Joe and Frankie got married back in March on the first day of spring.  Joe approached me a year ago actually, in search of some wedding advice and I was thrilled to help.  It was my first same sex marriage and I wanted a challenge.  Now I’m going to be very ignorant here by telling you that being a gay man, I just assumed he would have all the bases covered with respect to their decorating needs!  Silly me.  Never assume.  In fact, Joe had no idea where to start, how to go about planning, and no concept what so ever on a budget!  (Sorry Joe!)

So after a few discussions over phone and email, Joe decided that it was too rushed.  Frankie had family from over seas who he wanted out for the special day, and March 21st was fast approaching.  So…. they decided to postpone for a year.  A wise choice.  Now when Joe approached me to help, he was still determined to plan much of the wedding himself.  In fact, I have to say, he is a fine example of a groom who just needed a head start, some direction, and a kick in the butt.  And that’s what I did.  He gave himself the year and with the help of my personalized task list and the odd consulting here and there, this man pull off an absolutely beautiful, elegant, and intimate wedding.  Here are some pics…  Well done Joe.  You amazed me!

The ceremony took place at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church on Burrard.  It was an intimate ceremony shared with their son, and immediate family and friends.

What a perfect reception venue.  The Rosewood Hotel Georgia could not be more fitting.  The completely renovated and restored hotel located in central downtown offered stylish elegance while combining both luxury and old world charm.  My favourite combination.  Situated in a private dining room, a five course meal was prepared.  Butternut squash soup, Seared Lois Lake Steelhead, Beef Tenderloin.  All beautifully presented.

The linen was subtle yet elegant.  And take a look at these beautiful flowers in the next two pictures as well as the ones at the church.  I suggested Joe contact Upright Decor for any decorating/linen needs and as it turned out, he approached them and picked it all out the day after getting the venue.  (even the flowers)

Joe’s exact words…. “The cake was from Ganache. It was a blood orange cake with a grapefruit parfait in between, and rose water icing that was infused and intoxicating!”

My hat went off to Joe.  I was so impressed at what he had accomplished.  After the wedding I congratulated him on a job well done.  He did all of the planning by himself making the special day a complete surprise for Frankie and in his words, “All in all, this came from a guy who knew nothing more about a wedding except that it included a church, a ring, and a priest person. The rest was all foreign.”

Glad I could help you out Joe.  You did a fabulous job!

It’s hard to break tradition when it comes to weddings.  At least I think so.  There’s the cutting of the cake, the bouquet and garter toss, the clinking of the wine glasses and of course, the first dance.  Ah the first dance.  A chance where all eyes are on you for four whole minutes.  Could be four minutes, or it could feel like an eternity all depending on how comfortable and confident you feel on your feet.  If you’re thinking that dance lessons are just not in the cards, there is no time, no money in the budget, you may reconsider after reading what I have to say.

I met with Clara from JC Dance Co. one morning a couple of weeks ago.  This fellow mompreneur and I found some time to head out for a walk along the seawall in the sunshine.  (You must never pass up an opportunity to walk in sunshine in Vancouver if you know what I mean…)

Being champion ballroom dancers, Clara and her husband Joel are the heart and soul of JC Dance Co.  Read their history as I find it’s always inspiring to learn about people who follow their passion and believe me, these two have a passion for dance.  (Something to think about when putting ones clumsy feet into an instructors hands, so to speak.)

Aside from competing and teaching, they provide dance lessons for couples getting married.  After talking to Clara, I gained a solid understanding of the time commitment and what is involved to successfully learn how dance for your wedding day.

To give  you an idea, a basic easy routine, say Waltz can be taught in about 4 or 5 lessons.  Generally, couples start working with Clara and Joel about a month before their wedding date.  Now, if you have something more specific in mind or  are planning an intricate number full of fancy footwork, spins, and turns, expect a little more time than that

Being a past professional dancer myself, ballroom is one form of dance I wish I had learnt, and yes although I led my husband around the dance floor on our first dance (I can be bossy that way) had I known about Clara and Joel, I would have dragged us into the studio to learn a quick step or two.  Learning to dance is a lot of fun when you have the right people to lead and guide you.  Now of course, you can walk into Arthur Murray and sign up, but I’m all about spreading the love and promoting local business.

Check out their Website and try them out for a spin… around the dance floor.  They won’t disappoint.

I’ve been feeling a little out of the loop what with juggling my 3 year old son and new daughter.  Add some sleep deprivation to the mix and well… you know where I’m going with this.  So, I thought I’d better start somewhere like the beginning and do what I love to do most.  Share all things wedding… dresses, flowers, reception set ups, DIY, etc….

Do you ever sit down at your computer and reminisce through all photographs?  It used to be albums and magazines.  Now it’s Pinterest, iPhoto, and Facebook.  Well, I browsed through some old photos of dresses and then started searching through websites to see what’s out there these days, and I found some beauties, along with some old classics that I will love forever!  Take a boo and check out some of my favs.

Absolutely LOVE this dress.  I picture a beautiful white, winter wedding with silver accents to compliment the stunning bodice.

I posted this to my FB page a while back.  The most popular wedding dress neckline is a sweetheart strapless.  So when I find a dress that doesn’t have this type of neckline and is as beautiful as this one, I MUST share!  I think this dress is perfectly balanced.

How truly vintage.

Now, I have no idea what the front of this dress looks like, but the back is amazing.  Love the roses…. This dress I think would be wonderful to walk in.

Here’s a sweetheart neckline.  Love this flounce organza ball gown with the drop waist.

And to finish, I think I am in love with this dress the most … at least for the time being.  It’s just so simple and elegant and the jeweled necklace, or collar is what gives it that splash of bling.  Just the right amount.  So elegant.  The first picture looks like this dress might have pockets which would be the icing on the wedding cake.

Here’s a close up of the necklace.  Another Lazaro by the way.

Hey, take a look at my Pinterest wedding board here.  Hopefully you’ll find some inspiration.  Next entry?  Winter wedding ideas!

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.