Wednesday, August 3, 2011

If you liked it than you should have put a brooch on it....

I came across these photo's on one of our fave photog's website () As soon as I heard the story behind it, I fell in love.

This Bride wanted something unique for her Bridal Bouquet....and we aren't just talking about mixing it up with amaryllis in lieu of roses...she inspires me with her creativity.

She asked each one of her friends and family members for a Brooch. Once she collected all the magnificent pieces of jewellery, she had her bouquet made with them to create this:




S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G...no?

If we've said it once, we'll say it again. Your wedding becomes truly memorable when you make small ways to make it your own. Special to you. I think that this lovely bride found a way to do just that. She had a special bouquet, and her guests got to see a piece of them in it as well. As Aron Goss of Calculated style said best...
"family and friends, all coming together to create something beautiful in unity"


Love it. And as always Aron....love the shots!
www.calculatedstyle.com

Yours in Planning,
Kelly xo

These are a few of my favourite things...

The 2011 Wedding Season has been incredible so far... With a number of wedding days come and gone, I've compiled a list of some of my favourite things I love to see at weddings and regularly suggest to my couples. So here it goes...

Number 1: Washroom Baskets

They are a simple, yet personal touch to spruce up the washrooms at your venue and add that little something extra that shows your guests your appreciation by anticipating some of the items they might find themselves in need of during your reception. You can easily get everything you need for them from Dollar Stores so you don't need to break the bank on this one, and a simple picture frame beside each, or a tied note card to the basket can explain what they are and who they are from. The poems and item suggestions from Weddings by Colour will help you make this a very do-able item for your wedding.



Number 2: Dancing Shoes (Flip Flop Baskets)

For the price of fashion, we ladies will walk out the door in the hottest of heels... but 6 hours later when "Billy Jean" comes on and our feet are aching, we're in trouble. Something to consider to offer comfort and relief to the women at your reception and keep them dancing "All Night Long" is to offer an assortment of flip flop sizes when dancing begins. Most brides choose to by them in standard black and white or in their wedding colours and place them in a basket by the dance floor when dancing begins. Cute Labels like "Kick your Heels Off... Dancing Shoes" or "Dancing Shoes... Dance the Night Away" will be appreciated greatly by many of the ladies in the house. Old Navy's Annual $1.00 Flip Flop Sale is often the best score for stocking up on these prior to your big day.



Number 3: "Thank You" Signs

The use of a cute "THANK YOU" Sign during your formal photographs on the day makes a perfect photo choice when choosing the shot to use on your guest thank you cards. You can make your own or shop one of my personal favourites www.esty.com to find tones of reasonably priced options.










Number 4: Programs & Menu Cards

I put these on the list because they are some elements of the wedding that couples don't automatically think they need to include. Whether you chose to DIY these or have your stationary company create custom pieces to match your theme, hands down, guests like to know what's happening as the ceremony takes place and they very much appreciate knowing what's on the menu when called to their seats. I think it's human nature to want to follow along with a printed order of events during the ceremony; it's also really nice to put names with faces for who's who in the bridal party. When it comes to dinner, couples sometimes ask me if providing a menu is necessary. I always respond with, "Yes, even 1 per table is ideal". I equivilate it to going to a restaurant and being served a pre-set dinner without a menu presented. All agree, it's nice to know what's coming, how many courses, entrees etc.








Number 5: Candle Light

No matter what your style, weddings are romantic... Adding candles to your reception venue can easily take a stunning room, and warm it up with a little extra romance. Easily doable by consulting your florist/decorator or hitting up the Dollar Store, Ikea, Home Sense, Kitchen Stuff Plus, Bowring etc., this one element of your wedding can create an unforgettable ambiance. From votives, to cylinders, hanging tea lights to candelabras, I like to see candles on the guest tables, head table(s), cake tables and accented throughout the venue. Most venues are fine with you bring in your own candles as long as the flames are covered.

xoxo
Laura

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Day After Photo Session

Photography is the most important tool in prolonging your sweet wedding day memories. You'll find yourself looking back at your photo's in years from now and seeing the emotion across your face, and those of your cherished guests.

That is my favourite part of my wedding album. Seeing the genuine smile across my face and remembering what I was thinking in that moment.

Often, couples invest in an engagement photo shoot as well. You will oftentimes see a large portrait of the wedded couple at their reception. However, I've noticed that lately these enagagement shoots are rarely taken right after the couple has gotten engaged. When your excitement is at it's freshest. It's usually something that couples do sometime close to the wedding, for the sole purpose of having this picture to blow up at the reception ( and perhaps to keep on their mantle too!). But not because its a true photoshoot to capture your emotions when newly engaged.

This is why, I am newly infatuated with the idea of the "Day After Wedding" shoot!

I love the idea, because you can use it in two different ways.

1) You can use it to trash your dress! And come up with a really awesome part of your wedding album. This tends to be the more fun part of the album...




2) Or, you can use it to simply take shots of yourslves as a newly married couple and remember that first day that you look into each others eyes with a new excitement. This is a very new trend, and I love it.





We always love to see new trends in the wedding world as we are always looking for ways to make each couples wedding truly unique. So for those of you who value your memories which are captured in photographs, consider this type of shoot. Because you will soon see, the feeling you have the day after you become man and wife is one of the most exhilerating and memorable feelings you'll ever experience.

Happy Planning,
Kelly.

photo creds: www.trashthedress.net.au , www.jillthomasphotography.com , www.bridalboudairaffair.com