DreamGroup's Wedding Tip of the Week

Getting your Marriage License...

You can purchase your marriage license within 3 months of your wedding date. When the time comes, here are some tips on how to get it:

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO MARRY IN BC?

• You do not have to be a British Columbia resident to be married in the province. However, you are required to get a Marriage License which is valid for a term of three months and only valid in British Columbia.
  
  
• Anyone over 19 years of age is eligible to apply for a marriage license in BC. Anyone under 19 years of age must first obtain the consent of both parents. No one under 16 years can be married without the consent of the Supreme or County Court.
  
  
• If one or both individuals were recently divorced within the last 31 days, proof of divorce must be provided. No license is issued until the courts finalize a divorce, normally 31 days after the divorce decree is issued by the Courts.
  
  
• To marry, blood tests are not required under British Columbia legislation.

APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE

To get married in British Columbia, the Marriage Act requires that the couple get a Marriage License. You may get married during the three-month term of the license. Only one member of the couple needs to apply in person for a marriage license.

The current fee for a Marriage License is $100.00 and must be paid at the time of application.

To ensure accuracy of marriage certificates issued after registration and to verify legal age to apply for a marriage license, primary identification in the form of a birth certificate, IMM/Immigration form, Permanent Resident or Citizenship card confirming:

1) full legal names 2) birth date 3) place of birth should be provided for both parties.

You will also be asked to provide information on your current marital status and address.
If the applicant does not have primary identification for the parties then the following documents may be utilized in a descending order of preference:

• Driver's License
• Passport
• Credit Card
• Bank Card
Other documents may also be accepted.

The marriage license is issued at the time of application. The marriage license is non-refundable, valid for three months and may not be extended.

WHERE DO YOU GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE FROM?

Search for a place near you

For more information, check out the BC Vital Stats website

Everlasting Candlelight...The Next BIG Thing!

Check out this fabulous new product from kranberry-lane Waxxed candlelight! When candlelight meets wallpaper design the result is...pattern!

• 7 designs to choose from
• Colours: white & cream
• Height: 5" , 6", 9" and 12" Pillars
• Pricing from $21.60 to $28.80 each
• One free oil pod with each candle for a total of 20hrs burn time per pod.
• Poured and finished by Canadian hands

Make sure to check out these great new candles along with kranberry-lane's other wonderful products here!

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.

Weddings and the City...

Suzie Moldowan brought DreamGroup on board last year to assist her with the planning of her 2010 wedding and we, along with Associate Planner, Alicia Keats, have been enjoying quite possibly one of the most riveting and hilarious writers DreamGroup has ever seen since then! Here is yet another fantastic glimpse into Suzie's planning journey...enjoy!

Ok gals, after much stress and many played out scenarios in my head, I am happy to report that we will not need to ask the seamstress if she is in fact able to let OUT my wedding dress.

Phew.

This evening, while Mischa sat in the front room mildy hyperventilating and stuttering, I ventured into the washroom for a date with a stick. Armed with today's technology, I took 3 huge breaths, pulled down my pants, briefly caught a glimpse of my not so tight post prego body and began the "test." Visions of November 2008 lingered in my mind as it was clear that I had in fact been in this exact position before and trust me, it wasn't pretty. Now, in test numero uno, I sat, legs spread, while I watched (in slow mo by the way) my pee cascade down like Shannon Falls on a hot summer day. Indeed, it is debatable whether or not the giggling I heard in my head at that time was my own nervous guffaws or that of the urine itself knowing all to soon just what was to come. For all intents and purposes, I am leaning towards the latter. Nevertheless, my eyes were glued to the indicator strip as I had been instructed to so clearly watch in an effort to guarantee accuracy.

And thank god for accuracy.

Now, you should know (and some of you do already), that the instructions clearly stated that you should hold the stick for 5 secs before any reading would appear. Not the case. The minute "contact" was made I found myself staring at a bold plus sign that was irrefutable. In this case, the glove fit....a mere 38 weeks later I was staring into the eyes of my adorable and extremely gifted daughter.

I tell you this because I was, truth be told, expecting something similar to happen while hunched over the porcelain throne this evening. Thankfully, despite the absence of water imagery as in this case it was more reminiscent of something akin to equine relief (I tried to find an elegant way of putting this), I was greeted with a sign that I was, in some ways, not ready for. Give me addition, multiplication or division for that matter but subtraction? Sigh.

Yup, there it was, staring at me. A big minus.

Relieved? Yes. A little sad? Yeah, a little sad too.

Needless to say, timing isn't good and I am not going to be walking down the aisle with an "escort." Amen. Can only imagine what comments would arise from that, giggle.

So, there you have it. Thank you all for your kind words as I danced with panic.

Perhaps you'll be happy to hear that Mischa and I are still on the pill however, we have upgraded to spermicide baths and saran wrap sex. Yea, you read that right. Hey, don't judge. The latter, albeit hot and sticky (pun intended), is more fun than you think...just make sure your partner pokes holes in the mouth as I was less on the ball and mistook Mischa's muffled cries as new sexy time love mutterings. More to the point, I don't recommend laughing it off as Misch also didn't find his accidental suffocation amusing.

Kill joy.

Ok, must hit the sack as I have a brunch date tomorrow with my man and favourite little girl.

Love to you all and talk soon.

Suze
XOXOX

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Day

Looking for your perfect Wedding Shoes?!

Searching for and finding your perfect Wedding Shoes can be one of the most FUN parts of planning your wedding! Check out some of our favourite wedding shoe ideas and the best places to buy them below:

Here are a few of our favourite shoes from great online shops:

Stuart Weitzman Bridal

Stuart Weitzman "Rollback" Pumps

Stuart Weitzman "Gigi" Pumps

Nordstrom Wedding Shop:

Bourne "Serena" Pump

Martinez Valero "Olivia" Pump

Martinez Valero "Corrine" Sandal

Kate Spade "Lucia" Sandal

Valentino Bow Detailed Patent Leather d'Orsay Pump

Here are a few of our favourite more

colourful options:

Stuart Weitzman "Pom" Pump

Manolo Blahnik "Something Blue" Satin Pump

available at Neiman Marcus

Nine West Jojus Pump

Prefer to actually try before you buy?

Visit some of our favourite local shoe shops...

Lords Shoes on South Granville

Ingledew's in Vancouver, West Van, Burnaby, Richmond...

Browns at Pacific Centre or Oakridge Mall

Holt Renfrew

Blush Bridal & Cocktail Wear in West Vancouver

DreamGroup’s Top Five Wedding Shoe Tips

1. Wear your shoes around the house before the wedding day to break them in. It will be well worth it!

2. Bring your shoes with you to your final dress fitting so you can be sure the length works with your heel height.

3. Consider having a 2nd flat pair or comfy pair of white shoes like ballet flats (or diamond encrusted keds!) to change into after dinner as feet can start to ache after a long day!

4. Shoes do not have to be white! Fun options include pewter, silver, blue (something blue), gold, etc

5. Carry white chalk with you on the wedding day to cover up any unsightly scuffs that can accidently happen during the day.

Check back next week for another

DreamGroup Wedding Wednesday Tip of the Day!

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Day

Need some ideas for your Something Blue?

There are lots of different ways to incorporate this age old tradition into your wedding. Check out some of our favourite ideas below:

Sew a small piece of blue fabric, thread or a patch

with blue embroidering inside your dress

Incorporate a couple of small blue flowers into your bouquet

Find a pair of fabulous Blue Shoes - a la Carrie Bradshaw!

Pick a pair of blue earrings from Jeweliette Jewellery & Accessories or find a fun hair accessory with a touch of blue

Opt for a wedding dress in a subtle blue tone

Just like this one from Maggie Sottero

Ask your florist to wrap the stem of your bouquet with blue fabric

Make sure to check back next week for

DreamGroup's Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Day!

More Images from the "Best Wedding in Canada"!

Geneve McNally, Principal Planner, worked with Ashley & Marty in planning their perfect wedding from start to finish and every gorgeous detail and meticulously planned element helped earn the wedding the title of "Best Wedding in Canada" at the 2010 Star Awards in Toronto!

Here are a few more of Geneve's favourite photos from this fantastic day:

Thanks again to the AMAZING team that helped pull off this stunning day and best wishes to Ashley and Marty always! Check out our previous post to view more photos from this fabulous wedding as well.

Get your Garter!

It’s that time of year again when brides start collecting their bridal accessories in preparation for the big day so we thought we would share some of our favorite garters with you...

One of our Brides recently delighted her Groom by including a surprise garter toss into the wedding reception even though she told him she didn't want to take part in this age-old tradition. Right before the end of their First Dance the DJ scratched in Nelly’s “It’s Getting Hot in Here” just as a perfectly timed chair slid across the dance floor (thanks to her partner in crime...a.k.a. her wedding planner) where the bride lifted her leg onto the chair revealing a stunningly sexy garter just waiting for her excited groom to remove. The look of surprise and excitement on the Groom's face was priceless.

Have a little fun with your Garter Toss and make it something that your Groom won’t soon forget!

It can even be your something blue!

Click here for more info on the "Classic Garter with Buckle"

We love this garter set! It includes one to keep and one to "toss".

Click here for more info on the "Sweet Art Bridal Garter Set"

Or get your garter in any color…

Click here for more info on the Bridal "Toss" Garter

Don’t see your garter here…?

Check out the DreamGroup Boutique for more.

Winning Best Wedding in Canada was only the icing on the Cake (and one of the prettiest cake's ever)!

Winning Best Wedding in Canada at the 2010 Star Awards in Toronto was only the icing on the cake! Geneve McNally, Principal Planner, adored working with Ashley and Marty in planning their perfect wedding from start to finish. Every detail, every element from the church ceremony, through to the the Dinner and Dancing under a private garden tent on the bride's parent's estate was purely decadent and meticulously planned. The couple trusted DreamGroup to pull off an outstanding end result and it was because of that trust and faith in our abilities and insight that Ashley and Marty's wedding was as beautiful and memorable as it was.

We could not have done it without an AMAZING team of incredible florists, decorators, caterers, photographers, and more! See below for a full list of the wonderful Wedding Professionals that helped make this day everything it should be! Josh Bowie captured incredibly Ashley and Marty's genuine love for one another and their joie de vivre approach to life which can be felt through his stunning portray of the day's events as they so beautifully unfolded.

Below are a selection of Geneve's favourite photos.

Congrats again to Ashley and Marty on a wonderful life together!

The Details

• Flowers by Granville Island Florists
• Decor by Upright Decor
• Cake & Catering by Culinary Capers
• Music by Dr. Strangelove
• Photos by Josh Bowie Photography
• Videography by Laura Ann Cinema
• Hair by Blo on the Go
• Make Up by Hayley Miller
• Ice Sculpture by Cool Creations
• Tenting by Apex Tents
• Photobooth by Photobooth Vancouver
• Stationery by Wintons

Check back next week for more of Geneve's favourite photos

from Ashley & Martin's Day!