When you hire people to help you plan and execute your wedding, you expect a certain level of expertise and insider knowledge. Essentially, you are paying people to guide you, help you make difficult decisions, advocate for you and share invaluable advice with you. Often, the people who make up your wedding team greatly influence the aesthetics of your big day so you want to find people who understand you and your personal taste but are willing to push you beyond your comfort zone.

We often turn to Victoria Canada of Victoria Canada Weddings and Events to show us the hottest wedding goodies and today you get a glimpse at how Victoria, one of the industry’s most creative forces, thinks. She treats us to chair covers that go way beyond the basics- you may not know that such beautiful options exist but thanks to this pro, you now have the inside scoop!

This is my favorite chair cover simply because it is like no other. It is fashion luxuriously fitted to a chair!

For those who don’t want bold color but can’t resist dressing their chairs a little on the glamorous side, I offer these:

If these are a bit much for your taste, don’t fret! You certainly don’t have to cover all of your reception chairs with these statement pieces. You can choose to dress your head table with these dramatic covers and the other chairs with complimentary covers. Or you could choose to sprinkle these throughout the reception. Maybe one table gets the fancy chair covers while another table has more statuesque centerpieces. This is where hiring the right team of professionals is critical.

Here are some more lovely chair cover options from the Style Central article in our latest issue:

(All images above courtesy of Sedona Bride/ Linen: Wildflower Linen/Location: Four Seasons Resort at Troon North/Rentals: Classic Party Rentals/Stylist: Victoria Canada)

Don’t forget, your chairs deserve a little love too!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

Have you ever had the experience of meeting someone and knowing that even though you are opposites in demeanor, you are going to get along very well?

I felt that way not too long ago when I met Kristine Bentz of Sweetgrass Ceremonies at the most recent Tucson Bride and Groom Event. Kristine is lovely and calm and exudes authenticity. I was, well, probably a little too loud, way over-excited and was still feeling my way about the Tucson crowd. I am always friendly but Kristine managed to be friendly AND calm. I’m a fan!

As she told me about her work as a Life Cycle Celebrant, I felt like I had met a guide. You should definitely get to know Kristine and Sweetgrass Ceremonies a little better so here is our Q&A:

1. What pre-planning element do you think is most critical for couples planning a ceremony?

Deciding upon what they value the most, then devoting energy accordingly. For example, a couple I am working with just told me what is most important for their March wedding: family, food and good music. They are putting their resources and budget in alignment with these three elements. Doing this brings clarity to the whole decision-making process. Specifically, when clients want families involved in the ceremony, I provide ideas to give them creative roles beyond readings. When food is important, I offer relevant alternatives for rituals involving food a couple loves. When music is valuable, we work together to find the perfect songs to play from an ipod, have a DJ play or find the right musicians for performing live music. By developing a theme to tie this all together, the ceremony becomes like a commissioned piece of art!

2. What are some of your favorite moments in a wedding ceremony?

I always love to witness the range of emotional expressions: seeing couples and their guests with tender smiles so full of love, hearing hearty laughter, or pausing for tears of remembrance. These moments occur at various points, because each ceremony I help a couple create is so unique to them. And because I am an animal lover, some of my favorite moments also occur when people include their animal companions. 

3. What do you think new couples should do AFTER the wedding to keep their marriage a priority?

I believe it helps if new couples can embrace marriage as ongoing and loving work. Marriage definitely involves new patterns of living and opportunities for growth. It is dynamic! So, they ought to prepare to be surprised and place friendship at the center of their bond. Saying a simple renewal of wedding vows upon each month anniversary during the first year – and annually thereafter – can be a creative way to keep wedding promises a familiar priority.

 4. What do you wish couples would do at a ceremony that many overlook?

This might sound ridiculously simple! Yet here it is: truly be themselves. A wedding ceremony is a rare opportunity to create a shared experience like no other. When couples dare to be themselves and tell their love story or exchange personally worded vows, they make the experience more precious for everyone present. For example, when I write a couple’s own everyday language into their vows, it brings the vow exchange alive. It often brings laughter, too. Guests love to hear some of the real and funny aspects of a couple’s life. When a couple I work with dares to be themselves and the ceremony truly reflects their way of being in the world, guests often remark to me afterward how they never thought a wedding could be so much fun! 

5. What advice do you have for couples planning their weddings when it comes to balancing their expectations and their families’ expectations?

Great question! Balancing expectations may present challenges.  I help people find a delicate discernment here, because I believe an enjoyable wedding is a collective experience. Although the couple is surely at the center of the event, it is not purely about them alone.  Balanced participation during a ceremony tends to give people a sense that they are contributing.

6. Where are your favorite locations for ceremonies and why?

My favorite ceremony locations are not so much about the space itself, rather the resonance a couple feels with it. I love to experience and lead ceremonies in a place that is very meaningful to the bride and groom. Whether that happens in an outdoor scenic place, an old chapel or mission, a home garden or a special resort, it is about the couple’s affection for the place and the memories they share there together. I think there is a palpably comfortable ‘at home’ feeling when a couple chooses a place with which they are familiar, and that sense carries throughout the whole celebration. We are fortunate here in Tucson, because of the wealth of scenic places and beautiful event spaces for ceremonies from which couples can choose!

7. I like your title of Life Cycle Celebrant; have you ever helped a family with a wedding and then the whole series of life celebrations?

Thanks! I dig it too, because I help people and their animal companions acknowledge all of life’s milestones: new life, love and loss. When we think of the life cycle, we really can’t have one of those without the other, can we?! So I help expecting parents with mother blessing ceremonies, I help gay and straight couples with weddings and I help families with memorializing their departed, too. I am kind of like a modern day parish priest, because I meet individuals and families where they are at in their living, and I bring no judgment or rules. I base ceremonies on my clients’ stories, beliefs and values. Plus, I work to build ongoing relationships with families. So ultimately, over time, I am a resource for them and can serve as their Celebrant for the whole cycle of life celebrations. It may take me a good chunk of time before I help a family this way. I do know for certain that I am ready and willing!

She has such a wonderful outlook on people and relationships. Visit Kristine at Sweetgrass Ceremonies for your ceremony needs and beyond. I think she will know exactly how to help you celebrate this exciting stage of your life!

Chatting Soon~Kelly