There’s one sure-fire way to throw a bridal shower that’s anything but bland—pop some bubbly, and lots of it! Laura Olsen, a stylist and planner of pretty get-togethers, recently collaborated with photographer Jacqueline Hofing of Injoy Imagery and a small coterie of Toronto vendors to design a chic champagne tasting party in the Baka Gallery Cafe’s event space, a sleek, sophisticated urban setting that features an Italian bar and exposed brick walls covered with contemporary art from both local and international artists. Mike Willis, owner of The Bistro at Silvercreek, a nearby wine and tapas bar, was on hand to discuss champagne types and appropriate food pairings. He even schooled the attendees in the traditional art of sabring a bottle of bubbly!

The idea behind the event was to demonstrate how doable it is to put a fresh, modern spin on a sometimes stuffy tradition. Maids of honor and bridesmaids, take note! We’d certainly raise our glasses to this unconventional bridal shower concept.

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