Capture That- The Importance of Making a Photo List

When you remember your special day, you never want to have regrets (and you VERY rarely will!). The photos from your big day are what you have to look back on, and trust me, you will look at them hundreds of times. Making a photo list for your photographer and your wedding planners to hold ensure you have all the photos you dream of when you sit down and continue to obsess about your wedding day.

Here are some suggestions of not-so-obvious special moments to be sure to capture throughout the day:

You and your dress: You will never look at it the same way again, with that magical twinkle in your eye.

First look between you and your partner: This is such a special moment for the both of you. Brides, you have spent hours and hours getting ready to look perfect for your partner. You have prepared the perfect hair, shoes, makeup, jewelry, and of course dress for your partner to see. Why not capture the excitement of revealing the look?

Photo credit: Shelterwood Photography

Photo credit: Shelterwood Photography

First look with parents: Not only have you been preparing for this special day, your parents have too. Capturing the moment when the father of the bride sees his little girl is one that will bring tears to your eyes in the following years. Same goes for mom; she will be glowing with excitement for her son or her daughter, making a perfect moment to capture.

The whole darn family: Would it not suck to forget to get a picture with one of your brothers or sisters, or your cousins, or your grandparents? Right now, you don’t think it will happen, but in the excitement of your day and with all of the people who will be around, please do not rely on your memory. Write it down so others can help you remember to get these shots. Get them all in!

Photo credit: Nichy Photography

When the groom sees the bride coming down the aisle: This is FOR SURE my favourite moment in a wedding. Even if you do a first look before the ceremony, this moment can still be so heartwarming.

Your parents during the ceremony: Seeing their happiness will make you smile. They are so proud of you and this moment. Why not have this memory to look back on for years to come?

Group shot with all of your guests: This can be an organizational nightmare, but one that is well worth it. Asking everyone to gather on the front steps of the church, outside of the venue doors, or even on the dance floor allows you to look back and smile at how lucky you were to have all of these people who mean so much to you there to celebrate your love for one another.

Photo credit: Nichy Photography

These are just suggestions, but the best suggestion we can give is for all of your photo ideas and wants to be WRITTEN DOWN and given to someone trustworthy on your big day. If you have a wedding planner (for example, Everly & Grace Weddings), they are the perfect person to put in charge of this list. They will make sure the photographer captures these moments. If not, a parent or close friend is also a good option, but be sure they are assertive enough to make ensure that these photos happen.

Let's make sure you that years down the road, you have all the photos possible to look back on in order to reminisce on your perfect day.

Much love,

Everly & Grace

Sara and Rob’s Beautiful Winter Wedding- Purdy Ever After!

Sara and Rob are one amazing couple which we are so thankful to have had the pleasure of working with. Their love story is beautiful example of the saying “what is meant to be, will be!”.

Their perfect day starts at the stunning Holland Marsh Wineries, a beautiful hidden gem located in Newmarket, Ontario. The natural beauty of this room, not only creates a cozy environment for guests but requires minimal extra decor.

Rose Petal Decor of Toronto helped to complete the look of the venue, setting an elegant backdrop for the ceremony and romantic twinkle lights strung wall-to-wall for the night.

Sara and Rob’s added many personal touches of their own. Rob’s handcrafted wood wall hanging which they had guest sign fit the venue and the couple perfectly.

With lanterns filling the room and custom chalkboard signs around, the classic rustic feel was accomplished throughout. Simple yet perfectly elegant.

How neat is this? Each table number was a greeting card for guests to sign.
The card would then be opened on given number's anniversary (i.e. Table 2- on the couples second anniversary!)

Simplicity at it's finest. 

To add to their personal touches, the couple had a delicious candy bar complete with "Purdy" candy bags for their guests to take home.

But of all of these personal touches, I think our favourite would have to be Rory, the couples black lab, who impressively made her way down the aisle, tutu included, and sat with the couple through the ceremony.

Thank you Sara and Rob for letting us be apart of this special day! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness together and can't wait to see what your future holds together.

Much love,

Everly & Grace

The Perfect Song

What makes the perfect wedding song? This is A question that exists for all engaged couples, but there really is no perfect answer. The first thing most couples will do is search Google for "top wedding songs of the year" and begin their listening.

(The Knot)

Why is this a bad idea? It isn't necessarily, but the song you pick might not be as personal. Why not start with your iPod and playlists? Is there a song that makes you think of your fiance? Is there a band or singer that you experienced together? Is there a place that is special to you that is mentioned in a song? Along with these starter questions, these three tips may also help with your selection.

1. Make a list separately and compare notes. Take your time: read through the lyrics, explore different covers that exist on YouTube (you might be really surprised with what you find), and listen to the song both together and alone.

2. It is fairly important to remember that you do, in fact, need to be able to dance to it. Practicing dancing to it in your living room to make sure it is a "dance-able" track is never a bad idea! It's also very romantic and will get you both even more excited for the event itself.

3. Let's be honest, it doesn't matter if the song is popular, funny, weird, or different. In the end, the song is about the two of you, end of story. Decide together on one that really represents you as a couple. Something to consider: one of you choose the wedding song and let it be a surprise. This is a really great "groom" task and from experience, one that they really enjoy!. Pick something timeless that will always remind you of the other when you hear it.

We have done a little exploring and have found some of our favourites for your listening pleasure. Some are quite popular, with timeless words (remember that you can make it your own by finding a unique cover!), others are rather out-of-the-box, with lyrics that just warm your heart. This list could go on and on and on, but here are just a some suggestions to get you started:

Sara Bareilles - I Choose You 

Thomas Rhett - Die a Happy Man
Adele - Crazy for You
Sam Smith - Make it to Me
Brooks and Dunn - Ain't Nothin' 'Bout You

Zeus - Anything You Want
Bright Eyes - First Day of my Life
Tom O'Dell - Hold Me (a little faster, but still a great option)
The Once - I Can't Help Falling in Love With You (a beautiful Elvis cover)

Rascal Flatts - I Melt
Van Morrison - I Will Be There
Constantines and Feist - Islands in the Stream
Zac Brown Band - Whatever it is

Melpo Mene - I Adore You
Ingrid Michaelson - Keep Warm
Rosie Thomas - Let Myself Fall
John Legend - All of me (couldn't make a list without it!)

Matt White - Love
Iron and Wine - Love and Some Verses
Ingrid Michaelson - Oh What a Day

These are just our favorites and really may not resonate with you at all and that is completely okay!

To some, this is "just a dance". That being said, from this point forward, this song will always remind you of your perfect wedding day, so why not make it the best choice possible?

Love always,
Everly & Grace

Making Winter Weddings Your Own

On this chilly winter day, all I can think of is getting warm and cozy. Of course, the wedding lover in me soon connected that feeling to the wedding world. Winter weddings are becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons. Not only do they save a significant amount of money due to off-season pricing, but the weather itself can create an exceptionally unique experience for both the happy couple and their guests.

Photos in the blowing snow, fur stoles, and horse and buggy rides are classic favorites, but here are some ideas to set your winter wedding apart from others:

1. Hot Chocolate Latte Bar - We have seen the classic candy bar (which is honestly an amazing trend that is never leaving), but there is another amazing way to bring that warm, cozy feeling to your winter lovefest: setting up a late-night or even not so late-night drink bar with a wide variety of hot beverages in several flavors including tea, coffee , hot chocolate in white and dark chocolates, perhaps peppermint flavoring, espressos and lattes. Spend the extra money on hiring a barista for a couple of hours to make it all come together. It will be worth it. Of course, Bailey's and Kahlua would be an exciting and favorite addition to this winter treat.

(Courtesy of: Up Cycled Treasures)

2. Fireplaces - When exploring wedding venues with your significant other, why not find one that has a stunning fireplace that can act as a centrepiece to your beautiful day? This could be an indoor fireplace, acting as the backdrop to your ceremony, or perhaps an outdoor fireplace that allows for a warm area around which guests can congregate when they need some fresh air. With an outdoor fireplace, you can also set up a s'more station where your guests can enjoy a delicious treat. Places to consider where you may find a fireplace are ski lodges and wineries.

Photography by Stan Behal

3. Blankets and mugs - Unique, personalized and useful favors are always a must. Why not ensure that they go along with your winter theme? When I think of an intimate winter day, I think of curling up on the couch with a blanket and warm cup of tea. Now, your guests can go home with an item they can use. There are many websites, including The Knot Wedding Shop, where you can customize these unique favours for your guests so that they leave with a long lasting memory.

Courtesy of Evermine Weddings

4. Lighting - Set the scene and bring some more light to your day. With the darkness coming earlier and less natural light throughout the evening, be sure to find great ways to brighten up your venue. Lanterns on the tables, hanging lights across the ceiling, twinkle lights outlining the floor or perhaps the table, pin spotting on centrepieces, and up-lighting on the walls are just a few fantastic ways to bring extra lighting into your space. If you are planning your winter wedding and have not chosen a venue yet, be sure to ask about lighting options as you review locations.

Courtesy of Willowdale Estate

5. A creative colour palette - Just because it’s not the summer, doesn’t not mean you can't use bright colours. It is a common misconception that because it is a winter wedding, you have to use dark colours. This definitely is not the case. There are a variety of colour palettes that fit the winter weather, but are not dark and draining. Blush and pale blue with silver work beautifully. Not only do they go great with the greens of winter, they can brighten up the venue as well. Also, consider using pine cones as accents, as they work wonderfully with the blush and blues. Another stunning option is white and creams, with hints of silver. Want an accent? Add cedar. Cut out cedar rounds to use with centrepieces and small cutouts to use as place cards.

Photography by Stan Behal

Winter is a stunning time of year, so why not make the most of the season and create a wonderful, unique and cozy environment to celebrate your love? Don't let the cold hold you back!

Love always,

Everly and Grace

Writing your Own Vows: Do's and Don'ts

Writing your own vows is a beautiful thing and truly makes your special day just that. That being said, there are definitely some do’s and don’ts to consider before committing to this idea.

Don’t...

1. Feel like you have to write personal vows - Remember that you are getting up and sharing your love with hundreds of people and this can be a very overwhelming situation (even to the most outgoing and extraverted people). It is okay to stick to something comfortable. This could be words that you wrote together or that were provided by your officiant. Your day will be personal enough, even if you do not write your own vows.

2. Add too many “inside jokes” - Of course, you want your vows to be special and all about the two of you, but remember that you are sharing them in front of many. This is a special moment you are sharing and it is important that your guests understand what is going on. Now, that is not to say there should be no inside jokes or personalization whatsoever, but it is important to at least consider this.

3. Write your vows the day of - To many, including myself, they are the most important part of your wedding day so they deserve more than just a rush job the day of. Yes, writing them the day of puts you in a great state of mind, but if you are committing to marriage, you should be in a great state of mind regardless. They should be given the time they deserve. Why not write them a couple of weeks earlier and edit them the day before while you are practicing them? Because practice is a must!

Do...

1. Share them prior to your wedding day - Whether this is a special moment you set aside the night before your wedding, or if you have a close friend who knows you both read through them. It is nice if yours and your fiance’s vows flow together, particularly in length. It could be quite uncomfortable if one writes three sentences and the other writes two pages.

2. Practice them - You will be so full of emotions the day of your wedding no matter how strong you think you are, trust me! (My husband choked up during his vows and he is the last person I expected it from). When your significant other is out of the house, read them outloud to yourself or ask your maid of honor to listen to you. You can do this just a couple of times, but it will make a huge difference. 
3. Give an extra copy to someone you trust - If you have a wedding planner (like Alanna or I), they are the perfect person to hold on to your special words. One of your parents, a bridesmaid, a close friend, or an aunt or uncle are also all great options. There will be so much going through your head on this day and holding on to of a piece of paper may not be first on your list (not to mention, ladies, you have no pockets!).

Until next time!

Love always,

Everly and Grace

Going Vintage... Without the Mason Jar!

Let's be honest... The vintage wedding theme has been a major trend over recent years and is a trend that is not going anywhere fast. I am as guilty as the next in assuming that a vintage wedding must include the wonderful accessory: a mason jar (or a couple hundred!).

The mason jar has been the go-to item for any vintage, rustic-chic wedding in the last five years. My wedding was what I called "Simple Vintage", reason being, I love mason jars, including their versatility and the cozy feel they give. I wanted to use them as much as I could.

From guest favours to vases, I tried to use them in as many ways as possible.

Of course, I have no regrets about my wedding and the choices I made, but looking back, all I can think now that I am planning the perfect day for others is: how can we make vintage weddings more unique? My first thought, ironically: get rid of the mason jar! Everyone is using them nowadays, so they are not actually "unique" in any way.

Here are my thoughts on alternative ways to do vintage or rustic themes, while avoiding the mason jar (or limiting their use!).

1. Old Coffee Cans

                                                            

                                                                                            (creativeinspirations3.com)

It will take a little digging and they are not as easy to find as a mason jar but will definitely set you apart from the rest. Trying flea markets, garage sales, and thrift shops are great places to discover these gems. Also great for couples who have a mutual love for coffee, showing some personality!

2. Tin Cans

This is one of my personal favourites. With a little love (and very little elbow grease!), you can bring the vintage or rustic feel to your special day. Not only are they extremely affordable, but the world is your oyster, as you can design them however you would like: using your wedding colours and keeping with your theme, using spray paint, adding holes to illuminate the can, or adding fabric.

                                

              (theweddingchicks.com)                                                                    (rusticweddingchic.com)

This is also a great option for couples who are conscious of their eco-footprint and are wanting to find ways to make their wedding more "green".

3. Craft boxes

Why not go in a whole other direction and find printed or coloured boxes that fit your theme and can be used in a wide variety of ways? Not only do they make unique centrepieces, but they can also be used as cardboxes, signs for the food display table, etc. Winners/ Homesense is a great place to start your search as they frequently have a large selection of these boxes in a wide variety of designs. Michaels also always has a good selection. You may not find them all at once, and that is okay. Finding one or two at a time is perfect and overtime you will build quite the collection. Have friends and family keep their eyes peeled for boxes that fall within the confines of your theme. If you want all of your centerpieces to match, then this may not be the option for you, but it is definitely something to consider.

          

            (adropofpleasure.tumblr.com)                                      (oodlekadoodleprimitives.blogspot.com)

Are these options as easy as mason jars? Possibly! It may take a little more digging, some extra TLC, or some help from family and friends to find the perfect items that fit your look. In the end, I truly believe that little extra effort will be well worth it and will help set your wedding apart from others, making it that unique and special day you have always dreamed of, especially if it is a beautiful vintage one!

Until next time, don't be afraid to think outside the box! 

Love always, 

Everly and Grace

Our Story in a Nutshell

Every day is different in the life of a high school teacher, and our hope is that each weekend will also be just that; truly unique and full of wedded bliss!

Alanna and I first met two and a half years ago in the school at which we teach. As our friendship grew, we realized that not only did we both have an amazing passion for teaching, we also had an unconditional love for weddings.As young girls, weddings were something we loved to watch, hear about and be apart of. There is something beyond special when two people find each other and everyone has the opportunity to come together and celebrate.

We especially love unique weddings, those that are different and stand apart, representing all that the beautiful things that couple are about. We love that look that the groom gets on his face when he sees the bride for the first time. We love the feeling of accomplishment when it all comes together. From the Do-It-Yourself projects to the beautiful ceremonies, and the floral arrangements to the perfect first look, there were very few things we did not have in common when it came to the world of weddings. So, why not plan them together?

Welcome to Everly & Grace Weddings!

Along the way, we will share ideas, tips, experiences and more as we follow our childhood dreams and help make others' dreams come true.

Love always,

Andrea (and Alanna)