Ask a Planner... "Do Good Things, Think Good Thoughts."

Hello Lovelies...

I am taking a little break to spend some quality time with my family and will resume Ask a Planner on January 9, 2013.

In the meantime, here are a few things I encourage you to do over the Holidays...

1. Bundle up warm and take a walk at night in your neighborhood and enjoy the beautiful houses adorned with lights!  It's very inspiring.

2. Call or visit someone unsuspecting and tell them how much they mean to you.  You could literally make someone's year a little brighter.

3. Go to your closet and grab an old scarf or blanket.  Head to your favorite coffee shop and buy a coffee and a sandwich.  Give the scarf, the coffee, and the sandwich to someone in need. It's a small gesture that will no doubt make two hearts a little warmer if only for a moment.

4. Buy yourself something you've been wanting.  You deserve it.

5. Take a moment to be truly thankful for the life we live here in Canada.  We have it so good.


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Planner signing off!  Until next YEAR darlings!  And don't be shy!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca

XOXO
Genève 

Click here to See Inside the Book

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity and raising her two wonderful boys Harrison and Campbell with her husband, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 
We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!

 

Ask a Planner... "Party Panic!"

Hello DreamGroup ~

This question is not wedding related, but I hope you can still help.  I am hosting a Christmas party in my home in a couple weeks and I wonder what etiquette says about who should be invited.  I was married last year and my husband and I don't have enough space in our townhouse to invite everyone we invited to our wedding (which was 180 people)!  Is it rude not to invite all the people that we invited to our wedding?  We can't afford to rent a hall and make this huge.  Our intention was just to have a nice intimate 50-60 person cocktail gathering at our home.  I had not even thought much about it, but then my mom asked if I was inviting my cousin and her husband and their kids...  all of a sudden I got scared!

Thanks for your advice,
Lesel


Hi Lesel,

Thanks for your question.  Everyone is very busy at this time of year and have tons of things to do, people to see, and parties to attend.  I think your plan to invite those friends and family that are closest to you on a day to day basis is more than acceptable.  Not every party you host has to include everyone you know!  

Weddings are the exception where a greater list of people may be expecting an invitation, but even then many couples are choosing to keep their weddings intimate these days.

In my experience, the best parties (Christmas or otherwise) are best enjoyed when the numbers are intimate and the food, drinks, atmosphere, and entertainment are kept thoughtful and stylized.  Stick with your initial plan and have a fabulous party!  

Planner signing off!  Until next week darlings!  And don't be shy!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca

XOXO
Genève 

Click here to See Inside the Book

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity and raising her two wonderful boys Harrison and Campbell with her husband, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 
We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!

 

Ask a Planner... "Engagement Shoots"

Hello DreamGroup

Can you share some ideas for cool backdrops for a Fall/Winter engagement shoot here in Vancouver? 

Thanks!
Lynn + Jeff



Hello Lovebirds!

I'd be happy to!  There are so many lovely options one might consider.  There are the more traditional ones like your favourite local hotel or perhaps a more cultural and experiential backdrop like The Art Gallery, the Library, any of the Bridges (either under or on), Stanley Park with leaves or snow is certainly charming, walking through Gastown, and even your favourite local restaurant might do the trick depending on what you have in mind.   

Around this time of year the hotels are my favourite "goto" for providing a warm and ambient backdrop. Some of my personal FAVs are Fairmont Pacific Rim, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Hotel Vancouver, and the Sutton Place.
 
There's something very special and romantic about huge Christmas Trees decked out to the nines and the glow of the little lights all around!  Not to mention the spirit of Christmas and the effect it has on everyone around you which in turn tends to enhance any experience... engagement shoot or otherwise.   

Just be sure you confirm with the hotel ahead of time that you want to use the space as some require a reservation and some even charge a small fee.  Or... you could just show up and plead ignorance, but keep it short and discreet, and be prepared to run when you see security coming! :O) 

Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week darlings!  And don't be shy!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca

XOXO
Genève 

Click here to See Inside the Book

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity and raising her two wonderful boys Harrison and Campbell with her husband, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 
We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!

 

Ask a Planner... "DIY vs. Hiring a Pro?"

Hello.  

Can you recommend a florist that will give me the best value?  I am looking for tall centerpieces of white and purple roses.  I can't decide between DIY or hiring a florist.  Would you recommend doing the floral yourself? Thx.

Rachel


Hello Rachel,

Wedding florals come in all shapes, styles and budgets.  Whether to DIY it or hire a pro often means you fall into one of two categories... creative and crafty or budget conscious -- and sometimes it's both!  You are either not afraid to get your hands dirty and genuinely want to be a hands on DIY bride or you are simply trying to maximize your budget and think DIYing will save you money.   

The truth is, it can save you money, but it's not always the case as it really depends on what you have in mind and secondly it comes at a different kind of cost -- a "time" cost.  Most brides who choose to DIY (whether it be for flowers, invitations or cake) say later on that it was far larger a project or investment of their time and energy than they could have ever anticipated.  Some regret it and others say it was tough, but they wouldn't have had it any other way.  They enjoyed being able to say they had a very active hand in making their own wedding vision come to life.  

As I touched on above, DIYing does not always save you money because once you purchase the vases, the flowers, pay for the gas to drive around getting all the bits and pieces it can often end up being very close to if not the same price that a modest wedding pro might have charged as they already own the vase and already regularly have flowers in store, etc.  This doesn't account for your time either.  Typically a floral centerpiece will range anywhere in price between $50 and $400.00 each depending on the size, type of flowers, and florist being used.

My suggestion is that you meet with a 2 florists (or maybe 3 if you have the time) to determine what your vision might cost and then do some thinking and a little homework and do what works best for you.  Below are a few local budget friendly (and reputable) suggestions for you to look into:

1. http://www.budgetblooms.ca/

2. http://www.fransflowers.ca/

3. http://www.flowerfactory.ca/

Good luck Rachel!  And be sure to check out these three previous posts about flower costs in Vancouver, Top 10 DIY tips, and Budget Stress!

1. http://dreamgroupplanners.blogspot.ca/2011/08/top-10-diy-wedding-planning-tips.html

2. http://dreamgroupplanners.blogspot.ca/2012/05/ask-planner-budget-stress.html 

3. http://dreamgroupplanners.blogspot.ca/2012/06/ask-planner-centrepieces-are-how-much.html

Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week darlings!  And don't be shy!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca

XOXO
Genève 

Click here to See Inside the Book

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity and raising her two wonderful boys Harrison and Campbell with her husband, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 
We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!

 

Ask a Planner... "You want HOW MUCH for eggs and flour?"

Hi DreamGroup,

What's the going rate for wedding cakes these days?  We've recently received some quotes from a few different cake makers ad bakeries in town and they are a little alarming to be quite honest.  I mean it's eggs and flour for goodness sake and $9.00 or more a slice seems a little high to me.  I feel like I'm being taken advantage of just because I'm getting married!!!  It's all adding up and I was kind of hoping this would be one of the lesser expensive parts of the wedding! 

Thx!
Puzzled Groom



Hello Puzzled Groom!

Your "cake" sticker shock is not abnormal, but the cost you mentioned is normal for the Urban Vancouver area.  Competitive averages tend to fall within $6-$12/slice, but it really comes down to what you are getting for the price.  Is it tasty?  Does the cake maker understand your vision?  If so, then you may actually be on the right path.  If the design you have in mind requires many hours of time and labour in creating it, you will more than likely be paying a higher price.  

Things like hand made sugar flowers, intricate design details, beading, crystals, fondant, shimmer, spray on stencil designs, additional flavours, fillings, additional tiers, etc. will all affect the final price.  As with many contracted services Time and Labour are the two elements that tend to increase the cost of anything and in this case it's your cake.  The more time and work that needs to be dedicated to creating your cake the more it's going to cost you.  It's not about the flour and eggs.

You might wish to ask each cake professional you are receiving quotes from what might be done to your ideal cake design to reduce the cost slightly as the removal of a couple more dramatic and costly elements might do the trick in bringing the cost down a touch.  You might also consider doing a smaller 2-3 tier display cake for the cutting ceremony and have a slab cake in the back to be served to guests as this will almost certainly reduce your overall cake costs. Good luck with your cake shopping!  

Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week darlings!  And don't be shy!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca

XOXO
Genève 

Click here to See Inside the Book

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity and raising her two wonderful boys Harrison and Campbell with her husband, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 
We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!