Where will you get married?

I was reading an article sent from one of the websites that we advertise on and it was talking about a survey that it put on asking engaged couples:

 “Where do you plan to have your wedding reception?”
Here are there results...
33% - Banquet Hall
32% - Outdoor Venue
19% - Historic Mansion or Venue
7% - Hotel
6% - Private Home
3% - Religious Venue

In this online survey, over 3,500 engaged brides were asked this question and I was surprised by the results.  I actually expected Banquet Halls to be higher due to the sheer volume of Halls in the GTA.  But then again we have a distinct clientele and most of our couples are working 'outside the box' for their Weddings. 

By doing a little research in discovering what style of reception you want will uncover many different options. Here is a list of some of the amazing venues we are looking forward to visiting again this coming Wedding Season.

Marquees on Home Properties (three so far this coming year)
La Gondola Banquet Hall - www.lagondola.ca
Terrace on the Green (a couple of times this year) - www.terraceonthegreen.com
Toronto Park Hyatt (a couple of times this year) - www.parktoronto.hyatt.com
Berkley Church - www.berkeleyevents.com
Oakville Golf Club - www.oakvillegolfclub.com
Hart House - www.harthouse.utoronto.ca
Harbour Banquet Center - www.harbourbanquet.ca
Glen Carin Golf & Country Club - www.clublink.ca
The Alton Mill (a couple of times this year) - www.altonmill.ca
The Queens Landing Hotel - http://www.vintage-hotels.com/
Graydon Hall Manor - www.graydonhall.com
The Manor - www.bypeterandpauls.com
The Halton Regional Museum (a few times this year) - www.halton.ca/museum
The Kortright Centre - www.kortright.org
The Gardiner Museum - www.gardinermuseum.on.ca
Liberty Grand - www.libertygrand.com
The Terra Cotta Inn - www.cotta.ca
Big Win Island Golf & Country Club - www.bigwinisland.com
The Mississauga Convention Centre - www.mississaugaconvention.com
The Royal Ambassador - www.theroyalambassador.com
Hockley Valley Resort - www.hockley.com
The Design Exchange - www.dx.org

So now I as you... Where will you or did you get married????

How to Create a Unique Wedding Ceremony

This is the second of many in our new series “Our views from the Mountain… Looking over the Skyline of the City” blogs.



What is really required for music choices when planning the ceremony sector of your Wedding Reception?

Time and time again we are confronted with the same question when meeting with engaged couples. Many have attended Weddings over the years and remembered only the “traditional” musical selections that have been repeated over and over through the decades. This is not to say that the “classics” are not amazing pieces of music that truly set an ambience of class and elegance. However, Many couples have commented that these selections are not a direct reflection of their own personal musical tastes or mood they wish to unfold.

The traditional Wedding Ceremony when broken right down involves four basic sectors. Firstly there is the music that is played while guests gather at the ceremony location. Traditionally was provided by String, Piano or Organ typically at many Church or Courtyard style Weddings. The selections were usually Wedding classical pieces or even Hymn’s found within the Church’s Hymnbooks. Secondly there was a selection of song or songs for the transition of the Bridal Party and Bride Herself to move to the altar at the front. Thirdly There was a traditional selection played during the actual signing and witnessing of the marriage license. Lastly There was a traditional uplifting selection played during the walk back up the aisle as newlyweds also traditional.

Enter the new mentality. The couple that longs for their Wedding Experience to be fun for guests and themselves alike from the moment of arrival onwards. This not achieved by “reinventing the wheel” so to speak, but merely to introduce a wheel that offers the chrome and brash that many couples “roll with” in their daily lives.

We are often asked when discussing this type of migration what the “typical songs “ for this choice might include? The joy of this choice is the word typical is replaced with individual or unique . For those that have been following our promise that has became our mission, we strive for a Unique, Memorable and Fun Wedding Experience. By hand picking musical pieces that have meaning for you both as a couple, you have already indicated to your guests that there attendance is important and well thoughout. So many couples have commented in the past that they want there guests having a terrific time, be toe tapping, and feel included from the moment of arrival onwards.

When we suggest this alternative to the classical pieces of yesterday, there are so many wonderful choices for your Modern Hip and Trendy Ceremony. Our favorite choice currently for an “old mixed with the new solution” is The Vitamin String Quartet style music. This will prove to provide exceptional entertainment and ambience for all ages. Your young friends will marvel as they recognize the song that is playing in a classical context. Your parents and older guests will enjoy the variety, and overall distinguished mood that is enjoyable for all.

Don’t be afraid to step outside the box, and Happy Planning.

Giving your reception a head start, even before the guests arrive.

Planning a beautiful celebration is an art. Combining the perfect and unique elements that scream 'Wow, look how beautiful and original I am!' is something that professional event planners take ages to master.

However, planning a party and giving it all the right combinations to ensure a successful event is not as hard to master. Follow these simple guidelines and experience the difference that it will make in the results of your event.

*Music Selection* Work with a Dj that can feel a crowd. Talk about the music that you love to listen to while enjoying a meal with your partner, when your in the car and what makes you go crazy on the dancefloor.  Choose some of your favorite songs to be heard through out all of your event.  Leave room for your DJ to work their magic too!  We are masters at creating fantastic parties.  Make sure your Dj will accept your guest requests at the event, this is super important to have a happy crowd.

*Room Layout* When you are deciding where everything will be for your reception think beyond the seating plan. Bar... will this be in the room or in the hallway/lobby? If the bar is out of the room, your guests will be too. The same rule goes for late night sweet/food stations.  If you want the party to stick around, keep them in the room. Dancefloor... Having the dance floor set up in a central location is key to having your guests on it. 

*Where to Stick the DJ* Technology is fantastic and mobile DJ setups are becoming simpler, smaller and more portable.  With nice linens on the table and properly placed tape, a DJ table can actually work in a room that has been beautifully decorated.  Place the Dj right beside or on the edge of the dancefloor.  If you were to put the DJ in a corner away from the dance floor, behind a curtain or even in a different room, you are basically cutting the possible quality that the reception could be in half.

(Most Djs will choose if located by the dance floor put their speakers on either side of their table. This way the volumes are easy to set just right, there are minimal wires to tape down or have exposed and the amount of outlets need are minimal.)

*Important things to Remember* If a Dj cannot see the Dancefloor, how can they control it.  Don't place your grandparents where our speakers will be, we do our best to work with the logistics of any room, but having guests right where our speakers are is never a good idea.  Have clean Linens for our table, so that we can make it look as nice as possible.  Don't leave the music details to the last minute, have your reception planner completed atleast 2 weeks prior to your big day so that you can just relax.

By considering all of these simply things, I can guarantee a great start to any event.  Please consider chatting with us at any time before your event so that we can help you with any room placement problem or ideas that you may have.

Happy Planning!

Laura

A Fun Filled Dance a Thon Day

Thursday was a fun filled day with some of our younger friends at a great Dance a Thon Fundrasier

 

Our Uplit stage set up

Some fun "freestyle" moves

A very competitive limbo competition

The stage lighting made for a bizarre looking picture looking out.  Everybody was moving and grooving- fun fun and fun!

The True Advantages of Having Your Wedding on a Friday

This is the first of many in our new series “Our views from the Mountain… Looking over the Skyline of the City” blogs.

After meeting with a wonderful Bride-to-be this past week I felt totally inspired on her insite, Fresh ideas, and Unique approach. The concept of having a Friday Wedding is not a new one. Her reasons for doing so were not the usual justification which typically is based on cost savings and venue/vendor availability. (totally valid).  

The couples rational was more selfless. The idea that family and guests really look forward to their time off on weekends. This precious time that could be spent travelling, camping or cottaging need not be interrupted by the insertion of a Wedding smack dab in the middle of the weekend. In this individual circumstance, the Bride-to-be’s parents travel every weekend to a home on Manitoulin Island where they hope to retire one day. The Bride matter- of- factly pointed out,” I simply can’t take that unwind time away from Mom and Dad.”

Having done our own Wedding on a Friday, I also could add that it was a wonderful feeling to still have the entire weekend to enjoy after our celebration. For guests, it meant not having to wake up Sunday morning, get dressed , and drive home to prepare for work on Monday morning. Many out-of-towners lingered on an additional day to spend extra time and enjoy brunch with us on the Saturday. Such a bonus when we hadn’t seen many of them in a considerable amount of time.

To truly have two full days off after your extremely emotion filled day is also an advantage to many who may not be able to proceed into a Honeymoon directly afterwards due to work logistics or other circumstances. (Teachers getting married during the school year are a great example)

Laura and I have noticed to quite an extent that the direction seems to pointing towards “Fridays becoming the New Saturdays”. Your choices for venue availability especially without a year in advance reservation is far greater as well.

Thanks for the inspiration Amanda and Happy Planning!

The Civilized Bride Wedding Show in The Distilleries Friday January 21st, 2011

This past Friday evening, we had the pleasure of being a part of the Civilized Bride, a unique take on a bridal show.  Bride & Groom's to be were invited to mix and mingle with the GTA's finest Wedding Professionals while enjoying a cocktail and a canape. Here are a few pictures I took before it became too busy for pictures. 


The Bar



Wedluxe - Official Sponsor



Fantastic Fruit Platter Display



Guests Starting To Arrive

The Arta Gallery is a Fantastic & Hip Venue

Our Uplights Among the Great Art on Display



Funky Table With Promo Material

It was a great evening. Not only did I meet with some amazing couples, some of which booked us right on the spot, but I had the chance to finally meet some of the fantastic vendors that I hear about all the time while catching up with those who we work with regularly.



Wonderful Weddings of 2010 in review... Part II

Due to the popular feedback we received from our first launch of pictures last week,  Laura and I decided to add another round from my Wedding picture files.... Hope you Enjoy!

Just the boys having some fun at Wooden Sticks!



A Very Unique Wedding Cake at Markland Woods Golf and Country Club

Our Mini Starball effect.

Laura's creative flair gone wild as we uplit our meeting room and Christmas Tree

A wonderful Fall Wedding at Canoe atop the Toronto Skyline

A themed Wedding in Ancastor at Knollwood Golf and Country Club

The Sutton Place Hotel overlooking the downtown core

A priceless cake topper, for a wonderful couple

Ceremony Set up at Halton Regional Museum

Our uplighting on display behind the podium

A terrific fun filled evening at Toronto's Liberty Grand

An unbelievable evening at Toronto Design X

A funfilled cocktail hour at Markland Woods Golf

The outdoor Wedding Gazebo at Halton Regional in Milton

Many Thanks to all of our 2010 couples who made these memories possible!