Wedding of Heli & Stephan - a beautiful event!

Yesterday was a PERFECT day in every way for Heli & Stephan's wedding - clear blue skies, warm sun, cool breeze.

Stephan waited anxiously for his bride to arrive at the end of the pier of Bronte Harbour - and when he turned to face her, the tears that sprung into his eyes proved how beautiful his bride was - and how in love he is with her!

The Maid of Honour wore a long hot pink gown with one strap of fabric flowers. The Bridesmaid wore a short, strapless dress in the same colour & fabric. The Bridesman wore a black tux with hot pink shirt and tie. The best man & ushers were in black tuxedos with lime green vest, ties & accessories. White peonies, lime green spider mums, granny smith apples and bright pink berries were used for bouquets, bouttonieres, pew bows and altar flowers.

The ceremony was held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Burlington, followed by cocktail hour and reception at Geraldo's in LaSalle Park. The bride & groom choreographed the first part of their first dance song and then the bridal party & rest of the guests joined in for the last half of the song. It was a fun start to the evening which unfolded with delicious food, touching speeches, lots of laughs with the "shoe" game and great music!

Their wedding cake was a simple white tiered cake with pink satin ribbon - and the topper was a bride & groom - each on their cell phones - a very true depiction of this couple (Heli's wedding dress had pockets in it - and guess what was in her pocket? Yup - her phone!!)

Congratulations Heli & Stephan - a beautiful couple!


WEDDING VENDORS:
Photographers - Paul Koziorowski Photography www.pkwedding.com
Florists - Botanically Bent http://www.botanicallybent.com
DJ - Mike Marinuk http://allthingsmusic.ca/
Church & Officiant - Pastor Colin Cameraon - Holy Cross Lutheran Church www.holycrossburlington.ca
Reception - Geraldo's http://www.geraldosatlasalle.com
Limo - Fox Run Limos www.foxrunlimos.com
Cake - Lakeview Pastry & Chocolates www.lakeviewpastry.com/home.htm

Pre-Wedding PANIC ATTACKS!

This week, I've had three separate brides contact me and each one was having their own little "panic attacks" as they were working on their wedding plans...

* guests I didn't know we'd invited just RSVP'd and I don't know where to seat them - help!
* well-meaning people are trying to re-design my decor plans - augh!
* the limo driver is giving me attitude - what should I do?
* I have a list wedding-related things to buy and I hate spending money on things I'll never use again - I need some creative & cheap alternative ideas!
* my dress needs to be altered & my seamstress won't return my calls - how do I find someone else reliable & trustworthy?
* I have wedding stuff all over my dining room table and I thought I had it all under control - but I'm freaking out - I can't do this!

Yup - wedding stress is very real, very common and very challenging to deal with! And every bride will face it at some point in the planning process - especially as the time ticks down closer to the big day! It can become very overwhelming.

SO - HOW can you deal with this stress? Here's a few ideas for you...

FIRST.... BREATHE! Deep, slow breaths to calm you down. None of the plans are worth hyperventilating over! Take a break from wedding plans for a night - go for a walk, sit on your deck & read a book, sit at a coffee shop & just people-watch, go to a good & funny movie. You have a life outside of wedding plans - don't forget to LIVE it!

SECOND... KEEP LISTS & KEEP ORGANIZED! Get a notebook that you keep with you always. Write down anything & everything you think of so you won't forget it or keep worrying about it. Then as you accomplish a task, black it out or better yet, use white-out tape & make it disappear! Its done & over with, so get it out of your line of vision and watch your list get smaller.

THIRD...PRIORITIZE! Look at your lists and decide what you MUST do first - and then do those things first. Take care of the big things as soon as you can & then you'll have the head-space to think about the little things. Take a serious look at the items on your list and decide what things you can let go of if you have to. Remember that while most of your ideas will be good idea, if trying to get them all done breaks you, then they are no longer good ideas! Its just not worth falling apart over some things.

FOURTH...DELEGATE! Anything you can delegate to your mom, your fiance, your Maid of Honour or bridesmaids, your family members... DO SO! If someone volunteers to help you - take them up on their offer! YOU don't have to do it all by yourself! Give them a task and then TRUST THEM to do it.

FINALLY... or really, this should have been FIRST OF ALL THESE SUGGESTIONS... hire a wedding DAY coordinator to help you with all of these things. Every single bride I have worked with in the past and that I am working with this year tells me how glad they are they've hired me - how my referrals saved them money - how my attention to details to things they wouldn't have even considered have helped the plans to flow smoothly - how the way I listen and am there for them really does calm them down & helps them to keep things in perspective.


As a wedding coordinator, besides handling all the myriad of details that needs to come together for a wedding day - I also pride myself in being a "calming influence" and the "voice of reason" that can help to reduce the panic attacks & relieve the stress that brides face during those last busy months of planning.

SO - are YOU feeling stressed & panicky as your wedding draws closer?! If so - give me a call & let me take care of the details - so you don't have to!!


PHOTO by: Heidi Ram Photography www.heidiramphotography.com

Two Unique Wedding Vendor Networking Events this week!

I had the privilege of attending two unique networking opportunities this week.

On Monday evening, "Let Them Eat Cakes" had an open house/cake tasting event that brides were invited to - and several other vendors were on hand to meet & greet brides & offer their unique services to them.
At the event were:
Let Them Eat Cakes www.letthemeatcakes.com
From Me To You (cookie creations) frommetoyou@bell.net
Picture Perfect Cake Art www.pictureperfectcakeart.com
She's So Beautiful Consignment & Bridal Boutique www.shessobeautiful.ca
Social Notes Custom Invitations www.socialnotes.ca
These vendors were very friendly and offered wonderful services to the brides who came. And the cake-tasting - OH MY -talk about delicious cakes with some very unique & unusual (but yummy) cake flavours!


This evening, Jason Matos of Jason Matos Photography, and I attended a Wedding Industy Vendor Networking event at the Courtyard Inn in Mississauga. There were quite a few different vendors on hand - enjoying complimentary cocktails & appetizers while chatting, meeting and exchanging business cards with each other. It was a great opportunity for Jason to promote his newly updated website with special pages dedicated to weddings, couples & families! As a vendor, its always a good business practice to get out & meet others who work in the industry! Both of us came away with some great new contacts. (by the way - check out Jason's site at: www.jasonmatosphotography.com )

Leave The Details To Me on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook & Posterous

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I took the plunge & joined the "social Media" networks.... FINALLY!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!

Yesterday, John & Nicole had hoped to have an outdoor wedding ceremony overlooking the lake at the Burlington Golf & Country Club - but the weather just didn't cooperate.

The couple, their families and bridal party met at Dundurn Castle for photos before the ceremony - in the pouring rain. Thankfully, we had the whole covered back porch of the castle to do photos in and lots of big umbrellas to help keep everyone dry. We were also glad that no other bridal parties showed up for the same locale. Despite the rain, the couple were in good spirits and the photos will no doubt still be amazing. The "Big Reveal" moment was captured by the photographers - that special "first glimpse" of each other... priceless!

Back at the Burlington Golf Club, the alternative ceremony site was set up in the banquet hall. Guests were seated at their reception tables and a couple rows of chairs were set on the dance floor for family members. The head table & cake became the back drop for the ceremony
After the officiant, groomsmen, parents and groom entered, the processional was led by Isabella - the 9 month old adorable flower girl, "escorted" by her father as she toddled down the aisle to the delight of the guests. Following her was Charlotte, the 18-mth old flower girl, holding her mom's hand, and stealing the show with her cuteness.
After the rest of the bridesmaids, Nicole made her grand entrance with her dad, looking like a vision of beauty in her strapless gown and cathedral-length, laced-edged veil.

By the end of the ceremony, the rain clouds had disappeared and the guests were able to enjoy cocktails on the lawn, overlooking the lake, while the bridal couple were able to get some formal photos done outside.

The reception was a fun evening - a great meal, touching speeches, and lots of dancing until the wee hours of the morning! Special kudos for the staff at BGC as they were amazing to work with & handled everything with professionalism and integrity.

Congratulations Nicole & John - a beautiful couple.... I wish you all the best in your new life together as husband & wife!

Nicole & John's WEDDING VENDORS:
Photographer: Julie Johnson, Vine Images www.vineimages.com
Harpist: Chantal Dube 416-909-9944
Pianist: Christie Latta, clatta@cogeco.ca
Officiant: Harold Bridle (uncle of Bride)
Venue: Burlington Golf Club www.burlingtongolfclub.com
Decorator & Florist: Paula - La Fiora Floral Studio www.lafioras.com
DJ: Jeff from Bil Copeland DJ www.thunderdj.com
Cake: Lakeview Pastry www.lakeviewpastry.com

Perfect Day for Lexi & Travis!

Lexi & Travis tied the knot yesterday in the midst of 100 family & friends. The ceremony was held at Redeemer University College in Ancaster in an intimate room decorated with an arbour, shimmery fabric swagging along the aisle chairs, accented with red & black chiffon ribbons & bows. Wall sconces held tall vases with taper candles & more chiffon ribbons & bows. Two candleabras completed the decor. It was a beautiful, intimate ceremony setting.


After enjoying some fun with their photographer, Jason Matos Photography, on the Redeemer property, the bridal party arrived in style in an SUV limo to the Royal Canadian Legion in Hamilton for their reception.
Great family speeches, the cutting of a creative Red & Black wedding cake
& special first dance & family dances -and the party was on!


Congratulations on your wonderful day!

Photographer: Jason Matos Photography www.jasonmatosphoto.com
Decorator: Josie - With All My Heart Wedding Decor www.withallmyheartweddingdecor.ca
Flowers: Josie's Flowers, Hamilton Market 905-304-0682
Officiant: Rev. Dr. Kurt Richardson, Ryerson United Church, Ancaster
Ceremony Venue: Redeemer University College, Ancaster www.redeemer.ca
Pianist: Christie Latta, clatta@cogeco.ca
Limo Service: Guy - Happy Day Limosines www.ahappydaylimousine.com
Reception Venue: Royal Canadian Legion #163 www.legion.ca
DJ: Shaun Davidson, korned_69@hotmail.com
Cake: Maggie's Sweets maggiessweets.ca

"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