Hairspiration

I just made up a word. That's right, Hairspiration. Ya dig, it?

With the Oscars being tomorrow, I thought why not look to them for inspiration for your bridal hairstyle?  A lot of women like to watch the Red Carpet to see who's wearing what, by whom and what accessories did they choose to glam it up? Some may be jewelery, others may be their date...hello, Stacy Keibler, I mean you.

Here are some hairstyles from past Oscars. Would you pick one of these for your special day? No? Then tune in tomorrow to see what's hot for hair and be inspired.

*Images from Google

They like me, they really like me!

I'm honoured and beyond excited to announced that I have been nominated for a Hamilton Readers Choice Award! Not only was I, Diane Morris nominated, but so was The Bride's Butler - which oddly means I'm competing against myself!! Two other local Planners are also competing along with me for the award.

Being recognized for this means that I'm doing what I set out to do - provide excellent service and support to my clients. It's a wonderful feeling to know that past clients are happy and thankful for the services I provided on their most special day.

Voting has begun and wraps up at noon on February 26th. If you'd like to vote, please select
"The Bride's Butler" under Best People - Wedding Planners. It's free to vote, you just need to register.

Thank you again to those that nominated me, and for those that voted. Since it's Award Season and all with the Oscars ahead, I'll go and prep my acceptance speech now....

How to Prioritise

When it comes to planning a wedding, you have to prioritise. But how do you do that you might ask?
Well, here are some tips to remember when it comes to prioritising.

Ask yourself what MUST be done today, and what can wait until tomorrow or the next day?

If you have a deposit due or a vendor meeting, then that is a priority and must be executed. If you need to return an item you bought for your wedding and then changed your mind about it, you can do that task another time.

Try not to let interruptions hinder you from completing your priority task

Hubbie-to-be wants you to watch the game with him but you need to finish the seating chart? Make a compromise with him that during commercial breaks you BOTH work on the chart together. Do your best to stay on task for you'll find there is always a reason or excuse to not do some wedding work.

Plan ahead and make time for checking items of your to-do list

When planning a wedding it might seem like every task is a priority, but that's not true. There are certain goals you need to achieve by specific time frames (see this checklist from Real Simple here for help) and in order to complete these on time you have to make time. I like to recommend to my clients that Wednesday evenings become "Wedding Wednesdays." In the beginning stages of your planning (first  few months) have this evening set aside every other week to talk about your ideas, make phone calls, send emails and check items of your to-do list. As your wedding gets closer, you may find you use every Wednesday to tie ribbon on favours, fold programs, and other tasks for your special day.

Don't forget to make you and your fiance a priority

Try to make time for the things you used to do before you got engaged (because sometimes you'll find you might stop doing anything that doesn't involve the wedding). Spend time with your friends (sans wedding talk), get a pedicure and have a monthly (cause really, weekly is a little unrealistic) date night with your man. Make sure to spend alone time as well - take a bath, read a book or go for a walk.

Using Pinterest for inspiration

Are you on Pinterest? You should be.

This site is free and a fabulous way to build your ideas for your wedding. Need some inspiration? Search by Weddings & Events and see all of the beauty that others have found. You can also type in what you're looking for and voila; cakes, dresses, tablescapes, favour ideas, etc!

Follow us on Pinterest for our favourite wedding ideas.

Love is Sweet

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

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

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

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

Love art?
Image from The Knotty Bride

Are you movie buffs?
Image from Martha Stewart

Bride & Groom Hearts.
Image from Bridal Guide

Rules of Engagement

Earlier last week I was featured in an article about what to wear to an Engagement Party. Written by Lisa Hannam and published in The Hamilton Spectator, this article gave a few tips for the Bride and her guests.

So what do you pair with your new diamond ring?? You can read the article here.

Looking back on Leigh & Derek's Day

Leigh & Derek got married on November 5th in Ancaster. We were with them for Day of Coordination services to make sure that all of their details and visions came to life.

Leigh was a very organized Bride that had a lot of personal touches and details. From the handmade aisle runner to her colour coordinated shoe laces and to their very own wedding 'logo' of two cats with their tails entwined; she had it all figured out and planned. I love when my Brides ( & Grooms) know exactly what they want!

Here are some pictures from the talented team at Red Lotus Photography of L & D's special day!

Thank you Leigh, Derek and their families for inviting us to be a part of your special day and to bring your wedding plans to life! We wish you much love as you begin this new chapter in life together.

Congratulations Jenn & Stephen!

Jenn & Stephen got married in October and now that we've received some pictures from the wonderful Taralea at Eyecontact Photography, we wanted to share a small recap of their special day with you!

Jenn & Stephen were married at The Scottish Rite in Hamilton by Dan from Kettle Creek Weddings. The ceremony was beautiful and everyone was happy to see these two say "I do."

The reception was held at The Hamilton Convention Centre and as you can see their colours were black, white and red. Jennifer was very organized (as mentioned in this post) and these newlyweds enjoyed their day with friends and family.

We had a great time assisting them with our Day of Coordination services and wish them nothing but the best as Husband and Wife.

Congrats again!

Paying tribute to loved ones.

Celebrating with family and friends is the main reason why people have weddings. A marriage is for two people, a wedding is for all. Often times couples are unable to share the joy of their special day with loved ones because they've passed on. How can you pay tribute to loved ones on your wedding day?

Here are a few ideas:

- Make a donation in honour of them to a charity that was close their heart, or affected their life. Lost a Grandmother to cancer? How about you donate to the Canadian Cancer Society. This is a great way to pay homage to your loved one and make a difference. 

- Mention the deceased in your ceremony programs. Most couples thank their family and friends for their love and support this way, so include those that have passed here as well.

- Incorporate rosemary into your bouquet, centrepieces or decor as it is the flower of remembrance.

- Play a special song during the cocktail hour or dinner and just know that when you hear it that you've dedicated it to them.

- Display photos of them at the ceremony or on the gift/guest book table. Many couples will choose to have the wedding photos of their Grandparents here, or of their parents as well (even if still alive).

- Have a family or friend share a reading in their memory at the ceremony. You can personalize this even more by choosing one of their favourite poems or verses.

- Light a candle for them during the ceremony.

- Include a moment of silence, or mention them in your prayer/grace prior to dinner.

- Wear a piece of their jewelery to have them close on your special day, plus this can be your "something old." Some Brides have taken a locket or broach from a loved one and fastened it to their bouquet or dress. Grooms can do this too, either wearing the memento externally, or hidden within a suit pocket or sleeve.

7 Ways to Save

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

Here are 7 ways to save when planning your wedding:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2012!!
Let's hope that this year is a fabulous one for you!!


Are you getting married this year? 

We'd love to meet with you to discuss how we can work together on the most important day of your life. From a few hours to a full day, we have services to meet your specific needs and budget.

"Like" our Facebook Page for your chance to win Bride & Groom T-Shirts! All you have to do is like us and post your 2012 wedding date on the wall. Five winners will be chosen at random throughout the month of January. Thanks and good luck!


Did you get engaged last year? 

Congratulations! Once you have your date picked, don't wait too long to book Coordination services as most Brides book 12-14 months in advance. Seems like a long ways away to book a service right? Not really. We book up fast (just like most other vendors), so book sooner rather than later to save you any disappointment.


Whatever this year brings for you, we wish you much happiness, love and laughter.
xo

Last chance to save $100!

Book Day of Coordination services for your 2012 wedding before tomorrow (Dec 31/11) to save $100!

This popular service is a real stress saver, so do your self a favour and book it now - you'll not only stress less, but you'll pay less!

Day of Coordination services include:

•A complimentary coffee & chat to discuss your wedding day requirements


•An hour long meeting to finalize all details, logistics and plans for your wedding

•Continuous support via phone or email 2 months prior to your big day

•Timeline preparation & execution

•Rehearsal coordination

•Wedding party & family management

•Vendor coordination

•Use of our wedding day emergency kit

•Wedding Day Management (set-up, ceremony coordination, photos & reception)

Day of Coordination provides approximately 30 hours of service, with 8-12 hours being executed on your wedding day.

To you and yours...

Merry Christmas!



We're offering NEW services!!

We're so excited to announce that we're now offering NEW services to better meet the needs of Brides & Grooms in the Hamilton, Ontario area.

Our most popular service, Day of Coordination will continue to book quickly, but to help those couples that don't think they need a professional on site ALL day, we're happily offering other services such as;

Set-Up:

Because you can't be two places at once, we'll take care of the set-up for your reception. While you're getting ready for your big day, you won't need to worry about the fine details like placing your escort cards, place cards, table numbers, menus, favours and any other elements you've planned.


Ceremony Coordination:

Weddings are all about bringing people together to celebrate the love and union of the Bride & Groom. Ceremonies are like a small production with a director, a choreographer and cast. We're there to assist you for when you say "I do."


Reception Coordination:

We drastically reduce stress for you, your Groom, wedding party and family members by managing the logistics that are included in hosting a reception.



Our website is currently being referbished by the lovely and fabulously helpful team at Lea Tea Designs, so be sure to check back soon for the refreshed look highlighting our NEW services!

Are you a book lover?

If you love books, or if you're fiance does, or heck, if you met in a library or college - here are a few great ways to incorporate books into your wedding day!

Guest Book

As seen on Every Last Detail Blog and Wedzu.

Centrepieces



As seen on 2000 Dollar Budget Blog & Offbeat Bride.



Invitations/Programs





Escort Cards

As seen on United With Love & Deb Lindsey Photography

"True love stories never have endings"

Mother/Daughter wedding traditions

Many Brides want to involve their mother in as many aspects as they can during the planning process and the wedding itself. Here are a few traditional things you should add to your Mother/Daughter wedding list.

Pick out the wedding dress.

Spending quality time with your mom and picking out your wedding dress is a memory that you'll always hold onto. You can decide to just have your mom by your side for when you say "yes to the dress" or you can include a sister, best friend, aunt and even your future mother-in-law.



Picking out her dress.

Take your mom shopping and help her pick out the dress she'll wear on her wedding day. Again, this day can include an invite to your future MIL as well. A fun shopping day that may include lunch or dinner with a celebratory glass of vino is always a good thing.

Ceremony procession.

If you're mom isn't walking you down the aisle, she is the last person to take her seat before your wedding party begins the ceremony. She should be escorted to her seat by your brother or cousin. If your Bridesmaids are walking solo down the aisle, and you don't have a brother or cousin, then you can have the last Groomsman walk her down, or an usher.

Showing respect & honor.

A lot of couples incorporate their mothers (or both parents) into the ceremony. You can offer her a flower as a token of gratitude, or you can have her (or them) participate in the unity ceremony as two families are becoming one.

Also, be sure to acknowledge and thank your mother during your speech at the reception.

DIY aspects & choosing vendors.

If you're planning your wedding yourself, be sure to include your mom in some of the Do-It-Yourself aspects (a.k.a - craft night!) as well as meetings with your vendors. If she (& your dad) are paying for some or all of your wedding, it's always nice to include them in some of the decision making.


How will you include your mom into your wedding planning and special day?


*article based on tips from TLC Family

Parents of the Bride

Is you're little girl getting married?

First time wedding parents?

According to TLC Family, here are two things you must concern yourself with before your daughter says

"I do":

Finances

Weddings can be expensive. Traditionally, the Bride's parents would host and pay for the wedding, but nowadays you'll often see both sets of parents contributing as well as the Bride & Groom.

Chat with your daughter and future son-in-law and discuss who will pay for what. Will each party give the same amount (i.e: $10,000) or will you pay for specific parts of the wedding like the reception?
It's also customary that the Bride's parents pay for her wedding dress and alterations.

Sounds like a lot of money being spent, right? It is. Be prepared by saving a little each month for as long as you can (some parents start this when she's just a kid). Open a savings account and dedicate it to your contribution to her wedding.

The future-in-laws

Not only should you take time to get to know your future son-in-law (if you don't already know him that well), but you should also get to know his parents. Once your daughter is engaged, invite her fiance's parents over for tea, lunch or dinner. This is a great way to celebrate the happy news and for you to meet (if you haven't yet) and spend time with them.

His parents will be a part of your daughter's new life with her hubby, so it's best if you like them, or at the very least get along with them. Building a relationship with the future-in-laws may save face later as life rolls on when it comes to dividing time for holidays and celebrations.

Check out the article here for TLC's list of the 5 things you should do to prepare.

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.

Save $100!!

For the past 2 years we’ve offered $100 off our Day of Coordination services during the month of December, and this year we’re doing the same, only with a bonus!! Book Day of Coordination services for remaining 2012 dates before December 31st, 2011 – we’ll give you Bride & Groom T-shirts! These shirts are perfect for your Stag & Doe or to wear while you’re getting ready on your wedding day.

The Day Of Coordination Package includes:

• A complimentary coffee & chat to discuss your wedding day requirements

• An hour long meeting to finalize all details, logistics and plans for your wedding

• Continuous support via phone or email 2 months prior to your big day

• Coordination of wedding rehearsal* (optional)

• Wedding day management (set-up, ceremony, photos & reception)

This package is approximately 25+ hours of service, with 8-10 hours being executed on your wedding day. The Bride's Butler will devote their time on your special day to the fine details so you don't have to. It is extremely reassuring to know that a trusted professional will ensure that your day feels like a fairytale.

*travel fees may apply

Book before December 31st to save!

Taking care of your vendors

Attention almost newlyweds! We know that a wedding is a major expense, and the planning process can be a major pain in the you know what – but, you should be sure to think about how you’re going to treat your vendors.

Sure, they are there to provide a service for you, and they are being paid for that service, so what more do we want, right? Well…there are a few things that vendors are very appreciative of.


There is no such thing as too much information.

Especially if you have a Wedding Coordinator. We want to know all of the details, the timing and your big picture plans for your special day. We want to know who’s where, when and for how long. We want to know who needs to be paid, how much and for what. We want to know your weather back up plans, your set-up plans and your tear down/clean up plans. We want to know it all – and please, tell us!

We will provide you with helpful tools to keep you organized and to help you relay this information to us, but I always tell all my clients – “there is no such thing as too much information.”


Tips.

Tips aren’t always manageable, especially if the couple is on a tight budget, but they are always welcomed.
Be sure to check your contracts as most vendors roll in gratuity in the final bill. If not, it is always nice to say "thank you" to the vendors that go above and beyond your expecations.

Here is a guideline from Real Simple, and if you're still unsure, ask your Wedding Planner/Coordinator:

Bartenders: 10 percent of the total liquor bill (to be split among them)

Catering manager: $200+

Coat check attendants: $1 to $2 per guest

Hairstylist: 15 to 20 percent

Hotel chambermaids: $2 to $5 per room; $10 to $15 if you used a suite as your dressing room

Limo or bus drivers: 15 percent

Makeup artist: 15 to 20 percent

Musicians: 15 percent of fee for ceremony musicians; $25 to $50 per musician for reception

Photographer/videographer: If you’re paying a flat fee with no overtime, $100

Wedding planner: 15 percent of fee

Fuel the engine.

Your vendors are working hard for you, so be sure to give them the fuel they need by providing them with a meal. If your vendors are on site during dinner, then they should eat too. You don't have to serve them the same meal as you serve your guests, but do provide them with something. Also, make sure they know how they can get a drink (non-alcoholic, any good vendor will not drink while on the job) so that they can stay hydrated and alert and execute fabulous services for you.

Also, note that your Wedding Coordinator will most likely want to sit in the room that your dinner and speeches are occuring in. We know that this isn't always possible as seating is limited, but it is beneficial to help us keep a watchful eye on the time. So, it's best to have a vendor table for your DJ, Photographer, Videographer and Coordinator. But, like mentioned, if you don't want them in the same room, be sure that there is a lounge or somewhere they can sit and grab a bite to eat.

Saying Thank You.

Yes, you gave them a tip, and you fed them, but a really great way to say 'thank you' is to include your vendors in your list of cards to be sent out. A lot of vendors use these cards in their portfolio or display them in their office/showroom/store. If you don't want to mail them an actual card, send them a nice email telling them how they helped you on your special day and include a photo too if you have one!
Saying thank you the old fashioned way goes a long way.


Referrals.

In keeping with saying 'thank you', one of the biggest ways you can do this and show your appreciation is to recommend them to a family member or friend that is getting married. We always love booking new clients who've been referred to us from previous clients. It's a pat on the back and confirmation that we left a positive impression and did a good job.
Plus, we always love seeing clients from the past at the wedding of the referal.


*Blog post is generated from personal opinion. Picture provided by Diane Morris from Kelly & Mike's wedding 2010.
*Tip list formulated by Real Simple. Visit their website for more suggestions as some were removed for this post.

Planner vs. Coordinator

You're getting married and you're not sure if you need a Wedding Planner or a Wedding Coordinator because you don't know the difference. Here is a little information about both to help you seperate the two.

A Wedding Planner is someone that assists you in planning your entire wedding. This service is typically called Full Wedding Planning. Planners keep you within budget, they source your vendors and they guide you every step of the way - and are also with  you for your rehearsal and wedding day. Wedding Planners can be your negotiator, decision maker, therapist and friend. A Planner is typically booked 12-18 months before your set wedding date.

A Wedding Coordinator is someone that aids you near the end of your planning process. You've planned your wedding yourself but you want a professional to execute all of your hard work and plans so that they are just so.  A Coordinator guides you with timeline preparation and logistics about 2 months before your big day and is typically with you for your rehearsal and about 10-12 hours on your wedding day. Most Coordinators are booked 6-12 months in advance, and the service is typically called Day of Coordination.

What about a Venue Coordinator? Refer to a previous blog post about the difference between them and a Wedding Coordinator here.


Hopefully knowing the difference between Planners and Coordinators will help you when searching for the right service for you for your wedding day.

Book 'Day Of' for 2012 today!

We just completed our last “Day of Coordination” for 2011 and are really looking forward to the weddings we have booked for 2012!


If you haven’t booked services with us for next year, we suggest that you do it before the year comes to a close as we’re making some changes to our services and prices.

“Day of Coordination” is our most popular service and we’ll continue to offer it, but our rate for 8-10 hours of Wedding Day Management including additional hours for meetings and assistance will increase – so book today!




A more detailed look into some of the things we take care of as your Day of Coordinator:

- Set-up (escort cards, place cards, money box, guest book, gift table, favours, cake table, etc)

- Clean- up (packing up gifts/cards into a vehicle or hotel room or lockable area and removing minor décor)

- Communication with vendors 48-24 hours prior to your big day to ensure that you get the services you agreed upon and are paying for

- Distribution of balances for vendors arriving on the day of (DJ, Photographer, Limo, Cake, etc)

- Timeline – we keep you on time and stress free. We prompt you for all of the event logistics like the speeches, cake cutting, etc

- We’re there working for you as your personal Bride’s Butler – forgot something? We got it. Need more of something? We can take care of it.



Call or email us so that we can meet for a complimentary coffee & chat to discuss how you can benefit from “Day of Coordination” services.

Working with vendors....

specifically a Wedding Coordinator can be like learning a foreign language for some...daunting.
It doesn't need to be that way.

There are a few vendors that like to show up to an event, do their thing and leave. Some haven’t worked with a Coordinator, therefore don’t know what to expect. Others have and loved it, and others have and hated it.

When a Wedding Coordinator is onsite, it’s their job to make sure that everyone is doing what they were booked and paid for doing. Our job is not to be bossy, but to help keep things on track and to avoid as many mishaps as possible.

With executing a major event like a wedding, there are lots of logistics and key players involved. A Wedding Coordinator is there to be your point person, your extra set of hands, your runner and your friend. We are not there to make your job more difficult, but a whole lot easier.

It’s always best when I get to work with wedding vendors that I’ve worked with before. This way, we know how each other work, how we like to be talked to and handled. Vendors that appreciate the hard work that a coordinator does are always welcomed in our books. All vendors are there to work for the couple and to provide top notch service, but it is us that make sure the newlyweds get what they planned for and ultimately paid for.

Prior to the wedding, we sit down with the Bride and go over every last detail. We cover the timeline thoroughly, focusing on things like setup & delivery times and the execution of key events like the photo shoot and bouquet toss. If the Vendors are all on the same page (timeline) then it’s a win/win for us all, including the newlyweds. Wedding Coordinators are the middleman between the vendors and the couple. Vendors should know to come to us first for questions or concerns, for most of the time we have the answer or a solution. The couple have hired us so that they can enjoy their special day without many interruptions and without having a boat load of people asking them questions. Come to us, we’re here to help.

Vendors, when you’re approached by a Wedding Coordinator prior to the wedding (as most of us drop an email or phone call prior to the day to introduce ourselves) please welcome us with open arms and not a roll of the eyes and a grunt. We will do our best to stay out of your way if that is how you prefer to work, or we will be right alongside you if that’s what you need to go above and beyond.

So, I guess what we’re saying here is – let’s all work together to provide the best service we can for the couple. If they didn’t book you from a referral, they have no idea how you work and what kind of service you will provide...and that can be scary for some Brides. Most Brides that hire a Day of Coordinator are Type A personalities. They are organized, detail oriented and want what they want – and we love them for that!

A Coordinator is your friend, not your foe. Plus, we’re also great for referrals for future clients, so if we work well together, there may be future bookings.

To learn more about what exactly a Wedding Coordinator does, check out Ehow’s article here.

Facebook Wedding Etiquette

Facebook has more than 800 million active users. That's a lot of likes, wall posts, photo uploads and tags.
Like most things in life, there are certain rules to follow for certain tasks.
Do you know how to properly use Facebook during your planning process?

Here are some guidelines when using the popular social media site:



Announcing your engagement.

It's totally normal to want to shout it from the rooftops and Facebook is the perfect platform to do so. Update your status to "we're engaged" or "is gonna be a Mrs!" to tell all of your friends about the proposal. You can also upload a picture of your diamond, or if you've got pics or video of him popping the question, by all means share it.

Sharing some of the details.

Feel free to share your wedding date via a status update, but be sure to keep it simple and to the point. Not all of your 100+ friends on FB will be invited to your big day, so be a little sensitive to that. And of course, change your relationship status from "in a relationship" to "engaged!!"

A lot of Brides like to keep everyone in the know about their planning process, and again, feel free to do this with your status, but be sure not to go overboard with Bride Brain.

Sharing a countdown to your special day is okay too - just try to stick with the landmarks of one year, 6 months, 1 week and 1 day. Seeing a constant countdown for most, is annoying.

Proper etiquette would be that you don't post your Registry information online. Getting a gift for getting married is a privilege, and not a right. If people (guests) want to buy you something, they will ask you, your fiance, a family member or a friend.

After your wedding feel free to brag a little. Heck, brag a lot. Post your pictures, thank your guests and  change your relationship status from "engaged" to "MARRIED!"
Just make sure to keep everything positive, do not complain about guest behaviour, or how much your new mother-in-law got on your nerves.

Wrap up all your wedding talk within 6 months, or less. As much as you're stoked to now be a Mrs, there are other things that should be important in your life as well.

Invitations.

Do not by any means invite friends/family/co-workers to your wedding using Facebook. Send out a proper invite with an RSVP card for them to reply.

Bridal Showers, Stag & Does and Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties can have Facebook Event pages to keep everyone in the loop, but we still advise that you send out proper invites or personal emails to all invited.



Incorporate FB into your Bridal Shower with customized cookies!

 Vendors.

Use Facebook to help you find vendors - that is if you don't have a Wedding Planner. And be sure to "like" the Fan Pages of the vendors you book with. Not only does it show support, but you just might see your wedding crop up in their status updates or albums.

While we're chatting about vendors, make note that it is a big no-no to post anything negative about your vendors through the social media site. We know that planning a wedding can be stressful, but please do not use Facebook to bad mouth anyone. Send an email or pick up the phone and make a call instead if you're not happy with their services/products.

On the day of.

Do not log on Facebook on your wedding day. You can change your status and upload photos the day after, or even when you get back from your honeymoon. Enjoy the day and stay offline.

Posting as a guest.

Most of your guests will post pictures from your big day on Facebook and tag you in the pictures. If this bothers you tell your friends that. Some people are private and do not want memories from their special day to go viral. There's no harm in placing a small note on your ceremony programs that you wish to be shown any pictures prior to posting - or that pictures simply aren't posted. Remember though, you can't control what others post, but you can ask - there's nothing wrong with asking and making that request.

However, as a guest - do your best to be respectful to the newlyweds and only post pictures that display them in their best light. Do the same for members of the wedding party - no one wants to see the Best Man making out with the Grooms sister. Tisk, tisk.

Now, go on....log on to Facebook and "like" us - The Bride's Butler.

"Unveil"ing Alison & Eric's Wedding Day!

JD from Unveil Wedding Photography captured some great shots from Alison & Eric's wedding day! To view more of the stunning pictures, click here. We were so honoured to have been able to assist this wonderful couple.

Here's what Alison had to say to us after her speical day:

I just wanted to say thank-you for the work you did on our wedding day. I have a busy life that didn't include a lot of time for wedding planning and you really helped me get organized and just enjoy the day. When my co-worker, Jason, recommended you I wasn't sure if I needed a coordinator. Looking back, hiring someone to take care of all the details was the best decision I made. I run a large retail store, but handing over the reigns that day was a huge relief. From stressed out family to bad weather, to wine shortages -  you had it all covered. The things that were important to me were impeccably executed, and I appreciated your advice with the other details. It was a pleasure to have you on my team during such a crazy day in my life. You're very talented at what you do and I will recommend you to anyone I know who is planning a wedding. You're a cool lady and I wish you all the best :)

* Photographs from Unveil Wedding Photography

*Testimonial provided by Alison via email

Leigh & Derek are about to be a Mr & Mrs!

On Saturday, November 5th, Leigh & Derek will get married and become Husband & Wife. We're so happy to be able to celebrate in this occassion with them and provide Day of Coordination services.

Leigh booked us back in April when we were offering 30% off our most popular service in celebration of the Royal Wedding. We met in Ancaster and discussed her plans for their big day.

They will say "I do" at the Town Hall in Ancaster and will have their reception at the Hamilton Golf & Country Club. Leigh & I will be sitting down shortly to go over all her plans and details with a fine tooth comb. This way, she'll be able to enjoy her day and relax knowing that The Bride's Butler is there to execute, troubleshoot and bring her ideas to life!

We're so excited to be joining them on their special day! Click this link to see some of their engagement pictures from Nate at Red Lotus Photography. They are adorable, and we can't wait until the 5th!

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!