POST-IT NOTE NINE: Cash bar. Include this on the Invite or Surprise Your Guests? Discuss.

Before we get started on our 9th Post-It...we would just like to apologize for being a little on the MIA side this past week. Apparently, life has smacked us in the face.

Now that that is out of the way, let's talk about SURPRISE cash bars. Everyone always loves a good surprise. Right? A surprise bachelorette party, a surprise bridal shower, maybe even a surprise wedding present...How's this for a surprise? You get a beautiful invitation in the mail. A lovely summer wedding is on your horizon, yay! Hotel information is included as are the standard directions to the venue and the typical who? what? when? why? where? Any hints on what the surprise is yet? Nope, we do not see it either...

That wedding sure has crept up fast. You walk into the reception room after an intimate and romantic ceremony, drop your envelop in the card box and continue onto find your seat when the best man walks up to you. (Hint hint: surprise is approaching.)

"Here are your drink tickets, you're at table 16!"

Drink tickets? Oh no. SURPRISE!! There was no mention of a cash bar on the invitation! And, you are sporting a very cute new clutch purse that is too tiny for all your credit cards. To make matters worse, you just put all your cash in that envelop! What to do?

**Allow ourselves to interrupt ... ourselves and clarify that we are in no way, shape or form condemning the cash bar. This option is a real money-saver and if photography or the meal are important to you, the bar is certainly a place to cut costs.

So now back to what do you do? Unless you're willing to ask friends for a loan, you'll just have to grin and bear it. No, going back into your gift envelope is not an option even though you may be dying for that rum and coke.

This is one of the prime reasons that you should always notify your guests that they will be coming to a wedding with a cash bar. The other reason, is that some people will base the amount of their monetary gift on the price of their plate. The last reason, is that if people know about the cash bar beforehand, they can plan ahead and bring a bigger purse ;) It alleviates stress & your guests will feel more at ease.

Bottom line. Always. Notify. Your. Guests.

DISCLAIMER: Any similarity to real life events is purely coincidental.

Remember Those Awesome Contests??? SUBMIT AN ENTRY!

Contest Numero Uno: "They're Playing Our Song"

Who: BeeBrothers Music
What: A free custom wedding song
When: Deadline to enter - June 25th, 2010
How: All you need to do is provide The Nuptial Notebook with one picture of the bride and groom to be, a little sentence explaining why this is your fav picture and email it to us at info@thenuptialnotebook.com

Contest Numero Dos: Free Photography

Who: Wrinkle in Time Photography
What: A free engagement or wedding shoot
When: Deadline to enter - July 1, 2010
How: All you need to do is provide The Nuptial Notebook with a short note explaining why you and your hubby to be deserve this wonderful opportunity for a free shoot. Email it to us at info@thenuptialnotebook.com

Enter now people! These are some AMAZING, SUPER, MAJOR VALUE prizes. Plus, you will have them for a lifetime. You will be reaping the rewards on your 50th wedding anniversary...

We Heart Etsy for all Your Bridal (and Non-Bridal) Needs

Oh boy, do we have a little gem for you...Are you looking for accesories for your wedding day? Perhaps a hair piece or a necklace? Do you need gifts for your Bridesmaids? Well.....let us introduce you to ETSY!

Think of an awesome flea market combined with a vintage store, now add an arts and crafts flavor...ahh...the wonder we like to call Etsy. Basically, Etsy is like the Ebay of handmade goods and vintage finds. It is an online store for people to sell the items that they make or have collected over time. You can find anything here from a to z....wedding invites, save the dates, decorations, wedding party gifts, etc, etc, etc.

The one stop shop: ETSY. We strongly recommend it for all Brides and non Brides alike.

Hair comb by Lottiedadesigns

Earrings by Lottiedadesigns

Necklace by Elephantine Jewelry

Vintage Gift Tags by NoSugarExtraCream

Vintage Ball Mason Jars by Whippoorwheel

Tissue Poms by Prosttothehost

We likey alotty. Do yourself a solid.....Check it out already!

WIN FREE (yes...FREE) PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

If anyone believes in love at first sight it's Tatjiana and Charles. They are the two photographers that make up Wrinkle in Time Photography based in New York City. They met and married within three months and their romantic outlook is captured in every engagement or wedding they shoot. Now here is a question, why is this awesome for YOU????

Wrinkle in Time Photography will award to a lucky couple...get ready for it...either a free engagement shoot or free wedding photography. Would you like me to repeat?

FREE ENGAGEMENT SHOOT OR FREE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY!!!!!!

To enter the contest you must simply tell us why you are deserving of this awesome prize.

Email us at info@thenuptialnotebook.com before July 1, 2010.

**To be eligble to win you must be available to shoot with Wrinkle in Time Photography between July 12th and July 18th, 2010 in Montreal**

Win a Free Custom Wedding Song! That is Right We Said FREEEEEEE!

The Nuptial Notebook & BeeBrothers Music

Are Thrilled to Announce ...

“They’re Playing Our Song” Contest

WIN! WIN! WIN!

A beautiful song written especially for your wedding!

The lyrics, the music, the CD package all celebrating your special day!

**Courtesy of BeeBrothers Music**

Simply submit your favorite photo of the happy couple to info@thenuptialnotebook.com .

Be sure to include a line or two about the pic and why it's your fav!

Anyone can enter; bride, groom, mother of the bride etc!

Please note that submissions may end up on the blog. Whatever, you'll be famous!

Contest entry deadline June 25th, 2010

Introducing BeeBrothers Music: Unique & Personal Wedding Songs and More....

Let's set the scene. It's a soft summer's eve, the stars twinkle from above and you're staring into your new husband's eyes. You, in your beautiful white dress, him in a strapping 3-piece suit and the intimate sounds of an original song playing in the background. Maybe something like this....Sweet Forever.

Imagine a personal wedding song created to celebrate the bride, the groom, their first dance; perhaps for the Father/Daughter dance, Mother/Son dance, even for the proud parents! And imagine, years from now, curling up with a book of treasured wedding photos with your song playing in the background.

Recent winners of the Indie International Songwriting Competition, BeeBrothers founder Steve McNally and his brother Ernie have been writing meaningful songs together for over 30 years. Thrown into the mix is professional graphic designer Barbara Ballantyne. Her artistic talent and flare for presentation is obvious when you hold the beautiful keepsake packaging in your hands. Since forming BeeBrothers Music in 2007 this talented trio has been commissioned to create over 30 personal songs - from weddings to anniversaries to simple gifts of love.

Using your insights and information BeeBrothers Music can make this a reality. They will create a unique original song that will tell your romantic story. Your song will be professionally recorded complete with a custom designed CD package making your wedding even more special and unique. This will be a song just for you and/or someone you love, written, sung and performed in your favourite musical style, Sinatra anyone? The inspiration for the words, music, and the CD package will be entirely influenced by you.

BeeBrothers Music can offer a variety of ways to share this unique gift:

-An intimate gift for the Bride and Groom to share alone together
-A special song for the Bride and Groom’s first dance
-A wedding gift for the new couple, played at their reception
-As gifts of appreciation to the Mother of the Groom and/or the Father of the Bride
for their first dance
-Wedding Favours/Bonbonnieres available so everyone who attends the wedding gets a copy of the song on a CD to have as a keepsake.

AND GUESS WHAT? ONE LUCKY COUPLE WILL WIN A FREE SONG!!

See next post for details...

It's All in the Details! Shower Theme: Nest Egg!

It's all shower all the time on today's Nuptial Notebook. These gorgeous pictures below showcase another beautiful bridal shower shot by Photohouse Montreal. If you like anything you see below, including Photohouse's amazing eye, contact us at info@thenuptialnotebook.com for more information. PS- Scroll down for more shower ideas in today's Post-It Note!

It's All in the Details! Shower Theme: High Tea

-Mmmm, this tea is simply delectable, Margaret. -Yes quite, Bessy!

-My word Bessy, aren't these amateur photographs quite the display of an authentic "High Tea themed bridal shower"! -Yes, I do concur Margaret!

Now that Margaret & Bessy have finished their rude interruptive chit chat, take a gander at these!

Drink up ladies! Nice facinators!

POST-IT NOTE EIGHT: Bridal Shower Decor. Yikes or Yay? Discuss.

Today's Post-It Note will focus on one aspect of the Bridal Shower aka the Mini Wedding. Our first shower-related post will be dedicated to our favorite aspect of the shower: The Decor. For some (S1) this is a huge undertaking, for others (S2), it is like finding that delicious piece of chocolate that melts in your mouth and incites a reaction of orgasmic proportions. Slowly, softly, gently we're breaking it down;

1) Pick a theme. It can be any theme but have the bride in mind. If she likes flowers and tea, an S&M themed shower might not go over so well. Also, bear in mind that a lunch is not served at 4pm. Theme and time will coincide inevitably. Here are some examples:
-Afternoon Tea Party
-Time of the Day (every guest brings a gift based on a time of day they were given)
-Room (every guest brings a gift based on a room in the house)
-Wine (gifts related to all things wine and cheese)
-Naughty & Nice (ohhh lala, The Nuptial Notebook is spicy today! Guests bring a "naughty gift" for the honeymoon & a "nice" gift to show your mother in law...)
-Bed & Breakfast (gifts are bedroom related and breakfast is served)
-Lingerie (obvious)
-Color Theme (guests & gifts & decor is all the same color)
-Travel Shower (S1 threw a shower for a couple that were living on separate continents but had been to many countries together. Decor included vintage travel posters from those countries. Invitations were mini passports complete with the bride's picture. Food served were dishes from the various countries featured at the shower...Hmmm a Lindt bar!)
...the shower theme is endless.

2) Establish how much of your budget will be spent on decorations.

3) Search garage sales, Ikea, flea markets, local craft stores...basically anywhere but keep your eye open and remember how much we love Michael's. Ottawa is only 2 hours away...Or 1.5...whatever.

** Notebook Note**
When decorating for an event like this, keep in mind that there is such a thing as too little. The small details really matter and people really notice. It's what makes the event special and memorable not only for the guests but especially for the bride. Taking the time to really personalize the space will be an obvious indication of how much time and effort you've put into the day and will make the bride feel extra special.

4) Leave yourself some substantial time to decorate the space. S2 even took a day off work to make sure everything was done at a leisurely pace without being stressed for S1's GORGEOUS, LOVELY AND PERFECT shower. MOH's don't need wedding acne either!

5) This is a good opportunity to include everyone in the bridal party, especially if some have felt left out to this point. A) Everyone likes feeling included. B) Everyone likes doing stuff with the bride in mind or everyone should do stuff with the bride in mind. C) All of the above.

There are so many components to a bridal shower that you'll have to keep checking back to see pictures and ideas of what can be used. Do you have any suggestions of things you'd like us to discuss? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at info@thenuptialnotebook.com or comment below.

Makeup Me Pretty: Introducing Shannon Traylen aka Makeup Artiste

Have you remembered to book your makeup appointment? No? We didn't think so. Lucky for you, we have just the lady you want to meet! Shannon Traylen is a young and energetic makeup talent that can do any look for your big day. Smokey eyes or a fresh natural glow, either way she can whip up something lovely for you! Wedding acne, no biggie for Shannon. Take a gander at just a few things Shannon can do!

Email us at info@thenuptialnotebook.com for Shannon's contact info.

3 eyelash curlers for Shannon! Woo hoo!

Winter Brides: This One's for You!

Hello all you Winter brides! With "wedding season" upon us, we wouldn't want you to think we've forgotten about your needs! Off season brides deserve just as much attention as all those summer/in season brides!! Enjoy some amateur pics from Barry & Laura's wedding which took place on a lovely sunny, snowy day in Ottawa this past February.

Look to places like Michael's for great DIY toss bouquet design ideas!

These jingle bells were a great way to make the couple smooch! Small seasonal details can really add a subtle touch to the occasion but be careful...blow up Santa's and the Easter Bunny may be a little much at your nuptials.

Lanterns give off a gorgeous light and can provide a romantic feel to any room. In fact, maybe you should sneak one of these puppies back to the honeymoon suite ;) Laura decided to capitalize on the seasonal fruits by adding a splash of color to the lanterns with cranberries and a decorative wreath.

Just because everyone uses flowers in a bridal bouquet doesn't mean you have to, especially if they're out of season. Save yourself the money and be creative, girl! Again, we heart Michael's!

Altar pieces can present an issue and are typically the first thing cut from the floral budget. Think outside the box. Having an altar piece that ties together other elements of your wedding are a great idea. Another option for Laura, could have been big mason jars filled with the same cranberries as the lanterns. Add some lit pillar candles and voila! A cheaper solution to the standard vase with flowers.

Introducing Gat-O! Cake anyone? Mmmmmmmm.

Introducing Gat-O! One of our fave local cake makers! Take a look at these beauties, we can feel our mouths watering already...

Gill Lemessurier can work with any budget, any idea and any occasion. The cakes and cupcakes below were showcased and enjoyed at bridal showers, parties, baptisms and many other cake required events. The best part, is that her prices are completely reasonable! Basically, we love her.

P.S. We have personally tasted many of these tasty delights and can vouch for their yummy deliciousness! 3 Yums for Gill!!

Email us at info@thenuptialnotebook.com for contact information.

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