Brock House Wedding Show Poster has Hit the Streets!

The 20th annual Brock House Wedding Show is just around the corner and the posters have started to hit the Vancouver streets! Have you spotted one yet?

Sunday, October 24, 2010
11:00-3:00pm and 3:00-7:00pm with Fashion Shows at 1:00 and 5:00pm

Want to sit front row at the Fashion Show?
VIP tickets include Guaranteed FRONT ROW seats at the
Fashion Show and an exclusive VIP Gift Bag
**ONLY 35 TICKETS AVAILABLE per show!

Tickets are selling fast so gets your soon!

Click here to purchase your tickets...

For more details www.dreamgroup.ca/weddingshow

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Choosing your Officiant...

Your ceremony is one of the most important elements of your entire day. Unfortunately, the need to find someone to conduct the ceremony is often lost amongst the choosing of gowns, flowers, cakes, invitations, music and other important items. Since your ceremony will be the highlight of your day you should be sure to choose your Officiant wisely and early!

Select the right person for the job:

The type of ceremony you choose will affect your options for the Officiant. For example, if you belong to a church, you may have a smaller list of options: a Minister, Priest, Rabbi or other Clergyperson may be the required or assumed choice. However, if you opt for a secular, or civil ceremony, set aside time during wedding planning to decide on the person you want to perform your marriage ceremony.

In the Province of BC there are two categories of people licensed to perform weddings:

1. Religious Representatives - of which there are two types:

• a pastor/priest/minister/rabbi associated with the specific house of worship where the wedding ceremony will be held
• an ordained reverend or minister not associated with any specific house of worship

2. Marriage Commissioner (replacing the justice of the peace) through the Government of BC.

Couples opting for a ceremony outside of their own personal place of worship normally have a range of ceremony types to choose from, including: religious (if you share the same faith), interfaith (two faiths coming together), religious non-denominational or spiritual all of which would require a Religious Representative to carry out the ceremony. Couples opting for civil/secular ceremonies (with no religious content at all) would require a Marriage Commissioner.

Either route you take, be sure to discuss the content of the ceremony that the officiant plans to provide, as well as whether or not you'll be allowed to contribute at all (i.e. write your own vows). These items should count for a major part of your decision, as the content of your ceremony represents your permanent union with your partner.

What kind of person are you looking for?

Before you initiate the contact, you should have a general idea of the kind of person you want to officiate at your ceremony. Some couples may want a polished 'clerical' or 'official' presence; others may want a more informal presence. Some couples may want someone who takes a more formal dignified approach in conducting their ceremony; others prefer someone with a more casual 'light-hearted' demeanour. The Officiant’s personality and 'chemistry' with the couple are two very important items to look for in your Officiant.

Trust...A key ingredient:

One of the most important elements in your relationship with your Officiant is trust; trust in their professional competency! Trust that your ceremony will be conducted according to mutual agreed plans and according to your wishes. Trust, that you can leave it in his or her hands knowing that your day will begin with a lovely meaningful ceremony that will reflect the love between the two of you.

Other qualities to consider:

Once you have an understanding of your 'likes' and 'dislikes' you will be better equipped to choose the right Officiant. Important qualities you may want to consider are versatility, experience, warmth and caring, professionalism and qualifications. Speak to them over the telephone or in person, view their web page, and read their material. Also don’t be afraid to ask for references. A good ceremony will reflect your personalities and family traditions and will set the tone for your entire day!

Here are a few DreamGroup's favourite officiants:

CIVIL CEREMONY:

• Karen Ell: 604.737.7906 (Vancouver)
• Diane Brown: 604.732.6065 (Vancouver)
• Maureen Hunter: 604.984.6480 (North Vancouver)
• Kelly Ip: 604.899.3311 (Vancouver)
• Ann Moore: 604.731.1116 (Vancouver)
• Marion Whiffin: 604.921.2271 (West Vancouver)
• Bruce Cairnie: 604.626.5457

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY:

• Reverend Marilyn Knipp: 604.946.7833
• Reverend Brent Sheppard: 604.574.7731
• Reverend Garth McFadden: 604.512.3000
• Kettle Creek Weddings: 604.576.0300 (Offers a roster of options for an Officiant if you are ever stuck).

Katherine & Ian - September 10th, 2010

Since early this year, Associate Planner, Samantha Nutley, had the absolute pleasure of working with Katherine and Ian (and adorable puppy Bella) on their beautiful wedding at Brock House! Not only were they a wonderful couple to work with but their wedding was a gorgeous and heartfelt affair! Check out a slideshow of images by the fabulous Jenn Best from their amazing wedding day!

Congratulations again to newlyweds, Katherine and Ian...may your lives together be as absolutely wonderful as you deserve!

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Hosting a Green Wedding...

Interested in hosting a ‘Green’ Wedding? Or incorporating some sustainable elements throughout to help reduce your carbon footprint? Here are a few tips and tricks from The David Suzuki Foundation to help make your special day even better for the environment:

Wedded Bliss with a Low-carbon Twist

If you've recently decided to tie the knot, you may have asked yourself some difficult questions, such as, "How do I celebrate such an all-consuming event without a lot of consuming — and polluting?" And "How can I feel good about this day, without feeling that I've simply added to the climate and other environmental impacts that will be felt by future generations?"

The solution? Have a low-carbon wedding — a wedding with fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Consider these options;

The Dress

SmartBride Boutique is a free, local listings site connecting brides both past and present to buy, sell, and save. Search by city to find discounted and used wedding dresses, bridesmaids' dresses, shoes, jewelry, purses, decorations, and more. If you've already been a "green" bride, consider listing your dress to extend its life! There is no charge to sell items.

Start a Green Wedding Gift Registry

If all you need is love — and a healthy, happy Earth — then consider starting a wedding gift registry with the David Suzuki Foundation. Your guests can give green to a great cause that will help protect the environment. It's a meaningful way for everyone to celebrate your love for each other, and your love for nature. Email Kim Vickers or call her at 604.732.4228 or toll free 1.800.453.1533 to get started.

The Rings

Jewelry made from recycled gold and conflict-free gemstones can be a better option for the green-hearted. Curious how Canadian diamonds measure up? You might be surprised. Mining Watch Canada has unearthed another way to help save the boreal forest and our caribou. See their analysis here.

So before you buy that eco-friendly jewelry, be prepared to ask your jeweler a few questions. Is the recycled metal post-consumer? What are the refinery's environmental standards? (This is important because it's the refining process that releases toxic chemicals into our water.) Lab-made diamonds are the most environmentally friendly and only jewelers can tell the difference. You can also reuse and re-craft a gemstone from a family heirloom.

Today, some jewelry companies use 100 per cent post-consumer recycled gold. This decreases the demand for new gold, which means fewer harmful gold-mining practices. An interesting online option is Green Karat. All of their gemstones are manufactured or lab-made and their recycled gold is refined in facilities that meet strict environmental standards. You can even send in old or broken gold jewelry and Green Karat will either donate the proceeds or give you a credit on a future order.

Want to learn more? We've made it easy for you. Click here to find out how to make your wedding as Earth-friendly as possible.

WIN two free tickets to the Brock House Wedding Show!

VanCity Weddings is giving away two free tickets to the Brock House Wedding Show! To enter, simply visit their contest page and share a wedding tip that will help other brides plan their wedding.

Tickets include:

• Over 40 of Vancouver's Top Wedding Vendors
• Passed Wine
• Delicious Hors D'oeuvres and Cocktail Fare
• Inspiring Fashion Show
• Live Music
• Door Prizes from Participating Exhibitors
• Gift Bag for the Bride
• Grand Prize Honeymoon
• Every Bride will receive a pair of cubic zirconia & sterling silver earrings

The contest will end at 11:59 p.m. on October 8. Your entry will be assigned a number and will be randomly drawn on October 9. Contest only open to British Columbia residents. Winner will be forwarded to DreamGroup Productions Inc. to claim their prize.

Get another entry by tweeting: "Enter to win 2 free Brock House Wedding Show tix. http://bit.ly/auu04Q #Vancityweddings"

Good Luck!

Friday's Fabulous Find: Top it off...Custom Hats!

Top it Off - is a line of custom mini hats and accessories (made to order) for individual brides, bridesmaides or any themed special occasion. Designed and hand crafted by Cary of Paintertainment.

Cary loves to create ‘one off designs’. Whether it be something Classically Simple, Creative, ‘Over the Top’ whimsical or the just plain bizarre, she is always up for the challenge! If you wish to discuss ideas and thoughts with Cary please call her at 604.938 0932 or email anytime.

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Selecting your perfect wedding venue...

Need help deciding on your perfect wedding venue? Have a look at these helpful tips below and you should be able to choose the wedding venue that is just right for you and your guests.

First of all, start early! Many wedding venues are booking specific “in demand” wedding dates as early as 1 – 2 years in advance, so if you have your heart set on a specific date and/or venue, get your research and site visits started right away!

During your search have a realistic idea as to how many people are going to come to your wedding in mind. The best way to go about figuring this out is to account for everyone you plan to send an invitation to, but also keeping in mind that about 10 to 25% of your invited guests will be “unable to attend” depending on where guests are coming from and the wedding date you have chosen. If you plan accordingly, you should have plenty of space for all of your guests to share your special day.

Decide if you want separate venues for your ceremony and reception. If you want to do them both separately, then choosing venues that are near to each other is a good idea. Make sure that the reception venue is going to seat all the guests that attended the ceremony plus a few more just to be safe. Statistics show that typically more people attend receptions than the actual ceremony.

Do a walkthrough of each and every place you consider for your wedding. Bring a camera to document specific things you think make one site better than another. Also, carry a notebook and pen with you to make any notes or remember any questions you might have.

Investigate different types of venues for your wedding. Consider churches, botanical gardens, hotels, community centers, heritage houses, and any other building that rents space as a viable option. Don't remove a site from your consideration until you have seen it as you might be pleasantly surprised!

Be sure to ask if you can bring in your own caterer/alcohol, photographer, entertainment, audio-visual equipment, etc. as many facilities will only let you select from their preferred list of vendors. Also, ask if the facility owns the glassware and dishes, tables and chairs, dance floor and any other necessary items. Keep in mind that if the facility has to rent, they will pass the costs on to you.

Finally, ask for sample quotes from each of the venues you are considering and compare all included costs. Do not select a venue that isn’t going to comfortably fit inside your budget as it will only cause unnecessary stress down the road.

In the end, if you are honest with yourself and your budget as well as your realistic guest numbers then you will end up with the perfect venue for your special day! Happy Hunting!

Check out DreamGroup Productions on Shaw TV's "The Wedding Belles"!

Principal Planners, Sarah Shore and Geneve McNally were recently interviewed for Shaw TV's "The Wedding Belles"...check out the episode and the valuable advice they offered below:

The Wedding Belles hosts, Sarah and Aubrey, are thrown into some wedding day scenarios, watch to see if they sink or swim. Don't worry they have DreamGroup Productions Inc leading the way! Set at the beautiful University Golf Club, the girls get a chance to hit some balls once they're work is complete!

Friday's Fabulous Find: J'adore Encore!

Remember your big day? You walked down the aisle, you kissed the groom, you smiled until your cheeks hurt and you danced until you couldn't dance anymore. Then, you packed up the dress never to be worn again...Until now!

J'adore Encore is a chance to celebrate your wedding gown! Everyone is welcome and if you're still searching for Mr. Right, throw on a bridesmaids dress! If you just divorced from Mr. Wrong, don't blame the gown; reclaim it and wear it again! If you're a fabulous fiancée, any dress will do!

Join hosts Sarah Groundwater and Aubrey Arnason of Shaw TV's "Wedding Belles" for all kinds of mad fun! Fashion shows (Starring YOU!), wedding experts and vendors, and lots of fabulous food and drinks!

Thursday, September 23rd

at 7:00pm

Isabelle's Bridal

220 Esplanade West, North Vancouver, BC

All brides past, Brides-to-Be, and every other fabulous woman in the city is welcome to join us as we toast to wedding dresses that were, are, or are soon to be!

Please RSVP to "The Wedding Belles" on Facebook.

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Setting Up your Gift Registry...

Set up a gift registry at your favorite department store or perhaps several boutiques you simply love to shop at! You’d be surprised how many unique places offer gift registry services.

DG TIP: Be sure to call ahead and set up an appointment as some places require that you do this to give you an initial orientation.

DreamGroup’s Top Picks for Gift Registry Ideas:

DEPARTMENT STORES:

• The Bay

• Sears

• Canadian Tire

SPECIALTY:

• Cookworks

• Williams Sonoma

• Restoration Hardware

• Pottery Barn

• Chintz & Co

• Liberty

• Atkinson’s

WINE REGISTRY:

• Village Wines – Kits VQA: 1811 West 1^st, 604.732.8827

HONEYMOON REGISTRY:

• The Big Day Honeymoon Registry

• Integrity Travel

DG TIP: It really helps if you can break up your gift selecting into a couple different visits because it will take a few hours and can become tiring and overwhelming.

Friday's Fabulous Find: A Unique Place for Gifts!

The Gallery Store at Vancouver Art Gallery is one of Vancouver's greatest treasures for unique gifts. The store's knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, and its wide-ranging, uniquely Canadian selection of contemporary art books, posters, paper goods, jewellery and designer giftware, including a broad range of Emily Carr merchandise, make it a truly satisfying shopping experience.

Some of the wonderful items available at The Gallery Store include:

• Artist Editions: Limited edition artworks by Scott McFarland, Marianne Nicolson, Gabriela Albergaria, Kyohei Sakaguchi and Rodney Graham are available at the Gallery Store Click here for more information on available artist editions.
• Books and magazines: More than 1,000 titles on the visual arts and contemporary culture, both newly published and backlist books.
• Paper goods: Elegant, affordable greeting cards, notebooks, journals, address books, calendars and other designer paper products, many of them handmade in Canada.
• Posters, postcards and reproductions: An extensive selection of fine art reproductions of Canadian, American and European art, photography and decorative/design.
• Giftware: Something for everyone, including jewelery, silk scarves, handbags, desk accessories, and ceramic and glass, made by some of Canada's finest artisans.
• Toys and activities: An expanded selection of children's toys and activities.

Stop by The Gallery Store to pick up your unique gifts today, and don't forget...Gallery members receive 10% off all Gallery Store merchandise.

DreamGroup's September Blog Competition!

DREAMGROUP'S MONTHLY COMPETITION CONTINUES...

Recently, the principal planners of DreamGroup, Sarah Shore and Geneve McNally, were 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!

SEPTEMBER DREAMGROUP WEDDING COMPETITION: Share your best wedding planning advice, tips, or experiences... the best advice will be awarded with this month's DreamGroup Prize...

The fantastically fun "Love Pinch" Porcelain Cake Topper!

Please send your submissions via email to DreamGroup Productions with the Subject Line: "September Blog Competition Entry". Submission deadline is Thursday, September 30th. Good luck, and happy writing...we can't wait to hear your advice and tips!!

DreamGroup’s Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Shopping for your Bridesmaids' Dresses...

Decide on the style of dresses you want your attendants to wear and give them the store/website information, colors & styles (if necessary). It’s a good idea to discuss your ideas with your attendants as they may have a special request or some input they might wish to share. Here are a few of our favourite places to shop for bridesmaid dresses:

DG TIP: If body types permit, consider a less costly option of buying bridesmaids dresses from a local retail shop (i.e. RW & Co., Jacobs, The Bay, etc.)

RETAIL:

• Frocks
• Isabelle's Bridal
• The Bay

ONLINE:

• Coco Myles
• Alfred Angelo
• After Six & Dessy

FLOWER GIRLS & JUNIOR BRIDESMAIDS (ONLINE):

• Us Angels
• Winnie Mini

FLOWER GIRL & RING BEARER ACCESSORIES:

• Ring Bearers
• Flower Girls
• Us Angels

If you are ordering their dresses, make sure to obbtain all necessary body measurements from your bridal attendants (i.e. height, waist, bust, and hips). If they are ordering...give them all of the proper information so they can make their own arrangements. Also, be sure to discuss what accessories will be needed so that everyone is on the same page.