Toronto is the largest city in Canada and a hub of culture, entertainment, and diversity. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario and situated in the heart of southern Ontario, the city acts as the country’s financial center. As the fourth most populous city in North America, it has something for everyone.
In terms of weather, Toronto experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers and mild winters that are not too cold. Spring is usually comfortable and offers plenty of natural beauty with blooming flowers around the city. Fall brings vibrant foliage and lovely temperatures for outdoor activities.
Toronto is known for its many natural attractions including its over 1,500 parks—High Park being the largest—where you can enjoy biking trails or hiking along one of the many ravines during the summer months. There's also plenty to explore in downtown Toronto, such as art galleries, theaters, and even lakeside beaches on Lake Ontario.
With such a beautiful landscape, hosting weddings in Toronto allows couples to take advantage of all that this beautiful city has to offer. With its expansive event spaces, incredible venues for receptions, affordable accommodation options for out-of-town guests, and a wide range of catering services available, there are endless possibilities when planning your wedding day in this city.
Plus, there's no need to worry about overcrowding since Toronto has plenty of green space throughout its various neighborhoods, so you can enjoy a more intimate celebration with your closest friends and family without breaking your budget.
Wedding Cake
Finding an affordable wedding cake in Toronto can be tricky, but some great local bakeries offer delicious and beautiful cakes for an excellent price. They also offer custom designs for those who want something truly unique.
Catering
There is no shortage of options when it comes to finding affordable catering in Toronto. They specialize in small intimate wedding events and offer various packages to fit any budget. They can also create custom menus based on your tastes and needs.
Decor
When it comes to decorating your wedding venue, Toronto has plenty of options available to suit any budget. Many local event planners have extensive collections of decor items that can be rented out per event, such as centerpieces, table runners, linens, and more. Many florists in the city provide quality flower arrangements at affordable prices. You can coordinate these decorations with your wedding ceremony to ensure a cohesive look.
Wedding Planner
Having a wedding planner is one of the most important investments you can make when planning your special day in Toronto. The services of a qualified wedding planner will help ensure everything runs smoothly so you don’t have to worry about all the details yourself. Your planner can work with you to find vendors within your budget and manage all aspects of the planning process from start to finish, saving you time and stress.
RSG Events
Raquel Sananes Grad (RSG) Events is an event management company that offers planning services for weddings, corporate events, social events, fundraisers, and more. They offer three packages: full event coordination, month-of coordination, and consulting (for couples who only need guidance and help in planning their wedding). Whether it’s an intimate ceremony of 50 people or a large wedding with 500 guests, RSG Events can handle it.
I Do! Wedding Cakes
Founded by Olivia Nguyen and her husband, I Do! Wedding Cakes is the first of its kind in Toronto. They specialize in custom-designed cakes, with careful attention to detail and a focus on unique and original designs. Despite that, however, cakes by I Do! are affordable and come in many different flavors, so couples can choose one that they like.
Yum Yum Catering
Yum Yum Catering is a Toronto-based catering company that started in 1995. With over 20 years of international experience in Europe, North America, and South America, Yum Yum provides gourmet catering services made of natural ingredients only. They customize the menu according to the tastes, budget preferences, and dietary requirements of their clients. When it comes to weddings, they offer three packages that include an onsite chef, live cooking stations, and selections from their menu.
Planning a wedding on a budget can be difficult, especially in such an expensive city. However, it is possible to find affordable wedding venues in Toronto that offer quality services and amenities that can help you keep your costs low without sacrificing too much on quality. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of having an affordable wedding in Toronto.
Greater flexibility: Inexpensive wedding venues in Toronto often have more availability, allowing couples to select from the best dates and times for their big day.
More options: With so many different types of cheap wedding venues available, couples can find the perfect venue based on their style and budget.
Lower cost: One of the key benefits of booking a budget-friendly wedding venue is being able to save money while still getting what you want.
Limited space: Affordable wedding venues in Toronto may sometimes be smaller or not have as much seating capacity as bigger, more expensive venues like wedding chapels that can accommodate larger numbers of guests.
Lower quality: Cheaper Toronto wedding venues may not provide the same level of service or amenities as more expensive ones, meaning couples should do their research to ensure they’re getting value for money.
Fewer personalization options: With fewer funds available, couples may have fewer options when it comes to personalizing their wedding venue to make it unique for their special day.
Planning a wedding and keeping it within your budget can seem impossible. However, with the right research and planning, it is possible to plan an affordable wedding in Toronto that will still be beautiful and memorable. Here are some tips on how to organize a budget-friendly wedding celebration in Toronto:
Look for affordable wedding venue options that suit your budget: Many great venues offer competitive pricing for weddings in Toronto. Consider looking into smaller, boutique spaces or non-traditional wedding venues such as art galleries and churches. You might also consider hiring a hall or event venue from a local university or community center.
Book the venue early: Affordable wedding venues tend to fill up quickly during peak wedding season, so book the venue well ahead of time to secure the best rate and availability. Additionally, keep in mind that booking far enough ahead of time might even allow you to negotiate discounts on your wedding venue rental fee.
Utilize catering services: Many catering companies offer all-inclusive wedding packages with pre-set menus and customizable options based on your specific needs. Ask around for referrals or look online for reviews on different caterers in Toronto so that you can find one that offers quality services at competitive prices.
Cut down your guest list: The more guests you invite, the higher your costs will become due to factors such as food expenses, favors, and seating arrangements. Try to prioritize those who are closest to you by creating an A-list and B-list for more distant family members and acquaintances who may not make it after all.
Purchase decorations from thrift stores: Instead of splurging on new decorations from specialty stores, consider checking out local thrift stores where you can pick up items like plates and glasses at greatly discounted prices. You could even add a little personal touch by DIY-ing some decorations yourself!
The Monkey's Paw
Toronto's The Monkey's Paw is a book collector's paradise, providing readers with an old-fashioned book shopping experience that is truly unique. This Toronto bookstore has the world-renowned Biblio-Mat, a vending machine packed with books! It dispenses random titles from its collection of secondhand books. Now Toronto visitors can purchase an interesting read from the Biblio-Mat and have a real adventure in their hands! Make sure to check out The Monkey's Paw if you're ever in Toronto and want to experience something nostalgic and special.
Winter Garden Theatre
Toronto's Winter Garden Theatre is truly a sight to be seen. A part of a pair of stacked theaters (Elgin Theatre being the other one below), this botanically themed auditorium provides a unique experience for all of its visitors. Not only is the entire theater bathed in greenery, but it also happens to be the world's last operating double-decker theater. It is no wonder Toronto locals and tourists alike flock to this venue to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy a show or two.
Casa Loma
Toronto's Casa Loma is an impressive display of Toronto's unique blend of modern and historical attractions. Built in the heart of Toronto at the beginning of the 20th century, this 98-room castle reportedly bankrupted one 19th-century electricity multimillionaire who was trying to build it as his own personal estate. Today, visitors can explore stunning Gothic Revival architecture on guided tours through the castle and its iconic gardens. Regardless of where your Toronto adventure takes you, Casa Loma is a great place to start.