The colour palette that you choose for your wedding is one of the first things you’ll decide when planning your special day. Colours set the tone and influence the style of your wedding. Are you soft and romantic at heart? Or do you love bold and modern colours? We work on a lot of weddings and our inspiration comes from not only seeing what is trendy, but also what reflects the individuality and personalities of each bride out there. Before we continue with some of our top colour ideas and inspirations, here are our 5 tips to help you with your colour décor on your big day:

• Decide on your theme – for example, vintage, modern contemporary, or eco friendly
• Choose the mood you would like to set
• Do your research.  Use online sites or paint colour wheels to help you put together colour combinations
• Keep in mind the season that you are getting married in. It plays an important factor as light colour hues may look washed out in the winter.
• Consider your reception and ceremony site.  For example, what colour walls does your venue have? Are you having your wedding outdoors?

Mint Green

This fresh and sophisticated colour is certainly one of the trendiest colours of 2013 and can be seen everywhere from bridesmaids dresses to décor. We went with a rustic theme for our mint inspiration palette using simple décor pieces that can easily be DIY. Old crates were spray painted in the mint colour; we wrapped a mason jar with lace to add a romantic vintage feel; and mini wooden chalkboard were used to also complete the rustic theme.

Mint and Pale Rose

Mint not only stands on its own beautifully, but also pairs very well with many different colours. When planning your wedding, don’t feel limited to choosing a single colour. When you pair different colours, it can change the entire feel of the wedding. Here, the pale rose paired with mint adds a lightness to create a romantic and classic colour palette.

Peach

Soothing and neutral, Peach is one of the top Pantone colours for 2013.  This inspiration boards reflects how a colour palette can be used to bring both a vintage touch and a modern twist to your wedding day. Here, lace invitations were used to create a more vintage feel, while the peach watercolour effect adds a unique and modern splash of colour to the theme.

Poppy Red, Gold, and Green

We are big fans of glitter and bright colours, and so naturally, this is one of our favourite colour combinations. This colour palette is for those brides who are a little bolder.  Poppy red represents passion and love and in some cultures, red symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. In this inspiration board, glitter accent items were used to add just the right amount of sparkle and we threw in lots of simple DIY elements. Glitter paper was used to for little heart cut outs as cupcake toppers and plain heart favour boxes were covered in glitter spray as as was a foam bird purchased at a local craft store, adding a whole new dimension to the place setting.  When choosing napkins, don’t be afraid to be different; instead of choosing a single colour, how about choosing a pattern that reflects your colour palette?

Whatever you choose on your wedding day, just remember to be relax and have fun. After all it is a day of celebrating with each other and the people you love!

Photographer: Magnolia Studios  / Planner & Designer: Blossom Events  / Floral Design: Settings  / Stationery for Mint Colour Palette: Anista Designs  / Stationery for Mint and Pale Rose Colour Palette: Jolie Papeterie  / Stationery for Peach Colour Palette: Jolie Papeterie  / Feather Headpiece for Mint and Pale Rose Colour Palette: Pomp and Plumage 

Amy and Nick fell in love with their venue, Starling Lane Winery, the instant they laid eyes on it despite viewing it in its less than ideal end-of-winter state; with its 19th century water tower, white glass greeenhouse, and winery, it was the perfect setting for their relaxed garden party wedding. With their dream venue secured, Amy spent the remainder of their 18 month engagement putting her talents to work crafting paper bridesmaids bouquets, burlap bunting, lace wrapped vintage bottles, little fabric hearts, all the guys boutonnieres, her veil and fascinator, and so much more. With a ton of work, a lot of heart, and a little help from their friends, Amy and Nick’s wedding came together beautifully.

In Amy’s Words: 
Nick and I are both pretty easy-going, so we wanted our wedding day to reflect that. We wanted to create a really intimate and relaxed atmosphere so our closest friends and family could really kick back and enjoy the day. In keeping with the laid-back theme, we chose a backyard-BBQ style meal, complete with corn-on-the-cob and a marshmallow-roasting lounge to end the night.

Amy’s Favourite Part of the Day:
My favourite part of the day was during the speeches. We kept hearing that the day would go by so fast, and it was so true. It all went by in a blur, but during the speeches we got to sit back, laugh and cry at the same time, while enjoying delicious food. My close second favorite moment was when we ditched the party to do our first dance alone in the greenhouse. It was nearing the end of the evening, and it was nice to have a few moments alone to let the day really sink in.

Photographer: EA Photo  / Venue: Starling Lane Winery  / Bride’s Ceremony Dress: Anjolique from Luz Bridal Boutique  / Bride’s Reception Dress: Sarah Seven  / Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles  / Groom’s Attire: Banana Republic  / Flowers: Verbena Floral Design  / Favours: The Thirsty Vintner  / Invitations and Stationery: Kelli Murray Art and Design  / Vintage Furniture: Dovetail Furnishings  / China Decor and Linens: Victoria Vintage China Rentals

The wedding industry generally tends to focus on the bride and what she is going to wear and how she is going to look on her wedding day and in a way, I think that is a shame. It goes without saying that a bride is going is look gorgeous, I just feel that we should also be talking about the groom too and what he is going to wear. All too often I see a groom wearing a rented tux and even though the rental company takes the time to take a lot of measurements, the suit just doesn’t fit right. I’ve had grooms tell me that they can’t take their jackets off because the vest is too large and I’ve even seen sleeves so big that they look like Jerry’s Seinfeld’s infamous puffy shirt. Brides, you’re going to look fabulous on your wedding day; shouldn’t your groom look incredible too?

If you think about it, unlike brides, grooms are more likely to wear their wedding outfit again. So please, go ahead and get a custom suit made for your groom. All men look incredible in a custom tailored suit (they just do) and every guy should really have one in his wardrobe. Have you seen the summer suits by Indochino? They are stunning and they don’t cost the earth. Ladies, you can thank me later after you’ve seen your groom looking so handsome in his suit!

all images: Union Photographers

If I had a wedding do-over, there would definitely be a Sarah Seven dress involved; and it would quite possible be the one featured on today’s beautiful bride Linda. In fact, my wedding do-over would probably look a lot like Linda and Stephen’s big day; the dress, the venue, the flowers, and the photographer (the always lovely Brittany Hildebrandt), all make for a pretty darn near perfect wedding if you ask me.

Photographer: Brittany Hildebrandt  / Venue: McMichael Canadian Art Collection  / Dress: Sarah Seven  / Bride’s accessories: Jacqueline Schiller  / Flowers: Jennifer Yang of Flour Studio  / Centrepieces: Jennifer Yang of Flour Studio and the bride / Caterer: Laura Gibson, previously of Compass Group Canada / Music: BF Soul

Here we are with another round of Friday Favourites! This week’s picks jump up and down in colour intensity. From subtle, almost muted colours, to vibrant, bright hues, we’ve got what anyone could want. These remind me of the transition from spring to summer, and how abrupt it can be – and it certainly seems that way this year!

Favourite Video: This styled shoot turned proposal is vibrant with love.
Favourite Gown: This tiered gown is full of that romantic feeling.
Favourite Bouquet: This romantic bouquet has a more subtle palette, and the charms tug at the heart!
Favourite Cake: This cake has a pastel pop of colour.
Favourite Decor: This decor jumps with a fun circus feel!
Favourite Invitiations: These invitations ride the line between soft and bright.
Favourite Engagement Session: This adorable library engagement shoot is full of different colour intensities!

Friday Fact: The traditional white dress wasn’t always the case – Queen Victoria started the trend in the 1840s, and it also began to symbolize purity in the bride at that time. Before then, brides simply wore their best dress. Though colours are beginning to be common in dresses again, we know who to thank for the traditional white dress!

It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that I am a great lover of details (I am a wedding blogger, after all!), but I also firmly believe that there is beauty in simplicity; that’s why I love Anton and Cindy’s small yet elegant wedding, beautifully photographed by Gabe McClintock, so so much.  Married at Q Haute Cuisine in Calgary, these two obviously knew that to have a truly great wedding, all they really needed was a few close friends and family, a lot of love, and a great photographer to capture it all.

Photographer: Gabe McClintock / Ceremony and Reception Venue: Q Haute Cuisine

This may be the eternally elusive question: how to visit a new city without turning your time there into a cliché? In other words, how can one be a tourist without being a tourist? We have the pleasure of living in one of the most visited cities on earth. Along the years, we’ve managed to carve out a way around the city that manages to avoid most of the tourist traffic. We’ve managed to create our little secret Barcelona; a quieter, gentler Barcelona far from the chaos of La Rambla or the Barceloneta beach where sun-burned tourists pack together in the sand like sardines.

First we’ll start with the neighbourhood of Gracia, about a 15 minute metro ride from the city centre. Long before the medieval walls encircling Barcelona came down, Gracia was its own little village and has always retained its independence, both ideologically as well as geographically. Many of those that live in this neighbourhood are proudly Catalan and there are a few important community centres for the Catalan independence movement. This neighbourhood has many indie eateries, bars, and boutique design shops with an interesting artisanal vibe. The centre of the neighbourhood has many pedestrian or quasi-pedestrian streets, and is filled with pedestrian only plazas. You can wander around the tree lined streets like Carrer Asturies, and end up in laid-back Plaça de la Virreina for a drink on one of the terraces. Then walk down Carrer Verdi toward Plaça de la Vila de Gracia for a slightly more grown-up crowd.

If you’re beat from strolling around the cute streets of Gracia and want to head out to the beach, Mar Bella is your best bet for not feeling like a sardine. As it makes perfect sense, the further you go from the city centre, the cleaner and less crowded the beaches are.  And while you’re in Mar Bella, you can take a walk down to the futuristic looking structures of the Forum, a really interesting outdoor theatre. Or if a green surrealist oasis is more your thing, walk on over to El Parc Central del Poblenou. This park is a bit of magic realism as plants and flowers run wild over metal structures, making you feel as if nature’s architectural hands are reaching out to give you a cozy embrace.

Now, for nighttime tapas and drinks, your best bet for the local vibe is Poble Sec / Sant Antoni. In the last few months a smattering of really interesting and unique spaces have popped up in this area. There are neat little initiatives like the tapas Thursday nights when you can weave in and out of hip tapas bars on Carrer Blai and get a drink and something to munch on for less than 2€. You can hop over to the other side of Paral.lel and into Sant Antoni and you’ll find the current in-the-know spots on Carrer del Parlament.  Both Gracia and Poble Sec being very ‘neighbourhood’ neighbourhoods, don’t be surprised to find yourself in the middle of a street party complete with handmade recycled decorations hanging in the narrow alleyways between buildings. And if you are lucky enough to stumble upon such a Fiesta de Barrio, then your night has only just begun.

All photos by The Love Studio

Useful Info:
Gracia – metro stations Fontana (L3 / green line) or Joanic (L4 / yellow line). Check out Carrer D’Astúries and Carrer Verdi, Plaça de la Virreina, Plaça de la Vila.
Poble Sec – metro station Poble Sec or Paral.lel (L3 / green line), walk down the pedestrian street Carrer Blai.
Sant Antoni – metro station Poble Sec (L3 / green line) or Sant Antoni (L2 / purple line), walk down Carrer Parlament and stop of at Bar Calders (Carrer del Parlament, 25), Café Tarannà  (Carrer de Viladomat, 23) or whatever sweet little place catches your eye.

This week we’re keeping things classy and sharing two incredibly chic restaurant weddings with you guys, starting today with Laurence and François’ Montreal wedding at L’Auberge Saint-Gabriel. Decked out in a beautiful understated Vera Wang gown and a sharply tailored tuxedo, respectively, these two were the epitome of timeless elegance on their wedding day; because while wedding trends may come and go, you can never go wrong with a little classic style.

Photographer: Sophie Asselin Photographe  / Reception Venue: L’Auberge Saint-Gabriel  / Bride’s Dress: Vera Wang  / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka  / Bridesmaid dresses: Vera Wang

Warmer weather is here to stay, and it’s got my mind drifting towards gorgeous travel destinations… including picturesque Lake Louise, located high in the mountains in Banff National Park, Alberta.  As a result of rock flour carried into the lake by water melting from nearby glacier caps, the lake often acquires a soft emerald colour that contrasts so beautifully with the bright blue sky and dark Rocky Mountains.  It’s a popular tourist destination and an incredibly gorgeous (and romantic) getaway; tucked away in the mountains, it feels secluded and private while at the same time vast and expansive.  The perfect setting for a retreat-styled wedding!

Lake Louise is a perfect balance of laid-back relaxation and timeless sophistication, so I’ve selected classic pieces that will keep you and your venue looking drop-dead-stylish in the great outdoors while still paying homage to the rustic elegance of the Rockies.  And of course, no Banff-inspired wedding would be complete without true north flavours, so I’ve thrown in a taste of true Canadiana: maple syrup and Saskatoon berry fruit wine – both of which would be lovely to incorporate into a dinner menu (or to give as favours if you have an intimate guest list).

1. Sea the Sights dress  from ModCloth  ($47.99) // 2. Beautiful and Unique Snowflake dress  from ModCloth  ($187.99) // 3.  Agate Geode Druzy necklace  from DobleEle  on etsy ($30) // 4. Mochachino nail colour  by Essie  ($8) // 5. Faith B. Falivar heels  from ASOS  ($104.43) // 6. Maple Syrup  from White Meadows Farms  ($7.30 for 250mL – they have smaller bottles, as well as terrific maple candies that would be perfect for favours or a candy bar) // 7. Log pillow  from Fred Flare  ($18) // 8. Saskatoon Berry dessert wine  from Field Stone Fruit Wines  ($19.95 for 375mL; other flavours available) // 9. Geode to Beauty necklace  from ModCloth  ($62.99) // 10.  Leather Flat sandals  from ASOS  ($48.73) // 11. Large Acacia Wood Server  from Indigo  ($24.50) // 12. Queen Anne’s Place candelabra  from ModCloth  ($54.99)

I love when brides choose to rock their own style on their wedding day and today’s bride Paule definitely did not disappoint in the sartorial department. With an arm full of tattoos, she donned a blush pink dress, leather belt, and grey suede booties to say her vows to Guillaume in an intimate ceremony at the Chateau Dufresne followed by dinner at Les Canailles where she added a jean jacket to the already awesome ensemble. With its sweet, low-key, and stylish vibe, Paule and Guillaume’s wedding just might be my favourite wedding of the year so far.

Photographer: Emilie Iggiotti / Ceremony location: Château Dufresne  / Restaurant: Les Canailles  / Wedding dress: David’s Bridal + modifications by Ariane Querry (friend) / Flowers: Les Petites Excuses  / Shoes: Madewell / Make-up: the bride / Hairstyle: Jacinthe at Salon Oblic St-Denis (friend) / Hair pieces: Noemiah  /  Flower girls’ dresses: J Crew / Wedding cake: Arhoma  / Decoration of table: the bride