Take a look at this Cute Wedding Cake I just spotted on www.theknot.com (I know, I really need to start pulling inspiration from other sites, but The Knot NEVER lets me down!)

i heart vintage

Trove Vintage Rentals

Crates, Suitcases, typewriters, oh my!

Registry Ideas @ The Dirty Apron Cooking School & Delicatessen

Beautiful Servers from Ladies and Gentlemen studio in Seattle

Also available for purchase at The Dirty Apron Delicatessen in Crosstown, Vancouver.  

Register at The Dirty Apron if these beautiful servers, All-Clad cookware, cooking classes and gourmet food might be an interest of yours!

www.dirtyapron.com

Erin & Jesse - July 9th, 2011

Finally, below are a few of my favourite shots from Erin and Jesse's beautiful wedding at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort on the Sunshine Coast.
Photography by Lucid Imaging: lucidimaging.com
Venue is Rockwater Secret Cove Resort: rockwatersecretcoveresort.com
Wedding Coordination by myself, Taryn Beauvais at TLC Weddings & Events

Opposed to a traditional guest journal, guests left a thumb print and signed Erin & Jesse's wedding tree.

Also on their guest table were photos of their grandparents on each of their wedding days next to their own engagement photos.

 

 

Tables were adorned with burlap table runners and galvanized pails for a rustic country look.  Table numbers were written on wooden chalkboards and placed in the Hydrangea center pieces.

Jesse and Erin later used this and other similar pictures on their "thank you" cards!  The signs sat on the gift table throughout the event.

Upcoming Wedding Fairs & Shows

It's that time of year again!  The wedding season has all but wrapped up, but that doesn't mean we slow down even for a second! 2012 is just around the corner, and wedding show season has begun!  Which is equally as exciting for people such as myself.  Below are only a few of the dozens of upcoming wedding shows... I'll post more dates & locations next week as well so check back!



Urban Wedding Show - I'll be there with the Dirty Apron Cooking School!

"Showcasing top couture, decadent samples and entertainment, all from Vancouver’s finest in the business! Sample delectable food and cocktails while visiting some of the most lavish floral designs, elegant decor, entertaining performances and many more elite vendors. Arrive on your own or with friends and watch the latest trends strut down the runway to show off spectacular fashions. If you are getting married this is the can’t miss show of the year."

Date: November 6th,2011

Location:Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel
1133 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

Time:10:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Fashion Shows at 12:35, 2:35 and 5:35 PM

Price: $20 in advance | $30 at the door

Website: weddingshowvancouver.com

Dream Group Presents The Original Bridal Swap

"Her something old is your something new"

Date: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011

Time:11:00am - 3:00pm**

**GET EARLY BIRD ACCESS AT 10:30am BY PURCHASING ADVANCE TICKETS!

Location: VILLA AMATO
88 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver

Website: www.bridalswap.ca



33rd Annual Wedding Fair

"With over 150 exhibitors and over 170 booths, Brides and Grooms-to-be, along with their family and friends, can find inspiration, fresh ideas and reputable industry professionals to help them plan the wedding of their dreams.
Featured exhibitors include everything from invitation vendors, gown shops, cake-makers, favors, lingerie, shoes, chocolate fountains, jewelry designers, photographers, decorators, musicians, wedding planners, honeymoon destinations and representatives from some of Vancouvers finest venues.
To compliment the fun and excitement, there is the annual Fashion Show Extravaganza featuring gorgeous gowns, beautiful bridesmaids dresses and honeymoon lingerie.
With over 1000 unique prizes and gifts valued at over $250,000 including the Dream Wedding, this show promises to be a highlight in the planning process for any newly-engaged couple."

Date: January 7 & 8, 2012

Location: Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina
1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver

Time:follow the link for information regarding show times http://www.weddingfair.ca/showtimes.php

Price: $20 + HST

Website: www.weddingfair.ca

How to have some FUN at your wedding!

Comfort Food!

Loved going for ice cream as a kid? Was your first date at the fair or do you love going for movie dates and sharing popcorn? Some treats and goodies bring back good memories, not just for the couple but for your guests too! If you want your cocktail hour to be care-free, relaxed and fun... then give them food they can relate to! If fancy hors d'oeuvres aren't your style, don't change that for your wedding.
All the photos below were found at www.theknot.com (my favourite website for inspiration)

Vancouver Flipbook! 
Great in place of a photobooth or amenities
http://vancouverflipbook.com/

Guests will feel like kids again when they dance around in costume for a few seconds - all while being photographed.  These photographs are then printed and put into a flipbook right infront of you in a matter of seconds.  This is an amenity that your guests will actually keep, and offers a few giggles and memories. 









DANCING!
Check out Clear the Floor : http://www.clearthefloor.com/

Lots of couples are incorporating fun choreography into their wedding dancing - and it doesn't just have to be the couple!  Get your whole bridal party into it!  Have stage fright?  MOB dancing is perfectly acceptable at your wedding, I happen to know people who have attended entire weddings because they're on the job - shock your guests by having a group of professional dancers get up on the dance floor out of the crowd and get the party started!  Check out this Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/ClearTheFloor (The photo below is not from Clear the Floor)

Wedding Planning

Have you started your wedding binder yet?  Have you set deadlines and goals for confirming suppliers, completing your decor plan, sending your invitations and much much more?

Below is a general timeline that should prove very useful for bride and grooms to-be!

Planning Calendar

Right away...

r Book a Venue

r Establish a Budget

r Decide on theme & concept

r Determine your wedding party

r Begin a wedding binder

8 - 12 months prior

Contract/hire suppliers:

r Caterer (if not provided by venue) r Photographer / Videographer

r Entertainment & DJ

r Graphic Designer

r Officiant

r Purchase wedding gown

6 months prior

r Send Save the Dates (optional)

r Create and order invitations

r Create wedding website

r Register

r Shop for Bridesmaid dresses

r Shop for grooms/men attire

r Reserve structural rentals (portable toilets, chairs, tables, electrical requirements, tent)

r Book Florist

2 - 4 Months prior

r Book guest accommodations

r Book transportation

r Meet with Officiant

r Select Menu

r Design & order cake

r Design decor plan

r Order rentals and decor items (Meet with florist)

r Order amenities, guest giveaways and any personalized items

r Send Invitations (2 months prior - set RSVP date at 3 - 4 weeks prior to wedding day)

r Book Hair stylist & Make-up artist – have “experimental” appointments or consultations (Bring photos!)

1 month prior

r Confirm with all suppliers

r Create DJ/MC scripts and playlists

r Finalize readings

r Finalize Day-of schedule

r Onsite walk through

r Obtain wedding license

r Obtain insurance & licenses

The last weeks prior

r Confirm final numbers with venue

r Finalize seating plan

r Double check arrival times of all vendors, update schedule

r Print escort/place cards

r Purchase Alcohol (if applicable)

r Confirm rehearsal with wedding party and necessary suppliers

r Prep Thank-you cards

r Prep/make/set-aside final payments

r Delegate tasks with wedding party

r Distribute detailed schedule to wedding party, MC & suppliers

Fall Cocktail

When I was thinking of the perfect cocktail for a fall event - Thanksgiving Dinner, my birthday (October 24th just to let you know), a fall wedding, Christmas dinner... I thought of this cocktail that I once whipped up for a friend's birthday that won me many praises.  The sweet scent of cinnamon with the sharp taste of espresso with irish cream is glory in a glass.

Coffee Cake:

2 oz of Van Gogh Espresso Vodka (my favourite)

1/4 oz Cinnamon Schnapps

1/4 oz Irish Cream

Cocktail shown in pictures is a double, with a sprinkle of cinnamon.  Go to http://vangoghvodka.com/van-gogh-our-vodkas/espresso-flavored-vodka/ for this recipe and more

Inspiration for Fall!

Thank you Martha Stewart for these two ideas, which I love so much for fall! 

Decor Idea of the day!

Today's wedding decor idea was found on my favourite site for wedding inspiration - The Knot! (http://www.theknot.com/)

This vintage centerpiece/decor idea is an easy do-it-yourself idea consisting of bird cages, moss, peacock feathers and pillar candles.  The colours and specifics can be changed to suite your own vintage style!



Photo By:  Jasmine Star Photography, Orange County, CA



I'm Back!

I realize it's been over a month since my last post!  Due to my full-time role as Catering Manager at Calhoun's Catering, I was busy most of August with the on site coordination of events.  One of these included a wedding at The Museum of Vancouver.  I have blogged about this location before, and I can not say enough what a beautiful backdrop this was for a ceremony and cocktail hour.  Guests sat facing the ocean and scenic Vanier Park as the couple exchanged vows.  Afterwards, food and beverages were served inside the room adjacent to the patio as well as on the patio surrounded by lush gardens.  Guests nibbled on platters of Mediterranean grilled vegetables, caprese salad, olives, rustic breads with cheeses and dips.  The cake was a vanilla sponge cake with whipped cream icing and berries (both in the filling and on top) - also made by Calhoun's.  Just past the patio and gardens, the couple with their friends and family took photos with ponds, willow trees, the city scape, North shore mountains and ocean as their backdrop.

In addition... I have just returned from a European Vacation!  I spent four days walking the streets of Paris, and then close to two weeks in Spain.  I've returned with inspiration of course... the romantic Parisian streets and traditional french bistros from Paris.  From Spain I bring back thoughts of the ocean, tapas, intricate tile work from some of Gaudi's architectural masterpieces, cascading flowers and cava (sparkling wine). 

Photos, photos, photos and more photos will be coming soon!  And more regular blog posts of course.  I'm beginning work on my new website soon and am very excited to unveil it!

First Dance Songs

Still trying to decide which song even begins to represent yourself and your partner?  The first song that you dance to as Mr. and Mrs.... Husband and Wife, is an important one.  Below are a few suggestions:

Classics: 

·         “The very thought of you” – Nat King Cole (or Harry Connick Jr. Which is my personal preference)

·         “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole

·         “The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra

·         “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton

·         “Here and Now” – Luther Vandross

·         “At Last” – Etta James

Modern Day Love Songs:

·         “Sweetest Love” – Robin Thicke

·         “Everything” – Michael Buble (for something a bit more up beat and energetic! – also doubles as a great cocktail hour song)

·         “By Your Side” – Sade

·         “Biggest Part of Me” – Brian McKnight

·         “Come Away with Me” – Norah Jones

Surprises:

·         “Shelter” – Ray Lamontagne

·         “Halo” – Florence and the Machines

Country:

·         “Cowboy Take me Away” – Dixie Chicks

·         “Breathe” – Faith Hill

·         “Baby You Belong” – Faith Hill

·         “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” – Lady Antebellum

Wedding Website Project

I've begun a little project for my next few blog posts:  I'm creating example wedding websites so that I can guide my clients through the process and recommend which sites to use.  However, this project is taking me longer than expected because they aren't as simple as I think they're meant to be!  So far I've been working on a Google Site, which I assumed I would complete with ease (this is a blogger site, which I am quite accustomed to), however the transition between blog and wedding website has not been pain-free.

So to summarize - new blog posts soon!  My next site will be with The Knot - which is also my favourite website for inspiration and amazing wedding photos.  I'll continue to blog about my progress with the wedding websites and my successes/failures, then afterwards I'll summarize which sites I would recommend and for what reasons.