Bridesmaid Gift: Fragrance Sampler.

This past weekend I received such a fantastic Christmas present and I immediately thought what a great present this would make as a bridesmaids gift. A perfume is such a great gesture, but it is near to impossible to find the fragrance that will please someone as much as it does you. Perfumes smell so different as they blend with each person's natural scent and when trying them in the store, you end up with a mesh of scents that aren't even true! Enter the Fragrance Sampler Kit. 

*image sourced from Shoppers Drug Mart

*image sourced from Sephora

These fragrance sampler kits come with a selection of the most fabulous sample size perfumes of the most popular perfumes right now and includes a certificate that can be turned in towards the purchase of their favourite. Such a fun way to give your best gals the chance to pick a fragrance that is just right for them. 

Both Shoppers Drug Mart (CAD70.00) and Sephora (CAD50.00) have options here in Canada, each with a different selection of scents.

Why not help your bridesmaids out with making the discovery of their signature scent with a great gift like this as a thank you for all the support and help they've been to you throughout the planning process!

Glamorous Wedding Accessories.

If you’ve been following my posts, you know that I am obsessed with everything ‘old Hollywood’.  There is just something so romantic about the 30s Art Deco and Monderne eras. Body skimming fashions of gorgeous silks with clean lines are so timeless and flatter almost every body type. With a simple yet elegant base, there is so much opportunity to play with glamorous wedding accessories. 

When I look at designers like Sarah Houston and Johanna Johnson, (below) who do such gorgeous wedding gowns and accessories, I get weak in the knees. The styling of these two designers is classic when it comes to these wedding accessories and it’s easy to see why they are so successful.

*image sourced from Sarah Houston

*images sourced from Johanna Johnson

Taking inspiration from these designers, I wanted to check out the web for more economical versions of these glamorous wedding accessories that are available to brides on a budget, and who should still be able to have the high-fashion look on their wedding day! Here are some of my favourite finds: 

GARTERS BY KIRSTI (ETSY) - Has a fantastic understanding of just how intricate these accessories need to be and does a great job of it, with a variety of prices to meet any bride's budget.

Rhinestone and Ribbon Wedding Headband 103 - USD120.00

Rhinestone and Ribbon Sash 105 - USD125.00

 *images sourced from Garters by Kirsti

CLUB MONACO - Their accessories are always well done and aren't often too highly priced that they are unattainable; a nice medium price point to the costume jewellery and they always have plenty left over when sales roll around.

*images sourced from ClubMonaco

LUCIABELLA (ETSY) -  With a family passion for making gorgeous accessories, at very reasonable prices, you know that LuciaBella is making something beautiful.

Satine Feather Hair Clip - USD48.00

London Headband Rhinestone - USD29.00

Spellbound Rhinestone Headband - USD24.00

*images sourced from LuciaBella

KIRSTEN KUEHN DESIGNS (ETSY) - A stunning collection of accessories including bouquet wraps, bracelets, garters and pillows all at a ranging prices.

Bali Crystal Bouquet Wrap - USD25.00

Brigitte Crystal Headband - USD75.00

*images sourced from Kirsten Kuehn Designs

And there you have it - so many fabulous ideas are out there and for very reasonable prices! Who said you can't be just as gorgeous, but for a fraction of the cost?

What To Ask Your Wedding Photographer.

So it seems the theme of the week has been wedding photography! I promised the other day I would put together  list of questions to ask of your potential wedding photographer and I live up to that promise! 

Booking your photographer is one of the largest purchases and subsequently most important decisions you can make during the wedding planning process. These pictures are one of the only lasting visual memories of your wedding day, so it is important to make sure you feel 100% confident in your photographer and his or her capability to provide you with the perfect end product. 

Being a DIY bride, I knew there were a few areas in which I wouldn't be able to cut back on my costs considering how picky and precise I can be, so asking all of the right questions to prove the photographer was capable of handling (and up to!) the challenge was imperative.  

So! What to ask your wedding photographer? Download a copy of this list, or scroll to view more below.

To view other helpful forms and lists for diy wedding planning, click here.

WHAT TO ASK YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER.

• Will you be taking our photos on the actual wedding day? If not, can we meet the person who will be?
• Talk about your primary style.

tip! An experienced photographer will have a really good sense of what they do well, as well as a portfolio to back it up.

• Are you familiar with our venue(s) and have you done shoots there before? 
• How many weddings have you photographed? Are you comfortable with the size and formality of our wedding? 

tip! Timing and quick thinking during weddings are important. And if they haven't covered a wedding before they may miss a key moment - the kiss for instance. 

• Will any assistants be working with you? If so, will they be acting as a second photographer?
• If you are bringing lighting, tripods or other equipment, how intrusive might they be?
• What kind of input can we have on the direction of the shots? Can we give you a shot list to work from?
• What do you ask of the couples you work with?
• Do you have backup equipment and is it the same quality as the primary equipment?
• What time will you begin and how long will you stay until?
• When will the proofs be ready, do you mark them, and do we get to keep them?
• Do you work well with the other vendors? i.e.: coordinators, caterers, videographers.
• What packages do you have available and what is included in them?
• After booking, what is the typical communication process up until the big day?
• Are you able to provide me with references? 

 THINGS TO CONSIDER.

Once you have had the opportunity to ask your photographer all of the questions you feel appropriate, there are a number of things you will want to think about before making your final decision: 

• Review the available packages.

tip! Do they include everything you need? Are you comfortable with his amount in your budget? It is important to remember that these are one of the lasting physical things from your wedding day, so considering them an investment is important, however it shouldn’t break the bank.

• Review their portfolio again. Does the quality of their work meet your standards?

tip! Options and quantity of prints are important, but if you don't like the quality of the pictures, what good are all of the bonuses the package offers?

• Is their work consistent?

tip! Any photographer can have a number of great shots after shooting for a couple of years, but seeing a few entire weddings can help you to determine if they are capable of doing exactly what you want. The last thing you want is to be worried about whether or not you’ll be getting what you had anticipated! Any doubts – move on to the next photographer.

• Is this someone you would be comfortable around for a long period of time? 

  tip! You’ll be spending a huge portion of your day and both positive and negative feelings towards them will come across in your pictures. Like I always say, trust your gut. If there is anything about them that rubs you the wrong way, keep looking.

• Two photographers are usually better than one. 

  tip! Those little things going on behind the one photographer might be a perfect opportunity for the other photographer to capture. You won’t want anything missed! Especially if you’d like both you and your groom photographed getting ready in the morning!

• Contact their references.

tip! While it may feel a bit awkward to call a stranger, it can be invaluable to have an outside opinion on a potential wedding photographer. Remember, your photographs will be one of the most lasting aspects of your wedding – you’ll want to make sure you find the right wedding photographer for you.

THE FINE PRINT.

• The name of your photographer and whether a second photographer is included.
• The time that he/she arrives and leaves.
• The number of proofs you will view in order to pick your enlargements keep.
• The description of the package you ordered.
• A list of guaranteed prices for enlargements. If they have a brochure with prices then get these prices in writing.
• All additional charges, services, taxes, travel, etc... get the exact cost on the contract.
• An explanation of what happens if your photographer doesn't show up.
• The date and deposit amount and how much remains owing.
• Your name, address and phone.
• The names and addresses of the ceremony and reception locations.
• Limitations to other vendors (videographers) or snap-happy guests.

 

Investing in Wedding Photography.

This week we booked our wedding photographer! I say this with such joy because it was such a lengthy process. With the choices of wedding photographers seeming endless, the decision to settle on one that is right for you can be quite daunting, but there are a few things you can do to make both the search and selection process easier.

*image sourced from Renaissance Studios

BUDGET. As a DIY bride, I am very sensitive about my budget and spending too much money. But when thinking about it, I knew I had to flexible with my photography budget  in order to get what I wanted. You must think of your wedding photography as an investment as these are one of the only things (besides your live for each other and your rings!) that will be a physical reminder of one of the biggest days in your life! 

PACKAGES. Wedding packages vary by photographer, but you always want to make sure that you're getting a huge bang for your buck. For example, I saw a photographer in the city I liked but the package I was interested in didn't offer an engagement shoot or coffee-table book, was limited to 6 hours, and 250 retouched photos. Her fee was $2600 - just slightly over my budget. I found another photographer whose work I liked more that included a coffee table book, 2-3 hour engagement (or boudoir!) shoot, 250+ retouched photos, 8 hours of service and travel within 200km of their studio. This was all for $2995, plus tax. So all in all, I was slightly over budget, but knew I would have complete faith that my pictures will be exactly the way I want them and that all of the additional items are worth it in the end, making the whole experience that much more fun.

REFERRALS. First off, ask friends and family who have recently been married. These couples have been through the process already and may be able to recommend either the wedding photographer they hired, or another they came across during their search. If you do find a photographer on your own be sure to ask the photographer if he can provide you with references. Ask these people to be brutally honest.

*image sourced from Renaissance Studios

ADVERTISEMENTS. Click on the ads you see on the Facebook sidebar. Seriously. I know they are annoying, but sometimes this is the best way to see agencies you may not otherwise have found through search engines. We may not have ever found our photographer had I not clicked on these links! 

SCOUR LOCAL WEDDING BLOGS. This can be really useful as they often feature local weddings and subsequently links to the photographers!

BE PERSISTENT ON CONSISTENCY. Have a clear idea of what type of photos you want. Do you want photos with a crisp black and white shot, or something more vintage? Photo retouching is a huge part of the process, so make sure the photographer's way of finishing a photo is consistent with what you want. Most photographers try to show just how flexible they are with their work and styles. To some this can be exactly what they are looking for, but for me, I found it just plain confusing - could they guarantee they could do what I wanted or not? I found that during the search, finding a wedding photographer who could consistently show me they could give me the product I wanted was exhausting, however by being persistent, I finally found the right photographer for us.

*image sourced from Renaissance Studios

ASK QUESTIONS. If you don't ask questions, your photographer won't get a sense of who you are or be able to prove to you that they can or cannot do what you want. I'll be putting up a list of questions to as potential wedding photographers, so check back for that!

We decided to go with Renaissance Studios, located in Milton. The package was filled with all of the essentials and their level of customer service has been fantastic both leading up to and after the booking. Their work is incredibly consistent and they offer you the ability to select from a grouping of photographers. Renaissance Studios even provides you with articles and information, and ask you to fill out a lengthy questionnaire in order for the relationship between them and you to be strengthened. The reviews I've read have been outstanding so there was no question in hiring this studio. Their uniqueness in style, approach to customer service and overall love for bringing great photography services available to everyone makes them an obvious choice.

If you're a recent bride, who did YOU hire for your wedding and why?

Tea-Length Wedding Dresses.

A month or so ago I received fantastic news that one of my favourite people was engaged to her boyfriend of ten years! This is such an exciting time in their lives and I am glad that I am privileged enough to know both of them. Like us, they are doing a cocktail reception as opposed to a full formal dinner and I couldn't be more excited about all of the details she has planned so far.

She has such high style and I knew her dress wouldn't be like any other. Opting for a tea-length dress, she immediately inspired me to put together a post about some fabulous option of tea-length wedding dresses. I think the most important thing to keep in mind when looking for a tea-length wedding dress, is to remember that a dress can always be shortened or altered through the skirt base. If you find a dress that is absolutely perfect, but the skirt is too long or has a bit too much body through the hips, it's easy enough to have these minor changes made.

And finally, the best part about a tea-length wedding dress is that you can really have fun with the colour. Don't be afraid to pick a vintage dress in a pretty blue, green or pink!

*images sourced from amykuschel.com

How gorgeous would this be if it was shorted to knee length in a straight pencil skirt?

And then, of course, the classic vintage inspirations, which are so perfect for weddings in any season, but especially so for a wedding during the Christmas season. With the right accessories, they can be so incredibly classy.

With a little applique belt, this dress would be faboosh!

*images sourced from cabaretvintage.com

Happy shopping!

Chocolate and Tea: A Classy Party.

Well hello there! It's been a while. I'm not sure where August, September, October and November of 2010 went and it's hard to believe it's already December. The past few months are mostly a blur all except for Thursday, November 25th. This date represents the first time I experienced the glory that is found at MoRoCo in Yorkville. One of my good friends and bridesmaid, Ashley and I went for dinner and tea - dinner being dessert!

*image sourced from morocochocolat.com

Aside from its famously fine chocolate (including sipping chocolate and fondue!) this divine chocolate bar also serves a mean pot of tea and offers Afternoon Tea as well as a regular dinner service. Reservations for Afternoon Tea are a must, and the experience costs around $55, but on certain days of the week, a glass of champagne is included as well.

While I didn't quite find the chocolate rich and dark enough for my tastebuds, the quality and presentation was definitely there. Its rich, dark salon decor gives you the feeling that you are only waiting for royalty to walk in.

Imagine gathering all of your girlfriends and having a bachelorette party at MoRoCo! Whether it's the start of an evening or simply the place you stay all night for loads of fancy desserts and gossiping about the upcoming wedding, it's a must to include in your festivities.