3 Looks to Inspire

EXPERT TIP BY BLUSH (www.blushhmua.com) London, ON

You’ve found the perfect partner. You’ve found the perfect wedding outfit. Now you need the perfect look. Your wedding makeup is an important part of your overall look and should last the whole day. Erica from Blush MUA offers these 3 looks to inspire you.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (LEFT): A bold eye with a glitter lid offers lots of depth and dimension. With bold eyes you want to keep the lips soft. "We didn't want to cover her freckles, they part of what makes her beautiful."

PHOTOS , this page: onceuponatimeweddings.ca GOWNS, ACCESSORIES & VEIL: onceuponatimeweddings.ca HAIR: @amber.m.artistry

NATURAL GLOW (ABOVE): This look is skin focused. It starts with luminous glowing skin with a shimmer on the lid and fluffy lashes to make the eyes pop. A subtle pinky mauve lip adds just a touch of definition. CLASSIC ELEGANCE (ABOVE): The balanced eyes and lips make this a classically elegant choice. When we think of this look, we think of Old Hollywood and Disney Princesses. There’s a reason it’s a classic.

ABOUT BLUSH MUA: Blush specializes in on-location Bridal Hair and Makeup artistry. Serving wedding parties in the London and surrounding area as well as their London studio. At Blush MUA their goal is to always make you look and feel beautiful.

Destination Weddings

The following pages are filled with love stories, planning tips and tricks, and venue spotlights written and contributed by local brides & grooms and the wedding professionals who know best how to create the ultimate destination wedding event. Curated by The Ring.

PHOTO: Jess Collins Photography (www.jesscollinsphotos.com) Kitchener, ON BRIDE & GROOM: Becky & Jeff Norman Full story: p50

Destination I Do's

EXPERT TIP BY NORTHSTAR TRAVEL & ASSOCIATES (♥) (www.northstartravel.ca) Kitchener, ON

Have you been dreaming of a long walk down a sandy aisle with the ocean as your ceremony backdrop? Maybe an unadorned snowy mountaintop is your dream locale. If you’ve been imagining a destination wedding, you already know that you’ll want to hire a travel agent to help ensure that your weddingmoon is everything you dreamed of. While there are many online booking options available for travelers these days, you don’t want to leave anything to chance or the whims of the internet gods. The TICO certified travel agents at Northstar Travel & Associates would love to help you plan your destination wedding. To help you get started, they offer you these 3 things to consider when planning your Destination I Do’s.

VISION: If you’re planning a destination wedding, you’ve likely already envisioned how the ceremony looks. Are you dreaming of an oceanside ceremony? Perhaps something in front of a waterfall or on a cliff, atop a mountain or beside a lake? Destination weddings don’t have to be on a beach though that is what we think of first. Your destination can be as unique as your destination wedding. They can be in almost any country around the world, offering an endless assortment of views and Instragamable spaces.

LOCATION: Now that you’ve sorted out your vision, your Northstar agent will be able to help you narrow down your location options. Not only will they be able to elaborate on the most popular options, they will know places and spaces that you may not have ever considered. Their wealth of knowledge will save you research time as they help find the perfect location for your destination wedding.

When searching for the location that best fits your vision, you’ll also want to consider what best suits your guests. Are they able to get there hassle free? Is the location/venue accessible? What about travel advisories and difficulty of the journey to get there? Warning: Some countries are not LGBTQ+ friendly so may not make your short list. You’ll also want to consider the overall trip experience. Are there other activities and attractions to keep your guests entertained throughout the duration of the trip?

BUDGET: While we listed budget last, for many people it comes first. When planning your destination wedding you’re not just considering the cost of the actual wedding, you’re also considering the cost of the entire trip for yourselves and for your guests. Everything impacts the budget – location, time of year, length of trip, number of guests, and how long the festivities can last.

Your Northstar travel agent can get you the best prices locked in for certain periods to ensure that your guests all pay the same rate (if booked by the deadine). They can also access discounts, deals, and special inclusions. Some resorts offer special pricing for larger groups. Some hotels offer special bonuses for the wedding couple. Bonuses and specials can only accessed through your travel agent.

EXPERT TIP: CHECK OUT YOUR WEDDING DESTINATION EARLY Although it does add to the budget, taking a scouting trip with your fiancé or maid/man of honour in the weeks or months ahead of your wedding will give you firsthand insight into your chosen destination wedding locale. Plan to visit the venue, meet local vendors, identify any concerns, and experience some of what your destination has to offer. This will help create a smooth wedding trip for both you and your guests.

A destination wedding is always a great way for both families and friends to come together in celebration. Your Northstar agent is thrilled to help you plan a flawless weddingmoon so you and your guests can relax and enjoy your destination wedding. •

ABOUT NORTHSTAR TRAVEL & ASSOCIATES: The team of TICO certified Northstar Travel agents are thrilled to help couples plan their weddingmoons, honeymoons, bachelor/bachelorette trips, and more. With expertise in planning travel throughout the world: from Canada to the Caribbean to Europe to cuising to Disney – they’ll help make your I Do’s as unique as you are. Email weddings@northstartravel.ca to be connected to the agent in your area.