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

Vendor Spotlight: L-EAT!

Who doesn't love food? Food can either make or break your wedding day. It is certainly one of the most important elements at a wedding. If it tastes bad or is served cold (unless it's supposed to be), your guests will be completely unforgiving about it; If it's great, it will have your guests spinning with delight all night long and talking about the 'pleasing-to-the-senses' feast for a very long time.

Now, combine creative chef's, top quality ingredients, amazing customer service and a full service catering company that works with the couple, and you have the recipe for L-EAT!
We contacted our friend Deirdre Anderson at L-EAT, who was thrilled to chat with us and provided amazing insight for you, our awesome readers!

Enjoy,
your trusty wedding planner:)

How did you come up with the name L-EAT?

The name L-Eat is a play-on-words – Tony was going to name the company Elite Catering – but decided to get creative and incorporate the word, eat.

How did the company get started?

Tony Loschiavo founded l-Eat in 1983; his friends in the hair dressing industry suggested that he start a catering business selling sandwiches to hairdressers who were too busy to leave their chairs to go for lunch. From there, the clients started requesting the info of the catering company. From there, our full service catering was born. It’s safe to note that our growth has generally been from word of mouth.

What sets you apart from other caterers?

- We are focused on the balance of all the important aspects of our business.

- Food that is focused on quality and that is at once innovative and consistent but that still offers true value to our clients.

- The ability to customize menus for any occasion and any client.

- Qualified catering sales managers who work closely and efficiently with clients in order to deliver seamless catered events.

- Attention to detail and aesthetics.

- Excellence in customer service and retention – we try to make every client a lifetime client, with great success.

What 5 tips can you give a couple to help them make the best choice in caterers?

- Hire someone who not only has great food but that offers exceptional customer service.

- Hire someone that is truly excited about making their day unique and special

- That shares similar vision and personality – it is a process and couples should really like the person they are working with

- Make sure your caterer listens and interprets the vision correctly.

- Love the food!

What are important questions that a couple should ask a caterer before booking?

- Who will run the catering portion of the function the day of?

- Will the clients contact be on site the day of? (at L-eat yes)

- What the client can expect from the caterer – what is the process?

- In the event of emergencies during the planning stages and the day of – what is the best way to get a hold of the caterer?

Are there any misconceptions that a couple have that you'd like to clear up?

Yes – that caterers just offer typical foods and aren't creative. The ability to be a good caterer is to constantly evolve and customize - often the best ideas come from the couple who are living and breathing their wedding. The caterer should be able to extract those ideas and turn them into reality while giving them good, honest advice.

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

Yes – we always recommend a wedding coordinator – at the very least for the day of the event. It allows the caterer to focus on the food and service. A caterer and wedding coordinator work together to ensure that everything runs seamlessly and on time – while allowing the bride and groom and wedding party to enjoy their day!

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

We try to keep our pricing consistent throughout the year – we never compromise on quality

in order to meet a budget however we are capable of working with couples at various price points by altering menu items and variety.

L-EAT CATERING
3829 Bathurst Street
Toronto, Ontario
M3H 3N1
P: 416.631.9226
F: 416-633-9247
www.leatcatering.com

P.S. For those dying to try their food and just can't wait, they provide all the catering at the Paese Ristorante. Believe me, the food is to scrumptious!

Paese Ristorante
3827 bathurst street
416.631.6585
or
333 King Street West,
416.599.6585

WeDDings Jubilee proudy presents....

When I was first approached by New Beginnings to Plan the 4th Annual Wedding Bliss for New Beginnings, it was a no brainer!  A Wedding Dress Sale that fulfills dreams! A bride finds her dream dress while helping a mother achieve her dream of being able to single-handedly support her children. Fantastic!

New Beginnings is a charity that helps women who have fallen onto a state of poverty. They not only train these amazing women with new and improved skills, but they help them support their children while assisting in their transition to a state of self-sufficiency. This charity is in one word: AMAZING!

New Beginnings represents to me 'what could've been' and 'what could be'; let me explain. Growing up, my single mother had to work three jobs to make ends meet. Although we were never in a state of poverty, it was only because she worked her butt off so that we did not lack a single thing. The result, she missed out on a lot of our extra-curricular activities.  If New Beginnings existed then, that may have been different. Today, having my own family, my own business and like almost everyone else more debt than is comfortable, I see how easy it to get to a state where things are out of your control.  It doesn't take much people. This is why my involvement in this fundraiser is so deep for me and I've been determined from day one to make it exceptional and try my best to raise a whopping 30K. That's my ultimate goal!

Along with me, there are some amazing sponsors and vendors that are making this event incredible!