Bridal Fantasy Magazine’s 2011 gown and beauty shoot is currently underway. With a fantastic selection of wedding and bridesmaid dresses, fabulous jewelry, flowers, and a talented crew of photographers, stylists, and makeup artists, this shoot is sure to provide remarkable content for the 2011 issue, out in January.

The collage above is a collection of shots from on location, this morning. More updates to come!

Rhonda Byrne, author of the 1996 nationally best-selling book The Secret has published yet another inspirational book called The Power.

In The Power, Rhonda continues her revolutionary work as she reveals the single greatest force in our universe. Quoting Byrne, “Every discovery, invention, and human creation comes from The Power. Perfect health, incredible relationships, a career you love, a life filled with happiness, and the money you need to be, do, and have everything you want, all come from The Power. Intriguing and motivating at the same time!

To get the book, audio book, or a sneak-peak of the first few pages of The Power visit: http://www.thesecret.tv/thepower/.

The weekend is finally here! We at Bridal Fantasy are definitely ready for a backyard BBQ. Here is a delicious recipe from Gail Hall’s Seasoned Solutions website for mouthwatering Bison Feta Burgers that we wanted to share:

BISON FETA BURGERS
Yield: 4 burgers
1 lb - Ground Bison*
1 - Large Egg
1/4 cup - Fresh Breadcrumbs
1 tbsp - Chopped Fresh Herbs**
1/4 cup - Chopped Onion
1/2 tsp - Sea Salt
1/4 tsp - Freshly Ground Pepper
4 tbsp - Feta Cheese
4 - Crusty Buns***
2 tbsp - Mayonnaise
2 tbsp - Mustard (your favourite)
4 - Thick Slices Tomato****
Your favourite greens (sprouts, lettuce, arugula, etc.)

In a bowl, combine the ground bison, egg, fresh bread crumbs, chopped herbs, onion, salt and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate for an hour before forming into 4 burgers. Form into 4 burgers. Into the centre of each, stuff a piece of feta and cover/seal with burger. Flatten into 4 round burgers. To cook, either barbecue outside or fry indoors. To barbecue, heat up barbecue and grill on medium high, turning only once, for 6 to 8 minutes, until centre is no longer pink. To fry, use a heavy skillet and heat 2 tbsp of olive oil on medium high. Add burgers and sauté on each side for several minutes (turning only once). Turn down heat and continue to sauté until centre is no longer pink (about 8 to 10 minutes total frying time).

Grill or toast your hamburgers, and dress with mayonnaise, mustard, tomato and greens. Don’t forget to add the burger. Lot’s of napkins may be required.

*Ground Bison is 30% lower in cholesterol than ground beef.
**If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, just substitute using 1/3 of dried herbs for fresh.
***I’ve used a crusty Ciabatta bun that I’ve toasted just before serving.
****Doef’s or Gulls are by far the best choice for tomatoes. Yes, they are more expensive, but when you consider they are locally grown and picked within days of appearing at the market, you know you are getting ripe and nutrient rich tomatoes, and after all, you are worth it!

The votes are in for SEE Magazine’s 15th Annual Best of Edmonton reader poll! Drum roll please . . . Derks Formals has been voted the #1 Formal shop in Edmonton!

Locally owned, operated, and serving Canadians since 1939, Derks pays the highest attention to detail and quality. Their professionally trained, eager, knowledgeable, and friendly fashion consultants are always ready to assist you.

With try-on service and on-site tailoring available at each store location, Derks has suits, tuxedos, and Western Canada’s largest accessory collection.

Derks would like to thank Edmontonians for recognizing Derks as one of Edmonton’s Best.

Hilary Duff and Edmonton’s Mike Comrie were married in a romantic sunset ceremony this weekend.

It was a small, family affair. Only 100 of the couple’s closest family and friends were invited. Hilary’s sister Haylie served as maid of honour, and Hilary walked down the aisle with her mother, Susan, at her side.
The wedding took place at a $29 million estate in Montecito, Calif. on Saturday afternoon.
Hilary wore a strapless Vera Wang gown, and her dark hair in a loose bun. Rose petals and candles lined the aisle.

Photos of the event are scarce, as the media were not included. Just Jared has some blurry but exciting footage of the venue, dress, and the couple at the altar that you can view here.
Hilary and Mike spent their wedding night at the Kennedy cottage at the San Ysidro Ranch. This cottage is famous as it is the spot where John and Jackie Kennedy spent their honeymoon in 1953.

The couple were engaged this February in Hawaii after dating for three years.
Comrie was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and attended Jasper Place High School. Comrie was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 1999. Since then he has played for several NHL teams, and is currently a free agent. Comrie hopes to rejoin the Oiler’s roster in the upcoming year.
This October, Comrie told Hockey Night in Canada that the pair first bumped into each other at an Idaho resort. “We were all on the same plane and it was kind of, I guess, maybe a bit of a fluke,” Comrie said. “It [was] one of those things where we were all in a group … we spent the weekend all hanging out.”

When asked about Mike, Hilary has nothing but good things to say: “[Comrie's] a great guy. I’ve never met anyone who could say a bad word about him. He’s generous, caring, funny. We just laugh our heads off, which I need in my life…He’s unique. I wouldn’t want to be with someone who wasn’t unique (Us Magazine).

Duff has been having a great year, having recently scored a Choice TV Female Scene Stealer Teen Choice Award for her role as Olivia Burke on Gossip Girl.

Vancouver based jewellery design company Lemon Park takes a bold, modern and adventurous approach to their jewellery designs. Using beads and semi-precious stones that have been personally sourced and selected by the Lemon Park team, those who wear their jewellery can feel confident that they are wearing unique, hand-made pieces.

After years of working in places like Antarctica, Europe and Northern Canada, creator and designer Tania Gleave designed her first ‘Rocks’ necklace with stones that she had acquired during her travels. The story behind each necklace and its pieces is what makes Lemon Park’s jewellery so unique. Tania describes each of the pieces as items that speak of her “adventures working and traveling, collecting, trading and bartering in countries on every continent. The necklaces remind [her of the] stories and different people [she has] met along the way like three-dimensional journals.” With a BA in Asian Studies and Japanese, and a diploma in Textile Art and Design, all Tania needed was someone to help to kick start the business side of Lemon Park Design. This was an ideal situation as her sister Penny Gleave was looking for a change of career at that time and was searching for one that would satisfy her interest in business, fashion and design. Together, Tania and Penny Gleave created Lemon Park Design in the fall of 2006.

With the strong integrity of the materials used and the uniqueness of each of their handmade pieces, the success of Lemon Park has sky rocketed. Each of the elegant statement pieces are truly so versatile that they would be appropriate for almost any occasion, from a black tie party to even a simple dinner with friends. Both Tania and Penny agree that they “wear them everywhere.”

Brides are also popular clientele of Lemon Park jewellery as they often purchase necklaces for their wedding day along with earrings for their bridesmaids.

Visit Lemon Park Design’s website to view
more beautiful jewellery collections.

Gwyneth Paltrow has frequently landed roles in award winning and box office hits. She also has a fantastic marriage to Chris Martin, and two beautiful children. To round out what some might call a perfect life, she is now establishing her own lifestyle brand, GOOP.

On the GOOP website, Gwyneth frequently updates us on her life, her favorite fashion finds, favorite places to go, things to do, things to see, and even her favorite recipes. She also shares recipes, book reviews, and more from her famous friends.

You can sign up for the GOOP newsletter here.

Here are a few recipes from her website GOOP and a video of Gwyneth preparing these healthy and summer friendly dishes:

Baja Style Shrimp Tacos
A southern California classic, grilled shrimp tacos couldn’t be quicker to prepare—and they happen to be very healthy at that. The combination of fresh lime juice and Cholula hot sauce is pretty much unparalleled.

SERVES: 4
TIME: 10 minutes

• 2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• The juice of one lime
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 dozen corn tortillas
• Pico de gallo (see recipe below)
• Lime wedges for serving
• Cholula hot sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)
• Crumbled cotija or feta cheese (optional)

Preheat your grill over high heat. Toss the shrimp together with the olive oil, lime juice and salt. Grill until cooked through, about 2 minutes a side.
To serve, heat the tortillas in a dry frying pan and wrap them in a tea towel to keep warm. Pile a few shrimp on top of each tortilla and serve with a bit of pico de gallo, fresh lime juice, a few dashes of hot sauce and a little of the crumbled cheese if you’d like.

Pico de Gallo
Simple to prepare and about a thousand times fresher and more vibrant than any jar of salsa, fresh pico de gallo is worth making from scratch.

SERVES: 4
TIME: 10 minutes

• 1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered
• 2 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro leaves
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
• Coarse salt
• Squeeze of lime
• As many finely chopped red jalapeños as you’d like (optional)

Combine the tomatoes, cilantro and onion together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and lime. Reserve some of this mixture for the kids, and then add as much jalapeño as you like to the remaining mixture for the adults.

Black Beans
By adding a few aromatics to a can of black beans, you get that Mexican restaurant flavor without hours of soaking and cooking.

SERVES: 4 as a side dish
TIME: 20 minutes

• 1 can of black beans
• 4 cilantro stems
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• pinch of salt

Combine everything together in a small pot and simmer over low heat for about 15-20 minutes (I do this while I’m preparing the rest of the meal). Be sure to simmer the beans long enough so that they’re not watery.

Guacamole
A lesson in simplicity—the best guacamole is a showcase for ripe avocados. A little salt, lime and cilantro go a long way.

SERVES: 4
TIME: 10 minutes

• 2 ripe avocados
• 2 tablespoons minced white onion
• 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 lime
• coarse salt

Cut each avocado in half, remove and reserve the pits and score the flesh inside of the shells. Scoop the avocado into a mixing bowl and mash gently with a fork—you don’t want it to be completely smooth. Stir in the onion and cilantro. Cut the lime in half and squeeze in enough juice to taste. Season the guacamole with salt, and either serve immediately or stick the pits in to keep it from browning (remove the pits before serving).

It’s that time of the year again! On September 19, 2010, Bridal Conference: Fall’s Boutique Bridal Show will take place at the Edmonton Expo Centre. This is a must- attend event for engaged couples, their friends, and their families.

Couples will have the opportunity to win over $90 000 in prizes and gifts, and meet with wedding industry experts to get the resources and knowledge they need to plan their big day. Plus, ladies looking for the perfect dress will be inspired by the latest styles showcased during two professionally choreographed fashion shows.

To top it all off, tickets include free bonuses, and the chance to win great prizes like a brand new, XC60 Volvo, which will be given away to a lucky bride during the show, or a trip to Paris. There are many other prizes to be won as well. Every bride receives a free wedding planner at the door, and the chance to enter to win a fantasy honeymoon and over $90,000 in prizes and gifts!

At the Bridal Conference, brides will also be able to get their hands on some of the most fashionable wedding dresses at a discounted price during the bridal gown sale.

So get your tickets soon as they are only $20.00 (includes GST) which also includes a FREE Wedding Planner that is valued at $14.95 at the door. Come and meet with some of today’s most knowledgeable, up-to-date and unique wedding experts.

We’ve been doing this for years, so here are a few tips to prepare for the big event:
1. Bring a large bag to store all the information you will be collecting.
2. Print off a sheet of labels with your contact information for all the wonderful prize draws you will be entering - name, complete mailing address, phone, email & wedding date.
3. Make sure to wear comfy shoes.
4. Bring your ID along in case you win a prize.
5. Bring a notebook and a pen (or your trusty mobile) to mark down vendors or ideas you really like.
6. Bring your cheque-book in case you want to book something at the show and need to put a deposit down. Some of the best deals around are through vendors at the show!
7. Get seats for the fashion show early – seats fill up fast.
8. Sign up for all the giveaways and draws you can. Just because you already have a limo booked doesn’t mean you can’t use what they have chosen to give as a door prize!
9. Bring swatches of material of your wedding colours. This will help a lot of vendors make appropriate suggestions as to what they can do for you.
10. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions - our guests of wedding professionals are there to help you!

To get tickets and for more info about the Bridal Conference:
http://www.bridalconference.com/
http://www.bridalfantasy.com/edmonton-bridal-show-tickets/

Joins us on Facebook and RSVP your attendance for this year’s Bridal Conference:
http://bit.ly/cL99nx
http://bit.ly/9Bz8eP

“Something Old, Something New,
Something Borrowed, Something Blue,
and a Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe.”

The quote above is familiar, and full of history. Britain’s silver sixpence was in circulation from 1551 to 1967. The tradition of incorporating these elements into the bride’s wedding dress and accessories likely became popular during the Victorian era (Approx. 1837-1900).

Inspired by this wedding ritual, Malene Grotrian Design helps brides to restore their mother’s or grandmothers wedding dress and turn it into a modern couture wedding for the new bride-to-be. Each vintage dress is altered to each bride’s exact desires to create the wedding dress they’ve always dreamed of. Malene has brought a fresh and new approach to a beautiful tradition.

Not only are Malene Grotrian’s brides walking towards their groom wearing the gown of their dreams; they also have something that is both old and new - a wedding dress that is truly special. The beauty of Malene’s art is that the special memories of the past and present will carry on for another lifetime through each wedding.