Friday's Fabulous Find...

Did Someone just say Macarons?

Yes, we sure did!  I have been coming across some great ideas and spots for stagettes, bridal/Jack and Jill showers or a place to host any celebration...even a proposal?!

I mean, imagine going to a Fench Macaron baking class with your partner and as you finish baking your very own macaron, he presents you with a french macaron box (see image below) with the ring in it! 

(insert melting heart here). 

Without further adieu, I introduce to you J'adore les macarons....

I mean...Who doesn't!

Well, if you are a macaron lover then this blog is for you.  I know Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie Cafe on Alberni Street makes pretty mean macarons (personally, one of the best places to enjoy a macaron in Vancouver).  But imagine learning to make your very own macaron in an exclusive macaron baking class! 

 

They may not end up looking like the photo's above, but it's worth a try!  Your private class would be with the very talented Connie Mar, who will take you through to learn a fool-proof recipe and show you secret techniques on how to make authentic and delicious tasting French Macarons that you too can replicate in your own home.  You'll learn how to color and flavor the macarons to your heart's desire!  The best thing is that the recipe and techniques have been modified by "moi" (Connie Mar) for home chefs and for home ovens.  Connie Mar will prove to you that one does not need a fancy oven or a commercial oven to ensure beautifully formed Macarons.

For some more ideas of why to take this class, other than having fun with your girlfriends, mother and mother n' law or with your sweetheart celebrating; it's a great class to take if you are having a DIY wedding and  to learn to possibly take on the art of making macarons as favors for your guests to take home.

 

So enjoy making macarons as you and your loved ones sip on 

champagne or a cappuccino while you pretend to be in the finest bakery in France.   

Click here to book your Macaron Baking Class

 Au Revoir Readers

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!

Last chance to WIN a Night's Stay at the Loden

Want to be DreamGroup's next Giveaway winner?

This August be the lucky winner of a 1 night's stay courtesy of The Loden Hotel!  (Value $400.00)

 

Check out the bottom of this post for contest details.   

Whether it’s your intimate wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party, post reception night cap or simply your romantic wedding night, Loden’s luxurious rooftop Halo Penthouse Suite and Terrace with stunning views of the water and mountains is the perfect setting for making memories last a lifetime. 

 

 

You can experience the luxuries of a downtown Vancouver hotel with custom-designed guestrooms and suites. Floor-to-ceiling windows afford breathtaking views of the area’s dynamic mountains and waterways.

Tastefully decorated with subdued earthy hues, their guest rooms feature custom beds outfitted with the finest linens, down comforters and plenty of pillows, marble bathrooms offer a deep-soaking bath tub, a separate shower and European-style sinks and fixtures. Outfitted for maximum comfort, their boutique Vancouver hotel rooms are outfitted with a large flat-screen television, ceiling speakers and a fully-stocked private bar.

To check out the hotel and it's amenities, visit their website or Follow them on Facebook or Twitter: @LodenHotel

------------------------------------------------ 

 CONTEST DETAILS

  WIN a 1 night's stay courtesy of The Loden Hotel!

• One lucky winner will receive a a 1 night's stay in Loden Hotel's Signature King Room

Value of this Prize is $400.00 CAD

CONTEST RULES
 

• Winner must live in the Vancouver Lower Mainland
 
• This Contest ends Friday, August 31st, 2012 at 5:00pm PST.  Winner will be drawn randomly and announced on the DreamGroup Blog, Facebook and Twitter on September 1st.  The winner must contact DreamGroup within 72 hours to claim their prize.

• The winner is responsible for picking up their prize

• This prize cannot be substituted by the winner or redeemed for cash.

HOW TO ENTER

To Enter: Simply 'like' DreamGroup on Facebook and tweet the phrase below...


"I entered @DreamGroup's Giveaway for a 1 night's stay @LodenHotel"

Good Luck!

-----------------------------------------

Ask a Planner... "What the Pros Want you to Know - Hiring a Band"

Hello Lovelies!!

This week's Ask a Planner is a little different.  Rather than answer a specific question from a bride to be I have decided to enlighten readers on what you should know when considering hiring a band for your wedding through a series we like to call "What the Pros Want you to Know".  The always lovely and super knowledgeable President of Musical Occasions, Jan Trerise, has generously taken the time to offer some insight on the subject.  Enjoy!!

"Bands are generally broken down into a couple of categories.  A foreground dance band is more of a highly entertaining ‘show’ that goes all out with their performance.  They are the ‘main attraction’, so to speak. There is often some choreography involved (with some bands more than others), and there is always a lot more in the way of production – sound and stage lights.  A foreground dance band usually has a large song list and covers more material than a background band.  Some of the better bands cover 6 decades of hits or more!

Background bands – usually instrumental jazz bands, but also some pop vocal bands – usually provide ambient music in the background.  Sometimes people will dance to these bands, but that is not typically the main objective in hiring a background band.  Production is smaller and often does not include full stage lights.  The performance tends to be more low-key, although there can be some exceptions!  Background bands are often smaller and offer fewer song selections as well. 

Most bands – of any genre – like to keep a booking to 4 hours or less (including breaks), depending on the event.  A foreground dance band often works really hard and it can be exhausting singing, or blowing into a sax, or drumming for 4 hours.  (Of course, the top bands make it look really easy!!!)  On occasion a dance band will consider a 5 hour call, but rarely ever will they consider a 6 hour call unless there are lots of breaks.  

A foreground dance band usually is booked for a 4 hour call, even if the client wants them for less time.  They tend to have a standard rate based on the size of the band.  (Some dance bands can expand the size of band depending on budget and client’s wishes.)  A background band is usually more flexible with the length of the booking and will do shorter bookings.  A background band is usually less expensive than a foreground dance band as well.

Band rates can vary so widely I thought it would be a good idea to try to explain why that is.  Of course, some of the top bands are very expensive, and other bands are more moderately priced!"

And in closing you can expect to pay anywhere from $500.00-$1000.00 per musician per 3-5 hour gig including production and lighting pending the demand for that particular group, their genre of music, as well as their level of experience.  i.e. a 6 person cover dance band would likely range between $3000.00 and $6000.00.  Super helpful Jan!  Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!  

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!

DreamGroup Academy Fall Term begins September 17th

 

 

This Fall learn from one of Vancouver’s most reputable wedding planning companies.

DreamGroup Wedding Planning 101

 Fall Term begins September 17th!  Limited seats available.

 

Become a Wedding Planner with the confidence to lead your clients through an efficient and informative planning journey.

This course is unlike any other currently being offered in Vancouver and is geared at individuals who are not just looking into the possibility of a career as a wedding planner, but rather those who KNOW they want to be a wedding planner and have the desire to learn from the best…

Find out what the course entails by visiting the website for more information

Check out some experiences from past students...

Geneve,

Just wanted to drop you a note to say how much I enjoyed the class and field trip. Thank you for sharing your expertise and experiences with us - very insightful! The course outline covered all aspects of wedding planning and your detailed notes are greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed each class and hearing all your stories - invaluable and entertaining! Upon finishing the course I feel even more strongly that this is the right career path for me. I am really excited to become a wedding planner - something I didn't think of as a "job"! Thanks again and I'm sure I'll be in touch with a question or two!

Brynn

Hi Geneve,

Just wanted to say a big thank you for today and for the venues that you took us to. It put everything that you talked about in class into reality. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and am planning on starting my own company. I really look forward to shadowing you on August 27th !!!!!

Thanks,

Marta

Hi Geneve,

I wanted to thank you for introducing me to the world of wedding planning!!! Initially when I enrolled into the course I was slightly unsure of my motives and intentions within the industry. However after going through the courses and seeing the success that you and Sarah have created I am certain that this is the industry that I want to be in.

Also to note :) I would be more than happy to help out any way I can should you ever need any volunteers. Please do keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Melissa

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

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Monday's Montage: Braided Hairstyles

Braids are back and hitting the bridal scene in a big way! Whether it is for the bride or bridesmaids, braids are the trendy new way to style hair for the big day.  Until recently, wearing a braided hairstyle was just for the bohemian bride. We have fashion designers to thank for the rise of wedding braids. (And Lauren Conrad, love her) Whether one in the front, swept across, or an entire halo, I believe braids always add a romantic look to any wedding hair style.

 

Find any favourites? It's a great idea to bring photos for inspiration when you are ready for a trial with your Hair Stylist. Jayna Bussiere would take amazing care of you, offering mobile hair and makeup service wherever beautification is needed.

 

 

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!

Ask a Planner... "Adults Only"

Hello DreamGroup,

My fiancé and I decided long ago that our wedding would be child-free and made note of this directly in the invitation.  Our wedding is coming up in a few weeks and my cousin just called to ask if she can bring her 6 month old baby to the reception as she doesn’t feel comfortable leaving the baby with a babysitter just yet.  I’m sympathetic (sort of) to her situation, but am worried about two things… 1) we didn’t want kids at our wedding!! and 2) if I let her bring him, I will receive tons of grief from the handful of ”angry mommies” that had issue with our decision from the start.  What should we do?  We don’t want to cause a scene or make people mad, but it’s our wedding and I’ve been to enough weddings in the past that were ruined by crying babies either during the ceremony, dinner, or speeches and we swore that wouldn’t happen to us! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for this!

D.R.

Hello D.R.

Ah kid vs. no kid drama!!!  This comes up all the time!  In fact, I have been dealing with this very issue just this week.  Typically the scenario is similar to yours in that the couple has decided to make the wedding an Adults Only affair to the “horror” of their family and friends with kids!!  Personally, I think children have a place at daytime ceremonies and afternoon receptions (as long as the couple are in agreement), but do not feel they belong at an evening affair with drinking adults and dancing until midnight (kids should be in bed by 9:00pm shouldn't they?), but not all parents feel the same way. The only time I have a hard time enforcing the rule is when a mom is having difficulty leaving behind her little one (as I've been there myself) and has voiced an ultimatum in that it’s either baby comes or mom doesn’t come to the wedding at all, which is not very fair to the bride and groom.  Here’s what I suggest…

From the get go make sure both the bride and groom are on the same page with the decision to have a kids free wedding and willing to hold their ground as the decision is often met with turmoil of sorts and it’s only made more stressful when either the bride or groom are forced to “cave in” under family pressure creating a whole other set of problems behind the scenes as no one wants to be deemed "the bad guy”.

The other thing to do is to include contact information for a reputable local Babysitting service in the invitation (or listed on the wedding website if applicable or even emailed directly to those invited guests with kids) to reinforce the rule and offer a little help to parents who may not have yet established a regular babysitter or perhaps are visiting from out of town.  DreamGroup regularly refers Nannies on Call – http://www.nanniesoncall.com -  a terrific resource!  They will send babysitters to private residences, to the hotel to manage children in a designated Kids Room (if that is the plan), or can babysit en suite in a couple’s hotel room if they are visiting from out of town.

If you did not set the rule from the beginning that children would not be expected, you need to be ready that parents invited will sometimes naturally assume their children are welcome.  The rule of thumb is if your name is not on the invitation you are not invited to the wedding, but not everyone knows or abides by this rule.  Be prepared for kids by arranging a Kids Room equipped with a TV and Movie, hire babysitters to manage and entertain the kids, provide games, toys, fun packs, and snacks to keep them content.  At least if parents do bring their kids they can have a place to hang out and play without being too much of a distraction. 

You will never make everyone happy, but in the end you need to do what you feel best works for you and your situation and just be polite and clear about your wishes.  Beyond that, all you can do is handle each situation with as much grace and patience as possible.  Best of luck!

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!

Monday's Montage: Favorite Favors

It’s a question on every bride’s mind…what on earth am I going to give as favors? OR should I even spend money on favors? Now let’s be serious, we’ve all chucked many-a cheesy wedding favors in the trash.. but with all the inspiration out there, there must be a handful of memorable (and useable) mini gifts your wedding guests can appreciate. I always suggest something edible or meaningful that represents you.

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 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!



Ask a Planner... "Quartet Query"

Hi DreamGroup!

I’m getting married at the end of September in a lovely garden in a suburb of Toronto, Ontario.  I just got off the phone with the leader of the Quartet we have hired for our wedding to play during the ceremony and cocktail hour and I am totally frustrated! In my mind I had it all worked out that each of my 3 bridesmaids would be walking in to a unique song that encapsulates each of them perfectly and I was planning on walking in to my own song too, however, the guy says that I need to choose one song for everyone including me or at the very most two songs, one for them and one for me!  I was kind of shocked cause it’s my coin and I’m the bride so shouldn’t he do what I ask?! Do you agree or disagree with his suggestion and if he’s right can you explain why?

Many thanks,

Gillian Borsch

Ontario Bride-to-be

Dearest Gillian,

I love new questions and I have yet to address this one on Ask a Planner -- although I have had similar situations come up with my own clients over the years so this is definitely a good one!   I can see why you’d want to have a different song for each bridesmaid as it’s a very sweet, cute idea; however, I have to agree with the quartet leader in this case.  Here are a few things to take into consideration in better understanding the reasoning behind his suggestion.

First, how long will the walk be for each bridesmaid?  If it’s a typical 30-60 second stretch (often with overlaps) having a separate song for each of them will surely disrupt the flow of your processional and make for a very choppy and even uncomfortable experience for everyone involved – bridesmaids and guests included.  You want the ceremony to be fluid and organic, not contrived or chaotic, and with different songs starting and stopping in a short period of time it surely would be!

The other thing to keep in mind is that the ceremony is about YOU and your fiancé, not your bridesmaids, and so the focus should be on your entrance, not theirs.  I do think having a special song just for the bride is a terrific one so go for it!  If you had a 5+ line up of bridesmaids, a long way to walk, and/or ring bearers and flower girls to factor in then MAYBE you might justify an additional song, but even then you may not want to!  Classical musicians can make any song/music piece seemingly the perfect length by playing a chorus once more for good measure if an extended version is needed or by cutting a piece short.  That’s the wonderful thing about working with live PROFESSIONAL musicians!

As I said above, the idea of honouring your bridesmaids with a special song is a lovely one and so perhaps you might consider playing “their song” as they are introduced at the Reception (if you have a DJ monitoring the music) or play it during the dancing with a shout out to each bridesmaid!  

Thanks for sharing your concern and here's to a beautiful day for you, your family, and friends!

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!