The Wedding Session

We kick off the episode with a wedding story and we quickly spiral to a hobbit reference. We switch gears to our favourite topic, FOOD, mainly donuts and buffets. 
We get down to the reason these two work with us. Is it our dazzling personality? HA! We continue with BTS stories,funny stories and all from the perspective (no plug intended) from Kelly's sister Shannon & Tarina's cousin Erin. 

The continuous theme, we wear the hat as professional wedding planner on site, but the big sister hat is always on! 

A Buffet: A meal of several dishes from which guests can serve themselves.

Pros of the buffet service

• Everyone loves a buffet 
• Variety 
• Less staff, can be cost friendly 

Cons of a buffet service

• Line up and can take up space 
• Can be wasteful
• Sometimes the good dish can run out!

Plated: A plated meal is a dining option in which your guests remain seated for the meal, and are served all the courses by a hired wait staff

Pros of the plated service

• It's classy AF
• Presentation 
• No line ups

Cons of a plated service 

• Getting all your guests orders ahead of time
• Staff costs are higher

Family style: When food is served on large platters meant for sharing, rather than as individual plates. Diners serve themselves from the food platters, just like you might at home in your dining room.

Pros of the family style service

• It's a buffet at your table! 
• Guests don't have to select their meals ahead of time
• Great ice breaker, guests have to talk to one another

Cons of the family style service

• Your tables need a ton of space for platters, so you have less decor 
• Usually the most expensive option 

Cocktail style: It’s when guests mingling throughout the evening while being served passed canapes from the servers who are circulating among the guests. Usually there are food stations as well.

Pros of the cocktail style service

• No formal seating chart is required
• Food stations are super fun and creative
• Way less formal

Cons of the cocktail style service

• It can get very costly when you start to customize and add on 
• Guests who are used to a traditional setting might be confused and continuously ask, but when is dinner
• Plates and glassware are tend to be left everywhere, creating a mess in random spots

Items to consider 

• Your guests
• Time of day your serving dinner
• Your budget

Biggest take-a-way, your guests care about FOOD! Make sure you make the right selection. 

Feeling the 5 stages of grief as you try to plan or postpone your wedding during Covid. Let us lead you down the emotional path that you might be feeling. The setting: Today is March 21st. I am a bride and I was just told my wedding has to be put on hold.

The first four stages, we speak to you from the bride's point of view. 

1. Denial 
2. Anger 
3. Bargaining
4. Depression 

 The fifth stage we speak to you from us, the planners point of view. 
5. Acceptance 

Solutions & things to consider

• You are allowed to have these feelings! 
• Decide if micro wedding is your best option, postponing or re-plan a new one! 
• What are your non negotiables? Do you need to dance? Do you need all 300 guests? Figure this out! 
• Does a micro wedding work in your favour? Did you want a huge wedding or a small one? 
• Source locally! Sometimes it'll take months to get things from overseas!

Last piece of advice, HIRE A PLANNER. We've been working extra hard to make sure everyones safe, all rules are followed and we're up to date. You have bigger things to worry about, let us take the stress of COVID away from you. 

Ladies get the short end of the stick when it comes to getting ready in the morning. The bride has hair and makeup, which alone can take anywhere from two to five hours of getting ready, with bridal party, and getting ready shots. It's a process! We break down things the groom can do on the wedding morning.

Do not leave the morning to chance. Have a schedule. The ladies have one, so the groom should have too.

Firstly, consider what kind of groom is he? Extroverted or introverted? 

Things the groom can do on the morning of the wedding 

• Give the groom a job
• Do an activity 
• Don't give him too much to do! 
• Spend some time with loved ones
• Go to the barber shop, and a nice one! https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/regal-grooming-lounge-best-barbershops-in-vancouver 
• Go eat!  Photo opp example on Amanda & Robb's blog with Isle & Oak
• Arrange transportation for after. 

Be cautious!

• Keep the alcohol level low or absent, and hydrate
• EAT FOOD! 
• Have someone responsible in the group
• No crazy activities like paintball, bruising on the moneymaker

Considerations 

• Ask him what he wants! Don't make all these elaborate plans without communicating! 
• Does the groom WANT a job in the morning? 
• It's the grooms day too. Work together. 

*apologies in advance. Sound quality is low due to out-dated software. Future podcasts will have better sound once fixed*

What is a bridesmaid

An attendant or an individual that is a part of the immediate entourage of the bride. She is there to support you on the day of your wedding. 

Average cost of being a bridesmaid

The average cost a bridesmaid will spend on a wedding is between $1000 - $2500. Costs add up!

-        Buying multiple dresses for multiple events

-        Hair

-        Nails

-        Trips 

-        Gifts 

-        Bridal shower

-        Bridal shower gifts

-        Bachelorette party 

-        Bachelorette trips 

-        Shoes

-        Jewelry 

-        The list goes on! 

Are expectations to high for a bridesmaid?

-        Destination parties, is to too much? 

-        Requesting gym memberships, tattoo concerns, hair colour and style to match 

-        Bridesmaid dress, who pays for this?

-        Is it too much to ask everyone in the party to become best friends overnight? 

Solutions 

-        Explain at the start what is expected of the bride / bridesmaid relationship

-        Is there travel involved, and can you afford to go

-        Who is paying for what? What is expected financially. 

-        As a bridesmaid, be upfront about what you can pay for

-        You can say no if you can’t afford to be a bridesmaid. 

You can still be a part of your bride’s day, even if you’re not in the wedding party. Have an open discussion between bridesmaid and bride, and the end result will be much better for both parties! 

The wedding band -  who the hell buys them?
(And why do we wait till the last minute to make this decision)

We start with a history lesson educating you on where the rings originated from and the symbolism behind them among society.
Bringing it back full circle, the wedding band, the ring is worn on the left finger. The wedding band, suggests that the wearer is married, is also worn on the left ring finger, usually in addition with the engagement ring.  It was believed that the finger contained the vena amoris vein, that led to the heart. Aww! 

Ancient Rome  + Greece, and as far back as 6000 years ago in Ancient Egypt where they found evidence of braided rings made of hemp or reeds. It wasn't until later the bands were made of gold, silver and metals till much later. However they got creative in the 17th - 19th century.

• Gimmel rings or joint rings 
• Posie rings
• Puzzle rings - these were incredibly hard to get off! 

Think about the type of couple you are. 

• Are you traditional? Younger, just starting out, saving money to buy a house, house items, starting a family, etc. 
• Are you modern? A little older, have a home, home items, living together, funds are tied together, etc. 

Things to consider 

• Have you been together for a long time? 
• Do you live together?
• What are your expectations?
• Do you have a budget in mind?
• Do you want a diamond, or something alternative?
• Don't be afraid to ask questions and take your time!
• Keep it true to your personal style, you are wearing this for life! 

Don't forget, you can always upgrade. As time goes on, as a couple you work together, consider your 10 year anniversary and get a bigger ring! 

Materials available for your band

• Gold (white, yellow, rose)
• Platinum
• Palladium
• Tungsten
• Titanium
• Silver
• Silicone 

Think of it like buying a car. You wouldn't walk in and buy the first one you see. Take your time, do some research, keep it to your personal style, it's an investment! And we cannot stress this enough, try it on!

Have an open conversation about who is buying the ring and what is your budget. Consider each others feelings and your overall wedding budget and set that expectation before walking in the store. 

Emcee Duties. How to select them and what the expectation is.

We get this question all the time - do we need one!? Over the weddings we've done, we've found that while there is no standard formula for them, they always accomplish the same thing. They tell the guests what they need to know! Especially when you're Wedding planner can't. 

What the heck is an Emcee? Have you ever been to a wedding where you have no idea what's going on? Emcee's are the 'host' of the wedding, and are there to let people know what to expect for the day. "Where's the washroom, where do I smoke, when's dinner". Your Emcee will verbally let your guests know what's next! And your friendly Planners *ahem* are there to work with the Emcee to make sure the right information is shared. 

Listen in as we discuss how to select the Emcee, how to ASK them to be your Emcee, and what to provide your Emcee for the day!  

Do you need to wear a veil on your wedding day, and the bigger question is do you even want to?

Our clients ask us all the time, but our answer is always the same. You don't have to. That being said, being a bride is really the only time you'll get to wear one, so why not embrace it!

Consider your values 

• Are you a bride that feels the veil represents an anti feminist movement?
• Are you a bride that wants the veil to show respect by covering shoulders or your head in a religious setting?

Consider your look 

• Where are you getting married? Inside or outside? In a covered space or in the great outdoors? Your veil is only as beautiful as the wind that pushes it in your face on the beach. 
• What is your personal style? Do you like clean lines, or embellishments?
• What is the style of your dress? Do you have a full detailed dress so you'll want a simple veil, or a really simple wedding dress so your veil will be very detailed. Or are both pieces detailed? 
• Does your veil offer versatility? Can you wear it after your ceremony? 
• Review the shade of your veil, does it compliment your skin or wash you out

Consider your alternatives to a veil
Check out our blog with visuals with veils and other options! 5 Ways to wear your hair on your wedding day

Don't be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone on your wedding day. Embrace the bridal feeling and wear what you want, if that'd be a veil, a crown or just a beautiful braid. Be yourself but an elevated version! 

Guests Favours ! Do you need them? What purpose do they serve?

How many of us have been to a wedding where they have a cute little something extra at your seat?! Raise your hand!! For those who didn't know, those are commonly known as "guest favours" - an little accent to the reception with a delicious past! Did you know guest favours date back as far as the 13th century, as a popular gift that Couples would give to their guests as a way to pass on their good luck!

Listen in as we tell you a little bit about the history of the favour, what are the best types of favours for your guests to enjoy, and what are some alternatives if you decide you don't want them!

Don't forget to check out our blog for 7 Pieces of practical advice when it comes to your Guest Favours - https://sayeventsco.com/7-pieces-of-practical-advice-when-it-comes-to-your-guest-favours

Points to listen to, and check out the following links for example of favours!
8:10 - Help us answer what is in the frame of the guest favour of traditional Russian Weddings!
12:00 - Edible Guest favour! Do it!!
13:16 - Lulu Island Honey https://sayeventsco.com/sarah-robb-july-14-2019
14:00 - Frolic + Forage cakes (you can see these beauties in the Blog post above...)
17:58 - Kim + Ryan soap (...and this one!)
19:43 - Helen + Justin cancer in lieu (...and this lovely card)
22:34 - Half the treats https://sayeventsco.com/kate-lynn-matt-november-19-2018
25:17 - Snacks for the Ride home https://sayeventsco.com/samantha-thomas-june-21-2018
29:37 - Dessert Buffet + Donut Wall https://sayeventsco.com/ashley-andrew-june-30-2019 

We met Isle & Oak Photography - Chris + Sam - two years ago, on a wedding and instantly loved everything about them! Their style, their love of nature, the way they connect with their couples.

While they specialize in wedding and engagement, they also do boudoir and family photography! As they aim to authentically document those who are madly in love through a candid, artistic and documentary approach, Sam + Chris create work that is warm, authentic and encapsulates the bond shared between their couples. All while using the breathtaking scenery they are fortunate to call home in beautiful Vancouver, BC.

Listen in to the origin story of Isle & Oak Photography, why the timeline on the day is super important to capture all the important photos, and why they're our favourite non-couple!

http://www.isleandoakphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/isleandoakphotography/
https://sayeventsco.com/our-work/english-tea-inspired