Archive for Angie Kovacs

6 Ways For Coffee Lovers To Perk Up Your Wedding Day

Planning

Posted August 13th, 2019 | 4:59 pm | By | No Comments

Photo via Hey Wedding Lady.

If coffee is your elixir of life then it absolutely must play a part in your wedding day. With your wedding planning brewing you may be wondering how you can incorporate your favourite bevvy into your party mix. We’ve done the research for you and come up with some seriously fun ways to wake up your wedding day (pardon the pun we could not resist!) From food to gifts to the scent of your reception space, here’s six amazing ideas on how to incorporate coffee into your wedding.

Coffee Bar (pictured above)
While this may be an obvious choice for a coffee lover an adorable coffee bar will keep you and your guests caffeinated but it can also be super Instagramable. Add an adorable sign saying “The Perfect Blend” and you’ve got the coolest and most practical wedding addition. 

Coffee Favours 

Give your guests a celebratory cup of joe with coffee grounds as your wedding favours. It’s an sweet take home that they will use and that will remind them to have a drink to you. After all this is grounds for celebration.

Signature Sent 

Take your wedding to the next level with a signature scent. By incorporating this scent into your invitations, your wedding day perfume or day-of decorative candles this coffee blend will remind you of your wedding bliss every time you smell your morning brew.  

Coffee Themed Centrepieces

Photo via Southern Living.

Add beans directly to your wedding tables with a coffee themed centrepiece. Rather than using stones opt for coffee beans for a natural look as well as the smell of coffee. 

Themed Mugs 

Monogrammed coffee mugs are a sweet gift for your guests to remember your day every time they make a cup of coffee. Plus we guarantee they’ll want to break out this special mug every time that you visit. 

Coffee Dessert 

Photo via Saveur.

If drinking coffee isn’t enough add another taste into your wedding with a coffee flavoured dessert. There are many tasty treats beyond coffee cake that will indulge your sweet tooth and satisfy your caffeine craving

These Are The Gorgeous, Unique Flowers You Should Consider For Your Wedding

Planning » Bouquets & Flowers

Posted August 7th, 2019 | 10:36 am | By | No Comments

Photo courtesy of Oudalova Events Design.

Roses, peonies and orchids are some of the flowers we see these again and again in bridal bouquets. While these flowers are timeless and beautiful, we wanted some fresh ideas to inspire your wedding florals. We spoke to Margarita Oudalova of Oudalova Events Design to find out what flowers are the most common and which haven’t been on your radar, but should be. “The most requested wedding flowers do change seasonally but the most popular are peonies, roses, anemones and orchids,” she shares. “While flower trends do play a role in the popularity of some flowers, the biggest change isn’t what’s in a bouquet but how it looks and is styled.”

Oudalova says most clients turn to her to determine the look of their florals and for recommendations of florals that will work best. “Once I have confirmed the vision and inspiration I will start sketching the design and also doing a trial with them so they understand what things will look like and we can tweak the design accordingly from there.”

What types of florals would Oudalova like to use more and see more in bridal bouquets? She has a few suggestions for beautiful blooms that might not be on your radar.

Clemetis (pictured, above): This leafy, viney bloom is lush and luxurious and looks particularly amazing when paired with garden roses in large and lovely displays and installations.

Photo via Wild Flora.

Tropical Flowers: We’re talking arrangements with anthurium, monstera, ferns, protea… all the amazing tropicals! Oudlalova says all of these flowers and foliage will last longer than more traditional florals, and will give your bouquet and centrepieces a more unique shape and colour.

Garden Roses: Oudalova believes these rose varietals should be used more, and not just as a substitute when peonies are not in season. “They are gorgeous on their own and have the most incredible scent!” she says. 

Photo courtesy of Oudalova Events Design.

Hellebore: These delicate blooms are perfect in the autumn and winter and have a certain magical quality, Oudalova says. “They are certainly not atypical wedding flowers, but should be,” she explains. “They look amazing in mono-floral arrangements which lets them shine as the star.” Hellebore are also available in an incredible range of shades from pure white to black, through pinks, reds, greens, yellows and peachy apricot hues. 

How To Let Guests Know Your Wedding Dress Code

Planning

Posted August 1st, 2019 | 3:48 pm | By | No Comments

Photo as seen in this real wedding.

Establishing a wedding-day dress code is one thing to do that will help both you and your guests. Letting your invitees know what is expected of them can help to relieve some of the risk of a guest showing up in jeans or not conforming to a wedding theme. Some of your loved ones may be unsure what you’re looking for if you haven’t been clear. Depending on your venue and if you have a theme, an appropriate dress code can assist your guests with their own preparations so their look is on point for your celebration (trust us, not knowing what to wear is a stress point for many wedding guests!).

A themed wedding dress code is the easiest to enforce as it is a part of the wedding. Asking that your guests are a part of the theme by working within it is a great way to get them involved and keep things on track. Sending a list of approved choices or suggestions takes the guesswork out for your those you’ve invited. 

If you’re looking for your guests to wear more elevated outfits, make that clear in your invitations. By including the dress code in the invitation you are making it clear to your guests that they are expected to dress a certain way. It’s important to be very specific on the dress code if you’re choosing to include it: from casual to cocktail or black tie. Once you’ve chosen exactly how you’d like your guests to dress, a line as simple as “formal wear requested” or “dress code is cocktail chic,” will let the recipient know what you are expecting. A line at the end of the invitation may also be beneficial if you have clothing recommendations such as suggesting not to wear high heels to an outdoor ceremony on grass.

Depending on the style of your invitation, you may not want to add this line directly in the invitation. Another way to share the dress code is by adding a dress code FAQ to your wedding website. If you’re simply hoping to ensure your guests are dressed formally a short note about formal wear or cocktail attire may be enough. If you have larger restrictions, such as a theme, an outdoor wedding or anything else, adding a photo page could be more beneficial. If you’re worried that a photo page may come across as too severe, you can have fun with your photo instructions and use images of what not to wear, next to photos that show your dress code. This shares the intended dress requirements in a lighthearted way. 

Bottom line: a dress code takes the guesswork out of your wedding and will ensure all of your wedding guests look amazing on the big day and in ALL your photos.

5 Adorable Wedding Photo Booth Ideas

Planning » Photo/Video

Posted July 25th, 2019 | 4:19 pm | By | No Comments

One sweet way to hold onto your special day is through a photo. While you’ll have beautiful portraits from your wedding photographer, your guests also need share-worthy photos of their own. A wedding photo booth is a great way to ensure your loved ones are able to snap a picture perfect moment of the big day. While we’ve come a long way from giant sunglasses and feather boa props, having a totally original photo booth at your wedding is a sure way to elevate the experience for your guests and give them a keepsake they’ll want to hold on to.

Photo via 100 Layer Cake.

A kissing booth
What better photo op on your big day than building a kissing booth for your guests to share a smooch with their loved ones?

Photo via Junebug Weddings.

A rustic bus
If your wedding theme has more of a rustic, outdoorsy vibe, a rustic bus converted into a photo booth area is a unique idea that a lot of your guests probably haven’t seen before.

Photo as seen in this real wedding.

A gorgeous loveseat
How sweet would you and your beau look cuddled on a love seat? This adorable seat is a great way for your guests and their loved ones to share a moment together.

Photo as seen in this real wedding.

A cool neon sign
Say cheers to forever with a neon sign—bonus points if it incorporates a phrase or quote that you and your partner love.

Photo as seen in this real wedding.

A colourful fiesta
With neon details as one of the hottest wedding trends of 2019  a vibrant fiesta photobooth is one fun way to brighten the party and keep the colour alive. We love how this real wedding also had alpacas—animals are an incredible way to take your photo game to the next level.

 

How To Plan The Perfect Post-Wedding Brunch

Planning

Posted July 18th, 2019 | 11:29 am | By | No Comments

Photo via iStock.

The wedding brunch has become a staple of the weekend wedding celebration. We love the idea of the after-party brunch for your nearest and dearest—there is no better way to wrap up your wedding festivities with a bang than with an indulgent spread of breakfast favourites, lattes and mimosas. By adding another element to your wedding, you are of course adding to your budget, which means taking a careful look at this event, how many you invite and how you execute it. We recommend including your brunch in your wedding planning costs, but putting together a separate brunch party plan for it.

Your brunch prep can start early in your wedding planning process (you should decide early on if this will be a part of your celebration). While inviting everyone who attended your wedding to the brunch may sound like a sweet way to tie off the events, if you had a large number of wedding guests you may not want to serve such a large meal a second time. A smaller and simpler brunch will allow you to really talk to your most important wedding guests before you leave on your honeymoon or they travel back home. This generally means inviting your bridal party and some close family. The odds are these are the people who were there for you throughout the planning process and may deserve an extra thank you to end your party. Invitations for brunch should be separate from your wedding invite. You can choose to do this via a formal paper invitation or an email invitation (do not deploy this on social media, EVER!), whichever is your preference. Just like your wedding invitation, be specific who the brunch invite is for so you can have an accurate head count of people attending.

After your wedding day, your post-celebration brunch should allow you to relax and enjoy the company of your guests without taking on too much of a hostess role again. Asking your mother or mother-in-law to assist with the brunch plans is a great idea if you think they are game for it, plus it allows you to enjoy your company without worrying. While a brunch can be as formal or as informal as you like, a buffet-style meal is our preference because it creates a casual environment and lets you actually chat with guests! It’s also a great meal style as you may have guests rolling in at different times during brunch, depending on when they have to head home.

How To Start Planning Your Wedding

Planning

Posted July 10th, 2019 | 12:57 pm | By | No Comments

Photo courtesy of Mango Studios.

Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking and it’s totally overwhelming to know exactly where to begin. Creating a detailed order of events to steer your planing process from start to finish and will ease the stress of organizing the day and allow you to actually enjoy it. Here’s our step-by-step on how to start the successful cruise direction of the biggest party you’ll likely ever throw!

Step One: Decide where you want to host your wedding and how many people you want to invite. If you already have a venue in mind, that may dictate how many guests you are able to invite. If you’re unsure of your guest count, your venue of choice may be the deciding factor. The venue, depending on how popular it is, may also only have a few dates for you to select from. This will also establish the timing of the wedding. 

Step Two: Confirm your guest list. While you may not have started planning the logistics of your wedding, it’s important to know who you’re inviting and who your bridal party is if you’re having one. While the wedding may seem far away, people often book their vacations far in advance and you want to give your guests notice as soon as possible to ensure as many as possible can attend. This means sending out a save the date at this time is important. 

Step Three: Start thinking details! Now is the time to consider all those party elements that will shape the look, feel and flow of your day—determining your theme and colour palette are key. See how colours you love work together and experiment with some unconventional choices—you will likely be surprised what you love. Other key considerations at this time include deciding on your menu and determining how it will be served (Plated? Family style? Buffet?). This will help determine the table shapes and sizes as well as picking your caterer based on the food you are looking to serve. Alternatively, you could meet with caterers and pick your menu based on your tastings. You may also bring on a separate caterer or group for desserts or your late night snack. If you’re including a meal selection on your invitation deciding on the menu as early as possible allows time for your guests to decide and reply with their choices with their wedding RSVP. You need to also start thinking decor elements like florals for your bouquets, centrepieces and any on-site installations.

Step Four: Book those vendors. Start stepping into the logistics of the day and book key vendors like photographer, videographer, florist, band and DJ.

By moving through the wedding planning process in a clear, orderly manner you are setting yourself up for a smooth party rollout. Although planning a wedding is a large process, it is infinitely more manageable with a solid game plan in place and knowing what your next step should be and where to pivot to ensure you get it all done.

How to Plan An Intimate Wedding Without Leaving Anyone Out

Planning

Posted June 27th, 2019 | 2:43 pm | By | No Comments

Real wedding photography courtesy of Melissa Johnstone & Niall Scully.

Smaller weddings are becoming the new norm and it may be the scope and style of party you’ve decided is right for you. However, once your process of wedding planning begins you likely will quickly realize an intimate celebration that includes just your very closest family and friends for a wedding ceremony and intimate brunch or lunch or dinner may not be as easy to make happen as you thought—there will be some people who won’t be invited who think they should be and will definitely be peeved they’re excluded. So how do you deal?

One simple way to have everyone attend your wedding without actually having a seat is to set up live stream of the ceremony. This modern addition to your day allows guests to watch you walking down the aisle and saying you “I dos,” but you don’t need to worry about packing everyone into your venue. Although a live stream may seem removed from the wedding day, by inviting your guests personally to watch you are still including them in your moment. Sending out a live stream invitation is one way to show that you’re still thinking about your loved ones and want them to be part of the bliss, in a different way. The live stream invitation can be a variation of your actual wedding invite, which can include the URL and times for the live stream event. You may even mention those watching at home on your big day. This variation of an invitation shows that you were thinking of everyone and want them to celebrate with you in this untraditional way.

Another way to involve guests who did not attend your day is by hosting a causal post-wedding party. Consider having it at your home or renting a hall for a daytime celebration and invite everyone on your extended guest list to celebrate (no open bar or formal seated dinner required!). Have a set menu of apps and drinks, display your wedding photos and catch up with everyone who want to wish you well in your newly married life. With a few tweaks and a special invite, all of your guests, from those seated in the pews to those watching from home, will still feel involved and celebrate you day!

How Classic Games Can Play A Fun Role In Your Wedding Day

Planning » Reception Ideas

Posted June 12th, 2019 | 5:19 pm | By | No Comments

Photo as seen in this real wedding.

If you are looking to add some extra fun and originality to you wedding and you are a gamer (as in a vintage gamer, hello Monopoly!) adding board games into your day is an idea we adore. There are plenty of fun and simple ways you can feature your favourite game while still incorporating it to fit within your wedding theme. Here’s six of our favourite ways to add some fun and games to your party.

Jenga Guest Book
Leaving Jenga pieces for your guests to sign is a sweet way to integrate this competitive game. This addition can allow you and your partner to ‘build your life together’ and is a great way to have an untraditional guest book. You and your partner will relive your wedding and any special advice your guests may have left every time you play. 

Place ‘Cards’
If you love to ‘cheat’ or fell in love playing euchre, playing cards as place cards is a simple way to add a game into your theme. If you have banquet style seating tables can even be divided by suit. As a bonus if you’re looking for a way to call on a select guest or draw for a prize, a corresponding deck of cards can be used to draw a guests name.

Puzzle Pieces
Puzzle pieces make for a whimsical, non-traditional guest book option. Having each guest sign or write a message on a puzzle piece allows you and your partner to put together the messages your loved ones have left. The pieces can even be put together and framed after your ceremony, or you could place the pieces in a book!

Lego Love
Adding a pop of colour and a playful touch, a bowl of lego pieces can be used as a centrepiece for the tables. By ‘building your love brick by brick’ you are allowing your guests to have some fun at their tables, and perhaps leave you something interesting that they’ve made.

Lawn Games
At an outdoor summer wedding games can be a larger feature. Lawn games such as giant Jenga, Connect Four and ladder golf can be set up for guests to play while the bridal party takes photos or as a part of an outdoor reception. Lawn games can also be branded with you and your partners names or wedding creative that you have made for your invitations or rsvp website. Think of how cute your flower girl and ring bearer will look playing with massive dominos. 

Charades Suggestions
Playing charades or Pictionary can be a lot of fun, but if you play too often you may have run through all the suggestions in your  game box. By asking your guests for a charade or Pictionary suggestion at your wedding you’re adding them into special game nights you’ll have after your wedding day. For even more fun, asking for wedding advice in the form of a charade suggestion is sure to be a hilarious throwback to your wedding day.

How To Plan A Gorgeous Green, Eco-Friendly Wedding

Planning

Posted June 5th, 2019 | 4:17 pm | By | No Comments

With climate change on the forefront of everyone’s mind keeping things eco-friendly may be a concern when preparing for your special day. Planning a big white wedding doesn’t mean you can’t add green into the day. Ecologically responsible additions to your wedding do not take away from the extravagance of your ceremony, but can heighten the intimacy and connection you feel to the day. There are many small things you can do to have the environmentally friendly wedding of your dreams.

Look For Locally Sourced Flowers
Flowers are something we think of as being completely green (they are green after all!). If there’s not a specific bridal bouquet that you’ve been dreaming of, a trip to your florist to see what local flowers they carry is one simple way to keep things eco-friendly. Using flowers that are grown locally means that they are not transported far distances and not grown by artificial means.  As an additional plus, this helps to keep local florists and gardens in business!

Gift Guests With Centrepiece Favours
Giving your guests something beautiful as a gift for attending your wedding is a tradition many couples put a lot of money into. One fun and eco-friendly way to incorporate the gift into your wedding is as a centrepiece or place card. A fun or funky place setting can be taken home and will carry the memory of your wedding with it. As a bonus, this means your centrepieces or place cards aren’t getting tossed out afterwards. These adorable succulents are a great place card and guests can take them home and plant them, keeping your day and love growing long after you’ve said “I do.”

Use Recycled Paper Invitations
One simple way to reduce waste on your big day is using recycled paper invitations. Recycled invitations are charming and can add a rustic feeling to the invite. By choosing recycled paper you are keeping things eco-friendly while still sending out that save-the-date. 

Choose Lab Diamonds
There is no need to skip out on a beautiful engagement ring; diamonds are a girl’s best friend after all! Lab diamonds are one way great way to avoid the dark and harmful side of the ring industry. Lab created diamonds can have the same cut and clarity as those from mining without the worry of where your ring is from. A store like Spence Diamonds carries only lab diamonds that are beautiful and better for the environment.

Serve A Buffet Dinner
While the traditional plated dinner might be your preference, by allowing your guests to serve themselves you’re giving guests control over their meal and they are only taking the food that they want. This serving style reduces the amount of waste that is thrown away at the end of the night. Buffet style dinners ensure that your leftovers are untouched and can still be eaten. There are many charities and non-profit groups that will accept leftover food to assist with feeding the hungry and homeless, a great way to share your wedding bliss with those that need it.

Planning your perfect day doesn’t mean that you can’t keep the environment on your mind. One or two small changes to your wedding planning can make the entire thing an eco-friendly affair.

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