Planner’s Lounge – Day in the Life Feature

For wedding planner pros like myself, Planner’s Lounge, is one of the top go-to places for resources, tools and just being part of a greater community of like-minded individuals. I’m an avid follower of their Instagram and you can always find me reading up on their latest blog posts. Needless to say, when I saw the opportunity to possibly be featured on their blog as part of their “Day in the Life” series, I jumped at the chance!

While you hope for your submission to be chosen, I truly didn’t know what to expect because I can only imagine the number of submissions they receive.  I still remember thinking “well, let’s just see what happens” when I hit the “Send” button. I found alot of joy just completing their questionnaire because it gave me a chance to reflect on my journey so far in the industry and for me, that was enough right there to be grateful for, regardless of if my submission was chosen.

Fast forward to the day I received the email saying they would love to feature me!! ME?!? AMAZING! WOO HOOO!!!!

Wondering what a typical day looks like for me? Or how I got my start in the industry? Then be sure to check out the full blog post here.

Thank you Planner’s Lounge for the feature!!!

Image via Planner’s Lounge

 

Planner’s Lounge – Day in the Life Feature2020-05-15T10:22:11-04:00

TWP Celebrates 3 Years of Business Bliss

Earlier this month, (March 15th to be exact), The Wedding Pixie turned 3 and like a mom, I couldn’t be more proud. Boy oh boy, what a journey these first 3 years in business have been!! My heart is SO full and I’m beyond grateful for the beautiful life I live today.

When I started The Wedding Pixie, the plan was for me to use it as a creative outlet because my day job in the corporate world just wasn’t cutting it anymore.  As with anything I do, I gave my all to the corporate job but with each passing day, I was becoming so unhappy and in many ways, the life was being sucked out of me.  I thought if I had a creative outlet to balance my analytical demanding job, then all would well in my world.  And for a few months, that plan was working well.  What I hadn’t expected though was how this business would light a fire of passion within me.  I had a business and more then anything, I wanted to see it grow.  Tending to the business on evenings and weekends wasn’t cutting it anymore.  I so often dreamed of the day I would hand in my letter of resignation and pursue my budding business full time.  In May 2015, my dream turned into reality when I FINALLY took the biggest (and scariest) leap of my life. Back then, I remember feeling like I was jumping out of a airplane. That is really the best way I can think of to describe it. Sitting here today, reflecting on this journey, I see the parachute did indeed open. I landed on my feet.  Yes, there were rocky days as it’s been quite the journey filled with moments of every emotion imaginable. Never could I have imagined that in the summer of 2016, my first real summer of being booked with clients, a time I really saw my dreams coming true, would also be the time I would have to say goodbye to my mom.  Juggling hospital visits, doctor meetings and grief in the middle of wedding season could never be something anyone plans for but it sure did show me exactly what I’m capable of in this life.

To my beautiful couples, inside and out, who have trusted me with their weddings, I thank you for being wonderful and playing a role in my first 3 years of business bliss! To my vendor friends, you are all amazing for your support, replies to my countless emails and showing up on wedding days to do what you do best! I’m so excited for what lies ahead in the next year.

TWP Celebrates 3 Years of Business Bliss2019-11-05T10:18:55-04:00

WPIC Code of Ethics

Before I jump into the real intent of this post, I thought I think it’s fitting to share some of the backstory to my journey on becoming The Wedding Pixie.  If you are reading this, then hopefully you have already read my Meet the Pixie page and know that weddings have been my passion since I was 7. Well, long before The Wedding Pixie got its wings, when I was just a girl who loved weddings and all things pretty, I’d attend bridal shows just for the pure fun of it (Ok, if I’m really being honest, I’d geek out a little with excitement when one was approaching).

It was at one of those shows where I saw a booth to become a certified Wedding Planner. I still remember my initial thought…”OMG! Seriously? How amazingly awesome and fun would that be?” I took the brochure and tucked it away in my binder full of wedding things.  I went on with life because at that time, I was a full-time university student with readings, projects and finals to consume my time. It wasn’t until after graduation and landing a corporate job that I pulled out my binder to find the brochure again.  I honestly can’t describe the feeling but just knew, deep down, this was something I had to pursue.  I signed up for the course in September 2009 and looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  When I took the course, I had no idea it would lead to creating this life and business I love.

When I’m meeting with potential couples, it always gives me great pride to say The Wedding Pixie, and day-of assistants, are proud graduates of The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC). While this sounds all dandy and lovely, many couples don’t know what it actually means so I thought it was fitting to do this post and share their Code of Ethics.  As WPIC Certified Wedding Coordinators, we have been formally educated in Wedding Coordination and must abide by the following Code of Ethics. Failing to abide can result in losing our Certification and being disbarred from the WPIC Alumni Association.

Code of Ethics:

  • We do not accept kickbacks (money for referrals) from vendors. Vendors must know that the clients are the recipients of any discounts given.
  • We treat each client fairly, and we will be honest and upfront in the representation of our clients.
  • We uphold our ethics. We will not take or attempt to take clients from, or discredit, other vendors with gossip or slander.
  • Every client will receive a detailed contract for Wedding Day Direction, Destination or Full Wedding Coordination services.
  • We will provide all services agreed upon in the contract that must be signed by both the client and Coordinator at the commencement of service.
  • We believe in continuous education, networking and training within the Wedding Industry.
  • Our pricing is upfront and industry comparable.
  • We will make every effort to return calls and emails in a timely manner. (Within 48 hrs.)
  • We always endeavour to benefit our client and not ourselves. Vendors are suggested on merit, in the best interests of the client, not ourselves or the vendor suggested.
  • We cannot guarantee your wedding will be perfect, but we can guarantee we will do everything within our power to make sure it is as close to perfection as it can be.

If you are recently engaged, show yourself some love by hiring a wedding planning pro. For more information on  services and to enquire about our availability for your wedding date, send a note here. Don’t be shy, we can’t wait to hear from you!

WPICC Badge

Source: Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC)

WPIC Code of Ethics2019-11-05T10:11:01-04:00

Wedding Tip Wednesday – Wedding Planner vs Venue Coordinator

Thanks to romantic comedies like The Wedding Planner and Father of the Bride, you probably have a general idea as to what a Wedding Planner is and what we can do for you.    However, with many venues now providing an on-site venue coordinator, many couples are often left asking themselves if they really need to hire a professional Wedding Planner/Coordinator as well.  The simple answer to this question is yes but before you say “well of course she would say that,” let me explain why these two professions are not one and the same.

If you have booked a venue that provides on-site coordinator, they will no doubt be a valuable asset to you and your fiance along your planning journey.  In all honesty, I enjoy getting to know the on-site coordinators myself because when we work together for you, the couple, we can make the other person’s job easier.  It is important however, to understand the key differences between an on-site coordinator’s role and what an outside professional, like The Wedding Pixie, can do for you.  By understanding these differences you will be sure to avoid frustration and disappointment down the road.

VENUE COORDINATORS

  • Work for the venue
  • Will advise you of the venue’s policies and procedures
  • Liaise between you and the venue’s operations staff
  • Are primarily focused the day-of your wedding on managing and fulfilling the venue’s responsibilities as outlined in your contract – i.e floor plan is executed correctly, ensuring proper set up of tables and chairs at each table and overseeing food timing
  • Typically leave once dinner is served turning the evening over to the venue manager

Another important consideration to keep in mind is the person you book and plan with at a venue may not be the coordinator working on your actual wedding day!

INDEPENDENT PLANNERS/COORDINATORS

  • Work for you, the couple
  • See to the finest details of creating your dream wedding
  • Supervise ALL aspects of the wedding day itself (Psst…we will even make sure Aunt Edna and Uncle Bob keep their distance from each other since divorce proceedings aren’t going well)
  • Will communicate with the venue and ALL your vendors before the wedding day to create a master timeline ensuring everyone is on the same page
  • Are focused the day-of your wedding on you and work with ALL your vendors striving to give you what is most important…the best wedding possible!
  • On the wedding day, arrive before your ceremony starts and leave after the late night table is served

WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?

Take time to consider your needs throughout the planning stages and of course, on your wedding day and be sure to weigh all your options accordingly.  On-site venue coordinators are indeed valuable but since they work for the venue, they have boundaries in fulfilling  duties to the Bride and Groom.  Hiring an outside, independent Wedding Coordinator/Planner is the best way to guarantee the most organized and stress-free wedding experience.

Happy Planning!

 

Wedding Tip Wednesday – Wedding Planner vs Venue Coordinator2020-05-15T11:02:40-04:00

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!

The Wedding Pixie Emergency Bag

Emergency Kit Open

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 🙂

Emergency Bag Mini

While the list can go one and on, here are just some of the essentials found in my emergency kit:

Emergency Bag Contents

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!

 

What’s in The Wedding Pixie’s Emergency Kit?2020-05-15T10:49:10-04:00

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.

Jennifer Troietto_The Wedding Pixie

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

 

Confessions of a Wedding Pixie2020-05-15T10:46:23-04:00
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