Every single love story, every single couple, and every single memory made inside a Berkeley Events venue is something we treasure. We understand the momentous decisions that lead a couple to choose one of our venues to celebrate their future with their loved ones.
We have had the honour of hosting many beautiful couples over the years and we want to feature a few of their stories to inspire others to dream of their own special days.
Meet Andrea and Thomas…
Tell us a bit about your love and engagement stories.
We first met 14 years ago while on a beach vacation near Grand Bend, Ontario. We quickly fell in love, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. After dating for a few years, we eventually moved in together and started a family.
We continue to visit the beach where we fell in love each year and now enjoy vacations there with our children. Thomas proposed in the same spot where we met while we watched the sunset in July of 2015.
Tell us what attracted you to Berkeley Events.
Berkeley Events is well known for their unique and distinctive venues across Toronto. We were impressed with the selection, as well as the welcoming staff who made the decision to work together so easy.
Tell us about what attracted you to La Maquette out of the three Berkeley venues.
La Maquette was the perfect setting for our wedding. The layout was well suited for an intimate evening with friends and family while the courtyard allowed us to host our ceremony outdoors.
Tell us about your planning experience with the Berkeley team. Did they bring your vision to life?
We worked with Derek Drapala during the planning process, and he was also our day-of coordinator. He was very receptive to our ideas and brought our vision to life. We depended on his knowledge and expertise throughout the process, and he never let us down. It was very clear to us that Derek knew what he was doing, and he loved his work – which is why our day turned out so perfectly!
How would you describe the aesthetic of your wedding? What was your vision?
Our aesthetic was simple – classic romance. La Maquette has the appearance of a vintage Parisian café, so our focus was on bringing in as many fresh florals and candles into the space as possible; creating an atmosphere of romance.
How did the integral beauty of the venue enhance your vision or planning process?
Two words come to mind when we think about the layout and design of La Maquette– timeless and elegant. We hosted our wedding ceremony outside in the courtyard, facing St. James Cathedral on King Street. The church bells rang when we shared our first kiss! And the awe-inspiring building sits in the background of some of our most cherished photos from the day.
Tell us about your experience with the Berkeley catering team. How would you describe the food on your big day?
We still get compliments from guests about the food at our wedding, it was delicious! Each course was served on time and cooked perfectly. We enjoyed the short rib and chorizo stuffed cornish hen as our entrees, and they were prepared beautifully. The staff at the venue made sure our guests had everything they needed, they were perfect hosts.
How would you describe the photo backgrounds and opportunities on the venue property?
We took many of our family photos in the courtyard in front of the water fountain on the east side of the property – many of our guests took pictures here as well. Across the street, we were able to take some pictures in front of the cathedral, and the staircase inside was the perfect place to showcase the bride’s gown.
If you had to choose your top three favourite aspects of hosting your wedding at Berkeley, what would they be?
- The staff
- The food
- The close proximity to hotels – including the Omni King Edward Hotel where we stayed. It was only half a block down the street.
Photos by Sarah Martin
