tips for planning a stress free wedding making the right choice for a
TRANSCRIPT
2 0 1 7 E D I T I O N
Cover photograpy courtesy of New Vintage MediaAd on page 80-81
Tips for planning a stress free wedding
Page 40
Making the right choice for
a destination wedding
Page 74
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:Robert Sansone
EDITOR IN CHIEF:Lorie Sansone
SALES AND PROJECT SUPPORT:Teale Simonato
CONTENT EDITORS:Teale Simonato
Ashley Sansone
Daniel Sansone
DESIGNYup Media Inc
ONLINE EDITION:Digilite Web Solutions
www.digilite.ca
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DREAM BRIDE MAGAZINE@ 905.264.7000
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This magazine is created and published annually by
Dream Bride Magazine. We do not necessarily share
the opinions expressed within by the freelance
writers and/or third-party advertisers; all products
and/or services are not necessarily endorsed. Its
publishers can not accept responsibility for the
content and images of third-party ads, nor the safe
arrival of unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies
or illustrations. All rights reserved. Reproduction
in whole or in part is prohibited without written
permission from the publisher.
© Dream Bride 2016..
Our latest edition ofDream Bride Magazine is here!We are so proud to offer our 3rd Edition of Dream Bride 2017, dedicated to
our readers whom will benefit from the knowledge shared by our advertisers
in this special issue.
As we reflect upon another incredible year in the Bridal industry, we would
like to note the diversity of trends in recent years moving forward to 2017.
Millennium Brides are impacted with many influences with today’s cellular
technology of communication as well as Pinterest and social media.
We have noticed the meaning of traditional Weddings has been enhanced to
the new mindset of Brides setting their own distinctive version of Wedding
traditions. I love the expression be true to yourself, and have always
advised Brides their Wedding should reflect themselves and the Groom. Our
Millennium Brides are reinventing the traditional Wedding, to the modern age
with immense customization of each detail to enhance the guest experience
and to reflect the Bride and Groom. It is exciting to see that Weddings can be
hosted anywhere, destination or where you reside; and themes are endless
from vintage, modern, country, glam, garden, bohemian, winery, or from
boat to barn. Whether you host a grand or intimate Wedding celebration, the
choices are as infinite as a Bride’s imagination.
The Millennium Brides have revolutionized the ordinary elements of what we
expect at a Wedding to the extraordinary.
The artistry of venues, décor, floral, food, invitations, rings, fashion, transportation,
music, and entertainment has been elevated to new heights. We are blessed
to be a pioneer in this wonderful industry hosting the largest Bridal Shows
that showcase all the companies providing these services and products and
connecting them to Brides who need them to plan the Wedding of their dreams!
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our hundreds of vendors and
more importantly, the thousands of visitors to our Bridal shows and websites
every year, we remain committed to exceed your expectations.
Whether you’re looking for the best advice for your wedding day or just for
that perfect reception hall, we have it all, and we’ll continue to offer you this
magazine free of charge to take home and review some of our renowned
exhibitors and inspire you with our Real
Wedding Stories.
Feel free to contact us and share your
comments about our Bridal shows and
our latest Dream Bride edition.
Sincerely,
Rob and Lorie Sansone
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TIMELESS, ELEGANT, CHIC... TRÈS CHIC!
Contents
60 FINDING AN INTIMATE WEDDING VENUE
12 RAINY WEDDING DAY?
20 WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOM WEDDING GLASSES…. CHOICE MATTERS
53 WEDDING TRENDS
22 CADENCE
24 WHY YOU SHOULD RENT A PHOTO BOOTH FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY BUDGET
66 HERE COMES THE BRIDE
32 THE DOS & DON’T OF WEARING A BOW TIE
34 THE MODERN PERSONABLE GUESTBOOK
36 8 ESSENTIAL STEPS TO HIRING THE PERFECT WEDDING DJ
84 CUSTOM PRINTED DANCE FLOOR GRAPHICS
38 A VENUE WITH A VIEW
40 TIPS FOR PLANNING A STRESS FREE WEDDING
42 CELEBRATE WITH COPACABANA, CARNIVAL NORTH
44 A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
10 A FEW TIPS ON CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING CAKE FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY
54 CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLORAL DESIGNER FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY
82 ZERO20 KIDS
50 CHOOSING YOUR DJ CHOOSING LIVE MUSIC
68 HERE COMES THE GROOM
54 A BRIDAL STORE THAT OFFERS MORE
30 DECIDING ON A WEDDING DRESS
56 MOMENTS THAT MAKE ANY WEDDING DAY UNFORGETTABLE
58 TIPS & TRENDS FOR THE BRIDE-TO-BE
14 CELEBRATE WITH ENTERTAINMENT EXCELLENCE
62 WHO EVER SAID YOU CAN’T FIND THE PERFECT VENUE?
46 MAKING YOUR SPECIAL DAY - EXTRA SPECIAL!
108 A UNIQUE VENUE MAKE SURE IT’S RIGHT!
74 MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING
78 LOVE IS IN THE DETAILS
80 MODERN YET TIMELESS
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WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE A PROFESSIONAL VIDEOGRAPHER
REAL WEDDING STORIES
LOVE AT FIRST SITE... INSPECTION!
THE LIMO EXPERIENCE
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A FEW TIPS ON CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING CAKE FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAYWritten by Irresistible Cakes (iCakes)
Do you want to perfect the center piece of your Wedding Reception? Yes, we are talking about your wedding cake. If so, here are salient points to consider.
Find an experienced wedding cake bakeryFinding an experienced wedding cake company is more important than it seems. Do
not bestow your trust on a small bakery or a home-based company guided solely by
promotions and discounts. There are high probabilities of getting disappointing results.
Look for an experienced bakery that you can trust.
Some people have a wrong conception that big bakeries are always costly, but that’s not
always the case. Due to high volume, such cake manufacturers can provide cakes at very
affordable prices.
Visit showrooms to know pricesNowadays, many brides prefer to search wedding cake styles on social media. Every
bride has a budget though they don’t know the price of the cake they want. Here lies the
need to visit a showroom where you can find over 150 designs to choose from. It is only
when you get relevant information on wedding cakes that you can decide on a design you
desire without any doubts in mind.
Try some flavors for freeMany times, people decide to order a particular flavor without knowing how it will taste;
perhaps because of an alluring name. It isn’t always necessary, but you can taste a sample
to be absolutely sure. You could change your option without hesitation and make sure
it is “healthy” enough for the occasion. Today, people should be more health conscious,
mainly because there are a lot more ingredients in food to worry about. Avoid bakeries
that use poly saturated fat, like butter, cheese and margarine. Trusted wedding cake
companies will always offer free cake samples.
Do not ignore allergy concernAccording to a recent study, many Canadians are allergic to edible substances, especially
nuts. Lactose intolerance is not as popular in Canada as nut allergy, but it is still increasing
considerably. There is a high probability that a few of the customers are affected by nut
allergy or lactose intolerance. You may need to consider this point before hasty ordering
of a desired wedding cake.
Do not get persuaded to buy bigger sizeMany wedding cake companies might push you to buy bigger sized cakes to increase their
sale amount. It might sound that you are getting more quantity for less. However, this
might exceed your budget. Avoid such persuasions and stick to the cake size you require.
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Irresistible Cakes (iCakes) welcomes all to taste cake samples for free. We offer free sampling over weekends. You get acquainted with different flavors that you knew just by names or had viewed in social media only. We provide cakes with affordable prices because of a high volume of production. You will not need to cross your estimate. You can buy a small or medium sized cake, and then buy an extra slab; this doesn’t cost you too much. See how much you save!
Written by John and Veronica Photography
Rainy Wedding Day?
Second, you will need to have umbrellas prepared for your entire wedding party. They should be of same size, style and colour. The umbrellas could complement the colours of the bridesmaids’ dresses or the wedding theme. Keep the patterns and colours of the umbrellas simple and monotone - props that arare too extravagant can actually take away from the image rather than add. Less is more!
Lastly, you may get a little bit wet, but enjoy the moment! It is your wedding day! Trust in your photographer to make your visions come true. After all is said and done, the rain you had on your wedding day will be a fun memory - and you’ll have beautiful, unique photos to help you tell the story of your big dayday!
One of the biggest fears for many brides is, what if it rains on my wedding day? Every bride wants her day to be perfect - and that includes the weather. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to predict the weather for your big day so there are couple of choices. You can set up a contingency plan so that the photo-shoot after the ceremony isis happening at a location that is sheltered from the weather elements or, if you are willing to get a little wet and playful, you can venture outside to take the pictures in the rain! The latter option can be surprisingly rewarding if done well. A rainy day can even enhance your wedding photos by adding a sense of romance to the air. After all, so many romantiromantic movie scenes are shot in the rain (The Notebook, anyone?). Here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to a rainy day photo shoot.
As mentioned earlier, always have a contingency plan just in case the weather becomes really severe. It might be required that you get a photography permit for an indoor location as your back-up. If there are no available indoor location for the photo-shoot that is relatively close to your reception venue, it is even possible to do the photo-shoot at the venue itselfitself. This is where the experience and the ability of your hired photographer really shines. Even when the circumstances and the environment are not favourable, an experienced photographer would be able to craft and control the light to achieve those beautiful portraits indoors as well!
If you do decide to brave the rain for your photo-shoot, there are few tips you should keep in mind.
FirstFirst, make sure that your photographer is comfortable shooting in the rain and that he/she has the gear capable shooting in the rain. It is possible that not all the equipment is waterproof; depending on their style of photography, the photographer may also not feel comfortable unless he/she has had prior experiencexperience with shooting in such situations.
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Written by John and Veronica Photography
Rainy Wedding Day?
Second, you will need to have umbrellas prepared for your entire wedding party. They should be of same size, style and colour. The umbrellas could complement the colours of the bridesmaids’ dresses or the wedding theme. Keep the patterns and colours of the umbrellas simple and monotone - props that arare too extravagant can actually take away from the image rather than add. Less is more!
Lastly, you may get a little bit wet, but enjoy the moment! It is your wedding day! Trust in your photographer to make your visions come true. After all is said and done, the rain you had on your wedding day will be a fun memory - and you’ll have beautiful, unique photos to help you tell the story of your big dayday!
One of the biggest fears for many brides is, what if it rains on my wedding day? Every bride wants her day to be perfect - and that includes the weather. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to predict the weather for your big day so there are couple of choices. You can set up a contingency plan so that the photo-shoot after the ceremony isis happening at a location that is sheltered from the weather elements or, if you are willing to get a little wet and playful, you can venture outside to take the pictures in the rain! The latter option can be surprisingly rewarding if done well. A rainy day can even enhance your wedding photos by adding a sense of romance to the air. After all, so many romantiromantic movie scenes are shot in the rain (The Notebook, anyone?). Here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to a rainy day photo shoot.
As mentioned earlier, always have a contingency plan just in case the weather becomes really severe. It might be required that you get a photography permit for an indoor location as your back-up. If there are no available indoor location for the photo-shoot that is relatively close to your reception venue, it is even possible to do the photo-shoot at the venue itselfitself. This is where the experience and the ability of your hired photographer really shines. Even when the circumstances and the environment are not favourable, an experienced photographer would be able to craft and control the light to achieve those beautiful portraits indoors as well!
If you do decide to brave the rain for your photo-shoot, there are few tips you should keep in mind.
FirstFirst, make sure that your photographer is comfortable shooting in the rain and that he/she has the gear capable shooting in the rain. It is possible that not all the equipment is waterproof; depending on their style of photography, the photographer may also not feel comfortable unless he/she has had prior experiencexperience with shooting in such situations.
Photos by John and Veronica Photography13
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CELEBRATE WITH ENTERTAINMENT EXCELLENCE
Everything in life is about choices. Exactly one year ago I got married to the love of my life. The decision to spend the rest of our lives together was a mutual choice we both felt strongly about. It was a big step, but it was worth it.
If you are in the same position we were last year, you know that along with the big decision to marry comes a lot of other choices which need to be made: When to set the date? Where to have the ceremony and reception? Who to invite? And so on.Some of these choices are more important than others, but all of them need to be made, hopefully in agreement.
One of the biggest choices we needed to make was which DJ service to hire for our reception. This was important to both of us because having been to many weddings we knew how much of an impact, good or bad, the DJ service can have on a reception. They can set the tone for the entire evening and are responsible for making sure everybody has a good time. Its not an easy task, and for us it was not a choice we took lightly. This was especially so for us because we had my Italian family and my Wife’s south Asian family to simultaneously please.
Having recently seen them in action at a friends wedding, we decided to meet with the team at Sound X Entertainment. From the very outset, they made a personal connection with both of us and truly understood the responsibility they would have if we hired them: to bring our two amazing families, from two different cultures, together for the very first time. After one meeting, we made our choice to go with them and they went on to greatly exceed our expectations.
Our wedding day was amazing, but it was also a bit of a blur. It went by so fast and there is so much that happened, its a lot to take in on one single day.Looking back there is a specific memory which remains clear for both of us: The sight of our two families, many of whom had never previously met, absolutely partying it up on the dance floor to the music of both cultures. It was one of the highlights of our lives.
This was far more special then mere entertainment, it was an emotional experience for us and our families. It was also an absolute blast! Our dance floor was full the entire evening, with our families learning dances from
each other, laughing together and sharing this wonderful experience with one another.
On top of all this, the team at Sound X kept the entire evening organized and running smoothly which made us feel at ease and able to just enjoy the moment. Everything from the lighting design to the MC’ing was world class. I cant tell you how many people complimented us on the party and asked us about the DJ service. Its safe to say they got a lot of future customers out of our wedding, including my best friend who just got married a month back and had a very similar experience.
So, if you are about to get married and are confronted with the decision of which DJ service to hire, I highly recommend Sound X Entertainment. On behalf of our entire family I assure you that if you do so you will have made an important and excellent choice.
With love to the entire team atSound X Entertainment,
-Vincenzo Bertillo (& Shezzy Bertillo and family)
Written by Sound X Entertainment -Vincenzo Bertillo (& Shezzy Bertillo and family)
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Written by Spotlight Films
WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE A PROFESSIONAL VIDEOGRAPHER
Why hire a professional videographer if
you already have a photographer?
Hiring a professional photographer is must.
While all the beautiful images the photographer
captures will be forever frozen in time, a
professional videographer will capture all the
movements, sounds, and emotions that happen
on your special day. The day goes by so fast
therefore having it filmed is a must. Moments
such as getting ready, saying your vows, having
your first dance, and listening to all the speeches,
will be forever recorded for you and your loved
ones to relive time and time again.
Why hire a videographer when a family
member/friend could do it?
By hiring a videographer, you are making sure
that your wedding will be captured professionally
and creatively with the latest state-of-the-art
equipment. Your hired, experienced videographer
will know the routine of events that take place
during the wedding day. Your videographer will
know all the important moments to capture
as well as work and interact professionally
and respectfully with all your other vendors,
especially your photographer. He / She will know
how to do their job as unobtrusively as possible,
and use proper lighting to achieve the best
results, without ruining the ambiance. Your family
and friends should be guests at your wedding and
enjoy themselves, and not have worry if all the
once-in-a-lifetime events are captured for you.
Why pay to get the video edited?
A professional videographer will capture many
hours of raw footage of your wedding. While
it is wonderful to have all that footage, would
your family and friends truly want to sit through
countless hours of the entire ceremony, the
reception, and all the extra in-between shots?
Your hired videographer/editor will have the
experience to choose and condense the most
important, exciting highlights of your wedding
into a movie that will keep everyone entertained
from start to finish.
Will the videographer be open to our
vision of how we want the day captured
and edited?
Your videographer will work closely with you
prior to your wedding to determine the filming
style that best suits you. During your special day,
every effort is made to professionally capture
every important detail. Soon after the wedding,
you will want to contact your videographer/editor
and go over any music and photos that you may
want incorporated into the editing. This would
also be a good time to inform them about any
“must have in” or “must leave out” footage. You
can have your video edited to reflect your vision,
personality and style.
Hiring a professional videographer will be some
of the best spent money for your wedding. You
will not have any regrets of missed special
moments. You, your family, relatives and friends
will be part of a beautifully put together time
capsule for all to enjoy and cherish.
Congratulations on your engagement! Now starts an exciting time leading up to your big day - The Wedding Planning! You have decided on a date, ceremony site, chosen the venue, entertainment, and photographer. You are on the fence wondering whether you should hire a professional videographer. You are not alone. Many couples try to justify spending the extra money on getting a video. The following are a few common questions most couples ask about videography:
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4040 Steeles Ave W, Unit 34 Woodbridge, ON L4L 4Y5 | (905) 851 – 9947 | www.treschiccouture.com
TimelessElegantChic...
Très Chic!
Bridal , Evening Wear and Haute Couture. Imad Ibrahim invites
you to experience his saloon for an exceptional design experience. Trained at the world renowned Parisian schools
- Chambre Syndicate de la Couture, before opening his beautiful salon.
Imad worked exclusively with several celebrated international designers.
The salon floor carries many international designer evening wear collections, all personally selected by Imad on his extensive travels around
the globe.
You will as beautiful in our ready to wear selection that has been personally
tailored for you as will should you decide to collaborate with Imad on
your own One Of A Kind creation.
I look forward to meeting you and creating, together, A Beautiful
Creation!
My warmest regards,Imad Ibrahim
Très ChicCouture
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When it comes to your wedding, everything
leaves a lasting impression. The gift you give
to your guests and bridal party is no different, and for
some couples it’s a really hard decision. Custom glassware
is a unique, personalized, practical and long lasting gift
idea. Personalization is on trend and extremely popular
right now in North America. People love a nice set of
personalized flutes, wine glasses or shot glasses to
remember your day and to use at home for years to
come.
Now that you know that you want to give custom
glasses as a gift, don’t just run out there blind and
make a purchase! It matters where you get your
glassware and who personalizes them. With
poor quality glass from over seas suppliers,
badly executed decorating jobs and expensive
shipping and hidden fees, you really don’t
know what you are getting out there.
GLASSWARE MATTERS
The fact of the matter is that all glass is
not created equal and all decorating and
customization is not equal. You would
not go to a gas station for your wedding
flowers, or to the 7/11 for your
catering right? Both may have what
you’re looking for but you can
pretty much be assured the quality is going to
be poor! You’ll probably end up paying a hefty
price as well!
Zenan is the largest glassware decorator in Canada
and has been in the glassware business for over 25
years. Having the largest in-house inventory and
the most in-house decorating options allows for
price, quality and speed all at the same time.
Zenan only uses glassware from top European
and American manufacturers who are partners
in distribution. Decorating applications are the
latest in technology applied by professionals
and tested to stand up to rigorous restaurant
and hotel standards. Decorating and shipping
is all Canadian without any hidden costs or fees.
Giving personalized glasses as wedding gifts
is a great idea, it will leave a lasting impression
and memory, and can easily be affordable within
most budgets. Make sure you get your glassware
and customization from a well-known, recognized
company. Make sure you are smiling on your
wedding day proud of your gifts, instead of
worried about the quality of what’s in the box.
Wishing you one of the most special days of
your life.
WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOM WEDDING GLASSES….CHOICE MATTERSWritten by Zenan Glass
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Veriation Music
Veriation Music
DECIDING ON A WEDDING DRESS BUDGETWritten by Sherry’s Bridal Boutique
For some brides, the most exciting part of planning a wedding is the
opportunity to try on wedding dresses. However, choosing a wedding dress can
also be overwhelming. With all the different styles, fabrics, details, necklines,
silhouettes, and prices, it’s hard to know where to begin. This is where some
research comes in handy.
Once you have an idea of the cost for the different kinds of wedding dresses,
it’s time to decide on a budget. In most cases, the wedding dress is the most
important part of the wedding for the bride so knowing the budget before
trying on dresses will help avoid disappointment. The bridal consultant should
respect your budget and will limit what dresses she pulls for you to view. Avoid
the “Just try it” dress if it’s not in your price range. Trying on dresses outside
your budget can lead to heartbreak and confusion
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1) Who is paying? If a family member or someone
else is paying, be prepared to pay the difference if
you exceed the budget.
2) Accessories. Is the budget just for the dress or
the entire wedding attire e.g. veil, jewellery, shoes
etc.
3) Alterations. Wedding dresses are ordered by
using the designer size chart and unless you’re
buying a custom made dress, alterations will likely
be needed and are usually an additional cost.
4) Prioritize! Before crunching numbers, consider
how important your dress is compared to other
items on your budget checklist. This will help to
determine if the dress budget is finite or a bit
flexible. If your budget is flexible and you find
a dress that costs more, be prepared to sacrifice
another item from the wedding budget.
5) Be Practical. If you’re looking at expensive
designer dresses with all over embellishments be
prepared to pay for it.
6) Be Honest. Be honest with yourself, and with
your Bridal Consultant. If you have determined a
budget of $1500.00 with some flexibility, let your
consultant know.
Things to consider:
At Sherry’s Bridal, we want to give every bride the best experience possible
and knowing your budget will allow us to service you better. We offer a
wide range of styles and prices to fit any budget.
As a Bride, this is your once in a lifetime chance to have the day of your
dreams so stay true to yourself and you will look beautiful on your special
day whatever the budget! Happy Hunting!
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Written by Aristocrats Bows & Ties
THE DOS & DON’T OF WEARING A BOW TIE
Once dismissed as an accessory that only
Neil Hamilton, antique dealers, Harvard
professors and sadistic doctors can pull
off, bow ties have known a resurgence
in popularity in recent years that can
perhaps be traced back to Matt Smith’s
recurring phrase in Doctor Who - “Bow
ties are cool.” From professors and certain
children’s television personalities to
Gossip Girl characters, Swizz Beatz and
sports stars, bow ties are everywhere and
there is no denying that they are once
again in the mainstream. The challenge it
seems is to avoid looking old school and
instead look thoroughly right-now. This
is easier said than done, most guys have
no idea how to put together a ridiculously
sharp look with a bow tie yoked around
their neck.
Let’s see how it’s done.
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1. The material mattersGone are the days when bow ties used to be
made exclusively from shiny and silky materials.
Instead, the neckwear today is crafted from more
textural fabrics including selvage denim, flannels
and suiting wools as well as madras and straight
cotton, which are more appropriate come spring
and summer.
2. Don’t have to keep it black when it comes to formalwearFor formalwear, don’t think you can do it better
than guys, who for decades, have been rolling up
to the Emmys in satiny straight ties. Keep your
bow tie colorful and keep it slim but you can
opt for one in a cotton or wool to put together a
more contemporary look.
3. Know your bow tiesBow ties can be pre-tied, clip-on or self-tied.
Then they can be pointed, batwing or hourglass.
4. Wear your bow tie rightIf you want to dress down a bow tie, there is no
easier way to do it than ditching your suit jacket
and wearing leather instead. Alternatively you
can roll up your sleeves. To keep your bow tie
from making too much of a statement, mute
it. Make it complement your outfit rather than
standing out as a novelty piece.
5. Your bow tie does not always have to be perfect And finally, if you are tying your own bow tie,
don’t worry about a slightly floppy or off-kilter
finish. As long as it’s looking real and it’s working
for you, don’t sweat it.
There are plenty of times in a man’s life when
a bow tie can make a fashion statement or it’s
just appropriate. For those occasions, Aristocrats
Bows & Ties carries a large and timeless
assortment of bow ties made from exquisite
materials and designed to sit perfectly for just
UNDER $25.
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Written by M&L Fotographics
THE MODERN PERSONABLE GUESTBOOKToday’s newly engaged couples are taking time to enjoy the process
of planning the big day; from setting the date and picking the hall and
everything that goes with it. In the photography industry we have noticed
that more and more couples are putting tremendous thought and planning
into their engagement photo session. Which is why we not only include
them in our packages but encourage our clients to take advantage of the
session.
When it comes to the engagement session, the grander the better! They
often involve multiple locations as well as “costume changes”. They can
take place in a location that is special to the couple or somewhere new
to discover, or they can be as simple as a walk in the woods. We love this
trend! We love to create something special for our clients, memories to last
a lifetime!
Not to mention, this is fantastic practice for the wedding day! You are able
to spend time with your photographer, see how he or she works. Experience
what is involved in a professional photo shoot. The engagement session
is an important aspect of your whole wedding photography experience.
The couple also experiences what goes into posing for pictures and how
to relax enough so that those spontaneous photos happen. There is a lot
of preparation on the part of the photographer for your e-session. Getting
a thorough understanding of the client’s vision as well as giving our own
suggestions. The opportunity to be creative is important to us as well! We
want your engagement session to be a success! It is important to us that we
create the images that you have imagined and then some.
There is always a lot of laughter, once the little bit of nerves disappears,
during these sessions. An understanding between photographer and clients
that great photos are made through working together as a team emerges.
This leads to a better understanding about the photography process for the
wedding day. That posing for pictures is necessary but that there is also
enough time and opportunity for candid photos to happen. Couples need
a little guidance when it comes to taking formal photos, because posing
for a professional photographer is not something many of us do everyday!
With this move to more elaborate e-sessions our clients often complete the
experience by choosing to have us professionally create a guest book for
the wedding day. As a couple you have put so much time and energy into
your engagement session it makes perfect sense to create a guest book. Its
something that we take great pride in doing. The books are beautiful and
are a great way to preserve the fun of the engagement session. The photos
are fully edited and retouched. They are laid out in such a way that ample
room is left for your guests to sign the book and enjoy the photos. This also
allows the couple display the creativity of the engagement session to their
family and friends, as well as, a unique keepsake of their engagement. It’s a
little more fun than the old lined paper guestbook and feather pen!
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1. Search the InternetThese days the best place to start your search is the world wide web. Simply go to your preferred search engine and search for wedding DJs in your city, or the area where your wedding reception will be taking place.
2. Evaluate the resultsTake the time to look through their websites and social media pages. Things like a professional website, and active social media profiles should give you some insight into just how dedicated they are. These are the people who are going to put in the time and effort to make your wedding reception music everything you want it to be.
3. Look for experience, Testimonials & AwardsOnline directories like Wedding Wire, Event Source, as well as Facebook and Google+ offer clients a place to share their own experiences with their vendors. Digging around sites like these are the perfect way to get an unfiltered look at your potential DJ’s track record and simply cannot be overlooked.
4. Call the Most Professional Companies, or Inquire OnlineAfter going through the first 3 steps you’ll be able to narrow things down to a list of DJs with a professional online presence that is backed up by real life testimonials. It’s time to start inquiring. Call them, or if you prefer it, they should have an email option as well as a contact form available on their websites.
5. Have a Detailed Conversation With the Companies that Respond the FastestThis step is very important. Get on the phone with the people that get back to you quickly - with good, relevant information. Find out how long they have been in business, and how long they have been working weddings. Find out about their style of DJ’ing and if they are familiar with any ethnic traditions and music you may require. This will give you an idea of whether or not they are a good fit for you.
6. Ask for a QuoteNow that you know who you really like, ask them for a quote! With many wedding vendors this is the only way to save your date, protecting yourself from price increases and sold out dates. Be sure to discuss all of your needs for the day, for example ceremony music, MC duties, lighting etc. to make sure your quote covers everything you will need
7. Hire ThemBy this point one company will likely have stood out from the pack! If everything looks good be sure to hire the one you want before someone else does!
8. Have an Amazing WeddingMusic can make or break your reception so hiring the right DJ is essential when it comes to having an amazing wedding. Follow the first 7 steps, and step 8 is virtually guaranteed!
Written By: Maximum Music DJ Service
ESSENTIAL STEPS TO HIRING THE PERFECT WEDDING DJ8
A VENUEWITH A VIEW
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New name – same history and charm! Harding
Waterfront Estate is a historical property
surrounded by spectacular grounds. Overlooking
the picturesque waters of Lake Ontario and
bordering Joshua’s Creek, this enchanting estate
on the waterfront is the City of Mississauga’s
newest event venue. Rich with history and
charm, Holcim Waterfront Estate will be the ideal
location to wow your guests with our spectacular
menu offering and sweeping views.
The new name, Harding Waterfront Estate, is
named after Kathleen Harding (wife of Charles
Powell Bell), the estate’s longest resident. Bell
commissioned Bank of Canada architect Marani
Lawson to design the modern classical house
and coach house in 1937. He died shortly
thereafter, leaving Kathleen Harding the estate.
Harding remarried millionaire financier James
Arthur Gardiner.
Bell-Gardiner House, the property’s main
building, is a mansion rich with history and
charm. Its original characteristics remain intact
maintaining its vintage appeal, while its restored
features offer a modern classic atmosphere.
Harding House can accommodate up to 55 dinner
guests, while the estate’s outdoor property is
ideal for tented events of up to 200 guests.
Picture your next event in this beautifully
restored 1930s estate. The venue can
comfortably accommodate weddings, family
gatherings, outdoor garden events, socials,
festivals, picnics, corporate events, training
sessions and tented events on the lake.
For more information, please be sure to visit us
on-line at mississauga.ca/banquets or call 905-
615-3200 ext. 3311. For inquiries, please feel
free to email us at [email protected]
Harding Waterfront Estate
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TIPS FOR PLANNINGA STRESS FREE WEDDING
Congratulations, you’re engaged! Let the planning begin! Life is
hectic and busy enough as is, add on the responsibility and hassles
of planning a wedding and that’s enough to stress out any bride-to-
be and drive her bonkers.
Thankfully, there are a number of things you can consider employing
to help avoid this all too common pitfall. Here are a few tips to make
the journey as stress free as possible.
Written by Suzart Decor. Events. Flowers
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Look for “One Stop Shops”:Rather than shopping around for different
vendors for your bridal florals, centerpieces,
wedding décor, backdrops, rentals, invitations...
etc., look for a “one stop shop” and allow them
to become your one source for all your wedding
needs. These companies have wedding planners
and co-ordinators who help advise and plan
your wedding and will also execute all décor
details down to a “T”. All you have to do is
explain your vision for your dream day once,
and the company will create a cohesive design
that will make your fairy tale wedding a reality.
Not only will a “one stop shop” save you time
and energy, they will also become your one
point of contact going forward. One contact
means one contract; you don’t have to deal with
the messiness of several contracts, payments,
and coordinating details with several different
vendors, especially on the days approaching
your wedding and afterwards.
From a budgeting and cost point of view, a “one
stop shop” can help you stretch your dollar by
getting you a packaged deal, usually with lots
of free extras thrown in, rather than individual
costs from different vendors. Don’t forget that
with individual vendors, you will end up paying
several times for delivery, set up and tear down
fees. There’s a lot of money to be saved right
there by hiring a “one stop shop” to be your
main source for everything.
Delegate, Delegate, Delegate:It’s very tempting to want to take on everything
yourself. After all, it’s your wedding and you’re
the Bride, right? Unfortunately, that exact
attitude is what can get you exhausted and
emotionally drained long before your big day
arrives. Try to involve reliable people among
your family and friends to take on the smaller,
easier tasks – feel free to ask your bridal party
(they’re there for a reason!).
DIY’s are fun and add a personal touch to your
wedding. However, there are certain things that
should be left to a professional to take care
of. The most important and obvious are your
flowers. A professional floral designer is better
equipped professionally and has the experience
to know which flowers are in season, when to
order them, how to handle and care for them,
and how to arrange them properly to create a
beautiful arrangement. If you decide to take on
some projects, ask yourself if it’s really worth
it. By the time you visit 3 different stores and
pay full retail price for everything, you’ll be
spending more money than what it would cost a
professional to do.
Consider “Day of Coordination” Services:Every Bride and Groom wants to remember
the most memorable day of their lives. As the
Bride, instead of becoming the go to person in
case something goes wrong, do yourself a huge
favour and take that responsibility off your
shoulders by hiring a coordinator to handle all
the day of duties and details. It will take the
fuss and the worry out of having a smooth and
wrinkle free wedding. You’ll then be able to sit
back, relax and enjoy the wedding you’ve been
planning since you were a little girl.
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Veriation Music
Veriation Music
A NIGHT TO REMEMBERPicture this. Your wedding day has finally arrived.
You’ve walked down the aisle, said your vows
and smiled for the camera enough to make your
cheeks hurt. Dinner has been served, the most
heartfelt speeches have been shared and your
first dance was everything you imagined it would
be. But now that the formalities are through, it’s
time for the party to begin! Time for the DJ to get
everyone on the dance floor and make sure they
have a night to remember.
Now tell us, what do you see? Because when
it comes to entertainment and hiring a DJ that
is the moment you need to imagine. That is the
atmosphere you want them to create.
So how do you choose the right DJ for you?
Let’s take a look at the most commonly asked
question...
discuss music selection, lighting and special
effects so they know what type of party to arrange.
Your DJ will be selected from their roster based
on language preference, music genre, location,
etc. They’ll be familiar with your venue to ensure
a smooth set up and liability insurance will be
provided. You’ll find plenty of reviews online
and through social media. They own state-of-the-
art equipment and are the in-house AV provider
for many venues. They offer DJs, MCs and live
entertainment such as violinists, aerialists, and
saxophonists to compliment your evening. But
most importantly, they’re able to read a crowd.
They know how to get people out of their seats
and onto the dance floor.
So image your special day right up to the moment
that the party begins and make sure you choose a
DJ company who can give your guests a night to
remember.
Why are some DJ companies so expensive?
My friend knows a guy who will DJ my wedding
for $500?
We’ve all heard the saying, “you get what you pay
for”, and it applies to your wedding entertainment
as well. Your average $500 DJ is someone who
asks for the date, time & location and just shows
up. There is no sit down before the event and no
selecting your music because it’s all pre-recorded
on an iPod. He’ll bring two speakers (that he keeps
in his basement) and be ready to go in under 10
minutes. Just hope he doesn’t get sick (or get a
better paying gig), because he’s just might not
show up. Ask your venue how many times that
has happened over the years.
However, a professional DJ company will be with
you every step of the way. A deposit is required
with a signed contract detailing your event. You’ll
meet at the venue or their office where you’ll
Written by The DJ Emporium
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Written by G Pinto
A PIONEER IN THE INDUSTRY…MAKING YOUR SPECIAL DAY - EXTRA SPECIAL!I started playing for weddings at the age of 12.
I was an altar boy at St. Ann’s church in Hamilton who also played violin at
mass. While my mother sang in the front pew, my dad directed the choir and
my two sisters provided accompaniment on the piano/organ, I was asked by
brides and grooms to perform for their weddings when they heard me play.
And I did – and I loved it! Today, I still get asked to play for weddings….and
you know what? …I still love it!
My musical talent has grown, resulting in a larger mix of venues, types of
events and locations – including international and destination locations.
My repertoire and presentation has also increased/expanded (Rock, Hip
Hop, R&B, Funk, Soul, Classical, Top 40, Country, Ethnic songs) – but it’s the
same ol’ violin. Experience the versatility of G Pinto!
A wedding is no doubt a significant and memorable day in a person’s life.
Not just for the bride and groom but for all in attendance. Of course you
need to take care of the basics first. For some, entertainment is priority! Is
it yours? If so, there are many options to choose from.
In the end, it is a personal choice and many factors are taken into account.
Some of these factors are musical tastes, ethnic backgrounds, musical
genres, type of artist(s) and their skill, reputation, etc.
With thousands of performances and decades of experience under my belt,
I feel honoured to continue to be considered to enhance a bridal couple’s
special day! A wedding is truly a joyous event. With friends and family
under one roof, there is no better place to feed off the positive energy –
which only enhances my presentation!
Keep it classy - whether it’s Dinner Entertainment, Ceremony, Cocktail Hour/
Receiving Line or Late Night Performance. I am a passionate individual,
dedicated to my industry and craft - and will do all I can to leave behind a
unique, memorable, musical performance for everyone to remember.
Visit www.gpinto.com for more information, news, pics, bio, videos, testimonials, etc.
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Written by Cathy McCulloch, Gatto Flowers
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLORAL DESIGNER FOR YOUR WEDDING DAYCongratulations! You are engaged! As a recently engaged couple, there are priorities of what needs to be reserved first. Usually it’s the ceremony and the hall! But once those are booked, what’s next?? Honeymoon, music, limo? Where does wedding flowers and décor fit in the order of priorities? For some it’s the top of the list. The vision you imagine is created with the colours, décor and ambiance you choose for your perfect day. The right floral designer will ensure that the vision you imagine will come to life. Every floral designer is different and deciding what makes that difference from one to the other should be more than just price.
How to choose your Floral DesignerA Floral Designer needs to see your vision. They need to be able to bring the perfect flowers, colours and style to bring that vision to life. If you know exactly what you want down to every detail, your designer needs to make you feel confident that they know how to bring it to reality. But more than that, does your designer work with you to suggest ideas? Guide you on the right flowers and how to make your day exquisite with simple things to add like candle light or rose petals. Once you find the right designer, you will feel confident that your vision is clear and will be perfect on your day.To ensure that you get exactly what you want you, being prepared before going to a floral appointment will help the process and define the conversation.Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Budget:Knowing how much you want to spend on flowers and decor will help guide your designer on what flowers and options will fit into your budget. Be sure you understand how many centrepieces you will need, for instance, as this will factor in the overall budget. Knowing that there are different prices for different styles will also play a factor. Being flexible with how much you have versus what you want is very important. This is where your designer can help. Staying within your vision with a comfortable budget is what a great designer does best!
Theme: Having an idea of what colours or ideas you would like for your day will also help frame the conversation with your designer. Whether a rustic theme or simple and elegant, the more ideas you have, the better. Your designer needs to have a clear picture of your vision. Pictures or an idea board are a great help too!
Flowers:Knowing flowers and flower types is not necessary but it helps! If you are open to using any flowers that will give you the same look and feel to bring your designs together, than you can leave the trust into the florists’ hands to do what they do best. However, choosing specific flowers may be costly or may not be available on your wedding day, so that will be a factor in your overall budget.
Timing: When should you go see your designer? Once you have the hall and date and you have
decided on the budget and theme, go see your Floral Designer. Most florists have a minimum of 3 months prior but like many Halls, couples usually book a year in advance to save the date and start paying for their dream day. The sooner the better! When you have found that perfect designer ...book them immediately! Don’t leave this part up to chance!
So you’ve decided on your theme and budget and you have received some floral quotes and met with different designers, how do you decide?
Make sure you are comparing Flowers to Flowers:The type of flowers you choose definitely impacts the overall cost of flowers. In addition, compare the amount of flowers and the quality of the designs. Many Floral companies charge you for each stem of flower included. Whether the bouquet or centerpiece looks full or what you envision, they will only add what has been paid for or they may add more filler like greens or a cheaper flowers to make the centerpiece look fuller as it is more cost effective. So while one quote might be less expensive than another, the finished product may not be exactly what you are looking for.
Lasting Impression:After leaving your floral designer you should have a feeling. If it’s the right one, you will feel confident that the designer sees your vision. They will get you excited and be excited themselves to be able to bring to life your dream day. Flowers add so much beauty to the wedding day.
Whether it is the bridal bouquet, decorations or reception décor, they leave a lasting impression on you and your guests. This is what stands out throughout the whole evening and will create the ambiance for the night. Whether you choose small and simple arrangements or tall, extravagant ones, they both achieve the bride and grooms vision for their day. Only your floral designer can make that vision come true!
The Gatto Flowers Difference:Our goal is simple. Give customers more than they expect. Every detail matters and all the little touches turn the day into perfection. Our over 30 years of experience allows us the ability to secure excellent quality product and the variety that will make your day unique. In addition, our difference is clear. We will make it just as you envision it. So if we find that an extra flower will bring the colour out more or will complete a centrepiece, we will add it so that it is perfect. We don’t have any hidden costs and will show you the costs breakdown right from the start. Plus, we add those special touches that make the day even better. And we work closely with you every step of the way to ensure we have the right look and will create a sample for you to make sure we get it right. But, don’t take our word for it. Visit our website atwww.gattoflowers.ca and see what our customers have to say about us. Our passion is wedding and our goal is to exceed your expectations. Let Gatto Flowers make the difference.To book a free no obligation floral consultation, call us at 905-670-0636or email us [email protected]
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C
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CM
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CMY
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WEDDING TRENDSAnother year is coming to an end. We have seen many brides and grooms tie the knot this year. Starting with only imagination, Creations by Gitta,
entertain ideas and formulate events that are a manifestation of our clients’ dreams.
Today’s brides are particular and have done considerable amount of research by they time we meet. We show brides choices, and making suggestions to
further emulate the look they want to achieve. We enjoy creating and rising to the challenge.
Florals and decor have become eclectic, deriving ideas, style, and taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. We meet with brides that want the
glitter of gold and crystals,
brides that want to be contemporary and on the edge and brides with organic and natural styles. This year blush and cream continued to lead the way as
the most popular choice of colors. In the year to come, we see blush hues being paired with the trending color Merlot. We see textures, variety of flowers,
elegant greens to soften and define the design. As crystal and glass dominate as best display elements, transparency of the glass and twinkling of candle
light enhance the setting and create the ambiance.
Bouquets are loose, carefree and flowing, personalized compositions that are an expression of their individuality. The focus at receptions is the headtable,
as sweetheart settings make a statement with the use of glass and acrylic tables draped in flowers, backdrops that sparkle, personalized with arbours and
specialty lighting to turn heads toward the elegant couples. Family tables are more visible, being enhanced and becoming a greater presence.
CBG Events strives to bedazzle our brides, assisting them with multiple aspects of the wedding. From ceremony to reception our brides deserve perfection!
“Thank you so much for making our dreams come to life! I have never in my life walked into a room and felt such chills!
The decor, flowers, draping and backdrop were absolutely breathtaking, I simply cannot put into words how happy and overjoyed we
are with everything.” LN
Written by Creations By Gitta
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Written by Amanda-Lina’s Sposa
A BRIDAL STORE THAT OFFERS MORE
Sam and Rachelle are husband and wife team that started this business together in May 1995.
Sam had worked in the retail industry with his parents when they had their store called Lina’s Boutique on Weston Road and Lawrence. He joined them in 1979 and over the years of expansion he gained in depth knowledge of fashion and retail management experience.
Rachelle graduated from Sheridan College specializing in fashion technique and design.Amanda-Lina’s Sposa combines luxury with cutting edge style. Sam and Rachelle together travel and explore new fashion trends around the world, selecting the designs for each season in bridal, evening wear and prom.
Our strength as people cover all facets of retail and offer the bride a vast selection of some of the most popular bridal, evening wear, prom brands in the marketplace today.
Rachelle’s expertise in customizing bridal gowns and eveningwear is an asset. We
can sell most brands with changes.Our site offers online shopping competing with prices posted on any U.S. site. Dollar conversion, duty and taxes along with delivery do apply. This is an extension of the vast array of products available to you that is not part of our current inventory in the marketplace.
Whether you shop online or in store you are guaranteed to receive diligent service and quality products. You will benefit from the advice of our experienced fashion and bridal consultants, who know how to match a body type with a particular style to enhance your beauty. As part of the exceptional service at Amanda-Lina’s Sposa you have the option of customized changes with some designer brands.
Many customers have commented on the depth of our inventory and that we have the biggest selection in bridal and evening wear.
In 2017 We are expanding our premises to serve you better, by providing more change rooms, larger fitting area for alteration, more product lines,all right next door.
Amanda-Lina’s Sposa is proud to be home of
SAY YES TO THE DRESS CANADA for the second
consecutive season!
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Written by Alderlea
FINDING AN INTIMATE WEDDING VENUEPlanning a small to mid-size wedding? Trimming down the scale of your celebration can be a great way to make your budget stretch farther, ensure you can spend more time visiting with your guests, and allows you to personalize the experience.
While a smaller guest list does cut down the workload and the expense, the event still requires careful planning to ensure the day is as you envisioned it. One of the first and most important decisions in any wedding plan is the venue. The costs of the venue and catering are usually the biggest portion of any wedding budget, so price is an important factor. Plus, your choice of venue sets the tone for the whole event – a beach wedding has a very different feel than one in a convention centre. Whether you are going for a rustic experience in a converted barn, or the classic elegance of a historic mansion, choosing your venue takes careful consideration.
Keep it cozyMake sure the scale of your venue is suited to the number of guests. Hosting a small gathering in an empty, echoing warehouse seems mismatched. An intimate wedding allows more flexibility in terms of the types of venues you can consider, but you could come up against minimum guest requirements, or being offered a smaller, less desirable space in a larger venue. You may begin to feel like Goldilocks, trying to find a room that is not too big or too small, but just right.Look for venues that don’t require a minimum number of guests, and where the space can be configured to compliment the intimacy of your wedding.
A private spaceIf you’ve made the decision to host an intimate gathering, it is probably important to you to have a private space for yourself and your guests. Rather than bumping into other wedding parties in the halls and washrooms, your venue should feel like an oasis where everyone can relax and feel at home. The historic mansion, Alderlea, for example, is a hidden gem in downtown Brampton where privacy rules. Wedding bookings have exclusive use of the entire venue for the full day. Plus, the upper level is reserved for the wedding party as a quiet spot to prepare, reflect, and enjoy a moment to themselves on what can be a busy, hectic day.
Control costs A smaller guest list is a great way to keep costs down for budget-conscious couples. Reducing the number of people brings down the “per head” cost of food and drink, and allows you to select a smaller, usually less expensive, venue. Freeing up this space in your budget can allow you to spend a bit more on personal touches, décor, or your honeymoon.Venues often have different rates for off-peak seasons or certain days of the week. A mid-week wedding is a great option at Alderlea, where full-day rental rates start at just $600 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
You’re not aloneSometimes brides-to-be take on too much of the event planning responsibility. Especially if you’re planning a more intimate wedding, you may underestimate the amount of work required and end up stretching yourself too thin. Your wedding day should be joyful, not stressful.
Take advantage of the event planning services your venue may offer. Caterers can assist with more than just the food, coordinating rentals, décor, and music on your behalf. Alderlea’s preferred caterers will look after all the details for you, planning your event from start to finish.
The all-in-one optionA lot has to happen on your wedding day. The bride and groom and the wedding party need to dress and prepare, the official ceremony takes place, photos are taken, and the reception follows. For many couples, each portion of the day occurs in a different location. This means driving, delays, and added stress. Many couples these days are opting for an all-in-one venue option.
Consider a venue that offers a private space to prepare, a room for the ceremony, a beautiful backdrop for your photos, and a luxurious reception area, all in one stunning location.
Alderlea is a great option for couples in the Greater Toronto Area, looking for privacy, elegant surroundings and impeccable services. This beautifully restored 19th century mansion can accommodate up to 85 people plus a head table for a sit-down meal, or 120 for stand-up or theatre-style events, with no minimum number of guests. Relax and enjoy your special day with your dearest family and friends in one convenient, comfortable, and gorgeous venue.
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HERE COMES THE BRIDEWritten by Sharleez concepts
Our dream is to provide a wedding gown for the modern woman, creating
a dress to reflect her wedding vision and express her unique personality
and sense of style.
At Sharleez Bridal, we design and create sophisticated and unique bridal
collection to suit all weddings: traditional, modern, cultural, the list goes
on. Each dress is made from the best materials, including bridal silks,
vintage laces, embroidered organza and hand-crafted beading. Whatever
style of bridal gown you choose, it is sure to add a touch of radiance to
your wedding!
The Sharleez Bridal team has our own production line and ensure on-
time delivery in addition to our exceptional quality. Our team produces
magnificent gowns that appeal to any woman’s taste, from traditional to
couture – and everything in between.
THE COLLECTION
The exclusive collection, released to the public
annually, is the perfect look book of the newest
gowns. Each dress is created with different
types of women in mind, allowing any woman
to find what she is looking for. In addition to the
dresses shown in the collection, each dress is
customizable to accommodate whatever it is
the bride is looking for. This customization is
discussed in the free one on one consultation.
60 Salem Rd. S. Ajax. ON L1S 7J3 • 905-239-9950 • www.sharleezconcept.com • [email protected]
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Written by Total Advantage Travel & Tours
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING
Destination Weddings can be incredibly affordable because your Travel Agent will shop around, negotiate on your behalf, to get the best group rates possible. This means your group will stay at a very nice, well-researched resort and pay less than if they had booked it themselves.
Because you’ll be booking as a group, you can ensure that everyone stays at the same wonderful resort, pays the same discounted group rate and travels together on the same planes. This makes it much easier for the nervous first-time or infrequent travellers on your guest list.
Destination Weddings are the perfect way for both of your families to get to know each other. A low-stress environment in an idyllic setting is perfect place to form new acquaintances and to build long-lasting new bonds.
Many families see Destination Weddings as an opportunity to reconnect with family members living abroad rather than travelling all the way to Canada for a few days for your wedding, your relatives can spend their vacation in a beautiful destination, reunited with relatives whom they may not have seen in years!
With Destination Weddings, you don’t have to limit your guest list. In fact, the more people who go to your Destination Wedding often means a LESS expensive trip for everyone, as larger groups often mean lower rates for everyone. So go head, invite everybody! Nobody’s feelings will get hurt.
Destination Weddings extend your special day into an entire week! Instead of rushing through the day on a tight schedule, you get to actually spend quality time with the people who
matter in your life. You can schedule a welcome reception, host special meals or excursions with your guests, plan games and activities, or even enjoy a bachelor/bachelorette evening on the night before the wedding, Your entire group will dine, play, laugh and relax together, in a way they never could during a conventional, single-day local wedding.
And since you’re already out there, it’s very easy and affordable to add a Honeymoon to your wedding. You can simply extend your and your fiancées stay, after your guests have returned home. Your family and friends, having witnessed your wedding, will leave you together as a married couple. By that time, you’ve explored the property, and you already have your favorite spots. If you’d rather go somewhere else for your Honeymoon, you’re already close to an endless number of options.
With all of the planning, costs, limitations and emotions, planning a traditional wedding can become stressful and expensive.
Have you considered a Destination Wedding?
Total Advantage Travel specializes in Destination Weddings. You will be paired up with your very own Dedicated Destination Wedding Specialist, who will be with you every step of the way, from negotiating rates with resorts and assigning seats on the plane, to helping you order custom gifts and arrange special events for your group.Total Advantage Travel will work to make your Destination Wedding fun, stress-free, memorable and affordable for everyone on your guest list!
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THE LIMO EXPERIENCE
Without a reputable limousine service your day could be ruined! Every bride should make her grand entrances on time and with class, in a luxurious limousine. Enjoy the company of your entire wedding party, rather than risk them getting lost in their individual cars or delayed looking for parking, especially during the photo session. Driving yourself or taking a cab on your wedding day is just wrong! This is the most elegant day of your life; do it right. Is this not the day that you deserve some pampering and luxury? Live your big moments in life to the fullest! As stressful as it’s been leading up to the BIG DAY, the day itself should be stress free, and having a chauffeur escort you around in a luxurious limousine is definitely a stress reliever. Sit back and celebrate this beautiful moment that you worked so hard to create, along with those that mean the most to you. The limousine experience is a special treat not only for yourselves but for those in your party, and possibly your parents and family members.
After all the festivities, it’s our job to return you home safely. Never risk driving impaired or having to give that job to a family member or friend that was lining up shots at the bar a few hours prior. And never end your elegant day by hopping into a dirty cab or an Uber; really- on your wedding? You want a sober, professional driver taking you to your bridal suite safely in a classy vehicle, not a cab or his family car taking directions from his cell phone. This final ride is a nice moment to enjoy by yourselves as it is probably the 1st time alone as husband and wife; soak it all in.
However, be sure to choose a reputable company. One that actually owns a fleet of limos so you get exactly what you choose. Avoid brokers as they can surprise you on your day with a totally different limo; usually not to your liking! Go see the limos in person and get a feel for the company and staff. Typically your gut feeling will give you all the answers you need. A good limo company will not only have good reviews on line but they will be referred to you by various other wedding vendors. You will get what you pay for, therefore if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is! Your wedding limo is not something that should be booked because of a good bargain! This should be a researched choice of which company provides the highest quality at a rate that is reasonable based on your budget. But to secure a reputable limo service you need to book well in advance, 10-12 months prior to your wedding date. Do not wait and risk on settling with an inexperienced company that will not accommodate your needs.
Written by A Celebrity Limousine Service
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Written by Acapella
MADE TO MEASURE SUITS- “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW”
How long does it take to make a suit, a shirt?
For suits and tuxedos it takes about 3 weeks, sometimes less,
sometimes one week more. There is a blackout period for
summer and winter holidays where it takes 6 weeks to receive.
Shirts normally take 2 weeks.
When should I come in to get measured for my wedding suit?
We always tell people the sooner, the better. The reason is
that if you leave it to the last minute or last month before the
wedding, it will cause you stress, not knowing how it looks like
or feels like. Normally, grooms come to see us 3 to 12 months
before their wedding for their first appointment. Also, it will be
one more thing you can check off from your wedding list. I’m
planning on losing some weight or I’m planning on hitting the
gym and gaining muscle.
Should I wait to come in just before my wedding?
Again, we prefer you come in earlier for all the reasons given
in the previous answer. On top of that, you can gain or lose up
to 20 pounds and we can make adjustments to the fit of the
suit without affecting the balance of the garment. We always
suggest that you come back in to see us 2 weeks before the
wedding so we can give the suit a professional pressing and see
if any adjustments need to be made. free of charge
If I get a custom suit and my groomsmen don’t, won’t that look
funny?
The answer is No. Our goal is that the groom is the best dressed
man at your wedding. For all the years that you will be looking
at your wedding photos, it makes sense. The groomsmen are
there to show their support and stand by you but this is your
wedding. We can offer custom for the groomsmen or ready
made suits at better prices or even rentals. If the gentlemen
have a budget we will work with it
Our Made to Measure program offers clients the finest European Woolens, hand crafted here in Canada. Creating unique garments specified to your body type for your own custom look.The most often asked questions we receive about custom suits and weddings:
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Written by Best Wedding Backdrops
HOW TO INCORPORATE MODERN & UNIQUE DÉCORWITHOUT BLOWING YOUR BUDGET
Décor is an important element of your wedding day – it sets the tone for your celebration and is a reflection of your personality as individuals and as a couple.
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Décor is an important element of your wedding
day – it sets the tone for your celebration and is a
reflection of your personality as individuals and
as a couple.
However, décor is often one area where budget-
conscious brides go with the bare necessities
such as center pieces and a bit of head table
décor, or they turn to time-consuming DIY
projects.
How do you keep up with décor trends and stay on budget?
We loved Kim & Kanye’s flower backdrop in
their famous wedding photo – it was the perfect
example modern, elegant décor and it’s now
one of the hottest wedding décor trends. Plus, it
makes the perfect backdrop for wedding party &
wedding guest photos.
Creating a flower wall for your event, however, is
not such an easy task – not only is it expensive,
but it’s difficult to create, even for the most
committed DIY-ers out there!
And what about the head table backdrop?
Aren’t we all sick of seeing the standard venue-
supplied drapery? Don’t we all want something
that is more unique, and representative of our
personality?
Introducing Best Wedding Backdops – offering
printed graphic backdrops customized to your
personality and your wedding.
Take the stress out of DIY by renting a graphic print
backdrop such as a flower wall or modern pattern.
Incorporate a unique, one-of-a-kind head
table backdrop – ditch the drapery and print a
customized backdrop. We’ll help you design the
back drop and set it up at your venue, too!
Looking for a unique way for your photographer
to capture photos of your guests? We’ll provide
you with a personalized step-and-repeat graphic
for your guests to pose in front of. We’ll also
print a unique backdrop for your photo booth – a
much more unique and personalized option.
Anything you can imagine, we can design & print. Have we inspired you?
Visit us at www.bestweddingbackdrops.com
to view our rental options and our custom print
options. You want the wedding of your dreams,
and we want to help make that happen.
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written by Blazing Smile
TEETH WHITENING MYTHS
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Teeth Whitening Myth #1Tooth whitening harms the enamel
Teeth whitening treatments are absolutely safe
and do not harm the tooth enamel. Bleaching
opens the pores of the teeth and allows a
cleaning agent, usually peroxide, to get into the
inner structure and rid it of stains.
Teeth Whitening Myth #2Now that my teeth are lighter, I will never have
to do it again
The colour stability depends on every person’s
teeth unique mineral composition, how well you
clean your teeth, the frequency of consuming
foods and beverages that stain, and if you smoke.
The use of an after care product such as Blazing
Smile’s take home kit will protect you from
everyday staining and even enhance your results.
Teeth Whitening Myth #3To obtain satisfactory results, you have to visit a
dentist
This was in the past. Today, you can obtain
professional teeth whitening treatments without
too much of a hassle in the convenience of your
own home. Our dental hygienists are well trained
and have thorough knowledge about the science
of teeth whitening.
Teeth Whitening Myth #4I will look like a movie star after my treatment
Unfortunately, some people have unrealistic
expectations and can be disappointed as they see
celebrities on TV and in magazines and believe
that they can get their teeth whitened to look the
same. When you see actors on TV and in magazines
with extremely white teeth, rest assured that it’s
either Photoshop or porcelain veneers.
Teeth Whitening Myth #5If you have sensitive teeth, you should skip tooth
whitening.
You really don’t have to. Some people may
experience slight tooth sensitivity within the 24-
48 hours after treatment, although this is virtually
eliminated with the use of our ‘power swabs’ and
desensitizing gel prior to whitening. For those with
extra sensitive teeth, non-peroxide treatments are
also available.
Teeth Whitening Myth #6The laser used in tooth whitening is dangerous.
It’s technically not a laser. It’s a LED light that
activates the bleaching products and helps them
penetrate the teeth. This is why with our 1 hour
treatment, you can see results that are as good as 2
weeks of traditional tray bleaching.
Teeth Whitening Myth #7You can never drink coffee or wine again.
We recommend avoiding staining foods and
drinks such as red wine, coffee, tea, orange juice,
soy sauce, and chocolate for 24-48 hours after a
whitening treatment. If you must drink coffee, try
adding lots of milk and drinking through a straw
to minimize contact with your teeth.
Teeth Whitening Myth #8Tooth whitening works for everyone.
Everyone’s teeth darken with age - not just from
coffee and wine, but also because over time some
people’s teeth tend to yellow while others get
more gray. Our products work best on yellow
and some brown stains. They generally do not
improve grayish color, which usually comes from
taking the antibiotic tetracycline, or fluorosis
(ingestion of too much fluoride). As a general
rule, anyone with gum disease, damaged teeth,
restorations, exposed roots, or incomplete dental
work should not attempt a whitening process
until those problems are fixed.
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WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING TIPS
You have said “yes” to that special someone, now you want to “say yes” to the perfect dress, but where do
you start? Here are some tips for gown shopping.
Written by Bliss Bridal Boutique
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Why book an appointment?First thing you should do when you decide to go
gown shopping is to book an appointment. Gown
shopping should be a wonderful, memorable
experience and by booking an appointment you
will have an hour to an hour and a half of personal
attention from a trained professional.
Your consultant will take the time to learn a little
about you and your wedding details. The time
of year, location of the ceremony and reception,
your personal style and vision for the day as well
as you budget, all play a part in the style and
detailing of the gown. Some brides know exactly
what they are looking for but many brides have
no idea where to start and can feel overwhelmed,
the bridal consultant will help you choose and
narrow down selections to find that perfect gown.
Should I set a budget?You should always determine a budget for your
gown before you go shopping so that you feel
comfortable that you can fall in love with a
gown that you can afford. Be aware that trying
something on “just for fun” can sometimes result
in disappointment or regret. The perfect gown is
out there for any budget.
Who should I bring with me?Bring people with you to the appointment whose
opinion you truly value and whom you want
to be there when you find the gown you love.
Bringing too many people can sometimes result
in confusion and frustration when there are too
many opinions and the bride does not remain the
main focus.
Be open to suggestions.If you are like me you like to touch and feel fabrics
and browse through a selection of gowns. I would
encourage you to pick a few gowns that you
love the look of but also be open to a consultant
making some selections for you. As professionals
they are familiar with the fit and styling of various
designers and can often choose a gown for you
that you would not have tried on but makes you
look and feel amazing.
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CONTEMPORARY WAYS TO ADD FLORALS TO YOUR WEDDINGNo matter the season or venue, fresh flowers are the ultimate must-have at every
wedding. From lush outdoor garden settings to indoor gala spaces, flowers add a
romantic ambience and luxury style to your special day.
From sizeable blooms, foliage and dazzling tabletop accents, Katherine Klaric is a
decorating maven that knows her way around flowers. With years of experience and
passion for design, she’ll curate the perfect floral attractions that’ll add ambience to
your space and wonderstruck your guests.
With every detail carefully planned, Katherine brings your vision to life. With her
extensive floral and interior design background she can envision colour styles and
palettes that will exceptionally set the scene of your dream wedding. From simple
arrangements paired with different styles of crystals to chic modern candelabras, her
masterpieces will match any theme and personal style.
To guide your ideas, Katherine lends her expert tips on the latest trends with exceptional
ways to incorporate modern floral design with contemporary decor to maintain a
timeless look for your big day.
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Fearless DesignBalancing your floral decor with your reception
setup can often be a burden. Having a style
decorator who can do both allows you to create
a space that ties itself together. If your venue
boasts a traditional French-style environment
opt for a classic, sophisticated theme. A white
monochromatic palette works well, especially
one that incorporates hints of pastels to create
a romantic mood. To maintain a vintage, yet
luxurious, vibe pair florals with alluring tall
tapered candles.
If your theme calls for a more modern approach
consider adding dainty details such as simple
crystals to dress your table settings and
reception space. Pairing crystal elements with
silver and gold metallics, such as table chargers,
will create a chic, trendy atmosphere.
Sizeable PiecesMore is better. From hanging flower chandeliers,
vine wrapped arches, cake swings and floor-
to-ceiling floral walls, many are leaning
towards theatrical decor. Celebrity inspired
and Instagram-ready, many floral fixtures
are becoming full-on art installations. With
these innovative uses for flowers and foliage,
Katherine has created showpieces that bring
elements of the outdoors inside by suspending
flowers in ways that make for stunning focal
points and great photo-ops. As weddings move
towards King-style table seatings, larger floral
features, such as large cherry blossom trees, will
compliment and dress those barren spaces.
Personalized TouchesWhen it comes to making your day feel special,
incorporate elements of things that hold meaning
to your heart. Perhaps it’s candles that remind
you of your first date or flowers reminiscent of
a vacation you took in Europe — either way set
a romantic, intimate mood that speaks to you.
A popular floral element couples are opting for
are monogrammed initials. Monograms in white,
gold or silver can be set upon stunning flower
walls or boxwood backgrounds to create focal
points at reception entrances and head tables
while transforming the space and making it your
own.
Unforgettable AccentsSometimes it’s the little things that matter. If
grand isn’t your style try incorporating modest
floral elements and finer decor details like
lanterns and candles that will sophisticate your
space and charm your guests. Consider adding
small decorative flowers and greenery to your
guests escort cards or on top of table chargers
and napkins to spice up your seating tables.
Replace traditional cake toppers with blooms
that refine presentation and adds texture to have
it serve as it’s own centrepiece. Don’t forget to
add floral facets to those forgotten places like
the pews at your ceremony, the getaway car or
the powder rooms at your reception — guests
really love the added touches.
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PER LUI’S GROOM’S GUIDE TO STANDING OUT
More often we’re seeing changes made to the grooms suit that is customized to his unique style and swagger. While the classic black suit isn’t gone forever,
more men are getting inspired from fresh, off-the- runway looks seen in Milan, Paris and London.
From non-traditional materials to floral patterns and pleats there’s so many ways to customize a suit and make it your own. But where does one begin?
For over 30 years Per Lui has specialized in mens fashion like no other. From casual to formal wear for every occasion, they’re experienced men’s style
aficionados. From made-to-measure suits and accessories their one-stop shop is dedicated to ensuring your groom and groomsmen look elegant and
wedding- ready.
From designer labels like Hugo Boss and Versace, the master style team at Per Lui has refined distinguishing a groom from his posse. From subtle to avant-
garde embellishments, the team lends a guide to finessing your ensemble that will set you apart:
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1. CustomizationPer Lui knows how to tailor a suit perfectly
to your body and style. If you’re in search of
something one- of-a-kind, where every detail
from jacket vents, lapel styles and high quality
wools are accounted, the Per Lui team can create
a sharp design of bespoke quality to make you
the gold standard of grooms.
Perhaps you already imagine yourself in one of
the designer getups Per Lui has to offer, they can
curate that suit for something more semi-custom
and made-to-measure. With their vast selection
of luxurious quality products you’ll stand out for
your “I do’s”.
2. Choosing Colour PalettesThe easiest way for a groom to set himself
apart is to sport a formal three-piece suit while
his groomsmen wear a two-piece. Playing with
colours, while keeping it monochromatic, also
works. A groom in dark grey compliments
groomsmen in lighter grey. If a groom wants to
remarkably stand out he can wear an entirely
different colour, such as navy, while the
groomsmen wear black.
3. Exceptional TiesEvery suit needs the perfect pairing tie. With
so many materials, colours and styles choosing
a different tie is a simple choice for distinction.
Your groomsmen can wear a classic black
while you opt for a formal bowtie, customized
by Per Lui, or you can have them compliment
the bridesmaids dress colour while you don
something more cohesive and monochromatic.
Either way, don’t fear playing with textures and
patterns.
4. Stylish FootwearNever undervalue the power of sleek footwear.
Per Lui knows how to dress your groom and
groomsmen
from head to toe! Don’t be afraid of fashion-
forward choices. From Chelsea-style boots,
baroque style oxfords, laceless buckled monks
or even velvet slip-ons the style setters at Per Lui
with their expertise and top-quality service will
make you feel confident, while looking dapper.
5. Elaborate CufflinksCufflinks are a great way to express your own
style while lending meaning behind it. From
something ornate that represents your love
for cars or sports to something memorable like
knots to represent “tying the knot” — you’re
snazzy accents will add panache to your suit.
Once it’s all over you can ditch your suit and tie
and start packing your honeymoon essentials —
from beach wear fit for your Caribbean getaway
or casual footwear for your strolls across
Europe’s stylish cities, Per Lui will have you
looking fashionable beyond your wedding day.
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SwimwearStyle Written By Delduca Swimwear
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Your wedding is one of the most memorable highlights of a lifetime. This is why at Del
Duca Swimwear we understand what it means to look and feel your best.
With quality design and intricate details, luxury is our specialty. We know when you feel
amazing you will automatically radiate that.
Thank you for making us a part of your special occasion.
Style Tips:- You should try various sizes other than what you think you would typically wear. It is not
about what the size on the tag says but rather more about the right fit.
- Strive to have a range of swimwear and resort wear in your wardrobe. Your photos
will be different and the integrity of the garment fibres behold greater longevity if you
maintain a mix.
- If you are planning on going through a physical change, it is recommended to shop
closer to your ideal fitness or physical goal achievement to ensure fit accuracy.
- Try a whole new approach to swimwear and turn it into an outfit!
For more info, visit www.delducaswimwear.com
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Things to consider when choosing your perfect wedding venue.
The choices available to host a wedding reception are endless; banquet halls, golf clubs, hotels, restaurants and even converted rustic barn spaces. So many venue options to choose from, it makes your head spin! Here are some things to think about when making your final selection.
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In-House Catering: A kitchen on site
almost guarantees great food. Look for a space
that employs a kitchen staff with an Executive
Chef whose business is FOOD!
Neutral Décor : in order for your décor to take
centre stage, the colours and textures in the
venue need to take a back seat. Look for light
taupe, grey, white walls with a carpet that
doesn’t scream CASINO! Eagles Nest boasts
light colours throughout the space with muted
carpets and wood accents.
Natural Light: Windows are key. Windows
not only allow natural light to brighten your
space, but they bring with them a feeling of
airiness that can not be created without them.
Each room at Eagles Nest features large windows
that flood the spaces with natural light.
Available Event Equipment: A
venue that can provide all that you need to
host a great party makes things so much easier
on the bride and groom. Tables, chairs, cutlery,
glassware, linen…. there is a lot to think about
if the venue does not own these items. Eagles
Nest carries all the necessary equipment that
you must have in order to host a great event.
A Generator: Yes, a generator. Without
power, your guests may go without food, or
music or air conditioning ,for that matter. Not
commonly found at venues, a generator will ease
your worst fears. Eagles Nest houses a generator
to ensure that regardless of a power outage , the
show will go on.
Grounds for Photos: Every bride
and groom wants that perfect picture. Look
for a venue that not only has beautiful indoor
backdrops but outdoor areas available as well.
Eagles Nest boasts a stunning indoor option as
well as unparalleled outdoor vistas complete
with views of the water.
Most importantly, make sure that you fall in love
with your venue! It’s like finding the perfect
partner, you will just KNOW.
Visit Eagles Nest and experience that knowing
feeling.
MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH MUSICWritten by Elena Musician
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They say Mom’s always know best and my
Mother said I showed all signs of being a
miniature performer from an early age. So at age
5 she purchased a violin and sent me to schools
dedicated to music in Russia for Piano, singing,
dancing, theory. I was her perfect little musical
angel and the entire family embraced my artsy
adventures from then on.
It was later in Dubai with businesses and
multi ethnic groups converging to grow that
magnificent city that I truly learned what it
meant to be a professional musician. From local
weddings, marriages for the many destination
seekers from around the world to special private
ceremonies in places that I could only dream of,
and many types of other events and celebrations
that led me to my career I embrace today.
I consider myself a renowned specialist live
entertainer. I work diligently to master 3
instruments and find unique ways to incorporate
them into Weddings and other events. My
specialties are electric and wireless harps,
glittering violins, and electric pianos in various
colors. A harp that seemingly floats across the
dance floor, a giant snow globe that I can stand
up and perform in and a LED luminated violin
combined with my glamorous evening attire
deliver that WOW spectacular guest experience
moment!
My style embracing Glitz and glamour is fun and
exciting and goes back to those traits my family
saw as a youngster. I love it! A bit of Vegas Pizazz
can be wonderful for your dinner, reception, and
the party with everyone celebrating your big
day. But…
A wedding ceremony is different. It can be full of
uncertainty and stress. This is the one moment
that the wedding musician must perform spot-
on. I take this responsibility very seriously with a
work ethic and supportive attitude towards you,
your family, friends and guests.
I love what I do and I’m blessed to be able to it. I
would love the privilege to meet you and make
your Wedding Day magical and memorable for
you and your guests!
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Written by Erinmills Limousines and Luxury Coaches
TIPS TO GET YOU LIMO READY!Getting ready to hire a limo service for your big day? Don’t do anything until you have read the following Top
Ten Tips for buyers of wedding limo services.
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1. Check that the limo company has a physical location. The absence of a physical location often means you are likely dealing with an unreliable, fly-by-night limo operator.
2. Confirm that the company has good reviews and a long track record. The sad truth is that limo companies come and go all the time -- and some disappear (along with your deposit) virtually overnight.
3. Make sure you are hiring a limo company that has its own vehicles and drivers, a must to ensure quality control. Don’t go with Brokers who sublet their bookings. They use whoever is available -- good or bad.
4. Visit the limo company location to check the condition of the limousines. Seeing is believing.
5. Does a person answer the phone when you call? Equally important, can you speak to a planner who can help you with scheduling and vehicle selection. (Make sure to book early, especially if you are planning to have your big day during the summer months when many weddings are booked.)
Your
Happily Ever After starts here...Make your special day extra special with an Erinmills Wedding Limousine Package.
416.994.9188 | www.erinmillslimo.com Why settle for a great limo, when what you want is
a great limousine experience?
“Everything was perfect. I will only use Erin Mills Limo and recommend it only to people who want the best customer service and quality. Thanks again for an unforgettable night.” Eno Loci, 1st Year Anniversary
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6. Can you save money by booking a complete package of limo services, including arranging transportation to pre and post wedding events? It is risky to book different limo services because there is increased risk of a disastrous mix-up.
7. Insist that you receive a written contract.
8. Ask whether the limousine service has limo buses, a must if you need to transport large groups of people.
9. Are the vehicle equipped with GPS? That is how top service providers ensure their drivers are on time -- an absolute must on a wedding day.
10. Confirm the company has proper insurance.
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Written By Jim Applebaum
A UNIQUE VENUE Make sure it’s right!
You’re looking for the right venue for your
wedding. You want it to be unique and
memorable. But before you decide that Machu
Picchu would be just the most perfect place,
there are some things you should consider.
Michael Chen, owner of Pathways on Pleasure
Valley, a western themed ranch and event venue
just northeast of Toronto, says there are several
things couples need to decide on before they
start to contact facilities.
“How much do you have to spend is the obvious
first question,” says Michael. “And next, how easy
is it for your family and friends to attend. Flying
to some exotic locale may sound romantic, but
it can cause financial stress for some of your
intended guests.”
Other often forgotten considerations are simple
things like parking, accessibility, capacity,
security. Traditional venues usually have these
covered, but for some unique venues, these
givens can be challenging. For example, if your
heart is set on an outdoor wedding, and its
pouring rain on your big day, is there an option
for you?
According to Michael Chen, “At Pathways, we
looked at what the basic requirements for a
wedding are, and we made sure we have those
covered. We have beautiful grounds, ample
parking, and we’re easy to get to. And we have
plenty of indoor space, as well as enough room
for large tent set-ups.”
Michael believes a unique venue should be a
canvas on which you can paint your ideal once-
in-a-lifetime wedding. “Couples come to us
with all kinds of ideas for their dream day,” says
Michael. “Our reaction is always, ‘We can make
that happen.’”
As a western themed ranch, Pathways
gives couples many options, and Michael is
enthusiastic about them. “Would you like the
groom to arrive on a beautiful white horse? We
can do that. Photos in a lush forest or on a sun-
lit hillside? We have that scenery right on our
property.”
When your looking at a unique venue, tell them
your vision, ask every question you can think of,
and be sure you’re happy with the answers they
give you. Walk the grounds or event space as if
you were a guest at your wedding. Does it feel
right to both of you? Is it a reflection of the love
you have for each other, and the interests you
share?
Michael Chen emphasizes that, “the Bride and
Groom are in control. Your unique venue should
be willing to work with you to create those
special moments for both you and your guests.
After all, it’s your day, not theirs. Be sure they can
deliver exactly what you want.”
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The Briars Resort and SPA will help in making your wedding dreams come
true. Plan the perfect wedding in the season that is best. Whether it’s a
beautiful Ontario summer ceremony or a dazzling winter experience in one
of our spacious banquet halls or a small simple elegant celebration, our
wedding coordinator will tailor your desires to meet your wishes.
Visit us online at www.briars.ca and view our wedding photo gallery; or
our incredible culinary menus to see how the Briars can help you celebrate
your special day. To arrange a personalized tour, email or call Alexis Hope at
[email protected] or call 800-465-2376 to plan your dream wedding.
TheBriars ResortWritten By The Briars Resort
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Written By Chanell Facey
Love at First Site...Inspection!
Congratulations!!! You’re getting married.
Now that all the screams of joy are out of your system and the family and
friends have been contacted its time to start planning. You’ve opted for fun
in the sun instead of the traditional hometown soirée. Spending a week
with loved ones in the sunshine is more appealing to you than the average
measly 3 minute per person at a homegrown wedding of 150 people. So
what happens next???
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Well a Love at First Site Inspection of course!
Think about it, if you were to get married at home
you would begin the process with checking out
venues to hold the big day. It is part of the fun
trying to decide which location best fits with
you and your guests’ needs. You would probably
need to make sure you do the following:
• Find a ceremony location
• Find a cocktail location
• Find a reception location
• Food tasting
• Drink tasting
So my next question is – If you would do it at
home, why wouldn’t you do it away? If your
wedding is going to be fun in the sun, then your
site inspections should be too, right?!?! Wedding
specialists and travel agents are wonderful, some
are even fantastic at matching couples with the
right resorts but this is your big day and maybe
you should have a little more say in such a huge
decision. Planning your happily ever after with
online reviews may not always work out in your
favour. However, if you have the opportunity to
spend a few days in your destination of choice
visiting some of its best wedding resorts, why
wouldn’t you do it?
The benefits are endless. Not only will you be
able to choose the best resort but you will have
a chance to meet the staff and know who you
will be spending the next year working with
planning your wedding. TRUST ME it makes a
huge difference when the wedding staff know
firsthand in person who their bride and groom
are. They always do a fantastic job but they
absolutely go the extra mile when they have
created a relationship with the couple.
Of course the most important part is the food
and drinks!!! It’s time for your inner food critic
to come out. Taste testing for a destination
wedding is much more important because your
guests will be eating the food all week long.
You want people to return home satisfied and
stuffed. Find the best bartender in the resort and
have him create a signature cocktail for you. Your
guests will love it when they return.
Make sure when your guests are all partied
out from your fantastic wedding day they have
relaxing rooms to return too. Check out the
rooms and suites so you are able to advise your
guests on which room category to book. Ocean
view or swim-up room – decisions, decisions...
It’s an easy choice, if you can do it – DO IT!!!Make
your decision process fun and easy. And if you
are still on the fence about it just think how
beautiful your tan will be in those engagement
pictures.
Written by Nottawasaga Resort
BENEFITS OF HOSTING A WEDDING AT AN ONTARIO RESORT
One of the most wonderful aspects of a destination wedding
is the opportunity for the bride, groom, their families and
friends to celebrate and spend time together. However,
it can have both its benefits and drawbacks, including a
greater expense for your loved ones. The good news is that
an affordable destination-style wedding can be experienced
without leaving the province!
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Resorts in Ontario offer couples exceptional all-season venues which are often tucked
into the quiet tranquility of the countryside. Many are known for their exceptional
hospitality, incredible natural surroundings and diverse interior settings making them a
fitting choice for all styles of weddings.
Planning your perfect wedding, whether you’re looking to host a grand ballroom affair or
a romantic intimate wedding reception, is easy as your special day is backed by a team of
professionals – knowledgeable wedding coordinators, talented chefs who skilfully select
and prepare gourmet menus, and expertly trained staff – who will handle every detail
of the preparation and set-up so that you can feel relaxed and enjoy your wedding day.
Just like with a destination wedding, a wedding at an Ontario resort promises to be
one that you and your guests will cherish. A one stop location for your ceremony and
reception, accommodations, indoor and outdoor amenities, spa services, beautiful
natural surroundings and more will ensure that you can plan an entire wedding weekend
with those closest to you and create a truly memorable experience that all guests will
remember for a lifetime.
At the Nottawasaga Resort we offer all of these services and so much more. For over
48 years we have been committed to providing our guests with uncompromised service,
exceptional facilities and a world-class resort ambience. The importance of your special
day is our prime focus and our professional team will work with you on all the fine details
to create your vision of a perfect wedding day or weekend. We invite you to visit us for a
personal tour to experience our beautiful and unique settings.
Visit us online at www.WedAtTheNott.com or call 800-669-5501 to learn more about the
Nottawasaga Resort.
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Visit our website for menus, packages and more!1036 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga, OntarioT: 905. 891. 7777
Visit online at www.oasisconvention.com
aTimeless Elegance, Inspired Menus, True Romance.
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Every bride and groom will remember their wedding fondly for the rest of their lives. But when you are choosing your venue, you need to set aside your rose-tinted glasses and think of your guests needs as well as your own.Often the goal of the reception is to send your friends and family home with some romantic, lasting memories and something to talk about! Everything from the look and style of the venue right down to the presentation and taste of the food (this is a biggie!) will leave a big impression on your guests. Let’s make sure it’s a positive one!
Your venue is the foundation for your whole event. This is why it is crucial to know what factors of your big day are the most important in choosing that venue! Quality service, experience and delicious food should be the most important factors in your search.Keep in mind that you can always add décor to a hall. Don’t let your emotions and lots of cool laser lights cloud your vision from seeing that the venue may be lacking in experience, is not accessible, or cannot meet the traditional demands you may require for your event.
Remember: You can always change décor. You cannot change experience and service.At Oasis Convention Centre, we pride ourselves on our 25+ years of amazing service and even more exceptional food (just ask our clients!). With us you are not just another number - you are family. We will work with you to create an amazing event for your guests that works within your budget (no matter what that budget is) that will leave a lasting impression on you and your guests for years to come.
Visit online at www.oasisconvention.com
aChoosing your venue
What is really important?
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“Yes!”to Keeping the Dress
A wedding dress is perhaps the most special garment you will
ever own. “The Dress” could be the very first gown you try at your
first fitting, or it could take you on a whirlwind adventure from
one bridal shop to the next, trying on everything from classic
ballgown to mermaid, lace to silk, crisp white to ivory (or even a
bright red!). It could be inspired by a family heirloom or even be
that heirloom that’s worn by one generation after another. The
gown is not only a beautiful article of clothing in and of itself, but
is also a focal point of the wedding as a whole, reflecting your
personality, taste, and simply put – you, the bride.
Written by Park Lane Cleaners
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So what happens to it after the wedding?
The dress is full of memories, perhaps even showing some
physical evidence – a splash of wine, a torn hem from dancing
up a storm, some grass stains, a smear of colour from your
bouquet. Every inch of it, a reminder of yet another moment
of the big day. Unfortunately, unless the dress comes out for
an anniversary or vow renewal, it only gets worn once and
is then in storage limbo while you decide what to do with
it next. Whether it becomes a new family heirloom or waits
to be worn by the next generation, the best storage solution
is not in the vacuum-sealed bag at the back of your closet,
but properly treated and preserved with the respect such a
valued piece of your history deserves.
To preserve your wedding dress properly, it is essential to
have it treated by a facility that specializes in this kind of
work. Your dress will be repaired by skilled technicians,
professionally cleaned using techniques specifically designed
to handle such a delicate and valuable item, and arranged in
a museum-grade box that will keep it safe from new damage,
fading, or other signs of ageing. To avoid any unpleasant
surprises that can come up if dealing with just any facility,
seek the expertise of a dry cleaner that specializes in this type
of gown preservation. As an added bonus, a dress preservation
done in an environmentally-friendly manner with fewer harsh
chemicals and a multitude of green technologies will have
you feeling great about every step of the process.
A BRIDE’S GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE PERFECT BRIDESMAID DRESS
Picking out your wedding dress is hard, but sometimes picking out the perfect bridesmaid’s dress can be even harder! There are a million different options to choose from and you have to make sure whatever you pick flatters all of your lovely bridesmaids! Basically, it’s a lot of pressure. But you don’t need to freak out or spend days scouring boutiques and websites or have your bridesmaids try on a 100 dresses because there are styles that flatter any body type.
Written by Pastel Dress
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ShapeA-line (or fit-and-flare) dresses are always are
good pick. They highlight the waist and skim over
the hips, giving the body a lovely hourglass shape.
Similarly, empire waist dresses create a similar
illusion, by lengthening the body and flow over
common trouble spots.
Details to Conceal Problem Areas Strategically placed ruching and wrap dresses
bring attention to the waist and create a slim
figure. The pleats also help hide tummies and hips
by flowing over those areas.
LengthFloor length dresses are a safe bet and generally
work for any body type. They elongate and slim
the silhouette and hide any insecurities that your
bridesmaids may have with their legs. However,
if you are having an outdoor wedding or beach
wedding, you’ll want to make sure that the dress is
hemmed to a length that doesn’t drag on ground.
Flattering Neckline The collar bone and décolleté is a universally
flattering area for all women, which is why the
sweetheart neckline works on all body types.
This ultra feminine neckline accentuates the bust
and opens up the décolleté area to draw the eye
upwards towards the face.
FabricsAnother tip is to avoid fabrics that cling to the body
such as jersey or silk. These fabrics highlight every
contour of your body and any undergarments, so it
may not be ideal for girls who are a bit more self-
conscious. Choosing a dress made out of chiffon or
tulle is much more forgiving since the fabric skims
the body.
There’s always customization! Sometimes the perfect bridesmaid dress that
flatters all your bridesmaids just isn’t out there. If
you’ve found a dress that works for most of your
bridesmaids or you just love, you can always make
small adjustments to the dress, such as adding
straps, adjusting the neckline or getting a made-
to-measure dress to for your bride squad. At
Pastel Dress Party, we can work with you and your
bridesmaids to customize your bridesmaid dresses
so that it works with your entire bridal party.
About Pastel Dress PartyPastel Dress Party is your one-stop shop for all
your bridesmaid needs. From perfect gifts for
your bridesmaid proposal, beautiful silk robes to
get ready the morning of your wedding, uniquely-
made bridesmaid dresses to all the party decor and
gifts you’ll need in between, we’re here for you
every step of the way!
HERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR:
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HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
The little details of your wedding day will pass you by in the blink of an eye. The flowers, the cake, the music selection will all become but a dream, but the photographs will make your wedding live on forever. Think about seeing your grandparents wedding photos for the first time. It is essential to have photos that match the perfection of your special day. Here are our tips to finding the perfect photographer and how to work with them to make beautiful, ever-lasting pieces of art that was once your wedding day.
Written by Jayne Peres, Piper Studios
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Start Planning
The earlier you start doing your research for
the perfect photographer the better. Look for
recommendations, browse websites, generally
get a sense of each photographer’s quality and
style while also make a budget.
Set up meetings
It is always best to get a feel for the
photographer or studio you are considering by
booking an appointment and meeting with the
team to discuss your needs for your big day.
You can’t judge a book by it’s cover, once you
have a short list of candidates whose work you
like in your price range meet them. You should
feel comfortable with the team that will be
shadowing you on your wedding day.
Compare
Never take the first offer. Photographers can
dazzle you but always shop around just to get
a look at what other options are available. Even
if you are 100% sure you are going with this
photographer(s), it doesn’t hurt to take a look at
what else is out there. Even if all it does is inspire
the style you’d like your photographs. Studios
are great for shopping around as they offer you
a selection of top photographers to choose from
all in one location.
Sign a contract
This is a big and important one, especially for the
money you are spending. You want to be sure
they can ensure they will be there on your special
day and that they have a backup photographer
free incase of an unforeseen situation.
Schedule an engagement shoot
This is your chance to feel out your photographer,
take it.
Make a list
Make a list of what you would like the
photographer to shoot. There is so much
happening on that day so to ensure you get
every special moment let them know.
Our last tips for you is to keep your head
up, smile and simply enjoy the day. Don’t
sweat the small stuff and allow your
photographer to make the magic you hired
them to create. At Piper Studios we offer
50 years of experience and have a 100%
guarantee that we will be there. While you
are shopping around come visit our studio
and see what we can offer you for your big
day. Why choose Piper Studios? We’re a
full studio that meets every budget and we
are always here to help.Call us today (905)
265-1555 to book an appointment.
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CHOOSING A RENOWNED TRANSPORTATION COMPANYWritten by Royal Touch Limousine
Our goal is to provide another 23 years of luxury
transportation service for your wedding, or any
other special occasion that you would like to plan.
We are an all occasion limousine service which
specializes primarily in weddings. Whether it
be an SUV for a small group of people, to an 8
passenger stretch limousine, 14 passenger Ford,
right up to a 24 passenger Hummer, choosing the
right vehicle will help you plan for you and your
guests. Making sure you and your guests arrive
in style and, most importantly, safety is our top
priority.
SAFETY FIRST Why take a chance after you have had a few
drinks when there is a vehicle only a few steps
away at the end of the evening to take you to
your destination and one less thing to worry
about!!! Make sure that the company you book
with is only doing your event. If they are double
booking, as a late night return you and your
spouse and your bridal party may be waiting
around at the end of the evening for the limo
to show up. This is significant because if times
change it’s no problem, the limo isn’t tied up
doing anything else. You should have the vehicle
to yourself for the time period that you booked.
Every company should have the proper licensing
and insurance. Limousine service helps promote
a safer atmosphere on the road and impaired
drivers off the street which saves lives and in my
opinion is priceless!!
THE CHEAPEST PRICE ISN’T ALWAYS THE BEST PRICE!!!The cheapest price isn’t always the best price for
your expectations. If someone is just quoting a
price then all you are is a number to them. As a
customer, we would want a clean limo inside and
out, professional driver and most importantly,
a SAFE limo and driver. Often times a company
will offer a “steal of a deal” but those deals are
usually too good to be true. Make sure that
the vehicle you book is the actual one you are
getting and not one that will be sub-contracted
to another company. It is customary to tip the
driver, like any restaurant or service, of 15 to 20
percent. Check to see which way each company
charges for that and take that into consideration
when making your budget. With new ride
sharing companies hitting the market, if you do
not have a pre-arranged service with a limousine
company, then you can be looking at hundreds
of dollars more with “Surge Pricing” that will
guarantee to surprise you when you are ready to
pay. Most companies should have a few different
options and packages and offer minimum 2 to 3
hour packages. It is always a good idea to have
arrangements for the end of the evening, too.
There’s nothing worse than when all of your
guests have left the venue and the bride and
groom are standing there with no transportation
to their hotel!!
BOOK EARLYWe suggest booking early, approximately 9-12
months in advance, for weddings. Specialty
vehicles like the Hummer Stretch does book a lot
sooner than regular limousines which are more
readily available, so doing some research and
making your decision early will save you a lot of
headache, and heartache after if you have your
heart set on a particular vehicle. This may be the
first time you or your parents or bridal party have
ever been in a limo so why not make it a lasting
impression. Our clients will enjoy our personal
royal touch with door to door service, comfort
and enjoyment of feeling pampered for any
special occasion while being chauffeured to and
from their destination.
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ADD SOMEWEDDING
SPARK TO YOUR CELEBRATION!
show, customized to your exact needs, while still staying
within your price range - an extravagance on any budget! If
fireworks do not fit your event, we offer a premium selection
of flying Wish Lanterns, Sparklers for your send off, Smoke
FX for photography, as well as Glow and L.E.D. to set the
mood and get the party going!
Fireworks are a unique way to surprise and
thrill your friends and family, creating vivid
memories that will last a lifetime! Most people
tend to view firework displays as a luxury
experience with a lavish price tag to match,
but now you can get an outstanding fireworks
Written by Rocket Fireworks Inc
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Some unique Wedding tips that are
trending now:For your wedding photos, use cold burning
smoke grenades in your theme colours to create
a fresh and exciting backdrop! Rocket.ca smoke
effects are extremely popular for photography
and the latest trend in wedding pics! Check out
our Instagram page, @rocket.ca, for examples.
Can’t use sparklers at your send-off? A popular
substitute for sparklers are glow sticks--
particularly 22” Glow Necklaces. These look
fantastic in pictures and give your guests
something fun to keep for the rest of the evening!
Wish Lanterns are an unforgettably beautiful
addition to any wedding and are a fun way for
guests to participate in the celebrations. A fun
trend is to use 1 red heart lantern for you and
your partner and then white lanterns for the
remainder of your guests. Each guest can write
a wish for either themselves or for you and your
partner’s future together. Watch your wishes
coalesce with the stars as they drift 1,000 feet
into the night sky.
Rocket.ca has been providing unique
entertainment solutions to brides and grooms
for over 10 years and takes pride in ensuring that
you receive exceptional products and service for
your special day. If you are unable to visit us in
person, we provide the convenience year-round,
online shopping and fast, reliable delivery
right to your door. Whether you are looking for
Glow and L.E.D. Party items and Décor, Wish
Lanterns, Wedding Sparklers or the most magical
Fireworks Displays in Canada, look no further
than Canada’s biggest and best: Rocket.ca
When searching for the perfect makeup look for your wedding many
brides look through countless photos on instagram or pinterest of Kim
Kardashian and many other celebrities, bringing a slew of photos to
their makeup trial. While it is important to hire a specialist to do your
wedding day makeup it is also important to consider how you want
to look on your wedding day and communicate those details to your
makeup artist. As a specialist in the wedding makeup industry with over
a decade of experience in Bridal, Susie Kanichis from SK Makeup Artistry
has put together a simple checklist to help the most particular brides
to the least particular uncover the perfect look for their wedding day.
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Written by SK Make-up Artistry
A BRIDES GUIDE TO PICKING THE PERFECT MAKEUP LOOK
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1. Know how you want to look. This question
might sound so simple but it’s important to ask
yourself how you really want to look on your
wedding day. You may have come across a killer
smoky eye look and want to try it on your big day
but you need to ask yourself if this look is right
for you. When you look back at your photos 10-
20 years from now is this how you want to look?
When you really think about this question you
will be able to narrow down the look that is truly
you.
2. What is your theme? It is important to
consider and communicate the theme of your
wedding to your makeup artist so that he/she
can continue your theme and help create a look
that is cohesive with the rest of your wedding.
Whether it’s a colour scheme or a rustic country
theme. Once you communicate that to your
artist, your artist can them create the perfect
wedding day makeup look for you and your
bridal party.
3. Trust the expert. It’s important to trust the
expert when it comes to the application and
positioning of your makeup. You may want an
all over glow, but your makeup artist knows that
an all over glow will reflect in photos and will
give you an oilier complexion throughout the
day. Trust your makeup artist and allow him or
her to strategically place the right amount of
makeup in the right places to give you the right
effect that will make you look your best while
achieving the effect you want.
4. Schedule hair and makeup trial together.
Scheduling your hair and makeup trial together
will allow you to see the entire look together
so that you are not second guessing yourself.
Seeing it together is like seeing the puzzle pieces
come together. It also doesn’t hurt to schedule
your dress fitting on the same day so you can see
the complete look.
5. Have a realistic approach. You may want to
look exactly like that picture of Jessica Alba
but it’s important to consider that the look you
want may look differently on you. Everyone has
different features and facial structures. The way
that one look may look on one person may not
be the same way it will look once it is placed on
you. Being open minded and flexible will allow
your makeup artist to tailor that same look to
suit you and your face. At the end of the day, ask
yourself do you want to look like someone else
on your wedding day or do you want to look like
you, but a better more glammed up version?
Communication with your makeup artist will allow you and your artist to build a great relationship together and bring your vision to life. Don’t expect your
makeup artist to read your mind. Most brides have a general idea of how they want to look on their big day. By providing your makeup artist with all the
details listed above and by hiring a professional you are sure to look and feel your best on your big day and admire your makeup in photos for years to come.
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Photo Booth 101– Before you strike a poseWritten by Sarah Ogborn – Soapbox Photo & Video Booths
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The popularity of photo booths at wedding
receptions is a trend that has some staying power.
Why is that? Because photo booths are a lot of fun!
Not only is it great entertainment for your guests,
they also get to take home a keepsake of your
wedding. Some companies will custom design your
print as part of their service, using monograms that
match your invitations and some even incorporate
your engagement photo in to the design. Throw
that in a pretty frame and you have the perfect
bonboniere.
There are many styles of photo booths on the
market from the made-at-home tent styles, to the
sleek modern automated versions. Open concept
booths are great for gathering large groups, and are
accessible to all your guests. Enclosed booths are
fantastic for offering the experience and private
feel of a traditional photo booth. Once you have
settled on a style of photo booth that you think
would best compliment the look of your wedding,
it’s time to take a look at what’s on the inside.
Opt for a booth with a DSLR camera over a webcam.
You will be guaranteed a much higher quality
photo, and clear, not-grainy printouts. A high
quality printer will print out clear crisp photos, and
most will give you the option of printing either a
4x6 print or 2- 2x6 strips.
Check out the reputation of the rental company
before you put down your deposit. A reputable
company will have been in business for years,
and should have the awards and online reviews to
prove it. Look for a full service company with all-
inclusive packages. Nobody likes surprises, make
sure you know what you are paying for ahead of
time so you don’t get charged for “extras” such as
props, delivery, on-site prints or photo downloads
after the fact.
With the variety of photo booths on the market,
you’ll find every company offers something a little
bit different. But I guarantee, there is a photo booth
out there for you!
Now get out there, grab a prop and strike a pose!
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Written by Cathy Sophies Gown Shoppe
SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR WEDDING GOWN SHOPPING SUCCESS!
Congratulations, you are getting
married!! With so many options
and decisions to make, there are
several things that you can do to
make your shopping experience
for the perfect dress a success.
First off, be sure to start early. Brides should give themselves at least eight months before their wedding date to find a bridal gown. At Sophie’s Gown Shoppe we have 100s and 100s of gowns available. Whether you choose to purchase an in-stock gown or custom order a specific size or colour, it is in your best interest to start early for the most flexibility and plenty of time for alterations.
Secondly, do some legwork ahead of time regarding how you want to look and what you want to spend. Flip through pages of bridal magazines and check out salon websites to get an idea of what you’re drawn to in terms of style, fabric, silhouette, and overall feel. Bridal Consultant’s at Sophie’s can pull a better selection of dresses based on your expressed needs. The dresses you try on can range greatly from sexy mermaids to flowy destination to elegant A-lines to dazzling ballgowns. It is
also helpful to have a specific budget. There is no point in falling in love with a dress that isn’t a realistic price point. Keep in mind that you’ll need to factor in the cost of alterations, taxes, and accessories like veils, belts, shoes, undergarments and jewelry.
Importantly, give some thought about who you bring with you and when you go. Most salons require that you book an appointment in advance but will take walk-ins. Appointments usually last about an hour and we don’t suggest booking more than two or three in a day. By visiting too many salons in one day, you will suffer what we in the industry call “white out”, where all of the wedding gowns start to look alike and make it impossible to make a decision. Taking a half day off to shop on a weekday is definitely worth it. Saturday afternoons are the most popular times which makes it harder to get the attention that you deserve. We suggest bringing two or three
close friends or family members with you at most. You will want your entourage to be honest, non-competitive, and tactful. We like to compare wedding gown shopping with going to a restaurant with a group of people. There are many items on the menu because not everyone likes the same thing! If everyone had the same taste, the menu would only have one item on it. Some people can’t decide, others are full of complaints and some even like to tell you what you should be ordering. Order what you love.
Finally, don’t keep shopping after you’ve found “the ONE”. When you find the right dress, you’ll know it—you won’t want to try on anything else. Take this as a cue. Once you have found your perfect dress, it’s time to stop looking. We joke with our brides that the same holds true with your prefect groom…once you found him, you stopped looking.
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Let this be a happy and magical time for you as you hunt for the perfect dress. We hope that you will make Sophie’s a part of your day.
Staff of Sophie’s Gown Shoppe Mississauga
Written by The Cocoa Cakery
THE BEST CAKEFOR YOUR DAY
Picking your Wedding Cake should be one of the most fun aspects of your wedding! You get to eat CAKE of course!! But knowing what to choose and what it should look like can be overwhelming.
Here are 5 tips to start you in the right direction!
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1. Chose your cake artist wisely.You get what you pay for is true in so many industries, and it is the same for cake. Follow the cake artists you like on social media (Instagram is great for
this) and check for consistency, customer satisfaction, real client cakes vs. faux. And make sure you enjoy their overall style.
2. Determine your budget.Know what you’re wanting to spend, better not to fall in love with a sugar flower covered cake if you have a budget only for a few. Find out what your
options are within your budge. There’s something for every budget!
3. Fondant or Buttercream?An age old debate, but time of year, cost and style can easily determine what is best for your special day.
4. Don’t leave it till last.Order your wedding cake 6-9 months before your event. Leaving this choice till a few months before might mean that your favourite cake artist is
unavailable for the date.
5. Bringing the pieces together.Your wedding cake can be the center piece that ties in your details. Lace work on a dress, design on your invitation, florals from the brides boquet. Use
your day to inspire your choices!
Choosing the right business for your cake is definitely number 1!
Have fun designing and tasting.
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Written by The Den Toronto
HOW ONE COUPLE CREATED THE PERFECT HEIRLOOM OF THEIR OWN
The Den sees a lot of couples, but we couldn’t help but have a favorite story this year of two people who wanted to make their rings as unique as they were.
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It all started with Peter, who was doing what
so many of us do when we’re casually looking
for love: clicking around on different people’s
online profiles. Frustrated and annoyed at the
inconsistency of online dating, Peter surprised
himself when he reached out to Liz merely
because he wanted to tell her about his goal
of visiting every baseball park in major league
baseball.
He never expected to fall in love based on such a
simple encounter.
Liz had only wanted to use a current picture of
herself for her profile, and she had just happened
to go to Comerica Park in Detroit for a baseball
game over the 4th of July with her friend. She
messaged Peter back without really thinking
about it, and certainly didn’t expect anything.
After chatting for a few days, they met to watch
a game and had a great time together. It was
ultimately baseball that brought them together
both in the virtual world and in the real world.
Just a year later, Liz has a very special ring on her
finger.
“Peter exhibits everything I want in a partner,”
Liz said, as she talked about how he makes it a
point to be at the big events in her life. She said
that it all seemed right to her, from the moment
she first met him to today.
Peter’s key moment was when he realized that
Liz would care for his 8-year-old daughter as
much as he did. And on the lighter side, she’s
also there to provide the color commentary to
his day, as Peter tells the tale of when he was cut
off by a driver. “Liz leaned over and honked my
horn at the other driver while I yelled out the
window. I knew we were definitely a match.”
When Peter proposed, he didn’t want to buy
a ring from a shelf. He wanted something that
meant more to him. He decided to take his
family’s old jewellery and melt it down to get
his own unique wedding bands and engagement
ring, a melding of his old life with his brand new
future. When he proposed to Liz, he followed her
acceptance with a consultation at the Den where
we were able to get Liz’s input as well. With
the help of Kristin Calkins, our head goldsmith,
he turned the yellow gold scraps into 3 rings
of shining white, and placed a custom baseball
stitch on the rings to show how it brought them
together.
“Honestly the experience of making our rings
together and bringing our ideas to a finished
product was priceless,” Liz said of her time
with us. Fortunately, the Den is all about helping
couples find the perfect way to express how they
feel about each other.
We invite you to tell your own story and
create your own custom jewellery. Book a free
consultation with the Den before December
31st, 2017, and you’ll be entered to win a spot in
our wedding workshops for 2018.
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Written by Diana Li, The Wedding Shoppe
WEDDING GUEST GIFT GIVING
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1. Making or buyingSome couples opt to take the time to make
their wedding favours for their guests, which
has a nice personal touch. Some give away a CD
with the couples’ favourite songs, homemade
baked goods, sauces or spices. Others prefer
to purchase ready-made favours or custom-
made favours by retailers, such as mini candles,
coasters, wine bottle stoppers, frames, kitchen
gadgets, playing cards, key chains, etc. When
buying, ensure you place an order with your
retailer far in advance to ensure you’re not
disappointed if an item is not in stock or needs
to be special ordered, which can take several
weeks or even months.
2. Sentimental or Practical Giving away a framed picture of the bride and
groom snuggling may get “ah’s” from some
guests and eye-rolls from others. The modern
wedding favour aims to be both sentimental
and practical. If the couple loves wine, a bottle
stopper or a bottle of wine that the couple made
themselves or purchased from their favourite
winery is sure to be popular among most guests.
If the couple has a favourite charity, a small
donation made by the couple on behalf of each
guest accompanied by a small thank you note is
sure to be appreciated.
3. BudgetWedding favours are not meant to burn a hole
in your overall wedding budget. However, we’ve
assisted customers with all sorts of budgets for
wedding favours. How much you will want to
spend on your wedding favours may depend
on how simple or extravagant your wedding
is or just your own personal preferences. You
also need to decide on whether you will gift a
favour to each guest or to each couple/family.
We also recommend you always order extras, in
case there is damage or last-minute guests are
invited. In our experience, couples tend to spend
on average from $2 to $6 per favour. Also keep
in mind that most retailers/suppliers will offer
discounts on larger quantities.
Overall, we hope these top considerations
are helpful. In the age of the Internet,
we also highly recommend you seek out
online resources for inspiration. Wedding
blogs, Etsy.com and Pinterest.com are
all excellent places to start looking and
get you excited about this very popular
wedding tradition.
Through our experience, here are our top considerations when deciding on wedding favours:
The tradition of giving wedding favours (or bonbonnieres) is an old one, believed to have originated in
Europe among aristocrats, but is still very common today, especially in the USA and Canada. Wedding
favours are small tokens of appreciation from the newlyweds given to guests at the wedding. In
previous generations, wedding favours were likely very simple and similar from wedding to wedding,
such as personalized matchboxes, or candy wrapped in an organza bag or small box. In the last
decade, brides and grooms have begun to put more thought into these gifts of gratitude. Many aim to
ensure their favours reflect their wedding theme and/or personalities. At The Wedding Shoppe, we
have helped thousands of couples find the perfect wedding favour that suit their needs.
Let Live MusicSet The Scene
Written by Tino Pop Violion
Most people have been to more than one
wedding in their lives and, once it’s all over,
they leave talking about the same three things:
the brides dress, the food and the music. When
you begin to think about music you realize it’s
actually encompassed in your everyday life.
From singing inside your car, commuting to
work with your earbuds on or dancing with your
friends at a party, you realize music not only gets
you through your day but symbolizes special
moments and memories. So, why skimp on it
when it comes to your wedding day?
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Well, you don’t.
Hiring a professional should be a part of
your budget if you want to create something
entertaining and memorable. Finding the
right musician isn’t hard when you have the
extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, musical master Tino
Pop Violin who knows how to awe a crowd. As a
trained, university-educated concert violinist he
can perform every genre from Top 40, Pop-Rock,
Classical, Country and essential Latin, Bollywood
and Jewish cultural music — ever see a violin
rendition of The Weeknd’s “I Can’t Feel My Face”
live? Didn’t think so.
First impressions are everything. The joyfulness
of your celebration doesn’t just start at your
reception. Consider incorporating live music
to your ceremony as you prepare to say your “I
do’s”. As your guests arrive early to watch you
walk down the aisle don’t have them sit in silence.
Instead, have a backdrop of mood music that will
lead your cue down the aisle.
As the day takes you to night, envision a romantic
atmosphere as your guests enjoy cocktails and
hors d’oeuvres while conversing alongside the
violins elegant sounding ambience. Whether
you’re receiving guests indoors at a luxe ballroom
or outdoors at a vineyard estate you want live
music to be the first thing that enchants your
space. Just like film, every story begins with the
musical score— you want your fairytale wedding
to be the same.
With Tino as a powerful one man show, he strives
to ensure your tastes and special requests are
met. From traditional ceremonious melodies
to modern pop tunes he’ll create a memorable
experience for your family and friends. His
passion and musical energy, along with 18 years
of experience in wedding performance, will leave
your guests spellbound. Your guests will relish in
the magical feeling of being serenaded during
dinner with his ability to stroll and play — and it’ll
surely be all over their social media.
In the end, guests attend your wedding to
celebrate your marriage and you want them
to leave having had a good time. If they arrive
celebrating using all their senses from taste to
sight, let sound be the one they’ll leave bragging
about. With Tino’s charming talents, your guests
ears will be enchanted by the familiar sounds of
the music they know and love — a feeling that
recorded music can’t do.
Just when you thought you checked everything
off your list, go the extra mile and let live music
set the scene — it’s something guests rarely get
to enjoy.
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THE GIFT YOU GIVE YOURSELF
3 HONEYMOON TIPS TO HELP YOU PLAN THE PERFECT TRIP
While your wedding is the big event, it’s a day you’ll share with
friends and family. Your honeymoon, however, is for just the
two of you – a gift you give yourselves and a rare opportunity
to unwind, relax and really connect as newlyweds. Whether
you’ve got a destination in mind, or don’t know where to
start, these tips will help you plan the perfect honeymoon:
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1. Determine your travel type: Talk with your
fiancée about your dream honeymoon. Are you
looking for romance and relaxation or activities
and adventure? Look for commonalities in your
fantasy trips.
2. Consider timing. Decide if you want the
romance of being whisked away after your
wedding, or prefer to wait until the timing is right
for your dream destination. The excitement of your
wedding day will be exhausting. If you are leaving
the next day give yourself time to sleep in and
share breakfast for the first time as newlyweds.
Then you can depart refreshed and excited.
3. Budget. For most of us the budget is a big
factor in choosing a destination. But a tight budget
doesn’t mean you can’t have a dream honeymoon.
Your travel agent can help you find unique, creative
travel spots that are affordable because they’re
lesser known. Get creative and don’t be afraid to
explore all your options.
Located in the South Pacific to the east of Australia,
south of Hawaii, and west of Chili you’ll find French
Polynesia, an area comprised of 118 islands,
including Bora Bora and Tahiti.
If you have ever daydreamed about visiting
paradise, then this is the destination for you. The
journey is more realistic for newlyweds than you
may think and the islands offer a one-of-a-kind
honeymoon that you simply won’t find anywhere
else. Highlights for newlyweds include romantic
and secluded beaches and overwater bungalows.
The raw, natural beauty of the islands offer
seclusion, rest and relaxation as well as adventure
– the perfect ingredients for a spectacular
honeymoon.
The islands are known for their stunning coral
reefs and spectacular lagoons which offer a one-
of-a-kind scuba diving and snorkeling experience.
For couples looking to relax, beautiful beaches
are ideal for swimming, surfing and tanning.
Adventure-seekers can rent a canoe to see the
islands by water or explore off-road and hiking
trails alongside streams and waterfalls to enjoy
spectacular views of volcanic landscape and
untouched wilderness.
We’ve only just scratched the surface of what
French Polynesia has to offer! I am one of only a few
Canadian travel agents with the Tahiti Specialist
designation, granted through the Tahiti Tourism
Board. If you want to visit paradise, then contact
me to discuss making your dream honeymoon a
reality.
Looking for the Perfect Honeymoon?
French Polynesia is the World’s Last True Paradise
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CREATIVE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR
FLOWER GIRL STAND OUT
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With every detail planned for your wedding you
must not forget dressing the smallest member
of your bridal party: the flower girl. Whether
you’ve gone for a more traditional or modern
theme, finding the perfect dress shouldn’t be as
complicated when you leave it to the experts at
Trendy Bambini Children’s Boutique.
From a colourful range of top-quality tulle, dainty
floral accents, bedazzling jewels and endless
headpieces, your bridal party’s cutest member
will sparkle. With their exclusive line of over
50 handmade tutu dresses and their extensive
collection of flower girl dresses from around
the world, your flower girl can look trendy and
formal while still feeling like a kid.
To help guide you into picking the perfect getup
for your little princess (or princesses!), Trendy
Bambini lends some helpful tips to ensure her
debut walk down the aisle is photo-ready.
Choosing The Dress StyleGenerally there’s two rules for picking the
perfect flower girl dress — either mimic the style
of the bride’s dress or incorporate elements of
the bridesmaids’ dresses. However, this doesn’t
have to be the case every time.
If your aesthetic favours tradition, go for a tea-
length fluid dress, with a high-neck and simple
jewel accents. If your style is more boho-chic,
or you’re having an outdoor ceremony, consider
a ballerina length will floral embellishments,
crochet and lace-like accents. Either way,
comfort is priority for a long day so be sure to
get your little ones fitted. Remember, kids grow
fast so save final fittings for closer to the date!
Whimsical HeadpiecesFor added charm, consider adding hair
accessories to your flower girl’s look. A
simple jewelled headpiece with rhinestone
embellishments or a tiara is fitting for a classic,
elegant look. For a softer fairy-tale approach,
consider majestic flower headbands to romantic
flower crowns. The options are limitless!
Trendy CoordinationIf your wedding colour is picked out, consider
adding facets of that to the flower girl’s dress
with ornamental accents, pieces of tulle or even
a silky sash to tie in the look to the rest of your
bridal party. You can mix and match top and
bottom styles to embody colour in customizable
ways. While popular colours tend to be white and
ivory, consider brilliant splashes of pastel tones
like mint and lavender or blush and champagne.
Aisle-Ready AccessoriesKeeping it simple is key as many little ones can
get fussy quickly. Having your flower girl toss
petals down the aisle is very classic but may
not be ideal. Consider having her hold a mini
bouquet that matches the bride or props like
giant balloons. It’s key to coordinate her outfit
with the perfect pair of shoes that you can find
at Trendy Bambini — from tiny cute ballerina
flats to strappy sandals with pops of colour. From
head to toe, with the help of Trendy Bambini,
your flower girl will be ready to walk down the
aisle in style.
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MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Wedding Officiant Canada is a Toronto-based
company that provides solutions for all your
wedding ceremony needs. From the consultation
to the rehearsal dinner, its professionals will
assist you with everything so you can have a
stress-free wedding. In addition, its fully licenced
wedding officiants will help you with the vow
renewals and all the paperwork that needs to get
done before you officially get married.
Services offered
Their fully licensed wedding officiants perform
non-denominational, civil unions, cross cultural/
faith, elopements, vow renewals, contemporary
ceremonies or legal paperwork only with or
without a marriage license in English.
How they work
Wedding Ceremonies are not meant to be boring,
so why don’t you start off your day right with
them! You can expect a service that is not only
short, sweet and warm but also fun, humorous,
engaging, calm and importantly, professional
and affordable.
Their officiants are resourceful, personable
and show genuine interest in the newlyweds.
Officiating weddings is more than just a business
for them. Their goal is to work with you to create
the perfect and unique vision for your special
day; a personalized ceremony that truly reflects
who you are as a couple.
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Written by Your Wedding Away by Kemp Travel Groupt
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The Popularity of Destination Weddings
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The popularity of the destination wedding has
grown in leaps and bounds when you think it
was virtually unheard of just ten years ago. The
destination wedding of today is now considered
common and accounts for over 10% of all North
American Weddings. Couples can combine their
wedding with a vacation with family and friends
creating a lifetime of memories. If you are
looking for an exceptional way to celebrate your
marriage look no further. Traditional weddings
can be expensive and fly by in a few hours. A
destination wedding allows couples the chance
to do something unique with the world as their
oyster. From the Caribbean Islands to Villas in
Greece, destination weddings can accommodate
every budget and preference.
Whether it’s an intimate celebration for just the
two of you, or a grand ceremony and reception
for 100 of your family and friends, planning a
wedding can be overwhelming and stressful.
Our Destination Wedding Specialists eliminate
all of the guesswork and stress as they help
you select your dream wedding destination,
execute the planning process for you and your
guests and help secure the best offers for you.
Call one of our Destination Wedding Specialists
today to help you plan your dream Wedding or
Honeymoon.
WeddingsMYOD
Weddings MYODdesign.comHigh-End Engagement and
Wedding Websites
Set YourWedding Apart!
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STORIES
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Bridal Dress: Mona Richie Boutique Florist: Flowers by BabylonPhoto and Video: Babylon ProductionsDecor: Babylon DecorLive Entertainment: Grenville PintoVenue: Montecassino Hotel and Event Venue Formal Wear: Freeman Formal Wear Band/Singer: Firas SanatyCake: Cakes by Babylon
SANDY DORAYD
&August 20, 2016
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It’s funny, the night I met my husband it didn’t seem very romantic. At a family wedding, we were introduced by mutual friends and started to hit it off and we ended up exchanging numbers which led to our first date a week after the wedding. When I first met him at the wedding, it felt like love at first sight. I felt like he was too good to be true, he was handsome, funny and we shared the same values in life. When my family first met him, they knew he was the one I was going to marry. After 4 years, we found ourselves sitting at restaurant on our anniversary night when he asked me to marry him.
Throughout my childhood years growing up, I’ve always dreamed and planed my wedding day to be perfect, growing up you realize that weddings expenses can add up and we didn’t want to start our married life in major debt and needed to start
taking into consideration our finances to create a budget we can stick with. Finding vendors that can help and work around your budgets helped, however sometimes last minute things come up that you don’t consider while planning for the big day.
Wedding planning was very stressful at the beginning, finding all the vendors to trust for that one special day or being able to find the perfect dress you love. We found our vendors through our friend’s previous experiences with their own wedding planning and through bridal shows. Our vendors helped make our wedding experience run smoothly and flawlessly. It was important to trust our vendors when it comes to the big day and during the planning process, it allowed us to keep an open mind about others advice and experience.
Selecting the vendors whom have the expertise and experience is so important.
We also learned while planning our wedding that it is important to enjoy every bit of it and not get caught up in the stress. To keep our planning stress free, we had to understand that the main people in your life will have different opinions and ideas of what a wedding should be like and that you can’t please everybody. Especially on the day of the wedding, remembering that some things will go wrong and you can’t control everything and that at the end of the day what matters is that I married my best friend. Don’t stress over little things, nobody will remember the small stuff. Enjoy and celebrate every moment of your special day!
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NATALIYA
DAVID &
Venue: Paradise Banquet & Convention CentrePhotographer: John and Veronica Photography
Bride Dress: Mark Zunino from Kleindfeld Floral and Decor: Creations Special Events & Custom Decor Ltd
Invitations: John and Veronica PhotographyCake: Antonella from Paradise Banquet & Convention Centre
June 12, 2016
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David and I first met when 15 years ago, while we were both competing in the Sport of Karate. There is an absolute uniqueness to the connection we share and our passion for our Sport. We did not see each other for 13 years, then once again reconnected through Karate and our mutual love and admiration for one another became undeniable. It is very profound to feel that our first date, solidified the beginning of the rest of our lives together and that our love is unbreakable. Planning our wedding was exciting and at the same time stressful. We did not realize the details that go into planning a wedding. Starting with the color scheme and ending with transportation at the end of the night. However, one thing we learned was to enjoy each moment, because planning a wedding is as much important as the day of the wedding.
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Venue: Le Parc Dining & Banquet Photographer: M&L FotographicsVideographer: Spotlight Films Bride Dress: The Bridal SuiteFloral: Gatto flowersDecor: Posh stylings Invitations: Ingledew InvitesCake: Just Temptations Makeup: Nicole Paige
October 29, 2016
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Five years ago, Daniel and I met through a mutual
friend. There was an immediate connection
the moment our eyes met, that has only grown
stronger as the years go on. Fast forward to
December 12, 2015 in Niagara Falls Ontario. It
was a warm winter day, we walked Clifton hill,
visited out the Movie Land Wax Museum, played
some games and shared lots of laughter. Later,
that evening we went to dinner at Brasa Brazilian
Steakhouse then we headed towards the Ferris
Wheel. We are both terrified of heights but loved
the thrill, so you can imagine the anxiety. Daniel
is pacing back and forth and taking deep breaths.
I look at him and say “we don’t have to go on if
you’re this nervous” he replies “I’m good, I want
to see the Falls I hear it is absolutely beautiful
at night”. We get in the cab and the Ferris Wheel
stops, our cab is at the very top, Daniel is trying
his hardest to get me to turn around and look at
the Falls, but I’m not having it. He excitedly says
“Omg what’s that?” I immediately turn, and there
he is, the love of my life on one knee. He pulls a
box out from his jacket pocket, tells me how he’s
never loved another person the way he loves me,
and how he can’t think about not spending the
rest of his life with anyone else but me. I say yes
and the planning almost started immediately.
We got married just ten short months after
the proposal date. When we got engaged, we
discussed who would be in our wedding party first
then we began thinking about how to tell them,
the big proposal to them. Christmas was fast
approaching and so we wrote our letters, added
the small details and waited for their response.
After that, in January I went to the bridal show
to get ideas, bought magazines for inspiration
and used Pinterest to find a wedding to do list.
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, you
just want everything to be perfect from the dress
to the details on the cake. We chose to deal with
the most important things first, Church, Venue,
DJ, Photographer and Videographer. To us these
were the pieces that would ensure the memories
would last a lifetime, not just for us but for our
Guests as well.
We had a few appointments with various venues,
but fell in love with Le Parc Banquet Hall. It
was the one place we felt amazing about, the
possibilities were endless for us in the space we
had for the night and they have a huge dance
floor. From there we went on to find DJ services,
we used Veriation Music. Our first meeting with
them was so much fun, we just got a good vibe
from them and as we watched some videos we
knew we wanted them to ensure the party was
unforgettable. Our next stop was Videographer
and Photographer. We went to see a family friend
who suggested Spotlight Films. When we met
with Jimmy he showed us some same day edit
samples and we instantly knew we wanted him
to shoot our wedding. He is fun, witty and has
an incredibly talented to capture unforgettable
moments. He was absolutely amazing to work
with. We had seen so many Photographers from
family and friends’ weddings which we attended,
to those featured in magazines. Spotlight Films
shares their unit with M&L Fotographics so after
meeting with Jimmy, we then met with Mike.
We looked through some photos and we were
instantly captivated by the images that were
displayed not only in his office and the albums
he showed us as well. Mike made our experience
oftaking photos a lot of fun, he is incredibly
talented, he doesn’t take photos because they
look good, he takes photos that feel good. He lets
the camera find the moment and he just captures
it with the click of a button. Flowers and Decor
were next on the list. We used Gatto Flowers. I
went into the appointment thinking “flowers,
this should be easy” oh was I wrong, there are so
many different types of flowers it’s incredible. In
a slight overwhelming panic, Antoinette broke it
down asked what I wanted and helped create a
vision with all the different ideas. For our Decor
we used Posh Stylings, Nicole, is absolutely
incredible we went into the appointment with
our colour scheme and one request, a chandelier
to hang above us. She took those ideas and the
possibilities she provided us were stunning.
When we walked into the hall that day, everything
that we worked so hard on was stunning and
perfect, there is not one thing I would have
changed about how it looked. Planning a wedding
is a fun, overwhelming (at times) but it can be an
amazing experience. My advice to all the new
Brides to be is to just go through your list one
thing at a time, to ask for help and opinions for
clarity, involve your Groom in the process all
of it, (even if you think he won’t care) and most
importantly have fun. Planning a wedding is a way
to show off the love you and your fiancé have for
one another, the endless, timeless love you share
so do it in the best way to show that love to each
person who will bear witness to it on the most
magical day of your life, your Wedding Day.
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&MELISA DANIEL
Venue: DaVinci Banquet Hall
Photographer: Quarum Photo and Video
Videographer: Quarum Photo and Video
Floral: Verona Florist
Décor: Verona Florist
Invitations: Custom made by the Bride
Cake: No Cake- Vintage Gelato Cart instead brought to us by “The Gelato Spot”
July 30, 2016
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Daniel and I were best friends since we were 19 years old. The first time
we met, he bought me a rose, and told me he would marry me one day.
Little did I know, 8 years later, he was telling the truth. He proposed to me
in New York City right in the middle of Central Park, it was the best day of
my life… But then came wedding planning! Planning a wedding definitely
isn’t easy! Everyone told us, if you can get through your engagement, and
plan a wedding, you can get through anything! Boy, were they right. It was a
stressful year, although still exciting and filled with happiness. But, there are
so many lessons we’ve learned that other couples need to know!
1.It’s YOUR day, no one else’s.
2. Not everything is going to go exactly the way you planned it, the only
people who will ever know if something did go wrong is the bride and the
groom.
3. Stay within your budget, most people won’t remember if you had charger
plates, or if your bridesmaid’s dresses were purchased at Kleinfield.
4. Photo and Video is the most important part of your wedding day. The
day comes and goes in a second, the only memory you have is what your
photographer and videographer created for you! Choose wisely!
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Venue: Universal Event SpaceOfficiant: Enduring Promises
Photography: Slate Photo+VideoDJ: S4 Entertainment
Live Entertainment: Grenville PintoLive Entertainment: The DNA Project
L.E.D Dancefloor: The LED AffairBride & Bridesmaid Dress: Mona Richie Boutique
Seamstress: Isa Designs IncCeremony Décor: Suzart Décor, Events & FloralCenterpieces & Bridal Head Table Florist: Gatto
FlowersBridal Bouquets, Guest Gift Florals & Reception
Decor Accessories: Suzart Décor & FloralHead Table & Guest Table Lace Linens: S2 Event
DécorReception Backdrop: Hidden Treasures Décor
Shoes, Jewelry & Headpiece: Woodbridge Bridal Shoe Shop & Accessories
Groomsmen Formal Wear: Tuxedo Royale Groom Suit: Per Lui
Cake: Mario’s Bake ShopMacaroon Tower: A Taste of France
Invitations: Suzart Décor, Events, Invitations & Floral
Make up Artistry: Makemebella2.0 Limousine Bus: B Royal Livery
Wedding Rings: D’oro Designs IncStag Service: Kings Promotions Inc
Reception Entrance Floral Décor, Linen, Charger Plates: Weds By Mega City
&TEALEMAURO March 5, 2016
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Our 2nd Charmed Wedding
We would like to recognize with our readers the noted increase in 2nd Weddings. Life’s journey of unforeseen circumstances sometimes has a plan and path of its own, no one gets married anticipating that they will experience a 2nd love and wedding but the reality is it can happen. We would like to celebrate the 2nd charm wedding by sharing one of our very own. Teale has organized Canada’s Bridal Show for almost 7 years now and she did not plan or anticipate she would meet Mauro and celebrate her 2nd wedding. Teale and Mauro met through a mutual friend began dating, then moved in together and the rest is history. Teale’s daughters Sabrina and Savana fell in love with their step father Mauro and 6 years after they met Mauro took Teale and her daughters to the restaurant where they shared their first date and proposed to Teale and her daughters. Wedding planning is an interesting feat for all brides but for Teale whom has been inside the industry and
the companies servicing it, makes for telltale of wedding planning. Selecting the companies to service her wedding was a challenge because she loves all our Canada’s Bridal Show clients.
Teale is exposed to all the trends in the industry, however for her it’s about your own personable taste your wedding should be a reflection of the Bride and Groom and the things you both like. Another important element is to think about the guest experience at your wedding. Teale loved modern elements choosing mosaic mirrored centerpiece vases with florals matched with a smaller version to give away to each guest with a personalized thank you note. She added the contrast of vintage elements like the French lace with shining crystal linen overlay on guest tables with French napkin rings displayed on elegant glass charger plates. Teale loves the little details however feels the importance of Entertainment is essential so she had a 3-piece live Jazz band and a live violinist perform and added the modern LED
dance floor to give that dancing under a starlite sky effect then changing the colors of dance floor to resemble a Saturday night fever effect.
The combination of the modern and vintage elements she loves was also showcased in her ceremony décor with vintage lanterns lining the aisle accented by wrought iron candelabras,cherry blossom trees and a white floral backdrop staged a very romantic ambiance for her ceremony.
The best piece of advice she would like to share about wedding planning is for couples to decide on a budget, and find the right vendors you connect with and that will accommodate your budget and wedding vision. Lastly select a photographer that you feel very comfortable sharing every minute of your special day with and whom will capture the type of artistic style photography that showcases your love and joy shared on your wedding day.
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WEDDING CHECK LISTEvery bride is different, and every wedding is different, however, here is a quick checklist to help you plan your wedding day. You can have lots of fun taking care of every minute detail, or you can hire a wedding planner and allow them to take care of all details for you. Whatever you decide, remember to have fun on your special day and enjoy the day with your new spouse.
16 TO 12 MONTHS IN ADVANCE: ❑ Announce your engagement
❑ Have an engagement party
❑ Set a wedding date
❑ Work out a budget
❑ Determine each family’s contribution,
including your own
❑ Get Bridal and Lifestyle magazines
❑ Attend Wedding Shows for research and
deals
❑ Pick your wedding party, maid of honour,
bridesmaids, best man, etc.
❑ Start a guest list
❑ Hire a wedding planner
❑ Visit, select and book/reserve a venue for
ceremony and reception
❑ Book your officiant
❑ Start researching photographer’s, flowers,
DJs or bands, etc.
❑ Start your fitness and diet plan - now!
9 MONTHS IN ADVANCE: ❑ Hire the perfect photographer
❑ Hire the perfect videographer
❑ Book DJs and/or band and/or Entertainers
❑ Meet and review caterers or venue’s
tasting menu
❑ Purchase a dress - you’ll need various
fittings in the months ahead
❑ Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out of
town guests
❑ Sign up for your Wedding Registry
❑ Create your own wedding website to
keep people informed of date, travel,
accommodations, etc
6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE:
❑ Buy your wedding invitations and
stationery
❑ Select your honeymoon destination and
book it
❑ Ensure your passports are current and get
any necessary medical shots
❑ Shop for your bridesmaids’ dresses
❑ Meet with your officiant and confirm all
official documentation required for the
wedding
❑ Mail your “Save the Date” cards
❑ Book your florist with your confirmed
colour theme
❑ Arrange for transportations, limos, horse-
carriages, etc
❑ Prepare your “Day of” schedule
❑ Veil shopping can be postponed for
another two to three months
5 MONTHS IN ADVANCE: ❑ Book a rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner
venue
❑ Finalize the wedding invitations and
guest list
❑ Sample and select your wedding cake
❑ Purchase wedding shoes
❑ Start Wedding dress fittings
❑ Confirm hair and make-up artists
❑ Select your music for the event, from
announcement of wedding party to first
dance, etc
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3 MONTHS IN ADVANCE: ❑ Final menu confirmed
❑ Flowers confirmed
❑ Order bombonieres and other party
favours
❑ Decide who will speak at your wedding
❑ Purchase your lingerie
❑ Second dress fitting
❑ Finalize the ceremony and reception
schedule
❑ Print menu cards and/or program
❑ Purchase wedding rings
❑ Forward the event schedule to your
vendors to review and confirm
2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE:
❑ Review all vendors and confirm all details
❑ Meet with photographers and video to
discuss images, angles and locations.
❑ Review the music playlist with DJ and/or
band
❑ Mail all wedding invitations with a due
RSVP date of no less than 4 weeks prior to
wedding date
❑ Submit a wedding announcement to
newspapers and/or social media
❑ Arrange for a bachelorette and bachelor
party - with your maid of honour and his
best man
1 MONTH IN ADVANCE ❑ Confirm your guest list data base
❑ Contact people directly who may have
not yet responded
❑ Obtain your marriage license
❑ Finalize the rehearsal dinner invites
❑ Last wedding dress fitting
❑ Stock up the bar once head count is final
❑ Make as many final payments as possible
to all your vendors
❑ Confirm hair and make up times with all
vendors
❑ Email and/or print directions to all
transportations
❑ Assign seating arrangement
❑ Purchase gifts for bridesmaids and/or
best man
❑ Write your own vows
WEEK OF THE WEDDING ❑ Confirm all final times and schedule with
vendors
❑ Pick up your dress
❑ Review small tasks and who is in charge
to complete
❑ Write final cheques to vendors and
include tips on envelopes
❑ Review the moments you want captured
with your photographer and videographer
❑ Take a day off at the spa to relax this week
❑ Send final guest list to venue or caterer
❑ Wear your bridal shoes to break them in
❑ Pack for your honey moon
❑ Enjoy your wedding
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CHECK LISTS
NOTES
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