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Wedding trade show back for another great year
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t’s the wedding trade show everyone in the Border City and surrounding area waits for and it’s back for it’s 12th year with some exciting new features to ensure the happy couple is
ready to celebrate the start of their lives together. Calendars are marked for Feb. 9 as the Lloydminster Exhibition transforms into a wedding wonderland with exhibitors offering
soon-to-be brides and grooms everything from a venue to host their special day to flowers to make the day even more special, to photography services to capture every moment. This is the first year the show is being produced by The Tent Guys, one thing organizer Pam Becotte is
greatly looking forward to. “We produce the Family Expo and this is one show we’ve been looking to produce for quite some time, so it’s nice to be able to expand the number and types of events that we host,” said Bencotte. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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Everything you need under one roof FROM PAGE 3
“Some of the things that are neat this year are, of course we’re going to have the fashion show, but this year along with the bride and groom fashions we’re also having a mother of the bride fashion, and those shows start at 2 p.m., which will also feature a cash bar.” There will also be local musicians playing throughout the day to showcase the various talents available right here in Lloydminster. “Another area of the show that’s different this year is we have what we call ‘inspiration tents’ so with those, all the decorators that are in the show are able to expand into this area and totally go nuts so they can showcase some different looks all in the same aisle,” she said.
“So you can walk through these tents and just explore what all of the different decorating vendors in the show have to offer and see a different take on everything so you’re not just picturing a hall and what it would look like in the hall.” There are quite a few new vendors this year, first and foremost being the Gold Horse Casino as a wedding venue as well as new cake vendors, but Bencotte noted roughly one third of this year’s vendors are new to the show. There are also several grand prizes attendees are entered to win once they pay their admission fee which include everything from goods and services from Rolling Green Fairways, Art of Flowers, Black Magic Limo Service, Max Photography, Wainwright Jewellers and Sundown Sound Systems.
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All of these grand prizes are a minimum of $500 each and there is also $1,000 in Vendor Bucks up for grabs. “Whoever brings the largest entourage and takes a selfie at
our paparazzi wall using #weddingsontheborder is elligable for that $1,000 Vendor Bucks prize, just bring everyone you can for a selfie,” Bencotte said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
You never know what you’ll find! FROM PAGE 4
“We’re excited for this and hopefully people can have fun sharing their experience at the show.” One thing Bencotte also made note of was the fact the show isn’t just aimed at brides, so if you’re looking to plan any type of event, there are vendors on the floor to help with a variety of different occasions. “Even grad festivities, if you’re looking for gowns, makeup, that sort of thing, it’s there. Even if you’re hosting an anniversary celebration and you’re looking for florist ideas, you can find everything under one roof,” she said. “We’re excited to be bringing
the event community together to showcase all the talent that’s in our local area.” Another exciting partnership for this year’s show is with The Cinderella Project to help Lloydminster grads look their best on their big day. “If you’ve been in a couple of weddings, sometimes you get items such as shoes and dresses that maybe you don’t foresee yourself reusing, so now you can give those items new life by donating the items and support the grads in the community so everybody has a very special day,” she said. “We wanted to broaden it to people could see how everything is so interconnected and really bring the event commu-
nity together.” This year’s Weddings on the Border Trade Show kicks off at 11 a.m. in the Alberta Building and wraps up at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and kids 10 and under get in for free. The trade
show is open to the public and everyone is welcome. Each couple gets to take home a bridal swag bag and many of the exhibitors will be offering door prize draws and discounts you won’t want to miss!
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Finding your venue
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ith a multitude of venues in and around the Border City ready and excited to host your special day, one location worth scouting out is the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association. With a variety of rooms and packages to chose from, events and banquet facilitator, Danelle Schinold, is looking forward to sitting down and discussing your special day. “We have three major venues for ceremonies or weddings. One would be the Stockade, and we can fit up to 1,000 in the Stockade on rectangle tables or 800 on round tables without a dance floor and with a dance floor we can fit roughly 550. The Stockade has its own service room and bridal room which are nice features for weddings,” said Schinold.
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“We also have the Praire Room which can be split into two, which is wonderful for ceremonies and receptions, and what we normally do is set up one half for the ceremony and get the other side partially set up then when the couple goes and gets pictures done we open up the rooms and set up for the reception.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
FROM PAGE 6
The Wildrose Pavilion is the third venue the Lloydminster Exh has available for your special day, which can fit up to 450 people on rectangle tables or 300 on round tables without a dance floor, and with a dance floor the room can still accommodate 250 people. “The Wildrose Pavilion has a built-in stage with track lighting, a built-in bar and kitchen, which is also great if you want to set up a concession, and it’s another option for us for catering,” said Schinold. “The Wildrose is also nice because it’s off on its own with its own parking area which people enjoy having.” Schinold also noted the Exh can accommodate larger weddings in the Alberta and Saskatchewan Rooms. The Alberta Room can comfortably host up to 1,200 people and the Saskatchewan Room can accommodate up to 3,000 people without breaking a sweat. “We can hold larger weddings in those venues but typically people
like to use the Stockade for a number of reasons,” she said. “We can program the lights in the Stockade for whatever colour theme you have going on, there’s a nice big bar built in there as well as our large stage which can be moved to allow various set ups.” The Lloydminster Exhibition is already booking weddings into 2020, so if you’re interested in hosting your special day there, give Danelle a call to see how she can help you.
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The sky is the limit for that special ring W
ith so many options out there to choose from, the perfect engagement ring is something that comes to fruition after a lot of thought, and everyone is different, but there are a few things to consider while picking out that perfect ring for that
special someone. First and formost, what kind of gold are you looking for? Or more importantly, what kind of ring is SHE looking for?
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Finding the perfect ring for the occasion FROM PAGE 8
“Do you want yellow gold, white gold, rose gold? White gold is still the most popular these days but yellow is making a comeback,” said Charlene from Richardson’s Jewellery. “So that’s probably one of the first questions we’re going to want to ask and then we’d get more into what style of ring you’re looking
for. Are you looking for solitaire, do you want diamonds on the side. Hopefully the guy has some idea what they’re looking for.” It’s different strokes for different folks and no two people are a like when it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands. “It’s mostly based off of the lady and her personal style. If she’s not really into something to attract a lot
of attention we’ll show certain rings and then if she’s into a lot of bling we have rings for that person as well,” said Haley from Richardson’s. “Some people bring their family members in and get a personal touch on that, but if we don’t have what you’re looking for in store we
can also have rings personalized to make sure you get what you’re looking for.” The most popular shapes for engagement rings are either round, square, and halo cuts, with a variety of options to chose from within the display cases at Richardson’s.
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Think outside the caterer W
hether it’s a traditional indoor wedding at a large hall or a smaller private function in the backyard, there’s going to have to be something for people to eat. If you’re looking to host a wedding in the backyard or the family farm and don’t want to have to worry about cooking for everyone in attendance there is an alternative to cooking all day. Lloydminster and District Co-op provides a cooking service for parties of all sizes for your special day and all you have to worry about is ordering and picking it up. “We do all kinds of cooking from beef and pork roast to turkey and ham. It’s a wide variety,” said Co-op meat manager Scott Kurtz. “People come in to talk to us and we’ll do our best to help
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them out with what we can, and I think at one time I cooked 600700 pounds of turkey for a couple function.” The Co-op produce department can also prepare foil-wrapped baked potatoes or fruit and veggie platters, the deli department can prepare meat and cheese trays, the bakery can provide fresh-baked buns, and salads come straight from the deli, so whatever is needed, there’s a very good chance
the Co-op has you covered. “Our most popular items are beef roast at number one and turkey at number two,” said Kurtz. “There’s not really any one type of event that we get most of our business from, it’s all kinds of things from fundraisers to family functions, to small parties,” he said. “We do have a minimum of a 10 pound batch, but if you’re feeding 20 people, it doesn’t matter, we’ll cook for you.”
Destination weddings
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o you’ve picked the special date as well as the perfect location for your destination wedding with your special person, now before you dip your toes in the sand and say “I Do” there are a few things you want to remember to help make the experience as memorable as possible. Make sure you choose a meaningful location, and remember your destination of choice has to have all the resources you need. Make sure you pick a location that can accommodate you and all of your guests. Notifying your guests well in advanced is probably the most
important thing to keep in mind. Give those you want with you on your special day as much notice as possible so they can ensure they can afford the time off of work as well as all expenses involved in travel and the wedding itself. By embracing the setting you find yourself in you can save yourself a substantial amount of money. Use what’s readily available and local whether it be for décor or what you serve at your reception. By using local resources you can save yourself some money. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
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Taking the stress out of your destination wedding FROM PAGE 11
Of course it is your big day but keeping the best interest of your guests in the back of your mind is also important. Trying to find one reasonably priced hotel for everyone to stay in is a great consideration, and if one isn’t available close by, look for a more affordable place for everyone 10 to 15 minutes away, and don’t book everything until you’re sure there are rooms for everyone! If at all possible, visit the venue in advance before booking and then again at least three months prior to the date to cross the T’s and dot the I’s. If you can’t make a second trip work try to arrive at least five days early to make those last minute decisions! Making all of these decisions
over the phone or via email can be a bit scary, so it’s a good idea to select your vendors in person, so before your first visit to your location of choice, set up meetings with well-know florists and rental companies. It’s also very smart to ask for referrals from your venue on the ground as you might find some hidden talented gems you would have never known about. With destination weddings, having a budget is important and keeping your overseas vendors in that budget is something to keep in mind. If you decide you want to bring specialists from home, expect to cover their travel and lodging costs, and a clean, safe hotel within 30 minutes of your venue is key. So, make sure to negotiate those costs ahead of time so you
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don’t go over budget. The dress is of course one of your biggest priorities on your big day, so make sure to pick a dress with fabric that will be comfortable in the climate your having your wedding in. With that dress, don’t let it out of your site! Always keep your dress
with you and don’t check it at the airport because you wouldn’t want it getting lost by the airline! If you’re looking for local travel agents to help you plan your big day, reach out to Carlson Wagonlit Travel and see how they can make your special day amazing.
Things to think about when it comes to flowers
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n your big day you of course want to look your best, but you also want your surroundings to compliment you. When it comes to finding the perfect flower arrangement there are many things to think about, and here are a few tips to help along the way. Make sure to do your homework by interviewing floral designers as you would interview any other professional to make sure you both have the same vision. If you have a good connection with your floral designer they will be able to bring life to your ideas and accentuate your vision. Always try to shop local. Picking your wedding flowers based on your wedding destination and date not only saves
you money (in-season flowers can be much less expensive than those pricey hot-house peonies you’re eyeing!), but also is a great way to give a nod
to your locale. Try to think outside the vase! Breaking away from traditional flower vessels is a simple way to totally change the look of
your wedding flowers, and to get a completely unique centrepiece to boot. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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Finding the perfect florist for your big day FROM PAGE 13
Also think outside of the flowers! If you’re not 100 per cent into flowers try something different like adding feathers, buttons, candy, seashells, even fruits and veggies to your centrepiece can really add some flair. Pick a colour and design
scheme, not a flower scheme. Any florist worth their salt can come up with cutting-edge designs within your budget if you give them colors over “must-have flowers” that you specifically write into the contract. They can show you how some flowers can be swapped in for
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others, saving you big money! Aside from saving you money, it might just also save the day. Recycle your blooms to cut costs by making your arrangements pull double duty and reuse your ceremony flowers at the reception. This helps keep cost down, and your florist is more than happy to come back after the ceremony and move everything to the reception. Don’t forget greenery! Consider foliage your best friend. Having your floral designer incorporate foliage with unusual textures and silhouettes can turn a ho-hum arrangement into a precious jewel or a stunning centerpiece. And foliage is comparatively less expensive than most floral blooms, so it can also stretch your floral budget.
Make it personal and select your wedding flowers for a reason. Do you have memories of your fiance bringing you yellow roses? Does your grandmother grow hydrangea in her garden? Does your mom wear gardenia-scented perfume? Flowers should be chosen for a reason, not just the colour. Bring examples! Your florist isn’t a mind reader, so be sure to clue them in to your wedding style. A good tip to remember is to put together a ‘vision board’ with colour swatches of your favourite colours or desired colour scheme from a local paint store, as well as pictures from magazines and websites that show your style and overall decor preferences.
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Entertainment ideas that’ll impress your guests
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o you’ve thought of everything so far, right? Well after running down the long and exciting list of things to do before your big day have you thought of some fun activities to keep your guests enjoying themselves into
the night? There are so many fun ideas out there and the more fun your guests are having, the more fun you’re likely to have! A popular item at wedding receptions right now is something as simple as a candy bar.
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It’s fun, easy to set up, and fairly inexpensive. Another great thing about having a candy bar is it can double as your wedding favours. Photo booths are always a great way to get the party going! All you have to do is have a camera set up with a back drop, make sure there’s an ample amount of fun props for your guests to really dress themselves up with, and voila, a picture-perfect moment in the making! Having a theme at your wedding reception is always fun, but why not boost that theme with a playlist that takes everyone through a time warp and have have your tunes span across multiple decades! Another common tradition is having your guests participate in
a Mr. and Mrs. Quiz to see how well everyone knows the bride and groom. It’s common to play this game as supper is starting to be served and those tables that answer correctly win their chance to eat first! CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
Make it fun for everyone! FROM PAGE 16
Whether you’re Scottish or not, a Ceilidh is a great way to get everyone in the mood to get up and dance. A social event with Scottish or Irish folk music and lots of singing and dancing, a Ceilidh isn’t something everyone expects at a wedding and it’s a great way to get everyone involved. Flash mobs are also becoming more and more popular at wedding receptions nowadays. Whether it’s the groomsmen or the bridesmaids, a flash mob is a surefire way to get everyone in the room smiling, and they’re not limited to just dancing either! Maybe it’s a sing-a-long during speeches or your bridal
party joins in for a surprise first dance, either way, everyone will remember it. One thing many of your guests will remember is the food you serve, so why not spice things up a little with a burrito bar or a burger stand with all the fixings? It’s something different and it’s a fair bet a majority of your guests will indulge. When it comes to music there are many options to consider. Do you go with a live band or a DJ? It’s hard to beat a live band, but there are many great DJs in the area who can cater to any musical genre. Don’t forget, the more fun your guests have the more fun you’ll have!
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Creating your best registry P reparing your own registry can be one of the most fun aspects of getting married as your home gets filled with gifts which complement your lifestyle from those close to you. There are a few things to remember while in the process of creating your own registry, and if you’re looking for some assistance, Home Hardware Building Centre in Lloydminster now offers wedding and baby registry to help celebrate those special times in your life. If you’re interested in having the local Home Hardware help you out, all you have to do is go into the store and talk with a store representative and they’ll gladly help you through the pro-
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cess and find anything you need. When you get to the physical process of the registry, remember it’s OK to register as soon as you get engaged. If you do this, it’s great for guests who’d like to purchase a gift for any pre-wedding celebrations. Know yourself and don’t be afraid to steer out of the traditional societal norms. If you enjoy the great outdoors and don’t find yourself cooking too much at home, ask for camping gear instead of a pot set. Make a list of what you have and what you’ll keep and then add what you’d still need and want. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
Know what you want and ask for what you need FROM PAGE 18
Think of your everyday life and what you could use and what you could live without. A registry is something that should be done as a team, so make sure you register gifts you’ll both enjoy and make use of, and try not to use too much influence from family members or friends while in the process. This is your day and your decision should be made with your significant other. Knowing your guests is also going to help the process and keep a price range in mind so people can choose gifts within their means. It’s also a good idea to have a mix of tradition but also fun gifts to help meet every demographic at your wedding.
Taking your time in this process is crucial because if you rush you might regret some of the decisions you make or miss certain things you really need. Why not think about outside of the box and register for things like experiences such as a trip, honeymoon extras, or even cash. It’s also a good idea to stay in season, especially if you’re filling out your registry way ahead of the wedding. Don’t register for seasonal items that will be replaced in six months! If you’re not sure where to start the process check with friends or peers who recently got married. They’ll be abl e t o s how y ou exactly what was purchased and what wasn’t so you know which items to avoid.
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Riding in style on your special day N
ot all occasions require the same amount of thought and preparation as a wedding, so why not make the best of it and arrive in style with a limo or party bus? With a number of options to chose from in the Border City such as Black Magic Limo and Prairie Breeze Limousine Services, there are a few things to keep in mind before the big day. When booking, the further ahead you plan your transportation the more likely you are to get the ride you’re looking for as higher-end rental options will be in greater demand. Once you’ve selected your date and who you’re trusting to provide a safe ride on your special day, it’s important to take an early head count to make sure there’s enough
room for everyone. Who’s coming in the limo to and from the ceremony? Who’s riding from the ceremony to the reception? Are siblings not in
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the bridal party coming with you? Timing is also key. Make sure to give yourself and the driver enough time to get to your destination safely and without worry-
ing about traffic. Lastly, don’t overcrowd your rental! With fitted suits and lavish dresses, everyone appreciates some breathing room.
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Looking your best on your big day F
eeling beautiful on your wedding day is every bride’s well-deserved right and whether you’re going to a specialist right here in the Border City like Hair by Tatiana or doing it at home, makeup is very important on your big day. Never rush! Today is a big day
and with all of the time you’ve already invested in planning, rushing your hair and makeup is the last thing you should do so you can relax and simply enjoy the day. Allow at least an hour to have your makeup done, and make sure before you start the process
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to give your skin a good exfoliating cleanse so the makeup can be applied to clear, dry skin. Another important thing to remember is to make sure your foundation is waterproof to lock
down that coverage for hours. This is a great idea to avoid makeup run from sweat, oily skin, and of course, tears of joy. Preparation is everything for your special day!
Picking the perfect drink for your wedding
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s important as the selection of champagne you make for the toast, most of your guests won’t drink more than half a glass of sparkling wine, so unless your wedding guests are a bunch of champagne aficionados, you’re going to want to consider what type of wine to serve at your wedding reception. A place like Lloyd Wine Outfitters in the Border City can add to the fun of the day because you’ll be serving something you’ve picked for the day with your soon-to-be life partner. Wine can be a highlight of a wedding and your guests will definitely remember it! The first thing to think about is how many bottles of wine does your wedding need. A good place to start is with
some simple math, so if you’re expecting 100 people at the wedding, divide that number by 2.15 and expect to need roughly 46
bottles of wine for your wedding. The next thing to think about is what type of wine should we get for the big day. How much
red, how much white, how much sparkling? CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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Knowing which wine goes great with your day FROM PAGE 23
Whether it’s red, white, sparkling or rosé, this decision can also be made by taking the time of year into consideration. Statistically, people often drink more red wine at indoor weddings in the fall, spring, and winter, so consider a mix of 50 per cent red
for this type of wedding. If you’re hosting a summer or outdoor wedding, you might be better off going with white wine as people tend to lean more that way on hot days. In this case you’re safe if you mix 30 per cent of each different type of wine, and if you’re serving fish or seafood, a
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nice rosé is always enjoyable. Now when it comes to what you end up choosing, the food your serving can play a large roll in your decision. If you’re serving rich meats for dinner, a full-bodied red is recommended. If fish is the main course you’re better off with a nice white or a
rosé or a light red. With your champagne toast, remember that most of your guests aren’t going to drink more than half a glass, so don’t over buy! You’ll just need enough to fill each glass about half way, so one bottle per eight to 10 people should be just fine!
Having the perfect décor for your day W hether you’ve decided to host your wedding in a church, a barn, a community hall or a hotel conference centre, one big t hing t o consid er is how said room is decorated, and making sure you love it. With trends now changing by
the minute, you’re going to want to consult the professionals before diving into the deep end, and locally, names like Joyous Occasions and Quintessential Design come to mind as a starting point. Research is key! CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
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Have the room looking as good as you FROM PAGE 25
It’s tough not to go out and buy everything you like right away, but try to hold off and do some research first and let the pros guide you through the process. Colour of course is important, so try to pick a colour scheme and work with your decorator to create that perfect atmosphere. Your decorator is there to help and it’s amazing what kind of insight they’ll be able to provide, so don’t be afraid to ask questions throughout the process! Know the venue and what its capabilities are before getting too into your planning process, and remember little details go a long way! Simple things like strategi-
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cally placed lighting fixtures or artificial candles can really brighten up a room while also adding a sense or romance and ambience. Even having different lighting in different rooms can highlight and also distinguish different spaces. Something as simple as a blank wall can easily be turned into a beautiful place to hang photos or mirrors to liven up the room. Never forget that simplicity is key and less is often more when it comes to styling a venue. How do you want your wedding to reflect your style? These are all things to keep in mind before the big day and talk about with the professionals.
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