Drumroll please.....and the winner is:

Congratulations

Nina Georgiadis!!

Thanks to everyone who entered our contest! Remember the Royal Offers are still applicable until May 31, 2011!
The Winner will receive:

Day-of Management Services** by me, WeDDings Jubilee Planning.

$250 off any DJ Package* with Scotia Entertainment services.

1 free engagement session with Eve and Jennifer, from Eve Traetto Photography & Jen Shoots Weddings, including a 1 hour session at the location/s of choice within the GTA, 5 8x10 prints and an online gallery. Also, 25% off wedding photography packages for 2011 and 15% off for 2012 weddings for everyone that enters the competition.

Q & A:

Question 1: What is a Milliner?

A Hat Maker.

Question 2: How many wedding cakes did Princess Diana and Prince Charles actually have for their wedding?

Can you believe they had 27 cakes!

Question 3: How long was Princess Diana's Veil at her Wedding to Prince Charles?

It was long: 7.6 Meters.

Question 4: Where will the Royal Wedding Reception take place

Buckingham Palace it is and did you see Duchess Catherine's second dress?

Question 5: What have Kate and Prince William asked for in lieu of wedding gifts?

Charitable Donations, I mean what else do you get two people who have it all?

Question 6: In what year did Alcohol Consumption decline, thanks to Tea?

1662 when tea became the most chic thing to drink...

Question 7: What time did The Royal Wedding Ceremony take place (London, UK Time)?

11:00 AM

*Must be booked by May 31, 2011. Ceremony only & Reception only are not included in our packages.
**Transportation and Accommodations are not included. The wedding, event, or special occasion must be before April 2012. Expires May 31, 2011.

Wake up Calls for your Wedding Day - 1 more day to the Royal Wedding.

Royal Wedding Countdown - 1 More Day and Prince William will marry his true love!

Official Wedding Program Portrait by Mario Testino

I said I wouldn't submit to the Toronto Star Wake-Up Call tomorrow, but I gave in. Since I actually provide Wake Up Calls as one of the services in all my Wedding Planning Packages , perhaps I'm a little biased, but I absolutely love the idea.

In any case, I am gushing with excitement and can't wait to put on my fabulous hat & meet my fellow planner friends at the Royal York tomorrow at 5AM to watch the Royal lovebirds tie the knot! After all, it is my duty as your trusted Wedding Planner to provide you with the 'Pomp and Circumstance' of this Jubilee. From Wedding Dress Styles and Floral choices to Invitations and Cake Design you can pretty much bet that the Royal Wedding will set the stage for new wedding trends in the upcoming seasons.


Question 7: What time is The Royal Wedding Ceremony taking place tomorrow (London, UK Time)?

Answer: Please post answer below or email here (please enter Royal Wedding Contest and your name on the subject line).

Royal Wedding Contest Info and Rules: At the end of this week, on the wedding day (April 29, 2011), I will offer ALL of my 'Royal' couples, a $200.00 special discount off any one of our planning packages*. Of course that's not all. We will also be giving one lucky reader the chance to win Planning, DJ services and Photography (see details below):

Prizes:

Day-of Management Services** by me, WeDDings Jubilee Planning.

$250 off any DJ Package* with Scotia Entertainment services.

1 free engagement session with Eve and Jennifer, from Eve Traetto Photography & Jen Shoots Weddings, including a 1 hour session at the location/s of choice within the GTA, 5 8x10 prints and an online gallery. Also, 25% off wedding photography packages for 2011 and 15% off for 2012 weddings for everyone that enters the competition.

Rules:

What do you have to do? Easy. Answer my 7 trivia questions correctly, share this post on Facebook or Twitter and you are automatically entered. You can either reply with your response to this post or email me the answers; please use the subject line Royal Wedding Contest and include your name. Good luck to you all.


*Must be booked by May 31, 2011. Ceremony only & Reception only are not included in our packages.
**Transportation and Accommodations are not included. The wedding, event, or special occasion must be before April 2012. Expires May 31, 2011.

Where in Toronto Will you view the Royal Wedding? - 4 more days!

4 more days to go until Prince William weds his Princess!
There is so much hype, borderline overkill, about the Royal Wedding; however, how can you help not get into the vibe? The excitement is contagious and I can't help but get into nervous Planner mode for this occasion.

I know what you're thinking: 'why get into planner mode when I'm not Kate and Will's planner?'; well, because my obligation is to my current & soon-to-be WeDDings Jubilee Planning Couples. If you are like many of others in the GTA, you are either getting up early, tea in hand to watch at home alone, hosting a breakfast tea party or trying to find a great place to be a 'virtual' guest at Westminster Abbey.


Following is a list of the GTA's top spots to view this epic event. Hope to spot you around town with your fancy hat on:)

On the Park Events & Conference Centre, 1095 Leslie St. (416-510-2002)

Friday, April 29. Doors open at 5:30 a.m., live telecast on 17-foot HD screen at 6. Admission: $25 (plus tax). Includes buffet breakfast, rides in open-style horse and carriage, door prizes. Contact rebeccah@eventsonthepark.ca.

Fox & the Fiddle, 27 Wellesley E. (416-944-9369)

Friday, April 29, 5:30 a.m. English breakfast + live telecast of the Royal Wedding

Duke of Kent, 2315 Yonge St. (416-485-9507)

Friday, April 29, 5 a.m., traditional English breakfast for $8.99 + live telecast

Le Méridien King Edward Hotel, 37 King St. East (416-863-9700)

Friday, April 29, 5-9 a.m. full English breakfast at the Sovereign Ballroom

$65/person + live telecast of the Royal Wedding

Windsor Arms Hotel, 18 St. Thomas St. (416-971-9666)

April 28-30: “The Royal Tea and Gift” – traditional afternoon tea, $75

April 29: 4-11 a.m. – “The Royal Experience” - Traditional English breakfast + live telecast of the Royal Wedding, $125

April 29: 2-5 p.m. – “A Royal Buffet Tea” in the Courtyard Café, $60

Fairmont Royal York, 100 Front St. W.

Friday, April 29 at the Library Bar – English afternoon tea served in fine china with sandwiches, pastries and dessert + live telecast, $35. Reservations: 416-860-5004.

Friday, April 29, 5 a.m. at Epic Lounge – Traditional English breakfast, $21. Smart casual dress code. Reservations: 416-860-6949.

Swansea Town Hall, Rousseau Room, 95 Lavinia Ave. (416-392-1954

April 29, 5:45 a.m. – Tea service + live telecast. Hosted by Parkdale-High Park councillor Sarah Doucette. Red white and blue dress code.

Dundurn Castle, 610 York Blvd, Hamilton (905-546-2872)

April 29: 4-6 p.m. – Royal Tea at the ancestral home of the Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

T-buds Uptown Tea Lounge, 3343 Yonge St. (647-352-3622)

Friday, April 29, 1-3 p.m. – Full service afternoon tea and fine foods, complete with a custom-made Royal Wedding tea blend and a life-size cardboard cut-out of Will and Kate for picture-taking purpose (some proceeds go to Children’s Wish Foundation).

Acheson’s Gifts and Decorative Accents, 78 First St., Orangeville (519-940-4719)

April 29, 5 a.m. — Complimentary tea, scones and sandwiches. Entry charge is one non-perishable food item to be donated to local food band.

Toronto Antiques on King, 284 King St. W. (416-260-9057)

Friday, April 29, 1-5 p.m. — Royal wedding party with high tea. Half of $100 sale price from faux Kate Middleton engagement rings going to Make A Wish Foundation.

Question 4: Where will the Royal Wedding Reception take place?

Answer: Please post answer below or email here (please enter Royal Wedding Contest and your name on the subject line).

Royal Wedding Contest Info and Rules: At the end of this week, on the wedding day (April 29, 2011), I will offer ALL of my 'Royal' couples, a $200.00 special discount off any one of our planning packages*. Of course that's not all. We will also be giving one lucky reader the chance to win Planning, DJ services and Photography (see details below):

Prizes:

Day-of Management Services** by me, WeDDings Jubilee Planning.

$250 off any DJ Package* with Scotia Entertainment services.

1 free engagement session with Eve and Jennifer, from Eve Traetto Photography & Jen Shoots Weddings, including a 1 hour session at the location/s of choice within the GTA, 5 8x10 prints and an online gallery. Also, 25% off wedding photography packages for 2011 and 15% off for 2012 weddings for everyone that enters the competition.

Rules:

What do you have to do? Easy. Answer my 7 trivia questions correctly, share this post on Facebook or Twitter and you are automatically entered. You can either reply with your response to this post or email me the answers; please use the subject line Royal Wedding Contest and include your name. Good luck to you all.


*Must be booked by May 31, 2011. Ceremony only & Reception only are not included in our packages.
**Transportation and Accommodations are not included. The wedding, event, or special occasion must be before April 2012. Expires May 31, 2011.

Wedding Hairstyles fit for Royalty - 5 more days to the Royal Wedding!!

5 more days...

In anticipation of the big Royal Day, I was wondering what Kate Middleton's long-time hairdresser, James Pryce, will be doing with her hair?

Through the years, we've seen the Royal family with hairstyles ranging from full-up do's to a simple combing, but one thing has always been apparent, they have always been perfectly suited to each distinct personality.
Some rumors say that soon-to-be Princess Kate, will be adorning her hair half-up; and hairdresser Richard Ward has said it will be all natural with her lustrous locks sweeping down. In my opinion, the hairstyle should not only suit the Brides personality but also the style of dress and headpiece she will be wearing. It is very important that a Bride feels extravagant on her special day and not just ordinary. That is why I'm going to go against the grain and say that she will surprise everyone by having a full up-do.

For a headpiece, I really can't see her as the tiara over the veil 'princess' like Princess Diana, but I can see her gracing a vintage style birdcage veil or an exclusive bridal hat with an elegant blusher veil. One thing is certain, regardless of what her headpiece is, her hairstyle will surely look as captivating as she will.

Question 3: How long was Princess Diana's veil at her wedding to Prince Charles?

Answer: Reply below or email here. (subject line should read: Royal Wedding Contest and your name).

Royal Wedding Contest Info and Rules:

At the end of this week, on the wedding day (April 29, 2011), I will offer ALL of my 'Royal' couples, a $200.00 special discount off any one of our planning packages*. Of course that's not all, we will also be giving one lucky reader the chance to win our day-of management services**and $250 off any DJ Package* with Scotia Entertainment services. What do you have to do? Easy. Answer my 7 trivia questions correctly, share this post on Facebook or Twitter and you are automatically entered. You can either reply with your response to this post or email me the answers; please use the subject line Royal Wedding Contest. Good luck to you all.


*Must be booked by May 31, 2011. Ceremony only & Reception only are not included in our packages.
**Transportation and Accommodations are not included. The wedding, event, or special occasion must be before April 2012. Expires May 31, 2011.

Let there be cake! - 6 Days to go to the Royal Wedding

6 Days left until Miss Kate Middleton becomes a Princess!

How sweet is that? Speaking of sweet, I wonder how their wedding cake will look? If they go the traditional 'Royal Family' route, they will have a beautiful multi-tiered majestic cake that is over 300 -500 lbs of goodness with a fruit cake filling.

Pictured from left to right: Phillip Mountbatten & Queen Elizabeth II; Prince Charles and Diane Spencer; Prince Rainer III & Grace Kelly

If they follow Kate's keen sense of style, I could see them doing something a little more artistic but still keeping it elegant. Maybe a red-velvet cake that is creative and stylish.

Perhaps they will surprise everyone and do something artistic or completely out of the box, that nobody expects. A croque-en-bouche or macaron cake? You never know, we may even see Earl Grey Tea flavoured cupcakes incorporated in there somewhere.
Whatever they choose it is sure to be amazing and will most certainly create our upcoming wedding trends. Just like many others, I can't wait to see what their cake will look like!

Royal Contest Question

Question 2: How many wedding cakes did Princess Diana and Prince Charles actually have for their wedding?

Answer: Reply below or email here. (subject line should read: Royal Wedding Contest and your name).

Answer:


Royal Wedding Contest Info and Rules:

At the end of this week, on the wedding day (April 29, 2011), I will offer ALL of my 'Royal' couples, a $200.00 special discount off any one of our planning packages*. Of course that's not all, we will also be giving one lucky reader the chance to win our day-of management services**and $250 off any DJ Package* with Scotia Entertainment services. What do you have to do? Easy. Answer my 7 trivia questions correctly, share this post on Facebook or Twitter and you are automatically entered. You can either reply with your response to this post or email me the answers; please use the subject line Royal Wedding Contest. Good luck to you all.


*Must be booked by May 31, 2011. Ceremony only & Reception only are not included in our packages.
**Transportation and Accommodations are not included. The wedding, event, or special occasion must be before April 2012. Expires May 31, 2011.

DJ Service prize added on to our Royal Contest!

My good friends over at Scotia Entertainment Services, Terry Holdershaw and Michelle Clayton, have decided to add to the Prize Giveway for the Royal Contest. For the contest winner they will include $250 off any of their DJ Packages.



They are also offering a great, limited time special offer of their Royal Wedding Package:

Royal Wedding Package – $1999 Sale Price $1749*

- Up to 8 hours of Service w/ Professional DJ & Digital Music Library
- Assistant DJ & Lighting Programmer
- Clear Sound System with Subwoofers for The Best Sound
- Premium Intelligent Moving Head Light Show on Upright Truss
- Disco Ball
- 10 LED Up-Wall Lights
- Wireless Microphone
- Red Carpet at Entrance

*Valid until Kate becomes a Princess on April 29th, 2011

Email michelle@scotiaentertainment.com for more info or to confirm your booking!

Royal Wedding Week Countdown & Royal Contest by WeDDings Jubilee Planning

It's Royal Wedding Week! Yay:)) I am so excited that Kate and William are tying the knot, and have been waiting patiently for this week to arrive to have some fun and showcase some of my favorite Royal things.


My idea of fun? Trivia and giveaways! At the end of this week, on the wedding day, I will offer ALL of my 'Royal' couples, a $200.00 special discount off any one of our planning packages*. Of course that's not all, we will also be giving one lucky reader the chance to win our day-of management services**. What do you have to do? Easy. Answer my 7 trivia questions correctly, share this post on Facebook or Twitter and you are automatically entered. You can either reply with your response to this post or email me the answers; please use the subject line Royal Wedding Contest. Good luck to you all.

7 days to go until Kate becomes a Princess!

What to wear?

Hats, hats and more hats. I'm sure there will be a Sea of amazing, couture hats worn by on-lookers, guests and of course the Royal Family! There will be hats with feathers, hats with flowers, hats in all shapes and sizes; Purple hats, Red hats...you get the gist. I can tell you that I will be watching at 3am, hat on and all;)



One of my favorite Hat Vendors is none other than KC's Hats. They have the most amazing, elegant and unique hats, fasteners and bridal hairpieces that you could ever imagine; they are on their own level & in their own creative realm.

David Dunkley, who studied with the former Royal Milliner is the creative maker behind KC's Hats and his designs have been sported by the Royal entourage of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II & at her functions. Absolutely breathtaking designs and high quality make them one of the top go-to places for hats worldwide. You can visit David and KC's at Studio 998 in Downtown, Toronto.

KC's Hats

Studio 998

998 Bathurst Street

Toronto, ON

Tel.: 416-538-0998

ROYAL CONTEST QUESTION:




Question 1: What is a Milliner?
Answer: Reply below or email here. (subject line should read: Royal Wedding Contest and your name).





*Ceremony only & Reception only are not included in our packages. Must be booked by May 31, 2011.
**Transportation and Accommodations are not included. The wedding, event, or special occasion must be before April 2012. Expires May 31, 2011.

Vendor Spotlight: The Groomshow!

Hello! Hello! I'm taking a different stroke to today's vendor spotlight to support a dear friend and to promote what is sure to be an AWESOME show: The Groomshow!



You've all heard and probably been to at least one bridal show, but I can guarantee that you have not been to anything like this! Ophellia Mcknight, who has literally poured her blood (believe me, I've seen her go and it's comparable to the road runner;) into producing this show; has created the first ever wedding show for all the wonderful grooms-to-be. Come get your Groom on, at the Groom Show on April 17, 2011 at the Erin Mills Convention Center.


GET YOUR GROOM ON AT FIRST-EVER WEDDING SHOW JUST FOR MEN

They’ll be standing at the altar too and yet so often the Grooms seem to fade from the wedding planning equation. Everywhere you turn from magazines and web sites to TV and tradeshows, wedding planning seems to be directed at and speak to the Bride. Over the last few years however men have begun to climb out from the backseat and take an active role in the planning of their wedding. But where do they go for inspiration and ideas when their interests are seemingly under-represented in the wedding industry?

Enter The Groom Show – the very first wedding show in all of North America that’s just for the Groom. Held on Sunday, March 6, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 5 PM at the Erin Mills Convention Centre, The Groom Show understands that wedding planning is for Grooms too and provides an entertaining program that’s free from lace, roses and sparkle. Tickets for the show can be purchased online at www.groomshow.ca for $15 per couple or for $10 per person at the door.

From unique ideas and products to exceptional wedding professionals and entertainment, Groom Show is everything a guy could want for his wedding. In addition to “man-to-man” seminars held in “The Man Cave”, one-on-one chats with outstanding professionals in the industry and free espresso all day, The Groom Show also features a Gaming Room where Grooms can out-race or out-golf their Best Man, beer and liquor tastings, incredible ‘guy-friendly’ Door Prizes and a “Fashion for the Modern Man” runway of the best formal, destination and honeymoon fashions for men.

With every up and coming wedding, another Groom follows their Bride-to-be from boutique to boutique, attend Bridal shows, flip through Bridal magazines and watch wedding programs on TV. For the first time in North America Groom’s can now have a place to call their own within the wedding industry! Join your fellow Groomsmen at The Groom Show March 6th at the Erin Mills Convention Centre and Get Your Groom On!

For more info. or if you are vendor looking to be part of the show, please contact Ophellia!

Ophellia McKnight, Producer, The Groom Show
416-938-5465
ophellia@groomshow.ca

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.