Blog

First things first, thanks to everyone for the support in 2011. It was a fantastic year in which I met tons of amazing couples and their families. It was filled with beautiful moments and weddings that took my breath away. When I created my website I included a blog but unfortunately didn't really get into the blogging. With 2012 here, I decided it is time to kick off my blogging (well that and that fact that lots of people have been telling me to 'blog' because they want to read what I have to say....so here's holding them to it!).

So, my promise to you now is to blog more frequently and to provide my insight into all things wedding. I’m really looking forward to it and I hope that you will enjoy reading my entries and come back for more. I am also excited to feature some vendors and venues that I work with here in Tofino and Ucluelet throughout the next several months. Check back when you can as I really want you to meet them, but for now onto my first topic: Save the Dates.

Save the Dates are great to do especially for Destination Weddings as your guests will need to be thinking of booking off their holiday time and their accommodations. You can create your Save the Dates once you have chosen your location i.e. Tofino or Ucluelet, and your wedding date. There are so many different things you can do for your Save the Date but what is important to think about is your theme and style for your wedding, as typically the Save the Dates are the first visual piece that your guests will receive. So, it is nice to begin to weave a common visual thread that you can continue throughout all your wedding elements. It will help set the stage for what is to come and hopefully be a true reflection of you as a couple and your style. For example, I am working with an amazing couple, Marni & Mandy who have chosen a vintage theme for their small intimate wedding here in Tofino and so they have chosen a Save the Date postcard that embodies that look and feel through its wording and its design. I have to give a shout out here to them as they were two of the people delicately telling me that "I NEED TO BLOG" and that if I do they will be followers….so M & M, here it is. This one is for you! Thanks for the inspiration

An advantage to doing Save the Dates is that you then have more time to work on your invitations as you would not have to send those out until 3 or 4 months in advance. If you choose to forgo the Save the Dates then you would want to send out the invitations as soon as possible so that your guests can make the necessary arrangements.

In terms of ways to get creative with your Save the Date, here is a link to an article I read in January that I wanted to share with you.

http://www.bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-invitations-stationery/photo-save-the-dates

The idea of a photo Save the Date card is becoming popular and works especially well with a Tofino or Ucluelet Wedding as the scenery here is stunning! If you have a chance to come out here and do some site visits etc., it is a perfect time to take a photo for your Save the Dates. Tip: You could also schedule engagement photos with a potential photographer and have your Save the Date shots done as part of it. You could be in the rainforest or on the beach! What I liked about these photo ideas was that the actual “Save the Date info” was all within the photo and done in a creative way so that it is part of the picture. Another couple I am working with, Katrina and Jeremy did just this when they were in Tofino last by writing their date and names in the sand and they also included their dog in the photo. Lisa and Geoff took a shot of their wedding location and graphically edited it for a different look, all with great results!

All that you need to have on your Save the Date is your wedding date, location i.e. Tofino or Ucluelet, your first names (Bride’s goes first) and you can also include ‘formal invitation to follow’ and if you are doing a wedding website then it helps to include the web address on the Save the Date as well. (If you do include your website address, then it is important to ensure that you allocate the amount of time needed to have your wedding website up and running prior to guests receiving their Save the Dates).

Many couples are choosing to forgo the paper Save the Dates and instead are thinking about doing it via email with a formal stationary invitation to follow. This is a great route to go and there are some fabulous and easy to use online options for electronic versions of Save the Dates. I definitely recommend using an online version rather than using regular email. Sites such as www.pingg.com give you a lot of options that will enable you to still infuse your personality, style and theme. Another site is www.greenvelope.com which is not only environmentally friendly but also supports and contributes to charities when you use their products. Ginette & Kelly who are going completely eco-friendly for their wedding here in Tofino, used Greenvelope. It not only fit with their vision and theme, but looked beautiful too! You can use their templates, upload your own design or work with one of their designers. It is a US based company so I am continually looking for Canadian companies that provide similar options too. Speaking of Canadian companies, here is another great option if you want to go a different ‘green’ route www.botanicalpaperworks.com I have had a number of couples use this company with great results both in regards to ordering and shipping. I love the plantable paper and it fits really well with Tofino and Ucluelet too. I initially had a hard time with the plantable paper as the ones that I would see did not really match my style or most of the couples’ styles that I work with. It always seemed that you had to forgo cool graphics/design with the plantable paper but that is not the case. Botanical Paperworks has come up with newer, fresher designs that I am liking (and you don’t feel like you are compromising). They have an entire wedding collection with Save the Dates, invitations, wedding favours, place cards, thank you cards etc. They make weaving the theme and style throughout all of your stationary elements really easy.

The last thing I want to leave you with brings us back to the online versions of Save the Dates. When researching the various sites for your wedding, be sure to check to see if they send out advertisements with your ecard/invite. If they do not post any notice about advertisements or upgrades then I recommend that you send a test version to your own email to see what pops up. (After all, you want your guests to know about your wedding not the latest BBQ Sauce on the market!). Most will have the option to upgrade to premium which gives you a lot more options such as more design options, a digital envelope feature, web/event page. It also helps support the artists and guarantees that your wedding Save the Date will arrive in your guests email box advertisement free. Whatever you decide to do for your Save the Date, just remember to have fun doing it together!

Happy Creating…..thanks for reading. S.

With the Royal Wedding only hours away I can't help but turn on the television to see all the preparations. There is definitely a sense of excitement at what is to come. What I love about watching it is seeing the set up happening and all the arrangements being made and finalized. I am also curious as to the overall look of the wedding and elements such as flowers and wedding music that they are anticipating will be a part of the wedding ceremony. Check out the official website for more information http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/ 

Although this is a large event on a grand scale the elements within the wedding are the same for all sizes of weddings; guest list, family, flowers, music, dress, attire, jewellry, transportation, canapes, drink, decor, ceremony, reception, seating charts, hair, makeup, event rentals, plateware, wedding party, and wedding vows. There is also all the plans and preparations being considered for whatever the weather brings to ensure that there is no effect on the beauty and romance of the royal wedding! Plans for all sorts of weather is very important so that couples do not have to worry what mother nature does that day. Planning weddings here on the west coast, I always ensure I have plan b that is just as beautiful as plan a for couples.

Just like every bride, I am sure that Kate is both nervous and excited for her walk down the aisle. For this young couple with the eyes of the world on them, I really hope that they find some precious moments to be by themselves following their ceremony. It is such an important part of the wedding day and so often couples forget to actually take the time to cherish the moments together (alone) after becoming husband and wife.....it is a hard thing to do when you have so many family and friends but it is so important after all the planning and preparations to actually be able to enjoy it together, be present and take it all in.....with the millions or billions watching Kate & William it may not seem possible but I hope their planners have allowed for that private time. The day will go by so fast for them and really is once in a lifetime! or we can only hope.

Planning a destination wedding is perfect for many couples as it gives you and your guests a chance to experience new places and spend quality time together in celebration of your marriage to each other. Tofino and Ucluelet are amazing places for a destination wedding. Another location that Rare Earth Weddings is looking at for Canadian couples is Hawaii for the months of January and February each year. I am currently in Maui scoping out unique and beautiful locations for potential ceremony, reception and accommodation sites for couples looking to get married. Maui is beautiful and has all the amenities. There are a number of resorts as well as vacation rentals that are available. My goal is to find the ones for every budget and also to find the gems that provide rare and unique eco-inspired spaces and experiences for every couple and their guests. Whether it be an elopement or a wedding of 60 close friends and family.

Another island that I am heading to over the next couple of weeks is Kauai as I heard from friends in Tofino that it is very similar to the West Coast with a rugged, natural beauty that inspires romance and adventure. So, I will be island hopping by plane from Maui to Kauai to find those special places....I look forward to posting some great finds! Until then, Mahalo for visiting Rare Earth Weddings website.  

Wow, it is hard to believe how fast time goes by. Another year is almost upon us. The holidays are a time for family and friends and to celebrate with those we love. I am currently sitting in Winnipeg surrounded by family and I can't help but think about all the amazing couples I met in 2010 who were married in Tofino and Ucluelet. I was so honoured to be a part of their weddings and am so happy to know that they are now enjoying their first married Christmas together! To everyone, I want to say "Happy Holidays" and all the very best in 2011! 

Tofino, the place I live is so beautiful and I am so lucky to live in Canada, have food on the table, a roof over my head, access to clean water and education and a family to support me if ever needed. Unfortunately not everyone in the world has this, in fact the majority don't so on behalf of my business I have taken on a 30 hour challenge in show of global solidarity to raise funds for an organization that I have been involved with over the years "VIDEA". Our Rare Earth team is on our way to reaching our goal of $2,000! Our fasting has begun and pledges are still coming. On the ground I have seen schools being built, community gardens, clean water wells, teacher education, orphan support programs etc. More importantly, I have seen how VIDEA works with local NGO's such as Women For Change in Zambia Africa so that it is them talking with their communities on human rights, gender development and income generation versus us telling them how we think they should do things.....I like this approach and have seen it work and be sustainable. I am happy to be fasting for 30 hours but sad at the same time as it really brings home how fortunate I am as I can just go to a tap and get my drinking water versus walking miles and when the 30 hours is up I can just go to my fridge and get food or over to a restaurant when so many people can't. But, we have to start somewhere and give where we can. For couples getting married there are a number of awesome options for giving. In fact, a lovely bride who is getting married here soon has asked her guests to donate to an organization she and her husband support, rather than give traditional wedding gifts. Another couple married here last year donated to their organization on behalf of their wedding guests rather than giving favours. Every little bit counts! Thanks to everyone for your support! To find out more about VIDEA and the 30 hour challenge for global solidarity visit www.videa.ca - you can check out our RARE EARTH progress on our team page. http://30hours.videa.ca/videa/teampage.asp?fundid=43  All the best to you and your families. "Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice." - Nelson Mandela

Wow, summer is here and it is gorgeous in Tofino! Just this past weekend I was sitting on the beach at Cox Bay and was surrounded by not only the beauty of the place but surfers hitting the waves, musicians chilling on the beach singing and playing bongo drums and acoustic guitar, families flying kites and couples walking hand in hand enjoying the sunshine. I myself, sat and took it all in. Tofino also had a great Canada Day celebration with a skate comp and fireworks by the harbour. For those of you getting married here in July or just visiting, I wish you a great holiday and look forward to welcoming you back to the West Coast....because once you have been here you will want to come back! I am really looking forward to Victoria & Jason's wedding here on the 24th of July right on Cox Bay. See you all soon!

A helpful tip is to always be aware of the tides when planning your beach wedding.  Read more about tides on our Helpful Tips page.

Here's just a few simple money saving tips to help you can cut down on your wedding expenses:

Money-Saving Tips

1. Trim Your Wedding Guest List

This tip may be the largest and perhaps the most difficult of them all, but offers the greatest potential savings because each time you add a name to your invitation list you're increasing your budget significantly. It's not just the catering costs, but also the extra centerpieces, favors, rentals, etc.

2. Off season Wedding

Having your wedding during the “off season” can help save money too. The most popular months for weddings in Tofino & Ucluelet are July and August. Most locations will lower prices during the months that are slower to fill up their calendars. Ask for the price list for the entire year and also find out the dates that are open. Try be flexible and not have your heart set on a date.

3. Wedding Favours?

Wedding Favours Wedding favors can be a thoughtful way of saying thank you to your guests, but far too often they are a big expense that provides minimal meaning or value for your guests.

If you`re heart is set on providing your guests with a wedding favour you may want to consider making a small donation to a charity or include favours that are personal to the you and the groom. You might make a CD of your favourite songs....

4. Reconsider your wedding party size

If you are inviting lots of guests, it makes more sense to have a large wedding party, but before you start adding loads of peeps to your party consider the associated costs. Even if you're not paying for the wedding party's attire, each of those attendants requires a bouquet or boutonniere, a thank you gift, and an invitation to the rehearsal dinner and other parties. You're potentially talking about hundreds of dollars.

Give some of your friends and loved ones different roles in the wedding. Consider asking them to read during the ceremony or give them a special role at the reception. You might even just thank them in the program for helping to support you during the wedding planning process.

We know the ins and outs and have lots of tricks up our sleeves to help save you money. In many cases, saving you up to 10-20% of your wedding budget.

5. Sticking to the Budget

Once you set a budget, it's easy to fall into the romance of the day and start adding a few more decorations here and there - before you know it, you've spent far more than you planned. Rare Earth will help you set a budget - and stick to it. We'll give you pointers on what percentage of your budget should go to each aspect of your wedding, from music, to flowers, to decorations.

6. Help from a wedding consultant -  Industry Contacts and Money saving ideas

Wedding consultants work in the wedding and events industry. They know just which baker to go to for the most delicious frosting; they know which venues are good for rain or shine. They also know which photographer will give you the best value or the most artistic touch. Your wedding planner works with these contacts all year long, and should have positive relationships with many members of the community whose services you need.

Wedding consultants are so familiar with wedding ceremonies and receptions, that they have developed lots of ways of locating good value. Your wedding consultant is a pro and will have lots of tricks up her sleeve to help save you money. In many cases, wedding planners can save you 10-20% off the list price because they have an established relationship with providers.

Hey there, well here is my first blog on the new site. Pretty funny how it is about the guests versus the bride and groom but in reality weddings are about having a great time and having a celebration that your guests enjoy too! So here is some tips for your guests to make the most of your wedding!

FOR GUESTS: Here are 5 excellent tips you can try during our wedding to contribute a positive burst of energy to the event:

1. Arrive On Time for the Ceremony

Our Wedding is a big party, but there is also a little part in the beginning where we make a deep commitment to spend the rest of our lives together. This is a great time to reflect, with gratitude, on the relationships you have going on in your life. Remember, this is why we invited you, to see us tie the knot, and not just for the open bar...haha!

2. Eat the Cake

The cake is the physical manifestation of the party: it’s going to be lavish, decadent, and made with great care. Ditch your diet for the night and have a piece or two and relish in the sugary delight of our marriage!

3. Make It a Celebration For You Too!

Our Wedding is not just a festivity for us. In fact, we highly recommend taking this time and make it a special occasion for you as well. If you are married, make it a long weekend with your spouse. Make it more meaningful by planning a few dinners or spa packages. Remember, Weddings are events that bring people together, so make the most of it!! Make it a mini-vacation!

4. Dance With Our Relatives

Our grandparents, great uncles, and great aunts are here to have a good time too! They are our elders and they will probably be the happiest and most fulfilled people at our Wedding. So grab Aunt Izzy or Grandpa Jimmy and have a whirl with them. Their gratitude will certainly rub off and you might even learn something interesting about the history of our families.

5. Be the Last People to Leave

Staying until the last song is sung will allow you more time to stay in celebration mode. Where are you rushing off to anyway? Hang out and dance, eat and talk with friends as long as you can. Remember, this day is really all about us...and being the last people to leave shows that you really enjoyed yourself and that our party was a success...haha!