It was super tough to decide because all the ladies in the Community of Wedding Innovators are such amazing and... http://t.co/WIFUqIEZ
Follow Ciara DaykinWell Saturday is here. Hello Saturday. #dumbass tweet
Follow Simon Daykin
The DIY Wedding Planning System is filled with interviews with expert vendors, a step by step guide to planning your wedding, templates and spreadsheets to keep you organized and help you save money. Some of my fav calls are the ones where Simon and I share our design ideas, so grooms don’t you be afraid to get involved as well! Just click here and join in on all the fun!
I love Twitter! It kills so much time and makes me feel important (I have 600 or so followers, not that big of a deal, my wife has over 1500 and some folks have a million plus) I tell people all the little things I do during my day and I pretend they care. But Twitter is good for so much more…I hooked up with http://www.themanregistry.comon Twitter a little while ago and they asked me to be their Wedding Planner Groom expert. I love getting the Grooms involved in the planning process and so do these guys. Their site is dedicated to the Groom and all his needs. So I sifted through a bunch of old emails from my Grooms and put together some Q & A stuff for the site, you can check it out here.
Free E-Book To Help You Find The Perfect Photographer
I got a message from Peter Doyle of www.storyboardlife.com, a photographer in Atlanta. He had written an E-book on how to choose the perfect photographer for your wedding and he wanted me to read it. Well I did! And I can tell you, I wish all the vendors out there had the balls to write one of these little books. It’s a short read but it’s packed with helpful tips on sifting through all the photographers out there and finding the one that works with you. It is honest and he even includes worksheets for your notes.
Photography is a big part of the wedding day and if your photog doesn’t click with you then that could spell DISASTER…I know Brides & Grooms who hate their photos but admit they didn’t really know what to look for or what questions to ask when they were looking for a photographer. This book walks you through the search step by step.
Click here to download your copy of How To Find A Wedding Photographer.
Sitting here in Cayman, I got to thinking about beach weddings and how you can still have a ton of style no matter where you choose to get married. I would suggest staying away from the tuxedo though, as beaches are known to bit quite warm and standing out there in a black tux with your bow tie may be a bit much. But never fear, there are plenty of alternatives; I have chosen to talk about 3 to start you thinking.
It’s A Casual Beach Party With A Wedding Thrown In
Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with this, your wedding…your style! For a simple beach wedding most guys go for the white short sleeved shirt and khaki shorts, well the wedding is simple but your style doesn’t have to be. If you want to stick with a white shirt you can, but style it up a notch. Instead of a plain shirt head over to www.englishlaundry.com and take a look at what they offer. Short or long sleeved, these shirts will add style to any event. For the shorts, chuck the boring khakis and maybe try a pattern, if you can, get a cool pair of shorts with a pattern (can even be a simple check or plaid design) that match your wedding colors. Grab a funky pair of cargo shorts and keep the rings in one of the many pockets, maybe put some other surprises in there you can pull out during the ceremony. Please stay away from the “man-pri’s” though. Yeah you know what I’m talking about.
Oh Yeah! That’s Been Done
Khaki pants with a shirt, jacket and maybe a tie. Wow how original. Yeah, I get down on khaki stuff. Why you ask? Well because it’s been done. I have seen countless pictures of beach weddings and for the most part they all have one thing in common. Khaki pants and some sort of shirt. You don’t want your wedding to look like everyone else’s so put a little thought into it yeah. I’m not meaning to offend anyone here but you have so many other choices. A light grey suit, you don’t have to wear the jacket, if you go with a tie, don’t tie it tight, unbutton that top button and wear the tie casual. I like a double Windsor knot for effect (it’s bigger…”that’s what she said”) Get the tie in your wedding color, your bride will love that you thought of that little detail. Instead of the jacket, wear a vest. They are classic and in being so never go out of style. I was chatting with a groom the other day and he is getting married in Jamaica, we discussed a few choices and he settled on the one he felt comfortable with…I can’t wait to see the pictures, and by the way Congratulations Chris.
Takin’ It All Up A Notch
If you want to go all out, get a slim fitting white suit. Hell, get the jacket with tails if you like. It’ll look amazing and you won’t be super hot in the sun. Outfit your groomsmen in light grey and those pictures will look stunning. You and your bride in white with the color pop of the tropical ocean behind you. Wow dude…that’s a keeper! Tails are often over looked when choosing a suit and granted, they are not for everyone but if you can pull off the style you’ll have the whole island talking about your wedding. You can also go with the funk, I love this jacket but my wife is not a fan so if you do want to funk it up, I suggest letting your fiancé know your plans
Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice
The beach is a simple place, add some style to it, make those heads turn and the people talk. Do as much as you feel comfortable with but don’t push it. You need to feel good and be secure in your wedding attire or you will feel out of place all day and that sucks! Shoes are also a really cool way to add style to your beach wedding, but don’t get me started on shoes.
Hats are always good for a beach, but get a nice one, and I suggest if you’re getting your wedding party hats, get your guys ones that match but are different than yours. A set of sunglasses for your guys also makes a great gift. Place some coolers around with ice and water in them for your guests and have your best man hang onto a bottle for you just in case. Always make sure you have a pocket for Kleenex in case you need to rescue your bride from some tears and be careful putting the ring on her, the warm weather makes fingers swell, don’t jam it on there.
You can do pretty much anything on the beach, book a nude beach and have an au natural wedding if that’s what you want…but make sure it’s a nude beach first ok guys! If that’s not your thing, wear a black bow tie and crisp white Speedo, the choices are up to you. I will leave you with this one chunk of advice, no matter what color the suit, the shoes should always match the belt…
Brown shoes + white suit + a shirt= A BROWN BELT!
She Says: I think this is a really fun way for the bridal party to get down the aisle and it obviously gave the guests quite a laugh. I wish that the bride had a more elaborate dance. I felt like the bridal party was all so great but that her dance was just so so. I wonder if they told the minister that they were going to do this. I wonder if their parents knew. It would have been awesome if her Dad danced her down the aisle. But I’m no great dancer (unless it’s line dancing) so I give kudos for all involved for rocking it out.
He Says: Yeah it was kinda cute. Not sure it was appropriate in the church, maybe better for the reception entrance. But if the bride and groom and minister type person was cool with it…then it’s all good. I love it when the couples personalities really come thru in the wedding. I do agree with Ciara that it would have been cool if the father of the bride danced her down the aisle, he could have had a dance off with the Groom before giving her away.
You love the pictures of brides in magazines running with their groom being showered with petals. It signifies the celebratory feeling everone in attendance at your wedding has right after you’ve said “I Do.”
But many venues are saying a big NO to the petal toss. No one clean them up so they get ground into the carpet or cement leaving stains, they blow off into the wind in an un-ecofriendly whoosh, or they disappear under chairs and pews wreaking havoc for the clean up crew.
Soo… Sooo… Sad.
But wait! I have 5 petal tossing alternatives that could meet your ceremony send off needs.
1. Ecofetti- Confetti and rice was banned long before petals (no so good for the birds) so this great alternative was created in various colors and it dissolves with water. Great outdoors, probably not for inside- still a little messy.
2. Ribbon Wands- Bachelorette Trista and Ryan’s fairy tale wedding made these wands a fab alternative to the petal toss. Coordinated with your colors not only are they a great send off but also a décor accessory.
3. Ring the Bells- We don’t all have a great church bells to ring post nuptials so an idea from Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings was just right. She gave the guests of the Today Show Breakfast at Tiffany’s wedding mini Tiffany bells to ring as the bride and groom exited.
4. Bubbles- I did these at my wedding and I loved them. When I look at the wedding video and photos everyone was having so much fun acting like a little kid blowing bubbles. Especially our Gramma’s! It was also so dreamy and romantic on a hot summer’s day.
5. Organic Material- For winter weddings I think it’d be cool to have the green bits of cedar branches cut up into pieces and thrown (none of the hard bits), for the fall autumn leaves. For the summer, make an arch out of huge ostrich feathers that you fan as the bride and groom walk through, for the spring bird seed can act like rice.
Ciara’s Bridal Advice
Don’t be sad without petals. There are lots of fun and creative ways to craft your ceremony exit. Play with the theme of your wedding and use a ceremony send off that enhances everyone’s experience and makes your pictures look great!
By Ciara Daykin
Weddings are such a joyful time in our lives filled with the presence of all those we love around us. But unfortunately, some of your loved ones may have passed on and will not be at your wedding. As your wedding day approaches you may be wondering how you can acknowledge the difference that person made in your life at your wedding.
Joyful Memorials At Your Wedding
I want to share with you some of the subtle and not so subtle ways that you can include the memory of your loved ones in your wedding day. After all, your wedding is a joyful day meant to be a celebration and your deceased loved ones wouldn’t want the focus to shift from you to them. But I know that they would appreciate that you took the time to honor them.
Here Are 5 Wedding Memorial Ideas:
1) Something Old- When it comes to picking your something old, something new why don’t you ask your parents if there is a piece of jewelry that was special to your Grandmother that you can wear on your wedding day.
2) Include Them In Your Prayers- Weddings often do have a spiritual side to them and in religious ceremonies such as a Catholic Mass, Prayers of the Faithful are read. This is a good time to remember and pray for any of your loved ones that have passed away. They can also be acknowledged in the ceremony program.
3) Carry Them With You- One of my favorite things to do for anyone who has had a particular a parent pass away before their wedding is to create a charm that we weave into their bridal bouquet. I simply laminate a small coin sized picture of the loved one and then affix it to a piece of felt (usually blue) then I attach a ribbon so that it becomes a bouquet charm. Another nice for brides to do is to wrap the base of their bouquet with a vintage handkerchief that belonged to their Grandfather.
4) Give Them Their Own Table- You can also set up a memorial table with pictures of your loved ones and have some candles lit there for them. Then your guests can go by and remember them. I like when a bride makes a shadow box so that there is a picture of their Mother but then also a pressed flower from her bridal bouquet.
5) Make It Subtle- Perhaps your friend had a favorite song that she loved to play while you were driving in the car, you could play that as you walk down the aisle. Maybe you always said to your Dad you’d dance to a certain song together but instead you and your Mom could dance together (hey- why not?!).
6) Celebrate Their Traditions- Maybe there was a poem that your favorite Great Uncle always read at family functions, have one of his son’s read it at your wedding. Maybe you can wear your Grandmother’s dress just like Elizabeth in Lynn Johnston’s For Better For Worse comic I’ve posted here for you. Think of a way that you can honor the traditions that were important to those who have passed at your wedding.
Ciara’s Bridal Advice
Remembering those we’ve lost during our wedding isn’t meant to be a depressing affair. Life’s cycles continue, that’s what weddings are all about, another stepping stone in our great life path. Don’t ignore the feelings that you have around your deceased loved ones not being a part of your wedding. Instead honor your loved ones in a way that will have special meaning to you and keep their memory alive.
I’m home from Grand Cayman after an amazing experience at Engage’09, a luxury wedding business summit. I met so many amazing people like Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings, Randy Fenoli the Fashion Director of Kleinfelds, the cake artist to the stars Sylvia Weinstock, Abby Larson blogger extraordinaire of StyleMePretty.com and so many more. It was truly an honor to be with the crème de la crème of the wedding industry and to be the only Western Canadian company represented and one of only 2 Canadian companies in attendance.
But as you’ll see below… We’ve expanded! We’ve opened an office in Beverly Hills, California and we are taking on clients in the Los Angeles area. I’ve been getting requests for a long time to do weddings and events outside of Calgary and with our new LA office this is a reality. Having our LA Division Manager, Annette Hoegner on the ground in LA to scope out the wedding scene for me has been invaluable. She’s awesome! In her first week she even went to the Young Hollywood Awards. We’re having a launch party in LA in September and I’m super excited and of course I’ll share all the details with you first.
Simon and I have really enjoyed being away together (we worked in a little Seadooing and snorkeling in Cayman) and we came up with some great ideas together. The fact is, that we plan our client’s weddings together. The different energy we both bring to the table makes our clients unlike any other wedding. They are truly special and a work of art. That’s why we’re really stepping up to bring that energy to all brides and grooms planning their wedding through our newly redesigned SheAndHePlanWeddings.com blog. Our blog brings you the she said, he said perspective on weddings. And like you and your groom, we don’t always agree. So make sure you check it out with your groom because our motto is… “Plan it Together.”
We just completed an amazing Midsummer Night’s Dream wedding at the Calgary Fairmont Palliser this weekend and it was amazing. The bride was overwhelmed by the transformation of the room and she and her groom had a fantastic night. I’m so glad. On the other side of town, another bride and groom had a fantastic day as well. We helped grant a wish to a lucky couple through Vibe 98.5FM in Calgary. This couple had been living in a shelter with their 4 kids and they had recently gotten engaged. A letter had been sent into the radio station about them and I helped grant their wish for an amazing wedding day. I rallied the Calgary wedding industry and they totally came through with much generosity and love. I want to thank everyone who helped put together this wedding by acknowledging them here:
Linens & Rentals: Great Event Rentals- Whenever I need cool rental items, great linens or a fab tent, I call on Great Event Rentals. Monica and her team there rock and they have been so generous with their assistance with this wedding.
Bridal Flowers: Mandala Floral- Mallory is a true artist. She always wows my clients with ideas and did she ever wow this couple. When the bride saw her bouquet she was floored.
Photographer: Cory Tomlinson Photography- The power of Twitter was proven when I tweeted about this wedding and Cory tweeted back saying he would do it. He gave the couple a day in the limelight that they will never forget, even producing a print of the couple in time for the reception (and providing us with the picture aove!) His photos are great and his heart is big!
Dress: Beautiful Bride- Simone is the owner of Beautiful Bride and she’s an angel on earth. I looked high and low for a wedding dress for our bride with no luck and Simone came in during her vacation to donate a wedding dress to this cause. She really came through and is an asset to all brides looking for their wedding gown.
Tux: Bridal Centre- Peter and the team at the Bridal Centre are great friends. We refer all our grooms into their expert hands. Our groom for this wedding said that he felt like James Bond in his tux and that truly touched my heart.
Caterer: Savour Food- Carla and her husband at Savour Food didn’t have to be asked twice when I told her about this couple in need. They jumped at the chance to help. She is such a sweetheart and a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen! She made so many delicious items and they looked too good to eat (but of course, I ate, and ooooohhhh it was good!)
DJ: Prism Sound- Cam has been with us since the beginning and we adore him. Simon and I hired Cam to DJ our wedding and he has been a staple at our functions ever since. I can tell you how great Cam is by telling you what he’s not- a cheeseball, a DJ that likes to hear himself talk, a DJ that doesn’t read the crowd- Cam is always the utmost professional and I can always trust him to play what the crowd wants and have them chanting for more (seriously, that happened at one of our weddings with him “One More Song, One More Song”).
Hair/ Makeup: Pink Lime Salon- Bassem and his team at Pink Lime Salon are the type of people that you just want to put in your purse and take everywhere with you. They are so kind and generous and just make you feel like a queen, and I know that they did that for our bride on her wedding day. It was an experience that she’d never had before and they made both her and her young daughters feel like royalty when they did their hair and makeup.
And I have to give a shout out to Colleen at Central United Church who’s always a friend to brides and wedding planners and Marlene at the Albert Park Community Center who made us feel so welcome. To Jennifer at Inn from the Cold who wrote the letter to Vibe 98.5FM. To Dani and the whole morning crew at Vibe 98.5FM- thanks for thinking of us to be involved. And to our wonderful bride and groom, Edna and Kevin and their 4 kids… Thank you for having us be a part of this magical day with you. We’re so happy that you had the wedding of your dreams.
Unique And Useful Groomsman Gifts
A lot of my grooms come to me and ask me “What the hell do I get my Groomsmen?” They want stuff that is cool but that the guys can use after the wedding. Sure a hip flask is cool but can you use it every day? Well actually you can…but you shouldn’t. I have a groom who is outfitting his party in matching RayBan Wayfarer sunglasses. This will look super cool for the photos and really, who doesn’t love sunglasses? Check out www.rayban.com for all their styles…you can also hit Ebay to try to get better pricing. I also found www.getchucked.com on this site you can design your own Converse shoes…how cool is that!!! You can even add a personal touch by adding your wedding date or Groomsman’s name to the shoe. Everyone loves getting gifts, but try to make sure that your gift won’t sit in a drawer or the back of a closet after your wedding day.
These one of a kind Christian Louboutin heels were inspired by Marie Antoinette and I think that she’d choose these shoes over cake any day.
The soft pink would be perfect for a wedding and with only 36 pairs produced definitely an item that would be unique to you on your wedding day (especially with a price tag of $6,295).
What do you think of these heels for your wedding day shoe?
When it comes to wedding-day transportation, the options are endless. So where do you begin? Well, the key to finding the right transportation is to make it as convenient as possible for everyone involved. Here are a few fun options to consider:
Horse & Carriage It doesn’t get much more romantic than a horse-drawn vehicle. Just make sure you won’t be traveling too far to your reception, as this is also one of the slowest options!
Car Not just any car, though. Get creative and choose one that fits your wedding venue. Sports cars, vintage autos or town cars may be options you’ll want to consider. 
Limo The most classic of wedding rides may also be one of the most practical. If you want the whole wedding party involved, limos usually seat 8-10 people, and some have audio players, TVs, stocked bars and even mini refrigerators! You’ll really feel like a VIP!
Party Bus Take the limo and multiply it by 10 and you have a party bus! This is the perfect choice for large party crowds, and it can also be great after-party transportation!
Some things to consider: Before you start your transportation search, make sure there are no vehicle restrictions at your wedding ceremony or reception sites, and make a list of how many people you will be needing to transport. When you get a little closer to the big day, take a test drive on your own to plan the best route. The day of, make sure you have detailed directions, maps and contact numbers to give to your driver.
Finding the right wedding dress can be tricky for a number of reasons. For one, you have probably never gone through the process of buying a wedding dress before. And two, although you will only wear it once, your dress needs to make a life-long impression on everyone- but most importantly, on you.
So how do you find the dress of your dreams? Well, like most things in life, preparation is the key.
Start shopping early. In order to ensure enough time to have your dress delivered and tailored, you should aim to have it purchased at least 6 months before your big day. With that in mind, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to shop around and make your decision.
Before you start shopping, however, you need to have an idea of what you’re looking for. Educate yourself a little bit. The internet is a great resouce to use because it allows you to quickly browse through tons of different styles of dresses. Also, brush up on your bridal gown vocab, so when you go to the bridal salon and they ask you what you are looking for, you can tell them! Envision your perfect dress, but remember- you want your dress to fit your own personal style AND your wedding venue.
You should also have in your mind an idea of how much you want to spend on your dress. This will help you decide where you want to shop. Most wedding dresses range between $300 and $4000. The average one costs around $800.
Happy shopping!!
One of the most stressful parts of planning your wedding can be deciding who will stand up for you. By 
the time most of us get married, we have made many great friends along the path of life… which is great… but it can make deciding on bridesmaids for your wedding very difficult. And I didn’t even mention family members yet!
Before starting your decision making process, you should have an idea of how many bridesmaids you want to have. This is just an idea- it doesn’t have to be set in stone. Experts say a good rule of thumb to use is 1 bridesmaid for every 50 guests you plan on inviting, but in reality you can have as many or as few as you want!
If you are having to choose between family or friends, in most cases it is probably wise to choose family. These are the people you are going to be tied to for the rest of your life, so it can help you avoid unnecessary conflict if you include them.
Also think about what you expect from your bridesmaids. If you want them to play a big role in preparing for the wedding (i.e. addressing invitations, making center pieces, etc.), then you should probably think twice before choosing family or friends who live far away or have extremely hectic schedules.
You do NOT need to ask someone to be in your wedding just because you were in theirs! Remember that each additional bridesmaid adds a little more to the total cost of the wedding, so make sure you are choosing them for the right reasons.
Keep in mind that there are plenty of other roles your friends can play in your wedding. Have them be your personal attendant, sing during the ceremony or hand out invitations.
Still stuck? Remember, there are no rules as to the number of bridesmaids you can have. I’ve seen plenty of weddings where the number of bridesmaids did not equal the number of groomsmen. If you are really having a tough time trying to decide whether or not to include someone, just include them. That way, after the wedding is over, you won’t regret not having included someone that you later on wished you had.
Some people may think that one of the drawbacks of a winter wedding is that the strapless wedding gowns that have dominated the marital market for so many years can be a little drafty! What they don’t realize is that there are many classy options one can choose from to keep that winter chill off their shoulders.
The Jacket- The wedding jacket can be made out of satin, lace, faux fur or anything that would best compliment the wedding dress. It can really accentuate the look you are trying to achieve with your dress.
The Bolero- A bolero is a short jacket that basically covers the shoulder area. Like a jacket, it can help give your dress that touch of style that will make your look uniquely you.
The Shawl- Some people may think that a shawl will not keep you warm. But in fact, a shawl can keep you very warm! And, it can also add an element of grace and style to your wedding gown.
The Faux Fur-Trimmed Cape- These capes are not only very glamorous- fake fur is a lot less expensive than real fur. And, for those with a soft heart, it’s more ethical!
The Pashmina- Pashminas originated in Europe. They can be worn many ways- as a shawl, a scarf, a sarong or a tube top! Most brides who choose to wear one on their wedding day, however, simply drape it over their shoulders.
The Silk Tulle Veil Wrap- If you are not wearing a veil, you could choose to wrap yourself in tulle to keep warm. You would probably only want to wear a silk tulle veil wrap, however, if you are wearing a tulle gown, as it can easily drown out a more delicate satin gown.
A great place to find bridal jackets, boleros, shawls and capes is http://www.wed-shopping.com.
To find pashminas or silk tulle veil wraps you might have to do a little more digging. Sunrise Pashmina has a nice selection of pashminas. Etsy has all kinds of bridal cover-ups, including silk tulle veil wraps. Many of the designers on Etsy will also custom-make bridal cover-ups on request.
