Over-the-top Wedding Venues

TORONTO, CANADA
CASA LOMA
During World Pride in 2014, Toronto hoped to organize the largest same-sex mass marriage in history, and while it didn’t break a world record, it did become the largest in North America. Gay and lesbian couples from all across the world gathered at beautiful Casa Loma, a stone castle unexpectedly located in Midtown Toronto. In the garden, with the gothic revival former-home serving as a dramatic backdrop, each couple said ‘I Do.’ The vision of Sir Henry Pellatt and realized by architect E.J. Lennox, the medieval castle looks over the modern-day glass skyscrapers of Toronto. The unique setting attracts nearly half-a-million visitors each year, but is also a prime spot for Hollywood (X- Men and Chicago were filmed here). With hidden passages, libraries, towers, and stables to explore, any event thrown either in the main building or in the castle’s well-manicured gardens is sure to wow your guests. From May through October, couples can marry on the historic grounds, in The Great Hall with 60-foot oak ceiling and bay windows, The Library, or in The Conservatory. Depending on which stunning location you choose, Casa Loma can accommodate up to 550 people, and it includes all the bells and whistles that come with throwing the swankiest wedding at the city’s most iconic location. Food services by Chef Michael Ewing, open bars, photographers, flowers, and anything else special you may need are included. 1 Austin Terrace. Tel:1-416- 923-1171. www.casaloma.org
—Joseph Pedro

VANCOUVER, CANADA
DR. SUN YAT-SEN CLASSICAL CHINESE GARDEN
At times, one may feel like they’ve crossed the Pacific Ocean to Asia while visiting Vancouver, BC. Its Asian population makes up close to 50% of the city. World-class Japanese, Korean, and Chinese food is everywhere, and then there’s the stunning Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and its adjacent Park that transports you entirely to a greenery-rich oasis of Zen. Named after the Republic of China’s pioneering revolutionary, and designed to evoke 15th-century China, the nearly 10,000-square-foot garden features Ming Dynasty–era pavilions, corridors, and immaculately landscaped grounds and paths. Its water-weathered limestone rocks are sourced from Suzhou, China’s Lake Tai, local and Chinese plants make up the foliage, and jade-toned water fills a lily- pad-topped koi pond. Come dusk, lanterns light the grounds. Happily, quite unlike 15th-century China, a full range of same-sex wedding options and packages exist within this Asian Elysium. The garden’s maximum capacity entails 500 standing or 250 seated guests, with a handful of more intimate indoor spaces available, including the Hall of 100 Rivers and Magnolia Courtyard. Photography is provided, and if you want guests to enjoy even more Chinese authenticity and tradition, inter- active tai chi, gong fu tea ceremonies, and a dragon dance can be arranged. Bonus for the progressive-minded: as a non-profit, 100% of the Garden’s revenue goes to education and public programs. 578 Carrall Street. Tel: 1-604-662-3207. www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
—Lawrence Ferber

Brighton Royal Pavilion

EUROPE
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND
BRIGHTON ROYAL PAVILION
The UK’s gayest seaside destination, Brighton is a popular choice for same-sex weddings. Brighton & Hove City Council has approved almost 40 venues for civil-wedding ceremonies, including grand seafront hotels and the famous pier, but the most over-the-top option is a former royal palace that’s now Brighton’s most iconic landmark. Brighton Royal Pavil- ion was built in 1787 as the summer retreat of King George IV. In 1815 it was dramatically extended and redesigned in an indo-gothic style by John Nash, the renowned architect of London’s Buckingham Palace. This deca- dent pleasure palace was central to royal life for just 50 years, but it fell out of favor when Queen Victoria took the throne, and in 1850 it was sold to the town. Today, the Royal Pavilion stands like a mini-Maharajas palace in the middle of Brighton. A major tourist attraction, it receives over 400,000 visitors per year. One of the Pavilion’s grandest rooms, the Music Room has a stunning gilded ceiling and lotus-shaped chandeliers. It’s licensed for civil-wedding ceremonies of up to 90 guests. Indeed, Brighton’s very first same-sex wedding was held here on 29 March 2014. It was a special midnight ceremony between actor Andrew Wale and guesthouse owner Neil Allard, so it’s a place where gay history was made. More intimate and exclusive, the Red Drawing Room features fiery drag- on wallpaper and pillars in the form of palm trees. Not open to the general public, this charming room is licensed for ceremonies of up to 44 guests. Afterward, newlyweds and their friends and family may enjoy a lavish wedding breakfast, but due to the historic nature of this exotic, Eastern-style palace, neither Bollywood nor any type of dancing is permitted. Fortunately, if dancing is desired, Brighton’s lively gay nightclub Revenge is just across the street. 415 Pavillion Buildings. www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion/weddings
—Stuart Haggas

LONDON, ENGLAND
THE ROYAL PALACES
Britain’s royal weddings are world famous, so why not enjoy some regal treatment too? For same-sex ceremonies fit for a king or queen, four of Britain’s best royal palaces are available to hire via Historic Royal Palaces. Situated on the banks of the River Thames, 11 miles upstream from central London, Hampton Court Palace dates from 1514. This splendid Tudor and baroque palace was King Henry VIII’s principal residence, witnessing many significant moments in history.

With two parts of the palace licensed for civil wedding ceremonies, it could host a significant moment in your history. Its Little Banqueting House has 18th-century paintings and murals by Antonio Verrio, and is licensed for ceremonies of up to 50 guests. Larger and more contemporary, the Garden Room is a 1920s-style orangery set in the historic palace gardens. It has a capacity of 150 guests for a civil ceremony or 220 for dinner and dancing. After wedding formalities are complete, numerous other rooms are available for evening receptions including the Great Hall, England’s grandest medieval hall. King Henry VIII entertained courtiers and dignitaries here with lavish feasts and decadent parties. Its richly decorated hammer-beam ceiling features the initials of Henry and Anne Boleyn, his famed second wife (hopefully your marriage won’t have as gory an outcome as theirs!). This magnificent space can host banquets for 270 guests or receptions for 400. If you’re planning a grand wedding, you’ll want to make a grand entrance, and at Hampton Court you may arrive by river, just as the kings and queens of England would have done.

Another palace established by big-spending King Henry VIII was the Palace of Whitehall in central London. It was Europe’s largest palace, bigger than the Vatican and Versailles, but tragedy struck in 1698 when it was almost entirely destroyed by fire. Today, the only remaining part of this legendary royal residence is Banqueting House. Inspired by the classical architecture of ancient Rome, it was designed for King James I in 1622 by celebrated architect Inigo Jones. The result is a dazzling space created purely for entertaining. Illuminated by chandeliers, its Main Hall features ceiling paintings by Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens—priceless works of art considered being among his greatest masterpieces. Having hosted royal receptions, lavish parties, and theatrical masque performances, this regal hall is now licensed for civil wedding ceremonies of up to 400 guests. In such an opulent setting, you’re guaranteed a memorable same-sex wedding day.

Located within Kensington Gardens in west London, Kensington Palace is still home to British royalty. It’s where Prince Charles and Princess Diana raised their sons William and Harry, and is now the official London residence of Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. One of the palace’s loveliest spots, the Orangery was built in 1704 for Queen Anne to winter her orange trees, but it was instead used for lavish parties. Today it’s licensed for civil ceremonies of up to 150 guests. French doors lead onto a terrace overlooking the elegant palace gardens, where pyrotechnics are permitted if you want to end your big day with a bang. A marquee may be erected on the lawn to accommodate larger wedding parties.

A doll’s house compared to the rest, Kew Palace is Britain’s smallest royal palace. Purchased in 1781 by King George III, this delightful Dutch-gabled house stands in grounds maintained by Royal Botanic Gar- dens Kew, making it perfect for summer weddings. The intimate, Georgian-style King’s Dining Room is where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 80th birthday in 2006. You can celebrate here to: it has a capacity of 40 guests for ceremonies or 30 for dinner. The room features a rare chamber organ dating from the 1740s, which can be played to herald the happy couple.

As well as offering venues rich in royal history, and a dedicated events team with knowledge of Britain’s best caterers, florists, and other suppliers, Historic Royal Palaces also offer an exclusive range of bridal jewelry, tiaras, bridegroom accessories, and wedding favors for purchase, helping to make your day even more memorable. www.hrp.org.uk/hireavenue/weddings
—Stuart Haggas

The Eiffel Tower, Paris

PARIS, FRANCE
FOUR SEASONS GEORGE V
Since 1928, the landmark 244-room Four Seasons George V has been a signature Paris address for haute hospitality just off the Champs-Elysées. Accented with floral designs and installations from Artistic Director Jeff Leatham, the eight-story hotel’s enchanting interiors and atmosphere offer a dream stage for weddings, honeymoons, and milestone celebrations. Decorated throughout with gorgeous period pieces and extravagant objets d’art, George V comes decadently dressed for romance. From its chandeliers, tapestries, furniture, and sculptures to the panoramic City of Light views from its terraces, this Parisian palace is an absolute swoon. Offering the city’s largest five-star ballroom (Salon Vendôme), the hotel can comfortably host weddings from ten to 280 people. While buyouts are not available, ten to 50 rooms can be blocked for guests, outside of blackout periods. Other versatile private function spaces include Salon Anglais, modeled after a Versailles library, and the intimate, octagonal-shaped Salon Régence. Along with romance and wedding packages, the hotel offers special wedding and honeymoon amenities, includeing Champagne, flowers and treats, along with tips on romantic activities in Paris. Couples can also work with the hotel and its preferred vendors on personalized menu and décor schemes. With two Michelin stars, Le Cinq restaurant is a stellar option for pre- and post-wedding celebrations, along with the chic La Galerie and sumptuous Le Bar for cocktails and light bites. The spa here is among the city’s finest, and no George V experience is complete without an exclusive du vin tasting in the hotel’s legendary wine cellar, housing more than 50,000 bottles of global wines including rare vintages from Bordeaux, Bourgogne, and the Rhône Valley. 31 avenue George V. Tel: +33-1-4952-7000. www.fourseasons.com/paris
—Jeff Heilman

PARIS, FRANCE
THE EIFFEL TOWER
Paris, the City of Light and love, is known for it’s sophisticated minds, delicious wine, and abundance of love in the air. The iconic Eiffel Tower is visited by millions of tourists each year and is perhaps the most recognizable structure in the world. This iron lattice tower was designed for the 1889 World’s Fair and has drawn over 250 Million visitors since it’s international debut. The French government is protective of this prized landmark: the tower is a public national monument and the chances of renting the whole structure for a private event is slim to none. If your fiancé has his heart set on an Eiffel fêtes de nuit there are definitely ways around city restrictions. Book a decadent wedding lunch or dinner at one of the two restaurants in the tower. The fantastical Le Jules Verne restaurant on the second floor is the culinary masterpiece of three-Michelin-starred Chef Alain Ducasse, considered one of the most renowned chefs of his generation. Imagine posing a toast among good friends, the best Champagne in the world, and one of the most coveted views. One floor down, the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant offers more options for expansive groups if the guest list simply cannot be chopped. Chef Alain Soulard revisits the classics of French cuisine with a hint of what he calls “just modernism.” After dinner and the first kiss after your intimate ceremony, feel the love and flashbulbs of friends’ cameras as you ascend to the crown of the tower. Once you’ve made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower, make a wish before heading to the Champagne Bar for a glass of pink bubbly. The panoramic views surrounding you will make for the ultimate backdrop to embody your Eiffel Tower extravaganza. Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France. Tel: 33-892-70-1239. www.toureiffel.paris.
—Jeffrey James Keyes