Yes, it’s been a while since my last post and I’m told that I really should only blog when I have something important to blog about, and since the last month has been all about nesting and getting ready for our new arrival, it seems that my focus on weddings has been put on the back burner.

I am very happy though to announce the newest addition to my Notebook Weddings Posse!  Our daughter, Olivia arrived on April 26th and I’ve been in love ever since!  Both my husband and I are thrilled and so excited to finally meet this little one who has been taking up space in me for the last 9 months!  Our two and a half year old son is a bit weary on the other hand but all in all, life is pretty good

As for wedding season, I’ll still be here, just not in my full capacity.  Good luck to all the spring and summer couples out there.  If you need someone to help coordinate your special day, don’t hesitate to contact me and if I’m not able to help, I’ll be more than happy to refer you to someone who can!

Happy Wedding Season

I have just discovered a delicious new local vendor.  Jessica at Beta 5 contacted me a while back to introduce herself and her company that she co-owns.  This local company makes the most incredible chocolates.  (they also make other delectables too!  Check out their website here)

And what also puts a smile on my face is the fact that they use sustainably farmed ingredients and easily customized packaging that can be recycled in the end.

I took my son down to their “chocolate factory”  as he called it to get a glimpse of where these yummy morsels were created. Here are some pics of what Beta 5 can do for your wedding with regards to wedding favors and desserts.

This is their custom 3-piece box.  Visit the Beta 5 workshop and have a tasting to determine your signature flavours.  (imperial stout, tobacco, jasmine tea, banana, wasabi, you name it)  Experts in blending unique flavour combinations, as well as customized and hand painted to match your wedding decor, these are definitely more than just a box of chocolates.

Their chocolate buffet offers a smorgasbord of chocolate-covered fruits, nuts, caramels, and confections.

Boxes can easily be customized with monograms, pictures, calligraphy, etc…  a personal touch to your wedding decor.  Pop by their shop and sample their offerings.  They also make award winning marmalades and their chocolate covered almonds are to die for!

BETA5 Chocolates
413 Industrial Ave
Vancouver, BC
604.669.3336

info@beta5chocolates.com

An expensive photographer is not necessarily a better photographer.  It’s only my opinion that a great photographer will be one who you gel with, one who fits your style and listens to your needs and wants.  I’ve met a lot of great photographers over the last while.  So I thought I’d share with you a few, who are unique in their own way.  Maybe this will help to lesson the lengthy search.  If not, I’d be happy to help =) Contact me to discuss!

MCS PHOTO

I met Melissa, of MCS Photo a couple of weeks back for a coffee to see some of her recent albums.  LOVED them!  She describes her style as somewhat quirky, fun, and authentic.  I asked her what makes her images stand out and she said, “Besides quirky bridal portraits, I pride myself on great candids. One of my favourite parts of the day is photographing the reactions to the speeches. This is one of the few times in everyones lives where your family and friends stand up for you to reminisce and celebrate your life. I LOVE the stories, the laughter and tears that are documented during this time.”

Melissa’s photos tell a story.  What also sets her apart?  Her personality.  ”I ask a lot of questions! I really get to know my clients through out the planning process so that I can better document their story on their wedding day. I’m open to their ideas, happy to give suggestions and keep it simple so that they are relaxed and care-free on their wedding day.”

www.mcsphotoblog.net

We believe in capturing memories, not creating them. We want to tell your story.

First of all, a big Thank You to Jillian of Notebook Weddings for inviting me to share what it means to me to be a professionally certified Celebrant.  I create deeply intentional and meaningful ceremonies completely from scratch – yes, including weddings! And I never write or officiate the same ceremony twice.

Since I was a little girl, I was blessed with the gift to connect with people in ways that make it easy for them to tell their stories and share their feelings, whatever these may be.  I was the kid conducting ceremonies for hamsters, dismembered Barbie dolls, and birds who fell out of nests!

I believe our society does a poor job of teaching us how to mark our rites of passage – like marriage – in authentically ‘us’ ways. It dismays me to see the increasing trend within the wedding industry towards bling rather than meaning. In fact, I am shocked by the use of the phrase: “Wedding Industry”.  Since when did we begin commercializing what should be a deeply personal experience?

Jillian asked me: What gets you out of bed in the morning? Easy! Blending personal narrative with meaningful traditions, and bringing storytelling into our wedding (and other) ceremonies. I am inspired to serve people of all faiths and cultural background, religious, spiritual, or not at all. I craft wedding ceremonies, baby blessings, memorials and celebrations of life. Any big life event that calls for ceremony.

With respect to weddings, I’ve work with some pretty amazing couples who yearn for their wedding ceremony to be a vibrant and heartfelt beginning to their marriage. These smart couples are doing what I refer to as, “Putting the Ceremony back into the Wedding”. They are turning towards meaningful wedding experiences that reflect their personalities and values… and rejecting flashy events where it’s all about the show.

Today’s most progressive weddings are the essence of elegant-simplicity, where the ceremony sets the tone for the couple’s entire day, as well as their wedding memories. Far from being a hoop to jump through, my couples want the ceremony that begins their marriage to be deeply resonant of ‘them’. Don’t you think that your wedding ceremony should be incredibly powerful and important? Don’t you think it should feel honest and true? After all, how many ceremonies will you have in your lifetime that are about YOU?

Since a deeply meaningful wedding ceremony is so dependent upon working with the right officiant, it’s so important to find the right person. Check out my website for my popular blog post TOP TEN TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT WEDDING OFFICIANT 

In closing, let me tell you from personal experience that it’s all too easy to get caught up in the external details of planning a wedding. My advice is to treat the internals (your wedding ceremony) with reverence. Find an officiant who will too. Invest in making your wedding ceremony an experience and not an event.  Don’t settle for a boring cookie cutter ceremony written for someone else!

I offer several ceremony packages depending on your budget. Please check out my website or call me for a complimentary consultation. Don’t forget to say Jillian sent you!

Valentine’s Day.  To some (“achem”… my husband) it’s just another Hallmark holiday.  To others, it’s the most romantic day of the year.  A day to profess your love to the man or woman of your dreams.  Some go so far as to propose or better yet, choose to celebrate their love by getting married on Valentine’s Day.

Creating your Valentine’s theme into your wedding can be a lot of fun, simply by incorporating red and pink into your decor.  Classic bouquets of an abundance of red roses represent LOVE and ROMANCE and accent nicely with say, pale pink bridesmaid dresses, table linens, decor and flowers.

You can also easily carry the theme into your food and drink as well…  If you’re stumped for ideas, this is where Pinterest comes in VERY handy!  But here are some basic ideas to get the juices flowing…

Red velvet cake pops!

Quench your guests’ thirst with a classic pink cosmopolitan martini.

And if you’re opting for a candy table…

Or a traditional wedding cake…

Or even cupcakes…

These ideas are not only great for weddings, they can also simply be incorporated in engagement parties or even just a Valentine Day’s party, for those so inclined.  Whatever the occasion, Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

And I have to say, I am in LOVE.  I could probably spend all day on it, but I must resist.  For those of you who don’t know about it, it’s kinda like a pin up board where you can put all things that make you happy, inspire you, or represent you.  Much like Facebook and Twitter, you can follow people whose boards you admire, you can repin images you fancy (I do that A LOT!), and what’s great is that credit is given where credit is due.  If you see an image you love on the web, once you “pin” it to your board, the website where it came from gets referenced.  Share the love I say.  Here are some inspirations taken from my wedding board.  If you want to see more, click here.

Flowers going up the stairs were done by Evan at FlowerzThere were so many beautiful floral arrangements done by Hilary Miles Flowers.  Amazing florist.  Love her work.

Anna Elizabeth Cakes are not only works of art….they taste amazing!

Yes… I do love Hydrangeas.  And this gorgeous table display was created by Granville Island Florists.

For all you superstitious readers out there, I have to say that today has been a great day so far!  (aside from being woken at 5 AM by my 2 year old)

This is short, but I wanted to share my success!  I’ve mentioned her before and have made mention to a few wedding bloggers out there recently.  There are so many of them, that they too, can also be overwhelming.  But I have found my select favs who fulfill my wedding cravings on a daily basis.  Vancity Bride is of course one of them.  She showcases Vancouver vendors who don’t cost an arm and a leg for their services and who have a good reputation in the industry.  And she happened to showcase me today!  Yay!  So, have a read and let me know what you think.

Vancity Bride’s Notebook Weddings

Happy Friday!

Jillian

Vancity Bride did a great post on the Tea House in Stanley Park.  Room selection with seating capacities are easily accessible on their website under private events. Perfect for intimate weddings, this facility is nestled amongst the lush trees of the park with views of the ocean and beautiful sunsets.

From quaint and intimate to historical grandeur, The Vancouver Club reflects heritage and elegance.  It’s Grand Ballroom is ideal for your reception, beautifully decorated in dark wood with gorgeous arched windows.

Perfect for cocktail hour before the main event, the Grill offers a bright and airy atrium which can transform later on in the evening for a perfect area for a DJ and dance floor.  With a bar close by, and places to sit and socialize, this is a perfect spot to start and finish your special day.

If you’re planning on getting married here as well as having your reception, or if you are looking to have some traditional wedding portraits taken, The Georgian Room’s fireplace makes for the perfect setting for either or….  I love the colours in this room.  So soft and elegant.

This is lovely facility… although keep in mind that it is private and in order to have your wedding or reception there you either must be a member or know someone who is a member at the Club.

Also check them out this upcoming January 15th for their first bridal boutique wedding show, Engaged.  It’s sure to be a success!

Next up on my list of cool venues is one that a fellow colleague introduced me to just recently…  The Metro Hall, located in New Westminster is the kind of venue for couples wanting a unique and glamorous environment.  Take a look…

unique…

Glam…

From one unique facility to another, Brix located downtown, in Yaletown is a charming one of a kind gem with its famous key-hole court yard, high ceilings, and brick facades.  A great venue to hold outdoor weddings all year round.  A must go see if you want to have an outdoor wedding but fret the thought of relying on perfect weather.  The courtyard is covered and looks absolutely stunning at night when it’s all lit up with small white lights.

These are just a few venues to get the juices flowing on how you want your wedding to look like and what kind of atmosphere you wish to create.  If you need any help, feel free to contact me and we’ll search for your perfect spot together!

Have fun planning!

Jillian

I think that this is the most creative and elegant use of ice!

I love these winter cookies.  I think they would make perfect favours.

For more winter wedding pictures go to the winter wedding link on the bottom left of the home page.