Premier Gallant Graces Cover of the Premiere Issue of Weddings New Brunswick
WOODSTOCK – Brittney Toner just gave birth to her son two weeks ago, but that didn’t stop her from preparing to launch a new magazine. Weddings New Brunswick will soon be on the shelves, with Premier Brian Gallant and wife Karine Lavoie gracing the cover.
Toner, who owns a separate wedding planning business called Panoramic Events, wanted to create something relevant to brides and grooms in the province.
“I realized that none of the stuff I was reading in the magazines are relevant to any of the brides that I would be working with, so I kind of started brainstorming and thus we have, Weddings New Brunswick,” she said.
The Moncton native will publish the nearly 100-page magazine every January and July. She works with a team, including creative director Ashley Ketch, to get the product off the ground. Ketch was the one who suggested featuring the Premier and his wife for the first edition.
“The Premier’s office, they were super supportive and positive since I reached out to see if they would be interested in the idea of featuring his wedding in the magazine and being on the cover. When they said yes, we did a little happy dance,” she said.
The first edition will also feature a story on couples who pulled off successful DIY weddings and advice on booking the “big 5” vendors that will make a wedding successful.
Toner is keeping the spotlight on the province, from the advertisers to the photographers to the experts they interview for stories.
“Everything is relevant [to the province],” she said. “If you see a photo that you like, you can see who it’s credited to and you can contact that business. And being in the business myself, I know that it’s difficult to get your name out there.”
“This is just another way of not only highlighting our brides and grooms in New Brunswick but also the businesses that we have doing exceptional work.”
Toner got into the wedding industry by chance. She began receiving requests to decorate wedding events after taking part in her office’s social events committee. Toner stuck with her hobby and turned into a business that serves the western valley region from Nackawic to Grand Falls.
“Weddings these days, it’s not just a ceremony with a meal afterward,” she said. “Weddings really tell a story now. It can be as unique or as traditional as the couple wants.”
The mother of two has had to take half as many weddings this summer to focus on creating the magazine, but her schedule remained full. To manage both home and work, she credits her family, friends, and team.
“I don’t get a mat leave, I’m an entrepreneur,” she said. “My business isn’t going to thrive unless I push forward, so I have a huge support system from my family and friends in Woodstock and I lean on them. It takes a village to raise a child and keep a mom sane.”
“My husband too is super supportive. He’s always asking questions, encouraging me, giving me ideas and pushing me forward to pursue my dreams, which is awesome because he’s also an extremely hard worker as well. So together we kinda find our balance, and lean on the support that we have.”
Toner and Ketch are also organizing a contest to coincide with the launch of the first issue. They’ve put together a $13,000 package from local vendors to give away to one deserving couple in the province. They’re accepting nominations and they will hold a vote on Facebook. The winning couple will be announced at a Weddings New Brunswick Gala in Fredericton on March 3.