Sarah & Chris: Putting the "Yellow" in Yellowknife

Okay, so the title's lame but this wedding was anything but! (Okay, that was lame too... moving along...)

Sarah and Chris are a wonderfully kind and warm couple who currently live in Yellowknife and who, with several trips between Yellowknife and Ottawa (thank goodness Chris is a pilot!) managed to flawlessly plan this beautiful day. Sarah, throughout the entire process, had every detail under control and never once seemed even a tiny bit tense. (I was super impressed to say the least). This, of course, made my job a breeze and I had a blast working with these guys.

It didn't hurt either that the wedding was held at Brookstreet Hotel which is by far one of my favourite venues in Ottawa! The staff are phenomenal!

The images below are just a little sneak peak (snatched from the blog of the FABULOUS Annemarie Gruden... you'll want to check out her blog for more great photos from the day).

Enjoy!

Congrats Sarah & Chris!!!!

xo

Sophie

HAPPY WEDNESDAY... HAPPY THOUGHTS... JUST BECAUSE

Hey Everybody,

I'm just kinda overflowing with positivity today and thought I would share the love.

Happy Wednesday!!!

xo

Sophie

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IDEAS

During our interview, Julie Butler shares tips on choosing the right photographer for your wedding day.

Thanks again, Julie! You're FAB-U-LOUS!!!

PHOTO SHOOT WITH JULIE C BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Happy Monday everyone!

I thought I'd kick off the week with a fun little peak at the photo shoot Cindy and I did with Julie Butler this past Friday. Tomorrow we'll be putting up Part Two of the shoot where Julie answers some questions about hiring a photographer for your wedding. Be sure to tune in!

Yours,

Sophie

Kristin & Shane

Every once in a while I have the opportunity to work with a client who really makes an impact on me... sometimes personally, sometimes professionally, and in some rare instances - both.

Kristin contacted me a few months before her wedding to help her organize the details the big day. Through numerous phone calls and emails I got to know Kristin pretty well and I have to say that she gave me a run for my money as far as organization goes. Kristin had all of her ducks in a row the entire time which meant that I really had to be on my game in order to keep a step ahead. I definitely grew from a professional standpoint as a result.

But don't let this give you the wrong impression. Kristin is by far the sweetest person I've ever had the pleasure to meet. Some of our phone calls lasted three hours as we obsessed over every detail. And at some point during every single conversation, Kristin would ask that I hold for just a moment so that she could greet Shane as he came into the house from work. I always found this to be the sweetest thing! (Probably because my husband typically gets a quick wave and maybe a finger to my lips if he happens to walk through the door while I'm on the phone. I know - I'm so mean, ha ha).

Kristin and Shane are the real deal and I am so grateful to have been a part of their day. If you know me you'll know that I cry at all of my weddings but I was choked up for a good chunk of the day this time around. I welled up as Shane's voice cracked as he recited his vows to Kristin, I cried during the Maid of Honor's speech (which she also cried through - so I blame her), and I also cried during Kristin's father's speech which was full of emotion.

I did manage to work through all the tears... promise!

Everything about the day was absolutely beautiful. We had a little bit of rain for good luck but the sun shined brilliantly for the duration of the photo session. It was the perfect combination. Mix in a team of extremely talented vendors and it really was the perfect day.

The oh-so-talented Annemarie Gruden was kind enough to send some of her stunning shots my way. The images really do speak for themselves. You can check out Annemarie's site here. Thanks again Annemarie!

I also want to thank the staff of the Lord Elgin hotel who were absolutely phenomenal! The timeline was tight and the logistics were intricate; without their help the day would not have been the huge success that it was.

Congratulations Kristin and Shane! I know you'll have a wonderful life together.

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Ottawa's Wedding Gown Consigment Store

December has become gown month on the Coverall blog! I've had two posts on wedding gowns in as many weeks. I wonder what will come about next...

This week I want to let you know that Ottawa FINALLY has a wedding gown consignment store!! White Haute Bridal is now accepting dresses from past brides (by appointment only) and opens its doors to new brides in January.

The store offers a selection of once loved and never worn dresses at a fraction of the original sale price. All dresses are dry-cleaned and restored to like new condition.

Personally, I love consignment stores for their eco-friendly qualities. Imagine if half of all wedding gowns were purchased on consignment and if every new wedding gown was sold on consignment once used. The impact in terms of materials and chemicals used and the transportation required to get new dresses out to the market would be significantly reduced. (John Lennon's Imagine comes to mind, ha ha).

My dreams of a more socially responsible planet aside, this is a fantastic way for new brides to save some money on their wedding gowns and for newlywed brides to make a bit of money on their once loved dresses. You'll want to call to make your appointment soon as I'm sure White Haute's calendar will be packed in no time!

You can check out the White Haute Bridal website here.

Happy Planning!

Sophie
Coverall Event Coordination

The Bridal Expo 2009

Hi Everybody!

I know I've been a little MIA lately. I came down with a horrible flu and I've been working around the clock getting last minute details together for The Bridal Expo.

Now the show is done and the flu is gone and I'm back (like it or not, ha ha).

This year was the second year of The Bridal Expo which is a unique bridal show for Cornwall's modern bride. The majority of my weddings take place in Ottawa and surrounding area but I still work very closely with the Cornwall market and I use the show as a method of showcasing the city's very best wedding vendors.

Cindy put together a great table setting for the Coverall booth this year.

After the success of last year's show we moved to a larger venue (the Cornwall Civic Complex), designed a brand new website (www.thebridalexpo.ca), and made improvements to just about every aspect of the show. As a result, the show was a huge success again this year and we're looking forward to many more successful shows in the future.

For a list of the year's exhibitors check out the Exhibitors section of the show website. You can also view more images from the show on The Bridal Expo Facebook page.

Cheers!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

The Bridal Expo: A Show for Cornwall's Modern Bride

The Bridal Expo Cornwall 2009

The Bridal Expo is a unique concept in Cornwall. The show is geared at the modern bride; but who is the "modern bride" anyway?

Well... here are a few tips for recognizing her: The modern bride is the bride who is taking control of her wedding (instead of handing the reigns over to her mother or mother-in-law); the modern bride is a do-it-yourselfer and has her hands in at least one creative project for her wedding; the modern bride is budget-conscious because she works and she's contributing a big chunk of her own money into her wedding; and the modern bride doesn't have time to mess around - she wants the best of everything she can afford and she has little time to find it all.

Do any of these descriptions sound like you?

This show is geared at helping brides set a path for their wedding to create the best possible event that they can with the resources at their disposal. The show boasts a roster of the Cornwall's top wedding vendors who you can interview and book at your leisure (this will cut back on much of the research time you would have spent on your wedding). But this isn't where the show is unique - the show is truly unique in it's presentations and seminars. This is where you'll have a chance to learn a bit of DIY info to really put you in the best possible shape to take on the planning ahead.

So keep your calendar open for Sunday, November 8 and ask a friend to keep her day free as well (or hey, you could take your fiance). Doors open at 12-noon.

For more information check out The Bridal Expo Website and Register today!

Cheers,

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Twirl Talk: For Your Bridesmaids

Here's a unique and fun new blog for BRIDESMAIDS!

Chances are you've never heard of Twirl and I know I've never heard anything of the Canadian equivalent (if someone knows of such a place please fill me in). The brainchild of Keri and Jenni (both serial bridesmaids themselves), Twirl is a boutique designed exclusively for bridesmaids!

Recently, Keri and Jenni have embarked on their latest adventure - Twirl Talk, a blog for bridesmaids with tips, stories, and advice from the vets. Although Twirl Talk is still in its early stages of development there is some great info that's certainly worth checking out (and definetly worth passing on to your bridesmaids). I especially like the post on bridal party acronymns (I can't tell you how many times I've gotten funny looks for calling the Maid of Honour the "MOH").

So if you can't get to Arizona to check out Twirl first-hand... the blog is really the next best thing.

Happy Planning!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Real Weddings: Renée & Rob

Renée got in touch with me just three weeks before the big day. She had worked out all the plans, selected her vendors, and assembled hundreds of ceremony programs (which doubled as fans for the guests). But as the day approached Renée realized that there were a lot of little details that would need to be managed and she didn't want to have to worry on her wedding day... nor did she want to put the burden on her family. So... she sent me an email.

Luckily, I was still available and up to the challenge.

Renée and Rob did a fantastic job getting everything together for their wedding... which made my job quite a bit easier. We sorted out a few small kinks and had everything ready to go. But the wedding day was busy and full of challenges; the main one of which was the weather.

The plan had been to have an outdoor ceremony on the water at the home of the bride's parents. However, Mother Nature was brewing up other plans as the forecast had been calling for rain the entire week. So we listened... everyday... right up until Saturday morning, but the reports didn't change. There was an 85% chance of rain - those were not good odds.

Regardless, the morning of the wedding had only seen a little drizzle and Renée wanted to wait until the last possible moment before deciding to move the ceremony into the reception tent. So we held out... and just 1 hour before the ceremony was scheduled to begin the skies opened up and the sun shone beautifully across the river.

So my staff and I, along with the help of some very obliging young men, got the ceremony set up as quickly as possible, and although the ceremony started a little late Renée had the outdoor wedding she'd been dreaming of and we managed to get everything back on schedule shortly after the dinner began.

It was a beautiful day filled with so much love and joy. Friends told stories of the couple’s very long courtship (over ten years!) and guests were treated to some great entertainment by the wedding party, and some big laughs (and some tears) from the speeches. Even if you didn’t know the couple it would be hard not to feel touched by the kind words and wonderfully recited stories (I think the entire wedding party had Toastmasters memberships in their wallets).

At the end of the night guests were treated to an exclusive fireworks display put on by the bride's uncle. And despite the rain (that did eventually fall), and the muddy grass that followed, the day could not have been more perfect. I was so honoured to have been a part of it.

Renée and Rob, thank you for including me in your big day. The wedding may be over but it was certainly an event for the books. I have nothing but the warmest of wishes for you both.

All the very best,

Sophie
Coverall Event Coordination

A huge THANKS goes out to Lindsay at Studio409 for providing the images above.

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.