2013 has proven to be a whirlwind year for my personal life, full of change, with lots of lows and highs. As much as I tried to not let it affect my blog, it finally caught up to me and I’ve decided to take a break for the summer. I love this blog and the work I put into it and I do not want to give you a mediocre product. I figured that I need to focus and re-group on my personal matters first and then I can start serving you once more I have a few articles still waiting to be worked on so don’t worry, those will still happen. Email responses will be slower than usual as well, but rest assured, I’m reading them and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I hope you all understand.

When God shuts a door, he truly opens a window… if that ever happens to you, keep your chin up and better things will come I know from my recent experience

Will miss you all!

Whitney Lane Photography‘s packages start at $1,975 and includes an engagement shoot, all day coverage, 80 images as chosen by Whitney that best describes your story, and the digital negatives for you to download, print and share as much as you want. Whitney says they also have very competitive rates for destination weddings, so feel free to contact them if you are thinking of leaving on a jet plane

Whitney says she and Kel are people oriented and love having the opportunity of watching their couple’s love story unfold in front of their camera. They would love to get together with you for a coffee or a drink, get to know you and talk about your big day… And perhaps make a new friend! To see more of their work, visit their website, be a fan on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Watch this promo video for a behind the scenes look at Whitney Lane Photography.

A Few Words With Whitney…

What do you have to offer for brides with lower budgets?
“I was a budget bride so I know exactly how that feels. I couldn’t afford to have my photographer stay for the reception and I wish I had images of all those details that I worked so hard on. I treat every wedding as luxe and make sure that the entire story of your wedding day has been documented.”

What sets you apart from others in the same field?
“I tend to not look to other wedding photographers solely for my inspiration. Instead I follow the trends of fashion and commercial photography, taking poses and ideas from Vanity Fair, and Vogue. This tends to make each wedding feel editorial and unique. I want every bride to feel that her image should be in a magazine.”

How would you describe your shooting and photo editing style?
“I lean more towards editorial photography. This means I document the day the way it might be layed out in a magazine or a featured spread. I shoot crisp images in complimentary light and angle photos for the most editorial appeal. I prefer clean, light, and airy photos with minimal processing. I do use Photoshop, but I prefer photos to have a timeless appeal, and I’ve discovered that photos with a less-is-more aesthetic stand the test of time and have a classic appeal to them.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?
“I love that every day is completely unique. The story, the people, the details they all inspire me in a completely unique way each time I go to shoot a wedding. I find I get very personally invested in my bride and grooms as well as their families which adds an emotional element to my images, because by the end of the day I really care about them all.”

What was the most creative shot you took and how did you come up with it?
“We were shooting at a wedding venue with an amazing restaurant above it. It was closed for the night but we were able to get permission to use the space for a late night bridal party picture. Channeling some Vanity Fair group posing and using the lights in the room to our advantage we were able to get a moody editorial bridal party photo which is one of my favourite all time images.”

Which part of the wedding is your most favourite to shoot and why?
“I love bride and groom portraits. It gives me the opportunity to express my creativity the most. It also gives the bride and groom time to relax with each other and to have fun reveling in the fact of being a newly married couple.”

Where is your favourite place/part of the city to take pictures for a shoot?
“I love Vancouver for its diversity. There is no end to amazing locations here for photoshoots. I tend to love soft golden light the most so anytime I have the chance to shoot on the beach or in a field around Vancouver I feel like I’ve been given a gift.”

If you had one piece of advice for a bride and groom, what would it be?
“Delegate so that you can really take in the beauty of the day. Make sure you schedule enough time to have some quiet moments with each other (possibly while we are doing portraits) so that you can really reflect on how amazing it is to be in love and to have such a beautiful day dedicated to that love.”

To contact Whitney & Kel, visit their website.
Do you have what it takes to be a Vancity Vendor? Apply here.

Vendor prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are accurate to the date published.

The resort is located on the west end of the little community of Harrison Hot Springs, just a couple of hours away from Vancouver. It’s perfect if you want serene surroundings and natural beauty everywhere you look. Catering Sales Manager Melissa Dabrowski was kind enough to take me on a tour of their facility. She says they can accommodate weddings of varying sizes including intimate gatherings of under 20 or large groups of up to 250. They have 2 ballrooms, one on either wing of the hotel, which can be customized according to your group’s size. When the sun is shining, your wedding will be held at their garden, complete with a stone walkway aisle so you don’t have to worry about your heels sinking in the grass. If it rains, no problem – the staff will be able to set up another room for you. Melissa says they try not to set up a ceremony in the same room as your reception in order to have a better flow to your day, which I really like. They do charge ceremony fees ($800 for a ceremony with reception, $1,000 for ceremony only) but you do have the option of having your ceremony elsewhere… lakeside perhaps? You’ll just have to get the proper permits for that yourself.

You can choose to have just your reception at the resort and take advantage of their non-existent room rental fees, food & beverage minimum spends, and cake cutting fees. Great deal eh? You just pay for what you’re ordering and it includes their professional serving staff, all required banquet tables and chairs, white linens & table skirting, dishes, and cutlery, and a dance floor. Their rates are reasonable with buffet packages starting at $39/person. They also have a create your own 3-course menu for $36/person but of course Melissa will be working with you to customize a menu that will work best for your event.

They do host more than one wedding from time to time but because the banquet rooms are at opposite ends of the hotel, you’ll hardly cross paths with another bride… not to mention the staff works really hard to make sure your day will go seamlessly. With Vancouver being close by, it’s easy to bring in your vendors from the city, but if you’d rather not, Melissa can gladly refer you to their trusted vendors so you can plan accordingly. The natural beauty of Harrison Lake and the village will definitely make for some memorable and stunning photographs so be sure to take advantage of that!

Other Perks and Ways You Can Save…

• Book a wedding on Sundays through Fridays (including long weekend Sundays) and receive 50% off ceremony fees and complimentary white chair covers.
• Complimentary banquet space for gift opening or post-wedding brunch following the reception
• They have flexible decorating times. If nothing is planning at your banquet space the night before, you are welcome to decorate early.
• Complimentary valet parking, welcome amenity, and discounted honeymoon suite for the bride and groom
• Honeymoon suite has adjoining rooms you can book in case you want more space to entertain
• Did I mention no food & beverage minimums, no room rentals for banquet space (reception only events), and no cake cutting fee? I did? Just reminding you then

If you’re looking for a destination wedding that’s not too far and very affordable, you’ll want to consider checking out Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa, just email sales@harrisonresort.com or call 1-800-663-2266. Not only is it a gorgeous spot to get married, the resort is also fantastic… read on to learn about my weekend.

My Experience at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa

We arrived on a Friday afternoon, a little early for their 4PM check-in but they were able to accommodate us, which was nice. Our room was on the top floor of the West Wing overlooking the lake. Being a bit of a neat freak myself, I appreciated how clean and tidy the room was, with our robes and pool towels laid out nicely on the bed.

Another pleasant surprise was the welcome fruit and cheese platter we were able to enjoy. At 4PM, the hotel treats their guests to complimentary afternoon tea and treats where we had servings of chocolate chip loaf and raspberry loaf.

We had reservations at The Copper Room, the resort’s feature restaurant. We indulged in a 4-course set menu, while being entertained by The Jones Boys, a very talented cover band.

They played the classics but also took requests and got some guests dancing, which was really nice to see (no I didn’t dance… I was a little intimidated that couples 30 or 40 years older than me were strutting their stuff on the dance floor). Our dinner and dessert were fantastic. I had a delicious butter lettuce salad, pork tenderloin (very, very tender and tasty) and the triple chocolate mousse (to die for and very memorable). It definitely exceeded my expectations. All in all, it was a great dining experience.

Now on to one of my favourite parts of the hotel… the pools! Nothing beats a nice soak in one of their hot spring-fed mineral pools. There are 3 outdoor pools and two indoor, each with varying temperatures. The indoor pools open til 1am so if you were looking for a late night swim, you can have it. Being in their warm outdoor pool at night, surrounded by nice foliage and stargazing was quite amazing though.

Bright and early the next morning, I was treated to a mani-pedi at the resort’s, Healing Springs Spa. Their esthetician, Faye, was the one who took really good care of me. She was personable, lovely to talk to, talented at what she does and made the whole experience very relaxing and fun for me. She told me she is also in charge of bridal makeup for any bride who gets married at the resort. I was also able to keep the small bottles of nail polish that I chose, as well as the nail files and buffers used on me. A little spa goodie bag to remember the experience If you are planning to take advantage of any of their spa treatments, it’s best to book in advance in case they are busy, which is usually the case.

Unfortunately the weather wasn’t that great so instead of going for a hike, we decided to just walk around town and along the lake. It was a nice walk, visited some shops, had some gelato and afogato at Chantilly, lunch at Swiss Gourmet Restaurant, dinner at The Hungry Chef… a very quiet and easygoing getaway. If we could stay longer, we would’ve. Thank you so much to those who made this all possible: Ian Maw, Melissa Dabrowski and all the staff at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa. Thank you for your hospitality and generosity.

Photographer credits: Melissa Montgomery Photography (wedding photos), Vancity Bride

Are you a budget-friendly wedding venue in BC? Apply to be a featured venue on Vancity Bride by emailing info@vancitybride.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Vendor prices are accurate to the date posted and are subject to change.

A Few Words With Kim…

How did you and Dave meet?
“We actually met as roommates! (I joke we met on Craigslist…because technically it’s true!) I had moved to Vancouver a few months before and was looking for a place in Kits and he was looking for a new roommate. We got along really well, I moved in and after a month and a half of becoming really good friends we realized there was something pretty special between us. Just over 3 years later we got engaged!”

How did Dave propose? 
“Dave proposed in our apartment on April Fool’s day last year. But thankfully he wasn’t fooling We went to his parents after for our weekly Sunday night dinner and announced the news to them and celebrated with some sparkling wine!”

What is your wedding going to be like?
“Our wedding will be at the Brock House on the North Lawn with the reception under the tent. We used to live a few blocks away and would walk through Jericho quite often, so that area has a lot of meaning to us.  It’s a beautiful setting that really highlights Vancouver (mountains, ocean – what more can you ask for?) so I’m really looking forward to sharing that setting with all my friends and family travelling from Ontario. We both love to travel and love the outdoors, so we are having a bit of a travel rustic theme to it. Our invitations were boarding passes and we will be incorporating the travel theme (and photos from our travels) into the guestbook, table names and seating chart.  (We are also planning a delayed honeymoon trip in November/December for 6 weeks to Nepal, India and Sri Lanka!)”

Love the photos? See the full post here.
Check out Nouvelle Photography’s Vancity Vendor profile, website, and be a fan on Facebook.

All photos courtesy Nouvelle Photography

Set up a consultation with Larissa 6-9 months before your event, preferably, but if your date is sooner, she would still love to be a part of your special day. If you’re curious about how your flowers will look like, she will gladly email you photos as the arrangements are coming together and even invite you to her Coquitlam studio a few days before the big day so you can see your bouquet for yourself. Larissa can source out anything to make your bouquet stand out but is also willing to incorporate pieces that are meaningful to you, like your grandmother’s brooch or a piece of your mom’s wedding dress. To see more of her work or to contact her for a consultation, visit her website and be a fan on Facebook.

A Few Words With Larissa…

What do you have to offer for brides with lower budgets? What flowers would you suggest to them and why?
“Consider local /seasonal flowers first. Thankfully we live in a region that provides an abundance of local grown flowers all year long. If you’re in love with peonies but your wedding is in August, we will make suggestions for other flowers that may be a complimentary sub.”

What sets you apart from others in the same field?
“I am a studio based event designer, thus allowing me the flexibility to offer pricing that is competivtive, without the overhead of a storefront. I offer on location consultation when required. I also will try and source as many of the flowers directly from the growers/farm/greenhouse which will then allow me to pass on lower cost to the clients.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?
“Each occasion is uniquely designed to express the client’s personality and vision. This is what we love – helping someone realize their dream so they can cherish the memories forever. My favourite part of the job is having someone come to me after the event and say, this is more than I could have ever hoped for!”

What was the most unique arrangement you’ve created for a wedding?
“A beautiful fall bouquet that included Kale, artichoke and seasonal fall grasses. We also included flower from the family’s garden.”

Describe a real life situation when you had to deal with a low budget bride. How did you make her dream bouquet come true? 
“The featured photo above was very reasonably priced – we used large mass floral elements (kale, artichoke) supplementing them with VERY REASONABLE alstromaria, garden grown grasses, and then a few roses/hypercum.”

How do you stay competitive when it comes to pricing?
“As a home studio based business, my overhead is much lower then store front operations. As a result I can offer lower overall cost to the clients. We source local flowers and support growers close to home. We take pride in recycling and being sustainable in our business practices. Being environmentally friendly can also help your wallet! We rent vases and other décor so you don’t have to buy it.”

If you had to make a bridal bouquet for $50, what flowers would it include?
“:If you want to have impact on budget, look at local in season flowers, preferable large mass pattern flower (gerbera, sunflowers, dahlia, peonies)  If we were in September, I would recommend Dahlia from one of my favorite local farms. Thy have a huge array of color and style, and it’s easy to pull together a look that would compliment any theme. During the late winter/spring I would recommend local grown greenhouse tulips. In between mother’s day- father’s day a bouquet a fully bloom local grown peonies (about 6 blooms).”

What kind of venue is your favourite to decorate and why?
“I prefer a classic venue with good bones not one that is over the top decorated or ornate, that does not compliment all themes.  As well a venue that  so bare/spares that you have to spend a lot of $$ to cover up the evils  can work against you. It may be very budget friendly to rent, but you end up spending more then budget allowed to make it your own, on décor, specialty linens, draping etc. One with lots of windows to let in natural light is always nice.”

What is the easiest way to transform a room?
“Make your head table a WOW feature, everyone will be looking at it all night long. Spend the $$ in a beautiful backdrop if the space does not have a pictured location already.”

If you had one piece of advice for a bride and groom, what would it be?
“This is YOUR wedding, so be sure to included elements that are important to you. Each occasion is uniquely designed to express the client’s personality and vision.  Get excited about your vision, and others will get excited as well, including me!! This is what I love – helping someone realize their dream so they can cherish the memories forever.”

To contact Larissa, visit her website.
Do you have what it takes to be a Vancity Vendor? Apply here.

Vendor prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are accurate to the date published.

Photographer credits: Pedersson Storyteller (feature image), Tanis Katie Photography, Jennifer Kirk Photography, Earthling Photography, Cora’s Photography, Lindsey Duban Photography

All photos provided by Bridal Beginnings

• What’s included in your package? – Most DJ’s include equipment like mixers, speakers, mics and specialty lighting with their booking but some may offer more hours or other perks. Compare each potential DJ’s package and see which one will get you the most bang for your buck. Make sure to ask if travel and setup/teardown fees are included, if any.
• Do you have videos from past events? – If the DJ has videos you can get a sense of how they work and, most importantly, see how they handle a party and how much fun the crowd is having.
• Do you have the songs I want? – Once you’ve got your playlist and do not play list put together, let your DJ know so they can be prepared and have the right songs ready for your big day. If they don’t have the specific song you want, make sure they will be able to get it for you.
• What do you do to keep the crowd energy level high? – The last thing you want is a boring party – your DJ must have some tricks up his sleeve to help take your party to the next level.
• Are you licensed to play this music? – Check if they charge the SOCAN or AVLA fees and make sure he or she is getting music legitimately.
• Do you have ceremony packages as well? – If you choose not to have live music for your event, you still need someone to play your ceremony music. If you don’t want to subject your friends to work your wedding and you’re hiring a DJ anyway, see if they can handle your ceremony as well.
• Do you emcee? - Most DJ’s make good emcees so if you feel none of your friends and family would be comfortable working the crowd and moving the night along, leave it to a professional. This may cost extra though.
• Do you have a good backup in case of emergency? - Ensure the DJ has a Plan B in case Murphy’s Law shows up on your doorstep. Whether it be a replacement DJ in case the one you booked is sick or backup equipment, it’s best to be prepared. The last thing you want is to be hooped.

And of course make sure his personality and party style meshes with your personalities and how you want your party to be. Make sure he’s flexible in case you don’t want too wild a party. Any other questions come to mind? Leave a comment and let us know!

Photo courtesy Shutterstock

Paid Shows

Perfect Wedding Show
When: Saturday, June 8, 2013, 11AM til 5PM
Where: The Executive Airport Plaza Hotel, 7311 Westminster Hwy, Richmond – map
Price: $15 online | $20 at the door

Photography Specials

Joanna Moss Photography is looking for couples!

If you’re getting married this year and have an interesting story about how you met your your journey to the altar, contact Joanna Moss! 1 lucky applicant of her choosing will receive a Complimentary Half Day Wedding Package for their 2013 wedding (local only, with restrictions, email photography@joannamoss.com to inquire).

When: Accepting applications between May 23, 2013 to June 29, 2013 | Winner posted on July 1, 2013
Contact: Apply or nominate a couple by emailing photography@joannamoss.com

Want your local wedding-related event to be included? Contact us! It’s free!

Feature Photo by Vancity Bride is from Lovestruck Bridal Show 2011

I’ll Know It When I See It specializes in custom and ready to go, print-it-yourself wedding stationery and monogram design. For the Ready To Go, Print-It-Yourself Wedding Invitations, clients get to choose from 10 pre-set designs and for $75 or $90 (with printable backing) they will receive a pdf file with the design customized to your colours and text so you can print as many as you want on your own cardstock. They also have matching Save the Dates, inserts, RSVP cards, programs, menus, place cards and table numbers available for purchase for DIY purposes. Turnaround for completed PDF’s is about 1 to 3 weeks (assuming everything is approved in a timely manner).

If you want something truly out of the box, Cassie and Christine are happy to work with your custom order, which includes invitations to maps, to seating charts, thank you cards, and more. They source out paper supplies and embellishments locally if possible, depending on the needs of the clients. Custom work can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months, Cassie and Christine will work with each client’s timeframe and ensure that everything will be completed in an efficient manner. To see more of their work or be on the look out for promotions, visit their website, be a fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

A Few Words With Caseie and Christine…

How did you come up with your company name?
“Our company name is definitely atypical but it’s a phrase that everyone has uttered at one point. Designers often dread hearing this from their clients but for us, it truly embodies the spirit of our work. Our job is to ask the right questions to figure out what the vision is inside your head. When you see our work we want you to say, Yes! That’s exactly what I was looking for, I just didn’t know how to articulate it!”

What do you have to offer for brides with lower budgets?
“For brides with lower budgets we highly recommend our ready to go, print-it-yourself wedding stationery. Everything can be done online – from browsing, customizing, and purchasing. Brides will get high quality design at DIY prices. We don’t have a starting price for custom design, printing and assembling. We assess the needs of each bride and build out a price based on what they’re looking for. We often hesitate to give generic pricing as many factors going into determining the final cost. Format, quantity, paper stock, design and embellishments all contribute to the price and as you can imagine there are many variations for each element.”

What sets you apart from others in the same field?
“For our custom work, we offer truly personal service. The entire process is extremely collaborative and many of our clients often say it’s their most favourite experience out of all their vendors. We spend a great deal of time working with each client to ensure they get exactly what they’re looking for in wedding stationery. We don’t just design invitations – we build relationships and love to check in with our brides later on to hear about the wedding day and how things went. We also do a lot of education. For most brides, planning any aspect of a wedding is new and it can be incredibly daunting. When it comes to wedding stationery, it often looks deceptively simple but in reality is fraught with technical intricacies. We walk our clients through it all to help manage expectations and understand why some things are the way they are.”

How would you describe your design style?
“Our design style is modern, fun and unique. On occasion we have done traditional, romantic designs but we always strive for a modern interpretation. We enjoy exploring typographic design, bold colours, patterns and other less than traditional elements. Robots, anyone?”

What do you enjoy most about your job?
“We love when our clients love our work. It is so satisfying when couples are excited and happy with the stationery. We feel strongly that wedding stationery is just as important as other design elements for the big day, like décor, and we want to help the couple craft a cohesive look. When couples share with us the feedback they get from their guests about our work, when they share with us photos from their day, and when they send us their testimonials, it really makes it all worthwhile.”

What was the most creative invitation you designed?
“By far, the most creative invitation designed was for Kelly and Simon. With family spanning across the globe (literally) they opted to have their wedding in Hawaii with receptions following in New Zealand and Canada. This meant the wedding invitations that had to do triple duty. While some guests were invited to all three events, most were only invited to the event in their nearest country. We came up with a set of stacking cards, inspired by the Eames house of cards.

We designed 12 cards that bundled together depending on the reception location. Guests of the Hawaii reception received all the cards while those attending the New Zealand or Canada party received only six. With bride and groom from different continents, their circle of friends and family were mostly mutually exclusive. We felt the invites were the perfect way for all the guests to learn more about the couple and that’s exactly what we filled the 12 cards with. Along with the requisite event and venue information each card highlighted cultural differences, facts about their hometowns and divulged personal quirks. All together it made for an exceptionally personal invitation.”

If you had one piece of advice for a bride and groom, what would it be?
“When it comes to wedding stationery – 9 times out of 10, you get what you pay for. It may look simple and easy but there’s a lot involved. Do you research but trust the experts. It will likely bring you a better end result in less time and with less stress.”

To contact Cassie & Christine, visit their website.
Do you have what it takes to be a Vancity Vendor? Apply here.

Vendor prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are accurate to the date published.

• Support System – Part of being a bridesmaid or groomsman is being there for your friend during the planning process, either as a sounding board for advice, an extra helping hand for wedding errands, or a shoulder to lean on when things aren’t going quite as planned.

• Party Planner – You gotta send off your friend into wedding bliss the right way so you are responsible for planning the bridal shower, stag or stagette. These may be financially demanding so it’s something to consider before saying yes to the bride or groom. At the end of the night when the guest of honour can’t seem to stand on their own feet, make sure you take care of them and that they’re safe and sound.

• Speech Writer – This usually just concerns the Maid of Honour and Best Man but depending on what the bride and groom want, you may be asked to say a few words. These speeches are some of the highlights of the wedding and I highly encourage you take your time and write a proper, meaningful speech. Remember, you don’t have to be funny so don’t let that pressure you… and please let’s not embarrass the bride and groom unless you know they can handle it

• Personal Assistant – The bride and groom will have lots on their mind on the big day, it’s up to you to make sure nothing gets left behind or forgotten. Prepare what’s coming up next or help clean up before leaving for the next area. Make sure someone gets food and water for the group too. It’ll be a long day, everyone needs to fuel up.

Lastly, remember that this is your friend’s big day. If she wants certain things for her wedding you may not particularly agree with, provide constructive criticism or just keep it to yourself. The bride needs all the support she can get in the months, weeks, even days leading up to her wedding.

Feature photo courtesy Pure White Studio

This first one shows you how to tie bows 3 different ways.

If you want to tie a bow on a gift or favor box, check this video out:

With enough practice, you’ll be churning out beautiful bows like no tomorrow! Good luck!