A Wedding Planner’s Top Tips on How to Choose Your Toronto Wedding Venue

Wedding Planning

TorWith a new ring on your finger (congratulations, by the way!), you’re taking the first steps towards planning the wedding day of your dreams! And what’s a wedding day without a place to celebrate, right? 

But as you start the search for the ideal location, you’ll find there are plenty of Toronto wedding venues to choose from. From rustic barns on the outskirts of the city to luxurious hotel ballrooms, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. So how do you decide which one’s best to help you tell your love story?

I’m giving you my top tips on how to choose the right Toronto wedding venue right here! 

Florals decorate a mantel in a Toronto wedding venue

 

Talk to a Planner First

Even before you start looking for your wedding venue, I recommend getting in touch with a wedding planner first. While this may be the first wedding you’ve planned, it certainly isn’t for a wedding planner. They can help you make decisions based on your ideal guest count, how you want to transform a space, and the realistic budget you’ll need to do so. 

Not to mention, many wedding planners who offer design services can approach any space with an artistic eye. They’ll give you insights and advice on how to create a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your day! 

 

Have Your Wedding Date in Mind

Before you head out to prospective wedding venues, make sure you have a few dates in mind. It doesn’t have to be the exact date of your wedding. But have some possibilities so you can get an accurate idea of what’s available to you.

Many of the best wedding venues in Toronto book out several months, if not a year or so, in advance. Keep this in mind as you start your search for the perfect venue! 

 

Find a Venue That Matches Your Wedding Aesthetic

Your Toronto wedding venue is the setting for the love story of you and your partner. And if you’re hoping to convey a cohesive theme or aesthetic throughout your entire day, it starts with your venue. 

So before you start touring venues in the area, decide what your wedding aesthetic will be. Because if you’re wanting a modern, luxurious wedding, you can (more than likely) rule out rustic barns. And vice versa! You’ll save yourself so much time and heartache by doing this first. 

 

 

Wedding Venue Ideas for Modern Couples

If you’re thinking along the lines of a modern wedding aesthetic, you might want to start looking at one of these wedding venues in Toronto: 

toronto-ontario-wedding-planner

 

Royal Conservatory of Music

The Royal Conservatory of Music offers a timeless, sophisticated venue right in the heart of downtown. 

You can have your wedding ceremony and reception all within one venue. With marble floors and a floating staircase, this venue gives the perfect backdrop for your modern, sophisticated affair. 

 

Airship37

Close to the Distillery District (which houses another favourite wedding venue, The Fermenting Cellar), Airship37 offers a contemporary atmosphere for your special day. With a flair of industrial-chic, Airship37 features beautiful white walls and even a vintage Airstream trailer. This is a great space for a truly one-of-a-kind day! 

 

 

Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario is a gorgeous space with a touch of drama. Boasting a beautiful winding staircase and huge windows to allow natural light or a view of the city skyline at night, AGO is an excellent choice for modern couples. 

 

Consider How Many Guests You’ll Have

With your wedding aesthetic decided and a few dates in mind, you’ll want to consider your guest list. Having an appropriately sized venue is crucial for your day. For example, if you’re planning on around 150 guests, you won’t want to waste your time looking at venues that can only accommodate 80 guests. 

 

Always Keep Your Budget in Mind

Your budget is a deciding factor for almost every decision you make in your wedding planning process. You need to know, not only how much it costs to rent a space, but also how much it will cost to transform a space. 

This is another instance when a wedding planner is extremely helpful! They will help you in managing your budget. And they’ll know what it will take and what it will cost to appropriately design a space the way you envision. 

 

Choose Based on Where You Want Your Wedding Ceremony and Reception

Many venues only have a location for a wedding ceremony and not a reception. Others have a place for both. And several have an all-inclusive location where you can get ready for your day, have your ceremony, and treat your guests to a dinner reception. 

You’ll need to decide if having a location that includes your ceremony and your reception sites is a priority for you! 

Tour Your Toronto Wedding Venue Prospects With Specific Questions in Mind

Once you’ve narrowed down a few venues to tour, be sure you go prepared! Have a list of the most important questions to ask your tour guide. Those include: 

 

  • How many guests can the Toronto wedding venue accommodate? 
  • What is the rate for the dates you’re looking at? (Many venues have different rates for off-season or non-peak days)
  • Is there a space for the ceremony and reception? If so, what’s the travel/walking distance?
  • How many hours does the rental rate cover? 
  • What is included in the rate? (Bridal suite and groom’s room? Catering? Alcohol and spirits?) 

 

Attending a site appointment with a wedding planner is incredibly helpful, too. They’ll help you ask all of the right questions to make sure a venue is a perfect fit for your day! 

 

Stay True to Your Personalities

It’s easy to let the inspiration take over, and soon, you might be left with a wedding that doesn’t truly tell your story. 

Be sure to check in with yourself throughout the entire planning process. Make sure the decisions you and your partner make feel aligned with you both! 

Give Yourself Time to Find the Right Toronto Wedding Venue

This is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your big day! So when it comes down to how to choose a wedding venue, make sure you schedule enough space in your wedding planning process to take your time. Don’t rush through choosing the appropriate venue, only to regret it later.

 

A modern, classic table design is perfect for a Toronto wedding

 

There are plenty of Toronto wedding venues to choose from! So, keep these top tips in mind as you start narrowing down your choices. 

Of course, Classy Affairs Weddings and Events is ready to guide you through the entire wedding planning process, including choosing the perfect venue for you! We’d be so happy to assist you in finding the most amazing backdrop for the day you say, “I Do.” 

Click here to see Classy Affairs’ wedding planning services! 

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