Part one of a two-part series. Next Wednesday, the News explores the planning of a somewhat controversial cultural dish.
When Brandee Sekhon began planning her 2007 wedding, she had a one-month-old baby. Overwhelmed and exhausted, she decided to hire wedding planners to take care of all the details.
The idea of planning a wedding felt so stressful to me as a new mom, said Sekhon. My husband and I were planning a large wedding, 200 guests.
I knew of Laura Takasaki and so I hired her company (Imagine That Events) to help me.
She said Takasaki was a godsend.
They did a great job of taking my vision and making it a reality, added Sekhon. I was able to really enjoy my wedding.
Nearly a decade ago, Richmondites Laura Takasaki and Sharon Liew founded Imagine That Events, an event planning company focused on corporate and wedding arrangements.
With their educational backgrounds, they felt they had the knowledge to get into event planning Liew held a marketing diploma from BCIT and Takasaki studied tourism at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Then, in 2008, the high school friends realized there wasnt anyone putting on a wedding fair in Richmond. Given there was a large number of local Generation Ys reaching their late 20s, the 35-year-old Steveston secondary graduates thought they had a good market for it.
We were always the two who planned parties in high school, said Takasaki. It was an easy transition for us to go from event planning to a large wedding fair because we both really enjoy new challenges
Thus A Wedding Affair was born.
The 5th Annual A Wedding Affair happens Sunday, Feb. 26 at the River Rock Casino Resort from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
During our last one, we had 200 brides and their guests, said Liew. This time, we expect at least 500 altogether.
Weddings are a big part of what they do.
Our first ever wedding we did, the bride chose the Gulf of Georgia Cannery for her reception, said Liew. It was so unique and lovely.
Last year, the two were hired to plan 40 weddings.
Typically, we work with the newlyweds between six months to a year, although weve had brides come to us one month before the big day, added Liew. In that time, we will have two to three meetings with them and many emails back and forth.
We also attend the wedding, so we never plan more than two weddings on one day.
The Wedding Affair has more than 40 exhibitors, everything from caterers, DJs, florists, photographers, make-up artists and representatives from a number of wedding magazines, including Real Weddings Magazine and Perfect Wedding.
There is complimentary admission for registered brides and grooms. The future newlyweds must register no later than Feb. 24.
Tickets for family and friends are $10 at the door. There are free appetizers compliments of the River Rock Casino Resort, as well as wine and champagne courtesy of Peller Estates Winery in the Okanagan.
One bride or groom will walk away with a grand prize worth $5,000. The Bay and some of our exhibitors have put together a fantastic gift prize, said Takasaki.
For more information, visit www.imaginethatevents.ca.
2012 wedding trends
(Courtesy of Imagine That Events)
- The average age of a bride is 28+
- Favourite flower is the orchid
- Most popular months to get married are July and August
- Fruitcake is out. Its a three-tiered white or chocolate cake or individual cupcakes
- Top venues in Richmond for reception include the UBC boathouse, all the private golf courses, the River Rock Casino Resort
- The average cost of a 2012 wedding? $30,000
Tips on hiring planner
(Courtesy of Imagine That Events).
- Ask if they charge by the hour or if they offer packages? Get them to give you a quote.
- What do they offer to help you? We believe a planner should be saving you time and money.
- Make sure you find out what experience the wedding planner has.
- Find a planner that is familiar with the venue.
- Is there chemistry? As with photographers, make sure you and your planner get along.
- Look for a planner that can help you envision your special day.
- Meet with at least three planners to get an idea of what you need and want.
- Ask your planner if they decorate reception venues. Its always nice to have both services combined.
- Ask for referrals. Call the referrals to find out what their relationships were like with the planner.
