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

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

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

LAGO: A Gem on the Rideau Canal

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm really HUGE on customizing each wedding to suit the couple I'm working with. But Ottawa, for the most-part, is extremely conservative. There seems to be a tendency to shy away from change, from reinvention, from pushing the envelope. Which is especially frustrating for me as I spent most of my adult years living in Toronto where "Anything Goes". I'm always inspired when I meet a vendor or a bride who seeks to be different, to be daring, and who seeks to create something truly special!

Some venues I've run into portray the typical conservative mentality. If you ask your venue manager how a "typical" wedding would run from start to finish at their location they should NOT be able to give you an answer. The answer should be, "We don't have a typical structure. Every wedding is unique and we help build a day based on the client's vision". Or something to that effect.

When I asked Catherine Landry, Promotional Sales Rep at LAGO, this question she looked at me like I had four eyes... then she gave me the answer I wanted (along with a very long list of how a wedding could be fabulously unique given all of the special qualities of the venue).

Imagine a couple paddling up to the restaurant in a kayak, or biking up the trail on a tandem bike. The beautiful patio off the second floor Vista Room could allow guests a unique opportunity to watch the couple taking photos across the canal during cocktail hour while the couple would still feel the privacy of a secluded photo session amongst the beautiful trees and gardens that surround the canal.

How about a ceremony in the park, or for those more adventurous couples, what about taking your vows on a paddle boat out in front of the Pavilion while guests watch on from land? With Juliana Park, The Experimental Farm, and the Rideau Canal literally steps away the possibilities are endless. If you're not a typical "Ottawa" personality you'll really appreciate the potential.

This stylish seating area located in the restaurant on the first level could be closed off for a private bachelorette party.

The venue itself is fabulously unique from the shape of the Vista Room to the modern industrial feel of the decor. That, paired with super-chic lounge-style seating and tables, creates a high-end atmosphere that trendy couples will certainly appreciate.

I'd like to extend a huge thanks to Catherine and Gyneya for my "Day Away". It was truly refreshing to meet a couple more like-minded individuals in this city.

Are you a unique bride? Maybe LAGO is the place for you... check them out soon, though, because although they only opened their doors last July word is spreading fast and availability is limited.

Happy Planning!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

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!