By Ben Rose

Let me start by saying that I love Christmas music. If I could only take 1 album to a desert island it would be a fight between an Elvis and a Chipmunk’s Christmas album.

That said, nobody who books me for a Party/Wedding in December wants to hear Christmas Carols all night.

My top 10 songs for holiday parties and weddings during the holidays goes something like this…

1) At Last, Etta James: This is the perfect first dance for a wedding or any couple in love.

2) Can’t Hurry Love, The Supremes : Get the party off to a great start; when we rock this one out, the dance floor fills instantly.

3) I’ll Be Home for Christmas: You can’t have happywithout sad, and this may be the saddest song of all time…if only in my dreams.
4) Twist and Shout, The Beatles: Even the Beatles turned to this one when the party needed a boost.
5) White Christmas: An obvious choice, but I like to speed it up into a fun ska number.

6) Brown Eyed Girl, Van Morrison: The most requested song in the book, but we don`t hold that against it.

7) Baby it`s Cold Outside: A witty, charming duet you can only play…when it’s cold outside.

8) Island in the Sun, Weezer: Counter-programming for the people that are sick of the cold.

9) Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Monty Python: A lot of people get depressed during winter (especially Christmas), and if my rocked-up version of this one doesn’t cheer them up nothing will. It’s also on my new album, Cowtown.

10) Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Lastly, the most beautiful song ever written. Whether the Bride is walking down the isle or the party is winding down someone will have a tear in their eye.

For more of Bens’ insights…http://www.benrose.ca

I love these invitations! You can plant them!

Each sheet contains a variety of wildflower seeds, and yes, the entire sheet can be planted. Bird’s Eye, Clarkia, Black Eyed Susan, Poppy, Catchfly and Snap Dragon are some of the gifts each invitation could contain for your invitee.

According to Botanical Paperworks, all you do is place the sheet on top of a pot of soil or small patch of garden, and then cover with a thin layer or soil. This paper is made from 100% post consumer waste. In 6-8 weeks the seeds will begin to shoot up. Invite guests to pot their invitation, and bring it to the big day!

You can get these in Edmonton through Shauna Filtz at Special Day Specialties. Check out her website for fantastic invitations and wedding accessories.

Candy buffets are a delicious and colourful way to add a playful, classic touch to your wedding reception. A table full of treats is an irresistible draw for guests, not to mention a great conversation piece. If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional favours, candy buffets are an affordable choice your guests will surely appreciate.

If you like the idea of a candy buffet, but you don’t have time to set one up yourself, no worries! Edmonton’s own M&K Candy Buffet Inc. has you covered. M&K provides a candy buffet service to Weddings/Bridal showers/seasonal parties/ ETC for the Edmonton and Surrounding area. They will come out to your venue the day of the wedding, prior to the reception, set up an entire buffet and even handle the candy clean-up.

You can maintain a personal, unique touch by choosing candies to match your wedding colours and theme.

M&K also provides glassware, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing dishes.  To schedule a meeting, please contact Kristen @ 780-457-4407 or Maria @ 780-218-5928.

These buffets are absolutely gorgeous and are a failsafe place for munching and mingling during your event.

When was the last time you had a really good excuse to get together with the girls?

Girls Night In makes it fun and easy to support an important cause, anytime you get together with the girls. It’s a fundraiser that fits your lifestyle.

Women all over the country are getting together and celebrating to help support research into breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian and uterine cancers. The celebration is part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Girls Night In campaign.

Joining the party is simple. Hostesses plan and register their party, collect donations from their guests, celebrate, and then submit donations to their local Canadian Cancer Society, After the party, hostesses are encouraged to post photos of their event on the Girls Night In website.

Universal Music Canada has joined forces with the Girls Night In initiative, and has released a CD titled Girls Night In, which features music by artists like Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, Jann Arden, Sheryl Crow and more! Universal has donated several CDs to Bridal Fantasy, and we can’t wait to give them away! See Bridal Fantasy’s sweepstakes page for your chance to enter and win.