She Says: Free Teleseminar!

Join me on Thursday June 4th at 5pm PST/ 6pm MST/ 7pm CST/ 8pm EST for a free teleseminar, “Screw the Economy, Have Your Dream Wedding Without the Nightmare Bill.”

Learn my insider secrets to:

1. Sticking within your new wedding budget even if it’s not what you always thought it would be
2. How to incorporate hot wedding trends into your wedding without the big bill
3. What to ask when hiring vendors to make sure you’re getting the best deal (and that they’ll still be in business by the time your wedding comes around)
4. Easy ways to eliminate unnecessary wedding expenses
5. How you can plan your wedding yourself and save thousands of dollars (yes- I’m a wedding planner telling you how you can plan your own wedding)

If you want the wedding of your dreams but you don’t want to give up your other dreams to have it (like the nice honeymoon, buying your first home, saving for a baby) then this is the call for you.

And the best part?

It’s totally FREE! You just need to click here to register for this call Even if you can’t make the call by signing up you’ll receive the recording. Don’t miss this HUGE call where you’ll learns wedding industry insider secrets.

front page thumbnail image by Esparta

She Says: The Hottest Party in LA

Experience my wedding advice and insider information in a new way… Through video! Click here to check out the insider scoop from the Your Wedding Day Magazine party in LA. This video is filled with great ideas for your wedding that are totally new!

She Said: Spring is in the air!

I hope you’re enjoying spring now that it seems to have finally arrived. I’m headed up to Lake Louise in the Rocky Mountains as the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is putting on an exclusive showcase for a select group of wedding planners and we’ve been invited to attend. I’m bringing along my camera and my Flip video so stay tuned for some updates!

I’m also headed to LA to meet with several other high end wedding planners from around North America whom I coach and we’re all hitting up the YWD Magazine party while we’re there so I’ll have lots of cool new ideas for you when I get back.

He Said: Off to the lake

I’m heading out to The Chateau Lake Louise this weekend, they are kindly putting my wife and I up and giving us a tour of the facilities. I love Lake Louise, it’s so beautiful, and makes for a great destination wedding venue that’s not even that far from us here in Calgary. Sunday we’re flying out to LA for our first in person Rockstar Wedding Planner Legends meeting, hosted by Firefly Occasions. My wife and I are coaching other planners on how to build their businesses. We’ll be meeting up with 10 other planners from across North America and chatting about building our businesses and the latest and greatest trends in the industry. I love these meetings, we get so many great ideas from them. We’ll also be meeting with some LA area vendors to discuss what they can offer to make your weddings out of this world. There is so much creativity out there and I love to bring it back to Calgary to give my grooms a one of kind wedding that no one out here has seen before.

She Said: Check Out This Wedding!

I recently completed a wedding at the legendary Banff Springs Hotel. The couple envisioned an elegant, classy affair that provided their guests with an amazing experience and a truly special memory.

But how do you get from the drawing board to the actual wedding?

I always start out my conversations with couples by asking them for the descriptive words that they would use to describe what they want their wedding to look and feel like…

And then I dig a little deeper.

You need to make sure that you are getting your vision across to the people that are involved in your wedding. As a bride when you say, “elegant,” “classy”…. What does that actually mean?

Remember that your version of elegant and classy may be completely different from what someone else envisions. That’s why it’s really important that your vision is clear and easy for your vendors to understand.

So how do you convey your concept?

When we sit down with couples we have a décor consultation. To me, décor is about so much more than just the linens on the tables. It’s about the overall atmosphere of a wedding and all the elements that make up that atmosphere. Yes the linens play a part but there are also the centerpieces, the wedding day stationary, the food, the beverage, the music, and the lighting to name a few.

Each of these elements lends to the overall experience that you and your guests will have.

In our décor meetings we pour over all the wedding books that I’ve collected and I also pull up websites to show the couple. If I hear them say elegant I want to make sure that I know what their version of elegant is. Elegant could be a room filled with candelabras dripping with crystals OR it could be clean, modern lines and the look could be quite minimal.

Here are 3 ways to get the wedding look and feel you want:

• Get Descriptive- I’ll often tell the bride and groom a story of what I envision their wedding day to be based on their initial thoughts. I take their descriptive words and I start to add details like lots of candlelight and tall centerpieces overflowing with white flowers and greens. You can write the story of your wedding day to gain clarity with your vision.
• Illustrate Your Story- Has your wedding planning book become a dumping ground for all the pages you’ve ripped out of bridal magazines? It’s great to collect ideas but now you have to start editing this collection of random wedding things. I find that a bride can really narrow down her vision to a couple of pictures and then things are less confusing.
• What’s The Experience?- The wedding day is about you but it’s also about the guests that have gathered to be a part of your wedding day. So what kind of experience do you want your guests to have? Stating black tie required on your invitation creates a different expectation of experience than sending out a funky invitation with bright colors and a non traditional font. So figure out the experience you want your guests to have and make sure that each element is chosen to enhance that experience.

Ciara’s Bridal Advice

When you’re figuring out how you want your wedding to look and feel I know that it helps immensely to do the above exercise as a couple. Remember that you’re both involved in the wedding so it’s important that the wedding is a reflection of both of your personalities. Once you’ve created a plan for your wedding and you know how you want it to look and feel then you must commit to that vision and make sure all your wedding decisions are aligned with that vision for it to become a reality.

VIBE 98.5FM’s Dream Wedding Contest

This morning Calgary’s VIBE 98.5FM announced that their annual $98,000 Dream Wedding contest has been launched for 2009. And Firefly Occasions is one of the major sponsors!

As the wedding this year is a destination wedding and being taken care of by Westjet Vacations we will be planning, designing and coordinating a Bon Voyage party for the winning couple. The couple and 50 of their closest friends will be treated to a VIP night at V Lounge, Calgary’s newest lounge which specializes in premium vodkas. The package will include invitations for the couple to send out to their guests, appetizers, the first round of drinks and champagne. Firefly Occasions will also be designing the décor of the entire event, decorating the V Lounge to provide the couple and their guests with the ultimate atmosphere to enjoy this experience. From lighting to linens and the latest trends in wedding reception accessories Firefly Occasions will provide the best of the best in wedding décor for the lucky couple. Each detail of the evening will be coordinated by Firefly Occasions so that the evening is stress free and fabulous for the lucky couple. This prize is valued at $10,000.

We’ll be blogging about the contest a lot to keep you up to date with all that’s happening. We’ll also be introducing you to all the great vendors that help us with this Bon Voyage party. This party will be out of this world. The winning couple will be blown away! Stay tuned! And visit http://vibedreamwedding.com/ for contest details and how you can enter.

Party Time!

A wedding is a time for celebration- LOTS of celebration!  In most cases, the wedding ceremony and reception are not the only events that will take place.  The following is a brief summary of some of the events you may or may not choose to include for your wedding.

Engagement Party- Usually held 1-4 months after the big announcement, an engagement party is usually just held for the sake of having a party!   However, if the families have not already met, an engagement party can be a great way to introduce them!

Wedding Shower- Traditionally, a bridal shower would be held before the wedding, to “shower” the bride-to-be with gifts, love and good wishes.  These days, however, more and more couples are having a wedding shower, which includes the groom-to-be as well.

Bachelor/Bachelorette Party- In the last month before the wedding, the bachelor and bachelorette parties give the groom and bride one last chance to bond with their best friends before tying the knot. 

Bridesmaids Luncheon- Another chance for last-minute bonding, a tea or luncheon held a day or two before the wedding is also a great way to thank your best friends for all the help and support they have given you along the way.

Rehearsal Dinner- Usually held after the wedding ceremony rehearsal, the night before the wedding, the rehearsal dinner is a great place to thank and give gifts to everyone who made your wedding day possible (attendants, parents, etc.).  It is also a nice pre-cursor of the day to come!

Farewell Brunch- The morning (or early afternoon, depending on how wild your party gets!) after your wedding day, a farewell brunch is a great way to wrap it all up and say goodbyes.  It may also be a good time to open gifts, if you wish to include your family and friends in that as well.

You may be thinking that all of these celebrations will take a lot of time and effort to prepare for, but believe me- they are worth it in the end!

Planning the Perfect Honeymoon… For Both of You

Planning the perfect honeymoon may not be so easy if you and your husband-to-be have very different ideas of “a good time.”  Honeymoon Advice has over 40 fantastic articles that will help you plan the perfect honeymoon.  They have everything from luxury honeymoon ideas to ideas for honeymooning with kids!  As for planning a mutually agreeable honeymoon, they offer the following tips:

Start planning early!  The sooner you start the more time you will have to reach a decision.

Make a list of all the features you both want and all the things you can do without.  A travel agent will then be able to give you a list of possible destinations.  If you would rather not use a travel agent, you will have to do the research yourself.  Try not to rely solely on the internet for your information.

Think outside the box.  Try finding a destination that has a variety of things for you to do individually, yet still has that luxury atmosphere that allows you to relax and spend quality time together.

Don’t be afraid to compromise!  Sure, you want your honeymoon to be absolutely perfect for you, but more than likely it won’t be the last vacation the two of you ever take.  Most importantly, choose a destination that will allow you to make memories that the two of you will look back on and smile about for the rest of your life.

How To Choose A Reception Venue

Today’s brides have LOTS of choices! Feeling overwhelmed when it comes to picking a reception location? You just need a few pointers to help you choose a reception location that’s perfect for you. Follow these easy steps and you will be well on your way to the wedding of your dreams.

Gosh Mom! How Did You Decide?

Things are a little different now from when your mom got married. With so many choices, even the most decisive of brides can get a little unnerved. Do you have your reception in a hall or hotel? Art gallery or rustic ranch? Outside under a tent or indoors with a tented ceiling?

Ice in Our Drinks Or Ice Sculpture: What Can My Budget Handle?

Start by thinking of your budget. Ladies, keep in mind that while this is an extremely important day, you don’t want to be paying for it (literally) for the next 20 years. Narrow your selections down to ones that will be appropriate to your budget and won’t break the bank.

Express Yourself!

Next, think about what kind of wedding you would like to have. Do you want it to be classic, funky, unique? Don’t choose a reception venue based on your parents’ or your friends’ expectations. Choose a location that reflects the personalities of both you and your husband-to-be. Remember that this is your special day and you need to pick a spot that makes you happy and excited.

Never Judge A Location By Its Cover

With the exception of destination weddings, once you have narrowed down a group of reception venue finalists, you should ALWAYS go for a visit. Don’t just trust the pictures and descriptions from the websites as they do not show every aspect of a venue. It is important to go and see the room, the facilities, the area surrounding, and meet the event manager.

You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling

Don’t feel bad if everything seems perfect but you just don’t get a good “feeling” about the place. If you have a bad feeling, then it is not the right location for you, and don’t let your fiancé tease you about it because a woman’s intuition is never wrong!

Let’s Get Down To Business

You should also feel comfortable with the event manager as you will be working closely with them over the next couple of months. Here are 9 questions to ask a potential venue:

1. Is there a room minimum (a set amount you must spend on food and beverage to use that room) or a room rental charge?
2. What time can you get into the room to decorate?
3. Can you tear down the next day or does it have to be that night?
4. What decorating regulations do they have?
5. What is the room capacity with a dance floor and with buffet tables (these things will change a venue’s room capacity if you plan on having them)?
6. Do you have to use their catering services? Even for the cake?
7. Can you bring in your own liquor? Does that mean there is a corkage fee and/or a bartender charge?
8. Will they provide all of the tables, chairs and linens? What colors are they?
9. What time does your party need to end?

Say It With Chair Covers Or Say It With Open Bar

Sit down with your fiancé and figure out your wedding priorities. Sort out what it is that you absolutely must have on your wedding day and what you can live without. This will not only help you when choosing a reception location but it will help you with all of your other wedding choices as well. Do you really want a plated meal at dinner if it means you can’t afford a champagne toast?

Ciara’s Bridal Advice

Once you have chosen a reception location and booked it, you are well on your way to a wonderful wedding. Just remember ladies, no matter where you have your wedding reception, you will have a fabulous evening with your new husband surrounded by family and friends. So start researching venues now! Make a list of the sites you like and tackle it. The sooner you find a place to get married the sooner that stress will be gone. If you don’t know where to start or don’t even know what options are out there I can help you. I can help you find a venue that you may have never even heard of before that is just perfect for your style and your budget. Click here virginia@fireflyoccasions.com to book a meeting with me. 

Book Your 2009 & 2010 Wedding Dates As we move quickly into the New Year your 2009 or 2010 wedding date quickly approaches. Avoid being stressed out by planning your wedding by hiring us to be your wedding planner. Whether you just want some advice, or someone there to help on the wedding day or you need help with planning everything- we have you covered. Check out all the great options we have (and we can customize something for you) then book a meeting with us to discuss how one of our programs will work for you and your wedding. Click here if you’re The Hollywood Princess- A bride that wants the full service, couture experience- vendor and venue referrals, décor and design, and wedding day coordination. Everything is taken care of by the Firefly Occasions team. Click here if you’re The Tiffany Girl- You’ve got your vendors and your venue chosen but you need help figuring out what it should all look like, what your theme should be, and how it’s all going to come to life (without your family having to be put to work). This program also includes wedding day coordination. Click here if you’re The City Girl-You have everything covered but you definitely need help with your décor. You want a design team to create the perfect wedding environment for you to celebrate with your guests. This program deals solely with event design and no coordination. Click here if you’re The Cosmopolitan Icon- You figured it all out on your own but you want to make sure that each little detail that you’ve painstakingly planned is going to come to life without you having to be stressed out over it. You need a wedding day coordinator and you need the best! Click here if you’re the DIY Bride- You want to do it all yourself but you want to know the insider secrets to planning your celebrity style wedding. I’ve recorded over 20 hours of audio and made all of my spreadsheets and templates available to you. You can instantly download the DIY Planning System or it is now available in cd format which you’ll receive in the mail. The planning and design service packages are only available to 2009 couples. This deal cannot be used by a current Firefly client. To access the Recessionista sale you must pay the sale price up front to secure the booking. Payment plans are only available to clients paying full price.

Charity Event for Breast Cancer

Last Thursday I went to the ReThink Romp for Breast Cancer. It was a great event put on at the Art Gallery of Calgary. I donated ostrich feather centerpieces and pink lighting and I really love how the committee put together the whole look of the room.

While I was there I ran into Jenny Delich who was the maid of honor at her sister’s Fernie wedding this summer. I caught Jenny getting her hair and makeup done at the fun booths that they had set up. She and I laughed that I’ve actually seen her like this before!

They also had a “booby booth” set up where you could take an anonymous picture of your torso and chest but I wasn’t that brave, but I thought it was a cool concept anyways!