Here are some tips on how to choose flowers to compliment your wedding and save money on flower arrangements:

• Wedding flowers should be ordered 4-5 month before the wedding.
• Visit at least 2 or 3 different floral shops.
• Ask for estimates and see photographs of the florist’s past work.
• Check bridal magazines for flower arrangement ideas, bring pictures of the arrangements you liked.
• Bring a picture of your bridal gown and samples of the cloth of your attendants’ outfits, if possible. (It will help to choose what type, style and size of bouquet to match the outfits.)
• Be very specific about your wishes on the particular flowers you want, the type of holder you desire, and the size of the bouquet.
• Your flowers should suit your style and the theme of the wedding.
• Buy flowers that are in season, avoid choosing exotic flowers.
• Your bride’s maids bouquets should match their outfits and your bouquet
• The men in the wedding party should wear boutonnieres on the left lapel.
• Instead of bouquets you might choose to carry a single flower beautifully decorated with a ribbon.
• Your centerpieces should not be very large; otherwise your guest won’t be able to see from across the table.
• Ask your florists if you may decorate the reception hall with the same flower arrangements you used for the ceremony

Make sure you have a written contract of everything you pay for, it should specify what flowers you getting and how they are going to be used as well correct date and time of the event.

Remember, no verbal agreements.

Ask if there are any charges for delivery or setting up on your wedding day or any other hidden fees.

Here are a few tips to keep your stress level low:

• Expect that there will be stress in planning your wedding. Why? There are a lot of decisions to be made, many details to be worked out, and others may try to influence you. That is not bad or wrong, it just requires that you and your fiancé be aware of what is really happening. Respond to the situation appropriately and try not to get upset at each other.
• One of the greatest challenges facing brides and grooms is their feelings of wanting to please everyone. There are so many people involved – immidiate family, friends and relatives. Setting realistic expectations is very important. That’s why you should take the time to plan out your special day, make a budget and make sure you are realistic.
• Don’t expect perfection. Expect a terrific day. Setting expectations that are too high creates stress and leads to frustration, leading to more stress after the wedding day.
• Are you feeling stressed about certain elements of the wedding such as saying your wedding vows or your first dance? Visualize the event. Spend some quiet time alone, relax and really visualize in your mind the events going smoothly. Do these exercises several times a day if you need to! Visualization is a powerful tool that can help you in everything you do.
• One of the best ways to combat stress is to exercise. When things start getting out of control – STOP! Take a break and go to the gym or go for a brisk walk. There are always some people who know how to “push your buttons”. When you are feeling very stressed, be sure to stay away from or limit your time with these people.

Why does it cost so much to get a cake for your big day? Because quality tools and ingredients don’t come cheap. The pans that bakers use are expensive, as are good eggs, butter, whipping cream, etc. Make sure you ask your baker if he uses the real deal, as replacing pricey ingredients with more economical alternatives will result in a lower quality cake, so this is not the place you want to cut back. Another reason wedding cakes cost so much is because expert bakers and decorates charge a lot for their art. You’d probably agree that a wedding cake should be a feast for the eyes, as well as the palette. The unique designs that expert bakers create are masterpieces in their own way. It is a advisable to ask around and get referrals and quotes, just as you might with the caterer to your event. Do some taste testing of different samples before you decide on a baker.

So how do you get a beautiful, delicious cake to fit your budget? Check out the tips we offer below.

Ask your caterer and local baker before going to the professionals. There are usually less pricey alternatives and you can strike up a good deal. Local bakers who don’t specialize in wedding cakes usually charge less, and home bakers even less so, because they don’t have to pay for the maintenance fees for a bakery.

Check if the pastry chef at your favorite restaurant would be willing to make you a cake. Ask about the price, and see if you can save that way. I read on a forum that some brides have done just this and still had an amazing works of art that tasted great.

Get a price quote from the bakery at a nearby grocery store. Amazing cakes can be found at the supermarket for a much lower price than the traditional wedding cake artist. Consider getting a non-wedding cake that you can upgrade, it will likely be an option that fits your budget.

Check out the prices at a local culinary school. The fee can be significantly lower than that of a wedding cake designer when students are baking and decorating wedding cakes for their program.

Since elaborate, labor-intensive cakes are more pricey, keep it simple without all the fancy frills. Try choosing a more basic cake with one color, flavor, filling, etc, and this will be reflected in what you pay.

Do without cake tiers and fancy pillars or have the layers stacked. If you feel pillars are a must, find out if you can borrow them from your baker or use disposable ones instead of the high-end crystal ones.

Consider asking friends or relatives for a cake topper as a gift for the shower or wedding. Tell them what style you like (plastic or china).

Rent or buy a Styrofoam ‘dummy’ cake (from the local baker) for the cake table and have pre-plated sheet cakes served to your guests from the kitchen.

Buy the fancy multi-layered cake and decorate it yourself. Doing it yourself will save the baker time and you money.

Ask a friend or family member bake a cake for you.

Skip the cake completely and serve other deserts, such as tartlets, cheesecake, or have a desert buffet.

Mississauga City Hall

Beautifully landscaped venue for your wedding photographs. Permit required for indoor photos, but not outdoor ones. Fees are $89 for each hour before January ’07, and 89$ per 1.5 hours after January.

300 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, Ontario
Tel: 905.615.4100

Butterfly Conservatory

For over 60 years, the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens have been delighting visitors from around the globe with 100 acres of dazzling manicured gardens and arbora. No permit required for wedding photos. Note: No photos allowed inside Butterfly Conservatory.

9 km north of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls off the Niagara Parkway
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Tel: 905.371.0254/877.642.7275
Fax: 905.356.8448

Old Davis Tannery

Indoor venue giving the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs. Permits are $90 in advance and $120 if booked on the day of your wedding (including GST, full day permit).

465 Davis Drive, Suite 119
Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 2P1
Tel: 905.895.6833

Kariya Park

Japanese garden in the heart of Mississauga. All group photography occurring between Friday and Sunday afternoons must reserve and pay a fee of $90 to obtain a park permit. A permit reserves a 90-minute block of time after January ’07.

Kariya Drive just south of Burnhamthorpe Road
Mississauga, Ontario
Tel: 905.896.5384
Fax: 905.896.5508

Oakes Garden Theatre

Based on Greek amphitheatres of the past, Oakes Garden Theatre is a perfect blending of architecture and horticulture. This art nouveau structure was built in 1937 as an outdoor stage with both Falls serving as a backdrop. No permit required.

At the front of Clifton Hill
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Tel: 905.371.0254/877.642.7275
Fax: 905.356.8448

University of Toronto

Photos are allowed on the campus on weekends and holidays. The permits are given hourly for $120 including GST. For University of Toronto students, alumni and employees the fee is $60 with ID. Applies only to outdoor shots. For more information contact Rose Stina.

Call for Campus locations
Tel: 416.978.5581/416.978.2187

Kleinburg Railway Staiton

Features a unique collection of architectural constructs in a waterfront garden setting on Lake Ontario. Ask for Nelly or Heather.
south side of Guildwood Parkway between Morningside Avenue and Kingston Road

Scarborough, Ontario
Tel. 416.392.8188

Fantasy Fair

Imagine the excitement of a turn-of-the-century Victorian town complete with a dazzling array of rides and attractions for kids of all ages! $60 fee for registration applies. Rides may be reserved for $60 for 15 minutes ($150 for 3 rides).

Woodbine Mall, 500 Rexdale Boulevard
Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 6K5
Tel: 416.674.5437
Fax: 416.674.8684

Gairloch Gardens

Located in the heart of North York. Photo permits are $12.25 an hour. Bookings should be made at least 2 weeks prior to the date.
North-west corner of Yonge and Park Home Avenue
North York, Ontario
Tel: 416.392.8188

North York Rose Garden

A former Estate garden featuring perennials and roses on the uplands and wildflowers, rhododendrons and an extensive rockery in the valley. Ask for Nelly or Heather.
South west corner of Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East
North York, Ontario

Tel. 416.392.8188

Chinguacousy Park

No permits required for outside photos. Greenhouse may be booked for $100/hour (up to 10 people, $125/hour if non-resident). Chapel also available for $100/hour (seating 30 people, $125/hour if non-resident)

Corner of Queen & Bramalea
Brampton, Ontario
Tel: 905.458.6555

Allan Gardens

Indoor photo venue perfect for any kind of weather condition on your wedding day. Admission is free. Photo permits are $40 for an hour (up to 12 people per group).

South side of Carleton between Jarvis & Sherbourne Streets
Toronto, Ontario
Tel: 416.392.7288

Queen Victoria Park

Amongst the majestic trees and beautifully manicured lawns you will find the splendour of rose gardens, carpet bedding, rock gardens, perennial borders and annual beds. No permit required for wedding photos.

Adjacent to the Canadian Horseshoe Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Tel: 905.371.0254 / 877.642.7275
Fax: 905.356.8448

The McMichael Grounds

The gallery is nestled on 100 acres of land overlooking the East Humber River Valley. Two hour permits are $125. No pictures after 5pm.

10365 Islington Avenue
Kleinburg, Ontario, L0J 1C0
Tel: 905.893.0344 ext 273
Fax: 905.893.2588

Victoria Park

Beautifully landscaped park located minutes from downtown Kitchener. No photo permit required.

Park Street between Victoria & Queen’s Boulevard
Kitchener, Ontario

Rockway Gardens

Beautifully landscaped park located minutes from downtown Kitchener. No photo permit required.

Along King Street between Highway 86 and Ottawa Street, Kitchener, Ontario

High Park

High Park is a large and varied natural area encompassing a pond, wooded areas, trails, open picnic areas and various recreational facilities. Permits are $40 for an hour. No limits on group size. Note: No pictures may be taken in the Hillside flower garden area.

Keele & Bloor
Toronto, Ontario
Tel: 416.392.8188
Fax: 416.392.3355

Sunnyside Park

This park is located along Lake Ontario between Etobicoke and downtown Toronto. Featuring wooded areas, beaches and a boardwalk. Permits are $40 for an hour and allow for groups up to 20 people.

Lakeshore & Colborne Lodge Drive
Toronto, Ontario
Tel: 416.392.8188

Casa Loma

Whether planning a gala dinner, a cocktail party or a wedding ceremony and reception, Casa Loma provides the perfect setting for an evening you will never forget. Enjoy the exclusive use of three charming main floor rooms.

1 Austin Terrace
Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1X8
Tel: 416.923.1171 ext 213 email
Fax: 416.923.0412

Royal Botanical Gardens

The colourful array of blooms is a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photography. Our gardens are available from April to October for $80 (up to 20 people). Ceremony and reception facilities also available.

680 Plains Road West, Burlington, Ontario L7T 4H4
Tel: 905.527.1158 ext 0
Fax: 905.577.0375

Gage Park

Located in downtown Brampton accross from City Hall. Permits are $52/day. Wedding ceremony facilities for $117/hour including Gazebo and 80 chairs. For more information contact Sharon L. Loggie.

Corner of Main & Wellington
Brampton, Ontario
Tel: 905.874.2133
Fax: 905.874.2119

Old Mill

A Toronto landmark for special occasions and memorable events.

21 Old Mill Road
Toronto, Ontario, M8X 1G5
Tel: 416.236.2641 email
Fax: 416.236.2749

Guild Inn Gardens

Located atop the Scarborough Bluffs, the Guild Inn sits amid 90 acres of forest, gardens, lawns and woodland trails. An impressive collection of historic architecture and sculpture dots the landscape. Permits are $100 for 2 hours.

201 Guildwood Parkway
Scarborough, Ontario, M1E 1P6
Tel: 416.392.8186

Long Hair
If your hair is long and you wear it pulled back most of the time than an elegant updo would be just the look. Incorporate a detail from your gown into your hair design. Details such as braiding or twisting of fabric can be duplicated into the hairstyle. Another option is to look to the texture of the dress for ideas. A soft wispy hairstyle complements a full-skirted tulle gown. A smooth gown of a heavy weight fabric is complemented by a smooth, shiny hairstyle of knots or rolls. Do you wear your long hair down most of the time? Then try wearing some of it up away from your face and leave the rest to cascade around your shoulders. Let few tendrils escape to float around your face; they can be curled or left natural. Having it all down is just too casual for the big day.
Tip: Natural curls? Enhance them and work with them; keep your look soft. Straight hair? Don’t expect a set to last all day, wear it up. If the curls are pinned in place there will be less worry.

Medium Hair
If your hair is medium in length it can be curled and worn with a sparkly headband or tiara to dress it up. Or simply tuck some hair behind your ears and use one of the very popular decorative hair clips to hold it back. With the help of a talented stylist, your hair can also be worn up.
Tip: If your dream is to wear it up and you have a few months grow it out, go for it. Medium hair is versatile; try a few looks with your stylist at least a few months ahead of time. This helps to chart out the growing process.

Short Hair
There’s so much that can be done! Dust off your curling iron and give your hair some fullness in the crown area and back. Flatter fronts are in right now so sweep the hair off to the side and save the curls for the back area. Today’s “curls” are for creating texture. Many hair products on the market are designed for “texturizing the hair” not necessarily for hold.

Tip: Don’t touch the curls while they are warm, it will loosen them up too much. Once cooled run your finger through your hair with some hair wax and pinch and place the “texture” where you want it! Don’t brush them out, it will look too poofy, frizzy, and dated!! Top your do with a tiara or a few hair clips and you are ready to go!

Headpieces
Here is the best advice!
Pick out your wedding gown first
Decide on your hairstyle second
Choose the headpiece and veil third
I have actually tore apart a headpiece on the brides wedding day and redesigned it because it did not go with the hairstyle she wanted. The best way of course is to have a couple of trial run appointments at the hair salon prior to the big day. This way an exchange can be made for a different style headpiece if necessary. Don’t feel pressured into purchasing a headpiece because it “matches your dress”. Instead look for a detail from the gown you would like to enhance and find a headpiece that complements. It may be pearls, a flower detail, or the trim. Or match the flowers in your bouquet.

Petite?
If you are finding that the headpieces seem to big, look at what is offered for first communion headpieces and ask the bridal salon to add a longer veil..

Second marriage?
Having a veil is fine if you want one, but you may want to skip the blusher. A beautiful tiara can be a perfect ornament for your hairstyle.

New Trend!!
Ornament your hairstyle! Look in the bridal section of the craft store for fun finds! There are also many beautiful decorative hair sticks, barrettes and bobby pins to add to your hairstyle! Simply attach a comb with netting to cascade down the back of the hairstyle, i.e. (easily removable at the reception.)