Make a statement with your Bridal Shoes

Every bride should feel amazing on her Wedding Day – and if you’re like most women, nothing makes you strut your stuff quite like a great pair of shoes.

Your bridal footwear offers the perfect opportunity to showcase your personality and have some fashion fun on what can otherwise be a very traditional occasion. But blisters are never in style, so the first thing to consider is comfort.

You’ll be in your wedding shoes all day and may be dancing in them all night, so whether they’re stilettos, ballet flats, or even UGGS, your wedding foot wear needs to be a good fit. If they’re not comfortable when you try them on, they won’t feel better after a day on your feet.

For the ultimate in comfort, UGGS offers a special line of Bridal Boots.

Take the length and style of your gown into consideration when selecting your shoes. Short or tea-length gowns are a great excuse to showcase your personality through a shoe with colour or a pattern.

If you’re wearing a non-traditional dress, why not wear some non-traditional shoes? (From a bridal fashion shoot in our Carriage House!)

Adding a splash of colour can also be fun under a long, more traditional dress.

A splash of colour can be fun under a traditional gown.

Spike heels may not be the best choice if you’re wearing a delicate lace gown – and skinny stilettos are a definite no-no for the beach or garden setting.

Some brides take it one step further and have custom-designed shoes made especially for their wedding day – like these created for an Elm Hurst bride by Figgie Shoes.

This Elm Hurst bride incorporated her venue into the design of these custom-made shoes.

Others prefer a more relaxed look and wear sneakers or a favourite pair of cowboy boots under their formal attire.

Your choice of bridal footwear should be reflected by your entire wedding party.

Whatever you choose, remember it’s your day. Don’t be afraid to kick up your heels and have some fun!

Going barefoot on our fountain.

www.elmhurstinn.com 

Tips for the perfect Outdoor Wedding

Summer Wedding Season is almost here, which means many Brides are busy putting the final touches on their upcoming outdoor ceremony.

The great outdoors can be the perfect place for a summer ceremony.

While blue skies and Mother Nature make for a magical backdrop for any wedding, we asked Elm Hurst Wedding Co-oridnator Erin Lister to provide some professional advice on how to ensure the day goes smoothly for you and your guests:

Let guests know they’ll be outside
Friends and family will appreciate being able to plan for the occasion with appropriate clothing, sunscreen, hats, and even insect repellent. If your celebration is mid-summer, supply water, fans, and / or sun umbrellas. Get creative and use your fan as a program!

Power Up
The great outdoors doesn’t always have the best acoustics. Rent audio equipment to ensure that your vows will be heard, and don’t forget to ask if your site has access to power!

If you want your guests to hear your vows, make sure you can use a mike.

Banish the bugs
Did you know that some flowers actually attract insects? Your florist should know which blooms won’t be a fragrant invitation for every bug in the area.  And apply your perfume when you go inside.

Consider an Aisle Runner
If you want to keep your dress absolutely pristine, consider using an aisle runner.

An aisle runner will help keep your dress clean for the reception.

Know the area
Is there an airport nearby? Or a busy soccer field? You don’t want your ceremony disturbed by surprise interruptions, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Consider the comfort of your Guests and your Wedding Party
It’s especially important to be on time for an outdoor ceremony, as nobody likes to be kept waiting in the hot summer sun. Choose bridesmaids dresses that are wind and weather appropriate. Remember that stiletto heels can sink into the grass. And waterproof make-up should be a must!

Choose dresses that will keep your Bridesmaids cool in the summer sun.

Have a Plan B
Mother Nature won’t always cooperate with your outdoor wedding dreams. Have a Plan B in place in case of bad weather, and decide in advance who will make the final decision about moving your ceremony indoors. Then relax, and enjoy your day regardless!

Elm Hurst Inn & Spa offers several beautiful locations for an outdoor ceremony. Visit www.elmhurstinn.com to learn more, or to book a tour.

The Staycation Wedding

If you’ve always dreamed about a destination wedding but worry about holding your big day in an unfamiliar location, the stress of travelling, and rounding up family and friends for an extended overseas trip, then a Staycation Wedding might be the perfect alternative.

As the name suggests, a Staycation Wedding is a destination wedding held close to where you live – making it possible for you to play an active role in planning your celebration and easier for your guests to spend quality time with you and your intended.

Located in SW Ontario, Elm Hurst Inn & Spa is the perfect spot for Staycation Wedding.

And Ingersoll Ontario’s Elm Hurst Inn & Spa is the perfect choice for an unforgettable wedding getaway.

Arrive on Friday and treat yourself to an afternoon spa treatment before enjoying a delicious rehearsal dinner in the charm of our Victorian mansion restaurant.

You and your guests can enjoy a meal in our Victorian Mansion restaurant.

Take an evening stroll on our 33-acre property, or go for a pre-wedding photo shoot in the great outdoors before spending a relaxing night in our ‘country-chic’ Inn rooms or a luxurious suite.

Brides love our Pink Suite.

The boys can spend Saturday morning at one of the local golf clubs while the ladies get ready for the main event.

With several unique reception spaces, the Elm Hurst Inn & Spa can accommodate everything from a large elegant affair to an intimate gathering.  Our 19^th-century Carriage House is a favourite for brides looking for rustic charm! And our dedicated Wedding Coordinator and Wedding Concierge will make sure that everything goes off without a hitch.

The Carriage House is just one of our unique reception spaces.

You and your guests can dance the night away and then rise to enjoy a leisurely Sunday brunch. It’ll be a staycation that your wedding guests will be talking about for years!

Dance the night away and make memories to last for years.

To learn more about everything the Elm Hurst has to offer, visit our website, drop in for a meal the next time you’re driving down Hwy 401 (we’re just off Exit 218) or get in touch to arrange a tour!

Say ‘yes’ to Cupcakes

If you’ve been to a wedding lately, you may have noticed that something is missing – the cake! It’s true, more and more brides are ditching the traditional multi-tiered wedding cake in favour of cupcakes.

And it’s easy to see why.

This Elm Hurst bride had chocolate and vanilla cupcakes at her wedding.

They come in all kinds of delicious flavours.
Can’t decide between chocolate or vanilla? Red velvet or carrot? With cupcakes you don’t have to choose. Order some of each and let your guests enjoy their favourites!

You can make them yourself.
Cupcakes are much easier to bake than an elaborate wedding cake.  If you are planning a DIY occasion, simply round up your girlfriends for an afternoon in the kitchen and bake up some fun! (It’s always a good idea to do a test run before the main event.)

Of course, most professional bakers now offer spectacular cupcakes for weddings – don’t be afraid to ask!

They are easy to serve.
Cupcakes don’t need to be cut and served – guests can simply help themselves directly at the cake table or dessert buffet.

Guests can help themselves at your dessert table.

They are cute and versatile.
Let’s face it, everyone loves cupcakes, and they can be easily decorated to match your colours or theme.  You could even arrange your cupcakes as edible centrepieces on each table!

Cupcakes can be easily decorated to match your theme and colours.

You won’t have any leftovers.
You should probably count on having 1.5 cupcakes for each wedding guest – or more if you are not serving any other dessert.  Consider making take-away boxes available for guests who’d like to bring a sweet treat home at the end of the night.

Some brides have a Cutting Cake as well as a tower of cupcakes.

You can have cupcakes AND a cutting cake.
Brides who want to include cake-cutting in their reception can have a small cutting cake in addition to a cupcake tower.  A smaller cake will still be easier on your budget.

What is your favourite cupcake flavour?

www.elmhurstinn.com 

Advice from a professional Wedding Photographer

Your wedding photos will last a lifetime – that’s why it’s always best to hire a professional, rather than relying on candid shots snapped by family and friends.

We asked wedding photographer Kelly Taylor for her tips!

We asked Kelly Taylor of The Bridal Lounge to share her tips on making sure your wedding photos don’t disappoint. Here’s what she said…

“As a wedding photographer, my goal is to give you the best experience possible all crammed into a very busy, sometimes stressful day. There are a jillion tips for executing a wedding but these are just a few lesson I’ve learned along my journey:

Book Early
If you have a certain date, photographer, venue, etc in mind, and you want to ensure they are available for your special day, book early. Yes that means 18 months in advance sometimes.

Know your Guest Count
Don’t be disappointed if after you’ve booked the venue of your dreams, they cannot accommodate the number of guests you have.  A place like The Elm Hurst Inn & Spa has reception spaces suitable for parties of all sizes, but before you do the leg work and spend your time and money, have a realistic idea about how many guests will be coming to your wedding. This is also helpful when breaking down the budget.

Will you have a large wedding, or a small one? Know before your book!

Be Organized
I have to be careful with this one! Just as every couple is different, each person has their own level of organization. I tell my couples that the more detailed planning you do before, the easier your day will be. When I meet new couples I immediately lay out a rough timeline to get a basic overview of how the day might look. It helps with co-coordinating other vendors, booking hair appointments etc. Now, please don’t start making DIY favours two years before your ceremony(unless that’s how you roll) , just set small goals and don’t kill yourself trying to achieve them. Spread them out over time, and enjoy the ride.

Let your Vendors help lead the way
Working in the industry, I work with other professionals all the time. I see what products look fabulous and which DO NOT look fabulous. Let one vendor lead you to another.  We know the great make-up artists and limo companies in your area! Ask and ye shall receive.

Ignore the camera and just Be
You look beautiful so don’t worry about me taking a bad shot. That’s my job. I will direct you when necessary, but otherwise enjoy your day.

Ignore the camera and just be!

Accept that things won’t be perfect
That’ right I said it. It won’t be. The goal is for everything to run smoothly, but things happen that are out of your control so please don’t let one problem ruin everything else. A little dirt on your dress will go unnoticed but you will have your pictures for a thousand years!!

Consider doing a First Look
A First Look is when the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony and get most of the photos out of the way. Now, I am all for a traditional walk down the aisle, but more and more couples want to walk out the aisle as husband and wife and into a martini reception with their loved ones – instead of going for a photo shoot. A ‘First Look’ is also great because you can get your photos done when you are fresh and full of energy earlier in the day.

A First Look can ensure you get photos to last a lifetime!

Lose the Glitter
Its one of those silly little things, but it makes a difference. Glitter looks strange in photographs. So wait for the photos to be done, then go crazy with the stuff!

Consider a Cocktail Dress for the evening
I know what you are thinking. “Kelly, I would never do that, I love my dress so much I will want to wear it all night!”

You say that now, but after being sucked in and tightened up for the afternoon, you will want a little wiggle room to get a decent breath in and really relax for the party portion of your day. A recent bride of mine told me after  her wedding that she really wished she had a second dress to enjoy her meal and to dance the night away with ease.

Don’t forget to enjoy your big day!

Have Fun!
It is so important for you to simply just enjoy it. This day is for you and your partner, and yes it will be a whirlwind but it will be the best time you’ve ever had. Live in the moment and be present. It will definitely translate in the pictures!

www.elmhurstinn.com
www.thebridallounge.ca

Do’s & Don’ts for December Weddings

December can be a wonderful month to celebrate your love. Family and friends are often already making plans to get together for the holidays, and everyone is in the mood for a celebration. But any winter wedding takes a bit of extra planning, so here are a few do’s and don’ts for the December Bride.

Like any winter wedding, December nuptials can be beautiful – but require a bit of extra planning.

Do minimize travel time for your guests
You never know what Mother Nature has in store this time of year – beautiful blue skies and clear roads, or a blizzard. Hold your ceremony and reception close together or even at the same venue to minimize driving time for your guests. This will reduce everyone’s stress level, and help keep your big day running on schedule!

Do choose a venue with great indoor and outdoor photo ops
Wedding photos set against a snowy background can be magical, but if the weather doesn’t cooperate you might need to move your photo shoot indoors. Look for a venue that won’t disappoint if you need to move to Plan B.

Fireplaces make a great back drop for an indoor photo shoot.

Do incorporate the holidays into your decor
Does your venue decorate for Christmas? Sparkling Christmas trees, hanging holly and seasonal poinsettias can add instant colour to your reception hall, and save you some money. But do ask if decorations can be removed temporarily if they don’t fit your vision.

A colourful Christmas tree can add some seasonal splendor to your ceremony!

Do dress for the season
Strapless wedding gowns may be right on trend, but they won’t keep you warm if you need to go outdoors for travel or photos. Consider wrapping up with an elegant cape or fur, or faux-fur, wrap.

A wrap is a stylish way to keep warm. Photo by HRM Photography.

Don’t leave it to the last minute to book your venue
December may be a slower season for weddings, but it’s high season for holiday parties – so don’t forget to book early!

Visit Elm Hurst Inn & Spa to discover why we’re a favourite with Southwestern Ontario brides at any time of year.

Wedding Dress Trends & Tips – 2013

With so many styles to choose from, shopping for a wedding dress can be a daunting process. We invited Emily from Sew Stylish Wedding Works to share her expert advice, and some tips about what Brides will be wearing in 2013:

Finding the perfect wedding gown is all about staying true to your personal style and flattering your body type. Whether you are a classic and sophisticated bride or an adventurous fashionista there are so many great trends today in the world of bridal fashion that will suit any personality.

This romantic look is one of our favourite trends for 2013!

Hopeless Romantic
One of our favorite looks right now is the soft and dreamy organza gown. Whether in tiers, ruffles or pickups, this translucent fabric creates an airy essence and make this the perfect trend for a spring or summer wedding. Organza is so versatile and can be dressed up for a formal affair with bead work, or be kept simple to be right at home in a garden ceremony.

Lace is making a big comeback this year.

Lace Nouveau
Lace has made a huge comeback, but don’t worry, it’s come a long way from your mother’s wedding gown! Beautiful styles of lace abound this upcoming season with every silhouette represented from mermaid, to ballgown. We think this is a trend that will stick around, because it’s such a classic and timeless look. You will never look back at your pictures 20 years from now and ask “what was I thinking??”

Soft colours can be a great alternative for some Brides.

Think Outside the White Box
Designers are realizing that white just isn’t the colour for everyone. More and more, gowns are being offered in soft tones such as pink, champagne, mint and lavender. We even have a designer that will make nearly any gown in their 90 bridesmaid colour options for the bride looking for a bolder shade!

Keyhole backs are a fun way to show some skin – even for Bridesmaids!

Show Some Skin
The keyhole or portrait back detail is popular this season in bridal, and we are starting to see it cross over into bridesmaids for 2013. It’s a nice way to give your girls a subtly sexy look, whether in lace as shown here, or in a solid fabric for more coverage.

Non-strapless options are another popular Bridal trend for 2013.

Sheer Elegance
Non-strapless options are becoming more plentiful as many brides want their party to feel comfortable and supported. A great option is the sheer V-neck as it’s a flattering neckline for so many body types, and gives a bit of coverage while being soft and delicate.

You’ll be seeing plenty of high low hemlines in 2013.

Indecisive Lengths
We’ve seen the high low hemline in fashion and on the red carpet this season, and now we are seeing it in the latest bridesmaids styles. Many designers have taken their swing at this popular trend and we love it. They have created some soft and elegant yet fashionable looks for the modern bridesmaid.

Interested in seeing more? Join Sew Stylish Wedding Works at the Elm Hurst Inn Carriage House for their Girl’s Night Out Fashion Gala,  November 16 @ 7 pm – or drop by their salon in Ingersoll, Ontario!

Tips for a Child-Free Wedding

While some couples are comfortable including even the youngest guests at their wedding, others want their big day to be an adult-only affair.  If you fall into the second category, here are some tips to help you plan the child-free day of your dreams.

If you’re planning an elegant affair, you may not want to include children.

1. Choose an appropriate time
   If many of your guests have children, hold your ceremony and reception when people aren’t typically busy with family activities. Friday evenings or Sunday afternoons are a good choice.
2. Don’t hide your intentions
   Make it clear at the outset that you are planning an adult-only affair.  To avoid confusion, address the invitation to the individuals you are inviting – not to ‘The Smith Family’ – and include the words “Adult reception.”
3. Stand your ground
   Some guests may be upset that their children are not invited. (Others may look forward to a couple’s night out!) Be polite but firm when explaining that it wouldn’t be fair to other parents to include some children but not others. Be prepared that some parents may choose to stay home.
4. Assist out-of-town guests with babysitting
   Provide a list of babysitters for your out-of-town guests with children, or arrange for babysitting at your venue.  The Elm Hurst Inn & Spa is happy to arrange a sitter and a guest room to keep youngsters out of trouble!

Tips for a Child-Friendly Wedding

Weddings are a family affair, and that means most couples can expect a few pint-sized guests on their big day.

Whether they’re your nephews, nieces, cousins, the children of your closest friends, or even your own kids, a little bit of planning can go a long way to ensure that all the excitement doesn’t cause a toddler-sized melt down on your dance floor.

A few easy tips will ensure there are no toddler-sized meltdowns on your dance floor.

Here are a few tips to keep everyone happy during your ceremony and reception:

1. Ask them to play a part
   Make the kids feel special by including them in your ceremony and reception. Obvious roles include flower girls, junior bridesmaids or ring bearer, but other children can help out by passing out wedding programs, water bottles, or party favours.  Give older kids a disposable camera and set them loose during your reception!
2. Don’t nix electronic toys
   In an ideal world, kids wouldn’t get the wiggles. Hand held games and other favourite toys, can go a long way to keeping the peace – as long as the volume is turned down!
3. Serve some kid-friendly food
   Whether you’re having a seated meal or a buffet, ask your caterer to provide some child-friendly options for your younger guests.   At Elm Hurst, we offer a special menu just for the kids, which is always a big hit.
4. Provide activity bags or a children’s table
   Make a colouring and craft bag to hand out just before the speeches – this is the most difficult time to keep children entertained. Or set up a dedicated kids table with candy, juice and board games and puzzles.
5. Have a designated guest room for children
   If it’s going to be a late night, reserve a guest room with a sitter where little ones can snuggle into bed, or watch their favourite TV show.
6. Hire a sitter
   Let the Elm Hurst Inn & Spa arrange a sitter to keep your young guests out of trouble, or bring one of your own.
   

   For a late night, hire a sitter and reserve a room where little ones can rest or watch TV.

And if you don’t want kids at your Wedding? Well, that’s a topic for another blog!

Humorous Wedding Cake Toppers

Cake Toppers are a traditional way to add a personal touch to your Wedding Reception.  And for couples wanting to add a bit of fun to what can otherwise be a rather formal event, a humorous Wedding Cake Topper can be a great choice.

These Elm Hurst Brides chose Cake Toppers that were worth a second look:

An elegant Wedding Cake…

…with a sense of humour!

A colourful cupcake Wedding Cake…

…for a couple with a sense of play!

A ‘wild’ Wedding Cake…

…for a Bride who’s in control!

With a wide variety of humorous Cake Toppers now available at specialty stores and online, the choice is almost endless. Or ask your baker to craft something truly unique out of fondant or chocolate.

Have fun, but remember that the perfect Cake Topper should reflect your playful personality – without offending Grandma!

What’s the funniest Cake Topper you’ve ever seen?

http://www.elmhurstinn.com