As a wedding planner, it is my job to make EVERYONE look and feel their best on a wedding day, and emcees are no exception. Many people underestimate the importance of an emcee, but emcees have the power to hinder or enhance any event and require one on one attention just like all vendors.

T’is the time of the year for reflection and celebration and I am all smiles thinking about our 2019 weddings and the moments we’ve been a part of! There is still one more wedding to go this year and while I work on the final details and other yearend projects, I wanted to share one more blog post before the holidays. To conclude the year, I thought it was a great opportunity to share my TOP wedding planning tips.

In the wedding industry (particularly in the Manitoba market), the period of October to March corresponding with the Christmas/Valentine’s holidays are BIG for bookings. I’ve gone into many reasons WHY to hire a wedding planner but in the early stages of your search, it’s important to have a list of what to look for in the same way you’d have checklists for your DJ, a photographer or a florist. Here is my recommended list of considerations as you search for your wedding planner.

To include children or not to include children in your wedding party? Your wedding day is full of memorable and exciting moments and the result of hours and hours of careful planning and no one wants it ruined by a screaming toddler. This doesn’t mean you have to rule out having children in your wedding party entirely but I have some recommendations to make children more comfortable at your wedding and avoid any melt downs as much as possible.

Social media feeds are overrun with wedding inspiration and it almost seems as if there is nothing original when it comes to weddings. Every couple wants to give their guests a unique experience but it can seem like quite a challenge in the beginning. I always tell my clients the strategy to make your wedding stand out is to make it meaningful by considering all your favourite things as a couple in the early stages of planning.

My couples always get a kick out of my massive emergency kit bag, and I am continually adding to it. Nothing says ‘prepared’ more than a suitcase filled with medical kits, apparel and beauty must-haves. Below, I assembled a handy check list of items (and corresponding categories) you should consider packing on your wedding day.

The short answer is YES! Without a rehearsal you run the risk of a very disorganized wedding ceremony.

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.

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.

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…

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:

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…..

I often spend time advising couples what and what not to do at their weddings but I wanted to change it up this week and focus on how to be a thoughtful attendee. Whether you are attending a wedding or an upcoming holiday party, read up on these general rules of guest etiquette.

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.