Bridal Swap Sunday April 7th, Round House Community Centre

Attention all DIY brides.  The Bridal Swap, produced by one of Vancouver's most prestigious wedding planning companies, Dream Group Productions, is the best place to find new and used decor at a great price.

what is a "Bridal Swap" you ask?  It's where previous brides rid their storage rooms/lockers of their barely used wedding decorations.  Most of this stuff was bought new and used just once - and still looks good as new.

Even if you can't make it next Sunday, April 7th, don't forget to take a look at selling your items next year!  As Dream Group says, Her something New is your something Old!


Where: Roundhouse Community Centre
When: Sunday, April 7th 11:00AM - 3:00PM

Strong Love

Valentine's Day is actually what spurred me to stop feeling sorry for myself on the couch (A. I have strep throat and it's day three of doing nothing, B. I am still on the couch but at least I'm getting something accomplished) and create something.  I made this for my boyfriend, who found the quote in a novel you have probably heard of, "Eat, Pray, Love".  It's been taped up to our wall for over a year, so I decided to design something more aesthetically pleasing that I could frame for him, instead of giving him a card that would get tucked into his sock drawer (why he puts cards and photos in his sock drawer, I'm not sure).  I mainly wanted to share it because I have an odd sense of pride that I powered through my constant head-ache and inability to swallow solid foods, AND because I love the fonts.  I'm a font hoarder.  This could be the beginning of a fantastic invite or program, right?

Vintage vs Contemporary

Getting married within the next few months?... you have probably chosen your colours, and changed them, a few dozen times by now.  around this time, you do need to make a decision.... the day has come.  It was inevitable.  You should be beginning to put together your decor plan around this time, depending on the date and location of your wedding.   The structural rentals need to be confirmed first - think furniture, tents, transportation.... does your venue have enough bathroom facilities (if you're getting married in a field, maybe not)?  does your caterer require commercial kitchen equipment (once again, in a field - the answer may be "yes", in a hotel banquet room - not so much). 
bUT ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR TABLES AND CHAIRS RENTED YOU GET TO DO THE FUN STUFF.  wHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PUT ON TOP OF IT?  lINENS, TABLE RUNNERS, CENTERPIECES, CANDLES, CANDLE HOLDERS, CANDLES AND MORE CANDLES, CHAIR COVERS, RIBBONS & BOWS.  tHE LIST GOES ON.  My personal favourite part - floral design.  If I could have it my way, every wedding would have fresh flowers cascading off every service, hanging from the ceiling and veining up the walls.  Ok, that might be over kill, but you get my point.  Your flowers and colours or theme go hand-in-hand.  Here are two of my favourites for the upcoming season! 

photo by: We are the Hoffmans, Columbia, SC, bridal bouquet: The Garden Cafe

photo by: Laura's Focus Photography

Love from Australia

So for many planners and wedding coordinators, having an international bride and groom might seem like a nightmare.  Working with Amanda and Kevin was anything but that… definitely more of a dream.  Being a creative person who enjoys designing decor plans, obsesses about flowers and loves the cute little details, working with Amanda couldn't have been better.  She knew exactly the feel that she wanted, but in some areas she let me do what I do best and trusted my opinion, in other areas she knew exactly every detail and made the decision.  A bride who knows what they want, is organized, but lets you have some creative input and trusts you?  Ummm, I think I made a new best friend!  That's actually exactly how she made me feel the very first time I met her after 5 months of non stop emailing back and forth.  The second time I had the pleasure of meeting her and Kevin was one week before their wedding almost a year after our relationship began.  Stressful? Not really, because I knew that Amanda and Kevin were looking forward to exactly what weddings are all about - they just wanted to express their love for each other and celebrate it with their closest family and friends who have travelled from all over the world to be there and support them on that special day.  I'm already a bit of a sucker for weddings and speeches, and generally most clients will see me shed a tear.  Amanda saw me full on weep, as well as all her guests.  When she began thanking me in her speech I couldn't even manage to hold it back!  It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done, and to top it off her father made a toast to me in front of everyone - way to put me on the spot Mr. Taylor!  haha the point of this little story is that her family and friends were extremely appreciative, warm, welcoming, kind, and I think about them every time I see the photos.  Amanda and Kevin were utterly in love and couldn't keep their eyes (or lips) off of each other.  Thank you for everything Amanda and Kevin!  Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your beautiful wedding.

Another big thank you to all the vendors that made this wedding so beautiful!
Cake: CandyApple Bakeshop
Photography: Robyn Louise Photography
Flowers: The Flower Lantern
Venue: The Rockwater Secret Cove Resort 
Make-up: Christina Visser
Hair: Karyn Gale karyngale@hotmail.com

So… what happens after?

We spend so much time anticipating all the events leading up to a wedding (they are much deserving of it of course), and make all the arrangements for BEFORE the wedding, and during the wedding, but what about after?  There are a few immediate and long term things you shouldn't forget.  Assuming makes an ass out of u and me.


Clean-up
Immediately after, and even during your wedding, your venue needs to be cleaned up.  Most venues require it to be returned to the state you found it in by noon the following day, later if you're lucky.  Do you really want to rush back and force your tired wedding party and visiting family members to go clean?  Doesn't sound like an enjoyable first day as a married couple.

All venues are different - if they have an in-house caterer or it's inside a hotel, all the dish ware, garbage and recycling will be taken care of (and probably your rentals - ask before assuming though).  If you're getting married outdoors or on private property, make sure you talk to your vendors about clean-up expectations.  It might be extra, but it'll be worth it.  A lot of venues also require that you take any garbage or recycling off the property - be prepared!


Brunch & Gift opening
Many couples enjoy the tradition of hosting a breakfast or brunch the morning after, and there you can open gifts and thank those present in person.  This is an added cost, so some people skip it or offer it for a small amount per guest (if at a hotel or resort where you can set-up a buffet option).  If you want to do something casual, ask a family member to host a small one just for out-of-town guests and family members as well as the wedding party.  The breakfast is almost always smaller and more intimate than the wedding reception, and you can ask a few people to help contribute to lighten the burden.  These are my tips, as there isn't much etiquette expected.  Just make sure to make a few arrangements a couple weeks before your wedding, and communicate to those you'd like present.  Have a bridesmaid or family member write down all the gifts you received and who it was from to refer to when writing your thank-you cards.


Payments
Most of your vendors should have already been paid, but double check just to be sure or be prepared to pay the final amount on any invoices that may have changed the night of (labour, liquor, etc).


Thank you's
First send an email or take the time to call your vendors to say thank you.  Also, anyone that leant an extra hand in set-up or clean-up will appreciate another call just to say how much it meant to you.  Then the thank-you cards - you can even start having these prepared before your wedding, but don't make the mistake of sending a generic card or email!  Personalize your thank you cards after opening gifts and documenting who gave you what - and hand write a note that is specific to each guest, family, or couple.  Don't forget these!  They should go out within 4 weeks of your wedding (but the sooner the better…).


Relax, Enjoy, and Love each other! Then eventually it's back to reality and work….

Things I love right now….

ROB RYAN
www.misterrob.co.uk

Just LOOKING at Rob Ryan's designs, I am inspired to create an entire wedding based off these quirky, whimsical and inspirational items.  Favourites include the "His'nHers" mugs which only make sense when together.  Would this not be an adorable wedding gift for a newly wed couple?  Or an image of both bride and groom drinking from their mugs on the morning of their wedding, separated the previous night and anxious to see each other again?  I can picture it, I hope you get what I'm putting down here.

Another item is the green "This bell" hand printed cushion cover.  Love the green.  love the image.  This is where an entire wedding took form… the invitations, the flowers, the colours…. (Ok, I've snapped out of my wedding-day-dreaming now).

Check out his store on Etsy to buy items like this "Listen to the World" tape and Alphabet Bag (great bag to put your bridesmaids gifts in….).

SCRABBLE LETTERS

Who knew the game you grew up playing with your dad would be trendy in 2012?  Well it is.  Scrabble is a huge hit.  I'm sure many of you play on your iPhone or via internet games with your Facebook friends and every now and then dust off the old board (yes, the real board, with real wood letters).  It can also be on your walls, be whispering words of wisdom, be on the mugs that you gift and in your wedding pictures.  I think it's an adorable trend, and may jump on board.  Maybe Monopoly will be the 2013 game of choice?

Take a look at these adorable wedding photos on Intimate Weddings blog using scrabble letters!

Family Dynamics

It’s becoming more and more common that the main cause of stress for the should-be excited soon-to-be married couple is their complicated family dynamics.  Women with close relationships to their step father and birth father wonder how to please and honour both without hurting one of their feelings.  Feuding relatives and parents make invitation lists and seating plans a daunting task for any bride and groom.  So how do couples cope?  Do they have to play flame diffuser, therapist and shoulder-to-cry-on for their relatives, as well as wedding planners?  It shouldn’t be so.

I’ve seen quite a few different scenarios thus far in my wedding planning, and I’m sure to see many more yet to come.  My biggest piece of advice is to not stress over it, and be honest with the people around you.  If one parent is irate that the other is invited, gently let them know it’s important for you to have both of your parents present, and that you’d appreciate both of their support and am sorry if it causes them any discomfort.

Do you invite your father or mother’s significant other(s)?  Tough question, and it depends on the situation entirely.  Do you consider them family?  If yes, then it only seems natural to invite them.  If your parent who has a partner would be happiest with their partner present, and you have a friendly or loving relationship with them, then I believe they should receive the invite.  Consider your feelings towards this person opposed to your family’s, or at least consider your own feelings first.  It is your feelings that take priority on your big day.  Once again, if it causes tension with your other parent, explain to them that it’s what you want and that you understand it’s a bit uncomfortable for them but hope everyone can get along for your sake and that their understanding would mean the world to you.  Don’t say to one parent that the other requested their partner be invited, it will only make it more tense and give them reason so mutter nasty comments that might start with “selfish” and end with words I don’t find appropriate for my blog.

Many brides wonder how to honour both their stepfather, who they have developed a close and loving relationship with over the years, as well as their birth father.  I have a few suggestions to consider.  First of all, it doesn’t have to be a father-figure that walks you down the aisle.  If it’s your mother that you feel raised you, then consider having her walk you down.  You could also give this honour to your brother (if you have two, I would either avoid this or ask your older brother, but find a way to honour your younger brother as well).  Another option is to have one of your father-figures walk you down the aisle, but dance with the other for the “father daughter dance”.  This way, both get their shining moment with their daughter and feel like they are a part of your big day.

Make sure you’re upfront with all people involved about your expectations for your wedding day.  If you’d like to have family photos done with both your parents and/or their significant others, let them know ahead of time so that they aren’t caught off-guard in the moment and they can mentally prepare. 

Most times over not, everything goes smoother than anticipated because the people around you want you to enjoy a stress and drama-free day.