Friday's Fabulous Find Leaves You Hungry For More!

Looking to plan a stagette or bridal shower and don't want to plan something typical?

Well, look no further, I introduce you to a flavor that is original, unique and very exciting. Did I mention delicious!

The Birds Nest Dining

Whether it's brunch, lunch or a dinner you want to plan for your Jack and Jill wedding shower or stagette, Chef M can accomodate your party for a private event for 10 to 20 guests.

To see just a few of Chef M's delectible creations, check this out...But before you click on the following link and begin reading, warning...it may cause your saliva glands to over produce and droolling may occur. ;)

http://birdsnestdining.com/edible-diaries/ .

Chef M can accomdate all menu requests from gluten free to vegan.

To reserve your next seat right by the window, don't wait another moment and reserve with Chef M today! Birds Nest Dining boasts beautiful natural light that leaves you full and inspired!

http://birdsnestdining.com/reservecontact/ 

Bon Apeitite Everyone!

By Sandy Pandher, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

With her "hands on" energetic approach to planning, Sandy offers a perfect balance between assertiveness and calmness -- two qualities instrumental in qualifying oneself as a great planner. This smart, savvy and dedicated planner's passion is in building relationships and connecting with each of her clients so that their wedding day can truly reflect who they are as a couple and what their love story symbolizes. Sandy is best suited to the busy Urban couple looking for a knowledgeable and intuitive planner to help bring their wedding vision to life.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!



Monday's Montage: Fun Bachelorette Party Ideas

One of the main responsibilities of the MOH is to plan the last fling before the ring. If you're wedding is coming up soon, remind her it's about that time!! Here are some great ideas on a cash-strapped bridesmaid's budget.

Hilarious Photo Ops
When it comes to bachelorette get-togethers, photos fall into two camps: pretty yet predictable group shots and candids that practically come with their own "no-Facebook sharing" policy. Strike a happy medium with this creative mugshot idea, where you capture the entire group the next morning. How cute is the "Maid of Dishonor?"

Customized Invitations

This corset-inspired invite is one of the most-pinned bachelorette party ideas on Pinterest. If the bride has specifically requested that she is open to receiving presents (aka pretty underthings), create inserts with her size, which eliminates the guesswork for guests.

Coordinating Outfits
Arguably, one of the best parts of attending a bachelorette party is getting all dolled up. But after splurging on that bridesmaids dress and shower gift, a new outfit might be on the bottom of your priority list. Consider a Little Black Dress affair, where all the guests wear their fave LBD already hanging in their closet, putting due focus on the bride (who dresses in white or a bold neon shade).

Or purchase inexpensive t-shirts or button-downs that you can customize and wear again while prepping on the wedding day

Favors They'll Actually Use
We can't wait to create our own whimsical, DIY caricature wine glasses, inspired by this high-end custom design. There are tons of tutorials out there—all you need is special paint purchased from a craft store and a steady hand.

By Jayleen Deelman, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

Jayleen Deelman has been with DreamGroup since 2010 and has made her way from our Star Wedding Coordinator to a Dedicated Associate Planner. Jayleen is upbeat, good natured, and always smiling. She is attentive and with her passion for everything weddings she is key in carrying out a fluid and enjoyable wedding day experience. Clients adore her sweet disposition and her desire to make their wedding a memory they will never forget.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Friday's Fabulous Finds You a Great Solution!

Brides and Bridesmaids...

Put on your Party Shoes!

Don't leave your beautiful wedding shoes to the side just because they might ruin if you wear them on the grass or gravel...

I understand with BC weather, it's hard to determine if the grounds will be dry on the day of your wedding, well fear not because there is a solution to this problem!  You can still rock it down the aisle in your Manolo Blahniks or Louboutins!...

Heel Protectors also known as Heel Huggers

Every bride in BC needs to own a few pairs of Heel Protectors also known as Heel Huggers.  They keep your heels from digging into the grass so you can walk down the aisle with confidence!

I recently had a Bride who had a beautiful pair of Manolo Blahnik's to wear for her outdoor Wedding, but as the grounds were wet outside and still thinking of having an outdoor wedding, she was worried about her gorgeous shoes being ruined...Well, thank goodness we knew about Heel Huggers!

The heel protectors come in different colours with clear and black being the most popular colours. 
Just think...no more heels digging into the grass, slipping on the dance floor, getting caught on the deck and no more worrying about losing your balance on loose gravel.

The 2 websites I recommend for purchasing these very helpful heel huggers are:

www.originalsole.com  

www.thesolemates.com

DG Advice:

Have the heel protectors available for those guests wearing heels in a basket by the guestbook sign in table

(they come in 3 different sizes: classic, narrow and wide for all heel types)

And be sure to give a pair to each one of your girls in your Wedding Party, they will Thank You!

By Sandy Pandher, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

With her "hands on" energetic approach to planning, Sandy offers a perfect balance between assertiveness and calmness -- two qualities instrumental in qualifying oneself as a great planner. This smart, savvy and dedicated planner's passion is in building relationships and connecting with each of her clients so that their wedding day can truly reflect who they are as a couple and what their love story symbolizes. Sandy is best suited to the busy Urban couple looking for a knowledgeable and intuitive planner to help bring their wedding vision to life.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Ask a Planner... "Should I FIRE my Maid of Honour?"

Hello Dreamgroup,

Question: Have you ever heard of anyone firing their Maid of Honour?  I’m really annoyed with mine!  She has not planned anything for my wedding, constantly complains about stuff like that I chose strapless bridesmaid dresses, and is just plain poopy all around.  I realize I could be coming across as a total bridezilla right now, but I’m seriously upset and quite disappointed with her.  Isn't the Maid of Honour supposed to plan your stagette and shower and offer to help with planning and be a positive force in your life?  Maybe that’s just in the movies. 

Thanks…

Susie, a super annoyed bride to be!

Hello Susie,

Thanks for reaching out… This is a tough one because friendship is at stake.  It’s hard to “fire” a bridesmaid or maid of honour without seriously compromising your relationship so you will certainly want to think carefully about how you will proceed. It is true your bridal attendants are supposed to be pillars of support during the planning of the wedding and on the day itself.  The idea is that when choosing your bridesmaids you appoint girlfriends that are already supportive and caring contributors in your life to begin with so that the transition to “wedding cheerleader” is not too much of a stretch. The Maid of Honour’s role is often a bit more hands on whereby they are expected to take the reins and initiate the arrangements behind all the “bridal occasions” that are celebrated leading up to the wedding.  I once had a client in a similar situation and gave her the same advice I will now share with you.   

The first thing you should do is arrange a time to sit down with your friend over coffee or a glass of wine and politely and calmly share your feelings with her.  Tell her you are feeling a little hurt by her attitude and that you wish she would step up a little bit and help initiate some of the plans for certain events surrounding the wedding.  If she is a true friend (which she likely is if you asked her to be your MOH) then she should understand where you are coming from.  She may be a little hurt or even surprised as most likely she is simply unaware of what her actions (or lack thereof) are doing to you.  Perhaps she has never been in a bridal party before and just doesn’t realize what the “job” of MOH entails.  

In the event that you talk it out and she doesn’t agree with you (in that she should be more supportive and take on some of the wedding responsibilities) then the next step will be to consider asking her to step down as MOH.  I would take a few days to think it over to be sure it’s the best step for you.  I realize this is a drastic course of action so what you need to do is fast forward to your wedding day and picture yourself walking down the aisle and standing up at the alter with this friend standing right next to you.  If she is going to conjure up feelings of frustration or resentment during what should be a very romantic and special moment in your life then I think the answer is obvious and you need to ask her to step down.  I think it’s important to ensure that the people standing up there with you are indeed your friends and your biggest supporters.  In my client’s case she appointed a childhood friend to the role of MOH because she felt it was the right thing to do, but later realized that she was no longer the close friend she was years ago.  My client ended up asking her friend to step down from the role and in the end she didn’t even come to the wedding (her choice).   

In summary, if you feel that this person is someone that you would not want to lose as a friend then talk it out and be honest as that’s what friends do.  If she does happen to be someone that perhaps is no longer meant to be a part of your life then asking her to step down will be a difficult, but in the end appropriate decision.  Best of luck!  Take care.  

Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week… keep those questions coming in!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca

Cheerio,

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, 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!