BeeBeeBisous

Calistoga Vineyard Wedding

2012-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Quirky, playful, adorable - whatever words you choose, you will LOVE this wedding. The fun in the couple permeates the whole event - where the flower girls are oh so girly and the decor is quaint and sweet. Like a scene out of Alice and Wonderland, this wedding is a dream and a delight.

From the Photographer, Nightingale Photos:
Jenni and Ben tied the knot at the quaint Hans Fahden Winery in Calistoga. This venue is dripping with untamed native gardens, a lovely pond filled with ducks, lily pads, and a truly authentic wine country vibe. We even found an old Studebaker and wine barrel for portraits! The wine cave was romantic with lit candles and a cozy atmosphere.

Event Planner: Marisa Manna of So Eventful
Florals: Kate Stanley
Hair: The Powder Room
Make-Up: Mosaic Salon
Venue: Hans Fahden Vineyards

Calistoga Vineyard Sneak Peek

2012-02-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

This wedding is a fairy tale of an event. Shot by Nightingale Photos, you'll want to keep turning the pages 'til the very end - come back on Wednesday for the next chapter!

Real Wedding: Carolina & Curtis

2012-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ooh la la! Our first celebrity wedding on BeeBeeBisous!

Curtis Martin (of the NY Jets, might I add) got married to his beautiful wife Carolina at Oheka Castle in New York State last fall, and it was a gorgeous, glamourous affair. Shot by Taun Henderson Photography, not a detail was overlooked and they manage to sneak in a little flair that is oh so personal.

Vibrant Virginia Wedding

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Blue shoes and peanut M&Ms, you had me at hello. Pops of unabashed colour reign in this Virginia affair, and Carmen Wang captures it in all of it's cheeky gorgeousness!

Photographer: Carmen Wang:

Ceremony location: St. Anthony of Padua Church

Bridal portrait location: Old Town Alexandria
Reception venue: Sea Pearl Restaurant & Lounge
Wedding dress: Enzoani

Home Sweet Home

2012-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Alas, my dears, I arrived home from the whirlwind last night. WHAT A COUPLE OF WEEKS! I am happy to be home-sweet-home and back to you, readers, and to establish a routine again. I am also happy to eat in my own kitchen instead of in airports all the time, and happy to have a huge milestone over with - interviews are done! Oh how the time flies.

Hello again, friends. Have a lovely weekend!

Real Wedding: Lush Florals at the Fillmore

2012-02-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

OMG. I love this dress. I covet this dress.

The floral are full and bright, the shoes are glitzy and amazing, the venue is hopping, but truly, it's all about the dress. Enjoy this gorgeous wedding from the talented Ashley Gillett Photography - it is truly to the nines.

From the Photographer: Ashley Gillett Photography

This was a lovely Greek wedding with an hopping reception at a night club. Christina "Teeny" and Sean were married at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. She chose an amazing Amsale gown, hot pink Kate Spade heels, and jewelry passed down by her grandmother. Her bouquet or orchids and peonies was made by her mother, who is a florist, and they incorporated her mother's veil into the blooms. While the ceremony was traditional, the reception was a great dance party. They rented The Fillmore, a concert venue in Charlotte, NC, and had it decorated to the nines. The live band was incredible, there was Greek dancing, and even a cigar roller.

Florist: Economos Flowers

Cake: Crumbs Couture

Dress: Amsale

Tux: Jos A Bank

Caterer: Signature Meals

Church: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral Reception

Venue: The Fillmore Charlotte

Cigars: CF Dominicana

Band: Soul Function Band

Video: Timm Young Films

Sneak Peek: Charlottetown Wedding

2012-02-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

I am a girl that swoons for Amsale, and I swoon for this wedding from Ashley Gillett Photography. Come back Wednesday for the full meal deal.

Flashback: Choosing your photographer

2012-02-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

In a series of flashbacks, I bring you TIPS ON CHOOSING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER! I posted this last July in a series of posts, and today I'll compile the whole thing. It's a bit of a read, but boy is it important to get this part right! Enjoy, my dears!

Undoubtedly one of the most difficult parts of planning a wedding is the big decision of the wedding photographer. After your months (ahem, or year plus) of planning - of dress picking, decor designing, menu tasting, wine pairing, and vow writing - someone will need to be there to document it. After all, the photos are the part of the wedding that will last - they belong in the realm of memories and emotions, and you want someone to do it right so that the pics look like what you experienced.

Hard, huh? I agree.

We spent hours, nay, days, looking at photographers websites around Vancouver - e-mailing, making lists, drawing up comparisons, to find someone that would not only capture our dream-day as we had envisioned it from the start, but that we could afford (yup, I said "nay"). I did phone interviews, e-mailed back and forth, and negotiated plenty over the course of a couple of months... and we found 'em! We found 'em!

I'll leave the announcement of who they are, precisely, for the future, but in the meantime I thought I'd share a few tips that I learned along the way on how to get the pictures you want. Part one today, and part two tomorrow!

Set Your Budget
I know, I know. I've said it before (in fact, right here: http://beebeebisous.blogspot.com/2011/05/first-things-first.html). It is so, so important that you begin here, as it will influence how you begin your search. Photography can be one of the most pricey aspects of your celebration, and while yes it is one of the few take away parts (that and your new hubby, luckily), it needs to be realistic. It's one day, correct, but it's also one day, people. If you've fallen for someone that is just astronomically out of reality for you, move on early - there are many talented artists out there, you just may have to look a bit harder. With proper planning, you'll may even have a little cushion at end to get a couple extra prints.

Choose Your Look
There is a huge range of photographic wedding styles out there - from the hipster-washed-out-vintage-feel to the ultra glam panoramic look. Browse different styles first - don't be afraid to look beyond local for inspiration. You should consider the look of your wedding - if you're doing a more casual, BBQ affair you may capture the essence of the day with a different look than if you're doing black tie formal.

The one thing that I'd consider (at least, I have considered it) is that there's going to be a certain amount of your wedding that will date itself. No no - don't rush off! This is not necessarily bad! We are no longer in the eighties! What I mean is that, if your wedding is in 2011, you're more likely to embrace mason jars and faux mustaches than in any other year - and this is fabulous because 2011 is the year you got married! You'll look back at your youth and remember the special year just a lil' bit better with details like this. When you pick your photos, remember that the styles will change - perhaps you'll want to capture the images in their simplest form and let them speak for themselves, or perhaps you'll want to add to the look with a unique photographer point of view.

E-Mail, Phone, and Meet
You may be certain that you love someone's pictures, but you also have to spend one of the most important days of your life around them. They will be there to capture some of your most intimate, emotional moments - and you must be sure that you want them there! In meeting them, you must be sure that you get their "vibe", and that they can feel both like family and like scenery in the same day.

Questions To Ask
During your initial interviews, there are a bunch of questions that you should find answers to. A lot are contract specific (see below), but a lot more are on a please-ask-do-tell basis, and may give you an idea of what you'll get in the end. Try to get an idea of the photographers taste - what words do they choose to describe their style and approach? How long have they been working, and how many weddings a year do they do? Check on how many events they'll take on in a given weekend, too, to be sure that you've got 'em when you want 'em! Ask about how many photographers will be there on the day of, and who exactly will you get - the people you interview, or someone else? Will they include an engagement shoot in your package (this is a fantastic way to get comfortable with them, and to get some camera practice). One final thing that can really be helpful is if they have any references - brides and grooms who have used them in their own wedding. It might feel a bit strange to call up a stranger (sounds like a song...), but they've put their name down because they wanted to share their experience - and are a fabulous resource. Ask questions like how they felt on the day of, how long processing took, etc.

Now we'll continue the discussion of working through the important decision of picking your pictures and making it happen smoothly. Ready? Let's go!

Contract Specifics

Ah, signing the dotted line. Luckily, before you sign the marriage license, you will have lots of practice in perfecting your signature when you plan a wedding. The photography contract is one of these opportunities. Most photographers will have a standard contract ready to go, but remember - this is a two way street, and this is your chance to have your input, too. Be sure it includes info beyond payment/cancellation policies. Clarify the turnaround timeline (i.e. time from shots-edit-print), who exactly will be there on your day (and who their back-up is), and add-ons such as meals, travel expenses and equipment. Check that you get all of the digital negatives, too, and find out how many they plan to edit. Ask, ask, ask.

Set Your Priorities

One way to save a few bucks is by prioritizing what it is you want out of your photographers. You may be in love with someone who's a bit out of your price range, and if that's the case, you can make it work! We, for example, are getting all of the digital images/edits, but have withheld on the expensive album and prints. We felt that we would rather splurge and get the photographs we really wanted, and could put some money down in the future to getting our favourites printed when we have a bit more in the bank.

List of Pics

Way before the day of, get a list of "must have" pics to your peeps. This will help the family photo sesh go smoothly, and will ensure that your photogs know which moments are to be prioritized.

Here's a start - give it some time and thought to make it your own.

- bridesmaid, mothers and bride getting ready (hair, makeup, getting the dress on)
- details shots (shoes, dress hanging, rings, bow tie, boutonniere, cufflinks, stationary)
- groom, groomsmen and fathers getting ready
- fathers first look
- bride and groom first look
- aisle walk
- groom during aisle walk
- wedding party as a whole during ceremony
- ceremony details - seven circles, glass stomp, vows, unity candles, ring exchange, etc.
- the kiss
- return down the aisle
- cocktail hour
- family/wedding party pics - and various combos
- the newly weds, of course
- reception details: cake, table settings, place card numbers, signature cocktail, and lovely details
- first dance
- cake cutting
- guests partying

- get-away/send off

Wedding Day Timeline
It is oh-so important to work your timeline out early. You will need to plan ahead, with your photographers, depending on what kind of photos you want. If you want a first look, for example, it'll need to be pencilled in, and if you forgo, you'll have to make up for lost time after the ceremony. This'll affect how long your cocktail hour is, when people have to arrive, and how long your photographers will be paid for. Important. Not a bad idea to send it to all family/party members too, so that they are organized and ready for the group shots - that way you can rattle them off faster!

I want to emphasize more than anything how important "goodness of fit" is when it comes to your photographer. When I met ours, I felt relaxed right away - and I knew that we'd be comfortable having them there on the big day. There's something about that gut feeling you get when you get something right - they say it about meeting the one you'll marry, choosing your wedding dress, and a few other key decisions. I definitely think it applies to this decision to - but only if you do your research and come prepared.

Those are some of the things that I learned in the planning process - I'd love to hear what advise you have! Leave me a comment below!

Throwback Time: Caring For Your Ring

2012-02-01T23:49:00.000-08:00

As time marches on and I make my way East, BeeBeeBisous continues it's cruise down memory lane. Today, we'll review tips on caring for your engagement ring - because you want that sucker to be JUST as sparkly as when this post first came out, such a long time ago...

The One - by Harry Winston

If you're like me, you stare at your engagement ring all the time. Like all the time. Sometimes you just drift off, gazing into it's glittery glory... Sparkling glittery glory... sigh.

I love my ring - and I want to take care of it! I think many brides-to-be are in my shimmering row boat, and want to know (like I do) how to care for their ring and keep it at it's proposal-day best. Below are some ways to do so.

Insure it
It may seem like an extra expense but holy schmoly would you feel shisty if you wrecked-ruined-lost it. Talk about clouded memories! Often it will be covered in your home insurance, just make sure it's added to your list of valuable items. Do it - chances are you'll never make the claim but you'll for defs build up some good karma.

Don't Take It Off (Or Do)
Okay, so working in a hospital means that I've gotta remove the bling sometimes (like if I'm going into an OR... anyone seen the Junior Mint Episode?!). I get nervous when I have to do this... In fact, I hang it on a chain around my neck and secure it to the inside of my scrub top with four safety pins going in different directions... Maybe I'm paranoid, but I still have my ring. As a general rule, leave ON your ring whenever possible and you won't lose it. Don't remove it to put on hand cream. Don't take it off every time you wash your hands in a public bathroom. It'll be fine with a little cheap hand soap - if it loses it's luster from a little bubbly film, skip to the next step and you'll be fine - and you'll still own it.

The flip side of the coin is that if you're going to do something that will clearly damage the ring/you (contact sports, jack hammering, welding/glass blowing, wood chipping, climbing wire fences, et cetera), take it off. Contrary to common belief, diamonds can be chipped and scratched. Just hang it around your neck and fasten it down with a safety pin or four.

Clean It
Use a soft toothbrush (a separate one from your dental hygiene routine) and some sudsy warm water, in a BOWL - not the sink incase the plug comes out. Rinse thoroughly.
Alternatively, take it to the place you bought it - many jewelers will clean it in an ultrasonic bath for free if you bought from them (and sometimes if you didn't, and ask really really nicely). There are some online recipes for part ammonia part water recipes as cleaning solutions to try in the home but if not mixed right they can do some damage to the metal, so I'd avoid it unless you're well experienced with this sort of thing.

To keep it sparkly for longer, many jewelers recommend not touching it to avoid getting hand oils on the diamond and dulling it's sheen. This is especially hard early in your engagement ("Oh my gawwwwd can I see your ring?!"). For me, I'm always fiddling with it to make sure it's "still there" slash "not imaginary", so... whatevs.

Get It Tuned Up
Routine maintenance is key - you do this for your car, and considering that your ring probably cost nearly as much, you should do it for your ring. You should take it in to have the setting/prongs checked approximately every year, to avoid a tear-streaked martini-laden scramble around a bar floor at some ungodly hour when it drops out of its setting (or maybe you were jack hammering). My jeweler is da bomb and included free prong tune ups for life with the purchase of my ring - ask if yours does too!

Store It Properly
Ideally in a fireproof, waterproof safe that only you know exists. Otherwise, in a fabric lined box not jumbled up with all of the crappy necklaces you haven't been able to bring yourself to ditch since grade nine. Be aware that an obvious jewelry box is the first place a burglar will look (not to freak you out or anything) so if you go away, put it in a safety deposit box.

With these tips, your ring will stay sparkly and beautiful for as long as you'll wear it - which is forever, right? Do you guys have any other ideas/thoughts/to share? Questions I can try to answer? Just comment below! Now excuse me, I'm going to go stare into the abyss...

Throwback: Something Blue

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

As you well know now, I am somewhere on a plane or in a hotel, and am not behind the screen blogging avidly as I normally do! Thus, we are doing a series of throwbacks here at BeeBeeBisous - today, we go back to something blue. Something wonderful and blue...

Something old, something new,

Something borrowed, something blue,

(And a penny in her shoe.) (I put this in brackets because I'm sure I'm not the only one to to cringe at the thought of shoving a penny in my four inchers to dance upon all night long).

This is a timeless tradition where you really don’t have to be traditional to be timeless – with some creativity and a willingness to work out side of the Tiffany blue box you can infuse your day with something personal and unique. It doesn’t have to be a predictable blue garter. Look at this as a chance to really exercise your creativity – and yet another area where you can add personal little details to the mix to make your special day one of a kind! I've below compiled some great ideas that I've stumbled across in my readings. Read on, Baby Blue.

Blue Shoes

Louboutin's Mago Shoes

Okay, I admit – not that creative. But I LE LOVE these Louboutins and I would be ridden with guilt if I didn’t showcase the most fabulous way to do something blue.

Shoe-Crystal-Thingys

From Mindy Weiss

I’ll be the first to say that blue shoes really don’t work in my colour scheme, and a girl’s GOTTA stick to her colour scheme, y’knowwhatI’msayin’? I am decidedly more shoe-crystal-thingy-leaning, and I do adore this little bit of flare from Mindy Weiss’ online shop. I DO! (Did ya catch that one?)

Blue Toenails

OPI Polish in "Breathe Life"

I say “toenails” because they would look so cute peeping out from under your gown. Fingernails, on the other hand, would look tacky and 90’s and I don’t condone either of those things for your faboosh day.

D&G Light Blue Perfume

D&G Light Blue for Woman

This is an idea for she-who-blue-really-doesn’t-work-in-her-colour-scheme-at-all. It is the subtlest of subtle, and very creative. The only thing is you’ll have to go around telling everyone… “Wanna know what my something blue is? Do ya? Smell me. No really. Do it. Smell me.”.

Blue Cake

From Martha Stewart Weddings

No one says that your something blue has to be on your person, and this powder blue cake from Martha Stewart Weddings is absolutely bee-yew-tah-full without giving you that gross questioning feeling that many blue foods can. Just make sure you have a slice. It’s your wedding day. The diet is over.

Blue Eye Make-up

Done in deep navy, this can be a very elegant touch in an evening affair. Just be careful that you don’t end up looking 80’s. We’ve already talked about avoiding the 90’s, so I feel that I don’t need to elaborate on this one…

Blue Undies

Hanky Panky Low-Rise Thong

Ooh la la! I like these! Wear them under your heavy-duty construction-grade girdle for a nice little Hanky-Panky surprise at the end of the night. Just don’t tell my mother in law.

Dress Label

Label from TheGarterMaker.com

This is a simple, classic and discrete way to incorporate something blue, and I love it… Sewn inside your dress, it is a way to personalize and add some nostalgia – and when your daughter gets married in your dress, she can sew her date next to yours… Awwwwww.

These are just some simple ways that you can incorporate something blue into your day (there are also sapphires). What is the most creative Something Blue you’ve come across?

Friday Throwback: Celsia Florist

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

For those readers that have been around since the beginning, you'll know that I am infatuated with our florist, Celsia Florist here in Vancouver. Since I'm gallivanting around the country at the moment for my residency interviews (read my post THE TOUR if you missed this!), I thought that this might be an opportunity for a throw-back - a step in time to when I interviewed Laura about Celsia and about wedding flowers. While you're looking back, be sure to read some of my other early posts on registries, something blue, and budgeting - they're full of goodies!

Cue chimes... we are going back in time...

Well - we've chosen our florist! Hooray!

I have to say that deciding on a florist - or even knowing where to start the hunt - is one of the toughest decisions I've encountered so far. Yes, we're ahead of the game with respect to timing and that takes some of the pressure off, but I wasn't sure how to gauge which florists would be budget-wise, easy to work with, and most importantly, would really get my vision. I harassed my friends, I e-mailed a dozen places in Vancouver, and even met with a number of them in-shop with my USB full of images in tow.

And then I met Celsia... and it was love at first sight. Le sigh. Their beautiful shop had me at, "Hello!", their organization was impeccable, and they got it. Like, they just got it. I sat down with the lovely Laura, and by the end of our first meeting we had compiled a list of what we'd need, what it would look like, timing for the day of, a budget, and a back-up plan. Talk about knowing what they're talking about! The lovely Laura has kindly contributed information on Celsia, and answered some of my (often never-ending list of) questions - ones that I wanted to share to guide you towards your own floral romance.

From Laura:

Celsia is in a gorgeous brick building on leafy Arbutus street. The shop is pretty old school and that suits us perfectly. Celsia’s ‘look’ is just that; vintage and modern. Our style is both of those things, modern with a vintage twist, or vintage done in a new, modern way. We are lucky enough to have a beautiful, relaxed space, where it’s easy to create. We’ve been featured in various wedding publications, including the latest issue of Wedluxe magazine, and have even appeared on TV!

As for me... well I’m a vintage girl, and I’m also an English girl. I’d worked for my mum’s old English country florist back home in pretty Harrogate for years, and I was feeling a little homesick after moving to Vancouver. So, when I wandered in to Celsia - its old fashioned feel and European style made me feel right at home. I found my little niche in the design team here and I love that we all represent a slightly different take on Celsia’s signature style. I’m the wedding go-to girl here at Celsia which works perfectly for me! Going from meeting the couple right through the whole process, to getting to be a small part of their day is a wonderful feeling, and leaves me going home a happy camper.

1. What does the wedding flower planning process involve?

As a general rule - we’ll have a sit down consult for about an hour and bounce ideas back and forth. If we’ve got a clear idea after that, then I’ll sit down and put together a quote. Sometimes we’ll email back and forth a little to juggle numbers and details around - it’s important to get it perfect! We can do a small wedding with as little as a month’s notice but generally we’d like as much time beforehand as possible - a few months at least really. This allows us more time to plan, and more time to pre-order your product to make sure you get the creme de la creme of flowers for your wedding. We require a deposit as soon as you decide to go for it with us to secure your date, and full payment a month before the big day (again so we can make sure to order everything early).

2. What sort of things should a bride prepare for her first meeting with a florist?

It’s great if you can come in with as many things as possible so we can get a good idea of your taste. These can be anything - dress swatches, theme ideas, pictures(not always of flowers - they could be of rooms, table-scapes etc), colours - it can be anything. It’s all inspiration, and helps us to get a firm idea of what you like. It’s also important to think beforehand of a budget that you would be happy to spend on flowers - we’ll be able to tell you in the consult whether this is realistic or not, but it’s best to get it out in the open so you don’t get an unwelcome surprise when your quote comes!

3. What is the most popular look/request you're getting in the wedding flower world this year?

There are 2 themes that have been really popular this season. Peacock feathers is one; lush rich and decadent styles - really luxurious, almost sexy. That’s the style that we did for the latest WedLuxe issue - it’s kind of a Morroco meets Asia feel, just gorgeous. The second is (my favourite), Tea-parties! (Spot the english girl here...) Lots of Shakespearian romance, pale colours, garden roses, peonies and tea cups. Beautiful.

4. Do you have any budgeting/saving tips?

Well, the best thing to do is go with seasonal blooms. Going for something that’s out of season ups the cost and also compromises the look of the flower - they’re often much smaller and sparser. If you have a number in mind that you wouldn’t be comfortable going over, the best thing to do is prioritise the things that you really want, and the things you might be open to suggestions about. We can always come up with something cost effective that still fits your vision.

5. How do you go about choosing a look/guiding a bride who isn't sure of what she wants?

If you’re not sure what you want as regards your wedding florals, let us know the colour scheme and feel the rest of your wedding is shaping up to have - dresses, location, tables etc and we can go from there to figure out something complimentary. We also have a ton of photos on our website and flickr, and a stack of magazines here at the store for you to flip through and say ‘yey’ or ‘nay’ - all feedback is good feedback! It’s just as important for us to know what you hate as well as what you love!

Choosing Celsia really puts me at ease, as a bride. They are a well-established and well-reputed company I know I can count on. Laura is sweet, a great listener, and really talented at her job - her organization makes me relax (I am O-so-OCD) and time after time, her work is beautiful. This is coming together y'all - and somehow, it's beginning to feel real!

Celsia Florist
1930 Arbutus St
Vancouver BC
Canada

tel: 604.731.3314
info@celsiaflorist.com

"Earth laughs in flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ways to Save: Invitations

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

I feel like any time the word "WEDDING" (or the word "BABY", for that matter) is attached to an item or service, the price goes up by at least 75%. Does anyone else feel this way?

When it comes to planning a wedding and getting the budget right, the invitations are often something that get overlooked. They don't add to the feel of the room on the day off, so they're easy to skimp on, but boy do they get people excited (I'm a bit of a paper-maniac myself). I know that we'd all love the letter-pressed everything with the embossing and the stamp that matches the suite or has a tiny picture of you together... but even if the budget is tight by the time you're getting ready to send out the invites, there are ways you can make it work out.

from www.minted.com/

1. Reduce paper

- While I'm not totally down with the entirely-Evite option for weddings (even if they're casual, their a bit more formal than that, no?), you can reduce the amount of paper you send out by skipping RSVP cards (and return postage), menu-choice cards and registry cards, and throwing all of that on your wedding website. We use and love weddingwire.com.

from www.minted.com/

2. Skip the calligrapher

- I just adore calligraphy, and think it is an incredible art form. I'm trying to learn a bit myself, to be honest wtih you, because I think it's just fab, but doubt I'll be up-to-snuff by the time that we send out our invites. Here's the thing - DANG is it expensive. By skipping hand calligraphy for all of your envelopes (and place cards), and using a printer, you'll save a bundle. Most people throw out the envelope anyway.

from www.minted.com/

3. Print at home

- If you have a good quality paper that can print on heavy cardstock, this may be an option for you. You can ask your designer if they'll send you the PDF so that you can make them yourself, and there are even websites where you can customize a pre-made invite to your deets and have it e-mailed to you. Downloadandprint.com has some gorgeous choices, and I know that Michaels also has some picks too.

from www.minted.com/

4. Avoid the fluff

- Don't get me wrong. I love the fluff. I love the jackets and pockets and liners, the ribbons and tassles, and when invitations come in two envelopes so that you don't mess up the pretty one in the mail... but it's not in our budget. Not only do these things cost more to get made, there's often hidden assembly fees and they'll make the postage fees climb due to weight and irregular shape. A simple, classic design can stand alone and look equally as elegant - you guys say Kate and Williams invite, yes?

from www.minted.com/

5. Choose a colour

What I mean by this is choose ONE colour - printers charge more for every tone that you add. By having a simple design that only requires one colour of ink on one colour of paper, you will save. Black on white is the cheapest.

from www.minted.com

Five easy tips to save on your invites - you could count 'em on one hand. The hand that is now full of cash you didn't have to spend. Do you have any more tips? What do you think is a reasonable price for invitations? Do you disagree with my attempts to scrimp here? Have it out in the comments!

Modern Vintage After Wedding Session

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most wonderful things about the peri-wedding time is the photographs - when else do you have professionals taking proper pictures, where you have your hair and make-up all special and you just get to revel in your love and act like supermodels? It's wonderful.

Well this smart couple decided to get some photos taken after their wedding, proving that the glory can live on! Joining up with the talent at CivicPhotos, they created a fabulous shoot in Texas that has a little bit of epic field and a little bit of moonlit carnival - the perfect mix, no? Seriously, these photos could make wall art.

From the Photographer: CivicPhotos

Ronnie & Stephany wanted to do an after wedding session which was in the "Modern Vintage" style that CivicPhotos has become known for in the Houston Area. We started with shooting in a large field of vast openness...the couple wanted their love, details and style to be the center frame of the first part of the session. For the second half of their session we routed to the classic streets of The Strand of Galveston (http://www.thestrand.com/) After catching a few snapshots in the incredibly vintage “Big House Antiques” store…their style covered the streets until the moonlight rising.

After Wedding Session: Sneak Peek

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

This Texan couple hired the talented CivicPhotos for a creative after-wedding shoot, and boy was it magical. Come back on Monday for more magical, carnival, artistic beauty! Here's a taste.

"The Tour"

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

Source: Skyscanner.net

When I got into med school, I kind of figured that "the ordeal" was over - that this was it, if I got good grades and worked hard, I had jumped through the hoops. What I didn't know was that (at least in Canada) there are no guarantees that you'll get to be the kind of doc that you want to be - there is yet another application and interview process, and dare I say that it's even a bit tougher than the first one?

Anyway, I have applied, and have heard back about interviews, and this coming weekend I embark on a three week journey ("The Tour") around Canada, interviewing for possible residency positions. The whole application process is called "CaRMS" after the computer system that they use to match candidates to positions ("Canadian Residency Match System"). After interviews, I rank where I want to be, and programs rank me, and then we get "matched" as high on our list as possible. No guarantees that you'll get what you want to be, or where you want to be, or even a spot. The pressure is on.

As you can imagine it's a time of incredible stress and excitement - and as such, blogging will take a back seat! But fear not - I'll still be posting, and taking you back to posts that I've done in the past as well, so be sure to check on back here at BeeBeeBisous for the wedding wonderment you're used to, and perhaps an update or two from somewhere afar in Canada!

Wish me luck!

Classic Connecticut Wedding (aka. eat your hearts out)

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Recipe for a gorgeous wedding: Mix 1 dash shimmery sash, 7 bouquets of luscious blooms, and 1 beautiful bride in a large bowl. Add a generous handful of dashing groom, 6 blue-shoed groomsmen, and a snazzy bow-tie or two (to taste). Shake, then bake in a glorious ballroom, allowing the smoke of hand-rolled cigars to form. Garnish wish mini-donuts and a whole lotta love. YES INDEED!

From the photographer, Robin Dini:
Christina and Travis planned a high style and fashionable wedding in downtown Hartford. During our initial consultation, it was apparent that Christina had her mind set on the type of wedding she wanted and was determined to get what she wanted. The couple planned a Friday night party in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Christina's bridesmaids were dressed in gorgeous flowing navy blue strapless gowns while the groomsmen were sporting grey suits with blue lapel details and matching shoes. Christina's gown was simple and clean yet elegant with a ballgown skirt and jeweled waist details. With long flowing curls and exquisite makeup, the bride was a show stopper. The flowers were designed by the mother of the groom. After a traditional Catholic ceremony, the guests were invited to cocktails at The Society Room of Hartford followed by a sit down dinner and dance reception. The tables at the reception were decorated with candelabras and small bottles of lemoncello for guests. After parent dances and cake cutting, guests were invited to enjoy a hand rolled cigar, gourmet espresso, or tasty mini donut from a local Hartford bakery.

Sneak Peek: Hand-Rolled Cigars and Mini Donuts

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

This confection from Rob Dini photography is all about the details. From hand rolled cigars to mini-donuts in a high-society setting, it really takes the cake. Come back Monday for the deliciousness - and in the meantime, have a wonderful weekend!

Picture Perfect Proposal

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

We have these two fabulous friends who are just made for each other - they share the same quick witted humour, they finish each others sentences, and they will have bee-yew-tih-ful children! We couldn't have been happier when we found out about their engagement (hooray!!!).

The groom-to-be planned a simple and very special setting for the big question at the site where they shared their first date, and on a rainy Christmas Eve day, the lucky gal said yes to the man of her dreams. Another surprise he had up his sleeve - a good friend, dressed incognito with a zoom lens, capturing the big moment from afar.

The results are stunning - an absolutely perfect picture of a huge moment in these two's lives. Having been proposed to myself at one point, I know that when emotions run that high memories tend to form a bit fuzzy around the edges. These two now have a poster-worthy photograph that they'll be able to show friends and family for generations. What a fabulous idea!

Bring out the tissues, folks, here it is!

Congratulations to my dear dear friends, and a big thanks from everyone who gets to enjoy this lovely picture from the talented photographer, Irvin Janjua!

Disney Wedding Extraordinaire from Alyssa Marie Photography

2012-01-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Those of us who fantasized about weddings since we were tots also tend to have a fascination with Disney princesses... the next wedding will fulfill all of your childhood princess-y dreams. With lots of references to our favourite animated royalty, the bright colour scheme was pulled through the whole event, giving it a playful feel. And the compass on the bouquet? I think this couple is definitely headed in the right direction!

Photographer: Alyssa Marie Photography
Venue: Disneyland Resort
Florals: AC Floral & Event Design

Disney Wedding Sneak Peek

2012-01-09T00:00:00.001-08:00

Having seen one fabulous royal wedding in 2011, we all know the effect that a princess bride can have. Come on back tomorrow for a Disney wedding that manages to invoke those childhood visions in a playful and classic way!

Real Wedding: Melanie & Michael

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, le DROOL. I love this wedding. It is beautiful. Simple, classic understated elegance, a tres-modelesque couple, and peonies. I don't know about you, but that is my recipe for perfection. To add another layer of gushability to the event, this lovely bride chose the exact same bridesmaids dresses that I have! Great taste as well?! Too good to be true!

From the photographer, Renee Bowen:

Melanie and Michael's wedding day was the quintessential gorgeous California day - such a perfect day for a wedding in Malibu! Saddlerock Vineyards (Malibu Family Wines) is a lush landscape for a hillside ceremony; and Melanie made an exquisite bride. Melanie and Michael are both actors, so they were a dream to photograph ;) They also pulled from their resources of creatives to pull off one of the most beautiful, detailed, romantic wedding I've ever photographed.

Bridesmaid Dresses: Twobirds Bridesmaid

Bride's Dress: Hartnell

Cake Designer: Frosted Cupcakery

Equipment Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Event Venue: Saddlerock Vineyards

Engagement Shoot: Up, Up & Away!

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

As the wedding blog universe expands and ideas grow in number, getting engagement photos done can actually be a bit overwhelming. To prop, or not to prop? Do we need mason jars and a picnic blanket? Are we going to want fake mustaches and quirky signs?

This shoot from Chalmers Photography proves that you can prop, keep it simple and create something magical and timeless. The vibrant colours and playful feel in this shoot screams HAPPY! and makes me think of those moments when you are just so in love, and the world is all, well, rainbows and balloons.

Be It Resolved...

2012-01-04T00:00:00.001-08:00

Getting ready for the NYE celebrations! My look was SO last year though...

2012 is gearing up to be one of the most incredible years of my life... I'll be finding out which specialty I match to, and in which city. I'll be graduating from med school. I'll be getting married, and going on a big foreign honeymoon... And that's all before June is up. Seriously, a big year.

As such, I feel that it's also a natural transition point to make some changes, and to work a bit on myself. I always feel a wonderful sense of renewal in the new year - the decorations come down, the apartment gets a good head-to-toe, I feel rested after the holidays to get to work again. So, today I will share with you MY BIG 2012 RESOLUTION LIST. By scribing it here, I am confident that I will feel guilty if I DON'T follow through, so perhaps that means I'll actually get some stuff done! Ha ha ha.

1. Try a new recipe at least twice a month - I know how this sounds. Look, I cook every day - I just tend to go recipe free for long periods at a time. I've realized that means I tend to stay in my comfort zone when things get busy, and trying out a new recipe - one that I actually follow and not just get the "gist" of - will force me to learn new techniques and try new flavour combinations! Yum yum.

2. Detoxify for a month - The holiday season is wonderful. Night after night there is party after party, so many things to celebrate and so many delicious foods to taste. This means that I need a break. No cocktails, elixirs, spirits, coolers, or wine for a month. Ahhh...

3. Less Dinners In Front of the TV. Okay, so by announcing this resolution I have also made a confession. We eat in front of the TV. A lot. At the end of a long day (which always is just one among a string of long days), it's nice to combine down time with meal time. What this means, however, is that TV time cuts into our catch up time, and I feel like I'm an undergrad student. So, since we will soon be a grown up married couple, we will make to keep TV dinners to three a week... Not so hard, right?!

4. Less iPhone - rather than reading a book as I attempt to nod off to sleep, I am in the habit of playing crosswords on my iPhone. And Bejeweled. And Zombiefarm. And... you get the idea. So, enough with the tiny screen! Enough with reaching for the telly every time I have a moment alone. I'm not banning my iPhone, I'm just weaning myself a bit.

5. Continue exercising. I don't really want to change anything here, just continue more of the same. I have signed up for another half-marathon (May 6) so that I have a goal to motivate myself towards. Conveniently, this falls three weeks before our wedding so I will be in tip-top shape for the big day. Tee hee hee.

6. Floss - I put this one last on the list pretty much every year... so far, minimal success... but hey, in the name of tradition, I will resolve to floss this year. At least more often...

Think I'll stick with 'em? Hold me to it, folks! Here are the resolutions, documented for all to see... maybe the pressure of posting them here will mean that I'll stick to them this year. After all, 2012 is a special one!

I would love to know your resolutions - leave me a comment. Perhaps I'll adopt some of your resolutions for myself, too - and I'll publish all the good ones!

Bisous bisous!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

from Martha Stewart

Welcome to 2012, lovelies! I hope it brings you MUCHOS happiness and success.

While many dream up resolutions far in advance, I usually take my time a bit and wait for one of those quiet days off before returning to work - ie. the brainstorming happens on the 1st in the afternoon or while sipping my coffee on the 2nd. I think through them thoughtfully, because I write them down so that they stare me in the face and I feel guilty if I don't do them. Once I'm there, my dears, I'll write them down here - and you can hold me accountable!

Are any of you early bird resolutionaries? If you are, what promises have you made yourself for 2012?

Shoes, glorious shoes! (And a discount for you)

2011-12-30T19:40:00.000-08:00

So - I FOUND MY WEDDING SHOES! Hooray!

Always on the hunt for a deal, I have been scouring the shops for discounts this past Boxing Week (when did it turn into a week, by the way?!) and stumbled into a shi-shi shoe shop (who shall not be named). Since I can't ever resist the sweet scent of sale rack (and the splendour of the sole), I made my way in. Lo-and behold, not in the discount section, but in the regular section, was the perfect shoe. The PERFECT SHOE. Ivory, gorgeous, classic, two inch heel that I could boogie in all night.

Nina Shoes

One problem - they were $160. Yikes. While I realize that that's not an absurd amount of money for shoes, with the wedding budget reality beginning to sink in (and priorities going to those darn chiavari chairs I love so dearly), and the will-I-really-use-ivory-shoes-again (?!?!) reality hitting even harder, I couldn't quite get my head around the amount.

Knowing I had seen the brand online (and feeling fairly certain they weren't really that much from the source), I excitedly found my perfect size and made my way home empty handed. And turned on my computer. And found them online, for $82 including shipping. BOO YA.

You see, I searched online for a deal, and found a 20% off coupon. When I bought the shoes (ahh, the shoes... the perfect shoes) I was sent a 20% off coupon to share around myself! Here's the scoop - if it gets used five times in the next twelve months, I get $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE!

So, I'm sharing it with you in the hopes that you guys use at check-out it to get a 20% discount, and then I get $100 for a gorgeous pair of heels. Ha ha... Can you blame me?!

Coupon: CA57E34580

There you have it! Please oh please use it away, and share it around if you please. Who doesn't love a deal?