Real Wedding

The Pros and Cons of a Wedding First Look

First look wedding photos are nothing new but as your big day approaches, this is a decision you will have to make based on what feels right to you both. Before laying out these pros and cons (and these are only some of them), let’s start with the basics.

Image by Birch and Lace

What exactly is a first look?

A first look is a moment between you and your fiancé, before the ceremony, where you see each other for the first time on your wedding day. Traditionally, a bride and groom will see each other for the first time as the bride starts her walk with her escort down the aisle.

Image by Danielle Blancher Photography

First Look Pros

✨ It’s a private moment that’s all for you. Your photographer and videographer will of course be there with you to capture this but no guests, family and friends are watching you. And with that, nobody has their iPhone out trying to snap a pic of their own.

✨ You can stay in the moment longer. When you do the reveal at the ceremony, your officiant will jump right in to the ceremony itself. Wedding days go by so quickly and this time allows you both to soak up the beauty of the day and shifts your focus to the love you have for each other.

Image by Photo House

✨Ladies, if you end up shedding some beautiful tears (and most likely you will), you get a chance to touch up your make up before the ceremony.

✨You get to select the location. If your venue has a stunning staircase or another amazing location, such as along the water, awesome! Or perhaps you want to return to the spot where you met for the first time, doing a first look gives you this opportunity.

Image by HRM Photography

First Look Cons

✨Typically, doing a first look means getting ready in your wedding day fashions earlier and staying in them longer. And brides this may also mean an earlier wake up time for hair and make up for you and your ladies.

✨Your parents, bridal party and guests won’t be part of this moment. Yes, I mentioned this as a pro above, but not every couple will see it the same way. The first time you see each other may be meaningful moment to your parents and missing out on that may not sit well with them. Not sure how they feel? Just ask.

✨If you opt to do your portraits following the first look, you won’t actually be married yet.

Image by Sounds Like Yellow Photography

As a planner, I’m occasionally asked by my couples if they should do a first look. While I’m happy to lay out the pros and cons as it relates specifically to their wedding day, ultimately, they have to make the decision that feels right for them. Remember, you make this decision together! It’s nobody else’s day but yours so you do what feels best.

Happy Planning!

The Pros and Cons of a Wedding First LookJennifer Troietto2021-01-25T09:47:06-04:00

Wedding Styling Tips for the Groom

Let’s hear it for the boys! When it comes to wedding fashion, let’s be honest…much of the focus and attention goes to the bride and her dress. I’m definitely guilty of this. However these days, now more than ever before, a groom has endless suiting and colour options, which makes his wedding day style just as exciting as the bride. Here are 3 styling do’s for a flawless and dapper groom:

DO go for a 3 piece suit, if you opt to go the full suit route.

Wedding days are long and I often find my grooms itching to ditch their suit jacket once the ceremony and pictures are done. Completing your suit with a matching or complementing vest will go a long way in still making you look put together, sleek and stylish for the rest of the evening during dinner and dancing!

DO pay your tailor a visit for the perfect fit.

Remember, it’s all in the details. Just as the bride does dress alternations with a professional seamstress for her perfect fit, grooms need to do the same. Fit and comfort are key and only a tailor will be able to customize the most flattering fit based on your build. Or if you have a little more room in your budget, and want to invest in a suit that you will wear after your wedding day, consider a custom made-to-measure option.

DO be bold and stand out from your gents.

More and more often, I see grooms distinguishing themselves from the gents by choosing a different suit colour or subtly switching up their look. Yes, a groom’s attire should complement what his gents are wearing for a cohesive look but that’s not to say he needs to be 100% matching. There are plenty of options available out there for the groom to play off the gent’s look while showcasing his individual tastes.

Post images by Danielle Blancher Photography, Goody Cambay and Silverlight Photography

Wedding Styling Tips for the GroomJennifer Troietto2020-12-02T10:32:27-04:00

Real Wedding: Meaghan + Mike

Each and every wedding day is special. No matter which service offering the couple has chosen to hire me for, I love being part of a day that celebrates love. Meaghan and Mike’s August wedding was elegant, intimate and it came with an unique twist for me because I was also a bridesmaid. That’s right, I traded in my binder and flats for a bouquet and high heels and boy-oh-boy, it was SO. MUCH. FUN!

Edgewater Manor, located in Stoney Creek nestled along the shore of Lake Ontario, provided the picture perfect setting for their I do’s. From the stone staircase in the lobby to the manicured grounds, Edgewater Manor is a spectacular venue. Meaghan and Mike’s ceremony (performed by Beverly King of All Seasons) was short and sweet and afterwards guests mingled on the terrace for cocktail hour before heading inside to the Morris Room for dinner and an evening of dancing.

Meaghan and Mike entrusted Shelley from Wine Country Floral to create magic and well, she NAILED it! The bouquets were full of texture and a perfect blend of soft and bold colours. The stunning arbour installation, with blush and ivory drapes, was later repurposed after the ceremony to the head table. To compliment the opulant features of the Morris Room, the long rectangular guest tables were completed with simple arrangements in clear small vases, tealights and accented with Italian ruscus, which is always a classic choice to add fresh greenery.

Tony and Danielle of Little Blue Lemon kept the bridal party laughing all day while effortlessly capturing all the simple pretty details and heartfelt moments perfectly.

A BIG massive thank you is needed to my biz bestie, Dianna of Amavi Event Planning and Design, for holding it down that day by overseeing set up and coordinating all the activities planned so I could actually take off my planner hat, pick up a drink and fully enjoy the day watching my best friend marry her love.

Happy One Year Meaghan and Mike!

Real Wedding: Meaghan + MikeJennifer Troietto2020-08-18T09:55:56-04:00

Real Wedding: Andrea + Mike

With the summer wedding season brought to a halt due to COVID-19, I’ve been reminiscing lately – alot actually – about all the weddings I have been fortunate and truly blessed to be part of over the past 6 years. This has been helping keep my spirits high during this time of uncertainty and serves as a gentle reminder not to give up hope that we will celebrate love in big beautiful ways again.

All weddings leave me with heart prints and one of my favs from last season is Andrea and Mike. Oh my heart, what a fabulous couple to work with! From the first time I sat down with Andrea and Mike, I knew we were a match made in planning heaven. Andrea was organized, thorough in her details, had a vision for the day, which I immediately connected with, and was looking for a wedding pro to oversee set up and help with making the events of the day run smoothly.

The day started off with a sweet ceremony at Miller’s Chapel (Ancaster Mill) and was followed by photos at McMaster University. This campus, with its architectural features and lush grounds, always provides a picturesque backdrop and I have to say, not only did Andrea and Mike bring their A+ game for their photo session but so did their bridal party. Everyone looked natural and comfortable in front of the lens with the ladies flawless and stunning in soft blue while the gents dapper and GQ ready in their dark suits.

Choosing only one word to describe their reception, it would have to be romantic. Winona Vine Estates in Stoney Creek hosted Andrea and Mike along with 250 of their family and friends for the evening. The elegant ballroom was filled with high and low centerpieces of white and cream florals, touches of greenery and had plenty of gold accents throughout. The high ceilings also allowed for an oh-so-pretty backdrop installation by A Night to Remember

Big love to Silverlight Photography for capturing all the moments and details of this day so perfectly and to Goody Cambay for creating a delightful same-day edit video, which all guests were treated to before getting their groove on and dancing the night away. To watch Andrea and Mike SDE video, click here.

Andrea and Mike, cheers (and hugs) to your 1st year as Mr. and Mrs!!!

Real Wedding: Andrea + MikeJennifer Troietto2020-05-29T08:40:10-04:00

Real Wedding: Lindsay + Karthik

I love celebrating love and new beginnings. Every wedding I have the honour of being part of creates beautiful memories to look back and reflect on. When I think of this wedding from my past season, I feel it holds an extra special place in my heart because Lindsay, the bride, is often seen by my side on wedding days as one of my rock star assistants. It’s always a privilege to be chosen by couples to help coordinate their special day but when you are chosen by an industry peer, there really is no greater compliment a planner can receive.

Lindsay and Karthik’s I Do’s took place on the grounds of Dyment’s Farm in Dundas, Ontario. Looking back at all the beautiful moments captured that day by the talented Zekar Photography, none bring a bigger smile to my face then the moments captured from the ceremony. I mean, come on! Exchanging vows overlooking the town of Dundas? How picturesque! What a perfect backdrop! So utterly dreamy and romantic. I suppose a big thank you to Mother Nature is needed for her part in making this peak ceremony happen. The dark skies of the day certainly had me on my toes and when we were minutes away from starting the processional and I do mean mere minutes, could you believe rain drops could be felt? Eeek!!! But Mother Nature miraculously pulled through and held that rain off. Every couple wants bright and sunny skies on their wedding day but look at the stunning beauty that can be captured when the skies are moody.

One of my biggest loves from Lindsay and Karthik’s wedding is how they beautifully weaved each of their cultures throughout the day. Lindsay’s dad being Scottish, wore a traditional kilt and of course no Scottish wedding would be complete without a bagpiper. Doug Wickham provided the recessional music and played the Bridal Party in for the Grand Entrance. Karthik’s Indian background was highlighted with Mehndi designs on our bride’s hands.

Another love and stand out for me from this wedding are the florals. Lindsay and Karthik entrusted the task to Colleen from Petal 2 the Metal Mobile Flower Shop and she NAILED it. Being in this industry, I certainly have a weakness for fresh blooms but the combination of textures, rich shades and light tones found in the bouquets, centrepieces and other various elements like the welcome sign were simply magical.

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