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.

Jenn & Stephen are getting married!

This Saturday, The Bride's Butler will be on hand to assist in Day of Coordination for Jenn & Stephen.

I met Jenn for the 1st time in person earlier this week (she lives in Alberta with her hubs-to-be) and let me just say, this gal is organized! I love it when I work with clients that have a binder full of all the proper documents, ideas and info needed to execute their special day.

Jenn & Stephen are getting married on October 15th at the beautiful and historic Scottish Rite in Hamilton. If the weather cooperates, they will have pictures taken on site and then at the legendary Hess Village. Gotta love the cobblestone, old buildings and the entrance sign to this Hamilton landmark. Their pictures will be simply wonderful, I just know it!

The reception of approximately 100 guests is being held at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Their colours and black & white with splashes of red. The red will be displayed via up-lighting provided by the HCC. Samantha, my Assistant for the day and myself are really looking forward to bringing all of Jenn's ideas and hard work to life on Saturday.

Jenn, like me is celiac, so her cake and cupcakes for her guests are coming from Sweetness Bakery. Hamilton has so many cupcake shops, but Sweetness guarantees peanut-free and provides gluten free options, which the majority of them don't. A girl always wants to have her cake and eat it too - especially on her wedding day!

We'll be sure to post some pictures from the wedding as they become available to us - but for now, here is a pic from their engagement session. What an adorable couple! We can't wait to be with them when they say "I do."

Take your seat please....

There are many ways to inform your guests on where they are to be seated for your wedding.

You can stay simple and basic and have alphabetical escort cards, or you can get creative and think outside the box.

No matter how you decide to display this information it is best to be clear so to decrease any confusion. When planning this detail, also keep in mind the space to which your guests will be able to look at or hunt for their names. Will you be creating a bit of a line up or cluster? Be sure that you have enough space for your idea, and that you have enough info - i.e: table number, guest first and last name.

A lot of times I see couples incorporate their theme into the escort cards/display - and this is fabulous and exactly why you have themes and or colour palettes when planning your big day. Keep all details in your wedding concise.

Some ways to inform guests to please take their seats are:

- Old fashioned chalk board
- Escort cards hanging from a tree or twigs in a pretty vase
- Photos tacked to a bulletin board (left plain or covered in fabric)
- Handwritten names on rocks, seashells or stems of a lollipop
- Escort cards hanging on a clothes line (twine or ribbon)
- Handwritten names on a window or window in a door

Etiquette Tip: Setting a Table

Do you know how to properly set a table for an event? Maybe you're hosting a Bridal Shower, Rehearsal Dinner or just simply a Dinner Party and you have no idea what is proper etiquette for the table setting.

Here are a few diagrams to show you just how to do it.

Informal:
This set up is great for casual Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Breakfasts or Luncheons.

Almost everyone has the silverware and dishware displayed in this diagram. If you're not serving alcohol, you should remove the wine class and replace it with a saucer and cup (which normally sits beside the soup spoon, but you can put it where the wineglass would be to save some space).

Remember this, you always enjoy your meal from the outside in.

Formal:

Now it gets a whole lot trickier. If you're hosting an event where you are the one setting the table, then take note. Again, you eat from the outside in, finishing your meal at the top with the dessert spoon and or cake fork. After each course, you should be removing the appropriate silverware and dishware.

At the end of the meal, you should only be left with the place card, water glass, cup and saucer, napkin and dessert utensils & plate.

Remember to place your napkin on your lap, and if you excuse yourself from the table during the meal, place it on your chair (or on the back of your chair if it's not overly soiled). The only time you can place your napkin on the table is when you are finished eating. Another way to signal that you are finished is to place your dinner fork and dinner knife side by side with the ends resting at the 5 if your plate was a clock. If you cross your knife and fork over one another to form an 'x', this tells the serving staff that you are not finished, but merely taking a break (ie: restroom).

As a guest, do your best to follow the place setting and using the proper utensil for the meal. If you're unsure, watch what others are doing at your table and you'll be just fine.

Bon Appetite!

Bridesmaid Gifts

You might know exactly what to get your Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids for being your right hand gals during your wedding planning and celebrations. Or, you might be completely stumped. There are so many options and ideas, it can be baffling.

Tried and trued is jewelry. You can get them a necklace or earrings that they can wear on your wedding day, or you can do something different. Maybe you want to get them all something a little different to match their personalities - maybe one likes wine, while the other likes cooking. Maybe one is a bookworm, and the other is more of a tomboy.

Giving personalized gifts always adds that extra touch and says 'thank you' far better than a standard gift - but that's just my opinion. Just be sure to give yourself a budget, and get creative!

Here are a few websites that I like for unique gifts:

Etsy - homemade, unique items that can be bought as is or customized to suit your needs.

Candied Soap Bakery - soap that looks almost good enough to eat!

Beaucoup - gifts that can be personalized and tend to be practical.

"We gotta talk...."

No one likes hearing the words, "we gotta talk..." Usually those words are interpreted as trouble - but let me tell you, if you don't have this talk, you may very well have trouble - in your marriage.

Weddings are fantastic - they are fun, full of love and laughter and are really truly just one big party to proclaim your love and adoration for one another. What comes after the wedding is a marriage - and that is meant to last the rest of your life. So even though you are doing so much planning for your wedding, be sure to slot in some time to plan for your marriage as well.

I came across this article the other day on the Canadian Living website - "10 things to talk about before you get married" and think that all couples should have this chat prior to tying the knot.

Here are the 10 things that they say you should talk about:

1) Decision making.
What is important to you both and what is your communication style. It needs to work for both of you - and a little compromise goes a long way.

2) Chore & task sharing.
Responsibilities. Do you take care of the bill payments, but he does all the yard work? Do you do the laundry and he takes out the trash? Having a game plan for your life tasks and duties will help keep the arguments at bay.

3) Kids.
To have or not to have, that is the question.

4) Religion & values.
Do you share the same values, goals and beliefs? This question will also impact #3.

5) Family.
You can pick your friends but not your family. However, you've picked your partner, so remember that when it comes to family politics and dramatics. Chat about how much time you plan to spend with each others family, especially for holidays, birthdays and whatnot.

6) Careers.
Are you both established in your careers, or will you want a change in the future? Do one of you have to travel a lot for work? Will you relocate?

7) Sex.
You've gotta talk about your wants and desires in this category too. Life brings on different situations and stress levels, so you've got to let your partner know that intimacy is important to you no matter what. Also, I'd use this time to inform them of your thoughts on open-relationships and affairs if you haven't already done so.

8) Finances.
Money can cause a lot of issues for couples - especially when one makes more than the other. As a married couple, you need to decide if you will have a joint bank account, or keep your assets separate. How will you save for the future, and how do you plan on spending your earnings together? Trips, kids, etc.

9) Time together and apart.
You still need to have your girls nights and 'me time' even though you are going to be a Mrs.
Be sure to talk to your man about what both of your expectations about free time are. A lot of time this is where resentment starts - when you feel alone in your relationship because your partner doesn't spend their free time with you. We want to avoid this, have the talk.

10) Drugs, alcohol and gambling.
How do you both feel about these? Can you partake but in a healthy manner? Are there issues with one of these already present in your relationship?

So, have the talk with your partner. I suggest not to have it all at once, unless you have a few hours to invest in it. But, discussing your views on these 10 things will prepare you for your life ahead with this person. It will also act like a refresher for those of you that have been together for a long time and might have talked about some of these things earlier on in your relationship. Maybe your views have changed, and that's okay. People change and grow as they go through life - it's just that with a marriage, you are to change and grow together.

Good luck!

*the list was comprised from the article featured on Canadian Living, however the comments below each headline are my own opinions.

RSVP No Shows

I've seen it a few times - guests RSVP to the wedding and then are no shows. This is not only poor etiquette, but it adds extra stress for the Bride & Groom.

When you are invited to a wedding and you RSVP "yes", be sure to show up. Unless an emergency arises (family death, illness or severe weather) you should honour your word and attend.

What happens when guests are a no show? Well, firstly food and money go to waste. 99% of weddings, the couple have to pay upfront for meals ordered - this includes quantity of appetizers and plate settings. Also, the couple have ordered their cake and or dessert/late night table based on the number of RSVP's they received. So if there are no shows, there is food and money wasted.

How do no shows add extra stress for the couple (and or their Wedding Coordinator)? The venue is set up and arranged for a specific number of people and with no shows - there can be gaps in the seating arrangements. Someone I know, recently went to a wedding and 2 couples from a table of 6 were no shows - leaving 4 empty chairs. Due to another couple at a different table not showing as well, there were 2 seats available to which they could fill leaving one table completely empty and another entirely full.
But that's good then right? Not really - there is now one empty table, and 6 paid for meals that won't be eaten. But, having an entire table empty is better than having one large table with only 2 people seated at it. The venue staff or your Coordinator can discreetly remove the dishware so that it doesn't look like the table is still awaiting guests.

So - what do you do if you are the guest who is a no show? You should call the Bride or Groom and leave a voicemail as to why you can't attend. If you know someone else who is attending the wedding and you don't want to call the Bride or Groom, relay your message to them so they can give your regards. You should also send a hand written note or email to the couple informing them that you hoped they enjoyed their celebration. As for the gift? If you're invited to a wedding and you RSVP "yes" but don't go - you should still give a gift. Mail a card with a cheque, or drop off the card and or gift in person. But, let me stress this - you must extend a gift and a sincere apology for your absence.

No one likes no shows. If you say you're going to attend a wedding, then do. Weddings are a celebration of two people who wanted you to be a part of it. It's always an honour to be invited to a wedding - and it would be an honor to the couple if you attended.


*Invitation designed by Jolie Papeterie Boutique

Who's Supporting You?

Do you know that the stress caused by planning a wedding is ranked as the 2nd highest in life after the loss of a loved one? Sounds pretty bad, doesn't it? I wouldn't necessarily compare the two as losing a family or friend is horrible, but planning a wedding sure is stressful....especially if you're going at it alone.

Sure, you've got your hubs-to-be there to help you out - to lend a shoulder to cry on and a nod of his head to all your questions, but really - who is supporting you on this journey?

Planning a wedding is in fact a journey. It typically takes 18-24 months to suss out your ideas, book vendors, plan your timeline, attend meetings, buy a dress, attend wedding related activites and all the other details that go into your big day.

We believe that all Brides need a support system. A Mother that wants to help and isn't overbearing. A sister or best friend who will be by your side helping you make the decisions and plan your dream day. Whomever it is, we hope that you have someone you can lean on during the stressful planning process.

If you don't have someone you want to help you, or let alone burden with your slight Bridezilla tendencies (we said 'slight'), we're available to help you. Our Full Wedding Package provides you with the support, guidance and friendship you need while you plan your big day. We will aid you in making your decisions, save you money and be there for you on the day you say "I do". I can't tell you how many times past Brides of ours have told me that they felt so good knowing that we were there to have their back - that we were like a friend.

Who will you turn to when the going gets tough? Give us a call, we'd love to help you stress less.

A walk down memory lane....

Sometimes it's nice to revisit an idea, so that's exactly what we're going to do with this post.
Here are a few past posts from us that we still find relevant, and we hope you do too!

Why Hire A Planner

Choosing a Wedding Dress

Choosing your MC

What Not to Wear to a Wedding


Do you have a topic that you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you!

Let's hear it for the boys!

Boys will be boys....there's no doubt about it. You may think that your Groom is totally into planning the wedding with you - and he might be, maybe. But I bet you, he's just enjoying seeing you happy planning the wedding of your dreams. What he's really looking forward to (besides being your Hubs of course) is the Stag...or Bachelor Party.

As his wife-to-be, you should understand and respect that your man and his buds will want a night out to celebrate. Getting married is not always all about the Bride despite popular belief.
Sorry ladies.

This Labour Day weekend I was at Darien Lake for a concert and saw this wedding party out celebrating the Groom. They were having a great time - good, clean fun. Not all Bachelor Parties are what we think they are - there's no need for them all to be like the Hangover movie.

Many clients of mine have opted to have a Bachelor Party that's tailored to them and their likes/hobbies, and less to what's expected.

Typically the Best Man plans and hosts the event, but oftentimes the Groom will be involved.

Maybe Groomie wants to go golfing and end the day with a steak dinner, or maybe he wants to go skydiving because he knows you'll never do it with him, or maybe he just wants to have a poker night with some pals. No matter what your fiance wants to do, this is his "last hurrah" per say. Let's let him enjoy it.

If he and his wedding party are unsure what to do - they should head on over to TheManRegistry.com and The Groom Says for guy advice, tips and ideas. Or maybe he knows exactly how he wants to party and all he needs to do is get himself and his wedding party some t-shirts.

Good manners go a long way....

We're all brought up to know the difference between good behaviour and bad behaviour. It's amazing how a little good manners can go a long way....they can make someones day!

In one day, I was thanked by two previous clients and it made me feel great! Everyone wants to hear that they did a good job - that they helped someone achieve a goal, and that they were successful. It's the "thank you's" that I hear and read from my clients that is the icing on the cake for my services. Sure, seeing the details come together, the guests having fun and the Bride & Groom laughing are fantastic -  but to actually be thanked is another way I  feel rewarded.

Brides, I encourage you to send an email, card or even extend a phone call to all of your vendors after your wedding day to let them know how much you appreciated their efforts. Say "please" and "thank you".
Help others and let others know how they have helped you..because a little good manners goes a long way.

A & E tied the knot!

Alison & Eric got married in Ancaster, Ontario on August 6th, 2011. The ceremony was set to take place outside at 4pm when dark clouds rolled in and sent the guests and wedding party indoors so not to get wet. Despite the standing room only and the humidity of the warm summer day, the ceremony went smoothly and the two got married after 6 years of dating!

Alison was a very laid back Bride, but knew that she wanted her reception decorated a certain way. Fresh hydrangeas and ivory roses sat in mason jars upon the tables. Paper bird place cards perched atop wine glasses and candles lit throughout the room provided the elegance and romance she was going for.

There were a few rustic touches incorporated into the decor, such as twine wrapped around the mason jars, wooden boxes filled with roses on top of the fireplace mantel and a chalkboard used to direct guests to their seats. As a personal, DYI touch, Alison made homemade strawberry jam as the favour - complete with a gingham wrapped lid!

Alison & Eric didn't want your standard clinking of the glasses to kiss, so instead they had a Scrabble board propped up with their names on it, then each table was given a small baggie of letters to create a word describing their relationship, marriage or personalities. All of the letters had double sided tape on them so that they could be properly placed and displayed. It was a fantastic idea and was thought of because they played Scrabble on their very first date.

Overall, this wedding was simply beautiful! Elegant, yet simple. Laid back, yet exciting and thrilling in all the right places. It was a joy working with Alison, Eric, their wedding party and immediate families.

Wishing them much happiness as they start their lives together. Congratulations once again!

Lisa & Grant's July Wedding

Weddings, like romance, are all about the little things.

Adding details and touches of personality to your wedding day is very important. All weddings, like all couples - are different. Lisa & Grant brought their lives, personalities and small details together beautifully for their July wedding.

These newlyweds love to go camping - so it was only right that each table was named after a Provincial Park. Instead of a table number, they displayed a photo of them in front of the sign of a park they visited or camped at. Instead of guests scanning a board or rows of escort cards, their names were presented in pots with the park brochure. When the guest got to their camp site (a.k.a table) they found their name printed on a place card against a hand-made Muskoka chair.

Since it was a hot July day, and the ceremony was outdoors, Lisa had mini water bottles on hand for her guests. Each bottle had a label with her and Grant's initials and oh-so-adorable Celebration Facts.

Their initial monogram carried out throughout their wedding details - which is perfect as consistency is key! The monogram was on the handmade ceremony programs (tied together to form a fan for the summer heat), their menu cards and their cake.

Incorporating your personality and hobbies into your special day is a great way to stay away from being 'cookie-cutter'. Another great way to be different is to incorporate family in a unique way. Lisa asked her florist, Christine from Designs by Law to recreate her Grandmothers wedding bouquet with a modern twist.
When I heard this detail, I thought that it was such an adoring way to include her Grandma into her special day.

Lisa and Grant had a fabulous wedding with beautiful weather, fabulous guests, delicious food and lot's of love! All of their hard work planning, making and incorporating all the fine details paid off!

Congratulations again to Lisa & Grant. We were so honoured to be a part of your special day!

Calling all Singles!

Want to meet like-minded singles in Hamilton, Ontario? Well then, I've got an event you don't want to miss out on!

This Singles Event is a gathering for singles aged 25-35. If you're on Twitter, we encourage you to use #HamOntSE to tell others you are going!
You don't need to be on Twitter to participate, but it'll sure help to stay connected with some of the people you'll meet.

Tickets are $10 (plus a minimal surcharge) and will include appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages and door prizes.We're looking for 25 guys and 25 gals to meet, mingle and tweet!

The event will be held on September 15th at 7pm - please see http://www.hamontse.eventbrite.com/ for more information and to purchase your ticket!

Gather your friends, and make a night out of this event! You just never know who you might meet! :)

Follow us on Twitter - @BridesButler for updates, wedding tips & info and plain ol' fun!

PS - if you meet someone and things go down the right path, we're offering 10% off our services to all couples created by this Singles Event.


* 15 tickets for each guys and gals must be sold in order for this event to take place. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased separately. Please do not drink & drive.

Alison & Eric are getting hitched!



Tamahaac Club, Ancaster.



Tomorrow, the Bride's Butler will be providing Day of Coordination services for the soon to be newlyweds. Alison works with a past Groom of ours, Jason and was referred to us for her special day. We're always so thankful for referrals. Thanks Jason!!

Alison & Eric are getting married in Ancaster at the beautiful Tamahaac Club. The ceremony will be outside, if the predicted rain storm holds off - and the reception will take place inside the club.

JD from Unveil Photography will be on hand capturing the Bride & Groom as they say "I do" and celebrate their union.

Alison has gathered a lot of her inspiration for her special day from Pinterest. A site that offers all kinds of ideas from decor, food and crafts. This site is gaining popularity from couples planning their weddings and using it like one big vision board. She will have roses, hydrangeas, an old fashioned chalk board, homemade jam and paper bird escort cards. All of her small details will come together to create one big impact. We can't wait to put it all together for her!

We're looking forward to being with Alison, Eric, their family and friends and they celebrate getting hitched!

Always a Bridesmaid?

Gosh, I don't like that saying...and I bet you don't either.

It's our job to make couple's wedding dreams happen, and now, we're going to make couples happen.

We're in the planning stages of a Singles Event - a gathering of singles, aged 25-35 that live in the Hamilton, Ontario area. If you're on Twitter, we encourage you to use #HamOntSE to tell others you are going! You don't need to be on Twitter to participate, but it'll sure help to stay connected with some of the people you'll meet.

Tickets will be $10 (plus a minimal surcharge) and will include appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages and door prizes.We're looking for 25 guys and 25 gals to meet, mingle and tweet!

We'll post more information about this event as it comes available.
For now, follow us on Twitter - @BridesButler for updates, wedding tips & info and plain ol' fun!

* 15 tickets for each guys and gals must be sold in order for this event to take place. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased separately. Please do not drink & drive.

Are you a Pie Bride?

A lot of couples are opting out of having the typical wedding cake. Oftentimes the cake sits there all night as a glorified centrepiece only to be cut by the Bride & Groom and served to the guests - who most likely won't eat it. Trust me when I say, 2 out of 3 times we're packing up half if not more of your cake and sending it home with you. So, if you're a Bride who knows she can leave the cake behind and try something else, I've got good news - pies are a welcome alternative at weddings.

You can get pies in regular size, or mini...and now, even on a stick! You can also get pocket pies, which are like modern turnovers. You can offer a variety of flavours to satisfy the tastebuds of your guests and you can easily pack them up and ship them off with your guests at the end of the night so that you aren't left with all that sweetness before you jet off on your honeymoon.

Pies are more rustic than cute. They provide a certain down-home-country feel than your typical desserts like creme brule, or even cupcakes. Pies can be made openfaced or with a lattes top or with a full top and a heartshaped cutout. And you can choose your flavours depending on the what's available during the season you get married. Apple and pumpkin in the fall - peach and cherry in the summer.

Oftentimes I think that Brides know whether they are a Pie Bride or a Cake Bride (this includes cupcakes). You either like cute, fluffy, iced desserts, or you like sweet, flaky, classic desserts.

Are you a Pie Bride?

First Dance

What is your first dance song?
Is it the song you first heard while together, or a song sung at a concert you went to on a date?
Is it just a song that everytime you hear it you think of your sweetie?
Or do you have to search for your song so that the lyrics are just right for your first dance together as husband & wife?

There are many love songs out there to choose from.

Some of the most popular first dance songs according to Project Wedding are:

•Unforgettable by Nat King Cole


•The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra

•What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

•Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley

•At Last by Etta James

•It had to be You by Harry Connick Jr.

•A Kiss is Just a Kiss by Michael Feinstein

•Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers

•A Whole New World by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle

•Endless Love by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
 
Don't have a song picked out yet? Don't stress - chat with your DJ for recommendations.
 
Also, think about songs that aren't necessarily for weddings, but any love song or fun song will do.
One of my favourite songs is "And then he kissed me" by the Crystals. It's a fun song about being in love - and falling for the man of your dreams I first heard it while watching "Adventures in Babysitting" as a young girl. I'm not sure if anyone has used this as their wedding song, or if anyone ever will....I'm still waiting.
 
 

 

B is for....

I get lots of emails asking if I am hiring. These girls want to know if they can be my Assistant - my helper - my right hand gal. Well, for the past 9 months I've had a sidekick that I adore; Brittany.

It's almost too fitting that Brittany starts with B, like The Bride's Butler. It was simply a coincidence that she emailed me and I just happened to need help at that time. Well, perhaps it wasn't coincidence, maybe it was fate - depends on how deep we wanna go here. LOL!

Either way, I'm thrilled to have Britt working with me, learning alongside me and being there to help me bring Bride's dreams to life.

Brittany's also certified by WPIC (Wedding Planners Institute of Canada), so she's a perfect match for The Bride's Butler as I'm certified as well. She is passionate about weddings & events and has a keen eye for details. She enjoys making things pretty, and making people feel special.

She truly is a gem to have as an Assistant, and a friend.

Thank you Brittany for choosing me to introduce you to the wonderful world of weddings.
I look forward to executing many more "I do's" with you as my right hand gal!

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

Lisa & Grant are getting married!

Lisa and Grant contacted us back in December for Day of Coordination services for their July 2011 wedding. Lisa is a very organized Bride that knew that she would want an extra pair of hands, and another set of detailed eyes for her special day.

Saying "I do" at Maplewood Hall in Ancaster this Saturday, I can't wait to see how all of her hard work of planning will come together. An outdoor ceremony followed by a family-style dinner inside the hall; this summer wedding is sure to make everyone in attendance warm and fuzzy with love.

Lisa did quite a bit of DYI for her details like the invitations and programs, and I've seen them - they are beautiful!

My Assistant Brittany and I look forward to aiding Lisa & Grant on Saturday and wish them fantastic weather, a seemless execution and a day filled with dreams that become reality.

Shortly after their wedding, I will be posting pictures to show you just how beautiful their wedding will be!

Wishing Lisa & Grant much happiness and they begin their new lives together!

12 to 18 months of Planning

Quite a few Brides are planning their 2012 Summer & Fall weddings now. It takes on average 12 to 18 months to plan a wedding. Think of how many hours you'll have to commit to your grand affair over that time. It's about 250 hours in total - that's 6 straight weeks of devoting your 9-5 schedule on your wedding!

If you are feeling overwhelmed with the idea of planning your wedding, rest assured - there are many options available for ideas and inspirations like blogs, websites, magazine and even television shows. If you think that you might need a professional perspective in planning, we offer Consultation meetings. These are fabulous one hour long meetings that are executed with your needs and requirements in mind. Sourcing vendors, choosing a venue and securing a budget plan is perfect material for a Consult.

Think you need more help that just a chat? Our Full Wedding Planning Package is perfect for the couple that doesn't have time to focus on the planning of their special day, or simply don't want to make major decisions without friendly professional guidance. Full Wedding Planning also includes perks like added value and discounts only offered through working with a certified Planner.

Want to plan on your own, but know that you will want everything brought together as you've envisioned it? No worries - our most popular service is our Day of Coordination Package and it includes 8-10 hours of services on your wedding day, plus rehearsal coordination and an hour long meeting. You do the work before, we do the work day of so that you can be the blushing Bride you've always wanted to be.

Questions? Call or email us, we're always excited to hear from Brides whom are in all stages of their planning process!

Wedding Details: The Menu

Everyone has to eat.

Planning your wedding menu can be fun if you are a foodie, but can be daunting if you aren't. What type of fare do you want to serve? Dinner? Most weddings occur in the evening with dinner being the meal of choice. Other choices are to have a Brunch wedding, or a Cocktail Reception. But, most people stick with dinner.

The Menu:

When choosing your food, you have to think of dietary restrictions, seasonality, presentation, cultural or religious beliefs and overall taste. Also keep in mind that food is expensive, especially when you are serving 100+ people. You want it to be affordable, but not cheap. No one wants to get sick from your wedding, or go home hungry.
When thinking about what to serve for your wedding, think about what you and your Groom like to eat. No one says that you have to stick with the basic meat, potato, vegetable option. Do you like Chinese food? Add chicken balls or lo mein to your menu. Or what about chocolate? Adding an element of chocolate to each course is a neat way to incorporate your favourite food into your special day.

Chat with your caterer or chef at the venue to discuss all of your options. We like it when couples take the standard buffet and flip it to offer guests customized stations! Think meat cutting station with a variety of different cooking methods (smoked, fried, grilled, etc), a pasta station with your choice of pasta & sauce, or what about a baked potato station complete with all different types of toppings! Delicious!

Provide your guests with some choice, and tell them through a menu card what they will be enjoying. Work together with your Groom for this detail, and it will most likely be one of the only elements in the wedding he will want to have a say about.

Be creative & think outside the box! Bon Appetite!

Wedding Details: Escort Cards

Details aren't just about placement of decor and the colour you choose - they are also about logistics and flow.

When planning your wedding you have to take into account how you want your guests to move around your event. You give them an invite so they know what time and where to show up. You give them a ceremony program to help guide them along through the nuptuials, and you lay out escort cards to direct them to their seats.

Escort Cards:

Sometimes your Invitation Specialist can produce a package for you that includes all the stationery items you need for your wedding: save the date, invites, menu cards, programs, escort cards and thank you notes. You can have the escort cards hand written (by you or a calligrapher) or typed in the same font as the rest of your pieces.

We like it when we see different and unique escort cards. Like these:

Wooden airplane cards



Winery Wedding? Use corks!

Image from the Knot.

Spice Rub Escort Cards + Favors courtesy of Ruffled

How are you planning on tying your theme, colour and style of your wedding into your escort cards?

This is a detail where you can have fun and creative! This is also a detail that all of your guests will see....as there are plenty of details that they simply won't see or notice.

Need ideas for your escort cards? Visit our Friendor page and shout out to one of our recommended Invitation Specialists. They'd be happy to chat! Be sure to tell them we sent you!

 





Wedding Details: Invitations

"It's all in the details."

This is so true when it comes to weddings - or any major event for that matter. It's the small things that count; from the consistency of the colour scheme, the placement, size and height of the centrepieces, to the font on the invitations....weddings are all about the details.

Over the next few posts, we'll cover a few aspects of weddings that we think you can't skimp on the details.

Invitations:

They are the first thing your guests see regarding your wedding. The invite sets the tone, feel and look of your wedding. Some Brides want to make their own invitations, usually to save money, but that's not always the case with DYI. Factor in the materials, tools and time and you are pretty much riding even with what it would cost to outsource. We suggest that you hire a professional for your invites....let them take care of the details.

When putting together the information for your invites you need to think about the follow details:

Colour of paper(s)
Weight (thickness) of paper(s) - remember, the heavier the paper, the sturdier, but more expensive to mail.
Texture of paper(s)
Font type & colour
Style of invite - pocket fold, gate fold, tri-fold, etc
Size of invite - 4x6, 5x7

Then there's the details of wording. You need to give your guests all the information they need, like:

The basics - who, when, what, where and why
Time - of ceremony & reception
RSVP - phone, email or card
Directions
Menu choice (optional)
Attire requirements (optional)

Once you've made your decision on all those details, then it's time to put it all together. Working with an Invitation Specialist can make this wedding detail less daunting. Once the invites are completed, you will see, it's all about the little things....

 * Invitations by:

www.hipink.com

Bridal Showers: Games & Gifts

Continuing on with chatting about Bridal Showers....

I like events – so much so it’s my passion and part-time gig, but there are 2 parts of a Bridal Shower that I don’t like very much; games & gifts.

Games:

They are bound to take place at a Shower, they almost always do. The toilet paper dress, guessing the number of jellybeans and quizzing the Bride about her Groom. These games are time fillers and ways to have your guests socialize with one another – we get it. But, what about thinking of other ways to have your guests ‘play’ with one another and have fun? What about having karaoke, or have your shower at a bowling alley or driving range? Think about things that you like to do and ask your guests to participate with you. You don’t have to have the ‘typical’ Bridal Shower.

Different ideas:

Butterfly Conservatory (tour & tea)

Manicures & Martinis (best for smaller groups, all of age of course)

Batting Cages (hot dogs & ice cream)
Outdoor Picnic (play boccie ball or badminton)

Gifts:

The only gift I’m interested in watching the Bride open is mine. I’m sure everyone else is on the same page as me – it’s boring to sit there for an hour (sometimes more) while the Bride ooh’s and ahh’s over her gifts.  Sometimes though, this ritual is tolerable when combined with a game. I know, I said I don't really like them much at Showers, but the Bridal Bingo game makes watching the Bride open her plethora of gifts more fun.

Anyways, I know that the gifts is the main reason to have a Bridal Shower, but I think that there is a better way to do this than have everyone sit and watch. How about you ask all of your guests to take their gift with them to their seat, and then throughout the Shower, the Bride can stop by each table and open the gifts of the guests seated there? This way, you can see what others gave her, and she can spend some time with you during the event. So often guests go to showers and don’t say a word to the Bride who is busy socializing and mingling with others.

Don’t be afraid to try opening your gifts this way. For guests who are curious as to what you got, get a Bridesmaid to gather them up from each table and place them on a large table for viewing.

Need some ideas for your Bridal Shower? We’d love to meet for a Consultation Meeting. Or how about we do all the work, and you & your Bridesmaids just show up? Ask us about our Bridal Shower planning package.

Bridal Shower Etiquette (for hosts)

This seems to be the time that many Brides are having Bridal Showers gearing up for their July, August & September weddings. A Bridal Shower is another festivity that is held to celebrate the marriage, much like the Stag & Doe, Bachelorette & Bachelor Parties and Rehearsal Dinner. The Bridal Shower is typically just for the Bride, although some couples now are having co-ed showers so the Groom can be 'showered' with gifts as well.

If you're a family member of the Bride-to-be or in the wedding party and are hosting a Bridal Shower,
here are some etiquette tips to help you:

1. Immediate family members should not host the event

Mothers, Future Mother-in-laws and sisters should not host the event. A cousin, Aunt, family friend or best friend should be the ones to host. Usually a Bridesmaid, or the Maid of Honour hosts the Bridal Shower.
The reason why this is frowned upon is because a Shower is given with the expectation of receiving gifts and it's in poor taste to host a party that between the lines is read as "give my daughter/sister some gifts please".

2. Only those that are invited to the wedding should be invited to the Shower

As mentioned above that Showers are a 'required gift' event, it is proper to only invite those that are invited to your special day. Ask the Bride for the wedding guest list, and perhaps go through it together with her to help build the invite list. If the Shower is a surprise, chat with the Mother of the Bride & Groom for guest names.

3. Write the Thank You card envelopes yourself

So many times we see guests arrive to a Bridal Shower and are instructed to write their name and mailing address on an envelope. We get that everyone wants an easy task concerning the wedding, but it's not very respectable to the guests. If the couple has sent, or will send a wedding invite to them, they already have their mailing address, so encourage the Bride to take the time to write the envelopes herself, or make labels. Think about the effort her guests have put into being at the Shower - they have shopped for a gift, wrapped it, signed a card, drove to the event, socialized with people they might not know very well, played corny games, watched her open up gifts and most likely dressed up. Don't you think that after all of that, the Bride (with your help) can write the envelopes?
This is one of our hang-ups...can ya tell? We're just saying that a little goes a long way.

4. Say Thank You

Not only should Thank You cards be sent within the week following the Bridal Shower, but the Bride should make sure that she says thanks to each guest whether it be after she's opened their gift, or as they are leaving. No one likes an ungrateful Bride.

5. Pony Up

If you are hosting the Bridal Shower, be prepared to spend some money. Most likely the Mother(s) will offer to pay for the shower, but you should still offer to pay for some aspects as the host. You can offer to have it at your home, or to provide a few menu items, or to pay for the decorations. No matter what, try to contribute to the cost of the event, even if the Mother(s) won't allow it.

6. Dress and behave appropriately

Do not try to upstage the Bride by any means. Dress according to the season and for the location of the event. If you are a member of the wedding party, keep in mind that you are an attendant to the Bride and are there for her. By no means are we saying you are her slave or lackey, but you should always keep in mind that the Shower and any other wedding related event is for her. Enjoy being the sidekick; the conductor in the background.

Do we have you nervous now about hosting a Bridal Shower? Don't be scared - it should be fun and exciting to host an event for the Bride.

Good manners should come naturally, and because for some they don't - we offered a few tips. Whether you are hosting a Shower or attending a Shower, we'd like to know what you think about these tips. Do you agree? Did you abide them? Have you witness them being completely ignored? We'd love to know!