Outdoor Weddings – AVPEvents Blog

50 Wedding Themes for all engaged couple styles

Published on June 18, 2019November 6, 2019 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

1. Life’s a Beach

2. Sorrento (think lemons)

3. Mint to Be

4. Kate Spade

5. Enchanted Forest

6. Secret Garden Party

7. Black Tie (think Gatsby)

8. Roaring 20’s

9. Black Panther

10. Mediterranean

11. Pop-up

12. Welcome Aboard

13. My Sun & Stars/Moon of My Life (Game of Thrones)

14. Parisian

15. Vintage

16. Shabby Chic

17. Boho

18. Boho-Rustic

19. Rustic

20. Country

21. Tropical

22. Old Century

23. Disney

24. Vineyard/Winery

25. Safari

26. Old Hollywood (Vintage Glam)

27. Rustic Modern

28. Italian Romance

29. Masquerade

30. Star Wars

31. Sail Away

32. Go Green

33. Mexican Fiesta

34. Southern Garden

35. Scottish Themed

36. Geometric

37. Impressionist (water colors)

38. 60’s Mod Party

39. 50’s Retro

40. 80’s

41. 70’s Disco

42. Pumpkin Patch

43. Superhero

44. Fire & Ice

45. Winter is Coming

46. Outdoor Pool Party

47. Japanese Cherry blossom

48. Fantasy (think Unicorns)

49. Winter Wonderland

50. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (insert your culture)

100 Insanely smart tips to help a busy bride stay on budget and save money while planning a beautiful wedding

Published on April 29, 2019April 24, 2019 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

Keep your guest list small
Choose flowers that are in season
Consider a Friday or Sunday wedding
Create & print your own invites- here’s a discount code for Minted
Get married on off-peak season (November-April)
Skip the plated meal and do a buffet
Have more comfort food and snacks vs formal food options
Rent certain items vs buying them
Choose a non-traditional wedding venue: municipal park or beach
Google local sample sales and trunk shows for your wedding gown
Shop local outlet stores for bridesmaids’ dresses
Purchase handmade items directly from the seller e.g. Etsy
Ditch favors or limit them to 1 per couple
Keep the ceremony and reception at the same place to cut down rentals, transportation and décor
Rent your wedding dress
YouTube makeup tutorials or go to Sephora for a makeup lesson then do your own makeup
Swap in a sweet table instead of a dessert course
Buy your own booze for the wedding
Only serve appetizers during the cocktail hour
Find a music student(s) to entertain during cocktail hour or for the ceremony (have them audition first!)
Find a newer cake artist to make your cake
Swap your cake for smaller cupcakes or tarts
Limit the bar hours or have an alcohol-free wedding
Instead of multiple shooters, only have 1 photographer
Use wildflowers as fillers in your centerpieces
Opt for sparkling wine over champagne
Use a credit card to pay for vendors etc that has points or rewards so you get something back
Google local wedding shows to get deals on potential vendors
Use coupons or Facebook Marketplace to score deals on accessories or décor items
Hire a wedding planner; what you pay them to do will end up being made up in savings because they can negotiate contracts and save you time
Schedule to do cake cutting and first dance earlier in the evening to cut down on photography hours
More than 3 courses for dinner might be excessive, guests should be fed but don’t overdo it
Have a smaller cake created for display and cutting and have a larger slab cake in the back that gets served to guests
Have a smaller bridal party to cut down costs and possibly hassle
Ditch the bridal party altogether and just have a flower girl and ring bearer to save on gifts
Use a playlist for the cocktail hour and dinner and a DJ for the reception party
Cocktails and mixed drinks are usually more expensive at the bar so limit the options to beer and wine
See if the venue has larger tables so you cut back on the amount of centerpieces
Use something other than flowers for your centerpieces such as candles, picture frames, lanterns
Elope or do a pop-up wedding
Consider emailing your “Save the Dates”
Only invite people you are close to you (you’ve seen and hung out with them in the last 5 years)
Stick to the house wines offered instead of specialty ones
DIY certain wedding items
If one of your friends recently got married and kept some of their décor, ask to borrow it
Buy things like candles and favors in bulk, the price is usually less (buy more than 50 pieces)
Have your shower or rehearsal at home instead of a restaurant
Naked cakes look lovely or instead choose buttercream icing over fondant
Kids meals are cheaper so be sure to ask for a kids menu if you plan to have kids at the wedding or have no kids at all
Only have 1 or 2 options for vegetarian or vegan meals, the more choices the more money
Borrow accessories from friends or a family member instead of buying them
Have the wine at dinner served rather than sitting on the table so consumption is staggered during the evening
Don’t forget tips, shipping fees and taxes and gratuity to be factored into your budget
Decide if you are allowing +1’s or not, additional guests can impact your budget greatly
Negotiate pricing on some contracts
Read over contract carefully and ask questions, it’s very easy to misunderstand something and then get overcharged
Enable people to RSVP on a website instead of traditional paper RSVP’s, plus it’s easier to track
See if your venue has a list of preferred vendors, sometimes they want you to use them but it might cost you. Ask if you are permitted to use outside vendors. They may require approval
Find a venue that needs minimal décor
Get married in a backyard garden to save on venue and décor costs
Price shop for vendors to before booking anything to see if there are comparable prices available
Avoid getting married on a Saturday or a long weekend, it’s the most expensive day to get married
Keep appetizers between 2-3 pieces per person and keep in mind the caterer will likely try to up sell you
If you are wearing a longer dress, no one will see you shoes so why splurge?
Go through each item on your budget to see if there are ways to trim it down
Everyone loves a good wedding trend but they are usually pricey because they are in high demand
Hand write your place cards/escort cards or design them on Minted
Research various wedding budgets and revise yours based on what your research finds
Thank you’s to the bridal party are lovely but don’t have to break the bank
Consider one big single bloom for the bouquets
Don’t let vendors rope you into more than you want too (a planner can help with this) you can politely decline any add-ons
Florists typically charge more for labor so buy your own flowers in bulk to save
Stick to a signature cocktail during the cocktail hour and have it passed around. It will not only save on alcohol but will add a nice personal touch as well.
Can we say: “Free wedding stationary printables” We said it.
Instead of renting a nice car, can you borrow one from someone you know?
Keep all of your receipts so you can monitor what you’ve spent
Ask guests to email their RSVPs to you directly and keep an email file folder of them
Choose a venue outside of a major city. Costs of downtown venues and parking can make sticking to your budget difficult
Wait for a good deal to take your honeymoon instead of right afterwards. Check out Skyscanner or Next Vacay
Get a dress that actually fits instead of off the rack and needing expensive alterations
When in doubt, don’t buy a dress a size or two too small, it’s easier to make a larger dress smaller than the opposite
For any out of town guests, ask hotels close by the wedding venue for reduced rates based on rooms booked
Instead of expensive centerpieces, have empty vases on the tables and use the bridesmaid’s bouquets as centerpieces
Troll Instagram and wedding websites for contests and giveaways
Go to Wedding Wire and see if any vendors you need are offering discounts on their services
Buy as much as you can in bulk (food, flowers, candy) rather than specialty stores that will have higher prices
Shorten your planning time, you will be much more decisive with a strict timeline
Only have the photographer and videographer cover just the ceremony
See if videography can be added to your photography package instead of hiring 2 separate vendors
Any leftover wedding items you have, sell them online
Use the word “wedding” only when necessary (like with venues and photographers) sometimes there’s an up charge
Only splurge on ONE thing like good food or music
Find out if there is a minimum spend at the venue if they have in house catering. Usually if you make the minimum spend, they waive the venue rental fee
Keep your invites to a singe sheet, pretty but simple. It will save on postage
Ask friends to help where they can, as ushers, officiant, MC, DJ
Sew your own table runners with fabric you purchase yourself
Silk and paper flowers go a long way
Skip the traditional wedding dress shops and go to major retailers like Le Chateau or Etsy for your dress
Consider a different time of day: Morning or afternoon so you save on dinner food
Make sure you and your partner are both on the same page on where to splurge and where to cutback!

Style Shoot: Woodland Escape

Published on March 20, 2019March 18, 2019 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

I had the privilege of being able to do outdoor shoots last year for Elegant Wedding Magazine. I shared the first one with you all, Spring Garden at the Toronto Botanical Gardens in Toronto.

This shoot was very different and I loved it for that reason. It was paramount that as many natural elements were included to maintain an organic feel. It’s not often an outdoor wedding can utilize most of the natural elements outside to contribute to the overall tone of the event style. But it can be done!

Here are some of our favorite shots of this simply stunning shoot!

To see more head on over to the Elegant Wedding Magazine blog post Moody Woodland Forest Wedding

Vendor Credits:

Venue: Fantasy Farms

Photographer: The Butterfly Photography

Florals: Divine Flowers Toronto

Dresses: Mona Lisa Bridal Gallery

Table Top Decor: Plate Occasions

Rentals: Chairman Mills

Decor and Props: Cre8ive Studios

Stationary: GM Calligraphy

Cake and Confections: Dolce Vita Cakes by Albina

HMUA: Makeup Couture/ Hair Couture

How to rock a venue open house

Published on February 20, 2019February 14, 2019 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

If you are recently engaged, living in the big TO and still shopping for the perfect venue, this blog post is for you! January-March are the months when venues host an event called an “open house” to showcase the venue’s potential for a wedding. They hire wedding vendors such as a DJ, catering company and sometimes an entertainment company for the evening. You will get to enjoy wine, finger foods, a band or a DJ while getting to check out a venue that might work for your wedding day.

What to look for

Sight-lines

When you look around the room, do you see any large pillars that disrupt a clear line of vision? This is one of the most important things you need to look for when searching for a venue. When you imagine the set up, will anything block the guests view of the ceremony or honor table during the reception? Will photographs look strange? If the room is open concept you are good to go but if it’s a venue with a bit more of a rustic/industrial look, its not a “all bets are off” scenario but careful consideration of the setup will be required.

Washrooms

Besides cold food, nothing is worse than a 200 plus wedding guest count and a one stall washroom…that the bride can barely fit in. Washrooms are a big deal ladies; are they properly cleaned and well stocked (yes snoop those cupboards!!) Does anything look like it’s in need of maintenance? Do the toilet’s flush properly, is there hot water to wash hands, are the soap dispensers full? How many washroom stalls are there and is it wheelchair accessible?

Special Amenities

Another great thing to peep is aspects of the venue that are unique and special. Some venues have an outdoor patio which is great for when you need to get some air. What a about a rooftop patio, who doesn’t love a view? Is there any natural lighting that you love which will translate into beautiful city lights at night and add to the ambience the evening? If you have a summer wedding, do they have a garden area you could gain access too? Parking anyone?!

Wedding Packages

Whether it’s when you first walk in, or are walking out, someone should be handing you a cute little gift bag with a cookie, business cards, gift cards and a wedding package from the venue. It will give a very detailed outlining of what they offer, what’s included and not included in their packages and pricing.

So, call up a few of your girlfriends or bridal party for that matter, when you RSVP include how many will be accompanying you. Don’t eat a heavy dinner since there will be plenty for you to munch on when you get there. Enjoy the entertainment, music and wine and look out for these 4 things I mentioned. It’s a great way to have a nice free little girls’ night out while searching for your wedding venue.

Below are a couple of upcoming venue open houses this month and next, so if you haven’t chosen a venue yet, now’s your chance to see it completely done up and at it’s full potential!

Style Shoot: Spring Garden

Published on January 4, 2019January 3, 2019 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

Wedding season is right around the corner so here is some Spring Garden inspo my team and I created at the Toronto Botanical Gardens.

2018 wedding trends that will make you want to have another wedding

Published on December 7, 2018December 7, 2018 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

As 2018 comes to a close, we are doing a little “throw-back” to some of our favorite wedding trends!

Dark, moody florals

This may have been just a trend for 2018 but I love moody florals all year round. They bring such intensity and depth to bouquets and other floral arrangements.

Translucent Accents

Acrylic was everywhere this year, acrylic stands, acrylic chairs, see through tents you name it. What we loved about this trend was that it added a contemporary element to décor and the overall feel of the reception. It was combined nicely with rustic themes as well as modern weddings

Colored Candles

A lovely touch to tablescapes this year were candles in multiple hues. It helped balance out bright florals and soften other décor elements.

Dramatic Backdrops

Flower walls, geometric wooden structures, strings of dangling lights and flowers- it’s the “wow” factor. From photo booths to escort card tables, backdrops were taken to another level this year and we loved it!

Single Stem Bouquets

Brides are going for more quality than quantity. It’s easy to think more blooms look better but reality is, one or two gorgeous blooms have just as much, if not more impact visually. We hope this trend continues!

Balloons

Usually I see faces cringe at the idea of balloons since they are typically seen as a little juvenile and childish. But custom arches and clusters and photo walls are huge statements that brides are loving!

First Look

We are familiar with a bride doing her big reveal to her soon to be spouse but 2018 included the bridal party, the parents and basically your “day 1’s” and it was just a moment full of feels.

Sleeves

Flutter sleeves, flowy sleeves, cap sleeves and removable sleeves- they were all the rage along with capes when it came to bridal attire. Dramatic and romantic it doesn’t matter, sleeves were a wedding dress highlight this and certainly a trend in 2018.

Circular Arches

We saw them everywhere, style shoots and gorgeous indoor as well as outdoor ceremonies. They added a beautiful dimension to nuptials and photographs.

Unique Non-Traditional Venues

Couples opted for venues that had more of a sentimental feel like beautiful camp grounds, concert halls, the family home backyard. This is such a lovely trend that speaks to the couple making the wedding more personal.

NEW website and features

Published on May 11, 2018May 8, 2018 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

The warm weather is FINALLY here in Toronto (it only took us 6 months and an ice storm) it was hard to stay inspired this past winter. However, we managed to redo our entire website which made me very excited!

Of course, there are some tweaks to be made still but overall, I am very happy with it! It’s cleaner, better images, new logo, the ability to book a consultation online and download a planning checklist!

The option to sign up for free advice, tips and special offers is also something I am happy we were able to make happen. I think its important for a website to be more than just a collection of photos and services- we should be able to showcase we have to offer!

That being said, for the month of May we are offering 10% off of all our Partial Planning Packages! We know engaged couples have a lot on their plates and a partial planning gives you 20 hours of my time allotted to areas of planning determined by you.

Some couples use this for things like:

Budget creation & management
Vendor recommendations
Seating chart arrangement
Booking/attending vendor appointments
Creation of “day of” schedule

And the best part of this package is that it also includes our Day of Coordination Package.

As a final send off on this post, we encourage you beautiful couples to download our FREE wedding planning checklist to help keep you on schedule!

How to prepare for your wedding planning consult

Published on April 26, 2018June 3, 2019 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

It doesn’t take long after your acceptance of the proposal for you to realize there is piles of work to do! It can seem daunting but one of the wisest things you could consider doing is hiring a planner. If it’s not a full planning, day of coordination can take so much weight off your shoulders.

When you start your search for a planner here are some questions you need to be prepared to answer:

“What is your wedding date?” Seems like it shouldn’t be a big deal if you don’t have that figured out just yet, but the reality is that planners live by schedules. So, in order for us to even know if we are available to help you- we need to know your wedding date!
“What is your total wedding budget?” Having this discussion with your partner before you book a consultation is important. Most potential clients want to know how much planning costs, but we can’t give proper quotes for services unless we know what your max budget is.
“How many guests do you plan to have?” This is another important question that helps planners determine their fee. To put into perspective: If you plan to have 300 guests, it’s common sense that a planner would then need an assistant. Paying an assistant will be factored into whatever quote is given.
“Do you have a venue yet?” If you do then let us know, we have already done a wedding there and have connections we can utilize. On the flip side, if we haven’t done a wedding there, then a site visit will be necessary, so we can meet the coordinator and see the space.
“What is your vision?” WHAT DO YOU SEE??! When you think of your wedding day, what do you envision it to be like? Rustic chic with pastels and copper accents? Modern minimalist with greenery and crisp white linens? When you know your “couple style” it makes it easier to create a “inspiration/mood” board. We need to see and feel what you do!
“Are there any “absolutely no ways” for your wedding day?” Certain family members, colors, number of dresses…as planners coming up with ideas is part of the job, but we don’t want to come up with suggestions that are a no go on your list. So be clear about what you do not want…ever.
“What service are you interested in?” This can be discussed at the consultation but to have a general idea is helpful for us. If you are a super busy couple, always on the go and worry about not having time- full planning might be the best option. If your wedding is a few months away and you’ve done a portion of the planning, then partial planning might work better. Day of coordination is for couples who want to undertake the planning aspects but have a planner manage the day of execution, so they can enjoy the day.
“What do you want in a planner?” Not all planners will ask you this, but I will. Do you want someone who leaves most of the decision making up to you? Or is trusting someone to take charge and take the lead more what you want?

If you are prepared to answer these key questions, you will have a very productive first consult with your potential planner!

Spring bride cleaning guide

Published on March 15, 2018March 14, 2018 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

Spring brides are eagerly anticipating their big day and since most of the important items in their wedding checklist are completed why not indulge in some Spring cleaning? Here is a list of 45 things that you can throw out now, so you can make room for the upcoming new with your soon to be spouse!

Old holiday décor
Stretched out hair ties
Out of date makeup
Old makeup brushes
Out of date magazines
Unmatched earrings
Unmatched socks
Socks with holes in them
Scratch or busted sunglasses
Old receipts you don’t need for tax season
Skincare older than 6 months
Expired hair products
Scarves that you never wear
Old phones
Beat up books
Old T-Shirts
Dried up nail polishes
Expired medications/vitamins
Worn out bras
Beatup running shoes
Expired coupons and food flyers
Old electronics
DVD’s you don’t watch
Belts you don’t wear
Empty/almost empty products of any sort
Tarnished/Jewelry with missing gems
Old mail
Expired gift cards
Old paperwork
Worn out/unused purses
Ratty bedsheets
Old pillows
Old/broken electronics
Delete and unsubscribe to ecommerce sites you never shop at
Product samples that are ancient
Delete junk mail
Delete old music and playlists
Clean out old pics and screenshots from your phone
Delete old apps you don’t use
Delete old texts and contacts- do it.
Old school books
Stained and frayed washcloths
Store rewards you never use
Boxes/shoe boxes
Empty jars/storage containers

Are wedding flowers really over-priced?

Published on November 9, 2017 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

I was asked recently, “Why are wedding florists so expensive?” I was shocked for a moment at the question! Why wouldn’t they be expensive?? Well then I had to stop for a moment and realize that most couples getting married really have no idea what happens behind the scenes so here’s a post to fill you in. Costs for wedding flowers can sound over the top but once you understand what takes place behind the scenes it makes more sense.

Prep/Order time

There are multiple steps to this and it typically starts with the couple completing a fact sheet and a consultation. Then the florist takes your ideas and breaks them all down. Size of vases, how many, what foliage, when to pick up and drop off the flowers. The six to seven weeks before your wedding is crucial in the planning stages for florists. They need to be sure materials aren’t on back order and that all supplies are ready. Florals need be chosen to coincide with your wedding vision (tough if the blooms the couple wants aren’t in season).

Bought from suppliers

VR1 — Via Velvet Rope Florals/Photo credit: Allison Parker Photography

Most floral companies buy their flowers from other supplies and they are usually abroad. Flowers must be grown either in special conditions or abroad in climate conducive to their growth. Then they are imported by plane or come by boat and delivered to wholesalers. All the while they’ve been in air-controlled containers, so they get delivered in the right state of growth. Then consider rising fuel costs…it all adds up!

Production & Art

It takes a lot to preserve your florals once they come in. The stems need to be trimmed and cleaned. There are solutions they need to keep in, sometimes in or out of coolers to maintain the bloom size. Then it takes hours to assemble, arrange according to the design desired- this includes boutonniere’s, bouquets, centerpieces and aisle décor. Every stem needs to be freshly cut again, and preserved during the design and assembly process. Then vases need to be cleaned and packaged and everything else in their toolkit needs to be prepped for delivery.

Transport

This is an “ugly truth” moment. Yes…$800.00 delivery fees exist. Flowers don’t deliver themselves and the reality is, the more you have the more expensive it is. You can’t just toss them into the back of a four by four and call it a day if you want your installations to still look beautiful for the wedding. Plus, each design needs to be properly packaged for transport, misted with water and placed into an air-conditioned truck.

Installation

opening flowers — Floral design by Opening Night Flowers

Now it’s time to unload the truck, store the blooms and designs in the coolest spot and then set up completely at your venue. This takes time, accuracy and attention to the details outlined in the paperwork. This typically can’t be done with just one person; likely a few other team members are required since set up time can be constrained to the venue’s requirements. Therefore, the cost of more bodies to set up is likely included in the pricing as well.

We love them but florals aren’t cheap, they are truly a luxury item that most couples want to incorporate. So if you have the budget to splurge go for it, you certainly won’t regret it. On the other hand, if the prices are too far out of your budget, wait for our next post and we will tell you how you can save!