You’re getting married next summer. Think it’s a little early to plan your perfect wedding? Think again. Venues and caterers are already booking up.

But before you charge out to book a hall, order flowers and create the ultimate in wedding menus, we suggest you sit down, take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture.

Ask yourself what is important to you. That requires you to look honestly at your intended and yourself and determine the expectations you both will have from the day. Should it be formal? Religious? Infuse heritage and culture? Involve family? Only when you determine what you want out of the day can you even start to plan your perfect wedding.

And plan is the operative word.

While it might not sound wildly romantic, think of planning the perfect wedding as if it were a work project that you are overseeing. Set specific deadlines, schedules, timetables, goals, and divide the tasks. Breaking everything down into smaller jobs will make everything less overwhelming and much more manageable.

To plan your perfect wedding, you are going to need nerves of steel and anywhere from 9 – 12 months of preparation time.  Remember, you’re on a timetable and you’ll need to stick to it.

Yes, there’s a lot to do. But if the two of you plan it together, you’ll both learn how well you work as a team on a big project. And sharing and working together on something this important is actually indicative of your future happiness. There will be give and take, and you’ll hit some snags, but it will also be one of the greatest experiences of both your lives. And if things get too overwhelming, you can always consider hiring a wedding planner. A wedding planner can be your best friend. Not only will a wedding planner relive you both of some of the stress but they can save you time and money.

Here’s a look at what you’ll need to do to plan your perfect wedding starting now.  

9 – 12 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Up first: choose your wedding date. Whether you plan to be married in a church, temple, pagoda, at home, etc., make sure you clear the date and time with your clergy.

Announce your engagement in local newspapers.

Set a realistic budget. Take the time to talk with your fiancé (and your parents if they’re paying) about the budget and style of your wedding, reception and wedding-related parties, and who pays for what.

Enlist help. Consider hiring a wedding planner. If your budget won’t stretch that far, consult with one for an hour or two and get some much needed advice and guidance. Then ask relatives and close friends to assist you in specific tasks – choosing the band, interviewing caterers, locating a reception site – look for guidance from them in areas where you feel you really need support.

Compose your guest list. Plan to send Save the Date cards or emails to let out-of-town guests know your wedding is in the works so they can make travel plans.

Reserve your reception site.

Choose your wedding attendants.

Select your wedding gown, shoes and accessories.

Decide on bridesmaids dresses and choose your color scheme.

Determine the theme or mood that you‘d like to establish with the food, table settings, flowers and entertainment at your reception.

Interview caterers, musicians, florists, photographers, videographers and bakers. Get written estimates of their costs. Keep records of your discussions and their bids in a notebook or with wedding planning software.

6 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

It’s time to choose your caterer. Remember to get a written contract.

It’s also time to choose your musicians. Once again, remember to get a written contract.

Book your photographer and videographer. We’ll say it again; remember to get a written contract. 

Select your baker and order the cake.

Choose your florist.

Shop for wedding rings with your fiancé.

Decide on your honeymoon destination. Work with a travel agent to book your travel and accommodations.

Select your wedding invitations.

4 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Register for gifts at one or more bridal-gift registries.

Help both mothers to coordinate and shop for their wedding-day attire. Make the most of the day and take them to lunch.

Select music for your ceremony and reception.

Choose readings for your wedding and write your wedding vows.

Plan a rehearsal dinner for members of your wedding party, your family, and out-of-town guests. Reserve the location.

Make appointments for gown fittings.

Check the requirements for a marriage license.

Reserve your wedding-day transportation and any other wedding-day rental needs.

Make sure contracts and arrangements are complete with all of your service providers.

Make appointments for a hairdresser and makeup artist for the big day.

Arrange hotel accommodations for members of the wedding party who live out of town.
Reserve a block of rooms for other out-of-town guests, and let them know the rooms are available. Remember to ask for any group discounts or special packages.

Carefully prepare directions, including simply drawn maps, if necessary, to help guide guests to the wedding and reception, and to hotels. For guests who will travel a long distance to your wedding, consider assembling an information package on fun things to do and see while in town.

Begin addressing invitations and announcements.  Invitations should go in the mail six to eight weeks before your big day.

Give the caterer or other food suppliers a close idea of the number of guests you expect.

Make sure all reservations are in place for honeymoon travel.

Select your “going away” outfit and special items for your trousseau.

Check with bridesmaids to make sure they have their gowns and are getting them adjusted.

Shop for gifts for your bridesmaids.

Offer to help your fiancé select gifts for his attendants.

Make a date with your photographer for any formal portraits you desire.

Make an appointment to have your hair done just before your portrait session and again the day or so before your wedding. Consider including your bridesmaids in a “day of beauty” before your wedding, with manicures, hair styling, massages and makeup sessions.

2 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Mail out your wedding invitations and announcements.

Have wedding portraits taken.

Send bridal portrait and wedding announcement to newspapers for publication.

Make your final choices on the music that will be played during your wedding ceremony.

Meet with the musicians who will provide entertainment during your reception and let them know what you want and when you want it played. Remember those nerves of steel and don’t be shy to voice your preferences, from everything to the volume, favorite songs you’d like to hear and even songs you don’t want to be played.

Plan your rehearsal dinner and a brunch or fun activity for out-of-town guests to enjoy on the day following your wedding.

Purchase special accessories for your wedding-day attire.

Plan a luncheon for your bridesmaids.

Finalize honeymoon plans. If you’re traveling overseas be sure to double check that your passports are current and that you have any and all necessary visas.

Gather necessary birth or baptismal certificates you may need for your wedding license.

1 Month before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Get your wedding license.

Have a final fitting of your gown and make sure your attendants have theirs.

Check that your menu selections and service plans are locked in place with your caterer.

Purchase a special book to keep track of wedding gifts as they arrive.

Keep writing those thank-you notes on a daily basis!

If you plan a formal dinner for your reception, it s time to draw up a seating plan and make up place cards.

Check with your florist to confirm dates and times of flower deliveries.

Review your wedding-day transportation plans and make sure drivers are clear about addresses, times and number of passengers.

Make name or address changes official on documents, including driver s license, Social Security forms and financial accounts.

Meet with your photographer to specify the formal shots you want taken of the bridal party, as well as specific, candid shots you d like taken during the reception.

Review the video plans with your videographer.

2 Weeks Before Your Perfect Wedding

Keep writing those thank-you notes for wedding gifts!

Pick up your wedding rings. Make sure any special engraving appears precisely as you wished.

Begin packing for the honeymoon.

One Week before Your Perfect Wedding

Make final checks with all your vendors: musicians, florist, photographer, videographer, limousine, service, caterers and baker.

Ask a friend or a family member to arrange for wedding gifts that may be brought to your reception to be delivered to your home or another safe spot.

Wrap gifts for bridal attendants and have them ready for the rehearsal dinner.

Purchase  travelers checks and reconfirm honeymoon travel and hotel plans.

See that checks are written and ready to be handed out to vendors at the agreed-upon time.

Inform your caterer of the final number of guests. Confirm that out-of-town guests are set with hotel accommodations, transportation and wedding-day directions.

The Day before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Take time to relax and enjoy a massage, manicure and pedicure.

Traditionally, this is your day for rehearsal ceremony and rehearsal dinner.

Have fun!

Turn in early for a good night’s sleep.

Your Perfect Wedding Day

Allow plenty of time for dressing, makeup and hairstyling.

If you plan on photography before the ceremony, allow ample time so you’re not rushed.

Relax, breathe, and remember: This is your special day, the result of all your careful planning. Now it’s time to enjoy.

Refuse to let any glitch get to you. Savor every moment of this sacred day. Let your happiness shine through and have a perfectly wonderful wedding day!

Looking for some company picnic ideas? After all, July is National Picnic month, and what better way to celebrate than by having a picnic?  We Calgarians are especially fortunate to have all kinds of fabulous picnic areas and hiking trails.  And so we have some helpful tips to help make your event “picnictastic.”

There are plenty of good reasons to have a corporate picnic.

- They lift staff’s spirits and company morale
- They show appreciation for employees
- They demonstrate a commitment to employees and their families   
- They build teamwork
- They’re fun

These days, picnics are no longer about a single basket filled with soggy sandwiches, warm drinks and ants. Today’s picnics can be innovative and creative.

Here are five important things to remember when you think through your company picnic ideas.

1. Location, location, location. Not only do you want it to be scenic but it also should be  close to where the majority of your workforce live. You’ll need to think about transit routes, or consider options such as taxi vouchers or car pooling.

2. Make sure you’ve got the basics covered. On-site power, permits, washrooms, tents (anything above 600 square feet needs a building permit), tables and chairs, set up, strike down, and recycling are just a few of the many things on the picnic-to-do list. 

3. Put lots of “fun” into the day’s agenda. You’ll want to ensure there are plenty of games and activities. You don’t want everyone sitting around with nothing to do – what is this, the office? (kidding). When thinking through your company picnic ideas and activities, remember to consider your employees’ interests (not everyone likes softball).  And make sure the kids have plenty to do too.

4. Theme your picnic. Today’s picnic events can have their own themes with corresponding menus that can be custom designed. Remember to incorporate the theme through the entire event, from the invitation to the décor, food, activities, music and entertainment. Make sure that your entertainment compliments the day and the activities. 

5. Food. We’re thinking barbequed burgers, hot dogs, chicken and ribs. And while they will please most of your guests, remember to include plenty of vegetarian options. Avoid foods that spoil quickly in the heat (hello, mayonnaise and seafood). Make sure you’ve got the appropriate refrigeration for drinks and food. Water and fruits will keep everyone hydrated. 

Calgary picnic site bookings can be made in advance by contacting the City of Calgary:

Check out their website or email: facilitybooking@calgary.ca You can reach them by phone at: Customer Service Center 403-268-3800 and in person at: Customer Service Center, 2808 Spiller Road S.E., Calgary, AB.

Now the question is – where to go for a day of picnicking?

Don’t ever say we never done nothin’ for ya. Here is a comprehensive list of Calgary picnic areas and their locations, including playgrounds, off-leash dog parks, natural environment parks as well as the outdoor resource center.

Coming up with company picnic ideas is just the beginning. There are a huge number of details to work through. In fact, you might want to consider hiring an event planner who can also cater your event to make sure all potential obstacles are covered. A professional planner can’t stop it from raining but they can make sure that none of your guests get wet. 

While you’re at it, check out Simply Elegant’s Summer Packages. They’re designed to ensure your event is exactly as you want it at a price you can afford.

Planning in advance and taking care of the details will ensure your outdoor experience is relaxed and stress-free.  So bring your company picnic ideas to life! Get out there and have a fun day in the great outdoors. Oh, and don’t forget to bring the sunscreen.

Every four years, Canada embraces cultures from around the world in one massive, month-long World Cup Party.   Because, whether you like soccer or not, there’s something about the World Cup tournament that gets people excited.  Really excited.

It might be because of the country vs. country competition. Or maybe it’s the fact that even the smallest of countries are in the same league with the big ones. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that the world’s biggest sports tournament (a month-long phenomenon) is sweeping across workplaces and homes. 

And why not?  It’s fun. It brings old and young together to celebrate the cultures that raised them. And it gives everyone a chance to join together and cheer on their teams. Everywhere, people are wearing the colours of countries that they’re rooting for, and all in a frenzy of football. For the more than a billion soccer fans worldwide, “the beautiful game” borders on religion.  Cities come alive as people pack into restaurants and bars to watch their teams and celebrate.

But if spending time with dozens or hundreds of strangers isn’t your idea of a laugh riot, don’t be shy about throwing a World Cup party on your own terms – even right in your own home. How? Oh, we were hoping you would ask.

First off, decide what you want out of it. Do you want to use the occasion to visit with friends and families? Bond with co-workers? Impress the boss? Or blow off some steam?  Set your intentions and your budget. If the goal is to spend quality time with your guests, book a caterer ASAP. It’s party season and it will get harder to find a caterer as the month goes on.   

Regardless of whether you hire a caterer or do it all yourself, here are a few ideas to kick around that will let you really embrace the World Cup party spirit. 

- Send out stadium ticket-like invitations.  Make sure your guests know they need the tickets for entrance! Throw some confetti in the envelope for an extra festive touch.

-Ask each of your guests to come as their favourite competing country. Or draw country names out of a hat and assign each person a country to represent at the party. Have fun with it.

-Flags. Lots of ‘em. And from everywhere. You can buy them at various sporting shops or you can go all Martha Stewart and make mini flags for participating countries out of construction paper and popsicle sticks. Because let’s face it. When you think World Cup, it’s hard not to think of Martha Stewart.

-Decorate with soccer ball balloons.  You can put them anywhere and they’ll spice up your party room. Batch them with black and white balloons.

-Hand out the vuvuzela horns. And the ear plugs. You’d better invite the neighbours – and maybe take away the horns as the night wares on.

-Serve drinks that represent the countries whose teams you’re watching. A little research can go a long way. For example, Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail (you can substitutes vodka for cachaça), Limoncello is now considered the national drink of Italy. Both drinks are easy to prepare.

-Use soccer themed tablecloths, piñatas, banners, flags, jerseys, candy, cups, and bowls/serving trays. You may even be able to find some miniature soccer balls to keep your guests or their children entertained.

-Create your own world cup decorations.

-Have foods that people can munch on throughout the event … the most important part is being able to watch the game.

-Use the food to complement your party’s theme. In honour of the colours in a soccer ball, try making desserts – like brownies – out of both dark and white chocolate.

-Have soccer themed door prizes. Inflatable soccer balls, soccer jerseys, soccer ball maracas, are just a few ideas…

-Plan an international potluck.  This is a great opportunity to sample and taste all the spectacular flavours of the world. Frikkadels are like South African meat balls – and they’re delicious!  Or how about trying some Korean fried kimchi rice with beef? Or why not sample some authentic Argentinean chorizo?

-Hire a face painter.  For the football fan that really goes all out to support his or her nation, wearing the flag of their country on his or her face during a world cup match is a fun way to demonstrate their love of their country and the game.  

-What about an “indoor-outdoor” theme? People love being outdoors in the summer. Depending on your set up, you may be able to move your TV out into a shady spot in your yard.

Now that you’ve got all that sorted out, you can sit back and enjoy the game. Because, when all is said and done, isn’t that really the goooooooooooaaaaaaaallllllll!

Companies sometimes wonder if it’s possible to hire bands that have celebrity status for a private, corporate or charitable event. And the answer is: yes, if the price is right. The fee range is huge and, of course, the bigger the name of the band, the higher the cost. Some bands are in the tens of thousands, while others are often hundreds of thousands of dollars — or more.

Charities often want to know if, rather than hire bands, celebrity musicians will do events for free or a reduced rate. Sometimes. But usually only if they are already deeply invested in a cause or a person involved with the event. If a band does agree to play for free, there is a risk. Bands that are getting paid have a much better chance of appearing than those that don’t. They may even have some kind of arrangement with their agent that if a paying opportunity comes up on the same night that there’s a pro bono gig, the paying gig must be accepted.

Let’s say everything is going along perfectly: the bands are available on the date they’re needed and the fees have been agreed upon. Then what? A whole lot of reading. The event planner has to read each contract and every rider that comes with each one – forwards and backwards. She has to understand exactly what she is getting her company or charity into and what it will cost to hire bands for this event.

There are usually additional, sometimes hidden costs, and knowing what those are can be the difference between a responsible event and a financial disaster. Even the flight. There’s a big difference in the cost between an economy airline ticket to Calgary from Vancouver and a private jet from Japan.

In fact, there’s a very good possibility that members of the band will be coming in from a variety of cities and may have to be picked up separately. Some bands will have riders about ground transportation and will require limos or town cars and professional drivers.

Bands often expect per diems, intended to cover certain costs when traveling. Sometimes bands prefer large per diems and pay for all of their expenses out of those. Other times, travel, accommodations, maybe even some meals will be covered, in which case per diems will be smaller.

Bands usually have green room requirements, the first one being that there be a green room. A green room is simply a (usually) private room put aside for bands to gather. It is usually stocked with food, drink and other amenities. The items required are usually listed in a document from the contract, often called a hospitality rider – and that document needs to be reviewed very carefully to ensure there’s nothing in there that will break the bank.

The technical rider is another standard document that accompanies contracts and must be read before any decision to hire bands. It outlines sound, staging, lighting and other similar requirements that the host must provide. Once a deal is signed, the event is obligated to provide the band whatever has been agreed upon in the contract and any riders that accompanied it. That can be anything from table space in the lobby for one star ‘s  favourite charity to metal detectors and inspection of venues by police K9 unit for another.

How seriously do bands take the riders? Very. The standard performance contract used by Van Halen famously had a line item for M&M’s with all the brown candies removed. Brown M&M’s were cause to cancel the show but still be fully paid for the gig. The band claims to have snuck that article in the technical rider to see how closely local crews were reading the contract and riders. If brown M&M’s were present, they felt they had a good indication that there would be problems ahead with the show.

Of course, most events can’t afford to hire bands from the A-list. The good news is, a myriad of options are available at almost any price point. If the boss has his heart set on the rolling stones, however, start saving now. They come in at several million dollars.