Cornerstone Events

Epiphanie Chocolates

2010-10-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

Imagine your photo on a delicious piece of chocolate - and I don't mean an M&M, I mean good quality chocolate in flavors like passion fruit, pomegranate and saffron swirl. Now you don't have to imagine anymore! Epiphanie Chocolates in Calgary can make you a one of a kind chocolate with your photo, wedding date and personalized message right on the Delicious chocolate! They look too good to eat, but trust me, once you try them, you'll want more and more and more!

Cornerstone Events Day of Wedding Package

2010-09-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

You've spent years thinking about your perfect wedding day, and you've spend countless hours towards making that perfect day a reality. Now you want to enjoy this magical day without having to worry about who is going to take the floral arrangements from the church to the reception. While friends and family might be more than happy to assist, you want them to be free to celebrate and enjoy this special day with you. Let Cornerstone Events take care of it all so your day is stress free for you, your fiancé and all your guests.

Services provided:

• Initial meeting to discuss your wedding plans and expectations
• Creation of wedding day timeline
• Review of all vendor contracts to ensure you “get what you pay for”
• Main vendor contact on wedding day to ensure stress free day
• Supervision and direction of wedding rehearsal.
• Use of our wedding day emergency kit.
• Day of wedding coordination from 2 hours before your ceremony to the time of bouquet toss (approx 12 hours).
• Ceremony site check and set up.
• Directing guests, bridal party and family before and after ceremony.
• Last minute decor details – attaching pew bows, scattering petals, guestbook table set up, table numbers, guest favors, etc.
• Manage wedding day timeline (working with your MC and DJ)
• Manage reception i.e. cueing bridal party for speeches, cake cutting, dances and bridal bouquet toss.
• Transfer all gifts and envelopes to safe location and distribute payments to vendors.
The above list is just some of the things we can do for you on your day; these are flexible and can be tailored to meet your specific needs. We will work with you and your fiancé to ensure you can fully enjoy your day!

Receive 10% off the above package if you book by December 15, 2010!
Call us today at 403.619.4718 or email to info@cornerstoneevents.ca

Wedding Shoes!

2010-09-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

I love shoes as much as the next girl, so I'm dedicating this post to SHOES!! I always tell my brides to do something fun with their shoes. I wore sketcher sneakers under my wedding dress as I am a tad bit taller than my wonderful husband. I was so comfortable on my wedding day! But I was torn and really wanted to wear some hot pink shoes - just like Kristine did on her wedding day!

I've got a great project I found on Green Wedding Shoes DIY Pretty Shoes! It's a fun way to add a touch of color to your wedding shoes. You could also do this to your bridesmaid shoes. It's a great way to use a classic black shoe and dress it up for your wedding. Once the wedding is over, your girls have a great black shoe that they'll wear over and over again.

If you want to add your touch of "blue" to your wedding shoe in a little more discrete way, here's a great DIY project from Wedding Bee

These are just a few ways to infuse some fun and personality into your wedding day!
Happy Planning!

*Images courtesy of TLAW Photography, Wedding Bee and Green Wedding Shoes

Calgary Bridal Expo

2010-09-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went through all the amazing talent that attended this year's Calgary Bridal Expo. But that's not all you have to choose from in the Wedding industry. There are some great vendors that were not in attendance as exhibitors and I'm here to share some of those with you!

Bridal Fashions:
Echo Bridal

Cakes:
Let Them Eat Cake
Cake Creations

Decor and Rentals:
Silva Designs

Favors:
Personalized M&Ms

Florists:
Peaseblossoms

Invitations:
Spoonful of Sugar
Maple Mountain Designs

Jewellery:
Swarovski Crystal

Photography:
TLaw Photography
Hot Shoe Photography

Reception and Catering:
Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Earl Grey Golf Course

And of course don't forget to check out our website
www.cornerstoneevents.ca Happy Planning!!

Calgary Bridal Expo

2010-09-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

For all you brides (and grooms!) who attended yesterday's fabulous Calgary Bridal Expo here are some of our favorite vendors you may have seen while checking out all those gorgeous booths yesterday:

Bridal Fashions:
Bridal Center
Frocks Modern Bridesmaids

Cakes:
Buttercream Bake Shoppe
Cakery Bakery

Decor and Rentals:
Great Event Rentals

Favors:
Canadian Cancer Society

Florists:
Modern Petals

Gift Registry:
Bed, Bath and Beyond

Invitations:
Glimpz Invitations

Jewellery:
Stella and Dot

Lingerie:
She Apparel

Photography:
Bliss
Preserving Memories

Reception and Catering:
Great Events Catering
Calgary Zoo

Tuxedos:
Bridal Center

Videographer:
Preserving Memories

Tomorrow I'll fill you in on all the great vendors out there that did not attend the show - there is a lot more talent in the city then just what you saw at the show!

A Kiss inspired wedding

2010-09-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this Kiss inspired event I found on Martha Stewart Weddings!

Jenny and Brent

2010-06-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

Jennifer and Brent were married this past Sunday at the gorgeous and fabulous Chateau Lake Louise. The weather was perfect for their outdoor ceremony out on the terrace. Later that night they were blessed with rain, but we were all indoors by then celebrating their wedding in the Victorian Ballroom.

A special thanks to Patrick Smiley from Class Act DJ for the wonderful photos (half way to Lake Louise I remembered mine was still in the diaper bag!)

Congratulations Jenny and Brent and thank you for letting us be part of your special day!

Outdoor Weddings

2010-06-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Outdoor weddings are so beautiful, but if you're getting married in Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, or any where for that matter, weather may not always be on your side! Our May Long weekend wedding in Banff gave us a taste of all four seasons! We saw sun, wind, rain and of course SNOW!

Make sure you have your back up plan ready to go and decide with your venue and wedding planner when to make the decision to keep the ceremony outdoors or move it indoors. Here are some other tips for outdoor weddings:

Have umbrellas or colorful wraps ready for your guests in case it rains or is a little chilly. Alternatively, you may want to provide those umbrellas to shade guests from the sun. Offer sunscreen in case guests forgot to lather up before heading to the ceremony.

Dress weights can be handy for you and your bridesmaids. These are sewn into your dress hem and found at most sewing supply stores.

Solemates - these handy little plastic peices fit over the heels of most high heel shoes and protect your heels from damage and from digging into the grass. You can order them here or conact us for some!

Fun Food Stations

2010-06-17T12:44:00.001-07:00

So we've probably all been to a wedding that had a candy bar, and we all know how much fun and how great they look. Especially when the bride and groom create a theme, whether it be their wedding colors or types of candy (such as old school candy - Poppey Smokes or gold mine gum anyone?)So here are some new food station ideas to WOW your guests!

Hot Chocolate Bar - think biscotti, chocolate drizzled marshmellows, whipped cream, colored sprinkles....

Coffee Bar - from espresso to flavored lattes, you can even use some of the ideas from the chocolate bar above - biscotti and coffee..mmmm

Popcorn Bar - Use sweet and savory flavors to appeal to all pallets

Cookie Bar - include some shoots of milk to wash down delicious homemade cookies

Ice Cream Bar - sprinkles, choclate and caramel sauce, whipped cream, bananas, cherries... keep your guest cool while their on the dance floor

Carnival Food Bar - Popcorn, corn dogs, mini burgers, candy floss, and of course mini donuts!

Guest Lists

2010-06-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

A source of wedding stress can typically be found once you dive into your guest list. You and your fiance have an idea of who you want at your wedding, but your parents will also have their lists, especially if they are helping pay for your wedding. Here is the best way to go about your guest list.

1. Have everyone write down who they would like to invite to the wedding and then sit down together to go through the list.
2. Be realist as to how many people you can/should invite. If you've already selected a venue, this becomes easier as your limited based on their capacity capabilities.
3. Review the list and cut people who you haven't seen in years or don't even know you're engaged. There will be people your parents want to invite that you don't even know, just remind them why this day is special to you and that you want the guests in attendance to be people who mean something to you. They're excited about the wedding just like you, so understand where both of you are coming from.
4. Just because you were invited to their wedding 4 year ago does not mean you have to invite them to your wedding.
5. Inviting coworkers usually opens up a can of worms. If you invite one or two you may cause hurt feelings to those you haven't invited. Explain to them that you are keeping the wedding to close family and friends only.
6. If you're inviting single friends or family members and are limited to how many guests you can invite, adding guests to those who are in a committed relationship and no guest to those who would be bringing just a casual date is okay. Just explain to your friends/family that you want them to be there but don't have enough room/budget for everyone to bring a guest.

One more tip, keep all your guests names, addresses, etc in one spreadsheet. This will make it easier when you go to do labels, print envelopes or send the information to your calligrapher. You can also use the same list to keep track of RSVP and meal selections as they come in.

Seating Charts

2010-04-28T07:50:00.001-07:00

If there is one thing that seems to happen to a lot of couples is last minute RSVPs. You work for hours on your seating chart, only to have to squeeze in a few more people. Sometimes we find ourselves lucky and can put those stragglers on one table that happens to have seats free, but 9/10 times it requires juggling and moving other guests around.

So once again, Martha has a great way to solve this issue. These small envelopes, which you can find at craft stores in a variety of color, have guests names on them. This way, all you need to do is change the table number in the envelope when changes are made. You can display these cute envelopes by stringing pretty ribbon on an empty frame and using cute little clips to hang them.

Happy Planning!

*photos from Martha Stewart Weddings.com and Project Wedding

Seating Cards and Charts

2010-04-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

One of the first things your guests will ask when they enter your reception is "where am I sitting"? There are a few ways you can direct guests to their tables, by creating a seating chart, having someone at the door to tell them where they are sitting or place cards. You can also do a combination of these - having a seating chart and place cards, so guests sit in certain seats.

Here are just a few fun ways to display your guests name and help them find their way to their seats!

Wine Themed Wedding?

2010-04-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

I found this step by step process for making a bathroom mat out of old wine corks. While I don't know if I'd use it in my bathroom, I would create a smaller version to use as a mat for a centerpiece! What a cool way to use those old wine corks - or an excuse to drink more wine!!

http://www.craftynest.com/2010/03/wine-cork-bath-mat/

Thanks Crafty Nest!!

Cute Candy Wedding Favors

2010-04-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

I know candy bars have been around for a while, but here's a new twist on how to display your candy. As always, Thanks Martha Stewart!!

Out of Town Guests - Hotel Room Blocks

2010-04-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

One of the things I have all my couples do if they're expecting out of town guests at their wedding (or are concerned about friends and family drinking and driving) is creating hotel room blocks. It's fast, free and can save your guests some money too!

Select some hotels within different price points in the area close to your reception and give them a call. They'll set aside rooms for your guests under your name. This guarantees that rooms will be available when they try to find a hotel for your wedding, and normally hotels will offer you a discounted rate for your guests!

This saves your guests not only money, but helps them decide where to stay. There is nothing worse than coming into a city where they don't know where the hotel is, or if it's a good hotel. Help them out by creating a room block for them!

Happy Planning!!

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2010-04-19T20:11:00.001-07:00

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Staying sane while planning your wedding...

2010-03-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd repost this as wedding season approaches!

1. Dedicate a night for you and your fiance where you don't talk about the wedding. Remember why you got engaged in the first place. Cook dinner at home, open a bottle of wine and just enjoy each other without mention of the big day.

2. So while we recommend setting aside to NOT talk about the wedding, we also recommend setting aside time to talk about the wedding. Make sure your fiance is as in the know as you are. If you hired a wedding planner, make sure they are sitting down to go over your wedding, including the budget.

3. Set and stick to a budget. No matter what the number is you will always be able to spend more. Keep all your receipts and log them in promptly so you always know what youive spent.

4. Pick your top three priorities for the wedding and allocate money accordingly. Is your photography the most important piece of the big day? Or is it the food? Determine what you will not sacrifice on and set aside budget according to those priorities. Better yet, have a wedding planner do that for you and help you find the perfect vendors that are within your budget.

5. Don't sign the first florist you meet. Make sure you do some research on each vendor. It may seem like a lot of work, but ultimately you want to find the right vendors for your big day. Wedding Bells has a great forum where you can see reviews from other brides in your area of specific vendors.

6. Stay organized and keep all documents, receipts, ideas, and all other details in one spot. Purchase a binder and keep all of it together so you know exactly where to find that contract for the DJ when it comes time to pay him.

7. Do things early - hiring a DJ or florist last minute can cost you some big bucks and not to mention stress you out. The more items you check off your list early in the game the better off you'll be. Good venues book up quickly, so unless your budget includes $100 or more per plate, better book one early.

8. Advice - you're going to get a lot of advice from your coworkers to your family to perfect strangers. So what do you do with all this advice, thank them and move on. One person will tell you a wedding gown shop is awful and the next will swear by them, everyone has good and bad experiences, so listen, take notes, but do what's best for you.

9. Guest list drama - the guest list can be a soar spot for couples and their family, but ultimately it's your wedding day. If you haven't spoken to cousin Bob in 5 years, inviting him is up to you. But you want people at your wedding that mean something to you and your fiance. After all they are witnessing one of the most important days of your life. Make sure your family knows that.

10. Ask for help - your friends and family and bridal party are there to help you out. So recruit them to help you address invitations and make your cute favors. Find a wedding planner who includes some of these tasks in their list of services and hand it over. You have better things to do - like visit the spa with your bridesmaids!

Selecting Your Perfect Wedding Colors

2010-03-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Selecting your wedding colors can sometimes seem like a difficult and daunting task. There are so many great colors and yet only one wedding to plan! So when we found this color quiz on Martha Stewart Weddings, we couldn't wait to share it with brides (and grooms too!)

Pumpkin Pie Martini

2010-01-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

I know I should be blogging about Valentines Day and Spring and Summer weddings, but since I'm also working on a fall wedding for a client, I wanted to post this recipe for a great fall signature drink:

Pumpkin Pie Martini
Mix 1 oz. Vanilla Vodka,
1 oz. pumpkin liqueur,
½ oz. Bailey's Irish Cream,
a splash butterscotch Schnapps and ice

Shake, then pour and sprinkle with ¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice.
For added "pie" effect,rim the glass with fresh lemon juice and crushed graham crackers.

*source - Simply Creative Insanity

DIY Treat Bags

2010-01-19T09:37:00.000-08:00

What a cute and cleaver idea! These DIY treat "bags" are not only easy to make, but look fabulous. While they were made for Valentines Day, we could easily make these in any color for a wedding, bridal shower, or any other great party favor.

Here are the instructions we got from the site Simply Creative Insanity

What do I need?

8 1/2 x 11 cardstock
small cellophane bags
ribbon
hole punch
candy

What do I do?

1. Cut cardstock to 9 1/2 x 2 3/4
2. Fold as shown in diagram below
3. Fill cellophane bag with candy and fold over twice
4. Place candy bag in the treat bag,positioning the folded top of candy bag inside top of treat bag.
5. Punch two holes through all layers.
6. Tie up with a ribbon

Keeping your Bridesmaids Happy and Fed

2010-01-19T06:30:00.001-08:00

Wedding days go by in a blink of a minute, or so it seems that way on the big day. So keep your bridesmaids and groomsmen happy by making sure they have something to nibble and sip on while you're taking photos.

Keep in mind not to include anything that is oily or can stain your dress, tuxes or your girls dresses. Clear liquids, crackers, grapes, and even finger sandwiches (hold the mustard and mayo!).

Having these snack boxes in the car or limo will help keep your attendants happy and save you time from having to stop through the drive-thru!

*source - Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Day Coordination

2010-01-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

So you've dreamt of your dream wedding for months, maybe even years now, and he finally popped the question! Congratulations!! Now the fun begins.

You know what you want, and are fairly organized, so you'd like to plan your wedding yourself, but maybe you need some help along the way. Did you know you can hire a wedding planner to assist you in finding great vendors or coming up and narrowing down some ideas for you? At Cornerstone Events we don't only offer full wedding planning services, we also offer hourly consultations to help you with everything from finding that perfect venue, to coming up with great ideas for a color palette, etc.

Another one of our more popular packages is our Day of Wedding Coordination. It's where you plan your wedding, and just want someone there on the day of the wedding to ensure things run smoothly. Sure you could ask your mom, mom in law, or a good friend to do stuff for you, but it's not only your day, it's their day too. They want to relax and enjoy your special day just as much as you do. You also want that for them too! You've put in so much time and effort into your big day, you want all your guest to enjoy it!

With Day of, we'll work with you to create a detailed timeline 4-6 weeks before your big day, review all your contracts so we know exactly what you're expecting and what you paid for, and ensure on the big day all your vendors know we're the point of contact should they need any information or need to get in touch with someone. We'll set up those last minute details, transfer items from the ceremony location to the reception location, and make sure you and your husband are relaxed and can enjoy the moment.

Wedding Days go by quick, so ensure you and your guest enjoy every moment. Call us today for a free consultation and we'll take you through step by step what we can do to make this special occasion that much more memorable for you!

Sport Themed Guest Book

2010-01-11T07:50:00.000-08:00

Is your fiance a huge baseball, football or hockey fan? If so, incorporate his love for his favorite team (or yours!) by having guests sign a jersey with your new last name on it. Then frame it and hang it in the house! It'll be a great memory of your special day and all your friends and family that spent it with you!

S'more Station for your Wedding

2010-01-08T06:33:00.001-08:00

I love interactive stations for weddings. Not only do you get to share some of your favorite treats with your guests, but your guests get to move around and have some fun at the reception. So when we saw this latest idea we were really excited about the potential of this idea.

We also love the idea of sending guests home with their own S'more kits to continue the fun at home!

*Source -elly b events

Great Napkin fold

2010-01-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a video from Lynn Fletcher who teaches at Mount Royal College.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhnCnGryKA0