Coming soon...

Speaking of new sites, our new shiny happy Chris+Lynn site will be LIVE...soon!



We've been with the super-talented folks from Livebooks for two years now & they continue to be fantastic! Here's a sneak preview screenshot.

The Truth about your wedding menu

The truth about your wedding menu: Nobody cares what it is as long as it's hot and tastes good.
Consider all the weddings you've been too. Is the meal what you remember most about them? Doubt it.
Think about the BEST wedding you ever attended. Was the meal what made it? Doubt it.
Chances are that the best thing about your favorite wedding was the great time or feeling you had there. It's probably the memory of a band so amazing that you were dancing for so long your feet were swollen into your shoes. Or your lack of memory due to a really great signature drink. Or maybe it was how incredibly romantic and intimate the night was. Or perhaps it was how gorgeous the ceremony & reception looked and made you feel. But like I said, chances are- it wasn’t the meal.

My point is this, don't stress about what you put on your wedding menu. It's one of the elements of planning a wedding that I have noticed clients get more stressed about, and they just don't need to. So with that said:
***Feel free to serve chicken. These days, you can get some mighty good chicken! Chefs are amazing with their accompaniments and presentations, let them kick it up a notch and get creative with it. Why chicken? It is almost always the least expensive entree on a catering menu. Those savings mean you can bump up your budget on the things that really do make a huge difference in your wedding memories (the band, the flowers, etc.).
***Have a shorter dinner. Go the 3 course route rather than the 4 course. Again, there is the cost savings. Even better though, the time savings. That 4th course could easily eat up another 30 to 40 minutes of your "party" time.
***Do go all out for dessert. It's consistently a big hit when it’s done, and because it happens later in the evening- guests do remember it.
Cool ideas: add a dessert buffet, candy bar, Venetian table, or fresh doughnut bar.

Subject: Random Question #2516

Client:

Toasts for RD and Reception…
I’ve read it’s tradition for the groom’s parents to toast the bride’s parents at the RD, and for the bride’s parents to toast the groom’s parents at the reception…. Is that true?

Me:

Oh my gosh, you are so hilarious. I just realized you're numbering the questions. THAT is so funny.
There's tradition, and then there is what really happens. Tradition, yep- just what you said. What really happens...depends on the style and formality of the wedding and the kinds of guests you have. Here is what I will say for sure. Get as many of the toasts out of the way at the Rehearsal dinner. Ask everyone you think will want to say something, if they plan on saying something- before the weekend comes. Then ask them to do it at the event that you feel is most appropriate. This way you'll probably have more time to party/dance at the Wedding. Toasts and speeches on wedding night, on top of the other traditions (cake cutting, parent dances, bouquet toss, pictures, etc.) really cut into the time you actually get to just let loose and have a good time.

I love this and I think you will too.

I got a super fabulous email today from CocoMyles. They asked me to Blog about their product, and I was absolutely all over it after I tried it out. This site ROCKS. On the website you design your own dress: bridesmaid, rehearsal dinner, engagement party, you name it. I say find a reason to buy one. The dress I designed for myself- which I LOVE and can not wait to get, is just $135! GET OUT!
Oh, but there's more. Let's say you were flipping through InStyle magazine or watching the Grammys and you saw a celebrity in a dress that you just loved. CocoMyles actually has a celebrity inspired line. The dresses in this line are named appropriately, so you'll know which celebrity style you are wearing.

Me! Session: Alex

In my very first job as a fresh-faced teacher out of university, I had the wonderful privilege of working at the best elementary school in BC! There, I got to teach, and learn from all my wonderful students. Including the incredibly talented Alex, who was accepted at one of the most prestigious universities in North America for design. It was great hanging out with him in the Big Apple!

Here are some of our favourite images from our shoot with him in the city - so hard to pick less than a dozen!

Can you tell he's taking courses in fashion? (He gave Chris a few good tips!)

This wall was perfect to show off another side of his personality. This was one of Alex's favsThis was one of Chris'. Love the wide angle (but even when you click on it to see it bigger, this size doesn't do it justice - it needs to be printed BIG!)

We couldn't stop laughing when we reminisced about Alex's role as the dancing Grasshopper in the Junior School Musical (and the costume of his co-star, the EarthWorm). Hey, wait - didn't that Grasshopper's Peach land in NYC at the end of the show?

And last , but not definitely not least, one Alex said he thought "his mom would really like."
This one is for you, Cathy!


Thanks, Alex! It was so great to see you again & I can't wait to see what success lies ahead for you!

Chris and I love doing innovative portrait sessions - if you or someone you know might be interested in having a ME photo-shoot, let us know. And keep an eye out for our new teen website especially for Senior School students - coming in Fall 07!

"Jim! I found your tie!"

So remember a few weeks back when I found tie gold mine at Solid Color Neck Ties? Well, here's another way to customize! Each of the groomsmen in the wedding are getting the ties, and since we saved so much on the ties, I was able to do a little something extra.
I took matching satin ribbon to an embroiderer, and had each groomsmens name embroidered onto the ribbon. A monogram would be even better...But I didn't have all the initials. Anyway, once I find my handy dandy sewing kit I'll attach it as the loop on the back of the tie (you know, that little loop that holds the skinny end). Voila! Custom tie, personalized gift!
Wrap it up nice and neat, and it's a cool addition to the grooms party gifts. Make sure you tell your photographer about this nifty little secret. It makes for a cute photo opportunity.

Client question of the week

Will this throw me over budget?

Nope that's not the question of the week.

Can my mother wear white to the wedding?

That's not it either.

Should I get a martini bar or a signature drink for cocktail hour?

Ce n'est pas lui.

What size shoe do you wear?

Hands down. This is the winner. And yes, this is for certain getting you on the blog. And I'm an 8 to 8 1/2, depending on the shoe.