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vendor reviews: decorators
Story: Wedding Worthy Spaces Banquet Rooms, Reception Halls & Wedding Locales
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Interviewing Shelley Da Silva, Owner of Wedding Wows Toronto
Shelley Da Silva, WPIC certified consultant, owner and founder of Wedding Wows, says she has planned hundreds of weddings and can't imagine doing anything else in the world. "It's the best job. I get to plan weddings all day, every day..." And while it might seem to be all fun and games to those in attendance, in Shelley's world organization is the key to success.
Wedding Wows Toronto has been designed to be the type of agency that a bride and groom can turn to for almost anything. From planning, budgeting and contracts to floral design, décor, make-up and limousines, Shelley says, "We're unique in that we're able to provide a one-stop shop and take care of everything you'll need for your wedding, all under one roof." So from a little bit of a help to full-scale event planning, Wedding Wows Toronto had a lot to say about how they make the lives of couples easier so that they can enjoy their wedding day. Let us explain...
Personally speaking Shelley Da Silva started her event management career in Toronto, Ontario. By working for organizations such as the City of Toronto, Belmont House, local resorts and not-for-profit charities, Shelley acquired over 10 years of event management experience. "My focus was on planning and co-ordinating their programs, events and weddings. It was great experience and wonderful exposure to the world of entertaining and co-ordinating guests at a function." She graduated from Humber College in 2002, receiving a diploma in Recreation/Leisure Services & Special Events. Then, she continued her education at George Brown College, where she earned her Event & Meeting Management certification. She has been certified by the WPIC (Wedding Planners Institute of Canada).
Agency designed to be all-in-one "Wedding Wows is a full service Wedding & Event Planning company, complete with Make-up, Limousine, Floral and Décor Design services," explains Shelley, who says she accomplished the not-so-small feat of being four or five companies in one by first incorporating floral design into their services. It's a talent that runs in her family. Sister, Kerry Da Silva, was always the creative one in the family. "She was always into art, design, home décor..." Shelley explained. "That interest eventually led her into wedding flower design." In fact, Kerry left a career in insurance to start over - her first step being to get serious with flowers.
Kerry was certified through the Canadian Institute of Flower Design and has been professionally designing for nearly two years but Shelley says her sister never stops learning. "She's always studying something new, taking a new workshop, upgrading this or learning that..." With their own in-house floral designer, Wedding Wows Toronto began educating brides on flowers - what will last, what won't, what's in season and when... And even though every floral package at Wedding Wows Toronto is customized, Shelley says that for a $40,000 wedding budget, a bride usually puts approximately $2400 towards her flowers and décor. This would include the bride's bouquet, four large arrangements for the church, five bridesmaids' bouquets, boutonnieres & corsages, head table and back drop treatments, and cake table décor. While Kerry's floral design services are most often part of a Wedding Wows' wedding package, they can also be booked alone.
Wedding Wows Toronto takes on décor in a mix of rental items and fresh floral décor. Both Shelley and Kerry work together on wedding decorating and design for their brides. From chair covers and back drops to centrepieces and pew cones, Shelley offers whatever she has in-stock. Whatever she doesn't have, she can find for you. Shelley says they've been called upon to design the look of dance clubs, private and corporate events, and of course, weddings. With decorating having such an impact on any event, Shelley and her team never overlook the option to make something more beautiful.
Transportation with style is another specialty that Wedding Wows Toronto likes to deliver in-house. Paul Singh is the Wedding Wows transportation coordinator of corporate limousines and town car services - and often, also a chauffeur. Paul began his career as Director for an armoured car service before moving to the luxury transportation industry. With 10 years of professional driving experience, Paul has extensive knowledge of Toronto and its surrounding are - giving him the ability to take you where you're going on time and efficiently. "We give every bride, groom or wedding guest the red carpet, first class service."
Paul oversees a fleet of luxurious vehicles for your special day, including a Lincoln Town Car (seats 2-3 people), Rolls Royce (seats 2), Rolls Royce stretch (seats 8-14), Ford SUV (seats 14), stretch BMW (seats 8) and a stretched Lincoln Town Car (seats 10). All wedding packages include a new model limousine, its professional chauffeur, their famous red carpet service, cold beverages and champagne, colour co-ordinated napkins and a 'Just Married' sign. With all of these vehicles, Wedding Wows can fill the transportation needs for four full weddings every day.
Wedding Wows Toronto works with a make-up artist that Shelley hand-picked to help her brides with their total look. Stella Lakoseljac provides make-up consultations (make-up trials) and day-of application on-site. She has about 10 years of experience with make-up artistry, and is based out of Toronto (although she travels all over the country and is even available for international requests). It started in 1997, when Stella found her passion for the beauty industry behind the counter as a Manager for Clinique cosmetics. She recently joined the Wedding Wows team with 7 years of freelance make-up artistry experience, working with leading cosmetic brands such as Eseé Lauder, Lancôme, Christian Dior, Elizabeth Arden and MAC. Having an educational background in interior and architectural design, Stella is able to use her creativity and innovation in her services. She has also completed MAC courses, and Master classes in fashion & bridal make-up.
Planning wows With all of these other services and details taken care of in-house at Wedding Wows Toronto, Shelley's specialty has always been wedding and event planning. Brides use her full coordination services if they want help from beginning to end, and her 'Day of' coordination services if they'd like help at crunch time. In either event, Shelley is just happy to help.
"I can plan as much or as little as the bride would like," says Shelley. "Some people get started on their wedding plans, do several steps on their own at first, such as booking their venue or church. Then they'll come to me for help with the rest."
Because full wedding planning is so detailed, Shelley says she will only take on twelve of these per year, and prefers to space them out with four weeks between each. "I love planning, but I also want to make sure I can give 100% to the bride and groom at all times. Making sure every detail is perfect takes a lot of time and effort, focus and attention."
Taking it a step further, Shelley says there are always three planners on-site at every wedding, with full wedding planning services. "There will be the wedding planner, a co-planner, and an assistant." Shelley describes an assistant as a planner in training. "The more planners we have there for the wedding day, the smoother and more trouble-free the wedding day will be... That's why we always make sure we have all three planners in attendance at the ceremony. Then one will go with the couple to the photo shoot and two will head to the venue to make sure set-up, music and catering details are going as planned."
Shelley said she was actually in a minor car accident while taking flowers from the church to the hall, this past Thanksgiving of 2007. "The bride and groom didn't need to know what happened. One of our other planners came, picked up the flowers, and finished the 'mission' of the day!" Shelley said it was seamless.
When Shelley can't plan your event, she has other planners available to help you. They also will only take on twelve full planning events per year, preferably with four weeks between each one.
'Day-of' Planning & Make-up Service is popular and makes up the majority of the Wedding Wows' bookings calendar. This package starts at $650 and it's not uncommon for Shelley and her associates to have one wedding every day of the weekend - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For 'Day-of' planning services, the bride and groom can rest assured that they have a confident liaison for ceremony and reception vendors such as caterers and flowers. They'll make sure everything gets picked up when it should, that the meal starts when it should, and that the MC has everything under control. This service in and of itself is worth it's weight in gold with the right wedding planner.
Partial Planning is another service that Wedding Wows Toronto provides. "We can help at any stage of the game. With partial planning, a custom quote is usually generated according to what has already been done and what's left to be planned."
Soup to nuts The largest wedding Shelley has planned, she says, was one with a budget of $100,000. "It was incredible. So many details..." She says she's also well-versed in multicultural weddings and traditions. She gave staff at The Ring a long list of the different types of services she has planned, including weddings with Jewish, Filipino, Russian, Portuguese, Indian, Italian Canadian, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim elements and customs. "And of course civil services as well."
The most important service she can provide though, she says, is her own attention to the details of your wedding. "I cater to clients' needs and to working within their budgets. I want to make their vision for an event into a reality." Shelley says her own meticulous, professional and caring approach to her clients and her events are what helps her coordinate truly perfect wedding days.
Booking and budgeting for the perfectly planned wedding The cost of the 'Full wedding planning' service is based on a percentage (10%) of the wedding budget (the portion of the budget which Shelley or a Wedding Wows Toronto planner would be taking care of). Full planning needs to be booked six to twelve months in advance, with availability being fairly limited. 'Day of' coordination is approximately $650, depending on the needs of the bride and groom. To book this service, Wedding Wows suggests booking as soon as you have booked your venue and/or church location. Shelley needs at least two months advance notice to ensure that she can acquaint herself with your wedding plans already made, your vendors and your venue. For partial planning, Shelley will quote you based on what is needed.
detailsdetailsdetails • If you require full planning, book Shelley six to twelve (or more) months ahead of your wedding day. • For partial planning, flowers, décor, limos or make-up, book more than two months in advance. • To hold your date, a deposit of 50% is required. • The balance is due at your wedding rehearsal.
For the chance to book...
Wedding Wows is
located in Toronto. You can email or
- The Staff at TheWeddingRing.ca * Prices are all approximate & are subject to change and verification by authorized staff and management of Wedding Wows Toronto. |
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Wedding Wows' all-in-one services design weddings from top to bottom
On the personal level,
she told us, "It all started with planning weddings and functions for
friends and family. I realized I had a gift..." Professionally speaking though, Shelley had just finished a busy
wedding season at the time of our interview, having planned thirty weddings so
far that year, including both full consultation services and wedding day
coordination services. Now, Shelley, backed by her planning experience and
'think outside the box' attitude, has a busy 2008 ahead. She was recently a
guest on Breakfast Television, discussing the latest wedding trends for the
year, demonstrating the services that Wedding Wows Toronto can offer engaged
couples. She assured us that her one and a half year old company - a
'one-stop-shop' concept - is geared up for what lies ahead. 
Shelley says she has
planned events ranging from six guests to over five hundred. This has included
outdoor, Victorian, modern, contemporary and traditionally styled weddings. "I'm
experienced in organizing events such as engagement parties, fundraisers,
anniversaries and otherwise less formal events such as walk-a-thons, charity
picnics, outside carnivals and corporate events as well."
In other words...
phone to book an
appointment with Shelley at 416-721-5897, 416-533-6767 or
