5 Tips for Negotiating with Wedding Vendors
A lot of couples have a big time misconception about wedding planning and negotiating with wedding vendors, and I want to share some tips about how to artfully and tactfully discuss pricing with your vendors. Almost every wedding vendor I know is a small business that has a family to feed, pays taxes and works hard to make magic happen for their clients. Truthfully I don’t know many of them that enjoy being asked to lower their rates, as it devalues the hard work that they put into every event that they work on.
My job as a wedding planner is not to bargain with vendors on pricing. My job as a planner is to educate my couples on the range of costs for the wedding services they need to book, and to help them find vendors that fall within their price point. My role is to also help with creative methods of making the most of their budget.
That being said, I’ve had many couples that have asked me to push for bargains and discounts, and so I’m sharing five tips for how to artfully negotiate while maintaining a great relationship with your vendors.
Do your homework about a vendor’s services before meeting them
It doesn’t make any sense to meet with a vendor who is out of your budget, no matter how much you love them. Be sure to request preliminary pricing with your vendors before meeting with them – especially for service-based businesses. While you may be willing to stretch your budget a bit for a vendor you really love, if they are thousands above your price point, it will save you both time to nix the meeting before it happens.
Be up front with your budget for that vendor’s services
A lot of couples are wary of this questions when vendors ask, and there is a misconception that vendors ask about budget so they can max it out. This simply isn’t true of any ethical vendor. The reason that vendors ask about budget is so they can qualify whether or not they can serve you best, and oftentimes, in the case of product-based businesses, to customize a design that suits your wedding AND your budget.
Ask for custom packages to suit your budget
Speaking of custom quotes, it’s a great idea to ask for customized packages that may suit your wedding better than the standard packages offered by a vendor. For example, if a photographer’s wedding package offers 12 hours of service, but you need 8-10, ask if there is a custom option available that suits the number of hours you need.
Consider requesting a freebie rather than an outright discount
In the example above, I mentioned asking the photographer for a custom package to suit a lower number of hours of wedding day coverage. A great approach would be to ask the photographer to throw in an engagement session, and lower the number of hours, rather than asking the photographer for discounted services.
Many vendors are much more willing to offer a freebie than an outright discount to their pricing. Negotiating on points like albums for photographers, stand rentals for wedding cake vendors, a toss bouquet from a florist, or extra decor for invitation suites from a stationery vendor are a better way to enhance your existing services without devaluing the work of the vendor.
Be polite in your dealings
I cannot stress this point enough. Many wedding vendors get multiple requests for any given wedding date, so approaching with a less-than-polite attitude may result in that vendor not even wanting to chat with you. While wedding vendors are business owners, the vast majority of them are well-intentioned people who want to show up and serve their couples well, and being rude will only result in them refusing your wedding outright. Be prepared for some vendors to be unwilling to negotiate on the pricing for their services – if you push the issue, you may damage your relationship with that vendor.
Finally…
Budget can be a touchy issue while wedding planning, and it can be tempting to want to push for discounts with every vendor. Bear in mind the tips above, and remember that a vendor who feels valued by their clients will likely go far above and beyond to ensure that the wedding is a smashing success, and a vendor who does not feel valued will do the bear minimum that the contract stipulates. Did we miss an important tip for negotiating with wedding vendors? Drop us a line and let us know!
Events by Whim is a team of Toronto Wedding Planners committed to creating intimate and elegant celebrations for Toronto’s discerning couples. Contact us today if you have any wedding planning questions or are ready to get started on your dream day!
- Published in Vendors, Wedding Planner Tips, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Bridesmaids Dresses That Are Anything But Basic!
Calling all stylish brides & bridesmaids! If you’re like us, you’re probably fed up of seeing bridesmaids all wearing the same styles, season after season. If you’re a bridesmaid, you’re probably tired of spending $ on a dress you’ll never wear again. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of non-traditional bridesmaids dress options that are anything but basic.
Rent Frock Repeat
Looking for sustainability and style at a fraction of the price? Look no further – Rent Frock Repeat, an upscale dress rental service, has you covered. We love the entire concept of this store because it gives you access to designer labels that would likely be out of budgets for most bridal parties. Plus, they make fitting and renting super easy and have tons of styles to choose from. You can keep your girls all matchy-matchy, or have everyone mix styles, colours and patterns. One ting is for certain, your girls will turn heads in these designer pieces!
Rent this Badgley Mischka for a fraction of the retail price!
Yaya & Co
This stylish Canadian boutique stole my heart ages ago, and I’ve long thought that many of the trendy pieces, like cute separates, jumpers, and dresses, would be perfect as non-traditional bridesmaids dresses. We love the versatility of the outfits, and your girls will thank you for picking highly re-wearable designs.
Yaya & Co is a stylish Canadian boutique that has the perfect mix of trendy and whimsical pieces
ModCloth
We heart ModCloth! Not only does the site boast dresses so cute you’ll want to be in your own bridal party, but there is even a section dedicated to affordable, and adorable wedding gowns! With prices to fit every bridal party budget, you’ll be the least bridezilla bride on the block!
ModCloth has sizes and prices to fit every budget, and dresses for every theme!
We definitely think that some tradition is good when it comes to weddings, but we are all for personal style coming out to play in a big way when it comes to fashion. Let your bridal party shine and forgo too many traditions. Let the girls dress for their figures, in flattering colours, fabrics, cuts and styles. Check out the awesome stores above, and I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
Whim Event Planning and Design is a team of Toronto wedding planners and day of coordinators, specializing in modern romantic weddings for fun, sweet couples. Get in touch with us today to start planning your dream day!
- Published in 2018, Colours, Trends, Vendors, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Wedding Photography Styles
We Whimlets enjoy taking the time to educate our couples and readers alike on different aspects of wedding planning.
Today’s topic is Wedding Photography.
Wedding & Lifestyle Photographer Tom Wang captured this lovely shot from our 2017 team shoot!
Two questions that drive me crazy are ‘How much does a wedding photographer cost?’ and ‘Who is a good wedding photographer?’ It’s not that I don’t know the range of wedding photography costs or know of amazing photogs – the answer really is ‘it depends.’
What does it depend on? Well, you!
Photography is so insanely personal – wedding photography even more so! I think it’s much more important to nail down your wedding vision and thematic style before launching into the vendor search. You definitely want a wedding photographer who is experienced with your particular style and will capture your details accordingly.
For example, in the above team photo of the Whimlets, we wanted our shoot to be light, airy and full of fun. After working with Tom a few times, we knew that everyone would be very comfortable shooting with him and that natural fun would shine through in our photos. Tom has that innate ability to make people laugh and is super laid back, which always helps if you’re feeling a bit camera shy. His style is also modern and romantic, which works well for our company branding.
Candid moments during Ryan and Alycia’s wedding reception captured by Muse Moi Studios
Based on this logic, it wouldn’t make sense to book a photographer who specializes in modern, moody photography to shoot a fine-art designed wedding or vice versa. Think strongly about the style of wedding you want to have, and the venue you’re booking. If you want dramatic photos, a space chock full of natural light may not be the best choice.
Our friends over at Here Comes The Guide have put together an awesome guide and glossary defining important terms about wedding photography, so you can feel confident going into those vendor meetings!
Whim Event Planning and Design is a team of Toronto wedding planners and day of coordinators specializing in modern romantic weddings for fun, sweet couples. Get in touch with us today to start planning your dream day!
- Published in 2018, Vendors, Wedding Planner Tips, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
The Jewel Event Centre – Claire & Ryan
Claire & Ryan’s Wedding Recap
The Jewel Event Centre, a lovely wedding reception venue in Woodbridge, was home to Claire & Ryan’s wedding this past July. The Whimlets had the pleasure of assisting with the coordination and execution of this beautiful and family-filled celebration. Take a peek at the photos below, from the fine folks at Red Planet Studios.
The simply elegant wedding ceremony was held at Merciful Redeemer Catholic Church in Mississauga, a bright and lovely church with little need for added decor.
Claire makes her way down the aisle on the arm of her father
That kiss, though!
The day started off sunny and beautiful, and though a few showers didn’t change the joyous mood of the bridal party. We loved the energy this group had, all smiles and ready to party!
After the bridal party shots in Mississauga, it was time to party! Over at the Jewel Event Centre, all of the vendors were working away, finishing up the final details so the reception could get started. The Whimlets especially appreciated the lovely food displays and personalized service provided by The Jewel staff.
All in all, we had a blast assisting Claire and Ryan with their big day. We wish this fabulous couple nothing but the best for a long, happy marriage and we can’t see what they get up to next! A huge thank you to the many vendors who helped make this wedding a huge success!
Vendor Love:
Day of Coordination/Month Of Coordination: Whim Event Planning & Design
Photography: Red Planet Studios
Videography: Blue Daizy Films
Church: Merciful Redeemer Catholic Church
Reception Venue: The Jewel Event Centre
Entertainment: The Dreamboats
Florist: International Florist
Decor: Ti Amo Decorating Service
DJ/MC: Digital Entertainment Group
Cake: Sprinkles N More
Transportation: Allure Limo
Whim Event Planning and Design is a team of Toronto wedding planners and day of coordinators specializing in modern romantic weddings for fun, sweet couples. Get in touch with us today to start planning your dream day!
- Published in 2016, Real Wedding, Vendors, Venues, Wedding
Live Music Options for your Wedding Ceremony
By Tarisha Beniprashad
For some, the wedding reception is the main event of all their wedding festivities, but we’re strong believers that your ceremony should be the highlight. Vowing your love and life to your SO in front of your friends and family is a significant and beautiful affair, and should be decorated as such! Hiring a live musician or vocalist is a fantastic way to accentuate the elegance of your ceremony. We’ve compiled a list (you know us Whimlets love lists) of some live music options that we think would give your ceremony an extra flair! Keep on reading if you’d like some…
Live music options for your wedding ceremony!
Pianist
As long as there’s a piano at your venue, it’s tough to compete with this classic sound. There are
some incredible pianists in the GTA like Liz Craig who can play practically anything, making this a versatile option for any ceremony.
Harpist
If your venue’s got the space to accommodate the instrument and you really want to up the elegance factor, a harpist is the way to go. Whether your harpist is an angel or not, we guarantee a harp will sound angelic at your ceremony! Joanna Jordan is a fantastic harpist based in Toronto, and would definitely emphasize the grandeur of your vows.
Violinist
A violinist is an ideal option for almost any wedding. Your violinist can play songs and adjust their sound to suit the tone of your ceremony, whether its a backyard affair, or a black tie event. We’re big fans of Jill Daley’s versatile sound.
Organist
Organs are usually hidden out of sight and most commonly found in churches, so you’ll probably have a more formal ceremony if you’re opting to have the sounds of the organ grace the ears of your guests before your ceremony. You can’t go wrong with this traditional sound!
Vocalist
What’s more romantic than walking towards your groom to the sweet lyrics of your special song? Nothing, that’s what. Susan Dunstan is an amazing singer, and we’re sure she’d moisten some eyes before you even walk down the aisle!
Do you really think we could’ve wrote this article without special mention of the greatest wedding singer of all time?
Ensemble
You probably won’t opt for a full out wedding band for your ceremony, but a small ensemble or even a quartet would be a lovely option to orchestrate your processional. We’re big fans of violin and cello duets; check out Walla Music for some heavenly ensembles, and samples of their work!
Band
Hiring a versatile band is another great option if you’d like to incorporate live music into your ceremony. From a graceful ceremony duo to a full dance band at your reception, groups like Brent Miller Live can entertain your guests throughout the days events! We had the privilege of hearing this band live at the 2016 WPIC kick off at The Forth, and we can personally assure you they’ve got an amazing sound!
This list ins’t exhaustive, but we hope that we’ve helped you out a little when contemplating your options when it come to live music at your wedding ceremony. You can’t go wrong with any of these sounds- any of them would be the perfect way to begin your happily ever after!
Leave us a comment and let us know what you think about live music at wedding ceremonies, and if you think we missed any interesting options!
xoxo,
The Whimlets
Whim Event Planning and Design is a team of Toronto wedding planners and day of coordinators specializing in modern romantic weddings for fun, sweet couples. Get in touch with us today to start planning your dream day!
- Published in 2015, GTA, Trends, Uncategorized, Vendors, Wedding, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Wedding Photography – Why so Pricey!?
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Wedding photography pricing is a hotly debated subject. If you’ve never planned an event before, hiring a professional photographer for your wedding day can be one of the most shockingly priced items that you encounter. It may seem like your photographer just has to collect some snaps on your big day, print them out, and slap them in an album but there’s a ton of work behind the scenes that needs to happen in order for your photos to come out as flawless as your wedding day. We’ve done some research and spoken to professional photographer Nirvanie Srikishun and got all the dirty details, so if you’re wondering why wedding photography is so expensive, just keep on reading.
Here’s a sampling of shots that Nirvanie has done with our team!
Why is Wedding Photography so Expensive?
Transportation
Typically, photographers need to travel to at least 3-4 different locations on your wedding day. From capturing the moments while you’re getting ready before you say you I dos, to snapping pictures of your first kiss and first dance, your photographer needs to make their way around in a timely manner on your big day. With public transportation being out of the question with all of the bulky equipment they’ve got to carry around, gas, insurance, and car payments need to be factored into their rate.
Advertising
Many photographers generate business by marketing themselves online. From purchasing advertisement space on a popular website to paying the monthly instalments to maintain their own website, marketing their services can get pricey. Professionals sometimes include their online portfolio and create galleries on their website of your photos so your guests have access as well. Because of all the traffic to their site, some opt to hire services to design the layout, which is another additional cost.
Equipment
Photographers are equipped with more than just one camera. Different lenses, batteries, memory cards, filters, lightboxes, light stands, and umbrellas all need to be used to get those perfect snapshots of your big day. Not to mention the backups of all of these items, just in case something breaks or malfunctions. As if buying all of this gear isn’t expensive enough, it also needs to be insured. Chances are, if a wedding photographer is charging too-good-to-be-true prices, they likely aren’t up to date with great equipment. Or even worse – what happens if their camera malfunctions at the wedding? A true professional has backups and extra equipment, and it costs money to maintain it all.
Staff
Unless your wedding is an intimate affair, you’ll probably see more than one photographer making their way around your event. An assistant and/or second shooter may be need to be hired by your primary photographer, in order for them to collect a wide variety of pictures, so that you can remember every last detail!
Labour
Your photographer will likely be with your from the time you get dressed until the population of the dance floor starts to thin out. Spending from 8-14 hours with you on your wedding day alone, (excluding the pre and post wedding festivities in the days before and following) your photographer will spend an additional 20-25 hours just editing your pictures afterwards. That $300/hour rate on the day of is starting to seem a little less outrageous, isn’t it? That rate also has to account for the time it takes to edit and compile your photos afterwards.
Printing
But the work isn’t over once your images are edited. Your photographer must design your wedding album and order any additional prints that you request. Paying for shipping and picking them up from the post office are a few more additional costs.
Education
Chances are, the person you hire to capture the magical moments of your wedding day didn’t just buy a camera one day and decide to be a photographer. Many are still paying off their student loans from when they were initially trained how to create the beautiful images you’ll be admiring for years to come. It’s also important for photographer to regularly attend different workshops and seminars to keep up with new techniques and trends, which can also cost a pretty penny! We swear by professional wedding photography companies who believe in continuous education and self-improvement.
We realize that dishing out thousands of dollars for a photographer can seem a little excessive at first, but we hope this post has helped you understand why their rates are anything but excessive. With all the work you’ve been putting in to plan every detail of your big day, you’ll want to remember it in all of its glory, for years to come! You don’t have to splurge on the most expensive and extravagant package, but don’t be afraid to drop some coin on a professional you believe will do a great job.
Another super, super important point to consider is, if the price is too low – how are they sustaining themselves? If equipment fails the week before your wedding, how will a very low budget photographer replace expensive pieces? Be real with yourself, and we promise, you won’t regret it!
A huge thank you to Nirvanie Srikishun Photography for speaking with us about her industry! Drop us a line and let us know what you think about wedding photography pricing.
xoxo,
The Whimlets
- Published in 2016, Budget, Uncategorized, Vendors, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
The 2016 WPIC Kick Off at The Forth!
The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC) brings the fire every year for its annual kick off, and this year was no exception! Our own Alisha had the pleasure of attending, and blogging the event for EventSource! The theme for this year was #ClubWPIC, a classic speakeasy, and held at a gorgeous newer Toronto venue, The Forth! So many fantastic vendors contributed to this great event, including Brent Miller Live, G. Pinto, the Linen Closet, Paras Events and much more!
#ClubWPIC, as captured by the talented team at Take1 Photography!
WPIC Kickoffs Rock!
Being WPIC certified means that we have access to a talented, experienced and helpful network of other event professionals, and their passion for this industry showed in all of the details. We loved the fun, relaxed vibe of this year’s fete. Most of the time, as planners, we’re behind the scenes ensuring everything is running smoothly, but we all look forward to this event because it’s our chance to celebrate the previous year and get inspired for the year to come. A huge thank you to the amazing team of planners who put this event together for us to enjoy! It felt great to be an attendee and enjoy the fruit of someone else’s labour!
Check out the fab pictures of the event, captured by the awesome folks at Take1 Photography!
What an amazing night! One of my very favourite parts was the keynote speech, by Arthur of Fusion Events. He did a talk on the importance of social media marketing for wedding and event pros, and simple ways for us all to up our game! I also really loved the gentlemen from Yuk Yuks who had me literally in stitches throughout both sets! Be sure to check out the generous vendors below!
WPIC Kick Off Vendor Love
Media sponsor
Eventsource – http://www.eventsource.ca/
Venue and F&B
The Forth – http://theforth.ca/
Videographer
Jeremy Robertson Wedding Films – http://jeremyrobertsonweddingfilms.com/
Photographer
Take 1 Photography – http://take1-photography.com/
Linens and SWAG bags
Linen Closet – http://linencloset.ca/
DJ (Devon John) and MC (Wayde Salmon)
D&W Entertainment Group – http://www.dwentgroup.com/
Live Music
Grenville Pinto – http://www.gpinto.com/
Brent Miller Live – http://www.brentmillerlive.com/
Entertainment
Yuk Yuk’s Stand Up Comedy Clubs Toronto – https://www.yukyuks.com/
Speaker
Arthur K of Fusion Events – http://www.fusion-events.ca/
Stationery
Paper Decorum – http://www.paperdecorum.com/
Centrepieces
Paras Rentals – http://www.parasevents.ca/
Exquisite Occasions – http://www.exquisiteoccasions.ca/#!/HOME
Lipstick & Lash Bar and Regional Rep hair and makeup
Blush Pretty – http://blushpretty.com/
Photo booth
Snaptique Vintage Photo Booth – http://www.snaptique.ca/
Sweet Table and swag item
Staij & Co – https://www.facebook.com/staijandco/
Gelato Table
Cremahh Artisan Gelato & Specialty Drinks – http://www.cremahh.com/
Wedding Planner Problems author and “Best Dressed” prize
Crystal Adair-Benning, Distinct Occasions – http://www.distinctoccasions.ca/
Black Jack Table, Dealer and swag item
Ultimate Party Services – http://www.ultimatepartyservices.ca/
MC Wayde’s and DJ Devon’s tuxedos
Andrew’s Formals – http://andrewsformals.com/
Swag items
The Wedding Planner Magazine – http://weddingplannermag.ca/
Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (mugs) – http://wpic.ca/
Planning Team
Regional Representative Manager – Janis Martinello, Brocade Events
Durham Region Representative – Amy Stevenson
Halton/Peel Region Representative – Suzzette Patten, Exquisite Occasions
Hamilton/Niagara Region Representative – Heather Declavasio, Wisdom Weddings
Edmonton Region Representative – Jenn Denis, Something Beautiful Weddings
Jamaica Region Representative – Denneisha Blair, Unique Bridal & Tux
Jamaica Region Representative – Andrea Wilson Green, With Ease Magazine
WPIC Course – A Review by Rachel!
Meet Rachel.. our FAB wedding and event coordinator!
Today on the blog, Michelle and I wanted to give you a very belated formal introduction to our amazing newest team member, Rachel! Rachel has assisted us with events since this past wedding season, and we are so excited to share more about her journey into weddings and events! She’s started off the right way by…
Taking the WPIC Course!
Read more about Rachel’s journey, in her own words, into the Toronto events scene below!
“This past weekend marked a very important one for me for a variety of reasons. Just so you lovely readers have an idea of who I am, I am a graduate of theatre studies where I completed a four year program. Yes—my first love entailed acting and appearing on stages. I do believe that my innate ability to entertain crowds will never be a lost trait. However, in my first year I had a professor that began our first day of class with a life changing statement.
“If ANY of you in this class do not wake up every morning and want to act, DO NOT STAY IN THIS INDUSTRY.”
This was the best career advice I could ever receive since it resonated with any serious career that I would choose. To be honest, after he said those words, something deep down changed for me. Suddenly I became realistic with my goals and knew I could not see myself pursuing a career in the business of acting. However I was now in the predicament of not having a single clue of what I wanted to do for a living, which is what led me to finishing and eventually graduating.
In 2012, two years after my brother proposed to my now sister-in-law, I decided I would plan and execute a beach themed bridal shower for her as my own “welcome to the family” present. During the event, I received many compliments on the smoothness of the event. The event planning career seed was then planted, but I still had a million reservations. Especially since this was the only event I had planned!
Then in 2014, I successfully planned and executed my mother’s surprise birthday (featuring a Halloween style theme). It was a (literal) glowing success. I think the moment I saw tears of gratitude streaming down my mother’s face, as she walked into the house, sparked an idea—why not make this my livelihood?
Many event coordinators will tell you that they started off in the field because they began planning events in their private life and decided to make it a career option. My reasons started along a similar line and once I got an idea of how much background work is involved in the planning process, my excitement only grew. I also realized I needed to educate myself. To be a true planner both the education and practical experience has to be there. WPIC course
With the support of Alisha and Michelle, I completed The Wedding Planner Institute of Canada course this weekend and let me just say that both days were heavily lengthy, ranging ten to eleven hours on each day (breaks included). This goes without saying that my instructor, Melissa Nowakowski (Creative Director at Et Løfte Events) was engaging, articulate, detailed and thorough with every section of the course. wpic course
For those of you that may not know, The Professional Wedding Consultant & Coordinator Course teaches its students the ins and outs of either establishing their own wedding planning business or how to get hired by an event planning company. The course also details the cultural and religious traditions associated with weddings, proper etiquette, how to plan and execute the entire wedding process, the importance of networking with other coordinators/vendors in the industry, and the strategic method of marketing yourself and your business. wpic course
What have I taken from the WPIC course?
Not only has the WPIC course clarified endless questions that only many years of experience could answer, but I walked out of that classroom on Sunday evening with such confidence in my abilities and talents as an event coordinator. For example, if someone were to ask me what a proper wedding invitation and a “Save the Date” card should look like before taking this course, I would not have known how to reply. Other questions I had were: what should a proper table setting look like? Why is white traditionally chosen as the color of the bride’s wedding dress? What is an emergency kit and what items should be included? Fortunately, by the end of the course these were all answered for me!
Our beautiful new wedding and event coordinator, Rachel! Photo provided by Nirvanie Srikishun Photography
Melissa Nowakowski, thank you once again for all of your help this weekend. Your passion and love for this industry truly shows in your teaching methods. The WPIC course is the starting point for everyone interested in the wedding planning industry, and I would highly recommend checking it out!”
Michelle and I are so happy to have Rachel as a part of our team! We also appreciate that she believes in continuing education as much as we do! To set up an initial meeting with our experienced and properly educated team of professionals, contact us today! We are so stoked to meet you!
- Published in 2016, Vendors, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Masquerade Party – B2B Bank’s Holiday Gala
First off, we wanted to wish you all a very happy new year! We took a little break for the last part of December to enjoy some family time, but now we’re back at it. We wanted to start the year by highlighting one of our recent events. Without further ado…
Masquerade Party – B2B Bank 2015 Corporate Holiday Gala!
For the past few years the Whimlets have had the pleasure of designing the B2B Bank corporate holiday gala, and boy do we love it! They allow us the creative flexibility to design an elegant themed party, and this year was no different. The concept was a masquerade party. We took that and decided to put a modern twist with elegant satin, rose gold and upscale furniture. The masquerade party was held at the fabulous Liberty Grand in Toronto in the Governor’s Room.
Michelle designed Modern Masquerade menus to showcase the delicious menu. Photo provided by Nirvanie Srikishun Photography.
Our team acted in a design capacity for this event. We started by creating a colour scheme to match the venue. We then selected linens, centrepieces, and furniture options. Michelle then matched all of the stationery and created a custom brand that we carried throughout the venue.
Our beautiful Rachel assisted with overseeing the set up behind the scenes :). Photo provided by Nirvanie Srikishun Photography
The beautiful rentals featured in this blog post were provided by the very talented and friendly Sharon of Enchanting Events Decor. She worked with us to create an upscale, luxe feeling for B2B Bank’s masquerade party. The decor was a huge hit and we couldn’t be happier!
Check out some of our photos below and let us know what you think! These gorgeous photos were provided by Nirvanie Srikishun Photography.
Vendor Love
Design: Whim Event Coordination and Design
Venue: Liberty Grand
Featured Photography: Nirvanie Srikishun Photography
DJ: Alley Entertainment
Rentals: Enchanting Events Decor
Did we hit the mark with the design of this party? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Contact us today and let’s get started on designing an event to remember!
Wedding Vendors in Toronto – How do I Pick?!
Thomas Zitnansky Photography portfolio sample
By Rachel de Silva
One of the most common occurrences I hear when it comes to wedding planning is how overwhelmed the couple becomes with what feels like a never-ending list of tasks to take care of before the big day. If you are either a couple who has a lengthy period or short gap between the engagement and the wedding day, never fear, all things are possible to those who believe—and work for it. One of the most important aspects of any event or wedding is the list of vendors you will choose from. With that being said…
Wedding Vendors – How Can I Tell the Good from the Bad?
From picking a venue that fits your needs, to a photographer that will capture your better side or even how many tiers you want your cake to be, deciding on the right wedding vendors can make a world of difference. The right wedding vendor is one who is the right fit, delivers as promised, and will not stress you out along the way. There are simple ways to tell if a vendor is the real deal or a potential nightmare, and we’ve outlined them below.
Nick Janzen Photography
Do your research
This is critical. It is completely understandable that meeting your budget needs can be a challenge. Knowing where to stretch your pocket and where it isn’t needed will all depend on you and your special someone. A foolproof method of making sure you’ve gone with the right wedding vendors is giving yourself ample time to do research. Read a potential prospects reviews, fortunately any negative feedback comes from the truest source—other couples who utilized vendor’s services and were disappointed with what they had to offer. Ask other couples or newlyweds who they chose for their big day. The beauty of getting married is that everyone understands how challenging the process can be and was to brag about their awesome experiences with great vendors. Most wedding vendors will tell you that most business comes from word of mouth!
The right wedding venue takes time to find – start early and visit the best in your area!
Travel to different venues; although many of these vendor’s websites have an impressive portfolio of photos, nothing other than visiting these locations will assist in making your final decision. Create a personalized list of potentials and be thorough and critical of what you enjoyed and what didn’t work. If you don’t like it now, you probably won’t like it on the wedding day! Take pictures; when it comes to making your choices, these photos will be a great way of remembering what you’re working with. Taste every food option you decide to provide to your guests. If you didn’t absolutely love what was being offered, it is a good inclination that your guests won’t enjoy it either. This may ruin their experience, after all food is a universal passion.
Alisha & Michelle coordinating a styled shoot. Photography by Thomas Zitnansky Photography.
Additionally, the option to choose either a full, month-of or day-of wedding coordinator can either be viewed as an added expense or guidance and assistance for planning your big day. Not only do we have a specific list of vendors that are tried, tested and true but we understand how to stick to your budget.
Photo credits to Nirvanie Srikishun Photography. John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre.
We’d love to help you pick fab vendors that work with your budget, style, theme and personality! Contact us today and we can get started! We’d love to meet with you! We’ll treat you to your favourite warm bevvie ;)!
- Published in 2015, Vendors, Wedding TIps
- 1
- 2