A Toronto Beach Club Wedding That Felt Like a Stefon Sketch (In the Best Way Possible)
If a Saturday Night Live Stefon sketch ever needed a wedding rendition, Christina and Carlos’ Toronto Beach Club wedding would be it. This event had everything: horror-movie-themed bathrooms, a groom dressed as Bela Lugosi’s Dracula, finger chandeliers cascading from the bride, a Thanos-infinity-stone-style wedding ring, tarot readings, cocktail-hour tattoos, a champagne-tower entrance, bagpipes playing at the door, customized prop money, cigar girls with sparklers recreating scenes from The Shining, and a skeleton cake topper watching over it all.
Christina and Carlos both work in film, and their shared love of horror movies shaped every detail of the day. The result was a wedding that felt cinematic, wildly creative, and completely personal, all played out in the intimate set of the Toronto Beach Club.
Pre-Ceremony Atmosphere: Horror, Film, and Bagpipes
A couple of weeks before Halloween, the Toronto Beach Club was already buzzing as guests arrived. Before the ceremony even began, it was clear this wouldn’t be a traditional wedding. A family member, dressed head-to-toe in full Scottish regalia, welcomed guests with the sound of bagpipes; an unforgettable entrance that fit the mood perfectly.
Inside, subtle horror influences were already making their presence known, from the infamous horror-movie-themed bathrooms to custom prop money circulating through the crowd. The Toronto Beach Club’s unique layout made it easy for guests to explore, mingle, and take in the details while still feeling connected to the waterfront setting.
A V-Shaped Outdoor Ceremony at the Toronto Beach Club
The ceremony took place outdoors on the Toronto Beach Club’s patio. Instead of a traditional straight aisle, Christina and Carlos opted for a striking V-shaped aisle, with two lanes of guests angling inward toward the altar. It created a sense of intimacy and focus, pulling everyone into the moment.
Officiated by a family friend, the ceremony balanced heartfelt emotion with personality, a perfect reflection of the couple. The space itself played a huge role here; the Toronto Beach Club’s patio is ideal for ceremonies like this, offering both openness and architectural character without feeling exposed.
Portraits by the Water: Dracula and Genuine Moments
The light was perfect for a quick photo session outside as Christina and Carlos were champing at the bit to get back to their guests and have a good time, because to them this day was about that, not a photo session. And I love that.
Family pictures, bridal party, then some of the lovely couple, including the obligatory one of Carlos pretending to bite Christina’s neck, and we were back in the mix.
Cocktail-Style Reception with Endless Food and Creative Energy
The reception at the Toronto Beach Club was cocktail-style, designed for mingling rather than sitting still. The kitchen was constantly sending out plates of food, keeping guests fueled as they moved through the space.
Throughout the evening, guests could pop into a back room for tarot readings or get inked during cocktail hour by Tiny Tattoos with Bri Lynn, one of the many details that made this Toronto Beach Club wedding feel more like an immersive experience than a traditional reception.
One of the Wildest Wedding Entrances I’ve Ever Seen
The energy skyrocketed when it was time for the wedding party entrance. Guests poured in from upstairs, waving napkins as the music hit. The groomsmen set the tone, and then the bridesmaids followed, firing prop money from money guns while holding marquee signs with Christina and Carlos’ names and champagne bottles blazing with sparklers.
When the couple entered, they went straight into building a champagne tower, officially kicking off the night. It was chaotic, joyful, and perfectly on theme.
Speeches, First Dance, and a Newfoundland-Fueled Dance Floor
After the champagne tower came heartfelt speeches that brought the room back to the emotional core of the day. Christina and Carlos then shared their first dance, which opened the dance floor for everyone.
As the night went on, the music shifted into maritime favorites (a nod to Christina’s Newfoundland roots) and the dance floor stayed packed. Between the dancing, tarot readings, tattoos, and constant movement through the space, the Toronto Beach Club truly came alive.
And despite being an easy going somewhat shy guy, Carlos did have one or two specific photos he wanted, recreating the bar scene from The Shining with him as Jack Torrance. Even though he was dressed as Dracula, I allowed it, and he was thrilled with the pictures.
A Toronto Beach Club Wedding That Was Unapologetically Them
From Dracula and horror-movie details to bagpipes, tattoos, and maritime music, Christina and Carlos’ Toronto Beach Club wedding was fearless in its creativity. The venue’s unique layout made it possible to host both an intimate ceremony and a high-energy, immersive reception, proving just how versatile the Toronto Beach Club can be for couples who want something different.
This wedding wasn’t about tradition for tradition’s sake. It was about storytelling, atmosphere, and celebrating love in a way that felt completely authentic, and I loved every second of documenting it.
If you’re planning a Toronto Beach Club wedding, or dreaming up something unconventional, story-driven, and uniquely yours, I’d love to help you document it in a way that feels just as bold and personal. Get in touch, I won’t bite.