Last night I had the opportunity to get together with wonderful wedding industry peers for the first of a series of Halton Region Get-Togethers for the purpose of networking and re-discovering what draws people to get married in this region. The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada Halton Regional Representative, Jacquie Swadi put together an amazing night hosted by Terrace on the Green, located in Brampton, Ontario on Mississauga Road. I had never been here before and as I am inclined towards a Muskoka wedding, I was actually quite charmed by this city venue! It is located up off the road in a somewhat secluded spot with beautiful trees, fountains, lawns as far as the eye can see and more! Venue Coordinator Peter Trajkovski spoiled us with an amazing four course meal in a private dining area. I can’t even do the descriptions justice – the focus clearly is on providing a great overall experience with a strong emphasis on the dining experience. The food was very good, the service was some of the best I’ve ever had, and I can totally see a really nice wedding in there for 100 or so of your closest friends without feeling restricted to the same space and without having your guests travel all over Ontario to get from ceremony to reception. Peter doesn’t believe in ‘packages’ and finds the process is much more unique to the couple when he can sit down with them and create a customize menu to suit their needs and their wedding budget. If you’re looking for a venue with charm in the G.T.A. put this one on your list and contact them. So glad to have this venue in my repertoire now.

There were also three local vendors onsite to give us the low down on what services they offer, what sets them a part, and even give us samples! Yum! JC Kreative (Julie Chivers, Designer) brought in invitation samples for us to look at and for those brides who want to ‘do it themselves’ she is launching a part of her business where she will teach you and your wedding party how to assemble your invitations and still achieve the DIY feel/look using materials she will help you source. I’ve done this before and it is an excellent way to spend an afternoon with friends as long as you have someone supervising like Julie!

Also we had Susy Pardo of FlourGirls and she brought in tasty mini cupcakes for us to try and talked about the importance of being flexible when it comes to what bakers offer their clients. She says often bakers try and force their clients into neat little boxes and with the increase in popularity of wedding cake design (read reality television shows) it is important to listen to what the client wants and do the best you can to accommodate!

Lastly we had one of my favourite vendors, Wayne of Marble Weddings speaking to us about his signature candy buffets for weddings,showers, parties and corporate events! Super affordable, his service is needed, cost effective and really easy for the client as he works with you to select the candy, source it, package it, showcase it, and tear it down at the end of the night. He also does wedding favours and was kind enough to provide each of us with our own goodie bag at the end of the night! I stored mine in the trunk of my car to ensure it made it ‘safely’ home

All in all, a great night! Lots of great minds in one room. Looking forward to the next W.P.I.C. get together! I think the next one is mine for the Muskoka Region! Stay-tuned for our super fun night planned at Belcroft Estates for the Barrie-Muskoka wedding vendors.

Peter Trajkovski