Free Call Tonight: "10 Last Minute Income Boosting Ideas To End 2011 With A Bang!" This call is for wedding... http://t.co/Pwmy1R4Z
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The menu at your wedding adds its own element in the overall feel and design of your wedding. If you are going for a more laid back and less formal feel, where mingling is the focus of the evening, then opting for a buffet may be the right choice for your wedding. It is a dinner that allows guests to get up and visit with other guests at your wedding while waiting for their table to be called to the buffet.
Buffets offer more food selection for your guests, which is a perk for those guests with allergies, dietary choices such as vegetarians, or those picky eaters! One thing to keep in mind if you choose a buffet, is that not all of the guests can eat at the same time, or close to the same time, like they can with a plated dinner. Those hungry souls at your wedding who approach the buffet last may have been waiting for close to half an hour to get their dinner.
Plated dinners are great if the focus of your wedding is formal and if you want your guests to be served and relax during dinner, enjoying the company of their table. Your venue will let you choose the number of courses to serve during dinner, ranging anywhere from three to as many as seven or eight! The more courses that you have during your dinner, the longer that dinner will take. Many courses are great for those weddings that want a more formal dinner feel and the after party is only a small consideration.
If dancing and partying is your main focus for your reception, opt to keep your courses to three or four, but be sure to offer a spectacular late night lunch as guests can get hungry dancing their dinner off!
Dietary restrictions are a common issue among all events that include food. Today’s society has bred many different types of diets, from Vegan to gluten free. It is important that the Bride and Groom take these restrictions into account and do the research with who will be attending their wedding and what their dietary restrictions mean. By confirming special requests you can avoid an unhappy, not to mention hungry, guest.
If your wedding includes a buffet, be sure to incorporate a few different selections for the types of eaters that will be attending. Only giving the option of one vegan dish leaves your vegan guest unsatisfied. If your dinner will be plated, confirm with the Chef that they can create the specified dishes. Ensure your wedding planner, and Chef knows which tables will require these special plates. You will have a frustrated guest if they are given a plate they cannot eat from. Allergies also play a huge part in the dinner service.
You do not want to be held accountable for a guest getting sick. Most guests will specify their allergies in the R.S.V.P. Be sure to properly document these persons and alert the venue and cooking staff of these important allergens. Your attendees will thank you for it!
I LOVE linens, I’m obsessed and I’m so excited to see that some of our local suppliers are really starting to pick up on the linen trends that we’ve been seeing in California. We briefly discussed this topic in our teleseminar with regards to trends for 2011 but I’ll say it again here, texture, texture, texture!
You really need to think about your table and chairs as another bridesmaid because you really can dress them. For me, looking at table linens is like going to New York Fashion Week and I really just don’t think that the average bride is even aware of what is out there with regards to table linens. You can literally dress your dinner chairs in fitted gowns!
For 2011, it’s the more the marrier too so don’t be afraid to add layers of fabric. For example, the Caroline Collection from Wildflower Linens is featuring a full bustle on the tableclothe with a lace cap to top it off. Monique Antique from Latavola linens is interwoven layers which have been designed to create a floral pattern, which takes on a fluffly appearance in photographs and was designed after Monique L’huillier.
Either way what we’re seeing is the idea of taking elements that traditionally have been used in the design of wedding gowns and implementing them into the linens. Why Not! I love it!
I do encourage you to be realistic with your expectations in regards to your décor. Detail and quality comes at a cost and you may need to be willing to make some sacrifices to get it. As I mentioned, I am obsessed with linens and therefore, so that my budget can accommodate my obsession, I am not having a wedding with hundreds of guests.
Your reception is set, guests are arriving and what is the first thing they see? Your décor, and the beautiful centerpieces that have caught their eye. Centerpieces are a great way of showcasing your theme and setting a mood for your wedding.
They can be large extravagant pieces or subtle delicate ones. When choosing a centerpiece it is important to consider size, will it obstruct your guests view of the other guests around the table? A centerpiece around head height is not the best choice as it can make conversation difficult.
Next is to consider color, it should tie in with the theme of your wedding. Do not be afraid to use multiple colors either. Bright colors are very popular for this season. Think apple green, lilac, navy, emerald and hot pink etc. Be bold, make a statement!
There are many options for centerpieces, such as a tall vase filled with Manzanita branches and hanging crystals, or a small lantern surrounded by flowers and candles. You can choose multiple centerpieces as well and put different designs on every other table.
If you have a wedding planner they can show you many different examples. With Firefly, we have our own line of décor that includes signature centerpieces which can make your wedding unique. We can design a look that suits your theme and wows your guests.
Look online, talk to your planner and get the inspiration to find a centerpiece that will awe your friends and family.
Setting the mood is something you do quite often. It can be for a movie, dinner or just to create some ambiance. More often than not, when you set the mood, you adjust the lights. It adds a diverse décor element that can be adjusted with color, dimness and projection. Adding the element of lighting to your wedding décor can produce an effect that no other décor element can.
Lighting can be one of the most inexpensive ways to add some WOW to your wedding décor. You don’t need to have huge production lighting such as a concert would, but something as simple as adding some colored lighting around the room in your reception to offer a unique glow, or just lighting a part of your reception, such as a lounge, will get your guests talking (in a good way!).
Firefly uses lighting in all of the weddings that we design as it creates that unique pop that all of our brides and grooms come to us for. Lighting can also add a comfortable component that will have your guests feeling warm and welcomed and that will guarantee a fantastic time at your wedding – just as you do when you set the mood in your home!
Bridesmaids:
• Assist Maid of Honour in planning the bridal shower
• Assist Maid of Honour in planning the bachlorette party
• Assist Bride with errands and addressing the invitations
• Participate in all pre-weddding parties
• Arrive at dressing site 2 hours before ceremony
• Participate in the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Participate in the wedding ceremony and reception
• Encourage guests to dance
• Encourage sinle women to participate in the bouquet toss
Maid of Honour: (All of the above plus)
• Help the Bride select a gown
• Plan the bridal shower
• Plan the bachlorette party
• Hold the Bride’s bouquet during the ceremony
• Holds the Grooms Ring
• Witness the signing of the registry
Groomsmen:
• Assist the Best Man with the bachlor party
• Arrive dressed at the ceremony 30 minutes before the wedding
• Participate in the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Participate in the wedding ceremony and reception
• Encourage guests to dance
• Encourage single men to participate in the garter toss
Best Man: (All of the above plus)
• Organize the bachlor party
• Arrive with the groom at the wedding ceremony
• Bring the marriage licence to the wedding
• Hold the Brides Ring
• Witnesses the signing of the registry
Maid of Horror
Choosing a Maid of Honour can be a scary and difficult decision. The easiest way to keep relationships is to have a family member, such as your sister, as your Maid of Honour (M.O.H.). Traditionally family members were never involved in the wedding party because they were meant to enjoy the wedding with you while the new couple receives outside support.
However, you cannot ignore the benefits of including your sister or family member as your M.O.H. Doing this eliminates the jealousy factor of picking between friends.
Friends can feel unappreciated and hurt when they are not picked to be M.O.H., even if they are not ready for the responsibilities of the title. The last thing that you want is to lose a friend while you are gaining a husband.
Another dilemma is finances. It can get expensive to be in the bridal party. The M.O.H. is often expected to throw the bridal shower, bachelorette party etc. These events can include snacks, drinks, limos, gifts and possibly renting a venue.
It can be hard for a friend to take on all the financial responsibilities of this title, while having a sister or family member can eliminate the guilt of money spending since it stays within the family. The Maid of Honour for your wedding will come to you, and if jealousy leers its ugly head feel confident that your M.O.H. will be there to help diffuse the problem and stick by your side.
When it comes time to picking your wedding party, it would be so much easier to have everyone who means the most to you be there throughout the planning process, throwing parties and showers and standing up with you at the alter, but for those of us who have seen 27 Dresses, you actually can have too many bridesmaids.
Before your emotions and excitement of your upcoming wedding get the best of you, take some time to consider the ramifications of having every girlfriend and guyfriend you’ve ever had in your wedding party.
While larger wedding parties can mean more showers and bigger bachelor/bachelorette parties, it also means a larger expense for bouquets/boutonnieres, bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts and rehearsal dinner.
You will also need to consider that on the wedding day, your photography session will be longer as you have more people to round up for each photo. An overpowering wedding party can also mean that the focus of you and your groom up at the alter is overshadowed by a huge wedding party on each of your sides.
Your wedding party is a very personal connection and keeping the party to a smaller size can be more intimate and meaningful to you both. It is a time for you to bond, share and create new memories of the most important times in your life
Maybe not, but you do have to make some compromises so be ready. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s all good and it will all work out, she will make compromises as well. Now that the “single” you has been retired, you need to remember that if you’re invited out after work for a few drinks, you need to call your wife…NOT to ask permission, but as a courtesy call to let her know you will not be coming home for a while, in case there were plans she had made as a surprise.
And if those few drinks turn into a bender, let her know not to wait up and that the cabbie will make sure you get home ok.
Your wife now comes before your friends, sure they may give you a hard time at the beginning but whatever, they’re just jealous that you found the one and now you don’t have to play 2 o’clock Romeo at the bars anymore
A few other quick things to touch on to make a happy transition into married life:
As in all of life’s transitions, there may be some bumps in the road, but stay with it, always communicate with your partner things will work out in the end. You spent the time to get to know this person, get to know their family, you took the time to plan the wedding, not to mention the cost of the wedding, so take your time, ask for help if you feel you need it and always remember to talk to your spouse.
Even before tying the knot finances should be discussed. Now that you are married you have someone who depends on you and vice versa. It is important to ensure your partner has the same priorities in regards to saving and spending.
The best idea is to discuss your financial options with a financial adviser. They can help plan out your future. While your wedding lasts a day, your financial future will last a lifetime. Marriages can be fractured by debt if you do not discuss them at the beginning.
There are many books that can be purchased with helpful tips on budgeting and saving money. Following a budget and plan from the get go can help prepare you for any unexpected expenses. If you have questions in regards to finances, you and your spouse have the option to visit a financial adviser, a life insurance agent, a banker, and/or an accountant to ensure you are provided with all the answers you will need.
One of the biggest decisions you will make regarding your marriage is the decision whether or not to take your new husbands last name. Of course, traditionally there was no question and while some women feel an emense loss of identity at this thought, others find comfort in this tradition.
And then there are those of us who fall somewhere in the middle. I have two last names to give up and with that, two little battles in my heart.
My legal last name is Scott, that’s my Fathers last name and though I wasn’t raised by my Father, I was brought up to have a close relationship with the whole Scott family. My Dad, all of my cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents are of the Scott family. In that sense, I understand what it is like to feel a part of something and not want to give it up.
I don’t want to give up Scott as I somehow feel it would disconnect me from what is my childhood memories, and not to mention most of the Scott family (apart from myself and one cousin) have all been men so they can all remain Scott’s.
My parents were never married and I was raised in a small city with my Mom and my sister. My Mom is an elementry school teacher and therefor very well known in the city by her last name. Her last name is Shelley and though I am Scott, with my Dad being out of the city and my Mom’s last name assumed upon me, I am a Shelley. We were the Shelley’s and there are no other Shelley’s, no aunts, no cousins, no grandparentsl, just me, my mom and my sister.
Our little home of just the girls where we sang songs from the movie Mermaids while washing the dishes every night. There is definitely something difficult about losing a last name. Though you know that it will not affect the relationships you have with these people, something still tugs at your heart a little bit, it’s sad.
For me, it’s important to take Brett’s last name because like I said, I was raised with a split household and while that was fine, I would love to be able to one day represent a united family with one family name.
The point is, we all struggle with this for our own reasons no matter how silly they may seem. Maybe you want to have a marital identity connected to your husband or maybe you’ve worked hard to develop your own identity professionally. Maybe this is a 2nd marriage and you’re concerned about having a different last name then your children have.
I think you have to determine what is the most important factor to you and remember that this is a subject that is widely accepted now. You are free to maintain your maiden name, hyphonate your name, take your husbands name or even take your husbands name but maintain your maiden name professionally.
I encourage you to do what feels right for you and I encourage all of our other readers to be open minded and respectful of those who do not take their husbands name.
If you have lived with your new husband before you got married, then you will know that the key to a successful cohabitation is making sure that you each have your alone time. If you and your new husband have just moved in together after the wedding – girls listen up!!! It is a big transition going from living alone or with a roommate, to living with your spouse.
You talk a lot more, you do more things as a couple and you spend a lot more time together. The chance of getting annoyed with each other now and again is certainly there and the key to ensuring that you are able to enjoy being married and living with your husband is to make sure to take time for yourself.
Taking time for solitude is an important factor in maintaining a healthy mind and body. It allows for you to decompress from the stresses of life and lets your body regenerate. If you are well rested and have a clear mind, it can make the new marriage easier.
Your solitude can be enjoying a nice bubble bath with some candles, reading a book, yoga, jogging, grabbing a bottle of wine or making a pot of tea and watching some cry your eyes out chick flicks (don’t forget the tissues!) or any other activity that you enjoy in your own company.
Imagine Having a Full Day Dedicated to Planning Your Wedding With the
Award Winning Designers & Planners of Firefly Occasions…
You can do just that in your personal 1 on 1 day with Firefly Occasions.
Here’s the scoop…
We had a company retreat where we all got together to brainstorm new ideas for 2011. We thought, what would be REALLY COOL to offer brides and grooms this year. You’re so busy and we know you wish you could spend more time planning your wedding but the reality is, you have your job and a full life to lead. You want to have fun planning your wedding but you don’t want it to take over your life.
So we thought… what if we helped brides and grooms plan their wedding in just 1 day?
We’ll start the day by picking you and your fiancé up at your house in a chauffeured vehicle. You’ll arrive at our new office on Macleod Trail where we’ll be waiting for you with mimosas (champagne & orange juice) and a light breakfast. Then we’ll dive into your wedding plans.
We’ve mapped out our day together. During this time we’ll accomplish a lot. We’ll start with discussing your overall vision for your wedding and work our way from there. We’ll figure out your budget together and the vendors we think would best suit that budget and your personalities and unique style.
And we couldn’t let you walk away without giving you time to talk about your wedding décor with us. We’ll have a décor consultation where we’ll all go through our library of wedding resources and figure out what your wedding atmosphere should be.
We’ll end the day by creating an implementation plan for you to put everything we mapped out into action. You’ll walk away with your wedding planned!
Sounds like a pretty full day right? Well it will be, but don’t worry. We’ve worked in lots of time for us to have lunch together and snacks. Plus you don’t have to worry about driving home because the car will be back to get you.
We really want this to be a fun, luxurious day that’s a wonderful memory of your wedding.
Spend 1 Day With Firefly Occasions
And You’ll Walk Away With A Plan for Your Wedding
How can we plan your wedding in just 1 day?
We’ve planned many weddings over the years and we know the best vendors in this city. While we usually spread our wedding planning out over a period of time we can condense what we do and give you the foundation of your wedding plans in just 1 day. Will you need to do some work after this day is over? We’re not going to lie… you will. BUT, the big difference is that everything for your wedding will be mapped out for you so as long as you follow the implementation plan we give you at the end of our day together you’ll see your wedding come together really quickly.
PLUS we’ll follow up with you. You’ll receive 1 BONUS 30 minute phone call with the planner from your Day with Firefly. That’s a time where you can ask any follow up questions from your day and gain clarification.
This day is an amazing deal for only $1500 (plus GST). Click here to reserve your spot.
Your day with Firefly is easy to book NOW. All you need to do today is make a deposit of $500. Once you’re ready to secure a date for your Day with Firefly, that’s when we’ll require the rest of your payment.
And if you secure your day with Firefly by Friday December 10th with a deposit we’ll give you 2 gifts:
1) $100 Gift Certificate to Holt Renfrew
2) $250 Firefly Dollars- these are credits you can use towards the rental of our Signature Firefly Décor Collection
Click here to secure your spot as space is limited.
Your Day with Firefly will be overseen by Atmospheric Designer, Simon Daykin and Wedding Division Manager, Kendra Scott.
If you so choose at the time of your full payment you can upgrade your Day with Firefly to include Ciara Daykin, CEO of Firefly Occasions and The Event Choreographer. A Day with Firefly, including Ciara, is an additional $1000.
But you don’t have to decide now. You just need to secure your Day with Firefly as our full days are limited. Click here to save your spot.
A Day with Firefly is also a great gift. Don’t forget that Christmas is coming! Click here now.
We can’t wait to spend the day with you!
The Team at Firefly Occasions
**Please note that only the bride and groom may attend this session as we have found this to be the most productive scenario. The chauffeured vehicle will pick up in 1 location within the City of Calgary limits and drop off to 1 location within the City of Calgary limits- no stops along the way are permitted. The gifts mentioned above will be provided at the Day with Firefly. Payment in full must be made to secure a date for your Day with Firefly. Once payment is received you will receive the options for your Day. All Days with Firefly must be booked by December 30 2011. Deposits will not be honored after that date. All bonus calls must be used within 60 days of your Day with Firefly. Your bonus will be void if not used. Bonus calls are non-transferrable.
When you look back at your wedding photos you want no regrets. It is a day you should remember feeling beautiful and timeless. To achieve these memories you have to look natural. When choosing a make-up for your wedding you should focus on your best features as these will shine through in your photos.
If you have a great smile, choose a lip stain that is a few shades darker than your natural lip to make your mouth pop. If you have defined cheekbones, get your make-up artist to play with high-lighting and low-lighting technique’s to define them more.
A set of false lashes will widen your eyes. Try a few pairs prior to your wedding to find which look suits you best. If you have a hard time applying the lashes yourself, you can visit a make-up stand in the mall that often will apply the lashes for free with the purchase of a set. A tip to applying these lashes is to put your makeup on as you normally would but skip the mascara. Then apply the lashes close to your lash line and coat with mascara after, if needed. This makes the application easier and the mascara afterward will blend your lashes with the false lashes while giving them extra staying power.
Following trends for your makeup can lead to “what was I thinking” photos. You feel the most confident when you stick to a look that is a more glamorous version of your everyday look. Stay away from bright colors and heavy shadows that can take away from your timeless beauty.
Natural with a pop looks best in photos, while heavy make-up sticks out like a sore thumb. Visit your make-up artist prior to your wedding to find a look that is flawless for your face.
Your wedding day has come and gone and what remains are the memories and the wedding pictures. It would be wonderful if you could show your friends and family the pictures in your head but this is where your wedding photos will step in!
The most important advice that I can give to you for making sure your wedding photos are fun, fabulous and worthy of framing and hanging all over your house is to splurge on a great photographer.
A great photographer will know exactly how to use the light to your advantage, will suggest poses that flatter, will offer great locations for backdrops in a style that you want and will be able to deliver high quality and high definition photography.
Photography is an investment that is sure to pay off for the rest of your life, so you want to be certain that you are getting something that is top notch! Your wedding photos are something that you can’t recreate once the day is over, so be sure to interview all your potential photographers before hiring them.
Look at their portfolios and see if you have chemistry with your potential photographer because you will be spending your entire wedding day with them! Think of your wedding day photography as your own personal photo shoot – you deserve to spoil yourself and let yourself be the “model within” for your wedding day.
By Kylene Donaldson
Photo Credit: www.perphoto.com
