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He’s proposed and you said, I will. You have dreamed of your wedding day and wearing that perfect gown, since you were a little girl. You want to feel radiant wearing it. It is your day of days!
Now, that day has arrived. It’s time to go bridal gown shopping! If you are considering making the drive across the border to get “something better” or “something cheaper”, think long and carefully. Make sure that your day is not marred by miscalculating what you thought the final cost would be. Remember too, that there’s the cost of the item and then, there’s the actual price. You and your fiancé have sharpened your pencil, setting a budget; but insist that you will have your day, your way. This is a busy time in your lives, one that is high-charged with emotion and a great deal of decision-making. You don’t need any additional pressure.
It may seem inviting to brides-to-be, to travel across the border to purchase their bridal attire, especially since we are so closely tied to the Michigan region. But, buyer beware. That extra, added time, expense and potential aggravation dealing with Canadian and U.S. Customs may jeopardize your most exciting purchase.
You may find yourself paying for alterations or that the “sale” is final. In Windsor/Essex area,when you buy your gown at the bridal salon, the alterations are included. Very few bridal stores, if any, will provide alteration services for gowns purchased from elsewhere.
Windsor and area bridal salons in southern Ontario carry the top bridal lines from all the great designers. They will make your shopping experience memorable . You must remember that the owners of our local stores are your neighbours, family and friends, who have invested time and money into our community. They establish their reputations by living and working here and being accountable.
Purchasing your dream gown usually takes 5 trips to the shop; one to look, one to decide and multiple times with yourself and your bridesmaids for fittings and pick- up. The additional expense of border-crossing fees and 90 minutes of your valuable time driving, excluding any delays at the border, bring any possible savings to zero. Asking your attendants to make these excursions with you can be infringing on their time and good nature.
One most also consider the potential of a crisis, days prior to your wedding. Who wants the aggravation of running across when you need that precious time for more important matters. Imagine finding a small tear in your gown’s fabric or a loose bead or button. What happens if you gain or lose weight due to stress after the alterations have been completed? Who is going to look after it and will be there be time available to remedy the problem? Securing a seamstress at the ninth hour can be a daunting task, when time is of the essence.
Bridal Specialists are dedicated to making the bride’s day beautiful. Buy from your local suppliers with confidence, and know that you are an important consumer to them and not someone transient. A bride’s pleasure translates to valued referrals that continue to make their business viable.
Be a savvy bride and assess the reality of how important your time and energy will be throughout your wedding planning process. Eliminate any possible problems early by being realistic.
We wish you a beautiful day!
Until next time,
Sheryl Davies
Publisher- the Wedding Guide Windsor/Essex County
 We are pleased to introduce our newest Bridal Talk feature! Savvy brides will be our bridal blogging site. It’s all about wedding planning and inspiration for any bride and groom planning a wedding. Come back often and check out what Windsor|Region brides have up their sleeves! We’ll be bringing you the scoop.
Know a bride-to-be who wants to share with us? Have her contact us at publisher@theweddingguide.ca.
MEET TAMMY- A 10/10/10 Bride-to-Be!
Wed May 18, 2010
Hi everyone I am excited to be a part of this exciting new extra to The Wedding Guide. I look forward to sharing my journey. I will keep the first entry simple, sweet, with lots more to come. Promise.
Let me start off by introducing myself…my name is Tammy, and my sweet lovely fiancé is Ernie. I am 36 and Ernie is 37. Both of us are getting married for the first time. We are going to be a blended family. I have two gorgeous sons and Ernie has one son.
Like I said, first entry will be short and sweet, but tomorrow is a new day.
Cheers,
Tammy
10-10-10 Bride-to-Be
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| Proudly serving area brides since 1992, The Wedding Guide, Windsor/Essex County salutes our network of wedding professionals who help Canada South Brides achieve their dream wedding! |
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 “Here’s to the bride and groom-
May their joys be as bright as the morning,
and their sorrows but shadows
that fade in the sunlight of love.” Anonymous
Welcome and congratulations. Your wedding is an event that marks the beginning of an important time for you and your fiancé. The Wedding Guide contains great information and ideas in an extensive resource that will assist you in planning each and every detail of your wedding day. Our smaller, digest size format makes it convenient to carry The Wedding Guide in your briefcase or purse. It is a valuable companion, practical, local and specific for your community. It contains checklists, budgets, advice, timetables and information on products and services to help keep your wedding plans organized. We will help you to plan a wedding, big or small in Windsor/Essex County; the one you dream about!
We’ve designed this website to give you a sample of great wedding information that is available in our publication. The Wedding Guide is complimentary and you may obtain your copy at leading bridal salons in this area.
Bridal Talk, our blogging and social media interactive website is an area where brides can interact with other brides. We have also launched Wedding Guide Bridal Network, (WGBN), where we are profiling local area professionals!
It is our belief that products and services originate from people who have ongoing professional interest in the wedding market, and we are blessed with many talented professionals in Canada South. Each category on the left side of the website will direct you to the vendors, with direct links to their respective websites. You will find many more wedding professionals, throughout the pages of The Wedding Guide.
The Wedding Guide has been developed to help you make the correct choices, and to enjoy your engagement; a time that should be filled with joy, hopes and dreams- not stress. Our wedding professionals understand a bride’s needs and will be there to help you handle the protocol and details.
Best wishes with your wedding day planning and for a happy life together. Please feel free to email us with any questions you may have regarding weddings in Windsor/Essex County.
Sheryl Davies
Publisher |
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Brides are re-adjusting their expections, but not their total budget. This is the message that I keep reading about wedding trends. In spite of economics, couples are taking a hard look at the things that they want and the “frills”, and deciding on the style of their special day.
If the reception is the important hot button for them, they will reduce the guest list, but not the menu items. There is a refusal to compromise on what they feel is important. So bring on the bruschetta bar, the appetizers and a beautiful meal and hold on other items, sometimes viewed as superfluous, depending on the couple involved.
Some couple are so focused on a particular item, that they will forgo the favours, the fancy invitations and the bridal cake for an outdoor tented affair or a vineyard wedding. Conformity is out and individual style is definitely in.
What makes today’s weddings uniquely different is that they don’t follow the traditional template of their parents’ wedding day of year’s gone by.
Almost anything goes and each wedding is personalized with the bride and groom’s fingerprint.
You’ll find martini, dessert and sushi bars, ice cream and expresso carts, caricature artists and more at today’s celebrations. A wedding invitation is a glimpse into the beautiful day that they have so lovingly planned.
Big weddings, intimate weddings, beach weddings and unique weddings; whatever venue is chosen, speaks loudly to the couple and their lifestyle, and it’s adding flair and fun to a wedding invitation.
Bridal season is beginning now, and with it, an adventure in the extraordinary, as couples continue the tradition, but do it their unique way!
 Chalet Studio Photography You may fall in love with a band from elsewhere or a fabulous dress from Toronto or Michigan, but your best bet for price and reliability is to go with vendors in your local area. Most times, local vendors can order in special requests with assurances of getting them on time, in perfect condition, and at a price that your wedding budget can tolerate. It’s much easier to run over to a local boutique to check a colour fabric in person than taking a trip to another city to ensure everything coordinates well with your wedding theme.
If you are going to use special orders with your wedding goods and services, make certain you leave enough time for shipping problems; that avoids any last minute stress waiting for their arrival.
Remember it’s not just a big party… it’s the most important day of your life. From ” I will to ” I do”, perfect wedding planning removes any anxiety and allows the bride to fully enjoy the many decisions leading up to the big day.
We are big believers in shopping local, working with the people that live and work in your community is a big plus for everyone involved. Remember your attendants and the time and love they have for you by honouring you by being in your wedding party. Make it easy for them to procure the dresses they will wear so it is convenient and cost-effective. And, try to also keep it simple for everyone involved.
We are all living busy lives and local just makes good sense. The area professionals are many and the choices you have with them are current, stylish and easy to access for all.
With a little thought, you can mitigate any anxious moments (and there will be some) by staying close to home and supporting the people in your community.
Even if you may have the best-made plans, nothing is a given until you have it in writing. It’s important when organizing the events and vendors for your wedding to check and double check when it comes to facts and figures. Always get written proposals, whether they arrive by e-mail. fax, or regular mal. Verify the dates, times and costs before signing any contract.
When you are coordinating with friends, family and members of your wedding party, be clear about what is expected of them and when you need them or certain events and appointments. Use written correspondence whenever you can to make sure to reach everyone with important information, or you have made changes to already existing plans. Not only will your clear communications with everyone help them get it right, it will also give you peace of mind that you have covered all the planning details.
Are you looking for a particular item or service? Call the experts at The Wedding Guide Windsor|Region. We’ve been assisting local brides for 18 years! www.theweddingguide.ca
 Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario Making Dollars & Sense of a Wedding Budget
In a report I read recently, it revealed that brides and grooms are very optimistic about their upcoming 2010/11 weddings. While the economy starts to point up again, bridal couples refuse to compromise on their big day, saying its their once in a lifetime dream day and they will figure out how to make it happen- their way- their milestone!
At The Wedding Guide Windsor/Essex County, we realize that there isn’t a bottomless budget with huge amounts of money to be spent , but some items will prove to be immenently more important than others due to their staying power. We’re here to help you make your day occur your way.
Your Photographer- Your Archivist
You want to be able to look back at your wedding day and love the memory-making that your photographer captured. There is no way to go back and redo a wedding once its over, so ensure that you check your photographer’s references and make sure that their portfolio is a handsome one. Also, ask if the photographer you are meeting with will be the one shooting your day. It’s important to have a good rapport personality-wise with your shooter as you will be spending the entire day and night together.
Most photographers today do a combination of photo-journalistic style (candids) as well as some traditional shots. If your idea of pictures is spontaneous, then you won’t want to spend the day standing like statues, being posed. However, do remember to include family group shots for future viewing. It’s important to chronicle the generations that are at your wedding celebration for future posterity.
Your First Trip as a Couple!
Your honeymoon is an important piece of your planning because it is the separation between your single life and your future married days together. Find a place that you can both unwind and decompress after all the months of wedding planning. You want to do things you enjoy together and enjoy this delicious time away. Don’t compromise on your honeymoon- you’ll always remember it vividly and be able to recount together as a couple for your entire life.
And if you’re thinking of last minute travel plans- stop now and reconsider. Friends have done it, despite warnings and found themselves disappointed in sub-standard places that just weren’t suitable for a honeymoon.
Human Wedding Décor!
An artsy, actor friend of mine was recently hired to be a duo in a bride and groom “statue-like” feature at the reception. They held their poses, mannequin-like as decorative pieces in the hall, as well as mingling with the guests. It was a fun addition to the day and unique and fun!
Should you be interested in this type of entertainment- contact us and we can recommend them to you directly. I’m watching this as another new emerging trend as brides and grooms continue to personalize your days and put their signature style on everything about their wedding day.
Until next time
Register and come back often and thanks for dropping in.
Sheryl Davies
Publisher
 Picture supplied by: Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario
Twenty years ago, there was no thought as to where a wedding and a reception would be held. Religious institutions were the official ceremony sites and their community halls hosted all the receptions.
With dramatic changes in society and how things are done, today there are many more options. From yachts to sandy beaches with glimmering sunlight, to museums, zoos, wineries and county clubs; brides have more choice than their mothers could ever imagine. Destination weddings have also become very popular in the last five years.
Themes are also paramount in wedding planning, and the sky is the limit to what uniqueness can be achieved with a good idea and out-of-the-box thinking. From Hollywood sets to medieval themes, brides and grooms-to-be are having the time of their lives matching their lifestyles and personalities to their receptions.
From florals, food, invitations and fashion, today’s weddings have taken on a whole new face. Guests marvel at the Monday morning water coolers, when they describe the weekend weddings they attended. Celebrations today are fun, unique, engaging and energizing; and for the guest they are most definitely a treat to attend.
Now if you are a bride and thinking that all you ever wanted was a simple, traditional affair, don’t let anyone sway you.
Traditional never goes out of style and what goes around comes around. Weddings are wonderful because no two are alike and they are dictated by the families, customs and personalities of the people hosting them.
Remembering the reason to marry is to spend your life with the person you love, planning sets the stage for the life you will be living in the future. Do it your way and put the touches you want on it and it will truly be a memorable event in your life.
Wedding professionals are there to assist you in translating your dreams into realities. Ask for references and employ their services if, and only if, you feel comfortable that they can do the job you want. Ask for references and talk to people candidly about the services that they received. Based on your research you will find someone compatible and at the budget you are seeking.
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Photo by Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario
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“Good plans shape good decisions… good planning helps make elusive dreams come true.” Lester R. Bittel
| The moment you accept a marriage proposal, your wedding planning becomes a reality. You may have a good idea of exactly the kind of wedding you want, but you may need some concrete ideas to help you to define your style before you make any decisions.
Solid information and protocol will help to keep you organized and, most importantly will also provide you with all the answers to all the questions that are asked every time a wedding is hosted.
The most important challenge to your wedding plans is to set and keep a budget. This is paramount to keeping your finance in line. It is easy to overspend when you start to make your appointments with all the vendors. Being realistic and knowing your limit will reduce your stress and make your day a success.
Be sure to check out the timetables, checklists, wedding budget calculator, financial obligations and many more tips, to assist you in staying on track. These are all downloadable files that you can print out and insert into your 3- ring binder and refer to, throughout the planning process.
Wedding coordinators offer many skills and services that will save you time from concept to completion, when you are planning your spectacular day. Their expertise in negotiating with suppliers is invaluable to you as you begin to plan the most important celebration of your life. They make all or some of the arrangements for your wedding – from invitations, catering, limousine rides – to entertainment, rentals, flowers and decorations. They intimately know local suppliers and can offer you their knowledge and expertise in any area of wedding planning. They are familiar with current trends and welcome unusual requests, such as unique site selections, or calligraphied invitations. A good wedding coordinator will be at your side throughout your planning and on your wedding day.
Your day, your way is the most important aspect of all the planning that you will do. Spend the time talking with your fiancé to make certain that you both have the same expectations. Being a team during your planning is a warm-up to your future.
Read more about wedding planning in The Wedding Guide available at selected bridal salons in this area.
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