Sunday, December 27, 2009

How important is food at an event?

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

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

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

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

Monday, December 14, 2009

Working with experienced vendors that have a big heart

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, December 4, 2009

Now what do you do with your wedding dress?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Never forgotten...

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)

Monday, November 16, 2009













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!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

2010 weddingtrends

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.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Canadian Chinese Weddings

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.