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.

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We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

NEW! Ask a Planner

Hello my lovelies… it’s your trusted wedding planner extraordinaire here!  Since the start of my wedding  career almost 13 years ago I have been known as the energetic, effervescent “tell it like it is” breath of fresh air that this industry needed.    

From my initial days as a Catering Manager for what was then Vancouver’s busiest and most heralded wedding venue to my current role as co-owner of one of Vancouver’s longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, a full time wedding planner, wife, & mother of two active boys, I have had no qualms in offering the straight up honest truth when it comes to the subject I feel most strongly about…  WEDDINGS!   

Starting today (and every Wednesday from here on in) you, the knowledge seeking DIY bride (that's YOU) in search of the insight and opinion of an esteemed professional (that’s ME), can benefit from this tell it like it is planner’s years of industry experience.  

Introducing  Ask a Planner to be featured every Wedding Wednesday on DreamGroup’s highly frequented Blog where each week I will personally address the most popular question that seems to be on every bride’s mind.   

My hope in offering this free service is that you will become a smarter, more knowledgeable bride better prepared to make whatever decision you are faced with when it comes to carrying out a successful and savvy wedding planning experience.  And for those of you who are curious as to why I would choose to spend my precious (and extremely limited) time giving away the answers to the questions I am usually paid to answer… Well, the truth is I feel it is important to give back to the industry that has brought me acclamation, friendships, wonderful experiences, & considerable happiness over the past several years.   

So whether you need a dose of reality, some sober insight, or simply an honest answer about any given wedding product or service out there I look forward to enlightening you and in turn future generations of brides who will hopefully continue to visit our Blog in search of that perfect wedding truth.  

To submit your question, simply post a comment and each week I will choose one to answer.  I look forward to passing along some insight!

Geneve McNally, Principal Planner with DreamGroup Productions

Genève McNally first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering & Sales Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues.  Having coordinated over a 1,000 wedding receptions during her six years with the venue, Genève was able to gain an invaluable knowledge and insight into what it takes to make an event everything it should be with the utmost care and efficiency. 

Geneve focuses much of 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 enthusiastic, dedicated, honest, confident, and intuitive in nature.  She is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike. Genève's moniker within the company is “Two-Cents McNally” and she is known to be the one who is not afraid to speak up when there’s something important to be said and is always ready to “tell it like it is” – albeit always in kind.

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We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

DreamGroup's April Giveaway

Congrats to @apandafu, our March Giveaway winner! Amanda wins a photobooth rental from PIXSTAR Photobooth Rentals!

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Want to be DreamGroup's next Giveaway winner?

With a new month, comes a new giveaway!

This April be the lucky winner of a $100 gift card from the scenic Bridges Restaurant!

Looking for a unique venue on the water? Bridges restaurant is a wonderful location to share with friends and family on your special day. Their room can accommodate 150 guests seated for dinner with direct access to a large private terrace. Their team of professionals are ready to make your day memorable.

With the stunningly beautiful Vancouver City Skyline, Coast Mountains and False Creek charm on [their] doorstep, Bridges Restaurant is the perfect location to host your special day!

To enter: Simply 'like' DreamGroup on Facebook AND retweet the phrase below...

"I entered @DreamGroup's Giveaway for a $100 Gift card from @BridgesGI!"

Good Luck!

Find out all that Bridges Restaurant has to offer here.

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Would you like to contribute a prize for DreamGroup's Monthly Giveaway?

Contact us here!

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

We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Mondays Montage: Dance Floor Designs

As the case may be, you are super busy thinking about flowers, food and guest lists. But, don't fail to pay attention to your reception dance floor. 

This huge wedding element is a white canvas that allows you to be creative and can, when done right, take your reception from drab to fully fab!

Illuminated Dance Floors

This kind of flooring is mostly used in contemporary weddings because it creates a club type of feeling thanks to its cool changing colors. But I believe when it is used in white, an illuminated dance floor looks very elegant.

Out-of-the-box Shapes 

If you are looking for an element that brings the wow factor to your wedding, consider these non-square shaped dance floors. A circle dance floor is a perfect way to get a cohesive look between your ceremony and your reception.

Light Patterns

The possibilities are endless for patterns and colours to be projected on your night! Let us help you find a lighting expert to strategically bring your floor to life.

 

Monogramed Dance Floors

Monograms are an easy way to brand your wedding day. You can have your custom designed initials sealed to the floor in vinyl, or have your lighting guy project the magic with a spot light.

Black and White Dance Floors

A timeless, classic option.

Clean and Simple

Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful ones...just like this simple, clean and crisp white dance floor....lovely!

By Jayleen Deelman, Associate Planner with DreamGroup Productions

Jayleen Deelman has been with DreamGroup for 2 years and after proving herself as our Star Wedding Coordinator now  takes on the role of Loving 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: Fit Bride

Spring has sprung! We have survived, yet again, another winter and spring is here with summer (and perhaps a summer wedding) in near sight! All that cold weather hibernation and comfort food to fend off the winter blues does not do wonders on your waistline, especially with a wedding around the corner.

Want to be a fit bride when you march down the aisle? We've got the one to follow to keep you informed and motivated to be a fit and fabulous bride.

Find strength training strategies to tighten and tone, advice to curb cravings, and recipes that are diet-friendly but don't sacrifice on taste.

Follow Women's Health Magazine's Fit Bride on her fitness journey. It's time to rev-up your routine and Fit Bride is here to help. Stay tuned every week to follow her progress!

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We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Wedding Wednesday: Tip of the Week

Are you in the planning stages of a wedding shower for a bride-to-be?

Keep it cute and chic with an elegant afternoon tea party. Think English garden party with mismatched cups and saucers, crust-less sandwiches, sweets upon sweets, and fresh florals in shades of soft pink. Consider kicking it up a notch by hiring a mobile spa to come do mani-pedis for you and the girls!

Add that extra touch, and shabby-chic detail with this fun DIY tip courtesy of the fabulous Pinterest. Follow this user-friendly step-by-step guide to create napkin roses placed in your guests' tea cups, and finish it off with a touch of greenery!

Happy DIYing!

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We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!

Monday's Montage: "Mad Bride"

As many Mad Men fans know, the new season premiered last night! Even if you're not a devout follower of this drama set in the 60's, you can still be inspired by its classic and coveted fashion!

Be coy in a birdcage veil, ladylike with short white gloves, retro with sultry waves and much, much more. Check out styles inspired by this timeless era courtesy of Brides.com.

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We promise to inspire, inform & indulge!