Ella's Weddings & Events

Wedding Show Season in full swing!

2010-09-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

The wedding show season has arrived. To the brides who are attending the shows, good for you! There are many great deals to be had at a Bridal Show. For myself, the veil I wanted was $250, which I could not justify spending and thought I would have to do without. But low and behold, a wedding show in Toronto provided a sale on veils and dresses, and I found a veil that was almost identical for $35!!! Some shows can be hits, and some shows can have a lot of misses, however more often than not, if you book or buy a product or service for your event at a show, you are probably saving money. And as we all know in wedding planning, any dollar saved is great! Two upcoming shows are:

Kitchener/Waterloo- Bingeman's Wedding Dreams Show- Sat & Sun October 23 & 24
Huron County Bridal Expo- Sun October 24

These 2 shows are in different areas, featuring many different vendors, fashion shows and more!

As a bride, or part of the bridal party or mother of the bride or groom, tagging along to a wedding show will probably be a crazy experience! It can be very overwhelming for a bride as this can be when reality sets in... "I am getting married". This can also be where a bride realizes how much things will cost and how much work is to be done. So, whether you are a bride or part of her "entourage" at a show, following these simple tips will make your show much more enjoyable.

#1- Take mailing labels with the bride & grooms names, address, phone number, email, wedding date and wedding location. There are MANY contests, draws and ballots to fill out and by placing a label on the ballot, it is much easier and faster for you, and also better for the vendor to ensure no messy handwriting cannot be read, possibly losing out on a contest or freebie!

#2- Don't take TOO many people with you. Having too many opinions and too many people to keep track of will take the focus off of you, the bride. You may forget what you need to look for!

#3- Get a map at the door or ahead of time. Most times you can get a vendor list online prior to the event and if so, circle the vendors you want to take time to go and get more information from. This will save time when getting stuck speaking to vendors you have no interest in working with.

#4- Take advantage of the savings and draws! It doesn't cost you anything to put your name on a ballot so take the chance... you never know when you may need it.

#5- Take a bag and keep track of the vendors you spoke to. Whether you need to take a notebook to write a few notes in along to way to ensure you remember the info, or even a tape recorder! I have seen brides get pretty creative at a wedding show!

#6- Take a list of what you need to look for. Already booked a DJ? Done... you won't need to worry about speaking to any DJ companies since this is already completed for your event. Need a Photographer? Free up time to speak to the many photography options to be confident you are happy with the choice you make.

So happy hunting and enjoy the wedding show season!!!

For all you dog lover's...

2010-07-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

As some of you may or may not know, I am a HUGE dog lover. My own lil pup Harvick is spoiled to the bone! But as much as I love my little guy, would I have let him take part in my wedding? Hugely popular right now is to have your furry friends included on your big day. I have seen many pictures of animals, mainly dogs that have been in the actually wedding party, and although the pictures are great, what was the day like? Although my dog is trained, I dont know how he would react to actually sitting like a gentleman throughout the ceremony, or walking down the aisle (most definitely not on his own). While our animals have probably been in our lives for a significant period of time and hold a huge place in our hearts, a wedding may not be where to include them in the festivities. If I had someone on the day of our wedding that was specifically designated to taking care of our dog, I probably would have done so! Rather than worrying on the wedding day about your pet, why not include him/her/them in the engagement photo session? This is one thing I had wished we had done, and so now, I think a "family" photo session is in the near future!

*Photo courtesy of wetnoseguide.com*

Traditional??? Naw...

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

I cannot imagine what it was like way back when, when the only song you could choose for your ceremony was the Wedding March! The possibilities are endless for the more modern ceremony of 2010. Some of my favorites include:

Ben Folds- The Luckiest
Jack Johnson- Angel
David Gray- January Rain
Jack Johnson- Better Together
Glee Cast- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Yiruma- River Flows in You
Norah Jones- Come Away With Me
Princess Bride Movie- Storybook Love
Jon Schmidt- Viva La Vida meets Love Story
Jim Brickman- Angel Eyes
Yiruma- Kiss the Rain

It is so crazy how more modern songs haven taken over from the classical type music that has been typically played in the past. Although the classic songs are still beautiful and can make for a very traditional and romantic ceremony, brides are opting for the modern music.

Another popular take on ceremony music is to have "classical" variations of modern songs, such as the Jon Schmidt song shown above. Every song has an instrumental or karaoke version, so if there is a song you love but may not have the right words, you can choose it as a ceremony song. The music choices are never ending!

Rain Rain Go Away! Or not...

2010-06-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here on my laptop, the power is flickering and all I can think about it how today looks much like it did on my wedding day. Random breaks of sunlight between a roaring blast of thunder and lighting and during a freak downpour! There are so many Wedding Superstitions and rain on a wedding day is one of them. Many say that when it does rain on your wedding day, it brings good luck, fertility or tears. The more rain, the more children you will have or happy tears will be shed! Some brides dread seeing rain in the forecast on their special day, but for some couples, any form of good luck is welcomed! Not to mention, a rainy day (if you have the right "daring" couple) can make for some beautiful and romantic wedding pictures!

Another wedding superstition that I followed on my wedding day is the old saying "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue". There are many different versions of the rhyme, but the oldest I have seen goes back to Victorian Times. Something old can mean that the couple's friends will stay with them, and that item should come from someone who is happily married, so as to give the new bride some of that happiness. Something new looks into the future of the newlyweds, and provides health, happiness and success. Something borrowed should come from a friend or family member to show how much they love the bride... remember to return it for good luck of course! And lastly, something blue brings luck, fidelity and constancy. Some bride's add to this rhyme by adding a sixpence in her shoe, which brings wealth.

Whatever your level of superstition, it can be fun to incorporate these old traditions on your wedding day. Many older family members believe in these superstitions and will pass them along to you, which you can then pass along to your children and grandchildren, etc. etc.

So when you look into the forecast and you see there is a chance of rain on your wedding day, take it in with happiness! Embrace it... know that it is not going to ruin your wedding but bring you luck! The most important thing about your wedding day is just that, that it is your wedding day and you will be marrying the man or woman you want to spend the rest of your life with. Besides, a rainy day will give you a great story to tell... I am confident of that, as I am still talking about my rainy but perfect wedding day!

The Stresses of Wedding Planning

2010-06-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

Planning a wedding is supposed to be fun and exciting! However, this may not always be the case. The stresses involved in wedding planning can be dramatic, frustrating and disappointing. The most common problems in wedding planning can be parents or unwanted parties getting involved when they do not need to be, staying on budget, meeting deadlines, and not having enough help.

Staying on budget is not always easy. The cost of a wedding can increase quickly without noticing until the money has been spent. Keeping within your means of spending can be one of the biggest arguments a bride and groom can have. Ensure you both spend money on what is important in the event, and cut costs on certain aspects that may not be. If having an expensive cake is not as important as getting the best photographer in town, then compromise until an agreement is reached so that both of you are happy. The last thing you want to do is be arguing with your fiance through the entire planning process.

Another stressful part of planning a wedding can be unnecessary drama with family or friends who try to be involved in parts of the wedding that aren't needed. Although all opinions are valued, some can be more weighted than others. Never feel obligated to make a decision based on what a friend or family member may want you to do. Make your decisions based on what you and your future husband want and what is best for your event. Although it may seem like a difficult decision at the time, there is nothing worse than not making the right choice and regretting it later.

The best part about a wedding is making it your own. Spend the money on things you want the most. Enjoy planning the event together. Make decisions based on what is most important to you. As a bride, you will hate yourself later if you don't make the right choices. The wedding is about the bride and groom and so it should be. Have fun in the planning, enjoy it!

Best Love & Marriage Quotes of all time...

2010-05-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

When creating your wedding invitations, stationery, ceremony programs and other personalized items for your event, I love when couples use famous love quotes. Here is a short list of some of my all time favorites:

"In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities"- Janos Arnay

"What I feel for you seems less of earth and more of a cloudless heaven"- Victor Hugo

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart"- Helen Keller

"My heart is ever at your service"- William Shakespeare

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away"- unknown

"A simple I love you means more than money"- Frank Sinatra

"When you are in love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams"- Dr Seuss

"The signs of love should be as clear, as when you look into a mirror. And as an image, come to you, because your merely being you."- unknown

How to get your Groom involved...

2010-05-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

We all know it can be tough getting your groom excited about planning the wedding of your dreams. But why wouldn't he want to discuss what shade of pink the napkins should be, or how many tiers the cake should be. OK... obviously these wouldn't be the first things your guy wants to get involved with. However, I know from experience how frustrating it can be when you feel ignored and that he isn't or wanting to be involved in the planning of your big day. So how can you get him more involved? Leave him out of the "girly" decisions, which you know he may not take seriously and give him responsibility more geared towards him.

One thing that most men enjoy is music. Give him the responsibility of scoping out a few DJ's to compare and help when choosing the music. The first dance or Mother/Son dance choices may not be as important to him but I bet his big Introduction song as well as the Garter Toss music would be fun for him to choose.

Another thing he would get involved in is the gift registry. Of course, picking out which dishes and silverware you want is maybe not the best choice for him, but many people register for household items as well as tools and electronics; sure things for any man to be happy about putting on their registry.

One important thing is to ask the Groom what he wants out of the wedding. Don't forget that it is his day as well as yours, and although he may not seem interested, there may be something that is more important to him than you think. Picking the transportation, for example, could be important to him... he may want to arrive in style! Rather than a limo, a classic car is something he wants to fit into the budget. These are all important things to find out.

Remember... the more say he has in aspects of the wedding, the more likely he is to want to help out and be more involved! So get your Groom and happy planning!

New Idea for Events!

2010-05-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

Photobooths?!?!

Now, at any wedding or special events show, there is one thing you will see as a new feature to make your day even that much more exciting. The new Photobooth concept has been storming it’s way all over North America and is now one of the hottest trends in the event industry. And how cool?! I can just imagine the crazy pictures that come up after a long evening filled with dancing, games and fun! Most companies will provide a prop box full of crazy hats, boas, glasses and more, which allow you and your guests to dress up and take some fun photos. And unlike the Photobooth’s at the mall, you can fit a large group of people in one picture!

I have seen the Photobooth at a few events now, and the outcome has been phenomenal. Very affordable and gives you memories that will last a lifetime. Seeing girlfriends get in one picture that haven’t been all together since college or the team from work all getting their pictures done together in pink furry hats and star sunglasses is hilarious!

What a cool way to get guests involved… whether it be a wedding, stag & doe, corporate event, school dance or even a family reunion, it works just about everywhere. I am excited to see the Photobooth at events and know that it is going to be a huge success in 2010. Keep an eye out at all the upcoming wedding shows in the fall because this thing is going to be everywhere!

Ella's Weddings & Events is finally here!

2010-05-03T17:07:00.000-07:00

I am very happy to say that the website is up and running and looks better than I ever expected! This has been a long time coming and I am very happy that it is finally happening. With all of my start-up "To Do" tasks out of the way, it leaves more time for actually advertising and planning events! With a few events on the go at the moment, I am eager to dive in and apply my experience and skills to what I do best... planning events.

Some great things about Ella's Weddings & Events? Experience. Knowledge. Understanding.

Having been through my own wedding as well as assisted in executing many others, I know firsthand what the stresses of planning a wedding or event can be. I have found that in my experience in the event industry, the number one thing a client always remembers is how you treat them, and how you relate to them. If, during the planning of someone else's event you can say, "Yes, I have been there, I completely understand what you are going through", then a client will remember how you could identify with them on a personal level. Being able to have this relationship with a client has made me stand out to customers and be able to help them in ways that other vendors may not be able to. Did the groom order the wrong tuxes for your wedding? Been there, done that... I had to solve that last minute. Did the CD for your ceremony you made for the DJ not work properly? Again... problem solved. One thing I strive on is to ALWAYS have a backup plan!

I will use this experience as well as the educational background that I have and apply it to each and every event 100%. I will make every event I am part of special and unique. The typical saying, "What the customer wants, the customer gets" easily applies with my planning strategies. If you want yellow, purple, pink, gold, black, blue and every other color of the rainbow in your event, we will do it! If you want centerpieces 20 feet high we will do it for you! I will advise a customer on what the best decision may be, within budget of course, but if there is a disagreement, the customer always has the final say. This isn't my event, it is yours... whatever you need or want, I will be there!

Looking forward to working with each and every one of you!