Ottawa Event and Wedding Services

Perfect for Winter Brides

2012-01-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

Here's something I thought that was so cute that I had to share...

Love From Australia’s infamous wedding boots with "Just" and "Married" embroidered on the heels. Slip on under the wedding dress after a long night’s dancing or tell the world your news on the honeymoon journey!

Expert Tip: Wedding Trends 2012: Hiring a Professional Masters of Ceremonies for your Wedding | SmartBrideBoutique.com

2012-01-12T14:10:00.000-08:00

Expert Tip: Wedding Trends 2012: Hiring a Professional Masters of Ceremonies for your Wedding | SmartBrideBoutique.com

The True Cost of a Wedding By: Dahlia Rideout

2012-01-02T14:18:00.000-08:00

At my first consultation with new clients I always ask the couple what they have planned as their wedding budget. It's at this time that the bride and groom look at each other and throw out numbers they "think" a wedding will cost. As their Wedding Planner, it is my job to be realistic, to advise and to guide them so that they can stay within their budget and not go broke before their Wedding Day.

For those who are engaged, this online blog post "The True Cost of a Wedding" by Dahlia Rideout is worth sharing with you. Although it presents the average "American" wedding budget spent in 2010, it is somewhat similar to an average "Canadian" wedding budget (give or take).

Each couple is different and the allocation of their wedding budget will reflect this. Some couples want fresh flowers whereas other couples would prefer to spend more money on photography. This difference is significant as fresh flowers and professional photography can be expensive. Planning is key to your wedding budget and hiring a Wedding Planner to track and manage this budget (and more importantly...be objective) is money well spent.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

Holidays are always the time of year in which we embrace our family, celebrate our health and happiness and be thankful for everything we have in our lives. On behalf of Beyond Events, we wish everyone a Happy New Year! We hope that 2012 is an inspirational year for all our family and friends!

"Your Merry Christmas may depend on what others do for you ... but your Happy New Year depends on what you do for others." - Unknown

Royal Blue Fall Wedding

2011-11-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of planning this special August wedding for P & S. Like many of my clients, they welcomed me into their lives from engagement party to rehearsal dinner. I really felt like I knew them personally.

Not only were they warm and inviting, they were so easy to work with and trusted my professional opinion and advice. The minute I met them, I envisioned navy blue as the foundation marrying various shades of orange and pink colours - playing with various flowers that soften and romanticized the decor.

This wedding was unique in that it was hosted at the Royal College of Physicians which housed a beautiful room (formally a monastery) for both the ceremony and reception. The spacious area right outside the room sported a bright skylight and marble floors to which guests enjoyed cocktails. What made this unique was that the College is not open to the public to host private events - everything (from chairs and tables to linens and decor) was brought on site.

All photos were taken by: Darren Brown - photobybrown.com

Rentals - Partytime Rentals
Catering - Whalesbone Catering
Cake and cupcakes - Little Cakes
Flowers - Sage Designs

Wonderful time, wonderful people, wonderful wedding day!

South Asian & West Indie Wedding

2011-11-15T18:28:00.000-08:00

This 2011 South Asian & West Indie wedding brought together traditional lavish Indian-influenced customs together with traditional Western culture. A wonderful couple who share a heart-warming story of how they met and a long history of being in love. Glad to see their closest family and friends share in their wedding day.

All photos courtesy of Jones Digital Solutions, Bryan Jones.

Both the ceremony and reception were held at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel.

Some of the traditional wedding highlights included a white wedding dress...

....simple yet elegant decor provided by Awe Events....

...flowers from Trillium Flowers Kanata...

....and of course a custom wedding cake provided by Artistic Cake Design.

Lastly the Bride's family influence from Trinidad, West Indie included a Steelpan band during cocktails:

Congrats to my beautiful clients...wishing them a long happy life together!

Catering Weddings and Events

2011-11-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

Food is usually very important to my clients. It is one of the areas that most or much of their total budget is spent on when planning a wedding or event. Along with decor and entertainment, the catering leaves a lasting impression whether good or bad....hopefully great.

All photos are of Whalesbone Catering - courtesy of David Kawai

Over the years, we have had the pleasure of tasting unique and tasty menu creations from several caterers here in Ottawa. Caterers include Thyme and Again Catering, Tulips and Maple Catering, and Scrumptious Catering.

For 2011, we were lucky enough to work closely with Epicuria and Whalesbone Catering. Epicuria uses the freshest local products to ensure the highest quality menus. Whalesbone Catering (including their restaurant on Bank Street) specializes in the freshest sustainable oyster and fish supply in addition to other fresh local ingredients. Each company is unique but both have earned a reputation for their impressive presentation, the highest quality of food and experienced and professional staff - they always work so hard to please guests.

A great caterer not only provides a menu, they should also be able to play a key role in alcohol selection, estimating consumption, and offering recommendation of the best type of alcohol that pairs well with the specialized menu they created for clients.

Although a planner must allocate a higher portion of their budget to leverage a caterer, the money spent definately does not compare when your guests leave raving for days after the event, about how great the food and service were at your wedding or event. It's very true, you get what you pay for!

T & D Kingston wedding

2011-11-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes simple is better and for this November wedding it was just right! A lovely, warm bride and groom and two families that were brought together to celebrate in the small city of Kingston.

The ceremony, cocktails and reception were all at one site, making it easy for most of the guests who were from out of town. The Renaissance Event Venue is a historic church nestled in the heart of Kingston. It is a venue that is not only elegant but has detailed character. It is great for private functions, special events, weddings and small gatherings or parties. The staff was a pleasure to work with and Dennis made my job very easy. Photo courtesy of the Renaissance (Jessup Food & Heritage, Ltd.):

For this wedding I had the pleasure of working with the following professionals:

Rob Eamer of Rare Photography
John Clement of Clement DJ Services
Sandra Jackson of Sandra Jackson Wedding Rentals and Giftware
Janet of Janet's Flowers in Napanee

Kudos to the Courtyard by Marriott in Kingston - although it just happened to be the same weekend a hockey tournament was in town...the brand new hotel made up for it by being so close to the Fashion outlet stores ;)

Thanks Kingston and I am looking forward to working for another happy wedding client in your small city!

Glenn & Alex's July Wedding

2011-11-06T14:19:00.000-08:00

Better late than never...here's a July wedding that the Beyond Events team was happy to be a part of. It was a special day for Glenn, Alex and their two cute-as-can-be children. Not only was it two people getting married who are obviously in love but a day to celebrate the unity of a family who will enjoy a continued happy life together.

The outdoor wedding ceremony was held at the Rockcliffe Park gazebo off of Sussex Drive. It was a beautiful, sunny day while guests enjoyed the overlook of the Rideau Canal.

Cocktails and the small intimate reception with their closest family and friends were hosted at Le Nordik Spa's Boreal Room. Not only was it nestled among the spa but this romantic venue offered lodging for some guests.

Also had the pleasure working with:

Anne-Marie Bouchard of AMB Photo who is a genius at capturing the beauty of weddings in her photos. To see more photos of this wedding please visit here.

Sophie Branchaud of Sage Designs who is a floral designer and decorator - to read her blog post about this wedding please here

Julie Sheridan-Cole the master behind the Sugar and Spice Bakery wedding cake.

The chair and table rentals for outdoor wedding was provided by Chez Lili Party Rentals.

Videographer for the day was Ron Cogan.

Disc Jockey services were provided by Pulse Entertainment.

The Bride and bridal party hair and makeup was styled by The Loft.

Family and friends also stayed at the Hilton Lac-Leamy

Congrats and I'm so honoured to share in this family's special wedding day.

The new CE Centre in Ottawa

2011-10-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of having a private site tour of the new CE Centre in Ottawa. With my hard hat and construction boots, I was led by Kate Buchanan (Sales Manager) around the 220,000 square-foot event space located near the Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport.

Photo courtesy of ©mivphotography2011:

The expected completion date is early December and there are already many shows planned. Upcoming shows include:

Ottawa International Motorcycle Show
January 13, 2012–January 15, 2012

The Home Renovations Show
January 20, 2012–January 22, 2012

The Ottawa Wedding Show
January 28, 2012–January 29, 2012

Not only is the space great for galas, conferences and tradeshows but there are several pre-function spaces and separate meeting rooms that can also be dedicated to social events such as dinners, parties, and weddings of any size.

All food and beverage catering is provided by Great Canadian Plates by Tulips & Maple who is the exclusive caterer for the new CE Centre. There are sample four plate menu packages that start from $70/person.

The facility is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Candidate in its efforts to minimize impact on the environment.

I am glad I had the chance to preview the CE Centre when it's nearing completion of it's final phase of construction. It will be a state-of-the-art event facility that will be a pride of Ottawa.

Ottawa Convention Centre Wedding

2011-10-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

So in love and happy to be a part of their wedding...that's how I felt after planning this couple's wedding! Everything was perfect, all details were taken care of by Beyond Events.

The Bride looked gorgeous in her wedding dress.

The ceremony was held at the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica. Since their wedding was small and intimate, all of their family and friends were invited to sit at the altar for the ceremony.

Their vision was simple but there were key details that really made this day special. The Bride's Mother sent beautiful silk Lily flowers from Japan and those were incorporated into her bouquet by Sophie Branchaud of Sage Designs. Gorgeous florals!

The Groom is a huge Edmonton Oiler fan so we had Little Cakes design custom cupcakes that had their logo. Of course that meant that the topper would also carry the hockey theme.

Not only was the Groom a huge hockey fan, he really loves wrestling as you can see by the gifts he provided to his Best Man and Groomsmen.

We were one of the first weddings to be hosted at the new Ottawa Convention Centre (OCC).

And of course, while the reception was in full swing at the OCC, the Bride and Groom's family and friends were just getting started at the Photobooth!

Low and behold, our wedding photographer (Van Tran Photography) got a kick out of the wrestling belts so he had to have his photo taken too! Well done with all the images capturing the day!

Special mentions to Groovy Linen Rentals for the Lilac linens that brought beauty to the room and the Starwood Westin Hotel for accommodating out-of-town guests and the Bride and Groom.

Beautiful ceremony and reception venues, great team of vendors and a fantastic couple...what else can a Wedding Planner ask for?

Weddings are for men too...introducing the Man Registry

2011-09-20T03:48:00.000-07:00

Located on Bank Street in Ottawa, Stroked Ego offers a full selection of wedding bridal gifts for the Groom, Fathers, and Groomsmen. The Stroked Ego Man Registry is a stylish selection of male-dedicated gifts, fashion accessories, and grooming products.

Cufflinks, bow ties, neckties, pocket square hankerchief, colourful socks, grooming or shaving essentials, business card holder, flask, money clip, timepieces and much more....Stroked Ego can help make sure the men in your life are the best dressed!

And to make the gifts even more special, personalize them by engraving or embroidering them to make a lasting impression.

Navy Blue Inspiration

2011-09-09T18:34:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite wedding colour inspirations for 2011 has been navy blue. It is such a warm and regal colour that boast sophistication.

These are some inspiration boards created for a lovely couple who were married in August. These boards were developed for them to ensure we had a vision when we started the wedding planning process.

By adding several tones of fuchsia, orange and greens in contrast to the picture perfect navy blue base. The wedding decor was not only beautiful but suitable for the first ever wedding hosted at the Royal College of Physicians here in Ottawa. And it enhanced the blue stained glass windows that radiated the room for the ceremony.

Can't wait to share the professional photos from this August wedding...already miss this couple!

Unique Wedding Favour that will Peak Your Senses

2011-08-14T19:25:00.000-07:00

Looking for a unique wedding favour idea? How about a gift that will stimulate the senses and leave a lasting impression with your guests? Why not consider a personalized Bamboo pouch filled with your choice of 3 products such as THANN Rice Extract Body Milk, Bath and Massage Oil, Aromatic Soap or Shower Gel.

I love their product lines because they appeal to both women and men and all their products are dermatologically tested, suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types. To personalize the favours even more, take a trip to the store to experience the smells, pick and choose the products that peak your senses the most and watch your guests love the creativity. To personalize it even more, tie a ribbon with both of your names, wedding date or a personal message that you'd like to share.

About THANN - THANN features all-natural and paraben-free skin, body, hair and aromatherapy products. THANN collections include natural face cream and skin moisturizers, body lotion, natural body butter, natural massage oil, essential oils, paraffin-free candle, sls / sulphate-free shampoo, shower gel, natural salt scrub, clay mask cleanser, toners. Wholesale for spa products is also available. THANN promotes only environmentally friendly products and packages, supports human rights and is against the use of child labour and animal testing. In addition to THANN's retail presence in over 22 countries, the brand is active within the industries of hospitality, supplying amenities to five-star resorts, lounges and hotels worldwide. Feel free to visit their store at 829 Bank Street Ottawa, Ontario or shop online.

Way to Paint Canada Pink Ottawa!

2011-07-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a few weeks since Paint Canada Pink Week in Ottawa but here are some fantastic photos taken by Amy Symes Photography. She was able to capture all the events and we are so thankful to have her as the official photographer for Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's CIBC Run for the Cure Ottawa-Gatineau. Her photos say it all (please visit her blog)...wonderful week and lots of local support. Thanks to Samantha Testa for the music and Amy Symes for the photos:

Paint Canada Pink Week 2011!

2011-06-23T04:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a year and here we are...Paint Canada Pink Week is back and this time it's the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's 25th anniversary! Are you ready to Paint Canada Pink? June 24 to June 30th is Paint Canada Pink week in Ottawa-Gatineau and marks 100 days until the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on Oct 2nd, 2011! Here's some the week's worth of great events that everyone is invited to:

In our community Beyond Events and other fantastic local businesses are Painting Canada Pink to support creating a future without breast cancer.

Other special support from the local community include Lisa MacLeod, MPP and Councillor Marianne Wilkinson, and a Samantha Testa, a young Ottawa singer who will perform for us on June 28th.

We are challenging you to be creative about what YOU can do help PAINT CANADA PINK and get others talking about and fundraising for the Run for the Cure. Join our facebook page: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure - Ottawa-Gatineau or follow us on twitter: @RunfortheCureOG

Hidden fashion gem indeed...in Ottawa

2011-05-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

I was recently introduced to a great designer here in Ottawa...Demu label is a hidden fashion gem in Ottawa.

Apparently "Demu stems from the word "Demutig", a German term that denotes Humble; the human characteristic we deemed one of the most admirable. Regardless of where this venture may take us, Demu will remind us to never take anything for granted and always give back to the world that provided us with the opportunity to write our own story and give us control of our own destiny."

Very cool website - check out their gallery!

Explore, Savour and Enjoy Ottawa

2011-05-07T04:40:00.000-07:00

I was invited by to join C'est Bon Cooking on one of their Food Tours of the Byward Market. It just happened to be a beautiful day and perfect walking around the Market weather! And the company was fantastic...

I must admit that like many Ottawa natives, I thought I knew what the Byward Market had to offer: bars, restaurants, and an outdoor market of fresh produce. But when I attended this Food Tour, it really opened my mind and I learned alot about the wonderful businesses and unique offerings they each have. Not only did we visit several locations, but we tasted many different flavours, learned alot about the history of the Market, and were given an appreciation for cooking with different ingredients...exlored everything from truffle salt, fresh cheese, to beef tartar, and fresh herbal tea.

One thing that really stood out was the Savour Ottawa program - "Savour Ottawa works to develop and promote Ottawa and area as a premier, year-round culinary destination, with robust offerings of local foods and experiences for both locals and visitors to the area." What a wonderful program and I highly recommend everyone support them and the local farmers!

As an Event Planner, I'm always looking for unique ideas for events. C'est Bon Cooking Food Tours is a wonderful idea for anyone looking to organize an event such as a bridal shower, birthday party, anniversary, or even a bachelorette to which the traditional at-home parties or bar hopping are not as exciting or appealing. Not only do you get fresh air and exercise but great recipes and recommendations of what to try on your own.

I would highly recommend that everyone join one of these Food Tours...it's a wonderful experience and the ladies of C'est Bon Cooking are a pleasure to be around and really know alot about food and Ottawa!

Bring Back the 80s for the Weekend to End Women's Cancers

2011-05-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

I will be supporting a cause that is dear to my heart on May 14th...my dear friend Brenda, whom I met a year and something ago and who just happens to be a cancer survivor is my inspiration to put on the Bringing Back the 80s event again.

Together with Carolyne from the Courtyard by Marriott, we all going to dress in our best 80s outfit, tease our hair, shake our thing, sing our karaoke hearts out, and raise some money for the Weekend to End Women's Cancers.

Come on out with your ladies and join us! There will be back and hand massages, custom jewellry, a boudoir photographer, epicure, fantasia, pole dancing, and lots of prizes and auction items!

Start off the season with Networking with Wedding and Event Pros

2011-05-02T04:02:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a warm, inviting space for a private event or wedding you must check out Stella Osteria on Clarence Street. It was our next location for the Networking for Ottawa Wedding and Event Professionals on April 26th.

We had a great turnout considering the wet and windy weather - at one point there was lightening and thunder. Many new faces amongst the many familiar faces - glad to see the mixing and mingling that took place!

Our featured sponsors for this event included photos taken by the folks of Eventbots, floral designs by Sage Designs, entertainment by the AMAZING Elliott Smith - Magician, stationary by Inky Designs, mini speed networking event by Fuchsia Factory, and destination wedding advice from Authentic Foodie Travels, TPI.

Enjoy the video of photos taken from the Eventbot on site - THX Eventbots.ca for sharing!

Photobooth fun!

2011-04-24T18:53:00.000-07:00

Just had to post some fun photobooth moments from the Posh Wedding Show! Thanks to Nat from NDS Photography and Shakira from Little Cakes for making me smile (actually giggle)!

Looks like Allison, my awesome Wedding/Event Coordinator was also having some photo fun with the Ottawa Marriott Hotel folks!

Photobooth courtesy of Shutterbug Photo Booth - book them, it's a fantastic idea and alot of fun!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Easter!

Preview of Ottawa Event Space this week

2011-04-17T06:33:00.000-07:00

It must be that time of the year again - once the snow melts and spring is in the air, it marks the beginning of the busiest time for wedding and events. This past week was a pleasure as I was invited to preview a few unique event spaces around Ottawa.

The Westin Hotel - several of us Planners mixed and mingled with Tia and Anne 24 floors above the City overlooking the Canal and admiring the Parliament buildings. What a spectacular view from the Parliament Hospitality Suite...as the sun set, we enjoyed the company and overall experience. Apparently they have undergone a 7 million dollar lobby renovation and added 12,000 square feet of state of the art meeting space.

From this Day Forward - a unique and intimate space nestled in the downtown area. Husband and wife, Tony and Izabela, have created an atmosphere that is romantic for any wedding or private event. Close by to the Museum of Nature for photos and for anyone having a civil ceremony at City Hall..better yet you can host both your ceremony and cocktail reception at this one location.

Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar - Phil and Vanessa are fantastic hosts and showed us first hand why Juniper's reputation is highly regarded. Before we sat down for a 4 course meal, we enjoyed a tour of the entire venue including a private room hidden away in the back and their very clean and impressive kitchen. All floral designs were created by Vanessa and the menu was delicious. Not only did I enjoy the company but the service was courteous and a pleasure to be around.

Soma Health and Fitness - this weekend was their launch of SOMA Events. What a great time at this modern yet elegant custom designed venue overlooking the Byward Market. Not only was the view beautiful but the music from their house band kept the group dancing. Definately for the clientele that is looking for unique.

And if you haven't already seen the publicity, the new Ottawa Convention Centre is all done and ready to begin hosting events. I'll be getting a private tour next week prior to the Open House on April 23, 2011. What a magnificent addition to Ottawa!

Networking for Ottawa Wedding and Event Professionals - spring is in the air!

2011-04-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Calling all Ottawa Professionals in the WEDDING & EVENT INDUSTRY - Welcome to "Spring is in the Air"...mixing business with pleasure and mingling with our peers working in the same industry.

Bring lots of business cards - this is your opportunity to collaborate, share ideas and stories, get to know who is new to the business and who isn't, and to meet some of our best Ottawa professional talent!

Stella Osteria - an intimate and unique event space - will be our host for the evening. Don't miss this great networking opportunity in the heart of the Byward Market. Meet Ida (co-owner) and Laura (Sales and Marketing) - the Team behind not only Stella Osteria but Blue Cactus and the Luxe Bistro.

This special night is presented by Beyond Events and will feature:

•Inky Designs - customized suite of artistic and hand-tailored stationery
•Fuschia Factory - express networking at lightening speed events
•Authentic Foodie Travels - exotic destination weddings
•Sage Designs - wedding decor and floral designs
•Eventbots - premium photo and video machine services that bring people together
•Elliott Smith, Magician - close-up minor miracles of magic

**Price per person includes opportunity to meet and network with 50 other Professionals in Ottawa. It also includes 1 complimentary drink: Red or White Wine, Draft Beer, or Basic Bar-Rail Drink and a chance to sample the delightful canapes by Stella Osteria:

1.Tuscan Grilled Chicken Skewers
2.Margarita Flat Bread
3.Antipasto Station
4.Caprice Bites
5.Prosciutto Wrapped Figs Brûlée
If the weather permits, a visit to the beautiful Rooftop area is also planned.

Don't miss out on this great event - tickets are limited as this is a private event... our last two networking nights sold out fast!!!

To see what the November event was like, please visit my November blog post.

We look forward to meeting more fantastic vendors!

Some kind of wonderful...

2011-03-25T04:30:00.001-07:00

No matter how organized a bride and groom are in planning their wedding and how much in control they are in ticking off the items on their 'To Do List', there's always that moment in the process to which they realize that they can't figure out how they will make it all happen on their actual Wedding Day - without stressing family and friends.

Geoff and Shannon had it all planned, knew exactly what they wanted, and how they wanted the Day to be like. The only thing left was to hire a Wedding Coordinator to make it all happen and they will agree that it was the best thing they had decided to do. Rebecca and Angela from Beyond Events were like angels who made sure that the happy couple enjoyed every moment of their special day exactly as they planned it and never had to worry about any of the details.

I love referring to Shannon as our Zen-like bride because one week before her wedding she was booked at the spas and enjoying her family who came into town to be with her. We took over all the details and she knew she was in good hands...here's Geoff and Shannon's Wedding Day for everyone to enjoy!

Photo credits to Ashley Fraser and David Kawai - thanks guys!

Custom jewellery including bridal....LOVE!

2011-03-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful woman who reminds me of a beautiful butterfly that doesn't want to come out of her cocoon (cheezy I know but that's exactly how it was when I first corresponded with her). And now look at her....watch out, here she comes!

Isobel Walker is the owner and inspiration behind Frash Femme and bel - both customized and one-of-a-kind pieces. Her creativity and passion for what she does is apparent in her work. She is locale to the Ottawa-Gatineau area but her lines are available around the world. Within the City, you can find her jewellery at select boutique shops such as Victoire Boutique, Boutique Le Local , and With Love Bridal Boutique. Her collections are available online at her website and now also at chicshop.ca.

Recently her collection was featured at Ottawa Fashion Week's Walk the Truth Charity Show and Gala this last weekend(watch the OFW video)or (check out the OFW photos).

So proud of her and it's a pleasure to have played a small role in her journey as she succeeds...can't wait to see where this takes her. To find out more about Isobel and the story behind the success (big hugs to her for the special mention of Beyond Events), please enjoy her interview on Kim's Korner on EZ Rock 99.7.

Happy Anniversary to Beyond Events!

2011-03-16T04:03:00.001-07:00

Here's to a great year in Ottawa...since being back I have met many people: some acquaintances, some current and past clients, others are my business colleagues but I consider them all now my great friends!

I am so glad to be back and to be embraced by a warm and caring community. I felt it was only appropriate to gather family and friends to celebrate in many more years of Beyond Events!

Catering was provided by Whalesbone Catering - Kate is fantastic and if you haven't tried their Oyster House on Bank/Gladstone, you must! Superb, fresh and a wonderful experience!

Photography and credits to Van Tran Photography - excellent images capturing the fun, relaxing event.

Enjoy Van's images to music - voila:

Hot Reception Trends - Written by: Kristin Bustamante

2011-03-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

Excellent blog from "Weddings in Houston Magazine" that summarizes "21 hot trends and cool ideas —in food, drink, entertainment and décor—to help you create a reception that makes an unforgettable impression.".

1. Do a dine-around
2. Get comfortable
3. Offer late-night nibbles
4. Think small
5. Avoid surprises
6. Get personal
7. Mix it up
8. Make your bar a star
9. Offer freedom of choice
10. Add, but don’t sub
11. Have a ball
12. Do like the French do
13. Cheer for chocolate
14. Get guests engaged
15. Wait for the click
16. Say, “Olé!” Latin music is huge right now
17. Dance like the stars18. Go gaga for gobos
19. Accentuate the positives
20. Be charitable
21. Deal some cards

Fantastic ideas to consider when trying to personalize your special event.

Posh Wedding Show Montage

2011-03-04T04:20:00.000-08:00

The reviews are in and everyone agreed that it was a fabulous evening of wedding fashion and delights at the Summit on February 19.

The setting was breath taking, the ice luge was flowing with cosmo martinis, the fashion was to die for and the people were buzzing with excitement! The small, intimate setting allowed brides to ask questions to the experts and take their time to be inspired.

Thanks to all the volunteers, the sponsors and some of the best wedding vendors in Ottawa - there are so many other fantastic vendors within the wedding industry and the talent is amazing in the Nation's Capital so I'm looking forward to showcasing the next group of talent at our next Posh Wedding Show.

Stay tuned...until then enjoy the highlights:

Just in time for Valentine's

2011-02-13T14:25:00.000-08:00

What a great way to celebrate Valentine early than for a great cause. The Festival of Chocolate, a fundraiser for the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region, delighted chocolate lovers at Lago Bar & Grill.

Chef Joe Calabro of Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana, won the People's Choice Award for best chocolate. Roch Fournier of Rochef Chocolatier in Gatineau, came in a close second and third was chef Amanda Lunan of Auntie Loo's Treats. Congrats to all three and to those who were there to tease their senses with the aromatic and delicious tastes served that night.

To read more, please visit "Eye candy and bonbons: Something for every taste at Festival of Chocolate -- video" in the Ottawa Citizen.

Posh Wedding Show in Ottawa

2011-02-10T19:34:00.000-08:00

The Posh Wedding Show (February 19 from 4 to 10pm) at the Summit (Ottawa Marriott Hotel) is for modern, sophisticated brides who want to feel glamourous, stylish and unique. This one-of-a-kind show will feature the city's finest wedding professionals - from boudoir to bouquets...

As the Event Producer, Beyond Events want to thank in advance of the show, the many sponsors:

1) The Ottawa Marriott Hotel
2) Blackbird Communications
3) Cinnamon Toast New Media
4) Sephora
5) Cover Models Management
6) Beaches and Sandals Resorts
7) Karen McLintock
8) Davidson's Jewellers
9) Mia Bridal
10)NDS Photography
11) Magic 100
12) The Ottawa Sun
13) 24

Our POSH fashion show, directed by Within Essence Productions, will grace us at 6 and 8pm and comprises of fashions from:

1) Lilac Lingerie
2) Mia Bridal
3) With Love Bridal Boutique

Models are from the Cover Models Management Agency.

Hair will be done by Le Spa/The Loft.

Makeup will be done by Sephora.

Tickets for the Posh Wedding Show are available online and also at these three locations so why not try on some designer styles and then by your tickets for the show too!

Our POSH vendors that will be on hand to inspire, motivate and guide you in your wedding planning. In addition to the sponsors and fashion show boutiques, come and meet and speak to:

1) AMBPhoto Photography by Anne-Marie Bouchard
2) bel.
3) Exceptional Ceremonies
4) { First Kiss Films }
5) Five Star Entertainment
6) The Flour Shoppe
7) Full Bloom
8) It's a Matter of Cake
9) Kim Ing Photography
10) Little Cakes
11) Mediaball
12) Morris Formal Wear
13) Narsete Photography
14) Ottawa Flowers
15) Quality Entertainment
16) Renu Spa
17) Robinson Limousines
18) Shutterbug Photobooth
19) Smashbox Canada
20) Whalesbone Catering

A special thanks for the support and the great Magic 100 prize for contesting from At the Schoolhouse!

Another special thanks to Codi Jeffreys of Magic 100 FM who will be our MC for the event!

We have an excellent group of volunteers!

Swag bags, cocktails, samples, expert advice and the city lights - what else can you ask for on a Saturday night after Valentine's Day!

For those interested in contesting, there are:

1) Ottawa Sun/24 - Posh Wedding Show contest

2) Magic 100 - 9-2-5 Contest to win tickets and during the 12-1pm show for more great prizes!

3) Posh Wedding Show - if you attend the show, you have a chance to win more prizes at the end of the night!

So much happening in one night so don't miss out - tickets are limited!

Wedding Trunk Shows - coming soon

2011-01-25T04:53:00.000-08:00

Engaged and looking for a gorgeous designer dress but don't have the designer budget...why not try a trunk show? What’s a Trunk Show? A Trunk Show happens when a designer or someone representing the designer, in some cases a wedding boutique, will showcase a recent collection, provide consultation, and offer special pricing and incentives for orders placed during the event!!!! It's a great way to enjoy the luxury without necessarily spending your whole wedding budget.

Here's a few Trunk Shows close to Ottawa from a great selection of romantic designers:

JIM HJELM Trunk Show - January 28 to 30th, 2011
This will be the don't miss Ottawa event of 2011. On January 28th -30th join Mia Bridal Co. for their first JIM HJELM Bridal trunk show. This event will preview gowns from the Fall 2010 collection. A 10%discount will be applied to all JIM HJELM Bridal gown orders placec this weekend. Appointments are recomended.

WHITE TORONTO Trunk Show - January 29 to 31st, 2011
White Toronto is bringing their exclusive designer bridal trunk show to Montreal for the first time. This show will feature Monique Lhullier, Marchesa, Reem Acra, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Rivini and Jenny Packham.

Sash & Bustle Trunk Show - January 28 to 30th, 2011
Sash and Bustle Boutique in Toronto had a trunk show January 22, 2011 for Carol-Hannah but if you missed this one they are having another trunk show January 28 to 30th featuring Stephanie James Couture.

White on White Bridal Trunk Show - February 1 to 5th, 2011
Experience White on White designer bridal fashions at With Love Bridal Boutique in Ottawa. This exclusive retailer will showcase the entire spring collection for four days!

If you're in Vancouver:

Oscar de la Renta, Runway Show - Feb 5 and 6th, 2011
The cocktail event will kick-off the Oscar de la Renta Trunk Show.

Christos Trunk Show - January 29 to 30th, 2011
Blush Bridal Salon in West Vancouver will be hosting a Christos trunk show. Recognized for their heirloom quality, the Christos dresses are for the classic, romantic bride. For this weekend only, Blush brides will get an exclusive look at styles from the Fall 2010, Spring and Fall 2011 collections.

Happy Trunk Show shopping...

Make the most of your life..today

2011-01-23T06:01:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine shared this video "Steve Jobs: How to live before you die". It is of Steve Jobs at the 2005 Stanford University Commencement Address. Listening to him really puts things into perspective and makes you ask yourself, "are you really making the most of your life...today?". Steve Jobs says it so well, "have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become everything else is secondary" and so I thought it would be appropriate to share this with everyone - life is too short:

"Stay hungry, Stay foolish"

Signature Wedding Cocktails

2011-01-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

I recently found a new service that personalizes your wedding with a signature cocktail designed specifically for the bride and groom. This unique service is offered by Wedding Cocktail Design owned by Jonathan Pogash, an accomplished Mixologist based out of the Northeast U.S.

Custom cocktails for your wedding: foxprovidence.com

He even has some of his previous recipes listed on his website for inspiration.

Unique and creative marriage proposal ideas

2010-12-29T06:18:00.000-08:00

For those of you planning to propose this coming year, here’s some creative ideas of how to propose:

1) Spell it out – surprise her during a romantic dinner with an elegant charm bracelet that spells out your special request "M-A-R-R-Y M-E".

2) Make it festive – Hang a few love notes all over the Christmas tree and then have her find the one box with her name on it that has the ring inside for the proposal. Another idea during the holidays is to decorate the Christmas tree with lights that read “marry me” and surprise her with the ring once she sees the proposal.

3) New Year’s Resolution – after a romantic dinner, read each other’s New Year's resolutions and the last one will be “to have you as my wife”.

4) Be a poet –Carve out a heart in a book of poems making sure that her favourite poem is on the first page for her to enjoy – or better yet write your own poem. Once she’s done reading that poem, tell her to turn the page where she’ll find the ring hidden inside the heart.

5) Wear it – Have a T shirt customized with a picture of the two of you and “MARRY ME” on the front. If you want to make it more fun, you could also have a matching t shirt made for her with “YES” on the front of the shirt and the same picture on the back.

6) Share with family and friends – Invite your family and friends to a surprise party for your girlfriend – it could be an anniversary, special occasion or an engagement surprise. While all eyes are on the two of you, take the opportunity to profess your love in front of everyone and propose in a traditional way, on one knee.

7) Say it with words – another fun way to ask her hand in marriage is to create a crossword puzzle to propose.

8) Record it – Make a video of yourself proposing and plan a movie night after a romantic dinner at home. Get comfy on the couch and pop in the video as if you rented it from the movie store and watch her be surprised when she watches the proposal on TV.

9) In the sky - Take her/him up in a hot air balloon with a bottle of champagne and announce that'll you'll jump if she/he doesn't marry you.

10) Romantic travels - propose at the top of the Eiffel tower, at the Taj mahal, or on a white sand beach by presenting the ring at these romantic destinations. Or if you are in Las Vegas, not only can you get engaged but you can even get married at the same time.

If you want the proposal to a public display of your love, why not try:

1) Radio - Have the local radio station play your favourite song during a precise time to make sure you are both listening and either before or after the song, have the DJ dedicate the song and announce your proposal.

2) Theatre – Schedule a night at the theatre and coordinate with the stage manager if you can propose after the final curtain.

3) Newspaper - Take out an ad in a local paper that you know will be read regularly and be close by when he/she reads it to get your answer.

4) Billboard - Post your proposal on a billboard that will be seen either on the way to work or on a walk with a pet.

5) Parade – have “MARRY ME” on a large sign being held by people on a large float, stop the float while the two of you join the float and then propose in front of everyone.

Whether you chose to be creative or traditional in the delivery of your proposal, the most important thing is that you are happy, in love, and ready to spend the rest of your lives together! Either way, I know the proposal will be memorable for you both!

Always nice to get away...

2010-12-16T05:09:00.000-08:00

Second annual Tremblant weekend was fantastic. Plenty of snow, lots of good friends, lots of wine, and many reasons to celebrate! Half of us had recently celebrated or was soon-to-celebrate a birthday and what better way then to get away from the hussle and bussle by taking a weekend trip to a resort chalet? With a room full of Sagittarius' - the laughs and activities were ongoing!

Not only did we relax at our beautiful chalet but we had the pleasure of taking a trip into the Village to enjoy the festivities. It was the 10th edition of Tremblant's 24h of Skiing which raises proceeds for three foundations: the Fondation centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau, the Ottawa Senators Foundation and the Tremblant Foundation.

Besides relaxing, we also spent our Saturday afternoon tasting different rums that were paired with an appetizer. Our tasting consisted of:

1) Bacardi Lemon rum & Avocado stuffed with saffron & lemon-flavoured rice

2) El Dorado dark rum & sweet potatoe chips

3) British Virgin Island dark rum & BBQ beef skewers

4) Royal Oak (Trinidad)& curry crabmeat

5) Spicy Sailor rum & Tandoori chicken

Not only did we try rums that we wouldn't normally try but we learned a bit about each rum while we tasted them. Great idea for a small get together of friends or private event at your home when entertaining! Assign each guest a different liquor, ask them to research it and prepare an appetizer that would pair well with it, tell them to bring it to the party and provide a short history while everyone enjoys the pairing experience!

All it all, the weekend consisted of a great (very relaxing) time, lots of laughs and a full tummy - now to get ready for the holidays!

Noteworthy blog post from Carol Rame: August Coffee Talk: Why you NEED to hire a Professional

2010-12-09T04:39:00.000-08:00

Blog post brought to you by Carol Rame Weddings, Noteworthy is a dedicated Wedding Blog for Trends and Wedding Know-How. Rich with up-to-date info on how to have the Wedding of your dreams! So true and a good read:

Noteworthy: August Coffee Talk: Why you NEED to hire a Professional

Tweet out Hunger and Diaper Drive

2010-12-02T04:26:00.000-08:00

This year I learned about the Hard Rock Cafe's international campaign "Imagine There's No Hunger" from the Sales and Special Events Manager, Michael Machargo. And as many of you may know, I'm an avid Twitter fan. So when Michael and I met, we decided to show our local support by planning the first ever tweet up at the Hard Rock Cafe Ottawa on Dec 1st. The event then grew and it was not only to "Tweet Out Hunger" but to then join forces in the "Ottawa Diaper Drive" - all in support of the Ottawa Food Bank.

With our Twitter handle name tags and a room full of Twitter fans and newbie twitter fans alike, the room was buzzing. Everyone was enjoying in the festivities knowing that they were supporting a great cause that is so very important especially during the cold holiday season.

FACT: the Ottawa Food Bank provides emergency food to 43,000 people a month -35% of those being children and 1 in 5 Canadian moms have struggled to provide one of their babies' most basic needs such as diapers was more than enough reason to put on this event.

Together, with the music of Ana Miura and the Babes 4 Breasts, Mike Machargo, myself, Stephanie Montreuil and Candace Derickx from the Yummy Mummy Club, Alex Surrett from Surreal Mark8ng, and Neil from 99.7 EZ Rock were the proud hosts for the successful event!

If you can spare a couple of dollars, donate non-perishable items or diapers and baby food this holiday season, please do so as it's so important to show your support of our Ottawa community - especially since it's this time of the season we should be most thankful for what we have in good fortunes!

No one achieves success without others...

2010-11-18T04:32:00.000-08:00

No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. -- Alfred North Whitehead...

Last night was our second networking event for Ottawa Wedding Professionals and we mixed it up with martinis! Our host was the Ottawa Marriott Hotel's Summit which overlooks the city, 29 floors above Ottawa and I'm sure everyone agreed that it was breath-taking.

I can't say enough about all the people who made the event a success...but I'll try:

THANK YOU to Marco for hosting the event at his beautiful venue (the Summit) overlooking the city! Looking forward to many more ;)

THANK YOU to all the martinis and networking event sponsors at the Ottawa Marriott's Summit last night: Little Cakes Cupcakes, Reno Video Productions, Quality Entertainment, Tripp Photography, Lou Truss photography, Mastermind Events, Full Bloom, and all the staff at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel - it was truly a pleasure and you were all integral in making the event a success!

THANK YOU to our donations of door prizes: Cake pops from Little Cakes, floral arrangement from Full Bloom, gift certificate from the Ottawa Marriott Hotel and the Courtyard by Marriott, and the gift certificate and bottle of wine from Trixie Tulip!

THANK YOU to our featured guests: Brian Henry (MC), Cristie Vito (and Christine Tripp) and Carrie Irvine.

THANK YOU to my fabulous volunteers who worked magic for me: Allison Milne (of Beyond Events), Kat, and Stephanie!

AND THANK YOU to all the great Wedding Pros who came out to network! I hope you each connected or re-connected and walked away with at least 5 great contacts that you will stay in touch with.

OK I feel like this blog post is my Grammy acceptance speech but there are not enough THANK YOUs to express how blessed I felt last night! Woke up with a smile...

For those who couldn't make it out stay tuned for the next one...in the meantime, please find a recap of the night courtesy of Sylvain and Caroline Renaud of Reno Video Productions:

Adding Flair to Events

2010-11-15T06:16:00.000-08:00

Clients are always looking for unique ideas to entertain their guests at an event. One idea that goes beyond the idea of a signature cocktail is adding flair bartending. Not only are drinks being served that look and taste great but everyone will be highly entertained by the technique and the special moves choreographed by the bartender.

My first experience was watching “Cocktails” with Tom Cruise and it has since intrigued me on how skilled these individuals are in mastering throwing bottles around, rolling them off their body and not breaking anything or spilling a drop of alcohol.

BartenderOne's Movers ‘n’ Shakers are “Canada's Largest team of professional bartenders for hire, catering more than 1000 special events per year from coast to coast.” If you're looking for a way to keep your guests excited and having fun you should consider hiring flair bartenders.

Here’s a great video of BartenderOne's bartenders for hire:

Networking for any industry

2010-11-14T18:51:00.000-08:00

Business Networking is an effective tool in promoting your business. For some it’s a skill that needs to be developed and for others it comes naturally but for both it takes time and energy to master.

Networking is not about passing out as many business cards as you can or sales pitching to everyone that you come across. It is about listening, connecting and focusing on how you can help the person. A small business owner who takes the steps to attend networking events to meet new people will create opportunities to exchange ideas, business contacts, and support.

Laura Allen, co-founder of 15 Second Pitch for About.com, explains How to Network More Effectively. No matter what industry your company is involved in. As a business owner, networking as much as you can with like-minded professionals will not only help you to master this skill but it will help you to build strategic business partnerships that may become mutually beneficial.

If you just happen to enjoy networking and own a business in the Ottawa Wedding and Event industy, we are hosting a Martini and Networking night on Nov 17th - pls feel free to join us. For more information, please visit: http://martininottawawedprofnetworking.eventbrite.com/

Personalize your event...it means more!

2010-11-07T12:26:00.000-08:00

I love to recommend to my clients that they add something personal to their wedding or event. It can be carried throughout in a subtle way or as simple and as fun as personalizing the favours or small gifts for their guests. Here's some really great ideas I've come across and thought I should share:

1) Jones Soda - not only can you personalize the label but you get to choose the flavours too.

2) Hockey puck or mini sticks - for those avid hockey fans (I know you're out there) why not celebrate your passion for the sport.

3) Hot Sauce - the site says it all, "Leave memories of your day on the tips of their tongues for months on end."

4) Magazine Cover - make yourself famous and create your own magazine cover.

5) Custom Postage- amazing and your friends and family will love receiving this in the mail.

6) Custom cookie designs - cute and edible!

7) Swarovski Crystal Lingerie - always a nice gift for your girlfriends or bridal party.

8) Personalized Cigar Humidors - an essential gift for any guy who likes a good cigar.

9) Custom soap - why not? It smells nice and everyone needs to use soap ;)

10) Personalized M&M's - because everyone loves chocolates and you can add your photo!

Fashion and Glam in Ottawa - all in one weekend!

2010-11-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

Ottawa Fashion Week has become THE event to attend in Ottawa! Now on its fourth season, fashionistas and art enthusiasts from everywhere are brought together in the Nation’s Capital for a weekend of glamour and fashion. This year it was held at the spectacular National Gallery Grand Hall.

Over the three days, Beyond Events was a part of the Vendor Gallery. We were among some great vendors such as: Karen McClintock whose gorgeous jewellery hit the runway on Opening Night, Lilac Lingerie, Ottawa Flowers, Dress it Up by NZ, and Beauticontrol. We had so much fun having our table beside two event sponsors, Le Spa Ottawa/The Loft Ottawa and Rob Reid. A shout out to George and Rob - both entertained us and made the weekend fly by!

We had a great view of the runway and the gorgeous models sporting 21 of the most talented Canadian designers such as Adrian Wu, Rachel Sin and Kania Couture.

Among the crowd of media there every night, I had the pleasure of meeting MaryLou from Twenty York Street, a “Fashion and Lifestyle Blog that showcases the latest trends in fashion, style and events in the city”, Julie from Pop Champagne , an “outrageous commentary on celebrities, fashion, popular culture- as well as the happenings in Ottawa, Canada and Holly from My Journey 613, a blog to share ideas and events around Ottawa with everyone. Loved meeting these ladies and can’t wait to read more of their blogs…

There were lots of laughs, I connected with many people (including Max Keeping), enjoyed plenty of beauty and style, and of course took pictures for my readers to enjoy…I'm looking forward to the next one!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-10-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends, to remember how lucky we all are and to be thankful for all we have! However, I do believe that every day is a day to be thankful and Thanksgiving is simply the annual reminder as we get busy with life.

For us, Thanksgiving weekend is normally when we take a Sunday drive up to the Gatineau Parks, enjoy a couple of hikes through the trails, take some pictures to commemorate the Fall Rhapsody, and then get ready for the evening's turkey feast - and what is better than to be blessed with beautiful weather as another highlight to the long weekend.

I hope everyone is a lucky as I am to be loved and to be able to love. I am thankful that those closest to my heart are both happy and healthy. It's at this time of the year that I am reminded of my good fortune. I wish everyone a very "Happy Thanksgiving"!

Empowering women and home-based businesses in our neighbourhood!

2010-09-29T03:58:00.000-07:00

What a great idea and concept - last night I participated in the Stonebridge Ladies Night Out event that showcased a variety of home-based businesses. The event was held at the Stonebridge Golf and Country Club and the turn out was fantastic - over 200 came to show their support. I met lots of very interesting women - both as attendees and as exhibitors in various stages of their business.

The exhibitors in the room ranged from Esthetics from Peacock Esthetics and Make Up Artists to to creative design ideas from Uppercase Living. Right beside me was Jennifer Bailey, a very talented photographer with beautiful images to showcase. We were able to chit chat over the course of the night and although she does mostly family and newborn portraits, I truly hope that we are able to work together on an event. On the other side of me was Amy from Stampin Up who started her business 6 months ago and she's only in her 20's. It's always great to see women entrepreneurship thrive at any age.

Between the laughs, drinks and food, I did end up making a deal with one woman who visited my table - her proposal...if I can find her a potential husband, she'd hire me as her Wedding Planner in a heartbeat - potential for a new service ;)

Thanks to all the ladies for a great night...looking forward to the next one!

AS A FOLLOW ON TO THIS EVENT...MY PICTURE IS IN THE BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT - WOW THANKS!!!

Unique touch...seasonal and sustainable

2010-09-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of attending a great event tonight that featured menu samples from the Whalesbone Catering Company. On this rainy night, I ventured out to find myself at the corner of Kent and Arlington joining over 80 others to check out first hand what the Whalesbone Catering offers its clients. We were treated to sample delicious seasonal food, local wines and Kichesippi beer. There was the opportunity to try an oyster while they were shucking.

What I thought was interesting was that I found out they are "Ocean Wise" Certified -this means that "when sourcing suppliers for oysters and finfish, they are conscious of the status of the stocks, and also the method of harvest or catch." This is truly unique for a full service catering company. It is apparent that they care that much more in the food they serve! Not only was the food a delight, I also had the pleasure of meeting Kate, Chief of Catering & Event Coordinator. Not only was she fun to talk to but her style and grace in speaking about the Company's uniqueness and service sold me. Definately looking forward to working with her and her staff on an event very soon!

And some bragging rights for this them is that their very own Charlotte Langley will be competing in the Gold Medal Plates competition on Tuesday November 16th National Arts Centre.

If you have a chance, you should visit their Oyster House at 430 Bank Street - maybe I'll see you there one night for dinner.

Picture perfect...

2010-09-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

Often I recommend to my clients that they choose a photographer carefully. It is very important that they need to feel comfortable with this person - not only will they be spending a lot of intimate time with them, they are expected to capture the couple's most beautiful and memorable moments. If my clients are not comfortable with the photographer they've chosen, the pictures won't lie - what a huge disappointment it can turn out to be.

This advice is easy enough to provide to my clients but this last Sunday I realized how hard it was if you're like me. I avoid (at all cost) having my photos taken but recently I gave in. My thoughts, "How hard could this be?". Low and behold, even my dear friend Nat of NDS Photography was not ready for the challenge - poor lady she didn't know what she was up for.

I thought it would be even better if I invited our newest addition to Beyond Events, Allison, to join us that afternoon. Unlike me, Allison adores having her pictures taken so she was enjoying every minute - what a gorgeous lady ;)

Although the first 15 mins were a slow start (for me), the rest of the afteroon was filled with Allison cracking jokes and Nat making funny faces (yes like a child having their photo taken...I too needed distractions to make me smile naturally). We ended up having a great time, walked around the Byward Market area, and took some fantastic shots while the weather was gorgeous!

Expert photographers are worth the money spent...they are able to position and direct you, figure out the best lighting (use it to their advantage) and best of all make someone like me smile and forget that photos were ever taken!

THANKS Nat and Allison for a great time!

Paint Canada Pink Week 2010!

2010-08-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure event is the largest single day volunteer-led event dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research AND 95% of net proceeds from our Run stay in the region they were raised in - GO OTTAWA!

This year I had the pleasure of volunteering as the Promotions Coordinator and I could not have done it without the great support from local Ottawa businesses. Many businesses were excited by the idea of "thinking pink" and in helping us promote breast cancer awareness!

The events planned for the Ottawa-Gatineau area took place from July 18 - 25, 2010 and were mostly hosted at the Hazeldean Mall.

1) The week started off with our official kick off and went right into our first event of speed networking presented by Fuchsia Factory.

2) We had free cupcake decorating for kids sponsored by Little Cakes.

3) For the young at heart, we coordinated the Hazeldean Mall Walk club to join us in walking laps around the mall - 3 laps around the mall is equal to 1km and that 15 laps is equal to 5km or the length of the Run on Oct 3.

4) We also catered to the animal lovers at the Pink wag n' walk at Bruce Pit - dog biscuits donated by Hazeldean Mall and the pink poop bags were compliments of our Co-Run Director, Paul.

5) The final weekday we had the pleasure of NDS Photography to sponsor one free 5x7 for each child that booked an appt with her at the mall - those little muchkins in pink were so cute!

6) Saturday and Sunday were information days and we heard some great stories and some not so happy ones but the message reached out to many and that's what counts for PCPW. Cupcakes for both days were donated by Chrystal's Cupcakes - yummy!

The whole week was fantastic and a real eye opener for the PCPW committee... it became much more apparent to me that breast cancer is alot more common that I had thought.

Many thanks to those special people who took time out of their personal lives to volunteer, sponsor and show their support for CBCF. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by such charitable human beings.

To find out more and see which businesses or to join our facebook page, please visit Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure - Ottawa-Gatineau. Next year will be even better as it'll be our 20th anniversary and I can't wait!

Photo courtesy of: Julie Bazinet our official CBCF CIBC Run for the Cure photographer, NDS Photography, Amna Hakim, and our other amateur photographers such as Susan Enns ;)

Official Kick off of Paint OTTAWA Pink Week

2010-07-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Sunday July 18th marked the official kick off of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's Paint Canada Pink Week 2010. As the Promotions Coordinator for PCPW, we chose to host our events at the Hazeldean Mallto create awareness and initiate individuals and teams to register and begin their fundraising!

We had a great afternoon warming up with Wayne our infamous Pink Fairy, admiring the beautifully designed cake (with a life size running shoe) created by It's a Matter of Cake, and enjoying the company of our special guest speakers MPP Lisa MacLeod and Councillor Marianne Wilkinson. The coffee was plenty at the Second Cup and the sound system and DJ were generously provided by Quality Entertainment.

I have to give a shout out to K6 Media for printing off some PINK running shoe prints to decorate the mall floors that led people to our booth. They were a lot of fun and kids loved jumping on them like hopscotch!

I met some inspiring people, some survivors and others who know of someone dealing with it now. The goal of this week's events was to reach more people and inspire local businesses to show support by thinking pink! We had a Paint your storefront pink contest sponsored by KISS FM and Y101 - to find out which businesses participated this year pls visit our CBCF - Ottawa- Gatineau facebook page.

We were also mentioned on the local CTV news and Metro Ottawa came out for an article they printed the very next day.

Our official photographer for the week is Julie Bazinet - many thanks for the photos!

Beyond Events' mention in Wedding Bells

2010-07-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

What an honour and privilege to be mentioned in the latest fall & winter 2010 edition of the Wedding Bells magazine as a "Planning Wedding Whiz". Check it out!

Event better is to be mentioned with someone I have worked with before. I'm proud to say that I have had the pleasure of working with Byron Brydges who is a professional photographer that captures "fashionable, editorial-style" moments of a bride and groom's wedding day. Way to go Byron!

Thanks so much to the editors for choosing Beyond Events. Couples make sure to use this magazine as a resource tool for ideas from real weddings, fashion, beauty tips and travel ideas - available both print and online!

CIBC Run for the Cure Oct 3 - Go Team Go!

2010-06-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

True to my heart and the cause I've chosen to participate in each year is the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. This will be my 2nd year as Team Captain of "Boobies United", last year was in Toronto. It's truly a heart-warming but highly emotional experience that I think everyone should try at least once. Not only is it a relaxed run/walk event, it is so much fun to be surrounded by a sea of pink feather boas and pink bras!

To start my fundraising early, I hosted a small private Potluck for the Cure at my home with my close family and friends. Ladies indulged in relaxing spa services provided by Genesis Mobile Spa of Ottawa. Our Stella & Dot consultant, Amy Mclean, showed some beautiful jewellery to spoil ourselves, and we had the pleasure of trying wonderful, delicious dishes - shared amongst fabulous ladies with tickles and giggles. AND we had a gift prize and swag bag for each person to take home.

All in all it was a fantastic time and all for a great cause. I even managed to recruit some walkers to join my team!

If weddings and events weren't enough, I am also the Promotions Coordinator for the CBCF CIBC Run for the Cure in which we are encouraging local businesses to Paint Canada Pink from July 19-25th. There are already a host of businesses that have signed up and KISS FM will be hosting a contest to win $2000 in free online advertising! To find out more information about PCPW, please join our Ottawa-Gatineau Facebook fan page.

Interested in participating in PCPW, joining my team or finding out more information about the October 3rd event, feel free to contact me.

Summer must be here....

2010-05-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

Location for an event, whether private or corporate, is always a key decision for planners. Big or small? Intimate and romantic or grand and elegant? There are so many fantastic venues in Ottawa and I had the pleasure last night to attend two events.

The Atlific Hotels of Ottawa-Gatineau hosted a special wine & beer pairing evening to celebrate the Spring/Summer season. It was fabulous to have the opportunity to meet the teams from Courtyard Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, Hotel Indigo, Lord Elgin and Residence Inn - all together. Not only did I get to mix and mingle, I was indulged by the food pairing stations that spoiled me with cocktails made with ginger beer and Russian Standard Vodka, white/red wine, and even scotch. There was food stations from seafood to the chocolate fountain and everything was topped off with live music and great company. Congrats to the Atlific Hotels in Ottawa-Gatineau, 2010/2011 will be filled with exciting and new opportunities!

Lago Bar & Grill has since been a great spot for weddings and events. It recently underwent some renovations. Last night, at their grand re-opening party, I had a preview of the new layout, format and full use of the patio overlooking Dow's Lake - the sunny weather just made it even better on the patio. Fantastic venue that brings out the best of elegance and romance. There were samples from the new menu (including oysters to lamb chops) and special drinks! Well done and I'm looking forward to more exciting news from Lago.

By Appointment Only Bridal Boutique...

2010-05-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

On May 8th, I had the pleasure of attending the Grand Opening Night of the Ashton Station Bridal Boutique in Carleton Place.

Nestled in an old church, Luigi and Tracy Porcari have renovated the space into a beautiful, modern boutique that provides brides with
high-end bridal gowns designed by Canadian designer Rita Vinieris. In talking to Rita, I'm inspired by her creativity and vision. She is truly a fashion icon in the Canadian wedding industy with presence in many of the International runways, including New York.

Ashton Station is by appointment-only. This offers brides the chance to share their first moment of trying on wedding dreses, with their closest family and friends. The boutique currently offers not only many Rivini dresses to try on but also shoes, headbands and jewelry.

Luigi and Tracy's story was shared by the Ottawa Citizen. You can find the article at: "Say yes to the dress".

You can also read about them at the Smart Bride Boutique Blog. Photo courtesy of Smart Bride Boutique.

Before the wedding season kicks off...

2010-05-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of co-hosting a sangria and networking event in April, with Trixie Tulip - The Bytown Bride, for Ottawa Wedding Professionals. It was the first ever networking event in Ottawa for this type of industry. Not only was it fun and relaxing but also a night in which we managed to bring together talent and experience from different areas of the wedding industry.

I was graced with fantastic people that night...I probably would have never had the opportunity to do otherwise, especially once the summer wedding season kicked off for 2010. I was able to enjoy the company of Smart Bride Boutique (from Toronto), Sylvain and Caroline Renaud from Reno Video Productions, Julie Butler, and Tangerine Smile...just to name a few among a great group of professionals.

Thanks to everyone for a great night and looking forward to our second Ottawa Wedding Professionals Networking event - save November 17th and bring lots of business cards!

Inspired by tonight's food sampling

2010-04-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

Creative but delicious food is always a highlight for any event - both private and corporate. It should be an inspiration of the theme. It should make your guests excited to try it and leaving them wanting more.

Tonight I met with Aliza, Owner and Head Chef for Octogon Catering who treated me to a moroccan-themed sampling of this week's menu. The Moroccan tasting started with pita chips dipped into Matboucha (a cooked spiced tomato salad) and some chips for her Carrot Dip (nicely spiced), Meatballs with Tomatoes, Olives and Homemade preserved lemon, and rolled cookies with raisins, pecans, fruit jam and dates (YUMMY).

Straight off her website, "Octogon catering offers homemade traditional dishes with modern interpretations. A creative culinary experience with innovative customized menus-local or exotic with inspired blend of flavors from various regions of the Mediterranean."

Tonight's tasting not only got me excited for her and the fact that she recently opened a location at 707 Gladstone Avenue, but that we will be working together in planning Octogon Catering's Grand Opening event. More info to come but feel free to drop by her location as she also offers meals to go and unique cooking classes for all ages...truly a Moroccan and Spanish inspired cuisine experience.

Free printable wedding workbook

2010-04-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

Collaborating, sharing and promoting other reputable wedding planners in Ottawa is always best done over a coffee on a nice sunny day! I had the opportunity over the weekend to do just that with Sophie from Coverall Event Coordination. I'm so excited for her. She has officially launched "Something Blue" which is a free printable wedding workbook customized by city and state/province. As an experienced Planner, she has developped a tool to facilitate the planning process for brides and grooms - not specifically to replace the requirement for a real Wedding Planner but as a guide to prioritize and track progess. Nothing can replace the warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing you have a real person on the day of your wedding to take care of any problems, handle vendors, set up, and coordinate all aspects includng the itinerary.

Congrats to Sophie for a great idea! Check out Something Blue: Free printable wedding workbook at www.somethingblueworkbook.com!

V for victory for my dear friend Brenda

2010-04-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

There are times in our lives when we are forced to really see things in a different perspective and be thankful for our family, friends and their health! I've recently met a great woman who is not only a cancer survivor BUT who's making the most of her second chance at life! While some of use would have given up with a diagnosis of cancer, Brenda decided to turn it into an opportunity. In 2009, while completing chemo, she successfully planned her first ever Survivorship charity fundraiser in hopes of finding a cure. This year she's back to celebrate being a survivor and to plan her second event for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation., in hopes of doubling last year's target. It took me some time to convince her that she really had a reason this year to celebrate and I'm so happy to be a part of it! She has a great line up: Spoken word by Greg Frankson "Ritallin". Comedy by: Catherine Doucette-Smith, Rachelle Todd, Jenninfer Hayward, Jennifer Woodworth - lots of great prizes, silent auction items and so much more! Everyone should join us April 17, 2010 to celebrate Brenda and other cancer survivors and more importantly show support in finding a cure for this deadly disease!!!

For more information.

The traditional wedding registry concept in a not-so traditional way

2010-04-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

With more and more couples living together before marriage, it almost seems that having a bridal registry is almost pointless. If you have all the furniture, kitchenware, decorations for your household, what else could there possibly be left for your wedding guests to buy?

Well why not use a gift registry that will offer your family and friends the opportunity to contribute to something you, as the soon-to-be married couple, really want such as a romantic honeymoon, a downpayment on a new car or home, electronics or gadgets, or even a donation to the charity of your choice. This is all possible thanks to a new, not-so-traditoinal registry called Wedding Republic.

How does it work? Well it is quite simple - it allows you to create a wedding profile, select your gifts from their list(or you can create your own gifts), determine how you want to split the gift value by selecting the number of puzzle pieces, rank them based on how important the gift is to the couple, share the link with family and friends, and sit back and track the progess of the registry. The great thing is that guests can choose how many puzzle pieces (or contribution) they will contribute...AND IT'S FREE. You can be as creative as you want with your gift list now.

Excellent idea!

Sangria and Networking event for Wedding Professionals in Ottawa

2010-03-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

As usual, I saw a post on the internet about interesting networking events and low and behold, I receive a message on twitter from @TrixieTulip that a sangria networking event would be a hit! That was only a week ago and here we are with over 37 vendors ready to be our guests at Ottawa's first ever sangria and networking event for wedding professionals!

The time and date is: Wednesday April 21, 2010 at Lago Bar & Grill.
Presented by: Beyond Events and Trixie Tulip
DJ/Entertainment by: Quality Entertainment

Registration information will follow soon, in the meantime let us know if you are interested on the Facebook page.

Host private events that are unique...

2010-03-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

Cater to the group of people you would like to host an event for and be creative on the theme of the night. There are so many fun ideas that I've come across for private events...from "Stag and Does" to bachelorette parties, you can:

1) Enjoy an authentic Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant that will leave you guests "oooohing and aaahhhing" when the chef prepares delicious tableside grilled seafood, beef or chicken entrees with a little chop chop, toss and serve as a part of the entertainment.

2) Host a private pole dancing party at your home or at a studio that will not only provide a good workout for your guests but help you to achieve a higher level of sex appeal. Sensually Active in Ottawa not only offers pole dancing parties but also chair dancing lessons for those women who want to bring out the pink feather boas and stiletto high heels.

3) Invite your friends over for a wine-tasting party at home. Ask each guest to pick a country, do some research as to which wine comes from that country and pair it with a delicious entree for everyone to enjoy. Not only will you be surrounded by great friends but your guests will enjoy wines and delicious food from around the world.

4) Plan a cooking class with both males/females. This type of private event allows collaboration, mingling, and an opportunity to learn while preparing your own food - in some cases, there may be more laughing than cooking depending on your guests' skills in the kitchen.

5) Relax and enjoy a private yoga party. This is a good way to help everyone relieve tension and alleviate stress before possibly going out on the town for a bachelorette or birthday party.

6) Book a private suite for a concert or hockey game with over 10 of your closest friends. Celebrate in style, from a "Jack and Jill" to a job promotion.

7) Express your sensuality with a boudoir session (yes that's right). Melanie Rebane, a local Ottawa Photographer, is hosting a spring boudoir marathon here in the Nation's Capital and the craze is catching on as women and their friends get to express through the lens of a camera just how sexy they really are - it's up to them who they share them with ;)

Other private events include a winery tasting and tour, spa party (at home or at the spa)with a make-up bar, learning how to make sushi, casino dinner, show, gambling, Fantasia party, Stella and Dot jewellery party or Whitewater rafting. There are so many possibilities that there's no excuse why you can't host a fun event that everyone will be talking about for days to come.

Beyond Events can help you on small or large private events...design, plan, and execute!

Supporting Ottawa Talent

2010-03-12T04:15:00.000-08:00

After moving back from Toronto, I now appreciate Ottawa that much more. I truly think that Ottawa is a great city to be living in. This week I had the privilege of supporting (actually "enjoying" is a better way to describe it) the local talent that the Nation's Capital has to offer.

I was invited by Chef Aliza Hutman to experience her four course Spanish and Moroccan inspired dinner. She created the menu and was the overall chef instructing a team of Algonquin's student chefs to cook the menu at The Restaurant International. Not only did my group of friends provide them with an opportunity to learn but we all enjoyed a lovely 4 course dinner at a very reasonable price ($19.99 per person). If you haven't tried the Restaurant International, Algonquin's School of Hospitality's teaching restaurant, you must...as a lunch/dinner guest, you experience fine dining at very reasonable prices in their well appointed dining room.

Chef Aliza owns a catering company called Octogon Catering in which services include: Private, Corporate, Personalized chef, Cooking Lessons and Gift Baskets. For catering enquiries: aliza@octogoncatering.ca

Phyllo pastries with orange-flower custard strawberries and orange marmalade.
(credit: Photo by Lois Siegel)
_____

To add to this week's local talent events, I attended Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh off here in Ottawa. After 6 weeks of competition between Ottawa's best comedians, Wednesday was the FINALE - Ottawa's very own top 6 comedians putting their best efforts to make us laugh: Peter Grunstra, Wafik Nasaralla, Jason Harper, Mike Beatty, Dave Atkinson, and Martha Chaves.

The Ottawa rounds of Yuk Yuk's 2010 Great Canadian Laugh Off contest were, as always, a huge success. It was my first time visiting their new location on Elgin Street and we even enjoyed half price Wednesdays at Hooley's beforehand. Not only was it my pleasure to be there and support our local artists but a portion of the proceeds from my ticket sales were donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Thanks to Howard of Yuk Yuk's. Not only did I get great entertainment but I shared the night with a group of fantastic friends for a great cause.

This year's winner in Ottawa was Martha Chaves. She will be competing in a heat with 7 others on Friday March 19th at Yuk Yuk's flagship club in Toronto. Should she win that round she will compete in the final on Sunday March 21st for a chance at $25,000. This round will be taped for national broadcast by the Comedy Network to air in the fall of 2010. If you haven't seen her before, you have to..she's hilarious and it's apparent why she won BUT kudos to all the other comedians because they truly have talent!!!Can't wait for the next event in support of local talent!

Bridal Bargains and Wed by Hand - not your typical wedding show

2010-03-02T18:18:00.000-08:00

Even though couples are continuing to get engaged, the size of a typical wedding budget has changed from what it was years ago. Couples are watching more and more where they spend their money. As a Wedding Planner, I love to see a couple's vision of their wedding still be one of elegance and style and have only the best details. That is where the idea of Bridal Bargains came about when I was brainstorming one night how I could support my dear friend Crys and her Team Diabetes. This show was not only to bring together once-loved wedding dresses, to decor and wedding accessories but to showcase local businesses who offered personalized products and services such as Stampin' Up and beaded flowers and accessories.

The idea then blossomed into something that created a buzz that continues even now. I met Krista (Urbanite Jewelry) and instantly knew that we would become great friends. We talked about her idea of a first ever Indie wedding show called Wed By Hand and it intrigued me by it's sheer uniqueness and obvious appeal to a different segment of couples. It was a revolutionary concept that fit in quite nicely with Bridal Bargains....and so the idea of two wedding shows were merged into one with proceeds donated to Team Diabetes.

All the vendors were fantastic and each brought something special to the show including hand made makeup, floral, jewelry, chocolates, and soaps such as:

Crazy 4 Chocolates
Chelsy Anne Jewelry
Full Bloom
Little Cakes
Papillon Press
Dahlia Decor
Just Add Water
First Kiss Films

A highlight of the event were the once-loved dresses not only donated to Team Diabetes directly but those in particular brought to us by Ottawa's ONLY consignment boutique White Haute Bridal.

We also had quite a few photographers at the show who each bring a style and personality of their own and it's apparent in their photos:

AMB Photo
Melanie Sheilds
Melanie Rebane our official photographer for the event and who's photos highlight the success of the overall day!!

If you are looking for unique, sustainable, hand-made quality products and services offered by people who care about their clients...stay tuned for the next Wed By Hand indie wedding show! This trend is here to stay - CONGRATS Krista!

"Bringing Back the 80's for a Cure"

2010-02-26T03:59:00.000-08:00

The amount of hairspray and spandex in the room on Feb 20th was phenomenal! On that Saturday night, I brought together a room full of women (only) to "Bring back the 80's"!!!! It truly was a room full of women who inspire me by their true generosity and warm hearted nature. The review was fantastic and lots of women came up to me during the night and asked me if I was making this an annual event - YES MAAM!!! Not only did we support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation but we brought girlfriends together to enjoy a night of pleasure and pampering!

I have to thank each of you:

1) Carolyne Malette - http://www.marriottcourtyardottawa.com/ - I can not thank this woman enough - she is truly a great woman who deserves to be praised. When I approached her about my idea she was jumping out of her seat and since then I've seen so much excitement and enthusiasm - OR was that frustration with me ;) I truly could not have made any of this happen without her. Follow her hotel on Twitter @CourtyardOttawa.

2) Wedecor - www.wedecor.ca - The lovely centrepieces were generously donated by Nancy who does decor for events/weddings. She is fantastic and truly provides quality work. Woot Woot!!!

3) PM Event Services - http://www.pmeventservices.ca/ - All the women had a blast from the past and wanted the 80s music to continue all night long thanks to the groovin' of AJDJ. PM Event Services offer great DJs for weddings and events.

4) Yuk Yuk's - www.yukyuks.com - Two lady comedians (Dana and Andrea) who were a huge hit! It was a great way to start off the night and to get the women ready for more fun.

5) Marie Marie Marie (Van Dusen) - http://fantasia.ca/ - She officially made us laugh so hard it hurt!!! So she truly is the best Fantasia consultant in this city because she makes your home party so much fun - If you ever had any bachelorette parties, girls night in, etc...she's your woman! Truly a fun but generous lady who I have had the pleasure of knowing for years.

6) Cindy Almond - http://www.sensuallyactive.com/ottawa.htm - This lady makes it look so darn easy?!!! She provided the chair and pole dancing lessons...wow was that not a huge hit! If you ever want to plan a home party or a great alternative to a bachelorette party or better yet, just sign up for a regular fitness/sensual pole dance class with her at her studio! Bring your friends - thanks again for teaching everyone how to be sensually active and you can follow her on twitter @SensuallyActive

7) Shakira and Colleen - http://www.littlecakes.ca/ - Best little cupcakes EVER! These ladies donated their little pink cupcakes in so many flavours.. what a pleasure for everyone. She does all types of events/weddings, etc - I could eat them all the time...not a good idea. Follow them on Twitter @LittleCakes and join their facebook group.

8) Julie Vignale - I'm Truly a Truffle Maker - she is truly a truffle maker (trouble-maker...get it) and even though she couldn't come and join us that night, her truffles were a highlight nonetheless.

9) Brenda Burich - www.partylite.biz/bburich -She has been fantastic and her Partylite display was beautiful and really captured the pamper and pleasure theme. If you ever need any candles or partylite products or to host a party, pls contact Brenda -

10) Urbanite Jewelry - http://www.urbanitejewelry.com/ - I have the pleasure to be hosting Wed by Hand and Bridal Bargains with her on Sat Feb 27th! Check out some of her cool jewelery which she can customize so let her know if you want to give something unique to a friend.

11) Melanie - www.maitlandmassage.ca - Melanie offered free back massage and she was quite busy with the women lining up for a quick massage. She is a Registered Massage Therepist and can work wonders.

12) Michele - http://www.comfyposturesolutions.com/tab_home - Custom bra fitting is what all women need. Thank you so much for your generosity!

13) Marina - http://www.puredanceottawa.com/ - She provides dance lessons (everything from Salsa to Ballroom) to which you do not need a partner plus I love the fact that she can help to choreagraph a couple's first wedding dance!!! Check her out at her studio(s)!

14) Genesis Mobile Spa - She is a mobile spa so now you can get pampered at home! She can do spa parties and what a fun idea for bachelorette or wedding parties. She also does makeup so if you have a special occasion, just book an appointment with her!

15) Cheryl Godard - Avon lady at your leisure who donated a large gift for our prize table. If you ever want some Avon products, contact Cheryl!

Last but not least OttawaKiosk.com, Rogers Daytime TV with Derek and Elise, 105.3 KISS FM, and especially Brother Bob Derro from Oldies 1310 who promoted the event!! Might I add that Brother Bob generously donated our GRAND PRIZE which was an opportunity to co-host the morning show - Congrats to Nadia our winner!

Final words - thank you thank you thank you for the generosity from each and every one of the ladies that attended...I love promoting local businesses and it was truly a night of pleasure and pampering!

For anyone who is enticed to attend our 2nd annual "Bringing Back the 80's", follow my Facebook fan page (Beyond Events) or on twitter @Beyond_Events....OK hope to see everyone again same time, same place, same event to Bring Back the 80's for the Cure!!!

Follow @Bringingback80s

Planning a Beautiful Wedding on a Budget

2010-01-29T20:34:00.000-08:00

A few tips for planning your beautiful wedding on a budget:

1) Plan your budget – Be realistic and determine how much money you have available for the wedding. This will include your own savings and any gift money from your family. Don’t consider credit cards and money that you don’t have access to right away as part of your budget, otherwise you will find yourself going into debt even before you’re married; that’s not a good way to start off married life. Stick as close as possible to it and track it frequently to see where you’re spending the money. This way you will be able to organize all of the details according to the budget you have set aside and can afford.

2) Use Wedding Planners – Experienced wedding planners will be able to offer support by providing tips and ideas to save money and cut costs on your wedding. With their expertise comes a larger network of contacts and it’s their experience dealing with reputable vendors that helps you to avoid throwing away your money – they will also help you stay on budget and be that voice of rationalization when you want to blow all your money and some.

3) Do your research – As with anything else, do your research, ask family and friends for referrals, take the time to look into your different options before making a final choice for everything from flowers to transportation. Ask questions, make site visits, shop around and get a quote from each vendor making sure to consider and compare the quality, type of service, and determine if there are any hidden costs or exceptions to the pricing. Understand how much things cost and what you get for that price. Shopping around can help you add up the little bit of savings as they will quickly add up making a difference in your overall budget. Be wise in your choices.

4) Prioritize – Determine what your priorities are when it comes to your wedding. Some couples consider the flowers and décor their “must-haves” while others might spend the money on their photographer and food. Since there are so many aspects to a beautiful wedding, the details quickly add up and so does your wedding budget. When planning for the big day, make sure to you decide on your top 3 things where you want to spend more and 3 things you wouldn’t mind spending less. Figure out the areas you want to focus on first and always weigh your options. Weddings are not meant to be cookie-cutter; the best ones are personalized to the couple.

One thing to remember is that the wedding day is for you as a couple. You can’t please your Mom or Aunt and make decisions to please everyone if it isn’t what you want. If you plan, research, prioritize and stay on track, you will be happier with your decisions; this is, at the end of the day, your wedding and your money. Even though you your family and friends are important, you can’t be wasting money to make everyone happy. If it’s not in the budget then let them know but be nice about it…don’t turn bridezilla on everyone. All in all, enjoy the day because you deserve it…Happy Wedding Planning on a Budget!

Welcome 2010!

2010-01-07T16:38:00.000-08:00

Another year has come and gone! The holidays are now over and 2010 has officially begun and we're back to the humdrum of work and home. However, for some couples, the holidays this year have been even more special because they got engaged between Christmas and New Year's Day.

What better way to say "I Love You" than to have your love unwrap their (what-they-think-is-another) present which just happens to be a beautiful Diamond Engagement Ring? And then soon after in January of 2010, these same couples are now planning to announce their recent engagement to family and friends but then what?

Although most men will tell you that the marriage proposal is one of the most stressful moments of a man's life, they would also agree that getting engaged over the holidays is both romantic and inspiring at the same time. However, have they even thought of the thousands of details it takes to planning a wedding? Probably not but they will and wedding planning will soon creep up as a good second place on their stress monitor.

Once engaged, wedding planning is something a couple will live and breath for the next while until their wedding day. Not to fear, there is so much guidance and advice posted on the internet and found in all types of wedding magazines and books - from do-it-yourself to comprehensive checklists and templates. Still confused, well here's some interesting posts according to the Knot, "10 Things you need to do first" and "Just Engaged: Your First Wedding Planning To-Dos"

It's hard to remember sometimes that we aren't always able to manage everything in our lives and the added stress of planning your wedding might seem overwhelming. Just remember that there are dedicated planners such as Beyond Events, who can help you stay on track, get it all done, and keep your stress level at a minimum - your wedding is suppose to be a happy celebration and not a great big chore. Even if you choose to do it all yourself, above all, don't forget to do some deep breathing...often!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year - may your lives be filled with love, laughter and only happy moments...

Congratulations and best wishes on your engagement and good luck on your wedding planning!

How important is food at an event?

2009-12-27T18:57:00.000-08:00

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.

Working with experienced vendors that have a big heart

2009-12-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

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.

Now what do you do with your wedding dress?

2009-12-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

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!

Never forgotten...

2009-11-21T17:52:00.000-08:00

A wedding is a celebration uniting two people together. In doing so, not only are their closest friends and family members brought together, but also those who remain in their memories. When I plan a wedding, I like to incorporate the bride and groom's personalities, interests and cultural customs. I always remind my clients to never forget those who made them who they are, such as their grandparent(s) or closest aunt or uncle who has since passed.Our loved ones should never be forgotten. What seems like a small detail in the greater scheme of things, will become a significant memory when thinking back to that special day...to feel that their spirit was present, listening and knowing they were a part of the celebration. Something as small as wrapping two small photo lockets to your bridal bouquet, incorporating a reading in the ceremony or having photos of them at the reception will keep their memories alive for you and your guests. It's the smaller things in life that make the biggest difference! Cherish those that are alive but never forgot those who have passed. (photo courtesy of: Irina Photography)

2009-11-16T19:59:00.000-08:00

A pair of coloured bridal shoes (like these Alan Pinkus) is a great way to tie the many details of a wedding together. Even shoes can inspire your décor and accentuate the beauty of fresh flowers…stylish and classy coloured bridal shoes are becoming more and more popular with brides. A little surprise of colour under your wedding dress – other than the garter - is a unique and great way to show off your personality through a pair of glamorous shoes!

Some people may argue that wedding shoes are not as important as the other accessories because they are hidden away. However when a bride walks forward, kneels at the alter, gets in and out of the limousine, and takes her wedding photographs, the shoes are always a compliment to any lovely wedding dress.

Just take a look at this HOT pair of Christian Louboutin Coquine Pink Satin Slingback. It’s a peep toe made of satin with an 85mm stiletto heel, a front criss-cross metallic ribbon & bow detail, and of course it has the signature Louboutin Red soles. Imagine if guests catch a glimpse while the bride is walking down the aisle or during the first dance as Mr. & Mrs, it will leave them wanting to see more.

Even better is a pair of the LEGENDARY blue Manolo Blahnik shoes that played a significant part in the movie “Sex and the City”. They are sleek, sexy and undeniably a luxurious fashion accessory for any bride who wants to be the center of attention on her wedding day. Wearing these as wedding shoes will leave any bride the talk of the town.

Now don’t get me wrong, as much as you want your shoes to look gorgeous, don’t forget that you need to pick a pair that takes into account the length of the wedding dress and the height of the bride. Also it is very important that the bride is comfortable first and foremost and finds it easy to walk in because the last thing anyone wants is to watch the bride wobble down the aisle or sit out on her first dance. And it’s always a good idea to break them in before the wedding day!

All in all, make sure you can walk, dance, and have fun in whatever shoes you choose to wear!

2010 weddingtrends

2009-10-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

Smaller and personalized weddings are the newest trend so expect to see smaller weddings that stress romance but put less pressure on the purse strings. Couples are choosing less guests means a more intimacy wedding with their closest family and friends.

Eco-chic weddings are the newest buzz with couples looking to keep their wedding 'green'. Creative and unique ideas such as recycled paper invitations, recycled rings, plantable wedding favours, a horse drawn carriage, organic menus... are all great options for an eco-chic wedding, a trend that is becoming more and more popular and will continue into 2010.

Romantic princess-like wedding dresses are back. Knee-high wedding dresses welcome back the classical, romantic bride. The applications of flowers, tulle and lace will be very big in 2010, bringing back the beautiful decade of the 30s. Classic strapless is still in.

Smaller more personalized cakes and decorated cupcakes are continuing to grow in popularity. So long to the 4+ tier wedding cakes that tower the couple. The introduction of these non-traditional cakes adds a unique and fun element to the wedding and is always a hit for both adults and kids.

Candy buffets and edible wedding favours are very popular. Candy and homemade sweets always make an impression and truly express thanks, plus you get to send your guests home with your love.

e-Weddings are top of the list. The Internet has made it easier to send out real-time e-invites, provide updates by e-mail and post pictures on personalized wedding websites for family and friends to share before and after the wedding day. Other trends for 2010 include forms of social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Charity begins from the heart and what better time than weddings? This is the new trend for 2010. Brides are donating their dresses to others in need, offering the leftover food from the wedding dinner to a homeless shelter, or donating their fresh flowers to a church, hospital or association that may reuse them are all ways that a happy couple are able to give and still receive.

Canadian Chinese Weddings

2009-10-09T05:18:00.000-07:00

For those who are Canadian-born of Asian decent, there are many more details to consider when planning and coordinating a wedding. More and more couples are looking to wedding planners to not only help them on their special day but to make sure that both the bride and groom's cultures and customs are infused into the ceremony and reception. As with any newly engaged couple planning a wedding, specific details that will personalize their wedding in reflection of their heritage or personality are important - it represents who they are and where they came from.

There are certain Chinese-inspired ceremony details to include or consider when planning a wedding:

Picking the right date - the date should be selected from the Chinese calendar and its sometimes done by consulting a fortune-teller or feng shui expert. The best suited date is selected for the couple based on their birthdates and Chinese zodiac signs. It's considered good luck to marry on an even day and month of the year.
Choosing the right colour scheme - the colours chosen are important as red symbolizes happiness and gold is the colour of wealth. Colours to avoid are black and white which is often related to mourning or death in the family.
Languages - incorporating both english and chinese in invitations, programs, speeches, and thank you cards will include guests that do not speak either language.
Symbols - use the symbol of a dragon or phoenix on programs, use red paper and have a gold "double happiness" symbol printed on invitiations or programs.
Tea Ceremony - this is the quintessential Chinese wedding tradition in which the couple would serve tea to both set of parents and family and friends join in games and offer red lucky envelopes or jewellery to wish the couple a happy life together.
Decor and music - choose flowers that match the colour scheme such as peonies, orchids, or lotus blossoms. As for music, incoporating some chinese music into the night will keep guests in your celebration.
Praying to the Gods - some more traditional couples, paying homage to their ancestors and family members who have passed are important. This would include setting up an altar at home, burning incense, and providing offerings by burning paper food and money. These offerings with prayers are to offer respect and to ask ancestors and deceased famly to watch over and protect the happy couple.

Many couples have found wedding planners help them not only focus but help them bring out the culture and customs into their special day of marriage. As with most couples, wanting a wedding that reflects them personally - where they were born, how they were raised, and why they fell in love - and ties both bride and groom's family together are a priority...what better way than to intertwine both Asian and traditional North American wedding themes for guests to learn and enjoy.