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Real Couples Share Their Wedding Planning Advice
These 5 couples have walked down the aisle and said “I Do!” I recently asked them what wedding planning advice they would share with couples who are going through their own planning journey and this is what they had to say…
“There are two variables in wedding planning that we typically don’t have control over: money and pleasing everyone. Most of us don’t have unlimited funds to have the wedding of our dreams and often our family all have their own opinions and desires for how they picture it. In the end, you need to do something within your budget that means the most to you as a couple and has the most meaning. THAT you will remember. Some guests will like, some won’t – but that will be the case no matter what. You should be able to look back on your wedding day saying that really represented us well and we loved it.”
-Cynthia and Charles
“Thankfully from our wedding there isn’t one thing I would change. From beginning to end, every decision was made based on what we wanted as a couple for our wedding. We splurged on what we felt was most important and kept it reasonable where we felt mattered the least. The one piece of advice we would pass along is…once you get to your big day, enjoy every moment and don’t let anything get in the way of that. If something doesn’t turn out the way you planned, don’t stress because you (and your wedding planner) are the only one’s who will notice.”
“Our advice would be to not lose sight of what the big day actually is–a day for you, your family and friends to celebrate the beginning of yours and your spouse’s new life together. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the excitement and details of the day, but in the end, it’s all about two people who love each other celebrating a beautiful lifelong union surrounded by their loved ones. Also, keep in mind that you’re not planning a party for yourselves. You’re planning a party to cater to the guest list with little nuances of you as a couple. All you need is great food and great music and the rest of the party will take care of itself!”
-Laurie and Matthew
“We wanted something small and wanted to make sure that everyone at our wedding we knew well. We think it’s important to do what you want for your own wedding and not worry about other people. Also your wedding is one day, the most important thing to worry about is having a happy marriage!”
“Have a realistic budget and stick to it. Enjoy the day because it goes by so fast. Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
-Audrey and Francisco
Thank you to these FABULOUS couples for sharing!
Eye Candy Galore – Purple Opulence
Stunningly beautiful, this purple wedding paradise by Colin Cowie Celebrations is absolute perfection. From the gold chiavari chairs to the purple linen with glitzy overlay to the tall overflowing orchid centerpieces, this is true glamour personified.
For more Eye Candy Galore, check out the full feature here. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
Post Images by Fan Jiang via Weddings by Colin Cowie – Glamorous Purple Cipriani Wedding
What’s in The Wedding Pixie’s Emergency Kit?
A good wedding planner will always be prepared and have a stock of emergency essentials ready to grab in a hurry. For a bride who didn’t have time to work in those gorgeous new shoes to a bridesmaid with a static cling problem or a groom about to lose a button on his suit, don’t worry! The Wedding Pixie’s got you covered 🙂 While I hope you don’t have any wedding day glitches, the truth is, I can’t count how many times I’ve had to use my emergency kit. It seems to be used in every wedding I’ve coordinated and is invaluable not only to me but also to you and your bridal party.
I searched for what seemed like forever before finding the 2 I carry around today. Yes, I have 2 and I absolutely love them! My main bag is bold with a pattern and has a strap so it can be brought everywhere I go with ease. What I love most is it’s small enough to be hidden under a table in the ballroom yet large enough to carry all the things I may need. Oh and the see-through zipper compartments for easy viewing are pretty awesome too!
My second emergency kit is worn under my suit jacket the entire day and is only meant to hold the items I use most – Kleenex, hair pins, safety pins, double-sided tape, band-aids. It’s my version of Batman’s Utility Belt 🙂
While the list can go one and on, here are just some of the essentials found in my emergency kit:
Did you know?
Need a refresh? Evian Spray is one of my favourites and is a great product for the entire wedding party. For the ladies, it won’t ruin the makeup and can actually be used to touch it up right before pictures. I have even used it on a hot summer day for the bouquets and boutonnieres in need of pick up.
Advil and Tylenol each work differently on different people so for that reason, I carry both. One very important note to remember is while I can tell you I have it and can leave the bottle on a flat surface unopened; you will need to be the one to open the bottle to take it.
The purpose of hairspray may seem obvious but did you know it can also be used like static guard? That’s right, spray a little on the inside of the dress and you’re all set! No more static cling!
Bridal Style – Wedding Day Beauty
When it comes to looking your best on your wedding day, saying yes to the dress is only half the battle; you’ve got to think about beauty essentials too. I’m no expert on makeup and other things beauty related but it’s my job, as your wedding planner, to help make your day as stress-free as possible and that’s where this post comes in. Here are 7 tips brides should remember when it comes to wedding day beauty. In sharing these simple tips with you, I hope you’ll avoid some of the beauty blunders brides before you have made.
Consider hiring a professional Makeup Artist
The makeup you wear every day is different than your wedding day needs. When designing your look, a professional Makeup Artist will take into consideration your skin type, hairstyle and wedding colour palette. Your wedding day makeup will also need to last for hours. Think about it, that’s a long day filled with hugs, kisses, tears, dancing and let’s not forget the countless cameras that’ll be following you around too. Your makeup will need to withstand all of it and a professional Makeup Artist has the know-how to help make it happen. Even if you’re a bride who goes the au natural route every day, make your wedding day the exception. Just covering the basics – blush, mascara and lip gloss – will go a long way and give you the finishing touch to your overall look.
Make it about your gorgeous face
Before you start searching Google or browsing Pinterest for looks you like, stop and consider your own features first. In our celebrity obsessed world, it’s easy to see a photograph of your favourite actress all glam on the red carpet and think “I want THAT look.” But let’s face it; if you have the fair skin complexion of Nicole Kidman, the makeup of Sophia Vergara won’t translate well. Maximize your beautiful eyes with a few fake lashes or enhance your killer smile with the perfect lip stain. When you set out to highlight your most gorgeous feature, the rest of the makeup will fall into place.
Try a few Makeup Artists
I’m a firm believer in not every professional is going to be the right fit every client. Throughout the planning process of your wedding, you and your fiancé probably considered a handful of options before choosing the venue, photographer and DJ. So why not do the same when it comes to your Makeup Artist? Give yourself time to have a few makeup applications (think of them as pre-trials) with different professionals so you can choose one who understands your personal tastes.
Book a trial run
It seems like this point can’t be stressed enough by the pros. You don’t want to be the bride who looks in the mirror the day of her wedding and gets more and more uncomfortable with how it is coming together. Know how you’re going to look beforehand by scheduling a trial 2 months before. This is your opportunity to politely speak up and be honest about you like and don’t like. Also, why not make it a fun girl’s afternoon and ask some of your bridesmaids to be there? They can snap some photos when you’re done and you can then use them on the day of to help your makeup artist remember everything from the trial.
Think twice before changing your beauty regime
A week before your wedding isn’t the ideal time to be trying new-to-you products or to be getting an impromptu facial at your favourite spa. To avoid a wedding day crisis, any changes or additions to your current regime should be tested weeks before the big day. Even your eyebrows, which are standard maintenance, should be waxed and plucked a week before so you don’t have to deal with irritation or redness.
Water, water, water! Sleep, sleep, sleep!
These 2 essentials help ensure your skin is the perfect canvas for your makeup. While water helps flush out the impurities in your skin, getting ample shuteye has a few benefits: it improves your complexion, minimizes dark under-eye circles and keeps your immune system strong so you walk down the aisle healthy. Getting ample sleep every night can also help make you a happier and calmer bride, which your bridal party will surely appreciate 🙂
Be timeless. Be YOU!
It may be last on the list but this really should be the #1 makeup rule you say “I Do” to. Heavy makeup you don’t usually wear or trying to be trendy may make you feel special the day of but this will most likely lead to a “what was I thinking” moment in 10 years when you are flipping through your wedding album. Plus, I don’t know very many grooms; actually I have yet to come across one, who prefers their bride to look “made-up.” Remember, he loves YOU and the way YOU look!
Post images by Monique Wiendels Photography
Confessions of a Wedding Pixie
Welcome to The Wedding Pixie Blog! I’m a newbie when it comes to this whole blogging thing but I’m so excited to get posting for what I hope will be your reading enjoyment! Since this is my first post, I thought I’d use it as a chance for you to get to know me alittle bit better. After all, if I’m going to help plan your wedding or next event, you need to get a sense of how our personalities would mesh.
Hopefully you’ve had a chance to “Meet the Pixie” because there you will find the basics like my name, yada yada yada and why I’m the perfect choice to be your Wedding Pixie! While it’s a great starting point, there’s so much more to this pixie that you should know. Without further a due, here are 10 random facts about moi or what I like to call, Confessions of a Wedding Pixie:
1. My favourite Disney character is Tinkerbell. She’s not only the inspiration behind the business name but I’ve nicknamed my car after her too – The Tink-Mobile
2. I spend wa-a-ay too much time on Pinterest and my 40 plus boards are proof of that. I do however, consider myself to be great at multi-tasking; I can eat, text, watch tv and pin…ALL at the same time! Ok, that might not be the greatest measure of multi-tasking but I’m pretty proud of that fact!
3. Although it’s quote from Audrey Hepburn, I think it represents me well:
“I believe in pink. I believe laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”
4. Most days I’m up with the birds. Translation: I’m an early riser so you are more likely to find me awake at 6am then at 10pm
5. I’m not ashamed to admit that I still go to Backstreet Boys concerts; I have loved them since I was 13 and I’m not about to stop now! So you may not share my enthusiasm for keeping the Backstreet Pride alive and may even question my taste in music but hey, look at how loyal I can be!
6. The pigeons that like to perch on my balcony are my nemeses
7. My favourite wedding moment is the unforgettable expression on the groom’s face when he first sees his bride, radiant and beaming with happiness, walking down the aisle. For me, magic is created in this beautiful moment.
8. I can’t resist sprinkled donuts, vanilla cupcakes or sour cream and onion potatoe chips
9. Kate Middleton is my style icon
10. For the fans of the TV show FRIENDS, you will understand what I mean when I say I’m a total Monica. Even though I’m a Monica, my favourite friend is Ross. Why Ross? Remember the leather pants episode?! Or the one with his white teeth?! And who knew the word “PIVOT!” could be so hilarious!
Post image by Purple Martini Photography