There are a handful of events in a child’s life that can make a parent giddy with anticipation. Marriage is one of them.
As the days tick down to son #1’s wedding in June, that’s exactly how I’m feeling, so please indulge me while I give you a sneak peek into what’s ahead. In case you missed my post about their engagement, you can read about it here.
A few weeks ago, Gilles and I visited the wedding venue for the first time, and attended the menu sampling for the event.
The Berkeley Church is a heritage building with a history dating back to 1871, but it is now a special event venue. The church itself is much too large to host our event, but its companion building across the small courtyard to the right – the Berkeley Field House – is perfect.
Once upon a time, I might have been dismayed by this rustic and eclectic venue, but over the past few years, I’ve explored enough of Toronto’s heritage buildings to have developed a boundless love for these old beauties.
I was thrilled to discover it provided many wonderful doors that added to its unique character.
I had forgotten my camera at home, so I had to rely on my new iPhone for all these photos.
The Field House is non-descript from the outside – in fact with the grand old church dominating the corner – we didn’t even notice it was there. However, the inside of the building, and it’s accompanying courtyard where the ceremony will take place, is charming.
On this bitterly cold afternoon in the fading light, we had to use our imaginations to visualize the garden in spring bloom – with its tall mature trees, small creek, and 2-storey treehouse.
Of course Jordan and Dempsey had seen it when it wasn’t buried under a layer of snow and ice. We’ve been assured it is a whimsical oasis in the heart of the city.
One thing I do know for sure, the food will be amazing – a tall order when the guest list includes those who are either vegan or celiac.
As the wedding details start to trickle out, it’s becoming more real to me. The vibe of this facility matches the “elegantly casual” event that Jordan and Dempsey are planning.
I am already visualizing the gathering of our family and friends to celebrate this special day – the music, the laughter, and above all, the love and joy that comes with a wedding.
I can hardly wait.
*************************************************************************************
Thursday Doors is a weekly photo feature hosted by Norm Frampton at Norm 2.0.
Lovely 👌👌
LikeLike
Hi Jo, congrats on the impending family wedding. If you need any inspiration for a bag on the day pop by as I have just the article for you. Also if you do have any Canadian designers to put on my map just let me know. Thx and best wishes https://bagwhispers.com/2018/03/22/special-occasion-bags-fit-for-weddings-the-races-summer-2018-trends/
LikeLike
Gorgeous doors!
LikeLike
It’s a fun unique place and I’m looking forward to seeing how they deck it out 🙂
LikeLike
You have chosen a unique setting that will make an unforgettable wedding day. Congratulations to the happy couple. I wish them beautiful weather; everything else is planned and taken care of in their honor.
LikeLike
Thank you. I hope for lovely weather, but the reality is, early June in Canada is a gamble. I’m confident t will be a wonderful celebration either way 🙂
LikeLike
Ohhh, joy joy joy! With such door beauties, what can go wrong? I wish you to relax, inhale and enjoy it.
LikeLike
Thanks 💕… everyone loves a wedding!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
love to see post with great photos 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the nice feedback. Much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So excited for you Joanne 🙂 I hope you all have a wonderful time preparing for this special event and for getting a new son-in-law x
LikeLike
Thanks Annie. We are all very excited and we met Dempsey’s family last week for the first time.
I hope all is well with you!
LikeLike
I’m so pleased for you Joanne! What a great looking place to have the wedding. It’s a fantastic time so enjoy it all 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Debbie. I was thinking about your experience last year with your daughter and how much fun you had 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just enjoy it all 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve made the anticipation palpable. *waves from the cheering section* Exciting days ahead1
Sounds wonderful and I love how you’ve combined the lead up to the wedding and venue, and still incorporated photos of the doors. 😀
LikeLike
Thanks Tess! It’s so nice to hear from you again. I hope all is well on your end 🙂
LikeLike
This is sooooo exciting! The venue exudes character and I just love all the distressed woodwork!
Went back to read your previous post re their engagement: I really appreciate your deep and open sharing about your worries and fears for your son. We just want the best for our children, and when they walk a difficult path, it is all the more reason to worry. Your story gives me hope that all will work out; we can only be there for them, and be the best support we can.
And soon, you will have a wedding to dance at! Hurray!
LikeLike
“We just want the best for our children, and when they walk a difficult path, it is all the more reason to worry.” You said it perfectly!
In the end, all we can do is hopefully give our children a good set of values from which to form their own path … but it sure doesn’t stop the worrying!!
LikeLike
I hear you. I turned 50 this year, and I KNOW my mom still worries about me!
LikeLike
Like a good mother does 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Splendid venue! Amazing door collection!
I’m so happy to share your happiness — to celebrate love as well ❤
LikeLike
Thanks Joey – I love to spread the happy around 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
So exciting Joanne! I well remember this time of anticipation. Enjoy all of it and I love the venue they have chosen. So much character and it feel like a warm and cozy setting I the midst of the city. Congratulations again! Love the update and looking forward to more. Xo
LikeLike
Thanks Sue. I’m not surprised they have chosen a venue that’s intimate and unusual. It suits them 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! I love to hear about weddings! My son got married in an old factory…
LikeLike
I love weddings too – especially the ones that are a bit unusual and reflect the personalities of the couple 💕
LikeLike
What a fabulous location. I’m sure the wedding will be a wonderful joyous event for all of you.
LikeLike
Thanks Su. There are the things we can’t control – like the weather – but I’m impressed with the thoughtfulness of their planning. I’m sure it will be lovely 🙂
LikeLike
First of all huge congratulations!! Mazeltov! I feel very excited for you and love just love the venue, it has so much character and charm. And huge points for originality. Your excitement is palpable and contagious. I look forward to seeing pics of the event. So exciting!
Peta
LikeLike
Such amazing weathered paint on the woodwork! Lovely
LikeLike
I’m not normally a fan of shabby chic – I think just about everything can be improved with a coat of paint … but I like the ambiance of this place 🙂
LikeLike
Awesome news! I just read the earlier post. Being from California, same sex marriage is nothing to be surprised about. I love the venue…so different and historic. I am so happy for you and Giles and of course for Jordan and Dempsey!
LikeLike
Thankfully now it is common 💕… and I couldn’t be happier!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful venue! I bet it will be even more amazing in June… how could it not when It will be surrounded by love? Best wishes to your son and your soon-to-be son-in-law. Enjoy every moment and take lots of pictures.
LikeLike
That’s exactly it, Janis. In the end, it’s all about the people who are going to be there 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooh, I really like it! Shabby chic!
LikeLike
hahaha! I tried to explain shabby chic to my husband. He just rolled his eyes and said it needed paint 😆
LikeLike
It looks like they have chosen a place full of lots of character for their wedding. I love the stained glass and the weathered white entry looks so charming. I know you must be overjoyed with the anticipation of their special day!! 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve never appreciated before how significant a wedding is for the parents. It’s a point of pride that I want to share with all my family and friends. I understand now how it can become a runaway train 😉
They have a great wedding planner – who is also a very close friend – and I’m sure it’s going to be lovely 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m so excited for you, Joanne, and for your son. I love love the charm of the place! It’s going to be wonderful. ❤ ❤ ❤ I get all teary even reading about weddings!
LikeLike
You and me, both!! Tears are guaranteed!
The venue is quite different and has an intimate feel to it. I can hardly wait to see it when the snow is gone and the green comes back 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure it will be perfect. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, how very lovely… you have guided us into a gorgeous location for such an emotional and happy event in all of your lives… Apart from the doors being just wonderful, the whole scenario is looking just amazing for the wedding. I wish you and your family a wonderful family wedding day and I do hope you will share some of it with us…It’s going to look a lot different on your son’s special day. Happy planning and don’t stress too much, it will glide into fulfillment for all!
LikeLike
Thank you so much!
We are in fact not involved in the planning – my son and his partner definitely have this under control. Every once in a while, they give us a glimpse into what it will look like, but I’m sure it’s going to be lovely 💕
LikeLike
It looks absolutely wonderful.
LikeLike
I think a venue helps to set a mood, and if done well, the celebration becomes that much sweeter. This venue is a good start in that direction 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a gorgeous, unique venue! You already know you’re going to love that day in June. It’s just whip cream on the top of that pie knowing the special event will take place at this amazing building- with fabulous doors!! 💙 🚪
LikeLike
The one thing we can’t control is the weather, and I’ve already started my praying to the weather gods to be kind. It’s a great venue, and good weather will make it even better 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exciting stuff indeed. Looking forward to hearing all about it soon 😉
I think I saw this place when I was there in Nov 2015 (?) – I remember the faded blue side door. I had not seen the inside so this was a treat. It’s just a wonderful spot for a wedding. I’m sure it’s going to be an amazing day 🙂
LikeLike
It is certainly a unique space and I’m quite excited to see how they’ve chosen to decorate.
… now if only the weather gods would cooperate 😉
LikeLike
What a fabulous joyous event to look forward to Joanne – the wedding of these two handsome young men. The choice of church is lovely and winsome. I can imagine the spring summer flowers giving that extra edge of elegance. I read your previous post of your son ‘coming out’ and was charmed. All blessings as the month comes closer! Thank you for sharing this with us 🌺
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
These 2 guys – and all their friends – are fun-loving people, so I’m confident it will be a memorable day … less on the serious side, and more on the laughter and fun side. I agree – it will be fabulous!
LikeLike
All Beautiful church and surroundings! my favorite is the stained glass doors (that will be a gorgeous backdrop for photos:) The wedding of the first one is always very special! Yes, the low knob is very noticable – for kids?
LikeLike
I hope I never get to the point where weddings fail to delight me. When it’s your own getting married, it’s even sweeter – I had no idea! 💕
I love those stained glass doors – leading into the kitchen of all places! What a wonderful, and unusual, choice!
LikeLike
How exciting for you and your expanding family! Looks like a marvellous venue. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about this in the future!!!
LikeLike
Our family keeps growing because Jordan’s friends keep ‘adopting’ us. Our ‘sons’ now number in the ‘many’ 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exciting! Thanks for letting us share in it, Joanne!
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it and it’s perfect, Joanne. I especially love the kitchen doors!! Wowza! Our older daughter just got engaged and they’re planning an October wedding in S. California where they both live. Exciting time ahead for both our families, eh? 🙂
janet
LikeLike
It IS exciting! We do have a very exciting year ahead of us!!
I didn’t appreciate how important this event is in the life of a parent … until it became my own child. Now I get it 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like an excellent place for a wedding. You are in for a treat! Watching your offspring take those wedding vows is one of life’s finer moments. Make sure you relax and enjoy every detail.
LikeLike
Relax? That will be a challenge!
I know what you mean though – it will be over before I know it, and I want to be sure to treasure every minute of it.
LikeLike
Wow what a exquisite place. I love rustic doors like that. An amazing celebration to look forward to 💖💖
LikeLike
I love weddings. I love to see the little details the couple use to imprint their personalities on the celebration.
Now that it’s my own child, the feeling has just amplified 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so very happy for you, Jo!
LikeLike
Thanks Nancy 💕
LikeLike
What a beautiful old building. Perfect background for the dream wedding of a couple in love. I am trying to make sense of the knee-high doorknob, but nothing comes to mind. Great door pictures, you should use your phone more often.
LikeLike
The knee-level doorknob had me a bit baffled too. If I had to guess, the doorknob was an overthought.
This was actually the first time I had taken photos with this phone, which I got for Christmas. I was rather proud that (1) I didn’t drop it once, (2) there were no unexpected photos of a finger or thumb 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my, this looks absolutely perfect! Such an exciting time for all of you, enjoy every second ❤️.
LikeLike
I think the anticipation leading up to a big event is a huge part of the experience. The day itself seems to dissolve in a heartbeat. Isn’t that what the photos are for? 😉
I hope I can hold on to each moment 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
A friend of mine gave me the best piece of advice before our daughter got married. She told me to make sure I just took the time to take in the beauty of the day. Forget about all the little snags that are bound to occur & just breathe in every second of the love ❤️
LikeLike
That’s wonderful advice. I’m going to start practicing right now 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your photos are beautiful. I can only imagine how lovely it is to actually be in this building. Great find on your part. Venues with character are difficult to find.
LikeLike
I don’t know who in Jordan’s circle of friends deserves the credit for finding this venue, but it is a winner in the charm and character categories 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing setting for a wedding, Joanne. I love those doors leading to the kitchen.
LikeLike
I’m looking forward to seeing how they decorate this space to make it theirs.
… and those are the most impressive kitchen doors I’ve ever seen 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing this grand site with us ~ can’t wait to see it in full bloom!
LikeLike
I have a tendency to get my expectations up really high, and then get disappointed by the reality.
In this case, I’ve resolved to let go of any expectations and simply enjoy whatever they have planned – and what Mother Nature chooses to toss out that day.
LikeLike
That’s an amazing building, I love all the shabbiness and peeling paint! Such character! I look forward to seeing the garden in the summer. My step-daughter got married in a garden with a ruined folly, it was most unusual and rather charming and the weather was perfect for being outdoors. Sadly I shan’t be at my son’s wedding at the end of this month as he is having a garden wedding in New Zealand. A long way for us to go when we wouldn’t have much time with him and his family. But I shall have a little dance by myself in the kitchen 😀
LikeLike
Oh, I’m so sad for you that you are going to miss your son’s wedding!! I hope there have been arrangements made for you to be there by Skype or FaceTime?
I’m actually not a fan of outdoor weddings. We live in Canada. The weather is always a wild card.
… but this is who they are, and an outdoor ceremony was a non-negotiable. I was relieved to hear that the facility includes a large outdoor event tent in case of inclement weather. There is no point in me worrying about the weather. It will be what it is.
LikeLike
Let’s hope his marriage lasts as long as the church. Even unpainted and in apparent need of repair, those old doors look beautiful to me.
LikeLike
That’s actually a lovely tribute – that some of the longevity of the building transfers to the marriage. I like that 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this, I’ll have to check the building out when I get home.
LikeLike
Let me know what you think! I’m looking forward to seeing it in summer 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like it will be a very unique wedding. Looking forward to hearing more.
LikeLike
Thanks Kate. I’m confident that it will reflect their personalities 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow what a brilliant place, love the rustic doors.
LikeLike
I agree. I can hardly wait to see what they have planned for this space 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The best camera is the one you have with you Joanne and you certainly made most of your iPhone. These images are beautiful and the church is gorgeous. Best of luck to the happy couple. You never know I might just be a wedding crasher 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Joe, I don’t think I’ve ever told you this, but based on the various photos I’ve seen of you, you bear a striking resemblance to my older brother. I suspect you could slide right in with the family and no one would blink 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great see you then 🤣 Make sure to tell your brother the wedding is on a different day, LOL
LikeLike
HAHAHAHA!!!
LikeLike
Joanne–I can read the excitement in your words, and I am so excited for you! The venue is beautiful. What is it about old paint that excites the heck out of me? I don’t know, but I love it. This venue looks beautiful in snow–I can’t wait to see it in the spring.
LikeLike
It’s pretty hard to curb my excitement 🙂
The reality is that it doesn’t really matter where a wedding takes place – it’s always a special magical moment (I might be a bit of a romantic 😉)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that place (I love the doors to the kitchen, oh my goodness!) and I hope the day is grand! There’s something uniquely special about the doors you’ve shared. They give the place a very warm feel.
LikeLike
Thanks Dan – that’s exactly how I felt. Even though the space was empty and stark, it seemed to have a ‘soul’.
… and I agree about those kitchen doors! Usually kitchen doors are plain and nondescript – trying to be invisible. They went in the other direction for the nicest kitchen doors I’ve ever seen 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a unique venue, Joanne, and what a clever twist for a blog post. So many ‘upcoming wedding’ posts share only from the rehearsal party onwards. I love seeing this fabulous spot months in advance, and through your eyes. Your excitement is coming through in your post. Terrific!
LikeLike
I try to keep a wall of privacy between my family and my blog. It’s always a bit of a balancing act and sometimes – like now, I can’t resist 🙂
Fair warning is that this likely won’t be the last one about my son’s wedding 😉
LikeLike
What an amazing spring and summer you are going to have. 🙂 This is a very interesting building, and I can’t wait to see it when it is not under snow but trimmed out in green and colorful blooms. Exciting times for you – enjoy every moment even if a few include tears of joy. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Judy. I’m going to have to keep reminding myself to relax and enjoy 😉
I really wanted to go up into the treehouse, but it was so cold, and I hadn’t dressed for slogging through the snow to get to the stairs. You can be sure it will be one of the first things I do 🙂
LikeLike
What a Unique and charming venue – love all the original details! Having our kids grow up and surprise us with their own choices and decisions is such a special part of parenting…mazel tov!
LikeLike
You hit it square on … “surprising us with their own choices and decisions”.
It is truly wonderful when we remember to keep our hearts and minds open 🙂
As much as I try not to be, I’m a crier. I’m afraid I’m going to be a soggy mess.
LikeLike
I can’t wait to see a photo of the bridge and groom in front of that last door. I’m thinking antique lace, simple but elegant…so exciting.
LikeLike
There are many small details they aren’t sharing, so it will be a wonderful surprise for me – whatever they do 🙂
We met their wedding planner, who is also a very good friend of theirs, and I have a lot of confidence in her 💕
LikeLike