Etiquette Advice for Second Weddings

If you are getting remarried you are probably wondering what the proper etiquette is? Should you have bridesmaids or no? What kind of dress should you wear? What size should the wedding be? You might find yourself always wondering whether what you are doing is proper or improper.

Now that second or third marriages are becoming more common there is almost a stereotype around what the first wedding and second wedding should look like. For your first wedding you should have the Cinderella dress with a big reception and for the second wedding you should have a small intimate setting with a more subtle dress.  There are people who believe it is tacky to have two big weddings.

I personally do not agree with any of these stereotypes. Maybe you got married young and had a big wedding because you knew your dad was paying for it. It might also be that your first wedding was a more subtle small occasion because you were young and did not have the biggest budget and now for your second wedding you want a grand affair! If you are now a bit wiser and want to have another extravagant wedding, I say go for it! I do not think a Bride should feel like she has to conform what she wants on her Wedding day to fit some rules. If you think you found the love of your life and want to have a big party to celebrate then you should!

One area of etiquette that should not be ignored is around gifts. An encore marriage should not expect gifts for a second time; however, a supportive and enthusiastic family will usually give gifts anyways. It is acceptable to have a second bridal shower if someone offers to host it, however, a second time bride should not expect a bridal shower.

At the end of the day there really are no set rules. If you decide to go with a big celebration with a big dress for a second or third wedding it is probably more likely that people will gossip about it, but unfortunately that is just what people do. Ignore the possibility of gossip and plan your dream day!

For services to help coordinate your second wedding check out our website: http://firstclasseventplanning.com/wedding-planning/partial-wedding-planning/

The Art of Being A Confident Bride

For some reason every woman has an image of exactly what they are supposed to look like on their wedding day. The second a lady gets engaged they put this overwhelming pressure on themselves to have the perfect hair, makeup, skin, weight… the list goes on. What most brides seem to forget is the way they are supposed to FEEL on their wedding day. A bride should feel confident, happy and excited. As the wedding day gets closer Brides tend to start to notice more and more of their flaws when they really should be remembering and focusing on all their amazing qualities. Below are a few ideas to help Brides remember how fabulous they are:

1.       Remember that your fiancé loves you just the way you are and probably doesn’t even notice these “imperfections” that you want to change and are subconscious about.

2.       If you are the sentimental person who keeps cards take them out of storage. Re-read some of the loving words from your friends, family and fiancé from the past years. Realize how special you are and how much you are loved just the way you are.

3.       If there is one particular area of your body that is bugging you make a realistic plan to try and improve it (ex. Losing belly or arm fat, fixing bad skin). Everyone has parts of themselves that they are not thrilled about, which is fine. It is just important not to let those few areas define how you feel about yourself. Instead take the situation into your own hands and make a realistic plan to try and improve the areas you are less fond of.

4.       Read your resume: This might sound funny, but sometimes one needs to be reminded of all the things one has accomplished. Reading your resume will help you remember all the skills you have developed and all your best characteristics.

The most gorgeous bride is the bride that is comfortable in her own skin, knows who she is, is confident and is madly in love with her fiance!

Invite an EX?!...That Is the Question!

The opinions seem to be quite strong around the idea of inviting an ex to your wedding.  It is a very delicate and usually quite complicated situation.  In difficult situations I like to create a pros and cons list. I have made a sample one below. Pro and con lists are great because they really show you what you stand to gain from your decision and what you stand to lose. If you stand to lose more, then you really should not risk it. However, even before considering the pros and cons I believe the most important question to ask yourself is why do you really want them there. Is it possible you still have feelings for them? Are they one of your closest friends? Would it be awkward if you didn’t invite them?  

Conflict resolution exercise: If this is a topic that is causing conflict between you and your fiancé you should both make your own pros and cons list and then sit down and calmly discuss the lists together.

Pros:

1.       They are great friends with both you and your spouse

2.       If they are close family friends you will make your family happy

3.       You have a tight knit group of friends or live in a small town and if you don’t invite them it will be awkward. Inviting them avoids awkwardness and is just easier

Cons:

1.       Feelings might resurface all of a sudden during the ceremony

2.       They might get depressed, drink too much and make a scene

3.       Your spouse will be angry all night that they are there

4.       It might add stress to what can be already a stressful day and is one of the most important days of your lives

The pros and cons list above is to help you consider the different effects having them at the wedding can have. Every situation is complicated and you want to make the decision that will make you and your fiancé the most happy on your wedding day!

10 Make-up Tips Every Bride Needs to Know!

1.       Drink lots of water the days before the wedding and on the wedding day to add a glow to your skin and flush out any impurities

2.       Pluck eyebrows and moustache approximately a week before the wedding day to make sure there are no red bumps or rashes

3.       Spend the money on a good quality, long lasting lipstick for the wedding day. Assign one of the bridesmaids as your “checker”. Give your “checker” a big smile before every photo session to make sure there is no lipstick on your teeth.

4.       Make sure to use waterproof mascara in case of tears or sweating

5.       Keep a lipstick, powder and mascara in a similar shade in your purse for touch-ups throughout the day. In addition, if it’s a summer wedding you might even want to consider an extra nail polish for fixing up your toenails if you are wearing sandals or wedges.

6.       Schedule a test make-up session about 2 weeks prior to the wedding to ensure you are happy with the look

7.       Make sure the makeup artist does your makeup in the brightest spot possible to make certain they do a perfect job

8.       Don’t forget to wear a button down shirt when getting your hair and makeup done. You don’t want to end up having to be cut out of your shirt:P

9.       If a pimple arises on your wedding day. Cover it up. Do not pop it!

10.   Make sure to tell your makeup artist about the time of day for your wedding, the wedding colours and the shade of your dress (pure white, cream, champagne etc.).

If you are stressing about any of these details do not worry about it! Your wedding planner knows these and many other helpful tips and tricks. She/he will be there to ensure you look and feel amazing in every picture!

Is an elopement right for you?

The minute I hear the word elopement I think of a story where a couple is forbidden to fall in love so they run off and get married against their parent’s wishes. If that was the case in the past elopement certainly does not mean the same thing anymore. Nowadays elopements occur quite a bit more often and are not such a faux pas as they used to be.  Couples are choosing to elope for many legitimate reasons. Some of them are discussed below:

1. Decreased costs. The elopement is quick and easy with typically very few people involved. However, usually a couple that elopes does have a reception a few months after.
2. Decreased anxiety. If you are a bride that is extremely nervous about being the center of attention while walking down the aisle, going through an entire day of being stared at and taken pictures of this might be a good idea for you. Elopements are a more relaxed intimate experience with a lot less pressure.
3. Cultural differences: If you are combining two very strict cultures it can seem impossible to make everyone happy. There is a high possibility of having large family feuds over the wedding ceremony. Elopement removes all those uncomfortable and upsetting situations.
4. Intimate experience: Maybe you and your fiancé moved away together and lived your lives away from family. If this is the case it might be more meaningful for just the two of you to share the moment together.
5. No time: If you found the man/woman of your dreams and want to get married, but just don’t have the time for a wedding, elopement might be a good option. This problem can also occur when your vacation times never sync up.
6. Not a fan of weddings: Maybe you have witnessed one too many grand weddings that are followed a few years later by divorce. It is possible for an individual to still believe in marriage, but not believe in having a wedding.

Although there are many good reasons to elope always ensure it is what you want. You don’t want to wake up the next day and wish you had done the traditional wedding in the church instead.

The Truth about Cash Bars

The first wedding consultants were upper-class women who informed the family on how to host an appropriate society event. Therefore, I feel that it is my job as a Wedding Planner to tell you the proper etiquette for hosting your wedding. According to the rules of etiquette cash bars are tacky and not suggested. Inviting guests to your wedding is the same as inviting guests to your house. You would never host a dinner and charge guests for their glass of wine or a can of beer. The same principals apply to hosting your wedding. If you are having liquor at your wedding it is not polite to ask your guests to pay for part of the wedding. That being said it is also my job to help the bride and groom stay within budget. There are many alternatives to having a cash bar that will decrease costs.

Below are a few suggestions:

1.       Consider having your wedding during the day. Guests are far less likely to drink in the morning or afternoon.

2.       You could have a signature drink. A signature drink can be pre-made with a combination of juice, soda and liquor. This keeps guests drinking, but at a fraction of the cost

3.       You can always choose not to serve alcohol. If you have great music, entertainment and good food your guests will still have a great time

4.       You can also have a beer and wine bar. This decreases the cost as the expensive spirits are not available

5.       The location of your wedding can decrease costs too. If you have a backyard wedding you can purchase your own liquor license and have your provincial liquor commission sell you the liquor. The liquor purchased will be cheaper than the charge per drink or bottle that a hotel, golf & country club or any other wedding venue would charge.

Cash bars or toonie bars have become increasingly popular as a way to decrease the cost of the wedding; however, they really are not appropriate according to the etiquette rules. If you really want to have a cash bar remember to mention it on your invitations so guests can remember to bring cash!

 

The Perfect Engagement Shoot

I really love engagement shoots. An engagement shoot is a completely personalized experience that allows a couple to really capture their love on a day to day basis. It also is a much less stressful and chaotic experience for the couple compared to photos on their wedding day. The location a couple chooses for their engagement photo shoot and the clothing they choose to wear expresses the life they live together. When I am planning a wedding and the couple chooses to do an engagement shoot I love to be involved. The engagement shoot is always a fun experience and I get to know the bride and groom that much better!

I wanted to create what I envisioned to be the perfect engagement shoot. I contacted Will from WJB Photography and explained to him my vision. I wanted to really show off Winnipeg’s amazing fields, as well as, the couple just being naturally happy spending time together. Will was on board right away! I then called Lindenwood Stylists Salon who did the brides beautiful hair. With the tight braid along the front and the loose curls she has a beautiful, yet relaxed look.

After much coordination and me making a few cute signs I managed to make this perfect engagement shoot come to fruition. Enjoy!

"Just Chatting"

"Cuddles"

"Engaged!"

"All you need is love"

"Dancing in the field"

"Amazing background"

"So Happy"

"Just Gorgeous"

"Relaxing and taking in the moment"

 

Your Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Deserve the Best

Below are a few of my suggestions to find the perfect gift for your bridesmaids/groomsmen. Keep in mind that some of the suggestions I make for bridesmaids can be used for groomsmen as well and vice versa.

I want to start off by making a brief statement about gift certificates. I really don’t understand when people say gift certificates are not personal. Gift certificates can be very personal. Someone actually has to know what stores you like and where you buy things. Just because they want to save you the trouble of having to make a return or exchange for a different size does not mean that they care any less.

Bridesmaid Gifts

Ladies who like fashion and makeup:

1.    Cute clutches with nail polish, lipstick, pocket mirror, gift certificate to favourite restaurant or spa and anything else cute inside.

2.    A beautiful scarf and gloves

3.    A bracelet or set of earrings

Ladies who like to travel:

1.    A gift certificate for Westjet or Expedia to go towards their next adventure

2.    A cute carry-on bag with her favourite CD

Ladies who like music/movies:

1.    Tickets to their favourite band’s concert

2.    A new iphone/ipad docking system with gift certificate for itunes

Ladies who like fine dining/night life:

1.    Gift certificate to favourite restaurant

2.    Gift certificate for a limo service- They can use this the next time they want to have a fabulous night out

3.    A fabulous pair of new shoes for dancing – Try to buy them from a store that she can return or exchange just in case they don’t fit

Ladies who like sweets:

1.    A basket filled with all the delicious chocolates and candies that she loves

2.    A cute mini cake in a fancy box made from the same baker who makes your wedding cake

3.    A big fancy cupcake in a fancy box

4.    Edible Arrangements: Chocolate dipped strawberries and other fruit

Groomsmen Gifts

Gentlemen who like fashion:

1.    Watch

2.    Wallet- can include a gift certificate inside

3.    New tie, cufflinks and pocket square

4.    An appointment booked with a tailor to get a custom made sport coat (already paid for).

Gentlemen who like to travel:

1.    A gift certificate for Westjet or Expedia to go towards their next adventure

2.    Ipod with itunes gift certificate for those long flights

 

Gentlemen who like adventure:

1.    A Jet ski or boat rental for a day

2.    A sky diving experience that all the guys are going to do together

3.    A day on the hill (ski/snowboard trip)

4.    A new ipod with some great road trip tunes

5.    A gift certificate for Westjet or Expedia to go towards their next adventure

Gentlemen who like fine dining/night life

1.    Gift certificate to favourite restaurant

2.    Gift certificate for a limo service- They can use this the next time they want to have a wild night out

I hope this provides you with some inspiration to help you find that perfect gift!

A Honeymoon Straight From Hollywood

I recently watched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and decided I have to go see where this movie was filmed. I have always wanted to go to New Zealand and this movie convinced me that this is the year. I started doing research and found that you can go on tours of exactly where some of the scenes from The Lord of the Rings were filmed. I love the idea of going to amazing places I thought I would only ever see on tv or in a movie. I decided to do some research and have included below some links to tours your can go to for different movies and tv shows. I find movies give you ideas of areas you might not have ever thought or known to visit.

New Zealand (The Lord of the Rings): http://www.newzealand.com/ca/feature/middle-earth/#contents

New York (Sex In the city): I definitely want to one day sip a martini at the same restaurant Carrie and the ladies chatted at. http://onlocationtours.com/tour/sex-and-the-city

New York and Jersey (The Sopranos): http://onlocationtours.com/tour/sopranos/

Hawaii (Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean): Who doesn’t want to go where Johnny Depp has been! I am guilty of buying and watching four of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies in one weekend:P http://www.robertshawaii.com/kauai/hawaiimovietour.php

England (Pride and Prejudice): This is on my bucket list. I am a HUGE pride and prejudice fan!: http://www.britishtours.com/pride-and-prejudice-tours

Mamanuca Islands in Fiji (Cast Away): Although this might not be an extremely famous movie I always thought the location look incredible. This tour is done by sailboat!
http://www.viator.com/tours/Fiji/Fiji-Mamanuca-Islands-Sailing-Cruise-including-Lunch/d23-5204SEASPRAY

Scotland, England (Harry Potter): Seeing as Harry Potter is filmed in two different countries it would depend on which one you want to visit. This site explains the top 10 Harry Potter locations to see. http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Travel-tips/Britain-for-kids-and-families/Top-10-Harry-Potter-locations.htm

Think of your favourite movies or tv shows when you are planning your wedding if you are looking for something fabulous and unique!

 Happy Honeymoon Planning!

He Just Wants To Show Up To The Wedding!

So you get engaged and the next thing you know he is telling you he wants nothing to do with planning the wedding. This is a tough situation to be in because even if you are a bride who knows exactly what you want you will want to have that supportive second opinion throughout the planning process. What can you do to make him excited about the wedding and want to be involved in the planning?

First: It is important to understand where your groom is coming from. Weddings have a lot to do with colour schemes, flowers, cakes and dresses… all things that guys are not particularly interested in. Consider if he was having a big football party that a lot of people were going to attend, it was going to be expensive and he wants the day to be perfect. If it was a football party you might feel a bit out of place and not interested, this is probably how your groom feels. That being said, take the time to sit down with your fiancé and ask him how he feels about the wedding. A LOT OF FIGHTS AND HURT FEELINGS CAN BE AVOIDED BY SIMPLY HAVING OPEN COMMUNICATION. There might be some underlying reasons why he does not want to be involved and it is important that you both are on the same page.

Second: Once you understand how your groom is feeling you need to try to give him tasks he would be interested in. A few types of tasks you could assign are: buy the best man and groomsmen gifts, purchase/rent his attire and his groomsmen’s attire for the wedding day, picking the band or dj, transportation, honeymoon plans, or the rehearsal dinner plans. You could also suggest that he help pick out the menu for the wedding or participate in the cake tasting. If your groom is unorganized, forgetful or just extremely busy it might help to provide him with a list of things he can do.

Third: If your groom is still reluctant to help with the wedding try to explain to him why the day is so important to you. Some grooms do not understand the excitement around the wedding. They don’t care what colour the chair sashes are or how many tiers the cake is and they don’t understand why you do. Obviously your groom loves you and wants to make you happy so it is important to COMMUNICATE with him.

Fourth: The last thing I can suggest is to make sure you are supporting your groom when he is trying to help. If your groom is giving his opinion and you are instantly saying “no” it might make him feel like he is not needed. Although you might know exactly what you want for the wedding, make sure you are taking into consideration your groom’s needs and wants because it is his day too.

If none of this helps turn to your maid of honor and bridesmaids for help and support :)

DIY BRIDE!

Do-it-yourself brides are a kind of bride that seems to be becoming increasingly rare, which is sad because they are just wonderful to work with. What?…DIY brides working with an event planner? Yes, it is true! Just because you are a DIY bride does not mean you need to do everything by yourself.

Below is a list of the many reasons a bride chooses to be a DIY bride:
1. To save money
2. To be personally involved in everything for your special wedding day to ensure everything is perfect
3. To ensure a really creative and unique vision for the day comes to life exactly as you envision.
4. To make something that nobody else has at their weddings.
5. To feel that what you are creating is more heartfelt and meaningful because you are putting your own time and energy into your event

If a bride chooses to be DIY she is going to be very busy with all of the projects she is deciding to make herself such as centerpieces, favours, table numbers, place cards, thank you cards, or invitations etc. The amount of work required to be a DIY bride should not be underestimated; it takes a lot of time and energy to start and finish all your projects. As the planner I take care of all the other details that the guests might not see. I ensure the event runs smoothly and nothing is forgotten. There is a lot more involved in a wedding then what the guests see. With my help a bride can focus on her projects and relax knowing the rest of the day will be planned and coordinated perfectly. I can also help a bride cut costs as I LOVE doing DIY projects so I know the best places to get supplies, where to get coupons and I can get discounts with many vendors!

Rolls Royce.. Yes Please!

The other day I was invited by Regency Rolls Royce Event Services to view his Rolls Royce that he has recently made available for rent to bridal parties in Winnipeg, MB. This Rolls Royce is beautiful! Reg (the owner) has worked hard to ensure the vehicle is in great shape and is completely perfect for any bride who wants to travel like royalty. I actually sat in the back myself to test it out and there is tons of space. The back of the RR can easily accommodate the biggest of bridal gowns!

At this same event was Aspire Carriage Services. These carriages are gorgeous! With the deep forest green felt lining on the entire inside of the carriage (even the roof) you can’t help but feel like a princess.

This entire event was held at The Gates on Roblin whose servers brought out glasses of champagne for us! The Gates has amazing gardens and views of the river that are hard to beat!

Throughout the entire event there was David from Castli Photography capturing every moment. He took some amazing photos of the RR as well as the carriage and us enjoying our wine!

This is why my company is First-Class... only the best of the best for my clients:)

 

An Event Planner.. I don’t need one!.. or do I?

Seven reasons you might not have thought of to get an event planner!

1.    It is not easy to plan an event! A common mistake is to underestimate the number of phone calls, emails, meetings and lists it takes to make an event come together smoothly.

2.    We save you money! Something that I don’t think people realize is that event planners get discounts at almost all venders. We practically pay for ourselves in savings!

3.    We listen! You work hard to be involved in and care about every little detail of your event. Although it is all IMMENSLY important to you, others might not care about all the trouble you went through to pick your venue or the perfect centerpieces. A planner is someone who lives and breathes these details and LOVES to chat about them and offer advice!

4.    We decrease stress! Not only do we decrease stress by helping out with all the planning, coordination and budgeting we also help with family negotiations and take the time to listen to all your ideas.

5.    We save you time! We drive to the venders, double check all details and ask all the questions. We also know about the vendors in town. We know what they specialize in, what they offer and their price point. Our professional opinion can save you tons of time!

6.    We are extremely organized! If you are worried you are going to forget something.. hire a planner. Yes, there are checklists available, but they do not cover everything. There are still many little details that can be forgotten. An event planner is trained to ensure all details are taken care of.

7.    Wow Factor: Event planners have the eye for knowing what to add to get the “WOW” factor. They also know the details to add to ensure your guests rave about your event.

Marital Bliss Hint: They Can Pay but It's Still Our Day

You realize you are a lucky bride to have your parents paying for most of the wedding with the remainder being covered by your fiancé’s parents. Although you are extremely grateful for their generosity you are sick and tired of listening to your mother-in-law’s opinion on everything or perhaps your father telling you what items the money should be spent on. Overly opinionated family members who are financially involved in a wedding is a common, yet very delicate situation. You really can’t stand listening to any more opinions, but you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings and you still need them to help out financially with the wedding. You might be worried that you are being overly sensitive and being disrespectful. At what point is enough, enough?!

It is enough when you are starting to feel overpowered and out of control, like the decisions being made are not what you would actually like for your wedding day. It is also enough if you are feeling guilty for making the decision that you really want. All members of the family should be there to support you and your decisions (as a couple). The wedding day is a day to celebrate who the two of you are and your relationship, nothing else. If you have reached this point it is time for you to speak up. It might not be easy, but you should probably host a family meeting. This meeting should have both families present so both you and your fiancé can clearly explain what you would like for the wedding. It is important that before hosting the family meeting both you and your fiancé discuss your feelings with each other privately so you are a united front at the family meeting. If you are a bit nervous, having a written list of the topics you would like to cover at the meeting is helpful to ensure you don’t miss anything. Make sure to emphasize that you appreciate all family members’opinions; however you need everyone to respect your final decision.

Marital Bliss Hints: Can't Stop Fighting Over the Wedding

You bring up the cake or the seating arrangement or the budget and the fight begins! You are a happy couple whenever you are not talking about the wedding, but for some reason talking about the wedding always results in a fight. Maybe you have noticed this trend and have been pushing the planning to the side. Now you are noticing the date getting closer and closer and the stress is starting to build.

Weddings are a very important and emotional event, which makes each decision around the day significant. Weddings put any couples negotiating skills to the test. If you are a couple that have very different tastes and you both have strong opinions it can definitely make each decision a bit more complicated. Below are a few tips on how to discuss each other’s ideas and come to a compromise before the stress and anxiety kick in and the fight begins.

First: Set aside time to talk about the wedding. This way you both can insure you are in the right frame of mind to listen to what the other person has to say and express your opinion.

Second: Be respectful of what the other person is saying and be patient. Yes, your future wife really thinks it is reasonable to spend $2000 on a dress and yes, your groom wants his own cake in the shape of a beer can.

Third: Be organized. Writing down each other’s key points will help clarify the situation

Fourth: Don’t try to conquer too many decisions at once. For each conversation have about three main topics that you are going to discuss.

Fifth: Don’t panic if after the first conversation you do not have a decision made on the venue, cake and decorations. It is fine if the first time you both discuss a topic you don’t come to a conclusion right away. The decisions that are more important to you as a couple might take a few conversations until you find the perfect conclusion.

At all times, remember that at the end of the day the wedding is about celebrating your love and the future life you will be sharing together.

Marital Bliss Hint: When Your Families Hate Eachother!

It is true that opposites attract. That being said, although you love the differences in each other your families may not. The differences that can exist between families can be astronomical! Families may have different mannerisms, a different sense of humor, different likes and dislikes, hobbies, social standing, cultural background and even language. None of this makes bringing the two families together easy especially when you’re considering bringing them together to celebrate your wedding. One of the best ways to break the ice is to show your families something they have in common. Bring your families together to learn something fun and interactive together at a neutral location. For example, if there is going to be dancing at the reception have the closest family members attend a group dance lesson. In the process of learning a routine for your reception everyone will chat, learn a bit more about each other and need to work as a team. If on one’s into dancing try bowling, mini-golf or an activity both families have already expressed an interest in. Just be sure it is something interactive and easy-going! Splitting up the women and the men might also help as men and women bond in different ways. Most importantly, don’t let any discrepancies between family members stress you out. Remember that at your reception everyone will be happy and polite because both families will want to ensure you have the most perfect day!