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Archive for Weddings

Dec
21

BAD 2009 year in review - the foodie diaries, part 1

Posted by: Ophellia | Comments (0)

It’s the time of year when food & drink plays a big part in our celebrations and it got me thinking about the very best I have had in 2009.

Before I get started, there are a few things that I should establish as a base. I am a convicted foodie! I love food of all kinds; food from anywhere and everywhere; my vice is wine and I’m willing to try anything at least twice (just in case the first time around, someone didn’t get the hang of preparing it properly:)

Having got the ground rules laid, 2009 was a fantastic year of food for me! I traveled around in the province of Ontario, to the USA and Jamaica a few times on wedding business and just had the greatest gastronomic adventure of all times. I have been keeping a food diary (as all committed foodies do!) and am willing to share my best discoveries with you.

In Ontario, there are a few popular places that deliver all they allude to. The one that jumps to mind first is the Rosewater Supper Club in Toronto. This beautifully appointed space will make you feel special and pampered as soon as you walk in the doors and their decadent menu will give you a hard time to chose your meal. My recommendations: The Grilled Atlantic Salmon meal served with Leek and Potato Rosti ( a lovely new way – well new to me anyhow - to serve up that must have staple!) and Prosciutto Threads and the Wild Mushroom Risotto with Dungeness Crab and Truffle Essence. Absolutely to die for experience! They keep on delivering long after you leave because you know that the next experience there is going to be just as magical and so if you are like me, you have a happy place to go to when the daily grind gets you down!

My second go to spot is very close to home and is the Nine18 Restaurant at the Turnberry Golf Club in Brampton. This is my favourite place to hang out anytime of day or night and I have adopted it as my home away from home (hey Jim!). Since opening at the end of the summer 2009, they have gained the reputation of Brampton’s Best Kept Secret (well, I guess, not anymore!) for a restaurant or just a place to relax in a plush armchair, right by the fireplace and catch up with friends after a long day over a glass of wine or a Spanish coffee. I have tried everything on the menu now and everything is good! I kid you not! I do have my favourite things based on time of day though. For example, the chicken club sandwich is my lunch time fare of choice (it has an avocado based dip that is just beautiful!) but the 8 oz. sirloin with sweet potato fries trumps that for dinner and that perfect little bite of mini cheesecake and a monte cristo coffee hits the spot for me when I am hanging out at the end of the night with my girlfriends.

I am eagerly awaiting their wedding menu, due out soon and am just as excited to see the tented wedding dining room to be added in he springtime. My first local client is waiting to book her tasting for a Fall 2010 wedding and I am really excited to introduce her to Brampton’s newest and by far nicest wedding venue yet.

Stay tuned for part 2 of the foodie diaries!

Categories : Weddings, food & wine, travel
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Jul
28

Great Industry Find - Saab Photography!

Posted by: admin | Comments (0)

July 13, 2009

By now, most of you know that I specialize in destinations weddings to Jamaica. I firmly believe that is it the best destination for lovers and certainly one of the most memorable places to visit in the world. That said (and yes, it is a very subjective point of view :), I am still in awe of the talent on the island and in no small amount, the talent of the wedding vendors I have met in the last year. Aside from the most amazing hotels (you can check out my earlier blogs from my Sandals fam tour in April ’09 and look out for more fam tour info as I head to Superclubs this summer!), I have found the very best of photographers, floral and décor vendors, wedding cake designers and of course around every corner is a potential breathtaking ceremony location for that perfect wedding.

I feel compelled to mention the wife and husband photography team of Michael and Olive Saab in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This couple personifies what they capture, happiness being in love and being together. Their photojournalistic style captures the essence of the moment, punctuated by sweet details and amazing use of light and shadow in their work. Their website, www.saabweddings.com, showcases their work to perfection and is a testament to all the satisfied couples they have worked with over the years. Michael and Olive travel around the parishes and sometimes to other Caribbean islands as well and they definitely leave their mark wherever they go and on whomever they work with. Looking forward to capturing beautiful memories with them on my next trip south!  This wedding vendor gets my 5 star rating!

Categories : Destinations weddings, Weddings
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Jul
21

Wedding Guest Etiquette

Posted by: Ophellia | Comments (0)

July 6, 2009

Strange but necessary topic…so many persons over the last 10 years have asked me about wedding guest etiquette that I feel that it is time to address some of the issues.  Do guests really have to kow-tow to protocols and if they are close enough to be invited, can’t they just behave the same way they would if they were going by to hang out?

No! No! and No!

A wedding is a more formal occasion than a hang out and should be viewed as a couple’s first hosted function.  They have gone through the process of planning a celebration and have also kept you the guest in mind and catered to your comfort.  The least you can do is follow certain reasonable protocols even if said wedding is a summer backyard bbq.

Here are a few of the most obvious dont’s:

Don’t be late - this is the first and most important rule.  It is rude and it takes the focus off the couple and the ceremony. Try to get there at least 15 minutes early and give yourself time to be seated and settled. Avoid taking photographs during the ceremony. The professionals have it covered and you should respect the sanctity of the house of worship and the ritual of the marriage rites being administered.

Don’t bring a gift with you to the wedding - drop it off before or after the wedding or have it delivered from the registry.  If you take it with you, it means that someone in the wedding party will have to worry about getting it home.

Don’t wait until last minute to reply even if you are unable to attend - the couple needs the information for accurate guest head count. It is also customary to still send a wedding gift.

Don’t bring a date or your children unless invited to do so - be gracious and read your invitation carefully and do as requested.  Remember that the reception is paid for per person so unexpected guests can affect the budget in a big way.  If your family is invited, please remember to keep a close eye on little ones: even in a family friendly atmosphere, horseplay or kids throwing a tantrum can be very distracting!

Don’t drink too much.  Even though a wedding is a time for celebration no one appreciates a drunken guest making off colour remarks.

Categories : Destinations weddings, Wedding Trend, Weddings
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Bridal tip
On your wedding day, while getting your make-up and hair done, wear a button down shirt instead of a t-shirt. This will ensure that you can remove the shirt to get dressed without smudging your make-up or ruining your hairdo trying to get anything over your head. "Borrow" something from "hubby's" clothes hamper so that you have him close at hand while you are getting ready!