Q & A: Unique Drink Ideas

Q: I am throwing a Mother's Day brunch this coming weekend and I'm not sure what type of alcoholic beverage to serve. Do you have any suggestions for something fun?

 A: Our favourite go-to alcoholic beverage for that special brunch, shower, or outdoor meal is pink wine, also known as rosé. Often forgotten, rosé wines offer food-friendly versatility. Served chilled, it pairs well with fruit, quiche, cheese, food from the grill, seafood, salads, and more. It's pink colour is the perfect way to inject some fun and colour into your Mother's Day brunch.
 

Q & A: Wedding Shoe Help

Q: I have no idea where to start to look for my wedding shoes. I'm not into super high heels, I want to be comfortable but want to still have pretty looking shoes. Do you have any shopping tips for me?

A: We can do better than shopping tips, we can give you a whole shoe shopping strategy! The first thing to keep in mind is of course comfort. Don't decide that your wedding day or special event is the day you'll try out those 4 inch stiletto's that you've never ever worn. Consider your venue, dress style and comfort zone when looking for shoes. If you know you can't wear anything higher than a kitten heel, don't look at the 4 inch stiletto's...just walk away! Ruling out those other options will make it much easier to find what you're looking for. And remember, if you really want or need the height that a higher heel will give you, bring a back up pair of shoes that will keep you dancing the night away.

Q & A: Wedding Registry Help

Q: My fiance and I were so excited to register for gifts at our local department store but, when we got there, I was so overwhelmed I broke down. There were too many things to choose from, and I didn't know what items would be acceptable to add. Any advice?

A: Wedding registries are a great way to give your friends and family some insight as to what may be on your wish list. A registry can be overwhelming to put together so we like to suggest preparing a list of everything you think you'll need. If the list is suddenly huge, or you're still not sure what you might need, ask some friends what they had on their registries for some inspiration. But remember, if you have to ask "What's that used for?" then chances are, you probably don't need it/won't use it! It's tempting to be scanner happy once you get into the registry groove, but remember to keep your list simple and practical. Your guests will thank you for it and will love all the ideas.

{Q&A} Wedding Speech Jitters

Q: I'm the maid of honour at my best friends wedding and I am terrified to do a speech in front of all her guests. How can I get over these public speaking jitters?

A: Whether you are a guest, or the host, delivering a toast/speech at any event can leave some people feeling tongue tied and just plain nervous. Just remember these three simple pointers: prepare your speech in advance, keep it short and simple, and above all else, keep it sincere. The most successful speeches are those that come from the heart.

Mother of the Bride Dress Help

{Photo Source: Grazier Photography}

We understand how hard it is to shop for a flattering dress on most days (talk about stressful) however add the stress of a wedding and the fact that the shopper (mother of the bride) will be in ton's of pictures, we understand there's some added pressure to look flawless and picture perfect.

Here are a few tips to help all of you mother of the brides find the right fit.

• Pick a colour that compliments the bridesmaid's dresses
• Try to match the bride's colour scheme
• When in doubt, opt for something neutral and not too short (we think knee length is elegant for a wedding)
• Consider chatting up the groom's mother to try and coordinate colours and styles if the bride is particular about her colours and theme
• Floor or tea length are most flattering
• Stay away from white or cream, unless the bride OKs it

And lastly, remember to have fun with fashion. The most important thing to remember is that mom has to be happy, confident and comfortable on her daughter's big day too!

Q & A: Cutting Down the Guest List

Q: We're determined to have a small wedding of 85 people but our guest list seems to grow ever day (no thanks to our families). Do you have any suggestions on how we can prioritize our "cut" list?

A: One of the hardest parts about planning a wedding is coming up with a guest list that everyone agrees upon. No matter who's footing the bill for the wedding, there's always someone who wants to be involved in making the list or, feels that certain people should be invited out of obligation. Here are a few simple questions to ask yourself before making the cut.

• Start by eliminating people you haven't even spoken to or seen in the last 5 years.
• Ask yourselves "Would I be upset if this person didn't show up or invite me to their own wedding?".
• Are you close with your extended family? If you don't keep in contact with second aunts, uncles or cousins, it's OK not to invite them.
• If you're really stuck, you may consider having an adult-only reception.
• If family is the focus of your guest list and they cannot be removed from the list, consider asking your friends not to bring dates or you may decide not to include that table of 10 coworkers.

We hope this helps you tackle some of the issues when creating and/or trimming your guest list.

Do you have a guest list horror story? We'd love to hear all about it and might share some of our own so make sure you leave a comment!

Q & A: Pregnant Bridesmaid?

Q: I'm getting married next year and I really want to ask my friend to be a bridesmaid. The only problem is that she's pregnant and by the time the wedding comes around she'll literally be ready to pop. Should I still ask her to be a bridesmaid? I'm confused, I need help!

A: It wouldn't hurt to still ask your friend to be a bridesmaid afterall, it shouldn't affect your wedding other than making alterations to her dress closer to the date. Your best bet is to ask her if she would feel up to being in the wedding and if so, remember that as the wedding date (and her due date) roll around, her energy levels may not be as high as some of the other maids in your party. Go ahead and ask her, she will be flattered and honoured that you thought of her!

Q & A: Kids Birthday Party Advice

Q: I'm throwing a birthday party for my soon to be 5 year old daughter and I have everything ready to go. From the theme to decor, to the food being served, I'm all set. I just have one question, when would a good time be to let her open her birthday presents? I want to make sure she's not overtired by the time cake and present time arrive.

A: This is such a great question. While it's customary to wait until after the birthday candles have been blown out to open birthday presents, we understand sometimes the anticipation is way too much for the little birthday girl (or boy) to handle. It's really a matter of personal preference for the parents of how they want to handle this situation. If you're wavering on going the traditional route, here are a few tactics other parents we've worked have used for the gift opening dilemma.

• Opening gifts mid-way through the party and saving the birthday candle blowing ritual as a means of ending the party.
• Letting the birthday girl/boy open presents after the party has ended (in private) and then sending their gratitude with a personalized thank you card to each guest.
• Turn the gift opening into a fun activity like these ones from Party Kaboose:
• Turn gift-opening into a treasure hunt. Before the party, write clues which lead to various locations in your home. For instance, "If it's a gift that you want, it's a gift you'll see, when you look behind the TV." After children arrive, an adult hides the presents in the various locations. When it's time to open presents, the host hands one clue at a time to the birthday child who finds the gift and opens it on the spot.
• Form a circle with the birthday child at the head. Guests hold their gifts in their laps and going around the circle, guests hand presents one at a time to the birthday child who stops to open each gift before taking another. To make the circle strategy more festive, you might turn it into a game. Pass the presents slowly around the circle as music plays and when the music stops, the present that the birthday child is holding is the one that is opened next.



Q & A: Booking A Multi-Purpose Wedding Venue

Q: I just got engaged and have started the hunt for a perfect venue for our wedding next year. What are some things I need to consider before booking a venue?

A: This is a great question and our advice is to consider the following points when booking a wedding venue however, they ring true for any special event as well.

• If the ceremony and reception are in two different locations, you should consider the distance between each location.
• Can each location accommodate the same number of guests?
• What are the start times for each venue? Consider the time between the ceremony and reception as well as the reception's location (especially if guests are travelling and have to keep themselves busy between the two events).
• If you're considering one venue for both the ceremony and reception, ask if they have enough chairs for both the ceremony and reception. If not, will they have to be rented and who gets the final word on where they're rented. What is the additional cost?
• Will the venue host both the ceremony and reception in the same room? If so, how long of a turnaround time will they need between each event and what will your guests do to pass the time?

If you're looking for some local venues to host your special day, check out our Venue Spotlight's for some local venue reviews in the GTA  (Greater Toronto Area).


{Photo Source: Graydon Hall Manor}



Q & A: Budget Bridal Beauty Tips

Q: I can't afford facials or other pricey spa treatments. What can I do at home to ensure my complexion stays clear on my wedding day?

A: For any big, special event (especially weddings) we always recommend the following beauty regime dos and don'ts. Trust us on these tips, they're simple, timeless tricks that even our mother's and grandmother's swear by.

Image Source: Glamour.com

• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated.
• Never sleep with your makeup on (it can cause major breakouts).
• Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize (and if you can, use a moisturizer with SPF for added protection against the sun's harmful rays).
• Don't consume alcohol or salt the night before your big event, all of that water retention will make you look puffy and swollen (not to mention it will be that much harder to fit into your outfit/dress).
• Don't be tempted to try any new beauty products the week of your event in case your skin has an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients. This goes for cosmetics, face wash, tanning, even hair dye or other hair products. Keep it simple and use brands you know well and trust.

And our number one tip to remember: Don't forget to smile, everyone always looks radiant when they smile.

For more beauty tips, check out Glamour Magazine's Top 20 Beauty Dos & Don’ts (in Two Words or Less).

Q & A: Should We Buy or Rent My Man's Tuxedo?

Q: My fiance really wants to buy a tuxedo instead of renting one, but I'm afraid he will never wear it again and it will be a waste of money. Is buying a tuxedo worth the money?

A: Only you and your fiance can determine if you have a budget to buy a tux and if it's worth the purchase. While we can't make that decision for you, here is something to think about: If your fiance knows for certain that he will need to wear a tuxedo at least once a year, it might be worth looking into purchasing. As far as pricing goes, a good quality tux can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 and more for a top-of-the-line designer suit. If the tux is only going to be worn for the wedding, and if you're minding your budget, renting may be the better option.

Q & A: How to Stay Organized When Planning a Party

Q: I'm planning a birthday party for my daughter and between my huge pile of decor pictures, food and theme ideas, the guest list, RSVP's and my daughter's list of must have party games, I am caught in a massive pile of disorganization. I feel like I'm loosing my mind. HELP how do event planners stay so organized?

A:  To successfully plan any event, being organized is our number one rule. We like to use notebooks and/or binders to separate all party categories to keep same subject information handy in one spot. If a notebook or binder is too bulky for you, try using an expandable file folder to separate all of your papers. Keep separate spots for inspiration, food, budget, invitations and RSVP's etc. Good luck planning your daughter's birthday party, and don't forget to show us how your new organizational system worked for you!

Tell us, how do you stay organized when planning your special event?

Q & A: Bachelorette Party Help

Q: I'm the maid of honour at my sister's wedding and I have no idea what to plan. I'm part of a huge wedding party and everyone has an opinion on what we should do, where we should do it and how we should do it! I'm getting so frustrated and the planning is getting stressful. Do you have any ideas? I need to make a decision fast!

A: Congratulations on being the maid of honour at your sisters wedding. We understand your dilemma, it's hard enough trying to plan a girls night out that your sister will love, but having to make sure everyone else's wish list are included can add major stress to the planning process. Here are two ideas, with two different budgets, that are sure to satisfy a few pallets.

Splurge: If money isn't an issue, organize a girls only weekend in Vegas. Besides the obvious (drinking and gambling) there are tons of fun things to do like getting pampered at a spa, shopping and fun day trips.

Save: If your sister isn't much of a party animal, and Vegas is a no-go, a spa day might be just the ticket. There are many services offered at different price points making it easy to find something that fits every one's budget. From mani's and pedi's, to facials and massages, a day spa can be the perfect setting for some much needed girl time.

Tell us, what's your bachelorette party style?

Q & A: Engagement Party Guest List Etiquette

Q: My fiance and I have a very small budget to work with for our wedding. As a result, we've decided to host a small wedding of 50 people, however our guest list is so long, we're having trouble deciding on who to cut from the guest list. We thought it would be a great idea to host an engagement party for the extra people who won't be invited to the wedding however my mother says it's rude to invite guests to the engagement and not the wedding. Can you help us put this battle to rest? Who knows best?

A: Unfortunately, mom knows best in this situation. While most people are quite understanding when it comes to budgets and wedding planning, we always like to keep everything pretty standardized when planning out the guest list to any wedding related event. If a guest is not included in your head count for the wedding, they shouldn't be invited to any engagement parties or showers as it's seen as bad form. We love that you're trying to include all of your loved ones in your special day and as a compromise, planning a post-wedding bash or house warming party (if you recently moved into a new place) would be a great way to celebrate this new chapter with some additional friends and family members.



Photo by Simply Sophisticated Events



Q&A: How Many Hors D’oeuvres Per Person?

Q: I'm throwing a cocktail party and I have no idea how many hors d'oeuvres to order. I don't want to run out of food, please help!

A: Hosting a cocktail party is a great alternative to a dinner party, especially during the holidays. We always like to suggest ordering 8 to 12 pieces per person and plan on serving 6 to 8 different hors d'oeuvres. Don't forget to mix it up with a few hot and cold appetizers as well.

Q & A: Formal Table Setting HELP!

Q: I'm hosting a very small, formal dinner party next month and I want to make sure I do EVERYTHING right, including setting the table. The problem is, I have no idea how to start or what side to put the spoon on! Clearly I'm in need of a table setting crash course, can you help?

A: Don't sweat it, there are tons of resources out there to help you figure out which fork goes where and what to do with all of those glasses. We love this diagram from Replacements.com, it's clear and easy to follow and totally fool proof. Don't forget to print it and put it away for the next formal dinner party you host.

{Photo Source}

Q & A: Bridal Hair Accessory HELP!

Q: HELP I have all of my accessories for my wedding day but I have no idea what to wear in my hair. I'm not wearing a veil so I'd like some funky bling for my tresses.

A: These days, brides and their maids have many of choices for how they'd like to accessorize their hair. From traditional veils and tiaras to decorative hair pins, headbands or hats, the sky is the limit with options. We love these bridal hair accessories featured on http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/. The best part about them? They aren't just for bridal hair, use your imagination and reuse them for the next wedding you attend or even your next girls night out hair do.

Crystal Bobby Pins by Roberta Chiarella
Crystal Hair Sticks by Roberta Chiarella
Crystal and Pearl Hairpin by Winters & Rain

Q & A: What Are My Duties As a Bridesmaid?

Q:  I've been asked to be a bridesmaid in a friends wedding and although I'm honoured at the invite, I'm really nervous and don't know what my responsibilities will be. Can you help?

{Photo Source}

A: Being asked to be in some one's wedding party is a huge honour and we understand how that can make you a bit nervous. Firstly, have confidence that the bride has chosen you because you are a good friend, and she wants to share this special time with you. Secondly, while there are some bridesmaid duties you should take on, remember that most of them are pretty fun and are ways in which you can support the bride during the planning stages. Trust us, she will  need all of the support you can give!

Bridesmaid's Duties

• Helping the bride choose a wedding dress
• Helping the bride make decisions
• Assisting with all pre-wedding parties such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party
• Providing the bride with moral support throughout the planning stages, sometimes it helps to just have a shoulder to lean on
• Make sure you're up to speed on anything wedding related as some people will turn to you for information on where they're registered, when they will return from their honeymoon and other wedding details
• On the wedding day, the bride may need some help directing people to the guestbook or taking care of other things like gifts or clean up after the reception

Q & A: Are Odd Numbers OK In My Wedding Party?

Q: I really want to have 4 bridesmaids in my wedding party (including my Maid of Honour) but my husband-to-be would like to have 3 groomsmen. Is it OK to have odd numbers in a wedding party?

A: Absolutely. There is nothing wrong with having odd numbers, in fact, there are no rules when it comes to the number of people allowed in a wedding party. When it comes to your wedding party, our advice is always to focus on quality vs. quantity.

Wedding Q & A: Summer Wedding Flowers?

Q:  I'm planning a Summer 2011 wedding and would like to use seasonal flowers in my bouquet and centre piece but I don't know what would be considered a "summer flower". Please help! start...HELP!

A: While there aren't any rules surrounding which type of flowers should be used in the summer months, generally the most popular choices include roses, sunflowers, calla lilies, dahlias and gerber daisies as they are in season during the summer months. A few other season choices include cosmos, mums and zinnias. If you want a summer look and want to use flowers that aren't in season, try using white and light coloured flowers in your bouquet, and try using roses, hydrangea's or daisies.


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