By eating regular grocery store foods, dramatic weight loss can be achieved by balancing the three key hormones that correct your metabolism: insulin, seratonin and HGH – the human growth hormone. With the SureSlim system, startling results can be realized without massive calorie reduction, supplements, pills, injections or strenuous exercise. And Best of all, you don’t have to go through this on your own.

Potential clients can peruse SureSlim.ca and then book to attend an  information sessions either at the clinic or by phone the program is explained. The next step is to enrol in the program.

Upon enrolment, you will be given a requisition for your blood tests. Corporate Medical Professional, Dr. Morin, and his staff analyse the results of the blood tests and along with medications being taken, their recommendations are passed on to the Programming Department. The Programming Department then prepares an individualized program taking into consideration any food preferences or dislikes you have indicated and forwards your program to the clinic.

Once the client’s customized program is received, careful individual coaching follows to help best implement a customized weight loss plan. Consultants are specially trained to support clients through this process. You have now started on your weight loss journey!

Subsequent weekly appointments are set up to meet in private with a consultant where you will be weighed, measured (once a month) and to discuss progress. There are no public weigh-ins. In addition, clients will receive optional eating plans to allow you to attend social functions, to ensure you don’t continue plateau but continue to lose weight, and a  LifeStyle program which is a maintenance program enables clients to maintain your desired weight.

The secret of SureSlim’s success lies in its extensive medical research, as well as its scientific and personalized strategy. For more information on how you can achieve your weight loss goals call  905-895-SLIM or 1-877-SLIM-977.

This post was submitted by Linda Hauley.

Canadian brides are smart if nothing else, and ultimately you and your hubby to be, or your certified wedding planner, will be able to find the right wedding photographer for you.

Although we can’t recommend specific photographers, here are some tips for you as you plan to interview potential photographers (wedding videographers for that matter, too) for the events leading up to your wedding, and the wedding day itself.

1. Interview Your Photographer!

We already gave this one away – interview potential photography service providers. You must feel comfortable with them.
If the photographer is the owner, they have more at stake and their name is directly on the line. You might prefer to be dealing with the person who is “promising” service, to deliver that service.

2. Wedding Photographer References!

Absolutely check the references of any photographers references. Once you get comfortable with a photographer you’d like to hire, don’t skip this important step. Ask for a few references (and make sure they’re not relatives Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get the straight goods on any service provider, including photographers.

3. Keep to Your Wedding Budget

Wedding photography is a highly personalized service. Although most offer wedding photo packages, ensure that there is one right for you or ask that you get a custom package. Fair is fair, and never be afraid to negotiate. If you’re dealing with the photographer owner or not, don’t be afraid to go after your best deal.

4. Careful with Your Deposit!

Feeling comfortable with your selected wedding photographer doesn’t mean forking over your money in full. You’ll likely need to provide a deposit, but the less you put down, the better off you’ll be.

5. Shop Around for Best Value

Focus on quality and price – yep, that’s value. Canadian brides deserve the best value – don’t you? The expression you get what you pay for often applies, but balance your expectations with the price.

6. Professional Photographers are the Pros

Absolutely give them clear direction and outline expectations – who you want pictures of, what type of vibe you’re going for, etc. By nature, though, photographers that are “real pros” need some creative freedom. Given some freedom, many can really come up with imaginative ideas (without just trying to please on the wedding day) that will provide outstanding shots and memories of your wedding day.

The best tips for hiring a wedding photographer can also come from reputable photographers themselves. If they know you’re comparison shopping, they’ll be sure to point out things to ask when you’re talking to “the other guys”.

Until next time, good luck.

Canada Weds Editor

This post was submitted by Canada Weds Editor.

Wedding boutiques – from wedding dress shops to wedding favour stores – are few and far between, typically slim pickings in an average size Canadian city. Does that limit our Canadian selection? No way. At Canada Weds we not only present you with a great listing of Canadian wedding vendors in our exclusively Candian wedding directory – we provide great “Canadian only” content from leading Canadian wedding industry experts. Want to get great ideas from a bridal seamstress? Want to explore local wedding vendors?

Shopping online, Canadian brides have tremendous choice not otherwise found locally. Plan your wedding to the precise detail – get the perfect wedding photographer to capture your memories forever, get great wedding favours to thank your guests, and explore great Canadian wedding travel destinations. Our expert articles will educate and inspire you with fresh ideas – learn from an expert bridal seamstress or from Canada’s leading e-tailers. You can blog and contribute your own wedding ideas and experiences at Canada Weds, too!

Why shop online with Canadian vendors? Well for one, it’ll give you a warm feeling inside! “Oh, Canada…” (you know that song, eh?!). Seriously, there are many benefits. How about saving on shipping charges, gas costs (driving around costs a loonie a litre, no?), time – lots of time – and of course, shopping outside of Canada costs a tonne. Wha?

For example, a Canadian bride shopping for a U.S. retailer might be attracted by seemingly low prices BUT consider…

1. Exchange Rate Costs – those U.S. dollars cost you more Canadian dollars!
2. Bank Charges – you don’t get the exchange rate you might think, all credit cards take their exchange fees – so add a few percent there!
3. Customs Duties-Taxes – this surprise usually comes at your door on delivery! You’ll think you’re saving until you take delivery, then you’re stuck.

….Shoulda bought Canadian, right?

With so many great Canadian online wedding planning and buying choices, why would you go elsewhere? Take a look around Canada Weds, get some great ideas, and stay within your wedding budget. After all, the more you can save on your wedding day, the more you’ll have to start your wonderful “happily ever after”.

See You “Online”,
CanadaWeds.ca Editor

This post was submitted by admin.

My Italian culture might have something to do with me making a career out of wedding bomboniere. My creativity is unlocked as favour ideas are endless, from practical wedding favours to keepsake gifts that are just oh-so cute. I remember growing up, my parents used to come home with all kinds of things – from tea pots to wonderful porcelain figurines. Most all these bomboniere went on display – often along the top of the kitchen cupboard uppers (ring a bell, anyone?). I’ll be honest, the funnest part for me for a while was eating the sugar coated almonds that often accompanied the bomboniere – the confetti!

When I launched my wedding favour business many years ago, I loved the fact I’d be dealing with brides excited about their upcoming wedding, and that I had a hand in creating their fairy tale wedding experience. Always very selective about the favours we’d stock, I always asked – is this “good enough” – would my Italian relatives approve and is it worthy of the kitchen cupboards? Fast forward a few years and I’ve learned that there are all kinds of tastes when it comes to wedding bomboniere – some guests adore practical favours while others love something they can put on display. The bomboniere I love most do both.

These days, relatives often ask about the latest bomboniere designs and styles, and what brides are asking for the most – after all, we talk to thousands of brides each and every year! I love giving favor suggestions. For those that will ask, as I’ve been many times, “What bomboniere did you have at your wedding?”. A set of four shot glasses – great wedding bomboniere still today if you ask me (and many brides). They’re one of those practical bomboniere that you can actually use among friends, and when not in use proudly displayed in your bar or glass kitchen cabinet (ok, so you won’t see them on top).

Today, though, I seek out more and more favours that are European inspired sure to please my Italian and other European friends who share very similar favour giving traditions. With items like hand painted olive oil bottles, customized espresso coffee cup sets, and even display-grade espresso makers, we’re finding that the world has emraced “bombonieres” as the Italians invented – or so at least I thought as a little girl!

Whether you’re looking for Italian wedding bomboniere for your wedding in Toronto or New York; or giving wedding bonbonniere a la my Montreal, Quebec cousins – make sure to do your famiglia proud and give party favours that are worthy of the kitchen cabinets!

About the Author:

Mary Maesano is a wedding favour industry veteran expert. Mary is the Founder and President of Greater Toronto Area based online wedding favour retailer In Casa Gifts. www.InCasaGifts.com

This post was submitted by Mary Maesano.

These are all valid and quite predictable challenges, but – HELLO! It’s 2010 and your choices are more varied than ever before. This is welcome news for brides who are tired of the “same, old” look and crave a more exciting unique look that is theirs alone. In 2010 you have the opportunity to think outside of the box, to make your wedding attire – and, indeed, your whole wedding event – one of a kind, perfect and personal.

Color variations have been creeping into dress designs for a few years now. A splash of your favorite color in beading, embroidery or a sash can be a beautiful addition, as long as it enhances rather than overpowers the integrity of the gown. Brides with Asian or Russian heritage may even be looking for traditional red gowns for their most important day. Why shouldn’t you have a color you love?

In addition to color considerations, there may be alternate touches that you want to incorporate, such as nautical or tropical highlights if your marriage will have a seaside ambiance. Think seashells, clam bakes, seafood buffets and unity sand ceremonies. Go barefoot if you marry on the sand and make sure everyone is cool and comfortable in causal attire and flip flop sandals. If you plan a destination wedding, take clues from the surroundings to complement your nuptials.

If you or your sweetie have rural roots, how about a country/western wedding in an updated barn or saloon atmosphere? Thematic touches on your gown will be fringe instead of lace, and a sweetheart or keyhole neckline. Guests and bridal party might wear denim, and of course, everyone wears boots! You’ll have a barn-dance reception, complete with barbequed steak or a pig roast, and then ride off into the sunset on your ribbon-adorned horses or a horse and buggy.

Theme weddings, such as a cowboy chic version are gaining in popularity because personalities can be celebrated. Redneck weddings will see touches of camouflage fabric, even on the bride, while “Celebrity” or “Movie Icon” celebrations will feature designer copies in the style of J-Lo or Madonna, Jackie O, “Gone with the Wind” or “Lord of the Rings”. Sequins and ostrich feathers, anyone?

Imagination and historical research come together for Vintage weddings. Styles from the “Roaring 20s”, the “Retro 50s” or any ‘Blast from the Past” will have you sighting not only Elvis, but also Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. (Replica Las Vegas casino venue?)

If it’s the Roman times that fascinate you, your dress will be an embellished toga, or if you prefer medieval touches, you may feast on grapes and rotisserie meat in a tight corset bodice. Wreaths, garlands and candles will be everywhere.

Victorian-inspired gowns will have long sleeves, high necklines, large bustles and perhaps a coordinating wedding bonnet. Gloves and parasols will be abundant at the tea party! Yes, even guests may be asked on the invitation to dress in period attire.

What about a Gothic themed wedding? Or Enchanted Forest? Or African Safari? If these ideas are too “over the top” for you, light up your wedding with a fairytale look. I see lots of tulle draping, baby’s breath, moss, and even fairy wings on the tiny flower girls. Your dress will have a princess silhouette and a billowing ball gown skirt. Maybe it even lights up with LED battery twinkle lights! Think Camelot, Cinderella, Arabian Nights or Romeo and Juliet.

Champagne and a chocolate fountain effortlessly highlight a romantic celebration of love, along with roses and candlelight. Your dress will be champagne or pink in color with floral and lace accents. Your bridesmaids will wear brown and pink or brown and aquamarine.

A classic wedding featuring black and white is sophisticated and modern. For this wedding you would select a sleek sheath or a strapless trumpet dress. Perhaps a silky scarf drapes one shoulder or seed pearls follow the neckline. Black and white balloons, floating candles, white orchids or tulips and classic roses of any color would complete the look.

If the date of your wedding coincides with or is close to a holiday, you can borrow the colors and symbols of the season or holiday to enhance your day: poinsettias and fur for December weddings, hearts and lace in February, dragons for Chinese New Year and “anything goes” for Mardi Gras.

Some say you must select a theme first, then select attire, food and décor to match. Others say the bride’s dress comes first, from which the theme flows. Whatever your particular tastes and preferences, make sure the theme, and especially the dress will suit the uniqueness in you. Listen to your heart. You are the star of the show and must look and feel confident, comfortable and radiant.

Now, for headpieces……

By Carol Gartrell
Bridal Seamstress
ggartrel@mts.net

This post was submitted by Carol Gartrell.

But first, what exactly are we talking about here – can’t we all just get along and agree on one name for wedding favours? Some ask “what’s the difference between wedding favours and bomboniere”. Well, some traditionally schooled wedding experts might talk about differences – nuances whereby bomboniere customarily include symbolic confetti candy (usually 5 symbolic confetti whose meaning we’ll discuss in a future post!).

Ultimately, the difference between bomboniere, bonbonniere, boubouniere, wedding favours and wedding favors is….are you ready…nothing! What? Impossible! Well, take it from me, no matter what you call them they are all keepsake gifts – party favours traditionally given as a sign of thanks for attending a special event, in particular at weddings.

The difference is simply one of language and culture and Canadian multiculturalism and diversity broadens our eyes to different wedding customs and cultures, but a common theme is that brides and grooms often offer a keepsake – a wedding favour for simplicity sake – to thank their guests and most often give out the favours at the wedding reception.

‘Wedding favours’ and ‘wedding favors’ is a simple distinction, Canadian versus American spelling. In much the same way, Bomboniere is the Italian equivalent of the French “Bonbonniere” – used in Quebec and France (the French speaking world). The Greek variation is “Boubouniere”.

Well, not doubt there’s many more variations and I’d love to hear from you. What am I missing? I may be a wedding expert but when it comes to wedding favours, the spirit of giving and celebrating wedding and marriage is universal, regardless of terms.

About the Author:

 Mary Maesano is a wedding favour industry veteran expert. Mary is the Founder and President of Greater Toronto Area based online wedding favour retailer In Casa Gifts.   www.InCasaGifts.com

This post was submitted by Mary Maesano.

Welcome to CanadaWeds.ca Cultural Wedding Traditions area. Canada Weds will shortly become Canada’s authoritative wedding resource hub where brides, industry experts, professionals, and vendors can find everything about weddings in Canada. Here you’ll find expert author contributions on Cultural Wedding Traditions. Are you a subject matter expert in this area and interested in applying to become a contributing author? Apply now!