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Established: 2006
Address: 9 St Andrew St, Ingersoll ON N5C 1K6
Phone: 888-328-6870 or 519-485-4222
Email: info@weddingfavours.ca

Weddingfavours.ca ~ From Ideas to Memories!

Bridal Shower FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions ~ Planning a Bridal Shower

History of the Bridal Shower…

The bridal shower actually started as an alternative to the dowry. A long time ago, there was a young girl who loved a young miller. The miller was a very kind and generous man but he was also very poor. Because the young man was not rich, the maiden’s father disapproved of the match and refused to give her a dowry. But the village folks, and the young people, loved the young couple and had desired their marriage. To make up the girl’s dowry, each villager brought some treasured possession of his own until a chest had been filled with all household goods that a bride should bring to her new home. With these contributions, they ‘showered’ the maiden until even her father was won over and the young couple lived happily ever after.

Eventually traditions were lost as dowries were no longer needed. The event turned into an opportunity for friends and family members to demonstrate their emotional and practical support for the bride. In the 1890’s, at one shower, the bride’s friend placed small gifts in an umbrella and opened it over the bride’s head so that the presents would “shower” over her. When word of this hit the fashion pages, people were so taken with the idea that they decided to do the same at their showers.

Nowadays, the shower is hosted by close family members of the bride and a wide variety of gifts are given. The modern bridal shower has turned into highly anticipated event. A Bridal Shower is a great time to pamper the bride-to-be and show her how much you care and appreciate her.

What is a Bridal Shower?
A bridal shower is a party thrown before the wedding to ‘shower’ the bride and groom with gifts for their new home.

Who hosts the bridal shower?
Typically the bridal shower is either thrown by the maid of honour or the mother of the bride or groom. The bridesmaids often help with the planning and preperation but almost any familiy member can host a bridal shower.

Where should a bridal shower be held?
This depends on the number of guests that are invited, the shower budget and how much time there is to plan the event. A small shower can be held in a home or restuaurant while a larger guest list will require a larger venue. Some ideas include a local park, a private home, a room in a neighborhood community center, a room at a country, social club or hotel, or a restaurant.

Who should be invited to a bridal shower?
Any immediate female family members of both the bride & groom’s family should be invited as well as close friends of the bride and the wedding party. It is best to consult with the bride and the mother of the bride and groom when making up the invitation list. Anyone invited to the bridal shower ordinarily should be invited to the wedding. This will avoid a lot of hurt feelings and mis-understandings. However, everyone invited to the wedding does not have to be invited to the shower.

When should a bridal shower be held?
The shower can be held 1 to 2 months before the wedding. It is best to avoid throwing the bridal shower too close to the wedding as the bride may be busy and her schedule may already be filled. Check with the bride, the bride and groom’s mothers and wedding party before picking a date.

What information should be included on the invitations?
The bridal shower invitations should include:
– Name of the bride
– Location of the shower including the address
– Date and time of the shower
– RSVP by date and contact information including phone number
– Hostess’ name and phone number (if different then RSVP information)
– Map of shower location (optional)
– Shower theme information (if applicable)

When should the invitations be mailed?
Invitations should be mailed 3 – 6 weeks before the shower. They can be sent earlier if most guests are from out of town and later if most guests are local. It is better to send out all the invitations at one time so there no hurt feeling when some guests get the invitations before others.

When should guests RSVP by?
A good guideline for the RSVP deadline should be 2 weeks before the shower, but be sure to plan for guests that RSVP late or not at all.

Does a shower have to have games?
No, shower games are not necessary. It is a good idea to check with the bride before planning any games as some brides would prefer not to have any games at all. Plan a nice dinner or movie instead of games.

Are bridal shower favours manditory?
Shower favours are not a tradition in all cultures. Some cultures believe it is rude to give shower guests a favour…afterall,they came to shower the bride. While other cultures believe it is a special way of showing your appreciation and thanking your guests for attending the shower. Check with local family members and friends to find out what they think and don’t forget to stick with your budget!

Does a shower have to have a theme?
A theme is not neccesarry but it may give the event some structure, help with the planning, and give guests some gift-giving guidelines. You don’t need to have a shower theme to have a great shower, but they are becoming more popular.

I’m hosting a small shower…any ideas?
Local restaurants are a great place to hold smaller showers. Try a smaller restaurant for a more intimate setting or a larger restaurant for a great girl’s night out!
Instead of bringing smaller gifts, speak to your guests about going in on a larger gift for the bride. A great example is a day at the spa or a gift certificate for a shopping trip!

Advice from a professional Wedding Photographer

Recycled Chalkboard Book Wedding Table Numbers

All you need is some old hardcover books, latex paint, chalkboard paint, sandpaper, paintbrush and a piece of chalk.

The kids are heading back to school this week and this DIY wedding craft is timed perfectly for hitting the books.

At less than $1 each, these charming table numbers are perfect for teachers, librarians and all other book lovers.

HOW TO:
~ Assemble some unloved hardcover books that are in good condition (library discards, yard sales etc)
~ Remove the duct jackets
~ Paint outside of books with acrylic craft paint or latex paint (Sample pots from home reno stores are perfect and inexpensive) paying special attention to the edges of the cover.
~ Let paint dry and then go over the surface with sandpaper (skip this step in you want the surface to be pristine)
~ Wipe off any dust and paint your chalkboard paint in the shape and size you desire. Mine is rather crude and primitive but you could tape off a precise size and make it look more polished.
~ Let the Chalkboard Paint dry overnight
~ Write on the surface with chalk

These can be saved after the wedding and re-used in holiday or party decorating or everyday home decor. The dust jackets can even be replaced and reshelved! The actual book is untouched.

Recycle hardcover books into table numbers for a wedding or special event.

Also very appropriate for a “Classic Love Story Themed Wedding”. Instead of numbering the tables you can write a classic love story title on the chalkboard (eg Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, The Princess Bride, Much Ado about Nothing, A Room with a View)

Unique alternative to table numbers.

Have some fun, match your wedding colour scheme and name your tables after cities you have visited together or classic couples (Napoleon and Josephine, Tristan and Isolde, Elizabeth and Darcy)

Name the tables after classic love stories with these upcycled book table markers.

The books stand easily on their ends and are the right size for table numbers. Once everyone is seated they can be gathered up or simply laid down on the table. I got the books for about a quarter each, the acrylic paint was a $5 sample pot that I had for another purpose and the chalkboard paint was about $10 but I only used a tiny fraction of it for this project. The cost per book should be well under $1. Time for each book is just minutes but there are two separate drying times needed so it will take a day or two from start to finish.

Cheap and Cheerful DIY Table Numbers

It is really more like “Free and Easy” Table Numbers! I did use a bit of Mod Podge Glaze and Sealer but thamount used for each of these is just a few little drops and the rest of the items came out of my pantry, Blue Box or files.

Pictured below are three Table Number Ideas that I whipped up in just minutes.

These three examples of Table Numbers were whipped up in a couple of minutes using recycled materials.

#1- is made from a pickle jar. I tore a page out of an old book, wrote the number on it with a marker and glued it to the surface with Mod Podge. Another quick coat over top, a bit of twine and hand written tag and VOILA a free, recycled, DIY Table Number Marker. You can use it as a vase for flowers or twigs or put a candle inside to illuminate the number from behind. I used a page from an old book of sermons but you could use a favourite novel or classic novel as an added touch of personality or romance (depending on your novel choice).

#2- was created using a White Wine Bottle from the Blue Box and some vintage sheet music. I did not write a number on it but your could do this with a marker before you glue it on with a layer of Mod Podge. This could be used to hold a single rose or a table number on a twig.

#3- this one is a red wine bottle with a piece of card stock glued onto it with Mod Podge and then topcoated with the same. I pinched a heart into the paper and wrote the table number on it before attaching. This idea could be used with full bottles of wine on the tables. It works better for red wine because it is served at room temperature and would not have condensation on the bottles.

The Table number stands are pictured above with handpunched confetti made from vintage sheet music and a scrapbooking punch. Another inexpensive and easy Wedding DIY project!

Step by Step Photos. Follow the directions on the Decoupage Glue and use yoru imagination!

Tear a page from an old book that is destined for recycling anyway. Libraries often have book tables with free or cheap discards.

Apply the page to the surface of the jar and coat with a thin layer of Mod Podge.

Tie with twine and attach a handwritten tag. This one says “Thank you for sharing our special day” and signed by the newly hitched couple.

Mason Jars Wedding Decor

I LOVE Vintage Mason Jars (Crown, Corona, Ball and Beaver brands are most readily available in Canada). I have them all over my house; in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in my closet, in the sewing room and the Office. I have them filled with pencils, buttons, jewellery, cotton balls, marbles, thread, sand and shells, and a whole bunch of kitchen dried goods like rice and beans. I can’t resist them!

Some of them are very valuable- there is an elusive Left Facing Beaver jar that is worth a lot of cash (because it is rare) but many are easily and cheaply attainable at yard sales, thrift stores and granny’s basements. I grab them up for less than a quarter whenever I see them, even ones that are marked from the 1930s and 40s shouldn’t be more than a couple of bucks each. (I will show you a photo of the stash in my trunk later in this post! It might be a sickness) I expect you will pay more in cities than you would in rural areas. Many of the stashes of these are in old farmhouses, basements and barns.

I work in the Wedding industry and am always browsing catalogues, blogs and magazines for good ideas and was (not surprisingly) drawn to Mason Jar wedding decor. Here are some of my favourite examples.

Simple Mason Jar candles line this wedding banquet table. It doesn’t get easier or more cost effective! Image found at http://www.weddingwindow.com

Image- http://www.emmalinebride.com

Image from http://www.fleustseattle.com

I made these for my Cousin’s wedding. I would use caution when using candles inside the old glass jars. There are horror stories of them exploding. New Jars would be safer.

Some of the vintage sealer jars have a nice aqua tint to them but most of the ones I come across are just clear glass. But that doesn’t mean we have to leave them like that! With just a few simple ingrediants and a tiny bit of patience you can turn the plain old Mason Jar (on the left) to the tinted one pictured on the right. Click on the image below to go the Tutorial – DIY Tinted Mason Jars

Click image to go to Tutorial- Easy DIY Tinted Glass Jars

As promised- this is a peek into the trunk of my car at the moment. I coun’t pass these up at a thrift store and haven’t figured out a use for them yet!

Easy DIY Tinted Mason Jars

Here is a Tutorial for tinting Glass with Mod Podge and Food Colouring. Turn the jar on the left into the jar on the right.

Custom-Tinted Mason Jars. Quick and easy!

You will need: Glossy Finish Mod Podge, Liquid Food Colouring, Glass Jars, bowl for mixing, whisk, spoon, paintbrush and a few drops of water.

Mix a couple of teasppons of Mod Podge, a few drops of food colouring and a tablespoon of water in a glass bowl. Stir it up very well. It should be quite runny and opague.

It will look like this. I used a few drops of red. It looks pink because the Mod Podge is white when wet. It dries clear so if you want pink jars you will have to use pink food colouring.

Paint the outer surface of the jar with a soft brush. I avoid the thread of the jars because I generally use the sealer caps and they get a bit gummy and tight if coated. If you are leaving the lids off you may want to paint to the top- it is just a bit messier.

I wanted to experiment with colour so I added some blue to the mixture to make lavender. I added a few drops more to make a deeper blue. This small amount of glaze will make about 6 500ml jars.

Paint the tops of the lids too. I avoid getting the glaze mixture on the edges.

Flip the jars upside down. I used a cloth to wipe the drips that ran down but there shouldn’t be too much of that. Your glaze may be too runny if it runs off. Add a little bit more Mod Podge if you need to. I let these dry overnight and here is the result.

I read in other blogs about their failure rate and I haven’t had any that I wasn’t happy with. I think that adding the water to the mixture prevents some of the streaking. I wasn’t trying to make them perfect so maybe other people were more concerned about little drips etc. I figure these can have a few imperfections and this adds to the character.

These are coated on the outside but you can also coat them from the inside. Put the glaze inside and turn it to cover all surfaces. Pour glue back into bowl.

~ For storing non-food items or use as a vase you will want to coat them from the outside
~ If they are just decorative and will not be filled with anything- you can coat them from the inside

Cleanup is super easy. I let the leftover glaze dry in the bowl and then I could pull it all out. It formed a skin that came off clean and did not have to go into my sink. This is a double-edged swrod because if your jars get wet- the glaze will peel off. This is great for a wedding bacause you can borrow vases or decorative items and clean them and return them afterwards but it also meanst that your jars are vulnerable to the surface being damaged. No big deal though- start back at step 1 this happens!

For serious Jar Collectors- have no fear- this will not damage the jars. A simple soak and wash will return them to their original collectible (or not) state.

NOTE: I left these on a bright windowsill and someof them faded back to clear. The Red seemed to be most prone to fading so keep them out of direct sunlight until AFTER you have used them. The green, blue and yellow ones have kept their colour.

Sixpence in the Bride’s Shoe

Lucky Sixpence in her Shoe ~ A gift for the Bride on her Wedding Day!

Something Old
Something New
Something Borrowed
Something Blue.. And a Silver Sixpence in her Shoe!

“Tradition states that if a Bride wears a Sixpence in her Shoe on her Wedding Day that her Marriage will be blessed with Wealth and Prosperity.”


All those who love the couple will certainly make this wish/prayer for them. It is customary for the sixpence to be presented to the bride by her Father on her wedding day. In the hustle and bustle it can be forgotten by Dad so it often falls to the Mother of the Bride or even the Maid of Honour to think of this detail. Sometimes the bride even buys one for herself!

This English Sixpence (dates range from 1948-1960 circulated) comes on a 2×3 inch blue gift card. It is presentation ready and can be mailed to the bride, inserted into a Bridal Shower Card or given to her in the moments before she walks down the aisle.

Why not start a family tradition! The Bride can save the coin and re-affix it to the keepsake card to be saved for the day that she can pass it down to her own daughter.

Available at Weddingfavours.ca. Purchase in store at 9 St Andrew Street Ingersoll Ontario or Order Online: Lucky Wedding Sixpence

Wedding Coordination Services Explained and Why it Might be Important to You!

Here is another edition in our Ask an Expert Series. Sarah Hawley is a longtime personal friend of mine. We have recently reconnected at Bridal Shows and I asked her to explain some of the services that are offered by a Professional Wedding Planner. She is based in the London Area and her portfolio is steadily growing. The photos featured in this blog were taken by Ben Benvie Photography and are from one of her weddings.

Ben Benvie Photography

Consultation Services:

What are Consultation Services? ~Consultation Services should consist of a complimentary phone “interview” to assist the coordinator plan for your initial appointment. Since consultation services are charged on an hourly basis a pre appointment interview can help direct what your needs are more specifically and is a more efficient use of everyone’s time.

With one session, or multiple sessions throughout your planning, consultations can cover any wedding related topic you may wish to discuss from budgeting to guest list management or seating plan assistance.

Ben Benvie Photography

Who Benefits?
~Consultation services can benefit couples who want to plan their own big day but are unsure of where to begin, or get overwhelmed at some point throughout the planning and need a little outside assistance.

Weddings come with a lot of opinions and emotions. Diplomacy isn’t always easily achieved. Seeking outside, professional advice can help navigate these situations and help to find solutions and compromises that sometimes are overlooked in an emotional situation.

“Day of” Services:

What are Day of Coordination Services?~Day of, or Month of, Coordination Services include a meeting with the coordinator in the weeks leading up to the Wedding. The intention of this appointment is to give the coordinator a picture of your plans, vision, details of the day so that on the day of your wedding the planner is ready to be your eyes and ears when it comes to the details so that you can enjoy your day. The coordinator is then available at the ceremony rehearsal, for set up on the wedding day, ceremony and reception.

Ben Benvie Photography

Who Benefits?
~EVERYONE. A day of coordinator should be considered an essential service. It is an “insurance” policy of sorts. Armed with necessary paperwork, contact information, décor details, and an emergency kit, your coordinator is ready to advocate for you should anything go amiss.

Having family on hand to help out is great, but it is unfair to rely on them when they are in attendance to celebrate with you, not to work for you. They aren’t generally trained to notice little things amiss, or how to amend an issue quickly and quietly without troubling the bride and groom.

Ben Benvie Photography

My personal wedding regret is not having someone in this role for me – and partially why I became an Event Planner. Nothing went tragically wrong by any means, but there were questions that I would have much rather had someone else on deck to handle so that I could just relax and enjoy the day – and my new husband!
Full Coordination Services

What is Full Coordination Service?
~This is sort of a combination of Consultation Services and Day of Planning and can involve arranging and attending vendor appointments as well. Your coordinator is on deck to help you every step of the way.

Who Benefits?
~People are busy, engaged people are spectacularly busy. Engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties…work, and family. Having full wedding coordination minimizes the amount of legwork and research that a couple has to do. While some find this part of the fun – others may not enjoy it as much. It means help with the things you need, when you need them and advice throughout the entire process. It also means that your coordinator on the day of has had a hand in your day from the beginning.

The important thing to consider is your needs. How much assistance do you want? How much help do you need? Any package should be customizable to suit your needs, so talk to planners, ask questions, and find a good fit for you and for your day.

For more information on packages and what can be included take a look at my website www.sarahhawley.ca.

Ben Benvie Photography

Sarah Hawley, WPICC
Sarah Hawley Events
sarah@sarahhawley.ca
519-520-2255
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What should I know before choosing a wedding photographer?

This interview was conducted in 2009 and is reprinted from the Weddingfavours.ca Website.

Trish Roberts Wedding Photography

Melanie from Weddingfavours.ca (WF) met with Trish and Trevor Roberts of Custom Concept Photography (CC) in Ingersoll Ontario to get some answers.

WF: How should a couple begin their search for the right wedding photographer?
CC: Couples should begin narrowing the field for photographers by asking friends and family members for referrals. Look through their wedding collections and family portraits and ask them about their experiences.

Other wedding professionals including caterers, venue operators, florists, officiants, videographers and DJs are also invaluable sources as they have worked with photographers and heard feedback from clients and seen them in action. Talk to the experts you already trust.

Search the internet for possibilities, you can view their work online without any pressure. You should also plan to visit them at their studio. If their workplace is professional and organized- they will likely work this way on your wedding day. It is not a good idea to choose a photographer simply from an internet search- do some homework and ask for references.

Hiring a professional is always a wise decision. A professional Photographer is constantly upgrading skills, education and equipment to keep pace with market trends and technology. This is the sort of person you can trust to capture your precious wedding memories. A professional will always insist on a contract. This will lay out all the details and is designed to protect both parties.

WF: How important is chemistry between the couple and the photographer?
CC: Chemistry is extremely important. You are going to spend more time with the photographer than anyone else on the day of the wedding so you want to have a good rapport. Engagement photos are a great way to get used to the photographer and to receive basic posing instructions. This practice will make your wedding day photos more relaxed and natural. By the time you have had a consultation, engagement photos, wedding day and chosen your finished collection- the relationship should feel like a friendship. You trust your photographer to capture your precious memories and it is important that you feel comfortable and confident with one another.

WF: How do you choose the location for a wedding shoot?
CC: It is wise to choose a location that is conveniently located near the ceremony and reception venues. Sometimes there is a place of sentimental value to the couple- the spot they became engaged or a family farm. It is important that you choose a location that is not going to be too busy at that time. You may not want an audience of onlookers and you may not want to have to wait your turn with other bridal parties for a popular site.

It is not necessary that you find THE most beautiful location as the background is not as important as the people. A nice tree, garden or park bench as a background can result in gorgeous images. You do not need to travel miles for a manicured garden or mountaintop view. A professional photographer will be able to help you find a beautiful backdrop in a public park or backyard.

It is a becoming more common that wedding shots are taken in unconventional locations. Train tracks, urban architecture, industrial and rustic backdrops are being used as a background with stunning results. What was formerly viewed as “ugly” can be beautiful when handled with skill and shot with artistic vision.

Trish Roberts Wedding Photography

WF: How much time should be scheduled for bridal party and family pictures?
CC: You should schedule 2-3 hours for the wedding pictures. The length of time required depends on the family size and dynamics. It is becoming more common that pictures are taken prior to the ceremony. It is a more relaxed time of day and you do not have a hall full of guests waiting for you to finish. Makeup and hairstyles are fresher and there is less chance of spills and wrinkles on the formal wear. This will not appeal to a couple who wish to follow the tradition of not seeing one another prior to the vows but it is a good option logistically for those trying to streamline the wedding day.

WF: What can a couple do to prepare for wedding pictures? Is there anything that makes it run more smoothly?
CC: The photographer needs to understand the family dynamics before the event. If we know about “sticky” family situations we can help alleviate the tension by not placing certain people in the same picture or positioning them far apart for group shots.

Also the photographer should know of any physical limitations that exist. If there is someone who has difficulty walking on rough ground or cannot stand for an extended period of time, we can make sure there is a assistance for them or modify the poses. Family shots involving children or elderly relatives can be taken first.

In some cases, there are restrictions imposed by a profession- we work in Ingersoll which has a large agricultural community and sometimes family members need to go home to milk cows between the photos and the reception. We can work around all these situations if we know of them in advance.

WF: How much can a couple expect to spend on wedding photos?
CC: Wedding photos are an investment and roughly 10-15% of the wedding budget should be allocated to photography. The post-wedding service is an essential part of the photographer’s job. After the images are captured- the photographer heads back to the studio to craft the images using colour correction, editing techniques, artistic enhancement and image selection. This is an area where you get what you pay for and hiring a professional will ensure that the finished wedding collection is something to be treasured for years to come.

WF: How can a couple prepare for bad weather on an outdoor wedding shoot?
CC: This is a situation that we had to deal with many times in 2009 since it was such a wet summer in Ontario. We always bring backup studio lighting and equipment in case we need to set up to shoot inside the reception hall or church.

Some gardens have sheltered areas that can be used if the weather is uncooperative. We often shoot at the Elm Hurst here in Ingersoll and there are several interesting and beautiful locations that can be used in the rain.

We also enjoy the challenge of using the rain for inspiration. What a great opportunity to get creative with funky rubber boots and umbrellas. Some of our favourite wedding shots were captured because we were working around the weather.

This is another reason to hire a professional, an amateur will have difficulty handling rainy day conditions.

WF: How soon should a couple book their photographer?
CC: As soon as possible! Do NOT wait to book the photographer if you know who one you want. Weddings are sometimes planned several years in advance so you need to act fast to reserve the services you want. This should be one of the top priority decisions along with booking the venues, officiant and caterer.

WF: What questions should a couple ask before contracting a wedding photographer?
CC:Are you available to shoot on my wedding date?
To what professional associations do you belong?
How would you describe your style?
Have you shot a wedding at this location before? (look at samples)
Do you bring an assistant?
Do you have backup equipment and is it the same quality as the primary equipment?
When will the images be ready?
Do you offer a copyright released image disc?
How do you archive your digital files?
How do you accommodate working with a videographer?
What information do you need to create a photo checklist?
Do you think you are a good fit for our event?

WF: Trish and Trevor, Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

For more information or to view more of Trish’s photography, visit her online at: Trish Roberts Wedding Photography.

Trish Roberts Wedding Photography