There's a formula people!

Beware the Cookie Cutter Wedding

One of the most frustrating things I found being a wedding planner was the lack of room my potential brides gave me to be creative.

Being creative isn't for everyone.  This I understand.  But this is precisely where the real value of a quality wedding planner comes into play.  They build relationships with vendors based on their artistry as much as for the value they deliver to an event.  Working together, they are designers.  The right ones do this work specifically because it's where they can earn a living doing something they are passionate about.

Approaching a planner or designer and choosing them solely based on cost, is a recipe for disaster.  The reason it's a recipe for disaster is because it means you've already pulled all the inspiration you want from message boards just like this one, and now you just want someone else to execute on it for you.  But by planning things this way, you're limiting and often tying the planner's hands by asking them to focus their creativity solely on getting you, the client, high value looks for shoe string budgets, which let me tell ya, always end up looking low budget, no matter how good the planner.  High value looks are that way only because the artists' had a love and joy and passion for what they were doing.  They may have had a steeper price tag than you or I would be willing to put to it, but creativity can also be dirt cheap.  You have to be open to hearing what they propose and let them shock you with what they can do - you'll suddenly see things no other bride has had because the opportunity to shine and set new trends is too addictive.

This is why I'm a HUGE fan of DIY...but it's also why I am a HUGE fan of custom gowns like this one.

Reality is, we have so few opportunities in our day to day lives to live our own uniqueness, that the opportunities presented by a wedding are really a shame to waste.

But the article linked above is absolutely right pointing to how every wedding is turning out just like the last one.

Take it from a planner.  Being spectacular doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, OR the commitment of your first born child.  BUT, being spectacular does mean being yourself, and being true to your individuality.  SO, whether you hire a planner or not, look for ways to twist the inspirations you see online to work for you.  Love the idea of a loft wedding, go for it - rent a loft or find a restaurant with a lofty feel.  Love the idea of a vineyard wedding, go for it - whether you can afford to have your wedding at the vineyard or not, grab them grapes and find some barrels, and USE THEM.  Someway, somehow - whatever way works.  But DON'T limit yourself to frilly shears and over done head tables, and the same damn dress every other girl is wearing because they were $99 at the trunk sale last spring.

Live large and love it!  And if you reach out onto that limb, trust that planner to show his or her stuff.  Give him or her the opportunity to flex their artistic muscle.  And be patient while he or she feels you out.  That's part of the process, and honestly, they've been stifled so long, they may be a bit nervous at first...

Let the Sun Shine In

And face it with a grin!

The seemingly hot colour for wedding palates this summer is Yellow!  I love yellow.  Bright, cheery, refreshing...My office is yellow and I looooove love love it!

Mixing the yellows up with hot hits of orange is sure to make a wedding mui caliente!  Why not reach out, grab that ray of sunshine and have a most romantic, refreshing and fabulous day.  Some of my favourite internet finds for inspiration are here:

Certainly this gown would be jaw droppingly stunning and completely unexpected.  A most beautiful print commands the best kind of attention - the kind every single bride deserves on her wedding day.  This photo makes me think "Damn I wish I'd thought of that!"  Any good dress maker can make you a gown like this and Fabricland is the perfect place to begin your dressmaking journey.  Every year I am convinced more and more that custom gown making is the better choice for every single bride out there.  You may not find it at a trunk sale for $100, but you'll definitely get something no one has ever worn before, and you'll stand out for all the right reasons, in a dress that is perfect for you and ONLY YOU.

As bouquets go, this is one of the nicest I've seen in a long time.  Love how that orange plays off the yellow!

This table decor and floral arrangements are as stunning as the water backdrop.  I can just taste the jumbo shrimp cocktails that would be the most perfect appetizer for this wedding menu!

The soft yellow of these bridesmaids dresses is the highlight for this photo.  The gentility of a soft, pale yellow lets every other detail shine.  You're spending a pile of money on a most fantastic day...it's important to make sure that nothing detracts from the real show stopping details you've poured your heart into.

Perhaps lending a bit of a sour note, but no bar is complete without a lemon wedge, so why not incorporate and leverage that lemony goodness as part of the decor - I just love how they are the foundation for this outdoor bar.  Contemporary, and instantly classic - one of those smallish details that make the biggest difference.

I also loved this idea for favours.  Wrapping mints or trinkets in dictionary pages that highlight the words that represent how you as a couple feel that day is an awesome and very memorable touch - For added flare in a yellow inspired theme, highlight the root words with a yellow highlighter!

Not exactly on trend with my colour theme, but I loved the chalkboard frame.  What a wonderful detail for labelling things on a buffet or for writing a special message to your guests on the favour table, OR even better for using as table markers.  So pretty, so awesome!

Homemade lemonade favours for the WIN!  I say homemade wine is soooo over-rated, and often times it's soooo yukky.  I love the idea of homemade lemonade or even sweet tea...maybe a jar of homemade marmalade or candied lemon rind.  Favours like this steal the show, and they're extremely practical...especially for hot outdoor wedding ceremonies in the dead middle of summer!

A billion ideas, but yellow seems the key.  Getting back to natural, organic and happy colours is a great sign that weddings are getting back to what's important.  And all of these ideas mean your summer wedding can be just as unique as you are, without breaking the bank!

A Wedding fit for a Foodie!

So as a self proclaimed Foodie, when I planned my own wedding I knew it would have to be some kickin nibblings.  And if I do say so myself, the vendor did not disappoint.  We held our wedding at the Old Mill in Toronto, and the Italian menu was simply delicious.  My cake was fantastic and the late night dessert buffet was enjoyable too.  Of course there was so much bleeding food, no one could get to all of it, and I took most of our cake home and divied it up between our parents.  And a lot of that late night dessert buffet went untouched.

Had I even thought about a different venue or a different alternative, I totally would have been behind this latest trend.  I think it rocks and has such huge potential to replace that late night buffet or even for a more casual wedding, the entire catering menu.

Specialty and Gourmet Food trucks are quickly taking street food to unparalleled new heights.  And I think that's naturally translating into new and unique re-purposing of the food truck into situations they've never ventured before.  Namely the modern wedding.

Imagine, instead of spending $700 on a tiered cake and all the ornamental details that go with it, spending $500 or $600 on an ice cream truck that pops by and sets up for an hour outside your venue at 10pm on a hot July or August night.

Imagine replacing the dessert buffet at 10 pm with gourmet poutine and a hot dog.  Everyone knows that the more you drink the more you want something greasy to help it all settle properly.  No one goes on a bender and says, hey let's hit Cora's for their fresh fruit crepes!  They say, find me the nearest street meat/taco bell/pizza joint you find!  I think bringing the street meat and upscaling it to fit with the opulence and indulgence of a wedding is a fantabulous, most wonderful and amazing thing EVER!

Happy Planning!

Wedding Donut Trends

Bye Bye Cupcake...Hello Donut!

I love, love, love this trend!

The Wedding Budget

Budgeting for a wedding can be extremely stressful.  He asked you to marry him.  You emphatically said yes, and then you went online or opened your first bridal mag and were agape at the $ signs floating across your field of vision.

Instead of panicking, remember that for all this wedding planning stuff, the arithmetic just drops out of trees and starts to make perfect sense when you patiently and methodically have a target in mind.

Only you can set your targets.  You know how much money you make and how much disposable cash you have to throw at this most fantastic party. So start there.  What do you think is reasonable, given your financial circumstances and work back from there.

Then pick a date.  There are 3 major pillars of any project and particularly for every wedding.  One is budget, two is time frame, and the other is details.  If you have a tight budget, consider giving yourself more time to plan, or make sure you go simple with the details.  If you want extravagant details and a bigger budget, give yourself more time to save up for the more complex stuff.  It's really that simple.

If none of these answers is satisfactory, decide on what the most important details are, and spend your money there.  The rest is something you're going to look for DIY inspiration on or will be what you drop from the overall vision.  Everything is achievable with a realistic approach to these three pillars.  And every wedding is beautiful, particularly if you balance it out with these pillars in mind.
Happy Planning!

Christmas Wedding Inspiration

So while I've always been a proponent of keeping your wedding separate from other annual holidays that people tend to fret over and bank vacation to extend for their own purposes, I've seen so many inspiring ideas this fall that would really make a budget conscious Christmas time wedding something rather spectacular.

Imagine centrepiece votive holders made from Candy Canes like this one, but with red and white candy canes!

Or even something more glamorous and still budget aware.  Very few things are as opulent, lacy and spectacular as plentiful baby's breath or lilly of the valley.  I love it!

For a quick, simple, elegant and unique spin on your bouquet, try using a bunch of pine cones or feathers with small christmas ornaments to make a real statement

Wear a dress that's suitable for this time of year and look absolutely regal and glorious in this number

For favours, give your guests the scents of Christmas with DIY clove orange pomanders

or better yet, do a small Christmas tree instead of a manzanita branch and hang guest favours and place cards from them in small stockings!

For chairs and pew bows, instead of using the typical pomanders and chair sashes, why not use small wreaths hanging on red ribbon.  These lacy wreaths on the back of a chivari chair would be stunning!

And there are so many wonderful designs for winter wedding cakes, it's impossible to choose just one.  Surf the web, dream big, and finding the right one is well, a piece of cake!

And while I'm way off venturing into new territory with this inspiration board, I keep coming back to making sure that your wedding is still your wedding.  Try to serve something other than turkey (though they will be plentiful and it will possibly be more budget friendly, and do something great with prime rib or chicken supreme.  And remember that the glitz of holiday lights is extremely romantic when it's all white lights.  So go crazy.  Light the place and create real ambience at your evening reception with all the twinkling little fairy lights your heart desires.  Remember to keep the theme of your lighting and your hall decor warm and cozy.  

In every case, steer clear of frosty the snowman and santa claus.  A wedding is always time to bring people together, and it's always time for fun.  But the difference between kitch and class needs to be absolutely intentional, and it needs to be done with class to work just so. 

Happy Planning!

Eco Chic DIY Bridal Bouquets

So a while back I wrote a DIY article on how to make your own Bridal Bouquet by recycling left over or first run DIY wedding invitations and excess card stock for LCI Papers.  I thought my readers would appreciate this useful, creative and awesome little way to green up your wedding day, and make something truly unique and memorable.

Talking about budget friendly, the whole thing can be made for less than $10!  Now where in the world can you get a wedding bouquet for $10?