6th May, 2012 - Posted by Natasha - No Comments
Bridal Shows or Wedding Expos can be a ton of fun and also provide you with a little insight into your wedding planning as well as give you a one stop shop to all vendors in the surrounding area. The one thing I find is couples go there and become overwhelmed with the amount of people and vendors there. The one thing that you need to keep in mind when you arrive is to go with the right attitude, and take advantage of all the benefits, compare prices and services between vendors and remember to have fun! Here are some tips that will help you get through the long day.
- Register Online- By registering online you not only save time at the door but you also save money on the entry fee as well. Registering early allows you to receive savings on the actual ticket price.
- Create a temporary e-mail- You will be handing out your e-mail to almost every vendor so instead of having so much spam mail sent to you even after your big day, create a temporary one designated for your wedding planning and after your big day delete it.
- Bring name and address labels- print them out from your computer, or hand write them yourself. This will save you a lot of time at each booth as you will be asked for your contact information over and over again. Don’t forget to add your wedding date to your label as vendors will want to know that important detail.
- Walk down every aisle- Take everything in. Visit every aisle and do it slowly, you want to experience the whole show and every booth, you want to be able to compare prices and services between all vendors and also have some time to talk to each professional as well.
- Bring a notepad with you- this is very important, you want to take notes from what you learn from speaking with each vendor, this will help you when you look over all the pamphlets you received another day, as you will be reminded of what each vendor had to say.
- Bring your credit card, debit card, or cheque book- Just incase you want to book some services right there on the spot this is the best idea. Remember, sometimes vendors offer one day deals to the show attendees. It’ll be your only chance to save even more money on their service, so why not take advantage of it.
- Wear comfortable shoes- Sometimes you will be at the bridal show or wedding expo for more than four hours make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes to walk and stand for a long period of time.
- Bring your groom- Let him come with you, after all he is getting married too. Let him have a say in the planning as well and take in his feeling and opinions on what he sees.
- Ask a lot of questions- Make sure you are asking a lot of questions to each vendor you want to make sure you are finding out everything you need to know, don’t worry if you forget to ask an important question you can always contact them later.
- Bring a Camera- or use your smartphone to take pictures of things you want to remember, booths, designs, vendors, and even the bridal fashion show that most shows do have.
This is one of the most beneficial events for a bride and groom, so please go take advantage of them.
Lia
3rd May, 2012 - Posted by Natasha - No Comments
I came across a blog the other day that was about bride and grooms that tweet or facebook at their wedding, the website gave advice to the couple to make someone the designated tweeter for the day. I had a little chuckle as I was reading this. I then read that a groom in the middle of his ceremony pulled out his phone to update his “relationship status” on facebook to married. Social networking has become a huge part of our world, but how much is too much.
Would you or your soon to be husband tweet or facebook during your big day? Or would you designate someone to do it for you?
Let me know.
Until Next Time
X-O-X-O
Natasha
Photo source: www.drgphotography.ca
23rd April, 2012 - Posted by Natasha - No Comments
Sometimes when you want your wedding day to go as smooth as possible, and nothing to go wrong, the unexpected happens, you forgot your garder belt, one of your bridesmaid’s dress started to tear, one of the grooms had a little too much to drink lastnight and has a bad hangover. For whatever reason it may be, the bridal emergency kit can save the day. Have your maid of honour or whomever you’d like to be in charge of this, carry this kit throughout the whole day making sure that those unexpected problems will be solved immediately.
Here are a list of some things I carry in a bridal emergency kit and I tell brides to carry as well (feel free to add more to the list if needed):
- Clear nail Polish
- Nail File
- Nail polish (bridesmaids shade and bride’s shade)
- Makeup
- Stocking
- Hairspray
- Comb, brush, and teasing comb
- Bobby pins
- Hair elastics
- Tissues
- Lint brush
- Backings to earrings
- Mini flat iron (for touch-ups)
- Baby Powers (Brides- sometimes you may spill something on your dress, baby powder will help get out the stains fast)
- Visin Eye drops for red dry eyes
- Contact lens solution and case
- Tums, Midol, Advil, Tylenol
- Deoderant, Body Spray, Body lotion
- Tampons and pads
- Band-aids (for those unexpected blisters)
- Gum and Mints
- Extra garder belt
- Flats (for bride and bridesmaids)
- Cellphone Charger
- Moist Towelletes
- Extra Camera
- List of vendors phone numbers
- Extra copy of the maid of honour and best man speech
- Extra copy of Bride and Groom speech
- Sewing Kit, Safety Pins, Small Scissors
- Copy of invitation
Until next time!
X-O-X-O
Natasha
10th April, 2012 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Today I was daydreaming about different and original ideas for this age-told tradition– what do you think?
Something Borrowed.
A fantastic read for your honeymoon or on the flight en route. Love + Marriage+ Something Borrowed. Check that off your list!
www.emilygiffin.com
Something Blue:
Take your something new ((scroll down further)) and turn it over to have your bridesmaids write in BLUE something special you want to remember for years to come. It’s a creative way to cross the something blue off the list+ you have your bestie’s words of wisdom to carry with you throughout your marriage on the soles of your feet.
Something Old:
You’ve seen the traditional broach or bracelet being placed on the bride before she walks on the aisle. Why not incorporate it into the bouquet? A broach, doily, or handkerchief.
Image Courtesy of kennedyevents.ca
Something New:
Choose a new shoe design by your favorite designer. Don’t sweat the price– you’ve worked hard to make your special day come true, splurge a little…you’ve earned it!
kate spade exclusive: image courtesy of katespade.com
7th April, 2012 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Backyard Wedding Ideas
2012 Wedding Trends– it seems to be a year of going back to the basics, simplicity is key, less is more & all that jazz.
Backyard weddings are a beautiful setting for your wedding. It incorporates elegance, simplicity, and the vintage style we all love. Your backyard can serve as your ceremony and reception, and most of all– your home.
Who said your backyard can't be a wedding venue? Image Courtesy of StyleMePretty
Decor: Flowers, flowers, flowers. Utilize the florals in season (or in your backyard) and encompass them into everything–incorporate them into the hairstyles, decor, background decor, the food tables, etc.
Backyard Weddings: Simplicity & Elegance in your own backyard. Image Courtesy of the Etsy.com Blog
Menu: Again, because the general tone of your backyard wedding will most likely be casual, your menu can be that as well. Take simple, casual dishes and add some flair. BBQ or smoked meats and grilled kabobs–or things like herb roasted vegetables, marinated and grilled chicken, fruit salsa, and strawberry shortcake. You can’t go wrong with these favorites!
Image Courtesy of ruffledblog.com
Favors: Backyard weddings allow you to have a lot of versatility in your wedding favors you choose to set out at the end of the night. A favorite that can be encompassed as a wedding favor AND dessert is a milk and cookie bar. There are plenty of ways to have this at your wedding– just depends on your style & taste.
Cookies & Milk Wedding Favors: Adorable favor idea for a backyard wedding. Image courtesy of 4men1lady.com
30th March, 2012 - Posted by Natasha - 1 Comment
I feel very honoured that I was asked to become a weekly contributor to this blog, as a wedding/event planner and coordinator for Events by Natasha, I believe I can provide brides with the right advice and tips on planning their wedding. For my first blog, I thought it was suitable to explain the benefits of hiring a wedding planner/coordinator as I find many people ask ‘Why should I hire one?’
So you just got engaged, a million thoughts are running through your mind and the thought of it all is starting to stress you out a little, not only that you have your family members adding to your stress with question after question about the planning of your wedding. You are not sure of where to even begin with all the planning, nor do you have that much time to devote to it. That is where a wedding planner/coordinator comes in.
I truly believe, a wedding planner/coordinator is the bride’s personal fairy godmother and after reading this blog, I’m pretty sure you will too. The average wedding takes about 250 hours to plan, now throw in your full-time job, your extra-curricular activities, your own personal time, and sleep of course – what are you left with? Stress! Hiring a wedding planner/coordinator is probably the best decision a bride could make, not only does it save the newly engaged couple time to go about doing their daily activities, but it also helps relieve a lot of stress and with relieving stress, comes eliminating a lot of arguments that may have started between you and your groom, or family members, not saying that the normal quarrels might not happen during the wedding process, but majority of them are eliminated.
When hiring a wedding planner/coordinator you are not only saving yourself the stress and anxiety you are also saving a lot of money – yes, I said it MONEY! Wedding planners have a lot of connections in the industry with qualified vendors and venues, where they offer them certain discounts that you are able to use, not only that, wedding planner/coordinators are very skilled in negotiating so they are always trying to get you the best deal for your money. Budget Management is one of their strong suits as well, so they will make sure your money is being spent right and you are never going over your budget or spending money in the wrong places.
Majority of Brides have been dreaming about their wedding day, since they were little girls, collecting pictures, visioning what their special day will look like, a wedding planner/coordinator will work for you to make sure that all these dreams are met, and surpassed. They will plan your wedding as to how you want it planned not how they want it planned.
Now, we all know sometimes even during the greatest day of our life emergencies or crisis tend to happen. But, fear no more, your wedding planner/coordinator can take care of them; they are trained in handling any type of emergency and making sure that everything gets taken care of immediately.
Wedding planner/coordinators also create detailed schedules and itineraries for your wedding allowing you not to worry about orchestrating your rehearsal, or ceremony. Your wedding planner/Coordinator will make sure your bridal party and parents are properly lined up and standing in the right places. They can orchestrate the whole wedding from rehearsal right through to the end of the reception and make sure that everything goes as planned.
But, the number one reason as to why people should hire a wedding planner/coordinator is to reduce stress and put the fun back into planning a wedding, more often enough brides forget to enjoy the days leading up to their wedding and have fun because they are so stressed out from planning. Wedding planners/coordinators allow you to throw the fun back into it, and sit back, sip champagne, choose colour swatches, and taste cake.
In the past a wedding planner/coordinator was known to be more of a luxury, today it is more of a necessity to ensure that your wedding is planned smoothly and you are having fun throughout the whole process.
If that doesn’t seem like a bride’s personal fairy godmother-then I don’t know what does.
X-O-X-O
Natasha
26th March, 2012 - Posted by Lia - No Comments
Stumbled upon this DIY idea on Pinterest the other day and fell in love with it. A simple DIY aisle runner that people will talk about ever after your wedding day. This timeline is simple to make either at home by using printable iron on images using printable fabric paper, or at your local printing company. Track you and your fiancee’s journey from your baby photos to the day you first met and beyond. It’s a great display of your journey, and is also an extra detail that your guests will enjoy looking at.
Love & Wedding Planning,
Hope Alcocer
