Vintage & Vogue: A Green Fashion Show

In April, I coordinated a fashion show for the Green Party of Manitoba.  They were looking to hold an event that would be a bit different than the fundraisers they regularly have, and engage the local community.  We had some fantastic designers, retailers and models come on board, and we had a fantastic night.

The photos above were taken by Cooki Lumsden.  Top left is Chrissy Troy from HOT 103.1, our MC for the night.  Top right is Carly, a model decked out in Vintage Bling.  Bottom right is Dayle Goertzen, designer and owner of Vintage Bling, and bottom left is James Beddome, leader of the Green Party of Manitoba.

Designers and retailers whose work was featured included:
Hungover Empire
Ragpickers Antifashion Emporium
Sew Dandee
KLAS Clothing
Vintage Bling
The Closet on River.

The amazing stylists at Berns & Black did hair and makeup, and the models all looked fantastic.

The Friendly Florist provided floral centerpieces for the tables, and they were super pretty and Spring-y.

We were also excited to welcome Sandbox Magazine at a vendor table.  Their Winnipeg magazine is a huge hit.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the night: from designers, models, hair and makeup, decorations, and Green Party of Manitoba volunteers, we had a  huge team involved that helped to make the event a success!

Thank You Gifts

5 bags ready to go! 

The latest Welcome, Tia gift bags were given as thank-you gifts from a bride to people who helped out on her wedding day.  For one of the bags, the pre-packaged gift set wasn't quite right, so we ended up giving a "tea" bag, which included a mug, three packages of tea, and a tea infuser.  It was fun for me to go out and find just the right products for a customized bag.  If giving gifts is something you've left until just before the wedding and you need a bit of help finding the perfect items, just give me a call.  The best thing is that for every gift bag Welcome, Tia sells, Osborne House gets a gift for a woman there!  I'm so, so close to sending in the first big donation, and I'll post photos once the bags are ready.

Delegating & Day-Of Coordination

Wedding season is here and congratulations to everyone getting married this summer!  The planning, searching, decisions and stress are almost over and soon you'll be celebrating your marriage with friends and family.

Now is a good time to consider how the flow of your wedding day will look.  It might be helpful to make a list with your timeline, the things that need to happen, and who will do those things.  For example, let's say pictures are at 2:00, the ceremony is at 4:00, and dinner is across the city at 6:00.  You're busy all day, enjoying the day.  Repeat that in your head, and make note: do not schedule yourself to pick up the flowers, put out the favours, or direct the linen company.  This is your wedding day, enjoy it.  Beside each time slot, write down what needs to happen at that time.  For example, a corsage needs to go to each Grandma before the ceremony starts.  Then, beside each task write down the person's name that will take care of the task.  So, who will hand out the corsages?  A cousin? A friend?  Write down their name, double-check that they're alright with their task, and then don't think about it again - that's the art of delegating.  Do this with every task on your timeline.  Who will transport the floral arrangements from the church to the reception?  Who will light candles before dinner?  Who will make sure the presentation basket is put in a safe place?  Who will take down the decor at the church when the ceremony is over?  Who will set up your slideshow, find space for extra guests, make sure the videographer has an electrical outlet, be sure the cake is in the right place (and the cake cutting utensils are on the same table), help guests find their seats, decorate the reception, put out the favours and make sure you have a chance to taste your own hors d'oeurve?.  Not you.  You have enough to do on your wedding day (like get married, mingle with guests, dance and celebrate)!

Think of a few people you can delegate tasks to for the wedding day.  Choose responsible people that you trust, and ask them in advance.  If you don't like the idea of having your friends and family working on your wedding day, or there are a lot of logistics to take care of, use a Day-Of Coordinator.  They will take care of everything above and more.

Again, happy wedding to everyone getting married this Summer!  You're almost there!