Wedding favours seem to be slowly disappearing BUT if you still love them here are 3 things to consider when choosing what to give your guests.
Comment below with your favourite favour you ever received. ...

What is your guess on this question:⁠
What is the #1 gift bought as a bridesmaids gift? (come on its an easy one!) Comment with others you thought were unique and useful!⁠
Photo by @aliandbatoulphotography
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#bridesmaids #bridesmaidsrobes #weddingparty #weddingpartygifts #weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips #weddingadvice #weddingday #wedding #ericariwinweddings #ottawawedding #ottawaweddingplanner #weddingplanner #weddingplannertips ...

Do you NEED bridesmaids and groomsmen?⁠
Short answer no, you need 2 witnesses to sign the paperwork during your ceremony.⁠
But if you WANT bridesmaids and groomsmen then you should totally have them.⁠
1) Its a way to honour your closest friends⁠
2) It makes getting ready time and photos so much fun to have your friends around.⁠
BUT consider who you choose.⁠
1) Will it cause drama on your wedding day?⁠
2) Are they truly your BFFs ... like in 20 years will you look at your photos and still be friends?⁠
I also recommend keeping it under 5 people on each side and even better make it your siblings. ⁠
Any more makes transportation difficult and its hard to manage a big #squad. Inevitably someone's forgotten something or needs to use the washroom or is too hot/ too cold. ⁠
The BIGGEST wedding party I ever had was 32 people. Legit.⁠
What are your thoughts on big vs small wedding parties?⁠
Save and share this post too btw!⁠
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#weddingparty #weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips#weddingadvice #weddingday ⁠
#ericariwinweddings #ottawawedding #ottawaweddingplanner #weddingplanner ...

Let me tell you a secret about this cake.⁠
The bride had a custom gown from @adamykbridal and it had layers of silver and grey so this is where @dulcecakedesign took her inspiration to create this grey ombre beauty.
But what was inside this cake was the drooling magic⁠....⁠ Chocolate espresso tier, Southwestern coconut with pineapple tier and then brown sugar toffee tier.⁠ I mean, it was just cruel to make me choose. Which would you choose?⁠ ⁠ Photo by @unioneleven⁠
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#weddingcake #weddingcakeaottawa #weddingsottawa #ottawaweddingplanner #EricaIrwinWeddings #unioneleven ...

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁?⁠
Bustling a wedding gown in HARD and wedding gowns are HEAVY! If the seamstress puts in the hooks or thread loops on the outside of the dress they have to be invisible so try finding them in dim light its SO hard. And those little hooks and little loops ALWAYS break. This is the #1 reason I carry safety pins in my emergency kit. Someone steps and your hem ... bam. Hook or tiny little loop of tread doesn't hold up. Maybe seamstresses don't know! Maybe they think those tiny hooks and loops are like titanium! I need to get the word out.⁠
My absolute favourite is colour coded ribbons UNDER the dress. They never break and you just match pale pink with pale pink, yellow with yellow. I mean with the weight of a gown we should install zip ties but I feel like that wouldn't be very "wedding like".⁠
Did your dress have a bustle or are you getting one with a bustle?⁠
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿!⁠
Photo by @unioneleven⁠
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#bride #bridejoy #weddingdress #weddingdressinspiration #morilee #morileebride #morileesara #style #weddingdress #bride #weddingday #weddinginspo #love #bridetobe #bridal #fashion #weddings #pocketsweddingdress #weddingdresswithpockets #weddinginspo #classicwedsingdress #ontarioweddingvenue #unioneleven #OttawaRealWedding #EricaIrwinWeddings⁠
#ericariwinbrides #weddingdressbustle #yowfashion #weddingfashion ...

I mean why waste great hair and makeup, am I RIGHT!⁠

Any questions or comments? Ask away!! ⁠
Tag your favourite makeup artists and hair stylists Share this with a bride friend and as always
𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥⁠
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#weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips #weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddingday #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wedding #weddingtips #weddingadvice #weddinghacks #weddingtipsandtricks #weddingplannertips #weddingplanner ⁠
#ericariwinweddings #ericairwinbrides⁠ ⁠
⁠#ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawawedding #ottawaweddingplanner #weddinghair #weddinghairstyles #weddinghairinspiration #bridalhair #bridalupdo #weddinghair #yowstyle #showponyhair #showponybride #showponyottawa⁠ ...

Mondays, Money and Matrimony! ⁠
𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 are the work of the Devil I SWEAR! If you don't know how they work, you put in what you would LIKE to spend on your wedding and then it divides it between all the categories based on a percentage.⁠
You cannot assign a percentage of your budget to something, you actually have to PAY what it costs. I don't even understand where this concept of a percentage for each bucket even came from. You wouldn't do that if you were building a house. Say "I want only 10% of the budget to go to bathrooms". You don't go grocery shopping and say "I am spending 40% on vegetables today." So why do we do this for weddings? Lets use a wedding cake for example. If you want a cake that will produce 100 servings you can't say I am willing to spend $300. You need to know how much a wedding cake COSTS and what $300 will get you. You either need to be ok with it being a cake that maybe doesn't serve all your guests OR you need to up your budget. This is where I can help. I know how much things cost in Ottawa (which is different than Toronto, Montreal, Calgary etc).⁠
Any questions or comments? Ask away!! ⁠
𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥⁠
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Cake by @dulcecakedesign⁠
Photo by @greyloftstudio⁠
Venue @venuetwentytwo @thewestinottawa⁠
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#weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips #weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddingday #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wedding #weddingtips #weddingadvice #weddingtipsandtricks #weddingcalculator ⁠
#ericariwinweddings #ericairwinbrides⁠ ⁠
#ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #weddingottawa #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #weddingplanner #weddingplannertips ⁠
#weddingcake #weddingcakes #weddingcakeideas #ottawaweddingcake #cake #ottawacakes #ottawafood #ottawafoodie ...

Super controversial topic today.⁠
At least in the wedding planning world!⁠
Do your wedding bands go in your budget?⁠
Comment below and tell me what you think.⁠
photo by @unioneleven ⁠
Rings @tiffanyandco⁠
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#tiffany #tiffanyandco #tiffanywedding #tiffanyweddingband #tiffanyring #tiffanyrings #weddingring #weddingringbox #weddingringwednesday #weddingring #weddingringideas #weddingbudget #weddingbudgettips #unioneleven #ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawabridetobe #ottawawedding2021 #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #chateaulaurierwedding #weddingottawa#ottawabrideandgroom #ottawaweddingdecor #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #ottawaweddingdesigner #canadianwedding #weddingplanner #ottawaweddingphotography ⁠ ...

Let me tell you about this bouquet.
Katherine LOVES colour. During our design meeting she said her ideal bouquet would have one of every colour and be bright and cheerful. Now Katherine is not a micro managing client (thankfully!) and so she just trusted the process and voila! This made her so happy when I walked into her suite on her wedding day with her bouquet. That's exactly what your bouquet should do. Spark a lot of freaking JOY! It should also be one you LOVE. Some people like an all white bouquet and some like all the colours. What are you team colour or team white?⁠
𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼!⁠
Bouquet by @wedecor_tm
Photo @derrickrice @unioneleven
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#bouquet #bouquetflowers #bouquetinspo #weddingbouquet #weddingbouquets #weddingflorals #weddingbouquetideas #weddingbouquetinspiration #bridebouquet #bridebouquets #ottawaweddingflorist ⁠
#ottawaflorist #weddingceremonydecor #ottawaweddingvenue #weddingvenueottawa #engagedottawainsta #engagedottawa #ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawabridetobe #ottawawedding2021 #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #ottawaweddingdesigner #wedecor #EricaIrwinWeddings⁠
#ericariwinbrides #unioneleven ...

𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆! Want to know why this is my secret sauce for wedding speeches?⁠
1) All the speeches at the end is too long for people to sit through.⁠
2) Parents at the beginning means they get to do their speech/ toast and then relax after that. Also they have sometimes either paid for the wedding or contributed so this allows them the honour as "hosts".⁠
3) Doing speeches between courses means all services has to stop. No serving and no clearing of plates. This can be hard for your venue/ caterer to manage food service. ⁠
4) The 2 after dinner are usually your Best Man and Maid of Honour which usually bring the laughs.⁠
5) You two should be the last to speak then you get to end it on a note that YOU want. It also sets the tone for the rest of the evening (aka party time!). ⁠
𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥!⁠
Comment and let me know what you think!⁠
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#weddingspeech #weddingspeeches #weddingtoast #weddingtoasts #weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips #weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddingday #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wedding #weddingtips #weddingadvice #weddinghacks #weddingtipsandtricks #ericariwinweddings #ericairwinbrides⁠ #engagedottawa #ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #weddingottawa #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #weddingplanner #lifeofaweddingplanner #weddingplannerlife #weddingplannertips ⁠ ...

Budget talk Monday! ⁠
This tip is about your cocktail hour. How to know if you have budgeted for enough food and drink. Sometimes you have a wedding package from your venue/ caterer and you just want to make sure you have enough for guests. My rule is a minimum of 3 "bites" per guest for cocktail hour but I actually really like 4 ideally and if possible a "station" like for example charcuterie or oyster bar. For drinks, 2 per guest is pretty standard. Having a non-alcoholic punch can help too since sometimes people are just thirsty.⁠
𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿
Tell me what's your fav "bite" during cocktail hour? I personally love a scallop (bacon wrapped is my fav) or mini gourmet grilled cheeses or anything with cheese actually!⁠
Photo by @unioneleven
Catering by @whalesbonecatering
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#weddingfood #weddingfoodideas #cocktailfood #weddingfoodinspiration #cocktailhour #cocktailwedding #cocktailhourwedding #weddingreception ⁠#weddingtips #weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddinghacks #weddingtipsandtricks ⁠#weddingtipwednesday #weddinginspiration #weddingplanning #weddingplanner #ottawaweddingplanner #weddingcoordinator ⁠#ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawabridetobe #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #ottawaweddingvendors #ericariwinweddings #ericairwinbrides⁠ ⁠ ...

Now THAT'S a first look reaction every bride wants to have.⁠
Happy weekend everyone, what's on your list this weekend? For me its a lot of nothing ... a run, some cleaning, gardening ... low key!⁠
Photo by @derrickrice of @unioneleven
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#ontarioweddingvenue #ottawaweddingvenue #weddingvenueottawa #engagedottawainsta #engagedottawa #ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawabridetobe #ottawawedding2021 #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #firstlook #firstlookwedding #firstlookinspiration #weddingottawa#ottawabrideandgroom #ottawaweddingdecor #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #ottawaweddingdesigner #canadianwedding #weddingplanner #luxurywedding #ottawaweddingvideographer #ottawaweddingphotography #ottawaweddingphotographer⁠
#EricaIrwinWeddings #ericariwinbrides⁠
#unioneleven #chateaulaurierwedding ⁠ ...

Anyone else MORE than sick of the C word? C0v1d⁠
We can't even spell it out because if we do then IG puts a warning on our stories for example.⁠
I am keeping my eye on what is going on in Alberta, full reopening as of yesterday including indoor events aka WEDDINGS! My friends who live in different parts of the US are saying this virus isn't even a topic of conversation there anymore. They have moved on.⁠
So what's to come for us? Comment with your predictions and lets see who is closest as the summer roles on.
Photo by @greyloftstudio
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#ericariwinweddings #ericairwinbrides⁠ ⁠
⁠ #engagedottawainsta #engagedottawa #ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawabridetobe #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #weddingottawa #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #weddingplanner #ontarioweddingvenue #quebecweddingvenue #ottawaweddingvenue #ottawaweddingdecor #ottawaweddingvendors #canadianwedding #weddingtips #weddinginspiration #weddingdetails #weddingday#weddingdaydetails #wedecor #OttawaRealWedding #greyloftstudio #venuetwentytwo #twentytwoweddings #westinottawa ...

What a good officiant costs and why choosing this person can make or break your wedding.⁠
If you are married in a non-religious setting we call the person who marries you an officiant. When I help a couple find an officiant it truly is match making. First there is the language(s) to consider then its usually the style of ceremony they want. A splash of religious or none at all? Funny, heartwarming a bit of both? A unique look or more traditional look? Pricing? And of course availability!!⁠
So you should budget anywhere from $500 to $1000 for this service in Ottawa.⁠
Guests have come to mostly dread a wedding ceremony, they think its going to be long and borrowing and the person who have zero personality. This makes me so sad. A wedding ceremony should be AWESOME and guests should cry a little, laugh a ton and leave at the end feeling a renewed sense of hope for love and marriage!⁠
𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿
What about you, tell me what you think of when you think of a wedding ceremony?⁠
Ceremony here by @allseasonsofficiants Christine Villeneuve⁠
Photo by @derrickrice of @unioneleven
Venue the stunning @venuetwentytwo @thewestinottawa
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#weddingofficiant #weddingceremony #officiant⁠
#allseasonsweddings #realwedding #marriageceremony #weddingceremonies #weddingceremonyideas #weddinginspo #weddingofficiant #ceremonyideas ⁠
#weddingtips #weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddinghacks #weddingtipsandtricks ⁠
#weddingtipwednesday #weddinginspiration #weddingplanning #weddingplanner #ottawaweddingplanner #weddingcoordinator ⁠#ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawabridetobe #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #ottawaweddingvendors #ericariwinweddings #ericairwinbrides⁠ ⁠ ...

Happy wedding day to Jen and Dan!⁠
We started planning their June 26th 2021 wedding weekend extravaganza last year and gosh were we hopeful that by this summer we would have a 250+ guest wedding with a hopping dancefloor at @fairmontmontebello. Early in 2021 though we knew this was not likely going to happen so the party will go on but in 2022.⁠
In the meantime today these two still said "I do" at Jen's family cottage in Muskoka. Jen wore her Mom's wedding dress which she updated beautifully. I have no doubt that even with the rain they still had a blast because these two are literally rays of sunshine. They love each other so much and I cannot wait to celebrate their love in 2022.⁠
What a party it will be! So comment with a drink emoji for the sunshine couple.⁠
Engaged in the Alps, Married in Muskoka and remarried at Chateau Montebello. Seems to fit somehow.⁠
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#loveisnotcancelled #microwedding #microweddingplanner #microweddingottawa⁠
#intimatewedding #petitewedding #outdoorwedding #smallweddingottawa #covidwedding #intimateweddingphotography⁠
#weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddingday #ericariwinweddings #ericairwinbrides⁠ ⁠
⁠ #engagedottawainsta #engagedottawa #ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawabridetobe #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #weddingottawa #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #weddingplanner #lifeofaweddingplanner #fairmontmontebellowedding #fairmontmontebello⁠ ...

Myths and Truths about late night food.⁠
Clients ask me: Do we need to, people just ate dinner?⁠
Doesn't matter, get it. You will be amazed how many people head right there. Even after a 5 course meal they smell those French fries and the line begins. ⁠
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Here are my reasons:⁠
1) It keeps your party going later into the night since no one is sneaking out for pub grub.⁠
2) For the picky eaters in your group, they may not eat all that much at cocktail hour and dinner so this is their chance!⁠
3) As newlyweds you will appreciate it since you likely also didn't eat enough and you will be so happy when it comes out! ⁠
4) If you didn't serve your wedding cake this is a good time to offer it to guests.⁠
5) Its a long day so feed your people! Be a good host and make sure food is abundant.⁠
6) The responsible reason: It's always a good idea when you are serving alcohol to make sure food is also available. It helps soak up some of the alcohol guests are consuming.⁠
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Poutine stations are still the most popular choice but tacos, sliders, pizza, fresh baked pretzels, gourmet grill cheeses ... stick to savory and the sweet can be your cake/ donuts/ cupcakes...⁠
Comment with what your late night food of choice would be.⁠ 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿
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#ontarioweddingvenue #ottawaweddingvenue #weddingvenueottawa #ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #weddingottawa #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #ottawaweddingdesigner #canadianwedding #weddingplanner #EricaIrwinWeddings #ericariwinbrides⁠
#weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips #weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddingday #weddinginspiration #weddingdetails #weddingday #weddingmoments #thedetails #weddingdaydetails ...

Hard questions I get asked ....⁠
One of the biggest questions couples are struggling with right now is how do I invite people to my wedding if I do not KNOW how many people will be allowed by my wedding date? Ooof. Yup. Million dollar question and I won't even get into Ontario's (lack) reopening plan.⁠
Right now, all of us wedding people wish we had a crystal ball but we do not so we are going on our experience and spidey-senses. But we need to plan. So we plan for the least and the most. You can either invite only the number of people you THINK would be the minimum in 2021 eg. 10-25 guests. Or you go for the 50 guests or even 100 guests but you work on your wedding invitation wording to make it clear that though you would love to have everyone attend you will not know until likely much closer to your date what the restrictions will allow.⁠
Wedding guests now I am speaking to you: if you get an invitation please remember this couple is getting married during the most fluid times we have ever known. So be gentle and be kind and DO NOT have hurt feelings if you get removed from the guest list due to restrictions on their guest count. Its a hard call for them and sometimes they will have to choose a family member over maybe a very close friend only because its the "right thing to do" in their family.⁠
Comment below with how you would say it to your guests ... I'll take funny or serious....⁠
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#loveisnotcancelled #microwedding #microweddingplanner #microweddingottawa⁠
#intimatewedding #petitewedding #outdoorwedding #smallweddingottawa #intimateweddingphotography⁠
#weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips #weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddingday #ericariwinweddings ⁠
#ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawabridetobe #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #weddingottawa #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #weddingplanner #lifeofaweddingplanner #weddingplannertips #unioneleven #venuetwentytwo #twentytwoweddings #westinottawa ...