You may choose to not have any children attend your reception, but if you have decided that you would like children to help celebrate your special day, here are some discussions to help make them feel welcome.

1) Fun Bucket: You can go to the Dollar Store and purchase a bucket, or any other type of container that can be easy to hand out and fill it with crayons and coloring books or activity/learning books. Small toys and puzzles, anything that they can pull out a play with at the table. You would be surprised with what you can find at your local Dollar Store, this shouldn’t cost you much.

2) Children Meals: There are not many kids out there that want to eat a salmon dish or steak with a spinach salad. So if you are planning on having children at your reception, think of having a children’s meal for them. They will love chicken fingers and fries or a simple pasta dish. Plus this will be cheaper for you too!

3) Childcare: Depending on where your wedding is being held, you may or may not be able to do this. Childcare is a great perk for your guests. If you know someone that has babysat/a responsible individual(or people), you could hire them to be available as a babysitter for the evening, if your guests so choose to use the service.

If your reception hall has a smaller room, this room could be perfect for the “childcare area”. A room that parents can get away from the loud music and have a few minutes of down time with the younger kids. This area can be set up with a TV and DVD player and a table with coloring books and crayons. It doesn’t have to be much, just a quiet place for the kids.

These are just some suggestions of ways that you can make your “younger” guests more comfortable at your wedding. The parents will love you for it!

All Aboard the Bride Bus

February 19, 2008

I found this posting, thought some of you may be interested.

Calling all brides, bridesmaids, best friends, moms and even those mothers-in-law to be! Still looking for your dream dress, to outfit your bridesmaids, or to get those final few accessories? Get on board the Bride Bus for an exciting one day shopping excursion in glamorous Montreal!!! Join the STARFISH team as we hit a range of fabulous wedding dress boutiques all along Montreal’s (Saint-Hubert) street. Your ticket includes: • Luxury bus transportation to Montreal (with a special screening of wedding movies to entertain and inspire you along the way) • Exclusive Starfish discounts at select wedding dress boutiques • Door prizes + swag bags • Access to the Starfish experts who can address your most pressing wedding planning issues The Bride Bus boards on March 1 at 8:30am, departing from St. Laurent Shopping Centre. Tickets only $40 and are available at La Mode Spa, 67 Sparks Street. 613.762.3622 http://www.eventsbystarfish.com/Events/bride_bus.html.

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Preston Bailey has become especially renowned for his ability to completely transform raw, ordinary spaces into sumptuous, theatrical environments, translating his clients’ fantasies into awe-inspiring reality. Preston’s one-of-a-kind events, which included the most extravagant weddings and galas for Royal families across the globe, have earned him a reputation, as the world’s preeminent event designer.

He has attracted such clients as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, Joan Rivers, Donna Karen, Liza Minnelli, Matt Lauer, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, Laurence Fishburne, Emmitt Smith and Bill Cosby. Preston’s signature style combines exuberant and harmonious color palettes, sensuous textures, shapes that are both architectural and organic, and modern adaptations of traditional elements to excite the senses in profound ways.

Inspired by the simple beauty of the natural world, Preston is known for taking small, simple, elements, changing them, reshaping them and repeating them on many layers to create grand, spectacular dramatic statements. He loves to use flowers and his trademark floral decors speaks for themselves. “Bigger is better” and much more dramatic! He says he loves to leave the wedding guests breathless, and I think he definitely achieves it.

In 2005, through a partnership with Sandals Resorts, the largest operator of luxury, all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Preston designed four signature wedding collections, available exclusively to Sandals guests, which include beautifully deigned wedding settings and decor, bridal flowers, and elegant keepsakes.

If you would like to view some of his work, pick up one of his best-sellers. Preston has written three bestselling books, Design for Entertaining, Fantasy Weddings, and his latest, Inspirations. He is currently working on his fourth book, scheduled to be released in 2008. You can order his books on line at http://herweddingplanner.com/books/.

Preston will be the keynote speaker at the 4th BizBash. TO Event Style Show, on February 20th. He will present new photos of his work, as well as discuss his inspirations and design process. For more information, please visit http://bizbashto.streampoint.biz/.



Wedding Gloves

February 7, 2008

Wearing gloves dates back to the 18th century, where ladies wore gloves as part of their everyday dress. Gloves were sent by English men to their true love as a symbol of their undying devotion. If the lady were the gloves, it was noted that that love was returned.

Today brides incorporate this romantic gesture by wearing gloves as a symbol of grace and elegance. There are different types of gloves, and depending on your dress some many accompany it well, where others may not. If you are interested in wearing gloves speak to a Sales Associate at your chosen bridal shop.