Thorn Yewtree
Enter to Win!
It all started last July when Reed Palmer, the owner and designer of Soleil Shoe Company , attended a wedding. He saw the bride and bridesmaid had kicked off their heels and were all dancing barefoot at the reception. Dancing barefoot in dresses that cost hundreds of dollars! 
He thought to himself “there has to be a more practical and fashionable solution.” He designed a ballet flat that can roll or fold to fit into your clutch or purse for those all too common occasions when your feet have just had enough of those painful heels. Each pair of shoes comes in a designer gift box with a tote for your heels - how perfect is that! Comfortable, fashionable flats for you and your bridesmaids. These awesome flats make great bridal gifts!
Bridal Fantasy Sweepstakes has teamed up with Soleil Shoe Company to offer 3 prize packages to our lucky brides-to-be. Package one is a set of four (4) Soleil Shoes - one for the bride and up to three bridesmaids. Each of the girls will receive their very own pair. Two more brides-to-be will each receive their own pair of these fashionable flats. Head over to the sweepstakes page at BridalFantasy.com to enter now for your chance to win!
Yarrow Elfshimmer
We’ve all been there, sitting at a beautiful wedding ceremony when the music stops and there is “dead air”. The CD or MP3 recording has stopped and the bridesmaid is not quite down the aisle. Instantly, the romantic atmosphere of the entire ceremony is in jeopardy. Live musicians ensure that this won’t happen to you. Your music will be seamless, uninterrupted and totally unique to you on your dream day. Live musicians can also enhance your cocktail hour by entertaining your guests with some of your favourite tunes.
Think about the ways that you can personalize your wedding with live music. You can choose music unique to your style and have it played in a manner that suits the atmosphere of your wedding day. Musical selections can be tailored in length and tempo for the various components of your wedding. There will be no awkward silences or stunted endings. You can choose the instrument or ensemble that best reflects your personality. A hot trend for weddings this summer will be elegant piano music that will up the romantic ambience of your day.
Wishing you a wedding with unforgettable music and moments,
Laurie & Barb, Occasional Notes, www.occasionalnotes.net
Feather Elfwand
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so why not pick up something for your sweetheart that’s sure to make them melt? Chocolate is always a classic when it comes to gift-giving, appealing to the sweet-tooth of men and women the world over.
Though originally bitter in taste, chocolate can be tempered and mixed with a variety of flavours to create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth treat that is enjoyable to every palate, as well as shaped and decorated to create something that is aesthetically pleasing as well as delicious.
Calgary’s Manon’s and Leonidas Belgian chocolates are a great choice for the chocolate connoisseur in us all, and one can never go wrong with The Newget Kompany of Edmonton’s organic chocolate treats. For those who are looking for something a little more elaborate, Edmonton’s The Art of Cake creates custom cakes embellished with fun and elegant pieces made entirely of chocolate. For a truly unique dining experience, try The Melting Pot, an intimate and interactive restaurant that offers a memorable four-course fondue dining experience — the dessert portion of which is, of course, mouth-watering chocolate fondue — opening in Edmonton in March of 2010.
Aside from its rumoured properties, chocolate has many other uses that one would never expect. In the eighteenth century, it was believed that chocolate could be used to prevent or cure stomach aches. Also, it has been proven that cocoa butter contains antioxidants, making it very good for the complexion, and for those who complain about sweets being bad for your teeth, studies have shown that chocolates is better even than fluoride for preventing cavities.
As it is available for all budgets, chocolate is considered one of the simplest of gifts. However, that was not always so. It was once reserved only for royalty and for religious events, remaining a high-status delicacy until the nineteenth century. Now it is associated with romance and sensuality, and it is said that the famed lover Casanova preferred chocolate over champagne as an aphrodisiac, though studies on whether chocolate truly possesses such qualities were never conclusive.
Romance is about creating a special feeling with your surroundings. It is about love and intimacy and bringing pleasure to your partner in a way that does not have to be sexual in nature. A sweet kiss as a greeting, or a gently hug from behind, a little bit goes a long way. Chocolate is a food that is perfect for creating romance. Its soft, sensual texture melts on the tongue, and it provides the perfect opportunity for the intimacy of sharing this treat with your partner by hand.
So this Valentine’s Day, get some chocolate, arrange for some time alone and give you and your partner a treat for all the senses.
Columbine Rainbowwand
As Valentine’s draws near, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to do this year to make your special someone feel, well, special. A tasty homemade meal is a tried and true way to get to anyone’s heart.
The Wisewoman’s Cookery: Food, Sex, Magic & Merriment, by Shannon Loeber and Mary Elise Edwards, has an abundance of great tasting recipes, including “Amorous PIzza.” Plus much more. Wisewoman’s Cookery shows you how to conjure intimate loving through food and manifest magic in the kitchen to increase fulfillment of life and sex — real sex, not just romantic dinners.
Amorous Pizza
Add 1 clove of chopped garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of oregano into 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Let marinate while you prepare the pizza.
For a quick and easy solution to the pizza crust, buy premade frozen bread dough; we find it’s quick and affordable and has that homemade taste that makes this pizza special. Let the bread thaw out on a plate. One loaf makes one 12 inch pizza. Sprinkle flour onto a clean, dry counter. Roll the bread dough onto the flour, completely covering it. Place the dough into an ungreased baking pan (either a pizza pan or a cookie sheet). Knead (punch, to get the air out) and stretch the dough into a flat pizza crust.
Now paint the crust with a thin coat of the marinated oil. Cover with 2 cups of thinly sliced mozzarella cheese. Add sweet onion, garlic, potato, sweet potato, salt and black pepper. Bake at 400 degrees until the crust is golden brown.
Visit http://www.wisewomanscookery.com/ for more inspiration.
Columbine Rainbowwand
What a wonderful time! Both Calgary and Edmonton Bridal Fantasy were huge successes - thanks to everyone who came out to the show :)
Melanie Sinneave, our Calgary Fantasy Wedding Package grand prize winner (groom-to-be is Steve McDonald) is shown here with her mom (right) and Gay Derk (left), the owner and producer of Bridal Fantasy. Her prizes include a 7-day honeymoon trip to Barbados courtesy of AMA Travel, a $2500 wedding gown from Bells & Bows Bridal Centre, a $5000 wedding planning package from Tying the Knot and so much more! Congrats to Melanie and Steve.
Our Edmonton Fantasy Wedding Package grand prize winners are Lindsay Friedley and Mario Audette. Lindsay is standing with Gay Derk, owner and producer of Bridal Fantasy. Lindsay and Steve also won a 7-day honeymoon trip to Barbados, courtesy of Farlie Travel, along with an Ultimate Wedding Package from HBC National Gift Registry, a ‘Rock Your Reception’ package from PremiereDJS.ca and tons more! Lindsay and Mario, congratulations and happy planning.
We would also like to say congratulations to all of the door prizes winners for both shows. Head over to www.bridalfantasy.com and look under ‘Bridal Shows’ to see all of the winners’ names.
We also did the draw for the Volvo c30 at Bridal Fantasy Edmonton on the 24th. Mark Reynolds of Edmonton was the lucky winner! Mark is here with his fiance Terri-Lynne (right) and Pauline Haviland from Volvo of Edmonton.
Fairy Godmother
Bridal Fantasy is the leading one-day bridal show in Western Canada. With shows in Edmonton and Calgary , brides are sure to find everything they need for planning their special day. With an amazing professionally choreographed bridal fashion show, and an eclectic mix of exhibitors, brides and grooms can have all their wedding day questions answered.
Plus you can win Fantastic Prizes - Like a Volvo c30 courtesy of Volvo of Edmonton, and so much more! Enter Our Sweepstakes Draw Here.
You can win this Volvo c30 outright - this is NOT a lease - $33,000 Value
Features like destination wear, flowers , and formalwear for the groom will make this an amazing wedding event no bride will want to miss. With everything from supplies to wedding venues, photographers to cake artists , there’s something for every bride at Bridal Fantasy!
Bridal Fantasy is an amazing way to find out all the unique and accommodating options available for brides. We invite you to shop around and enjoy all the free samples and luxuries provided at our bridal show. Don’t miss out on the coupons, specials and prizes that will help you cover your costs and stick to your budget. See you soon!
Calgary Bridal Fantasy - January 17, 2010 at the TELUS Convention Centre
$100 000 In Prizes and Gifts
Morning show: Doors open at 10:30 am, fashion show at 12:30 pm
Afternoon show: Doors open at 1:30 pm, fashion show at 3:00 pm
Buy Tickets Now
View our Calgary Exhibitors List Here
FEATURED CALGARY PRIZES:
Come to the Show and You Could Win Fabulous Prizes including the Fantasy Wedding Package which includes a 7-day honeymoon trip to Barbados! (courtesy of AMA Travel, Almond Beach Resort, WestJet and the Barbados Tourism Authority)
Other prizes include:
- A Seven Day All Inclusive Honeymoon Trip to Jamaica’s Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa, Courtesy of the Jamaica Tourist Board and Sunset Resorts Jamaica
- A $5000 Wedding Planning Package from Tying The Knot
- A JenniferScott Custom Bridal Gown
- $2500 Wedding Gown Courtesy of Bells & Bows Bridal Centre
- A Two Hour Engagement Session with Hair, Makeup & Styling from Deans Pictures Weddings
- A Two Night Bed & Breakfast package at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Edmonton Bridal Fantasy - January 24, 2010Â at Northlands
$150 000 in Prizes & Gifts
Morning show: Doors open at 9:30 am, fashion show at 11:30 am
Afternoon show: Doors open at 1:30 pm, fashion show at 3:00 pm
Buy Tickets Now
View our Edmonton Exhibitor List Here
FEATURED EDMONTON PRIZES:
Come down to the show and you could win tons of great prizes, like the Fantasy Wedding package, which includes a romantic honeymoon trip to Barbados! (courtesy of Farlie Travel and the Barbados Tourism Authority)
- A Pampering Session (manicure, pedicure, haircut, massage and wax) from In Motion Style Group
- A JenniferScott Custom Bridal Gown
- A $500 Gift Certificate from Kuhlmann’s Floral Boutique
- A Bridesmaid Package from Wedding World Bridal
Bridal Fantasy 2010 Magazine Now out - Free issue for every bride at the show*
Tickets for both shows are only $20 each (this includes GST) and all brides receive a FREE copy of the newest issue of Bridal Fantasy Magazine ($6.95 value) and the Bridal Fantasy Wedding Planner & Survival Guide ($14.95 value) while supplies last. Don’t miss out on the coupons, specials and prizes that will help you cover your costs and stick to your budget. See you soon!
*While supplies last.
Feather Elfwand
One trendy post processing technique is called Texturing. The key to texturing is picking the right type of textures, and the right combination to give the photo a special feel.
Boe Lefebvre, of Pokedog Photography, utilizes a variety of techniques. For example, he says:
"I might overlay an image of a scuffed up cement wall to give the image depth, and then add a vivid image of green grass for color, and finally a blurred image of bright street lights to vary the tone and exposure. There can be millions of combinations and unlimited layers created to craft a work of fine art that a wedding couple could have printed on canvas to hang on their wall as a conversation piece, without feeling the need to pull it down after the one year anniversary."
www.pokedog.com
Feather Elfwand
The days of hiring a wedding photographer strictly for formal portraits are fading fast. Wedding photography has transformed, and is continuing to transform dramatically. Photographers are taking more creative approaches to their work, as well as becoming more competitive in what they have to offer. Clients are also demanding more and more.
With this explosion in the industry, there’s been a move toward photography that combines traditional photography with fine art. Digital photography has given the photographer new artistic mediums in which to play. Computer software allows photographers to take a real world image and make into something fantastic and surreal.
There are now two distinct skills that are emerging amongst wedding photographers. The first is the ability to shoot a great image, the second is the competence and creativity to work with and edit an image.
Some photographers specialize in the digital enhancements or alterations, and others could not imagine changing the original image. It is important when you are looking for your photographer to find out how much time, if any, they spend on post-processing, even if it is just to remove an unexpected blemish or two. This usually time consuming service should be included in the price, but make sure you check, and that you know what you are getting.
Most importantly, make sure you can communicate with your photographer to make sure you get the style of photography that you want.
Above is a photograph by Boe Lefebvre, of Pokedog Photography, before digital editing. Our next post will reveal the impact that post-processing can have.
Feather Elfwand
If you’re looking for bridesmaid dresses, you can’t afford to skip Wedding World. With the variety of colours, fabrics, and price points, you’ll be sure to find something that catches your eye. They carry children’s, plus size, and maternity gowns, so everyone on your party is covered.
I love these sky blue dresses with the gathered detail and simple belting. The simple, elegant cut is fun, formal, and can be worn again.
Wedding World also has a tonne of bridal gowns. Some of the brands available are After Six, Alfred Angelo, Jolene, Madison Collection, Alfred Sung, Dessy, and Pronovias.
Visit Wedding World’s Website
Visit the Edmonton Location:
5361 Gateway Boulevard Northwest
Edmonton, AB T6H 4P8
(780) 433-1622
Fairy Godmother
What is cuter, or more special, than the little guys that celebrate our weddings with us.
Check out Spencer in this formal suit, jacket, pants, vest, shirt and tie. All for $99 as part of Derks’ Little Nippers Collection. Photo courtesy of Andrew Peter Bradley (www.andrewpeterphotographer.com)
Here are some tips to help you keep your little gentleman happy and handsome (or little lady looking her best):
- Dress them at the last possible minute
- Make sure they have access to videos, snacks and toys
- Little ones need big, big bibs
- Make sure kids have back-up shoes for the reception
- Make arrangements for a location near the reception for kids to sleep or rest with a babysitter.
- Feed children a small meal before the event.
