Bride & Groom Canada in Montreal

Yesterday, myself Chris and Elisa exhibited at the Bride & Groom Canada wedding show at the Windsor Ballrooms in Montreal. I must admit I wasn't sure what to expect, being my first show - but overall we had a really good time and ended the day on an exhausted & happy note!

I loved the design of my booth... with white contemporary furniture from Luxe Decor stunning flowers in deep pinks & purples from Flora International and of course lots of sweets and mini cupcakes to tempt everyone with! Chris was dressed up by Waxman's and Elisa and I were jewelled up by Trink Jewelry... it was almost an oscar moment!

It's interesting as I meet a lot of wedding planners skeptical as to whether to do a show or not, myself previously included but what I found was great fulfilment in being out there, face to face, meeting lots of wonderful couples and having the opportunity to present myself to them and learn more about their expectations for their wedding day.

I noticed that almost 50% of the couples I met were investigating ideas for their 2011 or 2012 weddings and it's good to see that they are beginning to plan early, this gives them so many more options for their ceremony & reception locations, which after all is going to be the place they remember for the rest of their lives!

Congratulations to Naomi Grunzeweig who won her very on 'Personal Wedding Coach' to guide her through the process and ensure nothing is missed!

KISMET South Asian Wedding Show

Last week Chris and I were fortunate enough to be in Toronto for the Kismet South Asian Wedding Show which was spectacular! Congratulations to Paras and his wife Anita and their partners on, what I am sure was a very successful event. http://www.kismetweddingshow.com/

We started with the Fashion Show which was such an array of flamoyant colours, beautiful beaded dresses with lots of sparkle and even the grooms had stunning outfits to look at, especially the 'Sherwani's' with their swords and all! Newly engaged couples were called on stage for a competition and I was glad to see that I am not the only one who would not have a clue as to how to put on a Saree..... even more so, as it was the 'brides to be' trying to dress their grooms in the Saree!

The decorating companies were amazing, the 'Mundaps' for the Ceremonies were just beautiful and it was lovely to finally meet Amol Kapoor from Jashan Decorators! The Fusion Style Table Settings really got my mind racing and there is just too much to mention in one blog so more to come later this month!

I must admit it was fun to get my hand painted in Henna and I certain got my fix of Curries - a must for any Brit! Overall we had a fantastic day, met many great suppliers and made some wonderful connections! So come on Montreal.... when are we going to catch up with the South Asian market here!

This Sunday, I too am turning my hand at exhibiting at the Bride & Groom Canada Show which is taking place on Sunday 7th March from 11.00 am - 7.00 pm at the Windsor Ballroom! So if you want to stop by and say 'Hi' I would love to see you there......

Montreal Wedding Planners Get Together!

It was great to get together with the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC) Montreal Wedding Planners last Monday as we checked out the new showroom of 'A Timeless Celebration' http://www.atimelesscelebration.com/

Caryn and her buisness partner Gloria did a fantasic job to showcase all their products, everything you ever need for decorating for your Wedding or Event, from Favors, Linens, Apothecary Jars, lighting and so much more!

They also highlighted their Wedding Dresses which was new for me to see and amazing at what can be created for $700.00 or less!

I love getting together with fellow wedding planners, it's great to network and brain storm ideas, but also to be able to share what's going on in the Montreal market... we all had a good laugh when we realised a number of us had been approached by the same person (although with different alias's) about performing a 'naked wedding'!!! Mmmm Wedding Planning is certainly not without its interesting moments and certainly not for the faint hearted!

Montreal Wedding Winners!

I'm a firm believer in good Karma and if you do good for others, good will come your way! Surround yourself with motivated positive people in your life and you will always be happy and looking forward.

So this week it was fantastic to meet with Amanda Shearer & Kelly Robertson who were the winners of the Sheldon Kagan Salon de la Mariee Gazette Competition, of which An English Rose gave away free Wedding Day Management!

Amanda was full of smiles and Kelly full of questions, as we discussed all the details of pulling everything together for their wedding in June 2010. We brain stormed lots of ideas around their flowers, favors and the transportation they needed which were just a few of the things still oustanding for the big day!

Closer to the date, we'll be pulling all the final details together including meetings will all the vendors and structuring that very detailed Wedding Day Itinerary, so every party involved is aware of who does what, where and when!

I am really looking forward to working with Amanda and Kelly, if anyone deserved to win this, they did!

Don't forget, send in your Wedding Proposal stories to rachel@an-english-rose.com and the most unusual / romantic proposal will receive 50% off my wedding planning program's!! (Closing Date: 1st March 2010)

Unique Wedding Proposals

This week I thought it would be fun to think differently regarding what would make a wedding proposal unique! So I have a little something for all of you.....

A bit of Romance.... why not give your loved one a full body massage, set the scene with candles, romantic music, sweet aroma's and a glass of wine. Leave the left hand until last and then slip the ring on the finger and pop the question... they won't be expecting that!

For the Techy inside of us... how about building a web site about the two of you... it could be the story of how you met, your life together, significant moments... full of pictures and music. It will take you on a journey and then the last page can detail the marriage proposal.. but don't forget to be in the room with them and have the Champagne on ice ready to go. This is also fun as you are then able to share it with family and friends afterwards.

Include your animals... using your Dog for example, could be challenging, but who isn't up for a challenge, teach your dog a new trick, maybe they will go and collect a little package containing the ring and bring it to your loved one or maybe your pet will be wearing the ring around it's neck for your loved one to notice!

Be Creative.. send your loved ones a bouquet of flowers every day in the following order... Mums, Anemones, Roses, Roses, Yarrow, Mums, Echinacea and it spells M-A-R-R-Y-M-E.. in fact you can use any flowers or any other items that spells MARRY ME!

Think about holiday proposals... I have friends who were proposed to at the edge of the Victoria Falls in Africa... the Grand Canyon.. Romantic Paris... my husband actually flew 3000 miles to London, UK to propose to me!!

These were just a few ideas to get you in the mood - but hey you can do almost anything if you take some time and plan it properly......Bungee Jumps, Hot Air Balloons or your favourite restaurant - I wish you lots of fun with your ideas and remember... let me know how it goes you may even appear on my next blog!

Romantic Wedding Proposals

As Valentines is fast approaching I am sure there are a lot of nervous men and women out there thinking of proposing - so this blog is for you!

Guys, if you are thinking of popping that big question, but not sure how - remember women are very simple (LOL)!! We love to be spoilt, we love our other halves to be romantic and best of all we love it when they use their initiative.... it makes us feel very special! If you are a modern girl and are planning that proposal, I am sure you have thought through every different scenario, but still guys don't like to be embarrassed or put on the spot infront of their friends and families.. so I am presuming you have a pretty good idea he will say yes!

So a little one on one romance... plan a picnic - I know it's a little cold for outdoors, but I love inside picnic's infront of the fireplace... provide all their favourite food, a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and the most important a bouquet of balloons filled with Rose Petals... in the last balloon have the ring tied to a ribbon with a love note or poem proposing to that special person, then as you pop each balloon, they will be covered in a shower of rose petals and the ring will drop in their lap!

Another fun idea is to send a Red Rose (or their favourite flower) every day for a week with a love note as to why they are special... on the last day of course it has to be a dozen Red Roses or a Bouquet of their favouite flowers, but put together all the love notes in a picture frame with pressed petals from one of the flower you already sent. Add your words of proposal at the bottom - not only is it romantic, but it's a piece of art you can keep forever!

What about a romantic treasure hunt - this can all be done in the same day or over a few days! Leave little clues for them to find a small gift with a 'letter or word' and the next clue... you can leave clues around the house, have clues sent to their work place or delivered with chocolates or flowers. If you are very creative you could plan clues at a special place to the two of you - hey you can even leave clues on the ski slopes! You want to make sure that the 'letters or words' you leave do not spell will you marry me, as this is too obvious, but should be the name of a Restaurant or Hotel or name of a special place where the propsoal will take place - get them to get dress up and meet you there..... and the rest is history as they say!

And lastly, if your other half loves cakes... (who doesn't) have a local Baker bake a cake with the propsal written on it and have the Ring as the centrepiece of the cake, then have it displayed in the shop window... suggest a walk... go grab a coffee etc and when you walk past the shop window, stop to take a look and then get down on one knee... don't forget to have Champagne waiting for you inside the shop to enjoy with a slice of your Cake!

There are so many ideas, and next week I wil be blogging about 'unusual proposals', but it doesn't have to be expensive (the ring will do that for you), but it should be personal... so be creative and have some fun!

For great flowers and floral deliveries any time of the year, Flora International in Pointe-Claire will take care of your every detail! http://www.florainternationalflowers.com/

What's Your Theme!

A lot of my clients are now beginning to think about their theme! Whether you are planning your Wedding, an Anniversary Party, Sweet 16th or any other Event the starting point (after the budget) should really be the style and theme, this will help you decide upon the next most important decision - where to have your Event?

For some of you coming up with your theme maybe simple.. it could be that famous 70's party you've been bragging about or an Elegant 'Ritz' style wedding you've been dreaming about forever. But for those of you who are thinking 'I don't know what my theme is' I would suggest you start pulling together some 'Inspirations Boards' either electronically or in a scrap book.... browse on line and find things that you like or cut pictures out of magazines and stick them all together and sure enough a trend will start to shine through.

Once you have decided upon a Theme - STICK TO IT! This will ensure your theme is carried out throughout your event and you won't end up with a mis-match of nothing special.

So what colours are you thinking of? These colours should be followed through from your Invitations, to your flowers, to your decorations & cake and so on... Are there any cultural or family traditions you would like to incorporate. What about you or the person you are throwing the party for - are there any personal traits that you can include that could make it unique?

For those of you planning your wedding this year, don't forget to visit Sheldon Kagan's Salon de la Mariee this weekend at the Palais des Congres and if you would love to have the chance for Montreal Wedding Planner, An English Rose to oversee your Wedding Day for Free....then check out the Montreal Gazette every day this week for a chance to win!