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For Rhiana Guerra and Tristan De Rushe, online friends turned lovers, two weddings were better than one
Thank you to The Toronto Star for featuring this beautiful couple and their wedding at Twist Gallery! We absolutely loved this article
Addictions and mental-health student Rhiana Guerra and automotive-service technician Tristan De Rushe’s love story began online, all the way back when they were high school teenagers. They were e-introduced on Skype in 2009 by De Rushe’s cousin Brendan, who went to the same school as Guerra. Brendan thought they might hit it off due to their mutual love of photography.
Tristan was smitten right away. His opening line? “I’m gonna marry you someday.”
And 11 years later, De Rushe did just that.
Since De Rushe lived in Scarborough and Guerra in Whitby, they got to know each other over the next few years via video chat and instant message. Despite De Rushe’s initial proclamation, there wasn’t much romance initially, but they became best friends, talking for hours at a time about everything from De Rushe’s love of classic “SpongeBob SquarePants” episodes to Rhiana’s burgeoning Tumblr presence.
Because of the distance, they didn’t meet each other in person for three years, when Guerra ran into him at a supermarket by her house in 2012. It felt a little like fate, considering he lived nowhere near there (he was at the store with the same cousin who introduced them online all those years earlier). Guerra thought, “This must be true love, because my parents met in a supermarket, too.”
This time, the spark was immediate and De Rushe asked Guerra to hang out IRL at last. “Our first date ever was a photography date. He was like, ‘Let me show you some of my tricks,’” Guerra says. They hung out every day for a week straight. On the last day, De Rushe asked her to be his girlfriend. She said yes, and their adventure began, filled with fun dinner dates and a Niagara Falls vacation every Valentine’s Day.
In 2018, De Rushe executed Guerra’s dream proposal. After buying the ring a year and a half before, he plotted how to pop the question at Guerra’s preferred spot: Caribana. De Rushe managed to get down on one knee – right in the middle of the parade. “She saw the ring and didn’t know what to do,” he says with a laugh. “We actually went viral. Somebody else saw, started filming, and we were featured on 6ixBuzz.”
The wedding scheduled for fall 2020, they decided to go ahead mid-pandemic with a smaller guest list and then have a second, bigger ceremony once restrictions eased up the following year. Thankfully, Guerra had scored most of the things they needed for wedding number one pre-lockdown, including Mr. and Mrs. Skeleton décor and De Rushe’s handmade arch and cake stand.
Their held the first wedding on the Ajax waterfront, at Carruthers Marsh Pavilion – where Guerra had once spent a summer serving ice cream – with just 17 of their dearest in attendance, plus a photographer. The couple had a sand ceremony, in which they each poured a different colour of sand into a vase. “Now it’s a piece of art in our house,” Guerra says. “Even though [the sands] were two different colours, once they’re together, it’s impossible to separate them.”
“I cried, I’m so sappy. I really enjoyed that wedding,” De Rushe says. “The small amount of people made the nerves a little easier.”
Thankfully, by the time their second wedding rolled around in fall 2021, at Twist Gallery, he was well-prepared for a bigger head count of 52. Having the wedding on Queen Street West was important to Guerra as that’s where she and De Rushe hung out on their first date. During this ceremony, they performed a broom-jumping ritual to honour their ancestors. “My granny really wanted us to jump the broom the year before,” Guerra says, “because during slavery, they would jump the broom to signify marriage.”
It was at this wedding they were finally allowed a DJ, too, letting them boogie the night away. “I danced the entire night,” Guerra says, “from when the dance floor opened, until it closed at 2 a.m.”
All the wedding speeches referenced De Rushe’s legendary passion for SpongeBob – something that Guerra thinks bodes well for a long and happy marriage. “Everyone kept talking about SpongeBob, and his aunt made a really good point that when Tristan loves, he loves something hard,” she says. “When he loves you, he loves you forever.”
Cozy DOWNTOWN TORONTO WEDDING VENUES PERFECTLY SUITED FOR STAGE 3
Thanks to EventSource for featuring Twist Gallery in this wonderful article.
August 5, 2020 by EventSource writer Krystal Knopf
Twist Gallery boasts gorgeous skylights, French Arch windows, and long wooden beams accentuating it’s high ceilings. If modern art is your style, you can’t go wrong with the built in contemporary decor! Over looking the (currently) quiet city streets, this New York-style loft will surely sweep you and your guests off your feet!
15 Toronto event venues perfect for weddings for up to 150 Guests
Thanks to EventSource for including Twist Gallery in their latest article.
February 25, 2020 by EventSource writer Cindy Li
If you love modern art and bright lighting, you’re going to love Twist Gallery. Featuring skylights, French Arch windows, and long wooden beams accentuating the high ceilings, you’ll fall in love with the contemporary decor while overlooking the busy city streets. With 5,000 square feet of space to work, this New York-style loft will surely sweep you off your feet!
Max Seated Capacity: 140
The Third annual Wedding Open house at Twist Gallery
Thanks to EventSource for covering our third annual Wedding Open House! Find the original article here.
January 29, 2019 by EventSource
This past weekend, Twist Gallery opened up its doors to host its third annual wedding open house. This New York-style loft gave us all the Queen Street artsy vibes and we loved every inch of it!
With 5,000 square feet and an open concept layout, how could you go wrong? The space has gorgeous exposed ceilings and beautifully designed arched windows. By supporting local artists in the city, Twist Gallery continuously stays original by constantly showcasing different artwork throughout the space.
With it’s dazzling string lights suspended from its exposed wooden beams, the space just oozes romance – making for the perfect ceremony spot. Not only is this space ideal for weddings, but with its cool, free-flowing vibe, the space is also perfectly suited for social events, engagement parties, launch parties, and so much more!
Boakview Photography captures all the amazing features and all of the talented vendors of this event.
The wild yellow and blue, long stemmed ceremony florals designed by Coriander Girl tied in perfectly with the creative design of space. The white, folding resin chairs provided by Gervais Party & Tent Rentals flawlessly brightened the ceremony isle.
Our friends Maria and Stephanie from Bloomberry & Co created this stunning long table set up. The beautiful pops-of-blue florals combined with those soft blue napkins added just the right touch.
The clear-beaded charger plates were accompanied by an effortlessly written place card designed by Pinya Letters, further complimenting the airy feel of the design.
I’m completely and openly obsessed with Soho Sweet Carts! Not only can you use their adorable carts as a champagne bar, but a sweet cart, favour table, swag station – the list can go on. It’s perfect for any occasion and adds that perfect touch of charm to any affair.
Talk about mouth watering food – Gusto 54 Catering is no stranger to incredibly curated tasty dishes! As the in-house caterer at Twist, not only does Gusto 54 wow you with their presentation, but they can leave you with your taste buds buzzing!
Once you are done with the savory part of your meal, be sure to indulge your sugar fix with some yummy treats. We promise not to judge if have more than just one! =)
The team at DJ Floh Back Productions kept the room buzzing and helped create a welcoming and uplifting atmosphere. The team kept the vibe flowing playing a mixture of the classic hits and today’s favourites.
Not your average photobooth, 6ix Photobooths‘ magic mirror booth allows guests to choose different frames, props, and even offers guests the ability to add their own signature or designs. Definitely a must for any event!
Talk about an incredibly unique service – Everyday People Typewriter Poems allows you to tell a live story which will then be personalized and put into a poem – all in real time. This is the perfect conversation starter to help keep guests engaged at your event!
We think it’s safe to say that with all the incredible vendors and guests, the wedding open house at Twist was a complete and resounding success. Until next time!
A 2019 Wedding Open House at Twist Gallery
Thanks to EventSource for this wonderful article! Find the original here
January 23, 2019 by EventSource
Not even an extreme cold weather alert could stop guests from attending this year’s Twist Gallery winter wedding open house! Located in the heart of Queen West in downtown Toronto, this New-York-loft style gallery and event space invited guests to experience all the beauty and culture this character-rich, unique space has to offer.
Ideal for groups ranging from 140 seated or 250 standing, flexibility and versatility are two of the major bonuses for a space like Twist. Offering a blank canvas with all the charming, rustic, Queen West features make this space perfect for intimate weddings, corporate and social events. A special thank you to Boakview Photography for capturing all the lovely details.
The gallery exudes so much warmth with its exposed wooden beams and natural light illuminated by its beautiful large French arch windows. Coriander Girl teamed up with Gervais Party & Tent Rentals to create a stunning garden inspired tablescape using various shades of coral flowers in peach amaryllis, double tulips, ranunculus and carnations. Adorned with stunning pillar candles and real fuzzy peaches, this tablescape is surely the star of the show. Have you heard? Coral is the 2019 Pantone colour of the year and we are beginning to see this shade being featured in a lot of decor this year!
Oh, and we can’t forget about the stunning floral arch for the ceremony set up – a definite show stopper here as guests truly enjoyed taking photos under this magical arch embellished entirely with baby’s breath and pink genestra, cherry blossom branches and hanging amaranth!
The amazingly talented Olivia Y. Cakes showcased her stunning creations as guests were treated to mini cupcakes, cookies, macarons and tiramisu cups. I am still in awe of the details and intricate designs in her cakes – not only were they impeccably designed, but unbelievably delicious too! Of course, I grabbed a delicious mini cupcake and cookie just for good measure!
The ultra-fabulous culinary team at Gusto 54 Catering spoiled guests rotten at this event! Canapés included Wild Mushroom Risotto Arancini Balls, Braised Beef Short Ribs with a sprinkle of fried kale on a sourdough crostini, and my personal favourite, the Bruschetta: loaded with roasted mushrooms and herbed ricotta and taleggio – so flavourful! Dedicated food stations included a delicious vegan Cavolfiore: Grilled Cauliflower on a bed of chickpea purée, sautéed Field Mushrooms and a sprinkle of nuts and pumpkin seeds topped off with a splash of harissa and pomegranate sauce – yum! The Pollo: grilled chicken with roasted mushrooms and fried artichoke was definitely right up my ally – it truly was a mouth-watering plate of deliciousness! The chicken was so incredibly juicy and tender. I went back for seconds. Okay, maybe thirds…
Of course, aesthetics play a huge part in your big day but there are tons of other elements to consider like music, outfits, choosing the right accessories, entertainment, and so forth. So, throughout the event, guests mixed, mingled, and chatted with wedding professionals from all aspects of the industry including Anice Jewellery, Enduring Promises, Loversland, and Pinya Letters (who by the way did all the gorgeous hand lettering on the place cards and chalkboard wall behind the bar!).
And what’s an event with out a photobooth, right? Guests enjoyed the “open air” photo booth courtesy of Lux Photo Booth, snapping up a storm while DJ Floh Back Productions played upbeat, popular hits that everyone could groove to.
Our hats go off to Nadia and her team at Twist Gallery for throwing this lovely open house filled with dazzling flowers, lively music, scrumptious food and cocktails – all in an incredibly unique, versatile, and stunning event space! If you’re looking for an intimate space for your wedding, social or corporate event, make sure to hit up Twist Gallery!
Top 10 List of Wedding Venues for Creative Types in Toronto
Thanks to BlogTO for this fabulous article! Find the original here
April 18th, 2015 by BlogTO
TWIST GALLERY
Thanks to CityEvents for the following article! Find the original here ow.ly/HHngO
January 21, 2015 by CityEvents4
Twist Your Event into Something New, with Twist Gallery!
Since Twist opened back in February of 2010, Nadia, the young and dynamic owner and director of Twist Gallery has watched her space blossom into one of Queen West’s prime locations for art shows and events. She says her favourite part about her job is meeting new people, and the rush she gets in anticipation of what tomorrow will bring.
Nadia also says that coming up with a name for her gallery was surprisingly one of the harder things she has ever had to do. People gave her all kinds of suggestions, but she did not want to settle for just anything. Like all things in life, coming up with the name “Twist” took time. It came to her out of nowhere, and she knew it was right.
The primary use of Twist Gallery’s space is for Art Exhibitions, but it is available for rent for special events outside of gallery hours.
She believes in the importance of meeting new people, and feels comfortable in any social setting. It is this same sense of ease and relaxedness that she trusts her visitors will appreciate upon entering her gallery. Instead of feeling intimidated and uninvited like some places, she wants her guests to feel welcomed and at home.
An ideal spot for fashion shows, corporate functions and photo shoots, Twist also offers a great alternative space for a wedding reception.
The Gallery can accommodate approximately 250 guests for a standing reception, and 160 seated.
Twist Gallery transcends the stereotypical idea of an art gallery and is a space where anybody can walk in and feel comfortable.
Whether an art enthusiast or someone who knows little of art, the space gives a sense of ease and relaxedness to guests.
Venue Capacity: 250, reception/160, sit down
Outdoor Facilities: No
Access/Parking: No wheelchair access/No onsite parking
Availability:
Tuesday to Saturday, 11am – 6pm
Twist Gallery
1100 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1H9
Telephone: (416) 588-2222
More info: www.twistgallery.ca
B.INSPIRED - TWIST GALLERY REVIEW
Thanks to Beloved Events for the following article!
January 29, 2014
Last week, I had the opportunity to check out the open house at Twist Gallery. I’ve passed by this location many times strolling across Queen St West but never checked it out until now.
Located in downtown Toronto, Twist Gallery is an open space loft-style gallery that can be transformed into anything you want for your event/wedding -depending on your style or theme. During the open house, the gallery was set-up to showcase a potential wedding. Though its primary use is for art display exhibitions, the gallery is a great alternative for a smaller urban space for a wedding ceremony or reception.
I was drawn to the large French Arch windows that gave you a perfect view of the streets of Toronto. Are you a newly engaged couple looking for something different and unique? Then this might be a great reception space for you.
Twist gallery can accommodate approximately 250 guests for a standing reception and 160 seated.
Check out some of the photos I took at the open house last week. There were 4 different table settings, a ceremony set-up, lounge space and DJ set-up – lots of options for a potential wedding or event! I would love to plan a wedding or event there.
DAVID KAUFMAN’S EARLY SUNDAY MORNING SHOWS A BYGONE TORONTO
Thanks to Martin Knelman of the Toronto Star for the mention!
PHOTOGRAPHER KAUFMAN HOPES HISTORIC BRICK BUILDINGS OF QUEEN ST. EAST AND WEST CAN BE SAVED
Queen Street West east of Spadina b David Kaufman. It's part of the Early Sunday Morning exhibit at Twist Gallery until May 26.
By: Martin Knelman Entertainment, Published on Fri May 03 2013
Early Sunday Morning, David Kaufman’s current photo exhibition, is a love letter to Toronto’s historic streetscapes. The stars of the show are three-storey brick buildings that line both Queen St. W. and E., many dating back to the 1880s.
Even as downtown Toronto becomes more dominated every year by new condo towers, Kaufman find himself increasingly drawn to these modest historic buildings of a bygone era, which exude warmth, human scale, beautiful masonry and what he calls “the character of age.”
Appropriately, the exhibition — running in conjunction with the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival until May 26 — is taking place at the Twist Gallery at 1100 Queen St. W.
Kaufman, who moved to Toronto from Montreal in 1971, has long had a passion for taking pictures of old buildings and has turned his camera on streets of both cities. But he says Toronto has always had fewer heritage buildings than Montreal and those that we do have enjoyed less protection. Even more problematic, in his view, is that the pace of redevelopment here seems to be constantly accelerating.
The upshot: over the past 20 years or so, many of the industrial buildings Kaufman photographed have disappeared.
“The city I moved to four decades ago barely exists today in many locales,” he says, despairing over the vast swaths of look-alike condo towers.
Besides celebrating smaller, older buildings with more character, which he depicts bathed in sunlight, Kaufman has an agenda: saving both Queen St. W. and E.
Given the radical changes that have occurred on Yonge St., King St., Richmond, Adelaide, Jarvis and even Spadina, Kaufman argues that Toronto is left with Queen St., both east and west, as the only remaining commercial districts that still boast stretches of historic buildings offering a sense of the city’s past.
If you visit the Twist Gallery and see two dozen of Kaufman’s gleaming large-scale images assembled in one large space, you’ll appreciate what he means when he talks about the documentary function of photography.
“Photography enables us to see and fix for all time what is before us with greater clarity and more vividness than what we see with our own eyes,” he claims.
The purpose of his images, Kaufman explains, is to help people remember these places, because he fears that eventually all that will remain of these buildings and streetscapes are these photographs.
And if that happens, he would like to think that his images can help Torontonians remember a distinctive era of the city’s architecture, when its streets featured buildings on a smaller scale created with a kind of craftsmanship that is no longer possible.
Kaufman says his images of buildings near Queen St. east of Sherbourne represent, more than any others, the downtown Toronto of years gone by. Even if these buildings survive, their appearance is likely to change through gentrification, which is what usually happens to old buildings that escape the more drastic fate of demolition.
It would be a great shame, as he says, if Toronto fails to save at least some of these buildings and streetscapes. But there is reason for hope.
If a street is doing well commercially, it is more likely to be preserved and protected. That certainly seems to be the case on Queen West. But Queen East is more vulnerable, because for decades it has been one of the city’s most impoverished areas, the tone set by proximity to the Salvation Army and a mission around the corner..
Kaufman offers a solution.
“Much of Queen St., perhaps from Roncesvalles all the way to Carlaw, should be given a heritage designation and its appearance protected for decades to come.”
But is Toronto City Council likely to make that happen?