Weddings - Winter 2016

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HOW TO KEEP YOUR BRIDAL PARTY HAPPY

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Contributors W

elcome to the newest issue of Weddings by Today Magazine. Maybe you’ve been planning your wedding in your mind since you were a kid, or maybe you didn’t start thinking about it until the time came; but either way, I hope this issue will get you that much closer to creating the wedding of your dreams. Whether you are looking for ideas for a creative venue to host your wedding (pg 52), an inspiration for colour schemes (pg 64), or need help picking wines for your wedding (pg 12), you’re bound to find something in here.

During the production of this issue, the always active travel bug part of my brain got to run a little wild and round up with some unique honeymoon spots around the globe (pg 46); I don’t think there is any place better to spend a honeymoon than out on the plains of Africa, safari-ing by day and star watching by night, but hey, stick me anywhere with animals and I’m a happy girl.

However you plan to spend your big day (and the trip afterwards), the most important thing (which, really, can be said for every day of your life), is just be present, don’t stress TOO much and enjoy every moment.

1. MARIANA BOCKAROVA Mariana Bockarova is a PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto, where she teaches Psychological Resiliency, the Science of Happiness, and the Psychology of Relationships. Her research explores narrative medicine and mental health. She also holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University concentrated in Psychology.

2. GABRIELLE TIEMAN Gabrielle is a writer for REV Publishing and passionate about the written word.

A newcomer to Niagara, Gabrielle is a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Journalism program and has written for a number of newspapers and publications across Canada. Her passion lies in profiling members of the community and uncovering the hidden gems within a city. When she is not writing you can find her on her bicycle - most likely with a large coffee in hand.

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3. JILL THAM Convinced she would have made a better teen in the 80s instead of the 90s, Jill’s passion for writing came after seeing the movie Stand by Me. When Jill is not moonlighting as a freelance writer, she is an Elementary teacher juggling her three children. Along with being a regular contributor to Today Magazine, Jill’s articles have been featured in Canadian Running, Pedal, Allergic Living and @OECTA. jilltham.wordpress.com @JillBT

4. KRISTINA INMAN

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Kristina is a certified sommelier and a graduate of the University of Toronto.

After years of working in the wine industry, she arrived at the Canadian Food & Wine Institute at Niagara College where she is teaching and working on business development. Kristina lives in the Niagara Region with her husband, son and two cats.

5. LYNN OGRYZLO Lynn is a food, wine and travel writer, author of three international award-winning cookbooks and regular contributor to REV Publications. Lynn specializes in culinary tourism covering regional cuisine destinations, slow food, culinary holidays, wine, spirits and “la dolca vita”. She can be reached for questions or comments at lynnogryzlo.com.

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BEFORE YOU TOSS THE BOUQUET

Advice on how you can be proactive and ensure your wedding party is happy leading up to and on the big day.

Move over Hawaii! There are more exotic places we're putting on your honeymoon map.

Elegant, the unusual, the quirky. Finding a unique venue for your wedding.

Just how much influence does your mind have over your relationship?

From donating flowers to charitable donations in lieu of gifts, there are lots of ways you can both celebrate and give back at the same time.

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SAFE WORD IS WINE

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FOOD THAT MAKES A STATEMENT

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LADIES WHO LUNCH

Choosing the perfect wines for your wedding.

A twist on the midnight snack.

Present food that is fit for a wedding.

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THE BRIDAL STYLIST

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THE FINISHING TOUCH

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LASTING IMPRESSIONS / RECEPTION / HIS & HER… This is where you as a couple really get to have fun! From flowers to favours, this section is full of unique ideas to help you create an atmosphere all your own.

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The perfect Niagara spots for a mid-afternoon bridal shower.

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Finding the perfect dress for you and what your bridal stylist wants you to know.

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the safe word is It is safe to say that almost everybody enjoys a nice glass of vino, but how do you go about selecting the perfect pairing for your toast? Your dinner? Your dessert? Your mother-in-law?

BY KRISTINA INMAN

FOOD & DRINK

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR WINE YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO FURTHER THAN YOUR OWN BACKYARD - GO TO THE WINERIES YOURSELF AND TASTE THROUGH THE OPTIONS.

I

t’s a whirlwind day. From getting ready in the morning to the ceremony that follows, endless photographs and many well-wishers, a glass of wine is a welcoming invitation for all to celebrate. But choosing wine for a wedding can be a daunting task. How will you please everyone? What goes best with the food? How much will this cost? Fear not. Niagara has plenty to offer and will certainly be able to satisfy your wedding wine whims.

At the core of it, just remember; wine, like weddings, brings people together. It’s that simple.

We have the benefit of proximity. If you’re looking for wine you don’t have to go further than your own backyard - go to the wineries yourself and taste through the options. What better research can there be? Winery staff will be able to help you find something that is in your budget, can supply the amount of thirsty guests that you’re inviting, and most importantly, suits your taste. You may even go as far as finding a label that suits the theme of your wedding.

Let’s start with the obvious. It’s a celebration - that calls for sparkling. Personally I’ve always felt that Niagara has the potential to compete with the world’s best sparkling producers. Why? It helps to have a cool climate. Grapes for sparkling wines are the first ones picked at harvest time; they’re picked just ripe. Winemakers are looking for enough acidity to give the wine structure and balance. There are different ways one can make a sparkling wine, but Niagara really excels at the traditional method, a.k.a. the Champagne method. Here the wine is fermented a second time in the bottle and spends time sleeping on the spent yeast cells, thereby infusing with biscuity, bread-like characteristics. All of this adds incredible complexity and delicate tiny bubbles that is deserving of a wedding celebration.

There are many producers to choose from here. However I’ve been truly impressed with the sparkling production happening at

KEW Vineyards. A small family run winery, KEW sits on one of the escarpment benches in Beamsville. They offer four different sparklings, all traditional method, and even use the same three grapes that are used in Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Production sizes are relatively even for all four options, and each are $29.95 a bottle so you can simply go with your favourite.

Depending on your budget, this wine could be saved for toasting, or even for the head table exclusively.

For a wedding, I lean towards their “Rosalie” - a rosé sparkling made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. Not only does sparkling wine bring a smile to anyone who receives a glass, but that beautiful rose gold colour also further amplifies the romance that’s in the air. Even the persistent little bubbles dance around in the glass as if they’re excited to share in the festivities. It also doesn’t hurt that their wine labels are classy and relatively neutral in colour tones - they’re sure to complement almost any theme you’ve chosen for your special day.

Moving forward with the evening, you certainly want to have an option of red or white for your guests. Some are loyal to one colour for the entire evening, and others like to dabble between the two.

Either way you’ll need something that is food friendly enough for your feast.

Lucky for us in Niagara there are an array of options for good quality white wines. One thing to look for is a wine that has enough acidity. Here’s why: acidity has the ability to cut through heavy dishes, balance out sour vinaigrettes and neutralize salt that is surely sprinkled on almost every item on the plate. Thanks again to Niagara’s cooler climate, most of our whites will have a nice underlying acidity to them. The spokesperson for acidity is always Riesling, and what is wonderful about this grape is that the flavours are also very palate friendly. Orchard fruit, lemon and if you’re lucky, an expression of Niagara’s minerality. >>

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TIPS ON CREATING YOUR OWN SIGNATURE DRINK AT YOUR WEDDING: One thing that always brings a fluttering joy to me is when I read the words ‘cocktail hour’ on a wedding invitation. I think it reminds me of a time when people would come together, put away their busy lives, and enjoy a well crafted drink with one another. It’s these little joys in life that you can certainly integrate into your wedding.

One wine I go to again and again is Vineland Estates Semi-Dry Riesling. It’s at a price point you can’t argue with ($14.95) and the quality is consistently high year after year. Apart from a good value, what’s nice about this wine is that it has a bit of sweetness to keep the sharpness of the acidity at bay. However you would never think of the wine as sweet, because the acidity in return keeps the sweetness in check. Together they really work in harmony, and this wine is able to pair with a wide array of dishes.

Now for the reds. You need a wine big enough to satisfy the tannin lovers but light enough for those who, like my motherin-law, will begin and end the night with red. Meaning it’s got to be a sipping wine, a wine for white meats, dark meats and everything in between. There’s a range of quality reds in Niagara and it takes time to discover the best ones. What’s one way to find good value in this region? Know the good vintages. 2012 for example was a sun-kissed summer with just the perfect conditions for red grapes to thrive in. Ask any grape grower or winemaker and they will agree - the better the grapes, the better the wine.

Inniskillin is one of Niagara’s oldest wineries. Like a good marriage, all of this time has brought finer understanding and expertise in the subject matter. Their 2012 Niagara Estate Series Merlot ($15.95) is a wine that mediates nicely in the middle for weight, tannin and intensity. The flavours are crowd-pleasing too. Who isn’t a fan of raspberries, mocha and damson plums?

However if you want to really knock the red out of the park you simply can’t go wrong with the ever-consistent Trius Red ($22.95). Here, regardless of vintage, this wine to me is the quintessential red for Niagara. With another long history in winemaking, Trius winery (formerly Hillebrand) was recently rebranded in honour of its most iconic wine. A Bordeaux-inspired blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot), each year gives a slightly different tasting experience while always finding just the right harmony on the palate. The sleek, unique bottle design is sure to impress anyone around the table and if you want to really wow your guests, they sell this wine in magnums (1.5 L) as well.

No matter what your selection will be, just keep in mind that wine is meant to be enjoyed. Find something that you like and that means something to you. You could even consider looking for a vintage from the year you started dating, for example. Keep it simple, and consider wine as just another guest at your table that’s there to celebrate, toast and share in your very happy day with you. Cheers!

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON PERFECTING IT: SEASONALITY: what time of year will your wedding be? Play with local ingredients that are in season and integrate them into a cocktail. In the warm months you can play with fresh herbs and fruits, in the cold months you can dive into the spices and preserved/canned goodies (perhaps some that you’ve preserved yourself - and if not, here’s a good excuse to learn!).

BRAND IT WELL: give it a catchy name that’s symbolic of your union. Channel your inner-marketing mind and have fun with it.

COLOUR TONE: this is where you can really tie in your wedding theme to the drink. Depending on your colours, you’re sure to find syrups, fresh fruit or liqueurs that can match.

GLASSWARE: this doesn’t have to break the bank. If mason jars are still trending, you’re bound to find something around that is a worthy vessel of your drink. Go to antique stores and thrift stores, or if the season is right, garage sales. And remember that it’s okay to mis-match; just try to find the same style of glass.

RESEARCH: the fun part. Spend a night in and try different recipes out together.

You may discover there’s an inner-mixologist in you!

DIY: infusing your own spirits/liqueurs is easier than you think and it really adds that personal touch to a cocktail. For example, get a bottle of vodka and put in a couple split vanilla beans. Seal the bottle back up and let it infuse somewhere cool and dark for around a week (or longer if you want a stronger flavour). Shake every few days.

Voilà! You’ve made vanilla vodka. Design your own label for the bottle to tie everything together nicely.

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Truck Treats

BY JILL THAM Amongst the dancing and beverages, you hear your stomach rumble as it waits for the late night feast to begin.

Then it happens, from a distance you see it pulling up. You’ve heard about it and you’ve even read about it. A commotion starts to brew and you can’t believe your eyes as a food truck pulls in at the wedding reception.

Wedding trends come and go, but having non-traditional and unique features added will not fade out any time soon. Bride and grooms have just begun to explore all the possibilities that having a food truck at your wedding can provide. “Each truck has their own strength that they bring to the party or wedding. We offer that freshness and passion right off the table,” states Vito Guerriero, owner and chef from Avella’s Wood Fired Oven. Whether it’s classic Italian pizza or succulent oysters, Niagara’s food trucks are ready and willing to accommodate any bride and groom on their extraordinary day.

Itty Bitty Pie Company The smell of a warm pie right out of the oven is somewhat sentimental. Perhaps it reminds you of the pies your late grandmother used to make or it evokes memories of fun times sitting around a large table sharing a slice of cake or a piece of pie with family and friends. The Itty Bitty Pie Company has been serving up savoury creations since 2012, leaving customers in awe of their fresh and flavourful creations that will send any of the five senses into overdrive.

When life gave Pam Nicholson lemons she made lemon meringue pie. Nicholson, Operations Manager of Itty Bitty Pie Company, had just been laid off from her job and her daughter, Tara Nicholson, was on maternity leave when they began selling pies at the St. Catharines Farmer’s Market. “My daughter is a foodie and she would bring over these delicious things. Shortly after, we started our food truck and opened up a store on Lake Street in St. Catharines,” explains Nicholson. Soon, Itty Bitty will be moving locations to 18 Secord Drive, St. Catharines. “We will now have the store and kitchen in one location,” adds Nicholson.

Itty Bitty offers a diverse menu of enthralling pies, cakes and dishes that can accommodate both large and small groups. Brides and grooms can choose from both savoury (meat) and sweet (dessert) pies guaranteed to please any wedding guest. “Nowadays, brides are looking for something different,” says Nicholson. “We work with the bride and groom to come up with something that is very personal to them.”

Rebecca Galbraith and her fiancé were looking for a food truck that would serve both hot food and dessert when they hired Itty Bitty Pie Company for their stunning back yard reception on October 2, 2015. “It was cold outside, so Itty Bitty Pie Company came and served chilli in a bowl >>

topped with pie crust croutons and sour cream,” says Galbraith. “It was a big hit.” Their guests were also treated to an apple crumble with ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce.

From decorating the truck with lights and garland to writing a special message on a chalk board, Itty Bitty goes the extra mile for their couples. “They had the truck decorated for a wedding and the food truck was great for taking pictures,” says Galbraith. Itty Bitty also creates unique wedding favours such as pie-in-a-jar or pie-on-a-stick.

Nicholson likes to use the element of surprise to thrill wedding guests. “Usually the bride and groom don’t tell anyone, so we pull up and the guests see us and it’s an exciting factor,” states Nicholson. “It’s just so different than what someone would expect. The guests love it.”

With Tara as the Pie Creator, and Pam as the Operations Manager there is no surprise why this mother and daughter team are frequently sought out by brides and grooms all over the Niagara Region to deliver succulent pies to their wedding receptions.

Hometown Ice Cream Two years ago, Linda Vandewetering purchased Hometown Ice Cream and since then she has been making both young and old scream for ice cream. With Hometown Ice Cream the secret is in the sauce, so to speak, as Linda Vandewetering does not use a premade manufactured base in her ice cream. “It’s all homemade.

We crack every egg and pour every litre of cream and milk,” says Vandewetering. “When in season, I use all local fruits and products.”

When her truck makes an appearance at a wedding it is either for a refreshing snack in between the ceremony and reception or a late night treat. Both scenarios are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any guest.

With crowd pleasing signature flavours such as Carrot Cake and Sour Cream Lime, Vandewetering is not only an owner, but she is also a flavour creator extraordinaire. She is constantly experimenting with new flavours as well as scooping out traditional ones. “If I don’t have Old Fashioned Chocolate on the truck I have some grumpy customers,” laughs Vandewetering. “Ice cream it’s so nostalgic and part of the inner child and it makes people feel happy. It’s picking the flavour and whole experience that is so fun.” Hometown Ice Cream is willing to go the extra mile to make their brides, grooms, and guests feel accommodated. “I have many gluten free options. I do paleo, vegan, and dairy free which is mostly in a sorbet form,” says Vandewetering.

Jane Bride and her husband wanted a different atmosphere for their June wedding and hired three different food trucks to cater their special day. “Hometown Ice Cream showed up a little after the dinner and people got up to socialize a bit, which is what I think they liked about having a food truck at the wedding,” says Bride. “Linda’s ice cream is pretty top notch. Our guests liked the flavour and variety of choices,” says Bride. “We got a lot of compliments saying it was the best wedding they had attended in a while or ever.”

“We know what a bride and groom bring in for their reception, the food, the experience, and the creativity is their way of saying thank you to those who have supported them and walked with them through their

journey. It’s an honour that they would choose us to be that expression,” concludes Vandewetering.

Avella’s Wood Fired Oven What is one of North American’s favourite foods? Yes, you guessed it, pizza. It doesn’t get any better than a late night buffet of mouth-watering pizza. One afternoon, the idea to have an authentic wood burning oven on wheels popped into the mind of Vito Guerriero, co-owner of Avella’s Wood Fired Oven. “I am always striving to find my own niche,” says Guerriero. With his wife, Alice, the couple located an oven in California and their Italian oven mobile became a reality. Since 2010, Avella’s Wood Fired Oven has been spotted cruising around the Niagara Region reminiscent of the wine regions of Italy and California.

Guerriero, who has over 15 years in the food and beverage industry, mostly in Italian cuisine, creates an assortment of thin crust pizzas ideal for any wedding size, as his oven can produce enough delicious 12-inch masterpieces to keep your guests’ stomachs happy. “Most often at weddings, you will find us close to the party serving the late night buffet,” says Guerriero. “We can sling nearly 100 pizza’s an hour.”

Pleasing the bride and groom with new creations is a must for Avella’s Wood Fired Oven.

“We play off our clientele and meet their requests. What I have noticed is that they are always looking for something exotic and new,” says Guerriero. “A lot of the brides have tried a pizza in Europe and ask if we can make it for them and that is when we explore and learn new things.” And that is exactly what Kat Steeves, co-owner of the Tide and Vine Oyster Company, did for her wedding day.

“I had been to Italy years ago with a few of my bridesmaids and I had this grated zucchini pizza that I couldn’t get off my mind.

Vito went above and beyond and made a Niagara fresh zucchini pizza that topped the original I had in Italy,” says Steeves. “Having pizza be one of the stations at dinner pleased absolutely everyone: kids were happy, vegetarians were happy and people that had drank too much bubbly in the afternoon were very happy!” adds Steeves.

Not only does Guerriero aim to please his clients, but he also keeps his inspirations close to home. “We do a peach, prosciutto, and goat cheese pizza when they are in season,” says Guerriero.

“We roll with our harvest.”

For modest sized weddings, Avella’s will fire up a baked pasta dish. “It’s amazing what the fire can do to any top of a dish,” says Guerriero. “We also prepare braised chicken cacciatore, osso buco over steamed rice, and spiedini, which is a chicken or lamb skewer,” adds Guerriero.

Avella’s Wood Fired Oven delivers more than just delectable pizza. “He set up an awesome station and brought logs to present the pizzas. Our guests were so happy; the wood fire oven added a really great atmosphere,” says Steeves.

“The wood fire oven is very approachable for a wedding. The signature is the pizza oven and the wood fired ambiance,” concludes Guerriero. “Whether it be private parties, weddings, or corporate events, we bring the real deal. Our team is all about flavour and we always have a blast doing it.”

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Gourmet Cod Hake Purple Flower Potato

STATEMENT

BY LYNN OGRYZLO

“I

don’t remember the flowers from the weddings I’ve been to,” says Lisa Rollo, Food stylist and Producer for celebrity chef Anna Olsen, “but I can tell you what I ate and how good it was.” She continues with honest words for all future brides, “I can also tell you whose wedding I was at where the food sucked!”

When it comes to the most important day of your life, food matters. “The food needs to make a statement. Just like the first look at the bride when she walks down the aisle, the food should have the same effect,” says Lisa.

Food that makes a statement tickles our tastebuds, makes us eager to pick up a fork and commands silence when eaten. Food that makes a statement is a surprise on the palate and an awakening of our pleasure senses. Statement food is a combination of looking good and tasting spectacular. We demand statement food when we dine out. So, who wouldn’t demand it on their wedding day?

On average, wedding food has lagged far behind the progress of wedding dresses, bridal cakes and floral displays. It’s surprising when you consider that food is approximately 50% of the total wedding budget. Yet, most brides just don’t know how to make a statement when it comes to food.

When asked about her own wedding, Lisa smiles and talks of the beauty of simplicity. “I told them to give me less if they had to, just give me really good food!” Lisa’s wedding meal was simple yet

delicious, “it was local, it looked good on the plate, tasted delicious and every dish was hot, even the last one to leave the kitchen.”

To Lisa, food is a priority, especially on the most important day of her life.

Wedding meals of the past have suffered from a combination of tradition, logistics and lack of imagination but today’s weddings are anything but traditional. “I used to only meet with the parents of the bride,” says Peter Van-Helsdingen, owner of Feastivities, a progressive wedding planning company. Peter has seen many trends over the past forty years. He continues, “now I mostly deal with the bride and groom.”

When parents of the bride organized the wedding, they had very few meal requests, but today’s brides comes with Pinterest pictures of their dream day and expect Peter to make it happen. Peter not only delivers on the perfect wedding but he goes beyond with statement food that brides don’t even know they need.

To do this Peter has employed two experienced and talented chefs, Pascal Badaoui and Mark Hand, both of fine-dining pedigree and both from Niagara. Their job is to make the food look irresistible and taste utterly delicious. They have exclusive contracts with local growers so brides can get food picked the morning of their wedding, prepared simply, served elegantly and offering perfectly ripe flavours on the plates for the reception. It’s a service well planned and choreographed. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 21

Peter can serve from 30 to 300 guests and each plate is served hot and dressed – almost as beautiful as the bride. “We don’t dome food,” says Peter, “everything is prepared fresh because you can really taste the difference. For those who say it can’t be done, well…we’re doing it.”

Local produce plays a key role in statement food. Peter serves a salad of local, tender greens with crumbled Quebec blue cheese on top and drizzled with Niagara verjus dressing. The greens are from a local farmer who organizes his harvesting activities with Peter’s wedding schedule to ensure a fresh, just-picked flavour. “Good quality doesn’t always have to be expensive,” says Peter, “especially when you live in Niagara.”

The way food looks on the plate also plays a huge role in statement food. Once there was food all around the plate, now the food is stacked on the plate. For example, chicken is still a popular choice for the same reasons it has always been – because most people like it. But instead of the sliced, skinless breast stuffed with bread and herbs, Peter’s culinary team uses a chicken breast with the skin and wing attached. They don’t slice it, but carefully lift the skin and stuff a mixture of sautéed spinach and asiago cheese underneath. It’s roasted to juicy perfection. They sit that on top of a mirepoix of al dente vegetables with a light demi glaze drizzled overtop. Lastly, it’s garnished to dazzle the eyes.

Other ways to create statement food could be to serve an otherwise boring soup in an elegant tea cup with a one-bite grilled gruyere cheese and ham finger sandwich on the saucer. Make a statement with roasted prime rib by truffling the mashed potatoes.

Trending now with small wedding receptions are choux pastry initials of the bride and groom to garnish the main entrée effectively upscaling the cocoa powdered stencilled initials on dessert plates.

Believe it or not, food also tastes better when it’s served in beautiful surroundings and that’s a trend all brides are craving today: beautiful, private, unique surroundings. To satisfy his brides, Peter has exclusive rights to many private venues including Sue Ann

Staff Winery and Stonewall (Farm) Estates both in Jordan and the Mike Weir Winery in Beamsville. Eating among the gardens, vines and orchards gives diners a real connection to the food around them.

During strawberry season Peter can fill an outdoor tent with the aromas of just picked strawberries because he has contracts with Tigalar Farms, Niagara’s largest strawberry grower. During tomato season he can render hundreds of guests speechless with his heirloom tomato salad from Mike & Tina’s tomato farm. Peter’s list of local sources is seasonally extensive. “The growing season pretty much coincides with the bridal season,” laughs Peter who takes advantage of every harvest for his brides.

When it comes to statement food, the sweet tooth in Lisa has her talking dessert tables. She loves the fun trend of candy stations.

The tables are multi-level, full of colour, class and abundance. It’s an eye-stopper in a fun way, but for a more serious sweet tooth, Lisa has that covered too, “Croquembouche is coming back in a big way,” she says. They’re impressive tall trees of cream stuffed, puff pastry balls covered in spun sugar. Guests simply help themselves from the giant tower and enjoy.

The quintessential statement dessert is a macaroon station. The brightly coloured, cream filled, uber-light disks all lined up like colourful soldiers tempt guests to try them. One bite and they luxuriate and evaporate on the palate offering a mouthful of luxury.

“Cupcakes are still a statement food because you can decorate them so beautifully,” says Lisa, but not for long. Lisa talks of mini pie stations. Individual fruit and cream pies in a variety of colour, some with lattice tops, others with a sexy dusting of sugar or cocoa and even more with stencilled tops giving the illusion of little luxurious bites. They’re usually displayed in a variety of layers with flowers and décor dividing the different varieties. “Food styling is about making things look pretty and designing flavour combinations that excite the palate,” advises Lisa. “It’s about making a statement and brides really can’t overlook that.”

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EAT CAKE

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Whether you are opting for a traditional wedding cake, or want to venture somewhere out of the box with your dessert choice, here is some inspiration to get your mind thinking of tasty treats for your big day!

Source: Popsugar Foods via Pinterest

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Source: Photography by Charise via ruffledblog.com TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 25

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LADIES who

LUNCH

BY LYNN OGRYZLO

GREAT SPOTS FOR A MID-AFTERNOON BRIDAL SHOWER From Niagara’s classic farm-to-table to whimsical and from pampered to sophisticated, these chic spots will bring new meaning to the words "wedding toast." These are my top picks to make those smaller affairs more personal and unique.

A word of warning: wedding receptions usually book these venues quickly. To get more bang for your buck it’s best to arrange a mid-week bridal shower.

day being pampered, the guys can enjoy lunch at the Jordan Inn and a tour and tasting at Cave Springs Winery. Then a little later in the evening, have your hair and make-up done and join the other side of the wedding party in one of the beautiful, private rooms in the restaurant for a Jack and Jill party that will last into the late hours of the evening. Surrounded by and indulging in so much pampered luxury is pre-marital bliss that all brides deserve.

INN ON THE TWENTY

PARIS CREPE CAFÉ

3836 Main St, Jordan Station innonthetwenty.com It’s an entire village at the brides’ disposal. On the Twenty Restaurant is tied into the spa and hotel of the same name and to Cave Springs Winery. With limitless options you can easily design a bridal party soiree joining these luxury facilities together. Start with a small bridal party early in the day. Dine in the On The Twenty restaurant overlooking the stunning Twenty Valley. Sip on bubbly, enjoy a light lunch of P.E.I Mussels or an Heirloom Beet Salad.

Then take a stroll through some of the clothing boutiques and art shops on the main street before moving to the spa for facials, manicures and pedicures. Afterwards, relax by curling up in fluffy robes in front of a roaring fire, sipping on more champagne and nibbling on fruit and little decadent cookies. While the ladies can spend all

4613 Queen St, Niagara Falls pariscrepescafe.com Spend an afternoon in romantic Paris. If you’re a bride who loves far off places then you’ll want to plan a mid afternoon event at Paris Crêpes Café. Walk through the doors of this Queen Street restaurant and be transported into a Parisian café. Warm brown paneling, bistro chairs and hardwood floors set a warm stage for the walls of French posters: some art deco, others black and white photographs.

Soft peppermint lights hang from the tall ceiling, an ancient stained glass divider sets off the room and Edith Piaf plays ever so softly. It is a unique spot for small bridal showers of 40 to 70 people. Owner and chef Thierry Clement says (bridal showers are) “champagne all the way!” Crepes, the perfect food with bubbly comes with duck confit and onion jam, or perhaps garlic mushrooms and chèvre. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 29

Niagara Parkway, Niagara on the Lake kurtzorchards.com/niagara-weddings Kurtz takes the concept of farm-to-table to a new luxury level. Kurtz Orchards is a 40-acre working fruit farm with more beautiful bridal options than any other farm venue in Niagara. There is a large farm market constructed of warm wood and expanses of glass that overlook the orchards and coy pond. There is a 300-seat tent in the middle of the orchards that offers a covered wedding option for orchard dining, but for a more intimate bridal shower, just “pick an orchard,” says farm owner Anne Just. My pick would be the ancient pear orchard adjacent Gracewood Manor. The sturdy, old, knarly trees with their thick canopy offers cool air in the summer while the moist grass below your feet dare you to go barefoot. It’s a relaxed, ‘Southern-style’ feel for an afternoon soiree with the girls. The small orchard becomes a private sanctuary with thick, ivy, living walls set between your party and the rest of the farm. Meals are cooked on the farm and served on repurposed fruit tree platters. Even the live-edge tables are repurposed from 100-year old willows. Just the sight of a white plate and small bouquets of white hydrangea against the beauty of the natural wood table is stunning. There are other areas on the farm equally stunning such as the English gardens around Gracewood Manor. The manicured boxwood shrubs and beautiful roses are reminiscent of a gentleman’s English garden. Kurtz gives farm-to-table a new luxury meaning.

MCFARLAND HOUSE + QUEENSTON HEIGHTS Niagara Parkway, Niagara on the Lake niagaraparksweddings.com Along the Niagara Parkway there are many quaint choices for a unique bridal shower, but none that make history spring to life more than McFarland House and Queenston Heights. In very Downton Abbey-like style, you can experience High Tea in the beautiful, glass atrium adjacent to the historic 18th century McFarland House. Even the servers are dressed in period costume. Sit up straight, pinkies in the air and sip from bone-china tea-cups. The tables are covered in period linens, three-tiered cake plates hold edible delectables in both sweet and savoury while tall glasses of bubbly clinch the aura of grandeur. It is open from June to August, and seats 30. If losing yourself in time isn’t your thing, how about surrounding yourself with the magnificence of being perched on the Niagara Escarpment with front row seats to the spectacular view of the Niagara River as it winds it’s way down to Lake Ontario? This is Queenston Heights restaurant and it holds Niagara’s most dramatically beautiful views. Bridal events can be held on the outdoor patio perched into the escarpment forest with the imposing General Brock towering over you. Or, you may want to choose the comfort of the restaurant with floor to ceiling windows that capture the view of the Niagara River. It’s the closest thing to bridal beauty that nature has to offer. Opt for the horse and carriage ride and heritage soldiers that stand guard at your event.

In no particular order, my top 10 picks for restaurant venues, perfect for a small, impromptu wedding of under 100 guests.

TARIS ON THE WATER 25 Main St., Welland, 905-788-0123 Hollywood-ish décor with an art deco flair and stunning view of the Welland Canal. At Home Bed & Breakfast available with six rooms.

ELEMENTS ON THE FALLS Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls 905 356-2217 Ext. 5503 It’s like you could dip your toes into the falls you’re so close to the drama that is Niagara Falls.

PELLER ESTATE WINERY RESTAURANT 290 John St. E., Niagara-on-the-Lake 888-673-5537 Posh and elegant, let the bubbly flow.

COPACABANA 6671 Fallsview Ave., Niagara Falls 905-354-8775 Put the exotic and fun into your wedding with this high energy eatery.

RAINBOW ROOM BY MASSIMO CAPRA 5685 Falls Ave., Niagara Falls, 905-374-4447 An air of celebrity, a wine cellar second to none and with a stunning view of Niagara Falls.

CASA MIA RISTORANTE 3518 Portage Rd., Niagara Falls, 905-356-5410 Fine Italian fare, richly stocked wine bar and a traditional family atmosphere.

LIV RESTAURANT AT WHITE OAKS RESORT Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-688-2550 Add a little bit of Alice-in-Wonderland feel to the bridal festivities in this beautiful restaurant.

BENCHMARK RESTAURANT Taylor Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake 905-641-2252, Ext. 4619 Exquisite food, amazing wines and artisan brewery, they have it all covered at Niagara College.

KEEFER MANSION 14 St. Davids St. W., Thorold, 905-680-9581 Opulence and dark romance in this stately historic home complete with rooms for guests.

WINERY RESTAURANTS Niagara Peninsula I couldn’t make a decision between Ravine Vineyard Restaurant, Peninsula Ridge Winery Restaurant and Vineland Estate Winery Restaurant. All great food and spectacular wines.

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FINDING YOUR

PERFECT

DRESS

WHAT YOUR STYLIST WANTS YOU TO KNOW

BY GABRIELLE TIEMAN

The day has arrived to shop for your wedding dress. The golden ticket is on your ring finger, your date has been set and it is time to venture out into the seas of ivory, lace and something blues for the shopping trip you have dreamt about since you were little. But while visions of Pinterest boards dance in your head, it can become overwhelming to choose the wedding dress that suits you.

If the pressure is mounting to find the dress of your dreams, don’t worry. We have compiled an expert guide designed by bridal stylists to prepare you for your first dress appointment and help you find the gown of your dreams with ease.

1// TRUST YOUR CONSULTANT First, trust your consultant and don’t be afraid to try on gowns he or she suggests that fall outside of your traditional comfort zone.

These men and women are your confidantes during the appointment. They will help you charter the unknown waters and keep you focused and on track; ensuring that the initial enthusiasm surrounding the dress hunt does not morph into exhaustion.

Every day bridal stylists help women find the gown of their dreams. Many times it was a dress the bride-to-be was reluctant to try on or a style she had crossed off her list. Trust that the day-to-day experience of your salesperson has given them some insight into what will flatter your body and meet your aesthetic standards. One big thing to keep in mind is that detail is often lost on the hanger. Just because the flower on the shoulder or the ruching on the bodice looks too busy or too gaudy does not mean it will look the same way on a body.

2// ONLY BRING SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS & FAMILY Although it may be incredibly tempting to invite the entirety of your close friends and family to your appointment, having a large entourage accompany you can quickly transform an appointment from an exciting shopping trip into a nerve racking experience.

The majority of bridal boutiques are small and crowded enough without your fiancé’s cousin’s friend joining the party; so only shop with a supportive group whose opinions matter the most to you and whom have your best interests at mind. Miss Negativity does not deserve a sacred spot on the stylist’s sofa.

Kleinfeld’s bridal consultants advise selecting two or three loved ones (five at the max), to accompany you to gown appointments. The more people you invite, the greater the chance there is that you’ll end up overwhelmed, confused or upset by an unwanted opinion on a gown you may deem to be the one.

You loved the dress you saw on last week’s I Found The Gown episode with the champagne colour lace and sweetheart neckline.

Or was it a scoop neckline? Or was it satin?

Brides today are swimming in imagery. From countless Pinterest boards to shows flooded with top designers and beautiful gowns, it can be hard to focus in on one style that is a good fit for their shape and wedding.

Randy Fenoli, fashion director for Kleinefeld Bridal and of Say Yes to the Dress fame, says if you are stuck on one specific style before your first appointment and remain stubborn to change, you’re only headed towards disappointment.

“I cannot tell you how many brides come in swearing they want a ball gown, yet end up loving the complete opposite in a slinky sheath instead — and vice versa,” said Fenoli to the Today Show. “Brides arrive and claim they want no beading or bling but then can easily fall in love with a head-to-toe beaded number with an open mind and the right stylist.”

As well, the majority of bridal shops will only let you book an hour-long appointment. And, while one hour is plenty of time to try on a lot of dresses, if you can narrow down your options before stepping foot into your first gown, you’re in for a less overwhelming and much more productive shopping experience.

4// … AND PHYSICALLY PREPARED Arrive to your appointment prepared to focus on your wedding image. Yes, the dress is a big part of the finished look, but it will be much easier to imagine wearing one of these gowns if you don’t look like you just rolled out of bed. Though a stretchy headband and messy bun perched on top of your head may be your day-to-day look, this casual appearance can make your dress feel out of place and bizarre in comparison.

Stylists do not believe you should arrive looking wedding ready, but having a put together appearance can ease the selection process and help you focus in on the dress and how it makes you feel.

5// HAVE THE KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED Setting the parameters of your wedding before heading to the land of lace and tulle can be the key to choosing your bridal gown.

Venue, time of the year, outdoors or indoors – all of these factors are what create your wedding and your gown is the cherry on top.

And though you do not have to choose a dress that cookie-cutter fits your style of wedding, by having these questions answered you can easily break a tie that may occur between two gowns.

But the biggest question of all is budget. All stylists agree that no bride should start shopping if the question of how much is still hanging in the air.

“Brides are devastated when they find The One but don’t have the available funds to purchase it,” said Leslie Deangelo of I Found the Gown. “This risks their gown being discontinued or sold to another bride; or worse, forcing a bride to settle for another gown while the more expensive option remains their favourite. By planning ahead and sticking to a budget you’ll be ready to say yes and celebrate the day you find your gown.”

Can’t wait to go find your dress? Be prepared to make subsequent wedding decisions based on the gown you fall in love with. If you chose a tea-length gown, a garden wedding could be in the cards. Was that open back satin number the one who stole your heart? Then a Gatsby-inspired affair might be the perfect theme for your wedding

6// DON’T GET HUNG UP ON SIZES As body types have changed throughout the decades, bridal size charts have not.

Wedding gowns are created on European sizing and fit small.

Based on your shape, this may require brides to order two sizes bigger than they would ordinarily wear. This does not mean you are not built for bridal. European sizing runs small as it is based on couture fashions and it has become a tradition of the wedding industry to use these sizing methods.

If a stylist has heard it once, they have heard it a thousand times.

I am going to lose weight before my wedding, I need a smaller size; I can’t be a size 12 my jeans are a size eight. Because the sizing of these gowns is foreign to our regular clothing, choose to avoid the stress and ignore your preconceived ideas on size and its correlation to your body. Simply trust the designer’s size chart. The majority of stylists suggest ordering a size a touch bigger than your current state and having it altered to fit you perfectly.

7// BE PREPARED TO SAY YES! Finding the perfect dress but not being ready to stop shopping can be disheartening for your family, the stylist and yourself. Many women have a hard time ending their search, even after they have found their dream dress, for a number of reasons: they have a fear of missing out on another shopping experience, what if a better dress is out there at another store or they don’t want to stop feeling like a new bride.

"Designer gowns should be ordered six to nine months in advance to ensure there is enough time for delivery and alterations," says Mara Urshel, the co-owner of Kleinfeld. “Though many women have a hard time committing to a gown, they need to ensure that they have given themselves a sufficient amount of time to actually get the gown in and altered.”

The key to overcoming this anxiety and saying yes to the dress?

Listen to your gut. You knew your fiancé proposed that they were the one for you, so harness that feeling while shopping. If you have found a gown that makes your heart sing, you know it is the one.

There will be plenty other wedding planning excursions post dress that will get you just as excited about your wedding day.

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 33

Signature STYLE

3// ARRIVE WITH AN OPEN MIND

CELEBRATE IN STYLE bellaandjosh.com

~

the

finishing touch ~ You spend a lot of time picking out “the dress”, so it’s important to also spend some time on picking out the right jewelry for your wedding daysomething that will complement both your dress and you. So, what’s your jewelry style? Classic?

Ornate? Modern? We’ve broken down some local selections to hopefully help when you are deciding what kind of sparkle to add to your day. >>

1

3

2

Modern

~ Stylish. Distinct. Minimal.

1. NATIONAL JEWELLERS CRISLU Starburst Earrings | $78.00 2. NATIONAL JEWELLERS CRISLU Fine Dia. Criss Cross Bracelet | $568.00

4

3. TIANNA’S JEWELLERS Silver Drop Earrings | $109.99 4. TIANNA’S JEWELLERS Silver Criss Cross Necklace | $349.99 TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 35

Ornate

~ Showstopping. Bold. Intricate.

1. TIANNA’S JEWELLERS Silver/Rose Drop Earrings | $89.99

2. TIANNA’S JEWELLERS Silver/Rose Drop Pendant Necklace| $179.99

3. NATIONAL JEWELLERS CRISLU Designer Couture Ear Crawlers | $148.00 4. PETAR’S JEWELLERY Diamond Cuff Bracelet | $24,775.00

3 1

2 4

5

7 6

Classic

~ Simple. Delicate. Enduring.

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KEEPING YOUR BRIDAL PARTY HAPPY ON YOUR BIG DAY

BY JILL THAM

Flip through any bridal magazine and you will find pages upon pages of stunning photos and advice for brides. Now, if you really want to know the dos and don’ts of how to pick your bridal party and keeping them happy on your big day, look no further than this article! In addition to some handy lists and tips, we recently caught up with Angela Urquhart Osborne of Elev8 Events, who has provided some insight on how brides and grooms can make interactions with their bridal party run like a well-oiled machine. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 41

TODAY MAGAZINE: WHAT SHOULD A BRIDE CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING HER WEDDING PARTY? ELEV8 EVENTS: “Firstly, the couple needs to establish the tone of the wedding – casual?

Big party? Elegant? Destination wedding? If there are a lot of ancillary events attached to the wedding, you’d of course like to have people who are committed and feel comfortable being involved. Think about the costs involved for the wedding party, and consider if this would feel like a burden to your potential bridesmaid?

Don’t forget big wedding parties can be expensive for the bride and groom too, when you consider things like gifts and rehearsal dinners.

When selecting your wedding party, you not only want to think about people that have been in your life to date, but also who you know will be in your life 10 years from now. Take obligations out of the mix, and always choose based on your heart.”

HOW CAN THE BRIDE ACCOMMODATE HER BRIDAL PARTY? “Allowing the bridesmaids to pick their own dresses is a nice way to ease the financial stress, while letting them select something that they feel comfortable in and that reflects their personal style. When I’m in a wedding party, I like when there is a clear outline of what needs to be done and key dates for events and activities given in advance. If you don’t spring things on your family and friends at the last minute, they’ll appreciate that.”

HOW CAN BRIDES MANAGE WEDDING STRESS THAT CAN LEAD TO AWKWARD MISUNDERSTANDINGS? “There is a lot on a bride’s mind and the stress leading up to the day is really compounding.

You are hosting the biggest part of your life

and at times there are overwhelming expectations. If you are feeling stressed and think you might lash out at someone, take a moment and remind yourself that these are your friends. Those who help the most sometimes end up getting the brunt of it.”

HOW CAN BRIDES RESOLVE CONFLICTS THAT ARISE WITH THE INDIVIDUALS IN HER BRIDAL PARTY? “I tell brides not to react right away, and instead take time to reflect.

I also think honesty goes a long way and having an open conversation, rather than ignoring it and having it be the elephant in the room. And always remind yourself, and them, why they are in the wedding party in the first place and focus on the positive.”

HOW CAN THE GROOM TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE WEDDING PLANNING? “In my experience some of the grooms, but not all, don’t have an interest in details like décor and flowers, so perhaps they can take the lead on the stag and doe, wedding music, and menu.”

HOW CAN YOU KEEP THE LITTLE ONES HAPPY? “Let’s be honest, no kid loves listening to speeches or sitting at a table for three hours. At the wedding, have simple activities for kids like colouring books and have their place setting adorned with funky straws and small toys.”

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE PIECES OF ADVICE FOR BRIDES? “First, choose music carefully. Music is the heart and soul of every event - it establishes tone, creates ambience, and lifts the energy!

Take time to submit a list to your DJ of your key "throwback" tunes that will get everyone on the dance floor and keep them there. Omit the overplayed wedding songs that really no one ever gets excited for. Have fun in making a thoughtful list.

Second, add an element of surprise and delight for your guests. This could be sharing something funny and personal during a speech, having unique mid-dinner entertainment, or even have an alpaca, goat, or horse photo station.

Finally, be present and enjoy each moment throughout the day. Your wedding day goes by so fast, but being present is an easy tool to help slow down the speed of the day and allow enjoyment to take place.” >>

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KEEPING YOUR BRIDESMAIDS HAPPY TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING PARTY When it comes to choosing those who will stand up with you on your big day, here’s some tips on how to make the process a little bit smoother to ensure that you end up with the best group of people surrounding you at the altar.

Take your time choosing who will be in the wedding party. Give yourself at least a month to mull over your list. Will you still be close to all the people on your list in a couple of years?

Be honest (and upfront) with the expectations you have of your bridal party. Do you want your wedding party to help you with the planning and parties and everything in between, or are you okay with some of them having minimal involvement? If you are thinking about asking people who live far away or have hectic schedules, but you are still going to expect your wedding party to be very involved, you are just setting yourself up for disappointment, and them for annoyance.

Don’t feel like you are obligated to ask someone to be in your wedding, just because you were in his or hers.

There are other roles for people you care about that don’t involve being in the wedding party. For example: ushers, program distributors, musicians to play a song at the ceremony, someone to help write speeches… there really is not shortage of areas you could use assistance in.

A little goes a long way when it comes to making sure you remain friends with everybody in your bridal party long after the day is over. Keep in mind that everybody in sacrificing time and money to make sure you have the best day ever.

Be aware that everyone has his or her own things going on as well. Be mindful of everyone’s schedules, and also ask if they are able to make certain events, don’t just tell them it’s happening.

Give them input on what they will be wearing. Nobody wants to wear a style of dress they don’t feel confident in. Allow them to choose matching styles that compliment their body types. Give them as much direction as you can without being a tyrant about things.

Make them feel special on the big day too; they are after all, your nearest and dearest.

Think more VIP treatment, less servant.

Always give them a plus one, regardless of if they are in a relationship or not.

Do what you can to keep the costs down for them; being in a wedding party can really add up.

Lay out what your expectations are, as not everybody is going to be certain what the duties of a bridesmaid are. Divide up the duties so that one person doesn’t end up doing all the heavy lifting.

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BY MEGAN PASCHE

The idea of a “honeymoon” can be traced back several centuries, and there are many theories as to exactly how the concept evolved. One says it comes from the Old English word “hony moone”, and it was meant to refer to the period couples experience right after getting married, when everything is blissful. The word was first recorded in 1542

by English writer Samual Johnson.

Honeymoons as we known them today didn’t really exist until the mid 19th century. After the industrial revolution, people were freed from their traditional farming jobs, which gave them the freedom to take “nuptial journeys”. Couples would often go to visit family and friends who weren’t able to make it to the wedding, or to cities that were popular, such as Niagara Falls or New York City.

By the time the 20th century rolled around, these “honeymoons” were quite commonplace. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 47

honeymoons are a huge part of getting married, and couples spend months planning for their big trip. It is often the first big trip for a couple, and it’s meant to be memorable. And while some couples might have a good idea in their minds of where they would like to travel for their honeymoon be it to a distant far away land, or a place just an hour away, here are some suggestions for some more unique destinations that you might not have even considered putting on the shortlist yet.

ABOUT: it is located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea and is part of the Lesser Antilles.

It is a volcanic island, that is much more mountainous than other islands in the Caribbean. It has a tropical climate, and a dry season that runs from December to May, and a wet season that runs from June to November. Average daytime temperature is 29 degrees, and that really does not fluctuate too much due to the islands proximity to the equator.

LANGUAGE: English and Saint Lucian Creole French

with its breathtaking beauty, it’s easy to see why. Muine Beach is a great sandy destination, which also has sand dunes for exploring, wind and kite surfing. There are also bustling seaports, cities accessed primarily by rivers, and hillside resorts. There really is something for every couple. Adventure, luxury…you name it, you’ll likely find it here. Check out vietnamtourism.com for more info.

UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS: a drive in volcano, a sulphur springs, botanical gardens, twin peak mountains, rainforest, a historic military base, and of course, beautiful beaches.

St. Lucia is a great destination if you are looking for sun and sand, but also some culture. It is kind of two islands in one, with Rodney Bay sitting on the Northern Part of the island; it has many modern amenities, and sits in a beautiful bay. Soufriere sits in the south, and is amidst old plantations, hidden beaches and the always beautiful Pitons. There are tons of activities to do if you want to stay active and have some adventures on your trip. There is ziplining, rainforest biking, volcanic exploration, parasailing and so much more. For more info about St. Lucia, check out stlucianow.ca

ABOUT: located in South America, and bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. The land ranges from mountainous to rainforest. The climate in Peru ranges from warm to Mediterranean to cool.

LANGUAGE: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS: Machu Picchu, rainforest, hiking, floating islands, sand boarding, surfing.

ABOUT: located in Southeast Asia, it is the 13the most populous country in the world. It is bordered by China, Laos and Cambodia. It is made up of highlands, lowlands and forests. The climate varies greatly depending on where you are, but the winter tends to extend from November to April, with the wet season in the remaining months.

LANGUAGE: Vietnamese, French, English UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS: Ha Long Bay, the Imperial Citadel, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta.

Vietnam is a beautiful place to go for a honeymoon, as even though there are big, busy cities bustling full of people, there are also secluded resorts that are perfect for getting away from it all. Vietnam is full of history and culture. Ha Long Bay is a world heritage site, and

All you might know about Peru is that it’s home to Machu Picchu, the ruins of a site of an ancient civilization, and while that is definitely worth the trek, there are a ton of other places to check out, making Peru a cultural, historical and adventurous place to visit on your honeymoon. Peru’s capital Lima, is a UNESCO world heritage site. When you are planning your trip to Peru and plan to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, make sure to take into account that you’ll need to spend time acclimatizing to the high altitude. Peru will bring you a honeymoon filled with amazing sights, unforgettable culture and tons of activities you can do together as a couple. For more information about travelling to Peru, check out visitperu.com >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 49

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ABOUT: Located between the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans.

It’s capital and largest city is Reykjavik. The area is volcanically and geologically active. The landscape seems other worldly, and is made up of sand and lava fields, mountains and glaciers. Most people live along the coastline, as much of Iceland’s interior is not really habitable. The temperature, because of the warm Gulf Stream, is higher than it is in other places in the world with similar latitude.

UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS: Blue Lagoon (natural hot springs), Northern lights, whale watching, geysers, lava fields, ice caves and waterfalls.

LANGUAGE: Icelandic, English, Danish If your idea of a great honeymoon is all about exploration and adventure as opposed to chilling on a beach, Iceland might just be the place for you. It is a place of exquisite natural beauty, and there is no place quite like it anywhere else in the world; it’s hard not to be blown away. And if you visit in the summertime, you’ll experience the country’s midnight sun. Also, if you are planning on going somewhere in Europe for your honeymoon, Iceland is still a great option, as Icelandic Air offers stopovers at no additional airfare if you stop in Iceland for up to seven days. Why not?

If you want your honeymoon to be out of the ordinary, check it out.

Go to visiticeland.com to get some inspiration.

ABOUT: The country is located in Southern Africa (close to South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe). It is a landlocked country, that covers quite a flat area, with over 70% of it being the Kalahari Desert. The Okavango Delta, one of the largest in the world, lies in the Northwest, with a large saltpan in the North.

LANGUAGE: Setswana, English UNIQUE ATTRACTIONS: some of the most amazing wildlife on Earth, more elephants than any other country: basically wild Africa at it’s best.

It may be pricey, but if a once-in-a-lifetime experience is what you seek, it doesn’t get much better than this. There are private, glamorous accommodations that will see you and your partner enjoying your own private bit of the delta in a romantic camp or lodge. You’ll get to bathe in the moonlight, and sleep under the stars. The best time to view the animals is from June to October, but it can be a great destination year round. Visit botswanatourism. co/bw for more info.

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very few places offer so many diverse locations to house a truly unique wedding event.

With such impact and ambiance brides beware: Niagara steals the show.

On location: Niagara Regional Airport

STAGE presence The Elegant. The Unusual. The Quirky.

L

BY JILL THAM l PHOTOGRAPHY: A J HARLOND

location, location, location, location – it’s not just an important rule in the real estate business: It can also be applied to weddings.

Modern brides are looking for an authentically unique place to hold their wedding ceremony and reception, and low and behold, the Niagara Region is just the place to host these types of events. “There are some amazing offbeat venues to see in Niagara,” says Laura Beck, The Venue Counsellor. “I have just begun to crack the surface.”

Beck has over 15 years of experience in event and wedding planning in and around the Niagara Region. One year ago she began focusing specifically on unique wedding venues. In addition to assisting brides and grooms in finding their ideal wedding location, she also helps to minimize any frustration or confusion that may arise for them throughout the planning process. “Often, I have a completely overwhelmed bride who doesn’t know where to start. I will get an idea of what she is looking for, walk the couple through the process, and make it less scary for them,” says Beck.

The Venue Counsellor takes time to review the couple’s needs, wants, budget, and additional factors before selecting five different locations for the bride and groom to tour.

“First, I make sure the location is not in a residential area, so there are no noise or parking issues. Next, I want to make sure the proper permits and licencing are in order and finally that it is a perfect and beautiful place,” says Beck. “I have to have a plan B, so I look for properties that have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather.”

Beck has an extensive list of exceptional venues for brides and grooms to choose from.

“My vendor list is the best of the best,” she says. “With their overall vision in mind, I match people to their vendors and negotiate the contract for them, along with other amenities like photographers,” says Beck “It is about a fit.” The Venue Counsellor uses her expertise to make the couple’s personality shine on their wedding day while saving them a lot of time and aggravation that may arise when trying to find their venue without professional support.

Beck is a straight shooter who is completely honest with her clients when it comes to selecting the perfect venue and wedding logistics. “It’s my job to give them the good, the bad, and the ugly. If it is going to cost them a fortune I will tell them. If I have a bride that is worried about the weather then I will suggest an indoor spot,” says Beck. “Brides have to be realistic and not be embarrassed by their budget. We can give them a great wedding just about anywhere.” >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 53

On location: Oast House Brewery Unique Niagara Venue Ideas -A hanger at the Niagara Regional Airport (Niagara-on-the-Lake) -A brewery (such as Oast) (Niagara-onthe-Lake) -Any of Niagara’s beautiful wineries (many of Niagara’s wineries offer indoor and outdoor weddings) -Balls Falls (Jordan) -Heartland Forest (Niagara Falls) -Market Square (St. Catharines) -Navy Hall (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

[

places of interest

A BARN Balls Falls (Jordan) GO GREEN Heartland Forest (Niagara Falls)

The Venue Counsellor excels in finding locations that are not “wedding factories.” Recently three of her top pick locations were featured in different publications: further demonstrating how selecting unique locations is the Venue Counsellor’s forte.

Her first location, Cherry Avenue Farms in Vineland, ON, was featured in Style Me Pretty. This pick your own cherry farm has remained a family operated business since 1799 and Beck describes it as, “a hidden gem for a bride who is not afraid to do things for herself.” Although the venue is not available in July, due to the cherry picking season, there are endless possibilities for an exquisite reception in the barn or a dance under the stars on a concrete pad in the orchard. “It is gorgeous. The sky is the limit there,” says Beck.

If you are looking for a majestic location for your ceremony, then Willowbank Estate in Queenston, ON, is the ideal location for any budding bride. “It is historic, raw, and fabulous,” states Beck. As a National Historical Site of Canada, the site is used as a teaching facility for School of Restoration Arts. The house was originally a shipping hub and was first owned by the Hamilton Family and later purchased by the Bright Family. “The outside of this house is unbelievable and the inside is art deco,” says Beck.

With the original wallpaper, blacksmith shop, and carriage path that extends from the Village of Queenston to the front of the house it’s no wonder Elegant Wedding Magazine picked this site as one of their feature locations.

If you are looking for a spectacular view then head straight to Long Beach Conservation Area. “Long Beach is phenomenal. It’s

URBAN SQUARE

[

Market Square (St. Catharines)

A BREWERY

HISTORIC VENUE

(such as Oast, Niagara-on-the-Lake)

Navy Hall (Niagara-on-the-Lake) A HANGER Niagara Regional Airport (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

A WINERY (many of Niagara’s wineries offer indoor and outdoor weddings)

an open book for someone who is considering a day function. It’s laid back and simple,” states Beck. Long Beach will please any couple looking for an intimate ceremony on the beach followed by a lunch reception. This grass roots location was featured in the December issue of Green Wedding Shoes.

Beck believes that a location is special when it is not typical.

“It’s about thinking outside the box and using vendors that understand the vision,” says Beck. “It’s the endless possibilities that I love.”

Although Beck is a wedding planner by trade, she has found her passion in helping couples, businesses or corporations find the perfect location for their wedding or special event. “Being on the road and finding new places excites me. I love what I do and I never thought this was possible,” says Beck. “I also find the perfect venue for socials, meetings, and executive functions where my client wants to do something private and different like taking meetings outdoors,” says Beck.

From putting a food truck in the middle of an orchard to transforming an empty barn into an oasis, Beck considers herself a curator who strives to find something diverse for each of her clients. “My job is to give them something different,” says Beck.

“This isn’t just about selling someone their wedding. It’s servicing them from start to finish and helping them anyway I can,” says Beck. “Every month I am finding new places. My best compliment is when a local person says. “Oh my, I didn’t know we had all this,” concludes Beck.

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BY MARIANA BOCKAROVA

Over the past year, after receiving my doctoral degree, I have taught courses on the psychology of romance and relationships at the University of Toronto and consulted numerous couples on how to better their relationships. One of the core concepts that I’ve always found to be the most mind-boggling both to my clients and students alike, is the idea of just how much influence our own minds have over our relationships. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 57

The power of perception, particularly in relationships, is strong, and it all begins with an initial impression. Think back to who you were when you met your partner. Are you exactly the same person you are now with them? Did you maintain a consistent impression between your partner, your friends, and your parents, or were you attempting to seem a bit more impressive, a bit more charming, and a bit more suave? Many times, particularly in the beginning of relationships, much of what we say, what we oh-so-carefully choose to wear, even how much we eat, may be a strategy deployed to subtly influence what the person sitting across the table thinks of us. And when it comes to impression management, there are quite a few strategies that we tend to use: Ingratiation, or, doing favours and being open with our compliments so that others can like us. Or, have you ever met someone who went on and on about all of his or her accomplishments and treated a conversation as if it were the long answer to the interview question, 'what is your biggest achievement'? Selfpromotion, when it comes to wanting to leave a powerful impression, is one of the most deployed strategies; we display our accomplishments to others in order to elicit their respect. Being overly aggressive or intimidating is another way that we can impress upon others that we are 'tough', or playing the damsel in distress can help us receive nurture from others.

Did you carefully deploy some of the strategies above, or were you completely at ease with yourself? If we've carefully planned out the impression that we would like to leave on another person, we may be what psychologists would refer to as 'high self-monitors': Individuals who pay very close attention to the environment around them, and change their behavior to fit in. Conversely, low self-monitors tend to make the same impression regardless of the environment they're in. While there are cultural differences to high and low self-monitoring, in Western society, high self-monitors are generally social butterflies, who have many friends with diverse occupations and interests. However, because high self-monitors must consistently be monitoring his or her impression, and because it tends to be so cognitively taxing, high self-monitors tend to spend less time in their relationships, and thus have shorter relationships than low self-monitors, who are happy to be themselves, regardless of the situation at hand.

Whether we closely monitor the impressions we aim to leave on others, or are ourselves in every scenario, this is only one half of the equation. Being on the receiving end of a first impression is equally important, and the way you perceive your partner can very much influence the future of your relationship, if you decide to pursue a relationship at all! The idea of receiving a first impression, called the primacy effect, suggests that the initial information we learn about someone influences how we interpret all of the later information we receive from them. For instance, let’s say you were set up on a blind date to meet Greg in a coffee shop. You enter right on time, and notice Greg sitting by himself with an empty cup of coffee. You greet him with a smile, but he refuses to stand up or even shake your hand. You are completely thrown off, and immediately, your perception of Greg is that he isn’t particularly warm, he doesn’t seem to be very open, and clearly doesn’t like you very much. While Greg texts you a few days later asking if you’d like to go out on a second date, you decline, figuring a person who is so rude is not someone who warrants a second date. What you may not know is that a few moments before you entered the coffee shop, the barista spilled scorching hot coffee on Greg, spilling all over his pants. In order to avoid the embarrassment, he refused to stand up when you walked in. A high self-monitor, Greg was trying to manage his own impression on you and didn’t tell you what happened so that you wouldn’t perceive of him as clumsy. Now, say, a few weeks later, you are invited to attend a party, where you see Greg, who is the centre of attention and extremely affectionate towards you.

Because of your initial impression of him, you believe in your initial perception of him - a psychological bias we are all, unfortunately, privy to - and best chalk up Greg’s jovial behavior to assuming he has had too much to drink, when, in fact, he is only being himself.

One way of getting around this erroneous way of thinking, particularly when it comes to our relationships, is to give our partners is a second chance, and confront our judgments of them and try to find contradictory evidence to our initial beliefs.

The idea of how we view evidence is called the attribution theory, where attributions are our personal explanations of events. We can attribute events as either they are internal, that is, speaking to a person’s personality, or external, speaking to the situation that person

may be faced with. We also see events as either stable and lasting, or unstable and temporary. When it comes to how we view ourselves, we tend to believe the best in ourselves: When something goes right, we attribute it to some sort of internal process, such as being a good person and the reaping the awards of our charming personality. When something goes wrong, we tend to attribute it to an external process, noting there was nothing we could do and we were stuck in an impossible situation. For others, however, this attributional process tends to disappear, particularly in relationships: If we see ourselves in a happy relationship, and our partner’s behavior is positive, we tend to assume it’s an internal and stable trait that our partner has. For instance, if our partner comes home with a large bouquet of flowers and we are in a positive relationship, we assume that our partner is incredibly caring and that this trait will remain in him or her over time. However, if we are in an unhappy relationship, and her partner brings home flowers, instead of attributing it to an internal trait, assuming our partner is kind and caring, we assume this positive behavior is external and unstable: We might say that our partner only brought home flowers because he or she has done something wrong and needs to make up for it. The same logic applies to negative behaviors. In a happy relationship, if our partner lost his or her temper, we would attribute it to an external and unstable event, thinking that surely our partner was in a stressful situation and it would not occur again. Interestingly enough, however, in an unhappy relationship, if our partner were to similarly lose his or her temper, therefore behaving negatively, we would attribute it to an internal and stable process, assuming that our partner is constantly mean and this trait is not likely to change.

your faults becomes more important in creating a close bond than having a partner who sees us as enhanced and perfect. For instance, say we tend to be naturally temperamental. In dating, if our partner enhances our self-image by suggesting we are calm, we would feel a close bond. However, as time goes on and the relationships builds, if our partner still feels we are calm, yet we ourselves know we tend to be temperamental, the closeness felt would erode. If, however, over time, our partner notes that we are, in fact, not as calm as once thought but he or she loves us, in any case, the authenticity of the relationship would feel intact, we would feel intimately known by our partner, and, ultimately, more close.

How does one avoid “the marriage shift”? Lessen the management of your own impression and try, as so many wise men and women have noted before me, to just be yourself. Remember, the goal is not to win someone over or attain his or her love by pretending to be what you think your partner may want. There is only so long one can hold off being another person. Instead, focus on the end goal: Creating a lasting, happy, close and stable partnership. The only way this is possible is to make sure your partner can see you for who you are, and love you not in spite of it, but because of it.

Both impressions and perceptions come to a wondrous and sometimes catastrophic shift when we enter into long, stable relationships. Throughout the courting process, not only do we try to manage our impressions, while not fully being aware of the perception we are gaining from our partner, we simultaneously employ what is known as the ‘self-enhancement’ motive, wherein we like to know that our partners think highly of us, or see an enhanced version of us. While in short-term relationships, having our partner think highly of us brings us closer together (since we’d like to know that our partner likes us and thinks highly of us). However, in marriage, a pesky little motive known as ‘self-verification’ appears.

Self-verification is the need to know our partner sees us for who we really are, not only under rose-colored glasses. In long-term relationships, such as marriage, having a partner who loves you despite TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 59

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before

CONSIDER EXTENDING THE GOODWILL FROM YOUR BIG DAY.

By Gabrielle Tieman

The nickname bridezilla has become a common curse word in the wedding dictionary. Ensure that this nasty name does not step foot near your wedding by spreading joy and goodwill further than simply the guests sitting at your tables.

From donating your flowers to local hospitals to requesting charitable donations as gifts, couples are finding creative ways to transform their weddings from a party for two into a charitable event geared towards both celebrating and helping to improve the lives of others simultaneously. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 61

Contribute Your Leftovers To A Food Rescue Program Make the most out of your wedding’s leftovers.

Over six million tonnes of perfectly good food is thrown away annually in Canada – but with a little help you can put your reception dinner to a much better use than a dumpster.

Do your research first; though most food banks only deal with non-perishable food items and any of the food not being used at a wedding would fall under that heading, food rescue programs welcome both perishable and non-perishable foods to feed people experiencing hunger.

Food rescue programs, like Second Harvest Food Rescue in Toronto, will take your surplus food from the reception and deliver it to a wide variety of people in need that same day.

Second Harvest, the main provider of fresh food to people in need in Toronto, has delivered millions of pounds of rescued food that would otherwise go to waste to over 200 social service agencies since opening in 1985.

The social service agencies that receive food include children in breakfast programs, women fleeing domestic abuse, newcomers to Canada, homeless people, those struggling with addiction, seniors on fixed incomes, those facing mental illness, those affected by the recession and many others who have fallen on hard times.

Send Your Flowers to those Who Need a Smile Help brighten the days of others by donating your beautifully crafted centrepieces and flowers to those that could use a little sunshine. Senior homes, hospitals, women shelters, clinics and community centres welcome flower donations and ensure that your expensive arrangements aren’t tossed out way before their expiration date.

There are a number of services who will take care of the donations for you directly from your venue, or you can arrange with your florist or wedding planner to designate a drop-off location post wedding.

Donate your Dresses to a Foundation Though everyone tells you that you can shorten it and wear it again, anyone who has ever been a bridesmaid knows that that Tiffany blue satin party dress will never touch your body again in this lifetime.

Instead of watching your closet fill with formal wear that will only gather dust, locate a charitable foundation that will take your dresses and donate them to women who do not have the budgets to purchase elaborate gowns for their events.

Prom Project, created by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Foundation, is a one day, two site location event that was created to assist students in need of formal wear for their proms, graduations and other special events so they can attend their events feeling confident and proud.

Prom Project promotes a positive and inclusive environment, created to support those students with formal needs who may choose not to attend their special event because of financial challenges. All items are new or gently used from the private and business communities and are free of charge to all those in need of an outfit.

Feel the fulfillment of knowing that your bridesmaid gown has made a young woman happy and confident at her school’s formal – one that she may not have otherwise attended without the perfect dress.

Ask for Charitable Donations Instead of Gifts and Vice Versa When it comes time to head to the Bay’s gift registry to sign up for the customary cook wear set you already have plenty of, change course and choose to donate instead of receive.

As a couple, select a charitable foundation or cause you are passionate about and request that your guests make a donation to them on your behalf instead of investing in another gift for the two of you.

And then do the same for your guests. Opt out of giving standard wedding favours, which the vast majority leaves behind at the table, and give your guests a charity gift card. It’s simple— you make the donation and they select the charity. Companies like CanadaHelps offer charity gift cards that you can give as gifts that allow guests to choose any Canadian charity they care about to receive the funds you have put on their card.

CanadaHelps allows card recipients to choose from a list of over a hundred major charities all of which are organized into 13 different categories including: children’s charities, causes for health and disease and environmental and disaster-relief organizations, so every recipient will be able to find a cause that is close to their heart.

Choose a Venue that Gives Back to the Community Support local non-profits when choosing a venue to host your wedding. Pick a reception location owned by a non-profit, such as a nature preserve, university or museum, where the rental proceeds will go back to either the community or a good cause.

Websites like Banquet Halls of Ontario map out event facilities and venues in your area that are not-for-profit. Banquet Halls of Ontario as well provides contact information, photos of the venue, details on capacity and additional information for planning your event so you can make an informed decision and ensure your money is going to a good cause.

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Choosing your wedding colours is a huge part of the planning process, as once you have those set, all your other stylistic choices become easier. These are some of the top colour palates for 2016; hopefully your inspiration will take off from here!

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Everyone A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR

While you’re drowning in a sea of taffeta and checklists, don’t forget to spend some time with the other big checklist: the registry. Now’s the time…you can actually consider those fancy gadgets that didn’t seem so important before…the choices are overwhelming. And therein lies the problem…so many things to choose from! We’ve tried to help narrow it down a bit here, and have provided some suggestions for things that you may find both stylish and useful in your home. In addition, we’ve compiled some suggestions on ideas for great gifts to give your bridal party. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 67

WEDDING PARTY GIFTS

for the ladies

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Mansion on Delaware Avenue

Royal Treatment Girlfriends get the

Y

ou know it’s going to be a great girlfriend getaway when your weekend starts with an eager-to-please butler jogging out to your car to unload your bags even before you’ve popped the trunk.

“James” (yes, that’s really his name) is one of a half dozen butlers on staff at the elegant 28-room Mansion on Delaware in downtown Buffalo that dates back to 1869. The butlers are happy to drive you around town, pour you a complimentary drink in the drawing room at cocktail hour — even run you a hot bath in your whirlpool tub. Their white glove treatment sets the stage for a couple of days of being spoiled rotten in Buffalo.

BY ANNE BOKMA

in BUFFALO

StAr trEAtMENt At GrOOM SErvicE The pampering continues when we head to Groom Service Beauty & Dry Bar, an upscale beauty bar on the ground floor of the elegantly restored Hotel Lafayette. Here, positive feminine energy abounds, and not just because this grand neoclassical hotel was designed in the early 1900s

by Louise Blanchard Bethune, the first American woman who worked as a professional architect.

Katie Ambrose, a New York makeup artist to the stars who recently moved back to Buffalo to open the salon, gives her clients the kind of luxurious beauty experiences usually Groom Service Beauty & Dry Bar

reserved for celebrities. My girlfriend Donna and I spend a couple of glorious hours with Katie that begins with a mini meditation session involving crystals and “angelic spray” to help balance our chakras and continues with a facial, “intuitive make-up lesson” and hair styling. A final application of feathery false eyelashes has us coquettishly batting our eyes over our lunch menus when we pop in next door to the Pan-American Grill & Brewery to fortify ourselves for an afternoon of shopping with scallop cakes and sugar beet salad.

EMPOriuMS ON ELMwOOD It’s no secret that Canadians love to power shop Buffalo’s outlet stores, but we opt to bypass the mega malls for some good old fashioned street shopping.

We spend a few hours strolling the mile-long Elmwood Avenue, checking out the eclectic range of dozens of retail offerings. We peruse furnishings made by local craftspeople at rÓ, float in the aroma of hundreds of exotic seasonings at the elaborately stocked Penzeys Spices, ooh and ahh over the unique gift selections (dragonfly salad tongs anyone?) at the charming Everything Elmwood, browse bestsellers at talking Leaves, the city’s oldest bookstore, and try on flowing summer dresses in a range of

boutiques, from Anna Grace to Blush and Second chic, an upcycle consignment shop where I pick up a vintage halter dress for a bargain basement $22. When we stop to fuel up on caffeine, even the SPot coffee shop is

Second Chic

a delight with its powder blue Victorian settee and tempting display of red velvet donuts, a local specialty that proves irresistible.

Out ON tHE tOwN Our extended shopping trip means there’s little time for dinner so once again the butlers at the Mansion accommodate us by preparing plates of pizza and fresh fruit before driving us to the opening night of the raucous musical, The Book of Mormon, at Shea’s Performing Arts center. The restored theatre, which features a full season of blockbuster Broadway musicals, boosts eight-foot tall crystal chandeliers and intricately painted ceilings in the lobby, recalling its glory days as an elaborate movie house dating from 1926.

Mansion on Delaware by KC Kratt. Groom Service and Second Chic

by Katie Ambrose. Shea’s by Jim Bush. Buffalo Proper by Lisa Lubin.

After the show, we aren’t quite ready to call it a night.

Fortunately, another theatregoer recommends a stop at Buffalo Proper, a restaurant and bar that tips its hat to the prohibition era when wealthy Buffalonians found a way to sneak a drink in defiance of the 18th amendment. Here, master barman and cocktail curator Jon Karel regales us with further theatrical Shea’s Performing Arts Center antics, displaying his frenetic energy while concocting fancifully named drinks such as Bare Knuckle Boxer, Snake Charmer and Killer Bee’s.

It’s the perfect end to a perfect day. Tomorrow, we have a couple more stops to finish our Buffalo getaway – including an afternoon outing to canalside, a beautiful new waterfront area with free events from pilates classes to classical concerts, and what will prove to be a very memorable five-course prix fixe menu with wine pairings at Martin cooks, the city’s first example of chef’s counter dining where guests look on while the chef prepares his signature dishes in an open kitchen.

But right now, as the clock hits midnight, we’re ready to head back to our fluffy beds at the Mansion.

We ring our butler who arrives in minutes. As I climb into the backseat I utter words I’ve been looking forward to saying all day: “Home, James.”

Buffalo Proper

In the DETAILS

Creativity is key for 2016 weddings; couples want their wedding to reflect their individual personalities and who they are as a couple. While the basic blueprint of a wedding stays the same, where that uniqueness really shines through is‌in the details. We’ve done our best to compile a section of some of the prettiest and most creative trends for 2016. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 75

today’s picks

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With Sarina all of your reception needs will be taken care of from Backdrops, ceiling, table decor, and chair covers to centrepieces, jewelry, flowers, etc. All you have to do is show up, married! Call 905-401-8690.

THE WINE GARDEN OF PELHAM 170 Hwy 20 W, Unit #5 Fonthill www.wineofpelham.com

lasting INVITATIONS Trends for 2016 include using moody colours (forgo the typical white and go for deep plums, dark navy, even black.) Jewel tones are also becoming more popular, and inks can be white or even metallic.

Envelope liners are big this year; (it’s the first thing guests see when they open the invite, making it the perfect place to put a fun design.

Calligraphy and hand writing are also becoming more popular this year. Watercolour, monograms, graphic and geometric details, gold foil and hand drawn maps included in your invite are all big for 2016.

WEDDING FAVOURS The trend is for useful items such as planters, seeds, homemade salsa, sauces or jam, recipe cards, soundtracks, sunglasses etc. medium.com

Invitation by: WeddingPaperDivas.com | www.theknot.com

brideandbreakfast.ph

FLOWERS Flowers are getting brighter and less muted for 2016. A touch of metal is also making it’s way into the bouquet, which can be subtle or quite bold.

Floral arrangements are also getting wilder and more rustic. A way to bring the outside in. Flowers that look like they were picked fresh from the garden is the look a lot of couples are going for. Big bridal bouquets are also going to be popular this upcoming year, with cascading flowers that are bold and eye catching.

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THE FOOD Following the trend of people becoming more “food savvy� these days, popular for food and drink in 2016 are high quality food, healthy foods over hearty foods, live action food stations (such as oyster shucking, build your own sundae, make your own burrito). Menus are becoming more culturally diverse, with different dishes and spices being introduced from around the world.

THE TABLE When it comes to decorating tables, event planners are beginning to use a lot of pendant lights (with Edison bulbs), incorporating chandeliers (both vintage and modern varieties), as well as candelabras to create a soft glow in the room. Trends for the tables themselves include long, rectangular tables or a mixture of long tables that are surrounded by smaller square and round tables, which allow for a more intimate atmosphere. Still popular are lounge areas, with comfortable seating areas for the cocktail and after party hours.

RECEPTION food, drink, etc.

THE MUSIC Wedding music this year is all about variety.

A cabaret singer during cocktail hour, an orchestra at dinnertime, and a dance band or DJ to get people moving after they eat. A lot of couples are also focusing on their roots for music selections: Greek bands, Motown, bluegrass...whatever genre of music speaks to your culture and heritage.

today’s picks

CRIVELLER CAKES 4435 Portage Rd., Niagara Falls www.crivellercakes.ca

PANDOR PRODUCTIONS St. Catharines www.pandor.com

SHRINER’S CREEK KETTLE POPCORN 1874 Highway 20, Unit 9 Fonthill www.shrinerscreek.com

Criveller’s is known far and wide as the Chocolate Craft Store. Although the focal point of Criveller’s wedding business is wedding cakes, the shop also prepares entire Sweet Tables and Favours and has orchestrated confectionery for weddings of over 600 guests!. Pastry Chef Giovanni Del Priore and Chocolatier Leonardo Priore invite you to stop in and enjoy some true European style delicacies.

Pandor Productions offers more than just professional quality audio, visuals, lighting, staging and drape. We specialize in knowing how to make you look good.

With over 20+ years of experience at weddings, special events and concerts, we thrive in making sure the spotlight perfectly showcases you and your event.

Call 905.358.1724

It’s one of our favourite snack foods, and popcorn has come a long way from the butterflavoured bag at the movie theatre. From original caramel corn to green tea flavour you select from a wide range of savoury trendy flavours. Add it to your wedding buffet table or as a gift for all of your guests. It will be a huge hit!

PATRICK’S DISC JOCKEY SERVICE www.patricksdj.com 905-685-4514

PARTY CONNECTION 6260 Thorold Stone Rd., Niagara Falls www.partyconnectionrentals.ca

CHAMBERLAIN ENTERTAINMENT 635 Lake Street, St. Catharines, ON chamberlainentertainment.com

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life and you deserve the peace of mind that 25 years of service brings. We’ll make your dream wedding a reality with experienced, professional entertainers to go that extra mile in order to make your special day perfect!

Whether you need rentals for a wedding or any party in a hall or backyard, Party Connection offers selection, quality, price and service to help make your day memorable. We rent tables, chairs, chair covers, linens, tents, dance floors, stag & doe and fun fair rentals. We create Balloon designs, wedding and table décor.

Chamberlain Entertainment is Niagara’s longest running music services. Having played thousands of weddings and events, we are extremely passionate and dedicated to making your event a blowout success!

Although we specialize in DJ services we also offer Up Lighting, Photobooth, Videography etc. - Your All In One Entertainment Provider.

today’s picks

THE JEWELLER DESIGNS BY TACHJIAN 6161 Thorold Stone Rd, Niagara Falls 905-356-7700

When it’s time to say ‘I do’ The Jeweller will help you custom design a wedding band to complement your treasured engagement ring. With a beautiful selection to choose from offering both simple and intricate desgins, no matter what the shape, size or colour we’ll have the perfect match!

NIAGAR A-ON-THE-LAKE JEWELLERS & PRECIOUS METAL STUDIO 38 Market St., Niagara-on-the-Lake www.notljewellers.com

For one of kind handmade Jewellery created in our own workshop by master Goldsmith Mac Moolman. We work in Gold, Platinum, Diamonds and Precious stones. We can create a masterpiece for you which will last for generations to come.

“If you can dream it, we can make it.”

HAIRON’S NEST 4440 Queen St., Niagara Falls 289-296-7646

Become aisle chic as stylist Erin transforms everyone in your Bridal party with flare and care. From flower girl to bride, for a traditional up-do, a simple cut and style or something dramatic and different, set your locks before you tie the knot at Hairon’s Nest salon.

Seaway Mall, Welland 905-735-0333

BERMUDA TAN 353 Lake St., St. Catharines www.arizonatan.info

CHRISTOFF STUDIOS Niagara Region www.christoffstudios.com

Give your partner a ring they will cherish forever. Choose from our wide selection for that one of a kind ring you’ve been looking for. From traditional to modern day trends.

Custom design your very own one of a kind piece or have a family heirloom refurbished.

A trusted family owned business servicing Niagara for 24 years. Come in and let the magic begin.

Visit Bermuda Tan, now partnered with Arizona Tan, and experience premier tanning services. Ergoline and Tanses beds and booths are available in a clean and private environment. Mystic Spray Tan available at Arizona Tan location! Try our top line skin products and lotions. Make an appointment …Get sun-kissed; glow on your wedding day!

Kim Christoff offers mobile Makeup services for all occasions. Kim specializes in engagement photos, bachelorettes, and weddings. With over 25 years of experience from runway to television, she shares her knowledge offering private lessons, various workshops and a professional makeup course.

Kim would love to be a part of your special event! Contact kimchristoff@hotmail.com or 289-696-6913.

TIANNA’S JEWELLERS

Trends for the upcoming year include tweed suits, fun socks, gray suits, vests, suspenders and bowties.

Softening the traditional suit with more styled accessories is also gaining popularity: rolled up sleeves, loose tie knots or removing the jacket completely (at least for parts of the day)

His

Catwalker

& Hers Sam Aranov

Catwalker

Trends for 2016 are tiered skirts, overskirts and short skirts. Dresses might be adorned with 3D floral appliquĂŠs, or if a bride is feeling whimsical, a new trend is for feathers to be incorporated onto the dress. Also big for 2016 are: keyhole necklines, illusion necklines, plunging necklines and pant suits.

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TODAY’S PEOPLE

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SHARING THE LAUGHS, CELEBRATIONS & NEW BEGINNINGS.

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REV CHRISTMAS PARTY 2015

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UNITED WAY FASHION SHOW

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REV CHRISTMAS PARTY 2015: 1. Olivier Jansen-Reynaud and Veronica Rudan 2. Julia Fabiano and Carmen Menchella 3. Dr. and Mrs. Bisley 4. Vince and Carrie Vacca 5. Kaila Henderson, Jenn Blais, Rachel Bertrand, Tabitha MacDonald, Tina Lanzillotta, Gabrielle Tieman, Jill Tham, Megan Pasche, Caroline Roy, George Friesman, Candace LeBlanc and Christina Picton 6. Jon and Lynn Ogryzlo UNITED WAY FASHION SHOW: 7. Nkiru Nwagbo, Mary Rigon, Tara Colaneri, Kim Rossi and Sherry DiCienzo 8. Lucy Baldinelli Ciampa, Agatha Saviolidis, Alexandra Mills, Brianne Lunn and Madeline Dimperio PERFORMANCE LEXUS LAUNCH: 9. Peter Shea and Juliet Dunn ( Shea D Duo ) 10. Linda Bruno, Glen Alizadeh and Mario Bruno

The Niagara region’s best choice for weddings and receptions of any size from a small family affair to an event for 2,000 guests, our staff of experts will arrange every detail to make your special day extraordinary! Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is also the perfect place for engagement celebrations, bridal showers, Bachelor/ Bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners and post-wedding breakfasts and brunches. The resort’s luxury accommodations will delight your out-of-town guests.

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