Monday's Montage: Groomsmen Gift Ideas

 

I know guys think women are hard to shop for, but when trying to find the perfect gift for your groomsmen, it may seem the opposite is true. Sure, you can always get them cuff links or a flask, but how many do they really need? You don't want to give them a gift that’s just going to end up in the bottom of a drawer or a box in the attic.. Try thinking outside of the box and choosing gifts that compliment their personal interests.

 

Many of these customized items can be found on Etsy, or for the man who has everything, Revolucion Style in Yaletown is full of unique ideas and very "manly man" gifts. Including mustache wax, and cigars! Enjoy finding the perfect for your supportive groomsmen, along with a man hug of course.

 

Jayleen Deelman has been with DreamGroup since 2010 and has made her way from our Star Wedding Coordinator to a Dedicated Associate Planner. Jayleen is upbeat, good natured, and always smiling. She is attentive and with her passion for everything weddings she is key in carrying out a fluid and enjoyable wedding day experience. Clients adore her sweet disposition and her desire to make their wedding a memory they will never forget.

Friday's Fabulous Find : Dedicated to all drink enthusiasts!

 It is about time our city is blessed with a retail store of this kind! With everything from high end bartenders tools, an amazing selection of bitters, syrups and mixers, vintage glassware, bartenders lounge wear, an actual tiki bar, retro Guinness coasters, cocktail books and even cigars! Finally, a place for enthusiasts where everything they want is under one roof.

 

I did not stumble upon this classy joint, I was desperately looking for it!! A recent bride of mine asked for my help in surprising her groom with something special on the night of their wedding. As she explained, the drink they shared on their first date was Moscow Mule, and she would like to have it during a private moment just the two of them while she gave her own personal vows to  him.      HOW ROMANTIC!!

 

 

I had never heard of Moscow Mule before, but I quickly learn that it is soo delicious, served in a copper mug, and hard to find! Thank goodness I was eventually pointed in the direction of The Modern Bartender located in China Town. The owner is very sweet, helpful, and wow there are some fun pieces in that store!! I left with the perfect Moscow Mule Mugs for the bride and groom-to-be, and also full of thoughts for unique gifts for your wedding party, favours, and ideas to add personality to any wedding.

 

 
And after a beautiful wedding, private vows, and a special copper mug drink from their first date, the bride and groom lived happily ever after.. I just love my job. And had to share the love from The Modern Bartender

 

Jayleen Deelman has been with DreamGroup since 2010 and has made her way from our Star Wedding Coordinator to a Dedicated Associate Planner. Jayleen is upbeat, good natured, and always smiling. She is attentive and with her passion for everything weddings she is key in carrying out a fluid and enjoyable wedding day experience. Clients adore her sweet disposition and her desire to make their wedding a memory they will never forget.

Friday's Fabulous Find brings you some R&R

I know with our busy schedules it can be difficult to find time for R&R. However, it MUST BE DONE! This week's fabulous find introduces you to Cristy Chandler, a massage therapist, who will melt your worries away.

Whether it's to refocus, take time with your partner, or better yet, to have Cristy come to your home or hotel before your wedding to help you relax and feel stress free, I highly recommend Cristy. Her massage will make you melt like butter, and leave you feeling relaxed and calm.

Cristy has been practicing massage for 8 years.  She is a certified body worker who practices therapeutic holistic massage and specializes in shiatsu and reflexology. She has treated many different health conditions. More details can be found on her website at www.massagevancouver.org

For the ultimate convenience, Cristy can deliver amazing results at either her office, your home or any event location.

She comes highly recommended and you will indeed feel rejuvenated and refocused, with your muscles relaxed and soft like butter.

But don't just take my word for it, give Cristy a call at 604-889-8678

By Sandy Pandher, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

With her "hands on" energetic approach to planning, Sandy offers a perfect balance between assertiveness and calmness -- two qualities instrumental in qualifying oneself as a great planner. This smart, savvy and dedicated planner's passion is in building relationships and connecting with each of her clients so that their wedding day can truly reflect who they are as a couple and what their love story symbolizes. Sandy is best suited to the busy Urban couple looking for a knowledgeable and intuitive planner to help bring their wedding vision to life.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Friday's Fabulous Find Welcomes back....

Wedding Things

With their new and fresh location at 3950 Main Street (right beside Frocks), DreamGroup welcomes back Connie Mar and her showroom that displays all the beautiful and latest in invitations, wedding favors, wedding party gifts and ALL things wedding!

Wedding Things began in Yaletown in 1999, moved to New York and are now back with even more inventory! ...Here are just a few examples:

With macaroons all the craze right now and as you state your case about who has the best macaroon's in the city, let me show you a fabulous find:

A Macaroon Ring Box!

Whether it's a beautiful wedding ring in the macaroon box for the perfect proposal or whether it holds a gift for your wedding party with jewelry to wear on the day of your wedding, who wouldn't love receiving a beautiful macaroon box!

From invites, sealing wax, personalized ribbon, cake toppers of your choice, to cufflinks, personalized favors, guestbooks and garters, Wedding Things has it all!

Wedding Things is your one stop shop for decor wedding accessories

The website for Wedding Things has over 10,000 items that are themed and can be personalized!

Visit www.weddingthings.com to order if you have 4 or more weeks before your wedding or wedding shower

Visit www.weddingthings.ca to order if you have 4 weeks or less before your wedding or wedding shower

What are you waiting for....Shop till you drop!

By Sandy Pandher, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

With her "hands on" energetic approach to planning, Sandy offers a perfect balance between assertiveness and calmness -- two qualities instrumental in qualifying oneself as a great planner. This smart, savvy and dedicated planner's passion is in building relationships and connecting with each of her clients so that their wedding day can truly reflect who they are as a couple and what their love story symbolizes. Sandy is best suited to the busy Urban couple looking for a knowledgeable and intuitive planner to help bring their wedding vision to life.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

 

Mmmm...Chocolate....

Want to be DreamGroup's next Giveaway winner?

With a new month, comes a new giveaway!  

This June be the lucky winner of a Chocolate Gift Package stuffed to the brim courtesy of Hagensborg Chocolates! 
(Value $80.00) 

WIN THIS!!! 

 

Check out the bottom of this post for contest details.  

Not only are these chocolates delicious, we love the packaging and the story behind the idea of pigs to represent the Hagensborg chocolate line.

 

At Hagensborg, we believe in the magic of chocolate. We believe we are sweetening the world by making an emotional connection with everyone who enjoys our products. Hagensborg is committed to inviting all to be part of the fairytale of life, through childlike simplicity, playfulness, quality, authenticity, warmth and love.  

Why Pigs?
If I only had a dollar for every time somebody asked me why we put “PIGS” on our chocolate bars I would be a very wealthy lady!
 

The truth of the matter is quite simple. We produce high quality All Natural European chocolate truffles. When we decided to create a chocolate bar we researched where the word truffle originated from and learned everything there is to know about the subject. What we learned is that truffles are a rare mushroom found in the forest, also called the diamond of the kitchen. To find these unique delicacies pigs were used because they have an innate ability to sniff out these exotic treats.
 

Understanding that chocolate truffles and truffles have nothing in common we decided to bring these two ideas together, thus creating “The Truffle Pig”.

- Shelley Wallace, Hagensborg Chocolates' Chief Porker

 

 

Need some chocolate accents for your wedding?  

Include local handmade Parisian bon bons that will delight your guests.

Package them in these colorful 2 piece boxes that will accent any table perfectly!  Select your choice of chocolate flavor as well as your ribbon color to match your wedding theme.  You can also customize your ribbon with the Bride & Groom's names or any romantic message that you want to share.

 

 And if you are a looking for that perfect late night snack...why not include a midnight chocolate buffet featuring all things chocolate...the sugar rush is bound to keep your party going!

If anything, you must check out Hagensborg's gift boxes...the packaging alone will bring a smile to any person you wish to bestow a gift upon (i.e. your bridesmaids or mother-in-law).

Something we learned while researching for this post is that just like a wine connoisseur can taste the wines of varied regions, Chocolate is assessed in this same way and referred to as Single origin Chocolates.

What is Single Origin Chocolate?: Single-origin chocolates are purer and less processed, so you’ll get the flavors that these respective countries’ cocoa beans intended. Choose from:

• Ecuador 39% milk chocolate
• Santo Domingo 70% dark chocolate
• Madagascar 64% dark chocolate. 

Hagensborg's cute truffle pig mascot combined with these chocolate bars’ jungle origins inspired the Wild Boar name, and three voracious cartoon boars adorn the colorful packaging. These pure chocolates allow more subtle tastes to come through, such as fruit and creaminess in the Ecuador bar, acidity and red fruits in the Madagascar and strong cocoa in the Santo Domingo. 

To check out all of Hagensborg's Chocolate Bars & Bites...visit their website or Follow them on Facebook or Twitter: @trufflepigbar.

Or better yet, go and check out their adorable retail shop at 103-3686 Bonneville Place In Burnaby (map) 

------------------------------------------------

CONTEST DETAILS

WIN a Hagensborg Chocolate Gift Package stuffed with chocolate!

• 2 piece assorted handmade Parisian bon bons. Great for wedding favors!
• 7 piece assorted handmade Parisian bon bons. Great for wedding thank you gifts!
• Truffle Pigs in a Blanket (4 bars): Dark, Peanut Butter, Hazelnut, Milk
• Mixed Pouch (10 pc; 2 each): Dark, Peanut Butter, Hazelnut, Caramel, Milk
• Wild Boar Bar: 70% Santo Domingo Single Origin Chocolate
• Wild Board Bar: 64% Madagascar Single Origin Chocolate
• Wild Boar Bar: 39% Ecuador Single Origin Chocolate
• Kiss Me: Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Truffle (3pc)
• Love Me: Milk Chocolate and Caramel (3pc)
• Truffle Pig Bar Nostalgic Line (3 bars): Milk Peanut Butter & Jam, Dark Mint Chocolate Chip, White Bubblegum

Value of this package is $80.00 CAD.  

CONTEST RULES
 

• Winner must live in the Vancouver Lower Mainland
 

• This Contest ends Saturday, June  30th, 2012 at midnight PST.  Winner will be drawn randomly and announced on the DreamGroup Blog, Facebook and Twitter on July 1st.  The winner must contact DreamGroup within 72 hours to claim their prize, otherwise another winner will be drawn.

• The winner is responsible for picking up their prize

• This prize cannot be substituted by the winner or redeemed for cash.

HOW TO ENTER

To Enter: Simply 'like' DreamGroup and Hagensborg Chocolates on Facebook and tweet the phrase below...


"I entered @DreamGroup's Giveaway for a Hagensborg Gift Package stuffed with chocolate @trufflepigbar "

Good Luck!

-----------------------------------------

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Ask a Planner... "Registry Poems"

Dear DreamGroup,

Okay, so I read your posting about the "gift registry rules" and I’m wondering if you have any cute, but tasteful poems you might suggest to post on our website?  Thanks for your help!

Gratefully Yours,

The Future Mrs. Sander

Hello there!

I’m happy to share a few poems we have seen work over the years.  Good luck with the wedding!

Registry Poems…

We bought a house and made it a home

with a new flat screen and a telephone

We are soon to be Mr. & Mrs.

but don't need a registry for towels or dishes.

If bestowing a gift upon us is your intention,

with gratitude and excitement we would like to mention

our humblest request to help us on our way

in sending us on a honeymoon that would make our day!

~

So what do you get for the bride and groom
whose house needs things in every room?
When shopping for a gift please don’t be rash
as there’s always the option to give us cash!

~

We hope you don’t find our request to be funny
But we really would appreciate a gift of money!

~

We are lucky to have most of the things we need
like a kettle, a coffee grinder, rice cooker, and toaster,
We have plates, paintings, and vases galore

and the last thing we need is another coaster!

We’ve got pots, pans, knives and forks
and even a chopping board for cheese,
If you would like to give us a gift we’d be grateful,
but if given the choice we'd like money please!

~

We are registered for gifts if that’s your preference
however, we’ve listed this poem as an additional reference.

We’ve set on hearts on buying a house and are saving every nickel & dime 

So if you aren't sure what to give us, a gift of cash would be just fine.

Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week duckies… keep those questions coming in!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca

Cheerio,

Genève 

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 

We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!

Friday's Fabulous Find: Beta5 Chocolates

(BETA5 Chocolates)

Did someone say the magic word CHOCOLATE?!  Oh yes we did!   

With Vancouver featuring many amazing Chocolatiers, we introduce you to one of the best... BETA5, this week's Fabulous Find where Adam the Pastry Chef and Jessica the face of this "oh so sweet" venture make up the perfect team.

Always delicious and the source of savory conversation, BETA5 Chocolates are a tasty culinary feature that wedding guests and newlyweds will remember sweetly tempting even the most gracious of guests to slip a few into her clutch at the end of the night.

Located at 413 Industrial Avenue, you will feel as though you have left the city of Vancouver and entered into a chocolate induced world unto its own!  With great care, the skilled hands at BETA5 continue to honor their union by creating smooth ganaches enrobed in the highest quality chocolate, exquisitely finished with unique hand-painted designs.  They work with local farmers in including delicious premium ingredients which are ethically sourced.  BETA5 creates customized colors and flavors along with their carefully considered customizable packaging (which is both unique and recyclable I may add)! 

Personalizing your chocolates makes for a beautiful and memorable wedding favor or a great gift idea for your bridal party (especially for the chocolate lovers out there).

(BETA5 Chocolates)

Another sweet idea... For a unique Stagette or Wedding Shower we recommend booking a Beta5 Workshop!  The workshop allows your party to experience a private chocolate lesson hand painting your own chocolates all the while sipping on vino or champagne.  And yes, you get to take home your beautiful creation to indulge in as a late night snack!  And just when you think you're all done, a chocolate buffet awaits you to taste an array of delicious, smooth chocolates.  It doesn't get any better than that. 

                                                                     (BETA5 Chocolates)

Have fun indulging in a chocolate tasting!! We sure did! http://shop.beta5chocolates.com/

By Sandy Pandher, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

With her "hands on" energetic approach to planning, Sandy offers a perfect balance between assertiveness and calmness -- two qualities instrumental in qualifying oneself as a great planner.  This smart, savvy and dedicated planner's passion is in building relationships and connecting with each of her clients so that their wedding day can truly reflect who they are as a couple and what their love story symbolizes.  Sandy is best suited to the busy Urban couple looking for a knowledgeable and intuitive planner to help bring their wedding vision to life.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list!

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!