Why a Wedding Coordinator?

Many times in this blog, on our Facebook Fan Page and on Twitter, I've mentioned reasons why I think it's important for couples to invest in a Wedding Coordinator. I'm your right-hand-gal on the most important day of your life. My team and I are there to keep you calm, make sure your vendors are on time and executing the appropriate services. We coordinate the dinner courses and speeches with your MC and Venue Coordinator, and we do a lot of the set-up and take-down. Knowing that you have a professional working for and with you is one of the best investments you can make on your wedding day. Be a Bride and not a Boss on your wedding day - the latter is my job.

So why and how did I become a Wedding Coordinator? It's not because I was married and planned my own wedding. Many Planners/Coordinators start their business after they have planned their own affair, and then think they can be professionals. Now don't get me wrong, some of them are professional and are very good, but just because they planned one wedding doesn't mean that they can or should do it for others.

I've always loved weddings. The idea of two people joining together for the rest of their lives and making that commitment in front of their loved ones is something that I think is romantic. The romance of weddings, the togetherness of family and the odd real-life fairytale is what keeps me believing in love....and enjoying my job.

Coordinating the wedding of Natalie & Jason - June 2012

It was in 2007 that I took a Wedding Planning course to test my waters of weddings. I'd always been into and involved with events, but never with weddings. I loved the course and carried on to get certified by the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada. Then I enrolled in a full-time one year post-grad Event Management program to hone my skills further.

The Bride's Butler was created in 2008 and I've executed over 22 weddings in the past 4 years. Coordinating weddings is my passion and I manage the business part-time as weddings are seasonal and typically happen on weekends.

To me, there is nothing better than two people in love. Being a part of my clients special day is an honour and I strive to make sure that their day is enjoyable and memorable. If you want a Coordinator to execute your plans and vision, then give us a call - I'd love to bring your plans to life and ensure that you're able to be yourself and a blushing Bride on your special day.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas 

& all the best for 2013!

Sale Shopping

Here's a tip for couples that are planning their 2013/14 weddings....shop the after Christmas sales.

You just never know what you might find for your special day. You've got to look high and low, and sometimes dig for the good stuff, but after Christmas is a good time to stock up on things for your wedding. For example, I got these beautiful bird cake toppers for my clients Brooke & Richard last Christmas. They aren't really cake toppers but are tree ornaments, we just snipped off the strings.

Shop the sales for favours, cake toppers, gift bags & tissue for Wedding Party & Out of Town guests. Look for centrepieces, vases, decor and more!

Some of my favourite places to look for wedding stuff on sale are:

- Michael's
- HomeSense
- Chapter's
- Hobby Lobby (in the States)

and Value Village. You just never know what treasures (especially mason jars) you'll find.

Happy Sale Shopping!

The Maid/Matron of Honour

A few weeks ago we chatted about the Best Man, so now it's the ladies turn. The Maid or Matron of Honour is the Bride's right hand gal, and is with her through all of the good, and dare I say it bad times during the planning and celebrating.

Weddings are stressful. The Bride is making a huge life change by becoming a wife, and they're planning the biggest party ever - so they're bound to feel overwhelmed. The Maid/Matron of Honour is likely her best friend, sister or cousin - someone that they love and trust. This is the person she can vent to about how overbearing her future Mother-in-Law is being, or how her hubs-to-be is simply nodding his head at all of her suggestions. She is also the person that will tell the Bride she's beautiful on her wedding day no matter the weight she wishes she had lost - because it's true. All Brides are stunning on their wedding day, and the MOH will make sure that her friend knows it too.

If you've been asked to be a MOH it is just that - an honour. The Bride has chosen you to be by her side on her special day - to help her get ready, socialize with her family and friends at the wedding and assist with all of the pre-wedding festivities.

Here are some key things a Maid/Matron of Honour will do:

- Assist with planning the Bridal Shower(s)
- Show up on time for the Bridal Shower(s), help with the food, mingle with guests & record the gifts
- Plan the Stag & Doe (if the couple want one) with the other members of the Wedding Party
- Participate in choosing the Bridesmaid dresses
- Join the Bride when choosing her dress, or at least attending the final fitting.
- Help the Bride get ready on her wedding day
- Give a speech at the reception
- Assist with any tasks that may be required of you at the wedding (and or aiding the Coordinator)
- Make sure the Bride is enjoying her wedding - be positive, be happy and stay sober!

If you've been asked to be a MOH, congrats! It's an important role - so be sure to take it seriously while still having fun!

*Photo by Elizabeth in Love

Set Up Services

This past August we had the pleasure of working with Mary-Anne and her hubs Anthony for their summer wedding (a post featuring their special day will be coming up as soon as I get some pics from the Photographer). 

As part of their services, we assisted with the set-up of their venue, Ruthven Park in Cayuga. This is a beautiful historical site that offers an outdoor ceremony location and a fabulous reception area.

If you're a Bride that doesn't feel Day of Coordination services are necessary, although we beg to differ - read our take on that here...and here - you can hire us for Set Up Services. This service is perfect for couples that need set-up of tables, chairs, linen, dishware, etc on the day of their wedding. No need to ask your family or wedding party to haul furniture and decor prior to the ceremony when we can do it for you!

Save yourself and your family/friends the stress and sweat and book with us. Here's proof of what we can do in about 3-4 hours.

Venue: Ruthven Park
Rental Company: Special Event Rentals

The Best Man

"May the Best Man Win" - and he can by following some simple rules. The Best Man is the guy in the wedding party that I tend to either really like, or dislike. They can being doing so well taking care of the Groom, keeping him on time for photos, etc and then - BAM! mess up the speech and his score depleats.

As the Best Man you want to make sure that everyone likes you - that they simply think you are the 'best' man. It is your job to ensure that the Groom is calm, dressed, on time and sober on his wedding day.  You carry the rings, and you give a speech. Pretty simple, and yet we've seen the worst of 'em.

Here are some tips for you as the Best Man to help your friend the Groom have a stellar day:

- Be on time, be sober and be ready to get dressed for photos.

- Be a little nicer than usual to the Groom, he'll be very nervous so you're support & humor will be welcomed.

- Be even nicer to the Bride. Even if you're not her biggest fan, treat her with the utmost respect on her wedding day.

- Don't flirt excessively with a Bridesmaid or guest - unless of course they are your wife. Remember that you're not attending the wedding - you're kind of on the job.

- Give a speech that is short (less than 5 mins), kind and thoughtful. No one likes inside jokes, roasting of the Groom, or 'before he met her' stories. Save that for the Stag.

- Hold the rings and don't lose 'em.

- Assist with any clean up at the end of the night, including taking gifts in your car.

Overall, be kind and have fun. Be social and enjoy the role of being the Best Man in the room.

*Photo by Elizabeth in Love

What to Wear to a Wedding

If you’re attending a wedding, here’s 4 things you need to know when you’re picking out what to wear.


#1 – Don’t wear white!

It’s majorly frowned upon to wear white to a wedding – that colour should only be worn by the Bride. Although a new trend is to have Bridesmaids wearing white as well, it's still best for you not to wear it too.You should also stay away from colours such as ivory, champagne, pale peach or light silver (these colours can look white in photos). If you want to wear white, it should be in a patterned dress either as the pattern itself or as the foreground colour.


#2 – Keep the length reasonable

Short dresses are very popular these days, but you shouldn’t wear a dress that is more than 1 inch above your knee to a wedding. Believe me, I've seen my share of too short dresses! If you can't sit without having to constantly pull your dress/skirt down, it's too tight. Be classy.
Cocktail dresses are a better choice than long dresses. The length of your dress should be either 1” above your knee, at your knee, or just below your knees.

#3 – Coordinate with the season

Long statin gowns look funny in the summer, and short patterned dresses look odd in the winter. This is common sense stuff - dress for the season.


#4 – Mind your straps

Strapless dresses are popular, but we suggest that if you go that route, take a cardigan you can wear at the ceremony and over dinner. If you wear a dress with straps, be sure that they fit well and won't slide down your shoulders all night. You want a good fit, and to be comfortable while celebrating.


Be conscious of other guests and the theme of the wedding when picking your outfit. Be mindful of cultural traditions, and do research if you're not sure – for example, Chinese traditions frown upon guests wearing red as that colour is typically reserved for the Bride. If you’re still not sure what to wear, and don’t want to cross any boundaries, the best suggestion I can give is for you to consult the Bride as she’s the one that has planned and envisioned her special day for months.





















*post generated from personal opinion & articles featured in The Spectator & Project Wedding's Blog



* pictures from Google images