WPIC

Tongue Engagement Rings..A New Trend?

Written by: Tracey Manailescu

We have certainly seen a change in trends with Wedding & Engagement bands since the 1900's.  We have gone from simple gold bands to diamond encrusted platinum bands along with wooden rings and tattooed rings, but what about the newest trend on the market...

Engagement Tongue Piercing?

 Photo courtesy of: Brian Cummings of RGG Photo

Check out this awesome company I found, Johnny Brookheart, located in St Louis County, Missouri.

This is for the adventurous couple who want to show their love in a unique and different way. Prices range from $1,000.00-$35,000 +.  All jewelry can be ordered online and comes with the original gemstone report from GIA, AGS, or HRD laboratories.

*For more information please go to: www.johnnybrookheart.com

 
Photos with permission from: Johnny Brookheart

My Favourite Things -Spring 2010

by Tracey Manailescu

I love the look of Vintage Bridesmaids Dresses.  I got inspired to search for some examples after seeing, "The Last Song" with Miley Cyrus.  The dress that she wore to the wedding was gorgeous!

 Found this look-a-like on E-Bay

Toronto's own: www.cabaretvintage.com

Add some Oomph! to your vintage wedding dress, with a vintage parasol!  These are so pretty from Bella Umbrella!

www.bellaumbrella.com

www.bellaumbrella.com

The new hair accessories out there for brides this season are great!  They can even be personalized to fit your wedding theme.

Source: http://african-american-hairstyles.com/

Source: www.finallythebride.com

Add some spice and colour to your wedding, with a beautiful backdrop.  Yo can find just about any theme. This is not a new idea, but they are! All backdrop photos are from www.backdropsbeautiful.com (World-wide shipping to your door)

 Lighthouse Sunset 1

Walk in the Park Winter 1

Save-the-Date Videos – A fun alternative to save-the-date cards? A new trend?

by Jaime Valdes-Riench, WPICC, owner of Travel & Events with Style

Video credit to: Jeff & Erin's EPIC Wedding Trailer: Save the Date, posted on YouTube

As time goes one and schedules get busier and busier we all seem to book our calendars so far in advance that we forget to add time for the fun things such as celebrations that may be out side of our own immediate circle of family and friends.  It has happened one too many times where a wedding invitation arrives the standard 6 weeks prior to the event and there is just no way you would be able to attend for one reason or another.  This is why the save-the-date card was created!

The standard save-the-date card is often mailed out months before the actual wedding date.  Most often they are sent once the couple has confirmed their wedding plans and have confirmed their wedding date.  In celebrations such as destination weddings, it may be best to send a save-the-date card out as soon as possible, and as early as a year in advance. The cards should include the couple’s names, the date, the location, and that there will be an invitation to follow with more details.  This will allow your guests to prepare financially, book their vacation time, and obtain the necessary travel documents if need be.  Most of all, it gets the word out that the couple is planning their important day and it is important to them that you are in attendance.

Now to commend those who have taken a creative side to this adopted idea.  Let’s commend those who have taken it one step further!  A new trend in 2010 has been “Save-the-Date Videos”.  What a great idea?  Some imaginative couples have thought of ideas such as post cards, calendars, and magnets so their date is indeed not forgotten, but to receive a video is far more fun and let’s face it... a little greener?!   It gives a chance for the couple’s true personality to come forth and inspire future guests about the couple up and coming nuptials.

If your wedding invitation is truly, “the intro to your special day”, then a save-the-date video will definitely give the impression to your guests that your day will be a lot of fun that no one should miss!

Fresh Ideas for Wedding Refreshments

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

We all know there is nothing more tacky than a Cash Bar.  Asking your guests to help pay for your wedding is inexcusable, but offering a bar at a wedding can be very expensive for the hosts.  As with everything about weddings, you just need to be a little creative when quenching your guests' thirst.

The best way to keep the cost of the bar down, is to go to a venue that lets you purchase and provide you own alcohol, but there are ways to save even further.  A signature cocktail or specialty drink is still the favourite way to save on alcohol.  Simply purchase a case or two of one type of alcohol (example: vodka) and mix.  Using the same cocktail glasses, alcohol and mix for everyone cuts down on costs significatly and eliminates waste.  Pair the signature drink with beer and wine, and everyone is happy, especially the host.

A fresh idea is to use the same alcohol base and offer several different mixes in large pitchers on a self-serve or grab n' go bar.  You could have a Vodka Martini Bar or a Vodka-infused Cocktail bar, a Sangria Bar, a Margherita bar, the possibilities are endless. Lauren Balden of Catering by Design in Tampa, FL sets up Champagne-infusion Bars, where only the presentation rivals the amazing taste.

 Another great idea, that comes from Kim Baker, the President of the West Coast Florida Chapter of NACE, is to serve frozen cocktails on a stick!

Who says you have to serve alcohol? "Fresh" is THE Catering trend this year, so why not carry that over to the bar? Have a smoothie or juice bar (like above). Set up a cordial or lemonade station. Offer fruit-infused waters for a fresh spa-like feel.  Bonnie Fimiano of Cafe a la Carte offers Speciaty Gourmet Coffees served from a custom cart, complete with a Barista.

You need to offer your wedding guests something to drink and with all the options available, a unique and fun bar can be cost-effective and a feature!

Town Shoes "Shoe-aholic" Party

By: Tracey Manailescu

You can have your very own memorable Party!

Whether it is for a Shoe Shower, a Bachelorette or just a fun Girls' Night, get your friends together for a private shopping extravaganza. Closed store shopping (just like a celebrity!), prizes, gift bags and a special treat for the event hostess!  

On Saturday, April 17th, Danielle, our mother, and I attended Bernadette Sousa's "Shoe-aholic" birthday party at Sherway Gardens Town Shoes.  Ms. Sousa is a WPIC alumni and owns, Serendipity & Co.

  

Check out this fabulous coconut cake by Michelle Vieira of "Vieira Designs" (Did you notice the Prada shoes?)

What a fun night to try on shoes, hassle-free, whilst sipping on champagne and eating huge chocolate-dipped strawberries (courtesy of our hostess).  Of course, this tactic made me spend more than I should have, LOL!  However, I am the happy and proud owner of 2 pairs of beautiful shoes, a great Guess bag, and a pair of pink Guess sunglasses :)

 

The staff were awesome!  Very attentive, knowledgeable and happy to help.     Hazel, you were a doll!

I highly recommend  "Shoe-aholic" parties at Town Shoes!

For more information contact: [email protected] 

Celebrating "Celebrations" with Preston Bailey

(photos provided by Preston Bailey)

In January, WPIC Alumni wedding planners, Jennifer Borgh and Lindsay Mogford (WPIC Instructor) were invited to attend a star-studded New York party thrown by celebrity Event Designer, Preston Bailey, as he celebrated the launch of his new book Celebrations.  See more photos and details at www.prestonbailey.com

by Jennifer Borgh

The party unfolded at the Armoury, which was completely transformed from a huge empty warehouse to an intimate room filled with purple, blue and pink touches. Lindsay and I were greeted at the front doors and escorted into the party.  A large illuminated runway with images of Preston's book cover and past events split the room. Joan Rivers and Nate Berkus, were among the celebrity guests in attendance. 

A lot of un-expected surprises popped up throughout the night to keep guests excited including models dancing down the runway with very little covering their bodies other than purple flowers.  Then a private performance by Gloria Gaynor who sang to get the party started.

As a wedding planner, I love to meet new wedding/event contacts that are leading the industry.  It's both inspiring and gets me thinking about creating new and exciting ideas to make my clients plan a wedding that isn't like every other wedding.  

The party vendors were the best of the best in New York. The lighting was incredible and provided by lighting expert Ira Levy (Levy Lighting). Olivier Cheng catering thought of every detail and the food was incredible with a huge selection of tasty bite sized hors d'oeuvres and a huge dessert buffet with towers and layers of desserts decorated with tropical flowers. 

Preston hired celebrity events planner Marcy Blum so that he could spend the night socializing and enjoy the party himself (the best thing anyone having a party or wedding can do for themselves and their guests). 

During the party, we met leader in the wedding industry such as Randy Fenoli, fashion director of Kleinfeld and "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC who was kind enough to invite us on a private tour the following day.The night ended with the runway opening up as a dance floor while the DJ played music.

It was a night to remember.  Preston Bailey's beautiful and inspiring new book "Celebrations" is available in book stores. 

Should men wear Engagement Rings?

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

Should men wear Engagement Rings?

This interesting question was posed on our WPICAlumni Boards by Carol Rame, WPICC. Truthfully, not many Alumni answered, I guess they felt this was a non-issue.  In reality, there is already a market for men's engagement rings, a simple Google search yields many different sites and a plethora of ring styles.  This was also a topic discussed on TV's "The View" a few weeks ago.

Until this topic was posed, I had completely forgotten that my husband of 10+ years did indeed have and wear, an engagement ring, for the entire 2 1/2 years that we were engaged!  This wasn't something that I insisted he do, it was his choice, (actually he demanded a ring) to show the world that he was taken.  

I actually liked that my fiance wore an engagement ring too, it was a further bond between us and made me feel very loved knowing that he wanted to broadcast his commitment to me.  This is the silver ring I bought for him, photo credit goes to Amazon c/o Shoman Jewels.  Once replaced by his wedding band, this ring went into it's box and briefly made a reappearance last year.  

What do you think?  Should men wear a symbol of betrothment, just as women have for centuries?  Or is this just a ploy by the jewellery trade, like the "two-month salary" rule?  Would you feel better if your fiance also wore an engagement ring?

Vajazzle ~ The newest Bridal Trend only the Groom will see!

Photo Credit: Makeup Loves Me

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

What do get when you cross a Bedazzler with a Brazilian wax? Vajazzle.

There is a new trend in hair removal for the bride who wants to feel and look special EVERYWHERE, on her Wedding Day, 

Vajazzle became popular after TV star Jennifer Love Hewitt appeared on "Lopez Tonight" in January and revealed that, "After a breakup, a friend of mine Swarovski crystalled my, um, precious lady.  It shined like a disco ball."  She also revealed, that at that moment, she was wearing hot pink jewels.

First all hair around the lady parts is waxed, then a design using stick-on Swarovski Crystals is applied to the newly bare skin.  You can choose a crystal tattoo, or the jewels can be applied in a free-hand design.

(Photo credit: crystalbodytattoos.com) For brides who can't travel to Completely Bare Spa in New York, the Spa that first introduced Vajazzle now has an at-home kit available.  You can choose from a Swarovski Crystal tattoo in a heart, starburst, butterfly or a peace symbol.

 

Our Irish Wedding Adventure ~ The Mummers of Aughakillymaude (Post 6 of 12)

By Tracey Manailescu

When we went to Northern Ireland, we had expected to find some unique and different ideas that could be incorporated into weddings back in Toronto.  We also wanted to be able to offer our clients something they could add to their Destination wedding in Ireland. Boy, did we find it!

Tanya Cathcart (Marketing Manager for Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism) took us to meet Jim Ledwith who runs the "Aughakillymaude Community Mummers Centre" in West Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. With excitement in her eyes, she watched our faces to gage our initial reaction upon entering the Centre.  We weren't quite sure what to make of the larger than life straw figures that were everywhere.

Photo courtesy of: Belfast Telegraph Co. UK      

Jim Ledwith, got right into the powerful presence and tradition that "Straw Boys" had in the past, and can have at weddings today in Northern Ireland.  "Mumming" is apparently Ireland's oldest, surviving theatrical tradition. We had a tour of the Community Centre & Museum, and than we watched a video of actual weddings they have performed at. 

Straw Boys at a wedding are meant to bring happiness, good luck, wealth and health to the couple. The tradition started when weddings took place at home (before Church weddings and fancy reception venues became popular).  Now you can bring this tradition into your wedding!

15 Straw Boys (who must remain in disguise) will visit for about a half hour and will arrive after dinner, just before the dancing starts. Their theatrical visit includes music, singing, dancing and fertility related rituals that are supposed to guarantee health, good luck, fertility and happiness to the newlyweds. 

Some of the rituals that take place are the following:  

• A "Quack" Doctor will do a routine check of the couple (in the centre of the room) to ensure they are up to the task of making a family (Measuring the bride's hips, etc.)        
• The Straw Boys then line up and make a long archway (which symbolizes the roof of a house) an older married couple must walk through and step over a broom (much like the tradition of "Jumping the Broom") stating that they have completed a family, and than the newly wed couple will walk through, jumping over the broom, holding hands to signify starting a "new" family together. The Straw Boys will than shower the new couple with corn seeds over their heads.       
• The older couple than hands over a straw fertility sheath (girdle) that has many seeds in it, which is to be placed in the wedding bed that evening to ensure the continuity of life.
• The couple will than be seated where they will be "crowned" with newly made straw hats, than they are wrapped together with straw rope to symbolize their "oneness ie. tying the knot!"                     
• Following this, the couple are led to the dance floor where all of the wedding party and Straw Boys dance. *Girls are NOT supposed to refuse the dance with a Straw Boy. The Captain of the Straw Boys dances with the Bride (supposed to ensure longevity).                                           
• After the dance, a fruit bread is held over the couples heads (as they are back to back) which signifies that "as long as there is bread in the household, all within would be healthy and prosperous". Then the Captain tells the couple to break it themselves. Whoever gets the biggest piece, will be "the boss of the house".   

It was tradition that if the Straw Boys were well-received at the wedding, they would burn their hats on their way, and go to a pub to enjoy the remainder of their night.  If they were not welcomed, or treated badly, the straw masks would be put up on a high branch of a tree in front of the house, so that all who passed by the next day would know of the couple's cruelty. 

Contact: [email protected]  

How fabulous would your wedding be with a bit of history incorporated into it?  This is something you and your guests would never forget!  This is perfect for fun-loving, family focused Northern Irish descendants who want to have something extra special!  

I am so glad that Danielle & I were able to experience this (thank you Tanya) and to meet Jim.  Hats off to you!                         

Our Irish Wedding Adventure ~ Dublin at Night - Stags & Hen Nights (Post 2 of 12)

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

Stag & Hen Parties are an important rite of passage for not only the bride and groom, but maybe more so for their friends.  Any given Friday or Saturday it is not unusual to see a man dressed as a Fairy, or a woman wearing a veil & L-plate with some interesting accessories, surrounded by rowdy friends, going from Pub to Pub.In Ireland Stag & Hen Nights are ingrained in to the Wedding Culture.  There are even many businesses devoted to the concept.  Party Brigade has an entire fleet of vehicles just for parties.  Their "Boogie Bus" seats 16 and comes with a karaoke machine, disco lights, smoke and even lasers!  Other options ar ethe Flame or Pink Limousines. 

Many hotels also offer Stag & Hen packages.  The Skeffington Hotel offers a dedicated Party Organizer for the weekend, Cocktail Master-classes, a reserved area & free entry to their Nightclub, with a bottle of complimentary champagne.  The Prince of Wales has a "Happy Hens @ The Prince of Wales" weekend package and includes all meals, cocktail training and a boat trip. Ladies can add a Slumber Party complete with DVD & Screen, popcorn, chocolate and champagne, a private bar and twister. Burlesque, Bollywood and Salsa dance lesson can also be added. Options for the men include, Viking boat trips, Shooting ranges, Golf, Paintball and Go-karting.

For those opting for fun on a smaller scale, Stag Parties are pretty much the same as their North American counterpart, the Bachelor Party, and include Pub Crawls, Exotic dancers, and lots of drinking and ribbing of the groom.  

Hen Nights usually include a theme of some sort and all the particpants dress up to that theme.  Some examples are Fancy dress, Pink Police, Cowgirls, School Girls, Golfing Party, Fallen Angels and the ever-popular everything Willy.  L-plates, traditionally placed on vehicles to denote a "Learner", are worn to show a Hen Party is in progress.  Pub Crawls and Exotic Dancers are just as common as Slumber Parties and Spa trips.  

No matter how their friends choose to celebrate a bride and groom's departure from eligibility, the act itself and the memories that ensue are what truly matters.