Five women sitting and standing in front of colorful painted walls, holding drinks and smiling at the camera, with hanging light bulbs overhead.

Our
Story

#COOLERTHANCITYHALL

Three yellow star-shaped sparkles on a black background.
A simple, smiling sun with closed eyes and rays emanating from its circular face.

We’ve mastered what it means to get married in a way that feels modern, meaningful, and more intentional than ever. By centering love over convention, we create experiences that reflect who you are and how you live.

Why “The Pop-Up Chapel”?
A chapel is, at its core, a sanctuary, somewhere set apart for something meaningful. We take that feeling and pop-up at epic venues, transforming them into spaces filled with meaning, music, and celebration.
We believe in wedding experiences that reflect real life right now. Flexible, intentional, beautiful, bold. Whether you're skipping the big white wedding or hunting for a cooler alternative to City Hall, you're in good company. This is the era of intimate weddings, intentional choices, and celebration that feels right.

A couple shares a tender moment, touching foreheads and smiling, during their wedding celebration. The man is wearing a bright blue suit with a white shirt, while the woman is dressed in a white lace wedding gown. There are flowers nearby, including roses and other blossoms.

The idea was simple. Disrupt the wedding industry. Make it joyful again.
The Pop-Up Chapel Co. started with one bold question:
What if couples didn’t have to choose between a rushed City Hall ceremony and an overpriced, overproduced banquet hall bash?

In 2017, we launched our first Chapel in Toronto — and it sold out in three weeks. That moment sparked a movement. Powered by local sponsors and an incredible crew of vendors, we’ve now married hundreds of couples across Canada and raised hundreds of thousands for local charities, donating a portion of every Chapel spot sold. It’s joy with a ripple effect.

Today, our Chapels pop up in cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver, in iconic spaces like the Globe and Mail Centre, Evergreen Brick Works, Hycroft Manor, and beyond. From garden pavilions to rooftop views, we bring the magic wherever we go.

In 2023, longtime Chapel photographer Alicia Thurston stepped into the role of Owner and Creative Director. After capturing nearly 50 couples behind the lens, she now leads the next chapter — building a bold, joy-filled, and socially conscious future for Pop-Up Chapel. You might still catch her with a camera in hand, but now she’s behind every detail of the experience.

We’re proud to be the original shared wedding company and leaders of a growing movement. Because it shouldn’t be all or nothing. You don’t have to choose between something stuffy or something that feels like less.

We exist to celebrate the beauty of the in-between — spontaneous, stylish, and full of meaning.
This is modern wedding planning, done differently.
This is your sign.
#CoolerThanCityHall

Interior of a chapel-themed lounge with brick walls, large windows, and a neon sign that reads 'CHAPEL'. There are sofas, small stools, tables, and decorative hanging plants. Micro wedding decor at The Pop-Up Chapel in Evergreen Brick Works.
Two women, one in a black suit and the other in a white wedding gown, embrace and share an affectionate moment outdoors during autumn, with trees and fall foliage in the background.

Our Team

At The Pop-Up Chapel we’re dedicated to our work and love to share a laugh. While we take our roles seriously, we don’t take ourselves too seriously—expect a healthy dose of shared memes, teasing, and funny videos between us!

Three stylized fireworks explosions in green, cream, and orange colors with starburst shapes.
Line drawing of a hand with fingers pinching together, with lines indicating movement or emphasis.
Smiling woman with tattoos, wearing a green shirt, and holding red sunglasses, posing against a light background.
A smiling woman wearing glasses, a pink shirt, and a tie-dye apron stands against a pink background, with her hand on her hair and displaying tattoos on her arm.

Alicia Thurston
CEO & Creative Director

Innovative Designer, Entrepreneur, Joy-Driven Leader, Quick Friend-Maker.

Big fan of: Fancy coffee, creative projects of all kinds, a scoop of Haagen Daz ice cream, brightening someone’s day, and relaxing by the backyard pool with my neighbours and kids!

Interested in design collaboration? Let’s chat! alicia@popupchapel.ca

A woman with brown hair, smiling, sitting on a yellow stool in front of a pink painted wall, extending her foot with a white platform high heel shoe towards the camera.
A young woman with dark, wavy hair smiling and looking to the right, wearing a white T-shirt, striped pants, and a smartwatch on her wrist, standing against a pink background.

Nicole Connor
Director

O.G. Chapel ‘Mom’, Triple-Checker, Team Leader, ‘Survivor’ Enthusiast.

Big fan of: Reality TV, quality time with the fam, any kind of pasta, and a sense of playful humour!

Have an exciting opportunity to team up on? Interested in Sponsorship and Charitable Initiatives? Reach out! nicole@popupchapel.ca

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, wearing a green textured top, a gold necklace with a heart-shaped pendant, and dark blue jeans, against a pink background.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a green shirt and blue jeans, smiling and holding cutouts of purple and orange hearts in front of a pink background.

Grace Graham
Sales, Marketing, & Client Account Coordinator

Chapel Consultant, Creative Wordsmith, Wedding Empath, Pro Cake Maker.

Big fan of: Sm(all) dogs, my huge family, artistic expression in every form, expanding my list of faves for Toronto restaurants & cafes, and feminism.

Love the sound of tying the knot or collaborating with us? I’m your go-to-gal for any Chapel and social media questions! hello@popupchapel.ca

At The Pop-Up Chapel Co., we recognize that our work takes place on the traditional territories of many Indigenous Nations across what is now called Canada. We are grateful to live, create, and celebrate love on these lands, and we acknowledge the enduring presence and stewardship of Indigenous Peoples.

As we build modern wedding experiences from coast to coast, we hold space for the histories that came before us and commit to ongoing learning, listening, and acting in ways that support reconciliation and justice.

We encourage our community to do the same, to learn about the land they are on, listen to Indigenous voices, and take meaningful steps toward allyship.