Damn Girl...

...you picked an ugly dress.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are married.
You might remember my post here, where I may have cried me a river.

Jessica's dress was, well, er...not all that flattering. And I'm not just saying this because she is now Mrs. Timberlake. I did not expect her to wear such a pink pouf.
As JT sings in his song Damn Girl..."You're so fine make a brother blush"....I'd have to say that yes, he likely did blush...with embarrassment.

Jessica is a very pretty woman. In fact, she's stunning. Adding colour to wedding dresses has become more acceptable and fashionable in the past few years, but to have an outright pink dress made me shutter slightly. What do you think?

I thought the new JT would have worn something white made of silk or satin, low cut with an embellished brooch or belt. For a few months prior to their wedding Jessica was photographed at almost every event wearing white - thus making people wonder if she was practicing for her big day, or trying to throw off the paparazzi.

They got married in Italy, and has had one of the most expensive celeb weddings to date. A whopping 6.5 million....which you think would buy a very pretty dress.

Alright, I'm done ranting about it.

Here is the dress if you haven't already seen it.

 Thought she would have done better in any one of these. Oh well, they're very happy and in love - so that's all that matters. Right?

A little bit of country...

I'm a country girl. The sounds of Tim McGraw, Dixie Chicks and Luke Bryan make me happy. The idea of riding a horse on a fall day gives me combined sense of adventure and calm. The sight of a guy wearing a cowboy hat and worn in jeans brings a smile to my face. These things are country to me – so when I think of the perfect country wedding, I like of rustic elements like burlap, hay, vintage rentals, mason jars, the colours brown and champagne, barns, corn fields, autumn and guitars.

Whatever your style is, be sure to implement it into your special day. Maybe you’re a little country, or maybe you’re a little rock & roll. Either way, plan your details for your wedding around your style, personality, budget and interests/hobbies.

Here are some ways that I would incorporate a little bit of country into a wedding:

Photo by Katie Stoops Photography

Brooke & Richard's Wedding. Photo by Unveil Photography

Photo found on Cedarwood Southern Chic Designers 

Photo found on All Women Stalk

For more rustic or country inspiration check out Pinterest, Rustic Wedding Chic and The Wedding Chicks.

Congratulations Brooke & Richard!

After assisting Brooke & Richard  in planning their wedding in just a week shy of a year, it was so awesome to have seen it all come together fabulously on the 29th of September. Tying the knot on a beautiful fall day, these two love birds were surrounded by family and friends and had a fabulous party!

Going with a rustic chic theme, we incorporated twine, homemade wooden boxes for the centrepieces, hydrangeas, kale, mason jars, lanterns, twine and crates. Using the love bird theme to bring it all together, you could spot them ontop their cake, on the menus, gift table, bunting and even with the favour as they were heart shaped birdseed ornaments.

Here are some photos from Brooke & Richard's wedding day....

Photography: Unveil Photography

Venue: Paris Grand Golf & Country

Flowers: Designs by Law

Cake/Cupcakes: This Chick Makes Cakes

Full Planning & Styling: The Bride's Butler

Officiant: Kettle Creek Weddings

DJ: Pynx Productions

Photo Booth: Golden Horseshoe Photo Booth

Make-Up & Hair: Gibson Glamour

Paying for an intangible service

Okay, I've got to give a little talk here - no soap box, no mega phone - just me hoping to shed light on my perspective, why we charge what we do for our services and how Day of Coordination isn't a tangible service, but is well worth placing it in your list of vendors to hire for your wedding day.

When potential clients contact me, it’s typically because they've:

a) been referred from pleased past clients

b)  heard good things about me through the grapevine

or

c) searched online and found that I come up on top for "Hamilton Wedding Planner (or Coordinator)"

Once I get an inquiry, I get back to them with details about Day of Coordination, the length of time required to execute the services and the fee. Brides that know the value in having a certified professional on site to execute their details will reply back fairly promptly and take up my offer to meet to see if we’re a good fit. Most of my Brides are organized, detail oriented and your typical Type A personalities – and I love them for it! They know what they want, and they know how to get it – by hiring a Coordinator to do all of the tasks they can’t on their wedding day. But then there are the Brides that want to have a Coordinator, but don't want to pay for our quality services. This bothers me.

On location during the photo shoot for
newlyweds Brooke & Richard.

Day of Coordination services are typically 35-40 hours of service, with 12, sometimes 14 of those hours being executed on your wedding day. Other than your DJ and Photographer, who else works for you that long on your wedding day? Brides will pay more for their flowers and cake than they will for our services – so this is where my tangible and intangible piece comes into play.

You'll pay big bucks for a DJ, and for your investment you will hear the tunes pumpin’ all night.
You’ll pay more than enough for your cake, which will be dropped off, displayed and likely not eaten.
You’ll pay hundreds, sometimes thousands for your flowers, which yes, are beautiful - but at the end of the night end up thrown out, or given to guests during the famous centrepiece giveaway.



So, when I inform Brides about my fee and they want to negotiate or flat out say I'm too expensive, I think this (and maybe I should start saying this too)....

Our services are not tangible like those mentioned above. You can't touch, eat or smell what we do – but we're there working for you the whole time. We’re the ones that keep you calm and organized, and keep your wedding party and guests on time for key events. We’re the ones that pick up garbage from photo shoot locations, and make sure the washrooms are always clean and stocked. We fix your hair, veil and dress. We set-up your details, and take them down. We coordinate timing and services with all of your vendors, and make sure they're providing the services you're paying for. We coordinate your rehearsal, ceremony, photo shoot and reception. We communicate with your DJ and MC to make sure the speeches occur on time and in order. We work together with the catering staff to ensure dinner is served promptly and correctly. We wear many hats during the execution of the services, and we are always working. We trouble shoot, solve issues and above all, do all that we can to give you a memorable event.

So, do you see the value in having a Day of Coordinator? Check out our Applause page for what some of our past clients have to say. An experienced Day of Coordinator is worth the cost, and worth adding to your list of vendors to make your day magical.

I guess in the end, you can consider our tangible item to be the amount of stress we take away from you and your future hubby. Now, I think that's better than any song, slice of cake or flower.

* Image taken by Unveil Photography

Sarah Danielle Photography

A while ago I connected with Sarah on Twitter and we went out for drinks to chat weddings, work and photography. I told her that I was in need of some new head shots for use on social media and my website and she agreed to spend some time with me...and that's just what we did this past weekend.

The fall leaves were our backdrop, and the sunlight light up our outdoor studio. The wind was a bit much at times, but we managed to have a good time and capture some great shots!

Here are a few of my favs from the shoot.

From Bridesmaid to Bride

When I met Erin in November 2011, she was a Bridesmaid for her sister Leigh's wedding.
Now, she's engaged to her longtime boyfriend Jeff and will see me again in September 2013 when she is a Bride!

We often get referrals from past Brides and Grooms, and typically it's their friends or co-workers - so this  is the first time that we're going to be executing another wedding for the same family! It will be such a pleasure to see Leigh as a Bridesmaid, and now Erin as the Bride! I'm so excited to be able to work with these two gals again, and to help Erin & Jeff keep calm on their very special day.

Stay tuned next year for a teaser post about their wedding and then for a re-cap after they've said "I do."

Erin as a Bridesmaid for her sister Leigh's wedding.
Photo by Red Lotus Photography

That's a wrap!

Our 2012 wedding season has come to an end, and we are very pleased with how this year rolled out.

We executed a total of 9 weddings, with 3 being Full Wedding Planning services - so for this part-time business, we're giving ourselves a little pat on the back for a job well done.

All of the weddings we executed were memorable in their own way, and there were aspects and details from each that were very note-worthy. To share just a few, we'll start with Natalie, our June Bride who had a sign displayed for her guests that detailed the meanings behind her flower choices. We thought that this was very unique and gave purpose to her flowers rather then them just being simply decor.

Another neat thing I saw this year was the use of Scrabble letters to form the table names for Porsha & Will's big day. Or the fact that Mary-Anne, our August Bride had not just one cake, but three! She got on the trend wagon and had a cake trio for the day she married her hubby Anthony.

This year was our busiest to date, and we couldn't have been as successful without the help of my fabulous Assistants. Big hugs and thank you to Brittany, Melissa and Teresa. You guys rock!

Also thanks to some of the fabulous vendors we had the chance to meet and work with for the first time, and to those that we've worked with before and some more than once just this year. You guys help in making my job so enjoyable - thank you!

Stay tuned for blog posts in the next few weeks and months that will show Porsha's, Mary-Anne's, Margarita's and Brooke's wedding day in a recap with details and photos.

Cakes by This Chick Makes Cakes

Now, we're in planning mode for next year by meeting with Brides. If you're getting hitched, or know someone that is, feel free to give us a call. Even in the off season, we're still eager to keep talking about and executing weddings!!

4 days to go!

4 days to go until Brooke & Richard are Husband and Wife!

Since last year I've been working with this awesome couple to help them plan their wedding. They have been wonderful to work with and I can't wait to bring all of our ideas, plans and hard work to life on Saturday!

Getting hitched in Paris, Ontario, this couple chose some of the finest vendors to work with, and I will definitely be posting pictures and details about their big day in the upcoming weeks.

If you want to stress less like Brooke & Richard, book us for your 2013 wedding. We're offering 30% off Day of Coordination services on all bookings prior to Nov 30/12.

Margarita & Sergio Sneak Peek!

On September 8th, I had the pleasure of working alongside a kick-ass couple, Margarita & Sergio.
Housed at the Old Mill Inn & Spa, this couple planned a party that was one to remember!

A Rock n' Roll theme was carried throughout every detail, from their concert ticket escort cards, to the guest book that was a play on a Rolling Stone magazine, even to a custom built Rock & Roll Wall of Fame - this couple thought of it all! Black, red and white were their colours and they had a personalized monogram designed by the Bride, who's a wicked designer. Here's  a sneak peek of some photos I snapped....

Be on the look out for another blog (or two) with more photos and a video from the talented team at Green Autumn.

The Art of Calligraphy

Is the art of calligraphy a thing of the past? Your mother, aunt and maybe even your older sister or cousin might remember hand writing all of their escort cards, place cards, etc for their wedding. Nowadays computers print most things for us as a variety of fonts, sizes and ink colours are available. So I gotta ask, would you use calligraphy? It's timeless and sets the tone for an elegant affair. It's what the Royals would use, and is oh-so-classy.

If you live in Hamilton, Ontario you can reach out to the Hamilton Calligraphy Guild to see if they have a member that could work with you for your wedding stationery. Or, you could hire a professional like Diane from "Calligraphy by Diane" who's located in Toronto and has hand written calligraphy for many Brides for their menu cards, programs and more.

With vintage weddings remaining popular, you might just want to consider calligraphy over the computer. Just a thought.

Happy planning!!

*Images from Calligraphy by Diane

School Sweethearts

The DIY Bride

With School back for the year it got me thinking about School Sweethearts. I can't even count how many crushes I had throughout school - all the different boys names I doodled in my notebooks and wondering if I'd ever be any of their Mrs.

Wedding Programs from Etsy

For some couples they are in fact School Sweethearts. They might have been in the same class in elementary school, or went to the same school and didn't hook up until later in life. Or sometimes, they are High School Sweethearts who've been together 5, sometimes 10 years before they tie the knot.

If you met your sweetie in school, check out some awesome ideas from some of the below fabulous sites.

Green Wedding Shoes

Ruffled Blog

Off Beat Bride

Snippet and Ink

The big 3-0!

Yesterday was my 30th (Eeek!) Birthday, and to celebrate I want to extend an offer of 30% off Day of Coordination to 2013 Brides. The last time I had a promotion this large was to commemorate the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton. So needless to say, you won't see savings like this come around too often!

My 30th birthday celebration with my closest gal pals.

Weddings are a celebration with friends and family, so be the guest of honour and not the host. Leave the set-up, event logistics, schedule management and all those other finicky details to us!

With Day of Coordination you plan your entire wedding, source and choose your own vendors and personalize your big day however you see fit, but you have the security of knowing that all of your hard work and plans will be executed and come to life by a dedicated professional.




Brides that hire a Day of Coordinator are less stressed, more organized and are able to enjoy their day as they should - as a Bride who needs not to take charge, make decisions or even problem solve.

Book before November 30th to save 30% on our most popular service to not only stress less, but save some of your wedding budget!

*Services are regularly $900, making your total only $630 with the discount!
* Valid for 2013 weddings only in the Greater Hamilton Area. Travel fees apply for Toronto weddings.
* Must be booked before November 30th, 2012.

Imitation is the best form of flattery

Need ideas for your wedding but are sick of looking in magazines and on blogs? You can always get inspired by weddings you've attended, or from what you see on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest - but here's an idea....what about looking at the portfolios of some fabulous Wedding Photographers to see what other Brides & Groom's have done?

Taking a peek at their photos not only showcases their work and style, but can also give you ideas on things like your centrepieces, flowers, decor and even your dress, jewelry and hairstyle!

Check out some of the beautiful and inspiring photos from the following Photogs we adore, like:

Red Lotus Photography

Unveil Wedding Photography 

Elizabeth In Love

Angela Deveries Photography

Eye Contact Photography

What a busy season!

Diane, Owner/Lead Coordinator with Natalie & Jason - June 16/12.

Two more weddings to go and then it looks like we're done with our 2012 wedding season - unless of course we get some last minute bookings for October to December.

In 2010, we were booked solid with Fall weddings, 2011 had a mixture of both Fall & Summer and this year it seems like Spring and Summer were the hot seasons to say "I do."

This season we're honoured to have assisted with the execution of 9 weddings - that's a lot of gigs for this  part-time business. Since June, we've had a wedding almost every second or third weekend, with meetings, consultations and rehearsals slotted in between. Whew!

We can't wait to show you pictures from awesome Photographers we had the chance to work with including Ikonica (Porsha & Will), Elizabeth in Love (Morgan & Adam) and some we still have yet to look forward to working with like Unveil Photography (Brooke & Richard).

Congrats to all the newlyweds from this year, and to the remaining couples; we can't wait to be by your side on your most special day!

Save the date for 2013

Most clients book Day of Coordination services with us 9-12 months in advance. If you're getting married in 2013, we suggest you save the date now! Having a professional and certified Coordinator on hand to execute your vision and ensure your vendors are providing the services agreed upon helps you to enjoy your day as a Bride, and not a Bridezilla. Stress brings out the worst in people, and you don't deserve to feel overwhelmed on the most important day of your life.

Our Day of Coordination package is 30+ hours of support and services. We provide you with documents to keep you organized, are with you for up to 12 hours on your wedding day and offer vendor recomendations and etiquette advice. We'll be your go-to gals for any issues that arise, any questions you might have and any mishaps that might occur. Weddings are a grand event, and you just simply can't coordinate all of the logistics yourself. Plus, you surely don't want to burden your family members or wedding party with the fine details and tasks either - they should be able to enjoy your special day right along with you.

Send us an email, give us a shout or even tweet us to set up a complimentary meeting so we can discuss how you can stress less on your wedding day with our popular Day of Coordination services.

* Picture from Backwards Life

Be Our Guest

To invite a plus one, or not to invite a plus one – that has been a debatable question for quite some time.

If you’re on a budget, the first way to save is to cut the guest list. A good rule of thumb is; if you haven’t had a sit down meal with them in a year, then they shouldn’t be invited to your wedding. This of course doesn’t apply to relatives or close friends that live in another Province/State/Country. Best thing to do is create your list of everyone you want to celebrate with (including your side and his side – get names from both sets of parents too!) and then make some cuts. If you really have to struggle with the decision, let that show you that you likely wouldn’t be upset if they RSVP’d “No”, so save yourself the possible added cost and just don’t invite them.

Bet I sound pretty cut throat right now, huh? Wait, there’s more.

Now that you have your list of guests you must have at your wedding, you have to figure out what to do about those sans relationship. This poses the question of inviting a plus one.

Here’s my take: If your guest is currently single and isn’t dating anyone for more than 6 months, then they shouldn't get a plus one.  If they have been in a relationship for longer than 6 months, then they should be invited – you wouldn’t have wanted someone to exclude you when you were with your hubs-to-be at the 6 month mark, right?

Plus, I think it’s silly to offer a “plus one” just so your guest can invite someone they are casually dating (and you’ve likely never met) just so that they can have a date. If you invite all of your single guests on their own, then volia, they’ve got company – and you could be a possible matchmaker!

Now, I know that this might sound mean, but if you're trying to cut costs, less people = less money spent. So, if you feel that you have to allow your guest to have a date so that they don't respond "No", or are embarrassed to show up stag, or are going to be bored - then be all means invite them with a plus one. Just know you might have to reduce your spending in other areas like flowers, decor, etc to make up the difference.

When inviting a plus one, it’s standard etiquette to get their full name – so get on the phone, or send an email so you can properly address the invitation to your guest and their date. This is VERY important for guests that have a serious relationship by means of living with or being engaged. You MUST address them by their name – they are an official couple. Stating “ & guest” is very informal, and it’s rude to be referred to as that in the seating chart and or place cards. Eeek!

So, will you or won’t you include the plus one for your single guests? No matter what you choose, stick with it and don’t allow some guests to bring a date and others can’t. You should either follow what we’ve suggested, or make your own rules, but no matter what, be firm. When your guest gets to plan their wedding, they’ll see for themselves that the plus one question isn’t so easy after all.

Happy planning!

Momma's Boy

As a daughter, you're most likely the apple of your father's eye. You're daddy's little girl, and we dig that. Daddy is the first man a girl ever loves and trusts. So, on your wedding day he will walk you down the aisle, give you away to your Groom, and have a dance with you. All that good gooey father/daughter stuff is welcomed and encouraged during weddings.

But, what about sons and mothers?

No matter what guys might say, they all have a soft spot for mom and actually look to be with and marry a woman that reminds them of her. There's nothing wrong with being a Momma's boy, so when it comes time to pick a song that you'll dance to with her, make it count. So many times I see Grooms leave the song choice up to the DJ, or simply say "pick whatever is popular." I say, ask your mom what song she might like - or do a little research and find one that tells a story, or details how you feel about your mom. We know you've got some warm and fuzzies in there - use 'em! Remember guys, your Bride will likely be making the majority of the decisions regarding your wedding, so when you do have the chance to make one on your own, seize the opportunity! You can pick a song that's classic, her favourite song, or one you just happen to stumble across while searching. For some help, check out this list from Huffington Post Weddings.

*Photo from Natalie & Jason's wedding, June 16th in Toronto. Taken by Angela Devries Photography.

Congratulations Morgan & Adam!

Today, my Assistant Brittany and I are coordinating the wedding for Morgan and Adam in Ancaster.

Could these two be any more gorgeous? The lovely and talented Elizabeth Kaye from Elizabeth in Love captured their adorableness and adoration in their engagement pictures. With such a good looking couple, a beautiful venue and a sunny (fingers crossed) summer day - this wedding will be one worthy of a magazine!

When I first met with Morgan and Adam I couldn't wait to hear all about their special day and how they've chosen to celebrate with family and friends. There will be a first look, a delicious meal and lots of dancing!

We wish them much happiness today as they become Husband & Wife. Thank you for allowing us to share in your wedding day! xo

Stay tuned for pictures from their wedding in the up-coming weeks. 

Sunday Weddings

Would you get married on a Sunday?

 

It seems that Sunday weddings are becoming more popular – we’ve coordinated 4 since we started in 2008, and have 2 more booked for this year. Wondering why? Well, Sunday weddings tend to be cheaper because venues offer a slight discount to hold your wedding then instead of the ever-popular Saturday. 

Over the years Friday weddings have been more in demand as well. Originally you could book Friday for cheaper than a Saturday, but now they are basically neck in neck in price. Do you think that Saturday weddings will be a thing of the past?

I can see getting married on a Sunday if it’s a long weekend, which is what most of our clients have done. 

We think that a beautiful brunch or luncheon wedding on a Sunday would be awesome. Or an afternoon ceremony followed with a cocktail reception, or a picnic-like dinner. Keep it light, and keep it from getting late. Most people won’t stay too long at a Sunday wedding if they have to work the next day, and travel a fair distance to boot.

So, what’s your thoughts on hosting or going to a wedding on a Sunday?

Looking back on Angie & Serge's day

Signing the registry - they're married!

In May, we executed Full Wedding Planning services for Angie & Serge. Lovingly referred to as "the Brady Bunch" by family and friends, this outdoor backyard wedding was one so full of love that it was palpable.
During their wedding ceremony, I actually had tears running down my cheeks.

Angie and Serge met and instantly fell in love. Every Sunday he brings her flowers. She believes that their love is one of fairy tales, so that was the underlying theme for the wedding. Cupcake Diner provided the mini cake, cupcakes and the favour cookies shown.

The ceremony took place on their property with the reception being housed in a tent provided by Special Event Rentals. Christine of Designs by Law made the tables beautiful with illuminated centrepieces and Gary from Ted's Tunes kept the crowd on their feet all night. It was a pleasure to have worked with vendors that I know and trust, and helped bring the fairy tale vision to life for Angie and Serge.

These newlyweds are a fabulous match brought together later in life to form a beautiful family. All of the kids like each other, get along and treat each other with respect. They are more than step-siblings, they are friends. It was an honour to have been a part of their special day and to witness the love and share in the joy with their family and friends. Congratulations, and thank you!

Bride, Groom, their kids and the Best Man.

The Bride is escorted down the aisle by her Father & her eldest son.