Thank You

Shortly, I will be posting photos and details from Ryan and Angela’s wedding starting with The Ceremony. Beforehand, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank this amazing couple.

I am so grateful I had the chance to be their wedding planner and that I was able to have a hand in the creation of their fabulous wedding. This couple radiates love; it will be evident through their photos. The love they have for each other and for their friends and family is both touching and inspiring. I cherish the friendships I made with both of them.

The planning process was a joy, full of many learning experiences and challenges.

Ryan and Angela, thank you for your patience with me, thank you for learning with me, thank you for always letting me “test” things, and - most of all - thank you for believing in me.

All my love,

Your friend
Courtney
xo.

{Thank you Miranda Karkling for your amazing photography}

Sunday Sweetness {iii}

This week’s sweetness comes from the lovely Jamie Delaine.
While visiting her blog, I came across this amazing engagement shoot highlighting Burnaby Mountain in one of its loveliest seasons: autumn.

I was instantly smitten with this image. [I then realized I knew the groom from an English class I took in my final semester at SFU: small world]. So, Darcy: Congratulations to you and your beautiful fiancée Shannon.
These photos are gorgeous.

P.S. Get ready for more of the beautiful Burnaby Mountain: I will begin posting Angela and Ryan’s wedding photos this week.

Halloween Décor

Although I am not the biggest fan of Halloween [as I have already admitted], I am not one to shy away from decorating.

Immediately confronted with memories of blow up lawn pumpkins, battery-operated witches, and things that make scary noises when you walk by them, I went searching for décor-inspiration that did not evoke what I will affectionately call “the cringe factor.”

An addendum: I understand that Halloween is for children, scaring people, and orange-and-black everything. That being said, my style mantra prevents my acceptance of the cheese-aspect of this holiday. Therefore, please find the following collection of my favorite [cost-effective] ideas for
Halloween-inspired décor:



I have decided I love white pumpkins - I've seen them everywhere: magazines, online... however, I'm not sure where to find some of my own. [I'm trying the local garden centre and the Home Show this weekend - fingers crossed]. These minis [courtesy of Canadian House & Home] have been carved with small drill bits and other kitchen utensils, giving them unique rustic charm. [I've also seen larger versions with a similar design hollowed out by the bottom instead of the top and placed - safely - over candles for a lantern effect].



What would we do without Eddie Ross' fantastic tutorials on how to create amazing decorations out of simple and reasonably-priced items? This feather wreath is no exception. Take several boas, some pins, a foam wreath, a spool of thick ribbon, and voila! Simple, spooky, front door decor.



I enjoy bringing natural elements indoors, especially when paired with traditionally interior décor items like this vase: the result is fresh and unique. Whether spray painted [like the version included here] or naturally rustic, the options for twigs, sticks, or branches are endless. I also love the use of lichen for a pop of unconventional colour in Martha's example.



This photo requires no explanation, just a recipe [thank you HWTM]. I desperately want one of these sparkly skulls!

While I'm on the Halloween Train...

• I will be trying this pumpkin seed recipe after carving jack o'lanterns


• I can't want to see how many kids trick-or-treat at my door in this costume


• A way to use the box of Okanagan apples without having to bake: candy apples!


• I've been spending all my free time on etsy. It's hard to tear myself away with so many awesome items like this adorable Halloween banner.

How do you celebrate/decorate Halloween?

Sunday Sweetness {ii}

{I'm Kristen}

I love this engagement shoot by Kristen Leigh, especially the fun choice of location: an old auto-body shop & gas station? I dig it.

Check out the rest of the shoot (there are some amazing shots & the couple is beautiful) at I'm Kristen.

What to Wear - Engagement Photo Session

I am a huge fan of Jill Thomas’ work.



Her use of landscape, colour, props, and light amaze me; her eye for capturing moments that are both unique & lovely is remarkable.



Needless to say, I was ecstatic to find her 5-Step-Guide to flawless engagement photos. Her suggestions (and the photos she has chosen to depict them) are amazing.

If you have an engagement shoot, wedding photos, glamour shots, (or even a webcam macbook self-portrait session) coming up, I encourage you to head over to her blog. Heck, head there anyway if you appreciate photography.


Don't you just love her style?

{See more of this gorgeous couple - and their fun engagement shoot - here}

A Cup of Joe Wedding Inspiration

If you haven’t had a chance to visit A Cup of Jo yet this week head.there.now.

Joanna has done a fantastic job of detailing her amazing wedding, portion by portion. I love the way she (and her now husband Alex) incorporated their family into the wedding and their personalities into the details.

Again - if you haven’t already - head there now. Go!

{Fabulous photos by Max Wanger}

Bridal Style: Pearls, Sequins, Flowers, and Flappers

Ever since our trip to New York, I’ve been dreaming of pearls, sparkles, and oversized floral accessories. These details seemed to be present in every fashion spread that caught my eye. I immediately began brainstorming how they could be incorporated into Bridal Style. I then had to rack my brain to remember where I had seen all of these details used together before.

Upon returning home, I scoured my bookmarked pages and realized it was a soap opera wedding that had caught my eye from early last spring. There are some things that soap operas do very well, one of which are weddings.

The Young and the Restless featured a wedding between characters Chloe and Billy last April that paired some of my favorite details:
Pearls, Sequins, Flowers, and 1920’s-flapper style.



I love the bride’s headpiece and uniquely glamorous gown. The dramatic sequins are paired with simple-yet-stunning makeup and minimal accessories. The headpiece and bracelets add that extra something and work perfectly with the 1920’s style.


Is it just me, or is there something so lovely about a groom in tails?
Although this tuxedo option is not for everyone, I like to see this throwback style used so well.



The use of monochromatic neutrals paired with textures and embellishments in bridal style is a trend I’d love to see more of. There is something so timeless and so glamorous about this look.

It just goes to show: inspiration comes from everywhere.

Where are you currently finding inspiration?

{Photos: CBS 1, 2, 3, and daytime confidential 4 & 5}

Brides for Breasts Gala 2009

Attention Vancouver Brides: looking for a reason to wear your wedding dress again?

The Brides for Breasts Gala, on Thursday October 22 at The Westin Bayshore hotel, is the perfect opportunity.

In their own words...

What

The Brides For Breasts Gala is a night of great food, great company, and great fun benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation and The Cinderella Project. There will be dinner and dancing, tears and laughter, a water fight and prizes to be won. Dinner will be a three course meal by the magnificent culinary team at the Westin Bayshore. Following dinner we will hear from our keynote speaker sure to touch the hearts of everyone attending and then on to dancing the night away. Our silent auction will be filled with items for your wedding from Wedding Photography Packages to Custom Made Wedding Gowns as well as items for life after the wedding like golf packages and plasma TVs. There will also be a grand prize awarded to the person who brings the most wearable dresses to donate to The Cinderella Project. And lastly, all the ladies in attendance wearing a wedding dress (does not have to be the one you wore or will wear on your wedding day) are invited to participate in Vancouver's largest Trash The Dress Photo Shoot. We will be taking group photos as well as each participant will receive several individual shots that can be purchased at a later date.

What a fun - and charitable – girls’ night out?

Jason Matlo, 2009 Collection

I have been anxiously awaiting the 2009 Bridal Collection of Canadian fashion designer Jason Matlo and I am so excited to share several of my favorites with you:




Jason Matlo is one.to.watch. I love how he pairs classic femininity with modern edge. See more of his Autumn and Winter 2009/2010 Collection {here} and availability {here}.

Nice Package

Attention Party Planners and Crafties everywhere: the creative forces behind Creature Comforts and Heart Handmade have teamed up to bring us Nice Package, “a unique collection of gift-packaging essentials that will add sparkle to gifts, and home décor items sure to bring a touch of whimsy to any home.”




Visit their shop to view the lovely embellishments that would add that special touch to any party, home, or package.
[Click on the image to visit the listing].

My [current] favorite: Total Package - Winter Essentials Kit


[I’m already thinking of the projects I could create with these trimmings].
Woot!

Many thanks to Molly Jean for the heads up!

The Dress

If I were getting married in the near future this baby would be mine...



I'm lusting over the Helene wedding dress by Leanne M.

I adore the length, the colour, the fabric, and the layers.

Check out her blog for more fabulous designs.

Sigh.

Phunk Lab Custom Wedding Portraits

I'm always searching for unique ways of showcasing wedding photos and these gorgeous pieces of artwork by phunk lab are at the top of my list.



These stunning pieces of artwork start at $134 for a rolled canvas and $159 for a gallery wrapped canvas.


Backed by your vows, lyrics from your song, or a special poem - in the font of your choice - phunk lab will transform your favorite photo into modern art. [Check out the blog & the shop for more examples of their work].


It’s amazing to follow the evolution of the way couples document and display their wedding photos; it appears the possibilities are endless.

Brock House Wedding Show - October 18, 2009

Fall is [undoubtedly] here, as is the beginning of Wedding Show season.


One of the most unique shows in the Vancouver area, The Brock House Wedding Show promises to Inspire, Inform, and Indulge.

Get your tickets on Clubzone now to be entered in to win a $500 gift certificate from Brock House Restaurant (speaking from a first-hand dining experience, this is a fantastic prize)!
[In addition, visit the show’s website to see what’s included with your admission].

. . .

What's special about the show this year...

DreamGroup - the creative force behind the show - and the Cinderella Project have teamed up to collect fabulous grad dresses for fabulous highschool grads!

In their words: This is the perfect excuse to clean out your closet!

Bring a clean and gently used Bridesmaid Dress to the Brock House Wedding Show on Sunday, October 18th and you'll receive complimentary access for one attendee when a second ticket is purchased at the current ticket price.

For more information on the Cinderella Project, check out their website.



Get your tickets early and enjoy the show!