Sunday, December 27, 2009

How important is food at an event?

If you've ever attended a wedding or an event, there are certain things that your guests will remember the most....the decor, the entertainment and of course the food! The better the quality of the food, the better (and more memorable) the party. As all event planners know, the more innovative the menu, the higher the quality of the food and the overall presentation will manifest into lasting impressions among those attending. It is also important to consider how the food will be catered and served and how all these key aspects will come across to your guests. As we all know, bad impressions by word-of-mouth travel faster than good news.

Apart from the food, beverages play a complimentary role to your menu. A unique idea is to create a signature drink for your event that is personalized or reflects the theme of the day/night. A signature drink with a fun name ties the event design and style together with the overall experience that guests can take with them.

Together fresh ideas and personalization of your food and beverage will set the stage for your guests to decide if the event was great, good or just OK!

A great location for personal and custom-tailored menus for any type of event is Ottawa's Urban Element at 424 Parkdale Avenue in Ottawa Canada.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Working with experienced vendors that have a big heart

Every year I form a team to participate in the annual Run for the Cure and this year I wanted to contribute more to this great cause so when I was thinking about my next event to plan, I knew it would be a charity fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF). The wheels in my head began turning and the ideas were flowing but how could I pull it off? Thanks to a group of great people who care just as much as I do...

On February 20, 2010, Beyond Events will be co-hosting with the Marriott Courtyard a charity fundraiser that will be"Bringing back the 80's" for one night only.

  • Imagine 150 ladies dressed in their best 80s outfit, dancing the the tunes of Duran Duran, Cindy Lauper, Boy George, Madonna and so many more (all music to be provided by the fabulous PM Event Services).
  • Well we can't have a night without transforming a room into a wonderland of white and hot pink colours which will be done by Wedecor - one of the best in Ottawa for wedding decor.
  • And what's an event without the entertainment? Well we will have our very own Fantasia Diva for the night, Yuk Yuk's will be providing the comedians and Sensually Active Ottawa will thrust us into some pole dancing lessons - all these activities will bring sexy back for sure!
  • We also have some great feature booths: custom bra fittings from Comfy Posture Solutions, quickie chair massages from Maitland Massage, and for the sweet tooth...Little Cakes will delight you....just to name a few.
Well since my return to Ottawa, I've worked with many vendors in the wedding and event industry. Some are good at what they do and others have not only impressed me with their professionalism but clearly share the same passion as me in making an event something to remember. I look forward to what 2010 will bring - this event is simply start it off right!

If you're planning a wedding or event, check out some of these highly recommended vendors! Better yet dress in your leg warmers and tease your hair, grab your girlfriends, come down to the Byward Market, and dance to the 80s while supporting a great cause!

For more info, please visit our Events page or call Wendy at 613.791.9261 to find out more.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Now what do you do with your wedding dress?

You probably spent months looking for that one special dress that would leave your soon-to-be husband speechless the first time he saw you walk down the aisle. Not only did it take time to find it but you probably paid a good price for it too. So now that you’re married, do you sell, keep and preserve, donate or trash the wedding dress of your dreams.

For some brides, the thought of wearing the dress again is unlikely. For others, the emotional attachment is low versus the instant cash back. And in all cases, to know another bride will put good use to the dress again is always a positive. If you want to sell your dress, there are several ways to do so. You can list it in the classified ads, or advertise online via Craigslist, Kijiji, Ebay, and other more general used items for sale sites. There are consignment shops for bridal dresses, and web sites that specifically offer online listing services for pre-owned wedding gowns. Any which way, make sure to set the price taking into account the style, the condition and the age of the dress.

If your plans are to keep your dress and pass it on as an heirloom, then you will want to take it to a reputable dry cleaner that is specially trained in cleaning and preserving wedding gowns. Take the time to find a company who you trust. Once it’s been cleaned you can chose one of two preservation techniques: Vacuum-Sealed Box Storage (acid-free) or Hanging Storage - make sure to keep in a temperate, dry place, out of direct sunlight - either way will insure flawless gown preservation until you are ready to pass it on.

Do you want to do a nice deed for a bride on a budget and pass along the happiness that the dress brought you on your wedding day? If the cash back is not a consideration then why not donate the dress to a charity such as the Brides’ Project which was started in 2004. It has two very important purposes: to provide every budget-conscious bride with the things they need for a beautiful wedding and to help children and adults with cancer.

And for those who want to have fun in their dress one more time around, the newest trend is trashing the dress. There’s a certain level of appeal to wear the wedding gown one more time while trudging through mud, getting wet or dirty on a beach, at a farm, riding horses, or walking through the city with no care in the world…all while being photographed and capturing memories in the dress a second time around. Whether it’s for fun or an excuse to wear the dress again, it might also symbolize the strength in the marriage and the unity of the vows for eternity.

So what will you plan to do with your wedding dress – sell, keep and preserve, donate or trash – no matter what, the bride is what makes the dress beautiful not the other way around!