Huge News for Marry Me and Ottawa Brides !

The big day is finally here !

Typically you get to read our blogs done by the fabulous Karen Norris, but this news is just so exciting I wanted to tell you myself.

The team at Marry Me Productions has grown over the last few years from just myself, into the winning combination of myself, Karen, Chriss and Tiziana.
And with this growth comes the need for an official place to work together, meet clients and create fabulous weddings.

So..... we are finally opening up an office!

Okay, you may be thinking "this is the news I have been waiting for? How does this affect me?"
Well, not only does Marry Me Productions have a new home but our home will be inside Ottawa’s newest Haute Couture Bridal Boutique.
The shop is called The White Dress and will be opening mid October on Preston Street.

Marry Me has partnered with Jasmine Craig and Danica Redden to create this boutique that will not only provide exceptional wedding planning but will offer clients the only location in Ottawa to view gowns from a number of high-end North American designers. And speaking of designers, that is where the really exciting news comes in....finally available to Ottawa brides and exclusively at The White Dress will be gowns by Priscilla of Boston, Melissa Sweet, Badgley Mischka, Monique Lhuillier and wait for it...Vera Wang!! (moment to exhale)

Currently these dresses, seen everywhere from Carrie Underwood to Chelsea Clinton, are only available in Montreal and Toronto so we are thrilled to provide a medium for brides to buy haute couture bridal attire here in Ottawa. We are a fashionable and stylish city and our brides deserve the best and now some of the best bridal gowns are coming straight to you.

Obviously, a bridal store makes sense for us to share office space with. Brides coming in to look at dresses will have an opportunity to speak with myself to see what we can offer them in terms of planning their wedding. Conversely, our current clients who need to meet us for planning purposes will now be surrounded by some of the dreamiest wedding dresses imaginable!
Does wedding planning get any more romantic that that?

More information will follow on Facebook, Twitter and this blog about our grand store opening.

Monique, Badgley and Vera. Oh My.

http://www.thewhitedress.ca/

Beat the Post Wedding Blues

Many couples spend at least a year in the spotlight as an engaged couple. For some people, it can be tough to go from planning a wedding and having all eyes on you to the married life. If you're experiencing post-wedding blues, here are five ways to get out of your funk:

1. Gain perspective. Yes, your wedding was fun, but it was just one day; your marriage should last a lifetime. Truthfully, the day after your wedding is the really exciting day-- it's the start of your life together. You now have the opportunity to show your commitment and love to each other daily, create a family and home and dream big. Begin by talking about your next big goal; it could be putting away for a romantic weekend getaway or buying your first home. This will give you something else to focus on.
2. Get cozy. You've probably done nothing but think about and plan a wedding for the last few months. And while it might have been, it was still work; planning a wedding can drain your energy and increase stress. Now that it's over, you probably have recaptured some precious time. With that said, it's okay to take a rest and do nothing for awhile--savor your newfound laziness.
3. Go out. Sometimes, engaged couples tend to desert their friends and family leading up to the wedding because they're swamped with things to do. Make it up to them by having dinner, seeing a movie, going for a hike or taking a trip to the beach. Do something you enjoy and haven't had time to do in a while. Your friends and family will appreciate your company and boost your spirits.
4. Have a party. If you really crave another celebration, set a date for a get together at your place. Sure, it'll be smaller than a wedding, but you can still make invitations, centerpieces, place settings and a menu. You can show off all the fabulous gifts you received and put them to good use. Invite those you wish you could have spent more one-on-one time with at the wedding. And be sure to have loads of fun!
5. Take on a project. Many newlyweds feel nostalgic after their weddings, and that's okay. Feel free to embrace it by talking about your wedding, looking at the photos and watching the video. You could also tackle on a project that would honor your wedding in some way. For example, you can create a collage of your wedding photos or create a scrapbook. These activities will help keep your mind busy, give you the opportunity to think about the happy memories and leave you with a momento you can use whenever you want to put a smile on your face.
   
   
   
   

Source; Photo Credit: weddingbells.ca

Winter Wedding Ideas

Planning a winter wedding? Here are five ideas you may not have considered:

1. Colors. Think about using a less-is-more approach when it comes to your color palette. For instance, silver and white with crystal accents can add glamour to your winter wedding. Some ideas for the ceremony: Use a white velvet aisle runner trimmed with white satin ribbon or adorn the altar with a crystal curtain backdrop decorated with hanging strands of elegant white phalaenopsis orchids. If you're getting married oudoors, you can create the ambiece by handing out clear umbrellas to guests as they arrive.


2. Flowers. Yes, red roses and calla lilies are obvious winter wedding flowers, but there are several other options for winter blooms. For example, think about white hydrangeas and soft ranunculses. Additionally, white boutonnieres can look great with a simple white ribbon, and you can add sparkle to your bouquet by wrapping the stems in ribbon and adorned with crystals.


3. Invitations. Winter weddings are typically held indoors, and more formal invitations are often used. Use heavy cardstock and a navy blue, chocolate brown or eggplant font with hand calligraphy to convey a black-tie event. Want a fresh way to create a formal feel for your wedding? Use thick, frosted Plexiglas invitations in white scripted ink. Send them to your guests in silver envelope liners.


4. Centerpieces. To increase the drama, bring the icy outdoors in with ice-carved vases on your reception tables. One idea: Fill vases with tall, winter-white branches and hanging crystals to reflect the light from the tables. Place votive candles around the centerpieces and top your tables with white dupioni table linens and frosted glass china.


5. Escort cards. Make the entire table sparkle! Hand-calligraphy the cards in silver ink and connect them to invidual crystals with a ribbon. Hang each of them from a large crystal candelabra centerpiece for a fresh take on the common escort card tree.

For five more ideas, check out our source.

Photo Credit: Brides.com

How to talk about finances with your spouse

It can be really hard for couples to speak honestly about finances because many of them have big differences when it comes to money. Everybody has his/her own view, and everybody thinks the way they manage money is the correct way. Here's how to get on the same financial page as your spouse:

• Plan to talk about it. This is one part of your lives that you and your spouse have to agree on. If not, there could be a financial disaster in your future.
• Create a list of your individual financial priorities and compare them. For instance, you may feel that purchasing a great pair of shoes every season is important, but is it more important than saving money for a house? Talk about things like this with your spouse. Don't hold back, and don't keep secrets. If you have to have some gray area, settle on a number; for instance, "I get $150 a month to use however I want."
• Concentrate on the similarities between both of your financial goals and outline how you can accomplish those things.
• Use a financial planner. Utilizing a neutral third party can really even out the process. And you don't have to schedule appointments regularly; just spot check every once in a while, especially as your goals change.
• Keep in mind that it's very common in marriage for one individual to manage all the money and the other to play a more passive role. As long as you both are comfortable with this, there's nothing wrong with it. However, you don't want one person taking control of everything while the other endures it in silence.
  

By keeping these tips in mind, you're sure to have a bright financial future!

Source. Photo Credit: debtfreedecatur.com

Dinning Out on South Beach Diet

Asian Take Out Boxes

Happy Labor Day holiday! Will you dine out during holidays? If so, how can you dine out while you are on South Beach Diet?
According to South Beach Diet creator Dr. Arthur Agatston, you can dine out and maintain a healthy lifestyle with some thought and planning. Here are the lists of specific restaurants in his book. You can see what dishes are most compatible with healthy eating on the CBS broadcast.
If you love yummy Asian food, you have your choices too. Click here to learn more about dinning out at your favorite ethnic restaurants.

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

3 Creative Guestbook Ideas

Yes, you can go the traditional route and use an ivory leather-bound guestbook for your guests to sign. But there are some creative ways to have guests to sign their names. Not only will it get everyone talking, you're also more likely to have a momento you'll want to showcase after the wedding. Here are three creative ideas:

1. Purchase a canvas from your local art supply store, and supply paint brushes and different paint colors to your guests when they arrive at your reception. Have them sign the canvas, and get it framed so you can showcase the colorful momento at home.

2. Supply small, pretty pieces of paper or cardsock for guests to write notes on during the event. You can ask for messages of marital advice, memories from your wedding and thoughts on love. Place the notes in a pretty box or vase to display, and choose a few to read whenever you feel like it.

3. Create a Polaroid Album. It's pretty simple to make. All you have to do is buy or create an album or scrapbook with decorated pages, and get a Polaroid camera and photographer to take photos of your wedding guests as they get there. Have your guest book attendant glue the photos to the album pages, and let your guests sign on their page with a colorful pen.

For more ideas, see our source, Please Sign Here: Creative Guestbook Ideas

Photo Credit: mywedding.com

Falling in Love with these Autumn Ideas

It was 42 degrees yesterday with the humidex and 40 today ! I recently completely finished my backyard: deck, patio, fence- the works- and I love it. This is why the following statement seems both strange and painful at the same time to me- Fall is just around the corner !

I can barely admit it myself for personal selfish reasons (more sunshine, more patio drinks, more cottage time... please!!), but for wedding planning purposes, it's important you don't procrastinate and think ahead. In fact, when it comes to weddings, it's one of my favourite times to get married. The weather is not blistering hot, the trees around you provide the ultimate backdrop for your decor/photos and favours, fabric and food ideas are thicker, warmer and richer.

We love following Darcy's 'Wedding Idea of the Day' from Martha Stewart and the last few weeks have (naturally) been highlighting fun ideas for Fall weddings. So whether you are getting married this Fall or next Fall there are great ideas in here for everyone.

Think of using wild flowers or rustic fresh herbs for flower arrangements or decor.

This "harvest centerpiece" was designed with wheat and other dried grasses so it can be made ahead of time.

These mini caramel apples are perfect for your midnight buffet to give your guests the sugar they need to keep dancing or a sweet treat to greet your guests when they arrive to your reception hall for cocktails.

Warming up the colour of your stationary and adding Fall icons such as leaves, acorns and berries instantly alerts your guests to your Fall themed wedding.

Showcase the colours and symbols of Fall in your groomsmen's boutonnieres.

And don't forget your flower girl, she can carry a festive basket and scatter Fall leaves along the aisle before you make your grand entrance.

Cinnamon-Orange Molasses Cookies would be a perfect Fall treat to be served at your midnight buffet or during cocktail hour. How cute would it be to pair them with some warm apple cider when guests step out of the crisp Fall air outside and into your warm reception.

Just as you didn't forget your flower girl or groomsmen, don't forget your ring bearer. Dress up an otherwise boring pillow with embossed velvet leaves made with a rubber stamp and an iron.

A white pumpkin shell becomes the vase to an orange-yellow and peach Fall centerpiece. If your budget does not allow pumpkins to be the vases for your centerpieces (you need lots of flowers to fill a pumpkin), think of carving out holes in the baby pumpkins and place tealight candles in them.

Place your guests names in pomegranates (which are in season, thus less expensive) to add a pop of colour to your place card table. Apples and pears would work too.

If you prefer having the traditional folded paper place cards, consider these paper-thin wood veneer place cards (which are surprisingly inexpensive). The different shaped leaves indicate which guests are vegetarian or not.

If pears won't be used as your place card holder, consider using them as favours. Tie them up in bags with a gold ribbon on top attached to a card that lists the couple's wedding date, names and the phrase "a perfect pair".

Are pear favours to easy for you? Try ordering delicious pecan pies from your favourite local bakery and placing them them paper bags with thank you labels attached.

And feast your eyes on the following bouquets. Just add leaves, dates, kumquats and acorns and tie it with twine or a thick heavy ribbon to transform your bouquet into a Fall harvest