The Toronto Wedding Chapel

Congratulations Daniela and John!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:45:00 +0000

April 1st 2012
The Toronto Wedding Chapel

WEDDING CEREMONIES OFFERED IN MANY LANGUAGES

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:40:00 +0000

The Toronto Wedding Chapel opens its arms to couples of all nationalities, faiths and beliefs. We respect cultural diversity and offer wedding ceremonies in many languages in addition to English. We have licensed, experienced Officiants that are available to perform wedding ceremonies in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Your ceremony should be a reflection of you as a couple and a big part of that is your cultural identity and mother tongue.

It’s not just international couples that enjoy our multilingual wedding ceremonies; Toronto is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Home to virtually all of the world's culture groups, there are more than 100 languages and dialects are spoken in Toronto. Although we can’t provide wedding ceremonies in all 100 languages and dialects yet, we’re working on it.

In addition to multilingual wedding ceremonies we can plan your entire wedding with great attention to respecting your cultural customs and incorporating them into your wedding celebrations. If you have friends and family in far off locations that won’t be able to attend we offer webcasting services – the next best thing to being there. Our fabulous photographer can also document the entire day – offsite and onsite - for you so that you will be able to share a photographic memory of your wedding day.

Contact the Toronto Wedding Chapel to find out more about our multilingual wedding ceremonies. We create wedding magic in any language.

IMPORTANCE OF DÉCOR AT EVERY EVENT

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:28:00 +0000

Décor is not just a thoughtful colour scheme and carefully arranged flowers; it creates and sets the stage for any event. What would a play be without the sets and backdrops? It would be bland and boring with no visual interest. The same holds true for an event. The event is your play; and it needs the sets and backdrops to set the stage, create the atmosphere, and stimulate and energize the guests. Important elements of décor include:

Colour Scheme
Lighting
Special Effects
Flowers
Aisle Runners
Reception place cards, table number placards, menus
Table Linens
Table Décor
Chair Coverings
Centrepieces
Signage
Party Favours

The Toronto Wedding Chapel creative team designs magical experiences for you and your guests using a special blend of décor that stimulates the senses and creates nothing short of WOW! We set the stage and create the mood for all of your very important events; not just weddings. Our creative team has designed the décor for some of Toronto’s most memorable corporate, not-for-profit and personal events and we have the photos to prove it.

Contact us today to find out how we can turn your next event into the talk of the town.

WEDDINGS TAKE PLACE 7 DAYS A WEEK AT THE TORONTO WEDDING CHAPEL

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:26:00 +0000

Weekday weddings have become an industry trend thanks to their substantial savings over weekend weddings; but did you know according to Victorian superstition marriages should only take place during the week? Although Saturday is now the most popular day for weddings, it was considered unlucky in the past. Fridays were also considered unlucky, particularly Friday the 13th.

Popular venues may be booked 1 – 3 years in advance on weekends and the prices are higher. As well weekend weddings need to be planned to avoid:

Major Civic holidays
Graduation weekends
The weekend before tax day

Did you know that Tuesdays are lucky days for marriages? In the Torah, Genesis, Chapter 1, it is written “it is good” twice on the third day of creation and many consider this a great omen for marriage.
5 Great Reasons to Plan a Weekday Wedding:

Substantial savings
Greater choice of venues
Greater availability of vendors
Ideal for intimate, low key weddings
An easy way to control the guest list

Weekday weddings have long been a European tradition that has finally caught on in North America. Contact the Toronto Wedding Chapel to find out about our weekday specials. The wedding of your dreams may now be within grasp.

Congratulations Anne and Jon!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:55:00 +0000

February 1st 2012
The Toronto Wedding Chapel

5 TOP CELEBRITY WEDDING TRENDS

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:50:00 +0000

The Veil is Back: And celebrities Reese Witherspoon, Kate Middleton, Kate Moss, and Zara Phillips agree.
Gowns With Sleeves are in Vogue: Celebrity brides Lauren Bush, Kate Middleton, Katie Holmes, Nicole Kidman, and Ivanka Trump are living proof that a wedding gown with sleeves can be just as sexy as a strapless gown.
Choreographed First Dance: Blame this trend on the reality dancing shows. You’ll have to take some dance lessons and get your teacher to choreograph a number that you’ll realistically be able to perform.
4-Legged Attendants: Many celebrities are crazy about their pets and make them part of the wedding party. When Gwen Stefani married Gavin Rossdale she was escorted down the aisle by her sheepdog Winston who wore a rose covered collar and lead. Tori Spelling hired a fashion designer to create a wedding outfit for her pug Mimi Larue, the flower girl and ring bearer. Adam Sandler’s bulldogs Matzoball and Meatball were at his Malibu wedding. Meatball was dressed in a tux with a yarmulke on his head.
Destination Weddings: Celebrities love destination weddings. Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem got married in the Bahamas. Lauren Bush, niece of President George W. Bush, and David Lauren, son of fashion designer Ralph Lauren, got married on Ralph Lauren’s Colorado ranch which just happens to be larger than some countries. Shania Twain and Frédéric Thiébaud married in the Caribbean. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon got married in Eleuthera.

How many celebrity wedding trends will you incorporate into your wedding? Contact the Toronto Wedding Chapel for more information on the latest wedding trends and how we can make them a part of your wedding.

Congratulations Caitlin and Tommy!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:43:00 +0000

March 10th 2012
The Toronto Wedding Chapel

ALTERNATIVES TO WEDDING FLOWERS

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:42:00 +0000

Although flowers are lovely, there may be several reasons why you may not want flowers at your wedding. Many people are allergic to flowers and provoking an attack of sneezing and sniffling is probably not the look you’re striving for. Not all flowers are eco-friendly; and of course we can’t forget about the expense. Once you factor in the cost of bouquets, boutonnières, corsages and floral décor, a large part of your budget may suddenly disappear. Don’t despair; there are great alternatives to flowers that just happen to be attractive and trendy.

Bouquet Alternatives: Feather Bouquets, Paper Flower Bouquets, Candy Bouquets, Vintage Button Bouquets, Silk Flower Bouquets, Fans, Origami Bouquets, Seashell Bouquets, Brooch Bouquets, Cookie Bouquets, Parasols, Pinwheels, Family Bible, Rosary Beads, Muff

Boutonnière Alternatives: Paper Flower, Silk Flower

Corsage Alternatives: Feathers, Paper Flower, Silk Flower

Wedding Décor: Fruit, Vegetables, Potted Plants, Potted Herbs, Candles, Balloons, Baskets, Paper Flowers, Seashells, Candelabras

There are so many interesting non-flower alternatives and creative ways to use them that your guests will be amazed at your unique and striking bouquets, boutonnières, corsages and floral décor. Non-flower alternatives are great ways to break with tradition and reflect your personal styles. Best of all no one will be sneezing or sniffling; you will have made eco-friendly choices and saved a lot of money in the process. Contact the Toronto Wedding Chapel for more great wedding ideas.

Congratulations Tracy and Reza!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:41:00 +0000

February 26th 2012
The Toronto Wedding Chapel

LUCKY WEDDING SUPERSTITIONS

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:40:00 +0000

We don’t like to admit that we’re superstitious but do you really like walking under ladders and how would you feel if you broke a mirror? There are many wedding superstitions that bring luck to a marriage. Here are a few that you may want to use – just in case you are superstitious.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue:

Something Old - friends will stay with you
Something New – an omen for future health, happiness and success
Something Borrowed – a token of love which much be returned to ensure the good luck
Something Blue – represents fidelity and constancy

Wedding Cake: Originally the wedding cake consisted of many small wheat cakes that were broken over the bride's head to bestow good luck and fertility.

Walk to the Church: This is the best way to spot good luck omens.

Carry the Bride over the Threshold: The groom carries the bride over the threshold because the bride must enter her home by the main door and to avoid bad luck must never trip or fall.

Put a Sugar Cube in your Glove: This will sweeten your marriage.

Wedding Veil: The wedding veil disguises the bride and hides her from evil spirits.

Coin in your Shoe: A coin in the bride’s shoe is an omen for health, happiness and wealth. It is traditionally placed in the bride’s left shoe by the bride or her father.

Good Luck Omens: If you see a rainbow, a black cat, a chimney sweep or find a spider in your wedding dress you will be lucky in your marriage.

How many of these lucky superstitions will you be using in your wedding? Contact the Toronto Wedding Chapel for all of your wedding needs.

GREAT DEALS AT THE TORONTO WEDDING CHAPEL!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:50:00 +0000

According to the WeddingChannel.com's Real Wedding Survey last year 42% of couples went over budget on their weddings and that can really cause problems. The Toronto Wedding Chapel is here to help you not only stay within budget, but perhaps save you some money as well. If you book your wedding from Monday to Thursday inclusive, we will discount selected wedding packages by 15%. We don’t know how long this special is going to stay in effect, so book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

In addition to booking your wedding at the Toronto Wedding Chapel from Monday to Thursday, we’ve got some other cost saving tips for you:

Trim your guest list

Send your invitations electronically and save on invitations, RSVP cards, and postage

Share your wedding details online

Save on décor – the Toronto Wedding Chapel is beautifully pre-decorated

Get married in the morning or early afternoon – the food and beverage bill will be considerably cheaper

Have a cocktail reception and save on the cost of a sit-down dinner

Serve wine only instead of an open bar with spirits

Forgo champagne in lieu of bubbly wine

Use seasonal flowers

Choose larger flowers – you’ll need less of them

Buy shoes that you can wear again

Serve your favourite dessert instead of purchasing a pricey wedding cake

Give homemade wedding favours

Have a look at our fabulous wedding packages and take 15% off the price of selected wedding packages from Monday to Thursday.

HONEYMOONING AT THE BEACH - THE TOP 20 BEACHES IN THE WORLD

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:37:00 +0000

Many couples search for an idyllic beach resort for their honeymoon; but where to go? Are you interested in an off-the-beaten path resort or one of the most popular beach resorts in the world? Trip Advisor has compiled a list of the top beaches in the world as chosen by its travelers, and what a great list it is. It includes some old favourites and a few beach resorts that I had never heard of before; and there is something for every budget.

Providenciales – a tiny Caribbean Island voted top beach destination for the second year in a row
Palm/Eagle Beach, Aruba – fabulous beaches on the southwest side of Aruba
Tulum, Mexico – gorgeous Yucatan beaches
Negril, Jamaica – traditional, topless and nude beaches available
Saint Pete Beach, Florida - situated on a peninsula off Florida's west coast
Boracay, Philippines – several excellent beaches along a 4.5 mile stretch
Cancun, Mexico – Mexico’s premier coastal destination
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – 25 miles of white, sandy beaches
Miami Beach, Florida – white sandy beaches on the Atlantic side of Florida
Varadero, Cuba – 13 mile long peninsula on the Kawama Channel
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - some of the best beaches on America's East Coast
Playa del Carmen, Mexico – beautiful white beaches located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, about 40 miles south of Cancun
Virginia Beach, Virginia – a classic seaside resort with mild temperatures all year round
Oludeniz, Turkey – striking sapphire blue water and one of the world’s top spots for paragliding
Honolulu, Hawaii – gorgeous beaches and a surfer’s Mecca
Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt – fantastic Red Sea resort town on the tip of the Sinai peninsula
Daytona Beach, Florida – although known for its Speedway, the beaches are great
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – beautiful beaches and year round sunshine
Lahaina, Hawaii - Ka’anapali Beach in Lahaina is one of Maui’s best
Cayo Coco, Cuba – miles of powdery white beaches and calm waters

Have fun deciding!

Congratulations Patricia and Jorge!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:25:00 +0000

March 18th 2012
The Toronto Wedding Chapel

Congratulations Princess and Adrian!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:15:00 +0000

February 28th 2012
The Toronto Wedding Chapel

Congratulations Latoya and Christopher!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:07:00 +0000

February 28th, 2012
The Toronto Wedding Chapel

Congratulations Sophia and Jesse!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:20:00 +0000

Dear Katherine, Everton and Jessica,

We would like to thank you for helping make our special day more amazing than we could have ever imagined. We cannot tell you how many compliments we received about the venue, decor, food and atmosphere. I had so many people tell me I was the most calm bride they had ever seen and it was all because of you guys. You took care of everything and had it all under control, which allowed us to just relax and have fun on our wedding day :)

We have attached some pics from our wedding day for you in this email.

Thanks Again,
Sophia & Jesse

February 12th 2012
The Toronto Wedding Chapel

5 TOP SPRING WEDDING DRESS TRENDS

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:11:00 +0000

The new spring wedding dresses have exciting styles and silhouettes and several of the latest trends are definitely celebrity inspired.

Blush Coloured Wedding Dresses: This is a trend that is being attributed to Reese Witherspoon. She wore a Monique Lhuillier blush wedding gown at her wedding to Jim Toth and this trend took off, even for the more conservative brides.

Lace Sleeves: There can be no doubt that Kate Middleton is responsible for reinvigorating lace sleeves. Brides across the globe were clamouring for a look-a-like dress. After all, doesn’t every bride want to be a princess?

Illusion Necklines – This trend is a combination of vintage meets modern, but best of all it can flatter any bride. If you love lace, an illusion neckline is an ideal way to use it.

Two-Tiered Skirts – This trend is in essence an exaggerated peplum; great for camouflaging wider hips.

Decorative Bridal Belts – This trend is a great way to add colour to a wedding dress, define the waist or just add a personal touch. Bridal belts can be made of fabric, jewels, sequins, beads, or anything that fuels your imagination or strikes your fancy.

These are the latest trends, but the classics are always in style. Trends aren’t for everyone and you shouldn’t be made to feel like you have to participate. Your wedding dress should reflect who you are, not what someone says is in style. Get out there and try on dresses until you find the one that makes you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

Congratulations Lori and Paul!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:10:00 +0000

November 25th 2011

The Toronto Wedding Chapel

10 GREAT REASONS TO GET MARRIED DURING THE WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:16:00 +0000

You can have your choice of venue without having to book over a year in advance. Let everyone else fight over weekends.

Save money! Venues charge a premium for weekends. Some venues may have weekday specials or give you a considerably reduced rate for booking a weekday wedding.

If you have your heart set on a wedding reception at your favourite restaurant, many restaurants won’t close for a private function on the weekend, but they may close on a weekday.

Vendors are much more readily available during the week. You’ll have a much better choice of florists, caterers, and photographers and they may be willing to give you a deal.

People tend to drink less during the week so you will probably save money on your bar bill.

If a lot of your friends work in the hospitality industry they’d be busy on the weekend but they’re all available on Monday.

Get married on a special day regardless of the day of the week – birthday, anniversary of parents or grandparents…

It’s ideal for a small or informal wedding although I attended a formal black tie wedding with over 300 guests on a Tuesday evening and it was just as spectacular as a Saturday night wedding.

If you want to have wedding photos taken at a popular location, it will be much more accessible and less crowded on a weekday than on a weekend.

If you are leaving on your honeymoon directly after the wedding, airfares are cheaper during the week than on weekends.

Contact the Toronto Wedding Chapel to book your weekday wedding.

Congratulations Ella and Alek!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:14:00 +0000

January 7th 2012

The Toronto Wedding Chapel

THE ORIGINS OF WEDDING TRADITIONS

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:13:00 +0000

The origins of many wedding traditions can be traced back to ancient times and were often based on superstitions and folklore. It is however quite entertaining to explore them and see where some of the traditions that are very much ingrained in our culture actually began.

Bridal Shower: At a party for the bride-to-be, friends put gifts inside a parasol and opened it over the bride-to-be's head. When she opened the parasol she was showered with gifts, hence the expression “bridal shower”.

Tying The Knot: In ancient Rome a bride wore a girdle that was tied with knots, hence the expression “tying the knot”. In order to consummate the marriage the groom had to untie the knots.

Ring Finger: It was believed that the vein in the third finger led directly to the heart.

Bridesmaids: In ancient times brides and bridesmaids wore similar dresses in order to confuse evil spirits.

White Wedding Dress: Brides wore their best dress on their wedding day, until the wedding of Queen Victoria. Her choice of a white wedding dress revolutionized bridal attire forever.

Bridal Veil: In ancient days when marriages were arranged, the bride and groom didn’t see each other or meet prior to the wedding. The bride wore a veil so that the groom couldn’t see her face until they were officially married; minimizing the risk that the groom would call off the wedding if he didn’t think that the bride was pretty enough. Early Greek and Roman Brides wore red or yellow veils to ward off demons.

Tuxedo: Grooms wore their best suit on their wedding day until the wedding of President Teddy Roosevelt. He wore a tuxedo on his wedding day and grooms since then have followed suit – pun intended.

Wedding Bouquets: Wedding bouquets were originally made of strong herbs like thyme and garlic to frighten away evil spirits.

Carrying The Bride Over The Threshold: According to ancient tradition a groom used to steal his bride from her tribe. More often than not the groom carried her kicking and screaming into her new home. Over time this tradition somehow morphed into something romantic and as a result brides are still carried over the threshold.

Tossing Rice: In ancient times guests showered the bride and groom with nuts and grains, symbolic of a good harvest. However in years when nuts and grains were in short supply, rice was used instead.

Congratulations Jennie and Lucien!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:55:00 +0000

January 22nd 2012

The Toronto Wedding Chapel

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF VALENTINE’S DAY TRADITIONS?

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Every year we celebrate love and romance on February 14th. We buy Valentine’s Day cards, send red roses and chocolates and some of us even propose marriage or get married on Valentine’s Day; but who was St. Valentine and how did February 14th become the day of love and romance?

Who was St. Valentine? As with all legends there is usually more than one story and no one really knows which one is true. This is the case with the identity of St. Valentine. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus all of whom were martyred, but that is all that’s known for certain.

How did the tradition of sending Valentines begin? The most popular legend is that Valentine actually sent the first Valentine card to a girl that he fell in love with while he was in prison. The girl, according to legend, was the daughter of the jailer and she visited Valentine during his imprisonment. Before he died Valentine wrote his love a letter and signed it “From your Valentine”. Of course no one knows if this is fact or fiction, but the legend of the romantic St. Valentine spread far and wide and by the Middle Ages Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

The oldest known Valentine is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans in 1415 to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. It can be seen today at the British Museum in London, England.

By the middle of the 1700s friends and lovers were exchanging handmade Valentines and gifts on Valentine’s Day. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced Valentines in the U.S.

Why do we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th? Some believe that February 14th is the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial.

The other story is that in ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Lupercalia, a fertility festival, began at the ides of February, February 15. During this festival all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn and the bachelors would choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with their chosen women, often resulting in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D.

In the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14th was the beginning of birds' mating season so somehow this translated into a day dedicated to romance.

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Toronto Wedding Chapel team! We wish you a day filled with love and romance.

Congratulations Catriona and Mathew!

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:58:00 +0000

January 7th 2012

The Toronto Wedding Chapel

ARE YOU HAVING A MASTER OF CEREMONIES AT YOUR WEDDING?

noreply@blogger.com (The Toronto Wedding Chapel) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:57:00 +0000

We’ve all heard the stories about the drunken Master of Ceremonies who starts telling stories so inappropriate that they could end the marriage before the signatures have dried on the paperwork. Do you need an MC at your wedding, or perhaps the question should be, should you have an MC at your wedding? Let’s have a look at the role of the MC in detail and then you can make an informed decision.

What does the Master of Ceremonies do? The MC’s primary function is to ensure that the reception runs smoothly. Depending on the size of your wedding the MC’s job is a very important one and encompasses many facets:

Asks the guests to proceed to the reception.
Introduces the wedding party.
Invites the guests to be seated for dinner after the receiving line has welcomed all guests.
If grace is being said the MC will introduce the person who will say/lead grace.
After dinner the MC will introduce the people at the head table.
The MC will introduce the toasters and will ensure that no inappropriate toasts are made.
Read any emails or messages sent to the bride and groom from family or friends that couldn’t attend.
Introduce any out-of-town guests.
Announce the cutting of the wedding cake.
Announce the start of dancing.
Indicate when refreshments are available.
Let everyone know when the bride will be tossing the bouquet.
Announce the departure of the bride and groom.

If you want to have an MC at your wedding, choose carefully. You’ll want a reliable, responsible, reasonably sober MC with a great personality and sense of humour who will do a great job and enhance your wedding reception.