Beauty & the Beast at The Ancaster Mill

The weather was absolutely gorgeous this long weekend and was the perfect setting for an equally breathtaking wedding at The Ancaster Mill located in Ancaster, ON.

I have had the pleasure of knowing this Bride and Groom for a long time now and it was a privledge to not only help them on their gorgeous day but to also have the opportunity to see the amazing love they have for one another.

The Mill is located and built into a tall cliff that is the home to the most amazing waterfall! This provides the perfect backdrop for any wedding! The Mill itself was built in 1863 and is adorned with decor that really keeps true to the historic feeling.

Not only is it a full running restaurant but there are multiple spaces on the expansive grounds that provide great locations for all ceremonies and receptions of many sizes and styles, not to mention the vast amount of natural beauty that creates the most beautiful backdrop for all your photos.

The theme for this wedding was "Beauty and The Beast", which was carried out so elegantly in so many aspects of the day! The couples theme was shown through the red roses in the bouquets, the use of black & white damask with hints of red, the red rose in the vase on the sweetheart table to mimick "the rose" in the movie as well as the brides dress was so perfectly named "Belle" from the Disney collection.

 We had the pleasure of providing some decor items for the already gorgeous reception space! The space was outlined with floor to ceiling windows that showed every detail of the cliff and trees on the other side as well as two large stone fireplaces that only added to the feel of this space. There was a window directly behind the Bride and Grooms table that made for the perfect backdrop of trees and nature.

The tables were decorated with white polyester tablecloths, our black and white damask runners as well as our burgandy crinkle taffeta napkins and black polyester napkins.

The Bride created the centerpieces herself and both sides of the centerpieces were lined with small tealights.

This is truly a couple filled with so much love for one another as well as their family and friends and a venue that could take anyones breath away! We are so happy that Amanda Ross Weddings and Events was able to be a part of it as well as on a personal level I was able to witness two great friends start their lives together as husband and wife!

What a great long weekend and a fantastic start to our busy wedding season ahead! 

http://www.ancastermill.ca/

TUTORIAL: DIY "SNOW VASES"

Finally I have a chance to post this blog! I have been wanting to post it since before Christmas but haven't had a chance.So I am sorry for the late post on this but hopefully it will help others out for next year :)

So the picture below is of my Christmas centerpiece this year for our family dinner that we hosted. I wanted to do something creative and different so I of course called upon pinterest and my DIY skills and created the centerpiece below!

Below this picture is a short tutorial of how to create the "snow vases"...They are so simple and turned out great! - ENJOY!

STEP #1: Start with a clear glass vase, any size.

STEP #2: Take an old cookie sheet and line it with foil, or you can use a large plastic container. Then pour a thin layer of epsom salts over the foil. I bought a large bottle at 

Wal-Mart for around $4.

STEP #3: Spray the vase with a spray adhesive, make sure you get one that dries clear. I got Alene's spray glue. It worked really well just beware that when you get it on your hands it is almost impossible to get off. I sprayed the vase in sections because it dries really fast.

STEP #4: There are two ways to do this, I started out rolling the vase in the epsom salts which works great if you can do it fast enough before the glue dries. I however found that holding the vase over the try and spreading the epsom salts over the vase in sections with my other hand worked best for me. 

STEP #5: Repeat steps three and four. You will need to re-spray the vase with glue and put another layer of epsom salts on in order for it not to look "patchy".

STEP #6: Let it dry for a half hour and voila! Finished snow vase!

I also did a few vases with just the bottoms in the "snow" but forgot to take step by step photos. All you do is tape around the section that you want to have the epsom salts covering the vase ( I used painters tape), trying to make sure that it is as even as possible. Then what I did was tape tissue paper on the rest of the vase so that I didn't get the spray glue on it. Then repeated the steps above.

The image below is what the finished vase looked like. 

TIP- make sure that you pull the tape off the vase ASAP before the glue dries too much, otherwise it will pull the epsom salts off with it.

Add some candles, vase decor and "glittery" things and your centerpiece is done!

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!

-Amanda :)

Tips for planning a successful Christmas Party!

Christmas is the time of year that provides the perfect "backdrop" for a great party! It is also an incredibly busy time of year so planning a Christmas party can be not only time consuming but stressful. If you are like me though and you love the holiday then you will do pretty much anything you can to make your party happen, with or without the stress. Since Christmas is just around the corner, I have compiled a list of tips to help make your party planning a little bit easier.

TIP#1- GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME
Lets face it, planning a party takes a lot of time out of your already busy schedule. If you wait until the last minute your time will quickly run out. Give yourself a couple of months to prepare. 
Christmas is a very busy time of year for everyone so you want to make sure that your guests have plenty of notice. Sending invitations via facebook, mail or phone should be the first thing you do after coming up with an appropriate date for your party. (note: if you are going to be doing invites by phone you may want to send a paper invitation to follow as people often forget. Having that little reminder on their fridge will make it more likely that they will RSVP to you by the appropriate time as well as remember to not double book themselves)
Giving yourself a couple of months to plan will also allow you to not stretch yourself too thin. Do one small thing that has to do with your Christmas party a day so towards the end of your planning you have more time to relax and enjoy the process!

TIP#2-PLAN APPROPRIATELY
Plan your party around the number of guests you will be having as well as the guest demographic. For instance if you are having a party where children are invited having a ton of adult games and nothing for the kids will lead to disaster. Children will get bored quickly and adults will end up having to look after them the entire time and really not enjoy themselves, so make sure you plan activities for all age groups attending. 
On the topic of games, make sure your party is not too "structured". It is ok to have a few games and activities for everyone to enjoy and break the ice if some people are not familiar with each other, however follow the natural flow of the party, if people are mingling and enjoying themselves then forgo some of the activities you had planned and just enjoy the social atmosphere.
It is also important to plan for the amount of guests you will be having. Try to get a head count at least one or two weeks before your Christmas Party so that you can make sure you have enough food, drinks, seating, activities and room for everyone. There is nothing worse then throwing a party for your guests and running out of everything half way through, your party will be cut short very quickly. Remember it is always best to have too much then not enough. You can always return unopened alcohol and food can either be frozen or given away to guests at the end of the night.

TIP#3- SPACE PLANNING
If you have a small one bedroom apartment it doesn't mean you still can't throw a fantastic Christmas Party, just be smart about it. For instance if you have 50 people on your guest list there is no way they will fit comfortably in your tiny apartment, so make sure you take guest list size into consideration. I know it's the holidays and we don't want to offend anyone so a few options are: limit your guest list to a certain group of friends or family- if you are having an all family get-together or a few of your closest friends then people will understand, especially if you don't have much space to accommodate everyone.Instead of serving a big dinner that requires space for cooking and seating, have an evening party with h'orderves and finger foods.This way people are more likely to share time between sitting and standing, which will maximize your space.Cut the decorations- GASP! DID I JUST SAY THAT!? ... hear me out... if you have a small space then get a small tree! Having a 12 foot high 5 foot wide tree is not going to help your party atmosphere and if people are stuffed into your place like sardines chances are they won't notice it anyways. If all else fails and you really want to have a party with the large guest list, sit down dinner and decorations, change your location! Ask a family member or friend if you can host the party at their place but you will take care of everything or if you don't want to impose rent a hall or community center and host it there! Make sure you check out liability's and liquor licensing laws beforehand, because it is a public place you may be required to get a permit for alcohol. The hall usually provides all that information to you though!

TIP#4- DECORATIONS
Aside from spending time with my family decorating for Christmas has to be my next favorite thing! It is important to remember that decorations set the mood for any party. The first thing you want to do is decide the overall theme or color scheme you are going for with your decorations and stick to it. It doesn't have to be uniform throughout the house but each room should tell the same story. If there is one section of your house in particular that you are hosting your Christmas party then put all your best efforts there and make sure that room/ rooms are completed first to ensure they are done in time for your party.
Keep in mind that if you are going to have a Christmas tree in your decorated party space (which I believe you should) try not to have any presents underneath it until after your Christmas party unless there is a Secret Santa component. As wonderful as presents are and can really add cheer to a space as a party component they look cluttered and can get in the way, not to mention there is a greater risk of items getting broken.
While decorations are important try to remember the "less is more theory" Bring out the lights, the beautiful garlands, trees and gorgeous decorations but try not to un-pack and incorporate into your decor every Christmas craft your child has created, every nick knack Great Aunt Betty gave you or every Christmas item you just had to have and have sentimental attachment to. The more cluttered your party space the less space for guests, the less space for guests means the more likely people will be uncomfortable or your precious Christmas items will become damaged or broken. 
A simple way of deciding what decorations to put out is to stick to your color scheme/theme and decorate accordingly to it. It is not only easier to choose what items to use but it is also more pleasing to the eye and will create a more cohesive and comfortable atmosphere, not to mention a conversation piece for your guests to mingle and talk about what a beautiful job you have done!

TIP#5-FOOD
A Christmas party does not mean that you need to host a full course dinner, however it is important to have some type of food being served, even just finger foods especially if alcohol is being served.
When hosting a party where food of any kind will be served always keep the number of people attending in mind. If you are going to have a very large meal it is probably best to keep your number of guests under ten people. Anything more then this and you won't be able to enjoy dinner yourself because you will be running around for everyone else.
 It is ok to have a larger crowd however if you are hosting a pot-luck dinner. If you are hosting a pot luck make sure that it clearly says that on your invitations as well as that you keep track of who is bringing what, nothing worse then having a Christmas dinner comprised of ten Cesar salads!
As much as we like to get creative and extravagant when having a group of people over for dinner remember to keep it as simple as possible! Stick with staple items that are easy to make and can also be  made ahead of time, we have all been there where we are stuck in the last ten minutes before dinner and are trying to cut the turkey, mash the potatoes, butter the vegetables and toss a salad all at the same time! It isn't fun and stressful for the host. Stay away from trying first time recipes at your Christmas dinner as well, if it ends in disaster then you will all be eating Chinese for Christmas. (not such a bad thing if this is your preference) 
Make sure that you are aware of any allergies before you buy your ingredients. Either omit dishes all together that someone is allergic too or make different variations to accommodate and clearly make it known which dish has what in it, Some guests may even prefer to bring a dish that they can eat to share with everyone, which saves you one less dish to make and will allow you to be absolutely sure that there won't be any issues.

TIP#6-SAFETY & LIABILITY-
If you are going to be serving alcohol this holiday season remember that you are responsible for who comes to your party and who leaves. If someone leaves at the end of the night above the legal driving limit and gets into an accident you then become liable for that accident because you supplied the alcohol. If you have guests that you know will be driving home serve alcohol before and during dinner and afterwards start serving coffee or tea. 
It is also important to have the local cab companies number on hand for anyone that needs it and also to make sure you have some cash in your wallet as well, this way you can see to it that a guest  gets home safely if they have had a little too much to drink and no cash on hand.
It would be wise to make sure that you have your spare guest room set up for anyone who may end up needing a place to crash or you designate one person from your household to stay sober in case an emergency comes up or a guest needs to be driven home.
There are many options you can take to make sure that your guests are safe and that you are not put in a position to be held responsible in case something goes wrong.

I hope that some of these tips were helpful to you! Remember to just have fun! It can be stressful hosting a Christmas Party with so many expectations but as long as you are well planned and take all steps to ensure it runs smoothly then it should be a great time!

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season and a Merry Christmas! - Amanda :)

NOW OFFERING Wedding Planning Services!

AMANDA ROSS WEDDINGS AND EVENTS NOW OFFERS WEDDING COORDINATING SERVICES BY A CERTIFIED WEDDING PLANNER. WHETHER YOU NEED HELP WITH JUST ONE AREA OF YOUR WEDDING OR FULL DAY COORDINATION,  OUR ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND ORGANIZTION WILL HELP YOUR DAY RUN SMOOTHLY SO THAT YOU CAN  ENJOY IT STRESS -FREE!

CONSULTING

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the entire wedding process, need decorating tips, have questions about where to start, or just need guidance in a few areas then we recommend booking a consultation appointment. We will determine what your concerns are that you need guidance on either by phone or e-mail. We will then book a consultation appointment in which we can discuss these concerns and come up with pro-active solutions so that you can feel confident to move forward in your wedding planning.

PRICING: $100 FOR FIRST HR. - $50 FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT HR.

DAY OF COORDINATION

Your wedding day should be fun and enjoyable not a day where you are stressed out and have to work! We will ensure that every aspect of your day runs according to plan so that you can enjoy your time with family and friends. We provide a FREE initial meeting to build a rapport between you and your Planner and discuss your general idea for your wedding. The initial meeting should be booked for no later then 1 MONTH prior to wedding, to ensure all information and details are covered.

PRICE: $750

FULL WEDDING COORDINATION

It takes approximately 250 hrs. for a Bride, Groom and their families to plan a wedding. Add that on top of a full-time job and other life obligations and you run the risk of stretching yourself too thin. We can help take most of that burden off of your shoulders while still allowing you to enjoy the wedding experience. We will take care of all booking of and meetings with vendors, wedding day timelines and schedule, management of rehearsal and direct the wedding for the entire day! Allowing you to be worry free and just enjoy the happiness of getting married.

PRICE: VARIES DEPENDING ON WEDDING. PLEASE BOOK A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION FOR QUOTE TO BE DETERMINED

I am very excited about the new planning services that we have to offer! As a former bride I know the stresses that can come along with planning a wedding and feeling over-whelmed. I really look forward to using my skills and knowledge to help couples achieve that special day they have envisioned!

AMANDA ROSS, WPICC

Wedding Planner & Event Decorator 

Amanda Ross Weddings and Events

www.arweddingsandevents.ca

Decorating trends for 2013

Every year in the wedding world we see new decor "trends" ...some come and go and some are a one time thing. As a wedding decorator and planner I am always on the hunt for new trends daily to not only expand my knowledge but to be able to assist brides & grooms with their vision.

Here are some trends I am noticing for the up-coming 2013 wedding season!...

LACE,LACE and more LACE!

(photo courtesy of: Asian Fusion Weddings)

The vintage theme is really hot right now and a big element of that is LACE! More brides are opting for lace decor, dresses and even elements of lace on their cakes. The girly,elegant, romantic feel of lace is what makes it such a popular choice. Personally I love weddings that have this element. There are so many creative possibilities that this is a trend that won't get old becase no two weddings will ever be same!

BURLAP AND BLING

(photo courtesy of: Wed Candy)

When these two very different materials come together they form magic! There is no denying no matter what your style that Burlap and Bling is a gorgeous combination. Whether paired together with bold colors to form a contry chic wedding theme or matched with some more neutral and pale hues of pinks, creams and greys to go for a more vintage feel with this combination I feel you can never go wrong! 

PATTERNS

(photo courtesy of: Linen Showroom)

Damask, flocking, pintuck, chevron, stripes, polka dots and paisley, all have the ability to transform a room from nice to WOW! You name it  and we are seeing it on all the up to date wedding blogs. More brides are striving to be different and put their own spin on their wedding day to make it original and unique. I feel patterns have great possibilites for any theme and am excited to see this trade take off!

BIRDS & FEATHERS

(photo courtesy of: Weddings on the French Riviera)

Might sound crazy but over the last couple years the popularity of feathers in decor has grown and isn't showing any sign of stopping! With the choices of feathers in pretty much any color this addition adds sophistication and elegance to any decorating scheme. Not only in decor are they growing but in bouquets, hair pieces and even dresses. We are no longer talking about feathers anymore but now the addition of birds is becoming very popular, bird seed, birds nests in decor and favors as well as bird themed invitations. Brides and grooms are becoming so much more creative with the use of feathers and birds that 2013 does not look like it will dissapoint!

BOLD COLOR SCHEMES

(photo courtesy of: Mid West Miss Gets Stitched)

2013 seems to be the year of bold, bright colors! Long gone are the days when brides just chose one color and stuck to it, now we are seeing combinations of bright color on top of bright color. Personally as a lover of the monocromatic all white wedding I have to say the bold colors are appealing to me more then I thought they would. We are going to see deep purples paired with lime greens, pinks and oranges and even metallics are making a comeback, with the elegant hues of shimmering silver and golds! 

I think that 2013 is for sure going to be the year of surprising trends more then we have ever seen before. Weddings are no longer about the union between two people but also about a day of self expression and celebration with family and friends. Brides and Grooms around the world are constantly on the hunt for new and fresh ideas, I think anything is possible!

-Amanda 

Welcome to our blog and to our website 

As the owner/founder of Amanda Ross Weddings and Events I am so excited to be able to offer great decorating services and at the same time doing what I love!
There are so many exciting things in the works for Amanda Ross Weddings and Events and I can't wait to be able to share them!

For starters....
Come this fall we will not only be offering decorating services but full wedding and event planning services as well! We will  be able to make your day look beautiful but also be ablt to help take some of the stress away so that you can enjoy the day you worked so hard to create!

Please check back to this blog often as we will be posting some contests, deals, news about us and wedding information to help make your day a little bit easier!

Happy Planning!