Flaunt Your Rock – An Engagement Contest

LOVE is in the air! Did you recently get engaged and are beaming with pride over the shiny rock on your finger? Want to flaunt it some more? In honor of all the love going around, I am holding a contest for you engaged love birds to show off your new bling!

What do you get for flaunting that shiny new rock? The winner will receive a one hour engagement session and a $100 print credit.

The Details:

• Submit 1 photograph of your ring & 1 photograph of yourselves (please do not submit images taken by another professional photographer).

• Encourage all of your friends and family to vote for you. The ring with the most votes wins!

• Engaged couples only.

• Open to both Vancouver and Edmonton couples (there will be a winner for each city!)

All submissions must be received by midnight March 5th, 2010.

Check out these two photographers who are offering this contest:
Jen Williams: Edmonton
Leslie Brown: Fort McMurray

Just thought i’d share this with my lovely readers….

www.weddingworldonline.com

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“Why do I need a coordinator my venue will do everything, they come with a coordinator” – This is one of the largest misconceptions when it comes to Venue Coordinator (the one that is at/comes with your venue) vs. an Event/Wedding Coordinator.

We are two very different kinds. Very simply put a wedding coordinator’s client is you; a venue coordinator’s client is their manager. A wedding planner’s interests lye with the client (YOU) while a venue coordinator’s interest lye with the venue.

A venue coordinator may assist with putting out linens or perhaps a room layout or even give you a list of the vendors that have been to those facilities before. However, most venues come with a coordinator. Most venues also have high turnover and multiple weddings in a day, which means you aren’t their only concern that day and you will potentially be working with a few ‘coordinators’. With multiple weddings, they aren’t in your room the whole time ensuring that guests aren’t raiding the sweet buffet before dinner! Once food is served they usually disappear. This doesn’t offer much support later on when you can’t find your toss bouquet or the Emcee goes missing.

A venue coordinator is there to coordinate anything that relates to the venue; where as a wedding planner is there to coordinate anything that relates to your wedding.

Both a wedding coordinator and venue coordinator are very important, but they also play very different roles, which may overlap in a few places concerning the reception décor or set up. But that’s usually where the similarities end.
Venue Coordinator will:
- create a floor plan
- create a menu, and attending the tasting
- set out décor items you brought the night before
- ensure a grand entrance into the reception room

Wedding Coordinator will*:
- assemble a master timeline and ensure it is carried out
- reviews contracts, ensure contracts are carried out
- have contracts on hand and previous emails to back up what vendors have said they will do for you
- ensure vendors/VIPs arrive and know what to do
- direct & assist guests at the ceremony and reception
- ensure that your best man has the rings that the marriage certificate is in place
- work with you to set up your rehearsal, direct if necessary
- create a seamless wedding by being the liaison between family/cake/dj/photographer/other vendors
- line up and cue the bridal party & musicians
- attend to any needs of the bride & bridal party
- set out any personal items (guestbook, flowers, escort cards, etc.) at the reception & ceremony and then collect any personal items

*(sample list, not even remotely complete)

Edmonton Photographer Cosmin Danila

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when getting ready on your big day!

1. Wear a zip up or button up shirt; you don’t want to pull a shirt over your hairdo.

2. Plan for extra time. You will probably run behind and a few minutes to sit and breath is kind of nice.

3. Pre layout everything for the big day, the night before. (i.e. necklace, underwear, deodorant, lip-gloss, purse etc.)

4. Ensure you have let your dress breath (wrap it under a bed sheet so it doesn’t get dusty) for a week before the big day, and steam the night before not the morning of.

5. Don’t spray perfume on yourself with your dress on, some perfumes stain!

6. Pack some snacks & water- not choclate, but some almonds, apples, oranges, something that has fiber and energy - just in case you forget to eat.

7. Have the least amount of people with you when getting ready. This equals to less people to distract you and less people to get your dress dirty, rip your dress or just plain get in your way.

Well, really all the brides are winners! Everyone had such fabulous ideas and are lucky because they found the one person that loves them! Once again congratulations to all of the brides who entered out contest for a free wedding planner.

Now before I announce the winner, I thought now would be a good time to tell you it isn’t too late to hire a wedding planner, but I do only have four spots left this year and a few for 2011. Invest in your loved ones and your sanity and peace of mind for the wedding day, and hire someone to look after the details.

……and finally, the winners are: Katherine and Thomas

First wedding of 2010, and what a beautiful wedding with a fabulous and absolutely stunning couple.

The wedding ceremony was held in the beautiful Jean Baptiste Catholic church in Morinville, Mike’s hometown. The photos below are from the extremely talented Erik Hornung, and are only a sampling, I can’t wait to see the decor and all the rest of the fun bridal party photos!

The reception was held at the Edmonton Garrison Officer’s Mess Hall, flowers were created by Corals,  DJ and transportation services from Revolution DJ, catering by Elizabethan.

There was a beautiful blue snowflake brooch in the front of  Taryn’s bouquet from her maid of honor, it was a simple and elegant touch.

(this one is my favorite!)

What an absolutely good looking and very sweet couple. Thank you again for choosing me to be a part of your day. It was very special for me and I wish the two of you many years of happiness!

Gratuities are for those who have preformed their duties and have done them exceptionally well and above your expectations, they are usually provided at the end of the night (usually in cash). Most tips are at the discretion of the bride & groom. I can tell you from experience that when a gratuity is received or presented no matter what amount the vendors are extremely happy.

Alternatively, you’d also be surprised how far a thank you card, testimonial for a website/portfolio, review on their services on a website, or perhaps some photos from your wedding goes! This is something you could do to thank your vendor for a job well done that they might just appreciate more than a gratuity.

Here are some vendors you might want to include into your budget.

Caterer - Usually this is built into the contract price, usually 15-18%. Unfortunately if they do not live up to expectations you cannot take back the gratuity you will need to speak to the vendor after the wedding.

Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist – Depending on the services and how early they had to come in, a tip of 15 – 20% is typical.

Limo Driver/Transportation – Usually a tip of 15 - 20% is provided, sometimes it is included in the contract, so read your contracts.

Wedding Planner – Any gratuity is at the discretion of the bride and groom.

Photographers/Videographers – Gratuities are normally presented but if your photographer/videographer went above and beyond what you had expected, typical amounts can be anywhere from $50 – $100 and more.

Ceremony Musicians – Typical amounts range from $50 - $100 depending on the amount of musicians and length of play.

Officiant – Any gratuity is at the discretion of the bride and groom and can range from $20 on up. Be careful when tipping if you are using a religious institute as sometimes it would have to be in the form of a donation to the church and not to the priest/minister/reverend etc.

DJ – When a DJ has done their job right, no one wants to leave! They most certainly appreciate any gratuity but it is not expected, typical amounts range from $20 - $100.

Floral Designer – A gratuity is not expected but is very much appreciated. Typical amounts start at $20 and go up.

Cake/Baker – As with the florist a gratuity is not expected by much appreciated, and is at the discretion of the bride & groom.

 Remember most of the time it is not up to the contract, but to you as gratuity is a thank you for exceptional services not a must, nor is it expected. Very much appreciated but not expected.

One of my absolute FAVORITE new trends, in fact I have a secret project comming up that includes one super awesome one made by me! Take a look at how garlands are being used, so very versatile and so inexpensive!

(Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

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There are few events in life that are as exciting and stressful, as shopping for you wedding dress. Here are a few tips on how to keep sane and ensure your dress arrives on time.

- It takes 6-9 MONTHS to order a wedding dress, go early
- Don’t bring an entourage, keep it to three people total
- Keep an open mind, how it looks on the hanger isn’t close to how it will on you
- Have an idea of the style you would like, bring pictures
- Go with a budget, let the sales person know the budget
- Go on an off day of the week, during the day (Monday – Thursday)
- Make appointments
- Do your makeup and hair, you’ll feel better in the dress
- Don’t be upset if you have to go up 2 - 4 sizes, it’s normal
- Don’t just start looking, it will overwhelm you

(source - yes that is me, doing my favorite job!- - fixing the dress)

A wedding planner’s main job is to save you time, money, and stress. The largest difference of a wedding with a wedding planner is that you will see the bride having a good time and the bride and groom will be guests at their own wedding instead of having to tend to every little detail that goes array.

Wedding Planners/Coordinators will:
- Obtain lower prices
- Assist you in finding the best vendors
- Negotiate contracts
- Coordinate a schedule with your vendors
- Confirm arrival times and locations, obtain emergency numbers
- Compile a detailed schedule for you, your wedding party, and vendors
- Review contracts from your vendors
- Ensure you receive the services detailed on your contracts
- Ensure your vendors have everything they need
- Set up your ceremony and reception décor
- Transport your ceremony décor (as necessary)
- Direct vendors where to go
- Assist your guests (provide direction/fix attire/obtain high chairs etc.)
- Cue vendors when events are starting/need to end
- Fill in where necessary (i.e if an usher leaves or a guest book attendee does not arrive)
- Keep the event on schedule
- Distribute final payments
- Attend to emergencies

(please note: these are a few applicable tasks, and this can vary from planner to planner, and from package to package)
A big misconception is that your venue coordinator or your relative can take care of everything. A venue will have not contacted the cake person or the florist to ensure they have the correct address and when they are delivering. They also will not call the florist/baker/dj when they have not arrived on time. Will your relative have a back up contact to have another cake delivered or what will happen your bridesmaids pearls go all over the floor, or the ring bearer forgets the rings in the limo, are you going to send them to pick them up? Those are some of the many typical situations that happen at a wedding.

You will also have to be prepared to answer many questions on the day of your wedding, perhaps while getting hair or makeup done while your relative tries to decipher your hand writing or your vendor has a last minute questions. Wedding planners usually will have asked this in advance, have a back up copy, or have a contract/email in hand to answer the pending question.

A wedding planner will give you a list of great vendors to work with, it might not be a direct recommendation for you (as you would receive with full wedding planning), but reputable vendors that they have worked with. Remember they want your day to go as smoothly as possible as it will only make them look better, plus it’s less stress for the planner!

Wedding planners also know what is absolutely necessary to carry out your vision. Some vendors may try to up sell you and tell you need more than you really need. Their goal is to sell you as much as possible; where as the wedding planner is on your side, to ensure you receive your vision, on your budget.

When couples who took on the whole wedding by themselves were asked “what would you have done differently”? The majority say “hire a wedding planner” – ask a friend you’d be surprised!

In short, couples who hire a wedding planner will find that it is the best money they spent, and will enjoy their wedding.