Chelsea Clinton's Wedding Day - July 31, 2010

Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton and longtime beau Marc Mezvinsky were wed Saturday "in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts," a 50-acre estate in Rhinebeck, New York, according to her parents. - CNN.com

Chelsea selected the following poem on her special day.

"The Life That I Have"

By Leo Marks

---

The life that I have

Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause

For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours
And yours

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chelsea's wedding dress was designed by Vera Wang.

Take a peek at Fall 2010 wedding gown collection by Vera Wang:

Can you imagine the cost of the wedding? 2 million US dollars!! If you had this big wedding budget, what would you add to your wedding? Join this topic at Wedding by Color.

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com

Photo Contest !

Have you ever wished you could design someone’s website for them ? Well, we’re going to give you that opportunity. Whoa, slow down tigers (or more accurately, tigresses). We’re going to let you guys pick our website's next homepage images !

Our homepage has always featured a rotation of some of our favourite photos of Marry Me Productions couples on their wedding day taken by some of our city’s most talented photographers. We only have one picture on our homepage now because honestly, there are so many fantastic shots that we can’t choose ! We’re turning to you guys- our Facebook ‘fans’, avid blog followers and ‘tweethearts’ to help us decide what top 3 photos should be rotating on our homepage.

We literally just came up with this idea now so we’re just beginning to contact our favourite photographers to tell them about this exciting ‘contest’ but we’re so excited we had to blog about it to you guys first !
We want all our weddings this year to have an opportunity to be included in the contest so the final 'contenders' we post for your votes will only be up in mid-late October. We’ll post all the details then.

Gotta run and start emailing our photographers....

Happy long weekend !

How to make matching bridesmaids dresses unique

Are you a bride that want your maids to have their own distinct look at your wedding? Well, here are five tailoring ideas to make matching bridemaids dresses look unique:

1. Have extra trim from the dresses? Use them to make chic ruffle hems.
2. If you've shortened the hemline (even just an inch), take the leftover fabric and use it to create straps.
3. Got scraps? Make a whimsical and fun fabric flower brooch.
4. If they're wearing strapless dresses, gathers in the front and center can form a flattering sweetheart neckline.
5. Allow each maid to select a hem length that best suits her figure. For instance, tea length will look fabulous on your tall, slim friends, and above the knee hemlines look great on those with shorter figures.

From: The Knot Georgia

Photo from ioffer.com

Chantal & Mike’s Pink & Paisley Production

We can’t say enough about Chantal & Mike. They were such a pleasure to work with. Not only the way we all worked together to plan their wedding but just as individuals. Their love is contagious !

The wedding was held on July 10 2010 in the Great Hall of the Art Gallery. Chantal and Mike went with a bold colour scheme: pink and paisley. Honestly, this paisley linen has been very popular this season. We’ve used in 3 different weddings thus far: paisley and black, paisley and lime green and now paisley and hot pink and it has looked fabulous each time !

The paisley linen and hot pink really shines in the Great Hall for this wedding because the vast hall gives breathing room to the excited paisley and bright pink.

Talented photographer Andrew Geddes http://www.andrewgeddes.com/ captured the magic of these two colours in the photos below. Visit his blog for more private shots of the wedding. Thanks for sharing them Andrew ! If you haven’t checked out Andrew’s informative guest post in our blog, check it out here http://www.marrymeproductionsblog.com/search/label/wedding%20photography


This linen is available at Groovy Linen http://www.groovylinen.com/

Congratulations Chantal and Mike ! We wish you two lovebirds all the best...

2010 bridesmaids gown trends

If you haven't decided what to put your bridesmaids in yet, here are four trends they are sure to love!

Color-block gowns. Mod is in, and the two-tone dress style fits perfectly with this retro trend. If you select wisely, your ladies will absolutely love what the dual-color dresses do for their figures. For example, to create an illusion of slimmer hips and a toned tummy, have them wear lighter hues on top and darker colors on the bottom.

Flirty ruffles. While this is a traditionally girly feature, it can also look sophisticated and chic or soft and delicate. If you're having a black-tie or semiformal event, this may be the perfect opportunity for your maids to rock ruffles. They'll likely want to feel ladylike, and the ruffles will provide a feminine look and feel.

One-shoulder gowns. These dresses are both elegant and sexy. Also, your maids won't have to worry about donning a strapless bra-- instead, they can wear ones with multiple strap options.

Florals. Not only are patterns flirty and fun, they also conceal stains better than solids (so your girls can go ahead and enjoy the food and drinks). It might also be easier for them to actually wear the dress again since these gowns are a far cry from traditional bridesmaids dresses.
What do you think about these gowns for your bridesmaids?

From The Knot: Georiga

Photos from: weddingbee.com, jlmcouture.com, chrisonium.com

Children In The Wedding Party

So, you’re thinking of having your 4 year old niece as the flower girl and your fiancé’s 5 year old twin nephews as ring bearers. After watching the children run around and rolling on the ground while they’re playing you’re having second thoughts. At the same time you don’t want to offend anyone in the family by not allowing the children walk down the aisle on your special day.

With a tiny bit of preparation it could work perfectly.

First off I highly recommend a rehearsal the day before the wedding. Children (and adults) feel much more secure knowing exactly where they are walking from, where they are walking to, where they will stand, how they will exit, and where they’ll go after they process out.

Second, have someone, who is not in the wedding party, assigned to the children. Sometimes when the child is very young the excitement can be overwhelming and they need to leave the room to be taken to a safe comfortable place where they can be calmed down. This seldom happens but it’s always nice to be prepared just in case.

Third, I favor the little ones sitting down after they walk in rather than standing up with the rest of the wedding party. However, at one wedding I performed, the 2 year old flower girl was the daughter of the Matron of Honor and the little one wanted to stand by her mother. Fine! The little girl simply got up from her chair, walked over to her mother and stood there, happy as could be. It was a nice added touch. It’s was better to let her stay then to try and convince her to take her seat.

Fourth, be prepared to go along with whatever the child or children would like to do (unless they’re screaming their heads off). Children are always cute no matter what they do (with the one screaming exception). At a recent wedding that I officiated at, the flower girl and the ring bearer started to walk in together as planned. But when the 4 year old boy saw the 6 year old flower girl dropping petals on the ground he stopped to pick them up and proceeded down the aisle after her, picking up each and every petal! When he finally reached the end of the aisle, he ran to his dad declaring, “Dad, I saved all the petals!!” Cute!

Fifth and most importantly, they are stepping outside of their box. Praise them and tell them what a great job they are doing and how important they are to the ceremony. They will never forget your sincere gratitude.

What is my guidance on having children in the wedding party? Go ahead. Be prepared. Give them directions. And let them be their beautiful, innocent selves.

Damask Traditions Frosted Glass Tea Light Holders - Deal of the Month!

Are you going to have a black and white Damask wedding? Take a look at our deal this month. This “Damask Traditions” Tea Light Holder with Kate Aspen Signature Charm brings style to your reception tables and radiant memories to your guests. Just picture these gorgeous thank-you gifts at each place setting, and you'll know. To view more deals of this month, please visit our deal of the month page. Each month, we will bring some great deals for you, so come back and visit us more often. Thank you.

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com

What do your wedding colors say about you?

The colors you select for your wedding show your style and personality. Below are some common wedding color choices and what they say about you:

Black is a conservative selection and complements pretty much any other color, particularly lighter ones. Black signifies sexiness and sophistication with a modern twist; it's also mysterious and dignified. Finally, black is classic and is timelessly elegant.

Pink, a more subtle hue, indicates a sensitive heart that is loving and nuturing. The bride who chooses pink has a "maternal grace and compassion and a desire for protection or shelter." She might also have strong personality but one that will share.

Blue represents serenity and royalty; it's calming, compassionate and cool. Blue brides are deliberate, introspective, patient and conservative. They are also likely to be sensitive and wise. Additionally, blue signifies cautious partners who are faithful but need a peaceful and harmonious life.

To see the meanings of more colors, visit our source, What your wedding colors say about you.

Photo from: blog.bridemaid.com

Wedding Etiquette Myths & Facts

Do you really need a receiving line for your reception? Is the bride's family supposed to pay for everything? You might have these questions (and even more) when it comes to your big day. In an article on WeddingChannel.com, Peggy Post, etiquette expert and internationally known public speaker, gives you common wedding etiquette myths and the truth:

Myth: The couple has a year to send thank-you notes to guests.
Fact: Gift-givers want to be sure that their gifts got to you safely and that you appreciate them. This means thank-you notes are expected and should be sent ASAP-- at least within three months of receiving each gift.
Another tip: Write a few notes every day instead of writing them all at once. Also, sending notes before the wedding date is an excellent way to keep up with them.

Myth: The bride's family is required to pay for most of the wedding and reception.
Fact: If the bride's family wants to, they can pay for all or most of the wedding/reception, but it's definitely not required. In fact, it's becoming necessary for many couples to combine their financial resources for the big day. Lots of couples are starting to pay for the wedding themselves or split the expenses with their parents.
Another tip: Be sure to budget wisely. You can have a gorgeous and meaningful wedding on a small budget. And it's so important for you and your family to discuss the wedding plans and costs early on and honestly. If possible, you want to stay away from overspending and miscommunication.

Myth: A receiving line is mandatory for a wedding reception, no matter the size.
Fact: You're not required to have one, but you should personally greet all guests and thank them for coming.
Another tip: Even though it's not mandatory, a receiving line is the best way to be sure all your
guests are greeted; this is especially true at large weddings. Post's suggestion: Have a receiving line for weddings with more than 75-80 guests. By doing this, you and the hosts are able to most efficiently see all guests. If you think it might take too long, try to keep the line going at a steady pace. All you need is a 'Hello,' an introduction (if needed) and a 'Thanks for coming.'


Myth: You should always register for some traditional household items.
Fact: You should register for things that make sense for you as a couple. In today's wedding registries, you can get everything from pots and pans to camping equipment to cash for a down payment on a house. At the same time, guests aren't required to choose gifts from your registry. Gift-givers can select whatever they think you'll like; and they should never be told what to give you.
Another tip: You should register for gifts in a broad price range so your guests will have several options. Also, even if you say you only want cash gifts, it's a good idea to register for a few physical items. Some people just don't like to give cash (even if it's totally okay to do so).

For myths and etiquette tips, check out our source: Peggy Post on the Biggest Wedding Etiquette Myths Ever.

Mike Fisher and Carrie Underwood's Wedding Details

Under a tent, on a southern evening in Georgia, Mike and Carrie shared what their wedding planner referred to as "a spiritual expression of their love". Sounds like a fairytale Hollywood wedding... But despite the $500,000 price tag and a guest list of 250, there was no Hollywood influence or divas present at this wedding according to guests and hotel staff. Both Mike, Carrie and their guests were all down to earth, friendly and gracious. Carrie has said in past interviews regarding her wedding day, "it'll just be Carrie marrying Mike"....

One thing that could have given the wedding away as a 'celebrity wedding' was the amount of security around the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation beginning on Friday July 9. Maybe the G20 Summit organizers should have referred to Carrie and Mike or their wedding planner Jayne Bubis for their security needs. Or simply signed an exclusive agreement with People magazine which was the result of all the security.

People magazine is on news stands now with 13 glossy photos of the event. The article is actually quite small but let's be honest, we're all buying it for the photos anyways right?

We'll give you a run down of the article here:

- Carrie and Mike booked all 251 rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation

- The local sheriff's office was hired to provide extra security for the wedding

- Guests received gift bags engraved with bible quotes

- Guests began arriving on Friday July 9 and that evening enjoyed lakeside cocktails (with fireworks!)

- Guests also enjoyed a golf and baseball tournament the day of the wedding (Saturday July 10)

- The bride wore 2 dresses designed by Monique Lhuillier. For the ceremony Carrie wore a Chantilly lace and silk organza gown with a cathedral length veil and a diamond tiara adorned with over 40 carats of diamonds which was a gift from Mike. For the reception, Carrie changed into a shorter sexier version of the ceremony gown

- Mike's jaw dropped and he 'teared up' when he first saw Carrie walk down the aisle

- Carrie walked down the aisle with her father to Wagner's "Bridal Chorus"

- Carrie's dog Ace (a rat-terrier) wore a pink tux and came down the aisle with the flower girl (Mike's cousin) and ring bearer (Carrie's nephew)

- The ceremony contained some of the couple's favourite bible passages

- Carrie could not wait to be pronounced husband and wife and when it was announced, all 250 guests erupted into applause which caused her dog Ace to "bark like mad" at Carrie and Mike

- The reception was held in the hotel ballroom of the Ritz Carlton and the room was dripping with 5,000 crystals and lit in various shades of pink. Mike exclaimed "There's pink everywhere!"

- Hors d'oeuvres included sushi and crispy risotto lollipops

- Placecards were silver hockey pucks

- Carrie surprised Mike for their first dance by hiring contemporary Christian singer Brandon Heath to perform "Love Never Dies", a song that according to Carrie is very special to them

- The guests were served a four course meal which included ravioli, fillet mignon and Canadian salmon

- Carrie ordered hundreds of buttermilk pies from a local bakery that "Southern Living" magazine has called one of the best pies in the southern United States

- In lieu of wedding cake, a cupcake tower was designed by one of Carrie's bridesmaids Ivey Childers (one of her other bridesmaids was her makeup artist) from IveyCake bakery in Franklin Tennessee

- Guests danced to everything from Lionel Ritchie to Guns N' Roses

- Late nights snacks of sliders and Kahlua shots kept guests dancing until 2am

- Carrie will change her name to Carrie Fisher, but will still use her maiden name professionally

- According to Carrie and Mike's wedding planner Jayne Bubis; "Carrie and Mike are just madly in love. They didn't leave each other's sides all night".... I think anyone in Ottawa could have told you that ;)

We're so happy for Mike and Carrie and hope they are enjoying their romantic honeymoon in Tahiti. Looking forward to seeing you both back 'home' in Ottawa.

Personalized Napkins for All Occasions - 25 Color Options

No matter it is your wedding, bridal shower, baby shower or anniversary, this 3 ply personalized napkin is available on 25 colors with printing color in red, white, black, chocolate, fuchsia, green, gold, silver and blue. The product review on this one is 4.5 out of 5 due to "Attractive Design, Durable, High Quality". Click here to view all available designs by Weddingstar.

Visit us at http://www.supergiftplace.com

Choosing the groomsmen

If your groom-to-be is having trouble deciding who he wants by his side on your big day or he just doesn't want to deal with the task, here are some tips that can help:

When it comes to the best man, most grooms choose the man he is closest to and someone he can depend on no matter what-- and that's his best bet. Many grooms end up choosing a brother, and some even choose their fathers. But if he feels the wedding just wouldn't be right without a particular best man, think about having two. This is a great idea, especially if it's difficult for him to choose between two brothers or two best friends.

For the groomsmen, his brothers are a great place to begin. And if you, the bride, have brothers, it's smart for him to include them as well. Next, he'll probably choose between his closest friends; this selection might come down to which guys he's known longest. One other suggestion (from Emily Post): Flip a coin with all the guys present so they can actually see how he came to his decision.

What do groomsmen typically do?

* Arrive at the rehearsal on time.
* Show up at the wedding prior to other guests.
* Wear the requested attire.
* Escort guests to their seats (if necesssary).
* They may escort a bridesmaid down the aisle before and after the ceremony.
* Dance with a bridesmaid at the reception.
* Have some fun and stay relatively sober.

A couple of other things:

• If your groom has a friend that may not have the finances to participate as a groomsman, he can ask the friend to be an usher. This is also a good way reduce the wedding party numbers if necessary. You can also ask other friends to be readers or to light candles.
• There is no such thing as a "right" number of attendants to have. You don't even have to have an equal number of groomsmen and bridesmaids.

Need more help? Check out our source: Selecting Groomsmen 101.

Photo from: weddingbee.com

Something White for Something Right Tickets are now on Sale !

It's bacccccck !

Our second annual Something White for Something Right gala, held at the Chateau Laurier on Saturday November 6 2010, has already sold a few tables and we only began selling tickets this week so we anticipate this year's event will be bigger than last year's (thank goodness we got a bigger room this year).

We don't want you to miss out so contact your girlfriends and begin planning the ultimate Girls Night Out ! Or bring your men too- they had a great time last year with us and looked fabulous in their white tuxes.

We're selling the tickets online again this year (via Paypal) and all the proceeds are going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
http://www.somethingwhite.ca/tickets.html

If you haven't heard of our event read all about it here:
http://www.somethingwhite.ca/

We can not wait to party with you all (again) this year !

Rivini Sample Sale On Now !

Grab your sister, mom or Maid of Honour and hurry yourself down to (the new) Ashton Station Bridal at 17A Albert Street in Carleton Place.

They are having a Rivini Sample Sale that started July 10 and runs until August 7 2010 (or until the gowns sell out). Size 8 as-is Rivini dresses are up to 70% off and there are over 150 styles to choose from.

You can email them at info@ashtonstationbridal.ca or call them at 613-240-7616.

http://www.ashtonstationbridal.ca/

Think outside the 'box'

There is something about long banquet tables at family gatherings. Guests sitting closely together, pouring each other's wine, celebrating and giving thanks. Does that not sound like something you'd do at a wedding? Of course ! So why not have long banquet tables at your reception?

We don't want to say "this trend" has been around for awhile... because honestly, we don't want this to be a trend. The look is timeless and we hope it's here to stay. However, yes the 'idea' of using long banquet tables first cropped up last year but has really exploded this year.

We love them for so many reasons; they are more intimate because your guests are closer together, they are unique since almost all venues offer the standard round tables for dinner receptions, they offer so many possibilities for decor and you can actually fit more guests at long tables because they don't take up as much space as round tables- so no more guest-list fights with Mom ;)

Drawbacks; not all venues are equipped to handle endless rows of banquet tables and of course, if they are not standard with your room rental so you will pay more to rent them.

The most important thing when using long banquet tables at your reception is accessorizing the tables with centrepieces, candles, accessories etc. The nicest results are when you mix lines and colours in varying heights, shapes and sizes.

Long banquet tables can accommodate budgets of any kind. Small budget; think small votive candles mixed with larger pillar candles in hurricane vases with vases of varying heights of roses, peonies and hydrangeas.

Bigger budget, think pillar candles in delicate lanterns with tall candelabras trimmed in crystal beading and cascading blooms.

Repetition is so important ! Varying sizes of candles or accessories, even different centrepieces are possible but the 'pattern' has to repeat every few seats or so or else it looks disorganized.

We know we posted a lot of photos below but we couldn't help ourselves- they are all so freaking gorgeous ! We hope they inspire you to think outside the 'box'.