Feeling inspired by the elegance and simplicity of pure black and white this week.

Today, a few examples of bridal bouquets that stick to this palette perfectly.

Beautiful anemones wrapped with vintage lace. Photo from The Knot.

Anemones and white garden roses. Photo from The Knot.

Carnations (carnations?!? love!) accented with stunning brooches and delicate black feathers. Photo from Wedding By Color.

Calla Lilies wrapped in black velvet. Photo from Brides.com

Who likes to save dollars when planning a wedding! We do! We do!

Head on over to Team Buy until Tuesday for $100 worth credit toward fabulous wedding gifts, accessories and bridal jewelry at www.cadeauxperfetto.com.

The kicker – it’s only $30!!!

Happy Shopping!

Today we are able to reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live our lives freely.

This weekend I was inspired. Everyone, in every industry, has someone that they admire and look to as a role model in their aspiring careers. This weekend, I met mine.

When I was 17 years old,  I asked for a subscription to Martha Stewart Weddings and the new Preston Bailey Book. My world was changed and I knew what I want to be when I grew up.

This weekend, Mr.Preston Bailey came to Vancouver and spoke of his journey, trials and successes, in this industry we call “special events”. He talked about his brides (average decor budget of $1-$3 million), and about where he gets his inspiration from.  He has created events for the likes of Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers and recently, the fairytale wedding of Ivanka Trump.

I was trying to keep my cool as I introduced myself to him. He was kind and genuine and everything I imagined him to be!

I know that working with those kind of budgets in this city it not the norm, and those aren’t the clients I set out to have when I started my business. I get inspired when a bride, regardless of budget, is excited and passionate about making the wedding beautiful. Whether that job is handed to me (“Briar, I have x amount of dollars…go!”)  or whether I am working collaboratively with other designers, brides, in-laws…whomever.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I LOVE THIS JOB!

Thank you to the Countdown Events team for making this happen.

Happy Monday! xo

This was an inspiration board done out of cake images found on Pintrest. Oh so tasty indeed!

Happy Monday everyone! We wanted to share a lovely Vancouver vendor today: LOVE² Sessions is a newly formed Vancouver venture that is focused on providing couples an environment where they can re-discover their connection. Their transformational photography sessions are both inspiring and reconnecting.

The LOVE² Sessions encourage communication, connection and closeness in relationships. A session involves just the two of you – whether you are a newly engaged couple, a committed couple, a parent and child, or siblings. Have fun, play and laugh together. It is about more than pretty pictures – the LOVE² Sessions have the capacity to enhance all forms of relationships and to leave you with a renewed sense of intimacy and fun, along with a fine art image to remind you of the moment for a long time to come.

Check out their website here as well as their Facebook and Twitter.

Using the new colors from the Fall 2011 Pantone Color Trend Report we will be putting together a series of inspiration boards for complimentary wedding color combos!

“texture, contrast and color for fall 2011 – pairing menswear with feminine twists, warm prints with cool metals, incorporating both old and new influences, and creating an intriguing balance between colors.”

Today we start with Emberglow, Deep Teal (that’s right – we said teal for a wedding!), and Nougatas the neutral base. This color palette provides a fresh, sophisticated feel to the event.

September 2011

THE GRAND WEDDING SHOWCASE ($15 Advance)

September 17&18 12:00-6:00 PM

Vancouver Convention Centre – 999 Canada Place Vancouver BC

http://www.grandweddingshow.com/

CINDERELLA BRIDAL SHOW (Free)
Wednesday September 21, 2011  5:00 to 9:00 PM
Maple Ridge Golf Course –  20818 Golf Lane, Maple Ridge
604 533-5569
www.cinderellabridalshow.ca 
   

WELCOME WAGON – Coquitlam Bridal Showcase (Free/Register)
September 26,  2011  6:00 pm
Westwood Plateau Golf & Country – 3251 Plateau Blvd, Coquitlam
A Bride to Be | Welcome Wagon
 

WELCOME WAGON – Chilliwack Bridal Showcase (Free/Register)
September 27, 2011  6:30 pm
Best Western Rainbow Country Inn, Chilliwack
A Bride to Be | Welcome Wagon
 

WELCOME WAGON – Abbotsford Bridal Showcase (Free/Register)
September 28, 2011  6:30 pm
Garden Park Towers, Abbotsford
A Bride to Be | Welcome Wagon
 

October 2011

VANCOUVER WEDDING SHOW $25
October 2, 2011  10:00 am – 5:00 pm 
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
604 251-9491
www.vancouverweddingshow.ca
 

BLING BRIDAL BOUTIQUE  $30
October 2, 2011 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Rosewood Hotel Georgia – 801 W. Georgia, Vancouver
778-835-1091
info@blingweddingshow.ca
www.blingweddingshow.ca
 

WELCOME WAGON – Surrey Bridal Showcase (Free/Register)
October 3, 2011  6:00 pm
Northview Golf & Country Club, 6857-168 St. Surrey
A Bride to Be | Welcome Wagon
  

WEDDING SHOW AT NEWLANDS  (Free)
Thursday, October 6, 2012 5:00 pm 
Newlands Golf & Country Club  21025 48th Avenue, Langley
604-533-3288  to RSVP
Newlands Golf and Country Club
 

CINDERELLA BRIDAL SHOW (Free)
October 12,  2011 5 PM to 9 PM
Princess and the Pea B&B -  21628 48th Ave., Langley
604 533-5569
www.cinderellabridalshow.com
 

LOVE STRUCK $35 bride/$30 guest ($45/$40 at door)
Sunday, October 16,  2011 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Fairmont Waterfront, 900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver
604-551-9680
www.lovestruckbrides.com
 

FRASER VALLEY WEDDING FESTIVAL $5
Monday October 17, 2011 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Cascades Casino-Coast Hotel & Convention Centre, Langley
778-241-3275
www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com
 

BROCK HOUSE WEDDING SHOW $35 ($50)
October 23,  2011 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Brock House Restaurant – 3875 Point Grey Road, Vancouver (Jericho Beach)
Ph: 604-537-3575
www.dreamgroup.ca/weddingshow
 

WELCOME WAGON – Langley Bridal Showcase (Free/Register)
October 24, 2011  6:00 pm
Langley Golf & Banquet Centre – 21550 – 44 Ave, Langley
A Bride to Be | Welcome Wagon

FRASER VALLEY WEDDING SWAP ($5 admission, $25 for a table)
Sunday October 30,  2011  11:00 to 3:00 PM
Fort Langley Community Hall, 9167 Glover Rd, Langley, BC
604-309-2037
www.fraservalleyweddingswap.com
 

November 2011

ABARDEEN 1ST ANNUAL WEDDING SHOW (Free)
Saturday, November 5, 2011 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Abardeen Centre - 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond
604-233-0868
www.wedopia.ca
 

URBAN WEDDING SHOW–  $20 Advance
Saturday, November 6, 2011 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel, 1133 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
www.urbanweddingshow.com

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME – grand wedding showcase $45
Saturday, November 6, 2011 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Four Seasons Hotel, 791 West Georgia, Vancouver
604-760-6388
www.cremedelacreme.ca
 

CINDERELLA BRIDAL SHOW (Free)
Thursday November 10, 2011  5:00 to 9:00 PM
Ft Langley Community Hall – 9167 Glover Road, Langley
604 533-5569
www.cinderellabridalshow.com
 

BRIDAL SWAP  $12 (advanced tickets get early bird access)
Sunday November 20,  2011  11:00-3:00  pm
Villa Amato, 88 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver, BC
604-537-3575
www.dreamgroup.ca/bridalswap
 

MARRIED IN STYLE WEDDING SHOWCASE  $5
Sunday November 20,  2011  11:00-6:00  pm
Sandman Hotel – 32720 Simon Ave, Abbotsford, BC
604-302-8677
www.marriedinstyle.ca

Bridal Show Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes.  The odds are you’ll be on your feet for quite a while, and uncomfortable shoes will tire you out too quickly. 
• Come prepared with peel off labels with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and wedding date printed on them.  You can make them yourself using Avery labels (I recommend Avery 5160…30 per page) or something similar, and any word processor.  You will be writing your name and address a lot otherwise, entering the various giveaways and promotions.
• Bring a friend or two along.  (Yes, it can be your fiancé.  You’re going to need some help in carrying literature around, as well as someone to offer an objective third party opinion on things.)
• Make sure all members of your entourage have cell phones with them in case you get split up.  Make sure their cell numbers are in your cell phone’s phonebook!
• Bring swatches of material or ribbons with your wedding colors on them.  This will help bakers, balloonists, and florists make appropriate suggestions as to what they can do for you
• Don’t expect to walk away from the show with signed contracts in your hand. A show is a place to make appoointments to discuss you wedding at depth. You should always wait for a calmer atmospher to discuss the details of your event booking.
• If you already have a gown, you might want to skip the fashion show and visit vendor’s booths during that period.  These vendors will be eager to talk with you since most everybody will be watching the fashion show.  At the larger shows the crowds at the booths are greatly diminished during the fashion shows, and it can be much easier to move around.  
• Beware of vendors who will only offer show discounts on the day of the show only.   If you don’t have the opportunity to talk with them in depth, how do you know they are right for you?  Vendors really should offer you their “show price” for at least 24 or 48 hours.
• When filling out forms make sure to print VERY clearly.  You’d hate to miss out on a door prize or lose track of someone you like because they couldn’t read your handwriting!
• Avoid bringing small children to the show.  While it may be tempting to bring your flower girl along to see all the neat wedding stuff, they are sure to tire quickly and detract from your mission of finding vendors and ideas for your wedding.
• Bring your date book with you so you can schedule your appointments for follow up.
• Ask lots of questions.  The show is filled with wedding professionals, and while you’re there you should take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as you can.  These vendors want to impress you with their knowledge of their particular specialty…take advantage of it!!!
• Prepare for information overload.  When you find a vendor you would like to follow up with, take a pen and write what struck you as appealing about them on their business card or literature.  When you get home and are faced with brochures from 14 different photographers, your note may be the only thing you have to remember which ones you liked and why.  Also, write down any good tips they might give you on THEIR literature to help you remember who was knowledgeable and helpful.

Setting the Tone

It’s every couple’s wish to find the ideal location for their wedding celebration; after all, more than anything else, it will literally set the stage for the entire event. Careful consideration early on in the planning process will help you with this important decision. The two of you should agree not only on practical matters such as your budget and the number of guests to invite but also on less tangible aspects, such as the atmosphere you desire.

Chances are, you already have an idea of the tone you want your wedding to have. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of a formal seated dinner under a chandeliered ceiling, or a candlelit meal at home with only your closest family and friends. Or maybe you’re picturing a playful day at an offbeat location, such as an amusement park. If nothing immediately stands out, however, look to your personal style. “Couples should put their stamp on their wedding,” says Lisa Crowder of Storybook Wedding Consulting in Atlanta. “Think about your favorite hobbies, colors, flowers, foods, even the decor of your home.” These preferences will point you toward the kinds of sites that might suit you.

Determining Your Needs

You’ll also need to ask yourself whether you can commit to the amount of time and attention a given site may require. “If you don’t have a lot of time to plan, or if you’d just prefer that everything be taken care of, it may be best to go with something that’s all-inclusive,” Crowder says.

Hotels, large restaurants, and other locations with banquet facilities, such as country clubs, host weddings regularly so they are likely to have an in-house catering staff or relationships with certain outside caterers. They may also be able to recommend other wedding vendors. These “establishment” choices are popular with couples for good reason: They can handle everything from the cake to the table linens, and they have the experience needed to make sure that nothing gets overlooked. Selecting such a place doesn’t necessarily mean you have to relinquish all control, however; if you have your heart set on a particular caterer, for instance, the site may be willing to accommodate your choice.

For couples who decide to organize the reception themselves, or who prefer a more unusual location, the range of options is as broad as their imagination. A site such as a photographer’s studio or a campground, for example, can result in a memorable wedding. Though many nontraditional locations are happy to rent out their space, be aware that their role often ends there. Their staff probably won’t be qualified to manage a wedding reception or make recommendations about appropriate vendors, which means you’ll have to do considerable planning.

It may be helpful to hire a wedding coordinator or choose a caterer who not only has a reputation for cooking great food but also has experience dealing with many different situations. This was one of the keys to making Heidi Ernst Jones’s reception run smoothly. Her caterer had worked at the lodge before and knew it didn’t have a kitchen, so he was prepared to set up his own under a tent. Don’t rely on vendors, though, to find out about such things on their own; you should be aware of all issues beforehand.

Special Considerations

Certain sites present other special challenges. Many couples gravitate toward outdoor locations — there’s something especially romantic about celebrating your marriage under a wide-open sky. But if you choose a garden, rooftop, beach, or other fresh-air locale, you must be prepared for inclement weather. Even if the forecast indicates a beautiful day, it’s a good idea to reserve at least one tent; it can provide relief from the sun as well as protect against any rain. You should also have an alternate, indoor location as a backup in case there’s a storm or the weather otherwise makes being outside, even under a tent, impossible.

If you or a relative or friend lives in a spacious house with scenic grounds, an at-home event is a wonderful way to personalize your reception. It can also save you money if you’re having a small, casual gathering and family members or friends help with the preparations. But a more elaborate affair will require a great deal of planning, and it may actually cost more than you would spend at a location such as a hotel. That’s because you may have to rent everything from tables to tents to additional equipment and supplies, as well as hire the waitstaff and other professionals whose services are often included in many sites’ fees. Adequate electrical power may be an issue, and you’ll want to be sure there are enough restroom facilities and places to park. You’ll also need to check local noise ordinances to find out if music must stop at a certain time.

As you compile a list of possible sites, keep in mind the distance between the ceremony and the reception. It’s obviously most convenient to hold everything at one location, but will you use the same room for both events? If you prefer a single space, you’ll have to allow time for the ceremony setup to be dismantled and the reception to be arranged. Choosing two areas will avoid this process, but it could cost more. If you intend to have the ceremony at a separate site, such as in a church or a synagogue, you should select a reception location that’s as close as possible. Generally, it’s best not to make guests drive more than a half hour to get there.

Asking the Right Questions

After you’ve narrowed down your choices, call the events manager at each location. Ask whether the site is available during the month you want in order to gauge its general availability. Find out the maximum number of people that can comfortably fit in the space for the type of party you’d like. That’s not necessarily the official capacity; you’ll need more room for a seated dinner than for a cocktail reception where most guests will be standing. Ask about the rental fee, what’s included in the cost, and how they calculate it: Some places charge per head, while others bill a flat fee.

Depending on what your priorities are, there are additional questions you may want to ask. Do you have to rent the site for a minimum time period? Are there restrictions on the kinds of decorations allowed? You may also want to find out whether the site holds simultaneous events. If it does, will loud noise from another party carry over to yours? Once you’re satisfied with the answers, make an appointment to visit the location.

When you first walk into a space — especially one with a lot of emotional significance, beautiful architecture, or a stunning view — it can be easy to overlook practical concerns. But many details need to be taken into consideration. It’s important to visit during the time of day when you will want to use the site; if you’re having an evening affair, for example, you should see how the lighting makes the room look. Envision the place set up for your event: Where will the tables, bar, and food stations be? Is there enough space for dancing? Will your theme or color scheme work with the existing decor or setting? Assess the lighting, sound, and electrical situation — where can the band play? If you want to have your ceremony in the same room as the reception, check if there’s a place where guests will be able to enjoy cocktails (such as a balcony or outdoor patio) while the space is being rearranged. Don’t forget to notice if there is a coatroom or coatrack, adequate security, sufficient parking, well-maintained restrooms, and accessibility for disabled or elderly guests.

Try to tour at least two or three sites before making your decision. Whenever possible, revisit your top choices while they’re hosting a wedding, especially if the reception’s style is similar to your vision. If the place you love the most seems too expensive, don’t rule it out. Consider trimming the budget for food and drinks, or cutting back on your decorating expenses. Another option is to change your wedding date. Friday nights and Sunday afternoons will likely be less expensive, as will off-season months such as January and February.

Ultimately, finding the right reception location is a lot like walking into the right house: You’ll know it when you see it. Trust your instincts, and the emotional impact of your site will translate into a personal and meaningful wedding day.

Site Contracts

When you select a reception site, you may be asked to pay a deposit of 25 percent to 50 percent of the total rental cost to hold your date. Then you’ll receive a contract. Before you sign it, make sure that it includes the following:

1. The exact date of your reception.
2. The start and end times of the rental period. This is the total time you’ll be able to use the space, which means you’ll need to take care of setup and breakdown during these hours.
3. The name or a description of the room or area the party will be in, and the name or description of an alternate space, if applicable.
4. The total rental cost and how it is calculated, plus information about overtime fees. Places that charge per head should indicate the number of people included in the price.
5. A list of everything the site will provide (tables, chairs, food, valet parking, coatroom attendants), itemized with prices, if additional.
6. A payment schedule and the cancellation and refund policy.
7. Proof of liability insurance, as well as a liquor license, if you’re planning to serve alcohol. You may want to consider getting your own liability insurance to protect against injuries to guests or staff, damage to the property, and alcohol-related accidents; many locations require it.
8. Any decorating restrictions (for example, a historic site may forbid objects from being moved, or a location may not allow candles) or other rules (such as a dress code).
9. Any additional terms you may have already agreed upon orally.

All information provided by Martha Stewart Weddings

Epic Events loves these venues:

The Teahouse in Stanley Park

Photo courtesy of Union Photographers

Brock House

The Vancouver Public Library Downtown

Hycroft Manor

Hope that helps! Happy hunting to the brides of 2012/2013!!

In a couple of weeks our clients, Caleigh and Sheetal will be saying “I do” in a Scottish-Indian ceremony that will highlight both of their cultures. We are so excited to share these lovely photos from Robyn Michelle-Lee Photography. The couple had a their photos taken at Furgeson Point in Stanley Park, the same place where Caleigh surprised Sheetal with his proposal. Sheetal wears a gorgeous custom designed ring that is a replica of the gold banded ring her father proposed to her mother with. We’re so excited for their special day to come!

For more beautiful photos, check out Robyn’s blog.