Post on 14-May-2018
Venue Assignment Part 1: Site Option Attended
Destination One: Toronto Botanical Gardens, 777 Laurence Ave E., Toronto, Ontario
Toronto Music Gardens, 479 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario
Brief Description: The Toronto Botanical Gardens is a venue located in mid-town
Toronto. As well as multiple reception spaces and terraces it is surrounded by more
gardens, the Edwards Garden and a Learning Garden geared towards children. When seen
it is hard to believe that Toronto has such a beautiful place open to the public. We are
looking to rent the Garden Hall and Courtyard (1300 for the day) and added the
Westview Terrace (1000 for the day) for more outdoor space.
Advantages Disadvantages Seats 80 guests with dance floor
(Garden Hall) Children’s Room with Baby Sitting
during reception Photography changes and license
included with fees Quiet location Plenty of parking available and a
drop off location at front door Low cost venue before add ons Includes basic A/V equipment
(projector screen, A/V cart, podium, microphone) and has exclusive A/V suppliers
Includes tables and chairs (to be seen)
Ceremony and Reception spaces available in one location
Wide selection of exclusive caterers for all types of food
Wheelchair accessible Includes waterfall and bridge
Not a licensed hall (requires Special Occasion Permit)
Corkage fee for those over 19 years old (6$)
Location is not close to the subway, though near a bus stop.
Low ceilings may feel cramped with 80 guests (note ceiling height is not stated in brochure)
Additional permit is required for photography in Edwards Gardens
May be two weddings at once There is an exclusive rental
equipment provider to be used, Chair-man Mills.
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Rationale:
We knew our couple wanted an outdoor wedding but we wanted to be practical. With
an outdoor wedding there are many more factors to take into consideration. With the
Music Gardens we would have to switch venues after the ceremony and would not have
an easy back up plan in the case of bad weather. We also did not have a guarantee that the
construction surrounding the garden would be completed by 2016.
We decided on the Toronto Botanical Gardens because it covered all these possible set
backs. Although out of the way from a TTC commuter’s point of view, it is an easy drive.
There is plenty of parking for the 80 guests we will be expecting. We believe the
locations quiet atmosphere (you cannot hear any traffic) and same spot ceremony and
reception make up for the commute. We also felt there would be a better support staff at
this location. TBG has Event Suppliers lists that cover the majority of the outside
concerns. This gives us a sense of comfort knowing that everyone involved will be
familiar with the venue. We do fear this could pigeon hold us but we will be cautious of
it.
Site Assessment at Toronto Botanical Gardens:
On Tuesday October 7th, 2014 we took a trip (by TTC and car) to assess the, Toronto
Botanical Gardens, which consists of, Edwards Gardens and Teaching Gardens. We were
unable to receive a guided tour on the day of our visit. The Botanical Garden hours are 9
am – 3 pm weekdays, which did not work well with our current schedules. The event
coordinators are currently waiting to hear back about attending a tour and site inspection
next Tuesday, October 21st. Our contact, Katie Pfisterer, has been very helpful answering
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questions and we believe she or one of her coworkers will reply soon. We believe
working with her would help the event plan move smoothly.
We imagine that the Toronto Botanical Gardens is the most appropriate venue option,
because it can hold both the wedding ceremony and reception. The gardens also provide
beautiful scenery for photographs that can all be held at one location. It seamlessly allows
the celebration to be held both indoors and out. Although the Music Gardens does fit the
music element of the theme better, we do not think the lack of music related artwork
installations would be a problem once décor is arranged. It also allows our couple to have
more guests at their ceremony, fitting better with their theme of bringing their families
together.
Site Inspection Checklist
Factor Your Rating ✓1 2 3 4 5 Comments
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Location from public transportation?☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The venue is a 5-minute walk away from the bus stop that takes 20 minutes to get to Eglington Subway Station. Driving takes around 15 minutes.
Can the venue hold more then 100 people? Yes✓ No__
The Westview Terrace can hold 175 seated during a ceremony. 175 during cocktail events.
Is there a sufficient amount of parking space? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ There are 2 parking lots with over 100 spaces where people
are able to park. There is also a drop off zone at the doors.
Does the venue have a liquor license?
Yes _No✓ The venue is not licensed to serve alcohol but you are allowed to bring in your own alcohol as long as you have a Special Occasion Permit. $6.00 per person corkage fee if they are over the age of 19.
Does the venue supply it’s own AV Equipment? Yes _No✓
The venue rental fee includes the use of BASIC AV equipment (projector screen, microphone, AV cart and podium).
Does the venue supply it’s own caterers?
Yes✓ No__
The venue does have it’s own exclusive list of caterers that do they do recommend and have already done previous events at this particular venue. Beneficial because they can also provide us with information about the equipment that is required and amount of power needed to do such tasks.
Is there a space that can be used in case of unexpected weather conditions? (Ex. Rain) Yes✓ No__
There is a hall across from the Westview Terrace called the Floral Hall, which is $3,100 on Saturdays, and can fit 200 people. There is also Garden hall attached to Westview Terrace that costs $1,300 on Saturdays and can seat 80 people and stand 120 people.
Is the location wheelchair accessible?
Yes✓ No__
There are minimal stairs which are only located on the paths throughout the Edwards Gardens. Inside and near the venue it is all flat surfaces where it is wheelchair accessible. Both the Garden and Floral Halls are wheelchair accessible.
Are there accessible bathrooms inside and outside of the venue?
Yes✓ No__
There are both women’s and men’s washrooms near the Westview Terrace inside of the venue. There are 2 different locations inside where people can go to use the washroom. Washrooms are checked and stocked every half hour throughout the event. There are also portapotties on the grounds of the gardens outside the main area incase guests are venturing the grounds.
Do the Edwards Gardens and Learning Gardens need separate permits for photography?
Yes✓ No__The Edwards Garden does need a separate permit from the city. We are waiting to hear about the Learning Gardens.
Is there a bridal suite or similar area?Yes✓ No__
Use of a studio area on the second floor will be provided.
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Note: Included in this package is a business card from the Toronto Botanical Gardens. We did not meet with this person but see it as proof we did go to the venue. Our contact is Katie Pfisterer and can be reached at rentalsales@torontobotanicalgarden.ca or 416-397-1349.
Venue Assignment Part 2: Unattended Venue Option
Destination Two: Toronto Music Gardens, 475 Queens Quay West, on the waterfront
between Bathurst Street and Spadina.
Brief Description: The event coordinator second venue choice is the Toronto Music
Gardens. The Music Gardens relates to the theme An Omaggio of Harmonic Cadence and
the coming together of two people, which is represented in the garden through the
combination of nature and music.
The Music Gardens is a breathtaking garden that and the landscape is designed to
reflect Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G Major for unaccompanied cello, BWV 1007
(Harbourfroncenter.com, 2012). Renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma and landscape designer
Julie Moir Messervy came together and used each other’s knowledge to create the Music
Gardens.
The Music Gardens was designed to correspond with each different section in
Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G Major for unaccompanied cello, BWV 1007. There are six
different sections of the garden, The Prelude, The Sarabande, The Allemande, The
Minuets, The Courante and The Gigue. Each of the six sections resembles a part of
Bach’s musical piece, and is designed to demonstrate music through nature.
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The Toronto Music Gardens is opened to the public. In order to have social gatherings in
the park such as a wedding, the event coordinators will have to receive a park permit
issued by the city of Toronto.
Advantages DisadvantagesThe venue relates well with the Colin and Adelaide’s vision for their wedding and musical theme.
There is ongoing construction happening around the Music Gardens, which is disrupting the TTC transportation.
Photography and video recording is permitted at the gardens without having to pay a fee.
The Music Gardens does not reside close enough to a location that can be used to as back up plan incase of unforeseen weather conditions.
The Music Gardens are wheelchair accessible.
The park is open to the public and there could be possible disruptions during the ceremony and reception.
The price point is cheaper at 159.14 an hour.
It can be a stand up only service/ceremony in exceptions for those with disabilities and those in wheelchairs.
There is 300 plus parking spots near the Music Gardens on Spadina.
There is no place to have a reception, as there can be no tent rentals on the property. A separate reception area would have to be found.
Only 20 people are aloud to attend the ceremony.There is no electricity available during the ceremony.
Toronto Botanical Gardens
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