WPIC

I'll have a McWedding and a Big Mac with a Side of Fries, Please

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

Yesterday, CNN International, reported that 4 McDonalds restaurants in Hong Kong will be offering Wedding Receptions come January 1, 2011.  

The restaurants can accommodate receptions up to 100 guests and because McDonalds are not licensed for alcohol, the weddings will only cost the equivalent to a few hundred dollars.  Guests will be able to order their meal on the spot and the Wedding packages will be complete with McDonalds party favours and an apple pie tower cake.

McDonald's Hong Kong, Director of Corporate Communications and Relations, Helen Cheung, says the idea arose after one couple who met and dated at McDonalds hosted their wedding reception at one of their stores.  Since that much-publicized wedding, Head Office has received at least 10 calls a month from other couples wishing to have a McDonalds wedding.

Depending on the popularity, they will decide whether to offer McWeddings at other restaurants in the chain.  You never know, one may be coming to your neighbourhood soon!

Thanks to WPIC Alum, Sandra Aaron for the tip about this story. ;)

Child Guests? How to Keep Them Happy

by Tracey Manailescu

Couples stress endlessly about how to make their wedding different than anyone else's and yet, somehow forget the little things...the children they invite :)

Children can be your worst critics or your biggest cheering squad, depending on how you handle things.

It is really not difficult...

Keep them entertained, keep their hands busy and give them something to look forward to. Really, is it that simple!Children want a children's menu. You could be the "coolest adult ever" with a children's buffet (Pizza, chicken fingers, hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta, jello, ice cream sundae station etc.)

 

I just love this children's table from Martha Stewart:marthastewart.com

If you want an adults-only reception, why not offer optional childcare for your guests? There are many professional babysitting companies for hire around the world. The cost is usually about $15-25 per hour, per sitter. Check if your wedding venue has a separate room where the kids can hang out with pizza, movies, popcorn, craft stations, X-Box, etc.         Or, set them up in a hotel room where some of the guests are staying.

Some registered Canadian companies are:

Canadiansitter.ca

Sitter City Canada

In A Pinch (Toronto)

GC Nexus (Mississauga)

Please remember, that the child is most likely, the most important person in the entire world to the parents, so ensure that you are getting the best.

For more information, call Safe Kids Canada at 1 800 SAFE TIPS or visit www.safekidscanada.ca.

For more fabulous ideas, I found Kate Parker's amazing website. There are a ton of photos and themes to get inspiration from including a beach table, circus table, and a candy table etc.

Lara & Bassam "Take the Plunge" at Canada's Wonderland

A Wedding by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

All photos courtesy of Red Umbrella Photography

Lara and Bassam found me through an Internet Search for "Weddings at Wonderland". You see, my own wedding was the first-ever Wedding at Wonderland almost 11 years ago. 

They were looking for a fun wedding venue that was central to all their guests, since their friends and family would be coming from all over Canada. The bride is originally from Sudbury and the groom from Windsor, they met while both were living in Calgary and when they contacted me, they were living Victoria, (they've since moved to the East Coast).  That's what you get when you marry a man who flies Sea Kings for the military!  Canada's Wonderland was the perfect choice for them.

The couple were actually married twice, they started with a traditional Muslim ceremony at a nearby hotel, then had a Non-Denominational Ceremony in Wonderland's Medeival Castle.  The wedding ceremony started with a slide show detailing the couple's courtship and showing their friends and families details about their daily life on the other side of the country.  It was a beautiful, romantic way to start their ceremony.

 Here is a photo of Lara Bassam with all of their guests in front of Wonderland's famous landmark, Victoria Falls.  

 Guests had a chance to go on rides while the couple and their wedding party took photos around the park.  At lunchtime guests met Lara & Bassam in an elegantly decorated, behind-the-scenes location, similiar to an air-conditioned, permanent tent. 

This wedding had a perfect mixture of family, fun and sentiment.

 Above the bride and her mother hold the bride's bouquet which features a photo of the bride's father who passed away earlier in the year.  This way the bride got to keep her Dad with all day.

  

   Facepainters, toys, a candy buffet and a visit from Dora, kept kids entertained throughout the entire Luncheon Reception.

After the reception, the couple decided to literally take the plunge on the Extreme Skyflyer.  

Bedazzle My BonBons - Perfect as Wedding Favors, a Centerpiece or on a Truffle Bar

Just when you thought chocolate truffles couldn't get any better, they got Bedazzled! 

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

Like disco balls for your mouth, "Bedazzle My BonBons" is a company that offers 6 different flavoured truffles, covered in 24 different shades of edible glitter.  I can assure you from personal experience, they taste as good as they look!

The trick to eating these little disco balls, is to hold the bonbon in it's silver cup and then squeeze  and pop it into your mouth. Otherwise, you will be covered in glitter (just ask Tracey).

 
You can have these boxed as favours or displayed on sweet tables, in a tall vase as a centrepiece, or passed around like a Cigar Girl!

The company also Bedazzles Lollipops for favours:

For more details, visit their website!

Our Irish Wedding Adventure ~ Crom Castle (Post 9 of 12)

By: Tracey Manailescu

Picture from: www.virtualvisit-northernireland.com

Crom Castle is the one I can't stop dreaming of...Literally, 5 out of 8 nights since I have returned (at the time I wrote this) this castle has taken over my dreams.  Not that I mind!  It is a truly magical place, right out of a fairytale.

It has everything a true romantic (like me) wants:

• History
• Royalty
• Ruins
• Buried treasure
• Fairies

History:

The original Crom house was built in the early 17th century (1611 to be exact) by Michael Balfour.  It burned down in 1764 (word has it that a maid walking with a candle upstairs, caused the fire). Crom had survived two sieges prior to the accidental fire that destroyed it.  Apparently there is only one picture remaining of the original castle.

Royalty: 

The castle was home to many war heroes. The Earl of Erne who inherited the castle at the age of three (after the death of his father and grandfather) still lives on-site with his wife today.  His son, Viscount Crichton owns the West Wing, which can be rented out for personal use by the public such as families, honeymooners and anyone in need of peaceful solitude.

Ruins:

The foundation ruins of the original castle still stand, and were embellished upon in the 1830's with ruined walls and towers. Wedding couples now flock to this area for their photos.

Buried Treasure:

It is said that treasure was buried under an old oak tree in 1689 when one of the sieges took place on the castle. However, don't try to dig it up because it has a "Blood Curse" on it from the Fairies (wee folk).

Fairies: 

 "According to local legend, Fermanagh was once a vast plain with a Fairy Well in the middle.  The well was always kept covered from sunlight to prevent it from bubbling over. One day two young lovers met by the well and decided to elope. They drank a last toast from the well and ran off together, leaving it uncovered. The Fairy Well has bubbled ceaselessly for centuries and that is how the Fermanagh Lakelands were formed." Source: www.tourismresources.ie

Also, there is a Fairy Stone and Tree that you can make a wish when you sit on it. I did!  Strange thing was, the wish I thought I had wanted for so long, didn't seem so important once I sat down...

Fairy Stone and Tree 

 

We had the pleasure of staying overnight in the West Wing, which is owned by Lord Crichton (son of The Earl).  It is available for rent for a few days, a week or even a month. 12 people can stay comfortably.  At the time we stayed overnight, Lord and Lady Erne were away in England. This meant we were alone in the castle!

The wonderful manager, Noel Johnston welcomed us, had tea with us, took us on a tour of the West Wing and than handed us over to his talented sister Cynthia, who is the caterer for Crom Castle and Belle Isle functions, who made us such a wonderful dinner.   We started with a wonderful, fresh Smoked Salmon salad.  We have never had such tender chicken, perfectly steamed veggies and potatoes. Than to top it off she made us Rhubarb crumble (just like my grandmother used to make). We were loving it so much, that we didn't even see the Devonshire cream until we were finished!  After dinner was done, Cynthia handed us the key to the castle! (Obviously, there are also security measures in place.)

I had some port by the fireplace, and Danielle made some tea.  We felt so comfortable beyond belief. (No, it was not the Diva in me, LOL!) 

Crom Castle has such a warmth and peaceful feeling to it, we even slept in different bedrooms (if you know me, you know this is a huge deal). I had a great sleep!

This was my room.  Each of the 6 bedrooms has its own ensuite bathroom.

The next morning the beautiful, Violet Johnston, arrived to make us breakfast . Violet was the last housekeeper of Crom Castle.  She worked there for 40 years, since she was 14 yrs. old. She told us that she would start work at 8 a.m and finish at 9 p.m most nights. "I loved every single minute of it!" she told us. Violet is also well-known around Northern Ireland for her special talent of reading tea leaves.  People wait months to have her read their tea cups.

After breakfast, Noel Johnston took us on a walking tour of the grounds and ruins. I was mesmerized and a bit overwhelmed by it all.  He explained some of the history of the castle, the Cricton family and his family who have worked for Crom Castle for the last 200 years!  I told him that I could have listened to him for days!

I asked Mr. Johnston what type of couple would suit getting married at Crom Castle, and he said,   "Crom is open to everyone no matter who they are, or what budget they have. If a bride wants to be princess for the day, Crom is the place to be a princess with her prince, and have her fairy tale wedding!" 

I also asked him why Crom Castle is different:

"Crom Castle is different from any other castle, as its private. You hire it for your ceremony and reception. It's tranquil with great hospitality and everybody is made so welcome."

Understandably, when I left Crom Castle, I cried!

Now I am convinced that I need to have my Wedding Vow Renewals at Crom Castle next year, so my husband and children can see what I am so "over the moon" about ;)

Some photos of Weddings at Crom Castle:

Wedding Photos from Crom Castle's website

Our Irish Wedding Adventure ~ Belle Isle (Post 8 of 12)

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

What a gorgeous and romantic place to get married!  We just loved it here.  The estate is at the Uppermost tip of Upper Lough Erne, on 470 acres spread over 8 islands and includes a working farm. There are so many accomodation and entertainment options at Belle Isle Estate, your wedding can last a week instead of just a day! 

Belle Isle prides itself on being an Ecologically-friendly location.  Energy efficient lightbulbs are used in evey fixture, a wood pellet furnace is used to heat the castle and hot water, 47% of their electricity comes from renewable resources, organic waste from their cooking school is used as compost in their gardens, the list goes on and on.  Its truly incredible to think that a 17th Century castle could become so "Green".

The estate has passed hands several times and was last purchased in 1991 by the Duke of Abercorn, who bought the estate for his second son, Lord Nicholas Hamilton.

The Estate is managed by the most wonderful couple, James and Fiona Plunket.  They were both so welcoming and knowledgable.  Fiona took us for a tour of the Estate, Accommodations and Cookery School and James joined us to show us the Castle and grounds.  Such a great couple, I really liked them, and they have a true love and passion for Belle Isle. 

Wedding & Ceremony Locations

Below is a map of the Hamilton wing, where weddings take place in the castle.  There are three ceremony location options: the Drawing Room, the Dining Room (furntiure will be moved out for both of the prior options) or the Garden.  The garden is my personal favourite!

 
The Dining Room

Can seat up to 42 for a Wedding Reception. Or be made over for a Civil Ceremony

The Drawing Room  It is much larger than it looks here.

 
The Garden  Here is James Plunket showing us the garden space in winter (above) and as it looks in summer (below)

Accomodations

The main castle sleeps 14, but there are several other places for guests to stay on Belle Isle. The Courtyard, the Coach House, The Walled Cottage Garden, The Bridge House, The Bridge Cottage, The Garden Cotteage and Glen Cottage.  One of the castle bedrooms is called the Coco Chanel Room, because the bed in there was the one she slept in everytime she visited with one of her good friends!

Here is a photo of James and his wonderful wife, Fiona, showing me around the Castle.  Notice the artwork, there are 950 framed works of art in the castle!  I asked James if would count them to make sure, but he declined, lol. I just had to include this shot of their very special toilet :) Apparently many guests like to get a photo of themselves on the toilet!
This is the Courtyard, where Tracey and I stayed.  These gorgeously renovated suites are full self-catering cottages with 2-3 bedrooms, a full kitchen 1 or 2 bathrooms and even a fireplace in each unit! This would be such fun for a close group to take over all of the units!  You could have big dinners set up in the courtyard.The interior of our Unit #6

Here is the Coach House, the bell on top would run the farm telling the workers when it was time to work, time for lunch and quitting time.  It is now a large self-catering cottage with three bedrooms.

 

The Walled Garden Cottage, doesn't it just scream romance? 

Things to do at Belle Isle

There is so much to do on this island!  Year-round Pike fishing, Coarse fishing, Driven Snipe and Woodcock Shooting, Tennis, Croquet lawn, Children's Playground, 17ft outboard boats to rent, a BBQ house, the lake and huge lawns for organized games. Within thirty miles there are many castles, Belleek Pottery, the Marble Arch Caves, theatre, shopping, tons of pubs, the possibilities are endless.  Fermanagh County's largest town, Enniskillen, is only 12 kms away.

You can also take a class at their state-of-the-art, on-site cooking school, Belle Isle School of Cookery!  With space for 12 chefs, this would be a fun activity to incorporate.  The school also has a store with home-made preserves, chutneys and  specialty cookware.  

All in all, Belle Isle is the perfect Destination Wedding location for a couple looking for a Get-Away Family Wedding in Northern Ireland.  I can not wait to bring my family to stay at Belle Isle!

Photos are a compilation of our photos and photos from the Belle Isle Website.

Including Children and Stepchildren in the Wedding

By Jennifer Borgh, WPICC of Jennifer Borgh Events

A wedding is a very special occasion for couples that want to unite their love. For couples that have a child/children from a previous relationship, a wedding becomes a celebration of both the love that the couple share and a celebration for the new family they are creating. 

The memories of a wedding can last a lifetime so it's paramount for the couple who already have children to include them in their wedding. Not including the children can make them feel like they are not a big part of the celebration and can cause hurt feelings and have an impact on how the children view this new family unit for many years to come. Some simple ideas can make their children feel special and a priority in this new family.  

There are many ideas to include the children in both the ceremony and reception such as:

• Giving a ring or other piece of jewelry with the children as a symbol of the commitment you are making to them 

• Ask the children for feedback and ideas while planning. Sometimes kids have out of the box ideas that can make your wedding very special.
• Include the children in the vows

• Have the children stand for the ceremony, walk down the aisle, or in the front row with reserved seats.

• Let them have a special job for the wedding. Usher, flower girl, ring bearer, best man, maid of honour.
• Pour sand (each family member could choose their own colours) into a vase as part of the ceremony.
• Write a story or draw the pictures in the guest book

 

• Let their talents show (if they dance, let them do a dance, if they sing, let them sing a song)
• Let them read their own vows, a poem or special reading. If they are older they might want to make a speech at the reception
• Children can have a special dance with their parent
• Children can be seated at the head table.
• Children can be included in engagement shots
• Prior to the wedding give them a special card, gift or note to show them how much they mean to you and how much this new family means to both of you.
• Let them stay up late and enjoy the party until the end. 

• Light a unity candle 
• Present child with a flower at the beginning of the ceremony (quoted from Tracey Manailescu, WPIC)

It's important to take cues from the children. For some children they may not feel comfortable being involved and it's important to respect that, but still do special things for them that don't put them in the spotlight. The small things will still have an impact to them such as, reserved seating in the front row or vows that mention them as part of the commitment.

Life needs as many happy occasions as possible, so these tips will hopefully help make this celebration a momentous occasion for the entire family. 

Photo credit Diane Denby and Sharon Martin

Break the Mold: Interesting Wedding & Reception Locations

You are unique individuals, so why do you want a cookie-cutter wedding, just like everyone else's? 

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel 

Photo Courtesy of Red Umbrella Photography

Where to have your ceremony and reception is the most important decision you will make about your wedding.  Your wedding should be a reflection of the two of you, yet 71% of couples choose a traditional wedding and describe their wedding as "Simple and Elegant".  How many people are truly traditional, simple or elegant???  

If you are fun people, have a fun wedding.  If you are history buffs, get married somewhere historical. If family is important to you, have your wedding somewhere that is family-friendly.  If you are trendy, have a modern wedding.  If you would describe yourself as Urban Chic, what are you doing having a traditional wedding?

Location

Your Certified Wedding Coordinator can help you find a great location, but start thinking "Outside the Box", so you can give them an idea of what you would like to see.  Think about what your extra-curricular interests are, or how you met and then think outside of the box to incorporate that into your wedding.

Some interesting locations for a wedding: 

• an Amusement Park (I did it 10 yrs ago and people still are talking about it!) 
• a Museum (whether a large one or just a small specialized one) ie. Nautical museum 
• an Art Gallery (public or private) 
• a Zoo 
• a Farm complete with a Barn fo rthe reception
• a Provincial Park (Complete with family games) 
• a public/private Garden 
• a great Restaurant 
• a Boat (ferry, riverboat, yacht, etc) 
• a Theatre - a night club with an outdoor Rooftop area
• an old Schoolhouse
• a Renaissance Fair
• an old Movie Theatre 
• an old Church

You only get to have your wedding once, have fun and make sure you are in love with every aspect of it!