Not since the pandemic has the Distillery District held one of its legendary wedding Open Houses. Set against the charming, cobblestone streets of Toronto’s historic Distillery District, the event gave couples a rare chance to explore three of the city’s most sought-after wedding venues all within the same day: Cluny Bistro, The Distillery District - Loft, and Archeo.
More than just a venue tour, this two-day Open House was a true celebration of love, creativity, and hospitality. Guests explored each beautifully curated space, sampling delicious bites and beverages along the way, all while connecting with some of Toronto’s finest wedding vendors. With its preserved Victorian architecture and warm, inviting atmosphere, the Distillery District has long been a favourite for Toronto couples looking for a wedding setting with character—and this weekend’s event proved exactly why.
Our team at Events by Whim had the pleasure of partnering with the Distillery Events team to style a space in each venue to give visitors an idea of the many ways the spaces can be used. Mango Studios captured the gorgeous details for us on both days.
Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie:
Known for its Parisian charm and elegant interiors, Cluny Bistro featured a statement table design by Events by Whim, featuring a colourful romantic palette, blending soft florals by Moooi Fleur with a bright and cheerful tablescape with linens from Chair Decor and place settings by Plate Occasions. June & Opal provided Pinterest-worthy stationery on each plate, including an adorable silk ribbon place card tied around the stemware. Guests sampled curated menu items while envisioning their own intimate celebrations in this stylish setting. Several additional vendors were featured in this space including Jasmine Summers Events, Flowers & Flowers, The Selfie Spot Photobooth, and Collectif de la Cité .
Archeo:
The inviting warmth of Archeo‘s wooden interiors were complemented with rich, textural florals and a thoughtfully styled tablescape by Eyeball Floral and Events by Whim. Chair Decor provided luxurious linens, while place settings by Plate Occasions added an elevated touch. June & Opal’s delicate linen menu cards completed the tablescape, offering guests a glimpse into the refined yet approachable wedding experiences possible in this space. The venue’s signature balance of rustic charm and sophisticated elegance set the stage for an engaging and celebratory vibe. Guests also had the chance to enjoy the luxury portrait experience from Portraits On White and jam out to the musical stylings of DJ Floh Back Productions.
We loved the champagne wall and grazing station that greeted guests on entry to the largest of Distillery’s three venues. In Archeo, guests mingled and had a chance to meet with Mango Studios, 424 Event Group, The Photo Bus Booth, Element Event Solutions, and finished with a tasty sweet treat from Guerdoo Cakes.
The Loft: This rustic-chic space was brought to life with a ceremony design and styled by Events by Whim featuring ethereal draping, warm candlelight, and contemporary design elements. Our design team worked with Vintage Bash, June & Opal and Moooi Fleur to create this intimate and dreamy wedding inspiration. The Distillery District - Loft‘s exposed brick and industrial beams provided the perfect canvas for a modern, yet timeless wedding aesthetic.
Guests exploring The Loft had the opportunity to connect with an outstanding lineup of wedding professionals, including Vivid & Vogue, Axe Media Group, Diego Moura Photography, and Spectrum Agency. Each of these talented vendors brought their expertise and creative vision, offering couples inspiration and insight into crafting a truly unforgettable wedding experience.
I particularly loved this luxe tablescape from Narcissus & Echo. The textured florals were dramatic in palette and styling, and the rich velvet linen felt extra sumptuous. This really was a feast for the eyes!
Guerdoo Cakes had the most cheerful table design with pretty yellow floral details. Their macarons were to die for – the turmeric and pistachio flavour stole my heart!
Highlite Toronto brought a unique and innovative experience to the Open House with their AI-driven hand-drawn portraits, offering guests a blend of technology and artistry. Using advanced robo-AI technology, they created stunning, lifelike sketches in real-time, providing couples with a one-of-a-kind keepsake from the event. This interactive experience was a standout feature, giving guests a glimpse into how personalized, cutting-edge entertainment can elevate a wedding celebration.
Of course, in the name of thorough research, I took it upon myself to sample a selection of canapés—purely for quality control, of course. After a few expertly curated bites (each more delicious than the last), I can confidently report that everything was, indeed, absolutely wedding-worthy.
A heartfelt thank you to all of the incredible vendors who participated in the Open House—your creativity and expertise made this event unforgettable. Of course, a huge round of applause to the phenomenal team at Distillery Events for hosting such a seamless and inspiring open house. It was an absolute joy collaborating to bring this experience to life, and I’m always grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented professionals. Here’s to another fab wedding season ahead and I can’t wait to see the magic that is created in these stunning spaces!
Alisha is the owner and lead event designer at Events by Whim. She has a project management background in learning and development, and 10+ years of experience planning and designing weddings and corporate events. She’s developed a proven planning process for couples who want to know how to create magic on their wedding day. She thinks in floor plans, endorses moving if you find a spider in your house, and has an oyster obsession.
