I love these customed swarovski crystal mirrored compacts. Thinking about getting these for my bride...
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02/11/2009
  000_0183 abigail centerpiece 2 fd1efa76-bd45-4d53-9871-78150cf1fb25-m renee tashiro centerpiece willow with leonidas roses and votive candles curly2 curly3 curlywillow n696532072_1969444_6103          |
Wedding Flowers
Evolution of a centrepiece
So Mirella (florist) has gotten back to me after a visit to her supplier to let me know that unfortunately, the manzanita and/or magnolia branches are WAY out of my price range... :(
But, the good news is, I've found a newfound love for curly willow and I think we can really make this work. Curly willow IS in my price range. :) The only issue is, can we or can we not, hang votive candles from curly willow branches? I've seen plenty of centrepieces in images online where they are hung from curly willow, but, some sources don't recommend it because willow branches are thin and not as sturdy as your typical manzanita or even the mitsumata (or is it matsumata) branches that Mirella used in my sample (see the post 2 down from here for images of those branches in my sample). Mirella has suggested that perhaps we could combine curly willow with the matsumata, but I am thinking I actually like the natural wood colour of the willow branches unpainted and Derrick says he likes the natural colour 100% better than the painted wood; he's more into the natural look. I have to take his thoughts into consideration too, and I don't really disagree w/ him here anyway. So will have to let Mirella know. Anyway, in the meantime, I've gone hunting online again (thank you Google!) for images of centrepieces with orchids and curly willow, for inspiration on what my centrepiece can look like at the end of the day. Here are my found treasures, today (see images at left for inspiration). I'm thinking, my white cube vase (see below), maybe replace the orchids w/ hydrangea or something else (dahlias maybe?), curly willow branches, and orchids just attached to the branches along w/ a few hanging crystals and votives. Or, leave the orchids as is in my sample, and just keep it ALL orchids instead of mixing it up. What should I do? Enjoy and stay tuned! :) |
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02/08/2009
  singlemagnolia 038_primary aprilreed c3 DSC02049 normal_RBI_Cake r5        |
Ask a Question
Cake details - real vs. gum paste, fondant or sugar - What are you doing?
Hi girls,
I'm just wondering what most of you are doing with regard to YOUR cake decor. Will you use real flowers or have your cake artist create hand made sugar or gum paste flowers for your wedding creation? Will you have for your cake, fabric ribbon around the base of each tier, or fondant detail? I have been talking to cake people in my quest to find the cake for our wedding, and I can't decide if it's better, more cost effective, etc. to do real flowers for the cake, or just allow the cake artist to do the gum paste, sugar paste or fondant flowers? Of course, your cake cost diminishes significantly if you don't use the edible flowers because then you're probably looking at a simple iced cake, taking out the bulk of the detail work for the cake shop. And really, who eats gum paste or sugar flowers anyway? In most cases they are only for decoration. But on the other hand, why use real flowers on your cake, where your florist would have to supply the flowers to your cake person on the day of, and then the cake person would have to decorate the cake AT the venue, on the day of, possibly hiking up your set up cost (I'm not sure)... and the flowers may wilt being on the cake for so many hours without water anyway... Which brings me to my question. What are you doing? And what do you think the pros and cons to using real flowers or sugar paste (etc) flowers would be? I want to hear from YOU. In the meantime if you have no idea and are looking for information I found this link which I have yet to read myself but it looks like it may have some pros/cons to each method: http://www.wedding-cake-advice.com/wedding-cake-flowers.html |
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02/08/2009
  a100448_win04_pearls_l |
Cake Topper
Chic pearl monogram DIY project
"A chic pearl monogram tied with a satin bow hangs from a sconce. To make, string pearl beads onto 16-gauge wire (make loops at ends; shape into a letter 20 inches tall. Secure junctions with finer wire."
-From Martha Stewart Weddings I love this idea! I have seen so many brides using the flat metal monogram letters as cake toppers, either as is or bedecked w/ rhinestones - or even swarovski crystals for the luxury-lovers. And I love them but anyone who knows me, knows I like to do things just a wee bit differently than everyone else. I found this beautiful idea on the Martha Stewart Weddings website one day months ago, and hope to be able to make one for our cake. I like that it has some dimension to it rather than just flat letters, and I love that this is an easy DIY project with so much class. I love bringing elements both modern and traditional together. This is definitely one area where I can bring in some vintage glam. If you want to visit the website where I got this idea go here: http://marthastewartweddings.com/portal/site/ww/menuitem.d9cc37f780ffa93df8aeef105173a0a0/?vgnextoid=719fc1c398ba3110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default |
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02/06/2009
  close up of my centrepiece another close up of my purple dendobriums as you can see here there are 3 fairly straight, white wooden branches sticking out of the centrepiece, decorated with clusters of more orchids near the top of each. n696532072_1969446_6564 Magnolia_x_soulangiana - better known as "magnolia." This is the most commonly planted type of magnolia in North America apparently. How GORGEOUS are these flowers?? gp620lg_184-1 manzanita painted black and hung w/ pink hyacinth blooms manzanita decorated by white phalenopsis orchids - one of my absolute fave orchid types! curly willow curly willow again. curly willow can be absolutely stunning come to think of it. I don't mind it at all!            |
Wedding Flowers
My sample centrepiece - moving in the right direction
I have found a wonderful friend in my florist - we have SO much fun when we get to hang out and brainstorm together - this is one vendor I can honestly say is TOTALLY on my page. She gets the vision and what's more, she gets EXCITED about it! In short, my florist, Mirella of Rainflower Company, just ROCKS!
To the left are a few photos of the mockup (sample) centrepiece she put together for me last night. We are moving in the right direction but will be changing a few things... Just a few more tweaks and this baby should be perfect. In the meantime I LOVE the orchids, LOVE the colour... and I can't wait to see this all come together. I'm getting excited now... :) The vase is a white ceramic cube vase, about 8 or 10" wide on each side and about the same height. Inside are a ton of purple dendobrium orchids (I love cymbidiums but these are more cost effective), accented by 3 branches, strung with yet more orchids. What aren't included in these photos are some beautiful crystal baubles that Mirella thoughtfully hung on each of the branches to glitz it up a bit. We also have the option to use these branches in silver and I was pretty set on going w/ those, until I decided I'd like to use another type of branch altogether. The options are: -Magnolia branches -Manzanita branches -Curly willow branches You can see photos of all 3 at left, which I've included for comparison. They each have pros and cons. Magnolias are beautiful but I'm not sure what the price is like - Mirella is going to look into them for me and get back to me to let me know, early next week. Manzanitas are always stunning but are definitely expensive - they come from California and have to be shipped in and then of course there is duty on top of that because we are in Canada. And finally curly willow is affordable but isn't really the look I wanted to go for though if I had no other option in my price range I think I'd prefer the curly willow to these branches used in the mock up - I find these are just too straight - I want something more branchy... something with more dimension, something more DRAMATIC. Yes, curly willow could definitely be an option if magnolias aren't. And now I'm beginning to actually wonder if we shouldn't use a wider, lower vase instead of this taller sort of narrow cube. I'll have to bring that up w/ Mirella... the poor girl. I think I might just be driving her nuts by now. LOL I want to add hanging votive candles and hanging crystal strands. On each side of the cube vase we'll have a much smaller clear glass cube vase with one floating white orchid (with purple throat) in each one. In between these we will have lots of candles. Everything will be on a mirror to help reflect the light. We were going to do 2 different types of centrepieces but I changed my mind on that today based on the fact that we only have about 100-120 guests which means only 10-12 tables total, unless we do tables of 8, in which case we'd have more tables to dress and more centrepieces and then the price just goes up - I think we'll stick to tables of 10. So with only 10-12 tables, I don't really think we'll get the impact we're after with half the tables using one look and half the tables using another - I think it's best we just keep it uniform which helps keep the cost of the centrepieces down anyway since florals are like anything else - the more you buy at once the lower the cost per unit becomes. At this point any savings we can get is mandatory so we'll take it. I think this is going to be STUNNING! (Here's hoping). :) I know Mirella can pull it off. :) As an aside, I am very excited that Mirella has been asked by Wedding Bells magazine (http://www.weddingbells.ca) to be part of a feature they're doing! She'll be doing the florals they need for a wedding shoot to be featured in an upcoming issue. I'm so proud of her! Way to go Mirella! :) This is definitely one up and coming floral superstar on the rise... and I'm so pleased to have the honour of having her do our wedding. :) http://www.rainflowercompany.com |
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02/05/2009
  012t friesngravyshooters 015_primary pupu_14_2 chicken-fruit-salsa fruitmartini chicken_quesadillas_f ceviche         |
Our menu
Custom designed for a tropical summer soiree
Well, I think we are pretty well decided to go with En Ville as our caterer. I absolutely LOVE our menu! I am just waiting for the guy at the caterer to get back to me and let me know when we can come in for our tasting - I am hoping we can take care of that next week.
Here is our menu which was centred around a theme of tropical/caribbean summer flavours. Cold Hors D'oeuvres Shrimp ceviche shooter with lime, pepper, herbs and sea salt Crisp rice paper rollup w/ vegetables and coriander and sweet dipping sauce Caribbean ocean fish salad with avocado, julienne of vegetables, olive oil and cilantro in a crisp wonton cup Basil marinated chicken wrapped in grilled zucchini Hot Hors D'oeuvres Crab meat quesadillas w/ raw tomato salsa Jerk chicken lollipop (mild to med) with coconut kiwi chutney Vaca Frita on a crisp yucca chip (this is a fried shredded beef dish) Parmesan Cup filled with Truffled Mac & Cheese Plated Meal Appetizer Red & Yellow Watermelon Gazpacho w/ basil oil & edible flowers (going to ask if we can have this served w/ a marinated shrimp - another caterer served w/ a vanilla marinated shrimp) Salad Summer romaine heart salad w/ oven dried tomatoes, red onion & citrus lime dressing (i may have this switched for a mixed greens salad instead, with mandarin orange slices, and a raspberry vinaigrette) Main Course: CHOICE OF 7oz Grilled Supreme of Chicken with Tequila Lime Citrus Glaze and Chipotle Chili Pepper OR Indonesian spiced, Supreme of Chicken with Mango Lime Coriander Salsa (haven't decided which yet) OR OR 6oz Atlantic Salmon Fillet w/ mango, avocado, lime & cilantro salsa sprinkled w/ shredded coconut SERVED WITH Arroz moro cake (a fancier twist on the beans/rice standard - made w/ beer, tomato sauce, herbs, peppers and other seasonings) and a grilled summer vegetable tower, drizzled w/ olive oil Tables will be laden with assorted flat breads and buns, along w/ black bean puree, hummus and sweet butter Plated Dessert: Tropical fruit martini w/ coconut ice cream and mini biscotti Late night: -sweet table including fruit tarts, brownies, cheesecake lollipops and mini fruit skewers -wedding cake -candy buffet -midnight savoury bar of gourmet beef and lamb burgers and fries/gravy shooters. Burgers to be served in ACE (local artisan bakery) buns, w/ condiments including ketchup, mustard, onion, caribbean hot sauce and arugula aioli |
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02/05/2009
  obstacle |
Wedding Cake
Ok so not having a great wedding planning day...
I've definitely had better planning days than today. While some things aer beginning to really come together and fall into place other things seem to be starting to fall apart.
I had all but confirmed my order w/ a cake shop about 30 minutes away, wasted nearly half a day going to visit this chick who works out of her apt. and who I met at the bridal show I went to not long ago. Incidentally she was on some Food Network challenge recently as well. Her cake was not bad, not the greatest but definitely edible and her designs were amazing. Loved them. Plus her price was right. I told her I was all but ready to book her, I just had to take the samples back to my fiance to let him try, and talk it over w /him and I would be in touch. I told her too that I would need an actual quote from her before we could commit. She told me to go home and send her photos of cakes I love to give her a better idea, even though we decided on the cake I wanted while I was visiting her, so that is what we did. She even gave me a price before I went home! I emailed her all kinds of pictures, and told her I just needed a summary of the order and a quote in order to book. She had also told me before I left her place that if I wanted to try anymore flavours that I could just give her a day's notice and she would whip up a batch of cupcakes for us, at $1 a piece or $6 per tray of 6. I emailed her Jan 19th with all my images and asking for a summary of the order plus a quote and also to let me know if I could pick up 6 cupcakes from her in 3 different flavours so my future mother in law who is buying the cake for us could try them as well, and so we could try other flavours. She got back to me on the 21st saying that she's been on the Food network and swamped ever since with orders, and that she hadn't had a chance to get caught up yet but that she would be in touch w/ a summary and quote. She did not even mention the cupcakes. I heard nothing back from her. On the 28th of January I followed up to ask if she had had a chance to get me a summary/quote put together yet and again she did not reply. Today, February 5th, I followed up again asking if she was no longer available to make our cake. She replied to say that of course she is still making cakes, but that she "never heard from me after January 21st" and that a deposit was required in order to hold the date and now my date is booked - she is no longer available to do OUR cake. I am LIVID. Now I have to go back to square one, at sourcing out a damn cake place in our budget that can do what we want? I thought we were really moving along... this is just a minor set back but a setback nonetheless. What's more, everyone I've asked says that Daniel et Daniel is THE catering king of our city, and that they do the best job... but they also happen to be the priciest. I have been trying in earnest to get them to come down into a price range we can live with (we have only 6 caterers to choose from with our venue, we can't work outside those exclusive parameters, part of the venue contract and had narrowed it down to D&D or another caterer, En Ville) and finally we had them in our price range but the girl we've been dealing with just hasn't been able to come up with a menu that makes either Derrick or myself say "WOW." We had previously met with En Ville, and the guy we worked with there was great and nailed the theme we were after right from the get go - and got it down within our price range without a problem. I emailed Daniel et Daniel today to ask the girl to please have the menu revised based on a bunch of parameters I gave her (menu ideas that I had come across and saved), saying it would be more in line w/ what we were looking for. We have not been in touch w/h er since the fall. She wrote me back saying they wont' do any more menu revisions until they have a signed contract. I think I want to book with En Ville at this point. Not only did the menu work better for us but the guy was more flexible and prices were better. I can only hope that: a) they're still available on our date and that b) the food is as good as it looks on the menu We shall see... and the mission continues. *sigh* |
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02/05/2009
  3545 |
Wedding Dress
I finally ordered my dress!
So yesterday I finally took the plunge... I went into the dress shop where I found "the dress" (I hope it IS "the dress" because I just put $700 on it - half of the regular price of the dress even though they gave me a tax free discounted deal for paying in cash), and I did it!
It won't be in until June. My biggest fear is that they'll send the wrong dress and I'll be screwed as my wedding is in July and I still need alterations. The girl tried to tell me that maybe I should order a size 20 which would have cost me an extra $85 for the extra fabric to make it in that size. I felt like the 18 was fine. She had taken my measurements on my last visit, and she had noted that my hips were something like 49" (which is bigger than what I measured them at home - at home, my measuring tape says 47") and that my top half which is much smaller being that I am "pear shaped" (gotta love that term eh?), rings in at something like 39". My waist is something like 36 or 38". So you'd think, order the dress to fit the hips, and have it taken in, in the bust right? Well according to her size chart for this manufacturer, 49" hips fits a size 20 dress. Which is funny considering that I had tried on the sample which was a size 12, without any issues at all, except that the zipper below the corset (so bum to waist) just wouldn't do up, and the corset wasn't able to be laced as tight as it should've been for someone who IS a size 12. Now between size 12 and size 20 is a LOT of fabric. That's 4 whole sizes!! Now, considering the size 12 fit me in every way except at the closure part, I don't think I need an extra 4 sizes to make the dress fit. I dont' even think she measured me correctly. Not to mention, I had no problem getting size 16 dresses, even those with zipper closures, done up, when I was trying on wedding dresses in most cases. So I think an 18 gives me enough room personally and that is what I ordered in the end. I hope I am right. As a safety I had her check the dress sample to see if there was room in the seams to let it out in the hips when it comes, if need be. She said there is about 2" on each side, which is good. I think I will be fine. I've already lost some weight this year and hoping to lose more though not guaranteeing it for my wedding day! Anyway I took the plunge, I ordered my dress and now I just have to sit back and WAIT for it to come in. :) |
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02/04/2009
  orchids_branches_box purpledendobsL white_purpleDendobs purpledendobrium     |
Wedding Flowers
Getting my centrepiece sample/mockup Friday!
I'll be getting this but in a white vase, with purply pink dendobrium orchids and the branches will be white. My florist has silver branches as well so she will bring those to our meeting to show me as well but she's doing the sample with the white branches so I can see what it looks like. I am so excited!
I may ask that she add some crystal strands to the branches and/or spray the branches w/ iridescent/opalescent glitter but not sure yet. :) I can't wait to bring it home! |
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02/03/2009
  il_430xN.38757679_Platinum il_430xN.48723177 il_430xN.49437752 il_430xN.50684731_Damask il_430xN.50958615 il_430xN.50958616_LANA Zebra        |
Wedding accessories
Garters... so many to choose from!
I've been having a blast looking at garters on Etsy.com. There are just so many to choose from! Do I want damask, something blue, something lacy, something traditional, something kitschy, something sexy? Once again, I'm faced with decisions, decisions... and more decisions!
Here are some of my faves from Peterene Design and the Garter Lady both on Etsy.com. |
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02/01/2009
  Ava604 Mori Lee Satin style 229   |
Bridesmaids
Decisions decisions...
Went shopping at Windsor Bridal, The Dressroom and Firenzia yesterday with 2 of my bridesmaids and we found the following 2 dresses which will look great on all my girls.
Mori Lee's modeling photos are not as "impressive" on first glance as say, the Jim Hjelm's of the bridal world, but the dresses look gorgeous ON a real body, and the price is right too. In fact i think the dresses looked better on my friend than on the model personally. And she's not a model, she's a real woman with a real shape. Both these dresses are priced around $200 in Toronto. The plum one is taffeta, which is nice and light for summer, but has less structure than the satin one, which we'd do in either a plum colour or a pale turquoise. The groomsmen will be in black tone-on-tone pinstripe (not white on black pinstripe) with platinum vests and ties. FH will wear solid black with an ivory coloured vest and tie over a white shirt - the ivory vest/tie will match my natural coloured dress. Things are finally starting to come together!! |
soulwishes
| 3 | years since wedding |
Liz G
Derrick P
Jul 10, 2009
Toronto,
Ontario,
Canada
Outdoors on the lawn of an historic estate, surrounded by trees, gardens, etc.
Under a tent on a beautiful property amongst lush gardens on an historic estate
To be determined
Pink
Modern, summery, chic and sophisticated with subtle latin-caribbean theme undertones (food, entertainment, etc.) Magenta/Aqua/White possibly with black, brown or metallic details.
number of visits: 9318
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