How To Tuesday: Elegant Chair Covers DIY

I would like to thank my friend Laura for this great and simple idea to make a great contribution to your wedding decor. Chair covers are something that can so easily be forgotten. You may have ones already provided in a simple white or black colour from the venue but what about adding your own little pizzaz to tie the whole theme together.

Chair covers are a quick and easy way to add a sparkle and glam to the table setting. They’re a fun way to show your personality and there are many different ways to make them. It’s a good idea to use your theme color palette in order to ensure consistency. Chair covers instantly transform boring reception chairs into luxurious thrones for your guests to sit comfortably in. Most chair covers are inexpensive as well, ranging from $3-8 each. 

First you’ll have to choose which type of fabric to be the cover. There are many different types such as: spandex fitted, loose drop, and self-tie covers. It all depends on the overall look you want to achieve.
Once a fabric has been chosen, choose a color. Most wedding chair covers are white or black so the accent piece will show better. 

Once the fabric and color have been chosen, there are many ways of placing the cover over the chairs, depending on which type of cover.
The spandex fitted and loose drop covers are easiest to place onto chairs because they are made to fit the chair. The self-tie covers require an extra step of tying the cover onto the chair but create an interesting look. 

The next step is to add an accent piece to the upper half of the chair. This can be a sash, bow, puff, ties, pearls, flowers, crystals, feathers, etc. The accent piece depends on the overall look you want.
There you have it, inexpensive, luxurious and glam chair covers to spruce up your wedding at a lost cost.

Wed By Hand's Perfect Proposal Contest!

Everyone’s proposal story is a moment to remember!

Share your story with us for a chance to win tickets and goodies from Wed by Hand to get planning for the big day.

Do you have a really awesome or truly unforgettable proposal story? Was it sweet and traditional, fun and doing something you both love, or spontaneous and adventurous? We want you to share the story of your engagement with us!

The winning couple will receive, two of our fantastic swag bags reserved for you at the entrance and two free tickets to the show and you'll be featured on our blog!


The first two runners up will also receive two free tickets to the show!

To enter, send a picture of you and your sweetie to heatherleighmundle@gmail.com and fill out this form to share your special story with us! Entries must be submitted by 12 (noon) on February 8th, 2012 and the winner will be e-mailed and announced on February 9th, 2012.


Good luck!

How To Tuesday: Flowers

The centerpiece: most times beautiful, sometimes awful, always a conversation starter. One thing you don’t want it to be is expensive. Today we’ll show you how to create an elegant, simple and classy centerpiece for your wedding.

Begin by gathering a few materials:

·       Shallow dish, found here

·       Soaped floral foam, found here

·       5-7 hydrangeas (found in grocery stores and floral shops)

·       Scissors

·       5-6 pink medium sized roses (found in grocery stores and floral shops)

·       Pearls, found here, and here

·       Crystal pins, found here

Once you’ve found the materials you can get started on creating your one-of-a-kind wedding centerpiece.
Begin with the dish. Make sure it is freshly cleaned in order to ensure a glossy finish. Fill the dish with floral foam and water.
Cut off each hydrangea flower and place them around the edge of the dish into the oasis. Make sure the hydrangeas are covering the edges of the dish and that the floral foam is invisible.
Next, place some roses in the center. Cut them with a knife or scissors and at a slant. Fill the remaining foam with roses until the piece looks full.
Add some finishing touches such as pearls around the flowers and/or crystals into the center of the roses.

There you have it, an elegant centerpiece that is sure to please and get your guests talking.
To view a video of this piece in production, click here.

Workshop Wednesday: Be Your Own Florist!

Spring is in the air for flowers week here at Wed By Hand pulling us out of the reality of this snowy January.  We’re very excited that the lovely Erin Carmichael of Full Bloom floral design will be sharing with us the elegant craft of creating gorgeous bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages for our wedding.

Photo credit Melanie Rebane Photography

Erin hosted a workshop with Wed By Hand last year, and by popular demand and heaps of positive feedback she’s our returning expert, so you’re sure to leave having discovered your hidden talent for flower arranging!

Photo Credit Scott Lee Roberts Photography

Erin, a florist with a green thumb and outlook on life, offers services such as having a tree planted in your honor after your wedding which you can watch grow and replenish the earth, as well as the option of having your flowers passed on to brighten someone’s day.  With her eco-friendly approach you’ll be sure to learn to maximize your budget, make your flowers go the distance and thank the earth for giving them to you on your wedding day.  

Meet Our Vendors - Decor!

For some brides, the downside of her wedding day is that it really is just one day. Countless months, minutes and migraines are spent trying to make this one day as beautiful and as special as possible. While photographs do an excellent job preserving memories and feelings, imagine having your wedding flowers and décor that last a lifetime. 

Paige Beckett of Sawyer and Sprout offers flower-alternative accessories and handmade décor; fabric and paper items last longer than flowers and are reusable. All of her items are customizable (to match wedding colours, themes, etc.) and prices range from $15 for boutonnieres to $100 for a large bridal bouquet, while discounts may be offered for multiple item purchases. Without the time to personally DIY, Sawyer and Sprout also offers customized paper and fabric bunting, and other décor items that will last year after year, while providing that eco-friendly, handmade feel to your special day.

Tips & Tricks Thursday: Flowers!

When you visualize your wedding, do you see flowers in a bouquet, boutonniere or centre-piece? Include flowers when you're thinking about colour schemes and the general feel of the event.

I want real flowers.

There are several things that you may want to keep in mind if you will be incorporating flowers into your event:

• Time of year: find companies that support local growers such as full bloom floral design (Erin of full bloom will have a workshop at Wed By Hand on DIY flowers) or research flowers that are in-season at the time of your wedding.
• Colours that will surround you, such as those at your wedding facilities or those worn by you, your partner, and other significant people (eg. bridesmaids/groomsmen).
• Surrounding conditions, such as temperature, humidity, wind, chance of precipitation, combined with the length of your event can affect how well your flowers keep throughout the day.
• For bouquet/boutonniere: the size and shape, relative to the person carrying or wearing it, as well as any sensitivities or allergies.
• Environmental effects: if you're interested in organic flowers in Ottawa, one option may be the Collective Conscience.

Just as with other aspects of a wedding, you can go completely the DIY route (see here and here for helpful instructions and photos) or you can work with floral designers, such as blumenstudio or Sparrow Floral. If you'll be hiring a professional, start researching companies and prices when you start planning your wedding.

There are alternatives to the typical floral bouquet. You can carry a single stem of your favourite flower or you can have a wildflower or evergreen bouquet. When you're securing the bouquet together, consider using a biodegradable ribbon instead of wire.

Again, working with flowers that are appropriate for the season and the surroundings at your event (eg. will it be humid or windy?) will make caring for your flowers easier. See here and here for some guidance on caring for your flowers before the wedding. For your centrepiece, old mason jars, vintage vases, or cans make great recycled vases.

Remember to compost your flowers after the event or put them in your green bin. Your bouquet can also make for a great keepsake; you can try to dry them or preserve them yourself, or hire a professional service to do it.

I don't want real flowers.

There are many alternatives to the traditional floral bouquet.

Historically, herbs and spices were used with or instead of flowers. These can be carried as your bouquet or made into boutonnieres, adding a pleasant smell to your wedding; just make sure that nobody is sensitive to the scent.

Bouquets can also be made up of items such as silk flowers, candy, buttons, jewellery, or candles. You can also make flowers from a variety of materials, including origami (see here for an example), tissue paper, cupcake liners, and yarn and paper. See here and here for bouquet alternatives, or check out bouquets on Etsy. Making your own bouquet or arrangements can be time-intensive, so if you go this route, leave yourself plenty of time to practice making the flowers - and making enough flowers - before your wedding.

For the centrepiece, consider using live plants, including potted herbs, instead of cut flowers.

Alternative to the Bouquet Toss?

The typical bouquet toss involves calling out all of the single ladies at your wedding and tossing your bouquet in their direction, with the idea that the lady who catches the bouquet will be the next to be married.

If you're looking for an alternative to this traditional bouquet toss, you can consider honoring someone at your wedding with your bouquet like the longest married couple, the next couple getting married, or a special person.

Meet Our Vendors: Flowers!

 
Full Bloom

It feels especially appropriate to have a flower company that takes every opportunity to be eco-friendly. Full Bloom, a home studio based floral company, offers traditional flowers with a modern twist. Full Bloom’s bottom line is to create unique floral arrangements that match each couple’s individual style, all while keeping a focus on personal service and the environment. The company not only offers suggestions on how to reduce, reuse and recycle your wedding and event flowers, at the end of the wedding season they also plant a tree or seedling in honor of the couples “which in a small way is saying thanks to the environment for providing the flowers!”

 

Blumenstudio

With 17 years of experience as a floral designer, Kat Kosk of Blumenstudio, has found weddings to be her daily calling. In addition to handtied planter arrangements, Blumenstudio “represents quality and pure clean designs” with “scents, textures and flavours abound and envelop the senses.” Growing up in Germany and moving to North America just a short nine years ago, Kat Kosk has finally brought a long-time vision into reality specializing in European-inspired floral arrangements.

Sparrow Floral

Sparrow Floral specializes in vintage-inspired floral arrangements. At Sparrow Floral they create a whole feeling with their decorating. They don't shy away from being unique, creative and inspiring in all of the work that they do. If you are looking for a unique and vintage spread for your wedding, they are the ones to call.

Welcome to Flower Week!

I am so excited for this week, ladies & gents! We've reached flower week, and florals are one of my absolute favorite things about weddings. Over the past year or so, Ottawa has literally blossomed with new indie floral businesses and we are so excited to showcase their truly distinct and unique styles with you at Wed By Hand.

As you'll see, we have three unique floral companies joining us this year for Wed By Hand--each with their own signature style. And I think you'll see that the ladies who own these companies will show you how to put together flowers that really reflect your style and your wedding theme--whether you're going for something ultra modern or something super rustic and vintage-inspired.

Throughout the week we'll not only introduce you to the vendors that we'll have on hand for Wed By Hand, but also give you tips for how you can use flowers in unique and interesting ways to accent your special day!

Tips & Tricks Thursday: Papers and Envelopes and Websites, Oh My!

You've booked your venue for a certain date and time. Now it's time to let your friends and family know!

Save the Dates?

There are a few scenarios where save-the-date cards are particularly helpful and allow guests to make plans accordingly:

• Guests are travelling from out-of-town and moreso, out-of-country.
• Guests who may need extra time to make arrangements.
• Destination weddings.

There are various options for save-the-dates, including cards, postcards, or magnets. Key information that should be on every save-the-date is: the date, the location, and an indication that a formal invitation is to come.

The Look

The invitation is the first taste that guests will have of your wedding. Invites are a great way to start incorporating the theme, colour scheme or other important components of your wedding. With wedding invitations, you can be as hands on or as hands off as you desire (or have time for!).

• There are many companies that help you create personalized cards or postcards, such as Wedding Paper Divas (based in California) or Six. modern paper goods (based in Almonte).
• Check out theknot.com's 25 Unexpected Invite Ideas You'll Love for some alternative invite inspiration.
• Use a designer to create an image or design that reflects you and yours.
• Select paper and envelopes that reflect you and yours; recycled paper, handmade paper, plantable seeded paper...there are many options!
• Visit local stationery stores such as the Papery (850 Bank St) or the Paper Papier (18 Clarence St) to see stationery options if you're interested in making your invites from scratch.

Online Presence

One key thing to keep in mind as you prepare your invitations is to not include too much information. Nowadays, it's quite popular and convenient to have a wedding website that will give your guests all of the information that you want to share with them but couldn't include on your paper invites. There are many free wedding websites such as theknot.com, many premium wedding websites, or free blogs that can double as wedding websites. See here for ideas on content for your wedding website.

The Content

No matter what type of celebration you're planning, there are a few key details that should be included in any invitation:

• The date and location of venue(s) (if you have a lot of out-of-town guests, it may be helpful to include a map of the area)'
• Basic overview of times: for the ceremony, cocktails, receptions, tea ceremony, apres-wedding lunch, etc. (if people are expected to be somewhere at a certain time, include it).
• Any RSVP information that you need for coordinating the logistics of the day such as the number of guests and meal choices, as well as a RSVP deadline.

Some things to consider when you're thinking about the wording and content of your invites:

• Here is some info on wedding invitation wording and an invitation wording wizard tool to select something to reflect your family situation.
• Proofread your invite for grammar, spelling, and typos.
• There are different ways to word your response card. See here, here, and here for ideas.

For response cards, make it easy for your guests by pre-addressing and stamping the return envelope, including your contact information should they have any questions, and making it clear what information you need. Small details can really help you out, as Danielle of Six Modern Paper Goods points out:

Write numbers on the back of your RSVPs and keep track of who you sent each number to - It's amazing how many people forget to write their names on the reply card!

From Here to There

Typically, the outer envelope is addressed formally; see here for some examples. You can use a personalized seal or sticker on the back of the envelope for a nice finishing touch. A great tip from Vincent of Everlovin' Press:

For a special touch, get your own personalized stamps made for mailing those invites out.

You can also create personalized postcards with Canada Post; their pricing includes printed postcards and delivery anywhere in the world.

If you'll be mailing your invitations, don't find yourself underpaying on the postage, just thinking that a standard stamp will cover the cost; your envelopes could be returned to you up to several weeks later with an 'insufficient postage' stamp on it...probably not the look you were going for!

To avoid this, take one stuffed envelope to Canada Post and have it weighed so that you know how much it'll cost; currently with Canada Post, the standard postage is for letters up to 30g. There are also size requirements for standard letters. Rectangular envelopes are cheaper to send than square ones. Thick envelopes may cost more to send. If you'd likely to specially select the stamp design without having personalized stamps made, Canada Post has a wide variety of stamps available for sale.

Keeping Track

Having a spreadsheet to keep track of information such as who you've invited, what number their invitation has, who has responded, and what their meal choices are will help you determine things like who you need to follow up with. A spreadsheet is also more easily searchable than a text-based document.

Workshop Wednesday: DIY Wedding Invitations

Invitations week has arrived, and the talented Danielle Wojtyniak is going to be hosting a workshop that will take the stress right out of this top-of-the-list wedding task.  As invitations are one of the first things that go out and are intended to reflect the style and vision of the wedding to come, many Brides and Grooms fret about them; what to include, what size, style and paper to use.  Well, the answer is here from Six Modern Paper Goods based in Almonte, and Danielle who will be showing us how to DIY our perfect invites.

Danielle will be providing us with an overview of printing methods, a list of materials required, such as a knife and a ruler.  She’ll be giving us a list of local and online resources for supplies, including paper, printing and envelopes.  And she’ll also be offering us ideas of the different DIY strategies you can take, such as design and print your own, buy a design and print at home and buy a design and have it printed.

There will be example invitations, printed on a home inkjet printer, for us to browse and compare to professionally printed invites, and Danielle will demonstrate the ever so daunting cutting and folding techniques that will turn you into an expert.  So dig out your favourite exacto knife, buy some extra colour cartridges for your printer, and get ready to DIY some fabulous invites that you can give yourself a pat on the back for.

How to Tuesday: Invitations and Paper

There are so many things to be sent out, mailed and made for the big day. Whether you are a crafty bride with everything DIY, want to help out with the design and get your creative minds flowing or just want to choose a great theme, there are different ways to get involved with paper made goods.

1. The Craft Maven

Supplies

Card stock

Envelopes

A tutorial of your desire or your own creative idea

(ribbon, paint, stamp press letters and so forth.)

OR... a crafty computer generated design on InDesign or like software.

A team of hands to get your invitations made and on the road

Your a craft maven, if we gave you directions on what to do you would taken them and run with the wind... making invitations is what you were born to do. But if you want somewhere to start, here are a few ideas....

http://www.inspiredbrides.com/

http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/diy-wedding-invitation-kits.htm

http://www.etsy.com/shop/idoityourself

2. Creative chaos without the mess

Supplies

A internet ready device for online shopping (Stop, do not pass go, do not go to Ebay.)

Stamps

A colour printer (or ship off your personal design right to the website!)

Paint for crafting

Ribbon

Envelopes

Stamps

If you are interested in still creating everything on your wedding invitations and thank you cards don't be afraid to use a site such as www.weddingpaperdivas.com  where you can pick and choose your back grounds or card stock but still have all the creative liberties at your disposal you can imagine. You can even order in the stock in your special colour and shape and print your own artwork or personalize it with stamps and embellishment. This option allows you to get crafty and creative but leave the fussy work up to someone else. 

3. A step towards DIY

Supplies

Your info and dates

A list of people to invite

A little creative spark and theme

Some time to change your theme around online

If you want to pick and choose what you would like but don't want to go through the entire creation process, paper goods makers are ready and willing to hold a consult with you and take your idea and make it come alive. Check out our vendors post to see some of the great creations they can come up with. If you head back to http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/thermography-wedding-invitations.htm

there are some wonderful ideas for getting started and creating your own idea online by picking and choosing what you want and seeing it come to life on the screen before evening making it and having it printed. 

Meet Our Vendors: Invitations

We are incredibly excited to introduce you to the invitation vendors we will have at Wed By Hand this year. Each of them has their own distinct style and something unique to offer different types of couples tying the knot!  


Whether you are looking for something designed from scratch right down to each tiny letter -or- you are looking for something a little bit more ready-made but extremely beautiful, we have you covered!

  


Six Modern Paper Goods 

If all you have is a venue, fabric, flower, or photo that is driving the concept of your wedding, have no fear. Six Modern Paper Goods is an Almonte-based social stationary company that develops custom work for couples with a vision. The alternative designs truly allow the non-traditional couple to let their personalities shine through. The clean and modern designs can be ordered in complete wedding packages (including table numbers, place cards, signage) that provide a cohesive look and flow to your entire day. For the budget-conscious couples Six Modern Paper Goods offer all designs in a DIY-printable format, for the handy and budget-conscious couples, while still having access to high quality professional design. Wed By Hand attendees can look forward to seeing a new season’s assortment of wedding invitation designs and reception graphics at this year’s show.

Everlovin' Press

Using handmade and antique modes of production a “designerly” aesthetic, and most finishing techniques done by hand, Everlovin’ Press know how to stand out from the rest. Producing an original line of greeting cards and stationary, Everlovin’ Press designs and prints pre-made and custom or semi-custom letterpress stationary. For the wedding crowd they offer invitations and invitation sets, RSVP cards, place cards, menus, programmes, thank you cards and more. The Everlovin’ Press products represent “the marriage of contemporary design savvy with traditional printing technique and handmade charm” which results in an “almost sculptural object which feels lovingly and laboriously produced.” Close consultation with clients ensures that the couple’s vision looks good on paper.

We can't wait to see these designers at Wed By Hand!

Welcome to Invitation Week!

When it comes to setting the tone of your wedding, couples are often surprised to find that something as simple as paper plays a pivotal role. Invitations are the first way engaged couples communicate what the wedding theme and feel will be like--months before guests ever step foot in your wedding venue!

In recent years the market has literally blossomed with countless options for couples looking for invitations. It used to be that you would have to pop by a paper shop and order your invitations from giant sample books. While this option is still available today, the handmade world has also brought some really cool options to the market. From incredibly detailed, extremely intricate and labour intensive letterpressed invites to lovely & customizable print-your-own options, small indie businesses are offering options you would have never even dreamed of a few years ago.

We are excited to introduce you to some small businesses that can help you craft the perfect invitations for your special day--no matter what you are looking for! This week we will give you a preview of what you can see invitation-wise at Wed By Hand as well as tips, tricks and DIY projects for how you can tackle your invitations!

Tips & Tricks Thursday: Dressing up!

Shopping for wedding attire can be difficult enough for guests, but what about for the two actually getting married? We've compiled some tips to help you have a good experience getting dressed up.

When to shop

Where you get your dress from will determine how far in advance you will need to shop. Looking for a good deal may take a bit of sleuthing whereas borrowing your mother's dress won't take much time at all. No matter where you get your dress from, it's highly likely that you'll have to have alterations done (on- or off-site...usually more than once) so leave enough time for that. Stores may need to special order your dress as well. To avoid stress, if you're purchasing a dress, start as early as you can. This will allow you some time for events like sample sales or trunk shows happening in Ottawa or nearby.

Getting ready to shop

Getting ready to go dress shopping? You may think that not eating before trying on dresses will give you the best look but dress-shopping can be time-consuming, so take time to nourish yourself and just think: you'll likely be eating at your wedding in your dress (ie. You don't want it to be too tight). Bring along something to keep you hydrated too. Also, if eating beforehand messes up your make-up, no need to worry as some stores may not allow make-up while you try on dresses.

Click here for a few wedding dress silhouettes and consider what works for you. The shopping experience that you have will depend on the store that you visit but no matter where you go, you will be getting undressed and dressed many times, so don't forget to think about what undergarments you wear; if you're modest, consider bringing a slip (although some stores may provide one or a bustier). Depending on the dress, a strapless bra may be fine while some dresses will have built in cups or boning. For the bottoms, comfort is important; if your dress is more form-fitting, consider wearing a body-shaper (such as spanx). If you have a certain type of shoe in mind (flats versus stilettos), bring those along as well.

A tip from Chelsy of chelsy anne:

Don't let the dress compete with the jewellery. If you have tons of detail at the top of the dress do statement earrings over a statement necklace.

Also, if you're having a destination wedding, find something that is not only suitable for the climate and the landscape but also for the transportation. For example, if you're travelling on a budget airline or to a popular wedding destination during peak times, cargo space (in cabin) may be very limited.

Time to wear what you got!

You've found a dress and it fits you perfectly. Before you head to your wedding, practice walking and sitting in your dress. Try your dress on with the undergarments that you'll be wearing at your wedding. If your wedding isn't at your house, you'll likely have to transport the dress. If your dress will be travelling far, you'll also want to think about whether the dress may need to be pressed or cleaned before the wedding. If you have a complicated dress, don't forget to ask a friend to help you in the bathroom.

Oh yes – and don't forget to enjoy yourself!

And what about the gents?

Here are some tips on shopping for a tuxedo but theknot.com has some great articles on helping grooms and groomsmen look sharp at the wedding.

Bridesmaids and mothers

Theknot.com has some articles for bridesmaids and mothers as well. If you're looking to save some money, why not find secondhand dresses that are all of the same colour or design and personalize them with your own special details, such as a sash, buttons, or shawls. You can visit crafty sites such as Etsy to gather inspiration. If you find a set of light-coloured dresses or outfits, you can also dye them to a suitable colour or colours.

How to Tuesday: Personalizing Dresses

With so many dresses to choose from it is hard enough to find the perfect fit let alone one that speaks true to your own identity. We have compiled a how to list to give your wedding dress and bridal party the ability to add a little spunk and personalization to the big day.


The Brides Dress

Adding a little personalization to your white or not so white wedding dress adds a new spark to tradition. 


Personalization options:

Add a pop of colour
Supplies: Grosgrain ribbon, flowers, safety pins
Adding your own personalized detail to your dress gives you the creative liberties to do anything you want. Pick your favourite colour or theme colour of the wedding and add a little spark to your dress. Have a favourite flower? Incorporate it into a headpiece or on a sash. Even a simple ribbon in an unexpecting colour or pattern worn as a sash creates a personal look all your own.


Sneaky details

Supplies: Iron on embroidery patch or applique
Do you have a specific saying or message you want to be close to you during the wedding?
Sewing may ruin the dress and be hard to do but a small applique or iron on patch on the inside of your dress, grooms tux or bottom of your shoe will add a small personalized detail that only you know about.

Supplies: 
- bright and funky garter
If you are keeping to light and elegant colours for the wedding and your accessories, add a sneaky detail of a bright garter under the dress. It will be your little secret until it is revealed.

The Wedding Party

 

Supplies:
- every girl to use their favourite little black dress
- a theme colour
- a few rolls grogain ribbon in the theme colour
- various other accessories in the colour (flowers, headbands, earings, necklaces.)

Tired of having far too many bridesmaids dresses tucked in the back of your closet that you will never wear again? Let the girls in your bridal party have an outfit they can wear over and over again. Every girl has their own little black dress, or could find this classic staple in a flash. By letting the girls pick out their own simple little black dresses they will feel confidant and have a dress to use again and again. Give them a specific outline (ie: knee length) and let them go.

By choosing common elements to tie the dresses it creates a unified theme with personalization from each member of the bridal party. One colour ties the look together and they can create their own completely unique look!

If you don't want black dresses, pick another colour that is more vibrant (such as purple, red for good luck or striking orange) for the girls to choose their own dresses and choose unique accessories for the girls to pick out in silver or gold.

Another option:

- every girls favourite little black dress
- choose one type of ribbon and pumps and have the girls choose their own favourite colour of the bunch and use those accessories to personalize their outfits.

Whether it is personalizing your own dress to represent your unique flare, or giving your bridal party a creative outlet to spruce up their outfits in nontraditional way, getting crafty and creative on the wedding day will make you feel involved from the peep toes all the way to the headpieces!

Meet Our Vendors: Dresses!

Victoire

With two locations in Ottawa (Dalhousie St. and Wellington St.), the ladies of Victoire will be bringing vintage cocktail and wedding dresses to Wed By Hand! These dresses are perfect for the kind of gal that is looking for something a little different. Whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid, guest or important family member, Victoire offers garments that blend “classic good style with a dash of rebellion”. 

At Wed by Hand the girls offer a selection of their unique vintage dresses on site with their own unique flair. These dresses rarely make a trip out of the store but year yet again they are taking a trip to the Glebe Community Center. Victoire Boutique wants to add some new hip flare to the wedding scene. 

 

Photo by Melanie Rebane

With Love Bridal Boutique
Located in Stittsville, With Love is a truly unique wedding dress shop & offers an equally unique shopping experience. Whether you're a bride on a budget, looking to go green, or planning your wedding in a matter of weeks, With Love has a dream gown for you. With Love offers a large selection of once loved and never worn wedding gowns in current styles from some of the best designers in the industry. Purchasing a once loved gown at With Love Bridal Boutique provides you with the same special attention you deserve, and a designer gown at a fraction of the cost.

For brides on a budget, With Love offers gowns from Maggie Sottero, Pronovias and Essence of Australia for up to 70% off. For the eco-friendly bride, buying on consignment is a great way to go green. Given that these gowns are clean and in perfect condition, nobody will be able to tell the difference! Reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing on consignment!

Welcome to Dress Week!

The quest for the perfect wedding dress is one of the biggest tasks you'll tackle as a bride preparing for your wedding. Finding the perfect dress can be both a fun and exciting experience, but can also sometimes be quite the quest. At Wed By Hand, we realize that finding the right attire no matter your sex or style is important, and we want to arm the ladies with a variety of dress options--and especially ones that you might not immediately think of.

We're extremely excited to have two vendors this year that both offer something a bit unique when it comes to wedding -and- bridesmaid dresses. As you'll see later today, we'll have a wide range of alternative dress options at Wed By Hand. From a ridiculously good collection of vintage cocktail dresses to consignment gowns--perfect for the eco-conscious bride--we're excited to show you all of the alternative options available to you as a bride or a bridesmaid shopping for attire! This week we'll also be arming you with everything you need to know to shop for, select and personalize your perfect dress--no mater what it looks like! Let's go!

After I Do: Advice from a Recent Bride - Planning!

After I Do is a weekly column written by Andrée who just tied the knot in 2011. She's here to answer your questions about getting hitched and give you advice from the viewpoint of a bride who has recently gone through the planning process!

Q: "I just got engaged and have no idea where to start on the planning. What should I do first?"

A: Congratulations on your recent engagement!

Looking back on my own engagement, I can remember being excited but also quite overwhelmed at the thought of planning such a big event. I wanted things to be perfect; I wanted everything to reflect who my fiancé and I are as people and what we love together. Not a modest task if you ask me. As a recent bride, I know how hard this can all be and I want you to all know that I’m here to help with all your wedding related questions. These are the first few things I started with, and also how I dealt with some of my wedding planning stress.

1. Take a week to let it sink in
People will want to congratulate you, and of course will want to ask you every single detail of your upcoming wedding. I remember thinking, “I’ve been engaged for 5 seconds, I have no idea when and where we’ll get married!” If you want, wait a week before telling EVERYONE. Keep it for your parents and close friends, and make them promise not to share. This will give you and your new fiancé time to enjoy it together.

2. Discuss your hopes and dreams
Most girls know when the big day will happen. If not, we at least have an idea of when the relationship is headed in that direction. Girls plan their wedding day months or even years in advance. When my hubby popped the big question, it became real. Now, we had to sit down and talk about what we both wanted. Remember to listen to his ideas and to consider them even though they might not fit into your plan. If you’ll want help throughout the planning, you’ll want to start here. In my case, I planned most of the wedding, but he was involved in putting out planning fires and getting me back to earth when my ideas went overboard. Fiancés are good for that. Remember to let them help you when they offer it.

3. Budget
This is always a hot topic during the planning of a wedding. Decide on a number you are ready to spend, and stick to it. If you think you will get financial help from your parents, this is a good time to sit down with them and discuss it. It can be very touchy so be ready, but it will give you a better idea of how much you have to play with.

When we were planning and budgeting, my fiancé didn’t like to include what was already purchased (dress, rings, and deposits) into the total #. If it was already out of our bank account, he didn’t care to discuss it. If this works to keep their stress down, do it!

4. Decide on a theme
A theme isn’t always needed, but it can help you plan. Start by picking colours you like. In our case, I wanted everything to be brown, green and white and everything was to be handmade. Eventually we decided our theme would be ‘Eco-Chic’. Be creative and don’t overdo it. Decorations can be very costly and most of the time, simple and classic wins over extravagant.

5. Make lists
When we were planning our wedding, I used a master spreadsheet off Google docs. I kept all our important wedding information on this list, and it kept me sane during the whole process. Not everyone works well this way, but it really helped me stay and feel more organized. When we were ready to make all our DIY projects (20 projects, no lie), I had created a list of the tasks, materials needed, person who would we helping, deadline, where it would be used at the wedding. This was SO helpful and it kept me sane when I thought I was behind on everything. I would simply take a look at my to-dos and realize that I was doing well. Also, it helped me when I decided to cut out some projects. Check out the Master Spreadsheet!

6. Learn to delegate
It’s really, really hard but so worth it. If you’re like me (aka Martha Stewart Bride), you’ll want to create, make, control and remake everything until it’s perfect. Manage what you CAN control and let others help you with things you might not feel as comfortable doing. DO control the lists but delegate the tasks. Give jobs to the people who are willing to help you. If you have volunteers, you’re ahead of the game!

7. Timeline & Logistics
Now that you’re engaged, a lot of decisions will have to be made. There are TONS of resources out there that can help you with your planning timeline. Deadlines are important when planning, but take it easy – people have planned successful weddings in under 3 months (my mother just did it, and her wedding was stunning!) Here are some websites and tools that helped me.
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/273406/my-wedding-tools (American) http://www.weddingbells.ca/tools/about/ (Canadian)
More things to consider:
a. Pick your wedding date, this may be subject to the availability of your venue, but try to narrow down a time during the year at least.
b. Go visit a couple venues, even ones you don’t think you’ll like (it’s better to strike them off your list than to find out about them a month after you paid your 1st deposit). Book your venue at least a year before your wedding date.
c. Decide if you’ll have suppliers (photographer, videographer, caterer, equipment rental) If you plan on getting married during the summer or during a holiday, you’ll have to book these ahead of time.

An engagement marks the beginning of such an amazing ride which will at times test you, excite you, amaze you and tire you. Remember to take a step back and keep in mind what you and your fiancé truly want when making every single decision. It can seem difficult or demanding now, but try to do it. Often it’s difficult to stick with your original vision when others try to sway you in every other direction (of course, they do it out of love, but c’mon, stand up for yourself!). It’s very easy to forget what you envisioned your wedding to look like in the beginning. In the end, your wedding day is yours and no one else’s. Don’t forget to stay strong as a couple and to be yourself.
Happy planning!
Andrée C.

Tips & Tricks Thursday: On Planning

You've decided to officially commit to your partner...congratulations! Now what? Start off by having frank discussions together about how you would like to recognize and celebrate this commitment. Would you like to have a big wedding, a small wedding, something nearby or a destination wedding? Do either of your families have expectations for you and how will you handle those together? What is your budget and are there elements that you absolutely want to include in whatever you decide to do? As you start considering these questions, here are some guides to help you along:

• Torontobrides.com on planning a wedding on a strict budget
• Frugal Dad on planning a wedding on a budget
• Theknot.com on wedding budget options (who pays!?)
• Theperfectweddingguide.com has a free wedding checklist (pdf)
• About.com has a wedding budget worksheet
• Check out the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada, a certification program for wedding coordinators.

Keep in mind that there are many professionals available to help plan or execute your event. You can choose from a full wedding planner, a partial wedding planner where you can get help with certain aspects of wedding planning, or a wedding coordinator for day-of assistance. Here's a tip from Bridget of {First Kiss Films}:

Hire a wedding coordinator, or at least a wedding day-of planner. You don't want to worry about any of the details on your wedding day. Having a professional on-site making sure the day is running as planned allows for you [to] enjoy each moment and be relaxed (it'll show on your face and you'll look even more radiant on film.

Jane of I Do...Green! Creative Eco-Wedding Planning echoes Bridget on this point:

Enjoy every single minute of your day! If you're a DIY bride and want to plan your wedding yourself, you should still have a coordinator onsite for the day-of. When the time comes you will want someone to take control & ensure all of the little things get done; and don't rely on family or friends to do it.

You can draw on inspiration from magazines, your friends and family, and the internet but in the end, Anne of Dot & Lil says it well:

"There are lots of ways to have a wedding! Just have fun with it, and try and find ways to have your wedding really express who you are and what you're about. It's such a perfect and unique opportunity to express who you are as a couple. Handmade and indie items really lend themselves to custom, one of a kind creation in a way that makes that easy."

This blog can also be a great resource for DIY ideas to add that special touch to your day. Whether you have a wedding in Ottawa or Hawaii, or a ceremony at city hall, remember to enjoy the time you spend together. No matter what you decide to do, it's easy to get lost in the imagination, planning and organizing. I wanted to share a fabulous final tip from Amy of Splendid Events:

         "Remember to keep time for yourselves. Planning a wedding is a huge project with countless details to juggle, and there's no denying that it gets stressful. Throughout your planning months, make sure you set aside time where wedding talk is strictly off-limits. Go out to a movie, go see a play, stay in and make a great dinner, whatever you like. Turn off your cell phones and laptops and just enjoy one another's company."

Happy planning!

Workshop Wednesday: How to Plan an Awesome Wedding, Regardless of the Budget

We're excited to welcome back Amy Karlin, founder and creative director of Ottawa's own Splendid Events, back to Wed By Hand this year. Last year Amy's workshop was incredibly popular & you'll want to join us for this must-see wedding workshop about planning your wedding.  She'll be focusing on how to plan a polished wedding on a small budget.  And, very importantly: how to set and stick to a budget.  Because we all know each of us, hiding under the surface, has a dash of Bridezilla and a pinch of princess, just waiting to find that perfect pair of shoes, diamond earrings or dress that we just can't live without, and we'll have to sneak in the back door and claim, "this old thing, I've had it for years!"  

Amy has been planing, coordinating and hosting events professionally, and as a past-time for years, and after having a ball planning her own wedding in 2010 she got hooked on weddings, started Splendid Events, and has never looked back.  She has provided countless brides and grooms with unique and fabulous eco-conscious, wedding planning, all the while helping to grow and support Ottawa based businesses.  

Amy will help us keep on track by providing each attendee with a budget planning worksheet, which we'll also be posting for your convenience on the Wed By Hand Blog.  Amy will walk you through the sheet, plus her top tips for staying sane during the planning process.  She'll also be showing off examples of quality wedding attire, decor and other such stuff that can be found locally for great prices.  This workshop will be filled with insider's tips you won't want to miss!