Making your special day Scentsational!

My name is Courtney Jasper and I am an Independent Scentsy Consultant.  Scentsy is a product that originated in the USA in 2004 and was brought here in October of 2009.  It is a company which makes various sizes and designs of warming pots and scented products.  What is unique about it, is that instead of using candles, it uses light bulbs to heat scented wax, and therefore is much safer to use.  The wax itself is low temperature, so it never evaporates, and you don’t breathe it in, making it healthier.  Another advantage is that it will never get into your clothes, furniture, or onto your walls, so it is also much cleaner than a traditional candle. 

How can I use this at my wedding!?

There are so many ways to use Scentsy for your wedding.  It is the perfect way to individualize centerpieces, your guest or head table, or to use as mementos for bridesmaids, parents or close friends.   There is a huge selection of colored warmers which you can coordinate with your color scheme.  Another option is to choose to use the plain colored DIY warmers and add a touch of personality with decals of your initials, the date, or words of love, with the wedding decals!  Another great gift idea for those little ones in your wedding party are Scentsy Buddies, animals which have a pouch in the back for a scent pack, and are super adorable and cuddly!

The wax itself comes in over 80 different scents  in various scent categories and can easily be melted and mixed, so it is simple to create your own unique scents which can be melted at your wedding in your personalized warmers.  This unique scent can also be formed into samples, of any shape, using a mould, which would work great as favors for your guests. 

 

Looking for a unique way to celebrate the bride at her bridal party or at a pre-bachelorette party?

Scentsy parties are a great way to get people talking and sharing stories.  This is a fun and relaxing way to kick off a night with the girls for a bachelorette party, or just let the bride use the awesome host benefits to purchase products for herself at a bridal party.  There are always lots of promotions, such as scent and warmer of the month, bring back my bar, or individual consultant incentives that you can on my facebook page or personal website

 

Leave your comments below and we will draw for a winner of today’s blog post, I am giving a DIY theme warmer and decal pack with your choice of three scents, plus a 10% discount on any purchase you make to ensure your wedding day is Scentsational!!

Posted in Wedding Decor, Wedding Favors, Wedding Planning | 6 Comments

10 Ways to Make Your Menu Memorable

At Restaurant 27 we wanted share this well written article from the Amy Gordon at the Knot.com, the post really reiterates what we believe your menu should say.  Enjoy!  

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food,” said George Bernard Shaw. While you and your sweetie may disagree, your wedding guests will most likely be eager to fill their bellies with tasty treats. A little menu planning can easily woo the crowd. Here are ten tantalizing tips to make your wedding meal memorable — and have your guests licking their lips:

1. Dream Up a Theme: One of the most fun (and often easiest) parts of developing a theme wedding is deciding the menu. From a traditional East Coast Lobster Boil, to a Southern pig roast and barbecue, theme-wedding menus create a fun, exciting, and memorable event. It might even be the way you eat the food that stays in your guests’ minds — nibbling satays at a Thai-inspired city garden reception, or roasting marshmallows over the flaming bonfire at a wedding “campsite.”

2. Go Regional: There are many people who take culinary vacations, traveling through countries in search of the local fare. Turn your wedding reception into its own culinary vacation by creating a menu featuring regional specialties. It may be , spicy chicken wings in Buffalo, or even the largest cheese spread ever seen in Wisconsin.

3. That’s Entertainment: Who said that food only pleases the palate? You can devise a wedding menu where the food preparation is as flavourful as the food itself. Consider a sushi bar complete with professional sushi chef — the performance of slicing and rolling turns simple ingredients into works of art right before your guests’ eye…. it may be fresh Ahi Tuna from the shores of Hawaii, colourful fresh sushi inspired from Japan,  Or perhaps French chefs donned in aprons and hats will create flaming crepes tableside.

4. All in the Family: Something in between a sit-down meal and a buffet, Family Style Dining offers a natural way to get tables of guests talking while creating a very festive and homey atmosphere. Each dish is delivered to the center of the table and guests pass them politely (or grab and hoard, depending on your family). Italian food might be an obvious choice, but Asian, Mexican, and Indian cuisines work well here too.

5. That’s So You!: The wedding day is all about the bride and the groom, so why not plan a menu that has special meaning to the two of you? Perhaps your first date was at a baseball game — why not serve hot dogs? Or maybe the two of you love to fly fish — highlight freshwater fish on the menu. Or he proposed over a romantic picnic lunch — recreate the magic by recreating the meal. When your guests think about what they ate, they will automatically think about the couple of honour.

6. Presenting…The eyes have it: — when it comes to remembering things, that is. Your guests will very likely recall a fabulous-looking buffet or plated dinner reception before they remember what foods it featured. Be creative — instead of serving soup in a bowl, have it ladled into a hollowed-out acorn squash. Or have asparagus tied up like a present with leek leaves. You could even serve coconut shrimp inside a coconut and garnish with a tropical flower.

7. Less is More: Sometimes the simplest foods presented in an elegant, bountiful manner have a more memorable effect than a wide variety of offerings. Colin Cowie offers this advice in his book For The Bride: “You can make a statement of style with one or two spectacular dishes. For example, instead of having ten different tray-passed appetizers during the cocktail hour, serve mountains of jumbo shrimp or sliced smoked salmon.” Remember, KISS — keep it simple, sweetie.

8. Ride with a Trend: Trends come and go and if you can jump on one before it’s passé, all the more power to you. Ask your caterer what’s up and coming. Perhaps she’s got some unusual idea that will make the kind of memorable statement you’re looking for. It might be something as homey/funky as a mashed potato martini bar, complete with your choice of spuds and toppings, presented in a martini glass. Or maybe a true Belgian treat — pomme frittes served with the traditional mayonnaise in paper cones. Just remember — they’re trends, so plan accordingly if you’re setting up your wedding menu a year in advance.

9. A Honeymoon Preview: Don’t worry-we’re not suggesting anything X-rated here! Just that you consider planning a menu based on your honeymoon spot. If you’re off to Venice, serve a spread one could imagine eating in a gondola. Or if Hawaii’s your destination, feature luau fare (without the flame-eaters) — perhaps even the spit-roasted pig. Maybe it’s Japan where you’ll be spending the week — how about a Tepanyaki station (Japanese barbecue), where guests choose raw meats, shrimp, veggies, noodles, and sauces and watch it get stir-fried.

10. Five-Star Elegance: If dining out in the fanciest of restaurants is your idea of luxury and you happen to have a lot of dough, treat you and your guests to gourmet, white-glove-service dinner. Plan a multi-course meal, complete with a refreshing intermezzo (with hot lemon-scented towels after the fish course, of course.  For that added touch, offer a different complementary wine with each course.  The sky is the limit when it comes to putting together a plated dinner service.

Amy Gordon, TheKnot.Com

 We here at Restaurant 27 & Lounge can help with any or all of these ideas. Our professional and organized staff are here to create menus and offer prices that fit both your style and your budget. We offer full service catering for weddings, rehearsal dinners, showers, or even your engagement party. Give us a call chat with one of our chefs today!

 

 

 

Leave your comments about this post below and you will be entered to win a $250.00 gift (restrictions may apply) certificate towards a future Restaurant 27 catered event.  ***Winner is Katie W.****

Posted in Wedding Catering | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Personalized Dance Floor Decals

Here’s a great way to add a personal touch to your reception – personalized dance floor decals from FirstDanceDecals.com.

Weddings are all about the celebration of a bride and grooms beginning their life together. Everything about the wedding, from the location to the decorations represents the couple and their style. A great way to add an extra personal touch to your reception (and wedding pictures) is a personalized dance floor decal. Dress up the plain dance floor with a one of a kind decal, specifically made for you and your special day.

You’ll find it also turns into a great photo opp. for you and your guests!

FirstDanceDecals.com allows you to fully customize the style of your floor decal by choosing the shape, colours and font, and then adding your names and wedding date to finish it off. No matter what the theme or style your wedding has, you will be able to compliment your décor with this one of a kind reception decoration!

We have 4 shapes: circle, square, diamond and heart, 4 fonts of varying styles and 18 beautiful colours to choose form. We let you decide exactly what colour you want for the background, border and text. Your order is sent through our website and made completely custom, just for you, in our Red Deer production shop.

With almost 100,000 different style combinations, you’re guaranteed to have a one of a kind decal!

We’ll ship the decal with easy to understand application instructions, as well as a smaller, “practice decal”, you can apply to the floor first.

Our dance floor decals can be installed, and removed, quickly and easily on any smooth, non-porous flooring surface.

This is the perfect way to put a personal stamp on your wedding dance floor, without causing any damage to the venue. Just let the venue know that our decals are made out of high quality Avery vinyl, specifically design temporary use, with an easily removable, low tact adhesive on the back.

We take great pride in the high quality products and the excellent customer service we provide. We are excited to provide your wedding with the special touch that you will remember for years to come!

As you use our site (www.firstdancedecals.com) please feel free to provide us with feedback or suggestions you may have. We love to hear from our customers and want to provide you and our future users with the best experience we possibly can. You can also “Like” us on Facebook www.facebook.com/weddingdecals or follow us on Twitter @weddingdecals to keep track of what were up to.

To celebrate the launch of this website, we are giving away one free dance decal to a lucky RedDeerWeddingBlog.com reader. Simply leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win a one of kind dance floor decal from us!  ***Winner is Reana W.****

Posted in Personlizing your Wedding, Wedding Decor | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

“The Look”, Your Wedding Colours

You’ve purchased wedding magazines, searched dozens of websites looking for the perfect wedding decor.  Now you’ve got to put it together to make your wedding the most beautiful one that your guests have ever seen.

Choosing Your Wedding Colours

Choosing a colour theme your wedding can be difficult.  Some brides try to find a colour that matches all of the bridesmaids’ skin tones or try to coordinate their colours with those in the reception hall.  My suggestion it to look past these things and choose colours that you and your groom love.  You want to make the day yours and include colours that make you happy and give the wedding the overall look that you have dreamed about.   Ignore the decor colours in your reception facility, if your chairs and/or tables have been decorated and look stunning, your guests will not even notice the carpet or walls. And you may never find the perfect color that will make all your bridesmaids glow.  Colour choices are an expression of the personalities of the bride and groom.  I’ve seen it all and can say I’ve never seen colours that I don’t love when the whole “look” has been put together.

 I’ve decorated weddings where the bride and groom have chosen colours to match their favourite NHL team.   I’ve seen weddings that are a mix of several different colours to represent fall.  Each one is unique and has a story behind the colours, these are the ones that the true personalities of the bride and groom come out and building the remaining decor of the wedding becomes easy and beautiful wedding is created.

 There are colour combinations that when told to me, I admit, think they cannot possibly go together.  Only to find that when put together they’re stunning!  Experiment, if you like tiffany blue and he likes orange, put them together, they make a vibrant spring or summer wedding.    Cranberry red and sage green are beautiful winter wedding colors.  I’ve seen chocolate brown and candy apple red used together for a fall wedding and it was amazing.  Of course there is always black, which goes with everything and can make most colours pop!  A popular combination with black is fuchsia pink or candy apple red.    I have even discussed black and brown together for a fall wedding.    This wedding season the most popular combination is the classic and elegant black and white with a splash of colour.  If black and white is too much contrast for you try a softer version with black and ivory.   One of my favourite weddings that I helped to create was done in all white, from the ceiling draping, to the flowers, to the table linens and chairs, the only colour used was the sage green dresses of the bridesmaids and the greenery in the flowers, and it was truly an exquisite look

No matter what colours you choose, work with your decor designer so they can help make your wedding look amazing.

Incorporating Colours

You’ve chosen your colours now where to go… how do you bring it into your wedding decor without going overboard and staying within your budget. 

To start, use flowers.  Work with your florist; bring the colours into the bouquets, with either a hint of colour in a white bouquet or be bold and use colour in the whole bouquet.   

If you decide to use flowers in your centerpieces, make sure to bring your colour from the flowers right down to the table.  Help bring your guests eyes from the centerpiece to the whole table, tie it all together and make it pleasing to the eye.  This can be done by either sprinkling floral petals on the table, having a table runner, using a coloured table linen, or simply by tying your favours or napkins with a coloured ribbon.

If floral centerpieces are not in your budget, bring colour into your centerpiece with a single flower, coloured water or gel, coloured candles or a coloured vase.   Be creative, think outside of the box.

Coloured table linens can also help your wedding colours flow across your room.  Either with the table linens themselves, or perhaps an overlay placed over a white table linen, or a simple table runner.   One of the most misused incorporations of colours onto a table is with coloured napkins.   Many brides believe they should bring in the colours of their wedding through coloured napkins.  If not done correctly, the napkins can take over the entire table, especially if they are set higher than the centerpiece, for example in the wine glasses.   If the colours have not been used elsewhere on the table the napkins stick out and usually the centerpiece is hidden from the guest’s eyes until dinner is served.  I prefer using a napkin that matches the colour or is a shade of the table linen, that way the centerpiece becomes the main focus on the table.  If you must use a coloured napkin, place it low to the table and use it as an accessory to your wedding colours.

The head table can also be an area where colours can be brought together to help create the whole look.   Floor length table linens in your wedding colours can be beautiful, as can a swag of fabric across the front of the table skirt.  Something that I have seen is the use of table runners running over the top and down the front of the head table, this is very beautiful.  Your colours can also be brought into the head table area with coloured spot lights behind the head table shining up onto a backdrop drape.

Don’t forget the cake, cake table and guest book table, these are all areas where you can add a bit of colour to your reception and get beautiful results.  Your cake can have all the colours of your wedding or be simple and elegant in white.  If you have bold colours in your wedding, use these colours either on the cake, on your cake topper or the table underneath.  Your guestbook table can have a bit of colour from your wedding by placing your throw away bouquet on the table, adding a table runner, or by having a colourful guestbook or engagement picture.

Whatever you choose to do for your wedding colours, make them you.  Guests will appreciate the creativeness that you have put into your wedding if you choose colors that best represent the two of you.

In the past 7 years I have helped many brides and grooms bring together their ideas and create the weddings of their dreams.  Whether it be just suggesting decor ideas and the brides and grooms doing it themselves or having us decorate the reception for them.  Elegant Event Designs & Decor can help make your dream a reality.   For a sample of the weddings and events that we have helped create, please visit my facebook page at Elegant Event Designs & Decor, or my website (which is still under construction) at www.eleganteventdesigns.ca .   To set up a consultation and create your personalized elegant event, contact me by phone at 403-302-7282 or by email at christine@eleganteventdesigns.ca.

Share your thoughts on this post in the comment field below and we will enter your name in to win a $175.00 gift certificate towards your wedding decor from Elegant Event Rentals. (some restictions may apply).  ****Winner is Nadine G.*****

Posted in Personlizing your Wedding, Wedding Planning | 10 Comments

Setting Up and Taking Down

A Wedding Day can feel like moving day, the stress levels are up and there is lots to do.  All the wedding decor has to be moved in and at the end of the night all the wedding decor has to be moved out.  This is a lot to ask of yourself or your family on or just before the wedding day,  so be organized, consider renting out the venue the day before or hire someone to come in and do set-up and take down on your behalf.

Get yourself organized a week before the wedding.  Create a list and organize it into categories; ceremony; head table; guest tables; cake table; signing and gift table; other.  For each category, draw out the table and list each item that belong at it and if you will need any multipurpose items to affix it in place, such as tape, a glue gun, safety pins include this too.  Ask your family and friends if they can assist you with the set-up of the wedding and go over your decor list with them explaining what you are looking for.  Keep in mind that items such as chair covers and chair sashes could take a minute per chair. For the untrained, 200 chairs could take more than 3 hours to set-up.  Once you have the decor from your rental company sort it into the categories and make sure it is all accounted for.  If you are using place cards at each table make sure that you have pre-sorted them into which table it belongs to and are in order of who should sit next to who, this way if you are unable to set them  out yourself a family, friend or your hired help can make sure they are in the proper place.

Many venue’s will charge you to use the venue the day before, if you are lucky enough to have one that doesn’t then you may want to take advantage of this early move in oppertunity or consider the extra fee so you can rest easy that the set-up was complete.  You still want to be prepared but you can relax and make sure the job is done properly.  Once you have said your “I do’s”, laughed, cried and danced the night away, the last thing you want to worry about is having all the decor cleaned up, again you may want to look to your family or friends, but they are likely to be tired from the days festivities, one option is renting out the venue for the day after, or considering hiring help and taking the burden off of your family.

Considering hiring your decor rental company or your local wedding planner to handle the set-up and take down of the venue will take a lot of stress off your shoulders and the burden off your family and friends.  Your decor company and event planner will make sure that you have not forgotten anything and help keep you organized.  They often will be able to do set-up of the venue on the morning of the event (dependant on the amount of decor) and come back at the end of the festivities to properly remove all the decor from the venue and return it to you, or the rental company.   There experience and expertise will help expedite the set-up and the quality will be definately noticed by your guests. 

Seeing the venue in its glory as you had invisioned it will be one of the many exciting moments of the day, enjoy the moment and consider how much stress you are putting on yourself and your family and choose the option that will allow you to enjoy and be relaxed on your wedding day.  Keep yourself organized and don’t forget to thank your family and friends for there many hours of hard work.

Everyone needs a little helping hand here and there, so share your thoughts on this post in the comment field below and we will enter your name in to win a 5 hours of Oh So Sweet Package (valued at $250.00) (some restictions may apply).  For more information on our Oh So Sweet Package or other packages please check out our website at www.luckydayweddings.com.   ****Winner is Ashley M.****

Posted in Wedding Planning | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

To Be or Not To Be Traditional?

Wedding Cakes are no longer simplistic with more television shows and media showcasing some of the most complicated cakes, we have come along way from where the idea had originated.  The wedding cake actually started out as a loaf of bread in Rome, where the groom would break the bread over the bride’s head to show his superiority over the bride and the marriage.  As the bread turned into cake and women’s rights progressed it became a symbol of unity and sharing in the relationship.  To cut the cake and share a piece was to share the responsibilities, love, joy and sorrow together as a married couple.  As the Western Culture grew and the idea of the wedding cake grew. The Wedding Cake has developed in to a artistic piece to be showcased as talent and beauty at the Wedding.  It has turned into our modern day sculptures, but edible and delicious.  The tradition continues to change with cupcakes, cookies and cake-pops starting to steal the scene.  Here are some great idea’s when selecting cakes or alternatives for your wedding.

1. The Wedding Cake

Still proves to be the most popular choice in this cake artists opinion.  With so many flavors, shapes, sizes and creative elements with the a wedding cake the choices really are endless.  Whether you want a timeless three tier cake, or a more unique designs like “the corpse bride”, the styles or endless.  Groom’s cakes are also increasingly popular, with the option to surprise your husband to be with a delicious football cake, or that fancy car he always wanted.  The wedding cake is the most versatile of the options, and keeps the tradition of saving the top of the cake and freezing it for the 1st and many more anniversary’s.

 

2.  Cupcakes

Cupcakes are increasingly more popular, whether they accompany a wedding cake or beautiful tiers of cupcakes ready for your guests to eat.  Cupcakes have as many flavor options as the wedding cake and who doesn’t love the look of that yummy frosting they are irresistible to resist.  They are great for weddings who don’t have a designated person to cut a wedding cake, or just want something a little less traditional then a wedding cake. 

 

3.  Cookies and Milk

Simply Sweet Bake ShopNo more cutting the cake, but breaking a cookie and dipping it in a cold glass of milk, if that doesn’t say sharing, I don’t know what does.  A newer trend that has been sticking with many brides in North America the popular snack of milk and cookies.  Again, the choices of cookies are endless, and to serve them with a shot glass of milk hits the spot with all your guests and often reminds them of the home cooking comfort. 

 picture from Simply Sweet Bake Shop

 

4. Cake Pops

Another newer tradition that has been quite popular are the stylish cake pops.  With many options of colors to choose from and the ability to individually wrap them, they make great favors as much as they make a great alternative to the wedding cake.  You can have them standing up or on facing down, you can decorate them and shape them as you feel fit.  This works as a great alternative to a wedding cake when you already have a large selection of dessert to be eaten.

                                                                                                                   picture from beaucoup

There is nothing more sweet in this world then a loving couple saying “I do”, but let us at Kakes by Kara make your wedding that much more sweet with and edible symbol of unity on your wedding day.  Check us out on facebook or www.kakesbykara.com to find out you can have your cake and eat it to.

Leave your comments below and be entered to win $50.00 off your wedding cake from Kakes by Kara (some restrictions may apply).  ****Winner is Shirley S.****

Posted in Wedding Cake | 7 Comments

Rainy Daze Medi-Spa

You’ve spent months or even years planning your special day, so don’t overlook the importance of planning your beauty regimen leading up to the wedding! If you want to look your best on your wedding day – radiant and glowing skin, beautiful hair and gorgeous nails – you’ll need to start primping at least four to six weeks before your wedding so that your skin, hair and nails will be picture-perfect. Spa treatments are a great way to give yourself a mini-makeover before the big day and also keep those pre-wedding jitters under control.

If you’re a bride, bridesmaid or other wedding guests counting down to the big day, use some of these spa tips to get gorgeous!

Spa Facials for the Wedding

The spa facial is a must for any wedding guest, the perfect way to make skin glow

and bringout your natural radiance. Get a hydrating spa facial if your skin tends to be dry, or choose an anti-aging treatment that will help to plump up and tone the skin, and also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines. Spa facials are a great way to keep skin looking smooth and fresh for those wedding photos, and the treatment can make your makeup look that much better! A regime of monthly facials before your wedding would be ideal for a flawless complextion.

Spa Manicures and Pedicures for the Wedding

If you plan on wearing sandals or open-toe shoes to the wedding, or you want to sport a French manicure for the big day, get a professional spa manicure and pedicure at least a day or two before wedding events. Professional spa manicures and pedicures will keep your hands and feet looking great, and can also reduce some of that pre-wedding stress.

Hair Removal Services for the Wedding

Let a professional take care of those pesky hairs above your lip, get your eyebrows waxed to perfection, and remove unwanted hair from your legs, underarms and back so that you can look your best in your strapless gown and other wedding attire. Professional hair removal services will get rid of unwanted hair in a flash and also help to keep your skin looking super smooth. Wax at least three to four days before your wedding, or if choosing to use Laser Hair Removal services you would want to start 4-8 months before your wedding.

Spa Body Treatments & Massage for the Wedding

A great way to get skin glowing for the big day is to get a body scrub or body wrap at least three to four days before the wedding events. Body scrubs will help to get rid of dead skin cells sitting on the skin’s surface, and body wraps will infuse the skin with much-needed moisture and other skin-nourishing ingredients. Massage therapy will help you relax and calm wedding jitters, while you feel refreshed all over. Settle in for these great treatments for the ultimate pampering experience before the big day.

You may choose wedding spa treatments as part of your bachelorette party; you may go alone before your wedding day or you may go with your fiance to spend a romantic day together. Another choice is to organize a spa party as part of your bridal preparations but hitting the spa before your wedding has become a definite “I do!”

For more information about Spa Treatments  and your Wedding or to book an appointment call 403-887-0660 or visit us at www.rainydazemedispa.comLeave your comments below for a chance to win our Marina Relax Package.  ***Christy H.***

Posted in Beauty | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Dare to add Flare with Hairpieces and Bridal Accessories

As you’ve seen mentioned in some of the previous blog entries, one trend is definitely taking off in today’s wedding scene; being unique, being original, being YOU!  One easy, affordable, and totally bold way to make your day just a little bit more expressive is to accessorize appropriately!  Bird Cage veils, feather fascinators, hand made fabric flower accents, feather accents, and clutches are some of the items which can really add the finishing touches to your Wedding Day image.

I don’t think I could pull it off.

I hear this all the time.  Women read the fashion magazines and see magnificent outfits, glamorous accessories and amazing hairstyles yet they feel they might not be enough of a celebrity to make a bold fashion statement look good for them.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I submit to you that any woman of any age can make just about any style work, any day of the week.  But considering your Wedding Day, when better to be bold, make a statement, and be memorable?!  BE YOU!  At first you may not think an accessory such as a bridal hairpiece could make such an impact, but it always proves true that a finishing touch like a beautiful feather fascinator or an elegant veil will give a bride that extra bit of style, flare, and confidence. 

Understand what works for you.

The great part about accessorizing for a big event like your Wedding Day is that you can do as much or as little as you want.  It truly should revolve around you, your style and your comfort.  You’re having a traditional country wedding but the punk chick in you wants some representation?  Try rocking out with a custom hairpiece that brings in the colours from your wedding party and adds the extra bit of style that wouldn’t necessarily fit anywhere else in the “bigger” selections like bridesmaid dresses or tablecloths.  Maybe you want to balance a grandiose wedding ceremony and reception by proudly displaying a simple and sleek hairpiece.  Then there’s always the option of really “going for it” with something like a bird cage veil of Russian netting, an exaggerated display of a variety of feathers, and some sparkly bling all manufactured into one ridiculous yet amazing hairpiece.  Or simply and very effectively let the hairpieces add to the theme; match the feather colour to your dress and make it into one magnificent outfit!  A hairpiece is also very versatile as an accessory – clip it onto your purse or clutch, your bridesmaid’s belts, a hat or even a scarf!  Ultimately, many parts of your Wedding Day require collaborative decision-making, planning and consultation; I suggest you let accessories like hairpieces be something that simply represents you.

Where do I begin?  Where do I end?  Have a meaningful consultation.

When you first start to consider adding some bridal accessories to you wedding plans, you may or may not know where you will end up.  Some of my customers start out simply wanting some netting or a single hairpiece and then realize that they would like to include some pieces for the bridesmaids, flower girls, mothers, or even some feather accents for the groom’s tux.  Conversely, some start out wanting it all and then realize that only the bride should have that special accent piece.  Once again it’s all about bringing your own style and dreams to life.  The best way to make this a reality is to have an effective consultation.  Here are some tips to ensure good communication:

  • Be concise: Lots of information doesn’t necessarily mean its useful information.
  • Have some points of reference:  Do you have a photo or a website that displays your dress?  A swatch of your bridesmaid dress colour?  A photo or example of the “look” you are trying to achieve?  Bring these with you or be ready to share them if your consultation seems to be stalling out.  It can help the process.
  • Be very clear on any special instructions.
  • Be very clear on your timeline and expectation for follow up.
  • Understand and confirm the agreed cost for the items you are ordering.
  • Keep an open mind.  If you have time to spare take a day or two to consider suggestions from the artist or craft vendor for your custom pieces.  You have to believe they have your best interest at heart and they will have the knowledge and experience to make your ideas into something that works for you!

I think by now it’s probably clear that I really believe in your Wedding Day being about YOU, and a custom bridal accessory is a very effective way to add that personal style.  Be bold.  Be daring.  Be beautiful.  Be you.

For more information contact Brandi-Lee at perchdesigns@yahoo.com or check out our facebook fan page.

Leave your comments below for your chance to win a bridal fascinator.  ***The Winner is Katie W. ***

Posted in Accessories | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Westerner Park – Your Destination for Celebration

Choosing Your Perfect Venue:

Choosing the venue that suits you is important. There are many types of venues out there for your ceremony, reception and gift opening, but you want one that is perfect for you. The location for guests traveling and accessibility is also essential. Whether you are looking for a stand alone venue, small intimate space or a unique setting that you can create your own theme, Westerner Park has them all. From the Lookout Room to the Marquis Room, we want to make this day special for you and your guests.

Our banquet facilities accommodate:

Lookout Room                        72 people

Pioneer Room                         72 people

Trailblazer Room                   120 people

Heartland Room                     170 people

Frontier Room                        224 people

Marquis Room                        400 people

On top of great facilities we have an experienced Sales team to help you plan a wonderful wedding. Our staff are here to complete the wonder of your day with service. Our wedding coordinator will work with you for the booking, set up and putting you in contact with catering, DJ and other services. Westerner Park and our affiliated contractors; Vold Audio, Red Deer Catering and Goodkey Show Services Ltd. provide a variety of high quality services.

Give us the opportunity to host your wedding and you can rest assured that your wedding will be a priority to us and taken care of by all of our staff.

Amenities:

It is also important to be sure that the venue you choose offers the amenities you require. Amenities will range from interior and exterior design to services.

  • Interior design items to consider: wall and carpet colors, ceiling height, lighting, chairs, tables, what can be hung on the walls, staging and audio visual equipment. Westerner Park facilities are decorated with neutral colors to accommodate all of our events. We have high ceilings in the majority of our facilities, this has allowed many of our weddings to hang a ceiling drape in the room to create a dreamy atmosphere. We provide round tables which seat 8, padded banquet chairs, portable staging and a PA system included in the rental.
  • Exterior design: area for outdoor pictures, ample parking, smoking area, entrance for bride and groom and wheelchair accessibility. Westerner Park has created a wonderful green space with a path, pond and benches which will be a wonderful backdrop for your pictures. With over 4000 paring stalls onsite your wedding should not have a problem with space to park. All of our facilities are fully wheelchair accessible.
  • Services: bar service, on site staff for wedding day, access times to the room, catering, service rental  companies and technical support for audio visual equipment. Westerner Park offers the opportunity to bring in your own alcohol or to have us provide you with a full service bar. Our bartenders are trained and ready to let your guests have a good time. Our staff are onsite and available for the duration of your rental. Each facilities is available on the day of the wedding from 10:00am—2:00am  included in your rental. You may book your rehearsal dinner and gift opening as well at a discounted rate with your wedding day rental. Our caterer is onsite and provides full wedding packages for banquet, sit down and midnight lunches. He is flexible to meet the needs of each wedding.

Working With A Budget

Working with a budget helps all couples communicate their expectations of the day, to the companies they work with. Westerner Park allows brides and grooms the ability to make their wedding beautiful on any budget. Our facilities include the set up and clean up of tables, chairs, staging, dance floor and PA & Podium. All budgets are unique, just like your wedding and we want to help you work within in it.

We want to make your day special and yours. Please contact us if you have any comments or questions. The winning post will receive 4 complimentary day passes to Westerner Days, 2 parking passes and 4 food vouchers to our BBQ Pit. We want to let you and your friends have some fun while planning your wedding.

Leave your comments below to win 4 admission tickets for Westerner Days as well as 2 parking passes and 4 food and beverage gift certificates to enjoy time with friends before the big day. ***The Winner is Tina T.****

Posted in Wedding Venue | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Understanding the Role of Your Wedding Coordinator

When hiring only a wedding coordinator for the day it is important that you understand the difference between a wedding coordinator and that of a wedding planner.   As a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator, I have notice the two roles often being mistaken for one another when I am hired for Coordination only.  A wedding planner will assist you with your planning process, helping you save money and time.  A wedding coordinator will manage the overall day and ensure that everything runs smoothly, they are not hired as your planner, but more as a manager.

By the time your wedding coordinator comes on scene of the wedding all the wedding planning has been completed and now the final details are coming together.  With only four weeks left until the wedding, your coordinator will meet with you and go over all the small details of the wedding, ensure that nothing has been forgotten and contact all your vendors to help expedite the final vendor meetings.

A wedding coordinator will work with you and your vendors to create a wedding day timeline.  I know that many brides don’t want to worry about the time on their wedding day, but your wedding coordinator and vendors, will need to know the sequence that the day will unfold, so they may properly prepare and your guests will thank you for being on time, as they may be starving or sitting out in the hot sun waiting for you to walk down the isle.

The day before the wedding your Wedding Coordinator will be present at the Rehearsal and provide ettiquette and creative advice.  They will meet your wedding party and answer any questions that they may have.

A Wedding Coordinator and often an assistant depending on the size of the wedding, will be on hand on the day of the wedding.  They will be there to manage the day, from the moment you walk down the isle to the last major element of the evening.  They cue the wedding party when it is there turn to walk down the isle, fluff the brides dress one more time before her big reveal, round up the right family members and send them off to the formal photo location, put the final details into your reception before the guests arrive, greet your guests, cue the grand entrance, dinner, speeches, cake cutting and garter/flower toss.  We ensure that all your vendors are where they are suppose to be and that they carry out their contractual obligations.  A Wedding Coordinator can quickly adapt and wears  many hats to make sure the job is done and the Bride, Groom, Wedding Party and Family are relaxed and enjoying the whole day together.  Hiring a Wedding Coordinator, is going to make your wedding day so much more enjoyable, and you will have peace of mind knowing that you and your family won’t have to worry about all the little details on the Wedding Day.

Leave your comments below or on our Facebook Fan page and you have the chance to win our Love at First Sight Package (Coordination Package ) which is valued at $700.00 (some restrictions may apply). Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!!

Posted in Wedding Planning | 13 Comments