A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE (wedding) THINGS

(at the moment)

© Melissa Nowakowski February 2010


Here are just a few things that as a wedding planner I'm totally lovin' right now...



GRANNY'S BRIDAL BOOTS!

Bright coloured wedding heels? Done. Bringing back vintage class? Brilliant!

Whether they're Bridal-Bliss white or doused in vibrant colour like red and pink, Granny boots are not just a chic alternative to the classic white pump but are also a fun, edgy pair of kicks that you can wear again and again long after the wedding.

RINGS OF HOPE: GIFTS THAT JUST KEEP ON GIVING

As a thank you to your bridal buds, give something that they'll not only cherish as a memento of your big day but they'll feel good wearing too! The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's Rings of Hope, designed by Delavaux Jewelry, come in a variety of gorgeous styles. Priced at $39.99, a whopping $20 goes directly to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Delavaux Jewelry

THE SAX: TOSS THE STRING QUARTET TO THE WIND!

Yes, wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours seem to be synonymous with string quartets, harpists and pianists (even solo guitarists are becoming a huge trend). But why go for the ordinary when you can walk down the aisle to the smooth, sexy sound of a saxophone? Think slow and soulful as you stroll down the white carpet and sophisticated, cool jazz during the cocktail hour. Loving it yet? Us too!

YELLOW & TURQUOISE: BRIDAL AND BOLD!

Fun, vibrant and chic, yellow and turquoise adds a bit of everything to any occasion! Whether you're going for 'sweet and charming' like this shower featured on Style Me Pretty or sophisticated and sassy, the yellow and turquoise combination provides an abundance of style options.

Photo by Westpark Photo

THE STRONG, SILENT TYPE: SILENT VIDEO MONTAGE!

That slide show featuring each of you growing up and then your journey together as a couple? I bet you can count on both hands how many times you've seen that at weddings you've attended!

Think beyond stills and create a tribute that's much more engaging and doesn't force your guests to sit through a ten minute array of photographs -- do a silent video montage!

No, I'm not talking Charlie Chaplin style. Collect any videos from friends and family that capture the two of you together -- whether funny, sweet or just a glimpse -- or take some time once a month over the next year of planning to videotape yourselves doing fun (or even everyday) things. Combine those videos with a few beautiful colour and black-and-white photos of you. Play the video on-screen during dinner or the cocktail hour as a SILENT FILM and voila! A testament to the two of you that is animated, beautiful, (sometimes hilarious depending on the footage) and reality TV at its best!

Photo courtesy of Buzz Sugar

ALL THINGS BUTTONED-UP!

Ok, button bouquets and centerpieces are no longer "unique" as they've been picking up momentum as a huge trend, but gosh darn it! I still love 'em! Quirky, colourful and super Eco-chic, button bouquets and/or centerpieces add whimsy and wit to any occasion -- especially weddings where flowers are considered a "staple".

Photo courtesy of Princess Laserton

Photo courtesy of Bliss Tree

TICKLE ME WITH FEATHERED HAIRPIECES!

This planner is a huge fan of all things nontraditional which is why I get excited when a bride opts for a feathered headpiece or fascinator. Whether its big and fluffy or small and colourful, feathers can add that extra "oomph" to a wedding gown or bridesmaid dress while keeping the romance and style.

Photo courtesy of Style Hive

GOODIES FOR THE GROOM: CUSTOMIZED BUTTONIERRES

I've written about these bad boys before and I'm still head over heels for them! Forget the traditional buttonierres of matching flowers for the Groom and give him something he'll be stoked to wear and will want to keep long after the Big Day is over! Fritts Rosenow creates customized bespoke buttonierres customized to pretty much any male-oriented interest out there. Ranging from $25 to $125 each (depending on the materials used), these buttonierres are not just completely original but they're a conversation piece all their own.

Photo courtesy of Fritts Rosenow

A NOTE ABOUT CREATIVITY

© Melissa Nowakowski February 2010

So this planner recently put out a call on Twitter asking fellow tweeters what they'd like to read on the Et Lofte Blog next. Wedding_Crasher posted "What do you love about [being a planner]".


While there are many things that I love about my profession, here's the point-blank answer: the creativity.


creativity (noun): Ability to produce something new through imaginative skill, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form.


Yes, taking on the challenge of, and having the ability to, make a client's lifetime vision a reality is quite rewarding. But there's nothing more rewarding to this planner than having the opportunity to get creative and produce an event that's well beyond that vision.


Now when I say "creativity" I don't mean looking for a concept in a magazine/blog/web site or taking an idea from a previous event I had done and replicating it. To me, that is not being creative. That is being inspired.


True creativity, I believe, comes from the depths of your own imagination. It's the drumming up of an innovative idea (or surpassing an existing one by largely tweaking it until it IS innovative).


It's the originality of thinking that will leave a lasting impression not just in your clients' minds but your own.


It's the ability and desire to take on the challenge of outdoing yourself with every idea you conjure up.


It's the not being limited by the same-old-same old rules or being afraid of contradiction, imbalance or being brazen in your approach to problems or ideas.


Creativity is truly the drive in my profession and what I look forward to with each and every client with whom I have the privilege of working.