vendor reviews: decorators

Julia Weddings uses décor, fresh florals and hair design to appeal to local brides

Interviewing Stella Erotokritou & Sophia Georgiou of Julia Weddings

Julia Weddings has a style and approach all of its own that was bound to get owners, Stella and Sophia, more than their fair share of attention from brides. From backdrops and ceiling treatments to floral design and hair styling services, Julia Weddings seems to take care of anything to do with the look and design of the ceremony, reception, flowers and the bride. We sat down with this family-owned company to find out more. Let us explain...

In person

Julia Weddings is a company headed up by two sisters, Stella Erotokritou and Sophia Georgiou, who have turned their personal passions for interior decorating and hair styling into a business focused on brides. The business was also inspired by the memory of their mother, who also had a passion for interior decorating. Wedding design seemed, to Stella and Sophia, to be an extension of her. So in March 2006, Stella and Sophia began to design and plan the look of wedding days - from backdrops to the bride's bangs. They also began working with an in-house floral designer on items like centrepieces in an effort to further complete one fantastic look.

Stella has been a hairstylist for the past twelve years while Sophia spent a number of years sharpening her interior decorating skills as well as graduating with a BA in Social Development Studies from the University of Waterloo - but her passion is definitely in decorating. Both say they are recognized for their eye on detail, something they consider imperative in the wedding décor business.

In its first two years of business, Julia Weddings designed the look for approximately seventy weddings and events, with about fifty of those being in the last year alone. Stella says that it's not unusual for them to have six events transpiring at the same time in one weekend. "...but even with six events at a time, each one is equally important. Each event receives the same strict attention to detail that we know matters so much to a bride." Somewhere in between designing décor with brides, doing hair, working with flowers and hanging ceiling treatments, both Sophia and Stella also manage to raise their young families - between them, they have four children.

Décor, Julia style

Stella and Sophia describe their style as modern, simple, elegant and eye-catching, with out-of-the-ordinary textures and fabrics that help them to leave a lasting impression on their brides' guests. They say their goal is to make heads turn with each little touch adding joy to a reception room. "It's your show – we want you and your guests to be wowed." In fact, they say wowing 'Mom' or the 'Mother-in-law' is a unique specialty of theirs. "Moms love us for some reason, whether it's our personalities or our decorating. And when Mom's happy... the bride is happy!"

How do the sisters, who describe themselves as complete opposites (Stella is abstract while Sophia is the traditionalist) end up with a great final product? They have been known to butt heads but in the end it is all about what the bride and groom want that guides their designing minds. Says Stella, "Clients can't believe how excited we get about their décor."

Julia Weddings is very proud to be the official decorators for the Best Western Hotel Cambridge and the preferred decorators for St. George Banquet Hall.

Recent other showcases include Destination Inn's grand opening, Rogers' Christmas Gala & 25th Anniversary Gala, the Dionysia Wine Festival, and St. Peter & Paul's Greek Orthodox Church New Year's parties.

On-site 'hair artistry'

Stella and Sophia believe that nothing compliments their wedding décor company better than hair artistry. And to prove it, they include a complimentary updo for the bride on her wedding day. "Our team of stylists will also work with you and your bridal party to create an effective and unified look." They say they want more than just the venue to look its best, "We want our client to look her very best as well."

This means that the bride (and her bridesmaids, if requested) can have on-site stylists on the day of wedding, helping them prepare for the events ahead. "We have a few stylists available. Bridal updos are what we are most often requested to do, but we can work with all styles and lengths of hair."

Brides who love the idea of Julia Weddings' hair artistry services, usually book the services at the same time as they book their wedding decorating. In fact, several of Julia Weddings' packages include hair artistry.

In-house floral design

Stella and Sophia work to create fresh floral elements that will help bring the entire wedding décor together. "Lisa, our spectacular florist, has been doing wedding flowers for twenty years. We most often work together on ceremony table arrangements and the reception's table centrepieces." When everything is consistent and vibrant, fresh flowers that tie directly into the surrounding décor can truly create that wow-factor so many brides are looking for.

In other words...

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the fabulous job you did on our wedding decorations! ...You were wonderful, easy to talk to, willing to take our suggestions, and both of us felt so comfortable having you handle the important details of our decorating needs. Not only did you pleasantly surprise us with doing both our ceremony and reception area in one day, but you offered us your hairdressers who were wonderful as well. The florist did a great job also... I strongly feel that our money was extremely well spent, and my husband agrees. I give you my highest recommendation! ...No one compares to the work you both do!" - Christa & Fred Cepovski "Thank you for your generous support... It is valued and appreciated by our school community. By helping to nurture one's roots when young, we are assisting our children to gain a deeper appreciation of who they are while fostering a sense of identity and belonging to the Hellenic culture." - Parents' Committee of the Aristotle Greek School of K-W "Each day I am thankful that a digital mammogram was able to detect my breast cancer so early. Imagine if I had waited until I could feel a lump. It may have been too late... Through your generosity and support, St. Mary's General Hospital was able to install the region's first digital mammography machine last summer... I was shocked to find out that the ultrasound confirmed that I had Stage II Breast Cancer... I believe strongly that I am going to survive because of the new digital technology." - A Recovering Breast Cancer Survivor

Setting the stage

They believe each bride is unique so they invite you to come to their home office where everyone can chat in a relaxed setting. "We show the couple a slide show of pictures of ceiling treatments, actual fabrics, available chair covers, sashes, specialty linens, flowers & centerpieces..." That's where they say they start to develop an idea of your likes and dislikes and of course, your budget.

When it comes to ideas, Stella and Sophia don't seem to have a shortage of them. Ideas range from simple and elegant to extravagance galore. "It's really up to you!" They encourage you to come with your ideas and not to worry, "not knowing where to start" is just as welcome. 

With Julia Weddings, give yourself lots of time for your appointment with them as they'll have a number of ideas for you. Their services range from fresh or artificial flowers, centerpieces and ways to save further money for the bride like moving your ceremony décor and flowers over to your reception. They particularly pride themselves on their expertise in centerpieces which they feel really add to the splendor of the day.

Giving back, appreciating family

Raised in an environment where decorating was a passion, they named the business after their mother Julia whom they lost to cancer in 2003. In her memory, they have made it their mission to give their talents back to the community whenever possible such as decorating the St. Mary's Mammography Department at St. Peter and Paul's banquet hall and the CIBC Breast Cancer Run for the Cure Charity at Bingemans.  

Budgeting for Julia Weddings

Sophia and Stella work to develop a budget for you, setting it out on paper while you're there for your initial consultation. They say they don't believe in making a bride or client wait for a quote. "Why should you have to come back a second time to get an amount for packages we've already set up?" While most of their décor budgets come in at about $3,000, Julia Weddings packages can range from as low as $1500 to as high as $7000, depending on what you're looking for. For hair artistry services, you can expect to pay $50 to $60 per person, "... But the bride is always free!" They request a 50% deposit with the balance due two weeks prior to the ceremony when they again sit down with you to review any changes or additions, and to get a final guest count.

detailsdetailsdetails

• Book Julia Weddings at least 6 to 8 months ahead of your wedding

• Putting 50% of your final package price down is required to keep your date with them

• The balance is due 2 weeks prior to the wedding day, when you meet to finalize details

• Don't forget that in addition to decorating, they offer fresh florals, centrepieces and hair styling - to complete the look of your wedding!

Book your appointment today...

Getting in touch with Sophia or Stella is exactly how you should start your wedding décor with Julia Weddings. Call 519-894-0727 or 519-721-8343 to reach them by phone, or write them an email - julia.weddings@yahoo.com. For modern, sleek décor examples, check out www.juliaweddings.ca and sample these sisters' talents for yourself.

- The Staff at TheWeddingRing.ca

* Prices are all approximate and are subject to change and verification by authorized staff and management of Julia Weddings.