tips & tricks: realistic planning help for local brides

 

Brides Choose

London's Top 10

 

In January 2009, The Wedding Ring put a call out across the net (and the Fresh FM airwaves!) asking brides to tell us who they love and why. In return, we received a flood of recommendations and votes covering just about every vendor category. From home-based custom floral designers to ultra popular reception halls, here are the final Top 10, chosen by London brides!

 

1. HRM Photography

"Heather did an AMAZING job photographing our wedding! She was fun, easygoing and creative and the pictures she took are absolutely breathtaking. They really tell the story of our wedding day and I'd recommend her to other brides in a second."

"HRM was 'hands down' the best decision I made in planning my wedding. I got to work with both of the head photographers, Heather and Lindsay, who kept everything in order on my wedding day, as far as photography went. They were so fun to work with, but also took their job very seriously. My photos are the best thing to come out of my wedding day. Not a week goes by the I don't look at them and think of how happy I am with them. HRM listened to what I wanted and worked their job around all my needs. I have to say, I have been married for over a year and I am so impressed with their work that I still, DAILY, go on to their website to check out their latest work on their blog, I'm addicted and my wedding is now long gone. I'm tempted to get married again just so I can use them again, that's the truth!!"

"Heather photographed my sister's wedding and did a wonderful job! She was organized and professional, but we also were relaxed and had a lot of fun. Since my sister has recommended her to many brides, I of course had to ask her to photograph my own wedding. Her portfolio was just want I wanted - natural looking pictures. We did our engagement session for which I was very nervous and awkward but she managed to make us feel at ease and directed us in every way needed. She is imaginative and has fun. Everyone who has seen our photos has raved about how gorgeous they are. We couldn't be happier with them! I can't wait to see the wedding ones! And Heather again because she is like a friend and seems to genuinely care about her clients and their pictures. She was meant to do this - it is her passion."

• Read their review in The Ring • Visit their website

2. The Last Forty Percent Photography

"Ewan has the most unique eye when it comes to taking pictures. His talent, patience, professionalism and very good sense of humour made our day and our pictures wonderful. This company is very organized and easy to deal with while handling the pressure of planning a wedding. I feel that I have found a company that I will not only be grateful to have had on my wedding day but one that I will use again to help capture special moments in my future. I do not have the words to express how highly I think about this company. My pictures say it all and I hope that many more brides will get to have such treasured memories after their own 'special day'."

"They are amazing... their work is breathtaking!!! They are so helpful and kind, I wouldn't think of going with anyone else! They are definitely #1 on my list!"

"The Last Forty Percent Photography is definitely one of a kind. They love what they do and it shows! They are passionate about getting the best photographs that capture every detail of your wedding day. They are fun and easy to work with throughout the whole wedding planning process. My husband and I knew that when we chose The Last Forty Percent Photography for our wedding, we would have incredible photos that captured the essence of our wedding day and we did!"

• Visit their website

3. Weddingfavours.ca

"Very friendly and helpful staff. All of my questions were answered very quickly. They have beautiful products that are priced very well."

"Great selection, friendly service easy to use website."

• Read their review in The Ring • Visit their website

 

4. Village Vines

"Natalie at Village Vines is wonderful to work with she is so creative. She will turn any dream into a reality."

• Read their review in The Ring • Visit their website

5. UNIGLOBE Instant Travel Inc.

For their Honeymoon Registry: "For the bride AND groom who already have all the necessities and are combining households, this is the way to go for bridal registry! Our guests made it possible for us to take the honeymoon we wanted at no cost to us. Judy at Uniglobe took care of everything from the inserts that went inside our invitations to handling our guests' contributions to making all the arrangements and reservations. Highly recommended!"

• Visit their website

6. A Piece of Cake

"Glenda was AMAZING to work with. Not only did she allow me to look through HUNDREDS of cake photos, she sent me home with numerous samples every visit to make sure I got the exact cake I wanted!!"

• Visit their website

7. Blue Iris Photography

"Jenn is original, fun and funky. Brides will love her easy to get along with attitude and professionalism."

• Read their review in The Ring • Visit their website

8. FireRock Golf Club

"FireRock is a beautiful contemporary venue that has everything one would want for a wedding. The setting is quiet and peaceful and the staff is a pleasure to work with. If a clean contemporary venue is what you are looking for that can provide a full bar, kitchen with an amazing chef, clean and beautifully finished facilities and enough room for small to large weddings than it is at the very least a must see!"

• Read their review in The Ring • Visit their website

9. Eric Rockburn Photography

"Extremely creative, stunning photographs."

• Read their review in The Ring • Visit their website

10. Best Western Lamplighter Inn

"You are really treated like any girl would want for their wedding day! From the WONDERFUL meal, down to the minor details, they went out of their way to make my day special in everyone's books!!!"

• Read their review in The Ring • Visit their website


• Honourable mentions

To Suit Your Fancy (d้cor, rentals, planning) | Boxwoods (florist) | Big Top Tent Rentals | Courtney Rose Bridal (gowns) | Forest of Flowers | Kettle Creek Weddings, London Regional Office (officiants) | Purple Hill Country Hall (venue) | Patzees Floral Scapes | Burke Flowers | Cakewalkers

A few of our favourite words from brides... "Wayne from the London [Regional Office of] Kettle Creek location was an absolute savior when it came to relieving the pressures from planning our ceremony. He knew exactly what would work best and we totally agreed. We are no longer worried about how the ceremony will go, we know it will be absolutely beautiful! He is very eloquent and professional and anyone who obtains his services will be pleasantly surprised." • "  They have a very country feel, very friendly and personable. [Purple Hill Country Hall has] beautiful grounds, country atmosphere."  • "Jackie Phillips [at To Suit Your Fancy] is very talented and great to work with. She collaborates well with her clients on projects, and combines ideas that are both pleasing to her clients, true to their style, and fine examples of her artistic creativity."  •  "I LOVED all my flowers [from Burke Flowers]. I couldn't have asked for anything to be different! Sandy put together a mock bouquet, with only my idea of colours and one main flower. They really have an eye for detail & knowing what works!!!"