For the Toronto Botanical Garden's third annual fund-raiser, the organizing committee chose to showcase a private garden in Rosedale rather than hosting the event at the Don Mills facility, where the gala has previously taken place. "I think with being in a private home there are real challenges, because this is not what usually happens here. But I would say that's what makes it totally special," Jenny Rhodenizer, the garden's communications director, said of this year's venue. "That's what makes it special. Especially for us. And the weather, at the very end, has cooperated."
The rain let up late in the afternoon Tuesday, just in time for the arrival of the 300 attendees. When guests showed up at the home, on a narrow and winding street, employees of Northern Valet drove their vehicles down to the Brick Works, in the Don Valley. (Caterwaiters passed lavender shortbread cookies to guests while they waited for their cars at the end of the evening.) Bottles of Moët & Chandon Champagne—an event sponsor—sat nestled among the flowers and shrubs alongside the pathway up the side of the house, which led guests into the backyard.Regal Tent Productions installed a tent in the 300-foot backyard on Sunday, just prior to a report from Environment Canada that Toronto was under a tornado watch (the storm never materialized). "Just getting things delivered here was wild," Rhodenizer said. "When you're in a private home, you have to be very careful. And this is such a beautiful garden. The tent company in particular had to be careful when they were putting this up." Rhodenizer said she expected the TBG would have to replace the grass in the backyard. "This is more than the usual wear and tear," she said.
McNabb Roick Events dressed the white tent with turquoise fabric, pairs of white wing chairs, and black chandeliers. Simple arrangements of white peonies topped cocktail tables and the two bars, which served a signature cocktail dubbed the Peony. Caterwaiters from Catering With Style passed hors d'oeuvres and small plates throughout the evening, and musicians from the Royal Conservatory of Music performed while guests mingled.
"I think tonight is all about awareness, because people think the TBG is all about flower arranging and greenhouses ... so tonight we're going to raise $250,000 for the programs that support children who don't have green spaces," said event co-chair Dee Dee Taylor Hannah. "We want to raise that awareness, and we want to give back to the children."
The rain let up late in the afternoon Tuesday, just in time for the arrival of the 300 attendees. When guests showed up at the home, on a narrow and winding street, employees of Northern Valet drove their vehicles down to the Brick Works, in the Don Valley. (Caterwaiters passed lavender shortbread cookies to guests while they waited for their cars at the end of the evening.) Bottles of Moët & Chandon Champagne—an event sponsor—sat nestled among the flowers and shrubs alongside the pathway up the side of the house, which led guests into the backyard.Regal Tent Productions installed a tent in the 300-foot backyard on Sunday, just prior to a report from Environment Canada that Toronto was under a tornado watch (the storm never materialized). "Just getting things delivered here was wild," Rhodenizer said. "When you're in a private home, you have to be very careful. And this is such a beautiful garden. The tent company in particular had to be careful when they were putting this up." Rhodenizer said she expected the TBG would have to replace the grass in the backyard. "This is more than the usual wear and tear," she said.
McNabb Roick Events dressed the white tent with turquoise fabric, pairs of white wing chairs, and black chandeliers. Simple arrangements of white peonies topped cocktail tables and the two bars, which served a signature cocktail dubbed the Peony. Caterwaiters from Catering With Style passed hors d'oeuvres and small plates throughout the evening, and musicians from the Royal Conservatory of Music performed while guests mingled.
"I think tonight is all about awareness, because people think the TBG is all about flower arranging and greenhouses ... so tonight we're going to raise $250,000 for the programs that support children who don't have green spaces," said event co-chair Dee Dee Taylor Hannah. "We want to raise that awareness, and we want to give back to the children."
Cocktails in the garden
Photo: BizBash
Black chandeliers hung above pairs of white wing chairs inside the tent.
Photo: BizBash
Regal Tent Productions erected a narrow white-topped tent in the 300-foot-long garden.
Photo: BizBash
Guests could purchase a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne and the chance to win a blue topaz and sapphire necklace from the Blossoms Collection at Mindham Fine Jewellery.
Photo: BizBash
McNabb Roick Events dressed the tent in turquoise, black, and white.
Photo: BizBash
A trio from the Royal Conservatory of Music performed as guests arrived at the cocktail reception.
Photo: BizBash
Watering cans placed on tables held trivia questions with facts about the Toronto Botanical Garden.
Photo: BizBash
Servers at two bars offered a selection of wines and a signature cockail called the Peony, which included Pravda vodka, Chambord, lime, mint, and fresh raspberries.
Photo: BizBash
DJ Marc de Breyne spun music from his booth on the steps at the rear of the house.
Photo: BizBash
A musician from the Royal Conservatory of Music played the cello from a patio atop a hill in the backyard.
Photo: BizBash
Servers from Catering With Style passed hors d'oeuvres—including watermelon and goat cheese appetizers—throughout the evening.
Photo: BizBash
