You may have heard a lot of talk around eloping these days. Maybe you’ve just considered it (thinking of how much less organizing it would take) or maybe you’ve always thought an elopement was the perfect fit for your wedding day.
The flexibility you have for an elopement is 10 fold the flexibility of a more traditional wedding day. Whatever you dream up, you can do it. You don’t need to look for a venue that holds a certain amount of guests, you don’t need to make seating charts that pleases the whole family, and if you’re a bit more introverted you don’t have to look forward to the nerves and anxiety of saying your emotional vows in front of an audience.
I want to share with you how truly unique an elopement can be. You can cater every aspect of the day to incorporate what you love, making it an unforgettable and meaningful experience. This is a FULL DAY elopement that I call the “Ultimate Urban Elopement”. As your wedding photographer & guide, I do a lot more than just document one of the most important and meaningful days of your lives, it’s a priority for me to help you create an incredible and entire experience for your elopement.
Throughout all my years in this city and being a part of over a hundred weddings (elopements or other intimate weddings), I’ve seen so much creativity and heart that goes into the planning process. Toronto is the perfect city to elope in, there is a restaurant for everyone, there is an activity for everyone, and there are places that will fit your vibe no matter what it may be.
I could have probably written one hundred different elopement ideas but this one really shows off what this city can offer and ways to make your elopement experience truly unique and fun. Here’s a sample of an Urban adventure elopement I planned using some of my favourite areas and locations in Toronto.
THE ULTIMATE URBAN ELOPEMENT TIMELINE
9:00am
Wake up at 9 or 10.. (sleep in a little, it’s your day!)
9:30am
Exchange cards that you wrote for each other to read on the morning of your wedding day.
11:30am
Have Brunch at Bonjour Brioche. The have the sweetest covered patio and are located in Leslieville , it’s the perfect way to start out your day relaxed and full of delicious food. Try the eggs benny, it’s legendary. If you’re more of a west ender, I would head to Pray Tell or Cafe Cancan for a decadent celebratory brunch (and they both also have patios! A prerequisite for any brunch in my opinion).
Pro Tip #1: If you didn’t get engagement photos or think you would want some photos in your every day casual attire, on your way to brunch would be the perfect time to snap some pics in your favourite neighbourhood in the city.
2:00pm
Check into your boutique hotel of choice. Leaving your home base is a fun and easy way to eliminate dealing with small things like cleanup and it adds a new dimension to the entire elopement experience.
The top of my list is definitely the Kimpton Saint George. It’s in an ideal location in the Annex which makes it easy for travel. The modern vintage aesthetic of the hotel offers a beautiful balance between luxury and comfort (and it makes for a great place to get some amazing photos together). Do you prefer Queen West or the East End? Book your stay at the Drake or the Broadview Hotel.
2:30pm
Get ready together at the hotel. I would suggest having a makeup artist come in to do your makeup and once you’re ready you can help one another get dressed and adjust the final touches on your looks. Make sure you’ve written your vows in your vow book and that you have your rings and marriage license ready to go. Your florist can delivery any flowers you decided to have at this point as well. Pro Tip #2: Make sure to snag a snack through your room service to power you through until your dinner reservations.
4:00pm
The car that you rented gets dropped off, a 1990’s convertible Cadillac (or any vintage sports car or cruiser) and we set off for a short drive to your secret ceremony location. If you aren’t car people then we can hop on some bikes or the streetcar to get to our destination.
6:30pm
We arrive at Allen Gardens for your intimate and private ceremony. Just you two, the officiant and witnesses (we can sign as witnesses if you want ultimate privacy and to keep it ultra romantic). This is where you will get to enjoy your stress-free and highly intimate vow exchange. Take it all in, express your love and commitment to one another while being surrounded by the tropical foliage. You’re now officially married!
7:00pm
You’ll have a few quiet moments together and get the opportunity to explore the greenhouse. A perfect opportunity for you both to soak in all your emotions and get use to actually being married!
Pro-Tip #3: As you go off and enjoy your time together, strolling through the gardens we will do a few couples portraits along the way. You’ll most likely be on an emotional high which will translate so well into genuine portraits of you as a MARRIED couple.
7:30pm
We’ll drive around the neighbourhood stopping in a few cool spots in the East End, taking advantage of that cool vintage car and grungy urban aesthetic. Pull up to Godspeed Brewery in the Riverdale neighbourhood, enjoy a toast to some Yuzu Saisons before walking down the road for dinner.
8:45PM
We head to a beautiful and understated boutique restaurant around the corner, Lake Inez in the East End of the city. You enjoy a private dinner for two in the back corner of the restaurant, sipping on champagne and eating crazy delicious food (there are vegan options too). We’ll take a couple of photos without the dinner but we will be at our own table so you can enjoy your first dinner together as a married couple. Pro Tip #4: If you want to include your immediate family in your celebration you can invite them to a dinner and book a private room at one of your favourite restaurants.
10:00PM
Your designated driver (a close friend or family member) pulls up in the vintage car and takes you to the West End to link up with some friends ready to celebrate your big day!
10:30PM
Arrive at TILT Arcade Bar where your small group of friends and family are waiting with drinks in hand. Time to party! Drink a little too much, play some pinball and eat some late night grub before walking across the street to Dundas Video where you put on your dancing shoes and rip up the dance floor to everyone’s favourite 80’s and 90’s classics.
1:00AM
Hail a cab, make your way back to the boutique hotel, kick off your shoes and enjoy a late night dessert from the room service while watching your favourite show and falling asleep in each other’s arms.
After your incredible day we’ll make sure you get some sneak peaks within the week so that you can announce that you’re married! You can either send out announcement cards or you can simply make a social media post. All your friends and family will be so excited to see the photos and how you spent your elopement day, so make sure you share the photos with them and get ready to receive a whole lot of love!
The only thing left to do is receive your full wedding gallery and photo album to help you relive one of the greatest days of your lives over and over and over again.
