5 Tips to writing your speech as a couple

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Astra

As a couple, it’s hard to put into words how much your support system means to you. You could literally take days thanking awesome family, amazing vendors and of course your wonderful new spouse. So who do you thank and “how” do you thank everyone?

Tip 1. Start with your vendors

Make a list of the vendors that have made your wedding planning and wedding day simply easy and carefree. If there was something special that they did or said, let your guests and your vendors know how wonderful they have been. Keep it short and to a list that may include your DJ, Photographer, Venue, Caterer and Wedding Planner. for example:

“Joe and I want to thank the following vendors for making our day a success. Their professionalism and down to earth personalities made this day wonderful:

Lew and Carmela from Engaging Images, Matthew Beauchamp from Mobile Productions, etc.

2. Thank your bridal party

For smaller bridal parties, it is easy to thank each individual person however with a bridal party of four or more, it takes an incredibly long time. Thank your “person of honour” from both sides and then in general, thank your bridal party. For example:

“Jenna, I want to thank you for your constant support, genuine care and positive attitude during our wedding planning and of course today. You have been gracious, calm and wonderful and we both thank you. To our amazing bridal party. Thank you for the late nights, the support and being there for Jane and I. We could not have done this without you.”

(Note, even if you have one member of your bridal party that you feel doesn’t deserve a thank you, you still do it. Be gracious and thankful as that is what they will remember you saying about the bridal party all together. Don’t single anyone out even if they did add chaos to your wedding planning.).

3. Thank parents, grandparents or your main support system as a child and teenager as well as anyone who had a hand in raising you.

There is no genuine rule for this. Take a few moments and add a personal story of guidance, support and laughter. This is often a difficult task as some of you may have parents or guardians that have passed away. Take your time and share a fond memory of growing up with them or growing up with a relative that took care of you but shared as many memories as possible about your parents.

4. Thank each other.

Thanking your new spouse is by far the most emotional and the most rewarding. You know so much about each other, you share the same dreams, goals and just love each other. Sharing how you met and that special moment you knew that person was the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with are great starters. Adding a funny story of your special someone meeting your parents or best friend for the first time is always a bonus!

5. Email yourself and your wedding planner your speech.

If you don’t have a wedding planner or day of coordinator, email yourself your speech. We are in that day and age where everyone carries their Android or Blackberry, so I would be lying to you if I said that this never happens. You can also have an extra hard copy handy to give to your wedding planner at the rehearsal so they can bring it with them in their emergency kit on the day of your wedding. After working so hard on your speech, it would be a little upsetting if you forgot it!

Happy Planning!

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6 easy steps for a successful speech

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Astra

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve lived to tell the harrowing tales of the speech that never ended at cousin Suzie’s wedding. We’ve all been there so how do we avoid this common blunder with your speech? Here are six key steps to make sure you’re not the one who drove the guests crazy for half an hour.

1. Keep it simple speaker: It can be difficult to choose the best examples to use to describe your relationship with the couple. You have a history that is unique and want to show everyone just how fun, exciting and joyful these two people really are! The best advice is to keep it simple. Choose one or two examples of what the couple means to you – one or two examples that show how strong the couple is, how thoughtful, how protective and caring they are when it comes to your relationship.

2. Don’t tie a few on: If you’re giving a speech, you’re most likely part of the bridal party or a VIP in the couples’ life. You may have the jitters and think a few drinks won’t hurt. It can hurt, so sip on your one glass of wine and stay away from guzzling every drink in sight to calm your nerves. It’s ok to be nervous! The key is to watch the couple and pick one person in the audience that you feel comfortable making eye contact with. Speak to them as if they are the only ones there.

3. Practice makes comfortable: Practice your speech in front of a mirror as well as one or two people that you feel comfortable with. Not only will you retain more of your speech, but you will feel more comfortable and be able to make eye contact with the couple you are celebrating.

4. Keep it short: We have all heard the endless speech and tried to bargain with the Almighty to get that half hour tacked back onto our lives. It’s very easy to avoid being the person everyone remembers as “the one that took forever and my dinner got cold.” Two to three minutes is the amount of time you have before losing your guests interest. Keep it short to keep it sweet!

5. Know your crowd: Ask the couple if it will be an even mix of family and friends and the age ranges. How many of these guests will know you? Who will get your humour or understand all the inside jokes about the couple? Depending on the size of the wedding, usually not many will. It’s better to know ahead of time who you will be speaking to.

6. Be respectful: Yes, we all enjoy funny and embarrassing stories from time to time. However, remember that parents, grandparents, Godparents, sponsors and/or elders of the couple will be present. Swearing or vulgar jokes usually end badly and with your microphone mysteriously cutting out on you. Make good use of step 3 with an elder or friend to see if your joke is too vulgar for a wedding crowd.

Next Tuesday: Speech writing tips for couples.

Have tips to share? Post a comment below and we’ll  tweet your comment!

 

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A visit with Vintage Vignettes!

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Astra

I love the patterns, designs, decor options and style that vintage items bring to any event. I recently met with Reena and Claire from Vintage Vignettes - an antique and vintage prop rental company.

I met with Reena and Claire because there is still a need for vintage items – and it’s more than just a bride looking for the perfect gown or centerpiece that reflects the vintage feel. There are so many items that can add that personal touch to your wedding and Reena and Claire showed me a few of their hottest items.

My absolute favourite are the picture stands below. With a vintage frame holding each table number, you can add the perfect balance of vintage to your guest tables. These are only a few items that Vintage Vignettes carries. They have wonderful silver platters, mason jar candle holders and many other items for your needs!

Can vintage be overdone? Not if you have Reena and Claire to show you how to balance vintage with a few modern touches. You can find them at www.vintagevignettes.ca.

Happy Planning!

 

Tea cups

Vintage China Service

Picture Frame or Table Number Stands

 

 

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WPIC Code of Ethics

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Astra

As a certified wedding planner, I understand the importance of hiring a professional in the industry that brings more to the table than just promises. As a WPIC certified and active wedding planner, we follow a strict code of ethics. I take great pride in the work I provide and I want only the best for my couples. You should expect only the best from your vendors. Take a look at what we stand by:

WPIC CODE OF ETHICS

  • We do not accept kickbacks (money for referrals) from vendors. Vendors must know that the clients are the recipients of any discounts given.
  • We treat each client fairly, and we will be honest and upfront in the representation of our clients.
  • We uphold our ethics. We will not take or attempt to take clients from, or discredit, other vendors with gossip or slander.
  • Every client will receive a detailed contract for Wedding Day Direction, Destination or Full Wedding Coordination services.
  • We will provide all services agreed upon in the contract that must be signed by both the client and Coordinator at the commencement of service.
  • We believe in continuous education, networking and training within the Wedding Industry.
  • Our pricing is upfront and industry comparable.
  • We will make every effort to return calls and emails in a timely manner. (Within 48 hrs.)
  • We always endeavour to benefit our client and not ourselves. Vendors are suggested on merit, in the best interests of the client, not ourselves or the vendor suggested.
  • We can not guarantee your wedding will be perfect, but we can guarantee we will do everything within our power to make sure it is as close to perfection as it can be.

This is what I believe and stand by. Make sure the planner you hire does the same.

Happy Planning!

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Feature Wedding – Stephanie and Tyler

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Astra

I have to say, I miss this family already! Stephanie and Tyler are such a wonderful couple, with a beautiful daughter and supportive friends and family. When I first met with them, Stephanie’s father came to the meeting too. He was so excited and so involved from the beginning. He loved every minute of it and was so happy that she was happy!

Here is a sneak peek of their winter wedding, courtesy of Engaging Images! More images to come as I update my gallery!

I created these cards with Stephanie and Tyler’s symbol as their kissing game. Little did I know that I was going to get in trouble from their MC (Ryan) for not making a kissing game card for the vendor table! Let’s just say, my table paid the price and had to do ‘The Twist’ for a minute or two! Ryan, you’re the best! 

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Two little words that mean so much ..

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Astra

I just received the most wonderful thank you from one of my amazing couples in the mail! I know, ok, another thank you, surely you can’t be that excited?? Yes, yes I am!

Why am I so excited? This thank you was from the heart. I will cherish it because I know they took the time to think about their day and they truly enjoyed every minute of it! I’m also thankful because their wonderful team of professionals made this wedding day as joyful, romantic and personal as the couple we celebrated.

So why am I sharing this? It’s simple, take the time to say thank you. It’s two little words that mean so much if they are spoken from the heart. Let your family know you appreciate their time and support and when your big day has come to an end, let your vendors know if they did a job well done.

Give out to the world what you would like to receive. It really is that easy!

Happy Planning!

 

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Do you need wedding insurance?

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Astra

Do you ever wonder what “being insured” really means? Have you made the choice not to have insurance liability or wedding insurance for your wedding? I had the chance to interview Nancy Wells, President of NW Insurance Brokers Ltd. Nancy outlined the differences between wedding insurance and liability insurance and why it’s important to consider both.

AD: What is the difference between event liability insurance and wedding insurance?

NW: The difference between wedding insurance and Liability policies as it pertains to WEDensure is that the program covers everything from the Dress, Cake, Flowers, Invitations, Cancellation/Postponement, Rings, Gifts and even the Failure of Suppliers and includes the Liability for $1 Million with an option for $2 Million.   The Event Liability covers just the bride and groom for third party claims that they are legally liable for compensatory damages.

AD: Do all couples need both insurance types?

NW: No however today especially with the unpredictable weather and economic climate it is prudent to protect all aspects of their wedding investment.

AD:  When should couples consider purchasing either or both insurances?

NW: They may purchase WEDensure 12 months in advance but not 30 days prior to the event.  We recommend that WEDensure is purchased when  the couple starts placing deposits.  Event Liability coverage may be purchased 60 days prior to the event.

AD: Why is it important that wedding vendors have liability insurance?

NW: Wedding/Event Planners are considered professionals in their field – Errors & Omissions including the Commercial General Liability is a must have coverage.

AD: Why is it important to the couple that their vendors have liability insurance?

NW: To protect them for contracts made on the wedding party’s behalf.  When a planner is insured it provides peace of mind to the wedding party that they are in good hands.

AD: Do all types of wedding vendors (specifically wedding planners) require errors and omissions or is liability insurance enough?

NW: Errors & Omissions coverage goes hand in hand with a Commercial General Liability policy  when a professional has both it covers all the gaps.  If a Planner is certified they should have professional liability and a commercial general liability as with all businesses.

AD:  What about extending your event liability insurance through your home insurance? Is there a bigger risk involved should you need to file a claim or get sued?

NW: The risk is that Personal liability on your Homeowners insurance will not necessarily cover them for an organized  event – all liability policies respond to third party claims where the insurer has a duty to defend – however the policy wordings in homeowner  coverage should be scrutinized for any exclusions to organized events.

Nancy Wells is the President of NW Insurance Brokers Ltd. This article is for your knowledge only and not to be taken as legal advice. For your specific situation, please contact NW Insurance Brokers Ltd., for more information.

Happy Planning!

 

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Lifestrummer’s unique way to tell your love story

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Astra

I love unique. I love different. I love how each couple has the opportunity to make their wedding an extension of themselves and their family. Kamna and Kal take your story and create lasting memories for your wedding day. Comic books, glass frames, save the dates and more, Lifestrummer takes your memorable moments and wraps them in a distinctive package.

Kal and Kamna, Co-founders of Lifestrummer

This dynamic duo are the owners of Lifestrummer, a highly innovative, personal and creative company that focuses on using comic book art to detail your love story. I recently met with Kamna (aka Kimi) and Kal to prepare a blog interview for you to get to know the story behind this wonderful couple. Kamna and Kal will help you take your personal love story and turn it into expressive artwork that your guests will remember for years to come.

OYDE: How did you both meet?

K&K: Kal & I met on a matrimonial website. I’m from Mumbai in India and Kal is from Montreal. We chatted online/talked on the phone for a year and a half. I liked him a lot. The guy made me laugh, he was a thorough gentleman and the clincher – every other week, he’d send me a drawing based on a conversation we’d have. He then came to India, we hung out for 3 weeks and in the third week, he proposed, I said yes & 6 months later we were married. Kal designed our wedding invite which was a single frame caricature of us. The first Lifestrummer comic book was based on our love story as well. This was really the genesis of Lifestrummer.

I moved to Canada in June 2009 and jumped into a year-long MBA program at the Richard Ivey School of Business. My school was located in London, a couple of hours drive from Toronto. So Kal would drive back and forth to be with me on the weekends. He really took care of me. He’d cook, he’d clean, take care of all the little things just so I could concentrate on my studies. My pillar of strength, he was! We have a comic book about that too.

OYDE: What made you decide on comic books as a way for couples to express their story?

K&K: Towards, the end of my course sometime in June 2010, Kal started to create comic books for fun. He created comic books based on what he knew best and what he knew best was us. So every Thursday, he would release a comic book based on our life together as a married couple. We’d share it with our friends on Facebook and they loved it. That’s when I saw the opportunity. We should be doing this for others. In my last semester, I wrote out the business plan and presented it to my class and right there in the classroom, I got my first customer. Since then, we’ve been at it full time. Instead of following the conventional MBA path of looking for a job, I focused all my energies on building Lifestrummer with Kal. I took advice from all of my professors, had my classmates challenge my assumptions and spent numerous sleepless nights wondering how insane I was to be doing this.

Sketches, caricatures, comic books have been part of our world’s heritage for ages: a universal medium that strikes a chord across generations and cultures. While we’re young, the pure, undiluted pleasure of comic books like, say, an ice cool Calvin&Hobbes, or Tintin the adventurer, or Superman the superhero, is unmatched. Those colourful frames, thought bubbles, gravity-defying actions, and wide-eyed fantasy, all allow imagination to run riot in the way that words seldom do. As we graduate to other forms of literature – books, magazines, newspapers – the charm of the comic book never really leaves us, still having the power to transport us to a fantastical world in an instant. That constant invasion of childhood memories is central to the Lifestrummer philosophy. We believe everyone has a story to tell – we want to be a part of those stories, and through our kaleidoscopic lens, interpret them in our own unique style – infusing them with a blend of color and fantasy that makes life less ordinary, more magical.

OYDE: How far in advance should couples get you their story?

K&K: Our turnaround time is around 12 weeks. We really want the couple to be involved in the creation process so that we can represent their story in a way that leaves them amazed. It’s an iterative and collaborative process where our goal is to create something that is truly personal and something they’ll cherish forever.

For more information or a personalized quote, you can contact Kamna and Kal using their Contact Us Page.

 

Astra Dwyer owns On Your Day Events, a wedding and event planning company in Durham Region planning weddings for the Greater Toronto Area. For more information join Astra on Facebook.

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Top 2 mistakes couples make when hiring a DJ

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Astra

Time and time again we hear about horror stories of DJs that either ruined a couples’ wedding day or pretty much had their own agenda prior to a wedding, leaving the couple high and dry.

I’ve had the privilege to work with Matthew Beauchamp owner and Entertainment Director of Mobile Productions and he does admit, he has seen and heard it all.

Matthew Beauchamp - Photo provided by Engaging Images

According to Matthew, cost is the most common factor for couples choosing their DJ and it usually results in:

 DJs double booking
 DJs promising you the world
 or your DJ taking your money and running.

“Couples contact me upset when their DJ offers them the world, but then they don’t follow through with their promise,” says Matthew. He also agrees that the most common issue that you may face when hiring a DJ is the lack of personal connection and quality of the entertainment services.

“Each client has their own personal style and unique vision. They are often unaware that these keys elements can be reflected in their receptions entertainment services.  A talented DJ/Entertainment Director will work closely with you to create an experience that will leave your guests with lasting memories of your celebration and provide you with unforgettable entertainment. Through proper planning, preparation and direction from your DJ/Entertainment Director you can ensure that by working together, the often overlooked details are in order, so that you can savour the most memorable parts of your day,” states Matthew.

When I asked Matthew what the top two mistakes that couples usually make when choosing their DJ, he shared the following costly mistakes:

1. Price: Cheaper does not always mean successful

Investing more in the quality of your entertainment is not a risk, but rather an investment in the overall success of your event.

2. Not Seeking References and Auditioning for Talent

Gather -in detail- the information about the company and their past clientele/events to ensure that the company is a reputable and professional service. Be sure to meet with them in person and don’t be afraid to ask them questions about their services, terms and agreements. Find out what they can do to make your event unique and your visions a reality.

So how do you know when your DJ is truly interested in your needs and providing you and your guests with an incredible experience? Bottom line: do your research, ask questions if your referral provided for the DJ service in question is over 4 months old and make sure your DJ has references from previous AND current clients (wedding and corporate events).

To book an Initial Meeting with Matthew, please go to www.mpdjs.ca or call Matthew directly at (647) 388-7242.

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Happy Planning!

Astra

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Halloween wedding? Take a look at these great finds on Etsy!

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Astra

Halloween is definitely for all ages and what an awesome way to incorporate your love of goblins and ghouls into your wedding theme!

You can put sweet treats in this flower girl basket and have her hand out candy to your guests on the way down the aisle. Karen from Buttercup Marketplace hand makes this lovely basket to suit your Halloween theme:

What a vintage-chic way to add Halloween to your wedding day plans. Check out these 100% handcrafted cupcake toppers from Jacquelyn Vaccaro and Deborah Smith, a mother and daughter team from Hudson Valley:

I’m a big, big fan of hair pieces so it’s only natural that I found these stunning pieces from Selena at There Once Was A Girl on Etsy:

 

There are tons of ideas to include your love of Halloween to your Halloween themed wedding that can be personalized to wow your wedding guests .. go all out for your candy buffet with trick or treat bags and pumpkins, personalize mini loot bags for your family and friends to use as their place card and as their guest favour that they can fill after dinner. Add some silly and fun Halloween props to your photo booth! The options are endless!

 

Happy Halloween and Happy Planning!

Astra Dwyer owns On Your Day Events, a wedding and event planning company for Durham Region, York Region, Toronto and beyond. Follow her today on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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