The No-Stress Guide to Wedding Planning Guest Lists

As you plan your special day, one of the most challenging decisions you will have to

make is whose names will make your guest list. Take a look at the info-graphic below to

learn how to navigate the social minefield that is managing your guest list.

A Careful Balancing Act

It’s inevitable that you will be faced with some tough decisions as you compile your wedding

guest list. The harsh reality is that some compromises will need to be made in order to stay

within your budgetary and capacity limitations. This process can be stressful as you need to

strike the right balance between being practical while also avoiding hurt feelings.

Common Wedding Guest List Dilemmas

No matter how big or small your wedding is, chances are you will be faced with one or more of

these common wedding guest list problems. For example, many couples-to-be are stumped by

the social etiquette of inviting the children of guests. Another common pain-point is identifying

which guests should be allowed a plus-one. One other major bone of contention is deciding on

how many guests your parents can invite.

How to Cut Your Wedding Guest List

If your budget or venue doesn’t allow for as many guests as you had initially hoped, then you

will have no choice but to cut down your guest list. This is never easy, but there are a few things

you can try to make the process a little more do-able. You may find that the best approach is to

set hard and fast rules. For example, don’t invite any non-relative that neither you nor your partner

has spoken to in 3 years. Another good one is not to invite anyone purely out of guilt.

Learn More in the Guide Below

If you are grappling with an unmanageable guest list, then you may want to check out this

helpful info-graphic guide from The Wedding Band Shop which lays out all the essentials of

guest list planning.

Let's Talk Wedding Invitations

Wedding Invitations set the tone for your entire wedding, so choosing the right one will indicate to your guests what kind of wedding they can expect. So how do you choose the right one? How should it be worded? We will dive into all of that information and help you find that perfect invitation for your perfect wedding.

You’re going to want to bookmark this one! I know designing and choosing the perfect invitation can be exciting as well as overwhelming, that is why I am here to reduce the number of tears shed over creating these pretty little packages.

First of all, why do the invites matter: All the hard work that you’ve been putting in to organize and plan your perfect day will be reflected on that pretty piece of paper. Don’t undermine its power as it can communicate the mood of the wedding; ;letting your guests know what to wear and even how much to spend on the wedding gift. Sounds exciting right? So, let’s get started!

THINGS TO DO 6-8 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

“Save the dates” are a great way to let everyone know in advance that you’re getting married and it allows those traveling from another country, etc. to start making their vacation plans. They are not necessary but if you are having a destination wedding or a wedding during holidays, it’s a great way to inform your guests about the details such as; the location, date and website, if you have one. Some guests need as much as one years notice in order to inform their work, and plan out their vacation time. Be sure not to send out “save the dates” to your guests that are on the “B (maybe) list”.

4-5 MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE

Creating your wedding stationery takes time and effort, so be prepared to invest at least 2 months for the whole process. It may seem like a long time but trust me, you have a lot on your hands such as; brainstorming for the design, ordering paper, changes in the design, wording or art, revision requests, initial mock-ups, printing the cards, envelope calligraphy and assembly. Let’s dig into all the details:

DESIGN

  • Take into account the theme or style of your wedding and the mood you want to set through these invitations. Classic, casual, glam or modern? This helps the guests to know what kind of an event you are throwing and also gives them an idea about what to wear after knowing the formality of your wedding.

  • Do your research, and if you see something you like on etsy or vista print, chances are you can find a local stationery provider that can do the same thing or give you even better options.

  • Invites can cost between $400 to $650 depending on the theme, the materials, the amount of guests invited, etc. There are many variables that can increase your expenses but you need to prioritize and research ahead of time to know exactly what you want and need.

  • If you are hiring a calligrapher to address the envelopes then make sure that you can take the envelopes home as soon as you can. If you have an impeccable handwriting, consider writing them yourself.

COLOURS AND FONTS

  • If you are thinking of choosing pastel colours for the font, make sure to incorporate a background that is contrasting in order for the wording to pop and if you are going with the classic choice then you can use coloured liners, envelopes or metallic font.

  • Be sure to use the wedding colours for all the stationery in order to create a cohesive look.

  • The main thing while selecting colours is to make sure that the content is readable because it is pretty important for your guests to have the right information!

  • Selecting more than two fonts can look pretty messy, so try to select a really pretty font and a block font for the rest of the wording. Do not sacrifice readability for overly scripted hard-to-read fonts.

  • Whichever shape you choose to go with for your invitations; round, square or rectangular, just make sure to keep the size in check as bulky or large invitations may increase your posting cost.

PROOF READ

  • Before sending the invitations out, double check for any mistakes in the invite mock-up. Read it aloud, word to word and send it to your bridesmaid or someone else that can have a look with fresh eyes.

BEFORE SENDING THE INVITATIONS OUT

  • Make a guest list, count all the guests and add an extra 25 invitations to be printed out.

  • Ask for extra envelopes, just in case there are errors made while writing the addresses, or you need to make changes.

  • If you have your menus, thank you notes, program details or any other wedding stationary printed out by the same vendor, then it might cost you less and will also give your suite a cohesive look.

  • Try to weigh the invites at the post office before posting them as you don’t want them returned back to you. Also, ask the post office to hand cancel your invites because if the invites went through the processing machine, it can ruin or bend them. In most cases this is a free option, but it is better to pay the fee if required, than having your beautiful invites ruined before they get to the guest.

SEND THEM OUT!! IT’S 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING!

  • Invitations must be sent out at least 2 months prior to the wedding date. Give your guests at most 3 to 4 weeks to respond after they receive the invitation because the more time they have to respond, the longer they will delay in doing so.

  • Delayed RSVPs may affect the number of centerpieces and other decor items, so make sure to follow up with your guests and provide the stamps to expedite the process.

  • Call your caterer and ask them for the deadline of when you need to provide the final head count and try to get the replies before that date.

  • Once the RSVPs start coming in, track them using a guest list manager, application or spreadsheet with columns for the guest’s name(s), RSVP options, accommodations, etc.

HOW TO WORD YOUR INVITATION

Host line

Start with the name of the hosts; people who are issuing the invitations. Mostly it is the bride’s parents but nowadays it can be both the bride and groom’s parents considering the financial dynamics or family structures. So, you can write what fits best for your wedding situation.

Writing host names if parents are hosts:

  • Bride’s Parents: Mr and Mrs Rolston Knight

  • Divorced: Ms. Ginnette Johnson (Mother’s name always comes first) and Mr. Rolston Knight

  • Divorced and Father Remarried: Ms. Ginnette Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Rolston Knight

  • Divorced and Mother Remarried: Mr. and Mrs. Wayne King and Mr. Rolston Knight

  • Both remarried: Mr. and Mrs. Wayne King and Mr. and Mrs. Rolston Knight   

If the Bride and Groom are hosting:

No host line is needed in this case.

Request line

The request line indicates more than you think. First of all, if your wedding ceremony will be in a house of worship then you write

Request the honour of your presence…...

However, if it is not then you can write informally, but for that you have to write in such a way so that the guests can be clear if you are inviting them to the marriage ceremony or the reception. For instance, for an informal ceremony you can state

Would be delighted by your presence at the marriage of their children…...

And for informal reception only:

Invite you to join them at the wedding reception of…...

Bride and Groom line

Of course, the stars of the show! Well, the bride’s name always come first. If the Bride and groom are hosting then the Bride’s full name (first, middle and last name) but if her parents are hosting it then you can skip the last name as it is the same. Whereas, the groom’s name is written as ‘first, middle and last name’.

Time and date

There are two ways that this is traditionally written (spell out the date; month and year) or the modern way (writing numerically) but I would strongly suggest that you go with the traditional way, as it is clearer and looks nicer. See the example below:


Three o’clock in the afternoon

Sunday, the twenty second of November

Two thousand twenty

Location

You don’t have to write out the entire address with the postal code, just the name of the venue and the # and street name will suffice.

Reception line

Now, if the location for wedding and reception are the same then you don’t have to include a separate card for reception, just write “Reception to follow” or something to that effect but if it is not, then add a reception card.

R.S.V.P. line

You can add this section on the invitation or a separate card letting them to fill in the blanks. It’s better to add an envelope and stamp to encourage them to reply quickly so you can get on with your seating chart.


FINAL TIPS

  • If you are having multiple events at your wedding or leading up to your wedding, for example; a cocktail party, farewell brunch, etc.,then add an insert card for them to be able to check off the events that they will be attending.

  • Do not write “adults only” under any circumstance. If you wouldn’t like any children at your wedding please call your guests and let them know.

  • Mention your registries on the website rather than the invitation.

  • Do not include the directions to the venue on your card, as it will make it too crowded.

To sum it up, it is YOUR wedding, take your time and choose the design that you feel best represents your special day. Hope you found this helpful! We would love to see what you came up with for your wedding invitations! Feel free to comment below and happy planning!

True Mate Weddings & Events

xo

Planning your wedding on a budget?

by Gael Laidman

We all know weddings aren’t cheap, but for most couples you have no idea how much things should or do cost, so putting together a reasonable budget can prove to be challenging. The average wedding in Canada today is around $30,000.00 give or take a few thousand, so unless you have this saved up or are getting help from parents, friends and other resources, you may find yourself having to plan your wedding on a very tight budget. We also know that wedding planning can be stressful in itself, with money being one of the biggest reasons why couples argue during this time. If you are finding yourself in this boat, we at True Mate Weddings would love to give you some cost saving tips that will still allow you to have the wedding of your dreams but without sacrificing everything else that’s important. Here are our top 10 cost saving tips:

The venue

Photo Cred: Diamant Estate

Photo Cred: Diamant Estate

When choosing the venue, you want to keep a few things in mind such as:

  • Do they have additional fees for plugging in, etc?

  • Do they have provide the linens, chairs and charger plates? If not, ask for their preferred vendor list as in most cases, those preferred vendors will give you discounts.

  • Do they have a space for the ceremony and photos? This helps you save on limos and other transportation between locations, as well as any possible permits for the wedding photography.

  • Do they allow outside catering? Sometimes you could find a cheaper alternative that gives you more room for customization, but most venues do not allow this, so make sure to inquire.

  • Choose a hidden gem as your venue; something that is less popular and not in a super busy area. An example of this would be Dragon Fire Golf Club! Golf clubs are great because they allow for a lot of customization and have amazing spaces for the ceremony, reception and photos, which means you save on travel and additional booking fees.

The Date

Photo Cred: Charm City Wed

Photo Cred: Charm City Wed

Here are some ways choosing the right date can save you money:

  • Getting married on a Friday or Sunday can save you big bucks! This is because, most people don’t get married on a Friday or Sunday so the venue and vendors will give you a discount just for choosing the date!

  • Getting married during off season will also save you money for the same reason as above. Off season is November to April, although I would avoid December or February as well due to Christmas and Valentines.

  • If you’re having a smaller wedding, then consider choosing a weekday as well, which could help make the cost even less.

Timing is key

Having an earlier wedding, means more money in your pocket:

  • You don’t have to have a ceremony, break for cocktails then have an expensive sit down meal. Instead you could do a light brunch, or perhaps skip the meal and just have a cocktail party!

  • This also saves you on alcohol because most people aren’t going to over indulge on alcohol at noon.

  • You won’t need to get all those extra rentals that are required for a for a formal dinner

  • You will also save money on the photography and videography because you will require them for less hours.

The theme

Photo Cred: Bridal Guide

Photo Cred: Bridal Guide

So you want a Cinderella wedding but can’t afford the glass slippers, ball gown and carriage?

  • Opt for a less extravagant theme; like rustic chic or a whimsical garden party. These options can still be elegant and beautiful and will leave you feeling a princess, just a price-savvy princess.

  • A simpler theme, means less decor and more budget friendly items. Taller centerpieces equals a taller bill, so choose a beautifully decorated vase over that cherry blossom tree or chandelier.

  • Having a more casual wedding means you spend less on everything from invites to your favours, but we’ll dive deeper into those in just a minute.

The Food

Photo Cred: Arabia Weddings

Photo Cred: Arabia Weddings

Here are some cost friendly dining options:

  • Doing a simple buffet instead of a sit-down meal saves you money as they require less servers/service. Also consider separating the food by stations!

  • Themed interactive stations can add some fun and uniqueness.

  • Opt for family style service; which means that guests serve themselves from communal dishes that are placed on each table. This is a great way to get the conversations flowing and a different option if you don’t like buffets.

  • If you really want to do a traditional dinner, then go with 2 courses instead of 4 or 5, which means you can’t get the Italian Menu, but you can’t go wrong with chicken and a vegetarian option.

The Drinks

  • You may feel it’s tacky to skip the open bar, but instead of having it open all night long, you can have it switch to consumption or just serve wine during dinner.

  • Ditch the wine at dinner all together, as most guests will probably still have their drinks from cocktail hour anyway.

  • Opt for bringing in your own alcohol, which means you can return bottles that weren’t opened.

Vendors

  • Choosing vendors based on referrals from your venue or other vendors can lead to discounts, but that doesn’t always mean you’re saving money so do your homework.

  • Choose a vendor that works from home, as they have less over head and expenses and that will usually translate to cheaper prices.

  • A vendor that works closely to the venue will cost less in delivery fees than someone that has to travel an hour or more.

Invitations & Favours

Photo Cred: My Wedding

Photo Cred: My Wedding

  • Don’t mail out your save-the-dates and RSVP cards. Nowadays, doing this online not only saves you money but a lot of hassle!

  • Skip the calligraphy! You don’t need to have fancy writing on your invitations. It is perfectly okay for you to print your invites and then write the names and addresses in yourself or print out labels.

  • DIY; this is one area you can absolutely do a professional DIY, with the help of places like vista print or staples, etc.

  • Favours are great to DIY as this is something you can easily do without it looking tacky. Hot cocoa or cookies are two sweet examples.

Hire a Wedding Planner

You’re probably thinking, of course we would recommend this, but here a few reasons why:

  • Wedding planners have experience planning weddings. We know which vendors would fit your budget and style and can recommend the perfect venue or spot to do your photos which saves you time and money.

  • We have certain vendors that we get to work with all the time, which means further discounts for you!

  • We are very budget conscious and will show you how to pull off the wedding of your dreams but within your means.

We hope that you found these tips helpful, but as always if you have anymore questions, feel free to send us a message.

Happy planning

True Mate Weddings

Xo

2019 Wedding Trends

Your wedding day is one of the most special celebrations, for not only you & your fiancé, but the whole family. It can be overwhelming to plan everything and sometimes you don’t even know where to start. People draw inspiration from many different things, and if you’re someone that likes keeping up with the trends, then you’re at the right place. New trends inspire us just as much as the last; couples can pick and choose while incorporating their own personal, special touches.

These 2019 wedding trends do not disappoint, so prepared to be inspired.

1. Acrylic Wedding Decor

Pairing modern with minimalistic, acrylic decor can be incorporated into any theme; rustic or romantic, modern, etc. They can also work for seating charts, money boxes and even chairs!

2. Cascading Bouquets

Whimsical and elegant; cascading bouquets are very popular, as we find more brides are taking on this idea. These soft and free-flowing bouquets look naturally beautiful, and can be loosely arranged without your bouquet looking messy. Whether you go for bold or softer tones, these are sure to make heads turn on your big day.

3. Hanging Florals

Wow your guests with florals that hang from above, single flowers or lots of greenery will make a statement. Details from above are just as stunning as table florals. Why not switch it up?

4. Neon Signs

What’s a unique and fun way to light up your reception or ceremony? Neon signs are bold, colourful and fun, and these light up signs can have multiple purposes. They can be used for directing guests, at food stations, and wedding details. They are super customizable and come in many shapes and sizes.

5. Smoke Bombs

These are literally the bomb -ha! In all seriousness, what a great way to add some personality and fun to your wedding pictures!

See something you liked? Have questions about decor or florals? Let us know! We’d love to chat and give you some more ideas that you could implement on your special day.

Happy Planning!

True Mate Weddings

Xo

Backyard Weddings: Tips & Tricks!

Backyard weddings are great for a number of reasons: You get to personalize almost anything and everything and it can be as intimate as you’d like. Imagine, saying your vows in a meaningful place where you’ve shared many memories with family and friends.

Your backyard would be a blank canvas which would allow you to dream up anything and everything you’d want to use for decor. You will have to take a few things into consideration, such as: getting a tent, what to do about bathrooms, getting a generator for heat, etc. If you’re having a huge wedding, it can end up costing as much or more than a wedding at a banquet hall, so be mindful of your budget.

If you have decided to do a backyard wedding, then here are some tips to ensure a smooth planning process and wedding day!

1. Rent a Tent

As the weather can play a huge factor, we highly suggest renting a tent for the wedding. You can never be too certain of whether or not it’s going to rain, so having a tent helps ensure the weather doesn’t ruin your day. Tented Weddings are great because you can add whatever you’d like to enhance the space. You could hang string lights along the sides of the tent or have garlands with flowers cascading down from the top. You could even do both lights and garlands. Things to consider with a tented wedding are spacing and the time of day. You want to ensure you have enough room for all the tables, plus a dance floor and you may want to do an earlier wedding so that there’s enough lighting. Unless you’re going crazy with lighting (which can end up being costly), then it’s more than likely going to be too dark if you plan on having a 7pm dinner and would like photos taken of the dancing and festivities to follow.

2. Rent a Dance-floor

Does walking around in high heels getting stuck in the grass ring any bells ladies? Let’s avoid the phrase “Ugh I got my heel stuck!” by renting a dance-floor! A flat and smooth surface is essential for everything to be level as well as making sure the cake table isn’t tilted.

Photo credit: Sergey Lapkovsky Photography https://lapkovsky.com/

Photo credit: Sergey Lapkovsky Photography https://lapkovsky.com/

3. Tables & Chairs rentals

Like everything else, you have total freedom in choosing the types of tables and chairs that you would like. Typically, the catering company will provide tables and chairs but if not, there are a lot of reputable companies out there that do rentals. Just ensure that someone is responsible for set up and tear down of the tables and chairs, as you don’t want that falling on your shoulders. Also, for spacing (if you have a smaller backyard to work with), we recommend using the rectangle tables versus the circular, and setting up family style seating can also be a huge space saver. Other rentals to keep in mind would be; heaters if you’re doing a fall wedding, or fans if you’re doing a summer wedding. If you’re using heaters then consider getting a generator to make sure you have enough power for all those lights and heaters!

4. Personalize

Your theme and decor tells a story for your guests and showcases who you are as a couple on your wedding day. Maybe hang tons of fairly lights all over the tress to create a magical ambiance. Have a special table to showcase your favourite photos of you & your fiance, and your parents wedding photos. Decorate anything and everything!

5. Catering

Your backyard unfortunately does not come with an on-site caterer (well unless it does), so you’ll have to do some work here in finding the perfect vendor. Think about your budget and overall theme. Perhaps doing a buffet style dinner would save you some money, but doesn’t quite work with your theme? Then opt for no Hor D’Oeuvres and go with just a 4 course dinner and skip the filet mignon. Another option is to do interactive cooking stations which can definitely be classy and add some fun to dinner. There are so many different food truck options to choose from as well, and you could choose one that matches your theme. Regardless of which option you choose, make sure you ask your caterer all the questions needed so there are no surprises.

We hope any couples planning a beautiful backyard wedding take ideas from some of our tips & tricks!

Happy Planning

True Mate Weddings

Xo

10 Wedding Favour Ideas your Guests will Love!

You may not believe it, but choosing your wedding favours can be one of the most difficult decisions that couples have to make. There are many different types of favours; and some can add quite the bill especially when you have 300 people attending your wedding. It’s a great idea to choose a favour that ties in with your theme, and that means something to you as the bride and groom. It is easy to think you have to go BIG with wedding favours, when in reality- you can do anything you want. At the same time, you don’t necessarily have to do favours. It is a nice thing to have, but not mandatory. Depending on your budget, favours are a component where you don’t have to spend too much. If you happen to have extra room in your budget, you can spend a little more.

You want your guests to take home something memorable, but also don’t want it to be tucked away and forgotten about. Remember to keep your theme in mind and choose something that is gender neutral. A great option for a winter wedding would be blankets to keep guests warm or a cute hot cocoa recipe in a mason jar, while summer weddings could have fans to keep your guests cool.

We’ve put together a list of wedding favours, to help inspire you in finding the perfect favour for your wedding. Each couple is unique and special, we love seeing the most creative ideas come to life.

  1. Honey/Jam

We love this Honey & Jam jar idea! You can eat it, and you will have a jar you can re-purpose. Inexpensive and cute. ://www.pinterest.ca/pin/173459023120258786/

We love this Honey & Jam jar idea! You can eat it, and you will have a jar you can re-purpose. Inexpensive and cute. ://www.pinterest.ca/pin/173459023120258786/

2. Flip-Flops

Ladies, we all know around the time the dance-floor opens our feet are crying to get out of our heels. Also can be used at beach weddings, or walking around on the grass. ://www.pinterest.ca/pin/300615343855676807/

Ladies, we all know around the time the dance-floor opens our feet are crying to get out of our heels. Also can be used at beach weddings, or walking around on the grass. ://www.pinterest.ca/pin/300615343855676807/

3. Candy Table and Take-Away Bags

Candy & Sweet Tables add a little something to the wedding. Kids love it and it also doubles as a favour. You can get little in-expensive bags made for guests to put their candy into! ://www.pinterest.ca/pin/532832199645317433/

Candy & Sweet Tables add a little something to the wedding. Kids love it and it also doubles as a favour. You can get little in-expensive bags made for guests to put their candy into! ://www.pinterest.ca/pin/532832199645317433/

4. Donations to Charities

Donations are a great idea for a couple that would rather give to a charity instead of typical wedding favours.https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/319333429819843359/

Donations are a great idea for a couple that would rather give to a charity instead of typical wedding favours.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/319333429819843359/

5. Personalized Wine Bottles

Wine is a great favour, which you can personalize and guests will most likely take it home and have a glass, or two. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/394487248593139753/

Wine is a great favour, which you can personalize and guests will most likely take it home and have a glass, or two. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/394487248593139753/

6. Personalized Glass

Personalized glasses are great as you can take them home and use daily! https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/706080047799946749/

Personalized glasses are great as you can take them home and use daily! https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/706080047799946749/

7. Chocolates/Truffles

A very popular wedding favour we constantly see at weddings, easy and really anything edible is a great idea. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/343258802848379310/

A very popular wedding favour we constantly see at weddings, easy and really anything edible is a great idea. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/343258802848379310/

8. Mini Plants

Mini Plants or Succulents are a great favour idea. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/818951513465591923/

Mini Plants or Succulents are a great favour idea. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/818951513465591923/

9. Popcorn Takeaways

Simple, easy and efficient. We have a hunch your guests would enjoy a delicious bag of popcorn. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/291819250852522412/

Simple, easy and efficient. We have a hunch your guests would enjoy a delicious bag of popcorn. https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/291819250852522412/

10. Mints

There you have it, 10 great wedding favour ideas to help you on your planning path. Here at True Mate Weddings we love working with our couples to help their wedding day vision come to life.

Happy Planning

True Mate Weddings

Xo

10 Popular Wedding Theme Ideas

When choosing a wedding theme, there are tons of different ideas to choose from. You can go basic or traditional, or unique and tie in two different themes to create an entirely new theme that is special to you. At True Mate Weddings, we believe it’s important to tell your unique love story by utilizing different elements and wedding ideas to bring your particular vision to life. Adding your own touch, makes every wedding is unique in its own way, and it’s those small things that your guests will remember forever.

Once you’ve made a decision on your theme, things become a lot clearer in terms of your vision and how to bring it all together. Your wedding theme should be recognizable by your guests, and be cohesive. You can pull inspiration from anywhere, including; eras, movies, fashion, your favourite season or trends. We have put together a list of some of the most popular wedding theme ideas to give you some inspiration, and help you to visualize your big day!

  1. Vintage

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/50524827044668932/

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/50524827044668932/

2. Glam

3. Bohemian

4. Tropical

5. Romantic

6. Garden Inspired

7. Modern

8. Black & White

https://www.stylemepretty.com/vault/image/2491908

https://www.stylemepretty.com/vault/image/2491908

All of these themes inspire a different feeling and selecting the right theme, truly allows a couple to tell their story. From the invitation down to the favours, every detail goes into bringing that overall vision to life.

How do you know which colours, what kind of flowers, and what kind of decor to choose? Let us help you create something that is special to you as a couple!

10. Whimsical

PLANNING: Our fave Wedding Resources!

You just started planning your wedding! You’re SO excited to find the perfect dress, the perfect venue etc. There’s just one thing… How do you find all of these? Where do you look? We like to put ourselves in our client’s shoes, to make the planning process a little more enjoyable.. (stress free!) How do you know which are the more established, reliable and trustworthy vendors or which venue will best suit your vision and theme?

We are thrilled to share our favourite wedding resources to help you find extra planning tools, vendors, ideas & advice AND MORE!

  1. Wedding Wire

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Wedding Wire is a fantastic wedding resource used daily around the world, providing couples with information on venues, vendors, wedding inspiration ideas, dresses and planning tools. You can search thousands of vendors including planners, photographers, hair & makeup, rentals, florists and so much more! You can also find reviews and ratings on local vendors to help with your search to find your perfect fit.

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2. The Knot

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The Knot is a Wedding Planning and Inspiration site, similar to Wedding Wire. Sign up and receive access to their “all in one wedding planner”! Registry, Inspiration, Wedding tools, Local Vendors and more. You can also find inspiration from real weddings!

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3. Pinterest

We LOVE Pinterest! We use it to create client’s inspiration boards, to help design their vision & theme! It is really a fantastic site to find almost ANYTHING. You can type what your looking for into the search box; and it will most likely be there. Examples include: Wedding dresses and centrepieces, also once you create multiple boards pintrest can learn what your looking for and will give ideas that is best suited to you.

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4. Style Me Pretty Magazine

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Style Me Pretty Magazine is a great wedding resource, which is also a wedding blog. You can find the most top rated, stunning weddings from all over the world! They give you yearly wedding themes to find your inspiration.

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5. GTA Wedding Network

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As a bride or groom you can use the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) Network to find vendors, venues and anything and everything you need for your wedding. There are also brides in the group that can offer advice as to what vendors they have worked with or what they did that worked for them! Theres any kind of wedding advice and cost saving ideas.

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Happy Planning!

True Mate Weddings

xo

CORAL: The 2019 Wedding Pantone Colour of the Year!

Ever since I was young I always admired Coral and how bright and playful the colour is, which makes us feel mesmerized and warm. We feel extremely energized and happy with this gorgeous colour, making it a wonderful colour of the year! We’re finding that bright colours are very in trend this season and couples are picking up on them; either showcasing very vividly or enjoying it through smaller details in their decor.

The colours that you choose can set the mood of the entire wedding, from the moment your guests receive their invitations. As these colours are very bold and rich, it’s best to choose the other colours in your palette to balance each other out. We cannot WAIT to see what designs all of our lovely couples create!

Enjoy some of our favourite wedding ideas & unique ways to incorporate into your wedding day!

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This beautiful wedding cake gives us beach vibes, its very simple yet stunning. While the main part of the cake is white and plain, it lets us fix our eyes on coral flowers that give that POP of colour.https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/555842779005783452/

This beautiful wedding cake gives us beach vibes, its very simple yet stunning. While the main part of the cake is white and plain, it lets us fix our eyes on coral flowers that give that POP of colour.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/555842779005783452/

This luxurious floral arch with greenery is filled with beautiful, creative bright colours that help showcase Coral flowers, guests will feel super calm and fresh, and so inviting you can almost reach out and smell them!https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/…

This luxurious floral arch with greenery is filled with beautiful, creative bright colours that help showcase Coral flowers, guests will feel super calm and fresh, and so inviting you can almost reach out and smell them!

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/464926361526457602/

A beautiful example of how to incorporate Coral in a small way into your wedding decor. Simple, yet adding a colour that POPS! A great cost-efficient option that looks fantastic.https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/445786063113573719/

A beautiful example of how to incorporate Coral in a small way into your wedding decor. Simple, yet adding a colour that POPS! A great cost-efficient option that looks fantastic.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/445786063113573719/

This classy, elegant and colourful and gorgeous centrepiece is giving us total romantic feels. Choosing a lower level centrepiece is cost efficient and can be just as beautiful and clean. Spring is closely approaching and we are inspired.https://www…

This classy, elegant and colourful and gorgeous centrepiece is giving us total romantic feels. Choosing a lower level centrepiece is cost efficient and can be just as beautiful and clean. Spring is closely approaching and we are inspired.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/568860996681289229/

Feeling very peachy with this stunning entrance way or backdrop (multipurpose) is a fabulous option if you don’t love how bright Coral can be, still a very lovely and pretty colour that looks just as great.https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/69263961767025…

Feeling very peachy with this stunning entrance way or backdrop (multipurpose) is a fabulous option if you don’t love how bright Coral can be, still a very lovely and pretty colour that looks just as great.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/692639617670258520/

For all our grooms & groomsmen; this is a fantastic way to incorporate Coral into your suits! You can even add a pocket square to be tucked into your suit pocket.https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/535224736964549672/

For all our grooms & groomsmen; this is a fantastic way to incorporate Coral into your suits! You can even add a pocket square to be tucked into your suit pocket.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/535224736964549672/

We are feeling major wedding photography inpso vibes!https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/727401777294204338/

We are feeling major wedding photography inpso vibes!

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/727401777294204338/

We’re loving this Rustic centrepiece design; lanterns are a huge trend coming from 2018 into 2019. Adding rose petals is a stunning way to incorporate your main colours.https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/473440979555454089/`

We’re loving this Rustic centrepiece design; lanterns are a huge trend coming from 2018 into 2019. Adding rose petals is a stunning way to incorporate your main colours.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/473440979555454089/`

Stunning chair decor floral arrangement! There are endless possibilities when thinking about chair decor and if you want to add a little extra dazzle.https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/495396027760909557/

Stunning chair decor floral arrangement! There are endless possibilities when thinking about chair decor and if you want to add a little extra dazzle.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/495396027760909557/

Stationary! A crucial part of your planning, which isn’t one of the most popular aspects. From the moment you send your Save the Dates or Invitations out to your guests, opening them is the start of excitement.https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/6474628839…

Stationary! A crucial part of your planning, which isn’t one of the most popular aspects. From the moment you send your Save the Dates or Invitations out to your guests, opening them is the start of excitement.

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/647462883907197815/

Geode Cake INSPO: coral has been used in a very light tone yet is still breathtaking.

Geode Cake INSPO: coral has been used in a very light tone yet is still breathtaking.

Happy Planning,

True Mate Weddings

xo

15 Floral Arches for your Wedding Ceremony

Planning your wedding is an exciting and fun process but can also be stressful. There is so many details, big and small that you don’t want to miss! From the cake, to the decor and the flowers- everything is super important. We think about flowers…bouquets.. centrepieces.. what about floral arches for your ceremony/backdrop?

Floral arches add a frame and beauty to your ceremony. Wedding arches can have a religious or a cultural significance, and couples can choose them for decor and to reflect their style as well- can’t forget about the aesthetic. They also add a grand look and are absolutely gorgeous at the end of the isle, and can have a double purpose to be used as a backdrop to your head table.

We find all Floral arches to be especially unique to every wedding and couple, which helps tell the story of every individual bride & groom on their wedding day and shows the bond of two people celebrating their love. To help you with your designing whether your going big or small, here is 15 floral arches!

Lovely Pink - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/247205467030598378/

Lovely Pink - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/247205467030598378/

Lush Greenery - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/448178600414322590/

Lush Greenery - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/448178600414322590/

Rustic Wood with Lush Florals - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/364158319866747131/

Rustic Wood with Lush Florals - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/364158319866747131/

Birch Rustic Canopy - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/31314159895685410/

Birch Rustic Canopy - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/31314159895685410/

Fun fact, this was Mandy Moore’s Floral Arch! - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/48906345939482483/

Fun fact, this was Mandy Moore’s Floral Arch! - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/48906345939482483/

Modern & Romantic - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/551057704401395506/

Modern & Romantic - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/551057704401395506/

Fairytale Woods inspired - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/818810775979975263/

Fairytale Woods inspired - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/818810775979975263/

Simple, yet Elegant and Romantic - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/572520171377291977/

Simple, yet Elegant and Romantic - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/572520171377291977/

Beautiful fabric draped Blush Pink - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/449304500319594896/

Beautiful fabric draped Blush Pink - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/449304500319594896/

Rustic and simple with a modern touch - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/312789136618225074/

Rustic and simple with a modern touch - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/312789136618225074/

Elegant, glam & gold - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/814799757561334746/

Elegant, glam & gold - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/814799757561334746/

Boho, simplistic & rustic - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/204702745549274827/

Boho, simplistic & rustic - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/204702745549274827/

Colourful and lush, just stunning - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/344103227775982254/

Colourful and lush, just stunning - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/344103227775982254/

Unique with Lush Greenery - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/563161128397421135/

Unique with Lush Greenery - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/563161128397421135/

We hope you lovely brides have found some ideas and inspired!

Happy Planning

True Mate Weddings