Spring Wedding – 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)

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.

Royal Wedding Details: Inside the fairy tale

Published on May 22, 2018 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

The bells have rung, the aisle has been walked, the vows have been said and the kiss was sealed! I don’t know about anyone else, but I am still in awe of this past Saturday’s Royal Wedding. I find myself reliving so much of it and still getting giddy and excited while looking at the photos.

Meghan was so lovely in her custom Givenchy dress designed by Clare Waight Keller. It was incredibly simple and elegant with clean lines and took 3,900 hours in four months to make! Meghan’s veil also had the sentimental hand-embroidered detail of a Californian poppy representing her homeland.

There are some mixed feelings about the overall simplicity of the dress, some loved it and other’s thought it was anything but flattering. Now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I didn’t mind how clean the lines were but what I didn’t love was that at different angles it looked frumpy and not completely tailored. Of course, if the new Duchess of Sussex loved it- who am I?! Meghan’s veil was stunning, her hair being pulled back only made sense considering the neckline of her dress and to add to her “Markle sparkle” she wore the breath-taking Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara loaned to her by the Queen.

Besides the moment Harry told her “you look amazing” and melted all of our hearts, what got me ugly crying was the emotion he showed singing the hymn “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer” which was sung at Princess Diana’s funeral. It was sweet as well that Harry handpicked Meghan’s bouquet of his mother’s favorite flower “Forget me Not’s”. Of course, in conjunction with honoring his late mother, the name of the bloom itself in relation to his mother not being there was enough to make us sob.

Overall it was more beautiful than I imagined it would be and absolutely worth getting up insanely early to watch. As a woman of color, I felt a twinge of pride seeing not just Meghan marry the love of her life and break through barriers that have never been challenged before. To hear a gospel choir and see people of color involved in various aspects of the wedding just made me burst!

To finish off all the fairy tale feels, Meghan wore a mind-blowing gown by Stella McCartney for the post wedding festivities. I have to admit, I adored this dress in comparison to her actual wedding gown. With all of this being said, I’ll leave you all to the photos and a huge congrats to the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex!

Danny Lawson PA St George Chapel — St. Georges Chapel Photo by Danny Lawson/PA

Reuters Harry and William — Photo by Reuters

Getty Images Meghan and mom — Photo by Getty Images

Reuters Meghan and twins — Photo by Reuters

PA Meghan and Charles aisle — Photo by PA

Reuters Meghan Harry alter — Photo by Reuters

Gety Images the kiss — Photo by Getty Images

Alexi Lubomirski Royal portraits — A Royal Portrait- Photo by Alexi Lubomirski

Stella — Photo by Steven Parsons/PA Wire

Royal Wedding: Updates on Meghan & Harry’s big day

Published on May 18, 2018May 18, 2018 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

It’s been a whirlwind these last few weeks leading up to what will be the biggest wedding of our time- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle!

I can’t tell you how excited I am- she’s lived in our city, is a talented actress, she’s half-black and beautiful, down to earth and essentially “one of us” in the sense that she has zero royal blood.

The guestlist includes Priyanka Chopra, Sir Elton John, George & Amal Clooney, the Spice Girls and Victoria Beckham will be bringing her husband. Others who will attend are her bestie Jessica Mulroney and her husband Ben and 3 children who’ve been named page boys and flower girl. Serena Williams, her Suits co-stars and designer Misha Nonoo.

As for her dress some speculate British designer Ralph & Russo as the brand designed Meghan’s stunning dress for the engagement photos. Another possibility is a final “bow out” for Christopher Bailey of Burberry. However when her mother arrived on Tuesday, she was carrying a Burberry garment bag- so maybe not. Stewart Parvin, one of the Queen’s dressers, could be in the running as well since he has been personally approved by the royal family. Some bets are on Alexander McQueen who designed Duchess Kate’s lovely gown but perhaps she will go with a Canadian designer? In any case, we are bursting with anticipation!

The most recent and unexpected update is that Meghan’s father will not be attending due to health concerns. I can’t imagine how devastating it must have been for her to find this out just days before her wedding. She made her first statement yesterday from Kensington Palace:

Statement

Some have voiced their disapproval of her careful choice in wording when she mentions “I have always cared for my father” but guys cut her some slack. She is a royal now and it has never been encouraged to openly express emotion and is likely considered inappropriate. If you don’t believe me, find clips of Princess Diana’s funeral- you won’t see a tear on her sons faces. We all know she’s devastated.

It was announced earlier today that she has asked her future Father-in Law His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St. George’s Chapel.

Statement2

However, he will not be escorting her the entire way, she will walk most of the processional alone making royal history as she will be the first British royal to enter her ceremony alone. You go girl! She will be met by a clergy member at the doors and walk unaccompanied through the chapel with her bridesmaids, pages and officiant walking ahead of her. Once she reaches the Quire, Prince Charles will walk her towards Harry but will he will not be giving her away- she will walk the last few steps to Harry by herself.

The royal wedding is tomorrow starting at 7 a.m EST so if you are willing to sacrifice your Saturday sleep in sesh to tune in for this- you will be with me!

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!

The Ultimate Guide to Sample Sales

Published on April 5, 2018April 3, 2018 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

A sample sale is not the same as a trunk show so let’s get that out of way! Trunk shows are special events where a bridal boutique will invite a designer (usually not located in the area) to show off their collection. It could be anywhere from a weekend or several days long. It’s a fantastic opportunity for brides to try on gowns from a visiting designer and appointments usually book up fast!

Samples sales however are first come, first serve for anyone who wants to get a designer dress at a large discount. The boutique allows you to try them on in the store and typically you don’t have a stylist who’s there assisting you. Sizes will range, and the dresses are usually well taken care of but you may not get something perfect since many women might be trying on the same dress. If it’s your first time trying on gowns it might not be a good idea to make a sample sale your first stop since you must decide to buy on the spot.

Tips

Wear nude underwear…preferably a thong and a good strapless bra. You want to have as realistic idea as you can when you try each dress on.
Know what your budget is. Usually the gowns will be organized by price range and this will help you stay within price range. Prices might be reduced from 20-80% but if you choose a newer style it may cost more.
Bring a friend but not your entire crew. Too many opinions and different tastes will become overwhelming and won’t help you.
Have an idea as to what style of dress you want. Keep in mind your body shape, areas you may or may not want to hide or accentuate. Knowing this in advance will help you sift through the dress styles you don’t want and save you time.
Be sure to research the designer to make sure the styles they may offer will suit what you are looking for.
Keep in mind that sample sale dresses can always be altered. Frays and lace can be trimmed and fixed up.
Bring a pair of shoes as close to the height you plan to wear on your wedding day. Hems can be shortened not lengthened.
Be aware of your timeline, while sample sale dresses are there and available, anything you may decide to order can take up to 8 months to be made and shipped
Have cash ready, unlike regular wedding gowns where a deposit is made and the rest settled later- sample sale dresses are expected to be paid for up front.
Have fun and be open to assorted styles of gowns. You may have your heart set on a certain style, but another might suit you just as well. I always say, never judge how a dress looks on the hanger, sometimes once you put it on it surprises you!

Ask your planner to keep an eye out on any sample sales in the area and to let you know so you can get prepped, primed and ready!

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

International bridal designers you may not know

Published on March 8, 2018March 6, 2018 by AVPEventsLeave a comment

In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month we wanted to take a few minutes to recognize some incredible women who design some of the most stunning gowns in the weddings industry. Women are accomplishing wonderful things around the world every day and these ladies contribute to one of happiest moments in someone’s life by creating masterpieces for them to wear on the day they get married.

Alessandra Rinaudo- Italy

In the workshop in Saluzzo, Alessandra Rinaudo, watched the work of her grandmother and mother. There, she learned to appreciate the quality of a French lace, to identify the best Italian silk, to capture the value of embroidery to exalt the beauty and originality of a dress. In expanding the company she has been able to satisfy a variegated target creating six lines with a defined character: Nicole, Alessandra Rinaudo, Colet, Jolie, Romance, Aurora.

Lesia Gown Lilith Labella

Anna Campbell- Australia

From humble beginnings in Melbourne, Australia Anna Campbell‘s natural love for design, romance and all things that sparkle inspired the dream that is Anna Campbell. Inspired by the romantic decadence of times gone by, yet influenced by the relaxed, carefree elegance of modern weddings. From the beautiful collection of dresses that Anna designs each year, every incredible silk gown is completely customizable and unique to each bride.

Alyssa Chloe Ruby

Celestina Agostino- Paris

At age 30, Celestina Agostina returned to her initial passion which was fashion, sewing and creating beautiful wedding dresses for women. Learning her skills from a costume designer, Celestina Agostino went onto open her own couture house in Paris in 1993. her intuitive approach to design, that starts with an interview so that Celestina can get to know her client inside-out and create a gown that matches her personality and her personal world. Grounded in design expertise, her instinctive methods have paid off with an international clientele whether they want to look like a Jane Austen heroine, a Hollywood icon or a natural, boho bride.

Celestina Agostino 1 CELESTINA-AGOSTINO-R011

Ersa Atlier- Romania

Two sisters, Gabriela and Cristina Antonescu graduate The National school of Fine Arts in Bucharest, Romania. They meet Doina Levința, the most famous Romanian designer and scenographer. After spending more than 7 years in apprenticeship, they opened their own atelier in Bucharest, Romania. Soon after they start showcasing their craftsmanship and creativity internationally. In 2013, Ersa styles take America by storm, during the 4th Annual Bridal Show in Chicago.

124-carmilla 131_126-bridal-dress 132-lelia

Celia Kritharioti- Greece

Designer Celia Kritharioti is a globally distinguished designer and owner of the oldest Greek fashion house, which was established in Athens in 1906. Her talent, vision and aesthetics reflect on all her creations. Her mission is to present the best image possible of every woman who chooses Celia Kritharioti creation. Celia had the honor of designing the costumes for the Greek National Opera productions of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Swanlake” She presented her first ever show in Paris during Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture on January 25th 2017.

Celia Kritharioti Celia4