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Caitlin & Robby
May 5th, 2018| Ceremony & Reception: National Arts Centre | Officiant: iPronounce You | Hair: Top Knot Hair Styling | Make-Up: One Fine Beauty | DJ: Oxygen Entertainment | Ceremony Musicians: Duo d’Amore | Photographer: Union Eleven | Florals and Decor Rentals: Wedecor | Stationery: Wedecor | Cake: Thimble Cakes | Planner & Styling: Kennedy Event Planning |
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The One Group That Always Has Your Back
May 3rd, 2018Lets just get it out in the open right away… planning a wedding is stressful. They take a year to plan – some times less, some times more. But one thing that is for sure, you will always have a support system by your side through this process.
As a bride to be, wedding planning can take over your day to day life, but you should never forget that there are the people closest to you who are there to help you.
And who may that be you ask? Well, it’s your bridesmaids of course! Your closest, dearest friends who you have asked to stand by your side on this very special day.
They are party planners for your bridal shower and bachelorette, your hostesses for your wedding day, they are your biggest advocates and you should lean on them when needed.
Here are a few reasons why your ride or dies will be your saviours before, during and after one of the most exciting moments in your life.
Before: T.H.E.R.A.P.I.S.T.S
Do you feel like you’re going crazy and about to pull all your hair out of you head? Well have no fear! Throughout your wedding planning process your bridesmaids will continue to be your most trusted go to’s and hands down the best listeners. They’ll be there to keep you calm mid meltdown, they’ll turn a stressful moment into a funny one and they’ll always be prepared with tissues, hugging and all the wine you need.
Courtesy of Frances Morency Photography.
During: B.R.I.D.E.S.I.T.T.E.R
Think baby sitter but bride sitter. Yup, that’s right! Your girls will be there on the day of your wedding to make sure you take a seat and rest and eat and drink – because hey, you tried the food and wine already and it’s amazing. They’ll make sure you’re up dancing and most importantly enjoying and having fun at your wedding.
Courtesy of Laura Kelly Photography
After: S.U.P.P.O.R.T.E.R.S
Your bridesmaids will always be your number one supporters. They’ve assisted you with all your tasks. They were your cheerleaders when too many hands were in the cookie jar. When you told them to jump, they asked you how far. They went above and beyond your expectations and supported you through every meltdown, stressful, relieving and exciting moment during this process. They proved their loyalty to you and solidified your reasoning as to why these girls have been your day one’s from the start.
The stress of planning a wedding can be very overwhelming. You wouldn’t forget to lean on your girls during any other stressful time in your life, don’t forget to do it now.
Your bride babes are your go to for all your wedding needs. They are there to celebrate you and your boo to be and they are there to not only add some extra fun to the party but to add extra fun to the planning too.
xoxo KEP
Something Old, Something New
April 18th, 2018“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”
This traditional saying has been around for almost 200 years. Every human on the planet has most likely heard it, but do they know it’s true meaning? This saying dates back to the Victorian era where it started out as a rhyme and has been modified over the years to become an important custom that many brides hold near and dear to their hearts.
Often, these four items are gifted to the bride prior to the wedding, but you can also own your day and creativity by finding your own pieces. Traditionally, all of the items hold a special meaning, and these meanings are part of the transition into married life. Something old represents the couple as they were in the past, and something new reflects their shared life together. Something borrowed is usually a token of good prosperity as it comes from a woman in the family who is already happily married, and something blue hopes to bring the couple fidelity and purity.
As with any wedding tradition, this one is also not mandatory to follow. If you’d like to see some fun and unique ways to tackle this tradition on your special day, keep reading!
Something Old
Your something old can be a great way to pay your respects to a treasured family member. Even if they are not around to bear witness and share your special day, they can still be with you in spirit. It could be a family heirloom or piece that has been passed down through generations!
Lockets or pins attached to your bouquet, or even wrapping your father or grandfather’s tie around the handle of your bouquet are examples of how to incorporate something old. Or how about going that extra mile and wearing your grandmother or mother’s wedding dress yourself?! Even if their style wasn’t exactly your style, there are many bridal shops that are able to incorporate specific elements you like about the old dress into your dream dress!
Something New
A huge trend we have seen lately are brides thinking outside of the box for their something new and we LOVE IT. For the more modern bride, or bride who is just looking for a unique idea, how about custom name rings, a custom Moto or jean jacket for when the night gets chillier or matching tattoos? The fun part about your something new is that you have entire freedom and creativity to come up with a small token of meaning that truly represents you and your future spouse!
Something Blue
This tradition can be one of the harder ones to adhere to. The beauty of the colour blue is that there is such a vast selection of shades that even if powder blue doesn’t work for your colour palette, then maybe a deep, navy blue will! Why not try subtle blue make up, nail polish, or blue jewelry? We think these are some fun options to make your something blue pop, while still maintaining the vision that you have for your day.
Something Borrowed
Your mother, grandmother or maybe even a close family member, will probably want to have a say in your something borrowed. So many of your loved ones will want to feel like they contributed to your special day in some way, and let’s get real, that often involves clashing with your views. Always be appreciative of this type of loving help, but don’t forget to stand your ground and choose something that holds meaning for you. Maybe you had your eye on your mom’s veil, or your grandmothers heirloom hair piece, or maybe you’ve always wanted to borrow your grandfather’s vintage car to take off and capture a few photos in. It’s your big day you get what your heart desires.
All in all, this very old tradition continues to modify itself throughout the years. Whether you are a traditional bride or a more modern bride, the wonderful part is you can customize this tradition and incorporate it into your day however you see fit. The most important thing to remember when picking out all your items is: be true to you – it is your day after all!
xoxo KEP
Photos:
Something Old: via Loverly by Clare Barboza, Babble by Disney, Pinterest
Something New: Wedding Forward, As/Is Buzzfeed
Something Borrowed: Daphne Newman Design, Top Wedding Sites, weddings with szasza via Tumblr
Something Blue: via Pinterest, Pinterest, Endora Jewellery on Etsy
Wedding Traditions to BREAK this Wedding Season
April 11th, 2018Modern weddings are so freeing! Gone are the days of etiquette rules of our parents’ and grandparents’ generations. We are no longer restricted to cookie-cutter programs and wedding outlines – the possibilities are endless for the modern couple! To help you break free of any lingering traditional hang-ups, here are our top four trends to break this season:
A Mid-Summer’s Pastel Dream
This year’s trend is colour, colour, colour! Summer weddings, in particular, are typically adorned with bright and vibrant hues, and we love that! Does that mean that there is anything wrong with a more soft and romantic vibe with a pretty pastel palette? Absolutely not! Some couples are vibrant and loud, and some couples are more demure and sweet. We’re here to tell you, you do not have to adhere to a colour trend if it doesn’t match your couple style and personality.
Love Knows No Time
Do you want to get married at 10 am on a Sunday? Do it! Do you want to have your ceremonious first kiss to be at midnight on New Year’s Eve? Do it! Do you want to enjoy a breakfast reception instead of dinner so that your grandma isn’t out past her bedtime? Do it! Dinner, drinks, and dancing are traditional, however, hosting different style of program has its own unique charm too. Don’t limit yourself with the usual and traditional, love is timeless!
Scheduling Error 404
Along with the timing of your wedding, there is also no rulebook for the sequence of events that you have to follow or take part in. If you don’t want to have a cake-cutting ceremony or have a father-daughter dance, then don’t! The beauty of the modern wedding is that you get to create the programming for your own wedding, so pick some elements that you truly enjoy and would love to look back on fondly and stick to that; everything else can be ignored.
Magic is in the Numbers
Gone are the days of perfectly matched bridal parties; each bridesmaid escorted by her personal groomsmen are not the norm any longer. More and more couples are opting to have small, often odd numbered wedding parties or choosing to not have any at all! Don’t feel obligated to search for one more person to even out your wedding party because your fiance has a set of friends in theirs. We believe strongly to have the right number of attendants that feels best for you, whether it be even or odd, mix gender, or dog! You should be backed by those who mean the most to you!
Tell us, what traditions have you chosen to break for your upcoming wedding? Share with us below in the comment section!
**photos courtesy of Laura Kelly Photography, Laura Kelly, Ottawa, ON.
Wedding Dress Trends 2018
April 6th, 2018Have you seen the dress trends that designers have created for 2018 Spring and Fall collections? It’s stuff out of dreams! Here at KEP, we have narrowed it down to 5 wedding dress trends that we think we’ll see the most this wedding season. We know you won’t be strutting down the runway, but an aisle is close enough, right?!
Sheer Corsets
What a great alternative to the naked dress look we saw everywhere last year! This trend is perfect for a bride who wants to look daring, but also wants a touch of modesty. A sheer corset gives brides that tasteful sex appeal and by adding a full skirt to the silhouette of your liking, you are able to achieve just that.
Bare Shoulders
This trend has been everywhere the past year and it isn’t going anywhere! Off the shoulder bridal gowns are a massive trend that we will see again this year. The twist, “the cold shoulder” is back (AKA: shoulder cut outs) and hey, we don’t hate it!
Short
Are you a bride who is getting those wedding workouts in? Want to show off those beautiful legs you’ve been sweating for? Mini’s and midi’s – oh my! Mid length tea dresses and leg-baring mini’s are all the rage this season.
Capes/Capelets
Every woman wants to feel like a princess on her wedding day and adding a cape or capelete makes this dream a reality. This accessory adds dimensions to your dress and gives off ethereal vibes. This piece is also a great alternative if you’re skipping a veil! The cape/capelet also allows you to pull off an easy outfit change for your upbeat reception. Quick outfit change, anyone?!
And saving what we believe is the best and most fun trend for last….
Wedding Jump/Pantsuits
This is by far one of our most favorite trends for 2018. Jumpsuits and pantsuits are everywhere. They’re comfy and versatile, and if you’re lucky, they have pockets. They’re also perfect for any bride who is eloping or keeping your ceremony quiet at city hall! However, if you’re a bride who still wants the traditional modern wedding gown, add a detachable train for your ceremony to dress it up and remove it later to get down on the D floor.
These five trends stood out the most among designers during Spring and Fall 2018 bridal fashion week. There were also many notable other trends that we swooned over such as halter necklines, ball gowns and lots and lots of fringe.Time to shock your guests and your forever-to-be with a fashion forward frock for your wedding day! We cannot wait to see what this wedding season brings with these wonderful trends and are very excited to see what’s next for Bridal 2019!
Until next time,
xo KEP
* All photos courtesy of Naeem Khan’s Spring & Fall collections via brides.com
The Checklist Before The Checklist
August 9th, 2017It is difficult to conceptualize just how much work goes into the fine details of a wedding that turn a bare-bones room into a stunning wedding hall. Besides an itinerary and formal services, there are invitations, venues, menus, style of dinner, wedding cake, decorations, catering, logistics and on-the-fly crisis management that wedding planners have to deal with! It is no easy feat, but we promise that with our help, it’s simple to have the kind of wedding that you’ve been dreaming about since you were 5 years old.
At the very start of the wedding planning process, it all seems very overwhelming. We totally get it! Before you begin the official checklist, here are a few things to decide on. Think of it as ‘the checklist before the checklist!’
When do you want to have your wedding?
If you’re able to narrow down a time of the year, or even the month more specifically, this will jump start your planning! Wedding décor, dresses, accessories, logistics and more all change depending on the season!
How much money have you saved/who is paying for your wedding?
Money talk is no fun and can be very stressful. But the only way to legitimately start the planning process is to know how much money you have to spend on constructing your dream day. Are you and your fiancé paying for everything yourselves? Are your parents or grandparents contributing?
Where do you want to be married?
Once you get an idea of what type of venue that you want, everything else can slowly fall into place. Maybe you’d like a church ceremony and a reception at a restaurant; or the ceremony and reception both held in the same museum; or the ceremony outside and the reception in a banquet hall. The possibilities are endless, just be sure to decide this detail first so that you can plan around a physical space.
Make an actual checklist and a vision board!
Try not to let it overwhelm you, but you’ll have to hammer out the fine details eventually! Create a ckecklist of things that you KNOW for sure that you want or that you’ve been dreaming of having forever! For example, an archway for your ceremony or that DJ you loved at your cousin’s wedding. If you don’t know where to start, create a board on Pinterest to get all your ideas in one place. This will help later on when making decisions – we swear!
Reflect on your relationship!
A wedding is a giant party to celebrate you and your love! This day should be an authentic representation of who you are as a couple. You will shine on your day even more knowing that you’re showing off your love in a way that aligns with who you two are!
Consult your partner!
You and your honey are a TEAM. You’re about to conquer life together, so make sure that you consult them with, at least, some of the planning details! It’ll be easier to bounce ideas off each other and make decisions when you have someone else’s treasured opinion to take into consideration!
It is easy to appreciate a wedding, especially as a guest, because the finished and final product is SO BEAUTIFUL. The sum of everyone’s effort and hours planning, organizing, ordering and executing finally comes together! Not only is this our favourite part, but also it is so incredibly humbling to realize how far you’ve come in your planning journey. Whether you start wedding planning one year out or six months out, always know that where you start is so vastly different than where you end… and that is the beauty of wedding planning!
Happy Planning!
XO, KEP
Rainy Day Weddings
July 26th, 2017Since 1995, Alanis Morissette has told us that rain on your wedding day is ironic. Why? Perhaps it’s supposed to be a bright and sunny day to reflect a bright and sunny marriage. Perhaps it’s all a superstition due to the ominous presence of rain. Ultimately, no matter the weather, you and your significant other are still going to be happily bound by marriage, and that can’t be taken away!
2017 so far has been full of rain, and we’ve broken many records this year due to the sheer amount and consistency of the rain that we are getting here in Ottawa – boo! With this being taken into consideration, and the many wives tales about the meaning of rain during your wedding, there’s no doubt that many brides are worried about this phenomenon. But just because it rains on your wedding day, doesn’t mean that your marriage won’t be full of blue skies. Here are some reasons why:
Courtesy of Taylor Clark Photography
You get to cuddle closer!
When it rains, it’s slightly chilly. This means warming up next to your significant other. Not only do you get to share this intimate day with each other, but also it makes it that much more special when you get to be wrapped up tight in each other’s arms all day!
Courtesy of Photo VanBeek Studio
Your photos will turn out amazing!
Not only does overcast weather make for perfect lighting in photos, but you also have so many fun photo opportunities. Kissing in the rain, standing under an umbrella, cuddling to keep warm, to name a few! The photo possibilities are adorable and endless!
Courtesy of Photo VanBeek Studio
It’s really a good thing!
Superstition isn’t always negative tales. Many believe that rain on your wedding day symbolizes freshness and cleansing. A new phase of your life is about to begin, and washing away any past doubts or experiences with rain can be a very therapeutic experience.
Courtesy of Taylor Clark Photography
A True Testament To A Rainy Day Wedding
Emeli & Matt were married on September 21st 2013, and on that chilly Saturday morning, the rain just wouldn’t stop. We talked to Emeli about how she felt looking back on her rainy day wedding, and instead of being upset at Mother Nature, she revealed to us how much she LOVED it.
“I think all the little trials the rain brought, from trying to keep our hair dry to picking up my dress while running, and hopping over puddles are now memories we smile over. Matt and I held each other closer in the cold, we kissed in the rain, I remember hearing the rain patter on the roof of a barn we were slow dancing in while getting our after photos done. It really did add more romance to our day.” – Emeli Wallace
It may test your patience, but rain on your wedding day is not the end of the world. It’s a natural event that is completely out of your control – remember that! The way you react and handle the rain will help to set the tone for the rest of the wedding and your guests, as well. Any bride truly hopes to be the exception of rain on your picture perfect, sunny wedding day, but we promise that everything will work out. If the forecast is predicting showers on your special day, try not to worry – you have to experience a little rain to have a rainbow!
For additional tips, check out our Bride’s Guide To A Rainy Wedding Day to help you prepare!
Happy Planning!
XO
Pre-Wedding Jitters: Dealing With Cold Feet
July 5th, 2017Pre-wedding jitters, despite their ominous presence are actually very common! It’s not everyday that you make such a big, legal and life-altering decision. It may seem like the actual end of the world, but we promise that the world will keep on turning.
It’s completely normal to have a nervous reaction as the sum of all your wedding planning efforts are coming to a slow halt. It’s all about putting it into perspective! You’ve been planning your wedding for months, and maybe even years, and that is super stressful! All your hard planning work has come to an end and is about to be executed – stressful! All those happy and overwhelming emotions you are feeling – stressful! The fact that you have 150 of your immediate and extended family, closest friends and colleagues about to watch you commit to a legally binding contract with your significant other – stressful!
But you know what isn’t stressful? Looking down the aisle and seeing your partner smiling back at you as you get closer and closer. You are the only two that matter. Here are some pointers for overcoming those scary wedding day jitters aka cold feet!
Courtesy of Michael Beaulieu Photography
Acknowledge ALL Of Your Emotions
No matter who you are, weddings are emotional! Maybe you don’t always cry at other people’s weddings, but there’s going to be a hefty range of emotions running through your mind on your special day. Listen to them. Try and make sense of them. If you acknowledge your emotions, you’re able to understand them and then process them. Let your emotions happen! Maybe you didn’t need to cry because you saw your flower girl all dressed up and you thought that she was the cutest thing in the world, maybe you just needed to let out some stress-relieving tears – totally normal.
Courtesy of Union Eleven Photography
Talk About It
Whether you feel the need to talk about it with your bridesmaids, your mother or your partner, talking about your emotions helps you to understand them. If your feet are feeling cold, chances are that your partner is sensing it and feeling nervous too. If you talk about it and find out that your minds are both overwhelmed with the huge day that is about to unfold, you can make sure that your hearts are on the same page too.
Courtesy of Joel & Justyna Photography
Seek Advice
Talk to your grandmother about how your grandfather almost ran down the aisle past her when the ceremony started. Or talk to your mother about how she thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest as she made her way towards the alter. Again, this is normal! Seeking validation of your feelings, and then putting into perspective that these relationships survived, even with cold feet, will help ease your mind.
Courtesy of Michael Beaulieu Photography
Write It Down
Often, writing helps to put things into perspective. If you are getting nervous on your wedding day, try to relax and write down all the things you love about your partner and why you are marrying them. Sometimes, it just takes a little push during an anxious moment to remind you why you are doing this.
Courtesy of Union Eleven Photography
Trust Yourself
Someone, somewhere once said, if it doesn’t scare you, then it isn’t worth doing. This is so true!! Big decisions are not easy to make and cold feet are extremely normal and highly expected. Trust yourself that you are making the right decision for you and walk down the aisle confidently.
Despite the ifs, ands, or buts that you create in your mind, focus on the love that you and your partner share and recognize that this day is ALL ABOUT YOU TWO. A little anxiety surrounding your big day is normal. Just remember to breathe, talk about it and let yourself feel the emotions. Once you take the plunge, the rest will be smooth sailing!
Happy Planning!
XO
How To Make Good Decisions For YOU!
May 24th, 2017It’s no surprise that weddings can sometimes be a source of stress. We’ve all seen the rom-coms where bridezilla’s take over or when over-opinionated moms and sisters take over a dress fitting because they ‘know what is best.’ Trying to please everyone is impossible and your #1 priority should be you! So, to minimise the feeling of trying to make everyone happy, here are some helpful pointers to stand your ground and stay true to you!
Courtesy of Michael Beaulieu Photography
Know What You Want
Having at least somewhat of an idea of what you want will make decision-making much simpler. If you don’t know what you want, spend some time alone or with your fiancé and really hone in on the specificities that you want to see. This gives you some firm ground to stand on, because if you have no idea what you want, it’s easier to be tugged in all sorts of directions.
Courtesy of Union Eleven Photography
Be Patient
Trust us – this is the hard part. Just try to keep in mind that, at the end of the day, YOU are the one getting married. Those people that you surround yourself with are genuinely just trying to help you because they care about you – they may just not be going about it in the best way.
Courtesy of Fleischer Photography
Hear Other Perspectives
Again – another tough one! You’re pretty amazing, but you’re not Wonder Woman. We are human and forget things, and this is why having others’ perspectives and opinions are important. Everyone has their own experiences that can lend you some valuable advice or tips! Even if you end up making a decision based on your own ideas and expectations, it’s still nice to gain perspective.
Courtesy of Blair Gable
Trust Yourself
You’ve GOT THIS. It’s YOUR day! Make of it what you want! Don’t hesitate to make decisions because you feel the need to seek approval. You’re perfectly capable of making good decisions on your own because only YOU know what is best for you!
In times of stress or pressure, try to ground yourself and listen to your own mind and heart. Your wedding day is a day for your visions to come to life. Happy Planning! XO, KEP
If These Walls Could Talk
May 12th, 2017I remember fondly the day I decided to create Kennedy Event Planning, I was sitting at my dining room table weighing the pros and cons of leaving my full-time job to start my own company. I was both terrified and excited at the idea of becoming my own boss and creating something that I could call my own. The reality was, I was 27 years old with a job I hated in an industry that I loved. My friends and colleagues had been encouraging me for months to branch out on my own and I finally realized it was about time that I listened to them and take the leap.
In July 2010, KEP was created. It was both frightening and liberating when the paychecks from my previous job stopped and I was left with only my work to ensure that bills got paid and I could keep food on the table. There was little guarantee that KEP would take off, but I knew one thing for sure: failure was not an option. In fact, the fear of failure became my biggest motivator.
The first few years were a whirlwind of blog posts, sales calls (before social media was the main method of connecting with other vendors), networking events, and hard, hard work. I hustled. I hustled hard and got my first client. Then another, and another. Before I knew it, KEP was a brand and was starting to get public recognition. I hired my first assistant and was handpicked to be a part of a unique collective of creative professionals in a coveted Byward Market office space. I was on the path to greatness and I felt invincible.
As the 90‘s saying goes, “reality bites” and in June 2013 I had a huge chunk taken out of mine. In a matter of weeks my reality, as I had known it, was over: my ten-year romantic relationship ended, my first assistant and I split ways over contract disputes, and I was unceremoniously voted off the island and out of my cooperative office. My new reality was this: I was 30 years old, with nowhere to live, $65 in my chequing account, and a full wedding season ahead of me. What was I to do? Exactly what anyone else would do – I found a friend’s futon to sleep on and got very, very drunk.
When the dust settled and the tears dried, I found myself with two choices: start over and rebuild or give up. The idea of walking away from it all was tempting but I knew that giving up was not an option. KEP would not close and I would not fail.
UPDATE (2020): With all business, difficult decisions have to be made. After three fantastic years with a commercial space, our lease was up and I made the tough call not to resign and to move the KEP operation back my home office. In no way does this feel like a defeat of any kind – in fact, it feels like a triumph! Without the pressures of massive overhead costs associated with a commercial space, I now have more time and resources to pour into my amazing wedding clients! I continue to have my work published in national wedding publications and regularly appear on CTV Morning Live television program as Ottawa’s Wedding Expert. Wedding season after wedding season, KEP keeps getting bigger and better.
With officially TEN years of Kennedy Event Planning under my belt, I continue to plan and coordinate fantastic weddings for our clients and look forward to celebrating the next ten years!