Cornerstone Events

So you've dreamt of your dream wedding for months, maybe even years now, and he finally popped the question! Congratulations!! Now the fun begins.

You know what you want, and are fairly organized, so you'd like to plan your wedding yourself, but maybe you need some help along the way. Did you know you can hire a wedding planner to assist you in finding great vendors or coming up and narrowing down some ideas for you? At Cornerstone Events we don't only offer full wedding planning services, we also offer hourly consultations to help you with everything from finding that perfect venue, to coming up with great ideas for a color palette, etc.

Another one of our more popular packages is our Day of Wedding Coordination. It's where you plan your wedding, and just want someone there on the day of the wedding to ensure things run smoothly. Sure you could ask your mom, mom in law, or a good friend to do stuff for you, but it's not only your day, it's their day too. They want to relax and enjoy your special day just as much as you do. You also want that for them too! You've put in so much time and effort into your big day, you want all your guest to enjoy it!

With Day of, we'll work with you to create a detailed timeline 4-6 weeks before your big day, review all your contracts so we know exactly what you're expecting and what you paid for, and ensure on the big day all your vendors know we're the point of contact should they need any information or need to get in touch with someone. We'll set up those last minute details, transfer items from the ceremony location to the reception location, and make sure you and your husband are relaxed and can enjoy the moment.

Wedding Days go by quick, so ensure you and your guest enjoy every moment. Call us today for a free consultation and we'll take you through step by step what we can do to make this special occasion that much more memorable for you!

Labels: calgary wedding consultant, calgary wedding coordinator, calgary weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, staying sane while planning your wedding, weddings

Literally put your uniqueness - your fingerprints - to good use for your wedding stationary. We love this idea which we found on Style Me Pretty!

Labels: calgary wedding consultant, calgary wedding coordinator, calgary weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, personalizing your wedding, Wedding invitations, wedding programs, weddings guestbooks

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of working with Karlee and Jason on their wedding. They held their ceremony, cocktails and reception at the Saskatoon Farm, just south of Calgary. It's a gorgeous little venue and guest had a great time. Wei from Photobolic just posted some photos from their wedding, so we thought we'd share. Now I know were Jason was before the ceremony! Very cool gift!

Congrats again to Karlee and Jason!!

Labels: calgary weddings, ceremony, hiring a wedding coordinator

With the Wedding Expo on Sunday we wanted to share some tips on how to survive these big shows.

1. Wear comfortable shoes - I love any excuse to break out my heels, but this isn't the day to do it. Hard concrete floors + a few hours walking around = very sore feet!

2. Don't bring your whole bridal party - There are A LOT of brides, maids of honour, mother of the brides, bridesmaids and even grooms that attend these shows, and it makes it hard to navigate through all these people. If you have more than two other people with you, you'll find you're always looking for them and not focusing on finding vendors for your big day. Stick to bringing only one or two people with you.

3. Hand cramps - There will be a lot of draws to enter, so save your hand and your time by coming prepared with labels with your name, address, phone number and email address on them. This will make entering the draws a piece of cake.

4. Know who will be there - all the shows have a website that list the vendors that will be at the show. Take a look at these before hand, check out the vendor's website and try to make a list of who you want to talk to. Once you're at the show, only take the business cards and brochures of vendors you're interested in. It will make it easier when you're weeding through your bag when you get home.

5. Bring water - We've all been to the Round-up Center (now BMO Center) and know that a simple bottle of water can cost over $3. You'll need it when you've been walking around all day and possibly tasting cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries!

6. Have Patience - If you really want to talk to a vendor don't get discouraged if their booth is crowded around by other potential brides. Walk around and come back to them, better yet, come back when the fashion show starts. The floor usually thins out while the show is on.

7. Sales Pressure - You're sure to run into a DJ or other vendor who tells you that he only has one opening left for your wedding date. There are a lot of other vendors at the show to talk to, so don't feel like you need to sign without having talked to the rest of them.

8. Bring a pen and take notes - so you can remember what each vendor said, bring a note book and pen and make quick notes. That way you'll be able to remember what each one said.

9. Go early - find out when the doors open and be one of the first brides there. Wait until late
afternoon and it will be more crowded on the floor.

10. Have Fun! - After all you are getting MARRIED!! Whether you're bringing your fiance, mom or maid of honour - make a day of it. Go early, get your stuff done, and then go for a great lunch to thank them for coming with you. You'll be able to compare notes and talk about what you saw at the show.

And last but certainly not least - COME VISIT US! We'll be at booth #81. Tell us you read our blog and we might have a special surprise for you!

Labels: bridal shows, hiring a wedding coordinator

This weekend we had the pleasure of working with another great couple. Sylvana and Brett are so in love and you could see it through the entire day. Sylvana did a fabulous of picking out all her colors and details, the ceremony and reception looked amazing.

Labels: calgary weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, weddings

Labels: hiring a wedding coordinator, staying sane while planning your wedding, wedding budget, weddings

Labels: calgary weddings, destination weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, weddings

1. Prioritize your priorities - Is it the dress? The food? Photography? Pick your top three priorities and the three things that are least important, and budget accordingly.

2. Plus One – Don’t feel obligated to invite a date for all your single guests or all your pals at work. Cutting guest doesn’t only save money on catering, but on all other items that can quickly add up such as favours, centerpieces and invitations.

3. Save on postage – Sign up for a free wedding website to collect RSVPs or include a phone number for guests to reply to. This saves money on postage and printing costs. Not to mention it’s environmentally friendly too!

4. Think outside the box – Opt for less traditional reception. Host a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre party after an evening ceremony, a lunch after a morning ceremony or a dinner reception on a day other than Saturday. Alternatively set a date in wedding off season (October – April).

5. Happy Hour – Have wine served at the tables instead of having a bottle of red and white at each table. How many weddings have you been to where you see full bottles of open wine at the end of the night? Save money by having the wait staff pour your guest wine before dinner. Close the bar for an hour during dinner, or opt for a toonie or loonie bar. Your guests won’t mind chipping in a dollar or two for each drink and it will help with the costs of the bar, which is often a big expense at a wedding.

6. Pay now or pay later? – Ask vendors if they offer any discounts for paying in full up front. Often you can save 10% for doing this. These savings can add up.

7. Two for One – Stack favours in the center of your guest tables or have mini wedding cakes tiered as centerpieces. These will serve as guest desserts/favours and centerpieces.

8. What’s in bloom? – Ask your florist which flowers are in season and stick to these for your bouquets and other floral needs. You’ll save a lot of money by doing so.

9. Picture Perfect – Shop around for a photographer and ask if you can purchase or if a CD of your digital images are included in the package. You can save a bundle by being able to print your photos when you need and many photography shops let you create beautiful photo books.

10. Fairy Godmother to the rescue – Many brides and grooms think hiring a wedding consultant is an added expense to their budget. In reality, hiring a wedding professional can save you all kinds of money in the long run. Many of them have relationships with vendors that can get you discounts on their products and services. As well, this is their business, so they know who is out there and have already done the leg work for you, so let them recommend the vendors that meet your needs and are within your budget. As an added bonus, on your wedding day, you won’t have to worry about all the details. They will be there quarterbacking your day and ensuring it runs smoothly.

Labels: calgary weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, staying sane while planning your wedding, wedding budget, weddings

We're excited to announce that our website has launched today! Please visit www.cornerstoneevents.ca
Over the past three months we've made significant progress towards making sure we have all the tools needed to help brides and grooms with their wedding planning. We've completed the Professional Development program through the Association of Bridal Consultants and have worked with a fabulous web designer on our site. We want to ensure all our clients and potential clients know we're serious about our business and their weddings!

Labels: calgary weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, staying sane while planning your wedding, weddings

Labels: calgary weddings, destination weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, weddings

We're very proud to announce we have just received the designation of Professional Bridal Consultant with the Association of Bridal Consultants! We are now officially ready to assist brides in the Calgary and surrounding markets with their wedding day plans!

Labels: calgary weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, staying sane while planning your wedding, weddings

Labels: calgary weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, staying sane while planning your wedding, wedding budget, weddings

After some editing and redesigning we're happy to announce Cornerstone Events is launching their new logo! Website to be launched end of January/early February. Stay tuned for more details!

Labels: calgary weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, weddings

1. Dedicate a night for you and your fiancé where you don’t talk about the wedding. Remember why you got engaged in the first place. Cook dinner at home, open a bottle of wine and just enjoy each other without mention of the big day.

2. So while we recommend setting aside to NOT talk about the wedding, we also recommend setting aside time to talk about the wedding. Make sure your fiancé is as in the know as you are. If you hired a wedding planner, make sure they are sitting down to go over your wedding, including the budget, on a scheduled basis.

3. Set and stick to a budget. No matter what the number is you will always be able to spend more. Keep all your receipts and log them in promptly so you always know what you’ve spent.

4. Pick your top three priorities for the wedding and allocate money accordingly. Is your photography the most important piece of the big day? Or is it the food? Determine what you will not sacrifice on and set aside budget according to those priorities. Better yet, have a wedding planner do that for you and help you find the perfect vendors that are within your budget.

5. Don’t sign the first florist you meet. Make sure you do some research on each vendor. It may seem like a lot of work, but ultimately you want to find the right vendors for your big day. Wedding Bells has a great forum where you can see reviews from other brides in your area of specific vendors.

6. Stay organized – keep all documents, receipts, ideas, and all other details in one spot. Purchase a binder and keep all of it together so you know exactly where to find that contract for the DJ when it comes time to pay him.

7. Do things early – hiring a DJ or florist last minute can cost you some big bucks and not to mention stress you out. The more items you check off your list early in the game the better off you’ll be. Good venues book up quickly, so unless your budget includes $100 or more per plate, better book one early.

8. Advice – you’re going to get a lot of advice from your coworkers to your family to perfect strangers. So what do you do with all this advice, thank them and move on. One person will tell you a wedding gown shop is awful and the next will swear by them, everyone has good and bad experiences, so listen, take notes, but do what’s best for you.

9. Guest list drama – the guest list can be a soar spot for couples and their family, but ultimately it’s your wedding day. If you haven’t spoken to cousin Bob in 5 years, inviting him is up to you. But you want people at your wedding that mean something to you and your fiancé. After all they are witnessing one of the most important days of your life. Make sure your family knows that.

10. Hire and ask for help – your friends and family and bridal party are there to help you out. So recruit them to help you address invitations and make your cute favors. Find a wedding planner who includes some of these tasks in their list of services and hand it over. You have better things to do – like visit the spa with your bridesmaids!

PS- Did you know Cornerstone Events offers all types of wedding planning packages? We customize design them to fit your needs. Call us today for a free consultation!

Labels: hiring a wedding coordinator, staying sane while planning your wedding, weddings

Labels: announcing your engagement, calgary weddings, hiring a wedding coordinator, weddings

We just had an incredible two days! We are an official member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, met with a web designer, a web guru and purchased the rights to cornerstoneevents.ca!
We'll keep everyone updated on a date for our website launch!

Labels: hiring a wedding coordinator

1. Dedicate a night for you and your fiancé where you don’t talk about the wedding. Remember why you got engaged in the first place. Cook dinner at home, open a bottle of wine and just enjoy each other without mention of the big day.

2. So while we recommend setting aside to NOT talk about the wedding, we also recommend setting aside time to talk about the wedding. Make sure your fiancé is as in the know as you are. If you hired a wedding planner, make sure they are sitting down to go over your wedding, including the budget, on a scheduled basis.

3. Set and stick to a budget. No matter what the number is you will always be able to spend more. Keep all your receipts and log them in promptly so you always know what you’ve spent.

4. Pick your top three priorities for the wedding and allocate money accordingly. Is your photography the most important piece of the big day? Or is it the food? Determine what you will not sacrifice on and set aside budget according to those priorities. Better yet, have a wedding planner do that for you and help you find the perfect vendors that are within your budget.

5. Don’t sign the first florist you meet. Make sure you do some research on each vendor. It may seem like a lot of work, but ultimately you want to find the right vendors for your big day. Wedding Bells has a great forum where you can see reviews from other brides in your area of specific vendors.

6. Stay organized – keep all documents, receipts, ideas, and all other details in one spot. Purchase a binder and keep all of it together so you know exactly where to find that contract for the DJ when it comes time to pay him.

7. Do things early – hiring a DJ or florist last minute can cost you some big bucks and not to mention stress you out. The more items you check off your list early in the game the better off you’ll be. Good venues book up quickly, so unless your budget includes $100 or more per plate, better book one early.

8. Advice – you’re going to get a lot of advice from your coworkers to your family to perfect strangers. So what do you do with all this advice, thank them and move on. One person will tell you a wedding gown shop is awful and the next will swear by them, everyone has good and bad experiences, so listen, take notes, but do what’s best for you.

9. Guest list drama – the guest list can be a soar spot for couples and their family, but ultimately it’s your wedding day. If you haven’t spoken to cousin Bob in 5 years, inviting him is up to you. But you want people at your wedding that mean something to you and your fiancé. After all they are witnessing one of the most important days of your life. Make sure your family knows that.

10. Ask for help – your friends and family and bridal party are there to help you out. So recruit them to help you address invitations and make your cute favors. Find a wedding planner who includes some of these tasks in their list of services and hand it over. You have better things to do – like visit the spa with your bridesmaids!

Labels: hiring a wedding coordinator, staying sane while planning your wedding, weddings

With all the wedding coordinators out there it’s hard to make a decision on which to call and interview and who will work best with you and your fiancé. Not all wedding vendors are the same and you’ll soon realize there can be a huge difference on how much one photographer costs compared to another, and that goes with wedding coordinators as well.
At Cornerstone Events we know first hand how frustrating that can be. When searching for a photographer for a wedding this summer we found packages ranging from $1500 to $6000! So what’s the deal? Which one is going to be right for this wedding? Well first off we knew that for this wedding the bride and groom wanted to own their wedding images. So we had to find a photographer who would either sell the images to the couple or included that as part of their packages. Because that was very important to the couple, it narrowed our choices down significantly. Then it became a matter of photography style and finding a photographer that matched the couple’s personality.

So what do you look for when you’re hiring a wedding coordinator? You want someone who is going to care about all the little details you’ve invested time on. Sure maybe only you’re going to remember the little stickers on your favor boxes, but you’ve spend hours attaching those details, so you want someone who will notice if one of your favors is missing this detail!

At Cornerstone Events we’ve worked with large clients who expect nothing but the best. Every detail is crucial and missing one is never an option. Our attention to detail and dedication to ensure all our events are top notch will result in an unforgettable wedding day for you, your fiancé and your friends and family. We have an Event Management Certificate from Mount Royal College and are completing a wedding planning certificate as well. Being a native Calgarian we also know of all the great venues and vendors in the city, including some out of the box locations to make your day extra special.
Call us today for a complimentary consultation, in person or on the phone.

Labels: hiring a wedding coordinator, weddings

With everything going on in today's economy, we're all looking to save a some money where we can. So while you're planning your wedding you're probably saying to yourself, "why should I hire a wedding coordinator? I can save money doing it myself."

If you're looking at hiring a Wedding Coordinator or Consultant to help you with all the details, her fee should include helping you find budget saving ideas. Most Wedding Coordinators have the inside scoop on which vendors are reliable and which will be flexible to work within your budget. In additon, she'll have some great ideas on how to get that expensive look without breaking the bank.

The one thing most brides don't get on their wedding day is a break. If you want to enjoy individual moments more and deal with questions and disasters less, hiring day-of help should be a high priority on your to-do list. The quality time you'll gain is well worth the fee. Even the DIY bride needs help on her big day so she can fully enjoy all the time and effort she put into making that day perfect. Be the life of your party and let someone else do all the running around and worrying for you. A Wedding Coordinator should be someone who is professional and just as excited about your wedding as your are. In additon, she'll be just as concern about all those little details you worked so hard on as you are. So after spending all that money and all that time on your big day, don't you deserve a little time off to enjoy it too? What is that worth to you and your fiance?

Even as a Wedding Coordinator, I hired help for my big day. I was able to relax and fully enjoy all the time and effort my fiance and I put into making our big day what it was. I knew if anything happened she was on top of it, and that I didn't have to be looking at my watch to see if things were on schedule or if the DJ was going to arrive on time.

Labels: hiring a wedding coordinator