the little white dress

Calm Your Pre-Ceremony Jitters Without Breaking Tradition!!

2011-07-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

Many couples nowadays are breaking with the tradition (and superstition) of not seeing each other before the walk down the aisle. It gives the opportunity of a "first look" type photoshoot, and also tends to really ease the inevitable jitters that you're having before your ceremony.

However...this isn't for everybody! Some couples want the thrill of seeing each other for the first time moments before they say their "I do's", and to keep the tradition. So here's a brilliant idea for the traditionalists, so that you too can ease your jitters (and get some ADORABLE shots!!)

Photo by Gina Leigh

To read more about the "behind the door" photoshoot, the couple pictured above, and why they chose to do such a shoot - check out the full blog post titled: "Wedding Recap: Behind the Door" on Peanut Butter Fingers! It's SO worth the read, might have teared up a touch! :)

Enjoy!

Hair-do Hangups!

2011-06-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

Struggling to know what to do with your hair on your big day?

Photo from One Lovely Day blog

There are so many things that contribute to your wedding day hairstyle - and the way you wear your hair will make a big difference in completing your overall look.

Ask yourself a few questions:

First - What is the vibe of the wedding? Super formal black tie? Laid back outdoor soirée? If it is outdoors, will the wind be an issue if you wear your hair down?
Second - What kind of neckline, detail, and jewelry are you working with? Do you have stunning earrings and a strapless dress you'd like to show off? Will you have a big chunky necklace and just some sparkly studs?
Third - and most importantly - When you've had your hair done in the past, when did you feel the most beautiful?

Photo by Nashan Photographers

Photo by Jose Villa Photography

Veil or no veil, down and flowy, half up, a loose up do, a princess updo, or the newly trendy fascinators?! My suggestion to you is to do some research, hunt around, check wedding blogs daily - they will give you a wide range of brides, and in turn a wide range of hairstyle inspirations!

Photo by bee photographie

Photo by KT Merry Photography

Photo by Renaissance Studios

Photo by Sara Donaldson

And lastly, and most importantly, whatever you do, don't get fed up with your hair at the stage it is at right now and chop it all off on a whim - I promise you, you will not be happy come your wedding day!!
(Ok - this is a bit extreme, but seriously, don't do it!!!!)

Vintage Teacup Craze!

2011-05-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

Teacups - not just for tea anymore! Vintage teacups have taken the wedding world by storm! They are a beautiful and fun addition to almost any wedding decor. From centrepieces to cake toppers to little floral displays in the washrooms - teacups provide a great pop of colour and texture and are ideal for showcasing little bunches of flowers...or anything really!

For a demo on how to make the floral display below check out Ruffled Blog's step by step DIY instructions!

2011 Wedding Trends

2011-01-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

So - after being completely caught off guard yesterday afternoon by a spontaneous interview with Mr. David Vallee of Rich Bride Poor Bride at the Wedding Dreams Winter Show, I started thinking more about his question.

"What would you say are the trends for weddings in 2011?"
At the time, dumbfounded by the cameras, I came up with some gibberish answer to fill time, but after thinking about it I realized that this is probably something that people would be interested in knowing.

So, here we go. In my perspective the trends for weddings in 2011 are:

SHABBY CHIC
By shabby chic I mean basically every wedding that graces the pages of Style Me Pretty (http://www.stylemepretty.com/) - my absolute FAVOURITE blog for wedding ideas and inspiration. The days of stuffy and extravagant decor have gone by the wayside and in their place simple, rustic and romantic elegance has taken over. Photos say so much more than words! :) So please please check out the SMP blog! You'll be very happy you did!

MIX AND MATCH
This concept can be taken in so many different ways. From mixing and matching colours, bridal party attire, to centrepieces for the reception -the ideas are endless. But the point of all of them is that weddings these days are no longer so contrived and stiff feeling. Why do bridesmaids dresses have to match -they don't! Why do bouquets all have to be the same - they don't! Why does one table's centrepiece have to replicate the next - it doesn't! I always encourage my brides to do something different just to add that visual interest in photos and to make their wedding different from the next. Whether it's using an old beautiful mismatched beer bottle collection as flower vases on the tables, to having guy's wear all different shades of grey. This trend is one that isn't going to go away anytime soon.

VINTAGE INSPIRATION
Vintage Vintage Vintage. Vintage items from birdcage veils and classic dresses, to old fashioned cars and antique jewelry is all the rage on the wedding scene. It adds such a romantic yet glamorous aspect to your wedding day! And even if you can't afford expensive vintage Chanel or YSL (as most of us can't) - check out sites like Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/) and hunt around. You can find really amazing things that will set your wedding apart from the masses!

EXPRESS YOURSELF
This is the one day where you get to have everything exactly as you'd like - but don't follow the typical trends and make choices that are safe - think outside of the box and really be you! It's all about the details in today's weddings, and couple's are finding really beautiful and personal ways to incorporate quirky things about themselves as a couple and throughout their relationship into their day. Maybe your wedding cake is a pie that is a famous recipe and has been in the family for years or perhaps a you've come up with a super unique guest book! (Example - taking pieces of glass or ceramic, having guest's sign the pieces, and then as a fun couples project on a post-wedding weekend you can create a cool mosaic piece that you'll have forever, and you'll have the memory of creating it as well!)

Wedding Dreams Winter Show!

2011-01-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

The Wedding Dreams Winter Show is having their biggest grand prize draw EVER and we're so excited to be a part of it. There are so many other great local vendors involved as well, and one lucky couple will win their dream wedding!

So come check out the The Little White Dress at the Wedding Dreams Winter Show, held this Saturday and Sunday (January 8th and 9th) at Bingeman's Conference Centre (425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener) from 10am-5pm! All you have to do is show up to enter! So stop by - what do you have to lose :)

Winter Weddings

2011-01-02T15:13:00.000-08:00

I know that winter weddings have always seemed to kind of "break the mould", as they're not commonly done. But after doing an absolutely incredible wedding on December 30th, 2010 I have a whole new appreciation for the true beauty of a wintery wedding.

From the beautiful and luxurious colour schemes, to the incredible pieces that you can add to your attire, the possibilities are endless - and the outcome...oh so chic!

So when thinking of when your wedding day, don't discount the beauty of the winter season! Not only are the prices of almost all vendors much lower since this is the off season, but your guests will be pleasantly surprised with the change from the typical summer nuptials.

A Patty's Day Party

2010-03-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

Having a wedding theme is a lot of fun, and gives the guests something to strive for in their attire choices also! Green's are absolutely gorgeous and act as a neutral when paired with all sorts of other colours! Have fun with it :)

Here is some quick inspiration for planning a St. Patty's day wedding!!!

Gloves Gloves Gloves!

2010-03-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Gloves are so much fun!

The traditional bridal glove was long and went up the forearm, but that isn’t written in stone! Women’s motorcycle gloves are becoming a staple for winter gloves and celebs are starting to wear them as stylish addition to their red carpet looks. Be a trend setter. How cool would a pair of motorcycle inspired gloves be. Whether in white or in your wedding colour(s) be.

Check out these vintage looks on Etsy for inspiration, and spice up your wedding attire!

http://www.etsy.com/category/vintage/accessories/gloves?page=1

"Bling" It On!

2010-02-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

So just over a week ago, a friend gave me the Living section of the Toronto Star (February 11, 2010) and it was all about weddings! One of the featured articles was titled 'Bridal Bling' and it got me thinking!

The classic bride wore a plain white dress and veil, and that was about it. It was all about modesty for the woman getting married, and breaking the mould was unheard of. These days, with the incredible bridal fashions....from dresses to jewelry, headpieces to shoes, and all the beading a girl could dream of at your fingertips...why not spice it up a bit!? Do something unexpected, yet glamorous and fun!

As brides start to glam up their Wedding Day Wardrobe more and more we're becoming accustomed to seeing some 'bling' on the lady at the alter...but what about the groom?

As the article states, at the end of Chanel's newest fashion collection, that hit the runway in Paris a few weeks ago, the 'groom' came down the runway in a 'shimmering silver suit'. While I definitely don't think the groom should "outshine the bride" on their wedding day, as he most certainly did in the Chanel instance (despite her obvious attempts!!), I think the men should get a chance to add a little something to their attire!

While it's becoming more and more common for men to have diamonds in their wedding bands, they still tend to "tone it down" on the wedding day.

The day is about the bride and the groom coming together! I think the men would like a little something to feel special too!! :) Cufflinks? A watch? A pocket watch even? (I personally think these are making a come back!!) Use your imagination! Just as long as you don't go too wild...I mean, let's keep the 'BeDazzler' in out of it!

Check out the Toronto Star article:

http://www.thestar.com/living/fashion/article/763375--bridal-bling#article

Secrets from a Certified Wedding Planner - Secrets to Saving

2010-02-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

So, here we are…first blog post. As a planner and friend to many brides, I am discovering that the big issue at the forefront of couples’ minds is their wedding budget. Often, so many couples aren’t aware of little tricks and trade secrets to planning a wallet-friendly wedding because, well, getting married isn’t something we do every day! So for my first post, I thought I would tackle one of the first issues couples face – here are my secrets to saving money on your big day:

Bar – This is such a tricky issue for so many couples! Open bar, consumption bar, or cash bar…what to do?! The bar is often a large expense to undertake and alternatives are hard to come by. Why not try a wine and beer bar so the guests are limited to these two drink choices? This keeps all expensive liquors out of the picture completely yet still allows it to feel like an open bar. Another option is to serve wine at dinner while closing the bar, and have a limited selection of liquors available afterwards (that you, of course, specify beforehand). Additionally, including one signature drink related to your wedding colour or theme is a great way to add personal flair and limit too many expensive options.

Flowers - Flowers can be a hefty expense as they often make up the majority of the décor budget. The trick here is to get creative. If flowers are what you’re looking for and have always imagined, then my tips would be to get your florist to help you to decide on some local, and in season flowers. This will help to lower the costs. However, if your vision isn’t set in stone and you don’t mind steering away from traditional flower décor, there are some amazing things that can be done with fruit, candles, certain grasses, or even feathers these days! Last year I saw a wedding which used oversized lollipops as bridal party bouquets. Think outside the box!

DJ – The DJ is one of two areas where personally, I don’t think you should necessarily try to “skimp” (the second area being your photographer). The DJ has more of an impact on an event than you might think. Essentially, they can make or break the party! My secret for DJs is to do your research. Talk to as many people as you can about people they had at their weddings, or have liked at other weddings, what their DJ-ing style was (whether interactive, or background). Use social networking sites to your advantage. Try posting “Know any good DJs?” on Twitter or Facebook and be prepared for several suggestions. Firsthand references are always best and may even end up getting you a deal. Make sure that whoever you choose clicks with you and your fiancé’s personalities.

Food – Similarly to flowers, having your venue serve local, and seasonal foods will help to decrease the costs of your meal. Also, the serving style you choose can increase or decrease your costs accordingly. Generally speaking, serving a buffet style meal will save you some cash! Dessert is another area where you could save some money. If you always wanted a great late dessert selection but couldn’t afford it, talk to your venue about allowing special “family” treats later on in the night. Even venues that have strict “no outside food” policies often bend the rules for grandma’s special butter tarts or an old family recipe from the homeland.

Venue – The best way to really save money on your dream venue would be to book in their off-season. Typically the “off-season” in the wedding world begins in October/November and runs until March/April. Think about having a fall or winter wedding! With natural colours and lots of candles to bring warmth, the ideas are endless (and gorgeous btw)! But if you’ve always dreamed of being a spring bride, you can save big by booking on a Friday or Sunday. In some instances, an automatic 50% is knocked off the price.

Transportation – 6 months, 1 year, 3 years after your wedding - who is going to remember what type of vehicle you arrived in?! Unless someone is a major car connoisseur…probably not a lot of people! Maybe opt instead for a school bus…there’s something retro and fun about a school bus! Another option is to rent a few smaller vehicles for the day – hybrid vehicles perhaps?! Or even better for your bank account…just ask a few people to drive you and your wedding party to your venue! Now, not only are you saving your hard earned cash, you’re being good to the environment as well!

Guest favours – DIY is hot! (As long as it doesn’t look like a 4 year old made it!) DIY guest favours can be a lot of fun, and are the perfect way to add a personal touch to your wedding that guests will remember and enjoy! It’s a great way to get your creative juices flowing and gives you full control over the finished product! Some ideas: Bake cookies with your grandma’s secret family cookie recipe! Or why not give each guest a gift basket of herbs and spices that you often use to make your favourite meal, print out the ingredients and cooking instructions for the meal so your guests can try it themselves at home!? Maybe some incredible cooking oils that have your monogram or names and wedding date on them! Or perhaps a relative of yours makes the best pasta sauce in the world and you could convince them to make up some jars. If your wedding is in the winter, why not buy some warm and practical (but cute) socks!! People are bound to keep, and even USE socks!!

Attire – Shop locally, rent suits/get the guys to wear something they already have. Bridesmaids can either all wear a similar dress shade, or if you want them all in the same dress stay away from bridal shops! Go to a regular mall and just buy dresses there! I’m sure you will find current chic styles and will get a lot more bang for your buck. Even better…does anyone in your family sew (a grandma, an aunt)?! Pick some fabric and a really cute pattern and ask them if they’d do you the honour (it could be their wedding present for you!) Oh, and forget about trying to match everyone’s shoes already! The fact is that everyone’s feet are different and most of your friends would probably rather wear a pair of their own shoes that they know are comfortable!

Cake – Often so much of the cake goes to waste! It is a lovely idea to have a big gorgeous cake on display at the reception, and if that is what you’ve always dreamed of then you can make it work. Ask your cake vendor to cover fake tiers to make up the majority of the cake, and just one tier that you can cut for the tradition of the cake cutting! Then you can serve a slab cake that is hiding in the kitchen! No one will know! Or, if you’re not as worried about everyone having cake, have a tiny cake to cut, but serve a completely different dessert!

Happy planning!

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks and fresh, new ideas!!