Annie & Lorne’s Toronto Beach Club Wedding had everything I love most: family, tradition, and food so good it becomes a personality trait.

When we first toured venues together, it took exactly one shared lunch at the Toronto Beach Club for all of us to look at each other and silently say, “Yep, this is the one.” The family-style Mediterranean spread basically sealed the deal before dessert even arrived.

As a planner, I’m noticing more couples drifting toward restaurants as wedding venues and honestly? I’m thrilled. There will always be a place for the classic banquet halls and hotels, but restaurants bring this incredible mix of intimacy, style, and culinary excellence that’s hard to beat. You trade towering florals for unforgettable food and thoughtful cocktails, and the budget suddenly feels a whole lot friendlier.

For Annie & Lorne, that vibe was exactly right. Their vision wasn’t about impressing guests with elaborate installations, it was about gathering their favourite people for a joyful night of eating, toasting, laughing, and just being together. And of course, their eight-month-old Rose and their 80-lb pit-mix Eddie made sure the “family affair” theme was taken very literally. Eddie even popped by for beach photos, tail wagging in full celebration mode.

Getting Ready in the Louis XII Salon

If I could bottle the morning in the Louis XII Salon, I would. Pastries, coffee, and the kind of natural light makeup artists dream about, it was a perfect start. Lorne spent time on the second-floor patio writing last-minute vows (classic groom energy), while Annie got ready with her sisters and mom without the usual back-and-forth between locations.
For a restaurant venue, having a true getting-ready space is rare, and it made the morning so smooth. We wrapped up with family photos in front of the gorgeous built-in bar, all warm oranges and greens UGH the perfect backdrop.

Bedekken in the Sunset Suite

Next stop: the Sunset Suite for the Bedekken and Ketubah signing, one of my favourite Jewish wedding traditions. The room’s exposed brick, soft seating, and private bar made it feel intimate and cozy, a quiet moment for close family and friends while other guests headed to the patio. Their Ketubah, created by Rachel Rosenbluth with pressed flowers, was absolutely stunning.

Ceremony on the Patio

You could not have ordered better October weather. The Beach Club’s seasonal patio fit all 130 guests comfortably under the open sky. Surrounded by family and a beautifully designed chuppah from Julia at E&B Decor, Annie & Lorne stood wrapped in love, tradition, and very gentle lake breeze magic.

Reception in the Mediterranean Room

Cocktail hour was all about incredible bites and even better drinks around the central bar — then everyone settled in for one of the most satisfying family-style dinners. Think beef carpaccio, peri peri chicken, and the unofficial star of the night: crispy, deli-style French fries that disappeared faster than I could blink.

The room already has so much character — mismatched chairs, architectural details, Mediterranean textures — so we kept styling simple with bud vases, runners, and candlelight. Sometimes the best design is letting a space breathe.

Horah, Dance Floor Magic & Late-Night Delights

We *had* to have a Horah, obviously, but with 130 guests, we had to get creative. After dinner, we shifted the young-adult tables and carved out a dance floor right beside the bar. And honestly? It was perfect. I always try to keep guests as close to the bar as possible so no one has to leave the dancing to grab a drink. The energy was wild, joyful, sweaty, and completely unforgettable. DJ Roy from The Magen Boys had everyone on the dance floor the entire night!

And to close out the night? The most iconic Toronto move: late-night McDonald’s. Chef’s kiss. Truly DELISH.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels intimate, delicious, and uniquely “you,” Toronto Beach Club is one of the city’s most exciting restaurant wedding venues. Annie & Lorne’s celebration proved that incredible food, meaningful traditions, and thoughtful planning can turn a restaurant space into the perfect wedding day. If you’re looking for a Toronto wedding planner who specializes in effortless, detail-driven celebrations, I’d love to help bring your vision to life.