Smaller weddings are very much InStyle!

Intimate weddings are making a big comeback!! With all the over-the-top Hollywood weddings and stories of people spending enough on their wedding to buy a small country, smaller weddings don't get a lot of press. That said they are very much back InStyle!

The smaller wedding are ideal for couples who prefer a more intimate approach for their wedding - as opposed to an affair for 450 of their "closest" friends.

Don't confuse the idea of a small wedding with the level of formality. A small wedding does not have to mean an informal affair. The concept of a "small wedding" simply refers to the size of the guest list. So instead of your mother inviting the next-door neighbor who babysat you when you were 5 because they are still neighbors, the guest list is just limited to your small inner circle - just the closest of family and friends that you really want to share your day with.

Beyond sharing the most important day of your life with a small, intimate group of friends, a small wedding allows you the freedom to focus on the areas of your wedding that are most important to you, which may have otherwise been out of your reach.

Whether simple or extravagant, a smaller wedding has the potential to be very elegant. It can be quaint, or luxurious. The choice is yours.

Having a smaller wedding also gives you more flexibility with your menu and your wines. If you both are foodies and that is an important aspect, then with a smaller wedding you are able to hire that high-end chef/caterer or upgrade your wines to something a little better then the run of the mill house wines. That being said, you may equally enjoy an afternoon brunch or an evening cocktail reception. There are so many options and the trend for 2011 is to shake it up and not be so formal.

We were interviewed this morning by EZ Rock and they posed the question of time lines, when should the couple start looking, booking and buying everything they need for the perfect day. If you missed the interview here is what we had to say:

Find the venue that fits you perfectly. There are only 52 Saturday’s in the year and if you want to be a summer bride, then the chances of getting your dream venue have just been reduced to a 12 week window and all the trendy, chic venues book up fast! That is not to say that you have missed out on your venue altogether, in fact we are here to share some good news with you. Fridays & Sundays are the new Saturday. If you have some flexibility and are willing to get married on another day of the week your chances have just tripled on securing your dream venue not to mention perhaps save some addition money with the venue and the caterers.

Once you have found your venue, the next step is finding your photographer. This city has so much talent! Do not rely strictly on Goggles front page, as you will find MANY hidden gems beyond the first page, we of course are always happy to provide you with our favs.

Something new to consider is a videographer/cinematographer. NEW? Wedding videographers aren’t new??? We beg to differ! What you will see and find now in the marketplace, is unlike anything that you have seen to date. They are NOT hours in length, and won’t have your viewers wishing silently that you would fast forward it to get to the good parts.

Please feel free to call us or stop by for a visit, we would be happy to meet you! We are located at 107 Murray Street in the heart of the Byward Market, 613-440-4446 www.weddingsinstyle.ca

Alternatively you can find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/WeddingsInStyle and we would love for you to “Like” us there as we are always sharing relevant industry information which can greatly benefit you on your journey towards I Do.

Have you heard about our I Do - Dream Come True Contest with EZ Rock? 

On Feb 14th, one lucky couple will be saying " I do" live on 99.7 EZ Rock in a dream come true wedding or vow renewal ceremony right here with us at Weddings InStyle. The winner will walk down the aisle in a dream dress from With Love Bridal, holding a gorgeous bouquet from Ottawa Flowers. They will also enjoy a cocktail reception for 30 of their closest friends, while being photographed by Ontario's #1 Photo Journalist Kathi Robertson. Don't worry - there will be cake too,  Kate Green's edible art is all we are going to say... Enter here and share your story today!

http://www.ezrock.com/Contests/Register.aspx?ContestID=124717