MEGAN & ROB
Where: Queens Landing Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake
When: December 2017
Bridal Gown: Essense of Australia, purchased at Lovebird Bridal Boutique
Photography: DA Photography, Dragi Androski
Officiant: White Orchid Wedding Officiants
Florals: i fiori, Beverly
Decor: A Night to Remember Events
Dj Services: AMV Productions
The Inspiration: Rob proposed to me on December 12th, 2016 while I was sick, in my pjs laying on the couch half asleep...it had been a rough few months with the recent loss of my mother. I knew right away I wanted a destination wedding but also knew the logistics of this would make it near impossible to include the people we needed and and wanted there most. So my backup plan was to do a Simplistic Beauty Winter/Christmas theme wedding. We ended up heading to Niagara-on-the-Lake one afternoon in the beginning of January and when we walked into the Queens Landing Hotel and saw all the Christmas decor still up (and in the purple scheme I was insistent on) we knew instantly that was the elegance we wanted for our day. They had December 9, 2017 open and we immediately knew that was it! I can't speak highly enough of our wedding planner at The Queens Landing and all the staff. They made our day a dream come true along with all our vendors.
Moments to Remember: Our day started EARLY!! As expected I couldn't really sleep the night before. We got up and went for a soak in the hot tub at the pool and then for a drive for breakfast and coffee. At 7AM we woke up the other bridesmaids and headed to the ready room to start getting ready. By 10 the photographers were arriving and starting pictures. First hiccup: the groom neglected to remember the photographers were coming and headed out for the morning with his groomsmen, haha! They were a little surprised when we called them to say head back because we are starting pictures at 11 for you guys. They were good sports though! Around the same time my officiant called and said she was extremely sick and unable to make it. It was the first time in 10 years that she had been in this business this happened and felt terrible...but not to worry her husband was certified and coming in her place! If anything happened other than this, I was blissfully unaware and still am to this day. It sounds cliche but the day really was perfect. I feel like my mom had some say in that and made sure everything was going to go according to plan! I did become wrought with emotion right before I walked down the aisle and almost couldn't do it but my dad and bridesmaids kept me calm and I made it without a total breakdown (missing my mom).
We did a first look and used the STUNNING Grand Staircase for it. It was exactly what I wanted. Then we did bridal party shots and broke for an hour and half for lunch and didn't see each other again until the ceremony. The rest of the night was simplistic beauty, a giant party and extreme FUN...exactly what it should be!! We had matching purple converse for the party part of the night. Our wedding song was a little known song by the Green River Ordinance called Dancing Shoes. The Father Daughter dance was to My Girl by the Temptations....and I had no idea my dad could dance...he had me spinning around all over the dance floor and had the time of his life!!! In fact I will say this dance with my dad was one of my favourite memories of the night and also when the groomsmen all gathered around me to have a "slow" dance with me later in the night. It was unexpected and absolutely adorable!!
Megan & Rob's Advice: 1. Don't sweat the small stuff. It will all work out and the day will still be perfect!
2. Pick your bridal party carefully. NEVER feel as though you need to have someone in your party or be forced into. Anyone who loves you and respects you will respect your decisions surrounding your day. Its about you and your partner...NOT Them. If they truely care about you and your partner they will be happy just to be sharing in the day with you!
3. Pick your vendors carefully. Research Research Research! Read online reviews. Ask lots of questions. Trust your gut.
4. If you want to remember your day...pay for photography or videography if you can afford it. And know that you get what you pay for (unless the person is just starting out and trying to build their portfolio). Look at their portfolio and do a trial shoot with them (like engagement photos). if you don't love those pictures chances are you won't like your wedding photos.
5. Meet your Vendors face to face!!!
6. YES you have a responsibility to feed the vendors that are around all day at your wedding...photographer, dj, wedding planner if you get one. They are working hard for you and are missing actual meals so having the ability to eat a vendor meal during dinner is not only appreciated but is generally noted in their contracts.
7. Pay someone to do your decor or at least set up and tear down for you. You don't want to be stressing about this the night before or morning of and at the end of the night when you are exhausted!!!!
FINALLY:
ENOY YOUR DAY!!! It goes by so fast...stop and take a moment to yourself and take it all in. If you can, take a few moments with your partner to check in. My biggest regret is never seeing my new husband during the party until the end of the night. We were so busy trying to interact with all 150 of our guests that we forgot to check in with each other until the end of the night. Its the only thing I would have done differently.
When: December 2017
Bridal Gown: Essense of Australia, purchased at Lovebird Bridal Boutique
Photography: DA Photography, Dragi Androski
Officiant: White Orchid Wedding Officiants
Florals: i fiori, Beverly
Decor: A Night to Remember Events
Dj Services: AMV Productions
The Inspiration: Rob proposed to me on December 12th, 2016 while I was sick, in my pjs laying on the couch half asleep...it had been a rough few months with the recent loss of my mother. I knew right away I wanted a destination wedding but also knew the logistics of this would make it near impossible to include the people we needed and and wanted there most. So my backup plan was to do a Simplistic Beauty Winter/Christmas theme wedding. We ended up heading to Niagara-on-the-Lake one afternoon in the beginning of January and when we walked into the Queens Landing Hotel and saw all the Christmas decor still up (and in the purple scheme I was insistent on) we knew instantly that was the elegance we wanted for our day. They had December 9, 2017 open and we immediately knew that was it! I can't speak highly enough of our wedding planner at The Queens Landing and all the staff. They made our day a dream come true along with all our vendors.
Moments to Remember: Our day started EARLY!! As expected I couldn't really sleep the night before. We got up and went for a soak in the hot tub at the pool and then for a drive for breakfast and coffee. At 7AM we woke up the other bridesmaids and headed to the ready room to start getting ready. By 10 the photographers were arriving and starting pictures. First hiccup: the groom neglected to remember the photographers were coming and headed out for the morning with his groomsmen, haha! They were a little surprised when we called them to say head back because we are starting pictures at 11 for you guys. They were good sports though! Around the same time my officiant called and said she was extremely sick and unable to make it. It was the first time in 10 years that she had been in this business this happened and felt terrible...but not to worry her husband was certified and coming in her place! If anything happened other than this, I was blissfully unaware and still am to this day. It sounds cliche but the day really was perfect. I feel like my mom had some say in that and made sure everything was going to go according to plan! I did become wrought with emotion right before I walked down the aisle and almost couldn't do it but my dad and bridesmaids kept me calm and I made it without a total breakdown (missing my mom).
We did a first look and used the STUNNING Grand Staircase for it. It was exactly what I wanted. Then we did bridal party shots and broke for an hour and half for lunch and didn't see each other again until the ceremony. The rest of the night was simplistic beauty, a giant party and extreme FUN...exactly what it should be!! We had matching purple converse for the party part of the night. Our wedding song was a little known song by the Green River Ordinance called Dancing Shoes. The Father Daughter dance was to My Girl by the Temptations....and I had no idea my dad could dance...he had me spinning around all over the dance floor and had the time of his life!!! In fact I will say this dance with my dad was one of my favourite memories of the night and also when the groomsmen all gathered around me to have a "slow" dance with me later in the night. It was unexpected and absolutely adorable!!
Megan & Rob's Advice: 1. Don't sweat the small stuff. It will all work out and the day will still be perfect!
2. Pick your bridal party carefully. NEVER feel as though you need to have someone in your party or be forced into. Anyone who loves you and respects you will respect your decisions surrounding your day. Its about you and your partner...NOT Them. If they truely care about you and your partner they will be happy just to be sharing in the day with you!
3. Pick your vendors carefully. Research Research Research! Read online reviews. Ask lots of questions. Trust your gut.
4. If you want to remember your day...pay for photography or videography if you can afford it. And know that you get what you pay for (unless the person is just starting out and trying to build their portfolio). Look at their portfolio and do a trial shoot with them (like engagement photos). if you don't love those pictures chances are you won't like your wedding photos.
5. Meet your Vendors face to face!!!
6. YES you have a responsibility to feed the vendors that are around all day at your wedding...photographer, dj, wedding planner if you get one. They are working hard for you and are missing actual meals so having the ability to eat a vendor meal during dinner is not only appreciated but is generally noted in their contracts.
7. Pay someone to do your decor or at least set up and tear down for you. You don't want to be stressing about this the night before or morning of and at the end of the night when you are exhausted!!!!
FINALLY:
ENOY YOUR DAY!!! It goes by so fast...stop and take a moment to yourself and take it all in. If you can, take a few moments with your partner to check in. My biggest regret is never seeing my new husband during the party until the end of the night. We were so busy trying to interact with all 150 of our guests that we forgot to check in with each other until the end of the night. Its the only thing I would have done differently.
A big congratulations to Megan and Rob from all of us here at LBB! xo