Is your man a Groomzilla??



Fussing over décor, fiddling over menus and fretting over fittings; it's the grooms who are driving people up the wall these days, as D-Day approaches.

Move over ladies, your better halves have taken over the reins.  It's your would be grooms who are throwing  temper tantrums, suffering meltdowns and driving people mad over every little detail, in the days before the big day.  Did you know that actor Brad Pitt was recently called a groomzilla by a tabloid reporter?  He was driving his fiancée, Angelina crazy by obsessing over the tiniest details of their long impending wedding.  The actor was meeting local French farmers to finalise the menu, conducting taste tests with Europe's top chefs, assembling and re-assembling the wine list and picking outfits for his brood to wear.  But Pitt isn't alone; micromanaging groomzilla are lurking nearer to home.

We know that, traditionally, the bride-to-be would take her mother to appointments with vendors. Now, the role of mothers is often replaced by the grooms. We admit, if Mama I Do lives 3,000 miles away, we would be more than happy to have Mr. I Do by our side each time we had to meet with a vendor. Of course, it depends entirely on your circumstances: since Mr. I Do lives in the same city and our work schedules are very similar, it would be easy for us to pencil in vendor appointments in the evenings after work.

Aside from attending more wedding-related events and appointments, a lot of grooms are also raising their voices about their own wedding visions. It’s not unheard of anymore to hear of a groom who was particular about the flowers or the ceremony chair arrangement. Some guys do care about cake flavors—and some guys want a little bling on their own rings! It’s interesting what you learn about your man when you’re discussing the details. 

 

So here’s to all of the husbands-to-be out there who are supportive and lend a hand however they can.  And sorry for that glue gun that burned your hand.

 

How have you and your significant other divided (or shared) the work in planning your wedding?

Can't afford extravagant centrepieces??...Try thinking out of the Box with DIY

Lets face it weddings are incredibly expensive; making DIY centrepieces is one of the quickest ways to cut your costs. You may think that renting or buying already put together decor will save you time and be less expensive than buying each individual pieces and putting together yourself, but in most cases the opposite is true.

Here are some ways you can DIY your centrepieces and put your personal touch into them.

1. Photo

This is a fun and exciting way to show your guests your history with each other and everyone will have fun looking at them and flocking to other tables to see what other pictures they can find. Use any accents you would like to make it seem more festive. One recommendation is using black and white or sepia coloured photographers.

 

 

   2.  Fruit filled vases

Instead of using those little marbles or stones to fill your vases, use fresh fruit! If you are having a spring or summer wedding, this is such a fantastic idea! You can find a fruit for virtually every colour scheme. If you chose to use citrus fruit, slice the fruit and leave them peeking nicely out of the glass vase. If you choose to use apples, grapes, cranberries or other berries, simply leave them whole and allow them to float within your water filled vase. Have a few flowers with complementing colours sticking out of the top, and if you'd like to add a little more character, invest in a few submersible LED lights and let the light shine through the spaces between the fruit.

 

   3.  Floating Flora

 

Silk flowers, submerged in water look incredibly lovely. The best part about them is they are quite reasonably priced and you can find them in any shade you might need. Find various sized glass vases and place your flowers to your liking, then fill it up. If you want to add more flare, a floating candle on top gives it a perfectly charming touch. This centrepiece in quick, easy and very cost effective.

 

    4.  Ornamental Beauty

 



Ornaments are not just for Christmas, they come in such a variety of colours and styles that makes finding what you need very easy. If you are having a winter wedding, or one of your colours are silver or gold, this is absolutely ideal for you. But even if it is a spring time wedding with pinks and greens, you can use this great idea to create some fantastic DIY wedding centerpieces! They look the best in tall, wide containers, topping them with real or artificial flowers or some other decoration. If you have the ability, the best time to buy the ornaments you need the week or two after Christmas when they are on sale from 50-90% off at retailers.

 

     5.     Mirrored Tiers

 



You would need one large mirror for the bottom tier, then flip over 3 wine glasses, with flowers inside and lay a slightly smaller mirror on the top. Turn one more flower filled wine goblet upside down on the new tier and top with a pillar candle (or flower). This is so very simple to create and looks classy and elegant. Place accents around the base with what ever you choose, to add a little more dazzle.

   6.   Carved Creativity

 

If you are looking for a more rustic feel, or are trying to cut costs to bare minimum, this is an attractive, simplistic idea. All you need are logs, which most people can get free, some candles garden flowers and a little wood carving know-how. Make sure the logs are as clean as you don't want dirt lurking around your guests' food as they eat.

 

   7.   Candle Centrepieces

 



 

Candles are always a beautiful choice for a wedding centerpiece since they are elegant, romantic, and extremely versatile. Whether it is pillar candles on a mirror tile that is scattered with confetti or petals, floating votive in bowls of coloured water and decorative stones, elegant champagne glasses with dainty tea lights, or stylish lanterns creating a muted glow. Candles will add to the atmosphere while still protecting your pocket book.

The I Do Shop has everything you would need to do your DIY centrepieces. From all sorts of vases, candles and even some extras.  This will also save you the cost of buying your items and then storing them after, you can rent them and have them ready to be put together. This is also a stress free plus to doing a DIY project.
We are here to help make your special day a day you will never forget.





The Do's and Don'ts of being a wedding Guest

Have you been invited to a wedding this year?  Ever wonder what the Etiquette rules are for being a guest?  Here are 20 Do's and Don'ts for being a guest at a wedding

 

Do

 

Rsvp right away...the couple have decisions to make based on numbers, if you have to cancel do that immediately too.

 

Don't

 

Make dietary requests unless it has been solicited

 

Don't

 

Feel obligated to bring a gift to the engagement party

 

Don't

 

Ask the Bride to be a bridesmaid.  There may be circumstances beyond her control, so don't take it personally if she doesn't choose you.

 

Don't

 

Pester the happy couple with all of your pre wedding questions.  Ask the members of the wedding party of consult their wedding website.

 

Don't

 

Ask for help with your hotel bill.  Even if you are flying in from another province, the couple is not required to pay for it.

 

Do

 

Purchase items from the wedding registry and make selections based on your relationship with the couple.

 

Do

 

Send a gift even if you can't make it to the wedding

 

Don't

 

Bring a guest unless the invitation suggests otherwise, this includes children

 

Don't

 

Wear white, Ivory is ok so is black

 

Do

 

Bring a shall or a pashmina if you have a strapless dress (unless the wedding is outdoors in the summer)

 

Don't

 

Bring your gift to the ceremony. You have up to one year to send something (although it is best to send it as close to the wedding as possible)

 

Do

 

Wait for a cue from the wedding or venue coordinator if you are late and the processional has already started for the ceremony

 

Do

 

Remember to turn off your cell phone during the ceremony

 

Don't

 

Take pictures during the ceremony, your flash might interfere with the professional photographer.

 

Do

 

Remain respectful even if you do not take part in the religious ceremony

 

Don't

 

Go crazy at the buffet table, there are a lot of guests who need to eat

 

Do

 

Wait for the couple to have their first dance before you hit the dance floor, even if the music is calling.  The couples get the honour of the first dance.

 

Don't

 

Just talk to your date, engage with everyone at your table in polite conversation even if you don't know them.

 

Do

 

Call or write the couple to see if your gift has arrived safely if you have not received a thank-you within two months.

 



The Years of Marriage.....and the gifts that come with them.

Have you been married for a long time or are you just getting married?  I am sure you have heard once upon a time that there are certain elements associated with every anniversary in the way of gifts.  Yes that's right so when your beau gives you a poem on a piece of paper for your 1st wedding anniversary, he has actually taken the time to find out this special information.  So don't be upset that that is all you received it has come from the heart.  Here are a list of the elements for every year, did you receive one of these elements for your Wedding Anniversary and if so what was it?

 

• Year Tradition         

• 1st    Paper    
• 2nd   Cotton   
• 3rd   Leather  
• 4th   Linen, Silk          
• 5th   Wood              
• 6th   Iron               
• 7th   Wool                   
• 8th   Bronze                
• 9th   Pottery       
• 10th   Tin            
• 11th   Steel           
• 12th    Silk           
• 13th    Lace          
• 14th    Ivory         
• 15th    Crystal      
• 20th    China   
• 24th    Opal         
• 25th    Silver               
• 30th    Pearl         
• 35th    Coral         
• 40th    Ruby              
• 45th    Sapphire   
• 50th    Gold                 
• 55th    Emerald    
• 60th    Diamond (yellow)         

 

Chair Covers....How to choose!!

What’s the easiest way to transform a room? Ask any decorator and more often than not, the answer would be Linens. Every wedding is different and the banquet chairs at your venue may not be ideal for your wedding. A chair cover creates a blank canvas so you are able to change the look of a chair to match your colour scheme, but there’s more to chair covers than you think!

Choosing the best wedding chair covers is not a difficult process, but you will need to decide on a colour scheme and budget before renting or purchasing. Most people tend to choose wedding chair covers that match the overall theme of the wedding, or at least complement the colour scheme of the table linens, flowers, and other decorations. You can choose to do the same, or you can break with the overall theme and choose wedding chair covers unique to your style and wedding ideas. Remember to choose covers that will fit properly over the chairs you choose and that are within your reasonable budget.

Are there any guidelines to be borne in mind while selecting chair covers to grace a wedding venue?

Like everything else pertaining to a wedding, even chair covers need to be chosen with care and being cognisant with certain guidelines surely helps in identification of the right type of covers. Your wedding chairs may be wooden, stainless steel, banquet or Chiavari and hence it is imperative to choose covers which will fit the chair in as snug a manner as possible. One way of ensuring a perfect set of covers is to take measurements of chairs beforehand and then launch on a quest to find the perfect one.

 

Are there any guidelines to be borne in mind while selecting chair covers to grace a wedding venue?

Like everything else pertaining to a wedding, even chair covers need to be chosen with care and being cognisant with certain guidelines surely helps in identification of the right type of covers. Your wedding chairs may be wooden, stainless steel, banquet or Chiavari and hence it is imperative to choose covers which will fit the chair in as snug a manner as possible. One way of ensuring a perfect set of covers is to take measurements of chairs beforehand and then launch on a quest to find the perfect one.

Chair covers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the onus is on the user to decide on the fitting, colour and style of the cover which would be most suitable for their wedding. Since there is nothing standardized in this niche, the best way to judge suitability would entail trying out the varied styles one by one and then forming an opinion as to which appears to be the best. Or going to your local Rental Shop and utilizing their knowledge on chairs and chair covers and what they feel would be the best fit. Then you can decide which colour or style you would like to use to complement your overall vision. Both suggestions work beautifully, it all depends on how much time you have to devote on finding the perfect chair cover.

Another strong recommendation would be to select a rental company which provides all those little finishing touches to the venue as well. This could take the form of wraps and sashes of different colours or even placing candelabras to dominate the entire setting. Strategically places willow trees and twinkle backdrops add to the atmosphere and provide ideal backdrops for memorable wedding photographs as well.

 

Benefits of Hiring a Wedding Planner

Balancing you life and planning a wedding can often be stressful, time consuming and too much for anyone to handle.  That's why hiring a Wedding Planner to help you plan your big fay can quite literally, end up saving the day!

Here are some reasons a wedding planner might just be the best route for you:

They Help Make Your Vision a Reality
Everyone has a vision for their perfect wedding.  It could be anything from entering the venue on a horse-drawn carriage to having a Halloween theme.  Having all these great ideas can be useless if you don't know where to start.  A wedding planner can help organize many aspects of your wedding including the D.J. floral arrangements, cakes, seating plan, invitations, photography, and so on.
This sort of help can relieve the stress on you and your groom.  Having a neutral person (with no connection to your family) plan your wedding can really help you stay on track with your original vision.  The couples' families often get involved and can sway the wedding the way they want it to be.  Planners eliminate this problem by being the only person organizing the event.  Be sure to find a wedding planner who has been in the business for a long time, because they have the background and experience to make your day run smoothly.

Time Saver
Planning a wedding can take up a lot of your time.  It's easy to miss something with so much to remember!  A wedding planner can help you remember all the small details, allowing you to focus on the big picture.  Wedding planners do all the hard leg work when it comes to your special affair.  They book all the vendors, set up the seating plan and run the event on the day of.  Having assistance in this department can save you a ton of time and let you enjoy the process, rather than drowning in it.  Make sure you stay connected with your planner and that you're upfront and clear about your vision.

Money Saver
The experience wedding planners' gain from working in the business day-in and day-out, often gives them the inside scoop on how to save money.  Planners have worked with many vendors, making them aware of extra costs that some people fail to mention before the wedding.  Since planners have worked with many vendors they know the best of the best, and the ones that should be avoided.  Additionally, they are often given everything at a discounted cost because they are continually providing business to merchants.  These connections could be just the thing to keep you within your wedding budget.

The Day Of
Even with a planner, you and your partner will probably end up putting a lot of time and money into your wedding.  But it's important to remember, that no matter how perfectly the day is planned, little things may go wrong and that's OK.  Having a planner to coordinate everything on your big day will allow you and your partner to relax and enjoy the celebration.  Your event planner will take care of scheduling, venue set-up, organizing vendors, answering questions and putting our any fires that may come up throughout the day.

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What's" Hot" For Spring 2013

When it comes to choosing your wedding colours, it can be challenging to choose a palette that feels fresh and fabulous. You may feel like it’s all been done before, and it likely has, but by personalizing your wedding colour palette is just a matter of picking different shades and combining them in a creative new way.

" It’s all about a balance of colour,"

 

Here’s a list and breakdown of  trendy hues for spring. We’re sure you will find inspiration for your wedding colours in this list.

 

Turquoise:  appears to have a green to blue shade and in some regions is almost the same color as the ocean. This color is excellent to wear when having a beach themed wedding or going away for a Destination Wedding.

 





 

Ice Blue: Think the 1960s, Valley of the Dolls and Cindy Sherman. Ice Blue is the coolest colour to watch—a great choice for your bridesmaids, cakes and floral greens.







 

 



Cornflower: Thought of as a neutral, Cornflower, is a versatile shade that is both attention getting and gentle.

 

Sage Green: This bright green shade is the perfect way to add a hit of juice to your wedding colour palette. Limeade is the haute hue to watch.

 

 





Yellow: Sunny, bright, playful and optimistic, what more could you want in a wedding colour? It is a is a great shade choice for flowers and cakes.

 



 

Violet: This soft shade of purple is a perfect complement to Yellow—ideal for your wedding colours. We love the softness of this shade—it’s a perfect colour choice for a fashion-forward wedding dress.

 







 

Ice Pink: Clean, simple and classic this tone is a perfect pick for an elegant celebration.

 



 



Royal Blue: This cool blue is bold and beautiful and just a little richer and more interesting than navy shades which have been popular wedding colour choices for ages.

 

 



 Red: If you want to make a statement, this is the colour for it. It’s a passionate, optimistic and romantic colour and a shade that many dress designers from Vera Wang to Oscar de la Renta have chose for their latest collections.