JESSICA & MARTIN - SNEAK PEEK!!

Jessica & Martin were married at The Westin Ottawa in what was a truly breathtaking ceremony and a fun, fun, fun reception! Deciding to have their formals taken before the ceremony, Derrick Rice of Union Eleven captured the moment they saw each other for the first time on their wedding day. Want to see more? You're in luck! More of Jess & Martin's amazing images coming soon!

TREND OR HERE TO STAY?

When Viva first started coordinating weddings back in 2006, one of the fabulous couples who took a leap of faith and booked a new to the industry wedding coordinator helped to confirm not only my love of weddings but my love of couples who aren't afraid to do something a little different.



While hiring a food truck to feed your guests late night has become a staple for most backyard weddings, back in 2006 when candy buffets were the rage a food truck at your wedding was definitely not the norm. Seeing the jaws drop and the anticipation mount when 11pm rolled around and a food truck pulled up on the back lawn was priceless.



Five years later hiring a food truck for your backyard wedding is as common as hiring a florist to create your centerpieces, a dj to play your music, and a photographer to capture images of your day. Five years later I still love seeing the jaws drop and the anticipation mount when 11pm rolls around and a food truck pulls up on the back lawn.



As new ideas grow in popularity and become more and more common however, people start to wonder if they will survive the test of time or slowly fade away. How do you feel about the late night food truck? Whether it’s pogos and poutine, beaver tails or ice cream, are food trucks just the latest trend or are they here to stay?



Photo Credits: Justin Lee Photography

TICKETS, TICKETS, GET YOUR TICKETS!!

It's that time of year again! Time to attend the Ottawa Wedding Palace Bridal Show. Taking place on September 10th and 11th 2011 not only is this Ottawa's premier wedding show, it's home is now one of Ottawa's newest premier venues - the Ottawa Convention Centre.

Each year Viva posts a Wedding Show Survival Guide to help make your day an enjoyable and productive one. This year, the Ottawa Wedding Palace Bridal Show has come up with their own so we thought we'd share their tips with you.

1. Register online and enter to win the Bride's Night Out prize package!
Make sure you also register when you arrive at the show. Registering at the show will enter you into all of the grand door prize draws.

2. Create a temporary email address to be used while you are planning your wedding.
This way you can delete it when you no longer are interested in receiving special offers or hearing from the vendors.

3. Bring adhesive address labels.
This will save you a lot of time when you enter for prizes at individual booths. Most exhibitors will want to know your wedding date so make sure to add this information to your label along with your email address.

4. Don't forget your pen!
You're going to see so much at the show and talk to so many wonderful vendors that your head will be spinning by the time you head for home! Make sure to write notes on brochures or flyers from your favorite vendors while you're at the show, as you're about to drop them into your bulging goody bag - it'll help you sort out who all was who once you get home and start taking stock of the day! Collect any information you are interested in - take it home to look over again when you have some quiet time.

5. Make it a girl's day out!
Bring your friends, your wedding party, and your mom along to enjoy the big show! This gives them all a chance to feel more involved in your Big Day, and you'll be glad to have objective friends or family there to help you with your planning. Plus - it also means extra hands to help share carrying home all of the loot you're going to gather! (Want to bring the groom? Remind him that there will be delicious samples of all sorts of things, like BBQ and luscious wedding cake!). It is nice if your fiancé attends with you so that you are both involved in the planning process.

6. Make it a weekend event!
The show is open from 11am - 5 pm both days over the weekend - so if you get a bracelet for re-entry (available at registration), you can return for free on Sunday! Visit on Saturday with all of the gals in your wedding party, and then come back with your groom on Sunday to show him what you have discovered! (This works especially well if the groom has a limited amount of time or if your man is allergic to wedding shopping!). Don't forget to take in at least one of the two fashion shows that will take place each day (12:30 & 3:30).

7. Ask lots of questions, that's what the exhibitors are there for!
This is your big chance to talk with all kinds of wedding professionals - so don't be shy! Talk to the vendors and ask questions about their services, get the details on the wedding packages they offer, and how they can best serve you on your very special day! (A great tip: bring along ribbons or swatches with your wedding colors! This can help our vendors best help you!)

8. Bring your cheque book or credit card in case you decide to book services or hold dates with a deposit.
Many vendors will offer special day-of-the-bridal-show discounts, and many vendors or wedding venues book fast, so if you find the perfect photographer or your perfect wedding spot, you will want to be prepared to put down a deposit! Be sure to check on refund policies before giving any money, and read the contract carefully before signing.

9. Wear comfortable shoes (opt for your running shoes instead of the Jimmy Choos) and have a great time!

10. Relax and have fun - this is your wedding. Enjoy every moment - the day will be here and gone before you know it!

Don't have your tickets yet? Viva la wedding has 5 pairs of tickets to give away to the first 5 brides/grooms-to-be that email us. Some of our favourite exhibitors you won't want to miss... Barbara Ann Studios, Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello, Groovy Linen, Melissa Jonston Photography, Mikaza, Photolux Studio, Quality Entertainment, Restaurant E18hteen, Stonefields Heritage Farm, The Westin, and With Love Bridal Boutique. Enjoy the show!

Landi Wedding - July 2, 2011

Danielle and Dan Landi were married in Averill Park on this year's fourth of July weekend. Danielle found me when she asked her venue manager who she recommended for a wedding coordinator in the Albany area. Luckily she was told to reach out to me! Danielle grew up locally but lives in the Hudson Valley with her now husband Dan. She is an absolute ball of positive energy and her smile and exuberance just wakes up every happy cell in your body. From the first time I met her and her mom I was hooked on this girl!! Their ceremony was at St Henry's Church in Averill Park and their reception was at Pat's Barn in Troy. Danielle chose the very "in" color of coral for her bridesmaids, with accents of green, ivory, and a neutral beige for her reception. And let me tell you about the reception! Brides are often looking for a barn to use as their wedding location and this RPI Tech Park venue offers a wonderfully rustic clean slate to build your dream barn wedding around. Danielle does not lack on style, and brought in twinkling lights, uplighting on main wood beams, lots of votive candles, and a custom made cupcake tower to please not only everyone's visual interest but also allow the bride - who needs her foods to be gluten free - to enjoy a traditional cake cutting and feeding with her husband. This wedding also involved lots and lots of sparklers which were the favor for the guests and also available on tables out on the brick patio for guests to enjoy once it got dark. This was a dream wedding for an adorably dreamy couple and I was honestly so honored to have been able to play a small part in it.



As always I was joined with some amazing vendors on this one! Thanks go especially out to Rita Ann Maloney for taking and supplying me with this beautiful photos. You captured Danielle and Dan's loving spirit perfectly! Also thanks to venue manager April Rounds, caterer Arlington House, DJ Ernie and Fly 92 co-DJ Brian Cody, Surroundings Florals, Cakes Next Door, Total Events, and my girl Amy Elizabeth Smith who made everyone super pretty with her makeup styling.



Thank you Danielle and Dan for including me in your big day! Your true honest love for one another is something I will remember forever and ever!! <3

Charlie "deconstructed" with recycled scraps

(folded clutch)

Charlie "deconstructed"

(full view with strap)

WPP bride Kate is back for another post on the NYWB blog!

Kate Loveday is one of my fabulous 2012 brides and she has been doing some guest blogging on the New York Wedding Boutique site. Check out her experience of planning a wedding in an area she is not very familiar with - a situation I am sure my out of state or out of town blog stalkers know a lot about! Kate also says some of the nicest things about her experience working with me. Awww, she's the best!!



Click here to read her post on the NYWB blog.

I Do Dash is September 8th!

The New York Wedding Boutique is proud to announce the first ever I Do Dash - a 5K race where brides, grooms, and their family and friends can have fun running/walking together and possibly go home with some great wedding prizes! There is also a post race party with food, music, and a chance to meet some of the New York Wedding Boutique members.



As a New York Wedding Boutique member I have donated a free one hour consultation where you can sit with me and pick my brain on all things wedding. This is a great opportunity for brides and grooms to talk with a professional wedding planner and take home all kinds of advice and suggestions to make their big day even more special. All prizes from the I Do Dash are transferable so come out and support your favorite engaged couple and try to win them something fun for their big day!



Date: Thursday September 8, 2011

Time: 6:00 pm

Where: The Crossings in Colonie

Cost: $20



Register online at www.areep.com or by clicking HERE.



Or for more information visit the New York Wedding Boutique blog for race details and an updated list of prizes!



See you on the starting line!

Charlie "erosion style"

(opalo umber with fire treated romeo grey and blue details)

available at AOT

Lewicki Wedding - Sneak Peek!

Jennifer and Eric Lewicki were married in Queensbury on July 23, 2011. Their photographer Jessica Painter sent me this sneak peek image to hold me over while she works on editing the rest. Thanks Jessica! Here's a great pic of the beautiful bride, the handsome groom, and a killer pair of shoes. Ladies how badly would you like a pair of these pretty pink pumps???



Stay tuned for the full wedding recap to be posted soon!!

Kate and Shawn share a guest entry on the NYWB blog!

Kate Loveday and Shawn Owens are getting married in June 2012 at Birch Hill and I have the distinct pleasure of being their wedding coordinator! Kate has Celiac Disease and needs to stay 100% gluten free in everything she eats, including her wedding cake. Check out her guest blog entry on the New York Wedding Boutique site where she shares her story and her solution to her unique food situation.



Click here to read Kate's NYWB blog entry!

Connolly Wedding - July 22, 2011

Ali and Jon Connolly were married in Lake George on July 22nd of this year. Their wedding fell on a super hot weekend but you would have never known if you looked at the bride and groom, their families, or any of their rocking vendors. This couple exuded style and grace and their cool demeanor helped everyone around them to feel the same way.



I first met Alexandra and Jonathan after Ali's mom hired me back in the fall of 2010 to coordinate their big day. As a couple they were worried less about the small details and more about the idea of having a fun day for their family and friends that really felt special to the two of them. Having selected the Diamond Point Community Church as their ceremony space and The Sagamore Resort as their reception location they were already well on their way for a stunning event. Add in the positive energy and laughter of photographer Gerry Raymonda, the floral graces of Finishing Touches, and the musical stylings of TS Ensemble and you have yourself a stellar wedding concoction. Let the party begin!



Living in Florida but having ties to Upstate New York this was a true destination event for not only the bride and groom but everyone involved. I had an absolute blast working with Ali and Jon and Ali's mom Mary to finalize and fine tune all of the small details. You truly can't find better people in this world or better families to work with. Ali and Jon's wedding was so much more than a 'job' for me - it was a chance for me to mingle and mix with amazing people and have a ton of fun throughout the day. The bride even 'forced' me to share in a glass of wine with her before she would allow me to leave. The picture of us below proves it! And of course I humbly obliged. :)



Honestly weddings like this bring me back to the sole inspiration of why I do what I do. Thank you Ali and Jon for letting me share in your big day!!

Landi Wedding - Sneak Peek!

Mr. and Mrs. Landi were married in Averill Park on a beautiful sunny July day. Danielle is a super bubbly positive ray of sunshine and Dan is the rock that keeps her grounded. I think this sneak peek photo from photographer Rita Ann Maloney shows the dynamics of this fun couple perfectly!



I hope you enjoy this for now but make sure to check back - a full wedding recap will be up soon!

HEATHER & DUANE GET MARRIED!!

Here it is!! Heather & Duane's big day at Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello thanks to Derrick Rice of Union Eleven. A big thank you also goes out to All Seasons Weddings, Groovy Linen, and the amazing Paul Chacra Entertainment. Not only did they provide the duo for the ceremony and cocktail hour but the band 1945 rocked the reception. Outstanding! Needless to say, the dance floor was packed the entire evening. Even between courses! In my next life I will be hunting Paul Chacra down to play at my wedding. Enjoy the images (One of Viva's faves is the framed picture that was on display of Duane proposing to Heather. He got down on one knee at the Kentucky Derby. LOVE that it was captured on film!) and congratulations to Heather & Duane on what was a fabulous wedding day!