Last Chance to Save!

Save 30% off any remaining 2011 dates for

Day of Coordination services

Why do you need a Coordinator for your wedding?

So you can stress less, and enjoy your day!

It's simple - you can't be two places at once. Most venues don't allow you to set up the night before like they used to, so who's going to set out your centrepieces, escort cards, money box, guest book and candles? We are.

As your Day of Coordinator we are with you for 8-10 hours on your wedding day ensuring all of the fine details you've planned are executed the way you wanted and envisioned. Together with the officiant, we manage and coordinate your ceremony. We assist with the photo shoot, and we are there at the reception keeping everything on schedule.

We remind you that it's time to cut the cake, have your first dance, and throw your bouquet. While you're busy being a blushing Bride & newlywed, we are in the background putting it and keeping it all together.

A wedding is a major event - and the logistics and details should be treated as such.

Save now on our most popular service - book before June 1st and stress less!


Didn't book soon enough? That's okay - our Day of Coordination services are still very affordable. We'd love to meet with you for a complimentary coffee & chat so we can discuss how we can work together on your special day.

Congratulations Rebecca & Tom!

Rebecca & Tom are married!

Friday the 13th turned out to be a lucky day for these two newlyweds after all! We were so happy that the sun shone brightly, it was warm out and that this wedding went off without a hitch!

Rebecca was very organized, which always helps. She chose to work with wonderful vendors who arrived on time and executed professional services. We had the chance to work with Michael Coombs of Prodigy Entertainment and Sandra Valente of Seize the Moment Photography.

The ceremony was at 4pm at St. James Cathedral Church in Toronto and was an Anglican service. The choreography of the ceremony was rehearsed the night before with the help of the Priest. It was seamless!

Pictures were taken outside the church with both families - including cousins, aunts and uncles! Thankfully, my Assistant Brittany was on point and had everyone coordinated.

The reception was at the Rosewater Supper Club and the staff there was wonderful to work with! They were helpful, friendly and went above and beyond for the happy couple.

Rebecca looked wonderful in her white dress with her blond curls. She was a very calm Bride and enjoyed every moment of her special day! The Bridesmaids wore dresses by TwoBirds, it was neat to see them all wearing dresses with sleeves for the ceremony and then changing the style for the reception.

Lily-of-the-valley was used for all bouquets, boutonnieres and centrepieces - one of the more expensive aspects of the wedding. The cake was 2-tiered and had a bird design on it to match the program, menu cards and favours.

Once the party started after dinner and speeches, Rebecca had me hand out props for specific songs. There were cowboy hats for country tunes, sunglasses for "I wear my sunglasses at night", light-up rings for Beyonce's "Single Ladies" and inflatable guitars for "Summer of 69". All of the guests loved the props and thought they were great fun!

Overall the wedding was beautiful - great friends, wonderful family and lots of love. Rebecca & Tom are very lucky to have each other and to have had a lovely wedding on Friday, the 13th.

Thank you Rebecca & Tom for inviting us to be a part of your wedding. We wish you lot's of happiness as you start your lives together.


*Photos by Seize the Moment Photography

CopyKate #03: The bouquet

This is the last post in our CopyKate series. If you want to know how to mimic other elements of William & Kate's wedding that we didn't feature, call us for a Consultation meeting.

CopyKate #03: The bouquet

From the Official Royal Press Release:

The bouquet is a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.

The flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:
Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness;
Sweet William – Gallantry;
Hyacinth – Constancy of love;
Ivy - Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection;

Myrtle - the emblem of marriage; love.

The bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.

Khris from DYIBride.com featured a post on how you can make your own bouquet similar to Kate's. Check out her post here. She estimates that the grand total for a DIY copycat Kate bouquet is roughly: $1167.90

Ouch. Lily-of-the-valley is expensive.

If you decide to work with a florist for your bouquet ask them what other flowers they can recommend to get the same look of Kate's but for much cheaper. Perhaps you only want to have a few stems of Lily-of-the-valley and use white roses and cali lilies to bulk up the bunch. Your florist will be able to work within your requests and budget restraints.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post of our recent Bride, Rebecca. She had Lily-of-the-valley centrepieces and bouquets - for all of her Bridesmaids and herself! Simply beautiful, and classic - just like Kate.

Bridesmaids: How to pull it off

We've said it before, and we'll say it again - being a Bridesmaid (or Maid of Honor) is hard work.
If it was all fun and games like the newest movie to hit the theatres; Bridesmaids, then no one would ever gripe about being one.

As a Bridesmaid you've got to have the dress, shoes, hair, make-up, nails, accessories, gifts, showers, possibly a stag & doe, a bachelorette party, the rehearsal and the wedding itself. Then on top of all that you should provide support, guidance and a shoulder to cry/lean on.

Bridesmaids want to look good on the wedding day, we get that - but you have to make sure that you do not purposefully try to upstage the Bride. It is her day. As a member of the wedding party you should consider yourself a "co-host" for the festivities, especially the ceremony & reception. Be polite, gracious and not overbearing. Do as you are asked, be flexible and simply put; be a good friend.

Still not sure what to expect as a Bridesmaid? Ask the Bride.

You can however be sure of the following:

Money - expect to spend it. If you can't afford $500 upwards to $1,000 to be a Bridesmaid, then respectfully decline. The couple (specifically Bride) should inform you what is expected in the role as soon as she invites you to join the wedding party. By no means should you feel bad or guilty for having to decline.

Attire - the likely hood of you actually liking the dress and wearing it again is slim. There are more styles offered now that able to remain in your wardrobe, but again, it's unlikely. A lot of Brides are opting for black dresses so that the Bridesmaids can wear them again. What you won't see too often are white bridesmaid dresses, although it's more popular in the UK as seen in the Royal Wedding.

Participation - you will need to attend any wedding related meetings, rehearsals, showers, and events. Enjoy each of them to the fullest. Weddings are a great excuse to celebrate and enjoy life.

If you've been asked to be a Bridesmaid, perhaps you might consider giving a gift to the couple from all  members of the Wedding Party. If you all chip in a little bit for a gift, it will help all of your pocket books. And if you want to do the Bride a big favour, hire us for Day of Coordination. Having us there on the wedding day will allow you and everyone at the wedding to simply enjoy the day for what it is - a gathering of family & friends to celebrate a union of love. No Bridesmaid I've ever known wants to feel like an employee of the Bride on her special day. You are her attendants, there to take part in the occasion with her.

Have fun!

Friendor Spotlight

Cupcake Diner: Natalie Ravoi

Cupcake Diner is Canada's first Mobile Cupcake Shoppe! Since we love cupcakes, we thought we'd feature Cupcake Diner (C.C.D) as our May Friendor.

You first started with Cakes by NatalieKay. How did you know you wanted to get into the cupcake/cake business?

Baking has always been a big part of my life and over the years this passion has grown and expanded into cake design. After completing my academic career in 2009 and having great success in my part time business; cakes by NatalieKay, I decided I wanted to pursue it full time.

This Spring you introduced Cupcake Diner, Canada's first mobile Cupcake shoppe. How did this idea come to be?

I knew I didn’t want to open just another cupcake store - it had to be something different, unique and one-of-a-kind! Cupcakes are a fun, glamorous indulgence and what better way to refresh the cupcake experience than a mobile cupcake shop! I love the concept of gourmet food trucks, but they remain foreign to Canada. I wanted to change that and bring Canada’s its very first cupcake truck.

What do you think it is about Cupcakes that make them so popular?

I would have to say variety, size and their fun factor.Cupcakes come in a variety of exciting flavours and their small size makes them the perfect snack any time of the day. Cupcakes have that “it factor” that makes you feel good. And now with the Diner, cupcakes are brought to you curbside - what could be more fun than that! Oh the possibilities!

Will you have anything else available on the Cupcake Diner?

You betcha! Did you know Cupcake Diner is also home of the Whoopie Pie and Pocket Pie? Visit us at the curb to see what your treat of choice will be!

Do you have a route that you will repeat continuously, or will the truck be cropping up randomly all over the city of Hamilton?
Each week we will post (on our cupcake calendar, Facebook and Twitter), the daily stops for that week. Also, daily we will post what cupcake flavours we have on board. The Diner will have set stops throughout the city that will rotate. Also, we will be listening to requests from Cupcake City and do our best to stop where you want us to be!

Cupcake Diner is available to book for events like weddings, how do you suggest Brides & Grooms use your service?
For all events, including weddings we offer cupcake trees, cupcake buffets, fondant covered cakes and the option to have the Diner live at your event. Specifically for weddings; there are two options - either after your ceremony (receiving line) or before your reception (cocktail hour) the Diner can pull up and serve mini cupcakes to all your guests. A fun experience your guests will never forget!

How much does it cost to have the C.C.D at an event? What does it include?
There are many packages available to accommodate events of all sizes; from small intimate gatherings to large social and corporate events. Please contact us for more information and quote.

Do you accommodate to allergies, dietary restrictions?

Yes, we offer Gluten-free/Vegan cupcakes! Mmmm.....

What kinds of flavours do you have on board the Diner?

All of our cupcakes are baked fresh daily using the freshest, finest ingredients. We support local farmers, fair trade and green initiatives. We believe in good old fashion service; our cupcakes are made with care and served with a smile. We have 25 curbside flavours, plus seasonal flavours. Flavours will rotate regularly with 4-6 flavours on board daily.

Where can we find C.C.D this Spring & Summer? You can find our Diner curbside in Hamilton, Ancaster and Dundas! Also, you can come visit us at our store  in the Hamilton Farmers Market (Opening Soon), and at some of Ontario’s most popular festivals including the Burlington Sound of Music Festival and Festival of Friends.

We hope you have a lot of fun with our 1950’s inspired mobile cupcake shoppe – See you @ the curb!

Thank you Natalie for telling our readers and Cupcake City (Hamilton) all about the Cupcake Diner! We look forward to working with you with clients who want to add some extra sweetness to their special day!

CopyKate #02

Invitations are the first thing your guests see for your wedding, unless you are having a Save the Date. You need to set the tone for your wedding through your invite - it helps guests decide if they are able to attend, what to wear, and what is expected of them (travel, costs, etc).

CopyKate #02: The Royal Wedding Invitation

I emailed my friend Sarah from Hip Ink to inquire about William & Kate's Royal Wedding invites, and how couples would be able to get the same look and feel of their invites for a whole lot less.


Here's what she had to say:

From photos I’ve seen, my guess would be that William and Kate’s invitation was likely printed on a 100% cotton, double-thick card, around 6×8 (which is oversize for standard invitations). I’m quite sure that the details were engraved, the royal crest stamped in gold foil and the edges of the card were gilded with actual gold. The invitation would have most certainly arrived in a double envelope.


$16-$20 per invite, plus optional personalization
The Royal Invite was an approx. 6x8 thick cotton card, engraved, with gilded edges and a foil stamped crest. You would probably expect to pay around $800-1000 for 50 invitations that were similar. The engraving - the most expensive printing method for invitations - and gilded edges are what really drive the cost up.

What was interesting about the Royal Wedding invites, at least to us in North America, was the lines where the guests names were written in (in this case it would have been the Royal Calligrapher who wrote them all). This is standard practice (personalizing invitations with guest names) in the UK and Australia, and adds a nice personal touch.

This is definitely something that you could incorporate if you're working with a custom designer. For example, I offer personalization on invitations or RSVP cards for around $.75-$1.00 each.

$9-$10 per invite
A mid-range but very similar invite that would look almost identical could be created using the same cardstock (a 100% cotton double-thick card), letterpress printing (still very chic and high-end) and a foil stamped gold crest (but skipping the gilded edging) for around $450-500 for 50 invitations.

$4-$6 per invite
The standout of this invite is the gold foil crest – keep that element and you’ve got the look. Combine a nice (but not super-thick) cardstock and digital printing, and you've got a more affordable item.

Did you notice that the RSVP information is printed in the lower left hand corner, asking guests to reply to the Lord Chamberlin’s office? As is traditional, and most formal, the reply is to be provided in writing – no email or phone calls here, no little mail back cards – old-school all the way. Also, no reception info. Separate invitations were mailed out for those invited to the afternoon reception held by the Queen, as well as the evening reception held by Prince Charles, and those invitations have not been made public.

So, there you have it. You can recreate Wills & Kate's invites at any price level and still get the same regal look. Contact Sarah for info on your wedding invites, or if you're working with us for Full Wedding Planning we will be able to refer you to vendors like Sarah that offer discounts to our clients.

Cheerio!

Rebecca & Thomas' Spring Wedding

Friday the 13th is a day typically known for 'bad luck', but on May 13th it will be known as a day of 'love'.

Rebecca & Thomas are getting married!!

We're hoping for a beautiful spring day with buds on the trees, flowers sprouting from the ground and clear skies. A perfect day for a new beginning for these two love birds. In fact, birds will be incorporated into the theme of the wedding.

I met Tom in early 2010 when he had just proposed to Rebecca, on Valentine's Day. He was so excited about having popped the question, and that she said yes! Despite all the excitement, he was a tad worried about Rebecca's stress level. To help her 'stress less' they booked The Bride's Butler as their Day of Coordinator. I'll be there with my Assistant; Brittany, executing the plans that they've worked so hard preparing over the past 17 months.


We're so excited to be working alongside Rebecca & Tom on the 13th - we wish them a day filled with nothing but the best of luck!


*Photo supplied by Rebecca, taken by Sandra of Seize the Moment Photography

CopyKate #01

Since the Royal Wedding on April 29th, we've heard cries from Brides on Twitter, Facebook and in print on how can they add elements from the wedding, incorporate traditions and styles and sometimes outright copy the new Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.

How can you be a copycat, or as we like to say, a CopyKate? We'll tell ya!

For the next few weeks we will post how you can have your own Royal Wedding inspired day....

CopyKate #01: The Dresses

Kate's ceremony dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen is rumored that it will be the most sought-after dress for the next decade. You can get this look too by pairing a lace shrug ontop of a strapless sweartheart gown. To save money, look for your gown on sample racks, at clearance sales and on sites like Recycled Bride and Kijiji.

You can order a custom made lace shrug for just $25-35 US online, or you can get the similar look with a short sleeved version. The a perk for this look is that it's not only affordable, but can also be removed should you want to change up your style after the ceremony or your pictures.

Visit local Bridal Boutiques and tell them that you're looking for a dress that is "Kate inspired" - they will be able to help you naviagate through the options and stay within your budget. Simply put, you don't have to buy a courture gown like Kate's to feel and 'look' like a Princess.

Kate's second dress was a Sarah Burton design as well and was worn for the evening Reception hosted by Prince Charles. The second gown is similar to the first due to it's sweetheart neckline and subtle A-line skirt, but it's much more casual. It looks to be satin, and is embellished with silver diamante embroidery at the waist. To complete the look, and dress for the cool spring air, Kate wore a soft white angora bolero cardigan.

Designers like Alfred Angelo and David's Bridal offer dresses that are similar to Kate's and are often very affordable. David's YP322 (shown right) is only $649 US, a price your Prince Charming surely won't turn his nose up at! To add more bling to the gown, incorporate your "Something Old" or "Something Borrowed" by adding a large diamond or gem broach. Afterall, you don't want to copy Kate too much - you've still got to feel and look like yourself, even as a blushing "Princess" Bride.

*Blog post inspired by the Royal Wedding

*Images found on Google Search