Friday's Fabulous Find: Vancouver's Best Cover Band!

New on the Scene... SideOne

DreamGroup had the pleasure of witnessing SideOne's debut performance at Sarah and Tom's Treetop Wedding this past Saturday. We knew they would be good because the musicians making up this band's ensemble cast have been playing for several years now on the scene in some of Vancouver's hottest bands... We just had no idea HOW GOOD they would be as a group. Well, the guests danced the night away, the clients raved on and on, and the wedding planner was overjoyed! :) What a fantastic group dynamic they have! We wish SideOne the best of luck in their take-over of the Vancouver entertainment circuit.

www.sideone.ca

"Having a live band is a must if you want your party to be a party, but it needs to be the right live band. We won't rail at you for several paragraphs with the same words everyone uses like dynamic, energetic, engaging, polished and infectious - though all would apply. The point is simply that this band is made up of extremely talented and experienced musicians, and the sets were crafted for the sole purpose of packing a dance floor, while avoiding entirely the typical cover band cheese. With a repertoire covering ground from Aretha to Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon to Queen and literally everything in between, SideOne will customize the set to appeal to your guests and at no point will there be any YMCA-ing, promise. SideOne is about the music, and the audience, and will rock your event for a price that won't make you gag."

Check out http://www.sideone.ca/ and experience something fun, new and fresh in Vancouver Entertainment.

DreamGroup's Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Wedding Websites

For many of you this is the beginning of your Wedding Planning Journey… join us each week as we share our best Wedding Tips with you to help you plan YOUR perfect wedding.

Wedding Websites~ a fun and easy way to share stories, important wedding related information, and pictures with family and friends.

Your website can include things like directions, hotel accommodations, an online guest book and/or RSVP page, your registry information, childhood photos, and even stories about how you and your fiancé met. A wedding website is especially helpful if you have lots of out-of-town guests.

DreamGroup’s Top Picks for Wedding Websites:

o eWedding
o The Knot
o mywedding.com
o Wed Quarters
o Momentville
o wedsite.com

Fabulous New Online Community...Xoopla!

Recently DreamGroup was introduced to the fabulous new online community hitting the Vancouver scene... Xoopla! Check out the interview with Geneve McNally, Principal Planner with DreamGroup Productions and also some of the other fabulous vendors on this most creative and helpful new "tool" geared at Vancouver consumers looking to get "the real story" on local businesses, vendors, and services.

Interview with a Geneve McNally Dream Group Wedding Planner Vancouver BC from williexoopla on Vimeo.

About Xoopla...

Xoopla makes finding local information less time consuming. Brides can go to many sites looking for information, but they will only find ads which no one really trusts anymore. They are still looking for the information to plan their wedding. That is why we interview and publish businesses and other experts. This is our attempt to put this relevant information in one spot for brides to be can find what they are looking for. (We will be opening this up to everyone- Like Wikipedia- so people can share information, review , recommend etc)

Xoopla is a social media and search site, where people and businesses share their expertise. This is how businesses get a reputation. The beauty of social media is that they can refer to their friends, recommend, review, and even look for a wedding planner, and filter the results through their friends recommendations. Users can connect to businesses, communities, to each other and share information. Business owners share information (as an expert), and update customers and potential customers that are connected to you when you update your site.

It is different than conventional advertising because it's not about self promotion, but about sharing experiences with the community.

Friday's Fabulous Find: Family Tree Guestbook!

Recently, Associate Planner, Corinne Colledge had some very creative clients! Not only was their family tree guest book a fun twist on the traditional guest book, but it also provided their guests with a fun activity during the cocktail hour. An added bonus is that their tree now serves as a lasting keepsake for them as well!

Want to make your own Family Tree Guest Book? Start with an over sized print of your tree without guest names on it. Setup a few different stamp-pads. You can either do a range of colors that matches your wedding color or shades of green, mimicing natural leaves. Also set out a grouping of matching pens.

Leave a small sign asking guests to imprint their thumb onto a branch and use the pens to add their name to identify their thumbprint. Be sure to encourage randomness to make the final design organic and fun!

To keep the project tidy, provide a few "Magic Erasers" or a basket of small moist toilettes in easy to use individual packets.

If you're not the DIY type, check out The Etsy Shop by Lovliday - she offers signs and blank trees at a really great price! Enjoy!

DG's Annual Photo Shoot!

Last month the DG girls headed out to Iona Beach for our annual staff photo shoot. Before we left, we were each pampered by the lovely Hayley Miller so needless to say we looked FABULOUS! Thanks to the wonderful creativity and energy of Camille and Chadwick of Jonetsu Photography the photos turned out amazingly...check out a few of our MANY favourites below:

Sarah Shore, Principal Planner

Geneve McNally, Principal Planner

Alicia Keats, Associate Planner

Samantha Nutley, Associate Planner

Corinne Colledge, Associate Planner

Kiren Atkar, Wedding Coordinator

Special thanks again to Hayley Miller and Jonetsu Photograpy for the wonderful magic you created! We can't wait to work with each of you again!

Miran & Corey - 05.08.10

Erik of Love Story Media shot an amazing video of Miran & Corey's wedding that took place at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel. Along with Principal Planner, Sarah Shore, Jeanie Ow was also there to ensure that this wonderful couple had the perfect day they deserved...

Check out the video here. You can truly feel the love that Miran and Corey have for each other!

Congratulations again Mrian & Corey, we wish you many many years of happiness!

Friday's Fabulous Find: Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver

In need of a fun and unique activity for your stag or stagette? Or are you just looking for a great time with your wedding party or family visiting from out of town? The Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver offers custom designed classes where they create a fun-based pastry, chocolate or bread orientated class – exclusively for your group!

Owner and pastry chef, Marco Ropke, is a third generation pastry chef from Germany with over twenty years of international experience as a pastry and bakery chef. He now brings his knowledge of European, Asian and North American pastries to Vancouver. The Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver reflects Chef Marco's deep passion for his trade and a strong teaching ethic.

Register for your personal classes today by contacting the Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver at 604.569.1680 or email for more information. You can also register on their website.

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Choosing your Card and/or Money box...

Now that you've got most of your details figured out...all that's left is to decide what type of container you want to use for guests to drop their cards and monetary gifts into! Should it be simple and classic? Sleek and Modern? or perhaps fun and funky? There are tons of great options available so check out a few of our favourite below:

Simple and Classic:

The Elegant Italian Chest Wishing Wells are the perfect addition to your wedding. Wishing Wells are the perfect way to collect cash or money gifts. This elegant Italian Chest makes a beautiful "Wishing Well" yet is also very suitable for use as a storage container for all of your cherished memorabilia.

Sleek and Modern:

This Plexiglass Envelope/Draw Box is transparently functional and stylish. Yet it is versatile enough to be at home in any environment.

These Bubble vases are gorgeous and modern examples for your card box. However, keep in mind that any wide mouthed vase or bowl would be an excellent choice.

Fun and Funky:

Why go typical when you can have something extraordinary? Order a fun, funky, custom made card box that is designed and constructed JUST FOR YOU!

Before you choose, think about the style of wedding that you're planning and aim to purchase a card box that fits within that style or theme. Most importantly though...pick something that you love!

Monika & Kent's Stunning Gallery Cafe Wedding!

Over the past 8 months, Associate Planner, Samantha Nutley, had the supreme pleasure of working with Monika Pawlowska and Kent Hawkins on their gorgeous July 3rd wedding at the Art Gallery Cafe! Not only were they amazing to work with but as you will see below, they are an absolutely stunning couple! Check out a sample of images by the lovely Erin Gilmore from their perfect day!

For more photos from this fantastic wedding, check out Erin Gilmore's Blog! Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Hawkins!!

Friday's Fabulous Find: Wax Candle Adapters…

Make sure there are no falling candles at your wedding with these Wax Candle Adapters from the DreamGroup Boutique.

Imagine, instead of having to burn the bottom of ALL of your centerpiece candles (which still fall over anyway) these sticky wax tabs secure each candle to it's holder so you no longer have to worry! They work extremely well and are definitely a MUST have for any wedding with candelabras or large amounts of tall standing candles!

Make sure you get your candle adapters along with lots of other handy wedding day tools from the DreamGroup Boutique today!

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Planning the Rehearsal Dinner...

Whether you're having a formal wedding or a casual backyard gathering, the wedding rehearsal dinner is an opportunity to relax with friends and family before the demands of the wedding day whirlwind kick in. So here are a few tips to help make your rehearsal dinner as smooth and relaxing as possible...

Who plans the rehearsal dinner traditionally?

Traditionally, it is typically the groom and the groom's family that plan and pay for the rehearsal dinner. That tradition, of course, originates from the concept that the bride's father was paying for the wedding reception itself, the next day. Nowadays, there's a lot more flexibility, with the bride likely wanting to have a say in what the tone and style of the rehearsal dinner will be. In terms of paying for the dinner, however, to be clear - this is a dinner that is being hosted for the benefit of an intimate group of guests, so discuss a budget and guest list before you begin planning the dinner and then stick to it.

When does the rehearsal dinner take place?

As the name suggests, the rehearsal dinner usually takes place soon after the wedding rehearsal, which probably means a night or two before the actual wedding. Keep in mind, that the rehearsal dinner doesn't have to go on for hours - its fine to wrap things up shortly after everyone has finished eating. Everyone will be tired, and you, the couple, should get a good night's sleep. That being said, if you know your group likes to have a good time, plan the dinner for two nights before the wedding so you have a day in between to rest and recuperate.

Who gets invited to the rehearsal dinner?

A very common question when planning your rehearsal dinner is...who gets an invite? or how many people should we limit the guest list to? The rehearsal dinner should be hosted for each of your parents and the wedding party. This sometimes includes grandparents and other VIPs. You might also consider inviting your officiant or any guests that have made an extraordinary effort to make it to your wedding; i.e. those that have travelled a long way to get there. Additionally, each of the members of the wedding party should be allowed to bring their significant other. You might also need to consider babysitting, or accommodate children at the rehearsal dinner. Typically, most couples host around 20 people...of course, who ultimately attends is up to you.

Finally, just remember that as we said before, this dinner should be about your closest friends and family. So make sure that all of your VIPs are present and take a few minutes to let them each know how much you appreciate them and all they've done for you and your wedding!

DreamGroup's Monthly Competition!

DREAMGROUP'S MONTHLY COMPETITION BEGINS...

So the two principal planners of DreamGroup, Sarah Shore and Geneve McNally, were recently on their bi-annual Whistler Work Weekend Getaway and came up with the brilliant idea to implement a Monthly Blog Competition awarding readers with various coveted Wedding-related Prizes in exchange for their wedding related stories, photos (i.e. best bouquet toss photo), and experiences. The Subject of the competition will vary from month to month and submissions will be judged and a prize awarded to the reader deemed to have the best story/experience/photo. We will have an honoured Guest Judge each month to keep things fair and fun! There is no cost to enter and we are very excited to hear from you!

JULY DREAMGROUP WEDDING COMPETITION: Share your Proposal/Engagement Story... the best story will be awarded with this month's DreamGroup Prize...

A lovely silver plated cake knife and server set!

Regular Judges:

Sarah Shore, Principal Planner for DreamGroup Productions

Geneve McNally, Principal Planner for DreamGroup Productions

Guest Judge:

Angela Desveaux, Editor of WedLuxe Magazine

Please send your submissions via email to DreamGroup Productions with the Subject Line: "July Blog Competition Entry". Submission deadline is Saturday, July 31st. Good luck, and happy writing...we can't wait to hear your stories!!

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!