PLANNERS OF ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIMEAwesomenessImage Courtesy: Krista Fox Photography

“Thanks again for helping to make the start of our marriage a truly magical celebration. Crystal, we could not have dreamed up a better day, thank you for going

the extra mile for us.”

Alex & Luke

“ We can’t thank you enough for all of your help during this crazy process! You have truly gone above and beyond and I think you deserve a day at the spa to

relax more than anyone! You have an amazing spirit, and we wish you all the best! xx”

Raewyn & Charlie

“Words cannot express all of the gratitude we have for you. You made our wedding day so unbelievable and looked after every details with so

much creativity. You made the whole day a breeze for us, when we know you spent so much of it hard at work. We feel so blessed that we found you. We would book you again in a heartbeat!! Thank you, thank you,

thank you for everything. We love you much!.”

Dave & Charlotte

“We were sincerely moved by your kindness. Thank you for all of your support and guidance in planning our Toronto wedding and our elopement in Versaille,

France. God bless & LOVE always. xo”

Jennifer & James

Welcome=mWe believe that Once-in-a-Lifetime happens best with a plan! While we’ve been planning weddings our heart time and time again comes back to the same realizations – put more work into your marriage than your wedding for it to be a true success and hire professionals to help you achieve your once-in-a-lifetime moment so you have less stress and a whole lot more fun on your big day! If you are the kind of couple that wants to make each and every guest at your wedding feel full-throttle loved, that dreams of a day that melds tradition with a sense of modern quirkiness, and believe wholeheartedly in the power of true love… let’s talk.

Once-in-a-Lifetime is a promise to make each of our couples’ wedding day something they’ve dreamed of but never experienced. We want them to live in each moment and cherish it for a lifetime.

Marriage truly can change the world. We’re super proud to be there when yours changes... for the AWESOME.

Dream Big! Love bigger!Far-flung locals or right here at home?Want a wedding that’s all you...we want to help!

Love & All Things Pretty,

Local & Destination Wedding Planners

Love Notes

Image Courtesy: The Last Forty Percent

Image Courtesy: A Brit & a Blonde

Image Courtesy:lifeimages

Image Courtesy: Krista Fox Photography

Image Courtesy: Lisa Mark Photography

•I give the most amazing pre-wedding pep talks. Seriously. Like Jo-Lo in the Wedding Planner good. You'll walk down the aisle BEAMING with my encouragement.•I’ve done hundreds of weddings and I never tire of the details. i come with a checklist. I keep you organized, on track and ready to “DO this”.• I’m not a super girly-girl but do adore animals and would do ANYTHING for them. My Golden Retriever, Bono, is spoiled proof of that.

• I have 2 awesome kids and a husband and still find time to run half marathons in Vegas. For real. Modern super hero? Nah! Just ME!• My favourite part of weddings is the ceremony. I love helping clients customize their vows, choose readings and make it perfectly YOU. I became a legal Officiant so I could share in the love and joy that is marriage.• If I wasn’t a wedding planner, I’d for sure be a Veterinarian (I love animals THAT much). Furry friend joining your big day? Love it.

BUTTONED UP STREET CRED{aka The Resume}

• I’ve planned thousands of super-fun events and hundreds of weddings, starting way back in my blue-haired years at university, and trotting all the way into the present curly brunette days, with Distinct Occasions.• If you’re into accreditations, I’m a Professional Bridal Consultant with The Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), a Destination Romance Travel Specialist through the Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist Association (DWHSA), I’ve been certified by The Wedding Planners institute of Canada (WPIC), and I hold a Masters Degree in Media Management. Fancy.• My work has been featured in Wedluxe, The Bridal Circle, Polka Dot bride, Green Wedding Shoes, Style Me Pretty, Every Last Detail, Toronto Wedding Society, The Wedding Chicks, The Wedding Co., TheRingBearer.ca, Today’s Bride, Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, ET Canada, CTV News, Junebug Weddings, Dreamers Events and many many more.• Besides Distinct Occasions, I also own The Engagement Planner & WeddingMaven Mentoring, am a successful Travel Agent, writer and educate within the Wedding Industry as keynote speaker and educator to Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC), Event Connect, Trebas Institute, Design Education and others. I want to use my skills and knowledge to leave behind a legacy.

SUPER FUN HOPELESSROMANTIC {aka The REAL Me}• I am completely, wildly, ever-so-slightly-inappropriately in love with LOVE. Helping couples share their love stories with style, individuality (and a few ultra-romantic surprises) is more than a job for me. It’s somewhere between a ‘calling’ and an ‘obsession.’ Let’s go with calling.• I’ve sky-dived from the back of a very small Cessna plane in NZ, swam with a pod of 600 dolphins, dodged crocs in a flooded rainforest, and navigated territorial sharks whilst bobbing atop the Great Barrier Reef. Adrenaline junkie? Perhaps. But bring me to a roller-coaster, and I’ll freak.• I don’t collect anything except passport stamps, photos & jewelry. It’s all about memories; not minutia.~ I adore anything and everything with pockets, polkadots, romantic detailing and tulle. Quirky and feminine... check!• I’m an animal lover from way back. My sidekick is a playful King Charles Spaniel puppy named Rhys Morrison CuddlePup III.• Don’t tell my guy, but Alex O’Laughlin is my ultimate eye-candy crush. Best hour of escapism television each week.. Swoon. Sigh.• If I wasn’t a Wedding Planner, I’d probably be a professional ice cream flavour creator for Ben & Jerry’s.Or a Lonely Planet travel guide writer. Or both.

Meet Crystal

THE CROSSOVER{aka YOUR Wedding}

• My gift for media and public relations has taught me that there is nothing that can’t be done with the right amount of persistence, perspective and patience. Negotiating some rocky ground with the family? No problem. Need to close eye on some friendors (friend/vendors)? Got you covered. Pep talks? Big smiles? Magazine Submissions? Check. Check. Check.

Professional Bridal Consultant withThe Association of bridal Consultants (ABC)

Proudly Certified by The WeddingPlanners Institute of Canada

Active Traveller & Witness To Love

Image Courtesy: Krista Fox Photography

Meet GinaHello! I’m Gina Humilde!.

I’m a Wedding Planning Wonder Woman who handles details like they’re all my very own. If you think you’ve got something complicated on your hands - I’m so your girl! I manage the Distinct Occasions office and happily love on our brides & grooms weddings with a passion and enthusiasm that is contagious!

A BUNCH OF REASONS YOU’LL LOVE WORKING WITH ME...• If you’ve got a Type A personality my attention to detail is going to make you sing my praises!• I am ALWAYS smiling! It’s contagious and I can’t help it! Come on... I date you NOT to smile!• LOVE makes me giddy. I mean, like seriously, giddy. It’s the reason I do what I do and make memories you’ll have for a lifetime.• I don’t eat meat. That’s right. I am a veggie-munchin’ diva and love nothing more

than when vegetarian food is just as exciting to carnivores as us carrot-eaters.• I’m a bit of a party girl. Yes, I’ll admit it. Doling myself up, throwing on some heels and dancing the night away give me pure joy! • I L-O-V-E working with Crystal. However, I’m a teeny bit jealous of Crystal’s travel schedule!!! • If I wasn’t a wedding planner. I’d probably be a tea-sipping psychic. GOTCHA! Likely be a comedian...

LUXE WEDDINGS AND EVENTSFOR COOL COUPLES

Meet LeahHello! I’m Leah Elloit!.

Formally, I’m a Wedding Planner and Legal Wedding Officiant who really loves wedding Day Of clients. My master skill is helping you pull all of your hardwork and efforts planning all together into a seamless wedding. loved planning but want to ensure your big day is flawless? I can help!

A BUNCH OF REASONS WE WILL BE AN AWESOME TEAM FOR YOU WEDDING DAY...

Hello! I’m Crystal Adair-Benning.

In formal business-card language, I’m an International Wedding Planner, Designer & Stylist, and founder of Distinct Occasions. I specialize in far flung destination weddings & intimate elopements which means I have a busy travel schedule! Former clients tend to call me a Wedding Dream Translator and Planner-of-Once-In-A-Lifetime Awesomeness. I LOVE that! I believe that when geek-chic & ultra-luxe design philosophies shimmy & slow-dance with brilliant expressions of your incomparable love story, the results are exhilarating. Nodding your head? We’re probably gonna be friends!

Here are a few other reasons we might want to grab a cup of tea for a wedding planning jam session...

“We just wanted to say thank you for all your help with our wedding. It was so beautiful and much more than what we had hoped for! We could not have done this without your expertise and vision.

Thanks again for the wonderful memories!”

Miranda & Tim

Image Courtesy: Jennifer Images

FEATURED WEDDINGNATALIE & JACKY

“ Thank you for all your help and inspiration in making our wedding day so memorable! Our whole day was filled

with so much love and laughter (my cheeks hurt)I only wish we could do it all over again.”

Love Always, Nat & Jacky xo

"Our wedding was a beautiful showcase of us as a couple! Crystal included me at every point in the process but kept things

really simple also. She was fabulous to work with and my only regret is that I don't have more life events for her to plan! She will absolutely

go above and beyond for her couples!"

Danielle & Craig

“Thank you so much for all of your hard work in making our wedding the most amazing day of our lives. You helped to make the experience

of planning our wedding not only memorable but fun! Our wedding truly went beyond what we expected and we're so grateful to you.”

Katie & James

“Thank you at least 1,892,562 times for everything you've done for us! This wedding wouldn't have been possible without you and your

amazingness! We wouldn't have survived this process if you hadn't been calm and compassion and a great friend as well as Planner. This is

the most gorgeous day of our lives and it's all because of you and how GOOD you are at what you do. Never doubt how incredible you are!.”

Alexandra & Julie

"What would we have done without Distinct Occasions? Our winter wedding was pure magic thanks to you! Every idea from wool to winter white was spot on with what we had envisioned. Best of all - it was the

most loving, romantic and FUN day ever!”

Ashley & Scott

Image Courtesy: When He Found Her

Image Courtesy: Lisa Mark Photography

Image Courtesy: Tara McMullen

Image Courtesy: Krista Fox Photography

Garden Glam

Love Notes

Images Courtesy: Mango Studios

Services=mLUXE WEDDINGS AND EVENTS FOR COOL COUPLES

FULL PLANNING• on-going support and guidance throughout planning• assist with budget, logistic and itinerary planning & creation• online virtual wedding workroom • vendor referrals and management• collaborative tools including inspiration boards, sketches, linen samples, floorplans• attend and direct the ceremony rehearsal• assist with travel planning for guests and couple• wedding day management, direction and styling

DAY/MONTH OFCOORDINATION• assist with logistic and itinerary planning & creation• attend and direct the ceremony rehearsal• wedding day management, direction and styling

Image Courtesy: Mango Studios

Services=m

PARTIAL PLANNING• on-going support and guidance throughout planning• assist with logistic and itinerary planning & creation• online virtual wedding workroom• vendor referrals• attend and direct the ceremony rehearsal• assist with travel planning for guests and couple• wedding day management, direction and styling

• Adding a quirky/fun element to your wedding can make it feel more "you". Go ahead and show your awesomeness!

• When hiring anyone for your wedding be sure you LOVE them, their work/experience and feel like they "get you". It'll make all the difference.

• Your once-in-a-lifetime starts with YOU. Define your day with what you love, give your guests a VIP experience, and remember to focus on each other. I promise you - it'll be ah-mazing!

Image Courtesy: lifeimages

Image Courtesy: lifeimages Quick Tips

FEATURED WEDDINGFIONA & RITCHIEServices=m

LUXE WEDDINGS AND EVENTS FOR COOL COUPLES

DESTINATIONWEDDING PLANNING• on-going support and guidance throughout planning• assist with budget, logistic and itinerary planning & creation• online virtual wedding workroom • vendor referrals and management• collaborative tools including inspiration boards, sketches, linen samples, floorplans• attend and direct the ceremony rehearsal• assist with travel planning for guests and couple• wedding day management, direction and styling

CARTE BLANCHE PLANNINGFor the couple who's too busy to manage the wedding details or planning, would rather be a guest at their big day, or just loves surprises - Carte Blanche Planning.

Let us get to know you, some basic wedding dreams and ideas and then we will custom design, create and dream big for you. No meetings. No details to stress/worry over. Just a simplified custom dream wedding created just for you.

Image Courtesy: Krista Fox Photography

Image Courtesy: Dave Abreu Photography

Image Courtesy: lifeimages

Images Courtesy: Michael Francis Photography

FEATURED WEDDINGBETH & ERIC

FEATURED WEDDINGJESSICA & JAMES

When a bride wants to celebrate all things spring for her wedding we're inspired to include live trees, greens and

a plethora of pretty pastel blooms.

"We couldn't have asked for a better Planner than Gina. She was so enthusiastic about our ideas and always had another to add to our style. Our 1920's deco inspired wedding was a huge hit because of her!"

Beth & Eric

Images Courtesy: 5ive15ifteen

Spring Celebration

Images Courtesy: 5ive15ifteen

FEATURED WEDDINGLANGDON LOVE STORY

One of our most beautiful weddings of 2014 was celebrated in Kitchener-Waterloo region at the regal, Langdon Hall. The couple was private but LOVED their guests and really wanted a weekend celebration filled with “all of the little details” that truly make a wedding unique and special.

Our favourite detail was the gorgeous wedding ceremony held at sunset on Langdon’s front lawn with the estate prominently featured in the background BUT it’s the touches you can’t see that strike the highest cord... the room filled with love, the scent of literally hundreds of clementine accents, the taste of a gourmet meal, the sound of a lone bagpiper guiding guests to ceremony, or the live band keeping the dance floor hoping all night long. Once-in-a-Lifetime and never forgotten by anyone who was there to witness.

The little details... they make all the difference.

Images Courtesy: Krista Fox Photography

FEATURED WEDDINGGILLIAN & BRAD

"If you’re even thinking of a Destination Wedding, our advice is to have a Wedding Planner, even if they are halfway across the world! It was magic! She had found the most awe-inspiring place to tie the knot with our

loved ones! We adored Crystal so much, partway through planning it only seemed fitting to ask her to marry us! We LOVED our experience with Distinct Occasions and wouldn't change a thing!"

Gillian & Brad

AlohaA couple from opposite sides of the globe meets in Australia, falls in love and decide to get married. The problem is... where to host a Once-in-a-Lifetime celebration? The answer... Maui.

A carte blanche wedding inspired by two travelling hearts brought over 60 guests from across the globe to a beautiful garden in Maui overlooking the ocean to witness Gillian & Brad get married infront of the ocean. A mid point between his life and hers... a perfect start to their forever.

With expectations of “Awesome” and “Fun” as the guidelines and a palette of blues and oranges, the Distinct Occasions team dreamed up a Hawaiian luau wedding filled with surprises...

Aloha!

Images Courtesy: Krista Fox Photography

FEATURED WEDDINGNIKKI & JUSTIN

Nikki, the bride, loves COLOUR. She wanted a wedding not filled with a theme so much as a feeling of joy, love and celebration. Flowers were chosen in an array of bold, bright shades. Soft linens of blue

gave us the “something blue” and an element of tradition remained with Lion Dancers and a tea ceremony.

It was a wedding filled with old world meets new...and a whole lot of love!

"Crystal! We cannot thank you enough! OUr wedding was truly more than we ever imagined. From the

beautiful decor to the gourmet food and you... our Wedding Planner, Emcee and amazing person.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Maria & Francisco

Images Courtesy: lifeimages Images Courtesy: Renaissance Studios

Modern Traditions

FEATURED WEDDINGMARIA & FRANCISCO

DESTINATION NIAGARA

FEATURED WEDDINGVANESSA & ROB

FEATURED WEDDINGDEVON & JAMES

We felt a kindred spirit to Vanessa who proudly proclaimed that she loved pink and leopard when we first met. When we told her we could do it in a very elevated

and elegant way she was so excited I think we all jumped for joy (including the groom)!

We loved designing a “big Italian wedding” for a bride and groom not afraid to go outside the box and have the

wedding of their dreams.

Images Courtesy: Tara McMullen

“The first thing we discussed about Devon & James’ wedding was making it ‘different’ and very ‘pop of colour’. They wanted a really bright, fun-

filled wedding with touches inspired by their home. The bird motif is from a piece of art {hung as the backdrop to their head table} which inspired not only bold bright orange lovebirds but the warmest colour palette ever.

A gorgeous ceremony followed by a parade let by the flower girl and ring bearers to the reception, peach cocktails in the courtyard, sprinkle covered champagne jello shooters. Our very own Gina, coordinated the

couples first dance and left everyone cheering for the newlyweds.

We LOVED this wedding and the quirky fun inspired for their big day!

Devon & James

LovebirdsLeopard

Love Story

FEATURED WEDDINGCHRISTIE & JESSE

When it’s right... it’s right.

Christie & Jesse gave us just over one month tocoordinate a custom wedding just for them.

While neither had time or was worried about the details they chose a ‘carte blanche’ design and to let us handle the details. After finding out they met over Star Trek a “theme” was born but we had to elevate it...

of course! Modern table runners and artwork inspired by logos from the show, TimBit shooters as welcome, and a custom cake completed the

celebration in a palette of corals, pinks and marsala.

Geek-chic at it’s finest.

Images Courtesy: Jennifer Images

POP THE CHAMPAGNE!

Let’s work together.We’re available worldwide ~ wherever your love story takes you!

Contact us for a chat and we’ll get started.

Geek-Chic Elopement

Images Courtesy: Rowell Photography

DISTINCTOCCASIONS.CA | INFO@DISTINCTOCCASIONS.CA | 416-562-6995Image Courtesy: Krista Fox Photography