Getting ready for the day you say, “I DO” is certainly exciting but it’s no easy mission. Fortunately, in Toronto’s romantic Riverside neighbourhood, you’ll be able to check everything off your list of wedding needs from cute stationary and gifts to beautiful and one-of-a-kind bridal gowns and award-winning florists.
After you’ve curated the perfect wedding folder with inspiring ideas, worked out your budget, picked the wedding party, and sorted out the guest list it’s time to shop, choose your party venues, reserve dates, and send your invites – and Riverside let’s you do it all within a convenient 10 blocks walk!
Whether you’re looking to get married in Riverside, host a wedding shower here, and/or get your party’s hair and makeup done, here is everything you need leading up to the big day…
Wedding Venues
The Broadview Hotel
With an extensive assortment of unique spaces and a talented culinary team, The Broadview Hotel is a great place to celebrate your wedding as well as host engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, and post-wedding brunches. The hotel can also facilitate a private bridal suite and groom’s lounge, as well as preferred room rates for guest accommodations. If you’re looking for a fairytale wedding at Toronto’s hottest historic hotel, then look no further.
The Jam FactoryTO
The owners of this remarkable space have not only preserved many aspects of The Jam Factory’s historic charm, but they’ve also upgraded washrooms, refreshed the catering prep space, and installed a new flooring showing off the venue’s glamorous jazz-age industrial decor. With stunning sunsets overlooking the Don Valley, this Riverside gem is a gorgeous spot to get married and host a reception. Special event packages include ample pre-event time to settle in and personalize the space with your own decor. A dedicated team of venue managers will also be on-hand to help ensure a sweet and seamless affair.
Before or After-Parties
There are lots of private venues available in Riverside for engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners and more! Here are a few places you should definitely consider for either large or intimate parties:
Jasper Dandy
A new pub steps east of Broadview on Queen St E, Jasper Dandy has three flexible event spaces with a total capacity of 270, including a pub style sports bar area at the front perfect for eating and lounging, a full bar area with booths, and a live music stage and party room. The style is local sports pub meets Toronto music memorabilia for an edgy vibe. Great for your full wedding party or bachelor’s night out.
I’ll Be Seeing You Bar
With a pink neon sign on the outside, charming decor on the inside, and cocktails with names like Disappearing Unicorn, this Riverside restaurant and bar right on Queen St East couldn’t be more perfect for a bachelorette party.
Boxcar Social
With delicious charcuterie boards on the menu, a huge selection of whiskeys, beers, and wines, and enough room to accommodate up to 60 guests, Boxcar Social on Riverside’s Boulton Ave, just off Queen E, is a great spot for an engagement party.
Prohibition Gastrohouse
Whether you’re looking to rent the whole restaurant for your full wedding party, or get cozy with your besties in the Remy Room overlooking Queen Street East, Prohibition can cater to all your pre- and post-wedding party needs.
Eastbound Brewing Co.
This brewery, beer shop, restaurant and kitchen on Riverside’s Queen Street East right at Broadview Ave is a perfect spot for bachelor parties but with enough room for 120 guests, it’s also great for wedding receptions. You can rent the whole space or just part of it.
Saulter Street Brewery
With a warm ambiance, great acoustics, lots of board games, and enough room for up to 60 guests, Saulter Street Brewery makes for a charming venue to host any wedding-related party.
Ruby Watchco
Celebrate your engagement with celebrity chefs Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk at Ruby Watchco in Riverside. Designed for special occasions, like rehersal dinners, the restaurant’s private upstairs dining room can accommodate up to 24 guests around two large harvest tables.
The Peasant Table
If you’re hosting an intimate affair, perhaps a small engagement party or rehearsal dinner, check out the quaint private dining room on the 2nd floor of this stylish Riverside restaurant. With enough room for up to 100 guests, the main floor is ideal for larger parties.
Gowns
Sash & Bustle Bridal Boutique
This beautiful bridal boutique carries a small, carefully curated selection of mostly exclusive wedding gowns, along with gifts, accessories, and bridesmaids gowns all of which will make shopping for your dress an event that is fun for everyone.
Cake & Catering
Sugar Loaf Bakery & Cafe
From classic cakes to signature cakes and all the delectables before the cakes, this Riverside bakery offers a range of sweets, treats, cakes, and catering options to best suit your wedding celebrations.
Bonjour Brioche
Quiches, cakes, flans, pissaladieres, salads, baguettes, fruit trays, fruit tarts, croissants, and chocolate croissants. All of these delicious pastries and savoury treats would make the perfect addition to any bridal shower, anywhere in Toronto.
Tabule
Whether you’re hosting a wedding reception that calls for pre-selected platters or a buffet style feast of Middle Eastern treats, Riverside’s Tabule will create a sophisticated and memorable menu that is perfect for your event.
Stationary & Gifts
BRIKA
From balancing face mist toner by Mullein Sparrow to cocoglow body oil by Baja Zen, this sophisticated and well-curated artisan boutique in Riverside has a fantastic selection of bridesmaids and bridal shower gifts you’ll want to buy for yourself, too.
Arts Market
With leather wallets and accessories for him, candles that smell like buttercream icing for her, and endearing one of a kind stationary for everyone on your guest list, the Arts Market is basically a one-stop shop for all your wedding gift and stationery needs.
Token
From body wash and beard oil to candles and roller perfumes this adorable gift shop located on Queen Street East is a great spot for fun gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen. You’ll also find a great selection of cards.
Hair & Makeup
There is no shortage of high-end hair salons and beauty boutiques in Riverside. Hair Code , Untitled by Flaunt, Lone and Co, Hill Studio and Album Hair are popular salons featuring some of Toronto’s best colourists stylists to suit any hair type. For all your other hair (removal) needs, there’s WAXON Waxbar! For a lovely mani-pedi for anyone in your wedding party check out Riverside’s natural nail salon, Barefoot Beauty.
Flowers
Quince Flowers
Whether you’re going for a wedding style that is low-key elegance, nostalgic, fun, or formal, you can count on this talented Riverside florist to take care of all the bells and whistles when it comes to your bouquet and flower arrangements for the big day (p.s. if they can do TIFF every year, they’ve got you covered!)
DO YOU HAVE OTHER HANDY WEDDING SPOTS IN RIVERSIDE YOU’D LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT? WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Karen Lloyd is a writer, photographer and website designer in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. This blog is part of the series giving you the inside scoop on Riverside, Toronto. Read other blogs in the series: Riverside Patios, Places to Stay in Riverside, Brunch Spots, Health & Wellness in Riverside, Kid-Friendly Riverside, Event & Catering Spots, Riverside Chefs, Self-Care in Riverside, It’s Easy Being Green in Riverside, The Dirt on Gardening in Riverside, and Eat Around the World in Riverside.