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April is All About Lace! month at Couture Threads

Stratford gown shop, Couture Threads (reviewed in The Ring), is having a big sale to clear space for new, incoming stock. They're featuring all lace gowns by Pronovias, La Sposa and Paloma Blanca and offering veils at up to 40% off! Couture Threads is also selling in-stock shoes (including Angela Noran, Paradox Pink and Benjamin Adams) at up to 50% off! Sounds like a fantastic reason for a bridal party shopping trip, ladies!
For full details, contact or visit Couture Threads in Stratford. 

via theweddingring.ca

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Chamber View - London Chamber of Commerce (London, Ontario)

March 28 2011 -- Follow the Plan...Strategically Please!

In my last column I wrote a somewhat tongue-in-cheek fantasy piece about what I thought London might or should look like in the year 2025. I was surprised at how many emails and tweets I received from individuals who shared that vision and encouraged immediate action to make it (the fantasy) happen.
One could argue that a number of things are now underway that could accomplish, in part at least, what we fantasy seekers are looking for. The recent wrap up to the Mayor's Economic Council (MEC) meeting contained many suggestions including but not limited to how to improve the core, increase our capacity along the 401/402 corridor, fix our downtown parking dilemma, and embrace the arts as an economic generator. Add to this the enhancement of our research and hospital facilities and our outstanding post-secondary institutions and you could argue that London could indeed realize all of those fantasies and more.
The trick in all of this will be to start with a clear and universal vision of what we want our city to be in 2025 and 2050. In other words we need the long-awaited, often referred to but never materialized Strategic Plan from which ALL other plans must hang. Done correctly, a Strategic Plan forces you to co-ordinate all other plans including, the Downtown Master Plan, the London Transit Plan, the Master Parking Plan for the Core, the Growth Boundaries Plan, The Transportation Master Plan, and every other darn plan that comes along including of course the annual operations and budget plans of the City. These plans must all sing to each other and when sung from the same song sheet...voila, a masterpiece!
As it is now, many, if not most of these plans are disconnected from each other making it extremely difficult to achieve any kind of efficiency or shared vision for the City. I, for one, am optimistic that the MEC's report will contain a very strong recommendation for the development of this much-needed City of London Strategic Plan. Perhaps then, and only then we can begin to move this City in the direction we need to in order to achieve our full potential as one of Canada's great cities.
Hopefully the Mayor's call for a downtown stakeholder's meeting will also adopt this same type of all- inclusive philosophy.
Incidentally, with respect to the recently announced Strategic Plan for the Western Fair Association, I know this group very well and I know its CEO, Hugh Mitchell very well too. This is an organization that has its act together and over that last decade or so has turned the sleepy old Western Fair grounds into one of the most dynamic and versatile powerhouse entertainment complexes in the country. Much of this was achieved in partnership with the City of London. That the Western Fair Board is now looking to expand their horizons would be cause for applause in most circles. The mere fact that they indeed have a plan gets my hands clapping right out of the gate.
My suggestion to appease the naysayers -- let's relax and wait until they (the Western Fair) have actually completed the plan beyond its draft stage and then in the words of our Mayor, their plan will build on the City's plans - not compete with it. Bravo to that!
On the election fronts, is it just me or do things seem unusually quiet out of both the McGuinty and Hudak camps? I do have it right don't I? There is a provincial election this fall isn't there? Just sayin'.
And on the federal scene, you can expect the rhetoric to hit full stride soon as all parties are jockeying for positions and of course your votes. Will it be a nasty affair with all sides slinging mud in all directions? I wouldn't want to speculate on that but I do believe I will haul out my Teflon suit for the remainder of the election season. Again...just sayin'.

via londonchamber.com

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{ Event } 11th Annual Wedding and Event Fair April 28th & 29th at Hessenland Country Inn

11th Annual Wedding and Event Fair April 28th & 29th at Hessenland Country Inn

Hessenland presents the 11th annual wedding and event fair at their gorgeous location on Saturday April 28th (10am to 2pm) and Sunday April 29th (12pm to 4pm). Everyone is welcome to attend!
Hessenland tells brides, "This weekend offers everyone an opportunity to tour our Inn, grounds, reception halls (The Garden Room and The Coach House), ceremony Locations, expansive gardens, samplings and a chance to meet some of our favourite vendors!"
Hessenland is located at 72981 Bluewater Highway, RR#2 in Zurich, Ontario (postal code is N0M 2T0 if you're plugging it into GPS).
Hessenland has event details on their website and can be reached by emailThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 1-866-543-7736 for more information.

via theweddingring.ca

My other websites:
Wed Design
London Ontario Wedding
Wedding Photographers

The 2nd Destination Weddings Open House at The Wedding Ring

The 2nd Destination Weddings Open House Night @ The Ring!

Sponsored by Destinations by Dawn (destinationsbydawn.com)
If you're a DW bride or groom to be, Thursday, May 10th 2012's Destination Weddings Open House at the office of The Wedding Ring (from 6pm to 8pm) is an event you won't want to miss!
This is our second open house aimed specifically at DW brides, spurred on by the success and fun of the first event, which took place only weeks ago! The DW Open House at The Ring gives you access to tourism board representatives, a destination wedding travel specialist, a DW wedding photography specialist and tons of useful information that any DW couple needs. In addition to refreshments, snacks and goodie bags filled with useful DW information, you'll have priviledged access to behind-the-scenes people from all over the world that make fabulous destination weddings happen for so many couples each year...
Couples who dream of a tropical wedding or honeymoon on the lush island of St Lucia will definitely want to come out and meet Judy Duncan of Sunswept Resorts. You'll get a chance to chat with Judy and find out about some incredible resorts including Rendezvous, a chic boutique hotel for couples and The Body Holiday, an intimate five star adults only resort that includes daily hour long spa and wellness treatments!
Stop by to meet:
Dawn Fairbanks of Destinations by Dawn
Sunwing
Michelle Kauntz of Captured Soul Photography
Sunswept Resorts featuring The Body Holiday/Rendezvous St Lucia
Catherine Mombourquette Photography
Staff @ The Ring 
and more fabulous DW experts :)
* The Ring's Office is @ 320 - 72 St. Leger St., Kitchener ON N2H 6R4 

via theweddingring.ca

My other websites:
Wed Design
London Ontario Wedding
Wedding Photographers

News & Media - London Chamber of Commerce (London, Ontario)

Information Session - Changes to the Environmental Approvals Process

6 Feb 2012

The Ministry of the Environment is hosting an information session for local businesses
and community members. This session will outline recent changes to the ministry's
approval processes. The session is open to everyone, but will be of particular interest to
businesses in the following sectors:

• Autobody paint shops
• Comfort heating
• Standby power
• Ready-mix concrete
• Concrete block and pipe manufacturing
• Waste collection and hauling
• Printing

The information session will also be an opportunity to meet staff from the Ministry of
Environment's London District Office and to have your questions answered on ministry
initiatives that interest or affect you.
Where: Four Points Sheraton
London Room
1150 Wellington Road South
London, ON
When: Thursday February 16, 2012
10:00 am - 11:30 am
What: Information session on recent changes to the Ministry of the Environment's approval processes

• A presentation on the streamlined process
• A question and answer session

RSVP: Liane Fisher
liane.fisher@ontario.ca
519-873-5051

via londonchamber.com

Our other websites:
London Ontario Wedding

Minted Wedding Invitations + Giveaway | Green Wedding Shoes Wedding Blog | Wedding Trends for Stylish + Creative Brides

Some of my favorite unique wedding invitations can be found at Minted. I love that they work with some of the most talented designers around to create their designs – and they have so many great options to choose from whether your wedding style is modern, vintage, rustic or inspired by your heritage! A few months ago I judged a contest for them and picked some of my favorite designs from their unique cultural wedding invitations (which was tough as they had so many great options!). Below are my favorites (with quotes from myself) and mini inspiration boards put together by the lovely team at Minted. Love how these show that an invite really can inspire an entire wedding look! :)

via greenweddingshoes.com

London Ontario Weddings

How to Startup Before You Startup :: Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing

If you’re thinking about starting a business or even if you’ve already started one, don’t spend your time fussing over spreadsheets, logos, budgets or competition.

Packed house on opening day

Those are all parts of the puzzle, but if you want to build a business that cannot fail, spend what may feel like an exorbitant amount of time focused on building and nourishing a community.

I know you’ve got to pay the bills, but get this part right and you’ll never have to worry about having enough business.

In a perfect world, every business would spend a year or so doing nothing but community building before they ever opened the doors.

via ducttapemarketing.com

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