We've moved!

It's our 5th Anniversary and we've launched a new website & blog!

Come visit us at www.bridesbutler.ca/blog/ to keep up to date with what we're up to, real weddings, advice and more!

Final Sneak Peek!

Monday is a big day for Bride's Butler!

We're celebrating our 5th Anniversary by launching our new website and blog with showcasing our re-brand. You'll notice a new color palette, a fancy new logo and three new service packages.

I'm so excited to be celebrating such a milestone! I'll never forget my good friend and fellow vendor Christine of Designs by Law tell me in my 1st year; "if you can make it to your 5th year, you're golden." And we have!

Being able to assist couples on their wedding day as brought so much joy to us, and we can't wait to see how we will continue to grow and succeed with the re-brand!

I will post about the re-branding process complete with photos as the weeks unfold.

Thank you to everyone that has supported Bride's Butler over the past 5 years!

xo

Asking for your opinion

A few weeks ago a friend of mine on Facebook commented on this photo where a Bride was asking for opinions from people on the social media site about which wedding gown to choose. Stated in the upload of the picture was a request to state your favourite in the comments and to not post anything negative towards the Bride.

What was my initial reaction to seeing this? "Does this poor girl not have any family members or Bridesmaids to ask?" I give her credit for having the courage to post this photo and ask for opinions from strangers, but on the other hand, I feel bad for her that she felt she had to resort to that option to choose her wedding gown. Picking out a dress should be a personal experience, which is typically an emotional one shared with family and friends. On another note, people can be mean - so posting this photo may have generated some negative comments (I didn't scroll through the thousands she got) which may be hard to read, especially during an already stressful time (planning a wedding is stressful).

The majority of comments chose B, and I have to agree. The A-line skirt and rushing flatters her body type better than A. I hope that no matter what dress she picked, she is happy with her choice and feels beautiful in it. Every girl deserves to feel that way on her wedding day.

With shows like Say Yes to the Dress, I know it's hard to distinguish between what should be made public and what should be kept private, but in my opinion, this experience should have been kept private. If you were dating two men, would you post their pictures on Facebook and ask complete strangers to help you choose which one would be a better mate? This goes back to my statement about television and reality tv. We are surrounded by shows like the Bachelorette, Four Weddings and whatnot that confuse us on what is real and what is scripted. My thoughts? Your life is not a tv show, so enjoy the ride the best you can and accept that your 15 minutes of fame may never come. On your wedding day you will be the center of attention, and for the rest of your life you will be the best choice for your hubs, so that should be enough.

Maybe I'm wrong on this and asking for a mass opinion isn't such a bad idea. We do live in the era of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram where we all over-share. So, what do you think? Would you post a picture like this and ask for comments?

Cat fight.

If you didn't read the last post about the guest that attended a wedding and got called out by the Bride for giving a so-called "bad gift," you might want to do that here before I go into a tangent.

I had my say on the situation in the previous blog post, and also chatted about it with many friends and family - my opinion stayed the same...until now. The other day I read another article that displayed the text and email conversations between the guest and the Bride and to say I was disgusted is an understatement.

This situation was and is nothing more than a glorified cat fight.

Both parties are at fault. Both are trying to school the other on how to behave, react and treat others. I'm a big believer of "treat others the way you want to be treated", as well as "what we don't know won't hurt us."
Neither the guest or the Bride treated one another with respect, and at times I felt the conversations between the two aired on the side of bullying. To tell someone that they were the talk of your wedding and should be embarrassed that they were talked about and laughed at is a) not nice to tell someone, and b) not nice to do. Why on earth would you be so immature at your own wedding and so disrespectful to another is beyond me. It was a wedding and not a high school prom, right?

The fact that both of them took jabs at one another was hard to read. Weddings are to be a joyous occasion and bring people together, not tear them apart. Clearly, these girls shouldn't be friends, and that is how I would have handled the entire situation. If I was the guest and got that initial text, I would have thanked her for her opinion and then cut her out of my life. No one needs to be judged or made to feel bad for a decision they made with good intentions. But on the other hand, no one likes to be schooled about how to behave after the behavior has been executed, and both the guest and the Bride did that. Keep your comments to yourself, be gracious and be thankful. If you want to make fun of the gift choice to your new husband or wife, do that behind closed doors. Have a chuckle and leave it at that.
If you get scolded by a bride or groom for your gift choice, then make note of the type of personality trait they are showing (selfish, ungrateful, etc) and consider a friendship lost - don't go telling all of your friends and the local newspaper of their lack of tact because it just shows that you don't have much either.

So folks, at the end of this rant, I'd like to say tisk tisk to both the guest and the Bride. I'm tired of hearing about it, and reading about it, aren't you? Let's just drop this topic and call it what it is....a cat fight.

Bad gift or bad Bride?

A girl and her partner attended an acquaintance's wedding and gifted the Brides with a basket of goodies including premium salsa, chips, marshmallow fluff spread and other sweet treats. She took the time to shop for these treats, and signed the card with, "Life is delicious - Enjoy!" Not your standard wedding gift, but a kind gesture none the less to wish the newlyweds well.

After the wedding, one of the Brides texted the girl with this;"I'm not sure if it's the first wedding you have been to, but for your next wedding … people give envelopes. I lost out on $200 covering you and your dates plate . … and got fluffy whip and sour patch kids in return. Just a heads-up for the future."

You know what I have to say to that? Tisk, tisk. 

Firstly, shame on the Bride for sending a text like that, and shame on her for not thinking the girls gift was up to par. I would have retorted to that text with a simple "Just an envelope, eh? I think my gift was better than a paper letter holder." But, that's just me.

When you get married, do not expect guests to even give you a gift. Getting a gift should not be an expectation. If you are only getting married and having a wedding to reap a whack load of money and or gadgets for your home - don't have a wedding. I'm a firm believer that your wedding shouldn't put your guests in the poor house. There are showers, Stag & Does, Bachelorette parties and then the wedding...that is enough to put anyone into overdraft.

Also, expecting your guests to know the cost per plate is ridiculous. Guests should give what they can afford, not what they 'think' each plate is worth. Every wedding is different, and there is no way of telling how much or how little the couple spent hosting their wedding.

In my opinion, I think giving a gift that you chose as a personalized gift (i.e: not a cheque and not something from the registry) is a nice gesture. I'm a fan of personalized gifts. In fact, I have given personalized gifts in the past to friends, and they have been thankful for them. Once, I gave a friend a limited edition print that had a beautiful winter scene and had a Bernese mountain dog in it, which is the breed she owns. I also had it personally signed by the artist. Had she had balked at that gift, I think it would have put our friendship in perspective. Real friends don't judge you on your choices, especially when it comes to gifts. Tisk Tisk. Which brings me to another point, why did this Bride invite the girl who is stated as being an "acquaintance"? You are to invite your closest family and friends to your wedding to celebrate in your joy, not everyone that you know or have talked to a handful of times. That is greedy. My rule of thumb for inviting guests; if you haven't had a sit down meal with them in the past calendar year, they shouldn't make the cut. 

I could go on about how this Bride was out of line sending that text and having that reaction to the gift, but I won't. What I will say again is, if you are having a wedding to make money, don't have one. Do you have a dinner party at your home so you can stock up on bottles of wine and or flowers? No. Do you have a birthday or Anniversary party so you can get gifts? No. You should gather with your friends because you want to celebrate with them, and spend time with them - not to get anything else in return.

So, tisk tisk to the Bride. And I say Bravo to the girl for giving a gift that she felt was suited for the couple. Bad gift? Nope. Bad Bride? Heck yes.

To read this entire story, check it out here on thespec.com

Congrats Lizzie & John!

Remember back in the beginning of the New Year when I told you how excited I was to be coordinating the wedding of Lizzie & John? Well, I've gotten my hands on some photos to share their beautiful and unique winter wedding with you!

Tying the knot on February 16th in Hamilton, these two movie buffs exchanged vows in front of their closest family and friends. With a theme of movies, red, white and black, they captured old hollywood charm.

Photos were captured by their friend Lindsay of Lindsay Taylor Photography and were taken at the RBG in Hamilton and the waterfront. The beautiful fascinator that the Bride wore is from my friend and industry professional Kalee at Frilly Bits.

The wedding ceremony and reception was held at Carmen's and was a fabulous event complete with cupcake from Sweetness Bakery, a homemade photo booth made by the Groom and his Groomsmen, and a choreographed dance by the Bride and her maids.

Congratulations to Lizzie & John! It was a pleasure to work alongside you on your special day, and I hope to spend more time with you in the near future with other events and opportunities. :)



The First Look at the RBG



How adorable are these Ring Bearers?



Nice legs ladies!



The Groom gives his coat to his Bride on the cold winter day.





Sherwood Inn on Lake Joseph

A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I were talking about going away for a weekend this summer. I came across an ad for Sherwood Inn on Lake Joseph in Muskoka and thought it looked amazing. They have a beach, hiking trails, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and fishing...so it was a no brainier for us to book our weekend there.

While on the website for Sherwood Inn I noticed that they host weddings. You can book the entire Inn for you and your guests and have an intimate wedding on site. The thought of that kicked my wedding mind into high gear as I starting envisioning all of the small details, DIY decor and personalized touches you could have at a venue like that.

Then, just a few days later while scrolling through instagram I saw some photos of a beautiful wedding by Green Autumn Photography. I wasn't sure where it was, but I knew I loved it. I even showed the BF the photos and told him that that would be the kind of wedding I would want one day. And, he didn't even roll his eyes ladies, he's that good of a boyfriend.

Anyhoo, while chatting with Jimmy of Green Autumn at my re-branding photo shoot I asked him where the wedding took place and he said Sherwood Inn! How awesome is that?!?

The Inn

The outdoor Ceremony site

Check out all the natural light! Love it!

Needless to say, I can't wait to go there! Be sure to check Bride's Butler out on Instagram for photos of  our mini vacay at the beautiful resort on Lake Joseph.

Re-branding photos with Green Autumn Photography

Firstly, let me start off by saying; I love Twitter. I have made a lot of connections through the social media site. From drinks and laughs with @JohnLepp, to talking gluten free recipes and weddings with @Sarahdanielleph, to staying informed about Hamilton (#HamOnt) from the likes of @JoeyColeman, @Kitestring and @TourismHamilton...I have fallen in love with Twitter.

One of my favourite shots from the shoot.
This is now my Twitter avatar. :)

It was because of Twitter that I was introduced to Jimmy and Sonya Bender of Green Autumn Photography.We connected because of his beautiful photos, but also because his colleague Tim was the videographer for this awesome wedding. We started chatting on Twitter, then became friends on Facebook, and then starting following one another on Instagram. We made plans to meet over coffee, and became instant friends in real life.

When I started telling Jimmy and Sonya about my plans for Bride's Butler, and they shared in my excitement, I knew that I wanted to bring them on board for my journey. Not only did they spend two hours of their time the other week taking photos for the new website, blog and printed material, but they also agreed to offer an exclusive discount to future clients of mine. They have joined me along with a selected group of other wedding professionals to provide a package that will meet the needs of so many Brides in the Hamilton and surrounding areas. I can't wait to unveil everything in July!

There are no words or gifts to show my gratitude to Jimmy and Sonya for their time, support and friendship. I just can't wait until the bookings start coming in for the package we will be offering that includes Green Autumn so that we can join forces and create magic doing what we love to do!

Thank you Jimmy and Sonya for a fun morning of photos, and for making me feel comfortable and laugh at myself in your presence. And thank you to Twitter for introducing me to friends that have become more than words on a screen, but friends I can hug.

Goofing around with Jimmy & Sonya.

Smiling for the rapid clicking of the lens.

The R.S.V.P card

Guest Blogger: Rebecca Leary from Wedding Paper Divas

Find this invitation & RSVP card set from Wedding Paper Divas

At the very least, wedding invitations include the actual invitation and the R.S.V.P. card. While the wedding invitation sets the tone for the celebration and provides the who, what, when, where and why of the event; what exactly is the R.S.V.P. card? Sure, we know that it means to respond to the sender with whether or not you plan on attending the wedding – but is it perhaps something more?

First, let’s take care of the basics. R.S.V.P. is French for Répondez S'il Vous Plaît, which literally means: respond, if you please. Or simply, please respond. Please note: it is redundant to write: Please R.S.V.P., which would translate to: Please respond, if you please. Now, is the R.S.V.P. card something more than a count of attendance? 

Well yes, and here’s how:

For the Couple
Whether your budget is $5,000 or $50,000, making sure it’s allocated properly and not wasted is a high priority for every couple and the R.S.V.P. card gives you a certain amount of budget control. It is with this card that you can keep a handle on wedding costs by simply filling in the number of guests and/or writing their name(s) on the M line. This way there are no surprise guests and if you want an evening without children, it politely lets guests know they need to make the proper arrangements. Also, if you are offering menu choices, you can offer guests the option to select a single entrée rather than providing dual entrees, letting you make sure the appropriate amount is prepared. Finally, if you are hosting multiple events, simply list all of them on the R.S.V.P. card and keep track of attendance all in one place.

Beyond the budget, the R.S.V.P. card helps build excitement for the day to come. As you start getting them back in the mail, you’ll find that guests, both those attending and those who cannot, often write a personal note of congratulations. Compiled into a book, box or binder, these messages are yet another keepsake of your special day.  

Wedding Paper Divas

For Guests
It is an honor and a privilege to witness one of life’s most intimate moments between two people. As a guest, it is helpful to pay close attention to the subtle clues on the wedding invitation – location, attire, wording, etc. – and the R.S.V.P card, observing the same elements as noted above. Every last detail was carefully selected to let you, as a guest, know what to expect in accordance to the couples wishes – all in an effort to ensure everyone has a great time.

After all, if it was your wedding, you’d expect the same from your guests.

As a final note, to account for those who forget to fill in their name on the R.S.V.P. card, (yes it does happen) simply make a numbered list of the guests and write the corresponding number on the R.S.V.P envelope by the stamp. It’s an inconspicuous spot and will save you the trouble of trying to figure out who sent it.

Author Bio: Rebecca Leary is a seasoned writer and guest author who enjoys connecting people with thoughtful products, services and ideas as they relate to the wedding and event planning industries.

Wedding Porn

Yep, I said it...porn. You've heard of food porn, so why not have wedding porn too?

When I'm looking to invest a few minutes looking at nothing but beauty, love and fine details, I turn to a few of my favourite sites. They are free to visit, you won't see any annoying pop ups, and you will leave with a smile on your face!

If you want to view some wedding porn, then I suggest you run along to one or all of these sites!!

100 Layer Cake

Green Wedding Shoes

Style Me Pretty Canada

Black is back!

While in the process of the re-brand for Bride's Butler I've been looking at all kinds of designs, layouts, colours and fonts the past few months and let me just tell you, it's been hard to decide! There are so many beautiful designs out there, and waaaay too many fonts! But, it seemed that no matter how much I looked, and how much I saw that I liked, I always seemed to be drawn to the chalkboard style.

So then for fun, I started looking at invitation styles on Wedding Paper Divas and ta-da! Found some designed with the chalkboard style. Here is one of my favs..

And then I kept looking, and I saw so many beautiful invitations I just couldn't stop clicking through from one page to the next. I noticed that there were quite a few invites that were black and it got me thinking...I know that black has made a major come-back into weddings through the bridesmaid dresses, details and embellishments on the Bride, but I wasn't sure if it would make it's way to the stationery. But, why wouldn't it? Black is classic. Black makes a statement. Black is back!

What I love most about these invites is that you don't need a whole lot of colour, or any at all to show your style and get your message across in a beautiful, artistic and classy way.

What do you think? Do you think wedding invitations need colour? They are the first thing guests see from the wedding and help set the tone for the event...but from looking at these invites, I say go for it! Black is back, and I like it!

Backyard Weddings

This summer we have 3 backyard weddings booked for Day of Coordination services. We've had a few weddings hosted on property of the couple or their parents in the past, but not like what we're seeing for this year. Is it a trend or a coincidence? I think tented weddings set in the summer are becoming more popular as it offers your guests a more intimate atmosphere for your big day. Depending on your budget, you can host a wedding on your property, but know that they can sometimes be just as expensive, if not more than your average wedding at a venue.

Watch this blog as we head into fall for recaps and images from all 3 of our backyard weddings!

*Images from our friends and recommended supplier at Special Event Rentals

Add a little sparkle...

Sparklers from Sparkle

I'm a fan of things that sparkle...diamonds, glitter, stars, you name it. But one thing that I've always liked since I was a kid that sparkles in a different way, are sparklers. If you're having a summer wedding, or are planning a summer wedding for next year, how about adding sparklers to your special day?

A nice way to incorporate sparklers into your wedding day would be to offer them to guests to hold during your first dance or to have a sparkler send off. Another way to use them would be to give them to your wedding party during a night time photo shoot.

Provide your guests with sparklers, matches and or lighters and a place to put the sparklers after they have gone out. A good place for them would be a pot filled with sand, or a wooden box. You don't want to place them in a trash can/bag or anything plastic as they may still be a tad hot and you don't want to start any fires. Also, be sure to check with your venue first if sparklers are allowed on site as they are a conductor of heat and fire and can be potentially dangerous and hazardous if not handled properly.

Do you like things that sparkle? Are you planning on using sparklers at your wedding?

First dance sparklers - photo by InBloomPhotography

Sparkler Send Off - photo from wedding featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs

Wedding party photos - photo found on Google

Help Me, Help You

This line was made famous by the hit movie "Jerry Maguire" back in 1996. Gasp! 21 years ago.
Man, I feel old.

Anyhoo...this blog post is titled "Help Me, Help You" because we're offering a referral program from now until our 5th Anniversary on July 15, 2013.

We're going through a few changes behind the scenes with our logo, website, blog and services, but before our big reveal and celebration, we want to "show you the money!"

With each new Day of Coordination booking you send our way*, we will give you $50. Not only are you making money, but you are helping a friend or family member stress less on their wedding day. Our Day of Coordination services are the most popular for a reason - couples don't want to fret about the fine details, timing logistics and overall coordination of their big day.

Please tell anyone you know getting married in the Hamilton or surrounding area about us, and tell them to join us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, and be sure to tell them to tell us that you referred them!

Thank you! We look forward to seeing you at your friend's wedding!!

*new bookings for 2013 or 2014 weddings only. Must be Day of Coordination services currently offered by The Bride's Butler (until July 15/13). Services must be booked at regular price ($900) and referral will not be paid until a deposit has been received.

Go Leafs Go!

If you're a Leaf fan, then you are likely cheering them on as they play in the playoffs....for the first time in NINE years!

If you're a HUGE Leaf fan, then you'll likely want to incorporate your love for the team into your wedding, and if that doesn't fly with the Bride or the Groom (girls like hockey too), then why not add the Leafs to your engagement photos?

Check out what this cute couple did for their e-session this past winter.

Adorable, right? Slap on those jerseys, get on the ice and just enjoy each others company - all the while someone (like the talented Carolyn from InBloom Photography) takes your photo. 

Typically, guys are the hockey fans in the relationship, so give this one to him ladies and incorporate the Leafs into your engagement photos. If you are a fan too and want to add a dash of TO to your wedding day you can always choose royal blue and white as your colours, or name your signature drink after the team or favourite player or you can even be announced as husband & wife to the Hockey Night in Canada song.

Whether you like the Leafs or not, think of ways how you can incorporate your hobbies, interests and favourite sport teams into your engagement photos, or even your wedding.

Another peek at our NEW look!

We gave you a sneak peek at our new logo in this post, and now we're going to reveal what the new homepage of the website will look like!

Taking my personality and love for rustic chic decor, country music, romance and chalkboards (I have one in my kitchen that I write an inspirational quote on daily), this is what my lovely and talented friend Ashley from Ashley & Malone created for the homepage.

I'm totally in love!!

Clear and easy tabs like "Meet Diane", "Services" and "Gallery" will give you information and insight on who I am, what Bride's Butler can do for you on your special day and a look back at some of our most memorable weddings.

We might be re-launching earlier than expected, but will definitely have much celebration on and around our 5th Anniversary on July 15th. Stay tuned to the blog,Twitter and Facebook for more updates on the re-brand and also on how we plan to keep you in the know about weddings, tips, trends and coordination services!

A special Bridal Shower gift

A dear friend of mine is getting married in a few short weeks in Cuba. We have been friends since we were 3 and 5 years old. She is one of the kindest, sweetest people I know. She's the kind of friend that when my life was falling apart before my eyes, she was the first one there to hug me and tell me everything would be okay. So when she asked me to be a Bridesmaid for her May wedding, I said yes. Little did I know at the time that I simply wouldn't have the money to travel to Cuba (as a single gal, it's expensive!). Since I am unable to attend her special day, I wanted to make sure that I gave her a heartfelt gift that displays to her how much I appreciate and cherish her friendship.

Many times at client's weddings I will see personalized items, ribbon and handkerchiefs wrapped around the Bride's bouquet, so it got me thinking....if I can't stand beside my friend on her wedding day, then I have to make sure she knows that I am there in thought and will be thinking of her that day. I went to Michael's and bought black satin ribbon, a frame charm and a faux bouquet. Inside the frame I placed a picture of the two of us from our 2009 vacation to Cuba. Both of our lives have changed so much since that picture was taken, but the thing that has remained the same is our friendship and love for one another. I know I have let her down by not being able to attend her wedding, but I hope she knows that she has my full support as she marries a fantastic guy. They are a great pair and I couldn't be happier for her.

Ribbon tied around a bouquet with a photo of us.

Inside the card I wrote;

Because I can't stand beside you on your wedding day,
I ask that you take me with you on your bouquet.
Wrap the ribbon around your flowers tight,
I'm so happy that you found Mr. Right.
Even though we're far apart,
Our friendship is always in my heart.

I also gave her a homemade chalkboard with Household Labels for her pantry. Her and her hubs-to-be just bought a new house, so I'm sure she will put the chalkboard up in the kitchen so he can leave her love notes instead of dinner menu requests. LOL!

Household pantry labels from Mabel's Labels.

I'm glad that I was able to celebrate with her on Saturday at her Bridal Shower and look forward to the party they will host at their new home when they arrive back as Mr. & Mrs.

Wishing Katie & Adam all the best on their wedding day! I love you guys!

The First Look

Most Brides see their Groom for the first time on their wedding day as they walked down the aisle, but now that's not always the case. Many couples are choosing to have a "First Look" to ease their nerves and spend more time together on their big day.

Sometimes the Bride wants to keep the tradition alive of her future hubby not seeing her until she's escorted down the aisle so she asks her Groom to face his back to her so she can simply touch him and talk to him without him seeing her, or sometimes the Groom gets blindfolded.

Past clients of ours, Leigh and Derek met in the hallway of the hotel they were getting ready at prior to their ceremony to hold hands and exchange gifts. They didn't look at one another, but being able to connect before they said "I do" helped these two connect and feel at ease.

A lot of couples are choosing to have their photos done prior to the ceremony as well. This allows for more time as time is usually somewhat limited between the ceremony and reception. Also, this enables the everyone, especially the Bride to have a fresh look as their make-up was recently applied and they likely haven't shed many tears yet.

First Looks have become more popular and more acceptable the past few years. I think they are a great idea if time allows. But, if you do stick to tradition and wait to see your Groom until you walk down the aisle, check out this slide show that has some things Grooms thought/felt when they saw their Bride for the first time.
Are you planning on having a First Look? 

Planning perspectives...

Planning a wedding is the second most stressful life event, followed by the death of a loved one. Crazy, right? While planning your wedding, be sure to have look at it from all perspectives. From your point of view, to your mothers/future mother-in-law, even from your friends and co-workers. Not everyone will want to constantly hear about your plans, but those that love and support you will do just that - give you love and support. 

There are going to be issues during your wedding planning - difference in opinions - and I can guarantee it, there will be spats (between you & your Groom, between you & his family /your family and between you & your friends).

Here are a few issues that may arise and my tip on how to deal with them.

You and your Groom 'chose' to be with each other. People in your life are going to have their say/opinion - about you, about your ideas, and about your wedding. No matter what is said, the two of you need to stick together - this is very important. Family is family, you don't pick them - but you picked who you want to spend the rest of your life with - make that choice count.
TIP: If he doesn't have your back, and tells you that he feels like he's "in the middle" of any issues that arise - that might be a sign that he doesn't view the two of you as a unit. 
Working together should be easy and fun - not a battle.

May you remember that you can't please everyone, so aim to please just you and your Groom. 
Weddings are all about 2 people joining together - and not about what family traditions have to be included, where relatives should be seated & when to have the first dance. A wedding should only be about you and your fiance - your wants, needs, desires and dreams. Now, this doesn't mean you should be selfish and not be considerate of others (your guests) but it does mean that if your mother insists that you have your first dance to the song she and your father danced to and you don't like that song, then you don't have to. You are creating new memories and traditions so just be yourselves!
TIP: Be tactful and compromise the best you can. Try to put yourself in the shoes of others simply for a 'reality check' as planning your wedding can become all encompassing, but don't settle for a wedding that isn't what you always envisioned.

Don't sweat the small stuff. You can plan until you're blue in the face, but things will still go wrong on your wedding day. Of course having a Wedding Coordinator on site helps with this, but if you don't have us working with you, try to focus on the reason you are gathered - for a marriage, not just a party. There's no wedding without the vows.
TIP: Keep a clear perspective. Keep it simple. You, him, marriage, life. 

Try to keep your perspective about your wedding planning as sweet as possible. Be respectful, but don't be taken for granted. Be heard, but not overbearing. Be you - and if that's an issue for anyone, then they don't deserve to be a part of your special day.

Overall, try not to get too stressed out - and if you do, that may be telling you more than you think. Take a step back and look beyond the wedding, beyond the 'one day of celebration' and make sure that you're having a party for all the right reasons, because in the end - it is just one day whereas a marriage is forever.

Good luck!

Sneak Peek!

I had mentioned in a previous post that exciting things are happening and here is a sneak peek of what is going on with Bride's Butler...

We are in the process of a re-brand and I couldn't be more thrilled with the new logo and look that my talented and beautiful friend Ashley from Ashley and Malone is creating for me! Incorporating my personality and love of rustic items and decor, country music and romance; she is helping me build a brand that I am truly happy with and proud to call my own.

Aside from the look of the logo and website, we are changing a few things. For example, "the" will no longer be a part of the business name and logo, and we're revamping our services to better meet the needs of our clients.

Stay tuned for more to come as we unveil our new look and celebrate our 5th Anniversary in July.

Two years in a row!

I'm so excited to announce that I won the Diamond Award (1st Place) for the Hamilton Community Readers Choice Award for "Best People - Wedding Planner" for the second year in a row!

Thank you so much to everyone that voted and for your support! I'm so flattered to be recognized as a leading provider of exceptional service in the wedding industry in Hamilton.

The Bride's Butler has grown so much these past 5 years and we can't wait to show you what we have up our sleeve to celebrate our 5th Anniversary in July!

Thank you again to everyone! xo

Toast Do's and Don'ts

Last June I was asked by The Hamilton Spectator for some Do's and Don'ts for wedding toasts.

Here are my suggestions for a flawless toast to the Bride & Groom:

DO

Keep it short. Don’t ramble on, three minutes max. “People have a short attention span as it is.” Five minutes is definitely pushing it. “Rehearse, practice and time yourself.”

Have notes. It seems more natural to just have points of interest to refer back to. “It’s always good to have something written down because your emotions are running high. You don’t want to just fly by the seat of your pants because that’s when the rambling starts.”

Be yourself and be original. Maybe you want to make it rhyme or incorporate a poem that’s fitting. “It shouldn’t be something generic you got online.”

DON’T

Don’t roast the couple. “Keep it classy.” No one wants to hear about an embarrassing moment on such a special occasion. That includes roasting guests, too. “Avoid calling people out on past mistakes in general.”

Don’t toast yourselves. This is more for the bride and groom. If someone says ‘and cheers to the bride and groom” you’re just supposed to just “take it and smile for the cameras.” Do not clap or clink your glasses or raise your glass. “It’s considered poor taste. You’re just supposed to graciously accept the toast.”

Don’t apologize for being nervous. Most people already expect you to be somewhat uncomfortable speaking in front of large groups. “You don’t need to point it out to make it more noticeable.”

Father of the Bride

We've had posts about the Maid/Matron of Honour, The Best Man, Bridesmaids and the Mother of the Bride, but have yet to cover the Father of the Bride.

The Father of the Bride is usually the most important man in a Bride's life, next to her future husband. He is the man that will walk her down the aisle and 'give her away' to the Groom. He typically offers a toast at the reception and can give a speech if he so desires.

What should The Father of the Bride say to his daughter, future son-in-law and guests?

Here are some topics to touch on:

Welcome - The Father of the Bride usually speaks first, or is the second to speak after the MC or the Best Man speech. He should welcome guests to the wedding and thank out of town guests for joining in the celebration. He should thank people that made the day possible and participating in the planning process and the overall upbringing of the Bride.

Ceremony - He should mention the union that took place at the ceremony and the love his daughter and the groom share for one another. A nice quote, bible verse or song lyric can help with expressing any emotions he may wish to share.

The Bride - The Father of the Bride should talk about the Bride, how proud he is of her and provide a few fun facts about her. Keep this brief as not many people care to hear long winded stories of her childhood like losing her first tooth, her awkward teenage years or the troubles she got into during College. Talk about some of her talents, skills and accomplishments, but keep it short and sweet.

Their Relationship - Mention the relationship between the Bride and Groom. How they met, how he felt when he knew his little girl was in love and his hopes for them for their future together.

The Groom - Welcome him to your family and provide him with a few tips and advice like family traditions, etc. You can poke a little fun at him if you have a good relationship with him, but keep it classy.  You don't want to embarrass him or your daughter. Be sure to make him feel special and accepted.

Wise Words/Toast - End your speech with a few relationship lessons and wise words. Offer an example from  your relationship with her mother if it's a healthy one. Tell them about your hopes, dreams and wishes for them and your excitement of what lies ahead for them as a family.

The Father of the Bride is an important role in a wedding, so be sure to take it seriously, but have fun with it as well. Weddings are an emotional day, so be sure to cherish every moment.

*Photo by Angela Devries Photography from the wedding of Natalie & Jason

How NOT to ruin your wedding photos

Your wedding photos will be one of the most important mementos from your wedding day. The day will go by so quickly, and you'll be having so much fun that you'll need good, quality photos to refresh your memory of what a fabulous day you had!

Choosing a Photographer is a tough decision. I always tell my clients to go with who they feel most comfortable with and who's style they prefer. Do not try to cheap out on your photos. This doesn't mean you have to spend $5,000+, but it surely means you shouldn't be spending less than $500 or asking a friend to do it for free. I saw a fabulous and oh-so-true quote the other day; "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur." This quote is bang on - let the professionals take care of you on your wedding day. We have many reasons to call ourselves such.

You've hired a professional and you know they will deliver, but what can you do to make sure that you don't ruin your photos?

Here are some tips on how NOT to ruin your wedding photos:

Create a wish list

Work with your Photographer via email or a face-to-face meeting to discuss the kind of photos you want. Most times you've selected them because of their style, poses, layouts, etc - but if there is a certain pose or location you want, be sure to tell them!
Some popular shots on a wish list are; gown on hanger in window, picture with grandparents, photo of rings/invitation and your something old/new/borrowed and blue.

Have your Photographer stay 

To save money some couples will send the Photographer home after the receiving line or just before dinner. This is a mistake if you want to capture emotions from you, your groom, wedding party, family and guests during dinner, speeches and when the party starts. They don't need to stay all night if money is tight, but have them stay at least until you've cut the cake and had your first dance.

Book in advance

Photographers and Coordinators are two of the first vendors to get booked early. We advise you to do your research and book with your selected Photographer at least 12-14 months in advance. Some times you can get away with as little as 9 months, but don't be surprised if our #1 choice is booked already.

Schedule enough time

Chat with your Photographer and your Day of Coordinator about how much time is needed for your photo shoot. We will be realistic with you and factor in travel time, set-up, people management and weather (sunlight, etc). You want to make sure you have enough time to be relaxed and having fun, but not too much time that your guests awaiting your arrival back are bored.

Feed your vendors

Vendors that get fed are happy vendors, and happy vendors will work better than hungry ones. If you have vendors working over your dinner hour (Photographers, Coordinator, DJ, etc) we highly recommend that you have a vendor table for them and feed them dinner as well. Your wedding day is a long one although it seems to go by so quickly and most of your vendors will be working well before you start to get ready and long after you've gone home.

Look fresh

On your wedding day you will look so radiant and happy because it's your wedding day, but do yourself a favour and eat and sleep well the day before. Same goes for your wedding day, stay hydrated, eat throughout the day and don't get intoxicated.

Have fun

Stuffy photos are a thing of the past. Sure, you'll have the traditional family and wedding party shots, but make sure you're having fun, laughing and enjoying yourself. Don't worry about the small things - this is your Day of Coordinators job. A smiling Bride looks best from all angles.


*Photo by JClay Photography from Helen & Jason's big day

Exciting things are happening!

This July, The Bride's Butler will be celebrating 5 years and we've got some exciting things happening! Stay tuned for more information in the next couple of months!

xo Diane









Photo by Elizabeth Kaye from the wedding of clients Morgan & Adam

Red Lips

Jessica Chastain wears red lipstick to the 2013 Oscars

If you watched the Grammy's, Emmy's, Golden Globes or Oscars you may have noticed that red lips are hot and on trend this year. If you're thinking that you want to have a fierce pout for your wedding day, then we suggest that you definitely test out the look before your big day before going out on the town, or to a special event. By testing the look (if you don't already wear red lipstick) will help you get accustomed to wearing such a bright colour on your lips. Read these 4 steps to help you get this look.

Adele receives her Oscar with a sultry red kisser.

If you're looking a good lipstick to look fabulous and wear well during your wedding day, we recommend Arbonne's long-wearing, feather-resistant lipstick in Scarlet, Strawberry or Runway Rouge. Arbonne's products are plant-based, making them vegan and contain no mineral oil or parabens. This lipstick offers full coverage and intensely conditions and hydrates your lips leaving them kissable for your Groom.

I'm an Independent Consultant for Arbonne and would love to show you some products and cosmetics, including the lipstick in shades of red. Discounts are available when you order through me.

Be bold and try a new look that is oh-so-hot right now!