It's been a year since this couple was married (so basically, about time I shared some photos from their wedding day). Josh and Naomi met while Naomi was doing some traveling, in South Africa (which is where Josh is from). They fell in love and the rest is history! It was so special to be part of their wedding day at the beautiful Hive Events in New Westminster. The whole day felt like a joining of two families and I have many special memories from the wedding:

• The relaxed cocktail-style reception. It was the perfect way for everyone to mingle and get to know one another, especially since it is unlikely that that group of people will be in the same room again in the near future.
• The honour given to their families and friends. The wedding was absolutely a time to thank family and friends for their love and support. Josh and Naomi even prepared handwritten thank-you notes for each person who attended their wedding, which was such a thoughtful gesture. 
• The live music. Josh and Naomi are surrounded by so many talented musicians, who were featured throughout the ceremony and reception. I loved how unique and beautiful the music was. 

Now that you have a bit of background on the couple, it is time to enjoy some gorgeous photos from their wedding day. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

Day-Of Coordinator: Jodi Marie Events
Hairstylist: Tiffany Fortune Hair
Photographer: Johnny Lui and Valerie Hsu
​Venue: Hive Events

And just like that, Josh and Kizzie's one year anniversary is upon us (December 30th to be exact)! Their day was lovely with the weather staying mild enough for the wedding party to take some fun outdoor shots. I can't wait to share some photos from their December wedding, but first here are some memories!

• The decor. The "theme" of the wedding was loosely based on Beauty and the Beast. The decor touches that Kizzie chose fit the theme perfectly without being over-the-top (scroll down to check them out). 
• The dancing. My goodness, I had no idea how talented of a dancer Kizzie was (and Josh too, for that matter). Their first dance was nothing short of perfection! As a surprise, Kizzie even choreographed a dance with her bridesmaids for Josh and the guests to enjoy. It was truly amazing!
• The honour. A beloved family member of Josh's was unable to attend the wedding, and the honour given to his memory was incredible. As someone whose family member was battling a serious illness at the time, it impacted me in a deep way. Josh and Kizzie found a way to make their wedding day positive and upbeat, while creating space for remembering someone so special to them both (*cue tears*). 

It was a gift to be chosen to coordinate Josh and Kizzie's special day. Please enjoy some photos from their wedding! 

Cake/Cupcakes: Once Upon A Treat Bakery (the bride's company!)
Day-Of Coordinator: Jodi Marie Events
Decorator: Chair Decor
Florals: Niki Trading
Hairstylist/Makeup: The Love Team
Limo: Luxury Life Limo
Photobooth: Lucky Booth
Photographer: Miranda Harvey Photography
​Venue (Ceremony): Sts. Peter & Paul Parish
Venue (Reception): Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier
​Videographer: Bernie Hipos Wedding Films

Oh goodness, it's been a liiiittle while since I've blogged last. There's a few reasons for that! 

1. It was my busiest wedding season yet! Nearly every weekend was booked from mid-June through till mid-October (with weddings scattered in the earlier 2018 months too). Some weekends I did up to three events (Friday, Saturday AND Sunday). It was amazing and so busy! I knew that I couldn't keep up with blogging while also giving my family and my clients the full attention that they needed. So that just means that I now have a ton of new content which I'm excited to be sharing with you soon!

​2. I'm expecting again! My husband and I are thrilled to be giving our little guy a sibling. Our newest family member will be joining us sometime in late February. What does this mean for weddings and Jodi Marie Events? It means taking a few months off and returning to weddings in late May 2019. With that in mind, 2019 is getting pretty full! I have only a few dates available in June and only one weekend available in July. Be sure to contact me soon if you were thinking of booking. ​

As you are approached your wedding day have you had a moment of panic wondering if you forgot something? I figured it was time I put together a list of the items that are most commonly forgotten at weddings I coordinate.

I can't tell you how many weddings I've done where the pens for signing the guestbook are entirely forgotten. I always have extra pens in my emergency wedding kit, but the pens I have don't always work with the chosen guestbook. For example, if you have a guestbook that has shiny paper then a regular pen may not necessarily work. 

About 95% of the weddings that I do incorporate candles into the decor. But very rarely are lighters included to light those candles. I'm never concerned as I always have 5-10 lighters in my wedding kit. But what if you didn't hire a coordinator? And what if your coordinator doesn't provide lighters? Definitely make sure to bring a few lighters just in case! 

Most venues require that you take home all decor and personal belongings the night of your wedding. It is pretty rare to find a venue that allows you to store and pickup anything in the days following your wedding. With that in mind, it is important to designate a person to bring your belongings home on your wedding night along with a vehicle that has enough room for everything. Definitely ensure that you have more space coming home than what was needed to bring your decor and rentals to the venue. Why is that? Because at the end of the wedding day not only do you have the decor and rentals that you brought to the venue but there are also often leftover florals, wedding gifts, etc. which require extra space to take home.

What if you don't have someone to take your belongings home? Consider renting a Uhaul van or truck. When I coordinate weddings I'm happy to bring in a team to load decor, rentals, florals, etc. at the end of the night into whichever vehicle, room, or area you designate. 

SO important! It is easy for nerves to take over on your wedding day but that doesn't mean that you should skip breakfast or lunch. Plus your wedding party will need to eat too! Work food breaks into your wedding day or have platters and water bottles available while you are getting ready so that both you and your wedding party have a chance to eat. Bringing a cooler of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks while you do wedding photos is helpful too! Ensuring that you and your wedding party have food and drinks available throughout the day will keep everyone fed, happy and energized! 

Wedding cakes and cake cuttings are becoming less common, but when they are present at a wedding it is pretty rare that a cake knife is provided. It isn't a huge deal as I typically just run to the kitchen staff or caterers to get a knife from them. However, this doesn't guarantee the most attractive knife as it is based on what the kitchen or caterers have available. 

After the ceremony and photos are complete, it's nice to have vases of water setup at the reception to freshen up the bouquets. Bonus: bouquets can then be repurposed as decorations for the head table or around the reception space. 

7. Batteries

This is especially important if you are using a polaroid camera or LED candles at your wedding. I have been at countless events where the polaroid camera for the guestbook has stopped working due to the batteries running out. If you are using anything that requires batteries, be sure to pack a few extra. 

Summer is nearly upon us and I'm definitely feeling ready for it! This recent warm weather has me reminiscing on last summer, specifically Raymond and Lindsay's wedding. There were so many special memories from their wedding day, but here are a few moments that jumped out at me:

• The glorious, clear, sunny day in Tsawwassen (did I spell that right?!). It felt like the first truly sunny day of the year and that sunshine made for some amazing weddings photos! 
• The laughter and fun throughout the day. Everyone was there to have a good time and nobody took themselves too seriously. It made for a fun and enjoyable day for not only myself but for all of their guests too!
• The florals and the favours. The florals were luscious and bright! They were complimented so well by the favours: tiny plants in mini pots. Scroll down to see a photo of the favours, they're SO cute!

That's enough from me, please enjoy the following photo set!  

"Jodi was excellent! She was easy going, professional, organized and super responsive. She made sure the wedding ran smoothly and she helped relieve so much stress during that last month before the wedding. I would definitely recommend her as your Day of Coordinator!" -Lindsay

Day-Of Coordinator: Jodi Marie Events
Decorator: Kawano Decor & Design
Florals: Garden Works
Musician: V&G Music
Photographer: Vivian Chung Photography
​Venue: Tsawwassen Springs
Videographer: I Do Productions

It feels like forever since I've posted some pictures of my family on the blog, so I'm making up for that today! I'm excited to share some new photos of our family as well as a few life updates from us:

• We moved recently! From a basement suite in Coquitlam to a house in Pitt Meadows. Moving was a lot of work but it's absolutely worth it! We now have a huge backyard, a lot more living space and some great housemates. And don't worry, I'll still be traveling all over the Lower Mainland for weddings. Moving 15 minutes from where I lived before won't be changing anything. ;) 
• Our son, Wesley, is growing so much. He'll be two in July (how did that happen?!). He is obsessed with dogs (as you can see in a few of the below photos), balls, doors, and basketball hoops. 
  
• I've had a pretty quiet and restful winter/early spring with only a few weddings here and there. But I'm definitely itching to get back into more frequent weddings! I'm continually grateful to be able to do weddings so that I can stay home with Wesley during the week.
• My husband is amazing and hard working as always. He owns a carpentry company (yes, we're both self-employed!) and it definitely keeps him busy.

We are so privileged to have a photographer in the family: my talented sister, Joy of Sheer Joy Photography. She has captured so many special moments and memories for us, which I am forever grateful for. 

Markus and Gracie initially booked me for decor setup and takedown. And let me tell you, Gracie came prepared to our first meeting! She handed me a booklet with pictures and diagrams that explained exactly what decor she wanted setup, how she wanted it setup, and where she wanted it setup. She knew exactly what she wanted, which I loved! Not long after they booked for me decor setup/takedown, they decided to book me in for Day-Of Coordination as well. And I'm so glad they did, as it was a pleasure to work for them! A few special memories (and photos) from the wedding day:

• The flexibility. Even though Gracie had a clear plan of how she wanted everything setup, she was still flexible to necessary changes. One change that came up last minute was having to do the ceremony indoors because of inclement weather. The ceremony still ended up looking absolutely beautiful (see the last picture on this post). I love that Whonnock Lake offers a beautiful space for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies. 
• The personal touches. I loved seeing the bride and groom's personality throughout the wedding. From handcrafted wooden pieces made by the groom to the bride and groom's amazing entrance music (Love Story by Taylor Swift switched to Ms. New Booty partway through ;) to a custom drink in honour of both the bride and the groom. 
• The colours. The wedding was in October and the colours chosen gave the wedding an amazing Fall look and feel! Everything was bright, vibrant and fun! 

Markus and Gracie, you are such a sweet and loving couple. Your love for one another is so clear and I know that you have a long, amazing future ahead of you! I can't wait to see the adventures that life takes you on! 

Much love,

Jodi Marie

Caterer: Over The Top Catering
Day-Of Coordinator: Jodi Marie Events
DJ: Garry Robertson Entertainment
Florals: Westgate Flower Garden
Lighting: Sitka Studios
Musician: Musical Occasions
Photographer: Karolina Turek
Transportation: Royal Limousine Service
​Venue: Whonnock Lake Centre

I first met Evelyn while working with her late husband, Daniel. Unfortunately our time of working together was cut short due to an illness that ultimately took Daniel's earthly life. Through all of the turmoil, I watched Evelyn exude strength. She leaned on God and did no waiver in her faith, which was so beautiful to have been able to witness. I was overjoyed when I heard that Evelyn met a Christ-loving man, David, through online dating. When I first met him and saw him together with Evelyn, I knew that God desired for the two of them to be together. I was thrilled that they chose me to coordinate and assist in planning their wedding.

Some special moments from the day:

• The ceremony. It was such a God-honouring ceremony. The vows were lovely, the music was perfect, and the personal touches were amazing. Evelyn's daughter was a flower girl, her son walked her down the aisle, and David presented each of the children with a Bible during the ceremony.
• The theme. Evelyn wanted the wedding to be like an Easter garden party, without the cheesiness of Easter eggs, baskets or bunnies. She chose bright colours and luscious florals, and it came together in such a gorgeous way!
• The swing dancing. Both David and Evelyn love swing dancing, so they hired a DJ who is also a swing dancing instructor. The first hour of the dance party was spent doing a swing dancing lesson with the instructor and then guests were invited to dance freely afterwards. I loved seeing all of the guests on the dance floor enjoying something that has a special meaning to David and Evelyn.
  
  

David and Evelyn, I know that God has big plans for the two of you. Your dedication to your faith is profound and inspiring. I looking forward to hearing all that your future has in store for your sweet family. 

All the best,

Jodi Marie

Day-Of Coordinator: Jodi Marie Events
Decor and Florals: Bridal Beginnings
DJ: Jason Warner of Suburban Swing
Musicians (Ceremony): In Performance
Photographer/Videographer: M&Him
Rentals: One Stop Party Rentals
​Venue: Whonnock Lake Centre

So excited to begin sharing some of the amazing weddings that I did in 2017! I was blessed with some fantastic clients throughout the year, which I'm so grateful for! The support of each and every client is what allowed me to stay home with my son Monday-Friday, which I'm extremely thankful for!

On the blog today is Nick and Jillian. They were married this past November on a chilly but beautiful day. Their wedding was one that I won't forget! A few moments that I loved about the day:

• The calm. The bride and groom were incredibly calm throughout the wedding day. They created room in the timeline to breathe so that they wouldn't feel rushed at any point. This translated to one of the most relaxed and easy-going wedding days that I've been a part of.
• The colours. The couple chose the most amazing combination of reds, burgundies, purples, pale pinks and yellows, which fit the time of year perfectly. Haley at Ruffled Rose did an amazing job creating bouquets and decor that made this wedding pop! And Dalana at the Cake and the Giraffe made a cake that complimented it all so perfectly! 
• The speeches. I've said it time and time again but I honestly love a good speech! The speeches at Nick and Jillian's were well planned out, thoughtful. and honouring. I felt like I knew the couple so much more after the speeches. 

Nick and Jillian, I wish you the best in your inevitably bright future! I look forward to hearing about all the amazing adventures and moments you experience in your life together!

All the best,

Jodi Marie

Cake: The Cake and the Giraffe
Day-Of Coordinator: Jodi Marie Events
Decor and Florals: Ruffled Rose
DJ: Gary Robertson Entertainment
Limousine: City Limousine Ltd.
Photographer: Kathleen Earl Photography
​Venue: Diamond Alumni Centre

Oh my, it has been WAY too long since I blogged last. I was doing so well at posting monthly and then this fall happened. Between weddings and new booking meetings, a family member experiencing health concerns, my other business moving into its busy season, my son learning to walk (finally!), and of course: Christmas, well, all I can say is it was a BUSY fall. My blog definitely fell to the wayside during this time. BUT, it's almost a new year and its time to share some amazing photos and memories from 2017. Starting with O & C's wedding day! 

August weddings have a special place in my heart, probably because my own wedding was in August. O & C's wedding was absolutely perfect! Some aspects that I loved about the day:

• The day itself. It was a warm day and it was also one of the first days in weeks where BC saw blue skies. Due to insane forest fires in Northern BC, we were covered in a hazy smoke for weeks on end. Given that the wedding was up on Burnaby Mountain, I was sad at the ceremony rehearsal to find that I couldn't see the beautiful view that the mountain offers. Thankfully, rain came the day before the wedding and brought clear, blue skies for the wedding day. And the view was STUNNING!
• The theatrics. The best man pretended to forget the wedding rings at the ceremony, making everyone believe that the rings were missing. Then he "remembered" that the rings were attached to the ring-dog's collar, which lead to lots of relieved laughter. The bride and groom also made a hilarious video of themselves acting out how they met. It had everyone endlessly entertained (myself included).
• The gratefulness. The bride and groom were so thankful for their guests, their family, and for each other. The love that they shared for their parents and friends was amazing to bear witness to. 

Day-Of Coordinator: Jodi Marie Events
Dessert: My Sweet Cake
Photobooth: Panorama Media Group
Photographer: Perspective Studios
Rentals: One Stop Party Rentals
​Venue: Burnaby Mountain/Horizon Restaurant