“You’re not marrying anyone, don’t just wear anything. Tuxedos are meant for special occasions and a wedding day is just that!” Mission Statement
 Photography: Kristi King Unlike women, who are used to dressing up, men may feel intimidated when faced with the prospect of wearing a tuxedo for their wedding day. Most men expect formal wear to feel uncomfortable until they actually try it on, and then, they are relieved when they find the outfit is quite comfortable and it looks great on them, too!
 Photography: Kristi King As with wedding gown fashion, certain styles come and go in the world of men’s formal wear, although the basics always remain the same with the elegance and romance of a tuxedo. Currently, the traditional black and white ensemble is very popular and, it never out of style. It’s a return to the glamour days of Hollywood, and the James Bond look!
 Photography: Kristi King Robin Fortier, Owner and General Manager states, “That every customer can expect a warm greeting and friendly help throughout the entire process. With a palette of great colours and patterns for vests and accessories, it’s easy to add a personal style and statement about that guy wearing the tux!”
Offering brand names such as After Six, Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Bill Blass and Halston, they have a breadth of selection and everything is in stock. Out- of- town Groomsmen can be measured in the city they are in, and simply post their measurements on Monty’s website. Instant alterations are always available. There’s also a large selection of tuxedos and shoes and accessories for ring bearers!
When the Groom finally reaches the altar in his formal attire, it’s all a part of the wedding day magic that Monty Formal Wear creates. Trust their good taste, style and know-how for your special day.
 As seen in The Wedding Guide Windsor|Essex County
Not too long ago, encore brides wore a pink suit and wed in the clerk’s office at City Hall. Understandably, since so many weddings across the country are second or subsequent marriages, the rules for “proper” behaviour have realistically eased.
 Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario, will travel The underlying theme this time, whether divorced or widowed, is romantic rather than innocent.
Check first with your clergy for any religious restrictions. You may then find this the perfect opportunity for a home or garden wedding or an intimate church wedding with a larger reception. But if you’ve always dreamed of a large wedding, go ahead. A Sunday wedding will allow you more choices for reception facilities.
Your wedding dress may be ivory, the new pinks or peaches, or the traditional white. This time you may have a lower cut dress, but forgo the train and replace the veil with a romantic hat or a sophisticated beaded headpiece or a fascinator, made popular by Kate Middleton.
A widow may want to have a male member of the family give her away, while the encore bride may walk by herself, or with the groom. A new popular custom is including your sons and daughters as attendants, or as flower girl and ring bearer, if they are young.
At the reception, there need not be a formal receiving line, and while most of the “fun” traditions remain, the throwing of the bouquet and garter and rice or confetti are usually reserved for first weddings.
Marriage Reaffirmations are also increasing in popularity. Once reserved for 25th or 50th anniversaries, they are now being celebrated as early as the fifth anniversary.
Many couples choose to recreate their wedding day, complete with original dress and attendants, while others opt for a clergy renewing their vows during an Anniversary Party. Couples are also finding this a great opportunity to redesign their wedding day and enjoy the ensuing celebration.
HERE’S TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH
Marriage is good for men, according to the American Council of Life Insurance. Their statistics show that husbands are healthier, wealthier and more industrious than bachelors.
 John Lyons Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel Wedding toasts are something that most are nervous about delivering and are also one of the last things that are thought about, prior to the wedding day. It is a time of sentiment and congratulations and should be prepared for.
The toast may be made by a friend of the bride’s family, the master of ceremonies or more typically, the best man.
“Ladies and Gentlemen: It is an honour and a privilege for me to propose a toast to the bride and groom. I have known ( groom’s name) for many years. (Relate short story from childhood or perhaps, college days.) I remember well when he first met (bride’s name), suddenly lost interest in (our previous activities). But seriously, (groom) is a great guy and has found a wonderful person to marry. (Relate an amusing story about the bride, some of her accomplishments, or compliment her). (Groom) is a lucky man!
“Ladies and Gentleman, please rise, with glasses full, and join me in wishing the bride and groom much success and happiness. To the bride and groom!’
Groom’s Response:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of my wife and myself, thank you for the gracious toast to our health and happiness. We appreciate your kind words and good wishes. I am indeed a lucky man to have found (bride) to be my wife(partner) to be my wife, and to have all of you here today to share our joy and happiness.
There are many people to whom we wish to express our thanks and gratitude. It is difficult to know where to begin. But, I must mention our best man (name); our maid of honour (name), and our wedding party. You have helped us so much. Thanks for everything!
“We are particularly grateful to the (clergy or officiator) for his/her guidance and inspiration. Thank you.”
I also want to express my gratitude to my parents for guiding me through the years. I wish to express heartfelt thanks to my ‘new parents’ for their help, and especially for having given me my lovely bride. (partner) I return the toast to all of you.
Toasts can be made be anyone at the wedding. This is the time to let those who have had a significant impact on either the bride or groomt how much they mean to them.
When the bride delivers a bride speech, she should share her feelings with friends and family and let her warm words shine through to all the guests.
Wine comes in at the mouth; loves comes in through the eye. Henri Matisse
Just as you would any other legal documents for large items you purchase, such as a car or a home; be sure to have a written contract and/or a letter of commitment from each of your wedding services. This is the only way to assure that you and the service provider agree on all details. Include a departure, goods that will be delivered and time of delivery, contracted costs, overtime costs, deposits required, balance due and due date.
 Brandon Scott Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel If you have a list of details (such as types of flowers in each bouquet or arrangements or items to be included (like your total number of tuxedos and their sizes, that you are renting) amend the contract to include that information. Both you and the service provider should sign, and you should both have copies. The contract should clarify any price increases and clearly state that you will pay the original quoted price.
Since your reception will likely be the most costly item in your wedding budget, the contract should contain the most details. If you are purchasing a wedding “package”, make sure that all those items are specifically listed in the contract, from the exact food items and courses that will be served to the brands of liquor poured at the bar to the style of the service (white glove, full tuxedo) that will be attending to your guests during the reception.
If your reception facility is undergoing a renovation, that should be noted in your contract, along with the completion date, as well as any provisions they will make should the renovation not be completed for your day. Any special considerations for your event that are being made by the facility should be noted in your contract. For example, if they are providing table arrangements for you or they are providing extra bar during the cocktail hours, make sure the contract states that clearly.
Other services such as D.J. or limousine, invitations, catering, etc., services should provide times when events are happening and when and where they will be to service you.
Have someone bring your contracts to the wedding to answer any last minute questions or concerns. Purchasing wedding services is the same as purchasing any other item during your daily life. Any time money is exchanged and particularly when it deposits are given months before the service is delivered, it is important for both yourself and the service provider to know the terms of the sale and how it is going to be handled.
You have a wedding to plan and your can barely contain your excitement. You have found your life partner. Remember to live in the present moment, take a breath and enjoy right now!
There will be plenty of time to make your decisions and plan this special day. You both need to take time to simply enjoy the excitement and dream about your wedding while sharing your good news!
You may have been reading a lot about “Do It Yourself Weddings” in many of the magazines that highlight wedding gowns. If you are not inclined to be creative, have never done any big projects, are not a baker or a decorator or a florist or caterer- don’t think that this is the time to begin your road to creativity. Be realistic. And, if your friends and family offer to help, know their limitations and think it throgh before you say yes! You have a marriage in your future and a life to live while you are planning.
When it comes to weddings, they are milestones and you both want everything perfect and more importantly, stress-free. By endeavouring to do it all- you may actually spend more time and more money than if you hired out the service.
 John Lyons Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel Wedding Professionals make their living serving bridal couples. They have the experience and the know- how about how to get things done and done properly. They know how to do their jobs. Trust them to make your day the special memory that you deserve. And check their references and see what others have had to say about their work. You will have the confidence in their expertise.
I have seen too many brides lose it, by trying to glue satin ribbon onto self-produced invitations with the end result being glue stuck to their fingers and a waste basket full of damaged paper goods. Or a crying bride trying to complete a floral bouquet or a wedding cake; so frustrated with tears in their eyes. If you can do it well then it will work. If you use your wedding as an experiment, you may be in for a rough road ahead, filled with frustration.
Leave the planning to the wedding pros and sit back and have a beautiful celebration. The months leading up to your day are going to be full of decision-making and the last thing you need is too saddle yourself with stress. A wedding, no matter what the size takes time and thought and we, here at The Wedding Guide believe that your engagement should be the happiest days of your life.
Do what you can do well, and leave the rest to the people who do it for a living. They are your friends and neighbours; they run their local businesses and continually solidify their reputations in this community.
Watch for our Wedding Guide Preferred Professional icon on Facebook and Twitter posts. Our pros are people we enjoy working with, and as a bride, we know you will to. They will work with your budget to ensure that your day is done your way.
Take a breath so while you plan now, you can look back on these days as a wonderful experience to beginning your “first steps together.”
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