Connecting with your Vendors

I cannot stress enough how important it is that you connect with your vendors - especially those who are working on the aesthetic elements of your day (florist, decorator, stationery designer) - but I'm serious when I mean that you should connect with ALL your vendors. 

I'm not saying that you need to become best friends with them. What I am saying is that you should have a fundamental respect for what they do and get along well with them. When you're meeting with your vendors for the first time, consider how much you actually like them - it's important to like their work, yes. But it's just as important to like them as well. Why? They'll be taking care of you on this really big, important day. I can't emphasize how much you especially need to get along with your photographer - he or she will be there the WHOLE time. If he irritates you, guess what you're going to remember from your day?

There's another layer when it comes to the vendors who deal with the visual components of your day, like your florist. A few weeks ago, I met with a bride who had a really hard time communicating to me what she was looking for, but because of the connection that we had, I could say "I've got you!" and she knew that it was true. Her stress just melted away. You shouldn't be concerned about making sure your florist "gets" your style or what you want to do - if she connects with you and you with her, it's going to work out! There have also been a few times when a bride and I just can't get on the same page, and I've had to tell her that I'm just not the right floral designer for her. I can pretty much guarantee that the florist/event planner/designer that has you stressed out and constantly feeling the need to oversee is the one who's not going to do the best job for you.

Still looking for your florist or event designer? I have limited availability throughout June - October of 2015, but lots of spring dates are still available! Shoot me an email if you want to talk - stonehouseweddings@gmail.com. Can't wait to talk with you!

Photo by Victoria Anne Photography for the upcoming Wed Prep Workshop, which you should definitely attend!  :) 

Announcing Wed Prep Workshop!

I am so excited to announce the launch of Wed Prep Workshop, Winnipeg's first interactive wedding planning workshop!

Coming February 21, Wed Prep is a one-day workshop hosted by myself and Amanda Douglas Events, and featuring several of Winnipeg's favourite wedding professionals, who will provide you with all the information you need to plan the best wedding you can. We're gearing Wed Prep towards you, so that you can have the wedding of your dreams, at the budget you can afford. 

This one-day intensive workshop will include interactive demonstrations, valuable handout materials, and Q&A's with your presenters. Tickets are on sale now and registration is limited to 30 brides at the maximum, so be sure to book yours today!

If you need more info or have any questions, feel free to send me an email to stonehouseweddings@gmail.com. I hope to see you all there!

Thank You

I recently started to revise my business plan. You know, that pesky document that everyone says you need when you start a business? It was actually really fun for me to put together, but when I did that this past spring, I really had no idea what to expect. So about 6 months later, I found myself excited to revise it and reflect on where things have come so far.

I want to say thank you. Thank you to the amazing brides that I have been overwhelmingly happy to meet with; thank you to this city's vibrant, incredibly talented wedding professionals who have been helping me grow my business and referring me to my brides; thank you to my friends and family and my awesome husband Chad, who built me an awesome studio in our house; thank you to my flower friends both in Winnipeg and internationally, for your sweet comments and encouraging notes. Thank you for your emails, your consultation requests, your support and encouragement. 

When I developed my business plan this spring, I set myself the goal of booking 2 weddings for 2015. I've now booked 16 and am almost fully booked for June through October 2015. SIXTEEN! I am just blown away and so so excited for the future. I am so blessed. Thank you!

Photo by Heather Payne Photography.

Eliza and Ian's Engagement

Eliza contacted me out of the blue a few weeks before her engagement session, asking me to do up a simple floral crown for herself and a boutonniere for Ian. Their outdoor photo location and rustic/fall vibe were such a sweet compliment to this adorable couple! Can't wait to start talking wedding flowers with them, too :) Thanks so much to Victoria Anne Photography for the lovely pictures!

Graceful Wedding Ideas

Back in the spring, my time at Team Flower Workshop culminated in this stunning tablescape design that all of the girls worked on together. Kelly Perry of Philosophy Flowers had put the most stunning elements into place and man, has that girl got style! Here are some highlights, with florals by Philosophy Flowers and Team Flower, calligraphy and paper products by Brown Linen, gown from Gossamer Vintage, and the gorgeous photos from Heather Payne Photography. We were incredibly excited to have this editorial featured on my favourite, Once Wed!