Wedding planning isn’t difficult but there is lots of research and planning to do. From weekends away with the girls to cakes and stationery, you will be constantly challenged with coming up with the best answers for the two of you.
We appreciate that you are busy with school or work and planning your wedding is sandwiched in between your regular routine. When picking your vendors, make sure that they not only understand what you want and how you wish it to be delivered, be very certain that you can work together well to achieve the goal that you are looking for.
Bachelorette Weekend
Jaques Scheepers Photography, Windsor, Ontario
What used to be one last night of the single life has turned into a weekend trip with the girls! Many brides are finding a group getaway a great alternative to girl’s night out. Though the main idea of any celebration is to have fun, the destination is as different as each bride-to-be. Las Vegas, Toronto, New York or Chicago are always popular choices with their abundant night life and package pricing. Another alternative is a destination spa weekend. Though you may opt to fly to a famous spa resort for a few days of pampering, there are now well-regarded overnight spas in most areas as well as in upscale hotels. You can even make your own weekend get-away; settle in at a friend’s cottage, on or off season, and organize all types of activities. Get manicures and pedicures from a traveling spa, have a chef visit for a cooking class, or plan a day of shopping at the local boutiques.
A note from the two of you
The time when you are ordering your wedding invitations and announcements is also the perfect opportunity to order your own personalized stationery ensemble. Some items you may want to include are thank you notes, correspondence cards and letterhead with coordinating envelopes printed with your return address. You may want a set in both your names, as well as a set for each of you separately. Some wedding invitation packages may include some of these items such as personalized thank you cards. Take time to browse through the many options that are offered before making your decision-there are so many beautiful colours, papers and styles available to choose from. Pick something that expresses and complements your own unique personalities! If you can’t make up your mind or don’t know where to start, ask for guidance from the invitation expert that you are working with.
It’s His Ring Too
Take some time for the two of you to shop for your wedding bands, at least a few months before the wedding. Since many men end up forsaking their wedding bands sometime after their “I Do’s”, perhaps a little more input from your groom on the style and design of the bands will result in a choice of rings that you’ll both love. You might want to start at the jeweller where your engagement ring was purchased; someone that you are both comfortable working with. Choosing a family heirloom ring that has been passed down from generation to generation means much more emotionally than purchasing a new ring, but you’ll still need to have it sized by a professional jeweller and maybe personalize it even more by engraving it with a special message or your wedding date, inside the band.
Choose wisely
One of the more important decisions most couples have to make after they become engaged is figuring out who they want to include in their wedding party. Family politics may play a part in the choices but it’s usually best to let your own intuition guide you. Probably the best advice you’ll hear is to choose attendants that have played an important part in your both your life and in this special relationship. And be sure they are people that you can rely on. Be clear with your attendants on what their responsibilities will be; especially in terms of what expenses they will be expected to bear and what costs you will pick up.
Getting to know each other
 Jaques Scheepers Photography, Windsor, Ontario Some wedding officiants offer or require pre-marital counseling programs for couples that wish to be married in their house of worship. Take advantage of this great opportunity to know each other better under the tutelage of professionals. Many couples believe the communications skills they learned in these sessions and weekends have helped them through difficult times in their marriage. Though some couples come away from this time with the realization that they may not yet be ready for marriage or are not suited to their intended, most find they are better prepared for what lies ahead in their relationship and have a more realistic vision of what married life will be like. There are often other married couples that have been through the same program available to provide wise advice that can last a lifetime.
The Icing on the Cake
In the cake portion of your wedding celebration, many avant-garde options have become available to today’s couples thanks to the creative minds and efforts of pastry chefs everywhere. Often, instead of one large wedding cake, guests are now treated to their own individual mini wedding cake, complete with layers and elaborate décor. For the bride with decision difficulties, there can be a cake for each table, decorated to order and each featuring a different flavour. For the young-at-heart, cupcakes, macarons and mini pies have emerged as a popular alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Cupcakes of varying flavours and icing are decorated to match the theme and atmosphere of the wedding itself and are displayed in grand style. Dessert bars and elaborate sweet tables have also become popular.
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.
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.
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Your wedding cake is one of many focal points of your wedding reception. Once you cut the cake, it indicates that the meal portion of your celebration is over and it’s time to party.
When deciding on your wedding cake, make arrangements to see the baker’s portfolio of wedding cakes. If you don’t like his or her style, move on.
Taste several samples. The ingredients really don’t matter if you like the final results.
Brainstorm styles and designs with the baker. Each cake should be custom-made.
Trevor Booth Photography
Discuss bride and groom cake toppers.
Order your cake at least three months in advance.
Find out if the baker or the florist will add flowers to the cake and/or cake table. Don’t pay twice for that service.
Square and round cakes are simplest and will serve more guests than oval or heart shaped confections.
Expect to pay $1.50 to $10 per slice of cake, depending on the intricacy of the design.
Expect to pay a 10 to 15 percent deposit when you place your order.
The groom places his hand over your right hand when you cut the cake.
Save the top layer for a future celebration.
Save the top layer for a future celebration.
This year’s weddings will call for a charming mix of modern and classic designs. Today’s bride and groom wants anything but ordinary and will strive to put their own personal signature style on the day. ELEGANT, DRAMATIC and CHIC will be the buzzwords for brides this year, with the key word being GLAMOROUS!
Black and white continues to make a bold statement that speaks of formality. Black table linens and black and white colour combinations make for a sophisticated, modern look. Tuxedos are regaining their popularity and adding to the theme of “downtown formality” which is a combo of crystal chandeliers, sparkle and high style. This look can be achieved without blowing the budget!
Jewellery trends start with loads of colour, beginning with the engagement ring. Diamonds are still at the top of the list as desired engagement rings, but emerald, topaz, garnet, amethyst, aquamarine and other precious gemstones are the big rage. You’ll also see large pieces of beautiful costume jewelley adorning the bride.
Bridal planning resources, are necessary to keep the couple on track. The Wedding Guide, which is available in over 100 cities in North America and an experienced Bridal Consultants are the two most important factors in any planning, helping to arrange a wedding from start to finish.
Consultants help people make memories because of their useful resources and professionalism. Enrolling them will rescue the bride and groom from possible exhaustion on their wedding day, so they can relax and enjoy.
Even if a bride elects to plan her own wedding, it’s worthwhile having a consultant oversee the actual day. Ninety percent of couples who employ their assistance, report they enjoyed their day to the fullest.
Weddings can be big work. Arranging professionals who understand, empathize and try their utmost to make the day the best it can be, is one of the best things a couple can do.
The bride’s cake, symbolic of abundance and fertility, was traditionally a three-tiered white sponge cake, frosted in white royal or buttercream icing. Tradition, however, has crumbled. Brides are now choosing cakes of just about any flavour; German chocolate, Italian rum, strawberry, carrot, yellow or marble. Icings can be fondant, buttercream or completely without any at all.
In other words, you may accommodate your own sweet tooth.
Choose your baker by sampling their cakes, if possible and looking over their album of cake designs and styles. You will find cakes that are designed as multi-tiered and sheet cakes or single to multi-layers. Your fantasy becomes reality with a creative baker.
Select your baker at least four months in advance, be prepared to describe your wedding, the number of guests, location and time. A deposit of 25-30 percent is customarily given at the time you place your order. Request a receipt describing the type of cake you ordered, its filling, icing style and colour of decorations.
The decoration on the top of your cake can be as unique as the cake itself. Statues of the bride and groom are traditional, and renderings are available representing a variety of nationalities, hair colours and styles of dress designs. If you’d like something more contemporary, choose fresh flowers, a “bling” monogram of your initials, a delicate glass blown top decoration or modern rendition of a bridal couple. There are many to choose from and some brides opt for something different and untraditional. century.
Your baker will give you cutting instructions. Remember, when you make the first cut, hold the knife in your right hand. The groom’s hand closes over the bride’s together cutting a slice, then sharing it. This tradition evolves from an ancient Greek custom where a couple shared a sesame seed cake to ensure their marriage would be fruitful.
The top layer or a couple of slices of your wedding cake is generally wrapped and frozen to await the celebration of your first anniversary.
Your own mini-dessert buffet might include dozens of different finger pastries and is commonly seen at Old World style, Greek, Italian, and Polish weddings. This option gives guests a chance to sample an array of tarts, cakes, cake pops, cupcakes, confections brownies, donuts and more. Include some fruit and sugarless treats for guests on restricted diets.
While a sweet table doesn’t replace your wedding cake, you may opt for a smaller version. Guests will want to save room for sampling, lingering near the table as they mull over their choices.
The area where you set up your wedding cake is one of the most photographed areas during your reception, second to your first dance. Remember to keep the area clear so that your photos don’t show an unflattering back wall of your venue.
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