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Follow Ciara DaykinWell Saturday is here. Hello Saturday. #dumbass tweet
Follow Simon DaykinSo good evening readers, I have noticed that of late I have been posting a lot of advice for my dear Grooms, well…there is another side to this blog….YES! The “She Said” part of the blog. I do apologize for neglecting that side, so here we go with a little advice for the Brides out there who read this wonderful publication…….
Here is a little article written by Firefly Occasions founder & CEO, my wife…Ciara Daykin.
Brides always ask me in the weeks leading up to their wedding, “Ciara, what advice to you have for me on my wedding day?”
Well, the answer is LOTS… but there are really 3 key things that I think are important to remember on your wedding day that will help you get through the day stress free and truly enjoy it.
Here are my 3 Big Wedding Day Tips for the Bride:
1) It Goes By So Fast- You’ve probably heard a lot of brides say that their wedding day went by so fast. Well, it is only a day after all and days always seem to go by faster when you’re busy and having fun. I always tell my brides that it’s important to stop during the day and take in certain moments so that they are forever imprinted into your memory. When you’re walking down the aisle, really relish the experience. When you’re saying your vows, look into his eyes and take your time. When you’re sitting at the head table, look out at all your guests enjoying themselves (and the centerpieces you picked out)
2) Be Gracious- It’s a big day for you but it’s also a big day for your Mother, your Father, your bridesmaids and 
everyone close to you. There are a lot of emotions running through the air so it’s really important to be a gracious, humble bride. Just because it’s your day doesn’t mean common courtesy like please and thank you go out the window. Think before you speak… or snap… this is a day that will hold a lot of memories and you want them all to be great
3) Thank Everyone- I can’t say this enough- make sure you thank EVERYONE. Make a list before your wedding of everyone who’s helped you with your wedding. Entire friendships have been ruined because a bride and groom forget to thank their friend for helping with an element of their wedding. Especially thank your family and his family (even if you don’t think they totally deserve it). It’s all about being gracious right?? You can’t thank everyone enough on this day.
Ciara’s Bridal Advice
My 3 Big Wedding Day Tips for the Bride are important to remember for a joyous wedding day. The day is filled wth a lot of emotions and it can go by in a flash but if you remember these 3 things you’ll definitely have a great time.
And finally, a message from our sponsoring keywords of the day…Wedding, Bride, Groom, Firefly Occasions, Planner, Romantic, Advice, Wedding Day, Love, Reception, Ceremony, Decor, Lighting, Aisle, Tented, Tent, Draping…I think that should about do it.
Our good friends over at Wildflower Linen in Los Angeles had some exciting news to share. About linens and that little movie I hear is out…I think it’s called Twilight, pasty white guy, sullen girl, some sort of lama with a six pack. I’m told it’s pretty popular.
The company’s owner and founder Youngsong Martin was a guest speaker at our very first Rockstar Wedding Planner LIVE event 3 years back in LA. If you’re wondering what that is, Ciara coaches other wedding planners across North America on how to grow their businesses. It’s a pretty cool thing for the industry. Youngsong is doll, and so damn talented. We’re starting to see a lot of Twilight inspired wedding themes and I can only imagine how crazy it’s gonna get.
Anyway, here is the email we got from Wildflower. Congratulations guys, amazing work.
Wildflower Linen is official licensee of linens, bedding, and home decor inspired by Summit Entertainment’s “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″
Renowned special-event designer Youngsong Martin and her company Wildflower Linen are no strangers to Hollywood glamour, having created high-fashion décor for the post-Oscars Governor’s Ball, Vanity Fair after-parties and such red-carpet galas as a world-premiere bash at the Venice Film Festival in Italy. Youngsong’s elegant table linens and accessories decorated the long-awaited wedding of Bella and Edward, in the fourth installment of Summit Entertainment’s international blockbuster film franchise, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 ” which is in theaters starting November 18, 2011.
Now, thanks to a unique licensing collaboration between Wildflower Linen and Summit Entertainment, fans of the movies’ legendary romance, passion and intrigue can bring “Twilight Saga” inspired fashion décor into their own home. As an official licensee of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” Wildflower Linen has created an exclusive, themed line of glamorous table linens, chair covers, napkins, and tabletop accessories inspired by the actual linens used in the film. These collections were all created and designed by Youngsong Martin.
Wildflower Linen’s “Twilight Saga” inspired decor items debuted recently at the celebrity-studded “Official Twilight Convention” at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, which was attended by the stars of the films, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Fan reaction to Youngsong Martin’s new line of themed table linens, chair covers and home décor accessories was overwhelmingly positive.
“I am so excited to be returning to my fashion-design retailing roots by marketing these new ‘Twilight Saga’ inspired products for fans who would love to infuse their own celebrations with the ‘Twilight’ touch,” Martin remarked.
Product descriptions, specifications, prices and availability information will soon be provided at Wildflower Linen’s website, www.wildflowerlinens.com. Retailers and prospective purchasers also can obtain information about the official “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ linen products by contacting Wildflower Linen’s headquarters at (714) 522-2777 or twilight@wildflowerlinens.com.
The next chapter of “The Twilight Saga” will be released as two separate films with the first of the two – “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ – slated to be released in theatres on November 18, 2011 and the second coming to theatres on November 16, 2012. Academy Award® winner Bill Condon directed both films starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. In “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” Bella (Stewart) and Edward (Pattinson), plus those they love, must deal with the chain of consequences brought on by a marriage and honeymoon, and the tumultuous birth of a child… which brings an unforeseen and shocking development for Jacob Black (Lautner). With more of the romance, passion, intrigue and action that made “Twilight,” “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” worldwide blockbusters, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″, based on Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling book series, begins the conclusion of the tale of vampire love, boundless friendship, acceptance, and finding your true self. The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, is written by Melissa Rosenberg with Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt and Stephenie Meyer producing.
About Youngsong Martin and Wildflower Linen: Since launching Wildflower Linen in 2001, Youngsong Martin has been celebrated for redefining the concept of “designer” rental linens while creating special-event decor for presidential mansions, famed party planning professionals, style-conscious wedding hosts, the U.S. State Department, red carpet events of all kinds, and such superstars as Oprah Winfrey and Elton John. The former women’s apparel designer has also developed a nationwide clientele for her Southern California-based rental company while launching six high-style Wildflower Linen showrooms in Orange County, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Utah’s renowned Deer Valley-Park City alpine resort area. Youngsong Martin’s international acclaim has grown meanwhile through décor consulting alliances with major hospitality businesses overseas. Youngsong also has appeared in several design-oriented reality TV and documentary series and on radio and TV shows internationally.
About Summit Entertainment: Summit Entertainment LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. While handling all aspects of marketing and distribution for its own internally developed productions and acquired pictures, Summit Entertainment also oversees international sales for its own and third-party products. The studio releases 10 to 12 films annually on average.
And now as always, a word from our keywords…Twilight, Team Edward, Team Jacob, Wedding, Celebrity, Film, Firefly Occasions, Planner, Ceremony, Reception, Wildflower Linen, Youngsong Martin, Movie, Romantic, Vampire, Werewolf, Robert Pattinson, Tyler Lautner, Kristen Stewart, Hollywood, Glamor, Breaking Dawn & Stephenie Meyer…..that’s all folks!
Today is Friday, so I am told anyway. And Friday is a party day…bye bye work, hello weekend, hello nice bottle of wine, gin, beer…whatever tickles your bits and makes you feel warm and fuzzy after a long week. So today I am posting an article I wrote about not drinking too much and becoming that guy at your own wedding….talk about embarrassing…
So sit back, grab that bottle (unless you happen to be getting married tomorrow, in which case you should probably be at the rehearsal) and enjoy more of my opinions that the internets afford me to put out into the world.
Here is a little article I like to call “Don’t Be THAT Guy At Your Own Wedding”
My last issue dealt with THAT guy at your wedding. I got quite the response so I thought I’d go one more mile down the road and address how you, the Groom can avoid being THAT guy at your own wedding. Trust me, it happens. There are plenty of reasons for this occurrence. They range from nerves, lack of eating, mixing boozes to good old hard partying and lack of control. I’ll hit a few here, the usual suspects but I can’t get into some of the deeper, crazier reasons, coz that’s between you and your shrink! You DO NOT want to look like this guy at your own wedding…do you??? Of course you don’t!
Eat It! Just Eat It!
Each one of us has joked, at one point or another about getting a good base before a night of drinking. Well as far as I’m concerned, there is truth to that. Food in the belly makes sure the alcohol takes longer to get into your blood stream. Making the wine make its way through a 16oz steak will help you. But this is not just a night…oh no…this is a FULL DAY! So make sure you eat, eat whenever possible, whatever possible. Eat a good, solid, manly man breakfast, then eat lunch, solid proteins and the like. From the ceremony to the cocktails there is a long time…so I suggest bringing food along. I’m not saying that you pull out a hero sandwich just before you say “I do”. But have the photographer bring along some food for the photo shoot or stick a sandwich in your pocket. Keep the food coming whenever you can and try not to get hungry.
Go To Bed Early…And SLEEP
This is not directed at your wedding night…oh no…this is directed at the night BEFORE your wedding night.
Never make this night your stag night! There is no reason to go out and get all “Jersey Shored” the night before your wedding. You’ll only regret it later. Use this night to have a great dinner, either with your Bride to be, your family or all your guests. When they start to drink it all up, you make your exit. They may rib you, but they will understand. In all honesty, I would have a quiet dinner with your Bride to be, and your families. Keep it an early night. And if it’s all family, no one will try to pour shots down your throat. Head to bed early, go over your vows and your speech to make sure all your I’s are crossed and your T’s be dotted, then go to sleep. You’ll need your rest for the coming day. Trust me on this, falling asleep, or even WORSE…passing out at your wedding is not on!
Consumption
Usually there will be some booze at the wedding, and mostly there will be a lot of the stuff. Doesn’t mean you have to drink it all though. Remember to pace oneself…patience is a virtue. So be patient boys. If you want to drink, then have a drink…no need to go double fisted. Remember you need to be able to last the night and “then some”. Yes I do mean the wedding night. If you drink away your “performance” then I can’t help you. But I can help you before this happens. So slow down, and not only will you be able to give a ROCKSTAR performance on your wedding night but you’ll look better in all your photos and you won’t be tossing back you dinner on your guests or slurring your speech. The speech you spent so long working on. There is plenty of time to have a few too many…your wedding day is not one of these times!
Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice
Most, if not all of the guys I know love to head out and “tie one on”…myself included. But let’s be honest here. Your wedding is not the time to do this. You have asked a bunch of your closest friends and family to join you in a celebration with your families and your future wife. So you need to be a part of that celebration.
I’m not saying you don’t drink…I would never say that! But what I am saying is put yourself in the best position to handle your booze fellas, book your stag a few weeks out. That gives you plenty of time to recover. If you have out of town pals coming in, set up a pub night a few days (if possible)before the wedding to hoist pints with them. Don’t do it the night before. Never do it the night before!
Drinking is a slippery slope, you feel good one minute, then you’re all over the floor the next. You need to be on your feet, shaking hands, taking pictures and being a great guy, you need to be on your “A” game. It’s just one day, you can do it. Be cool!
You got questions? I got your answers! Feel free to drop me a line if you want to, I’m here to help you guys. My email is simon@fireflyoccasions.com and you have access to me. So I suggest you use that. I can also hook you guys up with the best wedding planner in the biz…you need a great planner, I got one, I also come in the package so all your questions during the planning process you may have…I’ll be there to help you out. You can check out our work at www.fireflyoccasions.com and book your free consultation by emailing us at info@fireflyoccasions.com. Oh yeah, and we have phone number as well, it’s 1-800-791-5636 EXT 701.
That is all for this time boys…
And as always, a quick word from our sponsoring keywords…this ones for you Google Spiders! Groom, Wedding Planner, Firefly Occasions, Drinking, Booze, Alcohol, Bride, Wedding, Reception, Wedding Night, Ceremony, Party, Advice. That should do it….
So every season a few very colorful people get together and tell the rest of us what colors will be hot in the upcoming months. So for the spring of 2012, the aforementioned folks have put their heads together and given us these wonderfully named colors to have a look at. I love bold colors so I’m pretty happy about this.
Here is what Event Solutions had to say about the whole thing…
“Event planners and designers take their cues from fashion, and if Pantone’s spring 2012 palette is any indication, it’s going to be a rockin’, eye-popping season!
“Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
Leading the pack is Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, while Solar Power provides a jolt of energy that radiates warmth and cheer. Bellflower and Cabaret keep the purples and pinks in the center of attention. Quieter hues include Sodalight Blue and Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green that adds a whimsical touch to the palette.
Margarita lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow. Fragrant and delicate Sweet Lilac adds a touch of romance to any occasion. Neutrals, so essential to every palette, include Driftwood, which has a weathered feel and Starfish, a warm summer neutral that goes with all the colors in spring’s top picks.
Which is your favorite?”
So when you are looking for colors to add into your wedding, keep these in mind. Coz the powers that be tell us these are the hot ones. If you don’t like any of them…no problem, it’s your wedding after all, I’m just here to add my 2 cents.
SO for today, I’m gonna pop up a few posts, the first you ask…and thanks for asking, a little article for the Grooms…they get overlooked in many cases. Oh, he’s just the Groom…BALDERDASH!!! The Groom makes up 50% of the wedding couple (most of the time) and the Groom deserves to be heard. Anyway, I am getting off topic. I write articles geared towards the Groom, their needs and what they need to do to do to get involved. So with your permission I will post, from time to time an article for the MEN! The blog is called “She AND He” after all……
So here we go with a little article I like to call “3 Tips For A Better You On Your Wedding Day”….
You don’t want this guy to BE YOU!!!! Leading up to your wedding you want to be relaxed, you want to know everything is good hands and that you can chill out on the day and pretty much just show up, stand in the right place, say I do and kiss your bride a lot. But there is road that leads to this Zen wedding day feeling, and I know guys hate to ask for directions on any road…even a metaphorical one, so here I am with a map for you. It’s just 3 simple tips but they help, oh boy do they ever help!
Get Involved!!!
I cannot stress this enough! Get involved with the planning process. You don’t have to sink yourself into the nitty gritty details of everything. But attend the décor meeting, voice your opinions and be heard. That way you
know there will be no surprises when you walk into your reception. Pink bows all over the place anyone!?! I wanted all our bridesmaids to wear the same shoes, seems simple enough but I was the only one who felt that way. I got my opinion heard and they all had the same shoes on when I showed up. Makes sense to me though, same dress = same shoes. So get involved in all the meetings with your planner that you can, visit the venue, help pick the menu, research the DJ, help pick out the ceremony music and your first dance tune. It’s not that hard, and it can be fun as well. Plus you get to bond with your bride to be and they love that!
Pamper Yourself, It’s OK & You Deserve It
This should really only apply if you help out with the planning process, if you do some work you can reward yourself. But here we go ‘cause I know you’ll step up and get involved. Pamper may sound silly but the only other phrase I could think of was “manper” and that sounds sillier to me. Set up a couples massage for you and your bride to be, hell set up monthly appointments if you like. It’ll keep you relaxed during the planning and lead up to the wedding. Book yourself in for a manicure, make sure your nails look good for the wedding because you know that shot of your hands and the rings will be taken, nothing worse than chewed up split nails. Get a haircut, a few weeks before the wedding, but head into a great stylist and get the full treatment, while you’re there get the warm face cloth massage and a shave, a real one, with a straight razor. You may want to book another massage and facial for you the morning of the wedding to release any left over tension. It’s up to you.
There Are Suits And Then There Are Suits, Your Should Own The Latter
I always get on you guys about suits. And this post will be no different! HA. Whether you buy a suit or you
rent a suit you need to “own” the suit. Make sure it fits…properly. The shoulder pads sit ON your shoulders and the jacket hugs your torso. If you feel comfortable in your suit, it will show and you’ll feel better throughout the day in general, trust me on this I do know a few things! Make the suit your own…add your own shirt, don’t EVER wear the patent leather rental shoes, other dudes sweaty feet have been in there!!! Add your own accessories like cufflinks, pocket squares and killer watch. You’ll feel better knowing that when people tell you that you look good, they mean it and they aren’t just being nice. And if you feel better, the day will be even better than you thought it could be, of course you may have to cut the party short because your bride can’t wait to get you back to the room, but that’s the downside of being so “ridiculously good looking” and stylish!
Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice
Feeling good can come to you in a wild variety of ways. But it has been proven that if YOU feel good, others around you will feel better and you will be the coolest guy in the room, well the last isn’t fact…but all the guys I style sure are. Take the time to make yourself feel good, this should be every day, but especially leading up to your wedding. Less stress is good.
Getting involved with the planning process is something you should do anyway. I know you’re busy and may be tired, but this is an event that should only happen once in your life and you should be a apart of as much of it as you can be. And again, trust me on this, your bride will notice and you’ll be better off for it (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)
And on a final note, NEVER, EVER have your stag or any other drinking themed events the night before your wedding. Seriously, I will find you and walk down the aisle next to you asking you if “you’d like a greasy pork chop served in a dirty ashtray”. This wedding cost a lot of money, you love your wife to be and all these folks came in to see you do this thing. So have the respect not to get right-plowed the night before, it’s common sense, but we’re guys and it’s always….”oh I’ll be fine tomorrow”. Well no, you may not be, and you don’t want to stink of booze or puke on someone so forgo the silly juice and get a good night’s sleep.
If you wanna drop me an email, book a styling session or book a free planning consultation, simply drop us an email at info@fireflyoccasions.com and we’ll hook you up!
OH, I almost forgot…this blog post has been brought to you by the following keywords….Calgary, Wedding, Planner, Groom, Bride, Firefly, Occasions, Tuxedo, Elegant, Romantic, Rocky Mountains, Wedding Party, Ceremony, Wedding Reception.
The Groom has come a long way since blue tuxedos and ruffle shirts. I’m not gonna lie, I was a page boy for my Uncle when I lived in England, circa 1980-ish. I had a brown velvet suit and a ruffle shirt. I had a good excuse, I was 8!!!
While some people still rock the ruffle shirt, its place seems to be more at a theme wedding. I love clothes, I love shoes, I love style. I want all my Grooms to have style, to look good, to feel good and turn heads on their wedding days. I want the guests to talk about the suit, as well as the dress and I want my Grooms to look damn good in each and every photo they happen to be in that day!!!
So….below I’m gonna run through 5 Styles that I feel will set you up no matter where you’re tying the knot. So go grab a beer and we’ll get started! I’m going to run down these styles from most formal to casual so it’s easy to keep score…
The Morning Coat Suit - It really doesn’t get much classier than this. This is a classic European wedding look. Sure it’s been updated a little and you can get creative with the vest color and accessories, but this is a style that has stood the test of time. All the classics do. It’s a truly unique look, it won’t work with everyone but for those who can pull this off, your guests will be in awe of your style.
This is a look that would work at pretty much any wedding. You can go super traditional with the all white décor and flowers, the big dress etc. BUT…you could also go really modern and rock this look as an accent to the rest of the wedding. Add a pop of color with the tie and pocket square and you can go from traditional to WOW.
Don’t forget your accessories either, pair this suit with a top hat, cane and gloves if you like and you’ll really stand out.
The Tuxedo - How can you go wrong with this classic look? All the greats have worn a tuxedo at one time or another. I always say “every man should own his own his own tux.” And I stand by that. Whether it’s a classic tux or the 3 piece tux with vest. A man should always have a tux in his closet. Sure, you can rent them, but Bond wouldn’t be caught dead In a rented tux and neither should you! Plus, if you have your tux custom made for you, it will fit like a glove and yes, people will notice…and yes, that is a good thing.
You can change up the style a little, instead of the traditional white shirt, wear a black one, there is no rule that says your bowtie has to be black either. Add punches of color to the tux, play around a bit and see what happens. As long as you feel comfortable In it, it’s all good. You can wear a tie with your tux and forget all about the bow tie if you like.
The Suit – Three piece or two? That is the question. And the answer is simple. It all comes down to preference on your part. I prefer a three piece suit, because I like the way I look in a vest and tie when I take off the jacket. Plus I feel I got my money’s worth when the suit arrives and it has that extra vest. Vests never go out of style and you can wear yours with jeans after the wedding.
Your suit doesn’t need to be black! Have a little creativity dammit! You can get suits in all colors, a Groom of mine had a suit made of his family tartan for his wedding and it looked superb. Metallic suits are very popular these days, but be careful of trends. Trends are not style, style is cyclical, it will always come back. Trends are like…leg warmers, they are cool for a while and then they become the punch line to the joke. Classic suits are black, charcoal, grey, dark blue or brown. These suits will never go out of style so as long as you can fit into them, you can wear them.
Again, adding pops of color with a tie, pocket square or wild shirt can amp up the style factor, and don’t forget the shoes…shoes are super important with any suit. So don’t you dare wear the crap patent leather things the rental places offer, even if you rent your tux or suit, be a man and get your own shoes.
The Casual Suit - Destination and beach and summer weddings have always been very popular. But you still want that style. I say fore go the shorts and the overdone khaki stuff and get yourself a white suit. Sure the bride wears white, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. A white suit with a great pair of shoes and a colored shirt looks amazing, and you won’t be sweating your ass off on that beach! A white suit gives you the opportunity to go crazy with color, so take it and get your guests talking.
You can add a tie or wear the shirt with an open collar, it’s up to you. Both look great. With a casual suit it also gives you the option of wearing funky shoes. Sneakers, sandals or the classic Chuck Taylor all spring to mind and will look fabulous with this suit. Just make sure they are new and that the first time you pull on those shoes is for the wedding. You can tell a lot of a man by the shoes he wears.
This casual look doesn’t HAVE to be white, a light grey is an option or a light blue will look just as cool.
It’s not a suit at all – There is no rule book when it comes to style. So nothing says you MUST walk down that aisle in a suit. Depending on what type of wedding you are planning you can wear a great blazer with dress pants or even jeans. It’s up to you and your personal style. Just make sure you run it by your bride-to-be first. There are so many blazers out there I had a tough time picking one for the picture here. But I love this blazer. Classic look and it will work well with or without a tie, with a shirt of pretty much any color and it’s neutral enough that you can pair it with any number of pant combinations
When choosing a blazer make sure the fit is right, if you buy off the rack (with any clothing) you may need to take it to a tailor to “make it your own”. A well fitted jacket will be noticed, you don’t want to be swimming your clothes, gone are the days of baggy pants and oversized jackets. It’s all about the fit and the slim lines now. If you’re having a more casual wedding or your style is more casual overall, this look is a perfect fit for you.
Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice – A suit is not just a suit…it says volumes about the wearer. As Bond girl Eva Green said in Casino Royale…”There are dinner jackets and then there are dinner jackets, this is the latter.” Your bride gets a new dress, you deserve a nice new suit. You’re starting a new chapter of your life and you deserve to do so in style.
Also, don’t forget the accessories!!! Ties, cufflinks, a pocket square, a custom dress shirt or simply a new dress shirt, new shoes (NOT THE RENTALS) all add to the suit. A suit is a starting point, you need to add to it to make it your own and claim your style. Think of it as the paper you draw on, you need it, but without pens and creativity it’s just a boring old piece of paper.
So there it is, I hope it was helpful…now find that tux rental brochure you have and CHUCK IT!!!
All images provided by www.Indochino.com
So do you remember when a phone was in your house, attached to a wall and the two pieces of the phone were attached together? Do you remember when a cell phone was the size of a brick, beige in color and all you could do was make a call on it? I guess I’m showing my age on this one, I actually had one of the beige brick phones, well a friend of mine did…but I got to use it!!! Now a phone will do pretty much anything, and yes…that includes taking all the photos at your wedding.
Don’t get me wrong, I recommend getting a pro photog, coz your wedding pictures will last a lifetime and are what memories are made of (sniff, wipes away single tear) so get good ones. But how cool would be to have an army of iPhone wielding paparazzi documenting your wedding day? Yeah, pretty damn cool.
So this article came across my desk and I thought I would pass it on to you guys, feel free to drop me a comment or two (I get lonely in my office, no one visits) to tell me what ytou think and if you think it’s a good idea, or just plain SILLY!!!
Click on the link to read the article…it’s a long one, so maybe go get a coffee or a glass of wine first, oh and a snack maybe…
So hello everyone, seems like it’s been forever since we dropped a post here…no worries, that is all gonna change. My name is Simon Daykin, I am the President of Firefly Occasions and I do some other stuff as well. I’m the “He Said” part of this blog. Mostly because I am the only guy in the company, I’m looking for more, so if any guys you know wanna be a planner, send them my way. I’ll take good care of them I promise. Sorry, bit of a tangent, I do that….so bear with me.
Anyway, I’ll be taking over blog duties from here on out, call it a birthday present from my wife (CEO Ciara Daykin) my b-day is Oct 30th. So things are gonna be silly, fun and I hope you like it. So we can get to know each other better, here is a photo of me and our son Declan at a wedding in Mexico.
Happy Halloween everybody, have WAY too much fun but be safe…and if you’re out at “Grave Gala” at Hotel Arts in Calgary on Saturday night, I’ll be there too….come over, say hi and buy me a drink…you know, coz it’s my Birthday and all….
When watching reality TV shows such as “Say Yes to the Dress,” you often see brides who consult their grooms for advice and even go shopping with their future husbands. When it comes to the groom seeing the dress before the wedding, there are some mixed feelings.
To Show the Dress:
Buying a wedding dress is a major decision that will most likely make at least a small dent in the bank account. Such a purchase will affect both the bride and the groom. One of the golden rules of marriage is to be comfortable and agree with where your spouse spends money. –“What’s mine is yours now, honey!” Imagine your husband spending a fortune on a new gadget without you ever seeing it! Would you be ok with it or would you stress?
In some Chinese traditions, the groom buys the wedding dress for the bride. She doesn’t even see the gown until the actual wedding day. –Talk about the element of surprise!
Another scenario, imagine finding the dress of your dreams in a store window while vacationing with your future husband. Would you leave it alone, or would you go take a peek to see if they had your size?
If you show your dress to your husband before the wedding it alleviates the stress of trying to hide your dress and hiding… yourself, before the ceremony. It’s practical, it’s stress free and it’s easy. Not to mention, you will have his help and support while finding the dress in the first place. For those couples who can’t keep a secret from each other and tell each other everything, this might just be the best option for you.
Or Not to Show the Dress:
If you’re superstitious you’ll note that it’s said to be bad luck to show your wedding dress to your husband before the wedding. Saving this special moment will ensure a beautiful, dazzled look on his face. The photographer will capture it perfectly.
Note: Many grooms want to be surprised and don’t even want to see the bride’s wedding dress until the day.
If you keep your wedding gown a secret, is it ok to describe details of the dress or show photos of it? We think that if you are keeping the dress a secret, you should keep the details a secret too. Keeping it hush hush is the ultimate choice for the traditional and romantic bride.
The Verdict:
It’s really a personal situation, which is different for every couple. If you are more practical or perhaps traveling to a destination wedding, it might be easier to let the cat (or the dress) out of the bag.
If you are one that loves the element of surprise and mystery, keep it to yourself! It will make that moment extra special for you. Bottom line: If you are hesitating about showing it to him, DON’T SHOW HIM. If you think you may have regrets, DON’T SHOW HIM.
Good Luck!
All About Engagements
Hello Calgary!
Tune in tomorrow, January 7, at 4 p.m. to catch the Firefly team on Shaw TV! The footage takes place at our new downtown office location on Macleod Trail. Gentlemen, if you are planning an engagement be sure to check us out. Groom expert, Simon Daykin, discusses how NOT to propose, how to make it successful and most importantly, how to make it a special event she’ll love to reminisce about. The proposal will be a story to tell the children, a fairytale to tell the girlfriends and a tale to tell the in-laws. Do it once and do it right… take it from wedding expert, Simon Daykin.
Did you think there was no such thing as a bad proposal? Think again! CEO of Firefly Occasions, Ciara Dakyin, will also discuss what makes a good, bad and horrible proposal!
Kendra Scott, our Wedding Division Manager, and soon bride to be, will tell the story of how she became engaged. Kendra will also be sharing some helpful advice.
Meet the Firefly team tomorrow at 4 p.m. on channel 10 and every hour afterwards.
1. Say something! Resorts won’t know it’s your honeymoon and won’t have time to prepare anything unless you tell them ahead of time. Benefits may include room upgrades, specials, champagne, and even chocolate covered strawberries.
*Note: Be sure to bring your wedding certificate or have a copy since many resorts need proof of marriage.
2. Wake up early. Wake up early one morning and watch the sunrise. Your honeymoon is all about doing things that are special and doing things that you don’t normally do.
3. Presents. Bring little gifts for your spouse that you can give whenever the moment arises. Anything from jewelry to a new CD will be extra special.
4. Breakfast in bed. Sleep in one morning and watch TV in bed. Indulge in your favorite breakfast such as strawberry cream waffles!
5. Walk in the moonlight. Take a walk together one night alone in the moonlight. Walk along the beach if you are going somewhere tropical. *Note: Ask you hotel where it is safe to go at night.
6. Get a couple’s massage. If this isn’t something you do on the regular, don’t be afraid to indulge and don’t worry about the cost…. after all, it is your honeymoon!
1. A pet ring bearer. Ensure your pet is well trained. Remember practice makes perfect.
* Be aware that trained pets that have practiced the role many times perfectly may feel scared or anxious on the day of the wedding. Be prepared to have a backup plan.
2. Have your pet carried down the aisle by a family member or bridal party member. Putting your pet in a little basket is an extra personal touch. This is an option for pets that aren’t well trained or that might spook on your wedding day.
3. Include your pet in wedding photos. Many pet stores now make little doggy tuxedos. Check out Carrie Underwood’s wedding to see how she trained her little Chihuahua to walk down the aisle in a jeweled tux.
4. Have an outdoor reception. Pets are free to run around and play at an outdoor wedding. *Note: It’s important to ensure that nobody at your wedding has an extreme allergy to your pet.
If your on the fence about whether or not to hire a wedding planner, check out our new video tip. This week, KendraFirefly explains why hiring a wedding planner is important to her as a bride. Kendra is also the manager of our wedding division at Firefly; she has some great insight from previous clients about planners.
Our tip this week is to plan your wedding in the off season. Why? Click the video to find out!
The Firefly Occasions Signature Decor Collection
Featuring the Signature Silver Candelabras
Candelabras are a timeless classic that offer a romantic elegance to your ceremony and reception wedding décor. Our silver candelabras are part of the Firefly Occasions Signature Decor Collection that is exclusively available only to our brides and grooms.
These tall and graceful candelabras will create a wow factor at your wedding ceremony. When lined along the isle, the décor pieces have a great impact since guests are accustomed to seeing pew bows or small vases. Flowers placed on the candelabras sit high and create a beautiful dramatic effect. This is perfect for weddings held outdoors or in venues with high ceilings.
Flowers, crystals and pillar candles can be used to custom design the candelabras to harmonize with your venue and your overall wedding décor vision.
When using the signature candelabras at your wedding reception, Firefly recommends that not every table have one. Placing the décor pieces on only one third of the tables will avoid the room from looking cluttered.
These are just a few ways to take your wedding décor from cookie cutter to haute couture. See how Firefly Occasions can custom design the signature silver candelabras for your wedding.
