If you’re searching for a completely unique, urban venue for your Edmonton wedding, look no further. The new Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA) is now open and is a perfect fit for the contemporary couple looking to wow their wedding guests.

Designed by Los Angeles-based architect Randall Stout, the 85,000 square foot iconic building is certainly its own piece of art in Edmonton’s downtown core. And with a handful of different spaces for 20-250 guests, there are a lot of great options to explore for your wedding.

Drop us a line – we’d love to talk about planning your amazing wedding at the AGA!

Jennifer

Photo Credit: Art Gallery of Alberta.

Ever wonder what it would be like to be on TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress? Well, one lucky bride-to-be will soon find out! The RingBearer.ca and Kleinfeld Bridal have just launched a fabulous contest.

Here are the amazing contest details:

• The winner will receive a $5,000 gift certificate to Kleinfeld!
• A private store opening in Manhattan, New York
• Personal styling services provided by Randy Fenoli (Fashion Director at Kleinfeld) and a Kleinfeld Bridal Consultant
• Free airfare and five-star accommodations

To enter, simply visit http://theringbearer.ca/kleinfeld and submit your proposal or love story along with a photo of you and your sweetie. Entries are accepted until February 14, 2010.

Good luck!

Jennifer

Love it or hate it, James Cameron’s Avatar is the topic of more water cooler convos than we’d all care to admit. I’m usually not a fan of sci-fi flicks, but I have to admit – I really enjoyed it!

A sucker for romance, my favourite part was definitely the love story…which got me thinking…what would an Avatar wedding look like!? I know, it sounds ridiculous, but here’s my take on a Neytiri and Jake Sully union:

Neytiri would look stunning in a nature-inspired Jorge Terra wedding gown, complete with gold Anna Sui gladiators and a beautiful maang tikka on her forehead. She’d carry a bouquet of fresh tropical flowers to meet Jake at the altar of their quaint ceremony in the forest, and their reception would be filled with crystal trees representing the sacred Tree of Souls. Now as for entertainment…you guessed it – a special appearance by the Blue Man Group! 😉

Jennifer

Photo Credits: (top L-R) ‘I Do’-it-Yourself Weddings, Jorge Terra, Designer Events; (bottom L-R) Anna Sui via Shoe Blog, Andrena Photography, Mike Sidney Photography.

A recent consultation with a client inspired this post. The couple is getting married on the groom’s family’s acreage this summer, and they are incorporating a lot of homespun country touches. Fruit-filled pies and jellies, a late-night bonfire for roasting s’mores, and of course, it wouldn’t be a country wedding without hay!

Hay bales used in place of chairs for the ceremony or an outdoor tent reception creates such a rustic feel. You can even create a super cool lounge area by stacking the bales like a couch – simply add some throw pillows, a few cozy blankets in your wedding colours, and voila!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jennifer

Photo Credits: (top L-R) W. Scott Chester Photography via The Green Bride Guide, The Nicols; (bottom L-R) Tec Petaja Photo, The Knot, Sean Watson Photography via The Green Bride Guide.

This month Edmonton-based PinkPolka Wedding Design is giving away a russell+hazel deluxe wedding organizer to help keep you on track throughout the planning process. The organizer, worth $75.00, includes:

• Signature Binder
• 12 Section tabs with pockets 
• Planning notebook 
• Organized adhesive note set 
• Sheet protectors
• 2 business card pages
• 10 8-1/2 x 11″ pages
• 5 Multi Format pages

Click here to enter. Good luck!

Jennifer

glam: full of glamour; fascinating; alluring; glittering; prestigious; Hollywood.

Let’s face it – every bride wants a bit of glamour on her wedding day! Here are 5 ways to get you thinking about how you can turn heads at your reception.

1. Consider your colours: When I think “glam” I think classic with a punch of extravagance. Trendy colour combinations can certainly be incorporated into a glam wedding, however I recommend focusing on classic palettes, adding hints of daring colours sparingly. Some examples include black and white with a touch of eggplant purple, or pairing silver and ivory with deep red.
   

   Photo Credit: The Knot.

   

   Photo Credit: Project Wedding.

2. Add ambience: The atmosphere and feeling of your event are key. Spend some time planning elements such as lighting and music to ensure your guests enjoy your wedding just as you’ve envisioned.
3. Think distinct: Adding a unique element to your wedding will make it memorable for your guests. Change up the typical reception format by putting speeches before dinner; surprise guests and your fiancé by hiring a live pianist or singer for your first dance; include a self-serve sundae bar as part of the midnight lunch.
4. Go for glitz: Rhinestones, crystals and metallics – when done tastefully – can really add a lot glamour and elegance to a wedding. Incorporate a few of these elements into your table design or centerpieces, or bedazzle your bridal party and bouquets.
5. Fancy fabric: Quality linens – tablecloths, overlays, runners, napkins, chair covers – can take your wedding reception from ordinary to extraordinary! At most weddings, guests spend a lot of time at their seats, so focus on making the tables look amazing. Textured or coloured linens can dramatically change a room and are an excellent way to incorporate your wedding theme and colours.

Jennifer

Winter weddings in our Canadian climate are often dismissed, but I’d encourage you to consider one for your soiree. Having an off-season wedding can come with a lot of perks – discounted rates from vendors, enthusiastic guests who are happy to attend a wedding outside of the busy summer season and best of all, it’s the perfect time to escape on your hot-weather honeymoon!

Today’s winter wedding inspiration board is an icy blue, pewter and white palette warmed up by the twinkle of candlelight, delicious comfort foods and a stylish faux-fur wrap. Enjoy!

Jennifer

Photo Credits
Centrepiece: Pacific Weddings; Bridesmaid Dress: Melissa Sweet; Invitation: Wedding Paper Divas;
Boutonniere: Ritzy Bee; Cake: The Knot; Winter Reception: The Knot; Hot Chocolate: Cupcakes and Cashmere;
Mac & Cheese: Beecher’s Handmade Cheese; Floating Candles: Project Wedding; Faux-Fur Wrap: Your Wedding Wardrobe.

Happy New Year and congrats to all the newly engaged couples out there! Enjoy this time together and try not to get overwhelmed with all the details just yet. Focus on the few key big items that are essential to establishing the direction of your wedding:

1. Wedding Date / Month / Time of Year: Some couples know exactly when they want to get married. Perhaps it’s on your parents’ anniversary or the day you first met 5 years ago. For most of us, we have a general idea of the time of year or month we’d like to tie the knot, but are a bit more flexible on the exact date. 
2. Guest List: Do you want a small, intimate wedding with close friends and family, or are you extending the invitation to everyone who has been a part of your lives over the past decade or so?! The size of the guest list is the number one factor in the cost of your reception, so if you have expensive taste and a tight budget, consider limiting the invite list so you can have the wedding you’re dreaming of without breaking the bank.
3. Wedding Style + Theme: The style and formality of your wedding is also key to establish right of the bat. If you’re having a traditional sit-down dinner your wedding venue and vendors may differ considerably from those you’d choose if you decide on a cocktail reception wedding in a lounge setting.

 
Once you’ve established these three key items you can start your venue hunt for a ceremony and reception location.

To those of you already well into planning your 2010 wedding – the countdown is on! It’s a good time to consult your planning checklist and ensure you’re on track and ready to accomplish the next few items on the list.

Happy planning!
Jennifer