Exclusive Occasions

All that Sparkles - Inspiration Board

Is Your Wedding Causing You Stress?

You are getting married – you should be happy, excited and looking forward to your big day; however, the stress of your big day is causing more harm than good.

 

Take a look at some of our tips to ensure your wedding planning is as stress free as possible:

 

1. Invest in a Wedding Coordinator! – Having a professional on hand is a sure fire way to lower your stress level. Sit back and relax, we’ll take care of everything for you.

 

2. Take time for yourself - Just like anything in life, you need a break, time to clear your head and focus on yourself. Whether you go for a run, take a bath or hit up the newest flick at the theatre, just relax, everything will get done.

 

3. Avoid caffeine – Stimulates raise your heart beat, blood pressure, and stress level!

 

4. Don’t forget to ask for help – Although every woman knows they can do it themselves (and we can), ask for help, it’s not everyday you plan a party for hundreds of people.

 

5. Don’t ask for everyone else opinion – It’s natural to want to please everybody you love, but once you ask for someone's opinion, you will feel as if you have to do what they want, and in most cases, everyone thinks something different. Since you can’t please everyone, do what you want.

 

6. Don’t forget the big “O” – Organization is key. Create a checklist, timeline or set up alarms in your email to remind you of tasks that need completing.  Lists will help keep you on track, and the stress of worrying you missed something, will go away.

 

7. Research – Stress is often caused by the unknown. If you know what you want, or know what you need to know, you will feel more confident in your decisions.

 

8. Budget Accordingly – Keeping your dollars and cents in line while planning your big day will help keep you and your fiancé calm. Finances are the number one cause of all relationship arguments.

 

9. Take Your Time – Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your wedding won’t be planned in a day. These things take time, and are meant to be enjoyed.

 

10. Don’t forget what all this work is for. You’re getting married. To the greatest person in the world. Smile, this should be the greatest time in your life.

Chanel?

The Bloor Street location of Holt Renfrew has just announced the opening of their new Chanel Fragrance and Beauty space. Stop by Holt Renfrew Bloor Street from December 2 -5, to experience the exclusive olfactory bar of Chanel scents, and new Chanel perfume Beige.

 

Chanel National Make-up artist Gerald Belanger and his team will be on hand for exclusive makeovers (by appointment only).

 

For more information on Chanel’s Grand Opening, click here.

Ice Cream Anyone?

When I found this company online I was so excited. A gourmet ice cream company where I could create name and have my ice cream custom packaged for me? How fun is that? I mean, I could make my own ice cream at home, this just seems more fun!

 

ECreamery is an online based ice cream company that allows you to pick your base (gelato, sorbetto or ice cream), choose from over 47 flavours to add like banana, eggnog or even pumpkin pie!  Once your flavours are picked, “fix it up” with anything from gummy bears, strawberries or health bar pieces.

Once your ice cream creation is done, chose your ice cream tub and name your flavour whatever your heart desires.

This ice cream is meant to be a treat. Orders are made to a ½ gallon, filled in 4 pint sized tubs.

eCreamery is great is great for any occasion, especially girls night. I mean, what girl doesn’t want her own ice cream flavour?

Enjoy!

 

 

Honeymoon Destinations - Capri, Italy

During my visit to Capri during the summer of 2008, I fell it love with this gorgeous island.

 

Capri, is located in the province of Naples in Southern Italy, in the northern part of the Amalfi Coast.

 

  

 This small island is only a 20 minute hydrofoil ride from Sorrento, 40 minutes from Naples and 2-3 hours from Rome. Capri is great for day trippers, but is so beautiful you will definitely want to stay longer.

 

Fill your day laying under the hot Italian sun and lunching over a fresh Caprese salad which is native to the island. If you are the adventurous type you have your choice of sailing, renting a scooter, or charter a boat to take you to Capri’s famous blue grotto. Want to do some shopping? Capri has great high end shopping with stores like Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace.  When the sun goes down, experience life with the locals, go for dinner, sample different wines at the local taverns or dance the night away at disco “Number Two”.

 

If you want luxury accommodations, Capri has it. The Capri Palace Hotel & Spa is a 5 Star luxury hotel at its finest. Due to the location of this hotel, it has some of the best views over Capri and the ocean. It is also away from the hustle and bustle of the main town, which allows for quiet romantic dinners with your special someone.

 

 
 
The Capri Palace boasts award winning cuisine, an award winning spa, two yachts, a helicopter pad, and a penthouse that will take your breath away. Wondering what the price tag is? Rooms start around 600 Euros a night; however, there are accommodations in all price ranges.

 

For more information on Capri, click here .

 

 

Honeymoons...Where will yours take you?

In your life, your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life, but what about your honeymoon? Your honeymoon is your first trip as man and wife, a trip filled with romance, new experiences and a great way to start your marriage.

 

Once a week, I’ll feature a different honeymoon destination. Why that locale is romantic, what it has to offer, and what kind of price tag it comes with.

 

Stay tuned, you won’t want to miss these posts!

T’is the Season…To Get Engaged!

For those of you who don’t know, 25% of wedding engagements happen in December, followed by 7% in January and 12% in February.

So my question to you is: How did you get engaged? Or, if you’re not engaged yet, how would you like it to happen?

 

Do you want the grand experience in front of all your friends and family, something uber romantic, in Paris or Rome, or something simple while you’re at home washing the dishes?

 

Let me know. Feel free to comment below to share your story!

 

 

Professional Wedding Planners Conference at Beaches Turks & Caicos

Over the last week I was fortunate enough to attend the Professional Wedding Planners Conference at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

 

The three day conference included seminars from some of the industries best giving tips, advice, inspiration and what’s popular this coming wedding season.

The fabulous speakers were Ciara and Simon Daykin from Rockstar Wedding Planner and Firefly Occasions, wedding marketing guru Andy Ebon, Jo-anne Brown from Celebration Weddings and keynote speaker Sasha Souza from Sasha Souza Events.

 

   
  
Our last day, we were lucky enough to hear Richard Todd from Sandals Resorts tell us about the new and exciting features Sandals , Beaches , Grand Pineapple and Royal Plantation resorts have to offer our clients.

Our week concluded with a catamaran sail at sunset and French poolside reception to toast a great week.

I can’t wait for next year’s conference that no doubt will be just as great.

Thank you to the Wedding Planners Institure of Canada , Sandals and Beaches Resorts and our fabulous speakers! See you next year!

Exclusive Occasions is now on Twitter!

Exclusive Occasions is now on Twitter! Follow us at www.twitter.com/TOweddings

Take a Bite Out of This!

Calling all foodies! If you love food; cooking or eating it, I have the place for you. Aphrodite Cooks brings people and food together.  Aphrodite Cooks was formed for people who simply love life and all it has to offer ... like food.

 

They are a Toronto based catering company that offer cooking classes for singles and couples who have a passion for food. Classes are offered seasonally, and use fresh, seasonal food in all recipes. The classes give everybody a chance to prepare one aspect of the meal. Once all parts are complete, everyone gathers and enjoys the fruits of their labor.

 

With the holidays around the corner, a gift card to a class is a great and unique gift idea. For more information on Aphrodite Cooks , register for a cooking class or to purchases the gift of great food, click here.