Tina & Curtis: Fit For a Princess

This past August I had the pleasure of working with Tina and Curtis on their beautiful castle wedding. This couple pulled off the ultimate "Princess-meets-Prince-Charming" themed wedding. Tina & Curtis signed on for a Month-of contract to make sure that each detail was properly executed on the wedding day. I can take no credit for the creativity and focus of this extremely well-thought-out theme; this was all Tina.

The colours were pink and purple and the ceremony took place at Singer Castle (but where else could a Prince and Princess be married?). The castle was such a lovely backdrop for the ceremony and the stone walls set the tone for the secondary theme (stone) which also ran strong throughout the day. Prince & Princess, Pinks & Purples, Stones & Castles... LOVE IT!

The shots below were graciously provided by the fabulous team (Steven & Katie) at Unveiled Photography in Kingston. These guys really know how to balance fun and professional and they are such a pleasure to work with. I have the good fortune of working with them again next August and I can't wait! Thanks again you guys!

Here's a little glimpse into the beautiful day that was Tina and Curtis' wedding.

You can view the entire slideshow on the Unveiled Photography website.

Congratulations Tina and Curtis! And may you live Happily Ever After!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Your Wedding Reception or Anniversary Celebration on TV!

Hello Everybody!

I just found out about this great opportunity being offered by Mountain Road Productions that could get you and your party on TV!

Ottawa's new gourment vegetarian restaurant, Zen Kitchen, will be the subject of a new television series called 'The Restaurant Adventures of Caroline and Dave' which will air on the W Network in January 2010.

The show is searching for participants to host a small wedding reception or anniversary party at the venue which is to be aired on one of the series' episode's. The restaurant can hold 36 for such an event - so if you have a party coming up in the next couple of months and might be interested in this fun opportunity be sure to get in touch with Sonja Osberg by email, or phone: 613-237-4447.

Let me know if you're chosen! I can't wait to watch!!

Cheers,

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Made in Canada

I received this FW in my inbox today and felt that it was important enough to share with you. This message is talking about everyday items like light bulbs but I think that with the amount of money spent on weddings these days couples could make a big impact by choosing items for their wedding that were made in Canada as well.

Cheers!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

My grandson likes Hershey's candy . I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more. My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest... You have to read the labels on everything .

This past weekend I was at Wal-mart. I needed 60W light bulbs. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled, "Everyday Value. " I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this -in Canada at a company in Ontario.

So throw out the myth that you can not find products you use every day that are made right here. My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in Canada - the job you save may be your own or your neighbour’s!

If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others so we can all start buying Canadian, one light bulb at a time!

We should have awakened a decade ago. Let's help our fellow Canadians keep their jobs and create more jobs here in Canada.

Manon & Cody - Whimsical Fun

This wedding was particularly important to me because Manon (the bride) is my husband's cousin. So with more than a quarter of the guests in attendance being my own family the pressure was on to get everything perfect.

We started planning this wedding more than a year before the big day. We got a jump on the theme early on. Manon knew that she wanted something fun and whimsical and we incorporated a little bit of fun into every detail.

No wedding comes without it's own set of little hiccups along the way and this wedding was no exception. Everything went relatively smoothly until two weeks before the big day when we learned that our photographer was very ill and would not be able to shoot the wedding (our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends in these difficult times). I began a search for a new photographer but given that it was August and the height of the season finding a shooter who was still available on such short notice was a challenge.

Eventually, I was referred to an up-and-coming photographer in the area who was available on Manon and Cody's wedding day. Melissa Bolton of Precious Moments Photography was a perfect fit for the job; she's young, fun, and full of energy. She shot the day beautifully and Manon and Cody could not have been happier with her work. Here's a little peak at some of her shots from the wedding:

Katie from The Candy Store helped us choose a great assortment of green and purple candies for the candy buffet. If you're planning a candy buffet make sure to drop by The Candy Store; if you think that sampling options for the wedding cake or the dinner menu is fun you have to try some candy taste-testing! The green apple bonbons were a HUGE hit!

This wedding was tons of fun and I was so happy to have been a part of it.

Manon and Cody, I hope you always remember your wedding day as fondly as I will.

xoxoxo

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Jamie & Jordan: Peacock Feather Decor

With a live Celtic band, a slew of peacock feather accents, custom-made dresses, a cake designed by the bride's aunt, and tons of personal touches in every detail, Jamie and Jord created a day that was really special, very unique, and totally THEM.


Coverall was hired by the couple to take care of the reception decor. The colours were royal blue and purple and the couple's instructions were simple: peacock feathers were a must and they wanted something different.


The centerpieces were especially fun to create. The concept came about during a meeting with Jamie, Jord, Shelley (Jamie's mom), and Cindy and I. We sat around with various decor items, tons of peacock feathers, a variety of lighting options, coffee, and snacks (the coffee and snacks were vital, thanks Shelley!).


Here's a little peak at the end result (these are my personal photos... they're not the best!):







Have fun in Florida you guys! It was a blast!


Sophie

EXTREME THEME: Art Exhibition

Happy Friday everybody! Today's Extreme Theme was a really fun one to come up with. I hope you enjoy this little artistic adventure.

All weddings are an exhibition in some form of another. We take items that we feel are beautiful and reflective of our tastes and personality and we put these items together, on display, for others to discuss and admire.

Art is a bit of a broad concept and it can be incorporated in thousands (or perhaps millions) of ways. This theme is really one of self expression directed especially toward the artsy couple and is inspired by a friend of mine. (I won't mention her name here, however, as she would undoubtedly assume that I mean this as a hint for her to hurry up and get married soon; and as such she would likely never speak to me again).

The Ceremony: Art Gallery

An art gallery is perhaps the most obvious location for an art-based extreme theme. The National Art Gallery of Canada is a spectacular venue and hosts some of the most beautiful weddings in Ottawa. Most cities have some type of gallery that may be suitable for this theme.


All of the programs at this wedding are a hand-painted design created by the bride. It makes a beautiful keepsake.

From hand-painted programs to hand-painted bouquets... this wedding has a touch of art infused into every detail.

[Photo compliments of momental]

Reception: Exhibition Hall

Art is naturally used to give character, definition, and colour to a space. Why not do the same for your wedding reception? You need not go out and purchases tens of thousands of dollars worth of art to do this. Purchase a few blank canvases in a variety of sizes (or build your own if you have the know-how) and paint these to match the colour scheme of the wedding. Hang a few pieces behind the head table staggered at various heights.

For each guest, paint their name on a small piece of paper and place it in a miniature photo frame to act as a place card.

At each place setting provide a small blank canvas for each guest. Also provide the table with a few items to colour the canvas (paint may be ideal but only if you can find some type of self contained paint-in-brush contraption... I've seen this type of thing for children but it wouldn't be ideal). You could use pastels, markers, or pencil crayons. Tell the guests that each of them is to create a piece for the bride and groom which the couple will then use to create a collage on a wall in their home. This collage will represent their wedding and all of the people in their lives who mean so much to them.

In the center of the table use a thick antique square photo frame with a mirror inside as the base for your floral arrangement. If you can find enough frames you could use this concept on a buffet table on in any number of places around your reception room.


The wedding cake is made of two square layers with each side of the cake "painted" with eight of the couple's favourite paintings. A small frame has been placed on each side to accent each of the beautiful paintings.



During dinner a contemporary dance group performs a stunning piece which tells the story of a man and woman who are lost until they finally find one another and become whole.

A caricature artist is hired to draw pictures of the guests throughout the evening so that each guest can leave with a little piece of art of their own.


Do you have ideas on how this theme can be made even more extreme? Feel free to share them in the comments section.

Happy EXTREME Planning!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Creative Buffet Ideas

The dinner menu is an important part of the reception; and when it comes to food for the day the dinner is where the majority of the effort is typically focused. Cocktails are a close second. The food that is often overlooked is the late lunch (aka: midnight buffet or sweet table).

This is the buffet that comes out around 11:30 when guests need a little something in their tummies after a few hours of alcohol. The late lunch is an important part of the reception and really should not be skipped. And if anything's worth doing it's worth doing right... right?

Why not add a fun spin to your late lunch and create a theme. Remember, the menu given to you by the caterer or the venue is often just a guideline. You can always ask for a special creation for your wedding. Here are a few themed buffet ideas that could be a great touch for your late lunch:

Pizza Buffet

Put out a variety of gourmet pizza options. You can even steal Pizza Hut's idea and create some dessert pizzas! If you have access to a portable oven you can create a "build your own" station where guests can choose their own toppings and an attendant can heat up each individual pizza.

Poutine Buffet

This gooey treat made of french fries topped with curds and gravy would make an excellent late lunch buffet. Create a "build your own poutine" buffet by putting out french fries, curds, gravy and (for those who are a little more daring) offer some unique topping options like sauteed onions, mushrooms, hot peppers, tomatoes, green olives, pepperoni, bacon, and various types of cheeses and sauces.

Sushi Buffet

You have to be careful with this one as some of your guests may suffer from seafood allergies. If this is the case you may still be able to have a sushi buffet you'll just have to be extra careful about labelling your selections.



...Now for those with a bit of a sweet tooth, these sweet buffet ideas will tickle your taste buds:

Chocolate Buffet

Whoever said that diamonds are a girl's best friend never tried to keep a pregnant woman away from a box of chocolates. Pregnant or not, chocolate is a treat enjoyed by just about everyone and would make an awesome buffet.

Look for an assortment of chocolates, truffles, and treats containing chocolate or cocoa (as in cakes, pastries, etc). The chocolate fountain is always a hit too (make sure to put out some platter of fresh fruit for that). Throw in some chocolate-covered strawberries and you've got an instant hit.

Coffee Buffet

Are your families a couple of coffee addicts? Why not create a late lunch inspired by coffee? In addition to being a big hit it'll wake everyone up and keep your party going longer!

Offer a selection of gourmet coffees and a few specialty coffees too (i.e. a little something with some alcohol). Serve the coffee with an assortment of mini pastries and mini bagels with cream cheese. You'll also want to toss in a few coffee-flavoured favourites like coffee cake, coffee flavoured ice cream, and a few coffee flavoured chocolates and candies too.

Ice cream Buffet

Bring in your very own mini ice cream shop! Offer a variety of tasty ice cream flavours and allow your guests to come up and take their pick. Offer a selection of toppings including sprinkles, syrups, chocolates, candies, and cherries (of course!).

If you wanted to add a little bit of food to munch on think cakes, brownies, and wafer cookies.

Candy Buffet

You've heard of the candy buffet as a favour idea... but what about a late lunch candy buffet? Include heartier selections like caramel apples, chocolate-covered pretzels, cake, and so on. As an extra special touch, hire an attendant to man the station and help guests make their selections. Doing so is more than just a novelty as this person would also keep the buffet well-stocked and tidy-looking.

Have any other fun buffet ideas? Post them in the comments section!!

Cheers!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination