{ Angie and Ken Get Married }

In addition to working with amazing couples, part of loving my job is also working with amazing vendors.  If I had a dream team, it would have to be the vendors from this wedding.   I wish I could take credit for putting the team together but it was all Angie and Ken.  This couple was hands-on and knew exactly what they wanted for their wedding day.  Did I mention they were a very cute and fun-loving couple?  Indeed they were.  From the moment I first met with them I knew they were perfect for each other, and I could not wait to work with them.

The day was simply magical.  Their ceremony took place at the beautiful and rustic Victoria College Chapel at the University of Toronto, and reception was held at the Crown Prince Restaurant.  It was a traditional yet modern and elegant Chinese wedding reception complete with a lion dance for entertainment.    

Congratulations to Angie & Ken!  I am honoured to be part of your wedding. 

Please click here to enjoy a photo montage of their wedding day courtesy of the uber talented Joee Wong of Joee Wong Photography.  

{ Jim & Geoffrey Get Married }

I know I've been delinquent in keeping up with my blogs.  It's been 11 months since my second son was born and so it's been really hectic in our home.  Not that it's an excuse but having two rambunctious boys, it takes a toll on you.

Anyway, I am back now and as we are near the end of 2012  I thought I would feature each week some of the weddings I did this year.  One memorable wedding I did was a same-sex wedding back in February. I was the day-of coordinator under Bee-mine Weddings.  When I first met with them a few months before their wedding, we hit it off instantly.  They were fun, creative, and just full of life.  I knew that I would enjoy working with them.  

Their story is just an inspiration and very touching.  They were together for a long time before deciding to make it official, and so it was fitting that they celebrated this memorable day on their actual anniversary day and in front of all their friends and family.

Their wedding was elegant and sophisticated, with a royal blue and gold peacock theme.  They were a DIY couple who did almost everything themselves, which was reflected throughout their wedding; from their wedding invitations, to the centrepieces, right down to their wedding favours.

Congratulations to Jim and Geoffrey!  I am honoured to have been a part of your beautiful wedding.  

All photos taken by AJ Messier of AJ Messier Photography.

Starborough KidSports Day

We are happy to announce that J. dela Cruz Weddings & Events will be coordinating the official launch of Prodigy Academy on September 29, 2012.  Please come by and show your support.

"On Saturday September 29, 2012 from 11:00am - 1:00pm, Prodigy Academy will be holding the official launch of its Basketball, Martial Arts, and Soccer program. It will be held at Ellesmere Community Centre at 20 Canadian Road, right across from Costco at Warden Avenue and Ellesmere Avenue.

This annual event is called STARborough KidSports Day, where kids starting from 4 years old get the opportunity to be exposed to high level training in each respective discipline.

This event is registered and held on the

 same day as CBC's Sports Day in Canada and is a national celebration of sport, from grassroots to high-performance levels, in communities across the country. Sports Day in Canada is presented by CBC Sports, ParticipACTION and True Sport and is guided by a committee of national sporting organizations and their networks of coaches, athletes and enthusiasts across the country. It’s an opportunity for all Canadians to celebrate the power of sport to build community, fortify our national spirit and facilitate healthy, active living.

As a start up company we are also using this day to raise funds in order to purchase new equipment, gear, and add a Mathematics program for kids starting from 4 years of age and older. All monies donated go right back into the programs to make them better and affordable for you and your children of the community.

Prodigy Academy hopes to see you there!"

{ A Wedding Remembered }

This month my husband and I will be celebrating our three year wedding anniversary.  It seems just like yesterday when I walked down the aisle and married my best friend.   It was such a whirlwind, yet magical moment for us that I could relive that night over and over again.

I wasn't a certified planner yet at the time but I enjoyed every minute of the planning process. Since my husband and I travelled extensively together and separately, we decided to have a travel-themed wedding.  Instead of table numbers we used vintage travel posters of places we actually travelled to.  We also used vintage luggage as our money box, and instead of table place cards I created boarding passes for each guest which told them where they would be seated.  As I was on a tight budget, we decided to do our centre pieces ourselves.  I bought square vases and arranged a flower vase using different types of white flowers.  If I were to do my wedding all over again, I would probably ditch the DIY centerpiece and have a professional do it instead.  It's a lot of work, especially when you just want to be relaxing on the days leading up to the big day.  

For our favors, we had a photo booth.  This was such a hit for our guests as they kept going back to take more pictures.  And lastly, we hired a live-band, Soular, to keep us entertained for the entire evening.  They were a blast and worth every penny. 

 

With a blink of an eye, three years has passed.  It has been one amazing journey and I look forward to the future with my dear hubby and two handsome boys.  
Happy anniversary!!

{ Is Your Wedding Planner First Aid Trained? }

What’s the worst thing that can happen on your most memorable day of your life? Aside from mismatched linens or melted cake (although that can be one of the worst things that can happen at a wedding, which is a whole other article all together), the other worst thing that can possibly happen on the night of your wedding reception is a guest choking on a piece of meat, or worse, someone having a heart attack. 

Most (or at least some) staff at the venue will be trained in the event of an emergency.  But what if an unfortunate and unforeseen circumstance does occur and none of the staff are available?  That’s when a wedding planner plays a very important role.  Planners are not only planners and coordinators on your special day, but they are also mediators, researchers, a friend.  The list goes on, but more importantly, we are (or should be) trained in Emergency First Aid.   

 

One unfortunate event that I have heard of is where the father-of-the-bride suffered a heart attack during the reception.  It was quick thinking on their wedding planner, who came to the rescue, and luckily he survived the attack.  Although we are not doctors, we can help calm the situation by calling EMS, promoting and preserving life.

 

Being trained in first aid means, being trained at CPR, AED, Heimlich Maneuver, and dealing with other emergency situations.  Having said that, I am happy to announce that I have received training and holds a certificate in CPR and First Aid.

Rebranding

Thought we'd give you an update on J. dela Cruz Weddings & Events.  We are currently in the process of rebranding our logo, blog and hopefully getting our website running as well.  It will take some time to roll it all out but wanted to let you know of the upcoming changes.

It's going to be an exciting time and we look forward to sharing this process with all of you.

Thanks!

{ The Dish on the Newly Renovated Arcadian Court }

A while ago we went to an industry event at the newly renovated Arcadian Court, located on the eighth floor of the Simpson Tower on Bay and Queen Street. The new space, which was formerly a Victorian style, was converted into a modern, art deco space with each room beautifully decorated with flowers and lighting.

Catering was provided by Oliver and Bonacini.  Every room had different food stations, and the sushi station was my favourite station.  I must tell you their food is just divine.  If you haven't tried their food yet, they have lots of restaurants all over Toronto which you can try.  Just recently, they also opened up a cafe restaurant, Bannock, on the ground floor of The Bay, located at the corner of Bay and Queen.

Just upstairs of the main hall there was a sweet station, which was provided by Bobbette and Belle.  Each dessert was simply mouth-watering.

And did I mention they had a photo booth?  You bet we took pictures too.  This is a great favour or interactive addition to any wedding or event.  They are so much fun!

Overall, the new Arcadian Court is a great place for weddings and special events.  It puts chic, romance and elegance all under one roof.

Let J. dela Cruz Weddings & Events help you create the wedding of your dreams.  Contact us today for a quote.

{ My Son's 2nd Birthday Party }

Just recently we celebrated my son's second birthday.  This year we decided to keep it low key and have an intimate party at home.  Since my son loves Franklin the Turtle, I decided that would be the theme.  I kept it colourful by adding balloons.  I also created the banner and placed it behind the food table.

For the lootbags, I used brown paper bags and put in little toys which I purchased from Dollarama and chocolate covered candies.  I then created labels using Franklin the Turtle on it.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the lootbags.  =(

The cake and cupcakes were the star of the show (beside my son, of course) which I had ordered through Patricia Cakes.  Might I say, her cakes are just to die for.  The cake was chocolate with dulce de leche frosting, and the cupcakes were a combination of mocha with chocolate frosting and vanilla with chai latte frosting.  I should also mention that her cakes were featured on many magazines such as WedLuxe and Wedding Bells.  She was also featured on The FoodNetwork.

Here is a picture of my son after enjoying the cake.

{ Old World Meets New World: Marrakesh }

As we have seen in the last few years, the damask pattern ruled and brought us the classic and Victorian look.  It was not only elegant but it also brought back vintage style.

Via 2Modern

As we look forward into 2012, you will see that vintage begins to fade away while a new trend in patterns emerge - Marrakesh.  This pattern not only screams exotic but it encompasses tradition at the same time. 

Infused with a modern twist, you can incorporate this pattern in any room of your house by using bold colours (i.e. wall paper, throw pillows, etc.). 

Via Crave Interiors

It can also be incorporated into your wedding (i.e. table linens, wedding invitations, etc.).

Via Parrot Design Studio

Will you be incorporating the marrakesh pattern into your wedding?

Let J. dela Cruz Weddings & Events help you create the wedding of your dreams.  Contact us today for a quote.