These are a few of my favorite things....

The Wonderful Wedding Show weekend has come to an end. I have to admit that my favorite part is catching up with all of "my" couples to be and of course seeing all of "my" brides from the past- it always amazes me how many come back year after year with friends and family getting ready to tie the knot.

In some ways, I felt a little sad that I was unable to help out a ton of 09' weddings still looking for vendors. I always envision that proposal on New Years Eve and then the frantic planning to get married the same year. I unfortunately (yet fortunately) am booked solid until November, but know a ton of great vendors who may not be. Get in touch with me and I throw some names around.

This year, I am nine months pregnant and didn't have the opportunity to stroll about as much as I wanted to but I did have the chance to stop and grab information and exchange ideas from different booths at the show. Although I can't even keep straight all of them (there are so many good ones) I wanted to write about some of my favs. (if you are in the midst of planning- this may be helpful)

Can you tell which silhouette is mine? Ha! Don't I wish :-) But isn't it a fantastic addition to their logo at Franklynn Creations. I absolutely adore the stuff that these ladies come up with for wedding invitations.

They have creations that are amazing. Designs and concepts that blow my mind and truly fit the phrase "design with a difference"

They aim to design everything custom- and anything you can dream. And between you and I, if they ever want to expand into "baby gender prediction and fertility" they quite possibly could

:-)

They guessed me right AND have me convinced of the magical powers of someones necklace and ring- for now that prediction service remains free :-)

Now I promised Joan from National Video Services that in no way, shape or form a photo would end up of her on this blog (or the back screen of the camera for that matter) :-)

I met Gary and Joan in one of my first years out and absolutely adore them. It is magical to watch Joan at a wedding. She is "disaster control" in every form of the phrase. I have seen her sew dresses with broken zippers...cover up bug splatters of pretty white dresses with chalk...pin boutonnieres...fix flowers falling from bouquets...supply band aids...and the list goes on. She holds a camera and is also like a wedding manager all in one.

National Video Services also offers blu-ray this year- check them out and add a memory you can "make your kids watch" one day!

Before going any further I have to thank my wonderful friends for helping me out this weekend. You know who really likes you when they are willing to help you dismantle a booth and pack up. I don't know what I would have done if Kenzie hadn't helped me pull furniture across the huge convention centre..into a freight elevator...through a parkade level...into another elevator and then pack it into a van. And she's already talking about next year! And even though she has a budding photography business of her own, she was there every hour making sure that all of my things were in order.

Kenzie and I also wanted to mention that in her travels about the show, she met and talked with Rebecca Croft (a photographer in Winnipeg) who had awesome photos and the personality to match.

And there was also Nicole who when this year I became too swamped but still wanted to pursue some designing lent me her artistic flare and has amazed me with what she can do with a set of favor tags and table numbers. I wish that I were getting married so that she could whip me up something special! She came the entire weekend and I am so thankful for it. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. She has an eye for color and a flare for "what's in" that I wish I possessed. If you are looking at invitations with a great value make sure to check them out here.

Due to the Wedding Show Rules I wasn't allowed to display the name of A Dream... Wedding and Event Specialist whom lent me the wonderful linens and overlays for my our little invitation tables that were so pretty. Lida is a fantastic person and has always been so helpful in my quests for any information! She also rents these linens and chair covers for about half of the price of anything I saw at the show. Thank you so much Lida! I am truly lucky to have met you along the way... You are tops in my books and my number one recommendation for value and definitely personality!

This was an amazing business (at an amazing price!) These hot chicks travel to your location to make you look fab. on the big day. I loved looking at the styles coming from their booth (and of course- aren't their logo colors amazing? :-) Check them out!

Although I didn't ask him if I could take a picture I am always so happy to chat with Jerry Vergel. In my opinion his portfolio is TO DIE FOR and his packages are beyond reasonable. I am so in awe of his work ethic and standards. His prints that I flipped through were gorgeous- I could have sat in his booth all day! If you are still looking for a wedding photographer he is worth checking into!!!


And where can I end- there are just so many others that have me feeling lucky to be involved in this industry! There are so many people who don't have a booth at the wedding show that I love as well- I am hoping to harp about them soon!