Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the week... You've said YES! Now what's next?

The holidays are the perfect time for popping the question! Almost immediately following the big announcement of one's engagement the floodgates of wedding-related questions come pouring in from friends and family... "when's the date?"... "where's the reception?"... "what are your colours?" And though not intentional, this can begin to build, and pile on, that wedding stress! Don't let yourself become overwhelmed and enjoy this special time with you and your fiance!

Once you're ready to make a plan of action you may consider creating a wedding website. This website can include things like directions, hotel accommodations, an online guest book, your registry information, childhood photos and even stories about the couple. This is especially helpful if you have lots of out-of-town guests.

DreamGroup's Top Picks for Wedding Website:

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

Organization is the key to planning a successful wedding! We suggest using a 1-2 inch binder to help you keep all your wedding related documents (i.e. checklists, contracts, etc.) and inspirational materials in one easily accessible place. The clear paper protectors are perfect for keeping magazine tear-outs, fabric swatches and other miscellaneous bits & pieces.

Come up with your Wedding Vision Keywords:

• Relaxed
• Elegant
• Modern
• Traditional
• Fun
• Unique
• Luxurious
• Understated
• Intimate
• Other:__________

DG TIP: These keywords will come in handy in keeping your wedding style focused as you consider various elements you may wish to incorporate into the wedding i.e. "Does this invitation say Relaxed & Elegant?" or "Do these bridesmaid dresses reflect a Modern & Fun feel?

Make sure to check out the 12 Days of Xmas: Wedding Must Haves... a holiday feature on our blog starting tomorrow, December 1st!

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A Winter Wedding

Winter is on it's way and if you're planning a wedding during this festive season, check out some new ideas courtesy of The Knot... Watch out summer, winter may become the "peak season" to exchange vows!

Wedding Colors

Consider a less-is-more approach to your colour palette. Silver and white with crystal accents can add some serious glamour!
For your ceremony:

• try a white velvet aisle runner trimmed with white satin ribbon
• or decorate the altar with a crystal curtain backdrop adorned with hanging strands of elegant white phalaenopsis orchids.

Outdoor vows?

• get your guests in on creating the ambiance by giving out clear umbrellas to friends and family as they arrive.

Flowers

Consider fuller flowers - white hydrangeas and soft ranunculuses.
White boutonnieres can be handsome:

• when they are accented with greenery
• but they also look great with a simple white ribbon

Add sparkle to your bouquet by wrapping the stems in ribbon embellished with crystals.

Invitations

A black-tie event is nicely conveyed by:

• heavy cardstock
• and a navy blue, chocolate-brown, or event eggplant font with hand calligraphy

For a fresh way to achieve a formal tone:

• use thick, Plexiglas invitations in white scripted ink.
• Send to all your guests tucked into silver envelope liners.

Find more winter wedding inspiration here!

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Monday's Montage: For the Holiday Hostess!

As you know, December 1st is this week, and Starbucks has long ago started brewing it's famous Christmas blend! With the year winding down, it's time to start prepping for the party season.

If you're hosting a soiree or two over the holidays, find some inspiration below to get you in the spirit of the season! Use the traditional festive colours of reds, greens, gold and silver, or experiment with modern punches of fuchsia or bright crisp blue.

Host a stylish dinner party or casual cocktail get together with traditional aspects and a modern flair...

Be sure to follow the DG Blog this week to get some tips on personalizing your parties!

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Bridal Swap Review From a Bride-to-Be!

How wonderful... We just received a great email from a Bride about The Original Bridal Swap!

Though the Fall 2011 Bridal Swap has come and gone, Brides are still beaming over their fabulous finds! Did you miss out on Bridal Swap this past Sunday? Check out the thrill of the hunt experienced by this happy Bride-to-Be...

"I really enjoyed the Bridal Swap last Sunday - it was fantastic! Wedding Shopping can be almost painful on a tight budget, but the Bridal Swap made finding things fun and affordable. The venue was gorgeous and had plenty of space compared to the previous bridal swap (which I also attended). There was an excellent selection of bridal bargains, and lots of beautiful gowns at budget-friendly prices. Best of all - I found my dress! It's a gorgeous designer gown and way nicer than I could otherwise afforded. Thank you for putting on such a wonderful event!"

And don't fret, Bridal Swap will make a reappearance in early 2012, stay tuned for the date!

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Friday's Fabulous Find: True Value Vintage

In search of some retro, original finds for your Bachlorette party outfit or accessories for your Bridesmaids?

Check out True Value Village at 710 Robson Street where you can find vintage wear anywhere from $5 to $500.

Beyond the racks of fun, original outfits are the racks of Vancouver designer clothes found at the front of the store. New designers emerging on the scene display their latest, interesting styles only at this store front!

Maybe when the boys are enjoying their football activities this weekend, you and the girls can sneak away to shop for some fabulous finds at this underground gem! Find some cute shoes, original dresses, stand-out accessories, and much more! Add some flair and personal style to your wedding party!

Have a great weekend everyone!

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Prep & Practice Makes Perfect!

Here are your final tips from Martha Stewart Weddings on on giving a tip, top, toast!

Do your homework

The best toasts that seem natural and unrehearsed, take preparation!

Star with an outline

• Create categories of topics you want to cover

Recall and reflect

• Spend some time really thinking about your relationship

Seek outside inspiration

• Consult a collection of quotes or poems

Practice, Practice!

...have a draft completed a few weeks before the wedding to ensure you have time to do some dry runs.

Keep it short

• no more than a few minutes
• time yourself
• rewrite parts you find yourself stumbling over
• record yourself, or rehearse before an impartial party - ask for feedback!

Include stage directions

• get a sense of where natural breaks occur - write "Pause" as a reminder

Bring notes

• avoid the impulse to write everything down
• Even if you memorize your speech... you should still have something in front of you to fall back on

Make copies

• print a duplicate of your notes and give it to another guest in case you misplace your own!

Now you have all the tools to compose and deliver the perfect toast!

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Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the week... Toast Etiquette

This week's tips will help ease any apprehensions you might have over your speaking duties at your wedding!

Here's some helpful advice compliments of Martha Stewart Weddings... And in case you missed it, check out yesterday's post to find out who gives the toasts!

What's the order?

At formal weddings: designated speakers take the mike once the meal is concluded. If the wedding cake will be served as dessert, toasts can begin after it is cut.

The traditional order:

• the bride's father
• the groom
• and the best man.

A more contemporary variation:

• the bride's father and mother
• the groom and bride
• the best man
• and the maid of honour.

At less formal weddings:

Toasting may begin once everyone has been seated and served drinks.

• Best man would begin
• followed by the maid of honour
• fathers or parents of the newlyweds may also take a turn
• as well as the bride and groom

Check back tomorrow for your last tips on toastings... Cheers!

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A Special Afternoon Post... A Bridal Swap Recap!

This past Sunday Brides-to-be came together in search of wedding day treasures at The Original Bridal Swap at Villa Amato in Vancouver. Brides came out of the cold and enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, exploring wedding items from Past Brides and Decorators.

Some fabulous wedding and event professionals were also in attendance to mix and mingle with Brides as they navigated their way through the ballroom in search of the perfect, savvy find(s)!

Check out all that took place this past Sunday, and visit the Bridal Swap website for a full list of professional exhibitors from the show... Enjoy!

Read about this Bride's experience at the Bridal Swap who walked away with some great deals!

Be sure to stay tuned for the 2012 Bridal Swap date!

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Who Raises the Bubbly?

One of the tasks you have to tick-off your wedding to-dos is assigning who will give the toasts. Today, the gesture can be performed by men and women alike!

Here's some helpful advice compliments of Martha Stewart Weddings...

The bride's father and mother

As the traditional host, the father of the bride reserves the right to kick things off. He can speak on behalf of himself and his wife, or together with his wife... topics often include: the first public congratulations to the newlyweds, welcome and thanks tot he wedding party and guests, and a reference to the union of the two families.

The groom and bride

You can your groom may toast independently, or you may wish to speak together as newly minted newlyweds. You may alternate topics - for example, he thanks the guests while you thank the wedding parties.

The best man

His main goal is to honour the couple together by reminiscing about his friendship witht he groom, recalling the first time he met the bride, or giving his impression of the impact she's had on his friend.

The maid of honour

She can be included in order to offer an additional point of view on the couple.

The groom's parents

Traditionally, these two are not expected to toast at the reception, but they may wish to do so, especially if they didn't get a chance to chime in at the rehearsal dinner.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for more helpful advice on mastering the art of toasts!

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Monday's Montage: Don't Fall Flat on Style...

With the growing trend of Brides swapping out of their traditional gowns before the reception in favour for a fun party dress, why not also step out of your heels for a pair of flats, that DON'T fall flat on style!

Check out some lovely "heel-less" shoes tracked down by Wedding Bells, that will keep you dancing into the wee hours without sacrificing on style.

These bejeweled flats are just as special as any sky-high heels, but won't have you reaching for the bandages by the time your vows are read.

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Friday's Fabulous Find: WonderBucks Urban Alley

Find some retro, fabulous finds at Wonderbucks Urban Alley. This retail legend was introduced to Vancouverites as a retro general store 13 years ago and continues to offer shoppers a wide selection of edgy merchandise and apartment-sized furniture.

Find all those final touches for your wedding decor, including candles, mirrors, frames and more!

This week's Fabulous Find can be found at 909 W. Broadway, Vancouver and 1803 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, or check them out online here.

Happy weekend of shopping!

See you all Sunday at Bridal Swap!

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2012 Wedding Trends

With 2011 winding down, Brides-to-Be are looking towards the trends of 2012! What can Brides expect? Retro-chic and eco-friendly!

Check out vintage trends courtesy of Bride.ca...

1. The Floral Bouquet

If you are planning on using a traditional floral bouquet, you can give yours a vintage feel by using soft colours like white, ivory, cream, light pink or lavender in big blooms like hydrangeas, peonies, or roses. Pearls, lace, and a sparkly brooch on the stem will complete the creation.

2. The Non-Floral Bouquet

Collect several keepsake brooches and assemble them into a timeless keepsake that you can carry down the aisle and cherish forever.

Find more retro-chic inspiration here! And we hope to see all you eco-friendly Brides this Sunday, November 20th, at Bridal Swap to start collecting your must-need wedding items!

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A Special 2nd Edition of Friday's Fabulous Find(s)!

This week we couldn't resist but blog about The Original Bridal Swap coming up this Sunday November 20th at Villa Amato where Brides-to-Be will enjoy the thrill of the hunt and surely find some fabulous finds!

We've got lots of Past Brides, decor companies and more, selling lovely, pre-loved things...

Come and find YOUR fabulous find THIS Sunday!

Get your tickets today... see you at The Original Bridal Swap!

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Wedding Wednesday: DG's Favourite Favours...

Need some tips on selecting your wedding favours? Check out DreamGroup's Top Picks!

• DreamGroup Boutique
• Wedding Things
• InspirAsian Creations
• Sweet Thea
• Chocolatas
• Tastebook

Another idea in lieu of the traditional favour is to make a donation on behalf of the guests to your favourite charity. Here are a few to consider:

• BC Children's Hospital
• Canadian Cancer Society of BC
• Tie the Knot for Breast Cancer

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Best Wedding in BC Award!

Congratulations to Sarah Shore, Principal Planner of DreamGroup Productions for receiving the Best Wedding Award at the 2011 BC Event Awards!

Check out the photos from the Best Wedding in BC on Blue Olive's Blog

The BC Event Awards is a regional awards program recognizing outstanding achievements in special events, meeting management, and conference planning and exhibition managements.

"...my favourite part of the planning process is come the wedding day when it's time to orchestrate everything that we've been planning and all of the details come together so beautifully."

Learn more about this award-winning wedding planner here!

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Monday's Montage: This week's theme...Think Green!

Have a green wedding all around... Find inspiration in the refreshing shades of green for your wedding decor, and be an eco-chic bride by incorporting some "green" aspects into your wedding.

This weekend take part in the thrill of the hunt and discover what Bridal Swap has to offer you! Find your wedding decor needs and even your dress this Sunday, November 20th.

And if you or someone you know is a Past Bride still hanging onto a closet full of wedding items, mark the 20th as the date to declutter and make some extra money for the holidays!

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