Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Ikea Finds

April 14, 2010

Anyone who knows me well or even a little knows I love IKEA, it has a large place in my heart. Why? Because everything is so modern and simple and can be worked into any environment. They are inexpensive and I have yet to break a vase from them – and yes I have dropped them many times.

This morning while perusing IKEA, I found some awesome items that could be easily incorporated into your event. Remember when you’re done with them you can give them away or perhaps resell them to another bride.

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This lantern is $19.99 and comes in white also. There is also a smaller version.

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These vases come in the blue and clear. Super chic!

54343These ones come in a smaller and larger version $4.99-9.99 each. So vibrant and beautiful!

0106636_pe254891_s3Here is one more set of vases I believe it was $9.99 for the set of three, comes in the blue and clear.

Julianne Cragg | Edmonton Wedding Planner
A Modern Proposal Event Planning
o: 780.760.1466 | c: 780.901.5630

Picking your Florist

March 23, 2010

jdsflowers2 (photo credit: JDS Photography)

Their job is to pick the flowers and arrange them in an art piece. But first you have to pick the right florist. The first thing to look at is your style. What kind of style of wedding are you going for? Think of the words that could describe your wedding: modern, vintage, simple, classic, or sophisticated.

First do yourself a favor and surf the internet for ideas of what you would like to see – colors, styles of bouquets, boutonnières and center pieces – print them off. While surfing take the time to find a few florists whose reflect that style of yours. Then make yourself an appointment with a few florists and see what they have to say about your vision and budget. You don’t want to go into a florist appointment blind; you will be overwhelmed and perhaps disappointed.

Keep in mind the average cost of a bride’s bouquet is $175 - $225, bridesmaids anywhere from $75-$150 depending on the flowers and season. But don’t forget the boutonnieres which are $10-25 each and the ceremony flowers which are usually $150 each. It adds up quickly, but there are options around the average price and you can keep your costs down by using a florist who is knowledgeable and creative.

(Side Note: Take it from me; doing your own flowers is not a wise decision. I can wrap flowers and make arrangements but when your 500 tulips arrive frost bitten, there is no place in Edmonton you can find 500 pink tulips. Yes that did happen for my wedding – I won’t explain that decision. And there isn’t much you can do to bring them back. Avoid this kind of trauma.)

If one of the florists you haven chosen has told you that they will not work with roses and you wanted roses – then you will want to choose someone else. Say you want peonies and hydrangeas they will tell you that those flowers can be extremely expensive ($6-10/a stem) and that hydrangeas don’t live out of water for more than a few hours before wilting. A good florist will tell you this and will die and provide you with an alternative flower.

Just like every other vendor you want to be able to ‘click’ with their personality, like their work, and check their references. Also ensure you have a contract and pay a deposit. Be warned though, good florists book up fast because they can only do so many weddings in a day – just like a good wedding planner or photographer!

Now with all that said, this is of course if you want flowers. You by no means need to have flowers – or live ones. There are several alternatives out there for bouquets and center pieces – just step out of the box.

Julianne Cragg | Edmonton Wedding Planner
A Modern Proposal Event Planning
o: 780.760.1466 | c: 780.901.5630

2010 Wedding Trends

January 18, 2010

 1. A new twist on Candy
Not just a candy bar anymore, brides and grooms are choosing sweets, pasties, cupcakes, ice cream and various other bars to step outside the box.
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2. Eco Friendly
I see it and hear the requests for it! More and more brides & grooms want to ensure that they have a fabulous party without making a huge impact on the environment. (check back later for some eco friendly tips!)

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3. Venues that Double Duty
This also ties in with the eco friendly trend but it is asked of me quite often now, to try and find a single venue that will double for a ceremony and reception. Not is it eco friendly (guests aren’t traveling to another side of the city) it can also be less expensive!
 

4. Shrugs & Boleros
It seems that shrugs & boleros are making a popular come back, and why not how chic are they!

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5. Let them pick!
Brides are letting their bridesmaids choose their gowns & accessories. I have had and seen many brides just ask their bridesmaids order from a specific vendor (i.e. Alfred Angelo, after six) so that the color was the same ‘chocolate brown’ or ‘black’ as the rest but the style did not matter. Some bride’s even let their bridesmaid’s pick the colors, what an awesome idea. Let them pick something they are comfortable in, in the end you will get better photos and have more fun.

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6. Not White
Gowns are coming in some fabulous colors and some brides are taking advantage of it!
 
 
7. Step away from the cake!
Not a fan of the traditional wedding cake? You don’t have to be, what would you rather see? Rice crispies, ice cream, pies, truffles?

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8. Vibrant Details
Bright colors are in right now from yellow, orange, purple, green and blue!
 

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9. Themes
There is no one specific ‘theme’ that dominates the wedding scene except love! Each couple I have this year is so very different its hard to pick a trend, thus the current trend seems to be picking a theme that reflects the couple. Let the wedding be about the two of you and your love. Perhaps it is vintage, or cars, or birds. Think about a theme the will allow your wedding to be all about the two of you!
 
 
 
10. Alternate Veil
Still very popular, brides are now either not wearing a veil at all or changing their ‘hair piece” from a veil right after the ceremony to something stunning as a flowers, or crystal encrusted headband!

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Campfire Favor

December 3, 2009

How sweet would these smore kits be at a wedding where you have a campfire or perhaps a rustic wedding? I love smores so any reason to have them is a great reason! Yum yum!

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Original Source

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Inexpensive and beautiful.

It is a great way to add color and change the mood of your wedding, add a little bit of color to water.

etsy finds

May 6, 2009

Two more fabulous finds on etsy! How about these beautiful stars? You could use them in center piece by hanging them from tree branches. Or how about strung from the ceiling??

 

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And what a beautiful ring pillow, it’s just fabulous. The color is so beautiful and soft, it would make an elegant touch to your special day!

 

ring pillow; stars

in front of the camera…

April 29, 2009

Two weekends ago I met up with Haley and Michael from Shandro Photo to get the first hand experience. They took a few photos of myself and my husband. They were so much fun to work with and extremely creative! I can hardly wait to work with them again in September!

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eco friendly

April 22, 2009

Having an eco friendly wedding doesn’t mean spending more money it can actually save you some money, you just have to be a little more creative and think things through. Here are a few eco friendly suggestions:

* Use planted flowers for center pieces the guests can take them home as favors

* Use recycled or plant-able paper for invitations and stationary

* Have your wedding ceremony & reception outside during the day – no electricity used

* Buy your dress second hand or use your mom’s

* Have the bridesmaids/groomsmen wear dresses/suits they already have

* For favors give trees or seeds, make a donation in lieu of favors

* Serve organic food

* Use the flowers from your ceremony at your reception instead of buying more

* Use locally grown flowers from a garden instead of the ones imported from Africa

* Offset your guests’ carbon consumption (from the traveling they have done by coming to your wedding) by donation

* Don’t use flowers but make them from clay or buttons

* Use buses to transport guests/wedding party or event bikes instead of SUVs or Limos

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as featured on bride.ca

April 21, 2009

Wow, thank you to Bride.ca (click for full article)for featuring the photos on the table arrangements we did last weekend, what a compliment!

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mini cake favors

April 18, 2009

How super cute and fun are these? They are mini ‘lolipop’ cakes. They are a great and cute favor for your guests. Take a look at these, these are some of her Easter cake pops.But as you can see they could easily take shape of anything!

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