Twobirds Bridemaid Dresses

Ariane Goldman is founder of Twobirds, a unique way at looking at bridemaids dresses.  If you have ever been a bridemaid and had to buy an expensive dress that you  never wear again, I think you would appreciate what Ariane has created.  What she has done is created one dress that can be wore many different ways, allowing your bridemaids to bring out their unique personalities.

It’s a great idea!  If you are interested, click here to view Twobirds’ website. 

Wedding Trends 2008: Predictions

I came across this blog, that had listed predictions of what they felt the wedding trends for 2008 were going to be. 

An example from the blog was, ” They said that pink is the hot color for 2008. I think it is beautiful, but I foresee it not being as popular until later this year. Instead, I prediction the color chocolate to continue on from last year and start showing up earlier in the year (not just in the fall).”

To read the entire blog and see if their predictions are correct, click here. 

Top 5 Celebrity Weddings of Our Time!

I came across this blog written by Wendy O and I had to share it with all of you.  Who doesn’t like looking at celebrity wedding pictures?  I love it!  I have to say, I stop and go through the entire magazine at the grocery check out with my screaming boys pulling at my leg to get moving.  And I would have to agree with Wendy’s top choices.  Do you??  To read her entire blog, click here.  ENJOY!!!   

HerWeddingPlanner.com Contest Giveaways, You May Be A Winner!

We have great prizes to give out so hurry up and visit the Wedding Planner websites for your chance to win. Currently, contests are:

At www.KingstonWeddingPlanner.com, Enter to win a FREE Family Photo Session
from Naomi Claire photography.

At www.BayofQuinteWeddingPlanner.com or  www.KingstonWeddingPlanner.com, Enter to win our Napanee Wedding Contest including a free hall rental from the Strathcona Paper Centre and a free night stay at The Hampton Inn.

At www.PeterboroughWeddingPlanner.com or
www.DurhamRegionWeddingPlanner.com,
Enter to win $200 off Trillium Classical Guitar Services at your Wedding Ceremony.

At www.OttawaGatineauWeddingPlanner.com, Enter to win a $4500 winter wedding including: Hall rental, seating & tables for up to 80 guest, horse grawn sleighs, wedding officiate and more from Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm.  Also enter to win 100 Free Invitations from Direct Buy.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!!

Spotlight of the Month: Sixth Sense Catering and Home Cooking

Ever wanted a custom menu for you wedding??? That is exactly what Sixth Sense creates for you.

We take into account our clients love of food to heart and create a menu for their special day with them.

From a cocktail party, side down supper, buffet suppers, bachelor/bacheloret parties with cooking lessons to the dress rehearsal with only your family let Sixth Sense make that special day.
–
Lorant Gabor
Sixth Sense Catering and Home Cooking
www.gourmetathome.ca
613-562-2552

E-book “Diamond Buying 101″

Michael Willingham is the founder of www.thediamondcoach.com.  He has built a reputation as a leader in the jewelry industry.  He has helped guide clients through jewelry purchases, served as a resource for major insurance companies and has been an advocate for the customer for more than twenty years. 

With all these years of experience, he has decided to write an e-book to help others with the process of diamond buying.  This e-book is entitled “Diamond Buying 101, the resource for your diamond buying experience”.  If you are in the market for purchasing a diamond, download this book!      

Purchasing an engagement ring is most probably the biggest purchase a man will make in his lifetime, next to his first home.  Choosing the right place to propose is stressful enough, let Mr. Willingham’s e-book guide you through choosing the right diamond.  This e-book is filled with information that will help ease your mind in knowing that you are making the right diamond purchase.

It talks about the four C’s; cut, color, clarity and carat weight.  But it also talks about the two types of grading reports/certificates; a store report and a diamond grading report.  What you should be looking for on a diamond certificate and what it all means.  Last the not least, it speaks about the different shapes in diamonds and how price is determined.

Michael Willingham has done an amazing job in outlining all of the aspects of diamond buying in an easy-to-read e-book.  So if you would like to know more about diamonds or in the market to purchase one in the near future, don’t hesitate to download ”Diamond Buying 101″.  I highly recommend it.

Five ways you can save money on your wedding

It will probably be the largest event that you will throw, and the most expensive.  Wedding receptions accounts for close to 50% of your wedding budget, that’s ALOT!!

After doing some research, here are five areas (and there are many more) where you can make changes that can affect your final bill.

1)Have a fake cake!  Most bakeries charge more for the elaborate designs that tiered cakes present.  The delivery and set-up all cost.  So why not order a fake cake to display at the reception hall and have a larger slab cake made of the flavour of your choice.  This will be easier for the caterer to cut and serve, and it will be much less expensive.

2)Limit the Alcohol.  I know that in some cultures this is not seen as proper.  I’m Italian myself, and every wedding has an open bar right from cocktail hour to 2:00am, including mine.  But it does add up and if you can limit when the bar is open to your guests it will help reduce your final tab.

3) Don’t get married in the spring or summer.  These seasons are the most popular seasons to marry.  Choosing an off-season will help cut costs as most vendors may not be so busy, and can accomodate more readily.  Moreover, Friday weddings, although it may not be a popular day to marry is said to be less expensive to have your wedding than Saturday weddings.

4) Be careful when making your food selections.  Be totally honest with your caterer and ask them what the less expensive meal includes and work from there.  This way you get something that you can afford.  The reception is where the most money is spent when planning your wedding.  Everyone wants lots of food and drink, but this is also where if you are not careful, everything may go to waste.  Example.  just because you and your finance enjoy salmon (a pretty expensive dish to serve), doesn’t mean it’s the best dish to serve at your wedding.

5) Throw an afternoon wedding.  If you really can’t afford an evening reception including a sit down dinner, have a afternoon wedding followed by a “lighter meal” reception. 

Stay tuned for more money saving tips!!!

       

   

  

8/8/08, The Next Lucky Wedding Day

After all that was said about July 7th, 2007 being the luckiest date to marry, here comes August 08, 2008.  Although it lands on a Friday, not a popular day to have a wedding, the number 8 is very lucky in the Chinese culture. 

So be sure to watch for huge numbers of Chinese weddings on this date.  Most Chinese believe in lucky numbers, the number 8 leading this list, because it sounds like the word “prosper” or “wealth”.  Repeat this three times and this must increase your luck!  

Although I believe this date will be more popular for the Chinese, many people like dates such as this.  They think dates like 7/7/07 and 8/8/08 and most probably 9/9/09, because it’s easy to remember and it looks cool. 

Since the date does fall on a Friday, at first glance it may not seem to attractive.  However, it has been known that Friday weddings are less expensive to have than those on Saturdays.  This may be a good reason to book this date after all, lucky number and save a few dollars!

Happy Planning!!!

How to throw a wedding that shows your love for nature

There is a new trend this year on throwing a eco-friendly wedding.  I have done some research and compiled some ideas on how you can do this.

What to wear:  Wanting to throw a eco-friendly wedding?  Wear loose natural clothing like cotton or linen.

Flowers: Pick flowers from around your garden and tie them together as your bouquet.

Location: Parks or botanical gardens or other beautiful natural setting.

Menu: Consider a vegan or vegetarian menu, centered around vegetables as your menu theme.

Favours: give your guests seeds so that they can begin planting their own gardens.

Invitations: use recycled paper for your invitations.

Registry: register for outdoors equipment.

Feel free to add any other ideas.

View 2008 Wedding Gown Trends from designer Domo Adami, Italy

Domo Adami has shared their 2008 Bridal gown line on YouTube.com.  This line will give you an idea on the trends that you will see in the upcoming year’s bridal gown collections.  The gowns are elegant and simple, yet are very dramatic.  

Enjoy!!!