Shhh....

....it's a surprise wedding!

If you're a Bride that wants as little 'hoopla' has possible to surround you before and during your wedding day, then having a surprise wedding is one way to achieve that. No fussing over you, no fighting over all the little decisions, no 'hoopla'.

Clients of The Bride's Butler are having a surprise wedding. I can't tell you who, or when, or where - but I can tell you that we are so excited to be a part of their unique event! Having a surprise wedding includes a bit more logistics then the 'average' wedding, but it can be done. We're looking forward to this 'experiment' as we've yet to provide Day of Coordination services for such an event.

Most surprise parties are for birthdays or retirements, but surprise weddings are happening more often as couples want to make their day more personalized, unique, memorable - and of course make their day more about the gathering and celebration than about the "Bride & Groom".

Stay tuned for a post after the surprise wedding for details....

Falling in love with Fall

As a Bride you either know that you want a Fall wedding or you don't. Some Brides would prefer the bright colours and sunshine of the summer, or some would rather have a pastel infused spring wedding, and then there are others that want the crisp, romantic feeling of a winter wedding. Pick a season that speaks to you.  I love Fall.

It's so rustic - so natural and just oh-so-awesome!

Pumpkins, hay bails, leaves and corn stalks

Gold, brown, sage green, orange and red

Cider, apple pie, cinnamon and cream

I love the season of Fall.....for me, it's the perfect time of year to fall in love or say I do.

* Image from Google images.

Mancakes

Yep, you read that right...Mancakes. The newest trend in the world of baked goodness - cupcakes geared towards men. Perfect for 'manly' gatherings like golf tournaments, stags and birthdays. These can also be a good addition to the somewhat 'girly' cupcakes served at weddings - or as a great subsitute for the Groom's cake.

As a WPIC alumni, and a follower of theirs on Twitter, I saw a post about these 'dude delights' and had a "why didn't I think of this?" moment. Well, For the Love of Cake in Toronto has thought of it and they offer a variety of mancakes with ingredients such as beer, brandy and bacon!
Here are descriptions of the flavours they offer:

Stout Spice

A moist spice cake flavoured with orange zest and Guinness topped with a stout glaze and a candied orange peel.

Maple Bacon

A maple and bacon flavoured cupcake filled with blueberries and topped with a maple frosting and bacon bits.

Guinness Chocolate
A chocolate cupcake flavoured with Guinness beer, filled with an Irish whiskey chocolate ganache and topped with cream cheese frosting and chocolate shavings.

Black Forest
A moist chocolate cupcake filled with a splash of Kirsch brandy and sour cherries and topped with more cherries and a dollop of vanilla butter cream.

I'm sure you'll see Mancakes popping up all over the place as more bakeries and cake specialists get on board the trend train. What kind would your man like?

Mmmmm....Mancakes.

Who got hitched this summer?

Summer is the most popular season for weddings, closely followed by the fall.

The sunshine, bright and colourful flowers, later sunsets and a natural 'glow' makes summer time a great season for love.

Which celebrities got hitched

this summer?

Carrie Underwood & Mike Fisher

Calista Flockhart & Harrison Ford

Emily Blunt & John Krasinski

Megan Fox & Brian Austin Green

Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardem

Chelsea Clinton & Marc Mezvinsky

Hilary Duff & Mike Comrie

Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer

Perfect Picnic

I simply adore this idea of a ‘picnic wedding’. What a perfect idea for a spring or summer wedding – or even for a Bridal Shower or Rehearsal lunch.

Pick a few of your favourite food items (that are packable, and not easily perishable) and put together a delectable ‘basket’ for each of your guests. If you’re working with a caterer, they can put all this together for you using your instructions.

It’s the little touches of this simple idea that make it so perfect – customized labels, colour coordination with ribbon & tissue paper and oh-so-pretty packaging. Adorable!

To see how this was put together visit Project Wedding for details.

Wanting to do something like this for your next event? We'd love to help - we're chalk full of ideas!!

What's Old is New again.

Vintage inspired weddings are very popular right now. Adding vintage touches and mix-matched items to your wedding make it unique and personal.

There’s also a whimsical element to vintage inspired weddings. They appear to be more relaxed (less stuffy) and also can be friendly on the budget if you can beg, borrow and steal.

Vintage inspired weddings also seem so timeless. I think this may be a trend that stays around a while.

To add the vintage feel to your wedding incorporate some of the following:

- silhouettes

- family heirlooms (brooches, pocket watch, fabric, etc)

- mix-matched china (from your Grandma’s china cabinet, or from a flea market)

- mason jars, and an assortment of vases – milk glass, depression glass, coloured glass (amber, blue, etc)

- wild flowers

- antique furniture and accessories

- black and white photos/ sepia photos

- art deco jewelry, pillbox hats, bow ties, vests and bird cage veils

- stationary can include monogram, letterpress printing or a wax seal

- lace or patterned fabric, and or a mix match of colour & textures

Check out some wedding blogs like Wedding Chicks, the Knot and Green Wedding Shoes and search for ‘vintage’. Just remember though when planning your vintage inspired wedding (or even Engagement session) that less is more.

Ancaster Wedding Show

We'll be at the 1st Annual Ancaster Wedding Show this Sunday, August 22nd. Please come by and say hello, we'd love to hear all about your wedding plans and see how we can help you 'stress less' on your big day.

From 10a-5p at the new Ancaster Fairgrounds (630 Trinity Road), we'll be on hand to answer your questions pertaining to all things weddings. We'll also have a small gift for you so that you can take some time for yourself and relax during the 'chaotic' wedding planning process. :)

Also, we'll be offering a 'show special' price on our ever popular "Day of Coordination" package, so if you're a DYI Bride and want to plan your own wedding, but want a trusted professional onsite to execute your plans - come and see us, we'd love to be your personal Butler on the day you say "I do".

We hope to see you there!!

'The Notebook' inspired E-session

"So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday."

~Noah, The Notebook

I saw this engagement session the other day on Green Wedding Shoes and my mouth dropped. This couple displays the essence of adventure and love from the movie The Notebook. Photographed by Chelsea from Blushing Bride in Montreal, these photos are truly one of a kind.

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

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!

Find the "lime" to relax & enjoy the summer....

Bud Light Lime's motto right now is "The Summer State of Mind" - and we recommend that you try to do just that - enjoy the moment, enjoy the summer, and enjoy good food with friends.

If you're heading up to the cottage this long weekend, or going camping, or are about to host a bbq, birthday party, or even a bridal shower, I've got some yummy recipes made easy with the help of Bud Light Lime.

Bud Light Lime Braised Shrimp

Makes 36 pieces

½ cup Olive Oil (Light)

10 cloves Garlic (large, diced)

12 oz. Bud Light Lime

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
36 pieces shrimp (raw, peeled, deveined)
6 limes cut in half
Salt and black pepper to taste
6 oz. Extra Dry Vermouth

In a large skillet, on high heat, add the olive oil and garlic. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the shrimp, season with cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes and then add the Bud Light Lime and limes. Finish cooking the shrimp, about 5 more minutes or until shrimp are firm and white inside. Add the Vermouth and serve.

Wok Seared Lime & Teriyaki Sea Scallops

Serves; 4

12 large, fresh Sea Scallops
5 Tbsp. Olive Oil
Hot sauce to taste
Teriyaki sauce to taste
Sea salt to taste

1 Red Bell pepper, julienned

½ lb. Sugar snap peas, trimmed and cleaned
½ lb. Bean Sprouts
2 tsp. Lime juice
6 oz. Bud Light Lime

You will need to cook the Scallops in two batches, so the wok does not get crowded.

Heat the wok over high heat; add two tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil is hot add six scallops, a couple dashes of hot sauce and a couple dashes of teriyaki. Sear both sides, about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from wok and repeat cooking process for the next batch of scallops.

Turn heat down to medium, add to the wok one tablespoon of olive oil and red bell peppers, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the sugar snap peas, sprouts, lime juice, Bud light Lime and several generous dashes of teriyaki. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Return all the scallops to the wok, gently toss, season with sea salt to your taste and serve.

When I think of kickin' back in the summer, I can't help but think of "Toes" by the Zac Brown Band.

Cheers to great food, good times and enjoying a "summer state of mind".

* be responsible, don't drink and drive
* recipes courtesy of Edelman PR for Bud Light Lime

My Fair Lady

Came across these beautiful wedding photos on Love & Lavender while perusing the 'Wedding Blog' circuit. How adorable are these shots from a Winnipeg, Canada wedding?

Photos were taken by Simply Rosie Photography.

Enjoy!

Take your wedding to the location of your choice for your photos - somewhere that speaks to both of you, one that you'll have fun at, and a location that you'll remember your entire life.

'What not to Wear' to a Wedding

As a woman, I’m sure you’ve seen the show “What Not to Wear” on TLC. If I were to host an episode, it would be about what not to wear to a wedding. Instantly, I can think of some major “no no’s” and a few fashion faux pas.

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

#1 – Don’t wear white!

It’s majorly frowned upon to wear white to a wedding – that colour should only be worn by the Bride. You should also stay away from colours such as ivory, champagne, pale peach or light silver (these colours can look white in photos). If you want to wear white, it should be in a patterned dress either as the pattern itself or as the foreground colour.

#2 – Keep the length reasonable

Short dresses are very popular these days, but you shouldn’t wear a dress that is more than 1 inch above your knee to a wedding. Cocktail dresses are a better choice than long dresses. The length of your dress should be either 1” above your knee, at your knee, or just below your knees.

#3 – Coordinate with the time of day & season

Black dresses shouldn’t be worn to daytime weddings. Summer dresses shouldn’t be worn in the winter (unless paired with a pretty cardigan that will stay on through the entire wedding) – and choose your shoes properly too. This is common sense stuff.

#4 – Mind your straps

According to an article featured in The Spectator, you should avoid strapless and spaghetti straps. Choosing straps that are 2 fingers in width is best – and obviously more classy. But, times have changed, and I know that strapless dresses are worn often – so if you go with a strapless or spaghetti strap, be sure that the dress fits – don’t be adjusting your top all night, don’t show any signs of a bra (although you MUST wear one, we just don't want to see the straps or the back of it) and make sure the spaghetti straps don’t slide off your shoulders. A good fit goes a long way.

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



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

"The Versus Series" Part II

Wedding Coordinator versus Venue Coordinator

You've booked your wedding at a venue that has a "Wedding Coordinator" so you think that you don't need to hire another one, right? On most cases - wrong. A lot of  venues (like banquet halls & golf clubs) come equipped with their very own 'Wedding Coordinator' - but these people, whom might I say are fantastic and helpful, are there for the venue - not for you. They're there to coordinate the logistics of their staff to ensure proper timing of menu courses. Your Wedding Coordinator is there to work for you.  When you have your own Wedding Coordinator (Day of Coordination services), she will work together with the Venue Coordinator for details such as lighting, set up and the menu.

A Wedding Coordinator is there for all aspects of your wedding - from the moment you get ready, to when you walk down the aisle, to your photo shoot and lastly at your reception (the venue).

A Venue Coordinator is only available to you during the last and final aspect of your major event - and even then, if you're getting married in a venue that has more than just your wedding occurring that day, the Venue Coordinator isn't 100% dedicated to your wedding - like your Wedding Coordinator is.

There are many logistics to a wedding, some guests see, others they don't. Having a Wedding Coordinator just for you, your Groom & Wedding Party is a fantastic investment to ensure that all of your hard work, time and planning details are executed and taken care of. Your Wedding Coordinator is selected by you - so you can choose a Coordinator that you feel most comfortable with - unlike a Venue Coordinator who just comes as part of your 'package'.

Having your own Wedding Coordinator (WC) relieves a ton of stress and allows you to enjoy your day. Just ask any Bride who hired one for their wedding and they'll agree - hiring a Coordinator was money well spent.


Imagine your up-coming wedding day.......

While you’re getting ready, who’s making sure the ceremony site is set up fabulous? Your WC.

When guests arrive at the ceremony site who’s making sure your programs are being distributed? Your WC.

Who preps you to walk down the aisle and adjusts your train?
Your WC.

When you're on the photo shoot who provides an Assistant to escort you to keep track of timing? Your WC.

Who works with the Venue Coordinator to ensure proper set up & placement of details? Your WC.

When vendors arrive (cake, DJ,) who greets them & makes sure they're following the set contract? Your WC.

Who has an Emergency Kit full of items that will help with any issue that may arise? Your WC.

(things happen...like a ripped seam, or a broken boutonnière. You don't want or need to worry about those things - that's the Planner's job)

You get the idea. You don't want to have to worry or even slightly think about these finer details and logistics....that's why you need your very own Wedding Coordinator.

Have some questions for us? Call or email, we'd be happy to meet with you to discuss our Wedding Services and how we can help you on the most important day of your life.

* pictures courtesy of Images of You Photography

* post inspired by post by Every Last Detail

"The Versus Series" Part I

Full Wedding Planning versus Day of Coordination.

Both are services provided and executed by a Wedding Planner (sometimes also known as a Wedding Coordinator). Depending on your budget, personality and expectations for your special day will depend on what service you choose.

Full Wedding Planning is a service that’s best suited for couples that know what kind of wedding they want, but have little time (and sometimes patience, energy and desire) to get it all completed in a set timeframe.

Sometimes, we see Brides who are very laid back choose this option, as they’d rather have someone make all the decisions for them. Other Brides that like the Full Wedding Planning service are ones that don’t have any family or friends living in the city they will wed (thus your Planner becomes your new BFF), and sometimes this service is used by Brides whom are getting married away – either in another city (perhaps the Groom’s hometown) or in another country (beach wedding).

Wedding Planners (WP) are hired for this service to help Brides & Grooms with all of the event logistics, details and decisions. From aiding in theme development, to choosing vendors – this service is typically started 12-14 months from the wedding date. Your Wedding Planner can arrange meetings with vendors, review contracts and help you create your budget & timeline.

This service also includes your Wedding Planner being on-site for your wedding day. She’ll be with you as you get ready, and for the ceremony, pictures and reception. She’s there to troubleshoot any logistics that may go array, and they most likely will – a wedding is a major event – stuff happens. Having a Wedding Planner working for you ensures that you can enjoy your day as a Bride and savor each moment with your Groom.

Then, there is Day of Coordination. This service is great for DYI Brides whom have planned their entire wedding themselves but want a Planner make their wedding planning dreams a reality.

This service is typically booked 8-12 months in advance, but the real ‘magic’ doesn’t start until 3-4 months before your big day. Your Wedding Planner will meet with you for a logistical meeting consisting of gathering all components of your event. You will work together to form a timeline for the day, and will go over every detail with a fine tooth comb – from your venue floorplan, to the placement of your favors, guest book and menu cards. She will get all of your vendor information and copies of all contracts, and will get information for ‘key’ players in your wedding like the Limo Driver, Officiant and Best Man. The Wedding Planner (WP) is there to work for you to ensure that all of your hard work, time and money are executed in a way that you’ve always imagined.

If you have any questions about either of these services, please send us and email or give us a call. We’d love to meet with you to decide which service is best suited for you.


* pictures courtesy of Images of You Photography
* post inspired by post by Every Last Detail

I'm Canadian, eh?

A post to my homeland, Canada.

Canadians like to party! We enjoy hosting guests for gatherings of all sorts. We're polite, we drink pop - not soda, we can legally drink at 19 - not 21, and we love Tim Hortons!

If you’re Canadian, you might be entertaining guests for a picnic or BBQ this Canada Day long weekend – so, to help you out with your entertaining, here are some "Canadian" recipes ideas from the folks at Canadian Living & Kraft Canada.

Start off your meal with a 'Toast to the PEI coast' with “Beer & Bacon Mussels”. Then cook salmon on cedar planks on the barbeque to create “Cedar Planked Salmon with Maple Mustard Glaze”. Add to this dish with the “Great Canadian Potato Salad”.  Mmm..... :)

For dessert try either “Maple Leaf Sugar Cookies”, “Beaver Cupcakes” or the classic “Canada Flag Cake”

If you're not Canadian, we know that you secretly wish you were. Check out this funny video for a good laugh.

Whatever you decide to do to enjoy with family and friends this holiday weekend, do it with pride for this beautiful country.

With glowing hearts ,We see thee rise, The true, north, strong, and free.

Happy Canada Day, eh!

*Please celebrate in style – don’t drink and drive.

True Colours

"But I see your true colors shining through. I see your true colors and that's why I love you, so don't be afraid to let them show your true colors, true colors are beautiful like a rainbow." ~Cyndi Lauper

Choosing your colour palette for your wedding is one of the most pivotal components of the planning process – other than choosing a date and venue. The colours (or colour) you choose will help set the tone, mood, theme and style of your wedding. This decision may come easy, but for others choosing a colour theme might be somewhat daunting.
Below are some helpful hints on how to choose colours for your wedding day.


Big Picture

Take a look at your surroundings. What colours does your venue already have within in it? Is it a yacht club with nautical accents? A golf & country club with naturalistic elements, or is it a banquet hall with gold pillars? For inspiration to get you started, look to the prominent colours of your site or setting.

Maybe the Season is your reason

Perhaps you will choose red, silver and grey for your winter wedding. Or maybe you’re getting married in the fall and you want to play up the colours of the leaves (red, orange, yellow, brown). Whatever the season may be when you get hitched, let the environment help be your guide when choosing your colours.

Trends
Every wedding season has its most popular wedding colours. Check out wedding blogs, magazines and television shows for ideas and inspiration. One of our favourite blogs for colours inspiration is The Perfect Palette. We also like this fun colour palette - you just might find something new about yourself.


Hue do you think you are?
All of the colours of the rainbow have a variety of offspring called ‘hues’. Sure, there is red – but then there’s Scarlett, Maroon, Salmon, Tomato, Cherry, Blush and Coral. Be sure to find out what your colour choice is called. Find a fabric swatch or paint chip if you can that is similar to the colour you’ve envisioned. This will help you when choosing other elements – most specifically stationary.


Consistency is key

Whichever colour you choose, be sure to stay consistent with your choice throughout all of your wedding details. For example, if you decide to have brown as your sole colour, you can incorporate different hues and textures of the colour into your event – but if you have 2 or more colours that aren’t from the same ‘hue’ family, say hot pink and navy, you should try to stay as close to the original colour as possible. Consistency is key and helps maintain the theme, mood, tone and style of your wedding.

Overall, have fun with your colours – make them mean something to you and your groom. Maybe they are your high school colours cause that’s where you met, or maybe they’re derived from your birthstones, or even the national colours of the country you’re visiting on your honeymoon. The choices are endless, and you pretty much have the scale of the rainbow to choose from.

This blog post was inspired by an article featured on www.theknot.com.
“15 Tips for choosing your wedding colours” by Amy Keith.
Images from Google search.

I do...now, pass the remote.

Are you a sucker for weddings?

I’m such a sucker for weddings – obviously, I’ve made a job out of them, but really – I’m a sucker for the romance, the commitment and the union.

At weddings for family, friends and clients, I will with no doubt shed a tear of joy as the couple say their vows and the minister officially announces that they are ‘husband and wife’. So, when thinking about how much I’m a sucker for weddings, I was reminded of some of my most favourite wedding scenes from TV. Yep, you’ve got it; even fictional characters can make me cry.

Which TV weddings top my list?

Meredith Grey & Derek Shepherd – Grey’s Anatomy

Monica & Chandler – Friends

Charlotte &  Harry – Sex & the City

Marshall & Lily – How I Met Your Mother

Alex &  Izzie – Grey’s Anatomy

What about you?

Which TV character’s nuptials made you go “aww….”?

Getting married in 2011?

Time's a tickin'!

Are you getting married in 2011?

Planning your wedding is fun and exciting, but it's also very time consuming and taxing on your energy & patience level - trust me, I know. Not only do I help Brides plan their wedding, but I'm also currently planning my own wedding for October 2, 2010.

When you plan your own wedding, you get entrenched in all of the fine details - the colour of the linens, the placement of the menu cards, the table names, the ceremonial readings, the choice of songs, the seating chart, and the list goes on and on.

Planning is great, and being prepared is wonderful - but what about executing all of your plans? While you're busy being a blushing Bride, this is where The Bride's Butler comes in handy. :)

Book us for Day Of Coordination services for your 2011 wedding now so you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you'll save yourself the worry of the finer details on your big day!

Don't let time be your enemy...book today! Give me a call, or send me an email and we'll chat about how we can work together on your wedding day. The Day Of Coordination package includes over 30 hours of service, and will help ease your mind knowing that a professional and dedicated Planner is working for you to ensure that your wedding day is the finest it can be!

Other Coordinators charge upwards of $900+ for Day of Coordination services, but we know that working within a budget for wedding planning is key, therefore we keep our fees reasonable - our Day of Coordination package starts at $600.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

The 3-Day Response Rule & Promptly saying Thank You

Did you know that according to proper wedding etiquette, you are to respond to an invite within 3-days? I’ve got to admit that even I haven’t been that quick with responding on more than one occasion.

Sometimes you take longer than 3-days to respond because…
A) You’re not sure if you’re available/can get the time off work, etc
B) If you’re single, you’re not sure to respond as a single or a duo
C) If it’s a destination wedding, you’ve got to factor in vacation time and money into your response decision.

Figuring out any of those options in 3-days is perhaps to some, a little unrealistic - but, etiquette, like any good manners, have rules. Sadly, in today’s society, rules are more likely to be ‘rule of thumb’ rather than proper protocol.

So whether you’re invited to a wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party or rehearsal dinner, I suggest you do your best to respond quickly – at least within the week you received the invitation – 2 weeks maximum, but definitely before the RSVP due date! It’s unfair that hosts (mainly Brides) have to call their invited guests to confirm their attendance. As a guest, you’ve been selected among many and welcomed to take part in a joyous life event - the least you can do is let the host know that you’d be honoured to attend…or not.

My take on RSVP…. Respond Sincerely & Very Promptly. (This also means if you respond yes, keep your promise and go. No one likes to be blacklisted as the person/couple that didn’t show. Empty seats at a wedding are a big no-no.)

So now that we’ve ‘lectured’ or rather ‘informed’ the guests on proper etiquette – what about the Bride & Groom? They must have some rules to follow too, right? Of course!

Promptly saying Thank You to your guests for everything and anything that they do for you is a must. Some family and friends do more than just ‘show up’ to your event – they give you heartfelt gifts and cards, they offer to help you with DYI details and other wedding/event logistics and sometimes even if they aren’t invited to the wedding they offer to look after your pet and or your house while you’re at your wedding and your honeymoon. Any nice gesture needs a thank you.

It’s most manageable to write and send out Thank You cards as you receive gifts before your wedding. This way it doesn’t feel like you have a whole stack of cards to personalize and sign either before or right after your big day.

Thank You cards should be sent out no later than 6 months after your wedding, anything longer than that is simply distasteful. Plus, if you have a Bridal Shower (or sometimes 2 or 3), you should really strive to have Thank You cards for those gifts sent out before your wedding day. Usually guests give you a gift for your shower, and for your wedding, thus equalling two Thank You cards for two separate gifts – one from just you, the Bride and the other from both of you as a happily married couple.

Images from www.prettypaperinvitations.com
Post based on article found on www.weddingaces.com - "RSVP Today If You Please"

Cubby Wubby was a car!

For this Planner, Cubby Wubby is no bear!
Cubby Wubby gets me from here to there!

Recently I purchased a Nissan Cube. I like to call it the 'cubby'.

CUBE = CUB + E. 

The word Cube just doesn't sound as cute for a girl's car than a cubby does.

Maybe you'll spot us driving in and around Hamilton with our

magnetic "The Bride's Butler" signs on the doors

 (made and purchased on the fabulous vistaprint.com)

and if you do, please say hello!

Cubby Wubby was a car, Cubby Wubby travels near and far!