How I Take Care of Myself During Wedding Season

The wedding season is stressful for everyone, but how do you stay in tip-top shape? This article will outline some practical ways to take care of yourself during the wedding season. Do these things, and you'll be on the road to wedding perfection!

Working Out with a Personal Trainer

Working out with a personal trainer during the wedding season is an excellent idea if you are a future bride. Getting fit can be difficult when you are busy with your wedding preparations. However, it is not impossible, as personal trainers can help you shed unwanted pounds and get in shape quickly. In fact, many trainers offer special packages for newlyweds. You can choose a package that incorporates phone calls and in-person sessions, keeping your costs within your budget.

Avoiding Processed Foods

Improving digestion is a major health benefit of avoiding processed foods during the wedding season. Processed foods are packed with sugars and additives that can upset your digestive system and adversely affect your skin's complexion—something you absolutely want to avoid when it comes to wedding photos and videos.

Sugar is a commonly-used ingredient in most processed foods, and it can cause bloating and gas. Instead, choose a more natural sweetener, such as honey, that contains only natural sugars. You can find these sweeteners in natural or organic foods and get a sugar fix from eating natural fruits.

Taking a Nap

While some brides wake up at 4 am to start their hair and makeup, others don't have the luxury of sleeping in until the afternoon. A lack of sleep can drastically affect your physical and emotional state, making it imperative to schedule a nap before the wedding. Taking a nap is the perfect way to rest and rejuvenate after a long day of wedding preparation. Make sure that no one disturbs you while you nap, and delegate the rest of your tasks to trusted assistants or wedding planners.

Avoiding Tanning Booths

There are a few ways to avoid getting too dark at tanning booths, especially during the wedding season. First, book your last appointment at least two days before your wedding. This will allow you time to correct mistakes before the big day and protect your wedding dress from stains.

Fresh spray tans tend to rub off more easily on fabric, so ensure you avoid moisture for eight hours after your appointment. Then, moisturize your body with hydrating lotion.

Taking a Vacation

If you're considering taking a vacation during the wedding season, consider the pros and cons of this season. As the wedding season approaches, prices on airfare and accommodations tend to go up. You'll also want to plan your vacation well in advance to coordinate your plans with friends and family. Luckily, several ways to get the best deal include shopping during holiday sales and signing up for resort newsletters.

One of the Most Unique Toronto Wedding Venues

Twist Gallery is a well-known art gallery but also serves as an event space Toronto relies on for custom celebrations, including birthday parties, weddings and receptions, and corporate events. Get in touch today at (416) 588-2222 or nadia@twistgallery.ca for more information!

Do’s and Don'ts For Your Wedding

Your wedding day is meant to be full of love, fun, and magic, a day to commemorate the most special commitment you are meant to have in your entire life. No matter what you do, it should be a reflection of you and your partners’ interests and experiences. Being a wedding venue for years, Twist Gallery has accumulated some tips to help your day run smoothly and beautifully. 

Don’ts…

Let us begin with the tips that are meant to eliminate unforeseen stress or confusion. It is important at every step to remember this wedding is meant for YOU and your partner above everything else. If anything does not make sense to you or bring you joy, modify it to fit your preferences. This goes for anything - guest list, decorations, or food. Try not to let your family and friends persuade you in their own directions. Surely they are trying to help lead you with love, but it is still their own personal opinions. 

Alongside that, make sure you are particular about who is giving speeches at your wedding. Try to avoid too much talking, or the wrong people talking – the wedding won’t last forever! You must use the time wisely, and it may not be a true reflection of your relationship if the speeches feel off putting, forced, or too booze-powered. Instead, leave out a wedding book that more guests can write their special stories in and you can keep forever. 

As an event venue, Twist knows how stressful it can be to solidify every single detail, as things are ever changing in life. That being said, try to not change small details too close to the date. It may not seem like a big deal, and can surely be accommodated in most instances, but it throws off the planning process that goes on behind the scenes. Things like seating arrangements or food preferences - these are very important in the day running smoothly, and they are determined by the chefs and staff in an efficient manner.

Moving along, remember to trust your planners and venue. It may be stressful, but they have plenty of experience pertaining to weddings and are there to ensure a great experience for you. Try to avoid showing up to the venue too early, as this will just make you tired and more stressed out. They have everything under control! Don’t worry! 

When it comes to decorating, there are endless possibilities and themes to choose from. It is overwhelming but very exciting! As there are so many different options, we recommend that you narrow down the table decor as much as you’re comfortable with. Overfilling the table will just leave less room for delicious food and drinks, and can feel claustrophobic. Flowers, candles, and centerpieces don’t always have to be extravagant to be beautiful. Try switching it up, leave some disposable or Polaroid cameras on the table that guests can take photos with, it is more unique and memorable with less wasted space. Also remember that many things can be DIY’d for more personality and less money!

Do’s…

While it is important for your wedding to be personalized to you, having a wedding planner who is knowledgeable in the industry and skilled at organization is a really great idea. They are the backbone of the night, and will ensure that everything is running smoothly and properly communicated with guests and vendors. Planning a wedding is a lot of work, and not always common knowledge when it comes to the small details. Alongside that, do not stress over the small details! No one is going to be meticulously watching for mistakes, or remember any small hiccups.

Try to set yourself to be as comfortable as possible. Getting accommodation near the venue can eliminate a lot of the stress related to getting ready, being on time, and transportation issues. On the special day, you should consider the details outside the actual event as well, and pre-plan for success. If it is possible, your guests can also stay near you and the venue to make it more fun and special. 

Money is undeniably a big factor of your wedding day. It is important to allocate your funds in a way that works best for your situation and preferences. Putting more money into the wrong thing can throw off the balance of the night, and may lead to regrets later on. For example, spending a tonne of money on decorations versus something like food will make the photos look nice, but may not keep your loved ones in the best spirits. Budgeting to allow for more money for entertainment and food will lift the overall feeling of the night. People will be having fun and be well fed; which is all you can hope for! Live music, painters, or dancers are very popular here at Twist Gallery, along with other fun and creative additions that perfectly complement our gorgeous venue. Choose a venue that radiates love and is surrounded by beautiful art, perfectly suiting a wedding night. 

Adding on to that, our final tip is to consider a late-night snack bar! As the night goes on, people grow more tired and hungry from endless dancing and talking. Having a little spot for quick food will be hit, and is a memorable addition that may have been overlooked. All in all, always do whatever makes you happy. This is meant as a general guide to help you figure out what is important to you and your partner. Wishing you the best of luck on your special day!

Unconventional Wedding Ideas to Make Your Day Even More Unique

Your wedding day is supposed to be the most magical day of your life– full of love, friends, and family. That being said, traditional weddings aren’t the only way to go. Having personalised, different touches will give you and your guests a special experience that will leave a unique memory and inspire everyone to think a little bit outside of the box. Whether it is the wedding venue, food, or decorations, creativity will always shine through. At the end of the day, always do what makes you and your partner happy. Here are some ideas to inspire you: 

1. Unique Wedding Cake

Flavours aren’t the only thing you can customise in your wedding cake. There are so many unique options to do instead of your standard white tiered wedding cake. Going for a cake made of donuts, cupcakes, crepes, (or sushi?!) allows for your guests to actually enjoy a piece of cake without the mess and stress of cutting it evenly. Top it off with customised bobble head figurines of you and your partner for an extra touch of humour and cuteness.

2. Not-So-Typical Outfit

There is no denying that a long extravagant white gown is beautiful, timeless, and symbolic of a wedding day. That being said, there is nothing more symbolic than a statement outfit. Try a white pantsuit or 2 piece set instead of a traditional ball gown. It is both bold and memorable to step outside of the typical expectations. If you still want to wear a dress, opt for a short and breezy dress– perfect for summer and more comfortable to dance in all night! Speaking of comfort, always keep a pair of comfortable dancing shoes with you. Your feet will thank you later.

3. Book a Cool, Modern Art Gallery Instead of a Regular Event Hall

Let’s face it… we should leave the event halls for business conferences and high school proms. The wedding venue is the very basis of your special day, and choosing a venue that is beautiful and unique, enriched with art and culture can completely transform the magical feeling of celebrating love. In Toronto, there are countless galleries and event spaces to choose from– most notable Twist Gallery on Queen St W. This space offers open, high ceilings, huge beautiful windows, and is lined with incredible art from local artists to help you celebrate your day. Call (416) 588-2222 for more information.

4. Toss Out Bouquet Toss for a Fun New Game Instead

As fun as tossing the bouquet is, the game is admittedly not very exciting or inclusive to every wedding guest. If you’re opting for an outside wedding, consider setting up cornhole, bocce ball, or giant jenga to ensure all your guests can join in the fun. If your venue is indoors, have interactive games like Connect 4, Chess, and Tic Tac Toe stations. Add a DIY craft station to encourage creativity and allow your guests to leave you special little gifts to commemorate the magical day.

5. Audio Recorded Guest Book

You’re probably wondering what we mean by an audio recorded guest book. Well, it’s exactly that: a guest book full of sweet messages that you can listen to over and over! Your guests can leave you messages that will create the sweetest playlist of all time. Have both audio and written guest books if you want double the love!

6. Unique Centrepieces

Although flowers and greenery are undeniably beautiful, they are basic wedding centrepieces that do not necessarily “WOW” a crowd. We suggest doing something more personal, something that reflects you and your partners personalities and can be sent home as wedding gifts for your guests. Pile 5-10 of your favourite books on each table, books that tell your loved ones the stories that moved you and the words that left their mark on you. They will likely not be reading during the wedding, but they can take home the book that stood out to them the most, and hopefully pass it on to someone else they love after.

At the end of the day, all that matters on your wedding day is you and your partner celebrating your love with the people who mean the most to you. Everything else is just details– but within these details is where you can get creative, exciting, and fun. Create unforgettable memories in unique ways by expressing your love with these little tips!

Gestures Opening Reception: a Huge Success

We kicked off our Gestures exhibit with an Opening Reception last night. We had a great turnout, and it was a great first Opening Reception since Covid-19 happened. The event brought together people of all different art backgrounds, from artists to people who just love to look at art! They were all united for their shared love of art at the Opening Reception.

Gestures Exhibit has eight different artists showcasing their artwork. All the pieces in Gestures focus on how every brush stroke is intentional and essential. The textures on each canvas are unique in this exhibit. You will have to see the pieces in-person to see the texture detail because each canvas is unique.

Gestures Artist Andrea Higgins!

Gestures’ Artists Alice Kelso and Vian Ewart, and Eva Stryjnik!

The artists had a blast mingling with friends, family, and art lovers. We also sold three paintings during the night!

Twist Gallery’s Director had a blast getting behind the bar to serve everyone drinks!

Cheers to a good night!

We want to thank you all for coming and having a great time with us! We are looking forward to having another Opening Reception for our next exhibit. Keep an eye out on your emails, and we will send you information regarding the next exhibit and its Opening Reception details.

Want to join our mailing list? Click here!

Wedding Trends: Tips for a Gothic Wedding

Dark colours, elegant foods, antiquated decor and furniture, and a feeling of mystery are all features you will find at a gothic wedding. While gothic weddings were previously viewed as unconventional, more and more brides want this dark yet sophisticated wedding theme. Some might mistakenly think that a gothic-themed wedding would be closely related to Halloween decorations and costumes, but this is wrong!

These are some top tips for brides who want to plan out their ideal gothic wedding. 

COLOURS

When you plan out your gothic-themed wedding, you will want to choose specific colours that are dark but still very tasteful, and not just black. Some great examples are deep purples, starry blues, blood reds and black, of course. Once you have finalized your dark colour palette, you can then start picking out the perfect matches for your bridesmaids' dresses, your flower bouquets, groomsmen attire, and your venue decorations. Using deeper colours means you are already on the way to creating the perfect extravagant goth wedding of your dreams. 

VENUE

Whatever theme you decide to go with, picking the venue for your wedding can be a hard decision to make. To choose the right venue for a gothic wedding, you should choose venues with more antique architecture and an elegant feeling. They should also have high-hung chandeliers and probably an elaborate staircase. Choose a gothic-style stone structure or 1920s mansion for the outer structure, which helps set the mood for your guests' arrival. After you pick the venue, you can decorate it to set the mood even further.

DECOR

The vibe you want to create with the venue decor should be classy yet edgy. To create the look of a sophisticated gothic wedding, some of the best picks for decorations include antique candelabras and velvet or lace. Use some candlesticks and flowers as centrepieces, and you can choose to have your venue lit by mostly candlelight. You can go the extra mile with your table settings and add an elegant touch for your guests. 

FLOWERS

The bride and groom's bouquets, centrepieces, and venue decorations will play an essential role in every wedding. To stay on theme for your gothic wedding, you should opt for flowers that come in deep shades like red roses, purple calla lilies and some greenery. You can add touches of greenery throughout the venue to create some easy and charming decorations.

BRIDE

And here are our tips for the lucky bride. Some brides will want to go with a black lace dress, and others will still want to go with a white dress with black detailing. One bold yet still elegant choice that we have seen is a dark red with hints of black. Whatever you decide to wear, you will look stunning. Have a little fun with your manicure, shoes and makeup. You can do vintage gothic makeup to stick with the theme when picking out makeup. A smokey eye and winged liner are the perfect combos.

Useful Links: Unique Wedding Venues Toronto, Wedding Venue Downtown Toronto

Wedding Planning Tips for Newly Engaged Couples

Planning a wedding is fun, but there are a lot of steps involved, and newly engaged couples need to work together so that the process does not become overwhelming.

If you want to enjoy the planning process, make sure you do the following:

Discuss The Bigger Topics Right Away

Things like budget, location and the number of people you want to invite are big conversations you need to discuss upfront. Discuss these aspects as soon as you get engaged because they will provide you with a solid foundation on which you can base the rest of your planning. Having these conversations early on will also ensure you and your partner are on the same page, so there will not be disagreements later on. You should never assume you know what the other person wants, and this is a special day for both you and your partner, so you need to plan your wedding together.

Don’t Worry About The Opinion Of Others

Once you get engaged, you will see that everyone has an opinion, and people will want to offer you advice everywhere you go. In some cases, this information can be useful, but it can be frustrating and very annoying in many cases, especially if it is unsolicited. In these situations, take a deep breath and simply smile and say thank you. You can then do whatever you want with this information, and if you find their tips to be helpful, you can implement them into your planning. If you don’t find their tips to be useful in any way, just let them roll off your back and remember that this is your day!

Decide Whether Or Not You Want To Hire A Wedding Planner

Wedding planners can be very helpful because they will help you plan every detail and will handle every step. They will also be present on the day of your wedding to ensure everything is in place, and you will not stress because their knowledge will help you plan your dream wedding. If you do decide to hire a wedding planner, involve them in your planning as soon as you get engaged.

Don’t Forget To Have Fun

Wedding planning can consume every minute of your day if you allow this to happen, so you have to take a step back so that you have fun along the way. Your engagement is a special time in your life, and it’s important to enjoy it because this only happens once, and you need to remember to soak up the excitement that comes with this phase. Planning is very important, but date nights don’t revolve around your wedding, so remember to celebrate your relationship and not make everything about the wedding.

When it comes to your wedding location, Twist Gallery Inc can help. Our venue is both beautiful and unique, so if you want your wedding day to be magical, contact us today!