Ask a Planner... "Gift Registry Rules"

Hi DreamGroup,

Is it okay to include some gift registry details with the invitation?  My mom says it’s tacky, but the friends we poled all said they like knowing where people are registered.  Also, is there a polite way to ask for money?  What do people do these days?  

Thanks!

Jennifer K.

Great questions Miss K!  

Typically, etiquette rules would strongly deter any couple from listing their registry information with their invitations as this suggests that you are expecting a gift, but seriously who doesn’t know that they are expected to bring a gift to bestow on the happy couple?  

So… I tend to agree with your friends in that it’s far more convenient to know where a couple is registered rather than having to take additional steps to track down the information.  That said, including the information with the invitation may still be too much of a political statement for some (aka your mother) so you may prefer to list the details on a wedding website if you have one or stick with the traditional method and allow family and your wedding party to enlighten inquiring minds upon request.  

With regards to the rules surrounding asking for money and if it’s acceptable to do so, this is a touchy subject for many.  The good thing to know is that these days most couples who have not registered anywhere will most often receive money as their gift, however, if there are any concerns about being gifted polyester towels or an ugly vase than a simple note on the wedding website that says something along the lines of “We are most fortunate to have everything we need for our home so if you choose to bestow a gift upon us a monetary or interactive gift would be greatly appreciated’’ is perfectly acceptable.  And there are several poems you can find online that for some make asking for money a little “cuter”.  Good luck!   

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

Cheerio,

Genève 



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.

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We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!

Win a $100 Gift Certificate from Bridges Restaurant

This April be the lucky winner of a $100 gift card from the scenic Bridges Restaurant!

We always hear that Brides want to have a beautiful view for their ceremony & reception location...well, Bridges has it!

With the stunningly beautiful Vancouver City Skyline, Coast Mountains and False Creek charm on [their] doorstep, Bridges Restaurant is the perfect location to host your special day!

If you missed our last post on Bridges Restaurant, check it out for some more photos and information on this venue.

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CONTEST DETAILS

To enter: Simply 'like' DreamGroup on Facebook AND retweet the phrase below...

"I entered @DreamGroup's Giveaway for a $100 Gift card from @BridgesGI!"

Contest closes on April 30th at midnight.  Winner will be drawn randomly and announced on Tuesday, May 1st blog.

Good Luck!

Find out all that Bridges Restaurant has to offer here.

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Would you like to contribute a prize for DreamGroup's Monthly Giveaway and be featured in our BLOG and Monthly Newsletter?

Contact us here!

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

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Monday's Montage: Beverage Bars for your Wedding

Smaller weddings make ambitious projects more doable since there are less people to accommodate. One way to really wow your guests is to offer one or more beverage bars. You can set something up for just about any type of drink – coffee and tea, sweet treats like floats or milkshakes, juice bars, and even grown-up concoctions including martini bars.

The most important thing to remember when setting up a beverage bar is to include enough different options so that it’s fun - but not so many that it’s overwhelming.
.

Coffee and Tea tables should feature different coffees, espresso and lattes, as well as hot water with bowls of tea bags available. 

Put out cream, sugar cubes, fancy liqueurs and even flavoured syrups Don't forget toppers like freshly-whipped cream and shakers filled with cocoa, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Small bowls of garnishes that include cinnamon sticks and shaved chocolate add a nice touch.

More complicated beverage bars for indulgences like floats and milkshakes are manned better by a professional. 

Different flavours of soda and ice cream can be dolled out by a hired bartender to alleviate messes and confusion. Also be sure to offer seltzer water, whipped cream, sprinkles, syrups, cherries, and vintage striped bendy straws.

Cocktail bars could be self served as seen below, If you’re putting out a martini bar, offer up a variety of garnishes like olives, pearl onions, orange and lemon slices, lychees, carved radishes, and even edible flowers. 

Have your bartender create a signature martini for extra pizazz. Great opportunity to show off personal napkins too!

Cheers!

By Jayleen Deelman, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

Jayleen Deelman has been with DreamGroup for 2 years and after proving herself as our Star Wedding Coordinator now takes on the role of Loving 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.

Friday's Fabulous Find is Letting you in on a Little Secret!!!

The Mascara that rivals false eye lashes

Youngblood Mineral Makeup

Outrageous Lashes Lengthening Mascara

This mascara will keep you looking awake and fresh on your big day and all the festivities leading up to it.

CONTEST ALERT!!  You can win a tube of this amazing Mascara.  Check out the bottom of this post for contest details.  

 

Here are just some of the reasons why we love Youngblood:

• YB's mascara is a volumising formula combined with conditioning benefits giving you the perfect extended and defined lash look.
• The exclusively designed brush allows for smooth, even application.
• It lifts and separates each lash from root to tip. Keeps lashes strong and flexible with amino acids, vitamins and botanicals.
• Long-wearing, non-flaking and smudge-proof.
• the mascara being free from talc, perfumes and chemical dyes
• YB makes products that are cruelty free! 

So what are you waiting for beautiful brides and bridesmaids!! Enjoy noticeably longer lashes with YB Mascara!

Have fun and remember to bat those beautiful lashes this wedding season!

To purchase your Young Blood Mascara visit: 
SKN Clinic in Yaletown or Absolute Spa on Burrard Street, Vancouver.

You can also purchase it on line at www.sknshop.com

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CONTEST DETAILS

WIN a FREE tube of Youngblood Mascara courtesy of SKN Holistic Rejuvenation Clinic

To enter: Simply 'like' DreamGroup on Facebook AND retweet the phrase below...

"FREE MAKEUP!  I entered @DreamGroup's Giveaway for a tube of Youngblood Mascara from @SKNClinic!"

This Contest ends Thursday, April 19th at midnight.  Winner will be drawn randomly and announced on our Friday Blog.

 

Good Luck!

 

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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!

DreamGroup...More than just Fabulous Weddings! Zombies Anyone?

Once in a while we get the opportunity to plan special events which we love just as much as weddings.  And it's not often that we get to do something so out of the box. 

Recently, Slant Six Games, a Vancouver Video Game company, hired DreamGroup to plan their Launch & Wrap party for their latest game, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City.  If you aren't familiar with this hugely popular video game franchise it's all about Zombies that have taken over.

When I first heard about this opportunity I jumped at the chance to plan this event.  My husband is a video game designer (he works for a different company) and basically this was my two worlds colliding: Event Planning meets Video Games.  How fun!

The vision for this event was to create an environment where guests would basically be walking through Raccoon City...an abandoned city that had been overtaken by Zombies.

And the result?  Well, I'll let you take a look at the photos...and just a warning that some of these are a little gory.

As guests arrived at the party zombies were shuffling about...

   

...and trying to "eat" the helpless

Luckily some of the heros from the Video game were there to help protect the innocent guests

 

Tasty Zombie treats were created by Savoury Chef Foods

 

And guests enjoyed the T-virus cocktail through the Ice Luge (in the video game, the T-virus is what tranforms people into zombies)...and by the end of the night...

...most of the guests had been Zombiefied by our special FX makeup artists provided by Mink Makeup

 

 

Tunes were playing all night long courtesy of DJ Rich and..

The Paul Pigat Band

Guests experienced Vancouver Flipbook where they acted out mini scenes with the Resident Zombies...

 

...Or they just relaxed and played the video game

When the guests entered this party they didn't know what they were about to walk into but they totally got into the spirit!

Photos: Jeff Ow, Stu-di-O

Special Thanks to:

Greenscape Design & Decor
Promosa
Cool Creations
Furnishings by Corey
Event Cleanup
HollyNorth
Rowe Events
Acme Props

Sarah Shore
principal planner

Sarah Shore always knew she would be an entrepreneur.  In 2002 Sarah graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Commerce in Business.  Sarah started a successful wedding website design company that gave her a taste for the entrepreneurial possibilities to come.

Sarah brings to the company a priceless range of cherished talents that give DreamGroup both a technical, stylish, and efficient edge.  Methodical in nature, and organized to a fault, Sarah’s composed approach to running the company and managing her accounts is always appreciated by both clients and associates alike.  Her ability to act as mediator for her clients in times of difficulty and keep her cool in times of stress are only two of Sarah’s most admirable qualities.  Her candidness and calm manner have brought for her the affectionate moniker, “No-Nonsense Shore”. 

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

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

 

Ask a Planner... "Confused about Invitations"

Hello,

I’m so excited that you have started offering this service!  I actually have a few questions about my invitations. Answer whatever you can and I’ll be most grateful.  My wedding is on August 18^th.  We are having the ceremony at a church and the reception at a hotel downtown later that night.  It seems there are many possible options as far as extra cards to include and we are feeling a little confused.  Must we have a separate reception card or can we include all the information on one invitation even though there are two locations?  Also, do we need to have mailed RSVP cards or can we ask guests to RSVP by email?  Lastly, if we do have paper RSVP cards do we need to include postage stamps on the return envelopes? Thanks for your help!

Natalia S.

WOW Natalia!  These are terrific questions and I am happy to say easy to address (haha! I had to include a little invitation humour).  First of all your timing is impeccable with regards to dealing with invitations at this time as the norm for tackling the invitation order and details is about 4 months before the wedding.  So Bravo!!  

With regards to whether or not to include a separate reception card is really a case of personal preference (and also size parameters of your invitation).  If the invitation is large enough to accommodate all the details on one card then there is no reason why you can’t do so. Traditionally, the main invitation includes the ceremony details and a reception card is included separately, but there are many traditional steps that couples choose to eliminate or modify to better accommodate their needs, budget, or style. 

These days paper RSVP cards are still quite common, but some couples (who may be dealing with a late send out of invitations or perhaps are eco-conscious) are choosing to eliminate this inclusion and simply asking guests to email (and/or phone in) their RSVP.  Including a phone option is a good idea if you choose to go this paperless route as there may be some guests that are not active on email.  For the record, the RSVP reply date is commonly 4 weeks prior to the wedding date.  You should be prepared to assign someone the role of contacting guests after this date to obtain missing RSVP confirmations.

Proper etiquette guidelines suggest that you include postage for all national invites.  It is acceptable, however, to forgo postage for overseas or international invites as it’s difficult to confirm the exact postage that might be required.

Good luck with your invitation homework Natalia and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!  

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

Cheerio,

Genève 

Geneve McNally, Principal Planner with DreamGroup Productions

Genève McNally first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering & Sales Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues.  Having coordinated over a 1,000 wedding receptions during her six years with the venue, Genève was able to gain an invaluable knowledge and insight into what it takes to make an event everything it should be with the utmost care and efficiency. 

Geneve focuses much of 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 enthusiastic, dedicated, honest, confident, and intuitive in nature.  She is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike. Genève's moniker within the company is “Two-Cents McNally” and she is known to be the one who is not afraid to speak up when there’s something important to be said and is always ready to “tell it like it is” – albeit always in kind.

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

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Monday's Montage: Rustic Wedding Ideas, Get Crafty!

Looking for rustic wedding ideas? Think craft paper! There are so many possibilities with craft paper and many of them are DIY! 

The best part about craft paper is that you get to start with a neutral canvas that lends itself well to rustic or vintage inspired weddings. The color looks slightly aged and because it is neutral you can easily hand stamp or print your logo, guests’ names or designs on them.

This couple used craft paper for their programs as well as the personalized CDs they made for their guests.

 
Moko Branding, a design and media company based in Vancouver, creates rustic, unique invitations and other wedding stationary. Thin sheets of oak, wood and mahogany are precisely laser-etched with custom patterns, line graphics and text for your perfect day!

Craft paper bags are a classic too, whether you use them as favor bags, or like this couple did, as holders for rose petals their guests could throw after their ceremony.

If you’re cutting things out from Craft paper, or using it as placemats, table runners, etc. the best place to buy is from home improvement stores. It’s sold on a roll and comes in many different widths. If you are making invites or programs and want a stiffer craft paper or cardstock, paper supply and craft stores are a great option!

By Jayleen Deelman, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

Jayleen Deelman has been with DreamGroup for 2 years and after proving herself as our Star Wedding Coordinator now takes on the role of Loving 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.