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- Marriage laws It’s important to note that some places require residency, a lot of paperwork, or substantial tests before a marriage license is granted. Thoroughly research your destination and its requirements before booking.
- Resources People get married everywhere, so there are wedding service providers all over the world however, in very remote areas, you might not be able to find anyone to provide the wedding services you want. Make sure to ask if they are equipped to work with a “long-distance” couple during the planning stages.
- Interesting Things to Do and See Presumably you’re going to choose a place because you love it or have always wanted to visit. If you’re planning to invite guests, keep their needs and interests in mind, too.
- Affordability Keep in mind that some locales are more expensive than others. That, and distance, may effect who can come, or how much you have to spend on the wedding once travel costs are accounted for.
- Be Inspired – When it comes to the style of your cake, take inspiration from your colour scheme, venue and even details on your wedding dress.
- Show and Tell – A good wedding cake designer will ask for as much detail of your big day as possible to help him or her come up with some suitable ideas. Let him or her know what type of flowers you are having, what the style of your dress is, even what the bridesmaids will be wearing.
- Consult the Experts – Look for a cake designer who specializes in the style of cake you’re looking for.
- Try Before You Buy – When choosing your cake designer, ask to see examples of cakes they have already made and be sure to have a taste – it’s important that a cake tastes as good as it looks.
- Play with Flavours – When it comes to the cake filling, fruit cake is the traditional and old fashioned. Go modern and explore other options such as carrot cake, lemon cake, and, of course, chocolate. You might even decide to have a different flavour for each tier.
- Bigger is Often Better – Consider having a cake that’s slightly bigger than you need. That way, you can save a slice for guests unable to attend, and enjoy some when you get back from honeymoon. Bear in mind proper steps will have to be followed when storing the cake to ensure it will still taste great a few months after the wedding.
- Don’t Forget Allergies – Be sure to cater for guests with nut and other allergies. Some cake makers will make nut-free cakes, or you could have a small cake (perhaps a fairy cake) created especially for them. Alternatively, you need to let guests with allergies know if they should avoid the cake.
- Don’t Forget Transport – Always ask the cake designer whether they will transport and arrange the cake at your venue. Bear in mind that fresh patisserie needs to be made the day before, so it isn’t a good idea if you’re getting married a long distance from the cake designer.
- Start by first removing the word “perfect” from your vocabulary for the entire span of the wedding planning process. If you look for perfection, you will be disappointed. Instead, use words such as “happy”, “fun”, and “memorable”.
- Be realistic, not idealistic. One of the first things a newly engaged woman buys is a bridal magazine. Although this wealth of information is a good place to start if you do not already have ideas about what you envision for your wedding day, it can also be overwhelmingly full of expensive and glamorous items that may not be necessary. Being realistic about what you and your fiance can afford and coming up with a budget is a good place to start to avoid headaches and arguments down the road.
- Planning a wedding can take upwards of 9-12 months, resulting in your impending nuptials consuming your every waking thought, making it is easy to forget that the rest of the world. To avoid this try planning a “date night“ once a week with your fiance that has one strict rule – No Wedding Talk. Be romantic and remind each other why you wanted to get married in the first place. Don’t forget your friend and family either, plan a night out with your girlfriends (including members of the bridal party if possible) and enforce the “No Wedding Talk” rule. Instead, dish on the latest gossip, and spend an evening focusing on catching up on one each others lives.
- Find time for yourself. Even though many details of the wedding are focused on you as the bride, you may feel overwhelmed and not want to be in the spotlight all the time. This is why it is important to take time for yourself during the planning phase so that you do not get burnt. Keep up with your exercise routine (or maybe start one), eat healthy foods, read a good book and dedicate at least one day a week to focusing on other things besides the wedding. Ignoring your own needs during this time is not a wise move to make.
- Repeat this mantra: “this is our wedding” over and over again. By repeating this you will be reminding yourself that it is not just your wedding, it is your fiance’s wedding too. A wedding should be a reflection of the couple and a celebration of their personalities. “This is our wedding” also means it is not your mother’s, mother-in-law’s, sister’s, or friend’s wedding. If you prefer an intimate affair in Jamaica, or if you want to get married in Las Vegas by Elvis, so be it – make it your own.
- Focus on the positive things that your family and friends have done, rather than the fact that someone missed a shower, or their shoes are not the color you wanted. Remember that your bridal party and family are making large investments to be part of your big day … Be grateful. Remember to say ‘thank you’ to everyone before and after the wedding!
- Ask for and accept help. Your wedding is not only the joining of you and your fiance, but also the joining of your two families. This means that there are a lot of people who love and support you and are willing to help however they can. If this seems like to much to ask of your family, hire a wedding planner. A wedding planner is your right-hand woman; she can help plan pre-wedding events as well as make sure you have everything you need on your wedding day.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. It is inevitable that something will not go as planned during the time leading up to the wedding, or on the wedding day itself. Phone calls get missed, shoes vanish, and sometimes people are late, but that’s not the time to lose it. Realizing that you do not have control over every situation will allow you to go with the flow and remain composed.
- Focus on the future. With so much hype leading up to the wedding day itself, it is easy to forget about preparing for your life as a married couple. Yes, the wedding day is unforgettable, but forgetting that you will be together for the next 50-60 years is not good. Attend engaged couples retreats or talk with your friends, families, and fiance about ways to prepare for a good marriage.
- They are too busy/overwhelmed to properly plan their wedding
- They are planning their wedding from a distance
- They want their wedding to be planned to perfection by a professional
- They would prefer to take pleasure in their Wedding Day, not work through it
Destination: Marriage
August 23rd, 2010Some couples may find the idea of a destination wedding intimidating, but it is a great option for those of you who want to think of your wedding as a vacation. A Destination wedding can also be a lifesaver if you are looking to keep your big day on the smaller side.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION:
Ideally you should pick a destination that has great meaning to you. Whether it be a deserted beach island, country haven or a vacation spot from your childhood select a special place in your heart and consider the following:
WHO or HOW DO YOU DO PLAN A DESTINATION WEDDING?
Hire A Wedding Planner
One option is to hire a wedding consultant, this might be a consultant that is located in the place where you’re getting married, a travel agent, or a planner who has experience in planning destination weddings. In some locales there are wedding consultants whose primary business is working with couples from out-of-town; they are good about faxing, mailing photos, and taking other special steps to help you. There are also consultants who aren’t limited to any particular wedding location, but regularly handle destination weddings. They can shoulder the burden of researching, auditioning, and securing local vendors — especially valuable if said vendors speak English only as a second language. She is also the behind-the-scenes queen, creating gift bags for guests, greeting everyone at the airport, keeping people busy with fun activities once there, vetting special requests (babysitters, dry cleaners, etc), and getting everyone where they need to be on time. This is the most-hassle free way to plan a wedding, remember to earmark part of your budget, about 10 percent of the total.
Consult Hospitality Providers
The second option is to find a hotel or inn or bed & breakfast that offers wedding planning services for guests who stay there; they have a salesperson who helps with the planning. If you must hire your vendors sight unseen, ask for a portfolio of pictures and at least three references.
Do It Yourself
A common misconception about planning a destination wedding is the idea that you surrender control when you plan from a distance. The truth of the matter is that long-distance planning is easier than ever these days thanks to the web. You may not be able to smell the florist’s flowers through the computer but you can still make informed decisions when hiring wedding vendors thanks to interactive websites. Online you can now find your wedding band, DJ, dress, officiant, limo, photographer, flowers and more. Detailed photos, videos, client reviews and other feedback tools make the process easy and stress-free. This is probably the toughest way to do it, but you get to make all the decisions. If you are hesitant to do all the planning for your destination wedding from a distance then you can always take a quick trip to your chosen location. You’ll need to scout and secure your key venues: church, reception, hotels for guests, rehearsal dinner venue, and local suppliers such as caterers, florists, and photographers. Next (or during a second trip) you’ll need to schedule “tastings” with your caterer, see sample bouquets from the florist, plan a hair and makeup session with a salon, and organize activities (golf, tennis, walking tours, museums) for everyone. It can help to check in on things first hand and you can treat the trip like a working vacation. Just be sure to make time between meetings, fittings and site visits for a little down time at the beach, or spa.
TIPS & TRICKS:
Be Creative: A destination wedding really opens up some possibilities, it allows you the opportunity for a fairy tale wedding or completely avoid the conventional. If your setting is particularly exotic, you may be able to simplify other aspects of your wedding. Whether you choose to simplify or not, do feel free to rethink some of the typical wedding traditions.
Give A Lot of Notice: Wedding invitations are traditionally sent 6-8 weeks before the event, however for a destination wedding the more notice you provide your guests the better. Your guests may need to ask for vacation time or save extra funs to better enjoy the special place you’ve chosen! Consider getting in touch with your guests early, a friendly little letter or save the date with pertinent info (place and date) will do nicely. If you’ve begun to set up accommodations, include that too, along with any other travel info.
Let Some Things Go: Ideally, a destination wedding should be a vacation for you, too. Try not to get caught up in little details that won’t allow you to enjoy the special place. Figure out what’s important to you, and label the rest of it “small stuff” that you won’t sweat. That will free you up to sightsee, relax, play, and join in what your guests are doing!
Plan Your Packing: Get advice from your dressmaker or retailer on how a dress should be packed for travel. Make sure you have the right-sized suitcase or box ahead of time. If you’re flying, plan to carry it on, along with any other wedding apparel you’d find hard to replace on short notice! Packing for the wedding and honeymoon added up to a lot of luggage. If you can, fan out some of your important things to guests and family who are traveling down there. If you are shipping anything, leave extra time and make sure to record all tracking numbers.
Welcome Your Guests: Be sure to place a gift basket in each room full of essentials for the trip (suntan lotion, bug spray) and goodies that will remind them of the setting — tour guide books, maps, samples of native food, or crafts from local artisans are all good options.
Don’t Over Plan for Your Guests: You’ve probably gone to a lot of trouble to choose a nice place to get married. Let your guests enjoy it! Don’t plan so many get-togethers, family dinners, rehearsal dinners, and so on that your family and friends have no free time. I suggest one group activity followed dinner on one night, a parents’ dinner the next night, followed by a night out with friends only. Your location will do a lot of the entertaining for you–and you should let it!
Plan an “After” Party: When you have a destination wedding, you’re probably going to leave a lot of people out. That might be by design, or just an unfortunate circumstance of getting married far away. There are ways to include them. One option is to have a reception at some point after the wedding. You can plan something very much like a traditional wedding reception (formal invitations, cake cutting, dancing, wedding attire) or something more like a party. Remember to bring wedding photos or show a quick video of the ceremony to make everyone feel like they were there.
For more inspiration check out these images of a recent destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Happy Planning!
Timeless Classics: Iconic Brides
August 11th, 2010Inspired by the highly profiled celebrity weddings of summer 2010 featured in InStyle Weddings Magazine, I have put together a list of Iconic Brides of All Time. In no particular order, these women have each inspired and influenced wedding fashion and tradition.
Queen Victoria & Prince Albert, 1840
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria married Prince Albert on February 10, 1840. Wearing a white gown, Queen Victoria changed wedding fashion forever.
Elizabeth Taylor & Conrad Hilton, 1950
Elizabeth Taylor
Although she was married eight times, Elizabeth Taylor’s first marriage to Conrad Hilton took place on May 6, 1950. Her traditional 50’s silhouette cost a then-staggering $1500.00 (nearly $140,000 today) and would influence future designers.
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy & John F. Kennedy, 1953
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
The Princess of Camelot, as she was called, married the future president John Fitzgerald Kennedy on September 12, 1953. Wearing one of the most photographed wedding dresses in US history, Jackie would be come a future fashion icon to women of all ages.
Marilyn Monroe & Joe Di Maggio, 1954
Marilyn Monroe
Known for her sexy dresses that flattered her feminine silhouette, Miss Monroe’s wore a non-traditional dark suite to her city-hall wedding to baseball legend Joe Di Maggio on January 14, 1954.
Audrey Hepburn & Mel Ferrer, 1954
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey’s first marriage to Mel Ferrer took place on September 24, 1954 in a gown featuring a tiny waist, wide sleeves and full skirt. Already an Golden Globe and Academy Award winner, gossip columns said their marriage would never last – the couple divorced 13 years later in 1967.
Grace Kelly & Prince Rainer, 1956
Grace Kelly
Famed actress, Grace Kelly became a princess on April 19, 1956 when she wed Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The nervous bride wore a Helen Rose gown made of silk, taffeta and lace to the “Wedding of the Century†dubbed as it was by press.
Mia Farrow & Frank Sinatra, 1966
Mia Farrow
Marrying a man nearly twice her age, Mia Farrow looked stunning in her mod mini dress on July 19, 1966 to Frank Sinatra.
Priscilla Presley & Elvis Presley, 1967
Priscilla Presley
Certainly one of the most famous brides of all time, Priscilla married Elvis on May 1, 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. Wearing a loosely fitted lace gown and classic 1960s heavy eyeliner, her 8 minute ceremony to Elvis would bring new meaning to the term “quickie marriages†of future generations.
Yoko Ono & John Lennon, 1969
Yoko Ono
Once blamed for breaking up the Beatles, Yoko Ono wore a simple mini shirt, knee socks and wide brimmed hat to her wedding to John Lennon on March 20, 1969. For their honeymoon, the couple held a “Bed-In for Peace†at Amsterdam Hilton Hotel that would later inspire a second “Bed-In†Montreal, Quebec where they recorded their iconic song “Give Peace A Chanceâ€.
Princess Diana & Prince Charles, 1981
Princess Diana
Bridal fashion was never the same after Lady Diana Spencer wed Prince Charles of Wales on July 29, 1981. Watched by millions, Princess Diana wore a gown by David and Elizabeth Emanuel created from antique lace, silk, taffeta , and was adorned by thousands of pearls and sequins. Its 25 foot train drew gasps from the crown that surrounded Westminster Abbey in London, England.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy & John F. Kennedy Jr, 1996
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
Breaking the mold of the early 1990s puffy and over-the-top dresses made of lace ruffles, satin and beaded embroidery, Carolyn Bessette wed John F. Kennedy Jr on September 21, 1996 in an intimate ceremony on Georgia’s Cumberland Island in a candle-lit chapel. Her simple yet chic Narcisco Rodriguez white sheath dress would forever change wedding dress style.
Victoria Beckham & David Beckham, 1999
Victoria Beckham
The widely hailed nuptials of Victoria Adams to football super star David Beckham were held at Luttrellstone Castle in Ireland on July 4, 1999. Surrounded by her Spice Girl band mates, Victoria looked stunning while wearing a champagne coloured gown by Vera Wang.
Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt, 2000
Jennifer Aniston
Hearts broke across the world when an “America Sweetheart†married a “Hollywood Heartthrobâ€. Jennifer Aniston wed Brad Pitt on July 29, 2000 in a one million dollar Malibu wedding. Although their divorce is almost as famous as their marriage, Jennifer wore a breath taking Lawrence Steele white silk full-length halter dress.
Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale, 2002
Gwen Stefani
Wearing custom pink-to-white ombre wedding gown by John Galliano, Gwen Stefani wed rocker Gavin Rossdale at the first of their two wedding ceremonies on September 28, 2002. Although she arrived over an hour late with her father Dennis, Gwen was greeted by a patient groom and his sheep dog, Winston, at St. Paul’s Convent Garden in London, England.
Melania Trump & Donald Trump, 2005
Melania Trump
On January 22, 2005 Melania Knauss wed Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida. Wearing a $100,000 Christian Dior gown with thousands of hand-stitched crystals and pearls. The dress had a 13 foot train, 16 foot veil and weighed over 50 lbs. The gown was so stunning, it landed the cover of Vogue Magazine – marking the first time a bride was features on its cover.
Dita Von Teese & Marilyn Manson, 2005
Dita Von Teese
Burlesque Queen Dita Von Teese married shock rocker Marilyn Manson on December 3, 2005 in a purple silk taffeta Vivienne Westwood gown, Christian Louboutin shoes, and a tri-corn hat by Stephen Jones.
Katie Holmes & Tom Cruise, 2006
Katie Holmes
Quoted as saying she dreamed of marrying Tom Cruise as a young girl, Katie Holmes’ dream came true on November 18, 2006. The Bride wore a romantic off-the-shoulder Giorgio Armani gown to her celebrity filled wedding held a 15th century armory of Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano, Italy. Although two had exchanged Scientology vows the day prior, their Italian ceremony was like a fairytale.
Protia de Rossi & Ellen DeGeneres, 2008
Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres
Day-time TV Queen and Comedian Ellen DeGeneres wed her long-time girlfriend Portia de Rossi during an intimate backyard exchange of personal vows on August 16, 2008. Both brides wore designs by Zac Posen.
Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner, 2009
Ivanka Trump
Trump Empire Heiress, Ivanka Trump wed real-estate mogual Jared Kushner on October 25, 2009. Wearing a Grace Kelly inspired lace Vera Wang gown, Ivanka was draped in thousands of dollars of jewels including diamond drop earings, diamond hair clip and art-deco inspired bracelet.
And just for fun …
Carrie Bradshaw & John James Preston, 2008
Carrie Bradshaw
After waiting for 10 years, our favourite New York heroine, Carrie Bradshaw, finally wed her Mr. Big – John James Preston at New York City Hall on May 30, 2008 wearing a vintage white suite. Featured above in a divine Vivienne Westwood gown, similar to Dita Von Tesse’s, Carrie is flanked by her best friends: Miranda Hobes, Charlotte York, and Samantha Jones en route to her first wedding attempt to Mr. Big at New York City Library.
Let Them Eat Cake!
July 19th, 2010Decorative cakes have been a part of wedding tradition for centuries. In medieval England, wedding cakes were simple wheat based biscuits or scones. Guest would bring one small bridal cake to the wedding and piled them on top of each other in front of the bride and groom. The bride and groom then had to kiss across the top of the piled cakes to bring them good luck, prosperity, and fertility in their marriage.
Seventeenth century French bakers, influenced by the medieval English tradition, began to separate the layers of biscuits using short lengths of broom sticks. To prevent the cake from drying out, the bakers would frost the outsides with lard that would be pulled off prior to serving. Years later, to improve the taste of the lard, sugar was added and the lard was left on the cake as a form of decorative icing. These cakes began to resembled the more familiar wedding cakes which are used to today.
Although wedding cakes are often white there has been a trend to move away from tradition and the wedding cake colour is often chosen to match the colour of the bridesmaids’ dress or theme colours. Gone are the days of boring white cakes. Modern wedding cakes are fun, bright and decorative. Not only are modern cakes delicious to eat, they are true works of art!
I recently discovered an amazing couture cake designer in Toronto, The Caketress, who designs and executes one-of-a-kind cake creations that can be described best as “edible works of artâ€. The Caketress’, Lori Hutchinson, use of fondant, sugar paste and the freshest available ingredients allow her to sculpt her confectionery masterpieces. Click here to visit The Caketress’ website and blog to see more of her remarkable work.
Deciding on a design and style of cake can be tough, so here are a few tips when picking your wedding cake:
Modern or Traditional, a wedding cake is a delicious addition to any size wedding. So, select a cake that best suites your wedding style and personal taste- that way have you can have your cake and eat it too!
How to Defeat a Bridezilla
July 12th, 2010Congratulations! You have finally found that perfect someone. You have the perfect ring. You have been dreaming about this perfect moment since you were a little girl. This will be the most memorable day of your entire life. Everything must be absolutely perfect for your perfect day …
WHOA! Stop right there! That’s a lot of “perfect“ – meaning that is a lot of pressure. The pressure to be the “perfect bride” and have the “perfect wedding” can prove to be too much for some. Before they know it, some Brides-to-be find themselves lying on the floor of a bridal salon throwing a temper tantrum worthy of an Oscar; leaving their friends and family asking themselves, “who is this monster“?
This monster, my friends, is Bridezilla!
A term coined in the early 1990s, a Bridezilla is defined as, “a difficult, unpleasant, perfectionist bride who leaves aggravated family, friends and vendors in her wake. She is often called greedy, selfish and spoiled; not caring about the people that she hurts to get exactly what she wants on her perfect day.” The most frightening aspect of a Bridezilla is that even then most laid-back, well mannered woman can become one over night and without warning.
So what do you do if you or someone you love is showing symptoms of Bridezilla-ism? Here are a some tips on how to defeat a Bridezilla:
A wedding is a celebration of the Bride, the Groom and the joining of their families. Most importantly, a wedding is a recognition of the love two people have for one another. If you or a loved one begins to show signs of becoming a Bridezilla, remind them to take a step back, a deep breath and focus on the love they have for their partner.
If that doesn’t work, sit them down and have them watch this video and make them promise to never-ever be like this Bride (skip to 1:36 to get to the good stuff):
The First Dance
July 8th, 2010A wedding is a series of moments seamlessly strung together to create a beautiful celebration of two individuals love for each other: the preparation, the ceremony, the introduction, the meal, speeches and toasts. Without a doubt, the moment that always brings a tear to my eye is the first dance.
Guests witness the bridal couple sharing a very intimate moment, a short period of time that they are able to hold one another and take a moment to realize “this is it …we’re married. The first dance is one of those wedding moments that really stands out; the Bride and Groom are finally relaxed now that the ceremony is over and they have had their speeches and toasts. The first dance is the beginning of the celebration.
A lot of pressure is placed on a Bride and Groom, leaving many to ask: how do we pick the right ‘first’ song to dance to? The simple answer is there is no right or wrong in this case, pick a song that speaks to you both and that represents the love you share. Check out the top wedding songs in Canada list on www.bride.ca for some great suggestions. Some of the highlights include: Etta Jame’s “At Last”, Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight”, and Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling In Love”.
If inspiration still cannot be found on the list or sweet and sentimental is not your style – there is always the element of surprise that can be incorporated into the first dance.
Once published, this wedding couple’s first dance became an overnight internet sensation – inspiring the TLC TV show “Rock the Reception”. Your first dance and song, if chosen wisely, will move not only you and your new spouse but your guests as well and will truly inspire everyone to enjoy the rest of the night’s celebration, with an added touch of love and fun in the air!
Top Five Wedding Must-Haves
July 7th, 2010The old saying goes that you only need four things to have a wedding: a Bride, a Groom, a Witness, and an Officiant. As true as that may be, four people don’t make a for a very lively party …
Here are my top five “must haves†to ensure your wedding is a complete success – leaving you and your guests celebrating the night away:
(1) Good Food
One of the most important things that your guests will remember about your wedding is what was served for dinner. Whether you are on a tight budget or serving an ultra-formal six course meal, the items you select for your guests should be a reflection of you and your wedding. When selecting your menu consider tying your menu selections into the theme of your wedding: tapas served family style, mini finger foods, or gourmet classics. And don’t forget to offer late-night snacks! Arrange to have low-key, comfort foods served along side your wedding cake. This will guarantee to satisfy your guests’ appetite.
(2) Good Drink
Offering you guests an “open†or “host†bar at your wedding should be a given. After all, you wouldn’t charge your guests for drinks if you had invited them to your home for dinner, now would you? Fully stocking the bar with high end liquor and liqueurs can get expensive, so if you are looking to cut costs consider limiting the items offered to your favourite beer, wine and spirits – selecting one or two of each. A great way to offer your guests something special is to create a “signature drink†that can be made in bulk ahead of time and easily ordered from the bar or passed by the wait staff. Be creative with your signature drink and remember to give it a name unique to your wedding (ie: “the first kiss†“Lizzy-in-loveâ€).
(3) Good Music
Let’s be frank, music can make or break a wedding. Nothing is worse than having a packed dance floor clear out because the “Chicken Dance†begins to play. Whether you decide to hire a band, a DJ, or make your own playlist remember that music is a major fun factor that will determine how long the party will last. When selecting a band or DJ ask for references or testimonials from previous clients. If you have the opportunity, make arrangements to watch a rehearsal or public performance. Prepare a do-not-play list of songs that are banned your from party that way if Uncle Jerry requests “The Macarena†it won’t get played and your guests won’t be left thinking “this is the worst DJ ever!â€
(4) Activities for the Kids and the Kids at Heart
Children at weddings are adorable, but they can also be distracting. To ensure the little ones (and their parents) have a good time, remember to arrange entertainment and activities for them throughout the night. If possible, hire a babysitter and set up movies, board games, and crafts in a separate room for the kids; stock it with healthy and fun snacks and juice. Incorporate party favours (ie: costumes, masks, novelty toys etc) for the kids to play with – you may be surprised to see some of the adult guests dressing up too!
(5) Good Photos
Hiring a great photographer is the best way to ensure your favourite memories from your big day are captured on film. Wedding photography can be expensive, but there are ways to keep costs low while still receiving a good product. One way is to divide the day into smaller blocks such as preparations, ceremony, family photos, the couple, cake cutting and the first dance. The cost of the photographer should be reduced when less time is required. Seek out an amateur photographer from within your family or group of friends. Digital photography advances make it possible for amateurs to take good, quality photos. Another inexpensive way to ensure your moments are captured is to place disposable cameras at each reception table and encourage your guests to take photos throughout the evening. Be prepared, however, for multiple copies of the major events of the wedding (ie: cake cutting).
Weddings are fun and a celebration of love, friendship and family. So, invite your guests – young and old – to join you on your big day and have a great time by filling them with good food and drink, calling them to the dance floor with your favourite song and capturing ever detail on film!
Why Hire A Wedding Planner?
July 7th, 2010
A bouquet of roses, hundreds of candles, a flowing designer white dress are all elements of the perfect wedding day that most brides-to-be have been dreaming of their entire lives. From the first game of “dress-up†and “wedding day†little girls begin dreaming of their fairy tale wedding. Years later, these same little girls are all grown up, have found their Prince Charming and are ready to begin planning their special day.
For some, wedding details like: the dress, the cake, the bridesmaids, the invitations, the favours, and the honeymoon are simple subjects to address when the time comes to begin planning the big day. However, for many the mere thought of it all becomes too much too handle. It can take, on average, over 250 hours to plan a wedding! Most couples find themselves over their heads as soon as the planning starts – drowning in questions like, “What is the difference between tulle and chiffon? Butter cream or fondant? DJ or live band? Where do we start?”
The best place to start is to consult with a professional wedding planning service. Not only will this save time, money and unnecessary stress – it will allow the couple (and their family and friends) to enjoy the planning process and cherish every moment of the big day.
There is a huge misconception that wedding planners are only for the rich and famous. In fact, 80% of engaged couples in the US hire a planner for four main reasons:
A Bride and Groom will greatly reduce their stress by hiring a planner who will organize and implement the various tasks involved in a wedding. They will benefit from their planner’s previous experience, creative suggestions, guidance, knowledge, and vendor connections. Most of all, they will be able to relax and enjoy their special day knowing that any problems or emergencies that may arise are in the hands of a professional.
Shannon & Patrick
October 17th, 2000| Venue: Petrolo Winery, Bucine Italy | Photographer: Anne Mare Bouchard Photography | Videographer: Katia Casprini Videography | Hair & Make-Up: Adrienne Aereboe Bridal Styling Team| Bridal Dress: Essences of Australia, With Love Bridal Boutique | Bridesmaids Dresses: Sorella Vita, With Love Bridal Boutique | Bridal Accessories: Sarah Walsh Bridal | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Tuxs: Morris Formal Wear | Gelato Van: Gelato Frullalla Truck | Florals: Rebel, Rebel Italia | Entertainment: DJ Lorenzo Zanobetti | Lighting: GB Audio Sound and Lighting Service | Stationery: Wishtree Invitations and Design | Planner: Kennedy Event Planning |
See Shannon & Patrick’s wedding video below:
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Joy & Mark
October 6th, 2000| Ceremony & Reception: Westin Ottawa Hotel, Ottawa ON | Hair: Top Knot Hair Styling | Make-Up: One Fine Beauty | DJ: Oxygen Entertainment | Photographer: Byfield-Pittman| Decore & Florals: Sage Designs | Cake: Girl With The Most Cake | Strings: Duo d’Amore | Stationery: Merry Makers | Planner & Styling: Kennedy Event Planning |
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Laurence & Patrick
August 5th, 2000| Ceremony Venue: Rockcliffe Park Pavilion | Reception Venue: Supply & Demand Food and Raw Bar | Photographer: Scott Wilson | Cesoir Films | Hair: Top Knot Hair Styling | Make-Up: Bride, DIY | Bridal Dress: Revelle Bridal Boutique | Drink Bike: SIP Beverage Bike | Decor & Florals: Mood Moss Flowers, | Entertainment: Quality Entertainment | Stationery: Bride, DIY | Officiant: All Seasons Officiants | Planner & Styling: Kennedy Event Planning |
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