1 Choosing flowers
It's important to find a florist you feel comfortable with. Take tons of magazine pictures as inspiration, but allow your florist some creative freedom. I had my heart set on my favourite flowers, tulips, which helped me decide to have the wedding in February, the height of tulip season. Floral designer Michael Pellegrino persuaded me to reconsider the tulips, warning that they tend to open in cut arrangements -- but he still created a gorgeous tulip bouquet for me. Be prepared for changes closer to the event and consider a trial centrepiece. Michael wasn't happy with the available quince branches, so designer and event expert David Overholt suggested dendrobium orchids tied to birch branches. These worked with the 185 azaleas Michael arranged along the perimeter of the conservatory.
2 Work with an event coordinator
Whether you're looking for a few hours of consultation or someone to plan the entire event, an event coordinator has been through it all and will suggest ideas or details you might overlook. David Overholt proposed nixing the head table to save space. Instead, he positioned three large tables in the centre of the room for the bridal party and family, surrounded by a sea of smaller tables for friends and more family. David wanted no surprises -- even the caterers' shoes and uniforms were important.
On the wedding day, there was no one whom I depended on more to make sure everything went off without a hitch, well, maybe one hitch!
3 Signature style
A little imagination is all it takes to personalize your wedding day. The delicate quince blossoms printed on our invitations set the tone and scheme of our wedding -- pretty and classic, with creams, celadons and a smattering of pink. Since I was marrying into a Greek family, instead of numbering tables, we used names of the Greek islands. I wanted guests to have a bonbonnière they could use, so everyone received two petite bud vases. When planning, be aware of your venue's regulations. Two weeks before the date, I discovered open flames weren't permitted; IKEA came to the rescue with 600 Diod glasses used as tea light holders.
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2 Comments
I find it utterly astounding that you would make no mention about how to choose a photographer for your wedding! After the bride has spent thousands of dollars on her dress, the venue, the food and wine, what is left - only her memories and her photographs. And if she chooses the wrong photographer, then all she'll have left are her memories. In this day and age, when everyone with a digital camera thinks they are 'photographers', many brides make the mistake of choosing someone who will photograph their wedding for the lowest possible price without looking at what they will get for that price. If a price is too good to be true, run for the hills!!! Brides should choose someone who is a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC). The members there are true professionals in that they abide by a code of ethics, and are competent in their craft, in fact, many have spent a lifetime perfecting their craft. Should something untoward happen to the hired photographer another member of PPOC will be there to take his/her place on your wedding day. You will not be left hanging. Pros also have back up gear, assistants who know what they're doing and will present you with a custom designed album in timely fashion after the wedding. To leave out any mention of how to hire a photographer in this article is a disservice to your readers. Inge Skliros MPA, F.Ph. Member of the Professional Photographers of Canada
Hi Zingeborg, While photography is definitely a huge part of a wedding day, the focus of the article is the decorating and entertaining aspect.