The Rehearsal Dinner

Our last post focused on The Rehearsal and all that it entails, so now we’re going to chat about The Rehearsal Dinner. 

Typically hosted by the Groom’s parents, this event occurs after the rehearsal of your ceremony. This is an event that you hubby-to-be might want to be involved in a bit more, and if it’s alright by you, you should let him pick the place, type of food and if there will be a theme. For some ideas, check out this article on The Knot. 

Most couples will have a semi-formal Rehearsal Dinner at a local restaurant or even at the venue if they have on site catering or a restaurant. The dress is business casual and the atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable. Everyone is excited, and a little nervous as they await the wedding that is about to take place. The rehearsal dinner is the best time to present your parents and wedding party with their gifts and to thank them for their support, participation and love during your engagement. If you don’t like to make grandiose speeches, take the time to chat to each person and thank them – as you likely won’t have the time or the proper thought process to do it on your actual wedding day.

Who pays for the Rehearsal Dinner? Usually the Groom’s parents, but this is quite old fashioned as it was because the Bride’s parents paid for the wedding. Nowadays, couples are paying for their own wedding, or pitching in a 1/3 with both sets of parents. So when discussing the wedding budget, be sure to factor in the Rehearsal Dinner. Work out a total and method of payment that works for all parties involved.

Be sure to have fun at your rehearsal dinner, but we advise that you keep alcohol consumption to a minimum and try to limit your salt intake. You don’t want to be dehydrated or bloated on your wedding day. Enjoy the company of your family and friends and be sure to enjoy the moment.

So, who’s invited to the Rehearsal Dinner? Parents, Grandparents, the wedding party and their significant others and your officiant (specifically if you’re a member of a church). If you have guests coming from out of town for your wedding, it’s a nice gesture to invite them to the dinner as well.

Whomever is hosting the event should send out the invites about 3 weeks prior to the wedding. It’s usually assumed that there will be a rehearsal followed by a dinner, but you should still send out a formal invite. Need some ideas? Check out these rehearsal dinner invitations by the Wedding Paper Divas.

Wishing you a fabulous time at your Rehearsal Dinner!

The Rehearsal

You know when you were in dance class as a little girl and they had many rehearsals for the recital? Remember  you practiced your dance steps repeatedly and how to smile big for the audience in front of your mirror? As the recital grew closer, you probably even had a dress rehearsal - well, you won't get that for your wedding, but  you should at least have a rehearsal.

The ceremony is the most important part of a wedding, heck, there is no wedding without the exchange of the vows and rings. Once more than one person is involved in something, it becomes a bit of a production, therefore you need to practice. And practice makes perfect, right? Well, not really, but close.

Having a rehearsal will help put everyone on the same page as to how the ceremony will play out. When they are to arrive, to what location, how they are to dress, what they should say and do and so on.
The rehearsal is also a good time for you to ask any questions you might have to your Officiant, Coordinator and venue.

Typically the rehearsal is held the evening before your wedding and consists of the Bride, Groom, Wedding Party and immediate family members. You should try to have it at your church/venue if you can - even if there is a slight up charge. Being able to walk down the aisle a few times prior to your big day will help ease your anxiety of doing it in front of a few dozen people.

Have fun at your rehearsal, but not too much (ahem, Groomsmen, this means you). You'll want to listen carefully to whomever is directing it be your Officiant or Coordinator. You'll want to pay attention to the cues and to where you are to stand.

After the rehearsal is the Rehearsal Dinner usually hosted by the Groom's parents. This is the time you can let loose and have some fun.

So, we suggest that you have a rehearsal for your wedding. Even if it has to occur a week or a few days before. It's a great way to get everyone together in a less formal way, but still be able to cover the important aspects of what lies ahead for the most important day of your life.

Did Brides really Copy Kate?

Yesterday marked the 1st Anniversary for William and Kate. I find it hard to believe that it's been a full year since I woke up at 4:30am to watch the Royal Wedding with my Mom. We had homemade scones with jam and cream and created a memory that will last.

There was lots of talk surrounding the Royal Wedding and whether or not Kate would impact the industry and   create trends. Personally, I don't think she's made a huge impact, but what I do know for sure is that she's made sleeves on dresses cool again, has brought Lily of the Valley into the mix for requested flowers, and made lace more modern and less like Grandma.

As the 2012 Wedding season begins, I'll be paying attention to see just how many Brides really did Copy Kate.

To see some of our suggestions on how to Copy Kate, check out these old posts.

#1 The Dresses
#2 The Invitation
#3 The Bouquet

Hip Ink Custom Invitations

One of our Friendors, Sarah of Hip Ink has recently launched an Etsy store. If you're a Bride planning your wedding and you don't know what Etsy is, I suggest you check it out. The website is like an online flea market and you can visit a bunch of different suppliers of almost any product! Many Brides and Planners turn to this site for favours, wedding party gifts, unique jewelery and stationery.

Sarah is known for her Couture line of custom invites. She designs each one with the clients requests in mind and creates unique one-of-a-kind invitations and stationery for their special day. Having a specially made invite can get expensive, so to accommodate and continue to share her love of design, Sarah launched the Etsy store.

There are a variety of pre-designed invitations available on her storefront that you can choose from and then edit to display all of your details. We especially like these two:

Check out all the other designs she offers here. And, if you want to meet with Sarah to design your very own stationery line for your special day, visit her website and drop her a line or email.

Your invitations are what sets the tone, mood and theme for your wedding, so be sure that they are personalized, unique and display your personalities.

Good things come in three's...

Wedding Trend Alert!

I've seen it on blogs, I've heard about it from clients, and now I think it's official to say that Trio Cakes are in for 2012.

Many Brides don't want to forgo the traditional wedding cake for cupcakes, pies, cookies and other sweet treats, so instead, they're reinventing the way a cake is displayed.

Rather than get a tiered cake, many Brides are ordering 3 individual cakes. This option can not only offer your guests more choice regarding flavours, but it can also be less expensive. Yes, three cakes are better than one.

If you choose to keep your design and decoration simple, and the size of your cake to 6"-10" each without tiers, you can get 3 cakes for the same price, if not lower than a 3-tiered cake.

Displaying 3 cakes is more fun too! You can group them, separate them among the dessert table (or even the room) and you can place them on stands, plates or anything else that matches your theme & decor.

Check out some of these Trio Cakes...don't they look fabulous?

We invite you to contact one of our favourite Friendors, Kristy from This Chick Makes Cakes for a meeting on how you can incorporate Trio Cakes into your special day!

*Images from Google

Gearing up for Wedding Season!

The Bride's Butler is gearing up for a busy wedding season!

We're so thrilled to be working alongside many wonderful couples this year, and assisting them with both Full Planning and Day of Coordination Services.

With permission from my clients, I'll do my best to feature their special days on the blog to share with you.
I can't wait to see all of their ideas come to life!

We kick off the season with Angie & Serge on May 26th, and continue through until September 29th with Brooke & Richard.

If you want to book with us, we're offering $200 off remaining dates in May & June.

Stress Less & Save Money

Weddings are expensive and stressful and we know that all Brides want to stress less, and save money.

To help you achieve both, we're offering a discount on our popular Day of Coordination services for remaining dates in April, May and June.
Book your 2012 wedding now and save $200!

We'll work together with you those final weeks of your planning stages to aid you in formulating a proper timeline, staying organized with vendors and making sure all of your ideas and visions come to fruition.


Day of Coordination services are a great fit for Brides that have planned their entire wedding but want a professional on site to ensure that the day runs smoothly, vendors are paid remaining balances and show up on time and that all of your plans and decor are just so.

We provide 30+ hours of service, with 8-12 of them being executed on your wedding day. We're there with you from morning to midnight, making sure you get the best wedding possible.

For more information on how we can work together, send us and email or give us a shout. We'd love to chat over a complimentary coffee about how we can help you stress less and save money.


*Offer only valid on remaining dates in April, May & June, 2012

#Weddings on Twitter

We're on Twitter (@BridesButler) and often while executing Day of Coordination Services will send out a tweet or two of the wedding. I'll include pictures, updates and usually attach a hashtag so that my followers can, well, follow along. You must know though, that I always ask my clients first if they are comfortable with it.

Just this past weekend, I saw a tweet that was an RSVP to a wedding. At first, I'll admit, I was a little concerned. As a Wedding Coordinator, I do my best to aid my clients in staying true to traditions and proper wedding etiquette, but also know that times have changed and social media is a part of almost every one's life. I say almost everyone, because there's still a generation that doesn't use it (IE: Grandparents). You may beg to differ with me here, as even seniors are hip enough to tweet, pin and post - but when it comes to weddings; especially invitations, I suggest to follow the wishes of the couple.

If the invitation includes a self-addressed envelope with a pre-paid stamp, then you should fill out the reply card and send it the good ol' fashioned way. Including these pieces in their invite states that that's how the couple wants to be communicated with. Plus, invitations are quite expensive and adding a reply card with postage is an added expense that shouldn't go to waste.

Now, as I said before, modern times are here and we all need to get on the bandwagon - so if the couple is tech savvy (or wants to eliminate the cost of the reply card) they can request that their replies are sent via email (kimandkevin@gmail.com), phone or via Twitter. If the couple uses Twitter often, they might want to create a hashtag (#KimandKevinsWedding) for any tweets concerning their big day.

If the couple has a wedding website, they can include the URL in the invite and list the ways to RSVP there.  Note though, that you should only have 2 channels in which guests can give you a yay or nay...any more and you'll likely miss a few.

So, getting back to #weddings on Twitter - you can most definitely include your wedding on the popular social site like this Groom did (pictured), but I advise that you do with caution. You should be leaving the tweeting to others, because you should be enjoying your day as Hubs and Wifey. If you want your guests to tweet during your ceremony and reception, include that info in your programs. If you're really tech savvy, have a live stream of the tweets displayed on a screen in your reception venue. Like anything that is captured, these tweets will be a good reminder of the fun everyone had. Just be careful what you tweet (and this goes for Facebook too) - have respect for the couples privacy (not everyone was invited, so not everyone need the details), be courteous to the Bride (aka, post only flattering pictures) and refrain from using profanity - a wedding after all is a formal event - not a house party.

If you don't want everyone tweeting, you can say that as well in your program. Some couples aren't showy and don't want their special day posted to the masses whether it be on Twitter or Facebook. But, if you don't mind - perhaps you can ask a close friend or family member and enlist them as your "Tweet of Honor." Check out this article for more info on what I'm referring to.

So, to sum this all up - I suggest that you ask first and or follow the given instructions. If the RSVP doesn't say tweet your response, then don't. If you still want to tweet or post your attendance anyway, ask the couple first if it'd be okay to do so. Yes, Social Media is the future but, having proper social manners is not the past. At least not yet (here's hoping!)

Happy tweeting!

We won!

The Bride's Butler has won 1st Place (Diamond Award) for the Hamilton Readers Choice Awards!

I was so excited, and a tad shocked to have been nominated, but to win, wow! I'm beyond happy and proud of how far my little business that could has come.

Thank you to everyone that voted, to past clients that have trusted me to assist them on the most important day of their lives and to my present clients that have invited me to take part in their day this year.

The Bride's Butler is heading towards it's 4th year of assisting, coordinating and loving all things weddings!
Thank you for your continued support and business!

Ways to keep your guests entertained

There are many ways to keep your guests entertained at your wedding. Two of the most popular are food and music. Serve delicious food, and play good music - easy. But, there are other ways to keep your guests entertained during your wedding.

Ceremony Fan & Word Search

If your wedding is outside, and in the summer - having a paper fan for your guests is a good idea. To keep them entertained while they wait for you to arrive, make the fan into a Word Search. You can pick words that pertain to the ceremony like vows, I do, etc....or you can pick words that describe you and your hubs-to-be.

He Says, She Says Game

Print out a page that offers quotes, one-liners or facts about the Bride & Groom and let your guests guess who said (or did) what. This game is great for the cocktail hour, or during dinner.

5 Things About

A great way to get your guests talking during dinner is to offer 5 (or 10) things about yourselves. Where you met, first date, who said I love you first, etc. Not only will this table talker get your guests chatting, but it will help those that are plus-one's feel a connection to you as well.

I Spy

Create a list of pictures that you would like captured from your special day and give it to your guests. You can give this to your guests when they arrive, or place it on the tables. You should include an email address you want the pictures captured sent to, or offer a few disposable cameras to each table. The quality won't be that good, but you'll know your guests were entertained tracking down the shots.

There are many ways to entertain your guests, just be sure that you factor this element into your planning. Your wedding is a full day for most of your guests, so make it fun and worth their while. Plus, you want to be the wedding that they brag about to their friends as the best wedding they went to.

Family Matters

As your Day of Coordinator, it is my duty and responsibility to make sure that your plans and ideas for your wedding are brought to life. It's my job to make sure that the timeline that we agreed upon together is followed to the best of our abilities. It is me who will communicate updates and changes on your behalf with your vendors such as your DJ, Photographer, Venue Coordinator and Florist. I'm the middle man between you and well, pretty much everyone else....including your family members.

If you have an over-bearing parent, or an Aunt/Uncle/Wedding Party Member that has to have their say, please do us all a favour and inform them about me prior to your wedding day. You should tell your immediate family and wedding party that you've hired a Day of Coordinator so that your wedding goes smoothly and on time. To be realistic, things will change, the timeline will become a guideline, but in the end, that's my worry - not yours, or your parents.

I understand that parents and family members want the best for you for your special day, but assure them that we've discussed your wedding in length and that everything is taken care of. Tell your family and wedding party that you want them to enjoy the day as well, and that if they have a suggestion or concern that they should see your Coordinator. It's our job to be quick thinkers, problem solvers, negotiators and mediators.

If you have someone that you think will interfere on your wedding day, it is definitely a good idea to hire a Day of Coordinator. Let us be the bad guy, so that you can be the blushing Bride and simply enjoy your wedding day with your husband.




** We are currently offering $200 off remaining dates in April, May & June for Day of Coordination **

$200 off Day of Coordination services

We're offering a discount on our popular Day of Coordination services!

If you're getting married this April, May or June, book with us and save $200! 

We'd love to hear from you about your up-coming wedding and help you stress less.

What's included in a DOC package?

• 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 us a combination of all of our coordination services and provides approximately 30 hours of service, with 8-12 hours being executed on your wedding day.

Can you BIELieve it?

The teenager inside me is crying a little over the official display of the engagement between Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake. Like a lot of gals, I had a mad crush on JT - and well, I still do. Who am I kidding, he's gorgeous. Right?

Justin is a relationship man - he stays with his women for about 4 years, and then gets the itch to move on. Britney, Cameron and now Jessica. In true Timberlake fashion, these two did break up after 4 years together only to reunite last year and then seal the deal with a proposal over Christmas. I was hoping that he'd be like Clooney and never settle down, but it looks like there will be a summer wedding after all.

So, not only has Jessica snagged an attractive, multi-talented guy, but she got herself a huge rock as well!
Take a look at her diamond. What's your thoughts? Too big? I think it looks like an heirloom, but I hear it was custom made.

If you're not into celebrities and their weddings, then you likely don't care for this post, but since I love weddings and enjoy the odd gossip magazine, I know that this engagement/wedding will be one that I'll follow. Since they are such a private couple, you likely won't see too much from their "I do's" - but I'm so curious to see how it all unfolds. They say the planning has begun...stay tuned.

Revisiting 10 secrets...

10 Secrets to a fun Reception....

Originally posted in April 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These are popular sayings for a reason people.

2. Order Good Food - Get creative.

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

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

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

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

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

Leap Year Proposals

Yesterday was Leap Year, an extra day that only occurs once every 4 years. It's been said that on this day, women can propose to their men without judgement.

Old stories will tell you that if the man declines, he must buy you a gift, specifically gloves so that no one will know if you are or aren't engaged. For more stories, check out an article featured on The Huffington Post website.

What about you, what's your take on women proposing? Would you ever get down on bended knee if your man was taking too long to ask?

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.