
The Cambridge Bridal Showcase, which is hosted by Welcome Wagon, is promoting its annual fall wedding show on Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Armenian Community Centre located at 15 International Village Drive. Doors open at 6:00PM, fashion show begins at 7:30PM and the event concludes at 9:00PM.
“We have La Crème Bridal Boutique and Tuxedo Royale presenting our fashion show,” said event coordinator Susan Casey. “We look forward to showcasing the hottest and latest wedding fashion trends to our bridal audience!”
The Grand Door Prize is "A Night On The Town in Pristine Luxury", courtesy of Brentwood Livery. This $500 upgradeable 5-hour package with professional, courteous, stress-free limousine service for up to 8 passengers also includes champagne.
“It’s been so incredible having notable local businesses work with us to create a terrific intimate show,” said Susan.
The show will feature many exhibitor displays, with everything from photography, bridal salon, insurance, jewellery, and planners to favours, investments, DJs, venues, accommodations, tuxedos and cake decorator. Engaged couples, along with their friends and families, will have a lot to see, touch and experience at Cambridge Bridal Showcase.
Show attendees will also enjoy complimentary delicious cake-tasting courtesy of Tiny Cakes.
“We will have a Hollywood entrance, with an official paparazzi, and the photos will printed and available at the event as well as online later on Facebook, courtesy of Focused Photography,” said Susan.
Susan also noted, “Spin Doctor Productions are such amazing exhibitors, we just had to bring them back again as the official DJ for our 2011 show.”
Brides can also listen to CHYM 96.7, 570 News or KIX 106 for our event announcements from September 19 to October 3, 2011.
Admission is free for bride-to-be and one guest plus the first 100 brides-to-be at our doors will receive a complimentary bridal gift bag. Brides can pre-register and get more information through our show’s website at www.bridalshowcase.ca or by calling 1-877-675-8463. Walk-ins are always welcome too!
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I saw this article in Weddingbells--a Canadian bridal magazine. Some of the results were surprising...
Weddingbells’ annual Reader Survey reveals the most recent wedding-day facts and trends from those who know best—Canadian brides prepping to walk down the aisle.
Be it balmy, breezy or on the beach, summer is still the most popular time of year to tie the knot in Canada. And according to our second annual Weddingbells’ Reader Survey, you’re all breaking into a bit of a planning sweat while getting ready for your big day.
Over 1,500 of you, from Vancouver to St. John’s, took the time to respond to the survey, offering a peek at the major trends and wedding worries of Canadian brides.
Are you wary of a prenup, concerned about your age, or stressing about sex? Is the pressure to make choices—lilies or orchids, empire-waist or A-line dress, DJ or live band—causing you more worry than joy? If you can’t decide on a wedding budget, or where you want to honeymoon, take some comfort in knowing you’re not alone.
Who is She?
Average age is 29 among engaged women in Canada
71% already live with their fiancé/significant other
Average household income after marriage is $70,036
The Big DayAverage expected cost is $17,300
Average wedding size is 143 guests
20% have 200+ guests
56% of weddings occur between July and September: July (18%), August (20%), September (18%)
44% of engagements occur between December and February: December (25%), January (7%), February (12%)
A Year of Planning
The average reader is engaged and planning her wedding for more than 10 months
Decisions related to key purchases are confirmed several months prior to the wedding:
10-12 months Ceremony Location, Bridal Gown, Photographer
7-9 months Wedding Cake, Florist, Bridesmaid Dresses, Bridal Shoes, DJ
3-6 months Gift Registry, Groom’s Formalwear, Limo Service, Hair Salon, Honeymoon Location
Show Me the MoneyFunding for wedding: bride/groom savings (47%), bride/groom loans (15%), family (34%)
Budget breakdown based on anticipated costs:
Reception venue = $6,015 (will pay up to $7,200)
Bridal gown = $975 (will pay up to $1,335)
Wedding bands = $1,450 (will pay up to $1,900)
Stationery = $300 (will pay up to $400)
Wedding cake = $340 (will pay up to $440)
Florist = $805 (will pay up to $1,000)
Guest favours = $330 (will pay up to $420)
Honeymoon = $3,735 (will pay up to $4,710)
46% of engaged women plan to move to a new residence within the next 12 months
Almost one quarter expect to buy a new vehicle within the next 12 months
The Honeymoon
The average honeymoon lasts 8.8 nights away from home
67% plan to spend their honeymoon outside of Canada
56% plan to stay at an all-inclusive resort
Things That Make You Go Hmmmm…
32% find wedding planning to be more stressful than enjoyable
23% agree a prenuptial agreement is a good idea (34% between 18-24 year olds)
42% anticipate having disagreements with their in-laws
19% are having more disagreements with their fiancé since becoming engaged
37% say their sex life has improved since getting engaged
24% claim not to be completely over past relationships

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I hope you all will have a wonderful New Year! Many of you may have started 2009 with a new sparkle in your eyes and on your left marriage finger...congratulations!

This is the time of year you will either eagerly anticipate or absolutely loathe. Yes, you will have by now been overwhelmed by the amount of wedding shows available in your local area. You do not have to go to all of them and certainly do not drag your fiance to each of them (unless he really wants to go with you or refused to let go the financial purse strings).
Wedding shows can be a lot of fun and if you prepared, it can go smoothly. Remember to bring water with you and if attending a large venue, a comfortable pair of shoes. It also helps to bring someone with you as well: groom-to-be, mother, MILTB, bridal party, sisters, brothers, father, etc.
Many of the shows will want your information: address, phone number, email, etc. If you do not wish to give out your current email address, set up one exclusively for bridal show/wedding information with Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, or set up a secondary email with your ISP provider. You are not obliged to give out your phone number--you can give your email address or cell number instead. As you will be giving out primarily the same information, create labels giving your full name, full address, contact number and/or email address plus your wedding date and/or groom's full name.
The businesses you will find at these wedding shows want to see you, talk to you and get your business. Take business cards and brochures and be sure to note on them anything about their table/booth that caught your attention.
Whether you are at a large opulent event or small intimate affair, you are bound to find a business to help you make your wedding dreams come true. Have fun and enjoy the bridal moments!

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Say “I do” to Waterloo Region’s exciting wedding event!
Welcome Wagon, the Canada's largest and most respected greeting service, will host a Bridal Showcase on Sunday, March 8, 2009 from 1pm - 4pm at Kitchener City Hall located at 200 King Street West in downtown Kitchener, ON. Brides and grooms will have the opportunity to meet and discuss their big day with many wedding professionals while discovering the latest wedding products and services.An elegant fashion show will be presented by A Moment In Time Bridal Boutique and Tuxedo Royale. Brides and their guests will be able to get an up close look at the gowns and formal wear in this intimate setting. Featuring unique displays and showcasing some of Kitchener's leading wedding professionals, Welcome Wagon’s Bridal Showcase also offers thousands of dollars in door prizes will be given to some very fortunate attendees. During the Welcome Wagon Bridal Showcase, one lucky bride-to-be will win the Grand Prize, a romantic one-night getaway, compliments of Best Western St Jacob Country Inn of Waterloo, ON. All attending brides-to-be will have a chance to win a romantic honeymoon getaway courtesy of Today’s Bride magazine. All brides-to-be will receive a free gift bag, filled with wedding products and services, plus a free current copy of Today’s Bride magazine and a free wedding planner (while quantities last).
"Brides have so many important arrangements and decisions to make before their wedding day…it can be overwhelming. This intimate bridal show gives them the brilliant opportunity to discuss their wedding dreams and interview the wedding experts personally," says Welcome Wagon Event Coordinator, Susan Casey. "Brides and grooms will have a chance to sample delicious cakes, view the photographer's work, meet the DJ, smell gorgeous fresh flowers, plan their honeymoon, pick a reception site, secure guest accommodations and a lot more—all in one day, at one location." Admission is free but by invitation only. Please call us to register at 1-877-675-8463 or visit us online at
www.bridalshowcase.ca.
Exhibitor opportunities for Kitchener’s Welcome Wagon Bridal Showcase are still available—please contact Susan Casey at 519-658-0687 or info@welcomewagon.ca.
About Welcome Wagon Ltd.
Welcome Wagon is a community-based service which welcomes new neighbours and contacts new parents, brides-to-be and new businesspeople with information on local businesses and services. The Welcome Wagon organization has over 1200 Hostesses across Canada. Since 1930, it has served over 500 communities. For more information about Welcome Wagon Ltd, please visit their Web site: www.welcomewagon.ca.

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No answer at the inn! Horror of horrors! What's going on north of Waterloo, Ontario?
Couples who had wedding plans at the Jakobstettel Inn in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Canada are suddenly scrambling to find other venues after the inn located in an old mansion closed.
Meanwhile, Waterloo Regional Police are reviewing 22 complaints about investment products offered by various businesses headed by Jakobstettel Inn's owner, Daniel P. Reeve, who also runs DPR Financial Inc. and The Millionaire in You Wealth Institute on King Street in Waterloo.
Staff Sgt. Wally Hogg of the Waterloo Regional Police fraud squad said the review is taking place to see whether a full investigation is warranted.
In a telephone interview with The Record, Reeve denied that there were any problems.
"We have hid nothing . . . we have done nothing wrong," he said.
Reeve said he fully intends to reopen the Jakobstettel Inn for business on April 21 and is training new staff.
He promised to refund money owed couples who booked weddings, but are now worried and want to cancel the bookings.
"If anybody wants to cancel, they will get their deposit back. If they want to continue on, great . . . we will honour any commitment," Reeve said.
Some couples haven't heard anything from Reeve or anyone else from Jakobstettel Inn. Others have started a Facebook group in an effort to find out what is going on.
The inn was found locked with no information on its door. The phone was unanswered and there was no answering machine picking up messages.
Reeve said if anyone has any problems or questions, they should call his assistant at 519-883-8414 or 1-866-240-6737.


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