Your wedding invitations and stationery should reflect the tone and level of formality of your event, but they should also reflect you: your style, your personalities and your relationship. After all, that’s what your guests are coming to celebrate!

I have the pleasure of working with Pinkpolka Wedding Design – Edmonton’s premiere wedding invitation and stationery boutique – for many of our clients’ events. Read on for owner Jenelle Gartner’s top tips when considering your wedding stationery.

Tell us about the stylish lady behind Pinkpolka Wedding Design!

I am Jenelle Gartner, the owner and designer of Pinkpolka Wedding Design. I have always been drawn to art and creating, so it was a natural progression that I chose a career in graphic design. I graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communications and a minor in Business and Marketing. Before starting Pinkpolka Wedding Design, I worked as a designer for corporate design studios gaining invaluable experience in commercial design and production.

I chose to start a boutique design firm specializing in wedding invitations and stationery because I have a distinct style for pretty and cute design. I also enjoy working on such happy and joyous projects which have so many creative elements such as unique paper, shapes and textures along with creative finishes that have limitless possibilities.

What does Pinkpolka offer?

Pinkpolka Wedding Design is a boutique design studio specializing in wedding invitations and stationery. We offer couples stylish and unique stationery options to turn their wedding into a beautifully branded event. We have a large collection of “Off-the-Rack” designs which offer couples a more affordable option of choosing an existing design and simply changing the color. We also provide coordinating stationery to an invitation suite including products such as place cards, menus, seating charts, table numbers, guest books, banners, signage, dance floor decals and thank you cards.

What makes Pinkpolka different?

With a background in commercial design, Pinkpolka was created to offer a fresh perspective to Edmonton’s wedding stationery market. First and foremost Pinkpolka is a design studio – not a stationery store. We pride ourselves on providing creative, non-traditional solutions to wedding stationery. We are not crafters or hobbyists so we take our business seriously and want all our couples to have a polished and professionally designed invitation suite. Choosing Pinkpolka Wedding Design means you are getting the experience and expertise of a professionally trained graphic designer who can provide solutions to any custom project. Some of our projects require hand-assembly, but all of our invitations and stationery are professionally printed and produced using the highest quality supplies.

What’s your favourite part about the stationery design process?

I have two favourite parts of the design process. The first is seeing a couple’s reaction when I present the mock-up of an invitation design. The excitement and happiness clients exude is priceless and makes my job extremely fulfilling. Most clients don’t know what to expect with custom design and when they finally see a visual of the concept we discussed it is usually more than they could have imagined. Seeing these reactions truly makes my day!

My second favourite part of the process is packaging a completed reception stationery order. Our company mission statement is to “create beautifully branded events” and this part of the process embodies that statement. It makes me so happy to see a perfectly coordinated suite of stationery including such items as menus, place cards, signage, favour tags and thank you cards!

What are some exciting stationery trends you’re seeing for weddings?

• Simplicity: A common trend this year was to keep things simple. A lot of couples decided to use a phone and email RSVP, rather than a traditional mail-back insert. Many designs this year used a postcard style invitation with an extra “info card” insert. The info card works well to include RSVP information, a wedding website and any other travel or event related information. In many cases the cost was quite low so clients could invest in some extra details such as envelope liners, cigar bands and metallic stock.
• Bold Typography: Couples have been gravitating to bold uses of typography – both in modern and traditional designs. Using this typography treatment creates quite the statement and demands attention!
• Customization: This year I have had a high number of custom orders. Our “Off-the-Rack” collection includes more than 75 invitation designs, but the majority of clients this year have wanted an invitation created with their own vision and style rather than choosing an existing design.

What are your top tips for brides and grooms when considering their wedding stationery?

• Figure out your style. Not all stationery designers are created equally. Similar to wedding photographers, stationery designers all have distinct styles. Do your homework and look at a company’s portfolio section to see if they are the right fit for you. You might also want to check each vendor’s pricing to see which one falls within your budget.
• Have a clear idea of what you want to spend. It is easy to become overwhelmed by all the beautiful wedding invitation designs and ideas out there. When you begin adding ‘extras’ like metallic paper, envelope liners and cigar bands, price can increase quite quickly. Know what you are willing to spend and prioritize what you are willing to compromise. Most of the time I will build quotes based on a couple’s ideal invitation and from there optional pieces can be eliminated to bring down the budget.
• Infuse your personality into your wedding stationery. I believe it’s important for couples to be true to themselves throughout the entire process of planning a wedding, especially when it comes to their wedding stationery. Too often, couples have a strong preference to certain colours and styles of invitations but want to make sure they conform to conventions they believe are proper. Social standards have evolved greatly and it’s more common for wedding invitations to be creative and customized to reflect the couple’s personality.

The invitations featured above are custom Pinkpolka designs for some of our 2011 clients. Check out their online portfolio to view even more stunning stationery suites!

Thanks for sharing, Jenelle!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

If you’re looking for a unique gift for your boyfriend, fiancé or husband – look no further! Boudoir photography is the art of visually capturing beautiful, sensuous photos of women. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Kat Gill from Katch Studios ~ Boudoir about the growing popularity of this empowering style of photography. Here’s what she had to say.

Tell us about Katch Studios and the types of photography you offer.

Cheryl and have been best friends since we were kids and Katch Studios was born from our mutual desire to create something together that is beautiful and meaningful. Together, we started out photographing weddings and couples but have since branched out into families and newborns too. Most recently, I’ve engaged in a full-blown love affair with boudoir photography and do this solo along with some amazing stylists.

What inspired you to do boudoir photography?

Before photography, I was a makeup artist and spent years making women look and feel beautiful. With my career in photography, that passion for capturing women at their most beautiful just grew. I also felt like I had a very specific style and look in mind that I wanted to convey. We like to think of it as “modern boudoir photography.”

What do you love most about shooting boudoir sessions?

Simply put, I am a total “girly girl” and I’m obsessed with makeup, hair and styling! I regularly devour fashion magazines and dissect ads and spreads everywhere for posing and lighting inspiration. With boudoir photography I get to put all of those passions into one session. Also, working with only one subject is something amazing in itself!! I love that I can focus completely on each woman and capture her in her best light.

What is a boudoir marathon?

It’s basically a bunch of sessions booked one after another over the span of a day or a weekend. Marathon Sessions are a great value because they include hair & makeup styling and a shorter 1 hour photo shoot for the same price as it would cost to book a Private Boudoir Session that is 1.5 hours long and doesn’t include the cost of hair & makeup. There are refreshments, sweet treats and it’s an all around girly fun-filled time!

What do your clients do with their boudoir photographs?

Women get boudoir pictures done for a wide range of reasons: as an engagement gift for their fiancé, as an original birthday gift to the boyfriend/husband who has everything, or simply for themselves. It’s a great way to capture a moment in time. Many of our clients end up purchasing an album, prints/wall canvases or getting their picture files on a disc.

What tips or advice to you give your boudoir clients to prepare them for their session?

I help them out with suggestions on the types of lingerie & accessories that photograph best and prepare them with lots of little tips like painting their nails and moisturizing. Mostly though, I just assure them that they’ll be in good hands. I put a lot of energy into finding the most flattering poses and angles for each woman and I really do believe I work with some of the best stylists in Edmonton.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful art, Kat! For information on booking your own modern boudoir session visit www.katchstudios.com/boudoir.

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

When I ask couples about their wedding day priorities, great photography always tops the list. But choosing the right photographer to capture your wedding memories isn’t always easy – there’s a lot to consider! Brianna, owner of Brianna K Photography, shares what inspires her and advises what couples should keep in mind when hiring their wedding photographer.

Tell us about yourself!

I was born and raised in Edmonton. At the age of 23 I moved to New York City to study photography. After receiving my BFA in NYC I moved to Paris where I earned a Master’s Degree in Photography. Living abroad gave me an appreciation for Edmonton and what I love most about it is the people.

Shooting weddings allows me to connect with some of the city’s unique and amazing couples. What sets me apart from other photographers is my ability to bring a little Paris and New York style into my wedding photography!

Why did you become a photographer?

I have always loved the arts and studied art history at the U of A. The more I studied the more I wanted to become an artist. When I was a child my family was involved in the arts and took my brother and I on trips to Europe where I gained a true appreciation for the creative world.

Who have been the biggest influences in your life (photographers or otherwise)?

I am influenced by everything around me – from the frost on the trees to the autumn leaves. I am inspired by my clients and the emotions they embody on their wedding day.

How would you describe your photography style?

I am a fine artist at heart and am represented by a gallery in Edmonton. I also shoot fashion and commercial work for magazines. My wedding style is documentary as I love to capture the intimate moments between a couple. My work is not posed, it is more natural. I really focus on the emotional aspect of the wedding and strive to achieve that in my photographs.

Do you have a favourite wedding or wedding moment that you’ve photographed?

I love all my couples! My favourite moments are when the groom sees the bride for the first time and the intimate moments I capture after the ceremony.

What are some wedding day photography tips that couples should keep in mind?

It is very important that a couple trusts and feels comfortable with their wedding photographer. Don’t choose someone simply because they are the cheapest – book a photographer who has a style you love and who you connect with. I also recommend doing an engagement session as this helps build a relationship with your photographer before the wedding.

Here’s a glimpse at some of Brianna’s recent work – gorgeous!

Visit Brianna K Photography to book Brianna for your upcoming wedding!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

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

Everyone knows that a DJ can make or break a party, so finding the right DJ for your wedding is a very important task that requires careful consideration. Premiere DJs is a modern, hip Edmonton DJ service that promises an unforgettable dance experience. I sat down with co-owner Harman B to chat about weddings, music and how to throw a great party!

Tell us about Premiere DJs.

Premiere DJ’s is Edmonton’s best boutique DJ service! Managed by Harman B & DJ Kwake, Premiere DJs will match you with the best DJ for your wedding.

What makes Premiere DJs different? How do you provide a distinct wedding experience?

A Premiere DJ wedding experience is intimate, interactive and modern. It is a custom sound tailored to the clients’ needs, desires and tastes. We are professional, experienced & talented; we mix live on turntables (records) and we have the best digital sound system and offer modern and elegant lighting too! We consult with our clients in advance and tailor their program to their guests, the venue, the time of the year, etc. We also help our clients consider their floorplan and the energy flow in the room.

Who are the right brides and grooms for your service?

Our couples are hip, modern and outgoing who love to travel, eat out, dance and care about giving their guests an experience they will not forget.

What do you love about DJ-ing weddings?

We love the challenge to please an entire array of guests at a wedding – from Grandma to your farmer Uncle, to ethnic-fusion weddings to groomsmen from Fort McMurray! We work hard to find a common ground and get EVERYONE rocking at the same party.

What is the most unique wedding or wedding component you’ve seen?

We like when couples evolve with the times and try something different, such as having no head table, shortened programs, sweet and simple speeches, etc. These elements showcase the evolution of weddings and are appealing to modern brides and grooms.

What is your top tip for brides and grooms to consider when planning their reception / dance music?

• I would highly suggest for couples to avoid stopping their dance during the night for announcements – keep the party going!
• Position the bar close to the dance floor.
• Don’t spread your guests out amongst the room; the more intimate the space the better the energy flows.

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Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

Constance + Mike were married in Edmonton on December 30, 2010 – my last wedding of the year. These two are perfect for one another! They are both incredibly kind and genuine people, and always put others’ needs before their own.

Constance works in museums so when we began designing their big day it quickly became clear that a Vintage Art Deco Wedding would be a perfect fit. Constance and Mike also wanted to incorporate a few cultural traditions from their family heritages. Greek Jordan Almonds were given to guests in mirrored favour boxes and Ukrainian bread called korovai was displayed at the reception.

Julie and David of JDS Photography were on hand to capture this beautiful winter wedding day. A sampling of the gorgeous images are below:

Constance’s vintage-inspired bouquet by Coral’s Design was composed of antique hydrangea, Picasso calla lilies, Amnesia and Sahara roses, stephanotis, eyelash feathers and green hypericum berries. An ornate silver tussy mussy was used as a bouquet holder to complete the vintage look.

Mike looked dapper in his 3-piece charcoal grey suit!

The ceremony, held at St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church, was my first Orthodox wedding and I really enjoyed the traditions and symbolism that were incorporated throughout the service. Special thanks to Crystal for assisting at the ceremony!

Constance took my breath away! From her tan fur stole to the finger waves in her hair, every detail of her ensemble worked perfectly with the vintage theme. The best detail of all – Constance had her mother’s gorgeous ivory lace wedding dress re-worked and it was absolutely stunning!

The art deco escort cards, table numbers, menus and signage were designed by Pinkpolka Wedding Design to coordinate perfectly with the camel and aubergine palette.

The reception was held at The Westin Edmonton. Prior to dinner, guests enjoyed cocktails and canapés to live music by cellist John Fedor. The tables were draped in camel satin linens and topped with aubergine runners and sage green napkins. ABC Weddings supplied all linens as well as the aubergine satin chair wraps.

The centrepieces alternated between tall silver crystal candelabras and clarinet vases with floating candles and Sahara roses (rentals supplied by Elegant Touches).

Constance and Mike decided to forgo a traditional wedding cake and instead they opted to share their favourite sweet treat with guests – doughnuts!

No Greek-Ukrainian wedding is complete without dancing (and lots of it)! Dan from Baseline D.J. kept the dance floor full all night long!

Thank you, Constance and Mike, for allowing me to share in your special day! It was a pleasure getting to know you and I know you will enjoy a wonderful life together.

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

Still searching for the perfect ensemble for your bridesmaids? A few months ago I blogged about

 Bridesmaid dresses – a gorgeous line of multifunctional dresses that can be worn 15 ways and don’t require alterations!

Edmonton brides, you’re in luck! Twobirds Bridesmaid is in town this weekend showcasing their versatile dresses at Matrix Hotel.

Edmonton Trunk Show
March 5+6, 2011
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Matrix Hotel Edmonton
10640 100 Avenue

More good news – if you place an order during the Trunk Show weekend you will receive $15 off any dress! To schedule an appointment contact danielle@twobirdsbridesmaid.com.

Happy shopping!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

It’s pretty darn cold this week in Edmonton, so in an attempt to remember warmer days this post features a summer wedding with sunshine and blue skies!

Danielle and Danny were married last July in Banff, Alberta. They moved to Edmonton from Québec a few years ago and decided that a destination wedding in the Rockies was the perfect way to show their family and friends their new backyard.

As guests landed at the Calgary airport they were ushered into limousines to enjoy the scenic drive to Banff in style. The ceremony was held at Tunnel Mountain Meadow adjacent to Buffalo Mountain Lodge. Tunnel Mountain has got to have one of the best views in Banff – it is absolutely stunning!  The reception followed with a delicious meal and entertainment provided by Rob from Class Act D.J. Service. Let me tell you something – the French know how to party!

Special thanks to Ewa for assisting throughout the day, and to Aisha and Trinity for helping with the ceremony setup.

Enjoy these lovely images captured by Perry Thompson Photography!

Silver chiavari chairs accented with lilac organza sashes from OneWest Event Rentals gave Tunnel Mountain Meadow an elegant alpine look. Deborah Nyack played the harp beautifully and Rev. George Belcher did a great job officiating the ceremony in both English and French!

Could you ask for a better ceremony backdrop!? Amazing.

The bridal party posing for photos with the historical Banff Springs Hotel in the photo background.

Danielle has gorgeous eyes!

Adorable flower girls! These two were super sweet and looked angelic with their dendrobium orchid hair wreaths.

I absolutely LOVE this photo. The expression on Danny’s face says it all.

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…and now on to the reception at Buffalo Mountain Lodge. This wedding is a testament for what lighting does for a room. Here’s the Wapiti Longhouse as it normally looks:

…and after!

The tables were set with plum satin linens, silver charger plates, crisp white napkins and hammered silver napkin rings (Elegant Touches and OneWest Event Rentals). The simple, elegant centrepieces (Elements Floral Design) featured white hydrangea and mauve roses in cube glass vases. The wedding invitations and reception stationary were designed and printed by The Paper Tree.

Danny was all about the wedding cake! He wanted a multi-level look and Barb from Cake Creations delivered. The round white cakes were draped with fondant and featured silver scroll details to match the stationary perfectly.  The clear acrylic stairways represent bridges which are an important part of Danny’s profession.

Danielle + Danny: It was such a pleasure to get to know you and to witness your love for one another. I look forward to keeping in touch and I wish you all the best as you begin this new chapter in your lives!

Jennifer