For many Londoners, London Club name is surrounded by history and exclusivity. That's why when it recently opened its doors to non-members for invitation-only events such as weddings, it wasn't very long before they were playing host to many, many dream wedding days.
Brides who choose London Club are often planning a wedding that is rich in tradition and elegance. Like most brides, they love the idea of pouring champagne into crystal flutes for their guests before professional wait staff serves selections from the Club's infamous catering menus prepared by their new award-winning chef from France. From wine pairing and red carpet service to antique fireplaces and historical exclusivity, this downtown locale seems to have it all, including flexible wedding packages for a range of budgets. Plus, you can have your ceremony and reception all in one location and with their newly renovated second floor, you have the option of more than one room. Let us explain...
History of the Club
We met with David Unger, Sales & Marketing Manager for London Club. He filled us in on the history of the Club and the elegance of any wedding that takes place here. For the past 127 years, London Club has been best known for its members list - one that includes business, financial, political and social community leaders who are much like a celebrity-calibre 'A-list' for the City of London.
London Club is interwoven directly into the economic, social and political growth of London. If you walk through the main hallway of the lower level of London Club building, you almost feel as if you're walking back through time - the Club's Charter of Incorporation, dated for 1877, still hangs on the wall.
Even though the Club has survived fire, flood, and a depression, they continue to maintain the first class standards for service, comfort and timeless charm that they've always been known for. "The Club has served as a hub for people to meet, socialize and plan for the future while reflecting upon the past," reports their website, which is separated into two parts - one for members, one for the public.
How it's done...
David is your key contact in the wedding planning process at London Club. He's the one who will make sure you get reservations for a complimentary tasting and that you and your guests have the experience you're looking for from this exclusive-style locale.
David has many years of experience in the Hospitality Industry with Delta Hotels and Resorts and the Sheraton Hotels, just to name a few. When we met with him we found him to be professional and approachable. He has even recently put together a new bridal and catering package and has planned what he calls "one-stop shopping" for brides who come to London Club.
If you need recommendations for trusted disc jockeys, decorators, wedding cake designers, florists or otherwise, David can arrange that for you, or suggest experts in any area of your wedding planning. These experts are used by the Club for many of the luncheons, dinners and other social events they host.
The difference of a London Club wedding
You know you're at London Club when your Grand Ballroom table settings entail crystal, fine white bone china, and silver plated crested silverware.
The building itself, built in 1882, offers five room options for events throughout your wedding day. And because of its architecture, the facilities make a fabulous vintage backdrop for photos and for the wedding itself. We were told that "... brides just really love the aura that comes with being in an exclusive club on their wedding day." Red carpet service is extended to each bride and groom, with your day made complete by professional management and wait staff attending to each detail.
At London Club, you can host your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception for up to 240 guests, all in one upscale location. Plus, the second floor has recently been renovated from top to bottom to allow wedding couples and their guests to have use of not just one room, but the entire floor.
Because the Club is located downtown on Queens Avenue, it is close to several major churches and hotels. A large parking lot next door makes it easy for guests to find a spot before the events begin.
Wedding spaces @ London Club
Grand Ballroom: 60’ x 27’ and 120 capacity for dinner. The room contains five large windows, hardwood floors, modern light fixtures and light taupe with ivory cream trim.
Centre Room: 32’ x 26’ and 50 capacity for dinner. Décor is similar to the Grand Ballroom, but with a deep navy and beige carpet.
Grand Ballroom + Centre Room: Can accommodate up to 160 guests for dinner.
Main Room: 36’ x 24’ and 50 capacity for dinner. Room boasts large windows and a beautiful antique fireplace.
Library Room: 34’ x 16’ and 24 capacity for dinner. Intimate room with an antique fireplace.
Card Room: 18’ x 16’ and 10 capacity for dinner. Small meeting room with an existing boardroom table.
London Club's infamous catering menus...
At London Club, it's up to you whether you plan a cocktail-style reception with hors d'oeuvres for thirty guests or a plated dinner for 160 - and they're experienced in both of these styles as well as food stations and buffet dinners. Their award-winning chef from France "and his culinary team will create dazzling displays using only the finest and freshest foods. Their masterpieces are sure to delight both the eye and the palate."
London Club can also do traditional buffet dinners and late night buffets. You can opt to customize your menu or simply choose from the already mouth-watering list of items. The choice is yours.
A taste of...
Hors d'oeuvres: Smoked duck breast, onion confit caramelized brown toast, mini latkes with sliced poached pear in red wine and sour cream, bacon wrapped digby scallops with mango curry sauce, mushroom and leek crescents, Altantic cold poached salmon garnished with lemon parsley accompanied with Chef's tartar sauce.
Entrées: Duo of seafood Wellington on saffron sauce and roasted chicken breast, tournedos of beef tenderloin, shrimp skewers, green peppercorn sauce.
Vegetable selections: Fresh asparagus, ratatouille, mushroom and vegetable strudel.
Starch selections: Pesto whipped potatoes, ricotta gnocchi, wild mushroom risotto.
Desserts: Lemon poppyseed parfait with spiced honey pear cake and blueberry compote, chocolate pecan tarte with crème caramel ice cream, assorted finger pastries coffee and tea service.
A toast to bar options
London Club offers full bar and wine services. They offer all of the regular bar services you expect in a wedding venue, in addition to a bartender. If you'd like to have a host bar, you are invited to do so, using wine from the Club.
It's the Club's wine cellar that is usually what gets people talking the most. The temperature controlled wine cellar contains over 2600 bottles of reserve, vintage and other wines for true connoisseurs. They say that their wine cellar is known to be London's finest.
They offer wine pairings for your wedding menus if you opt for them. This means that the wine you serve would be matched to each course for optimal taste. Servers would offer a different wine for each course to your guests as the multi-course menu proceeds throughout the evening. This is guaranteed to be remembered by friends and family.
Prices & how to book
London Club has hosted weddings of all sizes and budgets. To date, they have worked with budgets from $5000 to $30,000 or more. David told us that they offer flexible and customizable wedding packages to suit most budgets.
If you're interested in London Club, email or phone first for an appointment at which time David will give you a tour of the property, go through the catering menu, and give you a price quote and service proposal. The package you receive from him will also include menus, recommended vendors and any other requested details.
Good to know
• Any two or more of London Club's banquet rooms can be joined together, for a cocktail reception in one and seated dinner in another, for example.
• All rooms are sound proofed, individually climate controlled, have advanced sound systems, and are close to remodeled washrooms, which are also wheelchair accessible.
• Since all banquet rooms are on the second floor at London Club, there is an elevator for you and your guests' comfort.
• You can bring in your own wedding cake for your reception at London Club - cake cutting service is included at no extra charge.
• London Club has an easel, podium, microphone, 8' projector screen, 27" TV and VCR/DVD, and an LCD projector available for rental.
• Other multimedia equipment that you may need can be sourced out for you as well.
Details, details, details
• While they recommend booking approximately 6 months to 1 year in advance to have your choice of dates, you can always call to check for any openings they may have.
• $1000 is your deposit and your balance is due 7 days prior to the wedding.
In other words...
"Our experience with London Club has been absolutely wonderful. The planning ideas and advice were invaluable to us, and everything was extremely well executed. Because of the beautiful rooms, fantastic food and very professional staff, we had nothing to worry about on the wedding day, and were able to relax and enjoy ourselves tremendously!" - Erin & Matt Naylor, July 11, 2009
"We're not sure how we would have had the incredible day that unfolded if it weren't for David Unger, Jan Novak and the professional London Club staff. Nine months have passed and people are still talking about our wedding. The space was both classy and classic, every amenity was taken care of, and when the small surprises came up along the way, they were handled with the words 'consider it done'. We're deeply grateful and down right proud that we had our wedding ceremony and reception at London Club. If you are wondering if you should or shouldn't, we can share this thought: When you choose London Club, dozens of details on your wedding day list are suddenly (almost magically) handled. Put your attention on the day and let David and his team put their attention on your event." - Chris & Laura Venn
