Ooooh I love nice stationery

I have to say, you never know where your next blog comment will lead you. Last week I received a comment from a reader (Dawn) and when I found my way back to her blog I found stationary paradise. Anna Bella Stationery is just darling! Truly, if you have 5 minutes, check it out. I wanted everything of course, but I think my favorite was the Khaki collection from her signature wedding line. At under $10 per set- I think it's amazing.
But that isn't the end of this post! I was reading some of Dawn's blog just this morning and I read about a collaboration she had with another Florida artist, Claudine Hellmuth to do these very unique notecards. I've never seen anything like them, and that, that I just love. You'll have to visit her website to see because it's truly something you have to see to grasp. Anyway, something struck me about the post and I couldn't put my finger on it. I clicked on the link, and it all came together. "GET OUT!" I yelled. My kids and the puppy all came running to the office to see what I was yelling about. The artist is Claudine Hellmuth! I know, you're thinking, "And this is so unbelievable because..." The kids and dog weren't as excited either. It's quite exciting to me though because Claudine Hellmuth and I had an english class together our freshman year of high school. It's a small small world.

Karen+Bryan=Classic

Karen & Bryan had some gorgeous Vancouver weather for their wedding. And everything about their day was simply classic. Here are some of our favs!


Accessories, accessories! Love those Jimmy Choo shoes!

Getting ready...

A classic beauty.

I just love when couples share a "First Look". The idea of the groom offering flowers to his bride when he sees her for the very first time is so romantic.

Bryan surprised Karen with a red Gerbera daisy just like the one he offered her on their first date together. He enjoyed the mountain view as he waited patiently for her on the pier (check out the chill lining on his jacket).

Happy day!

I love the simplicity of this image.

What gorgeous vibrant colours for Karen's bouquet (yes, it's true ~I'm partial to it since it's the same colour combo as our new website!).

The couple headed to the ceremony in a 1935 Rolls Royce chauffeured by the always charming and helpful Adrian.

Karen and Bryan exchanged their vows in the early evening when the light was just perfect at Cecil Green. A tender moment during the ceremony.

More red gerberas on the funky cake!

A beautiful dance to start their lives together.

And a quiet moment to end the evening...

Congratulations, K+B!

If you can't do a welcome bag

Welcome bags are wonderful for destination weddings. It's one thing that I have noticed that guests consistently rave about. The thing is, they can get pretty pricey. This last season the bags we delivered ran between $5.oo each and $32 each. I know, pretty big range. What drives the cost is the actual container you choose, what is in the bag, and the expense of assembly and delivery. Most resorts will charge a fee to deliver to the guests rooms. Others may allow you to drop it off at the front desk for when your guests actually arrive free of charge. For sure check on this in advance. So what if even $5 isn't in your budget? There is still something you can do. The reason we do welcome bags to to welcome wedding guests who are from out of the area, introduce them to the locale, and provide them with the weekends itinerary (if there's more than just the wedding ceremony & reception). If you can't do this, how about sending out a wedding newsletter to all the guests who have RSVP'd "YES!", including all the information on it: Itinerary, favorite & nearby restaurants, things to do, and for sure a map. All this costs is your time, some nice paper, and postage. For certain, this is much less expensive, and your guests will still be tickled pink that you thought of them in advance. Got a little wiggle room in the budget? Use photostamps to spice it up. Or if you and your groom aren't camera shy, do a welcome dvd and mail that to everyone! You can totally get creative with this. And if one of you does do the welcome dvd- send me one, I want to see!

Here comes the organized wedding planner chiming in: There is absolutely no need to wait to do this. It can be done way way in advance. Don't dilly dally.

Marvelous Monograms & More

I know, I have blogged about monograms like 3 times this year already. But I like 'em, what can I say? Yesterday I came across this website and I got so excited when I clicked on the monograms page. This is not your ordinary run of the mill monogram shop! I LOVED so many of them I couldn't narrow down one if I tried. You must go check it out. Really, I think Kristin at I do Originals is just an amazing designer and I can't wait to use her stuff.

ME! Session: Linda

Lots of news and lots to blog: two magazine features, two great NYC weddings with the incredible Jason Groupp, and many fun ME+YOU sessions here in sunny Vancouver! But first, another ME! session.

Since we posted our images of Alex, we've had lots of requests to photograph teens, especially graduates who want to commemorate their final month of school. I don't know about you, but I shudder when I remember my school pics - they all looked so lame & cheesy... Our ME! sessions are one way to celebrate all the aspects of your unique personality - whether you're headed into high school, taking off to university, starting a new job, or are just celebrating a personal milestone.

Here are some of our favourites from a ME! Session with Linda!

Phillip has a new website

Phillip Lloyd emailed me a link to his new website this morning. Wowza. It rocks! So I thought I would share. And how could you not want to get married here after seeing this picture?

The Cool Factor: Furniture

Every now and again I'll have a client who just wants to do something really cool. Something non-traditional wedding that won't interrupt the flow of her wedding, but will for sure add to the atmosphere. I always suggest good lighting 1st of course, because lighting totally transforms a room. Next though- furniture. Kick it up a notch! Especially if you have the option of having your reception in 2 different rooms; one for dinner and one for dancing. I got the new catalog from Room Service yesterday and was so excited to see all the cool new furniture they had. I especially love this round bar. How cool would it be to leave the dance floor to grab a cocktail from this bar, and then sit at this bench and watch your 80 year old Great Uncle Jack & your crazy roommate from college boogie down to a little Earth Wind & Fire?
Oh and yes- I am all about splitting the reception into dinner then dancing. Why? Because its really 2 different vibes anyway; I say take advantage of it. Dinner is for eating, toasting & talking, and beautiful romantic music. Then there's party time. Celebrate with fun music, dancing, and a party atmosphere.