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!

Me like Cookies

Cookies were served as a late night sweet treat in June 2012

It looks like Cookie Monster is helping set a trend for the 2013 wedding season. Cookies are set to be cropping up at weddings next year for favours and desserts.

Entering the wedding circuit in 2011, cookies made an impact, but weren't as popular as cupcakes, cake pops, candy buffets and even pies. But if you or your hubs-to-be is a cookie monster, then you'll be happy to know the cookie is here for 2013!

Sugar cookies can be decorated any way you like, and can also be packaged in a variety of different sizes and shapes - making for a unique and personalized favour or treat.

Two of my clients last year had cookies for their guest takeaway. Giving an edible favour is a great idea because everyone always likes something to eat. Most times the edible favours will be eaten or taken home so you know you've spend your money well, unlike some of the other offerings like candles, soap or picture frames.

Angie & Serge had Cupcake Diner make them themed cookies
for their May wedding.

Natalie & Jason gave a simple sugar cookie for their
June 2012 wedding.

If you want to have cookies at your wedding, just remember that you don't have to go with the decorated sugar cookie. You can pick your favourite from your childhood, or choose one because you like the name (i.e: snickerdoodle) or ask a Grandma or Aunt to bake their signature cookie for you.
There are so many options! Also, think outside the box on how to serve your cookie(s) if you're not having them as a favour, but as a sweet treat. Will you serve it with milk? Hot chocolate?

Photo from Postcards & Pretties

What do you think about this 2013 wedding trend? Do you like cookies?

Congrats Natalie & Jason!

I am beyond excited to be coordinating the wedding of Natalie & Jason tomorrow!

Natalie is the owner of Cupcake Diner, Canada's first mobile cupcake shoppe. She's not only a local celebrity here in Hamilton, but she's also one of our favourite Friendors, so it's obvious why I'm super pumped about their big day!

Since 2010, Natalie has been planning her wedding to Jason and has a ton of fine details.
From an outdoor ceremony complete with a rose petal aisle, to honey & sugar sticks for tea and coffee, to homemade cookies for the favours - this gal has thought of a bunch of little things to bring together her event in a big way. It's always a joy to hear about how couples are incorporating their personalities, styles and ideas of romance into their wedding day.

Stay tuned to the blog for a recap post or two about Nat & Jay's wedding. You'll also be able to see it featured in an up-coming edition of the Hamilton & Halton Weddings Magazine!

Revisiting 10 secrets...

10 Secrets to a fun Reception....

Originally posted in April 2010

10. Plan a Surprise - Unexpected entertainment such as dancers or a magician. Or by adding theme friendly add-ons like a cigar roller, photo booth or dove release.

9. Keep Your Guests Fuelled - As the party continues and drinks are consumed you'll want to make sure there is some late night food available. Check out our post about unique treats here.

8. Give Out Party Favours - Just like you would for a child's birthday party, give your guests something fun to play with! Party hats, crowns and tiaras, noise makers, sunglasses or even have a sparkler send-off as you leave as Mr. & Mrs.

7. Add a Lounge to your Reception - Give guests a spot to relax and kick up their heels before and during your reception. This set up is very popular for cocktail receptions and tent weddings.

6. Make sure you and your DJ have the same tastes - No one wants to hear DJ Jazzy Jeff spinning' tunes from Barney's sing-a-long, or the hokie pokie!

5. If you've hired a Band, plan their breaks - You don't want your party to be at its peak then stop because the band leader has to go pee now do you? See if the band members can take breaks in shifts allowing for songs to be played sans that member, or at least have them play up tempo filler music to keep the party going.

4. Have a Game Plan for Kids - If you have kids at your wedding be sure there are things for them to do at a separate table or even a separate room (with a chaperone), like colouring books, playdoh, puzzles and even handheld video games.

3. Keep the Toasts short - "Quality over quantity." "Short and sweet." "Less is more."

These are popular sayings for a reason people.

2. Order Good Food - Get creative.

There are tons of options now other than your standard chicken, beef or pasta. Talk with your caterer or Banquet manager and see what they can produce for you that would be different and unique. If you want to stick to the classic meat and potato - try having a baked potato bar and or a meat carving station. Be different. I dare ya!

And the #1 Secret to a fun Reception is.....

Hire A Day of Coordinator - Having a professional on site for your wedding is one of the smartest decisions you'll make in regards to making your Reception stress free, seamless and fun!

After all, you've thought about all aspects of your wedding in fine detail including the top 9 secrets, right?

So, make sure that your wedding goes as planned and put your trust in a dedicated professional that wants you to have the day you always dreamed of.

Love is Sweet

I'm a big believer in edible wedding favours. If you're not going to donate to a charity, give a plant or seeds, then you should make it edible. You'll find that most guests don't 'favour' the trinket kind like candles, picture frames or wine stoppers.

One of my clients will be providing her guests with a custom made sugar cookie for her wedding. Made by Natalie from Cupcake Diner, this cookie will display the words "Happily Ever After" and incorporate the wedding colours. Customized cookies allow you to bring your personalities, hobbies or simply your wedding theme into another detail of your special day.

These cookies range from $3-$9 a piece depending on the detail, size and amount ordered.

Here are some of our favourites that we found when searching for these sugar cookies that are sure to remind your guests that love is sweet.

Love art?
Image from The Knotty Bride

Are you movie buffs?
Image from Martha Stewart

Bride & Groom Hearts.
Image from Bridal Guide

7 Ways to Save

Weddings can be expensive and before you know it, you've gone over your budget.

Here are 7 ways to save when planning your wedding:

1. Save money and feel good about your favours by donating to a charity. Pick one that's close to your heart as a couple or one that you've volunteered for before. Helping others not only will give you the warm and fuzzies, but will save you money (& waste as most people don't keep or even take their favours). Plus, you'll get a tax credit for your charitable contribution.

2. Marriage licence fees vary depending on the municipality. Do a bit of research to see who closest to you offers the lowest cost. An extra 10-15 minute drive could save you $20-$40.

3. Beg, borrow and rent your wedding attire. There are plenty of used and sample gowns that are just a beautiful as the original, and are usually more than 1/2 the cost. Also, ask friends who've been married recently if you can borrow or rent their veil, shoes, etc. You'll only wear your dress and accessories for one day, so if you can save here, you'll be able to spend more on something else.

4. Have your wedding during an off-season month like Jan-Mar or Nov-Dec. Friday weddings are also not as affordable as they used to be, so don't think that will save you much. Having a wedding on a Sunday of a long weekend may be a bit less expensive, but they are gaining in popularity as well.

5. Choose a venue that is already decorated (think at Christmas time) or is beautifully staged on it's own. This way you cut the costs on hiring a decorator and renting chair covers, etc. Banquet halls are less expensive, but then there are the costs to make it not look so cookie cutter...flowers, lights, drapery, etc.

6. Ask your servers to pour wine for your guests rather than have bottles on the table. If people see the wine, they'll drink the wine. Save yourself some money by not displaying bottles on the tables.

7. Reduce your guest list with this simple trick; if you haven't had a sit down meal with them in the past year,  cut them from your list. We know that this isn't typical for everyone (you're Fathers co-workers, etc), but if you're debating about that friend from your old job, or the neighbour down the street, think of that trick.
Less guests equal less money spent.

10 Secrets to a fun Reception

10 Secrets to a fun Reception....

titles originally thought by the Knot...the other added fuss is by us.

10. Plan a Surprise - Unexpected entertainment such as dancers or a magician. Or by adding theme friendly add-ons like a cigar roller, photo booth or dove release.

9. Keep Your Guests Fuelled - As the party continues and drinks are consumed you'll want to make sure there is some late night food available. Check out our post about unique treats here.

8. Give Out Party Favours - Just like you would for a child's birthday party, give your guests something fun to play with! Party hats, crowns and tiaras, noise makers, sunglasses or even have a sparkler send-off as you leave as Mr. & Mrs.

7. Add a Lounge to your Reception - Give guests a spot to relax and kick up their heels before and during your reception. This set up is very popular for cocktail receptions and tent weddings.

6. Make sure you and your DJ have the same tastes - No one wants to hear DJ Jazzy Jeff spinning' tunes from Barney's sing-a-long, or the hokie pokie!

5. If you've hired a Band, plan their breaks - You don't want your party to be at its peak then stop because the band leader has to go pee now do you? See if the band members can take breaks in shifts allowing for songs to be played sans that member, or at least have them play up tempo filler music to keep the party going.

4. Have a Game Plan for Kids - If you have kids at your wedding be sure there are things for them to do at a separate table or even a separate room (with a chaperone), like colouring books, playdoh, puzzles and even handheld video games.

3. Keep the Toasts short - "Quality over quantity." "Short and sweet." "Less is more."
These are popular sayings for a reason people.

2. Order Good Food - Get creative.

There are tons of options now other than your standard chicken, beef or pasta. Talk with your caterer or Banquet manager and see what they can produce for you that would be different and unique. If you want to stick to the classic meat and potato - try having a baked potato bar and or a meat carving station. Be different. I dare ya!

And the #1 Secret to a fun Reception is.....

Hire A Day of Coordinator - Having a Wedding Planner on site for your wedding is one of the smartest decisions you'll make in regards to making your Reception stress free, seamless and fun!

After all, you've thought about all aspects of your wedding in fine detail including the top 9 secrets, right?

So, make sure that your wedding goes as planned and put your trust in a dedicated professional that wants you to have the day you always dreamed of.