Ask The Celebration Advisor: Hi im looking 4 a justice of the peace or a clergy member to join my coomon-law and I in marriage, I recently chatted with a woman who did this at her own home for $150, and i have misplaced her information, I really would like the ceremony small us, and 2 people 2 stand up for us, perferably somewhere in Sherwood Park, AB, Please if u can send me some info that would be great, I really need 2 book something asap, NOTHING FANCY AT ALL Thankyou again, Cindy Buzzep

The Celebration Advisor: Thanks for your question, Cindy! If you're not looking for a religious wedding officiant, the Alberta government page has a list of marriage commissioners who are licensed in Alberta to perform weddings.  Since you're in Sherwood Park AB, I recommend taking a look at the official website that lists licensed marriage commissioners in Alberta with a whole section for Edmonton wedding officiants. Just click on the link and scroll down to the Edmonton listing. There's contact information listed for each wedding officiant on the page. Don't forget to let them know that you found them through Wedding And Party Network!

If you're looking for a religious wedding officiant in Edmonton AB (Sherwood Park district) but don't see one that you're interested in, simply write back and I'll be happy to find one for you! Thanks again for your question, Cindy!

Ask The Celebration Advisor: I need to know who can make me a Halloween wedding cake, as well as favors and Ideas, and decoratons for my wedding. Most particularly the cake. for 200ppl? and a price in Calgary. Thank you. ~ Carmen Turning Robe, Calgary Alberta Canada

Celebration Advisor: Of course you can find all of that and other great wedding supplies in Calgary AB!

In fact, I know of a few places where you can find theme cakes, wedding cakes and (imagine this) theme wedding cakes in Calgary. For starters, try Cake Creations. They're incredible! Their wedding cakes are elegant regardless of the theme. All you have to do is ask! Theme cakes as well as wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes so be specific about what you want. Just let your wedding cake bakery know the size, general theme, and amount of people eating the cake and you're good to go!

As far as wedding favors and ideas go, that's greatly dependent upon the type of ceremony that you are having. It sounds like you're having a really fun Halloween wedding–congrats! That sounds like so much fun! I would start by speaking with the professionals at Claudia's Mementos. Though not located in Calgary, wedding favors from here are bound to be awesome. They always do an incredible job of hooking you up with the wedding favors that YOU want.

If you want a cool idea to start with for your wedding favors, try this one that my friend is using at her Halloween wedding this year. Our wedding favors are placeholders which are going to be little skulls, monsters, and ghosts with our names written on their heads. It took her a long time to choose those over chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing decorated like webbing and our names written in red icing over that. Somehow I knew she'd go with the haunted cemetery wedding favors instead! *grin* I'm sure these will taste great with the wedding cake. Have guests bring a sweet tooth!

Wedding decorations aren't quite as tricky. The only thing you really need to figure out is whether you want this to be more like a Halloween wedding or a Halloween party. If you're wanting the more upscale, ask a local Calgary wedding planner to help you come up with something that will celebrate the holiday and the occasion at the same time. If you want more of a party atmosphere, go all out with black tablecloths, creepy decorative lighting, blood-colored punch and other party foods, jack-o-lanterns and other spooky decorations. It just takes a little imagination! If you want some ideas, check out these great Halloween party pictures.

Together, your choices of wedding cakes, wedding favors, and wedding decorations is immense when you use the local  wedding suppliers that you have right there in Calgary!

Thanks for your question Carmen. I look forward to seeing the pictures of your wedding!

Making sure wedding guests are taken care of is an important part of the wedding planning process. Providing transportation for your wedding guests will ensure that all participants will have a good and safe time.  This limousine question from a bride demonstrates how important both transportation price and safety are when planning a wedding

Ask The Celebration Advisor: I am actually asking about transportation from my wedding on August 29th 2009….maybe starting around 1000p – lasting through 1200a , or so.
I only want the reception guests to make it home, or wherever they plan to stay that night.

What is your charge for this type of service.  The main places to carry them will be Tarboro and Greenville.

Thanks for your help Sheila -  Event takes place in Farmville.

Reply:

For weddings, limousines can offer guests a safe and luxurious ride.  Since your event takes place in Farmville, NC but the guests will need to go to Tarboro, NC or Greenville, NC, you have three limo options:

1. A Farmville Limousine service willing to travel to Tarboro or Greenville.
2. A Tarboro Limousine service willing to travel to Farmville or Greenville.
3. A Greenville limousine service willing to travel Tarboro or Farmington.

In areas where cities are close to each other, a limo company from one town will serve the surrounding cities.  So, you should be able to find a wedding limo service that is willing to travel to all three places.

Before you contact one of these limousine companies, you need to know what kind of limousine styles are available.  The best style for extra large groups going to the same place is a limo bus.  Not all limousine companies will have one in their fleet.  However, if this option is available the pricing is usually very cost-effective.  For small groups, the Hummer limo is a novel idea.  For most weddings, the stretch limo is the standard style of choice and can accommodate large groups.

As for pricing, limo rental companies usually have special packages for proms and weddings.  Luckily, the party limousine packages can be tailored to your special needs.  I would first guesstimate how many guests will use the limos.  Then divide the number into two groups – those going to Tarboro and those going to Greenville.  That way when you contact the limousine rental company you will have all the necessary information to select the right wedding limo package.

There should be little confusion or hassle when hiring a caterer. With all of the other things to do when planning a wedding or party, hiring a caterer should be a simple event performed near the start of the planning process. Taste testings are very definitely encouraged. After all, this is the only trial run that you will get before enjoying the meal at your event. To keep everything running smoothly, remember these eight simple tidbits when taste testing options from your local caterer.

Eight Simple Tips For Your Taste Testing Events

1 – Often it is a representative of the chef that presents the food. If this is the case at your taste testing event, ask if it is possible to pay your compliments to the chef. This positive feedback will be well received by the chef and likely work in your favor later.

2 – Bring others along who will be helpful in selecting the proper foods. Your wedding consultant or party planner can offer helpful tips during this process. Your mother, maid of honor, groom and others very close to you are also able to offer constructive advice during the sampling.

3 – There will be many options when sampling foods from a caterer so remember to pace yourself to enjoy each of them. A small bite or two is all that is necessary to enjoy the tastes of the dish.

4 – Discuss particular preferences with your wedding caterer or party caterer. If you have a favorite food or type of food, feel free to discuss foods with these particular ingredients that will be included in the meals. This information will be very helpful for the caterer to note later in the planning stages.

5 – Discuss alternative ingredient options with your caterer. If you like something but want it to be "vegetarian friendly," simply ask your caterer if this is possible.

6 – Look for signs of quality foods and other ingredients. Catering is not limited to the expensive or the inexpensive tastes. You want the best for your guests regardless of the budget so look for signs of freshness and quality when talking with your wedding caterer or party caterer.

7 — Ask your caterer to present the food to you the way it is to be presented at the wedding reception or party. If it is to be served buffet style over warmers, ask to try the food in this manner. If it is a passed tray reception, ask your caterer if it is possible to sample the food this way. This will help gauge how the food will taste at the reception as well.

8 – Though it does not necessarily pertain to the quality of the food, it is important to take note of the attentiveness of the wait staff. Pay attention to how the front end (servers) and kitchen (chef) communicate with one another. Do things move fluidly or in a disorganized manner? This tip is particularly important if you plan to hire the caterer's wait staff. 

Receptions vary but there is always a need for catering services. Whether a wedding reception, a gala reception or another party, there are three types of catering services from which to choose. Knowing which is your preference will help tremendously when discussing options with your caterer. When selecting on-site catering services for your event, consider these options.

Enjoying A Sit Down or Seated Meal Reception

Sit-down or seated meal dinners are perfect for very elegant wedding receptions, banquets, galas and other sophisticated affairs. This type of meal allows guests to mingle with those at their table. This puts a bit more pressure on preparing the right seating arrangement. However, seated meal receptions are arguably the most elegant type of dining and quite worth the extra attention to detail. When planning a formal dinner, ask your caterer about a seated meal reception.

Buffet Catering Is Another Good Option To Discuss With Caterers

Buffet catering is a type of food catering with which everyone is familiar. Many brides and other party planners prefer this type of catering due to its festive qualities. Guests are able to mingle while they fill their plates with party food or wedding food. There is little doubt that people will receive something that they dislike because they serve themselves. This reduces food waste. Alternatively, plan on the need for a larger amount of food because people tend to eat more when given many options.

"Garcon!" Preparing A Passed-Tray Reception

Passed-tray receptions are the perfect time to enjoy hor d'oeuvres of all kinds. During a passed-tray reception, wait staff weave between party guests while holding hor d'oeuvres and drinks on small trays (hence the name). They seem to flow seamlessly between guests who only notably acknowledge their presence when requesting party food or a beverage.

This is a very easy type of reception to coordinate with your caterer. It is also one that is preferred by many brides for a very simple reception, one with limited seating space, a reception that will be hosted in two places and other options. When guests are encouraged to mingle, passed-tray receptions are the finest option for the wedding or party catering.

Ask The Wedding Guide: I am from Kentucky, and am getting married on Mexico Beach in June and am having trouble locating a florist to make the bouquets for my bridal party.  I need bouquets for 4 bridesmaids, 2 jr bridemaids, and 3 flower girls. I would like white daisies and hot pink gerbera daisies.  Greenery is ok but i hate babies breath, and I would like them tied with white ribbon.  I would like the bouquets to increase in sz from a small nosegay with 1 gerber and a few daisies for the flower girls, to 2 gerbers and more daisies for jrs, and 3 gerbers and more daisies for bridesmaids. I also need 2 corsages for our moms in the same flowers.  If anyone knows a good florist I would appreciate the help! Thanks Nicole

Guide's Reply:

If you are using a wedding package provider for the wedding ceremony and reception, contact them and ask them where you can get wedding flowers. They often work with other wedding vendors who provide the services that they don't.  If you are coordinating your own wedding, contact the hotel in Mexico where you will be staying and ask for the concierge desk or guest relations agent who can recommend  a local and reputable florist.  If you are not fluent in spanish, be sure to ask for an email address.  This way you can communicate via email and by using babelfish as a translator.  Babel fish isn't the best translator but it will help to get the point across.

Where are in Mexico are you getting married?  Someone who has been there might have a suggestion.

Congratulations and good luck.

Ok. So it's the big day and your wedding photographer is ready to start shooting. As a savvy bride you've discussed which wedding photos you'd like to have as part of your photo album. However, getting everyone in position can sometimes be an arduous task. Many photographers have assistants that are able to work with the photographer in readying the shots. However, many wedding photographers may either not have an assistant or opt out of using one according to the size of the wedding and other factors.

To prevent this from slowing down or dampering the mood on your day, select a member of the family or wedding party to be the photo coordinator. The photo coordinator that you choose will be in charge of readying people for the next photos. Your wedding photographer should have a list of the photos to be taken which will help your coordinator know who to gather for the next shots.

When choosing a wedding photo coordinator, consider someone who can command a room in a gentle way. "Firm enough to get the ball rolling but without a cracking whip" is a good description for the type of person that fits this role well. Often parents, aunts, uncles, or sprightly grandparents play this role well as younger members of the wedding party are inclined to follow the instructions of respected elders.

No matter who is chosen, having someone to follow the lead of the wedding photographer but who will also be able to gather the wedding party efficiently is a very helpful addition. This prevents things from slowing down which means that you have time for more shots. You also have more set-up time which means time for better wedding pictures. When your wedding photo album opens in your lap for the first time, you'll be amazed at the memories that will roll out and how thankful you are for your photographer and photo shoot coordinator.

It might be the most frequently asked question of the wedding season, “So, what are your wedding colors?”. As if you haven’t toiled over it enough already. The truth is choosing wedding colors is much easier than you think. The key to creating a stylish and successful wedding color combo is recognizing the relationship amidst the hues. No, you don’t need an Art Degree to apply the ideas. Here’s how you start:

1. Consider the Site. When deciding on colors used for the wedding, it is wise to play up prominent colors offered by your wedding venue. For example, a church layered with burgundy and navy carpet isn't going to be complimentary setting for lime green and hot pink bridesmaid dresses and bouquets. It simply won’t quite cut it. Instead opt for rosey, blue and cream shades or even burgundy and gold. Selecting complimentary colors makes for a much better wedding color and venue combo.

2. Let The Season Be Your Guide. Mother Nature knows best, so take her advice. The fact is all colors can be used year round. However, it’s the shade of the color that matters from season to season. Light pastel hues are perfect for spring and summer weddings. These same colors can look washed out and inappropriately "springy" in winter months. Reserve the darker shades like burnt orange and hunter greens for fall and winter.

3. Visit the Hardware Store. DON’T go buy a jig saw and start making DIY Wedding Decorations. DO visit the paint section. Paint swatches are a great way to see an entire color palate right down to the exact hues you desire. Pick up a few and stick them in your purse while making wedding arrangements.

4. Pair Colors By Personality. Choose colors that have the same color intensity like baby blue and lavender, rather than baby blue and dark purple. You don't want a vibrant color overpowering a soft delicate color.

5. Consider Your Friends. Remember, not all colors are easy to wear and you have bridesmaids to dress. Think of them when considering whether to have "sunburst orange" bridesmaids’ dresses. If your bridesmaids are washed out or look ghastly in the color you choose, all eyes will be on them in horror instead of on your with admiration.

Keep these 5 tips in mind when choosing your wedding colors and you’ll be ready to go … without any mortified bridesmaids!

We all dream of the wedding reception where the food is just right, there is enough for everyone, and the flavors kick taste bud butt. If you've been to this kind of wedding, chances are great that all of these things were the result of a fantastic wedding caterer. Want to know where to get your hands on a good caterer for your wedding? Here are some tips that will help you choose a wedding caterer that will keep guests' tummies happy and satiated.

Sample! Sample!! Sample!!!

It's perfectly acceptable to ask to sample food before hiring a wedding caterer. Now it's impossible to please everyone, but there is some food that even the most finicky eater can't resist. Your caterer will have several options and menus from which to choose. Whether buffet or individual meals, it's your wedding so pick the food that you want! The best way to figure out what you like the best is to sample the offerings at many catering companies.

Be Prepared When Meeting With Your Wedding Caterer

Catering a wedding is tricky stuff. Your wedding caterer is going to need a lot of information, but thankfully it's pretty easy to figure out. Ask yourself a few simple questions before the meeting and take your answers with you. Caterers are sure to ask the same ones.

• Buffet style or individual servings?
• How many people will be eating?
• Do you require special options such as a vegetarian/vegan option?

Discuss Alternative Ideas For Your Wedding Reception Catering

Have the theme of your wedding in mind. The catering company that you hire should be able to adjust the food options to reflect the style and theme of your wedding. For instance, are you opting for a cupcake cake? This shows whimsy and may inspire individual sandwiches with colored bread. It can also rule out other options such as petit fours. More traditional weddings may call for very traditional meals. It's all up to you and your groom, but be prepared to discuss alternative ideas for your wedding catering.

We all know what we like when it comes to photography. Certain things just catch our eye. The same is true of wedding photography. It's so easy to get lost in the romance and magic of the wedding when flipping through the photo album. It's enough that we instantly "ooo," "awww," and share the pictures with our closest friends. It's this exciting time to relive fine memories that makes having the ideal wedding photographs so important. To get the most from your wedding photography package, here are the top 3 most important questions to ask your wedding photographer.

What packages are available? — Obviously there will be many wedding packages to choose from. Package items can range from a small amount of snapshots and prints to a large amount of photos and prints with digital enhancement and unique photography techniques. For this reason, it is important to discuss with your wedding photographer which package best fits your ceremony.

*Remember:  The size, location, and budget are the biggest factors in the selection to bring this information to your consultation.*

What digital techniques and enhancements are available? — See a great black and white shot of a bride holding her full-color bouquet? These and other unique techniques enhance photos for more memorable, valuable shots. Discuss wedding photography ideas that you like such as black and white wedding photos, sepia tone and other colored photos, unique bridal portraits, collages and more.

Which portions of the wedding are covered in this package? — While most wedding photographers cover pre-ceremony to post-reception, many prefer to include certain time frames into specific pacakages. For instance, the wedding ceremony and reception may be included in one package while another package includes photos of the wedding part in a different location.

*Remember:  Most wedding photo packages are based on the number of photographs taken as well as the number of locations. A greater number of set-ups and material costs ups the price of the package, so don't be scared to talk with your photographer about which packages are right for your wedding.*

*Remember:  If also using a videographer, try to arrange at least one pre-wedding consultation with both professionals together. This will help solidify in your mind which packages are truly best for your wedding. A videographer may reduce the amount of pictures that you want in your package. Alternatively, a wedding photographer may be able to capture many moments of the entire wedding in a particular package while the videographer for the wedding may only include the ceremony or reception in the package.