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bridal show
calendar
Decorating Open House
by Now & Always - Thursday February
24th: 5:30 - 8pm (at a secret location!)
click for details
Welcome Wagon Bridal Showcase is
intimate, invitation-only, and free
Monday, March 7,
2005, Kitchener City Hall, 5:30pm - 9:30pm, Free Admission...
The
Bridal Showcase at
Kitchener's City Hall
opens its doors at
5:30pm on a week day night. At the door, each bride gets a name tag, a Today's
Bride magazine, and a goodie bag of gifts (from satin pillows to rose petals)
and business materials provided by each of the sponsors of (and in attendance
at) the show. Brides
and their entourages have the chance to
take a stroll
through the massive room of exhibits, checking things out, asking questions, and
getting to know the participants of the show. Because Welcome Wagon exhibits
only one service provider in each wedding planning category, it doesn't take
long for brides to get to know the wedding professionals at the show. Because
complimentary cake and coffee is offered at the door, it makes it a bit more
like a casual get-together, than a bridal show...
click for details
& to register
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5
insider tips
by K-W Wedding Planners, Nelia & Teresa,
of Ultimate Affairs
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1. 'Party Shoes'
How
many times have you been to a wedding and seen the bride kick off her brand
new shoes that have put blisters on her perfectly pedicured feet, only after
a few hours of dancing? Save your feet and the money you spent on that
pedicure by buying a pair of plain white slippers or flip flops and
designing your own comfy “party shoes”. Using supplies from a craft or
wedding supplies store, you can glue on beading, trim and ribbon. You can
even coordinate them to your wedding color scheme. Make sure you assign
someone you trust the responsibility of taking them along with your other
items to the reception site.
*
Ultimate Affairs always carries an emergency kit supplied with a pair of
“Bridal Slippers” |
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2. A Little Preoccupation
Create a
fun way to occupy little ones in the bridal party while also giving them a prize
for good behaviour during the ceremony... Buy a small box (about 4”by 5”) and
place inexpensive dollar store items in it such as; small hand held games, small
colouring books with a package of crayons (the packages with 4 or 5), wooden
puzzles and even cards of their favourite characters. Keep the items
age-appropriate and quiet. They should be made aware of this box and its
contents as it will keep them focused on their reward for doing their “big
job”. The box can also be helpful to keep children entertained during dinner at
the reception. |
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3. Fresh breath goes a long way
The mood
was set, the bride and the hall look stunning and dinner was out of this world.
You turn to the person on you left to comment on how beautiful everything is,
but you suddenly realize that those garlic potatoes did a number on your breath…
Have no fear, for we have the Ultimate tip. Include a little tin
complete with after dinner mints at the table for each of your guests to enjoy.
It'll keep everyone breathing easy - garlic or not!
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4. Welcoming out-of-town
guests with a personal touch
Let
your out-of-town guests know how much it means to you that they've come from
'far and wide' by preparing
some “Thank you” gift bags which can include: a local map, weekend itinerary
and some personalized goodies that they can receive upon check in at the hotel.
Also include a list of other out-of-town visitors and a little thank you note
with your contact information. You will leave your guests feeling appreciated
for their journey and more comfortable during their stay. |
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5. Invitations etiquette
The
invitations you ordered have finally arrived and now the big moment is here.
Time to address the invitations, but where do you start?!... Addressing
invitations can sometimes lead to sticky situations, especially when using the
term: “…and family”. This term is most often open to interpretation which can
lead to misunderstandings. To avoid unwanted situations, the rule of thumb is
to always list the names of children included in that family (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Lucy, John and Adam...).
Also
keep in mind that individuals that are 16 years or older should be receiving
their own invitation. If you aren't inviting children to the wedding, then be
sure to list only the parent names on the invitation. |
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ask ultimate affairs
If you have a question and
need some free advice from Teresa or Nelia,
Click Here |
february's best of the bridal chat
most romantic proposal: 'proposal in
Vegas'
 Just
like AJ I too got engaged in Las Vegas. My fiancée surprised me with the
trip about a month before my birthday. He made arrangements for us to leave
from Toronto on Dec. 19th and stay until Dec. 24th. My birthday is on the
21st. The trip was AMAZING. We stayed at the Bellagio, it's the most
beautiful hotel I have ever seen. Vegas in general is fantastic. I didn't
want to come home. We spent each day checking out all the hotels on the
strip. My parents bought us tickets to go see Carrot Top at the MGM which
was pretty fun. On my birthday we went to the Mirage and spent a lot of time
at Sigfried & Roy's secret garden and dolphin habitat. Dolphins are my
favourite. We also went over to the Venetian which was beautiful. Joe kept
trying to get me on the gondolas but I'm a little afraid of boats.
We went over to the Madame Tussaud's wax museum then back to the Mirage to
see the volcano. Every night the replica volcano erupts and it was
spectacular! While we were watching the volcano Joe put his arms around me
and when I glanced down I saw he had the ring in his hand.
It couldn't have been more perfect!
advice chat fav
"Since there
seems to be some talk about registering, I was wondering what is the best
way to get the information to your guests. I'm really kind of leery about
it. I know guests bring gifts, but I feel bad about picking them out before
hand. A girlfriend of mine recently went overseas and got married on an
island. I couldn't go because of financial reasons. Many people couldn't go
actually. She sent me an invitation 2 weeks before she left and included
where she was registered. I would have sent her a gift anyway, but I didn't
because I thought it was rude to basically send me an invitation because she
wanted a gift. I should also include she got kind of uppity about the fact
that I couldn't go and I haven't talk to her since fall. Is this up to your
family to take care of it? Maybe included registered information with a
shower invitation. I don't want to make anyone feel they way I did in the
situation above. My moh is throwing me my shower and she said she'd take
care of it...is this right?"
'we're married... now what?!' fav
"I'm also the
first to get married in my group of friends ....of course its somewhat weird
since my friends always wanna hang out ..go to the bar ..see some
guys....for example last new years ..like always we like to do something
special so we wanted to go to Montreal ..but usually its us girls, and I can
leave my "boyfriend" and go for a week and hang out with my girl
friends...but this year it was different, I couldn't leave him since I
wanted to spend new years with him and when we're married I definitely
wouldn't leave him ..and I couldn't bring him a long since the girls wanted
females only
......but in the end even if I have to spend all the time with him alone and
less time with my friends ..I'm still in heaven and there is nothing else
I'd rather do
read more?
register to chat
login & chat
reality stories
k-w
reality weddings: season 2
share
your real-life love story
The
Ring meets Reality TV... on the net! Reality weddings give real local brides a
way to share their love story while giving K-W's bridal population an exciting,
local example of how amazing K-W weddings can be!
In
the first season, which is still being followed, The Ring told each couple's
wedding stories. In K-W Reality Weddings: Season 2, we want you to tell your
story to the local bridal community, in words, in photos, in person. Local
brides can share their reality wedding stories with other brides in The Ring.
Write
weekly or monthly diaries, show photos of your wedding day and more.
Share
your K-W Reality Wedding story!
Read
Season 2 Reality Wedding Stories
Read
Season 1 Reality Wedding Stories
cool tools
a planning must-have...
If
you didn't get a copy of Your Wedding Portfolio at recent bridal shows,
you can still pick up your free copy. Just call Rory at 883-4207 for this great
local planner.
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another reason to love
being a local bride.
brides unite!
Join
The Ring.
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 trend
patrol
Grooms in Style...
by
Collins Formal Wear
Because Collins
Formal Wear says that it's their job to make sure the men look great, they
offered up a great style guide for 2005's trendy men.
Tuxedo styles
from traditional to trend setting can be found at Collins Formal Wear's new
2005 showcase of formal fashions. For the
younger generation
of grooms,
you can now replace the ever-popular pleated front tuxedo pant with a new
trend setting non-pleated style trouser. This look gives a trimmer, more
masculine appearance - some say it's even
sexier.
New,
elegant
designed lapel trimmings are highlighting many of our new jacket styles. Our
designers want to see more distinction from that everyday suit look in order
to make certain that you are going to wear an absolutely extra special
outfit for the best dressed day of your life. Quality garments
constructed of superb fabrics are priority at Collins. Less than the best is
refused. Tuxedos by Ecko, Perry Ellis, Claiborne, After Six, and Lord West
enhance this year's collection with many styles being exclusive to Collins.
 See the new
'Chalk' Tux by Ecko that's replacing the older, now-outdated Zoot Suit. The
wide width, black and
white pinstripe patterned jacket is in a new 3-button
styling with a solid black satin notched lapel, and is complimented with a
matching pin stripe vest and tuxedo trouser. A style that is sure to set you
apart from the rest.
Numerous request
for longer
length tuxedo jacket
styles have been achieved with the introduction of the great looking Claiborne 'Citi-Scapes
3' & the Perry Ellis 'Vail 4'. Either of these two styles can be coordinated
with complimenting regular length jackets and offer to the groom the flexibility
of being slightly distinguished looking from his attendants.
The
Perry Ellis 'Sterling 2' tuxedo featuring a whisper
weight wool fabric
in a very subtle, pinstripe pattern is certain to compete with the very best.
You're sure to feel the difference in comfort and this makes it worthy of very
fine recognition.
It's
been a while since bow
ties have
been popular, actually ever since the Windsor & Euro ties were introduced
sever years ago. This year, designers are showing lots of bows and yes, the are
available in all of the fabulous colours being shown for 2005 including periwinkle,
apple green, pink, fuchsia and many more shades. All of our new and existing
inventory of full back vest lines will now be available with bows as well as
Windsor ties. The choice is yours to decide.
Shirts
in white, ivory or black
are available in the more popular wing collar styling or the very traditional
turn down collar style. Once again we find the wing as the dominating choice as
it portrays a more classic, elegant look on your special day.
Patent
shoe rentals add the finishing charisma to the tux. Collins finds the Perry
Ellis square
toe shoe
design to be the most popular choice. Although all shoes are available in regular
or wide widths, this dhow is most often selected as the most comfortable to
wear. It is priced a bit higher than some, but it's like the old story, 'Remember,
you usually only get what you pay for.'
more about Collins Formal Wear
in the news...
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Specialty invitations shop surpasses chain stores by adding
personality and options to the do-it-yourself concept |
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It was in The Ring's
chat forums that we first heard brides talk about Scribes' Nook as if it was
some sort of do-it-yourself-invitations-goldmine right here in the heart of K-W.
After more recommendations than any one company could fairly hope for, this
little stationery haven seems to be winning out with brides over all of today's
major craft and business supply stores. The Ring met with Jan Herzog, the owner
of Scribes' Nook, and her daughter Jen, to find out why.
Jan attributes the
popularity of Scribes' Nook to their selection of anything and everything you
need to make your own unique invitations, programs, save the date cards, and any
other wedding stationery you could hope for. "We have everything you need except
the postage stamps!", she told us. It's more than that though... Jan and Jen add
that personality that you look for in a small shop. It's that same type of
personality that draws you to small shops on downtown streets on a Saturday
morning...
Full story |
do it yourself invites
with style
scribes nook inc.
Scribes' Nook is
where you will find tons of new ideas, everything you need to bring them to
life, instructions on how to do it yourself (even if you've never really been
inclined to be 'crafty' before), and as an added bonus, you'll find yourself
saving money on your wedding.
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Wedding planners who make hiring them seem simply
obvious |
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Their goal is to
bring everything you love most about your wedding day (and those things you
don't even want to know about) together. Teresa and Nelia aim to save as
much money as you could ever spend on their services, and at the same time,
give you the chance to 'make like a movie star' and walk into a wedding day
that is exactly how you envisioned it. The best part about it, is that you
will never have to know the specifics around how or why your wedding
came to be perfect... You just get to enjoy it.
The Ring met
Ultimate Affairs at a recent bridal event. Recommended by a pair of
decorators we know and love, we approached them at their booth where they
were talking to brides and booking weddings for this summer. Teresa and
Nelia are new to the wedding planning 'scene', which is almost never a good
thing - but with these two, you get the feeling that they are different,
that they're here to stay and they are probably going to rock a few boats
along the way!
Full story |
planning help
ultimate affairs
You might want
to mentally file away whatever you thought you knew about wedding planners.
Ultimate Affairs makes you feel like hiring a wedding planner is simply
obvious. |
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Photography that draws you in with
still emotions and fine art |
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photography & art in one
one great day
"I think
what I love most about the digital dark room is that you can alter a photo
like the old masters, to bring the focus to what is really important in the
photograph. When it's done well, you can have a great shot and make it
stunning, timeless, a work of art..." |
Ralph Heinze of
One Great Day offers wedding photography that is an exciting combination of
both still emotions and fine art. Those that choose Ralph, do so for his
photojournalistic approach to weddings and his passion for turning your
wedding memories into art. Ralph's work draws you into it and tells you a
story. He spends your wedding day capturing hundreds of moments and emotions
with a quiet intensity that never intrudes on the wedding itself.
With an
all-digital medium and unique graphic design techniques, Ralph will be
creating wedding albums that could rival even the trendiest coffee table art
book. "I try to document and produce a wedding such that in twenty years from now,
it would still be interesting to look at - a blend of fine art, traditional
and photojournalistic images allow me to do this."
Full
story |
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Luxury
transportation and service for local brides |
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A
Universal blew us away by what we thought, originally, might have just been
another limousine company. Even though they come in from the London area, A
Universal has been among the ‘who’s who’ in luxury transportation for years
in the K-W community. Now we understand why... By focusing on providing tons
of options, customizable packages, quality service, and excellence in both
their vehicles and their chauffeurs, it’s no wonder that business managers,
brides and prom queens alike choose this company to get them to their
destinations in style. This company knows it’s business inside and out and
only gets bigger every year, because of it.
With these sleek
cars, trucks and buses, there is no shortage of
extra luxury options such as VCRs, DVD players, CD players and stereo
systems, mood lighting, moon roofs, leather seats, bars with stemware,
champagne, and more. Wayne told The Ring that they only use brand new cars.
No vehicle is more than a couple of years old.
Full story |
luxury transportation
a universal
A
Universal offers horse drawn convertible Cinderella-style carriages,
limousines seating six to sixteen people, stretch SUV’s, limousine buses,
vintage-style Phantom’s, and can even attain specialty vehicles such as PT
Cruisers or VW Bugs. Owner, Wayne, says that “We pride ourselves on being
able to do anything and everything for our clients. If they can think it, we
can do it…” |
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Turning family trade into life's work |
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photography is life's work
calla studio
"I think what I
love most about the digital dark room is that you can alter a photo like the
old masters, to bring the focus to what is really important in the
photograph. When it's done well, you can have a great shot and make it
stunning, timeless, a work of art..." |
Walking into
Calla Studio's contemporary Elmira space, with its rust coloured walls and
comfy black sofa and chairs, you get a feel for what photographer Tina Weltz
is all about. Her studio is all about light and space. With various
backdrops and photo areas set up throughout the room, framed photos on just
about every wall (including her signature calla lily photo that gained her
business its name), you definitely feel that warm, cozy atmosphere Tina
strives to create for her clients. On a professional level, Tina has ten
years of photography experience, membership with the Professional
Photographers of Ontario and an obviously extensive portfolio. On the
personal level, Tina appears confident and quiet. She spoke with us casually
- as she would with any of her clients - about what she loves, what she
does, and what she can do for her brides. "I really like to take my time
with each of my brides. I want to create an open and warm atmosphere with
them."
Full story |
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Turning
a childhood dream into a full time career |
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Heather Fritz
can't remember the first time she took a photo. Growing up in a house with
it's own dark room, it seems like photography has just always been a part of
Heather's life. But what started out as a way of life and a part time
passion, has officially become a full time career, with her new photography
business, Heather Fritz Photography. Each wedding is almost as exciting to
her as it is to her clients. Before the wedding day arrives, Heather scouts
locations and visualizes shots or angles. At the end of the wedding day, she
can't sleep until she has looked through the 200 to 500 images captured that
day.
No, Heather
doesn't have thirty-five weddings per summer under her belt, but what she
does have is a young, energetic approach to a business she has been dreaming
of since she was a little girl. Why did we break a rule by reviewing this
'new' photographer? Lots of reasons - many of which you can see running down
the right hand side of this review.
Full story |
your wedding is your
photographer's
childhood dream
heather fritz photography
Heather shoots
digital photos with film backup, which she has printed professionally. She
usually captures about 200 photos in an average wedding day. Heather holds
herself to even higher expectations than even her own clients likely do. "I
got married six years ago, and I know how important my photos were to me.
You don't get a second chance to take them, so I do everything I can to
deliver the best possible images my clients could hope for." |
Upcoming Reviews for March
Holiday Inn - Cambridge
Reception hall,
guest accommodations & more
Rosalind's
Fine lingerie
with expert fittings,
as well as fashion & accessories to complete the look
Tuxedo Royale
Tuxedo
rentals & for purchase,
suits & formalwear, all
with a best price guarantee
Weddings of Love
Unique officiant services for non-religious
ceremonies based on faith
in love.
wedding stuff ideas
custom jewellery
Double
Strand Illusion Necklace Set
Light and
elegant double strand illusion necklace with crystals and pearls combined with
crystal pear drop earring with coloured crystal accent.
Necklace is
approximately 16" in length with a 2" extender for easy length adjustment. Both
pieces are available in red, green, pink, amethyst, sapphire, topaz, white and
black crystals.
All sets are professionally and beautifully boxed. This set
makes a wonderful bridesmaid gift.
Crystal colours look beautiful with the
following 'Dessy' colour choices: 'claret' - red, 'celadon', 'kiwi' and 'moss' -
green, 'rose' and 'cotton candy' - pink, 'amethyst' and 'lilac' - amethyst, 'peri'
- sapphire, 'mocha' and 'taupe' - topaz.
click for details
wedding supplies
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treasure chests
Italian Favour Chest |
awesome colours
Italian Favour Cone
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2005's hot
colour
Lily of the Valley Gift Tags/Confetti Cards
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instead of a guest book
Mini Pear Trinket Box Favours (Pkg
of 6) |
more reviews
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Dear brides,
friends & experts,
February has seen a surprising amount of winter
weddings. Yay! The staff at The Ring are all fans of the twinkle of a winter
evening and the look of puffy snowflakes in your photo albums. February also
brought along some red
 weddings, to tie in with Valentine's day.
That
said, it's time to set our sights on spring and summer. Bright tulip
bouquets and outdoor weddings are just around the corner.
I hope that this newsletter brings you a ton of new ideas, chat topics,
planning advice and another way to unite and share your story with local
brides all over the area.
Cheers!
Jennifer
Goulden, Director & Editor
theweddingring.ca
&
kw.weddingring.ca
email:
info@theweddingring.ca
*photo by one great day |
please
note: Every newsletter is sent
only to brides who have supplied us with their email address. If you've decided
that you don't want any more news from The Ring, please tell us so in an
email, and we'll remove you right away. We
don't want to harass you, we want to make your life easier!
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