01/10/12

Wedding Planning Tips on CTV Edmonton Morning Live

More couples get engaged between December and February than any other time of the year! I recently appeared on CTV Edmonton’s Morning Live Show to discuss some top wedding planning tips for the newly engaged. Click the link below to view the segment:

Edmonton Wedding Planning Tips

Stay tuned to the blog over the coming weeks as we’ll be sharing more great tips to help get your wedding planning off on the right foot!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

01/5/12

In the Limelight: Pure Strength Fitness

Fitness and health top the list of New Year’s Resolutions each year, and for brides and grooms tying the knot in 2012, it’s no different! Whether you want to lose a few pounds, gain strength and muscle mass, or run your first road race, Edmonton’s Pure Strength Fitness is here to ensure your resolution stays on track.

I spent some time with Owner and Bridal Fitness Coach, Carlie Paxton, chatting about Pure Strength Fitness and how they can help you achieve your fitness goals. When Carlie’s done with you the only rolls at your wedding will be the ones served with dinner!

Carlie Paxton, Pure Strength Fitness

Tell us about the muscle behind Pure Strength Fitness!

I am Carlie Paxton, the owner and Bridal Fitness Coach of Pure Strength Fitness. I love being active and developed an affinity for living a healthy lifestyle at a very young age. Growing up in a family of sports minded boys, I learned very quickly how to keep up so I could get in on all the action. After seven years of personal training and working for lululemon athletica (a company full of strong, empowered women), I decided to focus my efforts on women and their fitness needs. After attending my first Bridal Expo, I fell in love with the idea of working with Brides. The thought of helping women look and feel great on their special day was very appealing to me. And here I am now…

Pure Strength Fitness is a boutique fitness studio in the West Glenora area. We provide lifestyle coaching that will help clients improve their body, mind and spirit. We offer a wide range of training options that will fit your schedule, rates that will match your budget, and a training style tailored to your individual needs.

What kind of training does Pure Strength Fitness focus on / specialize in?

We specialize in lifestyle coaching for Brides – specifically, women who want to make changes in their life to help them look and feel great for their wedding. Pure Strength Fitness has built a community of women that support and encourage each other to prepare for their wedding day.

How long before their wedding should brides and/or grooms begin a fitness program?

Whether your wedding is next year or next month it is never too late. With Pure Strength Fitness not only will we help you look and feel great for your wedding, we will improve your quality of life and help you create happy, healthy habits that you can use throughout your lifetime.

Many couples are strapped for time. How can they incorporate a fitness program into their busy lives?

If you have a full hour to be active everyday, great – but use your time wisely. Instead of training for longer periods of time, focus your efforts on working harder for shorter periods of time. The key is to keep your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes a day. Make sure your training goals are realistic. The more realistic your goals are the more sustainable and enjoyable your workouts will be. Consistency is everything.

What are your top tips for pre-wedding health and fitness?

Nutrition Tips

Never skip breakfast. Your body can go into starvation mode after 12 hours of not eating. If you go past a 12-hour period, your body starts to eat away at muscle tissue which then slows down your metabolism. A slow metabolism means unwanted weight gain.
Watch your sodium intake. Not only is it bad for your kidneys and blood pressure, it makes your face and body retain water (so you look heavier in your wedding photos).
Eliminate one carbonated beverage, one fruit juice or (god forbid) one Starbucks per day. This accounts for an average 1800 calories per week. At this rate in six weeks you can lose up to 3-4 pounds.

Fitness Tips

Start today – stop putting it off.
Add strength training into your fitness routine. Adding muscle will speed up your metabolism.
Tell others of your physical goals. A little motivation and encouragement from those you love will help keep you on track.

Do you offer any special packages to brides and grooms-to-be?

I have packages available for Brides, Bride and Groom and Bridal Party. If you are looking to start a training program please contact me at info@purestrengthfitness.com. Don’t wait to start living. Live now!

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Here’s to a happy, healthy 2012!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

12/31/11

Happy New Year!

The last day of 2011 has arrived! It has been an outstanding year full of beautiful weddings and we’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you…

Thank you to our amazing clients for letting us be a part of such a special time in your lives.
Thank you to the talented wedding professionals that we have the pleasure of collaborating with.
Thank you to the hardworking JBW staff for your commitment and dedication to making every event perfect.

Here’s a recap video of some of our 2011 weddings – from Edmonton to the Rocky Mountains, Mexico to Pender Island – it has truly been a wonderful year!

See you in 2012!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

Photo Credits: Julie Williams Photography, PHOTOPHILCRO, Mark Eleven Photography, Carey Nash Photography, JDS Photography, Night and Day Photography, Sharon Litchfield Photography, C.J. Scott Photography, Tye Carson Weddings, Moments in Digital, Katch Studios.

12/27/11

Edmonton Wedding Planner: Hala + Sean

Married exactly one year from the day they were engaged (in front of the Eiffel Tower, I might add), it’s no surprise that romance was the running theme for this wedding from the start. Hala + Sean’s modern day fairytale wedding was held back in August on a sunny day in Edmonton, Alberta. They chose to have their ‘first look‘ at The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald before heading over to St. Joachim Catholic Church to say their vows.

As always, Sharon Litchfield Photography did an amazing job capturing the romance and elegance of this gorgeous wedding. The pictures truly speak for themselves – enjoy!

{Special thanks to Jessica for assisting!}

Hala’s super-talented beauty team: Anita Gill Makeup Artistry and addcolo Wigs

Hala took everyone’s breath away in her stunning Tara Keely ballgown (style 2051) from Novelle Bridal!
Her beautiful bridesmaids looked picture perfect in fuchsia chiffon dresses.

Kate Ashton Florists designed the gorgeous florals. Hala’s romantic bouquet featured mini ivory calla lilies, pink and ivory roses, lisianthus, stock, and mini pink cymbidium orchids.

After the ceremony guests made their way to The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald’s Wedgwood Room for cocktails, dinner and dancing. We kept the décor design simple to let the beauty of the room’s architecture take centre stage. Lush pink centrepieces popped on the elegant white and silver tables, and reception stationery by Pinkpolka Wedding Design completed the look.

Duelling pianists entertained guests throughout the entire evening! The first dances were one of my favourite parts of the entire day – you could feel the emotion in the room – beautiful!

Congratulations, Hala + Sean! It was an absolute pleasure to work with you and your families to bring your wedding vision to life. Wishing you all the best in the future!

Jennifer + Team
Edmonton Wedding Planner

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Vendor Credits:

Wedding Planning + Design: Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Photographer: Sharon Litchfield Photography
Videographer: A Love Story
Rentals: Elegant Touches
Florist: Kate Ashton Florists
Cake: Simply Elegant
Invitations + Stationery: Pinkpolka Wedding Design
Reception Music: Lindsey Nagy + Jesse Peters
Transportation: Eternity Limousine
Gown: Novelle Bridal
Hair: Patricia J Hair Designer
Makeup: Anita Gill Makeup Artistry

12/21/11

Featured in Weddingbells Magazine!

We’re excited to be featured in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Weddingbells Magazine! It’s on stands now so go grab your copy (and flip to page 393)!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

12/15/11

Short Reception Dresses

Reception dresses have become quite popular with modern brides. A second, shorter wedding dress allows you to get your groove on during the dance – plus it’s a great excuse to change up your bridal look and accessories! Here are some fab finds under $1000!

Chic
BCBG Avanti Strapless Dress – $328

Vintage
B H L D N Dainty Diversion Mini – $600

Romantic
J. Crew Hyacinth – $926

Fun
Nordstrom Sue Wong with Ostrich Feathers – $574

What do you think about a second wedding dress? Are you wearing one at your reception?

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

12/7/11

Icy Blue Winter Wedding Inspiration Board

The weather outside may be frightful, but winter weddings can be so delightful! Today’s inspiration board pairs various shades of blue with crisp, white details for a modern winter wedding design.

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

Photo Credits (clockwise from top left): blue martinis – DP Challenge; winter wedding invitation – Miller + Miller; winter wonderland wedding – Jennifer Bergman Weddings; lampshade centrepiece – In Any Event; bride and groom – Mattramos Photography; blue lighting and callas – Project Wedding.

12/5/11

Edmonton Wedding Planner: Victoria + Nathan

Victoria + Nathan are that couple. That couple you know who are so in love that you feel like you’re watching a romance movie when you’re with them. It was only fitting that their wedding exuded romance as well!

Using a fresh palette of pewter grey, ivory and icy blue, we designed and coordinated their wedding at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. The result: an elegant, enchanting affair that felt warm and inviting.

Here’s a look at Victoria + Nathan’s day with photos by Katch Studios. I had such a hard time narrowing down the photos to share with you (drop-dead gorgeous couple + insanely talented photographers = soooo many amazing images)!

{Special thanks to Sarah and Jessica for assisting.}

Love a groom in a bowtie. Paired with a phalaenopsis orchid boutonniere – elegant and timeless!

Victoria’s gown by Pronovias (Fantastica) from Pure Bridal was full of romantic, cascading ruffles.

The ceremony was held at St. Joseph’s Basilica – one of Edmonton’s iconic landmarks. The emotion on Victoria’s face says it all.

At the reception guests left their thumbprint on a custom guest book tree drawing. The Empire Ballroom is naturally stunning, so minimal décor is required. The room was enhanced with vanilla satin chair wraps, silver damask linens and gorgeous centrepieces by La Piazza Dasee composed of white phalaenopsis orchids, and blue and white hydrangea.

Victoria + Nathan opted to include thoughtful thank-you notes at each guest’s place setting. Blue butterfly place cards added a whimsical touch to the table décor.