Linda + Davis | Toronto Wedding Professionals Giveaway Palooza

^^^ Family and Friends of Linda + Davis , please click the “LIKE” button above to the left to submit a “vote” for this couple. The couple at the end of the contest with the most votes will win. Click Here To View The Contest Details + Summary.

Editor’s Notes: Toronto Wedding Professionals along with some great Toronto Wedding Vendors are getting together to offer a cool contest to couples across Southern Ontario where they have a chance to win some awesome prizes.

We first met during a wedding in New York back in August 2003. I (Davis) was MC’ing the wedding reception. Towards the end of the wedding a friend of mine called me over to meet some friends of hers from Toronto. She had recently gotten married to a guy from Toronto who happened to be Linda’s cousin. I walked over and met everyone specifically taking notice of Linda since she was seated closest to me. Unfortunately, nothing happened that day or for that matter for 6 years. We would see each other randomly during other events since we had mutual friends but it never crossed our minds to say hello to each other. During 2008 and 2009 a number of our friends kept bringing up our names to each other as a suggestion – but we both sort of dismissed the idea.

On December 15, 2009, while leaving work in NYC, I ran into one of my childhood friends Jose and his wife Melissa. Ironically, Melissa is Linda’s cousin. We chatted for only a few minutes because it was cold and I had to catch a train back home from New York City. On my way back, I thought to myself, “I wonder what ever happened to that ‘Linda’ girl from Toronto?” After reaching home, I hoped on facebook, checked out her profile and sent her a facebook friend request. 3 long days went by before I heard anything. On December 17, 2009, I finally received a message from Linda that said “Hi – I think you have the wrong person”. Linda still hadn’t accepted the friendship at that point. I sent a message back explaining who I was and how we knew each other. My opening line to her message was “No no – I’m not mistaken. I’m trying to reach you”. Linda finally accepted the friendship and they started talking on December 18, 2009. Facebook messages turned into instant message conversations, to emails back and forth, to finally a phone call in January 2010. From there we chatted on the phone at night most often times with me falling asleep during mid-conversation. Fortunately, Linda was forgiving and the conversation blossomed and we both realized that we were both interested in each other.

Even though we talked on the phone every night, we had yet to see each other since I lived in New York and Linda in Mississauga. Finally in April 2010, Davis made a trip to Canada for their first date. We went to Moxie’s and spent close to 5 hours having great conversation.  Since then we have had a great time getting to know each other and our families. Even though we only get to see each other every couple of months our nightly 2 hour phone calls have helped us get closer as a couple.

Tell us how you got engaged?

Davis likes to call this section the never ending proposal.

I knew on the second date in April 2010 that I wanted to marry Linda. Every day after that was just reconfirmation. In August we both decided it was time for the families to meet. After the families met and gave their blessings we set a formal engagement party date. As customary with our culture a formal engagement party is hosted to announce the wedding to family and friends. It just so happened that the engagement party date was set for December 18, 2010 – exactly one year after Linda accepted my friend request on facebook. The only thing Linda asked was for me to propose to her anytime before then. So for the next few weeks I spent most of my time working with a jeweler to find the right ring and trying to plan an interesting proposal. I came up with a bunch of ideas and was working with Linda’s sister (Linsa) to work out the logistics. Plans included everything from proposing on an airplane, to proposing during her school Christmas show, to a surprise at the border crossing. Each idea sounded great on paper and it would almost work out – but as we got closer to execution a problem would always come up and the plan would have to change. I got used to getting messages from Linda’s sister that started off with “Davis we have a problem”. Finally a week before the engagement party, I planned a trip to Toronto and prepared a great proposal. Using inspiration from one of our favorite shows to watch- the Amazing Race, I planned for clues to be located throughout Mississauga which had a special meaning to us. Such as our first date, our first movie, the restaurant where I met her cousins for the first time and finally to end at the park where I first told her I loved her. I had the ring in on pocket and drove to the airport on Saturday, December 11th ready to fly to Canada and propose. On the way to the airport I received a phone call from Linda’s sister and brother in law. The conversation started with “Davis we have a problem”. I almost veered off the road. I told Linsa, “We cant have any more problems I have a ring and I’m about to get on a plane to come and propose”. Linsa said that’s all great and well but Linda has been sick in bed since Friday evening and has not gotten up all day. There is no way she is going to get out of the house and go hunt down clues throughout Mississauga. Linsa said to get on the plane and come to Toronto, we’ll figure something out.

I landed in Toronto at 7:00 PM.  Linsa was at the airport to pick me up.  I said lets scratch the original plan and get Linda to her Linsa’s house and I’ll propose there.  Linsa said, there is no way Linda is leaving the house she is really sick.  I said fine take me to Linda’s house I’ll propose to her there.  She said that’s a great idea but you cant do that now.  I asked why and Linsa told me that their parents were hosting a holiday dinner party at their house for friends and they probably wont leave till 11pm or so.  So for the next 4 hours I hung out at Linsa house, all dressed up, ready to propose and with nothing to do.

Finally at 11:00 pm we headed over to Linda’s house.  I snuck into the basement and started to set up the candles and flowers with the help of Linda’s dad.  This definitely was not the way I had planned it, but who else can say that they had their future father-in-law helping them create a “romantic” atmosphere for a proposal.  At this point Linda had made her way to the first floor of the house to get something to drink.  Everyone was keeping her occupied until I was ready.  While I was setting up the candles one of them fell off the counter and landed on the couch burning a whole in one of the cushions.  The room now smelled of burnt cushion and Indian food.  I tried to air it out but was having no luck.  At this point I saw a bottle of Fabreeze air freshener across the room.  I quickly grabbed it and sprayed some into the air to kill the odor.  (Note to reader – Do not attempt this at home).  When the air freshener landed on the open flames the flames grew larger in size and essentially I was standing in the middle of an inferno.  Fortunately the flames died down quickly.   I thought to myself that this is how the night ends with me burning down the house.

I finally was ready and Linsa convinced Linda to go downstairs to the basement to pick up a care package from me since she was sick.  Linda walks into the room and was still tripped up on cold medication.  She first couldn’t understand why the lights were off in the basement – and finally saw the candles lighting up the room.  She was definitely surprise to see me there since she knew I had plans to be at my boss’ Christmas party in New York.  Her first words to me were “What are you doing here?”  “I smell like chicken biryani!”.  At that point I didn’t care what would have happened next – I was ready to propose.   I shared what I wanted to tell Linda and got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.  She was ecstatic and said Yes!

We went upstairs to see her parents and sister and everyone was happy.  Her dad told me that they were trying all day to get her out of bed but she wouldn’t.  Finally they convinced her around 6pm to take a shower at least before guest came over.  While sitting in their living room, Linda says, “You know I’m suddenly feeling a whole lot better!!”.  Its amazing what a ring can do!

Tell us a little on how you would like to have your wedding and your vision of it?

We hope people will experience two things at our wedding.  1) Share in the love we have for each other and 2) Share in the fun we have with each other.  Often times you go to weddings and it is amazingly stuffy because everyone is trying to maintain a certain proper image.  We are trying to blend both Canadian and American elements into our wedding but at the same time make sure its reflective of us.  We want individuals to feel the Love of God during our ceremony because of the love He has poured into our lives for Him and for each other. At the end of the day we want Great people + great food + great entertainment = A Great Time!

Regards,

Sarah Wright

Online Editor | Toronto Wedding Professionals

www.torontoweddingprofessionals.com

Below is all the prizes that will be awarded to the couple who has the most “LIKES” on their individual blog post like this couple. To view all the couples, please visit the main blog post with the contest details.

• Blue Six Creative – Wedding Photography Package consisting of the following: Up to 12 Hour Wedding Coverage by Blue Six Creative Photographer Brett. Also, Doug will also be offering his services to provide 12 Hours of Coverage.
• Having Brett + Doug work as a team to capture your wedding from two angles and provide the full coverage to document your day. After, you will be presented with images from both photographers presented together on a DVD giving you full rights, high-resolution images that you share and use for yourself.
• It also includes an engagement session in Downtown Toronto where you can explore different backdrops. After you will get all the edited images for you to share and use in your wedding planning ($5,500 Value)

• Vivian’s Decor + Designs – is providing a Simple & Sweet head table for up to 12 people, a cake table and complimentary money box. (Value $500)
• Vivian would also love to work with you by offering ideas and advice in planning the decor for your event.

• Paper Bliss – is providing the Stationery for the couple “at cost”, this will cover all the materials for all the Announcement + Day of Stationery that will be designed and hand-crafted by Laurie from Paper Bliss. Paper Bliss is also offering the couple to choose from their selection of Favors and they will also provide these to the couple “at cost” that will offer the couple those savings as well.

• StylEyes – will provide the winner (bride only) of the contest full-face airbrush makeup applications for engagement photos, bridal makeup trial, wedding day makeup and a touch-up and removal kit. (Value $285)

• Brides Etc. – will provide the Bride with a Free Hair Trial as well as Free Bridal hairstyling on your wedding day. Tania Dee has 20 plus years experience in the beauty industry. ($300 Value)

• Scotia Entertainment – will provide professional DJ Services for your Reception. They will provide up to 8 Hours of service by providing the winner with a professional DJ that will provide a Sound System and full music library. It will also include 2 Semi-Intelligent Lights & a wireless Microphone to make your reception memorable. ($950 Value)

• Enduring Promises Wedding Officiants – will provide the services of one of their Officiants to work with you in the planning process and help the couple create a personal and memorable wedding ceremony.
• They will be walking them through every step and element of the wedding ceremony to ensure it reflects who they are. ($300 Value)

• WeDDings Jubilee Planning Services – is excited to present to the winner of this contest a fabulous planning prize. The winner of this contest will receive 3 hours of Wedding Planning consultation as well as a gift certificate of $250 to be used against any of our planning packages. In addition, we would also like to offer the winner a 3 hour Planning and Consulting prize from our sister company Travels Jubilee for any travel or guest service arrangements the winner may need for their wedding or wedding related festivities, guest arrangements, room blocks, car services etc. (Total value: $750)

• Petals, Stems & Leaves – would love to support the winning couple by providing them with all of their floral needs for their wedding “at cost”. Owner and Head Designer Nicole North will donate her time to work one on one with the winning couple to design and plan the flowers for their wedding. She and her staff will also donate their time to create all of the arrangements. With these savings the couple could enhance their wedding with more flowers or use those savings towards the cost of the wedding itself.

• Buds and Blooms: Corrine who owns and designs for Buds & Blooms is offering the winner a $75 gift certificate to be used at Buds & Blooms Online Storefront. Buds and Blooms is an independent Canadian design label specializing in delivering high-quality, hand-made, reasonably priced, gorgeous adornments to fit any lifestyle.

Night Day Productions -is excited to offer a “Prequel” Featurette Video ($700 value) that includes the following to the winner of the contest:

• Up to 2 continuous hours of 1-camera video coverage of your engagement shoot with Blue Six Creative in downtown Toronto

• Immediately followed by up to 1 hour of interviews session (same location, 1 camera)

• Video footage from this shoot will be edited into a 3-5 minute featurette: candid moments from your engagement shoot spliced with interview segments, highlighting how you and your fiancé met and why you can’t wait to spend the rest of your lives together
• Complete edit with tasteful transitions, non-copyrighted music and titling included.
• It also includes one web-sized video file that could be used to upload to your Facebook profile to share or “save the date” with them.
• This tribute to your relationship will be submitted on one Standard Definition playable DVD, ideal for showing off at your wedding reception.

Sweet Something Designs – would like to award the winner of the contest with a sweet $250 gift certificate that can be used towards a Sweet Table Candy Buffet for 75 or more wedding guests at your reception. It would include set-up and tear down at the end of the evening. It would make a perfect take away for guests and some will simply enjoy sampling before they head back to their table.

Wedding Bliss | For New Beginnings – would like to award the winning couple with a free Wedding Dress at their upcoming fundraiser. They are holding a charity Bridal Dress Sale & Bridal Show where dresses valued between $800 to $4000 will be sold for $99 to $350. As well as all the couples entering in the contest will get two complementary tickets for the event on March 6th, 2011.

Samuel Kleinberg Jewellers – is awarding the winning couple with a $250 gift certificate that they can use towards the purchase of their wedding bands. Samuel Kleinberg has been celebrating events like this with their clients for over 42 years and jumped at the chance to participate in this contest.

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Good Luck! Also, please take the time to check out what each wedding professional offers by clicking on the pictures above.

We will also be giving away prizes from more Toronto Wedding Vendors for 2nd place, so please check out the main Blog Post with all the contest details and what those vendors will be offering.

Regards,

Sarah Wright, Online Editor | Toronto Wedding Professionals