Jessica & Matt Get Married!

WOW! We're back from the Dominican and Jess and Matt, along with 23 of their guests enjoyed their beautiful destination wedding at Riu Bachata in Puerto Plata. What a fantastic week to bond with others and enjoy the company of their family and friends; they really had a wonderful group of family and friends with them! There is certainly something to be said about destination weddings and that is that the bonding that occurs during the week can not be created at a traditional wedding, as well as the focus really is on the couple and ceremony verses what some believe can at times turn into a bit of production at a local wedding.

The ceremony was held in a white gazebo overlooking the mountains, ocean and beautiful greenery - you could not have asked for a better location. Darryl Waddell, a talented photographer from Toronto took these amazing shots and I'm all too happy to share them with you! Apart from the curious on-lookers and dreamy guests, Dreamfilm Productions from Vancouver, B.C. was present, filming the ceremony and then interviewing Jess, Matt and myself. Dreamfilm Productions is currently working on a documentary which explores why couples continue to get legally married despite other options and the high divorce rate. The documentary will air in late January 2011, on CBC and we'll keep you posted with the details.

Apart from the beautiful wedding, we all enjoyed a day on a private catamaran, snorkeling, drinking and eating - arranged at a fraction of the price by myself. Many also took advantage of a three-hour city tour that was also arranged by yours truly and several guests had the pleasure of receiving upgraded rooms at no charge to them....boy it pays off to speak Spanish as my first language! :0 Lastly, we surpised the guests with a wonderful candy station at the private party held after the wedding dinner. A sweet surprise after one week withdrawal of any local candy and chocolate.

Congratulations Jess and Matt!! You're a wonderful couple and I wish you continued happiness!

Happy Planning to all!

Liz B

Bridal Solutions Wedding Planning & Event Production- Ottawa: A True Love Story...part 2

Bridal Solutions Wedding Planning & Event Production- Ottawa: A True Love Story...part 2

A True Love Story...part 2

Many of you have called or written me regarding my last blog about Joey & Vanessa. While everyone had great feedback about their pictures, some wondered what had happened to Joey at such a young age. With their permission, I will share their story as it really is a bitter-sweet one!

Joey and Vanessa dated for six years prior to their engagement on May 1st 2009 - their 6 year anniversary. Vanessa was thrilled and being a wedding planner herself, commenced planning her dream wedding right away. Then on June 14th 2009 she received a telephone call indicating Joey had been in a serious accident while motor crossing. As it turns out Joey had been leading the way through a dirt bike trail in Quebec, something he had done many times before, but this time he hit a rock and flew off his motocross. As his friends were a distance behind, they found him sometime later; he was unconscious. Upon arriving at the hospital, the doctors felt his injuries were more than their medical staff could handle and consequently had the ambulance transport him to the Ottawa Civic Hospital, Trauma Unit. Joey had broken his spine from T4 to T6 and crushed his spinal cored leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. He was rushed into surgery at 11pm at the Ottawa Civic hospital, where they straightened his spine with two metal rods and 12 screws. I remember visiting Joey and Vanessa at the hospital about three days after this horrible accident, Vanessa was so strong and positive and even Joey was smiling in between drifting off to sleep. They spent the next two weeks in the Trauma Unit at the Civic Hospital as Joey recovered from his surgery.

On June 29th he was transferred to the Ottawa Rehabilitation Center where he would learn to live his life without any movement and minimal sensation from the chest down. Here he would go through intensive physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and learn more then he ever thought he would know about his body. All of this happening while they continued to make plans for their wedding on May 1st, 2010. On September 29th Joey was discharged from the rehab center and finally was able to come home. He is now fully independent driving his new car and keeping busy with many sports such as alpine skiing, cycling, sledge hockey, and cross country skiing. Now with most of their wedding plans in place they can't wait to marry each other and quite honestly, I can't wait to witness it!!!!!

Keep up the great work Joey; love you both!
Happy Planning Everyone!

Liz B.

Our first May 2010 wedding couple!

Meet Vanessa and Joey.....wow do these guys ever adore each other! Vanessa works for Bridal Solutions INC and is a talented and valuable lead/consultant with us. She is the lady you'll always see with a smile on her face and someone that you can't help but like! I'm so excited for their upcoming wedding on May 1st that I thought I'd share these fantastic pictures, taken by Julie of Julie C. Butler Photography. Looking for a talented photographer?? Check her out!

Happy Planning!

Liz B.

Looking for a fantastic cake designer??

Hey brides and grooms,

If you haven't found that amazing wedding cake designer just yet, then look no further. We have the perfect recommendation for you! Take a look at these beautiful cakes and see for yourself. Barb from The Icing On The Cake is a talented...no, gifted cake designer that can bake any style and just about any flavour of cake that you might be looking for.

Check her out at http://www.theicingonthecake.ca/ She is well worth the drive!

Happy Planning!

Liz B.

(613) 866-7935

Surprise Garter Belt Toss

It's been a long time coming, but this little clip is worth the wait! Check out Jessie and Carrie's wedding garter belt toss!

P.S. Thank-you to the Chateau Laurier staff that helped wheel in our surprise and kept a well hidden secret!

Happy planning!

Liz B

Wedding Palace Bridal Show

I was told to ask for forgiveness for my hiatus!! For all you faithful readers, I'm back and sorry for being behind in my blogging! So much going on with upcoming weddings, a recent wedding show and meeting so many of you at recent consultations.....No complaints here, I love what we do!!

Great meeting so many of you at the Wedding Palace Bridal Show a few weeks ago! We hope you found the show experience helpful and informative. For those of you that have contacted us for consultations, we're looking forward to meeting with you and to those of you that already booked your dream wedding with us....welcome aboard - we're looking forward to a great time together as we help plan your wedding!! 2010 is going to be a great year!!!

Happy Planning,
Liz B