Engagement Rings

When getting engaged the first things you hear are "Congratulations, I can't wait to see the ring !!" Society has put a lot of pressure on the idea of a marriage proposal, creating societal standards that men think they need to stick to. Recent celebrities have recently been spotted wearing less then traditional rings, even completely avoiding the 'norm' of diamonds. Jessica Simpson, Kate Middleton and Carrie Underwood are expressing their non-traditional views on the topic sporting rubies, sapphires and yellow diamond inspired rings. In 2010, with the release of Sex and The City 2 also showed Carrie Bradshaw's love for all things un-traditional when she created her own rules sporting a black diamond engagement ring. Whether your ring is a traditional set of classic diamonds or an exquisite use of multi coloured stones, the meaning behind the ring is the same. Don't be afraid to be unique! People are more likely to continue talking about your ring that way !

Prince William and Kate Middleton

The big announcement has finally been unveiled. Prince William has announced his engagement to Kate Middleton. With a Spring / Summer 2011 wedding date proposed, Middleton is now wearing her late mother in law's stunning sapphire engagement ring.

The big day is rumoured to take place in the church where his parents also got married. Another hot topic of conversation is who Middleton will wear down the aisle. She is known to be a bit of a fashionista so I'm sure whatever gown she chooses will be stunning. The British government has also been in talks of making the royal wedding day a national holiday for all to celebrate. The event is being anticipated to cost upwards of 40 million dollars. I can't wait until more plans are revealed !

A DATE HAS BEEN SET!! The couple will wed April 29th 2011 at Westminster Abby !

Katy Perry & Russell Brand

Katy Perry and Russell Brand tied the knot on Saturday October 23rd, 2010 during an extravagant week long celebration in India. The couple was engaged on New Year's Eve 2010 after just 3 months of dating. Perry's engagement ring was an estimated 3Carat round shaped stone set on a vintage yellow gold band from Cartier's, worth approximately $120 000!

The couple entertained their wedding guests throughout the week with events

such as song and dance performances and even a safari. On Thursday, a small bazaar was set up inside their resort - an Indian wedding tradition - for guests to buy fabrics, jewellery or have their fortune read by a parrot. On Friday evening, a Bollywood themed performance was enjoyed by all, as well as the traditional Mendhi ceremony.

More pictures and information about the reception will be posted when I can find them!!

7 Wedding Cake Trends

YUM - wedding cake! here are the top 7 cake trends as listed on http://theknot.com

1) Buttercream Frosting - Skip the crazy decorating and go back to the basics!
2)Haute Chocolate (my soft spot!)
3)Playful Lines - define the square cakes!
4)Add dramatic colours!
5)Cake Trios. Have one large, and two smaller matching cakes!
6)Add a pattern
7)Sophisticated Monograms. Add your unique design

Wedding Show Season!

Well, things are busy for Mosaic Event Planning and Marreme.com! We have been out connecting with new couples and showing them what wedding stress the website (and hiring a wedding planner!) can relieve. Our first stop in August was the Ancaster Wedding Show. On Sunday August 22nd, we spent the day with over 100 vendors at this show's debut for the area! Unfortunately the weather wasn't the greatest, but the show still attracted hundreds of brides and provided them with goodie bags and cupcakes while they strolled through the halls.
Our second show was in Mississauaga at the Ultimate Bridal Show on Sunday October 3rd 2010. With this being a more intimate show, featuring 30 vendors, the team really had a better chance to speak with couples and discuss their wedding planning progress thus far. We had an amazing customer light up when she saw our booth. She was thrilled to come over and share her wonderful experience using the site, "It's so easy, and has REALLY organized all of my wedding chaos!". We love the feedback - Since, we are here to help you!
Our next show will be back in Toronto on November 5th - 7th at the Toronto Bridal Show. If you plan to attend, be sure to stop by and say hello!

We are hoping the new year will also allow us to branch out again, to shows outside of Toronto. Since our site features vendors from all over Ontairo, we really want to introduce ourselves to brides who might need the resources all in one place.
To the Marreme team - Chris, Michelle, Dave & Alex - keep up the great work!

Camo ?

I just came across this picture. I'm sure my husband would claim this as very 'stylish' :) I don't think I'd get married in this!!!

Now THATS a cupcake!

Now this is a cupcake I dont think I'd want to eat!

http://money.ca.msn.com/savings-debt/gallery/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=25358027&page=4

Chelsea Clinton's cake

Chelsea's cake was from La Tulipe Desserts. Her 9 tiered, 500 pound, 4 foot tall wedding cake was white with silver accents and 1,000 edible sugar flowers! The vanilla wedding cake featured a dark chocolate mousse filling made mostly from organic ingredients - YUM ! This cake cost around $10 - $12 thousand bucks!

Milton Photographer

Last weekend I had the pleasure of working with Aron Goss of Calculated Style. I was recommended to check out Aron when a couple decided to book my services with 7 weeks to go! The photographers I originally had in mind were of course all booked, and Aron's portfolio simply amazed me. Calculated Style was voted the 2009 platinum winner of best photography studio and the 2009 diamond winner of best photographer by the Milton Champion.
Aron was so down to earth, taking the time to get to know more about me and my business between our dinner courses.
If you are looking for an amazing photographer with a mix of traditional and unique ideas for your wedding, engagement, or family photography I would not hesitate to highly recommend Aron!
Check out his site www.calculatedstyle.com for links to his amazing work and his blog.

Special Event Boot Camp! 2010 Part 1

On Monday August 9th and Tuesday August 10th I had the pleasure of being a part of the Special Event Boot Camp blog squad. To sum it up, this is an intense 2 day workshop geared towards event coordinators providing knowledge and inspiration in all aspects of the field.

The wonderful seminars spread over the two days really inspired all who attended. We were welcomed by the wonderful Steam Whistle Brewery in Toronto first by the venue & retail store manager, Dana Kaluzny. I was fascinated by each and every aspect of the brewery, including on site brewing, the actual location is a historic landmark and of course the entire building is 'green'.

Day 1 began with some fabulous stretching provided by Elisa & Julie from A2D2 Inc.

Our first seminar was provided by Michael Coombs from http://www.blogger.com/www.prodigyentertainment.ca . Mike went through various aspects involved in a successful business and how is has somehow slipped into the world of technology. Face to face relationships are still key to any business success while facebook, twitter and other technological aspects seem to be slowly taking over in our web based world these days. Mike's session also included a very important chance to network with the others in attendance. He stressed the importance of having a prepared 30 second 'elevator speech' , which is key to creating relationships leading to long term success.

The next seminars included Vwodek Wojczynski speaking about the different between clients and customers, Martina Rubio engaging us in the world of branding and Richard Ross from the Ring Bearer.ca speaking about Social media. With over 73% of Canadians using the web, Richard brought reality to our 'webbing' world.

Stay tuned for part 2 ...

Special Event Boot Camp!

I am very excited to announce I will be participating in the Special Event Boot Camp on August 9th and 10th 2010 at the Steam Whistle Brewery in Toronto! Not only will I be reporting live from the event, but I will also have the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry! Be sure to follow my blog updates and tweets at http://http//twitter.com/eventbootcamp OR
http://twitter.com/MosaicEventPlan

Do you want to sign up for the Speical Event Boot Camp ??? Receive 40% off the $399 registration by entering the word 'STAR' in the discount code

I am looking forward to learning more about the wonderful world of events!

For more information visit www.specialeventbootcamp.com
MISSION COUNTDOWN - 3 days!!!

Chelsea Clinton

Clinton's dress has definately created some talking! She sported a Vera Wang, beaded waistline & swirling chiffon detailed $25,000 dress over the weekend.

On Saturday July 31, 2010 - the Clinton / Mezvinsky wedding took place at the Astor Courts Estate - a 50 acre estate in Rhinebeck New York. The wedding has been estimated to cost between $2 million - $5 million.

The Bachelorette

Well, yet another season of my lame sappy show is over. The Bachelorette ended (finally) on Monday with Ali Fedotowsky having a huge rock on her finger.

This season, as promised, was filled with more drama then any of the last 12 seasons! After Justin Rego was outed about having a girlfriend, Frank leaving after claiming he's still in love with his ex AND Ali letting Chris go before the finale, she came out of the season with what she wanted from it. Although I am not 100% for the idea of this show, Ali kind of got to me halfway through the season coming off as arrogant and way too happy. I am excited about her wedding planning though. Roberto is amazing and I can't wait to see how their day pans out!

The RING!! Roberto picked out a 3.03 carat, asscher cut diamond surrounded by 184 round diamonds encrusted in the band (ya - and worth $50,000!). And ladies - no it isn't Tiffanys! Neil Lane must love his celebrity finger candy ladies such as Carrie Underwood, Megan Fox & Emily Blunt.

One word - Jealous!!! ->

Ancaster Wedding Show!

On Sunday august 22nd 2010, I have the opportunity to be a part of a fantastic new wedding how in the Hamilton area. The ANCASTER WEDDING SHOW, in its 1st year running has put together an amazing assortment of vendors.
EVENT GRAFFITI will be showcasing their 'special touches' that you can add to your big day. Personalizing banners, seating charts and monograms can be the unique addition in making your day memorable! Event Graffiti is a fully removable adhesive vinyl, applied to surfaces (such as a dance floor!) and can be easily removed without any damage to the underlying surface. http://www.eventgraffiti.com/
Another fantastic vendor is AACO WEB DESIGN. I have been floored with their ability to put a vision into words. AACO's creative touch can make your invitations, save the dates or seating plan stand out from the rest. The passion for design is seen through each project that is created. http://www.aacowebdesign.com/
Whether you are served a 4 course meal, buffet or family style meal, a wedding menu is not complete without the cake! THIS CHICK MAKES CAKES out of Hamilton Ont. is definately a slice to savor. Cakes have been inspired through abstract art, making bold colours, geometric shapes and untraditional designs a love for this cake artist! Offering over 30 flavors, your vision will become a reality working within your budget to create the cake you have dreamed of.
http://www.thischickmakescakes.com/

This show is definately not one to miss! With over 60 vendors in 20 categories, this show is your one stop shop for your wedding needs. Don't forget to stop by the MARREME booths - 33 & 34 to sign up for your free account connecting you to the vendors and information you need for your big day. The ultimate goal for this show - leave with all the details you will need to connect you to the perfect vendors for your wedding!

http://www.ancasterweddingshow.com/

Why to Hire a Wedding Planner!!!

www.weddingmarketing.net

Fun Registry Items

Weddings sometimes create a lot of stress for a couple. A fun way to escape the craziness is to take your fiancee and create your wedding registry!
Before registering, take into consideration where a majority of your guests are from. Some 'fun' Toronto based stores usually do not have numerous locations and that might create some unhappiness with guests from elsewhere. If you have a particular store that you definately want items from, maybe add another store (like The Bay or Sears for example) for a few other basic items that others from anywhere in Ontario can also buy from. These stores also give a great option of purchasing items online, perfect for out of country guests and for those who will not be able to attend your big day. But rememeber, when registering at more then one store - don't duplicate similar items. Things like sheets and towels are ok to get 2 sets of because they will get used, but do you really want 10 serving dishes?!
Guests and families sometimes pitch in together to buy a bigger gift for couples. Here are some fun items you can consider registering for,
Patio Sets - Consider the size of the space you have. There is no reason to register for unnecessary oversized sets that will crowd your outside space!
BBQ- splurge on the dream grill you really want!
Bedding - register for the entire matching set of sheets. Get the more expensive comforter and matching cover
Honeymoon - more and more of these websites are popping up. Couples can register for spa services and excursions at the resort they are honeymooning at.
Winery / Beer Tour - provide the couple with a chance to experience an upscale winery
TV - register for the plasma or LCD you would love to have in your living room
China - I guess this is becoming something more of the past. I must agree, I would have never bought a china set if I didn't get it for wedding gifts! It is nice to be able to bring it out for the few special occasions we host.
Luggage - most couples don't have a nice set of luggage unless they are avid travellers. Why not have new suitcases to stuff for your relaxing week following the wedding?!

Did you register for something different? Did you get a gift that you don't know how you lived without? Share your ideas, comments and questions!

Grooms Cake

Having a groom's cake at your wedding is a tradition dating back to the 18th century. Although it is not as common to see one present at weddings today, the idea of it is slowly becoming more noticeable.

It is said that the groom's cake was usually some sort of fruit cake that was given at the enf of the reception to the single ladies in attendance. These ladies were to sleep with a slice of the cake beneath their pillow so that they could dream about the one they would marry. These cakes can now be seen to reflect activities and hobbies - a beer can, fishing boat or something along these lines - made of a darker, richer cake.

I also love the idea of having this cake given as the wedding favor. You can take the opportunity to really get creative when decorating the packaging!

Baby Shower idea's

Well, over the past month I have thrown two very different baby showers. The first shower had a special guest attending - the baby himself! Due to busy schedules, we decided to have the shower after the baby was born adding a unique and special touch for all guests attending. Since mom was unsure of what she was having, throwing the shower after the baby arrived meant more 'boy' themed gifts. A lot of blue outfits, receiving blankets and cake was enjoyed by all.



The second shower was thrown with days left before mom is due! Wanting an outdoor atmosphere, we planned the decorations around a wildflower and country theme. The perfect location was found for this shower - on her parents farm!

Two very different showers thrown with a ton of love, laughter and food! Thanks to Donna from Yellow Dog Greetings for amazing 'homemade' invitations


http://yellowdoggreetings.blogspot.com/

Couple Weds in Home Depot?!

A couple in California tied the knot in the garden section of Home Depot over the weekend. Both the bride and groom as well as their children are employees at the store. Definately a shopping experience for passer by's!
http://www.ocregister.com/news/home-253157-store-depot-html

DIY Favors

I am in love with these Scrabble magnet favors! How resourceful brides are these days... using old board games ;)

Dresses

Check out this week's post on www.marreme.com - dresses, body types & what will flatter you! Posts go up on the site on Monday, so you are in on what this week's post will be about!

MIA

Im sorry to all of my followers that my blogging hasn't been as up to date as it recently has! I am however thrilled to announce that I have teamed up with www.marreme.com and am now their inspirational weekly blog poster. This partnership with marreme.com is giving me the chance to reach out to local brides and provide wedding related assistance and inspiration where I can.
So, for now I will leave it at that. Please feel free to follow my blogging there and as always on my facebook fan page!

mmm Lego!

Lego favors - so cute!!!

Why Hire A Wedding Consultant?

Such a common question in the wedding world! Why should you hire a wedding consultant?
Well - here is the answer I would give!
A wedding consultant can really help alleviate the stressed couple. We have experience coordinating all sorts of events and we can not only help save you time, but most of the time save you money too. We will work with your budget and show you the options that will get you the most for your money! Entire wedding / event coordination can become quite expensive for the average couple. If this is the case, it might be a good idea to hire a coordinator for a consultation session to create a clear timeline and task list. Also remember you can bring in a coordinator at any point in the planning process to help steer you back on track. Weddings should be a time of excitement not stress!

SPA WEEK!

So this week (April 12 - 18) is SPA week! This event features spas from all over North America (including Toronto) offering services for just $50!! YES $50!!!
I have called to book my facial appointment at Dove Spa in Oakville. Check out the website at www.spaweek.com OR follow them on facebook / twitter! Some interesting posts have been made - caviar facials & even facials for men ;)
Enjoy being pampered!!!

What's your colour story?

This is kind of fun :) And honestly takes less then 2 minutes to get the results. Preston Bailey creates a colour palette based around your main colour and the choices you make on scenery, lighting & # of guests
http://www.prestonbailey.com/inspiration/

http://bit.ly/b08kdi - what I got :)

Thank You's

Send the perfect thank you!
-Any pre-wedding festivities inculding gifts should be noted. Who gave what?
-Begin writing your thank you's as soon as you start getting gifts! It's much less work then doing them all at once
-If you don't have time to presonalize every note, create a greeting that will share your gratitute to your friends.
-Don't wait until months after your shower or wedding to send the cards! How offended would you be if a bride never thanked you for something you gave them? They should be sent out within a month of the event :)

Out Of Town Guests

Most couples can't please everyone that they are inviting to their wedding. Remember, some guests will be travelling to celebrate with you! Here are a few tips to remember :)

1) Send a Save the Date! Travel arrangements need to be made ASAP so the sooner, the better!
2)Ensure they have a place to stay! Include hotel information with their invitation.
3)Have a welcome basket ready! Some travel from far away, and likely will be hungry when they arrive! Maybe include a pamphlet with neat places they would like to visit while they are there!

Invite Etiquette!

There are 3 common mistakes when couples begin sending out invitations for their big day.
NO BOXED GIFTS - It is common for couples to already have lived together therefore having the 'basics' when it comes to wedding gifts. A git of any kind is exactly that - a gift! Be grateful for what you receive, even if it is 3 frying pans! Most gifts can be returned, and if the gift giver remembers, come with a gift receipt. Registry information should be kept OFF of invitations (yes, even for showers!). The gift information, whether it be money, or sharing where the couple is registered, should be shared by word of mouth!
NO CHILDREN - if you have decided this will be an 18 + event, you have to get the wording correct. Only those whose names on the invite are actually invited. You can even fill out the names on the RSVP cards to avoid total confusion.
FAMILY AFFAIR - remember, everyone over 18 should get their own invitation!

Secret pen :)

I have to thank a fellow planner Sandra Aaron for this wonderful idea! Brides - a new gadget that you would NEVER think of when sending out invites. I hated getting RSVP's back that were only half filled out, or if my husband checked the mail, opened the envelope and threw it away. Now, to keep track of those annoying unfilled out RSVP's use this cool 'secret' pen to number the backs and voila - use the blacklight when follow up is needed! I know some wonder when they receive invites "Why was # __ on the back of my card. What does the number mean!?" So, save some confusion and some cash www.dealxtreme.com/details.dx/sku.88

Happy Shopping ;)

Diamond in the RUFF??

A Golden Retriever swallows a 3 karat diamond from his owner's Washington jewellery store. The big rock was being examined when the jeweler dropped it on the floor and Soli, the retriever helped himself.

Could you imagine losing a 3 karat diamond to a dog?! Needless to say, the dog eventually passed the diamond 3 days later and it was recovered in one piece! I hope they learned their lesson to teach their dog the 'drop it' command!!!

Hands down - BRIDEZILLA in Michigan!

I absolutely LOVED shopping for my wedding dress. I made it evident, I would try on as many dresses as I needed to to find the ONE! Although I found my dress after about 30 dresses, no bride should EVER get to this point! As a wedding planner... boy am I sure glad she wasn't my bride!!!
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/offbeat/bride-trashes-wedding-dress-shop-030910
The video says enough about this 'bride'!

Why have a certified planner??

http://wpic.typepad.com/wpic/2010/03/is-your-wedding-coordinator-wpic-certified-.html

Fake Bridal Show?!

The wedding world has been blindsided by the largest wedding show scam. Boston 411 was created, inviting brides to be as well as numerous others to a Spring Home & Bridal Show this past weekend. Approximately 900 vendors and brides were tricked into registering on the fake website to be a part of the 'extravagent' New England show, promising to be one of the best shows in the area. When registering for tickets ranging from $10 - $15 attendees were promised a goodie bag and their name to be entered into a draw for various big ticket prizes. Things got a bit fishy when investigators heard of vendors calling and emailing, requesting their 'set up time' from the venue, only to hear from the Convention Centre that "no such show was scheduled". Boston 411 covered all of the basics, even setting up a fake phone number to answer any questions potential visitors might have. The timing of this scam was perfect... Capturing the excited brides to be right after the big Valentine's Day proposals.
Police and FBI Cyber Crime units are still investigating.

**A LESSON FOR ALL BRIDES**
If it's too good to be true, it just might be! Do your research!!!!

Wedding Bliss Fundraiser

On Sunday April 11th 2010, New Beginnings will host it's 4th annual wedding fundraiser.
New Beginnings is a support program to help women and children in need, and what a great way to share the excitment of a wedding by giving them an opportunity to get a dream dress.
Over 300 dream dresses will be available to try on and purchase from $99 - $350 - what a deal!!!
This fundraiser will be broadcasted by CTV & CITY TV

Ramada Plaza Toronto Hotel
300 Jarvis Street
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Alteration specialists will be available on site
Visit www.newbeginningsprogram.ca/WeddingBliss10.htm

Flower Colour Meanings

RED - of course represents love. The darker the red, the deeper the meaning. Dark reds show a charitable love, while brighter reds represent passion.
PINK - innocent happiness. Pink is red's youthful counterpart.
ORANGE - mixes the passion of red, and the happiness of yellow. Pride, energy & confidence are words used to describe this colour. Orange flowers are vibrant and add a great touch to bouquets.
PEACH - offers freindship
YELLOW - represents happiness and new life.
GREEN - ties with nature and health. Green is optimistic, alive and refreshing.
BLUE - cools anxiety. Blue represents calm and tranquility. (I wonder if this has meaning to me since my bouquet was mainly blue...) :)
PURPLE - one word - royalty! Deep respect & admiration
WHITE - purity.

Paradiso Burlington

My husband and I have ventured out to experience 'A Taste of Burlington' this weekend. The event runs from February 22 - March 14th 2010, featuring various restaurants in the Burlington area. Paradiso, featuring Mediterranean cusine, was our first wonderful downtown dinner experience.
I was drawn to the small & quaint atmosphere as soon as we walked through the doors. As we were seated, the hostess walked us by their own concept kitchen so we could really see how the chefs put our meals together. Enjoying wonderful appetizers of a Red Wine Poached Pear Salad & Sicillian Roasted Calmari we were drawn to the wonderful attention to detail which was evident while creating our plates. Our meals of Crab Ravioli & Moroccan Chicken followed, and after my first bite I knew this place was a hidden gem!
The staff were wonderful, not overly pushy, but always present if needed. As we were enjoying our coffee and desserts a guitar duo came out to play for the seated guests. It is evident the owners have created a comfortable and elegant astmosphere, offering gluten free and numerous vegetarian options on the menu.
Paradiso ofers Winemaker's Dinners, a chance to experience a five course gourmet meal complimented by five different wines; Private functions as well as a Chef's Table - which can be brought into your own home.
A wonderful location for a smaller intimate gathering or cocktail party.

http://burlington.paradisorestaurant.com/

Upcoming Wedding Show

Bridal Showcase
Sunday March 7th 2010
1:30pm
Burlington Arts Centre

http://www.bridalshowcase.ca/

ULTIMATE BRIDAL SHOW
Sunday April 18th 2010
10:00am - 6:00pm
Living Arts Centre Mississauga ON

http://www.ultimatebridal.ca/

TORONTO'S BRIDAL SHOW
Friday April 30th - Sunday May 2nd
Fri 5pm - 10pm
Sat 10am - 9pm
Sun 10am - 6pm
Toronto Congress Centre
650 Dixon Rd Toronto ON

*you could win over $66,000 worth of prizes!*
www.lastbridestanding.com/index.html
It is a contest to be 'the last bride standing' with a hand on the wall. With elimination and bonus rounds, this one is definately not to be missed!

Donate to Charity

In lieu of wedding favours, a lot of couples are turning to donations as alternatives.

Honour a loved one by donating to the Canadian Cancer Society. When choosing this option, the CCS provides you with placecards or giftcards which are customizable. Every bit of the donation goes directly to cancer research. http://www.cancer.ca/

The Toronto Humane Society suggests a $5 donation for each guest. In turn, you will receive a greeting card, business card or tent style card to share with your guests that a donation has been made in their name http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/

Make A Wish Canada is also another great charity to donate to - http://www.makeawish.ca/

Magnet Street Weddings

I was casually browsing through ads and I came across an interesting write up. I followed up the ad by finding the company online - Magnet Street Weddings. I was intrigued to see what exactly they had to offer (mainly quality) so I placed my 'free sample order' and it arrived a few days later. Upon opening the package, I found numerous gorgeous wedding paraphernalia - from Save the Date magnets to an actual invite with 2 samples for the inside. I must say, if I was a bride again - this site would be bookmarked!! Their catalogue features numerous styles and designs to really fit anyone's wedding theme. By giving their customers a free sample BEFORE purchasing an entire set sight unseen, I think this company is a hidden gem!
Feel free to check them out online and order your 'fun' sample package today!
http://www.magnetstreetweddings.com/

More Trends for 20-10

The wedding dress trend post inspired me to collaborate more general wedding trends for the year.
My personal favourite - mismatched bridesmaids dresses. I thought of doing this for my own wedding playing with colours, but then with the style of wedding we wanted, it didn't seem like it would completely work. I love the idea of chosing a colour palate and letting the wedding party chose the style of dress that suits them best.
Birdcage Veils - vintage styles are coming back

Edible Wedding Favors -Candy buffets are a wonderful late night treat for guests!
Colour Trends
Spring / Summer Turquoise, platinum, coral, pale yellow & champagne
Fall / Winter Deep red, teal, violet, mocha, sage
AND another personal favourite - Edible Topiaries!

10 trends for 20 10

Wedding Bells has listed the top 10 trends for dresses in 20-10.

1 - V neck dresses
2 - Ruffles (paired with a fitting bodice of course)
3 - Black - just a touch, not the entire dress!
4 - Illusion (sheer necklines)
5 - Print - subtle pattern throughout the fabric
6 - Sleeves (ick, not my 6th choice!)
7 - One shoulder
8 - Draping - gorgeous for DW gowns!
9 - Gold
10 - Bustier (corsets)


Take the 'What Dress Suits You Best' quiz! www.weddingbells.ca/quiz/16/16

BUDGET!

Weddings are definately fun to plan! Deciding on colours, the wedding party, and invites are all 'fun' tasks for a couple to explore. Of course, with any added 'wants', the budget can sometimes get out of control.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind
First, what is the most important thing when it comes to the big day? Do you want memorable photos or videography to be able to gawk over for years to come? Or would you rather splurge on a breathtaking venue?
What are aspects of the wedding that you don't feel will be huge costs? Will you get a limo for the entire wedding party? Do you really need to buy all of the bridesmaid's dresses?
And of course, are family members pitching in to help cover any of the costs?
Many newly married couples are left in debt by their wedding by not sticking to a budget. Trust me, if you shop around you can find the perfect (budget friendly) aspects to add to your day!
Some facts from bridesmag.com

• The typical couple spends $22,947 on their wedding
• 43.7 % of the budget goes towards the reception site, meal, cake & bar
• 15.2% of the budget is spent on photography
• 5.1% of the budget is put towards flowers
• 0.9% of the budget goes towards the groom's tux rental

Slice.ca offers some advice on breaking down the budget

http://www.slice.ca/Advice/SliceBlog/BlogPost.aspx?sectionID=42&postID=74855

PURE by Justin Alexander

More and more brides are feeling the need to go 'green' for aspects of their wedding. Invitations that are bio - degradable, and favors such as donations or seeds are becoming popular as environmental issues become more public.
Justin Alexander introduced a new line of 13 wedding dresses under the 'green' line in 2009. PURE provides brides with an eco friendly, organic and biodegradable option when shopping for dresses. The fabrics used to create these dresses are entirely organic; these pure silks and cottons have been produced without any harmful chemicals or dyes. Each dress from the organic wedding dress collection is 99% biodegradable, allowing it leave a virtually invisible footprint after the wedding!

For more reading check out -

http://weddingfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/pure_by_justin_alexander_wedding_dresses

Wedding Shows

Wedding shows are a great opportunity to have various vendors all in one location. Here are some tips from an experienced bride attending numerous shows!

* The most important thing!!! Wear comfy shoes! Sometimes you have to wait around to talk with vendors that you are really interested in
* Bring a Maid of Honour or Bridesmaid along to help carry all of the fun stuff you will get!
* Take your time & arrive early. Most brides arrive around the fashion show times to make sure they get a good seat, and then browse after the show is finished
* Becareful of who you give information to! I received calls up to a year after my wedding saying that I had won things I had no interest in following up with (gym memberships, free mortgage quotes etc.) Some brides come prepared and have numerous peel and stick address labels to make sure they 'enter every draw' at the show. I don't think these labels are a necessity but are a good idea so you aren't stuck talking to someone as you write down your information for them.
* Take your time when you get home to go through what you received. The shows are overwhelming and tiring, so it is a good idea to take the time to sort everything into categories (photographer, venues etc)!
* Have fun!!! This is a wonderful experience to get some great ideas for your big day!!

Here are some upcoming show dates & locations

Sunday Feb 28 -
Kitchener Waterloo Gay Wedding Show

Sunday March 7 -
Burlington Bridal Showcase @ Burlington Art Centre

Something Blue

I love blue flowers! Any combination of blue shades look gorgeous together.

Yummy Cakes!!

The cake is a classic symbol in wedding celebration. It is a long standing English tradition to save the top tier of the cake and serve it either on the couple's first anniversary or at the christening of their first child. Wedding cakes were traditionally made of fruitcake, so the process of saving it was preserved by the brandy and fruit in the cake itself. Nowadays, fruitcake is a very rare choice for cake flavours so they won't last for more then a few months in the freezer. With my own wedding, I was completely opposed to fruitcake even for the top tier. We definately had a good laugh as we celebrated our first anniversary with our families, making them try the year old freezer burnt banana chocolate cake. Personally, I don't even think wedding cake is necessary at all receptions as most catered dinners come with a wonderful dessert.

Cupcakes on the other hand have become very popular in place of wedding cakes. Here are a few ideas on why they are being seen at more weddings

Cupcakes can be easily personalized

They are very economical (keeping costs down for the budget!)

You don't have to cut them as they are already portioned (and you don't have to pay the hall's cake cutting fee!)

They can double as a centrepiece

They are really trendy

A great DIY project (much easier then making an entire wedding cake!)

Can be made into many different flavours!

Hamilton Halton Bridal Show

The eye popping colour at Stephanie Thompson's booth!

Hottest Hors D'Oeuvres

Retro Canapes
* Cheese Sticks
* Deviled Eggs
* Swedish Meatballs
* Pigs in Blankets
* Mini Quiche Lorraines
* Baked Brie in Puffed Pastry
* Celery Stuffed with Pimento Cream Cheese
* Stuffed Olives
* Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Contemporary Canapes

* Wild Mushroom Risotto Balls
* Mini Reuben Sandwiches
* Smoked Salmon Flan
* Baby Lamb Chops with Minted Relish
* Asparagus 'Cappuccino' in Shot Glasses
* Peking Duck Tacos
* Thai Tuna in Wonton Cups
* BBQ Pork on Brioches with Onion Jam

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog. I became interested in the wedding industry when I spent a lot of valueable time researching for my own special day. I feel my passion for weddings can assist brides when planning a fairytale day.
I was grateful for the opportunity on Sunday January 10th to work alongside Stephanie Thompson at the Hamilton Halton Bridal show. I learned that this industry is fuelled by word of mouth and you really need to be passionate about what you want to create. Stephanie's goal to 'make things pretty' has inspired me to take the next step and start focusing on what I want to create for future brides.