1186338-1-dining

Not sure on where to host a rehearsal dinner, bachelor party or a bridal shower?  Why not take advantage of Summerlicious and celebrate the best of Toronto`s eclectic cuisine running from July 3rd through to the 19th. 

With 150 restaurants to choose from, feeling guilty about taking a long lunch or leaving work a little early is not an option when dining at one of the finest for a Casamentos wedding appointment. 

You can make reservations to one or a few restaurants and sample a wide variety of diverse and innovative cuisine through price-fixed menus ranging from $15-$45 per person.  Yes, reservations began June 18th, but not to worry, some restaurants will make an exception if reservations were not made by July 3rd.   Just don`t forget to mention, you are getting married and may be booking a private affair!

This is a great opportunity to get a feeling for the restaurant and decide if you would consider hosting your prewedding celebrations there.  Did you enjoy the surroundings…  How was the decor…How was the service …Is there parking available… Do they have a private dining room…Is there live entertainment… What menu options does the restaurant offer. 

Yes, you will be doing some homework but also enjoying yourself at the same time.  Here are just a few restaurant suggestions:

 Cafe Maroc of the Sultan`s Tent

p731531459_o

  The cafe offers an area for cocktails, hors dòeuvres and a la carte dishes from an extensive French Moroccan menu.  For larger parties, there are  intimate booths that are divided by elegant drapery, Moroccan lanterns and palms that provide that feeling of elegance.  Let`s not forget the added entertainment – belly dancers.  For more information, visit www.thesultanstent.com.

Greg Couillard`s Spice Room and Chutney Bar

The Spice Room and Chutney Bar is a warm, inviting place for your taste buds to take an exotic voyage.  The bar offers a sexy and intimate, yet fittingly piquant setting for a private reception accomodating up to 50 guests for a seated dinner.  Stirring up Hazelton Lanes with his instinctive sense of culinary adventure, celebrated Chef Greg Couillard`s kind of enthusiasm brings the spice routes and tropical jungles of the world to Yorkville`s upscale glamour. 

Manyata Courtyard

Manyata

Manyata`s unique space tempts the imagination to create the most dramatic events with class and style.  Manyata Courtyard is a majestic, versative event space which has transformed Hazelton Lanes glassed-over courtyard into a scene resembling the Palm Court at the Ritz.  The spacious 5,500 square foot room has cascading ivory drapes, tropical palms, wicker furniture and leather lounge seating.  Visit www.spiceroommanyata.com.

Of course, a great restaurant experience is made up of good wine,  food and great company, so I must acknowledge the extended warm service received to Casamentos Brides and Grooms from restaurant owners, chefs and wonderful staff at Auberge du Pommier, Autogrill, Big Daddy`s Crab Shack & Oyster Bar, Canoe, Centro, Coco Lezzone, the Drake Hotel, EPIC, Fred`s Not Here, Five Doors North, Hemispheres, Il Posto, La Maquette, Lolita`s Lust, Metropolitan, Mistura, Myth, Noce, North 44, Positano, Richlee`s, Senses, The Old Mill Inn, Victoria`s Restaurant, Wildfire Steakhouse and Zucca Trattoria.  Be sure to visit them for an excellent Summerlicious experience.

Visit www.toronto.ca for restaurant descriptions and menus.

signature

DR. Dominican Republic

June 11, 2009

riu_header

Casamentos is off to another destination celebration to what is one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands:  The Dominican Republic at the RIU Hotels, Puerto Plata. 

Please note that our offices will be closed until June 22nd and we look forward to servicing you upon our return.

madeira5Joana and Andrew wanted to get married in a “spot in the middle of the ocean” and situated between their native countries – Canada and Portugal. They found exactly what they wished for in Madeira Island, 527 Km. off the Moroccan coast and it is part of Portugal. This island is captivating and exotic and begs to be explored.

i-pestana-grand-hotel-exterior-1

Known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic,” this sub-tropical island is a beautiful place with volcanic peaks, lush tropical coastlines and golden sandy beaches. It has several micro-climes so you can be walking among cacti on the dry mountain trails and within a few hours be surrounded by 6 foot tall calla lilies in the sub-tropics.

Not only is this a wonderfully romantic island, this choice honors Joanna’s heritage as both of her parents are of Portuguese descent.

Due to its wonderful weather, there is a wide variety of outdoor activities to keep all their guests busy. Count on surfing, scuba-diving, tennis, golf, riding and hiking in the mountains or along the levadas, which are ancient waterways. And do not forget the exquisite Madeira lace when shopping. Equally exciting and breathtaking are the dolphins and whales which make their home in Madeira during the summer months. You can spot these wonderful creatures swimming close by to the coastline.

Casamentos is delighted to be planning this destination wedding. With a guest list of 50 and still growing, friends and family of Joana and Andrew have a year to brush up on their Portuguese. An easy word to learn is “Parabens!” which means Congratulations.

Parabens! Joana and Andrew!
signature

VW_Fragrant_050509Celebrate this Mother’s Day with Vera Wang. Vera Wang has created gorgeous bouquets of roses with colors ranging from sheer pink to blush pink, delicate saphire colored orchids and long stemmed pink lilies.  Prices start at $55.00.
VW_email_md09_VWPIC_050109

This is done in collaberation with FTD and orders have to be received by May 8th either online at Vera Wang Flowers www.ftd.com/verawang/ or by calling 1.800.736.3383.

A haute couture bouquet, a special fragrance and token of love, Happy Mother’s Day!

 Take a Walk in the Park with Us at the Spring Wedding Co. Show www.thespringweddingshow.com.  We are delighted to be one of six sponsors of the online event staged by The Wedding Co.

The virtual park will throw open its gates for 10 days from May 22-June 14, 2009 and admission is free and available 24/7.  Get fresh ideas for your dream wedding from the comfort of your own home and share the fun with your friends without worrying about the weather outside!

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

signature1

What is True Love?

March 3, 2009

I ask myself, what is the core meaning of  True Love?      True Love knows no boundaries.      True Love is passionate and sensual.     True Love never dies.   What is True Love to you?

“A lover only knows humility, he has no choice.”

“He steals into your alley at night, he has no choice.  He longs to kiss every lock of your hair, dont fret he has no choice.  In his frenzy love for you he longs to break the chains of his imprisonment, he has no choice.”

“A lover asked his beloved, “Do you love yourself more than you love me?”  The lover replied, “I’ve died to myself and I live for you.  I’ve disappeared from myself and my attributes.  I am present only for you.  I’ve forgotten all of my learnings.  But knowing you I have become a scholar.  I have lost all of my strength but from your power I am able.  I love myself, I love you, I love you.  I love myself.”"

“I am your lover come to my side.  I will open the gate to your love.  Come settle with me, let us be neighbours in the stars.”

“You have been hiding so long endlessly drifting in the sea of my love.  Even so, you have always been connected to me concealed, revealed in the knowing in the unmanifest.  I Life itself.  You have been a prisoner of a little pond.  I am the ocean and its tribulent flood.  Come merge with me.”

“Leave this world of ignorance.  Be with me.  I will open the gate to your love.  I desire you more than food or drink.  My body, my sense, my mind hunger for your taste.  I can sense your presence in my heart.  Although you belong to the world, I wait for the silent passion for one gesture, one glance from you.”

Visit RSVP Wedding Talk Blog at Casamentos Haute Couture Wedding Design Inc. at  www.casamentos.ca

The Wedding Show

January 9, 2009

image_12

Now, this is a show that you definitely do not want to miss.  Congratulations to you if you recently became engaged during the holiday season.  Now it is time to take the first step in planning your wedding.  

Prepare to experience the best that Toronto’s wedding industry has to offer in  an intimate, boutique-inspired atmosphere.   

The Details

Friday, January 9th 5pm-9pm     Saturday, January 10th 10am-6pm      Sunday, January 11th 10am-5pm

The Carlu, 444 Yonge Street, Seventh Floor

Tickets are available at the door for $20.00 (cash only).

Enjoy the experience of the Wedding Show at the Carlu.

Visit RSVP Wedding Talk at Casamentos Haute Couture Wedding Design Inc. at  www.casamentos.ca.

Wonderful and Magical!  Christmas is definitely my favorite time of the Year. 

There is no other time of the year when one can capture a  moment when magic and joy surrounds us during the Christmas Holiday.  Even the innocence of Christmas can be dreamt through a child’s eyes as they wait for their chosen present to be delivered.  

So from my heart to yours, Wishing You all the Wonder and Joy that this  Beautiful Holiday brings. 

Merry Christmas

Gabrielle

I promise….

November 10, 2008

Little girls dream of fairytale weddings from a very young age.  Fairytale stories of being Cinderella and marrying a Prince.  But what do little boys dream of.  I thought it was fast cars and money.

monster-in-law-6

I have to share this story with you as I found it to be so enduring and quite sweet.  I was quite surprised when my son came home for lunch and he showed me a note that he received from a little girl in his grade one class.  It said, ”Dear Dylan, Here is a Secret.  I Love You.  Do you love me?  Circle Yes or No.”  Well, Dylan circled, “Yes.”  He made and colored a beautiful card for her and gave it to her the next day.  At that point they were boyfriend and girlfriend.  He would tell me that they would sometimes play recess together and she would kiss him on the cheek.   I guess this is the beginning of learning and experiencing the innocence of love.    

Well, as I was tucking my son in bed last nite he turned to me and asked, “Mommy, one day when I get married will you plan my wedding?”  I replied, “Yes”.  He then looked into my eyes and asked, “And will it be the most beautiful wedding of all?”  I replied, “Yes, I promise it will be the most beautiful wedding of all!”

Hmm, in the back of my mind, I was beginning to recap scenes from the Monster-in-Law movie as I’d ask him, did you play with her today?  This children’s romance lasted one month as his heart was broken when he told me that she ripped his card and threw it away.  How could she?  How cruel?   Monster-in-Law wonders and asks.

Hmm, what lies ahead of me in the years to come.  But I do promise that one day he will have the most beautiful wedding of all. 

Visit RSVP Wedding Talk Blog at www.casamentos.ca at Casamentos Haute Couture Wedding Design.

Make Love Real is searching for a new Bridal Blogger!!

Until November 15th, you can pray that you will be the grand winner of a Signature free multimedia engagement session by Neil Cowley valued at $3,000.00.  The quest is to find a bride storyteller with heart, humor and emotion to tell your story in your own words expressing your moments of frustration, your moments of bliss, the decisions you had to make, and your funny dreams during your engagement and wedding planning process. 

Neil Cowley is a gifted photographer and he allows you to express your love through art.  Our paths have crossed and I have always been amazed by his passion and vision to transform and bring to life a couples love, expression and display it in such a unique and beautiful way.  

You can view his work at www.makelovereal.net and listen to other couples stories.   So what does “Make Love Real” stand for.  “Make” things that are individual. “Love” is the sacrifice made with love for instance, the moments when the groom stayed up late helping the bride with the last minute wedding details.  “Real”  moments that are precious and meaningful. 

Good Luck and Make Your Love Real with Neil Cowley.

Visit RSVP Wedding Talk at Casamentos Haute Couture Wedding Design Inc. at www.casamentos.ca.

 

 

Submit your journal, blog, video log or contest entry to www.MakeLoveReal.net/Blogger.