I cannot reiterate often enough, that in this economy, you need to know who the real wedding professionals are. In this day of ”wannabe” vendors in this industry, there are less than desirable businesses out there that you don’t want to deal with. There are inexperienced and unreliable people and how is the bride supposed to know what is truth and what is fiction?
Ask for references and ask to see a wedding in progress, if that is applicable to the service in question. Ask questions and compare apples to apples. Know what you are contracting for and be confident in your decision, before you commit to a service.
Whenever I hear about or see a bride who has been disappointed, I cringe at the lack of integrity from people who are spoiling the bride’s experience. My advice is that your wedding day is far too important to have it spoiled. Hire people you can trust because you don’t want to risk having your day ruined by someone who is not qualified. Seeing finished pictures, tasting the food, knowing where the flowers originated from, all help you to know who you are dealing with.
The only fireworks you want to have during your wedding are the ones you pay for and enjoy. If a service provider clearly is a hobbyist or you feel any doubt in your mind about them delivering your services- don’t contract them to do any work for you.
Qualified experienced professionals are not hard to find, and at The Wedding Guide, we only deal with reputable businesses, which eliminates those worries for you. But the above advice is still the same, as we all have different expectations.
 Chalet Studio Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel JUST AS YOU WOULD any other legal documents for large items you purchase- such as a car or 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 the 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 a copy. 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, that 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 that evening 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 that evening.
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 your facility should be noted in your contract. For example, if they are providing table arrangements for you or they are providing an extra bar during the cocktail hour, make sure the contract states that clearly.
Other services such as disc jockey and limousine services should provide times when all 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.
Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. Apache Wedding Blessing
Enjoy your wedding planning and let your wedding symbolize who you are as a couple.
There are no rules for second marriages and your injection of personalization and style will make it your own. Enjoy!
 Chalet Studio Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel As a second wedding, you are familiar with hiring professionals and contracts, however, if it was a number of years ago, you may want to brush up on current practices, as there are a lot more services available now to you, in the planning department. Lounge furniture, photo booths, charitable -giving and vineyard weddings are but a few.
If you want to wear white, blush, pink or yellow, by all means do. Personalization is a key element in today’s wedding planning.
You probably wore a veil in the past but today’s fascinators, made popular by the recent Royal Wedding, and beautiful hair accessories may be perfect for you!
Your main desire should be to celebrate the love you share with your soon-to-be spouse, and sharing it, during the ceremony with your family and friends.
As a couple, the two of you are beginning a new life together bringing your individual traditions, hopes and dreams to create new union as a couple. Enjoy your wedding planning and let your wedding symbolize who you are as a couple. Make it your own with your injection of personalization and style and enjoy!
Underscore the beauty of your wedding with the right flowers. Find a professional who will take the time to learn about you and the ambiance that you want to create. They will work with your budget, small or large and their advice is paramount to what you want the finished product to look like.
Your décor and flowers are vital elements that add beauty and theme to your wedding day. They set the stage for the mood and colour scheme, while enhancing the joy of the day with fragrance and eye candy.
Cutting roses out of your aunt’s garden and lacing them with a beautiful ribbon is just not good enough. Flowers are a creative process and picking the perfect petals from boutonnieres to bouquets, takes time and the patience of a good creative floral designer.
Your have your wedding day dream about your bridal bouquet and the feeling of your ceremony, right to the centrepieces on the tables. But, are your dream flowers in season on your wedding day? What might you use as a substitute? Can you make less look like more?
 Steve Pomerleau Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel A professional florist or designer can answer all these questions and knows how to bring out your colour palette with the right florals, that will highlight your vision. They will take a few of the key flowers that you want to focus on and make your key elements pop. They know how to mix colours, textures, fabrics and lighting to produce an amazing look that will carry right from your dress and bouquet to the aisle, tables and interlaced throughout your entire day. Flowers are the consistent visual element linking all the activities of your wedding day.
Why risk a DIY project on such an important day? When budget is a consideration, flowers and greenery can create a festive and romantic mood, while letting someone else do the work. There are seasonal considerations to consider as well as colour coordination, time of the day, ceremony location, reception location, centerpieces and finishing touches. Consider tying in your flowers as a cake accessory; that echoes your bouquet and centerpieces.
Wedding flowers are steeped in symbolism, tradition and meaning. Use the opportunity to share your sentiments. It need not be expensive, but you’ll know that you have contracted your special day to a wedding professional to do the coordinating. This wedding is about your individuality; but it doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Trust your professionals to do the job you want. Why expend the time and energy when a professional touch can make all the difference.
With hundreds of capable, talented vendors in Essex/County competing for your business, how do you find and select the best vendors for your wedding?
 The Wedding Guide Windsor|Essex County Celebrates 20 years of proudly serving the local bridal market. LET THE PROS HANDLE IT
Wedding consultants are one of the best and smartest places to find vendors who match your style and taste. They have worked with many companies for years and can pinpoint top vendors in each category that fit your taste and budget. They can also negotiate your rates and contracts so you get the best value and are appraised of the fine print. They will also ensure all your vendors are ready for your big day.
WINDSOR/ESSEX’S BEST REFERRAL GUIDE
The Wedding Guide’s referral network has amazing vendors that have been hand-picked for area brides. Just refer to our bridal directory and visit our websites, theweddingguide.ca and bridaltalk.theweddingguide.ca to find some of the best pros in the business for all your wedding needs. Our Facebook site, http://www.facebook.com/BridalTalk has postings everyday as well as emerging trends and advice from all over the globe!
FRIENDS & FAMILY
Get referrals and great ideas from all your recently married friends. Because they have just completed the process, they are right up to date about everything weddings.
Choose vendors you feel comfortable with and reflect your own personal style. Remember, you will be spending your whole day with some of these people, it’s very important to like them.
A good vendor listens to your vision and enhances or compliments it with new twists you may not have thought of. You can always so no, but it’s important to find a vendor who won’t overwhelm you with their own ideas and not pay any attention to yours. This also gives you a sense of their creativitiy and knowledge of today’s current wedding trends and designs.
Choose a minimum of three vendors for each category (e.g., 3 photographers, 3 bakers etc.) and set-up appointments to visit with them. Continue narrowing down your selections. You may find this tedious and time consuming but your special day is the most important day of your life- wedding planning is a mammoth task!
Visit your top choices a few times to continue establishing a rapport and make certain they’ll meet your needs long after the contract is completed and signed.
Check references and read through the contracts completely and thoroughly before signing with any vendor. As with any purchase; buyer beware and if it doesn’t feel right, it may not be.
The Wedding Guide Windsor/Essex County is here to help you plan the wedding of your dreams with less effort and more enjoyment!
 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
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