WEDDING DAY GROOMSMEN URBAN RETREAT

It's all to often that your man get's the short end of the stick when it comes to the whole wedding planning process. Time and time again the groom will lean over to me and say, "Tell me when to show up, and I'll be there!". And when it comes to planning a wedding, you know what, I couldn't ask for anything more! 

But on your wedding day while your getting all primped up, your groom and groomsmen are likely twiddling their thumbs anxiously throwing back a "few" celebratory shots. It literally takes the groomsmen 15 minutes to get ready, so with lots of nervous time on their hands, why not send them to a man retreat. That's right, I said it, MAN RETREAT. There is such a thing!

With the lumberjack / viking / hipster movement, it's now socially "acceptable" for a men to enjoy being groomed... like a gentleman. Thankfully the whole metrosexual term has been dead since 2007. I personally like my husband to take care of himself. He comes home looking dapper and well mannered. If only the barber would throw in some etiquette tips on the DL- I'de send him weekly.

With a discerning eye, I set out to find the perfect man retreat for my husband, but had a list of things that needed to be ticked off my "picky list" before I went just anywhere.

1. I wanted the barber shop environment to exude class, manliness and privacy. Almost like walking into a modern version of a victorian gentlemen's study.

2. Professional customer service with friendly approachable barbers who actually spoke. You know what I mean. No one likes a snobby mute man barber!

3. Because I was keen on purchasing some facial products for my husband, I wasn't interested in the usual "Aveda" or "Biotherm". I wanted a luxury brand, because he deserves the best. As does your man.

4. I'm a sucker for branding, so this too topped my radar.

I waltzed into Warren Chase not knowing they were closed on Mondays. But luck would have it, the owners were in, and the door flew open. I'm huge on first impressions, and I was literally transformed as I walked into the shop. I don't know who styled and decorated the place, but it's man heaven and exactly what I was looking for. I must have looked like a dear caught in headlights. And let me tell you INSTA bestfriend vibes with Trevor & Paul, the owners. I couldn't help dropping some serious cash for a plethora of services for my husband without feeling guilty. After all I was supporting local ;)

In the new year, I was excited for my husband to make his appointment. Naturally I tagged along to witness the whole process. Let me take you threw it... but first some visuals...scroll down & enjoy.....

THE ASSESSMENT

After you've checked in and have been caffeinated, our barber assessed my husbands hair  and man whiskers, asking quite a few questions from "how do you wear your hair every day" to pointing out certain intricate hair patterns he had - cow licks, flat hair, alfalfa hair and this patch grows faster then the rest. After this inspection a tailored hair cut complete with hot towels and scalp massage followed.

Hair Cut $45

THE CADILLAC SHAVE

They say, It's time to do it up "old school". The 45 mins ultimate 12 step shave is a full sensory experience that starts with a shot of bourbon and ends with his face as smooth as a baby's back side. 

As you can see, this is quite the process. I counted at least 8 hot towels and three straight blade pass-overs. Our barber, Corey was great an explaining each step and was super friendly. 

So how would I rate the whole Warren Chase? A++

The whole process took about 2 and a half hours. The perfect amount of time for your groom and his bridal party to enjoy a hot shave & trim before his long walk down the aisle. Warren Chase has 2 locations. Rideau Street and their flagship shop in Train Yards. So wether your downtown or in the south end, their shop has easy access. If you enquire you might be able to rent the morning solely to yourself. 

HOW TO INCORPORATE MINIMALIST WEDDING DECOR

I'm a Scandinavian minimalist at heart. The thought of clutter gives me anxiety which seems unnecessary. Don't get me wrong, I love an over packed antique shop and do enjoy other peoples organized clutter, but not in my designs. Coco Chanel once said " Once you've dressed, before leaving the house, look in the mirror and take off one thing". And on this premiss I've adopted certain personal rules which translate into my design philosophy. Quality over quantity. 

Minimalism isn't based on not having a stick of furniture in your house or living like your in an art gallery. Minimalism to me, means that all my possessions must have a purpose or some sort of significance behind them. For example, when I travel I will always buy a pair of shoes so that when I wear them I can relive those experiences. Sentimental right ?! 

So in design i'll often tell my clients to choose one "impact visual" that is meaningful to them, (which I call "the piece de resistance"), and then focus on adding a layer of complimentary details that will convey their personal style. And that's it folks! That my friends is my basic principle. 

To help you see what I'm talking about and to give you some idea's on how to incorporate this growing movement into your wedding design......i've had a little bit of fun on Pinterest. 

A minimalist mindset is all about not succumbing to every day consumerism. The "need" vs. "want". And when it boils down to weddings, it's easy for any of us to go over-board. But it's also all about feeling free, making creative choices without the fuss. Exhibit A: The wedding dress. A simple toned down gown with a striking detail will most certainly be fit for the minimalist and modernist. 

It's always been said "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Naturally I beg to differ. I believe beauty is conveyed through the feeling of confidence, and with that comes radiance. Even though it's your wedding day, be true to yourself. Forget the acrylic nails and false eye lashes. Rather embrace your natural beauty with makeup that will enhance your features rather than sculpt your face. In a world full of Kardashian's, be a Diana. 

A great way in making your dinero's work for you, is by re-using florals from your ceremony and incorporating them into your reception. This could be taking garlands from your ceremony arbour and placing them on your kings head table or adding the aisle candles to guest reception tables. 

One might ask, why can't I......have all my bridesmaids dress in white? And to that I say, YES!!!!! DO IT!!!! Not only is it monochromatic and pleasing to the eye, it also takes the pressure away from "all eyes" on the bride. Besides, everyone knows who you are, no need to stick out like a soar thumb, especially if your shy.  If your not keen on this color scheme think Polar bear white bridesmaids dresses or change up the color of your wedding dress to a gorgeous dove grey, nude or even blush.

Because minimalism takes a required effort to "reduce ones life" to live life more simply, we can assume this takes some hands-on creativity. In a wedding this might include D.I.Y packaged handmade soaps, water color invitations with hand-calligraphy or even a modest butter cream cake home baked. 

So there you have it. A few key ways to include the minimalist look into your wedding. This blog post could have easily been minimum 8 pages longer....but I had to cut it short. After all, I'm a minimalist ;)

*Please note all pictures included in this blog post are from Pinterest and are not from any wedding or style shoot Toast has curated. We applaud each creative mind behind these gorgeous images. 

10 THINGS TO DITCH ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

It seems like now days I can almost predict what traditional wedding notions my clients are willing to ditch. It's true these things are out-dated and a bit ridiculous. So here is a list of 10 things you won't feel bad about ditching! 

I really personally dislike choreographed first dances. Let's get real, it looks unnatural. Not to mention of the DJ plays a different rendition of your song....well you better be good at improvising!  

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Too much icing and maybe 5 of your guests will actually indulge leaving you a month worth of cupcakes for breakfast. Donut Bars and Pie Tables are all the rage.

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When I first started in the business 8 years ago the average age to get married was 25. Now my clients all tend to be around 30. So with and older general attendance there seems to be less single people at weddings. So why throw a bouquet with only 5 people behind you?

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It's embarrassing! Sure it can be funny, but most brides are not really into this type of display.

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Step away from that mason jar girl! I know your tempted...but it's been overdone and has entered the "tacky wedding trends" book. You'll thank me later!

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Ditch your bridesmaids? *Gasp* I know right! Well it seems to be the trend. One standing for each or none at all. Although this is not a huge "thing" yet, my prediction is that you'll be seeing a lot more of this.

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The days of a book where guests just sign their name and sometimes leave a awkward note it way pasee. The polaroid scrap book is where it's at! Cute washi tape, glittery pens and retro polaroids. Can't get any better then that! 

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It's not quantity, it's quality! Seems like now days everyone is a foodie. B&G's are rather opting for a gourmet 3 course meal with an option than a two star 5 courses and a chicken main.

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Overdone just like cup cakes. Seems like there's no other alternative. Well let me tell you when I say gelato bar, espresso & macaroon bar, shawarma bar, andI have even ordered Mcdonalds cheese burgers and nuggets for late night.

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It's just too much fabric. With minimalism now trending in weddings most clients will splurge on bringing in chairs...even if we can only order them from Montreal or Toronto

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PRO'S & CON'S OF RECEPTION SITES

The biggest decision and the largest amount of your budget will be spent on your venue choice. There are so many options, but which is best for you and what should you consider in choosing your reception venue? Perhaps I can shed some light in helping you determine your perfect fit.

OUTDOORS

Let's face it, outdoor weddings are by far the most romantic, with gorgeous landscapes, glowing sunsets, bonfires and fresh air. Outdoor weddings are among my most favourites, however these settings host a set of it's own challenges and budget constraints. Having a big white tent and a blank canvas can easily throw your budget right out the window. 

CONS

Unpredictable Weather

I hate to say it, and some brides tend to be in a bit of denial when approaching the subject, but weather can make of break your wedding. I've heard horror stories of guests whom have attended rainy outdoor weddings that were wet, hot and humid. The three worst elements to endure in a silk gown. Always have a backup plan ready. 

Tents are Costly

Sure the price tag might says $1,200 but that rarely includes chairs ($8-$15 per), tables ($12-$15 per), cutlery & stemware ($5-$10 a setting), linens, ($12-$25 per) staging ($100-$250), dance floor ($300- $600), draping and electricity ($800-$1200). Add that all up and your tent doubles, sometimes triples in cost. All of these items are rarely charged in other site fees.

Temperature Control

If your looking for heat you'll be left with unsightly propane heaters which you routinely see on restaurant patios. If you do decide to go this route you will absolutely need to make sure the tent is well ventilated so fumes may escape your "enclosed" area. If it's the heat that's bothering you, the last things you should do is open all the tent walls. This encourages any slight breeze to knock over your gorgeous tall centrepieces into your guests laps. I've personally had one knock a guest on the head. Not a good situation! You can however have the option of installing ceiling fans. I've even had standing fans that spray a very light mist located just outside the tent so that guests may refresh themselves without ruining their dress or makeup application. Having paper fans and lots of water or cozy pashmina's handy is also key in keeping your guests as comfortable as possible.  

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HOTELS

Great food and exceptional staff. Everything you need right at your fingertips. Prep suites, ceremony, reception and accommodations all in one place. Bonus, no transportation costs which can save you upwards of $1,500. Because hotels typically host a variety of functions rentals costs are trimmed down to esthetic only. No need to bring in chairs, tables, cutlery etc etc. Hotels are truly an all-in-one experience. You can also arrange a post wedding brunch the next morning with your hotel guests, continuing your celebration. 

CONS

Lack of Flexibility

I always find this a challenge to maneuver. But a good wedding planner can encourage options and possibly work those loop holes you might not have thought of. Some hotels also have proffered vendors which you must work with. Your hotel may also be unionized which can slow down vendor set-ups. Tip: Never order any audio visual last minute. It's ghastly. And always check any possible looming strike mandates which could effect your special day.

Hidden Costs

It's not uncommon for hotels to sometimes double their pricing on Food & Beverage from one year to the next. What you choose today in your consultation may either not be available or the market price of your prime rib just might double. Other fees you might not consider, parking ($12-$25 per), vallet ($20-$25 per), cake cutting fees ($1 to $3 p.p), coat check ($2-$3 p.p), overtime ($100-$250 pr/hr).

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AT HOME

Sentimental of course. I think we all dream about having our weddings in our own backyard while getting ready in your childhood home and just steps from where your ceremony will take place. Set-up can be done they day before without rushing those last minute DIY details. 

CONS

Rental Costs Go Up

Just like a tent wedding your starting from scratch. The terrain in your backyard may also not be conducive to tent requirements, parking can become a nightmare and noise control in the evening can put a damper on your festivities. 

House Rules

Keeping guests outside and not in your home isin't as easy as simply locking the doors. Some aunt will always complain to use the in-house washroom or request to be in air-conditioning. Prepare yourself to be constantly kicking guests out. 

Runner

You'll need one person dedicated to just running around grabbing last minute things you forgot such as garbage cans and trips to buy ice to replenish your bar. You'll also be left with the mess at the end of the night. Although you may have the next day to clean up, leaving certain items outside may leave you with damaged linens and mucho wasps.

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BANQUET HALLS AND THE LIKE

The price is right, potential one-stop-shop for all your planning needs. In-house decorations and florals are some of the inclusive features in some banquet hall packages. Pretty awesome right?

CONS

POTENTIAL "WEDDING FACTORY FEEL"

We know that sometimes getting married in a hall with no windows can sometimes feel like being in a box. This could increase your decor budget to bring in ambient lighting or even hiding out of place wall art or random structural posts. It may also feel like your just another bride in a line up waiting for access to your space and quickly getting out before the next bride starts dropping off her decor items. Not to mention, you'll probably notice the horrible geometric patterned carpet.

RESTRICTIONS

Your bound by the rules. No fixing things to walls, no hanging items off chandeliers, enclosed flames or battery operated tea lights only. Storage is limited and power requirements for bands and Dj entertainment units can be tricky. As a planner I always need to know where the breakers are.

DOUBLE WEDDINGS

There is a real possibility that there will be another wedding beside yours. You may run into "the other bride" and sometimes even share common areas like foyers, washrooms and even bars. I have had instances where the adjacent wedding scheduled their grand entrance right as our wedding speeches were taking place. There is no such thing as a "sound proof room divider". Sorry ladies. All I can say, is be prepared to share and don't get upset if your not the only girl in a puffy white dress. 

THE SAME LOOK

Most weddings at banquet halls all tend to look the same unless you bring in big decor elements to wow your guests. This is where a wedding stylist or a planner can help you create a more unique and personalized look.

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RESTAURANTS

If your a foodie, a restaurant wedding might just be for you. Some restaurants are perfectly designed and decorated that minimal decor and florals are needed. Most restaurants also focus on ambiance so that expensive romantic lighting we love so much is at no extra cost. Custom menu, no problem! The sky is the limit in what you can achieve food wise. But be prepared to pay! 

CONS

Min. Food & Beverage Requirements

Yes, it's a thing. Some restaurants require a minimum amount spent on food and beverage for them to give you exclusive access on a Saturday. This could mean you could be looking at $14,000 to $20,000 in food and bar costs alone. Now, if your main priority is food and your not too fussy about adding decor and flowers aren't your thing, than this budget allotment will work for you.

Layout, Layout. Layout

Although a restaurant can be intimate and inclusive, it can also limit what you can do with your floor plan. You might have to sacrifice dinner tables on our dance floor with a possible flip. You also won't be able to move most tables as some venues boldt them to the ground or have partial "booth or bench" seating.  

Food Delays

Restaurants have a completely different dinning experience. The service is slower. For example, once guests are seated waiters will take guest orders from an A La Cart Menu (15-20mins), orders are then placed with the kitchen. 20 minutes will pass before the first course is served. You would think that salad would be easy and pre-plated. Wrong! Their kitchens are smaller as they normally prepare by staggered orders. This means they plate as they go. This gives you an extended eating experience which allows for speeches in between and lots of time for your guests to chat. Add another 45mins onto your average wedding dinner period. Because guests are sometimes used to quick service they may look at their watch, but I assure you, by the time the second course arrives they'll ease right into the longer dinner service. 

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Champagne, Roses & Love Notes

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way -Pablo

I've been teasing my Instagram followers for a little over a week now with teasers from a shoot I styled back in spring with was just released as a 6 page spread in the Ottawa Wedding Magazine.

For this shoot to be published, the Editor had some specific requirements which she wanted to provide readers.

So as you can well imagine, I and all collaborating vendors had quite the task at hand. Since this shoot was primarily laid out before us, the real devil was in the details with the main question of - how do we convey a romantic feeling with the request of a more youthful shoot? And how do we tie two very different stories together? Let me tell you it wasn't easy and I still begrudgingly feel like I somewhat missed the mark. So let me break it down as to how we chose to represent these 4 requirements at hand.

Champagne Saucer Known by champagne aficionados as the Coup, to me, evokes connotations of popular romantic eras and luxury. With this detail I hopped to create a feeling of remoteness from everyday life and a little bit of an aristocratic influence.

Naked Cake was an initial ask by the Editor as a "new cool non-traditional" cake. To me, I've had clients for the last three years request and have naked cakes. So how can I take this "relatively" new idea and put a fresh twist on it? Lightbulb! Semi naked cake with a sculpted fondant base adorned with hand painted calligraphy quote... Rosie from Osso Sweet delivered just that! 

next...

Como White Washed Charger. Craftmanship is also very important to me as a designer when selecting pieces. These handcrafted and hand-painted charger plates are made in Italy with techniques that date from the 13th century. An addition to envoke a more romantic feel by Plate Occasions.

Gold Cutlery The perfect pairing to continue our theme of a more mature sense of design aesthetic. 

Eclectic Chairs I always like to use a bold accent to grasp immediate attention from it's onlooker. I find chairs are a great conversation piece.  I often use different chairs when designing floor plans. Especially if my bride has expensive taste like me!

Floral Embellishment This detail is one of my standard go-to's when looking to soften the look of a stark object. I find small floral additions can add design continuity throughout any wedding or style shoot. Current obsession: Floral Drink Picks. Floral Reef 

Furniture is what I used to tie the boudoir to reception snaps hoping that it would make the shoot more congruent. 

Stationary.... another element I'm really crushing on. My clients will tell you, I always say, "Your invitation is your weddings first impression. This set's the tone for what your guests can expect on your wedding day". Working with Jessica from Ink Blossom is such a treat. She's always on point and I literally think she can read my mind. Not to mention, she exclusively hand draws most components in her invitations for a truly custom invite.

The transitional fashion pieces needed to be "one-of's". So naturally I call Meg from The Handmade Bride...  Our fashion pieces comprised of the boudoir rhinestone & tule overlay robette & custom dupioni raw silk bustiere, Maureen Patricia halter wedding dress, finishing with a dupioni cigarello pant & top. 

Linen can make or break your look. It can either look too heavy, no existent, busy or way too metallicy. (that's probably not a word).. So for this shoot I grabbed 6 different table linens and napkins from Mastermind Events. I spent 30 minutes staring into the abyss before the shoot contemplating linen colours and coordination. I'm telling you, colour pallets are HARD! Naturally I chose Ivory sequence with the Icy Pink polyester napkin. Side note it's okay to use polyester! not everything has to be silk!! 

Hair & Makeup was flawlessly executed by Stephanie Richardson & 2BU Esthetics to embody a fresh, clean and simple effortless look. 

For this shoot we were also very fortunate to have Up North Wedding Films capture some great behind the scenes footage which I've uploaded before vendor credits.

Photographer: Jemman Photography

Stylist: Elise Schmitz, Toast Events

Florist: Floral Reef

Hair: Richardson Hair Design

Makeup: 2BU Esthetics

Accoutrements: The Handmade Bride

Venue: Le Belevedere

Stationary: Ink Blossom

Cakes & Sweet Table: Osso Sweet

Props: Amy & Jen Decor

Linen: Mastermind Events

Tuxedo: Surmesure

Models: MIM

Video: Up North Wedding Films

Table Top: Plate Ocassions

BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT TOAST

The New Year is my favourite time. It's full of new beginnings and fresh starts. A time that allows me to re-energize and re-focus. I'm really a "when the time is right" kinda girl, and let me tell you when I say that I am excited to begin a project that's been sitting on the shelf for over 5 years! 

Do you ever have that feeling inside you- that you were meant to do big things? To live an exceptional life based on the merits of your work? Well, I've always strived to do extraordinary things, some of which you wouldn't believe and I'm too humble to boast. This project might very well be one of my biggest accomplishments to date. And I am prepared for it to succeed or fall short of the mark, because really, I'm doing this for myself. 

There are very few people who know of what I'm talking about to which I say, this is top secret! I'll be micro blogging my journey on Instagram, though you might still not know what I'm working on. But all in good time my pretties! You won't be left in the dark for too long as I may need your advice and support along the way! 

Ciao for now! 

xoxo

Elise 

An Open Letter To The Wedding Industry

An Open Letter To The Ottawa Wedding Industry

Being in the events industry I think it’s in our nature that we always put other first. And in doing so we make a lot of sacrifices that sometimes go unnoticed.  Sophie, Jessica and I, knowing this all too well, felt that it was high time to celebrate- ourselves. Because after the 25hr workdays on coffee and granola bar diets we all deserve a night to dress up, sip those fancy cocktails and celebrate! But most of all it gives us a chance to reconnect with industry friends we seldom see during the busy wedding season. Thus Noel en Noir was born.

When we first started planning this event we all said, even if we only had 30 people show up, well, we’d have a good laugh, drink on everyone’s behalf and dance on the bar. Let me tell you, when I say we were astounded by everyone that came through those front doors.

So how can I begin to thank everyone who came out to Noel en Noir? Seeing your faces as you walked in truly made me feel like I was, dare I say, among family. I have such a huge appreciation for all the hard work you do and the businesses you’ve created from scratch, that to celebrate your success at Noel en Noir was more than any of us could ask for. Events like this strengthen our community and builds lasting friendships.

It’s official, we will be hosting Noel en Noir 2.0 with more surprises in store for 2016! Pictures are now up on Noel en Noir's Facebook Page  . My my, aren't you all good lookin'! 

Xoxo Elise 

Photo Cred: Nicole Amanda Photography

POP, FIZZ, CLINK!

It's kinda my thing. So any chance I'm extended the invitation to curate a party, well you don't have to ask, the answer is already, and always, YES!

And so the adventures of planning The Handmade Bride's grand opening of their gallery inspired flagship store began. Our main goal was to throw a chic party without the fuss and logistics of dealing with caterers, serving staff, bartenders, crazy rentals  etcetera, etcetera. But we needed to keep in mind not only what these fashion attendees would expect, but the fun factor, creative factor, charitable factor and the wow factor!

We decided to stay classy with a simple champagne bar, live mannequins - fun factor, a floral accouterment- the wow factor, a "Beyond the Veil" photobooth- fun factor  and an interactive painting station- the charitable factor,  where guests could, for a donation paint a live mannequins dress in support of Unicef's campaign against child labor.  

The evening was flawless. Over 40 attendees in the fashion & wedding industry perused our gorgeous live models, sipped champagne and left with a Beyond the Veil snap from MDNR photobooth.

Meaghan Brunetti, Owner of The Handmade Bride 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jonathan Kuhn Photography

MAKEUP: Klava Zykova

HAIR: Top Knot 

GOWNS: The Handmade Bride

FLORAL ACCOUTERMENTS: Presh Florals

PLANNING & STYLING: Toast Events

PHOTO BOOT: Modern Photo Booth

CATERING: Gourmet Cuisine

RENTALS: Mastermind Events

WINTER MAKEUP GUEST BLOG: WITH KLAVA ZYAKOVA

“Klava Zykova, my personal fave, is the Lead Makeup Artist for Burberry Beauty in Ottawa, previously representing Giorgio Armani and MAC over her 10-year career. She has given more than 200 brides their glow and created looks for countless special occasions, runway shows and editorials. As an Educator, Klava contributes to a few publications and leads seminars on makeup techniques and emerging beauty trends. She is also available to private makeup lessons, group seminars and masterclasses. Needless to say I’m thrilled to have the stunner on my side and available to my clients. Don’t be shy, follow her on Instagram @klavochka . You know you want too ;) ”

— Elise Schmitz

The busy wedding season is over for most, unless you have been invited to a winter wedding, which are becoming more popular lately. Weddings are always a very special occasion but there is something extra magical in a winter wedding, so I can certainly understand why more brides are choosing the sparkly white backdrop for their celebration.

Each season dictates its own prefect color palettes and dress code and the same goes for makeup. When it comes to winter wedding beauty there are a few classic tips to keep in mind and also current trends to consider.

Skin

Take extra care of your skin that tends to get more dry and flaky during the cold season. The other side effect of winter is the dreary light that deepens dark circles and red blemishes. Pick a foundation that is creamier, more moisturizing, has light-reflective particles to add luminosity to the skin and provides more coverage to hide flaws accentuated by the winter light.

We are also at our palest, and though I love me some fair-skinned beauties, if you are not a fan, an all over self-tanner is great to impart a gentle warm glow on the face and body. You can use a powder bronzer too, but be careful not to go too dark as the contrast between your face and the rest will stand out not in your favor.

Sparkle

It's the holiday season as well so many of us stock up an all sorts of sparkly and shimmery makeup goodies. Here is another great excuse other than holiday parties to use these products! To avoid looking like a Christmas decoration that wandered off to a wedding celebration, use sparkle sparingly and limit to one feature: eyes, or lips, but not both. The most elegant way to do this is to press a bit of silver or gold fine glitter on top of the eye-shadow concentrating in the middle of the lid and inner corner. 

Bright Lips

This seasons biggest trend is dark lips, so take your inspiration from that but brighten or lighten them up a bit to avoid looking too serious. Choose bold and fun colors to male your face pop, like red, fuchsia or burgundy. Flawless untanned skin is a perfect canvas for this look. Complete your makeup by defining the eyes with mascara and strong brows. Using lip liner is a personal choice, but the look will be more modern without it. The important thing to consider when choosing a bright lipstick is its longevity, because a messy pout is more obvious. There are many great long-lasting formulations available these days like matte textures; liquid lipsticks and stains to choose from.

Smokey Eyes

Since days are shorter in the winter and wedding celebrations will most likely be happening when its dark outside, it's okay to go a bit darker with your makeup then you would for a summer wedding. This timeless look reinvents itself every couple of years and this season it's not overly done and more effortless. it can be as easy as doing a thick dark eyeliner all around the eyes and then smudging it with an eye shadow a few tones lighter for that faded effect on the edges.

Winter is a perfect time to experiment with more dramatic looks so don't be shy to give it a try, but remember who is the star at the event!

xoxo Klava

 www.klavazykova.ca 

Credits: winter wedding Kristin Staal Photography, Sarah Freemark photos - Lindsey Gibeau Photography & makeup by Klava Zyakova

NATALIE & SHANE June 27th 2015 -Shaw Center-

Although it's November, the wedding season isn't over just quite yet! But at the season comes to an end, we finally start seeing gorgeous photography trickling in. So lets take a time machine and hop back to spring with the lovely Natalie & Shane. 

Wedding Planner: Toast Events

Photographer: Photolux

Videographer: Photo & Films by Eduardo

Florist: Full Bloom

Linens & Rentals: Mastermind Events 

Rentals: Creative Edge

Retals: Lou Lou Lounge

Stationary: The Paper Studio

Band: Eric Eggleston

Piano Soloist: Eddie Bimm

Hair: Show Pony

Makeup: Ottawa Makeup Artists

Transportation: Elite Limousine 

Dj: David Atherton

Ceremony: Basilica

Reception: The Shawn Center Trillium Ballroom

Audio: Wall Sound

Cake: The Girl With The Most Cake

INDUSTRIAL WEDDING SPACE -OTTAWA-

Hottest trend for 2015 and I'm sure for a few years to come, industrial space.  A lack of which we have in Ottawa, until just recently. But before we unveil our three new top secret locations, let's take a look at what's already available. You may be surprised!                 

   Museum of Nature   

Horticulture Building

New kid on the block, this rejuvenated City Of Ottawa building is sure a stunner. Wide open, barn board wall accents, licensed patio and the best catering staging area i've seen in a while. Biggest bonus is that underground parking has it's own private entrance leading into your event space. Although parking is not included, you can negotiate and pre-purchase parking spaces. On the flip side, they do recommend getting a security guard...you will most likely have wedding crashers from local adjacent bars.

A space, well used and well loved by all planners. A girl can get used to being here every weekend with limitless possibilities and a nice blank canvas. Their T-shaped 3rd and 4th floor gallery space is perfect for host cocktails & dancing with an intimate dinner in the second back half of the room. There are some tricky logistics to pulling this off without a hitch which is why a planner is key when working in this space. 

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 Makerspace North  

Pretty awesome right? This new space has been added to my list of "must-have" spaces. Not many planners know of this awesome gem located in the City Centre building. Although I haven't been onsite, this venue is at the top of my list for clients looking for industrial space. 

Ernst & Young

The big box. Of the mid-century modern weddings we could host in here. There is never too much space especially if your looking for something larger than life. We'll be transforming this space next year for the EY's first ever wedding.

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  Table 40    

For smaller parties looking for just the right mix of Mid-Century Modern with industrial touches where the food surpasses expectation. This is where you'll want to be.

 Side Door

I love this venue for its versatility and wide range of seating options. Perfect for a couple looking to host a celebration rather then a "wedding". Probably one of the coolest basement venues we know of. 

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Restaurant 18

Lofty, chic with a gothic wine cellar ambiance, this spot really doesn't need any decor. With 18's large oversized ornate doors, it may feel as though your partying in your very own mansion. If you haven't been recently, check it out. They've recently renovated. 

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Although Ottawa has a lack of raw space, we've just been introduced to something very new and exciting. Zibi a "world-class" sustainable community and redevelopment project transforming the old Domtar grounds into industrial waterfront event space and condo living. Pretty cool right?!

Albert Island   

Albert Island is currently booking events and weddings for 2016. I recently toured this facility with a client with a guest list of 120. The space is long an narrow and has many posts which we can work to our advantage. This space used to be a storage facility for Domtar and is located at the water edge. With industrial spaces comes tricky logistics. Currently the building has no running water facilities, no washrooms and no onsite parking no air conditioning. Although these may seem like tedious hurdles, washrooms should be installed hopefully before next summer. Fun fact, there is actually a random shower near the main entrance...so if you do pull the chain link handle you will get wet! P.S This location is on the Ontario side which makes it easier for liquor licenses.

   1 Eddy

This old machine workroom is in stage 1 of being rejuvenated. It is connected to the Zibi building. Less posts than Albert Island and connects with a gorgeous outdoor courtyard seen in the picture below. What you don's see in this image is a second part of the room behind the back wall which will soon be torn down to seat up to 140 guests. This space is due to be ready for late fall 2015. Take note that this space is on the Quebec side and local alcohol permits must be obtained by SAQ.

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The Zibi Courtyard

Currently looking at this gorgeous space for a wedding el fresco. Since it's connected to the Zibbi show room and the space mentioned above, you can safely plan to have your wedding either inside or outside. BIG BONUS, you probably won't get any noise complaints! 

This property is located on the river banks however there is a line of trees and shrubery which takes away from a direct view of the water. The best part about Zibi is that as they redevelop the area new warehouse event space will become available. 

If your looking for information or would like to book a tour here is your contact. Jaquie Westeind at jw@windmilldevelopments.com

I can't tell you enough how excited I am to start seeing gorgeous events and weddings planned here, so hastag it for all of us to see #zibbiwedding 

xox Elise

WEDCYCLE

If I wasn't on a working holiday in Europe, this is where I would be. Wedcycle, the brain child of WGP Productions has been in the works for a year. Announced just this past winter, WedCycle is a new fun way to plan and prepare for your wedding day. Here you can purchase previously gently used wedding decor from previous brides and even the industry pro's themselves.  

As a wedding planner and floral designer, to say my basement is packed with random decor, vases, crystals, ribbons, beads, chandeliers etc is an understatement. if you asked my husband he would say "We have a basement?!". So needless to say, even though I won't be there, you will see TOAST and all my gems to be sold. 

Excited to see what's in-store? Want to win some free tickets?! Then hop on over to our Facebook Page, share our blog post and tag 3 friends in the header of your message that you would like to bring with you! 1 Share = 1 ballot entry, 2 shares = 2 ballots. Winner announced October 1st. 

Happy Sharing! 

xox Elise

FEATURE ON 'THE WEDDING OPERA'

We're thrilled our Vintage Wings styled elopement was featured on The Wedding Opera blog a few weeks ago! See all the details HERE

PARTICIPANTS: Barbara Ann Studios , The Handmade Bride, Flowers Talk, Party Time Rentals, Vintage Wings of Canada, Paper Studio, Show Pony

OUR CLIENTS PROPOSAL

Sitting in a Starbuck's waiting to meet prospective client Carla.

Email pop's up, Carla's going to be a little late, but says in the meantime I should follow the link to see their proposal video.

30 seconds in, cue cute proposal tears, realize your in a Starbucks, pause video, regroup before Carla shows up.....

 And we're happy to report, Carla is now not just a prospective client!

VENUE COORDINATOR VS. WEDDING PLANNER

Before I delve into the details, YES there is a difference! 

A little bit of history on my part. When I graduated from the Event Management program at Algonquin College, my first job was a Event Coordinator for a local venue, and believe me when I say "I can work a food and beverage budget like nobody's business!".  I also know all the back-end tricks venues use to make money as well as the true cost of the food your paying for before inflation. Don't ask me, you don't want to know! 

So naturally when I hear brides-to-be saying "Oh I don't need a planner the venue provides one." I tend to shudder. Because if you think a "venue coordinator" is a planner then you'll be quite upset with the lack of help on your wedding day. 

Here is the reality. Venue coordinators are responsible for any and all information which relates to directly doing their job and their job only. This means that they will do you floor plans, food & beverage orders and sometimes include very basic timing details. That's it. Anti climatic isn't it! On the Saturday of your wedding, the Coordinator will be on hand but will also be taking meeting with prospective clients while giving them tours of the venue before your guests begin arriving. So really, their not available to your beck and call. Let me break it down for you.

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VENUE COORDINATORS DO NOT

Provide you with advice on planning your wedding or negotiate with vendors on your behalf

Attend key vendor appointments or style weddings

Create your wedding day itinerary 

Follow up with all your vendors to make sure they know when to arrive and where to set-up

 Keep you on time throughout the day

Wont have a bridal emergency kit on hand to re-sew your broken bustle or provide your bridal party with advil, fresh pairs of stockings, granola bars, tide sticks and bandaids because the heels you bought for the wedding must have been purchased one size too small ;)

Will not receive vendors as they arrive onsite ensuring quality control nor cross reference rentals to make sure all contractual agreements have been fulfilled

Will not trouble shoot or resolve problems which are not related to the venue. So if your napkins come in the wrong color and your rented chivary chairs are falling apart...too bad!

They do not normally set out any decor on behalf of clients (favors, placecards, seating charts, signing table items etc)

Oh and they leave at 5pm before your event starts.... 

Do not cue speeches or attend to you guests needs. Nor will they get Uncle Sam a rum & coke even though the bar is closed during dinner or check and make sure the father of the bride's steak is served well done.

They also most certainly do not pack everything into your vehicles at the end of the night! 

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Now with this being said, there are some venues that have amazing coordinators that will go above and beyond the call of duty. And these coordinators will tell you that even though they may do more then the average,  hiring a Wedding Planner will be the best money you will even spend.

Truth be told, we don't want you to be one of those brides that say "I wish we had a planner". And we all know one of those girls! 

xoxo Elise  

Photo Credit: Andrew Geddes of Union 11

DESIGNING WITH TOAST

Although i'm a serious paper pusher and a little bit too organized for my own sake, I really am a designer at heart. I design purely on feeling, so if your talking to me about a particular creative element you'll hear me say something to the tune of "I'm really "feeling" the tattered look, haunted...almost like we printed your invitations on a piece of torn wall paper from an 18th century Parisian chateau"...  or "I need to "feel" the movement in the florals, wispy, ethereal..".

There are so many things we take into account when we're styling a wedding. Because we want it to reflect the client style, we'll take in as many details as possible from Pinterest, movies you love, books you read, places you've traveled and really just things you like. I sometimes think knowing exactly what you don't want can help me hugely in the long run. It's like a spiders web, if you don't like modern design styles then we know you also wont like a host of other thing which we can rule out right at the get-go!

““Well I know what I want and I have everything I like on Pinterest, so why do I need a stylist?” ”

— Client

It's a good question and I have a great answer! It's all about sourcing. Since your wedding is most likely a year away, the items you are renting now will have gone through on average minimum 60 more weddings before gracing your guests. So that two year old chivary chair that looked decent last year when you booked them, is now- falling apart, wobbly, the cushions are flat, uncomfortable and stained. And that goes for all rentals. Linens, lounge furniture, tableware etc. And that white dance floor you ordered....well it's beige now because the vendor didn't care for it properly....

It's also about curating your wedding to the smallest detail from font choices, RGB color codes, paper weights, creative twists on traditional wedding decor etc. We even go as far as hand-making specialty "one-of" decor accents to ensure your wedding is completely unique- a reflection of you. We want Aunt Betty to walk in and say "OMG that is so Sarrah". 

So what does styling look and feel like with us? Well! Your customized style file comes wrapped in a pretty little box right at your door step, the old fashioned way. Snail mail. I like to think it makes the experience a little bit more tangible! 

Bellow is a great example. Enjoy! 

xoxo

Elise 

FEATURE IN CANADIAN LIVING MAGAZINE

A year or so ago we were featured in Canadian Living Magazine on the Do's and Don'ts for hosting a Jack and Jill party. It boggles my mind how many people, still to this day, read the article and hop on over to our website. So in light of this cool analytic revelation, if your interested, take a peak! 

Hidden Wedding Costs

There's always a point during the planning process when you look at your budget, scratch your head and wonder how the heck you came to that big number at the bottom. And it starts with unanticipated costs.

Wedding Planner's are pros at helping navigate these extra expenses and how to avoid them if possible. One of the many perks of having a professional on-board from the get-go, is their vendor discounts which can also help offset these pesky costs. 

So what did you forget, you ask?! -Let me enlighten you while offering some tips.

ALTERATIONS

One word. Costly. Depending on your dress you can guarantee the smallest adjustment will cost you anywhere from $80 to $120. Tack on another $30 to $40 for dress hoop rentals and petty coats. 

TIP: Bring your wedding shoes to your final fitting. Remember, when your walking in your dress, keep your head up while looking straight ahead. Once you look at the floor your body naturally leans forward and you will trip on your hem. This is really important to remember during your fitting!!!  I've had a bride who hemmed her dress too short because she wasn't informed by the dress maker. Hence a $120 mistake.

 

HAIR & MAKEUP TRIALS

Sorry girls, they aren't free :(  And if it is....you gotta ask yourself why! I most certainly wouldn't bypass a trial to save some moulah. So be prepared to pay $65 - $80 for a makeup trial and $80- $100 for hair. 

TIP: Negotiate! Don't be afraid to ask if a portion of the trial cost can be discounted on your final bill if you decide to book their services. 

 

CEREMONY REHEARSAL 

It may come as a surprise to you, that having your Officiant present to facilitate  your ceremony rehearsal is an additional fee. In Ottawa we tend to see the cost being around $100 to $150. If you have a wedding planner, you really don't need your officiant present. The most important part is physically going through the motions of walking down the aisle to timed music, where and how to stand and important cues. All of this is quite manageable without your officiant.

 

LIGHTING

Be careful what you order! Too often I've seen up-lighting that just didn't make an impact because the room was too big, the lights were too small or the lumens weren't bright enough. All this means you'll have to upgrade what you originally had to actually achieve the look you want.  You could be looking at double the cost. Yikes!

CANDLES 

Not every venue provides votive candles on dinner tables. Candles make a huge difference during dinner and provides a nice warm glow later in the evening. Without them your room will look dark and sometimes uninviting. 

TIP: Ask your venue:) If they don't provide them be sure to get a tealight with a burn time of at least 6 hours. Buy extra so your wedding planner can replace them as needed!  Do NOT buy "soy" candles. They wax turns to liquid and keeps the flame super tiny and ever so faint looking. 

 

INSURANCE, PERMITS & LICENSES

Some venues such as the Museum of Nature and the Chateau Montebello require insurance and special permits when using certain spaces. Depending on what's required you could be looking to upwards of $250.

TIP: It should be outlined in your contract but you should always ask. 

 

TASTING FEES

Gone are the days when a complimentary tasting was something you always ticked off your list as a to-do. Now days it's just not that simple. Many establishments have embraced the a once annual "group tasting". Places like the N.A.C and the Shaw Center have adopted this method with a ticket fee of aprox. $20 per person. Some banquet halls such as Orcharview Wedding & Conference Center still include a private tasting. 

SOCAN FEES

They're silly. This fee only applies to establishments which play music. It doesn't mater if the radio is being played by the venue or if it's a D.J. Disc jockeys do pay additional royalty fees which does not include Socan. Either way there's no getting around this $50-$120 fee. 

 

DELIVERY COSTS & PARKING FEES

These can add up like crazy! Expect to pay a delivery fee for just about everything, even your cake. On average for smaller vendors we tend to see a $20 delivery fee, for larger vendors like florists, they may include their delivery with their set-up cost- typically $150 +. For time sensitive deliveries for lounge furniture expect $40 for a 9am-12am delivery and $80 and for a "one hour window" between 5pm -6pm, $80. But it doesn't end there! LATE NIGHT PICK UP... anywhere from $150 +. Oh but wait! If you're out of town you may be looking at double. Some vendors require you pay their parking as well. I must stress though, that NOT every vendor has these fees so make sure you ask so your not unpleasantly surprised.

FOOD & BEVERAGE INCREASE

This is a thing. Read your contracts front and back because you could see an increase of up to %10 on your food & beverage order. It's important to discuss locking in your prices before you sign on the dotted line. This increase can be quite costly and unexpected!! 

TABLE SIZES VS. LINEN

When your doing your seating arrangements it's important to consider how many people your placing at each table. Most venues have two table sizes, 60" round which seats 8 comfortably and 72" which seats 10ppl. Different table sizes means different linen sizes. If you put a 60" round table cloth on a 72" table for 10ppl, your linen will drop to about 1ft off the ground which leaves you with table feet showing. And obviously there is a price change of about $8-$12.

TIP: Not every linen company has their linens in both sizes so be sure to pick a linen where they have both sizes available.

SLIDE SHOW & MUSIC

I love DJ'S that include projectors in their packages! It's a huge bonus and I know they'll have the appropriate necessities. But here's the reality around these pesky pieces of technology. If you have a Mac....well it's 50/50 that your laptop will communicate with the projector. I wish I could say it's as easy as going to Best Buy and getting an adapter, but that's just not a reality. I can't tell you how many times these "after market" adapters have failed me before and during slideshows. And it's not just one thing. It could be as simple as your laptop  knowing that it only has limited resources while running on batteries, thus, will disable all "unnecessary" connected hardware (i.e. your projector). It can even be a case where your laptop isn't able to "shake hands" with the projector. With all this being said sometimes we tend to forget about the "music" component. I know how hard it is time the music properly with slides. Unfortunately projectors don't come with speaker so if your screen is located too far from your DJ's equipment, you'll need to rent a P.A System which can cost an additional $150 buckaroos. 

CAKE CUTTING FEE

I wouldn't call this a hidden fee anymore. Most people know about it since the wave of cupcakes, mini cakes and donut alternative hit the wedding industry by storm. Typically a cake service fee is $1.50 per person.

TIP: Some venues may try and get away for charging you for every guest in attendance. Instead ask for only 20 pieces to be dished out on your late-night table, add & bill if more cake is requested. The chances you'll have everyone wanting a piece of your cake is pretty slim. Don't shake your head at me! It's the truth. If you your mom tells you otherwise she's incorrect :) 

OUT OF SEASON FLOWERS 

Not that there is a surcharge but out of season flowers will most likely be coming straight from Holland. Perfect example! Peonies in season retail at $5 - $8 a bloom whereas off season, if we can get them, they'll be small and $15 a stem. 

VENDOR MEALS 

We all gotta eat, And let me tell you, after working 12 hours on my feet with another 6 hours to go...a vendor meal is greatly appreciated! A vendor meal doesn't need to be the same as your guest meal. Anything wholesome will suffice. 

TIP: Never seat your vendors with guests. Typically during a meal i'll be getting up and running around cue'ing speeches and fixing behind the scenes problems. This can be very disruptive to your dinner guests if we're sitting at the same table! 

CORKAGE

Ahhh yes the secrete behind "Why is wine so expensive compared to the LCBO?". Well here's your answer. Venue's also purchase their wine from LCBO and pay the same price as you and I. They also pay a gallonage fee.  Then of course they would like to make a little bit of profit and voila! Your $14 LCBO wine is now $30. Some venues order directly from wine reps which is an entirely different scenario. The alternative is bringing in your own wine and paying a corkage fee. This can be $10 - $15 per 750ml bottle. If you try and sneak by with 1L bottles then you could be looking at $20-$25 a bottle. 

SNACKS 

If you know me, any of my brides can tell you I'm always calling the M.O.H in the am to make sure the bride is eating! It's a standard call I always make first thing. You need good snacks too though right!?! So it may cost you a bit more to get the yummy healthy stuff the bide will be able to stomach. 

TIPPING

I'll be writing a whole blog post about this in the coming weeks so stay tuned! 

So that's it folks! I could go on for hours and I'm sure there are hidden fees I've forgotten to add. The lesson to be learned here is to keep informed and that no question is silly. If you've ever run into a crazy hidden fee we didn't mention feel free to post it below in the comment section. We'd love to hear them!

xox

Elise

LET'S GO UP NORTH

As a wedding planner and stylist, %50 of the time is simply giving direction, gently guiding those along during a creative process.

It’s very rare for me to meet and work with someone who just “gets it”. Someone who sees what I see and thinks like I think., passionate about creative expression and jumps to every opportunity to collaborate.

Cue the globe trotter Joshua from “Up North Weddings”.

Now I’m going to have to boast on Joshua’s account because he’s just a little too humble for my liking. Which is also one of the many qualities I love about this guy!

Joshua's experience in the industry includes some of England's top wedding planners with events at Kensington Palace, Claridges Hotel, Victoria and Albert Museum London, Stoke Park, The Wallace Collection,The Grove Resort, Castle Howard, Dorchester Hotels. Not to mention his destination clients at cSKY Resort Santorini and Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (Saint-Jean Cap Ferat, France).

And this doesn't include his work in Hong Kong, Thailand or China...

 Take a peak at the below collective of Joshua's work across the world. 

P.S You might just see a peak of one of our events! Let us know if you can spot us!

www.letsgoupnorth.com

AS COOL AS A CUCUMBER

I'm a people person, and it's blows me away how I always manage to  luck-out with amazing clients. If you can believe it Annaliese and John were our 296th wedding...

" We worked with Elise (of Toast Events) to coordinate our May 2015 wedding at the Museum of Nature. From the very first e-mail, Elise was prompt, professional and an absolute pleasure to work with; we knew we were in good hands!

Her advice was always en-pointe and her experience in the industry was invaluable to us as we navigated the world of wedding vendors and décor. When the big day finally rolled around, we were relaxed knowing Elise had a handle on everything, all we needed to do was show-up. The venue looked stunning, the vendors/guests/wedding party knew where they needed to be and through-out it all Elise was cool as a cucumber, keeping everyone calm.

Elise’s bubbly personality and attention to detail are a big part of what makes her so good at what she does. From noticing and removing two guests (read wedding-crashers) who didn't quite 'fit in', to having pins on hand to fix my bustle on the fly, or stopping traffic so we could get the perfect photo, if you are looking for someone who goes above and beyond to make your wedding day absolutely perfect, I would not hesitate to recommend Elise!

- John & Annaliese Cassidy [May 9th, 2015 - Museum of Nature] "