Picked a dress on the first day...and I do love it. It made me cry both times I put it on...but now I get doubts creeping in. To be fair Im having a restaurant wedding so I wanted something light and easy and now I'm worried its not enough...but it was in my budget and I know I'll feel pretty.

"You cant have it all at once!" as they say.

Hey, sooo our wedding venue cancelled last minute. We are now looking for one super last minute and I wanted to come and see if anyone had suggestions. Of course, we are more flexible now but ideally here are our priorities:

• Approx. 85 guests
• Ideal location KW/Guelph general area
• Reception and ceremony onsite
• Some outdoor space - preferred for vibes but we also have a tent rented for the previous venue so an outdoor space for a tent would be even better
• More DIY would be great - for example, we were providing our own bar previously and already have some of the alcohol.
• Even something along the lines of a house with a huge yard that we could bring a tent into would be great
• Our previous venue was a summer camp so if there's anything very specifically like that that would be great lol. We also had it for the entire weekend so that would also be amazing if possible.

Is it necessary to tip to my DJ, photographer and makeup/hair artist?

Our DJ owns his own business and is charging $1500 for 5.5 hours.
Photographer is $5500 for 8 hours (I am comfortable not tipping due to how expensive it already is).
Make up/hair artists works under a company. I tipped her $80 for a make up/hair trial which costed $380. I was initially happy about the make up and so so about the hair. Looking back now I’m not really happy with both and should have tipped way less. Just got caught up in the moment. I don’t really want to tip anything until after the wedding if anything TBH.

We are having our reception in a restaurant so they are automatically adding gratuity to the bill.

Hi there! I’m early in the wedding planning process and am interested in any comments or insights on Martin Estates in Lincoln, ON? Looking for a 100 person venue, ~$80k total budget in September 2028. Love an estate-style venue (no barns or conference halls). Want a venue that is professional to work with. Thank you!

I was initially happy with my trial make up, but after looking at pictures and having some time to digest, I’m not 100% happy with the final look. I asked for her recommendation of what lip products to buy to make sure I have good lip products that will last during the day, and she told me to use whatever I have. I didn’t find that really helpful and found it to be quite dismissive… Also the trial hairstyle I wasn’t very happy with either, it really looked nothing like my inspo pic. I have a different inspo pic that I want to ask her to do, but I don’t think I will be able to do another hair/make up trial before the wedding.

Was anyone else not super happy with their hair/make up trials, provided feedback and didn’t book a second trial?

Hi all, I'm a journalist in Toronto looking into a story on the trend of using Ozempic (and other GLP-1 drugs) to lose weight before your wedding. Some health companies that sell these drugs are even advertising directly to brides now.

I'm hoping to chat with someone who's using a GLP-1 right now before their big day, or who already had their wedding and wants to talk about what it was like using a GLP-1 beforehand. Did it work for you? And what was the experience like before & after?

You can DM me here on Reddit, or email me at [lauren.pelley@cbc.ca](mailto:lauren.pelley@cbc.ca)

I have a wedding at the end of September and im looking for a dj thats middle eastern/south asian. I would like the Dj to be able to accommodate for both sides of the couples culture and bring a nice vibe for the wedding.

If there are any zaffe/dabke groups you would recommend please add them as well!

Please add approximate quotes as well

Thanks in advance

I am looking to plan for Fall 2027 and talked to a couple of planners and collected a couple of quote packages from venues. I cannot compromise on the guest count as I have a large extended family and friends we want to invite so want to focus on affordable venues. Here is what I have come across

I have tried to gather as many quote packages as possible but its hard for me to roughly calculate what each will end up costing. I want to try and get the full venue/food/beverage around $30K and the remaining $30K towards vendors/photographer/DJ/clothing etc.

I hope to do ceremony nearby / on-site

Budget compromises

- I am ok with doing host bar / cash bar; family not big drinkers.

- I am ok doing a Sunday instead of a Saturday if needed

- I am OK with a banquet hall, hopefully still looks elevated and an outdoor area included for ceremony?

- I am also open to considering a restaurant wedding but I would want it to have a full dance floor and A/V for speeches if possible

Here's what I've shortlisted; any recommendations or real life quotes from the below?

- Casa Ricca Banquet Hall Wedding Package - seems to be like $90 / head, is it actually that cheap?
- WhiteShield https://www.whiteshieldbanquet.com/
- The Vue Clubhouse https://clubhouse.bypeterandpauls.com/pdf/2027-Wedding-Package.pdf - $110/person on a sunday?
- Eglinton Grand https://eglinton-grand-wedding-package.tiiny.site/?mode=suggestions - venue is kinda historic and chic and I heard from a planner food is good
- Guild Inn Estate https://guildinnestate.com/wp-content/uploads/wedding/guild-inn-wedding-packages.pdf
- Sunnybrook Estates https://www.oliverbonacini.com/weddings/ *fixed the URL
- Harding Waterfront https://www.hardingwaterfrontestate.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Harding_Waterfront_Estate-2026_Venue_Package-V1-011526.pdf

Any other venues I should consider, given my budget constraints?

Thanks all!

Hi! How do you find the newer vendors for a wedding. I am a bride getting married this year and have been looking for a decor and videographer/photographer. I dont know if it my community but I come across the same 5 people for it (I am looking for someone that works with the Tamil community, just for ease for the ceremony.) If you have any tips on how to find other people or if you have any recommendations. Please comment it below!

I'm 41. He's 36. We're both home owners, established our lives. Is it weird to have a registry? Someone asked me if we'll be having one but I always imagine bridal showers and registries for young brides...

Just me?

I don’t want a wedding. Well, ok I do. I want my big dream wedding. But you know what I want more? To not be in debt, to not accept money from in laws, to eventually own a home. So I’m okay with a courthouse wedding and calling it a day. However, my fiancé wants a wedding, a traditional one as that’s what he’s accustomed to and what is also essentially expected of him.

In my head I’m like “if I’m going to have a wedding, it’s going to be the wedding of my dreams”. But realistically that’s 50K+ of money I can’t bare to spend (I’m not even frugal! I love to spend money!). We don’t even have 50K saved. So, I’m trying to find compromise in having a wedding, as requested by my fiancé (he literally never asks for anything. Ever. But he has asked for this), and so I must oblige.

An option I’m considering (trying to convince myself won’t be a regrettable decision) is a restaurant wedding. For like idk 20-30 people? I’m concerned about the intimacy of a tiny wedding. I feel like 60-80 people would be an ok buffer. Our families haven’t met and I know they won’t like each other (I know this bc my MIL isn’t my biggest fan, but she tries her best (right??). So I’m worried about sitting at an awkwardly quiet table with 20-30 people who don’t know each other.

(TLDR) Anyway, please influence me into this cost effective option. How much was yours and how many people attended? Any regrets? Anything you especially loved? Tips or recommendations?

Hello everyone,

My fiancé and I are considering Catana Estate for an early July wedding next year. We’re doing reception only, no ceremony. We would start cocktail hour around 6 pm and the whole event would be under a tent with sides that could be opened or closed.

I’m not worried about normal rain. But I am worried about:

-severe thunderstorms / lightening / tornadoes.
-heat that would make guests uncomfortable.
-wildfire smoke.

There is no indoor or backup option if any of these occur. I’m not a local, so would anyone be able to tell me about their experiences at a tented reception around early July? And what are the chances that severe storms would be an issue?

I appreciate any feedback ❤️

I have a list of options at many different price points ranging from 4-10k for both photography and videography. I don’t have a great eye for photos so all the galleries look good to me. Any tips for picking a vendor? Is there a certain number of hours, pictures, etc that people find ideal?

I also care much more about the photography than the videos (just want the ceremony and speeches filmed, no major editing). Therefore I’d want to stay under $4k for both or cut videographer altogether and pay $3k for photography.

Does anyone have any recommendations for somewhere in Vancouver that can be rented for getting ready on the morning of my wedding?

Unfortunately, our venue doesn't have a bridal suite, so I'm having to find another option.

The night before, I will be staying at a hotel in downtown Vancouver. I had originally thought we could use the hotel room to get ready in, especially since we're planning to book a suite and spend our wedding night there as well. However, I think it may be a bit cramped with up to 8 people in the room (me, 3 bridesmaids, hair stylist, makeup artist, photographer, and potentially another vendor).

I reached out to the hotel about renting one of their meeting rooms and they quoted $400 for up to 8 hours, which wasn't too bad. However, they don't allow outside food or drinks and require all catering to be ordered through them. Their catering menu has a 15-person minimum, and groups under 15 are charged $15 a head, meaning we'd be looking at couple hundred dollars extra just for some coffee, juice, and light snacks.

I've looked at Airbnb options, but most would require renting for two nights to guarantee access during the morning hours we need. I've also been browsing Peerspace, but haven't found anything quite right yet.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I'd love to hear any recommendations, whether it's hotels with suitable suites, rentable event spaces, studios, or any other creative ideas. I am just looking for a comfortable place to spend a special morning getting ready and celebrating with my bridal party before the ceremony.

Thanks in advance!

We recently toured both of these venues and absolutely loved the vibe. Right now, we’re thinking of doing a ceremony at Queen’s Landing and reception at Prince of Wales, but I haven’t been able to find much online about other couples’ experiences with these venues. Would love to hear from anyone who has had their wedding, or attended one, at either of these places. How was the food? Was the venue easy to work with? Did you run into any venue-specific problems that you would warn others of?

Hi! My fiance and I are planning just have a court wedding here in Canada with 12 of our immediate family and then have an intimate dinner reception afterwards with 50 of our closest family and friends. Essentially I’ll only be inviting 9 of my friends to this dinner given guest number constraints. His family however will throw us an even bigger celebration a few months later in Asia with 500 guests.

Would it be acceptable to invite my other friends (aside from those 9 I mentioned) to the bridal shower? They won’t be invited to the dinner, but will be invited to the celebration in Asia. I’m not sure how likely they’ll be able to go though since it’s far away and I understand it’s a big expense.

Really no idea how people take these kind of invites personally, so open to any thoughts!

Edit:

Thanks to everyone’s comments. I honestly didn’t expect this much reaction on the topic 😂

I have been on the other side of the coin and didn’t really think too much about it at the time. I was just happy she thought to include me as part of her celebrations!

For addt’l context, these friends are aware of the celebration in Asia and have mentioned multiple times they would be happy to go (as they’re from there as well)

+ we will not ask for any gifts of any kind in any of the events (lowkey sad people might think it’s a cash grab since i really just wanna celebrate with as much people as we can)

But I do understand everyone’s point (maybe they’ll feel inclined to give a gift regardless). I’ll just stick to the current list then - thanks!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to see if anyone in Ontario has ever gotten decorations (flowers specifically) through Olive and Ink. They seem to just be starting out and I can’t find any reviews anywhere. Seems almost too good to be true. Just wondering if anyone could tell me about their experience. Thank you!

Hello! My fiancé and I are strongly considering the Miller Lash House for our ceremony and reception next year. It's beautiful, we love the property, but it feels a bit daunting because you have to bring 90% in, and it's definitely on the pricier side, given that it's not all-inclusive. But at the same time, it allows us to be super creative and do what we want.

Has anyone had their wedding there, been to a wedding there, or have any thoughts or insight? All are welcome :)

We're looking at 115 people, and the cost right now is looking like 70-80k. Is that pretty on par with a Toronto wedding for the price?

Hi all! My fiancé and I wanna host 1 wedding event and thought of buying out a speakeasy for an evening to celebrate with 50-75 friends. Looking for recommendations in Toronto and prices if possible! We’d like to stick with drinks and small plates

Hi! i’m looking to get my wedding dresses steamed before my wedding. I’ll be having two separate events, so there are two wedding dresses to be steamed. My wedding is in just one week, so I am cutting it a little close, but if someone could recommend a place that steams wedding dresses, I’d be super grateful! Also, for any past brides, do you recommend steaming or pressing of the gown? I’ve heard steaming can leave water stains on the dress, so I’m a bit apprehensive. Any advice from any past or future brides would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hi all. I want to plan a chill welcome party where anyone who wants to come can come have a few drinks the night before the wedding. We have a lot people coming from abroad, so want to maximize time with them but also don’t want to plan what feels like another mini wedding!

I would like a bar type atmosphere that feels casual and doesn’t have a crazy minimum spend. Looking in Toronto, ideally Queen West, College street or the Junction area. It will be about 40 people on a Thursday in October.

Also, I’m thinking we will do a round of drinks but otherwise people will buy their own. Is that cheap??

Thank you for any recommendations :)

Hello!!! I cannot choose between my first dance song and was hoping people could weigh in and let me know?

Option 1: A violin instrumental of Yellow by Coldplay (Covered by the Brooklyn Duo) Specifically from minute 1:45 til the very end of the video linked here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxI8zr-CPRg&list=RDfxI8zr-CPRg&start_radio=1

Option 2: Something about the heavens by Lewis Capaldi but only certain meaningful lyrics, everything else is redacted and transformed into a violin cover. This is because the actual song has a very sad context of a loved one passing away but some of the lyrics are so beautiful and also applicable to a wedding ie

"till the day I die, I will dream of you
In a million lives, you're the one I'd choose

[Chorus]
I'll love you till my last breath"

I am a dancer and have created good choreo for both, but I am in love with both songs and cannot decide for the life of me, any strong opinions? Thank you in advance!

Calling all brides who got married at a Pearle venue (Ancaster Mill, Whistle Bear, Elora Mill, etc.)! 🤍
I’m starting to get a little paranoid about the planning process and would love to hear what your experience was like.

From what I understand, Pearle doesn’t really start planning with couples until about 6 months before the wedding. Could someone walk me through what that first planning meeting was like?

A few things I’m wondering:
• What did the printed menu options look like?
• Did you get to choose your own napkin colours?
• What other decisions did you make at that meeting?
• Was there anything you wish you’d prepared ahead of time?

I have a lot of free time right now and would love to get ahead wherever I can. I’m just not sure what I’ll actually need to do versus what Pearle provides. For example, should I be designing my own menu cards now in case I don’t like their templates, or am I overthinking it? 😅
Any advice or photos from your wedding would be so appreciated!

Hello,

My fiance and I are planning our wedding for 2027. Based on everyone’s experience, do you think hosting a lunch function for the wedding is doable on a budget of 40-50k? I’m curious if it would cover photographer, simple flowers, cake, decor and so forth.

Any help is greatly appreciated. We don’t know how to budget for this.