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

How to deal with unruly guests

Unruly guests can be like this person, or these people. They are the guests that make you anxious about inviting them to your wedding. You want your day to be perfect, so having a drunk guest fall into your cake, or a baby crying throughout your vows or a co-worker kissing your divorced Dad is all situations you want to avoid.

So, how can you deal with unruly guests?

1. Be smart when planning your guest list as discussed in our last post.

2. Have plenty of food to keep empty stomachs from getting intoxicated too quickly.

3. Close the bar during dinner to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed in a short amount of time.

4. Have water available during cocktail hour to hydrate guests during a summer wedding.

5.Present kids will goody bags filled with coloring books, puzzles and such to keep them occupied during your ceremony, dinner and speeches.

6. Ask your Hubby-to-be to have a chat with his unruly guests - his guests are typically the Class Clowns and Party Animals. They've likely been high school or college friends for years, so he's the best person to ask them to stay in line.

7. Tell your Wedding Coordinator about difficult guests. Give them info about family dynamics and who to be on the look out for. We can come in handy as a mediator when we need to.

8. Plan your seating chart accordingly. It's best not to sit all of the heavy drinkers/party animals together - they will feed off one another and be the loud and unruly table. Let them organically find each other on the dance floor.

9. Chat with your family members and parents about troubled guests like the slutty cousin, divorced grandparents, etc. Family matters can interfere weddings, so it's best to tip it in the bud.

Did these tips help? How do you plan on dealing with unruly guests?

Looking back on Angie & Serge's day

Signing the registry - they're married!

In May, we executed Full Wedding Planning services for Angie & Serge. Lovingly referred to as "the Brady Bunch" by family and friends, this outdoor backyard wedding was one so full of love that it was palpable.
During their wedding ceremony, I actually had tears running down my cheeks.

Angie and Serge met and instantly fell in love. Every Sunday he brings her flowers. She believes that their love is one of fairy tales, so that was the underlying theme for the wedding. Cupcake Diner provided the mini cake, cupcakes and the favour cookies shown.

The ceremony took place on their property with the reception being housed in a tent provided by Special Event Rentals. Christine of Designs by Law made the tables beautiful with illuminated centrepieces and Gary from Ted's Tunes kept the crowd on their feet all night. It was a pleasure to have worked with vendors that I know and trust, and helped bring the fairy tale vision to life for Angie and Serge.

These newlyweds are a fabulous match brought together later in life to form a beautiful family. All of the kids like each other, get along and treat each other with respect. They are more than step-siblings, they are friends. It was an honour to have been a part of their special day and to witness the love and share in the joy with their family and friends. Congratulations, and thank you!

Bride, Groom, their kids and the Best Man.

The Bride is escorted down the aisle by her Father & her eldest son.

Family Matters

As your Day of Coordinator, it is my duty and responsibility to make sure that your plans and ideas for your wedding are brought to life. It's my job to make sure that the timeline that we agreed upon together is followed to the best of our abilities. It is me who will communicate updates and changes on your behalf with your vendors such as your DJ, Photographer, Venue Coordinator and Florist. I'm the middle man between you and well, pretty much everyone else....including your family members.

If you have an over-bearing parent, or an Aunt/Uncle/Wedding Party Member that has to have their say, please do us all a favour and inform them about me prior to your wedding day. You should tell your immediate family and wedding party that you've hired a Day of Coordinator so that your wedding goes smoothly and on time. To be realistic, things will change, the timeline will become a guideline, but in the end, that's my worry - not yours, or your parents.

I understand that parents and family members want the best for you for your special day, but assure them that we've discussed your wedding in length and that everything is taken care of. Tell your family and wedding party that you want them to enjoy the day as well, and that if they have a suggestion or concern that they should see your Coordinator. It's our job to be quick thinkers, problem solvers, negotiators and mediators.

If you have someone that you think will interfere on your wedding day, it is definitely a good idea to hire a Day of Coordinator. Let us be the bad guy, so that you can be the blushing Bride and simply enjoy your wedding day with your husband.




** We are currently offering $200 off remaining dates in April, May & June for Day of Coordination **

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

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.

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.

Thanksgiving

This weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving, and The Bride's Butler will be really busy with 2 weddings. That's right - 2. One on Saturday, and another on Sunday. Holidays and long weekends are becoming very popular for weddings. Since I'll be absent from being able to have dinner with my family, I thought I'd devote this post to giving thanks.

Pictured is the Angel of Thanks - I have a few of these, but have yet to obtain this one. Perhaps I should, as I have much to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for.....

- my parents...their constant love & support is so appreciated, and I love them with all my heart.
- my brother, sister-in-law & nephew...they always make me smile everytime I see them.

- my best friend, who has supported me, guided me and been by my side through thick and thin.

- mabel's labels....for providing a fun, safe, loving and supportive work environment.

- lessons learned...life will never give you anything you can't handle.

- my awesome car.

- a great pair of jeans, a comfy hoodie and a lived in baseball hat.

- the feeling and smell of fall in the air. The sights, the smells & the tastes.

- my clients....who with their help of positive promotion brings me more clients. I love my job.

- my health, and the health of my family and friends

- fond memories of people and experiences that induce an instant a smile

- buttered toast, earl grey tea, ice cream and chocolate

- a fantastic country song that makes you want to sing at the top of your lungs.

- prayers....the good kind, the wishful kind, and the kind that gives karma a little nudge.

- a glass of red wine shared with friends

- what lies ahead....I'm thankful for each and every day.

May you all be thankful for something or someone this Thanksgiving.

Life is like a bowl full of cherries....

Or, is life like a box of chocolates? One is sweet, the other is sour. One can go rotten, the other stale. Both however, can taste good. How you look at your wedding planning is all about perspective - all about how you see things, what you like best, and what is going to help you achieve happiness (before & after the wedding ceremony).

What's good for one, may be bad for another. What is one's dream, may be anothers nightmare - but at the end of the day (this day being your wedding rehearsal, the eve of your nuptials) you have to know that you did the best you could with planning a great party, and preparing yourself for what comes after the wedding - marriage.

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).


Firstly, everyone should understand and respect that this is YOUR wedding - and by 'your', I mean you and your fiance. This is a special time for you, and all others should simply take joy in the happiest time of your life. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. You may have certain people that will try to add extra stresses for you - not sure why, jealousy perhaps. In the Wedding Industry, we call these wedding 'energy suckers' - Wedding Trolls. LOL! Have a good laugh if you can, because like mentioned above, it is YOUR day.
TIP: Talk to your fiance about anyone that is troubling you, and work it out together. Either turn a blind eye, or confront the person about how they are making you feel.

I see your 'full house', but I trump it with my 'Bride'. There's a reason why they say "it's for the Bride". Wedding planning is stressful - it's like having another full time job with way more bosses than co-workers. If the Bride asks you do help out, or to do something reasonable - then please, for everyone's sake - just do it.
Don't make issues out of small requests. Everyone should keep this in mind at all times - it's the Bride & Groom's day - your day will come, or it has already passed - it's not all about you, it's about them.
TIP: Be tactful with your requests. Big or small, those that love you and want to see you happy will help out. All others can, you know.....

You and your Groom 'chose' to be with each other. Again, people are going to have their say/opinon - 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.
TIP: Again, 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 Planner on site helps with this, but if you don't have a Planner, 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.

Good luck!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

This past Sunday I hosted a Baby Shower for my Sister-in-law (SIL) Shannon and my nephew Cole. In a previous post I'd mentioned how I was tossing around ideas for a theme and then finally decided, but wanted to keep it a secret. The theme was baseball!  My SIL plays and umpires, and the sport has always been played by my Dad (Pops) and my brother (Cole's Dad).

The invitations were made to look like ticket stubs and even had one of our favourite quotes from a baseball movie; Field of Dreams -"If you build it, he will come."

Guests were treated to a lunch of hotdogs, nachos with cheese, an aray of salads and cupcakes (baked by yours truly).

For the favour we had a Candy Buffet with baseball treats like caramel corn, peanuts, pretzels, gum, gummies, pepperettes and Baby Ruth chocolate bars! Guests could fill up small paper bags with their choice of treats to take home.

Instead of a guest book we asked guests to sign a baseball as a memento.

Shannon and Cole were surrounded by many family and friends and I think that everyone had a great time. Cole was spoiled!! Shown here is the little cutie with a 'big boy' hat from Roots given with love from my Aunt Bev.

Congrats once again Jack & Shannon on the birth of baby Cole!

It was a pleasure hosting the shower for you.

Choosing your Master of Ceremonies

You've announced your engagement, you've set your wedding date, you've found your dress, you've ordered your cake, flowers and transportation, you've made your guest list, and now all you need to do is make it all come together on one day - one big day - one day that will be considered the most important day of your life.

You have the starring role on that day, you're like celebrities actually.
Your Wedding Planner is your Director, Producer, Stylist, Engineer and even your Therapist - but who is the Conductor? Who announces you and your wedding party and who ties all of the various elements of the evening together?
Who has this honour? Your MC!

Choosing an MC is sometimes an easy task, and other times it can be daunting for the couple. Who do you know that likes to talk in front of a crowd, but isn't a class clown or major attention seeker? Who knows you well enough to be able to tell stories about you individually and as a couple? Who can work well with your Wedding Planner to ensure proper timing and execution of the many event logistics? Your MC!

Suggestions for whom to pick as MC are typically the Best Man, a close friend or a family member. To learn more about choosing and or being a Wedding MC you should read the book "The Wedding MC" by Tom Haibeck, or talk to your Wedding Planner.

Your Wedding Planner should meet your MC prior to your wedding day, most likely at the rehearsal if not before. The two of them will work together during the wedding reception in regards to timing. Almost 95% of the time the set timeline/agenda for the reception changes based on food preparation, service and consumption, guests arriving late and speeches going over or under time. Your MC should be able to 'roll with the punches' and be able to maintain a sense of professionalism (a.k.a maturity) as the night unfolds.

Your MC should have fun, and aim to keep the celebration exciting, positive and memorable. They should try to engage guests in interaction, and strive to make sure everyone is having a fabulous time.




What does an MC 'typically' do?
- Requests the guests to take their seats if needed
- Announces the wedding party & the Mr & Mrs.
- Welcomes your guests and introducing him or her self
- Toasts the couple (if desired)
- Says Grace (or introduces the person saying a blessing)
- Announces the dinner (in most cases only if a buffet)
- Thanks the catering staff on behalf of the couple after dinner
- Presents the "kissing game" to your guests
- Makes jokes and announcements throughout the evening
- Introduces special guests for their speeches
- Announces other events throughout the evening (first dance, cutting of the cake, late night buffet, bouquet toss, etc)

As the Bride & Groom, you should meet with your MC throughout your planning process, keeping them involved and up to date with your plans, ideas and hopes for the evening. Feel free to give your MC guidelines in regards to the content they wish to share with your guests and feel free to ask them to read what they have prepared. Most Brides do not like surprises on the day they've taken months to plan to perfection. :)


Being an MC is an honour, and officially makes them part of the "Wedding Party".