Having the wedding you've always dreamed of is something that Wendy Bennewies, Owner of Devine Wedding Design, believes every couple deserves. So, whether you're planning a small, intimate wedding or a large, grand affair, Wendy has made it her mission to turn your wedding dreams into a reality. Devine Wedding Design carries everything from backdrops, ceiling drapery and centrepieces to the smaller details such as envelope containers, linens and chair covers that fit into a long list of colour schemes, styles and themes.

Wendy knows that creating a day that measures up to the vision you've had in your mind since you said "I will!", isn't always easy. That's why her company doesn't just rent décor, they supply the expertise and staff required to pull it all together from helping you choose the right pieces to complete set-up and tear-down. This leaves the bride and groom to relax and enjoy their day.

We sat down with this decorator to find out how and why (aside from incredible prices, popularity and experience) she's won the hearts of so many brides...

Personally speaking...

Wendy started out in the decorating business by working for her aunt in a special occasions company. With styles changing she took on a partnership. In February of 2007, she took a leap, venturing into the world of weddings on her own, opening Devine Wedding Design in Mitchell. Between the two companies, Wendy has been designing weddings for eight years. And since that world of design is constantly changing, Wendy says that she's always learning something new - whether it's on her own or through continued education.

She is also the coordinator and chairperson for the Mitchell Bridal Expo, a show put on every November and the Stratford Bridal Expo each February. "Being a chairperson is like coordinating a large event, ensuring all aspects of the wedding world are available for the couples to view, offering selection and choices and making sure everyone leaves with a better understanding of how they are going to attain the wedding of their dreams," Wendy told us.

Among her repertoire of special occasion décor is decorating for corporate functions, such as Christmas celebrations - but Devine Wedding Design specializes in wedding décor, having offered her services for 156 brides in 2009 alone!

To keep up with the busy and continually growing wedding seasons at Devine Wedding Design, Wendy has added a new decorating designer to the team. "Emily has many years in the service industry and she has exquisite style and designs that will keep us unique to the decorating industry," says Wendy.

With so much experience and so many weddings under her belt, Wendy says she still loves what she does and her favourite part is "meeting new people, and the excitement of brides." And to ensure that each bride feels this excitement, she continually asks herself, "Are they going to love it?" Wendy is so enthusiastic and passionate about what she does that she says she does everything in her power to make sure each bride is happy with the outcome of her decorating.

Cassandra Hahn was certainly one such bride who was very happy with the reception décor that Wendy did for her June 2009 wedding. "Wendy is there for you and your big day," Cassandra told us. "You are number one on her mind when you are with her. She makes you feel at ease when you have to make decisions on things you never even imagined would come up." She adds that Devine Wedding Design's style can range from contemporary to traditional, and whatever you're looking for. "As soon as you start telling Wendy your ideas, she just makes the rest come together! If there is something you would like, she will get it for you."

Beauty for the bride

Since Wendy subscribes to the attitude that wedding planning should be fun and exciting, and not stressful, she says she is very easy going with what couples want and likes to lend a hand wherever she can. That's why she offers more than just décor rentals - when you hire Wendy, you not only choose items to decorate your day with, you also hire Wendy to completely set-up and tear-down those items, taking the pressure off you. Wendy will even go so far as to help out with coordinating other items and services, when possible. "I love to create the atmosphere the couple has envisioned their wedding day to be," says Wendy. "That way I know that the bride will have no stress on her wedding day."

It's Wendy's attention to the details that she thinks set her apart in the industry – helping couples with the little things they don't think of or may have missed. "I ensure that those things are complete," says Wendy. "Applying favours, seating plans, head table or registry decorations… if there is something that looks incomplete, I feel it is my job to ensure every detail is finished. I get to know all of my brides personally to ensure their own style, design and overall ambiance is complete."

Wendy says she helps brides and grooms in various ways, from working with them to collectively create ideas, to recommending another service for them if she's not the best person for that particular task. Most of all, though, Wendy says she's willing, and able, to create any wedding ambiance a couple has envisioned for their wedding day - from small and intimate to large and lavish - with endless possibilities for unique ideas and themes.

In fact, Wendy says that she has enjoyed each wedding she has decorated because they have all been unique. "One of the most memorable weddings we did," Wendy told The Ring, "was a 30s/40s themed event complete with feathers and boas. There was also a great jungle themed wedding."

Wendy also keeps up with trends in the industry and has started to bring in the outdoors, as is shown in her online gallery, with leaf garlands and centrepieces made with branches. She says she also makes sure she offers the newest trends in patterns like damask, and colours like purples, greens, black and chocolate, for linens and chair covers that more and more couples inquire about. Wendy takes a theme and runs with it, or follows a trend that you love.

For the 2010 wedding season, Wendy told us that she's excited to offer a new line of elite ceiling draperies and backdrops that are in line with the season's décor trends. "Our designer product lines have increased and with a designing team building new unique backdrops and ceiling draperies there will be new styles to suit every couple's style and budgets," says Wendy. "We haven’t increased pricing and want to ensure brides the best service in this area for decorating."

Packages & prices

Devine Wedding Design is set to fit into just about any budget. With their biggest sample package ringing in at only $1399, Wendy makes it easy to love her company. She says she can customize any package to fit any wedding - and with a changing economy, Wendy says she's aware that "everyone wants the best value for their dollars. Since Devine Wedding Design is a home-based business, I can bring value and personalized service, and keep pricing realistic for every wedding budget."

Cassandra, who has been recommending Wendy to all of her engaged friends, told us that she was completely satisfied with Devine Wedding Design's prices. "I was actually expecting it to be a lot more than what it was," she says. "Wendy's pricing is great, very reasonable, and fair, which helped to make our big day a huge success."

Prices for rentals and packages range from $550 to $1399, with the average bride spending between $800 and $1000 (plus GST). Each package requires $200 to book, plus a $200 damage deposit, which you get back if everything comes back in mint condition.

The most popular package at Devine Wedding Design is Elite Elegance, which Wendy's website says, "Totally transforms the atmosphere satisfying your unique decorating dreams." The package is $1391 and includes all the décor a ceremony and reception might need - a head table backdrop, decorated tables of importance, mini backdrops behind the cake and registry tables, a dressed entranceway, an envelope container, a seating plan easel, twenty centrepieces, a six-panel ceiling canopy, a pair of candelabras, twelve pew bows and generous sheer skirting.

The True Traditions package is $891 and offers couples a head table backdrop, decorated tables of importance, a dressed hall entrance, an envelope container, a pair of candelabras, a seating plan easel, twenty centrepieces and twelve pew bows.

The package that "includes the basics for all your decorating needs" is Wendy's Beautiful Beginnings package, which costs $655 and includes a head table backdrop, decorated tables of importance, a dressed entranceway, an envelope container and a pair of candelabras.

Wendy notes that all packages can be customized to suit each couple's decorating needs and desires. All prices include set-up and take down of the décor.

"Elegant and budget friendly" is how Jennifer Shelley described Devine Wedding Design, who decorated her October 2009 ceremony and reception. "Wendy's price was right around where I needed it to be and she even put some extra things in that I had no idea she was doing." She adds that that was one of the great things about Wendy – "she gets to know your personality and makes sure that you get everything you need or want."

In addition to packages, Devine Wedding Design also has an abundance of individual items for rental, such as entranceway decorations (iron arbours, a black iron gate and coach lanterns, among others). There are also many unique backdrops like the Black Iron Victorian Park for $300, the Victorian Arbour for $350 and the Brown Shakespearian Gate, also for $300. More 'extras' include designer centrepieces ranging from $12 to $25, wedding invitations at 20% off (when booking a package), customized bouquets and boutonnières, a unique selection of wedding party gifts, memorial candles and sand ceremony items.

Recently when we met up with Wendy, she was excited to add some new rental items to her offerings, including specialty linens, designer runners and overlays, as well as dinnerware, silverware and cutlery to help service the DIY clients. You can check out more of Devine Wedding Design's rental items on their website under 'Rentals'.

Smaller packages, designed to provide specific elements, are also available - such as head, cake, gift and registry table décor for only $200, or a four-panel ceiling canopy for $225.

Wendy's list is plenty and the possibilities for uniqueness are endless. As the website says, Devine Wedding Design offers "Devine designs with you in mind."

Walking you through your wedding with Wendy

Wendy recommends booking as early as possible, but usually six to nine months in advance is adequate to ensure you get the items you want, though she can do last minute weddings if she and the items are available. Call Wendy for an appointment where you can either meet her at her home office or she can come to you for a meeting to discuss ideas, your desires and budget. Wendy always meets her couples herself, saying, "I want my bride to be assured that everything will be completed as discussed over past visits together. Everything is updated with a copy of changes sent to the bride to ensure everyone is compliant." After your preliminary meeting, Wendy will email you a copy of what you talked about and a quote, but she specifies that there's no pressure or obligation to book her at this time.

When Cassandra first met Wendy, she found her to be funny, friendly and outgoing and was "hooked" after just one meeting with her, telling us that she knew Wendy was the one she wanted to work with for such an important part of her big day. She also liked that Wendy had "albums of weddings she had done. She let you see what exactly different options looked like on someone's big day. It was helpful compared to imagining what it might look like. I also liked that she has her house set-up displaying a lot of her items available. It helped to see things in front of you rather than in a catalogue."

After a couple has confirmed booking with Wendy, the more detailed process begins. Some brides would like help planning other aspects of their wedding, for example, coordinating tents, tables, chairs and dinnerware. These are services Wendy coordinates as a thank you for choosing her company for their wedding.

Wendy did all of the décor for Jaclyn Pol's May 2009 wedding from the church to the reception, including the photo corner, backdrop, head table, centrepieces, and more. She told us that she and her mom agreed after their first consultation with Wendy that they liked her so much they wanted to invite her to the wedding. On advice to other couples looking for a decorator, Jaclyn said to look no further than Devine Wedding Design. "Wendy is great, she is friendly, accommodating and she has all different looks and styles to choose from to fit every bride's tastes."

Some brides envision things easily and others actually need to see and touch their desired options. For instance, centrepieces can vary in style infinitely. Wendy has a large selection of containers in a range of sizes and will work with flowers, beads, sprigs and twigs (among other items) to create a centrepiece that will complete your desired look. "Our signature centerpieces are all customized and cater to specific colour schemes, themes and unique situations," Wendy told us.

With the belief that time is valuable, Wendy always strives to provide quick replies to her clients' questions. 'Whether it is a service I offer, or a direction I can send them with a different service, I am here to help," she told us.

Wendy's friendly and personable nature was what Cassandra liked best about her. "I could call her anytime, email her any day, and she would be on the phone returning the call, or responding to the email within the hour. She was great at communicating with her clients. You felt like you were friends with her, and that she wasn't just your Wedding Decorator."

Details, details, details

• It's recommended to book Devine Wedding Design for your wedding décor 6 to 9 months (or more) ahead of your wedding date to ensure the best product selection. Of course, last minute requests are accepted and Wendy will do her best to accommodate you!
• A non-refundable deposit of $200 is due at booking to save your date, plus a damage deposit of $200 dated for the date of the wedding and returned (less any damage and/or shortages) the week after the wedding.
• The remainder of your package or item amount is due 3 weeks before the wedding day.
• Wendy takes care of the set-up and take-down of your wedding décor, so you don't have to worry about bringing the items back the day after your wedding.

In other words...

"I (we) can't thank you enough for the beautiful hall decorating. It really was breathtaking. You have a huge responsibility, but definitely the right person for the job. Even Mike said that, 'Yeah, maybe colours and detail are important.'" - Dale & Mike Jones

"THANK YOU so much! Your ideas, experience and positive attitude were amazing! We appreciate you 'customizing' our package, taking care of everything and especially for setting up and taking things down. I'm sure it would have taken us days to figure out what you had done in only a couple hours! Everyone at the reception gave us compliments on our decorations and one woman even said it was the best decorated wedding that she had ever been to! We'd hire you for any event! Thank you!" - Jenn & John

Getting in touch with Wendy...

Arranging a consultation with Wendy Bennewies in her home-based wedding design studio in Mitchell is easy - email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call her at the Mitchell number, 519-348-4191, or the Stratford cellphone number, 519-801-5671. You can also check out more of the many services and items Devine Wedding Design has to offer online at www.devineweddingdesign.ca.

For inquiring about decorations rentals email Wendy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .