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.
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.
Thorn Yewtree
What is one of the biggest problem between couples in any relationship? Money. In the current economy, it’s very easy to see why people are more tense and spend more time arguing about money. Kelly Keehn is a financial expert, speaker, elder planning counselor and author, along with being a contributing author to Bridal Fantasy Magazine. Recently she did an interview on CTV on couples and money - a great interview that every couple should see. Check out her website at www.kellykeehn.com - the video is right on the home page! There’s also tons of other great resources to help you with any questions you might have about money. Enjoy!
Columbine Goblinfilter
This season the biggest wedding trends come together with an unexpected stroke of colour. For every bride you’ve truly found a means of self-expression.
In contrast to the softer more subtle shades of last year, the forthcoming trends for 2009 will be far more exotic, brightly coloured and - believe it or not - almost luminous!
Engaged couples are going for the big tropical colour schemes focusing on blue, yellow & orange shades.
So, whether you are having a tantalizingly tropical event, an ocean blue occasion or an outstanding orange event, anyone who’s anyone in 2009 will definitely be hosting a bright, bold, beautiful and full-of-colour wedding!
Check out the great colour options at Derks…where you’ll find your wedding style.
Columbine Goblinfilter
Purchasing Your Tuxedo
So you are one of the lucky few that have decided to own your tuxedo, you must understand your decision puts you in a very prestigious group with the likes of James Bond, Frank Sinatra and almost every major motion picture actor to ever win an award. Now how do you feel? Where to begin?
Fabric: This is going to be the primary distinguishing factor between a rental and retail garment. Most tuxedos are made of very fine wool’s (often in Super 100’s or better), this is because the tuxedo was meant to be worn on momentous occasions and at those times of your life you want to look your very best. You will find that the tuxedo you are buying will be extremely lightweight and breathable so that you stay comfortable. You have enough on your mind let alone worrying about what you are wearing.
Style: This is completely personal; however, there are a few simple things you should know going into your purchase. First, this garment is going to last you a while (often 5+ years) so make sure the style you choose is something you can live with. Most traditional tuxedos come in 1, 2, 3 button coats and if you are a purest you will want a 1 button without question. You then have three simple lapel choices: a notch, a peak or a shawl. Most formalwear specialty stores will have a selection of these tuxedos for you to look at and try on.
Accessories: Accessories may be the most important part of the process. If your tuxedo is going to last you a while, you don’t want to continually show up in the same outfit time after time. What we recommend is you find a few sets of accessories that say something different about you, maybe one set is red and shows your outgoing side, while the black set shows your traditional classic side. Accessories are a great way to continue to keep that tuxedo current without spending a lot of money.
I know what you’re thinking; isn’t it much cheaper to rent? That isn’t necessarily the case. If a guy is wearing a tuxedo 2 or 3 times in the course of a few years often it works out more cost effective to buy. And if we look at the entire budget of the wedding, even if the groom buys his tuxedo often times it is hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars less than the brides dress alone.
This small piece of information should allow you to feel comfortable buying your first tuxedo, although we are sure you still have questions, a reputable formalwear specialist can answer those questions.
A tuxedo just isn’t me…
Although as an industry we are seeing most grooms opting to wear a tuxedo there are some that are looking for something more casual. This is the perfect opportunity to wear a suit. Perhaps you don’t get dressed up much or that you might just want a new suit. Most formalwear specialists will have a suit to rent however; most men that are looking for a suit for their wedding are looking for something to purchase.Â
Although some men may want something a little bit more fashionable for their wedding we generally discourage that. Do you remember looking at wedding pictures from past generations? Ruffled shirts and baby blue were just a couple of pictures that came to mind, you do not want your wedding pictures to stem those same thoughts in your children one day.
Bracken Goblinshimmer
So you have bought a dress, booked a venue and picked the flowers. Now it’s time for the guy. In today’s market the guy is making more decisions when it comes to his attire for the wedding day. They are looking at buying, renting, or on some instances both, so the process is not as easy as it once was. With wedding parties getting bigger and bigger many of today’s grooms are planning further ahead, because there are more people to co-ordinate. How to make it easier? Read on for tips on renting your formalwear!
Renting Your Formalwear
The key to having a positive experience while renting your formalwear is to choose a reputable store. As you shop around everyone will try and convince you that they truly are a reputable store, but here are just a few things to look for:
- Service you can rely on
- Well-trained, professional staff
- Attention to detail and quality
- Local warehousing with a large selection of new tuxedos and accessories
- On-site tailoring for any unforeseen problems
If a store can provide these items you know you are in the right place. Now it really comes down to what are the guys going to wear? A good sales associate will ask a few simple questions such as:
- What time of day is your wedding?
- Is it a formal or casual ceremony?
- What are the wedding colours?
These items will help a sales associate determine what type of attire is best suited for your day. There is a big swing back to formality, more grooms want to be completed dressed up. This might include a longer jacket, a vest, a formal tie and a patent shoe.
Jacket styles are going in two directions, more and more jackets are going to basic styles while incorporating nicer details such as linings and fabrics. The other direction is formal coats (longer length primarily), these coats will often fit a bit slimmer to prevent the groom from looking like a tent.
Accessories are becoming increasingly important, gone are the days of a black bow tie and cummerbund as your only choice. In today’s rental market the sky is the limit as far as colour and style go. Jewel tones and earth tones are a huge hit for this wedding season.
We have all heard that shoes make the man, well the statement holds true in the rental game as well. Many men cannot justify owning a pair of patent leather shoes, therefore, why not rent them on your wedding day. A good formalwear store should have numerous styles for you to choose from. Remember that the patent shoe was designed specifically for your tuxedo; it carries the look from your satin lapel to your satin stripe down to your shoes. And if you think people won’t notice you’re wrong! Check back for info on purchasing your wedding attire instead of renting.
Bracken Goblinshimmer
The groom is no longer just an extra at the wedding, he is main stage, so it is important he has his own individual look.
You want him to stand out from his groomsmen. Now, there is available to the groom a wide selection of retail and rental accessories that can customize his look. For those all-important finishing touches check out:
· Custom shirts with initials
· Cufflinks: hundreds of elegant and unusual links and studs
· Custom ties to co-ordinate with the brides gown
· Elegant vests in brocades and silks
So whether you are looking for something to add depth to your wedding suit or to make you strut your stuff, look for accessories to help you stand out in the crowd.
Columbine Goblinfilter
Those extra little details and touches are what finish off your look and keep you calm. Cufflinks are a great way to show a touch of class or personality without being flashy. Whether they are an heirloom piece or a brand new pair they will help make your outfit become your own and make for a great keepsake after the wedding.
You can also purchase your accessories like the vest and tie instead of renting them. This allows you to personlize your outfit with accessories that might not be available in rental inventory and gives you something to keep from your wedding day.
Pick up at least two pairs of dress socks for the wedding day. After the ceremony you can change into a fresh pair for the reception. Also, if you tend to sweat a lot, a second shirt might be in order as well.
Keep a cotton handkerchief in your pocket. While you are in the receiving line you will be shaking a lot of hands. You can slip your hand into your pocket and dry it off very subtly.
So what are your duties for the wedding day? The groom is traditionally responsible for:
- making arrangements for the weddings rings
- picks the best man, groomsmen and ushers
- organizes the ceremony venue and the officiant
- makes arrangements for all of the flowers
- makes transportation arrangements
- organizing the honeymoon
