Engagement ring. ✔ Fiancé. ✔ Venue ????

You have found “the one” that you want to spend Happily Ever After with … now what?

It’s time to decide what kind of wedding you want. Breakfast or Brunch, Afternoon Tea, Champagne & Cake, Sips & Bites or a dinner reception.

Champagne & Cakes is probably the least expensive type of reception, and is what was once the norm for most weddings. Everyone gathering post vows for a bit of cake and a few toasts. If you go this route we suggest that you put on your invitation "Champagne & Cake to follow" so that guests will know there isn't a meal - always best to manage expectations.

If you are opting for more of an affair; here are some things to consider when selecting your perfect wedding venue.

Weddings/Events InStyle

Venue

If the ceremony and reception are in two different locations:

• What is the distance?
• Will there be traffic?

• Transportation: how will people be arriving? How will you get there? Will you keep your guests waiting and if so what is your plan so to entertain your guests and start the party off right?
• For out of town guests, are there hotels nearby?
• What are the refund policies if any?
• Parking
• Restroom accessibility
• Gratitude’s and taxes
• Is there Bride/Groom Room so you can escape if you need to?
• Do they offer Turn Key Services – They will decorate for you?
• Is there an on site Wedding Planner & Day of Coordinator?
• Do you see yourself planning the wedding day of your dreams with this person, as you will be tightly connected until the day after your wedding.
• What near by locations are there for pictures?
• Does the venue allow candles? 
• Does your venue have a variety of reputable vendors that they work with and can recommend to you? Are you allowed to bring your own vendors?

Inside

• Does the venue come with a sound system? 
• How is the lighting? A crucial question as no one wants to celebrate in a dark room. 
• Is the room beautiful or do you need to spend extra money covering up the walls?

Outside

• Is there a back up plan in case of rain?
• Do you need a permit?
• How is the sound system? Will everyone be able to hear the ceremony/speeches?

Food and Drink

• Do they offer a variety of Caters?
• Can they accommodate special meals? Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian? All your favourites like midnight Poutine Bars and Sushi?
• Can you do your own signature drinks?
• Are there minimums you need to reach for food/drink?
• Does the wedding venue allow you to supply your own cake/desserts?
• Is there a Cake Cutting fee?

Just a few things to consider as you set out on your hunt for the perfect venue. 

We at Weddings InStyle wish you best of luck with your search, and with all the planning for your upcoming wedding.

Until next time!

Why would ANYONE get married at City Hall when there's an Alternative?

When you think of a quick ceremony and exchange of vows you either think of Las Vegas or your nearest city hall right? Think again ....

Here are a few stats that maybe you didn't know.

Did you know that City Hall here in Ottawa does about 1400 weddings per year?
Did you also know that its on a first come first serve basis? So basically there is no guarantee you will be married on the day that you show up in your wedding best. Why be another number/statistic at City Hall, after all you're wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and should be shared with more than the 5 people allowed to witness at city hall.

Weddings InStyle is your intimate alternative to weddings in the city.  They are conveniently located at 107 Murray Street in the heart of the Byward Market, and offer onsite Wedding Officiants, and can provide witnesses if required.  They are open 7 days a week by appointment.

Their beautifully decorated wedding chapel can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 100 guests. This wedding chapel is chic, hip one-stop wedding destination.

The 2000 sq. ft. intimate, well-appointed, modern space is the most unique wedding venue in Ottawa – a great alternative to the typical, non-descript, already-been-there-for-your-friend’s-wedding feeling most of the Ottawa banquet rooms, hotels, catering venues not to mention City Hall have to offer.

Weddings InStyle was created to offer couples opting for an intimate glamorous affair an alternative. Budgets might be tight these days, but that doesn’t mean that style and romance are going away.

Civil weddings or bigger than “BIG” Sex in the City weddings were the options at hand, before Weddings InStyle. There were no turnkey full service options available in the downtown core that could accommodate 2–100 guests without compromise. Imagine, getting help navigating through the sometimes overwhelming process of planning a wedding. A little fact, the average wedding takes 200-300 hours to plan. Can you say WEDDING PLANNER? It IS one of the hot trends for 2011.

What makes them qualified? Their Expertise comes from running Ottawa’s only premier concierge Balance InStyle for the past 5 years. This affords them the resources and talent of managing all the time consuming details required for a flawless wedding day and of course saves their clients a bundle. Just say Weddings and Babies and watch the price tag go up!

Big or small their promise to you is that it will always be InStyle.

Ottawa Wedding Chapel in the Capital

Weddings InStyle is the new chic, hip one-stop wedding destination, conveniently located at 107 Murray Street in the heart of the Byward Market. Our 2000 sq. ft. intimate, well-appointed, modern space is the most unique wedding venue in Ottawa – a great alternative to the typical, non-descript, already-been-there-for-your-friend’s-wedding feeling most of the Ottawa banquet rooms, hotels and catering venues and City Hall offer. 

Whether you'r looking for a simple ceremony with a few close friends and family, a reception cocktail party for 100 or something in-between, we can design the perfect package for you.

By entrusting your important day to Weddings InStyle, every detail will be addressed in our quest to maintain a legacy of extraordinary service.

Regardless of your budget we can help you celebrate InStyle.

For more information please visit our website www.weddingsinstyle.ca