How to Plan Your Wedding Without Leaving Roncesvalles Village
Roncesvalles Village has a lot to offer when it comes to weddings. Here are the places to scope out for the essentials for your big day.
Pictured here: Magnolia Studios captured Carmen and Stephan's adorable engagement photos in their Roncesvalles Village neighbourhood.
Head to the far west side of The Six and you’ll find Roncesvalles Village, a neighbourhood bustling with cute local shops, bakeries and, as it turns out, wedding essentials. From venues to bridalwear, you don’t have to stray far from the main drag to find it all.
Here’s how to plan the ultimate Roncesvalles Village wedding.
Venue: Palais Royale (1601 Lakeshore Boulevard West)
Just south of Roncesvalles Village sits one of the city’s finest ballroom venues, Palais Royale. This Gatsby-esque event hall features art deco decor and offers a stellar view of Lake Ontario. It’s an especially good choice if you’ve got a lengthy guest list - it can seat 300 guests or host 800 for a cocktail party. The venue has a long list of preferred suppliers, for those who need help finding that perfect band or top notch photographer.
Flowers: Sweetpea’s (163 Roncesvalles Avenue)
If you’re travelling down Roncy you should definitely take a peek inside Sweetpea’s. This award-winning, eco-friendly floral studio can do wonders with a bit of flora and fauna. Its designers will work with you and your S.O. to craft centerpieces, bouquets and boutonnieres specific to your big day’s colour palette, budget and style. From pint-sized arrangements to grand bouquets, they do it all.
Catering: Mabel’s Bakery (323 Roncesvalles Avenue)
Mabel’s has a reputation for being one of the city’s best bakeries, and for good reason - its treats and eats are downright amazing. Well good news, brides and grooms, it also does catering. Whether you’re looking to serve up hors d'oeuvres in place of a meal or fill your tables with homestyle comfort eats (think shepherd’s pies and savoury quiches), the bakers here can help you out. It also makes drool-worthy cakes, cupcakes (some vegan!), pies and bars that’ll help you fill your sweet table and you can even stock up on treats for your wedding favours. Image: via Mabel's Bakery on Facebook.
Rehearsal Dinner: Lambretta Pizzeria (89 Roncesvalles Avenue)
This homey Italian eatery makes for the perfect rehearsal dinner venue. You can host a cocktail hour at the front of the restaurant and then move to the back for a full, family-style meal. The menu is stacked with favourites like caprese salad, pomodoro pasta and a melange of roma and bianca pizzas (if you’re a lover of vino, the wine list is also pretty impressive). It can set a table for 24 guests, so it’s perfect if you’ve got a larger wedding party. Tip: if you really fall for its ambience, you can also host your wedding here (seats up to 65). Image: James Shay, Best of Toronto for Lambretta Pizzeria.
Dress: Jealous Bridesmaids (1610A Bloor Street West)
Right on the outskirts of Roncesvalles Village you’ll find Jealous Bridesmaids, a cozy little studio on Bloor West. The boutique carries wedding dresses by big name bridal designers like Maggie Sottero, Pronovias, Kenneth Winston and Ella Rosa, so you should have no problem finding “the one”. It also stocks an array of bridesmaids dresses, if you’re looking to kill two birds with one stone. Image: courtesy of Jealous Bridesmaids
