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Are You a Canadian Bride? Here’s How to Change Your Name

January 30, 2009 by Christina

Canadian bride drinking beer. Photo by Ralph Heinze Photography

While you are planning your wedding you will have to decide whether or not to change your last name – unless of course you live in Quebec, where you legally retain your maiden name.

For some brides, this can be a difficult decision. After all, you have numerous options (you can keep your last name, hyphenate your last name to include his, take his last name, or create a new one, combining both names), and it can be difficult to chose which one is right for you.

Some brides take their husband’s name socially, but use their maiden name professionally. Others use a hyphenated name professionally, but take their spouse’s name socially.

If you decide to take your husband’s name, you can legally use it immediately (except in Quebec). To change your documents, (health card, social insurance card, driver’s license) you’ll need to contact each government agency as soon as possible after your marriage. There is no fee for a specified amount of time (in Ontario, it’s 90 days). After that, it can get costly.

Here is a list of other documents that you may also need to change:

Vehicle registration
Auto insurance
Credit cards
Bank accounts
Doctor/dental records
Employee records
Life insurance policy
Library card
Memberships
Property title
Will
Voter registration
Business cards

If you want to simplify the process, you can order a name change kit.

Rena Anderson, owner of What’s in a Name, offers name change kits to make life easier for brides not keeping their maiden names.

Anderson, who lives in Mississauga, started the business after spending five hours trying to change her health card.

“When I got home that day, I figured there had to be somebody who knew what to do,” she said. “There were lots of kits in the U.S. but nothing in Canada. I had to learn to change each card myself.”

Her company not only offers name change kits, but also personal service: She’ll even stand in line for busy brides.

Photo: Ralph Heinze Photography

Filed Under: Wedding Planning |

Dreaming of a Mountain Wedding? BC Wedding Venues Perfect for Small Guest Lists

January 3, 2009 by Christina

Wickinninnish Inn Tofino wedding

Have you thought about having a mountain wedding? BC is the perfect place to say ‘I do’!

BC wedding venues include everything from quaint restaurants to boutique hotels. And don’t forget the fabulous wineries. Vineyards and orchards in full bloom are perfect wedding locations and there are plenty of them in the Okanagan Valley. If you’re adventurous, there’s the BC interior or the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Here are some dazzling BC Wedding Venues:

Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Victoria, located on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island, is the province’s capital and one of the most popular destinations in Canada. Referred to as the “California of Canada”, it’s famous for the Empress Hotel (namely its ‘high tea’), its beautiful downtown harbour, parliament buildings and magnificent gardens. It also has a bustling downtown, with plenty of shopping. A truly romantic destination!

BC Wedding Venues in Victoria

Fairmont Empress Hotel - This hotel, which is a turn of the century landmark located on the banks of Victoria’s inner harbour, is perfect for couples who want a wedding in a luxurious setting. If it’s just the two of you, why not tie the knot in the hotel’s lounge and celebrate with a gourmet meal? For a larger wedding, book the hotel’s historic Crystal Ballroom.

Swans Suite Hotel - Located in historic Old Towne Victoria, the Swans Suite Hotel, a 1913 heritage building and landmark, has a penthouse suite that is perfect for weddings. The luxurious setting is filled with antiques and original artwork. It features a rooftop arbour and 10-person hot tub with a panoramic view of the city and inner harbour. Can accommodate up to 30 people for buffet lunch or dinner or 80 people for cocktail reception.

Tir Na Nog by the Sea Irish Musical Bed and Breakfast – Nestled among the ancient rainforest of East Sooke, this venue is ideal for couples that want to be away from the city. The venue is owned by Celtic musicians that offer music for your garden wedding. A wide variety of wedding packages to choose from.

Wedding Planners

Royal Victorian Weddings - These wedding consultants offer several wedding packages to suit your own style. You can exchange your vows in a historic church, garden, a Victorian inn or numerous other locations in the region.

Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia Weddings: Mountains, Beaches and Nature’s Raw Beauty

Tofino, located on the Pacific rim of Vancouver Island, offers more than just a wild and mysterious landscape. Along with its ancient rainforests, its vast stretches of sandy beach, its rolling surf and its misty salt air, this enchanting destination – which attracts more than 300,000 visitors each summer, has a variety of luxurious spas, resorts, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and stores.

Whether you prefer a guest-free wedding on the sand, or a larger gathering inside an elegant dining room, Tofino is the perfect spot for romantic British Columbia weddings.

Did you know that people from across the world head to Tofino during the winter months to watch storms over the Pacific Ocean?

Note: If you don’t like rain, don’t consider this destination. It’s the wettest place in Canada!

BC Wedding Venues in Tofino

The Wickaninnish Inn’s Pointe Restaurant has a private room, The Salai Room for large parties. The Wickaninnish Restaurant at Long Beach can also accommodate large private parties. The restaurant, with its world-renowned cuisine, has a 240-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and glorious view of Chesterman Beach.

Long Beach Lodge which opened in 2003, was built among towering trees along the coastline of Cox Bay, just minutes from Tofino. The full service venue, which offers gourmet dining, is ideal for small gatherings.

Banff, Alberta Weddings: Mountains and more Mountains

British Columbia weddings in the Canadian Rockies are perfect for couples who want a stunning backdrop for their vows. The Canadian Rockies are undoubtedly one of Canada’s starring attractions – and there’s no better place to witness their majestic presence than Banff.

Banff, located in Western Alberta, is a nature lover’s paradise. Not only is the scenery spectacular, it’s home to numerous boutiques, cafes and activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

BC Wedding Venues in Banff

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Canada’s ‘Castle in the Rockies’ has the stunning backdrop of the magnificent Rocky Mountains. The resort, which was designed after a Scottish Baronial Castle, has numerous meeting rooms, halls, ballrooms and even a terrace that host weddings from large to small, from simple to elaborate.

Storm Mountain Lodge and Cabins - If you want a small wedding in a beautiful and secluded setting, check out this venue, which is located in the Banff National Park 25 minutes outside of the town of Banff. The venue offers exclusive use of the lodge and all cabins for weddings, and will handle all your wedding details. Maximum 40 persons.

Wedding Planners

Simplicity Wedding Planners - This company’s goal is to match its clients with the best venues and services to suit their budget. Plans destination weddings for two all the way up to groups of 400. From the outlandish to the traditional.

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia Weddings: Vineyards, orchards and pristine lakes

Despite the fires that blazed through B.C.’s Okanagan Valley in 2003, the picturesque wine region is still a popular destination for British Columbia weddings.

Kelowna is the hub of the regions wine making industry. Other areas in the valley, such as Vernon, Penticton and Naramata are also worth checking out. The mountains, vineyards, orchards and crystal blue lakes make them idyllic settings for tying the knot.

BC Wedding Venues in the Okanagan Valley

Summerhill Pyramid Winery – This Kelowna winery, which is Canada’s most visited winery and largest organic vineyard, is just one of many in the region that offers vineyard weddings. Wedding receptions take place at Forster’s at the Summerhill Sunset Bistro, which offers high quality local and organic sourced meals. The bistro has 100 seats inside overlooking Lake Okanagan, 100 seats on the outdoor veranda, and picnic tables in the vineyard.

Lavender Fields Forever

Want a great place to take your wedding photographs in Okanagan Valley? Try the Okanagan Lavender Herb Farm which has eight acres and 41 varieties of lavender. The farm has a perfect view of the Okanagan Lake, as well as nearby vineyards and orchards, which makes it a popular spot for wedding photographers.

Photo: Wickinninnish Inn, Tofino, B.C.

Filed Under: Destination Weddings |

Charming East Coast Weddings

December 23, 2008 by Christina

east coast wedding

If you love quaint fishing villages and rocky seascapes, why not tie the knot on the East Coast of Canada?

There are plenty of venues that are perfect for East Coast weddings.

Here are just a few to spark your imagination. (They are also great spots to honeymoon!)

Prince Edward Island Weddings

Rustico Bay, Prince Edward Island

Whether you’re an Anne of Green Gables die hard or not, you can’t help but fall in love with both Cavendish and Rustico Bay, in the heart of Ann’s country on the northern shore of PEI. Located near Prince Edward Island National Park – with its sandy beaches, cliffs, dunes, marshes and forestlands, Rustico is a utopia for nature lovers.

Just imagine taking a pre-wedding stroll along one of the quiet clay roads, before saying “I do” at an inn overlooking the glittering sea. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

Venues

Barachois Inn – This 15 room inn was built in 1880 as a Victorian Country House for local merchant, Joseph Gallant. The Barachois Inn is close to Cavendish Beach – the home of “Anne of Green Gables”. Ideal for an elegant wedding with a moderate number of guests.

Dalvay By the Sea Heritage Inn and Dining Room – This luxurious 1895 inn, located in Dalvay, which is 30 minutes outside of Rustico, is one of the only seaside resorts in PEI. It hosts weddings during the shoulder season in May and early October. The venue can accommodate up to 100 guests.

Wedding Planners

Caseley’s Wedding and Event Planners – If you are planning a destination wedding in PEI and you need some assistance, this company, located in Kensington, PEI, can help you with the details.

Nova Scotia Weddings

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Lunenburg, located on the Lighthouse Route in Nova Scotia an hour outside of Halifax, is one of the prettiest towns in Canada. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg has long been the heart of Nova Scotia’s fishing and shipbuilding industry (the Bluenose was built there) and more recently is home to a thriving artistic community.

Its charm lies in its beautiful harbour, its exceptional architecture, its museums, quaint shops and galleries. A gorgeous place for East Coast weddings.

Incidentally, if you’ve seen the movies Simon Birch or Doloris Claiborne, you’ve seen Lunenburg. They were both filmed there.

Venues

The Lunenburg Arms Hotel – This 26-room boutique style hotel, which overlooks the harbour, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bluenose Golf course, hosts weddings with up to 125 guests in its convention centre.

The Old Fish Factory – Although it doesn’t sound like an appealing place to tie the knot, this restaurant, which is located on Lunenburg’s historic waterfront at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, is a popular spot in Lunenburg to say “I do.” The restaurant, a former fish processing plant, specializes in seafood and can accommodate groups of 25-300 for sit down meals.

Arbor View Inn – This country inn, known for its award winning cuisine, is nestled on a wooded estate with quiet garden paths and plenty of privacy. Weddings take place in the dining room of the six-room inn. Great for intimate gatherings.

Newfoundland Weddings

St. John’s, Newfoundland

Newfoundland is becoming one of the hottest destinations in Canada, not only for tourism but East Coast weddings. Its capital St. John’s, the oldest city in North America, is located on the steep inland side of St. John’s Harbour. With its colourful buildings, rocky shoreline, and ships docked in the harbour, St. John’s is true eye candy. But it’s more than just a pretty face. It’s filled with fun shops, galleries, museums and restaurants.

Venues

The Fairmont Newfoundland - This venue, which is a first class hotel and landmark situated in the heart of St.John’s, offers breathtaking views of the harbour, the historic city centre, and Signal Hill. Wedding packages include complimentary accommodation for the bride and groom, champagne, breakfast, and more. The hotel has a professional team of wedding planners that can assist you with your wedding.

Leaside Manor – Rated as one of the top Canadian romantic destinations by the Globe and Mail, the Leaside Manor, a Tudor mansion and heritage property located minutes from downtown, is an ideal setting for weddings with less than 60 guests. Numerous wedding packages are available at the inn.

The Waterford Manor – The elegant Waterford Manor, a private inn built in 1901, plays hosts to weddings. The Victorian style heritage inn has seven rooms tastefully decorated with 19th Century local antiques. The Inn was featured on the cover of The Canadian Bed & Breakfast Guide (98/99 edition).

Wedding Planners

Live Wire Events – Whether you want an elegant wedding at a hotel or bed and breakfast or a wedding on the rocky shoreline or fishing pier, these wedding planners can make your vision a reality.

History Buffs

If you’re a history nut, why not get married at one of Canada’s historical museums or monuments. Signal Hill and Cabot Hill for instance are just a couple of sites that are available for wedding ceremonies.

Photo: Sean and Sarah’s Real Wedding in Nova Scotia

Filed Under: Destination Weddings |

Quebec Weddings all about Romance

December 2, 2008 by Christina

Ice Hotel Quebec Quebec Weddings are perfect for couples looking for something charming and a little different. Couples who want something truly unique can have an Ice Hotel wedding, while those who love the cosmopolitan vibe of Montreal can get married at one of its many venues.

Quebec City: Quebec Weddings with Romance in Mind

Quebec City is one of the most romantic cities in North America. With its winding cobblestone streets, its 17th and 18th century stone houses, churches, cafes, bistros, galleries and boutiques, the provincial capital, which is perched high above the St. Lawrence River, is charmingly European. In fact its European roots run back 1,000 years!

Named a UNESCO World Heritage site, Quebec City, which is the only walled city in North America, is rich in history and culture.

One cannot mention Quebec City without mentioning the cuisine. If you’re a “foodie”, you’ll be in heaven! The city has oodles of great restaurants where you can sample local culinary delights.

Although the city is almost entirely Francophone, many of its residents speak English – especially those who work in the tourism industry.

Great for summer weddings – and winter weddings too!

Venues

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac - No wonder this hotel is the most photographed hotel in the world. Set on a bluff high above the St. Laurence River, the century old castle, with its spires and turrets is an impressive site.

Le Château Frontenac hosts several weddings a week. The Rose Room, which has panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River, is ideal for intimate weddings of up to 30 people. For larger groups, the hotel has numerous ballrooms. The hotel has wedding coordinators on staff.

Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada – Want to add some adventure to your nuptials? Have an ice hotel wedding at the Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada. This hotel, which is made entirely from ice, offers adventurous brides and grooms a chance to say “I do” within its elaborate ice and snow structure.

A wedding package for two at the ice hotel, includes a civil ceremony in the ice chapel, a bottle of champagne, two ice-sculpted champagne goblets and a wedding planner. Transportation, photography, entertainment and other wedding related services can be arranged by the hotel. The hotel is open from January to April.

Au Petit Chateau Bed and Breakfast – You can’t get much more romantic than a turn of the century brick mansion overlooking the St. Lawrence River and tucked away in a quiet location close to Old Quebec.

Quebec Weddings at this venue are held on the grounds of the bed and breakfast, which include a lovely garden and veranda.

Quebec Wedding Planners: Quebec City

Karinian Event Planners – This company will assist you with your wedding day details. Offers a variety of services. karinian@consultant.com

Quebec Weddings in Montreal

Hip and utterly charming, Montreal offers an interesting blend of French and English culture. Framed by the St. Lawrence River and Mont Royal, the city is not only picturesque with plenty of open green spaces for nature lovers, its cultural scene is thriving with countless nightclubs, cafes, restaurants, galleries, and museums. A great wedding destination for couples who want to experience old world with a modern twist in one of Canada’s most romantic cities!

Venues

The Ritz-Carlton Montreal - For luxurious Quebec weddings, there’s the Ritz-Carlton located in the heart of Montreal. The hotel is considered one of the grand hotels of North America. The 18th century style Oval Ballroom and Palm Court, as well as silk-paneled Ritz and Carlton rooms, host weddings from 20 to 250 guests.

The Loews Hotel Vogue – This elegant hotel, located in downtown Montreal, combines neoclassical accents with Late Empire furnishings. A team of on-staff wedding coordinators can help you plan your wedding from start to finish. Weddings take place in the luxurious ballroom, and the Garden Terrace.

Montreal Botanical Gardens – If you prefer a garden wedding there’s Montreal’s Botanical Gardens. The Japanese pavilion reflects the artistic ideals of Japanese culture, and is great for small weddings. The Fuji Pavilion is an open air tent ideal for larger weddings.

Quebec Wedding Planners: Montreal

Maddy K Weddings - This full service wedding company, has a wide variety of wedding packages to choose from.

Photo: Ice Hotel Quebec