Years ago, when deciding what flowers were accessible for a wedding at different times of the year, was rather easy. Spring flowers in the spring, summer ones in summer etc. However, with the worldwide floral markets opening up and becoming more global, the availability of blooms is greater, although there are still some recommendations and restrictions.
 Photography by John Lyons Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel When you consider your flowers, reminder to consider the season. Here in Southwestern Ontario, the climate is seasonally influenced; meaning tulips in July, although available, do not show as well as they do in March or April. Not only do they look better, they smell better and are usually a less expensive price. When there are lots of blooms growing at once, it does drive the price down, making them more affordable.
Know too, that nature can change everything due to crop failures from frost, floods, drought and other natural occurences. Not all flower shops can access every flower. Different importers offer different choices; smaller centres sometimes cannot bring in enough of one type to justify the cost.
Be creative and flexible when you pick your flowers for your bouquet, wedding accents for your attendants, Maid of Honour and Best Man and your ceremony and venue. Flowers are romantic, smell great and add a celebratory feel to any wedding day!
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Cathy Reynolds opened The Delicate Touch Lingerie & Sleepwear, twenty three years ago with a mission to “get ladies comfortable.” The shop is an oasis of intimate, feminine and calm. She believes that lingerie should add a sassy feel to a woman’s persona; it’s an ingredient of woman’s empowerment in her wardrobe.
In today’s economy, symbols of pleasure; perfume, chocolate, flowers, and lingerie have the ability to satisfy this desire for feeling good. It’s a mind booster and a great feeling to wear garments that are pretty, lacy and soft.
Reynolds’s intimate shop is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication; it’s comfortable and inviting. It is stocked with the labels of Chantelle, Prima Donna, Lejaby, Anita and Spanx, as well as other seamless body wraps made in Canada. She also offers the deliciously yummy and world-renowned product, Crabtree & Evelyn, a line of bath, body and feminine giftware; a sensuous and pleasing collection of scents and treats.
Cathy understands that brides today are practical; however they understand that an investment in lingerie is not something that is worn just once. Correctly fitted lingerie will ensure that a bride’s look is perfect and comfortable.
Certified fitters, called “lingerie experts,” are always available. Reynolds also suggests shopping early in the wedding planning because it’s important to wear your intimate apparel to all your wedding gown fittings. The wrong bra will cause shoulder sloping, neck curvature, headache and back aches, while the right one will improve posture, appearance and self esteem. It’s not just undergarments.
Lingerie was developed during the late nineteenth century as a visually appealing undergarment by Lady Duff-Gordon of Lucile, a pioneer who freed women from tightly-laced corsets. Today, its evolution continues with bold colours, rich-looking and more breathable fabrics and styles; some that can double both as under and outerwear.
The shop stocks over 5000 bras in all colours and styles from strapless, low plunge and push up styles. Today’s newest technology offers light weight multi- air bubbles with spacer fabric.
While you’re in the shop, browse for other items for your wedding. Forget about being practical for just this once and try on sensuous lounge wear from the large variety of elegant lines offered. What better time is there to splurge on feminine beauty and luxury than for your wedding and honeymoon? It should be your gift to yourself!
Lingerie could be coined “loungerie” and there’s plenty of selection to choose from. Check out their swimwear and know that you will look good before you can leave the shop with your purchase. “It’s all about the fit,” says Reynolds.
The Delicate Touch offers a bridal registry and gift certificates for all your guests and special thank yous, and is a specialist in Mastectomy fitting.
Specialized service and great attention to a proper fit is what this delightful shop is all about. Their staff is friendly and adept at what they do, which is pampering the ladies!
Brides today want their wedding day to be as unique as they are. And this outside the box thinking is setting new trends for savvy brides in 2012. Designers are artfully combining bright colours with staple neutrals: much like an artist would paint a beautiful work of art.
Warm bamboo, honeysuckle pink, cedar green, deep teal, purple‐hued phlox, coffee liqueur, warm camel nougat and quarry are top shades for the upcoming season.
Wedding dresses have a lot of lace; a trend we forecasted six months ago. There are ruffles, beading and coloured sashes that are sexy and white is not as popular as soft beige, light blues, pink and even soft‐toned greens being introduced into the finest bridal lines.
Styles for gowns are sleek with brides not seeking out the traditional ball gown. Vintage is still strong and there’s no chance of finding their dress duplicated. They make a statement and are stunning in their design.
The venue is still a hot location, with couples seeking old buildings that have been re-purposed such as old train stations, raw factory space and combinations of indoor and outdoor spaces. Local farms and vineyards provide a rustic charm and the outdoor photo opportunities provide endless opportunities. Wedding environments will be more laid back; bookings with nature settings are popular locations. Beaches, parks, homes and other outdoor settings are also being utilized.
Birdcage veils have been in style for many seasons now and the Royal Wedding provided the fascinator, an edgy, over the top headpiece. Headbands and feathers are modern options to a traditional veil. No bride will be bare‐headed in 2012 with everything from glittering tiaras to extra large flowers in contrasting tones.
Shoes, once dyed satin white can now be bold red, purple or blue, peeking out from under that dream dress. Add a feather clip for a touch of fun.
Other ideas include button or feather boutonnieres, multi‐mini cakes as centrepieces, catering carts, such as martini bars, crepe stations, sundae bars, pastry tables and lemonade stands are vying for the bride’s attention. Photo booths continue to be a popular feature for guests.
Social media is centre stage with computer stations being set‐up for guests to leave comments. Webcasting to guests who couldn’t attend the day is heartfelt and, as the day unfolds, hash tags for Twitter are in sync with today’s online culture.
Venues should expect to receive requests for longer cocktail hours, rental companies will see an increase for lounge furniture and guests can expect the unexpected. Ceremonies will have a steady increase in personalization, focusing on the couple’s interests, hobbies and passions as part of the wedding day celebrations. Vows are being written and choreographed by couples with assistance from an Officiant.
Themes such as vintage, diamonds/pearls, romance, garden style, retro 50‐70’s and eco‐friendly are huge. Cakes are bold this year and 2 layered cakes are back with tiers of different heights. Cupcakes are still huge, with innovative flavours and colours.
Grooms are more involved in the planning with their brides, and they are contributing their time and ideas into their day; it’s a new culture in the industry‐ one that until recently has been entirely female.
The 2012 wedding season will find couples saying, “I Do” in a world of different ways. Many will continue partying well into the night with an after party, which is becoming a popular trend. This party has no rules or wedding checklists and is entirely up to the couple.
Wedding Guide Preferred Vendors are dream‐makers; the go‐to service providers with big shoulders and creative thinking. They can make a wedding come to life with all of the above ideas. This area is cosmopolitan irrespective of its size and anything and everything is possible for the next season bride!
During your engagement and right through until your wedding day, you will be receiving gifts to commemorate your big news. You may receive wedding gifts from people you don’t even know. That’s because all gifts, even those from guests of your fiancé’s family, are usually sent to the bride. But the only people obligated to give gifts are those who accept invitations to your reception. And if it’s your second marriage or your fiancé’s those who sent a gift before may not give another. To make gift-giving more fun, less of a guessing game for all your friends and relatives, register at a your favourite stores. List items you’d like to receive; all in all price ranges. Guests can select the gifts they like and and can afford. The gift consultant will check off item purchased in that store, but do let them know when you get something from another place.
 Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel Visit our website for more wedding planning information http://www.bridaltalk.theweddingguide.ca
Have fun unwrapping those gifts- be careful that no gift cards get separated from their packages or that cheques get misplaced. As you unwrap each gift, list it in a special book, along with a description, the sender’s name and address and the date it arrived. Leave space for the date you mail a thank-you note. And star those presents for the bridal consultant to check off your gift registry so its kept up to date.
Send a personal handwritten thank-you note for each gift you receive, even if it’s from a close friend you’ve thanked in person and see every day. You don’t have to send written notes to your fiancé or your parents, though they might love finding a surprise note in a pocket or on their pillow. Keep up with your notes by writing as each gift comes in. And do try to send a thank-you within two weeks after a gift arrives; no later than one month after your honeymoon.
When writing your thank-yous, be brief but specific. In the first sentence, mention the gift itself. (“cappuccino maker”) If you don’t know what it is, refer to it by colour or material (“the pretty blue crystal piece”). Next say something more about the present.
If you receive a single gift from a large group (like your co-workers, or relatives), send one note to the group as a whole but if the joint gift is from two or three people, write to each one separately. Sign off with your first and last names or just your first, using your newly married name, only after your wedding, and only if, you are taking your your partner’s name.
Although the internet is wide-spread and convenient, It is not acceptable to send your thank-you by email. The proper way is to send it the old-fashioned way with a stamp.
No matter how careful you are about registering your preferences, you’re bound to receive duplicates or gifts you may not want. Since no one likes to think his gift was exchanged, take back only the items you’re the giver will never know about. Otherwise, keep the gift. And never ask someone to exchange a present he or she gave you. Do it yourself if you know where it came from. The same is true for a damaged gift, unless it was sent by the giver through the mail or courier company and it was insured. Avoid mentioning about returned gifts or duplications in your thank-you note, instead thank the givers for their lovely thought and generosity.
You’re engaged and there is much to do and plan. One of the first steps that you should take after deciding your budget is to set up a bridal registry, which will help people who choose to bring you a gift for your engagement parties and pre-wedding celebrations.
Take your fiancé with you and make your registry a joint effort. This is a time to really have fun and items can be added like a deluxe BBQ, outdoor patio furniture, garden accessories, ladders, electric tools, camping gear and more.
Let your shower hostesses know where you registered so they can add it to the invitation. The idea is to have everyone “shower” you with gifts. When it comes to your wedding invitation, do not include an enclosure care or any mention of where your registered. Notify both sets of parents, as well as members of the wedding party where you are registered, so they can assist with casually spreading the word.
 Steve Pomerleau Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will trave When you are registering for your gifts, feel free to register at more than one store, which gives your guests more options. It’s always helpful to have a lot of price points in your registry, so guests can choose accordingly for engagement, shower and wedding items.
Once you have registered, review your registry often to make changes and additions to your list.
Do pay attention to the small print when you decide to register. Will gifts be shipped to your address or will you have to pick them up. Know their return policy time frame. Check too to see if they offer toll-free and online shopping for your guests.
Registering for your future is fun and it’s an exciting time. Do make sure you list a lot of options priced at or below fifty dollars. Don’t just register for high-end items.
And, when a gift is given, the etiquette tradition that remains steadfast is the thank you note. Don’t make guests wonder whether their gift got lost in the mail. Promptly send personal, hand-written thank-you notes after you receive a gift. Your note doesn’t have to be anything fancy or long; just let them know you appreciate their gift and thank them for being a part of your wedding celebrations. That is, in fact what matters most.
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