Join us at the Wedding Palace Bridal Show

Come and visit Marry Me's booth (booth 230) at the Ottawa Wedding Palace Bridal Show at The Westin Hotel the weekend of January 9 & 10 2010. Show hours Saturday and Sunday are from 11am to 5pm. Get inspired with the hot trends Marry Me has planned for your wedding !

We can't wait to meet you !

http://www.weddingpalace.ca/

Find us on Facebook

Marry Me Productions is happy to announce that we have joined Facebook and Twitter. Find us on both social networks.

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/marrymeplanner

Become our fan on Facebook: http://tiny.cc./A4qtw

And stay up to date on what we're up to, trends we love, photos from our weddings, amazing events we're organizing and much more.

See you in cyberspace !

Breast Dress Project featured in Metro News

Our Breast Dress Project has been picked up by (Ottawa) Metro News today. Pick up your copy or read about the project here: http://tiny.cc/jFMWf

Remember giving new life to your wedding dresses can save lives !

Say 'YES' to this contest...

How many of you have watched other brides-to-be go through the Kleinfeld experience while on your couches watching TLC's great new series 'Say YES to the Dress'. Well, what if we told you that you have a chance to experience Kleinfeld's in person with a once in a lifetime contest....

The prize package includes:

- $5,000 gift certificate to Kleinfeld's (bridal store) in Manhattan

- Personal styling with bridal consultant Randy Fenoli (from the TV show)

- Free airfare and accommodations while in New York

Contest opens January 1 2010. Listen up grooms-to-be, this would be a great contest to enter your sweetheart in !

Visit www.theringbearer.ca/kleinfeld for more information

Good luck !

The Breast Dress Project

Marry Me Productions and Groovy Linen have joined forces to create 'The Breast Dress Project'. The Breast Dress Project was launched in November 2009 in conjunction with Something White for Something Right by two friends committed to making a difference in the lives of women. Not only will the Brest Dress Project raise funds for breast cancer research but it will provide an opportunity for future brides to feel beautiful on their special day too.

Excited to help ? It could not get any easier. Just drop off your gently used wedding dress (it doesn't even have to be cleaned) to Groovy Linen at 19 Grenfell Crescent Unit 11. Please see http://www.groovylinen.com/ for store hours. You will be asked to fill out a small (confidential) questionnaire when you drop off the dress. Easy questions like: the size of the dress, was it altered from the original size, is there any damage, where was it purchased, what was the purchase price etc. We are also hoping that you'll include a photo of yourself in the dress. You can request that your face not be shown. We'll also gladly accept veils and shoes if you have them.

Once our inventory is large enough, we will be hosting soirees so that brides-to-be can come by Groovy Linen and try on the dresses they are interested in. More information will be posted once our first soiree is organized.

Don't worry about not having a dress to wear for Something White for Something Right 2010 if you give away your wedding dress. Women can wear their wedding dress but it's not a requirement, anything white will do. This year we saw women in their original wedding dresses, second hand wedding dresses, borrowed wedding dresses and all white outfits. So don't let the fact that Something White has become and annual event, stop you from helping us find a cure for breast cancer and making another bride's wedding day magical.

Our website is still under construction but eventually more information will be available at http://www.breastdressproject.com/

For the time being if you have questions, feel free to contact Jamie at 613-723-5755, jamie@groovylinen.com, or Stacey at 613-796-3629, stacey@marrymeproductions.ca

Thank you to everyone for helping us making a difference. We will find a cure for breast cancer.

Readers, we need your feedback....

On your wedding day, shouldn't you be the only thing in a big white dress...not your chairs.

Chair covers come in only a few styles meaning if your venue has odd sized chairs, the chairs can be swimming in the chair covers. When you think of your wedding decor, are you looking for more of a clean and modern look ?

Marry Me Productions has met with a representative that can provide lounge furniture for your weddings/events. However, both the company and MMP want to go directly to our blog readers to see if you would have any interest in these chairs.

Let us know in the comment section. We'd love to bring them to Ottawa if there is enough interest.

Something White for Something Right Photos Posted

It's what all our Something White guests have been waiting for! The gorgeous photos by Sam and Mary Photography have been posted. Here is the link:

http://www.samandmaryphotography.com/pickpic/gallery/splash.php?gallery_id=41

They also assembled a few of their favourite Something White pics on their blog:

http://samandmaryphotography.com/blog/

More good news. If you fall in love with any of the pics you see, they are available for purchase from Sam and Mary directly! Sam and Mary will be donating the proceeds from the sale of all photos to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Thanks Sam and Mary; your support of the event has been inspiring !

The photo gallery will expire on December 15 2009.

It's so much fun to re-live the event though these photos. Everyone looked amazing. Stay tuned for more information about Something White for Something Right 2010.

Happy browsing everyone !

Something White for Something Right a Huge Success

The fundraiser was sold out, The Ottawa Citizen showed up, some guests had to be turned away at the door because they didn't have tickets.... all signs of a successful event. An event that was three years in the making for Stacey Price.

But the most important part of the evening was that we made a difference; we educated women (and men) on the importance of discovering and fighting breast cancer. This was done though inspirational speeches, handouts for performing a self examination and a moving video tribute of breast cancer survivors and fighters.

We hope to make this an annual event and we hope to make it larger every year so that everyone can be educated about breast cancer; a disease that 22,700 Canadian women will be diagnosed with in 2009 alone.

Thanks to everyone who made this event a huge success !

Men... need a tux for Something White gala ?

Something White for Something Right is fast approaching, ladies does your date have his tux yet? If not, Moores Clothing for Men is extending a great deal giving men $25 off their tux rental. With this offer, prices start as low as $104.99-$124.99. The deal includes white tuxedo jacket, pants, neckwear, vest, jewellery and shoes.

Please reference group #559313 when placing your order at our South Keys location on 2210 Bank Street.

Order your tux before October 30 to avoid rush fees.

Thanks to the great team at Moores for giving our Something White for Something Right guests this great deal !

Something White is SOLD OUT

Marry Me is happy to announce that Something White for Something Right is officially sold out !

We thank everyone who has purchased tickets. We are looking forward to spending an amazing evening with you !

Say 'Cheese' to no cheesy photos

http://www.michellepattee.com/ is a professional photographer in the US who has been shooting brides for 15 years. Below, she shares some tips for brides to put their best face forward for their wedding day photographs to make everyone smile for years to come. (Photo is courtesy of Michelle Pattee)

1. Get some rest, and plenty of it. The night before your wedding will probably be a party, but make every effort possible to get eight hours of sleep. It is the best beauty treatment out there and it does not cost a cent. Try to pack in the sleep hours the week before your wedding also – it will definitely make a difference. If you are feeling overwhelmed with tasks, then delegate, delegate, delegate, so you can hit the hay!

2. Don’t get your first facial the week of your wedding. If you have never been to an aesthetician, then pace yourself and schedule your treatments in advance. Your skin may react unpleasantly and you need a window of time for it to calm down. Skin treatments are more effective in a series, and should begin at least six months before your Big Day.

3. Drink water. I know you have heard this plenty before, but it plumps the skin. Plus, it ranks as another FREE beauty treatment and we like those. Eat something too. You may be too nervous for food on your wedding day, but you must eat, especially breakfast. You need the fuel food provides to get you through the party (and the photo session).

4. Put your faith in yourself. Go with your gut when you hire your photographer. She or he will be in very close proximity to you on a day in your life that is like no other. Listen to your instincts when you are interviewing prospective shooters and ask yourself these questions: Can I be comfortable around this person, even in my bathrobe? Will my family and friends be comfortable with this person? You will be relaxed and confident, and that will translate though to the photographs, if you are at ease with your photographer.

5. Put your faith in your photographer. Once you have hired your photo soul mate, hand over the reins and let them fly. Tell them in advance of your wedding day, about any insecurities or opinions you have when it comes to being photographed. Once that is covered, don’t give it another thought. On the day of your wedding, let the photographer direct you and try not to second guess their instructions.

Stamp of Approval

Everything you put on your wedding invitation is important- even the stamp affixed to the outside envelope. Continue your wedding's theme or colour scheme by personalizing a stamp for your wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, RSVPs or even your thank you cards.

Canada Post's website has all the instructions and you can do it from your home by simply uploading a digital photo:

http://tinyurl.com/dox5n

Take a photo of you and your fiance, or perhaps a flower that will be included in the centrepieces, the church you'll be married at or your honeymoon destination. If you want to include the photo-stamp on your thank you cards, use one from your wedding day or from your honeymoon !

Something White for Something Right: Update

As of September 17, only 37 tickets were left. Visit http://www.somethingwhite.ca/ to purchase your ticket before they are sold out! don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity !

Ottawa Wedding Show this Weekend

Come and visit Marry Me's booth at the Ottawa Wedding Show at Landsdowne Park this weekend. Show hours Saturday and Sunday are from 10am to 5pm. We can't wait to meet you !

http://www.ottawaweddingshow.com/

Honeymoon Hot Find

It's easy to forget about the details regarding your honeymoon when you have napkin folds and signature drinks to design for your wedding day. Your honeymoon wardrobe should not be overlooked, and thinking about it also gives your mind a nice break from the wedding planning process.

We absolutely love the clutches from http://www.kaijany.com/

They are small enough for travel and the selection is vast enough that you can find bags for the evening or for daytime sightseeing. What's even better is that they are made from organic, natural, eco-friendly materials. And a portion of all purchases goes to UNICEF's program for orphan children.

Who said you can't look good while saving the earth ?

Send us your photos !

Click......Flash......"What are you wearing?"....."Big Smiles Everyone".....Click.....Flash.......

In keeping with the 'new theme' (new website, new look), we will begin featuring a wedding of the month on our blog where we will feature photos and details of a special couple's big day that we were lucky enough to be a part of.

We don't want our past brides to be left out of this so ex-MMP brides, please send us your paparazzi shots from your wedding:

stacey@marrymeproductions.ca

Looking so forward to putting together these portfolios !

Tune in

Tune into Kiss FM (105.3 on the FM dial) Friday August 14 at 7:30am to hear Marry Me talk in detail about Something White for Something Right ! If you're not near a radio, you can tune in online at:

http://www.1053kissfm.com/

Tickets are selling fast so get yours today.

OH WHAT A DAY!

The team at Marry Me Productions was honored to be the wedding planner for the Spezza wedding last weekend. After a year of planning, everything went off without a hitch.
A special thanks to all the vendors who helped to make the day run smoothly, we could not have done it without you!
We would like to wish Jennifer and Jason all the best as they begin their journey as husband and wife.

Exciting News !

Have you ever stared at that gorgeous wedding dress hidden deep in your closet thinking about how fast the big day went and how you'd love to wear it one last time? Well Marry Me Productions has the event for you !

Something White for Something Right will take place on Saturday November 7 2009 (starting at 5:00pm) at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. The idea behind it is that all ladies must wear their wedding dress (or something else all white- including your men!)

The evening will include cocktails, makeup application, jewellery rentals, a four course meal, live entertainment, dancing and amazing prizes. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Tickets are $150 each or purchase a table for 8 guests for $1,000.

For tickets, call 613-796-3639. Our website has not gone 'live' yet but keep checking http://www.somethingwhite.ca/ for more information leading up to the big event !

Say YES to your wedding dress (again) and join us on November 7 2009.

Spend Friday Morning with Marry Me

Marry Me Productions will be featured on the A Channel's morning news program at 8:35am this Friday (Friday June 26 2009).

We will be featuring theme party ideas for a child's birthday party and adult's birthday party.

Tune in for some great ideas!

Hot off the Press

Marry Me Productions has been featured in the current issue of Ottawa at Home magazine.

Stacey was asked to contribute her expert opinion on a ‘modern day wedding’. The article speaks about destination weddings, registries, involving guests at the reception, food and guest favours.

Check out the entire article with photos beginning on page 10 at:

http://www.ottawaathome.ca/imgs/dynamique/cahiers/OAH_JULY-AUG_2009_2.pdf

Think Outside the Box

Your wedding day is all about personalization, style and creativity; so why stop at the gift table? Why use a generic store bought card box or purchase a birdcage or basket where people can easily remove envelopes full of cash for the happy couple (sadly, theft can be a reality at weddings).

MMP has found some great websites where you can order custom made card boxes starting at $50! They are so eye catching, your guests will never have to ask “where do I put my card?”.
Bonus: the boxes can also be re-used for baby showers or anniversary parties.

http://www.forthemodernbride.com/cardbox.html

http://www.estiloweddings.com/WEDDING-CARD-BOX-(ECO-FRIENDLY)/cart.php?m=product_list&c=29

Do you take this website……

There is a myriad of free wedding websites out there on the web but who has time to go through most of them to find the one best suited to your needs? Not to worry, that is what Marry Me Productions has done for you. Wedding websites are not just for the couples who are having a destination wedding or have half their guests traveling from out of town. Everyone is online and plugged in these days so why not keep all your friends and family instantly updated regarding everything about your wedding? You'll notice how much time and headaches it will save you by giving all your guests the information and stories ahead of time.

All free wedding websites offer you the standard items: guest list, registry, maps, photo album etc. What we've done is listed all the best and unique features beyond the basics that some (free) wedding websites can offer you. Happy surfing !

http://www.momentville.com/
- Carbon neutral: carbon emissions from the servers are offset with the planting of new trees
- Activity feeds can be linked directly to your Facebook account or other websites. Guests also have the option to sign up for your activity feeds so they always know what you’re up to in the planning process
- Guests can upload their own photos to your website. You’d be amazed at how many great shots your friends have of you and your finance that you have never seen. You could even use some in your wedding day slide show
- Designer website themes that can be matched with paper invitations from http://www.moderngirlinvitations.com/

http://www.mywedding.com/
- Designer website themes can be matched to paper invitations from http://www.minted.com/ or http://www.papeterie.com/ or http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/
- Gift registry is linked to www.wishpot.com to let you add registry items beyond your local department store. Wishpot also offers product feedback and recommendations and the chance to talk to other brides. Kiss that old fashioned scanning gun goodbye !
- Import your address book to send group emails to your guests

http://www.ewedding.com/
- Virtual ‘planning’ rooms (think chat rooms) where people involved in the planning process of your wedding can meet. Rooms are protected by a password separate from the website password
- Polls for guests to help you in your planning: ask your guests what music they want to hear the DJ play, or where should you go for your honeymoon?
- Newlyweds section post-wedding: update your guests about how married life is treating you, your new home etc.

http://www.weddingannouncer.com/
- Seating planner
- Gift registry tracking

MARRY ME PRODUCTIONS ON THE A-CHANNEL

Friday May 1, Marry Me Productions was involved in marrying a lucky couple on the A-Channel's morning news program. We were honored when the station asked us to provide the on-set alter for the couple. Thanks to Partytime Rentals and Flowers Talk for helping with our decor and flowers.
In addition, Stacey Price was asked to talk about the upcoming trends for the 2009 wedding season. She touched on what colours are hot for this year (metallics, dark purple and black), new ways to name your tables, menu design & placement and hot centerpiece ideas.
Happy Planning!

Step Up to Affordable Style

Lelia Rose is well respected in the bridal industry with her gorgeous wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses (she designed Jenna Bush’s bridesmaids’ dresses) and now she has partnered up with Payless Shoes to design affordable, dyeable elegant bridal shoes titled “Unforgettable Moments”. The line has a style to suit every bride from ballet flats (the Sophia) to bejewelled peep toes (the Maria). And with 64 available colours, you can dye them to match almost any bridesmaid dress or even to be your ‘something blue’ with your white wedding dress. Unfortunately, the shoes are only available to Canadian brides via the website www.unforgettablemoments.com

The price is what has got us so excited! $45 (US) for a dyeable pair! The online chatter from our American brides is that the dyeable shoes are very comfortable with their soft satin and leather soles.

Bonus: Leila has also designed wedding day clutches with this line for you and your bridesmaids.

Sketch Me !

Wedding gowns are such a passionate and exciting purchase yet they hang in hiding before and after the wedding.

Why not remember it in the artistic way that it was designed and represented on you? Aboutthedress.com is a website where you can submit a variety of photos of yourself in your wedding dress and in 6-8 weeks, you receive an elegant, framed custom sketch of your dress that can be hung and admired for years to come. All for $425 (US). If that is too pricey try dreamlines.com

Feel a bit wierd hanging a sketched photo of your own dress? It's also a great anniversary gift to give a loved one including your sister, best friend, mother or even grandmother.

National Industry Meeting Day

Marry Me Productions was lucky enough to be asked to participate in the National Industry Meeting Day last Thursday at the Crowne Plaza. Industry professionals from all over Ontario were in attendance to hear Chicago based planner Debi Lilly speak and Marry Me was lucky enough to chat with her at our booth.
Looking forward to this wedding season and showing you all the inspired ideas we learned from the show!
Happy Planning.

MARRY ME AT CHERRY PIE

Stop by Lago on Dows Lake tonight at 7pm to speak with principal planner Stacey Price about all things wedding.

Marry Me Productions is honored to be a part of the fabulous event and to work with all the women associated with it.

See you there!

FALL IN LOVE WITH HIGH HEELS AGAIN

What a concept, wedding shoes that make your feet feel great!

Check out Marry Me's April Shoe Fetish...
Hey Lady’s mission is to inject fun and function into the wedding industry. They bring you the one and only stylish and comfortable wedding shoe. This collection combines an uncompromised sense of style and humor, and is made especially for rule-breakers and heart-breakers. Hey Lady’s classic-with-a-twist designs possess a whimsical femininity and edgy personality. Finding Mr. Right was easy compared to finding The One, and by this we mean the perfect outfit. Cheeky and flirtatious, sexy and sophisticated? Let’s fall head over heels in love all over again.

Check them out at :http://www.shopheylady.com/index.php

Fabulous!

MARRY ME'S MONTHLY SHOE FETISH

This month brings us our splurge shoe; Christian Louboutin’s Lila Crepe Satin from the Spring 2009 collection. For a steal check out Aldo for the ‘hood’ style reasonably priced at $80. I also happen to have a friend in the shoe industry who was sweet enough to give Marry Me readers the upcoming Spring trends in the industry fresh off the runways from fashion week:
Texture: lots of snake and croco prints that can be one uniform colour or a bit of colour for some pop
Metallics: subdued gold and silver/grey/mineral blue
Gladiators: avoid the aggressive looking ones, ensure it matches the style of your dress
Flowers/Hardware: rosette details & bling on dress shoes/sandals
White: timeless

A WEDDING MAP WORTH GOING THE DISTANCE FOR!

If you are planning your wedding in a remote area or if it’s taking place in more than one location or you just want a fun way to show your guests around the city then www.weddingmapper.com is the tool for you!

Weddingmapper is a site that lets you create interactive Google maps for your wedding guests and even your vendors. List the ceremony and reception location as well as hotels, airports, restaurants and much more. You can also add photos and each location’s website if your guests require further information. It’s also easy to upload the map to your wedding website or just email it directly
to your guests.

Did we mention that it’s all free?

MARRY ME FAB FIND

They say we make over one thousand choices on an average day. So when planning a wedding the choices can seem endless. But it won't be stressful if you have Marry Me Productions and our new fab find on your side. In “Colin Cowie Wedding Chic”, Cowie shares his trade secrets from everything to food, décor, appearance and music. Ideas spill from the 1000+ colour pages in magnificent images. The book is available at bookstores now!

SPRING FEVER!

Our Spring weddings are fast approaching and with it comes bright colours, fresh florals (think tulips, lily of the valley and peonies!) and cocktail length dresses.

This chic dress from After Six (available in Ottawa) is a fun and flirty approach to a non traditional bridesmaid. This one could be worn again. For real.

Check out their collection online at:
http://www.dessy.com/

BLUSHING BRIDE.

For your wedding day... (or just because you deserve it) Tarte's natural blush stick. Pat gently on your cheek bones for a soft natural look that lasts all day.

Check it out online at Sephora, or head down Ottawa to the Rideau Centre and try it for yourself.

A must have.

Another bonus? It smells yummy too!

BLING.

If you're heading to Toronto, make sure you stop in at one of Bitter Sweet's six locations.

Bittersweet not only offers jewels and pearls specifically for your big day in their bridal collection- it also offers them at a ridiculously affordable price.

Browse through their store and enjoy!
www.bittersweetonline.com

MARRY ME'S MONTHLY SHOE FETISH

This month we have our eyes on these fabulous Jimmy Choo's from the Spring/Summer 09 Collection.

The good news- they are available online. The not so good news? They could break the bank. For $760.00 these delicious metallic leather sandals could be yours.

Not in your price range- check out Aldo's Frodris in silver for only $90.00.

THANK-YOU FOR VISITING OUR BOOTH!

Jan 3rd and 4th was another successful wedding show for Marry Me Productions at the Westin Wedding Palace Bridal Show.

We would like to thank all the brides that came to visit us, it is always nice to talk to you face to face! With the holidays now over we are focusing our efforts on planning for the 2009 wedding season. Our calendar is filling up fast, so call and schedule your free consultation today, we look forward to hearing from you!

Great love is spontaneous and impulsive, great weddings are planned.