Beautiful Wedding Day!

Yesterday, we were watching the weather with a close eye all day... as the clouds kept rolling in, threatening rain for Patt & Kelly's outdoor ceremony at Liuna Gardens. However as the ceremony time approached, the clouds let up and the rain held off! Kelly had to fight the wind blowing her veil into her step-dad's face coming down the aisle, and the wind was a bit cool at times, but the ceremony was beautiful, overlooking the various colours of the lake.

Guests enjoyed cocktails on the patio to the great music of a jazz band while the couple had creative photos taken around the grounds at Liuna.

The reception kicked off with the couple doing their first dance - which was "accented" with a tradition from the groom's family... where all the family members came up and literally wrapped the couple in streamers and paper ribbons. I've never seen anything quite like it - but I had been warned that this would likely happen at some point in the evening! Its interesting to see what families do as traditions!! Following this dance, the cake cutting and the bride's speech, a delicious and very filling meal was served, interspersed with other speeches. Dancing lasted well into the night, and included a bride & friends rendition of "YMCA"... costume hats and all!!

It was a wonderful family celebration and obvious that this couple is well loved by their family and friends. Such an honour to be part of their wonderful day! Congratulations Patt & Kelly as you begin your new journey as husband & wife.

VENDORS:
Liuna Gardens - www.liunagardens.com
White Orchid Weddings (officiant Anne Blinch) - www.whiteorchidweddingceremonies.com
Mike's DJ Service (Live Musicians and DJ/MC) - www.mikesdjservice.ca
Amazon Lens Photographers - www.amazonlens.ca
Wedding Cake & favours - Sweet Celebrations Wedding Cakes - www.sweetcelebrationsweddingcakes.com
Decor & Flowers by Sue Gallo Designs - www.suegallodesigns.com
Late Night Sedan Pickup - Mermaid Limo - www.mermaidlimo.com

Hot Day, Bad Traffic - BUT a Still a Successful Wedding!

The day dawned clear and hot and humid for Helen & Eric's wedding day today. And then the news came that a police investigation closed the QEW Niagara-bound for hours, resulting in huge traffic problems. However, with flexibility at Liuna Gardens on our side, the wedding happened as hoped, just an hour delayed. But the guests were understanding, the vendors were accomodating and it was a beautiful ceremony overlooking the lake. A nice breeze and shade of the trees helped to keep guests comfortable.

Following the ceremony and family photos... and photos with their little dog, Chico (wearing a tuxedo!) Helen changed into a beautiful red traditional Chinese gown to participate with Eric and their parents in the special Chinese Tea Ceremony. After the Tea Ceremony, it was back into her wedding dress for bridal party photos at Liuna's beautiful property.

The Cocktail hour was held at Burlington Golf & Country Club while the Bride & Groom had more photos taken there and then the reception followed.


Congratulations Eric & Helen on a beautiful and special day, despite the delayed start! It all worked out and was a special day!

VENDORS:

LifeImages Photography (Alex) www.lifeimages.ca
Norris Films Videography (Norris) www.norrisfilms.com
Liuna Gardens (Ceremony) www.liunagardens.com
Burlington Golf & Country Club (reception) www.burlingtongolfclub.com
Gala Decor (Christina) www.galadecor.ca
Lush Florals (Melanie) www.lushflorals.ca
All Life's Milestones Officant Tom Chire www.alllifesmilestones.on.ca
Quartet, Alicia & Trent www.aliciaandtrent.ca
Guitar & Vocals, Mike & Wendy www.mikefreedman.com http://www.wendyirvine.ca/
Andy's Cakes www.andysweddingcakes.com
Mainstream Entertainment (William) www.mainstream-entertainment.net
Fox Run Limosines www.foxrunlimos.com
Satine Makeup & Hair www.satinestudio.com
Chinese Lion Dancers www.sammychengtorontoliondance.com

"Destination Weddings" at Niagara Parks Commission's Great Wedding Venues!

A few weeks ago, I (along with 3 other wedding coordinators) had the privilege of being given a tour of the Niagara Parks Commission venues by Sue Zareski (Weddings & Corporate Sales Manager for NPC). What amazing facilities there are - some of which I had never heard of before! And the rates, other services, options are worth checking into! There is no charge for outdoor photos at any of their sites. You will find Sue & all the staff with NPC are very flexible and creative in their ideas to help you create a perfect "destination" wedding - without travelling too far from home!

Here are the locations we visited and one or two highlights about each venue:

Queenston Heights...sitting atop the Niagara Escarpment, overlooking the river, with on site options for outdoor ceremonies, including a permanently covered porch (in case of bad weather), a historically elegant dining room and a view that is amazing!

Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory... sprawling, large and varied outdoor garden areas - "aisles" of trees, cozy corners, beautiful flowers. . And what about a small, intimate wedding inside amongst the tropical gardens with butterflies flitting about everywhere?! The conservatory also has a roof-top area that is also available for rent and would make a neat ceremony/cocktail hour/stand-up reception area. Can be rented in advance for indoor photos

Whirlpool Golf Course ... an "elegant casual" room overlooking the manicured golf greens. Outdoor patio are part of the deal as well.

Aero Car ... for a totally unique ceremony idea, why not get married while suspended over top of the whirlpool rapids in the aero car?! Yup - its actually available to rent for such an event!

Oakes Garden Theatre - a unique outdoor expanse of walkways, arches, pergolas, etc that is a popular location for ceremonies.

Edgewaters Restaurant and Terrace - Two options are available here. One is the "Commissioner Quarters" upstairs, and includes large open dance floor area, lounge area with sofas & bar off to the side of the dining area. Intimate and unique. Second option is the restaurant with open air doors to the terrace balcony. Great views of both falls from here - and how about getting custom-coloured lights on the falls during the evening to coordinate with your wedding colours?!!

Elements on the Falls - Very chic, elegantly designed restaurant right at the edge of the falls - with amazing food! (I know first-hand as that's where we ate lunch)

Pop & Lolly’s - a gourmet candy shop that specializes in custom-candies for weddings!

Floral Showhouse - unique grounds for ceremonies or photos, intimate indoor space surrounding by lush plants & flowers of all kinds. Can be rented in advance for indoor photos..


Oak Hall - an enormous, stately mansion elegantly furnished with antiques. A stunning location for a very small & intimate wedding.

Legends on the Niagara Golf Course - large, bright, open foyer that leads into an elegant dining room which leads out onto an incredibly large & attractive outdoor covered porch that overlooks the golf course.

What is amazing about NPC is that the rentals & facilities at all these venues are "mix & match" deals - the options are endless.

SO... for a "destination wedding" close to home - do check out Niagara Falls - and specifically the Niagara Parks Commission venues.

www.niagaraparksweddings.com
szareski@niagaraparks.com