Last week L² Style, shared three gorgeous looks for your bridal shower…today, it’s all about the stagette!

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Your closest lady friends are about to whisk you away to a fabulous party celebrating your final weeks as a ‘Miss’. After finding out what type of fete will be held in your honour (gosh, who wants to be caught wearing the wrong outfit to her own party?!) take a look at the options below and get ready to drool over these stagette-worthy looks!

Dinner and Drinks: Revolve Draped Back Dress

This dress is perfect for a sophisticated dinner and après-dinner drinks with your closest gal pals. It’s feminine, sexy yet very chic. The back of this dress is daring without showing off too much.

Lazina’s Style Tips: Add a chunky, strappy black sandal (the higher the heel the better), a matte charcoal arm cuff (adds a bit of edge to this dress), and gun-metal tear-shaped earrings (a long tear-shape would look awesome). Opt for a dramatic smoky eye and a nude lip. Go for a big, full mane!

Day Cruise: Tory Striped Minidress

This fun, nautical-inspired print with bold navy accents will surely make you the center of attention.

Lazina’s Style Tips: I’d suggest adding bold accessories (don’t go “overboard” now) to bring the whole look together. Flat gold sandals, oversized sunglasses, a chunky gold ring and a big sunhat would work perfectly with this look. Use an oversized tan handbag to carry essentials like sunscreen and water.

Bar/Lounge Crawl: Catherine Malandrino Stretch Silk-Satin Playsuit

This sexy, playful onesie is perfect for a night on the town. It’s versatile enough to take you from the hottest nightclub to a funky lounge.

Lazina’s Style Tips: Since there’s a sophisticated yet funky feel to this playsuit, I’d suggest really having some fun with the accessories: dark metallic gold platform heels, several chunky bracelets and bangles (stacked on one arm), a deep metallic burgundy clutch and jewelled chandelier earrings. Go with a deep plum or red lipstick for some added drama.

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About the Contributor:

Lazina Mckenzie is the founder of L² Style, a style consulting firm based in Alberta, Canada. Lazina believes that the style (or image) you share with others communicates a lot about who you are. She regularly has her clients articulate the answer to the question: what do you want your style to say about you? More recently, Lazina has opened her service offering to work with brides-to-be and their bridal parties. She is happy to provide her advice and support to brides on their very special day.

As your big day is fast approaching so are the pre-wedding festivities and parties (bridal showers, stagettes, rehearsal dinners, oh my!). There is going to be a lot of attention on you and that can be overwhelming for any blushing bride-to-be.

I’m excited to introduce a special guest blogger to help relieve you of some of that pressure! Lazina Mckenzie is the founder of L² Style – an Edmonton-based style consulting firm devoted to helping people look and feel their best. Lazina has put together three great looks for your bridal shower. Stay tuned to the blog in the coming weeks for more bridal style advice from Lazina.

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Your dear family and friends have been planning the most amazing wedding shower for you. You’re excited but awfully nervous because you have no idea what’s in store for you…but more importantly, you have no idea what to wear! Here are some great suggestions that will surely help with the ol’ I don’t know what to wear dilemma.

Garden Party Glam: Maggie London Print Stretch Cotton Sheath Dress

This dress is perfect for an outdoor summer event. It’s feminine yet very chic. Since you will likely spend a lot of time sitting and opening gifts, this dress is a good length to show off your beautiful legs without giving away too much! I’d suggest adding a pop of colour to this little number. The name of the game here is simplicity!

Lazina’s Style Tips: To complete this look add a cherry red shoe, a nude clutch in a shade or two lighter than the beige in the dress and deep emerald-green earrings (nothing too big).

Country Club Chic: Vivienne Westwood Pink Fold Sleeveless Dress

You want to stand out at this Country Club affair without your ensemble screaming “look at me.”  This dress is a fun, tasteful way to say “I’m the bride” (yes, that effortlessly fabulous bride who whipped this look together in no time)! The key to highlighting the beauty of this dress is through accessories. You don’t want to overdo it here so choose wisely.

Lazina’s Style Tips: Sport a peep-toe nude heel, a matted light turquoise clutch, a skinny nude snakeskin belt and the ever-classic diamond stud earrings. A soft up-do will complete the look.

Casual and Comfy at Home: SAM&LAVI Libby Tie Waist Dress

Your soon-to-be mother-in-law is hosting a shower for you at her house and you want to look fabulous without being overdressed for a casual celebration at home. With this dress you will look put-together but not overdone. Opt for simple accessories to compliment this playful, flowy dress.

Lazina’s Style Tips: Accessorize with long, thin gold or brass earrings and 2-3 delicate gold bangles in a rose, white and yellow gold combo. I’d go with a cork wedge heel that isn’t too chunky (you want the attention on you, not your feet).

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About the Contributor:

Lazina Mckenzie is the founder of L² Style, a style consulting firm based in Alberta, Canada. Lazina believes that the style (or image) you share with others communicates a lot about who you are. She regularly has her clients articulate the answer to the question: what do you want your style to say about you? More recently, Lazina has opened her service offering to work with brides-to-be and their bridal parties. She is happy to provide her advice and support to brides on their very special day.

I recently wrote an article for Edmonton Show Home Magazine about what to consider when holding a backyard wedding or event. As the summer season is upon us, I thought it would be a perfect time to share these tips.

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You’re engaged, you have a gorgeous new home, and getting married in your own backyard sounds like the perfect way to celebrate! A backyard wedding is personal and intimate, but it’s not without challenges. There are several factors to consider before forging ahead.

Backyard Basics:

• A large, empty lawn can be deceiving – involve an expert to evaluate your space. Once you add tables, chairs and a dance floor you may be surprised with your yard’s capacity and viability for an event.
• Music, microphones, heaters, fans and lighting – weddings require power! Does your yard have sufficient access to electricity or will you need to rent a generator?
• Consider parking limitations in your area. Will there be enough space for all your guests to park? You may wish to hire parking attendants to assist with this on your wedding day.
• Research any special permits you will require to hold a private event at your residence and purchase sufficient liability insurance.

You’ve done the leg work and your beautiful backyard looks like it will be the perfect space for your soirée. What’s next?

• Hire help. You want to enjoy your wedding day so let others handle decorating, bartending, catering, serving and clean-up. Hiring professionals will allow you to avoid placing this burden on family and friends.
• Where are the washrooms? If you don’t like the idea of guests coming in and out of your home to use the washrooms consider renting portable toilets.
• Have a ‘Plan B’. Weather in Alberta is unpredictable – be prepared for the worst case scenario. Rent extra tents in case of rain, heaters for chilly evenings and fans to help cool down a hot day.
• Be a good neighbour. If neighbours aren’t invited but may be affected by your wedding (more traffic/cars parked on the street, noise late into the evening) it’s courteous to let them know you’re hosting a big event.
• Consider guest comfort. Use your wedding invitations to inform guests that they will be attending an outdoor wedding so they can prepare accordingly. Having sunscreen, fans, bug repellent, lap blankets and umbrellas on hand will make you the ideal host.

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You can pick up your own complimentary copy of Edmonton Show Home Magazine in the red Media Classified boxes throughout Edmonton.

Happy Planning!

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

Tip #9: Don’t let wedding planning consume you!

The average length of an engagement is 16-18 months – that’s a long time! The last thing you want is to be miserable throughout what’s supposed to be a wonderful experience in your lives. Here are a few pointers to help you avoid bridal burnout:

1. Take a break. Do you really need to spend another five hours on your laptop Googling “pink bouquets?!” Make a point of taking breaks from wedding planning to enjoy time with your fiancé. Plan regular date nights and try to avoid talking about the wedding while you’re out. Think about what you used to do before wedding planning and revisit those hobbies and pastimes.
2. Ask for help. If you have too much on your plate don’t be afraid to delegate and ask for help! Ask your mother to manage the guest responses. If your fiancé loves vehicles, send him to look at limousines with his best man. Of course, enlisting the services of a wedding planner will save you the most time and stress!
3. Be mindful of your relationships. Throughout the planning process it’s understandable that you may feel overwhelmed at times – especially when the wedding date is fast-approaching. But remember what comes after the wedding…your relationship with your partner is the real reason you are having a wedding! Consider the strain of your wedding on your families and attendants and try to be reasonable with your requests.

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Thanks for reading our top 9 wedding planning tips! Our lucky + in love contest is now open! Here are the important details:

The prizes:

The three winning couples will receive their choice of one of the following packages:

• A complimentary She Said Yes! consultation session with Jennifer. This two-hour session will help you get your planning underway with vendor recommendations to match your wedding style and budget, a personalized planning checklist and budget worksheet, as well as the opportunity to discuss your questions and concerns {$250 value}.

…OR

• A complimentary two-hour Décor Consultation with Jennifer to discuss the theme and design of your wedding vision! Included in this session are creative design suggestions suited to your wedding vision, venue(s) and budget, plus vendor recommendations for rental and décor items to save you time and frustration {$350 value}.

How it works:

• Complete and submit the entry form before the contest deadline (January 28th) and you will be entered to win one of the three free consultation sessions!

The fine print:

• Contest entries will be accepted from January 21st to January 28th, 2011.
• Winners will receive their free consultation session in person in the Edmonton area or via phone / Internet if they reside elsewhere.
• This contest is not applicable to couples who are already working with another wedding planning company.
• Winners will be randomly drawn from all correctly completed contest entries received by the contest deadline: Friday, January 28, 2011 at 11:59 PM MST. The winning couples will be announced on Monday, January 31st, 2011.

Enter the Jennifer Bergman Weddings lucky + in love contest now!

Good luck!

Jennifer

Tip #8: Consider wedding day logistics.

Logistics are the most important consideration for making your wedding day flow seamlessly without any major hiccups. Unfortunately, this is one area that many brides just don’t spend enough time thinking about.

Your wedding is probably the biggest party you will ever host and you’re likely spending a significant amount of money on the event. It only makes sense to hire an experienced professional to oversee it. Most wedding planners offer some form of Wedding Day Management – often referred to as wedding day or wedding month coordination. Having a professional step in 4-8 weeks before your wedding is extremely beneficial – not only for the sanity of you and your fiancé, but it is also a wonderful gift to your parents and bridal party.

If you’re skeptical about whether you need a coordinator, ask yourself who is going to do the following on your wedding day:

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  Sarah of Jennifer Bergman Weddings assists a beautiful bride as she's about to walk down the aisle

• Locate your V.I.P.s and pin on their boutonnieres / corsages
• Cue the wedding party processionals
• Hand tissue to your father before he walks you down the aisle
• Glue your false lashes back on if they come loose
• Fix your bustle if it breaks
• Light all the candles in the room before guests enter
• Cue your grand entrance into the reception
• Liaise with the venue for food and bar service
• Ensure your cards and gifts are put in a safe place once the reception begins
• Brief the M.C. before the wedding to ensure he or she knows what’s required of them
• Orchestrate the bouquet / garter toss, cake cutting, etc.

The above items are just a few examples of how a coordinator works behind the scenes to manage the details of your wedding day while you soak in every wonderful moment.

Check back Friday to read our last wedding planning tip and to enter our lucky + in love contest!

Jennifer

Photo Credit: Shandro Photo.

Tip #7: Be consistent.

It’s easy to get distracted by all the wedding ideas out there. Between bridal fairs, magazines and countless blogs it can certainly become overwhelming, but the key to a well designed event is consistency. Once you’ve taken the time to determine your wedding style, theme and atmosphere – don’t deviate! From the style of your dress to the centrepieces and the linens on the table, the visual components of your wedding should tie together nicely and reflect a similar look and feeling.

One of the easiest ways to ensure a cohesive event is through your wedding stationary. The wedding invitations speak volumes about what kind of event your guests can expect to attend, so it’s important to ensure this first impression truly reflects your wedding style. The level of formality will be communicated through the type of papers, fonts and wording that you use, as well as your venue selections. It’s wise to carry the design of your wedding invitations through to all other wedding stationary, such as ceremony programs, table numbers, menu cards, favour tags – even your guestbook.

Here’s an example of one of our couples’ weddings:

• Wedding Theme: “Urban Glamour”
• Wedding Style: Modern, edgy, Hollywood glitz + glamour
• Wedding Colours: Black, white and turquoise
• Details: White phalaenopsis orchids, damask linens, crystal and feather centrepieces

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Have you heard about our lucky + in love contest? We are giving away FREE planning consultations to three couples! The entry form will be available this Friday, so keep checking back for your chance to win!

Jennifer

Photo Credit: JDS Photography.

Tip #6: Mind your manners.

While I wouldn’t consider myself to be very traditional, one thing I’m a stickler about is classic etiquette. Here are my top three “musts:”

1. Don’t ask for gifts! It makes me cringe to see those little registry cards in invitations! Including them implies that you expect a gift which comes across as rude. Guests who want to know where you are registered will ask you, your bridal party or your close family members. The only time you are permitted to use registry cards is in bridal shower invitations, as the purpose of these parties is to “shower” the bride-to-be with gifts.
2. Be a true host. In the world of wedding etiquette a cash bar is the ultimate faux-pas. You wouldn’t invite someone over for a dinner party at your home and make them pay $6.00 for a glass of wine – don’t do this at your wedding! With this said, some couples are still adamant that they will not have a fully hosted bar. A few modern compromises: hosting a limited bar where only wine and beer are served, or providing guests with a certain number of drink tickets in the wedding invitations.
3. Say thank you! Always, always, always send out thank you cards promptly following an event where you have been the recipient of gifts. This includes engagement parties, bridal showers and of course, the wedding itself. Proper etiquette indicates that a mailed card (no, an email won’t do!) should be sent out within three months of the wedding. The sooner the better – try not to procrastinate this important task. Your guests will appreciate your promptness.

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Have you heard about our lucky + in love contest? We are giving away FREE planning consultations to three couples! The contest entry form will be available on January 21st after all 9 planning tips have been posted. Click here for all the details and stay tuned for more helpful wedding planning tips.

Jennifer

Photo Credit: JDS Photography.

Before we get into Tip #5, here’s a recap of the previous tips:

• Tip #1: Determine what kind of wedding you want.
• Tip #2: Prioritize.
• Tip #3: Tackle the guest list.
• Tip #4: Set your budget.

In just one week all 9 planning tips will be posted and you’ll be able to enter our lucky + in love contest!

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Tip #5: When and where?

When to Get Married – Considerations

1. Season: Do you love the idea of a cozy winter wedding, or is the freshness of spring more appealing? If you have no preference for a particular wedding date, nail down a window of 1 or 2 months and go from there.
2. Day of the Week: Most weddings are held on Saturday but if you are open to a Friday, Sunday or even a weekday wedding you will have a lot more flexibility with your choices of venues and wedding professionals.
3. Length of Engagement: Some couples like to take their time during the wedding planning process and are happy to stretch out their engagement for 12-18 months – or longer! Others want to tie the knot as soon as possible. Shorter planning timelines are absolutely doable, but be prepared to make decisions quickly.
4. Popularity: July and August are extremely busy months for weddings in Canada and especially in Alberta where the warm weather is so short-lived. If you are set on a July wedding be prepared to begin planning at least 12 months in advance. Many of the popular venues and wedding professionals are booked up quite early for the busy summer months.
5. V.I.P. Guest Attendance: Once you have an idea of when you’d like to get married, you may wish to run the timing by your closest family members and friends to ensure they can attend.

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Where to Get Married – Considerations

1. Ceremony Venue: Are you having a religious ceremony in a church? Would you like to hold your ceremony at the same place as your reception? If you have your heart set on an outdoor ceremony don’t forget to make a ‘plan B’ in case of inclement weather.
2. Reception Venue: When searching for the perfect reception venue, consider formality, atmosphere and style. Select a location that fits the look and feel that you would like to convey on your big day. As the reception costs will likely eat up about half of your budget, do some serious number-crunching before signing a contract.
3. Location: Are a lot of guests travelling to your wedding from out-of-town? If so, consider holding your reception at or nearby a hotel. Likewise, if most of your guests won’t have transportation it’s thoughtful to hold the ceremony and reception in the same place or arrange for shuttle service.
4. Capacities: Only look at venues that are suited to your wedding size. A venue may advertise that their location can hold up to 200 guests but that capacity may not be meant for a wedding layout. Ask your wedding planner or the venue coordinator for floorplans from weddings previously held in the space to ensure that it can accommodate a dance floor, a head table and any other special requirements (ie. a dessert table, a guestbook table, etc.).
5. Revisit Your Wedding Priorities: Look back at what you listed as your wedding priorities and keep them top of mind on your venue hunt. For example, if an awesome party is really important to you ask about noise restrictions and when guests must vacate the reception room. Some hotels dictate that music must be turned off after a certain time due to guest room proximity.

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Until the next tip…

Jennifer