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Stampede Inspired Western Wedding

July 13, 2011

Stampede season is here again, and for all you brides looking to infuse some cowboy spirit and western charm into your special day, here are some ideas for the perfect western inspired wedding.

Start off with a country themed invitation to get your guests into the spirit, using traditional style western fonts and earthy materials like twine.

Western Wedding Invitation

Next, choose an uncomplicated, flowing wedding gown with capped sleeves or thick lace straps, and wear your hair down in soft natural waves for a simple country feel.

Western inspired wedding dress

And what screams Western more than cowboy boots? Adding this simple accessory to your wedding dress will make any bride appear that much more joyful and fun, not to mention keep you comfortable well into the morning hours. That goes for the bridesmaids too, and they will probably thank you for it! Cowboy hats are also a nice addition to the groomsmen attire.

Bride with cowboy boots

Bridesmaids with cowboy boots

Keep your bouquet natural and organic, with bright and cheerful colours and unstructured shapes, using flowers like daisies or sunflowers. A nice unique touch might be adding a little horseshoe for luck or wrapping the stems with burlap and tying them with twine.

Lucky horseshoe on bouquet

Simple rustic bouquet

Flower arrangements can be accented with stems of wheat, or small tree branches with bright berries on them, and be presented in baskets, rustic buckets or flower pots.

Western inspired flowers

Use mason jars filled with flowers or candles to line the aisle at the ceremony, either by hanging them on chairs or placing them directly on the ground.

Flowers in mason jars

Bring the country theme to life by holding the ceremony in an outdoor setting surrounded by beautiful trees, with a simply decorated wooden arch and equally rustic wooden chairs. And for a truly authentic experience, why not have your guests seated on bales of hay, covered with fabric for comfort!

Outdoor ceremony

Outdoor ceremony with bales of hay

Bales of hay for seating

For the evening reception, you may choose to move into a barn, or stay outside, if the weather permits, under a canopy of hanging lights and lanterns. Of course, no western style reception would be complete without a live country band and some line dancing.

Inside of a barn

Outdoor lights

Keep your table decorations informal, using a burlap runner on long wooden tables and create low centerpieces using mason jars, for a unique and authentic feel. Using mismatched wooden chairs will give your space a truly rustic look.

Rustic table setting

Mason jar centerpiece

For cocktail hour consider serving simple comfort foods like mini sliders, or mac and cheese and coleslaw in small shot glasses. Finish off with a traditional BBQ for dinner, displaying the menu on a rustic chalkboard. Keep your beer chilling in buckets or a wooden barrel, ready for your guests to enjoy, or serve lemonade out for mason jars for a refreshing, non-alcoholic option.

Bucket with lemonade jars

You can end your perfect night around a campfire, with your guests enjoying personalized s’mores, and keeping cozy with blankets from a wooden basket.

Personalized s’mores

And as an added touch of western hospitality for your out-of-town guests, why not leave a little something special in their hotel rooms to celebrate the Stampede spirit, like a basket filled with barbecue and hot sauces, beer, or rodeo tickets.

Now is a great time to start scouring flea markets for these perfect rustic additions that are sure to bring your western wedding to life. Remember to choose a colour theme and use it throughout your wedding details, such as your flowers, stationery, and even those blankets for the end of the night!

If you are a Calgary area bride and need help pulling together your Western wedding experience, contact us now to book your complimentary consultation and we’ll have your guests saying Yee-haw!

The Modern Vintage Wedding: Picking Your Perfect Gown

June 17, 2011

We all have moments of nostalgia, reminiscing about the simple pleasures in life, and now more than ever, brides are making this atmosphere of soft romance a part of their wedding day. The vintage theme is one of the top wedding trends of 2011, and is now showing up in all facets of a wedding: attire, flowers, décor, favours, transportation and more. Think lace accents, pearls, soft faded pastels, elaborate patterns, and afternoon garden tea parties. Whether you want to add a just a few vintage touches to your wedding or are looking for the complete vintage experience, the choices are endless! And it looks like this is one trend that’s here to stay.

The first, and one of the most important aspects of planning a vintage wedding, is finding the perfect gown. Vintage dresses are typically unique pieces and have incredible workmanship, a sure way to be a truly original bride. If a vintage dress is not as fashionable as you might like, restoring and adapting it to more modern trends could be a good solution, without compromising the gown’s old school charm. Some great materials to consider are satin, for a light and airy feeling, lace, for its intricate details, or taffeta for a smoother look. Whatever your choice, make sure it compliments your personality, and use your gown as a piece of inspiration for the rest of the wedding décor.

Here is some inspiration to get you started.

Strapless vintage wedding dress

Vintage wedding dress

Tea length vintage inspired gown

50′s inspired vintage dress

Retro style vintage dress

And for the more contemporary bride, here are a couple of a vintage inspired gowns with a more modern silhouette.

Vintage inspired lace gown

Vintage inspired gown

If you’re a Calgary bride and need help pulling together your one-of-a-kind vintage wedding experience, contact us now to book your complimentary consultation and make your vision a stunning reality.

Doughnuts…the new delight at weddings

June 10, 2011

We’ve all had cake and cupcakes at weddings, some of you may have even enjoyed the recent trend of macaroons. But if you are looking for something delicious and sweet as an alternative to cake and cupcakes you might want to consider doughnuts! Doughnuts are fantastic comfort food, they come in a variety of shapes, colours, and flavours, and they are very affordable. I don’t know about you, but doughnuts bring me back to the simple days of childhood.

As with any element of your wedding or special event, presentation is key. If you opt to have doughnuts play center stage at your wedding reception, make sure you think about the set up. Will you stack them into a tower, place them on a variety of footed cake plates, present them on silver trays? Do you want full sized or mini doughnuts? Do you want to offer doughnuts in lieu of wedding cake or cupcakes or do you want to bring them out for a late night snack?

Trays of pink, white and chocolate doughnuts via Green Wedding Shoes

You can still “cut the doughnut” if you want to go this playful route and skip the cake altogether.

Milk and doughnuts

Doughnuts and milk would make a perfect late night snack.

Doughnuts on cake plate

Present doughnuts on a variety of footed cake plates if you want to incorporate a vintage vibe.

Fry Girl Inc.

How amazing would it be to have a mini doughnut action station?! Guests could come up and receive their made to order doughnuts piping hot.

Mini coffee and doughnuts

These mini coffees and mini doughnuts are adorable! They would be perfect for a morning wedding. Imagine greeting your guests with one of these cute delights. They would also be perfect for after dinner for those craving a bit of a caffeine lift and a sweet treat at the same time.

If you are a Calgary Bride and are looking for some exceptional doughnuts to share on your wedding day, you have to check out Jelly Modern Doughuts. They offer gourmet donuts, a stylish store front, and a variety of unique flavours that you won’t find anywhere else. I love that they also use locally sourced and organic ingredients when possible. My hubby even gave them 2 thumbs up and he is a self proclaimed anti-doughnut eater.

If you are planning a Calgary, Banff, Canmore, or Lake Louise wedding and are looking for ways to infuse fun and unique elements into your wedding day we’d love to hear from you! As Wedding Planners and Designers we love nothing more than working with couples to create signature wedding experiences for will leave your guests in awe!

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Vera Wang’s Swoon-Worthy 2012 Collection

May 10, 2011

Ahh, Vera. Where do I even begin? Vera Wang is one of the most coveted designers of bride’s-to-be all over the world. Her gowns are renowned for their elegance and dramatic simplicity, making them the perfect choice for a mountain wedding in Banff, Canmore, or Lake Louise. In her latest collection, Vera takes inspiration from the ballerinas of Degas’ art for an ultra-romantic collection using texture and hues of airy pastels and sophisticated neutrals. Swoon.

I am also loving Vera’s modern take on the birdcage veil…but I’ll save that for another blog post!

Credit: Vera Wang Photography: Kevin Sturman

Credit: Vera Wang Source: Wedding Chicks

Credit: Vera Wang Photography: Kevin Sturman

Credit: Vera Wang Source: Wedding Chicks

Credit: Vera Wang Photography: Kevin Sturman

Credit: Vera Wang Source: Wedding Chicks

If you have fallen in love with a Vera and are looking for the perfect Calgary, Banff, Canmore, or Lake Louise Wedding Planner to pull together a show stopping, jaw dropping event design worthy of your sensational gown, contact us now to book your complimentary initial consultation.

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Kate Middleton’s Wedding Gown: Timeless Elegance

April 29, 2011

By now I’m sure you’ve all caught a glimpse of the stunning Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding gown worn by Kate Middleton as she wed her prince charming, William of Wales. Although the dress was not what I was expecting, it was perfect! It is a simple, elegant, and timeless beauty of a gown, much like Kate herself.

Immediately comparisons were drawn between Kate’s wedding gown and that of Grace Kelly, another classic beauty who wed her own prince charming, Rainer of Monaco back in 1956. Not only are their wedding dresses remarkably similar, so are their bridal bouquets. I love that Kate opted for a wedding gown that is beautiful and elegant and that will no doubt stand the test of time.

In addition to the similarities between Kate and Gracy Kelly’s wedding gown, Kate’s dress also reminded me of a design by one of my favourite wedding gown designers, Monique Lhuillier, from 2007. I wonder how Calgary and Banff brides will soon be seeking a similar lace enhanced wedding gown for their special day?

Photo: People Photographer: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Photo: People Photographer: Martin Meissner/AP

Source: Manolo Beauty

Source: Fashion Era Source: Bridalwave Monique Lhuillier

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Delicious Details: Sensational Seating Cards For Every Style

February 25, 2011

While engaging in a favourite pastime of mine the other day, looking at wedding blogs, I came across something that inspired me to write not only my post today, but to think outside the box on something every wedding needs: seating charts. Many people stay true to tradition with their seating chart explaining what table you’re sitting at, and giving the table a name. Personally, I love coming up with new and creative ways of twisting tradition. I’d love to hear about some of your favourite alternatives to traditional seating charts.

And now without further ado, enjoy some of mine!

Inspired Occasions wedding, photo: Photobolic

Last summer we designed a wedding a wedding in Lake Louise that featured lollipop seating card boxes and I must say it was one of my favourite details of the summer! It created a sensational focal point and conversation piece during the cocktail hour and was a SWEET detail in more ones than one. It’s unique, it’s fun, and it’s a fabulous way to combine the guest favours with a practical necessity for the reception.

Be sure to think about the theme of your wedding when deciding on your version of a seating chart. We designed this lollipop seating card box for a youthful couple who were fun. The groom had a serious sweet tooth and the wedding also featured a candy buffet so it was a great way to tie those elements together. The following are some interesting ideas to put your own personality into your wedding and let your guests in on your favourite things!

Photo: weddings by color

This couple made their own beverages for their wedding favours. They hooked the seating card around the neck of the bottle so their guests could grab their drink and know exactly where to go.

Pear cookies photo source

These cookies are adorable! It’s a yummy treat for your guests, and would be perfect paired with a milk and cookies bar at the reception!

Inspired Occasions table scape, photo credit: TLAW Photography

I think these fun and funky place cards featuring comment bubbles are unique and modern. It’s definitely a highlight of the table décor that will stick with your guests.

The important thing to remember when you’re working on any aspect of your wedding is that it should be a reflection of you as a couple and the overall experience you are looking to create for your guests. The little details come together to tell a story and will let your guests know that you have thought of them. This is an incredibly special day in your lives and filling it with details that exude your personality will make a stunning impact. Pick a seating chart that tells a story of who you are and it will leave a lasting impression on the ones you love.

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Calgary Wedding Fair: Inspired Occasions

January 25, 2011

This past weekend we participated in the Calgary Wedding Fair and had an absolute blast. The Wedding Fair is the biggest and the best that Calgary has to offer and is chock full of top notch wedding professionals like us! We had such a wonderful time meeting so many brides, and grooms too, and can’t wait to sit down and chat more in depth with many of you to learn more about your visions for your big day.

I am so excited to share some pictures of our booth captured beautifully by TLAW Photography. We put a lot of thought and work into our booth and really wanted to create something that was visually stunning and full of unique ideas as well as something that was accessible to brides just like you. Well the feedback was overwhelming and it appears we hit a home run. People were IN LOVE with the design concepts we put together and our clean and simple design aesthetic.

We want to thank some amazing vendors who helped bring our design vision to life with their immense talents.

Monica over at Modern Petals created the stunning florals. They truly took my breath away. The mokara orchid centerpiece for our Modern Table, which definitely stole the show, arrived distinctly purple 2 days before the Wedding Fair. When the supplier stood firm in their position that they were pink (trust me, they were not!), Monica saved the day and tinted them so that they would still work perfectly with our platinum and fuchsia tablescape.

Dione from Plush Invitations took my ideas and brought them to life bigger and better than I had hoped for and all of the stationery products definitely elevated the designs to the next level. Instead of menu cards at each place setting, I decided to mix it up a little and have one large menu created for our Southern Belle table and I absolutely loved how it turned out. For our Modern table, I opted for a large scale cocktail menu that featured “something old” “something new” something borrowed” and “something blue.” The silhouette theme featured on the stationery items for the Modern table was divine and I am in love with the seating cards featuring silhouettes with comment bubbles. So fun! For our Southern Belle table I decided to use little name flags attached to vintage looking straws in lieu of seating cards. They were so sweet. We also designed a sweet table to compliment our Southern Belle table. The custom chocolate bar labels were a huge hit and our design and combination of jelly bellys, old fashioned lollipops, macaroons, cupcakes, cake pops, chocolate bars, and beautiful cake caught everyone’s eye.

Great Event Rentals and Special Event Rentals were a wonderful resource for many of the items showcased. We also brought in some stunning designer linens and chair covers from California which wowed the crowds. And sometimes when you just can’t find what you’re looking you have to create it yourself, as was the case with our tall white curvy vase pictured on the Modern table.

If you didn’t get a chance to book a consult while at the Wedding Fair, or you weren’t able to make it to the fair, don’t worry. Just click here to send us an email to book your very own consult with one of Calgary’s most sought after wedding planning and design firms. We can’t wait to meet you!

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You’re Engaged, Now What?

January 2, 2011

If you are one of the recent women to get engaged over the holidays, congratulations! Christmas and New Year’s are popular times to get engaged so you are in good company. Enjoy this very special time in your life!

After the initial thrill of the engagement settles, you quickly realize that there is the momentous task before you of planning a wedding. Guest lists and budgets, design and decor, local or destination, the questions and decisions seem endless. And I know that just as your love is unique so are your dreams for your wedding day. Regardless of the size of your budget, no cookie cutter wedding will do for you. I know you are looking for ways to make your wedding day as personal, unique and inspired as the love you share with your fiancé and I want to help you make your wedding day everything you dream it will be.

I love working with brides to plan and design their Calgary, Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise weddings and few things excite me as much as hearing about a fantastic engagement story and chatting with a bride about her upcoming wedding day! The energy and excitement is unparalleled. Unfortunately what often accompanies one of the happiest times in an engaged couple’s life is…one of the most stressful times in a couple’s life. Check out some great tips below on how to ease the strain before it even begins.

1. Determine Your Budget

It’s important to figure out how much money you have to spend before you fall in love with a dress you can’t afford or a venue that won’t meet your needs. You don’t need the unnecessary heartache and stress. Start by discussing with your fiancé what financial resources you have available. This may include a discussion with each of your parents to see what they are able and willing to contribute. Even though many couples today handle much of the cost of their wedding it is still common for parents to help out in some way. Chat with them in the beginning so you know what support you will be getting.

Did you know that Wedding Planners (like me) are an excellent resource when it comes to making the most of your wedding dollars? It’s our job to know what venues and vendors will give you the most bang for your buck and we can often access discounts for you to save you money, discounts you wouldn’t be able to access on your own. We know what things actually cost and can guide you to what a realistic budget will be for creating your dream wedding vision. This is a huge asset to the couples I work with, not to mention a huge stress reliever!

2. Choose Your Bridal Party Wisely

Consider carefully your girlfriends (and guy friends) before asking them to be in your wedding party. These friends can be a big help and support during the planning process OR one of your biggest headaches, so choose wisely. Select people who are willing to step up to the plate and who also have the time to help you out. You definitely don’t want someone who creates drama at every turn. Remember though that these are your friends (not your slaves). Be clear about your expectations and the costs involved up front and you are well on your way to forming a Rockin’ Wedding Party that will help make your planning a joy.

3. Get Organized

Before you take your first steps down the aisle to wedding planning bliss, be sure you are starting on the right foot. Grab a binder so that you can keep track of all your info in one place. There’s nothing worse that finding a great vendor and then not being able to find the paperwork that guaranteed your super rate. I recommend including some clear sleeves and a binder with inside pockets so you have lots of storage options. Don’t forget to add dividers so that you stay on top of your game and never have to go looking for that fab cake baker’s card again…you’ll know just where to find it. Also be sure to include a planning checklist of everything you need to accomplish between now and your wedding day as well as a budget sheet so that you can stay on track and never miss a step.

As excited as you are to get the plans underway, be sure to schedule in breaks from your Wedding Planning to just enjoy some quality time with your honey. It’s important to build in time and activities throughout the planning process that nurture your relationship and remind you of why you are getting married in the first place. Planning a wedding can be stressful at times but remember that it doesn’t have to be. Wedding Planners (like me) make it our passion and purpose to help make the wedding planning process as enjoyable and stress free as possible for brides like you.

Love and best wishes,

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Jodie & Jordan: Calgary Zoo Wedding

November 29, 2010

I am so excited to FINALLY share Jodie and Jordan’s fabulous, fun, and funky wedding that took place this summer at the Calgary Zoo. I had the privilege of working with Jodie and Jordan for 18 months to design and plan their monogram themed, green and brown wedding and I absolutely love how everything came together. These two are so in love that you can’t help but smile every time you are in the same room with them. I had an absolute blast throughout the entire process and loved every minute of their amazing wedding day. It’s couples like this that make me feel so lucky to do the amazing job that I do. A special thanks to TLAW Photography and Lifeseven Photography for capturing their day with perfection. I can’t wait to see the film that IMAGO captured of their day.

The double J monogram was a theme throughout the wedding and was incorporated onto their invitations, ceremony programs, water bottles, GOBO on the dance floor, wedding favours, and signage throughout the reception. The green uplighting, available through Inspired Occasions, dazzled their guests. As a unique touch, each table was assigned a different name or memorable locations in and around their hometown. For the back of the table cards I came up with the idea of Jodie and Jordan answering unique questions about their lives, interested, passions, hobbies, etc. We also incorporated pictures from their engagement session which added even more of a fun touch to the “he said” “she said” answers. They even kept their answers a secret from each other so that they would be as surprised as their guests. This was definitely one of my favourite unique wedding details on their special day.

I loved the “guest book” which was a tree where guests could “leaf” their thumb prints and sign their names. It went perfectly with our theme and added yet another unexpected touch. To play up their colours as well as the rustic elements in the Safari Lodge, I created centerpieces using curly willow, granny smith apples, and mini cymbidium orchids. These added instant impact when guests entered the reception room. I also incorporated apples along the front of the head table with candles interspersed in between. Their choreographed first dance upon entering the reception had everyone cheering and let their guests know they were in for a very fun celebration.

Congratulations Jodie and Jordan!

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Hot Chocolate Bars: The Perfect Winter Wedding Treat

November 19, 2010

With the chilly weather we have been having in Calgary coupled with snow all around I have found myself indulging in one too many warm cups of hot chocolate. There is just something about this time of year that says “hot chocolate.” Given my current hot chocolate craze I thought I would share one of my favourite winter wedding ideas, and that is having a hot chocolate bar. These are always a huge hit and are perfect to set up following the ceremony (your guests can indulge in a sweet beverage while you are off on your photo shoot) and they work equally well after dinner or at the end of the night. When I create a hot chocolate bar for one of my events, I always like to make sure that it is styled beautifully and has ample topping options for guests to choose from. Below are some of my favourite selections.

These heart shaped marshmallows would be perfect in a post wedding cup of cocoa.

One of my personal favourites, white chocolate dipped peppermint sticks! You can find the recipe here.

These peppermint marshmallow pops with white chocolate are too cute! They would definitely add a touch of style to any hot chocolate bar.

If you are looking for some fabulous and cost effective options, you can’t go wrong with mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, toffee sprinkles, candy cane sprinkles and cinnamon sticks.

I also recommend including options such as whipped cream, chocolate and caramel sauce, powdered sugars such as vanilla, mint and toffee, white, milk and mint chocolate shavings, syrups such as mint, hazelnut, and raspberry, and liqueurs such as Bailey’s, Creme de Mint, Kahlua, Grand Marnier.

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