Wedding Tips: Creating and Finalizing your Guest List

One of the hardest parts of wedding planning is creating and finalizing the guest list! We know it can be so hard, you wish you could invite everyone, but costs start to add up quickly the longer your guest list gets!

Start by writing down every person you’d want to be there. Before you start cutting down the list to fit your venue & budget here are a few things to consider:
– are we inviting kids? (It’s totally okay if you’re not!!)
– if we invite certain groups of people (ie. co-workers, extended family) will we invite them all?
– when was the last time you saw them?
– Have they met your significant other?
– Were you invited to their wedding?
– will everyone receive a plus-one, or where are you drawing the line?

Don’t feel obligated to invite anyone, even if you were invited to their wedding, especially if you haven’t talked to them in a few years or more!

Creating a guest list is something we can help you with if you’re having difficulty narrowing it down. Send me a DM today to book a consultation, I’d love to chat!

Photo Credit: Sheldon Isaac Images

Romantic Backyard Wedding

Some of my favourite weddings to plan have been simple yet romantic backyard weddings.😍👰🏻

If I had to guess I think we’re going to see a lot more of these types of weddings, what better way to celebrate your love than in your own backyard?! If you’re considering going this route here are a few tips to help take a simple backyard event to a romantic dream wedding 👇🏻

1. Use string lights to brighten things up & add a beautiful whimsical feel

2. Consider using “indoor decor” such as area rugs, couches/chairs to add style and function!

3. Add pops of colour where you can. Use things such as your table linens, dessert table, signs, florals etc. to add some extra vibrance.

4. Use plants/greenery to help turn small delicate accents into the dreamy romantic decor. This can be things such as centrepieces, simplistic decor accents, or small floral place settings.

5. Add something personal to you as a couple such as a signature cocktail, combined playlist, or fun games for guests.(And don’t forget the dance floor!)One of the easiest ways to turn a simple event into the wedding of your dreams is to hire a wedding planner that can help execute your vision and bring all of your ideas to life.

Book a consultation at alfrescowedding.ca, I’d love to chat about your big day!..

Photo Credit: Becca Vey Photography

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The Top 5 Questions You Should be Asking When Choosing Your Wedding Photographer by Love The Moment Photography

Getting married is exciting and overwhelming all in the same breath. Costs can add up quickly and then panic mode sinks in, you start thinking how to “cut” down and stay on budget, you think you can find a “cheaper” photographer.

Wrong Move.

Think about it, after the dress is worn, the I Do’s are said, the cake is cut and the dance floor has had its share of Aunt Ethel doing her best Macarena, pictures are the ONLY memories you will have of all your hard planning. The details, the emotions, those magic moments that take your breath away can only be reminisced upon though a photograph.  The day goes by so quickly you have to hope and trust your photographer knows your vision and their job well enough that every lasting moment has been caught on camera.

1. How soon I book and what will it cost?
If you have a favourite photographer it’s best to choose your venue, date and then photographer.

We photographers book up a year in advance- sometimes even 2 years! One of the biggest parts of your budget should be set aside for a photographer, period.  I’m not saying the more money the better the photographer either, what I’m saying is you get what you pay for- do your homework. You will find photographers range from about $1500- $5000 all depends what the investment includes.

2. How many photos do I get and what’s final product going to look like?
Some photographers offer all the photos, but only give 50 edited photos. Others will offer albums, wall prints, or prints- this is often in the cost. Many or most give a custom USB with all the images for your printing leisure. Editing will be the final finish on your photos, I strongly suggest finding a photographer that has an editing vision you like- Light and airy, moody, bold colours, a matte finish, or black and whites. You want your photos to feel timeless to you.

3. How do I choose a photographer that best suits me?
When choosing a photographer, pour over a dozen or more websites, does their style speak to you? Are they editorial, documentary, romantic, posed, candid, traditional? Have a meeting with photographer(s) you are interested in. Ask to see a FULL wedding, not just the best on a website. You want to see how the photographer captures an entire day not just a few great shots. Most importantly, personality! The photographer is the one vendor that will be with you the longest on your day, make sure you like them… A lot.

4. Back up?
Does your chosen photographer have back up equipment in the case something breaks mid-day? How long and where do they keep your photos after they have been delivered. What if you loose your photos 5, 10 even 20 years down the road- your photographer should have all weddings backed up to external hard drive- maybe even a couple so your precious day is preserved forever.

5. Who Should I Hire?
Don’t book a family member or friend (unless this is legitimately their living) It never ends well for either party.  Don’t look for someone starting out in weddings, 4+ years and 40 weddings later is when a wedding photographer really is on their game. They can handle all lighting conditions, spur of the moment changes, they get every detail, they have talked with other vendors involved at a wedding- minister, DJ, wedding planner, to make sure everyone is on the same page and they are getting the notifications to be at key moments.

Bonus tips for perfect photography

* If you have getting ready photos make sure the area is clean of clutter.

* Have your wedding dress on a nice hanger for photos.

* Consider an unplugged ceremony, have your guests present- let the photographer capture the memories.

* Does your photographer offer an online gallery? You can send the link to family and friends to download and print any photos they want as well.

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Rachel Wittenberg (Rae) is the owner and primary photographer of Love the Moment…Photography.
She has been in the wedding biz for 10 years, capturing magical moments.  She prides herself on creativity making each wedding different than the next.

Are Bridal Trials Necessary?

Part of my job as a Wedding Planner is to create the perfect wedding day experience, and that includes making sure you feel beautiful and confident on your wedding day.  Getting a Bridal Trial is often overlooked as an unnecessary expense, however, I highly recommend that you include this in your budget.

This is why for today’s blog, I have asked Pamela Price from Priceless Beauty,  a good friend and Professional Hair and Make-up Artist to explain the Importance of including a Bridal Trial.

This is what she had to say:  https://priceless-beauty.com/bridal-trials-101/

Pamela in action.  Photo Credit:  Shotlife Studio

Her talented work includes working for well-known TV programs such as Breakfast Television, CP24, E Talk, Omni News, Sun TV, Rogers TV, YTV, and ET Canada.  As well as been featured in Oxygen, Lifestyle Magazine, Asian Woman Magazine, Fitness Star Magazine, TandM Magazine, The Toronto Sun, along with several online publications.

Because Pamela is such a good friend of ours, she is offering a free Consultation to all of Alfresco Wedding Planner’s followers,  simply by mentioning this post.

You can contact her here: https://priceless-beauty.com/contact/

Photo Credit:  Shotlife Studio

How to Stay Organized Planning Your Wedding

You’re engaged!  Congratulations!

  

Before you start your journey of wedding planning, it’s essential that you have an organized plan to make the process as seamless as possible. No question, wedding planning can be overwhelming. There are a lot of details that go into making an event like this.

 Not to scare you, but did you know that the average wedding in Canada can take 250 hours to plan.  Having a Game plan before you start will make the world of difference of keeping your stress level down and feeling confident about your special day.

Here are our top 6 tips to help keep you organized with keeping track of your spending, to-do lists, and communications so nothing slips through the cracks.

    1. Create a dedicated wedding email.    Keep all your emails related to your wedding in one place.  You can create folders within your inbox to easily find important emails.  You can create folders for each of your vendors, helpful blogs, invoices etc.  Give all your wedding vendors, and the venue this email.
    2. Get a Wedding Binder or Folder.  It might be a digital world, but you’re still going to need a place to keep important documents like contracts, invoices and brochures, so they don’t get lost.  Again, create tabs for things like wedding inspiration, to-do lists, service providers etc.
    3. Follow a 12-month checklist.  Don’t know where to get started on first? Use a Wedding Checklist to keep you on track, and break things down in small manageable chunks.    
    4. Schedule Time for Wedding Planning. Set aside time on your calendar every week for wedding planning, just like you would a doctor appointment or a gym workout.  If you don’t block off the time, it’s likely it will get put off….and this will always be at the bottom of your to-do list.
    5. Use Spreadsheets.  Spreadsheets are a fantastic tool to keep track of important information. You can use a spreadsheet for your Budget, Guest List with RSVP’s responses, Menu selection, and  Thank you Cards. Enter formulas to automatically calculate your budget or add up your Guest List.   
    6. Get help!   Planning a wedding is a BIG job, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.  This is where a professional Wedding Planner can come in handy. Wedding planners have the relationships and knowledge to help achieve your wedding day vision and ease the stress.   Alfresco Wedding Planner will put you at ease and guide you through what is possibly the most exciting, yet stressful time of your life.

Do you need help getting started or have questions?  We are here to create the best Wedding Day Experience for you, as you deserve it.  Contact us today liz@alfrescowedding.ca


Happy Planning!