Bonita Bride

Showing posts with label decor. Show all posts

August 20, 2012

how to number your wedding tables {decor}

Things are wrapping up here at bonitabride!

However, before I close-up here I wanted to wrap up with last minute details that you can use at your Wedding.

Table Numbers:

Table numbers are one area in the wedding that tend to get neglected. However, its one detail that is easy to personalize. Being that my husband and I are both from the Toronto area, our surrounding area played a big part in our dating. Many streets had significant meaning for us, we did date for 12 years, so wasn't hard choosing significant street names.

All the street names we choose were not randomly chosen, each one had a memory connected to it. In the example above Mississauga Rd was where I went to University and where we would meet-up sometimes for lunch dates.

Guest List:

The guest list was a brainstorming nightmare, I had so many ideas on how to display the guest list and tie it in with the rest of the wedding and make it easy for guests to find their tables.

As we had alot of little favors for our guests we also wanted to make them multi-functional.

I happened upon these cute little burlap bags at Creative Bag; awesome place for party decor/gift wrapping/party favors. Since, we gave our guests coffee as their main wedding favor the mini burlap bags were perfect to tie-in the coffee theme.

To include my Portuguese heritage, almonds were placed in each bag, in the Portuguese culture (as is popular in Italian and Greek cultures too) almonds have significance. Printed on the back of the label;

Five almonds signify five wishes for the new husband and wife

These wishes are health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life.

TIP: brainstorm early in the wedding planning, try to thing of everything that is need. My original idea was to have a fireplace mantel with all the guest list hanging from it. But once I found these mini-burlap bags everything changed. So, keep an open mind and don't get stuck on an idea or it will drive you crazy searching for resources.

Have you seen any interesting table numbers at Weddings? Do tell.

June 4, 2012

from vision to reality {Wedding Decor}

It was last year, June 2011, that I was completing the final look for the wedding. The look; vintage glam with a contemporary flare in shade of purple and pewter. Fortunately, I found a decorator who was able to execute my vision perfectly. Dina Da Costa from Designs by Dina was able to gather my thoughts, and lots of magazine tears, to achieve the final look. She also provided the flowers including the bridal bouquet, if your able to find a decorator that does both book it! You will save your self alot of stress plus it prevents a clash between two services. If your florist hasn't captured your vision or vice-versa you can have two distinct looks, especially if the florist also does the centrepieces and not the decorator.

my gorgeous bouquet

centrepieces that guests took home (they had to win it of course)

I have the tall vase & branches, which are now in my new home filled with other flowers

orginally the backdrop was suppose to be shelves flanked by two tall trees but that didn't work out. Keep an open mind! Sometimes you need a Plan B...

The "Mr & Mrs" letters were purchased at Walmart

The drama; the decorator had alot on her plate. Why? The banquet hall was not the prettiest, which I knew already, but they have the most delicious Portuguese food. This meant that the decor had to hide everything else I didn't like. The hall has the ugliest ceiling, normally there is drapery that hangs from the ceiling. However, being that I've been to countless weddings there (including my sister's) I wanted a different look and vibe. Not only did I have to ask the hall to take down the ceiling drapes but I had to pay a charge, hence, three gorgeous cascading crystal pieces were hung. Oh! But there was drama behind the scenes, but only me and the decorator can laugh about it now (atleast I hope she can laugh about it now). Not between the decorator and I....other folks, I'll leave it at that! Trust me, there is a bit of drama at every wedding and not everything will go according to plan. Just remember to enjoy the day and let everything else slide. The groom and I did!

For more info:

visit Designs by Dina

(images: Renaissance Studios)

February 26, 2012

Happy Sunday & Happy Pictures {wedding pictures}

Hello Bonita Bride readers, so excited to announce my wedding pictures have been edited and finalized. Yes, it can take 12-14 weeks after the wedding for the amazing Renaissance Studios team to work their magic. But well worth it!! Here are just a few images, hoping to finalize a few posts here and Bonita Bride will end. Hopefully, I've helped a few brides-to-be to get inspired! Planning can be a stressful period but all worth it, just know that not everything will flow perfectly but those little bumps will be laughable afterwards. One of my regrets is not having more pictures with my immediate family at our home before leaving for the Church, however so much falls on the shoulders of a bride that you can't do it all. Just remember to breathe and take it all in!

(images: Renaissance Studios, decor: Designs by Dina)

June 9, 2011

Decor Complete! {Designs by Dina}

Yesterday I had my decor meeting at the banquet hall to discuss ideas and as each day gets closer to the wedding I get more and more excited! Finding the right vendors makes a huge difference on a bride-to-be's mind frame. Thus far I am extremely happy with the choices I've made, most vendors I've chosen have been purely on the vibe I get, I know right? But when you meet the right vendor who shares your vision it's just a wave of relief. Designs by Dina was highly recommended by a friend of mine who has worked with her in the past (TIP: always try to find personal referrals) and she was the only event decorator I met. She listens well and understands what the client wants, with 20 years experience in the business she knows her stuff!
Considering its June and the wedding is four months away most of the planning is done, not bad right?
check out Designs by Dina
(image property of Designs by Dina)

February 1, 2011

the Total Wedding Show {recap}

This past January 21st I attended the Total Wedding Show here in Toronto. Over 350 Wedding vendors from the Southern Ontario area were in attendance, which means comfortable shoes and plan of action. Prior to attending I had a list of vendors I wanted to check out. First, I looked up vendors that were in attendance and visited those vendors first, lastly write down notes on their business cards...i.e certain aspects of their booth you liked so you can remember for later. Saves you time! Also, another good reason to attend the shows is that vendors offer exclusive discounts for attendees. Saves you money!