Plan the Wedding
The coordinator’s usefulness begins soon after the engagement, helping you initialize plans for your special day. A good wedding coordinator will take the time to get to know you and the groom, your likes and dislikes and gather details about how you envision your wedding day. They will use this information to help you plan every detail of the event so that it is fabulous for you.

Connections
Because they are in the business, wedding coordinators have connections. They have built solid working relationships with the managers of various venues for your reception or with florists, entertainers and photographers. A good coordinator will negotiate with the most sought-after vendors and ensure the best possible service.

Save Money
Wedding coordinators can help you save money in a variety of ways. They have connections with local vendors and can often obtain discounts from them. They have learned where corners can be cut without sacrificing the quality, and they have the experience to offer low cost alternatives that will give you the most bang for your buck. A professional wedding coordinator should end up saving you as much or more than the fee they charge.

Save Time
According to government statistics, the average age that people are getting married for the first time in the is between 28 to 31 for women and 29 to 33 for men. There are also more two-income families today than ever before. What this means to most couples, is that they are severely stretched when it comes to time. Wedding coordinators take responsibility for many of your wedding tasks. They are working for you, so that you can concentrate on keeping your life in balance.

Cheers to a stress free wedding day!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director

Jessica Stevens, Wedding Coordinator

If this sounds like something you want to do, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Wedding Invitations
Your wedding invitations can make a great green statement. Use tree free or recycled paper.  Some couples are emailing invitations.

Food and Beverage
Think vegan or vegetarian when choosing your food. Use eco-friendly caterers or restaurants when creating your menu. Serve locally grown foods at the reception and rehearsal dinner.

Table settings
Table settings at the reception are another easy place to show your nature loving side by using leaves or pebbles for your place cards creating a unique and eco-friendly alternative to the traditional paper place cards for seating arrangements.

Favours
Give your guests the gift of life.  Give a tree,  plant bulb or seeds in lui of the traditional favour.  Locally grown honey , homemade jams or maple syrup is another great alternative.

Transportation
Consider renting a hybrid SUV or limousine that uses clean fuel for your transportation to the wedding, reception, and honeymoon. Having your wedding ceremony and reception at the same location can also cuts down on the amount of fuel needed to transport yourself and guests between locations.

Flowers
Flowers for the wedding and reception can be done in an eco-friendly manner if you use an locally grown and/organic flowers. Organic florists use organic seeds and grow their flowers in pesticide free soil. You might also ask that they mix in some fruits or vegetables with the flowers to put a creative spin on the traditional flower arrangements.

Wedding and Engagement Rings
Everyone wants a lovely ring, but unethical mining practices harm the workers and the earth. So do your research and buy your engagement and wedding rings from jewelers who support ethically mined gems. Or consider using vintage stones or rings that have been handed down for generations or bought at an antique store.

Location
Consider holding your event during the day and having a luncheon in place of dinner to reduce energy costs.

Cheers to a Greener World!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director

Love the stationary designed by Papilon Press.  I had been looking for an excuse to work with them since the Wedding Co. Show.

Miller Lash House offered the perfect vintage background for the photo shoot.

Konstadin Cakes hand made brooches for the mini cakes to match the bouquet brooch.

The brooch bouquet has opened a whole new door of inspiration for me.  It took 8 hours to create this masterpiece but I still get that “I am in love” feel every time I look at it!!  It looks so fabulous and my beautiful Bride Lindsay Meijer is going to be the lucky one to carry this down the aisle!  Thanks to my team for working so hard to make this shoot perfect.

Cheers to a great team effort!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director

I have come across this very interesting website that allows you to get typical weather for your date and location. You can also compare two locations. What a great planning tool! However, even though I like to think you can plan everything, you can’t plan weather. So my advice is this, be open to adjustments and remember that it is all about getting married to the one you love!  Check out this website and see what the ‘typical’ weather is for your wedding day.

http://www.weather.com/activities/events/weddings/

A wedding day is all about, going with the flow and having fun… rain or shine.

Jessica Stevens,Wedding Coordinator

Pick a favorite drink of the Bride and Groom and feature each one during cocktail hour.  Create fun names for your drinks incorporating your names or favourite activities.  Creating them in the colours of your wedding and adding a garnish further enhances the visual.  Guests love the unexpected!  Personalize your bar area with drink menus, candles and a few bowls of candy.  For additional WOW add a martini luge to chill drinks as they funnel down a block of illuminated ice.  Add a few cocktail height tables and let the socializing begin.  The more interaction you create, the better the atmosphere you provide!

Often we will create a secondary martini bar that only serves a selection of martinis during the evening.  We all know how much us women love the martini bar.  I wanted to share some of my favorite recipes and stations to inspire you this season.  Visit www.martinirecipe.net for more great ideas and tips on how to make the perfect martini!

Rub the rim of a chilled cocktail glass with lemon wedge and then dip in a sugar frost.  Place ice in cocktail shaker, add ingredients over ice and shake vigorously until a frost forms.  Strain into your glass and add garnish.

Apple Martini

30ml (or approx 1 oz) Vodka
30ml (or approx 1 oz) Sour Apple Schnapps
30ml (or approx 1 oz) apple juice
3 ice cubes
1 slice green apple

Pomegranate Martini

1 oz vodka (or citrus vodka, if you have it)
1/2 oz Cointreau orange liqueur
3 oz pomegranate juice*
chopped ice
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice, for garnish
lemon slice, for garnish
sugar, for garnish

Cheers to your favorite drink!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director

Our desgin was called “Spirit of Nature” and initial creative inspiration was the Native theme represented at our Olympics.  I wanted to take this concept and add a modern trendy edge.  Beautiful layered tones of oranges were accented with natural detailing.  Working frequently in the Muskoka Region was additional inspiration.  Details included; georgeous silk backdrop, wooden log chairs with feather detailing, handmade birch charger plates, birch stump mini cakes, floral and feather dreamcatcher, flowers in tones of orange with red accents and natural elements, real trees in tall modern sqare vases, moss floor and burlap table linen with silk edging.   Visit Toronto Wedding Society blog for more images!

“It is all about the details!”

I created the large dreamcatcher that hung over the table from branches and twine with the guidance of my friend and fellow designer Kevin.  I added strands of florals accented with feathers and beading.

Lori from the Caketress created birch log mini cakes that complement the custom birch charger plates perfectly!

Multiple tones of orange florals were used with natural pod and moss and branch detailing.

Rustic log chairs were glammed up with feathers!

All photography was shot Taylor Jackson Photography

Enjoy!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director

What is the Little Black Book?

Our Little Black Book is a thoughtfully edited listing of only top quality vendors. Because our style-savvy, sophisticated readers deserve a chic resource they can trust, our book is created with them in mind. Our Little Black Book offers our readers a worry-free browsing experience while our Very Important Vendors enjoy a showcase in keeping with our firm commitment to quality vs. quantity. More than simply enjoying elite advertising space, our members are a handpicked community of artistic experts. In an industry saturated with long lists of anybody & everybody, our book is the most thoughtfully edited resource on the planet: a refreshingly couture idea.

How do you choose the vendors for your Little Black Book?

The process to become a Little Black Book member is actually quite extensive.

First, they need to have been recommended by an SMP reader, a recent bride or an industry professional. We don’t simply look for a referral but rather for a passionate reason as to why a particular vendor deserves to be in the book. Perhaps the designer worked with a reader’s best friend when she was getting married, perhaps they have already designed the world’s most beautiful invitations for a particular bride and groom, perhaps an event planner that we know shares with us the one photographer that she will work with. Whatever the connection, it must be strong and based on a real knowledge of the vendor’s work.

Second, we dive head first into the vendor’s business. Their portfolio, their experience, their time in the industry. We look at press that they’ve received, we chat with their industry neighbors, we get to know who they are and why they are good at what they do. We spend hours on the phone with each vendor, getting to know them, figuring out if they are honest, have a high level of integrity and are truly devoted to their craft. For highly competitive industries, like photography, we also have vetting teams. An unbiased group of style savvy vendors who can fairly, objectively, and accurately evaluate other’s work.

And finally, after feeling completely confident that a particular vendor is fabulous, we invite them to be a part of our book! It’s an invitation only book that truly prides itself on it’s commitment to quality above all else.

Check Out the Site and be Inspiried!!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director

Luxury and elegance define the trend for 2010.  Achieved in an effortless, yet elegant style with a trendy sophisticated feel.  The feeling of feminine yet sensual is combined with subdued colours.  Colour trends include; beautiful muted neutrals and mineral tones, gold, copper, and silvers, including platinum which trend towards grey.  Soft pinks to deep burgundies are mixed with lavender.  Rich plum or aubergine is paired with fuchsia, celadon and brown overtones lightened with mocha and pearl.   Reds trend towards venetian red for the fall.

Contemporary design, rich colours and textured patterns, have a strong following in the interior design industry this year.  Colour, lots of colour defines the fashion industry. A lot of blues, greens and lavender.   Fabrics are weightless and fluid.  Accessories are hot!  Add gloves, purse and shoes in an inspiring colour to complete your outfit.  Mirror and light reflective materials continue to be popular adding iridescent and opalescence surfaces.  These special effects are applied to fabrics, jewelry and printing.

Sustainable design is the way of the future.  Naturally inspired texture and colour are still hot in 2010.  Organic elements such as driftwood, berries, branches, grasses, pods and mosses have continued interest.   Natures resources are paired with urban influences.

Elegant blossoms will stand out this year with orchids remaining a staple.  Garden flowers such as peonies, hydrangea, daisies, dahlias, roses and tulips are still modern classics.  Arrangements are simple in design with the focus on single colour schemes, using three or four interesting materials.  Unexpected colour, texture and dimensions add an element of surprise or unexpected glamour in 2010.  Clear glassware that show the mechanics of florals are popular and finished with stones, pebbles, acrylic ice and interesting floral wire.

Round hand tied bouquets continue to be popular with a trend towards tear-dropped shaped bouquets with a freshly picked feel.  Accessorizing florals with jewels, wire, feathers and personalized ribbons are instant glam.

This season’s events are all about personalized details!  Invitations that reflect your theme and carry from menus and place cards to ceremony and reception décor.  Gorgeous floral centerpieces, signature cocktails, soft and subtle lighting, tailored cakes, trendy linens, napkin treatments and patterned glassware.  Lounges are all the rage and a fabulous way for guests to kick back and enjoy the evening.  Add a martini bar with signature drinks and let the fun begin!

Today’s bride and groom are creating their own traditions, from the Candy Station, to personalized table names in place of traditional numbers, square head tables, chocolate fountains in place of a cake,  pictures before the ceremony, wish cards in place of a sign in book to mailing music requests with the invitations.  Have fun with the details.

Remember……it’s your day…..your style!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director

Each review has been written by our former clients and includes detailed ratings and insightful descriptions of their experiences with our services.  These reviews not only enhance our credibility, but also help differentiate our business within the WeddingWire Network.  

As Creative Director I feel so fortunate to “do what I love” every day.  Designing inspirational weddings for clients around the Globe. Choosing the perfect linen, creating florals that reflect our client’s personality, matching colour palettes, editing each and every detail until we achieve perfection!   Jessica working tirelessly on the planning to fine-tune every schedule so the day runs smoothly and effortlessly. Kelly creating the perfect combination of florals and sourcing the highest quality products and most innovative trends.  My Assistant Debbie managing client and supplier files to ensure all the details come together perfectly!  Our reward is watching the excitement as a design comes together and the clients vision unfolds. I thank you for putting your faith in our services.  This trust enables our team to always strive to reach new heights.

eventdecorator.com, would like to thank our past brides and grooms for taking the time to review our services on WeddingWire.  Happy clients are the future of our company and we love to share our success stories with others!

If you are a past client of eventdecorator.com, we would love your feedback!  Visit  http://reviews.weddingwire.com or just click this link to begin your review:
  http://www.weddingwire.com/shared/Rate?vid=d07d7c5a1943f90f 

Happy ratings!

Elizabeth Johnston, Creative Director