Friday, March 30, 2012

Friday's Fabulous Find: Fit Bride


Spring has sprung! We have survived, yet again, another winter and spring is here with summer (and perhaps a summer wedding) in near sight! All that cold weather hibernation and comfort food to fend off the winter blues does not do wonders on your waistline, especially with a wedding around the corner.

Want to be a fit bride when you march down the aisle? We've got the one to follow to keep you informed and motivated to be a fit and fabulous bride.

Find strength training strategies to tighten and tone, advice to curb cravings, and recipes that are diet-friendly but don't sacrifice on taste.

Follow Women's Health Magazine's Fit Bride on her fitness journey. It's time to rev-up your routine and Fit Bride is here to help. Stay tuned every week to follow her progress!


We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Tea Party

Are you in the planning stages of a wedding shower for a bride-to-be?

Keep it cute and chic with an elegant afternoon tea party. Think English garden party with mismatched cups and saucers, crust-less sandwiches, sweets upon sweets, and fresh florals in shades of soft pink. Consider kicking it up a notch by hiring a mobile spa to come do mani-pedis for you and the girls!

Add that extra touch, and shabby-chic detail with this fun DIY tip courtesy of the fabulous Pinterest. Follow this user-friendly step-by-step guide to create napkin roses placed in your guests' tea cups, and finish it off with a touch of greenery!


Happy DIYing!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Monday's Montage: "Mad Bride"

As many Mad Men fans know, the new season premiered last night! Even if you're not a devout follower of this drama set in the 60's, you can still be inspired by its classic and coveted fashion!

Be coy in a birdcage veil, ladylike with short white gloves, retro with sultry waves and much, much more. Check out styles inspired by this timeless era courtesy of Brides.com.








We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Friday's Fabulous Find: The Kingfisher


Have you always pictured yourself saying your "I do's" beach-side, but don't want to encumber your friends and family with a pricey wedding down south?

You can still have that island wedding, and it's only a ferry ride away! The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa is located on the eastern shore of Vancouver island. You and your guests can enjoy Beachfront Suites or Ocean View Rooms, stroll [their] lovely gardens and beachfront or watch the abundance of wildlife from [their] private balcony or patio.

The Kingfisher Resort has 3 backdrops for your wedding ceremony: against the crashing waves, surrounded by beautiful gardens or in front of a crackling fireplace. Following your walk down the aisle you and your guests can celebrate the night away either indoors in one of their 2 function spaces or outside protected by tents.

Find out more about this Oceanside Resort & Spa here!


We promise to inspire, inform & indulge

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Today's bride is a lucky bride with the advent of Pinterest! I think it's fair to say that many of you brides-to-be and those in the planning stages of a special event have taken advantage of this addicting site. You can create virtual collages of inspirational images to organize your ideas.

This particular Pin will spark your inner 'DIY-er'. A great, interactive, addition to a wedding or party is the very popular photobooth. Give it some personal flair with handmade props! Of course, mix-it-up how you wish, but here are some great ideas to get you started...


What you'll need:
  • Red and black felt
  • Home printer with ink and paper
  • White paint
  • Red electrical tape
  • BBQ skewers
  • 3/4 inch natural wooden beads
  • White spackle
  • Dark, heavy cardstock
  • Straight pins
  • Glue gun
  • Scissors
  • Wire cutters or garden clippers
Once you've collected your supplies follow these simple instructions and have some fun!

Want a photobooth to spice up your wedding or special event?
This March, DreamGroup's Giveaway is courtesy of Pixstar Photobooth Rentals. Enter for a chance to win by simply 'liking' DreamGroup on Facebook and retweeting this quote:

I entered @DreamGroup's Giveaway for a photobooth rental from @PixstarPhoto Rentals!

Good Luck!


We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Have you Always wanted to be a Wedding Planner?


This Spring, learn from one of Vancouver's most reputable wedding planning companies.

Become a Wedding Planner with the confidence to lead your clients through an efficient and informative planning journey.

This course is unlike any other currently being offered in Vancouver and is geared at individuals who are not just looking into the possibility of a career as a wedding planner, but rather those who KNOW they want to be a wedding planner and have the desire to learn from the best...

---
Geneve,

Just wanted to drop you a note to say how much I enjoyed the class and field trip. Thank-you for sharing your expertise and experiences with us - very insightful! The course outline covered all aspects of wedding planning and your detailed notes are greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed each class and hearing all your stories - invaluable and entertaining! Upon finishing the course I feel even more strongly that this is the right career path for me. I am really excited to become a wedding planner - something I didn't think of as a "job"! Thanks again and I'm sure I'll be in touch with a question or two!

- Brynn

Spring Term begins April 16th, 2012. Limited seats available!


We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Monday's Montage: Spring Inspired

Who doesn't love the first signs of Spring... crocuses popping up from barren flower beds, temperatures slowly but surely rising, and possibly best of all, the sun setting later and later every day!

If your wedding is taking place during this promising season find some inspiration in today's montage! Think bright colours, fresh flowers, clean lines, and an overall airy decor...









We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

DreamGroup's March Contest!

This March PIXSTAR Photobooth Rentals is giving one lucky winner a photobooth rental!


Looking for a unique way to make your party or event stand out? [PIXSTAR Photobooth Rentals] are a unique addition to any event or party. Included in [their] rentals: pre-event consultation, free set-up and delivery, on-site booth host, choice of 8 photo print formats, photo print customization, choice of backdrop or GREEN SCREEN, a DVD of all event photos and online gallery access.

Find out more here!

To enter: Simply 'like' DreamGroup on Facebook AND retweet the phrase below...

"I entered @DreamGroup's Giveaway for a photobooth rental from @PixstarPhoto Rentals!"

Good Luck!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you like to contribute a prize for DreamGroup's Monthly Giveaway?


We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Friday's Fabulous Find: Capture the Moment Media



Capture your wedding on film with the talented duo behind Capture the Moment Media!

These two long time friends, with a passion for artistic film making, documented the makings of the Brock House Wedding Show this past October. Check out the footage above for a preview of their style and technique.

Having been educated in the film industry for over 7 years, both Mathew and John plan on using their experience to create unique, modern and elegant wedding films that will last a life time.

Find out more about Capture the Moment Media here!


Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!
We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week


Proper etiquette, like the art of a hand written thank-you note, appears to be a dying trade nowadays. Emily Post, at the NY Times, addresses wedding manners and common oversights that can leave lasting negative impressions on friends and family.

Take a tip from this manners maven and and be sure to properly acknowledge those who have contributed to your wedding celebrations (both leading to and day-of).

  • As a rule, a couple has three months, not a year, to acknowledge their gifts.

  • Even if either the shower or wedding had a long guest list, a printed card or an individual e-mail saying: "We received your gift and will be writing soon" is in order.

Find more answers to your wedding etiquette questions here!


We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

We say Vendors... You say Friendors!



Isn't it wonderful to be surrounded by creative family and friends ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and pitch in with some of the wedding planning and implementation? Or is it?

Whether you have chosen to bring on Friendors (aka Family or Friends substituting for professional Vendors) to help reduce wedding costs or simply to get them involved in the wedding there are FIVE important things to consider and rules to follow in order to increase your chances of a harmonious and happy ending.

1. Understand what you are getting yourself into and be realistic about your expectations. Just because a floral arrangement or cake design looks easy doesn't mean it is easy to recreate. Often what you loved about a particular element is the magic that it exudes in its entirety (i.e. the freshness of the flowers, the size of the arrangement, the intricacy of the icing detail, etc.) and when recreated does not often end up looking like the original professional version. Be prepared to be okay with your Friendor's version of the original idea.

2. Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! This one is huge. You must never assume that a Friendor understands what you mean unless you have specifically discussed and planned it out together. Better yet! Create a mock up of the concept and test drive the plan of action so everyone can be sure they understand exactly what is desired and expected. Pictures are worth a thousand words don't you know?!

3. Ask for a solid and sincere commitment from your Friendor. Make sure they understand what they are committing to. Many times family and friends will agree to help carry out a task or activity with the best of intentions, however, when the time comes they may not comprehend the importance of their role and can often be found to be unaccountable i.e. feels tired after a fun pre-wedding night party and assumes they won't be missed so "forgets" to show up, doesn't bring the right tools to get the job done, or perhaps shows up, but without the sense of urgency required to get the job done in time, etc.

4. You can't fire or critique a family member or best friend without compromising your relationship! So be sure the risk you are taking in appointing a Friendor into any particular role is not going to be jeopardized if a flower arrangement looks wilted or punny, the cake tastes awful or begins to melt one hour into the reception, or the first dance or ceremony processional song is wrong or doesn't start on cue.

5. Lastly, don't forget what goes up must come down! This is a point that is often overlooked and can turn what might have been a terrific DIY success story into a stressful end of the night expense and/or headache. The chair covers got put on, the floral arrangements were assembled and placed perfectly, the twinkle lights were wrapped around the pillars beautifully, but what happens at the end of the night? Most venues require that all decor and personal items be removed off the property at the end of the event. Those wonderful Friendors that volunteered their time and energy in getting everything set up are likely now exhausted and probably tipsy from a fun night of partying and in no state to spend 1-2 hours cleaning up and tearing down. The best way to avoid this common problem is to assign a separate Tear Down Team to disassemble and pack up all those fabulous decor bits & pieces (i.e. empty the water from the vases, wrap and pack them up in boxes, remove seat pads and stack rented chairs, etc.). This team should ideally be comprised of 2-4 members that have preferably refrained from drinking and are revved up and enthusiastic about working the Graveyard Shift.


We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Monday's Montage: Nature Inspired

For the inner-hippie or for the bride who genuinely prefers a more natural, organic feel, let nature inspire your wedding decor. Use nature's palette to effortlessly create a look that's all its own...







Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!
We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Friday's Fabulous Find: The Loden


Have a vacay in your own backyard. Avoid luggage weight restrictions, crammed coach seating and shaking off your stubborn jet leg. Vancouver is a popular destination for many travelers around the world. Take advantage of your close proximity and have a 'stay-cation'!

Be a tourist in your own backyard and experience luxury at its finest at The Loden hotel located in Coal Habour. Browse the shops on Robson street, cheer on your Canucks at Rogers Arena, and have drinks at a trendy Yaletown lounge. Retreat back to your luxurious digs and take in the panoramic views of the mountains and waterways.

Tastefully decorated with subdued earthy hues, [their] guest rooms feature custom beds outfitted with the finest linens, down comforters and plenty of pillows, marble bathrooms offer a deep-soaking bath tub, a separate shower and European-style sinks and fixtures.

Find out all that The Loden can offer you for you holiday at home.

In addition to a great local getaway, The Loden is the perfect spot for your intimate wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party, post reception night cap or simply your romantic wedding night. [The] Loden's Halo Penthouse Suite and Terrace is the perfect setting for making memories to last a lifetime.



We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week


Be on top of the trends with these tips from The Vancouver Sun - forecasting what brides-to-be will be drawn to on their hunt for the perfect dress...

Sorry Kate, sleeves are so April 2011...
Despite the royal wedding last spring and the fashion frenzy it set off, this is not the year sleeves make a comeback on wedding dresses.

What is the most popular style of wedding dress?
The strapless gown with sweetheart necklines.

Still eager to resemble a Duchess on your wedding day and picture yourself in sleeves? Reconsider if the dance floor calls your name! Most bridal fabrics are not stretchy so brides can't raise their arms to their groom's shoulder to dance or to throw the bouquet over their heads.

Feeling fashion forward? Try small straps, cap sleeves or the illusion sleeve, which adds a sheer cover over a strapless dress.

It's below the waist however, where bridal fashion is seeing a drastic change with dynamically textured skirts influenced more by the red carpet than the big wedding. Lazaro, Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta and others are playing with ways to add dimension to the skirt.

Soft hues are also popping up in shades of blush, icy blue, lavender and soft green. However, ivory is still the most popular colour of wedding gowns.

Even the faintest pastel gown can still be classic but with a modern twist, as demonstrated by blushing bride Reese Witherspoon in her blush tone dress...



We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Monday, March 5, 2012

A Wedding Fit for a Countess


It is not often that a lifelong school mate and fellow kindred spirit ties the knot with a Count on the other side of the world. Well, that is exactly what happened to DreamGroup's two principal planners Genève McNally & Sarah Shore!! The always stunning and dramatic Zsofi Dalma Teleky was married on July 9, 2011 to the dashingly handsome Vicompte (that means Count for those of you who don't know) Charles de Jonghe d'Ardoye (phew... bet you can't say that name 10 times fast) at a charming and very unique agricultural farm called Rhode-Saint-Genese in Dreve Saint-Gertrude 1, Belgium. That's right our darling girlfriend of the past 15 years is now the admirable Vicomptess Zsofi de Jonghe d'Ardoye (aka The Countess) and we couldn't be more excited and proud of her most deserved happiness. Our reason for this blog is not to brag that we are best friends with a Countess (although that's pretty fun in itself), but more so to share with you one of the most vibrant, cheerful, & inspiring wedding designs we have seen in a very long time. This is not to say that the more commonly seen elegant, warm, understated looks that grace many Canadian and American blogs and magazines are not equally as fabulous in their own right, it's just that when a wedding offers this much colour, drama and unique elements we felt with such passion that it had to be shared! With the bride's blessing (and that of her fabulous local planner Stephanie Bruyns) we give you The Wedding of Vicomptess Zsofi & Vicompte Charles... We hope you enjoy the unfolding wedding story as much as we did!

Guests arrive for the ceremony...



Vibrant and cheerful ceremony arrangements line the aisle sitting atop purple blocks!



A seasonally inspired bouquet... Can you see the bee enjoying a little snack!?


Bride arrives for the ceremony escorted by her Brother and a traditional Hungarian Folk Band!









A fabulous and truly unique creation hung above the bar made up of handmade paper pinwheels, paper hearts, native dreamcatchers, and ribbons! WOW!



A dramatic creation hanging above the Guest Book Table upon Guest arrival made up of many (many many many) ribbons cut in varying lengths with assorted blooms attached to some of the ribbons for that extra bit of fun!



Post ceremony Cocktail area...





Many unique fabrics were used to customize the overall vibrant and inspiring look of the wedding!



Fresh herbs and local florals were used to adorn the tables and ceremony area.


The unique glass vases and tealight votives were covered with fun and vibrant papers to add some personality!


Brightly adorned dinner tables lined with gold chairs for an eclectically elegant feel.






Planner: Stephanie Bruyns. Her company is Set Up. www.setupco.be
And the design was www.ideo.be


We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!