Location, Location, Location
Posh country clubs, hotels, community centers, restaurants, ranches and boats are just a few places to host your wedding. Once you explore the possibilities, the choices will become clearer. But where do you start? Here are four main considerations to get you on the right track.
Let’s start with a major deciding factor. How much is this place going to cost? Beware of comparing apples to oranges when you look around. Not all facilities outline their charges in the same way. Some offer package deals while others charge separately for many things, some of which may surprise you. (You’re charging us how much to rent that dance floor?) Not all package deals are all inclusive so ask a lot of questions. Ask about tables and chairs, linens, flower vases, gratuities, surcharges if your evening runs late, and every other detail you can possibly think of. Read the fine print on the contract.
The food and drink is a huge part of your celebration. What are the options for meals? Do you want a venue that provides all of the meal service or are you willing to find and hire a caterer? Will you need to rent extra equipment, dishes or glasses? Pay particular attention to corkage fees, bar policies and be absolutely sure that there will be adequate staff to prepare, serve and promptly clean up after the meal.
The overall comfort of the location involves many small factors that can tip the scales in making your venue decision. The atmosphere has to feel right to make your day extra special. Make sure the room is the right size to comfortably host the number of guests you will have. Consider space for mingling, dancing and adequate room between the tables. If the room is too large, you will lose the intimate feel and warmth you want to create. Ample convenient parking, restrooms that are in good repair, temperature controls and suitable lighting are small but very important details.
Convenience of the location and amenities are also important for a smooth running event. Is the location easy to find? Are there any accessibility issues? Check out the facilities for loading equipment in and out to ensure there are no delays for entertainment, flower delivery or other suppliers. This will impact how smoothly everything goes on your special day.
Weighing out the cost, catering options, comfort and convenience of each possible venue will help you choose the best option for your picture perfect wedding.
Text By Alison Macpherson
Underage MOH?
Dear Diva,
My sister and I are very close, and I would love to have her as my maid of honor. She is 6 years younger then me, and will only be 17. Is it okay to have an underage maid of honor?
C.U. ~ Winnipeg, MB
Dear C.U.
Absolutely! Many brides assume the maid of honor must be a legal adult because traditionally the maid of honor and the best man act as the witness on the marriage license. Manitoba law does require witnesses to be adults in order for the marriage license to be legally binding. However, it does not require that the witnesses be any specific persons, simply that they be present when the ceremony takes place.
You can have another wedding party member or a special guest act as a witness in her stead. This might be a wonderful way to honor your mother, a special godparent, a dear friend or someone else close to your heart. I attended one wedding recently where the couple choose not to have wedding party members act as witnesses at all. Instead, they gave that honor to the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
The To-Small Gown
Dear Diva,
My wedding is in six months and I need to order my dress but I am planning to lose weight before the wedding. Should I order my dress a few sizes smaller?
W.H. ~Kenora, Ont.
Dear W.H.
We’d all love to lose weight wouldn’t we? The reality is that wedding planning is often stressful, and stress makes losing weight even more difficult. The months before the wedding are the hardest time to lose weight and there is no way of knowing how much weight you will be able to lose.
With most wedding gown styles, it is much easier to take the dress in then it is to let it out. If you order your gown to small and you don’t lose enough weight to fit, you could be left searching for a new dress at the last minute. Instead, order a gown you love, that looks great on you now. If you lose weight before the big day, celebrate by having a qualified seamstress take your gown in for much less then the cost of replacing the entire dress at the last minute.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
eRing Off or On?
Dear Diva,
My maid of honor is telling me that I shouldn’t be wearing my engagement ring during the ceremony. Is this true? If so, when do I put the engagement ring back on?
F.K ~ Winnipeg, MB
Dear F.K.
She is correct. Traditionally, the bride should remove all rings before walking down the aisle. This is done so that your fiancé can place the wedding ring first on your finger, closest to your heart. If you don’t want to part with your engagement ring for long, you can ask a member of the wedding party or a family member to hold onto the engagement ring for you. You can then slip the engagement ring back on after the ceremony.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Erin & Damon’s Hecla Island Wedding
Erin Furgala and Damon Hokanson
August 5, 2006
When Erin and Damon planned their wedding, they wanted the theme of their day to be “gifts”. Everything was ribbons and bows in red and white. What a great way to acknowledge the gift of love, and the gift of each other.
Finding the dress came easily for Erin. she researched bridal magazines and found the style that she loved. During a short trip to Fargo North Dakota to David’s Bridal in, she tried on the dress and brought it home. She was able to find everything she needed for her and her bridal party in one shop.
The wedding ceremony was done on picturesque Hecla Island with a reception wonderfully catered by Phyllis’ Catering that followed in Riverton Manitoba. Erin went to Tracy’s Hairstyling in Riverton for her hair and Nick Nack’s in Arbourgh.
Text by Sheila Kolesar
Photography By Joel Ross
Latest Wedding Gowns
So you have a ring and a date. Now what? It’s time to get to work! You need to decide many things. Do you want a theme wedding, modern, or traditional setting? How many attendants do you want, and which niece and nephew are going to be your “mini bride and groom”, I mean flower girl and ring bearer. The list continues…favors, church, pictures and/or videographer, flowers, music, caterer, cake and topper, vehicle rental, wedding night hotel and honeymoon destination, invites and finally decorations. For the bride there is one more BIG decision left… Her dress!
Most little girls dream of being the princess for a day, and their wedding day is her “princess day”. According to a t-shirt I saw on a wedding website, the wedding day is “All about ME!”
The Dress
Before you start looking for the “perfect dress”, you need to decide on whether you are having a themed, traditional, modern wedding or a destination wedding. Will it be day or night, indoors or out? A theme wedding with traditional wedding dress just won’t work. Do you want the ball gown style, mermaid style, three-quarter-length dress or destination style? Destination attire appears to be simpler, less fussy, and easier to pack for your wedding in the tropics (or Las Vegas). What type of train? Do you want chapel length that goes just past the floor or Cathedral length that is two feet longer than the chapel length?
As a girl, I often dreamed about my dress. From looking at the gowns in a recent bridal magazine and on bridal websites, dresses have changed considerably since my younger girl dreams. Many of the dresses I saw were strapless or at least sleeveless. The designers have started adding color to the dresses. They have red or pink sashes to match bridesmaid/matron dresses.
Another decision for brides, do you want an “off the rack” dress, or one made especially for you by a seamstress. When you get a dress made just for you, there will be no dress like yours, but it also means more decisions. Do you want Chiffon, Taffeta, Silk, or Matte Satin? I had my wedding dress made by a very experienced and talented seamstress from Alberta, and although it may have been a little more expensive than some of the ready-made dresses, it was a dress made in love, just for me, and I helped to style it and pick out all the laces.
It is suggested that you order your dress 6 to 9 months before the wedding. Schedule fittings to make sure that your dress will have necessary alterations. It is a good plan to have the initial fitting done 2 months before the wedding day and have a final dress fitting a month before and make sure to bring all your accessories including shoes. Make sure you arrange to have your dress picked up a week before the wedding.
Now that you have the dress decided on, it’s time to pick your jewelry. Depending on the elegance of the dress, or the theme of the wedding, jewelry needs to compliment what you choose. With the “total princess picture” in mind, choose the perfect headpiece. A lot of brides have been going with a Tiara style. Do you want to be able to remove the veil so you don’t spend all day sitting on it? What about a fan of pearls to replace the veil after? The final fun decision is the garter. It goes under the dress so the choice is completely for fun.
I know, that it is a lot of decisions to be made for just one day for just one dress, but the memories you have years later are so well worth it. I look back at my wedding pictures from 12 years ago, and am in awe, as I’d love for you to be in awe as you look back years from now.
Text By Sheila Kolesar
Say “I do” to a Good Hairdo
Updos dragging you down? Flyaway curls taking over your world? Here are a few suggestions on what you – the stylish modern day bride– can do to ensure a fabulous wedding day hairdo! Deciding on the perfect wedding day hair is akin to shopping for a diamond ring – you must keep in mind 4 Cs: cut, color, condition, and curl… or straighten! (OK, let’s just call it “style”!!)
Make a list of what is important and not important to your overall wedding look, and think of the practicalities: veil vs. flowers vs. headpieces, beach wedding vs. church wedding – will you need to cover your head?
Depending on the type of girl you are, your cultural heritage, and your own personal fashion sense, you might opt for hair extensions, a neat, classic bun or French chignon, loose curls, blunt cuts, an extravagant updo… The sky is the limit!
CUT, COLOR, CONDITION and CURL
“Hair can be short, medium or long, and still look outstanding by adding a soft curl or making it sleek and shiny, exaggerating your part, or adding more body,” says Cyndi Isaac, Salon Director at Eveline Charles in Edmonton.
“Cut and color are definitely an essential part of the event,” says James Tse of Winnipeg’s Sets Salon, adding that when it comes to wedding day hair, his goal is shine, and luster.
Dylan Site, Creative Director of Civello Salon-Spas, agrees.
“Bridal hair should be shiny and healthy!” she says. “Have a series of in-salon conditioning treatments, like Aveda’s Damage Remedy Hair & Scalp Renewal, starting around 6 months before the big day. This will get your hair in top shape for the big day. Also, see your stylist every 6-8 weeks for regular cuts or trims in order to keep the hair healthy.”
She recommends that women with medium-length or long hair have their hair trimmed to look clean — with curls and waves used to add a touch of sophistication. “Short hair looks great pinned up with a slight wave,” she says.
There are, however, other options.
“Girls with shorter hair,” says Tse, “who wish to have their hair appear longer and have their hair up, can use hair pieces or temporary hair extensions.” Hair can then simply be set with rollers to achieve a soft look.
Clearly, girls with longer hair have more options. Tse suggests a sleek, smooth do that will turn you into a glamour queen, or tousled curls, to add a touch of sexiness.
It all depends on the bride, her dress, and her headdress!
Some of us favor a modern, edgy sexiness when it comes to wedding day attire, while many women choose that day to become the princess they always wanted to be, and feed their romantic fantasies.
BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
“Your cut and color should reflect who you are,” says Isaac. “Looks that are not too extreme will stand the test of time more than super trendy and flashy looks.”
She suggests finding images of looks that you like – even if the front views and back views don’t match – and taking those to your hairdresser or stylist. Start gathering magazine images well ahead of your wedding day – give your hair some time to grow naturally, if need be. Plan ahead, scope out stylists well in advance, and do test runs.
Avoid tears, tantrums, and insecurities by not dramatically changing your cut, color or style at the last minute. “If you have a fringe,” says Site, “keep it on the longer side to allow for more styling options. Also consider wearing your hair up because it has less potential to look dated in photographs years later.”
In terms of color, try using subtle highlights or lowlights to add drama. “More than one tone in the hair often looks best when hair is styled up,” says Isaac, “and color can be strategically placed to flow with the updo.”
Work with your salon to find a look that will marry your own, usual style, and your wedding day dreams.
PLANNING AHEAD
“I usually suggest that my clients come for a consultation way before their big day,” says Tse, “just to find out what they like, what the dress looks like and most importantly, the hair length and condition.”
Cyndi Isaac agrees.
“Consult with your stylist in the weeks prior,” she suggests, adding that you need to prepare your hair to look its best. “Hair should be cut and colored two weeks prior to the big day.”
Use weekly conditioning treatments for a few months before the wedding, and do test runs of the cut, color and style. Be sure to tell your hairdresser about any veil, flowers, or hair accessories that you plan to wear on your wedding day. Small details, such as the color and texture of a veil, and the rhinestones, pearls or other ornaments used in a tiara, will have an impact on the final look of your chosen hairdo.
THE BIG DAY
When it comes to the big day, the best thing to do is to get an early start by washing your hair the night before, and avoiding the use of styling products altogether.
“Freshly washed hair will not hold a style as well and neither will hair that is too dirty and oily,” says Isaac.
Tse agrees. “Other than that,” he says, “just get a lot of rest and look your best.”
“Bring only those people that will help you relax,” adds Isaac, “and enjoy your day!”
By starting early and letting your stylist help develop your vision for your wedding day, everything will turn out beautifully – especially you!
Text By Andree Lachapelle
Reception Menus by Popular Demand
One of the ways the new bride and groom like to show their appreciation to the guests for their attendance as witnesses to their special day and of course, for the thoughtfulness of their gift, is by providing a nice meal for them at the reception. Traditionally this is a hot meal of several meats, usually roast beef and ham or turkey and all the trimmings and then, perhaps, followed by a cold buffet later in the evening. However with the trend these days towards eating healthier, many couples are shying away from red meat altogether and going towards a lighter main dish of poultry and seafood.
It’s no surprise that the popularity of the buffet style of serving remains a feasible option. The ease of self-serve along with the selection available makes the buffet a convenient way to go. If envisioning the inevitably long buffet lines that usually go with buffets may leave you wary, don’t fret. The latest trend has the traditional food table being broken down into mini buffets. Individual food stations are placed around the room instead of having only one or two serving lines. Each station features one type of food, such as meat, salads, and vegetable dishes and is more efficient than having the guests stand in long lines. And they can mingle while they get their food. For those who really want to get creative you can have more adventurous menu items at some stations, such as Indian or Chinese or Sushi. For dessert, what really takes the cake now is a dessert bar. Ask your caterer to select an array of delicious delights, such as cheesecake squares, gourmet chocolate chip cookies, mini crème brûlées, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Add a chocolate fountain centerpiece for dramatic effect and voila! That’s one table that is sure to draw a crowd! Some couples are even opting not to serve the wedding cake and instead, use it purely for decoration and pictures, or to send home with the guests as favors. This saves money because you can have imitation base layers, with only a real cake tier on the top and a few layers for cutting.
Still other couples prefer the pomp and circumstance of the full dinner service with its traditional appetizer of soup, main course and dessert with tea or coffee. If budget is not a consideration it’s a great option. The latest trend here has couples choosing smoked salmon, ostrich and quail as the most preferred menu selections. Venison and even buffalo are becoming short listed as choices for the formal sit down dinner however, the ever-popular prime rib served either “au jus” or with traditional Yorkshire pudding as well as in a combination of surf and turf, short rib and lobster will always remain a favorite. And of course every chef has his signature dish which is always a good choice when you’re not sure which way to go. Before deciding on a reception hall find out if they have an in-house caterer. If so, you may have to use his or her services if you rent the hall. In that case, you will need to interview the caterer in-depth before you decide on the location. Anywhere else you plan to hold the reception, from a backyard to a beach and anywhere in between, you will have to hire a caterer on your own. Interview several. Check references. Perhaps have him or her prepare your intended selections for a taste test. Remember to ask what is included when it comes to using delivery service to location, the set up, servers, linens, and utensils and clean up. Make sure everything you want is agreed upon and written in the contract. The latest reception menu trends help ensure your guests will enjoy the celebration party as much as you had hoped they would.
Text By Nancy Johnston
News Ideas, Inspirations & More
Welcome to all our readers, subscribers and advertisers. I am very excited to be able to introduce myself today! I am The Wedding Diva, and I am your Q&A specialist! I have extensive experience in the wedding planning industry and I look forward to sharing that experience with you as I answer your wedding planning questions over the coming months. Wedding planning is an exciting, and stressful processes. There are so many things to consider, and you will inevitably come across a question or two from time to time. You can send your questions to me at diva@imaginemagazine.ca.
The newest issue of Your Wedding… Imagine is hitting newsstands now, and we are also unveiling the new website for Your Wedding… Imagine. We have added some great new features to help with your wedding planning. You will find more articles, ideas and inspiration then ever before – including featured weddings from Manitoba & Ontario brides!
We have also added a bi-weekly newsletter from me, The Wedding Diva. Every two weeks, I will spicy up your wedding planning with new ideas, inspirations, fabulous finds and more straight to your inbox. This eNewsletter is free, so make sure to sign up in the sidebar before you leave. You won’t want to miss a single issue of this wonderful planning resource.
I hope you love my new site! If you haven’t picked up the newest issue of Your Wedding… Imagine, make sure to gets yours today! I would love your feedback on the site, and the newest issue! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
