Wedding Essentials | Winter/Spring 2013

www.weddingessentials.ca

STRESS BUSTERS ENJOY WEDDING PLANNING FROM START TO FINISH

ELEGANT OPTIONS

WIN! A FABU

SANDALS LOUS HONEYM IN JAMAI OON CA See page 36

REAL-LIFE WEDDINGS ROMANCE, IDEAS AND AMAZING PHOTOS

FROM VINEYARDS TO GOLF CLUBS

STARRING YOUR DOG HOW TO INCLUDE PETS IN CELEBRATIONS Winter/Spring 2013

$5.95

D I S P L AY U N T I L A P R I L 3 0 , 2 0 1 3

Cover photo by Face Photography Other cover credits see page 10

LIVE BANDS SELECTION TIPS AND CHOICES

EDIBLE ART GORGEOUS GOWNS BEAUTIFUL FLORALS ... AND MORE INSPIRATIONS FOR YOUR WEDDING

from the publisher

Wedding Essentials Vol. 14, No. 2 Winter/Spring 2013

PUBLISHER John Webster

EDITORIAL EDITOR Judy Johnson COPY EDITOR Dave Jones CONTRIBUTORS J.B. Barratt | T.P. Black | Alana Douglas | Caroline Estrella Imara Gower | Peter Merry | Earlene Rodgers Danielle Stephen | Alicia Stewart ART DIRECTOR Mark Tzerelshtein | Markintosh Design

SALES & ADMINISTRATION

W

hat can you say to a woman who is about to embark on what should be one of the happiest journeys of her life — when she realizes that it is also one of the most stressful?

The whole process of getting married is a long and complicated series of events. The goal of Wedding Essentials Magazine and our sister publications, The Savvy Bride and The Bride’s Survival Guide, is to make the task a lot easier, by letting you maintain control through the months of planning.

To be able to give you the best information, thoughts and ideas, I’m proud to announce that Judy Johnson has joined us to head up our Editorial Department.

Judy’s goal is to ensure our magazines’ articles are researched and written to help you, as an Ontario bride, throughout the entire wedding planning period. You’ll find timely and practical information on virtually everything you need, including valuable advice and tips on how to choose a live band, how to make the most of your first wedding dance, things to consider if you are planning on including a beloved pet in your big day, venue options and much more. Beautiful pictorial features of gowns, edible art treats and flowers are designed to offer you fresh ideas. Several real-life weddings provide more inspiration.

The companies advertising in these magazines make it possible for you to receive these excellent publications. In return for this, please contact them about your wedding needs and give them a chance to show you what they can do to make your day as special and unique as you are.

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER Mary Webster BUSINESS & PRODUCTION MANAGER Carolyn Ryan ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Joanne Henderson ACCOUNT MANAGERS – TORONTO OFFICE Nora Lee | Beth Ander | Mark MacLean ACCOUNT MANAGER – CAMBRIDGE OFFICE Janice Brideau ACCOUNT MANAGER – LONDON OFFICE Barry Johnson Wedding Essentials is published by Town Crier of Markham Inc. ©Copyright 2012 Town Crier of Markham Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any form without the written permission of the publishers is prohibited.

Wedding Essentials and Internet Bridal Show are registered trade names of Town Crier of Markham Inc., and the unauthorized use of these trade names is strictly prohibited.

The information in this publication is believed to be accurate.

However, neither Wedding Essentials nor Town Crier of Markham Inc., can or will be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed herein.

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CONTACT

Wedding Essentials 7 Town Crier Lane, Suite 100, Markham ON L3P 2T9 Phone: (416) 498-4996 email: mail@weddingessentials.ca For more wedding tips, trends and information, check out our expanding and informative website at weddingessentials.ca

John Webster Publisher

4 Wedding Essentials 2013

Printed in Canada Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

from the editor

IT’S ALL ABOUT PASSION....

The bride who is reading this magazine is passionate. She is passionate about the man she is about to marry, and about creating a wedding celebration that will provide memories to cherish for a lifetime.

The bridal industry attracts people who are passionate about making bridal couples’ unique wedding dreams come true. From photographers to florists to edible art creators, gown designers, bridal shop owners, wedding planners, to the people who create outstanding cuisine and all the other elements that culminate in a perfect wedding, these specialists love their work, a blend of art and business.

At Wedding Essentials, we’re passionate too — passionate about providing valuable information that will help couples navigate smoothly through the white water challenge of wedding planning.

As the new editor of Wedding Essentials magazine, I’m delighted to be part of a team that helps make bridal dreams become reality.

Between the covers, we investigate a wide array of topics, as well as showcasing real-life weddings and photo features that display gorgeous gowns, creative photography, beautiful flowers and cakes...a feast for the eyes.

Congratulations on your engagement!

I wish you joy as you plan the wedding you’ve imagined. I wish you happiness as you begin a wonderful journey through life with your partner. And I wish you continuing passion for love, life, new experiences, and all the wonderful people and places that you encounter along your path.

Passionately yours,

Judy Johnson Editor

6 Wedding Essentials 2013

CONTENTS

Vol. 14, No.2 Winter/Spring 2013

20

OUR REAL-LIFE WEDDINGS Discover how these couples made their wedding celebrations unique

20 44 68 82 92

24 58 86 114 16 WEDDING PLANNER FOR ONTARIO BRIDES The Bride’s Survival Guide is a 128-page planner/organizer created specifically for brides in South-Central Ontario. It gives you detailed information on every aspect of getting married — from how to word your invitations to how to pack for your honeymoon.

To request your FREE copy (a $39.95 value), complete and mail the postcard opposite page 66. Or complete the request form at www.weddingessentials.ca. (Quantities are limited.)

8 Wedding Essentials 2013

50

ASHNA & TERENCE An account of two weddings ASSUNTA & JOSEPH A pizza and oysters celebration LINDSAY & GREG A destination wedding story STEPHANIE & PETER A romance from friendship

FASHION PASSION

Dreaming of your perfect wedding gown?

Get inspiration from the choices of ten beautiful Ontario brides wearing a gown of a lifetime

EDIBLE ART

Ponder these palate-pleasing and eye-satisfying possibilities for inspiration

FLORAL FANTASIES

Tips to help you choose your florist with photos of dazzling wedding flowers

PLANET ONTARIO

Celebrating cultural and ethnic diversity in Ontario JENNIFER & JULIUS

WEDDING NEWS

Fun, fantastic, fabulous news items home and abroad...

16 18 42 A FREE GIFT FOR YOU

LORENA & MARK A tale of two cultures

MONDO WEDDINGS Celebrations around the planet MONDO CANINE Celebrity dog wedding scene stealers CANADIANS IN WEDDINGS Celebrations around the planet

VENUES

Looking at your options for your wedding celebrations?

Peek at these planning possibilities

50 74

DESTINATION WEDDINGS Sandals Resorts launches on-line planning tool GOLF & COUNTRY CLUBS One-stop shopping adds to appeal

VOWS 100 VINEYARD Wow experiences for every taste

contents

38

PLANNING TIPS

Any bride will tell you how complex, time-consuming and stressful wedding planning can be. The information in these features will make it more enjoyable

38 64 96

56

TREND: DOGS IN WEDDINGS Considering including your “furry friend” in your wedding?

Check out when, where and how to make it happen STRESS BUSTERS Use these suggestions to enjoy the journey as well as the end result of wedding planning HOW TO SELECT A LIVE BAND Hit the right notes when choosing entertainment for your reception

DANCES 102 FIRST Put your best foot forward for those special wedding dances

TRADITIONS

Explore the history and fun facts behind today’s bridal traditions

56 ENGAGEMENT RINGS 81 THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS 107 WEDDING RINGS 108GARTERS

34 34

BEAUTY, SKIN, MAKEUP & MORE A sampling of products and ideas to test drive

94 98

43 43

GUYS & BABES FOCUS ON EYES LOOKING GREAT

BITS & BYTES

54

12 12110

TRASH THE DRESS Safety Tips LOVE BITES Quotes

DIRECTORIES RECEPTION REFERENCE GUIDE DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS

ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Face Photography | facephotography.ca | 647.347.3223 WARDROBE: The Brides’ Project – fighting cancer, one dress at a time | thebridesproject.com HAIR: Jasmina Dizdarevic | 416-274-1942 MAKEUP: Janine Samardjic | 416-859-0128

10 Wedding Essentials 2013

Reception Reference Guide

A quick chart to help you to compare Ontario’s finest upscale wedding venues. All information is subject to change without notice.

Some offerings may be available only on a limited, seasonal or by-request basis. Unless otherwise noted, alcohol charges, gratuities and taxes are extra.

PAGE

RG

NB

PR

SPECIAL MENUS

OP

CS

Banquet Royale Ltd.

81

TW

905-238-5335

50-230

$69-99

H It K P V O

NO

YES

ABCFGIJNOPQRUW

Capitol Event Theatre

7

T

905-851-2200

25-1100

$79-169

F G It Ja P V O

YES

YES

ABCFGIJMNOPRSU

PHONE

INCLUDED IN PRICES

Carlisle Golf & Country Club

n/a

TW

289-795-0426

50-200

$99-250

G H It P V

YES

YES

ABCFGIJNOPRSU

Century Pines Golf Club

n/a

TW

289-795-0426

50-200

$99-250

G H It P V

YES

YES

ABCFGIJNOPRSU

Chateau Le Jardin Conference & Event Venue

23

TNW

905-851-2200

30-1300

$75-160

F G It P

NO

NO

A B F I J M N, open bar, antipasto bar

Copper Creek Golf Club

35

TNW

905-893-3370 ext. 202

20-450

$90-250

H In It K

YES

YES

ABFGIJNOPRU

Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility

71

TNE

905-427-7757 ext. 300

50-500

$75-125

F In H Ja V

YES

YES

ABCFG

Grand Victorian Convention Centre

IBC

TW

647-990-8468

50-600

$98-189

Ca Ch F G H In It Ja K P V O

YES

YES

ABFGIJNOPR

Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport

5

TW

905-362-9481

50-240

$75-95

Ca Ch G H In It V

YES

YES

ABGPRSU

Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa

72

TNE

905-415-7607

10-1,200

$90-120

Ch H In K

YES

YES

ABCFGJOPRSTW

Legends Estates Winery

101

TW

905-563-6500

40-280

$75-165

Ca Ch F G In It J P V

YES

YES

BCDFGHIJNOPRSU

Lionhead Golf & Country Club

77

TNW

905-455-8816

80-400

$99-160

H In K V, Vegetarian

YES

YES

ABCFGHIMR

Patterson-Kaye Resort and Spa

85

TMW

1-800-561-6998, 705-645-4169

80-250

$79-129

V

YES

YES

GPU

Royal Niagara Golf Club

n/a

TW

289-795-0426

50-200

$99-250

G H It P V

YES

YES

ABCFGIJNOPRSU

Royal Ontario Golf Club

n/a

TW

289-795-0426

50-250

$99-250

G H It P V

YES

YES

ABCFGIJNOPRSU

Woodington Lake Golf Club

73

TNW

905-936-9523 ext. 232

60-300

$70-125

Ca F G P V

YES

YES

AFGIJOPRUW

REGION CODES

SPECIAL MENUS Ca - Caribbean Ch - Chinese F – French G – Greek H – Halal In – Indian

12 Wedding Essentials 2013

It – Italian J – Jamaican K – Kosher P – Portuguese V – Vegan O - Other

COLUMN HEADINGS

INCLUDED IN PRICES A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I.

Dinner wine Champagne toast Chair covers Disc jockey Wedding cake Hors d’oeuvres Bridal suite Gift for couple Late-night buffet

J. Non-alcoholic punch K. Limousine L. Engagement photo M. Chocolate fountain N. Sweet table O. Limited bar included P. Tasting for two Q. Valet parking for two R. Late night coffee/tea

S. Wine and fruit for bridal suite T. Breakfast U. In-house wedding co-ordinator V. Wedding invitations W. Centrepieces

RG NB PR

Region (see map) Number of guests Price range per person

OP CS

Outdoor party area Ceremony on site

Happily ever afters

begin in paradise

These are the moments you’ve waited a lifetime

you wish.** The choice is always yours with up to 15

for. The allure of the exotic islands stirs your souls.

restaurants per resort and an unforgettable range of

And every day is exactly what you want it to be. At

culinary experiences. Red LaneÂŽ Spas*** will transform you

Sandals, there are countless ways to spend your vacation.

with the magic of the islands. And your personal paradise

Some playful, some relaxing, all of them incredibly romantic

includes the most spectacular collection of suites in the

and all of them included. Beach valets bring tropical drinks.

Caribbean, many with private pools and butler service.

Sailboats and sea kayaks await you. Vibrant reefs lure you

Whatever you dream of, Sandals is where happily ever

to great scuba adventures.* Even golf is on the agenda, if

afters begin.

ĂŠĂŠUĂŠĂŠ / 1 ĂŠĂŠUĂŠĂŠ- /ĂŠ 1 ĂŠĂŠUĂŠĂŠ -

www.sandals.com

Call your travel agent or 416-223-0028 or 1-800-545-8283 *Scuba certiďŹ cation course available for an additional cost. **Golf not available at all resorts. Green fees apply at Sandals Emerald Bay. ***Spa treatments additional.

Unique Vacations, Inc. is the worldwide representative for Sandals Resorts.

view 360°

Mondo

WEDDINGS ARE MEMORABLE FOR MANY REASONS. THESE ARE UNFORGETTABLE.

WEDDINGS

GET ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME! In the classic musical My Fair Lady, Eliza Doolittle’s father urges his groomsmen to get him to the church on time. In the town of Jallais in western France, getting to her town hall wedding ceremony must have been the bride’s first wish. She was heavily pregnant and had been experiencing false labour pains.

News agency AFP provided details that quickly orbited the planet, including that the wedding was postponed for about an hour. Very shortly after the bride and groom took their vows and were posing for wedding photos before going to the reception, the bride felt weak and quickly re-entered the town hall where the ceremony had just been performed.

Although emergency services were summoned, it wasn’t long before the cries of a newborn baby boy were heard, according to the town’s mayor who performed the wedding ceremony.

In this case the “something new” at the wedding was the couple’s baby who arrived more than a week early.

Although the wedding celebrations may have been interrupted, this groom is bound to find it easy to remember his wedding anniversary and the birthday of his son. There will be just one date to circle on the calendar.

Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

BLACK SWAN BECOMES BRIDE IN WHITE Natalie Portman and dancer-choreographer Benjamin Millepied recently married in Big Sur, California. The couple met on the set of “Black Swan” for which Ms. Portman won a Best Actress Oscar.

Most brides can only dream of marrying a handsome knight, but Mr. Millepied really is one!

He was named a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by The French Ministry of Culture.

The couple took their vows in an evening ceremony, wrapped in a Tallit, a traditional Jewish prayer shawl, under a nature-inspired, leafy chuppah that overlooked the Pacific Ocean.

Among the details published by the Daily Mail was the bride’s choice of a tea-length, cocktail hem-line gown featuring full-length sheer sleeves. Rodarte, one of Ms. Portman’s favorite design houses, created her bohemian-influenced, A-line dress. A floral crown, long veil and satin ballet flats completed the charming vignette. The groom defined the words debonair and handsome in his midnight blue tux.

People Magazine reported that guests noshed on vegan delicacies, French macaroons, and departed with wedding favour packets of wildflower seeds.

By Hollywood standards the wedding, in a secluded setting in the mountains, was an intimate celebration that combined elements of the bride’s Jewish background and the groom’s French culture.

16 Wedding Essentials 2013

WHIRLWIND WEDDING IN KANSAS Whirlwind romances aren’t uncommon but tornado weddings are a rarity, even in Kansas. Nature provided some serious entertainment as uninvited guests showed up at Caleb and Candra Pence’s outdoor ceremony.

It was an idyllic country wedding that literally had a twist. While the composed couple took their vows, tornado funnels loomed over a nearby field of golden wheat.

Talk about photo ops! Guests snapped shots of the celebration and the storm during the interval between the ceremony and reception. Wedding Essentials’ interview with official wedding photographer Cate Eighmey found that her main concern was getting the wedding photos, “not because of the tornados since they weren’t tracking toward us, but because we knew that Courtesy of Cate Eighmey Photography and Caleb & Candra Pence torrential rain and hail was about to hit us”.

The couple just had time to ride their horses to the reception venue before Mother Nature turned on the big tap.

This couple is used to wild and wonderful. Caleb is a rodeo bull rider and Candra is a barrel racer. Cate notes that this was the perfect Kansas country wedding for this couple who met at a rodeo with “cowboy boots, jeans, wheat fields and horses. This was the real Kansas deal”.

William and Kate Attend Reception at Guildhall. Courtesy of Ukate.net.

ROYAL GUEST’S PERFECT ATTIRE When you are one of the planet’s most famous, popular and beautiful women, and are married to the heir to the British throne, it is very, very difficult not to upstage everyone when you go out in public.

William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are a typical young couple in many ways, including being guests at the weddings of several of their friends and family in recent months.

The Duchess’ dilemma is to look suitably royal but not overshadow the bride, who must be the star of her own wedding day.

Kate chose understated and elegant when she and Wills attended the wedding of the late Princess Diana’s niece, Emily McCorquodale, to James Hutt in Stoke Rochford, England recently.

By all reports, the royal wedding guest struck the perfect note.

The U.K.’s Daily Mail gave details of Kate’s attire, including her silk floral dress, knee-length grey coat and sophisticated little hat.

Her hair was leading-edge trendy, partly-up and partly-down with the top part braided. She wore her trusty LK Bennett Sledge nude patent leather shoes with just over 4-inch heels.

Mission accomplished. Kudos, Kate!

Wedding Essentials 2013 17

dog view 360°

Mondo CANINE

CELEBRITY BRIDAL COUPLES’ PETS SOMETIMES SHARE STAR BILLING IN THEIR WEDDINGS. OCCASIONALLY THE DOGS ARE THE STARS. THE INVOLVEMENT OF EACH PET IN THE CEREMONY IS AS UNIQUE AS THE CELEBRATION AND THE BRIDAL DUO.

RICKI LAKE & CHRISTIAN EVANS Ricki Lake’s California beach wedding to Christian Evans, a jewellry designer, featured her furry friends Jeffie, a Goldendoodle and Pacha, an English Bulldog.

Talk show host Ricki was radiantly beautiful in a vintage-romantic, classy way. The lace bodice on her flowing gown was the perfect backdrop for a bouquet that featured full blown garden roses and purple lilac.

Ricki Lake has long been an animal lover.

The website for her new talk show, The Ricki Lake Show, features a section that posts photos of dogs looking for forever homes.

Congratulations, Ricki, on all the wonderful things happening in your life!

Photo by Kate Szatmari, courtesy of Ricki Lake.

WOOF WEDDING Talk about putting on the dog! The humans didn’t take the vows at these nuptials. This woof wedding made the Guinness Book of Records for the Most Expensive Pet Wedding ever. Web journal Socially Superlative gave the scoop on the arranged marriage of Coton de Tulear Baby Hope Diamond and Poodle Chilly Pasternak, the dogs that married in a $160,000 celebration that benefited the Humane Society of New York.

Photos show the bride looking almost regal in her $6,000 gown by Kleinfeld and the groom very dapper, complete with dye accents to celebrate the occasion.

Doggie guests noshed on a dog buffet and went home with true doggie bags full of pet treats.

Barking mad or GRR..great...

18 Wedding Essentials 2013

BLAKE SHELTON & MIRANDA LAMBERT When country superstars Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton married at a Texas ranch, her three dogs were center stage. People magazine reported details of the musical duo’s day, including that Chihuahua Cher, Chihuahua and Pug mix Delta, and Delilah, a Terrier mix, strutted their stuff sporting bandanas, flowers and rhinestone studded collars and leashes.

The dogs were escorted down the aisle by a cowboy-boot wearing bridesmaid.

The bride’s very original bouquet captured attention too. Made from costume jewelry, it was full of vintage brooches in a rainbow of colours.

Ms. Lambert founded MuttNation Foundation to help build shelters, promote adoptions and rehabilitation of sick animals as well as aiding training programs for therapy dogs.

As for celebrating wedding anniversaries, betcha one of the ways this super-busy couple likes to celebrate is with quiet time at home enjoying each other and their many animals.

GENE SIMMONS & SHANNON TWEED

Shannon Tweed’s long-awaited wedding to Kiss front man Gene Simmons in Beverley Hills featured Snippy, their mixed-breed rescue dog, as ring bearer. Ivory colored roses decorated the leash.

It seems that Snippy was very well-behaved, but as fans of A & E’s Family Jewels know, the dog that shares the family’s uber-interesting life isn’t always a perfect pooch. Anyone else come to mind who shares that description?

More than four hundred guests celebrated at the highly publicized wedding that was all the more special because of the couple’s more than twenty-five year relationship.

a real-life wedding

Lorena & Mark A LOVE STORY IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY ove conquered distance when a cloud romance budded between Mark MacLean, living in Toronto and a classic, and classy, Ecuadorian beauty named Lorena Erazo, located more than 5,000 miles away across the globe.

As lovers know, true love doesn’t need a road map, or even a road! This summer, wedding guests from both countries celebrated the happiness of these two young people who are so obviously head-over-heels in love. Mark just beams whenever Lorena’s name is mentioned.

L

FROM FACEBOOK TO FACE-TO-FACE In 2009, Lorena began using Facebook to try to locate one of her former teachers. She friended everyone with the same name, about 100 people, and posted her photo, hoping that her former instructor would recognize her and respond.

She never did find her teacher. However, through this chance encounter, she was introduced to her life partner.

The couple started sending messages via Facebook and eventually talking live via Skype. A friendship grew through daily chats. One year later, Lorena and Mark agreed that it was finally time to meet in person, so he flew to Ecuador for a first date that lasted 18 days. That must be one for the Guinness Book of Records!

They toured Ecuador with her family and friends. Mark is an adventurer and loved discovering the culture, customs, flora and fauna of the country, but truth be told, it was his tour guide, Lorena, who captured his interest and his heart.

Immediately after his departure, they both realized they needed to spend much more time together and began to work on plans to make it happen. Their

20 Wedding Essentials 2013

relationship was morphing from friendship into full-blown romance.

Lorena came to Canada on a study permit but by the time she arrived in Toronto, Mark had been transferred to Winnipeg and later, to Edmonton.

Once again, Skype and airports figured heavily in their courtship.

THE PROPOSAL Lorena and Mark had been discussing getting engaged for several months.

Mark began to pay attention to her favourite ring websites to “get a pretty good idea of what she might want”. He then designed a custom ring and surprised Lorena with a proposal at the jewellery shop where he had persuaded her to come to look at some options. Lorena’s description of the proposal as “exciting and amazing” captures the emotions of that day.

PASSPORT TO CELEBRATIONS Mark tapped into his creative side to come up with a unique wedding invitation that symbolized the couple’s romantic adventure. He used a reproduction of a Canadian passport holder. Inside everything was similar to a passport, the photo of the couple, the invitation to their wedding and two stamps, one for Immigration Canada and one for Ecuador.

TWO CULTURES, ONE COUPLE The bride and groom’s family and friends are worlds apart in terms of cultures, customs and language. Elements of the wedding celebrations in Markham honoured both traditions.

The Ecuadorian Consul in Toronto officiated; staff brought the necessary seals and documents. As dictated by Ecuadorian law, the entire ceremony was in Spanish, with a translation into English by one of Mark’s closest friends from high school.

The processional was the classic Pachelbel’s Canon in D. The modern recessional by Sei7e was Yo Tengo Tu Love.

Mark arranged for a traditional Ecuadorian cheese bread, Pan de Yuca, to be part of the wedding feast. The recipe for this delicacy, made from cassava, a starchy root vegetable, originated long before Columbus “discovered” the new world. Mark developed a taste for this snack when he was in Ecuador and, as a wedding surprise, had it shipped from the main distributor in Florida.

I LOVE HIM BECAUSE he is patient with me like nobody in this world.

I LOVE HER BECAUSE she helps me be a better person and, cliché aside, she is the best friend I’ve ever had.

WE LAUGHED a lot during our celebrations and had fun taking our pictures and getting many silly ones.

WE BOTH CRIED. “Usually it’s just me who cries — he is very strong”, says Lorena. Tears also flowed when Mark surprised her with a video speech from one of her closest friends from Ecuador who couldn’t attend the wedding in person.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM LORENA’S MOTHER: “To have a happy marriage there are three essential things: communication, love and patience.”

PHOTOS: Carlos Roche, Trako’s Eyes | 905.334.3149 Wedding Essentials 2013 21

a real-life wedding

WEDDING CRASHERS One of the reception highlights was a surprise for their guests planned by Mark and Lorena. Members of Fusion, a barbershop quartet, “stumbled in, pretending to be at the wrong event — like in the flash mob videos you see online,” laughs Mark. Then they offered to sing for us and began “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” to Lorena, as previously arranged. After that, the ruse was revealed. The group burst into their song sequence and the guests burst into laughter and applause!

BEEN THERE. DONE THAT. LET’S DO IT AGAIN! This couple enjoyed their wedding celebrations so much that they are now busy planning more nuptials that can include all of Lorena’s family and friends in Ecuador as guests sometime in 2013. I wonder which date this groom will mark on his calendar for wedding anniversaries... 

Bridal Gown: www.dressilyme.com Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Seasons Aesthetics & Spa | 905.472.0075 Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein from Tip Top Tailors | 905.477.6325 Florist: Vania Huang at Muriel’s Flowers | 905.477.1748 Venue: Rouge River Community Centre, Markham | 905.474.1007 Catering: Merlyn’s Unique Caterers | 905.479.4337

22 Wedding Essentials 2013

FP { dresses

Fashion Passion

A wedding gown is much more than a beautiful dress. Her perfect gown reflects a vision of herself that a bride has cherished for a long time. The moment when the bride is first seen in her wedding gown is very emotional and is often greeted by tears, including her own. Meet these lovely Ontario women who have transformed themselves into princess brides.

Nicole

BRIDE: Nicole Garnett GOWN: CB Couture, Ritchie Bridal | 416.789.4378 HAIR & MAKEUP: Donato Spa and Salon | 416.390.9996 JEWELLERY & VEIL: Ritchie Bridal | 416.789.4378 PHOTO: Skylite Images | skyliteimages.com | 905.660.5483

24 Wedding Essentials 2013

Marika

BRIDE: Marika Martino GOWN: Essence of Australia, The Gown | 289.466.1010 HAIR & MAKEUP: Aqua Beauty Salon | 905.841.4300 PHOTO: Skylite Images | skyliteimages.com | 905.660.5483

dresses

Alexandra

BRIDE: Alexandra Lazzari GOWN: Cherise by Ines Di Santo | 866-899-INES HAIR: Donato Salon & Spa | 905.566.5900 MAKEUP: Joy Benisty, La Palette Rose Makeup | 647.838.6840 BRACELETS, EARRINGS & HAIR COMB: Elsa Corsi | 604.687.5577 PHOTO: Julian Moniz | julianmoniz.com | 416.835.9950

26 Wedding Essentials 2013

Kareen

BRIDE: Kareen Kreidler GOWN: Maggie Sottero Couture, Eccentrica Boutique | 416.752.4664 HAIR: Salon Sublime | 905.303.9823 MAKEUP: Michsilv Makeup | 416.705.6424 PHOTO: Boygirl Photography Studio | boygirlphotography.com | 905-884-2939

Wedding Essentials 2013 27

dresses

Meve

28 Wedding Essentials 2013

BRIDE: Meve Julien-Jones GOWN: Galina, David’s Bridal, Scarborough | 416.751.8775 HAIR & MAKEUP: Renova Spa, Paradise Island, Bahamas PHOTO: Empire Group Photography | empiregroup.net | 416.651.0014

Nicole

BRIDE: Nicole Brum GOWN: Bonny, Windsor Bridal | 416.789.5855 HAIR & MAKEUP: HairBySher | 647.746.5167 WEDDING RINGS: Make You Look Jewellery | 416.463.2136 PHOTO: Mittens Photography | mittensphotography.ca | 416.613.5813 Wedding Essentials 2013 29

dresses

Christine

BRIDE: Christine Vazz GOWN: Saratina Bridal | 905.618.0238 HAIR: Salon Gardenia | 905.824.8600 MAKEUP: Tara McPeake | 905.409.7118 PHOTO: Face Photography | facephotography.ca | 647.347.3223

30 Wedding Essentials 2013

Evelyn

BRIDE: Evelyn Runions GOWN: Joli Bridal, Windsor Bridal | 416.789.5855 JEWELLERY: Tribal Voices | 705.876.7714 PHOTO: Lightning Ridge | lightningridge.ca | 905.399.4159

Wedding Essentials 2013 31

dresses

Jennifer

BRIDE: Jennifer Marcoccia GOWN: JAI Bridals, Nicholas and Elizabeth Bridal | 519.439.9843 HAIR & MAKEUP: Bravura Hair Salon | 519.660.1185 VENUE: West Haven Golf & Country Club | 519.641.2519 PHOTO: Boygirl Photography Studio | boygirlphotography.com | 905.884.2939

32 Wedding Essentials 2013

Christi

BRIDE: Christi Himmelheber GOWN: Paloma Blanca, Becker's Bridal | 416.463.6601 HAIR: Brienne Tambini | 519.415.1111 MAKEUP: Cheryl Gushue | cgushue@rogers.com PHOTO: Face Photography | facephotography.ca | 647.347.3223

Wedding Essentials 2013 33

guys and babes

Neat STUFF MANLY PRODUCTS LANCÔME MEN HIGH DEFINITION SHAVE FOAM is designed for a precise shave.

The rich foam softens and prepares the beard so skin feels smooth and comfortable after shaving.

WE comment: This luxurious foam makes manly shaving a pleasure, but tell your groom to hide the container — if you try this he may have to chase you to get it back!

THE BODY SHOP FOR MEN MACA ENERGETIC FACE PROTECTOR SPF 15 is enriched with ingredients such as Peruvian maca root to help moisturize and firm skin. This is designed to energize and hydrate skin to combat the signs of fatigue and maintain firmness. WE comment: If this works as intended, you won’t be able to keep your hands (and lips) off your man’s cheeks!

LANCÔME MEN AGE FIGHT YEUX ANTI-AGE EYE PERFECTING GEL is an ophthalmologist-tested, anti-oxidative stress shield to fight the appearance of first lines, dark circles and puffiness. Is your Prince Charming burning the midnight oil too much lately...and it’s starting to show around his eye area? This lightweight eye gel aims to lift and smooth, and is designed for even sensitive skin and for contact lens wearers.

WE comment: Even the most sensual bedroom eyes need some help now and then.

BIC FLEX 4™ disposable shavers operate with four independent, spring-mounted blades designed to give an ultra soft shave. Lubrication strips help give a smooth glide. A Bic study on shaving showed that 62% of Canadian women want a smooth-faced guy for kissing. Albertans topped the chart at 79%. WE comment: Good kissers will always be in demand.

34 Wedding Essentials 2013

BABES IN THE SHADE Are any of your guests bringing babies to your wedding celebrations? Here’s a product that might help baby enjoy the festivities. And what baby enjoys, so do mom and dad!

SNOOZESHADE is a breathable blackout cover for strollers and prams. Maximum sun protection of UPF 50+ protects baby’s delicate skin and eyes. A sneak-a-peek zipper allows varying amounts of exposure to the world. A bonus is that mom and dad no longer have to grit their teeth while strangers touch their baby’s face.

Tried and tested by 9-month old Austin R. Ed. Note: These are Austin’s thoughts, not his actual words, since he hasn’t found any of those yet.

“Mom and I tested this. I love it! So does she! I get cranky when people wake me up when I’m out in my stroller and trying to catch up on my sleep. I need the zzzs, ‘cause I’ve got so many new things to learn each day. This SnoozeShade makes everything dark and cozy, just like in my crib at night. And because nobody can see how cute I am — and believe me, I am really cute — they don’t wake me up to gush about it.”

Set amid the picturesque Humber River Valley, Copper Creek Golf Club seamlessly accentuates the natural beauty offered by its surroundings.

Our 40,000 square foot clubhouse is complete with every amenity imaginable, including, banquet facility seating for up to 600 guests and a spectacular terrace overlooking the valley.

Everything about Copper Creek is done with one thing in mind – to ensure that your day is a picture of perfection.

11191 Hwy 27, Kleinburg, ON L0J 1C0, 905.893.3370 coppercreek.ca

YOUR DOG

In Your Wedding FETCHING IDEAS TO INCLUDE YOUR FURRY FRIEND

BY IMARA GOWER

PHOTO: Josie Tecson | Pretty Paw

n emerging trend shows more bridal couples wanting to invite “man’s best friend” to wedding celebrations. Pets are a very important element of many people’s lives. Some dog owners cannot bear the thought of their beloved animal not being present at one of the most momentous occasions of a lifetime.

According to a survey by the American Kennel Club, nearly 20% of bridal couples who are pet owners consider including their dog in their wedding celebrations. Andrew Patton, with the Canadian Kennel Club, believes the same percentage applies here.

A

OMD (OH MY DOG!) Sometimes the idea comes suddenly. “A bride who is shopping for her bridal gown discovers our dog wedding attire and realizes she can have a unique and fun element in her wedding by including her dog”, informs Olga Pomeransky, owner of Best For Bride shops.

38 Wedding Essentials 2013

PHOTO: Dan Aitken. Courtesy of Cosmopawlitan Boutique + Spa.

wedding dogs

Before you put on Fido’s leash and go for wedding walksies, here are suggestions that will give you a leg up when making plans to incorporate your dog pal into your wedding celebrations.

VENUE The day of the wedding is not a good time to discover that the venue you have chosen does not allow dogs on the premises. Ask about their pet policy before committing.

Some venues, like Inn on the Twenty located in Niagara’s wine country in the hamlet of Jordan, give pet owners the opportunity to enjoy not only the wedding celebrations but also the honeymoon with their wellbehaved canine companion. The Vintage House suite comes with pet food mat, bowls for food and water, and a doggie welcome basket. Can we say pampered pooch?

TEMPERAMENT & MATURITY We’re talking about your pet’s temperament here, not yours! How does your dog handle crowds? How excitable is your pet? You may want your furry princess at your wedding but might not be pleased if she jumps up on your wedding gown.

Deena Cooper of Deena Speaks Dog advises pet owners to be realistic about their dog’s maturity level. Some dogs may still think and act like puppies even though they are several years old and, even with training, aren’t suited to a starring role at a wedding. Her bed and breakfast for dogs offers treats and tummy rubs at a home-away-from home for dogs that don’t attend their master’s wedding or travel on the honeymoon.

WEDDING GUESTS Give a heads-up to your guests so they are prepared. Some folks are allergic to dogs and you may have to choose between your treasured pet and a treasured friend’s attendance.

THE ROLE You need to decide exactly what role you want your dog to play. Is your dog starring as the ring-bearer? Does a bridesmaid lead the pet down the aisle as an honorary bridal attendant?

Wedding of Kelly and Mike Collier, owners of two whippets named Olive and Ellis. PHOTOS: Jennifer Klementti Photography | jenniferklementti.com | 905.719.9769

Wedding Essentials 2013 39

wedding dogs

“SIT, STAY, GOOD DOG!” After consideration you might decide that you cannot incorporate your dog into your ceremony in dog-person, but still want to honour the pet in your wedding celebrations. These couples achieved that goal with creativity, flair and class.

CELEBRATION DOGSITTER The usual primary caregiver for your dog is you or your groom.

Both of you are going to be too busy on your wedding day to look after your dog. Sign up someone who isn’t involved in the celebrations to care for your pet. Take into account transportation to the ceremony, reception venue and photo sites. Make sure that person has all the essentials for your pet.

Kyle Freeman, co-owner of VIP Sitters, a company that has looked after dogs for celebrities such as Faith Hill and Barbara Streisand, observes, “The escort service, dog involvement, type of dog and attire run the gamut. Some folks have the dog sitter fitted for attire that matches the wedding party and the escort leads the dog up the aisle. Others want the pet transported to multiple locations for photo ops.”

PHOTOS: Jennifer Klementti Photography

BIG DAY GROOMING & SPECIAL FX

WHIPPET WEDDING WHISPERS Two whippets named Olive and Ellis share the lives and love of their newly-wed owners Kelly and Mike Collier. Although the dogs, smaller cousins of greyhounds, were not present, their doggie spirit romped through the wedding celebrations.

Subtle grey colours for bridesmaid gowns and décor were a nod to them, as was the highly detailed topper on the wedding cake.

Guests enjoyed signature drinks inspired by the dogs and rather than favours, the bride and groom made donations to support a greyhound adoption centre in California.

40 Wedding Essentials 2013

Pet spas and groomers suggest a thorough grooming for your dog a week before the wedding to look absolutely top dog. Be sure to mention any special attire the dog will be wearing.

Eve MacArthur, owner of Spaw Boutique in downtown Toronto, includes specialty dog tints in her service menu. She finds some owners of light-coloured, long-haired dogs such as a white Maltese will have her tint little strands of hair in the ear area to match wedding colours and also add a splash of colour to the dog’s “skirt”, the long hair under the belly. When the dog walks, the coloured hair peeks out.

Applied bling works for short-haired dogs, large or small.

Eve explains the process. “A temporary glue is applied, usually on the ears, and then we create the pattern with jewels, such as rhinestones. Some select a pattern, maybe a heart or flower and also differently-coloured gems to go with the wedding colours.”

PUTTING ON THE DOG There are more choices here than you might at first realize.

Tuxedos are a popular choice for all sizes of dogs from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, but you can also have an outfit custom made to suit your wedding’s theme.

Abigail & Tiberius (left), Joanna Leong and Nicholas McKenzie with dogs (centre) and their wedding cake (right). PHOTOS: Gillian Williamson | Ikonica | ikonica.ca | 416.259.6795

Best For Bride bridal gown shop also carries fashion statements for dogs. Bridal gowns including small veil, bridal attendant or pink flower girl dresses, or a ring pillow for the canine ring-bearer are all possibilities.

Matching wedding colours and themes is a snap with specialty collars and leashes from Pretty Paw by Josie Tecson. Coloured leather collars come with interchangeable jewel swatches in different colours and designs that simply snap into place.

Imagine a huge St. Bernard fitted with a custom-made chest piece and harness studded with large Swarovski crystals, one of Kyle Freeman’s favourite dog attire memories. If your pet is being walked down the aisle by a bridesmaid, Dogfather & Co. can custom dye collars and leashes to match the colour of the dress. “Just be sure to allow plenty of time for this,” cautions owner Nataly Kashani.

For an informal look, Hoann Ignacio, Owner of Cosmopawlitan Pet Boutique & Spa, suggests a T-shirt with a necktie printed on the top. “Or choose a bow tie in a colour that suits not only your wedding colours but also the dog’s colour. Black tie on a white dog is always elegant. Bling is always a girl’s best friend so a rhinestone collar works not only for the wedding day but also for lots of occasions afterwards.”

Things Engraved and Personally Yours will engrave pet tags or charms that attach to a collar. Personalize them by engraving the pet’s name, bride’s and groom’s names and wedding date.

PLAYING IT COOL When Joanna Leong and Nicholas McKenzie took their vows, they opted for photo ops at home that included their two Havanese dogs, Abigail & Tiberius. Abby and Ti sat for silhouette portraits, as did their owners and guests, and the wedding cake included a vignette that was a nod to the pets.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT No doggie temper tantrums just before or during the ceremony, please! Whatever attire you chose for your dog, whether it’s a tuxedo, a bow tie, a miniature wedding gown with veil, or rhinestone collar, get the animal used to it ahead of time. If a ringbearer pillow or under-the-chin basket is being used, go for a few practice sessions.

TOXIC FLOWERS If you choose to have your dog wear flowers, be aware that some blooms are toxic to animals. Among the ones you will want to avoid are daffodils, tulips, chrysanthemums, carnations, baby’s breath, calla lilies and hydrangea. Check out various web sites and double-check with your florist before you make your selection. 

PHOTOS: Gillian Williamson

Wedding Essentials 2013 41

news

Canadian Celebrities Wed...Congratulations!

FIRST GREEN, THEN GOLD...

Canadian-born actor and heart throb Ryan Reynolds married Gossip Girl Blake Lively in September in a private ceremony at Boone Plantation in South Carolina according to news reports circling the globe. The antebellum plantation was used in the filming of the love-flick The Notebook.

The duo met on the set of The Green Lantern in 2011. Blake has stated that she loves really high heels and with Ryan’s height about 6’2”, Blake at 5’10” has room to indulge her shoe fantasies. Design house Marchesa has confirmed that the beautiful bride wore one of their custom-made creations, a gown featuring a silk tulle bodice with crystal and rose gold accents. Christian Louboutin shoes completed the ensemble, according to Martha Stewart Wedding, while Ryan, dubbed a “very gorgeous groom” by Martha, chose Burberry.  Doug Csima and Megan Keilty. PHOTO: Amelia Thornton | Flirt Photography

Fans of Canada’s 2012 Olympians will be happy to know that after the Men’s Rowing 8 won silver in London, the celebrations for Doug Csima, one of the fabulous eight, were just beginning. It is no surprise that Megan Keilty and Doug chose a wedding on the water, on a cruise ship in Toronto Harbour, to exchange gold rings at their August nuptials. The couple met while both rowers for McMaster University. “Megan and Doug, we all wish you much happiness as you navigate the waters of the grand adventure of marriage.”

42 Wedding Essentials 2013

Photos: Google Images

FIRST SILVER, THEN GOLD...

Boone Plantation in South Carolina (left) and Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds (right).

TRASH THE DRESS Shoots THIS SUMMER, in a tragic accident during a “trash the dress” photo shoot, a young Montreal-area bride slipped and was swept away to her death in the Ouereau River.

The Toronto Star reported that the recently-married woman was posing for photos when she lost footing on the rocks.

Although the water wasn’t particularly deep or turbulent, it proved fatal for the bride. The weight of the wedding dress as it became saturated was a key factor. Once she was in the water, valiant attempts by her photographer to save her were futile.

PLANNING & RESPECT Whether called trash the dress, mess the dress, or rock the dress, thousands of brides pose safely for these shoots in natural or industrial locations. With planning and respect for the photo site, you and your photographer can ensure that your fun and creative trash the dress session will provide only happy memories.

GOWNS & ACTION TRACTION Gorgeous and often heavy, wedding gowns are challenging to move in quickly. They can easily catch on objects in industrial or nature shoots. Slow and steady does it...no turned ankles, trips or falls, please.

When dry, an ornate ballroom wedding gown weighs at least thirty pounds, according to a top Toronto designer.

When saturated with water that wicks up the fabric, that weight increases dramatically, causing a bride to lose her balance and be dragged down, even if she is a strong swimmer.

High heels and slippery soles create havoc on locations that include uneven terrain, industrial staircases or ladders.

Choose shoes with better traction for the shoot.

BE IN THE MOMENT Distracted, stressed, tired, excited are all common bride descriptors. It takes extra effort to be present in the moment during the intense and hectic wedding period.

Stay focused, please! 

Wedding Essentials 2013 43

a real-life wedding

Ashna Terence

HINDU & CHRISTIAN LUTHERAN CEREMONIES CELEBRATE BONDS OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

A

brief stop at a students’ association booth on the first day of university led to wedding vows for Ashna Singh and Terence Dundee. Ashna was rushing to class at Ryerson when she made a little detour to check out a display.

Terence, a third-year student, was a social rep of the West Indian Students’ Association and had already noticed the vivacious young beauty before she stopped at his booth.

This chance encounter led to a long courtship, a special romance and wonderful wedding celebrations that lasted four days.

MOUNTAINTOP PROPOSAL How romantic is a down-on-one-knee proposal atop a mountain peak overlooking a city skyline? Romantic enough for a girl to say “yes”! Terence and Ashna flew to Atlanta, Georgia where they visited Stone Mountain, with its amazing views. Both of their fathers and other people near and dear to the couple shared this intimate moment from afar.

During the proposal weekend in Atlanta, the bride and groom and close family members bonded. “Jab Koi Baat”, from the Bollywood film Jurm, was dubbed Ashna and Terence’s tune. It became their signature song.

One of its verses, translated into English, goes, “When any matter gets ruined, disputed, Oh, my friend, I hope you will stand by me”. Those are perfect sentiments for a successful marriage.

44

PRE-WEDDING MEHNDI & MATICORE Several pre-wedding Hindi traditional events took place, each with age-old meanings. Among them was the Mehndi night when Ashna’s hands and feet were decorated with intricate designs in dark-red laki. The groom’s initials were woven into the detailed designs on her hands for Terence to discover later. The belief is that the deeper the colour and the longer it lasts, the stronger is the groom’s love for his bride.

Ashna’s Maticore ceremony took place two days before the Hindu ceremony. This is also known by Guyanese-Hindus as “Dig Dutty Night” because the bride’s mother, accompanied by a procession of drummers and female relatives, collects dirt from the ground during this blessings-from-Mother-Earth ceremony.

Among other traditions, it involved Ashna’s mother worshipping the deities through offerings of holy or life elements — nine leaves topped with various substances that are special to the gods accompanied by a burning diya for the purpose of receiving good blessings throughout the wedding festivities.

After, Ashna performed her own puja, a religious rite performed by Hindus as an offering to various deities, seeking blessings on her own behalf. The last ritual of the Maticore was when young girls applied a paste of tumeric and baby oil to the bride’s skin, denoting purification. Then, following her culture’s tradition, Ashna remained at her home until she departed for the Hindu ceremony.

TWO CEREMONIES. TWO STYLES The attire of the bride and groom for their two ceremonies, first the Hindu ceremony and the next day, the Christian Lutheran ceremony, were worlds apart in style. The religious ceremonies were totally different. What remained the same was the meaning of the vows that the bride and groom made to each other, their happiness, and the joy of more than 450 guests who celebrated their wedding.

THE HINDU CEREMONY For the Hindu ceremony, Ashna wore yellow, the colour traditionally worn by Guyanese-Hindu brides. Her lengha, a long silk embroidered and crystal-embellished skirt, was complemented by a short-sleeved top with gold embroidery and clear crystals. The fish tail and fitted cut of the skirt was a non-traditional element, all her own. Her dupatta, the long shawl-like piece worn over her head had the same accents as her top. A loop nose ring with a middle-of-the-forehead teeka in gold and crystal and heavy Indianstyle necklace and earrings completed her look for the wedding.

Terence wore traditional Indian garb, an ornate white suit called a sherwani as well as a pagri with veil denoting innocence and modesty.

Tassa, a type of kettle drum, was played by a four-person group called Dhadkan, appropriately translated as Heartbeat, for the processional and recessional.

After the ceremony, following Guyanese/Hindu tradition, the bride’s new mother-in-law presented her with gifts to welcome her as a daughter-in-law, including an entire new outfit, including jewellery, shoes and fuchsia gown that she changed into for the rest of that day’s celebrations.

PHOTOS: Flirt Photography | flirtphotography.ca | 905.985.7487 Wedding Essentials 2013 45

a real-life wedding

THE CHRISTIAN CEREMONY For her gown for the outdoor wedding ceremony, Ashna wanted to look like a princess, right out of the Disney movies. Off-the-shoulder capped sleeves with crystal and silver accents, a fitted bodice and a sweetheart neckline captured her Belle or Cinderella look to perfection.

Her bridesmaids’ dresses were silver blue, short strapless dresses with a bubble bottom skirt. The colour reminded Ashna of a modern-day version of Cinderella’s ballroom gown.

THE RECEPTION The theme of the reception was a fairy-tale because Ashna had always imagined she’d be a princess marrying her prince on her wedding day.

The fairy-tale theme was carried right through to the wedding favours which were Cinderella pumpkin carriage-shaped scented candles in a clear box, tied with a ribbon that read — “and they lived happily ever after”.

They laughed when Terence slipped and fell on the dance floor at the reception during their grand entrance into the hall. He was fast on his feet for a recovery though, transitioning into a roll and running along the perimeter of the dance floor giving guests high-fives. Guests thought it had been a planned stunt!

Both Ashna and Terence cried when they exchanged their vows at the Christian ceremony and during Terence’s Grandpa’s heartfelt speech.

Ashna’s fondest memory of the day was when she had just finished dressing for the Christian ceremony. Her sister-in-law presented her with a gift from Terence. The note read: “Dear Ashna. I can’t believe I actually bought this for you. Now you will never talk, listen, or look at me — ever again. What a great way to start a marriage!” It was an iPad3!

46 Wedding Essentials 2013

a real-life wedding

Later she read the engraving on the iPad...” To the love of my life, and the apple of my eye...”

Terence’s fondest memory was at the reception when his father played a medley on his harmonica, a rendition of Josh Groban’s “You Lift Me Up” and a Hindi song. He also loved the highlight when Ashna’s Dad and his Dad and two uncles sang “Jab Koi Baat”, the couple’s song.

Guests liked “The Terence and Ashna Wedding Extravaganza Facebook Group”, a platform where guests could upload videos, photos and comments during wedding festivities.

What she loves most about him: “Terence is honest, humble and humane.”

What he loves most about her: “I love Ashna’s personality and charismatic attitude. She is fearless and ‘tells it like it is’.”

Ashna’s advice to brides: “Don’t be afraid to let your husband-to-be get involved, very actively. Trust his judgement. I took the leap which helped create a magical wedding that made us both happy.”

Terence’s advice to grooms: “Remember, the cheapest thing is not always the best thing. In the end, you get what you pay for.”

Best piece of marriage advice they have been given: “There is no right or wrong way to deal with problems or difficult situations in a relationship. Just follow your heart.” 

HINDU CEREMONY VENUE: Chandni Banquet Hall, Brampton | 905.887.4564 BRIDE’S LENGHA: Naveen Fashions | 905.451.5130 BRIDE’S JEWELLERY: Raja Fabrics, Brampton | 905.677.4360 GROOM’S SHERWANI: Esha Fashions | 905.792.7508 BRIDE’S HAIR: Pamela Brij, Pam’s Beauty Salon | 416.567.4110 BRIDE’S MAKEUP: Hafsa, Honey’s Beauty Lounge | 647.894.4885

CHRISTIAN CEREMONY VENUE: Royal Ambassador, Caledon | 905.584.6868 BRIDE’S GOWN DESIGNER: Alfred Angelo, Disney Fairytale Wedding BRIDE’S GOWN SUPPLIER: Sposa Italia Couturier | 905.856.5556 BRIDE’S JEWELLERY: Rainbow Jade | 905.566.0877 RINGS: Corona Jewellery | 416.762.2222

RECEPTION VENUE: Platinum Convention Centre, Vaughan | 905.265.1196 FLOWERS: Carisma Flowers | 905.848.2300 CAKE: Just Temptations | 905.565.0058 PHOTOGRAPHY: Flirt Photography | 905.985.7487

48 Wedding Essentials 2013

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destination weddings

YOUR WEDDING

Your Style...Your Way COUPLES HAVE A NEW ON-LINE PLANNING TOOL TO MAKE THEIR UNIQUE DESTINATION WEDDING DREAMS COME TRUE

C

aribbean destination weddings are hot, hot, hot! Destination weddings in the Caribbean have long been a popular choice for brides and grooms who chose beautiful islands that are sunny and warm, year-round, for their wedding vows. Today, that trend is climbing faster than a jet departing Toronto Pearson International Airport on its way to surf, sun and sand.

Sandals Resorts recently launched their “Destination Wedding Designer”, a sophisticated on-line planning tool for bridal couples that gives them a multitude of options for customizing their weddings. It has the potential to change the destination wedding planning landscape dramatically.

50 Wedding Essentials 2013

DESTINATION WEDDINGS THEN...

Not too long ago, the words destination wedding used to conjure up images of a casual, bare-feetin-the-sand celebration that looked pretty much like the big day of any other wedding couple who opted to take their vows against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. Insert a different bride and groom in the image, and voilà — you have another, not-so-different wedding. The supporting cast included a mere handful or two of bridal attendants, groomsmen and guests.

The list of adjectives to describe the wedding did not include unique or individual, nor were the weddings characterized as elegant, sophisticated or chic.

...AND NOW Hit the delete button on that old image! With the recent launch of their totally customizable wedding planning tool, Sandals Resorts has “unpackaged the package” by giving brides and grooms exactly what they want for their wedding day. It’s no longer a question of the couple fitting the package but the many options fitting the duo’s personal style.

Gone are the super casual, cookie-cutter celebrations, given the opportunity that bridal couples now have to personalize every detail of their destination wedding, incorporating individual themes, favourite colours, and the personal tastes and styles of the bride and groom.

Another sea change is that the guest list is increasing dramatically, year over year, with more and more family and friends enjoying the main event and staying over to savour island delights and sights.

ONE OCCASION, MANY CELEBRATIONS When is a wedding not just a wedding?

Marsha-Ann Brown, Director of Romance at Sandals Resorts has observed that a “destination wedding now is often a combination of a wedding celebration, honeymoon and an opportunity for extended family members who lead extremely busy lives to reconnect, with the bonus of a mini-vacation. Guests are booking some holiday time and after the wedding, they just chill-lax or explore the islands.”

YOUR DREAM. YOUR TIME. It’s all about personal style and taste and creating the magic of your dream wedding. A woman tends to build up images of her wedding day over time, often over many years.

A bride’s vision is as unique as each person.

Increasingly grooms are more involved in the planning process as they recognize the opportunity to honour their personalities and interests at their wedding.

After a lot of research into the tastes of the confident, connected and open-to-change young people who have been dubbed the Millennial Generation, Sandals responded to what they learned bridal couples wanted, including on-line planning tools, very extensive choices and, because they are “review-driven”, the ability to find out how other couples rated their past destination wedding experiences.

Photos courtesy of Sandals Resorts Wedding Essentials 2013 51

destination weddings IT’S ALL ABOUT PERSONAL STYLE AND TASTE AND CREATING THE MAGIC OF YOUR DREAM WEDDING. A WOMAN TENDS TO BUILD UP IMAGES OF HER WEDDING DAY OVER TIME, OFTEN OVER MANY YEARS.

That’s how the Sandals WeddingMoons website was created, an on-line, user-friendly wedding planning tool that allows customization of every detail of a wedding from start to finish through a multitude of nearly 1,000 individual choices.

Today’s brides and grooms want to be able to plan their wedding at any time of the day or night, not just when the “open for business” sign is out. They can log in 24/7, as the mood strikes, to play and plan; many are signing on to the on-line wedding planning tool after midnight.

PLEASING SURPRISES An imaginary wedding was planned while exploring the Sandals WeddingMoons site at www.sandals.com/weddingmoons.

The first surprise was that the planning tool was free and accessible. No booking with Sandals first, before being able to use the site. No pay-to-play here.

The next surprise was how much fun it was and how easy it was to change up the variables of a wedding. The starting point is choosing a destination, followed by a selection of a colour palette. Then it’s on to individual choices to reflect personal taste and style in flowers, linens, cakes, décor elements and much more, right through to details of ceremony and reception music.

Flutist for the ceremony? Fire dancers for the reception? Moonlight wedding vows?

Simply check the appropriate box.

Costs for each item are shown clearly and as selections and quantity of a particular item are entered, the cost comes up for that element and also automatically adds in to the running “bottom-line” tab.

52 Wedding Essentials 2013

ICING ON THE CAKE Each custom wedding that you plan can be saved and protected with a unique code. You can share this information, including the photos of your selections, with friends and family for their input via platforms like Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter as well as through your own couple’s website and blog provided by Sandals.

Brides and grooms have access to their own personal wedding planner for their celebration.

Another nice touch is Save the Date e-cards to alert guests about your upcoming event.

Couples can check out up-to-the minute ideas at www.sandalsweddingblog.com. Love Is All You Need is updated daily with the latest wedding trends and news.

PRE-WEDDING PARTIES Marsha-Ann Brown notes that grooms and their groomsmen are choosing to hold the stag at the resort where they will be married.

The guys come a couple of days early and release their inner Tarzan with zip-line adventures, jeep excursions, diving and other

challenging shared activities.

The bride and her attendants may enjoy pampering at the spa, selecting from a seductive range of body treatments as part of the bachelorette party.

Rehearsal parties are easy to navigate with everyone being at the resort.

ROMANTIC REGISTERS Guests will enjoy the honeymoon registry part of the WeddingMoons website. No more obsessing over what to gift couples who have already established households. The on-line registry offers experience-based presents, from volcano tours to horseback riding or intimate candlelight dinners on the beach to sightseeing flights or boat trips. Snuba, an underwater experience that’s a cross between scuba diving and snorkeling, is one of many more options.

PAMPER ME, PLEASE! Emulate celebrity honeymooners by choosing a suite that comes with your own personal butler.

Practice saying, “Jeeves, draw our candlelight,

rose-petaled bath just after twilight, please”.

After a luxurious morning stretch and sigh, what about sauntering out to your own private pool overlooking the Caribbean for a morning dip or two? Make mine a mimosa...

Want to experience being all alone, just the two of you? Sandals’ Love Nest Luxury Suites were designed to give honeymooning lovebirds seclusion plus luxe amenities.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME...OR NOT Couples are also planning vow renewals through the Sandals website. They aren’t waiting to celebrate their 25th or 50th wedding anniversaries, they are marking milestones and making memories along the way. It could be a first, second, fifth or seventh anniversary. They might not have been able to have a dream wedding the first time around, for a variety of reasons. They could have gone through tumultuous times and emerged to celebrate. Maybe there’s just so much love in the air that they choose to celebrate another wonderful moment together! — Judy Johnson  Wedding Essentials 2013 53

wise & witty words

Love Bites...

Love is like a Rubik’s Cube — there are countless numbers of wrong twists and turns, but when you get it right, it looks perfect no matter what way you look at it.

— Brian Cramer A successful marriage requires falling in love many times — always with the same person.

— Mignon McLaughlin All weddings are similar, but every marriage is different.

— John Berger What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.

— Leo Tolstoy

Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation.

— Oscar Wilde

Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.

— Simone Signoret A long marriage is two people trying to dance a duet and two solos at the same time.

— Anne Taylor Fleming

Love is always open arms. If you close your arms about love you will find that you are left holding only yourself.

— Leo Buscaglia It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.

— Friedrich Nietzsche Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

— Lao Tzu

Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.

— Mark Twain

Wedding Essentials IS SAYING “I DO” to more Ontario brides, opening

CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON OFFICES V O W

isualizing their dream wedding, brides from southwestern Ontario read Wedding Essentials and have requested our Bride’s Survival Guide

ur continuing commitment is to provide solid wedding planning information and we look forward to showcasing Ontario brides from more regions in our photo features

e now can offer top wedding suppliers and vendors greater opportunities to make wedding dreams come true for more couples

Cambridge Offices | Janice Brideau 1.888.478.3122 Cell: 519.240.3492 416.498.4996 ext. 50 janice@weddingessentials.ca

54 Wedding Essentials 2013

LONDON

CAMBRIDGE

That's our vow...to help Ontario brides make informed decisions as they plan the occasion of a lifetime...

London Offices | Barry Johnson 1.888.478.3122 Direct phone: 226.271.5170 416.498.4996 ext. 90 barryjohnson@weddingessentials.ca

traditions

Engagement

RINGS

BY EARLENE RODGERS ABOUT 85% of all Canadian brides receive a diamond engagement ring.

Consider budgeting about two months’ salary for the purchase.

IF YOU DON’T KNOW your jewellery, know your jeweller. Members of the Canadian Jewellers Association are bound by a strict code of ethics, including providing written assurance that they are not selling “blood diamonds”.

THE FIRST RECORDED diamond engagement ring given as a promise of marriage was presented to Princess Mary of Burgundy in 1477 by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria.

TWO TO THREE billion years in the making, diamonds were thought to deepen love.

Being presented with a big rock can bring out a woman’s loving thoughts, even today!

TIFFANY & CO. created the pronged setting that raises a diamond up to the light, emphasizing the brilliance of a single large stone, known as a solitaire.

THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND ROMANS considered diamonds tears of the gods and fragments of fallen stars. Diamonds still make women starry-eyed!

BEFORE THE GREAT DEPRESSION North American brides didn’t receive a diamond engagement ring. By the 1950s most brides did, following De Beer’s “A Diamond Is Forever” wildly successful ad campaign that included movie scenes glamorizing proposals with diamond engagement rings and gifts of big rocks to Hollywood stars.

A ROOM THE SIZE of an ice rink deep under Buckingham Palace stores Queen Elizabeth’s collection of personal jewellery. The priceless Crown Jewels are on display at The Tower of London, which could be considered a giant public safety deposit box!

YALE UNIVERSITY astronomers recently discovered a new planet, 55 Cancri e. They believe 1/3 of its mass, about three times earth mass, is made of diamonds. 

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cakes & treats

Edible Art Decadently delicious concoctions figure prominently in wedding celebrations. Cake bakers, chocolatiers, candy makers, and other creators of edible art produce gustatory and visual masterpieces.

Here is a sampling of feasts for palate and eye, sensational treats designed to delight and dazzle while tantalizing taste buds.

BRIDE & GROOM: Sheridan & Muhamed Mostafa BAKERY: Patricia’s Cake Creations WEDDING PLANNER:Truly Yours Planning PHOTO: Boygirl Photography Studio

BAKERY: For the Love of Cake Custom Creations

CONFECTIONER: Old Firehall Confectionery

BRIDE & GROOM: Lindsay & Mark Philip BAKERY: Irresistible Cakes PHOTO: MPSG Inc. | mpsg.ca | 647.692.6774

Wedding Essentials 2013 59

cakes & treats CONFECTIONER: Old Firehall Confectionery

CONFECTIONER: Old Time Confections

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cakes & treats BRIDE & GROOM: Nicole & Gary Brum VENUE: The Estates of Sunnybrook, Vaughan House PHOTO: Mittens Photography | mittensphotography.ca | 416.613.5813

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BRIDE & GROOM: Katrina & Ryan Magee BAKER: Shirley Magee

BRIDE & GROOM: Maricel & Patrick Santiago BAKERY: Just Temptations PHOTOS: Bphotographed.ca | 705.735.9839

BRIDE & GROOM: Katie Edmunds & Ryan Mellor BAKERY: Flourgirls, Milton PHOTO: Face Photography | facephotography.ca | 647.347.3223

Wedding Essentials 2013 63

wedding planning

Stress BUSTING

DECISIONS

THAT WILL MELT WEDDING PLANNING STRESS

BY DANIELLE STEPHEN

64 Wedding Essentials 2013

sk bridal couples what they would change about their wedding and they will immediately tell you they would have liked to enjoy the planning process.

Instead, they became so totally stressed out that they were ready “just to have the whole wedding thing over”.

That is really sad because a wedding is truly one of the biggest events in an entire lifetime.

A

ENJOY THE JOURNEY Rather than just looking back on that one big day for great memories, work your way decisively through the wedding planning maze.

The key to successful wedding planning is making each correct decision along the way, especially the ‘master’ decisions below. Once those are in place, all the other, more detailed decisions are bound to line up with much less stress on your part.

DECIDE YOU NEED HELP Planning a large wedding is the equivalent of producing a movie. Every movie needs a great producer, a great director, star power and a strong supporting cast. The temptation for your wedding is to do absolutely everything yourself, but a good strategy is to oversee the entire planning process but work with someone else to cover off many of the details. A professional wedding planner is ideal. Years of experience in dealing with vendors and bridal couples provides a wealth of information for you to benefit from.

If you choose not to go that route, ask trusted, dependable and organized family members or friends to take on specific tasks. For example, for transportation you could tell your best man what you are looking for and he could source several suppliers and their costs and come back to you for the final decision-making.

DECIDE HOW MUCH YOU CAN SPEND Make a wedding budget and make it real. If you overspend in one area, subtract from another area. If you planned to spend $5,000 on your wedding gown and actually spend $7,500, you must reduce another budget such as entertainment by $2,500. As you move forward using this process, you will find that it helps you set priorities. Is that gown really worth downsizing your centerpieces or eliminating that special performance at your reception?

Until you have planned a wedding, you have no idea how fast total costs can increase by overspending here and there by only a few hundred dollars. Although it isn’t in your budget, you decide to rent an extra limousine or bus for transportation to the ceremony. Your budget for food and beverage didn’t include late night desserts, but suddenly you develop a craving for that addition.

Imagine a helium balloon getting larger and larger as it is inflated. That’s exactly what’s happening with your wedding budget. Random overspending will not only stress you out prior to your wedding but also take a lot of fun out of what should be a wonderful time in later months as you try to figure out how, and how long, you are going to pay for all the extra costs. And, as with the balloon, eventually the bubble will burst!

One fatal flaw that is guaranteed to cause major wedding stress is to count on funds coming in from guests and family members to help cover wedding costs. By all means, if the bride’s parents, groom’s parents or a favorite aunt volunteers to help out financially, count that money in a planning budget, but only when, and if, you know exactly the dollar value of that contribution. When someone suggests they will “help out with the wedding costs”, they might intend a $1,000 amount but you could hear $10,000 because that’s what you were hoping for!

DECIDE WHAT’S IMPORTANT The bride might have dreamt about her wedding day since she was a little girl. Her imaginary celebration might have included everything from Prince Charming to a white coach, yards-long train on a diamond-studded gown, thousands of flowers and almost the same number of guests dining and dancing the day and night away in a castle.

The key words here are “little girl”. Now that you are an adult, you have learned that dreams do come true but perhaps not exactly on the scale that wee Cinderella imagined. Now, grown-up bride, close your eyes and dream again. You will want your groom to do the same.

Picture what is most important to you about your special day. Is it you in a spectacular wedding dress? Stupendous floral arrangements? Are you posing for incredible pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding photographs and videos?

You get the picture — what you picture is what should be a priority for your budget and for your planning process. Don’t get sidetracked by the myriad options and choices available for bridal couples.

DECIDE WHO’S IMPORTANT Often the two people who become lost and forgotten in the intensive and detailed planning process leading up to a wedding are the two people the day is all about, the bride and the groom. It is easily possible to get so caught up trying to please everybody else and respecting their wishes that your wedding becomes a blend of other people’s visions, not the dream day that you and your groom imagined.

Brides and grooms — hold tight to your own vision and dream. Remember why you chose to marry each other and don’t allow wedding planning stress to rob you of precious memories leading up to your amazing day.

DECIDE TO BE HAPPY We’ve all heard the adage that we can be right or we can be happy.

Make a conscious decision to be happy even though absolutely everything isn’t absolutely perfect. Yes, you want your wedding day and every tiniest detail to be picture perfect, an Olympic ten out of ten. The reality is that sometimes things are bound to go awry with even the most organized planning process.

Plan to give yourself a high five even when perfection is slightly out of reach. You can decide to let any one little thing ruin your entire day or you can choose to be happy because it didn’t really affect the overall picture. Chances are your guests won’t even notice anything amiss. 

Wedding Essentials 2013 65

Free book means less stress when you plan your big day 66 Wedding Essentials 2013

Planning a formal wedding can cause stress in the most serene of women.

But you can plan yours with a minimum of frayed nerves, thanks to this FREE book from Wedding Essentials.

The Bride’s Survival Guide gives you detailed instructions on planning every aspect of your big day. This 128-page manual (a $39.95 value) offers insider advice on the engagement, the advance preparations, the budget, the ceremony, the reception, the honeymoon, and your first home together.

You get tips on saving money, answers to your etiquette questions, solutions to tough family problems, and ideas on how to make your wedding unique.

Plus ... we show you how to get the best deals from suppliers. Without sacrificing quality.

This unique manual has helped more than 70,000 Ontario brides over the past 15 years. Let us send you your own personal FREE copy.

Mail the postpaid request card opposite this page. Or complete the form on-line at www.weddingessentials.ca. We’ll be pleased to help you remain calm every step of the way to the altar.

www.weddingessentials.ca Your wedding. Your image. Your choice.

Wedding Essentials 2013 67

a real-life wedding

Assunta

Joseph PIZZA AND OYSTERS... FAMILY TRADITIONS AND MEMORIES

nforgettable...that’s how this couple’s first encounters were. Assunta Rende and Joseph Galluzzo carried memories of each other for years before they started dating. Assunta never forgot a good-looking, older guy delivering pizza when she was only in Grade 8. Joe remembers her as a mischievous child, retrieving street hockey balls...only Assunta wouldn’t return them!

Years later they met again - at a mutual friend’s birthday party. Assunta remembers it well. “We talked and laughed all night. We had so much in common.” The first date was seeing that classic romantic (LOL!) movie, Chain Saw Massacre.

U

THE PROPOSAL To catch Assunta off-guard, he enlisted an accomplice to lure her to the posh Sassafraz restaurant in Yorkville - then Joe would pop in to pop the question. In typical Assunta-style, she changed the plan by insisting on going to Joey at The Shops at Don Mills.

Assunta’s cousin followed the script, telling her she had been pulled over for speeding and would be late, and to wait at the table which had been reserved in a quiet corner of the restaurant. However, Assunta had asked to move to a table by a window, so when Joe walked in she wasn’t seated at the “proposal table”.

He found her though, and suddenly Assunta saw “a certain look on Joe’s face and knew he was just about to propose.

Later we headed over to my parents’ house where our entire families had come to celebrate. I was in shock that everyone kept it a secret for a week and I hadn’t picked up on it”.

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THE PLANNING Assunta spent a year planning everything - engagement party, bridal shower and the wedding. She loved all the detailed planning that went into her wedding for about 350 friends and family, so much so that she’s toying with the idea of someday becoming a wedding planner to help other people achieve their dream celebration.

Assunta’s love of couture, vintage, and chic suggested colours that were elegant but soft. She used black for sophistication and ivory with hints of soft pinks and purples to achieve a very romantic and vintage mood.

THE GOWN & THE LOOK A couture-style, one-of-a-kind look designed by Ines Di Santo reflected everything the bride had dreamt about for her gown. It featured a mermaid fit and a mushroom-style skirt bottom.

The bride was delighted. “I knew it was the one when I walked out of the change room and saw the look on my parents’ faces. At the shop, Melissa De Lio helped me though what could have been a difficult and confusing process.”

A very long train and veil were traditional touches.

Assunta accented her gown with a cluster of Swarovski crystals and pearls. From the time she was a little girl, she wanted to wear gloves for her wedding. “The gloves I wore looked like crystals floating on my arms.”

Her love of big statement jewellery was reflected in a gorgeous, huge vintage Swarovski crystal necklace. Valentino shoes completed the ensemble.

PHOTOS BY Silvana Frammartino | Impulse Photography | impulsephoto.com | 905.832.5998

Wedding Essentials 2013 69

a real-life wedding

SENTIMENTAL & SPECIAL TOUCHES A beautiful custom-made garter was fashioned from Assunta’s mother’s wedding veil, a lovely tribute to her mom.

Elegant black bridal attendants’ designer dresses were each different but all had detachable trains. Short black lace gloves added a vintage touch.

Wedding flowers were large garden roses and peonies in shades of blush pink, yellow and ivory.

THE CEREMONY Joseph and Assunta chose St. Michael’s Cathedral for the ceremony. It reflected her parents’ culture. The Cathedral Choir and Organist provided music that added to the peaceful, calm ceremony ambiance.

Tears of happiness welled up as the bride walked down the aisle while choir boys sang. Assunta felt royal in her gorgeous gown in the magnificent setting. “At that moment everything felt wonderful. As I got closer to the altar I saw Joe, looking so handsome.”

Joe was teary-eyed too. “From head to toe, my soon-tobe wife looked perfect and drop-dead gorgeous.”

70 Wedding Essentials 2013

a real-life wedding

THE RECEPTION The reception was held at Hazelton Manor in Vaughan.

The mood was vintage ‘50s.

The food reflected many things about the wedding couple. Naturally, pizza was involved! Pizza was not only the Galluzzo’s family business but also a feature at family celebrations. A love of oysters is shared by Assunta and her family.

Guests also dined on Agnolotti stuffed with Ricotta, Charbroiled Filet Mignon and Broiled Lobster Tail. Chocolate Tartufo starred as dessert. The signature drink was Chamomile Grappa.

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE Assunta goes first. “I love Joe’s kindness, patience, truthfulness, caring personality, his persistence and his permanent smile. He always listens and he’s always laughing.”

“Where do I start?” queries Joe. “I love how bighearted Assunta is and the passion she has to make everything as perfect as it can be. I love how her smile always lights up the darkest part of the room.”

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HONEYMOON HIGHLIGHTS The newlyweds took a two-week cruise to the islands of Tahiti. Among the highlights were staying in a water hut in Bora Bora, visiting dolphins, sharks and sting rays, scooter excursions and a jeep tour in the mountains of Moorea.

BEST PIECE OF MARRIAGE ADVICE Assunta’s father shared this marriage advice: “Always have passion for each other and for life. Always compromise, and never go to bed angry at each other.

Kiss and make up every time”. 

BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER: Ines di Santo BRIDAL SHOP: Ines Di Santo | 866.899.INES GROOM’S TUXEDO: Hugo Boss (Bloor) | 416.925.2677 BRIDE’S JEWELLERY: Silver Boutique | 905. 851.5577 BRIDE’S SHOES: Valentino from David’s Shoes | 416.920.1000 RINGS: Kestane Diamond Jewellery | 905.940.5353 FLOWERS: Rias Design Inc. | 416.803.5488 BRIDE’S HAIR & MAKEUP: Jackie Gideon Beauty Bar | 905.270.9093 BRIDESMAIDS’ GOWNS: Shkank Inc. | 416.515.0959 CAKE: Cakes by Danielle | 905.716.3271 RECEPTION: Hazelton Manor, Vaughan | 905.532.9500 ENTERTAINMENT: Bongo & B | 905.771.9774 VIDEOGRAPHER: Butterfly Kisses & Claudio Coppola | 416.727.1111 HONEYMOON: Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Stouffville | 905.642.2500 PHOTOS: Impulse Photography | impulsephoto.com | 905.832.5998

Wedding Essentials 2013 73

venues

HOLE-IN-ONE

Wedding Planning

BY ALICIA STEWART

ONE-STOP SHOPPING AND SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS ADD TO THE GROWING APPEAL OF GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB WEDDINGS

Danielle & Michael at Woodington Lake Golf Club PHOTO: Reflections of Memories Photography

74 Wedding Essentials 2013

Susanne & Steve wedding at Copper Creek Golf Club. PHOTO: imagesbypaulo.com

hether or not they are into golfing, bridal couples are heading to the greens for their wedding celebrations. Most golf course venues offer brides and grooms great natural vistas and full service wedding shopping in one location, as well as opportunities for celebration highlights that require substantial outdoor space.

With wedding coordinators to guide them through each step of the process, a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremony and reception, specialized catering options and outstanding photo op sites, Ontario golf and country clubs are giving bridal couples good reasons to check out their venues.

Couples also appreciate the ease of planning and budgeting with all-inclusive packages that are available at some golf clubs, covering everything from bar service to meal, wine, desserts, late night tables, audio-visual and more, including taxes and gratuities.

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ONE LOCATION — SEVERAL WEDDING EVENTS Dealing with one venue for all elements of the wedding celebrations makes planning much less stressful. It also makes it easier to keep tabs on budgets, which adds to comfort levels.

Golf club venues span the event spectrum, with the ability to host very large wedding ceremonies and Photos courtesy of Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility

Wedding Essentials 2013 75

venues

receptions for more than 400 people and also smaller events including bridal showers and rehearsal dinners.

Friends and family members planning bridal showers can select from a variety of options for their parties. Choices for shower guests at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham include afternoon high tea or an elegant buffet luncheon.

Golf is often part of the package at clubs, with the groom and his pals bonding during a golf outing and rounds of golf pre wedding or post celebration for the bride and groom.

Amy Stevenson, Event and Wedding Coordinator at Mill Run Golf Club in Uxbridge, is noting some changes. “It is becoming popular to host multiple wedding-related events at one location. A couple works with one coordinator from beginning to end on the wedding and other functions, as well as with parents and bridal party members who plan events —this gives the bride and groom peace of mind, knowing that things will be taken care of for each event.”

CEREMONY & RECEPTION SITES Overlooking lush gardens, lakes or ponds, manicured greens, river valleys and other splendid natural settings, ceremony sites are as distinctive and varied as the golf clubs where they are located.

Indoor spaces are equally diverse. Some clubs feature window walls overlooking lakes or ponds or expansive manicured greens or lush gardens. Soaring cathedral ceilings and airy settings provide a great backdrop for décor and linen options available from the venue.

Golf clubs may offer a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. At Angus Glen Golf Club, couples can choose to celebrate in an elegant large marquee tent during summer and fall months or year-round in a grand Great Hall complete with a fifty-foot California ceiling with stained glass lighting.

Rebecca & Tyler wedding at Woodington Lake Golf Club. PHOTO: Azure Blue Photo

76 Wedding Essentials 2013

venues ACCOMMODATIONS Some golf clubs, including Cranberry Golf Resort in Collingwood, offer accommodations from townhomes and condo suites to hotel rooms for guests who choose to stay and golf or sightsee for a few days. Others have established relationships and preferential rates with nearby hotels and can arrange transportation for your guests.

FINE CUISINE TO FUN FARE Many wedding couples are becoming more sophisticated in their food choices, opting for fine cuisine for their nuptial celebrations.

John Young, Assistant General Manager at Copper Creek Golf Club near Kleinburg, is proud to offer diners world-class Italian specialties as well as a full kosher kitchen headed up by Gianpiero Tondina, President and Founder of the Association of Italian Chefs of Canada.

At Lionhead Golf & Country Club in Brampton, Executive Chef Grant Carson heads up the culinary team. Plated or buffet options as well as menus respecting dietary restrictions are offered. Prior to the event, the bride and groom and two guests enjoy their full chosen menu, complete with wine pairings, at a taste-test session before the big day.

Recipes are then tweaked as the couple wishes.

Danielle DeLuca, Events Manager at Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility in Ajax, notes that many couples are adding on latenight stations for their wedding receptions.

Guests love the variety of foods offered near the end of the evening. Partiers can nosh on gourmet pizza and fresh fruit, waffles, minisliders, make-it-yourself deli sandwiches, fish and chips, poutines and tempting treats on sweet tables.

Photos courtesy of Kaneff Golf

LIGHT UP THE CELEBRATION OPS With the outdoor acreage they have available, golf club settings can provide opportunities that are not possible in more space-limited venues. Elise Taylor, Catering & Events Coordinator at Lionhead Golf & Country Club recalls a spectacularly colourful Baraat, the traditional bridegroom’s procession in Indian cultures. At the front was the groom, in full wedding attire, seated on a white horse, followed by dancers and musicians. The lengthy procession ended with a welcome by the bride’s family at the venue.

Cranberry Golf Resort. Photos: Isis Photography

78 Wedding Essentials 2013

Bridal couples can give their guests a surprise treat, spectacular fireworks. At Copper Creek Golf Club, guests step out onto the terrace from the dining rooms in the copperroofed, château-inspired clubhouse to view pyrotechnics over the magnificent Humber Valley. Fireworks over the lake at Woodington Lake Golf Club receive rave reviews from brides and grooms and guests alike.

SPECIAL IS PAR FOR THE COURSE! Personalized elements from transportation to creatively inspired wedding themes can be incorporated into wedding celebrations.

Charlene Allard at Woodington Lake Golf Club in Tottenham remembers a “golf tournament, ‘Swings and Rings’, with a wedding ceremony just before the dinner service and after a round of golf. Guests got to leave with prizes from the golf tournament. For special transportation, we’ve had ceremonies where the bride arrived side saddle on a horse, and brides and grooms seated in horse-drawn carriages or antique cars”.

VENUE VENDORS Many golf clubs are able to offer suggestions about local bridal suppliers, including photographers, florists, officiants, transportation specialists and more. The wedding coordinators at golf clubs observe the work of a wide variety of bridal vendors on a regular basis and could offer valuable information and tips that will help you decide which suppliers might provide elements of the wedding you envisage.

GUEST FAVOURITES Guests appreciate the complimentary parking available at golf club venues, and the ease of reaching the wedding destination. Views from tiered terraces down to a river valley or across spectacular expanses of greenery and trees offer visual treats at any time of year, and capture the relaxed feeling of a “day in the country” for everyone attending the celebrations.

If the bride and groom opt for ceremony and reception at the golf club, it also eliminates travel between locations and long periods of waiting time while everyone makes the journey.

An added bonus is the proximity of varied photo op sites for the wedding party, making the time between ceremony and reception shorter, something wedding guests always appreciate.  Wedding Essentials 2013 79

80 Wedding Essentials 2013

The Language of

FLOWERS

BY CAROLINE ESTRELLA Down through the ages, varieties of flowers have been assigned meanings. The language of flowers can be used as symbols to communicate emotion, rather than using the written or spoken word. Floriography reached its zenith of popularity during the Victorian Era, when knowing the language of flowers was as important as being fashionably dressed. While today even experts cannot agree on a definitive connotation for specific flowers, here are meanings commonly attached to bridal blooms.

Baby’s Breath Everlasting love Bird of Paradise Magnificence Carnations Red Admiration White Pure love Chrysanthemums Red Love White Truth Daffodil Promise of new beginning, joy Daisy Innocence Fern Sincerity Forget-Me-Not Remember me forever Gardenia Joy Ginger Flower Pride Gladiolus Strength of character, love at first sight Holly Domestic happiness Hydrangea Perseverance Iris Inspiration, promise of love Ivy Faithfulness, wedded love Lilac First love Lily of the Valley Sweetness Lily, Calla Majesty Orange Blossom Fertility Orchid Delicate beauty Peony Happy marriage Roses Pink Perfect happiness Red Passionate, eternal love Red & White Unity White Purity, innocence Yellow Ardor Stephanotis Good luck, happiness in marriage Sunflower Adoration, loyalty Sweet Pea Shyness, modesty Tulips Pink Caring Red Declaration of love Yellow Hopelessly in love Violet Faithfulness, modesty 

Wedding Essentials 2013 81

a real-life destination wedding

Lindsay

& Greg A TALE OF FRIENDSHIP, ROMANCE, WEDDING VOWS IN THE SAND AND FIESTA CELEBRATIONS

F

rom friendship to romance, then vows on the beach and celebrations that included friends and family, this duo made their wedding dreams come true at Dreams Riviera Cancun, Puerto Morelos, on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico.

A first part-time job at the same mall store led to a friendship, and later romance between teenagers Lindsay Spencer and Greg Armstrong.

THE PROPOSAL Greg knew that Lindsay’s favourite holiday was Christmas and decided to surprise her. One gift was a small box that she thought might contain an engagement ring. However it turned out to be a beautiful Swarovski crystal necklace that she loved.

Greg went into the kitchen to make them tea while Lindsay started cleaning up the gift wrapping. He emerged with a ring box and dropped to one knee to ask her to marry him.

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WHY A DESTINATION WEDDING? From the time Lindsay was a teenager she had thought about a destination wedding. She loved the idea of combining a wonderful vacation with family and friends with an amazing wedding on the beach.

Lindsay and Greg chose to arrange their wedding with DestinationWeddings.com after investigating various on-line options. “They had so much experience and they worked with so many different resorts, plus I felt confident when I spoke with my Certified Destination Wedding Specialist,” notes Lindsay. “Joan coordinated 50 guests from ages 6 months to 91 years leaving from various cities and made it seamless. She did such a good job that some of my guests used her services for their weddings that same year!”

GOWN SCORES A PERFECT TEN! Lindsay’s dress was “like whipped cream with a touch of sparkle”. She invited 15 friends to join her to pick out her wedding gown in a private session at the salon. Everyone had score cards and once she had a perfect 10 across the board, she knew she had found her dress. She wore the necklace Greg had given her the same evening as she received her engagement ring.

RECEPTION THEME Lindsay and Greg wanted their wedding to be all about the guests, the setting and the experience so they chose to let the beautiful backdrop of the beach and the ocean be their main décor. Soft tones of aqua and sand with seashell accents and orange lilies and maracas added fiesta flavour.

MEXICAN, POR FAVOR Guest favours were handmade Mexican maracas. A Mexican buffet gave guests lots of exotic options to sample. The three-tiered wedding cake was a Mexican delicacy known as Tres Leches. Its name refers to the “three milks” used as ingredients to make this decadent treat.

PHOTOS: Anel Fuentes de Maria for Adventure Photos | amorcitocorazonstudio.com | +52.998.1628792 Wedding Essentials 2013 83

a real-life destination wedding

FIRST DANCE Lindsay describes this as a truly amazing moment in their special day. They danced to “This Time” by John Legend. The couple had split up for a few years to experience life independently when they were younger and this song brought them together again.

Their master of ceremonies knew its importance and arranged for a special message from John Legend that included best wishes and concert tickets.

LOVELY SENTIMENTS Lindsay’s fondest memory was “when my husband was saying his vows and altered them by saying he would love me absolutely, unconditionally”.

Greg’s fondest memory was seeing “my bride coming down the aisle. She looked so beautiful, not to mention the fact that we were a little behind schedule and it was getting pretty hot standing up there, waiting to see her!”

There are many qualities about her new husband that Lindsay loves. “I love his drive and his desire to be the best man he can be for me. I love that I learn from him every day and I am a better person with him.”

As for Greg, he loves that Lindsay helps him not to take life too seriously. “She reminds me to have fun. She’s taught me not to sweat the small stuff.”

FRIENDLY ADVICE Jamie and Craig Stevenson, a very happily married couple who are good friends of Greg & Lindsay shared these excellent words of wisdom with the newlyweds. “Don’t hold on to the past. Fighting and hardships inevitably will happen in a marriage but it’s best to only focus on the issue that you are disagreeing on and not bring in past issues or resentments. You will get to the bottom of the problem and solve it much faster.” 

Venue: Dreams Riviera Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Mexico Gown: Jaclyn Bridal, With Love Bridal, Stittsville | 613.435.5542 Hair & Makeup: Gabriella, Spa by Pevonia | 1.866.2DREAMS Groom’s Attire: Amalfi, Island Importer | 541.482.5750 Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Sears Bridal Collection | 613.729.2561 Wedding Planner: Ana Maria Cruz, Dreams Riviera Cancun | 1.866.2DREAMS Certified Destination Wedding Specialist: Joan Twohie, DestinationWeddings.com

84 Wedding Essentials 2013

Planning your wedding can be as easy as 1 - 2 - 3

The Lifestyles edition.

Available on newsstands throughout South Central Ontario.

1

Bride’s Survival Guide.

The planner/organizer.

Available only by request; see page 67 for form.

2

The Savvy Bride.

The tips & techniques book. Available free in select venues.

3

Wedding Essentials 2013 85

floral fantasy

BRIDE & GROOM: Veronika Simeonova & John Da Silva FLOWERS: thebouquet.ca PHOTO: Boygirl Photography Studio

Wedding FLOWERS Balancing bouquets, beauty and budget aking your vision come true for your wedding day requires a blend of dreams, practicality, planning and organization. Flowers are a very important element for wedding celebrations. Allow plenty of time, ideally six to twelve months, to make your floral fantasies come true.

Here are some suggestions, including excerpts from The Bride’s Survival Guide, which is available free of charge from Wedding Essentials by completing the card inserted in this magazine.

M

86 Wedding Essentials 2013

BRIDE & GROOM: Lindsay Spencer and Greg Armstrong PHOTO: Anel Fuentes de Maria for Adventure Photos

WHY YOU NEED A FLORIST There might be a temptation to do your floral arrangements and bouquets yourself. For many reasons, that is probably not a good idea.

There is considerable expertise and a great deal of time required in selecting the correct flowers, making the arrangements and bouquets professionally, and delivering them on time. Also, as the wedding date moves closer, you will be extremely busy and undoubtedly will not have the time, energy and focus required to take on the task of wedding flowers.

CHOOSING A FLORIST Before you talk to any suppliers, you need to establish a budget for your wedding’s floral component. It will help the florist to determine if he/she can do a good job for you at the figure you have in mind.

Interview two or three florists before you make your choice. A professional florist will expect an appointment for a preliminary discussion. Choose a florist who is a good listener, who gives you confidence and with whom you have a good rapport.

Rita Quayle, owner of Flower Workshop in Bolton, offers this advice to brides. “Ask about the florist’s training.

Are flowers the only business or just a sideline? Brides need a professional florist who knows the intricacies of flower selection, availability, proper storage and the complexities of creating bouquets and floral arrangements that not only look beautiful but also are well constructed. It may look easy, but it takes a lot of skill to pull it off.”

Ask to see samples of what the florist has done for other weddings. Talk about suggestions for getting maximum value for your floral budget, perhaps by using local or seasonal flowers.

Once you decide on your florist and make your selections, make sure that the delivery instructions for all the flowers and floral arrangements are reviewed in detail and are in writing.

Lionhead Golf & Country Club. PHOTO: Jolly Photography

WEDDING FLOWER CATEGORIES Flowers for your wedding fall into two main categories.

First, there will be personal flowers such as bouquets for you and your bridal attendants, corsages and boutonnieres. Second, flowers play a key decorative role in the wedding ceremony and at the reception.

Photo courtesy Fran Sackler Floral Designs | fsflorals.com | 905.884.5848

Wedding Essentials 2013 87

floral fantasy BRIDE & GROOM: Kareen & Marco PHOTO: Boygirl Photography Studio

BRIDAL BOUQUET Your bridal bouquet should suit your wedding gown, stature, complexion and hair colour. Do you want a traditional or contemporary look?

Make sure that you can carry your bouquet comfortably and that you know the proper way to hold it for best viewing advantage.

Florist Fran Sackler urges brides to consider personalizing their bouquets. “Each bride is unique. Even if you bring in a picture from a magazine of a bouquet that you love, consider adding something that is a very personal touch.

It could be a charm or a vintage brooch. It could be something fun. I’ve incorporated springs of green broccolini into a bridal bouquet for a woman who loved that veggie. For her groom, she chose a white rose boutonnière featuring red chili peppers and gummy bacon, a nod to some favourite things.”

ATTENDANTS’ FLOWERS Provide samples or colour swatches of the bridal attendants’ dresses and give details of style and length. The bouquets for bridesmaids and the maid of honour should complement the style and colours of the bridal bouquet, but be smaller.

Photo courtesy Flower Workshop Bolton

BOUTONNIERES Traditional or more contemporary options make boutonnières much more interesting than in times past. Boutonnières should not be miniature corsages but rather a single flower, a stem of smaller flowers and perhaps one additional accent. The groom’s boutonnière can make a unique statement.

88 Wedding Essentials 2013

FLOWER GIRL The flower girl might carry a nosegay of flowers, or a basket filled with flowers and flower petals.

You might want her to sprinkle flower petals on the aisle, but check with the ceremony location for permission. She could wear a garland of flowers in her hair or flowers on her wrist.

Wedding Essentials

Invites Bride & Grooms to Stay in the Spotlight Planning your dream wedding or enjoying being a newlywed? Make the dream last...

Fortunate bridal couples chosen to be showcased in A REAL LIFE WEDDING feature in Wedding Essentials magazine will become wedding stars who: • Provide inspiration and ideas for other couples • Highlight elements of their wedding and reception, using great photographs from their photographer • Tell the unique story of their romance and wedding AUDITION: Tell us a bit about the two of you, your special wedding celebrations, your photographer, venue and other details LIGHTS: Enter your submission for a RLW by e-mailing it to RealLifeWeddings@weddingessentials.ca for evaluation by our editorial team CAMERA: We will request photographs from possible finalists ACTION: We will follow up on details with the winning submissions IT’S A WRAP: When the magazine hits the newsstands it’s time for bragging rights for everyone concerned...for the starring bridal couple and supporting cast who made your wedding fantasy a wonderful reality. Practice signing autographs...

RealLifeWeddings@weddingessentials.ca

flowers FLOWERS: Lush Florals PHOTO: KINGS + QUEENS | kingsqueens.ca

90 Wedding Essentials 2013

Photo courtesy Fran Sackler Floral Designs

FLOWERS FOR THE CEREMONY & RECEPTION These are a key element of your wedding.

They are a decorative statement which can add great beauty and tranquility to the ceremony. As symbols of beauty and purity, flowers also represent new beginnings.

Check with both ceremony and reception sites for rules or preferences about how flowers may be used.

Some other considerations are architecture, décor, and lighting. Also, day or evening weddings suggest a different intensity of colour for flowers. Natural or artificial light also make a difference. Will the ceremony and/or reception take place indoors or outdoors?

Photo courtesy Sandals Resorts

THE BOUQUET TOSS Traditionally the bride tossed her bridal bouquet to single women and the person who caught it would be the next to marry. Many brides now choose to toss a separate, smaller bouquet rather than their bridal bouquet, which they may opt to enjoy for a longer time or have preserved.

One thing to consider is the change in culture.

You know the guests at your wedding. Will the single women have fun with this old tradition or will they “sit it out” because a wedding in the near future isn’t on their wish list?

Another consideration is behaviour. Are your guests boisterous? Is there a possibility that someone could get overly excited after reception libations and either fall or possibly cause someone else to slip and fall when trying to catch the bouquet?

Photo courtesy Flower Workshop Bolton

TABLE DECORATIONS What are your table arrangements? The floral arrangements you select for numerous small, round tables or a few long tables in a row will be very different.

FLORAL ADDITIONS If the room is larger than appropriate for the number of people at the reception, you can use large rented potted plants or small potted decorative trees to section off the room to make it more intimate.  Wedding Essentials 2013 91

to have & to hold

Stephanie & Peter H

igh school sweethearts Stephanie Francisco and Peter Slusarczyk were inseparable since they first met at a mutual friend’s birthday party.

Their first date was a dinner and movie that proved so successful that this became a tradition. Every Friday night Peter would pick Stephanie up and take her to the same restaurant and then to a movie. This turned out to be a wonderful way to wind down from a busy work week and just spend time getting to know one other.

They had been dating for almost nine years before the decision was mutual that now was the time.

Stephanie thought her birthday present could be an en-

92 Wedding Essentials 2013

gagement ring but it turned out that Lion King tickets were her treat. True to form, the couple decided on dinner at a Yorkdale restaurant before the show. She was upset that Peter unilaterally decided, at the last minute, to take her to a hidden-away, small Italian restaurant rather than the one that she had been wanting to try for ages. Peter’s choice turned out to be very romantic, so Stephanie forgave him. When they finished their meal, a waiter brought champagne. Stephanie thought that was just a restaurant nicety, but while the bubbly was still bubbling, Peter went down on one knee and asked her to marry him.

I love her because she makes me smile. She is always the one to turn a bad day to a positive one. I love coming home to her and to her smile every day. She is my best friend!

I love him because he is my best friend since day one and is my soul mate. He is my rock and the one person I can talk with no matter what. Peter is the most loving person I know.

He is romantic, funny and caring; he is everything I have ever wanted in a husband.

We laughed when my maid of honour, my sister, regaled our guests with the warning she gave Peter when she dropped me off for our first date— that he better have me back in one piece or she would hunt him down.

We both cried when telling our parents how much we love them and how thankful we are to have them in our lives.

We received great marriage advice from our parents when they told us to always cherish one another and never to take one other for granted.

I would advise other brides to embrace every second of every minute of your special day.

It passes so quickly and like a dream, it is sometimes hard to remember.

I would advise other grooms to enjoy the day with your new wife. Don’t leave the dance floor, enjoy drinks with your guests and most importantly, dance with your bride all night! 

Venue: Banquet Royale, Mississauga | 905.238.5335 Gown: Essence of Australia, Bea Shawn Bridal | 905.457.3363 Flowers: Noreen Davies Flowers | 416.301.9871 Live Band: Polmix | 905.560.0605 Wedding Coordinator: Serendipity | 416.827.5482 PHOTOS: Studio Studios | studiostudios.com | 905.271.8188 Wedding Essentials 2013 93

beauty

Focus on

Betty Boop, courtesy of Lancôme.

BY T.P. BLACK

EYES

A

well-known proverb says that the eyes are the windows of the soul. On your wedding day and always, you and your groom will be looking deep into each other’s eyes. How you frame those eyes reflects your personality and style.

TRENDS 2013 FOCUS ON ONE FEATURE. A bride who believes her eyes are her best feature should highlight them and use understated, almost nude lipstick and blusher with just a hint of colour. This is a great look for gals with good bone structure.

SMOKE SIGNALS. Smokey eyes are perennially popular with brides. This year’s look veers away from dark, darker, darkest eye makeup. That now looks dated. The latest palette uses colour to produce stunning eyes with great depth of shading.

Think vineyard colours like greens and purples for a fresh take. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try a few combinations to find your perfect look. Be sure to take your hair style into consideration when choosing your shadows.

BARELY THERE. This look includes a minimalist look for the eyes. It takes makeup application skills and the right colouring of eyes and hair to pull off the nude look. It’s more difficult than you might think to look totally natural! If not done correctly, you will

94 Wedding Essentials 2013

EYE DO (& SOME EYE DON’TS) look tired and washed out. Choose carefully to go with your complexion. Peach tones suit fair skin, pink tones work well with medium skin and for darker skin, try something with a hint of warm tan or caramel. Finish it off with a shimmer so the look doesn’t translate as pale and flat.

LIP DRAMA. If you go for dramatic lips, play down your eyes. Seriously sensuous deep red lips are much in vogue now. Red with a touch of black undertones captures a vintage look. Think 1940s’ movie star glamour. Competing drama will make you look like a drama queen so don’t overdo eyes!

FABULOUS, PHOTOGENIC FAKE FRINGES Luxurious fake eyelashes can be a bride’s best friend, for pre-wedding parties, for the wedding, and for the honeymoon. The key is to choose a look that tends toward classic.

Extreme may look fine today but when you gaze at those wedding photos over the years, it will scream dated.

Choose the type of fake fringes that suit your look and comfort level. False eyelashes can be applied in strips, partial strips, clusters or individually. The most natural look is created with individually-applied lashes.

The most comfortable fake eyelashes are arguably eyelash extensions where your own lashes are lengthened. Whatever choice you make, it is a good idea to test drive your new fringes, so that you aren’t focusing on your lashes rather than on your big day. 

THE SEXIEST SMOKEY EYES IN HISTORY

Millennia ago, the Egyptians and Cleopatra were no strangers to eye shadow and eye makeup. Rather than strictly for beauty, the powders and potions were used as protection from the bright desert sun as well as to boost the immune system, a popular belief at the time.

The lore of Cleopatra’s beauty, charm and intelligence has survived through the ages. When we visualize her we imagine an ebony-haired, classic beauty with bangs and dark, smokey, sensuous eyes extended into a “cat’s eye” look.

Wealthy woman of her era mixed their makeup every day. Cleopatra darkened her eyebrows and lengthened her lashes with kohl and used a paste of bright green malachite on her lower lids. Gold coloured pyrite flakes. commonly known as fool’s gold, and powdery silvery galena added sparkle and sheen to the rich blue eye shadow made from ground lapis lazuli that was applied to her upper lid. A touch of red ochre on lips and cheeks, some henna on her nails, henna designs on her hands and Marc Anthony didn’t stand a chance!

HOT NEW EYE PRODUCTS

& Classics Too

HYPNOSE STAR MASCARA, LANCÔME. Betty Boop came out of retirement to co-star with Daria Werbowy in a short for the launch of Lancôme’s latest lash enhancer. A unique double-sided brush applies Black Diamond shading. Use the flat side to coat lashes with volume and the round side to separate and lengthen lashes. WE comment: This differently-shaped brush makes it easy to get a longand-luxurious effect from this mascara.

LISE WATIER DUO SHADOW & GLITTER. Creme or powder? Glitter or shadow? You can have both with this duo that contains a creme eye shadow with metallic highlights and a delicate glitter powder in one tidy compact. A built-in mirror works for quick touch-ups. Check out the latest shades. WE comment: It’s very convenient to have the two products in one container.

NEUTROGENA® RAPID WRINKLE REPAIR EYE CREAM. Combining Retinol SA, Glucose Complex and Hyaluronic Acid, this is designed to moisturize and renew the look of skin to produce visible results in as little as one week. The aim is to fade the look of stubborn crow’s feet, brighten and even the under eye area plus smooth fine lines and textures. WE comment: This is gentle and light, fine under makeup.

JANE IREDALE SIMPLY MAGICAL EYE SHADOW TRIO, SUNDOWN. This Pure Pressed Eye Shadow contains three new shades, deep charcoal, shimmery beige and a rich purple-grey to create versatile day or night looks. Designed for shading, highlighting, contouring or lining, these harmonious shades are sensitivity-tested, long-lasting and crease-resistant. WE comment: The complementary tones make for easy eye makeup decisions.

BROW & LASH GEL, THE BODY SHOP. This quick-drying, long-lasting gel is designed to tame, hold and define eyebrows and eyelashes while conditioning them.

ELDERFLOWER EYE GEL, also from The Body Shop, is a soothing cooling gel for use in the eye area.

WE comment: For an extra refreshing jolt, store Eye Gel in the fridge and apply when deliciously cool.

Wedding Essentials 2013 95

reception music

Hitting the

RIGHT NOTES For Live Bands

TIPS FOR AUDITIONING FOR TALENT

BY PETER MERRY

ive bands have been providing music and entertainment at wedding celebrations since the invention of musical instruments. Some bands are great, many are best described as typical, and others can be just plain awful.

Live bands are second to none when it comes to creating energy that can get your crowd up and moving on the dance floor. Many bands are skilled at creating medleys that blend from one song and/or genre into another on the fly. They can also help you create a specific environment. If you want to create a swing/big band theme, a ten-piece orchestra with a crooner style singer might be just the ticket.

L Excerpted from The Best Wedding Reception‌Ever! Your Guide to Creating an Unforgettably Fun Celebration by Peter Merry, published by Sellers Publishing.

Available at bookstores everywhere.

96 Wedding Essentials 2013

However, there are important questions to be answered during your band interviewing and selecting process.

HOW WILL THE BAND PERFORM YOUR SPECIAL SONGS? Every band will play, in their own way, the songs you have selected. Even the best cover bands are just imitating the original artists.

When you select the song for your first dance, what will prompt your decision? Does it remind you of the time when the two of you first met? Do the lyrics clearly communicate your current feelings for each other? Whatever contributes to your decisions for all of the special

songs you want to hear on your wedding day, be aware that a live band will not play the songs exactly as you remember them. The instrumentation may be similar, the vocals may even be close to the original artist’s recording, but a band will still perform your songs their way.

Ask to see a demo or an audition of the band performing your first dance selection.

This opportunity might also give you a better understanding of their unique style.

HOW MANY SONGS AND GENRES CAN THE BAND CURRENTLY PERFORM? Does the band have the talent and skill to perform the diverse range of musical genres needed to make your party happen? Some bands are limited to only one two specific genres. If they are not up to date with the current hit songs for dancing, they might not appeal to your younger guests. If they are strong on the new music but limited on the classics and the oldies, your older guests might feel left out.

WHO WILL BE MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENTS AT YOUR RECEPTION? Specialized talent and skill are required to be an exceptional master of ceremonies at a wedding reception. The best MCs make the job look effortless, but there is always an incredible mount of preparation behind the scenes.

When considering a live band, it is imperative that you find out what training the band’s MC has to be an effective spokesperson. Ask to hear sample announcements as an audition.

Everyone auditions the music, but now many people overlook the capabilities of the MC? If the announcements are generic in nature, such as referring to you as the bride and groom or the happy couple, instead of using your first names, then your guests will experience a very impersonal presentation from the MC. Can you see uncut video footage of announcements they have made at other weddings?

Be sure to ask for video footage of the band in action. Watch carefully and look for the special moments in the reception that require clear, concise, and polished announcements.

WHAT IS THEIR POLICY ON TAKING BREAKS? Playing live music is hard work. But most bands have a solution for this predictable dilemma. It is called break time. Imagine your dance floor is fully packed with friends and family members who are dancing to their

WHEN CONSIDERING A LIVE BAND, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU FIND OUT WHAT TRAINING THE BAND’S MC HAS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE SPOKESPERSON. heart’s content when the band leader suddenly announces, “Ummm, folks, we’re gonna take a break…we’ll be back in about 15 minutes.” Now what?

What happens next will vary depending on the band. They may take a break, with no music playing for the next 15 minutes, and many of your guests may decide that it is time to leave. They may throw on a background CD and just let it play unattended during their break. Many of your guests may leave. They may have a DJ on site to play requests during their breaks. But truly talented DJs will rarely give up their prime dates to play band breaks.

So the question needs to be asked: Can the band’s DJ measure up to the task? Ask for reference and video footage of the DJ in action.

WHAT IS THEIR POLICY ON MEALS? Some bands may insist on being fed during your reception. Some may even request being fed the same meal as your guests, which can lead to an unexpected increase on your catering bill. Be sure to ask your catering contact if they will provide a less expensive “vendor meal” for the band members.

HOW WILL THEY PREVENT DEAD AIR? A great wedding band should be ready to play after toasts and other special events, and they should keep the music going seamlessly without taking breaks or pausing to determine which song they should play next.

WHAT SETS THEM APART FROM ALL THE REST? A live band that regularly entertains at weddings should be ready to answer this question confidently and specifically. Perhaps they offer the option of personalizing your first dance selection with updated lyrics that feature your first names. Maybe they have some fun suggestions for creating memorable involvement among your guests during the dancing. Or they might be able to wear outfits that complement the colour scheme and theme for your reception.  Wedding Essentials 2013 97

beauty

Looking

GREAT

SKIN & BEAUTY PRODUCTS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU LOOK YOUR VERY BEST

JANE IREDALE SMOOTH AFFAIR FACIAL PRIMER AND BRIGHTENER This contains natural brightening ingredients designed to minimize pores, even skin tone and increase skin luminosity. Among its ingredients are grapefruit extract to promote luminosity and skin radiance, apple extract for elasticity, green and white tea extracts and royal jelly for anti-aging and antiinflammatory benefits. Non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.

POLYSPORIN COLD SORE HEALING PATCH These patches are designed to instantly hide cold sores under your makeup at the same time as actively healing them. It also protects the sore from contamination. The manufacturer notes that about 20% of Canadians suffer physically and emotionally from cold sores brought on from a variety of factors, including stress and fatigue. The clear patches allow for application of makeup as normal, great for cold sore sufferers.

One patch lasts up to 8 hours.

LANCÔME RÉNERGIE LIFT MULTI-ACTION This is a lifting and firming cream with a multi-zone action on forehead, cheeks, oval and neck. It is designed to target multiple skin layers resulting in a visible lifting effect on the skin's surface. Its purpose is to recreate skin radiance and luminosity and reshape facial contours. The cream aims to target the appearance of skin tightening to visibly refine skin's surface from the first application, achieving increased results after four weeks.

98 Wedding Essentials 2013

THE BODY SHOP ALL-IN-ONE BB CREAM A skin care and makeup product in one tube, this cream is available in three shades. It contains pigment-filled capsules that burst when applied to the skin, to release the colour inside. The cream goes on white and then changes colour to adapt to individual skin tones for its purpose of creating an even, undetectable finish. It comes in lighter, medium and darker skin tone shades and is lightweight and non-clogging. Small enough to easily fit in a purse.

AVEENO PURE RENEWAL DRY SHAMPOO The goal for this sulfate-free product is to refresh hair without water for all hair types as well as for colourtreated hair. A balancing seaweed extract helps remove excess oils and impurities to boost hair volume and give a fresher, healthier look between washes. Spray on, concentrating on the roots, leave for a couple of minutes and brush through hair. Nice scent is a bonus.

ROC DERMATOLOGIC ENYDRIAL MOISTURISING BODY LOTION DRY SKIN This rehydrating lotion has been formulated to compensate for the deficiencies of dry skin. With ingredients including glycerin and shea butter, the lotion forms a protective barrier to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture in the epidermis. Light and non-greasy and easily absorbed so dressing just after application isn't a problem.

Wedding Essentials 2013 99

ontario venues

VINEYARD

Vows Photos courtesy of Legends Estates Winery

BY JUDY JOHNSON

inery weddings are hitting the right note for bridal couples who appreciate a vast choice of locales, food, wines and experiences. Like a grand cru wine, a wedding in a vineyard leaves a lasting impression on those who have been fortunate enough to enjoy its delights.

From casually rustic to refined and elegant, vineyard celebrations gracefully span a broad spectrum of tastes. The charms of each season change dramatically. Opting for a Niagara area venue, a Prince Edward County winery, or a north-of-Toronto vineyard will provide totally different sightseeing opportunities ranging from spectacular natural splendours to world-class urban explorations for lucky guests who are able to tie in a mini-vacation.

The tranquility of a vineyard, a quiet oasis away from city hustle and bustle, encourages everyone to relax and enjoy a memorable day.

World-renowned wines, fresh local food

W

100 Wedding Essentials 2013

MULTIPLE CHOICES FOR A WINERY WEDDING

ingredients and sophisticated menu choices create memorable reception highlights.

TALKING POINTS Here are some things to consider when choosing your vineyard wedding venue: • Weather. Find out your options if Mother Nature decides not to co-operate on your wedding day.

• Temperature. It won’t be a midsummer dream if guests get too hot in the sun. Provide fans and cold bottled water so your guests can chill out and enjoy the day to the max.

• Terrain. Legends Estate Winery supplies brides with postcards to send their guests giving suggestions on attending a vineyard wedding, including wearing flat shoes for the outdoor ceremony and changing to high heels for the reception.

• Comfort. Ask about washroom facilities. Some wineries have luxury portable washrooms on

site that feature porcelain fixtures, hot and cold running water and other niceties.

• Beverages. Are you permitted to offer other alcoholic beverage in addition to wine?

• Accommodation. Some wineries have an inn or villas. Others may have arrangements with nearby hotels. Does the accommodation suit your requirements?

• Transportation. Is there a shuttle to hotels or do you need to arrange designated drivers or other options for your guests?

DO GUESTS A FAVOUR Surprise your guests with wine-themed favours.

• Oils and Vinegars. Niagara vineyards produce world-class vinegars for the discerning palate. A flavour-infused wine vinegar like Vidal maple or cucumber Sauvignon Blanc paired with an elegant bottle of grapeseed oil makes for taste bud treats.

• Wine Jellies. These jellies accent cheeses or pâtés and crackers. Packaged in your wedding colours in organza drawstring bags with decorations of tiny grapes or grapevine, the favours could do double-duty incorporated into table centerpieces. Wine drizzles or glazes or vinegar jellies are other gourmet delights.

• Ice Wine Truffles. Can you possibly imagine anything more decadent than chocolate and ice wine?

• Wine. Many wineries will private label wine for you, complete with photograph, names and wedding date.

• Accessories. Carafes, corkscrews, wine charms that echo your wedding theme and colours, wine thermometers and other wine paraphernalia will receive favourable reviews.

WINE COUNTRY GIFT REGISTRIES Your choices for a wine-themed gift registry can be as unique as the fine wines of Ontario.

Taste drive these samples.

• Grape Escapes. Wine country weekend getaways with accommodations, wine tours and wine-and-dine luncheons.

Enjoy a multi-course wine country dinner with wine pairings at Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Winery. Savour each course in a different location, from atrium to wine cellar.

• Spa Experiences. Unwind after wedding planning stress with a couple’s massage, wine country dinner and a stay at a fine inn.

• Wine Club Membership. This gift truly keeps on giving. Get VQA wine plus insider info delivered monthly to your door.

• Vineyard Concerts. Many wineries now host concerts and other special events with big-name performers in spectacular settings.

• Wine Gift Registry. Covet a magnificent wine cellar? Make a wish list of your favourite and must-be-tried wines.

• Cooking Classes. At The Waring House, Picton, create Around The World dishes or try Barley Days, a part brew-tasting and part cooking-with-beer class. Get all heated up about cooking at Let the Flames Begin with the Pit Boss Chef at The Good Earth Cooking School, Niagara-on-the-Lake.

• Accessories. The wine’s the thing, but the accessories are great fun too. Superb corkscrews, wine chalkboards, glassware or china, a quality fondue pot and grapethemed linens merit making the list.  Wedding Essentials 2013 101

reception

FIRST

DANCES

BY J.B. BARRATT

102 Wedding Essentials 2013

DANCING YOUR WAY THROUGH THE FIRST DANCE AND INTO HAPPILY EVER AFTER

FIRST DANCE CONSULTATION • Will you be dancing to a live band or to a DJ? • Is the dance floor large or small?

• What is the vantage point of the guests?

• How committed are you to spending the time required to produce the type of dance you want? A fully choreographed dance is going to take much longer to perfect than ballroom dance steps.

• Will the studio be flexible? Bridal couples need a lot of latitude in the hectic pre-wedding stages.

• What is the cancellation policy?

• If you add lessons to a purchased package, what will the rate be for the additional lessons?

• If you opt for a package of say twenty lessons, can fifteen be used for the bride and groom and the other five for the bride and her father?

• What style is the bride’s dress? Are her movements going to be restricted by the bulk or weight of the dress or by its form-fitting style?

T

he bride’s and groom’s first dance has become a major wedding feature, a chance for the couple to demonstrate footwork and choreography to dazzle their guests.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! The romantic highlight of the wedding reception is the bride’s and groom’s first dance together as a married couple. The attention of their guests is riveted on them, sharing in the deep emotions of the very public, yet very intimate, moments of that first dance.

Everything about the first dance suggests high romance. Each of the stars is looking their best - the bride in her splendid gown and her groom dressed to the nines. There is love in the air, along with quite a bit of pressure. The stage is set for a spectacular event. Photographers and videographers are poised to record this dance for posterity.

START EARLY As the weeks tick off on your wedding planning calendar, your life will become increasingly hectic. Dance experts suggest starting lessons at least two months and up to eight months before your wedding for maximum benefit.

Lisa MacLaggan, owner of Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Yorkville and Etobicoke, suggests bridal couples look at the time required for wedding dance lessons from a broad perspective. “Dancing is a gift to each other, a lifetime gift of dancing together, not just for the wedding celebrations. You will be able to dance your way confidently through your honeymoon and through all the romantic evenings and special occasions throughout your marriage.”

FIRST DANCE SUCCESS Practice over a long period of time is what guarantees success. Chuan Chee, president

Wedding Essentials 2013 103

reception

Stephenie & Vince’s first dance.

Photo: Chris Ho, courtesy of Joy of Dance.

REAL LIFE WEDDING DANCERS This bridal couple chose Katy Perry’s song Firework for their first dance, an ambitious routine featuring several ballroom dances.

Big screen fireworks signalled the finale.

Stephenie and Vince Luciani selected Joy of Dance studio when they decided to take wedding dance lessons. The bride felt they already had a “step forward” because they had previously taken some dance lessons, although not for the ballroom dances they wanted to use for their first dance.

Her advice? “It is really helpful to get professional lessons, because in all the emotion of the day you need the training and the confidence that those lessons will give. We love to dance together and aren’t afraid to be in front of a crowd but, in spite of that, we were nervous having to perform in front of our guests.

The lessons carried us through in style.”

Guests’ compliments on their first dance led Stephenie and Vince to include a DVD of their wedding dance in their wedding thankyou cards.

104 Wedding Essentials 2013

of Wedding Dance in Toronto, defines a successful wedding dance as one where the couple moves smoothly through the entire dance without stopping or hesitating.

He offers this advice, after years of teaching bridal couples. “Most couples don’t realize how extremely busy and stressed they are going to become as the weeks pass. Often they are also involved in moving or maybe buying a new house and all that stress, in addition to wedding planning. I find that about eight weeks before your wedding can allow enough time not only to learn basic dance steps but also time for practice so that when you hit the dance floor at your wedding, when you’re tired and really excited, both your mind and body will ‘remember’ the steps. Otherwise, you can just draw a blank.”

IT’S A DATE! Taking dance lessons for your wedding not only gives you the skills to look great on the dance floor but also much more. During the pre-wedding build-up, it can be hard for a couple to enjoy time together. Dancing is a marvelous opportunity to have fun, take a break from the details of wedding

planning plus relieve the stress that inevitably accompanies planning for your special celebration.

Jennifer Jones, Artistic Director of Joy of Dance Centre & Teachers College, Toronto, offers brides and grooms great advice on getting the most from their first dance lessons. “Have a fabulous, fun, romantic time together. Think of each lesson as a special date, away from all the stress.”

“This is also a very rare opportunity for the bride to relax and let someone else be in control. For months she’s been the one in charge of all the planning but on the dance floor she can follow her groom’s lead and relax and trust where he is taking her. It can be an empowering experience for her groom.”

BE REALISTIC Don’t expect to become overnight dancing sensations. Sure, those celebrities on DWTS became superb dancers in mere weeks, but they practiced for hours each day plus they had a huge advantage - each celebrity was teamed with a pro dancer who “carried” them throughout the competition. It is not realistic for two novice amateurs to expect to perform at that level.

reception

BRING MORE THAN ONE SONG TO THE CONSULTATION. EACH SONG HAS A DIFFERENT FEEL AND SOMETIMES THE DANCE YOU WANT WON’T FIT THE SONG YOU HAVE CHOSEN.

DANCING...MMM, GOOD! A wealth of scientific information about its benefits shows that dancing: • Improves flexibility • Reduces stress and diminishes depression • Improves cardiovascular health • Increases core strength and balance • Raises energy levels • Instills confidence and improves social skills • Encourages weight loss • Tones muscles and increases strength • Augments aerobic power • Increases bone density • Boosts memory and reduces the risk of dementia, according to a study by the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

It was the only physical activity studied that produced these results. In short, dancing will make you smarter!

106 Wedding Essentials 2013

MIX IT UP

HIM OR HER?

Many couples opt to use a mix of music and different types of dance. You could start with a slow dance, proceed to funky, and then finish with a beautifully elegant Viennese waltz.

If the whole bridal party is involved, a trend is to start with the couple’s romantic dance, segue into Thriller, Hip Hop or Beyoncé moves and sum up with a slow dance by the newlyweds. A minimum of three lessons for the entire party is required, along with the commitment to practice between sessions.

The old image of a bride dragging her reluctant partner to take dance lessons is passé. Today it’s just as likely to be the groom who books the initial consultations that start the process.

As for who has the tougher job, according to Lisa MacLaggan, in the beginning that is the man because “guys have more to do. In addition to the foot patterns, the man has to decide how to lead across a crowded floor and what he’s going to do next. His lady’s work gets harder later on when she does the fancier stuff ”.

BRING IT! Bring more than one song to the consultation. Each song has a different feel and sometimes the dance you want won’t fit the song you have chosen.

For the last few lessons, bring the shoes you will be wearing at your wedding. Don’t forget the groom’s shoes - they are absolutely critical because of their slippery soles. You want to glide, not slide, across the dance floor!

VERY INTERESTING...

Veteran dance instructor Chuan Chee reassures guys who believe they can’t be good dance partners because they lack artistic flair. Over years of teaching couples to dance, he has observed that the best ballroom dance partners are men who have a computing, legal, engineering, architectural, or other rule-heavy, precise and detail-oriented education. 

The Lore of the

WEDDING RING Facts, legends & history

By Alana Douglas “Look, how my ring encompasseth thy finger, even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart; wear both of them, for both of them are thine.” Shakespeare’s words ring as true today as when he penned them with a quill centuries ago.

• OF ALL MODERN MARRIAGE traditions, the oldest is the use of a wedding ring to seal the marriage contract.

• ANCIENT NORTHERNERS USED a ring-knot woven from their beloved’s hair to show love.

• IN EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHS, the symbol for eternity is the circle. The wedding ring symbolizes a love union with no beginning and no end. Some believe it represents the sun, earth and universe.

• THE ANCIENT ROMANS used the ring, made of simple iron set with adamants — hard stone and hard metal, as a token indicating the lasting nature of the marriage contract.

• IN THE 12TH CENTURY Pope Innocent III declared that marriage ceremonies must take place in church and must include a marriage ring.

• NO TIME TO SHOP? In a Church of England marriage where a ring is a necessity, it may be of any metal and any size. Curtain rings and church-key rings have been used.

• RINGS MADE OF REEDS or rushes were used to seduce girls into mock marriages in England in olden days. A slicktalking Don Juan would cut a reed and plait it into a tiny circlet to give a naive girl the illusion that she was officially his wife. Naturally, many problems were created by this farce. The Bishop of Salisbury stopped the practice in 1217 when he declared such a rush-ring contract legal and binding. Undoubtedly Lotharios quickly lost interest in learning the craft of reed ring-making! 

Wedding Essentials 2013 107

GARTER T Gab

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he garter toss is one of the oldest surviving wedding traditions. In ancient times the garter was a prize catch, since it was believed that if a man gave a bride’s garter to his lover her faithfulness to him would be guaranteed.

THE GARTER WORN BY THE BRIDE AS PART OF HER WEDDING ATTIRE HAS A HISTORY FULL OF LEGEND, FACT, SUPERSTITION AND MYSTERY

108 Wedding Essentials 2013

A TALE OF TWO GARTERS Today’s brides often choose two garters, a keepsake one that can become a treasured heirloom and a tossing garter for the reception.

The wearing of a garter may be a once-ina-lifetime experience. For the bride on her wedding day, it is also her little secret. Her keepsake garter can be a private pleasure in the midst of what is a very public day, unseen

BY JUDY JOHNSON

except by her groom when he removes it after the day’s festivities. Deliciously decadent, luxurious and seriously sexy!

HISTORICAL & HYSTERICAL FACTS Long, long ago - long before the fashion gods invented pantyhose, both men and women wore stockings, often knitted from wool (ugly, hot, scratchy, ugh!). They were held in place by ribbons or bands, called garters.

Originally brides tossed a garter, not a bouquet of flowers, at the celebrations following the wedding. By the 1300s, brides had had enough of rowdy, drunken men trying to remove the garter, so the tradition of

Bride: Alina Peleg. PHOTO: Skylite Images | 905.660.5483

traditions

tossing a bouquet of flowers emerged. The bride would then remove her garter herself and throw it to the guests at the wedding for good luck.

The garter toss came from a much earlier British tradition called “flinging the stocking”.

On the wedding night, the bride and groom were accompanied to the wedding bedroom by the guests who waited until they undressed, or “helped” them undress. After they removed the couples’ stockings, guests took turns “flinging” them at the newlyweds, standing with their backs to the couple who were in bed. Whoever was first to hit the bride or groom would be the next to marry. Sort of gives new meaning to the phrase “the sweet smell of success”, no?

In ancient days people believed that a bride was especially lucky on the day of her wedding.

They would even tear pieces from her dress as good luck tokens to take home with them. Later some brides cut up their garter and “tossed” the pieces to guests as good fortune souvenirs.

Several hundred years ago in France, a best man’s duties included stealing the garter and selling small pieces to wedding guests, as good luck tokens. Guess which language entrepreneur comes from...

CHOOSING YOUR GARTER Whether you purchase your garter off the shelf, hand sewn or created especially for you, spend a little time considering your options. You’ll be glad you honoured this long-standing traditional bridal accessory by making a careful selection of your garter, a “tie” or link that you share with countless brides throughout the ages.

Many brides are choosing custom or customized garters. Bree Peister, designer at BridalGarters.ca, a Kitchener-based online garter shop, finds that the bride might want something that “suits the groom’s taste, whether he’s a sports fan or a comic book junkie. Brides who want a touch of punk choose a black and hot pink garter. Cameoaccented garters are popular choices now.”

Choose a garter appropriate for the style of the bride’s dress. If you are wearing a gown with a full skirt you can go as ornate as you wish, but if your choice is a bias-cut, formfitting gown, or a mermaid style, a sleeker, tailored garter fits the bill.

Margaret Whitcroft with theweddingshoppe.ca, a London on-line wedding shopping resource for brides, notes that brides usually know exactly what they are looking for before they garter shop. “They know

PHOTOS: 1, 2, 5, 6 — Courtesy of theweddingshoppe.ca; 3, 4, 7 — Courtesy of BridalGarters.ca

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1

4

3

5

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whether they want something matching their wedding dress or wedding colours, whether they are going with the ‘something blue’ tradition or perhaps planning a destination wedding and going for starfish embellished garters. They may love bling or they could want classy elegance for an evening wedding.”

MAKE MINE BLUE “Something blue” is considered lucky for the bride and so blue is often incorporated into the bride’s garter. Blue is the colour of faithfulness, purity and loyalty.

One legend says that the garter evolved from The Order of the Garter, the oldest order of Knighthood in Europe. Among its regalia are a star, collar and a blue velvet garter, although British royalty has embellished the garters with masses of diamonds and other precious gemstones.

Until the 1980s, only males were entitled to become members of the Order of the Garter, the exception being a female monarch. This has given rise to the belief that a bride, who surely is a “queen” on her wedding day, wears a blue garter to entitle her to royal treatment on her special day. 

GIDDY GARTERS • • • • • • • • • • •

Celtic knot lace Harley Davidson motorcycle charm on garter Halloween garter, brown with orange BOO! Soft misty feathers, white satin and lace Satin with Swarovski crystals and drop crystal detail Fabric or lace embellished with a symbol special to you – butterflies, dolphins, stars Victorian with clouds of lace adorned with tiny pearls Goth with purple and black accented by a skull pendant Black leather band with white lace and soft marabou Polka-dots, gingham and damask for a casual look A custom garter with a special charm or ribbon tails with messages

Wedding Essentials 2013 109

directory Take a picture of this QR tag with your smartphone to visit website, or a special offer from our advertisers

Beauty, Health & Fitness

ANCASTER WEDDING SHOW

BRIDEZILLA BEAUTY Toronto, ON (647) 478-5780 www.bridezillabeauty.com

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50 - 145 Rice Ave. Hamilton, ON L9C 6R3 (905) 385-8785 www.ancasterweddingshow.com

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AREA PRODUCTIONS

SHEAR HEAVEN SALON & DAY SPA 202-172 Harwood Ave. South Ajax, ON L1S 2H7 (905) 683-2954 www.shearheavenspa.ca

BRIDAL SHOWS & WEDDING PLANNERS

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PO Box 23023 Barrie, ON L4N 7W8 (877) 803-2121 (705) 436-5066 www.areaproductions.com

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THE TOTAL WEDDING SHOW

BRIDAL ATTIRE & JEWELLERY

FOREVERMARK DIAMONDS www.forevermark.com

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155 Castle Cres.

Oakville Ontario L6J 5H4 (905) 845-2644 www.totalweddingshow.com

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FINANCING

DEMBAR FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. INES DI SANTO ATELIER 866-899-INES www.inesdisanto.com

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BRIDAL REGISTRY, GIFTS & YOUR NEW HOME COLDWELL BANKER Case Realty Brokerage Cailey Clow (905) 831-2273 | (647) 378-8350 www.newlyweddreamhomes.com www.caileyclow.com

110 Wedding Essentials 2013

104A - 20 Valleywood Drive Markham, Ontario L3R 6G1 (416) 577-7505 www.bshumak.com

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FLOWERS & DECORATIONS CHAIR COVERS PLUS

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20 & 21 - 75 Fernstaff Court Concord, ON L4K 2P8 (905) 738-2203 888-295-3334 www.chaircoversplus.com

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directory Take a picture of this QR tag with your smartphone to visit website, or a special offer from our advertisers

DREAMS WEAVER FLOWERS & GIFTS 402 Royal York Road, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 2R5 (647) 501-2209 www.dreamweaversflorist.com

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FRAN SACKLER FLORAL DESIGNS 149 Weldrick Rd. W. Richmond Hill, ON L4C 5R7 (905) 884-5848 www.fsflorals.com

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A CELEBRITY LIMOUSINE

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30 Valley Road Stouffville ON L4A 7X3 (416) 919-4768 www.mariondrexlerband.com

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PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY BOYGIRL PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

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PARK LANE LIMOUSINE & LUXURY COACHES Scarborough, ON M1T 3G2 (416) 488-3888 888-263-3302

Centre & Teachers College 95 Danforth Ave. Toronto, ON M4K 1N2 (416) 406-3262 www.joyofdance.ca

THE MARION DREXLER BAND

LIMOUSINES & TRANSPORTATION

Toronto, ON (416) 410-2226 www.acelebritylimousine.com

JOY OF DANCE

(416) 409-4855 (905) 884-2939 www.boygirlphotography.com

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BPHOTOGRAPHED.CA Page 80

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

125 Esther Drive Barrie, ON L4N 0V5 (705) 735-9839 www.bphotographed.ca

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EMPIRE GROUP PHOTOGRAPHY 26 Snowood Court Toronto, ON M3N 1E8 (416) 651-0014 www.empiregroup.net

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ARTHUR MURRAY DANCE STUDIO 3054 Bloor St. West Toronto, ON M8X 1C4 (416) 239-8149 3 other Toronto locations www.arthurmurraytoronto.com

FACE PHOTOGRAPHY Page 105

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MISSISSAUGA PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO AND GALLERY

DEE DEE JAYS DISC JOCKEYS 215 Drummond Dr. Maple, ON L6A 3C1 (416) 757-0641 888-971-2414 www.deedeejays.com

Toronto, ON (647) 347-3223 www.facephotography.ca

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33 - 5004 Timberlea Blvd.

Mississauga, ON L4W 2S6 (647) 692-6774 www.mpsg.ca

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Wedding Essentials 2013 111

directory Take a picture of this QR tag with your smartphone to visit website, or a special offer from our advertisers

SKYLITE IMAGES 38 Buttermill Ave., 2nd floor Concord, ON L4K 3X3 (905) 660-5483 www.skyliteimages.com

LEGENDS ESTATES WINERY Page 56

RECEPTION & CEREMONY LOCATIONS, CATERING

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8440 Hwy. #27 Woodbridge, ON L4L 1A5 800-533-3009 www.lejardin.com

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8525 Mississauga Road Brampton, ON L6V 3N2 (905) 455-8700 www.kaneffgolf.com

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1360 Golden Beach Road Bracebridge, ON P1L 4W8 800-561-6998 www.pklodge.com

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RADISSON PLAZA HOTEL - GRAND VICTORIAN CONVENTION CENTRE MISSISSAUGA

COPPER CREEK GOLF CLUB 11191 Hwy 27 Kleinburg, ON L0J 1C0 (905) 893-3370 www.coppercreek.ca

LE JARDIN BANQUET & CONVENTION CENTRE

PATTERSON-KAYE RESORT & SPA

CAPITOL EVENT THEATRE 2492 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4P 2H7 (416) 322-3322 www.capitolevents.ca

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LIONHEAD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

BANQUET ROYALE MISSISSAUGA 34 - 5080 Timberlea Blvd.

Mississauga, ON L4W 4M2 (905) 238-5335 www.banquetroyale.com

4888 Ontario St. North Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3 (905) 563-6500 www.legendsestates.com

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175 Derry Rd. East Mississauga, ON L5T 2Z7 (905) 364-0164 www.grandvictorian.info

DEER CREEK GOLF & BANQUET FACILITY

WOODINGTON LAKE GOLF CLUB

2700 Audley Rd. N. Ajax, ON L1Z 1T7 (905) 427-7737 866-661-6617 www.golfdeercreek.com

7110 4th Line (Mill St. East) R. R. #4 Tottenham, ON L0G 1W0 (905) 936-4343 888-265-1987 www.woodingtonlake.com

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HILTON GARDEN INN AIRPORT 3311 Caroga Drive Mississauga, ON L4V 1A3 (905) 362-9500 (416) 895-3366 www.torontoairport.hgi.com

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HILTON SUITES TORONTO/MARKHAM CONFERENCE CENTRE & SPA 8500 Warden Avenue Markham, ON L6G 1A5 (905) 470-8500, 800-668-8800 www.torontomarkham.hilton.com

112 Wedding Essentials 2013

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TRAVEL & HONEYMOONS ABSOLUTE WEDSITE 6175 Hwy 7, Unit 5 Vaughan, ON L4H 0P6 (905) 264-1700 855-571-5500 www.absoluteWedsite.com

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directory Take a picture of this QR tag with your smartphone to visit website, or a special offer from our advertisers

DESTINATIONWEDDINGS.COM 866-764-2933 888-536-1923 www.destinationweddings.com

WEDDING SERVICES

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HELEN THOMPSON TRAVEL 61 Hayden St, Toronto ON M4Y 2P2 877-488-7477 www.httravel.ca

LCG CREATIONS Page 55

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(647) 224-2157 www.lcgcreations.ca

POMPANO BEACH CLUB - BERMUDA 516 Acorn Park Dr. Acton, MA 01720 800-343-4155 www.pompanobeachclub.com

THE PAMPERED CHEF Page 9

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TOWN CRIER OF MARKHAM TOASTMASTER SERVICES

SANDALS RESORTS 320 - 4211 Yonge St. Toronto, ON M2P 2A9 800-545-8283 www.sandals.com

(705) 286-0450 anne.brown@xplornet.ca

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7 Town Crier Lane, Suite 100 Markham ON, L3P 2T9 (905) 472-3122 www.towncrierservices.com

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GET THE LATEST EDITION! Elegant and practical ideas on creating a lavish wedding. Pick up your free copy at better wedding retailers, bridal registries, hotels, banquet halls, and bridal shows throughout the GTA and south/central Ontario.

Wedding Essentials Wedding Essentials 2013 113

planet ontario

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Newlyweds Jennifer Madrid and Julius Tongohan met in Winnipeg. After Jen moved to Toronto, Julius followed, proposing to her atop the CN Tower. His next proposal? Buying a Harley-Davidson. Jen’s response was negative when he popped that question! They used his cousin's bike as a prop in this wedding-day photo. Congratulations!

P.S. Keep us posted J & J. Will your first anniversary photo include a new bike?

PHOTO: Andrew Hiorth, MPSG Inc. mpsg.ca | 647.692.6774 114 Wedding Essentials 2013