Tracey and Nick

We recently had a gorgeous wedding here! I have been waiting for pictures and the wait has been worth it! Please click here to see a slide show of Tracey and Nick's wedding by Brody Dezember photography. The wedding was amazing with all of the decor and details. I promise that you will love every photograph!

Post by Ashley

How to Make a Ceremony Special

The ceremony is the most important part of the wedding, and small details can make all the difference in making it extra special. Here are a few tips that we have found really give that little extra something.

§ One of the first key elements in creating the perfect ceremony is to know the kind of ceremony that you want. Whether you are religious or non-traditional, there are many kinds of ceremonies, so it’s important to do your research to discover what your particular type of ceremony entails. For example, will you be reading your own vows? Will there be any sort of candle or sand ceremony? Is there a set script or more leeway to create your own unique ceremony? It’s essential that you and your officiant take the time to meet so you can get to know one another. This will allow him or her to add personal details about you through-out the ceremony that will create an atmosphere of intimacy.

Photo from the talented Laura at {Vanderbeek Images}

§ Another important aspect of the ceremony is picking the music! Music is a powerful component in setting the right mood and can be reflective of your personalities. Here at The Canterbury Place, we’ve heard everything from the traditional “Here Comes the Bride”, to something more dramatic like Led Zepplin, to a romantic piano arrangement of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”. Music is bound to be one of the things your guests remember most, so if it’s special to you, it will be special to them.

Photo from the talented Laura at {Vanderbeek Images}
Photo from the talented Laura at {Vanderbeek Images}

§ Decor is a great way to bring your personality into the ceremony. Remember that what you use to decorate your ceremony area will be in a large number of your pictures! A great tip is to use decor that can work for both your ceremony and then later be moved into your reception location. I have seen brides use large floral arrangements for the ceremony and then bring them inside to use for their buffet table or a centerpiece.

§ One last way to make your ceremony special is with a unique presentation. You can do a dove send-off after you say your vows, have a close friend sing your love song, or even have your dog be your ring bearer! These will be details that your guests will never forget.
We hope these tips will help make your ceremony perfect. Talk to your wedding coordinator for more information on how you can incorporate these details into your wedding ceremony!

All photos in this post are from a beautiful Paris event we hosted recently this summer (see another post that featured pictures of this event here). The dove send off was truly magical- there were around 30 doves! It was a dramatic end to a beautiful ceremony!

Post by Madison and Elysha

Tips on Finding the Perfect Photographer

Your wedding day is the most documented day of your life so it is very important to choose the right photographer to capture your special moments. In most cases, it can be very worth it to make your photographer a budget priority but it is crucial to ask the right questions and do your research so you know that you will get what you pay for! Here are some important things to consider before choosing your photographer….

#1 Experience level
Has this person photographed many weddings? Does he/she do this as a profession or as a hobby? Have they shot at your wedding location before?

#2 Photographic Style
Does the style of your photographer reflect you and your personality? Is your style formal/traditional, classic, candid, or photojournalistic? Check out many photographers websites and blogs to see what style you like.

#3 Personality
Meet potential photographers in person before you book them to see:

Is the photographer someone you can get along with? Is this the photographer who will be actually be at your wedding or will they send who ever is available (don’t be shocked, this happens a lot!)? Do they work well with other vendors? Do they seem like the kind of person that you will direct you well and make your day easy and enjoyable?

#4 Contracts & Delivery
Whether it’s a la carte or a package, do you understand what you are getting? How much time will he/she spend with you? What if you need more time? Do you understand the contract? Do you get to keep negatives and how long does it take to get proofs back, etc? Make sure that you know what’s coming!

Remember, the photographer is a big part of your special day and the way you remember it. Finding the right photographer should be a key aspect of your wedding planning.

Hopefully these tips are a good start so you can find the perfect photographer who will make your wedding day truly unforgettable!
All photos in this post were taken by Derek Gifford, the preferred photographer at The Canterbury Place. Please see his website and blog for many more examples of his beautiful photographs.

Post by Elysha

Wedding Details

When it comes to making your wedding day beautiful, it’s all in the details! So to help make your day perfect, here are some wedding ideas from a recent wedding here at The Canterbury Place that will make your day truly special and will separate you from the pack!

The most intimate moments of your wedding happen during the ceremony! You don’t need a lot of money or flare to make your ceremony beautiful. For example, just a few flowers on the edge of the ceremony chairs add a pop of color in a simple way. Flower petals down the isle are another great way to add your colors to the ceremony and it creates and ambiance your guests will never forget!

A great way to bring your wedding colors alive in a room is with ceiling swags! Draped from the ceiling, they add a hint of color, strung lights in the swags add brightness to the room, and they add an unforgettable feeling of elegance to your event!

Chairs sashes are another great way to add color and texture to your table setup. With many ways to tie them, you can create any look you want! For example, in this wedding we tied Ivory Organza sashes café style which created a very clean and elegant feel to the room.

A fun way to bring a personal touch to your wedding and give your guests a sweet token of your affection is with personalized wedding favors. There are many fun ways to make your favors pop from engraved trinkets to tasty edible to heartwarming keepsakes. For this wedding they had individual bags of monogrammed M&M’s designed in their wedding colors which melted in everyone mouths and hearts!

These are just a few fun ways to add the “special touch” to your wedding day. For additional ideas and planning please talk to your wedding consultant!

All Photos in this Post via {Vanderbeek Images}

Post by Elysha

Presenting . . . The Canterbury Place Blog!

Due to popular demand, The Canterbury Place has decided to start a blog. We will be broadcasting great ideas, current specials and highlights from weddings. We hope this blog is instrumental in creating your dream wedding!