A Few of My Favorite Things-Special Items for Your Special Day

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I love the fact that this region has so many talented designers, decorators, artists and unique locations. These are all elements that couples can tap into when they want to put their signature on their Essex County wedding. Adding something special to your wedding day can be simply accomplished by adding a few of my favorite things!!

One of this area's talented jewellery designers Mimi of Mimi's Creations can customize distinctive accessory pieces commissioned just for you and your wedding party. Her approach is to be inspired by the very uniqueness of nature as nature does not repeat herself. The diversity of each selected component within her jewellery designs specifically made for your wedding day will celebrate the very distinct essence of each special woman, each bride, each bride's maid and each mother of the bride/groom that wears her designs. A simple dress can be turned into a work of art with Mimi's fabulous pieces and her jewellery will be relished by those you give it to for years after your wedding day.

Original Design by Mimi's Creations


L'atelier Du Chocolat a truly divine chocolate boutique located in downtown Windsor can custom make your chocolate edible centerpiece. This creative approach to edible artwork means that a stunning chocolate design can not only serve as your extraordinary center piece but can also be nibbled away by your guests when their late night munchie cravings begin.

Chocolate Center Piece by L'atelier Du Chocolat

Choosing unexpected wedding florals is a beautiful way to customize your wedding decor. Using unpredictable floral choices like artichokes, amethyst coloured cala lillies and wild grasses can create a combination of florals not seen before. Don't be afraid to choose striking colour combinations of non traditional wedding florals to put your own personal stamp on your bouquets and make them a creation that is unique to your wedding.

I & F Designs


Couples are searching for venues that are non traditional and diverse as weddings have become more intimate over the last few years. Outdoor weddings have become standard fair during the pleasant months of the year in Southern Ontario and finding a vineyard, park, backyard or tourist attraction to host your wedding is certainly a trend that only seems to be gaining strength.

A very special new addition to this region's winery locations is Cooper's Hawk Vineyards which opened this past summer in the Harrow area. This destination winery has a picturesque setting with its wide open vista of vines on a gentle slope. The addition of ponds to the property enhance wildlife habit and is just part of the "green" approach being taken by Cooper's Hawk Vineyards. The indoor building can host a small wedding of up to 70 guests and is also the perfect location for wedding showers, engagement parties and rehearsal dinners.

Pond location at Cooper's Hawk Vineyard

Outdoor venues often mean that couples will need specialty rentals and that is where a long established company like Festival Tent & Party Rentals can be invaluable. Their full smorgasbord of china, utensil, glassware, linen rentals and specialty items make for one stop shopping when you are taking your wedding out of a non traditional setting.

Rentals by Festival Tent & Party Rentals

For those couples looking for a very new setting to take their photos at Country Scape Photographic Backgrounds offers the picture perfect flavour of the great Essex County countryside. This farm setting complete with a barn, railroad tracks, corn fields and old antique car and tractors on site makes for the perfect photo op for those who adore the wealth of our Essex County region. (McCarthy Proprietors-519-737-6843)

However you choose to make your wedding day special by putting your own signature touch on the event keep it simple and let it reflect who you are. Your special day will be special in every way.

Your Wedding Beat

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Music is an important part of every wedding ceremony but it is often something that couples decide to plan last minute. They say that "music is the window of the soul" and a song can often trigger memories from years past for many years into the future. Making the correct music choices for your wedding day should be a top priority if you want to touch your guests and put your own personal imprint on your wedding.

With the trend of ceremonies moving out of the church and to more non-traditional settings like beaches, wineries, art galleries and backyards the variety of music played at the ceremony is no longer restricted by rules and traditions. If your wedding is in a church setting your pastor may require only music from a specific song list to be played at the ceremony. It is important to meet with your priest or officiant before selecting your live ceremony music to discuss how many songs will be needed and when these songs will occur during the ceremony.

As your ceremony ends and your wedding party starts to travel to take pictures or to head to your reception have an iPod or a CD burned with some of your favorite party songs to pump up in the limousine. This special thought will get your party started and your wedding party will be reminded of their limousine ride around town with you far into the future.

The reception offers two opportunties for music. Many couples are now choosing to have a live musician or their D.J. play dinner music beginning as guests arrive right until speeches begin. A word of caution-make sure this music is kept strictly as background music and doesn't interfere with your guest's socializing as they talk around their tables. Your guests will be looking forward to catching up with each other and loud music can often inhibit this from happening.

INTERMEZZO-LIVE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

Once dinner has been served, words have been spoken and tears have been shed it is time to really ignite the party. By this time your guests may have been sitting for over two hours and they will be ready to move. The first dance by the bride and groom often takes place before guests are invited to get up and dance. A serious consideration is to have your first dance right before dinner. Your guests will be more attentive and less likely to be in the washroom.

Choosing the song you play for your first dance is a task which will ultimately remind you of your wedding day far into the future. Make sure you select this song together and that it has memories for both of you. Whether your first dance is before or after dinner ensure that someone announces the dance for you and captures everyone's attention so that the focus is on you!!

Getting the party started and enduring a fun atmosphere for the rest of the evening will strictly depend on the tunes played for the rest of the night. D.J. packages come with very basic service such as a live D.J. and a quality stero system to packages that range with elborate lighting and pyro technics. Normally a D.J. package will be less expensive than booking a live band. A live band can add a dramatic touch to any affair and you can never under estimate the atmosphere that live music can create. Whatever you ultimately decide upon the most important factor will be the electricity either a D.J. or a live band will create for your guests.

It is important to meet with your D.J. or your band and to go over the top priority songs you want to play during the evening. Some couples may event want to discuss a "DO NOT PLAY" list with their music expert.

Some couples are now downloading their own music on an IPOD and playing their own tunes. This may save on your budget but remember that not having a professional on site to take care of your needs or special requests is very risky business. The mood created for the majority of your wedding reception will depend on music, dancing and your guests special requests. Not having a person at your wedding to take care of these needs with a quality system can mean terrible disappointment for both you and your guests at the end of it all.

Remember that your love will be expressed through music on your wedding day. Put some thought into your musical choices so that your love creates happy memories and dancing feet.