RFC:- Tell us a little bit about Moments That Shine?

MTS:- We were created to help people think outside the box when planning.
When getting married, some fall into the wedding trap where everything
has to be like a family member’s nuptials or all their vendors have to
specialize in weddings only. Not the case and we’re here to help!

RFC:- How long have you been in business, and where are you located?

MTS:- Moments That Shine has been fully operational since July of 2006 after
a year of business research and planning. Our office is located in
Whitby, ON but we’re proud to offer services all across the globe! We
also have Event Planning experience in the corporate world reaching
back a few years.

RFC:- What other services do you provide?

MTS:- Besides planning and coordination? Isn’t that enough? Actually, it
isn’t for us. We also offer customers completely custom made
invitations (no two orders are the same!) as well as hand-crafted
jewellery for anyone looking for bling!

RFC:- Tell us what it would be like to have Susan Légaré as our wedding
planner…

MTS:- Details, spreadsheets and stress-free times. If those things interest
you, we’d be the perfect match. From the day the contract is signed,
an extensive spreadsheet is kept with all of your details of the day
so nothing gets lost. As for the stress-free portion, it’s almost like
you have a part-time therapist with me at the helm. If you’re having
troubles with certain aspects (or people!) of your day, I’m only too
happy to get in there and be a voice of reason … in a non-
confrontational way.

RFC:- Where do you get your inspiration from?

MTS:- Too many places to mention! I look at all of the common spots like
Wedding Bells, Martha, Colin Cowie, etc but I honestly have a better
time looking in non-wedding places. Grabbing ideas from everyday life
is the absolute best. I try to get into my clients’ personalities to
find things close to them. Whether it be a favourite nightclub or
rubber ducks, you should showcase what you love! I also love looking
to Australia for new ideas.

RFC:- How many people are part of your team? Do you have assistants that
work with you?

MTS:- I’m an office of one on most days but during events and big invitation
orders, I do have an incredible team of people who work alongside me.
My graphics artist at Deeya Design (www.deeyadesign.ca) is the brains
behind many complex designs as well as all of the company’s marketing
materials. During events, I have three assistants to choose from …
each with their own wonderful assets. I wouldn’t trade them for
anything.

RFC:- What is your favorite wedding theme right now?

MTS:- Fun. Sure, it’s not a typical theme per say but it should be. As much
as I love high style events, masquerades and/or photo booths, if you
and your guests aren’t having fun with it, it’s a waste of a theme.
Make sure you choose something your crowd is going to go crazy over.
This may be a Las Vegas theme with gambling, a Moroccan theme with
bright colours and incredible food or it just may be a stand-up
cocktail evening. Think about what will work for you!

RFC:- What will weddings be like in 2009?

MTS:- Moving forward, unless a lot of the wedding is planned and paid for
already, the biggest trend in event for 2009 & 2010 is the ‘scale
back’. Because of the economy, people simply aren’t able to splurge as
much as before. This means using the resources around you (maybe
someone’s backyard as your venue or your aunt to bake the cake),
making the guest list smaller and truly prioritizing on what you’ll be
spending on. I also think you’ll be seeing the continuing trend of
weekday weddings and/or evening cocktails as the reception.

RFC:- Favorite song for the first dance?

MTS:- I’m a self-proclaimed music snob. There are a few first dance songs
I’m sick of but I won’t say what they are because I believe everyone
has their own taste and I respect that. Without choosing my favourite
song as a first dance (because no one would know it), the best ones
are the ones where I see the emotion in the couples’ faces as soon as
the first note is played.

RFC:- Tell us about any mix-ups or things gone wrong at a wedding…

MTS:- I’ve had things from cakes shifting in transit to photographers not
doing their job. Everything is fixable though! That’s one of the
biggest reasons why you need to hire me for at least your day-of. That
way you won’t know about any problems … they will be taken care of
before you know it.

RFC:- What 3 items would we always find in your purse?

MTS:- At an event or in my every-day life?
At an event I don’t carry a purse but I have a heavy-duty emergency
kit. The three things in there I can’t live without are my Tide-To-Go
pen, my scissors and safety pins.
On a daily basis, that changes a bit. You won’t see me without my
iPhone, mints and Kleenex (all three also brought to events!).

RFC:- Favorite Movie?

MTS:- The Philadelphia Story. James Stewart, Katharine Hepburn and Cary
Grant. I could watch it 24/7.

RFC:- Business Mantra?

MTS:- Excellent customer service is the single most important part of your
experience with me. I make it a habit to save customers time, money
and stress.

RFC:- Tell us something most people don’t know about you, and would be
shocked to find out?

MTS:- Hmmm. Probably that I packed up everything from my home in B.C., flew
to Toronto and moved in with my husband after only four months of
knowing him.

RFC:- Where do you see your business in 5 years?

MTS:- I know we’ll be a premiere event planning company in the GTA (already
there!) but in the next five years, I would like that to spread across
Canada!

RFC:- Best part of your job?

MTS:- Seeing people truly touched.

RFC:- How do you think the wedding industry has changed since you’ve started?

MTS:- People are catching on that they don’t have to have cookie cutter
weddings and I couldn’t be happier!

RFC:- Finish this sentence… “No matter how much you paid me, I would
never….”

MTS:- Never say never. It will come back to bite you.

RFC:- Favorite Quote?

MTS:- “Every night I hang my head outside into the stars … it’s a wonder I
can even talk at all.” – Jim Cuddy

Thanks so much Susan!  Love the quote and of course the shoes too by the way! *Wink*
If you would like to get in contact with Susan of Moments That Shine, you can do so by phone @ 905.493.0909 (office) or 905.410.7580 (mobile). By email, and of course please visit her website and fantastic blog where you can get some amazing fresh-off-the-press wedding inspiration and insights.