On Monday we shared a bright and bold destination wedding design board for Naomi + Tim’s beautiful July wedding. Their love for travel made a wedding in the sand an obvious choice, and we selected Melia Cabo Real Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico for its swimmable beach and small, intimate size.

One of the benefits of having a destination wedding is celebrating and visiting with your guests for an entire week. Upon arrival at the resort, guests were greeted with welcome packages and enjoyed a reception that included ice-breakers so the families could get to know one another. The evening before the wedding Naomi + Tim treated their 60+ guests to a bonfire on the beach complete with s’mores, drinks and music!

The wedding ceremony itself was performed by Tim’s parents, making it very special and personal. Dinner and dancing took place on Melia’s Garden Terrace which was decorated to reflect the couple’s love of colour. Teal tablecloths, orange napkins and hot pink chiffon sashes popped against white chiavari chairs. The lush centrepieces included lilies, mums and roses in bold shades. Glowing lanterns were strung above the terrace where guests enjoyed heartfelt speeches and danced the night away! Special thanks to local vendor Linens, Things and More who did an excellent job of executing our designs for both the ceremony and reception.

After the wedding Naomi + Tim explored Cabo with Carey Nash for their ‘trash-the-dress’ session. These stunning photos make me want to bring Carey on my next vacation – he really has an amazing eye!

Naomi + Tim: Congratulations again! It was an absolute pleasure to work with you – enjoy your first Christmas as newlyweds!

Jennifer + Team
Edmonton Wedding Planner + Designer

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Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Travel Agent: Dianna Izsak of Newwest Travel
• Photographer: Carey Nash Photography
• Rentals + Décor: Linens, Things and More by Suzanne Morel
• Flowers: Emporio Arte Floral
  
• Cake: Melia Cabo Real Resort
  
• Bride’s Gown: Pure Bridal
• Hair + Makeup: Neysa Berman Blanc Salon

The term destination wedding typically conjures up images of a sandy ceremony in a sunny locale. But you don’t have to look too far to find amazing destinations right here in Canada. Pender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands along the Pacific Coast of British Columbia – and let me tell you, it’s spectacular.

Stephanie + Clark were living in Halifax during the entire planning process, but through many emails and Skype calls we worked together to plan their dream wedding at Poets Cove Resort & Spa. As guests were travelling to Pender Island from all over the country, Stephanie + Clark wanted their wedding to reflect the destination as well as their own personal styles. ‘West Coast Chic’ describes a perfect pairing of elegant and luxurious décor with coastal elements such as driftwood, twine and nautical stripes.

Stephanie was a dream bride to work with! She has impeccable taste and put the utmost trust in each and every one of her wedding professionals, allowing us to do what we do best.

We are thrilled that this gorgeous wedding was featured in the Winter/Spring 2012 issue of WedLuxe Magazine. Enjoy the photos below taken by the so-very-talented C.J. Scott Photography.

Stephanie’s bridal look was exquisite! She wore ‘Dorothy’ by Vera Wang – a stunningly beautiful ballgown with hand-painted flowers on the tulle skirt and a jaw-dropping band of ‘bling’ across the neckline. Her hair and makeup were styled by Sharon Rai Hair and Makeup Artistry and Elsa Corsi designed her jewellery. Nude Christian Louboutin pumps completed the look.

Verbena Floral Design created the gorgeous bouquets and flower arrangements. I was so impressed with Vanessa and her team’s dedication to making sure every bloom looked perfect. I can’t wait for another opportunity to work with them again!

The stationery suite was designed by Jenelle at Pinkpolka Wedding Design. From the ‘ferry ticket’ Save the Date to custom postage and monogrammed welcome bags, every detail was perfectly coordinated to reflect Stephanie + Clark’s wedding style.

The ceremony was held on Poets Cove’s terrace facing the picturesque harbour. Rose petals and grand birch bark arrangements lined the aisle, while guests kept cool with ceremony program fans.

Clark was dashingly handsome in his Tom Ford tuxedo from Holt Renfrew. The bridesmaids wore ivory knee-length gowns by Melissa Sweet, tied with a black sash. They each carried a different bouquet composed of a flower used in Stephanie’s bouquet, representing the distinct roles they play in her life.

Stephanie looked breathtaking! She was a perfect bride – poised, elegant and classically styled. Clark cleaned up pretty well himself!

The reception décor carried through the ‘West Coast Chic’ theme. Walnut chiavari chairs contrasted beautifully with ivory Wilshire Stripe linens. Place cards were wrapped and tied around individual menu cards that sat atop ivory napkins and chocolate weave charger plates. The centrepieces were a lush combination of hydrangeas, roses, dahlias, lisianthus, stock, dusty miller and freesia. Birch bark containers, driftwood and ferns added rustic coastal elements to the romantic décor. A 3-tier vanilla buttercream cake sat amongst a table of freshly baked cookies which were later served with cartons of milk as a late night treat.

Guests held sparklers for the newlyweds’ first dance – a custom mash-up by DJ Clinton featuring Train’s Marry Me and Keith Urban’s Without You. A flare bartender served signature martinis with style while the dance party continued in the ballroom. Pink LED uplighting flooded the space with colour and energy, and Stephanie + Clark were delighted with a surprise flash mob performance to Party Rock Anthem coordinated by the wedding party!

Stephanie + Clark: I cannot thank you enough for entrusting Jennifer Bergman Weddings with your special day. Wishing you the very best as you begin the next chapter of your love story.

Jennifer and Team
Edmonton Wedding Planner + Designer

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Credits:

• Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Photographer: C.J. Scott Photography
• Rentals: Upright Décor
• Florist: Verbena Floral Design
• Cake + Cookie Table: Pender Island Bakery
  
• Invitations + Stationery: Pinkpolka Wedding Design
• Ceremony Music: Harbour Strings
• Reception Music: Capital City DJ
• Gown: Blush
  
• Hair + Makeup: Sharon Rai Hair & Makeup Artistry

This morning I was back on CTV Edmonton – this time, discussing considerations and tips for planning destination weddings. Many people have the impression that destination weddings are easier and less stressful than planning a wedding at home, but that’s not always the case. There are a lot more unknowns and many things to consider when going away for your wedding. Click the link below to view the segment:

Edmonton Destination Wedding Planning Tips

Pender Island, B.C., Canada

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Los Cabos, Mexico

Los Cabos, Mexico

If you’re going away for your wedding – whether it’s to the mountains, a beautiful vineyard or a sandy beach – contact us, we’d love to help!

Jennifer
Destination Wedding Planner + Designer

Photo Credits: C.J. Scott Photography, Kelsy Nielson Photographer, PHOTOPHILCRO, PHOTOPHILCRO.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting an amazing new resort in the Okanagan, located just 15 minutes from downtown Vernon, British Columbia. After perusing their website I couldn’t wait to experience Sparkling Hill Resort and check out their wedding facilities. First of all, over 3.5 million Swarovski crystals are infused into this modern oasis…3.5 million!? They’re not lying. Crystals, sparkle and bling abound in this place. From the welcome sign to the washrooms, every single nook and cranny shines.

From the moment you first arrive you can feel your tension lifting and relaxation setting in. The resort has a European flair and KurSpa (Kur means healing in German) is nothing like I have experienced before. Complimentary with your stay you receive access to the 7 unique aromatherapy sauna and steam rooms, an indoor pool complete with underwater music and starry Swarovski crystal sky, and an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Okanagan. This would be the perfect wedding destination for the couple who wants to give their guests a weekend to unwind and rejuvenate.

Guests looking for a unique experience can try KurSpa’s signature health treatment – the cold sauna. Popular in Europe and the first of its kind in North America, the cold sauna provides a treatment called cryotherapy, which involves spending up to three minutes in a room set at -110°C. Yes, you read correctly. -110°C! Spending the maximum amount of time (3 minutes) in the chamber will allow your skin temperature to drop to 5°C, which helps alleviate pain and assist with inflammation, among other benefits. For me being cold is tortuous so I opted out, but my husband tried it and enjoyed the experience!

Enjoy a peek at Sparkling Hill’s amenities below and continue reading for more information on weddings at this gorgeous resort.

Lakeview rooms feature a unique “tub-for-two” with this incredible view and a Swarovski crystal “starry sky” ceiling overhead.

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Weddings at Sparkling Hill Resort

Sparkling Hill Resort boasts an astonishing view of Lake Okanagan! The Terrace, pictured below, seats up to 120 guests. For your reception, choose from an intimate dinner for up to 35 guests in Gernot’s private room or host up to 180 guests in the grand Austria Ballroom. The Fireside Lounge is the perfect spot for cocktails or for an intimate ceremony with your closest friends and family.

Sparkling Hill Resort Terrace

Sparkling Hill Resort Terrace

Gernot's Private Room at Sparkling Hill Resort

Austria Ballroom at Sparkling Hill Resort

Fireside Lounge at Sparkling Hill Resort

Lobby at Sparkling Hill Resort

If you’re interested in having your destination wedding at Sparkling Hill Resort or in the Okanagan area, contact us today!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner / Okanagan Wedding Planner

Photo Credits: Jennifer Bergman Weddings, Sparkling Hill Resort, Ema Peter Photography.

When I first began working with Jaclyn + Curtis we explored the idea of a Rocky Mountain wedding…and then a local Edmonton wedding…but nothing was really getting them excited. When the idea of a wedding on the beach entered the picture, everything began falling into place.

Ninety guests joined Jaclyn + Curtis at the RIU Palace Cabo San Lucas in Los Cabos, Mexico to celebrate in the sand and sun. The couple kept their guests informed about travel and wedding details via a custom wedding website and travel arrangements were managed by My Dream Destination Travel.

Photographer Phil Crozier of PHOTOPHILCRO joined us on the beach from Calgary, Alberta. Not only is Phil an unbelievably talented photographer, but he has a wonderful way about him that makes you feel like an old friend. Here’s a sampling of some of the GORGEOUS images Phil captured of this beautiful couple.

{Jaclyn + Curtis’ Los Cabos destination wedding was recently featured in the Autumn/Winter 2011 issue of Blush Magazine! View the complete issue online here.}

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Jaclyn wore Eresma by San Patrick from Novelle Bridal. Her stunning hand-tied bouquet was composed of ivory and pink roses and calla lilies.

The ceremony was held at the RIU Palace’s San Jose Gazebo overlooking the glistening blue ocean. At the start of the ceremony the officiant spoke in Spanish for a good three minutes until Curtis finally leaned over and asked, “hablas inglés?” Turns out it was a joke and he continued the ceremony in perfect English. Needless to say it made for a very memorable ceremony!

After the ceremony, guests made their way over to the gorgeous pool side Baja Norte terrace with a stunning view of the signature Los Cabos landmark, El Arco. Local cuisine featured delicious entrées such as coconut chicken, fresh salmon with grapefruit butter, roasted lamb and seafood paella.

Jaclyn and Curtis wanted their décor to be simple yet elegant. Walnut chiavari chairs perfectly complemented custom-made ivory shantung linens, while each place setting was accented with a chocolate brown wicker charger plate and an ivory gift box containing Mexican sweets. Low, lush arrangements of ivory and pink blooms added the perfect amount of colour to each table. (Rentals were sourced locally from Linens, Things and More; flowers by Floreria Treboles.) The wedding invitations and reception stationery, designed by I Do Invitations, were elegantly handcrafted with twine and starfish detailing.

One of the perks of a destination wedding is having more opportunities to capture fantastic photos without having to rush to do it all on one day. Photographer Phil Crozier took Jaclyn and Curtis for a post-wedding shoot and he captured some amazing, romantic images!

By choosing to have a destination wedding, Jaclyn and Curtis were able to enjoy ten days of quality time with their friends and family over dinners, pool lounging and exciting excursions. Jaclyn + Curtis: Thank you for trusting me with such an important part of your lives. It was an absolute pleasure to share this experience with you and your loved ones!

Jennifer
Destination Wedding Planner

Looking for some wedding eye-candy to ooh and ahh over this weekend? Click the following links to view our past clients’ gorgeous weddings and get ready to be inspired!

Edmonton + Area Wedding Inspiration

Rocky Mountain + Destination Wedding Inspiration

Happy Planning!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner / Rocky Mountain Wedding Planner

Photo Credits (Top-Bottom): JDS Photography, Kelsy Nielson Photographer.

Searching for the perfect reception location can be overwhelming, and for many couples it is difficult to visualize a venue’s potential – especially when they have a particular look and style in mind for their big day. It’s easy to quickly dismiss venues because the walls and carpet don’t coordinate with your wedding colours; however, I’d encourage you to look beyond some of these minor details as nearly all spaces can be transformed!

One of the best ways to ensure your vision comes to life is by hiring a wedding planner/designer who shares your style. When we started planning Carolyn + Martin’s March 2011 wedding they told me they wanted their reception to look like a “modern winter wonderland,” and that rectangular tables, mirrored tabletops and blue/purple lighting were must-haves. Instead of getting hung up on aesthetics, we first found a venue that suited their desire for a Rocky Mountain wedding, accommodated their guest list and fit within their budget.

The Sawridge Inn & Conference Centre is a wonderful hotel in the heart of Jasper, Alberta. The Chief Paul Ballroom accommodates up to 210 guests for a wedding reception and features a gorgeous wooden dance floor in the centre of the room. The below promotional photo of the ballroom features wedding décor that is very traditional – the opposite of Carolyn + Martin’s chic, modern style…but just look at what we were able to do with the space…

With meticulously designed tables and spectacular lighting we achieved the Modern Winter Wonderland that Carolyn + Martin had envisioned!

The tables were dressed with luxurious, textured grey linens and topped with mirrored table runners which reflected the candlelight so beautifully. Tablescapes featured tall vases of curly willow sprayed white to mimic hor frost, glitter “snowballs” in silver julep cups and an abundance of votive and floating candles. Turquoise napkins added a pop of colour to the tables and the chairs were finished off with slate satin wraps. Here are a few more photos of the gorgeous space:

I hope this post inspires you to think outside the box when evaluating spaces for your own wedding. If a venue meets your requirements for capacity, location, food and budget, don’t be so quick to dismiss it just because the carpet is off-putting!

Jennifer
Jasper Wedding Planner

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Credits

• Wedding Planning & Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
• Rentals & Décor: OneWest Event Design & Rentals
• “Snowball” Centrepieces and Napkins: Special Event Rentals Edmonton
• Flowers & Willow Centrepieces: Elysion Florals
• Cake: Bride’s Family

2011 started off in style with a gorgeous winter wedding in Canmore, Alberta. Lauren + Neal had a strong vision for their big day: a grey and yellow palette with vintage-inspired details, tons of candlelight to create a warm, intimate ambiance and many unique, personalized touches to reflect their relationship. From welcome packages to shuttle service and a post-wedding brunch, making their guests feel at home in the Rockies was also a priority to this fun-loving couple.

Oh and speaking of fun, after a night of amazing tunes spun by Banff Entertainment, guests made their way to an after-party to continue celebrating! Special thanks to Victoria for assisting throughout the day.

Here are a few of the lovely images captured by Julie Williams Photography – be sure to check out Julie’s blog for more gorgeousness!

Lauren’s scrumptious, hand-tied bouquet by Willow Haven Flower Shop featured a mix of yellow roses, ranunculus, craspedia, tulips and narcissus.

Lauren worked with Studio Jellyfish to design her spectacular hand-painted wedding shoes! Lauren + Neal road-tripped all around Canada and the United States together and these shoes feature some of the amazing adventures they shared. I absolutely love this personal detail!

Lauren + Neal chose to do photos before their ceremony and were able to relax and have a blast with their stylish bridal party. Lauren wore an incredible dress that she had revamped into her own custom creation. As you can see, she was an absolutely stunning bride!

The ceremony was held at the Miners’ Union Hall in Canmore. The historic hall fit perfectly with Lauren + Neal’s vintage wedding theme. Featured above is their ceremony program which, along with their invitations and reception stationery, was designed by Box Paper Scissors in Calgary. Glowing candlelight lined the aisle along with an heirloom family carpet.

After the ceremony, guests gathered at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club for the reception. The setting was intimate and warm with a breathtaking view of the snow-covered golf course. Charcoal grey taffeta linens were accented with yellow ribbon table runners (rentals provided by Get Married in Banff). The tablescapes featured glass milk jugs with craspedia, ranunculus and tulips, while an abundance of floating candles in mason jars gave the room a gorgeous glow.

To personalize their reception, Lauren + Neal named tables after places they had travelled to (many from their North American road trip adventure) and included tips pertaining to each locale. Fittingly, guests wrote their best wishes and advice for the newlyweds on vintage postcards and dropped them into a charming old suitcase.

Doughnuts instead of wedding cake? Why not!

Lauren + Neal: What a beautiful start to your new life together! Wishing you many more amazing adventures together for years to come.

Jennifer
Canmore Wedding Planner