budget Archives - The Wedding Guide - Planning Windsor/Essex Ontario

You’re Engaged… What Now?

Congratulations! There’s just so much to do! Where to start? What is the first thing you should do after becoming engaged?

Relax! Enjoy the moment! Allow yourselves a little time to simply enjoy the excitement, to talk and dream about your wedding, your honeymoon, and your future together. How will you set up your home as a married couple?

Your first steps should be to set a realistic budget and vow together to stick to it. The sky is the limit with planning and services; there’s so much choice and so many things you may want to invest in. But, remember, it’s only one day. Pick one ‘luxe’ item that you can’t live without and do it well. Everything else will fall into place once you have set your priorities.

You’ve been dreaming about this very special day since you were little. Your good news has probably bubbled out as you’ve told a few people, family and friends but there’s no need to rush into future wedding plans until you’ve had time to enjoy the present moment. Your life partner has arrived and you need to cherish these oh-so-special, never-to-be-repeated days together.

Where shall we start? Don’t be overwhelmed with the details. Instead, try to make each step of your planning an event. Reserve a day to shop with your wedding party, or with your mother. Treat yourself to a nice luncheon along the way. Plan a romantic Friday evening in a special spot to cap off a week of consultations.

Getting organized will help you put your wedding planning in order. Plan now to look back on these days as a wonderful adventure to beginning your “first steps together.”

Plan ahead for a well-rounded wedding reception with style

How many times in your life have you volunteered to plan a party for 150 or more of your closest friends with you as the guest of honour?

Your wedding day is likely the only time you’ll be in charge of such a momentous event. Follow a few guidelines and you’ll avoid many inadvertent and untimely gaffes invited by a lack of planning.

First and foremost, ask to visit your reception facility during another wedding so that you can observe an actual wedding taking place.

Choose the site and the food for your reception according to the time of the year your wedding takes place. Serve food that is appropriate for the time of day as well as the season.

Include an RSVP card in your invitation so you can provide an accurate guest count to the reception facility. Plan to do this two weeks before your wedding, even though you may be updating this list often.

Discuss seating arrangements with your banquet coordinator at the reception site. You can seat your guests however you wish; there are no hard and fast rules. Prepare for any surprise guests and last minute changes.

Making your guests work doesn’t necessarily mean you’re saving yourself any money. Buffet service often costs more than a sit-down meal. A greater variety of dishes are typically offered to start with, and platters constantly need to be replenished.

If you are having a master of ceremonies, be sure they are clear on what their role is and what you want to be announced. Discuss these important details in advance.

Mike Kovaliv Photography

Have the musicians or DJ play a variety of music so that everyone can enjoy dancing at your reception. Discuss special requests and dances in advance.

Do not require your guests to pay for their own drinks. If you decide against an open bar, consider serving only wine, champagne, mineral water or soft drinks.

Do not allow bartenders to put out tip jars. Whoever is paying for the reception should handle the gratuities.

Assign a friend or family member to transport gifts from the reception to your residence. Gifts and money should be placed in a secure room at the reception to prevent loss or theft.

Chalet Studio Photography

Keep any photo sessions brief- your guests will notice any conspicuous absence.

Instead of numbering your tables, try naming them. For example, an avid reader marrying an outdoor enthusiast might have tables named “Grisham & Golfing Table” and “Hemingway and Hiking Table.”

Provide a map showing locations of guest hotels, parents’ homes, rehearsal dinner and reception facilities as well as the ceremony site is an absolute necessity for your guest.

Emphasize well-marked main routes; indicate available parking areas. Include maps with invitations and have additional copies available at the ceremony.

Have a beautiful day!

Your Ceremony

“With this ring, I thee wed.” Solemnization of Matrimony

Visual Expression Photography & Video by Angelo Verrelli, Windsor, Ontario

Your wedding ceremony is a public declaration of a very significant and private decision of your life. Your guests are not only the audience, but also participants who are there to wish you well.

Your ceremony is a drama filled with emotion and life-changing events. You set the stage with florals and costume the cast. You are the writer and director of this production. Although certain rituals in the ceremony are common, your wedding will be unique.

Traditional ceremonies take place at the couples place of worship; churches, chapels or synagogues. It will require many meetings with your clergy/officiant will be required to discuss the details of the ceremony, along with the importance of your commitment. Marriage workshops can be attended prior to your wedding day.

If your upcoming marriage is non-traditional, it can take place at many venues such as a winery, historic mansion, railway station, restaurant- the choices are limitless. If you are hosting an outdoor affair, your planning will require a little more work. You will need to determine capacity, an inclement weather plan, etc.

Beautiful Blooms for Your Wedding

The first step in choosing a florist is to make an appointment to discuss ideas and to look at the florist’s work. the experienced florist usually has limitless ideas and should be able to work within any couple’s budget.

A first consultation with a florist can often last one to two hours, so it is important to call ahead for an appointment and to allow plenty of time. since the style of the gown and formality of the wedding will play an important role in choosing coordinating flowers and designs, many florists ask for fabric swatches and photographs of the bridal gown and bridesmaid’s dresses.

Come with open minds, for the florist will surely have a bountiful bouquet of fresh ideas guaranteed to make your wedding day unique.

Remember to discuss your requirements for the ceremony, wedding party, mother’s corsages and boutonnieres. There will be centrepieces for the head and guest’s tables and you may want to place flowers on the wedding cake and/or dessert table.

Is a Wedding Coordinator a Necessity or a Luxury?

How would you like to have an expert by your side throughout your wedding planning? Someone who acts like a best friend to look after you, advocate for you and be there personally, at every turn? It’s an important day and every bride deserves to one that goes off without a glaring misstep. A professional consultant will ensure that your wedding is a well-planned, worry-free success which reflects your style and is within your budget.

Planning a wedding from inception to completion can be a full time commitment for any bride. Oftentimes a bride feels that it is too much to tackle alone, or even as a couple. Today’s busy brides find that hiring a wedding coordinator is a time-effective way to plan the wedding of their dreams. It is well worth the investment because it lets them relax and enjoy the time leading up to their special day without all the tension.

There are so many details to planning a wedding, irregardless of the size. There are so many confusing decisions. How do you find reliable services? How do you know your hard earned dollars are well spent? A good Bridal Co0ordinator will produce a budget outline and a list of dependable suppliers. Unusual requests are not out of line, the consultant will know where to go.

A good wedding coordinator listens to your ideas, gives you unbiased opinions about options and then helps you make them a reality. Like any of the decisions associated with your wedding, it is important to find a consultant you feel a good fit with; both on a conceptual and operational level. It is important to be upfront with your planner about your wedding budget and what items are priorities for the two of you. Also, as with any wedding vendor, make sure your coordinator’s responsibilities and fees are spelled out clearly in the contract you sign.

Wedding consultants usually have a creative flair in addition to their extensive organizational skills and resourcefulness. They can help you translate your wedding day dreams into reality. These coordinators know the best local wedding suppliers and can offer you their knowledge and expertise in any aspect of wedding planning. They are familiar with the latest trends in weddings, from fresh colours to unique entertainment.

Your planner will stay in close contact with you throughout the entire process, so all details and preparations can be dealt with as they arise and according to a comfortable schedule that is both financially and time sensitive. Be responsive to your coordinator’s communications so that you will both stay on track, time-wise with your wedding planning.

Wedding coordinators can also be a vital part of orchestrating your wedding as the go-to person on the actual day of the event, someone who anticipates issues that may arise, facilitates the flow of events as they are happening, and puts out any fires before you even get a hint that something isn’t what (or where) it should be. Having that supervision will insure a worry free day for the two of you, as well as any family or friends that might have ended up dealing with any difficulties.

Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario, (will travel)

Though many think a wedding coordinator is a luxury that only the wealthiest of brides can afford, a good coordinator can save you money in the long run. Their frequent work with wedding vendors can make them and you as their client, privy to certain rates and discounts that are not available to the general consumer.

Since you only get to do this once, who wonder or worry? Consultants have the experience you need and are wel- versed on all point of social elegance.

When you invest in a Bridal Consultant be assured that you will be assured that your day will be attended to and it will be in good hands.

You’re Engaged… What Now?

Plan ahead for a well-rounded wedding reception with style

Your Ceremony

Beautiful Blooms for Your Wedding

Is a Wedding Coordinator a Necessity or a Luxury?

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