Can you guess what the number 1 thing that's in photos besides you and the person you are going to marry?
Something I always suggest investing in.
Comment below.
Photo by @scotthwilson
Bouquet @thegatheringeventco
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#ottawawedding #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawavendors #ottweddingvendor #weddingphotography #ottawaweddingphotography #bridesbouquet #allwhitebouquet #whitebouquet ...

I totally stole this line from my client Stephanie who wrote this in her Google review. Maybe the best line EVER in a review. For your job what's your "cape"?
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#weddingcoordinator #weddingplanner #weddingplanningtips #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingplanning #ottawawedding #ericairwinweddings #weddingplannervsvenuecoordinator #venuecoordinatorvsweddingcoordinator #ottawaweddingvendors #ottwedvendors ...

Choosing a first photo to share is a STRUGGLE with this sneak peek gallery.
Saxon and Caleb's wedding from Friday June 3rd was so full of happy tears I could not keep up with the Kleenex demand!
Drop a congratulations emoji or comment for the beautiful newlyweds!

Special thanks to
Photo @scotthwilson
Video @jeremypbaxter
Venue @koymangalleries
Church @stmatthewsottawa
Decor and florals @thegatheringeventco
Chairs @wedecor_tm
Gown @lamaisonbridalboutique
Hair @parla.hair
Suit @mariouomoinc
DJ @midnightmusic.ca
Gushline @mdrnphotoboothco
Planning/ Coordination @ericairwinweddings
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#gallerywedding #koymangalleries #koymangallery #ottawawedding #ottawaweddingphotographer #ottwedvendors #ericairwinweddings #ericairwinbrides #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingplanners #weddingplannerottawa #weddingplanner
#ottawaweddingvenue #scotthwilson #thegatheringevent #pärlahair ...

Hear it right from the groom, Matt initially hesitated hiring a planner but hear what he wrote about working with me!
Our wedding was originally scheduled for the fall of 2022. After Covid, and the backlog of weddings, and venues unable to commit, caterers backed up and unsure of what they could and couldn't help with we changed our venue and took the only available date in 2022, which was 4 months earlier than originally planned.
At first I was very skeptical about hiring a wedding planner. I mean, how much work can it possibly be. It's just like planning a big party right?
Umm, no. It's nothing like that. I was amazed at the number of things that needed to be worked on, addressed, decided on, thought about, argued, re-thought, planned, booked, confirmed, re-confirmed, re-booked... OMG! How in the world are we supposed to continue to work full time jobs and raise 3 kids AND plan a wedding. Seemed impossible.
Enter... Erica Irwin. Instantly life got easier. Erica took on all of the things that we were dreading, all of the things we were procrastinating on, all of the things we straight up didn't want to do. She kept us on our toes, gave us a list of what we needed to do, deadlines, payments etc. She was a total game changer!
The day of the wedding both her and her assistant kept things running on time, made sure we were looked after, helped our wedding party, family and friends. She was a total blessing.
We would not hesitate to recommend Erica and her team to help you plan your big day. It's not worth trying to do it without her.
Thanks Matt and Kayla for letting me be a part of your day!!!
Comment below with a congrats for this amazing couple!!
Photo by the sweetest and amazing @lavenderlullabiesphoto
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#weddingcoordinator #weddingplanner #weddingplanningtips #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingplanning #ottawawedding #ericairwinweddings #weddingplannervsvenuecoordinator #venuecoordinatorvsweddingcoordinator #ottawaweddingvendors #ottwedvendors ...

Meet my mind reader Farhan. (Yes Ahmad changed his name)
We are going into our 5th wedding season together! He started with me in October 2018 as a co-op student and made me NEED him which I tell him all the time was so mean!
Here are a few things I can tell you about Farhan:
✔️He always wears a blazer because I don't and I need more pockets.
✔️He lights all the candles every time because he knows I don't like to and I get distracted by vendor questions usually anyway.
✔️He knows I always use TWO pins for boutonnieres.
✔️He makes brides feel like superstars with his compliments.
✔️He is much better at makeup than me!
✔️He is wicked smart and will go to med school too soon but promises he will always do weddings with me.
✔️He is very loyal and always has my back.
Perfect partners in crime ❤️
Very rarely do we remember to get a photo together before we are hot and melted from working hard all day but this day we remembered!
So go ahead and give Farhan some love below ❤️
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#weddingplanningassistant #bestassistant #partnersincrime #rideordie #ottawaweddingplanner #Ottawawedding #ottawaweddingplanning #ottawaweddingplanners #ottawaweddingvendors
#ericairwinweddings ...

Ever dreamed of a celebrity crashing your wedding? I remember in 2015 seeing a video where Maroon 5 crashed 5 weddings in LA. As a Planner I was instantly wanting the details on how they made this happen but just imagine the couples surprise! Google it.
What about you though, what celebrity would you choose? For me, Lady Gaga hands down.
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#weddingdreams #celebritywedding #celebrityweddingplanner #weddingtip #weddingideas #weddingmusic #weddingband #ottawawedding #ottawaweddingmusic #ottawaweddingplanner #ericairwinweddings #maroon5 #ladygaga ...

How do YOU prefer to RSVP to a wedding?
Do you prefer to mail in the RSVP back to the couple or do you prefer to RSVP online?
Comment below!
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#weddingstyle #weddinginspiration #customdesign #stationer #weddingstationery #ottawawedding #impressyourguests #ottawaweddinginvites #ottawaweddingstationery #ottawaweddinginspo #wedding #weddingstationary #weddingpapergoods #weddingdetailshot #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #weddingottawa#ottawabrideandgroom #ottawaweddingdecor #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #ottwedvendors #ottawaweddingdesigner #canadianwedding #EricaIrwinWeddings #weddingetiquette #weddingetiquettetips #weddingtips#weddingadvice #weddingtipsandtricks #weddingplannertips ...

Want to know one of my favourite moments on a wedding day?
RIGHT before we send the bride down the aisle. We give a couple reminders, fluff her gown, straighten her veil, make her laugh, tell her to smile and enjoy the moment. The best.
What's your favourite wedding day moment?
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#weddingday #weddingdaymoments #stonefieldsestate #stonefieldswedding
#agatharowlandphotography #kleinfeld #kleinfeldbridal #ericairwinweddings #ericairwinbrides #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingplanners #weddingplannerottawa #weddingplanner
#ottawawedding #ottawaweddingvendors #ottawaweddingvenue ...

Want to know my #1 pet peeve at a wedding? When a bride or groom does a fabulous speech, saying all these sweet things about everyone but then forgets the person they just married!! Usually they are standing, grinning, right beside them at the podium too.
So save this post, share it with someone getting married and lets make sure we put an end to this forever!
Comment below with your pet peeve or add on to mine with your own speech story.
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#weddingspeech #weddingspeeches #weddingtoast #weddingtoasts #weddingmemes #ericairwinweddings #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawawedding #weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips#weddingadvice #weddingday #ericariwinweddings #weddingplanner #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wedding #weddingtipsandtricks #weddingplannertips ⁠#ottawabride #ottawabrides #weddingbudget #ottawaweddingvendors #ottawarealwedding #ottwedvendors #luxuryweddingplannerottawa ...

Most photographed with you on your wedding day (besides the person you are marrying)? Your BOUQUET!
So make it a showstopper, this is not the place to cut back!
Kaitlin wanted hers to be colourful, artistic and a bit wild! Nicely done on this one @wearepollennation
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬?
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#bridesbouquet #weddingbouquet #ottawaweddingflorist #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawawedding #summerweddign #ottawaweddingvendors ...

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿?
A venue wedding coordinator is responsible for coordinating details about your actual event at the venue itself. They are employed by the venue so their main focus is anything related to the venue.
Your wedding planner is responsible for managing ALL of the details of your entire wedding and they work for you two.
They are not one and the same. We have amazing venue coordinators we absolutely adore and together we make dreams come true.
BUT they are not your personal wedding planner. To expect them to take on the same responsibilities is not realistic and unfair. Most venues are happy to have planners there on a wedding day to help coordinate all the details that fall outside of the venue's realm. I know I try my very best to work closely with our cities top venues and ensure I make their jobs as easy as possible! In the end its our couples who win from all the care and attention we all bring on a wedding day.
Save and share and of course comment or DM with questions!
#weddingcoordinator #weddingplanner #weddingplanningtips #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingplanning #ottawawedding #ericairwinweddings #weddingplannervsvenuecoordinator #venuecoordinatorvsweddingcoordinator ...

Which kids to include in your wedding day? Yesterday you asked me about how to invite or not invite kids to your wedding so lets run through 3 scenarios:
1) Do you have to invite any kids? NOPE. Many couples (especially over the last 2 years) have opted out of any kids being present due to comfort level with older guests. See my post about how to word your invitation for this.
2) How do I have some kids and not others? If you choose to include a child that is important to you like for example your own kids, nieces, nephews, a godchild, there is no expectation that this means ALL kids are allowed. Its ok to invite SOME and not include every child of every guest!
3) What about newborns? You should expect that if you invite a guest who has a newborn they will be bringing that baby. It would be rude to tell them no baby. There is feeding to think about and also care so its just not kind.
Save and share this post but also comment on your thoughts about babies and kids at weddings.
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#kidsatweddings #ottawawedding #ottawaweddingplanner
#EricaIrwinweddings #weddingplanner #canadianwedding #flowergirls #weddingdetails #ringbearer
#weddingtips #weddinginspiration #weddingdetails #weddingetiquette #ringbeareroutfit
#weddingday #weddingmoments #thedetails #ottawaweddingplanner ...

𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴?
Usually the venues will offer a menu for kids 10 and under or 12 and under for a very discounted rate (usually under $25).
Its usually for the pickier eaters out there and might be for example 1st course veggies and dip, main course chicken fingers and fries or a pasta and dessert ice cream or cookies. I always say go chicken fingers and fries because red sauce and a white dress or dress shirt is never smart.
Some kids though are VERY offended when offered a kids meal they want what adults are eating but maybe you are also offended to pay $130 for a kid to eat at your wedding 😆
Tweens and Teens get an adult meal though obviously there is no bar package built into their fee.
Quick funny story for you. Once I had a child be offended by his chicken fingers and he switch with a woman who was a picky eater and was super happy to have his meal instead. Just never know!
Comment below what's your go to "kid food" as an adult.
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#kidswedding #weddingmeal #ottawawedding #ottawaweddingplanner
#EricaIrwinweddings #weddingplanner #canadianwedding #flowergirls #weddingdetails #weddingflowers
#weddingtips #weddinginspiration #weddingdetails
#weddingday #weddingmoments #thedetails #ottawaweddingplanner ...

Use the estimate from your venue for the room rental, food and drink (tax and gratuity). Take that total and double it.⁠
That's a very quick way to do an estimate full wedding budget.⁠
So for example if you get an estimate for $40k from a hotel venue, it will likely cost another $40k for my services, photographer, videographer, decor/ florals/ rentals, makeup & hair, transportation, music, your day of outfits, favours, invitations and cake. Maybe a photobooth, maybe your hotel room, maybe rings and likely not a live band.⁠
There is a lot of education that I do with couples to make sure they understand everything that's in a wedding budget because really, why would you know how to budget for a wedding? Its the only one you will likely plan!⁠
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𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱!⁠
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀.⁠
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#weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips #weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddingday #weddinginspiration #weddinginspo #wedding  #weddingtips #weddingadvice  #weddingtipsandtricks #weddingcalculator ⁠
#ericariwinweddings #ericairwinbrides
 #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #weddingottawa #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingvendors #weddingbudget #weddingbudgettips #howto #reels #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanningbegins #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanningtime #weddingplanner #weddingplannertips ...

I get asked this question all the time when I have friends going to a wedding. What is an appropriate gift for a wedding?
Short answer is cash. Most couples already live together these days and if they don't then gifts are generally given at a shower not on a wedding day. Cards with money is much more common to receive on a wedding day. So much so that we hardly ever have a true gift table anymore, just a card box next to the guest book. We occasionally have a couple gifts so we shuffle and make room for them.
So now the next question is how much should go in the envelop? The general consensus is that you are to cover the cost of your meal. These days depending on where you are getting married though that is a big range. Most venues that I would be planning at would be $100 to $300 for dinner per guest. It also depends on your connection to the couple and what you are personally comfortable giving.
At the end of the day, wedding gifts are meant to honor the couple and thank them for including you — not leave you refusing wedding invitations!
Hope that helps, comment with questions or thoughts and as always save and share if this advice is helpful!
Photo by @unioneleven
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#weddingetiquette #weddinggifts #weddinggiftetiquette #weddingcardbox #gifttable #gifttabledecor #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawawedding ...

Here is a little "how to" for you.
Tent weddings are amazing but tents have poles and inevitably there will be one behind you two if things are centered in the tent. For Kaitlin and Danilo's wedding we repurposed a beautiful piece from @wearepollennation from their ceremony to hang behind them and hide the pole! Made the perfect backdrop for photos like these.
Now which of these vibrant colours is your favourite? Tell me in the comment below!
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#weddinghowto #ericairwinweddings #bestweddingplanner #eventplanner #weddingplanner #bestweddingplanner #canadianwedding #weddingvendor #ottawawedding #ottawaweddings #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawaweddingphotography #ottawaweddingvenue #ottawaweddingdecor #ottawaweddingplanners #ottawaweddingvendors #ottawaweddingplanning #ottawaengaged #ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawabridetobe #613 #613wedding #613weddings #canadian #canadianwedding #tentwedding #tentweddings #wearepollennation ...

The number one stressor in wedding planning is going over your budget. So the key is having a REALISTIC budget from the beginning. A realistic budget to me means knowing what things cost in your area and in 2022/2023 ... not your friend's 2019 budget. (thank you inflation, gas prices, food costs, labour shortages, international shipping issues etc.) I can help with this. I love giving you tips on IG but if you are planning a wedding and want to know more reach out to me!
And anyone want to guess what the number 2 stressor is?
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#engagedottawainsta #engagedottawa #ottawabride #ottawabrides #ottawawedding #bridesofottawa #ottawaweddingplanner #ottawawedding #ericairwinweddings #ottawaweddingvendors #ericairwinweddings #ericairwinbrides #weddingplanner #canadianwedding #ottawawedding2022 #ottawawedding2023 #ottawaweddingvenue #weddingvenueottawa #weddingtips #weddingtipwednesday #weddingtip #weddingadvice #weddingday #weddingbudget #weddingbudgettips ...

Do my bridesmaids need to have all the same dress?
NOPE! I am seeing more and more wedding parties where the dresses are all different styles that flatter the person wearing but either all in the same colour and fabric OR in coordinating colours. Here Kathleen's bridesmaids are a great example of all navy dresses but Kathleen let them all pick their own style so they were comfortable with the fit. Gorgeous!
What about you? Do you like all the same or coordinating?
Photo by @agatharowland
#bridesmaids #bridesmaidsdresses #bridesmaidinspiration #weddingparty #bridesmaidetiquette ⁠
#weddingtipwednesday #weddingtips #weddingadvice #weddingday #wedding #ericariwinweddings #ottawawedding #ottawaweddingplanner #weddingplanner #weddingplannertips ...