It takes a village to make dreams come true. This is yours
Introducing, the Dream Team
Samantha Buckley
CEO & Creative Director
This may sound like a cliché, but I’m all about living life to the fullest. So, when the pandemic put a damper on my wedding plans, I wasn’t about to give up on my dream of an intimate elopement with our closest friends and family by our side.
As the owner of a local restaurant, we had just started experimenting with hosting micro-weddings in our event space. And to be completely honest, we weren’t sure about our potential in the events world. What we did know was that there were couples all over York Region who simply wanted to be married and find a little connection in the chaos—myself included.
So, when a last-minute cancellation opened up a date on 10/10/2020, I took it as a sign.
In just two weeks, my dream wedding came together beautifully with the help of some incredible local vendors. And as I sat there taking in the moment with my family, I knew there was something special about this space that I wanted to share with everyone.
Our wedding became the model for build your own wedding packages you see today and would go on to inspire our goal to provide luxury, but attainable, boutique-style events that are unrivalled in York Region.
I truly believe the sky’s the limit when it comes to the magic you can create in life. And I love bringing out that energy in others—especially when it comes to building the best team in the business. One that believes wholeheartedly in my vision of creating elevated experiences that evoke emotion in us and your guests.
And even though I spend more time behind the scenes these days, you’ll still find me setting up décor or working the bar at many of our incredible events—because there’s something intoxicating about the feelings we create in this room that keeps me coming back.
Kaitlyn Trenton
Venue Manager
I’m a big believer that the right people will come into your life at the right time—and my story is a perfect example. I first came into this space as a client. I was planning a personal event that never ended up happening. But the connection I felt to this space and its people was undeniable. Months later, Samantha called me and said, “I need a right-hand woman and I think you’re it.” I said yes without giving it a second thought.
I’ve always been the nomad of my family. I’ve travelled the world and had enough adventure to last a lifetime—but I always come home. Those deep-seated connections are what I thrive off of. And now I get to make thousands of those connections through my work. You can always count on me to bring warmth and laughter to your event and to welcome you and your guests into this space like it’s your own.
I truly feel like I have hundreds of family members thanks to my job—from newlyweds who shed tears over emotional goodbyes to mothers-of-the-bride who beg me to join them on the dance floor. I love sharing my energy with those around me, especially my team. Think of me as your ultimate hype girl.
I like to say the event planning process should feel like being wrapped up in a big, warm blanket. Like you’re sitting on the couch with your best friend, discussing the most pivotal moments of your life. At the end of the day, my hope is you can walk through the door and we’ll feel like old friends sitting down to catch up. It’s a bond I want us both to remember forever.
Sophie Moreau
Event Coordinator & Content Creator
Not everyone has the ability to see the potential when staring at a blank canvas. To walk into a room and envision the never-ending ways it could be decorated. Or to think of unique ways to incorporate your personality into your special day. But I do.
I’m the kind of person who is constantly dreaming of ways to do things differently, whether it be digitizing our floor plans to help you visualize your event layout or coming up with unique takes on the latest Instagram reel trends to showcase our work. Combine that with my desire to always have a perfect plan in place and my meticulous attention to detail, I’m the type-A friend everyone needs when it comes to planning an event.
It’s one of the reasons why I knew a 9-to-5 office job was never in the cards for me—I crave creativity above all else.
As an event coordinator, I’m the girl answering your emails leading up to your day, pitching your ideas to our team, and making sure your event is everything you dreamed of and more. I’ll be in touch throughout the process to make sure you feel included and excited about your big day without feeling like you’re taking on any of the stress. Think of me as your trusted friend working behind the scenes to make sure everything is running smoothly.
I’m here to bring your wildest ideas to life. There is nothing I love more than hearing the significance behind your requests, then taking your ideas to heart and running with them. You can trust I’ll always go the extra mile to make sure you have the day of your dreams and the memories to last a lifetime.
Michael La Porta
Head Chef
Family has always been the most important ingredient in my cooking. My grandmother instilled in me not only a passion for food but for bringing people together in the kitchen. After she passed, my family made it a point to get together regularly to recreate her famous Italian dishes with our own modern twist. It’s a practice that’s filled with nostalgia—one that has a big influence on my menus.
But becoming a chef wasn’t my original plan in life. After falling out of love with my career in film and television, seeking new career inspiration. I moved to England on a whim, while out of work I made some new friends, I would ask what their favourite dishes were and teach myself how to make them, eventually acquiring my first kitchen job, in a school cafeteria. When I came home, I worked my way up from pub cook to kitchen manager and eventually found myself in a fine dining restaurant where I found my true calling—large scale event catering.
I take pride in creating menu options you can’t find anywhere else. Food that delivers an experience. What you’ll taste at EVENTMRKT is consistent with what I’d serve you at my home—family-style cuisine with a modern, upscale twist. No matter the size of your event, you can be sure I’m tasting every item myself to make sure it’s of the finest quality to serve to friends, family, and loved ones…
I’m not the kind of chef that hides in the kitchen. I think it’s important that we get to know each other so you have a connection with the person who is cooking your food—especially during the biggest events of your life. When I cook for you, you become an extension of my family.
Brittany Quinn
Event Coordinator & Content Creator
I’ve been planning events since I was a kid. Growing up, I was the friend who would start the group chat, organize the plans and ensure everyone had a role to play. Whether we were getting together for a movie night or going to a cottage for the weekend, I’d always have a plan in place in case things went awry. My job is no different today.
I now have more than 12 years of professional experience in hospitality under my belt. From line cook to venue coordinator, I’ve had my hands in just about every aspect of the business. But weddings take the cake for me.
I guess you could call me a hopeless romantic. Hearing the stories of how our couples met and fell in love gives me butterflies every time. There’s something hopeful about helping people plan the biggest day of their lives—it reminds me of how much happiness there is in the world. For me, there is nothing better than walking away from a wedding, having watched the couple celebrate with their families, and sharing that “we did it” feeling with them.
Think of me as a liaison between you and our space. My job is not only to help bring your vision to life but to remind you to have a little fun along the way. That’s why you’ve hired us after all. And hopefully, you’ll walk away with a lifetime of memories and a few new friends.
So many incredible moments have happened within these walls. From intimate last-minute elopements and long-awaited weddings to baby showers, first birthdays and celebrations of life. Each one of our hosts and guests has an emotional connection to this space – and we do too.
Some of our most memorable experiences have happened in this room (including the wedding that inspired it all). So, when you host an event with us, you automatically become part of the family.