Top Honeymoon Pick: Le Blanc Spa Resort - Luxury

Day 1:

Today I landed in Cancun and was transported by OlympusTours to the Le Blanc Spa Resort – My home for the next 5 days. 

I’m here on an Educational trip  by Love Mexico called Mexico Romantico - the only hands-on program for Destination Wedding Pros.

From the get-go, the service was exceptional. From the scented refreshing cool towelette they greet you with along with the coconut milk beverage, the amazing front desk staff and super awesome butlers to the fantastic amenities. All Inclusive of complimentary North American Calling, Complimentary Bar and Fridge supplies, Wine, Turn Down Service, Room Service and the big WOW factors for me: Pillow Service & In Room Aromatherapy Service!

I had heard of Pillow Service before; always at Posh Hotels; but experiencing it was something else. I had to see for myself if this was legit. Normally, I can’t stand hotel pillows because they are too flat, too soft or too lumpy, so I usually bring my own pillow-case and stuff two pillows in to get the firmness I want to get through the night. 

Here’s how it works: There is a Pillow Menu in your services binder. You select a pillow ranging from Orthopedic, Goose-Feather Pillows, Chamomile and Lavender Scented pillows, Hypoallergenic and  a range of Air Pillows. I had no clue what was best. I only knew I did not want soft and feathers were out of the question.

I called my Butler – did I mention how awesome he was? And he brought me a selection of pillows to choose from that were firm…they were ok, but still, not exactly what I wanted…so I explained that I want a pillow that was somewhat plush. He left and came back with the most awesome Air Pillow in the world! I never knew how happy a pillow could make me until today. It truly is a wonderful luxury and I think every hotel should invest and add on this service.

After I tried the Pillow Service, I had to try the In Room Aromatherapy.  What is this you may ask? Well, it literally is Aromatherapy at your fingertips. Again, you have a menu that ranges from scents named: Balance, Relaxation, Revitalization, Romance, Lavender Leaves, Vanilla-Sandalwood, Cucumber Mint, Lavendar-Vanilla and Energizing. You select your scent and that is your scent for the day.

I selected Vanilla-Lavender it did what it said it would: Made me feel better and relaxed! Awesome service and one I will enjoy daily while I’m here. Tomorrow will be a Cucumber-Mint day!

Room Service: Shrimp Cocktail and Chicken Taco Wrap...plus complimentary wine:)

I<3 this room:)

My awesomely comfortable bed!

Notice that Bugari is their products of choice!

This was only half of the shower. The other side has a rain shower head!

There is even a dental kit included!

My fabulous view!

Jamaica Travel Specialist for your Destination Wedding or Honeymoon!

I'm happy to report that I am officially a Certified Jamaica Travel Specialist and passed with a perfect score!

As always, I, your Toronto Wedding Planner and my team continue to bring you the Best Wedding and Honeymoon Planning Services available by keeping ourselves up-to-date, knowledgeable and making sure our Wedding and Honeymoon Education meets the high standards our clients deserve!

Email us anytime for a quote.

Congratulations to all the newly engaged. Now, let's get planning!

Happy 2012 everyone and Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples!

This year we are doing it up! Our Toronto Wedding Planning and our Destination Wedding Planning Services have more added value and are even more customizable than ever before.

I was so lucky in 2011 for some incredible opportunities: I am privileged to be teaching Event and Venue Management at Trebas Institute; I was one of the Masters for Special Event Bootcamp; Went to Mexico to get certified on Mexico Destination Weddings and also became a proud Barcelo (resorts) Wedding Specialist, I got re-certified as a Sandals Specialist and made some absolutely great contacts with some amazing Barbados resorts and villas, Greece and France in order to provide you the best in International Destination Weddings. More to come this year as I and my associates gear up to achieve even higher levels of expertise.


In the meantime, don't miss our current promo: Book us by Feb. 14, 2012 and receive $150.00 of added services. We have add on's like: Honeymoon Planning, RSVP lists, E-Card Save the Dates, Engagement Planning, Bachelor or Bachelorette Party Planning etc. Don't miss this. Call or email us today!

We value all our clients and couples and our goal this year will be to shower you with top of the line service, planning advice, creative outputs and a consistent commitment to bringing your vision to life!

Vendor Spotlight: Maximum Music

No one can deny that music is important at any event. Whether it is by a band or DJ, it should definitely not be taken lightly. You MUST and I really mean it, you MUST hire a professional. As a planner, I hear it all: "We are on a budget, so our friend is gonna create a playlist on his iPod and cue it with his remote." or "Our guests aren't dancers, so we are just gonna pop in a CD during dinner." and then there is my absolute favorite "My uncle used work in Radio, so he's renting equipment and DJ'ing as a wedding gift."

Each of these scenarios are bad news because 99% of the time they will not end well. Believe me, the iPod will not play on cue throughout the night; if the CD is not forgotten at home, it will be quite embarrassing when your guests watch as your pal runs to click play on the player; and your loving uncle, although he means well, will not know how to read the crowd and will only play the things he likes to hear.

Luckily for you, my lovely readers, there are quite a few fantastic DJ's and bands throughout Toronto and all across Canada. One of these are Maximum Music. The ever so gracious Rod McMahon, owner of Maximum Music, was happy to sit with us and provide his tips and opinions on hiring a DJ.



How did Maximum Music get started?

Maximum Music was a hobby in high school and university that because of my love of music became full time employment for me in 1994 and we have not looked back since then!


What sets you apart from other DJ's?

Clients like the accessibility and personal attention from the office and then we can match them up with the most appropriate DJ from our staff a month or two before the wedding. We are also specialists in weddings and that is where our focus is, not high school dances and night clubs.

Are you part of any professional associations? Which?

We are members of the CDJA ( Canadian Disc Jockey Association) and CPDJA ( Canadian Professional Disc Jockey Association) I was on the executive of the CDJA back in the mid to late 90's and now am part of an advisory board for the CPDJA. They are both networking and lobby groups for the DJ industry and allow us to get our music licensing that allows us to use recorded music for public performance.



What 5 tips can you give a couple to help them make the best choice in DJ's/MC's?

1. When getting a referral to a DJ service make sure you have similar taste to the person who is referring you. You may not enjoy the DJ at your small and intimate reception that was appropriate for your co-workers big Italian wedding.

2. Choose some "must play" and "do not play" songs for the DJ to play that are your favorites but also leave some room for the DJ to take requests and play to the crowd.

3. If you have the DJ introducing the bridal party, make sure they know how to pronounce your names or, have a family member do it if the names are complicated.

4. Even though you may like a certain type of music yourself you may have to compromise and make sure that the choices are danceable and a reputable DJ company will work with you to create a list that you really like and will still get the guests dancing.

5. If you are inclined, take some dance lessons or choreograph your first dance. It does not need to be fancy or complicated but it is really nice to see a couple that are comfortable and confident during the first dance ( and the photos will show this ).



What are important questions that a couple should ask their DJ's before booking?

Don't just take their word that they have a back up structure in place to deal with a last minute emergency. It is easy to promise, but more complicated to deliver should there be a last minute incident.

Working with the DJ service to build some "must plays" and "do not plays" in advance of the wedding is important. You do not want to be redirecting a DJ at your wedding reception if the music is not moving the guests to dance.

Are there any misconceptions that couples have, that you'd like to clear up?

The price is not a direct correlation to quality. You can get a great DJ in the $800 to $1500 range any more or less than that should be looked at critically.

Do you feel it is important for a couple to hire a Wedding Coordinator? Why?

A wedding coordinator is a great asset at the reception for our DJ for a few reasons.

1. We tend to get better and more realistic time lines and itineraries from weddings that have a coordinator.

2. At the reception we can deal with the wedding coordinator to tweek schedule issues and make decisions on the fly without bothering the bride and groom and if the coordinator thinks the bride and groom need to be consulted then they can be the intermediary.

3. Often a wedding coordinator can get you a 10% discount on services. We offer this as a way for coordinators to justify their fee by saving you the cost of the wedding planner over the suppliers.



Are there any special promotions you have going on right now?

We have a new brochure that was released at the Total Wedding Show at the International Center and we have committed to no price increases through 2012. We have a promotion of $925.00 for a Friday or Sunday wedding and weddings from January 1 to April 30; we also have a special price for venues that have in house sound systems that we can use. The best thing to do is check our website and call or email and Allison, Suzanne and myself will look after you as best we can! www.maximumDJ.com and (416) 255-2910

Maximum Music
www.maximumDJ.com
416-255-2910

Vendor Spotlight: Hello DJ

Anything I say about Lisa Ng of Hello DJ just wouldn't be enough. She is not only an fabulous DJ and a versatile entrepreneur, but she is also one Hip, Urban Girl!

Her knack of knowing her client's music tastes and their guests 'flavour' is incredible and she makes sure the entire room is up, dancing and enjoying the night. It's her mission to provide an unforgettable and fun-filled night and she delivers 100% of the time!

The pleasure was mine when she made time in her very busy schedule to be interviewed for our blog!

 
Q. When/How did you decide that DJ'ing was your 'calling'?

A. I really loved performing and actually set out for a career in acting and musical theatre. I think DJ-ing is the perfect combination of my love for performance and music. I also have a passion for planning events and was always the unofficial social director in whatever group I was in. My personality is pretty outgoing and I'm a people person. So working in the events industry is perfect for me.

Q. How did you come up with the name 'Hello DJ'?

A. My husband came up with it! He said it was like Hello Kitty :) I thought it was really cute and fit the fun, pink brand that is hello DJ! I'm also a big Hello Kitty fan. I have a toaster that burns her face into my toast.

Q. How did Hello DJ get started?

A. I started the company in the last year of my degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto. It was something I started to help pay for school - I always kept tabs on music and grew up listening to a lot of different genres. I'm crazy for 90s hip-hop, but am also a serious Edge 102.1 listener and love my share of rock/alt and indie. I'll also sing along to Top 40 in my car, so my tastes are pretty open and I just brought my female approach to DJ-ing. I also worked at a bunch of different record stores while growing up, so I was exposed to stuff I normally wouldn't have picked up. My niche as a female DJ grew very quickly and became a full-time company by the time I graduated. It's now been almost six years!

Q. What sets you apart from other DJ's?

A. I love details. I would rather have more information than less. I try to get to know my clients as best as possible and ask lots of questions about their guests, that way I can build a good playlist in my head for their reception. We're also a small, boutique DJ company. Means when you meet with me, I'll be your DJ. We never farm work out and we're not a big box DJ company.

Q. What 5 tips can you give a couple looking for a DJ?

A. 1) Don't book the cheapest DJ out there, sometimes you really do get what you pay for
2) Hire a professional! Avoid using a friend or amateur - they usually panic, realize how much work it is and drop out at the last-minute
3) Make sure you click with the personality of the DJ you are booking. If it's not a fit, that's OK - there's a DJ out there for you.
4) Book at least one year or more in advance to ensure you get the DJ you want
5) Make sure your DJ carries back-up equipment in case anything gets damaged or malfunctions on the day of your event.

Q. What are the most important questions a couple should ask a DJ before booking with them?

A. When sending an inquiry, do try to give as much information as possible so the DJ can properly put together a quote. We like to know the date, venue, guest count and basic elements of your wedding and ideas you have for music style. Once we can determine our availability and the price is within budget for the client, we can move forward to a consultation. Do also ask that the DJ you meet with is going to be the DJ at your event. If not, ask if you will be able to meet with your DJ before the wedding.

Q. Are there any misconceptions that couples have that you'd like to clear up?

A. We're not all cheesy! Cheesy is cool, but we understand that it's not for everyone. Which is why aim to be a hip, fun and young DJ company.

Q. Do you feel it is important for a couple to hire a Wedding Planner? Why?

A. Yes it is important to hire a wedding planner, because they are your insurance policy and advocate. They make sure that your interests come first and not the worries of the venue, florist or anyone else. It's nice to let go and not worry about things being bumpy because you have a wedding planner to do that for you and to keep your event on track.

Q. Any upcoming news or promos you'd like mention?

A. Please visit our blog to read all about the life of a hip + urban girl DJ in the city @ www.hipurbangirl.com

Lisa Ng

hello DJ!

Blog - The Hip & Urban Girl's Guide:

http://www.hipurbangirl.com

Follow on Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/hipurbangirl

(416) 891-8440

http://www.helloDJ.ca

***Hello DJ has moved to St. Lawrence Market!***

39 Jarvis Street, Unit #612

Toronto, Ontario

M5E 1Z5

The Kleinfeld Experience by the Ring Bearer: Back by popular demand!

 Thanks to our very own, Canadian born and bred, the Ring Bearer along with Kleinfeld Manhattan and Vision 2000, this ever-so-exciting contest is back and One lucky bride-to-be will get a chance to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Here are the details.

Your love story could win you:
	a $5000 gift certificate to Kleinfeld*
	a private store opening in Manhattan, New York **
	personal styling services provided by Randy Fenoli and a Kleinfeld Bridal Consultant
	free airfare and five-star accomodations

Vendor Spotlight: Jennifer Images

Having had the pleasure of working with Jennifer of Jennifer Images, there were a few things that stood out to me as far as her 'Creative Eye', so to speak.

a. She doesn't skip a beat. She is so in-tune and focused on her couple that she truly captures the personal and intimate moments between them.

b. She is honest to a fault!  She will never lead a couple to believe they are getting something they are not.

c. She absolutely, positively, LOVES her career and all her couples.  You can see this from the minute you meet her and go through her portfolio. She speaks about her past clients as if they are family.

d. She is proud of her work! This is my favorite quality in her.  Being proud of what you have captured and delivered, means you have surpassed even your own expectations.  It shows that to her every wedding is unique and she does not shoot the same 'typical' images for every couple. She is one-of-a-kind, and I look forward to working with her for many years to come!

I was lucky enough to interview Jennifer and she graciously shared her great insight with all of us, including tips to help you decide on a photographer, should you hire a planner and even some questions to ask before selecting your photographer. Here is what she had to say.

Q. When did you decide that Photography was your 'calling'?

A. Almost 8 years ago I decided that life was to short to spend the majority of my time doing something I disliked.  I had always loved photography and wanted a career that allowed my creativity to grow.  With my husbands encouragement I went back to school and shortly there after opened Jennifer Images.

 

Q. How did the company get started?

A. The company got started as a result of much drive, determination and enthusiasm.  I was so thrilled to be doing something I loved that I jumped in with all of my heart and soul.  I started doing portraits for friends, work colleagues and family.  Then the referrals started to come in and one thing led to another.  Eventually I left my full time job and worked solely for myself. 
 

Q. What sets you apart from other photographers?

A. This is a question I used to struggle to answer, but over the years I suppose I've narrowed it down to a few key points.  First and foremost would be me.  My enthusiasm for what I do, coupled with my integrity and keen business sense allow me to be fun and responsible at the same time.  I do what I say I will do and I don't make promises I can't keep. I also believe that my style has evolved over time, and my work has been defined as having timeless elegance.  I like to equate it to the kind of timeless elegance seen in amazing women like Jackie Onassis and Grace Kelly.

Q. What 5 tips can you give a couple looking for their 'ideal' photographer?

A.  1. Don't base your decision on price.   As in almost anything in life, you get what you pay for in  wedding photography.  While it's true that not everyone can afford the most expensive wedding photographers, I think that it's important to understand the value of your wedding photos, and then to prioritize this accordingly.   There are many do it yourself projects that can be done beautifully when planning your wedding, and many areas where you can cut back on your budget.  Unfortunately, your wedding photos are one of the only tangible objects that will not only remain after the wedding itself, but for decades after that. Your wedding photos should become a family heirloom for your grandchildren to admire.  Not just a snapshot in time.

2. Do your homework, prior to hiring your photographer.  Referrals are an excellent way to start.  If you've been referred to your photographer, ask your friends why they recommend that photographer and what about them were they most pleased with.   Also, was there anything about that person that they disliked.  If you've come this far, follow up some more.  Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if this person or company has had any complaints.

Find out how long the photographer has been in business and if it looks likely that they will be staying in business in the years to come.

3. Decide whether or not you like their work.  By liking their work, I mean do you like it enough to trust them to photograph your entire wedding day without giving them a "must have" list.   Must have lists are fine for family formals but  aside from those you need to give your photographer free reign to see your wedding with their own creative vision, and with eyes that you could not possibly see.  To get a good sense of this, make sure you've seen a complete wedding from beginning to end and that you love what you see.   Once you trust your photographer, you will feel much more at ease, letting them "do what they do" on your wedding day.

4. Meet your potential photographer.  Make sure that you actually meet the person who will be photographing your wedding and spending the majority of the day with you.   Your personalities MUST mesh.  If they rub you the wrong way, if they stand you up, if they act inappropriately during your initial meeting, it's likely that they will not be the right person for you.  Personality is HUGE!

5. Consider having an engagement session to make sure you've made the right decision.  Engagement sessions are a great way to get to know your photographer better and provide the photographer with an excellent opportunity to get to know you as a couple.  The session also allows you a little glimpse of what you can expect during the wedding.  If you love your engagement photos, then it's pretty likely you'll love your wedding photos!

 

Q. What are the most important questions a couple should ask a photographer before booking with them?

A. How long have you been photographing weddings? 

-Do you carry insurance ? 

-Do you have back up equipment in case of theft or damage?

-How many photographers will be photographing my wedding? 

-How long after my wedding will my photos be ready?  

-Will I receive the high resolution images on DVD, or will I have to buy the images directly from you? 

-Are the images edited?  If so, what does that include?  

Q. Are there any misconceptions that couples have that you'd like to clear up?

A. I suppose the biggest misconception that people have would be that hiring a friend or family member to photograph your wedding is a great way to save money. The truth is that by hiring a friend or family member (with little or no wedding experience) you risk hurting your relationship with that person by putting unrealistic expectations on them, and then feeling negative feelings of disappointment when they aren't able to deliver you with the kind of images you envision from your wedding day.

 

Q. Any upcoming news or promos you'd like to share?

A. I recently offered a big 72 hour sale on remaining 2011 wedding dates, which was a huge success.  As a result of that success, I may actually consider offering another 72 hour sale in the near future!

Q. Do you feel it is important for a couple to hire a Wedding Planner? Why?

 

A. I often suggest to clients that they consider hiring a wedding planner for at least "day of"  or "month-of" co-ordination. I strongly believe that your wedding should be an experience of joy and celebration, and not one of worry and stress.

Hiring a wedding planner can help couples not worry about the endless "little things" that need to be done, and can really help them experience the day as they envision it!

Thank you Jennifer for taking the time to be our guest! 

Jennifer Images
905-854-6000
info@jenniferimages.ca
 87 Main Street North
Unit 2
Campbellville, ON
L0P 1B0