Author: Becky Newhook

Michelle’s Grower Direct might be new to Bridal Fantasy but we are not new to the wedding world. Our team had a fantastic first show in Calgary. It was a lot of fun to interact with brides and find out what they are looking for in the 2012-2013 wedding seasons. We are finding brides are looking for simple yet elegant bouquets for their special day and the biggest hit was the bling that we placed in and around the arrangements; definitely a show stopper. The fashion show was the biggest highlight and we heard great things from the brides that found us after. All our arrangements were fresh and big for the special day and you noticed that!

We have been designing and working with brides for close to 20 years. Brides continue to come to us based on our great price points and ability to work within the budget - high or low. To celebrate our first time with Bridal Fantasy we want to extend a 15% discount for all brides that book their flowers through us. We give a free consultation, which includes discount offers from other wedding vendors that we love and trust. Come check us out and start your wedding planning on budget with our team that cares about YOU and your very special day!

All Photos Courtesy of Michelle’s Growers Direct
Address: 4041 Macleod Trail Phone: 403-423-3388 E-mail: weddings@michellesgrowerdirect.com

The date has been set, the invitations mailed out. The bridesmaids and groomsmen have been chosen, and colors decided upon. All of these things provide you a general idea of what your day is going to look like, but when your guests walk into that ceremony, what do you want them to see?

Over the years I’ve gone to my fair share of family weddings, and as I’m getting older, I’ve started getting more invites to dear friends of mines special days. And the one thing that remains consistent throughout is the ceremony decorations.

When people typically get married in churches, the decorations tend to be simple in order to emphasize the grand decorations that are typically seen in churches. The pews may be lined with bows and organza, in order to emphasize the center aisle for the bride, as well as the alter being decorated with the flowers that the bridesmaids may be carrying; there typically is no decoration other then that. However, if you’ve ever seen the opening scenes of my favorite movie, The Wedding Planner, or if you’ve seen pictures from the Royal wedding, you would have seen live trees being placed within the church. Although this tends to be expensive, it gives a lovely earthy feel to an otherwise sometimes stuffy place.

However, when you get married outside of a church, it gives people a little bit more freedom. Last year I went to an outdoor backyard ceremony. The bride had chosen to line the aisle she would be walking down in mason jars with white candles on the inside, to light her way, as well as white twinkle lights in the trees surrounding the guests. At the alter, she was surrounded in flowers and more white candles. A dear friend is getting married next year in the mountains and has decided on tartan decorations (because of her husbands heritage) to be tied on all the chairs.

My biggest thing when it comes to decorations at ceremonies though is too keep it simple. You’re there to focus on the love being solidified by you friends or family, not to notice all the million decorations within the setting. Save the wow factor for the reception, and make the ceremony about you and your future partner. Just keep it simple.

The aisle that you walk down on your wedding day is sort of like a bridge that connects the engaged you to the married you. It is the last walk that you will take before you become a wife, so why not make it fantastic?

Winter weddings are always beautiful, but how can you spice up your aisle without making it look like you’re on your way to the North Pole? Here are some ideas that will make your walk up the aisle one to remember. To get away from the holiday feel, try using colors like silver or blue. These will reflect the season, but your guests won’t expect you to ride in on a reindeer. For aisle cones, use white feathers and beads or even frosted foliage. Winter is all about sparkle and ice so try to embrace some bling by using sparkly or clear snowflake ornaments in your aisle cones. For an aisle runner consider a textured pattern; depending on the style and detail you can make it look like you’re walking on a path of freshly fallen snowflakes. The more texture, the more realistic it will look.

If you’re getting married in a warmer season, there are many ways that you can make your aisle shine. If it’s outdoors then you have an excellent opportunity to use some of nature’s best assets. An aisle enclosed with trees is always beautiful and it gives you the option to add some of your own decor without taking away from the simplistic elegance of mother nature herself. Adding a few ribbons or lights that complement your colors and theme will give your aisle that personal touch. Outdoor aisle markers can be made by using clear vases filled with anything you like—flowers, sticks, stones, and candles. If you’re looking for a simpler and more natural feel, throw down some fresh flower petals as a runner and leave the aisle markers out. If you’ve got a picturesque location, you won’t need to add a lot of decoration to make it memorable. Use flowers that match your theme; fall weddings are a great time to use reds, oranges and yellows and you can even use some dried wheat to accent them. Spring and summer weddings will give you the chance to use brighter colors and to experiment more. Summer aisle cones can be made by using almost anything you’d like, from mini-bouquets to color co-ordinated bows.

When choosing the decor for your aisle, remember to match your theme and to think outside the box. It may be a short walk, but it’s an important one and you deserve to enjoy every step of it. There are many DIY options out there, so if you have a strict budget don’t shy away from something you like because of the price tag; embrace your creative side and enlist some friends to give you a hand!

Courtesy Of: www.orangeblossom.ca

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Courtesy Of: www.rufflesroses.wordpress.com

Courtesy Of: www.heirloompatch.com

Do It Yourself, or DIY is a fun way to personalize your wedding. From invitations, to decor, flowers, favours and even dresses, there are do it yourself opportunities for brides who have the time, interest, and motivation to explore them.

Here are a few ideas Bridal Fantasy has come across recently:
1) This is a great DIY initiative because it doesn’t require the bride to do any of the “DI” ing. When an overseas wedding meant that some freinds and family couldn’t make it, this couple invited their friends to create peices of art to be sent over and included in the special day.

2) This handmade cake-box is a twist on the classic card box - into which guests drop their well wishes for the new couple. A slot at the top makes this box a practical peice of decor that can be customized to suit your own wedding theme. For step by step details, visit Oncewed.com.

3) Simple, classic Mason jars can make lovely vases for centrepeices. Add a ribbon in your wedding colour or leave the jar as is.