1. Never pay money until you receive a contract
2. Read your contract
3. Contact previous clients or vendors (references) who have worked with them
4.  Never pay the entire amount, a deposit/retainer is up to 50% of the service/product price
5. If it sounds to good to be true, or they are several hundreds or thousands of dollars cheaper, there is always a reason why. Either substandard service or they are swindling people.
6. I cannot say it enough, google the company – do your research. If there are unsatisfied customers they usually take to the internet to say so. Now, take that with a grain a salt, as with every company not every customer can be satisfied as much as one tries.

Here is the video from the Global Trouble Shooter about the swindling decorator

If you’re looking to see a few posts by local wedding planners on the Royal Wedding check out what they had to say:

Royal Wedding – Duke & Duchess of Cambridge – Once Upon Your Day

Will + Kate – A Modern Proposal Event Planning

Will + Kate Tie the Knot – Sweet Bliss Weddings

Royal Wedding Trends – Jennifer Bergman Weddings

Prince William + Kate Middleton – Awespiring Weddings

Well, the Top of the Inn in the Delta South was completely revamped this early spring and we had a first look. The changes are stunning. I cannot decide what my favourite part is, the glass bead backdrop wall, stunning light fixtures or the tile choices in the bathroom/entrance/and bar area! The fantastic twinkle light celling was kept as well! The current capacity was 200, but a new maximum capacity with the added spaces has yet to be determined. This is one of the most beautiful spaces in Edmonton as you have an almost 360 degree view of the city, with all windows on both facing the south and north side!

This is the backdrop up close. Yes. Beads. I just about died.It is going to look phenomenal with a colored light backdrop…

Back bar/buffet area. These buffet tables are movable and they will move in bars in front of the ‘back splash area’ if that’s what your function requires.

The ceiling. This was my best photo – sorry you’ll have to wait for a professional to take photos that do it justice! All the holes were drilled by hand, but they were also drilled out in the constellations! The pillars will also have beautiful navy fabric panels on them shortly.

This is the entrance looking back – the washrooms are the the left (right if you’re walking in)

They incorporated, from her culture, the cord and veil ceremony which was very beautiful and symbolic.

The theme of the wedding was a ‘travel’ theme, they had sent out invites that resembled boarding passes, and had “Passports” as wedding programs (no picture sorry!), the wedding favors were luggage tags, tables named after places they had traveled, and these postcards were put on the tables so that guests could send them a message.

This beautiful, seven layer, and tasty cake was created by Cakes by Trina.

This was the first time I have had the honour of working with Just Married Photography and it was a blast. Elaine + Kenneth definitely know what they are doing, here are two photos from the wedding from them – more to come for sure!

This one made my heart drop, but then again, I love vintage cars.

Myself, Kenneth + Elaine- they’re crazy (awesome)I told you!

Julianne Cragg | Edmonton Wedding Planner
A Modern Proposal Event Planning
o: 780.760.1466 | c: 780.901.5630

They can be very exciting and extremely overwhelming. Bridal shows come to Edmonton in September and then again in January.

Here are some tips on how to survive bridal shows if you choose to attend:

1. Go early. Earlier you go the less line ups and there will still be ‘freebies’ and fliers, also vendors have more time to talk to you. Also if you plan on booking a vendor at the show (not recommended) then your date may still be available.

2. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes; it’s not a fashion show.

3. Pre plan. Pre plan your route through the halls, and your transportation to the event. They tend to hike up parking prices and parking can be very limited.

3. Bring a bag. Not only a bag but a bag with bottles of water, and some snacks. The food at these events is usually price, not healthy and poorly cooked.

4. Create a free email account prior to going to the event, and use that email address to enter into draws. You will be spammed by vendors, sometimes even two years after you attended.

5. Pre-do little labels with your name and email address (refer to point #4), and mailing address. If you put your phone number, they will call you.

6. Bring a camera or iPhone to take photos, but remember to ask the vendor if it is okay for you to take pictures, that way if you see something you like you won’t have a hard time explaining it.

Finally only take fliers from companies you are truly interested in because it will only cause a headache for you to sort through at the end.

Upcoming Shows:
Fall
Bridal Conference ; September 19, 2010; Edmonton Expo Centre
Love Story Expo; September 26, 2010; Transalta Tri-Leasure Centre
Edmonton Bridal Expo; October 3, 2010; Shaw Conference Centre

Spring
Bridal Fantasy; January 23, 2011; Edmonton Expo Centre

Company: Awespiring Weddings and Design
Location: Edmonton and area
Website: www.awespiringweddings.com
Blog: www.awespiringweddings.com/blog

What made you get started in wedding planning?
I’ve always been on an event planning committee, no matter what job I was working at.  I love being behind the scenes.  When it came time to help my sister plan her wedding followed by planning my own, I loved it!  My sister also felt the same way; we looked up how to get certified in the industry and took the Wedding Planner course offered by the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada.  I haven’t looked back since!

What type of wedding planning do you specialize (Full, Day of, Design)?
We do it all.  We offer a variety of services to our clients.  We also customize packages to meet a clients needs.

What is your favorite part of a wedding?
When the bride and groom see each other for the first time, it’s a magical moment!

Do you have a favorite style/theme of wedding?
I don’t have a favorite style/theme.  I love when a couple has a vision of what they want their wedding day to have, and we can make that vision come to life for them.

What are some of your hobbies?
scrapbooking, card making, reading and spending time with my husband.

What is one word of advice you would give to a bride?
Its your day, make decisions that will make you happy.  You are the one that has to live with the decisions made.

Company:  Aisle Plan Your Day Wedding Coordination & Event Planning

Location:  Edmonton & Area;  International Destination Weddings

Website:  www.aisleplanyourday.com

Blog :  http://aisleplanyourday.blogspot.com

What made you get started in wedding planning?
Over the years, I was always the one to look after planning events, anniversary parties and Birthdays among my friends and family. It wasn’t until I started planning for my own wedding that I realized this was something I would love to do as a career. I have such a “passion for planning” and I knew that I wanted to do something in my life that made me truly happy. I am now enjoying every day of my career as a wedding planner. In addition to wedding planning, I am also an instructor for the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada [www.wpic.ca] and am thrilled to teach and certify new and upcoming wedding planners in the industry.

What type of weddings do you specialize in?
I do all types of weddings and offer several different services to my clients. I offer hourly consultations for clients who are planning their own wedding, but require some assistance with one or more wedding concerns. I offer full wedding planning packages where I am there to help the couple from the beginning; right to their wedding day. I also offer Day-Of Wedding Coordination which is designed for couples who have planned their entire wedding, but want to ensure they can enjoy their wedding day and have a certified professional to look after finalizing all of the details. In addition to the above services, I am also a Certified Destination Wedding Coordinator and offer destination wedding planning & coordination internationally.

What is your favorite part of a wedding?
My favorite part of the wedding day is the bride & grooms 1st dance. Usually by this point, the bride & grooms nerves are calm and they have announced their vows in front of friends/family and are finally ready to enjoy the excitement of the wedding reception. This is their opportunity to talk alone, stare deep into each other’s eyes and celebrate their first dance as husband and wife. 

 What are a few of your favorite blogs?
Wedding Planners Institute of Canada
Preston Bailey
Style Me Pretty
What are some of your hobbies?
I LOVE to travel. I spend a lot of time travelling in search of the perfect destination wedding locations for my clients. In the past year, I have travelled to Jamaica, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands & Las Vegas & Mexico. In addition to travelling, I love photography and will often spend my afternoons all over the city taking photographs of things that interest me.

What is one word of advice you would give to a bride?
On your wedding day, step back for a moment and take everything in… its so easy to forget about all of the little details that took months of planning… and with the hustle & bustle of the wedding day, a lot of couples forget to just take a minute to themselves.

Company: High Culture: Weddings & Special Events Inc.

Location: Edmonton and area & further destinations

Website: http://web.mac.com/high.culture/

Blog: High Culture Blog

What made you get started in wedding planning?
I have always been a planner. The source of inspiration to plan weddings and special events came to me at a very young age. For as long as I can remember, I have always been inspired by Preston Bailey and Colin Cowie and when I was younger, I absolutely loved to watch Giada de Laurentiis television program Behind the Bash. I grew up in the hospitality industry – my father a Food & Beverage Director and my mother a pastry chef (former). From there, I worked part time at events for my dad and in grade ten, I was a student in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme where I completed a personal project about weddings – what they consist of and how to plan one. After I had finished my project which I had been fully consumed by, I felt like I was missing something in my life – wedding planning, so I completed a Wedding & Special Event Planning course directed by Milena Santoro, a former wedding & special events coordinator from Vancouver. It was an absolutely incredible experience. After I received my certificate from completing the course, I slowly began to gain clients (while still a high school student!).

What type of wedding planning do you specialize (Full, Day of, Design)?
I do it all – I plan other functions as well but weddings are what I choose to specialize in. In regards to weddings, I do full coordinating, day of management, and design. I enjoy working on events both locally as well as other destinations. I love to travel – I have a passport that is always ready to be used!

What is your favourite part of a wedding?
This is a tough one – I have a lot of favourites! When I complete full coordination, I absolutely love going through the planning process ensuring that a couples vision will be executed as well as being able to see everything unfold on the day of! I find it so gratifying to see my clients wowed and to go beyond their expectations. A few favourites: the beginning of the ceremony, the first kiss, speeches (I love listening to sentimental and heartfelt speeches)… I LOVE knowing that I have been a part of one of the most significant days of a couples lives.

Do you have a favourite style/theme of wedding?
I adore classy and elegant weddings. Candlelight and flowers are two of my favourite items in the area of decor. I also love it when a wedding is unique to the couple – when a couple adds their own personal touch(es) to their wedding, it feels more real, more them.

What are a few of your favorite blogs?
Preston Bailey
Edmonton Wedding Photographers – there are so many gorgeous images to view!
Wedding Obsession

What are some of your hobbies?
I love to travel! I am constantly intrigued by trends and traditions within each culture and I think that traveling is the perfect way to gain cultural knowledge. Cooking & baking (I am a total foodie), painting & decorating, and reading are also some of my favourite pastimes.

What is one word of advice you would give to a bride?
Well, I think that the advice can be shared between the couple – your wedding day is a stepping stone to spending the rest of your lives together and I think that this process is really the precursor to what you can expect from your life together. Enjoy the moment!

Taryn and Mike were such a beautiful couple that were the perfect clients, very relaxed and super happy! It was a fun winter wedding, which was suiting since their last name was Noel. Taryn looks absolutely in her gown – don’t you think?

Simple decor was set out, with lots of candles and pussy willows, it gave the room a very warm glow. On the piano we set out photos of the people who were not at the wedding, Taryn and Mike lit candles right before their first dance – it was very beautiful touch to honour those who were gone.