Planning the Reception

Party girls, get ready!  We’re about to plan the biggest social event of the decade - your wedding!  The reception is the key to a perfect wedding day.  It’s where you get to indulge in every flight of fancy you ever dreamed of, from arriving in a Rolls Royce to dancing amid heart-shaped ice sculptures…

           The reception is likely to be the first time you unwind from all the tensions of the last few days, even weeks.  Careful organization of this part of the wedding is essential if you are going to fully relax and enjoy yourself throughout the celebrations. 

The Montreal Science center

Since it follows directly on from the marriage ceremony, the style of the reception should complement and reflect your wedding theme as closely as possible.  Typically, the costs involved for the reception represent about half the entire wedding budget.   While traditionally, the financial responsibility of the reception falls to the parents of the bride, it is not unusual for couples to receive assistance from the groom’s family as well, or to pay all of the expenses themselves. 

                Wedding receptions can vary in style, size and location.  Yours can be as simple as walking from the place of worship to a fellowship hall that’s been decorated for the celebration…or as elaborate as traveling to a nearby setting, where a team of professional staff are at hand to execute the party of a lifetime.  A private club or favourite restaurant might offer the feeling of being at home without any of the hassles, while a swanky hotel has the added convenience of accommodation for out-of-town guests. 

                After you confirm the availability of your chosen reception site by signing a contract and submitting a deposit, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get on with the details….

I love the details!

MCB xo

Life Plans

Is your life in a balance? Are all your appointments and kids activities scheduled? Are your meals for the week planned?  Is your family calendar up-to-date?  

A nursing colleague of mine advised me, "Know your patients well but know your family better." I was working 12 hour shifts, days/nights on rotation  plus every other weekend at the hospital....hardly having any quality time spent with my husband and children.  My kids got ready for school, were picked up afterwards, had supper and prepared for bed with their father- therefore, I wasn't so familiar with THEIR routine. It felt like I was running circles around them and no longer knew them like I used to when they were babies.  My kind colleague also suggested I "Take vitamins and drink lots of water; Prepare kids clothes for the week in piles; Use the slowcooker; Hug hubby and say I love you every single day; and Roll on the grass with the kids and watch them grow.  Lift them up! Child, I know...I've been there.  Be there and lift them up!"  Geez, my tears welled-up and she touched a soft spot in my heart.  That was six months ago...

In the book, "The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here for?" Rick Warren wrote, “Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can't make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time." With that said, I knew I had to make a change...quickly!

I'm the type of person who loves schedules, writing up things-to-do-list, goal-settings and projects (with colourful pens, cute printables and post-its, of course!).  In my mind, I try to plan my days and weeks in advance....and among all things - events are hardly -ever forgotten!  (A passionate event planner indeed!)  2016 started off very well that I couldn't ask for anything more.  I've got my health, my family, my friends, a job, a home, and food to eat.  Yes, it's the simple things that I am grateful for.  I've had disappointments in my life, like everyone else, but only with time did I realize that when things didn't go the way I hoped it would, it simply wasn't "my time" yet.  I've learned through experience that we should never fear change because even if we may lose something good, we'd usually gain something better... 

Here's my update 6 months after I received some words of wisdom: The weddings and events I planned to co-ordinate, later on this year, will have to be shared.  I got hired at the Operating Room department as a Neurosurgery OR Nurse to only work days but my training has been put on hold.  My daily routines at home will need to be modified...however, it's all for a good reason...something better. We are adding a new member into our family.  My husband and I are expecting baby #3 and our kids are just as excited as we are.  So, I've made all these plans for 2016 - but God has bigger and better plans for us...and we can't be more thankful for this gift we've been given.  

As I reflect back on my life- it seems as though timing is everything, and milestones were just being put into place as it should be.  I practice my daily gratitude and write my intentions in life.  Perhaps "The Secret" works -  the law of attraction that claims that positive thinking can create life-changing results such as increased happiness, health, and wealth....with guidance from a Higher Being.  Thank you, God for teaching me how to restore balance by making time for myself and for others.  I appreciate the motivation and harmony I've found within myself. Thank you again and again for all that I have.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans,"

- John Lennon

MCB xo

Weddings: Let's Talk Money

Make the right choices and you'll avoid countless unnecessary complications or upsets as your plans develop.  The two key areas are communication and budget; you and your fiance should know the direction you're going in from the start, and understand the need to keep a close eye on your finances. 

Don't forget your fiance!
It's all too easy for a bride to get wrapped up in her own grand plan, almost completely forgetting to consider her fiance's vision of the Big Day.  This is made easier still by the groom's seeming lack of interest in the finer details. Don't take this as a bad omen - he just hasn't been planning this since he was six years old - but don't cut him out of the process altogether.  There really are aspects that he will (and should) want to have input on, so be sensitive to including him in making those decisions.

Keep it real
make sure you choose something that you are both happy with.  There is no point arranging a beach party if the idea of a hot sun and sand is the bottom of your list for comfort; if you prefer casual get-togethers with friends and family, tuxedos and evening gowns may not be for you.  On the other hand, if you love the idea of  cocktail party, make this your starting point and expand the theme from there.

Don't overdo it
While there is no doubt that it is the sum of all the details that will eventually create the day of your dreams, there's a real danger of going way overboard in your eagerness to create the "perfect" wedding.  Keep the various aspects of your theme simple and make sure there are no hideous clashes.  Rather than trying to have a little of everything, concentrate on liking the ceremony and celebrations with a few key elements for maximum style.

Tips for saving money

• The most obvious consideration is the size of the guest list.  For couples with limited funds, think about hosting a small wedding with just your immediate family and closest friends, and having a special party for your larger circle of friends at a later date.
• The scheduling of your wedding can also have a direct effect on costs if you select off-peak times.  You could choose to be married on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon to avoid the premiums placed on Saturday affairs.  Alternatively, opt for a daytime celebration rather than an evening one and take advantage of serving a brunch or lighter meal at the reception.
• Rather than reaching out to professionals to produce all the elements of your wedding, you can take on some of the parts yourself with the assistance of family and friends.  Enlist the help of your sisters, cousins, and bridesmaids to help out with the simple but laborious tasks.  
• A few words of caution, however, is to not take chances on the quality of what you can do for yourself, especially for the parts of the wedding that are most important to you.  

By making some smart decisions on the front-end, you'll be able to make some money-saving choices that do not compromise your original dreams for your wedding day.

MCB xo

Choosing your wedding vendors

You are going to be hiring a good number of professionals over the next few months - a photographer, a florist, a baker, a stationer, musicians, caterers, a decorator and more.  Simply coordinating them will be a task in itself and there are ways of making your life easier.  

• Always do your homework.  Look through magazines, browse the internet, ask friends and family for recommendations.  Before even picking up the phone, have a very clear idea of the look, sound, flavour of whatever it is you are asking for. 
• Ask to see samples of previous work, certificates or proof of qualifications, commendations from happy customers, magazine articles - anything that confirms you are getting the level of expertise you want. 
• Meet with a wedding planner who's had plenty of experience with several professional vendors. They may also know vendors who are newly graduated who've recently learned the up-to-date technologies and design, but cost less 
• When you are looking for suppliers first time-round, keep the contact details of all your second choices, and put them somewhere that's easy to find.  
• Do not underestimate advice you might get from a pro.  These are the people with experience and it would be a bad thing if they had nothing to contribute to your ideas.  
• Rest assured that you'll know at an early stage whether one supplier or another is going to be reliable or not.  Trust your instinct on this and be firm in your instruction.  You cannot afford to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.  
• Keep a close eye on your budget and stick to it.  Be upfront with all professionals from the very beginning.  Do not be persuaded to increase your budget unless it is for something simply amazing.  
• Agree to a realistic timeframe.  Check other commitments your suppliers may have and make sure they are not going to interfere with yours.  
• Get everything in writing, confirming who is to do what, by when, and include a payment schedule.  
• Remember your priorities: at any given stage of the pla nning process, you'll feel there are a hundred and one details to take care of.  Keep current lists of the tasks at hand and tackle the most important things first, one at a time to keep from becoming flustered. 

MCB xo

Chuck Challenge - Spring Cleaning

My goal for 2016 is to live a more balanced and organized life....especially at home - where we're supposed to be able to relax and re-charge. However, with 2 kids, 2 exhausted adults and a baby on the way... it seems like every time I turn around there’s another pile of dirty dishes to wash, baskets of laundry to fold or put away, and us tripping over toys trying to do it all.

My girlfriends and I decided to do a "Chuck Challenge" for the month of April.  On April 1st, we had to "chuck" 1 thing - whether we donated, recycled, sold or threw it away.  On April 2nd, we "chuck" 2 items and we had to take pics every day to prove it.  Well, a few of us enjoyed tidying up that we were getting rid of more items than we had to ....and it felt great consciously doing so on a daily basis.  We've unanimously agreed to keep on going for the month of May!

These were the highlights of my month: 

On Day 1: My girlfriend said "you don't need a pencil case for all your highlighters---you only need one highlighter!"

On Day 3- I donated 3 BOXES full of toys!


On Day 18 - I donated 500+ articles of clothing and shoes in one day!

Below is a snippet of what one of the girls have personally experienced.  Keigi is a graphic designer - We've planned parties together but I give her all the credit for the decor she's done and invitations she's created at our past events. 
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"It was emotionally tough and I just didn’t want to let go.

I had so many excuses and reasons that stopped me from de-cluttering items that just really crowded my living environment. I kept going through the reasons in my head for the umpteenth time. “Just in case I need it one day”, “It has sentimental value” and “My hard earned money went into that item. Why would I throw it or give it away”? I have spaces filled to capacity with all kinds of items, waiting for a someday that never seems to arrive.

As soon as my girlfriend shared her Desire to De-clutter blog, I was motivated and inspired. That’s when the 30-day get chucked challenge idea came into place. Not that we created this idea but nevertheless an idea that would lovingly force and help each other make a small lifestyle change.

I had to change my perspective and I wanted a solid goal. I needed a reason to keep me going even if my girlfriends decided to drop-out of the challenge. It had to be something that would make me cry. Not literally, but it would hurt the heart juuuuust a little.

All I kept thinking about was my son. I asked myself if I took away all his toys and things that he possesses would he still love me?.  Even though he is two and a half years old? And wouldn’t even understand the concept?. The answer is YES, he still would. And say he did the same and took away my unnecessary possessions. Yes, it would hurt a bit. Yes, I’d feel resentful but no doubt I’d still love him.

It has been so rewarding and it definitely helped my psychological state of mind. Clutter is overwhelming and stressful. Our house still contains so many items that are not needed. There are certain things I still struggle to let go. But I am determined to be free from the life-robbing presence of physical clutter.  The month is over but the challenge is just the beginning. It feels so good to de-clutter over 465 items in a short month. I have sold a lot of my items on this great app called Varagesale, recycled, re-gifted, took items to charities and us girls plan on having a garage sale in the near future.

I am so thankful and grateful to God for my girlfriends (also consider as my family) for their persistence, tenacity and commitment on this project. I would have not gotten through this without them. We truly are amazing as a team and I encourage everyone to take the challenge. Do it with someone, do it with a few friends and or relatives. It is 100% attainable and the reward is priceless with a great burden off your shoulder.

So find some hope and take a small step. Then, take another…. and another…. and another…"

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Here's a guide that can help you and your friends get "your stuff" in order

Day 1: Stuffed animals, puzzles, board games and any toys with  missing pieces. Throw away anything you haven’t played in a while.
Day 2: Purses, Clutches, Bags - plus whatever's inside your purses!
Day 3: Bathtub Toys: Do you know what it looks like inside those toys from the water enters through the holes? 
Day 4: Baby Changing Table Drawer: creams, diapers, wipes, coupons?

Day 5: Hats, Sunglasses and old prescription glasses
Day 6: Shoes- get the whole family involved!
Day 7: Lighten-up your keychain by removing keys you can't identify. 
Day 8: Make-Up:  throw away anything old and colours you no longer wear.
Day 9: Jewelry: outdated fashion accessories and those you haven't worn in decades
Day 10: Coat closet: Old jackets, winterwear and scarves - we really don't need a dozen tuques and missing gloves. 
Day 11: Under the sink:  Condense cleaning supplies and air fresheners you no longer prefer.
Day 12: Kitchen pantry and the fridge: Toss expired or unused food 
Day 13: Gift Wrapping, Gift Bags, Ribbons: Recycle anything that’s wrinkled or torn.
Day 14: Office Desk:  supplies and throw away dried out pens and markers. 
Day 15: Kitchen Drawers and appliances you never use.
Day 16: Linen Closet, Towels: get rid of blankets, sheets and towels you don’t need.
Day 17: Medicine cabinet: expired creams, vitamins, and pills. Safely dispose them away from children.
Day 18: Belts, Scarves & Pashminas:  My friends and I may have had an obsession
Day 19: CDs and DVDs - Do you have VHS, vinyl and cassette tapes in boxes stored?
Day 20: Filing Cabinet - oh so much paper!
Day 21: Toolbox, Paint, the garage- make sure your husband knows too.

Day 22: Scrapbooking Supplies:  Keep them organized in drawers or a bin and clear out anything that doesn't make you smile.

Day 23: Kids Clothes: hand them down to others and get rid of any unmatched socks!
Day 24: Wires, Cords, old chargers, extra cables:  If you don't know what they're for- they're not needed anymore. 
Day 25: Old gadgets, electronics, cameras and cellphones:  They’re just taking up space, and you might be able to get some cash in exchange.
Day 26: Bookshelves: Books, dictionaries, thesauraus and encyclopedias!  search the internet instead and save space on your shelf!
Day 27:Bathroom Drawers:  Throw out any mini toiletries that you won’t be using

Day 28: Our closet: Put away your winter clothes, bridesmaids dresses, and donate anything that wasn’t used this year.

Day 29: Pictures - sentimental attachment, put your past self in order

Day 30: Car- clean out the mess that your kids (or you) made

Once a day for half an hour makes a difference in your home and you’ll feel better! Spring cleaning in full effect and make sure to get the whole family involved !

MCB xo