You're Cordially Invited To: Your Rehearsal Dinner

A rehearsal dinner is great practice for the actual ceremony and a perfect place to host your loved ones for a mini-reunion before the wedding. Whether you're feeling wedding jitters and want to be prepared or just want to welcome & introduce your new family to each other, it's an important step before the wedding day. "How far in advance do we book the venue?",  "should we prepare a speech?", are all good questions to be asking and you will find answers to these questions as we explain this modern tradition.

Wikipedia defines the rehearsal dinner as "a pre-wedding ceremony in North American tradition, usually held after the wedding rehearsal and the night before the wedding ceremony." Since the function of the rehearsal dinner is to thank all those who have helped in the wedding party and is paid for (traditionally) by the groom's family, you can choose to have it wherever you like. Although, it would be a good idea to choose a restaurant or venue that represents the couple's personality and wedding style. Rehearsals are also a lot more casual than the actual wedding. From a patio BBQ to a  fancy restaurant, make sure the venue is booked months in advance. Once the wedding venue has been set, the bride and groom can start thinking about where to host the rehearsal dinner, as most take place the night before the wedding. Although typically the rehearsal dinner takes place the evening before the wedding; we like to recommend looking at booking the rehearsal dinner two nights before if possible, to allow the evening before as a time for restful preparation.

Below are some photos of a rehearsal dinner hosted in Yaletown at the Blue Water Café & Raw Bar.  The lovely couple hosted their close family and friends at this intimate location the night before the wedding. The dimly lit candles,  vibrant blue colours all added a sense of ambience, romance and excitement to the entire evening, which set the tone for the perfect wedding.

Other things you might want to consider are whether or not you want to have a seating chart, depending on how well your guests know each other and how comfortable they feel. Of course speeches are always a great introduction for your guests and great practice for the actual wedding dinner. They are given at the start of the first course and remember to keep them short and sweet! Usually speeches are spontaneous and some can be in the form of a "roast,"  given by any of your guests.  It's usually customary for the host to toast the bride and groom, thanking the out of town guests and wedding party for coming. This is usually reciprocated by a responce from the bride and groom.

Remember to have fun and get some sleep before the big day!

Wickaninnish Inn - One of British Columbia's most unique wedding venues

Weddings are usually a spectacular affair, transporting you and your guests to a warm, inviting place, where lifetime memories are made. That's why choosing a venue for your wedding is so important. A family friendly place where guests feel pampered, a gateway to explore and appreciate the thoughtful, romantic details. Even a destination wedding doesn't have to take you far from home. Tofino's Wickaninnish Inn has all the exotic beachy sites and sounds to transport your guests to a remote location, but also includes the exciting activites to keep your guests entertained.

Claire MacDonald (Marketing Planner at the Inn) says that when you visit Tofino, "take your sweet, Tofino Time/don’t rush it: encourage your guests to take the time to enjoy their getaway.... There’s so much to take in, including a day trip to Hot Springs Cove, walks on the trails and beaches of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and some much-appreciated downtime doing... absolutely nothing."

    

If you're spending a few nights there, bridal parties can go early and take advantage of their "Haven Day" at the Ancient Cedars Spa, which includes a range of pampering services, such as a mani/pedi. Other activities include, private surf lessons on the beach for the adventurous types or a kayak tour of Tofino's calm waters and stopover at Meares Island. If you're looking for activities to try with the family, we highly recommended the seafari, which takes you whale watching, sea lion spotting and gives you the full vacation experience to explore the waters. Even visiting their website and listening to the calm sounds of waves crashing, transports you to a calm haven, which every bride and groom needs to carry a stressfree wedding day.

Booking your venue is a crucial first step in wedding planning as most popular locations book fast and the key to getting an idea for the venue is talking to the experts. Even before you visit this beautiful western edge, you can contact their guest  service team or Clefs d’Or concierge to help plan  your visit and take care of any details at 1.800.333.4604. Some helpful questions to ask are, "is there enough parking", "where is the best background settings for pictures" and what to bring?

Lastly Claire recommends, "don’t forget to thank your wedding party - they’ve been there (and have travelled here) for you!"

You can also visit them online to reserve accomodation and find more information on Facebook.

Christos Trunk Show at Blush Bridal

Congratulations to all the blushing brides, who got engaged over the holidays. This is one of the most romantic time of year as you've probably noticed from all the celebrity engagements announced this past week, from Hugh Hefner to Reese Witherspoon. It is also one of the busiest times for brides planning a wedding and the first step for a new bride is to find that perfect dress. The best place to start is to visit local Trunk Shows, which are also a great opportunity to try on dresses that you wouldn't normally find at a boutique and meet the designers/reps personally to ask any questions.

We're excited to announce that Blush Bridal will be hosting Christos Trunk Show on January 29 & 30 in west Vancouver. For expert couture advice a representative will be on hand from Christos. 

  

The couture gowns, designed by Amsale Aberra, are known for their romantic appeal and "evokes a feeling of fairy-tale, femininity, and romance." The gowns are made from only the finest silks,  silk organza and Alencon lace made in France. The designs have gained attention from the Hollywood elite and were featured in such movies as, Katherine Heigl in 27 dresses, Uma Thurman in Accidental Husband and Kate Hudson in My Best Friend's Girl.

We recommend you make an appointment today by calling 604-925-3218 or emailing bridal@blushoccasions.com .

DIY: How To Achieve The Brigitte Bardot Look Inspired by Blush Bridal & Special Occasions

We asked our team of talented experts what their inspiration was from our recent Crème de la Crème Grand Wedding showcase fashion show. Below is their guide on how you can achieve this timeless, sexy look yourself.

 

"Our inspiration came from the fresh faced sexy look of Brigitte Bardot in the 1950's . Our special team from They Representation put together the look and you can too. This is how they did it." by Lorna Paterson of Blush Bridal & Special Occasions

Sonia Leal-Serafim  keyed the hair:

Hair captured the effortless sexiness inspired by Brigitte Bardot.  Full, loose curled hair with a bit of height at the crown, pulled up at the sides or into a soft side ponytail.   

Brenda Bakker keyed the makeup:

We did a warm fresh and glowing look for the makeup...a beautiful light cream gold across the lid with a hint of a darker bronze/gold to define the eye and contour it...skin was all about a clean moisturized look with a stronger brow followed by a pale lip...a sun-kissed very young feeling for the makeup.

Christina Culver manicurist:

We kept the nails very clean and pretty, soft neutrals and pale pinks – some with a little shimmer depending on the skin tone.

Elsa Corsi 

Elsa  kept the look simply elegant by accessorizing with her  vintage inspired  crystal chandelier earrings and crystal bracelets - available  both at Jewelitte and Blush.

The team at They Representation  from Vancouver  are mobile and travel to the bride so you and your bridal party can  be pampered  in the comfort of your  home or hotel.

And the winner is.....

Congratulations to the winner of the Crème de la Crème dream wedding dress contest! Mandy So, who chose a stunning Romona Keveza dress, will be sure to surprise all her guests on her big day next summer.

And here is her winning entry!

Thank you to Blush Bridal for making this happen and a big thank you to all who participated.

Pottery Barn

The Pottery Barn team believes that home should be a haven – a place for gathering with your favorite people as well as for savoring the pleasures of solitude, for recharging and for relaxing. It’s where you play, dine, work, sleep and dream. In short, it’s where your life takes place.

For more than 60 years, Pottery Barn has been inspiring people to create inviting, comfortable surroundings that reflect their unique sense of style. They offer furnishings and accessories for the entire home, all in timeless designs so you’ll be able to enjoy them everyday.

With a vast assortment of beautifully crafted pieces and completely exclusive collections to choose from, a Pottery Barn registry makes it easy to create a home that you’ll love – for a lifetime to come.

Website

Pixstar Photobooth Rentals... the STAR of any party!

Pixstar Photobooth Rentals provides an opportunity for brides and grooms to capture wedding memories in a unique way...spontaneous, fun and in-the moment photos.

Renting a fully customizable photo booth for your reception allows you to personalize your special day. From a variety of photo formats, you can choose to have your photos print in colour, black and white or sepia, and specify details of font, colour, backdrop and theme. You can even include a graphic or logo to "brand" your Pixstar wedding photos! Pixstar can match their client's photo print graphic with a slide for display on their external monitor or a slideshow can be displayed on their external monitor! A graphic or logo or picture can even be printed and displayed in the light box on the outside of the booth. With Pixtar, the custom options are endless.

Other options available to their clients include a custom album, a prop box or a new button-making option. Pixstar focuses on fulfilling client needs and creating lasting memories of occasions that are ofter once in a lifetime experiences.


What advice does Pixstar have for brides-to-be? Live-love-laugh.. make your special day only about you.

Wintons Social Stationery

Your wedding invitation is the first impression of your memorable day. Wintons Social Stationery's innovative, chic, sophisticated designs will embrace the magnificence of your wedding. When you ask Wintons to create your stationery, there is no doubt that you will leave a lasting impression on your guests through outstanding, distinctive design.

At Wintons Social Stationery, there are unlimited options based on all price points. The team at Wintons are able to customize your stationery from design to execution. This includes colours, fonts, layout, embellishments and addressing of envelopes.

Wintons Social Stationery is inspired by their clientele and the dream wedding they have envisioned. They predict that this season's invitations will capture lush elegance with a veil of simplicity.

The most magical moment of a wedding for Winton's Social Stationery is the sentiment of the father-daughter dance. Their advice for brides-to-be? Breathe.

Website

Air Canada Vacations

Choosing the perfect honeymoon experience is an important decision, as a honeymoon is a time when newlyweds make their first memories together as husband and wife. Enter Air Canada Vacations.

With more choice and amazing value, Air Canada Vacations delivers a superior vacation experience from start to finish. Not only does Air Canada Vacations offer a wide selection of global destinations and resorts, executive class upgrade options and Aeroplan Miles, they also offer a convenient, reliable service onboard, non-stop flights to worldwide destinations and affordable connecting flights from 65 cities across Canada! 

When looking for a perfect destination honeymoon, Air Canada Vacations suggest that you view their comprehensive "Passion Brochure", which provides a detailed "Vacation Planner". The "Vacation Planner" is an in-depth rating system which goes beyond the three, four or five-star ratings to ensure that newlyweds find a perfectly suited package. The "Vacation Planner" rates the resort, the beaches, pool facilities and other amenities that may be of importance to the bride and groom, to help them choose their ideal honeymoon spot. From secluded beaches to bustling nightlife, Air Canada Vacation has it all. They deliver the world and the choice is yours.

Photo Via HowStuffWorks

Destination weddings have become increasingly popular and, according to Air Canada Vacations, this trend will continue.  Destination weddings allow you to continue the celebration beyond the one special day and grow it into one week or, in some cases, two! Air Canada Vacations work with resorts that truly specialize in destination weddings. They have experts fully dedicated to attend to every detail and remove the stress of planning. They also have the most complete collection of destinations, ranging from the most popular to the most exotic.

Although sun and sand are still the top choice for the perfect honeymoon, exotic destinations are becoming increasingly popular. "The Honeymoon" is about a brand new start, and as such, many couples choose a place they have never been before, to "make it their own".

Photo via Whenwegetthere.com

For more information visit Air Canada Vacations. 

"Passion for travel! Finding that special spot, sharing a new experience, new scents, new sights, new sounds..." - Air Canada Vacations, on what inspires them. 

From True Romance to Amore

CountDown Events Design & Planning is thrilled to announce the release of the latest Crème de la Crème Grand Wedding Showcase film in anticipation of its sixth annual show on October 30, 2010 from 11am to 6pm at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver.

This year’s Show will celebrate Amore, the most celebrated emotion in the world.

The film is beautifully captured and produced by the talented Bruce Patterson from Could Nine Creative. For a taste of Cloud Nine Creative’s award-winning work and a preview of the most opulent event of the year, observe the Crème de la Crème Grand Wedding Showcase ‘True Romance’.

From True Romance to Amore

Crème de la Crème Grand Wedding Showcase - True Romance from CountDown Events on Vimeo.

Crème de la Crème has hand-selected Vancouver’s renowned wedding purveyors – from decorators to floral designers to gift registries – to transport you to a whole new world of refinement through complimentary services, a designer studded fashion show, tastings of the city’s finest cuisine and elixirs and a new Destination Wedding category.

To view more of Cloud Nine Creative’s inspiring, modern and breathtaking wedding film and montage services (as well as their love story!) visit Could Nine Creative

Crème de la Crème Grand Wedding Showcase welcomes Jeweliette Jewellery!

Vancouver’s downtown core is filled with North America’s leading retail stores but we have a few gems out there too. Amongst the hustle and bustle of the busy streets a pink banner stands out. Jeweliette is like the pink diamond in the downtown ruff.

The playground to Vancouver’s premier stylists and social set, Jeweliette Jewellery is the city’s only custom, couture bridal accessory salon. You will be pleased to find internationally published designers such as Christina Garcia, Erika Kesler and Sara Gabriel along side local favorites like Lolo, Alice Hart, Laura Jayne and Elsa Corsi.

In addition to the plentiful selection at Jeweliette Jewellery, they also offer the option to modify existing designs or create completely new ones.

The team at Jeweliette has been apart of so many weddings and they offer some advice to new brides. “Choose your jewellery and headpiece in time to have them for your final fitting and hair trial. This way you can rest assured that your wedding day look is perfect down to the last sparkle”.

Check out the website for more photos and details!

Crème de la Crème Weddings

Crème de la Crème Weddings

Linda & Domenic

Photos by Jana Vackova

As seen in WEDLUXE magazine

To read their published story click here

Receiving fantastic feedback from bride and grooms is such a treat! It inspires us to work harder at planning an incredible showcase. Linda and Domenic shared their insight with us after attending the most opulent event of the year (more than once!).

"We attended a few of the Crème de la Crème shows and it is our favorite wedding show of the entire year. My favorite part of the show is the fashion show segment where the models are showcasing the different trends and designer lines down the catwalk. My husband's favorite part of the shows were the fountains of chocolate fondues since he has such an enormous sweet tooth. It was a real treat for him to come along to the shows produced by CountDown Events."

"The most memorable moment of our wedding day was when our eyes first met walking down the aisle. The second most memorable moment was when we first walked into our decorated wedding reception and foyer area at the Fairmont. It was such a gratifying and rewarding experience to see all the planning and the attention to details come to life in one room and to give ourselves and our guests that wow factor. It looked so amazing. Our guests still tell us that it was the most memorable wedding they have ever been to."

"Because of our busy work schedules, we could of never pulled off such a fabulous event without Soha and her magical little crew. I would highly recommend CountDown Events. I loved how Soha paid so much attention to the finer details that are so often missed such as ensuring there were no wrinkles on any of the fabrics, etc..."

Linda & Domenic's Crème de la Crème Wedding Purveyor List:

Wedding Planner - CountDown Events

Decorator - Upright Décor

Videographer - CloudNine Creative

Photographer - Jana Vackova

Bride’s attire - Manuel Mendoza

Bride's jewelry - Elsa Corsi and Jeweliette

Groom’s attire - Dolce & Gabbana from Mark James

To read Linda & Domenic's lovely story in WEDLUXE magazine

click here