You’ve been together for a while. Shared the laughters, the tears and the smiles. Been through the highs and lows of life. Came out strong after months of isolation and physical distancing. And now, you’re sure this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. So you decide to propose, and it’s gotta be special!!

Planning a proposal can be fun and nerve-racking at the same time. In the past, marriage proposals have ranged from grand spectacular public displays, flash mobs or sports event proposals to faraway intimate destination events. With the Covid-19 pandemic altering our lives, we’re seeing a change in the way marriage proposals are being carried out. 

This means couples are resorting to more intimate, and private proposals. Destination proposals and elaborate public event proposals are declining in trend. Ultimately, it translates to having more elaborate decor, floral arrangements at scenic locations, and more grand, luxurious displays. With the help of professionals, you can add unique elements to the venue and also make sure that each and every special moment is professionally captured by a photographer. Moreover, incorporating videography is also a growing trend as couples want to share this special moment with family and friends who would otherwise have been a part of this occasion, if social distancing and safety measures were not in place.

So if you’re ready to pop the question this year, here’re some of our creative picks to make sure you’re expressing your love the way it deserves to be expressed.

1. At Home Proposals

With tighter social distancing and travel restrictions in place, it’s no surprise that a lot of couples are  preferring stay-at-home proposals. These proposals can be simple, super-sweet and romantic. If you can’t go out, bring the celebration home!

You can do a breakfast in bed proposal or use your backyard / front yard space to add unique decorations. Hang up a sign (indoors or outdoors) to pop the question using a letter board, neon letters, balloons or paper lanterns. This is where you can get more creative with the decor.

Alternately, you can transform your apartment or house into an exotic destination that you and your partner have been wanting to travel to, giving the feel of a destination proposal.

A lot of couples are choosing to make their proposal more special with grand floral decorations and elaborate chandeliers. This is where attention to details matter a lot. You can make your personal space filled with floral decor and fairy lights to make your partner feel like they’re part of a fairytale. This is usually where a little help from an event planner can help you go that extra mile for your partner. 

2. Book a private venue (hotel/rooftop/party room)

Booking a private venue could vary from a hotel room to a rooftop to booking a patio or even a party room in a condo building. Add some candles, floral arrangements, small crystal decorations and you have yourself a pretty romantic ambiance. Ultimately bringing together all the little details that have made your relationship special. Show her why she’s the one, and give her that moment she’ll remember forever.

Feel free to check out our Instagram gallery here for some inspirational pictures from one of the intimate hotel room events we planned for our clients during the pandemic.

3. Scenic Outdoor Proposal

We saw a lot of these last summer and since then, this trend has been the most popular choice for couples. You can choose ANY outdoor space. From a simple regular stroll in the neighbourhood to recreational parks to beaches! Some couples choose to do it during their summer mountain top hiking adventures to get that extra adrenaline pumping. The possibilities are endless! 

Try local destinations or drive down to a vineyard a serene lake a bit outside of the city. This will give a feeling of getting away while still being within the proximity of your local residence. To take it up a notch, plan it ahead. Have your event planner decorate that scenic location with flowers, lighting and perhaps an intimate dinner set up for two. Not your regular scenic outing after all! Not only will this add a personal touch to the venue but will also make this special moment memorable for both of you. 

4. Zoom Proposals

A virtual celebration is one of the best ways to celebrate special occasions while keeping your friends and family included and safe. Generally, there are surprise post-proposal parties where friends and families get together to congratulate the couple and share in their happiness. With safety measures in place, a lot of couples are choosing to propose one-on-one, followed by a zoom meeting with family and friends to include a virtual celebration.

Zoom proposals are also popular among couples that are in a long distance relationship or have been quarantining separately. In a normal situation partners would travel to see each other and propose. As the travel restrictions continue, couples are choosing to no longer put a hold on important milestones and celebrations. Instead they are using technology to facilitate these special moments and propose online.

5. Movie Night/ Activity Based Proposal

With a lot of us staying home during the pandemic, a great way to take a break is by engaging in hobbies or activities together. From painting together to movie nights to home gymming we see a lot of variety in the activities that couples are engaging in. No matter what you do together, use this as a creative inspiration to propose to your loved one.  Nothing beats the importance of sharing a moment that’s special and unique to both of you. Pop the question when you’re doing your favourite activity together and surprise your partner in a unique yet unexpected way.

Since the lock down, a lot of couples feel limited in their options. We’re here to tell you that no matter what the situation is, if you decide it’s the right time for you to “put a ring on it”, we’re here to help you hit that milestone. You can plan the perfect proposal for your loved one, despite all the uncertainty created by the global pandemic. The kind of proposal she will see and instantly know that you really have been paying attention. That you really do know her like nobody else does, and that you’re the one she’s waited her whole life for. This is your chance to make a big impression and create something she’ll never forget!

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Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate with your loved ones.  While this cheerful season is something that we look forward to, with the pandemic still lingering on, it may not be as thrilling in 2020 as it usually is.

Whether its a corporate Christmas party or a smaller, more sedate event with close family and friends, our regular parties could be under a threat unless the rules on gathering of more than six people are lifted. But this doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy one of the most wonderful times of the year, while following the current Covid guidelines set by the authorities. After all, it’s a time to share with our loved ones. A time where we have the opportunity to bless others in need. A time to celebrate the most precious gift give to humanity, a gift of love, grace and mercy. 

This only means that we will have to celebrate in a more low-key fashion this year.  Therefore, keeping that in mind, here are a few Christmas party ideas that you can use during the pandemic and celebrate yet another year of togetherness, even through these difficult times.

Traditional Holiday Parties For Smaller Groups

The annual Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be skipped this year.  To keep things as close to normal as possible, host a holiday party with your very favourite few people.  But if narrowing this list becomes challenging, then host an in-person holiday party in two or more groups. This will ensure you’re spending time together with your loved ones, while keeping the social distancing rules in place.

We also suggest being thoughtful about this year’s holiday menu.  Instead of buffets, offer individual meal boards.  Offer hand sanitizing wipes wrapped together with their silverware and napkins.  Find a creative and festive way to brand these items together.

You can also offer a luxury selection of prepackaged holiday dinners (with take out feeling). We suggest avoiding food serving handles that multiple guests touch at a time.

Consider Open Air Options

We saw this earlier this year with a lot of events being held outdoors in backyards, parks, beaches etc. Think about planning an early holiday event outdoors this year.  Install heaters and fire pits, where allowed, to warm up your guests.  To add a nice detail to your outdoor dinner, you can offer personalized blankets as a Christmas present for your guests.  This will make sure your guests are warm and cozy during the dinner, and it will ensure that each person is using their own blanket to keep the sanitary guidelines in place.

Have Fun Activities or Games

Regardless of whether the holiday event is indoors or outdoors, plan to have some fun with your guests.  Come up with some creative game ideas.  The sillier the games, the better!  Try some cookie decorating competitions, trivia games, pictionary, or charades.  People will love to play and laugh together, so be sure to add a big dosage of fun.

Gift a Toy

Spread the joy by giving unwrapped toys or used toys to charitable institutions. Nothing can be compared to the happiness you get doing a good deed. It is the reason for the season, and this year, it’s even more important to share the joy with those who may not be as fortunate as the rest of us.

Christmas Movie Night

Bring back the nostalgia with a dinner theatre show that follows mandatory safety protocols.  Make a list of movies that can be watched with some popcorn and delicious Christmas goodies.  You can alternate between different groups of friends or family and watch your favourite movies together.  Pour in some complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows and see your show sells out.

Virtual Game Night

Begin your Holiday season with a Holiday game night.  Line up a set of games that can be organized online and participants can easily take part in it.  Come up with some creative game ideas.  Try Christmas bingo, Christmas movie trivia, pictionary or charades.  You can download an app on your phone or use an online party pack from Jackbox, so your guests can use their phones to answer and virtually participate. 

From a traditional Christmas party to a movie night, whichever idea you  choose, ensure to make your party a memorable and safe one.  Have fun with your family and friends, and don’t forget to capture the memories you create this Christmas.

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Cake tasting is one of the most fun and delightful experiences of wedding planning. You get to spend a few hours savouring the delicious, melt-in-your-mouth desserts that you will potentially be offering to your guests on the day of your wedding. 

As exciting as it is, there are still some things that you absolutely do not want to overlook or forget while you enjoy your mouth-watering treats. Besides the presentation and taste, there are other factors, you want to keep in mind before you start booking your appointments with different bakers. So keep reading as I share some tips with you that can help you decide which cake you’d like to share with your family and friends on your special day.

Do some serious research

Look for different vendors, cake styles, flavours, decorations, fillings and textures. Once you have narrowed down your list, take the time to read reviews of your favourite baker. 

You can always call and have a preliminary consultation with different bakers. I would suggest being open to their suggestions, and suggestions from others (family/friends) who’ve ordered cakes from different vendors for different occasions. Have your list of questions ready so you don’t forget to ask important questions during your appointment.

Book your cake tasting 6 months in advance

Book your cake tasting appointments about 6 months in advance. This is something you don’t want to leave out for the very last minute. Having at least a  six month time period in advance will help you straighten out all the details of the event day, like theme, venue, event-day agenda, so that when you’re finalizing the cake you can give the exact location, presentation and timings of cake arrival to your vendor. 

Schedule appointments on different days

If you’re testing multiple bakers, do not make all your appointments the same day. Cake tasting usually takes about one to two hours, so schedule your days accordingly. You want to give yourself sufficient time to process different tastes, textures, flavours, aromas, decoration etc. And believe me, having cake after cake after cake, you don’t want to get sugar sick by the end of the day!

Know your budget and stick to it

Keeping a budget in mind will help you make a list of all the places that fall under your set budget. This way, you can discuss your budget expectations with your baker before you proceed with finalizing the details of the cake. A good way to keep track of things is by keeping a cake tasting sheet with you. This will help you keep track of different vendors, flavors, pricing, tastes, and other things you like/dislike about a particular vendor.

Have some ideas about flavour and style 

Once you research different bakers and their creations, you’ll get an idea of what flavour and style you want to have for your wedding cake. Have ideas about cake toppers and decoration and discuss these with your baker. If there are any dietary restrictions, make sure to mention them beforehand. 

Some people prefer having different flavours for different tiers. Ask your baker if they can accommodate that for you so you can maximize your options. You may also want to consider tasting the frosting and filling separately and see which combinations work best for you.

Eat before your appointment

Eat before your appointment, because being hungry might affect your taste buds. Everything….and I mean, everything tastes better when you’re hungry! Your sensitivity to sugar and salt increases and your perception of taste changes. So be sure to eat before your appointment so you can differentiate between different flavours and not get tricked by your brain, who is a lot less picky when you haven’t had a meal in a while.

Cleanse your palate between each sample

Cleanse your palate between each sample so your taste buds can enjoy the next slice without any lingering flavours from the last sample. Drink water between your tastings and remember to taste different elements of the cake separately. For example: sponginess, frosting, sweetness, moisture, decorations etc.

Connect with your baker

Once you’re done finalizing all the details, you want to make sure you take down the contact information of your baker. In months and weeks leading up to the wedding, sometimes you make some changes based on the new information you may get and you want to make sure you have your baker’s information handy so you can communicate these changes with them in a timely manner.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE  BOOKING A SPECIFIC BAKER Find out if your baker provides a cake stand or if you’ll need to provide one Learn how large they consider a slice .This may affect how much cake you need to order Be sure to get a sketch of the design before finalizing the order Find out what time the cake will be delivered

Now that you know how to plan your cake tasting and what to look for, explore different ideas for cake decorations, flavours, tablescapes, and find inspiration in our lookbook here. If you need suggestions on vendors or how to decorate your wedding table, feel free to talk to us. We have a variety of recommendations based on your preference, that you may find helpfully delicious.

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If you’ve watched “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC, you are already familiar with all the emotions, the indecisiveness, the struggle, the tears… and oh, the drama, that doesn’t necessarily happen in real life, but hey! Who doesn’t like some laughs and giggles, right?! 

Dress shopping is fun. Now I know, you may say “Not really Paulette…” but what if I told you, that you can make your dress shopping experience exciting, enjoyable, interesting and stress free by being mindful of a few simple things?

When getting ready to shop for your wedding dress, there are a few aspects to keep in mind. I’ve come up with The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Dress Shopping that will help you “Say Yes to the Dress!”  So ladies, leave you stress behind, your vision ahead, and read on!

1. Do you have a theme in mind?

Is it rustic, country, whimsical, garden or a holiday wedding? Considering this will help you decide on the dress style, fabric and silhouette. Whether you want delicate work on your wedding dress, bold colors, embroidery, or jewels, it all depends on what the overall wedding theme is. Remember, you’re the star of your own fairytale!

2. Do your research

Before you start shopping for your ideal wedding dress, do some research on what is out there in the market. Depending on the theme you’ve chosen, look up for some dress inspiration online and check which vendors carry the brands and styles of your preference. This will save you a tremendous amount of time when you start booking your appointments.

3. Book an appointment

Once you have done your due diligence of researching what bridal stores you want to book an appointment with, it’s time to start creating a schedule for yourself.  Set aside different days and times for different places you want to visit. Keep in mind the commute time and leave some room for traffic delays and/or appointments running longer than their set times. Making a list of all the stores in a particular area so you can target them all on a given day, also helps you organize appointment slots better and reduces stress of rushing back and forth across the city from one store to another.

4. Know your budget

Set yourself a budget and stick to it! I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to set a budget for your wedding gown and stick to that budget. 

Keep a set price in your mind before you start trying on different wedding gowns. Avoid trying gowns beyond your budget. Trust me, this will save you a lot of unnecessary stress, and will help you narrow down your options so you can focus on designing the best style within a given budget.

5. Decide on a silhouette

Based on your body shape, decide on a silhouette but be open to try out things outside your comfort zone. Whether you’re petite, tall, pear shaped or hourglass, do some research before you start looking for different gown styles and cuts. Consider a style that follows the natural and feminine contours of your chest, waist, hips and thighs. However, if you feel confident in a particular dress, chuck out any rules that hold you back from feeling yourself wonderful in that dress.

6. Focus on the fit not on the size

Keep in mind that sizes will vary, depending on the dress designer. If you must try on a size medium instead of a small, know that it’s due to the store or designer sizing, not a reflection of your own body size. Remember one glove doesn’t fit all, and not all five fingers are the same. 

7. Bring the right undergarments and shoes

Everything will look better with the right foundational pieces. A nude strapless bra and a no-show pair of panties is the safest choice. Wrong undergarments can completely alter the appearance of a dress.

8. Narrow down your entourage

Bring friends that are going to be honest but who also understand your ideals of a wedding dress, along with your style needs. Sometimes, having too many opinions from different friends and family members can sway you from deciding what you had originally envisioned for yourself.

And lastly 

9. Be true to yourself 

Choose a dress that makes you smile, feel special and enhances your beautiful assets. It’s your wedding, and you should feel like yourself! Choose something that brings out the best in you. If you want to add a pop of color to your dress, or try a floral skirt with a top, then go for it and see how it looks. There is no right or wrong. Ultimately, it’s what accentuates your inner and outer beauty and makes you say “Yes, this is definitely the one!”

While all these things are important, above all, be patient with yourself. You want to allow yourself time to decide what looks great on you. You want to choose something that makes your heart filled with joy. A dress that goes well with your overall wedding theme, makes you feel like your true self, and the dress that will make your husband’s eyes filled with love and appreciation for the real beauty that is You!

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