Wedding Dress: Keep, Donate, or Sell?

What should you do with your wedding dress after your wedding day?

1) Clean it and keep it - for sentimental reasons. Who knows? Maybe your future daughter will want to wear it on her wedding day!

2) Donate it - to some lucky person who can't afford to buy a new wedding gown. In Toronto, The Bride's Project is a great place to donate your dress and have the proceeds from the sale donated to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Breast Cancer Foundation. Two great reasons to donate!

3) Sell it - to some lucky persn who can't afford to pay full price for a wedding gown. Instant cash in your pocket and more room in your closet!

Photo courtesy of The Bride's Project

Videographer - Nice or Necessity?

I would highly recommend a videographer or even have a friend or family member film the ceremony and speeches using a camcorder because pictures can't capture how the words were spoken or the emotional breakdowns you have during the ceremony (I had one because I was so overcome with joy!).

It's great to also capture the first time you see your groom, how your groom reacts when he opens his gift or reads his card, and the little jokes he says throughout the day. During our vows, my husband whispered, "Will you promise to make me sandwiches?" which was priceless and caught on film!!

It makes me smile so much and remember again how happy I was that day!

Must-Have Photography List

It's a good idea to make sure your photographer or videographer don't miss out on any important details of your special day. So before our big day, I sent them each a "Must-Have Photography/Videography Shots" list.

Most photographers know the typical shots they should capture:
- Bride walking down the aisle with father
- Groom seeing the bride for the first time
- Exchanging the rings
- Signing the registry
- Lighting the unity candle
- The first kiss
- Walking down the aisle as husband and wife

But, I also included some specifics:

- First look (when the bride and groom see each other for the first time before the ceremony, if this is done). I also wanted this captured on film


Photography credit: Jennifer Bowen

- Groom opening gift from bride
- Bride reading card from groom - I also wanted both these experiences captured on film because I actually cried when I read my husband's card.

Photography credit: Manuela Stefan

- Ceremony site pulled back
- Close up of the rings and bouquet

Photography credit: Furious Photographers

- Close up of ceremony program, menu cards, wedding favours, etc.
- Food pictures - We're both foodies and splurged on food, so wanted pictures of our delicious day

Photography credit: Manuela Stefan

I also compiled a group shot list of everyone I wanted a portrait picture with. Some editorial-styled photographers don't do this, but most will if you ask. It's important to compile this list yourself because your photographer doesn't know your family and friends. I had my Maid of Honour gather the guests. Another tip is to let your guests know that they should stay behind for group photos immediately after the ceremony so they don't all leave. I scheduled the families with young children (e.g. flower girl) to go first so that they can go home earlier to take naps.

My group shot list included:
- Elementary school friends, high school friends, university friends
- Work friends
- Family friends
- Bride's dad's family, Bride's mom's family, Groom's dad's family, Groom's mom's family
- Immediate family
- Both immediate families together
- Immediate family with maternal grandmother
- Immediate family with paternal grandmother

But of course you can customize this to whatever you like!

Our family members LOVED the family group shot! There hasn't been such a big family reunion in a while and family members treasure these pictures!

You should also keep in mind where you want these pictures - in a church, outdoors, or at the reception location. Things to consider are:

- If it's outdoors, what happens if it rains?
- If it's indoors, is there enough space for a large family?
- If it's indoors, do you like the backdrop?
- If it's at a church, is it too dark?

DIY: Bathroom Baskets

I offered my guests a bathroom basket with supplies to allow them to freshen up during our reception. These aren't cheap but you can get most items at Walmart or the dollarstore and they're a kind gesture to your guests who took time out of their schedules to attend your wedding. Total cost would probably be $50, although I did use some stuff from my own wedding-day emergency kit! :)

Items I included were:
- Mouth wash
- Floss
- Gum
- Tic tacs
- Tissue packs
- Oil blotting sheets
- Contact solution
- Eye drops
- Bobby pins
- Hair elastics
- Tylenol
- Bandaids
- Safety pins
- Hand lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Moist towelettes

Other items you could include are:
- Feminine hygiene products
- Tide to Go
- Hair combs
- Nail file and nail clipper
- Sewing kit
- Lint brush

You could also include some men-specific items for the men's washroom, such as shoe polish.

My Wedding!!

Been so caught up with enjoying married life that I haven't had a chance to blog.

Here are some highlights from my wedding, photographed by the talented, Manuela Stefan.

Ceremony Venue: Eaton Hall / Reception Venue: West River Event Centre / Photography: Manuela Stefan / Videography: Digi Cambay / DJ: Magen Boys / Jewellery: Tiffany & Co., custom made, borrowed (grandmothers), Cartier, IWC, Tag Heuer / Wedding Dresses: Angolique (Ferre Spousa), custom made / Wedding Shoes: Nine West / Bridesmaid Dresses: custom made / Groom + Groomsmen Tuxes: Freeman Formal / Bride's Hair + Make Up: Karen Chen Richardson / Bridesmaids Hair + Make Up: Blush Pretty / Florals: Flowers by MGM / Reception Decor: Annie Lane / Invitations: Stephita / Wedding Cake: Noisette Pastry Works / DIY: Programs, Menus, Table Numbers, Bombonieres

Déjà Vu

Some people like to be classic, others like to be original. But these are probably the most popular wedding trends I've seen this past year! These ideas probably started as original ideas but have become so popular that they are almost expected today.

1. Cupcakes - Cupcakes normally cost less per person, you don't need to pay a cutting fee to the venue and they are easy to eat!


2. Scrabble Pieces - I've got to say that these look really cute in pictures.


3. Candy Buffets - Who doesn't want to fill a loot bag with candies after a party?!


4. Photobooths - I must admit, I've fallen victim to this. This really got everyone talking and my guests had a blast trying on props and snapping pictures they could take home with them! The funny DIY props are even better!


5. "Rock the Reception" First Dances - I love watching these - when the bride and groom spend hours practicing a rehearsed dance - whether it be a ballroom/latin piece or hiphop! They're so fun to watch and add an element of spunk to a traditional event.

6. Typewriters, Birdcages (for envelopes), and Mason Jars (as centrepieces) - Beautiful and romantic.


7. Fliplops and Pashminas - Such a kind gesture for the bride and groom to think about their guests' poor feet as they've been standing/dancing for so long or when their guests could get cold at an outdoor location.


8. Creative Guestbooks - The wishing tree, the fingerprint tree or signing a gigantic portrait of the couple are so popular and more interesting to look at than a traditional guestbook filled with lines.


9. Unique Shoes - White bridal shoes are no longer the norm. Brides often wear a pair of sparkly shoes or one that matches their wedding colour. And grooms, Chucks! I've even seen Toms! I really love it when the couples have the laces customized with their wedding dates.


10. Do-It-Yourself Projects - Weddings can be expensive and not everyone can afford to (or wants to) spend a fortune for one day. Do-It-Yourself projects save you money and makes your wedding more personal. For my wedding, my younger sister (who is a cake decorator) baked and decoarted cookies for us to give out as wedding favours.

Bridesmaids Don't Have To Match

For my wedding, I chose the colour and material of the fabric and my bridesmaids had free reign to design their own dress! I thought it was important that my girls got to wear a dress they liked (and hopefully could wear again) and one that flattered them.

Other options include choosing the colour and having each girl choose any dress style and fabric:


Or choosing one colour palate and having each girl choose any dress that is within that colour palate or have the same tone:




Or, the dresses could be completely different!:

There are no rules - it's your wedding! You can do whatever you want!

Wedding Dress Shopping

A few tips for anyone wedding dress shopping:

1. Look at magazines and websites to find out what style you like. Bring pictures with you to the bridal salon. The sales associates are very helpful in finding the same or similar dresses. You don't want to waste your entire appointment figuring out what style you like.

2. Tell the bridal salon your budget. You don't want to look at anything you can't afford or else you will be tempted to overspend.

3. Bring one of two people with you - not any more. I didn't go with a large entourage because I didn't want to be influenced by too many opinions. I took my mom and sister - the people that know my style and are brutally honest with me.

4. Start early. Most wedding gowns (unless you are buying off-the-rack) take 6-7 months to arrive and then another month to alter.

6. Research shops before you go. You don't want to waste your time and your friends' time browsing a shop that isn't your style or in your budget.

7. Keep an open mind. I ended up buying a dress that had some lace and beading on it - something that I didn't think I wanted. Try things that people (especially the sales associates) recommend. You might be surprised!

Happy shopping!

DIY Water Bottles

Our wedding was outdoors and the day would be hot, so we knew we had to offer our guests some water. I came across these customized water bottles on The Knot Shop for $34.95 for a case of 24 bottles. That's over $1 a bottle (before taxes and shipping).

Then, I saw these pre-printed labels for $0.48 each on Wedding Star. We were anticipating 180 guests, so that's almost $90 on labels.

So I decided to do-it-myself! I recruited my fiance and my dear friends to help and over the course of two nights, we made these:





I started with this free template found on Wedding Bee and customized it in Microsoft Word.

I bought coverstock (thinner than cardstock and thicker than regular paper) from Staples, which made it easier to apply tape on.

Then, I printed the labels (5 per page), cut them out, and used packing tape to tape both sides (so that the condensation from the water wouldn't smudge the font). I left a tiny flap from the packing tape to tape the label to the bottle.

DIY Signs

I saw this beautiful sign on Etsy and really wanted one for our wedding pictures as well. I decided to do-it-myself!

I started with two pieces of wood from Dollarama.

I then painted them white and painted the words "Thank" on one plaque and "You" on the other plaque.

They turned out great in our pictures and cost less than $5!

Creative Bridal Shower

People are so creative with their weddings. But why stop at just the wedding? Check out this Disney themed bridal shower!

Mother of the Bride is the Queen of Hearts

Each person in the bridal party was a Disney princess! 

Photography Credit: Andy King

Do Not Play List

"Play" and "Do Not Play" lists are a good idea to send to your DJ before your wedding.

This is to prevent your DJ from playing those songs that make you cringe.

Examples:

- YMCA 

- Cotton-eyed Joe

- Chicken Dance

- Macarena

What songs are on your "Do Not Play" list?

The Art of a Good Marriage

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created.

In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.

- Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Vera Wang

Almost every girl dreams of wearing a designer wedding gown on her wedding day, especially a Vera Wang gown; however, not all girls can afford to spend $5K + on a dress to wear for one day.

Vera Wang introduced a new bridal line, White, which features wedding gowns for under $2,000!! They are now available at David's Bridal.

Check out these stunning dresses (and their amazing prices!):

This one is $1,400

This one is $1,000

This one is $1,200

Why We Cut Cake

The wedding cake is a tradition that began back in the Roman Empire. At the time, it was a loaf of bread that the groom broke over the bride's head as a symbol of his dominance in the marriage and over her.

The color of the cake is typically white to symbolize purity. The joint task of the bride and groom cutting the cake is meant to symbolize their first joint task in married life. The gesture of feeding cake to one another is a symbol of the commitment the bride and groom are making.

I love the traditions! They have so much meaning.




Cakes from The Cake Show 2011

Proposals on Video

I'm such a hopeless romantic and I think proposals are the one time where guys can really step outside of their comfort zone and do something sweet/romantic/creative to really WOW their significant other and sweep them off their feet (and have them say YES!). I love listening to proposal stories. But it's even better when you don't just hear the story, you can SEE it for yourself.

Some sweet proposals captured on video (these ones will make you cry):

Lucky: A Love Story

Movie Trailer Proposal

On a cute, geeky, lighter note:

Super Mario Proposal

I found a blog dedicated to video engagement proposals!

Nerdy Invites