Planning Priorities
Since we’re entering into the winter season, a lot of couples will or have already started their wedding planning for 2011. What an exciting time! With a ton of ideas, vendors and options out there, where do you start?? It’s easy to get caught up in figuring out small details like favours and colour schemes, but there are 3 things that are really important when it comes to the beginning phases of your planning.
(1) Your budget
It’s never a fun topic to bring up, but it is SO important to get the ground works laid out before starting your planning. It’s always best to work within your limits rather than falling in love with a venue or vendor that you just can’t afford. Sometimes parents will want to chip in, but they don’t specify how much. This is also not a fun thing to bring up with them, but it’s key to knowing exactly how much you have to work with, whatever the source. It’s also another (very important) thing to stick to your budget throughout the process.
(2) Venue and Date
Do you want an intimate wedding in the spring? Perhaps a lunch reception in the fall? Or do you want a grand banquet in the middle of summer? Knowing what kind of wedding you’d like to have, how many guests you’d like to invite and setting a date, are all vital early on. Without a date and venue, you can’t move forward with any other bookings. Venues are also where you will spend a lot of your money, and they are generally harder to book if you want to hold your event during the busy summer months. A friend of mine says she wishes she started looking at venues before she got engaged because she already felt like it was too late to start looking around by the time she got her ring. Make sure the venue you choose is reputable, has great food and is within your budget.
(3) Photographer
Among the huge list of things you need to decide on, one of the most important vendors you will have to find is your photographer. They ensure that you have visual memories of your big day and capture all the important moments, like your first kiss or crying over your best friend’s speech. You cannot redo these moments and you’ll never get them back if your photographer does not catch them. You want to find a professional who has experience with weddings (not a photography student who is building his portfolio or uncle joe who bought an expensive camera for christmas), and it’s important that you are comfortable with them. This is your wedding day! It only happens once. Do not skimp on your photographer!
Obviously there are a ton of other important parts of the equation for a successful wedding plan but these are the key things that I feel are vital to starting the planning process. Once you’ve been diligent in figuring these out, you’ll have the foundation you need to move forward into the smaller and finer details. Happy planning!
Saving on the small things
Speaking of large savings from my last post, there are a number of ways to save on costs on smaller items too. When all the large and small things add up, it really can get expensive. Coupled with getting a house and honeymoon, the wallet strings can definitely get tight.
A couple thousand thrown into a dress, a couple thousand into the photography, another few on the venue, a few hundred on flowers, some more for gifts and accessories and the list goes on. My advice is to spend on your priorities. If there is a dress or a photographer that you MUST get, go for it. But spend less on the other details, or better yet, make them yourself.
Here are some accessories I’ve found that are cheaper alternatives to things that you can also find for a lot. I love finding a great sale, and you can’t beat these prices. You really don’t have to spend a lot to have a great wedding.
Jane T-Strap Dress Sandal from Payless, only $24.99! That’s less than a meal for some of you. Sometimes they will have BOGO sales too, so watch out for those. No need to buy a $900 pair of shoes for a one-day occasion. You will be sitting for a lot of the reception anyway.. that’s a great time to take them off.
These are Ikea tealight holders that double up as taper light holders by flipping them around. Only $0.79! Pocket change! You can get a matching candle dish for $0.75. Throw in a couple candles you can find at a dollar store, dress them up with some ribbon and you have a unity ceremony bought with pocket change. Limited time only at Ikea.
Have you ever considered getting a used wedding gown? Stillwhite.ca is one of many sites helping brides list/sell their gently worn dresses, allowing new brides to purchase them at a portion of the cost. If you are in the States or can ship to the states, check out preownedweddingdresses.com for a similar site that is pretty extensive. Shows like ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ show brides with a huge budget for a dress (sometimes up to $10k!!) giving a lot of people unrealistic dreams for their dress. This is a good alternative if you are not picky on it being new or worn once, and if you can find the same dress/size!
Make sure to check craigslist often for misc wedding items people don’t need anymore that you can pick up at a fraction of the cost. I’ve seen everything from wedding magazines to small lantern lights for decor to veils and dresses.
Big savings on your big day
With many couples having to pay for weddings themselves, many are looking for ways to save big for their day. There are a TON of ways to cut costs, while still having a very magical event. If you want to save money, here are a few untraditional ideas you can consider. I find, the more you think outside the box of expectations, obligations and trends, the more you can save money. Of course, the list can be endless, but at least it will get you started.
(1) Have a non-summer wedding
Many of my recent inquiries have all been in the month of July. It is a very popular month to tie the knot! With beautiful summer weather on your side, I can see why it is a desired time. But have you ever considered a winter, spring or fall wedding? Not only will you give your guests a breathe from the busy wedding season, you can also potentially save a lot with the right planning and negotiations.
As an example, the much coveted venue, Graydon Hall Manor, has a drastic price drop for weddings on a Saturday that don’t fall in the summer months.
$1,500 – any day of the week, November to April
$6,000 – Saturdays, May to October & December, plus long weekend Sundays
This is not petty cash we’re talking about, this is a few thousand dollars you can save by not having a wedding when everyone else is having a wedding. Right at the cusp of a season change, a wedding on the first week of November or end of April could be just as nice as a July wedding.
You will also have bargaining power with not just the venue, but also with caterers that depend on the seasonal business: DJs, photographers, decorators, hotel rates and your honeymoon vacation.
(2) Consumption or Signature Drink vs Open bar
If your family and friends are not heavy drinkers, I’d consider having a signature drink, or a consumption bar, instead of the traditional open bar. For a consumption bar, you only pay for what is opened, while the price for open bar is usually a drastic jump. A signature drink can also be an option for you to throw in a unique twist to a traditional alcoholic favourite.
(3) Prioritize your spending
Once you have a budget, know what your non-negotiables are. For some couples this is your photography, dress and food. For others it might be the cake, the venue and the music. Spend money on what you really want, and consider alternatives for the items that are nice to have, but aren’t priority.
(4) Have a really amazing lunch reception
If having an unconventional reception is appealing to you, you can consider having a lunch reception and do it up real nice. By going this route, it means smaller portions and less alcohol consumption. Not everyone will be open to this suggestion, but consider it if you are looking for a more casual and untraditional wedding day. It can be equally memorable and special.
(5) Buffet vs Sit-down
If dinner is a must for you, consider having buffet stations instead of a formal sit down meal. You will spend less per head for this option, but still have a succulent meal. Guests can also have a choice of what they eat and how much they eat.
Hidden Gems of the Toronto Venue Scene
There is no need to feel restricted by the local banquet hall offerings for your wedding or special event. There are a ton of options in Toronto’s diverse city to hold your function. Here are a few newer venues (opened or renovated within the last 5 years) to get you started on a hunt for an interesting venue. Because they are not as well-known, they will usually be more affordable than the go-to venues that couples flock to for weddings.
Malaparte is a a brand new venue located on the 6th floor of the new TIFF Bell Lightbox. Catered by Oliver & Bonacini, with a connected rooftop terrace and outdoor amphitheatre, I cannot wait to attend or run an event here.
The CNIB Centre (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) is a sleek new facility in North York. This new facility has many unique features that enhance visibility and encourage guests to utilize all of the senses.
The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library is a beautiful new space, renovated just last year, located at Yonge and Bloor. The contemporary space boasts a terrace that overlooks Rosedale Valley, wood paneling and lots of natural lighting.
The Burroughes is a restored building in the vibrant Queen West area. From the outside it looks like any old commercial building but inside it is bursting with charm. There are two event spaces in the building: the third floor is an art gallery space and the sixth floor is a beautiful event space with exposed brick and access to the rooftop terrace overlooking the city skyline.
End-Of-Year Promo!
Book by Dec. 20, 2010 for $100 off. Don’t delay in booking! First come first serve and based on availability. Discount is applied on either Day-Of Coordination or Full Planning. Please call or email for custom rates, depending on your weddings’ needs.
Click the image to head to our facebook page to keep updated with our promos and happenings!
Have a Torontonian weekend
One of the things my bf and I love to do is to explore Toronto. Even though we’ve lived here all our lives (though in the suburbs), we always find something new and interesting to see/do whenever we venture out.
A weekend trip into the depths of Toronto could make for a great in-town honeymoon, fun with the bridal party or just a relaxing time with the fiance. Here are some of my picks for a very Toronto experience.
Book a stay in Toronto’s Queen West at the Gladstone Hotel in one of their unique artist-designed rooms. The “Tower Suite” and “Urban Voyageur” rooms shown above. They have 37 guest rooms in total, each one designed differently. They also have two suites that are two-story fully furnished lofts.
While in the west-end, catch some local beats at one of the many live music venues nearby. The Horseshoe Tavern, shown above, is just one of the many places to catch some of Toronto’s thriving indie scene.
Coincide your stay with some of Toronto’s buzzing festivals and events, like TIFF in September, Jazz Festival in July, Fashion Week in March/October or any of the other great events that happen year round. David Dixon’s F/W 2010 Collection shown above.
Enjoy some local fare. There really is something for everyone, with Toronto being a mixed bag of culture and people. Check out BlogTO’s best-of collection for recommendations. Waking up for a lazy Saturday? Check out the best new brunch restaurants of 2009 above.
Visit one of Toronto’s many neighborhoods. I bet you haven’t explored them all! Tons of local food, shopping and culture. One of my favourites shown above, the Mill Street Brew Pub at the historic Distillery District.
I’m sure there are TONS more you can do/see around town that are distinctly Torontonian. Hopefully this gets you going for ideas if you are interested in bringing in some local fun to your pre and post wedding plans.
Etsy goodies: Sale items!!
Market trends have really changed these last few years and buyers have really taken a liking to online purchases. There is something very exciting about getting a tangible package in the mail, don’t you think?
In light of this and because of the positive feedback from my posts on Etsy finds (Etsy is an online buy and sell for handmade goods), I’ve posted some items below that are all on sale! A lot of these items are great for wedding gifts or even an early Christmas gift, and it’s never too early to get them. Anyway, happy shopping!
Sale items from KimArt, all shipping is FREE.
I just picked up a custom-made flower pin for my hair. Don’t miss out!
Gorgeous leather clutches on sale from Toronto-based seller Susannamaria.
Beautiful jewellery from another Toronto-based seller madebysam. Some pieces can be customized with your initials.
Cute hand screen printed, hand dyed, hand painted tops on sale from angelamico. Take an additional 20% off Nov-Dec!
Etsy goodies: Incorporating your pooch into your wedding
If you’re like me, you adore dogs of all shapes and sizes. I know dog owners have a special relationship with their dogs and how wonderful it would be to incorporate them into your special day. Here are some really adorable Etsy finds that will allow you to bring your beloved into your plans!
Dress up your dog with one of these smart, classically tailored outfits from Toronto-based Etsy seller, RoverDog. This peacoat is sooo adorable. Pop that collar!
Do you have a girl? Dress her up in a Chinese cheongsam made by furkidscloset. Be careful though, she might steal the show!
You can always match her collar with your flowers of the day, from peacanpiepuppies.
Maybe your dog isn’t potty trained or isn’t good with people? Have some custom cake toppers made from PinkPupDesign.
Why hire a Certified Wedding Coordinator?
Ever since I started in this business, one thing I’ve had to explain and educate people about is why a couple should hire a wedding coordinator.
Being Chinese, I have observed that many Chinese weddings are often coordinated by a volunteer, often referred to as the “GM”, who is a close friend of the couple (if this isn’t you, skip to the second section of this post). Chinese people are quite resourceful, in general, and recruit the help of their closest friend and family for their special day.
As much as this is common, I do not encourage this.
If your friend is close enough to you that they would agree to take on such a big role on your wedding day, they are probably close enough to you that they would want to enjoy your wedding also. From first-hand experience, I can tell you that it is very hard to do the job of coordinator well, while enjoying and taking in the festivities. I am not saying you cannot ask your friends to help, or that your friends are not competent. However there are a lot of reasons why you should hire a professional.
If you invited people over for a Christmas party hosted at your house, would you also ask your guests to take out the garbage and put the shoes away? A gracious host would serve their guests and make sure they are enjoying the night, not doing the grunt work. This is no different for your wedding, when you are inviting guests to be a part of your important day.
Whenever a sibling is recruited to help with the job of ushering, I always tell them to hurry in after they’ve opened the doors for the processional because I don’t want them to miss their sister or brother’s important day. If a guest is also helping coordinate, I guarantee they will miss parts of the wedding, running around making sure everything is in place in the background.
This is the main reason I don’t encourage friends helping as “GM” or coordinator. Guests really should be guests. Many family members and friends will not hesitate to help if asked, especially on such a big occasion, however you don’t want to take advantage of one’s desire to help. Most couples are starting to understand the etiquette behind this, and lucky for you, there is a much better alternative these days.
Beyond the etiquette faux-pas of asking your guest to help as coordinator, there is also a lot of value that a Certified Wedding Coordinator can bring to your day.
More and more couples are realizing the benefits of having a hired professional coordinate the biggest event of their life. Your wedding coordinator is the most important person on your wedding day. You want them to be competent, flexible and experienced. I wouldn’t trust just anyone for my special day (it only happens once!) and neither should you.
A “certified” coordinator through the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC) means they not only have learned about the business but are upheld to standards and certain business ethics that all are accountable to across Canada. Anyone who is found to be unethical in their practice or undercutting the business will get their certification and privileges taken away.
Also as a WPIC Certified Coordinator, I am connected to a nationwide network of resources, recommendations and ideas from over 2000 other coordinators. There are many discounts that only WPIC Coordinators are connected to, because of the reputation we have gained over the years. If I can’t find something, there’s a high likelihood that another coordinator has looked for the same thing and found it somewhere.
One other perk is that all the assistants that I bring to weddings are always WPIC Certified and are equipped with what we call a Wedding Day Emergency Kit. If I cannot make it to the wedding because of an unforeseen circumstance, I have a huge network of other competent and experienced Certified Coordinators I can call on to take my place.
Some people think having a Certified Wedding Coordinator is a luxury.
I disagree. It really is a necessity on many levels.
A Coordinator mainly offers two services – help with the planning and coordinating the day-of (or a combination of both).
In terms of planning, many couples have never embarked on putting together an event of such magnitude and budget before. This can be a great learning experience, but also a headache. You may think that hiring someone to help plan is expensive, but really the Coordinator will save you frustration, time and money by being a source of ideas, resources and hookups to discounted vendors.
In terms of having someone coordinate on the day-of, this is absolutely a necessity. Sure, a couple can plan their wedding, but they definitely cannot run their wedding. Whether it is a small or large function, it is highly beneficial and valuable to have an experienced Coordinator on-site to ensure your day goes smoothly. They are the liaison with the venue, food manager, decorators, MC, DJ, photographer and parents; they pull the pieces of the puzzle together.
Let me close with two related analogies.
Hiring a Certified Wedding Coordinator is similar to the growth in demand for quality wedding videography and photography; People are just starting to see the value of it and how it can add to their wedding experience. Also it is similar to hiring a Real Estate Agent; You can very well look for houses yourself in the sea of information and listings, or you can hire an experienced agent who understands your needs and can make your life easier.
Does the service come at a price? Yes, of course. However, it is definitely affordable.
Will it benefit your wedding planning and day-of? Absolutely.
Breaking tradition at your wedding
This past weekend I had the pleasure of coordinating Esther and Leo’s wedding. They were a laid-back korean couple who really wasn’t afraid to step away from tradition. This is a great example of how your wedding can have some personal charm and be uniquely yours, while not being too far from what people expect from a wedding celebration. Many guests were wow’ed by the small and unique details. I’ll be officially posting it in my gallery later on, but here is a small preview of their special day.
The couple held their reception at McMichael Canadian Art Collection. It’s a beautiful art gallery out in Woodbridge, Ont. The dining hall had large stone walls and the room had a rustic charm to it. Guests got the special perk of roaming the galleries during cocktail hour.
Upon arrival guests signed one of their engagement photos and found their seats from the escort pumpkins.
During the evening guests could get their photos taken at the photo booth. Guests had fun with poses and props, and it was a fun activity to do.
The tables were simply decorated with their choice of gerberas. Set against the beautiful stone walls, the place came together real nicely. Guests received a stemless wine glass with the couple’s name and date engraved as favours.
To make use of the season, pumpkin pie was cut and served instead of the traditional wedding cake. What a delicious way to end off a great night.
You can view more pictures of this beautiful wedding in my gallery.
These gorgeous photos courtesy of Sweet Pair Photography