The Wedding Session: Recent Episodes
Tarina Taylor & Kelly Dowbiggin
Welcome to The Wedding Session with SAY Events Educational, inspirational, behind-the-scenes, no bullsh$t look into the wedding industry, where we explore topics, trends and regions from around the world. With a combined total of almost fifteen years experience in weddings, listen in, as we pull back the lace and share the inside details on what goes into creating a wedding.
How to plan for your wedding based on your favourite theme?! We're here to help, as we begin another series where we discuss different wedding themes and how to design your wedding around them.
This week, we talk about a super popular wedding theme: The Boho wedding!! The theme is supposed to be to feel effortless, eclectic and thrown together.
Consider some of these tips:
- What you want the overall guest experience to feel like - informal, fun, 70s vibe and flowy
- Some of our suggestions on wedding venues here in Vancouver include: The UBC Botanical Gardens, Sunwolf, Spirit Ridge Resort, and Bodega Ridge
- Food + Drinks: Food trucks! *but please make sure you have enough food for everyone!!!, and Champagne Trailer
- Dress style - fitted but comfy, and macrame and lace for dayzzzzz, also...hats. So many hats.
- Decor - geo shapes, eclectic pieces and textures, Lace/Macrame/Wicker/Rattan, Earth tones/taupes/neutral colours/dark reds and burnt orange, Low lounge with comfy poufs
- Stationary - earth tones, geo shapes
- The Wild card ;)
Notes:Kiana & Garrett
It's the morning of the BIG DAY!!!! When all the fun begins, but this is probably THE MOST important part of the day. In this case, we're talking about the getting ready part and how this can impact the rest of the day.
Here are some things to remember!
- Don’t stress over the small details of your wedding.
- Be present in the moment with loved ones
- Don’t concern yourself thinking your wedding party might feel bored or tired.
- Anticipate your space will feel chaotic, so prepare however you need to
We'll offer you tips for the ladies and the gents on what they can do to make the morning the best start of the day - which of course, will circle back to food! But hey, you're not you when you're hungry. But at the end of the day, we highly suggest to give yourself buffers in your timing to ensure if you go off the rails, that you come back and stay on time for your ceremony!
Ok. You’re getting married, you’ve done the research and found your vendors. We’re approaching game day. What do you do…..Well, for starters, leave it us and trust the professionals!! You’ve hired a kick ass team of pros to help you have the wedding of your dreams. We’re all here to make that happen.
Why would you hire a professional:
- You don’t have the skill set
- You don’t have the time or the bandwidth
- You like their overall style, vibe and service
- It’s a special occasion!!
Why is it important to trust the folks helping you on your day?
- They do this for a living, and on a weekly basis!
- They have years of experience and can navigate if anything goes wrong
- They will likely have worked with some of your other vendors, which means they can work together in any situation
- They can address almost any situation as it comes
What can happen if you don’t trust the Pros
- Stress + Disappointment
- To many helpers is like watching toddlers play soccer
- Delays because of micromanaging
Let the professionals take care of you!
You're engaged! And the you're families are both over the moon excited for you both. To the point that they're 'volun-telling' you advice or throwing out traditional 'expectations' at you that makes you go record scratch...not for us!!
Remember, a wedding is just about the family as it about the couple. And the best way to honour them is include them, but it might be on your own terms. Listen in as we breakdown some ways you can elegantly incorporate your family in the planning process.
Things to think about:
- Having quiet time with them in the morning
- Walking down the aisle with both Parent/Guardians/People who hold a special place in your heart
- Get someone to manage snacks on the day!!
- Give them a task - personal delivers, etc.
- and more....
Sustainable weddings. It's something many of our clients ask for, and strive to incorporate in their special day! In an unofficial PART II from our Sustainable Wedding Episode, we go a bit deeper into sustainable weddings and ideas for your wedding.
Sarah began the Wildlife-friendly Wedding Guide, while she was planning her own wedding, and she breaks down different things she considered while in the overall planning process.
NOTES:Edible Cutlery
So Kind Registries
Footprint Calculator
Check out MJM Weddings for local Vancouver Consignment
It's an instagrammers dream - an tented wedding! We love outdoor weddings, and boy, have we be doing a heck of a lot of them lately! So it made sense to break down some things to think about when planning your outdoor wedding.
First off! Why do you think it's an awesome idea!
- You can “mostly’ choose the perfect spot! Or work with a venue with a unique backdrop
- It’s a blank slate for decor, you can do whatever you want
- You can bring in your favorite vendors - like food! And booze!
- If it’s a private property, you can start setting up on Wednesday for a Saturday affair
- It's a rustic/woodland/desert/boho dream! What pinterest board are made of.
Listen in as we give you some behind the scenes of planning an tented wedding, and some action items to help you along the way!
This weeks episode we're featuring Kelly's sister Shannon!
We take a trip down memory lane and get a non-planners perspective on some of the weddings we've done. Shannon is on track to be one of our main designers and we can't wait to get her more involved in weddings!
- Tom & Sam - Sea to Sky Gondola
- Novia & Paul - Harthouse
- Sarah & Blaise - Squamish Wedding
Shannon is a Reiki Practitioner with Guiding Light Reiki. Get in touch with her at info@guildinglightreikiandco.com or find her on Instagram @guidinglightreiki
The Little Mermaid. Not the first thing you think about when it comes to a destination wedding. Yet, there are some very interesting things to think about in the wedding scene that might pertain to your day!
While we dive deep into the Mermaid wedding in the movie, there are some logistics to think about for your Human wedding!
- Selecting a local 'Destination'
- Including your family in the festivities
- Catering + Dietaries
- Sound + AV
- The officiant!
Now, let's breakdown the Pros' and Cons' of a local "Destination" Wedding:
Pros -
- It’s in your own dollar amount!!
- You can usually get there in under 2hrs hours, so you can drive! Which means you're not wasting time in an airport/on a plane!
- Guests love to be tourists in their own city. And maybe you're destination is a place they've never been to before.
- It gives your Guests an opportunity to do things around your wedding, or you can make it a weekend full of fun
- Your guests get to try local things, which means they also get to support local
- It gives you and your guests an opportunity to see each for more then 4-6 hours.
- Less people might be inclined to go
Cons -
- Since it DOES take up at least 2 days of your time, you have to plan for your time away and see if it works with your schedule
- Not everyone can join - if they have mobility issues (like being in a Wheelchair, but your ceremony is on the beach in Tofino)
- Hotel blocks can be a pain in the ass
- Hotels can be booked months in advance or the price can be increased because of events happening around your wedding
- Transportation - you carpooled but now you have no way to get around
- Your guests will get lost easily, which they in turn might call you. All Day. Every day.
- If you don't prep the guests, rural areas don’t always have reception and sometimes that makes people grumpy
- Trusting the vendors onsite can be tough, which gives you two options - you either make the time to go up and visit the city you’ve selected or bring your own but pay for the accommodations.
NOTES
Sam + Tom
Ep 67: Sustainable Weddings
Here we are! With part 2 of our chat with Young Hip & Married and how they're so awesome at celebrating love. This time, we chat with Jackie-Deane Cowell, who is the first point of contact when you inquire with YHM. She breaks down all the processes on what you can expect when you inquire, and how each step on the booking process is curated to you as a couple.
NOTES:Young Hip & Married
Ep 71: Part I with Shawn Miller of YHM
Ep: 55 All about Vibes!
We are so excited to welcome our friend, Shawn Miller, of Young Hip & Married as we chat about why they love LOVE, and why it's so important to frickin' love the person your marrying.
Young Hip and Married exists for two reasons: to help couples get married and stay married. Beginning in 2004, Shawn and his wife Erica started YHM in Vancouver, and have since grown to over eight locations in Canada and the USA.
We dive into why he started YHM, what the difference between a Commissioner and an Officiant is, and why he's asks a super important question at the beginning of his consults!
NOTES:Young Hip & Married website
Young Hip & Married on Insta
Welcome back, and we're joined by our friend, JM Brown of iDJ Services where we talk about MC duties and why you should consider hiring someone instead of wrangling a family member to do it. We discuss his journey to becoming a DJ, and how that naturally included filling the MC role at a wedding, and many other nuggets of inspiration!
NOTES:iDJ Services
So you've decided to do a first look - where you see your person for the first time, before the ceremony - but now, you're wondering HOW do you do it. What do I do with my hands!? Where am I looking!? Ack!
Todays episode breaks down a few different ways you and your person can have a first look. Some are cuter, some are romantic, all of them are meaningful in their own way.
While there are many different ways you can do it, here are the ones we touch on:
- The funny ones
- The back to back
- The Tap the Shoulder
- The Read each other Vows
- The 1st Touch
- The Use a Prop
- The First Look with a Family Member
NOTES:
Ep: 52 - First Look versus Ceremony Reveal
Kiana + Garrett 1st Look
Demi + Wayne
Mike + Clare
Jana + Ryan
Tracey + Adam
Erika + Michael
Sam + Tom
Kelly + Riel
Tis the Season!! For, wedding shows.
It's the new year, many of you are newly engaged and looking for guidance, inspiration and a fun Sunday out with the gal pals. And we all love a good wedding show! In this episode we talk about what a wedding show, why they're great for the beginning stages of planning, but also why they might not be the best source of information.
Here are just some of the Positives!
The convenience of Everyone In One Place!!!!
You can meet them, and see if you've got a vibe with them.
You can see their work, and ask questions right away
You can get a TON of inspiration
You can get an idea of pricing and see the range of vendors
And now, for the Negatives:
It's a range of Vendors (some are new and building their client base, some are not the best vendors in their field but can pay the show fee, etc.)
Some are only here for the sale. Where's the Love :(
Some of the vendors don't pertain to you + some are just random additions
NOTES:
SAY Events at ADIW 2019 Lounge + Harvest Table
SAY Events at ADIW 2019 (aka The Mafia Table!!)
SAY Events at ADIW 2020
Episode 55 - Vibes!
Whiskey Six
I think we can agree, sustainability is a trend...that is here to stay. And we're super ok with this! Especially since events contribute to a lot of waste. In this episode, we break down what a sustainable wedding is, and ways you can incorporate sustainable practises to your wedding.
Here are two of the bigger elements of sustainability:
- less waste
- stay local
And some tips to help you in your planning process:
- What to do with your florals
- examples of centrepeices
- water station!
- rent/reuse over buying (see below for a link to our chat with Alex of Past Pieces Vintage Rentals)
- ethical jewellery
- consignment
Notes:Episode 38 - How a Lounge Area can enhance your Wedding
Happy New Year + Welcome Back everyone! We've missed you all!
On today's episode, we're breaking down some tips and suggestions on how to get started on planning your 2022 wedding. I think we can agree, everything kind of comes to a halt during the holidays, we're here to share how to re-inspire yourself and get excited to plan!
Tip #1 - Make a List
Tip #2 - Reach out to your Planner
Tip #3 - Work the large details
Tip #4 - Site Visit
Tip #5 - Secure you're dress + suit
Tip #6 - Invitations
While these are some of the more important tips (...we think!...), let us know if you have questions or have another suggestion!
And remember, this is a team activity! Remember to sit down together, and work through these items as a couple! This will make sure you're both on the same page.
Notes:
Coach RD Fitness
Part II of our nostalgic look back on our first weddings. This time, Kelly takes us way back to her first wedding as a Planner and why it's important to have a great team behind you.
We're going super nostalgic today, and bringing it back old school to our first weddings. Tarina kicks this episode off with detail so her first wedding and all the things she's learned to become a better wedding planner.
Emcee Duties. How to select them and what the expectation is.
We get this question all the time - do we need one!? Over the weddings we've done, we've found that while there is no standard formula for them, they always accomplish the same thing. They tell the guests what they need to know! Especially when you're Wedding planner can't.
What the heck is an Emcee? Have you ever been to a wedding where you have no idea what's going on? Emcee's are the 'host' of the wedding, and are there to let people know what to expect for the day. "Where's the washroom, where do I smoke, when's dinner". Your Emcee will verbally let your guests know what's next! And your friendly Planners ahem are there to work with the Emcee to make sure the right information is shared.
Listen in as we discuss how to select the Emcee, how to ASK them to be your Emcee, and what to provide your Emcee for the day!
While our wedding season, was rather unconventional, we were still able to enjoy some truly amazing moments with our couples during their weddings.
Listen in, as we share some of our favourites!
Notes:
Jana + Ryan
Welcome to our friends, Kelsey + Morgan MacLean, from The MacLeans. A local wedding photographer and videographer/husband and wife duo who we had the personal pleasure of working with this season. We met while working on our couples covid-wedding, and what a ride it was!
We dive into how they started as wedding photographer + videographer's (with a huge detour talking about traveling!!!), what it's like to work with your significant other and why having a real life couple (as your photography team) on your wedding is a good thing!!
NOTES
The MacLeans on Insta
The MacLeans on the Web
As we're booking Clients for the upcoming season, we were starting to notice a few common themes in what they were looking for. And we thought for today's episode, that we would dive into the wedding trends we think will be super popular in 2022.
What do you think?:
- Outside events are going to be more common + Backyard weddings
- Boho theme + Dried Florals - Boho palms, pampas
- Neutrals, organic fabrics like linen/cotton + Sustainable table designs - potted plants you can reuse, dried florals, etc.
- Technology
- Weekday events
- Smaller wedding in general
- More destination weddings + elopements, but even within your region
- Bridgerton/Garden theme + Lounges + all the Details
- Using all the scents for design, food, etc.
- Smaller wedding cakes
- Tossing traditions out
- Anni-Ception - the sequel from the Ceremony, now having the reception
- More non-alcoholic options
- Edgier dresses + Rented or consignment dresses
- Vegan food
NOTES
We checked out some of these links for Inspo:
The 20 Biggest Wedding Trends You Can Expect to See in 2022
7 Wedding Trends That Experts Predict Will Be Huge in 2022
The Biggest 2022 Wedding Trends to Start Planning for Now
7 Insanely Unique Wedding Trends I’m Predicting For 2022
"Where do I stand"?
"How do I hold the bouquet?"
"I just don't want to mess it up for the Bride!!"
We've heard every one of these, and there are many more reasons why it's important to have a Rehearsal for your wedding Ceremony. To put simply, the Rehearsal is done so everyone knows where they need to be, what they do and when they need to do it! It reassures you, the Couple!, and the rest of the Bridal party on how the Ceremony will flow.
Listen in as we share some tips on who needs to be included, how the process should flow, and ways to keep it seamless and let's be real, STRESS FREE, as possible!
I think we can all agree, that your wedding day is usually...a pretty long day! Starting in the morning with hair and makeup, making your way to the Ceremony, then photos and cocktail hour, then maybe more photos. All before dinner. It's safe to say, you're probably wilting or least losing steam by this point. And no one wants a hangry bride, or groom (poor fella's).
Here are some of the top reasons why you need snacks:
- You're body is going through a lot of emotions, and you're body is going to crash once the nerves calm down
- You're bridal party will be a heck of a lot more accommodating if you feed them! One more photo....for a snack, heck yes!!
- If it's the summer, you need to have water on hand. Or you'll have the bridal party passing out on you
Here are just a few opportunities you're going to need to nosh:
- In the morning, whilst getting ready.
- If you have a large gap from the time you have your hair + mua done and the ceremony. You don’t need much, but you’ll need something.
- Post ceremony - this is usually when all the nerves leave your body and you realize hunger is a real thing
- Limo ride between photos and to the venue. Your bridal party will thank you!
Listen in as we share some tips on the best types of snacks for the day.
In Part 2 of our conversation of serving Wine at your Wedding, we discuss the logistical side of getting the wine to your glass!
As former Caterers, our Clients used to ask us all the time about how to serve the wine at the tables, listen in as we talk about wine service versus table service and what might be the best method for your reception!
We'd be lying if we didn't say this is a favourite topic of ours. Mostly, we just love wine. And how it can absolutely enhance your experience in the best way, at a wedding.
Listen in as we go into detail, some of the things you should consider when it comes to Wine at your wedding. How the time of year impacts your choices, what your menu is and how you can pair your wines, consider the demographic of the group (who likes wine, who doesn't), the differences with a Venue versus hosting your event at an offsite venue, and more.
After a small summer hiatus, we're back to say we're sorry and we miss you.
Now, back to what you want to hear, us talk about weddings!
We go over our Summer season, but dive right back into giving you advice. VIBE, and why it's so important. At the start, if you hire your vendors based on energy, vibe and overall feeling, you're going to have that energy at your wedding. You want that vibe conveyed to everyone.
Not only should you vibe with your vendors you've selected, but the experience is so much more enhanced if your vendors know each other, have worked together or are even industry friends!
Follow your gut, go with someone that is professional but also someone you get along with and have a great energy and overall vibe.
At least you know, we're out there in the trenches, getting some real world wedding experience for you all! And since wedding has been whoppin' our butts this month, we thought we'd bring back one our favourite and most downloaded episodes - "How to Fire a Wedding Vendor".
We'll talk about some reasons you might want to select someone else, but here are some things to remember if you feel like you need to fire your vendor:
- Non refundable deposit
- Let them explain themselves
- Talk to 3rd neutral party - like a Planner
- Pull the pin! Decide sooner rather then later
- Conflict of interest
Listen in as we discuss another hot topic - whether you and your partner have a first look, or you wait until you see each other for the first time as you walk down the aisle.
Let's break down what the difference is!
A first look is when you and your partner see each other privately before the ceremony.
A traditional ceremony reveal is exactly how it sounds, you see each other walking down the aisle for the first time.
Maybe you're still stuck on what to do, here are some reasons why you might want to do either:
1st Look! - "Lemme see you're face"
- logistically - flow of the day
- only moment of peace before the day begins
- emotions are too much
- transportation
Ceremony Reveal - "Ugly tears"
- drama as the doors open
- superstitious
- better lighting for your bridal photos
- you don't have to get up as early
- logistics + site
Here are some Tips for both situations:
- 1st Look: Ways to transform your look (no veil or florals at 1st look, then put them on when ceremony begins so still feel like a bride)
- 1st Look: Work with your planner + photographer to get all the bridal party pics done first, so you can enjoy the time with your friends and family after the ceremony
- Ceremony Reveal: Logistically (work with your Planner and transportation to make sure you and your partner arrive at staggered times so you don’t see each other before the ceremony)
- Ceremony Reveal: Touchups! Get your MUA to retouch after the bridal photos are done, and before reception
- Ceremony Reveal: The Photos you wouldn't normally be able to do (Girls and guy photos, dad reveal, mom and daughter)
NOTES:Kiana + Garrett 1st Look
Amanda + Rob Ceremony Reveal
Kelly + Riel 1st Look
Demi + Wayne Ceremony Reveal
Yes. Of Course! Most guests expect a combination of wine/beer/hard bar at your wedding reception. However, don't forget! There is also a group of your guests that might not be able to sip on the booze. So what do you do! Offer a bad-a$$ non-alcoholic beverage station. We always talk about the guest experience, and this is one simple addition you can include to make ALL of your guests feel loved.
Here's a small breakdown of some guest you might need to consider at your wedding:
- Recovering/Sober
- Pregnant
- Minors
- On Medication
- Religious reasons
- Physical Reaction
- Mental health
- Designated Driver
- Hates the taste
- Budget
TIP!! Talk to your Caterer or Bar Service to create a delicious alternative for your guests. You can customize your bar, and create beverages that can also do double duty - cocktail and mocktail!
Here's some examples that we talk about:
- Mobile Coffee Bar
- Hot Chocolate station (with marshmallows!!)
- Hot Apple Cider
- Kombucha bar
- Mocktails (Shirley Temple, Virgin Mary/Colada)
- Lemonade / Ice Tea / Fruit punch
- Infused water
- Juice bar
NOTES
8 Ways to Creatively Serve Non-Alcoholic Beverages
6 A's of Events - Part 1 and Part 2
Some Local Vancouver Companies you should check out! - Coastal Cocktails, The Chai Wagon, Hoochybooch
Operation Rednose
Is it no kids? Is it all kids? Is it totally black and white when it comes to kids at your wedding? What do you do when you're planning your wedding and everyone wants to know if kids are invited. It's a touchy subject, and while it IS a personal choice, the wedding day is not just about the couple.
Step 1: You must decide together very early on if you are allowing kids. You both have to be on the same page with this choice. But STICK TO THIS CHOICE!!!
We breakdown some of the reasons why you would invite kids:
- You have to decide if you are allowing select kids (ie: closes family members, travelling guests), moms breast feeding
- Guests travelling usually have kids
- No familial support here
Here are some tips to navigate around telling guests the protocol for kids:
- Start at the beginning of the 'journey' to the wedding - Make it very clear on the invites if kids are included or not. Check out our notes below for links on how to write this effectively.
- If you want the children at your wedding, include their name on the invitation. Make it clear they're invited.
- Choose how much you want to be involved if kids are allowed at the wedding, and consider getting a sitter or company to entertain the kids. If you decide to hire on a Pro to mind after the kids, let the parent's know!
But Remember!
- Once you’ve decided what’s best for you both, you have to commit to the decision
- Ensure your venue can accommodate children
- Ensure the parents know your expectations - who is watching your children
- Make sure your family is on board with your decision - while it might be tough to initiate, you might need to have the conversation to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Notes:How to say Kids are not Invited on the Invitations
How to say certain Kids are Invited on the Invitations
Pacific Fairytales
How many of your friends tell you what is good and bad about a wedding, what you should or shouldn't do, and what THEY did that was great (but, actually, maybe it wasn't). UnPopular Wedding Opinions is our topic, and we analyze the following article from Buzzfeed called "17 Controversial Wedding Opinions that might get you a little Fired up".
After some research, we found there is A LOT of unpopular opinions around weddings. This article barely scratches the surface!
- Speeches!
- White Wedding Dress
- Bouquet Toss + Garter Toss
- Veils
- Headtables
- Bridesmaids
- Open Bar
- First Dance
- Kids
- Big Weddings
- Bride's day
- White when it's not your day
- Cake
- Vows
- First Look
- Destination Weddings
Thoughts? What do you think?! Do you agree?!
Notes:Episode #27 - Speech Etiquette!
Iliza Shlesinger: Unveiled
Bet you didn't know there were two ways your wedding day runs so smoothly. As Planners, we work with two different paths - the flow of the day and the timeline.
What's the difference? Why do you need to care?!
Well, we break down that the difference is and why the Timeline is our favourite document for the day. Both are important, and serve different purposes. But both make sure you make it down the aisle.
Why is keeping track of time on your day so important?!
- Your food! No one wants soggy buns or overcooked chicken.
- You'll be paying for extra staff hours! Ack!
- Guest experience - while it's your day, no one wants to be kept waiting when the buffet is in reach.
We'll give you some help fun advice so you can enjoy your day. In a timely manner ;)
Ok. Shit happens. Ask Tarina! Sometimes, you need to change your venue. And that's OK! It happens, and it can be super stressful. And sometimes you might want to elope to Paris! However, that's not always feasible..
We've had to help quite a few of our Couples lately with this switch, so it's a little more common then you would think. We break down some examples of why you might need to change your venue, and no judging over here, because sometimes you need to do it.
10 Reasons why you might need to change your Venue:
- The venue is closed, or shuts down during the wedding date
- The Venue double booked
- Buyers remorse
- Guest count changes drastically (hello C*vd! Ugh....)
- Location no longer works for you
- Unhappy with the Service - check out our Notes below for more info on this one*
- Venue conditions don't work for you (no AC!?!?)
- An event is happening and blocking access to your venue (is there a marathon happening?!)
- If the venue provides the food...and, it's disappointing
- You have to spend way to much on the decor...how much lipstick can you put on this pig.
We'll give you some things to consider when you've reached the point where you think you might need to change venues, and some action items to help you make the best decision.
Notes:*Ep 26 - How to Fire your Vendor
We've made it through the first half of the 6 A's of Events last week. And, we're here to share the remaining parts, and why it's so important to consider these when planning your wedding!!
Quick RECAP, for those who missed Part 1!!!
- Anticipation - pregaming and all the items that pertain to before the event even begins.
- Arrival - You're onsite, at the front door. How welcomed do you feel?
- Atmosphere - Vibes! They're important. And this is why we argue this is one of the most important parts.
The final 3 are:
- Appetite - FOOOODDD!!!
- Activities - Entertain me!!
- Amenities - Swag!!
And, we found to two Bonus A's!
- Amusement + Entertainment - small surprises throughout the day (ex. surprise choreographed Father / Daughter Dance)
- Appreciation + Aftermath - the Thank You's.
NOTES:
Professional Event Coordination by Julia Rutherford Silvers - Inspiration for the 6 A's!!
Engagement Series - Episode #5 - Offsite Catering with Jennifer Fryer at Lazy Gourmet
Design Series - Episode #3 - How a Lounge Area can enhance your Space
Guest Favours - Are they Worth it!?
Have you ever been to an event, that kind of felt...like it was missing something. Or have you been to an event that was just like...wow! I can't put my finger on it, but this was seamlessly amazing. That is what the 6 A's of Events are.
Kelly, our resident event nerd, found this within a textbook from Professional Event Coordination by Julia Rutherford Silvers during her time at the LaSalle College (Art Institute of Vancouver). It's something she still considers when planning any event.
We dive deep into them on this episode and we start you off with the first three A's. So, what the heck are they?
- Anticipation - Pregaming!!
- Arrival - I made it onsite!!
- Atmosphere - How I feel onsite?
Listen in as we break each of these items down, and explain how they're integral to your overall event. And don't forget to join us next week where we cover the remaining three A's!!
NOTES:
Listening to Tonya explain why invites set the tone
Chatting with Rachelle about how to use your venue efficiently
Welcome back, to the second half of our interview with Lauren and Rachelle with Elyse + Co. We chat about how we work together as TEAM SAY Events, why timelines are so important to us, why you NEVER take food from a starving Planner!!!, why COMMUNITY over COMPETITION is so important, and why it's ok to just enjoy the magic - let us do the dirty work.
Since we love changing it up, we thought we'd try out being interviewed! This episode, we're joined by Lauren and Rachelle of Elyse & Co. Events, who take over the mic and ask us questions about SAY Events and how we got here.
We get into the nitty gritty of how we got started, how we transitioned from our day jobs and side hustles to banding together as SAY Events, and discussing how important it is for all of us in the industry to work together on behalf of our couples.
Listen in, as we pile four Planners into one podcast! It's about to get wild!
You've made it to the end of our Design Series, where we talk about how Decor can enhance your overall wedding Ceremony and Reception!! We had the pleasure of interviewing our Vendor friends, where we learned how to incorporate each element so you can design a beautiful wedding.
Recapping each Episode:
- Ep 2: Stefanie of Railtown Catering, and how your food can be used as part of your decor
- Ep 3: Alexandria of Past Pieces Vintage Rentals, and how a lounge space can change the vibe of your event
- Ep 4: Dina of Jorbelina Flowers, and how you can use florals for their visuals and for their scents to enhance the space
- Ep 5: Rachelle of The Wallace and Pipe Shop, and how to use the venue to your advantage when designing
- Ep 6: Tonya of Paper Poet, and how underestimate but equally impactful stationary can be
What we learned:
- Go with your Gut!!
- Trust in the Pro's!!
- Time vs Money and working on a budget
- Make it cohesive
Listen in as we share some tips on how to make your wedding design even better!
In our final episode of the Design Series, Tonya of Paper Poet Stationary talks to us about how why your stationary and invites shouldn't be the last thing you think about when planning your wedding.
We'll talk about how your invites are the 1st point of contact with your guests, how it sets the tone for the over all event, and how it can bring your overall love story together with a carefully curated design. We also chat about why DIY isn't always the best route when it comes to making your invites. Time versus Money, Kids!!
NOTES:
Paper Poet
Paper Poet on Insta
We sit with Rachelle McBride, the Client Services Coordinatorof The Pipe Shop Venue + The Wallace Venue, and discuss how to use your venue when designing your event, and why the Wallace is the perfect blank space.
We start with Rachelle giving us a little history lesson on the Wallace and how it came to be!
The venue was named after Eliza Wallace, the wife of Wallace Shipyards founder, Alfred Wallace. Eliza was known for throwing amazing events in the shipyards during the early 1900’s, and we thought naming our venue after her would be a fitting homage to celebrate a woman who had such a lasting influence on the development of the area. - The Wallace, Venue Details
So how do you decorate a blank space? Rachelle and the team are big on encouraging creativity. There is nothing that can't be done! Utilize the natural light and the stunning view of the space. The patio is HUGE so why not create a guest experience with the view of the North shore? Rachelle tells us why she loves the venue, some of her favourite events, and she explains the BIG difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding coordinator! Check out their galleries, where you can see how the space can be transformed with any colour and vibe!
The venue could be packed with guests, or be small 10 person events. No matter the size, the wedding still feels natural. Given the nature of the space, and the location, it works!
Tips. It's best to come into the space and get a feel of the space. Come with your list of priorities. If you want an amazing cocktail hour, focus on making an amazing terrace space.
Notes:
The Wallace
The Wallace on insta
The Pipe Shop
The Pipe Shop on insta
We open this episode with how Jorbelina Flowers came to be, and how we all became fast friends working our first wedding. Our first wedding Kate-Lynn & Matt had us bonded for life! We love having her on all of our events, including our very own. Check out Tarina's baby shower with a DIY flower crown station and Tarina's massive flower crown!
What makes Dina passionate about her work, well it's the love story! Once the connection is made, it's easy to design something they will absolutely love.
What should you expect from your consult with Dina? Well she starts with asking you five questions.
1. The Location
2. What Season are you getting married in?
3. What Colours?
4. What Budget?
5. What are your must haves?
BONUS: Bring a photo of your dress and/or suit for even more details to pull from for inspiration.
In Dina's experience, she suggest you go with your first look and your first choice, because that's the one you really wanted. When you start to change your look based on trends and opinions, it won't feel like you. Stick with your first choice, but you can always add or elevate!
Want to add or adjust the flowers? Make sure to give your florist a month to make the adjustments. Flower orders are put in early to ensure you get the flowers and design you want.
Here are just some of the beautiful flowers Dina has helped us design!
Antonia & Bhavy
Sarah & Robb
Ashley & Andrew (chandelier install)
Haute Halloween
Demi & Wayne
Warm Winter Tones
English Tea Inspired
Need a florist? You can connect with Dina at Jorbelina Flowers anytime
Instagram // @jorbelinaflowers
Facebook // Jorbelina Flowers
On our third episode of the Series, we chat with Alexandria McCluskie of Past Pieces Vintage Wedding and Events, where we talk about how adding a lounge area to your event can enhance your event space.
We talk about some of the reasons why a lounge area is so impactful, and why renting is actually WAY BETTER then buying. Alex expertly walks us through what to expect with a consult, and things to consider when designing a cozy space for your guests.
NOTES:
Past Pieces Vintage Rentals & Events
Past Pieces on Instagram
Past Pieces at the Wellness Show 2020
Holiday Shoot with SAY Events
Kiana & Garrett Wedding at Sunwolf
Listen in as we talk with our friend, Stefanie of Railtown Catering, as we discuss how your food service affects the decor on your guest tables.
We love a beautiful tablescape like the next bride!! But don't forget! You also need to eat. We talk about how different types of food service, whether it's plated or buffet, can affect how you design the overall look. Because nothing is worse then removing that beautifully MASSIVE arrangement on the guest table to make room for the platters of food.
Notes:Stefanie Aitken
Railtown Catering
We're here with another series, focusing on Design! And how all the little elements come together to create an inviting atmosphere for your next event.
We're going to touch on why decor is important, where inspiration comes from (especially when you're in a creative rut during Covid) and where to find it.
Listen in as we introduce each episode, in no particular order!!
- How to use your venue/surroundings in the final look vs trying to totally transform it (is it worth it to put lipstick on a pig?!)
- How invitations can be the first point of contact to share the overall the theme of the event, and how it's a reflection of the couple
- How can Lounge spaces change the venue space
- How table shape and food service affects the look
- Florals and how they enhance the overall feel of the space
Check out some of the Examples we talk about in the blog here:
Orphic - 70s love
Alannah + Manny
Ashley + Graeme - podcast and wedding
Novia + Paul
Erika + Michael
I think we can agree, weddings are not cheap. And while we go in knowing some of the costs (catering, dress, decor), there are some things you just don't realize are also part of the day that you have to pay for!
Imagine - you're engaged, and you're in the planning process. And if you're anything thing like us, you're working through the budget for the big day. You already have price info on the venue, the food, the DJ, your dress! But, oh wait.....there's suddenly all these things that no one EVER talks about but everyone knows you have to pay for.
Listen in as we break down some of the big ones, and things to consider when the moment arrives when you have to shell out!!
- Beauty
- The Eff Ups
- Postage
- The Licenses
- Clothing + undergarments
- Personal Gifts
- Favours
- Taxes + Gratuities
- Vendor meals
- Alterations
PS! Shout out to the Folks who reached out to our friend Paper Poet!
Notes!!Bellami Hair
Laser Hair Removal And check out Episode 6 of our Engagement Series where we talk to Leah about getting ready for the big day!
Sugar'd
Guest Favours - do you, don't you
Manuel Mendoza - for alterations
Let's dive in! A timeline is a super important tool to have on your wedding day. It is how everyone knows what's going on. We call it a flow of events, because a timeline is great but it's never executed perfectly.
In our experience we have found you can build pieces into the timeline that give you some wiggle room. By creating a better flow of events, and realistic expectations of how long an activity will take, this makes a better day and have you feeling less I'M RUNNING BEHIND!
1. Getting readyGents take no time to get ready, but ladies are in a room filled with hair tools, extensions, false eyelashes, dresses everywhere, all different types of shoes, and not to mention mimosas, Starbucks cups half empty and all in a tiny tiny hotel room because that's just how we ladies roll.
Ensure you give yourself enough time to have hair and makeup done but also time to get into your dresses, find all your accessories, have your purse, hotel key. Get a schedule from the hair and makeup team and then add more time on the back end as things always run behind getting beautified.
2. Access timeSome venues give you less time to access the space. This is something you can plan for. You either ask for earlier access time, or understand you are hiring a larger team to have a finished product before guest arrival to the ceremony and/or reception space.
Here is Erika & Michael's wedding at Cecil Green featured on our blog. Take a look as we describe how we brought this together!
3. Dress changesSome of our brides need to change dresses depending on the occasion! Take Demi & Wayne's wedding at Dockside Restaurant, Demi wore a wedding dress for the ceremony and switched to a beautiful Kimono only worn on weddings or special occasions. It took 3 ladies 1.5 hours to get her into the dress, so this had to be written in the timeline! See Antonya & Bhavy's wedding dress AND groom attire change on our blog!
4. Load in / load outConsider how many vendors or people are loading in. Or how challenging is the load in? Is the venue new? Is it old? Is it large? Are there service elevators? Are there loading bays? Are the bays made for small cars or giant trucks? Our advice, do a site visit with your vendors or ask your venue for instructions you can forward to your vendors. If there is a load in challenge at the start, it knocks the timeline. Take a venue like Vancouver Club. It's a heritage building, therefore the load in design wasn't built for today. But they give you tons of time to load in, it's just a matter of planning for it. Or take Kiana & Garrets wedding at Sunwolf, where we built a venue in the middle of the green forest under a clear tent.
Pro tip: Have your groom and his friend and/or dad to deliver the alcohol (if you are providing your own alcohol for the wedding day). And yes, bring a wagon or dolly or be prepared to hand bomb everything.
5. Travel
MAP IT OUT! Consider travel time, the time you are travelling, traffic and if anything is going on? Example. Travelling from Vancouver to Mission is 1 hour. HOWEVER, if fireworks are going on downtown, you're looking at over 3 hours just to get a limo out of downtown. Always always always add in extra time for travel, it is never ever exact. Consider what is travelling. Is it a little red corvette? Is it a limo that can't turn easily? Is it a catering van from 2005 filled with food? Google maps doesn't accommodate the vehicle, driver and load.
5b. EventsAsk your venue, hotel or use the google and ask, are there events happening on your wedding day? Is there a run? Is there a bike event? Are the roads closed? Is it a car free day? Get this info before so you can plan ahead!
Pro tip: To reduce the travel time, consider booking a hotel room near, or at the your venue. You can eliminate the stress by staying overnight, and by staying close by, you're not accommodating crazy travel times.
All we can say, ADD IN THOSE BUFFERS! If you're running ahead, GREAT! If you're not, you've put in the extra time!
It's not about getting fit for that wedding, it's about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We sit down again with our friend Ryan to talk about the elephant in the room, how to look good on your wedding day!
But it's not a quick fix! Also, why do couples feel the need they need to slim down? How did you get to a state where you thought you want to look better walking down that aisle. We dive in!
We review what makes Ryan passionate, and why he chooses to train and coach the way he does. It's not about the final result, it's about the journey, building relationships and giving his clients achievable goals. Small steps are key. Can you drink a glass a water every morning? Can you workout once a week? Baby steps get you closer to your goal.
Ryan finds a good consultation to start the process off. This is a way to determine the best way to work together. It's also a great way to determine, is this the trainer for you? Is this the client for you?
We embrace the luxuries of life. Have a salad but also have a donut!
Ryan and his wife Kim dieted for their own wedding, but even after the two said I do, they've gotten in better shape! But how? Recognizing crash dieting is not the answer but healthier choices is! Including a recipe from his wife the salad queen you can all enjoy at home.
We talk our favourite muscle groups to work on, our love/hate relationship with leg day and why we should, but also shouldn't brand our cars.
What's stopping you? Get to be a better you!
Want to watch Ryan's insta stories, give him a follow!
Instagram // @coached.by.rd
Instagram// @realdealfitness
https://www.lifestyletransformations.ca/
We continue our chat with Alex Rocco of iDJ Services.
Warning - a little bit of f bombs are dropped the further go into the podcast, so keep the ear muffs on your little ones!
We start talking about the good 'ole days where we youngster partied downtown with no cell phone cameras, and a mix of bands and DJ'ing.
(We figure out we might have crossed paths in the early 2000s). Names like Barnone and Tonic create a specific sound where you branch out, Mirage you could mix it all! We discover throwback to us is not what throwback is to the new generation of youngsters.
Alex tells us how he shifts from downtown late night evenings to full time wedding and corporate event DJ, thus making iDJ was born in 2013.
In addition, when the clubs open up again, there will be dancing and there will be tik tok dancing.
Alex explains the difference between his style, and how we would mix a wedding. Everyone wants to hear the same 50 songs you would hear at a wedding, but he tries to make it interesting by mixing it with other music genres. Try explaining that to a bride and groom! So instead, he feeds off the crowds energy and see if they respond to a disco mix, fist pumping beats, etc.
A mix DJ is not uncle bob with an iPod. A mix DJ is giving you interesting beats and a fun vibe!
We've all heard timing is everything! On weddings or private events, you have to start the party earlier then later. Folks don't want to stay past 11 anymore, so you better get the mood up as soon as you can.
We explore DJ's that are full time, younger, older, weekend warriors and how they present themselves. How does this present the guest experience?
Where do you place yourself as a DJ in a venue? You sometimes have that control, but not always!
How is Alex's role affected working with a planner? Start with Instagram or website, same as a DJ! Who's the professional here!
Alex tells us how he sets up his team for success and how working with us is a treat!
If you want to hear the craziest story that involves a bathroom and a strip club, listen till the end! Again, not an episode for the youngsters ears.
We sit down with our friend Alex of iDJ Services, a professional team each has the ability to perform for any crowd, in any genre!A variety of environments and crowds gives our team incredible experience!
We start off by reviewing the stats on just HOW MANY WEDDINGS we have done with iDJ. We have pulled off some amazing weddings together and we plan to do more! (Once the big ole C word is outta the picture!) We move into how we know each-other. How we each met Alex at separate weddings, and how we all got to work together on a wedding, which he just happened to bring his boat.
We get into how the flow of the wedding changes from day time to night time. No matter how elegant the wedding is, a party at 1am with a DJ looks the dame.
Weddings have so many different walks of folks come together, such as one side wants the electric slide, some want modern rap and some want SHOUT! We compare how being a DJ at a wedding specifically can turn into a daycare very quickly, from all ages! We also highlight why Pacific Fairytales are the ones you need to hire to watch your kids at your next wedding or event.
Alex dives into stories which you can find on his IGTV stories. We don't always get to see these come to life on our events, but he has seen some CRAZY sh*t. Including being a chauffeur for members of the party or even the bride and groom home after the wedding!
You get a fantastic story about how his truck stopped a high speed Lamborghini after a DJ set in downtown Vancouver, and how his white Dodge truck ended up all over the news.
Tune in next week to hear the rest of this hilarious episode!
Give Alex a follow!
IDJ Services / Instagram
DJ Aside / Instagram
And check out his other businesses!
Fallen Tree Vancouver / Instagram
Event Tent Rentals
Oh man! Are we ever happy you've decided to hire a Wedding Planner for your wedding day. APPLAUSE
As you begin the initial stages of looking for a Planner, you will likely meet/chat with them for a consult. And there are definitely some questions that need to be asked before you decide to hire them! We believe in doing your due diligence for any of your wedding vendors, Planners included!!
We thought we would address some of those questions, using an article we found called 22 Questions to Ask your Wedding Planner. Listen in as we address these questions, and discuss which ones are excellent questions to ask and which ones are just plain silly!
What's in a name?! It's your identity, it's how people know you. And depending where you are in your career, it's been part of you making your stake in the world.
Did you know! (based on heterosexual couples, because that was the only link I could find, so please help us find other additional info!)
- (Approx.) 70% of women change their name
- 20% of women who have been married in recent years keep their last name
- 10% blend their last names together to create a new last name (Clark + Anderson = Clarkson)
- Typically, higher educated/higher earning women typically keep their last name after marriage
Listen in as we share with you the different ways you can change your name, and things to consider when you do!
- When to do this!
- Where + How to do this!
- Which is the best option for you! Do you, girl!
How to Change your Last Name in BC, Canada
Man's Best Friend. Fur Baby. Four-legged Friend. They are just as important as your other guests. However, is it always a good thing to include your dog on your wedding day?
Listen in as we touch on the three very important things to think about if you decide you want to include Fido on your special day.
We discuss:
1. Is your Venue Pet-Friendly
2. Is your Dog a good candidate to have at your wedding
3. Have someone in charge of your Dog! Delegate Delegate Delegate!!
We love incorporating dogs at weddings! They always have a way of bringing joy to the day, and can calm nerves before you walk down the aisle. But remember, the last thing you want is to be stressed out and distracted on your day trying to wrangle your pooch when you should be focused on having fun!!
Giving a speech is a great honour at a wedding. But how do you go about writing one?
We kick off the podcast with our experiences giving speeches being maid of honours in our past.
Next is how do you start?
- Write it down. Phone, notebook, email, pen and paper. Just get your ideas down.
- Have a flow, and deliver the speech like an essay (A beginning, a middle and an end).
- Deliver a speech as you would. If you are funny, be funny. If you are emotional, be emotional. Don't be someone you're not.
- Don't forget to mention the other half of the couple!
Tips to spice up your speech!
- First impressions (when you met the groom at the bar vs how you know him now).
- Child hood stories are always a hit!
- Share a story that made you proud.
- When you noticed the behaviour changes, when they fell in love.
TIMING IS SUPER IMPORTANT
- Keep your speech 3-5 minutes max.
- You have a lot to say, but so does everyone else .
- Speaking longer takes time away from the photographer, food, beverage and party time.
- If you have props, sort out the logistics first. Nothing is worse then f*&%ing around with a projector and computer in front of everyone before you deliver a speech.
We cannot emphasize this enough, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. Get comfortable with what you've written. Don't speak to the paper, speak to your audience. It is a guideline.
Get comfortable - things that get sorted on the wedding day or close to
- Figure out where you are speaking in the room (podium, to the right, to the left, back of the room, front of the room, at your seat)
- When are you speaking? Are you ok to go first? Last? Before dinner or after dinner?
- Have it printed on paper - do not walk up there with your phone! (sometimes you can send it to the venue to get printed or US, the planners!)
- Is there a microphone available or are you speaking from the belly?
If you're nervous before giving your speech
- Find the wedding planner or the person in charge
- Find a quiet space to rehearse or breath
- When in doubt, have a shot!
No open speech, ever. If you think maybe it's a good idea, the answer is still no.
These tips will make sure you are remembered for all the right reasons when delivering a speech on the wedding day!
Ok.
You're in the planning process. And you've hired the team, but one of them is starting to concern you as you get closer to the date.
Do you stick with them, even if you've put down a deposit? What is the cost of your sanity, because remember - you can't photoshop a smile if you're upset with your vendor on the day of your wedding!
Sometimes it's contractual, and sometimes it's a vibe. How do you decide when it's time to end the 'relationship? Listen in, as we break down some of the reasons to consider, when you've reached the point that you might have to fire your vendor, and most importantly - how to do it.
We continue the conversation with Erin Fraser. We review the importance of timeline, what is a shot list (and why we don't like them), and why a micro wedding might be the reality of 2021.
Erin Fraser
Erin on Insta'
Lauren & Gary's Winter NYE Wedding
Vancouver DJ Company
Oh Man! Did we ever have fun chatting with the insanely talented Erin Fraser, of Erin Fraser Photography.
If we learned anything from this interview, it's that regardless of shape or size, a Wedding still has the same elements to it. So whether you have 10ppl or 100ppl, you still need to get down the aisle! When you hire a Vendor, you're hiring them to perform a task. However, if you decide to 'skimp' on certain vendors - such as the Wedding Planner (for any reason, with the biggest concern being budgetary constraints), you're stretching the vendors onsite so thin, that they could lose magical moments in their original task!
Have you ever been to a Wedding that didn't have a Planner? And you know it when you see it because - Mom is a sweaty stressbucket, the Photographer is draping linen on guest tables, the DJ is driving the bridal party to reception in a limo, then list goes on. It's not always pretty, Mom's anxiety id through the roof, the Photographer missed some important photos of family members and the DJ should be behind the booth managing the tunes!! The Wedding Planner is there to enhance the experience and worry about all the nitty gritty.
Listen in as we go over why having a Planner onsite ensures you're other Vendors can do their job efficiently, and how Micro weddings have changed how we all work together!
Erin Fraser
Erin on Insta'
( Vancouver DJ Company and the Waltz! )
Well!! We made it to 2021, Woo! And we thought we'd recap 2020 with a breakdown of the last wedding we did for the season.
Wooooof. This wedding was, a labour of love. In every sense of the word. Ashley and Graeme were absolute troopers leading up to their day, with countless venue changes and protocol updates from the BC Provincial Government. They trusted us to ensure the day happened, and we were so honoured to be part of it.
Listen in as we walk you through the challenges and the solutions that happened to ensure this wedding went ahead. It's important to be open and to openly work with your Vendor team. Trust in us, we're here for you. Cuz at the end of the day, we're going to get you married!!
Ashley + Graeme on Rocky Mountain Bride
Thank you for following along as we interview some of the top Vendors in the Wedding industry, here in Vancouver. Regardless of where you live in the world, these episodes will hopefully give you some insight into some of the things to think about when your first engaged and planning your wedding.
Episode #2: Why it’s important to hire your Photographer asap - with Victoria Black of The Wildhearts Collective
Episode #3: Why choosing the path of a healthier lifestyle is far better than a crash wedding diet - with Ryan Miske of Coach by RD and Theresa Lopez Vivere Forever
Episode #4: Booking an All-inclusive venue versus a Stand-alone venue - with Laura Nolan of Pinnacle at the Pier Hotel
Episode #5: Offsite Catering and getting to customize it all - with Jennifer Fryer of Lazy Gourmet
Episode #6: How to get the “Glow” for your big day - with Leah LaVanway of Essence of L Medi Spa
We learned so much with each episode, that it's inspiring us to help you even more! For those of you in the Vancouver area, don't forget to check out The Love Brunch! This intimate and interactive event (with very limited seats) is an opportunity for you to listen to some of Vancouver's amazing Wedding Vendors as we guide you through the first steps to planning your wedding. You're engaged! Now What?! Join us on January 17, 2021 and we'll get you started! Tickets are sold by the pair!
In our 6th, and final episode of the Engagement Series, we chat with Leah LeVanway from Essence of L Medi spa, and discuss some of the ways you can prepare your skin to show off your best self for your wedding day. Much like working with a personal trainer to look good in your dress, you want to feel amazing and not have to hid behind layers of foundation and concealer.
Based in beautiful White Rock, Leah and her Team focus on education and effective treatments to help their clients put their best face forward. Listen in as we touch on the following topics:
- What the first consult looks like
- What steps you can take to get started on getting better skin
- One of the best services you can do for your skin - and we learned so much, we almost need a second episode for this!!
Here's how to find Leah:
Essence of L Medi Spa
Essence of L Medi Spa on Instagram
On the 5th episode of the Engagement Series, we chat with our good friend, Jennifer Fryer of Lazy Gourmet Catering, about offsite catering and how it allows the flexibility to completely customize your menu for an amazing experience for your guests.
You've found your venue, and now you need to focus on finding the food! This is WITHOUT A DOUBT, the most important part of the day. This is what your guests will remember, and whether they left hungry (or horrors have to order in takeout in the middle of dancing, because they're starving).
We dig deep into the following:
- why you would need offsite catering
- when is the sweet spot for booking your caterer
- discussing the cost, and everything that offsite catering can provide you
- the flexibility and creativity in the menu
While you might be the kind of Couple who love the idea of having a venue that provides you with everything (venue, food, staff, etc.), offsite catering might be a better fit for you in you enjoy getting really involved in menu and creative presentation!
Where to find Jennifer, and the amazing team of Lazy Gourmet:
Lazy Gourmet Catering
Lazy Gourmet Catering on Instagram
Our friend Laura Nolan, head of Sales and Wedding specialist at the beautiful Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier in North Vancouver, walks us through the benefits of having an all-inclusive venue for your wedding.
Listen in as we break down the benefits of why hosting your whole day at a venue, such as the Pinnacle, can relieve some of the added stress when you're planning all the details.
We'll touch on:
- Why it's beneficial to host your wedding at an all-inclusive wedding.
- The process that potential couples experience during their first contact with Laura, while planning at a venue that provides everything.
- The three important things you need to consider when choosing your Venue.
- Why Site visits are so important.
- The ever important - TIME versus MONEY!!!
- Benefits vs Drawbacks of bringing in your own wine or letting the Venue take care of it (check out the link below going into more detail on the Bar and options that might work for you)
Podcast Episode: Your wedding bar - Do you choose an open bar, a cash bar or meet somewhere in the middle?
Blog: Cash bar or open bar, what is best for your wedding?
Where you can find Laura, and the amazing Team at Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier:
- Pinnacle Pier Hotel - Weddings
- Instagram - @pinnaclepierweddings
- Email - lnolan@pinnacleatthepier.com
You're engaged. You've picked your date, and you've bought the dress. Now, you begin the process of wanting to feel and LOOK good on your day. Diet is a scary word. It means a lot to different people, and can set the wrong mindset on your journey to showing off your beautiful self.
Ryan & Teresa walk us through how important it is to create healthier eating and physical activity habits. How do you create goals that are attainable, and sustainable long term. All it takes, is to START!! With small simple steps, that you can carry with you past the big day.
Consider what can you commit to, and build from there. Sometimes, it's getting active 2x a week when you've never seen the inside of a gym. Evaluate what you're consuming, and make simple changes like drinking more water. Appreciate the process, so that you can keep this going even after the wedding. Set yourself up for success by starting small and building from there.
Remember, you will still come up with hurdles during the process, such as: stress, time, spouses/family/friends, seasons/holidays, etc. But learning to have the proper tools will help you overcome these. A cheat meal is ok, a cheat month....maybe not!
Listen in as Ryan + Teresa give some honest advice about the journey to better health and why it's important to have the right mindset.
Lifestyle transformations
Instagram - Coach by RD
Instagram - RD Fitness
Instagram - Vivere Forever
Instagram - Teresa Lopez
The Engagement Series Episode #2 - Victoria Black of Wildhearts Collective on why it’s important to hire your photographer early in the planning stages.
So!! Who the heck' is she, and why is she so awesome! Victoria is an intimate wedding photographer, based in Vancouver Canada. But will travel for every adventure!! She is a documenter for the memory makers; The people who are busy living their lives together; The couples who know themselves. She makes you feel totally comfortable in front of the camera, and we know, because Tarina and I have been one of her couples and was someone who was able to reign us in, in between all the giggles, for some epic shots!!
Listen in as we learn how she began her journey in photography, why it's important to have an 'adventure session' with your partner before the 'big day' and why it's important to hire you're photographer sooner than later in the planning process.
We touch on some of the important items like,
- How important it is to communicate with the Photographer for the wedding day
- The major things Photographers need to know in the early stages of planning
- Why engagement photos, aka the adventure sessions, are so important!
Don't forget to check out Victoria at her at: Wild Hearts Collective @thewildheartscollective and The Affinity Agency
And don't forget our friends Stacey Carr + Kaylyn McLachlan, who were part of the Cabin Fever retreat! The scene of the missing camera battery, and beautiful weather on Vancouver Island.
We're bringing you this limited series, The Engagement Series! We're focusing on the first steps the minute that ring hits your finger and you say YES!
We talk with fellow creative, Jordan Kentris about his company A Good Day, and how he uses the individuality of each of his clients to design custom stationary for wedding couples and corporate clients.
Whether it’s assisting a Corporate client with a playful branding campaign or guiding newly engaged couples to create their perfect wedding stationary, Jordan puts all of his heart into creating these luxury one of a kind pieces, with elements as traditional as paper and as avant-garde as cork, wood, wallpaper and laser cut metals!
Listen in as we discuss why your wedding stationary can help set the tone for the rest of your wedding.
https://www.agooddayinc.com
https://www.instagram.com/agooddayinc/
Working at the ADIW show today, the first trade show in BC since March!!, and giving you behind the scenes content! This content is also available on our Instagram IGTV!
As of right now, in British Columbia, this is the following order specific to gathering and events
In summary, these are the items that specifically pertain to weddings
- Gatherings of 50 patrons
- 6 guests per table
- No cocktail hour (case by case) - no mingling
- No dancing (but first dance is ok!)
- A contact tracing list must be provided to the venue
Reasons to hire a planner, especially during the era of COVID
- The rules are constantly changing
- Everyone else is trying to figure it out, the "new normal"
- The event planner is responsible for the measures in place for everyone's safety
- We love NENA CLAY MASK Hand sanitizer
- You can rent hand sanitization stations, such as these ones from Lonsdale Event Rentals
How we as your planner have been helping our couples
- We prep you for the do's and don'ts for the wedding day regarding COVID regulations
- We work with your vendors to come up with a COVID plan
- We still make it feel like a wedding
- We look at alternative options for your budget. Example, no cocktail hour but maybe more flowers!
- We make an action plan closer to the wedding as COVID rules can change at any time
REAL EXAMPLE!Listen in as Kelly tells the story of how we navigated a wedding that had a venue with a COVID outbreak, resulting in closure just days before the couples already planned covid-safe wedding. End result, we supported the couple to getting the way day they wanted with just some minor SAFE changes!
We are offering a 1-day photographer workshop on Saturday October 10th 2020 at the pinnacle on the pier in North Vancouver. We are offering 5 different looks to shoot in an intimate setting with mentors to provide support the entire day!
We are an empowering and inclusive community supporting & nurturing local photographers who want to grow.
Are you:
- Newer to the game?
- Wanting to expand your brand and/or portfolio?
- Want to branch out and try something different?
- Just wanna hang out with us and like minded creatives?
Stay tuned over the next few weeks as each episode we'll dive into a wedding topic but also give you insight on what we have planned for the workshop on October 10th!
Some vendors include
- Us! Say Events Co
- Ivory Embers photography
- Kristina Dean photography
- Jorbelina Flowers
- Past Pieces
- Pinnacle at the pier
- Be flawless beauty bar
- Union bridal
- ....and more!
If you want to sign up, email us at weareorphics@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @weareorphics.
An engagement, a move and a first birthday! Life gets busy, but we're still here to send you on the right planning path!
We're going to be at the All dressed in White wedding show held at Meadow Gardens Golf Course in Pitt Meadows, where we'll be hosting a live Instagram story and more! Come visit us, along with Jorbelina Flowers, and let us help you plan your special day! Email us with your questions here at info@sayeventsco.com, or DM us on Instagram at @theweddingsession or at @sayeventsco!
Need tickets? Grab your spot quick for Sunday September 27th! https://www.all-dressed-in-white.com/
We kick off the episode with a wedding story and we quickly spiral to a hobbit reference. We switch gears to our favourite topic, FOOD, mainly donuts and buffets.
We get down to the reason these two work with us. Is it our dazzling personality? HA! We continue with BTS stories,funny stories and all from the perspective (no plug intended) from Kelly's sister Shannon & Tarina's cousin Erin.
The continuous theme, we wear the hat as professional wedding planner on site, but the big sister hat is always on!
A Buffet: A meal of several dishes from which guests can serve themselves.
Pros of the buffet service
- Everyone loves a buffet
- Variety
- Less staff, can be cost friendly
Cons of a buffet service
- Line up and can take up space
- Can be wasteful
- Sometimes the good dish can run out!
Plated: A plated meal is a dining option in which your guests remain seated for the meal, and are served all the courses by a hired wait staff
Pros of the plated service
- It's classy AF
- Presentation
- No line ups
Cons of a plated service
- Getting all your guests orders ahead of time
- Staff costs are higher
Family style: When food is served on large platters meant for sharing, rather than as individual plates. Diners serve themselves from the food platters, just like you might at home in your dining room.
Pros of the family style service
- It's a buffet at your table!
- Guests don't have to select their meals ahead of time
- Great ice breaker, guests have to talk to one another
Cons of the family style service
- Your tables need a ton of space for platters, so you have less decor
- Usually the most expensive option
Cocktail style: It’s when guests mingling throughout the evening while being served passed canapes from the servers who are circulating among the guests. Usually there are food stations as well.
Pros of the cocktail style service
- No formal seating chart is required
- Food stations are super fun and creative
- Way less formal
Cons of the cocktail style service
- It can get very costly when you start to customize and add on
- Guests who are used to a traditional setting might be confused and continuously ask, but when is dinner
- Plates and glassware are tend to be left everywhere, creating a mess in random spots
Items to consider
- Your guests
- Time of day your serving dinner
- Your budget
Biggest take-a-way, your guests care about FOOD! Make sure you make the right selection.
Feeling the 5 stages of grief as you try to plan or postpone your wedding during Covid. Let us lead you down the emotional path that you might be feeling. The setting: Today is March 21st. I am a bride and I was just told my wedding has to be put on hold.
The first four stages, we speak to you from the bride's point of view.
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
The fifth stage we speak to you from us, the planners point of view.
5. Acceptance
Solutions & things to consider
- You are allowed to have these feelings!
- Decide if micro wedding is your best option, postponing or re-plan a new one!
- What are your non negotiables? Do you need to dance? Do you need all 300 guests? Figure this out!
- Does a micro wedding work in your favour? Did you want a huge wedding or a small one?
- Source locally! Sometimes it'll take months to get things from overseas!
Last piece of advice, HIRE A PLANNER. We've been working extra hard to make sure everyones safe, all rules are followed and we're up to date. You have bigger things to worry about, let us take the stress of COVID away from you.
Ladies get the short end of the stick when it comes to getting ready in the morning. The bride has hair and makeup, which alone can take anywhere from two to five hours of getting ready, with bridal party, and getting ready shots. It's a process! We break down things the groom can do on the wedding morning.
Do not leave the morning to chance. Have a schedule. The ladies have one, so the groom should have too.
Firstly, consider what kind of groom is he? Extroverted or introverted?
Things the groom can do on the morning of the wedding
- Give the groom a job
- Do an activity
- Don't give him too much to do!
- Spend some time with loved ones
- Go to the barber shop, and a nice one! https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/regal-grooming-lounge-best-barbershops-in-vancouver
- Go eat! Photo opp example on Amanda & Robb's blog with Isle & Oak
- Arrange transportation for after.
Be cautious!
- Keep the alcohol level low or absent, and hydrate
- EAT FOOD!
- Have someone responsible in the group
- No crazy activities like paintball, bruising on the moneymaker
Considerations
- Ask him what he wants! Don't make all these elaborate plans without communicating!
- Does the groom WANT a job in the morning?
- It's the grooms day too. Work together.
apologies in advance. Sound quality is low due to out-dated software. Future podcasts will have better sound once fixed
What is a bridesmaid
An attendant or an individual that is a part of the immediate entourage of the bride. She is there to support you on the day of your wedding.
Average cost of being a bridesmaid
The average cost a bridesmaid will spend on a wedding is between $1000 - $2500. Costs add up!
-
Buying multiple dresses for multiple events
-
Hair
-
Nails
-
Trips
-
Gifts
-
Bridal shower
-
Bridal shower gifts
-
Bachelorette party
-
Bachelorette trips
-
Shoes
-
Jewelry
-
The list goes on!
Are expectations to high for a bridesmaid?
-
Destination parties, is to too much?
-
Requesting gym memberships, tattoo concerns, hair colour and style to match
-
Bridesmaid dress, who pays for this?
-
Is it too much to ask everyone in the party to become best friends overnight?
Solutions
-
Explain at the start what is expected of the bride / bridesmaid relationship
-
Is there travel involved, and can you afford to go
-
Who is paying for what? What is expected financially.
-
As a bridesmaid, be upfront about what you can pay for
-
You can say no if you can’t afford to be a bridesmaid.
You can still be a part of your bride’s day, even if you’re not in the wedding party. Have an open discussion between bridesmaid and bride, and the end result will be much better for both parties!
The wedding band - who the hell buys them?
(And why do we wait till the last minute to make this decision)
We start with a history lesson educating you on where the rings originated from and the symbolism behind them among society.
Bringing it back full circle, the wedding band, the ring is worn on the left finger. The wedding band, suggests that the wearer is married, is also worn on the left ring finger, usually in addition with the engagement ring. It was believed that the finger contained the vena amoris vein, that led to the heart. Aww!
Ancient Rome + Greece, and as far back as 6000 years ago in Ancient Egypt where they found evidence of braided rings made of hemp or reeds. It wasn't until later the bands were made of gold, silver and metals till much later. However they got creative in the 17th - 19th century.
- Gimmel rings or joint rings
- Posie rings
- Puzzle rings - these were incredibly hard to get off!
Think about the type of couple you are.
- Are you traditional? Younger, just starting out, saving money to buy a house, house items, starting a family, etc.
- Are you modern? A little older, have a home, home items, living together, funds are tied together, etc.
Things to consider
- Have you been together for a long time?
- Do you live together?
- What are your expectations?
- Do you have a budget in mind?
- Do you want a diamond, or something alternative?
- Don't be afraid to ask questions and take your time!
- Keep it true to your personal style, you are wearing this for life!
Don't forget, you can always upgrade. As time goes on, as a couple you work together, consider your 10 year anniversary and get a bigger ring!
Materials available for your band
- Gold (white, yellow, rose)
- Platinum
- Palladium
- Tungsten
- Titanium
- Silver
- Silicone
Think of it like buying a car. You wouldn't walk in and buy the first one you see. Take your time, do some research, keep it to your personal style, it's an investment! And we cannot stress this enough, try it on!
Have an open conversation about who is buying the ring and what is your budget. Consider each others feelings and your overall wedding budget and set that expectation before walking in the store.
Emcee Duties. How to select them and what the expectation is.
We get this question all the time - do we need one!? Over the weddings we've done, we've found that while there is no standard formula for them, they always accomplish the same thing. They tell the guests what they need to know! Especially when you're Wedding planner can't.
What the heck is an Emcee? Have you ever been to a wedding where you have no idea what's going on? Emcee's are the 'host' of the wedding, and are there to let people know what to expect for the day. "Where's the washroom, where do I smoke, when's dinner". Your Emcee will verbally let your guests know what's next! And your friendly Planners ahem are there to work with the Emcee to make sure the right information is shared.
Listen in as we discuss how to select the Emcee, how to ASK them to be your Emcee, and what to provide your Emcee for the day!
Do you need to wear a veil on your wedding day, and the bigger question is do you even want to?
Our clients ask us all the time, but our answer is always the same. You don't have to. That being said, being a bride is really the only time you'll get to wear one, so why not embrace it!
Consider your values
- Are you a bride that feels the veil represents an anti feminist movement?
- Are you a bride that wants the veil to show respect by covering shoulders or your head in a religious setting?
Consider your look
- Where are you getting married? Inside or outside? In a covered space or in the great outdoors? Your veil is only as beautiful as the wind that pushes it in your face on the beach.
- What is your personal style? Do you like clean lines, or embellishments?
- What is the style of your dress? Do you have a full detailed dress so you'll want a simple veil, or a really simple wedding dress so your veil will be very detailed. Or are both pieces detailed?
- Does your veil offer versatility? Can you wear it after your ceremony?
- Review the shade of your veil, does it compliment your skin or wash you out
Consider your alternatives to a veilCheck out our blog with visuals with veils and other options! 5 Ways to wear your hair on your wedding day
Don't be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone on your wedding day. Embrace the bridal feeling and wear what you want, if that'd be a veil, a crown or just a beautiful braid. Be yourself but an elevated version!
Guests Favours ! Do you need them? What purpose do they serve?
How many of us have been to a wedding where they have a cute little something extra at your seat?! Raise your hand!! For those who didn't know, those are commonly known as "guest favours" - an little accent to the reception with a delicious past! Did you know guest favours date back as far as the 13th century, as a popular gift that Couples would give to their guests as a way to pass on their good luck!
Listen in as we tell you a little bit about the history of the favour, what are the best types of favours for your guests to enjoy, and what are some alternatives if you decide you don't want them!
Don't forget to check out our blog for 7 Pieces of practical advice when it comes to your Guest Favours - https://sayeventsco.com/7-pieces-of-practical-advice-when-it-comes-to-your-guest-favours
Points to listen to, and check out the following links for example of favours!
8:10 - Help us answer what is in the frame of the guest favour of traditional Russian Weddings!
12:00 - Edible Guest favour! Do it!!
13:16 - Lulu Island Honey https://sayeventsco.com/sarah-robb-july-14-2019
14:00 - Frolic + Forage cakes (you can see these beauties in the Blog post above...)
17:58 - Kim + Ryan soap (...and this one!)
19:43 - Helen + Justin cancer in lieu (...and this lovely card)
22:34 - Half the treats https://sayeventsco.com/kate-lynn-matt-november-19-2018
25:17 - Snacks for the Ride home https://sayeventsco.com/samantha-thomas-june-21-2018
29:37 - Dessert Buffet + Donut Wall https://sayeventsco.com/ashley-andrew-june-30-2019
We met Isle & Oak Photography - Chris + Sam - two years ago, on a wedding and instantly loved everything about them! Their style, their love of nature, the way they connect with their couples.
While they specialize in wedding and engagement, they also do boudoir and family photography! As they aim to authentically document those who are madly in love through a candid, artistic and documentary approach, Sam + Chris create work that is warm, authentic and encapsulates the bond shared between their couples. All while using the breathtaking scenery they are fortunate to call home in beautiful Vancouver, BC.
Listen in to the origin story of Isle & Oak Photography, why the timeline on the day is super important to capture all the important photos, and why they're our favourite non-couple!
http://www.isleandoakphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/isleandoakphotography/
https://sayeventsco.com/our-work/english-tea-inspired
We introduce you to the two main ladies on our team, Shannon + Erin. Besides them not having any wedding experience or training, it's funny to hear their side of the story and see us in action on a wedding day. This little soundbite will give you a small glimpse into the shenanigans that sometimes happen behind the scenes. We'd be lost without them! D'awww.
Is it better to have an open bar at your wedding or a cash bar? Our clients ask us this question, and it can definitely divide the room. Let us address some of the pros' and con's to each format - open or cash, and even give you a third option to consider.
Here are some things to consider, as you follow along!
Open aka "Host" bar
- better guest experience
- faster service
- guests might overdo it
- the final bill!! Gah!
Cash bar
- You know the bill + can budget
- guests less likely to indulge on their dime
- payment at bar can lead to slow service
- are you set up for payment!
And don't forget Option...C? How to include the best of both worlds.
Remember, as long as you quench their thirst, you'll have some happy guests.
Check out our latest blog with some more tips to choose your cash bar or open bar.
One of the most important questions we ask our clients during our first consult, is whether they have an 'Elephant in the room'.
What's that you may ask?!
Not every couple will have this element to their day, so don't feel left out. For those of you who do have one, you will instantly know! Our job as your planner to is to protect you as best as we can. Honesty about your "Elephant" will help us to ensure you both enjoy your special day.
Tune in to this episode, as we explain to you what the elephant in the room is, how it can affect the day and why we as your planners need to know about it. We will also provide you with a few ways you can prepare for it.
Check out our latest blog some more info and how to best plan for your day!
Question! Do you host a cocktail hour, during your wedding? Bigger question, do you need one?
We get this question all the time from our Clients, with some who are genuinely stressing out about whether they should have one or not. And we're here to explain to you a) what it is, and b) why you would need it.
There are definitely things to consider when deciding if you need one, such as:
- Logistics
- The location of the ceremony to reception
- What to serve at your bar
- Entertainment
Take these as tools to plan out your ideal cocktail hour!
Don't forget to check out these links for examples of what we've done, in case you need a bit of inspiration!
- Want some advice on how to plan a cocktail hour, check out: https://sayeventsco.com/how-to-plan-your-great-cocktail-hour
- Want to see how a venue, like Dockside, uses cocktail hour to occupy guests while the Ceremony is flipped to reception, check out: https://sayeventsco.com/sarah-robb-july-14-2019
So who is SAY Events?! And why are we starting this podcast?
Think of this as your consultation. Imagine us sitting at a coffee shop together, learning about you as a couple and how we can help you plan your special day. We work closely with all of our Clients to curate memorable moments, and sometimes we get a question repeated to us over and over. Let us answer it for you! While every wedding is going to reflect you as a couple, we'll give you some pointers and tips so you can make the best decision for your day.
SAY started as a three letter word, but has morphed into a bigger message. What does each event say - maybe it's love, maybe it's community, maybe it's supporting your colleagues! Whatever event you host, whether it's a wedding or a corporate event, we're here to help you SAY what you mean and mean what you SAY.
Check out our About page to see us in action!
Welcome to The Wedding Session with SAY Events
Educational, inspirational, behind-the-scenes, no bullsh$t look into the wedding industry, where we explore topics, trends and regions from around the world. With a combined total of almost fifteen years experience in weddings, listen in, as we pull back the lace and share the inside details on what goes into creating a wedding.