June 30, 2009

Bridal Beauty: 5 Steps to Look Your Best

Bridal beauty

Reprinted from our ChickAdvisor.com bridal series.

The Big Day.  You have far too much on your plate, but still need to look fresh and gorgeous for the aisle walk to the reception and the wedding night!  Get your bridal beauty routine together by taking a few easy steps to ensure healthy and glowing skin.  Here are my best tips to ensure you are in top wedding form:

The Facial
A facial will give you that new bride "glow".  Fresh & dewy is what it is all about, but remember that facials can bring dirt and debris to the skin's surface, so make sure you have yours at least a week before the wedding, or better yet, start a monthly facial routine starting 3 months prior to the big day!

Tried-and-True Beauty Routine
Don't start a drastic new beauty routine right before the wedding.  If your fair skin has never seen the sun, don't start now with a dark tan the day before your wedding.  You want to look natural and beautiful, not like you have been baking on the beach.  Give yourself a healthy glow by using a little bronzer instead, and if you must tan, wear sunscreen!  You don't want to look like a lobster in that stunning gown.

A Healthy Diet
Nothing is more drying than alcohol, so for a week or two before the wedding, try to limit your consumption.  Drink lots of water to hydrate, and eat your veggies!

Bridal Beauty Kit
A few days before the wedding, pack a few essentials to carry in your clutch:  waterproof mascara, a face primer (it will keep foundation in place), translucent powder, and oil blotting paper are all essential to get rid of shine.  A lip gloss, a neutral lipstick and lipstick brush will keep your lips primed, and don't forget hair pins, a small brush, and some hair spray to tame your windswept tresses.

Muster Up Some Bridal Zen
For many brides, planning a wedding can be extremely stressful and that can wreak havoc on your hair, skin, and nails.  Try to slow down, breathe, and relax.  Reducing your stress level will drastically improve your appearance, so delegate tasks to friends and family, and take time for you!  You'll be glad you did when you see those gorgeous photos after the honeymoon.

June 17, 2009

Tracy & Daniel's Summer Garden Wedding at Graydon Hall Manor

It is always a pleasure to plan a wedding for clients who have booked Toronto's Graydon Hall Manor for their wedding.  Tracy & Dan's June wedding was no exception.  Spectacular weather, glorious gardens, and a lovely bride & groom made for a perfect day.  The couple's colour palette of navy, sage green and ivory was so fresh, and little touches of pine cones here and there were an homage to the couple's family cottage north of the city.  I just love the images of the flower girls below, they were so precious!

Thanks to Laura Jane Petelko for always gorgeous images, and Stemz for beautiful florals.  Michael Coombs from Prodigy Entertainment kept guests on the dance floor and partying until early morning!

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June 07, 2009

Jenn & Mike's Orange Crush Wedding (Pro Shots!)

Super-talented photographer Jodi Renee was so kind to send me these fun images of Jenn & Mike's wedding at the Toronto Hunt Club in May.    I love doing modern tent weddings - we brought in an 18 foot illuminated orange plexiglass bar which was a beautiful focal point in the otherwise white tent....

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June 04, 2009

Love Is Sweet: Michelle & Matt's Waterside Wedding

Michelle & Matt tied the knot on a stormy Saturday in May.  As if on cue, 15 minutes before their ceremony was to begin at Toronto's Palais Royale the skies started to clear, and the sun came out just as they were saying their vows!  Spring is such a marvelous time to get married in Toronto - so many gorgeous flowers start to make their way into the market - cherry blossoms are one of my favourites, and we were lucky enough to have lovely branches for the ceremony backdrop and on the head table. And, what about those peonies - so pretty!  Thanks to Stemz for the beautiful florals and Laura Jane Petelko for her amazing photographs.  See detailed shots of Michelle & Matt's decadent sweet bar below this post as well!

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Candy is Dandy, But Liquor is Quicker...

Thanks so much to Laura Jane Petelko for her beautiful photos of Matt & Michelle's Sweet Bar, which was so much fun to design! More pics of the wedding coming soon.

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May 29, 2009

Choosing the perfect song for your first dance.

Chickadvisor

I am honoured to announce that I am partnering with ChickAdvisor.com on a brand new wedding series that will run on their fantastic website over the next year.  Each month a new article will appear with tips and ideas for creating the wedding of your dreams.

The first article just went live this week - hopefully we will be able to help some Summer 2009 brides with choosing the perfect song for their first dance.    Click HERE to read the first installment!

May 28, 2009

Luxe Details from T & M's Winter Wedding

Just thought I would showcase a few of the amazing professional shots I received not too long ago from the esteemed Toronto photography team at Ikonica. These images are from T & M's beautiful late Winter wedding in Toronto.

Such a warm, inviting feeling in the cozy restaurant, with soft pinks, peaches, ivories and pale greens, all with a French flair.  I adored the bride's dress - ruffles and lace and so pretty, just like the Croquembouche wedding cake encased in a spiral of sugar.  Enjoy!

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May 25, 2009

J & M: Cool Blue and Citrus Orange at the Toronto Hunt Club - Part 4

The Candy Buffet:

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J & M: Cool Blue and Citrus Orange at the Toronto Hunt Club - Part 3

Head Table
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We printed custom paper bands for each vase to match the menus and table #'s:

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Ceremony Standard:
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J & M: Cool Blue and Citrus Orange at the Toronto Hunt Club - Part 2

The Dining Room & Guest Tables

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J & M: Cool Blue and Citrus Orange at the Toronto Hunt Club - Part 1

Here are a few shots of  J+M's beautiful, fresh wedding at the Toronto Hunt Club this past Saturday.  I absolutely loved working with this modern, clean palatte - a backdrop of crisp white, with shades of orange and blue.  So fun!

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Carnation & Mitsumata Bar Arrangements
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May 13, 2009

Finally - Phase 1 of the Office Reno Is Done!

Oh Blog - how I have missed you!  The lack of posts around here is due to a crazy, busy Winter and Spring, and in large part to the ongoing reno's at our new office space!  Phase 2 starts soon in order to get it ready for the new boutique opening and launch party this Summer, so in the meantime, enjoy the pics. of our new space! 

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April 13, 2009

BrideTide - Top 100 Blogs & Twitters!

Bridetide

Thank you so much to the folks at www.BrideTide.com - your online resource for wedding news, for listing us as one of the top 100 blogs and twitters to follow in 2009! 

We're blushing and so very appreciative to be included in this fantastic resource.

Thank you BrideTide!