Inspiring Canadian Venues to Consider...or Copy!

Sorry for the delay in posting to this site my faithful friends...with three weeks to go before the arrival of my first little bundle of joy, I have become someone I hardly recognize anymore, someone who lets things slide (...dishes, laundry, blog posts...LOL!) I didn't even get around to my Christmas shopping or decorating until the 24th!

I am coming back strong; however, with some inspiring and Canadian venues that you can consider for your up-coming nuptials. If you can't get to the locations, take note of the decor and themes that you can likely recreate no matter where you may be. I am posting pics of my three favourites; one being only 35 minutes from Ottawa.

The first really drew me in with the flowing fabric ceiling and natural, understated centrepieces. I love outdoor tents, but the draping of the fabric truly creates a more romantic and intimate feeling in this one. If you're in British Colombia, check out the Hart House Restaurant in Barnaby for the "ultimate in West Coast elegance!"

Just East of Ottawa, you will find the Beantown Ranch - a gorgeous and rustic local for nature-lovers out there. Check out their wedding slideshow here.

Finally, what could be more fun for you and your guests than hosting your event in a brewery?!!! The Steamwhistle Brewery is smack-dab in the middle of downtown Toronto and offers that urban, modern vibe that can easily be transformed to fit your theme and colours. Lots of windows, dark wood and beer...just add flowers, lights and a little colour and you're good to go! I am so looking forward to attending a wedding here in the Spring...I'll keep you posted!

To check out WeddingBells.ca other 22 Stunning Real Wedding Venues, click here and get inspired!

Snap, crackle and pop!

Just got back from a fun trip to Florida with a girlfriend and had to share this pic with you. I love rice krispie squares so much...that when I saw this cake, I thought "genius!"...and "Why haven't I thought of this before?" I have seen rice krispies used on Cake Boss on TLC has a great agent for building huge intricate-looking cakes, but as the cake itself, what a yummy idea!

Although it may not be elegant enough for a wedding, I think it would be cute for Birthdays and Showers, and of course Bachelorette Parties too (I'll let you think creatively about what shapes you could mold!!!) lol

The krispies shaped on popsicle sticks would make super cute favours for these events as well - just add some coloured icing sugar to highlight the shape you've chosen and wrap them in cellophane with a pretty ribbon.

My girlfriend had to hold me back from purchasing the whole Minnie cake, but I'm inspired to create my own at my next event - hope you are too!

A Posh Night in February

Mark your calendars - yet another smaller, intimate Wedding Show is coming up and I love the location! The Posh Wedding Show will take place on Saturday, February 19th from 4pm -10pm in the evening...so grab your girls and make a night out of it!

It is happening at The Summit (formerly the Merlot Rooftop Grill), a restaurant located at the top of the Ottawa Marriott Hotel on the 29th Floor (100 Kent Street).

It is being advertised as an event for "modern, sophisticated brides who want to feel glamourous, stylish and unique!" Ummmm, o.k., who doesn't consider themselves to be this person...No actually, I'm an old-fashioned and tacky bride and prefer to feel ugly and blend in with others!!! LOL!
Anyway, check out the details and a list of vendors here.

Windows with a view!

So after checking out pictures of the venue for the movie "American Wedding," I was reminded just how beautiful two major attractions here in the Canada's Capital are and thought I would share a few pictures of them as well. If you are looking for grandeur and views (and have a flexible budget), then these venues are for you.






A great thing about both the Museum of Civilization (in Gatineau) and the National Gallery of Canada (in Ottawa) is that they are on the Ottawa River and allow for fantastic pictures and views no matter where you are on the property. You can even find some greenery in nearby parks if you are not a fan of downtown scenery - so the options are endless!






Whether it's sunny, rainy, Winter or Summer, the light in both buildings is incredible thanks to the floor to ceiling glass walls and glass dome ceilings.

There are beautiful art pieces, staircases and hallways found in both as well, which can make for interesting pictures and can entertain guests as they wait for the celebration or reception to begin (a big bonus!)
These venues can definitely cater to any couple - hope they inspire you!

No. 94: The Hangover

As you can see, the caliber of movies I watched over the holidays was quite high! The Hangover was also playing on tv and I just love the wedding location and scenes at the end. I wish I could find more pictures and will continue to search, but for now, we'll have to make due with these.

The wedding takes place at her parents gorgeous, grand estate. The bride wore an Amsale gown with black ribbon detail around the waist. I love the classic picture/scene of her at the window, waiting for her man...it really shows off the dress too! I do like the simple flower in her hair, but found the tight/clean ponytail a little too severe for her strong face. In my opinion, she just looked angry (although her character was a little upset waiting for her groom!!!) Her bridesmaids looked equally elegant in mirror opposite gowns (black with white ribbon at the waist) and the little flower girls looked like sweet mini-brides! I would have loved this as a six-year-old!

You know already how much I love outdoor weddings - this one was no exception. The soft glow of the globe paper lanterns in the trees and around the large dance floor pergola add a romantic flair. Of course, the wedding music (sung by The Dan Band - a comedy group) set the mood with their take on "The Candy Shop" at the end of the film!

If you haven't seen this one, rent it...and have a few drinks while you do!

Get that Holiday feeling!

As we head into the days surrounding Christmas, I thought I would leave you with some holiday inspired items to peruse. The dark tent whose roof is lit with clear chirstmas lights is a romantic and safe way to mimic the night sky without risking the bad weather! I also like the dark colours used for everything from bridesmaids dresses and flowers to the black and gold mini cakes. Those are especially elegant without being too "Christmasy!!!"

And of course, I couldn't resist the gorgeous red gown...I guess it works if you're marrying someone named "Nick," "Kringle" or "Clause" though right?!!!

Top 100: No. 99 Rachel Getting Married

Alright, so this movie was a little intense in terms of the incredible array of emotions and problems scattered throughout. It did, however, have it's beautiful and precious wedding moments as well.

Another lucky couple with parents who own gorgeous, huge property on which to host the event. The tent that they brought in was very true to their unique and quirky style. Check out the details - it makes me think of a renaissance fair or gypsy, palm-reading den! Even the types of music and dance move between styles and themes, yet seem to flow somehow too.

I love how the quirky decor flowed from the house (in which they got married) out to the garden and then towards the tent. Using round paper lanterns of different sizes and colours held this theme together beautifully. The blue elephant cake was a unique touch as well. And of course, if you're getting married in the library of the house, eating blue elephant cake and dancing with belly dancers, you will need little glass trinkets as placecard favours right?! I just love it - and I wonder why this movie's wedding stayed with me for so many years after seeing it?!!!

100 Best: No.100 Father of the Bride

I thought it best to start the list with the classic home wedding from Father of the Bride. In this 1990's film, Steve Martin helps his daughter carry off her dream wedding, no matter what the cost...and cost is quite evident!

When you own a home as classically beautiful as this, it would be difficult to want to hold a hall reception. Look to your close family and friends for this option, but do keep in mind that it is often more expensive to bring the hall to you, as you will need to rent every item individually (cutlery, tables, chairs, linens, a dance floor...) that would normally be included and readily available in a hall. I would suggest working with a professional planner if going this route to ensure nothing has been left out!

Although styles have and will continue to change (think hair and clothing), the tent reception is a classic and the "Chiavari" chairs continue to be a coveted and costly choice for upscale outdoor reception seating. Although the cascading vines and greenery would be a little much these days, the lighting and chandelier are an elegant touch.

The cake too remains quite classic today as a three tier round design. It has a small sampling of real flowers on top and some scattered around the base as well, but flows beautifully with her theme of flowers and vines and outdoor life.

It is amazing what can be done when money is no object for daddy's little girl...oh to dream!

100 Best Movie Weddings

Watching movies is a fabulous pastime...not only do you get a little escape from reality, but often you can take out some fashion ideas, find new music, plan fantasy vacations based on locations seen and so much more. So I thought: Why haven't I been focusing on bringing to you, regularly, the fantastic, and often over-the-top, weddings from movies? As I sit here, home sick with a terrible head-cold, I will attempt to come up with my own list of the 100 Best Movie Weddings, and bring you the still shots of those events. No matter what the size and cost, there is always something to be seen that can inspire a couple working with any budget. Since the year is coming to a close and there are only 24 hours in a day, I will allow myself until March to come up with a completed list - does this seem fair?

Please keep in mind, the order is not of particular importance (except for Number One, which is my absolute favourite!)

I love a good challenge! Stay tuned...

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!

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.

Sweet Nursery

I finally got to the home of a family friend in Milton and just had to share these pics of her baby girl Marina's nursery. Proud papa, Helder, did all of the custom moulding work and it looks incredible. And really, what baby girl doesn't need a little chandelier in her room?

Great DIY idea for decorating: she framed the covers of two of her favourite childhood books as well as some scrapbook pages that she loved. It looks like it would be found in House and Home - congrats Georgina and Helder! xoxo

Ottawa...always waiting...

Another gem from this weekend's paper in the Life section told of a fashion deisgner in Vancouver who was tired of the horror stories she was hearing from Bride-to-bes trying to organized their big day. She created the site Weddingful.com that offers the couple personalized planning services by giving them direct access to vendors in their area. Not a new concept, I had to check it out (and of course sign up as a vendor). But, lo and behold, Ottawa is not an available city yet (just Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and the US)...but no, not Canada's Capital City! I guess we don't really need help being so small and all....WHAT?!!!

Ok, I've calmed down! I'm sure we're next on the list...I'll let you know when we make it In the meantime, the site is very user friendly and has some great pictures and blog posts that are helpful to all.

Love is Sweet!

Edible favours are still the most popular amongst party planners: from colour-themed candy tables to fancy cookies, guests are leaving with something sweet to remember your perfect day. Check out the favour boards for inspiration and don't forget that I create custom tags, bags and bag toppers to complement your theme!

Be sure to check out the store "Solutions" where I found a good selection of large glass jars, scoops and favour boxes and bags. The store in Ottawa is at the Trainyards.

Real Weddings: Kellye & Sean

Sean & Kellye are officially husband and wife after a beautiful celebration on Lake Huron in Kincardine. Although they planned for an outdoor rock garden ceremony, the winds, rain and cold were just wild (see picture taken from inside the pavilion), so the entire evening took place in the Beach Pavilion overlooking the water. (And this was no disappointing alternative.)

Everything was perfect...and I mean perfect! Every detail was taken into consideration and their theme colours of bright blue and deep purple were reflected in every aspect of the evening (the orchids, the sand ceremony, the linens, the cake and the stationery of course!) Click on the above wedding inspiration boards to check out their details more closely.

There is nothing better than providing transportation from the hotel to the venue for your guests. You are ensuring that they will stay and have a great time, leaving no one to drive at the end of the evening. Open bars always help this situation as well (thanks S & K!)

It is not too often that you see black linens being used at weddings, but it just went so well with their colours. I loved the blue satin material draped as ribbons behind each guests dinner chair. I also really liked how they tied the same blue satin material on the ceremony chairs along the aisle with a few sprigs of dendrobium orchids hanging down. Just stunning!

But, just when I thought that there is nothing my little iPhone can't do, I realize that the camera is not all that fantastic at all; however, if we didn't have it and all it's GPS wonder, we might not have even made it from Ottawa!!! So enjoy these pictures anyway - I hope they inspire you with your planning!