The most stolen wedding book of all time.

This book has been replaced in our library five times now. It really seems to capture the best of options for creating a more personalized wedding ceremony.
I think what seems to be the draw to it is that its written so that you can pull pieces from different sections of the book, without having to read every single page. And you don't feel like the book is "trying" to teach you something.
Rather than take my fifth copy of the book, you can order here from Amazon:
The Wedding Ceremony Planner: The Essential Guide to the Most Important Part of Your Wedding Day

Will your finger fit?3 Tips for a smooth ring on the finger

 

We've been pretty lucky so far and haven't had any disasters at the altar. But India Bride isn't taking any chances. During our call yesterday she made 2 requests, for Windex Wipes and Vaseline. She knows her ring is on the tight side, so we're going to soak her hand in ice a few minutes before we send her down the aisle, and then spread a little vaseline on her finger. We'll also keep the ring wrapped in the wipe (in a mini ziploc) with the best man until the officiate asks for it. Hopefully between the 3 efforts we're making, it will be a "smooth" transition to married!

Tower of Flowers or Cakes or...

We take shopping seriously here at the studio. Can ya tell?Today I found this gem. Sitting empty it looks like a unique display piece, sure. Me, I don't see it like that.
I see an amazing focal point for a wedding.
What I love most about this piece for wedding design is that it isn't something you're going to stick in a corner or up against a wall. It's a showcase piece, and should be in the center of an area.
Honestly, walls and corners are my biggest pet peeve. I am forever seeing beautiful wedding cakes poorly placed where they can not be truly appreciated. Rather than "kind of" showing your cake, place it such a position that it can be viewed from different places in your room. Especially, especially, if your cake doesn't have a "back". Back to this piece...

Imagine each opening filled with a gorgeous spring flower arrangement of Peonies, Roses, Lisianthus, and Tulips; or something as striking as Black Magic Rose Pomanders perhaps?

Have a room with ridiculously high ceilings? Place this tower atop a table (be sure to use a very special linen- nothing like what is on your dinner tables) and surround it with your escort cards.

I also imagined it filled with large tiers of wedding cakes, each tier mimicking the design of the frame. It's rather classic but a far departure from anything I've ever seen.

Cornelia+Gabe=More Fun!

Did I mention that Cornelia & Gabe were tons of FUN? :) Check out some of our favs from their YOU+ME session at Playland!

Cotton candy yumminess.



Cotton candy silliness.

C+G break out their signature dance moves:



Ride time!

Love these two shots Mike, one of our fab C+L associate photographers, captured.





No they didn't...


Oh, yes, they did!




Woo-weeeeeeee, Cornelia+Gabe! It was such a blast hanging with you two - we wish you many playful happy fun-filled days to come now that you're mr & mrs!

Chinese Fortune Sticks

The fortune cookie craze at weddings came in and right back out again. You do have to admit though, getting that little fortune inside is always a little momentary fun, no matter the occassion.
A couple days ago I was at Pier 1 imports buying 3 stores out of lanterns for an upcoming wedding when I came across these very cool canisters.

The sticks have great little fortunes on them and are perfect conversations starters. So where would I use them at a wedding?

-On the bar at cocktail hour for sure.

-Tucked into a folded napkin at the dinner table.

-Attached to an escort card or place card. Maybe even make it an escort card by writing the table and name on the back of the stick.

-How about a table of fortune cakes at your welcome reception or rehearsal dinner? Simple round cakes with a couple dozen sticks to pull out of each.

-Still digging cupcakes? See if you can get the tall skinny cupcakes (baked in popover trays) so that they're a little longer to disguise the fortune.

Pier 1 doesn't have online ordering, so you'll have to call your local store to see if they have them. The sku number is: 2303274 and I found them on clearance for $2.48.
I also found them online here, but for $11.99.

Need a tent? Premier Tenting Solutions

It's a rare occasion when I find a rental company that I trust enough to come right out and endorse. Well, its officially an occasion. Should you be needing tents or rentals in Florida, I highly recommend Premier Tenting and Solutions. Here's the thing about tent & rental companies. Many times the product delievered doesn't match the product originally shown. It's a scary thought- I know. Also, having someone to speak to who really does know everything there is to know about the products available and why or why they won't work for the event you're planning is imperative. Premier tent (in Florida) has that guy: Owen McCloskey. You can reach him by email pretty darn quick! Owen{at}gowithpremier.com
Just in case you're wondering- this isn't a paid for blog post. I'm passing along this information because I really think that it can help many of you.

Honeymoon Red

Continuing on this weekends honeymoon theme...


-- Posted from my iPhone "Because I'm always on wedding style alert."
Kelly McWilliams

Honeymoon regrets!

It seems my previous post about the Marriott honeymoon registry struck a chord! There's a lot of Twitter regrets I'm hearing about. What does this mean? It means we're warning you! Learn from our mistakes and go on a honeymoon!


-- Posted from my iPhone "Because I'm always on wedding style alert."
Kelly McWilliams

Win some Honeymoon money!

My biggest wedding regret? I didn't go on a honeymoon. I am still kicking myself big time. So a few weeks ago I received an email about this pretty cool deal available from Marriott, I thought to myself, "Kelly, help a poor bride out!" Here's the deal below:
At www.MarriottRegistry.com engaged couples can register for a number of honeymoon items – hotel accommodations, spa services, romantic dinners and more. Gift values are accrued to one gift card, which the couple can then redeem at approximately 3,000 Marriotts either during the honeymoon or for future vacations. Additionally, Marriott will throw in a complimentary $100 when registry contributions reach $1,000 as well as rewarding guests with $50 Marriott Bonus Bucks for every $150 they give towards the registry.
Pretty nifty huh? So if I was to do it all over again, I would pick the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. To get someone very lucky started in their pursuit of honeymoon heaven, we're giving away $50 Marriott Bucks. Just comment on your dream destination for your honeymoon. Winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday.

Wedding Planning Text Message of the Week

Cornelia+Gabe=Fun!

Always loving, always laughing - that's the irrepressible Cornelia & Gabe! The couple met in high school and have been on an exciting journey together ever since. Their spirit of adventure infused their wedding day with tons of laughter & fun.

You know it's going to be a great morning when this is what you see on the front steps of the groom's house.

Gabe was ready to rock the day!



The lovely Cornelia gets ready.






Gorgeous!

Some favourites from the church.

Time to celebrate!





Champagne+ buskers= newlyweds dancing on the street!



This wedding party knew how to work it!






Love the colour, love the light!



My fav from the day: Cornelia & Gabe.









Reception details from the new Kirin Restaurant in New Westminster.



Cornelia & Gabe get down during the First Dance!



And one last shot of the night.

Congratulations, Cornelia & Gabe!