xo, Alli

Thoughts, Tips and Feature Weddings

ALTERNATIVE WEDDING DATES

I am a big fan of mixing it up when it comes to days of the week and seasons of the year to host a wedding. With Manitoba’s short summer, the wedding season rush down the aisle historically starts the first weekend of May and quiets down by Thanksgiving. Of course, July is the most popular along with those very-special-never-happening-again novelty dates, (think 12.12.12), but what about the other four thousand couples who didn’t manage to snag a ‘prime’ date? Lately, I am seeing a spike in ‘off-season’ wedding inquiries and I have to say, I applaud my couples who are open to different options. There are many reasons for a not so ‘off’ season anymore, including limited venue availability, special rates for ‘off-season’ bookings and importantly, a couple’s personal availability depending on lifestyle and profession. If you are struggling around booking a wedding date, consider these alternative options.

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LET’S TALK ABOUT SPEECHES

I find speeches can make or break any party atmosphere. How many times have you cringed during a best man’s speech or on the contrary - roared with laughter and clapped for an encore? A well delivered speech should accomplish two things – it should make all guests feel welcome and included and recognize the celebration or purpose of the party. I always try to work hard with wedding emcees to make them feel prepared and confident and deliver a great program to compliment a beautiful celebration. Here are some other tips for everyone planning a wedding (or any speech) in the future.

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THE MORNING OF YOUR WEDDING

Remember back in university when getting ready to go out was almost just as good as the night out itself? A lot of Brides and Grooms tell me that the morning of their wedding, sipping on mamosas with their nearest and dearest can be an unexpected highlight of the day. Here are some tips to keep the morning of your wedding as enjoyable as possible.

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WHAT GUESTS REMEMBER

Okay, I admit it – when I plan an event I always stress over every décor detail but the truth is, your guests probably won’t remember the sprig of thyme on each place setting or the gold foil trim on the program. When planning any party you should always have your guests comfort in mind and here are the items that really count towards the overall guest experience…

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SELECTING YOUR WEDDING PARTY

Statistically speaking, December through to January is the busiest time of the year for engagements so congratulations to everyone who recently got a shiny new piece of jewelry! Many couples in the early stages of planning prioritize their wedding date and budget followed closely by confirming their wedding party. This can cause a lot of anxiety and it might seem like a daunting task but keep the following tips in mind when thinking about who to include in your wedding day crew:

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FINDING THE RIGHT WEDDING OFFICIANT

Were you one of the lucky couples who got engaged over Christmas and Valentine’s Day? You have likely already started the wedding planning process but I think the most overlooked vendor in any stage of planning is often your officiant, also known as your wedding commissioner. Along with other vendors like florists, photographers and musicians, it is very important to consider WHO is going to marry you. Last year I was so excited to officially become registered with vital statistics Manitoba and now I am proud to say I am legally able to perform marriages in Manitoba. When couples inquire about my wedding commissioner, (‘Yes We Do’) service I always look for a personality fit since I will be involved in the most detailed parts of planning a couple’s special day. When you are shopping around for a wedding commissioner, it is important to consider the following…..

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WEDDING TRANSPORTATION

A lot of couples don’t think about transportation until a few weeks before their wedding but booking transportation and mapping out your itinerary early will help you stay on budget and get your guests from point A to point B. Consider these important items before you book transportation on your big day.

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MY FAVORITE WINNIPEG WEDDING VENUES

For those of you who got engaged over Valentine’s Day and are starting to look at potential wedding venues, I put together a list of some of my favorite ceremony and reception spaces around the city. Here they are, (in no particular order)! Also, don’t forget to check out my earlier blog to brush up on your site visit skills and important questions to ask your potential wedding venue.

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BUDGETING BASICS

I always start a preliminary phone call or meeting with my favorite question: ‘what is your budget?’ This is often met with silence, nervous exchanges and a lot of questions. There is nothing exciting when it comes to talking numbers around your wedding day but the truth is, you can’t move forward without a solid budget to work from. Not only is this the foundation for your wedding planning but confirming your budget early will keep you in control, eliminate guilty spending and help to minimize conflict down the line.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF EMERGENCY PLANNING

Last month I had the pleasure of planning a beautiful wedding for a couple in Toronto. Despite countless hours, meetings and preparation, something quite unexpected came up in the middle of their ceremony - the power went out! Disaster averted thanks to tons of candles, a quick thinking team and an incredible bride and groom who didn't let a bit of darkness affect their spirits in the slightest!

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WHY A WEDDING PLANNER?

A few weeks ago I shared the differences between venue coordinators and wedding coordinators which is a pretty common question. As an extension of that conversation, I wanted to share the major reasons to hire a wedding planner in the first place. Wedding planners are no longer just a staple for ritzy events but are so much more affordable and accessible than ever before, (just email me and ask for a quote)! Here are the major benefits of including a wedding planner for your big day…

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WEDDING COORDINATORS vs. VENUE COORDINATORS

As I continue to meet with old and new contacts around the city, I find the title ‘wedding coordinator’ comes up everywhere. It seems that a lot of people call themselves wedding coordinators these days especially when it comes to professionals working at an event venue. I think that I take for granted the fact that I started my career running events at a venue and am pretty familiar with the distinction. I have been asked a few times to clarify the professional differences, so here goes….

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