A Few Tips from the Pros...

Real Weddings approached us about giving their blog readers some tips and insider advice that they could use for planning their wedding. Here's what we shared with them:

RW: What is the first thing a couple should think about and establish when planning their wedding?


DG: The best way to begin is to think about your guest list. From there, you can then short-list an appropriate sized wedding venue and come up with a realistic wedding budget. To estimate an average urban Vancouver budget, click here to read more

Frocksing Day Sale!

The much anticipated annual Frocksing Day Sale is almost here! This popular event is a great opportunity to find a fabulous deal on an off-the-rack frock just in time for New Year's Eve!

Frocks has marked down in-stock bridesmaids' dresses, wedding gowns, cocktail dresses, shoes and accessories up to 80% off.

10am - 4pm
December 27th

One Day Only! Don't miss out!

See you there (Vancouver location only)!

Check out Frocks website for more information

A Life Remembered...

DreamGroup recently had the privilege of assisting Madison and Ann-Marie Arnold-Smith in orchestrating their father and husband's memorial. It was a tremendously emotional event, however, one that we feel Brant Arnold-Smith would have been proud of.


The memorial was held at the very accommodating Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey hosting approximately 400 friends, family, and colleagues for an afternoon of remembering while hors d'oeuvres and a festive cranberry punch (Brant's favourite) were offered in thanks to Savoury Chef.

The reception space was transformed with the help of Sunny from Sunam using white pipe and drape and strategically placed up-lighting creating a very uplifting, elegant and "heavenly" feel. Brant's presence could truly be felt throughout the event thanks to the enormous number of guests that obviously shared a genuine love and respect for Mr. Arnold-Smith.

Guests were able to reminisce over the moments shared with Brant over the years triggered by the incredible ice sculptures created by Cool Creations representing various activities and interests Brant enjoyed in life:

There was a 6 foot long 3D Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide Motorcycle on display


A 4 foot trio of jumping salmon representing Brant's love for fishing,


and a golf bag with clubs adorned with fresh grass and golf balls in memory of his talent on the green.


Centerpieces for the tables created by Suzane of Granville Island Florists included lovely arrangements of fresh grass spotting several white golf balls, white orchids, and photos representing Brant's life journey.




There is no doubt that Brant made a huge difference to the lives of many and he will be sadly missed. Our love and wishes go out to the Arnold-Smith family at this time. Peace.

Kristin & Rob 10.03.09

We just got word that Erik of Love Story Media has posted one of DreamGroup's weddings from this past October. Associate Planner, Alicia Keats, brought together the day's details for Kristin & Rob beginning with the ceremony at Saint Joseph's Parish and ending the day at the Westwood Plateau.

Check out the video on Love Story Media's blog

Ho Ho Blo

Heavenly hair always helps under the Mistletoe. Check out this great gift!:

Pink Blo gift cards on cheeky Ho Ho Blo postcards mailed directly to your recipient. Purchases can be made via email, hohoblo@blomedry.com. $35 includes pink gift card with hand-printed personal message on postcard, tax and shipping.


Available now until Christmas Eve.

Principal Planners' Annual Working Weekend Retreat

Sarah Shore and Geneve McNally, the two Principal Planners of DreamGroup Productions, spent this past weekend in Whistler on our annual Working Weekend Retreat.

We stayed at the always comfortable and welcoming yet notably unpretentious Sundial Hotel right in the heart of the Village. We had a two bedroom corner suite with our very own hot tub on the deck with 180 degree views of the snow capped mountains! You could practically touch them! Well, not exactly, but almost. Heavenly!

We hibernated most of the weekend working on our ever growing "to do" list, but it was made all the easier being surrounded by the gorgeous view and the cozy fireplace. We enjoyed delicious dinners at 21 Steps and Ric's Grill... We got almost everything accomplished that we set out to and look forward to our next visit to Whistler and the Sundial Hotel.

Making Christmas Extra Special for one 2010 Couple!

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, the ever amazing Tracey from Tracey Heppner photography and Jeanie Ow of Studio Jeanie are teaming up to give away a complimentary wedding session to one 2010 couple.

... could that couple be you or someone you know?

{this is what they are looking for}
...your wedding must be in 2010.
...one of you must be working for a charitable non-profit organization
...your story as to why they should consider you for complimentary photographic services on your wedding day
...you are willing to be featured on their blogs, website and magazines.

{this is what the chosen couple will receive}
...up to 10 hours of coverage on your wedding day
...2 photographers to ensure maximum coverage
...a DVD of all the images taken on your wedding day
...an online slideshow to see the highlights of your wedding day
...a fun two-hour lifestyle (engagement) session prior to the wedding day

The selection will be made based on your story as well as their availability in 2010.

Email them the story as well as a 450px by 600px JPEG of the couple to ourtrueweddingwish{at}gmail{dot}com.

All submissions must be received by Christmas eve, December 24th at 5pm pacific standard time {no exceptions}.

The lucky couple will be contacted first thing Christmas day morning, and featured on their blog!

So email this information out, nominate a deserving couple, and spread the word (and cheer!)

Good luck!

Looking for the Perfect Getaway?

With its convenient location, beautifully decorated 1 and 2 bedroom suites -- all featuring kitchens -- Whistler's Sundial Boutique Hotel is the perfect place to get away from it all! Whether for a simple weekend away from the city, a stag or stagette event, or the perfect post wedding mini-moon retreat, the Sundial Hotel is sure to make a regular out of you! The welcoming service, relaxed whistler-esque ambiance, and their very reasonable room rates make this hotel a no-brainer! Many rooms boast personal outdoor hot tubs which is the perfect way to end (or start) any day! See you at "the dial"!

Sundial Boutique Hotel
1-800-661-2321 or 604-932-2321
info@sundialhotel.com
4340 Sundial Crescent, Whistler, BC

Sundial Welcomes you...

The Lobby

The Living Area...

The Bedroom

Even if you don't Ski... this is such a fantastic place to spend a weekend away from the city!

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

Behind the Scenes...Model Shoot at the Brock House Show

Brian Noppe took some of the models down to the beach after the show and had some fun shooting them. Erik of Love Story Media caught it all and created a great video.

Brock House Wedding Show 2009

We are thrilled with the video that Erik of Love Story Media created to showcase the spectacular Brock House Wedding Show.

We also had the very talented Brian Noppe taking photos of the show which are available to view through his event web gallery.

Brock House Wedding Show 2009 from Love Story Media on Vimeo.

Absolut Vancouver

Looking for a gift for your out-of-town guests? How about this limited edition bottle of Absolut Vancouver.

It features a label created by local BC artist Douglas Fraser.

Visit BC Liquor Stores for more details and to purchase your bottle.

Lovestruck Bridal Show is November 15th!

Lovestruck is back and better than ever! Enjoy an afternoon sure to delight and inform. Special celebrity guest appearance, nibblies, gifts, fashion show, and more!

For more details on the show, visit the official Lovestruck website

DreamGroup received "Best Wedding" Award!

On Wednesday, October 21st, DreamGroup Productions was announced as the recipient of the "Best Wedding" Award at the BC Event Awards. We're so thrilled!

Unique Wedding Montage Slideshow

This wedding video is a must see...what a unique & creative concept!

Click here to watch it

19th annual Brock House Wedding Show a huge success!

We received so many fabulous comments about the Wedding Show on Sunday. We thought we would share a few:

"I know I said it yesterday but you did an amazing job on the 2009 Wedding show. I thought it was spectacular!!! I think that everyone could say it was one of the best yet!"

Gail Brommell, Catering Manager at Brock House Restaurant

"BRAVO!!!

CONGRATULATIONS ON A VERY SUCCESSFUL BROCK HOUSE WEDDING SHOW!

ONCE AGAIN, THE DREAMGROUP TEAM WAS AMAZING TO WORK WITH.

This was your best show yet! "

Jan Trerise, Musical Occasions

"We wanted to send a huge “Thank You” to all of you for another incredible show. We love doing the Brock House show and it is all so easy when we work with all you.

Thank you so much for another successful show.

See you next year."

Mona & Cheri Hamm, Isabelle's Bridal

Come back soon to see some photos from the show!

Wedding Fashion 101: The Professionals Advice

Want to hear what the professionals have to say about shopping for the perfect wedding dress, the Groom's Tux and accessories?

Checkout the article by Principal Planner, Geneve McNally, who compiled all of the advice from the Pros.

The Countdown is on!...

The 19th annual Brock House Wedding Show is right around the corner and we are so excited! The fashion show is going to be one-of-a-kind and there are so many great exhibitors that are attending. The Grand Prize Honeymoon is also up for grabs! You get to pick the location!*

Get your tickets through Clubzone for $35.00. They will also be available at the door for $45.00.

If you bring a gently used bridesmaid dress to donate to the Cinderella Project, you will receive a complimentary ticket when a second is purchased at the current ticket price.

UNLIKE ANY OTHER…
-over 40 wedding vendors ready to chat with you one on one
-exquisite gift bags stuffed with goodies
-cocktail lunch & wine included
-inspiring fashion show with wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, tuxes and more!
-tons of door prizes from The Bay & participating Exhibitors
-grand prize Honeymoon to be won

2 Shows at 11:00-3:00pm and 3:00-7:00pm with two fashion shows at 1:00pm and 5:00pm

*For more information and tickets visit www.dreamgroup.ca/weddingshow or call 604.537.3575.

Polaroid's New Instant Digital Camera

The new era of Polaroid cameras introduces the Pogo and instant digital prints to the world of weddings. No more shaking your prints and waiting till the image appears. All of the color is in the paper itself so there's no messy toner or ink.

A great new option for your guestbook or just to have some fun!

Check out Polaroid's website for more details and where to purchase your Pogo

DreamGroup Girls...

We love this photo of Associate Planner, Erin Bishop (right) with Assistant, Cristina Samper (left).



Photo by Pure Souls

A "Shout Out" to be Shared

We usually save testimonials we receive for the Testimonial Page, but this "shout out" had to be shared on a greater level as it encompasses so well what every DreamGroup Planner strives for in creating a memorable wedding planning experience. Thank you to Shauna for taking the time to share your experience.

Dear Geneve,

We were so fortunate to have been able to work with you for our wedding. Simply put, you are amazing.

I’ve said it before, but there were just so many times when you surprised and delighted me by thinking of extra thoughtful ideas and going the extra mile on so many occasions. You knew what to spend money on and you also advised me when it probably wasn’t worth it. And then explained why! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. You were always so prompt in responding to emails and phone calls. You are so passionate about what you do and it makes it a pleasure to work with you.

When we first met, it was your freshness and enthusiasm that made me want to work with you and it’s a testimony to how positive a person you are that after a year and a half of working together your can-do attitude never waned. You were always a ray of sunshine, always upbeat, positive and professional.

So many people commented on how relaxed and how much fun the bride was having and that was due largely to you. I felt that we had anticipated everything we could have and if anything came up I trusted you completely and knew things would be fine in your very capable hands.

We would not have enjoyed our wedding as much without your being there to oversee everything and it wouldn’t have been the gorgeous and magical day that it was without your advice and experience to guide us through the decisions. You became my friend and a confidant and I want to thank you for your advice as it came from a place of concern and consideration and I will always be very grateful to you for that. My wedding day could have been very different had you not been so honest with me. I am going to miss you, but wish you good health, much happiness and success!

With Love,
Shauna (Mrs. Zingg)
August 8, 2009

Unlike any other...

Well it looks like it's that time of year again...the 19th annual Brock House Wedding Show is just around the corner, Sunday, October 18th to be exact!

Just some of the great things you'll find at the Show:

-over 40 wedding vendors ready to chat with you one on one
-exquisite gift bags stuffed with goodies
-cocktail lunch & wine included
-inspiring fashion show with wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, tuxes and more!
-tons of door prizes from The Bay & participating Exhibitors
-grand prize Honeymoon to be won

2 Shows at 11:00-3:00pm and 3:00-7:00pm with two fashion shows at 1:00pm and 5:00pm

DreamGroup & The Cinderella Project: Bring a clean and gently used Bridesmaid Dress to the Show and receive complimentary access for one attendee (**visit the website for complete rules). The dresses will be donated to Cinderella Project, providing young, often less fortunate ladies with beautiful dresses to where to their high school prom or graduation event.

For tickets and information visit www.dreamgroup.ca/weddingshow or call 604.537.3575 (tickets are available through Clubzone)

Isn't Love Grand?!

On average, 236 eHarmony members Marry every day! And DreamGroup believes it! The past two years have brought with it an influx in the number of clients who have hooked up through the use of various online dating services, with eHarmony seemingly being one of the most successful and popular to date.

We have had the pleasure to meet and work with many couples sharing beautiful stories of finding true love and compatibility. We are excited to be able to be a part of their joy as they move forward in their lives together and are hopeful for all those singles out there that are still looking for love and whose future husband or wife awaits them just around the corner…ISN’T LOVE GRAND?

Maybe we should put an add on eHarmony’s website? :)

Calling All Future Wedding Planners!

DreamGroup is proud to announce the DreamGroup Academy - Wedding Planning 101 beginning this Fall (September 14th).

Become a wedding planner with the confidence to lead your clients through an efficient and informative wedding 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 learn from the best!


Click here for more information on this course.

REGISTER NOW!

Email us or call 604.537.3575

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.

Katy & Dave 07.10.09

Katy & Dave had the most spectacular day at Brock House for their wedding on July 10th. Fran Chelico was there to capture the day's moments and the sneak peak on her blog is fabulous.

Check out Fran's blog here

One of the special moments of the day...Katy's acapella group, Aliqua, sung her down the aisle.

Take the Day Off and Save $75.00!

Who is going to manage all of the wedding day details that you’ve so carefully planned?

Confidently hand over the responsibilities of executing the wedding to an experienced Coordinator (leaving family & friends to enjoy the evening’s festivities without worry or accountability) allowing everyone to fully immerse themselves in all of the important moments of the day.

These moments go by way too fast as it is!

Call us today for a complimentary consultation...www.dreamgroup.ca or 604.537.3575

For a limited time, receive $75.00 off your Wedding Day Management services. Please quote "DG Blog promo" when inquiring.

EXPIRES: October 31, 2009; Valid for 2009 weddings only

DreamGroup Weddings Published!

The latest local wedding magazines are out and DreamGroup weddings are featured:

WedLuxe Summer/Fall 2009 Issue: Heather & Gabriel's wedding (pg. 48). This was a fantastic Marie Antoinette themed wedding that transpired at the Sutton Place Hotel.

Real Weddings Spring 2009 Issue: Judy & Barend's wedding "Kosher Capers" (pg. 44). This beautiful wedding took place at the Brock House on Jericho Beach and was filled with Jewish festivities all night long.

Real Weddings Spring 2009 Issue: Lindsay & Larry's wedding "Love in the Second Act" (pg. 60). This wedding was unlike anything we've ever seen. The Bride & Groom met on stage when they were performing The Mikado and since a lot of their guests were from the Opera scene, the evening's entertainment consisted of Operatic performances all night long.

In the latest issue of Real Weddings, the Editor , Michael Alexander also had a few great things to say about DreamGroup:

"In particular I would like to make mention of local wedding planners Geneve McNally & Sarah Shore of DreamGroup Productions. Geneve and Sarah have been contributing to the local scene for many years now and have been at the heart of many of Vancouver's most spectacular weddings but hardly ever receive the media attention they deserve for their efforts. In this issue Geneve & Sarah were missed again despite the fact that we are featuring two of their weddings from 2008-09. But let's not leave that undone: thank you Geneve & Sarah!"

Samantha & Adam 05.24.09

Erik of Love Story Media shot a wonderful video of Samantha & Adam's wedding that took place at the Brock House Restaurant. Samantha Berry, a DreamGroup Associate Planner, was there to oversee all of the festivities come to life.

Check out the video here. You can definitely see the celebration and joy that people are experiencing in this video.



For more information on Love Story Media, check out their website.

Don't Miss Out!

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE to purchase pre-sale tickets @ $25.00 each to the 19th annual Brock House Wedding Show (Sunday, October 18th).

After May 31st, the tickets will go up to $35.00 each and if you purchase them at the door, they will be $45.00 each.

THIS IS THE PERFECT EXCUSE TO CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET!

DreamGroup and the Cinderella Project are working together to gather beautiful dresses for young ladies to wear to their high school prom or graduation event.

Bring a clean and gently used Bridesmaid Dress to the Brock House Wedding Show on Sunday, October 18th and you'll receive complimentary access for one attendee when a second ticket is purchased at the current ticket price.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE THROUGH CLUBZONE AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN A $500 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO BROCK HOUSE RESTAURANT!

**This gift certificate can be used for your rehearsal dinner, a private party, or even towards your Brock House Wedding!

To purchase your tickets through Clubzone,please click here. You can select to attend either the Morning Show (11:00am-3:00pm) or Afternoon Show (3:00pm-7:00pm).

Tickets include:

* Passed Wine
* Delicious Hors D'oeuvres and Cocktail Fare
* Inspiring Fashion Show
* Live Music
* Fabulous Door Prizes from Participating Exhibitors
* Grand Prize Honeymoon Giveaway
* Exquisite Gift Bag

For more information, visit the official Brock House Wedding Show website

Candace & Nick's Engagement Shoot...Wowee!

Candace & Nick are getting married June 20, 2009 at the beautiful Sutton Place Hotel and just had their engagement shoot with Chris & Lynn. The shots are absolutely stunning!





To see more of this incredible shoot, check out Chris & Lynn's Blog

We can't wait to see the photos of their wedding!

The Latest Must Have!

Damask Cupcake & Cake Stands

This custom, one-of-a-kind damask stand is a great modern alternative to the traditional cupcake or cake stand.

Cake Stand; 13" square base $30.00
Cake Stand; 16" square base $35.00
Cake Stand; 18" square base $45.00
Cupcake Stand $75.00

Delivery & setup in Vancouver $50.00; if delivery is outside of Vancouver, delivery cost will depend on location.
Cupcake stand can be disassembled to easily fit into a car

To rent your cupcake or cake stand, please contact us at info@dreamgroup.ca or 604.537.3575

Pixstar Photobooth so much fun!

River Rock never looked so good! Several notable local celebrities attended this high profile Carnival themed wedding affair and raved about the night’s exciting festivities one of which included the notoriously popular photobooth provided by Pixstar.

See some of the photos captured below…

Nicole & Tim 05.18.09

We are very excited to share these wonderful shots that Jamie Delaine took of Nicole & Tim at their wedding at Brock House Restaurant. The day was seamlessly orchestrated and ended with the breaking of plates...a truly fun Greek Tradition that everyone got into the spirit of.

Here are a few of the shots that Jaime captured:





This cupcake stand was a definite stand out on the dessert table. If you would like to rent it, please contact us. It is also available as a cake stand.


For more photos of this wedding, check out Jaime's blog

Join our Facebook Group!

DreamGroup has gotten on the band wagon and joined the ever popular Facebook. Check out what we've posted!

Old Style Telegram

Are you looking for something unique for your wedding? Check out these traditional telegrams that you can have sent to anyone, anywhere.



These would be perfect for a Save the Date:

Please save the date [stop] Carrie & Joe are getting married [stop] September 19, 2009 [stop] Vancouver, BC [stop] Formal Invitation to follow [stop]

Have a little fun with it!

To order your telegram, check out Telegram Stop

Jenn & Andrew's E-Shoot

Photographer Jenn Best lucked out with one of the sunny days that we've been having and shot some amazing photos of Jenn & Andrew for their recent Engagement Shoot.

Here's what Jenn (the Bride) said of their shoot:

"Thanks Jenn for an awesome Sunday afternoon. It was so much fun to hang out with you and pretend we’re celebrities and having a photographer follow us around. I knew you would do a great job, but I’m still blown away by how great the pictures turned out. You are definitely talented. I love how you captured the spirit of that wonderful afternoon. I think this was the funnest part of the wedding planning process so far! I can’t wait to do this again on our wedding day and with our family and friends."

To see more of photos...check out : Jenn Best's blog

DreamGroup's CSI TV Star Wedding Revealed...

If you've been watching Entertainment Tonight Canada you will know that our CSI bride is Lauren Lee Smith. DreamGroup's Associate Planner, Samantha Berry was featured on tonight's episode and noted 'they knew what they wanted and we just made it happen...'

Stay tuned to ET Canada this week for more details on Lauren's wedding.

View fantastic shots of Lauren photographed by Angela Hubbard