Clutter

After a busy wedding season I've settled down at my computer to try to sort through my files. The filing system in my office is very organized but the computer tends to get cluttered after a while.

I love to save inspiring photos of weddings and ideas and I'm constantly starting Word documents with thoughts and ideas. My laptop has become a virtual catch-all bucket and it's time to start sifting through to get ready for the new season ahead.

On that note, I think it's important that couples sit down every month or so and do the same with their wedding "stuff". If you're like most brides, you'll be collecting magazine clippings, articles, business cards and ad material from bridal shows and various meetings, and a whole slew of things on your computer for "future reference".

Set aside a regular day each month to go through everything you've collected. In fact, it would be wise to put that in your planning calendar. Anything you're not using should be tossed. For example, you've booked your photographer but you still have business cards for ten photography companies. Or... you've picked and booked your wedding cake but your wedding binder still has 40 wedding cake clippings. All of this is clutter and will only add chaos to your planning.

As you get closer to your wedding date it's important to hold on to only those materials which are relevant to your wedding. If you simply can't throw everything else away (in case a friend might like to use it at some future date) at least put the non-relevant materials into a separate box away from all of your wedding stuff.

By the time your wedding comes around your binder should be narrowed down to essentials only; such as, a checklist of what's left to do, a schedule of the day, your vendor contracts, and contact lists with all of your vendors' names and contact info (you'll want to include your bridal party, MC, and any other important people in this list too). If you have a keepsake binder or if you want to hold on to other relevant planning forms or materials simply bring the items listed to the front of the binder and file under a separate tab so that it's easily accessible.

Happy Planning!

Sophie

Coverall Event Coordination

Ottawa Wedding Planners Gathering

I'm doing a bit of a lazy post today... okay, a SUPER lazy post today. I just wanted to give a shout-out to all of the local Ottawa WPIC Planners who came out last Saturday for our little get-together at Fat Tuesdays.

It was a great night filled with lots of chatting and great ideas flowing. It was wonderful to see everyone and I'm looking forward to some of the collaboration that was discussed over the course of the evening. More to come on that later.

And... here's where the super lazy part comes in. My very good friend, Lynn Lee from Weddings Unveiled, already posted a picture from the evening and listed everyone who was there. So rather than regurgitate Lynn's post I'll just send you there. Here's the link. (THANKS LYNN! xoxo!! lol).

And now back to work on my last wedding of the season which is coming up this weekend. Today's main focus: getting the hundreds of votive candles into holders and packed up.

Have a marvelous weekend everyone!

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

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