Wedding Party Numbers?
Dear Diva,
We’re just weeks away from the wedding, and one of my bridesmaids has to leave town on a family emergency. She might not make it back on time for the wedding. I considered replacing her, but all of my close friends are already in the bridal party. Should I try to find a replacement, take a chance that she might get back, or ask one of the groomsmen to step out so that we have an even number again?
M.W.
Kleefeld, MB
With your wedding just weeks away, finding a replacement is probably not a great option and asking a groomsmen to step out is really poor etiquette. To avoid causing hurt feelings, your best option is to take the change that she might not get back on time. If she doesn’t, just move forward with out her.
It is not uncommon to see wedding parties where the bridal attendants and grooms attendants are not evenly matched and with a little planning, it can be pulled of splendidly. Here are a few tips you can use to make it work should you find yourself short a bridesmaid:
1. The Processional: You have a few options here. You can have the best man wait at the alter with the groom, while the remaining groomsmen escort the maid of honor and bridesmaids up the aisle. Or, you could have the groom and all his attendants enter from the side, and have the brides attendants proceed down the aisle individually.
2. Photo Session: Make sure to alert your photographer in advance of the situation. This will give them time to prepare ideas as well. A good photographer will have no problem coming up with great photo ideas for the wedding party that don’t leave anyone feeling “singled” out.
3. The Wedding Party Dance: You could probably ask one of the groomsmen to sit this out without hurting any feelings, but another option would be to have one of the groomsmen dance with a spouse or significant other for this portion of the special dances.
It is wonderful that you are supportive of your bridesmaid’s need to be with her family. Don’t worry about replacing her this late in the game. If she isn’t back on time, you can work around it and no one will be the wiser.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Handling Wedding Stress
The Foot Detox
Planning for the Big Day can be one of the most fulfilling but also the most stressful event of your life. We all need to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. So, with that said, the inevitable sets in. Stress! Stress causes many negatives to the new bride-to-be; break-outs, hair-loss, as well as the development of added toxins to our systems. To help reduce this toxin build-up during the months of planning, try out the simplest form of detoxification for the busy planner – the Foot Detox.
The Foot Detox offers a quick-fix to your detoxification regime. In just a half treatment, you get a 10-day cleanse to your system to benefit your health. It provides you with more energy to complete your long to-do list, makes your feet feel great, keeps the skin in top shape, builds your immune system to keep you healthy and also assits in keeping your liver, gall bladder and joints cleansed.
The process involves simply placing your feet into a bin of water with an ionizer, whereby ions enter your body through the pores of your feet. In turn, the ions attach to the toxins inside the body and pull them back into the water. Ions also act as little endorphins which also help alleviate stress and anxiety to give you more control and balance in your life which all brides-to-be need as much as possible. Try out this very effective and enjoyable treatment today and handle anything that comes your way, stressful or not, with a smile! Happy Cleansing!
Are We Having Fun Yet?
Wedding planning can be very stressful, and with the top wedding month currently in full swing – there are probably some seriously stressed out brides out there right now. It’s really easy to get so wrapped up in the big day that you forget to relax and just enjoy the experience. I hope, as you are planning for your wedding, that you have taken a moment to include your own personal touch of fun to the event. After all – it’s supposed to be a celebration right?
So relax, and enjoy some fun – and colorful – inspiration for this week.
Currently Inspired By:
1. Colored Sand & Coffee Beans - Last week, I paid a visit to the girls at Let’s Celebrate Rentals to take a look at what they’ve been up to lately. Of course, I brought my camera long and snapped a few photos for you. I always love seeing the latest ideas! Some of the things I snapped pictures of included:
- Colored Sand – Let’s Celebrate has a large selection of colors available and while they are normally used to sand ceremonies – they also had a centerpiece with sparkling black sand and a bright orange gerbera in a square glass vase. It was beautiful!
- Coffee Beans – Coffee Beans aren’t a new idea, but I really liked this random arrangement of coffee beans and silk gerbera stems in a tall glass vase. It is simple but would make a big statement.
- Flower Balls – Another item they had on display were large flower balls made from silk gerbera, daisies or roses. These look lovely hanging over the dance floor, above the alter, behind the head table or sitting on top of pillars.
2. A Fantastic Fun Cake - When Lisa of Cakes & More showed me this photo of a wedding cake she did this summer, I knew I had to share it. Obviously, trolls are not for everyone, but it worked for this couple. The bright colors, fun polka dot print and funky troll topper comes together in a such fun combinations that you just know the guests at this reception must have had a blast! This couple obviously has a great sense of humor and I love it when couples let their personalities show through. I’m not saying you need trolls on your cake – but don’t be afraid to break the rules a little and have a little fun on your big day. You can reach Lisa at Cakes & More: (204) 371-7998
Until next time… Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Registry Cards in Invitations?
Dear Diva,
We recently finished registering for our wedding, and they gave us little cards with our registry information on them. I wanted to included these cards in with our invitation, but my mother thinks that would be tacky. How am I supposed to let people know where I am registered?
G.V.
Winnipeg, MB
Your mother is absolutely right. A wedding invitation is an invitation to celebrate with you. It should never imply that a gift is required or even expected. Including registry or gift preference information on or with your invitation is tacky and will most likely offend some of your guests. There are many other ways to share this information though. You can include the information on your wedding website, and include the link to your website with your invitation. You can also include the cards in bridal shower invitations, where a gift is the entire reason for attending. Also, make sure you let your closest friends and family members know where you are registered, and ask them to spread the word.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Luis & Kelly’s Winnipeg Wedding
Luis Alberto & Kelly (Rutledge) Melchor
Married in February 2007
in Winnipeg, MB
Boy meets girl – Kelly Rutledge really did find happiness in paradise. A couple of years ago, the young Winnipegger decided to spice up her life with an extended stay in Mexico. The spice was provided by Luis Alberto Melchor. “We were both working as dancers at an entertainment complex on the Mayan Reviera,” she says. “We were working 14 hour days together so it wasn’t long before we became close. I was attracted to Luis by his sense of humour and his great personality. He is also cute.” Luis says that he adored everything about Kelly, especially her freckles.
On bended knee - Luis proposed at Sanbourn’s Restaurant in Mexico City. Kelly had moved back to Winnipeg but had returned to Mexico to spend a few days with Luis. “It was the night before I was going to leave,” she recalls. “He was very nervous. He kept getting up and leaving the table. He started telling me in English how meeting me had changed his life. Then he tol me in Spanish that he couldn’t see living without me and handed me the ring.”
Kiss the bride – Luis and Kelly’s Winnipeg wedding ceremony incorporated both Mexican and Canadian traditions. The wedding party consisted of seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen. Some of the readings were in Spanish.
Cherished moment – The video from Luis’ mother brought a lot of our guests to tears even though she was speaking in Spanish and most of the guests didn’t understand Spanish.
Text by Myron Love
Photography by Fred Elcheshen
words of wisdom
“If there are any cultural differences between husband and wife, embrace them. Make them part of your daily life.” – Kelly Melchor
Fabulous Colors for Summer Weddings
Planning a Summer Wedding? Pale yellow continues as one of the fashion favorites. Used alone, yellow makes an impact. Used as an accent, yellow compliments many other colors. Pale yellow is… Elegant. Sophisticated. Chic.
Also seen on the wedding run way is orange. From light creamy peaches to darker tangerines, colors in the orange family all complement yellow. So if you want a dramatic effect, mix yellow with orange. TO capitalize on the monochromatic theme, select three colors with different saturations, like pale yellow, soft peach and darker orange.
Remember, colors drawn from nature are always fashionable and timeless.
Text By Norma-Jean Alt
Where To Start?
Dear Diva,
I’ve been engaged for 6 months now and our wedding is in 8 months. At the beginning, it seemed like we had lots of time but the months are flying by and it feels like we haven’t done anything. I’m not even sure where to start! HELP!
S.K.
Steinbach, MB
First of all – breath. Okay, now lets get working. Here are three things you can do to get started.
- The first thing you need to do is sit down with your fiance and decide what your must haves are. Make a list of the things you will not compromise on. For example, some couples feel that having everyone included is important, even if it means they have to have a cake and punch reception to save costs. Other couples would much rather have a small but elegant affair. Perhaps it is a specific date that has meaning, or a specific location that you both love, etc.
- Now, you need to discuss budget. You will need to approach your parents and his to see if they are interested in contributing, and if so – how. Some parents will want to put a dollar value on their contribution, others may simply want to cover a specific portion like the ceremony, the dress or the catering. Remember – talk to each set of parents separately and avoid comparing who is giving more. Once you have an answer from each parent, you need to decide as a couple what you can add to that to come up with your final budget.
- Get yourself a wedding planning binder with budget and timeline worksheets to keep everything organized.
Now you are ready to begin. Start by working out how you will spend your budget, concentrating first on your must haves. Then, follow the timeline in your planner to make sure that you don’t miss anything.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Marriage License in Manitoba
All the planning and effort that goes into preparing for your wedding day goes to waste if you don’t take a moment to make sure you make it legal. These means you need a marriage certificate. In Manitoba, you may purchase a marriage license as much as 3 months before the wedding but it must be purchased at least 24 hours before so don’t leave it to the last minute.
In order to receive a marriage license, both individuals must go in together and provide proof that they are 18 or older. Vital Statistics lists four options for proof of age:
- birth certificate
- citizen certificate
- passport
- Canada Immigration documents
Individuals who are divorced are required to present a Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute. Widowed individuals must provide a death certificate or newspaper clipping.
You can purchase marriage licenses at the following locations:
L.A. Collection, 325 Portage Ave., Winnipeg
Mona Lisa Florist, 1724 Corydon Ave., Winnipeg
Gold-N-Memories, Clearspring Mall, Steinbach
Let’s Celebrate Rentals, 193 Brandt Street, Steinbach
Venue Price Hikes?
Dear Diva,
Nearly 6 months ago, we booked our venue and put down $500. Today, we received notification that they are changing some of their policies and prices. All in all, it is going to cost us nearly $3000 more then we were originally quoted of the same exact services. We don’t have a contract, but I did write down their original numbers.
S.B.
Blumenort, MB
Always, ALWAYS get a contract, and when you do, make sure it lists prices clearly. You should also always check your contract to make sure there isn’t a clause allowing them to changes prices later on. Unfortunately, without a contract, they are free to change their prices and policies at any time and there isn’t much you can do about it other then change locations and lose out on your deposit. For the remainder of your planning time, make sure you get a contract for all services you are booking. If you have services you have been quoted for and booked without a contract, go back TODAY and ask for a contract. Even vendors who don’t generally have one can quickly write out their quote and sign it, giving you a guarantee that those prices and included services won’t change.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
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Have a question for The Wedding Diva?
Email your questions to diva@imaginemagazine.ca
Travis & Angelina’s Kenora Wedding
Travis & Angelina (Murray) BAIN
Married on August 4, 2007
in Victoria, B.C.
Boy meets girl - Travis Bain and Angelina Murray were high school sweethearts. They were introduced by a mutual friend and started dating. “After high school, we continued to see each other while we were going to different universities,” Travis says. (She went to Guelph; he to the Royal Military College; he is currently in the armed forces.)
On bended knee – Travis and Angelina went camping together back in B.C. “We were sitting by the campfire when I popped the question,” he says. “She was surprised and very excited.”
Reflection – What wouldn’t you do again? – “It is more the question of what we wouldn’t have happen again,” Travis says. “Our luggage was lost en route to our honeymoon in Cuba. We had to spend our entire honeymoon without our luggage.”
Text by Myron Love
Photography by Colleen Serban
words of wisdom
“My father-in-law’s advice for a happy married life is to just say ‘yes’ and agree with anything Angelina says.” – Travis Bain
