DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Choosing your guest book...

Can't quite decide where to get your guestbook or just have no idea what your options are? Well have a look at some of our favourite guestbook choices below and then take your pick!

The DreamGroup Boutique offers several unique and fun options for your guest book ranging from photo frames to wish card jars to the traditional book...have a look at a couple of our favourite products below and be sure to check out the rest of the site for more great options!

Our Signature Photo Mat is a great alternative to a traditional paper guest book, and something you can proudly display as a keepsake from your wedding day or special occasion. There are no special treatments needed for the mat - just have your guests sign and it is ready to display. Each Framed Keepsake Photo Mat includes one Signature Engraving Scribe, a microfiber polishing cloth to remove finger smudges, and an elegant guest instruction card.

Here is a unique alternative to the traditional Guest Book. The Perfect Pair Jar holds your guests wishes until you can store them away, then it makes a great cookie jar in your new home. Use with the co-ordinating Perfect Pair cards.

This beautifully crafted Guest Book depicts a Love Bird flying to meet his companion nestled on the branches. Quite the charming pair! Golden foiling on the page edges adds an element of polish to the overall design. Coordinating Love Bird Stationery also available.

My Publisher's free downloadable software is an easy and fun way to create your own personalized guest book. Just download the free software, add your photos, play with the layout and you're done! See a couple of our favourite cover style options below:

Classic Hardcover with Leather Cover

Deluxe Hardcover with Book Jacket

The Guestbook Store offers a unique twist on the traditional guest book. Rather than a book of autographs likely to be stored away, these non-traditional guestbooks personalize your event and capture guests' memories and heartfelt wishes of your special day. Each guest at your event will receive their very own guestbook page to fill out and share special messages at their leisure. After your event, simply place the completed pages in one of our many guestbook album designs and enjoy!

The Kodak Gallery's high-quality, hardcover Personalized Cover Photo Books feature your own photos and captions with their professional designs and layouts. Cover size measures 10.25 x 9" and the base price includes 20 double-sided pages (10 sheets of paper). See their website for more book options and cover styles as well

Just remember, whatever you choose...make sure its something that you love because you'll be looking at it for years to come!

Check out the Lastest Issue of WedLuxe Magazine!

Last summer one of DreamGroup's Principal Planners, Geneve McNally, had the absolute joy of working with the stunning Shauna Doersam (now Zingg) on her beautiful August wedding at Cecil Green. It has just been chosen as one of the featured weddings in the current issue of WedLuxe Magazine...

Click here to view the magazine spread and photos by the talented Lori Miles of Sweet Pea Photography.

Also, don't forget to check out DG's other fabulous wedding in this issue of Wedluxe...Annie & Markus by Associate Planner, Alicia Keats!

Friday's Fabulous Find: Gorgeous Personalized Jewelry!

We have just come across this gorgeous personalized original hand stamped Jewelry by Adornments and we absolutely love it!

Every piece is made to order. These become beautiful keepsake gifts for all occasions and holidays like Christmas Easter, Mothers Day and so on. Also a popular gift for bridesmaids, flower girls, new babies, moms, sisters, children, inscriptions of faith and messages of good will.

Adornments strives to create unique keepsakes for you and your loved ones to cherish. Each and every piece is entirely handcrafted - charms are cut, filed, hammered, hand stamped, antiqued, polished and brushed with care in their studio. They use quality and durable sterling silver chains, charms and findings, as well as a few copper pieces. You may purchase silver plated necklaces at a lower cost as well or just the pendant if you have a chain already.

Each letter is individually hand stamped, no 2 pieces will come out the same--making every piece its own unique creation! The letters being not be perfectly straight and the variation in the spacing adds to the charm of a hand stamped, handcrafted piece!

For more samples of Adornment's jewelry have a look at their Flickr account and e-mail Wanda Griffiths or call 604.922.3343 for more information on purchasing this lovely jewelry today!

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Escort Cards vs. Place Cards...

So you’ve created your seating plan and its perfect...but now, how to let guests know where they are sitting? Place cards and Escort cards are two of the most popular options but are also a bit of a mystery to some people. What is the difference?! For those who need a bit of help we have created this handy explanation along with a few great options for each choice! Enjoy!

Escort Cards are little cards your guests pick up during the cocktail hour or as they enter the reception room. The cards are arranged in alphabetical order so they are easy for your guests to find. The Escort card simply assigns your guests to sit at a specific table.

Abbey Cocktail Escort Card

The Escort cards should have your guests' name and table number (or name) listed on them. The guest name on the escort card should match the formality of your event. For example: Mr. and Mrs. Bob Smith if it's a formal event (similar to how you addressed the invitation) or Mary and Bob Smith if it's less formal. Just a note, the lady's name is usually listed first. Also, if you've had guests select their entree and you're not doing place cards, you would need to find a way to designate their food choice on the escort card and ask the guests to set them out at their seat where the catering staff can see them. Keep in mind that any place card can be made into an escort card simply by adding the guest’s table number.

Forget Me Not Place Card with fold

Place cards are most often used at more formal events. These are cards that do exactly what they say... they tell your guests their "place" at their table. It will have their name on it and if you've had them select a specific entree will usually have some way to designate their entree choice (color, ribbon, etc).

Lavish Monogram Place Card With Fold

As with the escort cards, the actual names on the place card, would be Mr. Smith for a formal setting (if you have several guests with the same last name then you can list the first name as well, i.e. Mr. Bobby Smith.). If it's more of an informal event you can go without the title, i.e. Bobby Smith. Each of your guests will have their own place card. That goes for couples and well as your " and guest" mysteries, so, for those people bringing a date it will be necessary to find out the "and guests" name, just put in a quick call to your friend.

Floral Orchestra Place Card with Fold

Just remember that the key to making your escort or place cards unique is to make either the card itself or the display of cards as creative as possible. Have fun and Good Luck!

Do you know how to pee?

You're getting married, and by now you have used the bathroom more times than you can count...but have you ever had to pee in a wedding dress?? Well we have just discovered that apparently we've ALL been doing it wrong! Thanks to Isn't She Lovely Planning and Events in Houston, Texas we can now show you how it is REALLY done!

Wrong Way

(Sitting on the toilet)

Right Way

(Facing the back of the toilet)

Now that should make things a LOT easier don't you think?! Good Luck!

Friday's Fabulous Find: Fantastic High Heel Savers!

Wearing high heels in grass or any outdoor environment can be an interesting experience...but now, a high heel cover from SoleMates can do more than just keep your clean heels looking good, it can also extend the life of your shoes! By increasing the surface area on the base of the heel, the high heel protectors reduce the pressure on this area and prevent the heels from sinking into the grass or falling into cracks!

So, whether you are looking to transition your current shoes into more comfortable high heels to wear on a daily basis or if you are looking for a high heel protector to act as a heel saver for outdoor wedding shoes, grad shoes or other special events, The SoleMates High Heeler is the perfect choice!

Be sure to check out the Retail Locations page to find out when you can get your High Heelers today!

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Creating your Seating Plan...

Deciding where to seat each of your beloved guests can seem like quite a daunting task...thankfully Martha Stewart Weddings has created the ultimate seating plan tool that makes the process much easier and quicker!

Now that you've got the tools to create the seating chart, have a look at a few more of Martha Stewart's helpful tips for seating guests:

Though it seems logical that guests would enjoy sitting with whomever they wish, a seating free-for-all can be stressful for them in the moment. In addition, it will most likely leave some guests feeling left out or resentful that there wasn't enough room for them at their preferred table -- not to mention, not everyone at a wedding knows one another. A little prewedding planning on your part will go a long way the day of the wedding. Designing a seating chart allows you to separate people who may have friction, without anyone being the wiser, encourages lively conversation between unacquainted guests with like interests, and, by preventing a scramble, helps ensure the reception will begin on time.

That said, unless it's an extremely formal event, there are cultural or language barriers, or you just plain WANT to, there's no need to assign individual seats. Assign guests to a table, but let them choose their seats, first come, first served. One major bonus of this arrangement? You'll save money on place cards. However, if you do decide to assign individual seats, start well in advance, don't wait until you get RSVPs back. Start with groups you know will be there and work your way through the guest list. You can always go back and remove the few guests that can't make it later.

Good luck!

Weddings and the City...

Suzie Moldowan brought DreamGroup on board last year to assist her with the planning of her 2010 wedding and we, along with Associate Planner, Alicia Keats, have been enjoying quite possibly one of the most riveting and hilarious writers DreamGroup has ever seen since then! Here is yet another fantastic glimpse into Suzie's planning journey...enjoy!

Ok...I can say good morning now. Reese is about to go down for her nap and we are slowly settling in to life in the desert.

So, Good Morning.

Now, on a much more important note, I have news. Fairly irrelevant to those living in third world countries albeit groundbreaking nonetheless. I feel it is important for you to know that Mischa has finally "turned". While lying in bed 2 short nights ago, my soon to be husband, after months of questions surrounding wedding themes, colours, decor and floral arrangements, woke up in the middle of the night to wake me. Why? Sit back for this one. He had an idea for the wedding that he couldn't wait to share.

Hee hee.

Imagine. 200 pounds of muscle, adorable in his man-ness and, up unitl recently, unable to roll an eye when asked which pattern he prefers, nudged me....with enthusiasm if I might add, to let me know that he thinks we should take "team photos" for our guest book. Moreover, not only had he thought out who should be in the pic, but he had taken the time, in the wee hours, to plan out the layout of the shot and how it should be displayed so as to not "cheapen" the theme of our special day!

Let me put this in perspective for you. This is a man, who I love endlessly by the way, who fakes coma if not death when our totally perfect daughter decides she wants to play at 4am. Yet, when struck with an idea for our wedding, not only comes to full wakefulness but takes the time to think it through (another anomally for Misch) before arousing me to "share" his brilliant idea.

Are you reading my mail here? Indeed, I would be lying if I told you I wasn't scared but there is a small part of me that feels proud for this transformation of sorts. I realize, at this point, that I have 2 things to consider. Either my fiancé is on the verge of becoming a groomzilla or he's gay. The latter of which I can assure you is not true.

I promise to keep you in the loop on this one as I now find myself entering sleepy time with apprehension and a wink of trepidation. What will he think of next? How many more "brilliant" ideas will he want to share? Is he planning on
commenting on the decor now? Ahhhhhh. It's a slippery slope, no?

Anyways, be advised that while his ideas can be great, they seem to revolve around anything sports related and linked to a stick and puck. I'm afraid that our guests will sit down to eat their meals with a miniature hockey stick and a knife with a skate blade attached on the end.

Pity me please because pandora's box has been opened.

Suzie

Friday's Fabulous Find: Awesome Groomsman Gifts!

Still looking for that perfect gift to thank your most important guys?! Then check out Binocktails and their awesome fasks disguised as everyday items!

Partier's pack includes one of each flask (camera, phone and binoculars)

The "Bev-burry" phone flask

The "Bev-cam" camera flask

The Bev-Cam (Camera Flask) and the Bev-Burry (Phone Flask) have both proven to be an extremely popular item for a groomsmen's gift. They can even emboss your monograms or logos on both products.

Check out the Binocktails website for more info and to place your orders today!

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Writing your Speech...

You've just declared your love for each other in front of all of your favourite people (and then some...) - and now it's time to show them some love, too. The bride's and groom's thank you speeches are the ultimate opportunity to let your guests know how much you honor, cherish and thank them for sharing your wedding day with you. So what are you going to say, and how are you going to say it? Here are some helpful tips to make this just a bit easier...

Get an Opening Act:

Letting your family or attendants open up the speeches is a great idea because it gives you a minute to compose yourselves, and you won't have to deal with waiting for everyone to get settled. Traditionally, the best man serves as the toastmaster, and if the maid of honor chooses to toast, she comes next. After that, the two of you are on. Today many parents choose to toast after the bride and groom, especially if they're hosting the party.

Start with a Bang:

All eyes will be on you as the bride and groom, but you'll still need to try to engage your audience. Try kicking things off with something borrowed...using part of a song, poem, or even a bit of the history of toasting as your intro will get the marbles out of your mouth and loosen up your tongue while your guests are still quieting down. Anthologies or Familiar Quotations, or slightly less conventional sources like popular songs, familiar rhymes,or tried-and-true tales (how you met or the proposal story) are all great resources to get started.

The Do-Not-Say List:

Don't get carried away-while you should speak slowly and clearly...and try not to speak for more than two or three minutes. Less is fine, but more will be excessive (even if it is your day, no one's expecting a command performance!). In the same vein, keep it simple. The story you choose should be general enough for every listener to understand. Try to leave out any inside jokes: you're thanking all your guests, so you need to include everyone. Last but not least, try not to have too much to drink before you give your speech (or all evening if you can...no one likes a sloppy bride or groom!) and avoid any four letter words or stories that will embarrass anyone in a mean spirited way.

Get On With It:

While your toast should feel spontaneous and genuine, you obviously aren't going to suddenly start plucking those fancy quotes out of thin air. It's going to take some rehearsal to appear unrehearsed. Anything that seems overly performed or words you don't normally use will sound stiff-and might cause you to stumble. On top of that, when the mic gets passed to you, you can't (or at least shouldn't) whip out a stack of 3x5s note cards - you'll need to remember what you're going to say. So just make sure that once you've sorted out your speech, you practice, practice, practice!

I'd Like to Thank...

Keep your general outline in mind: anecdote - thanks - meaningful quote, and stick to it. This is no time for sloppy improvisation. keep the thank-yous broad: Mom, Dad, family, brand-new family, friends. And end on a high note...make sure you've memorized the last thing you'll say, so that you can raise your voice and end with a punch. No one will know to raise their glasses if you just trail off. Lastly, take the time to look around the room and make eye contact with the key players. Letting the impact of your words sink in and having everyone share it creates a great moment.

Just remember to always speak from the heart and thank those who have helped you along the way...everything else is just icing on the cake! Good Luck!

Awesome proposal video...definitely a MUST see!

Recently, DreamGroup came across one of the most fun and creative proposal videos we have ever seen! Check it out...it's definitely a MUST see!

Isn't it fun when grooms-to-be think outside the box?! The bride-to-be in this video is certainly one lucky lady! Congrats to the newly engaged couple!

Friday's Fabulous Find: Elegant Cupcake Wrappers!

Looking for a way to jazz up the plain cupcake wrappers you ordered for your wedding? Check out these fun creations from Paper Orchid! There are plenty of cupcake designs to choose from and even a few "Cake Wraps" for decorating regular cakes as well!

Perfect Pair Cupcake Wrapper

Butterflies Cake Wrap - Lavender

Lavish Cupcake Wrapper - Ivory

Cityscape Cake Wrap - Black

If you prefer to go the DIY route then you'll definitely want to check out Essential Packaging this month as well! They are featuring custom made cupcake wraps that are just fabulous!

Each set of wraps are made out of cardstock from the Envelopments line so they can be chosen to match your invitations! Talk about a fun way to be creative!

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Need help with your wine selections?

Check out the fabulous services offered by house wine, a wonderful local company that advocates wine pleasure without pretense, where wine is demystified and laughs are guaranteed.

For your wedding, house wine offers a Wedding and Special Event Sommelier. Eliminate the time and stress of orchestrating the wine selection for your reception. house wine will recommend the perfect wines, advise you on the ideal quantity, arrange delivery and oversee the wine service. Make the selection process a party in itself. house wine will conduct a wine tasting presenting a variety of wines that will suit your event. You and your friends decide which wines make the final cut.

House Wine also offers a few other fun wedding related services:

Stags & Stagettes:

house wine’s private tastings are a unique idea to add class to your stag or stagette. Whether you want an informal tasting party or a multi-course wine dinner. house wine will entertain the crowd by pouring a variety of wines to enhance the evening.

Bridal Showers:

For the bride who loves wine, treat her with bottles to fill her cellar. house wine will help you select wines to suit the bride’s tastes and join the party for a casual tasting. Wine games and prizes add to the enjoyment.

Champagne Sabering:

To commemorate your special occasion house wine will saber your favourite bottle of Champagne, ceremoniously opening the bottle with a sword. The ultimate toast for your celebration and a memorable experience for all of your guests.

Check out the Weddings & Events page or contact Michelle Bouffard for more information or to book your Sommelier today.