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Finding and selecting the perfect date for your wedding day is the next best thing besides the engagement itself. When considering dates for your special day, it is also important to consider dates to avoid. These dates are specific to any holiday such as Canada Day, Remembrance Day or dates during the Christmas season. If selecting a holiday for your wedding date is something that is important to you, it is also best to understand that you may be paying more for services from vendors or some vendors may not be available at all.
If the holiday you choose to get married on falls on the statutory holiday, you will be paying an extra fee to any vendor as they have to pay their staff time and half. Some vendors also choose to close up shop over the holidays so if they choose to remain open for your wedding day, they will be sure to charge you extra for the changing or canceling of their holiday plans.
Venues may opt not to be available on any holiday, as there might not be enough staff available to make your wedding day the extraordinary day that you deserve. If a holiday wedding has been your dream, be sure to ask all vendors you are considering what their extra fees are and if staffing problems will be a concern in ensuring the full delivery of their product or services.
Choosing a vendor can seem like an easy decision when you know a friend in the business. Among further discussion though you may find this can be a bad idea. Although hiring your friend, for example as you DJ, can save your pockets it can leave problems during your wedding. Your friend also wants to celebrate this wonderful day with you, and if they are busy rushing around cueing music or taking requests they miss out on being a guest.
This can lead to a job performed poorly since they are focusing on joining in instead of completing the work as they would with a stranger. This is definitely something to take into account when hiring your friend. Instead, consider hiring a close business partner. This leaves the possibility to still take advantage of any discounts and hire a company you trust all while your friend enjoys your wedding.
Your boys are probably the most influential and most important people in your life. They are there every step of the way, sometimes from early childhood or your first day of college. It is only natural that you ask them to be your groomsmen as you marry the woman of your dreams (or the most influential and most important female in your life, besides your mom) but how do you really express your appreciation for being with you up there as you marry your sweetheart?
Personalized gifts are a great idea to give to your groomsmen as they are more meaningful than a generic gift and who doesn’t love getting something with their name or initials on it?! Almost anything can be personalized these days, such as flasks, cufflinks, camping chairs (great for personalizing with nicknames), cigar boxes, vintage pub signs, dog tags, money clips and pocket watches – the list is endless.
Pick a special time to get together with your groomsmen to give them their gifts, or you can give it to them at the rehearsal dinner or just before the ceremony. Your groomsmen will be just as thankful as you are for being a part of your wedding day.
What wedding gifts should I get for my Bridesmaids?Your bridal party has been there for you throughout your wedding and now it is your chance to give back. Choosing a gift for your girls can seem tough but there are many different options to choose from. If you have a smaller budget for gifts you can opt for clutches or jewelry that matches their bridesmaid’s gowns. Consider the items they will have to purchase for your wedding and use those items as gift choices. This will save on their budget and yours.
If you are looking for a gift that will wow them or add a personal touch, there are engraved jewelry boxes, named robes and slippers, unique art pieces or sculptures, or a full spa day at their favorite salon. Each bridesmaid is unique and special to you, find that part of them that you love and put it into the form of a gift. Remember, these are your girls and they will love anything that comes from you.
We borrowed a list of common registry items courtesy of www.theknot.com.
Fine China and Casual Dinnerware Checklist
Flatware Checklist
Glassware and Barware Checklist
Kitchenware Checklist
Bed and Bath Checklist
After opening all your thoughtful gifts from friends, it is time to send a thoughtful gift of your own, a Thank You card. As you open your gifts keep a list of the items you received and from whom. This way you can thank the correct people for the correct gifts.
Your personal thank you will be that much more appreciated if you mention and remember the gift you have received from them and how it has helped in your married life. All these cards should be sent within three months of receiving your gift. Waiting longer than three months can leave the gift giver with the thought that you did not like what they gave to you.
In order to make your cards special, handwrite them and use the original invitation design to connect them to your wedding. Another photo of you and your spouse, or one of the wedding photos that includes your guest is also a sweet gesture. Your thank you means a lot to your guests, so do not forget to appreciate them.
Gifts, gifts, gifts! You can expect that your family and friends will spoil you on your wedding day and for your bridal shower so why not make it easier for them by setting up a registry. This is a wonderful opportunity to receive some things that you and your groom to be wouldn’t necessarily be able to buy on your own, or take this an opportunity to possibly receive some really cool stuff!
Traditionally, places to register were at department stores like The Bay or Sears where everything you could possibly need is under one roof.
Nowadays, where some brides and grooms often live together and create a home before they walk down the aisle, they are finding that they don’t need the traditional gifts as they already have them.
What better way to use this then to think outside of the box and register at other domains that can help you out. Local travel agents can set up an account on your behalf where your guests could contribute to your honeymoon or around the world trip and mortgage companies such as Bridal Mortgage Registry can set up an account where guests can help contribute to your first or new home together!
Firefly recommends still having a registry at a home store because everyone is entitled to 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets! And while you and your new hubby and enjoying lying in your luxurious bed, you can write all the thank you cards for every wonderful gift you received!
When decorating your wedding day you have so many options when it comes to the look of your ceremony. A traditional looking ceremony would include a white aisle runner, pastel flowers, white chairs and gentle lighting. While a contemporary ceremony can include a colored aisle runner lined with statues or lanterns, leather benches or colored up lighting.
Your ceremony can exude all the designs and colors you enjoy for your reception. Make your ceremony your own by sprucing in up with contemporary decor. Instead of getting married by the altar, get married under a canopy covered in colored drapes with hanging crystals. The ceremony can sometimes leave guests snoring during your vows, but with all these gorgeous features to capture their attention you will always have a smiling crowd.
Remember the shoulder puff sleeve dresses of the 80’s?! While I’m sure that some would consider that style “traditional”, it should be classified as contemporary for that time, or trendy. While the trends for wedding dresses and groomsmen’s attire change as fast as the fashion scene does (so like every 20 seconds), you can still have modern attire while still being traditional, if that is the style you have fallen in love with.
Traditional wedding attire is classic in style, showcasing a silk wedding dress with a shoulder or sleeve covering and long lace veil. Traditional attire for the gentlemen can be seen with a tailored tuxedo suit with or without coattails, in black or grey. Contemporary attire is very trendy, sticking with the latest fashions in bridal magazines or what the celebrities are doing, such as Hilary Duff’s blush silk tulle mermaid wedding dress adorned with giant blossoms.
Short wedding dresses or wedding dressed with a colored ribbon on them are also very trendy. Grooms can sport a white suit, a tan suit, tie or no tie, jacket or no jacket. The sky is the limit for brides and grooms looking to be contemporary or create their own fashion rule for their wedding day. For consistency purposes, it is important that the bride and groom choose to dress in the same theme, either both in traditional or both in contemporary, so there isn’t a gorgeous bride in a long lace wedding dress with a stunning veil marrying a groom in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt!
Did you think I forgot about the bridal party? Never! A more traditional style for bridesmaids is to wear the same dress, in the same color and the same style and length. To take this into the contemporary file, choose to have your bridesmaids in all different colors (or shades) or even different dress styles all together. Groomsmen can wear different color ties or even use pocket squares instead of boutonnieres. A very cool photo idea for the gentlemen is to wear funky colored and patterned socks and hike your pant legs up for a trendy photo!
Let’s start with being honest – weddings are expensive. The dress, the celebration, the photographer, the food, the décor and everything else in between can really add up. But isn’t it wonderful to have family who love you and want to see you have everything for the day you have been dreaming of since you were probably a little girl?!
While your family will probably help you financially where they can (and if that is something you want them to do), does their financial contribution really buy in their opinion?
If you and your fiancé have decided to take any donations from any family member towards your wedding overall or a specific portion of your wedding, like your venue, it is important to get an understanding about what the expectations are from the generous donator. While some will write you a cheque and let you do what you will, others may see their contribution to your wedding as a “buy in” for their opinions about how your wedding should look, feel and taste.
To keep your sanity and your composure intact, girls, you must first and foremost remember that this is YOUR wedding. This is your moment to shine, experience and plan the day as you have dreamed of for so long. Your memories of your wedding planning and wedding day will be with you for the rest of your life, so it is so important to create the day as you have envisioned. If the money that you have received came with strings, it’s time to evaluate if it is really something you need and how you can manage without it.
What’s Worth It
What’s Not
Photo Credit: http://www.marshu.com/articles/vera-wang-wedding-gown.php
Amongst all the exciting wedding planning you can get carried away when it comes to your budget. The best way to keep this is check is to set up a budget sheet that you can follow along with. This budget must be kept up to date throughout the planning process as aspects of your wedding change.
Many things get overlooked when making your budget, such as postage when sending out your invitations. Create a list that includes all your wants as well as all the necessary expenses. By doing so you can see what areas you are beginning to spend too much and where you can cut back.
For example, choosing a less expensive table linen in exchange for a more extravagant centerpiece. Your budget list should include bridal party gifts, travel expenses, rentals, hair and makeup, fittings, stationary, damage deposits etc. Consider everything in your wedding that is associated with a cost and write it down. This budget can put you in control of your spending to achieve the wedding of your dreams.
When choosing a location for your wedding you must consider what décor and unique events you plan to have. Many venues have rules and regulations which can affect your plans.
First is to check room capacity. If your number of guests will not fit into your venue comfortably or within the fire regulations then you will need to make some changes.
Once your guests are in, food is next. Many venues cannot accept food coming from an outside source. Food from another provider can take away the venues revenue and increases their liability risk if a guest were to get sick. Ask your chosen location for permission when it comes to bringing outside food or drink.
The décor and events that you have planned may also need to be cleared by your location. Weddings with unique elements such as fireworks, gobo monogram’s, pets and fake snow fall, pose another problem. These types of signature details must be made aware to the venue and its employees. The way a venue is built can determine if these special requests can even take place.
Once it is confirmed the venue is capable of handling what you have planned, it is important to get the proper insurance to ensure any liability risk to you is covered. Your wedding day can run seamlessly with proper communication.
The design and feel of your wedding can include many factors such as colors, linens, flowers and even food. The venue that you choose for your wedding is the most prominent element in setting the mood for your wedding design.
The venue is a brand in itself and can represent rustic, glamorous, simple and modern.
If your wedding is a mountain theme you can choose between glamorous or rustic, for example.
The Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offer a venue that is timeless and classic and can be set the mood for a glamorous black tie affair. For a more rustic mountain wedding, a venue like Silvertip in Canmore allows for that feel with its wood finishing’s and more cabin like features.
It is important not to lose the flow of your wedding by having a glamorous black tie affair in a more rustic setting where your guests might feel uncomfortable and out of place. Having consistency with the design and mood of your wedding will go a long way with creating an unforgettable wedding!
The traditional view on this is very straight forward, a wedding should have a host bar. You would not invite someone into your home for dinner and then ask them to pay for a glass of your wine. However, the traditional view on financing the wedding has changed. With more and more couples financing their own weddings, alternatives to host bars have become more popular.
I believe there are some situations where a cash bar should still, if at all possible be avoided. For example, 90% of the guests attending my wedding will be flying out to Banff from Ontario. In my opinion, if it costs your guests $1500.00 to attend your wedding, you should offer them drinks. That was simply something that we needed to work into our budget.
For those of you who are holding your weddings relatively locally and are on the fence about the bar situation, some popular options have been opting for a corkage fee if available. This is when the venue will allow you to bring in your own alcohol and also take any left overs back at the end of the night to return it. The venue will typically provide you with all juices or pops needed for mix and a bartender. They will normally charge you a fee per person along with a bartender fee for their supplies and service. Not all venue’s will allow this, infact there are few that do so I would definitely suggest that you take them up on this offer if it is available to you.
Other couples have worked out to cover up to a certain ceiling amount and then have the tab cut off at that point. At which point, your guests would start paying for their own drinks should they desire to continue drinking. Some couples will offer a tooney bar where their guests pay $2.00/drink and the rest is covered by the host. Sometimes the hosts will cover the whole tab and the money raised by the tooney bar is donated. Some couples have even opted to have completely alcohol free weddings and offer mock-tails instead.
Whatever your decision, the general consensis is this, if you are having a cash bar it must be stated on the invitation. Your guests need to know that they should be bringing cash with them.
