MBiz

Central Easy Street Avenue shops offer one-stop wedding options By Jennifer McFee C ouples planning to walk down the aisle in Portage la Prairie don't have to get cold feet running around town for wedding essentials.  They can pick out rings at Olina Jewel Inc. on Saskatchewan Avenue, then skip across the street to check out bouquets and gifts at Mil-Jeanne Flowers and Axcenz. The one-stop shopping even extends to marriage licences, which are available at both stores.  "It does happen that they come in looking for flowers and then ask where they can go in town to get a marriage licence," says Kyle Pettinger, whose parents have owned Mil-Jeanne Flowers and Axcenz for more than 35 years. Whether a couple wants flowers, a licence or both, Pettinger tries to simplify the process. "The one thing we always try to focus on is that weddings can be fairly overwhelming. You do it once and you don't know the ropes unless you have a close friend or somebody that's helping you out with it," he says. "There are a lot of questions that we try to go over with brides so it makes it easier and hopefully a little bit less stressful." 20 MBiz November 2013 Betrothed lovebirds need a licence at least 24 hours before the wedding, and they both have to be present to seal the deal. But it's an easy process. They pay a $100 fee and the paperwork takes about 10 minutes.  Pettinger says the floral family is always happy to play a part in nuptial festivities. "It's memorable. It's a very personal thing. We always feel very special to be taking part in somebody's big day," he says. "It's no different than that person that sold you that engagement ring. You're part of somebody's special day, and that's pretty awesome." Ajay Aggarwal agrees with that sentiment. He and his wife Komal bought their jewelry store in 2010, after immigrating from India. Since

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