8 Questions to Answer before Making Wedding Plans
When is the date? Where is the wedding? What are your colours? What are you wearing?
These are all the questions that newly engaged couples are encountered with the moment that ring hits the finger.
So here are some tips and tricks for narrowing down some of the BIG IDEAS for the BIG DAY – venue, style, colours, and entertainment.
For Toronto couples, there are practical suggestions to get the ball rolling.
So, you are engaged and about to embark on the 18 month planning frenzy. Well, at least that is the average. Couples spend anywhere from 2 months to 20 years to plan the BIG DAY. Hundreds of hours, thousands of dollars, and a million little details, all go into making the wedding of your dreams.
Whatever the resources, your wedding should emulate the lifestyle and aesthetic preferences of the bride and groom. The big day should be a reflection of your lives together versus a mocked up version of popular wedding catalogues’ front covers.
With that in mind, here are a couple questions to ask yourself as a means of creating the visuals for your wedding day.
If all, or some, of this seems overwhelming, feel free to reach out so we can help you plan and execute the day of your dreams.
1. WHAT IS YOUR STYLE?......The way you live your everyday life is the way that your wedding should be put together. That is not to say you shouldn’t try something new or jazz up a traditional style, but stay true to you and what YOU want.
Relaxed and Comfortable – Your ceremony and reception could mimic this philosophy in terms of the seating you provide and the seating arrangements you make
Maybe opt to change up the classic head table or traditional dinner serving and try a more intimate setting with family style service
Timeless and Classy – You can take the more traditional route, but this doesn’t mean being plain and boring.
Jazz up a timeless classic like matching bridesmaid dresses. Instead of having everyone wear the exact same dress, allow bridesmaids to stick to a particular colour or material – with your approval of course
Unique and Trendy - You can make this traditional day all your own by putting a personal touch on customary aspects.
Try getting married in a unique location/situation or making a staple one of a kind. Like your flower bouquet not being the traditional flowers. Or getting married at the location where you and your love had met – school, camp, university, science centre.
Modern and Clean lines – You can use the space that your big day takes place in and make it a part of the spectacle.
Try to find an architecturally intriguing space that acts as décor in itself. Cathedrals have a great way of doing this, but think about art galleries in, or close to your city.
Charming and Elegant – Incorporate your love for classic furnishing and rich textures through various elements in the wedding process. Like the stationary, flowers, and attire.
Gorgeous and well thought out floral arrangements can dramatically change the mood of a reception. Rich roses and large peonies are great examples of flowers that lend to this aesthetic.
Classic and Simple - This does not to be lackluster and ordinary, it does mean to have taste that is refined, chic, and candid. Take your exquisite taste and make it shine in the little details.
Take the time to DIY and personalize items like the ‘save the date’, ‘party favours’, ‘signage’, and ‘name cards’
2. WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF A PERFECT NIGHT WITH THE SOON-TO-BE?...What you like to do as a couple should be lived by your guests in some capacity.
Order in for a Netflix and Chill night – take your laid back attitude and love for the simple things in life by having a favourite movie of yours play, on mute, on a TV in the reception after dinner or during the cocktail hour.
This could also double as entertainment for kids at the wedding. Take this a step further and set up a full projection screen in an open area and serve freshly popped popcorn – in personalized cups of course
Going out for a night on the town to a trendy art show – Bring your love for the creative arts into the event. This could be done by putting some of your favourite artists’ work up around the venue, to show and/or sell. Or try creating an interactive art set up for guests to engage with, and take home, after the dinner reception.
Anything new, exciting, and adventurous – If you and the soon-to-be are active and outgoing, try to bring something fun and exciting to the big day. A great way to entertain guests and create some friendly competition is to have an inflatable obstacle courses set up so that guests, and the couple, can face off in a friendly race. Bouncy Castle. Giant slide…..oh this could be fun!!
A visit to the local bakery/ice cream shop before you stroll down the beach boardwalk – Give your sweet tooth and romantic side some time to shine. Instead of the traditional dessert table have a food truck roll up to the venue and offer some of your favourites. Or, hire an ice cream truck to come through with a custom ice cream flavour and sprinkles that match your theme.
Wine tasting or a Visit to the Brewery – Bring your appreciation for the finer things in life to the party. Offer guests a unique wine or beer tasting experience. Accompany this with a great pretzel bar or fancy cheese set up. You could also bring this love to life through the venue – have it at a winery, Niagara is great for that, or a local brewery.
3. WHAT KIND OF SHOES DO YOU TYPICALLY GO FOR?…How you dress your toes can indicate how to pick the clothes for your big day.
Classic pumps – simple and classic attire could be your aim. Attend to what the ‘trends’ are but make sure it still resonates your personality and idea of comfort.
Flats or Flops – Comfort and ease is the name of your game so make sure that your wedding attire emulates this. Don’t go for the over the top embellishments and major poof. Stick to what you find comfortable and practical.
Funk Colour and Pizzazz- Clothes are your statement piece so your wedding attire should be no different. Ditch the classic white silhouette. Make a statement with a less than traditional shoe, or maybe even a colourful wedding dress.
Sleek style and Comfort in a Boot – Your style will not be compromised for comfort, but this also means you will not be breaking an ankle to standout. With this in mind, make sure you are checking out the unique and less than traditional way of wearing the wedding wears. Nowadays, designers have a great way of combining classic style with modern aesthetics.
No fuss, No muss, Boots – You go for comfort and practicality. After all, they are shoes. That being said, you should try to find attire that will allow for you to be comfortable throughout the day and dance the night away. Free flowing unattached silhouettes will really lend to this vision.
It has a sole, It’s on – What is in ‘style’ or on ‘trend’ is not what you are concerned with. Price and purpose are paramount for your decisions. With this in mind, keep it simple for the clothing department. You might find that using a non-traditional ‘party dress’ may be up your aisle (no pun intended), maybe you already have a dress in your closet, or what if you rent the digs for the day to cut costs and stay in line with you vision.
4. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ORGANIZATION AND PLANNING SKILLS?......This will help determine just how much help you may need along the way. That being said, having a day-of attendant is ALWAYS suggested no matter how savvy the duo.
Everything is organized, categorized, labeled, and has its place – for you, wedding planning may not be a daunting task at all. You will be able to pull together your vision and create a plan. Amazing! Consider hiring a day of attendant, this way you will be able to fully enjoy the fruits of your labour on the BIG DAY
Most things together, maybe a few things out of place, but overall, I can make a plan and follow through - You will be able to put together all of the major elements, think about having a planner come in at the last month or so to tie off any loose ends, finalize any contracts/agreements, and identify possible risks.
I’m not that bad. Okay not the best, but I have a general idea of where things are, or at least ought to be. I can make a plan but may need some help - You may want to consider hiring a planner for a partial service. This way you can be helped with making some of the smaller details happened as well as wrangle all of the vendors and timelines. This is a huge stress reliever.
Plan? I don’t plan. Just tell me where to be – So you may have a vague idea, or no idea at all, of what or how this day will come together. In this case, take a look at our page to see what services are available to you and we can help bring you BIG DAY to fruition. No stress included!
I’ve got it all together, except for that! – Have fun planning the BIG DAY, if and when you find something that needs to be taken care of – name cards, photo booth, floral arrangements, menus – whatever it is, there are a-la-carte services available to you. Check it out!
5. WHAT COLOUR PALETTES FLOAT YOUR BOAT?...Your palette preferences are definitely going to dictate the look of your big day in a major way. Keep in mind, with colour, that you will need to find many items in ‘that colour’ so try not to pick one that is hard to attain across the board – unless price is not a concern – for stationary, table settings, clothing, flowers, etc.
Don’t ignore things like your budget, time of year, and venue when making the decisions for your wedding colours.
Dramatic Combos
Neutrals
Grey and Warm
Pastels
Earth and Floral
Tropical
6. WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF A GOOD TIME?... This should be what you try to capture in your reception and venue.
Dancing like a princess in the middle of a ballroom –This will call for a classic and overtop ballroom feel – Most hotel ballrooms and estates can provide this
For Toronto brides, consider King Edward, Sunnybrook Estates, One King West, St. Lawrence Hall, to name a few
A simple activity like the aquarium, museum, or zoo – you could make your big day take place in a unique location like an art gallery or local attraction.
Toronto brides, think about the Metro-Toronto Zoo, Ripley’s Aquarium, Science Centre, AGO.
Relaxing on the beach – Now this calls for a destination. If you are looking for a great tan, and relaxed vibe, consider a destination wedding in a warm tropical destination. If you are lucky enough to live in a location that offers the beach year round, then use the natural landscape to capture the theme.
Yacht clubs could lend themselves to mimic the feel with the hospitality built in.
Toronto brides, think of the Toronto Island, Cherry Beach, Ward’s Island.
We would be happy to help with making arrangements for a destination wedding. Cuba, Mexico, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, it can all be done.
Sitting around a fire at the cottage/farm – your charming and rustic taste may be complimented with a venue out of the city. Take into consideration local (or not) cottage communities, barns/farm, country estates, and grass fields as the backdrop to your big day
Can’t leave the city, The Old Mill, Archeo, and the Alton Mill are a great starting point for in the city rustic charm.
A house party – You like the comforts of home but do not want to give up the opulence of great service. Look into historic buildings, manors, and mansions as a way to have your venue match your taste.
In Toronto, take a look at venues like The Spadina House, Graydon Hall Manor, Hart House, Campbell House, or The Doctor’s House
Sitting on a downtown rooftop terrace – City chic can be accomplished through the venue selection. Many restaurants have private dining areas that can facilitate a wedding.
Toronto brides, consider The Fifth Gastropub, The Chase, Malaparte, or Burroughes Roof Terrace.
7. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WITH FRIENDS?.... What you and your friends love to do any other day of the week should be present on the BIG DAY.
Having cocktails at a local hot spot – Try and introduce a unique and personalized cocktail to be given out between the ceremony and reception, Or a signature shot.
Trying new things and activities – Try to include some unique entertainment via a comedian, acrobatic performance, or artist – really, whatever tickles your fancy. This, could, end up being the party favour as well.
Go out dancing – Bring the vibrancy into your party. Hire a dancer or dance duo to liven up the dance scene. Or, have your deejay host a dance competition for those of your friends who you know will be down to dance.
Eating food and watching the game – if great food and good company is your idea of a good time, make this a feature of your party. Have unique food stations and interactive activities that will allow guests to eat food you love in a memorable way. Also, check out the suggestion for couples that finds “Anything new, exciting, and adventurous” to be their idea of a perfect night, above.
Setting up a bonfire in the backyard – Where permitted, create a bonfire experience at your venue. Get out the cigars, marshmallows, and franks to make this part of your party something to get excited about.
8. WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF A DREAM DRESS?...You may already know exactly what you want, or maybe you have no clue. Either way, consider your budget, comfort, theme, venue, and style. Also, it is encouraged that you try on something you would ‘never buy’, for two reasons. 1. You may actually find something you like in the dress, 2. You at least are firm and reasoned in terms of why you want the dress you do – opinions are like a-holes, everyone has one – know what you like and why you like what you like it.
