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!

Last Chance to Save!

Save 30% off any remaining 2011 dates for

Day of Coordination services

Why do you need a Coordinator for your wedding?

So you can stress less, and enjoy your day!

It's simple - you can't be two places at once. Most venues don't allow you to set up the night before like they used to, so who's going to set out your centrepieces, escort cards, money box, guest book and candles? We are.

As your Day of Coordinator we are with you for 8-10 hours on your wedding day ensuring all of the fine details you've planned are executed the way you wanted and envisioned. Together with the officiant, we manage and coordinate your ceremony. We assist with the photo shoot, and we are there at the reception keeping everything on schedule.

We remind you that it's time to cut the cake, have your first dance, and throw your bouquet. While you're busy being a blushing Bride & newlywed, we are in the background putting it and keeping it all together.

A wedding is a major event - and the logistics and details should be treated as such.

Save now on our most popular service - book before June 1st and stress less!


Didn't book soon enough? That's okay - our Day of Coordination services are still very affordable. We'd love to meet with you for a complimentary coffee & chat so we can discuss how we can work together on your special day.

Congratulations Rebecca & Tom!

Rebecca & Tom are married!

Friday the 13th turned out to be a lucky day for these two newlyweds after all! We were so happy that the sun shone brightly, it was warm out and that this wedding went off without a hitch!

Rebecca was very organized, which always helps. She chose to work with wonderful vendors who arrived on time and executed professional services. We had the chance to work with Michael Coombs of Prodigy Entertainment and Sandra Valente of Seize the Moment Photography.

The ceremony was at 4pm at St. James Cathedral Church in Toronto and was an Anglican service. The choreography of the ceremony was rehearsed the night before with the help of the Priest. It was seamless!

Pictures were taken outside the church with both families - including cousins, aunts and uncles! Thankfully, my Assistant Brittany was on point and had everyone coordinated.

The reception was at the Rosewater Supper Club and the staff there was wonderful to work with! They were helpful, friendly and went above and beyond for the happy couple.

Rebecca looked wonderful in her white dress with her blond curls. She was a very calm Bride and enjoyed every moment of her special day! The Bridesmaids wore dresses by TwoBirds, it was neat to see them all wearing dresses with sleeves for the ceremony and then changing the style for the reception.

Lily-of-the-valley was used for all bouquets, boutonnieres and centrepieces - one of the more expensive aspects of the wedding. The cake was 2-tiered and had a bird design on it to match the program, menu cards and favours.

Once the party started after dinner and speeches, Rebecca had me hand out props for specific songs. There were cowboy hats for country tunes, sunglasses for "I wear my sunglasses at night", light-up rings for Beyonce's "Single Ladies" and inflatable guitars for "Summer of 69". All of the guests loved the props and thought they were great fun!

Overall the wedding was beautiful - great friends, wonderful family and lots of love. Rebecca & Tom are very lucky to have each other and to have had a lovely wedding on Friday, the 13th.

Thank you Rebecca & Tom for inviting us to be a part of your wedding. We wish you lot's of happiness as you start your lives together.


*Photos by Seize the Moment Photography

CopyKate #03: The bouquet

This is the last post in our CopyKate series. If you want to know how to mimic other elements of William & Kate's wedding that we didn't feature, call us for a Consultation meeting.

CopyKate #03: The bouquet

From the Official Royal Press Release:

The bouquet is a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.

The flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:
Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness;
Sweet William – Gallantry;
Hyacinth – Constancy of love;
Ivy - Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection;

Myrtle - the emblem of marriage; love.

The bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.

Khris from DYIBride.com featured a post on how you can make your own bouquet similar to Kate's. Check out her post here. She estimates that the grand total for a DIY copycat Kate bouquet is roughly: $1167.90

Ouch. Lily-of-the-valley is expensive.

If you decide to work with a florist for your bouquet ask them what other flowers they can recommend to get the same look of Kate's but for much cheaper. Perhaps you only want to have a few stems of Lily-of-the-valley and use white roses and cali lilies to bulk up the bunch. Your florist will be able to work within your requests and budget restraints.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post of our recent Bride, Rebecca. She had Lily-of-the-valley centrepieces and bouquets - for all of her Bridesmaids and herself! Simply beautiful, and classic - just like Kate.

Bridesmaids: How to pull it off

We've said it before, and we'll say it again - being a Bridesmaid (or Maid of Honor) is hard work.
If it was all fun and games like the newest movie to hit the theatres; Bridesmaids, then no one would ever gripe about being one.

As a Bridesmaid you've got to have the dress, shoes, hair, make-up, nails, accessories, gifts, showers, possibly a stag & doe, a bachelorette party, the rehearsal and the wedding itself. Then on top of all that you should provide support, guidance and a shoulder to cry/lean on.

Bridesmaids want to look good on the wedding day, we get that - but you have to make sure that you do not purposefully try to upstage the Bride. It is her day. As a member of the wedding party you should consider yourself a "co-host" for the festivities, especially the ceremony & reception. Be polite, gracious and not overbearing. Do as you are asked, be flexible and simply put; be a good friend.

Still not sure what to expect as a Bridesmaid? Ask the Bride.

You can however be sure of the following:

Money - expect to spend it. If you can't afford $500 upwards to $1,000 to be a Bridesmaid, then respectfully decline. The couple (specifically Bride) should inform you what is expected in the role as soon as she invites you to join the wedding party. By no means should you feel bad or guilty for having to decline.

Attire - the likely hood of you actually liking the dress and wearing it again is slim. There are more styles offered now that able to remain in your wardrobe, but again, it's unlikely. A lot of Brides are opting for black dresses so that the Bridesmaids can wear them again. What you won't see too often are white bridesmaid dresses, although it's more popular in the UK as seen in the Royal Wedding.

Participation - you will need to attend any wedding related meetings, rehearsals, showers, and events. Enjoy each of them to the fullest. Weddings are a great excuse to celebrate and enjoy life.

If you've been asked to be a Bridesmaid, perhaps you might consider giving a gift to the couple from all  members of the Wedding Party. If you all chip in a little bit for a gift, it will help all of your pocket books. And if you want to do the Bride a big favour, hire us for Day of Coordination. Having us there on the wedding day will allow you and everyone at the wedding to simply enjoy the day for what it is - a gathering of family & friends to celebrate a union of love. No Bridesmaid I've ever known wants to feel like an employee of the Bride on her special day. You are her attendants, there to take part in the occasion with her.

Have fun!

Friendor Spotlight

Cupcake Diner: Natalie Ravoi

Cupcake Diner is Canada's first Mobile Cupcake Shoppe! Since we love cupcakes, we thought we'd feature Cupcake Diner (C.C.D) as our May Friendor.

You first started with Cakes by NatalieKay. How did you know you wanted to get into the cupcake/cake business?

Baking has always been a big part of my life and over the years this passion has grown and expanded into cake design. After completing my academic career in 2009 and having great success in my part time business; cakes by NatalieKay, I decided I wanted to pursue it full time.

This Spring you introduced Cupcake Diner, Canada's first mobile Cupcake shoppe. How did this idea come to be?

I knew I didn’t want to open just another cupcake store - it had to be something different, unique and one-of-a-kind! Cupcakes are a fun, glamorous indulgence and what better way to refresh the cupcake experience than a mobile cupcake shop! I love the concept of gourmet food trucks, but they remain foreign to Canada. I wanted to change that and bring Canada’s its very first cupcake truck.

What do you think it is about Cupcakes that make them so popular?

I would have to say variety, size and their fun factor.Cupcakes come in a variety of exciting flavours and their small size makes them the perfect snack any time of the day. Cupcakes have that “it factor” that makes you feel good. And now with the Diner, cupcakes are brought to you curbside - what could be more fun than that! Oh the possibilities!

Will you have anything else available on the Cupcake Diner?

You betcha! Did you know Cupcake Diner is also home of the Whoopie Pie and Pocket Pie? Visit us at the curb to see what your treat of choice will be!

Do you have a route that you will repeat continuously, or will the truck be cropping up randomly all over the city of Hamilton?
Each week we will post (on our cupcake calendar, Facebook and Twitter), the daily stops for that week. Also, daily we will post what cupcake flavours we have on board. The Diner will have set stops throughout the city that will rotate. Also, we will be listening to requests from Cupcake City and do our best to stop where you want us to be!

Cupcake Diner is available to book for events like weddings, how do you suggest Brides & Grooms use your service?
For all events, including weddings we offer cupcake trees, cupcake buffets, fondant covered cakes and the option to have the Diner live at your event. Specifically for weddings; there are two options - either after your ceremony (receiving line) or before your reception (cocktail hour) the Diner can pull up and serve mini cupcakes to all your guests. A fun experience your guests will never forget!

How much does it cost to have the C.C.D at an event? What does it include?
There are many packages available to accommodate events of all sizes; from small intimate gatherings to large social and corporate events. Please contact us for more information and quote.

Do you accommodate to allergies, dietary restrictions?

Yes, we offer Gluten-free/Vegan cupcakes! Mmmm.....

What kinds of flavours do you have on board the Diner?

All of our cupcakes are baked fresh daily using the freshest, finest ingredients. We support local farmers, fair trade and green initiatives. We believe in good old fashion service; our cupcakes are made with care and served with a smile. We have 25 curbside flavours, plus seasonal flavours. Flavours will rotate regularly with 4-6 flavours on board daily.

Where can we find C.C.D this Spring & Summer? You can find our Diner curbside in Hamilton, Ancaster and Dundas! Also, you can come visit us at our store  in the Hamilton Farmers Market (Opening Soon), and at some of Ontario’s most popular festivals including the Burlington Sound of Music Festival and Festival of Friends.

We hope you have a lot of fun with our 1950’s inspired mobile cupcake shoppe – See you @ the curb!

Thank you Natalie for telling our readers and Cupcake City (Hamilton) all about the Cupcake Diner! We look forward to working with you with clients who want to add some extra sweetness to their special day!

CopyKate #02

Invitations are the first thing your guests see for your wedding, unless you are having a Save the Date. You need to set the tone for your wedding through your invite - it helps guests decide if they are able to attend, what to wear, and what is expected of them (travel, costs, etc).

CopyKate #02: The Royal Wedding Invitation

I emailed my friend Sarah from Hip Ink to inquire about William & Kate's Royal Wedding invites, and how couples would be able to get the same look and feel of their invites for a whole lot less.


Here's what she had to say:

From photos I’ve seen, my guess would be that William and Kate’s invitation was likely printed on a 100% cotton, double-thick card, around 6×8 (which is oversize for standard invitations). I’m quite sure that the details were engraved, the royal crest stamped in gold foil and the edges of the card were gilded with actual gold. The invitation would have most certainly arrived in a double envelope.


$16-$20 per invite, plus optional personalization
The Royal Invite was an approx. 6x8 thick cotton card, engraved, with gilded edges and a foil stamped crest. You would probably expect to pay around $800-1000 for 50 invitations that were similar. The engraving - the most expensive printing method for invitations - and gilded edges are what really drive the cost up.

What was interesting about the Royal Wedding invites, at least to us in North America, was the lines where the guests names were written in (in this case it would have been the Royal Calligrapher who wrote them all). This is standard practice (personalizing invitations with guest names) in the UK and Australia, and adds a nice personal touch.

This is definitely something that you could incorporate if you're working with a custom designer. For example, I offer personalization on invitations or RSVP cards for around $.75-$1.00 each.

$9-$10 per invite
A mid-range but very similar invite that would look almost identical could be created using the same cardstock (a 100% cotton double-thick card), letterpress printing (still very chic and high-end) and a foil stamped gold crest (but skipping the gilded edging) for around $450-500 for 50 invitations.

$4-$6 per invite
The standout of this invite is the gold foil crest – keep that element and you’ve got the look. Combine a nice (but not super-thick) cardstock and digital printing, and you've got a more affordable item.

Did you notice that the RSVP information is printed in the lower left hand corner, asking guests to reply to the Lord Chamberlin’s office? As is traditional, and most formal, the reply is to be provided in writing – no email or phone calls here, no little mail back cards – old-school all the way. Also, no reception info. Separate invitations were mailed out for those invited to the afternoon reception held by the Queen, as well as the evening reception held by Prince Charles, and those invitations have not been made public.

So, there you have it. You can recreate Wills & Kate's invites at any price level and still get the same regal look. Contact Sarah for info on your wedding invites, or if you're working with us for Full Wedding Planning we will be able to refer you to vendors like Sarah that offer discounts to our clients.

Cheerio!

Rebecca & Thomas' Spring Wedding

Friday the 13th is a day typically known for 'bad luck', but on May 13th it will be known as a day of 'love'.

Rebecca & Thomas are getting married!!

We're hoping for a beautiful spring day with buds on the trees, flowers sprouting from the ground and clear skies. A perfect day for a new beginning for these two love birds. In fact, birds will be incorporated into the theme of the wedding.

I met Tom in early 2010 when he had just proposed to Rebecca, on Valentine's Day. He was so excited about having popped the question, and that she said yes! Despite all the excitement, he was a tad worried about Rebecca's stress level. To help her 'stress less' they booked The Bride's Butler as their Day of Coordinator. I'll be there with my Assistant; Brittany, executing the plans that they've worked so hard preparing over the past 17 months.


We're so excited to be working alongside Rebecca & Tom on the 13th - we wish them a day filled with nothing but the best of luck!


*Photo supplied by Rebecca, taken by Sandra of Seize the Moment Photography

CopyKate #01

Since the Royal Wedding on April 29th, we've heard cries from Brides on Twitter, Facebook and in print on how can they add elements from the wedding, incorporate traditions and styles and sometimes outright copy the new Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.

How can you be a copycat, or as we like to say, a CopyKate? We'll tell ya!

For the next few weeks we will post how you can have your own Royal Wedding inspired day....

CopyKate #01: The Dresses

Kate's ceremony dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen is rumored that it will be the most sought-after dress for the next decade. You can get this look too by pairing a lace shrug ontop of a strapless sweartheart gown. To save money, look for your gown on sample racks, at clearance sales and on sites like Recycled Bride and Kijiji.

You can order a custom made lace shrug for just $25-35 US online, or you can get the similar look with a short sleeved version. The a perk for this look is that it's not only affordable, but can also be removed should you want to change up your style after the ceremony or your pictures.

Visit local Bridal Boutiques and tell them that you're looking for a dress that is "Kate inspired" - they will be able to help you naviagate through the options and stay within your budget. Simply put, you don't have to buy a courture gown like Kate's to feel and 'look' like a Princess.

Kate's second dress was a Sarah Burton design as well and was worn for the evening Reception hosted by Prince Charles. The second gown is similar to the first due to it's sweetheart neckline and subtle A-line skirt, but it's much more casual. It looks to be satin, and is embellished with silver diamante embroidery at the waist. To complete the look, and dress for the cool spring air, Kate wore a soft white angora bolero cardigan.

Designers like Alfred Angelo and David's Bridal offer dresses that are similar to Kate's and are often very affordable. David's YP322 (shown right) is only $649 US, a price your Prince Charming surely won't turn his nose up at! To add more bling to the gown, incorporate your "Something Old" or "Something Borrowed" by adding a large diamond or gem broach. Afterall, you don't want to copy Kate too much - you've still got to feel and look like yourself, even as a blushing "Princess" Bride.

*Blog post inspired by the Royal Wedding

*Images found on Google Search

 

30% off Day of Coordination services!!

To celebrate today's Royal Wedding, the most talked about and watched in 30 years, we're offering 30% off our most popular service - Day of Coordination!

Feel like royalty on your wedding day with assistance from The Bride's Butler!

This package includes:

•A complimentary coffee & chat to meet and discuss your wedding plans

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

• An hour long "workshop" meeting 1-2 weeks before your wedding to discuss all details & logistics 

•Coordination at the wedding rehearsal (optional)

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

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.

Book before June 1st to get this package for only $490!

Rehearsal is an optional service that has an added fee if needing to travel 30km or more

Royal Wedding Traditions

As William & Kate get married this Friday they will be following some Royal Wedding traditions. And, because they are young, and it's modern times, they will also not be partaking in some common wedding rituals.

Traditions they are following:

• Kate's gown will have sleeves due to both Royal and Church of England protocol
• A white dress is a must as it's a Royal tradition that dates back to the very first white wedding dress worn by Queen Victoria
• Something Old, New, Borrowed & Blue
• Kate's wedding band will include Welsh gold, a Royal tradition
• The bouquet will have a sprig of myrtle in it
• Her bouquet will be left in Westminster Abbey at the grave of the "unknown warrior"
• Once married they will share a kiss on the balcony
• Prince William and his Bride will sleep in separate residences on the eve of their wedding
• Their wedding procession will follow the tradition Westminster route

Traditions they are not following:

• Kate will arrive to the ceremony by car rather than by ceremonial coach
• Three different clergymen will conduct the marriage instead of just one
• William will not wear a wedding band, he's simply not a jewelery wearing kind of guy

Will you be watching on Friday to see the dress, the decor, the glamour and the love? We will be up at 3am taking it all in as I was asked to write a piece for The Hamilton Spectator giving a Planner's prospective on the grand affaire!

We look forward to writing a few posts about the wedding, the first being featured on the 30th.

the Royal House of Love

Prince William will marry Catherine Middleton in 9 days!

As a Bride-to-be you might be just as excited about this wedding as we are! We'll be watching the Royal Wedding on April 29th, taking in all the glitz & glam!

It's been known that the Royals can be a bit stuffy. I hear that Kate & Wills aren't even allowed to kiss after their "I do's" within Westminster Abbey. But if you watch this "wedding rehearsal" video, it will show you that the Royals know how to cut loose and have a good time.....

*Video is a spoof from T-Mobile

* These are actors, not the Royals - although, wouldn't it be fab if this really happens? LOL!

Rain on your Parade

They say that rain on a wedding day is good luck.

We say, if you think that it's going to rain, you should be prepared. Spring weddings have a higher chance of rain than Summer or Fall weddings - although, lately, Ontario weather has been so hard to predict. Therefore, we suggest you be prepared and roll with the punches, or storm clouds... the best you can.

Overcast and rainy days can sometimes make for the best wedding pictures! Just ask your Photographer for his/her thoughts. I bet they will agree. They may even be able to show you some examples which will ease your mind if rain should fall.

Outfitting your wedding party (WP) with rain boots and umbrellas is not only a popular trend for Spring weddings, but is also very smart. Match the umbrellas and boots to your wedding colours or personality (plaid, stripes, polka dots).

Be sure to get large umbrellas for two members of your WP to use (golf size) and have a few on hand for your guests. The only time you want your face to get wet is when you shed a few tears of joy - so try to stay dry the best you can. Having rain boots and umbrellas also make for fabulous and unique photos. And, if it doesn't rain, you can always use those items simply as props.

No matter what Mother Nature throws at you on your wedding day, be prepared, have fun, and smile!

*Images found on Google search

Friendor Spotlight

Designs by Law: Christine Law

Did you know that bridal bouquets were originally meant to ward off evil spirits? Now bouquets are a popular item for Brides & bridesmaids to add femininity, elegance and colour.

We interviewed Christine, a Friendor of ours who owns Designs by Law. She works together with Brides to create beautiful bouquets, boutonnieres and floral arrangements for their wedding. We're pleased to recommend our clients to Christine for her friendly, affordable and professional service.

How did Designs by Law come to be?
Designs by Law came to be in 2001 after the birth of my middle child. My parents have greenhouses, and my mom gave me the idea to grow fall mums on their farm, and I sold them at a local market. While at the market, I sold cut flowers too. Someone approached me to ask if I did arrangements, I said yes and really enjoyed it! In 2004 I started design courses, and what started out as 1 wedding a year, turned into 8 , into 20, into 30... and now, I do approximately 50 - 60 a year!

What is your favourite type of bouquet or arrangement to make?
I love to do bridal bouquets, and make them personalized for the Bride and the theme/style of the wedding.

What is the trend for flowers/bouquets for 2011?
Continuing on from 2010 are the hand tied bouquets. I only get a few requests for cascade/arm bouquets. Much like last year, purple is the most popular colour, as well as white (as always).

When should a couple book your services for their wedding?
I prefer to have a few months (4-6) notice. I have done weddings a few weeks in advance, but it can be tricky if you need unique/out of season flowers that aren't readily available. The more time in advance, the better.

Do you have any specials right now that you’d like to feature?
Sure I do, it's my most popular package! It consists of:
Bridal Bouquet (roses only)
3 Bridesmaids bouquets (smaller version of Bride's)
Groom's boutonniere
3 Groomsmen boutonnieres
A toss bouquet
2 Mother corsages (wrist or pin)
2 Father boutonnieres
With delivery to one location (within servicing area) for $399.00 plus taxes.

That's a fabulous deal! What if the couple has more than 3 Bridemaids?
Each additional bouquet is $75.

How does it make you feel to know a couple is working with a Coordinator?
I think working with a Coordiantor keeps a bride on track, less stress and worry. It's nice to know as a Florist, that there will be someone at the venue to give direction, input and extra help.

Do you have a success story you’d like to share?
One time a hall refused to put out the cupcakes, so since I was there dropping off flowers, I spent an extra 1/2 hour setting them up for the couple. I don't think they ever knew that I did that for them, and I didn't tell them.
If that couple had hired us, we surely would have done it and saved you the 1/2 hour Christine!

When choosing your Florist, be sure to ask questions about the type of flower you want. How do they stand up to heat, wind, cold? How long will they last out of water? Your florist is there to help you create your wedding bouquets and arrangements.

To learn more, visit her website. To find out if you can get added discounts from Designs by Law, contact us regarding our Full Wedding Planning services.

*Images provided by Christine Law

Painted Shoes

Deborah from Figgie Shoes has combined two wonderful things: Shoes & Art.

She paints on shoes, with the most popular style being heels. Brides or anyone else who wants to personalize a set can do so with Deborah. She paints each pair by hand and can customize them to show off your personality, style and or special message.

Add your Wedding date, Anniversary, Birthday or Star sign. Get an image of you & your man, or your pet, or your favourite flower. The options are limitless!

Check out her website, or "like" her on Facebook to see pictures of the shoe masterpieces. Wear them once, twice, or simply put them on display! These shoes are definitely works of art!

Deborah is located in Windsor, Ontario and can take orders in person, on the phone, or via email. In fact, the very first pair of shoes she painted was done via phone for a Bride she had never met! And, she nailed it! The Bride was ecstatic with the pair, and wouldn't you be too? Here's the pair that started it all....

Hearts, Bride & Groom name, pet dog and Wedding Date - a sure way to make your attire personalized.

We were so impressed when we came across her work via a tweet by WPIC (Wedding Planners Institute of Canada). If you think that you'd like to have a pair of these beauties while you walk down the aisle, give Deb a shout, she'd love to hear from you!

2011 Trend Alert: Broach Bouquets

I've seen them pop up on wedding blogs and in magazines. They are stunningly beautiful, elegant and colourful. A broach bouquet is a great way to incorporate your 'something old' into your wedding as well as pay homage to family heirlooms. Having a bouqet made with broaches is also eco-chic.

A broach bouquet is a delightful pairing to a more casual dress. Rather than beading, jewels and details on your gown, your bouquet is your 'wow' factor while walking down the aisle - other than your beaming smile of course!

To see some broach bouqets, how to's and learn about how much it will cost you to make one of these beauts, visit The Vegas Wedding Planner Blog, Belle: The Magazine or Calgary Bride Blog.

Also gaining popularity are Button Bouquets which offer more of a rustic, do-it-yourself feel.

If you don't want to make these bouquets yourself, check out Miss Jennifer Rae for Button Bouquets on Etsy. This website has fabulous vendors that you can order from and get items shipped right to your door step!

We think that this trend will crop up more and more this season. Email us if you are making or buying a broach or button bouquet, or if you know a friend who is. We'd love to see the pictures and feature them on the blog!

*Thanks to the above mentioned blogs for inspiring this post

*Images from MissJenniferRae and Belle: The Magazine