London brides choose their top 5 favourite wedding experts

Over the months of March and April 2011, brides across Ontario reviewed, clicked the LOVEit! buttons of, and supported their favourite wedding experts. London Ontario brides were no exception. Accumulating more votes from any other city in The Ring, London brides really stepped up to the plate to choose their top favourite wedding experts in The Ring's 2011 Brides' Choice Awards. Here's who local brides pickedto top their list for the London BCAs...

1. HRM Photography (two time winner)

Every bride wants to have some attention on her wedding day... but what if you want to feel like a star? Heather MacEachern of HRM Photography and her team will make you feel just that. It's not just her university degrees (in Photography and Education), experience and continual education in photography that sets Heather apart. We also happen to think that her enthusiastic approach to all things wedding, her evolving unobtrusive style, her work with internationally known bands, and her commitment to creating lasting relationships with her clients that also contribute to HRM's popularity. Heather takes all of this experience and translates it to what she loves most... Ontario weddings, which continue to inspire her even after shooting over 500 of them!

With a reputation for an adaptable, fashion-oriented shooting style that precedes her, staff at The Ring already knew that HRM was fabulous as we've used her services and featured her photos over the few years we've been working with Heather; but, we wanted to learn more about this professional's unique approach to photographing weddings in London, Toronto and beyond... Read full review by The Ring and local brides...

2. LTC Photography

Love, teach, create is what LTC Photography stands for in everything that Primary Photographer, Laura Carrelas does along with husband and Second Shooter, Jason. Both teachers to start, this photography duo puts their love for art and their couples’ love for one another into creating photos that capture every detail and special moment of a wedding day so they’ll become heirlooms that will be cherished forever. As newlyweds themselves, and with Laura’s bridesmaid experience, the pair has a ton of experience with planning weddings and they know how important it is to take amazing photos. But it’s not just their love for photography, fine art skills, and their ability to capture wedding days that has London and area brides and vendors talking about this easy going and passionate husband-wife team; it’s also their competitive pricing and their ‘I-feel-like-I’ve-known-you-forever’ personalities that has brides telling us that Laura and Jason are more like invited guests at their weddings… who just happen to have killer cameras.

With inspiration from fashion, art, the love of their couples, and the limitless possibilities of creativity, we met with Laura and Jason to find out how this creative couple are constantly pushing and inspiring each other to try new tricks and techniques, and why they and their couples are always having fun... Read full review by The Ring and local brides...

3. WeddingFavours.Ca

Wedding favours come in all shapes and sizes but when you're the bride, you want to say thank you to your guests with items that will be appreciated, remembered and that ring true to the style of your day. From tree seedlings to personalized golf balls to funky little purse hooks, Weddingfavours.ca offers a selection of items and ideas for wedding and shower favours, bridal party gifts, invitations and themed bridal collections.

With a newsletter sharing their latest favour ideas, products and customization techniques - not to mention a welcomed personal touch to everything they do - Weddingfavours.ca is obviously much more than just an online store. And don't be fooled by the name, as Weddingfavours.ca offers much more than just favours. They work with many different suppliers to bring you their best selection of products including aisle runners, cake toppers, sand ceremony sets, décor items, and more – online and in their Ingersoll showroom. The best part? Orders ship from within Canada so you don't have to worry about exchange rates or pesky duty fees. With all of this already in mind, The Ring sat down with Christine Rozon, Owner and Operator of Weddingfavours.ca, to get the inside scoop on what else is in store for brides... Read full review by The Ring and local brides...

4. The Windermere Manor

The Windermere Manor opened its doors in 1991 as a venue to accommodate smaller, private parties, but it wasn't long before the demand to host weddings became apparent – something that The Ring isn't surprised by considering the historic architecture and picturesque surroundings (perfect for on-site photographs) that any bride could fall in love with. Though The Manor seems to be a hidden gem that's still undiscovered by many, they now host about seventy to eighty weddings per year and offer an all-in-one location for weddings that includes the on-site Wedding Coordinator, Julie-Ann McCallum, indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, custom designed menus, discounted guest rates for the on-site hotel, all tableware and choice of complimentary table linens and napkins, and much more.

We met with Julie-Ann, as well as Banquet Manager, Heather Anderson and General Manager, Neil Kellock to find out more about the accommodating and flexible Windermere team and the gorgeous, unique venue that has London brides highly recommending The Windermere Manor for other couples searching for a wedding location. Read full review by The Ring and local brides...

 5.   Bridal Elegance

Over the years, staff at The Ring has had the pleasure to work with and review the fabulous family-owned Exeter gown shop, Bridal Elegance. From the beginning, it was the buzz surrounding the Bridal Elegance name and reputation that caught our attention – and had us breaking our cardinal rule of only reviewing companies who were two years or older. So in 2004 (and every year since!) we find ourselves returning to visit Wilma, Tara and their team to find out what’s new in gowns, what it is that makes their gown shop so different from others, and why brides don't just like them, they become lifelong fans. Here’s what you need to know... On a daily basis, Bridal Elegance operates with the philosophy that someone has already fallen in love with you the way you already are and that there's no need to make you over, only to just choose the right styles to complement your best features. "We don't want to turn you into someone you’re not..." says Tara, "We just want to help you look and feel great as you actually are." The Staff at Bridal Elegance work with each bride, bridal party and Mother of the Bride as honestly as they can to make sure that everyone is completely thrilled with their overall look before leaving the shop. Read full review by The Ring and local brides...

The Ring joins 400 couples as they race through London for a 14,000 engagement ring

All photos: Trish Roberts Wedding Photography

When we had the opportunity to help one lucky couple win a 14,000 Lazare diamond ring, we couldn’t pass it up. So, a few weeks ago, we headed to London to hang out with almost 400 couples, all part of the 1^st Annual Great Nash Diamond Dash.

Equipped with cell phones and running shoes, couples made their way through the city, receiving clues sent to their phones that sent them to different locations throughout the downtown core. When a couple completed a challenge, they were given a secret word to text in to earn points. Everyone had two hours to do as many challenges and collect as many points as possible.

Open House at Exclusive Events offers design ideas in person

In January 2011, Exclusive Events hosted an open house for brides. They filled their space with numerous decorating props, linens, rentals and design palettes. Each design palette was design to get local brides thinking about their wedding theme and decorating.

View Check out some of EE's ideas. gallery of design ideas from the open house

You can see more about Exclusive Events in their review. 

COMMUNITY GALLERIES: Best Western Lamplighter gets the spotlight

It's no secret that we love Best Western Lamplighter (www.lamplighterinn.ca) with its reputation among brides as one of London's most elegant wedding locales. Featuring grand ballrooms, crystal chandeliers, indoor waterfalls, glass ceilings, extensive catering menus, and luxury overnight suites, what's not to love? But we could describe it all day and you still might not believe us, which is why we were excited to see some of our other favourite London vendors share their fab photos of the Lamplighter Inn in their Ring Community galleries...

Ring Gallery |  Unique wedding band ideas for the groom

We know not every groom is a jewellery lover, or thrilled about picking out a ring that he has to wear forever. But, Jenny Dortman of James O Poag Jewellers (www.poags.com)shared with us some very unique men's wedding bands in a variety of metals.

From ancient Japanese bonding techniques to legendary Damascus steel - fit for Syrian swords and coming from meteorites, even the manliest man could fall in love with these wedding bands.

Stay tuned for more traditional and diamond set wedding bands for men...

[ Enter Gallery ]

Stoneridge's new Rose Chapel will book up quickly

The Rose Chapel at Best Western® Stoneridge Inn and Conference Centre is a brand new feature added to their wedding services, but an old fixture on the grounds. This classically restored, century-old, non-denominational venue can host ceremonies of up to 120 guests. Located on the grounds of the Best Western Stoneridge, the Rose Chapel is perfect for couples who are hosting their reception on or off site and even as a back-up location in case of inclement weather for your outdoor ceremony.

The key to great wedding music

When you're planning the ultimate wedding day, wedding music can trump just about anything in its level of importance. Let's face it, no one wants to horrify Grandma with naughty lyrics in the wedding party dance, have the wrong song played for their first dance, or worse, have an altogether empty dance floor.

Wanting to strike the right tone for your wedding day tunes is all about the DJ, live band or other musicians you choose to play on your day. That, and some great song choices, and you're looking at a fabulous night filled with dancing and celebration of your new marriage. We've got a few tricks to help you hit all the right notes on your wedding day... Click for list.

Mary-Angela & Justin:
A Day Filled With Fun & Romance

May 9 2009 :: Sacred Heart Church, Parkhill | Sandhills Golf Course, Port Franks & North Middlesex Community Centre, Parkhill

Photography by Photography by Jennifer Partington
Story by TheWeddingRing.ca

Mary-Angela Minten met Justin Hartwick at their church’s youth group. They started hanging out regularly in the summer of 2006. Justin came from a small family of one sister, whereas Mary-Angela came from a large family of four sisters and eight brothers. “We grew up in very different places... but both just as wonderful,” adds Mary-Angela. In October, their friendship turned into something more and they began dating.

Why wedding favours are important

Giving favors to wedding guests is a time-honored tradition that dates back to the sixteenth century, when European aristocrats would present guests with small boxes of sugar cubes (a precious commodity in those times). The tradition has carried over to present day, often couples will present their guests with sweets. Giving favors is a singularly special way of thanking your guests for being a part of your special day.