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Sassafraz Wedding

Sassafraz Wedding

Sparklers Portrait of Newlyweds at SassafrazNight portrait of the bride and groom taken during a quick night photoshoot in Yorkville, a few steps from the event place. When the bride and groom told me they will have a Sassafraz wedding, right in the heart of Yorkville, I was in heaven. I love documenting intimate weddings at Toronto restaurants where the warm atmosphere is conducive to genuine moments. Over the years, my photography style evolved towards a more photojournalistic one and I love capturing the love between the bride and groom in a natural environment, un-posed, unrestrained and pure. Compared to the typical venues, a restaurant allows the couple to focus more on the guests and fully enjoy their wedding day. During our first meeting, the couple mentioned they wanted their big day to be documented in a photojournalistic manner and this restaurant wedding in Toronto does exactly that.

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Enjoy this gallery of a real wedding at this beautiful location.

Bride Getting Ready for Her Wedding at SassafrazMaid of Honour Helps Bride Get Dressed at Sassafraz Bridal Portrait With Bouquet at SassafrazBridal Portrait at SassafrazFull Body Bride Portrait at SassafrazBride's Family Welcomes HerPortrait of Bridal Party Shoes and Flowers
Bride and Groom Before First Look 2Bride and Groom Before First LookBride Touches Groom's ShoulderBride and Groom's Candid PortraitFirst Look KissBride and Groom's Touching MomentBride and Groom Walk Hand in HandBride and Groom Have an Intimate MomentBride and Groom Hug Before They KissBride and Groom Touch Foreheads Before KissGroom Kisses Bride on the TempleBride and Groom Kiss Before Ceremony 2Bride and Groom Hug Before CeremonyBride Walks Down the IsleBride Walks Down the Isle 2Groom Looks at Bride and SmilesBride and Parents Walk Down the AisleGorgeous Knox College ChurchBeautiful Point of View of Knox College ChurchBride and Groom at the AltarFirst Kiss at Knox College ChurchPriest Blesses Bride and GroomBride and Groom Laugh after First KissNewlyweds After CeremonyGroom Pumps Fist in the AirNewlyweds Kiss at Knox College ChurchBridal Party Portrait at Knox CollegeCreative Portrait of the Groom after Ceremony Newlyweds Turn Towards CameraGroom offers the Bouquet to the BrideBride Turns Towards GroomNewlyweds Kiss 3Newlyweds Dance1000 KissesBride and Groom's Touching MomentNewlyweds HugNewlyweds Look AwayNewlyweds Look OutsideNewlyweds Look LeftNewlyweds SitNewlyweds Look at The RingSassafraz RestaurantTender Moment in the Park Across SassafrazGroom Arranges Bride's HairBride and Groom Hug in YorkvilleTable at Sassafraz RestaurantTable Setup 3Charcuterie BoardTable Setup with a Charcuterie BoardGuests Table at Sassafraz WeddingSweetheart Table 2Charcuterie Board 2Bridal Party TableView From AbovePizza PlateHors d'OeuvreView From Above 3Groom and Flower GirlKissAntipastoSalmon a la SassafrazHaut Cuisine at SassafrazSalmon and WineBride and Groom's Speech at SassafrazBridesmaid CriesBridesmaids HugBridesmaids's ReactionLarge Group Photo at SassafrazBird's Eye View at SassafrazCouple Kiss During First Dance at Sassafraz Wedding Bride Dances With Her Father at Sassafraz Wedding Bride and Groom Kiss at SassafrazView From Above 2First Dance at Sassafraz 2First Dance at SassafrazCake Cutting at SassafrazCake Cutting at Sassafraz 2Mother Son Dance at SassafrazFather Daughter Dance at SassafrazFather Hugs Bride at SassafrazMother Son Dance at SassafrazGuest Have Fun at SassafrazBride Dances with Grandmother at SassafrazNewlyweds Cross StreetNewlyweds Hug in YorkvilleGroom Dips Bride Near SassafrazNewlyweds Touch Foreheads Newlyweds Walk Through YorkvilleGroom Kisses Bride's TempleAlmost a Kiss at SassafrazBride and Groom's Night Kiss at SassafrazGroom Holds BrideDance 2


Like What You See? Let's Chat
Sparklers Portrait of Newlyweds at Sassafraz
Bridal Portrait at Sassafraz
Bride and Groom Before First Look 2
Bride and Groom's Candid Portrait
Bride and Groom Hug Before They Kiss
Bride Walks Down the Isle 2
Bride and Parents Walk Down the Aisle
Priest Blesses Bride and Groom
Groom Pumps Fist in the Air
Bridal Party Portrait at Knox College
Newlyweds Kiss 3
Bride Turns Towards Groom
1000 Kisses
Newlyweds Look at The Ring
Table at Sassafraz Restaurant
Menu
Pizza Plate
Table Setup with a Charcuterie Board
First Dance at Sassafraz 2
Tender Moment in the Park Across Sassafraz
Newlyweds Walk Through Yorkville
Newlyweds Walk to Sassafraz
Antipasto
Salmon and Wine
Bride and Groom's Speech at Sassafraz
Cake Cutting at Sassafraz
Father Hugs Bride at Sassafraz
Bride and Groom's Night Kiss at Sassafraz
Bride Getting Ready for Her Wedding at Sassafraz
Full Body Bride Portrait at Sassafraz
Bride Touches Groom's Shoulder
First Look Kiss
Bride and Groom Touch Foreheads Before Kiss
Groom Kisses Bride on the Temple
Bride and Groom Hug Before Ceremony
Gorgeous Knox College Church
First Kiss at Knox College Church
Newlyweds Kiss at Knox College Church
Newlyweds Turn Towards Camera
Groom Kisses Bride's Forehead
Almost a Kiss
Newlyweds Hug
Newlyweds Look Away
Newlyweds Look Left
Newlyweds Sit
Table Setup at Sassafraz
Table Setup 3
Guests Table at Sassafraz Wedding
Charcuterie Board
Flowers and Wine
View From Above 2
Groom Arranges Bride's Hair
Newlyweds Touch Foreheads
Groom Dips Bride Near Sassafraz
Groom Holds Bride
Kiss
Salmon a la Sassafraz
Bridesmaid Cries
Father Daughter Dance at Sassafraz
Bride Dances with Grandmother at Sassafraz
Maid of Honour Helps Bride Get Dressed at Sassafraz
Bride's Family Welcomes Her
Creative Portrait of the Bride at Sassafraz
Bride and Groom Before First Look
Groom Laughs Looking at the Bride
Bride and Groom Have an Intimate Moment
Bride and Groom Kiss Before Ceremony 2
Groom Looks at Bride and Smiles
Beautiful Point of View of Knox College Church
Newlyweds After Ceremony
Creative Portrait of the Groom after Ceremony
Bride and Groom's Touching Moment
Sassafraz Restaurant
Living Wall
Charcuterie Plate
Sweetheart Table 2
Charcuterie Board 2
First Dance at Sassafraz
Bride and Groom Kiss at Sassafraz
Newlyweds Cross Street
Groom Kisses Bride's Temple
Groom and Flower Girl
Haut Cuisine at Sassafraz
Bridesmaids's Reaction
Cake Cutting at Sassafraz 2
Mother Son Dance at Sassafraz
Bridal Portrait With Bouquet at Sassafraz
Candid Portrait of Bride and Bridesmaids
Bride Touches Groom's Shoulder 2
Bride and Groom Walk Hand in Hand
Bride Walks Down the Isle
Bride and Groom at the Altar
Bride and Groom Laugh after First Kiss
Portrait of Bridal Party Shoes and Flowers
Newlyweds Dance
Groom offers the Bouquet to the Bride
Fashion Portrait of Newlyweds
Newlyweds Look at the Camera
Newlyweds Look Outside
Wedding Cake at Sassafraz
Bridal Party Table
Hors d'Oeuvre
View From Above
View From Above 3
Bride and Groom Hug in Yorkville
Newlyweds Hug in Yorkville
Dance 2
Almost a Kiss at Sassafraz
Bird's Eye View at Sassafraz
Large Group Photo at Sassafraz
Bridesmaids Hug
Guest Have Fun at Sassafraz

Wedding Day

Our wedding photographers started at the beautiful bride's house where the bridal party and her family got ready for the big day. Love was in the air and the girls were giggling in anticipation of the special event. We were photographing not too far from Casa Loma and we really enjoyed the happy and warm atmosphere of this summer special day. I particularly liked when the mother of the bride helped her daughter put on her dress and despite some minor issues, inherent in weddings, we were on time for the ceremony. What I love about the event space is the massive windows on the second floor, where the ceremony took place. They give the place a romantic atmosphere and make photographer's life easier.

Reasons Why You Will Love Getting Married at Sassafraz

This intimate restaurant is one of the best venues in the GTA when it comes to food and service quality. The restaurant is consistently ranked among the top intimate locations to get hitched in Toronto and in the dining room you can often see celebrities during TIFF.

Few people know that the establishment hosts over 50 weddings a year and many corporate events or celebrations of special occasions. Here is where I saw some of the most professional staff in my whole career in wedding photography. To give you an idea, we were waiting for the bride and groom to kiss following the traditional clinking of glasses. The couple was not rushing and after about 20 seconds I noticed a waiter holding 4-5 plates and waiting for me to get my shot. In comparison, often banquet halls staff often jump in the shot.

If you are planning a small wedding, the event space can accommodate about 125, 150 guests.

You can have the ceremony on site, followed by the cocktail hour and reception.

The dance floor is fairly spacious and the living wall is perfect for your romantic first dance wedding photos.

The restaurant's acoustic is impressive and if you plan to have a live band play during your reception you will be impressed.

There is an affordable parking space right across the event space. Its address is 87 Critchley Ln and your guests, friends and family can park underground.

From a wedding photographer's standpoint, the restaurant is located in downtown Toronto, where the artist can take beautiful portraits of the couple, guests and the bridal party in a 2 minute radius. On this cold winter day we stepped out just across from the restaurant, in the Village of Yorkville Park to take a few intimate shots of the bride and groom. During the winter the park is adorned with Christmas lights and especially at night it looks splendid. As a side note, the following evening I went out to capture those lights for another project I am working on. The neighbourhood abounds in terraces and coffee shops (Sorry and Starbucks are my favourites) and is a perfect setting for candid images of the couple. In fact, this is my first option when it comes to photography locations. You will not need a photography permit, the place is close to Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and U of T and Bloor St. and one can create masterpieces in a short period of time. As you know, time is a valuable commodity on the wedding day.

Sassafraz Wedding Cost

According to Sassafraz, the wedding related cost starts at $155 per person and includes a 7 hour continental bar (13% tax and 18% gratuity apply). Guests can pick from a menu at the table and the dishes are identical to those in the a-la-carte menu. The establishment offers dairy free and gluten free options.


Wedding Photography Style

During our first meeting with the couple they mention they prefer a photojournalistic, unobtrusive coverage of their special event. The wedding album you just saw was created without much direction from the photographers. I could say about 95% of the images on that day were candid and only the family and group photographs (so important in the Persian tradition) were guided. As a side note, it is customary in many Iranian weddings for the bride and groom to mail a thank you note or card with the photo of the couple and their guests.

Best Places for Group Photos

If you have access to the second floor of the event space, use the wall on the right for family photos. On the lower level the living wall is a good option as well.

Wedding Venue

Sassafraz restaurant is located at 100 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON M5R 1A6, in the heart of the city, at the intersection of Cumberland and Bellair St. According to critics and google reviews, It is one of the best restaurants in Toronto and it is the recipient of many Choice Awards. We personally enjoyed the professional service at this iconic event space and the first time I learned about this establishment was many years ago when we were blown away by the summerlicious menu. I remember like was yesterday that I had lamb rack paired with a cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley (California USA). For more information and to book the place, please contact the establishment at Phone: (416) 964-2222

This place is a great choice for the food aficionados and the menu served to your guests is identical to the one served in the restaurant. The quality of food and the excellent service made Sassafraz Toronto one of the most sought after intimate wedding venues in the GTA.

Parking

The restaurant does not have its own parking and street parking is rare, especially in the summer. Still, there is a parking lot close by at 84 Critchley Ln. It is open 24 hours and relatively inexpensive.

Highlights of the Celebration

Here is a slideshow that captures some of the best moments of this special event.

THE SOFREH AGHD IN PERSIAN WEDDING CEREMONIES

The event space is a popular venue for Persian weddings so I thought I should share a few facts about the sofreh, which is such an important element.

The sofreh aghd is a Persian wedding ceremony spread. Sofreh means spread and aghd means ceremony.

The sofreh includes many symbolical items that represent the bride and groom's new life together. Among them, the mirror and candles will be taken home to remind them of the wedding ceremony. The couple lights the candles during the wedding ceremony and they are of utmost importance, along with the mirror in Persian ceremonies. The couple mentioned to us they wanted plenty of photographs of the sofreh aghd, so one of our photographers went to the restaurant to capture the beauty of the sofreh. The pomegranates represent the fruitful future of the couple. With the many seeds, the pomegranate symbolizes plenty in life and offsprings. Decorative flatbread shaped like flowers symbolize prosperity and abundance of food in the future. Often the flatbread is etched with the words mobarak (congratulations or celebration). The basket of decorated eggs (painted, adorned with beads, etc), the almonds and various nuts represent couple's fertility. The mirror symbolizes light, the coins wealth for the couple, the holy book represents God's blessing. Honey is usually consumed during the ceremony and the bride and groom dip their small finger in honey and offer it to the other to represent sweetness in life. Another reference to a happy life are the sugar cones rubbed above the couple's heads (protected by a cloth) so that the bride and groom have a sweet marriage and life.