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PAYTON'S PLANNING BLOG
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The days leading up the shower had been stunningly beautiful for March. We were really hoping the weather would last as there was 70 plus people coming to Taylor’s place for her newborn Jenny’s baby shower. We were hoping for warm weather so people could also enjoy the patio. Unfortunately, this was not the case and the forecast was rain.
I started my day out by purchasing the balloons that were to decorate the front of the house and the Mother’s chair for Taylor. When the caterer arrived they took over the kitchen and started prepping for the celebration while I completed the finishing touches.
The guests began to arrive and their coats were taken upstairs as they were handed a drink. The party had begun. The room was filled with people everywhere, although we were concerned about room – everyone spilled throughout the house quite easily and were able to mingle with all the guests.
Jenny was the centre of attention and everyone had a chance to hold her, so Taylor had the opportunity to fulfill her duties of host and opening all the wonderful presents that her friends and family had brought for them. While the presents were being opened there were games going on to keep the guests busy, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
The gentlemen were planning on heading out to a bar but comfortably found a place in the basement to have a beer and catch up on life. I made sure the men were also filled full with food, bringing them plates throughout the afternoon.
Taylor was very insistent on not having a cake. Her alternative for dessert was mini cupcakes that had a bootie candy on top. They were a real hit of the party.
The shower ended up going quite late for those who wanted to stay and continue to enjoy the special time together with Jenny, Taylor and Greg.
The day was chaotic but it couldn’t have been more enjoyable and filled with love for the newborn and parents.
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Snow was gently falling on the night of Nancy and Dale’s wedding rehearsal, held
at the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto. The officiant, Sarah Bunnett-Gibson,
led the rehearsal and made everyone feel at ease. The immediate family and friends
from out of town gathered over drinks and food to catch up on what had been going
on in everyone’s lives.
It was a crisp January day as the Park Hyatt prepared for the wedding of Nancy and
Dale. Nancy and the ladies were off getting their hair done and Dale was relaxing
with the men in the hotel room when I arrived. I met the photographer Jessica Blaine
Smith and showed her to the Mezzanine where she set up for the family photos. Then
I began dealing with the finishing touches myself.
Image courtesy of Jessica Blaine Smith Photography
It was all hands on deck getting everyone ready for the evening. Flowers and cufflinks
were fastened, little ones got in their beautiful white dresses while Nancy patiently
waited for Dale as he got his bowtie exchanged for one that would do up.
All the photographs were done before the ceremony so that Nancy and Dale could enjoy
cocktails with their family and friends. The cocktails were held in the Mezzanine
as Brian Wray filled the room with beautiful music from the piano.
The flowers and décor were very elogant, white lilies with green accents. Two large
vases were on either side of the signing table for the ceremony and smaller versions
were placed on the tables as centerpieces.
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Nancy and Dale’s wedding included lots of personal touches. They had photos of all
the members of their immediate families to share with everyone attending. The photos
and a slide show on a laptop were on display in the dining room during dinner. As
10pm rolled around and dinner was finished, dancing began. A wall was removed revealing
a lounge area with a fireplace. I incorporated the photos into the lounge and placed
them on the mantel of the fireplace, as one would done have in their home.
Image courtesy of Jessica Blaine Smith Photography
Nancy looked beautiful in her wedding dress and Dale looked dapper in his tuxedo
as they danced the night away with their family and friends. It was the perfect
way to end a memorable wedding.
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The weather could not decide if it wanted to rain or shine so the ceremony of Lesley
and John took place on the sheltered patio of the restaurant LaMaquette to be on
the safe side. The restaurant looked elegant and beautiful just as it had the day
I met with Lesley and John to discuss their needs just two and a half weeks before
the wedding day. When I arrived to ensure the setup was as we had planned I was
greeted by the friendly staff who looked after every need from filling up my own
glass of water to setting up a backup sound system so that the bride and groom could
share their first dance as husband and wife.
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An eloquent table setting...
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The flowers had not been picked up when I arrived, due to the bride and groom being
stuck in Friday evening traffic. So I ran over to the florist and picked up the
centerpiece to set up the table for when the guests arrived.
The signing of the papers and most of the photographs were taken before the ceremony
so the guests had time to sip on a glass of champagne and mingle. As this was a
small family gathering I wished the bride and groom congratulations and left them
all to enjoy their wedding dinner.
The celebration was a small, intimate affair of 15 people there to celebrate the
marriage of Lesley and John. There were lots of tears and laughs. It was a perfect
way to spend a beautiful fall evening.
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...with just the right atmosphere.
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Flowergirl - What a cutie!
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The celebration was a small, intimate affair of 15 people there to celebrate the
marriage of Lesley and John. There were lots of tears and laughs. It was a perfect
way to spend a beautiful fall evening.
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It was one of the hottest days I can remember, but I believe Colleen and Oliver
will cherish it for other reasons.
There wasn't an event taking place at the hall Spirale the day before the wedding
so we were able to set up the decorations early. The only thing left was to insert
the gerbera daisies into the centrepieces the day of the wedding. The day started
out early as I went to the hotel to check in on the bride and confirm any last minute
details. Then it was off to the hall to complete the centerpieces.
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Desserts galore!
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Fancy table setting.
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It decided to rain after the ceremony and the pictures were planned to take place
at Edward’s Gardens, so we had to improvise on the location of the photos. We had
decided to go to the hall to take the pictures. On the way there I received a call
from the groom that they would like to change the location and go to the hotel.
Everyone was in their cars and heading to the hotel when the sun decided to shine
again. The groom phoned and they decided they would like to go back to the original
plan and do the photos at Edward’s Gardens. I was on the phone with all the cars
again directing everyone to the original location – what would we do without cell
phones.
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The pictures turned out beautifully with all the greenery and sun shining in the
background.
Colleen and Oliver’s wedding was a large affair with 44 people in the wedding party
and a guest list over 300, so the Steel drum added a special touch for those waiting
in the receiving line. Fun was had by all at the reception, even Colleen’s Grandfather
was dancing the night away.
The room was filled with so much love and happiness!
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I had the pleasure of assisting April and Warren as they exchanged vows at the Old
Mill. It was an evening wedding so I had lots of time to set up the decorations
in the hall. After setting up 100 chair covers, the centerpieces and the finishing
touches, I was ready for the bride to arrive.
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Bride and Bridesmaids
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Bride inspecting the venue.
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This was not your traditional wedding. The bride wore teal while the bridesmaids
wore white. They exited the chapel while ABBA played in the background. The hall
decorations were very simple and elegant. There was no cutting of the cake. In fact
there was no cake. April and Warren wanted the ceremony and reception to reflect
their personal style.
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Gift table with flowers.
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Autumn table seating cards.
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The ceremony was filled with laughter and joy, and the reception with delicious
food and lots of memories. An evening April and Warren will never forget.
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