Divine Weddings - Winnipeg Wedding and Event Planner

Wonderful Wedding Show Highlights

2012-01-26T19:11:00.000-08:00

It was a fantastic weekend at the Wonderful Wedding Show! So great to see my buds
in the industry, all of my clients, and new brides as well. Looking forward to 2012!

As always, it was a blessing to work with my friend Peggy from Little Flower Shop on our combined booth, the bridal lounge, and the inspiration tables in the registration area.
Our hard work paid off winning "Best Creative Collaboration Booth Display". Best booth!
Yay! :) Thanks so much to Peggy and her team, and my team of girls for all of your
hard work and dedication through out the weekend. Peggy's flowers and rentals are
THE BEST in the Winnipeg wedding industry, and I am so lucky to call her my friend and colleague. Hugs :)

Special thanks goes out to Bond and Leah from BLF Studios - you are such great
pals and wonderful people to work with. Thank-you so much for the gorgeous images
below.

Thanks to Sean from A Moving Picture Studios for the promotional videos and testimonials you saw in the lounge and on our blog. Such a hard worker and always a smile on your
face :) And your wife Janelle is fun to hang out with too!

Amanda and Sandy from Chairish Your Moments - thanks for working SO HARD! Your linens are stunning! You're great ladies and I've enjoyed getting to know you.

Liz from In So Many Words - as always, stunning work! Liz did all of the stationery
for our tables, and they were gorgeous! So gorgeous a few brides couldn't resist and
took them right off the tables to take home! LOL

Belinda from High Tea Bakery - the mini cakes were SO PERFECT! 12 little cakes to
match our theme and colours in our booth. I know you were so super busy, thanks so much for taking the time to make them for us. You rock!

And thanks to Platinum Productions for the music and lighting - best DJ's in the industry!

Sohan from Elite Lighting - you rock! Thanks for providing the TVs for the videos :)

Well my feet have stopped aching, and I am slowly getting back to normal :) Another great show!

This was our second year sponsoring the Bridal Lounge. Ultra cool and modern, white on white with patterned lighting, and hot white leather lounge furniture from Little Flower Shop.

Chabby Chic is a huge trend that I am totally loving right now. Who ever would have thought babies breathe would make a come back! This was by far the favourite at the show. I adore the hyacinth bulbs in the cube glass squares :) And of course, mahogany chiavari chairs from Little Flower Shop.

Ombre - a gradual change in colour from light to dark - this is a uber modern trend that we added a romantic flair to. 'Love' the menus :) Liz at In So Many Words created my vision for the stationery perfectly! And for those that are wondering, there are rose petals from 200 roses in that vase!

We called this one California Glam - why? I guess because California is totally cool and awesome! LOL Champagne linens with the pop of pink and bold touches of black. And of course, the hanging table number - all the brides want it! Do I smell a trend? :)

What's green and white and HOT all over? :) Our booth turned out better then imagined - I was so happy with it. Winning best booth was so cool, and winning it with my bud Peggy was even better! Fresh and crisp - it just sparkled! I loved the boxed menu/favour boxes, and the touches of mirror through out the booth. And the flowers, well they rocked! :)

Divine Love

2012-01-23T17:57:00.000-08:00

Sarah and Jeff share their experience with Divine Weddings.
Thanks guys :) hugs.

Featured on Style Me Pretty!

2012-01-20T22:44:00.000-08:00

Photos of Danielle and Jon's amazing Rustic Glam wedding have been featured on Style Me Pretty today! Click the photo to take a look :) We are so very proud!
Enjoy!

Wonderful Wedding Show

2012-01-12T14:56:00.000-08:00

We look forward to seeing you at the

Wonderful Wedding Show!

January 21st & 22nd

We want to hear all about your wedding!

Stop by booth #629

or come visit us in the Bridal Lounge.

See some amazing inspiration and enter for

your chance to win a necklace and earring set from

McGrath Diamonds!

See you all at the show!

Divine Wedding :: Sarah & Jeff

2012-01-02T12:11:00.000-08:00

You know when you meet someone, and you just click? I knew when I met with Sarah
and Jeff that they were going to be a great couple to work with. They are the most
friendly warm people, I feel so lucky to have gotten to know them during the
planning of their wedding.

They got married on a beautiful fall day, and the ceremony was held at Convocation
Hall at U of W - what a gorgeous space to have a ceremony! My new fave :) Sarah
works for the Winnipeg Goldeyes, so their mascot Goldie made a guest appearance
at the ceremony when the Bestman forgot the rings :)

They are such a stunning couple and they looked amazing on their day! They hired
Moore Photography so I was very excited to see their gorgeous photos. It was such
a blast working with photographers Curtis and Michelle! Check out the beautiful
images below.

2012 is Coming! 2012 is Coming!

2011-12-30T08:02:00.000-08:00

2012 is Coming! 2012 is Coming!

I am really excitedfor all of the 2012 weddings coming up for Divine Weddings! If you
are a bride getting married in 2012,then New Year’s Eve will have even more meaning
as you turn the page to theyear you will be saying ‘I Do’. I know,you are feeling so many
emotions all at the same time! 2012 will be a year of excitement,anticipation, and complete
and utter joy!

So how do you make itthrough the planning by keeping your emotions in check?
Stay organized, get inspired, and bethankful. And always remember the reasonyou
are getting married in the first place, and put your fiance first. Remember, he’s a dude.
They don’t get as excited about weddings likewe do! So always make time for a date
where you don’t talk about the wedding and you can just be you. Besides, they don’t
know the differencebetween sky blue and powder blue anyways! Save those chats for
your bridesmaids.

So happy planning,have fun, and enjoy every moment.

Happy New Year fromthe team at Divine Weddings.

Divine Wedding :: Jennifer & Damien

2011-12-18T20:41:00.000-08:00

Jennifer and Damien were married on a beautiful day in October. They couldn't have asked for a warmer sunnier
day :) Jennifer booked us a year before to help plan her New York style blinged out affair, and she was an absolute
dream to work with over that year. It was great getting to know her and Damien, and her son Nicholas.

The day started with the ladies getting ready at Inn at the Forks, and moved over to the ceremony at Crescent Fort
Rouge United, then to Niakwa Country Club for the reception. Purple, black and green for a colour palette, lots of
rhinestones and bling, and a Candy Martini bar - uber chic! Jennifer looked absolutely STUNNING in her wedding gown
and fascinator bird cage veil - she looked like a classic hollywood star! Damien looked pretty awesome too :) and Nicholas...well the photos below don't come close to how cute this little guy is!

Enjoy.

Fab New Wedding Website

2011-11-24T19:08:00.001-08:00

The wedding God himself, Colin Cowie, has a new wedding website - Colin Cowie Weddings
Known for his stylish taste and lavish celebrity weddings, Colin always has the best wedding ideas! Now it can all be
found in one ah-mazing website! Wedding fashion, beauty, decor, planning advise and real wedding inspiration, this will definitely be one of my fave new sites! Be Inspired. Have Fun. Enjoy the Journey!

Divine Wedding :: Lindsay & Brad

2011-11-13T16:20:00.000-08:00

I heart Lindsay and Brad :) They are the sweetest couple, and I had such a great time working with them. They booked
our 3 Month Countdown Service, so we helped bring in some unique touches like the hanging frame seating chart in the
draped entrance, and the late night hot dog cart. The ceremony was held in her parent's yard, with the tent reception just
down the road at Lindsay and Brad's new home. This was truly a celebration of love and family, and I was so happy to see
their day come together so perfectly.

Photos by Madix Photography

Allie & Miguel - Featured!

2011-11-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

Allie and Miguel's wedding is featured on the Weddings in Winnipeg Inspiration Blog today! Take a look!

Sariviea and Robert :: Weddings in Winnipeg feature

2011-11-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

Sarivea and Robert's Montego Bay destination wedding has been featured in Weddings in Winnipeg Magazine this month!
Take a peek here.

Divine Wedding :: Allie & Miguel

2011-10-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a wedding when the couple are high school sweethearts. Allie and Miguel started dating when they were teenagers, and have been together for nine years! So she had been dreaming of her wedding day for a very long time - so yeah, no pressure! :)

I first met with Allie only a few months before her wedding - she was starting to get overwhelmed with the details, so I quickly stepped in to relieve some stress and tie up some loose ends. Allie wanted pretty, blingy, and elegant - and also wanted to tie in some distinct details to personalize their day. Allie is a teacher - so we rented a school bus as their wedding day transporation. They also stopped by the St. Pierre Museum for some photos in the school house.

Take a look at their awesome photos by Jack and Ruby Photography.

Enjoy :)

Photographer Jack and Ruby Photography | Flowers and Rentals Little Flower Shop | Linens and Centerpieces Dream Day Decorators | Stationery In So Many Words | Wedding Cake and Sweets PS Cake Designs

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-10-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is a day that reminds us all to take a pause, and to be thankful for all of our blessings. As a bride planning your wedding, you will more then likely be spending time with family and friends this weekend - this is a great opportunity to thank those that have been helping you with your wedding plans. Bridesmaids, parents, in-laws - take time today to thank them for their help with your wedding. Don't just wait for your wedding speech to thank everyone. Some pre thank-you's makes everyone feel appreciated, and creates more happiness for your day.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Divine Weddings team!

Get The Look :: Autumn Glamour

2011-10-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

Our Autumn Inspiration from the Grand Wedding Showcase is featured in this month's issue of Weddings in Winnipeg magazine. Take a peek here :)

Divine Inspiration :: Rustic Glam

2011-09-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Finally I am able to post photos from our Rustic Glam photo shoot in the spring. It turned out better then imagined and we've gotten such positive feedback from brides loving the rustic glam look. I am so proud of the Divine Weddings team, and the group of vendors who worked on this shoot with us! Special thanks to Little Flower Shop and our beautiful model and Blue Lightning Cheerleader, Melinda Johnson :) The photos have been featured on the prestigious WedLuxe blog, as well as Weddings in Winnipeg.

Enjoy :)

Espresso and Love

2011-08-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

Hailey and Mark's wedding is featured on the Weddings in Winnipeg Inspiration blog today! Take a look here.

Divine Wedding :: Hailey & Mark

2011-08-22T21:43:00.000-07:00

I loved working with Hailey and Mark! The nicest couple I've ever met - I will truly miss them. They came to me a few months before their wedding for some hourly consulting. They needed help bringing together their decor design - so we finalized their decor plan, and tied up the loose ends to design a wedding style that was truly them.

They also booked our Wedding Day Coordination Service - what a beautiful day! Their style was classic and elegant, with a touch of decadence. The ceremony and reception were both held at the Fort Garry Hotel. They had bought their centerpieces already - champagne glass vases and coffee beans - so we thought it would be super fun to have an Espresso Bar to tie in with the coffee beans! Guests loved it!

What great fun working with Melissa from Sugar and Soul Photography. Enjoy her amazing images :)

Rustic Glam in the WIW Inspiration Room

2011-08-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

Our Rustic Glam styled photo shoot has been featured in the Weddings in Winnipeg Inspiration Room - check it out here.

Get To Know Us

2011-08-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

Check out our interview in this month's issue of

Weddings in Winnipeg Magazine.

We Are Under Construction

2011-08-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

Due to server issues, our updated website files have been deleted :( So our current website that you are seeing does not show all of our current work! We are working to get everything updated as quickly as possible, so please bare with us. In the meantime, you can see all of our recent work on our blog and in older blog posts.

Thanks :)
The Divine Weddings Team

Divine Wedding :: Sariviea & Robert

2011-07-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

I had the honour of planning Sariviea and Robert's destination wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica this past March. They are from Thompson, so most of the planning was over email and phone :) until I finally met them a few months later. Planning a destination wedding can have it's challenges - so I am so happy their wedding was everything they dreamed of.

Robert had always wanted to get married in Jamaica, but Sariviea wanted something traditional and definitely not on a beach. So when they hired me, my challenge was to find them a location in Jamaica that would be perfect. My research led me to Bellefield Great House, a 200 year old sugar plantation and estate in the hills of Montego Bay. The perfect location for a morning ceremony and brunch for them and their close family and friends.

Sariviea didn't want to sacrifice the decor - so I worked with a local florist in Jamaica. It was designed with lots of pink flowers, rose petals and candles. Grey table runners and a broche for her bouquet were brought along from Manitoba to add the perfect touch.

A pizza break after photos, and Sariviea changed into her second dress for the moonlight cruise reception where they had their first dance and cut their wedding cake.

Enjoy these fab photos by Moore Photography.

Timing is Everything

2011-07-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

As a wedding planner, I always put a lot of time and effort into the scheduling for a wedding day. Sometimes more then I would like :) but it’s a very important aspect for the success of the day. A wedding is like a production – and like any production – it has to have the right mix of excitement, emotion, visual impact, and above all, good scheduling! Timing is everything, and without good timing, all the other stuff can’t happen.

You will never host a bigger party then your wedding, so take the time to do it right.
Where do you start? Like all productions, it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Begin with the middle – that’s usually the most important stuff, like the ceremony and reception. Then build off from there. Timing of the ceremony, cocktails and dinner are a good starting point.

Then move onto the beginning of the day. Talk to the hairstylists and make-up artists you've hired. How long will it take them to do everyone’s hair and make-up? It’s very important to make a schedule for that – so that everyone knows what time they will be getting made up, otherwise no one knows when or where they are supposed to be. That’s why weddings start late – because the morning activities were not scheduled properly. Mark down everyone’s name and appointment time, and make sure they all know where they have to be. Do you have a bridesmaid that is notoriously late? Tell her to show up fifteen minutes earlier to make sure she is on time.

Photo by David Everett Photography

Make sure to leave enough time after you are made up to get into your wedding attire. This is usually an important time with your mother, sister, or bridesmaids. You want to really enjoy this time and soak it all in. You don’t want to rush through this, especially because this will be right before you walk down the aisle – you want to feel calm and not rushed.

Photo by David Everett Photography

Photos – you should leave 3 hours for your photo session. That does not include driving time between photo sites. Choose only 2 or 3 sites to ensure you get quality time at each site. Talk to your photographer and get their input on your schedule as well. They are the pros, so they will know exactly how much time they will need to capture your images. Again, schedule this time - how long it will take to travel between sites, etc. Mapquest.com is a great tool for helping with this. Leaving a five minute buffer in between the times you leave and arrive will also ensure you aren’t rushing from point A to point B, and gives you a bit of slack in case someone is late, or something unexpected happens.

Vendors – talk to your vendors and ask them what time you can expect them to arrive. The DJ or band needs to arrive prior to the event to set-up equipment. The musicians for the ceremony will also need to arrive prior. Your bakery will need to know when to deliver the cake. When will your flowers be delivered? What time will the limousine pick everyone up? The venue will need to know what time you will be starting cocktails and dinner. Mark these times down on your schedule as well so that everyone is aware of where they need to be and at what time.

Photo by Moore Photography

Then move onto the happy ending – the reception. Consider the following and schedule them in order, and make sure your MC and DJ each get a copy:

- Your grand entrance
- Introductions
- Grace/Blessing
- Dinner start time
- Speeches and toasts
- First dance
- Cake cutting
- Garter and bouquet tosses

Once you’ve finalized your schedule, send a copy to all of the vendors involved in your day to make sure everyone is on the same page. Also give copies to everyone in your wedding party – this way they have no excuses for being late!

Rustic Glam - WedLuxe Feature

2011-06-08T15:51:00.000-07:00

Rustic Glam - the focus of a styled shoot we designed with Little Flower Shop - featured on the WedLuxe blog today! Burlap and Lace - stunning! Click on the picture below to view the photos on the blog.

Special thanks to:

Little Flower Shop
Jeremy Dueck Photography
High Tea Bakery
Bliss Bridal Boutique
Appelt's Diamonds
Kelly Hastman Make-up Design
Karta House Stationery
EnRoute Hair Design
Peter Wiebe Barn Site

Your Engaged, Now What? Toasts!

2011-06-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Brown's Photography

Toasts and speeches are a huge part of every wedding. Not everyone is used to speaking in front of a lot of people, and there are a few rules to make sure the formal part of the evening runs smoothly. Everyone should know what to expect and what makes for a great speech. Read our article in this month's issue of Weddings in Winnipeg Magazine - Your Engaged, Now What? Toasts! Cheers :)

Summer Inspiration

2011-06-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Check out our Summer Inspiration table from the Grand Wedding Showcase in this month's issue of Weddings in Winnipeg magazine. Rentals and fabulous flowers by Little Flower Shop.

Photo courtesy of Moore Photography.

Divine Inspiration

2011-05-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

In need of some divine inspiration? Check out these photos of some table designs we did with Little Flower Shop for a venue open house. Photos courtesy of Soul Pix Photography.

Royal Wedding Viewing Party

2011-04-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

Planning your own Royal Wedding viewing party? We are having our own royal party here at Divine Weddings! Check out this video with celebrity party planner Colin Cowie talking about some great tips and ideas for planning your own Royal Wedding viewing party.

Royal Wedding

2011-04-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

We are in a Royal Wedding tizzy here at Divine Weddings! Watch Breakfast Television Monday morning for my interview about royal wedding trends - and don't miss our Royal Wedding Slumber Party LIVE on Breakfast Television, Friday, April 29th to catch our reactions to the royal nuptuals. Tea and crumpets and some royal tid bits! Can't wait!

That's Amore!

2011-04-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

I wrote an article for this month's issue of Weddings in Winnipeg magazine about designing your signature wedding. It was so much fun working on the photo shoot for the article. With a That's Amore theme - I went with Italian inspiration, as well as a romantic colour palette and fun little details to add some personality.

HUGE thanks and hugs to my friends who helped with the photo shoot. Little Flower Shop for all the flowers, centerpieces, rentals, and chiavari chairs. Jeremy Dueck for taking such amazing images. Deanna and her team at Four Points by Sheraton Winnipeg South. Lizette from In So Many Words for the stunning stationery. And of course Lauren and her team at Weddings in Winnipeg for all of their help.

Here are some images from the shoot, courtesy of Jeremy Dueck Photography.

A romantic colour palette of champagne, blue, cream and brown, and an added touch of black lace. Maybe you have an aunt that sews? Ask her to make you some lace table runners, and look through your grandmother's antiques to add something special to your tables. Here we used antique candelabras filled with hydrangea.

Add some bling to the centerpieces and some candle light for a posh ambiance. Grouping centerpieces fills the table nicely and creates a custom centerpiece.

Take a look at your cultural backgrounds and incorporate them into your wedding. Here we went with an Italian menu, and tied in the words That's Amore into the stylish stationery.

The Italian theme was carried over into the late night snack table. A gourmet pizza bar made super posh by putting the pizzas on glass cake stands, and by placing mirrors over the entire top of the table.

Have a favourite treat that you and your groom just love? Incorporate that into your late night snack table. Here we went with milk and cookies with a twist - milk in shooter glasses and a chewy chocolate chip cookie on top. Super easy and fun for your guests.

So enjoy planning your signature wedding - and make sure you read the article to get some great ideas and tips to make the process fun and enjoyable!

Designing Your Signature Wedding

2011-04-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

Tips and ideas on planning a wedding that truly reflects your love and personal style. Click here and read the article in April's issue of Weddings in Winnipeg magazine!

Photo by Jeremy Dueck Photography

Featured!

2011-03-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

Our Rustic Glam Winter shoot was featured on two wedding blogs! Fashionably Wed and Inspiring Brides. So excited and proud of our team.

Divine Wedding :: Michele & Andrew

2011-03-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Michele and Andrew! This super cute couple got married last month, and hired us for wedding day coordination.

Andrew is from Florida, so his entire family travelled up here for a winter wedding in Canada! It was a beautiful winter day, but still a tad cold for everyone from Florida :) Their families were wonderful, and it was a pleasure working with all of them.

Here are some photos courtesy of David Everett Photography.

Flowers by the fabulous Little Flower Shop.

Lucky in Love

2011-03-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

Everyone would like a bit of Irish Luck for their wedding day - so why not incorporate some lucky traditions into your day. Here are some old Irish wedding traditions.

Brides used to carry real horseshoes, with the points turned up. Horseshoes represent good luck and the points facing up means luck won’t run out. As an alternative, brides today choose to carry porcelain or fabric horseshoes.

A “magic hanky” is often used for the bride that, with a few stitches, can be transformed into a christening bonnet for the first baby. And again, with a few stitches, this can be reused as a hanky when the child has their own wedding.

Flowers are a standard at most weddings, but Irish weddings incorporate a wreath of wildflowers for the bride to wear on her head. Bells of Ireland are also a popular flower choice. English lavender is often mixed with the bride’s flowers as they symbolize love, loyalty, devotion and luck.

A bride will often braid her hair as it symbolizes feminine power and luck.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Lucky in Love by DivineWeddings featuring a jersey dress

Are You Being Entertained?

2011-03-07T22:05:00.000-08:00

More than likely you will be looking at booking some sort of musicians or entertainment for your wedding. Be it for the ceremony music or a DJ for your reception, you need to think about your personal preferences, and also the tastes of your guests.

The ceremony is a very personal occasion for you and your fiancé, so you'll want to think about what is special to you both. Choose songs that have special meaning, but be aware that many churches only allow their choirs to perform or certain songs to be played during a ceremony, so make sure you check with the officiant on any regulations they may have. Make sure also that the musicians you choose can play the songs that are required by the church.

String quartets are very popular, as well as harpists and soloists. But my favourite ceremony music has always been something different and unique to the couple. I've seen everything from fiddlers to saxaphone players. Something unexpected will really make your ceremony memorable to your guests and special to you.

Photo courtesy of Brown's Photography

Now the real fun begins! For your reception, you want to take a look at your guest list. DJ's are always a safe bet as they can play a large variety of music to play for your crowd. They are also the most cost effective choice and can play from the cocktail hour all the way to the end of the evening.

You can also bring in those same musicians that performed at your ceremony to play for the cocktail hour. I always love live music for the cocktail hour, and then the DJ can take over for the party!

Photo courtesy of Brown's Photography

Photo courtesy of Off The Page Photography

Want to really make an entrance? Surprise your guests by having some sort of entertainment to accompany you on your grand entrance. I had one couple enter their reception behind a bag piper. Everyone had goose bumps!

Using your culture for inspiration is always a great idea! One of my grooms wanted to honour his fiancéé's Filipino heritage, so we hired Filipino Tinikling dancers for their grand entrance. Some of the guests got involved and it added amazing energy to the night!

Bands are becoming much more popular for weddings. Gone are the days of the cheesy wedding singer :) and they are no longer just for the older crowd - playing music to suit even the hip hop lovers on your guest list.

You want a band that can really play a variety of music - so ask for the band's play list to see if what they play suits the tastes of you and your guests. The cost of a band is also much higher then that of a DJ, ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the size of the band and their popularity. And remember that bands take breaks - so make sure they have some music they can play over their speakers so that there isn't a break in the music. Otherwise you can hire a DJ to play during the breaks.

Photo courtesy of Moore Photography

Of course bringing in some entertainment throughout the evening is always exciting. Magicians, comedians, aerial acrobatics - the skies really the limit to keep your guests guessing...and entertained!

Spring Fever

2011-03-03T13:30:00.000-08:00

Ahh....spring is in the air, well sort of :) The snow is still on the ground, so if you want to feel the warmth of spring, check out our spring inspiration being featured this month in Weddings in Winnipeg magazine.

Wonderful Wedding Show

2011-02-20T20:45:00.000-08:00

The Wonderful Wedding Show was a smashing success! It was so great meeting all of the engaged couples and working with all of the fabulous vendors to bring everything together.

Divine Weddings & Events was a major sponsor of the show, and designed both the fashion show stage and the bridal lounge. We are also thrilled to be working with Karla and Chris, winners of the HOT103 Dream Wedding Olympics, on their October wedding! We look forward to coordinating your dream day!

A huge thank-you to Little Flower Shop for the stunning rentals and flowers, Planned Perfectly for providing the linens and draping for the lounge, Design Manitoba for the posh furniture and ghost chairs, Platinum Productions for providing the lighting and music, Accessible Elegance for providing the white chiavari chairs, and In So Many Words for the custom stationery.

And who could forget the entertainment! Thanks so much to Valeria and her dance crew from Salsa Explosion! If you are looking for some entertainment at your wedding, salsa dancers are the way to go!

Check out the photos below from Rygiel Photography & Video. Thanks so much to Mitch for taking such fabulous photos!

Divine Inspiration

2011-02-03T18:39:00.000-08:00

Here are some more inspiration shots from the Grand Wedding Showcase in October. Thanks to Kelly Bik Photography for these great images, and Peggy from Little Flower Shop for the gorgeous florals and rentals.

As soon as brides walked into the venue, they were blown away with our couture inspiration table! Using contrasting colours like blue and orange really adds a dramatic feel! The crystal centerpieces were spectacular, and of course, we were the first to introduce the acrylic ghost chairs to Winnipeg brides - using these at your head table would be so POSH! You can rent them from Design Manitoba.

Nothing looks classier than a room filled with chiavari chairs for a ceremony - these are from Accessible Elegance.

Baby it's cold outside! Here is some inspiration from our winter table.

Something Blue

2011-01-26T20:55:00.000-08:00

What's your something blue? I am in love with the deep richness of sapphire blue - mix different shades for a dramatic look!

Something Blue by DivineWeddings featuring hair flower accessories

Wonderful Wedding Show

2011-01-11T19:35:00.000-08:00

Visit Divine Weddings at the Wonderful Wedding Show, January 22nd & 23rd,

at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Booth #E10 - You don't want to miss the inspiration

we have in store for you!

Take a break in the Bridal Lounge - sponsored by

Divine Weddings, Little Flower Shop, Planned Perfectly,

Platinum Productions, Accessible Elegance, and

Design Manitoba. Some of the city's best bakeries will also

be providing fabulous treats for everyone!

Get Inspired!

2011-01-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

Our inspiration table from the Grand Wedding Showcase is featured on their website today.

Check it out! GWS website.

Photo by Moore Photography

Win A Dream Wedding Valued at Over $20,000!

2011-01-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

Couples can register for a chance to compete in the HOT 103 “Dream Wedding Olympics” at the Wonderful Wedding Show, January 22 & 23, where one lucky couple will win everything needed for a dream wedding worth over $20,000 at the Fairmont Hotel - including free Wedding Day Coordination from Divine Weddings!

Go to the HOT103 website to enter for your chance to win!

Check out this cute little promo video - it was such a blast to be a part of it!

Royal Glam

2011-01-05T18:40:00.000-08:00

I was asked to be involved with the HOT103 - Wonderful Wedding Show - Dream Wedding video shoot at the Fairmont Hotel - together with Peggy from Little Flower Shop, we created a Royal Glam look for the shoot.

Thanks so much to Peggy for the fabulous rentals and florals, Kylee from Planned Perfectly for the gorgeous linens, Marie from Vanilla Bean Cakes for the cakes (they honestly took my breath away), and the lovely Melissa from Sugar and Soul Photography for taking these stunning photos. 2011 will definitely be the year of Royal Glam!

Something Old

2011-01-03T12:31:00.000-08:00

Nothing makes your wedding more unique and tells people who you are more then showing them where you came from. Using family heirlooms at your wedding is a great way to show that vintage feel! How about your aunt's antique cake stand for your wedding cake, or some vintage vases and candle holders that your groom's grandmother got as wedding gifts? Ask your mother what flowers she used in her bouquet, and mimic the look for yours. You may not want to wear your mother's wedding gown, but you could use some of the lace or fabric as accents on your dress or make sashes for your bridesmaids gowns. Antique hair pins would be a simple touch for your bridesmaids and your groom would look classic wearing his grandfather's vintage tie. Nothing makes looking forward to your future together more meaningful then looking back at where you came from.

Something Old by DivineWeddings featuring pink brooches

New Years Resolutions for Every Bride

2010-12-31T12:41:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and welcome to 2011! You’ve either just gotten engaged over the holidays, or you’ve been planning your 2011 wedding for the past few months – regardless, this is going to be a great year for you! Full of excitement, anticipation, and likely a small amount of stress.

Almost every bride makes a new year’s resolution to lose some weight to fit into her wedding dress, or to hit the gym a bit more to make sure you keep your girlish figure for your big day. But there are other resolutions that you can make that will ensure your year of wedding planning is as enjoyable as possible.

Have a plan – If you don’t have a wedding planner, you will be on your own to create a budget plan and wedding planning timeline for the months leading up to your wedding. These are very important! Make this your first new year’s resolution and make sure to do these two important steps before you start any of the planning. A good realistic budget and a timeline will help you stay focused and on track.

Promise to have an attitude of gratitude – This will also be a big year for your parents, siblings, close friends and family. They will be asked to throw bridal showers and engagement parties, purchase brides maid dresses, and take some of their time away from their personal lives to help with the planning of your wedding. Resolve to be patient and grateful, and to make sure to include everyone in the planning process. Often the root of all family issues stems from someone not feeling like they’ve been heard or appreciated. Family dynamics are a part of every wedding, and this can be stressful when everyone has their own ideas and suggestions, and insists on providing their opinions. So patience, forgiveness, and a small thank-you note or a loving hug can go a long way in keeping everyone happy through the planning process. And don’t forget your guests – get those thank-you cards out in a timely manner!

Connect with your fiancé – I always tell my clients to take time once a month to go on a date with their fiancé and to NOT discuss the wedding. It’s so important to stay connected with your groom through this time. Brides are excited about their weddings, and often that’s all they want to talk about. That’s completely fine, but you really have to remember to nurture your relationship and to reconnect as a couple. This ensures that you are concentrating on the marriage, not just the wedding.

Not everything will be perfect – Resolve to let go of any ideas that everything has to be perfect. Perfection is impossible to achieve and puts far too much pressure on brides. So move forward knowing that there will be some bumps in the road, and you will feel less stress when you look at it that way instead of trying to pull off the impossible.

Promise to enjoy yourself – This is supposed to be fun! If wedding planning is starting to feel more like a job, then you really have to take a step back and re-evaluate. Maybe you need some extra help – wedding planners can step in at any stage of the planning process to take over if you are feeling too overwhelmed or stressed out. Talk to your fiancé and your family – don’t be afraid to delegate some of the jobs so that you aren’t doing it all on your own. Look at what’s really important – stressing about colour choices seems so miniscule when you look at the real reason you are planning this joyful occasion in the first place.

So from the team at Divine Weddings
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a fabulous 2011!

Do you Like Divine Weddings yet?

2010-12-16T14:42:00.000-08:00

Check out our facebook page!

Divine Weddings on Facebook

See what's new with Divine Weddings and get some great wedding tidbits!

Cranberry Topiaries

2010-12-06T17:49:00.000-08:00

Looking for something uber chic and simple for your Christmas table? Cranberry topiaries are easy to make and have just the right amount of holly jolliness for the holidays :) Use styrofoam craft balls, fresh cranberries and tooth picks, and don't forget to spray the foam balls with red spray paint first.

They also make great centerpieces for a Christmas wedding buffet!

Winter Inspiration

2010-12-05T11:24:00.000-08:00

Photo by Moore Photography

Divine Weddings was featured in the December issue of Weddings in Winnipeg magazine.

Check out the article here: Get the Look: Winter Ice

BLF Studios Rocks!

2010-11-18T16:47:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to Bond from BLF Studios http://www.blfstudios.com for taking amazing shots of our Four Seasons inspiration at The Grand Wedding Showcase!

Flowers and rentals from Little Flower Shop and linens from Savvy Stylish, Sophisticated Events.

Enjoy!

Fabulous cakes by Cake Studio.

Divine Weddings at the Grand Wedding Showcase 2010

2010-11-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic day at the GWS 2010! Thanks to my pals Peggy from Little Flower Shop, and Lesbia from Savvy Stylish, Sophisticated Events - it was so great to work with both of you to create an amazing show!

Thanks to all the fabulous vendors involved, and especially Mark at Epic Videography for the video below!

Grand Wedding Showcase - Four Seasons Inspiration!

2010-10-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

Divine Weddings co-hosts the Grand Wedding Showcase

this Sunday from 12 - 5 at the newly renovated

Viscount Gort Hotel.

See inspiration from all four seasons

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter

sure to inspire every bride.

Free gift from ALYST Stationery for the first 50 brides!

Discover your wedding style, sample great food and wine,

and see fashions and decor from all four seasons!

Destination Elkhorn Resort

2010-10-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

Ever thought of a destination wedding without having to go too far? This summer I had the pleasure of being invited on a wedding planner's tour of Elkhorn Resort in Riding Mountain National Park. A quaint lodge and spa resort just two and a half hours from Winnipeg, with lovely grounds and banquet facilities - it has everything for your guests to enjoy a weekend away, including a luxurious spa, swimming pool, and riding stables!

With a hotel on site and beautiful chalets, all of your guest's needs are covered.

Thank-you so much to Melissa from Sugar and Soul Photography for the great photos! http://www.sugarandsoulphotography.com/

The spa and mineral pool were AMAZING! Very relaxing and enjoyable - a great treat for you and your bridesmaids the day before the wedding.

With just a short drive to Clear Lake, you'll find beautiful scenery for your wedding photos, and the 'Wishing Well' - a fabulous park like space for an outdoor ceremony.

Chris and Nicole took such great care of us and really treated us to a wonderful stay. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, fabulous food, and amazing grounds, you and your guests won't be disappointed with their wonderful hospitality.

Grand Wedding Showcase

2010-10-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

Sariviea + Robert

2010-08-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

I just love seeing my client's engagement photos - it tells their love story and gives me a sneak peek into what makes them "them". Sariviea and Robert want a destination wedding with a traditional feel, so they will be exchanging vows in Montego Bay at the amazing Bellefield Great House this March! Can't wait to see all the details come together!

The fabulous Curtis from Moore Photography is their photographer - check out their love story! http://www.moorephotography.ca/

Wedding Fit For A Queen

2010-08-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

I had the great pleasure of working with Abby and David to coordinate their wedding day. They booked our wedding day coordination package, and a lucky thing - with 22 in the wedding party, plus sponsors, ring bearers and flowers girls, they needed the extra help! The reception was held at the historic Fort Garry Hotel, and a huge thank-you to Joel Ross for the amazing images! http://www.joelross.com

The highlight of the day was their royal wave from The Queen of England herself!

Congratulations Abby and David!

New Twist on Dessert Tables

2010-07-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

The latest sweet trend hitting wedding dessert buffets is the all classic donut! It's a great way to add some fun and variety. Serve them up as a dessert buffet - pairing them up with other sweet treats, or just go all out donut crazy and offer up several varieties for your guests to choose from. My favourite idea - set up a late night coffee and donut station along with some flavoured coffees. A perfect late night snack!

Provide some customized paper bags or small boxes so guests can take a donut home for later.
Style Me Pretty has a fabulous template that you can customize like the photos below - just print off on your home printer!

Don’t forget about the ceremony!

2010-07-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

A common mistake - some couples focus all of the décor on the reception, while the ceremony (the most important part) is forgotten. The ceremony should be a special and magical celebration mixed with a combination of traditions, personal meaning, and celebratory style.

You don’t have to go all out and dress the entire ceremony to the nines – but rather pick one area to focus on – putting everything into that one aspect to create stunning impact. Whether you focus on the chuppah or on the aisle itself, make sure you don’t forget about the ceremony!

For chuppahs, draping them in fabric and flowers gives a romantic look.

alamoplantsandpetals.com

Down the aisle? Rose petals cost around $5 a bag – so it’s ok to splurge a little and fill the aisle for an abundant look! Or fill tall glass vases with rose petals or stems of flowers and top with a candle.

brides.com

wishspecialevents.com

Up front – two large urns or vases filled with flowers and placed on either side of the altar give a very classy look. Just make them big, tall, and dramatic.

warmowskiphoto.wordpress.com

No whimpy arches – dress it up a little! Fill the arch with flowers for an outdoor wedding so it fits with the surroundings.

theknot.com

Most items used at the ceremony can then be transferred over to the reception to do double duty. The arch can be placed at the entrance of the reception room, the urns can be placed on either side of the head table, and rose petals and tall vases can be used along the front of the head table – and my favourite, the chuppah can be turned into a sweetheart table for the bride and groom.

cosmopolitaneventsblog.com

Of course, if you want to go all out - feel free :)

prestonbailey.com

evantinedesign.com

Here’s to well styled ceremonies!

iDo - Wedding Planning iPhone Style

2010-06-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

Keep all your wedding details at your finger tips! There are some great apps available for your iPhone and iPod Touch to keep all your information together and help to keep you organized. Plus you won't have to lug around that huge binder! Check these out....

Wedding Wire.com - The new app is a lightweight version of WeddingWire’s site that will sync with your account on the planning platform’s site. Once you log-in to the app with your WeddingWire account, you can keep track of to-do items in your planning list, access your customized budget tool, and find local wedding vendors and reviews.

Wedding 911 by The Knot - Think of it as your on-the-go source for expert wedding advice -- from when to cut the cake to how to line up your wedding party at the ceremony. You can also post your wedding questions and instantly get answers from other brides-to-be. It’s the new go-to app for last-minute wedding advice.

iBridal Gown - Designed by a bridal salon owner, iBridalGown will help you with your search for your perfect wedding dress.

All Lit Up

2010-06-25T15:34:00.000-07:00

The best way to add that wow to your wedding reception is with lighting. It's about layering different elements to create energy and sparkle to the decor. So where do you begin?
Start with a wall wash - this is lighting that is placed around the perimeter of the room to 'wash' the walls in colour and fill the room with dramatic ambiance.

Photos: Amber Lighting and Event Production www.amberyin.com

Work with your venue's architectural details, and use uplighting on decor pieces to enhance the room with some depth and to create a dramatic look.

Pin lighting focuses on drawing attention to important aspects like the wedding cake and table decor.

Personalize with your name in lights! Monograms on the dance floor add that personal touch to the reception.

Patterned and textured lighting gives that signature look to your wedding that will tie eveything together.

Canadian Florist Magazine Article

2010-06-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

It's interesting what you will find when you google your business name - I came across this old article that I was interviewed for a few years ago in Canadian Florist Magazine. Check it out!

A Bride's New Sidekick - Q & A With Two Top Wedding Planners

It's all in the Presentation

2010-06-01T20:36:00.000-07:00

You have probably found yourself at one time or another, in a conversation with someone about a wedding they've attended. When you ask 'How was the wedding?' - food is generally one of the top aspects they will comment on. Good or Bad. More often than not, it's not just about the food being 'good'. How the food was presented is just as important. We eat with our eyes first - so the presentation is a huge aspect when considering what and how to serve your guests. It's about creating an experience for your guests that they will remember far past their last bite.

So how do you add those little extras to bring the food from 'good' to 'fabulous?' These photos by Honey Stetson - Photographer will give you some tasty inspiration! Winnipeg Wedding Photography, Honey Stetson - Photographer

Appetizing - Like I said, we eat with our eyes first. Talk to your caterer about some creative presentation ideas to really wow your guests!

Anticipation - set up little note cards beside each dish to get them excited about what they're eating!

Service - going above and beyond to make the experience more enjoyable for your guests - they will notice that extra little effort made for them.

Hardware - what is the food going to be served on? It's a unique way to show some personality with stylish platters and plates.

Details - those little things that make your guests think 'wow'. Simple little touches that make a big impression!

To every guest, really, it's all about the food! You may have stressed over the centerpieces for months, or searched all over town for that perfect dress. 'The bride was beautiful, the decor was very nice. Oh and the food! Fabulous!'

Wed in the City

2010-05-21T22:54:00.000-07:00

The highly anticipated sequel to Sex and the City opens in theatres on Thursday, and you can already hear the fashion trends moving in a Carrie-esk direction. We all know how the first movie influenced nuptuals - wedding gowns got bunchy and billowy, the Manolo Blahniks worn by Carrie inspired a whole new something blue, and Samantha's broche ring design can be seen on everything from invitations to cakes. In the new movie, the gals head to Abu Dhabi, where a multitude of bright colours are sure to have an effect on trends everywhere! So what do you get when you combine inspiration from both movies? The same amount of glam with a multitude of hot colours! Here's some inspiration for some Sex and the City wedding glam!

I didn't NEED a pedicure...but

2010-05-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I get faced with someone who asks ‘What do you do?’ as in – what do you do for a living? When I answer ‘I’m a wedding planner.’ I either get ‘Oh, that must be so fun!’ or ‘Oh, really – people actually pay you to do that?’ I have to chuckle sometimes - although it is my passion and it can be fun at times, it is a lot of work! Despite the day to day operations of running a business, the actual day of the wedding (and the months of planning before) can be very demanding. And yes – people do pay me to plan their weddings. One, because they are too busy to plan it themselves – the average wedding takes a bride 250 hours to plan on her own. Two, because I know the ins and outs of weddings and can save them costly mistakes and save them money. Three, because I know the best vendors in the industry and can build a ‘wedding team’ for them that already know each other and will work together to create an amazing wedding. And four, because I design a wedding for them with special details and décor that they may not have thought of on their own.

The latest was last weekend – my best friend took me out for a pedicure. As we were getting our toe nails done, we were talking about my wedding planning. The girl, while removing the ugly chipped nail polish I had put on myself, asked ‘Well what do you do exactly on the wedding day? Really, I didn’t have a wedding planner when I got married and I was fine.’ Now what was really funny is this girl is a great friend of mine – and I was in her bridal party. So of course she didn’t need a wedding planner – she had me! I was a little taken aback and didn’t give the answer I really would have liked to. I’ve thought about it a little, and came up with this – sure I can probably cut my own toe nails myself, and paint them up really nicely. I don’t NEED to go to a spa to get my toe nails done, but it sure is nice to sit back and relax and have someone else do it – and they do a much better job at it then I would do at home! It’s like that with everything. There are a lot of things we don’t NEED – but if you want a beautiful result and don’t want the hassle of doing it yourself – you go to a professional.

So no, you don’t need a wedding planner to plan your wedding for you – but wouldn’t it be nice to know there is a professional taking care of it all? You can go to work, and then come home and enjoy your evenings and your weekends, and not have to sit in front of your computer for endless hours researching wedding vendors and décor ideas. You won’t waste your time calling vendors to get pricing and information so you can decide which one is right for you, because your wedding planner has already found someone who fits your budget and style perfectly. And on your wedding day, you just sit back and relax, and enjoy all the details while someone else deals with the cranky banquet manager and makes sure every detail is in place.

I was extremely happy with my pedicure – and kept looking at my shiny purple toe nails, smiling. I didn’t NEED to go to a spa – but I sure am happy I did!

Foot Fashion

2010-05-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

What are you wearing on your feet on your wedding day? This is the next decision for a bride after she finds THE dress - she needs THE shoes. Sexy pump or four inch heal, white to match the dress, or bright pink to show some personality? Either way, the shoes are VERY important! They often get their own shots in the photo album! As you can see by these fabulous images from Manuel F. Sousa Photography - brides ensure they are stylish from head to toe! The same goes for the bridesmaids - no more satin dyable shoes for your stylin' girls!

Here's some tips for your wedding shoes - a few weeks before your wedding, walk around your house for a bit every day to break them in. This will make them more fitted to your foot and more comfortable for your wedding day. It also gives you a chance to see where the pressure points are on your foot - so on the day of your wedding you can put on some Band-Aid blister stick (a cool little product that prevents blisters) on the spots that will rub against your shoes. It will also let you know if you need to add some little Dr. Scholl's ball of the foot cushy inserts - I carry these in my emergency kit, and I had one mother of the bride so thankful to me for saving her sore feet!

This next photo was from an engagement shoot - Christian Louboutin boots...yes please!

And the best for last...Jimmy Choo...you will hear angels singing when you slip these on - yes you will.

WIN - Wedding Industry Night

2010-05-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

Many times after a wedding show, after chatting with all my friends in the industry, I would think 'It would be so fun to get together with everyone - plan some sort of a party, and really get to know each other better'. From that thought came the idea for a wedding industry night. I had planned one in Edmonton when I lived there for a small stint - and when I moved back home to Manitoba, knew I HAD to plan one here in Winnipeg. So along with my fabulous florist friend Peggy from Little Flower Shop, and fellow amazing planner Andrea from Soiree, we planned the very successful, first annual, Winnipeg Wedding Industry Night.

Events like this are important for everyone to build relationships in the industry - in the end, it results in better weddings for YOU, the bride and groom. When you build your team of vendors that will work on your wedding, wouldn't you rather hire people that KNOW each other. That already have that chemistry that is needed to pull off a really amazing event.

I am so very thankful to all of our amazing sponsors. I was completely overwhelmed by all of their generosity and help in pulling off such a great event.

- The Gates on Roblin
- Moore Photography
- A Moving Picture Studios
- Platinum Productions
- aYoko Design
- Danny Kramer Event Band
- High Tea Bakery
- Chocolate Zen Bakery
- Krystal Dreams Ice Sculptures
- Chris Funk Magic
- Weddings in Winnipeg
- Planned Perfectly Linens
- Bel Ayre Rentals
- Siku Glacier Ice Vodka
- Design Manitoba
- 2 Chicks and a Bag of Makeup
- Edward Carriere Salon
- Wonderful Wedding Show
- Weddingbells magazine
- Blackout Photography
- Villa Flora Florist
- DeLuca Fine Wines

It was a great event, and we are already working on ideas for WIN 2011 - can't wait!

Our sponsoring photographer was Curtis from Moore Photography who not only took amazing images of the event, but also set-up the oh so popular Rockbooth!

Ray, Leasa, and all the staff at The Gates on Roblin were amazing! And the FOOD...to die for!

All the lighting was provided by Platinum Productions - great company and super awesome people I might add!

Danny Kramer Event Band - I really can't say enough about these guys...they ROCK!

The most amazing dessert buffet I have ever seen or tasted! Thank-you Chocolate Zen Bakery. And thank-you to High Tea Bakery for providing their very popular imperial cookies as take home favours!

The theme for the night was Break The Ice - Krystal Dreams provided the ice bar and ice pillars, and

Siku Glacier Ice Vodka kept everyone in good spirits with their signature martinis!

Design Manitoba provided the lounge furniture!

And of course, what would a party be without all the pretty stuff - thanks to Planned Perfectly for providing all the linens and backdropping, and Little Flower Shop for providing the amazing rentals and arranging all the flowers!

Here are some of my favourite shots from the oh so fun Rockbooth!

Chris Funk topped off the entertainment by wowing the guests with his amazing magic tricks.

Sean from A Moving Picture Studios was the sponsor videographer and put together an amazing video montage of the event - Enjoy!

Wedding Industry Night - Winnipeg from A Moving Picture Studios on Vimeo.

What a night - it was so great to see some old friends, and make a few more new ones! The best of luck this coming wedding season, and we will see you all very soon!

Rain Rain, Go Away, Come Back on my Wedding Day!

2010-05-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

It's been a rainy gloomy week, and nothing stresses out a bride like the weather! OK, it might stress me out just a little bit too. But one thing I've learned is it doesn't have to be a bad thing! Rain on your wedding day is actually considered good luck - it was said that a wet knot is harder to untie, and since marriage is often called 'tying the knot' it represents a long and happy marriage! So if the weather man is calling for rain on your wedding day, buy some fun and colourful umbrellas and galoshes (they sell super cute styles now in every colour and pattern!), and just be prepared with an indoor photo location - you don't want umbrellas in ALL the photos :) And think of it as an opportunity for some great fun photos like the ones below.

photo by Meg Perotti

photo by Erin Kate Photography

photo by Robert Sukrachand

When ABC's The Bachelor Jason married Molly, they didn't let the rain ruin their outdoor ceremony - they went ahead with it anyway! So much for plan B!

Wedding in Jamaica? Yeah Mon!

2010-04-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

I'm planning a destination wedding in Jamaica for some clients, so I've had sun and surf on my mind for the last few weeks! I just had to post something on my blog about sunny Jamaica! Thanks to Moore Photography for the awesome photos!

Jamaica's 'no worries mon' laid back attitude makes it a very popular choice for destination weddings. Their easy going marriage laws mean you only have to be on the island 24 hours before you can get married, and there is no blood test required like most other destinations like Mexico.

The first thing people find out when they choose Jamaica, is it's far more complicated then just choosing Jamaica! There are so many factors to consider. First off, what part of Jamaica? There are 3 main tourist areas on the island - Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios. Negril has the best beaches and a laid back atmosphere. Ocho Rios offers the best tours, including a swim with the dolphins experience and the famous Dunn's River Falls. Montego Bay is the main hub and is closest to airports, and offers a large variety of resorts. So you first have to consider what you and your guests are looking for in a location.

You then have to decide on a resort that fits you AND your guest's budgets. You don't want to pick a resort that is too far out of everyone's price range - you really have to respect the budgets of your guests. All-inclusive is definitely the way to go for destination weddings as it is easier for guests to budget and plan for. It is also easier if you are bringing a wedding planner or photographer from your area, as they usually charge their fee plus travel and accomodations. You also have to consider the type of resort - couples only, family friendly, types of night clubs and restaurants you enjoy.

Then it's about the wedding! What types of wedding packages does the resort offer? In my case, my clients are looking for something more personalized and not so 'cookie cutter', which is often the case at resorts. Ask the right questions - how many weddings does the resort do in one day? Will you have a private area for your wedding? Can you customize your package? Off site locations like plantations and villas are also available to book for weddings if you want something more private.

Destination weddings are often week long affairs - so put welcome baskets in everyone's hotel room, and plan fun group excursions! Also take the opportunity to have Trash the Dress photos taken the day after the wedding on the beach. That's why it's a good idea to bring a photographer from home because they can capture all those special moments with your guests - not just the wedding day itself.

Jamaica - great wedding destination, yeah mon!

Table Decor

2010-04-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

I was asked to design a few tables at the Evergreen Village open house this weekend. I was really happy with the way they turned out. A HUGE thank-you to Peggy from Little Flower Shop for providing the amazing florals and rentals! Not only is she an amazing florist, but she has a huge inventory of rentals - lots of unique items you won't find anywhere else. www.littleflowershop.ca

Thank-you as well to Kylee from Planned Perfectly for the stunning linens - she has an amazing variety of luxury linens and chair covers. You have to have them! www.planned-perfectly.com As well, thank-you to Platinum Productions for providing the lighting - Leo worked an event the night before and got to bed at five in the morning, and still came out to set up some lighting for us! It was so very much appreciated. Lighting makes a huge impact and adds amazing ambiance to your event. www.platinum-pro.ca

Here's some photos:

It was a great day. Had some great food and met some amazing couples. Looking forward to working with all of you!

Trash the Dress Contest

2010-04-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

My friend Jessica (AKA Fabulous Photographer) is offering an amazing Trash the Dress contest!

Check out her website at http://www.blackoutphotography.ca/