Sixteen fantastic picks from this year’s Wedding Co. Show (and yes, brides-to-be, macarons are still trendy)
Sixteen fantastic picks from this year’s Wedding Co. Show (and yes, brides-to-be, macarons are still trendy)
This past weekend, The Carlu played host to an intimate (albeit overwhelming) boutique-style wedding extravaganza. The 11th annual Wedding Co. Show, curated by former wedding photographer Catherine Lash, filled room after room with frosted creations, lace-trimmed gowns, DJs, musicians, caterers, florists, photographers, videographers, invitation artists, jewelled and feathered accessories, bespoke menswear, venue ideas and even dry cleaners. Unlike many of the other bridal shows that infiltrate the city at this time of year, this one had a relatively modest list of 125 vendors, hand-selected by Lash, who believes they’re the best of the best in a sometimes oversaturated market. Creative displays (that we actually wanted to stop and look at), delicious samples (lots of them), an etiquette booth (we may have needed to know when to stop sampling) and a soaring tree installation by artist in residence Marjorie Campbell were all important in making this show welcoming and interactive. But it’s still a trade show focused on weddings, and much like the brides-to-be in attendance, we were overwhelmed with how much there was to see. Check out 16 of our favourite vendors, including some of the best-designed booths, after the jump.
Unique vendors included the vintage prop rental company Hazlitt Vintage Rentals, which carries a large selection of vintage suitcases, books, jars and other accessories for creating an old country barn wedding; Tell Me a Love Story, an entertainment company that hires actors to perform your love story in front of guests during the wedding; LOL Candy, specializing in gourmet candy tables; and master calligrapher Rajiv Surendra, who is working to revive the ancient handwritten art. Trends for 2012 include communal tables (say goodbye to tiered head tables), long and low floral arrangements, colourful shoes and accessories, lace, men’s bespoke suits, vintage decor and alternative venues like restaurants or galleries. Despite the hype of last year’s Royal Wedding, Lash has noticed a move towards a more toned-down wedding (this might be too out-there, ladies) that puts the guest experience at the forefront. Weddings: not just for the bride and groom anymore.
Check out the 16 vendors we loved at this year’s Wedding Co. Show »
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- Alençon lace fit-and-flare gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves and lace bow detailing. <br /> <br /> Ines Di Santo, 168 Davenport Road, 416-925-0002, <a href="http://www.inesdisanto.com">inesdisanto.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Alençon lace fit-and-flare gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves and lace bow detailing.<br /> <br /> Ines Di Santo, 168 Davenport Road, 416-925-0002, <a href="http://www.inesdisanto.com">inesdisanto.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Andrea Dixon with her custom men’s ties, bow ties and pocket squares made with Liberty of London fabric. <br /> <br /> Pomp and Ceremony, 647-272-8267, <a href="www.pompandceremony.ca">pompandceremony.ca</a> <br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- A decadent display of cakes and sweets.<br /> <br /> Patricia’s Cake Creations, 7081 Salme Drive, 416-875-8572, <a href="www.patriciacakes.com">patriciacakes.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042, <a href="http://www.thedrakehotel.ca">thedrakehotel.ca</a> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Juicy pulled braised beef sits atop a polenta cake, accompanied by au jus drizzle and marinated vegetables.<br /> <br /> Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering, 33 Mill St., Suite 1304, 416-466-7272, <a href="http://www.presidentialgourmet.ca"></a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- An elaborate orchid centrepiece for a bride who isn’t very subtle.<br /> <br /> San Remo Floral Design Studio, 1151 St. Clair Ave. W., 416-652-1822, <a href="http://www.sanremoflorist.ca">sanremoflorist.ca</a> <br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Gourmet candy tables for a gourmet sugar high.<br /> <br /> LOL Candy, 416-854-4383, <a href="http://www.lolcandy.com">lolcandy.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Sweets table featuring miniature cakes, a cupcake bouquet and colourful macaron trees. Warning: children will become hyperactive after consuming treats from this table.<br /> <br /> J’adore Cakes Co., 3308 Danforth Ave., 416-491-4554, <a href="http://www.jadorecakesco.com">jadorecakesco.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Keep the kids occupied with organized child care services.<br /> <br /> Little Party Goers, 416-830-2056, <a href="http://www.littlepartygoers.com">littlepartygoers.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- A convertible bridesmaid dress that can be wrapped in 15 different ways to suit any body type.<br /> <br /> Two Birds Bridesmaid, 927 Queen St. W., Upper Suite, 647-352-2473, <a href="http://www.twobirdsbridesmaid.ca>twobirdsbridesmaid.ca</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- A convertible bridesmaid dress that can be wrapped in 15 different ways to suit any body type.<br /> <br /> Two Birds Bridesmaid, 927 Queen St. W., Upper Suite, 647-352-2473, <a href="http://www.twobirdsbridesmaid.ca>twobirdsbridesmaid.ca</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Communal table with long and low floral arrangements.<br /> <br /> Mimosa Flower Studio, 905-562-4868, <a href="www.mimosaflowers.com">mimosaflowers.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Communal table with long and low floral arrangements.<br /> <br /> Mimosa Flower Studio, 905-562-4868, <a href="www.mimosaflowers.com">mimosaflowers.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- A harpist would be so decadent (and lovely).<br /> <br /> Sandra Fan, 416-466-4532, <a href="http://www.sandrafan.com">sandrafan.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Cake art part two. This little piggy was clearly a little bit hungry.<br /> <br /> Cake Opera Co., 1136 Eglinton Ave. W., 647-347-2626, <a href="http://www.cakeoperaco.com">cakeoperaco.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Cake art.<br /> <br /> Cake Opera Co., 1136 Eglinton Ave. W., 647-347-2626, <a href="http://www.cakeoperaco.com">cakeoperaco.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
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- Turn your wedding reception into a Sadie Hawkins dance.<br /> <br /> Hazlitt Vintage Rentals, 519-525-7474, <a href="http://www.hazlittvintagerental.com">hazlittvintagerental.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Artist in residence Marjorie Campbell’s tree installation.<br /> <br /> Little ‘m’ Inventions, 766 Logan Ave, 416-466-2488, <a href="http://littleminventions.com">littleminventions.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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- Work by master calligrapher Rajiv Surendra.<br /> <br /> Rajiv Surendra, 416-575-8755, <a href="http://www.lettersinink.com">lettersinink.com</a><br /> <br /> (Image: Simone Olivero)
- The Wedding Co. Show at The Carlu
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&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_5099.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_112196" align="aligncenter" width="624" caption="Macarons! Cupcakes! Sugar! (Image: Simone Olivero)"][/caption]
This past weekend, The Carlu played host to an intimate (albeit overwhelming) boutique-style wedding extravaganza. The 11th annual Wedding Co. Show, curated by former wedding photographer Catherine Lash, filled room after room with frosted creations, lace-trimmed gowns, DJs, musicians, caterers, florists, photographers, videographers, invitation artists, jewelled and feathered accessories, bespoke menswear, venue ideas and even dry cleaners. Unlike many of the other bridal shows that infiltrate the city at this time of year, this one had a relatively modest list of 125 vendors, hand-selected by Lash, who believes they’re the best of the best in a sometimes oversaturated market. Creative displays (that we actually wanted to stop and look at), delicious samples (lots of them), an etiquette booth (we may have needed to know when to stop sampling) and a soaring tree installation by artist in residence Marjorie Campbell were all important in making this show welcoming and interactive. But it’s still a trade show focused on weddings, and much like the brides-to-be in attendance, we were overwhelmed with how much there was to see. Check out 16 of our favourite vendors, including some of the best-designed booths, after the jump.
Unique vendors included the vintage prop rental company Hazlitt Vintage Rentals, which carries a large selection of vintage suitcases, books, jars and other accessories for creating an old country barn wedding; Tell Me a Love Story, an entertainment company that hires actors to perform your love story in front of guests during the wedding; LOL Candy, specializing in gourmet candy tables; and master calligrapher Rajiv Surendra, who is working to revive the ancient handwritten art. Trends for 2012 include communal tables (say goodbye to tiered head tables), long and low floral arrangements, colourful shoes and accessories, lace, men’s bespoke suits, vintage decor and alternative venues like restaurants or galleries. Despite the hype of last year’s Royal Wedding, Lash has noticed a move towards a more toned-down wedding (this might be too out-there, ladies) that puts the guest experience at the forefront. Weddings: not just for the bride and groom anymore.
Check out the 16 vendors we loved at this year’s Wedding Co. Show »
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The Wedding Co. show is such a great bridal show — just go and get inspired! There are so many impressive displays, great vendors, and delicious samples — Catherine really does a great job putting it all together every year!