2014 Wedding Trends in Canada and beyond

I am so excited for the chance to have been interviewed about 2014 Wedding Trends in the Brantford Expositor! Check out my top tips:)

The Brantford ExpositorCopyright © 2014, The Brantford Expositor

The Brantford ExpositorCopyright © 2014, The Brantford Expositor. Unauthorized reproduction or Web posting prohibited.

1 / 21 - Thursday, January 23, 2014 Wedding trends for 2014 Edition: Final Source: JOANNE RICHARD, SPECIAL TO QMI AGENCY Section: Lifestyle Page: C3

   For whom the bells toll, 2014 is going to be a year that's up close and personal.
    Brides will be blushing, their moms crying and guests swooning when it comes to the wonderful world of weddings. Think small and quaint, warm beaches, pastels, and sleek silhouettes.
    "It's virtually impossible to create a truly memorable and unique event with a large guest count," says Karina Lemke, a Toronto-based wedding and event planner, of karinalemke.com.
    "The logistics of feeding and organizing guests takes its toll on the little details and atmosphere."
    One big trend is small scale soirees -- that means 10 to 100 people in a restaurant or unique venue.
    "Anything but a banquet hall!" says Lemke.
    Pledge your love and sip cocktails in a fancy barn, charming countryside inn, upscale bistro, chic gallery or a rooftop terrace.
    Or take it away -far away. Destination weddings will continue to boom in popularity.
    "Couples realize that spending tens of thousands of dollars is perhaps better applied to other things," says Lemke.
    "Going somewhere truly beautiful and unique with a few close family and friends is not only budget-wise, but romantic too."
    Cold months are heating up: Expect more off-season nuptials as couples forego flower-filled wedding photos and pocket 20% to 40% in savings, says Lemke. Besides hosting winter-month weddings, non-Saturday night weddings and afternoon brunches are expected to be popular. The savings are worth celebrating.
    Wedding design will focus on opposites and mismatched elements, says DeeDee Newell, certified wedding planner at weddingsjubilee.com."Rustic will meet elegant, and vintage marries modern/futuristic and so on."
    Colour the event in beautiful pastels, vibrant floral shades and metallics, says Newell. "Wedding dresses dazzle with dramatic backs, beautiful sleeve designs and more sleek silhouettes."
    Textures are rising to the occasion. "From wedding cakes to wedding stationary, smooth finishes will take a back seat this year," she says.
    Technology is a virtual boon. "Everything from Skype-ing in family and friends to join the ceremony, live video feeds for destination weddings, and live wedding Twitter parties, scrolling on a screen during the reception is mainstream in 2014," adds Newell.
    - - -
    Personal touches make the event one you'll remember
    Ditch the candy buffet, photo booth or dancing Vegas show-girls. "It's nothing your friends haven't seen before," says wedding planner Karina Lemke.
    So if they've seen one, make sure they haven't seen them all! up the unforgetability quotient by involving guests in the sentiment and events of the day:
    * Divorce conventional wedding hoopla! Put on a great show by infusing your own spirit into the festivities. Tell your story of your life as a couple.
    "The wedding can be an extension of who you are. Are you avid sailors? Then host a smaller wedding on a boat or by the water. have guests sign an oar rather than a guest book, use classic sailor's monkey knots as table markers."
    * If you love food, host in a favourite restaurant and offer a chef's tasting menu.
    "Make the meal the star of the night," suggests Lemke. "If you met in a neighbourhood coffee shop, have your ceremony and possibly your reception in that same shop."
    * Put some feeling into it!
    "have friends with beautiful voices serenade you. The bride could sing a song to her parents. Serve your favorite mac 'n' cheese or your grandma's chicken soup and homemade apple pie at your wedding. Skip the conventional banquet hall dish. These are the things that become stand-outs for guests."
    * Speak up but... We all hate long, boring speeches, however, a wedding that doesn't feature the host thanking their guests for attending, or the family expressing affection for their newly-married offspring, feels void of emotion, says Lemke.
    "Cut out wedding party speeches and the best man/ maid of honour speeches if you must, but the bride and groom, as well as a representative of each family, really should speak and with warmth, love and gratitude."
    * Bring on the kissing games. Maligned but mandatory.
    "We all hate them but a wedding where the bride and groom don't lock lips feels like a work party," adds Lemke. "There are ways to make it fun but if you opt to not have them, please remember to stand up at least once or twice and put on a good show for your guests."
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Copyright © 2014, The Brantford Expositor. Unauthorized reproduction or Web posting prohibited.

NEW VENUE SPOTLIGHT: TRINITY TAVERNA ON THE BEACH

Although there are so many amazing Toronto Venues, it’s been a very long time since a Toronto Event Venue has excited me! That is until last night when I, along with other Toronto Event Planners, was invited to visit Trinity Taverna on the Beach.

From the minute I approached the building my excitement was brewing as I had seen so many photos and heard raving reviews about this restaurant from others in the Greek Community (and trust me, we Greeks are picky). Once I entered the large gorgeous Mediterranean blue doors, I was transported to Greece!

The friendly greeting from the staff just added to what promised to be a beautiful experience. 

Our wonderful hostess from the Faulhaber Communications team, gave my colleague and I the grand tour. 

On my right was a beautiful market style display of fresh seafood and butchered meats leading into the open concept kitchen. On my left and beyond, was the brightly lit dining space glittered in white, pale & dark woods, a branch ceiling and glorious multi-coloured pillows that made my heart skip a beat. The focal point was a beautiful bench that cuddled a wonderful stationary blue-sea coloured water fixture surely meant to resemble the radiantly azure Ionian Sea.

As we continued through the restaurant, we came into an elegant cove of a semi-private room that had my heart racing and my creative juices flowing. The room was comprised of a floor to ceiling wine rack, complete with a ladder on the right side, floor to ceiling windows to the left, the far wall decorated in ancient clay vase displays and gorgeous wood beamed ceilings with a beautiful chandelier. The room flowed into a patio and I could swear I was smelling the salt-water from the sea.

Trinity Taverna, is deceivingly quite big! Along with the dining space, the Cove Semi-Private space an additional semi-private dining room with floor to ceiling windows and a majestic outdoor patio, there is an incredible private lounge upstairs! It’s absolutely perfect for a party of any type including a wedding. I’d recommend an elegant standing cocktail and dinner reception in this space. I loved the dark wood butcher block tables, open concept surrounded by very large windows, sofa style seating throughout, a lovely bar and the beautiful breeze coming up from the lake. Both the Lounge and lower level dining spaces overlook Lake Ontario, and if you didn't know any better, you'd swear you were on the shores of the Greek Isles.

The lounge extends into a dim-lit patio that is perfect if you want to separate yourself for a moment or if you want to enjoy a cigar or cigarette. Now, I’m not one to promote smoking, but this place thought of it all! Each room has an adjoining outdoor space so that your guests are not inconvenienced or made to feel uncomfortable in any way by having to exit the restaurant. Every little detail was considered so that the Trinity Taverna guest would feel welcome... and those of you who know me, know that I'm a stickler for detail and filoxenia (hospitality)! 

As for the food, well, that took the entire evening up about 100 notches and blew me away. It was a symphony of taste and flavour. From the savoury dumplings filled with lamb, caramelized leeks, feta & truffle oil wrapped in Filo Pastry, the sesame crusted feta topped with caviar to the mouth-watering shrimp, flavourful lamb chops, Mediterranean inspired battered cod with Greek style poutine and fresh Oysters, the flavours danced on your palette and surpassed your taste expectations. I'd describe the cuisine as a fusion of Mediterranean and French Styles with a sparkle of Greece; a dream for any foodie. 

Trinity Taverna is perfect for any event; the staff is exceptional; the owners willing and ready to make you happy and the event menus able to fit most budgets; the backdrop of a beautiful blue lake and with the addition, coming next year, of their outdoor tent that will be available year-round, where else would you go? On top of it all, they love working with Planners!! 

I truly had a magical experience and felt as if I was in Greece....even if it was only for a couple of hours. So for those needing to get away or those wanting to have a Destination Wedding but don't have the time or budget, this is your next best bet. 

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.

2011/2012 Wedding Trend Predictions by WeDDings Jubilee Planning

With 2010 out of the way, so are many past trends. This new year brings with it an air of excitement with a new decade beginning; and the anticipation of the 'sure-to-be' jaw-dropping Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Since world events tend to be used as inspiration, it is sure to play a role in your upcoming wedding.

Following is the top 10 list of what I, your trusted Wedding Planner, feel we will see a lot more of this year and into 2012.

1. Two Wedding Dresses; One for the ceremony and one for the reception. (Special thanks to Chelsea Clinton for reviving this trend as it is one of my favorites).


2. Couture hair designs; lavish hair accessories; stunning hats as well as high quality veils will be a spotlight this season.

3. Victorian and Edwardian era influences will be prevalent in designer Haute Couture dresses. We will see some breathtaking custom designs from fabulous designers worldwide.


4. Sapphire Blues, Violets and Yellows; Golds; Royal Blues & Purples and Charcoals; will be just some of the colors we see in floral design, decor and accents for the big day.


5. Cakes will be more elaborate and grandiose in their designs. Amazing cake artists will present incredible works of art as a focal point for your special day.


6. Brooch Bridal Bouquets and Wedding Bridal Bouquets with vintage Jewels surrounding them will create personalized and unique arrangements.


7. Liqueur sampling stations, specialty tea stations, wine and champagne stations will create the WOW factor to any after dinner station.


8. There will be a greater focus on the Grooms-to-be. From custom designed wedding attire, grooming services and inspired wedding design . The Groom will definitely shine this season.


9. Destination weddings will continue to rise in popularity, however, there will be a higher demand in private and remote locations. People will seek out intimate villa's, private islands and quaint towns around the world to host their weddings.


10. Couples will be heading to more exotic honeymoon locations. Africa, Thailand and Costa Rica will be welcoming a lot more couples in 2011 and 2012 that are looking for a once in a lifetime experience.