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? 

Tick tock...don't watch the clock!

When I meet with clients for Day of Coordination meetings to discuss all of the plans, logistics and requirements for their wedding day, I always tell them there's no such thing as too much information. I want to know every single detail, your vision for the day and the timing of the event. It's always best for your Coordinator to have more information than not enough. Part of DOC services includes assistance with formulating your wedding day timeline. This is the document I will use the most that day and it helps me stay organized while executing the wedding. It tells me when items/services are being delivered or dropped off, when vendors are starting/finishing, how long dinner will be and so on. I'm a big believer that the vendors and myself should be the only ones that have this timeline. We're the ones making the magic happen, so we need to work together in a timely manner to ensure that the wedding goes off without a hitch!

What I'm not a fan of is this:

The only times your guests need to be aware of is your ceremony start time, cocktail hour and when dinner is to be served. All other things like photos, cake cutting, bouquet toss, first dance, etc are not necessary. Things will change throughout your big day - this is a guarantee. Anytime you are executing a large event with lot's of people the timing will not be exact. This is my job to concern myself with - not yours or your 100+ guests. Remember, 'what they don't know, won't hurt them'. I'll make sure to give you heads up when it's time for your speech, to cut the cake, have your first dance and toss your bouquet.

So my advice, leave the timeline with me and let everyone else, including you and your Groom enjoy the day.

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

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.

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.

Selecting your venue

This Saturday I’m going with my clients Brooke and Richard to look at a venue for their 2012 wedding. Do you know what to look for when deciding on a venue? Here are some helpful tips:

Dates:
Do they have your specific date available? If not, are you willing to change yours? Perhaps any Saturday in July is okay with you – or maybe you want a Friday. Check first – this will help you narrow your venue selection if you are dead set on a specific date.

Décor:
A lot of Brides & Grooms will fall in love with the décor and want to book right away. Be sure not to get caught up in the looks of it all. Remember; don’t judge a book by its cover. You want your venue to meet other needs as well.

Electrical:
What is the lighting like? Can it be lowered or altered? Will you need extra lighting? Also, check out the number of outlets in the room. This will come in handy for your DJ, Photographer and Decorator (if you hire one).

Candles:
Are you allowed to have candles lit during your reception? If so, can they be open flame, or must they be contained within a vase or jar? What about sparklers or fireworks?

Food:
Do they provide the food through in-house catering? Or do you have to hire an outside company? If they provide the food, what are your options and can you build from the existing packages – for example, make the filets bacon wrapped, or swap out mashed potatoes for baked. Also, can you bring in outside food? This is an important question if you have religious or traditional beliefs you need incorporated into your special day.

Drink:
Is alcohol (bar) included in the menu cost? Will you need to bring in your own drinks and bartender? If so, you’ll need to incorporate a liquor licence into your budget.

Extras:
What’s including with your booking? Some venues offer discounts at local hotels, or other wedding vendors such as limo and cake. Do they include linens and dishware in the price, or is that extra? Find out exactly what the “packages” offer.

Bathrooms:
Be sure to check the bathrooms. Are they easily accessible? Are they clean and well maintained? How many bathrooms and stalls?

Room layout:
Are you on the main level, or the second floor? Lot’s of stairs? Is there a room for you and your Wedding Party to freshen up in? Is there enough room for all of your guests and a dance floor?

Costs:
Is there a minimum you must spend in order to have your wedding at the venue? Is it slightly cheaper to have your wedding on a Friday rather than a Saturday? Are you able to cut costs by removing items from their “packages”? Also, keep in mind that 50% of your budget will be spend on the venue, including food & beverage.

Payment:
What kind of payment schedule do they follow? What percentage of your total cost is the deposit, and also find out if you have to pre-pay for your event, or pay the night of (balance owing). Also, find out about any hidden costs – this translates to read the contract!

Photographs:
When looking at the lighting, think of your pictures – although most Photographers should bring adequate equipment for this. Will you be taking pictures on site? Where, and will you need a permit or permission or are the grounds included in the booking of the venue?

Staff:
Meet the Manager/Owner and the Chef if possible. If they have an Event or Venue Coordinator, they will likely be your main contact. This person is key for your Wedding Planner, as we work together on your special day to ensure everything runs smoothly. Remember, a Venue Coordinator is not the same as a Wedding Coordinator.

Parking & Transportation:
Is the parking free, or will you have to pay per car? Is there enough parking for your guests and is it accessible? Will they have to park away from the location and walk? Will it be well lit at night? Is your venue near any hotels? Is your venue easy to find via a street map or road signage? If you’re ceremony is held at a different location, how far is this venue from it? You shouldn’t have your guests drive more than 30-45 minutes if possible.

Weather:
If you’re planning a summer wedding, does the venue have A/C? If not, how many windows open and to what degree? If in the winter, does the heat work and or is there a fireplace? If you’re having your ceremony at the venue and you want it outside, will it be tented, or do they have a room that can be used if it rains? How do they plan to maintain the grounds in wet weather such as rain or snow? Do they plough, drop ice melter, etc?

As you can see, ask lot’s of questions. If you’re working with a Planner, they will be able to guide you through the selection process of finding the right venue for your wedding. Don’t wait too long to find, select and book your venue. Some places are booking 16-24 months in advance!

What do you love about weddings?

Someone asked me the other day why I love weddings. There isn't just one thing, but many. And it's not so much about the things as to why I love weddings, but more of how weddings make me feel. Weddings are about two people in love proclaiming their love and commitment to one another. They're about promises, hopes and dreams. What I love about weddings is in actuality, the love.

But, aside from the feeling and all the mush - I love other things about weddings too. Like, the atmosphere - all of the fine details coming together to form one big picture. If done right, your guests will walk into your reception and will smile, gasp or even laugh at all of the personalization and details you've worked so hard to bring to life on your special day.

What I love about weddings is the coming together of family and friends. Hearing the laughter during the speeches, seeing the tears being wiped away as the couple says "I do" and watching everyone get down and boogie on the dance floor! What I love about weddings are seeing the Bridesmaids care for the blushing Bride - making sure her hair is just so, and that she's comfortable and having a good time. I love to see the Groomsmen bonding with their buddy, the Groom. Watching them clink their beer bottles, pat him on the back and simply smile at him as he smiles at his Bride.

There are many things that I love about weddings. What do you love about them? Do they remind you of how lucky you are to have found your life partner, or do they provide you with hope for love that has yet to come? Do they make you smile, laugh and dance? Weddings are a beautiful thing. There's a reason why this tradition is still around to this day...weddings make people feel good.

You Light Up My Life

I was at my Brother & SIL's trailer for the Canada Day long weekend and took in some fabulous fireworks! They were amazing - big ones, small ones, loud ones and bright ones! At the end of the firework display they lit a dozen Sky Lanterns. These paper lanterns, similar to a hot-air balloon soared up above the lake and across the sky. Simply beautiful!

Seeing them got me thinking - how awesome would it be to light and release a few of these during your 'send off' at your wedding? Some couples leave through a group of guests clapping or holding sparklers - but why not gather everyone and send off some lanterns? You could even write your names and wedding date on them before you release them to the sky!

The lanterns are very affordable and can be ordered online.
They soar for about 15 minutes before the flame goes out.
Perfect for a summer wedding so that you can tell the world that your partner lights up your life.

*Image found on Google

Sunday Summer Wedding

This Sunday, August 15th - The Bride's Butler has the pleasure of providing "Day of Coordination" services for Valentine and her fiance Brian. The couple are having their ceremony and reception at Golf's Steak House & Seafood in Kitchener, Ontario.

We're hoping for fabulous weather so that these two love birds can say their "I do's" outside. Approximately 130 guests will gather to support them - and of course, celebrate with them. We'll be making sure that the facility is set up according to the Bride's instructions - specifically that the flowers are delivered, that the live band is queued up and ready, and that the candy buffet is set up and looking delicious. There are so many fine details to think about when planning and hosting a major event like a wedding. We're so glad that we're able to help Valentine and Brian on their most important day.

We look forward to celebrating with you this Sunday.

* image from theknot.com