The Wedding Website we recommend to ALL of our couples

There are a few things we “require” all of our couples to do during the planning journey:

1. Make time for regular check-in planning meetings with our team

2. Communicate with us using a “no filter” approach in full confidentiality

3. CREATE A WEDDING WEBSITE!!!

And no… this isn’t a “sponsored” post. We genuinely enjoy using www.withjoy.com

My team and I have been using WithJoy since 2017 as our preferred choice of website for our clients. Since then, the website has enhanced many features and is now at a level where I can confidently refer to all of my clients no matter how small, large, simple, or complicated their wedding logistics and date(s) involved. 

Here is why we always (and exclusively) recommend WithJoy.com to all of our couples:

• PRE-BUILT TEMPLATE STYLES: They offer a variety of simple yet effective templates that are ready to load in with no need to redesign.

• FREE: Enough said.

• CUSTOMER SERVICE: I LOVE a good chat bot, and I have used the WithJoy chat bot as if I’m friends with their customer support team. They are always quick to reply and so concise yet thorough with their responses.

• SCHEDULE/FAQ: There are so many ways to share your plans and answer Qs for your special guests.

• CUSTOMIZABLE RSVP QUESTIONS: We love using the RSVP section to collect not only attendance information, but also meal preferences for plated dinners, dietary restrictions, song suggestions, collect addresses, ask for advice, etc.

• PLUS-ONE RESTRICTIONS: You know that distant family member who you “have” to invite but they have 5 kids that you definitely don’t want to invite? No problem - don’t! You can restrict the number of “guests” that each guest can add to their RSVP. For example, if you want to invite “Hasti Maloufi” - you can either invite me, or me + Guest, or me + multiple guests (you choose how many). 

• COMMUNICATION OPTIONS: You can use the guest list manager to send out electronic save-the-date announcements, reminders, e-invitations (or request matching theme paper ones), and so much more. You can choose to send to some or all of your guests based on the groups you have assigned them to.

• ADMIN ACCESS: The best part - you can add administrators (hint: your planner!) to have full access to your site for enhanced collaboration.

• BANNERS: Ever since the recent covid-related postponements, the WithJoy team has implemented a top-scroll “announcement banner”

• MOBILE-FRIENDLY: The site is great on desktop, and just as perfect on mobile devices!

• REPORTS: One of the most valuable features is being able to pull reports of the database (guest list, RSVP, meal preferences, etc) to use to later prepare the seating plan (more on this in another blog post later).

Those are just SOME of the wonderful features. Reminder to our couples:

• If you are a La Vista Events custom or full service planning client, you will receive complete wedding website preparation and management.

• If you are a La Vista Events management client, you will receive guidance - don’t be shy to contact us for support!

If you are not a La Vista Events client yet… what are you waiting for? Contact us today and let us make your planning journey streamlined using our experience with efficient tech tools and our passion for people…

PS. WithJoy has added a new website banner feature as well as “change the date” templates, and they’re AMAZING! Check out this link for more info.

As always, I’m happy to answer any Qs! Leave a comment or send me an email.

Wedding Planning Advice from a Bride's Perspective

This blog post was written by one of our sweet brides, Sanaz, back in 2018 - a few months after her wedding day, after being featured on the WedLuxe blog. Her insight is still relevant today. Happy Reading!

From Sanaz:

Being a bride feels amazing - and scary! You don’t know where to begin… everyone approaches you by congratulating you, then they ask you whether you have picked your date, venue, dress, etc!

Most of us are busy enough working our full-time jobs, managing time between family and friends, and making sure we don’t miss out on life’s special moments. 

We all only have 24 hour days: 8 of which gets used up for our beauty sleep, another 8-12 at work,  and let's say another 2/3 hrs to spend with our family/friends, an hour of alone/me time...that leaves us with 3-4 hours a day!

So, remember the questions I mentioned at the beginning? You have to come up with an answer to those questions in the 3-4 hours a day you have...Scary, right? That’s how it feels at the beginning when you are a bride! You’re excited and have a vision in mind, you keep looking at pictures,  know what you want, but don’t really know where to begin....

Belluxe Photography

Let me tell you! Here are my 10 Top Suggestions as a recent bride:

1. HIRE A PLANNER - You will need someone who knows HOW to plan a wedding. You do NOT want to be a bridezilla on your wedding day, worrying about little things. Your planner will take care of all the behind the scenes, and you will enjoy every minute of your dream wedding! 

2. TRUST YOUR VENDORS - They have been in this industry for many years, and have been involved with all kinds of weddings. Tell them about your vision, but also give them freedom to be creative! They will think outside the box, and your wedding will standout to your guests even more! 

3. BE FLEXIBLE - There is no right or wrong. Always remember that not everything will go the way you had pictured it, but don’t let it ruin ur big day..! Last minute changes happen, and your job is to notice how beautiful it is to have your friends and family all in one place, celebrating your love - go with the flow and enjoy the moment. Little things don’t matter.

4. TRUST YOUR GUT FEELING - Your planner will help you meet so many vendors. You will connect with some and it will feel “right” to have them as part of your wedding! Trust your gut feeling and make a decision. Your gut feeling never lies. Your first interactions with each vendor will tell you A LOT!

5. PICKING VENDORS - Your planner will tell you who her preferred vendors are, but will never limit you to pick them. She will tell you about her experiences, attend every meeting with you, and help you pick the right vendors. Remember that your planner has worked with MANY vendors. There is a reason some are her “preferred vendors”.

6. BE HONEST WITH YOUR VENDORS - You need to tell your vendors about anything that may have an impact on the wedding. Don’t feel shy around them. Their job is to make sure you have a stress-free wedding. Be comfortable and talk to them. They won’t know your worries/concerns until you tell them!

7. FOLLOW A SCHEDULE - Your planner will most likely have a monthly plan set until the very last day before your wedding. Stick to her schedule and don’t postpone anything. You don’t want to be dealing with last minute detail the night before your wedding!

8. BE YOURSELF - Every individual, couple and family is different. What may be your dream wedding or the most meaningful details of your wedding may not be the same for others. Try to stay away from doing what others think is “perfect”, and make your day unique for yourself! Your wedding should be your day!

9. DO NOT SECOND GUESS YOUR DECISIONS - You have spent several months planning your wedding. There is a reason behind every decision you made with the help of your planner and all the vendors involved. Do not second guess any of your decisions. Leave it in the hands of your trusted team, sit back, and enjoy!

10. ENJOY THE PROCESS - Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting events of your life! Don’t forget to celebrate your love with your hubby-to-be often, and enjoy every step of the way! You will be throwing a wedding to celebrate your LOVE for each other, so don’t get caught up with the little details, and always remember to enjoy and enjoy!!

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Thank you Sanaz for writing this special blog from a very valuable perspective. And special thanks to everything you have done working as a nurse during this covid pandemic. You have been working so hard to take care of your patients and always have such a great attitude. Lots of love and hugs to you!

XO -Hasti

Zoom Wedding Etiquette: How to be the best virtual guest

Congrats! You’re invited to a virtual wedding celebration on Zoom!

Michele Mateus Photography (Elopement at Golden Ears Park, 2018)

Here are some helpful tips to ensure you’ll have the BEST experience:

BEFORE:

• Ensure you know how to use the Zoom platform. If you’re new to the Zoom world, check out this helpful video!

• There is no fee to join as Zoom is free for participants to enjoy (and free for you to host your own meetings, under 40 minutes).

• If you can, please download it for the best experience (ideally, on your laptop for best visual display).

• If you’re feeling adventurous, set-up a virtual background.

• Prepare a fun sign to surprise the couple.

• Dress up + have a drink ready to toast the couple.

DURING:

• Join early to avoid any tech issues. 

• Most likely, the couple (and other guests) will be recording part or all of the call. Smile, you’re on camera :-)

• Make sure you turn your video on so the couple and other guests can see (and feel) the love!

• MUTE. Please, mute yourself! The admin/moderator on the call may also mute all attendees. Don’t be offended - this is simply to avoid disruptions and background noise.

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Michele Mateus Photography

AFTER: 

• After the ceremony, the admin/moderator will likely un-mute all the guests to cheers + congratulate the couple - this is your chance to be loud and share the love!!! There may also be an opportunity for each guest to *one by one* share a quick message - in order to keep things smooth, the admin/moderator will individually “un-mute” each guest to ensure everyone will be heard.

• If you captured any photos or videos, send them to the happy couple along with a special message.

Oh, and if you’re anything like me, I highly suggest having some tissues nearby. We are all experiencing many unique moments in our lives and attending a virtual wedding ceremony and seeing so many people come together to celebrate love will be an incredibly memorable experience.

If you found these tips helpful, please leave a comment below - and be sure to share it with others!

Love & La Vista, -Hasti

Helpful Tips for Hosting your Zoom Wedding

Belluxe Photography

So you’re hosting a virtual wedding...

I know this isn’t what you had planned. Ugh. I’m sorry... But I’m relieved that you still have the option to get legally married in-person and celebrate special moments of the day with your guests, virtually.

There are some technical considerations to ensure you’re set-up for a successful Zoom celebration. 

Before you continue reading, please remember: your guests will be SO excited to have the opportunity to attend that they won’t be expecting perfection. They will be grateful to be present (yes, even if it’s virtually). So don’t stress yourself over getting everything “perfect” but if you have the time and resources, you can try to set up the behind-the-scenes to get it set-up as smoothly as possible.

HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL TIPS TO CONSIDER:

BEFORE:

• Sign-up for a paid Zoom account (Why? The free version has limited features and will kick you off after 40 minutes)

• Invite your guests and include a calendar invitation that contains the zoom meeting link. There is nothing worse than being “zoom-bombed” (apparently this is a thing - and it’s super awkward and somewhat violating) so PLEASE, please, please… be sure to read these extra tips from the Zoom team!

• Assign a friend to be the admin/moderator

• “Rehearse” with a few people to test some key features (mute-all, record, spotlight - see below)

DURING (ADMIN/MODERATOR’S TASKS):

• Join early to avoid any tech issues. 

• Enable the “waiting room” to monitor/screen the flow of incoming guests

• Hit the record button!

• Spotlight your video (this will ensure guests will always see your video as the main feature)

• For the first ~10 minutes of the call, share your screen with a helpful message (see below for images)

• Once ready to begin, mute ALL guests (if they haven’t done it themselves). Check out this Zoom guide for help with “mute” settings.

• Before you are ready to commence, have the admin/moderator (or officiant/commissioner) formally welcome guests

• Towards the end of the ceremony, un-mute all the guests to cheers + congratulate the couple

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Below are some sample templates you can display on your shared screen BEFORE the virtual wedding begins. Click here to access + edit the templates for your own celebration, using Canva - a free graphic design platform.

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OTHER FUN IDEAS:

• Once the ceremony ends, pop some bubbly and cheers with all the guests!

• To involve the guests, the admin/moderator can go through each guest and un-mute “one by one” to allow each guest to say hi and share a quick message. In order to keep things smooth, the admin/moderator will individually “un-mute” each guest to ensure everyone will be heard. Guests will love this experience!

Your day won’t be anything like planned, but I promise you it’ll be beautifully memorable and just as emotional. The hardest part of the virtual Zoom experience will be “ending” the call. No one will want to leave... which will be kind of funny! Enjoy it for what it is. Celebrate all the love and energy coming your way. Soak it up... and ENJOY. Oh, and have some tissues handy!

PS. If you found these tips helpful, please leave a comment below!

PPS. If you’re looking for a guide to send to your guests, check out this link.

Love & La Vista, -Hasti

Recap of the WPIC Wedding Awards in Toronto PLUS a surprise nomination!

The year I officially launched La Vista Events I obtained my wedding planning certification via the Wedding Planner’s Institute of Canada. It was really important to me to supplement my experience and enhance it. That was 2014. Flash forward to 2020 and the certification has brought me more value than the paper itself. Since attending the course, I have been invited to attend as a guest speaker each time the course returns to Vancouver (a couple of times a year).

In 2017, WPIC launched the WPIC Wedding Awards to recognize their alumni. I’ve had the pleasure of submitting some of our best wedding planning and design work over the years and here are the results:

• 2017 Finalist - Best Wedding Planning over $50,000

• 2018 Finalist - Best Wedding Planning over $100,000

• 2018 Winner - Best Wedding Planning over $50,000

• 2019 Winner - Best Wedding Planning over $50,000

I have proudly worked on over 100 weddings but this wedding I will share below has been one of my proudest accomplishments. In a short time span, I worked with our sweet couple (Karen + Chirag) to plan and design their two-day celebration to welcome their many out-of-town guests to beautiful Vancouver. We incorporated unique cultural elements and many personalized touches that really elevated the guest experience. Yes, we wanted to plan a gorgeous “west coast” style wedding but we wanted to make sure the guests felt the love and energy.

Here are the some of their beautiful wedding memories captured by the talented photography team: Shari + Mike

Here are some of the points I included in my submission for the wedding awards:

• VALUE → Initially, K+C didn’t want to book planning & design (they wanted wedding management only), but after our in-person consultation, I was able to convey the value of hiring me to guide them to save their time, sanity, and money.

• FLEXIBILITY → K+C had busy work and travel schedules. They had a lot of ideas for an elaborate wedding with a more conservative budget, but I was determined to bring it to life for them and surprise them by being under their ideal budget. Using my connections, I brought together a team of six different decor and floral companies to work together cohesively to save the couple over $10,000 on their final budget! 

• DETAILS → We planned a 2-day multi-cultural wedding with a Catholic Ceremony and luncheon on Day 1, and Zoroastrian Ceremony + Dinner Reception on Day 2, while finding creative ways to repurpose decor items to save the couple money while enhancing the guest experience. The church hall luncheon was designed with a casual, west-coast feel with 2 styles of tables, fun games, delicious food, and friendly bartenders. For Day 2, we designed a whimsical, fall-themed garden with twinkling lights on tables and ceiling.

• CUSTOM DESIGNS → For both days, we incorporated mix and match tables. For day 2, we incorporated a mix of tables and linen, assorted centerpieces, twinkling lights and candles, custom stationery, welcome lounge, cultural stage (which we flipped into their sweetheart table + cake display), and much more.

Here are some other cool things that we explained in our submission:

Shari + Mike Photography | Riverway Clubhouse

• PHOTOS WITH GUESTS → In addition to family photos, it was important that the couple had a photo with every guest. During the buffet lineup, the couple stood near the lounge backdrop to take a photo with each table/group of guests. Guests LOVED this photo-opportunity with the couple and were so appreciative, and the couple still had time to eat after.

• GUEST BOOK → we guided our couple in creating a beautiful photo guest book with an assortment of prompted questions for guests to answer (such as advice, travel suggestions, etc). Not many had filled it out so our team took it from table to table/encouraged guests.

• GUEST MANAGEMENT → we assigned a team member at the hotel to check-in guests to confirm they made it on the shuttle bus on time/track who was missing to notify parents.

• FALL WEATHER → we knew the weather would be wet, so we had umbrellas/blankets ready for the couple’s photoshoot, AND we included a tarp for the bride to stand on to be covered by her dress, so she wouldn’t have to get her dress/shoes muddy.

• REPURPOSING ITEMS → in order to save the couple money, we offered solutions to repurpose items from day 1 to day 2, and even items from day 2 ceremony were repurposed for the reception.

• TIMELINE → the wedding day timeline and details document included a cover page with all the key event times and then elaborated on everything on further pages, including key addresses, photo lists, set-up checklists, important songs (with youtube links), scheduled timing for sound-checks, musical performances, outfit changes, and so much more.

• STATIONERY → I did all the stationery designs to ensure details were cohesive/logistically informative

• CUSTOM DESIGNS + MOCKUPS → mix & match tables, assorted centerpieces… and a confused couple - to help them see the vision, I did sketches as well as mock-up sample tables to show them sneak peeks and they loved it!

• VIDEO STREAM →  because we couldn’t do a room flip, we needed to ensure all guests could SEE what was happening during the Zoroastrian ceremony at day 2 reception, so video team set-up a live-steam that played on all the TVs in the room

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PS. Here is Karen + Chirag’s highlight video that was beautifully captured by Farawayland Weddings.

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Magic Vision Photography | Toronto WPIC Wedding Awards | 2019

One more thing… SURPRISE NOMINATION for “Wedding Planner of the Year”

Before attending the Awards Gala in Toronto, I was notified of something AMAZING and so unexpected. 

I found out I had a SURPRISE nomination.  Someone nominated me in the “Wedding Planner of the Year” category under the submission title “More than a Wedding Planner” - seriously, how nice is that??? I still have no idea who - so if you’re reading this, please… let me know if it was you!!! This has been driving me crazy for months.

I am the proud Finalist for “Planner of the Year” and I feel emotional posting this blog because I am so grateful for the couples we have attracted over the years and I am beyond honored that I have had couples trust us enough to not only plan their special days but also become friends. There is no better feeling!

I am so grateful for all of the opportunities that have been presented to me since obtaining my WPIC certification.

And I am so grateful for all of our sweet couples.

Love & La Vista, -Hasti

Confessions of a Wedding “Re”-Planner

It’s been exactly one month since the first time I had to postpone a wedding due to covid-19 and start the process of re-planning several celebrations.

As you can imagine, the last month has been an emotional rollercoaster…

Shari + Mike Photography // Riverway Clubhouse

As wedding planners, we have our hands full AND our hearts bursting with more love than ever before for all of our sweet couples. We are navigating through these unknown times together and learning so much along the way.

Here are my TOP 5 LESSONS for all couples who are in the process of “re”-planning their wedding celebration:

1. COMMUNICATION IS KEY

   • This is the ultimate test. You and your partner need to openly discuss your mental stamina, enthusiasm, priorities, and urgency. If you’re planning in “fear” and no longer enjoying this happy journey, then pause or think about shifting to a more comfortable date.

   • Include families in deciding a backup or postponed date to ensure everyone is on the same page.

   • Allow your wedding planner to support you with email templates, suggestions, and contacting the venue + vendors. We have relationships that we have built with all of our vendor friends over the years and we can work closely together with our vendors to facilitate the difficult conversations and better understand policies.

   • Should your jobs be affected, budget change, etc- tell your planner and vendors if you need anything in your overall budget/design plans further reviewed or customized. There is no shame in any of this. 

2. THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE

   • We can’t control what happens to us but what we can try to control is our perspective and our reaction. Let’s repeat that so it sinks in: We can’t control what happens to us but what we can *try to* control is our perspective and our reaction.

3. TRUST YOUR VENDORS

   • The vendors our team typically works with are all kind, caring, and reputable people who truly care for each couple. They will each have their own policies and comfort level in terms of postponing. Support them and trust that they have your best intention in mind.

   • Hint: the more calm and approachable you are with your vendors (coming from a place of respect and gratitude), the more likely they’ll be more supportive and fair in reaching an agreement about your wedding plans.

4. RELATIONSHIPS ARE EVERYTHING

   • This has and always will be my approach to running my business. While profit is important, my heart is in it for the people. I will always be there for our couples emotionally and as a friend. We strongly believe in “turning clients into friends” (our team motto) and we mean it. We are here for you and we feel for you!

5. EMOTIONS WILL RANGE

   • I’m a logistical machine/taskmaster… (hence why I’m a self-employed wedding planner) but what I’ve learned more than ever is to be flexible with the planned to-do list and be patient.

   • It’s okay to feel sad and disappointed. It’s okay to feel unmotivated. There will be many emotions that range within a single day. 

   • What’s most important is to talk through your emotions with someone. Or write it down. No matter what, don’t hold it in. The wedding planning experience is naturally an emotional one and the potential postponement is something none of us saw coming nor could have planned for.

The Koebels Photography // Riverway Clubhouse

I’ve always been very close with all of my couples, but this new journey is foreign and unknown to all of us. I’ve confessed to my couples that I no longer have all the answers and solutions as it pertains to this covid situation, but more than ever, I have an enhanced sense of empathy. While I can’t promise when this crazy time will be over and predict when we’ll return back to “normal”, what I can do for all of our couples is to be there with you in full transparency and having proactive conversations more often than before. 

Thank you to all our couples for being so understanding and patient with us. Our team has attracted the kindest and most understanding couples, and we’re so grateful to be part of this special and memorable journey with you.

Whatever happens to your wedding plans, we will support you along the way.

Love, Hasti & the La Vista team

PS. If you have a friends getting married in 2020 and they don’t have a wedding planner, we’re gifting three couples with complimentary one-hour consultations to discuss anything covid OR non-covid planning related. All they have to do when contacting us is mention this blog post and we’ll be happy to help.