Become a Wedding Planner

Do you think you have what it takes to become a Wedding Planner? Today, the Wedding Planning industry is exploding as more and more brides are finding less and less time to plan that once-in-a-lifetime wedding of their dreams - and they need someone to bring their vision to life.

Becoming a Wedding Planner is not for the faint at heart. We've all seen the movie and, I mean, who wouldn't want to kiss Matthew McConaughey, right? But in reality, it's a tough job that requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. But if you have what it takes you can find a very rewarding career in wedding planning. Also, because you're considering the career at a time when so many Planners have been at it for a while you can benefit from the advantages of others' experience.

If you're seriously considering this path as a career you should check out the "Secrets of a Wedding Planner" website. This site, created and maintained by Jolyn Saramaga of Nuance Occasions in Edmonton, offers mentoring and support for wedding planning professionals. Jolyn offers regular coaching sessions, information on upcoming conferences, along with all kinds tips on the tricks of the trade. Another FANTASTIC site is The Smart Planner - this is among my favourite planning resources and I'm sure you'll find it handy too.

Do you have questions about becoming a Wedding Planner? Feel free to send us an email or give us a call and we'll get you pointed in the right direction.

Cheers!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

About Sophie

I didn't grow up dreaming about weddings... like some girls do. I didn't have magazines and binders full of colour swatches and dinner menu ideas for my future wedding... in fact, I didn't even open a wedding magazine until after my husband proposed.

No, my love with wedding planning didn't have anything to do with weddings at all. It started when I was very young planning events for my local youth group. As young as 12 years old I started organizing group events. I loved thinking up creative activities and the challenge that came with ensuring that everything was covered (meals, breaks, schedules, instructors, teams, rosters... everything) I would spend hours visualizing the execution of the event trying to find something I might have missed... and I spent hours on the phone confirming details with all the participants (I am so thankful for the creation of email since then!).

That love for planning continued throughout high-school and university and into the early years of my career as an Administrative Assistant. I was great at what I did because I could anticipate people's needs before they asked for things, I could plan meetings, conferences, seminars both locally and abroad, without missing a single detail. I was good at what I did... but something was missing.

I found the missing piece in weddings. Finally, I could combine my skill and love of planning with my creativity and love of art.

But the transition did not happen quickly. Although I loved planning my wedding I never thought of doing it as a career. It was only after reflecting back on my wedding day that I thought perhaps there was a void in the industry that I could fill.

I planned my wedding, which would take place in Cornwall, ON, while living in Toronto. There were no wedding planners in Cornwall and so the thought of hiring one never even crossed my mind. Besides, planning was what I was good at... so I wasn't worried.

And all in all I was probably the model bride. I was calm and composed the entire day. I didn't get emotional or upset... I never once felt anxious or fussed over little things. But I WORKED the entire day. It didn't bother me at the time. I kept everyone organized with schedules and instructions throughout the day. I lined my wedding party up before the processional and gave them all final instructions (but they were already pretty clear on what was happening as I had run the rehearsal the night before as well). I directed the ushers to move traffic into the dining hall while the rest of the wedding party arranged themselves for photographs. I ordered everyone in the hallway before the grand entrance and ensured that couples stood with man on the right and woman on the left.

Throughout the evening I dealt with little issues as they arose (like choosing a new wine when the bar ran out of the one I'd ordered), searching for the wedding party for special dances, and so on. That was pretty much my day. And I didn't mind it... I didn't know it could be any different. It didn't occur to me that something was missing until I was reflecting back on the day and wondering why I didn't cry during the ceremony.

You have to understand that I'm a sucker when it comes to wedding vows. Whether it's a TV wedding, a friend's wedding, or the wedding of a client, I ALWAYS cry during the vows. So clearly, I expected to cry on my own wedding day. But I didn't. And the reason that I didn't is because my mind was already working on what I had to do next... where we would have to go... how I would get the guests set off in the right direction, etc. I didn't allow myself to get caught up in the moment at my own wedding!

It's sad, I know. But that is the main reason I got into this business. I can't go back and do my wedding over. If I could, I would have hired a planner to take care of the wedding day coordination at the very least. My mission now, though, is to take the work away from the bride on her wedding day... so that she CAN get caught up in the day... so that she can just enjoy herself and her family and friends.

THAT is why I do this... and I love every minute of it.

Anywho... enough about me... let's talk about you!

Sophie

Start Your Reception Off With a BANG!

Are you going to ban your DJ from playing the Chicken Dance at your wedding? I did. And now, in addition to having to provide your Disc Jockey with a "Special Dances" list, a "DO NOT PLAY" list, and a "Must Play" List, you also have to get him in on choreographing the overall entertainment of the evening.

These days you can't simply hand your DJ a bunch of lists and expect magic. Oh no, if you want a wedding that your guests will talk about long after the lights go up you need to be 100% committed to the enterainment process. You need to choreograph a Grand Entrance and/or First Dance that will have your guests clapping/laughing/singing or on their feet.

A close friend of mine choreographed a beautiful Grand Entrance with a Phantom of the Opera Theme. Her masked husband carried her theatrically through a cloud of smoke onto the dimly lit dance floor to the roaring sound of organs from the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. After the dramatic entrance the couple shared a beautifully choreographed first dance complete with elements of their characters acted throughout. It was enormously entertaining and completely unforgettable.

So make a note ladies and gents, you're now competing for the top entertainment card among all your family and friends who will be getting married in the next couple of years. If you want your wedding to stand out you have to make an impact.

To this end, so many couples are now seeking expert training to make their Grand Entrance, First Dance and/or their Wedding Party dance really spectacular. So I've come up with a few tips to help you make the biggest impact and ensure that your guests will remember your wedding as "the best they've ever seen". Here's how:

1. Choose a theme. When choosing a theme for your wedding make sure you carry it throughout. That means in the decor, the attire, the bouquets, the guest favours, the stationary, and of course, your entertainment. Choose music that suits the theme and choreograph a Grand Entrance or First Dance that suits the theme.

2. Find inspiration in books, magazines, movies, and on TV. If you're doing a beach theme, for example, consider doing your Grand Entrance to "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys (You know, from the movie "Cocktail" with Tom Cruise). As your wedding party dances through the doors have them present some of the guests with lays on their way to the dance floor. Then your Wedding Party dance could be some sort of fun choreographed Hula dance. Or you can go with a James Bond theme and have each of your bridal party couples barge in wearing sunglasses and creeping along like they're carrying guns. They can form a protective aisle for you to walk through to keep your guests from crowding too close ;)

3. Get your guests involved. Obviously, presenting your guests with lays as you walk through the door is one way to get them in on the action. But if you also name your tables after the places named in the song (Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahama, etc) it will bring everything full-circle. Your DJ could have each table either wave their hands in the air or sing out when their table name is sung.

4. Bring your DJ up to speed. Make sure your DJ is fully aware of your plans and knows exactly what's expected of him/her. This would be best taken care of during a meeting a week or so before the wedding. Don't ask your Best Man to brief the DJ 5 minutes before the Grand Entrance. Also, provide your DJ with clear written instructions so that there's no confusion. Make sure your instructions include the full names of your wedding party members listed in the order they will be presented.

5. Check with the facility Manager. Some facilities have restrictions on what you can and cannot do. So before rehearsing an Entrance with sparklers and confetti make sure that there's no rules preventing you from using these items.

6. Rehearse! Okay, so it's not always possible to get your DJ and your entire Wedding Party in one place prior to the wedding date to do a physical walk-through of the Entrance. However, make sure that your wedding party is fully aware of the plans and that each person knows what he/she has to do. If you're choreographing a dance, it goes without saying that you'll have to get your wedding party together at least a couple of times before the big day to run through the steps.

7. Have FUN!!! The absolute best way to ensure that your guest get into the right mood is to get into it yourself. Make sure your wedding party is smiling and dancing as they walk into the hall -- if it looks like you're all having fun your guests will have fun too. Watch for this when you go to other weddings. When the wedding party dances in with big smiles the guests' faces automatically light up. It really sets the mood for the rest of the night.

Real Weddings: Kelly & Shawn

Kelly and Shawn are truly one of the coolest couples I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Cool in the sense that they're fun, grounded, intelligent, and adventurous. But most of all because they really seemed to know what they wanted - not only out of the wedding, but from each other and out of life in general.

Because Kelly in particular knew exactly what she wanted this wedding took on a life and a style all its own. Kelly and Shawn wanted a celebration that really spoke to their unique personalities and most importantly they wanted to ensure that their guests had a good time and truly felt at ease.

To that end, before the ceremony the couple held their receiving line outside the church and greeted their guests as they arrived - no surprises, no suspense, just "please come in, sit down and be our guest" - it was as though the couple were welcoming the guests into their own home - and I really think it started things off on the right foot. Once all the guests were seated, the groom himself ushered his bride-to-be down the aisle – a truly inspiring way to begin their journey together… side-by-side, arm-in-arm, from the very beginning - to the very end.

The couple exchanged vows at the beautiful St Patrick’s Church in Napean, Ontario. And as an extra-special touch, the pair was married by Shawn’s uncle who certainly kept the guests entertained as he put a very personal spin on the ceremony (and recounted a few amusing tales from his nephew’s childhood).

Following the ceremony the guests were ushered to the beautiful church hall where they enjoyed a tasty buffet and a night full of dancing to a list of great songs hand-picked by the bride. Later in the evening, the couple served their wedding cake with glasses of bubble tea; a truly unique experience for those of their guests who had never had bubble tea before.

The entire event was rich with personal touches nearly all of which was created by the bride herself (including the birdcage veils and the boutonnières)! Instead of flowers the bridesmaids carried fans made of intricate lace. The tables were lit by the soft glow of round paper lattern centrepieces which held gold and black feathers. The guests were amazed by the unique quality and attention to detail that graced every aspect of the day.

Kelly and Shawn, thank you for allowing me to be a part of this truly special event. It was a pleasure to help you bring togerther the day you "wanted" and worked so hard for. It was a great adventure and I wish you many more beautiful adventures together!

All the very best!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

A special thanks goes out to Misha Voloaca (first 3 photos) and Sarah Rogers (last photo) for providing the great shots above.

Ponderosa Ranch: A Venue as Unique as You Are

Cornwall is a great city to get married in. There are tons of great vendors who charge very reasonable prices, and there are several beautiful venues that offer everything you need all rolled up into a neat little package. But let’s face it – if you’re looking for a really unique wedding venue in the city you’re going to have to get creative; because while there are some really fantastic venues in the city we’ve all been to at least a couple of weddings at each of them.

So where do you even begin to look? Do you have family or friends who own a cottage on the lake? Maybe you want to consider Upper Canada Village for a beautiful 18th Century themed wedding. Recently, I visited one of the newest and most unique wedding venues the Seaway has to offer – Ponderosa Ranch.



Just East of Cornwall this beautifully landscaped area is a magical place to hold a wedding. There’s a charming (and huge) chalet made entirely of real pine logs. Inside is a fantastic open-concept kitchen and living area with a loft-style master bedroom overlooking the picturesque landscape banking the Raisin River - imagine waking up here the morning after your first night as husband and wife! Awesome, right?! (Not to mention that the en-suite bathroom is a great place for a candle-lit bubble bath)

Imagine your outdoor ceremony set on the water with all the beauty of nature as your backdrop followed by a fantastic tent reception on an elevated plateau with a breathtaking view of the property.

But don’t act too fast; a wedding at Ponderosa is not for the faint at heart. There will be lots of extras that you will have to take care of yourself, such as portable toilets (unless you want your guests running in and out of your honeymoon suite), tent rental, tables, chairs, caterer, linens – all the things that would normally be taken care of at the “typical” venues. No, this venue is for the couple who really want to really “wow” their guests and leave them talking about the event for years to come.

So if you’re looking for a wedding location that is as unique as you are – this one is for you!

For more information on Ponderosa Ranch and to see if your date is available call (613) 930-4408 (or toll free at 1-866-449-5408). Alternatively, you can visit them online at http://www.ponderosaranchresort.com/. Happy Planning!

Real Weddings: Alicia & Pete

If there ever was a couple so perfectly after my heart it was certainly this pair. What a wonderfully relaxed and fun couple! It is only too fitting that their wedding reflected their relationship to a tea.

I first met this couple in December of 2007 when we began planning – and it was a joy from start to finish. The process was not, however, without its hiccups; like the night I received a frantic email from Alicia informing me that the Caterer/Cake Decorator had backed out of the wedding with only four weeks to go! Luckily, I made some calls and had a wonderful catering company and a cake decorator booked that very same evening - big thanks to Gilles Lefebvre of Prestige Catering and to Diane Martin of Wedding Showcakes for coming to the rescue!

On this beautiful spring day, the bride walked down the aisle in her beautiful white gown and (true to her personality) matching white flip-flops. The couple exchanged their vows on a dock surrounded by the calm waters of the St. Lawrence River and accompanied only by their Maid of Honour, Best Man, and Pastor. It was a touching and intimate setting that friends and family quietly observed from the shore.

The bride selected a striking spring pallet of bright pink and sage green – which popped beautifully against the picturesque backdrop that was Pete’s mother’s cottage. The guests sat by the water and listened to some charming speeches; then they mingled, ate, drank, and enjoyed the beautiful afternoon. Every detail was carefully planned and made for a truly unique celebration.

I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with such a fun and energetic couple. (Alicia, I will definitely miss our decoration shopping-dates). I wish you both great love and happiness and hope that your light-hearted approach to life will be your guide as you navigate through parenthood and the rest of your lives together.

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Big thanks goes out to Laura from Captured In Time Photograhy for the photos above

Mere Beads: Gorgeous Hand-Made Jewellery

Hello All


First off let me tell you that the images I'm inserting here do not do Susan's work any justice! (Which is a shame because when you see the jewellery in real life it's absolutely fantastic!)


The company is called Mere Beads and the owner and designer is Susan Leonardo. She will actually sit down with her brides and go over the style of their wedding, the formality, the colours, and so forth. Then she'll go off and design gorgeous hand-made, one-of -a-kind jewellery just for you! She can do entire wedding parties - including boutonnieres for the men and corsages for the moms. She also makes tiaras and gorgeous little pins that would make great hair pieces or bouquet accents.


BEST OF ALL the prices are unbelievably reasonable - as in, you can't even get half-decent jewellery in stores for this price!


She is definitely worth checking out!



You can contact Susan at Mear Beads by email at merebeads@hotmail.com.