Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week...What the Pros Want You to Know, Part 12

DG's 12 Week Series of Tips from the Pros...

Beauty...

If you are planning on having your eyebrows shaped before your wedding, it’s best to avoid getting them waxed. Waxing doesn’t just remove the hair, but actually removes a majority of dead skin cells from your epidermis, the top layer of skin to which the make-up foundation used on your wedding day must stick. It takes up to one week to fully rejuvenate your cells and by that time you will already have had hair re-growth. Instead, try a technique called “threading”. It’s far gentler on your skin than waxing and creates very clean and professional results. There are ample local Indian salons and spas that specialize in this style of hair removal and the cost is surprisingly inexpensive at usually no more than $10 - $15 for combined Hair and Lip treatments. Try it out a couple of months before the wedding to see how you like it and then schedule an appointment to have the wedding threading done two –three days before the big event.

A little known fact is that hair that has just been washed and dried does not take curl as well as hair washed one day prior. The best thing to do is to wash your hair the night before your wedding so that natural oils have a chance to build up while you sleep. Your hair will then be able to hold any curls applied that much longer.

~ Lips of an Angel Hair & Make-Up Artistry

If you have ever wanted to try more adventurous hair removal techniques now’s the time to do it! Laser Hair Removal is fast, easy, not as painful as waxing, and has a very high success rate for permanent removal of the hair shaft. Popular areas to remove hair from include the face, underarms, and arms. Underarms are best treated with laser hair removal as it will leave you with smooth, clear and bright skin. Shaving and waxing might leave a shadow or red spots which can be unsightly. It’s best to start well in advance of your wedding. In order to extinguish all the hair growth you will need at least 3 treatments on the same area spread out over an average 6 month period. This allows the laser to affect all 3 cycles of hair growth and therefore provide the best results. Full leg treatment frequency is every 2-3 months. Most people require 5 to 8 treatments on this area, but it varies depending on skin and hair type. Eyelash extensions are another fun way to give your eyes that magnificent and illustrious look and also a great way to avoid smearing your make up when you cry those happy tears!

~ Elan Beauty

Every bride wants to have soft, dewy looking skin on her wedding day! This can be easily achieved by using a light exfoliant or mask which helps remove dry surface patches as well as encourages skin cell turnover. Your skin will feel immediately softer and your makeup will glide on that much better. Hydrate your skin with a moisturizer that suits your skin type. Even oily skin benefits from an oil free moisturizer. Your skin will appear plump, smooth, and your makeup will sit well on well nourished skin. When possible, choose makeup products that are long wearing, water resistant or water proof. Several companies sell, not only waterproof mascara, but eye shadows, cheek stains, eye liners, and foundations that are long wearing. Brides should try all the makeup for her chosen look before her wedding day. Have a consultation with your makeup artist to ensure you have no reactions to any ingredients. Lastly, plan well before the wedding to ensure skin is in optimum condition: drink plenty of water, eat well, exercise, try to avoid stress and get plenty of rest. All these tips will help create a flawless looking palette for your photos.

~ Susan Gill, Total Image by Susan

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Friday's Fabulous Find: Marble Slab's Sundae Bar!

Looking for a cool, sweet treat for your guests for your upcoming summer wedding? Marble Slab ice cream has just the solution... a Sundae Bar!

A Marble Slab staff member will tend the Sundae Bar, dishing out classic ice cream with hot fudge or creamy caramel, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry on top.

Your Sundae Bar experience will include:

• Two flavours of their fresh, homemade ice cream
• Fudge and caramel
• 5 mixins
• Fresh whipped cream, sundae nuts & cherries
• Cups, napkins, spoons
• Serving table with skirt
• Serving time: 1 hour
• Serving size: 6.5 - 7 oz. ice cream
• Waffle cones available at additional cost

For more information on this great addition to a wedding or special event, click here!

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We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Fraser Valley's First & Only Large Scale Bridal Show!

January 15th and 16th, 2011

Tradex Trade and Exhibition Centre in Abbotsford

“It’s My Wedding” is the first and only large scale bridal show in the Fraser Valley, gathering leading wedding professionals and retailers from all over the lower mainland.  Taking place at the Tradex Trade and Exhibition Centre in Abbotsford on Saturday January 15th and Sunday January 16th, 2011.  “It’s My Wedding” has thought of everything to help alleviate the stress that comes with creating the day of your dreams – Your Wedding, Your Style, Your Way!

Friday's Fabulous Find: Living Free Canada

Living Free Canada is Canada’s unbeatable, online health and wellness community partnered with companies that reflect a fun and healthy lifestyle and provides you with elite coupons in your community and nationwide.

Living Free Canada’s Mission: To enhance people's lifestyles by creating awareness of all the exciting opportunities to live their passions. Join now to explore what Canada has to offer and have an active mind, happy heart and loving soul!

Friday's Fabulous Find: Wedding Insurance!

Modern day weddings involve a thoughtful planning process. This process can be both time-intensive and expensive for couples as wedding costs continue to rise. WEDensure, a Wedding Insurance Program, protects this investment so you and your partner can avoid financial loss and embrace piece of mind. Do not let an unforeseeable event at your rehearsal, ceremony or reception disrupt or even spoil your special day! WEDensure protects you and the memories that will last forever!

WEDensure is a comprehensive product that includes 12 different and important coverages in the same package including:

• Cancellation/postponement
• Failure of suppliers
• Wedding gifts and rings
• Transportation
• Rented property
• Photos and DVDs
• Wedding Cake
• Flowers

WEDensure also protects you as it includes at least $1 million Event Liability and Host Liquor Liability.

Take a look at the WEDensure website and if you have any questions or are interested in insuring your big day, don’t hesitate to contact them via email or at 1-888-603-1931.

Friday's Fabulous Find: The Art Concierge!

Making an empty space feel unique and welcoming for an event, like a wedding, can seem daunting, however The Art Concierge can easily accomplish this for you with well chosen art pieces from the vast print options available today.

Technology in the art world has brought us to the canvas transfer. A canvas transfer is a poster print that is literally melted onto a piece of canvas and then stretched on stretcher bars to look very much like an original. It can then be framed for a truly wonderful presentation.

The best part of this option is that after the wedding, you can hang these pieces in your home, giving you many years of decorative enjoyment, while preserving a wonderful memento of your wedding.

This option when coupled with The Art Concierge’s consultative services will afford you some unique opportunities. His goal is to accomplish the following:

• Consult with you to determine the most appropriate art choices for your tastes.
• Source the best poster print and framing options.
• Project manage the delivery of your choices.
• Maximize your budget value.
• Offer you a more diverse service.
• Allow you more time to pursue more demanding responsibilities.
• Decorate your first home as a married couple.

Of course, he can also make framing arrangements for pieces of art you already own. With seven years of experience as an art and gift consultant, The Art Concierge can provide you with a service that will fulfill all of your art & decoration needs.

Contact Elliot or call 604.351.9251 to arrange your consultation today!

FRESH by Savoury Chef...a great new way to feed your wedding party!

Check out this fabulously delicious and easy new way to feed your wedding party from Savoury Chef’s Fresh Menu! Inspired and excited by foods found in their own backyard, Fresh by Savoury Chef strives to serve fine food, consciously served and packaged, with quality above all else.

All you have to do is order lunch for your group online and Savoury Chef will deliver everything right to your getting ready location on the Wedding day!

Each item sent from Savoury's kitchen is created with an obsessive attention to detail- from the local, seasonal sourcing of many of their ingredients, to the uncompromising excellence and pride they instill into each and every final product.

Savoury's Turkey, Brie Cranberry Sandwich

Check out the About Fresh section of the Fresh by Savoury Chef website for delivery rates, hours and locations along with much more information!

DreamGroup's Blue Print Package

Here is a fabulous package option for couples that have the time, energy, and desire to fully immerse themselves into the planning of their own wedding, but are looking for some direction on how best to get started. Knowledge is Power, afterall.

Blue Print Package -- a popular option amongst couples looking for a little guidance before tackling the planning of the wedding on their own. It is also a great partner to our Wedding Day Management Package. So, bring your notebook and pen, grab a coffee, & spend two-three hours with one of two DreamGroup Principal Planners. Ask questions, develop a plan, exchange ideas, and discuss potential costs. Couples will come away from this productive meeting with a much stronger understanding of Vancouver’s wedding market and of the tasks that will require their attention over the coming months.

Not only will you have a notebook filled with answers to your most important initial questions and some inspiring ideas to get you started in your planning, we will provide you post consult with an electronic version of DreamGroup’s extensive Step by Step Planning Guide taking you month by month through the planning process to help keep the momentum going after our session. This DIY Step By Step includes tasks and tips to help you get from the initial planning stages through to W-Day with as much foresight and confidence as possible.

Lastly, we will send you a personalized spreadsheet style budget drawn up based on our discussions during the consultation factoring in all your desired products and services and the calibre of wedding you are considering. You can then make an informed decision about whether to proceed as planned or to adjust your vision slightly to help rework the estimated budget. Included in the Blue Print package is a follow up phone plus two e-mails at anytime post session to ask any additional questions that have come up since the meeting.

The Blue Print Package is $495.00 plus 5% GST, payable by cash or cheque at the consultation meeting.

Here is what one past Blue Print Package Client had to say about her experience:

Hello Dream Group Ladies

My name is Rae-Anna Larsen and my fiancé and I met with you in the summer for a Blue Print Consultation, which we have found to be extremely helpful. We are right on track, with our wedding date at the Brock House for June 25 and have used many of your tips and recommended vendors. Now that it is almost 3 months away, I am beginning to think it would be nice to have some piece of mind on the big day and have some help. I do realize it is quite close now, and not sure if you are even available for the day, but I would love to have you manage our wedding day if at all possible. If you could get back to me with any information about the wedding day management that would be very appreciated.

Thank you,
Rae-Anna Larsen

Call us today to set up your very own

Blue Print Package Consultation!

Also, don't forget to check out our website under the packages & services section for more information on what we offer.

The Incredible Quest!

This past weekend, DreamGroup had it's End of the Season Get Together to celebrate a hugely successful 2009 Season. Looking for something different, we asked one of our Associates, Corinne Colledge to plan an Incredible Quest for the Team. Not knowing what they were getting into, all of the girls showed up at the Vancouver Public Library to find out what the day had in store and to start the race.

Corinne teamed us up in groups of two, gave us the rules for the game and an envelope with the money that we could use to accomplish our tasks.

On "GO!" we began the race and experienced an afternoon of pure fun, team building, and laughs. She had us running around downtown, heading over to the North Shore on the Seabus and even venturing over to Chinatown. It was such an incredible experience for everyone and we had a blast even despite the fact that it was raining!

If you are looking for something unique to do for a Stag, Stagette, or any kind of social or corporate event, this is guaranteed to get people talking.

One of our challenges to gain bonus points was to switch t-shirts with a stranger (if you are so daring to do so). Kim Conroy decided to take this on and earned her team an extra 20 points! It's not always about who crosses the finish line first. Slow, steady & creative can win too!



Another challenge..."Someone from your team must hang from a tree by their knees"...10 points!


"Get a picture of a team member with a local celebrity"...20 points! She told us to be creative!

Here's some more information on how you can experience an Incredible Quest too:

After conducting a comprehensive interview, our DreamGroup Associate Corinne Colledge will create a totally unique, customized Incredible Quest that suits your group's style, adventure level, and incorporates hobbies, interests and passions within your groups participants. You will be divided into teams of two and each given a denomination of money to use and a set of rules in which to abide by. Using clues given only after completing challenges and performing tasks, you and your partner will navigate your way either by foot, in a taxi, by seabus, the skytrain, to locations throughout your Incredible Quest individualized route. You will test your intellect and your endurance and experience a day full of adrenaline that is guaranteed to be reminisced about forever, and one of the most memorable days of your life!

A testimonial from a past Incredible Quest participant:

"Being the champion of the last Incredible Quest that Corinne organized, with a thrilling come from way behind victory, I have to say that even if my team had won or lost, it was one of the best afternoons I have had. With a limited budget, Corinne found a way to make us travel literally across the entire city and back again.

Not only did all the participants enjoy themselves, but the people we encountered in the streets were definitely getting into it to, many of them thinking that we were actually competing on the real show.

Having randomly selected teams also made it fun, as I was partnered up with the wives of 2 of my buddy's, which turned out to be a winning combination. We are all awaiting the return of the next installment of the event as we are looking to defend our title."

~ JDUB

To book your Incredible Quest, contact Corinne

We would also like to send out a huge thank you to Savoury Chef for preparing a fantastic lunch of delectable delights for us after the race.

Check out our Facebook page for more photos of the Incredible Quest

Last Minute SOS Dance Lessons

Because they were getting so many last minute requests from couples to teach them how dance, JC Dance Co. created a "Last Minute SOS Package". It consists of one 90 minute private lesson for $190. A great deal for a private dance lesson to get you ready for the big day!

To sign up for your class or to get more information on other packages they offer, check out their website.