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    • Weddings on your terms

    Hero picture by The Macleans

    Written by : Jodie Garneau

    How to Plan a Micro Wedding in Vancouver

    So you’ve decided that inviting 180 people to watch you ugly cry through your vows might not be your thing.

    First of all: excellent choice.

    Micro weddings have become one of our favourite ways to celebrate a marriage. Not because they’re smaller, but because they’re often more intentional. Less obligation. More connection. Fewer chair covers. More meaningful conversations.

    A micro wedding in Vancouver gives couples access to venues, experiences, and guest interactions that simply aren’t possible when you’re hosting a crowd of 150. Think private dining experiences, garden ceremonies tucked into hidden corners of the city, sunset cocktail hours where you actually get to spend time with every person who came to celebrate with you.

    That said, “small” and “simple” are not the same thing.

    Whether you’re gathering 25 people or 250, someone still needs to build the timeline, coordinate vendors, manage rentals, navigate permits, and make sure your grandmother knows where she’s supposed to be standing before the ceremony starts.

    After years of planning weddings across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, we’ve learned that the most successful micro weddings aren’t the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones designed with intention from the very beginning.

    Here’s what you need to know about planning a micro wedding in Vancouver, including realistic costs, venue ideas, common pitfalls, and how to create a celebration that feels unmistakably like you.

    Table of Contents

    Article Takeaways

    1. Micro weddings aren’t just smaller — they’re smarter. Keeping your guest list to 20–50 people unlocks Vancouver venues that wouldn’t work for a larger crowd, lets you spend more per head on what actually matters, and means you’ll genuinely connect with every person in the room on your wedding day.
    2. Budget realistically, not optimistically. A micro wedding in Vancouver typically runs $15,000–$30,000. 
    3. A planner matters more than you think. A Vancouver wedding planner or day-of coordinator handles permits, vendor coordination, and day-of logistics so you can actually be present instead of managing the event yourself.

    What Is a Micro Wedding, Exactly?

    A micro wedding is an intimate wedding celebration with a guest list that typically falls somewhere between 20 and 50 people. It sits comfortably between an elopement and a traditional wedding, giving you the best of both worlds: the meaningful moments of a full wedding day, without the logistics of hosting a crowd.

    Think ceremony, cocktails, dinner, speeches, dancing, and all the little moments in between — just shared with a more intentionally curated group of people.

    While the guest count is what technically defines a micro wedding, the experience is what makes it special.

    With fewer guests, couples often find themselves with far more flexibility. Suddenly, that charming restaurant with the incredible food becomes a viable venue. That private estate, hidden garden, or boutique winery that couldn’t accommodate 150 guests is now on the table. The budget that would have been spent feeding a larger crowd can instead be invested into guest experience, elevated dining, live entertainment, or creating an unforgettable weekend together.

    Perhaps most importantly, a micro wedding gives you the opportunity to actually be present with your people. Instead of spending the evening speed-running conversations from table to table, you get the chance to share meaningful moments with every guest who made the list.

    And trust us: that’s a gift many couples don’t fully appreciate until they’re living it.

    Why Vancouver Couples Are Choosing Micro Weddings

    Vancouver couples aren’t choosing micro weddings simply because they’re smaller. They’re choosing them because they create space for a different kind of wedding experience.

    And perhaps our favourite reason? The atmosphere.

    There’s something incredibly special about walking into a room where every single person has played a meaningful role in your story. The energy feels different. The conversations are deeper. The hugs last longer. The entire day feels less like a production and more like a gathering.

    That’s the magic of a micro wedding Vancouver couples are increasingly drawn to: less obligation, more connection, and a celebration that feels deeply personal from beginning to end.

    What Does a Micro Wedding in Vancouver Actually Cost?

    Here’s where we lovingly burst a few bubbles: a micro wedding doesn’t automatically mean a cheap wedding.

    One of the biggest misconceptions we encounter is that if you’re inviting one quarter of the guests, your wedding should cost one quarter of the price. Unfortunately, wedding math doesn’t quite work that way.

    Your photographer doesn’t charge less because Aunt Susan stayed home. Your planner is still building timelines and coordinating vendors. Your officiant is still showing up. Your florist is still designing centrepieces, bouquets, and ceremony arrangements. Many of the professionals involved in your wedding are charging for their expertise, time, and service — not simply the number of people attending.

    Where couples typically see the biggest savings is in guest-dependent expenses like catering, bar service, rentals, and stationery. Food and beverage is often one of the largest line items in a wedding budget, so reducing your guest count can create significant flexibility. At an average of approximately $90-110 per guest for food alone, reducing your guest list from 120 guests to 30 can easily save thousands of dollars.

    What we see most often isn’t couples spending less — it’s couples spending differently.

    Rather than stretching a budget across a larger guest count, many couples choose to elevate the experience. Maybe that’s a private chef experience instead of a standard plated dinner. Maybe it’s live music during cocktail hour, luxury transportation, an incredible photographer, or a weekend-long celebration with your closest people. We’ve even seen couples bring in surprise entertainers, host welcome dinners, charter boats, and create guest experiences that simply wouldn’t have been possible with a larger wedding.

    A realistic micro wedding Vancouver budget typically falls somewhere between $15,000 and $30,000, depending on your venue, guest count, priorities, and overall vision. Some celebrations come in below that range, while others can easily exceed it.

    The beauty of a micro wedding isn’t necessarily that it costs less. It’s that it gives you the freedom to invest more intentionally in the things that matter most to you.

    The Cost of a 2025 Micro Wedding

    A Real Example: Leslie & Kyle’s 30-Person Vancouver Wedding

    When Leslie & Kyle first came to us, they were hoping to keep their wedding budget around $14,000. Their guest count was 16 people, and like many couples planning a micro wedding in Vancouver, they assumed that a smaller guest list would automatically translate to a significantly lower overall spend. Today, their wedding is tracking closer to $30,000, despite making thoughtful, budget-conscious decisions throughout the planning process.

    One of the biggest drivers was their venue selection. The space they fell in love with had a food and beverage minimum that wasn’t tied to guest count, but rather to the exclusivity of reserving the venue and the revenue expectations of the property. Rather than viewing this as a downside, Leslie & Kyle leaned into what mattered most to them: creating an exceptional dining experience. Their guests enjoyed an elevated food and bar program that felt far more reflective of a larger luxury wedding than a 16-person celebration. At the same time, they made practical trade-offs elsewhere. They booked only four hours of photography coverage, selected a legal celebrant rather than a full-service officiant, skipped live music and a DJ in favour of a curated playlist, opted out of guest transportation and favours, and chose to do their own beauty services.

    Where they did choose to invest was in transforming their venue. Because the reception space was designed for a much larger guest count, we worked together to create a dark, moody atmosphere through carefully selected rentals and décor that helped the room feel intentional rather than sparse. Their floral design remained relatively modest, consisting of personal flowers, simple ceremony arrangements, and understated table décor, while a meaningful portion of their budget was also dedicated to planning, design guidance, vendor sourcing, contract negotiations, and wedding-day execution. Their wedding didn’t include extravagant entertainment, over-the-top floral installations, or luxury guest gifting. In many ways, it was a beautifully typical micro wedding. And that’s exactly the point: even intimate weddings require realistic budgeting, because guest count is only one piece of the financial puzzle.

    The Macleans

    Intimate Wedding Venues in Vancouver Worth Knowing About

    One of the real advantages of keeping your guest list small is how much your venue options expand. For a Vancouver micro wedding, choosing the right wedding venue comes down to the feel, guest count, and the kinds of locations that suit your day best. A few spaces that work beautifully for intimate weddings in Vancouver:

    For outdoor public spaces like public parks, keep in mind that permits usually cost around $207 and noise restrictions apply. Public parks and beaches can also be a low-cost option for smaller ceremonies, and your planner can walk you through what’s required for each location so nothing gets missed.

    Most couples use a wedding planner to support in some way for their special day: this photo shows Thistle & Thorne wedding planner team

    The Macleans

    Do You Need a Wedding Planner for a Micro Wedding?

    Our answer? Usually, yes.

    One of the biggest misconceptions about micro weddings is that fewer guests means less planning. In reality, many intimate weddings require just as much coordination as larger celebrations — sometimes more.

    Large wedding venues often come with built-in support systems: banquet captains, venue coordinators, catering managers, and dedicated event staff. Many micro weddings take place in restaurants, private estates, boutique venues, parks, gardens, wineries, or family properties where that infrastructure simply doesn’t exist. Someone still needs to create the timeline, coordinate vendors, oversee setup, answer questions, solve problems, and make sure everything happens when and where it’s supposed to.

    Micro weddings also tend to be more personalized. Rather than following a standard ballroom wedding formula, couples are often bringing together unique venues, custom floorplans, private dining experiences, specialty rentals, permit requirements, and non-traditional timelines. The guest count may be smaller, but the logistics certainly aren’t always.

    A Vancouver wedding planner who specializes in intimate celebrations can help you:

    For some couples, full-service planning makes the most sense. For others, wedding management (often called day-of coordination) is the sweet spot. You make the planning decisions, then hand the logistics over to a professional in the weeks leading up to the wedding.

    Because no matter how many guests are attending, you deserve to experience your wedding as a guest of honour — not the person answering vendor texts while trying to enjoy cocktail hour.

    A Few Practical Tips Before You Start Planning

    Beautiful venue in vancouver for a micro wedding

    The Macleans

    Ready to Plan Your Micro Wedding in Vancouver?

    The best micro weddings don’t feel smaller. They feel closer.

    They create space for long dinners, meaningful conversations, spontaneous dance floors, and the kind of moments that can get lost in a larger celebration. They’re a reminder that a wedding doesn’t need a massive guest list to be deeply impactful. It simply needs to feel like you.

    Over the years, we’ve helped couples celebrate everywhere from intimate restaurants and private estates to waterfront venues, mountain lodges, and hidden gems tucked throughout the Lower Mainland. No two micro weddings have looked exactly alike, but the ones that stay with us all have one thing in common: intention.

    If you’re dreaming up a micro wedding in Vancouver and want a planning partner who knows the venues, vendors, logistics, and little details that make a celebration feel effortless, we’d be honoured to help bring it to life.

    Discover Thistle & Thorne:  Wedding Planning Services for Vancouver micro weddings.

    Weddings on your terms

    Written by : Jodie Garneau

    Eloping has changed. What once felt secretive or impulsive is now something deeply intentional. Couples are choosing to get married in ways that feel calm, meaningful, and aligned with who they are, rather than what’s expected of them.

    When you look towards the great, vast North, Canada elopement offers something priceless: space. Space to breathe. Space to be present. Space to focus entirely on each other. Instead of managing timelines built around guests and logistics, your elopement experience becomes centered on what matters most. The two of you, standing together beside alpine lakes, surrounded by towering mountains, and held in the quiet of a beautiful location that feels entirely your own.

    But the ease couples crave doesn’t happen by accident. The most seamless elopement day is one that has been thoughtfully planned, where every decision supports how you want the day to feel. Calm. Grounded. Unrushed. When all the details are handled, you’re free to simply exist in the moment rather than manage it.

    You might picture a private ceremony at Lake Louise, exchanging vows near Moraine Lake, or finding yourselves alone in quiet wildflower meadows with only your closest friends or loved ones present. However it looks, avoiding a few common mistakes can ensure your experience feels as effortless as it deserves to be.

    This guide walks you through the most common missteps couples make when eloping in Canada, and how to avoid them, so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and the freedom to fully enjoy your day.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    The Macleans

    Mistake #1: Treating an Elopement Like a Last-Minute Decision

    Even small weddings require coordination! Travel logistics, accommodation, permits, and photography all need to align. One of the biggest myths about eloping is that it happens spontaneously. While spontaneous decisions may sound romantic, a truly stress free elopement requires preparation.

    Canada’s most iconic places to elope, including Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and alpine regions throughout Banff and British Columbia, require permits, planning, and coordination. These beautiful location options are popular, and availability can fill months in advance.

    When couples wait too long to start planning, they often face limitations such as:

    How to avoid it:

    Start planning as soon as you decide to elope. Ideally, begin planning three to nine months in advance. This gives you access to the best places to elope, experienced vendors, and ideal seasonal conditions such as mild temperatures, warm weather, or late September fall colors.

    The Macleans

    Mistake #2: Choosing a Location Based Only on Photos

    Canada is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. From alpine lakes and alpine meadows to red sand beaches in Prince Edward Island and dramatic coastlines in British Columbia, the options are endless.

    But photos alone do not tell the full story.

    A location that looks perfect online may have challenges such as:

    For example, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise offer stunning views and an epic backdrop, but they also require careful timing and planning. Early morning ceremonies often provide fewer crowds and more privacy. Similarly, suspension bridge locations, mountain viewpoints, and waterfall areas with water crashing over rocks may look incredible but require accessibility planning.

    How to avoid it:

    Choose your location based on more than appearance. Consider accessibility, privacy, seasonal conditions, and legal requirements. Ideally, we would recommend you adventure to your location before the wedding as part of your research and planning phase to make sure accessing it is feasible on the day.

    The Macleans

    One of the most important steps in any Canada elopement is ensuring you become legally married. Each province in Canada has its own legal requirements, and couples must obtain a marriage license before the ceremony. These rules vary depending on where you plan to get married.

    Legal requirements often include:

    In provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, the marriage license process is straightforward but must be completed correctly. Failing to follow these legal requirements can delay or prevent your marriage from being officially recognized.

    How to avoid it:

    Research the legal requirements for your province early. Apply for your marriage license within the required timeframe and confirm witness and officiant rules. Taking care of these steps ensures you are legally married and can focus fully on your elopement day.

    The Macleans

    Mistake #4: Underestimating the Timeline of Your Elopement Day

    Many couples assume that because they elope, they do not need a timeline. But even the most intimate private ceremony benefits from thoughtful pacing. A well-structured elopement day allows space for meaningful moments, photography, and emotional presence.

    Without a timeline, issues can arise such as:

    A thoughtful timeline might include:

    How to avoid it:

    Hire an elopement planner to build out your timeline and oversee logistics. Work with your photographer or planner to create a flexible timeline that protects your experience while allowing room for spontaneity. Structure creates freedom. When all the details are handled, you can be fully present.

    The Macleans

    Mistake #5: Trying to Plan Everything Alone

    Many couples assume that because their wedding is small, the planning will be simple. Fewer guests must mean fewer details, right?

    Not exactly.

    Elopements remove the pressure of a large guest list, but they still involve dozens of invisible decisions happening behind the scenes. And when you’re planning it yourselves, every one of those decisions lands in your lap. Planning alone means quietly stepping into roles you never expected to hold. You become the researcher, the coordinator, the logistics manager, and the contingency planner all at once. You find yourselves navigating:

    None of these elements are impossible. But together, they create a quiet mental load that can pull you out of what this experience is meant to be: intentional, present, and deeply personal.

    How to avoid this mistake

    Work with professionals who specialize in elopements, not just weddings in general. Elopements operate differently. They require flexibility, local knowledge, and an understanding of how to design a day that feels natural rather than structured. The right team helps carry the invisible weight. They handle the logistics, anticipate the obstacles, and guide you through decisions you didn’t even know you needed to make.

    Thistle & Thorne is a team of elopement planning specialists, so, instead of worrying about permits, timing, or backup plans, you can focus on what brought you here in the first place: each other, the landscape around you, and the quiet significance of the moment.

    The Macleans

    Mistake #6: Trying to Recreate a Traditional Wedding — Just Smaller

    One of the most common misconceptions about eloping is that it’s simply a smaller version of a traditional wedding. So couples unintentionally recreate the same structure. A strict timeline. Multiple locations. Packed schedules. Formal expectations. The pressure to perform rather than simply exist in the moment.

    But elopements were never meant to follow the same rules.

    When you remove the guest list, you also remove the need for most of the structure that comes with it. There’s no audience waiting. No reception timeline to maintain. No pressure to move from one formal event to the next. And yet, many couples still find themselves rushing.

    They schedule too many locations in one day. They worry about fitting everything in. They focus on maximizing the experience instead of actually feeling it. The result is a day that looks beautiful, but passes too quickly.

    The most meaningful elopements are the ones that leave space. Space to sit together in silence. Space to take in the landscape. Space to let the experience unfold naturally, rather than forcing it into a rigid schedule. Elopements are not defined by how much you do. They’re defined by how deeply you experience it.

    How to avoid it

    Let go of traditional wedding expectations. Your elopement doesn’t need to follow a template. Choose one or two meaningful locations instead of five. Build a timeline that allows for pauses, not just movement. Trust that slower often feels richer.

    The Macleans

    Mistake #7: Not Planning for Weather, Travel, and Unexpected Changes

    Nature is unpredictable. Weather, trail conditions, and travel delays can all impact your plans.

    Canada’s landscapes offer incredible beauty, but conditions can change quickly. Mild temperatures can shift suddenly. Trails may close. Flights may be delayed.

    Couples who prepare backup plans experience far less stress.

    How to avoid it:

    Plan for flexibility by preparing:

    The Macleans

    Why Canada Is One of the Best Places to Elope

    Canada offers unmatched diversity for couples who want to elope.

    You can get married beside alpine lakes, in alpine meadows, on red sand beaches in Prince Edward Island, or surrounded by towering mountains in Banff.

    Canada provides:

    From early morning ceremonies beside Lake Louise to sunset celebrations overlooking mountain views, Canada offers extraordinary possibilities.

    Here is a curated list you can use for your blog section. Each destination includes a direct official link so couples can explore permits, planning info, and travel details.

    Destinations for A Canada Elopement

    1. Banff National Park, Alberta

    Canada’s first national park, known for its turquoise lakes, towering peaks, and iconic locations like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
    Official site: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff

    2. Jasper National Park, Alberta

    Vast wilderness, quiet alpine lakes, and one of the world’s largest dark sky preserves make this ideal for remote, peaceful elopements.
    Official site: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper

    3. Yoho National Park, British Columbia

    Waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, and emerald lakes create a raw, cinematic setting.
    Official site: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho

    4. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia

    Wild coastline, ancient rainforest, and endless ocean views near Tofino.
    Official site: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/pacificrim

    5. Tofino, British Columbia

    Stormy beaches, driftwood shorelines, and quiet coastal magic.
    Official site: https://tourismtofino.com

    6. Haida Gwaii, British Columbia

    Remote islands with misty forests, dramatic cliffs, and deep cultural significance.
    Official site: https://www.gohaidagwaii.ca/

    7. Whistler, British Columbia

    Mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and scenic gondola-access viewpoints.
    Official site: https://www.whistler.com

    8. Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

    Quiet mountain lakes and fewer crowds compared to Banff.
    Official site: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/waterton

    9. Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon

    Glaciers, wild tundra, and Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan.
    Official site: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/yt/kluane

    10. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia

    Ocean cliffs, winding coastal roads, and dramatic Atlantic scenery.
    Official site: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ns/cbreton

    11. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland & Labrador

    UNESCO World Heritage Site with fjords, cliffs, and ancient geology.
    Official site: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nl/grosmorne

    12. Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

    Iconic lighthouse and rugged Atlantic shoreline.
    Official site: https://visitpeggyscove.ca/

    13. Prince Edward Island National Park, Prince Edward Island

    Soft sand beaches, dunes, and quiet coastal charm.
    Official site: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/pe/pei-ipe

    14. Charlevoix, Quebec

    Mountains overlooking the St. Lawrence River, with charming villages and dramatic landscapes.
    Official site: https://www.bonjourquebec.com

    15. Saguenay Fjord National Park, Quebec

    Towering cliffs and deep fjord waters create a striking, intimate atmosphere.
    Official site: https://www.bonjourquebec.com/en-ca/where-to-go/routes-and-itineraries/discovering-the-saguenay-fjord

    16. Mont‑Tremblant National Park, Quebec

    Forest lakes, mountain lookouts, and peaceful wilderness close to Montreal.
    Official site: https://www.sepaq.com/pq/mot

    17. Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario

    Dramatic cliffs and vast freshwater horizons.
    Official site: https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/lakesuperior

    18. Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

    Quiet canoe-access lakes and iconic Canadian forest scenery.
    Official site: https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/algonquin

    19. Emerald Lake, British Columbia

    Bright turquoise water surrounded by mountain peaks.
    Official site:https://www.tourismgolden.com/activities/summer/canoeing-kayaking/emerald-lake

    20. Abraham Lake, Alberta

    Known for its frozen methane bubbles in winter and dramatic mountain backdrop.
    Official site: https://www.travelalberta.com

    FAQs

    What are the consequences of eloping?

    There are no negative legal consequences if you follow the proper legal requirements and obtain a marriage license. Some couples may experience emotional reactions from loved ones, but many choose to celebrate with friends and family afterward.

    How to officially get married in Canada?

    To get married in Canada, couples must obtain a marriage license, work with a licensed officiant, and have witnesses present. After the ceremony, the marriage is registered so you become legally married.

    How to start the process of eloping?

    Start planning by choosing your preferred location, securing your marriage license, hiring a photographer, and planning travel logistics. Early preparation ensures a smooth elopement experience.

    Where can Canadians get legally married?

    Canadians can get legally married in any province, including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Prince Edward Island, as long as legal requirements are followed.

    Weddings on your terms

    Written by : Jodie Garneau

    Planning a vegan wedding is rarely about food alone. It’s about values, care, creativity — and choosing to gather your people in a way that feels aligned with how you move through the world (and your fridge).

    At Thistle & Thorne, we see vegan weddings as deeply generous celebrations. Big-hearted, well-fed, and full of the kind of thoughtfulness guests actually remember. When done well, they feel abundant, intentional, and grounded — not restrictive. Toronto makes this easier than most cities, thanks to its vibrant plant-based culinary scene and a growing community of venues and vendors who genuinely understand values-led events.

    Still, planning a vegan wedding comes with its own considerations. From navigating venue policies to finding caterers who lead with vegetables instead of substitutions, clarity and experience matter.

    This guide shares Thistle & Thorne Weddings’ approach to planning a vegan wedding in Toronto— alongside a real-world example of what’s possible when food, story, and intention are given equal weight (and no one leaves hungry). 

    Happen to be on the hunt for a wedding planner in Toronto? Check us out!

    Thistle & Thorne Weddings

    Photo: Folklore Weddings https://folkloreweddings.com/ + Stephanie Artuso Photography https://www.sartuso.com/

    Top Takeaways

    Toronto offers exceptional options for vegan weddings at an equal cost to non-vegan catering

    Vegan wedding catering in Toronto has reached fine-dining level

    Venue flexibility matters to guests more than aesthetics, but vegan food- thanks to Toronto’s booming culinary scene- is gorgeous

    An experienced Toronto wedding planner simplifies everything

    Table of Contents

    Your dream wedding with vegan options

    Photo: Folklore Weddings https://folkloreweddings.com/ + Stephanie Artuso Photography https://www.sartuso.com/

    A Real Example: J&R’s Fully Vegan Retreat Wedding

    Before we get into logistics and spreadsheets and all the other practical bits, it’s worth grounding this conversation in lived experience.

    J&R’s four-day retreat wedding on Gabriola Island wasn’t just vegan — it was deeply personal. Every decision was shaped by care: for the land, for their community, and for the story they’ve built together.

    Their on-site feast was a true labour of love — a full year in the making, fuelled by care, collaboration, and a lot of very good taste. Several key ingredients began their fermentation journey nearly a year in advance, quietly developing depth and character long before guests ever arrived on the island. Throughout the seasons, the chef worked closely with multiple Gabriola Island farmers to source produce locally, shaping the menu around what the land was offering rather than forcing it into a fixed template. The chef wasn’t simply chosen for her skill, but for her place in their lives. J&R first met while standing in line at the opening of her vegan cheese shop. For their wedding, she came out of retirement to cook for them — a full-circle moment rooted in memory, gratitude, and nourishment.

    The result was a fully vegan menu that felt soulful and generous, woven seamlessly into a weekend that felt less like an event and more like being welcomed into their world. Nourishing in every sense of the word.

    Over the course of the year, J&R completed four separate menu tastings — not out of indecision, but out of curiosity and care. Each tasting focused on a different part of the experience: appetisers and canapés, their family-style dinner, desserts, and the late-night spread. This allowed them to thoughtfully explore the breadth of what was possible, refining flavours and pacing until the menu felt as intentional as the setting itself.

    This is what we mean when we say vegan weddings shine brightest when food is treated as storytelling — not a checkbox, not a compromise, and definitely not an afterthought.

    That intention extended beyond the plate and into the logistics. One of the unique challenges of this celebration was that the venue was J&R’s home: a fairly off-grid property with minimal potable water, limited power, and no cell service. Working closely with the chef, we coordinated an extensive kitchen build and rental plan to support a multi-day, high-touch culinary experience in a setting that wasn’t designed for events.

    In the days surrounding the celebration, this meant bringing in everything from commercial propane ovens, induction pans, griddles, hand sinks, rolling racks, and coolers — to hundreds of carefully selected service pieces. From curved stainless tasting spoons for cocktail hour, to stoneware chargers and coupe bowls for family-style dinner, to late-night chafers, sheet pans, and insert trays, every detail was planned so the food could be served with ease and intention despite the constraints of the site.

    What this looked like in practice

    Designing a fully vegan menu for a guest list that wasn’t entirely vegan required a thoughtful, real-world approach. One of J&R’s priorities was ensuring the food felt welcoming and satisfying for guests with varying levels of experience with plant-based cooking. That meant building a menu with plenty of variety — balancing plant-based proteins, hearty carbohydrates, and a mix of hot and cold vegetables — so guests felt genuinely fuelled for long days and full dance floors.

    Additional considerations shaped the planning process:

    This approach allowed the menu to stay responsive, grounded, and deeply aligned with both the land and the people gathered to celebrate on it.

    Planning a Plant Based Wedding in Toronto: The Challenges

    Toronto’s plant-based food scene is strong — but not every venue or vendor is equally prepared to support a fully vegan wedding (yet). Couples often discover limitations only after contracts are reviewed or menus are discussed in detail.

    Many venues rely on in-house catering models that treat vegan menus as secondary. Others allow outside caterers but place restrictions on kitchen access, staffing, or service style. These details can affect both budget and guest experience. However, with the right planning approach, these challenges are manageable and often become opportunities to create a wedding that feels thoughtful and distinctive.

    Common challenges couples face when planning a vegan wedding in Toronto include:

    A special day: Delicious vegan food for a wedding

    Photo: Folklore Weddings https://folkloreweddings.com/ + Stephanie Artuso Photography https://www.sartuso.com/

    What Makes a Wedding Venue Vegan-Friendly

    A vegan-friendly venue supports plant-based menus without hesitation — not just in marketing language, but in practice, contracts, and kitchen conversations.

    In our experience, the best venues answer menu questions clearly, collaborate openly with chefs, and understand that a vegan menu is not a limitation.

    Questions to ask when assessing whether a venue supports vegan weddings:

    Vegan Wedding Venue Options in Toronto

    The Drake Hotel

    Photo: Folklore Weddings https://folkloreweddings.com/ + Stephanie Artuso Photography https://www.sartuso.com/

    The Drake Hotel (Higher-End Option)

    Why it works for vegan weddings:

    The Drake has experience working with plant-based menus and values-driven couples. Their culinary team is open to creative vegan menu development, and their event planning process supports customization.

    What to know:
    This venue is best suited for couples seeking a polished, urban experience with strong design and nightlife energy.

    The Loft on King Street

    Photo: Brooklyn Grace Weddings https://brooklyngrace.mypixieset.com/

    The Loft on King Street (More Budget-Friendly Option)

    The Loft on King Street offers flexibility and freedom in a historic Toronto setting. It appeals to couples who want control over vendors and menu decisions.

    Why it works for vegan weddings:

    The Loft allows outside catering and places few restrictions on menu design. This makes it an excellent option for couples prioritizing vegan wedding catering in Toronto.

    What to know:
    This venue works well for couples who value personalization and prefer to allocate budget toward food and guest experience.

    Need a Toronto Wedding Planner?

    The Thistle & Thorne team specializes in weddings shaped by values, intention, and thoughtful design. We plan vegan weddings across Toronto that take into account the couple’s preferences- including Vegan and plant based needs!

    Photo: Folklore Weddings https://folkloreweddings.com/ + Stephanie Artuso Photography https://www.sartuso.com/

    Vegan Wedding Catering in Toronto

    Toronto is home to an impressive range of vegan chefs and caterers who approach plant-based cuisine with creativity and care.

    The most successful vegan wedding menus: Are designed as vegan from the start • Lead with seasonal produce and thoughtful composition • Are supported by experienced service teams • Feel abundant, balanced, and celebratory

    J&R’s wedding is a perfect reminder that when food is meaningful, guests feel it — and they talk about it long after the weekend ends. Their meal wasn’t just enjoyed — it became part of the emotional fabric of the weekend.

    What to prioritize when choosing vegan wedding catering in Toronto:

    1. Experience catering weddings, not just restaurants or pop-ups 

    Experience catering weddings, not just restaurants or pop-ups. This is a big one because a talented Chef can be a fish out of water if they aren’t used to the longer hours, service pacing, staff requirements, flexibility and complexity of catering. We once had a dinner run a full 2 hours behind schedule because of this exact situation, and this caused a domino effect with photography, DJ and Planner overtime.

    1. Menus designed as vegan from the start
    2. Willingness to customize for seasonality and guest count
    3. Strong service staff and event logistics experience

    Strong service staff and event logistics experience. There are literally days of prep work leading up to catering a wedding, and loads of day-of work that can’t be done proactively. Staffing the kitchen so the meal runs on schedule, AND staffing the service side of your team to ensure that food is delivered quickly are total dealbreakers when it comes to events like weddings that have no redos. A lean team = added costs in other areas.

    Vegan Caterers for Weddings in Toronto

    1. Elle Cuisine

    Elle Cuisine stands out for combining an exceptional rating with a high volume of reviews, reflecting strong event experience and consistent client satisfaction. They offer elevated, beautifully presented vegan menus and are well-equipped for weddings and large-scale events, making them a reliable full-service option.

    1. Vert Casse-Croûte + Catering

    Vert Casse-Croûte has a long-standing reputation in Toronto’s vegan catering scene, with solid reviews and a sustainable, plant-forward approach. They’re a strong choice for couples who value eco-conscious service and creative seasonal menus.

    1. Love Eat

    Love Eat is a boutique 100% plant-based caterer with a perfect rating and a growing client base. They’re ideal for thoughtfully curated, fully vegan menus with a more personalized and bespoke feel.

    Secure The Vegan Wedding Cake

    Budget Friendly Wedding

    Option 1. Bunner’s Bakeshop

    Vegan wedding cake

    Photo: Kris Caetano

    Bunner’s is one of Toronto’s best-known vegan and gluten-free bakeries, and for good reason. While they do offer wedding-specific cakes (starting around $300+ for a simple tiered design), they’re equally great at creating custom combinations from their existing plant-based cakes and layers. Their tasting kits make it easy (and genuinely fun) to dial in flavours before committing.

    Why it works for a lower budget:

    Bunner’s pricing is refreshingly accessible, especially in the wedding world. Keeping the design simple — or opting for a clean, layered look instead of intricate detailing — allows you to focus your budget where it matters most: flavour.

    Perfect for:

    Smaller weddings, or couples who care deeply about how the cake tastes and feel zero need for a towering showpiece just to prove a point.

    Mid-Range (Custom Cake with Design Options)

    Option 2. Sweet Spot Vegan Bakery

    Vegan wedding cake

    Legal: Permission given by sweet spot

    Sweet Spot Vegan Bakery is known across the GTA for beautifully crafted vegan cakes that balance thoughtful design with seriously good flavour. Their work leans into plant-based artistry without feeling overdone, making them a strong choice for couples looking to elevate their dessert moment.

    What to expect:

    A custom design consultation, considered flavour pairings, and a cake that feels intentionally aligned with your overall aesthetic — all while staying true to vegan values.

    Why it fits the mid-range:

    This is where you step beyond a simple tiered cake into more refined detailing and personalized touches, without jumping into full boutique pricing.

    Perfect for:

    Couples who want their cake to make a visual statement and deliver on flavour, with vegan execution that feels deliberate and well thought through.

    High-Price Point (Boutique or Bespoke Wedding Cakes)

    Vegan wedding cake

    For an elevated, highly personalised wedding cake that feels luxe and fully custom, consider working with a boutique cake designer or premium custom baker in Toronto who offers vegan options. A few excellent choices include:

    Option 3: ELECTRIC LOVE BAKESHOP

    Highly rated bakery known for creative flavour profiles and custom designs, ideal for an elevated vegan twist when arranged ahead of time.

    What to expect at this range:
    • Full design collaboration based on your wedding palette and theme
    • Tiered creations with custom decorations like hand-made sugar flowers, sculptural designs, or modern finishes
    • Delivery and setup included in many cases

    Typical range: Custom jobs for weddings can vary widely but often run from $700 to $1500+ for multi-tier cakes with intricate design, depending on size and style.

    Perfect for: couples who want a statement cake that’s a centerpiece in both look and taste.

    Tips for Planning a Successful Vegan Wedding

    Lead with clarity
    Get clear early on what actually matters to you. Start with the. style of service you’d prefer (buffet, family-style, plated), then narrow down the style of food; are you looking for a farm-to-table approach? A focus on artistry and plating? A fusion menu? When your priorities are locked in, decisions get easier, faster, and far less draining.

    Choose vendors who share your values
    You should not be spending your engagement explaining or defending your choices. Vendors who get vegan weddings make the process smoother, calmer, and way more enjoyable. You want someone who is excited to cook your menu, not someone who’s roasting up another portobello steak begrudgingly.

    Communicate with guests thoughtfully
    A little context goes a long way. Letting guests know what to expect builds curiosity instead of side-eye. Bonus points for sharing dietary preferences with your caterer so the menu feels welcoming to everyone at the table. Consider sharing this info on your wedding website, especially if you’re trying to keep your invitation clear of too much text.

    Trust experienced guidance
    A planner who has done this before knows where the hiccups tend to hide — and how to handle them before they become your problem. That means less stress for you, and a celebration that stays true to your vision from start to finish. Vegan menus often involve a LOT of ingredients, marinades, and garnishes, so a common challenge is cold storage. An experienced Planner will tour your venue with catering in mind, and work collaboratively with the Chef to ensure that they have what they need on the Big Day.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Weddings in Toronto

    Is Toronto a good city for a vegan wedding

    Toronto is one of the best cities in Canada for planning a vegan wedding. The city offers an exceptional plant-based food scene, a wide range of flexible venues, and vendors who are experienced working with values-driven couples. From refined downtown spaces to creative lofts and boutique hotels, Toronto allows vegan weddings to feel intentional, elevated, and fully supported.

    Will non-vegan guests enjoy a vegan wedding menu

    In our experience, a thoughtfully planned vegan menu ends up being one of the most talked-about parts of the entire celebration — and not in a “surprisingly good” way. When food is built around flavour, balance, and seasonality, guests lean in with curiosity and enthusiasm instead of hesitation. Most couples are met with the same feedback by the end of the night: no one missed a thing, and everyone left very well fed.

    Do vegan weddings cost more

    A vegan wedding does not automatically cost more. Pricing is influenced by factors like guest count, service style, venue policies, and overall design choices rather than whether the menu is plant-based. In some cases, vegan menus can be more cost-effective, especially when they focus on seasonal produce and thoughtful composition rather than premium substitutes.

    Can all wedding venues in Toronto support vegan catering

    Not all venues are created equal when it comes to vegan weddings. Some operate with rigid in-house catering and very little wiggle room, while others genuinely welcome external vegan caterers and collaborative menu planning. Asking the right questions early saves you from awkward compromises later — and helps you choose a venue that actually respects your values and supports the experience you’re trying to create.

    Should we hire a wedding planner for a vegan wedding

    Working with a wedding planner who truly understands vegan weddings changes everything. An experienced planner already knows which venues and caterers actually support plant-based celebrations — and which ones just say they do. That means your priorities are advocated for from day one, and you get to spend your engagement enjoying the process instead of explaining, negotiating, or educating vendors along the way.

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