Stay Cool Strategies

If you’re thinking about a summer wedding, take these expert tips from Tracey Manailescu and Danielle Andrews, the founders of the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada. Get inspired to take it outdoors with Emily and Adam, from their rural wedding

Photography: Gemini Photography Ontario

Venue: Gracewood Estates at Kurtzwood Orchards

Dress: Pronovias, Kleinfeld Canada

Hair & Makeup: Hutch Cosmetics

Tuxedo: Harry Rosen

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jealous Bridesmaids

Florist: Ooh La La Floral Designs

Day-of styling and decor: Tufts & Toile

Decor rentals: Simply Beautiful

Today’s Bride: How soon should I start planning a summer wedding?

Tracey Manailescu: Summer weddings in Canada are always the biggest demand. De nitely start securing your must-have wedding professionals as soon as you can. e ceremony and venue should be booked rst as there is only one of each. If you have a large guestlist or you must have a certain venue, then you should consider booking at least a year and a half out. en move on down your must-have wedding professionals list.

TB: How soon should I be looking for a professional planner to help me with my dream day? Is it common to "interview" or meet with more than one planner?

Danielle Andrews: It is always great to contact a wedding planner at least a year before your wedding day. Weddings require a lot of planning, most professionals can only work with one wedding per day, and certain vendors book up quickly. It is very important to meet and interview potential planners so that you can build a great rapport. You will be working closely with this person and they will be helping you invest a lot of money into your dream day, so it is important that you are on the same page and work well together.

TB: Are destination wedding planners also capable of planning a local "destination" wedding? Say a cottage or a cabin or even an urban backyard? Or do you suggest nding someone who is at the local level.

Danielle: Destination wedding planners can help with planning a local destination wedding, as they can apply the same skills, such as sourcing and working with vendors they are not familiar with, as well as setting up events in non-typical wedding venues. If your destination wedding planner is certi ed through WPIC, they would have needed to take the Core Wedding Planning Course as a prerequisite to the Destination Certi cation.

TB: e Venue: Indoor or outdoor? And because it’s summer, and everything is in bloom, is the decor sometimes an afterthought? How do you add a personal touch during summer?

Tracey: ere is something so beautiful about an outdoor wedding. I de nitely say outdoors! However, since we are in Canada you always need to have Plan B in place for inclement weather and bugs. Make sure there is a tent, generator, portable washrooms, prep tent for catering, lighting, a dance oor and air conditioning or heat depending on the temperature. You de nitely want to have added decor to beautify the space even more. Chandeliers, candles, orals, and linens will add to the look and feel of an outdoor wedding.

TB: What’s your secret, go-to tip for a summer or warm-weather wedding?

Danielle: My number one hot weather tip for those wearing dresses is to use a solid deodorant between their thighs to prevent cha ng and rubbing. Evian (or any compressed water) mist is the best way for everyone to stay cool on the wedding day. A quick spray on the face or the back of the neck is very refreshing and helps perk up makeup too! Having avoured water stations set up at the ceremony is very thoughtful for the guests, as they may be out in the full sun for up to an hour. Remember to have straws so the women don't wreck their lipstick!

Tracey: Ensure that there are shaded areas for your guests. Put the lounge furniture under trees, have large umbrellas set up, and provide plenty of passed drinks for you and your guests. Give each guest a fan on their chairs for the ceremony.

TB: Summer heat can sometimes make the dinner menu a tougher choice. Are there certain foods you'd recommend to the caterers for a summer wedding?

Danielle: Years ago I was the o cial spokesperson for Watermelon at Weddings and I still rmly believe it is an ideal food for summer weddings! I love salads made with feta cheese, watermelon and mint; it is the perfect cool-down dish. Appetizers on skewers are great for cocktail parties, as messy foods seem to make people feel more uncomfortable in the warm weather. I also try to stay away from cold-weather food like hot soups or heavy meals. Light fare with fresh salads, fruits and vegetables are the perfect summer foods.

TB: What's the one thing everyone forgets – except the wedding planner?

Tracey: Just one? Outdoor weddings usually require your wedding party and guests to walk in the grass or gravel. Wear comfortable shoes or change into them after the ceremony and photos and encourage your guests to do the same – and to wear shoes that won't get stuck in the ground and ruined (trust me, your guests will thank you). Get some posed family photos –especially with your parents. Candid and photojournalistic are wonderful, and necessary, but 20 years from now, you will miss not having some professional photos with those nearest and dearest to you to look back on.

e Bottom Line?

If we had to choose just one thing, please remember that this is your wedding. Do what makes you and your partner happy. Trying to please everyone will only make you and your partner miserable.

inking about a destination wedding further a eld?

All on-site Wedding Coordinators at Jewel Resorts, Couples Resorts, Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, Palace Resorts in Mexico, the Hard Rock All Inclusive Collection, Atlantis Resorts in e Bahamas, as well as most members e Bahamas Bridal Association, the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association, Antigua & Barbuda Hotel & Tourist Association are certi ed by the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada!

For more, including how to nd a WPIC certi ed wedding planner, go to wpic.ca

“We had a jaw dropping ceremony, cocktail and reception at Gracewood Estates at Kurtz Orchards,” Emily Boland-Slinn says, about her rural wedding to Adam Slinn.

“Everything was impeccably chosen to match with our romantic, rustic style featuring greens, whites and rusty purples throughout.” Even the invitations, which Emily designed, were impeccable with letter pressing and gold foil features. “ e look and feel was cohesive throughout the venue and not a single detail was missed. I have a marketing and graphic design background, so I was quite meticulous making sure everything looked exactly how I had envisioned. As I always say, some little girls dream about their wedding dress, I dreamed about my invitations and decor to match.”