Rustic Glamour in Rural Ottawa – Jessica and Kirk: July 19th, 2014

Some weddings are simply beautiful, some are one heck of a party, and some are a reunion – this wedding was all of the above and more! I had the privilege of attending this wedding, while also lending a small hand with the wedding planning (to be honest I hardly did a thing, the Bride and Groom along with their families had everything under control!).

Jessica and Kirk were married on a perfect day in the middle of July just outside of Ottawa’s city limits at Temple’s Sugar Bush. The day started out at Clyde Hall B&B where the Bride and Groom opted to do the First Look (which I am a huge fan of – gives the Bride and Groom more time with their guests and time to enjoy their hard work of wedding planning). Let me just say that the ceremony was straight out of a fairytale. The trees cascaded over the guests with the sun peeking through, the musicians Elly Squared serenaded guests and the gardens of Temples Sugar Bush had never looked more beautiful.  Family and friends came together to make this fairytale wedding a reality. The Groom’s family created all of the centrepieces by hand, ceremony decor and added personal touches throughout the venue to make it seem like the wedding was at Kirk and Jessica’s home. Officiant Sam Dignard was on point with his wit and charm and Photographer’s Brian and Ivy from BH Photography felt more like guests rather than Photographer’s (I have worked with Brian and Ivy for over 6 years now and I would highly recommend any Bride and Groom to check out their work for your wedding! I mean, just take a look below).

Every Bride and Groom hopes that their dance floor is packed and this was especially true thanks to a box full of flip-flops (which both men and women appreciated) all guests danced the night away in comfort. The tone of the party was also set when Duck Dynasty paid a visit! The Groom’s family put together an amazing flash mob for everyone’s viewing pleasure and entertainment. Jessica and Kirk also decided to incorporate a photobooth into the night’s festivities and did it ever pay off! Social Photobooth brought out the party in all guests as they dressed up and posted pictures in Kirk and Jessica’s guestbook.

This was definitely a night to remember. Congratulations Jessica and Kirk!!

Sources and Accolades:

PHOTOGRAPHY: BH Photography  • VENUE & CATERER: Temple’s Sugar Bush • EVENT DECOR: Family and Friend’s • FLORAL: Valley Flowers  • OFFICIANT: Sam Dignard – All Seasons Weddings • STATIONARY: Handmade from Michael’s and Printing by Jiffy Print • CEREMONY MUSIC: Elly Squared • TRANSPORTATION: Royalty Limousine • RECEPTION MUSIC: DJ Eric  • GOWN: Jim Hjelm Blush Collection • FLOWER GIRL GOWN: Etsy • HAIR & MAKEUP: Annette Wise-Farhatt • JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES: Stella & Dot • HAIR ACCESSORIES: Etsy • BRIDESMAID DRESSES: David’s Bridal • MEN’S FORMAL WEAR: Moore’s • CAKE: Family • ADDITIONAL RENTALS: Social Photobooth

 

 

 

 

Part 1: Kate & Matt’s Romantic Summer Wedding – June 27th, 2014

There are weddings in every Planner’s career that resonate with you and feel less like work and more like a breath of fresh air. This was especially true while I had the privilege of working with Kate and Matt and their families. On one of the most beautiful summer day’s Kate and Matt were married at the stunning Billings Estate Manor tucked underneath a canopy of trees in the heart of Ottawa. Not a single detail was missed! Kate and Matt poured their heart and soul into the planning of their wedding and it was more than evident on their wedding day how deep and special their bond is. There were tears of joy throughout their ceremony and everyone was swapping between belly-laughs and Kleenexes during the heartfelt and candid speeches. It was very touching to see the closeness of Kate and Matt, along with their daughter Ella and families throughout the entire day.

It was a fairytale ceremony with beautiful acoustic music from MOON FRUITS set underneath the umbrella of Billings Estate’s majestic trees. While the most beautiful rendition of Ellie Goulding’s ‘How long will I love you’ was playing, Kate gracefully walked down the aisle hand-in-hand with both her mother and father wearing none other than Vera Wang. The aisle was draped in white and blush rose petals and Matt had the look of complete adoration on his face while waiting for his bride. Guests dined ‘Al-Fresco’ underneath clear blue skies and danced the night away under the stars. Tulips and Maple knocked it out of the park with yet another perfectly executed meal and Anna Jones Photography captured the entire day with ease and perfection. It was hard to narrow down which photos to choose for this post, so I have chosen to feature this wedding in a double post! Feast your eyes on Part 1 of the beauty of Kate and Matt’s memorable wedding day.

Vendors and Accolades:

PHOTOGRAPHY: Anna Jones Photography • DAY OF COORDINATION: Lianna Mackie and Kelsey Benson • VENUE: Billings Estate • CATERER: Tulips and Maple • EVENT DECOR & FLORAL:  KL Flowers • OFFICIANT: Burt Pohl• STATIONARY: Alex Buttera from The Paper Studio • CEREMONY MUSIC: Moon Fruits • RECEPTION MUSIC: Quality Entertainment • GOWN: Vera Wang • FLOWER GIRL GOWN: Little Dreamers Tutus  • HAIR & MAKEUP: Hair by Victoria Bear & Makeup by Stephanie Jones • SHOES: Badgley Mishka • JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES: All vintage pieces from family • VEIL: Made by an Aunt • BRIDESMAID DRESSES: I LOVE that all bridesmaids were given the opportunity to pick their own beautiful dresses • FORMAL WEAR: Tiptop Tailors • CAKE: Sweet Shop & Bakery Ottawa  • ADDITIONAL RENTALS: Laszlo Szabo Event Decor for chiavari chairs & Edison bulb outdoor lights, Labelle Tents and Chezlili

 

8 Fall Perfumes You Need for Your Fall Wedding

A signature scent on your big day can easily set the mood for romance between bride and groom. Look your best, feel your best and smell your best! What’s your signature scent?

Your Wedding Soundtrack

Music is one of the most personal, yet universally understood forms of expression. It is only natural to want to select music that has a profound and deep meaning to you and your fiancé. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of many weddings in my career and I must say there are a few songs that always manage to make their way into the majority of weddings *cough* ‘At Last’. While working with one of my amazing couples, who have the BEST music compilation and song selection for their big day, I was inspired to start researching some songs that are wedding worthy to share with you – you’ll find some oldies, classics and some new-comers on this list. Hopefully some of these songs will speak to you in more ways than one and find their way onto your own wedding soundtrack. Whether it be for your walk down the aisle, first dance, or just to include on your playlist for your DJ, there is something for everyone… ENJOY!

Feel free to add any of your favourites in the comments below!

Sam Smith – Latch (Acoustic) Sam Smith’s voice is so emotionally raw and beautiful

John Legend feat. Lindsey Sterling – All of Me  If only this song was available in 2011

Tim Myers – Entwined

Boyce Avenue – This Year’s Love (David Gray cover)

Ingrid Michaelson – Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley cover)

Charlene Soraia – Wherever You Will Go (The Calling cover)

Ben Howard – Only Love 

Goo Goo Dolls – Come to Me

Ben Folds – The Luckiest 

Paramore – Still Into You

John Mayer – XO (Beyonce cover)

Cee Lo – Old Fashioned

Sade – By Your Side

Hunter Hayes – Still Falling  Must read the lyrics

Blake Shelton – Mine Would be You

The First Ottawa Wedding Awards

First off, let me congratulate the committee for putting together a flawless evening! It was overwhelming to see the camaraderie and community spirit of the Ottawa Wedding Industry to pull off an amazing event. It was long overdue to get everyone together to acknowledge the excellency and hard work of our peers. The Ottawa Conference and Event Centre was decorated like a celebrity-inspired wedding with a chic lounge to greet you, diamonds suspended from the ceiling, spot-lights and up-lighting and pillar lights – the technology did not disappoint and of course I have to mention that the food was to-die for (apple & maple creme-brûlée capped off a mouth-watering 3 course meal). Guests were treated like royalty with a red-carpet entrance and what event wouldn’t be complete without a Photo Booth! Alison Hunter was the MC Extraordinaire who kept the evening flowing seamlessly, we were serenaded by the angelic voice of Julien Kelland and a silent auction was available in support of the Hopewell Centre. It was an honour to attend this event and even those who couldn’t be with us physically were able to stream the event LIVE from U-Stream Ottawa Wedding Awards Live Stream courtesy of Quality Entertainment.

To check out some of the fun, take a peak at Quality Entertainment’s Pinterest page to see a few captured moments from last night’s festivities 

Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners of the Awards. Over 10, 000 votes came through! Here is a recap of last night’s winners:

Officiant: Lynne and Keith Langille

Videographer – Photography and Films by Eduardo

Live Music – Sway Band

Photobooth – Flashpoint Photobooth 

Florist – Ottawa Flowers 

Limousine Service – East Coast Limos

Hair and Makeup – Madisons Studio Spa

DJ Services – Dynamix Productions 

Supplier – Mastermind Events

Cakes and Sweets – Sugar and Spice

Hotel and Banquet Venue – Sala San Marco 

Unique Venue and Golf Club – Museum of Nature

Outdoor Reception Venue – Strathmere 

Beyond Ottawa Venue – Chateau Montebello 

Caterer – Thyme and Again 

Wedding Planner – Starfish Creative Events and Inspiration

Photography – Barbara Ann Studios 

Bridal Fashion – With Love Bridal Boutique 

Décor – Sage Designs

Wedding of the Year – Stonefields Heritage Farm along with Thyme and Again, Kandid Wedding Photography, Mastermind Events, Gord Marriage, Simply Beautiful Bridal Boutique, Cakeland Creations and of course Quality Entertainment

A very special nod to Dominque Levesque Bridal who won the first-ever Tsirmpa Award, in honour of Eugenia Tsirmpa-O’connor of Details Ottawa. Dominque has raised over $42, 000 since 2010 and is an inspiration to us all for her fundraising initiatives and selfless devotion to giving back to the community.

Thank you Brian and your hard-working team at Qualtiy Entertainment for bringing this event to life and to all who were a part of a memorable night!

Your Wedding Planning Bucket-List

During the planning of your wedding it is virtually impossible to think of anything else other than your wedding. Hopefully this list will find you a little solace and fun while you take on the massive task of planning the most awesome day of your life as you know it. Without further ado let’s get to it:

1) Take a planning vacation. Contradictory? No, trust me, you need this. Your friends need this. Your fiancé needs this. Just like everyone needs a break from studying, or a night away from parenthood it will help you get back on track. I’m not saying every bride or groom-to-be is in the bridezilla/groomzilla catergory, all I’m suggesting is to give yourself a break and allow yourself to retreat from what I call the ‘planning cloud’ – it follows you everywhere. So lock that cloud in a cage for a week, or a weekend, and give yourself time to breathe. Enjoy a weekend at the cottage, go to the spa or go out for dinner with your friends and tell them that you need a break from wedding chat.

2) This one is for the bride; when your dress comes in and you get it home, PUT IT ON! Do it while your fiancé won’t be home – obviously. Dance in it, marvel at yourself and get excited to wear it again! Your dress doesn’t have to be fun for only one night. Just steer clear of red wine/coffee/ or other items that would also love to cling to your dress in the form of a nasty stain.

3) Find a DIY project you can enjoy. It will make you feel proactive in your wedding planning. I mean personally my idea of a DIY project you can enjoy is making your own wine (anyone who knows me will agree), but these are also cute too:

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4) While you are planning your wedding keep a running list of all of your favourite songs that fit into these 3 categories: Cocktail/Dinner Music, First Dance Songs and songs that make you want to dance. Your DJ will thank you and you will also be happy that all of your fav. dance songs made it to your big day.

5) If you are planning your wedding more than a year in advance, keep a floral diary. What is this you ask? If you are getting married in May take note of the in-season floral at that time of year. If you are getting married in August take note of what is in season and blooming. This will save you a few dollars when discussing what you want in terms of floral with your Florist because it can be locally sourced.

6) Keep an on-going ‘To-Do’ list. Planning can snowball and become overwhelming in an instant. In order to keep the anxiety of planning such a momentous event in check, keep a list. Not only will you feel organized in doing so, you will reap the rewards every single time you get to check an item off of your list. Need help with this list, seek an expert or ask a friend who has planned a wedding (similar to your style of planning of course – someone who planned a destination wedding should not be asking for the list of someone planning a wedding at a home-town venue)

7) Lastly, relinquish control. Yes, you are the only one who knows your wedding inside, out and backwards, but on your wedding day it is time to LET-GO and be present. Be in the moment, look at your bride/groom in the eyes and drink them in. Love your surroundings and enjoy your friends and family. There are no do-overs, so be in the moment and trust your team of professionals that you have hired to handle the rest.