Tales of a Bridesmaid - Your Wedding Cake!

Cake is always a fun topic when it comes to planning your wedding. It is the one time I seem to always get the grooms full attention! Have fun when it comes to deciding what you want to do with your wedding cake - you can get really creative with it.

There are a lot of AMAZING cake artist's in Ottawa. The following are definitely not the only ones in the city, but here are a few of my favourites that I mentioned in my post:

www.sugarandspicebakery.ca

www.pasticceria.ca

www.daretoindulge.ca

Produced by Reno Video Productions

For more information about Stellar Events, visit us online at www.stellareventsandweddings.com

The Importance of Engagement Sessions with Your Wedding Photographer

Last week I spoke to you about some things to think about when choosing your wedding photographer. I wanted to continue talking about photographers and why I recommend doing an engagement session before the wedding day.

Produced by Reno Video Productions

For more information about Stellar Events, visit us online at www.stellareventsandweddings.com

Tales of a Bridesmaid - Things to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Photo...

Choosing the right photographer is always an important step in the wedding planning process. I always say that no matter how much you love a photographer's work, the most important thing is to make sure you feel totally comfortable with that person! Hear a few things I recommend when trying to find the right photographer for you!

Produced by Reno Video Productions

For more information about Stellar Events, visit us online at www.stellareventsandweddings.com

Tales of a Bridesmaid - Theme Suggestions

What are some things you should think about when considering your colours and/or theme for your special day? Here are some of my suggestions of what you should keep in mind while thinking about options. At the end of the day, go with what you love and is a reflection of you and your partner.

Produced by Reno Video Productions

Tales of a Bridesmaid - Dress Shopping

As a wedding planner, I am rarely involved in dress shopping - that is something that most brides want to experience with their mother or girlfriends. Now that I am in the bridal party, as well as helping plan the big day, I was very excited to be a part of the shopping process!!

Here is a sneak peak at the dress I will be wearing as a bridesmaid! I chose a gorgeous Alfred Angelo dress - the only difference is that the entire dress will be a dark purple:


Here are a few links to some wonderful bridal boutiques in Ottawa:
www.withlovebridalboutique.ca

www.miabridalco.com

www.luxebridal.ca

www.justinamccaffrey.com

Produced by Reno Video Productions

Destination Weddings

Some couples may think they don't need a wedding planner if they are doing a destination wedding - here are a few reasons that may change your mind!

Produced by Reno Video Productions

Tales of a Bridesmaid - Ceremony

The next thing to start thinking about is your ceremony! Do you want to go the more traditional route and get married in a church, or do an on location ceremony so your guests don't have to travel anywhere? Find out some of your options!

To find out more about some of the options I mentioned, check the following links:

Dr. Alan Viau: www.weddingchaplain.ca

Exceptional Ceremonies: www.exceptionalceremonies.com

All Season's: www.allseasonsweddings.com

Produced by Reno Video Productions

Tales of a Bridesmaid - Choosing a Venue

Once you figure out your date, guestlist and budget, you can start looking for the perfect venue!

Produced by Reno Video Productions

Tales of a Bridesmaid - Budget

One of the first things you should start thinking about after you get engaged is your budget - what you are able to spend on the wedding will dictate most other elements in your wedding. You should have a clear idea of what your budget is before starting the planning process

Produced by Reno Video Productions

Tales of a Bridesmaid - Figuring out your Guestlist

After you get engaged and figure out the time of year that you would like to get married in, one of the next big things to start thinking about is how many people are you going to invite to your wedding.

Produced by Reno Video Productions

How to choose a Planner

If you are thinking about hiring a wedding coordinator to help plan your wedding, here are a few things to consider when trying to find the right one for you!

Produced by Reno Video Productions

Tales of a Bridesmaid - You're Engaged - Now What??

Getting engaged is an exciting time in anyone's life, but most people don't know what to do first in the planning process! In this episode of Tales of a Bridesmaid, I let you know the three things that you should start thinking about when you start planning the wedding of your dreams!

Produced by Reno Video Productions

Tales of a Bridesmaid - Introduction

For the first time since starting my wedding/event planning business, I am actually in a wedding party. Here is the introduction of my Tales of a Bridesmaid as I take you through the process of planning a wedding while being a bridesmaid! Hope you enjoy!


Produced by Reno Video Productions

What is in a Name?

I have been asked in the past few years since starting my business, how I came up with the name Stellar Events. Well, here is the story of how I named my company!


Produced by Reno Video Productions

Video Blog - At Reno Video Productions New Studio!

If you haven't seen my first video blog post, go take a look at that before watching this! I thought the first one turned out ok but I obviously had some challenges (especially with the lighting). I was about to start on my second post when I got a call from my friends at Reno Video Productions with a proposal. Take a look at the results!

Hope you enjoy it!

Get To Know Cristie

I know I haven't been great when it comes to blogging - I've been SO busy helping couples plan their special days that I don't have time left to write! I think I have found a solution to that: video blogging. I recently hosted an event for the wedding and event suppliers of Ottawa in which we had three keynote speakers. Michael Hughes spoke to the group about getting the most out of networking, Carlo Lombard talked to the group about collaborating and joint ventures and Lisa Larter talked to the group about social media. After listening to Lisa speak, I was inspired to do a video blog. I have done a lot of professional video in collaboration with Reno Video Productions, but thought these video blog entries would be a nice compliment to the professional video round table discussions I have been working on with Syl and Caroline from RVP.

Here is my first try, enjoy!

Exciting Project in the Works

I am beyond thrilled about an amazing project that I am working on in collaboration with Sylvain Renaud and Caroline Renaud from Reno Video Productions. It is something that no one else in Ottawa has done yet so we can't wait to release it within the next few weeks and hear people's reaction. We have been working on this for the past few months and shot for the first time yesterday afternoon at Tripp Photography's gorgeous studio in the Glebe. In addition to Christine Tripp from Tripp Photography we worked with Baz Kanda from 5 Rivers Studio, Kathy Youssef from Fleisher Photography and Adriano Pagliarello from Media Ball. Stay tuned! Can't wait to share with you what we have been working on. I promise you one thing though: it is going to be Stellar ;)

Guest Blog Spot Featuring Stellar Events

I recently had the pleasure of guest blogging on Sheila Gallant-Halloran's blog - which led to my last post of her guest blogging for me! Thought I would share the link of the Q&A that I did for her earlier this week.

Check it out: http://sheila0gh.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/guest-blog-some-qas-with-event-planner-cristie-vito/

Enjoy! I had fun working with Sheila on these blog posts this week. Without a doubt, she is STELLAR ;)

2010 Young Business Person of the Year

Last week I was honoured to receive the Young Business Person of the Year Award for the 2010 TD Canada Trust People's Choice Award for the Orleans Chamber of Commerce. I was born and raised in Orleans, so it means so much to be recognized by my community this way, especially since I am just going into my third year of business! It has been a very exciting journey so far and I can't wait to see how it continues to unfold. I have met and had the pleasure to work with so many people so far, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

Most people in business face multiple challenges, and I think that being a young entrepreneur has a few additional challenges to add to the typical list! Seeing other people my age succeeding in business is very inspiring to me, and definitely helps motivate me when I start to feel overwhelmed. When I accepted this award, I did it on behalf of the two other finalists in my category: Jenna Majkot from Dahlia Party & Event Decor and Jeff Stoveld/Adam Quinn Taylor of Top of the Hill Bakery, who are successful young business people in Ottawa and should be recognized for their contribution to our community. Congratulations to all the nominees, especially the finalists.

I am blessed to be able to do what I love for a living, and I would not be where I am today without the continued support and encouragement of my family and friends - especially my parents! It is because of them that I am living my dream, and I am truly grateful.

Thank you to everyone that voted for me, it means the world to me!

Me with my parents after the awards gala - so happy they were there to share the moment with me!

CHEO Charity Halloween Party!

Come one, come all to the spooky Tripp Photography boutique studio (901 Bank Street) on Sunday, October 31 from 10 am to 6 pm. Whether you are a ghost or a goblin, a wicked witch or a naughty devil, come get your picture taken in the pumpkin patch.

On Hallowe'en Day, Tripp Photography and Stellar Events are hosting our 2nd Annual Hallowe'en CHEO charity event! For a donation to CHEO, you will have your child's photo taken (in Hallowe'en Attire) and receive a 4x6 complimentary print. All proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Remember, you only need to come for 20-30 mins to eat some snacks, get some treats, have your photo taken and enter to win prizes!

Last year was a huge success and we are hoping to double the results this year, now that we are using Tripp Photography's beautiful new studio in the Glebe.

Get your lil' ones dressed up before trick or treating and come get their picture taken for a donation to CHEO. It is a fun event, for an important cause. Come out and support us!