Last chance to save $100!

Book Day of Coordination services for your 2012 wedding before tomorrow (Dec 31/11) to save $100!

This popular service is a real stress saver, so do your self a favour and book it now - you'll not only stress less, but you'll pay less!

Day of Coordination services include:

•A complimentary coffee & chat to discuss your wedding day requirements


•An hour long meeting to finalize all details, logistics and plans for your wedding

•Continuous support via phone or email 2 months prior to your big day

•Timeline preparation & execution

•Rehearsal coordination

•Wedding party & family management

•Vendor coordination

•Use of our wedding day emergency kit

•Wedding Day Management (set-up, ceremony coordination, photos & reception)

Day of Coordination provides approximately 30 hours of service, with 8-12 hours being executed on your wedding day.

To you and yours...

Merry Christmas!



We're offering NEW services!!

We're so excited to announce that we're now offering NEW services to better meet the needs of Brides & Grooms in the Hamilton, Ontario area.

Our most popular service, Day of Coordination will continue to book quickly, but to help those couples that don't think they need a professional on site ALL day, we're happily offering other services such as;

Set-Up:

Because you can't be two places at once, we'll take care of the set-up for your reception. While you're getting ready for your big day, you won't need to worry about the fine details like placing your escort cards, place cards, table numbers, menus, favours and any other elements you've planned.


Ceremony Coordination:

Weddings are all about bringing people together to celebrate the love and union of the Bride & Groom. Ceremonies are like a small production with a director, a choreographer and cast. We're there to assist you for when you say "I do."


Reception Coordination:

We drastically reduce stress for you, your Groom, wedding party and family members by managing the logistics that are included in hosting a reception.



Our website is currently being referbished by the lovely and fabulously helpful team at Lea Tea Designs, so be sure to check back soon for the refreshed look highlighting our NEW services!

Are you a book lover?

If you love books, or if you're fiance does, or heck, if you met in a library or college - here are a few great ways to incorporate books into your wedding day!

Guest Book

As seen on Every Last Detail Blog and Wedzu.

Centrepieces



As seen on 2000 Dollar Budget Blog & Offbeat Bride.



Invitations/Programs





Escort Cards

As seen on United With Love & Deb Lindsey Photography

"True love stories never have endings"

Mother/Daughter wedding traditions

Many Brides want to involve their mother in as many aspects as they can during the planning process and the wedding itself. Here are a few traditional things you should add to your Mother/Daughter wedding list.

Pick out the wedding dress.

Spending quality time with your mom and picking out your wedding dress is a memory that you'll always hold onto. You can decide to just have your mom by your side for when you say "yes to the dress" or you can include a sister, best friend, aunt and even your future mother-in-law.



Picking out her dress.

Take your mom shopping and help her pick out the dress she'll wear on her wedding day. Again, this day can include an invite to your future MIL as well. A fun shopping day that may include lunch or dinner with a celebratory glass of vino is always a good thing.

Ceremony procession.

If you're mom isn't walking you down the aisle, she is the last person to take her seat before your wedding party begins the ceremony. She should be escorted to her seat by your brother or cousin. If your Bridesmaids are walking solo down the aisle, and you don't have a brother or cousin, then you can have the last Groomsman walk her down, or an usher.

Showing respect & honor.

A lot of couples incorporate their mothers (or both parents) into the ceremony. You can offer her a flower as a token of gratitude, or you can have her (or them) participate in the unity ceremony as two families are becoming one.

Also, be sure to acknowledge and thank your mother during your speech at the reception.

DIY aspects & choosing vendors.

If you're planning your wedding yourself, be sure to include your mom in some of the Do-It-Yourself aspects (a.k.a - craft night!) as well as meetings with your vendors. If she (& your dad) are paying for some or all of your wedding, it's always nice to include them in some of the decision making.


How will you include your mom into your wedding planning and special day?


*article based on tips from TLC Family

Parents of the Bride

Is you're little girl getting married?

First time wedding parents?

According to TLC Family, here are two things you must concern yourself with before your daughter says

"I do":

Finances

Weddings can be expensive. Traditionally, the Bride's parents would host and pay for the wedding, but nowadays you'll often see both sets of parents contributing as well as the Bride & Groom.

Chat with your daughter and future son-in-law and discuss who will pay for what. Will each party give the same amount (i.e: $10,000) or will you pay for specific parts of the wedding like the reception?
It's also customary that the Bride's parents pay for her wedding dress and alterations.

Sounds like a lot of money being spent, right? It is. Be prepared by saving a little each month for as long as you can (some parents start this when she's just a kid). Open a savings account and dedicate it to your contribution to her wedding.

The future-in-laws

Not only should you take time to get to know your future son-in-law (if you don't already know him that well), but you should also get to know his parents. Once your daughter is engaged, invite her fiance's parents over for tea, lunch or dinner. This is a great way to celebrate the happy news and for you to meet (if you haven't yet) and spend time with them.

His parents will be a part of your daughter's new life with her hubby, so it's best if you like them, or at the very least get along with them. Building a relationship with the future-in-laws may save face later as life rolls on when it comes to dividing time for holidays and celebrations.

Check out the article here for TLC's list of the 5 things you should do to prepare.

Playing games at your wedding

Everyone likes games, and what better time to play some then at your wedding?

Typically hosted by the MC or DJ, wedding games are planned to get the guests interacting with one another, the wedding party and with the Bride & Groom.

The most popular game you'll see at a wedding is the "kissing" game. There are all kinds of ways to get the Bride & Groom to kiss other than the typical clinking of the glasses. I've seen a mass game of scrabble, a spin wheel similar to Wheel of Fortune and trivia about the newlyweds.

I've also seen "Photo Scavenger Hunts" at weddings. This is the game where the Bride & Groom have left disposable cameras on each table with a list of images that must be captured. Think about all the things that can be witnessed at a wedding; first dance, toast to the couple, sleeping flower girl, drunken groomsmen...the list goes on.

Another game that I personally like to watch, but think that it's risky to play is the game where the Bride & Groom swap shoes and answer questions about one another. "Who is most likely to snore?" "Who said 'I love you' first?" This game is very amusing to watch, and the questions can sometimes get quite personal and risque, therefor, I sometimes cringe when this game is played. I'm a big believer that you shouldn't embarrass the happy couple on their special day - and this game might just do that.

What kind of games have you played at weddings? Games are fun, and get people laughing. Be sure to play some on your special day.

Save $100!!

For the past 2 years we’ve offered $100 off our Day of Coordination services during the month of December, and this year we’re doing the same, only with a bonus!! Book Day of Coordination services for remaining 2012 dates before December 31st, 2011 – we’ll give you Bride & Groom T-shirts! These shirts are perfect for your Stag & Doe or to wear while you’re getting ready on your wedding day.

The Day Of Coordination Package includes:

• A complimentary coffee & chat to discuss your wedding day requirements

• An hour long meeting to finalize all details, logistics and plans for your wedding

• Continuous support via phone or email 2 months prior to your big day

• Coordination of wedding rehearsal* (optional)

• Wedding day management (set-up, ceremony, photos & reception)

This package is approximately 25+ hours of service, with 8-10 hours being executed on your wedding day. The Bride's Butler will devote their time on your special day to the fine details so you don't have to. It is extremely reassuring to know that a trusted professional will ensure that your day feels like a fairytale.

*travel fees may apply

Book before December 31st to save!

Taking care of your vendors

Attention almost newlyweds! We know that a wedding is a major expense, and the planning process can be a major pain in the you know what – but, you should be sure to think about how you’re going to treat your vendors.

Sure, they are there to provide a service for you, and they are being paid for that service, so what more do we want, right? Well…there are a few things that vendors are very appreciative of.


There is no such thing as too much information.

Especially if you have a Wedding Coordinator. We want to know all of the details, the timing and your big picture plans for your special day. We want to know who’s where, when and for how long. We want to know who needs to be paid, how much and for what. We want to know your weather back up plans, your set-up plans and your tear down/clean up plans. We want to know it all – and please, tell us!

We will provide you with helpful tools to keep you organized and to help you relay this information to us, but I always tell all my clients – “there is no such thing as too much information.”


Tips.

Tips aren’t always manageable, especially if the couple is on a tight budget, but they are always welcomed.
Be sure to check your contracts as most vendors roll in gratuity in the final bill. If not, it is always nice to say "thank you" to the vendors that go above and beyond your expecations.

Here is a guideline from Real Simple, and if you're still unsure, ask your Wedding Planner/Coordinator:

Bartenders: 10 percent of the total liquor bill (to be split among them)

Catering manager: $200+

Coat check attendants: $1 to $2 per guest

Hairstylist: 15 to 20 percent

Hotel chambermaids: $2 to $5 per room; $10 to $15 if you used a suite as your dressing room

Limo or bus drivers: 15 percent

Makeup artist: 15 to 20 percent

Musicians: 15 percent of fee for ceremony musicians; $25 to $50 per musician for reception

Photographer/videographer: If you’re paying a flat fee with no overtime, $100

Wedding planner: 15 percent of fee

Fuel the engine.

Your vendors are working hard for you, so be sure to give them the fuel they need by providing them with a meal. If your vendors are on site during dinner, then they should eat too. You don't have to serve them the same meal as you serve your guests, but do provide them with something. Also, make sure they know how they can get a drink (non-alcoholic, any good vendor will not drink while on the job) so that they can stay hydrated and alert and execute fabulous services for you.

Also, note that your Wedding Coordinator will most likely want to sit in the room that your dinner and speeches are occuring in. We know that this isn't always possible as seating is limited, but it is beneficial to help us keep a watchful eye on the time. So, it's best to have a vendor table for your DJ, Photographer, Videographer and Coordinator. But, like mentioned, if you don't want them in the same room, be sure that there is a lounge or somewhere they can sit and grab a bite to eat.

Saying Thank You.

Yes, you gave them a tip, and you fed them, but a really great way to say 'thank you' is to include your vendors in your list of cards to be sent out. A lot of vendors use these cards in their portfolio or display them in their office/showroom/store. If you don't want to mail them an actual card, send them a nice email telling them how they helped you on your special day and include a photo too if you have one!
Saying thank you the old fashioned way goes a long way.


Referrals.

In keeping with saying 'thank you', one of the biggest ways you can do this and show your appreciation is to recommend them to a family member or friend that is getting married. We always love booking new clients who've been referred to us from previous clients. It's a pat on the back and confirmation that we left a positive impression and did a good job.
Plus, we always love seeing clients from the past at the wedding of the referal.


*Blog post is generated from personal opinion. Picture provided by Diane Morris from Kelly & Mike's wedding 2010.
*Tip list formulated by Real Simple. Visit their website for more suggestions as some were removed for this post.

Planner vs. Coordinator

You're getting married and you're not sure if you need a Wedding Planner or a Wedding Coordinator because you don't know the difference. Here is a little information about both to help you seperate the two.

A Wedding Planner is someone that assists you in planning your entire wedding. This service is typically called Full Wedding Planning. Planners keep you within budget, they source your vendors and they guide you every step of the way - and are also with  you for your rehearsal and wedding day. Wedding Planners can be your negotiator, decision maker, therapist and friend. A Planner is typically booked 12-18 months before your set wedding date.

A Wedding Coordinator is someone that aids you near the end of your planning process. You've planned your wedding yourself but you want a professional to execute all of your hard work and plans so that they are just so.  A Coordinator guides you with timeline preparation and logistics about 2 months before your big day and is typically with you for your rehearsal and about 10-12 hours on your wedding day. Most Coordinators are booked 6-12 months in advance, and the service is typically called Day of Coordination.

What about a Venue Coordinator? Refer to a previous blog post about the difference between them and a Wedding Coordinator here.


Hopefully knowing the difference between Planners and Coordinators will help you when searching for the right service for you for your wedding day.

Book 'Day Of' for 2012 today!

We just completed our last “Day of Coordination” for 2011 and are really looking forward to the weddings we have booked for 2012!


If you haven’t booked services with us for next year, we suggest that you do it before the year comes to a close as we’re making some changes to our services and prices.

“Day of Coordination” is our most popular service and we’ll continue to offer it, but our rate for 8-10 hours of Wedding Day Management including additional hours for meetings and assistance will increase – so book today!




A more detailed look into some of the things we take care of as your Day of Coordinator:

- Set-up (escort cards, place cards, money box, guest book, gift table, favours, cake table, etc)

- Clean- up (packing up gifts/cards into a vehicle or hotel room or lockable area and removing minor décor)

- Communication with vendors 48-24 hours prior to your big day to ensure that you get the services you agreed upon and are paying for

- Distribution of balances for vendors arriving on the day of (DJ, Photographer, Limo, Cake, etc)

- Timeline – we keep you on time and stress free. We prompt you for all of the event logistics like the speeches, cake cutting, etc

- We’re there working for you as your personal Bride’s Butler – forgot something? We got it. Need more of something? We can take care of it.



Call or email us so that we can meet for a complimentary coffee & chat to discuss how you can benefit from “Day of Coordination” services.

Working with vendors....

specifically a Wedding Coordinator can be like learning a foreign language for some...daunting.
It doesn't need to be that way.

There are a few vendors that like to show up to an event, do their thing and leave. Some haven’t worked with a Coordinator, therefore don’t know what to expect. Others have and loved it, and others have and hated it.

When a Wedding Coordinator is onsite, it’s their job to make sure that everyone is doing what they were booked and paid for doing. Our job is not to be bossy, but to help keep things on track and to avoid as many mishaps as possible.

With executing a major event like a wedding, there are lots of logistics and key players involved. A Wedding Coordinator is there to be your point person, your extra set of hands, your runner and your friend. We are not there to make your job more difficult, but a whole lot easier.

It’s always best when I get to work with wedding vendors that I’ve worked with before. This way, we know how each other work, how we like to be talked to and handled. Vendors that appreciate the hard work that a coordinator does are always welcomed in our books. All vendors are there to work for the couple and to provide top notch service, but it is us that make sure the newlyweds get what they planned for and ultimately paid for.

Prior to the wedding, we sit down with the Bride and go over every last detail. We cover the timeline thoroughly, focusing on things like setup & delivery times and the execution of key events like the photo shoot and bouquet toss. If the Vendors are all on the same page (timeline) then it’s a win/win for us all, including the newlyweds. Wedding Coordinators are the middleman between the vendors and the couple. Vendors should know to come to us first for questions or concerns, for most of the time we have the answer or a solution. The couple have hired us so that they can enjoy their special day without many interruptions and without having a boat load of people asking them questions. Come to us, we’re here to help.

Vendors, when you’re approached by a Wedding Coordinator prior to the wedding (as most of us drop an email or phone call prior to the day to introduce ourselves) please welcome us with open arms and not a roll of the eyes and a grunt. We will do our best to stay out of your way if that is how you prefer to work, or we will be right alongside you if that’s what you need to go above and beyond.

So, I guess what we’re saying here is – let’s all work together to provide the best service we can for the couple. If they didn’t book you from a referral, they have no idea how you work and what kind of service you will provide...and that can be scary for some Brides. Most Brides that hire a Day of Coordinator are Type A personalities. They are organized, detail oriented and want what they want – and we love them for that!

A Coordinator is your friend, not your foe. Plus, we’re also great for referrals for future clients, so if we work well together, there may be future bookings.

To learn more about what exactly a Wedding Coordinator does, check out Ehow’s article here.

Facebook Wedding Etiquette

Facebook has more than 800 million active users. That's a lot of likes, wall posts, photo uploads and tags.
Like most things in life, there are certain rules to follow for certain tasks.
Do you know how to properly use Facebook during your planning process?

Here are some guidelines when using the popular social media site:



Announcing your engagement.

It's totally normal to want to shout it from the rooftops and Facebook is the perfect platform to do so. Update your status to "we're engaged" or "is gonna be a Mrs!" to tell all of your friends about the proposal. You can also upload a picture of your diamond, or if you've got pics or video of him popping the question, by all means share it.

Sharing some of the details.

Feel free to share your wedding date via a status update, but be sure to keep it simple and to the point. Not all of your 100+ friends on FB will be invited to your big day, so be a little sensitive to that. And of course, change your relationship status from "in a relationship" to "engaged!!"

A lot of Brides like to keep everyone in the know about their planning process, and again, feel free to do this with your status, but be sure not to go overboard with Bride Brain.

Sharing a countdown to your special day is okay too - just try to stick with the landmarks of one year, 6 months, 1 week and 1 day. Seeing a constant countdown for most, is annoying.

Proper etiquette would be that you don't post your Registry information online. Getting a gift for getting married is a privilege, and not a right. If people (guests) want to buy you something, they will ask you, your fiance, a family member or a friend.

After your wedding feel free to brag a little. Heck, brag a lot. Post your pictures, thank your guests and  change your relationship status from "engaged" to "MARRIED!"
Just make sure to keep everything positive, do not complain about guest behaviour, or how much your new mother-in-law got on your nerves.

Wrap up all your wedding talk within 6 months, or less. As much as you're stoked to now be a Mrs, there are other things that should be important in your life as well.

Invitations.

Do not by any means invite friends/family/co-workers to your wedding using Facebook. Send out a proper invite with an RSVP card for them to reply.

Bridal Showers, Stag & Does and Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties can have Facebook Event pages to keep everyone in the loop, but we still advise that you send out proper invites or personal emails to all invited.



Incorporate FB into your Bridal Shower with customized cookies!

 Vendors.

Use Facebook to help you find vendors - that is if you don't have a Wedding Planner. And be sure to "like" the Fan Pages of the vendors you book with. Not only does it show support, but you just might see your wedding crop up in their status updates or albums.

While we're chatting about vendors, make note that it is a big no-no to post anything negative about your vendors through the social media site. We know that planning a wedding can be stressful, but please do not use Facebook to bad mouth anyone. Send an email or pick up the phone and make a call instead if you're not happy with their services/products.

On the day of.

Do not log on Facebook on your wedding day. You can change your status and upload photos the day after, or even when you get back from your honeymoon. Enjoy the day and stay offline.

Posting as a guest.

Most of your guests will post pictures from your big day on Facebook and tag you in the pictures. If this bothers you tell your friends that. Some people are private and do not want memories from their special day to go viral. There's no harm in placing a small note on your ceremony programs that you wish to be shown any pictures prior to posting - or that pictures simply aren't posted. Remember though, you can't control what others post, but you can ask - there's nothing wrong with asking and making that request.

However, as a guest - do your best to be respectful to the newlyweds and only post pictures that display them in their best light. Do the same for members of the wedding party - no one wants to see the Best Man making out with the Grooms sister. Tisk, tisk.

Now, go on....log on to Facebook and "like" us - The Bride's Butler.

"Unveil"ing Alison & Eric's Wedding Day!

JD from Unveil Wedding Photography captured some great shots from Alison & Eric's wedding day! To view more of the stunning pictures, click here. We were so honoured to have been able to assist this wonderful couple.

Here's what Alison had to say to us after her speical day:

I just wanted to say thank-you for the work you did on our wedding day. I have a busy life that didn't include a lot of time for wedding planning and you really helped me get organized and just enjoy the day. When my co-worker, Jason, recommended you I wasn't sure if I needed a coordinator. Looking back, hiring someone to take care of all the details was the best decision I made. I run a large retail store, but handing over the reigns that day was a huge relief. From stressed out family to bad weather, to wine shortages -  you had it all covered. The things that were important to me were impeccably executed, and I appreciated your advice with the other details. It was a pleasure to have you on my team during such a crazy day in my life. You're very talented at what you do and I will recommend you to anyone I know who is planning a wedding. You're a cool lady and I wish you all the best :)

* Photographs from Unveil Wedding Photography

*Testimonial provided by Alison via email

Leigh & Derek are about to be a Mr & Mrs!

On Saturday, November 5th, Leigh & Derek will get married and become Husband & Wife. We're so happy to be able to celebrate in this occassion with them and provide Day of Coordination services.

Leigh booked us back in April when we were offering 30% off our most popular service in celebration of the Royal Wedding. We met in Ancaster and discussed her plans for their big day.

They will say "I do" at the Town Hall in Ancaster and will have their reception at the Hamilton Golf & Country Club. Leigh & I will be sitting down shortly to go over all her plans and details with a fine tooth comb. This way, she'll be able to enjoy her day and relax knowing that The Bride's Butler is there to execute, troubleshoot and bring her ideas to life!

We're so excited to be joining them on their special day! Click this link to see some of their engagement pictures from Nate at Red Lotus Photography. They are adorable, and we can't wait until the 5th!

Selecting your venue

This Saturday I’m going with my clients Brooke and Richard to look at a venue for their 2012 wedding. Do you know what to look for when deciding on a venue? Here are some helpful tips:

Dates:
Do they have your specific date available? If not, are you willing to change yours? Perhaps any Saturday in July is okay with you – or maybe you want a Friday. Check first – this will help you narrow your venue selection if you are dead set on a specific date.

Décor:
A lot of Brides & Grooms will fall in love with the décor and want to book right away. Be sure not to get caught up in the looks of it all. Remember; don’t judge a book by its cover. You want your venue to meet other needs as well.

Electrical:
What is the lighting like? Can it be lowered or altered? Will you need extra lighting? Also, check out the number of outlets in the room. This will come in handy for your DJ, Photographer and Decorator (if you hire one).

Candles:
Are you allowed to have candles lit during your reception? If so, can they be open flame, or must they be contained within a vase or jar? What about sparklers or fireworks?

Food:
Do they provide the food through in-house catering? Or do you have to hire an outside company? If they provide the food, what are your options and can you build from the existing packages – for example, make the filets bacon wrapped, or swap out mashed potatoes for baked. Also, can you bring in outside food? This is an important question if you have religious or traditional beliefs you need incorporated into your special day.

Drink:
Is alcohol (bar) included in the menu cost? Will you need to bring in your own drinks and bartender? If so, you’ll need to incorporate a liquor licence into your budget.

Extras:
What’s including with your booking? Some venues offer discounts at local hotels, or other wedding vendors such as limo and cake. Do they include linens and dishware in the price, or is that extra? Find out exactly what the “packages” offer.

Bathrooms:
Be sure to check the bathrooms. Are they easily accessible? Are they clean and well maintained? How many bathrooms and stalls?

Room layout:
Are you on the main level, or the second floor? Lot’s of stairs? Is there a room for you and your Wedding Party to freshen up in? Is there enough room for all of your guests and a dance floor?

Costs:
Is there a minimum you must spend in order to have your wedding at the venue? Is it slightly cheaper to have your wedding on a Friday rather than a Saturday? Are you able to cut costs by removing items from their “packages”? Also, keep in mind that 50% of your budget will be spend on the venue, including food & beverage.

Payment:
What kind of payment schedule do they follow? What percentage of your total cost is the deposit, and also find out if you have to pre-pay for your event, or pay the night of (balance owing). Also, find out about any hidden costs – this translates to read the contract!

Photographs:
When looking at the lighting, think of your pictures – although most Photographers should bring adequate equipment for this. Will you be taking pictures on site? Where, and will you need a permit or permission or are the grounds included in the booking of the venue?

Staff:
Meet the Manager/Owner and the Chef if possible. If they have an Event or Venue Coordinator, they will likely be your main contact. This person is key for your Wedding Planner, as we work together on your special day to ensure everything runs smoothly. Remember, a Venue Coordinator is not the same as a Wedding Coordinator.

Parking & Transportation:
Is the parking free, or will you have to pay per car? Is there enough parking for your guests and is it accessible? Will they have to park away from the location and walk? Will it be well lit at night? Is your venue near any hotels? Is your venue easy to find via a street map or road signage? If you’re ceremony is held at a different location, how far is this venue from it? You shouldn’t have your guests drive more than 30-45 minutes if possible.

Weather:
If you’re planning a summer wedding, does the venue have A/C? If not, how many windows open and to what degree? If in the winter, does the heat work and or is there a fireplace? If you’re having your ceremony at the venue and you want it outside, will it be tented, or do they have a room that can be used if it rains? How do they plan to maintain the grounds in wet weather such as rain or snow? Do they plough, drop ice melter, etc?

As you can see, ask lot’s of questions. If you’re working with a Planner, they will be able to guide you through the selection process of finding the right venue for your wedding. Don’t wait too long to find, select and book your venue. Some places are booking 16-24 months in advance!

What do you love about weddings?

Someone asked me the other day why I love weddings. There isn't just one thing, but many. And it's not so much about the things as to why I love weddings, but more of how weddings make me feel. Weddings are about two people in love proclaiming their love and commitment to one another. They're about promises, hopes and dreams. What I love about weddings is in actuality, the love.

But, aside from the feeling and all the mush - I love other things about weddings too. Like, the atmosphere - all of the fine details coming together to form one big picture. If done right, your guests will walk into your reception and will smile, gasp or even laugh at all of the personalization and details you've worked so hard to bring to life on your special day.

What I love about weddings is the coming together of family and friends. Hearing the laughter during the speeches, seeing the tears being wiped away as the couple says "I do" and watching everyone get down and boogie on the dance floor! What I love about weddings are seeing the Bridesmaids care for the blushing Bride - making sure her hair is just so, and that she's comfortable and having a good time. I love to see the Groomsmen bonding with their buddy, the Groom. Watching them clink their beer bottles, pat him on the back and simply smile at him as he smiles at his Bride.

There are many things that I love about weddings. What do you love about them? Do they remind you of how lucky you are to have found your life partner, or do they provide you with hope for love that has yet to come? Do they make you smile, laugh and dance? Weddings are a beautiful thing. There's a reason why this tradition is still around to this day...weddings make people feel good.

Jenn & Stephen are getting married!

This Saturday, The Bride's Butler will be on hand to assist in Day of Coordination for Jenn & Stephen.

I met Jenn for the 1st time in person earlier this week (she lives in Alberta with her hubs-to-be) and let me just say, this gal is organized! I love it when I work with clients that have a binder full of all the proper documents, ideas and info needed to execute their special day.

Jenn & Stephen are getting married on October 15th at the beautiful and historic Scottish Rite in Hamilton. If the weather cooperates, they will have pictures taken on site and then at the legendary Hess Village. Gotta love the cobblestone, old buildings and the entrance sign to this Hamilton landmark. Their pictures will be simply wonderful, I just know it!

The reception of approximately 100 guests is being held at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Their colours and black & white with splashes of red. The red will be displayed via up-lighting provided by the HCC. Samantha, my Assistant for the day and myself are really looking forward to bringing all of Jenn's ideas and hard work to life on Saturday.

Jenn, like me is celiac, so her cake and cupcakes for her guests are coming from Sweetness Bakery. Hamilton has so many cupcake shops, but Sweetness guarantees peanut-free and provides gluten free options, which the majority of them don't. A girl always wants to have her cake and eat it too - especially on her wedding day!

We'll be sure to post some pictures from the wedding as they become available to us - but for now, here is a pic from their engagement session. What an adorable couple! We can't wait to be with them when they say "I do."

Take your seat please....

There are many ways to inform your guests on where they are to be seated for your wedding.

You can stay simple and basic and have alphabetical escort cards, or you can get creative and think outside the box.

No matter how you decide to display this information it is best to be clear so to decrease any confusion. When planning this detail, also keep in mind the space to which your guests will be able to look at or hunt for their names. Will you be creating a bit of a line up or cluster? Be sure that you have enough space for your idea, and that you have enough info - i.e: table number, guest first and last name.

A lot of times I see couples incorporate their theme into the escort cards/display - and this is fabulous and exactly why you have themes and or colour palettes when planning your big day. Keep all details in your wedding concise.

Some ways to inform guests to please take their seats are:

- Old fashioned chalk board
- Escort cards hanging from a tree or twigs in a pretty vase
- Photos tacked to a bulletin board (left plain or covered in fabric)
- Handwritten names on rocks, seashells or stems of a lollipop
- Escort cards hanging on a clothes line (twine or ribbon)
- Handwritten names on a window or window in a door

Etiquette Tip: Setting a Table

Do you know how to properly set a table for an event? Maybe you're hosting a Bridal Shower, Rehearsal Dinner or just simply a Dinner Party and you have no idea what is proper etiquette for the table setting.

Here are a few diagrams to show you just how to do it.

Informal:
This set up is great for casual Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Breakfasts or Luncheons.

Almost everyone has the silverware and dishware displayed in this diagram. If you're not serving alcohol, you should remove the wine class and replace it with a saucer and cup (which normally sits beside the soup spoon, but you can put it where the wineglass would be to save some space).

Remember this, you always enjoy your meal from the outside in.

Formal:

Now it gets a whole lot trickier. If you're hosting an event where you are the one setting the table, then take note. Again, you eat from the outside in, finishing your meal at the top with the dessert spoon and or cake fork. After each course, you should be removing the appropriate silverware and dishware.

At the end of the meal, you should only be left with the place card, water glass, cup and saucer, napkin and dessert utensils & plate.

Remember to place your napkin on your lap, and if you excuse yourself from the table during the meal, place it on your chair (or on the back of your chair if it's not overly soiled). The only time you can place your napkin on the table is when you are finished eating. Another way to signal that you are finished is to place your dinner fork and dinner knife side by side with the ends resting at the 5 if your plate was a clock. If you cross your knife and fork over one another to form an 'x', this tells the serving staff that you are not finished, but merely taking a break (ie: restroom).

As a guest, do your best to follow the place setting and using the proper utensil for the meal. If you're unsure, watch what others are doing at your table and you'll be just fine.

Bon Appetite!

Bridesmaid Gifts

You might know exactly what to get your Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids for being your right hand gals during your wedding planning and celebrations. Or, you might be completely stumped. There are so many options and ideas, it can be baffling.

Tried and trued is jewelry. You can get them a necklace or earrings that they can wear on your wedding day, or you can do something different. Maybe you want to get them all something a little different to match their personalities - maybe one likes wine, while the other likes cooking. Maybe one is a bookworm, and the other is more of a tomboy.

Giving personalized gifts always adds that extra touch and says 'thank you' far better than a standard gift - but that's just my opinion. Just be sure to give yourself a budget, and get creative!

Here are a few websites that I like for unique gifts:

Etsy - homemade, unique items that can be bought as is or customized to suit your needs.

Candied Soap Bakery - soap that looks almost good enough to eat!

Beaucoup - gifts that can be personalized and tend to be practical.

"We gotta talk...."

No one likes hearing the words, "we gotta talk..." Usually those words are interpreted as trouble - but let me tell you, if you don't have this talk, you may very well have trouble - in your marriage.

Weddings are fantastic - they are fun, full of love and laughter and are really truly just one big party to proclaim your love and adoration for one another. What comes after the wedding is a marriage - and that is meant to last the rest of your life. So even though you are doing so much planning for your wedding, be sure to slot in some time to plan for your marriage as well.

I came across this article the other day on the Canadian Living website - "10 things to talk about before you get married" and think that all couples should have this chat prior to tying the knot.

Here are the 10 things that they say you should talk about:

1) Decision making.
What is important to you both and what is your communication style. It needs to work for both of you - and a little compromise goes a long way.

2) Chore & task sharing.
Responsibilities. Do you take care of the bill payments, but he does all the yard work? Do you do the laundry and he takes out the trash? Having a game plan for your life tasks and duties will help keep the arguments at bay.

3) Kids.
To have or not to have, that is the question.

4) Religion & values.
Do you share the same values, goals and beliefs? This question will also impact #3.

5) Family.
You can pick your friends but not your family. However, you've picked your partner, so remember that when it comes to family politics and dramatics. Chat about how much time you plan to spend with each others family, especially for holidays, birthdays and whatnot.

6) Careers.
Are you both established in your careers, or will you want a change in the future? Do one of you have to travel a lot for work? Will you relocate?

7) Sex.
You've gotta talk about your wants and desires in this category too. Life brings on different situations and stress levels, so you've got to let your partner know that intimacy is important to you no matter what. Also, I'd use this time to inform them of your thoughts on open-relationships and affairs if you haven't already done so.

8) Finances.
Money can cause a lot of issues for couples - especially when one makes more than the other. As a married couple, you need to decide if you will have a joint bank account, or keep your assets separate. How will you save for the future, and how do you plan on spending your earnings together? Trips, kids, etc.

9) Time together and apart.
You still need to have your girls nights and 'me time' even though you are going to be a Mrs.
Be sure to talk to your man about what both of your expectations about free time are. A lot of time this is where resentment starts - when you feel alone in your relationship because your partner doesn't spend their free time with you. We want to avoid this, have the talk.

10) Drugs, alcohol and gambling.
How do you both feel about these? Can you partake but in a healthy manner? Are there issues with one of these already present in your relationship?

So, have the talk with your partner. I suggest not to have it all at once, unless you have a few hours to invest in it. But, discussing your views on these 10 things will prepare you for your life ahead with this person. It will also act like a refresher for those of you that have been together for a long time and might have talked about some of these things earlier on in your relationship. Maybe your views have changed, and that's okay. People change and grow as they go through life - it's just that with a marriage, you are to change and grow together.

Good luck!

*the list was comprised from the article featured on Canadian Living, however the comments below each headline are my own opinions.

RSVP No Shows

I've seen it a few times - guests RSVP to the wedding and then are no shows. This is not only poor etiquette, but it adds extra stress for the Bride & Groom.

When you are invited to a wedding and you RSVP "yes", be sure to show up. Unless an emergency arises (family death, illness or severe weather) you should honour your word and attend.

What happens when guests are a no show? Well, firstly food and money go to waste. 99% of weddings, the couple have to pay upfront for meals ordered - this includes quantity of appetizers and plate settings. Also, the couple have ordered their cake and or dessert/late night table based on the number of RSVP's they received. So if there are no shows, there is food and money wasted.

How do no shows add extra stress for the couple (and or their Wedding Coordinator)? The venue is set up and arranged for a specific number of people and with no shows - there can be gaps in the seating arrangements. Someone I know, recently went to a wedding and 2 couples from a table of 6 were no shows - leaving 4 empty chairs. Due to another couple at a different table not showing as well, there were 2 seats available to which they could fill leaving one table completely empty and another entirely full.
But that's good then right? Not really - there is now one empty table, and 6 paid for meals that won't be eaten. But, having an entire table empty is better than having one large table with only 2 people seated at it. The venue staff or your Coordinator can discreetly remove the dishware so that it doesn't look like the table is still awaiting guests.

So - what do you do if you are the guest who is a no show? You should call the Bride or Groom and leave a voicemail as to why you can't attend. If you know someone else who is attending the wedding and you don't want to call the Bride or Groom, relay your message to them so they can give your regards. You should also send a hand written note or email to the couple informing them that you hoped they enjoyed their celebration. As for the gift? If you're invited to a wedding and you RSVP "yes" but don't go - you should still give a gift. Mail a card with a cheque, or drop off the card and or gift in person. But, let me stress this - you must extend a gift and a sincere apology for your absence.

No one likes no shows. If you say you're going to attend a wedding, then do. Weddings are a celebration of two people who wanted you to be a part of it. It's always an honour to be invited to a wedding - and it would be an honor to the couple if you attended.


*Invitation designed by Jolie Papeterie Boutique

Who's Supporting You?

Do you know that the stress caused by planning a wedding is ranked as the 2nd highest in life after the loss of a loved one? Sounds pretty bad, doesn't it? I wouldn't necessarily compare the two as losing a family or friend is horrible, but planning a wedding sure is stressful....especially if you're going at it alone.

Sure, you've got your hubs-to-be there to help you out - to lend a shoulder to cry on and a nod of his head to all your questions, but really - who is supporting you on this journey?

Planning a wedding is in fact a journey. It typically takes 18-24 months to suss out your ideas, book vendors, plan your timeline, attend meetings, buy a dress, attend wedding related activites and all the other details that go into your big day.

We believe that all Brides need a support system. A Mother that wants to help and isn't overbearing. A sister or best friend who will be by your side helping you make the decisions and plan your dream day. Whomever it is, we hope that you have someone you can lean on during the stressful planning process.

If you don't have someone you want to help you, or let alone burden with your slight Bridezilla tendencies (we said 'slight'), we're available to help you. Our Full Wedding Package provides you with the support, guidance and friendship you need while you plan your big day. We will aid you in making your decisions, save you money and be there for you on the day you say "I do". I can't tell you how many times past Brides of ours have told me that they felt so good knowing that we were there to have their back - that we were like a friend.

Who will you turn to when the going gets tough? Give us a call, we'd love to help you stress less.

A walk down memory lane....

Sometimes it's nice to revisit an idea, so that's exactly what we're going to do with this post.
Here are a few past posts from us that we still find relevant, and we hope you do too!

Why Hire A Planner

Choosing a Wedding Dress

Choosing your MC

What Not to Wear to a Wedding


Do you have a topic that you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you!

Let's hear it for the boys!

Boys will be boys....there's no doubt about it. You may think that your Groom is totally into planning the wedding with you - and he might be, maybe. But I bet you, he's just enjoying seeing you happy planning the wedding of your dreams. What he's really looking forward to (besides being your Hubs of course) is the Stag...or Bachelor Party.

As his wife-to-be, you should understand and respect that your man and his buds will want a night out to celebrate. Getting married is not always all about the Bride despite popular belief.
Sorry ladies.

This Labour Day weekend I was at Darien Lake for a concert and saw this wedding party out celebrating the Groom. They were having a great time - good, clean fun. Not all Bachelor Parties are what we think they are - there's no need for them all to be like the Hangover movie.

Many clients of mine have opted to have a Bachelor Party that's tailored to them and their likes/hobbies, and less to what's expected.

Typically the Best Man plans and hosts the event, but oftentimes the Groom will be involved.

Maybe Groomie wants to go golfing and end the day with a steak dinner, or maybe he wants to go skydiving because he knows you'll never do it with him, or maybe he just wants to have a poker night with some pals. No matter what your fiance wants to do, this is his "last hurrah" per say. Let's let him enjoy it.

If he and his wedding party are unsure what to do - they should head on over to TheManRegistry.com and The Groom Says for guy advice, tips and ideas. Or maybe he knows exactly how he wants to party and all he needs to do is get himself and his wedding party some t-shirts.

Good manners go a long way....

We're all brought up to know the difference between good behaviour and bad behaviour. It's amazing how a little good manners can go a long way....they can make someones day!

In one day, I was thanked by two previous clients and it made me feel great! Everyone wants to hear that they did a good job - that they helped someone achieve a goal, and that they were successful. It's the "thank you's" that I hear and read from my clients that is the icing on the cake for my services. Sure, seeing the details come together, the guests having fun and the Bride & Groom laughing are fantastic -  but to actually be thanked is another way I  feel rewarded.

Brides, I encourage you to send an email, card or even extend a phone call to all of your vendors after your wedding day to let them know how much you appreciated their efforts. Say "please" and "thank you".
Help others and let others know how they have helped you..because a little good manners goes a long way.

A & E tied the knot!

Alison & Eric got married in Ancaster, Ontario on August 6th, 2011. The ceremony was set to take place outside at 4pm when dark clouds rolled in and sent the guests and wedding party indoors so not to get wet. Despite the standing room only and the humidity of the warm summer day, the ceremony went smoothly and the two got married after 6 years of dating!

Alison was a very laid back Bride, but knew that she wanted her reception decorated a certain way. Fresh hydrangeas and ivory roses sat in mason jars upon the tables. Paper bird place cards perched atop wine glasses and candles lit throughout the room provided the elegance and romance she was going for.

There were a few rustic touches incorporated into the decor, such as twine wrapped around the mason jars, wooden boxes filled with roses on top of the fireplace mantel and a chalkboard used to direct guests to their seats. As a personal, DYI touch, Alison made homemade strawberry jam as the favour - complete with a gingham wrapped lid!

Alison & Eric didn't want your standard clinking of the glasses to kiss, so instead they had a Scrabble board propped up with their names on it, then each table was given a small baggie of letters to create a word describing their relationship, marriage or personalities. All of the letters had double sided tape on them so that they could be properly placed and displayed. It was a fantastic idea and was thought of because they played Scrabble on their very first date.

Overall, this wedding was simply beautiful! Elegant, yet simple. Laid back, yet exciting and thrilling in all the right places. It was a joy working with Alison, Eric, their wedding party and immediate families.

Wishing them much happiness as they start their lives together. Congratulations once again!

Lisa & Grant's July Wedding

Weddings, like romance, are all about the little things.

Adding details and touches of personality to your wedding day is very important. All weddings, like all couples - are different. Lisa & Grant brought their lives, personalities and small details together beautifully for their July wedding.

These newlyweds love to go camping - so it was only right that each table was named after a Provincial Park. Instead of a table number, they displayed a photo of them in front of the sign of a park they visited or camped at. Instead of guests scanning a board or rows of escort cards, their names were presented in pots with the park brochure. When the guest got to their camp site (a.k.a table) they found their name printed on a place card against a hand-made Muskoka chair.

Since it was a hot July day, and the ceremony was outdoors, Lisa had mini water bottles on hand for her guests. Each bottle had a label with her and Grant's initials and oh-so-adorable Celebration Facts.

Their initial monogram carried out throughout their wedding details - which is perfect as consistency is key! The monogram was on the handmade ceremony programs (tied together to form a fan for the summer heat), their menu cards and their cake.

Incorporating your personality and hobbies into your special day is a great way to stay away from being 'cookie-cutter'. Another great way to be different is to incorporate family in a unique way. Lisa asked her florist, Christine from Designs by Law to recreate her Grandmothers wedding bouquet with a modern twist.
When I heard this detail, I thought that it was such an adoring way to include her Grandma into her special day.

Lisa and Grant had a fabulous wedding with beautiful weather, fabulous guests, delicious food and lot's of love! All of their hard work planning, making and incorporating all the fine details paid off!

Congratulations again to Lisa & Grant. We were so honoured to be a part of your special day!

Calling all Singles!

Want to meet like-minded singles in Hamilton, Ontario? Well then, I've got an event you don't want to miss out on!

This Singles Event is a gathering for singles aged 25-35. If you're on Twitter, we encourage you to use #HamOntSE to tell others you are going!
You don't need to be on Twitter to participate, but it'll sure help to stay connected with some of the people you'll meet.

Tickets are $10 (plus a minimal surcharge) and will include appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages and door prizes.We're looking for 25 guys and 25 gals to meet, mingle and tweet!

The event will be held on September 15th at 7pm - please see http://www.hamontse.eventbrite.com/ for more information and to purchase your ticket!

Gather your friends, and make a night out of this event! You just never know who you might meet! :)

Follow us on Twitter - @BridesButler for updates, wedding tips & info and plain ol' fun!

PS - if you meet someone and things go down the right path, we're offering 10% off our services to all couples created by this Singles Event.


* 15 tickets for each guys and gals must be sold in order for this event to take place. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased separately. Please do not drink & drive.

Alison & Eric are getting hitched!



Tamahaac Club, Ancaster.



Tomorrow, the Bride's Butler will be providing Day of Coordination services for the soon to be newlyweds. Alison works with a past Groom of ours, Jason and was referred to us for her special day. We're always so thankful for referrals. Thanks Jason!!

Alison & Eric are getting married in Ancaster at the beautiful Tamahaac Club. The ceremony will be outside, if the predicted rain storm holds off - and the reception will take place inside the club.

JD from Unveil Photography will be on hand capturing the Bride & Groom as they say "I do" and celebrate their union.

Alison has gathered a lot of her inspiration for her special day from Pinterest. A site that offers all kinds of ideas from decor, food and crafts. This site is gaining popularity from couples planning their weddings and using it like one big vision board. She will have roses, hydrangeas, an old fashioned chalk board, homemade jam and paper bird escort cards. All of her small details will come together to create one big impact. We can't wait to put it all together for her!

We're looking forward to being with Alison, Eric, their family and friends and they celebrate getting hitched!