Jodi and David's Wedding

Bard was great to work with and we were very happy with the results of his photography. We didn't have a lot of time for pre-ceremony shots, which I might have wanted more of, but he did a great job with what he was given.

Tamara does amazing, original jewelry, including custom work. I love the amethyst-and-peridot strand she created to complement my "something old" pearl strand. She works out of a great studio called Made You Look, which supports all kinds of talented jewelers, so even if Tamara's work doesn't suit you, check them out!

If you're looking for bridal shopping with a conscience, check out The Brides' Project. They sell donations (many of them brand new) from bridal salons and other sources and give the proceeds to charities for cancer. All the people working there are volunteers, and they're lovely. You need to take a friend to help you try on the dresses. Beyond just dresses, they have all kinds of accessories. The prices can't be beat -- nothing is priced more than about $1200, and most of these dresses are from well-known designers.

We loved working with Zsolt to create our engagement/wedding bands! He's creative, contemporary, and does beautiful precision custom work. Even if his style isn't yours, check out the other jewelers at Made You Look on Queen Street. There's something for everyone, and you're supporting local talent!

Although at first it seemed as though they were very hands-off, as we got closer to our date the staff at the Palais kicked into high gear and were very professional throughout. What we especially loved was how they tried to give everything a personal touch. The venue co-ordinator was attentive to detail, and the food... oh, the food! Chef Steffan is a genius! The guests were raving and our only regret was that there was nothing left over to take home! You couldn't ask for a more beautiful location by the side of the lake. This is a venue best suited for parties of about 150-250 people, in my estimation (we had 200 and it was about right), and it's not the cheapest option, but we definitely felt as though we got our money's worth.