Charming Tented Chateau Des Charmes Wedding
Charming Tented Château des Charmes Wedding
Julia and Bryce’s idyllic wedding and reception, hosted at beautiful and historic Chateau des Charmes, was a feast for guests, especially visually! Before we get into the wedding itself, let’s discuss Chateau des Charmes a bit more for those who are unfamiliar with this beautiful winery wedding venue.
History of Chateau des Charmes
Nestled in Niagara on the Lake, renowned for wineries and stunning views from all angles, Chateau des Charmes is a family-owned winery located in St. Davids, Ontario with a wine-making tradition originating from the Alsace region of France and spanning over 7 generations!
Chateau des Charmes Venue Capacity
Chateau des Charmes has several distinct indoor venue options:
- Estate Room: The Estate Room has a capacity of up to 54 guests.
- St David’s Bench Room can accommodate up to 60 guests
- The Paul Bosc Lounge has a capacity for 40 guests.
- During May to November, the semi-permanent outdoor tent is available and can host up to 250 guests
A Summer Wedding at Chateau des Charmes
I don’t think a better day could have been ordered from the Weather Network itself, to be honest with you. The day started bright and early with hair and makeup, portraits and some relaxed hangout time for both the bride and groom and their nearest and dearest. Our team was busy behind the scenes setting up the reception site, with over 350 candles to be placed and lighted down the lovely in-house wooden harvest tables.
Saraya Joy Photography captured the most lovely images of Julia and Bryce’s big day. Our team assisted with planning and styling on the wedding day. Something I absolutely loved about their wedding is that Chateau des Charmes has the most old school European manor house vibe to it. The day felt like it was out of a postcard, so dreamy and soft and romantic!
Tented weddings can be challenging to plan from the ground up, but since Chateau des Charmes has a semi-permanent structure available for half of the year, hosting was a breeze, especially with the following features available onsite:
- Onsite catering by the Vintage Hotels that focuses on local and in season ingredients
- Wine tasting sessions are available to select appropriate pairings with the dinner courses
- Backup plans for inclement weather for outdoor wedding ceremonies
- Flexible and extensive dinner offerings mean that every wedding is a custom-designed experience
I truly love the grounds at Chateau des Charmes – the green lawns, the beautiful gardens – there really isn’t a bad spot for photos. Our couple were able to sneak away for a lot of photos together where they ambled through the grounds of Chateau des Charmes and the images look like lovers on a romantic stroll – we love them! Even inside of the venue itself – gorgeous staircases and chandeliers adorn the space and have a distinctly European feel. During the reception, our couple enjoyed lots of laughs with guests and the beautiful ambient lighting of the multitude of candles cast a warm glow on everyone.
Guests had a blast dancing the night away with live entertainment, and as the evening wore on, beautiful sweets and cake were served as part of the late night, and the biggest treat of all, Julia popped out in a second wedding gown!
All in all, we had a lovely time working with Julia and Bryce at Chateau des Charmes and would recommend this venue to any couple looking for an elevated wedding experience.
- Published in Real Wedding, Uncategorized
What is the difference between wedding planner and coordinator?
What is the difference between wedding planner and coordinator?
In the wedding planning world I often see the words wedding planner and wedding coordinator used interchangeably. Do they mean the same thing? As a seasoned team of wedding planners in Toronto with more than 10 years of experience, who have planned over 250 weddings and events, the answer is simply no. A wedding planner and a wedding coordinator have two distinct meanings. It is important for both wedding industry professionals and couples looking to hire the right type of wedding planning help to understand the difference between the two. Let’s dive into the differences.
What is a wedding planner?
A wedding planner assists with laying the groundwork and foundation of the wedding from the beginning and maintaining a strong relationship with the couple being married. Wedding planners work with clients to understand the vision of the wedding, and help shape the game plan for how the wedding plans will come together. A wedding planner assists with sourcing individual vendors that make up the entire wedding experience, from venues to catering, photography to florists and everything in between. It is typical for a wedding planner to work with engaged couples for several months to several years to plan the wedding, depending on the complexity of the event. These are some areas a wedding planner may assist with:
- Concept and Design Planning: Wedding planners help couples define the overall style, theme, and colour scheme of the wedding, ensuring that all elements are cohesive.
- Vendor Selection and Management: They recommend and help select vendors (such as photographers, caterers, florists, and entertainers), negotiate contracts, and manage communications. It is not uncommon for couples to have very little contact with smaller vendors, leaving the logistical detail management to their wedding planners
- Budget Management: Wedding planners assist in creating a wedding budget and ensure that expenses are kept within the agreed limits while maintaining authenticity to the aesthetic and style of the wedding
- Logistics and Scheduling: They create detailed timelines and floor plans, ensuring everything runs smoothly from the rehearsal through the end of the wedding day.
- Problem Solving: Planners are adept at handling unexpected issues that may arise during the planning process or on the wedding day and direct all vendors involved in the solution accordingly.
What is a wedding coordinator?
A wedding coordinator, on the other hand, typically becomes involved closer to the wedding day. You may be familiar with the term day of coordinator or month of coordination – this is exactly that. Their primary focus is on ensuring that the plans already made by the couple (and sometimes the primary wedding planner) are executed smoothly. Key responsibilities include:
- Last-Minute Coordination: Coordinators often start working with the couple a few weeks to a month or two before the wedding day, helping to tie up any loose ends. They will reach out to the couple’s booked vendors to get a feel for their day of requirements and any last minute decisioning required from the couple.
- Day-of Coordination: They are the point of contact on the wedding day for vendors, guests, and the bridal party, ensuring that everyone knows where they need to be and when.
- Timeline Management: Wedding coordinators ensure that the day adheres to the set schedule, from the ceremony start time to the reception and everything in between. They will assist with the creation and finalization of the wedding itinerary and disseminate it to the relevant parties for approval and final discussion.
- Problem Solving: Similar to planners, coordinators handle any last-minute issues that arise, ensuring the couple can enjoy their day without stress.
Wedding planners are more deeply involved from the early stages of wedding planning, laying out the entire wedding plan from start to finish and all of the detailing required therein. Their scope is much larger than that of a wedding coordinator. Wedding coordinators assist with the finishing touches and running of the event itself and may take direction from a lead wedding planner on their team or may be an independent coordinator who offers this as a standalone service. Engaged couples who are seeking guidance in their wedding planning should ask themselves what level of help they require and seek out the best services based on that level of scope.
- Published in Wedding Planner Tips, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps