Important Tips for INVITATIONS

The invitation is a very important part of your wedding or event planning, as this will set the tone for what is to come. Therefore, the presentation is vital, but so is content.

Here are a few tips to guide you in creating the perfect invite:

1) Because the invitation is the first part of the event the guest will see, make it GOOD. It should be memorable and give the invitee an idea of what tone the party will take. So, if your event will be a high energy, FUN party, make it loud, make it colorful and make it stand out. Black-tie? Make it classy and make it elegant.

2) Don't be shy to put an RSVP deadline. This is important information for you, as you need to plan your seating arrangements, order seating cards, prepare favors and confirm numbers with suppliers.

3) If you want children included, you may write out their names on the invitation, or simply, indicate, "(Mr. & Mrs. Smith) and Family". If you prefer an adult party only, do not indicate "and family" and you may even include "Adults Only" or, as I did for a client of mine, "Sweet dreams to the little ones".

4) If the invitee is welcome to invite a guest, indicate the "and Guest". For example, Mr. Stephen Wilcox and Guest". Don't want the guest, leave it "Mr. Stephen Wilcox".

5) Make arrangements to have your invitations mailed out at least 4-6 weeks before you want them to be sent out. This will allow sufficient time for them to get to you and for you to prepare to be sent out. So, if your scheduled time is to have he in the ail by February 15, order them between January 1st - 15th. You should mail out invites 6 weeks prior to date and 8 weeks prior for people not in the same city or country. (RSVP should be at least 3 weeks to 2 weeks prior)

6) Triple-check your invitations and borrow another set of eyes to look for any spelling mistakes & check content... Do this for the invitation, the response card, the envelope....

Good Luck and Congratulations!

For more wedding and event planning tips:

www.ritawongevents.com

514.816.7482

Advice for Grooms : The Perfect Wedding Day!

Yes, it's her big day... but HIS too!

Advice is often given out to the bride on how to prepare and get through a very big and sometimes nervous day... but let's not forget her CO-STAR... the GROOM.

Just as the bride has many things to remember and to do, the groom has just a very significant role as well. Some believe that all the groom has to do is just shows up, but, he has a very big role in ensuring the bride's happiness, which in turn, will ensure a perfect day for both!

Empathize with the bride, grooms, and be there for her and you will have a flawless wedding day.

Here are some tips...

1) Be a gentleman. All eyes are on you. Be diplomatic, charming & keep your cool, no matter

what happens!

2) Be romantic. Never miss the opportunity to be romantic with your bride. This will not only please her and make her day that much more memorable, but it will calm her down as well. There is always time for quick kiss, some sweet words, smiles and hugs.

3) SMILE! As I said, all eyes are on you, so make sure you smile, smile, smile... and not just for pictures. Let everyone know (especially your bride), that you are the happiest man in the world.

4) When the mother-of-the-bride enters: Greet her warmly, tell her how beautiful she looks and how much you are looking forward to the day. Escort her to her seat, if possible, but if time does not permit, make sure an usher does so. Same for her father, if applicable.

5) When the BRIDE enters: This is the most important entrance. Smile at her warmly. This will relax her and make her very happy. This is the most important smile that she is looking for. This ensures her that you love her and that you are in this together. Help her make it down that aisle. When she reaches the altar, whisper to her how stunning she looks and how much you love her.

6) Be confidant. At the ceremony, be as relaxed and confidant as you can. Looking happy and

relaxed will make the bride calm and happy as well.

7) Overcome nerves. Just imagining yourself as self-assured, confidant and charming will put you in the right frame of mind and it will show. Act and be in control and that nothing can phase you!

8) After the ceremony: tell her how happy you are that she is your wife and of course, tell her over and over again how much you love her!

Rita Wong

514.816.7482

www.ritawongevents.com

Wedding Love Notes

It is not uncommon for brides and grooms to be a little anxious the morning of their wedding.

Write him or her a little note the morning of your wedding and have your Best Man or Maid-of-Honor deliver it while they are getting dressed for the church. This simple act will calm them down as well as you and take any nerves away and make you want to run down the aisle!

Read Ezine's article on how to perfect the perfect wedding note.

Wedding Night Lingerie

Make sure you're prepared with the sexy, stunning and sweet lingerie from Victoria Secret's very affordable wedding collection.

From lacy to strappy, these looks will make you feel so sexy and sure to please your new hubby!

RED VELVET CUPCAKE - NYC's MAGNOLIA Recipe

Red Velvet Cupcakes are your perfect choice for a very romantic and delicious wedding cake.

Who else but the best cupcake maker, MAGNOLIA BAKERY to offer the secret recipe.

Try the recipe yourself and surprise your sweetheart tonight with this ultra-romantic gesture, he is sure to love!

Wedding Cookie Favors

I LOVE cookies. You probably do too!

For a tasty and pretty wedding favor that everyone will love, give wedding cookies to your guests.

Cookies can be custom-made to match your style and decor, as well, can be monogrammed to give it that personalized touch.

Look at these cute ideas:

Another great use for cookies - cookies instead of placecards with guests names on them.

There are cookie-makers in Montreal who make wedding cookies that not only look beautiful but is just as yummy!

Rita Wong Events 514.816.7482

rita@stellarevent.ca

Cookies Pictures Source: http://www.customcookieco.co.uk/products/weddings/weddings.html

For the GUYS... Planning the Perfect Wedding Proposal

You have found the DREAM GIRL, the girl you want to marry and spend the rest of your life with.

Now, you must plan the perfect wedding proposal. Here are a few guidelines & helpful tips for you aspiring grooms!

- Think about the TIMING: If your future bride will want a FALL wedding, make sure there is enough time between the proposal date and the wedding date to plan the wedding. (If you ask her on Valentine's Day, a Fall wedding will only leave you 6-7 months of planning).

- Public or Private Proposal? She may thrilled having all her family and friends around when you pop the question, but she may also prefer a more private moment that is just for the two of you.

- Proposal Planner - YES, this service does exist. This is a great service for guys who really need help to find a special and unique way to propose to their special partner. Many wedding planners offer this help by helping to pick out the perfect diamond, where and when to pop the big question and of course, what to say!

- Choose the right place! What places have meaning for the two of you? A first-date restaurant? Where you first met? Make sure ou have champagne ready at home after the big question!

- Ask permission? Some girls are old fashioned and will swoon at the idea of you asking her parents for their blessing. This will score you huge points with her mom & dad too! :) It is respectful and sincere.

GOOD LUCK & Congratulations!

Rita: 514.816.7482

rita@stellarevent.ca

Welcoming your Out-of-Town Guests

Weddings are events that bring together all your loved ones near and far.

Most wedding celebrations will include guests, family and friends, from out-of-town.

The bride and groom, and their respective families will surely want to take care of these people the best they can and thank them for their presence.

Here are some ways to make your guests feel welcome and have a great time:

- Make a list of your out-of-town guests that you would like to invite and send them a Save-the-Date card or notice once you have set the date. The sooner they know when the wedding will be the more preparation time they have.

- For these guests, make sure to include a map of the area and all the places around the ceremony & reception venues.

- Make a list of hotels that you recommend, but make sue to include a few different price ranges. Call the hotels in advance and ask for a special wedding group rate. When guests mention the wedding group title, they will receive the special rate. Include this information in your invite.

- When you know where your guests are staying, prepare welcome baskets to be delivered to their hotel room upon their day of arrival. Include sweet and savory snacks, bottled water and a welcome note.

- Make a list of activities for your guests to enjoy, such as restaurants, cafes, shopping, landmarks...

- If time allows, schedule an out-of-towner lunch or dinner so you may spend time with them before the wedding Alternatively, you may also have a wedding-day-after brunch to thank guests and say farewell.

For ideas on welcome wedding packages and help on caring for guests:

Rita: 514.816.7482

Have a blast!

No kiddies, please....

How to kindly but clearly let your guests know that kids are not invited to the reception...

Many brides and grooms are choosing not to include kids in their wedding reception.

For many reasons, wedding receptions are favoring adult-only attendance.

To avoid the uncertainty and uneasiness, here are very clear but polite ways to get your point across:

In your invitation, include these words and phrases to the bottom of your RSVP card:

Adult Reception We hope that the (# of) of you will be able to join us (# of) seats have been reserved in your names Tuck those little ones in and have a great night!

BLING!

WOW! Like BLING?

Check out this wedding shoe from designer Jean-Michel Cazabut.

I love, love, love it!

Creative Wedding Entrances

One of the best ways to start the reception off with a bang and get everyone excited is to have a fun and unexpected entrance.

One that always makes me smile is a church entrance on You Tube.

Wedding Website

Wedding websites are a great way to keep your guests up to date with all the details of your wedding. Especially if you have many out-of-town guests, you may want to use the website to include information about the hotel suggestions, directions to church, reception venue and other venues for wedding festivities. This tool will help you save on costs as well, as you will save money on printing costs .

A great wedding website to try out is mywedding.com.

Great selection of templates, many sections to offer info and bet of all.. free to use!

Racy Read - Tips on Great Wedding Night Sex

Do check out this article from Fox News on tips to having great wedding night sex!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,540385,00.html

Pets in your Wedding Party

Would you or are you including your pet in your special day?

Weddings are one of the most special moments in our lives, and as with all the memorable times in our lives, we want all our loved ones to be included.

I made sure my little dog, Magnum was with us on our wedding day and it wouldn't have been complete without him.

Rita

514.816.7482

Spring 2010 Wedding Dresses by Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier is definitely one of my favourite wedding dress designers.

Check out her bridal line for Spring 2010. From Trumpet dresses, to A-Line to Ball Gowns, she designs dresses for all brides. Just breath-taking!

Jay Z - the New Wedding DJ

Jay Z plans to expand his resume and be your wedding (or Bar Mitzvah) DJ.

This article is a must read!

Dog Wedding Party

Special Attendants at your Wedding...

Check out these cutest little outfits.

http://www.doggieclothesline.com/product/iss-366

Candy Bar!

CANDY BAR for your Wedding!

Great idea for wedding!

Oversized martini glasses, cylinders, bowls... filled to the rim with colorful and fun candy!

A HIT at birthday parties... corporate parties, Bar Mitzvahs...

All parties!

Personalized bags.

Labels with personal message, your initials and colors to match your theme.

Guests fill the bags with goodies and take home a fun and yummy souvenir of the party!

Contact me for info!

514.816.7482

Top Pick for Wedding and Event Venue ......HOTEL NELLIGAN

Hotel Nelligan.... trendy, elegant and refined.  Old Montreal's most impressive and intimate boutique hotel.  This is the perfect place for a wedding, engagement party, corporate event... any swanky party for groups of 50 or 100 or more.  Cocktail-Dinatoires and Sit-Down dinners with dance floor accommodating up to 150 people.

The decor is warm and chic.  

Nelligan's elegance is laid back and relaxed. 

No need for additional decor. Perfect just the way it is.

A one-stop shop.  Everything you need... excellent menu, outstanding wine selection, premium bar, audio-visual requirements, lighting and friendly and professional staff.

For more info and superior service, Dawn Scott is the lady to talk to.

A definite must-see!

Stellar Event

Stellar Event is my event planning company.  

What do I do? I plan every kind of event...

• Weddings
• Bar Mitzvahs
• Corporate Events
• Special Birthdays & Anniversaries
• Sweet 16's.... 

Any kind of event, big or small, social/private or corporate....  this is a one-stop shop.

From Day 1, when we meet to choose the venue, pick the theme, and then progress to choosing flowers, picking the band or DJ, selecting invitations and all the way to the day of the event, I am at your service and ensure a most pleasurable and unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

I pride myself on creating parties that are unique, fresh and fun!

Each party is new and each client will have the party that they have dreamed of for their special occasion.  

The event suppliers that work with me are the top in the city that deliver professionalism, quality and good value.  I recommend only people that have a passion for the service they provide and who see each event as special and new, as it is to the client.

Renowned photographers & videographers, DJ's from Montreal's hot spots, food that will have your guests raving and decor and flowers worthy of being featured in In Style Weddings magazine...  only the best for your event.

I work with your budget and we make it happen.

Every budget is workable and each Stellar Event party is gorgeous and possible at any price.

All your party planning needs, from party planner to referring suppliers, you will only get the best!

Looking forward to planning your upcoming special event!

Rita

514.816.7482

rita@stellarevent.ca