Calgary Wedding Planner | Inspired Occasions Wedding Planning | Wedding Planner Calgary

NEW BLOG SITE

2010-03-04T11:32:00.001-07:00

My blog has moved. You can check out the new site HERE.

Brittany and Adam: The Wedding

2010-01-22T09:07:00.007-07:00

I am so excited to share Brittany and Adam's spectacular winter wedding with you. I had so much fun planning this wedding in just 8 short weeks. Brittany and Adam are a fun, young couple but with school, exams, shopping for a new home, etc. they didn't have much time to plan their wedding. As a result, I had the opportunity to work closely with the mother-of-the-bride to create a one-of-a-kind celebration that would be totally unique and a true reflection of Adam and Brittany's fun personalities.

The ceremony took place at the stunning LDS temple in Cardston, Alberta on December 29th. It was a chilly day but the time spent outside in the frigid weather was well worth it as you can see from the stunning photos captured by the immensely talented Maria Lang.

The reception was help the next day in one of the local Calgary LDS church gymnasiums. Trust me when I say that when we were done with the decor, it looked nothing like a gymnasium! Drawing inspiration from Brittany and Adam's youthful and fun personalities, their colour scheme of light blue, navy blue and silver and winter, of course, we created a hip young lounge atmosphere that was beyond cool!

The reception was help the following day in one of the local Calgary LDS church gymnasiums. Trust me when I say that when we were done with the decor, it looked nothing like a gymnasium! Drawing inspiration from Brittany and Adam's youthful and fun personalities, their colour scheme of light blue, navy blue, and silver, we created a hip young lounge atmosphere that was beyond cool!

To create the stunning transformation, we draped all of the walls in 14 ft. tall soft white fabric and then added uplighting along the entire perimeter that gradually shifted from white to light blue to dark blue. IT WAS STUNNING! In addition, we added a very cool patterned light that gently moved across the ceiling and floor. We brought in modern white leather couches, chairs and ottomans for the center of the room to create a space for guests to hang out and relax. We also set up cool cocktail tables draped in luxurious navy blue linens and 6 seater tables draped in light blue linens and overlays, flanked with uber stylish silver chiavari chairs. Fresh florals of white and green, in square vases, added a touch of sophistication while complimenting our modern theme. The bride's favourite flower, white amaryllis, were stunning placed at the entrance and exit and were arranged in tall vases filled with clear gel that gave an icy impression perfect for this winter wedding.

Guests dined on delicious bite size delights and enjoyed the hot chocolate station we set up complete with custom cups and toppings that included chocolate shavings, candy cane crumbles, marshmallows, caramel sauce, and more. Live piano music floated through the air and the celebration was nothing short of amazing! Thanks again Maria for capturing all the details of Brittany and Adam's amazing day so perfectly.

Congratulations Brittany and Adam!

Vanessa and Darrin: The Wedding

2010-01-08T12:23:00.012-07:00

I am so excited to share with you the wedding of Vanessa and Darrin that took place less than a week ago, on January 2, 2010. I was contacted by the bride at the end of November with a request to plan her entire wedding in just 6 short weeks! I was excited and definitely up for the challenge.

These two were full of life and energy and were wanting to infuse their fun personalities into their wedding day. They wanted something simple and elegant but also fun for them and all of their close to 300 guests. Vanessa loves details, I could tell instantly from the large number of details she recalled from the previous Inspired Occasions wedding she had attended. Regardless of the timeline, I wanted Vanessa and Darrin's wedding to be everything they dreamed of and more. I'm thrilled to report it was just that.

All photos credit T LAW Photography.

The Fairmont Palliser was selected as their ceremony and reception venue for it's historic charm and grand elegance. A string trio greeted guests as they entered the ceremony and set the perfect tone of elegance and sophistication. The groom chose to walk the aisle accompanied by both of his parents and selected the Imperial March from Star Wars as their entrance song. Although unconventional it couldn't have been more perfect. The wedding ceremony was very sweet and complete with secret handshakes and a first kiss straight out of a Hollywood movie.

I was thrilled with their colour scheme of silver and purple as purple is such a hot colour right now and combining it with silver made for a twist on the more typical colour combinations of red and silver or blue and silver that often appear at winter-time weddings.

Vanessa had attended a previous Inspired Occasions wedding a couple of years ago and fell in love with the engagement photo table numbers and the candy buffet and knew that she wanted these incorporated into her special day. I also learned of her love of Kernels popcorn so we decided to offer both a candy buffet (always a huge hit with guests) as well as take out boxes containing the bride's favourite flavours fo Kernels popcorn.

If your budget doesn't allow for high end finishes at every table, consider incorporating these desired elements into the head table and parent tables. It will set these tables apart as being a little extra special for the guests of honour and allow you to still have the high end finishes you desire at a price point you can afford.

For Vanessa and Darrin's wedding we used silver chargers and purple napkins at the head table and 2 parent tables as well as an extra stem of hydrangea and some orchids in the centerpieces on the parent tables. The guest tables still looked incredible in their own right. Another way to add a high end look at an affordable price point is by incorporating some rhinestone buckles. We used rhinestone buckles and silver ribbon on the centerpieces and bouquet vases which added the glamour we were after without breaking the bank. Inspired Occasions rents rhinestone buckles for as little as $2.50 each and vases for $3.50 so there's no reason you can't have the high end look you desire at any budget.

We incorporated a GOBO on the dance floor to bring in some added WOW factor to the reception. It coordinated perfectly with their invitations, seating chart and the stickers used on their candy buffet and popcorn boxes. Their guests were definitely impressed!

Vanessa and Darrin participated in a tea ceremony in the lovely Oval Room prior to the start of the reception. I always love when couples incorporate family and cultural traditions into their wedding day.

I connected Vanessa and Darrin up with an amazing dance instructor and they went about having a fun and flirty first dance choreographed to perfection. Their guests were totally surprised and their dance was an instant hit and set the prefect tone for the fun party that was to come.

I was thrilled to open my in box earlier this week to find the following email from Vanessa. "Terra, there are not enough ways to say thank you in the world! THANK YOU! Everything was so perfect and everyone has been saying how beautiful and organized the entire day was. Where would we be without you? Definitely not happy and ecstatic like we are right now! I can't imagine anything to be more perfect - thank you, thank you, thank you!" Do I have the best job in the world or what?!

Congratulations Vanessa and Darrin on an incredible wedding day! You are a fantastic couple and I wish you every happiness in your future together.

Divine Damask

2010-01-05T13:02:00.004-07:00

The past couple of months have been super busy here at Inspired Occasions. In addition to getting the final touches together for Della and Dino's divine damask winter wedding later this month, it was a flurry of activity planning 2 300 person weddings back to back; one with an 8 week timeline and the other with only 6 weeks! Stay tuned for details from those two amazing weddings which occurred on December 30th and January 2nd. I can't wait to share with you all of the amazing details from those two dazzling weddings.

On another note, I was delighted to see that Della and Dino's wedding invitations made it onto Plush Invitations 9 Most Memorable of '09. The bride, Della, has been amazing to work with over the past year and I can't wait to see all of the delicious details come together for her and Dino's spectacular damask inspired white and black winter wedding celebration later this month. Be sure to check out their fabulous photographer, Gabe McClintock of Perspective Eye Photography sometime in February to see images from this incredible Calgary wedding!

Candy Inspired Whimsical Wedding

2009-11-17T13:11:00.007-07:00

Check out this whimsical candy inspired wedding that was featured in the New York Times. I love how creative and unique this wedding is and talk about FUN!!! While sometimes too much of a good thing is too much, in this case I think going over the top is what makes this particular wedding so fabulous. It's simply delicious!

While not many of us would go to this extreme, regardless of how much we love our sweet treats, there are many ways to infuse your love and candy into your wedding day details. Check out some of the ideas I found below to add the perfect touch of tasty whimsy to your wedding day!

Lollipop wedding invitation: Wonderful Graffiti

I am super excited about the way we are incorporating lollipops into one of my upcoming summer weddings. It is going to be a beautiful and elegant wedding and the lollipops are going to add the perfect, unexpected twist. You'll have to stay tuned to see how we pull it all off!

While you may not want to carry a bouquet of candy on your actual wedding day, why not have fun at your rehearsal by carrying a candy bouquet and having your groom sport a candy boutonniere?

For my own wedding rehearsal I decided to make mini bouquets for myself and my bridesmaids using blow pops and greenery and boutonnieres for my hubby and his groomsmen using the same supplies. They were a huge hit and helped lighten the mood before practicing our "I Do's."

Lollipop wedding bouquet and candy boutonniere: Source
Candy Themed Cake: Cake Lava

If you really want to try something non traditional, you could opt for a wedding cake pinata! This is a very fun alternative to a regular wedding cake and could provide a new twist on the popular candy buffet. This would be great at a wedding with lots of little ones but I bet you would have a fair share of "big kids" running up to snag some tasty treats too!

Wedding cake pinata: Weddingbee

Calgary Wedding Day Coordination Sale

2009-11-08T10:35:00.005-07:00

Tis the season of giving! With Christmas just around the corner (yes, I have to admit, I already have my tree up and fully decorated) I have decided to offer all you deserving Calgary brides out there a special winter sale so now there is no excuse to not have a wedding day coordinator for your winter or spring wedding!

After countless hours meticulously planning your wedding I know that you want to be able to actually enjoy it, and you should! You can’t be both the bride and the coordinator and your family and closest friends shouldn’t be put in this role either…unless you want them to miss out on the amazing experience that will be your wedding! You deserve to be treated like a celebrity on your wedding day, having every detail covered and every need attended to, and that’s just what you’ll get with an Inspired Occasions coordination program.

So now onto the details of this very special sale. Are you ready...drumroll please...I am offering a $250 discount off of any day-of coordination package booked for a November 2009 - March 2010 wedding. Just mention this blog post to receive your special discount. What exactly does this include you ask?

We’ll meet with you before your wedding to make sure that we have a thorough understanding of your wedding vision, down to the smallest details. We’ll handle confirming all contracted vendors so you can actually enjoy the month leading up to your wedding knowing that no detail will be overlooked. We’ll make sure your ceremony runs smoothly and clean up afterwards. On your photo shoot you will be treated to the superstar service you deserve with your own personal assistant to take care of you and your wedding party’s needs…from snacks to beverages to hair and make up touch ups, we’ve got you covered!

At your reception, we’ll make sure all the details you worked so hard to plan dazzle! We’ll keep things on track and be the point of contact for any questions that arise so you aren’t being bothered throughout the evening and can fully enjoy your months of hard work and planning. Oh, ya, I also include some extra special bonuses that you won't find elsewhere that are sure to make your day complete!!! Our dates are filling up quickly so if you’re ready to have the luxurious wedding experience you desire and deserve, contact us now to book your free initial meeting to discuss your wedding needs!

Think Pink Wedding Inspiration

2009-10-04T13:40:00.007-06:00

In honour of Think Pink (Breast Cancer Awareness) month, I have decided to put together a pink inspired wedding post. This one takes a fresh, fun and youthful approach to a very pink celebration.

Hot pink wedding shoes: Liana Photography
All pink bouquet: Martha Stewart
Pink lanterns at a tented reception: Inspired Occasions
Pink centerpiece: The Knot
Pink photo table number: Inspired Occasions
Pink martini: Brides.com
Pink wedding cake and sweet table: Amy Atlas
Pink candy buffet: Project Wedding
Pink Flip Flop "Dancing Shoes": Inspired Occasions

Yellow Retro Inspired Wedding

2009-10-01T09:54:00.005-06:00

There is something about the colour yellow that is just so happy. And since weddings are such joyous occasions it seems like an ideal, yet under utilized, colour choice. I'm loving yellow these days as well as the vintage touches that are being incorporated into so many weddings as of late. I decided to marry the two and create a vintage inspired yellow wedding post for all of you. I hope you enjoy it!

How cute is this bride with her yellow converse sneakers?! I LOVE it!

Above 3 photos credit: Sloan Photographers

This sunny yellow 50's inspired dress would be perfect for your bridesmaids.

Credit: thisnext.com
There is something about the soft fluffiness of peonies that is so 50's to me.

Yellow and white peony bouquet credit: the nest
I'm also loving this vibrant yellow bouquet.

Bouquet credit: bella-kai
I ADORE the following 2 vintage inspired yellow tablescape pictures. The milk glass vases are perfect and everything pulled together creates the ideal mix of casual elegance.

Credit: Project Wedding, via youandme, Photographer: Union Photography

These jam favours would be perfect.

Credit: Sloan Photographers

After you and your guests have dined and danced the night away, how about a late night snack of mini hamburgers...

Credit: Taste.com
And tray passed mini milkshakes. So 50's and so fabulous!

Credit: Nancy Gould
And then you can drive off into the sunset in a classic car. The perfect ending to a perfect day!

Credit: zweddingblog

White Pumpkin Inspired Autumn Wedding

2009-09-29T10:40:00.019-06:00

Fall is definitely in the air here in Calgary. Autumn is a glorious time of year for a wedding in the city of Calgary as we are graced with a spectacular display of yellow, orange and red on the trees surrounding our fine city. With the leaves beginning to fall and a definite chill in the air I started thinking more about fall weddings. While at the grocery store the other day I spotted the cutest little white pumpkins which became the inspiration for this white and brown rustic, yet elegant, fall inspired wedding. Enjoy!

Wouldn't it be fabulous to host your ceremony and reception at a beautiful rustic barn? I think it would make for such a memorable experience for you and your guests. If the barn had doors, I would picture decorating them with a moss square wreath like this one.

Square moss door wreath photo: Elizabeth Anne Designs
I love the white curtains on the entrance to this barn. They add a soft romantic touch.

Barn photo: createmyevent

For the ceremony I picture lots of candles to set an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Perhaps some small white pumpkins and greenery incorporated as well.

Candle lined ceremony photo: Ferrington

Pumpkin and candle photo: The Knot

At night, white carved pumpkins could line the way to the barn.
White "love" pumpkin photo: Masterpiece Pumpkins

How cute would it be to have your flower girl carry a little white pumpkin basket?

Flower girl photo: Pegeen

White pumpkin flower girl basket: Weddingbee Pro

And your ring bearer could carry a little white pumpkin with your rings tied on.
White pumpkin with rings photo: Mint & Sage

A lace dress with a long veil would be perfect for the bride!

Bride photo: Mint & Sage

And the groom would look especially sharp in a tailored chocolate brown suit.

Brown suit photo: Event This

I picture a mostly white bouquet with an organic composition and unique greenery.

White rustic bouquet: Elizabeth Anne Designs

White dahlia and green amaranths bouquet: Ruby Bloom Flowers

Mason jars with candles could be hung inside and out and used to line the windowsills.

Mason jar candles photo: The Knot

The exposed wooden beams of an old barn would be a gorgeous architectural feature for your reception. Lots of candles and the use of up lighting would be magnificent in a space like this.
Barn reception photo: Robert Hooper

For the tablescapes I envision lots of candles of varying heights.
Candles photo: Elizabeth Anne Designs

And centerpieces and decor that incorporate little white pumpkins, some greenery and fruit (like the plums pictured below) or vegetables (maybe some artichoke hearts).
White pumpkin centerpiece photo: HGTV

White pumpkin and candle centerpiece photo: Decorvillage

White pumpkin rustic decor photo: Carte Wheels

I envision chocolate brown linens for the tables and beautiful wooden chairs.
Chocolate brown linen photo: Source

Look how great this colour scheme is with dim lights and lots of candles.
Romantic brown and white reception table photo: The Knot

The cake could use a tree trunk slab for a cake plate to incorporate a rustic element.

White cake with tree trunk cake plate photo: Jose Villa

For a cute favour you could give your guests a smores pack.
Smores favour photo: Simply Divine Events

Or you could set up a smores buffet complete with all of the necessary supplies.
Smores buffet photo: Bridezilla

And invite your guests out for a late night fire pit.
Wedding with smores and fire pit photo: Snippet and Ink

It will be chilly in the fall so why not fill a basket with shawls or blankets for your guests and leave it fire side.
Basket with shawls photo: Katie Moos

At the end of the night delight in a sparkler send off from your guests and enjoy your new life as Mr. and Mrs.!

Sparkler send off photo: Luster Studios

I LOVE being a Calgary wedding planner and helping my couples pull off the wedding of their dreams in Calgary, Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and beyond. I have been flooded with inquires over the past several weeks and my 2010 dates are filling up quickly! If you are looking for assistance with creating a one-of-a-kind wedding that reflects your love and personalities with a design scheme that will blow your guests away, I would love to hear from you. Contact me now to avoid disappointment.

Kristin & Shelby...the wedding

2009-09-21T12:08:00.007-06:00

It's was just over a year ago that Kristin emailed me to say that she had become recently engaged and was looking for the perfect wedding planner to assist her and her fiance with creating their dream fall wedding. There was something about Kristin that I instantly liked. Her vibrant personality came shining through on that first email and I could tell that she was the kind of bride that I love working with!

As it would happen, Kristin sent her email on my first wedding anniversary. She expressed that she and her groom-to-be were looking to have their reception at the exquisite River Cafe. The River Cafe has a special place in my heart as it is where my now husband and I shared our first date. Since that time I have thought about what a perfect venue the River Cafe would be to host a wedding reception. Between Kristin's bubbly personality, contacting me on my wedding anniversary, and looking to host their reception at the River Cafe, I just knew that we were meant to work together. When I met her and Shelby in person what I instinctively knew from our email conversations back and forth was confirmed. We hit it off right away and the rest as they say is history.

Fast forward a year and Kristin and Shelby's wedding day has arrived! This past Saturday saw a year of planning come together to create a unique and magical celebration that perfectly reflected their personalities and passions. It was so much fun creating their rustic yet elegant design scheme with vintage touches incorporated to make the day uniquely them. From the classic 1955 Rolls Royce that transported the bride and her father to the church in style, to their unconventional purple, yellow, orange, and brown colour scheme, to the live band belting out Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra classics, to their delicious feature cocktail "True Love," every element of their carefully crafted wedding celebration stimulated the senses.

Here's a sneak peak at a few images from their wedding day along with a slideshow from the immensely talented Kristi Sneddon.

Kristin & Shelby's Wedding Slideshow

Congratulations Kristin and Shelby on the incredible inspired occasion that was your wedding! It was such a joy working with you both over the past year. Enjoy your honeymoon!

Adam & Helen...the wedding

2009-09-20T15:50:00.007-06:00

It's been a crazy busy summer here at Inspired Occasions and as a result I have let my blog updating fall to the way side. Now that fall is upon us I figured it's time to get back on track with blogging and continue to share some of the weddings I have worked on as well as the latest wedding trends, tips and tricks for creating your own Inspired Occasions so be sure to stay tuned for exciting future posts.

One of the exciting things I took on this summer was creating florals for some of my clients weddings. For Adam and Helen's romantic golf course wedding I created all of the red rose centerpieces and all of the boutonnières and corsages for the wedding party and family. It was a blast!

Check out these fabulous photos from Edward Ross who photographed Adam and Helen's wedding earlier this summer. Adam and Helen's day was everything they hoped it would be... an intimate celebration shared with their closest friends and family, a reception decorated with classically romantic red roses, a few asian twists to pay homage to the groom's heritage and a surprise choreographed first dance completed their day! Enjoy!

Congrats Adam and Helen on a beautiful Calgary wedding! I was so happy to be a part of making your day a dream come true.

Jodie & Jordan...The Engagement Session

2009-08-18T16:03:00.006-06:00

When I first met Jodie and Jordan back in the spring I couldn't help but smile, laugh and be filled with joy right along side them. They have this contagious energy that just makes you feel on top of the world. When it came time to select photographers for their wedding day we met with a few of my favourites. As a wedding planner I can sometime call in favours and this was no exception. I knew that Terence of TLAW Photography and Tammy of Life Seven Photography would be a match made in heaven and have the ability to capture both Jodie and Jordan's personalities perfectly. They agreed to partner up for this fantastic couple and the results couldn't have been better.

Check out these images from Jodie and Jordan's recent engagement session. I can hardly wait for their wedding next August. It is going to rock!

Above six engagement photos credit: TLAW Photography

Above six engagement photos credit: Life Seven Photography

Michelle and Mark...The Wedding

2009-08-07T11:53:00.011-06:00

Mark and Michelle were married in picturesque Banff, Alberta on July 18, 2009 joined by their family and closest friends. Their ceremony was held at the Tunnel Mountain Reservoir, also known as the Meadow. It is an absolutely stunning backdrop for a wedding ceremony. If you are planning a wedding in Banff this is definitely a ceremony spot worth checking out! I was relieved on their wedding day to see such beautiful sunny skies after threats of rain earlier in the week. Here are some photos I snapped of details on their day. Enjoy!

Their custom aisle runner was a huge hit and added a nice pop of colour! We nailed it down with colour coordinated pegs, which was a good thing considering the amount of wind we were dealing with (as you can see from the picture above).

They had classic harp music playing during their ceremony. It was the perfect elegant accompaniment to their wedding ceremony.

Mark and Michelle chose a sand ceremony and made sure to include their mothers to honour the special roles each had played in their lives thus far.

Mark and Michelle enjoyed an intimate reception at the divine Buffalo Mountain Lodge. Michelle and her mother worked hard to create personalized touches throughout which definitely didn't go unnoticed by their guests.

Cuba...the country where they first met. I always love learning about the love story of the couples I work with. Michelle and Mark's family and friends clearly love them very much and their love story was nothing short of what Hollywood movies are made of.

I love planning weddings in Banff, Canmore, Kananaskis, and Lake Louise. If you are planning to get married in one of these fabulous locals and are in need assistance along the way I would love to hear from you!

Perfect Picnic

2009-07-27T17:42:00.005-06:00

Check out this oh so cute picnic box that would be perfect for a casual summer wedding. Just because you opt for a casual or midday celebration doesn't mean you have to skimp on the details. This is a fantastic DIY project with an end result that is sure to delight all those in attendance. To get the step-by-step instructions on how you can create your own, swing on over to project wedding.

I think this would be perfect for a low key summer wedding in Banff, Canmore or Lake Louise with the beautiful mountains as your back drop.

Photo credit: project wedding

Rock the Reception Move Over...

2009-07-23T08:43:00.005-06:00

Photo credit: mitchelldyer photography

By now all of you have probably heard of Rock the Reception and many of you have probably been to a wedding where the couple has pulled off an ultra cool, choreographed first dance. I love when couples do this. Guests always go wild for this and inevitably the happy couple walks of the dance floor with the biggest look of exhilaration and satisfaction on their faces.

When I saw this clip of JK Wedding Entrance Dance on You Tube featuring Jill and Kevin's Wedding Ceremony Entrance, I just had to share. It definitely wouldn't be for everyone but this wedding party looks like they had a blast and how fun would this be for your guests?! Everyone would be talking about how unique and different your wedding was, there's no doubt.

Tanis & Mark...The Wedding

2009-07-19T10:10:00.006-06:00

July has been a very busy month here at Inspired Occasions. We kicked off the first wedding of the month on July 4th . It turned out to be a beautiful day for Tanis and Mark's outdoor ceremony at Calgary's popular Baker Park. I just love outdoor ceremonies! The weather forecast had been threatening rain but it wasn't until the end of the photo shoot that any dark clouds appeared, which made for some dramatic shots so it was perfect in the end. The location of the reception offered gorgeous views of one of Calgary's private lakes and was the perfect backdrop for the decor of classic black and white, with a touch of of whimsy and a dash of damask. All in all it was a perfect day! Enjoy these pics of Tanis and Mark's magical day courtesy of the talented duo, Shelley and Jeff, of As I See It Photography. If you don't have your wedding day photographer chosen yet you should definitely check them out. They have the best energy and are super fun to work with.

Lighting Adds Drama to Your Big Day

2009-07-08T16:00:00.004-06:00

If you are looking for your reception to have that WOW factor, then you absolutely can't overlook the importance of lighting. Strategically placed specialty lighting can absolutely transform the look of a room and is more affordable than most would think. Just look at the impact of this blue lighting in the below photo. Spot lighting is gorgeous as well and can really highlight the beautiful centerpieces you have chosen.

GOBO's are a great way to add a personalized touch to your wedding reception. Check with your DJ to see if this is a service that they provide.

Blue Lighting and Yellow lighting: QMEP DJ Lighting

Candles are a fantastic way to bring in soft mood lighting at a minimal cost.

Candle Lit Table: Wedding Decoration Services

Weddings In The Rockies

2009-07-07T12:06:00.011-06:00

I spent yesterday checking out some amazing venues in Banff and Canmore that would be perfect for couples seeking a mountain wedding experience. With Calgary's close proximity to Banff, Canmore, and Kananaskis there are many Calgary couples looking to plan their dream wedding in the Canadian Rockies. Banff and the surrounding mountain communities are also a popular destination wedding location for couples from near and far. I was thrilled to discover a very new venue yesterday that is definitely one of the mountain's best kept secrets. It has stunning architecture, gorgeous views, fantastic prices and truly wonderfulf staff. I can't wait to share my finds with couples looking for the perfect ceremony and wedding locations in Banff, Canmore and surrounding areas. There is just something about the mountains...the fresh air, water and breathtaking backdrops that make it a truly awe-inspiring location to say your "I Do's."

My trip to the mountains made me even more excited for the wedding I'm coordinating later this month at Buffalo Mountain Lodge. It's such a gorgeous mountain venue in Banff, perfect for couples looking for an intimate and rustic wedding venue.

A Day In The Life of a Wedding Planner

2009-07-03T09:01:00.026-06:00

I am contacted on almost a daily basis by people interested in becoming weddings planners and curious about what a day in the life of a Wedding Planner really looks like. Of course there is much time spent in front of the computer, working away on endless details and communicating with vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page, but let's face it, that's not very glamorous. In fact, as much as I love my job, it's not really glamourous at all. The reality is it takes incredible organization, determination, passion and energy to pull off a successful event from start to finish. In addition to this you MUST have an exceptional team of support staff because the reality is you can't be in all places at the same time. In order to quench people's curiosity and give you all a peek into my world, I thought I would post some pictures and timeline from a recent wedding I orchestrated for 550 guests.

7am - My alarm is going off. It's Saturday morning and it's time to get up and get ready for one busy day. (If you love sleeping in on the weekends, the job of a wedding planner is probably not for you)! I'm still energized from the rehearsal the night before. My couple has great energy and I can't wait to see them at the church later today!

9:20am - Time to leave the house and meet up with my assistants at the Reception Venue.

9:45am - The doors to the Reception Venue are locked despite having confirmed our arrival time earlier in the week. Hmmm...good thing we are here early. I locate some wonderful security staff who help us track down a staff member to let us into the building. We begin the process of unloading the very full truck. We need to move fast as the sun is heating up quickly and we have 550 favour boxes full of chocolates as well as 400 candles and numerous other items that need to be moved into the venue and set up before heading to the church to decorate. Once inside we begin the task of placing 550 favour boxes and close to 400 candles on the guest tables.

This is me. It's a little after 10am. We are moving at record speed!
My assistant Evelyn is also helping with placing favour boxes.

My assistant Sharon straightening a bow on one of the favour boxes after she and Terence (not pictured) finish placing all of the candles onto the 70 guest tables.

Once all of the favour boxes and candles were placed, we fanned the room to check and make sure that all of the linens, cutlery and glassware were clean and that all the bows were tied in the same direction on the favour boxes.

We finished ahead of schedule but were very thirsty after working such a huge room. Here the 3 of us are (again, my 4th assistant Terence is behind the lens) enjoying a cold bottle of water before heading off to the church. These are the personalized water bottle labels that I create uniquely for each wedding couple I work with to be handed out during their photo shoot. I decided to make a few extra for myself and my assistants to enjoy during the course of the day.

11:15am - We are finished ahead of schedule at the Reception Venue. We are short about 2 dozen candles for the votive holders so we will stop and pick some up on the way to the church. We also have enough time to stop for a quick bite of lunch since we don't have to be at the church until 12:30pm. What a luxury!

12:30pm - Arrive at the church to receive all of the flowers and begin the process of transforming the space with decor.

Sharon places the linen on the guest table in the front lobby of the church, followed by the guest book and pens, while Terence positions the 2 massive framed engagement photos of the happy couple on their stands flanking either side of the table. (The mats will be signed with well wishes from guests later at the reception). They both then head into the ceremony area where Terence gets to work on hanging the reserved signs of the first 2 rows and assists Evelyn with filling the massive vases with water for the focal point arrangements. Meanwhile, I've placed the unity candle and signing pen at their appropriate places and Sharon and I begin the process of swaging of the organza fabric down the aisle.

Sharon and I, now joined by Evelyn, work on swaging the organza down each side of the aisle. This is a bit of a finicky process but in the end it looks great.

The 3 of us then get to work affixing the beautiful hydrangea pomanders along the aisle.

Terence and I then went to work laying down the rose petals.

Finally we tie everything off with a blue ribbon. I just love this extra little touch. It reminds me of receiving an extra special present! This ribbon was untied just before the processional began.

1:30pm - The church lobby is filling up quickly. The space looked rather large until it was packed with over 500 guests.

Evelyn and I pin on boutonnieres and corsages while Sharon brushes the groom and groomsmen with a lint brush.

2:00pm - The groom's uncle begins the tradition of placing flower garlands around the necks of members from both the bride's and groom's families. I am busy running around making sure everything is in order but I hear lots of laughter and it seems like everyone is really enjoying this process.

2:15pm - The ushers are busy handing out programs and seating guests.

2:20pm - I run out to greet the bride and bridal party. A wardrobe malfunction is quickly resolved and the bridal party heads inside while I wait with the bride who is looking absolutely stunning!

2:25pm - My assistants have everyone in the wedding party lined up in their proper order. The bride and I head inside to meet up with her parents at the bottom of the stairs. I then cue them when it is time to take their places and I fluff the brides train just as she is about to walk down the aisle. Once she is at the front of the church, standing next to her handsome groom, my assistants and I close the doors.

2:30pm - The ceremony begins on schedule and is beautiful.

3:15pm - The ceremony concludes and the wedding party and immediate family head off for the photo shoot. (There will be a cupcake receiving line at the reception). Evelyn heads off on the photo shoot armed with her emergency kit and a bag full of icy cold customized bottles of water.

3:30pm - Terence, Sharon and I get to work packing up all of the items that were brought to the church, placing all of the floral arrangements in their boxes for the transport company to pick up and picking up every single last rose petal that lined the aisle. We make every effort to leave the church in the same condition it was in when we arrived earlier today.

4:15pm - The 3 of us head back down to the reception venue to make sure that everything is running smoothly and is on schedule. We begin placing the over 500 mini cupcakes on their stands, with the assistance of the lovely venue coordinator. It's a sticky job...but somebody's got to do it!

Here are the cupcakes once we were done placing them all.

Sharon and I then moved the wedding cake onto the table between the two cupcake stands. I placed the cake knife and server on the table and we were ready to move onto the head table which was now decorated with linens.

Terence and Sharon placed the 2 large focal point arrangements from the church flanking either end of the head table while I was out in cocktail area placing the pomanders from the ceremony on the cocktail tables for some decor.

We then placed the toasting glasses on the head table along with favour boxes.

Sharon placed the candles we picked up earlier into the empty votive holders and then we gave the room a thorough once over to make sure everything was perfect before heading out to the lobby where Terence was setting up the massive framed pictures of the bride and groom and decorating the guest table.

6:00pm - Sharon and I went out to the lobby to man the guest table while we waited for the family members assigned to the task to arrive. We greeted guests and let them know where they would be sitting for evening.

7:30pm - I greet the bride and groom and ensure they are pumped about the party they are about to enter. They had changed out of their Western wedding outfits into the most jaw dropping gorgeous attire I have ever seen. They are ready to go so the music is cued and they make their high energy Grand Entrance and everyone is ecstatic! They flow right into their first dance followed by their cake cutting so that they will be able to begin their cupcake receiving line as soon as they are finished dinner.

The evening's events flow smoothly, thanks to lots of hard work on the part of myself and my team and some truly exceptional vendors. This was an incredibly beautiful and extremely fun and entertaining wedding! There was the most entertaining slideshow I have ever seen put together by the clearly talented, all be it cheeky, cousin of the groom and a top notch traditional dance performance that dazzled every guest present. Many of the guests were dressed in the most beautiful saris I have every seen...the colours and jewels were beyond amazing.

11pm - My team and I have finished our responsibilities and pack up our after a very long but incredibly successful day. We say goodbye to the newly married couple and wish them a fantastic night and a lifetime of happiness together then head home for some much deserved rest.

Custom Water Bottle Labels

2009-06-10T10:00:00.006-06:00

I love creating custom items for my clients! One of the items I receive regular requests for is custom water bottle labels. These are great for summer weddings or perfect to include in your Out of Town Welcome Bags. I love personalized items so much and believe that every wedding should include personalized touches.

Because of this I always include Custom Water Bottles to be handed out during the photo shoot as a special bonus for all of my Wedding Planning and Day-of Coordination clients. I also include several other special bonuses because I truly believe every couple deserves the celebrity treatment on their wedding day! Want to learn more? Contact me for a free initial meeting to discuss your wedding planning or special event needs.

Here are some water bottle labels I created for one of my upcoming weddings.

These were some water bottle labels I created for a recent wedding.
Water bottle labels can be customized for any event, including stagettes, bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays and more!
Stagette Water Bottle Label: Inspired Occasions
Custom Water Bottle Labels: Inspired Occasions
Custom Water Bottle Labels: Inspired Occasions

Like many of the items I offer in my boutique, water bottle labels can be ordered individually, or you can opt for the DIY version by purchasing the design file and then making as many copies as you want!

Fabulous Photography

2009-06-01T20:49:00.009-06:00

What can I say? I am a sucker for fabulous photography. Not only do I think

engagement sessions are a sensational idea but I personally think any excuse to get amazing photos of you and your sweetie is worth capitalizing on. In fact, my husband and I have decided to have professional photos taken every year around the time of our anniversary. I think it's a great way to capture the love that continues to grow over the years and to document life's important milestones.

Check out these awesome photos taken by Wei and Diane of Photobolic .

When you are looking for a photographer for your big day make sure that you are interviewing people whose work you are most drawn to. Ask to see their portfolio and a sample of one complete wedding from beginning to end so you know what to expect. You also will want to know how long following your wedding you can expect to receive your images and/or album, how they back up their files (look for someone who utilizes multiple back ups) and whether they carry liability insurance.

Live in Calgary and don't know where to start? That's what wedding planners like me are for. I know many amazing photographers at every price point and can help you find the best vendors in every category to meet your needs, saving you time and money in the process.

Damask Wedding Details

2009-05-29T10:41:00.011-06:00

Dramatic...divine...delicious! Damask is an excellent choice for those looking to make a bold statement and infuse their wedding day decor with a contemporary twist on a classic design. Check out these fabulous photos that I compiled to create a bold and dramatic look inspired by damask patterns and the classic colour combo of black and white.

Calla bouquet: Brides

Poppy bouquet: Source

Damask Wedding Invitation: White Aisle
Damask Wedding Program: Creative Invitations
Damask Tablescape: Jasmine Star
Damask Table: Creative Invitations
Damask Menu Card: Creative Invitations

I selected some tall centerpieces to play up the drama of the damask and black and white colour scheme. These would be perfect in a venue with tall ceilings.
Hydrangea, orchid & twig centerpiece: Katie Elfers

Orchid centerpiece: Katie Elfers

Calla Centerpiece: Gail Fleming via Sisters Flowers
Damask wedding cake: Source

Yellow...Lovely Sunny Yellow!

2009-05-27T09:27:00.010-06:00

Well things are finally turning around weather wise here in the fine city of Calgary. They are predicting warm weather and sunny skies throughout the week which has inspired me to do a post all about yellow! Yellow is a vibrant and cheery colour that works fantastic with many other colours or on it's own to make a striking statement at your wedding. Pair it with green, pink, orange or purple for a fun and easy going look or add black to bring on the drama! I decided to pull together some images that I thought would work well for a relaxed backyard or tented reception but yellow can be just as sophisticated as it is playful, depending on the additional elements you incorporate. Enjoy...

Invitation: Linda & Harriett
Couple Walking Down Aisle: Next Exit Photography
Couple in Sunflower Field: Sarah France Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs
Fun Footwear: Jose Villa
Yellow Bouquet: Bella Kai
Yellow Centerpieces: Lindeman Weddings
Lemonade: Flickr
Yellow Feature Drink: Lindeman Weddings
Cookie Buffet: Sarah France Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Rustic Inspiration

2009-05-26T13:43:00.006-06:00

With eco-chic weddings becoming increasingly popular by the day, I have found that more and more couples are coming to me looking to incorporate rustic or natural elements into their wedding day. I am super excited about a rustic inspired wedding I am planning for this fall and I can't wait to share pictures from that beautiful wedding with all of you, but you'll have to stay tuned because we're still a few months away. For now, I will share some photos I found that I think would work wonderfully for those of you looking for some rustic inspiration for your own special celebration. Enjoy!

Wedding Sign: Inspired Occasions
Rustic Sign Guest Book Table: Jessamyn Harris
Rustic Bouquet: Vintage Design Company
Bark Vases: Brides
Twig and Candle Tablescape: Unknown
Rustic Wedding Cake: Rebecca Thuss

Black & White Vintage Wedding Inspiration

2009-05-12T16:17:00.007-06:00

I have recently fallen in love with a vintage inspired black and white wedding photographed by the oh so talented Wei of Photobolic. Check out these images captured by Wei to see what I am talking about.

Above 4 Photos Credit: Photobolic

In honour of that deliciously perfect wedding I decided to devote a whole blog post to all things black and white with touches of vintage in hopes of inspiring you too. Enjoy!Luxurious Damask Invite: Lela New York
Black & White Vintage Car: Vintage Carriages Malvern
Black & White Wedding Dress: Tara Keely
White Calla Bouquet: Source
White Ostrich Feather Tablescape: Barnett Photo via Hostess Blog
Black and White Details: Barnett Photo via Hostess Blog
Black and White Damask Wedding Cake: Makis Cakes via Source

Rock Your Engagement Session

2009-05-11T13:27:00.000-06:00

I think engagement photos are absolutely wonderful and truly essential for those who want the very best results out of their wedding day photographs. For starters, most people have never been photographed professionally so an engagement photo session provides a great opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera. It also gives your wedding photographer a good sense of your personalities and how best to communicate with you for optimal results. By the time your wedding rolls around you'll be an old pro in front of the camera and comfortable striking all those fab poses! The other great thing about engagement photos is that they provide an opportunity to capture some stunning images (other than your wedding photos) of you and your sweetie that you can enjoy for years to come. You can also use the images for wedding related items such as Save-the-Date postcards, the front of your wedding programs, personalized table numbers, on your wedding website, etc. Use your imagination and flaunt how fabulous you look together!

Fun, flirty, sexy, whatever your style...remember your engagement pictures should reflect your unique personalities and the love that you share. Check out these great images captured by the fabulous, fun and talented duo of Shelley and Jeff from As I See It Photography. If you haven't booked your wedding day photographer you should definitely check them out. Not only will you end up with great images, but you'll have tons of fun along the way too. They are a riot!

All images credit: As I See it Photography

Designer Gown Super Sale

2009-05-08T14:14:00.008-06:00

Attention all Calgary Brides!!! If you have been dreaming of a designer dress by the likes of Vera Wang, Melissa Sweet, Pricilla of Boston or Badgley Mischka then I've got great news for you. Evalina Couture is hosting their show room sample sale where lucky brides can save between 60%-75% off the regular retail price of their dream dress.

Evalina Couture is hosting a sneak peak on Sunday May 10th from 10am-12pm. These dresses won't last long so if you are still looking for that perfect dress call now to book your appointment (403.264.3788). Appointments will be held on May 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th, and 16th between 10am and 6pm. Please note that samples will be sizes 8 or 10 only.

Alpha & Chris...The Wedding

2009-05-05T15:13:00.009-06:00

This past weekend I had the privilege of coordinating the wedding of Alpha and Chris. These two are so in love and so meant for each other it was awe inspiring. No matter what was going on, every time I looked at them they each had huge smiles across their faces...the type of smiles that are true and genuine and radiating with joy. I couldn't help grinning from ear to ear myself. What can I say, their joy is contagious!

Alpha and Chris' wedding is definitely one I won't forget. Not only were they amazing to work with but I was in love with all of their well thought out and carefully planned details. I have a true passion for highly personalized wedding celebrations and these guys earned an A+ in that department. Every detail was thought of and they put so much time, effort and love into creating every glorious detail. Their guests were raving the whole night and I still can't stop thinking about all of the wonderful and unique touches they created to personalize their day.

Check out these stunning images captured by the immensely talented Wei and Diane from Photobolic. If you are looking for photographers who will capture every delicious detail of your wedding day with a photojournalistic and fashion forward twist, then these are the guys for you! Oh, and did I mention that they are two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet or work with? If you are not familiar with their work, head over to their blog and check out their artistic brilliance...but be warned you will probably get lost in the endless beauty so set aside at least an hour or two.

The wedding ceremony. Fr. Kevin did an amazing job or making the ceremony meaningful and relevant. It was beautiful.
How cute are these two?! So in love...
Rockin' it. I LOVE the red shoes!

Their gorgeous reception decor. They had the cutest reception programs tucked into each napkin, featuring an uber cool engagement picture. At each place setting there was a seating card and in the corner of each card was a miniature caricature drawing of the happy couple. It was such a sweet little detail that I just adored! The centerpieces (which I know are a little tricky to see from this angle) were soooo cool. They looked like organic twig creations, but were actually constructed using wire wrapped with aluminum foil that was then spray painted brown and adorned with little red flowers. In the center of each centerpiece sat a vase filled with blue water and a floating candle. They were so unique and creative. I just loved them.

I love the trend of doing something other that the traditional table numbers supplied by the venue. Alpha and Chris took it one step further by also providing an explanation of the significance of the table name. It was a fun way for guests to learn new facts about the happy couple.

The first dance. The kids got in on the action and as you can tell, the newlyweds had a blast!

Proceeds from the money dance. What a fun tradition and the guests seemed to enjoy having a turn dancing with the new Mr. and Mrs.

The cake was as delicious as it looks courtesy of Cakes and Desserts by Melissa.

All and all the day was perfection. I couldn't have pulled it off without the help of my wonderful assistant, Katie. It takes a team to make everything flow wonderfully and this wedding was full of fabulous vendors at every level who made the day run like clock work.

All photos credit: Photobolic

Strike A Pose

2009-04-21T18:04:00.006-06:00

Beautiful Bride-To-Be Jodie and me at The House of Brides

I was recently selected to be profiled by the Globe and Mail for their Report on Small Business due out this July. They were looking to feature a wedding planner and I was the lucky one chosen! As part of the article, we had to do a photo shoot and today was the big day. I was joined by one of my beautiful 2010 brides, Jodie, who was the perfect model and looked stunning in everything she tried on. I can hardly wait to see what she chooses for her big day...she is going to dazzle!

We held the photo shoot at a local Calgary bridal salon, The House of Brides. Not only was The House of Brides super sweet and accommodating to allow us to have our photo shoot there, but ladies they are also having an amazing sample dress sale right now with unbelievable deals. There were so many beautiful gowns to choose from we had a hard time narrowing down the selection for the photo shoot. If you are looking for a great deal on your wedding gown be sure to head down to The House of Brides (100, 628 11 Ave. SW, Calgary) before the end of the month and check out their sample sale. You won't be disappointed!

Bridal Gown Sale

2009-03-24T19:58:00.003-06:00

Attention all you Calgary brides-to-be who have yet to purchase your wedding gown. "Beautiful Bride" Bridal Boutique is hosting their Spring Sample Sale April 2, 2009 from 11am-8pm at their Macleod Trail location (6700 Macleod Trail SE). It's a great time to purchase the dress of your dreams at a fraction of a cost. Several popular sample dresses will be marked down, you can enter store draws, and there will be nibblies and bevies on hand as well. If you don't find your fantasy frock on the sample sale rack, fret not, they are also offering great incentives for ordering new gowns. Check them out online here.

Welcome Spring

2009-03-23T16:53:00.005-06:00

I love this time of year. The days are lighter longer and in many parts of the country the first flowers of spring start to show up greeting us with their cheerful colours and reminding us that warmer days are on the horizon. In Calgary we currently have a blanket of snow covering the ground but I know it's only temporary. In celebration of spring I thought I would share this beautiful tulip bouquet.

Tulip Bouquet: Knot for Life

An Apple A Day...

2009-03-12T15:21:00.006-06:00

I am currently working with a couple of clients who are looking to incorporate green into their wedding colour palate and are choosing to use apples as one method of doing so. Apples are a great cost-effective choice to bring vibrant colour as well as a fun, relaxed feel to your wedding day celebrations. Check out these inspiration pictures for some great apple inspired ideas. Enjoy!

Apples with rings: Flickr

Green bouquet: Bella Design Studio

Apples in twig container: Wedding Depot

Above 2 pictures - apples & curly willow: Bella Design Studio

Candy apple buffet set up: With This Ring

Cake: Source unknown

Bride with green shoes: Jessica Claire

An Okanagan Wedding with a Twist

2009-03-05T17:41:00.015-07:00

I always love hearing a really unique wedding story, one that reflects the true essence of who a couple are and what they are most passionate about. The story of Andrea and Kirby is a perfect example of that so when one of my favourite photographers, J. Kevin Dunn, sent me some of the amazing photos that he captured of their recent wedding, along with the behind the scenes story, I just new I had to share it will you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Meet Andrea and Kirby...

The Intro

The email read something like this “Looking for a wedding photographer who can shoot sports. We’re a couple who loves to jump . . .”

Hmmmm, jump, eh. I pondered - just weird enough for a look.

One more sip of coffee. Click.

The messaged continued.

We are searching for a photographer who would like to take on the challenge of photographing our wedding at Ironman Canada, this August! We will be married on Saturday the 25th on the beach at Okanagan Park, then on Sunday participate in the race and then Monday we will host a big brunch.

We have viewed your website extensively and very much like your photojournalistic style, and would like to discuss your availability and if you are willing to photograph this crazy couple!

We look forward to hearing from you.
Andrea and Kirby

This sounds good, I thought. I’m up for a challenge. Besides, anyone crazy enough to profess to his or her own craziness likely is, well, crazy!

Day 1 - The Wedding

Fast forward to August 25th, 8AM. My gear was ready, everything double-checked and charged. Shot list, yes, flash cards formatted, yes, extra batteries, yes, head on straight, hope so.

I arrived at the couple’s hotel across from Okanagan Lake to find Andrea, all smiles, pink flowers in her hair, sunglasses on, strapped to an IV bag.

“Yikes, what’s up with that?” I asked.

“I got food poisoning at the carb-loading dinner last night” she replied with a what-the heck, take it in stride kind of shrug.

“I’ll be ready for wedding, don’t you worry!”

“Yeah, she’s tough” came a voice from the door, laughing, almost mocking the notion that there was a hiccup in the day’s plan. It was Kirby, of course. Who else.

Just to prove things were on the upswing, he grabbed Andrea’s hand and along with best man Donald performed the event’s first “jump”

This was the precursor to the entire weekend – high energy through and through.

By mid morning, the guests had gathered on the east side of Okanagan Beach, the summer sun already well overhead. On the horizon, a drumbeat sounded, steady, then faster and faster. The crowd’s curiosity ramped up with each beat. All eyes faced the direction of the sound.

"Seventh Wave, ready ..." rang a distinctive voice. It was Andrea – at the bow, dictating the pace on a giant Japanese drum while a dragon’s head flared and paddles flashed. In perfect synch, she brought the team ashore where, in a continuous wave, they brought their paddles from the air to the sand. What an entrance!

With military precision, the Seventh Wave formed an arch of paddles under which Andrea and her father Frank followed to site of the ceremony.

Vows were simple and truthful followed by a huge group “jump” in which young and old reached skyward in celebration.

Day 2 - The Race

5 AM comes early, even during an Okanagan summer.

At the hotel, Kirby and Andrea were out the door well before sunrise, race bags packed with survival-kit stuff – power bars, power jells, power aide, power clothing and powerful good luck charms.

Midway through the morning race prep, they had already overcome the panic of a flat tire on Andrea’s rear wheel. On the beach, the dust was kicking up as several thousand swimmers made their way to the water’s edge.

Announcements blared over the noise of the spectators who were getting pumped to the tune of Van Halen’s “Jump.”

“Oh, yeah!” was Kirby’s response as he grabbed his new wetsuit-clad wife. Together they performed their signature “jump” just as the starting horn blared.

With confidence, the pair stepped off the beach, disappearing into the churning froth of fuscia and blue swim caps.

Kirby’s candid approach to the race was to have fun, participate and cross the line with Andrea. As he rose from swimmer’s mayhem in his tuxedo-style tri-suit, Kirby headed towards the cycle transition with the grin of someone intent on making his own crystal clear memories.

Andrea followed suit by rousing the crowd before she even touched dry land. The transition following the 2.4km swim was a time to relax, change shoes and pin a veil onto the back of her helmet before pedaling onto the 112 km course of fruit- filled South Okanagan desert.

Kirby met the bike/run transition with the same enthusiasm, complete with a pre-marathon “jump.”

Andrea, however, had suffered several demoralizing flat tires on the course. The food poisoning and I.V. recovery had caught up to her. By the bike/run transition, everyone cheering for her knew she was suffering.The long run of hours passed. It was dark when Kirby crossed the finish line under a tuxedo top hat and a spot lit canopy of cheering.

Then the waiting began. An hour passed. No sign of Andrea, only whispers from the timing judges that she was “out there somewhere.”

Kirby, his best man and a few friends took a break from the crowded street, heading into the Lakeside Hotel for a beer.

Another hour. No Andrea. Then another. The 17-hour midnight deadline was fast approaching.

Aware of the unfolding drama, the crowd was steadfast, lining Lakeside Drive from end to end. Announcements of anticipation were rampant but still no concrete sightings could be verified.

Then, like slow motion footage from an old Hollywood drama, Andrea appeared, staggering. Her veil had hung on. The crowd was ecstatic, the near-midnight air electric!

Kirby was there to scoop her up and together, top hat and veil broke through the finish tape.

Wrapped in a silver solar blanket, Andrea’s visit to the medical tent was short and anything but sweet. An ambulance ride was next but by morning was part of an unforgettable series of events.

At Sunday’s brunch, the pair recalled their individual experiences but always within the context of achieving excellence together. After cutting a chocolate cake decorated with crystals it was time for one last family “jump”

As I released the shutter for the final time on the 3-day project, my realization had become clear: to jump is to participate, to engage and to inhale the spirit of the day. All the guests, athletes and spectators who had “jumped” during this exceptional weekend had experienced a total immersion in Kirby and Andrea’s exuberance towards life.

Thanks Kevin for sharing the story of this amazing couple and giving us all a glimpse into their truly remarkable wedding journey.

If you are planning a destination (or local) wedding in the Okanagan contact J. Kevin Dunn or me. Kevin and I love working together on truly amazing weddings for couples just like you. Drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you!

Wedding Photography as Fine Art

2009-03-04T10:11:00.006-07:00

I love when photographers and couples are willing to take their wedding portraits to the next level and create fine art images. Check out this amazing image captured by one of Calgary's finest wedding and lifestyle photographers, Rafal Wegiel of rw photo. Isn't it dreamy!? It has an amazing vintage vibe...like something from the 30's with just the right amount of sexy edge! It's simply stunning.

Unique Wedding Cakes

2009-03-02T16:19:00.006-07:00

Today's wedding is unique and personalized so why not carry that forward into your wedding cake design? Check out these creative wedding cakes that showcase the couple's interests and personalities. Even if you opt for a traditional wedding cake you can always incorporate your hubby's favourite hobby in a Groom's Cake. This tradition is more common in the Southern States by I say bring it on. Any excuse to add a fun and personalized element to a wedding day is fine by me...if it includes sugar, then it's even better!

Top 4 Cakes: Pink Cake Box

Mountain Bike Cake: Source

Now I know I said any excuse to personalize your wedding...but even I think having a life-size wedding cake of yourself is taking it too far. To each their own I suppose.

Bride cake: Source, Bride posing with bride cake: Source

Cute Wedding Program

2009-02-28T14:00:00.005-07:00

Check out these super sweet paddle fan wedding programs. This would be perfect for a relaxed or whimsical outdoor celebration. I bet all of your guests would even want to keep them as a special memento from your wedding day. These fans are the creative genius of Anna Bond. To see more of her amazing work visit her website Rifle.

Photo: Ritzy Bee

Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget?

2009-02-27T15:21:00.004-07:00

If you dream of dripping in jewels on your wedding day, and I mean real jewels including diamonds and pearls, your dream can be a reality! You no longer need to be rolling in the dough to sport the latest high end designer jewels. Check out Adorn Brides to find your favourite wedding jewelry styles featuring real gems at affordable prices. How can this be you ask? Adorn Brides offers rentals of exquisite high end jewelry at a fraction of the cost to purchase. Now every woman can truly afford to feel like a princess on her wedding day.

Don't these brides look stunning? You would never guess their jewelry was rented.

Photos: Adorn Brides

I'm a Mrs.

2009-02-26T11:39:00.004-07:00

If you recently became a Mrs. or are making the transition in the upcoming future you should definitely check out i'm a mrs! This is such a great concept that I just had to share. Listen to what they have to say on the website:

"Changing your name is easy with 'i'm a mrs'. Simply choose either the standard or premium package and you're off. Once you sign up, you'll be directed to your own personal page where you can select the organizations that are applicable to you. You provide us with the details and we'll auto-complete your details on each application form or letter. Once you've checked the documents, you can save, print and sign them at your convenience. We also provide instructions on where to send them and what to include. Then sit back and relax, because that's it: you're done. Now you have more time to enjoy married life."

Tell me that isn't FABULOUS!!! Even if you aren't getting married this would make a great wedding shower gift for one of your gal pals. i'm a mrs is a Canadian company too which is awesome. If you don't live in Canada though, don't fret. They are currently working on bringing other Countries on board so you too will be able to change your name in a few simple steps!

Luxury Linens...Part 2

2009-02-25T09:30:00.007-07:00

There are just so many gorgeous luxurious linens available through Wildflower Linen that I had to do another post.

I love the bold, graphic designs and the paring of yellow and black in this first collection.

This table "skirt" is divine...the whole look feels very Miami to me.

Either of these would be perfect for an eco-inspired affair.

The blue and green is very serene. This is the perfect look if you want understated elegance by the sea.

For the pink princess in all of us...

All images: Wildflower Linen

Luxury Linens

2009-02-24T10:08:00.009-07:00

Are you a couture girl? Do you love the finer things in life and appreciate the most delicious of details? If so then you definitely have to check out Wildflower Linens. I discovered Youngson Martin and her incredible line of luxury linens during a recent trip to L.A. Her designs are extraordinary and are on par in style, class, and craftsmanship with your favourite gowns that recently walked the red carpet at the Oscars. As a former fashion designer she brings a unique perspective to linen design and has elevated the styles and materials to a whole new level. Even if your budget doesn't allow for the full Wildflower treatment, why not consider bringing in few show stopping pieces? There are many more jaw dropping designs that aren't yet featured on the website so be sure to inquire if there is something specific you are looking for.

All images: Wildflower Linen

Eco Friendly and Fabulous

2009-02-23T19:33:00.009-07:00

Check out these fabulous products I recently discovered from Isola Bella (which means beautiful Island). I think these would be perfect for a beach wedding. What's better is that these products are also eco friendly, hip and stylish and hand crafted to boot...no cookie cutter designs here!

This wine tote would also make a great Out of Town (OOT) Welcome Bag in your guests hotel room. It looks like the perfect size for a pair of flip flops, a custom water bottle, some snacks and a welcome brochure. Just point me in the direction of the beach!

How cute would these be as thank you cards for guests who travelled to celebrate your beach wedding? They're printed on recycled paper using earth friendly, water-based, non-toxic inks. I love them!

I think these linen napkins are just so cute. They would be great at a beach wedding and what's better is that you can use them again for all of your summer entertaining.

Head over to Isola Bella and check out their array of fabulous hand crafted and eco friendly products. The vibrant colours and whimsical designs will leave you dreaming of sunny skies and sandy beaches.

Beautiful Banff Wedding

2009-02-20T23:54:00.005-07:00

Check out this beautiful story board of a recent Banff wedding photographed by the immensely talented Rafal of RW Photo. If you are a Calgary bride perhaps you are considering or currently planning a mountain wedding in Banff. If you are not a local but are looking for stunning backdrop for your destination wedding then perhaps Banff, Alberta is the location for you! Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and stunning mountain views, Banff is the destination of choice of a growing number of brides. It offers venues ranging from grand and elegant to rustic and comfortable to intimate and sophisticated. No matter what your wedding day vision or budget, Banff has something to offer every bride and groom to make their wedding day a dream come true. If you are looking for assistance in planning your perfect Banff wedding we would love to help. Contact us at Inspired Occasions for your free initial meeting. We would love to hear all about your plans for your once in a life time wedding celebration.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T16:18:00.003-07:00

Photo: Alan Maudie

Bridal Beauty

2009-02-11T17:11:00.005-07:00

There are very few times in a woman's life when she will feel as beautiful as she does on her wedding day. In order for your full beauty to shine you need to feel comfortable and confident in your photographer's ability to capture you at your most radiant. Take a look at these stunning images captured by Calgary wedding photographer Rafal Wegiel.
I love everything about this first image. The beauty, the history, the stillness, the power.

I am a huge fan of day after wedding shoots (trash the dress as they are known in some circles) where you can really rock your wedding dress and do things you might not otherwise. It always makes for memorable photos and lots of fun!

All Photos: RW Photo

Celebrate Your Love with Engagement Photos

2009-02-10T10:31:00.010-07:00

Engagement season is in full swing. Did you know that the majority of engagements occur between December and February? That being the case I thought I would feature some cool and colourful engagement photos to inspire you. Engagement photos are a great opportunity to showcase your love, your personalities and your interests. They are also the perfect opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day ensuring you'll look nothing short of your very best. So find a photographer whose style you love and have fun with it!

Photo: Claire Cocheme

Photo: Alan Maudie

Photo: tlaw photography

Photo: As I See it Photography

Amazing Valentine's Day Contest - Boudoir Photos

2009-02-09T12:24:00.006-07:00

If you have ever wanted to feel glamorous, beautiful, and sensual than I have the contest for you! Erica Tait is once again holding a contest on her boudoir blog and it is definitely something you don't want to miss out on. The winner will receive a free boudoir photo session complete with hair and make-up AND a custom album complete with your stunning images. Erica is truly professional and will make even the shyest among you feel confident and beautiful! She knows how to photograph a woman's body and will highlight your best features. You will look like a model in a magazine, only better! I had the privilege of booking Erica to take boudoir photos of me just over a year ago and I couldn't get over how amazing she made me look. Her talent is immense. Combine that with being professional and one of the nicest people you could hope to meet and you have a recipe for a once in a life time experience. Hurry over to her blog for details on how to enter. If you aren't the lucky winner then you should definitely sign up for one of her boudoir marathons. You won't be disappointed!

Photo: Erica Tait

The Story from Behind

2009-02-04T09:11:00.003-07:00

With some wedding dresses the real story is told from behind. Check out these amazing real brides rocking some stunning gowns with glorious, glorious details!

I LOVE the vintage feel of this first one and the sumptuous details dripping from the train.

WOW! This wedding dress is equal parts stunning and sassy and this bride definitely knows how to work it.

First two photos credit: Fuller Edge

This last dress is one part classic, one part elegant, and dash of sexy thrown in for good measure...simply divine.

Photo credit: Orange Girl Photographs

Bye Bye Wedding Dress

2009-01-30T10:24:00.006-07:00

By now you have probably heard about Trash the Dress photo sessions. These occur following the wedding, sometimes the next day and sometimes down the road, perhaps on your first anniversary. They are an opportunity to capture some unique and artistic images of you (and your groom if he's up for it) rocking your wedding attire in ways that you might not have felt comfortable doing on your wedding day. I prefer to think of them as Rock the Dress sessions since the word "trash" scares a lot of people and these sessions do not have to harm your dress in any way. I myself did one of these sessions the day after my wedding and I LOVED IT!!! It was such an invigorating process and I couldn't have been more thrilled with the end result. I highly recommend doing one (and no my dress did not get trashed even though we were in a lake and rolling around in sand)! It was a great opportunity for my husband and I to spend some quality one-on-one time following the whirlwind of the wedding day and we got some stunning images that we look at on a daily basis. (I'll post some images from my very own Rock the Dress session in the coming weeks).

Enough about me though...the reason for this post is I am so excited about a new joint venture between Confetti Films and Edward Ross Photography that I just had to share! These two companies have collaborated on a new project called Bye Bye Wedding Dress. Not only will you have the opportunity to have beautiful fashion forward images taken of you and your spouse by Edward and his team, you also will receive a stunning cinematography style film created to capture your session. Just to be clear I am not talking about videography, I'm talking cinematography. If you have ever wanted to feel like a movie star in a major motion picture, Confetti Films is the company to go to. They are true artists and they don't just film, they tell a story...your story. The combined talent of Edward Ross Photography and Confetti Films is out of this world. In fact I can't stop thinking about the images and film they created back in December. (The four pictures featured above are from this very session. You'll have to visit Confetti Films blog to check out their video clip...it is definitely worth the trip). I am seriously trying to figure out how long it will take me to lose enough weight to fit back into my wedding dress so that my hubby and I can have our very own Bye Bye Wedding Dress session.

Personalize your Reception...Part 2

2009-01-26T11:03:00.008-07:00

We have all seen the standard guest book at weddings and well...they are just that, standard. Does anyone really ever look at them again? If you are wanting to remember the guests who came to celebrate your wedding day why not kick it up a notch an introduce something that you will actually look back on over the years? Get creative and have some fun with it. Your guests will appreciate the extra effort and you will have a keepsake that you will actually treasure (and not something that just sits in a box collecting dust).

1. Engagement Photo Guest Book

This is a great way to display (and show off) your engagement photos. Your guests will enjoy flipping through the pages selecting just the right spot to leave their well wishes. Most photographers offer an engagement guest book option in their a la carte section. You can also DIY at places like picaboo and My Publisher. If you want to be really creative you can even help your guests with ideas by including headers such as: Give Us an Idea for a Date Night..., When Did You First Know that We Were Meant to Be Together..., Share Your Advice for a Strong Marriage..., etc.

Photo: Kimberly Brooke

2. Photo Booth Scrap Book

Rent a Photo Booth or have your photographer set one up in a corner of the room. Have your guests leave a copy of their photo along with their comments in a blank guest book. This idea also works well if you want to create a Polaroid guest book. You can provide questions (or missions) for your guests (ie. Find someone who has travelled to Calgary, Scotland and take a picture with this person). It gives your guests something to do during the cocktail hour and allows guests to mingle who might not otherwise. You end up with a great scrapbook as well.

Photo: Wedding Bee

3. Type Writer

Provide a type writer and some blank paper and let your guests fingers to the talking! This would be great if the bride or groom was a writer or if you were planning a vintage inspired wedding.
Photo: Wedding Bee

4. Wish Tree

This is a great option as it can add a decor element to your room and can be rustic, whimsical or elegant depending on how you choose to accessorize.
Photos: Here Comes the Guide

6. Wish bowl

This is the same idea as the Wish Tree just using a glass vessel instead.

7. Signature Mat

This is another way to display one of your engagement photos and you can proudly display it in your home following the wedding.

8. Wine Bottle

Pick a favourite vintage or perhaps a specialty wine that you have selected to serve at your wedding. Have your guests sign all around the bottle and then save it for your 1st or 10th anniversary. If you are having a large wedding you could have several bottles available for guests to sign and then open them on different anniversaries. This would also be a nice keep sake from your rehearsal dinner with the signatures of your wedding party and close family.
Photo: Knottie - andrea88

9. Signature Platter

This is a great idea, especially if you like to entertain. You can pull it out whenever you host a special get together.
Photo: Say Anything Ceramics

10. Wedding Quilt

This takes some organization and additional effort on the part of your guests but the rewards are well worth it! Creating a quilt with different squares crafted by your guests is sure to be a family heirloom that will be passed down through the generations. If you can arrange to have your guests send back their squares well in advance of the wedding you could have the quilt assembled and proudly displayed on your wedding day for all of your guests to see.
Photo: Lara Swanson Photo via Life Love Lipstick

11. Cookbook or Recipe Cards

If you love to cook then how about providing one of your favourite cookbooks with beautiful pictures for your guests? Your guests could then sign on pages that have some of their most treasured recipes. If you're lucky they might even share some of their tips and tricks for elevating the recipe to the next level. Then each time you pull out that cookbook over the years you will be reminded of the love and good wishes of your very special guests.

Alternatively you could ask guests to bring their favourite recipe (on a recipe card you mailed out with your invitation) and leave it in a recipe box provided on the welcome table. You could have some spare cards available for guests who don't bring a recipe card with them...perhaps they will be inclined to share their recipe for a successful marriage. Following the wedding you can try out the recipes your guests so thoughtfully shared.

12. Travel Book

Why not pick up a coffee table book featuring stunning images of the destination you plan to honeymoon at? Guests can sign pages of the book or leave comments or suggestions about the best sights, sounds and eats if they have travelled to the region before. It is sure to be a great keepsake that you will look back on fondly over the years.

Winter Engagement Photography

2009-01-19T16:41:00.004-07:00

For all of you out there planning an engagement photo session during this snowy time of year take advantage of your surroundings and have some fun! Play up the season by wearing some brightly coloured accessories such a toques, scarfs, and mitts. If you're feeling particularly adventurous you could even engage in a (playful) snowball fight which always makes for some fun photographs. Still not convinced? Check out these Calgary photographers who captured fabulous images of couples braving the elements to create some unique and colourful winter engagement photos.

Above two photos credit: Claire Cocheme

Above three photos credit: tlaw photography

Whimsical Hair Accessories

2009-01-19T12:06:00.010-07:00

One part whimsy, one part drama and all over style is how I would describe these amazing hair flowers designed by K Autumn. If you haven't discovered K Autumn yet stop by her site and check out her amazing work. These hair flowers are perfect for brides seeking an alternative to a veil or as a complement to either a birdcage or traditional veil. If you are a style savvy bride and are looking to make a statement on your big day then this may just be THE accessory for you. I love them so much I'm thinking about doing another Rock the Dress session (yes I have already done one and LOVED it) just so that I can sport one of these babies!

Any Calgary brides out there planning to wear one of these amazing creations on your wedding day? If so, we'd love to hear about it and share a picture of you rocking your very own K Autumn floral hair piece with our readers. Drop us a line and tell us all about it.

All photos from K Autumn's website.

Whimsical Bouquets

2009-01-14T15:40:00.008-07:00

In keeping with the theme of my last post, I thought I would share some whimsical bouquet ideas. Whether the medium is floral or not, you can create something memorable to accentuate your special day.

I love the above bouquet and these boutonnieres from Katie Elfers. The vivid colours and mix of textures is simply divine!
Check out this other amazing bouquet from Katie Elfers. Again the mix of textures and unexpected elements make it equal parts elegant and whimsical. I just adore the addition of the peacock feathers.

If you're looking for something other than a traditional bouquet made of fresh flowers then feast your eyes on these amazing button bouquets and boutonnieres from lil fish studios. They offer up the perfect whimsical and vintage vibe for the bride looking to make a distinct statement. They are just too cute!

Whimsical DIY Inspired Wedding Ideas

2009-01-09T15:39:00.017-07:00

If all this winter weather has you dreaming of warmer, brighter days then perhaps you'll enjoy these images that I think are just perfect for those looking for both simple DIY wedding ideas as well whimsical wedding elements to incorporate into their special day. If not for your wedding then perhaps a birthday party, baby shower or other upcoming celebration.

How cute would these DIY Pinwheel Seating Cards be stuck upright in a tray of grass? Visit Vintage Glam Weddings for step-by-step instructions and to download the template.

Check out these delightful flowers. These would be a simple DIY flower project. You can grab shot glasses (to use as mini vases) as well as the taller slim vases at the dollar store making this a super affordable project. Add some coordinating ribbon from your local craft store and viola, you are done! Flowers can be ordered inexpensively from places like COSTCO or even your local super market.

Above 3 Photos credit: Rae Leytham Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

How about incorporating some colourful signature drinks. These are sure to delight your many thirsty guests.

Blue Cocktail Photo credit: Meg Baisden Photography

What would be better suited to a whimsical theme than one of these delightful cakes by Pink Cake Box?
Is there anything more precious than a fairy flower girl??? Photo credit: Anna Kuperberg

Any Calgary brides out there looking to incorporate whimsical design elements into their wedding day? If so we'd love to hear from you and share your ideas with our readers.

Contest Winner

2009-01-07T09:25:00.003-07:00

January 7th has finally arrived and it's time for me to announce the winner of the contest for the 16 Personalized Out-of-Town Welcome Bags. Before I do I just want to say that I appreciate all of the wonderful entries I received. The entries rolled in at an astounding rate and I was so touched by all of your stories and inspired by your amazing and unique wedding day visions. Choosing just one winner has been such a difficult task. For all those who entered and did not win the prize I am offering 20% off the cost of any items from the boutique (until the end of February 2009) which would make up the Out-of-Town Welcome Bags.

Since the contest was so popular I have decided to continue the giving by offering periodic contests in the future so check back regularly for your chance to win fantastic prizes from Inspired Occasions.

Now to announce the winner. Drum roll please...

Congratulations to Hero and Kurtis who will be married on June 6, 2009! I was so moved by your story and all of the amazing personal touches you have incorporated into your special day to make your guests feel truly honoured and appreciated.

Winter Weddings

2009-01-05T15:12:00.011-07:00

For all of you out there dreaming of or planning your perfect winter wedding, I hope you have the wonderful snow-blanketed backdrop you are dreaming of. Winter can be such a romantic time of year...everything (if you're lucky) is covered in sparkly white snow and the addition of candles during your ceremony and reception is sure to set the perfect mood by casting the softest of glows. Even if you don't luck out with snow on your special day, if your pocket book allows you can always have some created just for you. Check out these gorgeous winter wedding pictures!

Snowy Backdrop: David Barrs Photography via: The View Point Inn
Snow in the city: Genevieve Albert Photography
Snow Angel and Heart photos: Shandro Photo
Outdoor Winter Wedding Guests: HeiBlog
Winter Wonderland First Dance: Alan Maudie

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T11:28:00.007-07:00

Another fabulous year has come and gone. I am grateful for all of the adventures and accomplishments of 2008 and hope 2009 brings much happiness, peace and love to everyone.

In celebration of this special day I thought I would share some stunning images from Kristina and Ben's New Year's Eve wedding photographed by Alberta's own Whitley Goodman Photography one year ago today. This talented duo is based out of Edmonton, AB which is the perfect setting for a snow blanketed park in which to capture a romantic sunset image such as the one pictured below.

Cheers to the New Year and happy first anniversary Kristina and Ben!

All images courtesy of Whitley Goodman Photography blog.

Contest

2008-12-23T12:21:00.002-07:00

Don't forget to enter my CONTEST for a chance to win 16 Personalized Out-of-Town Welcome Bags for your guests. The contest closes December 31, 2008.

Personalize Your Wedding Garter

2008-12-23T11:49:00.005-07:00

If you are looking for a simple project to personalize your wedding day and pay tribute to your new hubby at the same time, consider making (or buying) a custom garter. There are countless online retailers who can create garters to suite your specific needs. If you have a little time on your hands and want to save a few dollars, why not make one yourself?

If you’re looking for a simple and inexpensive way to personalize your garter without any sewing involved check out this one I created to pay tribute to my hubby’s love of hockey, specifically the Calgary Flames. To create this garter I purchased an inexpensive plain white garter from the dollar store, made two bows incorporating the Flame’s theme colours and attached them to the garter using a Calgary Flames pin. This was a great no-sew project that totaled less than $10.00.
Here is a link to a site with simple DIY instructions if you are feeling a little crafty. This would be great if you want to incorporate fabric in specific colours. You could also use remnants from your dress or you could create one using fabric or lace from your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress to add your “something old” and create an extra special keepsake.

Just Married

2008-12-16T11:50:00.003-07:00

Announce your new "Just Married" status in a big way! I love these images from Whitney Lee via Offbeat Bride. Think outside of the box and find distinct ways to express your unique personalities...after all it is YOUR big day.

Real Wedding - DIY Masterpiece

2008-12-15T16:40:00.015-07:00

Check out this amazing real wedding that was recently featured on Once Wed. I absolutely LOVE everything about this DIY inspired celebration. The bride and groom infused their wedding celebration with elements reflective of their personalities, interests and dating history to create a one-of-a-kind celebration that was fun and fabulous.

Win a Free Portrait Session in Calgary!

2008-12-11T12:03:00.003-07:00

If you are located in Calgary (or planning to visit anytime soon) swing by t law photography's blog to enter a contest to win a free one hour portrait session. It's super easy to enter and who doesn't love free stuff? To learn more about Terence's style and what kind of pictures you can expect check out t law photography's website here.

Personalize Your Wedding Day Attire

2008-12-11T11:19:00.011-07:00

Here are a few ideas to personalize your wedding day attire and even add in your “something blue” to boot!

1. It's important to wear something comfortable and easy to remove for the morning of while you are busy getting ready. Why not have a custom hoodie made to mark the occasion? There are many suppliers who offer “Soon to be Mrs. Smith” or "Future Mrs. Smith" hoodies for just this occasion. My personal favourite are the ones that say your new name and Est. with your wedding date as pictured on Knottie OKCBride2B below. This way you can wear them long after the wedding day!

2. Have your monogram and wedding date or your new name embroidered in blue and then have it sewn into your dress. If you decide not to keep your wedding dress you can always keep this little memento of your special day. Alternatively you could have your monogram embroidered in blue onto your garter. Just be sure this one doesn't get tossed!

Monogrammed dress tag: Knottie meg&ksexton via Wedding Bee

Dress tag featuring new name: Jason Angelini Photography

Monogrammed Garter: Knottie meg&ksexton

Add a little dazzle to the under side of your wedding shoes by applying blue rhinestones. You could include your monogram, your wedding date or a cute little message such as "I Do!"

Rhinestone embellished shoes: Inspired Goodness

Keep in mind that monogramming CAN go too far. I once saw a picture where the bride had large monogams embroidered across the tops of the bridesmaid dresses. Just say no to this kind of idea! I wish I could locate the picture for your viewing pleasure but alas I can't recall where I saw it.

Beyond the Candy Buffet

2008-12-09T14:07:00.010-07:00

Candy Buffet: Amy Atlas via Blush

Popcorn Buffet: via Once Wed

Cookie Buffet: Rebecca Thuss

The candy buffet has become hugely popular at weddings during recent years. Guests young and old seem to line up in droves to get in on the action of selecting their favourite sweet treats. If you are looking for an alternative to this wedding favourite think about other foods you really love that are sure to be a hit with your guests as well. How about a popcorn buffet where you can offer both sweet and savory selections? Cookie buffets are another great option. You could bake some of your favourite family recipes and even provide the recipes for guests eager to reproduce the delectable treats at home. If you are a chocolate lover why not think beyond the fountain and create a delicious display of truffles that would make anyone's mouth water. I'd love to hear your ideas.

DIY Monogram Door Hanger

2008-12-08T12:35:00.004-07:00

Monogram door hanger: Thrifty Decor Chick's blog
Monograms continue to play a popular role in wedding design elements. Check out this great DIY version that is perfect for hanging on your front door over the holidays or could be adapted to fit your wedding theme by using moss or flowers instead. If you are going for something more rustic you could shape your initials out of a coat hanger and then attach twigs to complete the look. For something truly simple, just paint the cardboard letters in your colours and viola, you are done! Enjoy!

Contest!!!

2008-11-27T12:52:00.007-07:00

Tis the season of giving and in honour of that we are launching our first giveaway contest here at Inspired Occasions. The winner will receive 16 Personalized Out of Town Welcome Bags for their upcoming wedding. This prize pack will be customized to include your wedding colours and personalized with your monogram and wedding date on the front of the bag, personalized water bottle labels with your wedding colours and monogram or picture, chocolate bars wrapped in your wedding colours personalized with your names and wedding date, and welcome brochures to let your guests know about the upcoming festivities and provide details with your recommended best sights and tastiest eats in the city. This prize is valued at over $100.00.

The contest is open to residents of Canada and the U.S.A. and closes December 31, 2008 so be sure to get your entry in early. A winner will be selected by Inspired Occasions and announced by January 7, 2009.

To enter send an email to terra@inspiredoccasions.ca. Be sure to write CONTEST in the subject line. Include your wedding date along with a brief description of you and your fiancé, your vision for your upcoming wedding day and why it’s important for you to welcome your guests in style.

Monogrammed Welcome Bag and Personalized Water Bottle: Inspired Occasions

Personalized Chocolate Bar: Inspired Occasions

Out of Town Welcome Brochure: Inspired Occasions

Out of Town Welcome Bags

2008-11-27T11:43:00.007-07:00

A Welcome in Grand Style Via All Things Lovely

Welcome Bags Four Ways Via The Destination Diva

Comforts of Home Welcome Bag via Better Homes and Garden

If you are hosting a destination wedding then it is likely that all of your guests will be travelling to help you celebrate your special day. Even if you are having a local wedding you will probably have many out of town guests travelling from near and far to help you celebrate your wedding. Given this, more and more couples are opting to host events throughout the wedding weekend. Some choose to host a cocktail reception to welcome guests or a casual BBQ a day or two before the wedding. Another common event is the day after brunch, often hosted by a relative of the couple. Another increasingly popular trend is the Out of Town (OOT) Welcome Bag or Basket. These can be simple or extravagant depending on your budget, number of OOT guests and your wedding theme. What a wonderful greeting for your guests to arrive in their hotel room after a long journey to find a bag or basket filled with some water and snacks along with information about the weekend's festivities and local area attractions.

For a beach wedding, you may also consider including: sunscreen, flip flops, and a beach towel and then package it all in a handy beach tote

For a local wedding, why not add some local treats that can only be found in your city such as specialty chocolate, local coffee or nuts, etc.

For a winery wedding, you might want to include a bottle of chardonnay or merlow from the local region or better yet from the winery where your nuptials will be held

To help guests feel at home you could include: slippers and a book or some magazines

To ensure your guests feel pampered you could create a spa themed welcome basket with a scented candle, body lotion, a CD with soothing music and a comfy pair of pj's

Personalize Your Reception...Part 1

2008-11-21T17:15:00.013-07:00

Engagement Photo Table Number via Inspired Occasions

Picture Table Number Through the Years - The Knot via Julie Jelliffe

Wine Bottle Table Number via Martha Stewart

House numbers via Brooklyn Bride

Rhinestone Table Number via Wedluxe

Decoupage Table Numbers Ashley Bartoletti Photography

I often get asked for ideas on how to personalize wedding receptions so that it is a true reflection of the couple. The truth is their are so many things couple's can do to personalize their special day and you don't need a huge budget to pull it off. A little creativity can go a long way. Today I will share some simple ways to personalize your reception by using unique table numbers. Below are just some ideas to get your creativity flowing:

1. Photos. You could showcase your engagement photos, utilizing a different photo at each table. You could show off your cute fur babies by taking different pictures of your dogs or cats for each table. You could use childhood pictures and coordinate the age you were in the picture with the table number. These are just some ways to incorporate pictures...I'm sure you can think of some great ideas too!

2. Love! You could name each table love in a different language. (Ex. Adore (French), Ai (Chinese), etc.) or you could incorporate different love quotes into each table number. Why not include your monogram and wedding date too for extra personalization?

3. Hobbies. Why not name each table after some of your favourite hobbies. You could even include a brief description about whose hobby it is and why you enjoy it. (Ex. Photography, Swimming, Fishing, etc.)

4. Travels. You could name each table after places you've travelled. You could even use a picture from the location or a postcard if you have one.

5. Famous People. You could name each table after different famous couples, different famous people you admire, etc.

6. Wine. If you are serving wine at your wedding, you could have the bottle double as a table number. You could personalize the number label with the same colours and design you used on your invitations or even use pictures, as described in #1. If you are a wine lover, you could name each table after different kinds of wine (Ex. Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlow, etc.)

7. Significant Numbers/Dates. (Ex. the day you met, the year you are getting married, the age you were when you first started dating, the house address you grew up at, etc.)

8. Incorporating Your Design Scheme. If you are having a rustic affair, why not use wooden numbers or old metal house numbers? If you want a lot of bling, you could create rhinestone encrusted table numbers. If you are going for a casual but pretty theme, you could decoupage numbers in papers that compliment your colour scheme.

Winter White

2008-11-19T16:36:00.005-07:00

There is something about the first snowfall that is immensely romantic. The glimmer of the freshly fallen snow and the the way the world seems to slow down when covered in a blanket of white. Although rich reds are often associated with the season and certainly bring an element of warm to the room, there is something so classic and romantic about an all white wedding that it's worth considering in any season. Inspired by the elements, I thought I would post a few pictures in celebration of the classic nature of white with some bling thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!

Bouquet: Beckers Blog via Fresh Floral Art

Dress: Jim Hjelm

Cake: Project Wedding

Love is in the Details...

2008-11-18T13:11:00.003-07:00

Claire Cocheme, a local photographer here in Calgary, was kind enough to send over this gorgeous montage of images she captured at the recent wedding of Jenna and Mike held at the Palliser Hotel. Red roses are a classic symbol of love...how romantic. I think these details would be perfect for an upcoming Christmas or Valentine's inspired wedding too! If you haven't checked out Claire's blog lately, definitely stop by. She has captured some amazing images this fall with the changing colours and gorgeous sunlight. Pure bliss....