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Archive for the ‘Banff Wedding Planner’ Category

Jennie & Shane – Lake Louise Wedding

July 20, 2010

I am so excited to share Jennie and Shane’s beautiful Chateau Lake Louise wedding that happened this past weekend. I spent close to a year working with Jennie and Shane to design and plan their spectacular wedding day and I must admit that I loved every minute of it! I was first contacted by Jennie while she was finishing her PhD in the USA and due to scheduling she wasn’t able to attend the initial consultation. We emailed back and forth and I could tell that she was someone I would love to work with. Luckily I had the opportunity to meet with Shane while Jennie was still in the USA finishing up her studies. I was so excited after this initial meeting about the possibility of planning and designing his and Jennie’s wedding at the Chateau Lake Louise.

When Jennie returned to Calgary I had the opportunity to meet with her and I we totally clicked! Anyone who knows Jennie and Shane knows that they are two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. These two are clearly very much in love and their excitement about getting married after 12 years of dating was contagious. I knew that they were interviewing several Calgary wedding planners and designers and so I had my fingers crossed that the great connection I felt was reciprocated. I was over the moon excited when I learned that they had chosen me as their wedding designer and wedding planner out of the several that they had met with and interviewed.

Jennie and Shane were married on July 17, 2010. She was the picture of bridal elegance in her Vera Wang gown and he looked dapper in his chocolate brown suit, complete with coral tie. I remember going to the bridal salons with Jennie as she tried on the top contenders. When she walked out in her Vera her face absolutely glowed and it was obvious that this was her dress! She adorned her gown with a sparkly broach which took this already gorgeous dress to a whole new level. It was sheer perfection.

When their photographer, Wei, of Photobolic asked me to describe their wedding design I told him it would be beautiful and elegant with a touch of whimsy and a dash of rustic. Regardless of how you choose to describe it, Jennie and Shane’s wedding was a day filled with love and laughter and was the perfect celebration to honour a couple so happy and in love you can’t help but be filled with the warm fuzzies just being around them!

The day before the wedding was grey and rainy in Lake Louise and I have to admit I was starting to feel a little nervous about what mother nature had in store but the day of their nuptials was sunny and blue skies from dawn till tusk and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

I loved the subtle pink hue of Jennie’s dress and the soft, flowy layers; perfect for a mountain wedding.

I love this image of Shane and his parents. It really shows how happy EVERYONE was that the big day was finally here.

Such a spectacular setting for a wedding.

The entire wedding party was relaxed throughout the day and had a great time.

Jennie was the calmest bride I have ever met. Nothing mattered except getting married to her best friend and enjoying the day she had waited so long for.

She was stunning!

I had so much fun designing Jennie and Shane’s Chateau Lake Louise wedding. The colour scheme of green, brown and coral was a delight and we were all so excited to see the lollipop seating card boxes come to life. They were amazing!

The ballroom was gorgeous and the guests raved about all of the details that came together to create Jennie and Shane’s signature event. The custom coral lighting added incredible warmth and elegance and was the perfect compliment to the overall design. We alternated the stunning floral centerpieces between high and low to add visual interest and the guests loved the orchid we carefully placed on each napkin. The details definitely dazzled, the couple was thrilled, and their guests kept commenting about how this wedding was the best they had ever attended…this is exactly what an Inspired Occasions wedding is all about!

Check out their custom M&M’s. Not only did they have their names, their wedding date, and “I DO” printed on them, they also had their picture!!!

We incorporated the design from all of their stationery products onto the cake topper. It tied everything together perfectly!

The reception was one big party and everyone had a blast!

Congratulations Jennie and Shane!

Move Over Cupcakes…Macaroons are Stealing the Show

June 3, 2010

Cupcakes have been a hot wedding trend for the past few years but now there is a new star on the wedding dessert horizon. The macaroon is hot, hot, hot with Calgary Brides right now, and with brides across North America for that matter. It is fast becoming the popular choice for infusing one’s wedding with a fun, colourful, bite size treat that is sure to satiate the sweet tooth of all in attendance.Image credit: Laudree via Bliss Weddings Market

If you really want your wedding to be the talk of the town, then spend some time ensuring your have a well designed sweet table. The items on this table should complement your overall colours and design aesthetic so that it flows seamlessly with everything else in the room that you have worked so hard to put together. Check out this sample below from Bobette & Belle which showcases wedding cake, cupcakes, macaroons, and candy. What more could you want?

If you are looking for an alternative to the traditional wedding cake and want to incorporate macaroons somehow, why not consider a macaroon tower?

Above 5 images featuring colourful macaroons credit: Bobbette & Belle

Brittany & Adam: The Wedding

February 10, 2010

I am so excited to share Brittany and Adam’s spectacular winter wedding with you. I had so much fun planning this wedding in just 8 short weeks. Brittany and Adam are a fun, young couple but with school, exams, shopping for a new home, etc. they didn’t have much time to plan their wedding. As a result, I had the opportunity to work closely with the mother-of-the-bride to create a one-of-a-kind celebration that would be totally unique and a true reflection of Adam and Brittany’s fun personalities.

The ceremony took place at the stunning LDS temple in Cardston, Alberta on December 29th. It was a chilly day but the time spent outside in the frigid weather was well worth it as you can see from the stunning photos captured by the immensely talented Maria Lang.

The reception was help the next day in one of the local Calgary LDS church gymnasiums. Trust me when I say that when we were done with the decor, it looked nothing like a gymnasium! Drawing inspiration from Brittany and Adam’s youthful and fun personalities, their colour scheme of light blue, navy blue and silver as well as the winter season, we created a hip young lounge atmosphere that was beyond cool!

The reception was help the following day in one of the local Calgary LDS church gymnasiums. Trust me when I say that when we were done with the decor, it looked nothing like a gymnasium! Drawing inspiration from Brittany and Adam’s youthful and fun personalities, their colour scheme of light blue, navy blue, and silver, we created a hip young lounge atmosphere that was beyond cool!

To create the stunning transformation, we draped all of the walls in 14 ft. tall soft white fabric and then added uplighting along the entire perimeter that gradually shifted from white to light blue to dark blue. IT WAS STUNNING! In addition, we added a very cool patterned light that gently moved across the ceiling and floor. We brought in modern white leather couches, chairs and ottomans for the center of the room to create a space for guests to hang out and relax. We also set up cool cocktail tables draped in luxurious navy blue linens and 6 seater tables draped in light blue linens and overlays, flanked with uber stylish silver chiavari chairs. Fresh florals of white and green, in square vases, added a touch of sophistication while complimenting our modern theme. The bride’s favourite flower, white amaryllis, were stunning placed at the entrance and exit and were arranged in tall vases filled with clear gel that gave an icy impression perfect for this winter wedding.

Guests dined on delicious bite size delights and enjoyed the hot chocolate station we set up complete with custom cups and toppings that included chocolate shavings, candy cane crumbles, marshmallows, caramel sauce, and more. Live piano music floated through the air and the celebration was nothing short of amazing! Thanks again Maria for capturing all the details of Brittany and Adam’s amazing day so perfectly.

Congratulations Brittany and Adam!

Vanessa and Darrin: The Wedding

January 8, 2010

I am so excited to share with you the wedding of Vanessa and Darrin that took place less than a week ago, on January 2, 2010. I was contacted by the bride at the end of November with a request to plan her entire wedding in just 6 short weeks! I was excited and definitely up for the challenge.

These two were full of life and energy and were wanting to infuse their fun personalities into their wedding day. They wanted something simple and elegant but also fun for them and all of their close to 300 guests. Vanessa loves details, I could tell instantly from the large number of details she recalled from the previous Inspired Occasions wedding she had attended. Regardless of the timeline, I wanted Vanessa and Darrin’s wedding to be everything they dreamed of and more. I’m thrilled to report it was just that.

All photos credit T LAW Photography.

The Fairmont Palliser was selected as their ceremony and reception venue for it’s historic charm and grand elegance. A string trio greeted guests as they entered the ceremony and set the perfect tone of elegance and sophistication. The groom chose to walk the aisle accompanied by both of his parents and selected the Imperial March from Star Wars as their entrance song. Although unconventional it couldn’t have been more perfect. The wedding ceremony was very sweet and complete with secret handshakes and a first kiss straight out of a Hollywood movie.

I was thrilled with their colour scheme of silver and purple as purple is such a hot colour right now and combining it with silver made for a twist on the more typical colour combinations of red and silver or blue and silver that often appear at winter-time weddings.

Vanessa had attended a previous Inspired Occasions wedding a couple of years ago and fell in love with the engagement photo table numbers and the candy buffet and knew that she wanted these incorporated into her special day. I also learned of her love of Kernels popcorn so we decided to offer both a candy buffet (always a huge hit with guests) as well as take out boxes containing the bride’s favourite flavours fo Kernels popcorn.

If your budget doesn’t allow for high end finishes at every table, consider incorporating these desired elements into the head table and parent tables. It will set these tables apart as being a little extra special for the guests of honour and allow you to still have the high end finishes you desire at a price point you can afford.

For Vanessa and Darrin’s wedding we used silver chargers and purple napkins at the head table and 2 parent tables as well as an extra stem of hydrangea and some orchids in the centerpieces on the parent tables. The guest tables still looked incredible in their own right. Another way to add a high end look at an affordable price point is by incorporating some rhinestone buckles. We used rhinestone buckles and silver ribbon on the centerpieces and bouquet vases which added the glamour we were after without breaking the bank. Inspired Occasions rents rhinestone buckles for as little as $2.50 each and vases for $3.50 so there’s no reason you can’t have the high end look you desire at any budget.

We incorporated a GOBO on the dance floor to bring in some added WOW factor to the reception. It coordinated perfectly with their invitations, seating chart and the stickers used on their candy buffet and popcorn boxes. Their guests were definitely impressed!

Vanessa and Darrin participated in a tea ceremony in the lovely Oval Room prior to the start of the reception. I always love when couples incorporate family and cultural traditions into their wedding day.

I connected Vanessa and Darrin up with an amazing dance instructor and they went about having a fun and flirty first dance choreographed to perfection. Their guests were totally surprised and their dance was an instant hit and set the prefect tone for the fun party that was to come.

I was thrilled to open my in box earlier this week to find the following email from Vanessa. “Terra, there are not enough ways to say thank you in the world! THANK YOU! Everything was so perfect and everyone has been saying how beautiful and organized the entire day was. Where would we be without you? Definitely not happy and ecstatic like we are right now! I can’t imagine anything to be more perfect – thank you, thank you, thank you!” Do I have the best job in the world or what?!

Congratulations Vanessa and Darrin on an incredible wedding day! You are a fantastic couple and I wish you every happiness in your future together.

Divine Damask

January 5, 2010

The past couple of months have been super busy here at Inspired Occasions. In addition to getting the final touches together for Della and Dino’s divine damask winter wedding later this month, it was a flurry of activity planning 2 300 person weddings back to back; one with an 8 week timeline and the other with only 6 weeks! Stay tuned for details from those two amazing weddings which occurred on December 30th and January 2nd. I can’t wait to share with you all of the amazing details from those two dazzling weddings.

On another note, I was delighted to see that Della and Dino’s wedding invitations made it onto Plush Invitations 9 Most Memorable of ‘09. The bride, Della, has been amazing to work with over the past year and I can’t wait to see all of the delicious details come together for her and Dino’s spectacular damask inspired white and black winter wedding celebration later this month. Be sure to check out their fabulous photographer, Gabe McClintock of Perspective Eye Photography sometime in February to see images from this incredible Calgary wedding!

Candy Inspired Whimsical Wedding

November 17, 2009

Check out this whimsical candy inspired wedding that was featured in the New York Times. I love how creative and unique this wedding is and talk about FUN!!! While sometimes too much of a good thing is too much, in this case I think going over the top is what makes this particular wedding so fabulous. It’s simply delicious!

While not many of us would go to this extreme, regardless of how much we love our sweet treats, there are many ways to infuse your love and candy into your wedding day details. Check out some of the ideas I found below to add the perfect touch of tasty whimsy to your wedding day!

Lollipop wedding invitation: Wonderful Graffiti

I am super excited about the way we are incorporating lollipops into one of my upcoming summer weddings. It is going to be a beautiful and elegant wedding and the lollipops are going to add the perfect, unexpected twist. You’ll have to stay tuned to see how we pull it all off!

While you may not want to carry a bouquet of candy on your actual wedding day, why not have fun at your rehearsal by carrying a candy bouquet and having your groom sport a candy boutonniere?

For my own wedding rehearsal I decided to make mini bouquets for myself and my bridesmaids using blow pops and greenery and boutonnieres for my hubby and his groomsmen using the same supplies. They were a huge hit and helped lighten the mood before practicing our “I Do’s.”

Lollipop wedding bouquet and candy boutonniere: Source
Candy Themed Cake: Cake Lava

If you really want to try something non traditional, you could opt for a wedding cake pinata! This is a very fun alternative to a regular wedding cake and could provide a new twist on the popular candy buffet. This would be great at a wedding with lots of little ones but I bet you would have a fair share of “big kids” running up to snag some tasty treats too!

Wedding cake pinata: Weddingbee

Calgary Wedding Day Coordination Sale

November 8, 2009

Tis the season of giving! With Christmas just around the corner (yes, I have to admit, I already have my tree up and fully decorated) I have decided to offer all you deserving Calgary brides out there a special winter sale so now there is no excuse to not have a wedding day coordinator for your winter or spring wedding!

After countless hours meticulously planning your wedding I know that you want to be able to actually enjoy it, and you should! You can’t be both the bride and the coordinator and your family and closest friends shouldn’t be put in this role either…unless you want them to miss out on the amazing experience that will be your wedding! You deserve to be treated like a celebrity on your wedding day, having every detail covered and every need attended to, and that’s just what you’ll get with an Inspired Occasions coordination program.

So now onto the details of this very special sale. Are you ready…drumroll please…I am offering a $250 discount off of any day-of coordination package booked for a November 2009 – March 2010 wedding. Just mention this blog post to receive your special discount. What exactly does this include you ask?

We’ll meet with you before your wedding to make sure that we have a thorough understanding of your wedding vision, down to the smallest details. We’ll handle confirming all contracted vendors so you can actually enjoy the month leading up to your wedding knowing that no detail will be overlooked. We’ll make sure your ceremony runs smoothly and clean up afterwards. On your photo shoot you will be treated to the superstar service you deserve with your own personal assistant to take care of you and your wedding party’s needs…from snacks to beverages to hair and make up touch ups, we’ve got you covered!

At your reception, we’ll make sure all the details you worked so hard to plan dazzle! We’ll keep things on track and be the point of contact for any questions that arise so you aren’t being bothered throughout the evening and can fully enjoy your months of hard work and planning. Oh, ya, I also include some extra special bonuses that you won’t find elsewhere that are sure to make your day complete!!! Our dates are filling up quickly so if you’re ready to have the luxurious wedding experience you desire and deserve, contact us now to book your free initial meeting to discuss your wedding needs!

Think Pink Wedding Inspiration

October 4, 2009

In honour of Think Pink (Breast Cancer Awareness) month, I have decided to put together a pink inspired wedding post. This one takes a fresh, fun and youthful approach to a very pink celebration.

Hot pink wedding shoes: Liana Photography
All pink bouquet: Martha Stewart
Pink lanterns at a tented reception: Inspired Occasions
Pink centerpiece: The Knot
Pink photo table number: Inspired Occasions
Pink martini: Brides.com
Pink wedding cake and sweet table: Amy Atlas
Pink candy buffet: Project Wedding
Pink Flip Flop “Dancing Shoes”: Inspired Occasions

Yellow Retro Inspired Wedding

October 1, 2009

There is something about the colour yellow that is just so happy. And since weddings are such joyous occasions it seems like an ideal, yet under utilized, colour choice. I’m loving yellow these days as well as the vintage touches that are being incorporated into so many weddings as of late. I decided to marry the two and create a vintage inspired yellow wedding post for all of you. I hope you enjoy it!

How cute is this bride with her yellow converse sneakers?! I LOVE it!

Above 3 photos credit: Sloan Photographers

This sunny yellow 50’s inspired dress would be perfect for your bridesmaids.

Credit: thisnext.com

There is something about the soft fluffiness of peonies that is so 50’s to me.

Yellow and white peony bouquet credit: the nest

I’m also loving this vibrant yellow bouquet.

Bouquet credit: bella-kai

I ADORE the following 2 vintage inspired yellow tablescape pictures. The milk glass vases are perfect and everything pulled together creates the ideal mix of casual elegance.

Credit: Project Wedding, via youandme, Photographer: Union Photography

These jam favours would be perfect.

Credit: Sloan Photographers

After you and your guests have dined and danced the night away, how about a late night snack of mini hamburgers…

Credit: Taste.com

And tray passed mini milkshakes. So 50’s and so fabulous!

Credit: Nancy Gould

And then you can drive off into the sunset in a classic car. The perfect ending to a perfect day!

Credit: zweddingblog

White Pumpkin Inspired Autumn Wedding

September 29, 2009

Fall is definitely in the air here in Calgary. Autumn is a glorious time of year for a wedding in the city of Calgary as we are graced with a spectacular display of yellow, orange and red on the trees surrounding our fine city. With the leaves beginning to fall and a definite chill in the air I started thinking more about fall weddings. While at the grocery store the other day I spotted the cutest little white pumpkins which became the inspiration for this white and brown rustic, yet elegant, fall inspired wedding. Enjoy!

Wouldn’t it be fabulous to host your ceremony and reception at a beautiful rustic barn? I think it would make for such a memorable experience for you and your guests. If the barn had doors, I would picture decorating them with a moss square wreath like this one.

Square moss door wreath photo: Elizabeth Anne Designs
I love the white curtains on the entrance to this barn. They add a soft romantic touch.

Barn photo: createmyevent

For the ceremony I picture lots of candles to set an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Perhaps some small white pumpkins and greenery incorporated as well.

Candle lined ceremony photo: Ferrington

Pumpkin and candle photo: The Knot

At night, white carved pumpkins could line the way to the barn.
White “love” pumpkin photo: Masterpiece Pumpkins

How cute would it be to have your flower girl carry a little white pumpkin basket?

Flower girl photo: Pegeen

White pumpkin flower girl basket: Weddingbee Pro

And your ring bearer could carry a little white pumpkin with your rings tied on.
White pumpkin with rings photo: Mint & Sage

A lace dress with a long veil would be perfect for the bride!

Bride photo: Mint & Sage

And the groom would look especially sharp in a tailored chocolate brown suit.

Brown suit photo: Event This

I picture a mostly white bouquet with an organic composition and unique greenery.

White rustic bouquet: Elizabeth Anne Designs

White dahlia and green amaranths bouquet: Ruby Bloom Flowers

Mason jars with candles could be hung inside and out and used to line the windowsills.

Mason jar candles photo: The Knot

The exposed wooden beams of an old barn would be a gorgeous architectural feature for your reception. Lots of candles and the use of up lighting would be magnificent in a space like this.

Barn reception photo: Robert Hooper

For the tablescapes I envision lots of candles of varying heights.

Candles photo: Elizabeth Anne Designs

And centerpieces and decor that incorporate little white pumpkins, some greenery and fruit (like the plums pictured below) or vegetables (maybe some artichoke hearts).

White pumpkin centerpiece photo: HGTV

White pumpkin and candle centerpiece photo: Decorvillage

White pumpkin rustic decor photo: Carte Wheels

I envision chocolate brown linens for the tables and beautiful wooden chairs.

Chocolate brown linen photo: Source

Look how great this colour scheme is with dim lights and lots of candles.

Romantic brown and white reception table photo: The Knot

The cake could use a tree trunk slab for a cake plate to incorporate a rustic element.

White cake with tree trunk cake plate photo: Jose Villa

For a cute favour you could give your guests a smores pack.

Smores favour photo: Simply Divine Events

Or you could set up a smores buffet complete with all of the necessary supplies.

Smores buffet photo: Bridezilla

And invite your guests out for a late night fire pit.

Wedding with smores and fire pit photo: Snippet and Ink

It will be chilly in the fall so why not fill a basket with shawls or blankets for your guests and leave it fire side.

Basket with shawls photo: Katie Moos

At the end of the night delight in a sparkler send off from your guests and enjoy your new life as Mr. and Mrs.!

Sparkler send off photo: Luster Studios

I LOVE being a Calgary wedding planner and helping my couples pull off the wedding of their dreams in Calgary, Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and beyond. I have been flooded with inquires over the past several weeks and my 2010 dates are filling up quickly! If you are looking for assistance with creating a one-of-a-kind wedding that reflects your love and personalities with a design scheme that will blow your guests away, I would love to hear from you. Contact me now to avoid disappointment.