Well folks….let’s talk about the last couple of weeks, shall we?! Oh man…what a crazy time this is, and we just hope that everyone out there is staying safe, healthy and at home (as much as possible). This has, and will continue to, impact everyone, and I am still just trying to wrap my head around what this means for the wedding industry. There have been so many incredible posts by fellow industry people about the immediate affect, and I am blown away by the grace that everyone (vendors & couples) has been handling our current situation.

Bonnie & I have decided that we might as well use this extra time to dive back into the blog, because why not! When talking about what we wanted to start with, it became super clear to both of us that shining a light on how to support small businesses during this time was the right thing to do. Small businesses are what make up our communities and we just love them all oh so much. The Good Party did a fantastic post over on their blog featuring wedding companies who are getting creative, so be sure to check it out! We thought we would take a look at some of our personal favourite small businesses all across Victoria. If you live in Victoria and have the means to do so, please please continue to show your favourites some extra love right now. If you have found yourself without the means but still want to help, be sure to give them lots of love on social & google! If you don’t live here in Victoria, then I hope that this post inspires you to think of a variety of businesses who are no doubt struggling right now and dealing with a whole lot of uncertainty. We could all use a little extra love right now, and I know as a small business family ourselves, we all say thank you.

So without further aideu, here are 10 local Victoria businesses that we want to show a little bit of love:

Agrius/Fol Epi (Yates)

Open limited hours daily to provide their incredible bread, pastries, coffee, and sandwiches in a safe take out form while also offering a variety of house made gourmet grocery items and incredible meals for your fridge or freezer (duck confit, anyone?) They also have some of their amazing (hard to find) wine list available for purchase to take home. Who says you can’t still have a romantic date night? - Bonnie

Website - www.agriusrestaurant.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/fol.epi/

Amelia Lee

This is my favourite home store here in town, and I swear it’s like walking into your own pinterest shop. The owner, Khloe, has a heart of gold and impeccable taste. Their online shop is open and if a global pandemic isn’t the perfect excuse to treat yourself (or friend) to a new home “pick me up”, then I don’t know what is. They also have the most wonderful collection of baby goods, featuring many local suppliers, and so while celebrations may be on hold, sending a bit of love to a new mama (or mama to be) sounds like a great idea! Local delivery is free. - Barb

Website - www.shopamelialee.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/amelialeeboutique/

Annex

Amazing new boutique gym offering spin, barre, and strength classes. Even though they only opened their doors a few months ago, these amazing people were among the first to shut their doors to do their part, and from the get go froze all memberships to alleviate this cost for members while offering totally free daily live work outs on instagram for everyone! They truly believe in creating a supportive community and keeping everyone healthy. If you want to show them some love, they are still offering punch passes available for purchase on their website or app which can be used when their doors open up again.  - Bonnie

Website - www.annexvictoria.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/annexvictoria/

Bolen Books

Finding yourself with all this extra time at home, and feeling like your excessive Netflix bingeing has hit its limit? Bolen’s is offering shopping via phone or online, and you can either have your purchases delivered or pick them up from their take out window. They have thousands of books, games, puzzles, and are an incredible family to boot! So consider getting your next book order local (and bonus: anything we can do to reduce the amount our postal workers have to do, is incredible). - Barb

Website - www.bolen.bc.ca
Instagram - www.instagram.com/bolenbooks/

Foo

So many local restaurants are working hard to provide alternative options to going to the busy grocery stores and providing safe take out, giving us a bit of variety in our food options and taking the stress off cooking during a stressful time. This also keeps many hospitality workers employed in one of the hardest hit industries. Foo is one of these places, and they are working hard 7 days a week with slightly limited hours and a take out window on their patio to keep things distanced and outside. Plus, their food is super tasty! - Bonnie

Website - www.victoria.foofood.ca
Instagram - www.instagram.com/fooyyj/

Frontrunners

This is actually my husbands store, so the shout out is slightly biased. But I am so proud of how they have been handling this! While their doors of all 3 locations are currently closed, they are taking orders via online orders, phone or even FaceTime! So whether it is a new pair of running shoes, nutritional, run shorts etc., they can help you. They are offering free local (contactless) delivery, and can’t wait to get back out there with the run clinics once this is all over. - Barb

Website - www.frontrunners.ca
Instagram - www.instagram.com/frontrunnersvic/

Hide + Seek Coffee

This lovely husband and wife duo are working hard to keep all their customers caffeinated with the tastiest coffee through this weird time. They have a ‘coffee window’ open limited hours at their store front in Oak Bay, and are also offering online orders for beans with free neighbourhood delivery! Pick your tasting notes and they’ll pick out something delicious for you and bring it to your door - does it get any better?  - Bonnie

Website - www.hideandseekcoffee.ca
Instagram - www.instagram.com/hideandseekcoffee/

Maaface Artistry

I know I speak for many ladies when I say I’ll be running to get caught up on my favourite beauty regimens once personal services can open their doors again (I forgot what I looked like without lashes and nice nails… yikes). Laura at Maaface is doing everyone a solid and offering any kind of full lash set for the price of fill to get you back on track, and this is for literally anyone. Even if you aren’t an existing client. Or didn’t have lashes previously. She is just that amazing. You can also choose to pre-pay for your set (at fill price) so you can be added to the waitlist for preferred appointment times before the schedule opens up to everyone. Looking forward to some gorgeous lashes (and she is crazy talented!) - Bonnie

Website - www.maaface.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/maaface.artistry/

Marta Cafe

If you haven’t been to Marta Cafe yet, then as soon as we are allowed to share a coffee together again, you need to get there STAT! Local girls, Ellie & Nikita have created their own little slice of parisian paradise, and this neighbourhood cafe delivers. It is one of my favourite spots to meet a friend (or catch up on some emails) over a delicious croissant & latte. They are currently closed, but are selling Gift Cards (email them at info@martacafeandpantry.com) for future visits. Every bit of cash flow they can get helps, so let’s help keep them alive! - Barb

Website -www.martacafeandpantry.com
Instagram -www.instagram.com/martacafeandpantry/

Twist of Fate

Talk about adapting! This local event bartending company has launched a Curbside Cocktail program, and I couldn't be more for it. I love me a good cocktail, and let’s be honest: a plain ol’ G&T just isn’t cutting it these days. They offer contactless delivery twice a week, and bring you the mixture, garnish & instructions. All you have to do is supply the booze & glass. I can tell you from personal experience, they are damn good, and will definitely make your day better. - Barb

Website - www.twistvictoria.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/twistvictoria/

Photo by: Whit McGuire Photography

One of my favourite traditions to kick off the new year is to sit down with a big cup of coffee, and write this post. Taking the time to look over the year that was, always gives me an incredible amount of perspective, and I am so grateful for that. 2019 was a great year, but it was also a tough year for me in some ways (I like to keep it real on here). With 7 weddings, it was the quietest season I’ve had in a long time, something which really made me stop, take a good deep look at what was going on, and figure out where I wanted FKE to go. I’m chalking the quietness up to a few things, which I’m not going to really get into here, but it made me realize how much I truly love what I do, and re-fueled my passion for planning & FKE. At the beginning of 2019, I really focused my energy on putting out as much as I wanted to get back (whether via social media, networking, creative work etc.), and I am so SO excited to say that re-focusing worked! 2020 is going to be the busiest year I’ve ever had, and with the expansion of our team (made possible because of this growth), I can’t wait to see what opportunities this next year brings!

With all this being said, 2019 was also a great year! Those 7 couples were the BOMB, and I fell even more in love with being a parent. Our family had lots of fun little adventures, and both FKE & Heyday have achieved some big milestones. In January, I headed down to Seattle for a couple days of planning for C&J, and also made my way up Island to Denman Island for a 2020 wedding site visit. So basically: lots of solo time in the car and lots of podcasts haha! I also collaborated with an insanely talented crew of ladies on a shoot with the Fairmont Empress. I wanted to do something in their space that felt fresh, modern yet still utterly romantic, and it was so fun to get to stretch the creative muscles a bit.

Photo by: Vanessa Lust Photography

February & March brought classic winter coziness. We embraced the rare snow days with Maddie, had lots of fun family time, and headed to Vancouver with friends to rock our bodies (get it?! lol!) with Justin Timberlake. In April, we headed up to Tofino with our besties for our annual Easter weekend getaway. It was 4 straight days of beach walks, hot tubbing, good food, and Maddie hangs. So yeah, pretty great.

In May, we kicked off our wedding season with a fun one! J&A got married at the gorgeous View Estate, and it was a day time celebration that included 4 dress changes! It was also extra fun to see their wedding featured in the media down in Mexico, and to have played a role in a wedding that received so much attention down there! I also got to celebrate my 2nd Mothers Day in May with Maddie & my own wonderful Mom.

June is when things got a wee bit crazy… Maddie & I tagged along with Nick to Whistler while he raced the Whistler Half Marathon, S&J had a beautiful day full of colour and love, A&A had the most gorgeous backdrop for their wedding, and we celebrated our friends engagement on a rooftop.

Photo by: Kim Jay Photography

Photo by: Vanessa Lust Photography

The rest of the summer was a blur. We travelled down to Seattle for an oceanside celebration that had challenged me as a planner (planning a wedding in another country is no easy feat you guys) yet the end result blew me away and made me so proud of what our team can accomplish. We hung out in a lavender field, a gorgeous garden, and took in some of Vancouver Island’s most beautiful views. We announced the addition of Bonnie to the FKE team, something that I have been working towards for years and am SO excited about! Adding another planner to this little company of mine means so many different things, and I cant wait for you to all get to know her better. I also took an overnight trip back up to Whistler to start the planning of a 2020 wedding. Phew! Exhausted just writing all this! lol!

Photo by: Whit McGuire Photography

Photo: Myrtle & Moss Photography

September brought a bit of a change of focus. 3 of us stole our best friend away and flew her down to Santa Barbara, for what can only be described as the best girls weekend ever. Insanely good food (The Lark blew my mind), delicious wine, and beach time. Back in Canada, we packed up the car and drove back to Whistler for a weekend with good good friends. The kids jumped in puddles, we came across a bear (terrifying when with children, fyi) , and played in snow at the top of the mountain. I also helped the VIWIA plan a fun night that focused on a great conversation about how vendors can work better together. Super grateful for that opportunity!

Photo by: Sabrina Patrice Photography

Photo by: AMERIS

At the start of October, my all time favourite wedding (other than my own of course) took place. Our best friends got married! I was beyond honoured to stand as the Maid of Honour, and Bonnie took the reigns on the day, allowing me to be fully present. I honestly can’t wait to share more of this day! So much love was in that room, and we are all so happy for the new married couple!

Photo by: AMERIS

Later that month, the fam & I headed down to our happy place, Maui, for our annual time in the sun. Man I love it there.

In November, Bonnie & I were treated to an amazing little getaway at the Long Beach Lodge Resort in Tofino! We have 2 weddings in Tofino in 2020, so getting to spend a bit more time in the town, explore the gorgeous Long Beach Lodge, and connect with other planners was fantastic! Come December, holiday season was in full force, and I’m still recovering from it haha! Nick & I escaped to Calistoga for an extended long weekend after he raced the Sacramento Marthon, and had 5 days just the 2 of us. It was weird. But also great. Mostly great ;) Later in the month, we had breakfast with Santa, celebrated Maddie’s 2nd birthday, and we also made the team expansion over at Heyday official with a new team shoot.

Photo by: Jesse Holland Photography

Wow. As I mentioned earlier, this post of mine gives me so much perspective on the year, and I am incredibly grateful for the full year I just had. 2020 is the start of a new decade, and with that, I can’t wait to see what it has in store. Happy New Year everyone!

xo
Barb

Colour, colour & more colour!  With the days getting warmer (amazing!!!!), and the summer wedding season basically upon us, we are loving all the colour that we are seeing pop up in our feeds.  And when we say colour, we don't mean bright or bold (although that can be really fun too).  Instead, we mean taking a palette, and "stretching" it a little.  So, whether it's infusing some pale peach and darker shades of pink into that blush/natural look, or playing with tone on tone in the greys, blues or purples, there are so many ways to give your palette just a bit more depth through colour.  So, without further adieu, here are some fun colour inspired design elements we are currently loving!

Coloured Napkins on Coloured Linens
No need to shy away from colour! Many people choose to keep either their linens or napkins a neutral, but we love using different tones of the same colour at our table settings these days.

Source: Ruby & James

Source: Pinterest

Tassels & Pom Poms
There is nothing that says it's a party like tassels and pom poms! Using either of these as subtle accents is a quick and easy way to show that you really care about the little details.

Source: Pinterest

Source: theprettyblog.com

Mix & Match Stationary Colours
Try using different coloured paper from your colour palette to incorporate the wedding decor into your design right from the beginning!

Source: Page Tuzee Design

Source: Good Heart Design

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This month we are inspired by colour blocking and the bold use of colour. We love when designers don't shy away from daring colour combinations! Incase you didn't know- the art of colour blocking is using colours from the opposite side of the colour wheel and pairing them together, known as complimentary colour blocking. This is the most common type, however there is using colours on the opposite thirds of the colour wheel called triads, or colours beside each other on the wheel called analogous. There is also the method of doing whatever you dang feel like, because there is no wrong answer! Take a look to see our favourite samples of colour blocking used in wedding design down below.

Lounges
Lounges are an easy place to add some colourful statements to your event! Splashes of bold colour using pillows or furniture paired with bright florals makes a big impact. 

Source: Michel B. Events/ Lounge Appeal/ Molly + Co Photo/ Rockrose Floral Design

Source: Bash Specialty

Invitations
We love using abstract designs and geometric shapes to add colour into your invitations. This is a modern and clean way to incorporate your colour palette from the very beginning.

Source: Minted.com

Source: Minted.com

Tables Settings
Using complimentary colour combos like blue and yellow linens, or pink and green florals, are some of our favourite combinations to create a unique tablescape at your event.

Source: Faire la Fete Linens/Bash Specialty/ Verbena Floral Design/ Rock Paper Square

Source: Bash Specialty/ Rook & Rose Florals/  Rock Paper Square/ Lille Louise Photography

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This month we are currently inspired by Pantone's colour of the year- Ultra Violet!  We are loving this bold choice, and have been brainstorming all of the ways we can incorporate it into our colour palettes. 

Stationary
Subtle touches in stationary is a unique way to make your invitations stand out.

Source: Zazzle.com

Source: The Wedding Playbook

Florals
Whether it's through blooms or succulents, this colour adds a deep romantic look.

Source: Itakeyou.co.uk

Source: The Wedding Playbook

Textiles
A watered-down version of this colour for your linens is a great way to include the colour of the year at your event.

Source: Style Me Pretty

Source: Canigueral

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Photo by: The Nickersons

As I sit here writing this, with my 2 week old daughter in my arms (one handed typing is super slow fyi!), I am blown away with how much can change in a year.  2017 was definitely a year of change for me personally, and chugging along beside all that change was a business that I love more than I thought possible, and a crew that is making it possible for me to balance life and work.  This past year, we tore down our house and built a new one, found out we were pregnant (yay!) and welcomed baby Madison into the world, welcomed 2 new planners to the Heyday team, and worked with 11 amazing couples, bringing their dream weddings to life.  It was a big year, and a really really good one.  As I have over the past few years, I thought it would be fun to take a look back over the year that and share with you the highlights.  So, without further adieu, here we go!

The year started off as I like it to...nice and slow...We had a really cold winter in Victoria (which is super rare!), and enjoyed lots of cozy nights in and even a few snow days here and there!  A highlight though was seeing Mica & Nate's wedding featured on SMP here.  If you remember this wedding from last year, you'll remember how special it was, and getting to see it published was such a treat!  

Photo by: AMERIS

Come February, we took our annual trip over to Saltspring Island with some really good friends, and enjoyed 4 days of games, hikes, wine, runs & really really good food.  We also met up with AMERIS in February to take some new team photos for the site.  A whole lot of hilarity ensued (as it usually does with them), and I loved getting to update the site with Paula & Nick added on, as they are both so instrumental to FKE! With the arrival of Spring, weekends were completely filled with meetings, mockups, site visits, and full on prep for the upcoming summer of weddings.  

Photo by: Lauren Kurc Photography

In April, I had the opportunity to team up with some seriously inspiring ladies, and put together a styled shoot that was totally out of my comfort zone.  The results were drop.dead.gorgeous., and I can't wait to share the images with you all very soon!  Stay tuned...  Paula & I also signed up for a Modern Calligraphy class taught by the wickedly talented Kate Campbell, and our obsession with wedding signage grew that much more!  In the middle of the month, Nick & I escaped to the Okanagan with some friends, for the Easter long weekend, for a much needed vacay before the craziness of wedding season began.  And let me tell you all this: the Okanagan is AMAZING!  Go there immediately!  So much delicious wine (obviously!) and food!  And the wineries...so many beautiful spaces!  I would absolutely love to start planning a wedding or 2 there each year, and so I am putting it out into the universe for 2019.  Any couples out there that love wine country as much as me?  Take me with you!

Photo by: Jesse Holland

After a really relaxing Winter & Spring, $*%t got real in May: We tore our house down and found out I was pregnant (all within the same week, just in case you were curious lol!).  Wedding season was just around the corner as well, and our sister company, Heyday, kicked off the season with a stunner at Starling Lane Winery.  This wedding was featured on SMP (woohoo!!).  And at the end of the month, we helped to gather all of our favourite people in the Victoria wedding industry at the annual Meetup.  This time, Toque treated us to an incredible sit down feast, and I honestly don't know how we are going to top it in 2018!  

Photo by: Taylor Roades Photography

Photo by: Ryan Flynn Photography

June kicked off the FKE wedding season, and once it got rolling, there was no stopping until October.  This season was also the season of live music (woohoo!), which is hands down, my favourite part of weddings.  Our first 4 weddings all had bands, which kept the parties going well into the night.  We stayed close to home this year, celebrating at a family farm, an English estate, a winery, and some of the most iconic spots in Victoria (hello Empress!), just to name a few.  In June, I also took the leap, and started to take guitar lessons!  Random, right?!  I've wanted to learn for years, and finding out I was pregnant was the final straw that got me to the music school.  In my mind, I'm going to be able to play like this within a year, but in reality, we all know that is never going to happen lol!  

Photo by: Katrina Massey Photography

Photo by: Amee Nijjar Photography 

In July, Nick & I escaped to Vancouver to see Jack Johnson (#bucketlist), and then also managed to take off to Saltspring Island again for our dating anniversary.  We seriously love that place!  Upon our return, it was back to weddings!  There were some seriously stunning ones this year, and as the galleries come in, I'm reminded how lucky I am to work with such amazing couples, and equally amazing vendors who help me pull off these wicked celebrations! 

Photo by: Blush Photography

Photo by: The Nickersons

August & September took us to another farm, an Inn by the sea, an Island resort, a Castle, and back to the Empress (twice).  I also did a little happy dance when this wedding was published in Real Weddings (#pinchme).  

Photo by: Luke Liable Photography

Photo by: Christine Pienaar Photography

In October, feeling insanely pregnant (hello third trimester!), Nick & I headed off on a baby moon to our absolute favourite place in the world....you guessed it...Maui! Our days were spent debating whether we should go to the beach or pool (tough decisions!), eating a lot of delicious food, and really soaking up the last few moments of it being just the 2 of us.  Upon returning home, life started to move at warp speed. Our house was nearing the finish line, all things baby prep officially took over, and we were so honoured to have an incredible baby bash hosted for us by Laura!  I was also stoked to add Bonnie  to the Heyday team, and made it official with a new team shoot for the Heyday site!

Photo by: Jesse Holland Photography

At the beginning of December, we moved into the house!! Woohoo!!  The timing couldn't have been better, and our incredible builders, Philco Construction, worked their butts off to make sure we were in the house before baby came!  The rest of the month was spent unpacking, settling in, and working as hard as possible on all of our 2018 weddings before baby arrived.  And on December 23rd, our whole life completely changed, with the arrival of Madison Elizabeth Walker.  We are head over heels in love with her, and she has already stolen both of our hearts in a big way.  Basically the best way to end this incredible year, and I have no idea how 2018 is going to top it.  But...I am up for the challenge, and can't wait to see what the new year brings!

Photo by: Tegan McMartin Photography

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Inspiration is in the air this month! One stunning wedding after another has us swimming in pretty, and we couldn't be happier about it. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing the weddings we have designed over many months unfold in front of our eyes. Take a scroll to see a few trends we are absolutely loving this summer.

Colour (and LOTS of it!)
Colour has been making a comeback for awhile but neutral weddings with monochromatic themes are still all the rage, so nothing makes us happier than couples who want to go full blown colour. It's so much fun and a such a treat for the eyes.

Source: French Kiss Events

Source: Inspiredbythis.com

Circle Installations
Who said backdrops have to be square?! We are obsessed with these decorative hoop installations that make any space pop.

Source: Brides.com

Source: Mywedding.com

Marble Decor
A few of our brides are using some marble accents in their decor this season, which we absolute love! It's such a subtle yet classy element to add another unique layer to your wedding design. 

Source: Modernwedding.com

Source: Magnoliarouge.com

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Oh hey there July!! Aren't you looking fabulous so far?! One of our absolute favourite months because it means sun, shorts, and so many gorgeous summer weddings! We have already done some stunner weddings so far that we can't wait to share with you on the blog... In the meantime, here are some of our summer favourites!

Summer Staple

Barb: Shirt Dress

Laura: Plain White Tee

Paula: High-waisted Shorts

Must See Movie of the Month

Barb: Beatriz at Dinner

Laura: Baby Driver

Paula: Dunkirk

Ice Cream Flavour of Choice

Barb: Moose Tracks

Laura: Mint Chocolate Chip

Paula: Cookie Dough

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Let's talk about booze! Most people love a drink... or 6 every now and then!  But bar service can be an overwhelming topic for many of our couples. How much should they provide? What sort of drinks do they need to offer? Do they need a signature drink? The questions go on and on... So we thought it would be a great idea to help break it down for you, so there is no need to stress.

Photography: The Nickersons  |  Planning: French Kiss Events

What to Offer?
A lot of the time what you want to offer to your guests depends on where you are having the wedding and how much you can afford. If it is an outdoor tented wedding for example, we tend to err on the side of simplicity. No need to offer "apple martini's with a twist on the rocks" in that situation (or any situation really!).  It is absolutely acceptable to only offer beer and wine to your guests if you want to keep it simple. They should be happy to have an open bar anyway! Offering one or two signature drinks is also a great choice if you want to offer spirits in a more cost-effective way.  Remember that you are welcome to completely customize your bar service to suit your yourselves, your venue, and your guests. Most venues are happy to be flexible to your level of bar service as well, whether you want top shelf or just beer and wine. 

Photography: Erich McVey  |  Planning: French Kiss Events

How Much?
We find that it is super helpful to think of your bar service in zones: Cocktail reception, Dinner, and Post-dinner Party, are the 3 most common. You can offer different levels of bar service for each, with the most important thing being to make sure that whatever you are offering, is clear to your guests.   A typical wedding would expect approximately 6 drinks per person throughout the celebration, with 2 drinks per guest per zone.  So for example, Cocktail hour you could offer a glass of passed champagne and the rest of your portions would be split between beer and wine. Dinner is often wine service at the tables, and then the Post-dinner Party could be some more wine, beer, and add spirits if you so choose.

Photography: Ameris  |  Planning: French Kiss Events

Photography: Ameris |  Planning: French Kiss Events

To calculate the amount you need you should remember:
- 750 mL bottle of wine = 5 glasses
- 750 mL bottle of champagne = 6 flutes
- 750 mL bottle of spirits = 17 drinks
- 1.14 L bottle of spirits = 25 drinks

It is always best to over-purchase your amounts to make sure you don't run out, because you can return any unused/unopened bottles as long as you keep the receipts!

Photography: Ameris  |  Planning: French Kiss Events

Photography: Ameris

Photography: Ameris

More Helpful Bar Tips:

• Use a fancier bottle of wine for your dinner table wines, and a house wine for behind the bar.

• Purchase a beer keg to save on recycling and get more bang for your buck!

• Hire your bartender through your caterer to keep everything streamlined. If the bar get's busy then servers can step in and vice versa.

• No need to put out a tip jar for your bartender, as you will be tipping your service staff through your caterer's service fee already.

• Ask your venue to notify you when the bar bill reaches a certain amount to avoid any surprises!

• Offer lots of water and non-alcoholic drinks as well.

• Keep your guests fed! A late night snack is a great idea to prevent overindulgence and soak up some of that booze.

• Make sure someone is in charge of bringing the ice, there is nothing worse than warm beer.

• Don't forget about recycling! Especially if it is an outdoor wedding, make sure there are recycling bins so that nothing gets left behind.

Photography: Christie Graham |  Planning: French Kiss Events

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We could not be happier to be jumping full swing into the summer season! Which means strappy sandals, beachy dresses, and floppy hats! But it also means we are loving the al fresco dining vibes! Aka a wedding season full of outdoor dining, farm to table menus, and eclectic decor. All of which are reflected in our currently inspired by items below. Take a scroll to see what we are drawn to at the moment.

Aztec Patterns
We are absolutely loving this bold and playful look lately. Aztec patterns are a great way to play with shapes and pops of colours to make your table settings look anything but boring!

Source: Burnetts Boards / Photography: Tyler Rye Photography

Source: Junebug Weddings / Photography:  Geoff Duncan Photography

Playful Napkin Folds
We have been experimenting with our napkin folds at events lately, and have been adoring the results! You don't even need to "fold" napkins, try tying them in a knot or rolling them into a cylinder.

Source: Crate & Barrel Blog

Source: Apartment34

Abstract Cakes
Why not think about your wedding cake as a piece of art?! These totally unique and fun abstract style cakes are definitely catching our eye lately. A delicious masterpiece!

Cake by: Nevie-Pie Cakes / Photography: Ellie Gillard Photography

Cake by: Jessica Cooper Photography / Photography by:  Nutmeg Cake Design

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