Destination Wedding Flowers You’ll Love

Expert Tip from Natalie Kerslake, Village Vines

So many girls have told me how unhappy they are with the selection of flowers that are available to them for their destination weddings. Without paying a huge amount of money, they’re unable to get anything similar to what they would otherwise choose locally.

Several brides have opted for artificial bouquets that are in the colours and flowers they want, which they pack with them in their suitcases and use for their wedding. These also serve as a lovely keepsake afterwards and they still look as realistic and beautiful as a fresh flower bouquet.

Artificial bridal bouquets range from $75 to $125 and bridesmaids cost about $50 to $90 each.

Read this and more (including the Village Vines review) in The London Wedding Ring.

How to create a couture-style wedding day look

After many bridal shows, interviews with wedding vendors and meeting thousands of brides over the years, we’ve come to the conclusion (not surprisingly) that it is the goal of almost every bride to create a unique wedding that reflects her and her fiancé’s personalities. But how does one do that with popular trends that others use before you have a chance to, and styles that come and go faster than you can say ‘I Do’?

One thing that many brides are doing to make their wedding look unique is finding a dress that truly reflects their style, body and is hopefully not to be replicated. Particularly, we’ve seen brides drifting towards specialized shops with higher-end, exclusive and custom-made couture attire.

Full article: http://www.theweddingring.ca/kitchener-wedding-style-trends

 

 

Why Boudoir Photography is So Hot

Expert Tip from Carolyn Pongracz of In Bloom Photography

There’s a new trend among brides and newly married women. Sometimes called ‘intimates’ or ‘glamour portraits”, boudoir photo sessions are the literally hottest gift idea right now for an unsuspecting groom.

REVEAL YOUR INNER VIXEN

Many women would tell you they’re too shy or body-conscious to consider the idea of having a photographer take their boudoir photos, but I’ve learned that somewhere deep down inside of every woman, there’s a vixen just waiting to get out!

So, before you say “no way”, here’s a little preview of the confidence-building fun you’d have if you decided to take the plunge…

WHAT TO EXPECT

The industry has come a long way since the 70s when boudoir photos were simple (and often cheesy) photos of a nude woman in front of a fabric backdrop. Now, boudoir photography looks more like what you’d see in a high-end fashion magazine.

Many wedding photographers offer boudoir packages and should have a fairly full portfolio of the kinds of photos they take. Starting imagining which kind of photos you could see yourself in… Is it conservative but sassy, sensual and soft or ‘break out the fishnet stockings’ sexy?! It’s really about what you’re comfortable with. Do a search for ‘boudoir photos’ and print out the ones you like. [Note: Read the URL before clicking on some of those search results - they just might take you in a different and unwelcomed direction!]

WHAT YOU NEED TO FEEL & LOOK SEXY

Most women assume that uncomfortable, skimpy lingerie is the only thing you need to prepare for a boudoir session. But what about wearing your fiancé’s large white dress shirt? Or, your favourite tight tank top with boy shorts? A simple t-shirt and jeans can even be sexy. Anything that makes you feel good on the inside and out is a must.

A lot of photographers will have simple props like long beaded necklaces or feather boas to add to the mix, but don’t hesitate to bring along something personal.

GOOD TO KNOW

On the day of your photo shoot, you are usually welcome to bring along a friend for moral support. Try to avoid wearing tight socks or bra straps that will leave indentations on your skin.

GO GLAM

Perhaps your session package includes a professional hair and/or make-up session at the studio. Soak it all in! This is a day about you and making yourself feel glamorous.

Many clients say these photo shoots do wonders for their confidence. Many women have an exaggerated, negative view of their bodies. Sometimes it takes a photo session like this to open our eyes to the beautiful creatures we are. I often tell my clients: “The boudoir session is for you. The photos afterward are just icing on the cake for your groom.” ■ READ THIS AND MORE IN THE RING.

Carolyn Pongracz is the Owner and Principal Photographer of In Bloom Photography in Brantford. Her experience, samples or work and rates are reviewed in TheWeddingRing.ca.

*PHOTO COURTESY OF IN BLOOM PHOTOGRAPHY

The Huron County Wedding Ring is online!

For years, The Ring has been discovering the wedding gems hidden throughout Huron County from the gorgeous, countryside venues to the beaches and parks. Not to mention the unique style and niche services of some of the finest wedding experts among it all. So, as our repertoire of Huron County wedding experts continued to grow, we decided it was time they got their own Wedding Ring. With a list of already fabulous wedding vendors in Huron County, we’re excited to jump in and find more.

The new Huron County section of The Ring will be filled with interviews and reviews on the experts, bride-savvy tips on anything and everything you need to know to plan a Huron County wedding (including our famous line-by-line, detailed budget spreadsheet) and inspiring Reality Wedding Stories that showcase real brides on their big day. Another reason to love being a Huron County bride. Join The Ring.

3 shows this weekend…

This Saturday takes The Ring to Woodstock Ontario for the Better Living Essentials show where we’re sponsoring the Bridal Boulevard portion of the show. The show expects about 100 brides and has some really fun events going on throughout the day. Should be a blast!

From there we head to Kitchener’s Welcome Wagon show, held at City Hall on Sunday. This is always a good show. It’s short, sweet and comes with a bridal fashion runway show.

Simultaneously, we’ll be at the Simcoe Bridal Show in Simcoe on Sunday. This weekend will be fun because it’s the first time we’ll be covering events on video for showing off on RingTV!

Notes from the Bridal Show Road – Fall Season

September 5th marked the first day of Bridal Show season for us at the Ring.   Staff got to hang out with Maximum Music at the Toronto Star National Bridal Show last weekend in Mississauga.  We saw thousands of Brides and Grooms and were super excited to hand out our “HOT off the Press” issue of Bridal News!  We snapped a few pics for you…

Looking down our Aisle

Rod the President of Maximum Music

Bride’s getting all the Goods from Ring Staffer Teresa

The New Issue of Bridal News

Win a $1000 shopping spree!!

The Maximum Music booth

Ryann & Mat’s Wedding :: May 10, 2008

This past Saturday was a big day in The Wedding Ring family. Our much-loved media manager, Ryann Pauzé, married her soul mate, Mat Blenkiron in Kitchener Ontario. The wedding was untraditional, creative, and had most of the two hundred guests either laughing or crying with the bride and groom throughout the day (we cried like babies during the vows).

The theme of the wedding was red & black and rock & roll. The wedding party walked down the aisle to Can’t keep my eyes off of you and later shared cocktails with guests to Beatles’ tunes. Ryann and Mat’s friends and family toasted to the couple with a mixture of comical and sweet speeches. Their friends also created a slideshow using a collection of photos that stretched from childhood (Mat playing with the barn cats on the farm, Ryann proudly holding a Star Trek poster) to the present (dating, hanging out, celebrating…). Guests came from all over the world including the Persian Gulf and Western Canada and it was obvious that they were there to support and celebrate Ryann & Mat’s new marriage.

When all was said and done, the one thing that stood out even more than the music or the open bar was how close this large group of people were. It was obvious they all adore Ryann and Mat. The wedding theme that resonated louder than any other that day was of friendship, family, and true love. Congratulations Ryann & Mat Blenkiron!

 

details

theme :: Red & black, rock & roll, family & friendship

officiant :: Don Perron

hair :: Cecilia @ Excell Salon

make-up :: Karen Adourian, Mary Kay

invitations, signage, stationery :: Ryann (Pauzé) Blenkiron

manicures, pedicures :: Chameleon Hair Studio & Spa

bridal gown :: Taylor’s Bridal Boutique

bridesmaid gowns :: The six girls wore dark, gorgeous black gowns in individual styles they chose themselves.

music :: Merv Keyes @ Magic Tunes Entertainment

decorating, details :: Ryann & Mat’s friends and family

ceremony & reception :: Concordia Club

wedding cake :: JoRa Wedding Cakes. It was three tiers of round, white wedding cake with subtle red accents. Cake designer, Joanne, came out to cut and serve the cake personally for Ryann and Mat – as a special gift as a friend.

 

Gif the gift of… Ireland?!

A few of our favourite [gift ideas]…

Our Media Manager Ryann Pauze stumbled on these unique gift ideas online when she was looking for the perfect gifts for her wedding party and parents.

Personalized Magazine Covers by Your Cover for your guest book signing table, as a wedding announcement (or ‘Save the Date’) or for a fun alternative to table centrepieces. Also a possibility for use at a Stag & Doe or engagement party.
• Check it out

A square foot of land in Ireland or Scotland preserves land and makes for one of our favourite gift ideas ever! Prices start at £29 for 1 square foot and come with deed, ‘Proof of Title’, map and more. In Scotland, this comes with Lord, Laird or Lady status.
• Details, prices and more at www.lochaberhighlandestates.com/ and www.buyireland.com

Want to be a stay-at-home wife or Mom? Just add it up.

This stay-at-home calculator is a real eye-opener. Take Chatelaine Magazine’s online test to see if being a stay-at-home wife or mom is realistic for you. http://en.chatelaine.com/english/life/article.jsp?content=20031103_170458_3560

 

 

It’s been a Ball…

Staff at The Ring wanted to thank all of the vendors, sponsors, media and gorgeous brides (past, present & future) who supported The Brides’ Ball in Kitchener on the 23rd and then in London on the 29th. Both events were awesome, and the dance floor was hopping in London until after 1am.

[Photo above by Boulevard Photography and Fine Things @ The Kitchener Brides' Ball] 

In the end, we had two events, 70+ sponsors, 200+ prizes, and the online auction is still going strong (at about $3100 as of Friday).

As soon as photos come in from Barebonephoto, Ralph Heinze Photography, HRM Photography and Boulevard Photography and Fine Things, we’ll update the blog and post them. Video of the Ball to come shortly to ringTV courtesy of MatriMovie and Etched in Time.

For Facebook fanatics, there’s plenty of pics of the Ball popping up all over the Facebook world.

- Jenn @ The Ring

The Brides’ Ball: Update February 14 2008

 

February 14, 2008

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Thanks to the overwhelming support and generosity of The Wedding Ring’s reviewed vendors and sponsors (thank you, thank you!) we are now able to offer 2-for-1 tickets. Check it out!

Also, we’ll have tiara’s on site to purchase with money going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (Thank you to The Brides’ Project and Macy Fair Inc.!!). They’re going for $20. Photographers on site will be doing portraits for $10. Jenn @ The Ring says “There’s eating, drinking and dancing… Oh, and wearing a gown again if you want to of course! A cocktail dress & tiara is fun too. If your man doesn’t want to come, leave him at home and party like only best friends can…” Add to this the 50/50 draw and bouquet toss and The Brides’ Ball is shaping up to be a blast! In London, FRESH FM will be on-location for The Brides’ Ball at Best Western Lamplighter Inn!! More details to come.

The Brides’ Ball: Event Update February 13 2008

February 13, 2008

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Check out the Sales & Savings page for great deals on gowns, tuxes, tiaras and more – only for The Brides’ Ball ticketholders! A portion or all of the proceeds from these sales are donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Sonia Ryan announces she will be holding $30 make-up makeovers the day of The Kitchener Brides’ Ball. Sonia and her handpicked team of make-up professionals will be at The Walper Terrace Hotel in the LaFontaine Room 10am to 4pm on Saturday, February 23. A portion of the proceeds will go to the CBCF. Appointments are mandatory, so email Sonia to make one!

The Brides’ Ball: Event Update February 11 2008

 

February 11, 2008

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The Brides’ Ball Silent Online Auction has been posted!!! Tons of great items are ready to bid on. From full limousine packages to romantic getaways, a mix of items have been donated by local retailers. Items are updated regularly.
 

Enter to win a FREE TABLE FOR 8 @ THE BRIDES’ BALL CLICK HERE

The Brides’ Ball hotline has finally opened! Call The Wedding Ring for more information or ticket details at 519-568-8007.

On-site portrait photography will be at each of The Brides’ Ball events. After all, it’s not every day you wear a tiara! In Kitchener, Boulevard Photography and Fine Things will be shooting portraits of guests. $10 per print. In London, HRM Photography will be shooting and printing on site. $10 per print.

Click for Details, Sponsorship Info, Ticket info, Online Auction, Sales & Savings, Press Release and General Inquiries

Brides’ Ball Event Update: January 31 2008

 

January 31, 2008

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Stacey Thompson and Kara Judge from KoolFM’s afternoon show will be slipping into their bridal gowns to MC the evening’s events at the Kitchener Brides Ball on February 23rd at Bingemans. A Tuxedo Lounge will be on-site for our favourite men to kick back in between dances, if they choose. The online auction will be posted the first week of February to raise money for the cause. Tickets can be purchased online by credit card or cheque, or in person at selected retail locations.

Click for Details, Sponsorship Info, Ticket info, Online Auction, Sales & Savings, Press Release and General Inquiries

Pics from the (bridal show) road – Toronto

Shows for January ‘08

For a bride who loves bridal shows, January 2008 takes the cake.

Staff at The Ring officially hit the road last weekend (armed with a $1000 Shopping Spree, January’s brand new issue of Bridal News Magazine, and of course, invites to The Brides’ Ball) for an Open House at Cutten Club and a two day stretch at the London bridal show held at Western Fair. But that’s just the beginning…

Here’s what’s up next for January ‘08:

Bingemans Wedding Dreams

@ Bingemans in Kitchener-Waterloo

Saturday & Sunday, January 12 & 13

11am to 5pm

• Details

It’s Your Wedding Bridal Gala

@ Paris Fairgrounds in Paris

January 13, 11am to 4pm

• Details

 

Annual Open House

@ The Black Forest Inn in Conestogo

Monday, January 14, 6pm to 9pm

• Details

 

Toronto Star National Bridal Show

@ Exhibition Place in Toronto

Friday to Sunday, January 25 to 27

5pm to 9pm, 10am to 9pm, 10am to 9am

• Details

 

Tri-City Wedding Expo 2008

@ St. George Hall in Kitchener-Waterloo

Wednesday & Thursday, January 30 & 31

5pm to 10pm

• Details

The Ring will likely see another 5000-7000 new members join over these next four weeks. That definitely makes this month’s bridal show calendar one of my favourite things!

- Jenn @ The Ring

Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

- Jenn @ The Ring

Dec 19: Brides & staff at The Ring get crafty

Next Wednesday, December 19th, brides & staff at The Ring are uniting & getting a little crafty with awesome floral designer, Carrie Lynn Weber.

We’ll be sipping champagne @ The Walper while exchanging holiday cheer, eating munchies, and making funky, intricate centrepieces using fresh flowers. How fun is that?!

- Jenn @ The Ring

So many favourite Mexican things…so little time!

In November my wonderful husband and I took a (very) last minute vacation to Mexico with some friends. (Special thanks to Lynn, from Uniglobe Discover travel in Kitchener for helping us put together this amazing vacation in less than 2 hours. You are a superhero!) We spent an incredible week being spoiled by the amazing staff at the Gran Bahia Principe Tulum (http://www.bahia-principe.com/material/folletos/tulum/bahia-principe-tulum_en.pdf) on the Mayan Riviera.

This 5 star resort is made up of 3 hotels; Tulum (where we stayed), Akumal and Coba. When you stay at one, you play at all of three. We enjoyed gourmet a la carte meals at the many wonderful restaurants, relaxing and sunning by the many pools, and, of course, sampling the many different flavours of tequila. We experienced day trips to the Tulum ruins, a scooter tour of Cozumel and snorkeling near Akumal Beach. The options at the Gran Bahia Prinicipe Maya are limitless! 

As you know, at the Wedding Ring, we research everything! Even if though there wasn’t a lot of time, we checked out online reviews of the Gran Bahia Principe through various trip websites. My friend Paula, was our travel nazi and spent a ton of time on our favourite travel website, Trip Advisor. It was a huge help and while researching we connected with a group of fellow travelers. On our last day in Mexico the Gran Bahia Principe staff held a beach party for our entire Trip Advisor group; dancing lessons, Champaign toasts, contests (which I won!), prizes and coconut drinks.  

While we were there we saw several lucky couples taking advantage of the naturally romantic atmosphere and getting married. Gran Bahia isn’t just perfect for weddings; it’s great for engagements as well. While we were there our friends Paula and Randy got engaged! They are considering getting married at the Gran Bahia Prinicpe Tulum next November. I, for one, can’t wait to go back again! 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! to Sara Gasparotto, Guest Service Manager Tulum!

See you soon! 

- Anne @ The Ring

“Gone printing”

After five weeks of research, bridal interviews, wedding stories, trend hunting, photo shoots, advertising sales, graphic design, proofs, edits, more proofs… the January 08 Bridal News Magazine edition has gone to print.

WOO HOO!

- Jenn @ The Ring

Today’s favourite thing

My favourite thing today is the fact that if you listen to Kool FM Kitchener, you get Christmas tunes almost all day long!

- Jenn @ The Ring

The Bride’s Ball by TheWeddingRing.ca

Bridal News for November 18

 

November 18 to 24, 2007

• Special tribute: Local’s life celebrated with 7 limousine processional

• The importance of music

• An upscale team approach making headlines

• Playing a supporting role

• Quality reception music at competitive prices

• Win an iPod Nano!

Bridal News for November 11

November 11 to 17, 2007 • Attention-grabbing cakes • Weddings of distinction • Inspired floral designs • Wedding oasis on the river • Private shopping night for brides in The Ring • On display & in person: Overstock Bridals • Destination weddings special

• Win an iPod Nano! • Festival of Trees: Flourish uses talent to give back

RingTV’s first video shoot

Today was our first video shoot for RingTV. It was shot at The Ring’s downtown Kitchener office. The couple in question was the super-adorable Sammi & Jason. They were both obviously very much in love.

Sammi & Jason had some cute stories and lots of inspiring little planning tips for future brides to go along with the wedding-story-who’s-name-cannot-be-mentioned (because we don’t have one yet).

So now it’s onto post-production and hopefully live streaming of the segment before Christmas. Lots of plans for future RingTV segments, from workshops and interviews to more wedding stories… We’re usually so caught up in other casting calls, that it’ll fun to finally have the chance to do our own!

- Jenn @ The Ring

Bridal News: November 4-10

November 4 to 10, 2007 • Awe-inspiring images • You name it, they serve it • All options in one location • Cake design trends in style & taste • Planning your wedding: Expert tips from Lori Eldridge • Private shopping night for brides in The Ring

• Wedding SOS casting call: A free Fairy Godmother for brides in need… • Destination weddings special • Lots of upcoming reviews!

Bridal News for October 28

October 28 to November 3, 2007 • Ultra-contemporary décor • Creative menus and hands-on planning help • Stationary & web sites • Plan & brand your wedding • What the ‘buzz’ is about • Wedding menus for all budgets • Capturing spontaneity

• Fresh, new florals • Shooting from the heart • Bridal Q&A: Ask Lori • Wedding SOS casting call: A free Fairy Godmother for brides in need… • Overstock Bridals launches Make-A-Wish Sale

My favourite weekend

The weekend before Halloween is one of my most favourite weekends of the year. Brian and I pile the kids into the van and make the trek out to Kim-Glo, our favourite country ‘haunt’ & pumpkin patch.

My four year old, Liam, gets all big-eyed and adorable, dying of excitement over the mazes and hayrides. After playing in every single childhood attraction the farm has got that year, Liam, Des and Callie run through the pumpkin patch to choose their favourites. Because they can never decide (and because they’re always competing), the kids pile more pumpkins than any one family should ever need into those red plastic sleds, drag them to the hut where we pay a whopping $10 or $20 (crazy cheap) for the lot, and then load them into the van and head home to decorate.

Halloween is one of those holidays, where if you are willing to put on some cat whiskers and trick or treat with the best of them, you can’t help but feel young again.

   

That said, you couldn’t pay me enough to clean out a pumpkin.

- Jenn @ The Ring

Caution: flammable

A couple of times per year, the very hot topic of free speech on the internet comes up in The Ring, thanks to our local Bridal Chat forums. The debate - usually spurred on by the deletion or editing of negative posts regarding local companies - takes about ten seconds to go from a luke-warm status to an on-fire status.

• Brides don’t want their posts to be moderated.
• We don’t want them (or us) to be sued.
• Reputable vendors don’t want to be trashed without just cause.
• The few actually horrible vendors that exist don’t want to be trashed either (who have lawyers ready & waiting because they’ve likely been through this before).

Chat forums give a false sense of privacy. Brides in The Ring form lasting friendships so it’s only natural for them to feel safe venting to their peers. But, the internet isn’t anonymous anymore, and it hasn’t been for a long time. When you post something controversial, you may as well be standing in the middle of the street, shouting your complaints because the result is the same. Your message has the power to make (or break) a business.

We’ve gone to bat (legally) in the past on behalf of brides in The Ring, simply because we felt a responsibility to brides to do so, thinking they couldn’t afford a lawsuit on top of a wedding. We learned a unjust but true lesson from that experience, Slander is only slander if it’s not true. And if it’s not slander, you better be prepared to prove that it isn’t.

So the bottom line here is that an online wedding forum offers the opportunity to use a huge source of bridal girl power for good. The right to freedom of speech on the internet will be argued for years to come. Unfortunately brides (or vendors or The Ring for that matter) aren’t likely to win the argument today.

- Jenn @ The Ring

Bingemans big as always

This past weekend was the Bingemans Wedding Dreams show. As always, it was big. There were a number of vendor displays, the fashion show was pretty good, and we got to see a ton of brides from The Ring.

Becky, Ryann and Linda came out to run TheWeddingRing.ca booth (decorated by Custom Elements) Saturday and Sunday allowing Anne and I to scope out some of the newest trends in flowers, photography, videography, fashion and decorating… As usual, Jirina was giving out tasty cake across the walkway from us, testing our will power all weekend. The show also marked K-W’s first chance to check out Bridal News Magazine, which was definitely exciting.

If you didn’t make it to the show, the next one on the calendar is ‘A Bridal Extravaganza’ at the Paris Grand Country Club, November 17th and 19th, 2007, from 11 to 4pm.