Bridal Party Gift Ideas
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Your bridal party has (hopefully) been at your beck and call throughout the planning of your wedding, and it’s customary to reward their efforts with a token of your appreciation upon the arrival of your big day. We know that it can be pretty tough to choose one item that you think all of your bridesmaids or groomsmen would appreciate, so we’ve come up with a list of a couple different options for bridal party gifts that we think anyone would be happy to receive!. Keep on reading if you’d like to find out about some awesome bridal party favors.
BRIDAL PARTY GIFT IDEAS
Here are some gifts we think your bridesmaids would swoon over:
Foldable Flats
These babies will be the superheroes of the day for your bridesmaids, and probably for you, too. Easy to fold up and stuff into your clutch, your bridesmaids will be forever thankful when they realize can pull these comfy flats out and finally take off the heels that they’ve been teetering in all day. This is a great option, especially if you’re on budget; we’ve found these Sidekicks Foldable Ballet Flats on Amazon for less than $20!
Compact
If your bridesmaids are into makeup, and even if they’re not, there’s no doubt they could use a cute little compact to throw in their purse. Useful when touching up your lipstick on the way to work or taming those frizzies once you get to the office, we’re positive your bridesmaids would appreciate this present. You can find reasonably priced engraveable compacts at Things Remembered.
Best Friend Bangle
Jewelry can be a risky choice, since not everyone has the same taste. However, if you choose something that’s simple and very basic, all of your maids will be able to work it into their everyday accessories. That’s why we love the idea of matching bangles- simple, and easy to wear! Kate Spade has some gorgeous Bridesmaid Idiom Bracelets that come in both gold and silver.
Keepsake/ Jewelry Box
You can’ go wrong with a jewelry box. We’re sure most of your bridesmaids could probably use a place to keep their more precious jewelry. You can’t go wrong with this adorable little box from Things Engraved.
PRO TIP: IF YOU CAN GET IT ENGRAVED OR MONOGRAMMED, DO IT. PERSONALIZING YOUR BRIDAL PARTY GIFTS IS A LITTLE STEP THAT’LL SHOW THEM HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE THEM.
We’re sure the men in your party would appreciate these ideas:
Cufflinks
This is one of the most universal presents you can choose for your groomsmen; at some point or another, we’re sure they’ll need a nice pair of cufflinks. Easy to choose, easy to please. Find different styles of cufflinks to suit your men at Brookstone.
Pocket Watch
Every groomsmen should have a classic timepiece in their collection. Not to mention, this would be a very dapper accessory for them on your big day! Spruce up the accessory wardrobe of your groomsmen with a classy pocket watch from Things Engraved.
Money Clip or Card Case
Save your groomsmen from those dreaded bulky wallet bulges by gifting them a trendy money clip or card case. Easy to keep cash or cards handy without having to carry around a full-sized wallet, this would be a phenomenal present that would come in handy during those special occasions. You can find sleek, engravable money clips and card cases at stores like Things Remembered.
Valet Box
Pretty much a jewelry box for boys, we’re positive your groomsmen would find themselves storing their most valuable items in a spiffy valet box from The Wedding Shoppe.
Here are a few more things we think everyone would love:
Passport Cover
This option (and the next) are fantastic ideas, especially if you’re having a destination wedding. Passport covers are a small way to make your travels feel a little more luxe. We’ve seen some adorable covers on Etsy!
Luggage Tag
A personalized leather luggage tag would be the perfect way for your bridal party to easily identify their bags. Getting tags monogrammed with each person’s initials in gold or silver is a cute way to spruce this option up! Check out the options on Shutterfly; you could even add photos to the tags that they offer!
Robe
Your hardworking bridal party will definitely deserve a little R&R after your big day, and a fluffy robe would be the perfect relaxation accessory. The Bay has some luxurious robes that you could also get monogrammed.
Flask
A classy little flask would be a great gift for your entire bridal party- who doesn’t like to keep a good swig of vodka handy? Things Remembered has some classy designs to choose from.
This list definitely isn’t exhaustive, but we’ve outlined some pretty cute options that we hope will help you on the quest of searching for your perfect bridal party presents. Have you been a part of a bridal party and received an awesome token of appreciation? Think we left out any cool options? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
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 2016, Uncategorized, Wedding, Wedding TIps
Summer Bridal Shower Inspiration
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Centerpieces are can be a point of contention when planning a wedding: Big or small? Flowers or none? Artificial or real? The burden of having to come up with a magnificent centerpiece for your wedding day is heavy enough, without having to think about table decor at your bridal shower. Although we prefer to work with professional florists for flawless results on your big day, you can totally DIY your way to some cute centerpieces for your bridal shower. For those of you that that would rather take a simpler route for your bridal shower, we’ve got a few options that don’t take much prep work.
We’ve found some adorable centerpiece ideas that are fast and easy to put together- and don’t worry, not ALL of them are floral. Keep on reading if you’d like some inspiration for quick and easy bridal shower centerpieces!
DIY Bridal Shower Centerpieces
Floral
Hydrangeas are a great option if you want to incorporate fresh flowers into your decor, but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. Sticking one or two stems in a vase or mason jar can make a small yet full arrangement. You can’t go wrong sticking with a classic white, or you can opt for blue, pink, green, or even purple hydrangeas. Wrap a ribbon around your vase, and you’ve got an adorable centerpiece that took no more than 10 minutes to put together!
Tulips can be found in an array of colors, and are one of those flowers that don’t have to be in abundance to look pretty. Having a few tulips in a small vase, and using the blossom’s natural foliage to fill in the sparse areas can create a tall, elegant centerpiece!
Roses are another great option. Some people automatically think a rose-themed centerpiece would be insanely expensive, but they don’t have to be. Roses are so exquisitely beautiful on their own, and don’t necessarily need to be presented in bouquets to be stunning. Having one short rose placed in a quaint little drinking glass or mason jar can make for a small, very cute centerpiece. This option would be better suited for a more casual event, like a backyard shower. We love this idea- it is the definition of cute and quaint!
PRO DIY TIP: Tying a piece of ribbon or twine around the outside of your vases/jars would be a super cute addition to any of these options!
Non-Floral
Depending on how casual your shower is, you could opt for some fruit on your tables. It’s a fun way to keep the ambiance light and fresh, especially for a summertime wedding. Brightly colored produce like green apples, lemons, oranges, and lime are all fantastic options. By filling a decent sized vase with your desired fruit, you can create a fun and interesting centerpiece. You could even stick a few seasonal flowers in between, as an added embellishment.
Candles are another great option, especially if you aren’t a fan of fresh flowers. Filling either a tall or short vase with colored gravel or beads that match your theme, and adding a candle on top is a simple way to DIY your way to an elegant centerpiece.
Another idea that might suit you if you want to avoid the floral route, is branches. Sounds a little weird and cryptic, we know. But if you go to an art supply store like Michael’s, you can find some artsy faux branches that you can coat with some white spray paint, and turn into a unique centerpiece. This option would be ideal for those of you looking for a taller arrangement for your tables. After sticking your freshly painted (or bare, for a more rustic feel) branches in a vase, you can choose to hang some bling or tea lights from them to amp it up a little.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to options for DIY centerpieces for your bridal shower. Have you seen any awesome DIY centerpieces lately, or created one yourself? Leave us a comment down below and let us know your thoughts on these quick and easy centerpieces!
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, Trends, Uncategorized, Wedding, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Wedding Invitations: Why so Pricey!?
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Your wedding invitations are the first glance that your guests have of your wedding, and you obviously want to set a tone that screams nothing but fab for your big day. Leaving a good first impression is important, but at what cost?
We’ve given you the inside scoop on why wedding photography and bridal hair and makeup seems so costly, and guess what! We’re keeping up the momentum, and now we’re to tell you a little bit about why wedding stationery can seem so costly. I spoke to our very own wedding stationery genius Michelle, and she’s told me all about why wedding invitations can seem so costly.
Here are some of the stunning stationery suites Michelle has created for previous clients!
Why are wedding invitations so expensive!?
Truth is, there are a bunch of factors that come into play when considering the price of your invites. These factors can include whether or not you opt for a custom design, different print processes, and the quality of the papered goods that you choose.
Design
If you choose to opt for a custom design as many couples do, there’s a design fee charged to cover the amount of time and love that your designer has to put in, in order to create your dream invitation. This process generally takes anywhere from three days to two weeks, depending on the number of revisions requested by the couple. Michelle takes great care with all of her designs, and makes a conscious effort to get to know each client so that she can create something that’s “unique to their own style and love story.”
Quality & Print Processes
Our simple, single sided invitations and plain white envelopes here at Whim start at $3 an invite, with a minimum quantity of 50. If you’re someone who wants a thicker and heavier cardstock, or even a shimmer cardstock, that would be an additional charge added onto the cost per invite. Color upgrades to your envelopes can also add on to these costs. Upgraded print processes like foil, thermography, and letterpress can also get pretty pricey. If you have no idea what those words even mean, here’s a quick breakdown:
FOIL: THIS METHOD INCLUDES THE APPLICATION OF METALLIC OR PIGMENTED FOIL ONTO YOUR INVITATION. THIS ACHIEVES A BEAUTIFUL METALLIC FINISH ON YOUR FONT OR ACCENTS!
THERMOGRAPHY: WITH THIS TECHNIQUE, HEAT IS USED TO CREATE IMAGES ON PAPER. THIS TYPE OF PRINTING IS IDEAL IF YOU’D LIKE RAISED LETTERING.
LETTERPRESS: A TYPE OF RELIEF PRINTING, INVITATIONS ARE PRODUCED BY THE REPEATED IMPRESSION OF AN INKED, RAISED SURFACE AGAINST CARDSTOCK. THIS LEAVES AN IMPRESSION OF THE WORDS ON YOUR INVITATION.
Assembly
Adding little embellishments to each of your invitations are another additional charge that you need to consider when thinking about your design and cost of your invitations. Add-ons like ribbons, belly bands, jewels, rhinestones, and buckles can give your invite that extra oomph, but come at a cost. Purchasing these embellishments is only a part of the extra cost- those ribbons don’t tie themselves! Each of our custom invitations here at Whim are handmade; even though this process can be time consuming, it helps us make sure that our couples are receiving the highest quality possible.
Just to give you an approximate estimate of the total amount of time that it takes to design, print, and assemble your invitations, here are some general timeframes: A more simple invitation design takes about 1 month, and more complex designs take around 1.5 months.
We hope that we’ve helped to highlight some reasons surrounding the cost of wedding invitations- like most other things in the event planning industry, there are valid reasons as to why invitations can seem so costly, but actually aren’t. When you consider the time and effort it takes to design, print, and assemble each invitation, the cost of wedding invites seem less and less outrageous.
Huge thank you to Michelle for taking the time out to educate me on cost of wedding invitations! Check out more of her fabulous designs on the official Whim Instagram and Facebook pages.
What’s your take on the cost of wedding invitations? Drop us a line, we want to hear what you think!
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, Budget, GTA, Wedding, Wedding Planning
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
Intimate Wedding Venues in the GTA
By Tarisha Beniprashad
Having trouble finding the perfect venue for your intimate wedding? Did our Unique Venues in the GTA post not help you find the ideal spot for your nuptials? Fear not, we’ve come up with a new list…
Intimate wedding venues in the GTA
These spots are ideal for a cozy ceremony and a reception just for you and your closest loved ones. Keep on reading if you’d like to find out more about some of the most popular intimate venues in the GTA!
Old Mill Inn & Spa
With a variety of rooms to choose from, the Old Mill offers class and Victorian style like no other. They also have an on-site 16th century candlelit wedding chapel with stained glass windows that would make for some amazing photographs. With amazing in-house catering and luxurious outdoor gardens, Old Mill is an ample choice for any small event.
Camera Bar
Located next to the Stephen Bulger Gallery, the Camera bar is decorate with beautiful art pieces. However, the majority of the space had been left raw, which allows for you to run free with your creativity and create your ideal room. Capacity is 30 for a seated dinner and 110 for a cocktail reception.
Miller Lash House
Featuring high arched ceilings, fireplaces, antique furnishings, and wooden trim, the Miller Lash house is both versatile and beautiful. The University of Toronto owned spaces allows for 50 seated guests, and a cocktail reception of 100.
Le Select
An authentic Parisian bistro in the heart of downtown Toronto, Le Select features a beautiful rear garden equipped with heaters for the cooler months, and a wine cellar with 1,200 different labels. This bistro would be a great option for a slightly more casual affair.
Ancaster Mill
The Ancaster Mill is a little oasis in the scenic suburb of Hamilton. With a waterfall complementing the exquisite exterior, this is the ideal location for a small outdoor wedding. There are also a number of rooms inside of the inn to choose from, if you’re interested in an indoor ceremony. You can choose from rooms with a more modern feel, or go for something a little more rustic. intimate wedding venues in the GTA
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
This location might be the most unique amongst our suggestions. You have the opportunity to exchange your vows amidst free-flying butterflies, serene waterfalls, and lush tropical foliage. The conservatories facilities may accommodate up to 200 reception guests. intimate wedding venues in the GTA
The Arts and Letters Club
Established in 1908, this club features a Tudor style hall, baronial fireplace, cathedral ceilings, and gothic stained glass windows. In-house catering features seasonal flavors, and local tastes. The largest room in the club had the potential to accommodate 112 reception guests. intimate wedding venues in the GTA
Sassafraz
Offering exceptional French-inspired Canadian cuisine, Sassafraz is set in an array of Victorian row-houses in the historic city of Yorkville. Despite having been around for decades, the interior of this intimate wedding venue in the GTA has a refreshingly modern twist. intimate wedding venues in the GTA
We hope that this collection of intimate wedding venues in the GTA helps narrow down your search, and gets you closer to finding the perfect venue for your wedding! Are there any venues you think should be on our list? Contact us today so we can get started on finding the perfect intimate venue for your wedding!
xoxo,
intimate wedding venues in the GTA
- Published in 2016, GTA, Rustic, Trends, Uncategorized, Venues, Wedding, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
2016 Bridesmaids Dresses
by Alisha Chadee
Let’s face it, being a bridesmaid is fun! You get to look fabulous and play an integral role in the lives of your dearest friends on the happiest day of their lives! Cheers to that! The playing an integral role part is fairly obvious, so I won’t get into that right now. Instead, let’s focus on the fabulous part! We love stylish bridal parties, so without further adieu, here are our picks for our favourite..2016 bridesmaids dresses
2016 Bridesmaids Dresses!
Our brides know that we are always here to help, and this is no exception. We want you to be on trend and looking your best. We’ve done the legwork and compiled what we think are the best glam, trendy styles that your bridal party will go nuts for! 2016 bridesmaids dresses
Sweet Separates
Gone are the days when bridesmaids had to wear single toned, single fabric gowns. I’m loving the trend of separate tops and bottoms that we’re seeing everywhere this year! We are so hoping that one of our more daring brides will embrace this gorgeous style!
Cleo top and Louise skirt – perfect combination for a whimsical summer wedding
Glam Sequins
I am a glitter queen! I live for anything glitz and shimmery! I don’t think there was anyone on earth happier than I was when glittery sequins began to play a huge part of trends for 2016 bridesmaids dresses. Even the most modest bridesmaids will feel fine and fab in a sequin gown! I particularly enjoy these dresses in metallics and nude shades. 2016 bridesmaids dresses
Gorgeous sequined bridesmaids dresses in blush with white bouquets. Fab photo by Amy & Jordan of Omni Montelucia.
Flutter Sleeves
Flutter sleeves are so elegant and whimsical, and as our name implies, we like whimsy! These sweet dresses come in many cuts and styles. Personally, I like the A-lines with slits. Cute, and a little saucy. Much like myself.
Gorgeous Jenny Yoo bridesmaids dress with flutter sleeves. So elegant!
We hope you enjoyed our picks for the prettiest 2016 bridesmaids dresses! We want to hear your favourite picks, too, so leave us a comment and let us know if we missed your favourite!
We want to hear about your ideas for styling your lovely ladies, and all about your wedding, too! Contact us today to get started on your initial meeting with our team!
xoxo,
- Published in 2016, Wedding, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Markham Hindu Wedding – #Anilina2015
Markham Hindu Wedding
We have waited with baited breaths for the professional photos from one of our favourite weddings from 2015. A huge thank you to G+H Photography for sharing these snaps with us! Here it is…
Gorgeous Markham Hindu Wedding at the Markham Hilton Hotel
Back in Fall of 2015 we had the pleasure of meeting Anil & Ilina, aka #Anilina2015. We immediately loved this fun, vibrant couple – I mean how could you not? They made a freaking palindrome anagram of their names and turned it into their wedding hashtag! It was true love, right from the start!
Meet Anil & Ilina – Aren’t they adorable?
Anil & Ilina on their wedding day ! Lovely photo by G+H Photography.
We worked with a multitude of vendors to bring this wedding to life. Anil & Ilina are one of the most thoughtful couples we’ve worked with so far. Their main concern was that their guests be as comfortable as possible. We love couples who put a focus on guest experience as a key element to their wedding. For example, a variety of flip-flops were provided so the ladies in attendance could ease their aching feet while dancing. Pretty sweet!
Flip-flops were provided so guests could better enjoy the dancing. Photo by G+H Photography.
The bride and groom created custom favours. These were no ordinary favours – they customized each individual message for each guest in attendance!
Customized guest favours with individual messages to each guest in attendance. Photo by G+H Photography.
The beautiful decor for both the ceremony and reception was crafted by Diya Decor. The look and feel in the Markham Hilton Hotel was very sumptuous, thanks to the elegant decor and lighting. Anil & Ilina’s guests had a wonderful time and enjoyed every bite of the food, catered by The Host. As an aside – we really enjoyed it, too! Markham Hindu Wedding
As you all know, I love weddings. I love every part of a wedding. What I especially love are speeches, and I wanted to take a second to acknowledge the truly wonderful displays of love toward Anil & Ilina by their family and friends. It was beautiful to behold, and I felt like I was in the presence of a great and everlasting (and super fun) love. The groom’s father Terry, who happens to be an international motivational speaker gave the best wedding speech I’ve ever heard! Markham Hindu Wedding
Here are more snaps of the happy couple – and please do check out the full vendor listing at the end of our blog post!
VENDOR LOVE
Coordination: Whim Event Coordination and Design
Venue: Markham Hilton Hotel Markham Hindu Wedding
Photography: G+H Photography
Videography: Digital Concepts
Caterer: The Host
Decor: Diya Decor
Baraat: Ponies R Us
Makeup/Hair: Amplified Soul
Makeup/Hair: EyeKandii
Snacks: Tiny Tom Donuts & Chipotle
Entertainment: Flipbook Studios
We hope you enjoyed this recap of #Anilina2015! Let us know in the comments if we hit the mark on this blog post. We’d love to chat more with you about your wedding! Contact us today to get started with a no-obligation initial meeting!
xoxo,
- Published in 2015, Real Wedding, Venues, Wedding
Hilton Mississauga Venue Review
by Alisha Chadee
I love being a wedding and event planner. I love it for so many reasons. The primary reason is that I enjoy helping couples plan the most important day of their lives and I love the creativity involved with designing a themed corporate party. It honestly doesn’t feel like work to me because I enjoy all aspects of the planning and execution. As with any career, there are fun perks! One of them is that the Whimlets are constantly invited by venues to visit and sample their fares. Poor us – having to visit beautiful spaces and eat yummy food. It’s a hard life, but someone has to evaluate all that the wedding world has to offer you! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered :).
Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale – Yessss!!!
Recently I was invited by the beautiful Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale to come visit their beautiful wedding and event space.
Lobby of the Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale – courtesy of the hotel
As I sat in the lovely lobby and took a few snaps with my camera, I took in the ambiance of the room. I like evaluating lobbies. This is the first spot your guests will see at the onset of your wedding. I loved that this space was warm and friendly, with a professional yet luxurious feel.
I met with Richha, the Catering and Sales Manager, and she strove to welcome me and answer all of my questions. Richha took me on a tour of the ballrooms, meeting spaces, restaurant and even a guest suite! Check out a few photos of the lovely ceremony and reception spaces. All event space photos courtesy of the Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale.
Compass Room Reception Space – beautiful for a cocktail reception
The Greenwich Room – perfect for a reception dinner and dance.
The Greenwich Room is also very appropriate for a lovely and modern wedding ceremony
I am OBSESSED with modern ceremony spaces and the Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale delivers!
Modern and luxe. It’s difficult to find spaces in Toronto that can cater to groups of up to 900 that have this ambiance. Like I’ve mentioned before – I love modern.
It wouldn’t be a good site visit without sampling the fare offered by the culinary geniuses at theHilton Mississauga Meadowvale. Richha and I headed over to their in-house restaurant, Quest. The food was delicious and beautifully displayed. The head chef is able to customize their menu to suit even the pickiest palette and I was pleased with the extensive selection of wines.
Are you drooling yet? I wonder if I can do a second site visit..
This meatloaf was amazing! I (reluctantly) shared my leftovers with my husband. It was gone in seconds!
Richha’s three-cheese mac! Yum!
All in all, I really like the Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale for an intimate or large wedding reception for a few reasons:
- Modern couples looking for a hotel wedding experience usually think of the options available in Toronto. I was very pleased to see that we have a great modern, luxurious hotel option here in Mississauga. I love the West-end, and I’ve lived here my entire life – so the more it develops, the happier I am!
- I very much enjoyed the food. I am a foodie at heart and I believe that your guests will always appreciate a well thought out meal at your wedding. Working with experienced chefs and sommeliers guarantees that your guests will have a wonderful culinary experience. I also enjoyed the flexibility of the menus. There are sit-down and buffet options, along with a multitude of cultural variations available.
- I love modern wedding and event spaces. TheHilton Mississauga Meadowvale offers a sleek, contemporary design and is suitable for modern luxe weddings.
Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale – Quick Facts
Location: 6750 Mississauga Road, Mississauga Ontario
Capacity: 10 to 900
Size of Space: Up to 40,000 square feet
Catering: Available onsite
Bar: Available Onsite
Photo Ops: Available in Courtyard
Amenities: Many – but ample free parking is available for wedding guests.
Contact: Richha Arora
Website: Click Here
What do you think of our review? We’d love to go with you on a tour of theHilton Mississauga Meadowvale for your upcoming wedding or event. Contact us today and we can get started!
xoxo
- Published in 2015, Vendor spotlight, Venues, Wedding, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
Creative Guestbook Ideas for the Fun Bride
By Alisha Chadee
You’ve picked your wedding colour scheme, you’ve picked your wedding theme and your planning is coming along nicely. Wonderful! Time for the final details, like your wedding guestbook. Here’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your theme in a creative way! There are tons of ways to showcase your creativity and leaving the boring old guestbook in the past. Where it belongs. Forever. Without further ado…
Creative Guestbook Ideas
The Whimlets have planned and coordinated a ton of weddings over the years, and we’ve always advocated for as much creativity as possible. One of our favourite areas to incorporate this is in the guestbook and receiving line items. Guests enjoy the fun extras and out of box ideas that show you care about their experience. For example, one of our couples featured a guestbook tree. The guestbook tree featured an Fujufilm Instax camera with slips of paper for guests to fasten their instant photos and leave a message. The messages were then tied onto the tree and created the leaves. The Diya Decor tree was visually stunning, standing at 6ft tall, and had all of the guests raving.
Closeup of the Guestbook Tree and hanging ‘leaves.’
The beautiful Diya Decor creation at #Anilina2015
I’ve always loved simplicity – it’s the ultimate sophistication, right? In that spirit, I love the idea of artwork that guest can sign. These pieces are then hung in the bride and groom’s home after the wedding. Check out this artwork created from the thumbprints of the bride and groom, fashioned into a heart. Guests signed around it and the bride and groom displayed it in their home. I really like the underlying message of two becoming one.
Artwork that guests can sign are a fun alternative to the traditional guestbook. We love this thumbprint design. Photo by Jonathan Young Weddings
What do you and your fiancé like to do? What are your hobbies? For example, couples who enjoy travel may consider using a globe and have guests sign it. This would be a neat piece to display in an office or in a family room. Like I said before, I love creative guestbook ideas that double as art!
Fun globe guestbook idea for smaller weddings – great nod to a globetrotting couple’s shared interests in travelling. Found via Elizabeth Anne Weddings.
As an alternative to this idea, rather than using a globe, use a map and frame it afterwards!
Frame a personalized map and have guests sign it. After the wedding, hang it up in the family room! Found via HereAndThereShop on Easy.
Are you a wine lover? Yeah, so am I! Start collecting those corks and have guests sign and add them to a shadow box! The shadow box can be personalized to include your wedding monogram and brand!
Wine lovers unite! Have your guests sign corks and add them to a shadow box! Display it after the wedding! Found Emmalinebride.com!
I loveeeee Jenga! It’s such a fun game for groups or even a low-key date night. My husband and I play all the time and it turns into a battle royale! I digress.. Have your guests sign Jenga pieces on one side and add a piece of advice on the other! You’ll have fun playing afterwards and the game might even become a keepsake for your future children!
Break out the Jenga! Guests will love leaving advice and you’ll love playing on date night! Via OhLovelyDay.com
Creative guestbook ideas are all around us – just think about the activities that you enjoy as a couple and the ideas will flow! How did you like the suggestions that I’ve given you? Leave me a comment and let me know! If you are looking for help with putting together your dream wedding, contact us today!
- Published in 2015, Trends, Wedding, Wedding Planning, Wedding TIps
A Modern Romance at Liberty Grand in Toronto
Liberty Grand is a beautiful spot. Seriously gorgeous.
We never get tired of weddings at Liberty Grand in Toronto. It’s such an elegant spot, with great modern features set against a historic building. Naturally when one of our August 2015 couples contacted us and said their venue was Liberty Grand, we were seriously stoked.
Meet Valerie & Jon. Adorable, right?
Valerie & Jon’s Liberty Grand wedding, shot by Memory Video Productions
Valerie & Jon’s Liberty Grand wedding, shot by Memory Video Productions
Apart from their obvious cuteness, these two were such a delight to work with – so laid back and genuinely excited about getting married and showing their guests a great time. Michelle and I were more than happy to get involved and help them with their finishing touches. This wedding had a lot of fun features to keep guests entertained all day and night!
Valerie & Jon hired a very talented group of vendors to help pull their wedding together, and based on their review of us, it’s safe to say that they are happy with the end-result :). Check out a few more of their photos, and a full vendor listing below. Thanks again to the fabulous Memory Photo and Video based out of Woodbridge. You guys rock! Guests walked away with hand-rolled cigar favours, individually wrapped. Michael McDonnell and a team of two arrived on site after dinner to provide caricature sketches for guests to take home.
This cake was a huge hit with us and all of the guest. This delightful confectionary creation was created by the Wedding Cake Shoppe in Toronto :).
This crowd had a blast from start to end. There was a ton of audience participation and everyone clamoured to be involved!
Is this a bridal party or a magazine spread? Valerie & Jon’s beautiful bridal party!
This is the beautiful bride with two of her bridesmaids and the most adorable little flower girl in the world. This shot was taken in the courtyard of Liberty Grand
Rose gold and blush head table. Isn’t the backdrop stunning? Wedding Wows Toronto provided the beautiful decor.
The Key Players
Wedding Planners: Whim Event Coordination & Design
Photography & Videography: Memory Photo & Video Productions
Venue: Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex
Decor, Floral & Rentals: Wedding Wows Toronto
Transportation: Lucid Limos
Cake: The Wedding Cake Shoppe
Ceremony Music: Duo D’amour
Hair & Makeup: Brush Boutique
Entertainment: Michael McDonnell Caricature
Favours: Frank Correnti Cigars
Are you dreaming of your big day? OMG we are too! Contact us today and we’ll show you how we can make it happen together!
- Published in 2015, Real Wedding, Wedding, Wedding Planning