Shotlife Studio is a premier wedding photographer in Toronto, specializing in capturing luxury weddings and...
More
|
Copy Link
Copied
Vend Ors
On April 4, 2025, WedLuxe and our in-house creative design studio, WedLuxe Creative Design Agency, proudly served as the creative director, event planning, and graphic design partner for House of Celebration: Happily Ever Astor—a private, exclusive afternoon of inspiration, indulgent experiences, and timeless tradition at The St. Regis Toronto. The event marked the grand unveiling of the hotel’s completely transformed event spaces to a curated group of luxury event planners across Toronto and the GTA.
The celebration was conceived and designed to be a modern tribute to Caroline Astor—the grande dame of social parties in the Gilded Age and muse to her son, John Jacob Astor IV, founder of the St. Regis brand. From 1904 through to today, Caroline Astor and her extraordinary love of celebrations continue to inspire the exceptional traditions that the St. Regis brand is known for. Inspired by this incredible legacy, WedLuxe creative director and founder, Angela Desveaux, designed the event with subtle nods to Caroline Astor woven throughout as a modern tribute to the Gilded Age.
Highlights included a gilded key registry, a dramatic Sabrage ceremony, a live operatic performance, and “Floriology”—a custom pressed-flower locket-making experience inspired by the “Astor-era” Victorian language of flowers. Guests were also treated to indulgent mini spa treatments, a curated tea bar, and decadent food and beverage pairings.
From the floral-filled ballrooms to the final pour of champagne, every moment was a celebration of hospitality, heritage, and high style, all beautifully captured by Shotlife Studio.
The Gilded Key Registry
Upon arrival, guests were invited to unlock the experience—quite literally. The specialized event staff from Get Served GTA greeted each guest with white-glove service and presented them with a personalized “gilded key”—a playful nod to their exclusive access to the event and a special unlockable offer from the St. Regis Toronto team.
“The moment paid homage to Caroline Astor’s famed ‘Four Hundred’—the definitive list of New York society’s elite during the late 1800s,” shares Angela Desveaux, creative director and founder of WedLuxe, who planned and designed the event. “Curated by Mrs. Astor and social arbiter Ward McAllister, the Four Hundred represented those deemed worthy of entry into her inner circle, said to be the exact number that could fit in her Fifth Avenue ballroom. At this event, the reference was reimagined with a modern twist: our guest list was a curated circle of Toronto’s most influential planners and designers. The gilded key they received wasn’t just a symbolic gesture—it was an invitation into a space where creativity, legacy, and luxury intersected.”
The keys were displayed on a statement-making arched wall available from Luxury Event Decor, framed by two sleek cane bars from Element Event Solutions. The custom-designed panels and keys were designed by our in-house design division, WedLuxe Creative Design Agency, with panels printed and installed by Designer Dance Floors.
A St. Regis Welcome
Once guests were “checked in,” they gathered in the foyer of the Astor Ballroom, sipping elegant mocktails and enjoying a captivating live performance by an electric harpist from the St Royal team.
An oversized metallic butterfly sculpture was crafted and installed by Engineered Arts (designed by WedLuxe), adding a whimsical photo moment, blending beauty with symbolism.
“The butterfly also had significance thematically,” shares Angela Desveaux. “In 1904, when the original St. Regis Hotel in New York City was opened by John Jacob Astor IV to great acclaim, the 1904 World’s Fair was driving trends worldwide. The event introduced exotic butterfly displays to the world stage. During the Art Nouveau era, the butterfly became a powerful emblem of transformation, rebirth, and the organic beauty of nature—an aesthetic echoed in the design and storytelling of this new era for The St. Regis Toronto.”
Ballrooms Reimagined
Guests were ushered into the Astor Ballroom on the 9th floor for an exclusive first look at the newly reimagined, all-white and cream event spaces at The St. Regis Toronto. Redesigned by award-winning firm Mason Studio, the Ballrooms are a striking blend of timeless elegance and modern minimalism. Each offers over 3,000 square feet of luxurious possibility, now redefined through a sophisticated palette, clean architectural lines, and a sense of serene grandeur.
Model greeters welcomed guests at the ballroom entrance, dressed in formalwear by King & Bay Bespoke Solutions and gowns from Estrelle Bridal, with hair and makeup styled by Kroma Salon. Rings from Glor Jewellery.
Parasol Promenade
A nod to the Belle Époque era, the ceremony vignette—titled The Parasol Promenade—was brought to life by floral and event design partner, Wild Theory Floral and Event Design. “The parasol promenade concept was inspired by Caroline Astor’s legendary Newport garden parties,” explains Angela Desveaux. “The theme channeled the elegance of grand promenades where parasols symbolized fashion, social status, and the art of being seen.” With beautiful furniture rentals (including gorgeous bouclé sofas and chairs) from Element Event Solutions and a white vinyl ceremony aisle installed by Designer Dance Floors, this immersive space honored history while celebrating modern-day style.
The Sabrage Ceremony
The unveiling continued with a warm welcome from Sarah Hill, Director of Sales, followed by one of The St. Regis’s most iconic traditions—the Sabrage Ceremony. Originally introduced by founder John Jacob Astor IV, this Napoleonic ritual of opening champagne with a saber has become a symbol of celebration across all St. Regis properties worldwide. As champagne was poured and passed out, guests raised their glasses in an official toast to the newly unveiled ballrooms while enjoying a captivating, electric operatic performance by St Royal—featuring a live opera vocalist, electric cellist, and DJ.
Regal Reception
After a spectacular ceremony on the 9th floor, guests ascended the sweeping, statement staircase to the 10th floor, where the grand brunch reception awaited in the newly redesigned Astor Ballroom and foyer. With its elevated vantage point, the space offered a stunning backdrop for a brunch experience unlike any other.
Floriography: A Floral Locket Experience
One of the most talked-about highlights was the Floriography Bar—an interactive, bespoke experience dreamed up by our founder, Angela Desveaux, creative director of WedLuxe Creative Design Agency. Inspired by the sentimental tradition of pressed flowers (popular during Caroline Astor’s lifetime), guests crafted personalized lockets using pressed flowers, sealed within archival-safe gold and glass casings, tied with velvet ribbon. Bloom selections included all of Caroline’s personal favourites, (of course) including violets – one of her signature flowers. The experience was elevated by a custom bar from Luxury Event Decor. (The bar was painted for our event, but can be painted any colour and is available for rental within the Greater Toronto area.) The vinyl decals and canopy, designed by WedLuxe, were printed by Designer Dance Floors. Nearby, guests were also invited to indulge in eucalyptus takeaways from Wild Theory Floral and Event Design and luxe hand treatments courtesy of The St. Regis Toronto Spa and Babor skincare.
“Caroline’s Cascade Garden” Grand Brunch
The pièce de résistance unfolded in the Astor Ballroom, transformed by Wild Theory Floral and Event Design into Caroline’s Cascade Garden Tea Party. A nod to Caroline Astor’s legendary outdoor soirées and the botanical splendor of the 1904 World’s Fair, the ballroom bloomed with cascading florals, photo moments, and lush garden-inspired tablescapes.
Guests sipped cocktails from Civil Pours and Perrier-Jouët while enjoying an elevated culinary journey curated by The St. Regis Toronto. The menu—a modern homage to the 1904 World’s Fair Emporium—offered globally inspired interactive stations, including poke bowls, sliders, poutine, carved striploin, charcuterie, and an Asian Market–style tasting bar. Element Event Solutions provided elegant furnishings, with patterned napkins and cushions from Nuage Designs Inc. DJ Michael Coombs set the tone with a perfectly curated playlist, adding a vibrant energy to the immersive experience.
Sweet Farewells
The afternoon closed on a sweet note with a Sloane Tea bar and a mini dessert lounge playfully dubbed “Caroline’s Fancy Sweets Parlour,” showcasing the artistry of The St. Regis Toronto pastry team. Guests sipped custom tea blends while sampling bite-sized indulgences and admiring several of the hotel’s stunning wedding cake creations on display. A beautifully boxed mini cake, crafted as a luxe takeaway, was gifted to each guest, ensuring the celebration continued long after the final toast. Dessert carts and cake stands by Soho Sweet Carts, along with branding and bar graphics by WedLuxe Creative Design Agency. (with vinyl applied by Designer Dance Floors,) tied the scene together with whimsy and style.
Design Notes
Wedluxe Creative Design Agency is the design division of WedLuxe, offering a suite of meticulously crafted products and services tailored to ensure every detail is flawless. From branding, invitations, and event stationery to custom gifting, digital solutions, and motion graphics, we support the world’s most elite event planners and consumers with the precision and excellence their events demand. Whether developing elevated digital renders or providing end-to-end graphic support—including stationery, printed goods, and bespoke gifting—WedLuxe Creative Design Agency delivers unmatched expertise. We are the trusted, white-labeled design partner for the global luxury event industry.
Featured Glitterati Members
Luxe Locations The St. Regis Toronto
Photography Shotlife Studio
Floral Wild Theory Floral and Event Design
Gowns Estrelle Bridal
Menswear King & Bay Bespoke Solutions
Jewellery Glor Jewellery
Beauty | Hair | Makeup Kroma Salon
Music + Entertainment Michael Coombs Entertainment
CREDITS
Event Host & Catering @stregistoronto
Creative Direction, Event Design, Invitations, Event Graphics & Media Partner @wedluxe @wedluxecreative
Photography and Videography @shotlifestudio
Content Creator @loveinbloomcontent
Floral and Event Design @wildtheoryfloral
Furniture and Tableware, Rentals @element_event_solutions
Custom Wall (Key Registry) and Custom Wall and Bar (Locket Activation) @luxuryeventdecor_
Event Vinyl @designerdancefloors
Custom Butterfly Sculpture @engineeredarts
Dessert Carts & Cake Stands @sohosweetcarts
Event Staff, Registration & Gifting @getservedgta
Pillows and Napkins @nuagedesignsinc
Electric Harpist & Opera Trio @stroyals
DJ and AV Set-Up @michaelcoombsdj
AV @encore.canada
Formal Wear and Male Models @mykingandbay
Gowns and Female Models @estrellebridal
Rings @glorjewellery
Hair and Makeup @kromasalon @bridal_kromasalon
Tea Bar @sloanetea
Beverage Partners @civil_pours @perrierjouet
Spa Skincare @baborofficial
