Event Inspiration – AVPEvents Blog

Classic Love Songs: Our Top Picks

Published on January 25, 2017 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

Struggling to find a first dance song? These might be oldies but they are goodies in so many ways! Here are our top 10 classic love song picks of all time!

Unchained Melody

One of our absolute favorites and always will be.

Your Song– Elton John

We won’t lie, this makes us relive Moulin Rouge all over again!

I Will Always Love You

Yes Whitney YES!

Endless Love– Diana Ross and Lionel Richie

A few renditions of this song have been done (thank you Luther and Mariah) but this one…

I Knew I Loved You– Savage Garden

We recall circa ’99 when this super sappy song was released…it’s still makes the top 10.

I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing

Okay, okay so maybe I bawled like a third-grade sissy during the movie Armageddon…can you blame me?! Shout out to my child hood friend John Hamlin, this is our grade 7 throw back tribute! (Gets teary eyed)

My Heart Will Go On

“I jump, you jump, right?” Yep.

(Everything I Do) I Do It for You– Bryan Adams

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song (Robin Hood) This song was a heart twinging tear jerker in the early 90’s.

Take My Breath Away– Berlin

Ahh yes, Top Gun: Tom Cruise…Nicole Kidman’s amazing hair- Berlin took our breath away!

I Just Can’t Stop Loving You

Michael Jackson debut this song in ’87 and we won’t stop loving MJ either.

Farewell 2016

Published on January 5, 2017January 5, 2017 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

2016 was an incredible year for AVPEvents in many ways! Here, we celebrate even the smallest of successes. Here are some of 2016’s highlights for us

Black Diamond Shoot

Getting to organize and direct our very first stylized shoot this past summer was one of the most rewarding and mind blowing experiences. I had an incredible team from all over the GTA and Ottawa Ontario and there is no way I could have done it without them. Conceptualizing this shoot was so easy because I knew I wanted it to be intense. Personally, I find the wedding industry could use more multi-cultural models in their shoots so that played a monumental role in the models I chose. Carmela Sagula did a lovely job photographing our set up. Event Rental Group provided our table linens, stemware, utensils and charger plates. 4 Men United provided the suiting for the groom, Ferre Sposa Bridal provided the bridal gowns we used for the bride. Look at the Moon jewelry and Luvy-T Shop provided jewelry, Edible Sins did the gorgeous cakes and cookies and came all the way from Ottawa, Ontario. Mariposa cruises were incredible and offered the Northern Spirit I as our venue and Velvet Rope Floral did a magnificent job on the monochromatic floral arrangements. Keisha Williams was the GTA artist behind the beautiful hair-styling for both the bride and groom. Lastly, Miss Thani who came all the way from Ottawa as well with her Orchid Cosmetics line was the makeup artist who knew exactly what look I was going for and made it come to life. Everyone’s talent and dedication enabled this shoot to make the 2016 Fall/Winter issue of The Wedding Planner Magazine. Thank you and much love to you all!

AVP Blog

Wahoo! This one took awhile but it was so overdue! We finally put together our new www.avpblog.com and changed the look of the entire thing. It was important to me that it connected with our audience and had more emphasis on imagery. Social media has changed everything and millennials want maximum information in one “go too” spot.

Beneath The Veil

We stopped in to chat with some colleagues and good friends which was so nice. I always find, life can get so crazy hectic that you forget to take a moment and really catch up. Fruitilicious Cakes cakes creator Sandra and I got to spend a few minutes together and booked my July 2017 wedding- which we are stoked for! Also got to reconnect with Frances from Mona Lisa Bridal Gallery- I still have yet to zip over to the gallery but it’s going to happen Frances!

Fashion Show Gala by Sharleez Concept

We were invited to attend the launch of the 2017 Sharleez Concept line sponsored by Elegant Wedding Magazine on October 14 2016 at Fountain Blu. The runway was lined with some extremely talented designers including one of my new favorites, Macedonian born Canadian designer Lidija from House of Lidija. All I can say is wow! Men’s suiting company D’Royce Customs located here in Yorkville rocked the runway as well. Canadian bridal designer Sharleez Thanga created some stunning gowns for her 2017 collection and we are looking forward to seeing more!

Overall 2016 had a lot of bumps in the road on a personal level but had many sweet moments. We are really looking forward to 2017 and the weddings we have coming up in Toronto all the way to Belleville! Be sure to stay tuned to our blog in the New year for all you newly engaged couples, keep in mind that AVPEvents is offering 10% off our Partial Planning and Day of coordination if you book anytime between now and Feb 28 2017!

Last highlight of the year before we dive right into 2017…I’ll be planning my own wedding this year 😉

AVP Blog Series-Wedding Venues in The 6ix: The Burroughes Building

Published on August 10, 2016August 10, 2016 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

I am so excited to spill the details of this particular venue, I will admit I am a little biased since my couple who got married there on a New Year’s Eve a few years back fell in love with the space. Located at 639 Queen St. West and Bathurst St, this location is eclectic and has quite the history!

The F.C. Burroughes Furniture Company erected the building in 1907 as its flagship retail department store. King Sol, a well known sporting and camping gear retailer called it home for 53 years, ending in 2002. Finally, the Queen Street Partners redeveloped the building. It’s beautiful exposed brick, hardwood floors and rustic essence minimizes the need for excessive décor. Another feature worth highlighting are the two 100 plus year old restored elevators which brings to life the historical relevance to the venue.

This hidden gem has actually hosted some of the city’s high profile events such as TIFF events, Holt Renfrew and Phillip Sparks fashion shows. It has also been chosen for fashion designer and bridal magazine photo shoots.

Since we are discussing venues in the 6ix, it makes sense that I highlight that the 6^th floor is the most popular location to hold a wedding or event. This floor give you access to the rooftop terrace, I might add that this “View from the 6ix” is unobstructed and absolutely gorgeous and has a bar and heaters (for those planning winter weddings!).

For those attending you wedding or event who are from out of town, this venue is located close to six (notice a theme here?) beautiful 4-5 star hotels including the Fairmont Royal York, The Thompson Hotel and the Shangri-La. Parking won’t be an issue either as there are several lots in the area that can be utilized.

Something to take note of is that The Burroughes requires outside catering but to make life easy, their venue coordinators (not to be confused with wedding planners) have preferred vendor lists that you can use to contact.

All in all this is a terrific and very unique space to host your event or wedding and is absolutely worth a tour!

Photo credits: www.derekcampbell.net; www.ashleyvictoriaproductions.com; www.theburroughes.com

Wedding Venues in The 6ix: National Event Venue

Published on April 29, 2016 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

During some intense outsourcing I was conducting for some clients, I came across this intriguing and equally beautiful venue located at 1000 Finch Ave West (Finch and Dufferin) in the northwest area of the city- National Event Venue. When you first walk in, all I can say is – black and gold. Accents of gorgeous Baroque style furniture, dramatic velvet curtains held together by thick ropes, chandeliers…have I sold you yet? I’m not finished though!

There are so many eloquent features of this diamond in the rough that as a planner, get you so excited for your clients. The lobby/cocktail area has a stylish bar where you can order your Cosmopolitan or scotch and has plenty of space for mingling. The European reception room is open concept with two stunning chandeliers at each end, a visible dance floor in the center and then a stage at the front. Mind you this isn’t just any stage, if the bride and groom so choose they can stand on a platform that is below the stage that will rise to the top of the stage for a surprise entrance!

In addition to all of this, there are massive LED TV screens with 360 projection mapping that allows you to share videos and photos with all of your guests. As of recently they provide limousine services for pick up and drop offs as well. They have an incredible team that boasts stunning entertainment, whether it is professional dancers, live musicians, acrobatics or eek…snakes and fire!

Shall we talk gourmet cuisine? They have 3 menus or you can choose essentially any national cuisine you like, from Russian, Portuguese, Italian and more. Their chefs create beautiful and artistic presentations with each dish and will not disappoint your palate by any means. I accompanied my clients to a Saturday night tasting and they left full and completely impressed.

Alex and his staff are truly lovely people, so easy and kind to work with and are ready to cater to whatever your needs are. I am grateful to have such a fantastic working relationship with them and would recommend National Event Venue to everyone who is looking for a superior, first class experience for their wedding day! If you are a couple would like to book a viewing please contact me at Ashley@ashleyvictoriaproductions.com and I will be happy to take you or contact the venue directly at 416-650-0019

Photos taken from: http://www.nationaleventvenue.com; IsaacImage.com

Wedding Venues in The 6ix: The Avenue Banquet Hall

Published on February 25, 2016April 29, 2016 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

The Avenue is a fantastic little spot in Vaughan Ontario and one of the not so obvious but convenient aspects of it is that it’s close to all major highways (401, 407 and the Allen). We love the fact that parking is free, and if you have out of town guests, the hotels close by have reduced rates for those who choose to have their event at The Avenue.

One thing that I can say I absolutely appreciated about this venue is that it’s literally one venue, so you don’t have to worry about multiple events taking place simultaneously to yours! This is a great selling point for brides who want to ensure there are no mix-ups or distractions on their big day. As a planner, even though we are used to it, it’s a relief to know there are no “hidden fees” that you will have to dig to find and explain to your clients. Many venues have so many additional fees and truthfully it can add up quickly. The Avenue is an exception, everything is up front and visible so there are absolutely no surprises!

Another convenient aspect of this little gem is it has the main hall that it has lovely high ceilings and can hold up to 400 guests. There is also separate ceremony room and a private bridal suite and a variety of catering menus to choose from including Mediterranean, Portuguese, West Indian, Italian and more!

Whether you are hosting an event or a wedding, the most comforting aspect of this venue for some will be the many 5 star reviews it has received from clients. There are rave reviews about the food, the service as well as working with Marla Kay and her pleasant and valuable experience. As I have met with Marla myself, it’s refreshing to say that she is one of the most open and candid venue coordinators I’ve met thus far and she loves what she does.

All in all, The Avenue is a venue to consider for any event or wedding so please contact them and book a time to view this banquet hall, you won’t have any regrets!

Contact Info:

1600 Steeles Ave, Vaughan ON 905 669 0777 info@theavenuebanquethall.com

How to choose your bridal shoes

Published on December 4, 2015 by AVPEvents1 Comment

Let’s be honest, wedding shoes are a big deal to every bride for different reasons. From flip flops, to cowboy boots, pumps to runners- each bride is unique. However, there are other key elements that come into play when a bride chooses her wedding shoes, here are some of them.

Less is more

Some brides don’t feel the need to go all out on their shoes because they feel the dress will either cover it up or that the dress itself is enough. This is fair; for the most part it’s true, no one will really be looking at your feet, especially if your dress is floor length. A cute kitten heel will do the trick in this scenario!

Location

There is absolutely no point in wearing and ruining gorgeous heels if you are standing on a sandy beach in Acapulco. You will either be bare foot with some sweet ankle adornments or in pretty white flip flops so you are prepared for the grains of sand and dust.

Time of Year

Spring and fall outdoor weddings can be tricky in terms of predicting the weather, three days before it could indicate sunny skies and the day off its soggy. Why not have some fun with it and rock rain boots? The photographer will have a blast shooting those bridal party boot pictures!

Height

It’s real love when you don’t want to be taller than your groom. These thoughtful and self-sacrificing brides, who deep down might love heels, may be sweet and opt for lovely flats. The right flat can look just as pretty as a heel. Just be sure you find out the fabric and if they stretch so you can get the right size.

Personality

So back to my high school friend who wore runners to her wedding (not the Julia Roberts runaway type) did it in only a way that emphasized their couple style. They BOTH rocked running shoes since she married a band rock star so it was only fitting- plus I never saw her wear even a wedge in high school!

Wedding Theme

If your style is country rustic, designer stilettos won’t be your go too since they will sink in the grass. Some brides have proudly chosen to don cowboy boots to match the scenery and theme of their outdoor, country wedding. It’s a fun way to say “surprise” underneath your beautiful dress and it will certainly work in your favor when you start line dancing in the barn!

Too much…huh?

I feel like this would be me. I will never pass up an opportunity to wear amazing heels. In fact I’d buy them months in advance just so I could wear them around while doing the dishes and stretching them out so I could wear them for the entire wedding! Some brides don’t care and want it all and go all out with the heel height, glitz, glam and bling- Pnina Tornai style!

Images: pninatornai.com; weddingwindow.com; bridalmusings.com

Festive Fall Cocktails for your wedding (part 2)

Published on October 27, 2015October 27, 2015 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

As promised, we are back with the part 2 of the savory fall drinks that we love from Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot!

Vanilla Pear Cocktail– The Knot

Photography by Sarah Love Photography

Ingredients:

Pear-flavored vodka (we like Absolut Pears)
Pear juice
Vanilla bean
Ice
La Croix Peach-Pear flavored sparkling water

Directions:

To make one drink, pour a single shot of the vodka into a shaker, and mix it with a half cup of pear juice.
Place the vanilla bean on a hard surface like a cutting board, and using a paring knife, slice the vanilla bean lengthwise. Then, using the knife (or even a spoon), scrape the seeds out of the inside of the vanilla bean and into the juice mixture. Shake everything to combine.
Pour over ice into a highball glass. Top everything off by adding a splash of the flavored sparkling water to your cocktail. Now just add a straw and enjoy!

Pumpkin White Russian- The Knot

Photo by Sarah Love Photography

Pumpkin-flavored vodka (try Crop Organic Spiced Pumpkin)
Kahlua
Pumpkin pie spice
Ice
Heavy cream

Directions:

Add 4 ounces of the pumpkin-flavored vodka to a tumbler along with 2 ounces of Kahlua and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Shake to combine.
Add a handful of ice to a lowball glass and pour in the drink mixture, filling the glass halfway. Finish the cocktail by filling the rest of the glass with heavy cream. Now just stir and serve!

Hot Apple Cider with sugared cranberries- Martha Stewart Weddings (MSW Fall 2012)

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups apple cider
2 whole allspice berries
3 ounces bourbon or dark rum
Sugared Cranberries

Directions

Bring cider and allspice to a boil in a saucepan.
Remove from heat and cover. Let stand 10 minutes.
Skim foam and strain, discarding the allspice.
Ladle 1/2 cup hot cider into each mug, and add 3/4 ounce bourbon or dark rum.
Garnish each glass with two sugared cranberries skewered on a stir stick.

Cider Sangria- Martha Stewart Weddings

Photography: Seth Smoot

Ingredients

6 cups green seedless grapes
4 kiwis, peeled and thinly sliced into rounds
8 small apples, such as lady apples or crab apples, thinly sliced, stems and seeds removed
1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
1 quart apple cider
1 cup apple brandy, such as Calvados

Directions

Freeze half of the grapes on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Place remaining grapes in a large pitcher with kiwis and apples. Stir in wine, cider, and brandy.
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Partially fill drinking glasses with frozen grapes and fill with sangria.

Festive Fall Cocktails for your wedding (part 1)

Published on October 21, 2015October 24, 2015 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

Nothing gets us into the festive fall season like these delicious fall cocktails from Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot. These are perfect for a fall themed engagement party or wedding and will be sure to impress your guests and get them into the spirit!

Fall Manhattan- Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2007

Photography: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces applejack
1 1/2 ounces rye whiskey
1 tablespoon maple syrup
A few dashes orange bitters
About 2 ounces Champagne
Blood-orange rind cut into strips for garnish

Directions:

Combine applejack, whiskey, maple syrup, and bitters in a cocktail shaker, and shake over ice. Strain into a 6-ounce martini glass, and top with Champagne. Garnish with orange rind, and serve.

Orange Maple Whiskey Cocktail- The Knot

Photography: Sarah Love Photography

Ingredients:

Maple syrup
Orange bitters
Orange wedge
Ice
Whiskey
Splash of club soda

Directions:

Step 1: Measure out 2 tablespoons of syrup and add it to a lowball glass along with 2 dashes of orange bitters. Squeeze an orange wedge to the mix and muddle slightly before adding a handful of ice.

Step 2: Add 2 ounces of whiskey to the cocktail and top with a splash of club soda before stirring.

Step 3: Top with fresh orange zest and serve.

Rob Rose-Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2015

Photography: Bryan Gardner

Ingredients

Rose water (Fee Brothers Rose Water, $7, kegworks.com)
1⁄2 ounce Amaro CioCiaro liqueur
2 ounces Compass Box Spice Tree malt scotch whiskey
Rose petal, for garnish

Directions:

Fill an atomizer with rose water and spray an old-fashioned glass with four sprays.
Add liqueur, scotch, and ice. Stir and garnish with rose petal.

Sidenote: (Rose water is the scented secret to this wedding-worthy scotch concoction by New York City mixologist Tom Richter.)

2015 Fall Wedding Color Schemes

Published on October 8, 2015October 24, 2015 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

With fall comes change and 2015 wedding color schemes don’t disappoint! Shades of blue are a staple wedding color and always will be, the popularity of frostier colors has increased as well as gorgeous hues of wine and burgundy and varied tones of creams.

We took three of our favorite schemes from Elegant Wedding Invites to show you!

2015 trends: Navy blue and blush Table Settings, Bridesmaids and Chair Mandy Mayberry via RuffledFans Harwell Photography via Style Me Pretty

2015 trends: Pink, Khaki, nude and grey.

Gown-via Claire Pettibone/Invitations & Cake-L Hewitt Photography via Style Me Pretty/Table Settings-Buffy Dekmar via Elizabeth Anne Designs

2015 trends: Sangria, lavender and silver Bridesmaids Aga Jones Photography via Wedding Chicks Shoes via Lover.ly

Unique Wedding Guest Book Ideas

Published on September 15, 2015October 24, 2015 by AVPEvents1 Comment

Every couple wants to have as many memories of their wedding day as they can. Everything from the vows to photos taken and speeches- sentimental or funny! One really great way to create a long lasting memory is to get innovative with your guest book! Here are a few ideas to help you get inspired!

This is a great idea my girlfriend came up with. We grew up in the same town, went to high school and university together but her wedding took place back home in the beautiful countryside. The bought paddles and asked their guests to sign them and later mounted them!

Another nice idea that I came across in my research works for those who are having a destination or beach wedding! Purchase some smooth stones from a craft store, or scope out the beach ahead of time if you can. Make sure you have enough for all your guests, have them sign it and display at home.

Couples who love pictures, here’s a great 2 in 1 guest book idea. Have a makeshift clothes line with the names and tables numbers for each guest to sit at but there’s a catch! They have to replace their seating card with a Polaroid selfie!

For those wine lovers out there…myself included, you will love this! Start saving your wine corks and accumulate the number you need to reach the number of your guests. As they arrive, have them sign a cork and take it home and put it up for all to see!

Photo credits: Little Tree Photography’ designedbybh.com; stylecaster.com; emmaline-bride.com