Local showcase event earns new wedding band, St. Royals, some serious fans

Article & photos by Rhianna @ The Ring

A couple of weekends ago, Rhianna @ The Ring got a group of her friends together and headed to Toronto to check out one of the city's newest wedding bands, The St.Royals, at one of their free live showcases. She knew it was going to be a good night the second they started their rendition of Rick James' Give it to me baby.  It was sexy, soulful and you could just feel the energy pumping through the room.

By the second set, the pub was totally packed. The crowd was shoulder to shoulder, dancing, singing, and clearly having one of those Saturday nights that makes the work week worth it.

Our entire group loved their spin on hits like Lauren Hill’s Killing Me Softly and Amy Winehouse's Valerie.  But our absolute favourite came near the end of the night when they belted out Hey Jude. The crowd was so into it that we don’t think there was a single person who wasn't singing along.

Read more: Local showcase event earns new wedding band, St. Royals, some serious fans

Ontario Features - Wedding Features

Ya, baby! An Austin Powers style video love story

with Director's Cut Videography

This fun couple opted to do something a little different with their video love story, shot by Mike Stanisic of Kitchener-based Director's Cut Videography.

Mike's known for having fun with video shoots on the wedding day, particularly with the groom and his groomsmen. But in this case, it was the bride and groom to be that opted to go beyond the traditional "love walk" (what many videographers call the slow-mo scenes of the bride and groom kissing, walking, twirling...) and into a funny take on their own story.

Read more: Ya, baby! An Austin Powers style video love story

Ontario Features - Wedding Features

Baking up a romantic proposal

June 30, 2010 was the last day of school for Carly Genys, which meant it was the start of her summer vacation as well. "I taught math for a semester at a high school and it was not the best experience for me." Carly came home to find that her boyfriend (now fiancee) Tom Wade was already home from work.

"When I came in, he came down the stairs to greet me and hug me and congratulate me for being done for the school year. I walked up the stairs and he told me to drop my bags and books because he had a surprise for me. I told him that I just wanted to go upstairs to put my books with the rest of my stuff. He stopped me and told me to just put them where they were. I did but with some reluctance. Tom gave me a dozen roses and told me he baked me something. 

Read more: Proposal story: Baking up a romantic proposal

Ontario Features - Wedding Features

Proposal story: From "The Bachelor" to the groom

Many of The Ring's team are self-confessed addicts of the television series, The Bachelor, which is why we fell in love with this proposal story!

Meaghan and Matt have always watched The Bachelor together. The night of the final episode followed a busy day for Meaghan. She didn't realize it was going to be a day she'd remember forever.

"I had to come home, get the kids dinner and put them to bed, then had to go out again to run an errend. When I was gone [Matt] turned off all the lights and lit two candles on the coffee table. He knew I had a BAD day and was trying to make me feel better - which is something he would do normally..."

Read more: Proposal story: From "The Bachelor" to the groom

Ontario Features - Wedding Features

Bid local, save big!

The Ring's 2011 Online Auction has arrived! Local wedding experts from across Ontario have donated some of their biggest sellers to the auction. Bid on items ranging from overnight stays at swanky hotels to sexy boudoir photo shoots.

Read more: 2011 Online Auction | Bid local, save big!

Ontario Features - Wedding Features

2011 Brides' Choice Awards: Spread the ♥

Over the next two months, brides will have their chance to spread the love for their favourite wedding experts. On the top left of every review in The Ring, there's a LOVEit! button.

Click it if you love them! Want to give a vendor bonus points? Scroll down and add your kudos in writing.

Keep an eye out for LOVEit! buttons on wedding vendors' websites, blogs and Facebook pages too!
:)

ONTARIO > Kitchener-Waterloo > Bride-Savvy - Bride Inspired

You could win a Burlesque Photo Session

courtesy of Sonia Ryan & Co | Envie Intimates | D&G Photography

These three wedding experts are taking their work to heart by giving away a Burlesque Photo Session. Their goal is to raise money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Anyone can win...

Read more: You could win a Burlesque Photo Session

Ontario Features - Wedding Features

Gown Gallery: Maggie Sottero | Sottero and Midgley

with Couture Threads

In honour of the Maggie Sottero Trunk Show [Friday, March 11th to Sunday March 13th] at Couture Threads, we're shining a spotlight on ten favourite Maggie gowns so far this year!

Pulling from both the Maggie Sottero line and the Sottero and Midgley line, here's a taste of why the Sottero lines are so popular with brides from London to Toronto, Kitchener to Stratford and beyond...

Read more: Couture Threads Gown Showcase

Ontario Features - Wedding Features

Design Palette: Pink & Green

Article by Chrissie Boon of Too Nice to Slice, Coordination by Style & Elegance Wedding and Event Coordination [Review | Website]  with photography by Anne Edgar Photography [Review | Website]

Working with a group of all female owned and operated businesses was an exciting concept and seeing the visions everyone brought to the table was inspiring. Everyone had their own unique style and flair which, when all put together, gave a fabulous end result.

Starting with the location we picked the Hacienda Sarria, a renovated tile factory in an industrial area of town. The stone walls and glass ceiling provided a unique contrast to our theme...

Read more: Style & Elegance Design Palette: Pink & Green

ONTARIO > Cambridge > Bride-Savvy - Features

Good to know | Cambridge City Hall Wedding Facts

This morning, Vital Statistics Clerk, Devon Hogue, contacted The Ring to update us on the costs, options and details of getting married at City Hall in Cambridge. Here's what she told us...

The City of Cambridge performs weddings ceremonies on Friday afternoons between 1pm and 4pm in their newly renovated Council Chambers which is located at 46 Dickson Street on the 3rd floor.

• A City Hall wedding costs $200

Read more: Good to know | Cambridge City Hall Wedding Facts

ONTARIO > Greater Toronto Area > Bride-Savvy - Bride Inspired

Diary of a Cake Designer: Cake Toppers

Options, tips & need-to-knows for choosing a cake topper

Story by Toronto-based wedding cake designers, The Golden Girlz

The history of a Wedding cake topper can be dated back to the mid 18th to 19th century; making its mark in the social scene in the late 19th century.  Although culturally differences in traditions and types of cake toppers used to adorn the wedding cake, it is apparent that the wedding cake topper is used globally; signifying the couples love and togetherness as a united pair.

Today, the cake tops can fit every wedding theme and reflect every couples taste. The Wedding topper selection only begins with the traditional figurines, whimsically detailed to vintage inspired adornments. The couple may want to incorporate a comical topper to reflect personality, a cultural symbol or a monogrammed initial.  If the wedding decor is influenced by beautiful blooms, an explosion of fresh or hand-crafted sugar flowers may be the perfect cake topper. For a glamorous wedding gala, bring on the bling!  Cake jewellery is trending in the wonderful world of confection and a sparkling custom topper awaits this Bride-to-be. The happy couple can even commission a hand-crafted sugar character in their likeness or reflecting a shared interest.

Read more: Diary of a Cake Designer | Cake Toppers

Corporate - Magazine

Spring/Summer 2011 issue of The Wedding Ring Magazine, hot off the press!

The Spring/Summer 2011 (Outdoor & Destination Weddings) issue of The Wedding Ring Magazine is off the press and already circulating amidst brides across Southwestern Ontario, beginning with the January 7, 2011 bridal show weekend.

To get a copy for yourself, visit a featured Southwestern Ontario wedding expert or stop into your local Chapters after January 25th (stores between Toronto and Windsor) to purchase a copy. Or, to get a copy delivered to your door, click here to buy online (soon).

To view this latest issue online...

Read more: The Wedding Ring Magazine - Spring/Summer 2011 Issue

Corporate - Ring Blogs

True love is all it takes

Amanda Young's inspiring (tear-jerking) engagement story

Not all love stories are easy. In between the gowns and the vows can sometimes come challenges and complications. And so when Amanda Young's story came into The Ring this week, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. This inspiring engagement story proves that true love really is all it takes to find happiness.

Read more: True love is all it takes: an inspiring engagement story

ONTARIO > Kitchener-Waterloo > Bride-Savvy - Features

Boo! Will you Marry Me?

A pumpkin proposal

Halloween 2010, Kitchener, Ontario | After dating for seven years, moving from city to city, and buying a house together in Kitchener, Todd Webb turned a Halloween pumpkin carving competition into a happily ever after for true love, Elyse McKillop.

Read more: Boo! Will you marry me? A pumpkin proposal.

Trends & Style Spotlight

Sonia Ryan & Co. is reviewed in Kitchener-Waterloo Area Full Review

ONTARIO > Kitchener-Waterloo > Bride-Savvy - Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Save on your bar with do-it-yourself-wine

James Fields, Owner of Vintner’s Cellar in Waterloo (www.vintnerscellarwaterloo.com), offers tips on reducing your bar tab by making your own wine.

Making wine for your wedding can save you a great deal of money. Wine can be served during dinner, used as wedding favours and served at other wedding related events to keep your costs down. Lower costs on your alcohol means you have more money to spend on other products and services you’d like to have on your special day.

 Photos by D&G Photography (www.dgphotos.ca)

Read more: Save on your bar with do-it-yourself-wine

ONTARIO > Guelph > Bride-Savvy - Reality Wedding Stories

Amie & Troy: The colour of love

August 8, 2009 :: Rockwood Mill Ruins, Rockwood Conservation Area & Schwaben Club, Kitchener

Photography by Sheila Braam Photography (www.sheilabraam.com)
Story by TheWeddingRing.ca

Troy Huber and Amie MacDonald are true high school sweethearts. They’ve been together for twelve years and their connection is obvious in the way they talk about each other. Amie credits their strong relationship to Troy. “He’s sweet, kind, and hard working. I love that Troy is really friendly, kind, and hard working and that he really values his family... and he can always make me laugh.” Troy says he loves Amie’s easygoing, positive personality. “She is caring and thoughtful.”

Read more: Amie & Troy: The colour of love

ONTARIO > London > Bride-Savvy - Reality Wedding Stories

Meera & Simon: Two cultures, two countries, one true love...

May 23, 2009 :: Hilton London, London Ontario

Photography by HRM Photography  (www.hrmphotography.com)
Story by TheWeddingRing.ca

Meera and Simon Harris met at the University of Cambridge in England while studying medicine and, in the Fall of 2006, began dating. Meera says that Simon was always the life of the party. “It was easy to see why everyone loved being around him...” She says he has a kind and caring nature, charismatic personality and endless humour... “Of course, his striking British accent was the icing on my cake!”

Read more: Meera & Simon: Two cultures, two countries, one true love

ONTARIO > Greater Toronto Area > Bride-Savvy - Reality Wedding Stories

Gabriela & David: Grand elegance & the silver screen

September 12, 2009 :: St. Mary’s Catholic Church & Capitol Event Theatre, Toronto

Photography by IrinaPhotography (www.irinaphotography.ca)
Story by TheWeddingRing.ca

Gabriela Alcalde and David Kinahan’s love story began in a high school calculus class when Gabriela asked Dave for help with her homework. Perhaps she truly needed help or perhaps there were ulterior motives at work. Either way, the two were soon inseparable and what started out as a sweet high school crush, now adds up to fourteen years together. And that was just their beginning.

Read more: Gabriela & David: Grand elegance & the silver screen