Special Features - Weddings - Winter 2012

WINTER 2013 |

PROMOTIONAL

SUPPLEMENT

WINTER 2013

Victoria Bridal Exhibition Preview

Here’s to you!

January 13 at Pearkes Recreation Centre

Wedding day transportation tips

Cover photo supplied by: Brawns Photography

Tips for a great best man toast

All Aboard

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Every thing to create a Healthy You using the best products from all over the Globe Excalibur Dehydrator y

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BlendTec Total Blender Photonic Portable Water Unit: This is the structuring device that can travel with you, to add a bio-photon infusion to water, wine, or any beverage. All you need is Gravity! Come to the store for a taste of structured water from the Portable Unit.

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Titanium Non-Stick Cookware Set

Weighted Acu Hula Hoops

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WINTER 2013

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4 Find a gown they all will love 6 Getting guests to and fro: Wedding day transportation tips 7 Tips for trying on wedding gowns 8 Here’s to you: Tips for a great best man toast 9 Victoria Bridal Exposition Preview 13 Variety is the spice of life with wedding cuisine 14 How to find the right banquet hall for your big day 15 Seating your wedding guests 16 Floral terms to know 17 Cash registry: It does exist 18 Packing pointers for destination weddings Published by The next special Weddings edition is being planned now.

Reserve your space – call Oliver Sommer, Director, Advertising Sales, 250-480-3274 or email osommer@blackpress.ca

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-Jason McKinnon, Lighting Designer “Your success is our success”

For tickets & event info call 250.656.0275 tickets online any time at www.marywinspear.ca

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lose friends and family members are an important component of a couple’s wedding day. Individuals who are especially close to the bride and groom are often asked to become members of the wedding party, which means a bride-to-be will be asking one or more women to play an integral role in the celebration.

To set these ladies apart from other guests at the wedding, they are often asked to wear coordinating bridesmaid gowns. Selecting a style and colour that is fitting to the unique people of the bridal party can be challenging, but it’s not impossible.

As if choosing your maid of honour wasn’t tricky enough, you now must make a host of other decisions as well, all while playing stylist to the wedding party. Fashion sense is as unique as a fingerprint, and it is unlikely the bridesmaids will be able to agree on every aspect of the gowns they will be asked to wear. However, there are ways to narrow down the choices and be as accommodating as possible to their needs.

Find a gown they all will love

A little patience can help a bride-to-be select bridesmaid gowns that are flattering to all the members of her bridal party.

Size matters The body shapes and sizes of the women in your bridal party will be different, and this should be kept in mind when selecting a gown style and cut. There are certain dress shapes that are universally flattering, such as A-line. Try to avoid gowns that are extremely form-fitting, as only a few of the bridesmaids may be able to pull off this look successfully. The remainder could be left feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable. Plus, form-fitting clothing will be restrictive and can be difficult to move around in — particularly considering the gown will be worn for an entire day.

Flattering Colour As a bride you may have a colourscape in your mind for the wedding. But what looks good in table linens and flowers is not always the right choice for clothing. Take the skin tones and hair colours of your bridesmaids into consideration before choosing a dress. Green- and yellow-hued dresses may not look nice on women with olive skin

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tones, while very pale colours may wash out women with fair skin. Those with dark skin may need a brighter-coloured dress.

Price Tag It is an honour to be asked to be part of a bridal party, but that honour can be very expensive. The bridesmaids are expected to pay for their wardrobe, hair styling and makeup, as well as parties and gifts for the happy couple. As a courtesy to the women who already will be investing a considerable amount to be a part of your wedding, make every effort to select a gown that is affordable.

There are plenty of retailers offering stylish options that may not be as expensive as some specialty stores.

Other Tips Once you’ve decided on the basic elements, consider the following suggestions to find a gown that the bridal party will enjoy.

• Take one or two bridesmaids shopping with you. Try to select ones with opposite body types so you can see how the gown looks on a woman who is thin and one who may be more fullfigured.

• Think about choosing separates. The bridesmaids can mix and match tops and bottoms to find a fit that works. This may enable a woman with a larger bust size to select a top with supportive straps while another bridesmaid can opt for strapless. Many stores have increased their inventory of separates because of their growing popularity.

• Choose one colour and then let the bridesmaids choose the style they like the best for themselves. The look will still be cohesive, but it won’t be boring with one type of gown. Also, each bridesmaid will be comfortable with a gown that flatters her shape.

• Go with a tea-length gown. These gowns have become quite trendy and are less formal and cumbersome than full-length gowns. Plus, there is a greater likelihood that the gown can be used again at a later date.

• Purchase the bridesmaid gowns at the same store where you will be purchasing your wedding gown. Most shops will offer a courtesy discount if the bridesmaid gowns are purchased at the same store.

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Ensuring bridesmaids are happy in their gowns takes a little work but will be well worth the effort.

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Do you know where to find the perfect wedding gift?

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SIDNEY at the foot of Beacon in the Sidney Pier Hotel 250-656-5506

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Getting guests to and fro Wedding day transportation tips

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hen paring down the guest list for their wedding day, many couples come to the realization that their lists are loaded with out-of-town friends and family members. Though out-of-town guests who accept an invitation to the wedding are responsible for their own travel to the wedding destination, many couples feel obligated to arrange for travel to and from the wedding as well as the reception. The latter is especially important, as couples want to ensure their guests make it home safely once the reception ends.

Transportation for guests to and from the wedding and reception is something couples can easily overlook, but such arrangements can ensure guests are on time for the ceremony and that no guest has to worry about whether or not it’s safe to drive home after the reception.

Couples who don’t know where to begin with regard to transportation for their wedding guests might want to start with the following tips.

• Shop around for shuttle service.

Shuttle service can be costly, but it’s also very convenient. Couples can arrange for shuttle service from the hotel to the wedding, and then from the wedding site to the banquet hall where the reception is being held, and finally from the reception site back to the hotel at the end of the night. Depending on the size of the wedding party, the shuttle service will likely recommend staggering the runs so every guest can take advantage of this convenient service. More runs will be necessary for larger parties, while a handful of runs is likely all that’s necessary for ceremonies with fewer guests.

• Consider a bus for smaller parties.

Couples without an extensive guest list may also be able to get by with a single bus to get guests around throughout the day. A bus will provide similar service as a series of shuttles. The bus will likely only pick up guests at one specific time, making it an ideal choice for smaller parties but less convenient for larger parties where some guests might want to retire earlier than others come the end of the night. A bus can be more fun for guests, who can reunite on the bus with others they have not seen in a while

or make new friends with guests who might be affiliated with the other half of the wedding party.

• Discuss transportation with the hotel where guests will be staying.

Some couples may find that a shuttle service or another transportation option will stretch their budget too thin. In such instances, speak with the hotel where guests will be staying. Some hotels provide airport shuttle service to guests, and may be able to offer a similar service to the wedding for guests who register their rooms under the wedding party’s name. This may come at a fee, but compare the cost of arranging transportation with the hotel versus a private shuttle service. The former might be more affordable than the latter.

Even if the hotel cannot provide shuttle service, the concierge or front desk staff may be able to suggest an affordable shuttle service. This can be especially valuable to couples having a destination wedding who don’t know the area very well.

• Get the details spelled out in writing.

Like all aspects of planning a wedding, make sure you get the nuts and bolts of the transportation package in writing before writing any checks. This should include the minimum hours the company will be available for guests as well as if there are any charges related to total mileage travelled. In addition, make sure the agreement clearly spells out how many drivers will be available.

Note when shuttles to the ceremony and the ensuing reception will run, as well as how frequently shuttles will be available to guests once the reception begins, and when the last shuttle will leave the reception site at the end of the night. Before signing any agreements, research the company to ensure all of its drivers are properly licensed.

• Inform the guests. Of course, the guests will need to be informed of the transportation arrangements upon checking into the hotel. Don’t assume you will see each guest before the ceremony, as some may not be making it into town until the morning of your wedding day, when you will likely be too busy to meet with them. So be sure to include transportation instructions in the welcome packages guests will receive when they check into the hotel. Consult with hotel staff a day or two before your wedding to ensure those packages are ready to go and that the correct transportation information is included.

Transportation for wedding guests might not be at the top of many couples’ priority lists, but arranging for such transportation can ensure everyone enjoys the ceremony and makes it home safe and sound at the end of the night.

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on Store o ll a B r ie m re P ’s a Victori d Prices!!! n a n o ti c le e S t s e B FOR A LOVE THAT RINGS TRUE WE HAVE EVERYTHING FOR YOU!

Tips for trying on wedding gowns

From the balloons to decorate your hall to the just married sign on the back of your car we have it all...

to the “event experts”

M

any brides-to-be look forward to the day when they visit a bridal salon and are able to try on gowns for the first time. However a few tips can make the day go much smoother and may reduce the amount of time it takes to find the perfect gown.

• Wear a supportive, well constructed strapless bra or corset in your correct size. If you will be wearing

a petticoat, also have the right size available.

• Go without face makeup when trying on gowns so they remain clean.

• Try to wear your hair similar to the style you have in mind for your wedding.

• Note that the size of the wedding gown you will wear is typically one to two sizes larger than your day-to-day clothes. Proper

measurements can be matched to designers’ size charts.

• It’s best to limit the number of people with whom you shop to one or two trusted friends or family members.

An entourage can be confusing.

• It’s always better to order a slightly larger gown and leave room for alterations if you are between sizes.

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the wrong reasons.

One of the reasons best man toasts can be so unpredictable is that giving a best man toast is such a unique experience.

It’s something many men never do, while those who do give a best man toast may only do it once in a lifetime. It’s understandable to be nervous when asked to give a toast, but there are a few tricks of the trade a best man can employ to calm those nerves and ensure his toast is memorable for all the right reasons.

Here’s to you!

Tips for a great best man toast

The best man toast can be one of the most memorable parts of a couple’s wedding.

Sometimes a toast is memorable for its humour and heartfelt sense of appreciation for the groom and his bride, while other toasts are more memorable for all

• Practice makes perfect.

Few people are capable of standing in front of a crowd of people and speaking off the cuff. A best man should take this into account and practice his speech before the big day.

A spur-of-the-moment speech may provide an adrenaline rush, but such an endeavor may come off as if you didn’t care enough to put the effort into writing a thoughtful toast ahead of time. In addition, practicing the toast once it’s been written will make you feel more comfortable and

confident in front of the crowd.

If possible, practice in front of a friend or family member so you can solicit feedback. A friend or relative might be able to help you fine-tune the speech, which in turn can calm your nerves once you’re handed the microphone.

• Avoid alcohol. Drinking prior to your toast is a recipe for disaster. Though it may seem like a good idea to employ alcohol to calm your nerves and lower your inhibitions, it’s not a good idea. Consuming alcohol before your toast increases the chance that you will end up embarrassing the bride and groom as well as yourself.

• Get to the point. Men and women who have attended their fair share of wedding receptions no doubt have sat through a long-winded toast from the best man or maid of honour. Such toasts can bring a festive reception to a grinding halt, and guests will likely tune out before the best man or maid of honour gets to the point. Being succinct should

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be a goal for a best man with regard to his toast. Avoid longwinded walks down Memory Lane in favour of a toast that thoughtfully cuts to the chase and lets everyone get back to celebrating.

• Spin a yarn. While it’s important to be brief, don’t be so brief that no one at the reception learns about your relationship to the groom. Share a humourous anecdote from your mutual past to illustrate the type of relationship you and the groom share with one another. This story should have an element of humour but don’t include anything too embarrassing, and all ex-girlfriends should be considered off-limits.

• Congratulate the couple.

Because nerves play such a significant part in many best man toasts, it can be easy to forget to congratulate both the bride and groom. Don’t just toast the groom at the end of your best man speech; toast his new bride as well.

SUNDAY, JAN 13TH PEARKES RECREATION CENTRE

Bridal Exhibition.ca

VANCOUVER ISLAND’S

2013 WINTER 2013 |

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Meet the Bridal Experts

The event runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm and features the island’s top wedding exhibitors from every avenue of the wedding industry. Make sure you don’t miss out on our three fashion shows, and on stage presentations. We will be giving away door prizes every hour and each registered couple at the show will have the opportunity to enter the draw for a honeymoon or 1 of 2 Trips to Las Vegas provided through Marlin Travel and Transat Holidays. All couples will also receive a free Wedding Experts Bridal Resource Directory and the new issue of

Vancouver Island Wedding Ring magazine.

Our registered couples will also receive a complimentary Bridal Rewards card when they attend our show which entitles them to all types of savings from our participating Bridal Exhibition Vendors.

Our website is also an online Bridal Guide to help you organize your special day. For exhibitor information, bridal resources and wedding planning guides please go to www.bridalexhibition.ca or call us at 1-888-501-9696

We look forward to seeing all the soon to be newlyweds and their guests and family at our show and encourage all couples to pre-register at www.bridalexhibition.ca Tickets can also be purchased through our site or at any Thrifty Foods location. Advance tickets are $10 and are $15.00 at the door.

Sincerely, Rick Scheffers: Owner /Producer Beckie Ross: Co - Producer

We would like to thank our sponsors: Black Press, The Ocean 98.5 & and Marlin Travel & Transat Holidays.Without them we could not have made this event possible.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attends the Victoria Bridal Exhibition and wish much happiness on your wedding day.

Beauty by Design

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We’ll help make your wedding

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Salon J Hair Studios provides hair styling and makeup for bridal exhibition models

Gown by David’s Bridal 121347MOT_V1_EN

You are invited to the island’s largest wedding show on Sunday January 13th, 2013 at the Pearkes Rec Center. Meet with top wedding professionals and organize every aspect of your wedding in one day.

Come taste, see, feel and plan that special day! We are a Vancouver Island owned and operated company and have hosted the Bridal Exhibition for over eighteen years.

Each show has been very successful and this one promises to once again live up to those expectations. Come spend the day meeting with wedding enthusiasts, check out the on stage presentations, fashion shows, and take in the samples, freebies and fun!

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Salon J Hair Studios, located in beautiful Sidney BC, is proudly showcasing Spring 2013’s hottest bridal trends for hair and makeup, from couture to the classic bride.

January 15 - March 31

Salon J and their talented team will pamper you from head to toe and vows to leave you looking flawless and feeling fabulous!

Come visit us at our booth and find out about the featured specials from Salon J Hair Studios, your Bridal Beauty Experts!

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Bridal Exhibition.ca

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VANCOUVER ISLAND’S

Exhibitors

Make your first dance special, comfortable and memorable

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Learn from The Leaders

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596 Marine Dr., Ucluelet | 250.726.4800 | blackrockresort.com

1143 Franklin’s Gull Road, Parksville

•

250.590.8044 1816 Government Street www.thewhitepeony.com www.facebook.com/WhitePeonyBridal twitter.com/thewhitepeony

BRIDAL & ACCESSORIES Your Day - Your Way...

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776 Spruce Avenue, Victoria (directly across from the Douglas Street Canadian Tire) info@creatingoccasions.com www.creatingoccasions.com • (250) 475-2611

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Dominion Lending Centres Elephant Flowers Fetching Image Photography Flight Centre Flowers to You Four Frames Photo Booth Glimmer Photobooth Harbour Towers Hiway Productions Home Outfitters Hotel Grand Pacific Investors Group Island Gourmet IT Works! Global Jennings Florist Jesse Hladey Photography Joe the Bartender& Class Act Party Rentals

Organizing Your Special Day

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Details

Special Event Planning and Decor www.creative-exposure.com

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Vancouver Island Bridal Exhibition is looking forward to helping you organize your special day, and to do that, use your Bridal Rewards Card!

Every registered couple that will be attending the Bridal Exhibition will receive one of these valuable Bridal Rewards Cards. The Bridal Rewards Card will allow you one admission to future Bridal Exhibitions in 2013, and an opportunity to receive various rewards such as discounts on merchandise and/or services or a free gift with a purchase of merchandise and/or services from participating Bridal Exhibition vendors.

Examples of how the Bridal Rewards Card Program can work for you 1) Discount of ...% off your order 2) Buy 3 receive one Free 3) Free Gift with a purchase of the following....

These are just examples of the types of savings your Bridal Rewards Card can do for you.

Along with the Bridal Rewards Card, you will receive a current list of the participating vendors in the program and also what type of reward they are offering, for a complete up to date list or more information, please visit our website bridalexhibition.ca If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Bridal Rewards Card Program is subject to change without notice, vendors have the ability to change the reward, or opt out of the program at any time.

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CARLY’S

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SimpliCITY E Stephanie Ri SunLovers Swans Suite The Bay The Bride’s C The Butchart The Garden o The Ocean The Old Hous The Wedding The Westin B Resort & Spa Thrifty Foods Tigh-Na-Mar Tip Top Tailo Undercover W Vancouver Is Vancouver Is Victoria Brida White Peony

Blue Bottle Photograp package and 50% off v package is booked Capital City Tuxedo: G pay for th wedding Carly's B Already Creativ discou Delta 15% of Ocean Po products) Details Special Event Elephant Flowers: Gro Bride's Bouquet Home Outfitters: Rece to one year from your " prior to the event (Valid Jennings Florist: A com matching orchid bouto

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Grooms tuxedo rental free when you hree groomsmen or any attendant in party Bridal and Accessories: 10% off Lowest Prices on Bridal Gown ve Exposure Photography: 15% unt on services and products Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa: ff treatments in the spa at Delta Victoria ointe Resort and Spa (does not include ) Planning and Décor: 10% off Services oom's Boutonniere with purchase of

eive a 10% Completion Discount for up "event" date for any items registered d at Langford Store only) mplimentary orchid corsage and onnière

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Island Gourmet Catering 809 Craigflower Road 250-216-6137 islandgourmetcatering@yahoo.ca www.islandgourmetcatering.com

Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa: Complimentary 2 nights accommodations in a romance beach front suite when you book your wedding with Kingfisher for 2013 or 2014 Lawless Brown Mortgage Team: Free Home Appraisal when required for funding of a mortgage (Lawless Brown Mortgage Team a $400 value) + A $100 cash back when purchasing a home with Cheryl Laidlaw from Royal LePage RSM Productions DJ Services: Free ceremony services when you book a Deluxe, Premium or Ultimate Wedding Package. *Must be booked by April 30th, 2013 Salon J Hair Studios: 15% off any featuring the talents of: services + 10% off any product The Bride’s Closet, SimpliCITY Events and Weddings: Victoria Bridal Boutique, $599 for wedding day management Moores Clothing For Men, package The White Peony, Jennings Florist, The Bride's Closet: Free Veil Chocolate Lily Floral Design, (valued up to $100) with purchase of Thrifty Foods, Salon J and wedding gown over $800 RSM Productions and The Garden of Eden: 20% off anything in Details Special Event the store not including sales items.

Planning

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4330 Island Highway South, Courtenay Wedding Bookings: 250-338-1323 ext 399 Reservations Toll Free: 1-800-663-7929 www.kingfisherspa.com

Broadmead Village 250-383-5414 Mayfair Mall 250-361-4115 Cadboro Bay Village 250-595-1181

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MORTGAGE-TEAM

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Oak Bay Avenue 250-370-1222 Duncan 250-748-2594 Ladysmith 250-245-7114

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Bridal Exhibition.ca

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SUNDAY, JAN 13TH PEARKES RECREATION CENTRE

CAPITAL CITY TUXEDO

VANCOUVER ISLAND’S

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Fashion Show: The Bride’s Closet; Floral by: Jennings Florist

• 3:15 pm

Arthur Murray Dance Studio

• 4:00 pm

GRAND PRIZE DRAW

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The site contains a number of tools including a variety of Wedding Checklists, Budget Sheets, Events Calendar, as well as helpful hints and other tools.

You can also check out the listing of the islands top wedding professionals and head directly to their websites.

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VANCOUVER ISLAND’S

Variety is the spice of life with wedding cuisine

Door Prizes

• Bed Bath and Beyond TBA • Best Western Premier Prestige Oceanfront Resort: One night accommodation in Deluxe Oceanview room • Capital City Tuxedo: Free Tuxedo Rental valued up to $150 • Carly’s Bridal and Accessories: Bridal Purse valued up to $50 • Creative Exposure Photography: Engagement Portrait Sitting valued at $190 • Details Special Event Planning and Décor: $250 off Décor Rental • Flight Centre: Gift card & Suitcase or equivalent prize valued at $200-$300 • Four Frames Photo Booth: Free Scrapbook & Prop Box with Rental valued at $110 • It Works! Global: Ultimate Body Applicator valued at $30 • Joe The Bartender & Class Act Party Rentals: Gift Basket valued at $50 • Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa: 2 Passes to the Pacific Mist Hydropath at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa valued at $120 • Lawless Brown Mortgage Team: Gift Basket valued at $100 • Marlin Travel: Leather document wallet with pen / Las Vegas Insulated travel mug /Hawaiian themed water bottle /black back pack • Royal Colwood Golf Club: 2 Rounds of Golf at Royal Colwood Golf Club valued at $320 • Salon J Hair Studios: Spa to go package everything you need to calm your bridezilla moment. They will pamper you to feel like a princess valued at$200 • Sears Gift Registry: Tassimo Coffee Maker with coffee valued at $150 • The Bride’s Closet: Heart Shaped Vase +Ceremony Sand (includes stand, vase with stopper, pouring vases for bride & groom & family member or officiate. Comes with 3 sand colors of bride’s choosing) valued at $112 • The Butchart Gardens: Admission and afternoon tea for two valued at $130 • Tigh-Na-Mara Resort: Eminence Grotto Spa Gift Set valued at $95 AND MANY MORE!!!

with many different tastes and offerings.

For those who want to be creative, this is the time to do so. Exotic flavours can be served alongside more traditional offerings that guests recognize. For example, offer Asian fusion appetizers that may be spicier alongside more traditional items, like miniature quiches.

everyone feel welcome and comfortable at the wedding.

Couples who have the environment in mind can choose to serve organic foods and look to catering facilities that purchase foods from local vendors and farms. If a banquet hall does not make such concessions, ask if specialty items that benefit organic and local food producers can be brought in. Some caterers will be happy to make the change, but it will likely affect the cost of the wedding package to do so.

During the main course of the meal, give guests a few options. Most catering facilities will offer suggestions in their meal packages. Couples can typically choose to offer a meat dish, a poultry and a seafood. This caters to a wide variety of diners.

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eddings are a celebration wherein guests look forward to the reception as much as the actual ceremony, and the food served at the wedding is often hotly anticipated.

Wedding receptions feature a bevy of different foods to tempt the palates of those in attendance. From appetizers served during the cocktail hour to the last crumb of cake, food plays a big role in a wedding reception. Choosing foods for a reception can take a little forethought, especially when the wedding party is large. The following are a few suggestions to ensure most guests are happy with the menu selections.

The first rule of thumb is variety. As much as budget allows, give guests the choice over what they eat. During the cocktail hour — if there is one — couples can play

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It is important for couples to recognize that many people have food allergies or are on restricted diets. While it may not be possible to provide for everyone’s specific requirements, it is possible to make some accommodations First, ask the catering manager how his company provides for guests who are vegetarians or vegans. Ensure that the meal will not be simply a bunch of garnishes and vegetable side dishes lumped together.

In addition, couples should recognize that many people have now adopted glutenfree lifestyles. More and more restaurants and establishments have expanded their offerings to include gluten-free items, so it is important for the bride and groom to confirm. People who are diabetic and must limit their consumption of sugars and carbohydrates may appreciate a selection of sugar-free desserts or lower carbohydrate foods. When couples focus on meeting the needs of their guests, it shows they have put in the effort to make

Food and drink will be some of the most costly portions of a wedding, and couples who are interested in keeping costs down can still offer quality foods if they make some changes. Varying the time of day that the wedding is held can enable a brunch or luncheon wedding to take place. These foods are often less expensive and labour-intensive to prepare, and therefore the cost savings are passed down to the bride and groom.

Some couples opt for a cocktail and hors d’oeuvre-only reception — which should clearly be indicated on the invitation so that guests can plan accordingly.

An informal wedding may feature only a selection of desserts and specialty liquors. This may be the least expensive option.

Food is an important factor at a wedding and it is in a couple’s best interest to ensure that the food served is tasty, full of variety and acceptable to the majority of the guests who will be attending the reception.

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How to find the right banquet hall for your big day

lanning a wedding is no small feat, as couples are faced with many decisions seemingly from the moment they get engaged right up until they walk down the aisle as man and wife. One of the biggest decisions is where to host the reception.

Couples must consider a variety of factors when looking for the right banquet hall to host their reception. The wedding is a celebration, and the banquet hall is where the couple and their guests will let their hair down and hopefully enjoy a festive and memorable night. Because the reception is typically the most lengthy portion of a couple’s wedding day, it’s important to find a place where everyone can be comfortable and enjoy themselves. Following are a few tips for couples looking to find the ideal banquet hall to host their wedding reception.

• Ask around. Word-of-mouth is a great way to find the right banquet hall. Ask friends or family members who got hitched in the same town if they can recommend a reception site. These friends or family members can provide a behindthe-scenes look at a reception hall, from how accommodating the staff was to how flexible the banquet hall was with regard to pricing to how open the staff was to suggestions.

Wedding planning isn’t easy, so if friends, family members or co-workers recommend a hassle-free banquet hall, that recommendation can remove a lot of stress from planning

the reception.

• Consider the size of the facility. Some couples prefer an intimate affair with relatively few guests, while others will desire a large wedding party with lots of guests. Couples can find a banquet hall that’s capable of catering to small or large wedding parties, but find one that fits your party specifically. If your wedding party is small, avoid a larger facility that will appear empty. If the party is large, ensure there’s adequate room so guests won’t feel like they’re sitting on top of one another during dinner and dessert.

• Don’t downplay décor. A banquet hall with an attractive décor is not only aesthetically appealing but can appeal to a couple’s finances as well. Such a hall likely won’t need any additional decorations, while a banquet hall that’s unadorned and lacks embellishments will, and those decorations can dip into a couple’s overall wedding budget. Compare the costs of the more decorated banquet hall with the one that’s more plain in appearance, factoring in the cost to decorate the latter, and you might just realize the one with more aesthetic appeal is more affordable in the long run.

• Prioritize privacy. Few couples would be open to strangers having easy access to their wedding reception. When shopping for a banquet hall, look for one that gives you and your guests all the privacy you need. Many couples have taken

to hosting the entire ceremony at a hotel, which may handle the bulk of the planning and remove the hassle of transportation for out-of-town guests. However, couples considering a hotel should look for one that can promise privacy from other guests who aren’t there for the wedding. The reception room should be secluded from the rest of the hotel so other passers-by aren’t tempted to walk in on the festivities.

The banquet hall is where couples can expect to spend most of their time on their wedding day, so they should exercise their due diligence to ensure they find an inviting and festive facility.

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WINTER 2013 |

SOOKE HARBOUR HOUSE Award-winning Sooke Harbour House is known as one of Canada’s most spectacular wedding venues. Offering 28 luxury guest rooms and some of West Coast’s finest cuisine, let the water be your “something blue” at your oceanside wedding.

Here are some guidelines for reception seating arrangements.

• Place yourselves, as well as the bridal party, at a separate table that is in a prime location in the room. Be sure to allow the spouses or dates of bridal party members at the same table so couples remain together.

• Some couples choose to seat both sets of parents at one table together — the parents’ table.

Grandparents may also be seated at this table, depending on the number of people each table can accommodate.

Seating your wedding guests

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eddings are filled with many emotions: happiness, excitement and anticipation, to name a few. With all of the positive emotions a wedding may drum up, a few negative ones may also appear, including feelings of being overwhelmed at all the details that need to be completed on a deadline.

One aspect of wedding planning that tends to send people into panic is wedding reception seating arrangements. The thought of having 200 friends and family members together under one roof — and then attempting to seat them next to an acceptable group of people — can cause some couples to hyperventilate.

Every family has its ups and downs, and there are certain people who get along well and a few who clash. Ensuring that a wedding is memorable for all the right reasons (and not for the brawl at table 3) is why seating arrangements are so important. Many couples can use a little advice when seating guests, while others would love another person to handle the seating arrangements for them.

• If children under the age of seven are invited, they should be seated with their parents. Children between ages seven and 14 can be seated at a separate kids’ table.

• Be mindful of guests with disabilities or mobility issues. Seat them close to the door, bathrooms or food station.

• Instead of separating the bride and the groom’s families to separate sides, intermingle the tables to promote conversation.

• Consider arranging guests by common interests at each table, seating business associates or parents’ friends together.

• Take into consideration people who have relationship rifts and try to seat them separately. But don’t stress about this too much because it won’t be possible to accommodate everyone. You’ll have to hope that at your wedding a certain level of decorum will preside.

• It’s not unheard of to let guests seat themselves.

This takes the pressure of finding a seat for everyone off of you as a couple and enables you to think about the other tasks at hand. This can take place at a buffet wedding or a smaller affair.

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| WINTER 2013

Arnold Lim Photography

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Biedermeier: A nosegay arranged tightly with concentric circles of differently colored flowers.

The flowers are wired into a holder with only one type of flower in each ring.

Bouquet: A dense bunch of blooms that are kept together in a bouquet holder, wired or tied with ribbon.

Crescent: One full flower and a flowering stem wired together to form a slender handle that is held in one hand.

WEDDINGS

Floral terms to know

BANQUETS & MORE

The Kinsmen Fieldhouse overlooking the Juan de Fuca Golf Course can hold up to 80 people and is perfect for an intimate wedding reception.

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St. Ann’s Academy is the perfect historical setting for your wedding day. Exchange your vows in an interfaith 1858 Chapel, the lovely Novitiate Garden, or the rustic Orchard.

B

efore discussing with florists the flower arrangements for their weddings, many couples find it helpful to brush up on some floral terminology.

It can make you appear more knowledgeable and prepared if you understand, and so make it easier to choose what you want. It also helps to ensure your money is being spent in the best way possible.

Here are some common and some lesser known florist terms that can be advantageous to know.

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Garden: A centerpiece featuring wildflowers.

Nosegay: Small, round bouquets composed of densely packed round flowers and fill.

Oasis: Specialized foam that is used in bouquet holders and centerpieces to retain water and keep blooms fresh.

Pomander: A flower-covered ball that is suspended from a ribbon. It is often carried by child attendants.

Posies: Smaller than nosegays but similar in design.

Presentation: A bunch of long-stemmed flowers cradled in the bride’s arms.

It’s sometimes known as a pageant bouquet.

Topiary: Flowers trimmed into geometric shapes.

Tossing: A smaller copy of the bride’s bouquet to use in the bouquet toss.

Tussy mussy: A small, metallic holder to carry a posy.

WINTER 2013 |

CASH REGISTRY: It does exist

item the couple is saving for. This may be a new set of cabinets for their newly purchased home or a tool to place in the garage. With a brief description and a price attached to the registry item, guests can help fulfill the dollar amount needed for the couple to later purchase things they truly need.

Cash registries provide a polite way of asking friends and relatives for the items you can really use to start your new lives together as a married couple.

Couples can use the registry as a savings account and watch the dollar amount grow. Later on they can go out and purchase the items they need or use the money for another purpose.

There’s no need to worry about duplicate blenders or engraved flatware that may never be put to use. Also, precious time doesn’t need to be spent before the wedding sorting, storing and exchanging items that were gifted.

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t is sometimes difficult to ask for what you truly want as a gift. After all, you don’t want to seem like you are picky, overly choosy or ungrateful when receiving gifts. So for holidays and birthdays you may make do with keeping mum and being thankful for those sweaters or knickknacks you don’t need. But what about when it comes to your wedding?

Industry experts say that more and more couples are coming into the marriage with their household already established. Whether they’ve chosen to live together during their engagement or have already accumulated their own housewares, there’s a good chance that a new toaster or set of towels is not high on their priority lists. What many couples need and can use is cold, hard cash.

But it’s not so easy to ask for cash in a tactful way. That’s where specialized gift registries come into play.

With the services of a cash or other type of gift registry, like Deposit a Gift (www. depositagift.com), couples can create a customized registry and website and ask guests to help build their dreams one dollar at a time.

Instead of shower or wedding guests showing up with a gift box or bag in tow, they simply deposit money toward an

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There are also advantages for the people doing the gifting. With the ease of a few mouse clicks, they’re able to deposit money into the registry account.

That means no fussing with stores or gift wrap, and certainly no lugging large gifts to a remote bridal shower location — a task not easily done in heels.

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A site like Deposit a Gift will charge a minimum service fee to oversee the bank account where the funds are being stored and for credit card and other processing charges. The fee can be paid by the person establishing the registry or the gift-givers. The money is held in an bank account and can be withdrawn whenever you choose to cash out the account and the method of payment.

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Cash registries provide a polite way of asking friends and relatives for the items you can really use to start your new lives together as a married couple.

Furthermore, the same registry concept can be applied to any major events in life moving forward, from the birth of children to birthdays to holidays.

Learn more about cash registries at sites like DepositAGift.com, OurWishingWell. com and GoGift.com

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Packing pointers for destination weddings In a 2012 study of destination weddings conducted by The Knot Market Intelligence, a research wing of TheKnot.com, researchers found that 350,000 destination weddings occur each year. That figure means nearly one in four couples who tied the knot in 2011 had a destination wedding, roughly a five per cent increase from 2009.

Destination weddings have grown in popularity for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the appeal of getting married in an exotic or unique locale. In addition, 65 per cent of survey respondents said they chose a destination wedding because they wanted a more intimate affair with fewer guests.

Whatever the reason behind a couple’s decision to have a destination wedding, there are things such couples must

Just Love Animals Society

brings Modern Bride Show to the Bay Centre

consider that others who chose a local ceremony can afford to overlook or place a smaller emphasis upon. Packing is one aspect of a wedding that’s more important to couples having a destination wedding than those getting married closer to home.

Once a couple boards a plane to head off to their destination wedding, any items left behind will stay behind. So it’s important for couples getting married far away from their homes to develop a plan with respect to packing so they don’t forget or damage any important elements of the wedding.

• Start with a checklist. Couples should develop of checklist of items they will need to bring with them. Make this list as extensive as possible, including everything that will have to be packed, such as clothing, toiletries, jewellery, reservation information, and anything else you expect to need on your trip. Check off items on this list as you pack them away, and check the list the night before you embark to make sure you have everything.

• Carry on especially important items.

Some items are simply to important to pack. A bride’s wedding gown and the groom’s tuxedo fall into this category.

Unfortunately, checked bags can get lost, and no bride or groom wants to arrive at their destination without their gown or tux. An airline may provide brides with a garment bag to store the wedding gown, and the gown and tux can likely be hung

in the plane’s closet without fear of other passengers putting items on top of them.

In addition to the wedding day attire, don’t store items like the wedding rings or family heirlooms in a checked bag. Carry these items in a purse or securely store them in a carry-on bag.

• Consider mailing welcome packages after you return home. Welcome packages are nice gestures that show your guests just how much you appreciate their being there for your big day. However, when having a destination wedding, couples may discover that their premade welcome packages are too bulky or just too numerous to easily fit into luggage.

Instead of taking these to your destination, mail them to your guests after you return home.

The packages might not be there to welcome

Guests at the Modern Bride Show, Feb. 2 at The Bay Centre, will find a whole host of experts to help them with their wedding plans, but they can also feel good knowing they’re helping animals at the same time.

The show, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Just Love Animals Society, an independent, non-profit organization founded by Lonnie Powell, Jordan Illingworth and Anne Lee. Lonnie, Jordan and Anne all have a long history of working with animals and are committed to improving their welfare. Their J.L.A Society receives no provincial or federal funding, relying solely on fundraising, donations and dedicated volunteers to help animals and raise awareness of related issues.

The Modern Bride Show will feature bride and groom lounges, wine and beer tasting, a casino, limo viewings, a wedding cake display and

guests, but the sentiment is still the same and guests will appreciate the gesture just the same. If you plan to go this route, talk to the hotel in advance to see if they can help you put together a smaller package so guests are still welcomed to the destination.

• Be wary of shipping items ahead of you.

Some couples ship some important items to their hotel ahead of time. While this might seem like an easy solution to packing welcome packages or other special items such as decorations, these items can easily get lost in the mail or stranded at customs. Shipping items ahead might seem like a great idea, but couples must weigh the potential risks before placing important items in someone else’s hands.

complimentary manicures and pedicures.

Enjoy chair messages, hair and makeup consultations, an on-site sex therapist, a honeymoon game with favourite local radio D.J.s and a live performance by the Victoria Soul Gospel Choir. Enter to win a dream vacation from SunLovers, and see a live wedding as the show’s finale.

The Modern Bride Show will also cater to the groom with “the man cave,” for all his manly needs.

Brides and grooms, along with their friends and families, will have a lot to see, touch and experience through the Modern Bride Show, and with free admission, couples can bring their entire bridal party!

The first 150 brides to sign up as a VIP at www.jlasociety.com will receive a free swag bag from the Bay Centre. Visit www.jlasociety.com for a full list of the days events.

A Glamorous Look For Your Wedding...

A Wedding at the Gardens at HCP

For your wedding, imagine; walking a beautiful wooded pathway to a gracefully arching bridge; gliding down a stone staircase & a sun and colour drenched allee to a charmed circle; standing, with friends and family, on the Great Lawn; every where you turn, a stunning view.

The Gardens at HCP offer a choice of stunning locations for an unforgettable garden wedding & reception.

With over eight acres of gardens to wander, your photographs will be unique, memorable, charmingly natural, a life-long treasure.

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