Real Weddings: Giulia & Michael

I am thrilled to share some more gorgeous pictures from another amazing Ottawa Wedding. Giulia and Michael we married at Blessed Sacrament and held their reception at Centurion Conference and Event Centre in September. Now Giulia was a bride who had a vision and knew what she wanted from the start (which can be a dream for the stationery designer)...and this vision and determination is quite clear when you look at how the day came together in her pictures...everything looks absolutely perfect!

The vibrant purple, used in everything from dresses, flowers, favours, stationery and pew bows to the brides own shoes, looks stunning in contrast to the elements of white and black alike. I also really like the softness of the white hydrangea bouquets set low as the centrepiece on black linens.

Like couple Karen and Chris, she made use of the Ottawa U campus for her portraits. (Why had I not thought of this location before?) I especially love the one of the Bridal Party on the stairs. What a gorgeous couple, and wedding party! Congratulations Giulia and Michael and many thanks for sharing your day with us! I know these pictures will inspire those in planning mode!

Your supporting cast is important too!

Thank goodness for time-shifting...I occasionally get to catch an episode of Oprah and yesterday's was a lot of fun thanks to guest Carson Kressley. He's so funny - he gave viewers an inside peek at the "Running of the Brides," an annual event that travels around the United States that has brides and their supportive friends camping over night to line up for a huge (and I mean HUGE) sale on designer wedding gowns. Some dresses are worth over $5,000 being sold at this sale for under $500. Amazing! Check out the video and story here.

If you're up for the drive, you can check out the sale yourself in New York City on February 18th, 2011.

So after that viewing, Oprah and Carson talked bridesmaids dresses. He said, "The bride is the star, but she needs a good supporting cast!" I loved this - so true. And now I can brag that the dress he chose to have modeled on the show was the exact J Crew dress I blogged about in September (which Ottawa bride Lesley had her bridemais wear in her wedding at the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata). On Oprah, he paired the grey J Crew dress with a nude Aldo pump and it looked awesome!!! Lesley's bridesmaids can actually wear those little dresses again around the holidays - how thoughtful of the bride!

Wednesday Fun

For fun today, head to People online to check out what designers have in mind for a Royal Wedding Gown for Kate Middleton. My fave is pictured above by Monique Lhuillier. The style reminds me of the dress she is wearing at her public engagement announcement...and she looked smashing, wouldn't you say? The link is then followed by tons of pics of Kate with all her fab hats and dresses!!! We need more Ottawa events to which we could wear such fun ensembles! (Or maybe I just need the invitation!)

Check it all out here and enjoy.

Fab Cakes feature

Congratulations to Jessica Murphy of Fab cakes by Jessica. One of her cupcake creations were featured in The Ottawa Citizen's Style magazine today - such great exposure for an incredible baker and designer. I had Jess create my wedding cake and have been sending friends and family to her ever since. Not only do her creations look beautiful, but they taste divine too! Way to go Jess ;)

Gift idea...for yourself too!

What has taken me so long to discover this gem? What a fantastic and fun find featured in this month's InStyle Magazine! Although all of their creations look earthy and cute, I favour the custom-made character stamps which you can create to look like you (or members of your family or friends) with your names scripted below and the custom monograms too. Just think of all the uses for these: Thank You cards, personal stationery, labeling books, writing notes, invitations, sealing envelopes, labeling favours...So fun! They have a little wedding selection too (which is heavy on bird designs, but beautiful nonetheless)

The prices seem very reasonable (starting at $18.50 USD) I can't wait to get my hands on some - they would make super cute Holiday Gifts, don't you think? Check them out here.

More options arrive in Ottawa!

Another Bridal Salon has opened it's doors and is co-owned by Stacey Price (of Marry Me Productions), Danica Redden and Jasmine Craig. Aptly named "The White Dress," just look how gorgeous and inviting the entrance is. You can only imagine the quality and service that awaits you inside! The small boutique will offer the exquisite dress lines of Melissa Sweet, Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka and Priscilla of Boston, a real treat for Ottawa brides. Check out the full Ottawa Citizen feature here.

Real Weddings: Karen & Chris

Oh my goodness - I am so excited to share with you some exquisite wedding pictures taken here in Ottawa of newlyweds Karen and Chris in October. I highly recommend using parts of the University of Ottawa campus as your picture-taking location. The outdoor tiles, archways and hanging greenery look straight out of a storybook...not to mention how gorgeous this bride and groom and their wedding party look against it too!

The Bride's stunning gown was found at McCaffrey Haute Couture on Sussex while the "to-die-for" shoes are Jimmy Choo! The bridesmaids dazzled in dresses from Badgley Mischka's Bridesmaid Collection (see earlier post) and the groom wore a tux from Morris Formal Wear on Wellington.

For favours, they featured both a candy table for guests to fill their own take-out boxes with as well as sweet wrapped treat. Bride, Karen, adores chocolate while groom, Chris, favours licorice...so they married the two flavours and offered little chocolate dipped licorice sticks as an added favour. From what I hear, guests just loved them (and some took more than their share too!)

Now that is what I love to see - taking an idea (such as candy favours) and making it unique to you as a couple. Congrats to the Yzermans...I'm sorry I missed such an incredible celebration!

Cheers to a lifetime of happiness together. xoxo

All photos were taken by Photolux Studios (located on Preston Street). Check out their gallery online for a glimpse at other stunning work that they have done.

The wedding cake was created by my favourite local super mom Jessica of Fab Cakes by Jessica.

Invitation Themes

Check out WeddingBells latest article and pictures of themed invitations to get you inspired. I am loving this "Boho" style - I do like pocket invitations, but really love this simple card style with one pocket at the bottom. I would like to see what it looks like folded...perhaps a monogram on the card? Anyway, the grey and white with a splash of aqua is just striking! Love it!

Check out their website for more.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

I had some girlfriends over last night for some wine, munchies and...(wait for it...) some Holiday card-making! We had a blast using some gorgeous Stampin' Up products, some holiday-themed scrapbook paper and a whole lot of creativity.

If you would like to place a holiday order for cards, tags or wine bottle sleeves/tags, just send me an email and we'll come up with something special for you!

I am really on the ball this year! Maybe I should get my holiday shopping done while I'm at it?