{ Adieu 2011 }

2011 was a great start to my business.  Not only did I get to meet and work with great vendors in the industry but I also got to work with fabulous clients.  Without you, I would not be where I am today - thank you!

As we look forward to 2012, one of my resolutions is to provide my loyal followers with more interesting and informative articles.  Also, there will be some changes to my blog in the new year...so stay tuned.  I also look forward to the weddings and events that I will be planning in 2012.  It already looks promising and I can't wait to work with all of you.

I wish all of you a happy and safe new year!!

Love,
Jenn dela Cruz

{ 'Tis The Season To Get Engaged }

The Christmas holidays and New Years Eve are a popular time to get engaged. Even more popular than Valentine's Day.  It must be from all the mistletoe and eggnog. Needless to say, during the month of December most proposals take place. I mean, why not?  It is already a joyous occasion spent with family and friends so why not give the ultimate gift of an engagement ring during this time too. It is definitely a celebratory moment.

Here are some ideas of holiday proposals:

• A big within a box within a box. They won't expect it since rings usually come in a tiny box.
• Placing the ring in an ornament. Great way to decorate the tree together.
• Placing the ring as a stocking stuffer.
• Proposing while the clock strikes midnight on New Years Eve.

The list goes on and on.

The holidays are so popular that even celebrities are taking advantage of this time of year.  Most recently, singer John Legend proposed to his model girlfriend, Chrissy Teigen in the Maldives.  How romantic!! While Matthew McConaughey also proposed, on Christmas day, to his long time girlfriend, Camilla  Alves. 

If you were one of the lucky ones who was proposed to during Christmas or is planning a New Years Eve proposal, I'd love to hear from you.  Please send in your stories to jdelacruzevents@gmail.com to be featured on my blog.

{ Happy Holidays }

The team at J. dela Cruz Weddings & Events would like to wish you and your families all the very best this holiday season!!

{ Inspiration: Colour for 2012 }

According to Pantone, the colour for 2012 is tangerine tango.  It’s bold, it’s bright and it’s very chic.  

{ Around the World in 22 Days }

If money wasn’t an issue where would you go for your honeymoon?  Would you go around the world?  TCS & Starquest Expeditions in conjunction with the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts offer an itinerary that allows the adventurer to travel to ten destinations in twenty-two days.  Imagine travelling in your own private jet plane, with your own chef from the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and with a doctor on board?  Now you’re probably wondering how much this would all cost.  Based on double occupancy, it costs US$66,950 per person.  Not bad, actually, when you’re treated like V.I.P.  The price includes deluxe Four Seasons accommodations, all meals, ground transportation, excursions, and applicable taxes. 

The starting point is at Los Angeles, California and from there to Hawaii, French Polynesia, Australia, Bali, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Egypt and the UK.  

Via Four Seasons

Via Wallpapers

Via Google Images

Now I’d love to hear from you.  Where are you going for your honeymoon? If you’ve already gone on a honeymoon, where did you go?  

{ 11.11.11 = Giselle + Gary Get Engaged }

Congratulations to Giselle and Gary on their engagement!

Not only does November 11, 2011 mark the day of remembrance for the soldiers who fought for our freedom, but it is also a lucky day for some cultures around the world.  For one particular couple, it was a day that will never be forgotten. 

I was honoured to be part of the plan for the proposal.  Arriving from their trip to the Dominican Republic, Giselle and Gary's friends and family waited for them at the arrival area while holding up a "Welcome Back" sign. My role was to take Giselle away and distract her.  While Gary's sister handed him the ring, the sign was flipped over to read "Will You Marry Me Gi?". It took a moment for her to understand what was all happening but she finally understood and turned to Gary who was already kneeling down on one knee.  Eventually she nodded yes while tears rolled down her cheeks.  It was a perfect proposal. 

The crew before the proposal

Giselle and her ring

{ Stella & Dot: Your Personal Jewellery Stylist }

 

In conjunction with my wedding planning business, I am thrilled to announce that I am also a jewellery stylist with Stella & Dot. 

Stella & Dot is a San Francisco based jewellery company. They’ve been featured in the New York Times, In Style, Lucky, and People Magazine and on many television shows – The Today Show, The Bachelorette, Fox News and so many others.




Whether it be on your wedding day, birthday, or any celebrated milestone, I hope to provide you with all your jewellery needs for any occasion.  I should also mention that they make great gifts as well. 

For more information, please visit http://www.stelladot.com/sites/JenniferdelaCruz

{ Bridesmaids: How to Choose and their Responsibilities }

Via fatkidslist

I finally had the opportunity to watch the movie, Bridesmaids. For those who have never seen the movie or are on the fence about watching it, I can honestly say that it was hilarious!  It is about a girl named Annie whose life appears to be in shambles after her bakery fails.  Her best friend, Lillian, gets engaged and Annie is asked to be her maid of honour.  She meets the rest of the bridal party who happens to be a hodgepodge of personalities and together, the bridal party gets into all kinds of mayhem leading up to the wedding.

As a bride, one of the first things you think about is your bridal party.  It could be your sister, cousin or best friend.  Essentially, you choose people who you are going to get along with.  Unlike the movie, you will also need to consider the cohesiveness of the team as a whole.  Will they work well together?  Will they get along?  If everyone in your bridal party can all get along, then kudos to you.  You absolutely need the support of your bridesmaids.  However, there is always the possibility that not everyone will get along - especially if you're mixing people who have never met each other before.  The  key is to choose people who you not only get along with, but also who you think will get along with the rest of the group.

Basically, each member has a responsibility to be able to work in a group.  For example, planning your bridal shower.  Typically, it is the maid of honour who takes the lead and plans the shower, while the rest of the bridesmaids work together to execute it.   To give you a better idea, some of those responsibilities include the following, according to Perfect Wedding Day:

- Help the bride with the planning of the wedding
- They help the bride with errands on the wedding day.
- Helps decorate ceremony if necessary.
- They help with organising or assisting with hair and make-up.
- Helps with or the making of table decorations and or diy wedding crafts.
- Helps with arranging wedding favours or bombonniere.
- Helps maid or matron of honour with Hens night and bridal shower.
- Bridesmaids pay for their own wedding attire and accessories.
- They pay for travel expenses and accommodation during the celebration.
- They attend pre-wedding parties.
- Attend ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

At the end of the day, what really matters is that the people you have chosen are those who will take on the responsibilities as a bridesmaid and will support you every step of the way.  After all, they are there to make your life easier during this time. 

{ To Get Inked or Not? }

Weddding bands are a recognizable symbol of eternal love between two people joined together by marriage.  It began in ancient Eygyptian history using creative ways to make the rings to signify their love for one another.  For example, papyrus were twisted and braided into rings for fingers.  Later, rings were made of metal, which was the preferred choice by many couples.  

However, what if you wanted to go the non-traditional route and permanently ink your wedding band on your ring finger instead?  After all, it does symbolize permanence and commitment, much like your marriage.  And it is cheaper and you don't have to worry about scuffing or losing it.  The best part of all is that you can design any style of ring on your and your partners finger. 

Via Weddingbee



Via Weddingbee

But before you jump on the wedding ring tattoo bandwagon, like any other tattoo, you need to consider many things.  According to Everything-Wedding-Rings, wedding ring tattoo is not as easy as it looks; if the wrong type of tattoo design is chosen, or the tattoo artist is not experienced with ring finger tattoos, your tattoos could end up looking like a blurry mess.  Their best advice is to find a competent artist, choose a design that will look good on a finger, make sure the artist uses sterile procedures, take good care of the tattoo, and always be sure you really want the tattoo. If you have any doubts at all don't go through with it.

{ A Night with Peter Merry }

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Merry, author of "The Best Wedding Reception...Ever!".  It was an interactive and casual dinner with other local DJ's and wedding planners.  For those who don't know who he is, Peter is a world renowned DJ from California, who helps couples create fun and entertaining wedding receptions.  His down-to-earth and humourous personality is what makes him unique.  He is not only a DJ and author but is also a speaker on wedding entertainment, and was even a guest on Oprah.

During dinner, he spoke about passion and how it leads to our own success.  So long as we are continually reminded of this passion, we will continue to be successful at whatever we do.  Each of us then had a chance to talk about our own passion and our own experiences.  It was great to hear other people's stories. 

The experience was just motivational and inspiring.  In addition to having that passion for what we do, I also learned that wedding receptions are not only about the linens, and the flowers, and the decor.  The music is equally as important, and sadly sometimes, it is overlooked.  Music does wonders.  It creates the mood, the energy but can also be a creative way to creating lasting memories with those you love. 

For more information on Peter, please visit his website at http://www.petermerry.com/.

{ Sam + Kevin Get Engaged }

Congratulations to my very good friends Sam and Kevin on their engagement!!  Both are avid travellers and adventurers, so it was fitting that Kevin proposed while skydiving in the beautiful Niagara region. 

Let the planning begin!!

{ Unique Seating Cards }

There are a number of ways to let your guests know where they will be seated at your wedding.  In today's age, more and more couples are opting for other fun and unqiue ways to seat their guests.

Instead of your typical name and table number or seating chart, which we've seen at many weddings, why not make it a bit personal by using a photo of them.

Via Moo

Here's another one, entitled "Find Your Face".

Via Weddingbee

And an even elaborate way of placing picture seating cards.

Via Lucia Paul Design

Now how neat is that?

Another great idea is the use of fortune tellers.  Who didn't love these when they were kids?  I still do, actually.  Guests can locate their name and then have the fortune teller give them their table number.  This also makes an awesome favour. 

Via Libby James

For a whimsical, carnival-fair type of wedding, you can also use balloons and have your guests pop the balloons as soon as they find their table number.

Via 100 Layer Cake

Via 100 Layer Cake

These are not only unique and creative ideas for seating cards but they are also fun and entertaining, which I'm sure your guests will talk about for years to come.   

{ Inspiration: Beauty and the Aviator }

As I was watching the airshow at the Canadian National Exhibition yesterday, it got me thinking - Aviator-themed wedding.  When you mix vintage glam with the classic warplanes from the 1940's, it creates an awe-inspiring theme, especially if your hubby is into planes.  Soft pink colours would go perfect with this theme, and if you're bold with colours then add a contrast of espresso brown or black to go with it. 

Here's my inspiration board entitled "Beauty and the Aviator".

{ Mary Ann + Mike Get Married }

I had the pleasure of coordinating Mary Ann and Mike's wedding this past Saturday.  They were an awesome couple to work with and their wedding turned out to be absolutely beautiful.  From the moment the stunning bride walked out of the limo, I knew that it was going to be a great and memorable wedding.  Their blue-themed wedding was a huge success - from the Church ceremony to the antipasto bar to start the night, to the Mo Town Boys band serenading the wedding party and guests during dinner, right down to the chocolate fondue and live waffle cake stations during late night desserts.  I'll let the pictures (amateur shots) speak for themselves.

 

Yummy Antipasto Bar

Me and my lovely assistant

Cake Time!

Congratulations to Mary Ann + Mike!!  Thank you for making me a part of your special day.

Of course we could not have done it without the rest of the team.

Venue: Le Jardin
Church: St. Mary Immaculate Church
Decorator: Plan B Event Solutions
DJ: Good Vibrations
Florist: Toronto Florists Shop
Limo: Masi Limousine
Photographer: BoyGirl Photography Studio
Videographer: John's Video Productions
Band: St. Kitts Music Inc. (Mo Town Boys)

{ DIY: A Piece of Cake Pop }

In the midst of the cake pop trend, I decided to try and make it for my son’s first birthday party.  After researching online and watching many YouTube instructional video’s, I thought it would be a piece of cake.  I had to make about 130 cake pops for each of our guests, but ended up making about 200. Wowzers!  Luckily, my good friend was there to help me out the night before.  My kitchen was a complete mess and there was melted blue chocolate everywhere.  The theme of the birthday party was Lilo & Stitch.  

At the end of it, I learned that as simple as it is to make, it’s also very labourous when you’re making that many cake pops the night before.  It didn't turn out as smooth and pretty like how the professionals do it, but needless to say, it was a huge success and all of our guests loved it.  


Below are a few more pics of things I created for the party.