Bridal Fantasy Magazine 2015 by Bridal Fantasy Group

gift registry

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Your Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Experts Vision Travel's wedding and honeymoon specialists excel in the art of curating an unforgettably romantic getaway. We have extensive travel planning experience and welcome the opportunity to help you plan your destination wedding or honeymoon.

With over 700 absolutely all inclusive resorts to choose from you're sure to find the perfect destination wedding or honeymoon location with Signature Vacations. Ask us about the Exclusive Culinary Collection offered by Signature Vacations at Karisma Hotels & Resorts!

Destination Wedding & Honeymoon: Planning Trip Coordination Gift Registry Custom Designed Wedding Programs & Luggage Tags 1-780-459-6661 2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

www.visiontravel.ca/stalbert

#20 580 St. Albert Trail, St. Albert

2015

Unit 1093, West Edmonton Mall Tel. 780-444-7210 Unit 187, Commerce Place Tel. 780-497-7277

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

STARDUST collection

AD WEM

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

THE PERFECT DESTINATION TO START YOUR JOURNEY TOGETHER. Your wedding is where your story together begins, so choose the perfect beginning. Hold yours in one of the most beautiful places on earth and enhance it with a winter white backdrop. There are a range of places to say your vows and host guests, from modern and modest to historic and luxurious. Book yours in the only protected mountain resort on earth, where Nature Rules. BanffLakeLouise.com/Weddings

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

I do. 10 Passenger Stretch Limo

Mercedes Limo Coach

14 Passenger Stretch SUV

If you vowed to be wowed our immaculate limos and the most professional drivers in the business are ready to make your special day spectacular. Reserve early to ensure you get the limo of your choice. Book today by calling 780.463.5000 or reserve online at edmontonprestigelimousine.com.

DOUBLE THE INVENTORY TO SERVE OUR BRIDES BETTER!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

ARITZIA J MICHAELS RICKI’S

LAURA

MAC

SMART SET

BUFFALO

SEPHORA

H&M LE CHATEAU

LIGHT UP YOUR

RW&CO

KIXS CLEO

NIGHT STYLE. 2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

DYNAMITE

KINGSWAYMALL.COM

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

My One & Only CELEBRATE THE MOMENTS THAT CONNECT YOU.

Sterling silver charms from $29

Embrace them, hold them, share them. In charms, rings and bracelets as unique and genuine as the women who wear them. Be inspired at pandora.net

WEST EDMONTON MALL SOUTHGATE CENTRE KINGSWAY MALL

On the Cover: EDMONTON Model: Karin Pedersen, Independent Gown: Martina Liana, available at The Bridal Boutique Earrings: Premier Jewellers Hair: Rock It Out Salon Make-up: Blush Artistry and Instruction Florals: Flowers By Willows Photographer: Romy Young Photography Styled by: The Bridal Fantasy Team

Hellenic Banquet Hall central southwest calgary location p . a . system wheelchair accessible fully equipped

CALGARY Model: Karin Pedersen, Independent Gown: Watters, available at S2 Bride

Hair: Rock It Out Salon

calgaryhellenic . com

Photographer: Romy Young Photography Styled by: The Bridal Fantasy Team

rates and availability

403-966-6930

Florals: Willow & Whimsy

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

and bar

Earrings: Premier Jewellers

Make-up: Blush Artistry and Instruction

2015

professional kitchen

Your Ultimate Wedding Planner

EDITOR’S LETTER Gay Derk

One of the most magical themes is wedding day fairytale dressing, where fashion fantasies actually do come true. Each bride gets to weave her own spellbinding story with couture-like creations. Our modern bride and groom do want happily ever after but they are going to do it on their own terms. This is the modern retelling of the fairy-tale, where our true loves come in all sizes, shapes, and genders. Each bride and groom looks for their own statement piece for a look that enchants, empowers, and reflects their love. Our celebrity wedding, Serena Dyer and Matt Pisoni, is a perfect example - it reflects their inner spirituality and strength as partners. We’re all for embracing that spirit for contemporary storybook style. Realizing your vision starts with choices and decision that help you create your style. With the help of your wedding vendors, your event can be everything you’ve dreamed of. Then to totally get your couple energy on board in an awesome way, always make it a point to keep learning and improving your relationship. Our team is so excited to see that the fabulous Hay House team is coming to Edmonton in May for two days of inspiring talks. We’ve got some amazing experts to start you on your way. Warmest wishes for a happy wedding day filled with love!

Gay Derk Editor-in-Chief gay@bridalfantasy.com

All the resources you need to plan your big day.

@BridalFantasy Facebook.com/MyBridalFantasy Pinterest.com/BridalFantasy @BridalFantasy

bridalfantasy.com

Check out our website BridalFantasy.com Follow us on our blog BridalFantasy.com/blog Download the Bridal Fantasy App for free at BridalFantasy.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Gay Derk ASSOCIATE EDITOR Shannon Gamache CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Danielle Fuechtmann Sarah Harmon Catherine O’Neill CREATIVE DIRECTION The Bridal Fantasy Team PHOTOGRAPHY & ART DIRECTOR Darrell Derk CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR Mandy Bilous CLOTHING STYLING Mandy Bilous Gay Derk Darrell Derk Sterling Derk Shannon Gamache Catherine O’Neill

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Sheena Hope Kurt Kowalchuk Sylvia Kysela RR Donnelley, Edmonton GRAPHIC DESIGN Mandy Bilous MARKETING & SALES Mandy Bilous Gay Derk Shannon Gamache Catherine O’Neill MODELS Independent Agents Mode Models Edmonton CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION Gay Derk Shannon Gamache ARTICLE CONTRIBUTORS Gabrielle Bernstein Clara Chorley Jordan Broom-Hall Sue Heuman Darren Jacklin Avery Kremer

Danielle LaPorte Kayla Loyek Louisa Maccan-Graves Alan McCune Sarah Mitchell Robindra Mohar Joy Nordenstrom Catherine O’Neill Janice Skoreyko Prince Nikolas Syhatheb Renée Strauss Gail Vaz-Oxlade Dr. Brenda Wade Enrique Godoy Ynzenga HAIR STYLISTS & MAKE-UP ARTISTS Blush Artistry and Instruction Rock It Out Salon Nikola Syhatheb ByNikola.com PHOTOGRAPHY Darrell Derk Social Lite Communications Romy Young PUBLISHERS Gay and Darrell Derk Derks Fine Group of Companies The Bridal Fantasy Group

Bridal Fantasy Magazine is published by Derks Fine Group of Companies and is published once a year. The views and opinions herein do not necessarily represent those of The Bridal Fantasy Group, its Publisher, Editor or Employees. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the Publisher.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Mandy Bilous, Creative and Marketing Director I’m sure you will find that Bridal Fantasy Magazine is a great resource for your journey as a bride or groom, as well as for your family and friends. In this year’s magazine, we’ve featured a wide range of topics from bridal gown looks to honeymoon getaway spots, famous authors, health, relationship advice, and more. Since we are based in Alberta, our content has a western Canadian focus and embraces a distinctly authentic real-wedding feel. We had the pleasure of working with Romy Young, Blush Artistry and Rock It Out Salon for our cover shoot, it’s always a pleasure working with such dedicated and professional individuals. I hope you find excellent advice and inspiration in this year’s edition to help you plan the wedding of your dreams.

Shannon Gamache, Associate Editor It’s already my fourth year working on the Bridal Fantasy Magazine but each edition is a new experience. We decided to try things differently this year and feature more real weddings, more stylized photo shoots by wedding professionals and more “realness.” You never really know how it is all going to look until the very end! I’ve enjoyed connecting with each and every bride, groom and vendor that were featured in this issue and hope that they keep this magazine as a keepsakes for years to come. We have gathered some of the best advertisers, contributors, and more for our readers! We hope you enjoy this year’s magazine and find inspiration within these pages to make your dream wedding come true…

Danielle Fuechtmann, Contributing Editor I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Bridal Fantasy team this year; from mapping out the latest wedding trends during the editorial process to connecting with relationship experts, putting together this magazine has brought together a lot of amazing people and ideas. While it’s always exciting to look at all of the beautiful trends that the bridal industry offers us each year, I’m really proud of our Relationship Revolution section! Each bride or groom approaches planning their wedding with a different fantasy in mind, but I believe it’s important to put the same love and planning into your relationship to ensure you and your partner have the best marriage possible. The resources shared in Bridal Fantasy will help you create a gorgeous wedding day of the dreams and set you and your partner off on an incredible journey together. I hope this magazine inspires you and your partner during this exciting time in your life! Sarah Harmon, Contributing Editor I am very excited to have joined the Bridal Fantasy team! Helping coordinate the bridal shows, working on the magazine, and learning about the diverse wedding industry has been such an incredible experience. Working behind the scenes to organize the different aspects of Bridal Fantasy and meeting and contacting all of our wonderful advertisers has been amazing. Being on set for a few of our photo shoots was spectacular, I love watching the process of making it all come together, seeing how much effort goes into what we do makes the outcome that more enjoyable. I love weddings; it’s such an exciting time in a couple’s life together! Enjoy the planning process and celebrating with your family and friends as you open this new chapter in your life. From gorgeous gowns to the best décor trends, I hope you find some lovely ideas to include in your fairytale wedding!

Hair by: Rock It Out Salon, RockItOutSalon.ca Make-Up by: Blush Artistry and Instruction, Blush-Artistry.ca

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Table of Contents Features: 28 42 50

62 67

204

Jordan Broom-Hall:

So You’re Engaged

Skinny Executives:

Love: Traditional vs. Modern

Robindra Mohar:

It’s Better Together: the Art of Extending that Ever-Elusive “Honeymoon” Period

Renée Strauss:

Guest Behavior

Sue Heuman:

Here Comes the Mother of the Bride/Groom

Janice Skoreyko:

Breathless to Breathtaking Recipes with Celebrity Raw Food Chef & Nutrition Expert Janice Skoreyko

Empower Your Marriage: 191 Love Work: Creating a Relationship Revolution 192 Gail Vaz-Oxlade: Tying the Knot? Talk About Money 194 Joy Nordenstrom: Five Fun and Unusual Ways to Ensure Your Relationship Continues to Thrive Beyond the Honeymoon 196 Dr. Brenda Wade: Love’s Daily Practice 198 Clara Chorley: The #1 Success Tip to Keep Your Love and Chemistry Alive 199 Darren Jacklin: How to Prepare for Your Special Day 200 Danielle LaPorte: Our whole lives are relationships. Love accordingly. 202 Gabrielle Bernstein: Fearless Relationships

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

108

191

130 Health, Fitness & Beauty: 52 Louisa Graves: Feel Like a Star on Your Wedding Day 54 Nikolas Syhatheb: This One’s For the Girls 58 Hair Affair 60 Beauty Necessities

YOUR CREATIVE STAMP: 118 120 122 124 126 128 130

Cultural Colour 152 Yodit & David 154 Rupinder & Jatinder 156 Tifanie & Hanson

161 WEDDING WATCH 161

Celebrity Wedding Watch: Serena Dyer & Matt Pisoni

164

Jacqueline & Bob

166

Kilby & Trevor

168

Jessica & Travis

170

Helena & Jared

172

Laura & Brandan

174

Megan & Daniel

176

Jen & Milton

178

Meghan & Soren

180

Trista & Celina

182

Marlena & Marc

184

Antonette & Kris

186

Gessica & Michael

188

Katy & Peter

Extras:

Fashion: 64 Wedding Attire: The Dress Code 65 Shoes: High Rise 66 Modern Mothers: Wedding Day Fashion 108 Trending Elegance: 2015 Bridal Fashion 110 Bridal Fashion: From the Runway 114 Lingerie: A Girl’s Little Secret 117 Lingerie: Lovely Lace 134 The Bridesmaids 140 Get Groomed: Renting or Buying for the Big Day 141 Accessories and Groomsmen’s Gifts 144 Menswear: Boyz to Men 211 Charming Children Photography: 208 Picture Perfect Planning: 22 Online: Tweet, Pin & Post 24 The Unplugged Wedding 33 Desserts: For Your Sweet Tooth 36 Stationery: Invitation Inspiration 38 Bridal Shower: 3 Fun Games to Try at Your Bridal Shower 39 Stags and Stagettes 40 Enchanting Engagement Parties: Out Plan, Out Play, Out Party 41 Great Eats, Sweet Treats: Making the Most of Your Tasting 45 Flowers: Blooming Amazing

Rustic Elegance A Sweet Retreat Mountain Romance A French Fairytale Bohemian Rhapsody Woodsy Retreat Romantic Whimsy

Décor: 26 River City Events: From Start to Finish 31 Special Event Rentals: Gorgeous Key Trends Travel: 68 The Great Getaway 70 Forget the Baggage 71 Honeymoon Hotspots 72 Rocky Mountains: Bring Your Winter Wedding to Life With Some Rocky Mountain Magic Wedding Specialists: 76 Calgary 86 Edmonton Directories: 212 Wedding Professionals

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

PLANNING Online

Tweet, Pin & Post O

NCE LIMITED TO A SELECT NUMBER OF MAGAZINES AND BRIDAL SHOWS, the wedding planning process has become even more exciting with great digital tools to help with every step of putting together your perfect day. With everything from classic tools like pinterest to inspire your wedding theme or helpful forums to help answer your etiquette conundrums, there’s something for everyone!

fter sharing a quick ring selfie to show of her new ring and popping into a bookstore to pick up a few bridal magazines, one of the first things many modern brides do is create a wedding board on her Pinterest account if she doesn’t already have one! Pinterest is an amazing resource for brides to get inspiration for almost every part of the wedding, from decor to dresses, makeup to flowers, reception snacks to wedding favours, there’s ideas for everything. Many bridal magazines and blogs have Pinterest accounts too, so you can see some of the great ideas inspiring your favourite reads! If you love the idea of Pinterest, but crave a curated approach, take a visit to Loverly.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Founded in 2012, the site makes planning easier by combining inspiration boards a la Pinterest with the ability to shop and connect with vendors straight from the site. Search ideas by colour, take a look at some beautiful real weddings, or take a look at their planning section with a bounty of great posts about every step of the wedding process! For better or worse, email and online mediums are usually much easier for connecting with friends and family than a letter in the mail. Even if you’ve opted to send beautiful save-the-dates and invitation suites to your guests, consider creating an online presence for your wedding. Start with creating an email address for all of your wedding communications, this is a great way to make sure all of your wedding-related correspondence ends up in one easy spot!

Having a single address will make getting information from potential vendors a breeze and if you want guests to have the option of RSVPing by email, you’ll know their responses won’t be lost in the shuffle. Once you’ve set up an email account, consider creating a wedding website; don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy, there are lots of drag and drop options available. Having a wedding website provides a central hub for all of your guests (and you) to find information about your wedding. In addition to providing a second source for essential event information, this is also a fun way to get your guests excited by including features like a digital guest book, song requests for the reception, funny stories about your relationship and more! This is also a great space to share registry information, especially if you’ve registered with more than one service. Services like

There’s an abundance of amazing tools that make wedding planning a breeze…

mywedding.com or appycouple.com, offer user-friendly systems to create wedding websites and apps with lots of options for customization to reflect your wedding theme and the information you want to share with your guests. Forums and community boards aren’t the most glamourous tool on the internet but they’ve stood through the test of time for a reason! Forums offer people to discuss topics that interest them and share their ideas. Stumped about what you should do about a tricky situation? Take your question to a forum discussing that topic and get some perspective on your situation! The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Bride To Be are examples of sites that host excellent community forums, but you can find many more with a quick search. Creating an excellent seating plan can be a bit daunting, you ideally want to strive for a plan that sets people with other guests they’ll get along well with and make sure that everyone has a great time. Rather than using a paper plan and postits, try something like Tablerrr! Tablerrr

allows you to create guest lists, set your tables and drag and drop your seating arrangement; make it even easier with the smart seating function and group your guests and let it place everyone so all you have to do is make minor adjustments. Voila! You’ll probably want to see all of the amazing candid photos your guests snap during the celebration! Decide on

a hashtag that guests can use on Twitter and Instagram so you can see all of their posts in your feed; pick something easy to type and do a quick check to make sure it’s not already in use. If you’d rather keep your wedding more private or have a more permanent way of saving what everyone posts, tools like Wedding Party offer an fun and simple way for guests to upload photos and messages about your wedding in addition to checking essential information about your wedding; this tool makes it easy to use on smartphones, digital cameras, computers and more so all of your guests can take part in your special wedding story. There’s an abundance of amazing tools that make wedding planning a breeze, from your engagement to the last few spins on the dance floor, there are tools for simplifying and organizing every part of your planning process so you can focus on enjoying your engagement and being a newlywed!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

PLANNING Unplugged

The Unplugged Wedding W

e’ve all been there. You’re out with a group of friends and there’s always someone who just can’t get off their phone. Annoying? Yes. Rude? Oh, yes! However, as social media continues to grow in popularity it seems we can only accept and expect others to share their attention with us and their online community. So, what’s the solution when it comes to the most special day of your life – your wedding? Enter the unplugged wedding.

o, what is an unplugged wedding? An “unplugged wedding” is a wedding that restricts the use of any device that takes photos or records video. It can be as limited as unplugging the ceremony to completely unplugging the entire wedding! Unplugging can also restrict guests from posting images or video online until AFTER the wedding. Of course, this is all voluntary (unless you’re Mr. & Mrs. George Clooney!).

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Now, let’s acknowledge that a fully plugged-in, hyperdocumented wedding makes perfect sense for some couples. If you announced your engagement via Facebook, post regularly on Instagram and live for social media, you should consider creating a hashtag for your wedding so that your guests’ posts can be found and shared easily. However, as I’m sure many would agree, as a social media fan – sometimes it’s important to unplug and be truly present. When you discourage devices at your wedding, you encourage your guests to look up and drink in the world! For those of us who wish to go forward with an unplugged wedding, just how can you communicate your wishes to your guests regarding their phone usage at your wedding? Well, there’s more than a few ways (that are more than polite!):

Give everyone some advance notice: Let your friends and family know ahead of time – especially those who you think will be the problematic “fauxtogs”. It’s courteous and respectful, but also sets the tone for your wedding.

2. Have a plan for those wedding-day rogues: There will be a guest or two who show up to your wedding thinking that they’re the exception. Make sure that they’re reminded! Putting up a small sign at the entrance to your venue is a great way to remind your guests of your wishes. Slipping a note in your program is an excellent idea, as well.

Be firm! Have your Officiant politely remind your friends and family that this is an “unplugged ceremony” and give them a moment to turn off their devices.

4. Give them something to do: Instead of your guests holding their device, have someone pass around candles or sparklers during the first dance. This will distract your guests while allowing for a great photo-op – for your BOOKED photographer!

When you discourage devices at your wedding, you encourage your guests to look up and drink in the world! 2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

DÉCOR River City Events

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

River City Events:

From Start to Finish

iver City Events is taking an innovative approach in order to offer their clients more value. When you book a wedding consultation with one of River City Events’ wedding planners, you have the opportunity to meet with an experienced industry professional who can bring your wedding vision to life. River City Events is proud to team up with one of Edmonton’s most talented event planners. Sarah Mitchell is part of a team of professional event planners on staff at River City Events. As one of Edmonton’s largest event rental companies, River City Events is able to support a wide range of events from weddings and receptions to corporate events and much more. They are also one of the few event rental companies in Edmonton that offer in house professional event planning services. One of the major advantages of hiring a River City Events’ wedding planner is that because of the volume and range of events that the company supports, the event planners have access to a much larger pool of resources. This means preferred pricing, priority booking, and a network of proven and reliable sub-contractors. It also means that if Uncle Bob accidentally spills red wine on the head table an hour before the reception, your event planner not only has the rental company on speed dial, but the event company will pull whatever strings they need to in order to support their event. The relationship is important, because it means the client gets added

value and reduced stress when dealing with a one stop shop. “I like having the ability to give each client exactly what he or she wants, but sometimes it’s just as nice to be able to show them something completely new.” Sarah explains. The River City Events planning team also assists in selecting new products to showcase each season. This gives the event planners an in depth knowledge of the products and styles available and saves time in finding the right combination to create your vision. It also means that based on their feedback, the available inventory always matches the most current trends. “I have designed so many different styles of weddings; from classic and traditional flowers, to Harry Potter themed weddings! I’d like to think that after 10 years of planning & designing, I have seen it all. I enjoy being able to sit down in River City Events’ design center and show clients real items and samples. I love thinking outside the box and coming up with fresh amazing ideas. No matter what type of request my clients have, the team at River City Events will make it happen.”

For more information about River City Events in house event planning service, or to book a consultation, please call 780.424.6001 or visit rivercityevents.ca. Sarah Mitchell I have been an event planner & designer for 10 years, and have loved every minute of it. I have a technical theatre background as a lighting designer and stage manager, and so I approach every wedding with a unique view. My goal is make your wedding exactly how you want it to be. The best part about my career is helping two people in love make their dreams come true.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

FEATURE Jordan Broom-Hall

Photo: Just For You Photography

So, You’re Engaged Congratulations! This is truly an exciting time for you and your fiancé! Above all else, this is one of life’s biggest commitments and you are sharing that with the love of your life. Someone you are saying ‘I can not live a day without you by my side for the rest of time’. Family and friends will ogle over your ring. You will tell the story of ‘how (he or she) proposed, and the reaction on your face’ a million times over. You will get so many free lunches from friends wanting to be the first to know everything! You’re on cloud nine, and sitting comfortable.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Then it hits you - you have to plan the wedding of your dreams. Not only the wedding of YOUR dreams, but of your mother’s dreams, mother-in-law’s dreams, best friend’s dreams, and so on. You begin getting bombarded with questions like, “What colors did you choose?”, “Who’s your photographer?”, “When are invitations going out?”, “Am I in your bridal party? Who else is in your bridal party with me?”, “What kind of music will you have there?” to name a few. This is usually about the time that I, as a wedding planner, see brides faces go blank, gloss over, and the look of bliss is wiped off and replaced with that of hopelessness and confusion. That feeling of a ‘wedding high’ that you were on… gone. Now, all you can feel is the weight of this massive event resting on your shoulders, growing heavier by the day and dragging you down by the minute. Countless hours are spent on computers and websites, googling “wedding trends” and pinning your ideas until you realize you are all over the place and unable to narrow your vision down to something that will look less like a child’s toy bin just exploded all over the walls and table tops of your big day. Breathe.

Then it hits you - you have to plan the wedding of your dreams. Not only the wedding of YOUR dreams, but of your mother’s dreams, mother-in-law’s dreams, best friend’s dreams, and so on.

Remember that not only is the wedding day itself supposed to be filled with love and fun, why not make everlasting, positive memories out of planning your wedding too? There are 3 key points that every bride should know, assess, and be ready for when they take the leap into planning. 1. When Creating a Budget, Book the Big Budget Items First Of course, I believe that every bride should hire a wedding planner and not just because I am one. I saw the benefits of having one of my staff coordinate my own wedding. It is absolutely ridiculous how much easier, enjoyable, and calming the planning process and day of will be. I promise. After that, any of my couples will tell you that the first words out of my mouth are: ‘We need to book your venue, photographer, caterer (if needed), DJ, and florist first thing’. These are the items that really direct your budget, and help to shape the concept for your wedding. The best way to go about this is to have your wedding planner bring to you the vendors that they would highly recommend. One of the biggest reasons for a planner is the fact that we bring you the people who have made countless dreams become reality, and we know you can trust them to do the same for you. Look through their galleries (usually online) and what they offer before looking at prices. Jot down notes of what you do and do not like, and I suggest choosing two or three of your favorites in each category. These vendors are important and should be chosen based on your initial reaction to their work. All of these vendors can make or break a wedding. 2. Designing with Color, Texture, Pattern and Shine - In design, whether it is choosing an outfit or designing a room, these 4 words should be a main focus. Color: sets the entire mood for the day itself. Are you going with red to host a more sexy vibe, or are you a neutral kind of person who is looking to have something soft and dainty? Begin here. Next up, Texture: brings something physically stimulating to the room. It can be something as simple as a sequins table linen, or a backdrop made from fresh greenery. Lighting with movement and projections can create texture as well in a way that guests would not expect. Pattern: now we are stimulating the eye. It does not have to be a bold choice like a damask or chevron, and can even be

something as minimal as tone-on-tone polka dots. It just has to be something that makes your guests say “Oooooh”. Lastly - Shine: a photographers dream. This really ups the glam factor in your photos and makes everything feel just a little bit more expensive! Shine can come from something like a gold shimmer overlay on guest tables, mercury glass votives, or mirrored table tops to name a few. When working with metallics, remember that they are a neutral and can be mixed up to create a more modern and sleek design. These 4 points will add unforgettable elements into the design to leave your guests talking long after the day. 3. Do Not Spend Above Your Means - Everyone has a budget and everyone has a limit. You need to clearly identify what that is for you and your partner, and don’t exceed this to the best of your ability. A wedding is a once in a lifetime event, but it should not take you a lifetime to pay for it. There are so many options available to you, you should never feel as though you ‘need’ to go over budget to achieve your ideal day. Working with vendors who know how to stay conscious of this is key to the success of your wedding.

Jordan Broom-Hall Jordan Broom-Hall is the owner and Director of Weddings & Events for one of the lead wedding planning and design companies in Edmonton, AB, Atmosphere Wedding Planning & Event Design. Broom-Hall gained his industry experience working with such esteemed companies as MODE Models - Calgary and NOVA Model and Talent International in Los Angeles. Since 2007, Atmosphere has successfully completed more than 200 weddings under his watchful eye. Jordan has been on the ISES Edmonton Board of Directors for 2 years now, sitting as a Director of Education and currently is the 2014/2015 VP Of Marketing & Communications. His passion for design was brought to life watching Jennifer Lopez (JLo) in “The Wedding Planner”, and has adopted the nickname, JBro. AtmosphereWeddings.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

DÉCOR Special Event Rentals

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Special Event Rentals: Gorgeous Key Trends

ou have the ring, you set the date, and you have the perfect dress picked out. What’s next? Wedding decor! Whether your style is vintage or modern, or your budget is large or small, decor is an essential part of your big day. It sets the tone for the celebration and is your first opportunity to showcase your style as a couple. These are some of the hottest trends in wedding decor. Incorporate the ones that get you most excited! Soft Whimsical Colours Tone on tone colour pallets such as blushes, tans and ivories stay strong in wedding decor this season, but the unexpected addition to these romantic neutrals is soft, airy blue. It’s showing up everywhere from linens and florals to cakes and bridal fashion. Look to see more of these soft blues and light greys in all aspects of wedding decor. More Metallic Metallics are a true wedding classic and they maintain significance this year. Mercury glass comes in a variety of colours and is readily available in vases, candleholders and so much more. Look for gold cutlery, sequin linens and brushed silver candelabras to carry the metallic trend through your ceremony and reception. Gold and silver are always popular, but this year bronze is the shining star. Suspended & Sensational The sky is the limit – literally and figuratively! This year lighting won’t be the only thing you find above you at weddings. Stunning fresh floral chandeliers, dramatic ceiling draping, and even hanging centerpieces are major players in wedding decor. With more brides opting for an ethereal look, hanging centerpieces and sheer fabric ceiling drape are the perfect way to create heavenly elegance.

King Style Seating Long, banquet style seating transformed wedding decor this past year, and it is gaining momentum. Believe it or not, the way you seat your guests is part of the decor. Gone are the days of round tables only. Seating guests at long rectangle tables joined together creates a celebratory family style and provides a long, dramatic table top for decor. Understated, exposed wood farm tables are a stunning way to accomplish this. Elegant Eclectic Anything eclectic is all the rage these days. Your inner flower child can come to life with earthy inspired decor. Soft cafe lighting hung at wedding ceremonies and receptions is popular for both indoor and outdoor affairs. Pairing unexpected colours, textures and patterns is a huge part of the eclectic look. Nature inspired pieces such as antlers and furs play into this perfectly. The eclectic look is all about impact, so don’t be afraid to pair a bold texture with fresh cut flowers and exaggerated amounts of greenery in your centerpieces. Uniquely You Your wedding is an interpretation of you. Make your day personal and unique with plenty of options available in absolutely everything. Gone are the days of cookiecutter wedding decor and rightfully so.

With a large variety of colours, textures, and designs, linens are just one way you can customize your design. Personalize the essentials with specialty chairs, detailed lace napkins, and coloured glassware. Don’t forget the often overlooked details such as stationary and favours. The attention you give to these items makes your wedding perfectly and uniquely you! Please call 780.435.2211, or visit specialeventrentals.com for more information. Kayla Loyek Kayla Loyek is an Event Specialist and Social Media Coordinator at Special Event Rentals. She has worked with the company since 2006 and is passionate about all things bridal. With over eight years of experience in the event industry, Kayla has coordinated events of all sizes and styles. Her heart beats fastest for pretty linens and charger plates.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

PLANNINGâ&#x20AC;&#x192;Desserts

For Your

Sweet Tooth

et creative, or go traditional - pouring some sugar on your reception can be easy, stress free, and fun. Cake buffets are a wonderful way to add some flair and fun to the dessert table. Smaller treats like individual boxes of chocolates are great (and delicious) keepsakes and cake is always wonderful, no matter the shape or size.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Cake: The Art of Cake Photo: Barbara Rahal Photography

Cake: Cakes by Candace Photo: Studio Camp Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Cake: LauraBella Treats Photo: Jody DeBernardo Photography

Cake: Sweet Relief Pastries Photo: Kristi Sneddon Photographer Cake: European Cakes Photo: Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reminisce Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

PLANNING Stationery

INVITATION

inspiration

Wedding invitations seem like a small part of planning your wedding, after all, there is the venue to choose, vows to write, and a wedding gown to find! However, they formally invite your loved ones to your big day and provide important event details. The invitation clarifies who’s invited, the time and location of the ceremony and reception, information about RSVPs and registries, and it also suggests the type of event to expect. • Narrow down the selection of your invitation suite and start thinking about the lettering style you would like. Modern invitations range from formal engraving to modern printed scripts in addition to the wide range of calligraphy styles available. • Calligraphy offers a versatile middle ground between engraving and printing; thoughtful use of calligraphy can be done at an affordable price. If you want to include calligraphy in your designs but have a lower budget, consider only having key parts of the invitation in script, such as your names, while the rest is in a complementary type. • As you’re finalizing your decision on your invitation suite, begin researching calligraphers, focusing on the style of their script. Many calligraphers are proficient in more than one style but they will typically have a favourite or a variation unique to them. • Talk to local stationery stores and look online to find calligraphers with a good reputation or ask if your vendor has an in-house calligrapher. Ask for a portfolio, look for confident script with even spacing and consistency. If you choose a calligrapher outside of your city, remember to allow extra time for the finished invitations to be returned to you.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

• Most calligraphers average a two-week turnaround on a project but this varies on the size of the project and how many clients they have booked. If you’re worried about a tight deadline, ask if the envelopes of your invitation suite can be delivered in advance of your suite so your calligrapher can finish those first! Ensure everything is returned to you at least two weeks in advance of being sent out so you have time to check for any errors and assemble the invitations. • Prepare a guest list and ask your calligrapher how they prefer it to be organized. They’ll need to know your guests’ names and titles, addresses, and postal codes; make sure you type these out, even last minute additions, to avoid mistakes due to legibility. • They’ll request a small amount of extra material, take this into account when ordering your suite. If you have good handwriting skills, you may want to consider doing your own invitations. When deciding to go this route, ensure that you have enough time to practice before starting out! Give yourself lots of extra material and time to finish all of the invitations and any other materials like place cards or menus that you want. Remember, while DIY projects can be a lot of fun, they can also lead to a lot of stress if things don’t go smoothly!

“Soulmates… two halves of the same soul joining together in life’s journey.” – Author Unknown

Pinkpolka Invitations and Stationery Photos: Nicole Ashley Photography

Pink Umbrella Designs Photo: Kristyn Harder Photography Pink Umbrella Designs Photo: Cassieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Camera

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

PLANNING Bridal Shower

3 Fun Games

to try at your bridal shower

ridal showers are a fun opportunity for the bride-to-be to celebrate her upcoming wedding with friends and family members. Typically hosted by the Maid of Honour or bridesmaids, the guests include female friends, family members and other relatives or if the couple prefers, co-ed or couple’s showers are gaining popularity. Since guests are expected to bring a gift, etiquette states that only those invited to the wedding should be invited to the shower. If there will be more than one shower, ensure that the hosts of the different parties compare their guest lists to ensure that guests are only invited to one party.

Whether you’re choosing to do a couple’s shower and invite the groom and some of his friends and family, opting for an fun spa day with only close female friends and family, or having tea and cake at home, a classic part of the shower are the games! Switch things up and try one of these fun games for a laughter-filled icebreaker:

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Etiquette 911 Write wedding etiquette scenarios on index cards; the crazier, the better! Think of some nightmare situations like a guest bumping into the bride with a glass of red wine or two bridesmaids getting into a fight at the altar. Hand out one etiquette card to each guest and have them write down an honest response to the situation. Then, have the bridal party gather all the cards and read the wacky answers aloud. Bangle Shakedown Before the game, create a list of overused wedding-related words or exclamations (e.g. bride, wedding, dress, “Aww!”) and chose a few to forbid. As guests arrive, give each lady a bracelet and a little note listing the forbidden words and tell them that if they hear another person saying a restricted word, she gets to take the offender’s bracelet. At the end of the party, the person with the most bracelets gets a prize, plus the cute bracelets on her arm! The Cinderella Bride Best suited for a co-ed shower or “couples-only” shower where women will be with their husbands or boyfriends. Without giving any clues about the game, have all of the men leave the room. While the men are gone, have all the women take off their shoes; each woman will put shoe in the centre of the room and the other shoe to the side in a pile. When this is done and the pile is nice and mixed up, have the men return. When the whistle blows, the men need to pick up the shoe that they think fits their partner and put it on her foot. If it doesn’t fit, or is not hers, they need to put the shoe back in the center and get another. Most men don’t know which shoe is their partner’s and that creates some hilarious drama. Even if they remember their partner’s shoe, it will be tricky to pick the right one in all of the chaos!

PLANNING Stags & Stagettes

Stags and Stagettes

lanning the perfect bachelor or bachelorette party is fun but it takes some thought. Abandon the “last day of freedom” approach for activities that your bride or groom would genuinely enjoy; whether you do something wild and wacky or you opt for a calm night in, the stag and stagette parties are a fun time for celebrating the new chapter in your life with your friends.

lanned by the Maid of Honour and the Best Man, they coordinate the celebrations with the rest of the attendees; costs of the party are shared by the guests while the bride and groom do not pay. While creating your party plans, make sure you talk to some of the key guests about your ideas and be open to suggestions and budget concerns. Keep in mind that younger couples in their early 20s won’t want (or have the budget for) some of the stag or stagette parties of brides and grooms in their

For the Ladies • Get moving and laughing with a fun dance class! Try something fun like hip hop or bellydancing. You will have fun trying something new and being silly with the girls and you’ll have some new moves to bust out on the dance floor. If everyone’s up for it, try a burlesque or pole-dancing class! • Plan an indulgent night in and hire a personal chef to whip up a gourmet dinner and have a grown-up slumber party. Think cute pyjama sets, cheesy romcoms, and popcorn.

30s. If you have an idea that you love that doesn’t fit everyone’s budget, like a lavish spa trip, think of something similar such brunch and mani-pedis at a local spa. While you don’t need to tell the bride and groom the details of the celebration, it’s a good idea to run your plans by them to make sure they’re comfortable with your ideas. If the couple likes the idea, consider doing a co-ed party and do something exciting as a large group! Here are some of our favourite ideas to get your party planning started:

For the Gents • Enjoy a great evening in with the guys; pick up some steaks, mix up the groom’s favourite drink and play some low-stakes poker. • Attend or host a scotch tasting. Arrange some cool transportation to get everyone to the venue in style, wear your favourite duds and enjoy a night on the town.

Co-ed Celebrations • Get grilling and plan a barbeque! Plan fun backyard activities like a pinata, paint coloured circles on the grass for twister, and spike the punch for a casual outdoor bash. • Take a visit to the thrift store and pick out some wedding outfits for the bridal party to wear during the game, the more outdated the better! When you get to the paintball range, let the bride and her attendants challenge the groom and his men for bragging rights.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

PLANNING Engagement

Enchanting Engagement Parties Out Plan, Out Play, Out Party

ou’re not the only one who wants to celebrate your engagement and upcoming wedding! Your family and close friends are all eager to give their congratulations and meet your partner; the engagement party brings everyone together to celebrate and meet some of the other key people who they will likely be seeing more of in the time coming up to your wedding day. The engagement party is traditionally held by the bride’s parents, with subsequent parties being hosted by the groom’s parents or other close friends and family or both sets of parents co-hosting. However, these days more couples are hosting the party themselves or allowing close friends or family members to host. Time the party to fall within a few months of the engagement, it’s best to fall shortly after the engagement so you’ve had enough time to enjoy the whole process and you’ve now started thinking about your wedding plans but close enough to the engagement for it to still be fresh news. This party is a good example of why it’s smart to start thinking about your wedding guest list earlier rather than later; the engagement party is typically only attended by guests who will also attend the wedding, so it’s a good idea to start with your wedding guest list

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

and cut it down to your bridal party, close family, dearest friends, and any other significant people. While the engagement party isn’t a gifting event, some guests may wish to bring something anyway so you might want to put together a small list of items for your registry. It’s a very flexible event, anything from a backyard barbeque or formal cocktails are appropriate! Keep in mind what you have planned for you wedding; you’ll want to complement your wedding. Ensure your engagement party doesn’t outshine your wedding by not planning formal parties when you intend to have a casual wedding or host an engagement party with a distinctly different theme from your wedding. Whether you choose to have passed hors d’oeuvres, tasting stations, barbeque cookout, or plated dinner is totally up to you and the formality of your event, there are no rules! Be sure to leave time--and prepare--for the toasts, these are an important part of the celebration. Depending on the formality of the event and who is hosting the event, the etiquette regarding the toasts and their timing is important! If the bride’s parents are hosting the party, the bride’s father should make the first toast to the bride and her fiancé, followed by a toast from the fiancé to the bride-to-be and her parents, and then he toasts his own parents. After this point, toasts are welcome from any of the attendees. If you are hosting, or it’s an informal event hosted by friends, anyone can toast at any time. The bride and groom should ensure that they toast the host of the party!

PLANNING Reception Meal

Great Eats, Sweet Treats Making the Most of Your Tasting

eciding what you’d like to serve your guests at a reception is an important decision, not only is it a significant part of your wedding budget, it’s a special meal that you’ll want to be memorable for all of the right reasons and capture the essence of your culture! Attending a tasting with your caterer is an essential part of the planning your menu so you can make sure you love what you’re serving.

nce you’ve narrowed down your choice of caterer or signed your contract, ask them if tastings are paid or free services, it’s common for tastings to be included in the cost of your catering and therefore free once you’ve signed your contract or a charged service if you haven’t booked yet. Since this is up to the caterer or venue, it’s always best to ask in advance and learn more about what they offer! Check how many are permitted to attend, you may want to bring a couple people for input; you may want to invite parents or the maid of honour/best man. If you do bring guests, stay focused on the food and ensure you make the most of your tasting and ultimately make your decision on what you and your partner enjoyed. Depending on the caterer, you will either taste the menu you have already chosen and have the opportunity to make changes and suggest other options or you can try a selection of menu options to narrow it down to create your final menu. Expect to be sampling all of the food you plan to serve, including hors d’oeuvres, entrees, sides, and desserts. You should discuss dietary concerns prior to the tasting, however, be prepared to address special needs like wheat allergies or other concerns when you confirm your menu. Unless they give you tasting portions only, the presentation should be the same as what you’ll see at the event, so you’ll know what your dishes will look like and you should be allowed to take pictures if you wish. Be honest about how you feel about the food, your caterer would rather know now if you don’t like something or would like to substitute dishes rather than have you disappointed or unhappy on your wedding day. Remember that while the wedding and tasting are exciting, be professional and respectful of their time; if they’re serving wine, don’t drink excessively and be conscious of good etiquette. It’s also polite to leave a tip for your server in appreciation for their work in serving you and clearing plates. Finally, expect to be trying a lot of amazing food!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

FEATURE Skinny Executives

Love: Traditional vs. modern Alan McCune & Enrique Godoy Ynzenga Alan McCune & Enrique Godoy Ynzenga are Lifestyle Connoisseurs: from fashion to travel and domestic to event planning affairs. Alan and Enrique work in tandem with their clients to meet their needs and surpass their expectations. After several years of mutual collaboration serving a wide clientele, they decided to join forces in 2012 to create Skinny Executives. Skinny Executives compliment each other. Enrique is a Law & Business graduate with experience in Real Estate, Law Practice and Executive Assistance. Alan is a Certified Life Coach with over 10 years experience as an Executive Assistant and Fashion Stylist to Beverly Hills’ most important families. With very different upbringings and vital experiences, Alan and Enrique agree on the fundamental principles of hard work, perseverance and resilience. Their extensive knowledge of their clients needs makes both of them reliable and professional Lifestyle Connoisseurs.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

he word traditional might convey different meanings depending on a person’s age, education and historical background, while the word modern brings on the sudden technological advances that affect romantic relationships. According to statistics, divorce rates have steadily decreased in recent years as a direct result of a decline in the number of new marriages. There are many possible explanations for this phenomenon. Historically, the Women’s Movement had a great impact on our society’s relationship dynamics. Until the 1950’s and late 1960’s the majority of married women stayed home and lacked financial independence from their husbands. Cases of physical and emotional abuse were more common, which had a direct impact on relationships. Unfortunately, we still have similar situations nowadays, but overall they have diminished. The second element to take into consideration is the introduction of

more reliable birth-control methods. This sole factor gave women more power and leverage over relationships. In recent years, sex through technology has caused an impact on traditional relationships. Long gone are the days when women, and even some men, claimed to be virgins before getting married, leading to long periods of courtship that helped couples to get to know one another before professing their love for each other. Modern use of technology allows us to run an online search of any person and learn almost everything about them before you even go on an actual date. Let’s say you meet someone you fancy at a coffee shop and get their business card, with just their name you can stalk their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn (to name a few). We are instinctually inclined to gather as much information as we have access to from a potential partner, but do these cyber self-portrayed images reflect who they really are?

Internet has crossed the last frontier by stepping into our bedrooms. The combination of technology and sexuality has unleashed a level of curiosity that would kill any cat. Thanks to GPS capability in most smartphone dating applications, users can find potential matches nearby. Before the Internet days, there was a certain mystery to going on a date. The mere fact of finding a date was surrounded by certain mystery and required more effort and energy than sitting at home and swiping through your smartphone. We would appreciate and cherish the person we found, instead of treating them like our latest online purchase. Regardless of all this, love is present in today’s society and some of us still believe in the tradition of marriage. This institution represents more than a ceremony that gathers your family and loved ones, it represents a lifetime commitment between two people who love each other. It’s one of the most beautiful acts two people can do together besides having a child. The concept of marriage has evolved throughout history. Until the Victorian era, marriage was merely a social contract and in most cases did not

involve love between spouses. Other socio-economical motivations fueled loveless marriages between strangers who only shared a common interest between their families. Our advice is to take what worked out of your life’s experience. Both men and women should be treated as equals inside the relationship and marriage should not be determined by your family, nor personal property or social status. We will always use social media to find out some information about the person we are interested in, but we can’t rely on it to make decisions or base our judgments. When it comes to sexuality, we would all benefit greatly from saving a few things for that special someone. Remember, it’s never too late to try something new. As far as dating apps is concerned, we should try not to use them as a shopping tool and base our decisions not only on the pictures, but profiles as well. Love isn’t determined by the tools we have but instead by how we choose to use them. It would be insane to expect different outcomes from the same behaviors. Therefore, if you’re having problems finding love, try to identify what isn’t working and change your

actions! Sometimes a small improvement brings great results. Our advice: get out there and don’t be afraid to feel love by your heart, mind, body and soul. Labels have no meaning since love is a feeling and not a garment to be worn!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

PLANNING Flowers

The Wild Orchid Photo: Jacqueline Elizabeth Photography

Blooming Amazing

lowers are a big part of the theme and aesthetics of your big day, from the wedding bouquet to the reception decor! Floral design is a fun way to add colour and texture to the bridal party’s look as well as your venue.

Have fun with colour! Adding pops of colour with your florals is a great way to add visual interest and trends are emphasizing an embrace of thoughtful pops of colour, either monochromatic or multicoloured. Choosing blossoms with bright, bold colours has become a popular choice for many brides, including crimson reds, vibrant purples, and splashes or coral or blood orange. Even as brides are embracing bouquets bursting with colours, another trend holding steady is designing with an emphasis on texture and monochrome selections. Choosing different blooms in a single colour creates a soft statement that catches your eye, the subtle differences in all of the flowers adds interest without stealing the show.

An embrace of greenery, particularly in floral decor, has become a very popular choice! From sweet succulents that double as wedding favours to ferns and cedars, greens are no longer taking a backstage role to flowers. Smaller arrangements throughout the tables are an excellent choice that creates interest without blocking the vision of guests so they can see across the table or across the room during the reception. Rather than being a finishing touch, floral design has is becoming a key element in the decoration of the venue, particularly in today’s modern, pared down designs.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Dee Vine Petals Photo: Photography by Ashley J

Flowers by Willows Photo: Caitlin Cleveland Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Studio Bloom Photo: RoLu Media

Bouquet trends have been dominated by hand-tied posies and loose, organically shaped bouquets. Smaller sized bouquets have been more common, ranging from dainty sprays to hefty handfuls of beautiful blooms. Fewer brides are opting for very structured bouquets like the showy composite or Beidermeier styles, favouring simplicity with inspiration from famous brides like Kate Middleton and Amal Alamuddin. Still a popular alternative to tiaras or veils, floral crowns are a lovely way to make a statement on your wedding day. Designs vary from a few artfully placed flower buds in a soft chignon to a glorious ring of blossoms around the crown of the head. Adaptable for many different styles, the floral crown can be very bohemian or very modern and romantic depending on the blooms used. Colour, size, and design makes this accessory a great option for brides who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want a typical veil or headpiece.

Willow Flower Co. Photo: Darren Roberts Photography

Down The Well Designs Photo: Lorianne Giles Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Laurel’s on Whyte Photo: Shandro Photo

The Wild Orchid Photo: CU Photography

Floral Studio at Hole’s Photo: Akemi Matsubuchi Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

When planning your wedding flowers, be upfront about what your budget and vision are; some flowers can be very expensive out of season, but a good florist can help you create the look you want within your budget. If you’re thinking about preserving some of you flowers, like the bouquet and boutonniere, be sure to mention this as they can avoid flowers that don’t take well to this process and ensure that your flowers preserve perfectly.

Just Beautiful.

2015

holesonline.com

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

780.419.6800

FEATURE Robindra Mohar

Photo: Jenn Crebas Photography

It’s Better Together

the art of extending that ever-elusive “honeymoon” period

he “honeymoon period” of relationships is a well documented phenomena that everyone knows either as a direct experience or something that we saw our friends go through. It’s easy to see, boy meets girl and they are so excited to meet each other that they enter a bubble of bliss. They go off into a wonderful land of opportunity, wonder, joy, passion, and happiness. This may last for several weeks, months or even years but eventually it will come to a place where it’s not as exciting as it used to be; reality kicks in and real life begins, you know, bills, work, health, stress all the things that really get in the way of being together fully.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Being overstressed and overtired is all too common in our collective lives in work, life and family. As a result, we start to choose to stay home over going out and engaging, we choose to do our “normal things” and generally start to choose relief and distraction over and gratification and satisfaction. We have been taught since a young age that a successful happy life is about getting things like a job, a giant home, cars, everything external. We become engaged in how much we can get over how much can we give. We tend to see the ones who have the most as the happiest and biggest winners. Remember when you were in that honeymoon phase you were constantly creating new ways of relating to each other? Bringing new things into your

relationship was easy because you just met, but now you are too busy, too tired to do that anymore, instead you choose watching a movie over actively bringing new ideas to life. Think about a time that you brought something new to life, whether it was in your relationship, at home, or in your business. How about a time when you had a great idea and when you shared it, it really caught wind? Or a time when we may have had little or nothing but our dreams were big. In these moments of bringing new things to life our experience is of being incredibly present and enlivened. Creating is powerful, it is a force of nature and it’s juicy, it is the world of satisfaction where we experience joy, freedom and expression.

Photo: Jenn Crebas Photography

When the honeymoon period starts to fade, here are 5 things you can do. 1. Weekly Creative Ideation Sessions. Have weekly idea sessions on a Sunday where you go to new places in the city and write down new ideas for your life, your city, your world. Then choose 1 of those things to bring into your life this month. When you start to create together that juicy honeymoon melon comes back in a hurry. 2. Do morning rituals together. When you feel that you are being pulled apart and feeling less in synchronized. Start waking up at the same time and going to sleep at the same time. One of the greatest gifts of having a partner is having someone on your path. Design a morning routine that serves both of your needs and try to do something together. Try a 2-minute meditation right when you get out of bed. 3. Do yoga together. It will bring you back to being in a grounded space; it will create space for you to let go of the everyday stress so that you can be more present with each other. Yoga brings that.

4. Cook together. If one of you is the “cook” of the house, don’t let that stop the other from getting involved. Buy a new cookbook, our favorite is “Oh She Glows”, and pick one new recipe to cook together this week. Again, creating is a powerful force of nature and even cooking together can bring that honeymoon feeling back. Are you starting to get the idea yet?

Whatever lights you up, go share that back with the world!

It’s better together. 5. Start a revolution. Together. Ask yourself, what are you here to do together that would make the world a better place to be? Get to know the values that really light you up as a couple. What are those aha moments that happened during your honeymoon period that had you feeling on top of the world? Was it joy? Was it that time you volunteered together for the Hope Mission? Keep a diary about what excites you as a couple and share that back with the world. It could be as simple as decorating your home during Halloween because you want to deliver joy to the world, or starting your own charity that gives back to a community you encountered in your travels.

Robindra Mohar Yogi, entrepreneur, life coach and founder of Edmonton’s BLOOM Yoga & Life Design Festival www.itstimetobloom.com , I am dedicated to helping as many people as possible live life more fully, to reach higher and to BLOOM. I design workshops that support people in current conversations to move them through into new and higher levels, these workshops include: Better Together and Digital Detox. Check out the Bloom website for updates on events and workshops happening in your area. Have questions? I would love to hear from you. yegbloom@gmail.com ItsTimeToBloom.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

BEAUTY Louisa Graves

Feel Like A Star On Your Wedding Day

very bride should look and feel her best when she walks down the aisle. For shinier hair, stronger nails and a glowing complexion, incorporate the following DIY recipes and costeffective product suggestions just four weeks before that special day. Be your best on your wedding day and happily ever after. Please enjoy more free beauty recipes on my YouTube page at HollywoodBeautySecrets.com

Louisa Graves is an industry leader in the area of non-invasive beauty. She is the author of doctorrecommended book, AGEPROOF: Beauty Alternatives You Need to Know, and has been featured on television shows including: The Talk, The Doctors, Extra, The Discovery Channel’s Fit TV, The Style Network, Los Angeles KCAL, Fox, KTLA Moring news, and many more. She is a repeat guest on Sirius XM’s Doctor radio, is a beauty advisor for FIRST Magazine, a contributor and expert in Woman’s World column, Ask America’s Ultimate Expert” and has written for AOL Huffington Post Media Group and many more. She frequently speaks to women’s organization across the country on how to look and feel our best on a budget. Watch Louisa’s FREE beauty recipes videos at Youtube.com/ BeautyGuru

HollywoodBeautySecrets.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Coconut Oil for all Skin types Versatile coconut oil offers myriad health and beauty benefits for all skin types. It’s an ideal skin hydrator and gentle exfoliator that can help fade scars, sun spots and fine lines. And because coconut oil is rich in both lauric and caprylic acid, it’s an ideal blemish buster. Whether you have normal, dry, oily or sensitive skin, coconut oil is one of the best nightly treatments. However, because of its molecular structure, coconut oil penetrates the skin very quickly so apply it sparingly. Here’s what you do: Apply organic food grade coconut oil on clean skin two to three nights a week. Leave on overnight and wake up to a glowing complexion. Nail Stain Remover To instantly brighten yellow-looking finger nails or remove stains from under the nails, the following simple DIY recipe is amazing! Here’s what you do: Slice a medium sized lemon in half. Push nails into each of the lemon halves so they are submersed enough to cover the length of each nails. Wait seven minutes, then rinse nails with water. Afterward, massage nails with olive oil and leave on overnight. Shiny Hair, Clear Complexion and Strong Nails Incredible chlorella is an immune-booster that offers many health and beauty benefits. Chlorella’s powerful properties can strengthen nails, help prevent blemishes and add sheen and

strength to our hair. In addition, chlorella is a toxin fighter that quickly absorbs and eliminates toxins and heavy metals from the system – improving how we feel. And because chlorella is rich in detoxifying chlorophyll, it can freshen breath, help balance hormones, support digestion, and purify the bloodstream and liver for a glowing complexion and peak health. Take 5-10 chlorella tablets after each meal. DIY Toner for All Skin Types Toning the face after cleansing helps remove traces of chlorine or makeup. But most importantly toner helps to balance the skin’s pH to prevent dry skin and/or blemish breakouts. It’s an important step that keeps skin looking dewy and blemish-free - from this day forward. The following recipe is super easy to make. Here’s what you need: 3 organic green tea bags ½ cup boiled water 1-2 cotton balls Here’s what you do: Steep the tea bags in boiled water for 15 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature. Using a cotton ball, apply tonic after cleansing skin each morning and evening. Allow the toner to dry, then apply a moisturizer such as Beyond CP. It’s loaded with copper peptides and antioxidants that effectively reduce blemishes, acne, broken capillaries, scars and dark spots. See a natural cost-effective toner suggestion at the HollywoodBeautySecrets.com shop.

Beauty Tips for the

Discover 100â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of budget beauty secrets in Louisa Graves doctor-recommended book available at

Bride

www.hollywoodbeautysecrets.com

Mention Bridal Fantasy with any order and receive free skin care 2015 products with your purchase.

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

This Oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

For the Girls

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

“The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you!” – Coco Chanel

Opposite: Hair and Make-Up: Nikola Syhatheb, bynikola.com Photographer: Jessy Pesce, jessypesce.com Wardrobe: Vanessa Sanchez, sanchezstylist.wordpress.com Models: Hannah, Gemma, Sheena - Images Models Dresses: Narces

Hair and Make-Up: Nikola Syhatheb, bynikola.com Photographer: Jessy Pesce, jessypesce.com Wardrobe: Vanessa Sanchez, sanchezstylist.wordpress.com Models: Jerrica, Gemma, Sheena - Images Models Dress: (pearls) Whitney Linen Dress: (pink) Lucian Matis Jewelery: MMcrystals

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” – Audrey Hepburn 2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Hair and Make-Up: Nikola Syhatheb, bynikola.com Photographer: Jessy Pesce, jessypesce.com Wardrobe: Vanessa Sanchez, sanchezstylist.wordpress.com Models: Jerrica, Sheena, Gemma - Images Models Dress: 3rd Floor Studio Jewellery: MMcrystals

BEAUTY Nikola Syhatheb

one are the days of bad bridesmaids’ dresses, dramatic over-stuffed shoulder pads, and the big big big big hair that only could only replicate bushes that we see playing Super Mario Brothers-the Nintendo verison where the trees are also clouds! Thanks to the blend of fashion and bridal, we are able to give a more authentic bride what she’s looking for. Nothing is more personal in your wedding party than your bridal team. That is why this one is for the girls. Vanessa Sanchez has dressed the models in luxurious dresses that fit the different facets of the bridal world from Stylist Box. It’s important that when you want a memorable impression in your photos, you stay authentic to your personal style but still take a risk. This shows in the black lace gowns from Narcess – it’s ok to wear black and to wear lace to a wedding - it is just how you wear it..

In the spirit of blending fashion and bridal, let’s not disregard that this risk takes a budget! Sometimes a high budget, but let’s not skimp on quality. I am showcasing what I use in my kit that gets blended into both worlds to help give you that picture perfect finish because my most asked for look is “I want to look like a bride in a magazine.” These products work on everyone, if you’re planning on being your own artist these will help you, and you only need one of each for the whole party.

I am strong believer in working on the base first, so I’d like to introduce to you Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream; more like a thick jelly, this miracle worker is used to hydrate and give glow anywhere, lips, cheeks, arms, legs. It’s always good to rub a little on your chest and arms - models always have hydrated skin. My next star product is Stila 10 in HD Beauty Balm - this lightweight doer of everything helps me minimize the use of foundation, it’s great for all skin types and helps minimize pores and oil control. Evelyn Ionas Gel eye liner is insane. This organic and natural product where proceeds go to helping woman in need has some power. It stays black, stays put, and is safe for even the most sensitive eyes. Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode hair spray does everything for me. This fine mist has intense memory, great for the hair touchers in all of us, and it has a beautiful satin finish.

Prince Nikola Syhatheb Nikolas helped create a lot of the fresh and inspiring hair and makeup looks in our fashion sections.

Check out Prince Nikola at ByNikola.com

Bumble and bumble created a star product called Brilliantine. The blend of creams and oils is great for all hair types, it smoothes, depuffs, and defines. I will always curl hair, squish the product through, and then decide whether to smooth out or enhance frizz. I generally enhance the frizz - I love the modern look of being undone. Stila in the Light Pallete was invented by gods! The blend of colors looks amazing on everyone and every skin tone. Wet or dry, my personal favourite is kitten, a soft champagne shimmer that makes eyes look perkier even if you’re going for a smokey eye. Yaby Blush Pallete in Inner Glow, is my favourite product in the whole world. These Canadian-designed colors are great for all skin tones, they can also be layered on all skin tones and the staying power is magical. Yaby also helps build individual stackable palletes so that you can carry everything with you; blush, lipstick, gloss, powder, you name it they have it! It sounds like a lot, but these key products are your doit-all items for everyone in your party. Enjoy!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

BEAUTY窶ォair

Hair

Affair 2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Opposite: Photography: Social Lite Communications Make-Up and Hair: Nikola Syhatheb ByNikola Dresses: Novelle Bridal Shop Jewelry: Bridal Fantasy Florals: Willow and Whimsy Models: Mode Models Edmonton

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

BEAUTY Products

Beauty Necessities

MAKE UP FOR EVER: Tease Me Nude Lip Trio – Inspired by the beauty looks of Ana, the Tease Me set offers a trio of MAKE UP FOR EVER’s coveted lip favorites including a smudge-proof lip liner, a highly pigmented and long–wearing lip gloss and a lightly textured gloss to deliver natural looking color with a glittery shine. Tease lips with this colorful threesome to line, color, and shine. Create the ultimate kissable lip look in an Innocent nude hue.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

MAKE UP FOR EVER: Graphic Liner – This all-in-one ultra-fine pen liner is ideal for beginners or experienced pros, providing ultimate ease and control to define the eyes with artistic precision. Graphic Liner’s felt tip glides along the skin, creating a clean and long lasting line of carbon black color along the lash line with a glossy plastic finish.

Cara Skin Care

i love my muff

Cara Skin Care provides professional grade facial care solutions that deliver proven results and surpass the expectations of skin care professionals and clients. Cara offers a product range that allows for customized treatments and regiments of many skin conditions in both professional and home settings. All Cara products are paraben free and combine the power of innovative bio-botanical compounds and proven clinicalgrade active ingredients.

i love my muff are premium feminine hygiene products that provide daily love and care for down there. i love my muff products have been developed with an uncompromising commitment to mildness, biodegradability, non-toxicity, with a luxurious feel. A combination of the finest ingredients such as natural plant extracts and pure beneficial essential oils to create our exceptionally gentle line of products. i love my muff products are cruelty free, vegan, free of parabens, SLS, synthetic colors, fragrances and handmade (with love) in Canada. It’s no longer taboo and with its clean packaging and bold messaging, i love my muff products are a statement of confidence and a great find for every woman.

Available at Tiffany Blue Face & Body

MAKE UP FOR EVER: Ink Liner – Ink Liner combines professional precision with easy handling to master any line, from ultra-fine to graphically bold, and everything in between. The flexible, ergonomically- designed, calligraphy pen tip perfectly renders the lightest stroke, producing intense, super-matte and quick drying black lines on the skin with flawless wear and hold. Simply dip the felt tip into the bottle and apply along the lash line for the perfect amount of transfer-proof color.

MAKE UP FOR EVER: Step 1 Skin Equalizer – Goes beyond preparing the skin for makeup, it boosts the benefits of foundation both in terms of results and hold. With this series of ten references that discreetly perfect the skin, each woman can find the base she needs. This is more than a primer, it is an equalizer that can balance out every skin to provide perfect texture and the best possible base.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

FEATURE Renée Strauss

Guest Behaviour

aybe you think you know everything about wedding etiquette, but I guarantee that there are many offenses that guests don’t realize they’re committing when they attend friends’ and family members’ nuptials. To make sure you don’t make a major snafu, heed this list of the worst social crimes a wedding guest can commit.

1. Wear white. Sure, wedding gowns these days can be blush or even black. But even if the bride isn’t wearing white, that doesn’t mean you can. And if you know that the bride is wearing a color other than white, try not to don a dress of the same exact shade. This is her day, after all. 2. Crash the bride’s room. The second most common faux pas I see is when friends outside the immediate bridal party crash the bride’s dressing room just to wish her well. The gesture is absolutely gracious -- but the timing isn’t. If you weren’t invited to hang out with the bride while she gets ready, wait to share your congratulations at the wedding. 3. Misuse your smart phone. If it were up to me, everyone would leave his or her smartphone at home when attending a wedding. From guest snapping photos during the

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

ceremony instead of paying attention to the moment, to posting photos of the bride and groom on social media without asking, guests tend to use smart phones in ways that are disruptive and rude. If you can’t part with your technology, at the very least turn the ringer off for the ceremony. 4. Change your seat. Many guests look through the seating cards to find out who else is sitting where. Figuring out a seating plan was a difficult enough process for the bride and groom and having to deal with musical chairs (or requests for a change) is just too much when they’re trying to enjoy their special day. 5. Make side comments during speeches. One of the most annoying thing guests do is not pay attention while speeches are being made and continue to chatter, making it difficult for those that care to listen. When it is speech time: HUSH! Yes, that also means keeping your whispered comments and commentary to yourself until after the speeches have ended.

6. Swap your food order. Usually you are asked for your meal preference on the RSVP. This is for a reason: The caterer or hotel requires a pretty close to accurate count of who’s eating what so that they may order the correct quantities. I have attended many weddings where someone decides that they like what the guest next to them was presented with and they “change their order,” leaving a person with dietary restrictions without their meal of choice. 7. Complain about minimal costs. While the bride and groom are your hosts for the evening, they may not be able to cover every single cost, such as parking at their venue. Granted it is a gracious offering when there is no charge, but in the event the wedding you attend has not arranged for paid parking, please do not make negative comments. Each person has their own set of priorities and budget -- if you are close enough to be invited and attend the wedding, then you should be respectful and not make negative or hurtful comments. 8. Drink too much. Weddings are celebrations and many take place on a Friday or Saturday evening so no one is inclined to leave early. But this also gives leeway to imbibing a bit too much. Don’t get sloshed and try to drive home. The bridal party doesn’t want to manage your lack of management -they want to stay and enjoy the fun! (This is when services like Uber comes to the rescue.)

9. Grab décor. Table decorations belong to the rental company that provided them unless otherwise indicated. Guests that walk away with decorative votives or pretty napkin rings don’t realize that the bride and groom will be charged for these items when the total count is not returned. 10. Hang around too late. Even if there’s an afterparty that ends wee into the morning hours, at some point, the bride and groom want to have some alone time. Therefore, don’t begin an impromptu after-afterparty in their bridal suite or try to convince the groom to continue on at a bar that opens at 6 a.m. The party is over when the bride and groom say it is -respect that. Renée Strauss An international bridal stylist to royalty, celebrities and heiresses, Renée Strauss starred in her own TLC Slice Network reality show “Brides of Beverly Hills” which continues to gain new markets worldwide. Film, television and commercial productions seek out her expertise regarding the design, construction, and trends of dresses, as well as the traditions and cultural nuances of weddings.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

FASHION Wedding Attire

The Dress Code

he most important thing to remember about getting dressed for a wedding is that unless you’re attending a wedding that specifically requests otherwise, do not wear white, ivory or cream. However, this still leaves a lot of options to choose from when you’re getting dressed to attend a wedding!

If you do want to wear a lighter colour, pick a pastel like a rosy blush, crisp blue, or dove grey; if you need to ask if it’s an appropriate colour, play it safe and pick something else. Contrary to traditional advice, wearing black to weddings is becoming more common as the colour now has more association with being chic and polished than suggesting you’re attending a funeral. If you’re still worried about how it will be received by the bride and her family, check with the mother of the bride. Be sure to add some fun accessories and colour if you choose a fabulous black dress to make sure you look weddingready! While you don’t want to dress for the office, keep in the tone of the event in mind when picking out your outfit. Strike a balance between your favourite 9-5 power outfit and what you’d wear for a night on the town. Use the season and the time of the ceremony as an easy cue so you don’t look out of place. If the couple is getting married during the day, you can predict that

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

the ceremony will be more casual, shorter dresses for women and dress slacks and shirts for men would be smart choices. For evening weddings, choose dressier cocktail attire, look for dresses with lower hems while men can feel safe choosing suits and ties. The invitation will typically specify if the wedding is black-tie or if other specific dress codes are requested. Weddings are typically dressier occasions and unless you’re headed to a themed wedding where an alternative dress code has been stated, this is a good time to leave the your favourite denim in the dresser. Remember that weddings are also a multigenerational events, so even if you look great in your short dress and stiletto heels, this may not an appropriate time for that outfit. You shouldn’t be tugging hemlines down throughout the ceremony or dinner and your neckline shouldn’t make the bride’s grandmother blush. Take cultural and religious traditions into consideration when getting dressed, there may be expectations for dress, such as covering your shoulders and knees or wearing head coverings. If the ceremony is being held in a religious centre like a church or mosque, make sure you respect their traditions, as well as any held by the couple or their families.

FASHION Shoes

High RISE N

o outfit is perfect until you’ve picked the right shoes and your wedding ensemble is no different! Once you’ve found the perfect dress, it’s time to start looking for the right pair of shoes. Your wedding shoes are a great time to indulge in a pair of glamorous designer shoes, a pair that will remind of your perfect wedding day and make your smile every time you slip them on. Today, the wedding shoes are such an important part of the wedding day look that they are frequently featured in the getting ready photos and some brides are choosing wedding dress silhouettes that show off their gorgeous shoes.

Before anything else, remember to think about comfort, aching feet are never fun! If you can’t walk in heels, you probably won’t be comfortable in a pair of tall heels, no matter how beautiful they are. This is a really important time to buy a pair of great shoes that fit properly and follow up by wearing them around the house to break them in before the big day. If you’ve picked a pair of heels, consider finding a pair of flats that you can switch into at the reception so you can slip into something more comfortable as the evening goes on. For beach and casual, backyard weddings, wearing a pair of ornate flats is a smart choice as it is much easier to walk outdoors and through the grass. Shoes are a fun way to put a bit of fun or a special touch into your wedding ensemble and there are no rules for your footwear choices. Here are some of the great bridal shoe trends that you can consider for your look:

• Magical Metals Shoes in golds and silvers are great choices; beautiful in a range of shoe styles from peep-toe pumps to strappy heels, all you have to do is choose a pair that is the same metallic as your jewelry and other accessories. • All Laced Up Delicate looking booties in lace are a great choice for a vintage inspired look and they’re also a great choice for bride’s that need extra support as they can be laced up for a snug fit around the ankles. • Romantic Ruffles Super sweet or modern, ruffles are a great way to add a bit of character and pretty details to your look without being saccharine. Opt for layers of ruffles for a fun, flirty shoe or a hint of a ruffle for a daintily modern touch. • Something Blue Shoes are always a fun way to add a pop of unexpected colour to any outfit and many brides are adding their something blue into their look with a pair of blue shoes. From brilliant cobalt blues to deep navy to icy soft blues, anything goes!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

FASHION Parents

Modern Mothers: Wedding Day Fashion

he bride and groom’s parents have an important part to play in the wedding day and just like the rest of the wedding party, they deserve to look their best!

The mother of the bride typically purchases her dress first after waiting for cues from the bride regarding the bridal gown and the bridal party dresses. She should generally start her search shortly after the bride chooses her dress to ensure that any special orders will arrive in time and so once she has made her selection, the mother of the groom can look for her dress. If the MOB and the MOG get along, this can be a great opportunity for them to get to know each other better. They should try to select styles that are complimenting, not coordinating, allowing both women to express their personal style.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Classic colours like black, navy, champagne, and blush tones are popular choices for the mothers’ ensembles, but sage greens, sienna, and a wide range of blues and purples are steadily gaining popularity. Black and navy are modern favourites, they’re chic and slimming and give the mothers a great opportunity to personalize their look, this is the perfect choice for formal evening weddings. Champagne has been a strong choice for the mother of the bride, this season-less colour compliments the bride’s gown while being a distinctly different colour and the soft shade is very flattering. Red remains a colour that should be avoided unless the bride okays it, many still feel that the colour is too flashy and is an inappropriate choice. While colour choices are really flexible, it’s smart to bring a swatch of the bridesmaids’ dress fabric to ensure that the MOB and MOG will not clash with the rest of the wedding party. Today’s mother of the bride is likely much more stylish than before, eager to embrace silhouettes that show off their body, including sleeveless dresses and higher hemlines or options that find a balance between the two such as fuller coverage in lighter fabrics like chiffon or light velvet with burnout patterns. Formal gowns, short or long dresses, or skirt-and-jacket ensembles are all acceptable choices, so it’s important to take the time, season, location into account when selecting your outfit.

FEATURE Sue Heuman

Here

Comes the Mother of Bride/ Groom

E party.

veryone knows it’s the bride’s day, but moms of the bride and groom are also honoured members of the wedding

There are some easy tips to help you select a suitable dress that takes you from ceremony to photos to the reception. First, match the theme and style of the wedding. You can’t arrive in a long, formal gown to a backyard informal wedding. Similarly, a short dress is inappropriate for a black tie wedding. Second, know your own style personality. If you never wear dresses and are not comfortable in them, then look at palazzo pants with chiffon overlays or embellishments. Third, don’t outshine the bride. A little sparkle is ok; head to toe sequins is over the top. You can accent a simple dress with gorgeous jewelry that reflects your style. Remember, choose one area as a focus, such as a statement necklace or chandelier earrings. Don’t overdo it.

Dresses: David’s Bridal

Fourth, find a colour that goes with the bridal colours, but isn’t an exact match. After all, you don’t want to compete with the bridesmaids. If the bride has chosen blue, for example, a lovely deep navy would be an excellent complement. Don’t wear white or ivory – that’s still a no-no at weddings. Black can work if the wedding is very formal. If not, stick to a deeper shade of the bridal colours, or neutrals like taupe, navy or grey. Metallic colours, like bronze or silver, are also on trend and are very sophisticated. Lastly, be fabulous! There are lots of great selections available that look neither prom-like nor frumpy. Don’t be afraid to try a sleeveless dress; you can always pair it with a little bolero jacket or wrap if you’re concerned about your arms. Many styles, including one shoulder and halter, are surprisingly flattering, even on mature arms. The wedding lasts a day, but the photos are forever, so make sure you’re comfortable and confident on the big day.

Sue Heuman Sue Heuman is an Edmontonbased image consultant and author of styleonpurpose.ca, a fashion blog for mature women.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

TRAVELâ&#x20AC;&#x192;Destination

The Great Getaway Iceland Iceland has something to offer everyone, from incredible rugged mountain landscapes to museums celebrating their rich cultural heritage. Built on a rich heritage of close family ties, strong traditions and a close relationship with nature, the country offers high standards of living, political freedom, and has taken an active role in sustainable development and commitment to the environment.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Located in the middle of the Northern Atlantic ocean, Iceland offers a vibrant cultural experience, museums and festivals give visitors an easy way to engage with Icelandic culture. Icelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Parks offer amazing sights including active volcanos, a canyon formed between tectonic plates, glaciers and more; visiting these landscapes makes it clear why their culture is so closely tied to nature. An emerging leader in European gastronomic culture, Iceland has an abundance of fresh fish in addition to internationally-praised lamb. Be sure to try some street food, particularly the local favourite: a hot dog boldly served with crunchy fried onions, ketchup, sweet mustard, raw onions and curry remoulade sauce!

Santorini The small islands of Santorini, Greece offer the perfect beach getaway, the crystal blue waters and skies contrast sharply against the beautiful buildings and landscapes perched on the cliffs of the active Caldera volcano. Growing in popularity as a romantic wedding destination, it’s hard to resist the charms of kissing under Santorini’s perfect sunsets, taking an ocean swim, or enjoying the food local restaurants have to offer. Santorini boasts deep blue Aegean waters and clean beaches of white, red or black sand or volcanic pebbles, perfect for swimming or diving in, although you will want to bring a pair of flip flops if you’re visiting the black sand beaches! For the best dining experiences, opt for small local establishments to enjoy regional specialties like tomato-keftedes, the delicate, ridged cherry tomatoes grown on the island, and, of course, Santorini wine. If you’re interested in relaxing at the beach and enjoying cool Aegean waters, consider learning to scuba dive and take a dive to visit the sunken ships and treasures at the bottom of the clear waters.

Macau Looking for an exciting adventure for your honeymoon? Consider Macau, the Las Vegas of the East! Macau’s history as a Portuguese colony is sprinkled throughout this city, with baroque churches, stone fortresses, and other western architectural styles; the city is a true western and eastern fusion. This once sleepy city has reinvented itself as a gambling and nightlife mecca, with new casinos and entertainment blossoming as the city grows upward and outward. Even if you’re not interested in gambling, Macau has lots to offer! Visit temples and churches, representing a snapshot of Macau’s mixed heritage, take a trip to Kun Iam temple and admire the embellished roof with porcelain figurines and lavish decorations or visit the Church of St. Dominic and their Treasury of Sacred Art. Enjoy an exciting nightlife and dining options reflecting the city’s cultural fusion; Chinese, South Asian, Portuguese, and other regional cuisines are popular, while many casinos offer gourmet dining options.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

TRAVEL Packing

Forget the Baggage

nce the tickets are booked and your itinerary for your honeymoon is planned, all that’s left before getting on the plane is packing your suitcase! Making sure you have everything you need for the trip without overstuffing your suitcase can be a tricky balance, but with some planning, it’s possible to put together a perfect packing list that ensures you have everything you need without the oversize luggage fee!

• Pack an outfit for the other person in your suitcase. If the airline loses your luggage, you’ll have a change of clothes and you won’t have to spend your first day of your honeymoon searching for pants that actually fit. • While you should keep the number of valuables you bring to a minimum, be sure to carry them in a safe part of your carry-on luggage. If you cannot bear the thought of losing it, leave it at home. • If you’re backpacking and planning to stay in hostels, consider bringing a hypoallergenic pillow case and a sleep sheet so you don’t have to sleep on questionable bed linens. • Pack an extra bag. If you’re using a luggage set, pack everything in your smaller suitcase and then put that inside the larger one. Once you arrive you can feel free to shop and pick up other items knowing that you have an extra bag to pack it all into! If you don’t have a luggage set, pack an extra duffle bag in your suitcase. • Pack at least one great scarf; scarves are a great way to spice up a basic outfit but they also come handy as a makeshift pillow, a blanket on the plane, or as a sarong if you’re at the beach!

Your honeymoon is a great time to invest in good luggage if you didn’t include it on your registry; having an excellent set will help ensure that your luggage gets from point A to point B in one piece and a smart design will help you use every square inch effectively. Consider using space tools like cubes to organize your clothing and remember some of these easy packing tips:

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

• Use your space effectively! Make the most of your space with tricks like storing socks or other small items like socks or belts in shoes or using packing systems like cubes. Always roll clothing items--other than denim--this will minimize the space they take up while reducing wrinkles.

• Invest in an international power and voltage adapter, having all of the different configurations will come in handy if you’re trying to use your hair dryer in Europe and you accidentally brought a converter for Central and South America. Before you leave, make arrangements for your mail and house; prevent any unpleasant homecoming surprises by making your home look lived in. Easy steps to take include having a friend or neighbour check in, having the post office hold your mail, and setting some of your home lights on timers. Plan ahead for a fun and relaxing honeymoon!

TRAVEL Honeymoon

Honeymoon

HOT spots Y

ou’ve put a lot of planning in to create the perfect wedding day but have you started thinking about your honeymoon? After all of the excitement and celebration around your marriage, jetting off to enjoy your honeymoon as a newly married couple will be a nice way to unwind and bask in the romance. There are many different locations and travel styles to consider when you’re planning your trip; start talking about where you’d love to visit, this is a great time to indulge some of those travel fantasies! Once you’ve narrowed down some ideas, start doing some independent research or take a visit to your travel agent and learn more about some of the options and packages they can suggest. From five-star beach resorts to backpacking adventures, you’ll be able to put together the perfect trip. Looking for a perfect place to unwind and just enjoy each other’s company? Beach locales are a great for taking some time to relax and focus on each other. Soak up the warm sun, take long walks on the beach, and enjoying candlelit dinners are among some of the romantic activities available. If you’re looking to shake things up, destinations typically offer more adventurous activities too, such as scuba diving, hiking in amazing tropical forests, visiting ruins, and so much more! While resorts offer many amazing activities onsite, visiting local markets and taking a walk into town can be a fun way to spend an afternoon. If you’ve hoping for an exciting whirlwind, consider a European adventure! Can’t decide on a single region you’d like to visit? Instead of planning an itinerary and booking hotels, consider taking a flexible tour. Book departing and returning flights but let the rest of your trip unfold as you go. Map out which places you’d really like to visit, book some AirBnB venues, and purchase a

Eurail pass; with a flexible itinerary you can stay a little bit longer in places you really enjoy and explore new places if you want to leave a city early. While couples traditionally leave right after the reception or the brunch held the morning after, more newlyweds are waiting a while before jetting off. Taking a break between the wedding and the honeymoon allows couples extra time to settle in after the excitement, open wedding gifts, and send out thank-you cards. In addition to making sure your wedding responsibilities are all wrapped up, waiting a few months will also let you pay off any outstanding wedding bills and set aside some more money for your honeymoon! Wherever you decide to go, your honeymoon will be an incredibly special trip as you celebrate your newlywed status. Toast yourself and your partner on a beautiful wedding and the start of an exciting new chapter in your lives!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

TRAVEL Rocky Mountains

Bring your Winter Wedding to Life With Some Rocky Mountain Magic

magine a wedding where the confetti falls naturally from the sky in the form of giant snowflakes and the ground twinkles like a million diamonds in the moonlight. Imagine glistening icicles, a horse-drawn sleigh and snow-capped mountain scenery to match the beauty of the occasion. There’s an indelible charm and uniqueness to a winter wedding and no other venue can match the pristine magnificence and drama of Banff National Park’s dramatic mountain setting.

hether you dream of an elegant, intimate wedding with a cozy cabin reception or a grand, elaborate affair in a historical castle, a wedding in Banff National Park can elevate your celebrations to a whole new level. The combination of breathtaking scenery, fine cuisine, luxurious accommodations and unique venues can make your mountain

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

wedding so spectacular that your guests will be raving about it for years to come. The planning is made easy with a variety of wedding specialists in the destination who are ready to move mountains to make your special day unforgettable. The options are endless: tie the knot at the top of a ski hill or fireside in a rustic log cabin. Exchange your vows in a traditionally quaint stone church, in an authentic First Nations teepee or amidst

the grandeur of a world-class hotel. In Banff and Lake Louise, you can also bring the warmth and joy of the winter season to your wedding with special details exclusive to this unique mountain setting; think of horse-drawn sleighs, ice castles, frozen waterfalls and cliff-top terraces with panoramic vistas. The bonus of a Banff wedding lies beyond the ceremony itself with the destination offering you, your family and friends a

Images Provided By: Banff Lake Louise Tourism and Paul Zizka Photography

winter wonderland full of endless activities to enjoy either pre or post-event. In addition to the three world-class ski resorts where your guests can carve turns in the champagne powder from dawn to dusk, consider a group snowshoe or cross-country ski excursion. Forego the finicky table gifts and treat your guests to one of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature experiences with a guided Icewalk along ancient Johnston Canyon, an historical snowshoe tour through Sunshine Meadows or a dogsledding adventure down the Great Divide. Consider also, with winter being a quieter time in the national park, you will benefit from low season rates and discounts, affording you the wedding of your dreams. As Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first and most revered protected place, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff National Park offers you a setting so spectacular that it almost seems like it was set aside just for your special day. Let romance rule the day by bringing some Rocky Mountain magic to your winter wedding. Please visit www.banfflakelouise. com for more information about planning your winter wedding in Banff and Lake Louise.

Plan your dream destination wedding in Fernie, British Columbia

INTIMATE SETTING P R I VA T E L O C A T I O N STUNNING MOUNTAIN VIEWS

elk view Lodge

1.888.7.FERNIE (337643) ElkViewLodge.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

BanffBride.com

.ca

photo by

PHOTOGRAPHY

peak

All the wedding services you need.

BANFF

CANMORE

LAKE LOUISE

BanffBride.com 2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

1 800 531 9996

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

CALGARY Wedding Specialists

CALGARY WEDDINGS

Durand Bridal and Formal Wear Celebrating every woman’s unique beauty, style, and shape! Durand Bridal is a must-see when searching for your perfect dress - they offer a one of a kind shopping experience with award winning customer service, over 5000 square feet of stunning bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, ladies’ formal wear, prom, flower girl dresses, and beautiful accessories to complete your look.

DeVuono Photography More than any other vendor, it is your photographer that shares in the most intimate moments on your wedding day. Making the right choice is crucial. Leslie & Chris DeVuono are a husband and wife photography team who have shared in those very same intimate moments that they now choose to photograph. By developing strong relationships with their couples, they build the trust necessary to ensure beautiful photographs; after all, you need to be comfortable and confident with your photographer for those naturally candid moments to happen. With a style inspired by their life experiences, DeVuono Photography is focused on capturing your uniquely special moments, in a creatively authentic way.

For more information visit DurandBridal.com

For more information visit DeVuonoPhotography.com

The Sugar Cube Looking for a way to sweeten up your special day? Do it with candy! The Sugar Cube is your one stop shop to making sure your guests leave with a lasting impression and a sugar rush! We specialize in all things candy - from buffets, to favours or centerpieces - you can even book our unique candy truck!

Maritime Travel

For more information visit SugarCubeYYC.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

John Caramoan Photography

Maritime Travel has two locations in Calgary to help you find the perfect destination for your wedding. Alison, Maggie, Pamela, and Luba are all certified destination wedding specialists. Last year they helped over 50 Calgary brides plan their dream wedding. It’s more than being a travel agent, it’s about being a wedding planner with over 50 years combined travel industry experience. Don’t let a travel agent fool you into thinking they will help with your destination wedding plans. Avoid the frustration and tears by calling Maritime travel so they can make your wedding worry free and extra special. For more information visit MaritimeTravel.ca

Randy Porter Photography

Vivid Styles Hair & Esthetics Chosen stylists for the 2014 and 2015 Bridal Fantasy Calgary Fashion Shows, this team of stylists and estheticians will give you the look you have dreamed of for your big day! Vivid Styles takes pride in being an environmentally friendly salon using ammoniafree colour and products, while continuously updating their skills to provide the most current trends and styles. For more information visit VividStyles.com

Willow and Whimsy We offer flowers and gifts that you can be proud to give. Our flowers are 100% ethically sourced which means that they are all grown locally or fair-trade;our giftware is created by local artists, so you can pick up something beautiful and unique while also supporting a Calgary artisan. We specialize in weddings and events. For more information visit WillowandWhimsy.com

Calgary Marriott Downtown Experience an intimate Wedding at the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel and create memories to last a lifetime! The hotel is conveniently located between the Calgary Tower and Stephen Avenue Walkway offering easy accessibility to bars, shops and restaurants and much more. With a multi-million dollar renovation underway, the bold transformation will include fresh, innovative enhancements to the guestrooms, meeting space, lobby, restaurant/bar and Concierge Lounge in an effort to provide a more compelling stay. For more information visit Marriott.com

Derks Formals and Menswear Derks Formals serves the Calgary area from their Macleod Trail location. With their wide selection of tuxedo and suit styles to rent or buy, Derks Formals has a style to fit every man. They also have over 80 different accessories colours available to match your wedding colours perfectly. Visit them for a one-on-one appointment with a friendly and courteous formal wear consultant. For more information visit Derks.ca

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

enchant

ANNE WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

INTIMATELY LUXURIOUS

Extend to your guests exemplary hospitality from Calgary’s first Relais & Châteaux property. Offer award-winning cuisine from Chef’s Table through the talents of Chef Duncan Ly – Canadian Culinary Championships medalist. Enjoy exclusivity and intimacy with a buy-out of both the Inn and Chef’s Table for your occasion. Realize your luxurious dream with help from our wedding specialist. Then simply shine, confident that every detail has been carefully attended to.

2015

403.228.4442

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

kensingtonriversideinn.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

CALGARY

WEDDING SPECIALISTS Azuridge Estate Hotel 178057-272 Street W Priddis, AB T0L 1W0 780.931.0100 joanne@azuridge.ca azuridge.ca Enjoy the natural setting of beautiful vistas as the magical backdrop to your wedding. Whether you’re looking for the perfect place for your ceremony and reception or related events like your engagement party, rehearsal dinner, or other getaways, our staff will help you put together your dream day. Azuridge offers private rentals exclusive to your event, including all of the luxuries of an exceptional hotel, executive chef, and the customization of the venue’s gathering spaces. Banff Bride banffbride.com Banff Bride is your ultimate resource for planning a Banff wedding! This group of experienced local vendors will work together to plan and execute your perfect destination wedding. Connect with the perfect vendors for every stage of your wedding day for a seamless planning experience. Banff Lake Louise Tourism 403.762.8421 banfflakelouise.com/weddings Imagining a beautiful mountain wedding? Banff Lake Louise Tourism has a wealth of information about the many choices of venues, services and more that the area has to offer. Dream big and let the Rocky Mountain magic take your wedding to a whole new level.

Bee Vintage 403.467.3085 beevintage@hotmail.com beevintage.com Bee Vintage is the perfect source for all of your vintage and antique décor! We offer a wide range of furniture and décor items that are perfect for weddings or photography props. Come see what we have to offer or talk to us about sourcing your dream item! Bridal Fantasy Sweepstakes 8109-102 Street Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4 1.800.565.6664 info@bridalfantasy.com bridalfantasy.com Bridal Fantasy Sweepstakes give prospective brides, grooms, and their friends the opportunity to enter and win amazing sweepstake prizes to put towards creating the wedding of their dreams. Bridal Fantasy Trade Shows 8109-102 Street Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4 1.800.565.6664 info@bridalfantasy.com bridalfantasy.com Bridal Fantasy is about the business of weddings and creating platforms for wedding specialist to showcase their products and services while offering prospective brides, grooms, and their friends a multitude of business choices, ideas, and alternatives for planning their wedding.

Bridal Fantasy Wedding Planner 8109-102 Street Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4 1.800.565.6664 info@bridalfantasy.com bridalfantasy.com Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, there are a lot of decisions to make! The Bridal Fantasy Wedding Planner is a valuable resource that will be your guide to the planning process from your engagement to the honeymoon and beyond. Croatian Canadian Cultural Centre Calgary 3010-12 Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 7P7 403.250.9821 croatiancentre@nucleus.com croationcentre.ca The Croatian Centre offers a wide variety of catering options for your wedding or events. There are four rooms available for rent in the Centre, as well as a beautiful courtyard and gazebo. Services include catering, decoration rentals and decoration services, corkage and more. Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community 399 Clubhouse Drive Courtenay, BC V9N 9G3 250.703.5033 info@crownisle.ca crownisle.com Celebrate your wedding in luxury and comfort at Crown Isle! Enjoy the relaxing amenities in the villa suites, take advantage of 18 holes of awardwinning golf, fine dining, and incredible West Coast views. We offer easy wedding packages to make planning an elegant wedding a breeze.

Come celebrate your wedding at the Canadian Croatian Cultural Centre of Calgary

A Bride’s Day Off

Located just outside of downtown Calgary, we offer the ideal location for your special event.

Book your ceremony, reception, rehearsals, and gift opening parties in one of our many spacious and elegant halls or courtyard. The Croatian Centre offers an extensive catering menu, and with the help of our talented chefs, together we can customize the perfect menu for your wedding day. If you are interested in viewing the facilities, or would like a quote or food tasting, please contact us by phone at 403-250-9821 or by email at catering@croatiancentre.ca.

2015 3010 -12 Street NE BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Calgary, Alberta T2E 7P7, Canada

We look forward to making your dream wedding a reality.

CROATIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTRE - CALGARY

CALGARY

WEDDING SPECIALISTS Crystal Water Destination Weddings 1.866.934.8444 info@crystalwaterweddings.com crystalwaterweddings.com Crystal Water Destination Weddings specializes in connecting brides with their dream destination wedding. If you’re dreaming of a beach wedding, a tropical “I do” or a wedding cruise, our team of talented travel agents will help you put together the perfect wedding getaway. Danielle LaPorte support@daniellelaporte.com daniellelaporte.com Danielle LaPorte is the creator of The Desire Map and author of The Fire Starter Sessions. An inspirational speaker, poet, former think tank exec and business strategist, she writes weekly at DanielleLaPorte.com, where over a million visitors have gone for her straight-up advice, a site that’s been deemed “the best place online for kick-ass spirituality.” Derks Formals and Menswear 107- 7004 Macleod Trail SE Calgary, AB T2H 0L3 403.301.3366 info@derks.ca derks.ca Derks Formals has been outfitting men since 1939. Whether it’s your wedding day, graduation, or you just need to look your best, Derks has trusted and trained consultants that will ensure you have the perfect fit and look. With over 80 combinations of vests and ties, we’ll have the perfect colours for your wedding and our great selection of menswear will ensure you look your best on your wedding day and beyond. Check us out online or at any one of our locations in Calgary or Edmonton! Elk View Lodge 3934 Cokato Road Fernie, BC V0B1M4 250.423.1580 info@elkviewlodge.com elkviewlodge.com Elk View Lodge is a perfect venue for hosting your dream wedding! With the Lodge located under 2 miles from downtown Fernie, there is no other venue that can provide the seclusion and mountain views yet also be so close to the town’s amenities and hotels. The Lodge’s large central hallway and the roof-top platform’s spectacular views make for a truly memorable wedding ceremony. Gabrielle Bernstein gabbyb.tv Gabrielle Bernstein is the author of Miracles Now, and May Cause Miracles, her two additional titles include of Add More ~ing to Your Life and Spirit Junkie. Named “a next-generation thought leader” by Oprah Winfrey, she’s been called the Dalai Lama for the Gossip Girl set. Gabrielle is also the founder of HerFuture.com, a social networking site for women to inspire, empower and connect. Guisachan House Restaurant 1060 Cameron Avenue Kelowna, BC V1W 3Y7 250.862.9368 worldclasscatering.com A premier wedding venue, you can book one room or the whole mansion! With beautiful gardens, Guisachan House has incredible options for your indoor or outdoor wedding. We also offer excellent wine and menu choices, with onsite food preparation and cakes baked in our own in-house bakery.

Home Outfitters Homeoutfitters.com Create the perfect registry at Home Outfitters and make your new house a home. Offering everything you need for a beautiful home, you can shop for everything from designer collections, trusted brands, and more. Sign up online to start your registry today! Hotel Arts 119-12 Ave Calgary, AB T2R 0G8 403.266.4611 info@hotelarts.ca hotelarts.ca Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, we offer a boutique hotel experience just steps away from the city’s vibrant arts and entertainment district. For the ultimate urban escape, experience the Hotel Arts’ blend of modern luxury and incredible cuisine. Enjoy well-appointed suites, spa-like amenities, and a stunning pool and poolside patio. Kensington Riverside Inn 1126 Memorial Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 3E3 403.228.4442 info@kensingtonriversideinn.com kensingtonriversideinn.com With three intimate venue spaces for varying capacities, we provide refined service, awardwinning dining, and more. Our team is dedicated and experienced ensuring your event goes

perfectly. We also offer the option to buy out the Inn in its entirety, both venue and guest room accommodation, for an exclusive wedding or event. Lanza Jackvictor.com A branch of the Jack Victor family of companies, Lanza is part of a tradition of excellent Canadian design. Family owned and operated since its inception in 1913, all of their clothing is designed and produced exclusively in Montreal using only the best fabric and materials available in the market. Nicole-Lynn Photography 403.988.2204 contact@nicolelynn.com nicolelynn.com Nicole Lynn Photography is focused on capturing the special memories of clients. Our team of photographers takes pride in building a relationship with each client and delivering beautiful photos that you will cherish for years to come. PAL Insurance Western Office Calgary, AB 780.261.3900 palcanada.com You insure your house, so why not ensure your big day? Make sure you’re protected against loss or damage with our Weddinguard policy and feel safe knowing that your perfect wedding will be safe from unexpected emergencies.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

WEDDING SPECIALISTS

SHIP & ANCHOR

$25 Pig Roasts Head Whole Roasted Pig Natural Dripping Gravy Caramelized Onions Warm Apple Sauce Roast Potatoes in duck fat, garlic & thyme Creamy Fennel Coleslaw & Classic Slaw Artisan Bread & butter Catering Inquiries contact catering@shipandanchor.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Pandora Pandora.net Special moments deserve to be remembered; consider Pandora jewelry for your wedding day. Whether you’re looking for the perfect subtle piece for your wedding look or a special gift for your bridesmaids, we have something beautiful for you. Paramount Limousine 692 Strathcona Drive SW Calgary, AB T3H 1N1 403.804.8916 info@paramountlimousine.ca limousinescalgary.com We want to make sure experience is an enjoyable one that you’ll remember; if you just wanted a ride, you could have called a cab. If you’re looking for the best luxury ride in Calgary, and most of Alberta, we’ll ensure you’ll get the best service in the best vehicles in the industry. Ship and Anchor Inc 534-17 Ave Calgary, Alberta T2S 0B1 403.245.2991 shipandanchor.com For over 20 years, Ship and Anchor has been a popular gathering place for a diverse crowd, where students and professionals rub shoulders regularly with the tattooed set and indie rockers alike. This eclectic mix of clientele and the menu of home-cooked food is what make Ship and Anchor a unique pub. Stenströms stenstroms.com Style, quality and comfort in every detail. One of Sweden’s most well-known and respected brands, Stenströms is a purveyor of fine garments to the Royal Court of Sweden. Each garment is crafted with the highest care in craftsmanship, detail, and attention to style. St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino 7777 Mission Road Cranbrook, BC V1C 7E5 250.420.2000 info@steugene.ca steugene.ca Set on 300 acres along the winding St. Mary River and against the picturesque backdrop of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains, St. Eugene Resort is a premier destination wedding venue! With our beautiful pavilions and other spaces on our property, you’ll find the perfect backdrop for all of your important moments. A full-service wedding provider, we can arrange your food, beverages, decorations and more to make your wedding come together flawlessly. The Plaza Hotel 405 Victoria Street Kamloops, B.C 250.377.8075 weddings@theplazahotel.ca theplazahotel.ca The Plaza Hotel is an elegant wedding destination offering multiple options for ceremonies and receptions! Our experienced staff can offer support and insight in planning and executing a dream day; from catering to our indulgent guest rooms, we’ll help you put together the perfect wedding experience! Tiger of Sweden tigerofsweden.com Known for their slim cuts and modern styles, Tiger of Sweden embraces its heritage of innovation and curiosity, constantly producing new interpretations of well-tailored Scandinavian fashions. Whether you’re looking for the perfect suit for you groom’s look or an addition to your daily wardrobe, Tiger of Sweden has something to offer.

CALGARY Tourism Canmore Kananaskis 907A 7th Ave Canmore, AB T1W 2Z3 403.678.1295 tourismcanmore.com Looking for the perfect setting for an unforgettable day as you start your life together? Enjoy the gorgeous Rocky Mountain as the background to your wedding, the tranquil mountain town of Canmore Kananaskis is a great place to say your vows and host a joyous celebration after! Vintage Sound Alberta 780.655.1323 Vintagesoundalberta@gmail.com Tired of hearing tired songs like The Macarena or don’t want to hear Gangnam Style while you’re taking a turn on the dance floor? Vintage Sound has you covered with their vast vinyl collection spanning the decades. Whether you’re planning a roaring 1920’s bash a la Gatsby or look back to the 1980’s, they have the perfect music for your day! Weddings by Banff Photography 111 Lake Louise Drive Lake Louise, Alberta T0L 1E0 403.522.3653 weddings@banffphotography.com banffphotography.com Weddings by Banff Photography is a unique group of photographers who work side by side with printing professionals in Banff to deliver beautiful photographs without the stress! Each member of our knowledgeable team of photographers has their own unique style so you’re sure to find the perfect person to document your special day.

Our business is to take care of you in luxury & style! • Sporting Events • Anniversary • Graduation • New Year’s • Wedding • Concert • Dinner • 6 to 14 Customer Capacity

PARAMOUNT LIMOUSINE

403-804-8916

www.paramount-limos.com Serving Calgary and the Surrounding Area

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

This book is a love story. It’s about loving yourself as a way to create health, happiness, and longevity. Yes, you will learn tips, menus, recipes, affirmations, and exercises that have worked to keep me healthy, vibrant, and strong throughout my life. But more than that, your heart will be opened to new ways to love and support yourself on this incredible journey. –Louise Hay

Louise and her two personal health advisors, Ahlea, and Heather, show you how to take your thoughts, your energy and your health to a whole new level! Start your own love story and pick up your copy of Loving Yourself to Great Health today!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

www.hayhouse.com® ® www.healyourlife.com 84

Loving Yourself to Great Health: Thoughts & Food—The Ultimate Diet. By Louise Hay, Ahlea Khadro, and Heather Dane ISBN: 978-1-4019-4284-7

Thoughts, nutrition and delicious recipes – all you need to start your own love story for healthy, vibrant living!

Available where books are sold

Open the Gateway to Your Heart at

Edmonton, Alberta MAY 16-17, 2015 THE FRANCIS WINSPEAR CENTRE

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Cheryl Richardson

Barbara De Angelis, Ph.D.

Caroline Myss

Mike Dooley

Robert Holden, Ph.D.

Anita Moorjani

Nancy Levin

Mastin Kipp

Colette Baron Reid

Grasp the power of being the creator of your life at I Can Do It!

Join your favorite Hay House authors and a community of loving support to: • • • • •

Discover who you really are and why you are here Develop a strong sense of self-love and confidence Learn new ways of thinking that improves your life Adopt health habits that make you look and feel awesome Create more fulfilling and satisfying relationships

•

Overcome obstacles and share your best with the world

Your heart awakening is waiting… A weekend with Hay House is all it takes! Call 760-431-7695 or Visit www.hayhouse.com/events Register Early & Receive a FREE Gift!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

www.hayhouse.com® www.healyourlife.com®

EDMONTON Wedding Specialists

EDMONTON WEDDINGS

Romy Young Photography

Choklat

Chicks That Click Photography Chicks that Click Photography specializes in weddings and engagement. Sisters Amanda and Melissa bring their down to earth, unique and fun style to capture memories of your most cherished day. “Our style is very romantic, but we also love to have fun, an important mix on your wedding day”. To see their 2014 wedding season, visit their blog. For more information visit ChicksThatClickPhotoBlog.com

Create a fun & interactive wedding moment! Imagine your guests’ delight in enjoying fresh truffles made to their order, or selecting from truffles YOU designed, brightly wrapped in your wedding colors, or savoring award winning European Drinking Choklat. At CHOKLAT we ‘make’ chocolate from the world’s finest cocoa beans, and craft it into amazing confections of the highest quality. Book now and CHOKLAT will create the perfect finish to a perfect day! For more information visit SoChoklat.com

RoLu Media

Studio Bloom Studio Bloom is a great little local flower shop on 124 street in Edmonton; the variety of blooms in the cooler consistently changes with the season. These ladies clearly love what they do. “Floral Designers are artists whose medium is cut flowers and emotion.” says Rosella Mandau, the owner. Each wedding bouquet is as unique as the Bride who carries it and there are hundreds of Brides whose wedding day vision has been captured by the talented design team at Studio Bloom. For more information visit StudioBloom.ca

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Romy Young Photography

Novelle Bridal Shop At Novelle Bridal Shop, we believe that each bride should be the center of attention with all spotlights on them. So, we invite you to come and experience this dazzling moment with us. We strive to create an atmosphere of sophistication by offering a professional, fresh, and clean environment for our brides. For more information visit NovelleBridal.com

Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel celebrates contemporary luxury throughout the décor and atmosphere within the hotel. With 20,000 square feet of event space, 213 luxurious rooms, a dynamic, live entertainment program and ultra-modern cuisine, Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel promises an exclusive, one-of-a-kind hotel experience. For more information visit RenHotels.com

Whimsical Cake Studio A sweet stop in the Historic Garneau Theatre Building in Old Strathcona, nestled between some of the city’s best coffee and dining establishments. We feature a walk-in menu of signature cupcakes and many sweet treats that will keep your mouth watering, bacon caramels all the way through our signature Vanilla Velvet Cupcake that’s all of the flavour and none of the Red. And in our cake studio, elegant wedding creations to 3-D sculptures, each of our cakes is a work of art. Birthday, Comic, Nerdy, Cartoon, or Kids, if you can dream it, we can make it! For more information visit WhimsicalCakeStudio.com

Greg Randolph Photography

Rock It Out Salon We are a charismatic team who specialize in trendy cuts, colors, and styles, as well as hair extensions and so much more. With training from some of the top stylists across Canada, U.S.A. , Europe, Australia, as well as 3 in house educators, we stay on top of celebrity styles and runway trends. We chop it, you rock it. Call for your appointment today (780)476-2560 For more information visit RockItOutSalon.ca

Blush Makeup Artistry and Instruction The artists and instructors of Blush Artistry specialize in photography makeup application. Our artists know how to make you look flawless and natural, no matter what the occasion or event. Depending on your needs, we can cater to any kind of makeup application you may be interested in. We provide services to all ages and Jill Coursen Photography faces! The girls at Blush work hard to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your look, whether it is on that very special day of your wedding, editorial work for clients or makeup just because! We want you to love how you look and even more importantly, how you feel. We do. We teach. We love. For more information visit Blush-Artistry.ca

Elizabethan Catering Services Since 1985, Elizabethan Catering Services has been providing a fine dining experience to Edmonton and the surrounding area. Our exceptional culinary team will provide you with an unsurpassed level of service, incredible menus, and formally attired staff. Our Customer Satisfaction index is currently over 98%, which is unbeatable in the business. Relax and leave the rest to us! Choose Elizabethan Catering for your next special event. For more information visit Elizabethan.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

WEDDING SPECIALISTS Amour Jewellers Southgate Center Suite 24e - 5015 111 St Edmonton, AB T6H 4M6 780.439.0098 info@amourjewellers.com amourjewellers.com Amour Jewellers is Edmonton’s bridal leader with 30 different designer brands and an incredible selection of the highest quality jewellery available from the best designers in the market! Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring, unique wedding bands, or a special piece that you’ll cherish for years to come, Amour Jewellers has what you’re looking for. With one of the widest selection of men’s rings in Edmonton and flexible custom options, you and your partner will find the perfect rings! Apex Limousine & Car Service 1076 James Crescent Edmonton AB T6L 6P6 780.983.0399 Edmonton’s newest limousine service, Apex offers excellent service for a memorable drive to all of your special destinations. Let their drivers get you there safely and in style! Azuridge Estate Hotel 178057-272 Street W Priddis, AB T0L 1W0 780.931.0100 joanne@azuridge.ca azuridge.ca Enjoy the natural setting of beautiful vistas as the magical backdrop to your wedding. Whether you’re looking for the perfect place for your ceremony and reception or related events like your engagement party, rehearsal dinner, or other getaways, our staff will help you put together your dream day. Azuridge offers private rentals exclusive to your event, including all of the luxuries of an exceptional hotel, executive chef, and the customization of the venue’s gathering spaces.

WEDDINGS at the Garden

A beautiful outdoor setting for an unforgettable wedding day. Ceremony & photo packages for up to 250 guests. Photo-only packages also available. Photo: Paul Swanson

devonian.ualberta.ca | 780-987-3054

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Located in Parkland County, 5 km north of Devon on Hwy 60

EDMONTON Banff Bride banffbride.com Banff Bride is your ultimate resource for planning a Banff wedding! This group of experienced local vendors will work together to plan and execute your perfect destination wedding. Connect with the perfect vendors for every stage of your wedding day for a seamless planning experience. Banff Lake Louise Tourism 403.762.8421 banfflakelouise.com/weddings Imagining a beautiful mountain wedding? Banff Lake Louise Tourism has a wealth of information about the many choices of venues, services and more that the area has to offer. Dream big and let the Rocky Mountain magic take your wedding to a whole new level. Bridal Debut 2B - 153 Pembina Road Sherwood Park, AB T8H 0B9 780.467.4082 info@bridaldebut.com bridaldebut.com Visit our bridal salon in Sherwood Park and experience the excitement of finding your dream gown. Our friendly and knowledgeable consultants will help you spot the perfect design in a comfortable environment. Bridal Fantasy Trade Shows 8109-102 Street Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4 1.800.565.6664 info@bridalfantasy.com bridalfantasy.com Bridal Fantasy is about the business of weddings and creating platforms for wedding specialist to showcase their products and services while offering prospective brides, grooms, and their friends a multitude of business choices, ideas, and alternatives for planning their wedding.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

T H E O N LY T H I N G W E M A K E R E P E A T E D LY I S

#202, 10310 – 124 STREET NW EDMONTON | 780.424.0702

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

EXT 201

H I STORY

| www.centuryhospitality.com

Willow Lane PHOTOGRAPHY

WEDDINGS | ENGAGEMENTS | COUPLES WWW.WILLOWLANEPHOTOGRAPHY.CA

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

WEDDING SPECIALISTS 100-10 Chippewa Road, Sherwood Park AB T8A 3Y1 780.570.5684 (P)

Every Bride has a Budget ... Let us assist you in staying in yours! Bride on a Budget has many packages to assist couples today ... 

    

From our Full Event Planning Packages which offer planning assistance for any aspect of your wedding organizing and preparation as well as gives you a Full Day Directing Team throughout the weekend at Ceremony Rehearsal, Ceremony and Reception as well as provides you a Decor Crew to come put your vision in action and set the scene for the special day! Directing Teams alone (we have Full Day, Ceremony only and Reception only) Decor Crew alone (set up and take down of your items or items we assist you in renting through us or other providers) ** we have great rental deals for our couples Invitation Printing (as well as Seating Charts, Table Numbers and More) Bartending and Ticket Sellers Candy Buffets ... and so much more!

After 12 years of wedding planning we have the inside scoop on the who, where and why and will happily share those secrets with you! Work with our team of over a dozen professionals whose whole focus is YOUR SPECIAL DAY! We look forward to working with you soon!! Book your complimentary consultation today and we can start the wedding prep and planning tomorrow! email@brideonabudget.ca or 780.570.5684 VISIT www.brideonabudget.ca

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Bride on a Budget 100-10 Chippewa Road Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3Y1 780.570.5684 bride-on-a-budget.com We are an all-inclusive wedding stop able to offer you a package of wedding services for couples looking to plan their dream wedding on a budget. We’ve built relationships with our service providers within Edmonton and the surrounding areas for the best price and quality! Century Hospitality Group #202, 10310 – 124 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5N 1R2 780.424.0702 inquiries@centuryhospitality.com centuryhospitality.com We’re able to accommodate events of any size, whether you’re looking to plan an intimate dinner for ten or a cocktail reception for a hundred, we can help you plan the perfect menu so you can enjoy your wedding or event knowing everything will go smoothly. With our family of local restaurants, we’re also the perfect venue for a night out or for a no-fuss rehearsal dinner. Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community 399 Clubhouse Drive Courtenay, BC V9N 9G3 250.703.5033 info@crownisle.ca crownisle.com Celebrate your wedding in luxury and comfort at Crown Isle! Enjoy the relaxing amenities in the villa suites, take advantage of 18 holes of award-winning golf, fine dining, and incredible West Coast views. We offer easy wedding packages to make planning an elegant wedding a breeze.

EDMONTON Crystal Water Destination Weddings 1.866.934.8444 info@crystalwaterweddings.com crystalwaterweddings.com Crystal Water Destination Weddings specializes in connecting brides with their dream destination wedding. If you’re dreaming of a beach wedding, a tropical “I do” or a wedding cruise, our team of talented travel agents will help you put together the perfect wedding getaway. Derks Formals 8111-102 Street Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4 780.433.6614 info@derks.ca derks.ca Derks Formals has been outfitting men since 1939. Whether it’s your wedding day, graduation, or you just need to look your best, Derks has trusted and trained staff that will ensure you have the perfect fit and look. With over 80 combinations of vests and ties, we’ll have the perfect colours for your wedding. Check us out online or at any one of our locations in Calgary or Edmonton! Derks Menswear 8111-102 Street Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4 780.433.6614 info@derks.ca derks.ca Whether you’re looking for the perfect suit or something to wear out on the town, we offer the top brands in menswear. Our knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect fit, you’ll leave looking your very best!

Create Your Happily Ever After SawridgeEdmonton.com

780 989 4430

weddingsES@sawridge.com

4235 Gateway Boulevard Northwest

the perfect pairing for your special day.

Wine and Beyond is the premier choice for pairing the perfect wine with life’s special moments. Our far-reaching selection features world-class wines from every corner of the earth – let’s find the perfect one! Visit one of our locations to consult with a wine specialist and let Wine and Beyond make your event an unforgettable one.

Savour the experience. wineandbeyond.ca |

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

This IS A wedding party? Make your wedding extraordinary with fun photo memories of you and your guests • Great Props • Instant Prints • Custom Photo Strips

780-655-5750 EMAIL

hello@laughphotobooth.com WEB

laughphotobooth.com 353_Laugh_WeddingAd.indd 2

2014-11-20 10:29 AM

Do YOU want to DROP a dress size? Customized Skin Care & Inch Loss Treatments 2015

587.410.2588 | TiffanyBlue.ca

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

WEDDING SPECIALISTS Devonian Botanic Gardens University of Alberta 1A University Campus NW Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 780.987.3054 ext 2223 dbg.weddings@ualberta.ca devonian.ualberta.ca Surround yourself with the natural beauty of the Devonian Botanic Gardens. With 190 acres of beautiful scenery and several landscaped pavilions and courtyards available for wedding bookings and photography, the Gardens have something perfect for every wedding. Each of our wedding packages includes a two-hour photo session anywhere in the garden! Elegant Earth Details and Décor 780.717.0658 elegantearthdecor@gmail.com elegantearthdecor.com Elegant Earth Details and Décor offers couples a wide range of décor options to make their wedding picture perfect. From custom centerpieces to incredible backdrops, we provide a full range of services from DIY rentals to full set up and tear down, event planning and more. We’re passionate about what we do and finding the perfect décor for you! Elk View Lodge 3934 Cokato Road Fernie, BC V0B1M4 250.423.1580 elkviewlodge.com info@elkviewlodge.com Elk View Lodge is a perfect venue for hosting your dream wedding! With the Lodge located under 2 miles from downtown Fernie, there is no other venue that can provide the seclusion and mountain views yet also be so close to the town’s amenities and hotels. The Lodge’s large central hallway and the roof-top platform’s spectacular views make for a truly memorable wedding ceremony.

EDMONTON Eternity Limousines 4525 Eleniak Road Edmonton, AB T6B 2N1 780.474.0600 eternitylimos.com Arrive at your wedding in style and comfort with Eternity Limousines! Our immaculately maintained fleet, experienced drivers and luxurious cars ensures that you will receive the great service you should expect from a premier limousine service. Fantasyland Hotel 17700-87 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5T 4V4 780.444.5500 fantasylandhotel.com The Fantasyland Hotel offers beautiful reception areas, gourmet customizable menus, wedding consultants and more to make planning your wedding easy. Take advantage of the many services and attractions available in the mall for every part of your exciting wedding experience. Flowers by Merle 12634 Stony Plain Road Edmonton, AB 780.482.1222 flowersbymerle.com Let the experts take care of all your bouquet and arrangement needs. Not sure what you’re looking for? Have a budget but no idea how to fill it? The staff at Flowers by Merle can help, and you’ll be thrilled with the results! Flowers by Willows 780.232.2681 flowersbywillows@gmail.com Flowers by Willows is an event and wedding floral designer passionate about creating beautiful floral designs that complement each bride that carries them down the aisle.

Fulfill your wedding dreams at

Fantasyland Hotel We guarantee a unique, fun, and unforgettable experience, through our commitment to exceptional hospitality, for any bride on any budget. • Fantasyland Hotel has over 25,000 square feet of banquet space, which includes a variety of room layouts, accommodating 10 to 1,200 individuals. • Customizable menus to suit your needs. • You and your guests can stay in one of our 235 beautifully decorated superior or executive Rooms or experience adventure in one of 120 fantasy themed rooms. • Located inside West Edmonton Mall, Canada’s foremost luxury shopping and entertainment destination.

For more information call: 1.780.444.5500 groups@fantasylandhotel.com facebook.com/fantasylandhotel

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

WEDDING SPECIALISTS

Love groWs Here

2015

Weddings at Muttart Conservatory Perfect for receptions, intimate ceremonies and stunning photography. Call 780-496-8355 or visit muttartconservatory.ca today.

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

Emphasizing sustainable farming and buying locally or direct from farmer-florists, our clients will have the ability to have locally grown fresh seasonal flowers incorporated into their selections starting in Spring 2015. GemOro Goldsmith 187 Commerce Place, 10150 – Jasper Ave Edmonton, AB T5J 1W4 780.497.7277 gemorogoldsmith.com GemOro offers a sophisticated selection of high quality merchandise to their clients. With over 20 years of experience, we feel it’s imperative to make available as much knowledge as possible to our customer. Besides having the most exclusive brands of jewellery and watches, we also offer a variety of on-site services. Whether you’re looking for a stunning engagement ring or an incredible timepiece, we have what you’re looking for. Guisachan House Restaurant 1060 Cameron Avenue Kelowna, BC V1W 3Y7 250.862.9368 worldclasscatering.com A premier wedding venue, you can book one room or the whole mansion! With beautiful gardens, Guisachan House has incredible options for your indoor or outdoor wedding. We also offer excellent wine and menu choices, with on-site food preparation and cakes baked in our own in-house bakery. Home Outfitters Homeoutfitters.com Create the perfect registry at Home Outfitters and make your new house a home. Offering everything you need for a beautiful home, you can shop for everything from designer collections, trusted brands, and more. Sign up online to start your registry today!

EDMONTON The Italian Centre 780.989.4869 Angelo.Antonucci@italiancentre.ca italiancentre.ca Family-run and community minded, Edmonton’s Italian Centre Shops are known for their amazing selection of fresh goods and delicious baking. We’re eager to help you create the perfect wedding cake and decorate it to fit your theme with your own toppers and decorations, or fresh flowers. It Works! Global 403.616.6475 revive45.com Achieve extra toning before your wedding with It Works! Global’s botanically-based formula. Get maximum tightening, toning, and firming results in the areas applied to the skin. It’s a Charmed Life - South Hill Designs 780.416.8169 southhilldesigns.com/ca/itsacharmedlife Create gorgeous custom jewelry with South Hill Designs – It’s a Charmed Life. Our lockets make the perfect bridal party gifts; they are personal, affordable and beautiful. Personalize your jewelry with our beautiful system of lockets and charms. Katherine Raible Photography kraible@telus.net katherineraiblephotography.com I want to capture every special moment of your important day brings! I’ll help you put together the perfect package that reflects your needs and I’ll be there from beginning to end, capturing those beautiful moments as they happen. Kingsway Mall 780.477.5756 Kingswaymall.com Visit Kingsway Mall for a wide selection of stores and services for him and her. Whether you’re looking for the diamond ring or spa treatments before your big day, the mall has something for everyone!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

WEDDING SPECIALISTS Kuhlmann’s Floral Boutique 1320 – 167 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T5Y 6L6 780.472.9470 floral@kuhlmanns.ca kuhlmanns.com Book your consultation with Kuhlmann’s knowledgeable florists to have us start putting together the perfect wedding package for you. We’re eager to create unique florals for a wedding day you’ll never forget, from bouquets and corsages to decorations! Laugh Photo Booth 780.655.5750 hello@laughphotobooth.com laughphotobooth.com Create fun keepsakes that you and your guests will cherish with a fun photobooth! Capture the fun, behind the scenes moments of your big day. Laurel’s on Whyte 8210–104 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta 780.431.0738 laurelsonwhyte@shaw.ca Visit Laurel’s on Whyte to start planning the perfect floral arrangements for your wedding. One of Edmonton’s premier florists, they’ve been creating beautiful arrangements since 1992. With creative ideas, dedication to quality and customer service, Laurel’s strives to create the perfect designs for every couple’s big day. Let’s Reminisce Photography 780.504.7178 chris@letsreminisce.ca letsreminisce.ca After cutting the cake and the last song is played, everything experienced throughout your wedding day

can become a happy blur. We’ll give you peace of mind in knowing that all of those precious moments will be captured so you can cherish all of your memories for years to come! Lustre Studio West Edmonton Mall 2926, 8882 170 Street Edmonton, AB T5T 3J7 780.484.1990 info@lustrestudio.com lustrestudio.com Traditional, elegant, opulent, over the top, simple, informal, chic or a little different, Lustre Studio has it all. We carry wedding gowns, bridesmaid, flower girl and mother of the bride dresses and accessories to make shopping easy for your entire bridal party. We also make it easy to thank your guests in style with a great assortment of gifts and favors. Michelle Derk 780.406.4000 michellederk.com In today’s challenging real estate market, your choice of real estate agent does matter! You need a dedicated professional, one who can guide you through the process and be counted on to protect your investment. Whether you are buying, selling or investigating the possibilities, I care about your needs and will take the time to provide personal attention and 100% client satisfaction Mini Bites Cupcakes Edmonton, AB 780.235.3710 hello@minibites.ca minibites.ca It’s our mission to create incredible freshly baked cupcakes that you’ll love to share with your loved ones!

WE OFFER

ONE ON ONE TRAINING SMALL GROUP TRAINING

GROUP FITNESS

INSANITY, PIYO, SPIN STUDIO CYCLE, FITNESS KICKBOXING

AND MUCH MORE

NIGHT OWL

DESIGNER LINGERIE MANULIFE PLACE 10180 - 101 Street SECOND FLOOR 780.423.7757 nightowllingerie.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

100

REGISTERED DIETICIAN SERVICES ATHLETIC THERAPY MASSAGE

780.756.1484 BeYoutifulYouFit.com

EDMONTON From the first bite to the last, you’ll love our delicious flavour combinations! Whether you’re looking for a fun alternative to the traditional cake or something sweet for your next celebration, our cupcakes are the perfect touch. Muttart Conservatory 9626 - 96A Street Edmonton, AB T6C 4L8 780.496.8355 muttartquestions@edmonton.ca The beautiful plants and flowers of the Muttart Conservatory offer a beautiful wedding venue year-round. Whether you favour the lush gardens of the tropical pyramid or the beautiful blooms in the feature pyramid, the four pyramids will give you lots of unique spaces to choose from. Night Owl Lingerie 10180 101 Street, Manulife Place Edmonton, AB 780.423.7757 info@nightowllingerie.com nightowllingerie.com Visit Night Owl Lingerie to find all of your bridal lingerie and boudoir needs. Specializing in designer lingerie in a large range of sizes, you will find beautiful pieces for everyday support or silky nighttime wear. Serving Edmonton for over 30 years, see their experts to get a professional fitting or consultation. Nova Hotels 159 Airport Road Edmonton, AB T5G 0W6 780.424.6682 novahotels.ca Nova Hotels offer comfortable accommodations and venues for your wedding day. We’re happy to host you and your loved ones for all of your celebrations!

A boutique flower farm and floral design studio, specializing in incorporating locally grown flowers for your unique wedding celebration.

www.flowersbywillows.com | 780.232.2681

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

101

WEDDING SPECIALISTS PAL Insurance Western Office Calgary, AB 780.261.3900 Palcanada.com You insure your house, so why not ensure your big day? Make sure you’re protected against loss or damage with our Weddinguard policy and feel safe knowing that your perfect wedding will be safe from unexpected emergencies. Pandora Pandora.net Special moments deserve to be remembered; consider Pandora jewelry for your wedding day. Whether you’re looking for the perfect subtle piece for your wedding look or a special gift for your bridesmaids, we have something beautiful for you. Prestige Limousine 10135-31 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6N 1C2 780.465.8514 edmontonprestigelimousine.com Prestige Limousine is proud to be Edmonton and area’s largest limousine fleet. Whatever your needs are, Prestige Limousine will ensure you arrive at your destination. With quality service, custom limo packages and more, they’ll have the perfect services for you. Pretty as a Picture Photography 780.920.0934 emmawood@prettyasapicture.ca prettyasapicture.ca Specializing in weddings, engagements and boudoir photography, Pretty as a Picture photography offers personalized photography services. Passionate about weddings, you’ll treasure our soft and dreamy photographs for years to come.

Everything you need to make your dream wedding come true! Call today to book your free consultation with one of our professional event planners.

rivercityevents.ca 2015 BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

102

780 4 24 60 01

Mention this ad and receive 10% off your order! S ome excepti ons ma y a ppl y. Based on ava il a bil iy. N o to be com bined with other offers.

EDMONTON River City Events 10560 107 Street Northwest Edmonton, AB T5H 2Y6 780.424.6001 rivercityevents.ca Our wedding professionals have lots of experience planning events of every size, from small intimate ceremonies to large celebrations; we aim to create unique and unforgettable events that reflect each of our clients’ personalities and desires. We offer a range of services including wedding planning, design and décor, and wedding rentals. Romy Young Photography 780.709.7109 romy@romyyoung.com romyyoung.com Fresh, colourful, funky and modern – Romy Young captures memories and turns them into art with is amazing eye for composition and ability to snap at precisely the right time. Take advantage of his experience and his enthusiasm in helping you relive those special moments every time you see the pictures. Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre Edmonton South 4235 Gateway Blvd. N, NW Edmonton, Alberta T6J 5H2 780.438.1222 CateringES@sawridge.com sawridgeedmonton.com The Sawridge Inn Edmonton offers the perfect blend of stress free accommodations and a memorable surrounding. Our team of dedicated planners will customize each element of your experience to help you create your unique wedding. Each element of your wedding experience is designed to exceed your expectations.

Marriage doesn’t start with forever... It starts with “I Do”... Let the Chateau Nova hotels be your start to a happy forever by booking your wedding with us today! Call to ask about our wedding and catering packages

www.novahotels.ca 1.866.401.6682 Chateau Nova Yellowhead 13920 Yellowhead Trail Edmonton, AB P. 780.454.5441

Chateau Nova Kingsway 159 Airport Road Edmonton, AB P. 780.424.6682

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

103

WEDDING SPECIALISTS

Special Event Rentals 6010-99 Street Edmonton, AB 780.435.2211 Rentals@specialeventrentals.com Specialeventrentals.com Special Event Rentals is Edmonton’s premiere event and tent rental company. Specializing in wedding, event and décor rentals, tents, and more, they carry the largest selection of rental stock and tests throughout Alberta. No matter what you event and theme is, we’ll help you plan the perfect day. St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino 7777 Mission Road Cranbrook, BC V1C 7E5 250.420.2000 info@steugene.ca steugene.ca Set on 300 acres along the winding St. Mary River and against the picturesque backdrop of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains, St. Eugene Resort is a premier destination wedding venue! With our beautiful pavilions and other spaces on our property, you’ll find the perfect backdrop for all of your important moments. A full-service wedding provider, we can arrange your food, beverages, decorations and more to make your wedding come together flawlessly. Stir Catering and Event Rental 780.993.9262 info@stircatering.ca stircatering.ca Stir Catering and Events believes that cooking is a personal act, allowing us express ourselves and our care for others. The food we prepare starts with essential ingredients, locally sourced, supporting Alberta’s ethical producers and suppliers. Let Stir be a part making your wedding day magical!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

104

EDMONTON Studio Bloom Floral Design 10991-124 Street Edmonton, AB T5M 0H9 780.937.6012 flowers@studiobloom.ca studiobloom.ca Studio Bloom is an artistic floral design studio located in the 124 street shopping district in Edmonton. The studio is bursting with fresh, seasonal blooms from around the world and gift items made locally. With lots of experience putting together beautiful wedding florals, we take the time to understand your wedding style and vision for your day. Studio Obscura 780.919.2027 studiobscuraproductions@gmail.com thisisstudiobscura.com Studio Obscura is a cinematic media production company; focused around communication and storytelling, Studio Obscura aims to provide a complete media, bringing your story to life. The Enjoy Centre 101 Riel Drive St. Albert, AB T8N 3X4 780.419.6823 laura@enjoycentre.ca enjoycentre.ca Bathed in natural light and framed by the ever-changing prairie landscape, the Enjoy Centre blurs the lines between indoors and out. The Enjoy Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event spaces and greenhouses provide stunning ambiance year-round. You and your guests can also enjoy the convenience of having your wedding ceremony, reception and photography session all in one location. For added convenience, our on-site floral studio can expertly take care of your floral needs.

10991-124 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5M 0H9 www.studiobloom.ca flowers@studiobloom.ca 780.937.6012

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

105

EDMONTON

WEDDING SPECIALISTS The Melting Pot 2920 Calgary Trail NW Ste 117 Edmonton, AB T6J 2G8 780.465.4347 meltingpot.com/Edmonton If you’re looking for a romantic fine dining experience, a fun location for friends, or gathering space for family and friends for a special celebration, our gourmet fondue and intimate atmosphere make for a perfect experience. In addition to our famous chocolate fondue, we offer cheese fondue, salads, entrée fondue and more! The Plaza Hotel 405 Victoria Street, Kamloops, B.C 250.377.8075 weddings@theplazahotel.ca theplazahotel.ca The Plaza Hotel is an elegant wedding destination offering multiple options for ceremonies and receptions! Our experienced staff can offer support and insight in planning and executing a dream day; from catering to our indulgent guest rooms, we’ll help you put together the perfect wedding experience! Tiffany Blue 10417 Saskatchewan Drive, Lower Level Edmonton, AB T6E 4R8 587.410.2588 tiffanyblue.ca We are a boutique wellness spa dedicated to bringing you the highest quality products and services. We offer hand selected products, scientifically proven services and a passionate professional staff; we want to be a part of your journey in finding the most beautiful healthy you!

Tourism Canmore Kanaskas 907A 7th Ave Canmore, AB T1W 2Z3 403-678-1295 tourismcanmore.com Looking for the perfect setting for an unforgettable day as you start your life together? Enjoy the gorgeous Rocky Mountain as the background to your wedding, the tranquil mountain town of Canmore Kananaskis is a great place to say your vows and host a joyous celebration after! True Beauty Make-Up Artistry 780. 222.2127 truebeautymakeupartistry@gmail.com instagram.com/truebeautymakeupartistry We love to play a role in your special day! We offer makeup services for weddings, special events, and much more. Our team of talented artists will ensure you look and feel your best for all of your special moments. Vintage Sound Alberta 780.655.1323 Vintagesoundalberta@gmail.com Tired of hearing tired songs like The Macarena or don’t want to hear Gangnam Style while you’re taking a turn on the dance floor? Vintage Sound has you covered with their vast vinyl collection spanning the decades. Whether you’re planning a roaring 1920’s bash a la Gatsby or look back to the 1980’s, they have the perfect music for your day! Vision Farlie Travel #20, 580 St. Albert Trail St. Albert, AB T8N 6M9 780.459.6661 vision2000.ca

Destination weddings are a great way to celebrate your wedding day with with your close family and friends. Let Vision Farlie Travel help you make your arrangements for the wedding of your dreams without all of the stress. Enjoy a dream wedding without worrying about unpredictable Alberta weather! West Edmonton Mall 780.444.5330 wem.ca A world-class destination, West Edmonton Mall offers everything you could need to create the wedding of your dreams! From engagement rings and wedding dresses to venues, hotels and attractions, over 800 stores and services ensure that you’ll find everything you need. Willow Lane Photography theedmontonweddingphotographer.com My goal is to not only capture the picture, but to capture the spirit, the feeling & the emotion behind the moment. With Willow Lane Photography you’ll receive images that will remind you of all of the excitement and happiness of your wedding day. Wine and Beyond 6276 Currents Drive NW Edmonton, AB T6W 0L8 780.439.5130 wineandbeyond.ca We stock international and domestic wines, liquor products from around the globe and specially chosen products; with help from our knowledgeable and friendly staff, you’re guaranteed to find exactly what you‘re looking for! Visit our tasting bar for food pairing and cocktail recipe ideas along with the opportunity to discover new wines.

ANDREA BERGE 403-616-6475 CALL/TEXT www.revive45.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

106

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

107

Elegance

Trending

2 0 1 5 BR I DA L FAS H I O N

By Avery Kremer

lthough rooted in the ideal of enduring elegance, the bridal industry follows fashion forward collections and on-trend looks just as closely as the influential designers whose creations grace the high fashion runways each season. The alluring quotient to trending bridal beauty however, is fortified by an entirely different decorum when dealing with its fashion formula. Entrenched in couture itself, the world of bridal gowns and the larger than life matrimonial extravagancies that surround the gown’s wear truly elaborate the whims of a universe devoted to beauty. Fashion as a category parades around under the broad strokes of a well-dressed society, yet trending styles and on-season looks don’t follow an underlying stream of elegance. Trendy in high fashion doesn’t necessarily translate to sophistication or the notions of classical beauty. It’s fashion. Despite this, bridal-wear and the luxurious fabrics and flowing artistry of the industry it incorporates sets about an entirely new collection of fashion rules. These rules are based on beauty and instantly elevate the whole ideal of everlasting elegance. Consequently, as style-savvy brides embark upon their walk down the aisle, this year’s gown selections play to trend with equal parts sultry significance and archetypal strength, wrapped in bridal’s doctrine of beautiful. 2015 promotes a collection of minimal, structured looks that leverage the edgy runway styles of the season, while also incorporating classic, whimsical choices that lend themselves to the allure of timeless femininity. Therefore, brides can dress to trend without hesitation, as bridal’s promise of beautiful propels the search. Here, the vintage bride can find solace in the naked lace detailing designers have included this season, providing romantic

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

108

overtures of delicacy by incorporating nude underlays, lace embellished backs, embroidered cap sleeves or lattice appliques into the antique inspired treatment of their respective collections. In contrast, plunging V-neck gowns, backless dresses and crop top ensembles were all over the bridal fashion catwalks, proving a little drama can be met with an elegance worthy of the moment’s delicacy. The sexy silhouettes also give credence to the notion that these trends are here to stay, both outside of bridal fashion and within. In addition, full skirts continue to play to high desire within the world of occasion dressing, as does the inclusion of capes. This hot item of architecture can be found on all facets of the runway; an on-trend

edge that adds the right amount of high fashion appeal and structured elegance to any bridal production. So, as the betrothed prepare for their matrimonial clothing selections, fashion’s existence within the bridal universe and trending styles help set the tone. But unlike this moment’s must-have designs, gowns devoted to brides and the industry that follows suit sets its own bar on beautiful. Combine this with society’s ever growing openness towards new forms of bridal fashion, the 2015 collections truly attest to that, and this year’s bride sure has her choice of on-trend gorgeous. Trending bridal fashion has never looked so stunning. Wow 2015 bride, lucky you.

Bridal Gowns and Veils: Sareh Nouri Select Bridal Laces: House of Sophie Hallette Headpieces: Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart Photographer: Orange Photographie Floral: Laura Clare Design Make-Up: Saray Barbosa Makeup Artistry Hair: Ashley Malone, Pimped Out Hair

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

109

Runway

FROM THE

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

110

Bridal Gowns: Pnina Tornai Photography: Ethan Tal Make-Up: Imane Make-Up Hair: Shay Halaly Ziv Producer: Yoav Davis

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

111

Delica Bridal Photo: Katch Studios

Delica Bridal Photo: Parris Photography

Delica Bridal Photo: del Sol Photography

Ette Calgary Photo: Tung Bui â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Illusionist Productions

The Bridal Boutique Photo: Randy Pond Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

112

Delica Bridal Photo: Blake Loates Photography Bridal Debut Photo: FM Photo Studios

Durand Bridal Photo: Fetterly Photography Delica Bridal Photo: Katch Studios

The Bridal Boutique Photo: Randy Pond Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

113

FASHION Lingerie

A Girl’s

Little Secret Photos: Barbara Rahal Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

114

Photos: Barbara Rahal Photography 2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

115

Photo: Pink Blush Boudoir Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

116

FASHION Lingerie

Lovely Lace W

edding lingerie is an important part of the wedding ensemble, what you wear under your wedding gown will help to ensure you look your best and feel comfortable all day. Don’t feel that this is what you need to wear for your wedding night, however! Many brides select two sets of lingerie for their wedding day and night, a set that provides excellent support and comfort for the day and something sultry or romantic for the evening.

What you select to wear under your dress should be selected for its fit and function, it’s important to pick pieces that make you and your gown look great. Depending on the style of your gown, you’ll need to select undergarments that provide the support and coverage you need while remaining out of sight to allow your dress to shine. This is a great time to consider garments like corsets and basques, particularly if you have a strapless gown, as they provide support and lift with the added benefit of enhancing a slim line in your waist. Backless dresses or other silhouettes with particular fit concerns will require special backless or low-cut styles; it may be wise to bring your dress with you when visiting a lingerie specialist. Your evening look is a perfect time to bring out your romantic side as you

bring out sweet and sexy boudoir pieces. Beautiful lace and throwbacks to retro styles are popular right now, think flattering high-waisted briefs with intricate detailing and lace panels and lots of lace. Regardless of what’s trending for wedding lingerie, it’s important to pick something that you feel amazing in, choose something playful and perfect for your personality. When you’re picking up your wedding day pieces, look for a few sets to take with you on your honeymoon. Look for silky negligees, sweet sleep wear, and romantic lingerie sets. Pick pieces that you feel comfortable in, they’ll be beautiful pieces that will remind you of this exciting chapter in your life every time you wear them. Include a wireless bra and a cute sports bra that you’ll feel good wearing in your suitcase, a wireless bra will make

long flights more comfortable and having a sports bra will come in handy for any active excursions you may want to go on. The key to excellent lingerie choices is picking pieces that fit you perfectly and make you feel like a million bucks! Always choose what you feel good in, if you don’t feel sexy in a push up bra and a bikini, let your true beauty shine through in a romantic balconette bra and briefs. Make sure you get professionally fitted every six months to ensure your lingerie fits you properly, a proper fit promises that you won’t be adjusting straps or pulling things up and that all of the support is provided.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

117

EX T R A S Your Creative Sta mp

RUSTIC

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

118

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

119

EX T R A S窶ズour Creative Sta mp

Sweet

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

120

RETREAT

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

121

EX T R A S Your Creative Sta mp

Romance

MOUNTAIN

Credits – Concept, Design and Styling: J’adore Decor Styling & Event Planning | Venue: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise {Victoria Room} | Photography: Photobolic | Florals: Willow & Whimsy | Stationery, Menu and Program: Paper Panache | Vintage Decor: Cozy Cottage Interiors | Cake and Mini Cake Favours: Frosty Bakery Boutique | Make-Up: Scene Makeup Artistry | Hair: Red Bloom Salon {Bridgeland} | Bridal Gowns: Novia Mia | Groom’s Attire: Derks Formals & Menswear | Table Linens & Chair Covers: Celebration Creation

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

122

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

123

EX T R A S Your Creative Sta mp

A FRENCH

Fairytale

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

124

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

125

EX T R A S Your Creative Sta mp

Bohemian RHAPSODY

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

126

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

127

EX T R A S Your Creative Sta mp

Woodsy RETREAT

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

128

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

129

EX T R A S窶ズour Creative Sta mp

ROMANTIC

Whimsy

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

130

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

131

NE WLY RENOVATED

Say I do with elegance. . .

SCAN FOR INFO

2015

DOWNTOWN 405 Victoria St. Kamloops, BC

Classic and romantic banquet facilities Venues to accommodate 6 to 225 guests Onsite wedding planner and superb catering professionals Finest cuisine from our renowned Chef and culinary team weddings@theplazahotel.ca

T 250-377-8075 TF 1-877-977-5292

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

132

www.theplazahotel.ca

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

133

FASHION Bridesmaids

The Bridesmaids S

ay goodbye to bridesmaids’ dresses that hide at the back of closets; today’s styles are fabulous frocks that can be worn again for other events! The bridal party is a great way to add a splash of colour and incorporate your wedding theme in a fun and subtle way.

One trend that has been gaining momentum since Pippa Middleton accompanied Kate down the aisle at the royal wedding is the white bridesmaid gown. A refreshing way to create a timeless and cohesive bridal party, picking classic silhouettes for your bridesmaids ensures that they’ll complement you without upstaging your bridal look. The important key to making this look the best is ensuring that all of the dresses are the same white; if one or more of the dresses are pure white and then a few are off-white or ivory, it could make some of the dresses look dirty. If you’d prefer a splash of colour in your wedding party, the bridesmaids’ gowns are a great way to pull that in! Whether you want vibrant jewel tones, bright hues, or soft pastels, designers have the perfect shade for every wedding theme. Don’t be afraid to be bold with your choice, you don’t need to leave all of the pizzazz in the decor! Feel great about dressing your ladies in bright pinks, corals, or teals for a fun splash of colour! If you’re looking for a less trendy look, consider soft neutrals like blush, cream, or greys, these shades are soft and look modern without dating your look.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

134

Many bridal parties are embracing mismatched dresses or other unique design ideas when choosing dresses. Rather than fitting all of the bridesmaids into one dress design, brides are allowing each lady to pick the dress that flatters them the best within a theme or colour scheme. Give your ladies a guideline of the colour and style you’d like and let them find their own dress or take advantage of the designs offered by dress designers, many lines now offer multiple styles in the same colour! If you choose to buy dresses within the same line, check to see if all of the dresses will be in the same fabric because the same colour will look different in satin than in chiffon so they may not be a perfect match. Another idea gaining popularity is rental services like Rent Rock Repeat or Rent the Runway which allow you to rent dresses for an event at a fraction of the purchase price and after the wedding, your bridesmaids can send the dresses back, guiltfree! Exciting innovations like dresses that reverse to black or another colour and offer adjustable skirt lengths from designers like Durga-Kali can let your ladies wear a floor length pink gown for your wedding and turn it into a black cocktail dress for their next event.

Bridesmaid Dresses: twobirds bridesmaid available at Frocks Modern Bridesmaids Bridal Gown: Ette Calgary Photo: Tung Bui â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Illusionist Productions

Florals: Flowers by Willows Photo: Whitney Cowan Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

135

Delica Bridal Photo: Tami Klatt Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

136

Delica Bridal Photo: Blake Loates Photography

Bridesmaid Dresses: Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridal Bridal Gown: Jessica Belle Rykiss Bridal Photo: CRJ Photography

Photo: Kelly Redinger Photographer

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

137

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

138

Photography: Social Lite Communications Jacket, Vest and Pants: Derks Formals and Menswear Tie: DION Neckwear Ring: Vitaly Designs Watch: Vida Boutonnière: Studio Bloom All available at Derks Formals and Menswear

THE GROOMED

GENTLEMAN Model: Igi Vladetić

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

139

FASHION Formalwear

GET GROOMED:

Renting or Buying for the Big Day

ne of the biggest decisions to make about the groom and groomsmen’s apparel is choosing whether you want to rent or buy. There are benefits to either choice, ultimately the decision rests on what kind of investment you want to make. Once you’ve narrowed down the style and colour that you’d like the groom and groomsmen to wear, it should be easy to make a choice. Rental options typically come in black, a light and a charcoal grey, and navy blue, if you’re hoping to find something in a specialty colour, such as brown or green, you’ll probably be restricted to purchasing.

One of the biggest things to consider is if you want to add a suit to your wardrobe. For grooms and groomsmen who don’t have a good suit or tux in their wardrobe and expect to need one in the future,

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

140

purchasing their suits might be a smart choice. If you’re choosing to wear suits for the wedding, purchasing a three piece suit could be a smart investment for your groomsmen; for men lacking a good suit in their wardrobe, a having a suit with a vest gives them great basics that they can mix and match in the future. Another benefit of purchasing a suit in the increased options for tailoring; although rental options offer a good fit, purchasing a suit allows the buyer to make fine alterations that greatly improve the look and fit of a suit. However, if they already have several suits in their wardrobe, purchasing something really similar to things they already own isn’t necessarily worthwhile. It’s possible to find great suits for purchase at a wide range of prices, from entry level to high end, but if budget is a consideration you may want to consider renting. Rental packages include all of the pieces that you need for your look, including suit, vest, tie, pocket square, button studs, shoes and

more included in one price. Choosing to rent offers more flexibility with sizing, the wider range of sizing in rental styles makes it easier to fit a wide range of bodies, you’ll be less restricted by cut. Going this route also makes choosing accessories within your wedding’s theme simple, a large selection of vests and ties in a full range of colours ensures that you’ll find the perfect style. Renting is also a smart choice for destination wedding apparel, unless you live somewhere with an appropriate climate, you likely won’t get much wear out of it after the wedding! A common decision for many wedding parties is to have the groom purchase his suit or tux while the groomsmen rent theirs. This allows the groom to find a great suit for himself and have it tailored to a perfect fit. Once the wedding day is over, he’ll have an amazing addition to his wardrobe that will bring back special memories every time he wears it.

6 3

Accessories and Groomsmen Gifts

rom utilitarian gifts like products to care for his favourite shoes or some sharp cufflinks that he can add to finish his look, a great groomsman gift is a thoughtful token of appreciation for their role in your wedding. Give your supporting men something that they’ll appreciate and use for the future; we love groomsmen’s gift that are nods to their important role in your big day! 1. M. Clip These refined clips keep your money were you want it - in your pocket. Great for those days when you want to pack light and carry as little as possible, money clips are an excellent solution. With a selection of designs to choose from, you can pick the perfect one for each of your main men!

2. Happy Socks these popular socks are a great choice to see popping up under pants, their bright patterns add an unexpected colourful splash to their look, on your wedding day and long after that. Break up a conservative look with a fun peek of colour when you walk and sit down.

3. Flask Classic choices for groomsmen’s gifts, flasks are a fun nod to great nights out and this option from Bar Basics is a sleek design that won’t disappoint. Wrap the gift with a small bottle of their favourite liquor and a cigar so they can enjoy a drink together as you get ready.

7. Skultuna Cufflinks Cufflinks are a great way to personalize and finish off your look. Skultuna has been crafting brass and sterling products of the highest quality for over 400 years and offer a wide range of styles with something for everyone.

4. Dion Handkerchiefs Whether you’re a little warm from shaking it up on the dance floor or the Mother of the Bride starts tearing up, a nice handkerchief is always appreciated!

8. Prairie Boys Supply Co. Beard Oil and Balm If they’re rocking some great beards, give them the best in care. This Alberta company offers both a beard oil and a beard balm for strengthening, conditioning, and styling even the thickest beards. Made with jojoba seed oil and other natural essential oils, the Prairie Boys Supply Co. products are a great choice for their grooming needs.

5. Dion Bow Tie Dapper gents are pleased to see the bow tie coming back with a vengeance, it’s a fun piece that blends retro fun with modern sensibility. Every man’s wardrobe could use at least one sharp bow-tie! Dion offers a great selection of patterns and colours for a pop of colour that will let his style shine. 6. Shoe Care Help him keep his shoes shining and a skip in his step with excellent shoe care products from Walters. He’ll appreciate the thought!

9. Bjorn Borg Briefs This great brand is a store favourite, the funky patterns, excellent construction and fit make them solid choice. All suggestions are available at Derks Formals and Menswear.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

141

8111 - 102 Street DerksMenswear.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

142

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

143

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

8111 – 102 ST NW, EDMONTON, AB T6E 4A4

144 TIGR 334 191,68x254_Bridal Fantasy CA_PS15_M2.indd 1

2014-12-05 08:56

All Clothing: Tiger of Sweden available at Derks Menswear

BOYZ TO

MEN

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

145

Suit: Tombolini Shirt: Stenstrรถms Tie and Pocket Square: Tino Cosma Tie Clip: DIBI Shoes: Ted Baker Socks: Seaward and Stearn Eyewear: The Observatory Opticians

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

146

Photography: Social Lite Communications Styling: Sterling Derk Location: Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel Model: Lance Parker All available at Derks Menswear

Credits

Blazer and Shirt: J.Lindeberg Sweater: PYA Denim: DL1961 Eyewear: The Observatory Opticians Dress Shirts: Stenstrรถms

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

147

Jacket: Tombolini Sweater: PYA Scarf: Seaward and Stearn Gloves: Tino Cosma Bag: Filson Key Chain: Giles & Brother Eyewear: The Observatory Opticians

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

148

Underwear: SAXX Dress Shirt: Stenstrรถms

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

149

Blazer and Pants: Tiger of Sweden Dress Shirt: Stenstrรถms Pocket Square and Tie: Tino Cosma Belt: Palpo Umbrella: Swims Boots: Ted Baker

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

150

Suit, Shirt and Tie: Tiger of Sweden Pocket Square: Tino Cosma Hat: Goorin Bros Boots: Ted Baker

Photography: Social Lite Communications Styling: Sterling Derk Location: Legislature, Edmonton Model: Paul Eli All available at Derks Menswear

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

151

CULTUR AL COLOUR

Yodit & David D

ave and I met through mutual friends at the University of Alberta when I was 19 and he was 22. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known each other for a very long time, which has helped us evolve our friendship into the marriage we have now. We are both very family oriented and our lives have been intertwined with mutual friends from the day we met. At the same time, we keep our personal relationship pretty private. It was only fitting that Dave proposed in a private room at a restaurant filled with roses and playing our first song. After he proposed, we walked out of the room and he surprised me with all our close friends who spent the night celebrating with us. I am an extremely simple person, so I really wanted to keep the wedding just classic and elegant. Jenelle did an unbelievable job putting my scattered thoughts together and bringing them to life. The theme was gold and blush elegance, with a colour scheme based in soft touches of blush and gold. Jenelle was able to achieve clean lines with swag covers and white vases. Laura did a fantastic job achieving the same goal with the cake, but bringing bold textures and elements into the mix to make the cake really stand out. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be more thankful for all the hard work and creativity that everyone put into the wedding.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

152

Dave and I are both of Eritrean background, and so we really wanted to keep the wedding as traditional as we could. It was a celebration not just for us, but our families and the entire Eritrean community in Edmonton. Our families (especially our mothers) and their friends put in so much of their time to make sure everything looked perfect. I am forever thankful to them for ensuring our wedding was the perfect mix of modern and traditional Eritrean customs, and filling the weekend with the most love and joy Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever experienced.

Yodit & David Kidane August 2, 2014

Wedding Date: August 2, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 2 years

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: St. Josaphat Ukranian Catholic Cathedral Reception: Northlands – Edmonton Expo Centre, Maharaja Banquet Hall .....................................................

Hair: Saturday: Genet Tekeleabe, Divine Beauty Salon, Arsema Yemane, Extensions – Winta Asefaw, Flawlessextend Sunday: Eden of Eden Hair Extensions and Braids .....................................................

Make-Up: Saturday: Elaf Khadhair and Arsema Yemane Sunday: Arsema Yemane

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Pronovias

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: Henkaa – Henkaa.com

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: Coppley Tuxedos from Tip Top

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: Michael Kors Tuxedos from Tip Top .....................................................

Cake: Triple L Cakes

.....................................................

Caterer: Saturday: Expo Centre Sunday: Allegro and Bride & Groom’s Family

.....................................................

Décor and Wedding Planner:: Jenelle Jamani – Event Planner and Décor Specialist, Special Event Rentals

.....................................................

Flowers: The Wild Orchid

.....................................................

Photographer: Danielle Lucier of Lucier Photography

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: University of Alberta; The Alberta Legislature Grounds; Westin Hotel; and The Expo Centre

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

153

CULTUR AL COLOUR

Rupinder & Jatinder

e are so incredibly excited to be asked to be part of the incomparable Bridal Fantasy magazine. Jatinder and I were actually set up by friend’s of Jatinder’s family and my aunt who saw that we had one very obvious thing in common: we’re both fabulously tall! He’s 6’5.5” and 6’1.5”. This being the only apparent reason they set us up, I was quite skeptical. However, walking up to him on our first date (in front of Remedy Cafe on Jasper Ave), I could instantly see there was something special about him. We got formally engaged in September of 2013, however our mother’s had actually booked the Gurdwara the preceding May. The year leading up to our wedding was filled with a lot of heartache and loss. I lost my father shortly after our engagement in November. He had a heart attack at home, I was the one to perform CPR. He passed away in hospital the next day. Jatinder and his family were by our sides each step of the way as we grieved. Jatinder lost his grandmother to a battle with Alzheimers in June. The beginning of July saw me admitted to the hospital for a serious arm infection to which I nearly lost my arm. My grandfather passed away in India in July.

The wedding turned out to be much more than a union of two people. It was truly a union of two families. Our extended family and friends came from all over the United States, Canada, England and India to celebrate with us. After such a dark year, the celebrations were like a beacon of light. Filled with love, laughter and joy. Although we missed our lost family members (I shed many tears in private sitting below a englarged picture of my father in my room), during the wedding we honored them by dancing a little harder, and singing a little louder and being truly grateful for being able to come together to find joy and happiness again.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

154

Rupinder & Jatinder Grewal August 29, 2014

Wedding Date: August 29 2014 ...................................... How long were you engaged? 1 year ...................................... Wedding Venue Ceremony: Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha (Sikh Temple) Reception: Deerfoot Inn and Casino (Calgary), Meridian Banquet Hall (Edmonton) ...................................... Hair & Make-Up Sunita Sumaru of Sen Studios, Pink Orchid Stuidos ...................................... Bridal Gown: Custom designed by bride and bride’s sister-in-law. Custom made by ‘Made in India’ (Surrey, BC). ...................................... Groom’s Attire: Custom Designed, created by Anika Designs Edmonton, Sam Abouhassan Clothier ...................................... Cake: Cakeworks Calgary ...................................... Caterer: Deerfoot Inn and Casino ...................................... Decor: Maruti Designs, Anjulee Nagra of Jewels & Rays, Mintu of Anmol Decorations, Calgary ...................................... Entertainment: Milki Chand, DJ- Lovey Gill, DJ Palay aka Palay Gill (DJ), Jassi Grewal, DJ equipment, lighting, lightshow provided by House of Bounce ...................................... Flowers: Anjulee Nagra of Jewels and Rays ...................................... Favours: No favours. Bride and groom donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Memory of the bride’s father (Sikander Singh Deol) who passed away November 05 2013. ...................................... Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Bride’s invitations custom made by IndianWeddingCard.com ...................................... Photographer: Shandro Photo ...................................... Videography: Isaiah and Trevor of Glimmer Films, AAA Photography Calgary ...................................... Photography Location Shots: Bride’s Home, Sandman Hotel, University of Alberta, Fish Creek Park, Calgary

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

155

CULTUR AL COLOUR

Tifanie & Hanson

he engagement was a total surprise. We had talked about eventually getting married but I didn’t realize a proposal was actually being planned! We were celebrating Hanson’s father beating cancer with a trip to Las Vegas when he decided to pop the question. There were no engagement ring, but the moment felt right, we had gone through so much together, and we knew we would spend the rest of our lives growing old together so we decided to get married! I was never the type of girl that dreamed about my “big day” or what that day would entail. I did however, being a huge shoeaholic, know exactly which pair of shoes I was going to wear down the aisle. And naturally, my red Valentino bow pumps set the colour scheme and tones used throughout the wedding.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

156

Tifanie & Hanson Mah June 28, 2014

Wedding Date: June 28, 2014

......................................

How long were you engaged? 1.5 years

......................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: McDougall United Church Reception: Sutton Place Hotel

......................................

Officiant: Wayne Hoover (of Evangel Baptist Church) & Christina Bellsmith (of McDougall United Church ......................................

Hair & Make-Up: Nina Nguyen of N2 Make up Artistry & Kim Hoang of Bliss Hair by Design ......................................

Bridal Gown: Essense of Australia from the Bridal Boutique ......................................

Bridal Party Dresses: BCBG Max Azria

......................................

Groom’s Attire: Derks Formals

......................................

Groomsman Attire: Derks Formals ......................................

Cake: Garden Bakery

......................................

Caterer: Sutton Place Hotel

......................................

Décor: Lane Walters (provided and organized all by him); Chair covers by All West Wedding Rentals ......................................

Wedding Planner: Tifanie Yong

......................................

Entertainment: DJ Navasia (Natasha Boras)

......................................

Flowers: Bouquets and Boutonnieres by Century Park Safeway, Floral centerpieces by Arts & Florists

......................................

Favours: Cake Pops by Esther Wong

......................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: All designed by Tifanie and Stephanie Yong ......................................

Photographer: Michael Shandro of Shandro Photography ......................................

Photography Location Shots: Hanson’s parent’s home, Sunny Meat & BBQ, and University of Alberta

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

157

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

158

engaged 速 LOV E B E YO N D PA S S I O N

info@amourjewellers.com | www.AmourJewellers.com Unit 140 24E 5015-111 Street 1-Edmonton City Centre NW Southgate Centre Edmonton, AB T5J2Y8 Edmonton, Alberta T6H4M6

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

159

Living the Life You Were Born to Live Serena Dyer shares stories of struggle and triumph as well as her experience growing up with spiritual parents. Don’t Die with Your Music Still in You is a daughter’s response to her father’s wisdom, following the principles Dr. Wayne Dyer wrote about in 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

160

Available on Amazon and www.serenadyer.com

WEDDING WATCH

Serena

"We are a spiritual partnership" -Dr. Wayne Dyer

Matt

celebrating

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

161

CELEBRITY WEDDING WATCH

Serena Dyer & Matt Pisoni

erena and Matt met on February 5, 2009. Joining friends at a dinner party at the Versace Mansion in Miami Beach, Serena happened to be seated across from Matt during the party. Serena continually asked about Matt throughout the night and it just so happened that Matt was doing the same about Serena! The two of course exchanged numbers at the party and nine days later on Valentine’s Day, Matt asked Serena to be his girlfriend. Almost four years later, Matt asked Serena to marry him. Serena and Matt were engaged for a year and a half before their extraordinary Maui wedding. The wedding festivities took place

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

162

over the course of a week and included six separate events such as a Welcome Dinner, Rehearsal Dinner, the Wedding, a Sailboat Tour around Maui, a Fourth of July BBQ and lastly – a Happy Hour Party. The bride’s father, Dr. Wayne Dyer, officiated the ceremony and the bride’s sister sang a special song to the bride and her father during the father/daughter dance. At their wedding, guests were surprised by a fire dancer as well as specially ordered “cronuts” which ran out very quickly! Shortly after the dancing began, all the guests kicked off their shoes and had a great time with sparklers, temporary tattoos and funny accessories the wedding planner brought along as a surprise. For Serena and Matt, the highlight of the wedding was when they each read aloud their personally written vows; there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Serena Dyer & Matt Pisoni July 1, 2014

Wedding Date: July 01, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 18 months

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: Olowalu Plantation House, Maui Reception: Olowalu Plantation House, Maui

.....................................................

Officiant: Dr. Wayne Dyer (bride’s father)

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Maui Bridal Stylist

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Inbal Dror

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: Theory Pants and Armani Jacket .....................................................

Groomsman Attire: J.Crew and Banana Republic

.....................................................

Cake: Lilikoi and vanilla with sprinkles by Celebration’s Catering

.....................................................

Caterer: Celebration’s Catering

.....................................................

Décor: Opihi Love Maui

.....................................................

Wedding Planner: Nicole Scharer .....................................................

Entertainment Barefoot Minded, Dj Del Sol, Maui .....................................................

Flowers: Sunya’s Flowers

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: It’s My Party; Boca Raton, FL .....................................................

Photographer: Mike Sydney

.....................................................

Videography: Hi Focused

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Olowalu Plantation House

.....................................................

Honeymoon Destination Four Seasons Kona, Hawaii, St. Regis Princeville Kauai, and Four Seasons Koele Lodge Lanai

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

163

CELEBRITY WEDDING WATCH

Jacqueline & Bob

obby’s proposal was so sweet. New Year’s Eve has always been my favorite holiday – there’s champagne and there are sparkles – it’s perfect! Christmas morning - Bobby surprised me with a trip to New York for New Year’s Eve. It was a dream trip – complete with us staying at the Waldorf (my grandmother’s favorite hotel) . I knew we would have to line up early on December 31st to get a great spot in Times Square so I was pretty preoccupied with that. Bobby was preoccupied with something else… we were being interviewed by the local news station when Bobby all of a sudden got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife right before midnight. In front of millions of people I felt like the luckiest girl – and of course said yes! Having our wedding at the Calgary Zoo was an easy decision for us. We both are crazy for animals so having them part of our wedding was a dream! Plus, having our wedding at the zoo meant funds raised went right back into conservation and rebuilding the zoo from the devastating floods. The zoo was great to work with and it offered our guests an experience like no other! Everyone was welcome to tour the entire zoo while we got our photos done- and what photos they were! We got to go inside the penguin enclosures and the little guys were so curious! They thought my dress was ice and kept jumping into it. It was hilarious. Plus – all the animals were kind enough to not have any “accidents” on us! I kept my dress a secret from everyone. In fact- only mom knew what it looked like! I wanted a twist on the “reveal” in the morning. It was the hardest thing to keep from my bridesmaids but their reaction made it so worth it. It was so fun.

It was fun to play off of our venue. Being at the zoo – we drew inspiration from everything. I had leopard print wedding shoes, the boys had giraffe socks, guest favors were in animal print boxes – it was a great place to play off of. Our color scheme was grey, white, and tangerine. I was nervous about investing in photography and videography. It’s the best thing we could have done. I never thought I would go back and look at photos and videos – and now I find myself smiling so big every time I do. If you have to spend money on one thing – that should definitely be it. Those last a lifetime. To have the groomsmen in darker grey and Bobby (the groom) in lighter grey worked great! It made him stand out.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

164

Your MC is so important –they can make or break the night. Pick someone that knows you and is comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. We were so lucky to have my coworkers from CISN Country 103.9; Chris & Matt host the night. They were hilarious.

Jacqueline & Bob Sweeney June 7, 2014

Wedding Date: June 7, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 18 months

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony and Reception: Calgary Zoo

.....................................................

Officiant: MLA Matt Jeneroux (Friend of the couple)

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Hair: Chelsea Laschowski & Jeremy Ottenbreit – Salon Fli Calgary .....................................................

Make-Up: Tina Bitangcol (Tina Bitangcol Makeup) & Nicole Saxton (Glamour By Nicole)

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Monique Luo from David’s Bridal

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: Vera Wang from David’s Bridal

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: Derks Formals and Menswear

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: Derks Formals and Menswear .....................................................

Cake: Cakeworks Calgary

.....................................................

Caterer: Calgary Zoo

.....................................................

Décor: Bride’s Own / Calgary Zoo .....................................................

Wedding Planner: Bride’s Mother: Jennifer Spring .....................................................

Entertainment: DJ Andy LePage

.....................................................

Flowers: Dahlia Floral Design

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas .....................................................

Photographer: Bruce Clarke- Moments In Digital Photography

.....................................................

Videography: RF Weddings – Vancouver

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Calgary Zoo

.....................................................

Honeymoon Destination: Hard Rock Hotel – Mayan Riviera & Vancouver Island

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

165

WEDDING WATCH

Kilby & Trevor

ilby and Trevor met, as students would, in a pub on Whyte Ave. Trevor was a new bartender and manager at Kilby’s regular “study spot” at the Boston Pizza Lounge. They quickly became friends and found a common interest in Ireland. A year later they moved to Galway and, over nine months, had many adventures. Upon returning to Canada, they moved in together and made monthly snowboarding and camping trips to Jasper. A quick decision brought a rescued two-year-old Weimaraner into the family. On their first trip to Jasper just the three of them, a very nervous Trevor proposed to Kilby on a hike around Cabin Lake with Duch (their dog) close by. She said yes. A winter wedding in the mountains was decided and since then the three of them have been living their “happily ever after”. Kilby and Trevor were engaged for 15 months before their wedding in December or 2013. The two married in beautiful Fernie, BC.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

166

Kilby & Trevor Ritchie December 21, 2013

Wedding Date: December 21, 2013

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 15 months

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: Elk View Lodge, Fernie BC Reception: Elk View Lodge, Fernie BC

.....................................................

Officiant: Jennifer Cronin

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Sparrow For Hair

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Maggie Sottero— Judith; from The Bridal House, Edmonton AB

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: Bonnie & Jeanne McLeod

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: The Tuxedo House, Edmonton AB

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: The Tuxedo House, Edmonton AB

.....................................................

Cake: Hanna Walker

.....................................................

Caterer: Elk View Lodge, Fernie BC

.....................................................

Décor: Handmade, birch sheaths with wedding bouquets, birch tea lights, and antique lace

.....................................................

Entertainment: Jesse Peters (jazz pianist, singer); Ben Meuser (singer songwriter) .....................................................

Flowers: The Green Petal, Fernie BC

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Abby Meuser .....................................................

Photographer: Lyss Ritch Photography

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Elk View Lodge, The Brickhouse, Fernie Library

.....................................................

Honeymoon Destination: Mayan Riviera, Mexico

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

167

WEDDING WATCH

Jessica & Travis

essica and Travis went to high school together, but didn’t become a couple until they reconnected years later. After dating for four years, Travis proposed on a chilly Christmas Eve in their favourite spot of the Edmonton River Valley. A year and a half later, the couple wed.

“When I look back on the day, I’m just so happy at how everything turned out”, Jessica says. Jessica had wanted to create a vintage/organic/ earthy vibe while incorporating light bulbs in their décor. After collecting and creating decorations for over a year and seeing it all flow together, really made the day that much better. “It’s one thing to have a vision for your wedding, but executing it all is on a whole other level!” Even so, after all their hard work, the day felt like a true representation of the couple and they feel very fortunate to have such great people in their lives that helped us out in so many ways. Jessica’s advice? “Of course there are little things that seem to happen behind the scenes, which are completely out of your control, but in the end, the only thing that mattered was the two of us. They say that you should marry your best friend and I feel really lucky that I have.”

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

168

Jessica & Travis Skoreyko June 14, 2014

Wedding Date: June 14, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 1.5 years

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: Phabrik Art and Design Reception: Whitemud Creek Hall

.....................................................

Officiant: Howard Saunders

.....................................................

Hair: Some of us got blowouts the night before at Ricci Blow Bar on Jasper Avenue.

.....................................................

Make-Up: James Kershaw

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Grace Loves Lace

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: Free People

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: Black and Lee Tuxedo and Suit Rental

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: Black and Lee Tuxedo and Suit Rental

.....................................................

Cake: No cake, we did donuts by Moonshine Donuts

.....................................................

Caterer: Elizabethan Catering Services (pig roast was a huge hit!)

.....................................................

Décor: Ceremony Arch and Head Table done by Cory Christopher, the rest was Travis and I, with help from our friends and family. .....................................................

Wedding Planner: Wedding Coordinator, Angela Wutzke

.....................................................

Entertainment: DJ, Diamond Disk Jockeys

.....................................................

Flowers: Cory Christopher

.....................................................

Favours: Jam made by Brenda Welwood

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Etsy .....................................................

Photographer: Jessica Fern Facette

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Around Whyte Avenue

.....................................................

Honeymoon Destination: Pyramid Lake in Jasper, Sandals Resort in the Bahamas

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

169

WEDDING WATCH

Helena & Jared

elena and Jared first met through friends and family in Jasper. Jared was living there and would frequently travel back and forth to be with Helena. The two dated long distance for a while but it didn’t’ take long for Helena to pack up her things and move to Jasper. Jared proposed on February 16th, 2013 while the two were out walking their bulldog, Sir Winston during a blizzard at Lake Annette in Jasper, Alberta. Jared and Helena’s family held a surprise engagement party that evening with all of the couples closest friends and family. Fast forward a year and a half, their wedding was a week affair filled with friends and family. Most of the guests camped on the couple’s property while a few stayed at a nearby motel. Every morning, the couple held a pancake breakfast and bonfires at night. The wedding ceremony was beachfront, and the couple had benches set up and asked guests to bring over their camping chairs for a more casual feel. Sir Winston, the couple’s bulldog, was front and center for the ceremony with Helena’s sister playing the guitar and serenading us down the aisle while Helena’s aunts played the bongos beside her. Following the ceremony, the couple hosted a cocktail hour consisting of a “Popcorn and Trail Mix” bar and served sangria and specialty beer. For the wedding reception, the couple had an outdoor tent filled with cafe lighting. Helena and Jared chose to go with a casual picnic theme, filling the tent with red and white checkered tablecloths, draped with burlap. Each table had a picnic basket filled with cheese, wine, crackers, and homemade nuts and bolts. The couple had a country band set up on the deck across from the tent, and danced on the grass like they always have at the lake. A bonfire was set up with a s’more table and marshmallow sticks, blankets, and a selection of goofy lake jackets to wear if guests were cold. At midnight, Helena’s uncle put on an amazing fireworks show on the beach, with a full moon in the sky. The night was truly a night they will always remember.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

170

Helena & Jared Fraser August 9, 2014

Wedding Date: August 9, 2014 ........................................ How long were you engaged? 1.5 years ........................................ Wedding Venue Ceremony: Beach Front in Calling Lake, Alberta Reception: A private tent on our family property in Calling Lake, Alberta ........................................ Officiant: Lucille Peterson ........................................ Hair & Make-Up: Bethany McMillan from Barber Ha and Kayla Preece’s Hair Salon ........................................ Bridal Gown: Lazaro Ball Gown from Delica Bridal, Jewelry by Ten Twenty-Six ........................................ Bridal Party Dresses: Denim dresses all different from different designers, jewelry by Ten Twenty-Six ........................................ Groom’s Attire: Bugatti Sport Jacket, from Open Country Clothing Boutique ........................................ Groomsman Attire: Bugatti Sport Jackets from Open Country Clothing Boutique, Custom Oakley sunglasses ........................................ Cake: We chose not to go with a cake as we really wanted a country feel. Instead we went with a s’mores bar for our guests to enjoy around the large bonfire. ........................................ Caterer: Jasper Brewing Company and mojitos from Earls in the Rockies. ........................................ Décor: Special Event Rentals in Edmonton. I made most of the smaller décor items myself. ........................................ Wedding Planner: Jenna Fisher Cocktails and Details ........................................ Entertainment: Roger West, country band ........................................ Flowers: Flowers by Christina. Our reception florals were hand made by Jenna Fisher and Larissa Petaske from Cocktails and Details. ........................................ Favours: Burlap and plaid wrapped mason jars ........................................ Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Invitations were all home-made, thank-you card’s, and labels done by Vistaprint ........................................ Photographer: Chelsea Dawn Photography ........................................ Photography Location Shots: Our property at Calling Lake ........................................ Honeymoon Destination: Calling Lake, Alberta

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

171

WEDDING WATCH

Laura & Brandan

aura and Brandan were high school sweethearts. After Brandan’s graduation, the two unfortunately parted ways. Fast-forward six years, the two ran into each other and it was concluded that it had meant to be! Three and a half years later, Brandan surprised Laura and proposed in Jasper. Brandan and Laura had always wanted to have a destination wedding, seeing that they both love to travel and couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate their love than to spend a week away with friends and family. The group travelled to Puerto Vallarta and hosted their wedding at the Hard Rock Hotel. Laura left most of the coordination to their wedding planner as it was a destination wedding and this was one of the best decisions, Laura said. (“Very low stress!”)

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

172

Laura & Brandan Hebert January 14, 2014

Wedding Date: January 14, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 2 years

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: Puerto Vallarta, Hard Rock Hotel (Gazebo) Reception: Puerto Vallarta, Hard Rock Hotel (Ballroom)

.....................................................

Officiant: Supplied by Hard Rock

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Hair - Kristy Howe and Marcy James (Tricho Hair Design - Friends from Sherwood Park) Make up - we did our own .....................................................

Bridal Gown: Bridal Debut (custom dress)

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: Custom made on Etsy

.....................................................

Groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attire: Ted Baker

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: Mexx

.....................................................

Cake: Made at Hard Rock Hotel

.....................................................

Caterer: Hard Rock Hotel

.....................................................

DĂŠcor: Hard Rock Hotel

.....................................................

Wedding Planner: Marisol Mezaprovided by Hard Rock 3 months in advance

.....................................................

Entertainment: PSAV - organized through Hard Rock

.....................................................

Flowers: Organized through Hard Rock

.....................................................

Favours: Bought online- paper lanterns to let go on beach

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Made on vistaprint.ca

.....................................................

Photographer: Photo Shoots Vallarta - Eva Sica

.....................................................

Videography: Raul Rolando Rios Torres- recommended by Photo Shoots Vallarta .....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Outside and Inside Hard Rock Hotel and my in-laws condo - Del Canto .....................................................

Honeymoon Destination: Hawaii, Maui

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

173

WEDDING WATCH

Megan & Daniel

aniel and I met at a ball tournament outside of Red Deer. We were both placed on the “leftover” team. I would never tell anyone that Daniel and I hit it off from the start, as we spent the whole first night arguing. I was arguing that teachers are underpaid and oilfield guys are overpaid, not know that he was an oilfield worker. What I didn’t realize that night and I am sure I will always be reminded of is that Daniel was agreeing with me the whole time. Somehow, there was an interest to continue talking and we have never looked back since! Daniel proposed while we were in Paris. We went for a walk after a dinner cruise and ended up on the lover’s bridge in Paris. He told me to take a picture of the sunset with the Eiffel tower in the far background. When I turned around to show him how beautiful the picture was, he was down on one knee with a box in his hand. I said yes immediately, and everyone on the bridge clapped and wished us a long future together. Early on in our relationship, Daniel took me out to his favorite spot to go to get away from the busy life in the city. He took me to the Lazy M Lodge just outside of Caroline and told me that this was where he would want to get married. The moment that we showed up, I couldn’t have disagreed, it was perfect. Our wedding had a classic country feel to it with a lot of little details to bring out both of our personalities. Our colors were charcoal gray, eggplant, and a cream color. We wanted it to have a candlelit, intimate feeling, so we went with a variety of candles everywhere and dimmed lights all around the redone barn. After it all came together, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

174

Megan & Daniel Drolet August 16, 2014

Wedding Date: August 16, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 2 years

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: Lazy M Lodge Reception: Lazy M Lodge

.....................................................

Officiant: Teressa Dersch

.....................................................

Hair: Ashley Lougheed

.....................................................

Make-Up: Morgan from Mac Make-Up in Red Deer

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Alfred Angelo

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: Etsy – Bing Bridal

.....................................................

Grooms Attire: Derks Formals and Menswear

.....................................................

Groomsmen Attire: Derks Formals and Menswear

.....................................................

Cake: Dionne Young

.....................................................

Caterer: Twisted Spoon (Lindsay Zimmerman)

.....................................................

Décor: DIY, Trend Events, and Diamond Rentals

.....................................................

Entertainment: Samantha Karaokequeen Bullerwell

.....................................................

Flowers: Calyx Floral Design

.....................................................

Favours: DIY – Homemade Jam

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: David’s Bridal

.....................................................

Photographer: Chicks That Click

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Lazy M Lodge outside of Caroline, AB

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

175

WEDDING WATCH

Jen & Milton

ilton and I had known each other for a while through mutual friends, but it wasn’t until one spontaneous night that it all began. I was working at a local restaurant where Milton came in with a friend. After my shift I, asked them if they wanted to go out for a drink. Milton and I ended up spending the whole night talking. We made plans for the next night, and the night after that and the night after that and the rest is history. It was our friend’s birthday so we were planning to go out for dinner. As I rushed home from work to change and get ready for dinner I didn’t even notice Milton acting any differently. As usual, I couldn’t find anything to wear. After trying on what seemed like a hundred outfits I finally decided on what I was going to wear. I consulted Milton on my choice, as I always do, asking him “Does this look alright?” Milton responded that I looked beautiful and asked me “Do you want to wear this too?” as he pulled out the ring from behind his back. I was in total shock. I said “yes!” and Milton slipped the ring onto my finger. We stood there hugging for a while then realized that we were late for dinner. It was a perfect start to our lives together and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

176

We knew very early on in the wedding planning process that we wanted our wedding to feel like “us”. We decided to go with a vintage glamour feel to our wedding with a lot of personal and DIY touches. You can’t get anymore vintage then having your ceremony at a historic mansion and with Milton being an avid golfer the Royal Mayfair Golf Club was the perfect choice for our reception. I collected teacups passed down to me from my grandmothers, found birdcages and vintage books that I painted as décor. (Milton jokes that I painted so much that our house still smells like paint) Milton helped me build and stain our “LOVE” sign used as a backdrop to our cake and candy table. We finished off the night, incorporating Milton’s Latin background by having a Latin band perform our first dance and play the rest of the night for our guests. I’m guessing by our packed dance floor that everyone loved it!

Jen & Milton Guillen June 21, 2014

Wedding Date: June 21, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 1.5 years

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: Magrath Mansion Reception: Royal Mayfair Golf Club

.....................................................

Officiant: Marcia Loder

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Hair: Nicole Fusco (Revive Hair Loft), Make up: Sunita Sumaru (Sen Studios) and Barbie Soliman

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Lillen CollectionDelica Bridal

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: AmsaleDelica Bridal

.....................................................

Groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attire: Derks Formals and Menswear

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: Derks Formals and Menswear

.....................................................

Cake: Style Cakes

.....................................................

Caterer: Royal Mayfair Golf Club

.....................................................

Wedding Planner: Cocktails and Details (Jenna Fisher)

.....................................................

Entertainment: Jeff Ramsey (for Ceremony), X Latin Band and Urban Metropolis- Harman B and DJ Quake (for Reception) .....................................................

Flowers: Tickled Floral

.....................................................

Favours: Candy Buffet (Bride and Groom)

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Justine Ma Design

.....................................................

Photographer: Kelly Redinger

.....................................................

Videography: Video Wedding Productions

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Magrath Mansion, 112 St (La Boheme), Strathearn Drive and Royal Mayfair Golf Club .....................................................

Honeymoon Destination: Mayan Riviera

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

177

WEDDING WATCH

Meghan & Soren

eghan and Soren met at a restaurant where they both worked six years ago. The two started dating and Meghan says that from very early on that, she knew he was the one for her! He proposed during a surprise engagement photo-shoot that he planned and Meghan was ecstatic! The time leading up to the wedding was so exciting and Meghan truly loved the whole wedding planning process!

Meghan’s family is from Newfoundland and Soren’s family is from Alberta, so the two thought a Las Vegas destination wedding would be a fun way to get everyone together! The couple was excited to experience the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas with their guests in the days leading up to the wedding, but they wanted their wedding to be anything BUT the drivethrough-chapel cliché! The two envisioned their wedding to be elegant, romantic, and personal, so they looked beyond The Strip to find Emerald at Queensridge - a venue that fit their vision perfectly. Their wedding theme was vintage elegance and their colour scheme consisted of blush pink, gold, champagne, and ivory. The couple had an evening ceremony in a romantic courtyard with a beautiful view of the Red Rock Canyon. The reception took place immediately after the ceremony in a grand ballroom located at the same venue. The ballroom was full of stunning floral arrangements and candles, it was absolutely gorgeous. The wedding day was everything they had dreamed it would be and more.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

178

Meghan & Soren Kobryn September 4, 2014

Wedding Date: September 4, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 18 months

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony and Reception: Emerald at Queensridge in Las Vegas .....................................................

Officiant: Reverend Peter Billitteri

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Amelia C & Co

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Pronovias, The Bridal House

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: Dessy Collection, Perfect Bridal

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: AL Phillips Formal Wear

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: AL Phillips Formal Wear

.....................................................

Cake: Rolling in Dough Bakery

.....................................................

Caterer: Emerald at Queensridge

.....................................................

Décor: The PinUp Bride LLC

.....................................................

Entertainment: High Class Studios

.....................................................

Flowers: The PinUP Bride

.....................................................

Favours: The Wedding Shoppe

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Brides Invitation Kit and Chicks That Click

.....................................................

Photographer: Cashman Brothers Fine Photography

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Emerald at Queensridge in Las Vegas .....................................................

Honeymoon Destination: Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: San Diego, Los Angeles, Malibu, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and many more locations along the way!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

179

WEDDING WATCH

Trista & Celina

rista surprised Celina with a spa day at Eveline Charles Salon and Spa, followed by dinner at La Ronde, a revolving rooftop restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Edmonton city lights. Following dinner, Trista presented Celina with a room key to the Chateau Lacombe. Inside, awaited Celina’s dog and best friend of 18 years, Precious, in an adorable purple dress. Romantic piano music played in the background, while a chocolate fondue and bowl of fruit called out to be eaten atop an elegant white table. Meanwhile, a trail of pink roses led the way to a scrapbook lying in the center of a rose outlined heart. The scrapbook consisted of sentimental memories of Trista and Celina’s relationship and the last page was titled “What I Know”, which shared Trista’s reasons for loving Celina. The last line said, “Ask me what I know”, to which Trista responded, “I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” She then got down on one knee, pulled out a beautiful engagement ring and asked Celina to marry her. The two were engaged for two years and five months before having a beautiful wedding at Devonian Botanic Garden in Devon, Alberta.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

180

Trista & Celina Verhesen July 20, 2014

Wedding Date: July 20, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 2.5 years

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony and Reception: Devonian Botanic Garden Kurimoto Japanese Garden

.....................................................

Officiant: Marcia Loder

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Trista’s hair by Serena Jackson with Hair 4 U Design Studio. Trista’s Make-Up by Mookie Salinas. Hair & Make-Up: Celina’s hair and makeup by Elizabeth Bernadin with Makeup By Elizabeth .....................................................

Bridal Gown: Trista’s dress – Sottero and Midgley (Hautte Couture) Bridal Gown: Celina’s dress – Signature (Organza, NK)

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: Alfred Angelo Bridesmaid Dresses (pool for Trista’s bridesmaids and purple for Celina’s bridesmaids)

.....................................................

Cake: 3 tier vegan chocolate and vanilla cake by Amanda Armstrong

.....................................................

Caterer: Noorish Conscious Eatery and Superfood Elixir Bar – assortment of vegan wraps .....................................................

Entertainment: Our first dance – Ingrid Michaelson’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love”

.....................................................

Flowers: Synthetic bouquets handcrafted by Jana Lacey with Lovespun Creations

.....................................................

Favours: 2-for-1 passes for entry into the Devonian Botanic Garden

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Party City Canada Inc.

.....................................................

Photographer: Crystal Budgell with Willow Lane Photography

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Devonian Botanic Garden

.....................................................

Honeymoon Destination: The Stanford Inn By The Sea in Mendocino, CA

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

181

WEDDING WATCH

Marlena & Marc

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

182

ur wedding couldn’t come soon enough and yet it came much too quickly. Marc and I counted down the days to our wedding, as we could not wait to be officially announced as husband and wife. One of our favorite parts of the day was doing our first look in the Edmonton River Valley after scouting the location a few days earlier. Our photographer (David Guenther Photography) was absolutely amazing to work with and took full advantage of the beautiful scenery. I don’t think we’ve ever been so nervous and excited at the same time to see each other. We really wanted it to be a celebration with our closest friends and family and wanted the wedding to reflect our own modern and elegant styles. We chose to stay with a classic color scheme of black and white with a few subtle accents of the silver sequins. Marc is an extremely talented graphic designer and ended up designing all of our wedding stationary. We loved the large bar marquee sign that we had out on our outdoor bar on the patio; it was a definite guest favorite that evening. Although it took me a few years to realize, Marc knew from the first time he saw me eight years ago, that I was the girl he was going to marry. Although circumstances kept us apart for many years, we were finally able to give love a second shot. After about a year and a half of dating, we ended up taking an impromptu trip to Banff one weekend in November. We spent the weekend being tourists by lounging in the hot springs and taking a trip up the gondola. Disappointingly, there was no proposal waiting for me at the top of the mountain so we continued our journey home. Later the evening, Marc surprised me with tickets to Zoo Lights, one of my favorite winter activities. It wasn’t until I looked back later that I realized how nervous Marc had been that evening. We wandered through the Lover’s Lane area when Marc grabbed my hand and got down on one knee and I couldn’t say “Yes!” fast enough. He is everything I had ever hoped and waited for. He cheers me up when I’m sad, makes me laugh when I want to cry and loves me unconditionally and without restraint. I am the luckiest girl in the world to now call him my husband.

Marlena & Marc Lesmister July 5, 2014

Wedding Date: July 5, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 1.5 years

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: Hastings Lake Gardens Reception: Windermere Golf and Country Club

.....................................................

Officiant: Lesley Young

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Jamie Bruce (Blush Artistry) & Silvia (Urban Trends)

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Kenneth Winston Premiere from Jessika’s Bridal (Calgary)

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: David’s Bridal

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: Derks Formals and Menswear

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: Derks Formals and Menswear

.....................................................

Cake: Cakes by Jessika

.....................................................

Caterer: Food provided by reception venue

.....................................................

Décor: Very simple and elegant. Lots of candles and décor from our home.

.....................................................

Wedding Planner: Lesley Plumley with Magical Moments Event Planning .....................................................

Entertainment: Divinity Productions

.....................................................

Flowers: Catalaya Florals

.....................................................

Favours: M&M’s

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: All stationery designed and created by the groom .....................................................

Photographer: David Guenther Photography

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Louise Mckinney Park, Hastings Lake Gardens, Windermere Country Club

.....................................................

Honeymoon Destination: Honeymoon road trip to Waterton, Seattle, Penticton and Kelowna.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

183

WEDDING WATCH

Antonette & Kris

ntonette and Kris were first introduced to each other in the summer of 2000 at Edmonton’s famous Heritage Day’s Festival held in Hawrelak Park; it was also where Kris first asked Antonette out in May of 2004. So, it is really no surprise that this is where Kris felt he should propose to Antonette, with a fun surprise in store for his future wife. Antonette and a group of the couple’s closest friends and family were on their way to meet for a group dinner when the group had to detour and make a quick stop in Hawrelak Park to help a family member needing a car boost. Antonette knew something was up when it was suggested the group go for a stroll in the park! Proceeding through a somewhat hidden trail and at the end of the pathway, Antonette saw a sign that said “Will”. Continuing on down the path, she quickly saw another sign that said “You” and then, “Marry”. At last, Kris appeared from behind a tree holding a “Me” sign! Of course, Antonette said yes. What made the moment all the more special was being able to share the moment with the most important people in their lives. Antonette and Kris’ wedding was Romantic Parisian in theme and included a late lunch of crepes and French toast, table numbers that were lyrics of songs meaningful to the couple, tons of DIY (invitations, ceremony programs made into fans, reception programs, table numbers and centerpieces) and lastly, a surprise wedding dance number performed by the married couple at the end of the evening.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

184

Antonette & Kristoffer Gonzales July 5, 2014

Wedding Date: Saturday July 5 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 22 months

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: Citadel’s Tucker Amphitheatre Reception: DoubleTree by Hilton West Edmonton

.....................................................

Officiant: Pastor Ray Baillie

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Raylene from Flaunt Salon

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: White by Vera Wang

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: David’s Bridal

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: Black by Vera Wang, Moore’s

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: Black by Vera Wang, Moore’s

.....................................................

Cake: Kristine Bakes

.....................................................

Caterer: DoubleTree by Hilton

.....................................................

Décor & Design: A Chair to Remember Inc Linen Rentals: A Chair to Remember Inc

.....................................................

Wedding Planner: Story Weddings & Events

.....................................................

Entertainment: Photobooth by PBoothByChade, Singing Performances by Wency Calderon

.....................................................

Favours: Duchess Bake Shop (Mini Meringues and Macarons) Toothbrushes and a Candy Bar!

.....................................................

Photographer: Picture That Photography

.....................................................

Videography: Vigor Media

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Edmonton

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

185

WEDDING WATCH

Gessica & Michael

met my husband in the spring of 2006. I was working part time at a shoe retail store (Foot Locker) in a shopping mall (Market Mall) near my home. The shy guy came in to shop for running shoes and asked for my assistance. I was immediately drawn to his shyness and more than happy to help him find the right pair of shoes. Little did I know we would have so much in common, one thing being we are both ‘shoeaholics’, yes, my now husband owns over 75 pairs of shoes. That is a lot of shoes for one guy! We have been together for 8 years and during that time we have had more than our shares of ups and downs. Through it all we remained steadfast and I looked forward to the day when Michael would pop the question. It happened on a cold day in December 2012 when Michael suggested we go away on a weekend trip to Panorama in BC. We stayed at a relative’s place; the house was amazing and the mountains and scenic view at its best. A true winter wonderland! It was there that Michael suggested we go on a long hike to the top of the mountain. After hours of climbing and purely exhausted when we reached the top, he bent down (I was thinking wow, don’t bail on me now, we’ve got to climb back down), he pulled out a small beautiful box and opened it to reveal a stunning diamond ring and asked me to be his wife. “Yes,” I said, “yes, yes, of course!” We had our wonderful dream wedding on August 23, 2014 – I hope for health and prosperity as we continue to grow in our relationship as we grow old together!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

186

Gessica & Michael Ramicone August 23, 2014

Wedding Date: August 23, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 1.5 years

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Parish Reception: Carriage House Inn

.....................................................

Officiant: Father Ugo

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Jerome’s Salon (hair), Mariam Akbar - Mira Pucchi (makeup)

.....................................................

Bridal Gown: Ines di Santo – Ette

.....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: TwoBirds Bridesmaids from Frocks Modern Bridesmaids

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss – Hugo Boss - Harry Rosen

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: The Bridal Centre .....................................................

Cake: Carriage House Inn

.....................................................

Caterer: Carriage House Inn

.....................................................

Décor: Carriage House Inn

.....................................................

Wedding Planner: Aggie Ribecco

.....................................................

Entertainment: DJ - Pete Raso

.....................................................

Flowers: Tracey Wieshlow Gallant – Occasional Bloom

.....................................................

Favours: Franca’s Perfect Gifts

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: B Wedding Invitations

.....................................................

Photographer: Tung Bui – Illusionist Productions

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: McDougal Centre, Victoria Park Ruins, Woods Park

.....................................................

Honeymoon Destination: St. Lucia

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

187

WEDDING WATCH

Katy & Peter

aty and Peter met in Cochrane on New Year’s Eve 2004, when they were just 17. They were set up on a blind date by their friends, and they really hit it off! In the 10 years since then, they have made it through 3 years in a long-distance relationship spanning 4 cities and 2 countries, survived university and graduate school together, and are now finally settled in Calgary. Peter proposed to Katy in November, 2013, 2 days after her birthday. It was an intimate proposal in the foyer of their house, topped off with champagne and dinner. Perfect for them! The funniest part of the proposal story though, is the reaction of Katy’s mother, who was legitimately disappointed that they weren’t calling to tell her she was going to be a grandmother!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

188

Katy & Peter Skora September 27, 2014

Wedding Date: September 27, 2014

.....................................................

How long were you engaged? 10 Months

.....................................................

Wedding Venue Ceremony: St. Mary’s Cathedral Reception: Sheraton Eau Claire

.....................................................

Officiant: from couple’s church

.....................................................

Hair & Make-Up: Hair – Bride’s own Stylist – Kate Swartz and Kristina Antal, Make Up – Marisa Anderson of Anderson Artistry .....................................................

Bridal Gown: Morilee Blu from Jessica Belle Rykiss Bridal .....................................................

Bridal Party Dresses: David’s Bridal

.....................................................

Groom’s Attire: Moores

.....................................................

Groomsman Attire: Moores

.....................................................

Cake: Crave Cupcakes

.....................................................

Caterer: Sheraton Eau Claire

.....................................................

Décor: Great Events and Special Event Rentals

.....................................................

Wedding Planner: Erika Tobolski of Calgary Wedding Planning Co.

.....................................................

Entertainment: DJ – Little Something Beautiful, Line Dance Instructor -Debra Selzler, Photobooth – Dance Shout Productions

.....................................................

Flowers: Phillip Chong Flower Bar

.....................................................

Favours: Purdy’s Chocolates

.....................................................

Invitations/Programs/Stationery: Bridesmaid Lisa Thompson

.....................................................

Photographer: Carlin Anquist of CRJ Photography

.....................................................

Photography Location Shots: Downtown Calgary

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

189

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

190

E M P O W E R M E N T Relationship Revolution

Love Work

Creating a Relationship Revolution

hen it comes to love and relationships, we want to make a difference in the world.

With the development of quantum physics and the realization that each one of us is vibrational energy, we now know that it’s possible to focus on the vibrational energy that is in each one of us and on the energy that forms the bond shared by a couple.

The sphere of energy that is you, and surrounds you, pulsates and grows as you manifest with good intentions and love. Each day, each minute, there are meridians of energy that course through the earth, your personal space, your body, each molecule and strand of DNA. Every moment there is a chance to reach that next level of magnificence in the energy being that is you, and as you, the couple, become one, as an invisible band of energy and power forms. When we meet an energy soul mate, that new energy propels us to a new, higher

level. At that higher level we can now make choices that continue to lead us into a path of enlightenment. This energy is all around us, just waiting to be called upon. Everyone and everything we touch continues to benefit from us energetically by raising our vibrational level. When two people become one, the energy is strong. Strong enough to accomplish anything we think we are able to project and accomplish. By choosing to resonate at a higher level, you also affect those around you. You infuse them with your light and your vibrational energy. This is why sometimes one sentence, one kind word, one kind deed, can truly change the lives of others. The question we all need to ask is: Are we ready to make the effort and commitment to take ourselves to the next level? When we talk about Love Work, we are talking about a strong energy path that is framed with love.

As Louise Hay says, “I have never understood the importance of having children memorize battle dates. It seems like such a a waste of mental energy. Instead, we could teach them important subjects such as How the Mind Works, How to Handle Finances, How to Invest Money for Financial Security, How to be a Parent, How to Create Good Relationships, and How to Create and Maintain Self-Esteem and Self-Worth. Can you imagine what a whole generation of adults would be like if they had been taught these subjects in school along with their regular curriculum?” Imagine if we all continued to learn, and to grow, within all of our relationships… What kind of world would we manifest… an awesome loving one!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

191

E M P O W E R M E N T Gail Vaz-Oxlade

Tying the Knot? Talk about Money!

ove conquers all, right? All but for the battles that ensue over money. More than kids, chores or even in-laws, money is the reason most couples argue. If you want to avoid a financial squirmish, lay down the rules of engagement before you tie the knot.

Gail Vaz-Oxlade

is the host of “Til Debt Do U$ Part” and “Princess” on Slice. Gail blogs daily at her website. Gail’s book, “Debt-Free Forever”, published by HarperCollins shot to the top of the bestseller list in 2010. Her latest book, “Never Too Late”, has proven to be another huge success. GailVazOxlade.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

192

I’m In Charge Here! In a partnership, each person has the right to know what’s going on and have a say in how things will be handled. Just because one person earns more, has more experience, or is willing to take on the day-to-day duties doesn’t mean they’re “in charge.” If you’re a bossy-socks, it’s only a matter of time before your mate grows resentful. If you’re willingly dominated and over-ruled, well, you made that bed.

money left over for their own individual needs. To create a proportionate split, add up your monthly take-home pay. If one mate brings home $2,400 a month and the other $1,800, your net family income is ($2400 + $1800 = ) $4,200. Next, divide one income by the family income and multiply by 100. So $2400 ÷ 4200 x 100 = 57% means the person earning $2,400 would contribute 57% of their income to joint expenses while the person earning $1,800 would contribute 43% of their income.

Proportionate is Fairer than 50/50 How you choose to split expenses can make you life easier or harder. Insist on a 50/50 split even if one mate earns less and the money will eventually become a sore spot in your marriage. Split joint expenses proportionate to income and each person will have some

Credit is a Tool If you use a credit card and pay the balance off in full every month but your mate insists on carrying a balance, how will you handle this difference in financial philosophy? You can agree to disagree as long as one partner doesn’t put the other at risk. Stay away

Just because one person earns more, has more experience, or is willing to take on the day-to-day duties doesn’t mean they’re “in charge.”

from joint credit; love doesn’t come into the decision-making when it comes to borrowing money. If it looks like one mate’s money issues will create havoc in the other’s life, think about what the consequence will be once you have more financial responsibilities like a mortgage and kids. 7 Questions to Answer Don’t let something as mundane as money muck up your marriage. Use these questions to get your money talk going: 1. Who will be responsible for the day-to-day money management? How will the other mate stay in the loop? 2. Are you a saver? How much do you think is reasonable to save? 3. Do you have any debt? For what? How will you manage that debt while meeting family responsibilities? When will the debt be paid off? 4. Where will you live? For how long? Are you willing to move for work? How far? 5. What mistakes have you made with money? 6. Will you be a dual income family or will one of you stay home with the kids? Which one? For how long? 7. What does your life look like in 10 years? Figure out how you each feel about money, and how you’ll use your money to achieve your goals, and you’ll be an unbeatable team.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

193

E M P O W E R M E N T Joy Nordenstrom

Five Fun and Unusual Ways to Ensure Your Relationship Continues to Thrive Beyond the Honeymoon

I Joy Nordenstrom

MBA, CMM Joy M. Nordenstrom is founder of Joy of Romance, Inc., a certified matchmaker, relationship coach, wedding proposal planner and special romantic event and vacation planner. Joy emphasizes making relationship maintenance fun, sexy and intelligent by educating individuals on a practical, scientific and passionate-based approach to maintaining their romantic relationships. Joy received an MBA in Entrepreneurship, and a BA in both Communications and Economics, with a minor in Psychology. All degrees are from Mills College in Oakland. Joy is a certified matchmaker from the Matchmaking and Behavioral Science Institute in New York City. Joy coaches internationally via Skype and in-person locally in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a new mother and lives with her fiancé and their son in Sausalito. To learn more, visit www.joyofromance.com, follow @JoyOfRomance on Twitter, become a fan at Joy of Romance fan page on Facebook, subscribe to the vodcast Intelligent Love: 411 for Men on iTunes and/or email directly at joy@joyofromance.com JoyOfRomance.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

194

implore my coaching clients to utilize the honeymoon phase of their relationship wisely to firmly establish a solid foundation for their relationship. Create beautiful, fun memories and clearly express your vision for a shared future during this time; plus take the time to develop the skills needed to be the best partner you can be. The honeymoon phase is filled with an incredible chemistry of love. These chemicals are nature’s way of heightening all of your senses to emblazon loving memories in your mind, giving you energy and endurance to stay up all night together, and to make you single focused on your heart’s desire. Studies show that taking a marriage course, relationship coaching or counseling during the honeymoon phase will strengthen the longevity of your marriage. In fact, some studies show it can reduce your potential to divorce by half. The beginning of a marriage is the best time to establish what matters most and co-create how you are going to work together as a team to get to your end goal of “happily ever after.” Here are five fun, albeit unusual, suggestions for keeping your relationship on the path to success for the long-run:

Your Nose Knows Proactively use your sense of smell to reinforce a positive state of being tied to loving memories together. I use an exciting bit of scientifically proven chemistry called the Proust Phenomena when I work to anchor my coaching clients in certain positive emotional states. Psychologists have demonstrated that memories triggered by smells can be more emotional, as well as more detailed, than memories not related to smells. They have deemed this effect the Proust Phenomena, after French novelist Marcel Proust recalling his vivid childhood memories after being triggered by the smell of a madeline cookie dipped in tea. When you inhale, odor molecules set brain cells dancing within a region known as the amygdala, a part of the brain that helps control

emotion. In contrast, the other senses, such as taste or touch, get routed through other parts of the brain before reaching the amygdala. Research around the Proust Phenomena suggests that memories triggered by smells are more emotional and evocative than memories triggered by other cues. Studies also show a particular emotional association to a smell can be created by repeatedly having that scent involved when experiencing a certain emotional state. One way I suggest using this to your advantage is to create a signature scent for your intimate moments together. Enjoy the journey of finding a certain smell that has no other strong associations for either of you. I recommend using an essential oil because it can be used in so many different ways — diffusing in the air, a few drops in a bath or on your sheets, or massaged on the body. Once you have found a scent that resonates with both of you, deliberately create an emotional state of being you want to achieve when you are completely present and connected in a loving state with your partner. Describe what it feels like and work to establish that connection as you diffuse the smell in the air. Use this scent each time for the next consecutive 28 times you are intimate. After it is embedded in your memory, your partner will be able to help you quickly connect with them by diffusing your signature smell. Even before you consciously smell it, your brain will be getting you in the mindset for love. Wire Your Brains Together As they say in neuroscience, “neurons that fire together, wire together.” Mental states become neural traits. Day after day, your mind is building your brain. Be mindful of how this affects your marriage and note that intense, prolonged, or repeated mental/neural activity—especially if it is conscious—will leave an enduring imprint in your neural structure. Armed with this knowledge, it’s up to you to reinforce as many of those shared pathways of neural rewards with positive feelings and loving memories.

Whatever you focus on is strengthened in your mind. A fun, love ritual that engages this phenomena is for you and your love is to set your phone alarms to go off at least once during the day in sync with one another’s alarm. When you hear the alarm, take a mental break from work, childcare or whatever else you were focusing on, if you are able to at that moment or shortly thereafter, for three minutes. Close your eyes, turn off your other mental chatter and concentrate on your partner. You could choose different themes for each day of the week; maybe on Mondays, it will be how much you appreciate your love and Wednesdays it’s a sexy thought. Have fun and play with the themes. You may want to text a little sweet something after your meditative moment or save the juicy thoughts till you reunite at the end of the work day. Another way to wire together is to learn together. Find something that you enjoy and can be passionate about together. You could take on a big project like co-writing a book or teaching a class. Or it could be a smaller, easier to accomplish task of learning something about an upcoming art, theater or cultural event you are going to attend and each study an interesting component to share. You could take up a new language of a country you plan to visit. Yet another fun activity could be finding a theme around your meals, co-create your menus and try cooking new things together. The possibilities are endless, get creative and brainstorm a list of what to tackle next. Try to Win an Oscar Everyday for Best Kiss “A peck on the cheek says, ‘I love you,’ but a 10-second kiss says, ‘I’m still in love with you!’” states Dr. Ellen Kriedman, PhD. A relationship that started with a lot of chemistry and romance, can over time become just a sweet friendship that lacks the spark of passion. So to keep your relationship passion-filled, create a contest with your love acting as if you are in a romantic movie of your choice and kiss like you intend to win an Oscar for your acting prowess. I recommend upping the time to at least 30-seconds. You could opt to make an impression to last the whole day through by planting one on your love first thing in the morning or jump start your transition from work-brain to relationship-brain by melting into your love at the end of the day. While you are studying which kisses to emulate, happily you will also be strengthening your relationship, lowering your stress and your potential to divorce.

A study, involving 174 couples, conducted by the University of Rochester found that an inexpensive, fun and relatively simple movie-and-talk approach to strengthen a marriage could be just as effective as other more intensive therapist-led methods— as it was shown to reduce the divorce or separation rate from 24 to 11 percent after three years. “We thought the movie treatment would help, but not nearly as much as the other programs in which we were teaching all of these state-of-theart skills,” said Ronald Rogge, associate professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. Simply amazing and an easy bit of marriage insurance! Keep a “Look Forward To” on the Horizon In the movie, Hope Springs, Meryl Streep’s character, Kay hit the nail on the head when she said she knew her and her husband were in trouble when they no longer had any “look forward to’s” in their future. Your “look forward to’s” can be little things like splurging on a special ice cream or a nice bottle of wine to celebrate something together on your next date night or a big thing like an upcoming “trip of a lifetime” to Paris. Especially if quality time is one of your love languages then you truly understand just how special creating outof-the-ordinary moments are for you and your partner’s togetherness. If something is on the horizon, you get to experience the positive body chemistry associated with anticipating something good is going to occur. Endorphin and dopamine stimulation happens when we experience and expect good things. Anticipating positive events sustains the output of dopamine into the brain’s chemical pathways. This chemical cocktail makes you feel good and links in your brain the good feeling with thoughts of your partner. Technology makes this easy to create into a love ritual. With fun sites like Pinterest, you can co-create boards around upcoming trips, meals you want to cook, adventurous date ideas, or things you’d love to build or manifest together. You could also start putting together lists in a Google Document or via Evernote for things like: a remodeling project, weekend getaways, restaurants and wines you want to try, places to explore, books to read, movies to see, a bucket list of fun adventures you want to do together, and special ideas for upcoming anniversaries. Again the possibilities are endless, so make “look forward to’s” designed to establish special, memory-evoking memories a top priority!

Tap into Your Inner investigative Reporter By keeping yourself in a positive state of mind, you will be uplifting the overall state of your relationship. Studies have shown that the base happiness level in a marriage is tied to the level of the individual who is less happy. I would hope that knowing this might instill a desire to make an extreme effort to pull your partner’s spirits up daily by working on your own levels of happiness. Of course we all feel down or sad from time to time but overall, it’s important to strive to see the world with a glass halffull mentality for the long-term health of your relationship. If you really want to keep the positive thoughts coming, make this a part of your daily ritual. Consistently ask yourself and your partner good, thought-provoking, open-ended questions around the topics of happiness, excitement, pride, gratitude, joy, commitment and love, you’ll find that you access your most empowering emotional states on a regular basis, and you’ll begin to create mental highways toward filling up your reservoirs of positivity. Co-create with your partner a set of questions you can ask at least once a week or better yet once a day when you sit down together over a meal or before you go to bed at night. Remember whatever you focus on, you will feel and experience on a deeper level. If you focus on the problems in your life or what bothers you about your relationship, chances are you could come up with a long list of negative things and by concentrating on those, they will not only persist but appear to grow. If you concentrate on all the wonderful mutual goals you are committed to with your partner, you’ll find that you are both consistently moving toward the result you’re after. Armed with a set of beautiful questions, designed to expand your mind to the possibilities you can create, you will be focusing on growing what matters most in your lives together! Design Your Happily Ever After in Big, Little Steps I hope you take some, if not all, of these steps to heart as you move forward toward building a relationship that can weather any storm and bring you more joy and love than you could ever imagine. Drop me a line if you use these and let me know how they have influenced your life together. One last parting tip: keep a one line a day journal of your loving thoughts and joyful memories for they will be powerful anchors to look back upon over the years to come.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

195

E M P O W E R M E N T Dr. Brenda Wade

Love’s Daily Practice

Dr. Brenda Wade

regularly appears on CNN and NBC’s Today Show as a psychology expert along with appearing on Oprah, Dr. Oz, and Good Morning America, she hosted both the nationally syndicated Can This Marriage Be Saved? and Power Choices. A regular contributor to Essence magazine and other major publications, she also hosts Black Renaissance on the CW network, as well as co-hosts Healing Quest on national PBS. Dr. Brenda Wade founded the Love Money & SEVA Seminars, creating exciting breakthroughs with participants around the world, as well as guides the international Power Coaches Program. She is also a published author of four books.

DrBrendaWade.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

196

couple of years ago, Jodi, a client of mine who was working through cheating on her husband, told me something I will never forget. She said, “I took off my wedding ring when I met up with the other man, but it still left a lighter band of skin on my finger. I felt so guilty and awful the whole time and I finally broke off the affair when I realized that my marriage had left a deep mark, not just on my finger but on my heart.” Jodi and Seth worked hard to get through that very painful time and ended up saving their marriage. The mark Jodi identified on her heart was that she had developed an even deeper capacity for love and compassion than she had ever imagined. As they worked on their marriage week after week for about nine months, they had to learn to experience and express compassion. It sounds like something we’ve all heard about, right? Compassion. But what does it really mean and why is it so important to the health of a marriage, especially as the years pass? Compassion is defined as a sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it. I translate that as to be with the feelings of another.

Over time, we all know the “Take your mate for granted” syndrome. Sometimes it sounds like “I’m too busy with work for date night” or “I’m too tired for sex” or the old “Let’s watch television and chill” instead of talking with one another. This is what got Jodi and Seth into trouble in the first place. Bit by bit the marriage loses the vital emotional connection that grew your love and brought you together in the first place. Compassion conquers taking one another for granted by keeping you connected to your feelings for each other. It’s important that every day you pay attention to your mate’s feelings as well as your own. Think of maintain good love just as you would maintaining good health brushing and flossing each day, eating well, exercise and meditation.

“Where your attention is, that’s where you are. What your attention is on, is what you become” -Le Counte St. Germaine

Here are the four steps to creating lasting compassion and connection in your marriage: 1. The Feeling Check-up Ask yourself: do I really know what my beloved is feeling today? Take a moment and imagine what they might be feeling given what you know what is going on in their life and in your life together. Then tell them what you are imagining and ask “Am I close? Please tell me more” Jodi had no idea Seth was working long hours because he was afraid they were not financially ready for a baby. Instead, she felt angry and cut off from Seth. She had never imagined or asked him what he was really feeling. 2. Good Love Daily Exercise You want your mate to feel loved by you. Ask every Sunday morning “What can I do every day so you feel loved by me?” Seth had fallen down pretty badly in this arena because of this fear. He had shut down and stopped doing the little things that made Jodi feel loved, like rubbing

her neck or even kissing her goodnight. Tip: if it’s your turn to respond to the question, keep your response simple and positive. For example, “Thank you for asking. I love it when you rub my neck.” 3. Good Love Vitamins If only Seth and Jodi had opened up and let one another in instead of going into their separate corners, feeding on anger and resentment, instead of this vitamin. It’s Vitamin O- openness. Openness and vulnerability are the keys to intimacy and require compassion for yourself and your partner. For most of us, it’s harder to share our fears, flaws, heartache and pain. We want to have others think well of us. In a good love relationship, it is your relationship to take your daily dose of Vitamin-V (vulnerability). Show your true self to your partner. 4. Meditation This was the big turnaround for Jodi and Seth. Even though they both created distance in their marriage, Jodi was the one who pulled the trigger by

having an affair. She had a hard time forgiving herself and Seth had a hard time forgiving her. Forgiveness was crucial for both of them. First they had to recognize what had driven them apart, then accept they were human and that all human beings make mistakes and that in a marriage, mistakes can make you stronger only if you learn from them and make changes. What did they learn? The practice of learning compassion. As you are starting out on your journey as a bride and a groom begin practicing Good Love Heath exercises now. Marriage is meant to change us, to leave its mark on us because we become better people when we learn the steps to good love. Learn from Jodi and Seth because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, your Granny was right! You deserve good love and it requires daily practice.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

197

E M P O W E R M E N T Clara Chorley

The #1 Success Tip to Keep Your Love and Chemistry Alive!

hemistry’s a wonderful thing. Everything glows. Your skin, your life, your partner’s nose hair. The feelings are yummy and fun, and most of us want them to last for eternity. Who wouldn’t?

Clara Chorley; Career

Satisfaction Coach for Strong, Smart Professionals; Founder and CEO of Clarity Unlimited. She has an extensive and unique background as a Career Satisfaction Expert, business consultant and humanitarian. Clara grew up in England, has lived in Germany; India; the Hawaiian Islands; Rwanda; and now resides in San Francisco, California. She has traveled and worked across 4 continents and 40 countries with organizations as diverse as Fortune 500 Ernst and Young, to humanitarian Millenium Village Project. Developed over two decades and 40 countries, Clara’s powerful 4-step process: T.U.R.N.™ has helped women and men around the world find satisfaction and fulfillment in their work (and therefore their lives). She is author of the book T.U.R.N.: 4 Steps to Clarity in your Life and Career, and creator of the online program: T.U.R.N. 4 Steps to Career Clarity for the Unclear Professional. An international speaker, Clara is a proud TEDx presenter, and currently lives in San Francisco, California.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

198

Oh, the Stories! But there are stories out there. Stories of how chemistry ‘wears off’. As if it’s a magical fairy dust that has a shelf life and there’s nothing we can do about it. We’re told that the magic dust that pulled us together in the first place will eventually fade away and we’ll be left looking blankly at each other and talking about the laundry, the kids and the electric bill. Now there’s something to look forward to. Of course we don’t believe the magnetic draw will wear off for us. And we shouldn’t. You shouldn’t. Consider this… Tired of Feeling Good?! When you receive a true compliment or a heartfelt hug or a gift that you’ve wanted for a long time. How do you feel? Have you at any time grown tired of being on the receiving end of a kind smile or an iTunes gift card or a surprise birthday party? Or how about taking yourself for a foot rub or watching an incredible sunset or wearing a new dress that makes you feel like a million bucks? How about the anticipation of flying to a new city or opening your Victoria’s Secret goodie bag or indulging in your favorite dessert? Notice that feeling good is about receiving from others and receiving from yourself… Have you ever grown tired of the things that make you feel good? Probably not. Are you drawn to people and places that make you feel good? Probably. It’s for You and Them Keeping chemistry alive is an action. It’s about deliberate appreciation of the two people you’ve chosen to share your life with – you and your partner. It’s about doing and saying things that make you both feel good, and choosing to make this a habit in your life;

like cleaning your teeth, or taking a shower, or putting clothes on before leaving the house. If you wouldn’t show up at work naked, don’t let more than five days go by without doing or saying something genuine to show appreciation to your partner. (If you do show up at work naked, then pick a different comparator – perhaps daily teeth cleaning?) And be sure to appreciate yourself in a deliberate way – ask for what you need, speak kindly to yourself, get your hair and nails done. You appreciating you is a BIG part of this. If you’re happy, you’ll glow, and if you’re glowing your mate will be drawn to you like a pixie to pixie dust. The good news is that the sooner you start working your appreciation muscle, the sooner it will become a habit. No kidding, the chemicals at the start definitely make it easy to feel loved and desired without us doing much else. But don’t let yourself take the easy route here… You’re seeing the good stuff now, keep note of it, keep giving, and then when the dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline do begin to wane – you’ll still have adoration, connection, and maybe even sex on the kitchen counter. Communication & Foreplay But let me be really clear - chemistry, adoration and connection translate to washing dishes, changing diapers, receiving neck massages, caring communication, and foreplay. Give and you will receive. Discover what makes you feel good and ask for it, as well as giving it to yourself. Find out what makes your partner feel good, and give it to them in consistent, small and occasionally surprisingly big ways. Schedule it if you need to. Bottom line, keep ‘em on their toes! And they’ll keep you swept off yours.

E M P O W E R M E N T Darren Jacklin

How To Prepare for Your Special Day

ou are reading this article in this magazine because you are either getting married or someone you know is. If you are getting married, I’m sure that you want to make this special day the most magical and most memorable day of your life. This is your day and you deserve to be the happiest person in the world. We all know that your wedding day is a very important part of your life, especially for the women who have always dreamed about this special day ever since they were in highschool. I would understand the butterflies that would fly around your stomach and the anxiety you feel that causes those sleepless nights. Making this day perfect is, actually easier said than done, but making this day “special”... well, that part is easy if you remember the following tips that I will share with you below: Be realistic Yup, you read that right. The best way to prepare for a very special day is to be who you are. You know why? Because you don’t need to think too much. Although you want your special day to be a fairy tale, the best thing you can do is to be yourself. Take it from me. As a world class speaker, I have been to very important sessions and seminars globally and I am most effective when I stand there to express my thoughts rather than impress people because the fact is that you can never please everyone. In the end, this is “your” special day and not theirs. So when preparing for your wedding day, make sure that your theme will have a little bit you you and your partner’s personality. Ask for help This is a no brainer. As someone who has been there and done that, my secret to success is actually not through my own effort only but by the help of many mentors and people around me.

As for your wedding day, take note that this is a big event, and big event always need big help. Get help from your relatives and friends. Delegate some work to your Maid of Honor and your Best Man. This will really help you too in cutting some cost. Like for example, if you get help from friends and relatives then you don’t need a Wedding Planner from the start of the preparation. You can just hire the Wedding Planner on site meaning on the day itself so you only need to pay for a day if you are operating on a tight financial budget. Stay away from stress This is one of the most important advice I can give you. You want to look like a princess on your wedding day and not a zombie on Walking Dead. You’ve seen videos of brides and grooms dozing off during the wedding ceremony. So before you become a YouTube sensation just because you fell asleep during your special day, stay away from stress. Take vitamins everyday. Make sure to have enough sleep everyday, especially 2 weeks before the wedding. Exercise every morning so you can be fit and make your skin healthy. Pamper yourself a day before the wedding in a spa or massage parlor. Oh, by the way, keep yourself hydrated all the time and stay away from the sun. This will keep you look glowing and dazzling for your wedding. Preparing for your wedding is, indeed, very stressful and tedious. You will be surprised that the day you prepared for for many months will just end in just a day. In the end, my friends, it is the marriage and not the wedding that should last forever. Congratulations on your wedding day!

Darren Jacklin; World-Class Professional Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Angel Investor For over 19 years, Darren Jacklin has travelled four continents and over 40 countries mentoring entrepreneurs and business owners on specific and measurable strategies that they can consistently use to increase their income, transform their obstacles into cash flow and turn their passion into profits. His uncanny ability to increase wealth and success by uncovering hidden assets, overlooked opportunities and undervalued possibilities has captured the attention of Tiger 21, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, NBC TV, CBS TV, Global TV international radio stations, magazines and newspapers, movie producers, best-selling authors, CEO’s and business experts worldwide. Darren Jacklin currently sits on paid international boards of directors of public companies and advisory boards. Darren has personally trained over 150 Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, AT&T, Black & Decker, Barclays Bank, as well as high school, college, university students and professional athletes and has connected with people in more than 126 countries.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

199

E M P O W E R M E N T Danielle LaPorte

Our whole lives are relationships. Love accordingly.

ur whole lives are relationships. Belly laughs — the ones you remember years afterwards when you’re driving down a quiet road by yourself or comparing your dim day to the shine of your past — those belly laughs only happen with friends. No one laughs that deep, long, and hard by themselves. That riot of joy takes relating.

Danielle LaPorte

An inspirational speaker, poet, former think tank exec and business strategist, Danielle LaPorte offers a unique blend of no-nonsense spirituality and advice. Her best-selling books, The Firestarter Sessions and The Desire Map, and her website offers strategies for creating goals with soul and building a life of desire. Named one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women” by Forbes, Danielle LaPorte offers poetic motivation from the heart. DanielleLaPorte.com ItsTimeToBloom.com/DesireMap

The surest soothing of your despair… relationships. How your friend reframed your neuroses to show you that you’re not crazy, you’ve got survival instincts. How they pretend not to notice your inner ugliness — and heal you in the pretending. How they stay so steady with their gaze that the illusions you’ve been nursing dry up and float away. Our whole lives are relationships. Emergency texting. Solutions that were designed just for you in the bowl of someone else’s heart. The 200 bucks before rent day that saved it all. Persistent love over years that one day melts you into your true self. Relationships. Helping you pack up your life. On speed dial. Bottomless encouragement. There when you expected them to give up. Taller than your doubts. Seeing what you can’t. Protecting your tenderness. Big enough to fill your abyss. Rescued. Again. Shouting, holding, dancing it out, smoking it up, pitching tents, constructing ideals, directing determination. That voicemail you save. Presence. The things they hand down to you.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

200

I got your favourite. I transferred the money. F – that. You got this. You’re more than you think you are — believe me if you can’t believe yourself.

Our whole lives are relationships. So reach out and keep going in. If you have to choose between flying overseas to see your friends and painting the house this summer — choose your friends. Remember the day. Go to the wedding. Read them the poem. Check in. Forget the deadline and working over time to please people who will never make you feel as good as your real friends. Remember — and do something about it. When you’re laying on your back watching the stars some very rare night, you won’t be thinking about the car you worked to buy or the blog post you stayed home from the party to write. You’re going to recall the people who got woven into your heart and helped you paint your apartment. You’re going to long for the magic of knowing so much without saying a word. You’re going to wish you had taken more holiday time to hang with them. You’re going to wish you’d stayed up later and extended your stay to ask them more questions about anything at all. You’ll wish you’d gone out dancing. Our whole lives are relationships. Love accordingly.

Pre-orders NOW OPEN. Unlock BONUS details! The Desire Map Licensing Program is a ready-made business with soul. It could be the first step towards your financial independence. It could be the additional revenue stream that changes everything. And it WILL change lives. No experience or certification necessary. Open to coaches, yoga teachers, healers, wellness professionals and entrepreneurial types of all kinds.

Join the Inner Circle for pre-order access. Go to www.daniellelaporte.com to access.

2015

Catherine Just Photography

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

201

E M P O W E R M E N T Gabrielle Bernstein

Fearless Relationships

any people carry disastrous relationship experiences from the past into the present. Holding on to that old anger or resentment inevitably transfers negative vibes onto future relationships. Not only does it keep you rooted in the dark parts of your history, it also sabotages the chance to create a healthy new bond.

We drag around past resentment like a beatup old suitcase. But what if you could just … let it go? Gabrielle Bernstein

Named “a next-generation thought leader” by Oprah Winfrey, Gabrielle Bernstein has appeared on Super Soul Sunday, Dr. Oz, Anderson Live, CNN, Fox & Friends, PBS, The Bethenny show, The Queen Latifah Show, OWN’s Help Desk, , Marie Claire, Health,, Women’s Health, Glamour, The Sunday Times UK, US Weekly, People, Wall Street Journal,and many more. New York Times bestselling author of Miracles Now, and May Cause Miracles. Gabrielle is also the founder of HerFuture.com, a social networking site for women to inspire, empower and connect.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

202

What if you could experience all the amazing possibilities the right now has to offer? You can be free from fear in relationships. You can discover a whole new kind of joy and connection. You can be open and vulnerable and trusting. Instead of letting your past drag you down, you can let the present lift you up to a place of bliss.

In her powerful online course Fearless Relationships, New York Times best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein will guide you to release relationship fear and embrace the fullness of love. The digital workshop (which you can do anytime, any place) gives you all the tools you need to heal past wounds and let go of negative attachments — so you can create empowering relationships in the present.

In this 3-week digital course you can expect: • Inspirational talks on how to overcome fear in relationships • Guided Kundalini meditations for releasing fear • Visualization meditations to help you bust through limiting beliefs • Lessons from A Course in Miracles • Take-home exercises to apply throughout each week • Bonus meditations for dating and romance

Here’s how each week breaks down: WEEK 1 We’ll be focused on your relationships with your family. Gabby will guide you to look closely at the ways in which you’ve created a fear-based relationship story based on your past experiences with your family. You’ll also learn how all relationships are spiritual assignments for optimal growth and healing, and Gabby will introduce you to the powerful meditation for Releasing Childhood Anger.

WEEK 2 Gabby will guide you to see how the real work in healing your romantic relationships begins with you. You’ll learn how to cultivate your sense of inner grace to amplify your confidence and joy, thereby attracting an amazing romantic partner into your life. During this week, Gabby will guide you to focus on transforming your limiting beliefs about yourself so the outside world can experience your light.

WEEK 3 Gabby will build upon the lessons learned. Gabby will discuss what A Course in Miracles calls “the special relationship.” Plus, she’ll guide you through her process of reconnecting to your fundamental sense of oneness in all your relationships for a stronger bond with everyone you meet. You’ll instantly begin to feel connected with the world as the lines of separation dissolve. You can watch the entire three-week digital course on HD video or access the audio file.

Are you ready for Fearless Relationships?

Visit fearlessrelationships.tv/ or gabbyb.tv/ to register or for more juicy information.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

203

FEATURE Janice Skoreyko

Breathless to Breathtaking Recipes with celebrity raw food chef & nutrition expert Janice Skoreyko

passionate entrepreneur and lifelong learner, fuelled by the pain of 5 serious illnesses, Janice was born into a relentless journey, in search of how to move from absolutely Breathless to Breathtaking. She founded companies focused on looking and feeling gorgeous inside and out, travelled to 7 countries, in search of solutions that led her, and now thousands of others, to reclaim their health and transform from Breathless to living a Breathtaking life.

Janice Skoreyko Dubbed the Raw Food Seductress, Janice Skoreyko is intriguingly high energy, passionate, founder of RAW Foundation Culinary Arts Institute (www. rawfoodfoundation.com) and Breathless to Breathtaking Boutique Retreats. Indulgent, provocative and transformational, Janice’s programs shift the perception that healthy cuisine is anything but gourmet. Guest are privy to exquisite culinary experiences, comfort foods created well suited for any 5 star establishment and ready in as little as 5 minutes.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

204

A global sensation, with a precious collection of recipes to seduce the most discerning palate, in 2008 Janice founded the Raw Foundation Culinary Arts Institute. Canada’s first Raw Food Education Center, began providing the most comprehensive, gourmet, 3 day nutrition and lifestyle Immersion Programs; to foodies, health enthusiasts and practitioners alike, now with graduates from 18 countries. In 2010 Janice launched Breathless to Breathtaking Boutique Retreats, for VIP clients, brides and those dearest to them. Guests are privy to an exceptional 5 Star experience: delicious, exquisite recipes, self care indulgences, fitness programs and mindset mastery tools. Coupled with a 90 day personalized nutrition and lifestyle plan, they find themselves looking and feeling their best for their big day, and years to come. In 2012 Janice released her DVD, RAW Food To Live For, into Whole Foods Market, where she shares recipes with nutrition and lifestyle

tips for everyone wishing to get even healthier in just 5 minutes a day. From the Energy Elixir to Skinny Pasta this is the perfect compilation for those looking for delicious, quick and easy, nutrient dense options. Later that same year came the release of the industry’s most comprehensive raw food nutrition and lifestyle education, Raw Foundation’s 200 Hour Raw Food Educator Program. A featured nutrition and lifestyle transformation expert at numerous live, TV and radio events, such as Visions to Wealth, Rock Star Cooking and LA Talk Radio; Janice is passionately sharing and engaging audiences with her expertise and cutting edge relevance. She is currently studying integrative healthcare, completing a doctorate in Naturopathy and is an active member with the Physician’s Committee For Responsible Medicine. Her latest passion project, the book, “One Week to Glow” will be available winter of 2015 providing the blueprint used with her high profile clients, to get red carpet ready; without starvation or cosmetic surgery. A former runway model, Janice had succumb to the pressure of society and this industry, previously viewing destructive patterns as the only options to achieve her desired results. Today, she demonstrates that there is a gourmet, healthy solution to create a stunning physique, rock her signature move-a headstand on her paddleboard in 2 foot swells; and live a breathtaking life.

Get started now with Janice’s Top Breathtaking Tips Bite size to downsize Studies show that consuming a small meal satiated those that were hungry just as well as a large meal. Preparing bite size versions of the Guilt-Free, No Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Cake; and popping them into your glove box and clutch, will set you and the gals up for breathtaking “scale down” success. Indulge Without the Bulge Forgo a tummy tuck with enzyme rich fare. Did you know that when we enjoy whole foods that have not been heated above 116 °F , it is not only easier for our body to digest but is also the most nutrient dense? Digestive enzymes, help break down food into smaller parts that can be absorbed, transported and utilized by every cell in your body. Missing enzymes cause the food to sit in the digestive system longer, resulting in the body storing these foods in those “not so hot” spots; and result in abdominal bloating, known as the bulge. What’s a gal to do? Choosing indulgent, raw options such as the No-Bake NYC Style Lemon Cheesecake, and taking digestive enzymes with foods that have been cooked, will have you enjoying a breathtaking and bulge-free days. Beat the Bloat Looking and feeling puffy will have you breathless, in search of a solution on your big day. With its signature kidney like appearance, watermelon is a natural diuretic, helping to rebalance the body’s fluids and electrolytes. The result: a more svelte, breathtaking you.

New York Style Lemon Cheesecake with Triple Berry Coulis BASE: VANILLA SHORTBREAD COOKIE 2C macadamia nuts 1 pinch of salt 1t vanilla bean Method: 1. Place all ingredients in the food processor and process until 70% combined. A light crunch to this cookie will create fabulous finish. 2. Press the dough into the base of two 4” spring form pans. 3. Set aside. FILLING 1 ½C cashews, Navitas Naturals, really raw 1C lemon juice ½C coconut sugar ¼C coconut butter

Energy Elixir 4C tightly packed spinach 4 bananas 3C filtered water 1t spirulina powder 5 Medjool dates, pitted GARNISH 4 strawberries

Method: 1. Soak the cashews for 6 hours. 2. Rinse the cashews and continue to soak and repeat rinsing them every 6 hours, for an additional 24 hours. 3. Combine all ingredients in the vita-mix and blend until smooth. 4. Pour the mixture on top of the cookie crusts, in the 4” spring form pans. 5. Freeze for 6 hours. COULIS 3C berries 2T agave nectar Method: 1. Reserve 1/4C berries or berry piece. 2. Pulse remaining ingredients, in a small food processor. 3. Pour mixture from the processor into a bowl and stir in the pieces that were set aside. 4. Refrigerate until ready for service 5. Spoon on top of cake. Enjoy!

Method: 1. Blend all ingredients. 2. Garnish your wine glass with a strawberry 3. Pour the Elixir into the glass and energize every beautiful cell in your body!

No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Cake CAKE 3/4C cashews, Navitas Naturals, really raw 7 Medjool dates, pitted 1/4C cacao powder, Navitas Naturals 1/2t vanilla bean powder 1/4t cayenne pepper 2t cacao nibs, garnish Pinch of salt 1 strawberry, fanned (garnish) Method: 1. Process the cashews in a food processor, until fine. 2. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth. 3. Place the mixture onto a plate, form into a heart and set aside.

ICING 1/4 C agave nectar 1/4 C cacao powder, Navitas Naturals 1 T coconut oil, melted Method: 1. Process in food processor until smooth. Assembly: 1. Ice and garnish the cake. 2. Place in the freezer for 5 minutes. Enjoy!

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

205

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

206

complete wedding packages by Guisachan House Restaurant

Packages include: • music • fully licensed • security provided • change room • all-white linen • floor plan • sample meal • printed menus • spectacular ice carving (your choice) • 4 course gourmet meal • excellent staff • wedding planning and coordination • microphone, sound system XL • ceremony outside or inside (chairs, tables, flowers) • all flowers included (as well as bouquet, bridal party, boutonniere, corsages, throwaway bouquet, centre pieces, cake and head table) • designer wedding cake (baked and decorated on site) Can be provided: Live musician for ceremony, tents, photography

Restaurant 250.862.9368 Weddings & Catering 250.470.2002 1060 Cameron Ave, Kelowna, BC

www.worldclasscatering.com

Georg Rieder Master Chef

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

207

Photo Shoots Vallarta - Eva Sica

PICTURE

Perfect Lyss Ritch Photography

Chicks that Click

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

208

Lucier Photography

Shandro Photo

Willow Lane Photography

Mike Sydney

Shandro Photo

Moments in Digital Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

209

Kids Collection RETAIL PACKAGES AVAILABLE IN BLACK OR WHITE TUXEDO, FROM SIZE 6 MONTHS TO BOYS SIZE 14. INCLUDES JACKET, PANTS, VEST, SHIRT AND BOWTIE. ALSO AVAILABLE IN PINSTRIPE, CHOCOLATE BROWN OR GREY.

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

210

Moments in Digital Photography

Charming CHILDREN

Mike Sydney

Carrie Nash Photography

David Guenther Photography

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

211

BR I DA L FA N TA S Y DI R ECTORY

Aradia Fitness Our pole dancing and chair dance parties ensure that everyone has a fun time regardless of fitness level. Aradia continues to assist in providing memorable stagette parties for ladies in Calgary. 1.866.274.5686 calgary@aradiafitness.com aradiafitness.com

Brides and Beaus CLOSING OUT SALE ON NOW! All bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses are on sale, check out our website for a preview. 780.672.4500 bridesandbeaus@telus.net bridesandbeaus.ca

Elk View Lodge Elk View Lodge offers seclusion, spectacular mountain views, spacious accommodation and great catering to make your wedding event truly memorable. Perfect for weddings yearround, we are justifiably the BC Rockies’ best kept wedding destination secret. 1.888.733.7643 info@elkviewlodge.com elkviewlodge.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

212

D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club Looking for the perfect venue? Enjoy the spectacular Rocky Mountain view while our fully experienced staff make your wedding celebration a dream come true. 403.938.5522 golf@darcyranchgolf.com darcyranchgolf.com

Elegant Events by Lori Owned and operated by Lori Giles, Elegant Events By Lori offers complete wedding/event coordination at an affordable cost. Will coordinate weddings, corporate events, birthdays and showers. 780.271.1771 lori@eleganteventsbylori.com eleganteventsbylori.com

Euphoria Variety Dance Band LIVE MUSIC – classy, high-energy 5-piece band entertains guests on the dance floor with the best wedding favourites, classics, and more. DJ and Ukrainian music options available. 780.446.4995 euphoriaband@live.com euphoriaband.ca

European Cakes Delicious. Unique. Traditional. Fresh. European Pastry Chef making spectacular Wedding Cakes, French Macrons, delicious cupcakes, éclairs, Italian cannolis and other carefully chosen pastries. 587.879.1449 info@europeancakes.ca europeancakes.ca

BR I DA L FA N TA S Y DI R ECTORY

Luxe Décor & Event Rentals Luxe Décor & Event Rentals in partnership with our sister company Elegant Events Decorating & Design has been satisfying customers since 2001. We are positioned as one of the most competitively priced high quality décor & event rental companies in greater Edmonton. Visit our showroom at 26 Airport Road NE Edmonton. 780.974.2334 luxe.alberta@gmail.com luxe-rentals.com

Nisku Inn and Conference Centre The Nisku Inn has it all from start to finish. With a large courtyard for ceremonies up to 200, down to a beautiful atrium with waterfall and garden setting perfect for pictures or a small ceremony. Reception areas for 30-300 and newly renovated guestrooms. Enjoy our delicious menus or customize your own... It’s YOUR day! Feel free to contact us, we would love to share your special day with you! 780.955.7744 info@niskuinn.com niskuinn.com

New Life Wedding Officiants Tailored ceremonies to make your day special. 25 years’ experience. Weddings starting at $250. Mark is also a licensed facilitator with Enrich Canada marriage prep. 780.245.4077 mark@newlifeweddings.ca newlifeweddings.ca

PAL Insurance PAL’s Weddinguard program protects your investment in your wedding day with Insurance for your Wedding Essentials, including Bridal Attire, Rings, Photos, liquor liability coverage for three 24hour periods and much more. Four coverage levels available. 1.800.265.8098 weddinguard@palcanada.com palcanada.com

Milton Photography International fine art photographer, specializing in weddings & engagements. With a mix of fine art and photojournalism, Justine Milton captures naturally beautiful moments as they happen and the results are photographs as unique and beautiful as you are. 780.292.6741 justine@milton-photography.com milton-photography.com

Rescue Flats “OMG that was the best wedding ever!” Wedding Favours. Wow your guests and keep them dancing all night long. 780.235.7285 sarah@rescueflats.com rescueflats.com

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

213

BR I DA L FA N TA S Y DI R ECTORY

Studio Obscura At Studio Obscura, we draw on our experience as filmmakers to capture the unique emotion and story of your special day. Let us tell your love story in film. 780.919.2027 studiobscuraproductions@gmail.com

thisisstudioobscura.com

The Wild Orchid The Wild Orchid offers the perfect marriage of timeless design and endless creativity in each bouquet. From opulent luxury to simple sophistication their designers will work with you. Visit them for a complimentary consultation. 780.425.2816 thewildorchid@shaw.ca thewildorchid.ca

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

214

Sweet Relief Pastries Sweet Relief Pastries is a custom cake company committed to creating desserts that taste just as amazing as they look. All cakes are made to order from the finest ingredients and designed just for you! 587.894.0822 sweetreliefpastries@gmail.com sweetreliefpastries.com

Urban Bride Delivered Consignment Boutique & Outlet On our racks you will find hundreds of new and once wed consignment designer wedding dresses for up to 70% off original retail. Most of our inventory is under $1000. 780.686.8559 info@urbanbridedelivered.com urbanbridedelivered.com

THE BRIDAL BOUTIQUE The Bridal Boutique Come find the one… the dress of your dreams and fall in love with the exquisite collections of Essense of Australia, Martina Liana, Stella York, Pronovias and many more. 780.930.1505 thebridalboutique@telus.net thebridal-boutique.com

The Paper Tree At The Paper Tree, we work with you to design your completely custom invitations and stationery. Come in for a free consultation to see how we can help you start your big day off right. 780.421.4747 info@thepapertree.ca thepapertree.ca

W Bridals~Curvy Couture W Bridals~Curvy Couture is Saskatoon’s premier plus-size bridal boutique; they believe it’s not about the size of gown; it’s about the bride wearing it. We’re committed to providing an incomparable experience by providing a unique selection of wedding gowns in a modern space. With 30 years of bridal sales experience they will help you find your dream gown and are thrilled to bring couture gowns to beautiful and curvy women. 306.652.2320 info@wbridals.ca wbridals.ca

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

215

BR I DA L FA N TA S Y DI R ECTORY Beauty BeYoutiful You.......................................................................100 It Works!.....................................................................................106 Louisa Graves: Age-Proof................................................. 53 Tiffany Blue Face and Body.............................................96 True Beauty Makeup Artistry.......................................103 Pink Blush Boudoir............................................................... 93 Bridal Fashion Bridal Debut ................................................................................ 7 Brides and Beaus ................................................................. 212 Lustre Studio.............................................................................90 The Bridal Boutique........................................................... 214 Urban Bride Delivered...................................................... 214 W Bridals ~ Curvy Couture............................................ 214

Hotel/Resort Azuridge Estate Hotel................................................... OBC Chateau Nova Hotels.........................................................103 Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community.......... – 207 Elk View Lodge.........................................................................73 Fantasyland Hotel.................................................................. 97 Kensington Riverside Inn..................................................78 Nisku Inn and Conference Centre............................. 213 Sawridge Inn............................................................................. 95 St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino..................................... 215 The Plaza Hotel..................................................................... 132 House & Home Michelle Derk........................................................................ 206 Home Outfitters...................................................................IFC

Bridal Show Bridal Fantasy Trade Shows...............................................9

Insurance PAL Insurance..................................................................11, 213

Cakes European Cakes.................................................................... 212 Italian Centre Shop................................................................91 Mini Bites Cupcakes............................................................99 Sweet Relief Pastries.......................................................... 214

Invitations The Paper Tree....................................................................... 214

Catering Century Hospitality Group.............................................. 92 Croatian Canadian Cultural Centre Calgary........ 85 Guisachan House Restaurant.......................................207 Ship and Anchor..................................................................... 82 Stir Catering and Event Management...................... 97 The Melting Pot....................................................................105 Wine and Beyond................................................................... 95 Ceremony New Life Wedding Officiants ...................................... 213 Décor Bee Vintage Theme Rentals and More......................81 Elegant Earth Details and Décor................................104 Luxe Décor and Event Rentals..................................... 213 River City Events..................................................................102 Special Event Rentals.......................................................IBC Destination Weddings Banff Lake Louise Tourism.................................................5 Tourism Canmore Kananaskis........................................12 Crystal Water Destination Weddings..................... 133 Elk View Lodge.........................................................................73 Vision Farlie Travel..................................................................2 Entertainment Euphoria Variety Dance Band...................................... 212 Vintage Sound......................................................................... 88 Flowers Floral Studio at Hole’s......................................................... 49 Flowers by Merle.................................................................... 98 Flowers by Willows............................................................. 101 Kuhlmann’s Floral Boutique............................................ 44 Laurel’s on Whyte................................................................ 158 Studio Bloom..........................................................................105 The Wild Orchid................................................................... 214 Gift Registry Home Outfitters...................................................................IFC Honeymoon Banff Lake Louise Tourism.................................................5 Tourism Canmore Kananaskis........................................12 Vision Farlie Travel..................................................................2

2015

BRIDAL FANTASY www.bridalfantasy.com

216

Jewellery Amour Jewellers...................................................................159 GemOro Goldsmiths...............................................................3 It’s a Charmed Life (South Hill Designs)..............207 Pandora.........................................................................................14 Lingerie Night Owl Designer Lingerie.......................................100 Menswear Derks Formals and Menswear...................................... 138 Derks Menswear................................................................... 142 Derks Kids Collection.......................................................210 Lanza............................................................................................ 143 Stenströms................................................................................ 143 Tiger of Sweden.................................................................... 144 Miscellaneous Arctic Chiller............................................................................ 32 Rescue Flats............................................................................. 213 Global Calgary.........................................................................80 Global Edmonton................................................................... 89 Don’t Die With Your Music Still in You.................160 I Can Do It!................................................................................. 85 Kids Up Front.........................................................................190 Loving Yourself to Great Health................................... 84 Louisa Graves: Age-Proof................................................. 53 May Cause Miracles.......................................................... 203 The Desire Map.....................................................................201 Wine and Beyond................................................................... 95 Photography Katherine Raible Photography....................................102 Laugh Photo Booth...............................................................96 Let’s Reminisce Photography.........................................99 Milton Photography........................................................... 213 Nicole-Lynn Photography................................................ 83 Pretty as a Picture Photography.................................104 Romy Young Photography............................................... 94 Weddings by Banff Photography..................................75 Willow Lane Photography................................................ 93 Planning Bridal Fantasy Wedding Planner...................................16 Bride on a Budget.................................................................. 94 Elegant Events by Lori...................................................... 212 River City Events..................................................................102 Sapphire Events.................................................................... 101 Special Event Rentals.......................................................IBC

Advertiser Listing Reception Azuridge Estate Hotel..................................................OB C Chateau Nova Hotels.........................................................103 Croatian Canadian Cultural Centre Calgary........ 85 Darcy Ranch Golf Club..................................................... 212 Devonian Botanic Garden................................................90 Guisachan House Restaurant.......................................207 Fantasyland Hotel.................................................................. 97 Muttart Conservatory.......................................................... 98 Nisku Inn and Conference Centre............................. 213 Sawridge Inn............................................................................. 95 Ship and Anchor..................................................................... 82 St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino..................................... 215 The Plaza Hotel..................................................................... 132 Rentals River City Events..................................................................102 Derks Formals and Menswear...................................... 138 Elegant Earth Details and Décor................................104 Luxe Décor and Event Rentals..................................... 213 Special Event Rentals.......................................................IBC Resort Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community...............207 St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino..................................... 215 Vision Farlie Travel..................................................................2 Restaurant Century Hospitality Group.............................................. 92 The Melting Pot....................................................................105 Rocky Mountains Banff Bride...................................................................................74 Banff Lake Louise Tourism.................................................5 Tourism Canmore Kananaskis........................................12 Elk View Lodge.........................................................................73 Weddings by Banff Photography..................................75 Shopping Malls West Edmonton Mall..............................................................4 Kingsway Mall............................................................................8 Transportation Apex Limousine.......................................................................13 Eternity Limousine.................................................................10 Paramount Limousine......................................................... 84 Prestige Limousine..................................................................6 Travel/Honeymoon Banff Lake Louise Tourism.................................................5 Canmore Kananaskis............................................................12 Crystal Water Destination Weddings..................... 133 Vision Farlie Travel..................................................................2 Venue Azuridge Estate Hotel................................................... OBC Chateau Nova Hotels.........................................................103 Croatian Canadian Cultural Centre Calgary........ 85 Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community...............207 Darcy Ranch Golf Club..................................................... 212 Devonian Botanic Garden................................................90 Elk View Lodge.........................................................................73 Fantasyland Hotel.................................................................. 97 Guisachan House Restaurant.......................................207 Kensington Riverside Inn..................................................78 Sawridge Inn............................................................................. 95 Muttart Conservatory.......................................................... 98 Nisku Inn and Conference Centre............................. 213 St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino..................................... 215 The Plaza Hotel..................................................................... 132 Videography Studio Obscura...............................................................91, 214