Sunday Sweetness {xv}

{found here via here... see more here}

Love.
No explanation required.

Kelowna Photographer: Wedded Bliss

I was very excited to find this.little.treat on the Wedded Bliss Blog this morning. I wanted to share some photos from their engagement shoot to show of the photographic talents of this Okanagan based photographer and the sheer adorableness of our Canadian Bachelorette and her fiance.



{Wedded Bliss Photography}

Renee did such a fantastic job on these. I just love how casual and playful and in love J & E look. {I'm sure she'll be contacted to capture many "Jillian-and-Ed-styled" engagement shoots in the very near future}.

More of their shoot can be found here.

Table Numbers

{Lilmissi Wedding & Gifts}

I love the rustic style of these burlap wine bag table numbers and the fact that they can be repurposed. The gorgeous wedding that they originate from was recently featured on 100 layer cake. I was relieved to discover that the bride, Melissa, enjoyed creating them so much for her own wedding that she opened an etsy shop! {P.S. If you like these, you'll love the rest of her shop.}

Jessica Luch

If you're a regular reader of this blog you are probably aware that I have great pride in the works & accomplishments of those I am lucky enough to know in my off-blog life. The next person I'd like to feature in my "spreading the love" series is an amazingly talented and up and coming graphic artist and equally fantastic photographer. I have been lucky enough to watch the growth and development of Jessica Luch, the photographer, over the past couple of years. Her eye for the perfect shot is astounding. Most recently, her beauty and studio portfolios are just too brilliant not to share with you. I love her style: it's raw and real. The ultimate beauty of each subject (portrait or still life) just radiates through her aptly styled shots. Enjoy.

Beauty.







Studio.




In addition to the style of work featured here (& of course graphic design), Jess is available to for couples and pregnancy shoots. To see more of her amazing work + for contact information check out her website and behance.

Grazie Mille to Ms. Luch for letting me share these beauties.
xo.

Finger Foods

My friends Matt & Jennifer are fans of delicious food and their tastes span beyond your typical "Catering Menu." Keeping this in mind, Jen approached me with with one of the best Reception Menu ideas I've heard of in a while: stations of finger foods.

Their concept:

Forego assigned seating to create a cocktail-style atmosphere with stations around the venue offering various styles of finger foods. Different cocktails and beverages will be offered in a similar manner and guests will be encouraged to mingle, taste, and celebrate with the bride + groom.

Station options:

I've put together some finger-food options that align with M&J's tastes to spark some ideas. Any one of the following options would be perfect (& not to mention, yummy) for this type of reception.


Comfort Food

{here + here}

Asian Fusion

{here + here}

Cheese-y Goodness

{here via here + here via here}

Spicy Bites

{here + here}

Protein

{here + here}

And, because they were too-cute-not-to-post...
Sweets

{here + here}

Now that I have you all hungry, I hope you have a wonderful evening. M&J, let me know if you want some more options and what you think about these ones.

Vintage Wedding Posters

I woke up to snow (it's back: Spring isn't here already, after all) + colder-then-its-been-weather this morning after sleeping through my alarm (of course this would happen on a Monday). Needless to say, I needed some sunshine inspiration which I found while going through my etsy "favourites."

I'm a huge fan of ello there and their wedding invitations + posters. I am particularly fond of the vintage style of their work, the warm colours they use, and fact that their work is so beautiful it can be framed and kept as a memento.


{here}

{here}

A lovely addition to any wedding, these posters would make a great gift for the right couple.

Their posters would also be a unique "guest book" (provided the guest list was small enough); signatures of friends and family members would look rad in the background of either image.


Do you like the idea of a "wedding poster"? Would you frame one in your home?

Dear John

I just saw the trailer for Dear John and got goosebumps.

I am really looking forward to this one as it appears to offer more than the romantic dramas that have graced the big screen as of late. The cast for one is stellar and an early February release date is sure to draw the lovesick crowds.

I'm interested in hearing your predictions...
are you going to see it or skip it?

Sunday Sweetness {xiv}

{Chloe from Caught the Light via Once Wed}

This week's sweetness is also sexy, sassy, and fun! I adore these bridesmaids: how awesome are their outfits?!

The rest of this beautiful wedding can be found at Once Wed and Caught the Light blog. The bride and groom are as gorgeous as their bridesmaids and the details of this wedding are all around lovely.

Put your records on...

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a huge fan of all kinds of music. I always enjoy hearing a couple's explanation and story behind the song selections for their ceremony and reception. [I equally enjoy helping couples with song choices as my iTunes is bursting with options].

Needless to say, I was thrilled to find Playlist and First Dance Song ideas on Daily Candy Weddings. Their suggestions are spot-on and provide options for all music styles.

What's more, they've included an awesome chart to help with song choices by couple "style" (too, cute):

{Daily Candy Weddings}


So... what's you and your special someone's song (according to this chart or otherwise)?

According to the chart, it looks like B. and I would dance to James Taylor {I swoon}

{Beauty Q&A} Look So Beautiful

I am very excited to announce a new beauty feature that I will run occasionally on the blog.

My plan is to feature products, interview professionals from the hair & makeup world, and spotlight current bridal style trends. My hope is that this feature will provide inspiration to brides while also showcasing some of our amazing local talent.

. . .

On that note, it is my pleasure to introduce Make Up Artist Amanda of Look So Beautiful Make Up. Amanda was kind enough to answer a few questions and provide a bit of her professional advice.



Why would you suggest a bride get makeup done professionally versus DIY?

I think on a bride's big day she should be pampered, and not have to worry about a thing. Getting makeup by done by an artist also ensures the makeup will last all night long, her skin will be flawless and glowing and special touches like false eyelashes make eyes pop in photos.

What is the most popular or most requested look?

My most requested look is just to enhance what the bride already has. So nothing to dramatic, just a natural look so the bride still looks like herself. For eyes Browns, golds, and neutrals and for lips and cheeks, peaches and corals. I like to make sure the skin is flawless, face is highlighted in just the right places and that her eyes stand out and the lips look full and kissable. ;)

Any style predictions for 2010?

I'm getting more and more requests for a vintage look. Brides are wanting classic red lips and a bit more of a smokey eye.


Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration is all around. I like to keep up with magazines and runway shows. I read up on other artists I admire such as Bobbi Brown and Pat Mcgrath. I try to stay in the loop by attending pro classes. Sometime I'll open up a magazine and whatever page it lands on is the look I have to try on myself.

Do you have any favourite celebrity looks or ad campaigns?

I love the looks/makeup of Gwen Stefani, Charlize Theron, and Angelina Jolie.




One website I love that doesn't have anything to do with weddings, but everything to do with fashion, is Carolines mode I check it out every day.

Where do you typically work? Will you travel?

I usually do consultations at my home in the West End, then on the bride's big day, I will travel to wherever they may be. (I'd even travel to Hawaii if you really needed me to)

How does the type of ceremony {indoor versus outdoor} and the season {Summer versus Winter} affect a bride's make up?

The main concern for outdoor weddings is to weatherproof the makeup, but even if it's indoors, the bride will be dancing the night away so regardless so I use PRIMERS!! As far as Summer weddings, the bride's makeup is usually a bit more natural while for winter weddings it's more dramatic. In the end, a bride will always look like a glamourous, romantic goddess.

What is the most noticeable difference between DIY make up and pro make up?

Well there are some non-pro girls that can do an amazing job with their makeup; however a pro can make it last, make it show up in pictures, make sure it is weather (and cry) proof and a pro will make you look STUNNING.

What advice do you give to brides and their wedding parties?

Don't be left out...do get your makeup done too! Also, be prepared to carry things such as blotting papers and lip touch ups for the bride. I always give the bride a little jar with her custom blended lip color and lip brush so she can touch up during the day.

How did Look So Beautiful Makeup come to be?

I’ve been in the entertainment industry for a number of years and I always got my make up done for photo shoots. I would always ask the make up artist what she did, how she did it and why. I would practice looks on my mom and my friends. It came quite naturally to me so I decided to take my make up passion one step further and enrolled in the Blanche Macdonald make up artistry program, graduating with honours. From that point I wanted to share my abilities and love for make up with others, thus leading to Look So Beautiful Make Up. I still sing in my band Traces of Eve. (You can listen to us here).

Please share a sample of your bridal portfolio with us.






I am starting to get booked up for the 2010 Season but would love to talk to any brides to be!!

E: amanda@looksobeautiful.com
W: www.looksobeautiful.com
T: 778.847.1091


Thank you so much, Amanda, for your incredible advice and professional perspective.


{All photos are courtesy of Amanda Sellers}

{Designer Love} NIXXI

The sunshine and melting snow have me yearning for comfortable-yet-stylist clothing in soft and sustainable fabrics. Luckily, I didn't have to look too far to find my answer...

I became smitten with NIxxI after visits to my favourite Vancouver boutique Body Politic and I have fallen.in.love with their 2010 Spring/Summer Collection.

NIxxI, a Vancouver based eco-conscious designer, will be featured at this year's Vancouver Eco Fashion Week. I am trying to work some scheduling magic so I can be in attendance; regardless, there will be some serious BP shopping in my near future. {These pieces will fit perfectly in my closet}

Here are a few of my favourite everyday pieces from Spring/Summer 2010:







. . .

Check out the Vancouver Eco Fashion Week website for featured designers, ticket information, and schedule.
Follow them on facebook + twitter.

Help for Haiti

The sheer magnitude of this earthquake has become evident over the last few days and - clearly - this country is in dire need of assistance. As a Canadian, seemingly a world away from this disaster, I have found the options available for reaching out both amazing and overwhelming at the same time. I've spent some time looking into the relief effort to decide how I can help.
Below are some [Canadian] links that you may find helpful:

• UNICEF Canada Donation Page
  Noteworthy: For every dollar donated by individual Canadians to UNICEF Canada, the Canadian International Development Agency will contribute a dollar to relief efforts in Haiti.


• Canadian Red Cross Donation Page
  Noteworthy: The Government of Canada will match dollar for dollar the contributions of individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations, such as the Canadian Red Cross, in support of humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction efforts in response to the earthquake in Haiti, up to a total of $50 million. Read more, here.


• World Vision Canada Donation Page
  Noteworthy: World Vision is putting together Emergency kits that help provide things like tarps, blankets, soap, towels, personal hygiene items and cooking utensils at $55 per family.


• Oxfam Canada Donation Page
  Noteworthy: Oxfam Canada is another organization that the Canadian government will match individual donations made to Haiti relief efforts. You can also follow live updates via blog, here, and twitter, here.


• Doctors Without Borders Donation Page
  Noteworthy: Follow the hard work of Doctors Without Borders via photo stream and twitter.


• CBC Haiti Relief Page
  Noteworthy: CBC has compiled a list of sites accepting donations and the codes to donate by text message, as well as providing the latest headlines and media coverage of the relief efforts. Another helpful link: How to choose a charity.

If you're in Vancouver you may also wish to attend Hope in Haiti, a benefit for the Red Cross on January 27. Check out their site for more details. {Thanks to Nicole for the link}.

Again, everything helps: no donation is too small. Let's all do what we can, to help Haiti come out from under this disaster.

Sunday Sweetness {xiii}

{Tyler Branch via Ruffled}

While perusing the Ruffled blog, I stumbled upon this lovely engagement story. This romantic gesture is just too sweet not to share and the perfect images {captured by Tyler Branch} for a Sunday afternoon.

Visit Ruffled to read their engagement story and view the lovely shots {what a special keepsake}.

Lovely Save-the-Dates

{Ruffled via bride pop}

I instantly fell in love with this unique save-the-date (not to mention the talented bride+groom who created it).

More of this handmade wedding {photographed by the talented Olivia Leigh} can be found on Ruffled.

soda bar fun

{Project Wedding}

Although I would personally select a coke or a ginger ale over one of these sweet options, I am a huge fan of this idea. I can't wait to set up my own soda bar [or ice cream soda bar] for a certain party next summer.

How fantastic + fun would a soda bar be for a rehearsal dinner, wedding or baby shower, back yard wedding, BBQ, croquet tournament, picnic, or birthday party?!

{Project Wedding}

Although I love the vintage feel of the various labels, I also adore this soda label template by Eat Drink Chic [that I found via postcards and pretties].

{Eat Drink Chic via postcards and pretties}


I always love finding vintage (or vintage style) tubs: they're perfect for ice buckets. I find this one particularly charming.

{Brooklyn Bride}


Jones Soda personalized labels are also entertaining; they provide the perfect conversation starters (you can include your own text along with your photo). I think it would be fun to put little known facts about the bride/groom or funny stories about the birthday boy, for example. They're also a darling favour or take away gift for guests. Visit their site for more ideas.

{the knot}


Now I know it's still January, but I needed a little rainbow summer fun to perk me up, mid week. I hope you don't mind.

Cheers, friends!

monochromatic vs. multicoloured

{A Bryan Photo via Style Me Pretty}


{erin hearts court via Once Wed}


I enjoy both looks [& and the weddings they come from] very much. I'm having a hard time figuring out if there is one look I like more than the other.


Do you have a favourite?

Sunday Sweetness {xii}

{Lillian and Leonard}

You can't plan for shots like this. They just happen.


To see more of this lovely Scottish wedding, go here; for more of Lillian and Leonard's work go here.