success? Send them this list of tips!

1. Check in with the couple ahead of time: If they haven’t already reached out to you, check in with the couple about the schedule, dos and don’ts, the vibe they want, any venue rules, how they want the introductions to go, a script/outline for the night, etc.
2. Practice names: Make sure you have the correct pronunciation of names for everyone in the wedding party, anyone giving a speech and, of course, the newlyweds! If it helps, you can write names out phonetically (officiants do this!).
3. Practice your speech: If you’ve been asked to make a speech or share some opening remarks, make sure you practice. Check out our tips for wedding readers & speakers here.
4. Keep track of your script: Hopefully the newlyweds have provided you with a script/outline for the night with your announcements and the schedule. Read this over before the big day and keep it on you at the reception so you’re ready to go.
5. Befriend the wedding planner: The wedding planner will likely be the person cueing you for when it’s time to make an announcement or letting you know about any changes. Make sure you know who they are and look to them for guidance.
6. Test your mic/audio: Ensure you’re comfortable with the tech set up before you make your first speech/announcement.
7. Limit your drinks: No one likes a sloppy speaker. Limit your drinks or hold off on hitting the bar until your MC duties are fulfilled.
8. Keep it short: Unless the couple has asked you to make a longer speech, keep things brief. Remember, you’re often introducing another speaker or event, so there’s no need to drone on and on.
9. Keep track of the time: A large part of the emcee role is keeping the reception moving on schedule. Especially if there’s not a wedding planner, it’s up to you to watch the clock and keep things moving.
10. (op) Add a personal touch: Some MCs like to go above and beyond, adding a little personal touch to their announcements. For example, you could find out a fun fact about each speaker and use it in their introduction.
11. Remember: It’s about the couple, not you: The worst thing a Master of Ceremonies can do is steal the show. This isn’t the time to tell a long story about yourself or work on your comedy set. Your job is to be a charismatic host of the reception and shine the spotlight where it should be, on the newlyweds!

Young, Hip and Married
www.younghipandmarried.com

LGBT Wedding Photographer in Montreal

As a queer wedding photographer, it’s always a pleasure to work with other folks from the LGBT community. I love photographing love stories in all shapes and forms. But queer love stories do hold a special place.

LGBT wedding photography

Even though Canada is one of the most progressive countries for gay rights and among the first to legalize same-sex weddings, there’s still a lot of work to be done for marriage equality and for the wedding industry to become safe and affirming for all gender identities and expressions.

LGBTQ couples deserve to feel comfortable and safe throughout their wedding planning experience and their wedding day. I will tell your story with sensitivity and authenticity.

Documentary wedding photography is inclusive

Documentary wedding photography creates space for you to be yourselves in your wedding photos. By its nature, this photojournalistic approach is inclusive because it adapts to each couple. You can have natural wedding photos that truly represent you. You get to be fully yourselves and I will document your story.

Signature Wedding Album

Your wedding story deserves more than a digital gallery—it deserves to live in a timeless, tangible way. That’s why I offer my Signature Wedding Album, the perfect keepsake for your wedding memories. This album is included in my Package A and can also be added to any custom package.

Here’s what makes this album so special:

• Exceptional print quality: Your photos are printed on true photographic paper (silver halide prints with a Fuji Lustre finish). Each photographic print is then mounted onto a rigid core, creating thick durable pages.
• Lay-flat design: The flushmount binding ensures there’s no gap between pages, creating seamless panoramic spreads.
• Ideal size: The standard album is 10 x 10 inches square with 15 spreads (30 pages), providing just the right amount of space to showcase your favourite wedding moments. Page thickness is 1.5 mm.
• Refined cover materials: Choose from natural linens, silks, buckram, or sakura cotton in a variety of colours.
• Made in Canada: I work with a trusted Canadian album maker known for their high-quality craftsmanship. Each wedding album is printed and individually handmade with care.

Looking for something extra?
You can enhance your album with these upgrades:

• Additional pages to include even more moments
• Larger size to make a bold statement
• Premium cover materials for a truly distinctive feel (French velvet, Baltic Linen)
• Personalized with names or dates imprinted on the cover or spine
• Cover padding or ribbed spine for a traditional bookbinding

This isn’t just an album—it’s your first family heirloom, designed to be cherished for generations. Whether you’re flipping through it on your first anniversary or sharing it with loved ones decades later, this album will always take you back to the magic of your day.

Planning your wedding?

If you’re looking for an LGBTQIA2+ wedding photographer, please send me an email at info@esthergibbons.com! I’d be honoured to photograph your wedding.

Inclusive wedding photographer

Esther Gibbons Photography is a queer-owned and inclusive business. I welcome clients of any race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, with any body type or disability.

Esther Gibbons is a photojournalistic wedding photographer in Montreal, Quebec. Her photography is authentic, with a focus on documenting real moments between people. Her down-to-earth, friendly approach puts couples at ease and helps create natural portraits.

Esther Gibbons – www.esthergibbons.com

What to Write in an LGBTQ Wedding Card

Got a transgender, lesbian or gay couple in your life who are tying the knot? That’s fantastic! If you’re feeling a little nervous about what to write in an LGBTQ wedding card, you’ve come to the right place. We have tips and ideas tailored to same-sex marriage celebrations that will help you add to the couple’s big happiness.

When you get down to the heart of things, love is love. So what you write to an LGBTQ (or queer) couple may end up sounding a lot like what you’d write to a straight cisgender couple (where both identify with the biological sex they were assigned at birth). And that’s helpful to know going in, because it means you can find even more inspiration in these other articles on what to write in wedding and shower cards.

Of course, you might choose to tailor what you write to the couple’s LGBTQ identity through word choices, or with a message of support or pride. Or you might want to use your message to welcome a family member’s same-sex partner. The way you make your message specific can be small and subtle or big and all-out. Whatever your preferred style, keep reading for writing tips and inspiration, potential pitfalls to avoid and message examples to inspire you.

Congratulations and Wishes

Sometimes you just want to keep things short and happy and sweet—and that’s perfect.

Examples:

• “Congrats and best wishes, gentlemen!”
• “Congratulations to the bride and broom on your big day!” (Note: “Broom” is a combination of “bride” + “groom” that some LGBTQ marriers [most often women] choose for their wedding day.)
• “So thrilled for you, Cody and Levi!”
• “Here’s to the brides-to-be!”
• “Two men who love each other, one great adventure ahead of you…Warmest congratulations on your marriage.”
• “Congratulations, Anne and Michelle! I just couldn’t be happier for the two of you.”
• “Here’s to becoming ‘old married men’! So happy for you!”
• “Partners in love…in life…for always. Congrats!”
• “Congratulations! You’re going to be wonderful spouses to each other.”
• “This calls for Theirs & Theirs towels! Congratulations, you two!” (Note: Using “Theirs & Theirs” in place of “His & Hers” works for a couple who both identify as gender nonbinary and prefer the pronouns “they/their” instead of “he/his” or “she/her” for themselves.)

Writing tip: If you noticed that the gendered names and nouns are all that make some of these LGBTQ-specific, you’re right. The same goes for the intentionally gender-neutral message examples. And it’s because—queer or straight—the warmth and joy really are the same.

Compliments

“Please don’t tell us we’re good-looking, good together, meant to be and/or made for each other,” said no couple ever. In other words, tell ’em how wonderful they are!

Examples:

• “Good guys like you deserve each other!”
• “Greg, when Joey first introduced you to me, I thought you two were a good match. And now it turns out I was right! So happy for you both.”
• “Hope your wedding is as beautiful as you two.”
• “I just love seeing two women as amazing as you end up together. Congratulations.”
• “Congrats on being each other’s Prince Charming.”
• “Mx. and Mx. has such a nice ring to it!” (Note: Mx. is a gender-neutral title you can use in place of Mr. or Mrs.)
• “Two remarkable people. One wonderful couple. Congrats!”
• “Here’s to the spouse and spouse! We love seeing how happy you make each other.”
• “The love you’ve found together was made to last. Celebrating with you as you begin your journey as lifetime partners.”

Writing tip: If you’re unsure of your recipients’ preferences when it comes to gendered pronouns, keep in mind that signing a card usually doesn’t call for a “he,” “she” or “they,” but a “you,” which is gender-neutral and applies to all of us.

So, even if one or both of your recipients identify as gender nonbinary, you can still write, “Happy for you!” or “So glad you found each other” or even “Can’t wait to celebrate y’all!”

If you want to keep other language choices gender-neutral, consider using one or more of these:
• “Mx.” instead of “Mr.” or “Mrs.”
• “Spouse,” “partner” or “significant other” in place of “husband” or “wife”
• “Celebrant” or “marrier” instead of “bride” or “groom”

Pride and Support

Expressing pride, embracing the couple with words of support, celebrating the hard-earned right to marry—any of these approaches can be a great way into a warm wedding or engagement message for an LGBTQ couple.

Examples:

• “Standing proud with the two of you in celebration of your marriage.”
• “We love and support you, and we’re so proud of you.”
• “Crying lots of proud and happy tears for you!”
• “Full of pride for the joyful, fun, loving, made-for-each-other couple you are.”
• “I know the journey the two of you took to get here. Can’t wait to see where you go from today.”
• “You’ve got love. And you’ve got us. We’re with you all the way.”
• “Your love is inspiring. You’re a shining example of what happens when two people who are meant to be do what it takes to be together.”
• “Even in a crazy world, love finds a way. So happy it did for the two of you.”

Writing tip: A pride message is not required. Even if what you write is purely focused on love, happiness and wishes, you’ll still be expressing support for the couple. Cards are powerful like that.

To Family

When you’re writing to a family member who’s newly engaged or about to be married, it’s great to infuse your written message with an added note of warmth and welcome. After all, their spouse-to-be is about to become family, too!

Examples:

• “Our family is growing by one son-in-law…and so much love. Couldn’t be happier about that!”
• “So happy our daughter found the perfect woman to share her life.”
• “I never expected I’d be getting the coolest new brother ever thanks to my doofus old brother. Wonders never cease!”
• “Welcome to the fam! You’re the best thing to happen to this bunch since who knows when.”
• “Seeing the two of you so happy together makes the whole family that much happier.”
• “We knew it would take someone extra special to be right for you, and you found them. Yay!”
• “I couldn’t have picked a better partner for my daughter. You make her so happy, and that means everything to me.”
• “Look no further for a squad. We’re all here cheering, supporting and welcoming you into the family.”

Writing tip: Some of the message examples above are directed more toward one person in the couple, and that makes sense. You might want to say different things to your current family member and your soon-to-be family member. You could address each of them individually within the same card. Or you could send an additional card to one or both of them.

Humor

If you’re close to one or both halves of the couple, and you know they’d appreciate a funny or lighthearted wish, then feel free to make them laugh with what you write.

Examples:

• “Double garter [bouquet] toss! Bonus!”
• “If there’s any justice, a giant rainbow will appear in the sky on your wedding day!”
• “A pair of queens is always a good hand. I’m all in on this bet!”
• “We hope it’s the gayest affair ever!”
• “You were good as single ladies. But I’m glad you put a ring on it, because you’re even better together!”
• “Looking forward to the best wedding playlist ever. I’ll get my moves ready.”
• “May your wedding day be so fabulously happy, it goes down in HIS-tory.”
• “You’ve been significant others for a while now. And now you’re even more significant to each other…if that’s even possible!”
• “You two make a helluva lot more sense than a lot of the other couples in this family.”

Writing tip: Humor is best saved for those you know well. So, when in doubt, don’t joke around. Keep your wishes warm and heartfelt instead.

Warm Closings

A warm closing before your signature is the perfect wrap-up for your wedding or engagement message. Here are some conventional closings, but feel free to come up with your own unique sign-off if that’s more your style.

Examples:

• Warmly,
• Sincerely,
• Cheers!
• Best wishes!
• All life’s best to you,
• Congratulations!
• Congratulations and best wishes,
• Warmest congratulations,
• Heartfelt congratulations,
• So happy!
• Blessings,
• Love,
• With love,
• Lots of love,
• Love always,

Hallmark Canada www.hallmark.ca

3 Wedding Trends to Look Out For

Calling all lovebirds planning to tie the knot in 2024, get ready to elevate your wedding game to a whole new level with the hottest trends in décor and catering. From indoor extravaganzas to outdoor soirees, we’ve got the scoop on the must-haves for a wedding that will have your guests talking for years to come.

1. Elaborate Hanging Florals

Florals have always been a staple in wedding decor, but in 2024, we’re taking it to new heights – literally. In addition to traditional centrepieces, reach a new level of elegance with elaborate hanging floral installations. Imagine a breathtaking cascade of blooms suspended from the ceiling, creating a floral wonderland that will leave your guests in awe. It’s like walking into a dreamy garden, right in the heart of Toronto. This trend is perfect for both indoor and outdoor weddings, bringing a touch of whimsical romance to your special day. Not only does this trend transform the visual landscape but also opens new possibilities for the use of space. It allows for a dynamic flow, freeing up tabletops for more decorative elements or creating an unobstructed view for guests. The suspended florals become a conversation starter, a piece of living art that captivates and connects the guests to the essence of the celebration.

2. Statement Ceremony Aisles

It’s time to ditch the traditional straight rows and welcome a seating arrangement that’s as unique as your love story. Close your eyes and let me take you away for a minute: Envision a runway-style aisle that weaves through your venue, allowing your guests to feel like VIPs at a fashion show. Curved seating arrangements not only add a touch of drama but also ensure that every guest has a front-row seat to witness your love story unfold. It’s a subtle yet impactful way to make your wedding ceremony stand out and keep your guests engaged from start to finish. The departure from the ordinary transforms your nuptial setting into a stage, setting the tone for a ceremony nothing short of spectacular. In the vibrant heart of Toronto, a city known for its cosmopolitan charm and eclectic tastes, a statement ceremony aisle is a perfect fit! It’s a fusion of urban sophistication and individual expression, reflecting the spirit of a city that embraces uniqueness.

3. Mocktail Renaissance

Raise a glass to the return of the mocktail! Elevated bars featuring quality non-alcoholic beverages are making a stylish comeback. This year couples are incorporating more variety and prioritizing flavor with an assortment of savory seasonal ingredients. Whether it’s Watermelon Mint for the summer or Chai-Spiced Cider for the fall, mocktails to die for have found their place on the menu once again. It’s not merely about offering alcohol-free alternatives; it’s about curating a menu that stands proudly alongside its spirited counterparts. Couples are recognizing that a well-crafted mocktail can be just as complex and satisfying, proving that sophistication is not limited to spirits.

To wrap it all up, Toronto’s wedding scene for 2024 is all about pushing the boundaries and creating an experience that’s as extraordinary as your love story. From suspended grandiose florals to runway-inspired seating, interactive food stations and the return of the delicious mocktail, your options are endless. Embrace the trends that resonate with you and make your wedding a celebration that reflects your personality and style. After all, love is in the details, and 2024 weddings are all about making those details unforgettable. Get ready to say “I do” in style, Toronto – your wedding wonderland awaits!

Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events – www.danieletdaniel.ca

Sweet Traditions: The Enduring Importance of Wedding Cakes

Discover the rich history and symbolism of wedding cakes, from ancient Rome to modern custom designs, and learn how to choose the perfect cake for your special day.

The Evolution of the Wedding Cake

Ah, the journey of the wedding cake—a tale of tradition and transformation that reflects the evolving customs of matrimony! As a cake artist, I must admit I lean more towards creation than history. In my consultations with enthusiastic couples eager to design their dream wedding cake, I often hear:

“I don’t like cake, but everyone says I need a cake…”

“Why do I need a wedding cake? There’s already so much food and dessert…”

If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. Many couples grapple with the idea of a traditional wedding cake. The key here is to remember that your wedding is a reflection of your unique bond and personal style.

So, before opting for a cheese wheel, cupcake tower, or your favorite apple pie, let’s uncover the origins of the wedding cake. With the wedding cake evolving from simple wheat cakes to elaborate confections, who knows? I might just have to revisit this history lesson to explain the origins of the timbit towers that replaced the wedding cake.

Ancient Roman Beginnings

In ancient Rome, the wedding cake was simpler than the modern-day creations I craft today. It featured a basic cake made from wheat or barley. Here’s the twist: instead of eating the cake, it was broken over the bride’s head. This act was believed to bring good luck and a fruitful union with many children, marking the beginning of cakes in weddings as symbols of joy and community.

Medieval England’s Contribution

Fast forward to the Middle Ages in England, the concept of the wedding cake started to resemble what I recognize today. Guests brought small spiced buns to the wedding, stacking them high. If the bride and groom could kiss over this tall stack without it falling, they were assured a happy life together—a real teamwork test!

The 17th Century and Bride’s Pie

By the 17th century, weddings featured the bride’s pie, a savory dish filled with meats and seafood, unlike the sweet fruit-filled pies I enjoy now. It was considered polite for guests to eat a slice, showing respect and goodwill toward the couple.

The Rise of Sugar and Ornate Cakes

As sugar became more available and affordable in the 18th century, wedding cakes became sweeter and more elaborate. A pivotal moment was Queen Victoria’s wedding in the 19th century, where she showcased a stunning white cake. This not only set a trend but also symbolized status—the white icing showed the use of pure sugar, a luxury then.

Thank you, Queen Victoria!

The Modern Wedding Cake

By the late 19th century, no wedding was complete without a cake. It was crucial not just for its flavour, but also as a central piece of wedding décor. Today, wedding cakes can be as unique as the couples themselves, from grand multi-tiered showpieces to simple designs. They reflect the couple’s personality and style, embodying their unique love story. Although styles and flavors may vary, the role of the wedding cake as a key part of celebrating marriage and sharing happiness remains the same.

Sweet Traditions: The Symbolic Layers of Wedding Cakes

The wedding cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a hallmark of the celebration, filled with symbolic meanings that enrich the ceremony. Each tier, decoration, and flavor can represent different aspects of the couple’s life and future aspirations.

Likewise, the act of cutting the cake together, often the first task performed jointly as a married couple, is a powerful symbol of their new union and shared responsibilities.

The Cake-Cutting Ceremony: A Nod to Tradition and Unity

The cake-cutting ceremony is often the first act performed by a newly married couple and is steeped in tradition and symbolism. This ritual marks their first cooperative task as a married duo, emphasizing their commitment to mutual support and shared responsibilities. When they slice the cake, they’re symbolically cutting through the obstacles they may face together.

Sharing the cake with guests is more than a gesture of hospitality; it extends their union and happiness to their loved ones. This gesture also expresses gratitude to those who support and celebrate with them on their special day. This moment captures joy and gratitude, a joining of tradition with new beginnings in their journey ahead.

Building Memories: The Symbolic Structure of Wedding Cakes

Ever find yourself wondering why wedding cakes are often grand towers designed to feed an army? I sometimes playfully point to enthusiastic family members, ahem, mothers, who insist on a large cake to ensure everyone gets a slice—and maybe a little extra for luck!

The design of the wedding cake, from the number of tiers to their height, is rich with symbolism. Each tier can represent a significant milestone in the couple’s journey together, illustrating the progression of their relationship. The structure of the cake reflects the path they will walk as partners.

Floral, Frosting, and Figures: Symbols on Wedding Cakes

Sugar Flowers: I often decorate wedding cakes with intricate sugar flowers, each type of flower carrying its own meaning. For instance, roses symbolize love and romance, while lilies represent purity and unity. These edible blooms not only make the cake look stunning but also infuse it with layers of symbolic significance.

White Icing: Traditionally, wedding cakes are covered in white icing, which symbolizes purity and the start of a new life together. The pristine white of the icing was also historically a sign of affluence; pure white sugar was expensive, so having a white cake was a display of wealth and social status.

Cake Toppers: The figures that sit atop the cake, typically represent the bride and groom, are rich in symbolism. Originating from the late 19th century, these toppers signify the couple’s togetherness and their shared journey into married life. Contemporary toppers can vary widely, often personalized to depict the unique interests or humor of the couple, but they still hold the traditional symbol of unity.

Each decoration adds beauty and meaning to the wedding cake, making it a key symbol in the celebration. These elements blend to reflect the couple’s unique story, showing how important the right cake is to the wedding’s overall feel and theme.

Now, let’s dive into how to pick the perfect wedding cake that not only looks amazing but also captures your personal and traditional values.

How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Cake

While the classic white wedding cake remains popular for its simplicity, contemporary cakes can vary as much as the couples themselves. Cake designers push the limits of creativity to craft stunning creations that taste incredible and visually embody the couple’s theme and personal style. Whether opting for elegance or innovation, the wedding cake should reflect the bride and groom’s personalities.

Designing your wedding cake is a fun and creative process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you customize the perfect wedding cake for your special day.

Wedding Cake Inspiration

Start by gathering inspiration. Social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are great for finding a plethora of cake designs showcasing various styles, colors, and themes. Use hashtags like #weddingcake or #cakeinspiration to discover the latest trends and unique ideas from professional bakers and cake designers. Additionally, visit our online wedding cake gallery for a more curated selection of designs, where you’ll find detailed images of past cakes that offer insights into different techniques, decoration choices, and tier arrangements.

Choosing Your Flavors

Once you’re inspired, it’s time to think about the flavors. Although I still get requests for the random fruitcake, customer favourites include: crunchy Hazelnut, rich and smooth Raspberry Cheesecake, and classics like Madagascar Vanilla Bean and decadent Chocolate Truffle. To help you decide, we offer a gorgeously packaged cake tasting box, complete with a flavor card to make the decision easier and fun. Each box includes all 14 flavors so you can taste each one and decide which you prefer or how to mix them for different layers of your cake.

Determining the Size of Your Wedding Cake

The size of your wedding cake depends on several factors such as the number of guests, whether there’s a dessert table, and your desire for the cake to be a grand centerpiece. Typically, you’ll want a cake that serves about 60% of your total guest count. Deciding this early helps in planning the scale and design of the cake to ensure it fits perfectly within your wedding setup.

Finalizing Your Wedding Cake Design

Designing the perfect wedding cake that reflects your personal style and complements your wedding theme involves a few critical steps. From confirming the availability of your cake artist to bringing your vision to life during a consultation, here’s how to ensure that your wedding cake is everything you’ve dreamed of.

Confirm the Availability of Your Cake Artist

Venue and Date: Start by providing your cake designer with the location and date of your wedding. This is crucial for checking their availability and scheduling the delivery and setup of your cake.

Provide Inspiration

Create Mood Boards: Collect digital images or create mood boards that include your color theme, floral arrangements, invitations, and decor. This will serve as inspiration and help your cake artist understand the aesthetic you are aiming for.

Details Matter: Consider elements that might be special to you, such as lace patterns from the wedding dress or specific motifs from your wedding invitations, to incorporate into the cake design.

Book a Consultation

Schedule a time to meet with your cake designer to discuss the inspiration and details you’ve gathered. This fone-on-one consultation is a chance to ensure your expectations align with their design capabilities.

Show and Tell

Provide Examples and Feedback: During the consultation, show the mood boards and specific images you’ve collected. Discuss what you like about each example and how it might translate into your cake design.

Be open to suggestions from your cake artist. They can offer valuable insights on enhancing your ideas with their expertise.

Finalizing your wedding cake design is an exciting part of the wedding planning process. By following these steps, you ensure that your cake artist has a clear understanding of your vision and that the final product will seamlessly integrate with your wedding’s overall aesthetic. Remember, the goal is to create a cake that looks stunning and tastes delightful, making your special day even more memorable.

End on a Sweet Note: Your Wedding Cake, Your Story

As I’ve explored, the wedding cake is far more than just a confection; it’s a storied symbol of celebration, steeped in tradition and rich with meaning.

The wedding cake reflects cultural heritage and personal style, from its roots in ancient Rome to its ornate manifestations in modern ceremonies. Today, choosing the perfect wedding cake is about blending these historic elements with individual preferences to create a centerpiece that tastes as good as it looks and means something special to the couple.

Whether you’re opting for a cake decked with sugar flowers that symbolize new beginnings or experimenting with flavors that scream ‘adventure,’ remember, your wedding cake is a slice of your story—make it deliciously memorable!

I’d love to hear from you: What unique twist would you want to add to your wedding cake to make it truly your own?

I Do! Wedding Cakes – www.idoweddingcakes.ca

The post Matrimony 2025 appeared first on PinkPlayMags.

Love with No Bounds: Celebrate Your Union at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

If the big day is coming up for you and your partner, look no further than the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto to celebrate your love.

Nestled in downtown Toronto, the Chelsea Hotel offers a fusion of contemporary ambiance, customizable all-inclusive packages, and budget-friendly accommodations in one central location. Whether your vision is intimate or extravagant, traditional, or uniquely yours, count on our team of event experts to skillfully bring your authentic wedding daydreams to life.

As one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world, Toronto is vibrant and fun, with many 2SLGBTQIA+ events centered in and around the Church-Wellesley Village. And what’s more – the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto is a short walking distance from The Village.

The hotel has always been a home away from home for members and allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community looking for a comfortable place to stay for a remarkable value, while also being connected to all the exciting attractions and events the city offers. In addition, being the largest hotel in Canada with 1590 rooms, you can bet we have space for you and your guests to stay on your wedding night, so you can simply take the elevator back to your room. Room blocks can also be arranged for preferred rates.

At the Chelsea, prioritizing client happiness is paramount. Specializing in and advocating for diverse multi-cultural and non-gender specific weddings, we bring our extensive experience to curate joyful wedding celebrations. Embracing various cultural and 2SLGBTQIA+ ceremonies, our venue offers a versatile array of options, ensuring a personalized and delightful experience tailored to meet every couple’s unique needs.

There are 21 event spaces at the hotel, with both outdoor and indoor spaces available. The functional options can accommodate up to 400 guests. From the Monarchs pub, to ballrooms, to the outdoor Market Garden patio, we definitely have the space for you.

Let’s not forget one of the most important elements of a wedding – the food! Our Executive Chef Gaurav Kapoor and his culinary team will showcase the freshest seasonal, local ingredients, impressing your guests with tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, chef-attended stations, elegant dinner entrées, and enjoyable late-night snacks.

With over 40 years of creating lifelong memories and surpassing expectations, the Chelsea excels in hosting a range of wedding events. Don’t shy away from what is important to you on your wedding day – bright décor, specialty cocktails, sashaying down the Mountbatten Laneway, there are no limits.

Work with an excellent team of event experts who are also certified wedding specialists. Anticipate an enjoyable and hassle-free journey with hands-on assistance guiding you all the way to your special day.

We cannot wait to host you as you say, “I do.”

Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
www.chelseatoronto.com

2SLGBTQIA+ Wedding Photography in the Heart of Toronto

A wedding is a joyous and celebratory occasion for all couples. For LGBT couples, however a wedding takes on a special significance. After all, same-sex marriages are a relatively new phenomenon even in progressive Canada. The first country outside of Europe and the fourth country in the whole world to legalise gay marriage, Canada has played host to some truly spectacular gay weddings. This is a hard-won right for the gay community. And there’s something truly triumphant about gay weddings that’s marvellous to behold.

As a wedding photographer it is a genuine pleasure to play a part in a wide variety of diverse yet equally special wedding days. A gay wedding can be as special and wondrous as it gets.

Of course, if you prefer a more sedate and low-key concept for your big day, that can be just as beautiful in its own way. The beauty of same-sex weddings (and, indeed all contemporary weddings) is that you can embrace tradition as much or as little as you like. Let’s take a walk through some of the fundamentals of an amazing LGBT engagement and wedding…

Rings and things

An engagement ring is traditionally given and received by those who want to make a solemn commitment. However, not everyone is a huge fan of rings. Indeed, a proposal is more than acceptable without any form of twinkly token. If your intended Mr. or Mrs. would prefer a trinket more befitting their personal style an engagement watch, engagement cufflinks, an engagement earring or an engagement necklace are also perfectly appropriate.

“Coming out” to your vendors

Most vendors such as venues, wedding planners, bakers and decorators of wedding cakes, room decorations and the like will be delighted to accommodate a gay-friendly wedding. However, as upsetting as this may be, there may be some who will only cater for heterosexual couples. As such, LGBT couples face a difficult choice, whether to “come out” to their vendors straight away. The choice is ultimately up to you, although the same-sex nature of your wedding will likely go a long way towards dictating your wedding’s aesthetic and so it may be in your best interests to be honest and open from the start.

LGBT wedding readings

Your choice of wedding readings adds a splash of personal colour to your ceremony. It can put a smile on the faces of guests or reduce everyone in the room to tears. It can add a very personal brand of solemnity to your proceedings. However, finding gender neutral readings can be tricky. If there are none that strike a personal chord with you, Wedding Wire has some great ones. There are no right or wrongs. A reading can be anything from a bible passage to a few lines from your favourite book. So long as it speaks to you and your partner and the love you share, that’s all that matters.

Your vows

Traditional wedding vows are markedly heteronormative. As such, you may wish to eschew them for your own. This can be an intimidating task (nothing as momentous as wedding vows should be easy) but it can also be extremely liberating to unshackle yourself from tradition. There are no right or wrong answers here and this is a classic example of where the best thing to do is to listen to your heart. If you’re truly lost for words, however, The Knot has some cool scripts that may be useful starting points for you.

Pride is what you make of it

As a same-sex couple, it’s likely that you want to use your wedding not only as a celebration of your love for one another but as a celebration of your gay pride. The great thing is that there are numerous ways to do this, and you can be as subtle or as flamboyant with it as you like. Some LGBT couples like to layer their wedding cake with different coloured sponges to recreate the Pride rainbow flag. Other couples may choose to represent these colours in a sensational multicoloured floral bouquet. Even multi-coloured balloons can be a great way to showcase your pride in a fun and engaging way.

What matters the most is that you and your guests have an amazing time celebrating your love!

Christophe Viseux Photography
https://christopheviseux.ca

info@christopheviseux.ca

Same-Sex Ceremonies at Bellamy Loft – Gay Weddings Packages in Toronto

Love is love. At Bellamy Loft, we accept all couples who want to celebrate their union. We have packages suited for any type of wedding you want. Elopement, intimate, or grand, we can make your dream day come true. We have the utmost respect for the LGBTQ community and will work together with you and your partner to make sure that your love is celebrated the way you want.

Wedding Ceremony

Get married conveniently in style! Perfect for elopements or those who want a stylish ceremony without a reception. Here are some options for you:

Just Making It Legal: officiant, decor, legal paper signing only (no ceremony)

Simply Married: officiant, decor, ceremony, music, bouquet & more

Micro Weddings

Intimate weddings are just as beautiful & special. Designed for couples with a guest list with 50 people or less. Our micro wedding packages are completely customizable. Get in touch with us and we’ll make sure to make your celebration extraordinary.

Intimate Ceremony & Reception

Wedding Ceremony Packages

Off-Site Wedding Packages

All-Inclusive Weddings

We love making our clients feel relaxed even during wedding planning. Tell us what you want, and we can make it happen for you. Our all-inclusive wedding packages take care of everything you want and need on your big day. No more stressing over the nitty-gritty. This includes our venue that can accommodate up to 100 guests, catering, decor, entertainment, and a whole lot more.

Customizable Packages

Ceremony & Reception Packages

Wedding Reception Packages

We simply love weddings and are fortunate to have formed solid business relationships with different suppliers and creatives in the same industry. For any additional concerns or requests, let us know and we’ll help you with other services you may need. We make celebrations easy and convenient. Whether it’s makeup, entertainment, music, transportation, photographers – inform us so we can assist you properly.

Customize your wedding day for a truly personal ceremony and reception. Choose a package from our options above and check out our available add-ons. Everything about this special day can be tailor-fitted to your needs. We’re just as excited as you are. Make wonderful memories at Bellamy Loft!

Bellamy Loft
https://www.bellamyloft.com
hello@bellamyloft.com

Same-Sex Weddings with Peg Evans – Toronto and Surrounding Areas

I am proud to live in a country which acknowledges the right of LGBTQ couples to be lawfully married. While it is an honour to perform ceremonies of all types, there is for me, a sense of heightened importance in performing same-sex unions.

Knowing that same-sex marriages were only legally recognized in Canada in 2001 (the fourth country in the world to do so at the time), and in 2003 in Ontario, lends an element of triumph to these ceremonies. I also feel a sense of gratitude to those who have worked and struggled to advance gay rights, making LGBTQ union ceremonies a reality.

The creative process for developing a same-sex ceremony is no different from any other ceremony. Both individuals are publicly declaring their love and commitment to each other. They are pledging to continue that love, care, and support for the rest of their lives. That said, as a ceremony expert, I recognize that same-sex unions require special awareness of their many unique elements. For example:

What do you want to call the ceremony?

What do you want to call each other?

What pronouns do you want to use?

Whatever your preference for language and logistics, I will work with you to create a ceremony that is inclusive, respectful, and most importantly, joyous.

Let’s begin the conversation.

Peg Evans – Toronto-based Wedding Officiant, specializes in Same-sex weddings,
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Weddings.
www.pegevans.com

Fabulous Wedding Ideas for Gay and Lesbian Couples

Same-sex weddings are becoming more and more common. If you’re planning for a gay or lesbian wedding, we have some fabulous ideas to inspire you, from subtle touches to dramatic details, whether they’re same sex cake toppers gift ideas or romantic wedding photos. Get inspired now!

Wedding Ceremony Seating Signs

You will be able to welcome your wedding guest with these fun signs to let them know that there are no planned seating assignments.

Here Comes the Brides/Grooms Signs

If you are looking for a fun way to make an entrance, these cute little signs certainly do just that!

Wedding Chair Signs

Because you are the VIPs, and everyone needs to know it!

Wedding Cake Toppers

It’s time add a personal touch with a wedding topper of you and your fiancé once you have chosen your wedding cake design.

Cute Cupcakes for Gay and Lesbian Weddings

Scrumptious little desserts should reflect your personalities and cupcakes are the perfect fit to show off exactly how awesome you two are.

Wedding Photography

You will look marvelous on your wedding day, so make sure you allow enough time with your photographer to capture your couple pictures.

Others

These are something special for the seating assignments and for the couple’s cake/dessert table.

Elegant Wedding Invites
www.elegantweddinginvites.com

A Guide To Wedding Rings For Same-Sex Couples – James Allen

Your wedding ring is the ultimate reflection of the lifelong commitment you’ve made to your special someone. But can it be stylish and unique to your relationship? Of course! Join us as we explore classic and contemporary designs and concepts for same-sex couple wedding bands.

Wedding Rings for Same-Sex Couples 

So, you’re finally heading down the aisle, but you need that special ring that says forever and looks great?

Wedding ring shopping is far less stressful than picking out an engagement ring. Why? Well, this is something you and your partner can do together, there are a ton of classic and non-traditional rings to pick from, and you can make it as sentimental as you want.

Picking a wedding ring has about as many rules for same-sex couples as it does for any other couple. The beauty of a wedding ring is that your chosen band will always remind you of your partner whenever you catch a glimpse of it. That’s why you can let your imaginations run wild and truly get a wedding ring that you love and that reflects your relationship.

From matching wedding bands to rings with diamond accents and carved patterns, let us inspire you with our top picks for wedding rings for same-sex partners.

Matching wedding rings are a fun and sentimental choice for couples who want to be connected in a special way- like two halves of a whole. Wedding bands already carry such beautiful symbolism that getting matching bands only adds to your commitment and bond.

But there are many ways to match that aren’t a direct copy-paste. Here are some of our favorite matching wedding rings with a twist.

Traditional same-sex couple wedding bands

If you and your fiancé prefer the more traditional route, that is, plain precious metal bands, we recommend going for the classic yellow and white gold route or even platinum.

Classic wedding bands for men are usually a little thicker and also come in a variety of comfort-fit settings that can be domed, curved, or even flat.

But certainly, take your lifestyle into account. Do you or your partner work intense jobs where your hands bump into things? Do you work out often and lift weights?

If so, it might be better to invest in a set of matching rings with a stronger, more alternative metal like cobalt chrome. This is a white metal that could easily pass for gold, but it’s highly durable and scratch resistant.

Traditional wedding rings for women are usually thinner gold metal bands that would typically look aesthetically pleasing with their engagement rings. However, in some cases with lesbian couples, both partners may have an engagement ring they’d like to match their wedding band too.

This could make matching the rings a little problematic unless you’ve both got the same engagement ring metal color and even ring setting style. Alternatively, you could get matching wedding bands and wear them on the opposite hand as your engagement rings.

If only one of you has an engagement ring, things get a little easier when it comes to picking your matching rings.

Non-traditional same-sex couple wedding bands

Tradition is not for everyone, especially when your personal style or even beliefs don’t coincide. Now, we always believe that any piece of jewelry you own should reflect your personality or the meaning you hold to it.

For men, carved wedding rings can add that hint of your personality with an element of modern style. These rings come in a variety of precious and alternative metals and popular two-toned options. Carved wedding rings for men aren’t just perfect for matching with your partner, but they’re also trendy and can elevate your look- from your wedding attire to your everyday outfits.

For our non-traditional ladies, we have a few stunning options up our sleeve. Maybe the best way to match without really matching is by picking the same metal color but having different designs?

Here, you both have some leeway to add elements of your personal style to your bands but keep the foundation of your rings the same.

Diamond & Gemstone Wedding Rings

While most wedding band styles steer away from flashy diamond or gemstone accents, there really is no rule saying you can’t have them.

Eternity rings are another top choice as diamond wedding rings for same-sex couples. The romantic symbolism is undeniable and perfectly represents forever, with added sparkle!

Eternity and diamond stone rings can also be customized to fit your individual preferences. Let your partner know which diamond shape you prefer and what size suits you best. A dainty diamond band is perfect if it’ll sit alongside an engagement ring, alone, or stacked with your other favorite pieces. Thicker eternity rings are better as standalone pieces.

If you and your fiancé chose not to get engagement rings, then an eternity or diamond ring is a stunning choice as a wedding ring that can still give you dazzling diamond brilliance.

Contemporary Wedding Rings For Same-Sex Couples

Is your or your partner’s style more out there and daring? If one or both of you want a truly unique wedding ring, opt for a patterned design.

What we love most about rings with imagery, uniquely placed accents, and metal shaping is that they will always feel like they were made just for you. They’re so different and often theme-specific that you will have a deep connection to your ring above and beyond its ceremonial meaning.

The best thing about contemporary wedding rings is the fact that they can mirror your interests. If you love nature or nature-inspired jewelry, there are patterned wedding bands that can reflect that.

Wedding Rings For Same-Sex Couples FAQs

Do we need matching wedding rings?

The short answer is no. Matching wedding rings for same-sex partners is no more mandatory than it is for heterosexual couples. Matching rings is a personal choice you and your partner can make together.

Which hand do we wear our rings on?

Same-sex couples have been known to wear their rings in a number of different ways. From the traditional way with the ring worn on the left hand, to both partners wearing their rings on their right hands. In the end, you should decide on the hand that is most comfortable for you.

Should we customize our wedding rings?

Customized wedding rings can add a particularly personal touch to an already significant day. If you and your partner would like to customize your wedding bands, there are plenty of places to do so in-store and online.

Should we shop together for wedding rings?

You can shop together if you’ve both planned the style of your wedding rings, or you’d like to be there to choose your own. Of course, if you want it to be a surprise, you can always drop a hint to your partner and hope for the best.

Do we have to buy each other wedding rings?

You and your significant other don’t have to buy wedding rings. Whether you don’t believe in the symbolism or you aren’t jewelry folks, it’s always up to you! There are no right or wrong ways to tie the knot.

Should we engrave our wedding bands?

As a couple, getting your wedding bands engraved is a common and often thoughtful gesture to mark the rest of your lives together.

James Allen Jewellery
https://www.jamesallen.com/

The post Matrimony 2024 appeared first on PinkPlayMags.

Three Tips for Getting Your Wedding Suit

Below are three easy tips for finding the best suit for your wedding day.

1.  Buy. Don’t rent.

The first tip when shopping for a suit for your wedding day is to buy, not rent. I always tell grooms if you’re mature enough to get married, you’re mature enough to own a suit. And that doesn’t mean it has to be something that you can only wear once, like a bride’s dress. Get two suits, one charcoal and the other navy. These are two suits that you can easily work back into your everyday wardrobe. They’re appropriate for weddings, funerals, job interviews, and parties. They’re suits that you’ll wear 10 times over. The reason that I tell grooms to buy and not rent on their wedding day is because they’re never going to get the fit that they’re looking for by renting. The jackets are going to be loose and baggy, the pants sometimes have a drawstring, and do you want your boys in the same pants that another guy has had his boys in?

2.  Don’t let the suit ‘bland you’

The second tip is for grooms to let your personality shine. You don’t have to look like the groom at the top of the cake. It’s GOTSTYLE. We have a wide variety of accessories and suiting colours to fit your vision. Bow ties from Van Gils, pocket squares from Amanda Christensen, a Paisley tuxedo shirt from Duchamp, and a floral lapel pin from Doro are all special little accessories that will help you stand out from others and make your photos look extra special. Before you pick your accessories, you should pick your suit, from electric blue, burgundy, white linen, blue check Robin’s egg, and a grey windowpane. All of these different suiting fabrics are going to help you stand apart from every other groom that you see.

3.  It’s all about fit

The final tip is focusing on fit for your body. There’s always great tailoring, but the first step is finding the right suit for you. It’s going to keep you looking classic and clean for years to come.  If you have any questions about our custom tailoring programs, or if you just need some help with styling and off-the rack products, you can book a styling appointment by contacting us through our website below.

Check out Gotstyle Fashion in Toronto for all your wedding suit needs!

Are You Ready for Your Micro Gay Wedding?

Micro gay weddings are really the rage! And the Toronto Wedding Chapel has been doing micro-LGBTQ+ weddings since 2005. With so many years of experience, we really are the experts in the field.

There has been a shift in couples favouring a large wedding to a smaller, intimate affair. This leaves the couple the ability to focus on their family and closest friends. And it also lets the couple spend money on things that are important to them.

Our pre-decorated wedding chapel is gorgeous. The Toronto Wedding Chapel’s all-inclusive wedding ceremony and reception packages have everything that you could possibly want in a wedding, including a professional licensed wedding Officiant.

Ceremonies are available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Cantonese, and Mandarin. All the wedding packages are customizable, so whatever you want to add, consider it done. Ceremony music is included with all ceremonies, and we also offer reception only services and free parking.

If you’re looking for a seamless, stress-free intimate wedding experience, then reach out to us today. We’re booking Christmas 2022 weddings and into 2023. We can’t wait to start working on your wedding. We really take all the stress away from you!

Contact Toronto Wedding Chapel in Toronto to find out more about micro-weddings.

How to Create a Personalized Wedding Ceremony

Weddings are inherently a ritual of union, and some couples may see it as a simple act of celebrating that which already exists. However, for others it is also moment to mark a shift in their relationship and there is a desire to craft the ceremony as an act of conscious-coupling and transformation in their lives, or even in their relationship with their guests.

These questions are designed for you if you feel the ceremony is an important part of your wedding day. Finding the answers to these questions is a creative process, a personal discovery, and a mindful blueprint to making your ritual of union truly personalized. It’s also an exercise in deep listening to your partner, especially if you don’t like what they have to say.

So, book a date night, grab a pen and paper (or keyboard!) and start planning your unity ritual. Below are a few tips to consider when in the planning stages.

• Talk about your memories of past wedding ceremonies, even ones you witnessed as a child. Do you recall any words or traditions that brought you joy? Are there any customs that you’ve romanticized or rituals that you’ve come to expect in a wedding ceremony that if you didn’t have them at your ceremony, it simply wouldn’t feel like a ‘real wedding’. Maybe there are aspects to the wedding ritual that you haven’t enjoyed, and you wish to leave out of your ceremony.
• Imagine that you are eloping and no one else would be there to witness the wedding. How would this impact what you would say or do during your ceremony? What would be lost or gained if you did this?
• If your wedding was a TV/movie character or celebrity, who would it be? This might seem like a silly question, but James Bond and Adam Sandler are two completely different personas. And you might find someone like Ryan Reynolds better suited to guide a style that suits the two of you as a couple. Knowing your style as a united front will ensure that you can pick the readings and tone of the ceremony that best represents the two of you together.
• What does being married mean to each of you? Discuss why you think or feel that it will have an impact on your lives (personally, socially).
• What does being married mean to your relationships with each other’s families? Discuss why you think or feel that it will have an impact on their lives (personally, socially).
• Separately, each of you will write down three aspects that you value in your partner. Now, write down the three things that you believe they will write down about you. And ask yourself, are these important values that guide my life? Where did I learn these values over the course of my life? If they are close, these values are a great starting point for statements to make in your vows, speeches, or written into your ceremony. If they are completely different, even better! What the other person values in you, comes from an internal place of comfort or desire from deep within themselves. Take the time to listen to why that value is important to them and where they learned to appreciate that value. Learning what they value in both you and them is a chance for your connection to deepen.
• Finally – take the information you’ve gathered from this exercise and determine how you want to use it. You can share it with your Officiant for the ceremony itself, or keep it for your personal vows, or use it during your wedding speech.

Tade Credgeur – The Marrying Lady

Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Toronto Wedding Caterer

Your wedding is your big special day. You want to make sure everything goes according to plan and your expectations are met. That’s why it’s important to ask your Toronto Wedding Caterer as many questions as possible. The questions below are some of the most important (but often forgotten) questions that could have a big impact on your wedding.

1. Will you be onsite the day of my wedding?

You want to make sure that the person that starts the process and put’s your order together will see your event through from start to finish. While it can’t always be avoided, it’s incredibly stressful to find out that your catering consultant won’t be there on the day of the event to tell the wait staff and chefs about the small important details you’ve asked for. if the caterer isn’t planning to send the consultant to the wedding, you can always request to meet the event supervisor a week or two prior to the wedding.

2. How accurate are your staffing quotes?

Some caterers quote minimum staffing hours, giving the client an unpleasant surprise when they receive their final invoice. Make sure your wedding caterer includes adequate time for setup, service and striking. If you’ve been quoted hours that perfectly match your schedule, don’t be surprised if actual hours worked increase slightly. Simple items such as speeches can run longer than expected, delaying service while wait staff and chefs are on the clock. A responsible wedding caterer will at the risk of appearing overpriced, quote additional time as a buffer incase the event falls behind schedule as so many weddings tend to do. As most Toronto caterers bill for actual hours worked, if your wedding caterer quoted more time than was required, you’ll be entitled to a reimbursement should your wedding run as scheduled.

3. Rentals – how many glasses are included on the quote?

You don’t want to find the exact number of beverage ware; this is an exploratory question to see if you’ve been under quoted for rentals. If you are doing wine and beer service for 120 guests and the caterer has only booked 120 glasses, you’re either going to run out of beverage ware or find that your final rental charge is three times higher than it was quoted at. On average, one guest will use between 5 and 6 glasses at a catered wedding. Beverages per guest can get as high as 8 depending on the event format. Multiplying your guest count by five is a good estimate for gauging if your rentals are accurately quoted. If you’re a little short the wait staff will be able to wash a few at the event, provided there are adequate facilities to do so.

4. Can I make changes to my order and guest count after signing the catering agreement?

As weddings are often booked a year in advance, good custom caterers will accept changes to the menu, guest count and even the event format up to a month before the event date. At Daniel et Daniel we ask that special meals and final guest count guarantee are confirmed at least seven days before the wedding. If you’re going to a banquet hall with an in-house caterer or a venue with an exclusive caterer, they are often a bit more rigid on allowing changes to their menu after the catering agreement has been signed. It is always best to carefully negotiate everything in these circumstances or you may find yourself frustrated with the process.

5. What are my options for alcohol service?

Depending on where you choose to host your wedding, you may have a lot of choice or none at all when it comes to the bar. While some venues handle the bar themselves or require the caterer to handle it, others leave it up to the host to decide. If you’ve chosen a venue that gives you the choice or are having a backyard wedding, be sure to ask the caterer what your options are.

A licensed caterer, meaning they do not require a Special Occasions Permit (SOP), will charge you a flat rate per guest rate for bar service. This is generally the most expensive option, but you know exactly what you are paying prior to the event.

If you’ve chosen a wedding caterer that is operating under an SOP you will be billed on consumption. This means that your wedding caterer is estimating how much each guest is going to drink then billing you based on consumption following the event. This is option tends to be less expensive than working with a licensed caterer, but the final bar bill is less predictable. If your guests drink less than anticipated your final bill will decrease, while if they drink more your final bill will increase. The big advantage of working with a caterer operating under an SOP is that have the convenience of having someone else look after the bar while keeping the bar price down.

If you’re working with a tight purse, ask your caterer if you have the option of organizing your own bar. While this can be fairly straight forward if you keep service to wine, beer and Champagne, it gets significantly more complicated if you want to do a full host bar with Spirits and Specialty Cocktails that often require a lot of ingredients. If you choose to do it yourself and are trying to judge how many bottles of white wine, red wine, vodka, bourbon and cognac are needed to serve 120 people for example, your wedding caterer should be forthcoming with a bar list. Just remember that if you choose to do the bar yourself, you’re going to need a big vehicle to transport everything in, and an experienced bartenders for the Specialty Cocktails.

6. Should I tip the staff? When and how should I tip and how much?

Tipping catering staff isn’t as obvious of a custom as tipping your server at a restaurant and while it’s not always expected, it’s always appreciated. Catering is demanding work and your chefs and waiters work hard to make your wedding a success. Some people prefer tipping at the start of the event to motivate everyone, others near the end as a thank you for a job well done. Whatever your preference, consider handing the tip to each person working. If it’s a large wedding with a lot of staff, ask your supervisor for a list of people working the event so that you can make sure no one is missed. Depending on the number of people working, you can tip anywhere from $20 to $100 per person.

7. How do you handle last minute additions to the guest list?

A caterer’s worst nightmare is running out of food. If you have a few guest that are still tentative seven days before the event, be sure to let your caterer know. While caterers aren’t required to bring more food than what is needed to serve the guaranteed guest count, a responsible caterer will be prepared to handle some upward fluctuation.

8. What is the appropriate number of serving staff for a plated service?

The industry standard for plated hand service is 1 server for every 10-12 guests. This allows for timely service of each course which in turn allows for more dancing time! When you decrease the amount of servers, you increase the service time due to the amount of times the servers will need to walk back and forth to the kitchens. In the case of larger venues where the distance from the kitchen to the dining area is longer than usual, consider increasing the ratio to 1 for 6-8 guests.

9. Should my plated dinner be predetermined or choice?

Whether you are giving your guests the option to choose their dishes at the table or when they RSVP, all Toronto caterers should be giving you plenty of guidance on what to offer and the style that best suits your event format. While both predetermined and choice are fine, our preference is to know in advance what each person will have. Knowing in advance has many advantages- the biggest is that it allows your caterer to better accommodate guests with special dietary needs. In other words, custom meals for individuals that are not able to choose from the list of options you’ve provided. Whether your guest’s meals are predetermined by RSVP or selected at the table, it’s always a good idea to offer three options, a fish, red or white meat, and a Vegan/Vegetarian option. It’s always better to give your guests the option of one protein or another than to serve two proteins on one plate i.e., Surf n Turf.

10. Do I need to offer a Late Night Station?

It’s always good to offer late night snacks to keep the party going. This is particularly true when people are celebrating with a drink in their hand. It doesn’t have to be an active station. You can have passed savoury items like sliders and mini grilled cheese sandwiches, which are great for soaking up booze, or a stationary table where people can come and casually graze. Depending on the venue policies and the liquor licence applied, offering late night snacks may be mandatory.

Finally, always check your venue contract and/or Special Occasions Permit requirements. We hope you have found these questions to ask your Toronto Wedding Caterer helpful. Asking these important questions prior to the event will help make sure there are no last-minute surprises to you, or your wallet. If you’re planning your wedding, give our Wedding Toronto Wedding Caterers a call and we will help create your dream wedding day.

Daniel et Daniel specializes in catering weddings, corporate and social events in Toronto and throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Their Catering Services have received international recognition at Catersource and among their peers at the International Catering Association.

Author – Guillaume Clairet, General Manager at Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events.

The post Wedding Planning & Presentation 2022 appeared first on PinkPlayMags.

One of the most significant aspects of getting married are the ceremonial aspects. We’ve highlighted a few suggestions around the more traditional aspects, that of course can be adjusted to your own individual liking. We take a look at the inclusion of wine, roses, and candles, and the significant role each adds to your ceremonial event. As well, we offer advice on how best to involve children, should either, or both, partners already be parents.

Rose Ceremony

Roses symbolize love, and there are a number of creative ways to incorporate a rose ceremony into your big day. A single red rose always means “I love you”. Your gift to each other for your wedding are your wedding rings, which symbolize an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect, and a public showing of your commitment to each other. Marriage is a coming together of two lives, and a celebration of the love of two people. As you embrace one another in your love, so too do you embrace the families which have been brought together on this happy occasion. Often, the couple will give each of their mothers a rose as a token of their love for family. This can be extended to include other members of the family or even to mark the absence of a loved one (by placing the rose in a vase). Roses can also be exchanged as the couple’s first gift to one another as a married couple. This is often regarded as the start of a tradition in which the couple gift each other a rose every year on their anniversary. This is seen both as a re-commitment to your marriage, and a re commitment that this is a marriage based upon love.

Candle Ceremony

Just before the wedding vows, the parents of the couple come forward (or other family members, children etc.) and light one candle for each. Then the couple light the centre candle together from these two outside candles. This Unity candle symbolizes the joining of their families, the merging of two individuals, and the creation of a blended family. The two outside candles have been lit to symbolize the union of two individuals, and their two families. The three candles will remain lit throughout the ceremony, as symbols of the commitment to each other, and to a lasting and loving marriage.

Wine Ceremony

The rose is the symbol of love, and the blending of the red and white wine creates a light pink rose wine, celebrating the love of the new couple. Before the wedding begins, red wine and white wine, each in a small carafe, are placed next to a larger empty carafe with one or two wineglasses on a small table near the couple. The centre carafe, called the “Marriage Carafe” is usually a bit larger than the two outside individual carafes. A single glass of rose wine is placed on a table, from which both partners will each drink after the reading and ring exchange. The couple proceeds to the table and each takes an individual carafe and pours some wine into the larger carafe. One then takes the larger filled carafe with the combined wine and pours some in a glass for the other, which is then repeated in reverse order. Each would then offers a toast, such as, “Now our lives are one” or “To our lives together”, and drinks.

Involvement of Children

If either partner has children, it’s especially important to involve them in the ceremony to make them feel welcome into their new family unit. It is generally best to give a younger child only one active role, while with teenagers it may be something more significant. For younger children, usually the simple task of holding the rings or bouquet is enough to accomplish a sense of participation. For teenagers, the role may be playing the wedding music, or taking pictures of the ceremony. Mentioning a child’s name during the wedding assures that they are an important part of the occasion. Typically, couples may give children a gift right after they exchange their own rings and vows, usually a necklace, medallion, rose, or ring. It’s also advisable to allow your children to come up and sign part of the official documents at the signing of the register. When children are coming into the marriage, it is appropriate to mention in the ceremony that not only is a marriage being formed, but also a new family.

Be sure to visit Gay Weddings Ontario for all the professional assistance you require on your big day.

The post Ceremonial Traditions appeared first on PinkPlayMags.

The first step to choose your photographer should be to check their portfolio. Each photographer has a certain style, so the photographer can be very good, but the style might not be to your liking. Once you found a photographer with the style and quality you like, you should arrange a meeting.

The meeting is important for two reasons. First to see the printed portfolio, there is something different about seeing printed pictures. Secondly, and actually more important, is to talk to the photographer and get a feel for the person in front of you. Do you feel comfortable around this person?

The photographer is going to be the person that will follow you for your entire day, so it’s important you like this person and you have good chemistry, as the last thing you need is a person that is angry or impatient. Another thing that is very important and can tell you a lot about the photographer is communication. How quick will the photographer reply to your message. It can be via Facebook messenger, email, phone, or whatsapp. Wedding arrangements are very intensive and some can find it stressful, so a photographer that replies in a timely manner and is polite means there is one less thing to worry about.

Don’t be ashamed to ask how long has the photographer been in business. The market is flooded with people who buy a camera and think this is all they need to photograph a wedding. It can take years to learn to control the camera correctly and develop a personal style, yet sadly many people don’t know that and they might end up with very amateurish looking pictures.

Ask your photographer if they shoot in RAW or JPEG. When shooting in RAW you can mould the picture, and make changes to the exposure (brightness) while still keeping quality. Once you shoot in JPEG there isn’t a whole lot you can work with, so be sure your photographer shoots in RAW and processes the pictures.

Finally, check online to find out more about the photographer and their company. See what type of reviews they’ve received. Last thing that I think is very important is to look for someone who is very passionate about doing wedding photography. Working in this type of environment can be challenging, so someone who loves doing this will always find a way to make you look amazing even if not everything is going according to plan.

An added bonus for those who want photography and videography, is to try and get one company that does both. So when hiring one company you know you get a crew that is not competing with each other and they know how to work together.

BIO

Amir Eshel has been married for 25 years, and a resident of Canada for almost 20 years. He first got into photography after his dad passed away, and found it filled a certain void in his heart. He’s been doing professional wedding and event photography and videography for over five years now.

Eshel Art Photography

www.eshelartphotography.com

647-201-9140 amir170a@yahoo.com

Your Choice for an Intimate Wedding on the Water

I have hosted many special occasion events on the Gone Sailing Adventures’ yachts since starting the business in 2010.  The most common are bachelorette and birthday parties, corporate events, and summer long brand experiences. I have presided over a number of ash-scatterings and hosted four weddings on board.

The latter have been intimate events with most occupying only one yacht (8-12 people).  In 2018, we had a three boat wedding with 26 people.  Last year, we hosted our largest wedding yet, with 45 people among four yachts.

During each of the previous weddings, I played a minor role in providing the venue coupled with my regular captaining responsibilities.  Our couples arranged their own officiant and details. In 2018, I became a licensed Ontario Officiant and the first and only ship’s captain to do so. Now you can be part of a unique community of getting married on the water in an intimate ceremony aboard the luxury sailing yacht WhiRLygirl.

Celebrating 10 years in the charter business, multi-yacht events are common occurrences at Gone Sailing Adventures.  Despite this, each one is unique and requires special attention. For our first official on-board marriage, I engaged my partner, Heather Henderson, (aka ‘the Admiral”) to outfit me. Beyond her day job as an ER nurse, she is a talented artist, decorator, seamstress, and amazing organizer.  She designed the Captain’s epaulets for my official uniform.  Working with our in-house florist, the two created a unique floral and textile design on the front of our 41′ yacht –  WhiRLygirl.  The two created a beautiful frame while still having an open view forward of the bow.

Being in the city of Toronto, we have to escape east in order to avoid the restrictions on drone flying near Billy Bishop Airport.  Asbridges Bay, just off Woodbine Beach is far enough away to fly drones to capture the event and creates an excellent view of the city as the sun sets during the wedding ceremony.

With groups of 13-28 we sail close together on multiple yachts so that the whole group are in sight of each other as we make our way out of the Harbour and east to Woodbine Beach. At the Anchorage, the flotilla rafts together.  Everyone gathers around the foredeck of WhiRLygirl.  Captain Howie, makes the call to begin the ceremony with a long blast of his conch shell. “Pirates, Sailors, Scallywags, and Stowaways… In other words… friends and family.

The couple may seal their wedding vows by tying not just the proverbial knot, but the real knot too.  Prepared by Cap’t Howie, the wedding (fisherman’s) knot tightens as the two work together pulling each end to form a single knot from the two pieces of rope.  A toast is made and King Neptune is asked  “to watch upon the couple and provide fair seas and safe passages as they continue their life long journey together.” This request is sealed with a sacrificial libation and a shared swig (“sailor style” from the bottle) by the newly married couple

Let the party continue ashore at the many great venues along the waterfront upon returning to the dock.

Gone Sailing Adventures

www.gosailto.com

Howie Colt  howie@gosailto.com 416 240-0202

Unique wedding day clothing will make you look your best

The House of Sass & Magic is an inclusive brand that empowers you to celebrate your individuality and express your true self. We all have sass and magic inside of us; and in a world where it can be challenging to live outside the standardized norms, The House of Sass & Magic’s designs are here to help you shine.

We believe that “The Future is Everybody”–many of our garments are designed with gender fluidity in mind. This is because we know that each human is unique. All garments are handmade with love in Toronto, Canada.

The House of Sass & Magic brings fantasies to life. We specialize in one-of-a-kind, short-run and limited edition expression-wear for all people. We are fiercely passionate about celebrating individuality, self-expression, and authenticity. These ethos inspire us to create garments that reflect the wildest, most glamorous dreams of ourselves and our clients.

It is important that The House of Sass and Magic promotes ideals surrounding individuality, self-expression, authenticity and advocate for the LGBTQ+ communities as well as human rights as a whole. I design for all genders and non-binary alike. We contribute to sustainability and up-cycling by giving new life to existing garments, as well using byproduct/leftover fabrics from its sibling company, Flash Design Company. This embodies a “zero waste” philosophy.

The vision of The House of Sass & Magic is to continue creating garments for individuals who can’t find the items they want in traditional retail outlets. The goal is to create an experience for the person wearing the clothing. The clothes need to evoke a feeling in the wearer. We want the person to be the best version of themselves. The opportunity to create experiences through clothing is incredible.

The excitement that is experienced from seeing others enjoying The House of Sass & Magic is the magic. I’ll use the word comperison to explain… I experience joy because joy is experienced by the wearer of the clothing. It’s priceless to be honest. There is nothing better than seeing, hearing and knowing that somehow a garment we have created is bringing someone comfort, empowerment, knowledge of self and/or self expression.

BIO

Stacey Gonder is a Fashion Designer based out of Toronto, ON. Stacey grew up in Pontypool, located in Victoria County, an hour outside of the bustling city. From a young age she knew that she had a passion for dance, and the talent to pursue it. After a quarter century of dance instruction and performing professionally, she decided to enrol in the International Academy of Design, with a focus on costume studies. In 2001, immediately after graduating, she launched her first endeavour – Flash Design Company. Catering to some of the GTA’s most prestigious dance companies, she found a way to combine her two passions–dance and fashion. Flash DC designs and crafts costumes for a range of ages and dance styles. In the competitive dance world, costumes creators must master three things; great construction, comfort/function for stage, and realizing the artistic vision. After 14 years of honing these skills, Stacey decided that dance land wasn’t enough, and thus created the House of Sass & Magic.

House of Sass & Magic

www.housesmtdot.com

house.to@gmail.com 905-409-9511

The Brides Wore White…

It was a beautiful sunny September day, the perfect day for an outdoor wedding. A gentle breeze blew across the vineyard as guests settled into their seats in excited anticipation. It was time! The music began and our beautiful bride appeared in the distance as everyone rose to their feet. Walking on her own across the lawn, she met her parents at the back of the ceremony site where they joined arms and walked up the aisle together. After warm embraces at the front, her parents took their seats and our bride took her place beside me. The music changed, all eyes turned and our beautiful bride appeared in the distance.

Being a wedding officiant is my passion work, it is the greatest privilege and joy to be part of such a happy, important moment in a couple’s life together. As an ally, it has been my particular delight to officiate many same-sex weddings, while appreciating first-hand the complexities that these events can bring. Brides experience their own set of complexities, and so I asked some of my couples what was easy, and what wasn’t easy about their big day. Here is what they shared.

Pleasing everyone is one of the greatest challenges, they said. Not only can it be hard to invite certain people who haven’t shown support of your relationship, with two brides you may also have two sets of very involved and opinionated parents to contend with.

Having two brides also takes some extra planning. “We found it hard wanting traditional elements within our wedding, but not necessarily having a traditional relationship,” offered Darcie and Brittany, our vineyard brides. For example, both brides may want to walk down the aisle and have that special moment. You may have two brides needing to get ready at the venue, but only one bridal suite. You may need to ensure equal time is given to photograph both brides getting ready. You also must navigate and select vendors who are comfortable with same-sex relationships so you feel comfortable and accepted on your big day.

Finally, pick your officiant carefully. “Most important for us was to find someone we felt comfortable with,” advised Andrea and Jaclyn, who tied the knot a few months ago. “It’s a big moment and nerves may get the best of you. It’s important to have someone up there you trust and feel at ease with.” Give yourself lots of time, they added, to find the right person and craft the perfect script. It is the officiant’s role to help you work through ceremony complexities and set the tone so everyone feels the love you have for each other and you are relaxed and fully present in the moment.

What was easy? “Honestly, everything that didn’t include people, their opinions and feelings was easy for us!” laughed Darcie and Brittany. Flowers, venue, cake, music, colour scheme, wedding dresses (once they decided they wanted warm, not bright white), décor, who they wanted in their wedding party, all that was easy.

“Our biggest advice,” added Brittany and Darcie, “is it is one day and it is your day to share with your partner. Don’t forget that!” Try hard to separate the feelings and opinions of others from your own, even if they contradict. At the end of the day this special day is for you to celebrate your love and future together. Make sure it is the way you want, surrounded by people who love and support you. The brides wore white … matching kilts … suits … and every combination in between! Congratulations on your happy news. Let the planning begin.

BIO

Kim Adeney is a wedding officiant with All Seasons Weddings and serves the GTA. From backyards to banquet halls, Kim has the experience of over 400 weddings to draw upon for your big day. She would love to be part of your plans.

All Seasons Weddings

www.allseasonsweddings.com

1-800-545-3681 weddings@allseasonsweddings.com

Create memories and say “I do” in an atmosphere that speaks to you

When choosing your wedding venue, you want to find a space that makes you feel welcome and represents your own style and vision. That can be a limited experience for the LGBTQ+ community; as we are accustomed to seeking out specific spaces that are owned or operated within our community to feel represented. The Palais Royale Ballroom understands this and invites the community to enjoy the space for private events and for public events.

Palais Royale opens its doors to the LGBTQ+ community several times a year, not just for weddings, but to give the community a sense of pride and belonging. From afternoon tea dances to fundraisers and an annual Pride dance, Palais Royale is beaming with all the colours of the rainbow. This creates a space to say “I do” in an atmosphere that’s familiar and sprinkled with nostalgia.

“We hear so many nostalgic stories of people whose parents met at the Palais, or used to dance here,” says Mary Lou Borg, partner, Pegasus Hospitality Group and CHIC Productions. “Our public LGBTQ+ events provide an opportunity for our community to make their own memories and to wed and celebrate in the location where generations have done the same.”

Every June, a Pride event is produced by Mary Lou Borg inviting all who identify with the LGBTQ community and their friends to gather at Palais Royale. This event provides an evening of celebration and acceptance, with a full VIP opportunity for those looking for a heightened experience. Twice a year Mary Lou produces Salon Sundays, a “Modern Tea Dance,” to bring out the community on a Sunday afternoon.

With an emphasis on customization and attention to detail, the Palais Royale prides itself in creating elegant, personal events that give guests a night to remember. Palais Royale encourages their clients to express what vision and inspirations will shape each event to bring an originality to everything they do.

Catering is no exception to the Palais when it comes to customization. The diversity of their guests matches the diversity of their culinary offerings. Premium suppliers and chefs with international experience, can be credited in how they manage to cater to Toronto’s multicultural foundation. “We are blessed to live in a city that celebrates all multicultural backgrounds,” says Steffan Howard, Corporate Executive Chef, Pegasus Hospitality Group. “In 2019, there is no reason for people to feel that they are being served ‘banquet’ food from a menu that is one size fits all.”

Palais Royale is located on Toronto’s beautiful waterfront, creating a secluded space with a busy urban backdrop. As an exclusive venue, their guests have come to enjoy the privacy and intimacy of hosting only one event at a time. The Palais Royale Ballroom is one of three exclusive venues under the Pegasus Hospitality Group umbrella including: The Grand Luxe Event Boutique, and the Harding Waterfront Estate. They also run Food Studio Catering known for its customizable food truck and offsite catering.

BIO

Robert Van Horne, Senior Sales Coordinator, Palais Royale Ballroom.

Robert first encountered Palais Royale when he was hired to perform in drag as his alias Alisha Van Horne, for Chic Productions in 2009. He was then hired on as an Executive Event Assistant, where he learned the ropes and was then promoted to become an Event Coordinator within the company. Currently, as Senior Sales Coordinator, he works on various projects and locations within the company. Robert became a more involved member of the LGBTQ community when he started his drag career as Alisha Van Horne in 2005, working alongside many other queens and performers at various establishments, fundraisers and Pride events on Church Street and beyond. He holds many titles, Miss El Convento Rico 2008, Miss Gay Ontario 2008, and Miss Gay Toronto 2014.

Mary Lou Borg, Pegasus Hospitality

Mary Lou Borg has spent her career in the hospitality business. For the past ten years, she has been partner at Pegasus Hospitality Group, which encompasses the Historic Palais Royale Ballroom, the Grand Luxe Event Boutique, The Exchange Café and The Food Studio Catering. She has also established CHIC Productions, an event company which produces leading edge events for the LGBTQ community. Pride events at the Palais Royale are one of the largest in the city of Toronto. Much of the business at Palais Royale and the Grand Luxe cater to weddings, and Mary Lou strives to continue to produce weddings for the LGBTQ community with style and originality.

Pegasus Hospitality Group

www.pegasushospitality.com

info@pegasushospitality.com 416 533 1573

Location…Hospitality….Value…..

The three words that ring true when planning any event, including the most monumental day of your life. The most asked questions to ponder when planning your big day are pretty clear – When…where…. cost and availability.

When is a very personal decision: Best advice, ensure that the date does not land on a statutory holiday or a time of year where you’re guests will have a hard time finding accommodation. Take a look at different hotel sites and call them directly, as group blocks can be made specifically for your needs.

Where – no matter where you choose, check the weather during that time frame. Most couples love pictures taken outside, but always have a back up location just in case of last minute changes or inclement weather.

Cost...the sky is the limit depending on the needs of each individual couple. One solid piece of advice is to have an idea of the total cost before hand, then once you know the number of people attending an estimate can be prepared. It will give you a ball park figure that you can then budget around if necessary.

Availability – believe it or not this can be the biggest obstacle of all, as wedding venues are booked heavily in advance. The good news is when you have made your decision and the venue is available, everything else falls into place.

Your wedding day should be a no-brainer… remember to let the professionals worry about the little stuff, enjoy family, friends, good food and your first dance as a married couple.

Cartier Place Hotel Information:

Cartier Place Suite Hotel provides an ideal venue for meetings, weddings and more, offering a total of 4268 square feet of flexible, private event space. All rooms are bright and airy with floor to ceiling windows, located on the lobby level overlooking the gardens- making them not only private but easy to navigate. Catering service include breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon breaks, served ala carte or buffet and provided by our onsite restaurant, Big Daddy’s Bourbon Street Bistro. Conveniently located downtown, surrounded by trendy restaurants for post meeting get togethers, the hotel is also within walking distance to government and corporate offices.

Adaptable for a variety of occasions, we also offer a charming garden area for small wedding ceremonies of up to 70 people, and our lovely Brittany Salon is a venue that can easily cater up to 100 people in a comfortable setting. You’ll enjoy special amenities to enhance the décor along with a floatable dance floor and full wedding set up including chairs, chair covers, dance floor, tables, table numbers with stands, table linens, skirting, dishes, podium, wired microphone, projection screen, and wedding arch. We look forward to hosting your memorable event.

Venue highlights

• Complimentary Romantic Suite with Jacuzzi is included with the booking of a dinner reception
• Complimentary trial dinner for two with the booking of a dinner reception
• Complimentary services: tables & linens, chairs, table numbers with stands, podium, wired microphone, easel, dance floor, riser, Wi-Fi
• Banquet rooms with floor to ceiling windows, Penthouse Hospitality Suite with city views
• Indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness room, playroom, outdoor garden patio with play-ground and shuffleboard court
• Catering provided by Big Daddy’s Bourbon Street Bistro. Traditional or custom banquet menu available.
• Special group and wedding room rates for your guests.

BIO

Ann Freel is the Sales and Banquet Manager at Cartier Place Suite Hotel in Ottawa. She comes to us from the Emerald Isle of Ireland, she has been lucky enough to plan beautiful weddings in some of the most sought-after destinations such as Canada, the US and the Caribbean, including the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ann has been the Sales and Banquet Manager at The Cartier Place Suite Hotel for 8 years and still going strong. Surrounded by true hospitality professionals, she now calls the Cartier Place Suite Hotel her home away from home.

Cartier Place Hotel

www.suitedreams.com 1-800-236-8399 or 613-236-5000

Finding the Perfect Officiant

When newly engaged couples start “planning,” one of the first topics that comes up is, “Who will marry us?” It’s an important question because whom ever it is, they will set the tone of your wedding. Will you be relaxed and confident? Will you feel heard and understood? Will both of you get what you truly want? In some cases, this can be a deal breaker for couple’s, as you want someone to embrace culture, language, religion/non-religion/dual-religion, personality and style.

Bancroft Centre for Awakening Spiritual Growth trains its non-denominational ministers to perform legal wedding ceremonies for the Province of Ontario. We make sure all legalities are taken care of so you don’t have to. We also have the freedom to work with you directly to create impactful, meaningful and emotional ceremonies that fit your specific needs.

I often give my clients this advice: You will know in your gut, when you know it’s a right fit. Whether it’s the right venue or planner or wedding officiant, you both need to be at ease during the planning stages and on your big day. I offer my clients three unique packages. Sometimes, you just don’t want a big fuss and that is okay. Sometimes, you have this vision of your wedding day to be unique and creative, and you want your ceremony to reflect your own individual styles. Whether it is me that fits your style or not, most officiants do what we do because we LOVE, LOVE. I have many officiant’s that I refer clients too and most are from BCFASG.

As a first step, I offer all my potential couples a no-obligation consultation. This call, usually by facetime, WhatsApp, phone, or in person has a fundamental goal. Its mission is to learn about you as a couple, and I encourage couples to ask as many questions as necessary. This interaction will allow us to become familiar and comfortable with each other, so that we can prepare the beginning of your customized ceremony (civil, spiritual, romantic, secular, short). We will build in all the legal and personal elements into the ceremony with unlimited calling and emailing.

Remember… This is your wedding and it should be a pure reflection of your love and wishes. I think it is very important for a couple to be comfortable with their officiant. During your research, please make sure that whomever you get as an officiant is licensed and registered with the Provincial Government by visiting: www.ontario.ca/data/registered-religious-officials

Rev Manny

Website: www.wedding-ceremonies-by-rev-manny.ueniweb.com/

Ministry website: https://bancroftspiritualcentre.com/

reverend.manny.maiato@gmail.com, 416 565 5804

The post Matrimony: A Special Supplement – Winter 2019 appeared first on PinkPlayMags.

Are you thinking about getting married? Already engaged perhaps?

Well you’re in the right city. We are fortunate to live in Toronto, where we can be who we are and are free to marry whomever we love.  One of the biggest decisions when getting married is to find that perfect venue. One that is, first and foremost, LGBTQ welcoming and secondly one that meets all your needs and looks Fabulous! Here at Pegasus Hospitality Group, our collection of venues endeavors to meet all of those expectations. Our Grand Dame Palais Royale, resting on the shore of Lake Ontario, is truly a jewel in the city, taking its place as one of Toronto’s premier wedding venues. Our Grand Luxe Event Boutique sitting just north of the city, is where Avant guard meets luxury in this sophisticated and contemporary event boutique.

We would also like to introduce you to our newest gem, Harding Waterfront Estate, also overlooking the picturesque waters of Lake Ontario, and bordered by Joshua’s Creek in Mississauga. This venue is perfect for smaller weddings. We’ve realized that many of the same-sex weddings we’ve hosted at Palais Royale or Grand Luxe is a smaller, intimate gathering, which would also blend seamlessly at Harding. Rich in history and charm, Harding Waterfront Estate consists of the enchanting Bell-Gairdner House, a Coach House and an outdoor tented area. The Bell-Gairdner House, the property’s main building, is a beautiful mansion offering vintage appeal, grandeur and exclusivity, creating the perfect intimate atmosphere for events smaller in size. Larger functions are hosted on the Estate grounds in the tented area adjacent to the mansion May – October accommodating events with guests up to 200+.

Whether you are planning a large or small wedding, our venues Palais Royale, Grand Luxe or Harding Waterfront Estate offer elegance, acceptance, quality and excellence. We will help you plan a wedding day that will surpass all of your expectations.

Mary Lou Borg
Partner, Pegasus Hospitality Group
info@pegasushospitality.ca 416-533-1573

Love Is All You Need

Since 2005, same-sex marriage in Canada has been legal. And over the 13 years since, approximately 33% of same sex couples in Canada are legally married. Now, it’s no secret that not all people in the LGBTQ+ community agree with same sex marriage, but those who do enliven their weddings in so many special ways. Some do so in non-traditional venues, and some mark their day with a drag queen stomping it out on the dance floor. Regardless of their uniqueness, same sex weddings are inevitably joyous celebrations of something that is so universally common to all of humanity: love.

As a relatively new wedding officiant, I have had the privilege to lead the marriage ceremonies for a number of same-sex couples. In fact, the first gay wedding I ever attended was one where I officiated. It was the most remarkable of days, as the two grooms (one of whom I have known since high school) entered their venue to the loudest and most joyous round of applause I have ever heard in my life. They appeared at the venue entryway, following their well-groomed gaggle of groomsmen, hand in hand with smiles that grew only bigger as the cheering from their family, friends and loved ones marked the beginning of this very special moment in time. In fact, it took nearly three minutes for the applause to die down so we could get things started!

But I remember being amazed in that very moment, not only as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but also as an officiant, at how much love there was in that room. It was remarkable.

At the same time, not every couple has as easy a path to their marriage. Amid the joy of the occasion, for many LGBTQ+ people, the act of marriage is still political. For example, I remember another couple, where one of the grooms asked me to make sure I looked directly towards his father when I addressed the guests in saying “That no matter who we are, where we’re from, what we believe, or who we love, we know this for certain: love is one thing we’re actually doing right in this world.”

The groom’s father, in spite of his attendance at the ceremony, didn’t necessarily approve of the union. The couple believed that it was so very important at that moment in time for this father not only to hear those words spoken to him, but to hopefully realize that even though his son was gay, the fact that he found love in such a crazy complex world, was an indication that his father essentially, had done love right.

So, regardless of how your special day is captured, remember that your officiant can work closely with you to make sure it reflects who you are in this world. Same sex marriage is a right that generations of LGBTQ+ people fought for, and it’s a right that people need to continue to exercise – especially in complex and tumultuous times. Because when it all boils down to it, at the end of the day, straight or gay, love is all you need.

Chris McGrath is a wedding officiant with All Seasons Weddings. He has lived in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood for 15 years and he will be happy to help celebrate your bilingual (English/French) wedding ceremony in any of Toronto’s vibrant communities. Chris volunteers with the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation’s Friends for Life Bike Rally, loves cooking and entertaining, and exploring the city’s parks with his rescue dog, Jolene.

PDA On Your Big Day—To Kiss Or Not To Kiss

“I declare you married, you may now smooch!”

Officiating at Toronto’s World Pride wedding ceremony at Casa Loma, I was pleased to see my instructions were followed with gusto more often than not. Only a limited number of supportive family and friends were invited to participate in the largest wedding ceremony in North America, and their pride for the 115 LGBTQ couples shone through. But despite occasions like these, some couples continue to express, or exhibit, a discomfort with the globally recognized grand finale to the wedding ceremony—a romantic kiss.

My advice is: lock those lips if you want to! You are entitled to embrace the romance and tradition of sealing your vows with kiss, without worrying about the comfort levels of a few family members.  Let me explain why I feel passionate about this.

At the start of every ceremony, I say, “By your presence you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and you support their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives.” By the simple act of their attendance, your guests have agreed to bear witness to your love and commitment. Even though you may not have been very physical with your partner in the company of certain family members, there is still the expectation that a kiss completes the ceremony. And you are entitled to honour that tradition.

Embracing the kiss, and putting your attention on your beloved and the step you are making, rather than on the opinions of others, legitimizes your marriage ritual. And there is no better time to express this than while surrounded by a room full of those who clap, cheer, and demonstrate that they are fully accepting and encouraging of your love and its physical expression.

Here are some ideas to help prepare you for this moment if you’re feeling worried:

1. Consider a message in your wedding invitation that sets the expectation that a guest’s attendance is act of love and acceptance.
2. Provide a program at the wedding service which outlines the ceremony, ending of course with the word KISS at the end!
3. Prior to the wedding, warm yourselves and your family up by touching your partner at family functions, your engagement party, or rehearsal. Use gentle intimate approaches such as leaning on each other, cuddling, linking arms, holding hands, kissing the hand, cheek, forehead.
4. Come out to your parents before you make your marriage announcement. Some families may be aware that your ‘special friend’ is more than just a friend, but avoid meaningful conversations. Now is the time to be more open and explicit.
5. Don’t feel obliged to kiss at all. This is a tradition that may not apply to all personalities, cultures, and couples. Much like it’s your ceremony to kiss if you wish, it’s also your right to not to as well.

Some alternatives for you might be:

• Have a member of your wedding party unfold a fabulous fan in front of you while you seal the deal.
• A joyous hug.
• Cheek and forehead kisses.
• Have drapery fall from an arch, which you can dramatically exit from once you have your moment.

I’ve married straight couples who have also struggled with PDA and “the Kiss” in front of others. If your culture doesn’t typically express intimacy, and you hold that value as well, then do not feel committed to kissing if it doesn’t suit you.

In the same way that a ring physically symbolizes the vows you have made, the wedding kiss is a physical act that destigmatizes the intimacy that is, by love and law, your human right to express. This act is a visual demonstration that you and your partner fully acknowledge, accept and believe that your partnership is true, meaningful, and worthy of the same allowances of all other couples.

Your love is real, your commitment is celebrated, your right to express intimacy is valid, so if you wish, share a KISS!

Rev. Tade (Teddy) Credgeur, The Marrying Lady
Toronto Officiant, same-sex advocate offering spiritual & non-denominational customized ceremonies.
(Offers free weddings to couples arriving from countries where their rights are not recognized!).

Couples reviews are here.
Email – tade@sheisthemarryinglady.com
Skype: sheisthemarryinglady
Mobile # 647-409-8233
Website: www.sheisthemarryinglady.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Marrying-Lady
Twitter: twitter.com/TheMarryingLady
Instagram: @themarryinglady
Pinterest pinterest.com/themarryinglady/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+TadeCredgeurTheMarryingLady/posts
Around the City:  World Pride Mass Wedding Officiant, CBC Documentary “Let’s Get Hitched”, “Crazy Beautiful Weddings”
Podcast: Wedding Confessions

How To Pick Your Destination Wedding Squad

Did you say YES to a proposal this past Valentine’s Day?

Even before the glow of showing off your new bling has faded, you begin to ask the questions – Where? When? Who to invite? What kind of ceremony represents our love?

If you hold your nose at the thought of a big church wedding and pews filled with second cousins, and mom’s backyard doesn’t feel special enough, envision saying your vows at sunset on a warm beach, at the base of a rainforest waterfall, or in a tropical garden.

Apart from the romantic views, almost one third of same sex couples plan a destination wedding to celebrate their commitment because the organizing details are all taken care of, so the couple and their guests who want to be part of the experience can get to know each other in a relaxed vacation setting.

Having a team that includes a Destination Wedding certified Travel Agent who partners with an in-destination Planner ensures that services meet quality expectations, and that you will be welcomed and free to be open to show your affection to the love of your life.

Options on where to celebrate grow every year as more countries pass legislation to legalize LGBT human rights, including same sex marriage. It is now legally performed and recognized (nationwide or in some jurisdictions) in 25 countries, and soon to be legal in Costa Rica & Taiwan.

Few places on earth can match the tropical beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica, which is why many couples choose to get married there. Once they know the location and understand their client’s vision, the in-destination Planner looks for suppliers based on the available budget, adding suggestions and advice.

LGBT Wedding Planner Jeffrey Cervantes takes care of the planning, coordination, and logistics to create a unique celebration, adapted to client tastes and preferences, without losing sight of their budget.

“The only task of the client is to approve, discard, taste, indicate changes, and choose colors and styles among others. We take care of the hiring of each supplier and the follow-up of this.”

Many LGBTQ couples want to perform exotic weddings, beach weddings or mountain weddings. “Popular locations include La Fortuna de San Carlos, Bahia Ballena, Tamarindo Beach, Conchal Beach, Papagayo, Puerto Viejo Beach, and other beautiful places. After the ceremony, guests enjoy many beach and water activities, rainforest walks and hot springs, and visits to volcanoes, historic centers and animal sanctuaries” says Cervantes.

“LGBTQ newlyweds want to have the same wonderful memories as a straight couple”, says Robert Townshend, owner of Toronto-based Total Advantage Travel & Tours, which specializes in Destination Weddings and group travel to destinations that welcome LGBTQ travellers. Their Destination Wedding Consultants monitor trends and developments in LGBT destination weddings, where same sex couples can legally get married or have commitment ceremonies, and which resorts and countries will welcome all members of the wedding party. They encourage couples to have a civil ceremony at home first, and then be creative about how they completely customize their vows to reflect their relationship and commitment to each other.

“A destination wedding is a magical event you can host to bring your family and friends together”, says Townshend. Having a squad both here and there to make your celebration all about your love and commitment to each other ensures that you will be wrapped in care by your new besties from the moment you leave for the airport until you return back home filled with memories of love.

Liz Devine is a Social Entrepreneur, Tourism-For-Community-Good Advocate & Career Connector.  She explores new horizons, admires romantically silly honeymoon selfies, and promotes destinations that welcome LGBTQ couples. Follow her @lesbiantravel . Contact the team at www.totaladvantage.com to plan your Destination Wedding, Honeymoon or romantic getaway. Contact Costa Rica Wedding Planner at www.jeffcervan.wixsite.com/crweddingplanner

How To Hire A Wedding Band

Welcome to the first Fusion Events blog post. As a talent agency and event coordination/consulting firm we have a unique view into the world of weddings. Our first post is near and dear to our hearts…wedding bands! CEO “Arthur Kerekes” comes from an entertainment background and started his career playing in wedding bands, specifically Juno nominated Toronto Powerhouse, God Made Me Funky. The following post is written by him:

“Face it you’ve probably never hired a band in your life…and chances are you never will again after the wedding. So what makes a good wedding band? It might be very different from what makes your favourite bands like U2 and Arcade Fire good. When hiring a wedding band remember that if you want a truly successful event with a packed dance floor all night you need a band that is versatile! Just because you love the Rolling Stones doesn’t mean that a tribute band is the answer. Of course you will want a band that can play some of your favourite songs and artists but you also want to entertain your guests…..don’t forget about the other 100-150ppl in attendance. They don’t all have the same tastes as you.

The first step to hiring the right band is sourcing out your best options. Wedding planners and your venue can be a good place to start as they have experience working with all kinds of vendors. The next logical choice is to ask around and see who your friends have been using. Keep in mind though that you maybe don’t want the same band as all of your friends. Will there be a lot of the same guests at your wedding? The next place to look is the internet. In 2011 90% of brides will book all of their wedding vendors using the web. If a band does not have audio and video samples on their website, or even worse, don’t have a website that raises serious red flags. Any good professional wedding band should have a website with audio and video. If they don’t even have a myspace page which is free and easy to set up they are not worth wasting your time and money on. I would suggest searching google and youtube and watching videos of bands on their websites and compiling your top 5 choices.

The next step is contacting the bands. First send an email inquiry and see what their initial responses are. Do they respond right away, the next day, 3 days later? This may give you some indication as to their level of professionalism. Do they call you on the phone? If they email you what information did they provide? How the potential bands respond might give you some idea as to who is right for you.

Before you make your decision make sure you do two things. First speak to the agent, manager, or band leader (depending on who handles their bookings) in person on the phone and make sure the band is available for your date. If they are have them hold the date and give you the right of first refusal. Do they sound like they know what they are talking about? Are they familiar with bands repertoire, band members, set up etc? Second, find out when they are playing and ask to see the band live before you book. If the band has no upcoming gigs for the next 3months are you sure you want to hire them? Most professional bands work 12months a year however keep in mind that January through to March can be slower than the rest of the year.

When looking to hire a band,  ask questions, be informed, and most importantly feel confident in the person you are dealing with. This could be one of the single most important decisions you make about your wedding reception. If everything is perfect from decor to food, but the entertainment is bad everything else that was good will be instantly forgotten. So do your homework and good luck!!!

Fusion Events
1415 Bathurst St. Suite 304
Toronto, Ontario M5R 3H8
416-651-3873
info@fusion-events.ca

The post All About Weddings 2019 appeared first on PinkPlayMags.

Your Ceremony, Your Way

The wedding ceremony is the cornerstone of your wedding day. Without it there will be no reception, no flowers, no caterers, no photographer, and no guests. Planning your ceremony can be a perplexing task. Over the years in Canada, LBGTQ weddings have streamlined themselves with the “straight” styled weddings. There are no long lists of “what you must do”, since you are probably breaking the pattern of expectations of family weddings. How you plan your ceremony is entirely up to you and the comfort level of your officiant.

It is no secret that many of us in the LBGTQ community know we are different. We have known for many years, and due to the acceptance of who we truly are, we have become more conscious, more aware and more creative. Our relationship may be a fairy tale romance, or one that empowered each of us to become better than we were before, and for that reason we can celebrate our wedding day in a variety of amazing ways.

How you share this commitment to each other is entirely up to you. Many of your guests will be attending your ceremony with anticipation of experiencing something different and memorable. Determining your budget will enable you to decide on the type of wedding you can afford, and the level of luxury you wish to implement. Once you have chosen the officiant who you feel relates to the ceremony you wish to have, you have some work to do. Although there may be many ideas that can be found online, the best ideas will come from your own designs.

In the past we have officiated gender-neutral ceremonies at high-end venues with a large guest count, and an even larger budget. We have also conducted ceremonies in a couple’s living room with very close friends, followed by an elegantly catered dinner and a night out in the village. Whether it was a large banquet hall with a vinyl covered dance floor, or the ceremony where the couple’s dog sat on a groom’s lap, these events have had similarities. They were all personal, meaningful and enjoyed by all in attendance. As long as you are true to yourselves, the rest will fall into place.

You can choose to include some traditional and cultural rituals. It can be great fun to go with a themed wedding; from attire to decorations to food and favours. You may choose to have a very simple ceremony followed by a destination wedding or luxurious honeymoon. You may choose to have a wedding that follows family traditions with a touch of creative flair. Being able to marry is still new to “us” and it has a high reverence for many. However, this is also the opportunity to step out of the box and create a memorable event for all.

Whatever the possibilities, you are in control of your ceremony. Although there is some legal wording that may need to be included, a good part of your ceremony script and ideas should be the reflection and celebration of your love. Let your heart be the rule book for your wedding and don’t be fearful to create the memory of a lifetime!

Robb McDonald and Patricia Glogowska, All Seasons Weddings Ceremonies Limited

Robb McDonald and Patricia Glogowska are experienced officiants at All Seasons Weddings and have great knowledge and experience in helping create meaningful ceremonies. They are both passionate about weddings, especially those in the LGBT community. Gay Weddings Ontario is a wedding ceremony service for the LGBT community, with services in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, London, Hamilton, Windsor, and most communities in Ontario.

All Seasons Weddings Ltd. 3249 Yorks Corners Rd Kenmore (Ottawa), ON K0A 2G0 1-800-545-3681 , www.gayweddingsontario.ca

Weddings in the Village
Romance Comes in Different Packages

A growing trend in The Six right now is to skip the formal and more traditional style of wedding that requires planning (as much as two years) in advance. What options do you have apart from a drab City Hall ceremony, and then going for drinks at the local? People interested in traditional weddings, go for luxurious locations and they quickly grab every Saturday available. Couples now are searching for options. Options that cater to their busy professional lifestyles. What is on the trend? A more laid back celebration, a party with style, but without all the pomp. It doesn’t have to take place on the traditional Saturday, and a Friday night or mid-week would work perfectly.

The challenge with bar and pub locations is they lack character. There often is no history and memory that can be remembered when tying the knot at the same place you get your cheap pints at on a Thursday. So how do you celebrate your love in an epic location all the while adhering to a reasonable budget? Not to mention without disrupting your busy lives?

Berkeley Events introduces Chapel Weddings  at The Berkeley Bicycle Club. Celebrate your love in an intimate fashion at their unique venue with only the closest people in your life. We recognize the vision of a perfect wedding is different for everyone, and if the idea of a small, shortened and intimate gathering appeals to you, Berkeley Chapel weddings are the perfect fit. Every detail has been considered for your special day. Arrive, say I DO, and then celebrate with family and friends. Create a moment that you will cherish forever.

If a traditional ceremony is more your style then Berkeley is the best place to get married in Toronto. After being in the wedding business for 20 years, they are known for exceptional customer service, and provide not only the venue for your ceremony, but a coordinator, flowers, catering, photography and more. Voted by BlogTo as one of the top places to get married, experience the Berkeley magic for you and your partner.

The Berkeley Bicycle Club, 504 Jarvis Street, – www.berkeleyevents.com 416-361-9666

Jonathan Walsh, Marketing Manager, Berkeley Events

Operating Toronto’s most unique event venues since 1999, Berkeley Events is the authority on full-service event execution. Pioneering creative spaces and memorable experiences is what Berkeley Events does best. Launching with the much-acclaimed 1871 Berkeley Church, Berkeley Events has expanded to include The Berkeley Field House, Airship37, La Maquette, The Berkeley Bicycle Club and a full-service catering division.

Berkeley Events – 315 Queen St. East. Toronto, ON. M5A 1S7 info@berkeleyevents.com 416 361 9666

The Importance of Choosing a Venue That Gets You

So, you’re getting married… Congratulations! You’re in the midst of planning your wedding and you’re looking for the perfect venue. Have you and your partner ever walked into a wedding venue and when the person greeting you realizes you are gay, the response is over the top “oh wow, that’s fantastic, so cool that’s great, so great …” On the one hand, hearing that is kind of odd and can feel like you’re a spectacle. On the other hand, it’s truly amazing that we live in a city where people can and do say that. However, it’s time to be acknowledged as unique for who you are, not what you are.

So, what is it about choosing a wedding venue that would be important to a same sex couple? The ambience, for sure. Location, yes. Price, absolutely. But what about the intangible. That something that you just can’t put your finger on, finding the venue that gets you, that understands you. A venue that gets that it’s not about being gay or lesbian or transgender, it’s about who you both are as individuals. That is the most important factor in planning one of the most important days of your life. At Pegasus Hospitality Group, their venues, Palais Royale and the Grand Luxe Event Boutique, have been host to all kinds of weddings of various ethnicities, religions, traditions and lifestyles, including same-sex weddings. No two couples are alike, therefore there isn’t a cookie cutter recipe for the perfect wedding. The perfect wedding is what the couple creates. We understand that for many same-sex couples, a wedding in the traditional sense, may or may not be a true reflection of who they are.

Realistically, for any wedding there is no right or wrong, and many couples choose to reinvent their special day, choosing venues that welcome you with the understanding of going above and beyond your expectations, no matter the religion, the tradition or the style of your event. Staffing is also important when choosing a venue. Both Palais Royale and Grand Luxe pride themselves with their diverse team.

Having Also, having an owner who is a member of the LGBTQ community has led to the production of numerous events coordinated by the Pegasus Hospitality Group for the LGBTQ community over the past 10 years, and has nurtured a diverse team of staff to execute their events in a positive environment, that is safe and inclusive.

When planning a same-sex wedding, it’s important that the venue and vendors are LGBTQ positive and listen to your needs and desires, taking pride in the respectful and enjoyable manner with which an event is planned for their clients.

Keeping diversity at the forefront has kept Pegasus constantly growing and has also given them the ability to create new events that are forward thinking. They’ve created a business of elegance, acceptance, quality and excellence, and now you are invited to find the wedding that is uniquely yours where Style, Originality and Service Beyond Expectation will become a reality!

Mary Lou Borg, Pegasus Hospitality

Mary Lou Borg has spent her career in the hospitality business. For the past ten years, she has been partner at Pegasus Hospitality Group, which encompasses the Historic Palais Royale Ballroom, the Grand Luxe Event Boutique, The Exchange Café and The Food Studio Catering. She has also established CHIC Productions, an event company which produces leading edge events for the LGBTQ community. Pride events at the Palais Royale are one of the largest in the city of Toronto. Much of the business at Palais Royale and the Grand Luxe cater to weddings, and Mary Lou strives to continue to produce weddings for the LGBTQ community with style and originality.

Robert Van Horne, Senior Sales Coordinator, Palais Royale Ballroom

Robert first encountered Palais Royale when he was hired to perform in drag as his alias Alisha Van Horne, for Chic Productions in 2009. He was then hired on as an Executive Event Assistant, where he learned the ropes and was then promoted to become an Event Coordinator within the company. Currently, as Senior Sales Coordinator, he works on various projects and locations within the company. Robert became a more involved member of the LGBTQ community when he started his drag career as Alisha Van Horne in 2005, working alongside many other queens and performers at various establishments, fundraisers and Pride events on Church Street and beyond. He holds many titles, Miss El Convento Rico 2008, Miss Gay Ontario 2008, and Miss Gay Toronto 2014.

Pegasus Hospitality Group – 416 533 1573 info@pegasushospitality.ca, www.pegasushospitality.com

Palais Royale – 1601 Lake Shore Blvd. West Toronto, ON, M6K 3C1 416-533-3553 info@pegasushospitality.ca , www.palaisroyale.ca

Destination Weddings for the LGBT Community

You’ve asked your partner to marry you. Now what?  Will it be the tranquil waters splashing against your guests on the beach as you say your vows, or the chiming of the church bells in a Gothic cathedral as you stand together? Determining where and how to be married is a big chunk of planning. Having the internet at your fingertips makes it easier to browse destinations no matter where it is you want to go.

If you desire to stand on the warm sand and walk down an aisle of roses, then a destination wedding would be perfect for you. Before making any financial commitments to any travel operators you’ll have to do some homework.  First off, find out what the local laws are regarding same-sex marriage.  Many of the beautiful destinations we see online and in tour operator magazines do not support or tolerate non-traditional marriage.

For those wanting to get married in a warmer climate, one of the best destinations is Mexico – either Cancun or the Mayan Riviera. In the state of Quintana Roo same-sex marriage is legal and widely accepted. Speak to a destination wedding expert before securing a hotel, as some offer special rates and packages for LGBT weddings.

A destination wedding is a wonderful way to combine your honeymoon and ceremony. Resorts are eager to host your wedding and will have a vast array of wedding packages to choose from. Some couples may choose to invite only a few close friends and family to join in the adventure, while others may invite a large group.

When planning a destination wedding keep in mind that some people may not be able to attend due to work constraints, inability to afford the expenses, or other issues. Some may not have passports or be able to afford the added expense of getting those completed. If you decide to do a destination wedding having a family celebration upon return would be a wonderful way to include the family members who could not go.

Currently, most Canadian tour operators have promotions for LGBT destination weddings. In some cases you can hold up to 40 seats for a 120-day period with just a $300 deposit. This will allow you time to send out your invitations and get your guests to respond.

A great way to keep your guests informed of your destination wedding is to create your own wedding website. Through your own site you can keep your guests informed and give them something to look forward to when your date is far into the future. It will also allow some guests the opportunity to give you a wedding gift through an online registration system. This is great for any couple that has everything, yet could use some extra funds for their magical destination wedding.

When you take that next step you’ll need a hand. Total Advantage Travel and Tours Inc can offer you a wealth of help in planning your dream destination wedding. They have all the resources, and their expert travel planners are eager and ready to answer all of your questions to make your special day the most beautiful day of your lives!

Total Advantage Travel and Tours Inc. specializes in Destination Weddings. Your dedicated Destination Wedding Consultant takes care of all the details, from researching the resort that best matches your vision, negotiating rates, your on-site planner and your seat assignments, to helping you order custom gifts and arrange special events for your group. Destination Weddings: fun, stress-free, memorable and affordable for everyone on your guest list!

Total Advantage Travel & Tours Inc.
Phone – 416 240 7700
Toll Free – 1 800 419 1635

www.totaladvantage.com

Robert Townshend, President and Founder, Total Advantage Travel & Tours Inc.

Robert Townshend is a graduate of Ryerson University and the Canadian Travel School. He was a professor at Centennial College teaching Travel & Tourism Courses. He sits on the travel agent advisory board of Air Canada Vacations.

Liz Devine, Total Advantage Travel and Tours Inc.

Liz Devine is a Social Entrepreneur, Tourism-For-Community-Good Advocate & Career Connector. Exploring new horizons, she is looking for honeymoon selfies from romantic destinations that welcome LGBTQ couples. Follow her @lesbiantravel . Contact one of our team members to plan your Destination Wedding, Honeymoon or romantic getaway.

Click the following links to visit relevant categories at The Pink Pages Directory:

http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/greater-toronto-area/accommodations/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/greater-toronto-area/bakeries/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/greater-toronto-area/catering/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/greater-toronto-area/d-j-services/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/greater-toronto-area/event-venue/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/greater-toronto-area/florists/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/greater-toronto-area/gifts-giftware/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/greater-toronto-area/limousine-service/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/greater-toronto-area/wedding-services/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/northumberland-kawartha/accommodations/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/northern-ontario/accommodations/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/ottawa/accommodations/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/ottawa/limousine-service/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/niagara/accommodations/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/niagara/limousine-service/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/niagara/wines-wineries/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/york-and-durham/accommodations/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/york-and-durham/limousine-service/
http://thepinkpagesdirectory.com/listings/canada/ontario/york-and-durham/wedding-services/

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PinkPlayMags Editorial Team

Getting married is an exciting event that needs a lot of preparation and consideration. Couples who are planning for their big day should not rush in getting everything done as soon as possible since this can result to a poorly-planned wedding. When it comes to wedding planning, there are several things that couples should consider.

The first thing is the number of guests to be invited. This helps in determining the venue where the couple will be wed as well as where the reception will take place. Knowing how many guests are sure to attend can help determine the amount of space needed especially when tables, chairs, and waiters are included.

Second, couples should check their credit. There are credit cards that provide rewards program that couples can use especially when they combine all of their wedding purchases into a single credit card increasing the rewards that they will be having. This is perfect especially when it comes to their honeymoon getaway.

The third thing to consider when it comes to wedding planning is the budget. Couples who are on a ight budget can always reduce the number of guests they will be inviting since most of their money will be for serving drinks and food to their guests.

Fourth, couples should get organized. They should place everything that is related to their wedding into a single binder including letters from vendors, photos from magazines as well as contact numbers of possible vendors that couples can go to.

Fifth, time is everything. It is important for couples to understand that doing too many things at one time will just make them even more harassed. It is best to take things one step at a time.

Sixth, reserving rooms around the wedding venue is essential. Couples should first browse among the hotels near the venue to be able to get an idea of best hotel packages that suit their budget.

Wedding planning can be easy especially when considering these things. It would help couples a lot to create a perfect wedding if they plan ahead. Taking time to look for vendors and venues will also help a lot in preparing for the Big Day.

PinkPlayMags’ editorial team are a romantic bunch. One of the earliest editions of our magazine was about romance and marriage, check it out here

Choosing The Right Officiant

Robb McDonald and Patricia Glogowska, All Seasons Weddings

Deciding on the words and actions that will make up your wedding ceremony may feel like a daunting task. The right officiant can help make it easier and make sure that you end up with a ceremony that truly represents you and your partner.

Wedding ceremonies, whether cultural, religious, or civil in nature, have changed over time. There has been no greater change for couples who have shared a loving relationship within the LBGT community than July 20, 2005, when the Canadian government redefined the Marriage Act to include a gender-neutral definition. Even prior to the legislative change, many same sex couples chose to mark the commitment of their relationship with a celebration of their union.

There is very little text that must be legally included in a wedding ceremony. You freely declare your intentions to be married, you share some sentimental words, sign the marriage license, the officiant declares you married, and the party begins. How do you make this day more memorable for you and your guests?

Your wedding ceremony should be one your guests will remember, and not only because yours is the first same-sex marriage they have attended. There is a lot of room for personalization. A wedding ceremony should reflect your relationship. It should represent who you are individually, and as a couple. You wedding ceremony should be meaningful, personal (after all you are committing to each other “till death do us part”), and it should be lighthearted with a touch of humour. Your ceremony should set the tone for the reception that will follow.

Your wedding day will be one that will just fly by. Be sure to take a moment to look around and enjoy the day. Take the time to absorb the emotions of the day and to be with the number of people who have joined you for this milestone moment in your lives. Your wedding day is also a way to say thank you to your guests for the love and encouragement they have offered you over the years that have helped you make this commitment in your lives.

To make this ceremony happen with ease, choose an officiant who will listen to your vision and help you make it a reality. Your officiant should be flexible and understanding. They should help you to create the ceremony you want by providing ideas and suggestions that you are at liberty to accept and change to your preference. After all, when your wedding day is over, you will be the one remembering the highlights of the day. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want!

You want to create a memory that will last throughout your marriage. The officiants at All Seasons Weddings are ready to help you plan the perfect ceremony that will truly reflect you both and your journey together.

Robb McDonald and Patricia Glogowska are experienced officiants at All Seasons Weddings and have great knowledge and experience in helping create meaningful ceremonies. They are both passionate about weddings, especially those in the LBGT community.

Wedding Catering

Karen Roberts, Berkeley Events, Corporate Event Sales & Catering

In the past, the thought of catering a wedding would cause some to roll their eyes, but these days with the rise of creative chefs and cooks, great local food, organic options and more, it’s easier than ever to amaze your guests. Now the wedding day catering could possibly be the second star of the show, behind the bride, of course.

The secret to a smooth adventure into catering is strong time management and careful, thoughtful, and intelligent planning. Yes, it is “Your” day and always will be, and it can be stress free and smooth.

Here are some tips for successful Wedding Day catering.

• Leave yourself as much time as possible. Try not to wait until a month before your wedding to decide on your catering choices. Most venues and planners will allow you to make changes if needed, even last minute. If the venue has a solid idea of what you want, then the plan to put it together has already be put into play, and the kitchen knows what is coming up.
• Bring an objective person with you when deciding on your catering with the coordinator or planner. A friend is the best idea as they are not going to be quite as invested as you or your partner, or your mother! Bounce ideas off them, and they should know your tastes and what you like.
• Listen to your planner regarding quantities. It is likely that they plan and execute weddings several times a week. They will guide you as to timing your catering with your arrival, ceremony, speeches and reception.
• Make sure to leave plenty of time to schedule a tasting. This will allow you time to add, alter, change or delete as you near your day. Communicate with your guests as far ahead of time as to their choices of their main course, about food preferences and allergies. Always make sure that you communicate to your planner or the person in charge of service ,who and where these people are.
• Read your contract carefully. Leave yourself plenty of time to correct things, perhaps stagger your stations, include vegetarian options, and fun things for kids, if there are kids attending. Always take time to consider the type of celebration you are having and the guests attending your “Big” day, as this will make everything as smooth as you dream it will be.

Congratulations and Happy Wedding!

Karen Roberts has worked in the hospitality industry for almost 20years, having managed restaurants, worked in bars, done private dining, events and catering. At Berkeley Events, every event is different from the last and will be different from the next. I love suggesting food, planning, seeing the set up, making sure all is perfect, and seeing the smiles on the guests when they finish.

The Berkeley “1871” Church, The Berkeley FieldHouse, Airship 37, La Maquette, The Berkeley Bicycle Club www.berkeleyevents.com

Destination Weddings: New Traditions in Gay Getaways

Liz Devine, Total Advantage Travel and Tours Inc.

Congratulations, you’re engaged! Now it’s time to think about where you want to say “I DO”, and what you want your big day to look and feel like. The emotions, costs, and limitations of planning a “traditional” wedding can be so overwhelming, that sometimes you just want to get away. Don’t despair. You can combine the best of tradition and getaway if you choose to have a Destination Wedding!

Destination Weddings are the perfect way for your friends and families to get to know each other. Many couples see Destination Weddings as an opportunity to reconnect with family members living abroad. Being together at an all-inclusive resort in an idyllic setting is perfect place to form new acquaintances and to build long-lasting new bonds.

Destination Weddings can extend your special day into an entire week! Instead of rushing through a tightly scheduled day, spend quality time with the people who matter in your life. You can schedule a welcome reception, host special meals or excursions with your guests, plan games and activities. Your entire group will dine, play, laugh and relax together, in a way they never could during a conventional, single-day local wedding.

Although same-sex marriage is legally recognized (nationwide or in some parts) in 21 countries, there are different residency rules for getting married abroad. You have to be in the country for several days before the ceremony, and there can be lots of paperwork. A popular option is to have a legal ceremony with a justice of the peace before you depart, then have a symbolic ceremony at your destination resort.

Bahia Principe is a popular choice for same sex couples. With multiple properties in Mexico, ranging from adults-only relaxation to family-friendly fun, a Bahia Principe resort will provide your guests the exact getaway they’re looking forward to. This region is popular for its natural beauty, affordable high quality resorts, and opportunities to visit ancient ruins and nearby rain forests.

One of the most popular options for a same sex Destination Wedding is Mexico. This is because most regions throughout Mexico are very LGBT-welcoming and they provide legal and symbolic same-sex wedding ceremonies. Unlike many other LGBT-friendly wedding destinations, resorts in Mexico offer all-inclusive resort and wedding packages, which makes Mexican Destination Weddings very affordable for the happy couple, as well as their guests.

Another popular destination for LGBT destination weddings is Puerto Vallarta. This resort town has a vibrant gay culture and is surrounded by all-inclusive resorts that have direct transport to the old town for a day at the gay beach or an afternoon checking out local shops. Dreams Resort is close to the gay side of town, and a perfect location for a beach ceremony]

A Destination Wedding Travel Consultant will help you to determine the setting you want to get married in, what traditions you want to include, and how you want to make your celebration all about your love and commitment to each other. They tailor their services to your wedding vision and budget. Total Advantage Destination Wedding Consultants know the trends and developments in LGBT destination weddings, where same-sex couples can legally get married, and which resorts and countries will welcome all members of your wedding party.

Total Advantage Travel specializes in Destination Weddings. Your dedicated Destination Wedding Consultant takes care of all the details, from researching the resort that best matches your vision, negotiating rates, your on-site planner and your seat assignments, to helping you order custom gifts and arrange special events for your group.

Destination Weddings: fun, stress-free, memorable and affordable for everyone on your guest list!

Liz Devine is a Social Entrepreneur, Tourism-For-Community-Good Advocate & Career Connector. Exploring new horizons, she is looking for honeymoon selfies from romantic destinations that welcome LGBTQ couples. Follow her @lesbiantravel . Contact one of our team members to plan your Destination Wedding, Honeymoon or romantic getaway. www.totaladvantage.com

One Happy Couple’s Story – A Palais Royale Wedding

Mary Lou Borg, Palais Royale

After 20 years as partners, Val thought… will she marry me? And of course, Cindy said yes. So, the process of the wedding planning started. When, where, how, who, as the many questions started to roam around in their excitement. What they did know, was where they wanted their wedding to be; at the Palais Royale Ballroom, a premiere location on the waterfront in the heart of Toronto.

The first thing they did was to meet with Mary Lou Borg, a friend and one of the partners at Palais Royale. Touchingly, Val and Cindy wanted to have their wedding there as a thank you for all the CHIC Production dances they’d attended there, and for Palais’ support of the LGBTQ community over the years. Knowing they had a perfect space to work with, Mary Lou and wedding coordinator Antonette, helped Val and Cindy start the process of creating their dream wedding that would be a reinvention of tradition with classic simplicity.

For many same sex couples, a wedding in the traditional sense, may or may not be a true reflection of who they are. Realistically, for any wedding there is no right or wrong, and many couples straight or gay choose to reinvent their special day. Val and Cindy chose close friends and family to be their “chicks of honour” as they were dubbed, and Mary Joseph, a dear friend performed the ceremony.

They also opted to completely customize their dinner with a five stationed ‘Tastes of Toronto’ menu to reflect their love of Toronto’s diverse communities. This offered their guests a wide variety of delicious food choices, with the presentation being an event in itself. A three-tiered wedding cake with flowers the colours of the rainbow was made by the pastry department at Palais Royale, while rainbow coloured jelly beans in silk bags adorned each place setting with a special message from Val and Cindy attached.

Palais Royale, as Cindy said, “gave us no restrictions, there was nothing we couldn’t ask, there were no limits to what we could do. We were allowed to go to any level going through the planning process. It was the ideal scenario to help make our dream come true. Palais Royale met our every need and months later, our guests still are talking about it being one of the best weddings they’ve ever attended.”

When planning a same sex wedding, it would be important that the venue and your vendors are LGBTQ positive and listen to your needs and desires. Here at Palais Royale, as well as our sister venue, the Grand Luxe Event Boutique, our philosophy is Style, Originality and Service Beyond Expectation. We pride ourselves not only on our cuisine, but the respectful and enjoyable manner with which we plan an event with our clients, knowing that this is one of the most important days of their lives. As Cindy and Val noted, “The Palais Royale is historic, classic, intimate, on Lake Ontario, with heart driven delicious food and outstanding attentive staff. The Palais provides one-stop shopping for wedding clients who can have their ceremonies on the covered deck on the waterfront, take photos on the picturesque property, and host their receptions in the historic newly renovated grand ballroom.”

Both Cindy and Val felt that the staff was so instrumental throughout the process of the planning and the tasting, that by the time the wedding day arrived, they realized the staff “epitomized the fact that they were there for us and were invested in our day. They became part of our family.”Getting teary before the ceremony, Marcela a server, handed Cindy a cocktail napkin. As she proceeded to get tearier, Marcela was there with a handful of tissues… And after the ceremony, the roles reversed, as Cindy saw Marcela sobbing after the ceremony exclaiming “That was the most beautiful ceremony I’ve ever seen.” to which Cindy replied, “Marcela I have no Kleenex!”

As everyone at Cindy and Val’s wedding applauded their marriage after the beautiful September ceremony on the deck overlooking Lake Ontario, and Val’s nephew Braden and Cindy’s son Danny performed a beautiful song, people blew bubbles from the rainbow coloured bottles on everyone’s chair. And as the evening drew to a close, and the happy couple made their way home with their care package of food, Val expressed to her new wife Cindy, “I want to do it again, but this time as a guest!”

Mary Lou Borg has spent her career in the hospitality business. For the past ten years, she has been partner at Pegasus Hospitality Group, which encompasses the Historic Palais Royale Ballroom, the Grand Luxe Event Boutique, The Exchange Café and The Food Studio Catering. She has also established CHIC Productions, an event company which produces leading edge events for the LGBTQ community. Pride events at the Palais Royale are one of the largest in the city of Toronto. Much of the business at Palais Royale and the Grand Luxe cater to weddings, and Mary Lou strives to continue to produce weddings for the LGBTQ community with style and originality. www.pegasushospitality.com

Check out these other  LGBTQ friendly businesses providing services for Weddings throughout Ontario:

Toronto

Bakeries

Catering

DJ Services

Event Venue

Florist

Gifts & Giftware

Wedding Services

Ottawa

Accommodations

Limousine Services

Niagara Region

Accommodations

Limousine Services

Wine & Wineries

Northumberland-Kawartha

Accommodations

York and Durham

Accommodations

Limousine Services

Wedding Services

Northern Ontario

Accommodations

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