How do you bring life back into the heart of winter? You gather The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada‘s finest for a night of celebration, community and a sprinkle of magic! This year’s WPIC Kickoff & Wedding Awards Gala facilitated and hosted by founders Tracey Manailescu and Danielle Andrews brought “Botanical Luxe” to life. It was a collaboration of passion, talent, skill and creativity all coming together to honour exceptional performance in the wedding industry. The talented lens of Rosetta Li Weddings captured the night beautifully.
And what a night it was. On a wind-swept February evening in Toronto, WPIC transformed the Chelsea Hotel Toronto into an immersive escape layered with lush greenery, delicate sage linens, soft candlelight and intricate detail that awakened the senses and chased the winter chill away.
The moment you stepped inside, the buzz of conversation and touches of nature wrapped around you, and the room had a pulse all its own.
The Mountbatten ballroom was transformed by Maison de Joezel with sage-draped tables and sculptural florals that moved freely across each setting. Warm candlelight and gilded details added richness, while textured layers gave the room a sense of quiet luxury.
Beneath it all, a custom checkered floor wrap by Floor Wraps 360 introduced structure and geometry to the design. The pattern offered contrast to the natural elegance of the florals bringing shape and rhythm that balanced the lush tablescapes of Velare Tableware Rentals with the clean floral backdrop provided by FLove. Layered atop a mirrored stage wrap, the interplay of reflection and pattern added depth and quiet luminosity, amplifying the candlelight and energy throughout the space. The mirrored stage reflected the glow of the room, creating a seamless connection between the guest experience and the celebration unfolding.
To anchor the space and truly bring nature indoors, trees were thoughtfully woven throughout the room, adding height and dimension that balanced the lush abundance and organic movement of the florals. They shifted the atmosphere entirely, creating the feeling that the room had been built around them.
Before the ballroom doors opened, guests gathered for cocktails along Mountbatten Lane. The pre-function space featured a breathtaking floral selfie station and curated displays by Secrets Floral Collection, while the soft, ambient melodies of Champagne Music set a refined tone for the evening.
Mountbatten Lane wasn’t simply a prelude. It was an immersive experience in itself, allowing the WPIC community to reconnect, indulge and ease into the night before stepping into the dramatic reveal that awaited beyond the softly draped hallway into the gala.
The space buzzed with energy as the WPIC branded backdrop by Princes Vaz Events became a natural gathering point. Guests paused for celebratory snapshots and videos, embraced familiar faces and took group photos. The fun continued across the way at the Mirror Mirror Activation and The Keepsake Line to commemorate the night in a more playful and personal way.
The delicate details of Blair Nadeau Bridal Adornments intricate bridal accessories invited a closer look and Chic Bridals showcased stunning wedding gowns that set the tone for the evening. Their soft silhouettes and flowing fabrics echoing the romantic elegance of the night alongside the tailored sophistication of Andrew's Formals.
Jenny Zhang Illustrations‘s live illustrations came to life stroke by stroke, capturing the moment through art and interaction creating personalized keepsakes that guests would carry home long after the evening ended.
Velvet Bean served a wake up call in the form of vanilla matcha and vanilla lattes to celebrate the launch of their artisan curated coffee station perfect for any event. The Tiramisu Guy layered rich flavours that felt both nostalgic and indulgent. Batter cakes served up smiles and flavours that pleased your sweet tooth while appetizers were kept flowing through the path.
Caviar Bar & Co. elevated the senses with their signature luxury service, offering indulgent bites that felt refined and decadent.
At the heart of it all was WPIC – a community rooted in education, excellence, and genuine connection. The evening was a rare and meaningful opportunity for wedding planners to pause, reflect, and celebrate one another.
Led by Tracey and Danielle, WPIC has long been a pillar of the Canadian wedding industry, continually raising the standard for planners across the country. But their vision extends far beyond Canada. Through their dedication to expanding WPIC’s global reach, they have cultivated an international network of alumni connected by shared values and professional excellence.
That global impact was unmistakable. Attendees travelled from across Canada and around the world to be part of the gala: reconnecting with peers, celebrating collective achievements, and, for some, proudly returning home with well-earned awards in hand.
One of the most meaningful moments of the night was recognizing the incredible talent within the WPIC community.
This year’s award winners embody the passion, creativity and integrity that define the WPIC community.
Best Creative Editorial/Styled Shoot
Jodie Garneau
Thistle & Thorne Weddings
Best Wedding Design
Victoria Kuo
Unparalleled Weddings & Events
Best Ecological/Sustainable Wedding
Bianca Hadeed
Elope Barbados
Best Destination Wedding Under $50,000
Jessica Saint-Dic
SaJess Events
Best Destination Wedding Over $50,000
Fidan Ismayilova
Designed Dream Events
Destination Wedding Planner of the Year
Carmen Luk
Devoted To You
Best Wedding Under $50,000
Taneisha Richardson
Unique Events by TSR
Best Wedding Over $50,000
Nifette Khaled
Best Life Events
Best Wedding Over $100,000
Karin Wu
Karin Wu & Co
Best Wedding Over $200,000
Neha Singla
Posh Events by Neha
Emerging Wedding Planner of the Year
Victoria Kuo
Unparalleled Weddings & Events
Onsite Wedding Coordinator of the Year
Jennifer Borgh
Borghinvilla Wedding Venue
Excellence in Multicultural Wedding Planning
Neha Singla
Posh Events by Neha
Wedding Designer of the Year
Joezel Yumul
Maison de Joezel
Wedding Planner of the Year
Tajrean Kashem
Taj and Raj Events
Emerging Planner of the Year (tied)
Valentina Bianchi
Valentina Bianchi Weddings
with
Victoria Kuo
Unparalleled Weddings & Events
As the formalities gave way to music and celebration, the energy in the room shifted into something truly magical. The dance floor quickly filled with familiar faces laughing, embracing, and celebrating not just their achievements, but one another. For a few joyful hours, timelines and to-do lists were replaced with music and movement.
It was more than a gala. It was a celebration of heart, of hard work, and of a community that continues to raise the bar while lifting each other along the way. A truly wonderful night, and one that will be remembered long after the last song played.
Sarathi Abeywardena is an award-winning, WPIC certified wedding designer and planner. Her work also spans internationally to Sri Lanka where she leads Illuminate Event Studio. As a creative director, she explores the intersection of design, emotion, and human connection through curated gatherings that focus on community, empowerment and wellness. Her work is known for its intentionality, cultural nuance, and ability to translate vision into cohesive, immersive experiences.