Melanie’s family has a place in Whistler and they have always had their Apres-ski at Dusty’s after a day on the hill. Melanie and Jordan were determined to convert their favorite hangout into their wedding venue.

They had one request… all the regulars from Dusty’s had to work during their event so it felt the way it always did. With the help of Bliss Event Planning Melanie and Jordan pulled off a very unique and beautiful wedding.

Bliss said they wanted bits of yellow thrown into Melanie’s bouquet which was designed with 3 types of calla lilies.

Their ceremony took place just outside of Dusty’s in the square.

With yellow, white and blue color pallet Bliss had custom blue table runners along with white vases to compliment the clear flower vases.

I absolutely fell in love with the lift tickets as a detail. What better way to embrace your surroundings then by adding in the smallest of details that make your ski day special.

Brett and I talked about going and looking at Christmas lights for a few days and on Tuesday night we decided to go since it would be the last chance we would have. When he picked me up and we went to Olive Garden for dinner and then drove around looking at Christmas lights.

While we were driving around, my sister, Latisha, called and asked if we could go by her house because she left the heater on and the back door unlocked.

When we walked up to the porch we noticed an orange extension cord laying in front of the door. Brett and I wondered why it was there since Latisha’s husband usually puts that stuff away. I asked Brett to plug in the extension cord.

When the lights turned on they spelled out “Will You Marry Me?” I pointed at the lights and then looked at Brett and I could not believe what was happening. Then he said, “You know I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you?” and got down on one knee and pulled out a beautiful ring and asked me to marry him…. I do not remember saying yes but Brett said I did. Then we went inside the house. Latisha had set out candles and sparkling Cider with wine glasses on the table with a card from her and Mark saying, “Congrats”.

It was the perfect surprise and I loved the creativity.

My wedding flowers were a little different; I decided to use feathers for my bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, and corsages for the mothers and grandmothers.  I chose orange calla lilies for the groomsmen to keep it clean and simple.  For Brett, I gave him a bamboo back for the calla lily to lay on with an orchid in the middle covering some of the stem.

For wedding favors Raquell said she made strawberry jelly along with the individual carrying boxes and  also baked dog treats for their guests to take home to their pets.

Brett and Raquell love the color orange so they knew they wanted to design around their favorite color with an Indian and Asian influence. They included lanterns and parasols hanging from the trees with stringed origami cranes hanging all over the ceremony & reception area.

I continued with the Asian feel and had my dad make be two large origami cranes and placed circus roses on each tier of the cake along with just a few orange Calla Lilies.

Photography: Evoke Images

Venue: The Richmond House

Well it isn’t your mother’s wedding ring shot anymore. The classic hand over hand ring shot has evolved in a big way. Ring shots have now become the must have shot for any wedding and couple.

Photographers are taking it to a whole different level. They have taking out the boring and added some serious style. Creativity has become the biggest part, and has couples wondering… “what will MY ring shot look like?”

I love how photographers are thinking outside of the box for ring shots. They want every ring shot to be unique and different every time.

They are taking parts of weddings, engagements, and even your personalities and using them to showcase the best part of you… YOUR RINGS! When it comes to these killer ring shots make sure you don’t ask your photographer for the “classic old school ring shot”.

TGIF!

Photos courtesy of elegantmensrings.com, Amelia Lyon Photography, Table 4 Weddings, Dave and Charlotte Photographers.

Aimee and Brian had nature in mind when it came to planning their wedding in Missoula, Montana. Embracing the beautiful backdrop of Holland Lake Lodge Aimee and Brian had the perfect wedding that fit them to a tee.

When Aimee started planning she knew she wanted white flowers. She also included a hint of red to compliment her dress along with ivy and rosemary herbs.

Describe the proposal. Brian found Elichai Fowler to make a custom ring for me. He took a photo of me to Elichai and as Brian was asked to describe me while the ring was sketched.

We had just moved to MD from MT, so Brian flew back to MT to ask my parents for my hand. He returned, of course I knew what was going on. He gave me the ring in the dark, I told him that I wanted to sleep one night wearing it, just one night to just ‘feel’ what our relationship meant. The next day we went on a long walk on Maryland’s coast just enjoying each other.

Your favorite detail of the wedding was: Our canoe ride after the ceremony! What fun, to say our vows and then split! It was so nice to have a break from everyone and look at each other and really see what we just did!

We just kept saying, we are married!!! Then we did our personal photo shoot, wow what great shots. We then returned for the reception, greeted on the shores by everyone cocktails in hand!

I loved the rocks as place cards. Aimee and Brian said they wanted to find eco-friendly alternatives when it came to their details for the wedding.

Brian had found a cake that looked like an aspen tree trunk and I loved it. We were able to choose three different cakes, the most important on the top…cheese cake!

Venue: Holland Lake Lodge
Floral: Habitat Floral
Photography: Dreamtime Images
Wedding Coordination: Anita Pagliaro
Cake: The Pearl Cafe
Dress: After 5
Tux: Coquettes Deux
Jeweler: Elichai Flower
Stationary: Twisted Limb Paperworks

Signature cocktails are always a MUST at any wedding and don’t forget to have a his and hers drink!

Photos courtesy of: Pronovias, Therese Marie Wagner Photography, Brides.com, Melissa Kelsey Photography, Brides.com, liweddings.com, anstwe.com, Robert Evans Photography, Brian Dorsey Photography, Liquid Chefs, Matthew May Photography.

Here are the 6 MUST know things according to Meredith Bodgas at Glamour Weddings:

1. Past Relationships. We’re not talking the short relationships, we’re talking the big ones. The ones that changed your life forever. Bodgas suggests that you also include in the details why you broke up, how long you were together and of course if you were married before.

2. Whether or Not You Want Kids. Its a deal breaker for a lot of couples. But, in my opinion you should know this very soon after your relationship gets serious.

3. The Possibility of Kids Already Running Around. Bodgas says that if your partner cut ties with women he had unprotected sex with, you need to know about it.

4. Your Takes on Religion. According to Bodgas you need to know how important religion could become, and what religion that may be, if you get to those points in your relationship.

5. What His Family Like. LOL, yeah this is important!

6. Past Run-Ins With the Law. You don’t want any major surprises in your marriage.

So, 26 comments later this article sparked a HUGE discussion on Glamour Weddings from financial status to sperm donation readers went back and forth on questions they think you should also know.

But what I want to know is What YOU think you should know before you get engaged and do you agree with this article? You can read the FULL article 6 Things You Absolutely MUST Know About Each Other Before You Get Engaged by going to Glamour Weddings.

Photo courtesy of lusterstudios.com.

It wasn’t until their sophomore year when two of their friends started dating they got to know each other a little better. Now here we are several years later and Kelsey and Ryan are celebrating their marriage!

Describe the proposal. I had been babysitting on my birthday and I knew Ryan was doing something for my birthday. I got home and there were flowers, doughnuts and wine. We ate a little and pulled out some chocolate covered strawberries! YUM!

Lastly, he pulled out a bride and groom strawberry and on a plate with the ring hiding behind it! We love food so this was great! I said YES of course!

My favorite things were the girls wearing red shoes, the dessert table and the hanging lanterns.

We decided not to go with a traditional wedding cake seeing as we aren’t a traditional couple. Instead we got Krispy Kreme doughnuts and cupcakes!

Kelsey and Ryan decided to go with a Do-It-Yourself photo booth. This is a great way to save a few dollars on your wedding day.

I bought a Fujifilm Instax (Same as a Polaroid) and asked a couple cousins to be photographers. We created a photo booth with a sheet behind it and had people take their pictures while we were getting our pictures done.

We had props for people to use and had people write a little note on the picture. We are now making an awesome guest book!

Photography: Ampersand Photography
Catering/Flowers/Coordination/Cupcakes: Plantation Creations
Venue: Braeloch, 540-890-9152
Hair: Azario Salon

You will read all about their planning and some their most memorable moments. Hope you enjoy it!

Michelle and Rick met through a mutual friend. As luck would have their mutual friend set them up to meet when they both moved to Edmonton, Alberta. They met at a local pub one night and the rest is history!

Describe the proposal. We were on a cruise in the Caribbean and it was the second night on board, May 18th, 2009 to be exact! Rick had sent me to the casino for a bit and in the meantime he was in our room making a phone call to my parents back home to ask for their permission. That night at dinner I was concerned as Rick was not eating much. Dessert came and Rick demanded that we return to the hotel room as he was not feeling well, so back to the room we went.

There in the room I was sitting on the bed looking over the next days itinerary waiting very patiently for Rick who was in the washroom. I was yelling at him to hurry up so we didn’t miss the show that night. Rick finally came out of the washroom walked over to the bed, got down on one knee and popped the question and my answer was a big YES!! Rick confessed that night why he took so long in the bathroom, he was practicing his proposal in the mirror!

The whole design of the wedding revolved around being out in the wilderness, the mountains and somewhat like an enchanted forest!

I used different shades of purple and green, different kinds of flowers and greenery, and butterflies.

My most memorable moment about my wedding day would be that walk up the aisle. Walking arm in arm with my father, seeing my brothers, sister and best of friends standing there smiling and crying.

Then seeing Rick standing there waiting, knowing that in a matter of minutes we would be exchanging our vows in front of our family and friends. Knowing that the moment we had been thinking of and dreaming of for so long was finally here! It was such a special moment and very emotional.

Photography: Eternal Reflections
Hotel/Catering: Banff Park Lodge
Ceremony: Town of Banff
Officiant: Rev.George Belcher
Floral: Bride in Bloom/Locks N’ Bows
Linens: Elegant Event Rentals Lougheed, Alberta: 780-386-2440
Rentals: Special Event Rentals
DJ: Revolution Entertainment
Transportation: Pinnacle Banff Sightseeing Tours
Cake: Whimiscal Cake Studio

It doesn’t get much better than this. You have until Dec. 1, 2010 to enter the contest. While your there make sure you check out the personalized labels for you wedding. Just a few days ago I blogged about Personalized Drink Bottles. They are the perfect addition to your wedding and your guests will LOVE this favor.

Good Luck!

Well… its here, and its here in a big bold way! The Glitzy Girls is the newest line from Maihar Design and they didn’t disappoint.

Beautiful fabric and grosgrain ribbon with the option of silk flowers makes these ring bearer pillows one of a kind.

Each keepsake is hand sewn with the most elegant fabric. These pieces are the perfect match for your wedding.

Your flower girls and ring bearer’s will be walking down the aisle sporting some serious style!

When you mention Maihar Design you can’t forget the beautiful flower wands perfect for any flower girl. The stylish hair petals I could wear everyday! With all of these products you will have no problem getting that little one down the aisle.

To check out more on Maihar Design make sure you check out their website, blog and Etsy store!

All photos by: Matthew Niemann with Aberdeen Studios