Would you?

Welcome to one of our newest features!  Every Sunday we will be posting one photo, and one simple question – would you?

There’s no right or wrong answer – we just want your opinion!

Vera Wang

Vera Wang

Pretend you have all the money in the world – would you wear this Vera Wang dress for your wedding?  Why or why not?

Weekend Sales & Events for the GTA

Kirstie Kelly Trunk Show

Wednesday February 5, to Sunday February 7

11am – 4pm

Sposa Italia

Lela Rose Trunk Show
Friday, February 5th and Saturday, February 6th
10am-6pm
White Toronto (www.whitetoronto.com)

Bari Jay Bridesmaid Trunk Show

Feb 4th & Feb 5th

Amandalinas

Bari Jay Bridesmaids

Bari Jay Bridesmaids

Graydon Hall Manor- Old English Charm in the Heart Of Toronto

When you step onto the grounds of Graydon Hall Manor, you are pleasantly surprised to find you forget that you are within the bustling, noisy Downtown Toronto limits and instead have escaped into a world of elegance and romance. This gorgeous building was created in the style of an English Georgian Manor back in 1939, and when you walk through the corridors you really feel in a different world. Graydon Hall sets a charming ambience for an intimate wedding full of style and class. The luscious gardens are the perfect backdrop for a summer’s day ceremony, if not the chapel within the Manor is a stunning alternative for a chillier day. The photo opportunities are endless with grand fireplaces, windy staircases and not to mention the large and very stylish bridal suite. The space is not huge but for a smaller wedding it is a lovely alternative choice to a banquet hall or restaurant.

The Manor

The Manor

One of the many gorgeous rooms

One of the many gorgeous rooms

The Chapel

The Chapel

IMG_4850

Wordless Wednesday

Jeannie & Lee, Unionville Wedding 2009

Jeannie & Lee, Unionville Wedding 2009

 

Photo courtesy of Eve Traetto Photogaphy

More warm weather dreams …

Our friends at Smart Bride Boutique  are thinking the same thing we are – warm weather, sandy beaches, blue oceans, real tequila ..

Oh, sorry.  The tequila is my own addition.  Got a bit caught up, thinking about the smell of the sea breezes …

Is winter over yet?  No?  Let’s continue on then.

Smart Bride Boutique helps today’s savvy brides create the wedding day of their dreams without sacrificing designer names or fabulous style. Local brides connect to buy, sell and save on everything wedding; including: wedding dresses, bridesmaid gowns, decor, accessories and more.

Recently, they posted a great set of dresses perfect for any destination wedding – and at a fraction of the regular cost.  Check out the hot post here!

My absolute favourite from the post is this fun, but simple and stylish dress!

MaggieSotteroRD1044Sz10800

This dress is a Maggie Sottero, RD1044.  It’s a size 10, white asymmetric A line … and the best part?

It’s $800.

Weekend sales & events for the GTA

Tons of great wedding things are happening this weekend in the Toronto area!

Open House at Graydon Hall Manor
www.GraydonHall.com
Saturday January 30 from 1-4

GraydonHall
(we’ll see you there!)

AH-MAZING Sale at Windfall
High-end Dresses at Wholesale Prices
Saturday January 30, 11am-2pm
$4 per person entry fee (for charity) – and it’s so worth it!  Wedding Dresses for Windfall carries designers like Joli, Alfred Angelo, Adele Weschler, Alfred Sung, Maggie Sottero .. just to name a few! 

Check out some of the lovelies I found – and check out the AHMAZING prices!

Maggie Sottero Size 12 $500
Maggie Sottero Size 12 $500
Mon Cheri Size 8 $200
Mon Cheri Size 8 $200

(please, to whoever gets the above dress – please please choose me as your photographer, because I can’t wait to see this dress on a bride!)

Adele Wechsler Size 6 $500
Adele Wechsler Size 6 $500

Want to check out more dresses from Windfall?  Check out their listings on Smart Bride!

Maggie Sottero Trunk Show
On now until Saturday January 31 at Ritche Bridal 

Anne Barge Trunk Show
Friday January 29, Saturday January 30 at White Toronto
http://www.whitetoronto.com/

Watters Trunk Show
Saturday January 30 & Sunday January 31 at Felichia Bridal
www.Felichiabridal.com

Wordless Wednesday

Nicole_Dan_1

 

Photo provided by WeddingPix.ca

Get married somewhere hot!

Runaway Brides (and Grooms of course!!)

Tips and Trends to help make your Special Day that much more Special 
by Bianca Harper – Destination Wedding, Honeymoon and Event Specialist 
utravel4less@gmail.com 

Despite our very recent recession in 2009, Destination Weddings are HOT HOT HOT!!  
While we’re all bracing ourselves for what was one of the world’s largest financial crises, the Destination Wedding industry picked up the slack, and gained increased popularity.

Your browser may not support display of this image. A marriage is one of the most life-altering events you will ever experience. A little girl will plan her wedding day from the moment mommy fills her mind with ideas of growing up and maturing into a beautiful bride, marrying Prince Charming – so about 2 years old. And there starts the beginning of the planning process. We start playing dress-up, first come the white sheets (or curtains) and what do we pretend? That it’s our wedding dress of course! Then we grow up a little bit more and graduate into something a bit more fitting – mommys’ white dress and shoes that are about 100 sizes too big. But what’s the point ladies? The point is, we plan our special day from infancy in hopes that when it is our time to marry our Prince Charming, everything runs smoothly, getting everything we’ve ever hoped and dreamed for.  So if your wedding dream is to have a little taste of paradise, why not consider a Destination Wedding?

Ritz_amseena

Photo Courtesy of www.RitzCarlton.com

The best part about having a Destination Wedding is that you can let your imagination run wild. Picture the world’s most romantic scenery. From the powder white sands of the Bahamas to the spectacular surf of Hawaii, or the romantic cobble stone streets of Puerto Vallarta to breathtaking Vancouver with its majestic mountains. Your wedding paradise is where you choose it to be.  
Imagine your honeymoon – exotic destinations, tropical climates … YOUR dream come true!

Here are some tips and trends that will ensure only the very best for your Special Day.

Let’s Talk Money

Some couples think that a Destination Wedding will cost them a small mortgage, but the truth is that Destination Weddings are actually considerably cheaper than your traditional local wedding. In fact, by using a reputable travel agent, (opting for one with experience in planning Destination Weddings will be your best bet) – you can find the best deals out there that will perfectly suit your needs and desires, finding packages that save you thousands of dollars. 
 

Location, Location, Location

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s actually not as easy as it sounds. There are many things to consider when planning for the perfect location for your Destination Wedding.  
Some things to consider are:

  1. Budget – choose a destination that fits nicely within your budget. A good travel counselor (destination wedding specialist) will be able to provide you with suggestions on how to save a little extra money, which resorts offer free wedding packages etc. 
  2. Decide on the time of year you would like to get married in. This will help you narrow down some destinations, especially those experiencing severe tropical storms and hurricanes at different times during the year.
  3. Working on a guest list will help you decide on how many guests you would like to invite to your wedding, in turn helping you choose a destination/venue to host your wedding.
  4. Implement your vision – Is the setting for your perfect ceremony on a romantic candlelit beach? Perhaps it’s in a castle? Or the rustic outdoors and breathtaking scenery of the rainforest? Working with a Destination Wedding Specialist will help implement your wedding day vision. All the while eliminating some of that horrid wedding planning stress.

Easy Peasy

Imagine this: spending the day before your wedding relaxing on the beach sipping pina colada’s listening to the rush of the waves against the seashore, or enjoying a relaxing oceanfront massage – all of this, instead of having to run around trying to get to all of your pre-wedding day errands done – yet another reason why more and more brides are choosing to be the ever so special “runaway bride”. Now this isn’t to say that brides don’t have to worry about the whole planning process, in fact I know for sure that brides WILL worry and stress over their wedding plans, especially being that they will be planning from thousands of miles away, but the truth is that destination weddings are not as much work as traditional weddings are. In most cases, hotels and resorts offer wedding-planning packages and services, meaning the details get taken care of for you. Can’t get easier then that now can it???

Risky Business & the D.I.Y.

Planned correctly, and a destination wedding can truly be the most unique way to celebrate your special day. Sadly though, I have heard so many horror stories from brides and grooms who decided to take on the task of planning their wedding completely on their own in hopes to save a little money. The sad thing is, it ended up costing them more in the end. From missed flights to being given incorrect information – these brides and grooms, who should have been enjoying one of the best times in their lives, were now experiencing one of the most stressful, horrific events possible. When it comes to something as special as a wedding or honeymoon, put your trust in someone with experience in planning and negotiating with potential vendors.

In Conclusion

When it comes to planning a Destination Wedding or honeymoon let us show you how much fun and excitement can actually be had! Let us help make your childhood dreams reality on your special day without a glitch, looking back with fondness and only happy memories!

Until then, Happy Planning!

Your browser may not support display of this image. Bianca Harper 
Utravel4less@gmail.com

Ask Kadeshia – Wedding Dress shopping!

2-300x105

Wedding planner Kadeshia Bennett, of Essence Occasions, answers all of your wedding and event questions!  Kadeshia and her team at Essence Occasions offer you a stylish and sassy approach to wedding planning.  With her love for all things pretty, Kadeshia tirelessly strives to create one of a kind wedding planning that is both personal and professional.

 

Dear Kadeshia,

It’s time to go shopping for my wedding dress!  I have no idea where to start.

How many people should I bring? 

Shopping for your wedding gown should be a relaxing experience. Having too many people to accompany you can take the fun away from your moment, due to difference of opinions. The least amount of people you bring the better the process will be. In this case the more is not always the merrier. I would recommend not having more than four people with you for your consultation.  

 
How do I know I’m getting good value for my money?

Like all other purchases for your wedding, including services; you should be contacting references.

Other than ensuring the quality of the material by researching the designer and the store itself, a reference will assist with giving you that added peace of mind when purchasing your gown. Talk to past brides who have purchased the same or similar gown and get their opinion about the quality. All dresses are not guarantee perfection but it should be made for exactly what you need; whether that is to move and shake all night or your bonfire beach wedding. Don’t just ask for references, call them!

With that said it is not only the quality of the gown but also the quality of service that you receive from your wedding boutique. They should be able to answer all your questions upfront or at your fitting. 
 

Which questions should I be asking the consultant?

Along with your consultation date and time, you should always ask who your consultant will be and what the duration of your appointment is (one hour, two hours…).

 Questions to ask your consultant are:

What are your policies?

Do you have onsite alterations?  If so how much extra and how long will it take?

How should I care for my gown, Storage and preservation?  

Do certain dress styles suit certain body types more?

Yes! Just like us ladies, wedding gowns do come in all shapes and styles.

What is a perfect fit for you might not be the same for me. There is a “this is it” dress out there for you. To find it, know your shape and what dress suite your structure the best. By knowing this, your search for your dream gown will be easier. If you have a boyish figure, dresses with an empire waist will suits you to a “T”. If you are curvaceous, a mermaid dress will accentuate your curved silhouette.

 

 What else should I know beforehand?

Before starting on your quest to find the perfect dress, think about how you want to feel at your wedding. Having a good idea of what you want will help your consultant in finding you the perfect dress.

Never go to a consultation without a budget. If you are splurging on your dress, you still need to know your price range of how much you are spending so that you do not go overboard.

These are some of the questions you should know either before hand or while you are there.

Do they have different payment options? Is there a limit to how many dresses you can try?

Do you pay a deposit and then instalments or do you pay the full amount upfront?

Do they have a limit as to how many people you can bring with you? Are they insured?

Bring your own robe and wear a bra that can be converted into a strapless. This way you are prepared with a proper bra that you do not have to fiddle with and the robe to cover up for when you are between dresses. Ask as many questions as it take for you to know that you have chosen the right boutique.  

Happy shopping!

Introducing Jessica, our Authentic Bride

My name is Jessica and my fiancé, Allan, and I got engaged what seems like forever ago, on December 25th, 2007! At that time we had been dating for just over 10 months – but what seemed quick to others felt like a lifetime to us, because quite simply we are each other’s soul mate. We moved out to North Vancouver, B.C. from Ontario during the summer of 2007, me to start my career post graduation and Allan to continue pursuing his education. Not to mention the mountains were calling us, as we have a shared passion for snowboarding.

Who We Are

Shortly after moving to B.C. I got back in touch with my artistic roots, which were a bit stifled while I pursued my BBA at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario. I combined my business skills with my artistic talents and environmental concerns to launch ecocessoriesÔ – an eco-friendly designer jewelry company. With love and patience from Allan I was encouraged along the way, as I took silversmithing courses to hone my metal skills, and launched my jewelry recycling service as the source for all my recycled beads and vintage materials. ecocessoriesÔ now has a budding online store (http://ecocessories.ca/collections/shop), and is carried by a number of retailers in Vancouver, B.C., recycles jewelry (http://ecocessories.ca/recycle) from women across Canada, and has big plans for national growth in 2010.

Allan returned to school right here in North Vancouver, and is a business student at Capilano University. He is excelling in his courses and has lots of real life experience to apply his education to with an entrepreneur right here at home! ecocessoriesÔ has been the subject of a number of Allan’s school projects. As well, Allan does all the graphic design work for ecocessoriesÔ, including logo design, marketing materials, and weekly homepage banner updates.

When we aren’t working on ecocessoriesÔ you can usually find us cooking up delicious organic meals in the kitchen, snowboarding on Grouse Mountain, or planning our upcoming nuptials!

The Proposal

While Allan and I had discussed our plans to be engaged a number of times, I was not sure when the actual proposal would happen. However, I put ‘diamonds’ on my Christmas list so I think that was a good hint! Christmas morning came around, and it was the first Christmas ever not spent at home with our families, and our first Christmas shared together.

We opened all our gifts, and had conversations with our families, and had just sat down for a snuggle on the couch, when Allan announced he had one more gift! He told me not to look, and tied a scarf around me eyes. When I was told to remove the scarf, Allan was down on one knee with a ring box. He asked me to spend the rest of our lives together and after I cried, “Yes!” he opened the box. Inside was a diamond! Allan explained that he was proposing with just the diamond so that we could go pick the engagement band out together. The diamond would then be set in my choice. A very smart man indeed!

The Wedding Plans

We announced our engagement to our families, and decided that we’d like to have a long engagement, especially since the proposal happened so quickly. We still had a lot to learn about each other, which we most certainly have over the past 3 years. Our bond has grown stronger with each passing day, and I wouldn’t have done it any differently. Making that commitment to each other early on made a big difference in how our relationship has grown.

We went back and forth on choosing a date for about a year! Then on Dec. 25, 2008, one year after the initial engagement, I proposed to Allan – I proposed the actual date we would be wed with a sterling silver men’s engagement band that I designed and created myself. August 21, 2010 was chosen, as it was the original date we had considered.

Right away we decided a few things:

  • We will be married in my mother’s garden
  • The wedding will be an eco-friendly affair
  • Our budget will be $10,000

Since then we have envisioned most of the details of the wedding, and are slowly executing those decisions and learning quite a bit along the way! I hope you’ll follow my blog posts, and my journey to marrying the man of my dreams.

-2-4-1
Stay tuned later this week for Jessica’s wedding plans!