Ooh Darling Cause You'll Always Be My Baby

GARGANTUAN Congratulations to Meagan and Mike who I just found out are expecting in the fall! After coordinating their wedding and the invitations in October 2007, I quickly learned how eager Meagan was to have many little ones running around. I couldn't be happier for the both of them!

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Hiding From the Sun

As I sit a home on a Friday night awaiting a storm to pass, I can't help but think of all of the brides who are getting married tomorrow. Please don't despair! This monstrous thunder and lightening will actually be good for your day ... frizzy hair may not happen!

Of course one of the brides in question is our very own BloggerBride. I cannot wait for all of her details to be revealed to BloggerGroom, their guests and everyone else who has followed along. BG's family has been to wedding after wedding whereas this will be one of the few BB's family has seen. It's sure to be a day of unique moments in everyone's lives.

Especially if these flashes of light don't go away ...

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Dandelions in Bullet Holes

I found this fantastic do-it-yourself project that I thought would be fun to share. Instead of renting pew bows why not make things more personal and unique? These tin can vases are great for hanging on the ends of pews for the ceremony and they can then be transported into the reception area as extra decor ... or if you feel extra adventuresome, they can be used later as centrepieces!


What You Will Need:
Fabric
Lace Trim
5mm-wide satin ribbon
1m of 35mm-wide satin ribbon
Clean, empty tin can
Hot water
Scissors
Material
Ruler
Measuring Tape
Pencil
Scrap sheet of paper
Iron and ironing board
Towel
Hammer
Awl
Freezer
Double-sided adhesive tape

1. Soak the tin can in enough hot water to cover it completely. Remove the label, fill the can with tap water and place in the freezer until a firm block of ice has formed; this provides the necessary stability for step 2.

2. Remove the can from the freezer and place on its side on a folded towel. Using a hammer and awl, punch a hole just under the top rim of the can. Repeat to create a second hole opposite the first. Allow the ice to melt, empty the can and dry it thoroughly (see image A).


3. Cut a 1m length of 35mm-wide satin ribbon for the handle. Thread one end of the ribbon through a punched hole, from the outside to the inside, and tie a large knot. Push the other end of the ribbon through the opposite punched hole and tie a large knot as before. Tip: Tying the knot on the inside of the can creates a neat finish (see image B).


4.Measure the height and circumference of the can using a measuring tape and record on a sheet of paper. Measure a section of fabric 30mm longer than the circumference and 30mm wider than the height of the can.

5. Fold a 15mm hem along each long edge of the fabric. Iron the fold to create a crisp edge. Then, fold a hem at 20mm from one end of the fabric and press.

6. With the wrong side facing up, place a strip of double-sided adhesive tape along each edge of the fabric. At the unhemmed end of the fabric, remove the backing paper from the tape (see image C).


7. Place the can on its side and adhere the end of the fabric to the can. Align the edges of the fabric with the rims of the can to ensure the fabric is straight. Remove the backing paper from the remaining double-sided tape and carefully wrap the fabric around the can (see image D).


8. Pull the fabric taut, overlapping the ends of the fabric. Secure in place by pressing firmly and smoothing down along the double-sided tape (see image E).


9. Measure and cut a length of lace trim 10mm longer than the circumference of the can. With the reverse side of the lace facing you, place a strip of double-sided tape along each end of the lace. At one end of the trim, remove the backing paper from the tape (see image F).


10. Position the can so that the seam of the fabric faces you. Align the end of the lace with the seam and secure in place. Remove the remaining backing tape and, with slight tension, wrap the lace around the can until the two ends meet. Secure in place by pressing firmly and smoothing down along the double-sided tape (see image G).


11. Wrap a length of 5mm satin ribbon around the lace and finish at the front with a knot or bow (see image H).



Project courtesy Creative Weddings magazine

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Quit Playing Games With my Heart

I made a choice a while ago not to think about the weather at the wedding. It seemed so futile. Our ceremony is indoors, so is the reception. The photos are scheduled to be outside, along with the cocktail, but they can both be moved indoors, if need be.

FI on the other hand has been obsessed about the weather for at least three months. He did statistical analyses of historical weather patterns for June 14th. He would say things like, “mathematically, we have a 35% chance of having a nice day”. I would laugh and say, “whatever”. I was determined not to think about it. Plus, I always love rainy wedding photos with nice umbrellas, and fun galoshes… Until now.

There has been no way to avoid the forecast now that we are in the final week. As of a week ago, the forecast was thunderstorms and 26 degrees. Boo. BUT then, oh happy days! As of two days ago, the forecast for Saturday was 24 degrees and sunny!

24 degrees and sunny is FANTASTIC,
24 degrees and sunny is GLORIOUS,
24 degrees and sunny is the most PERFECT WEDDING WEATHER EVER,
24 degrees and sunny is…. no longer the forecast for Saturday.

This morning we woke up to the grimmest forecast a curly-haired bride could ever have. The forecast now is thunderstorms, 26 degrees with a HUMIDITY WARNING. If you are really quiet, you can practically hear my perfectly coiffed hair frizzing out already.

Que sera sera, and all that. I do know that the day will be perfect regardless, but that’s hardly the point, is it?

For now I will stay glued to The Weather Network. Everyone do an anti-raindance for me.

xx


~bb~

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The Final Days

I’m trying to write a witty and thought provoking blog entry, here on my “8 Days And Counting” post. When all I can think to write is:

OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!

… You get the picture.

Tomorrow is my shower...
it’s becoming a welcome distraction. I am so excited. I have been blessed with incredible bridesmaids who have taken the task of Bridesmaiding to a whole new level. Most of them live on a different continent and it hasn’t stopped them one bit! My mum told me that in the past month she has received about 3 emails a day from them about planning/ scheming. Good lord. I think they might be working harder on my shower/ stagette than I have on my wedding!!

Since the majority of the day is a surprise, I will close here and promise to give a full report on Monday. Maybe even with pictures. Stay tuned….

~bb~

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Build You A Fire If The Furnace Breaks

Scouting a venue site is something that is fairly common to event coordinators. Sometimes it's even worth going in another season from when they event is taking place ... as was the case for an upcoming client's wedding. It's being held within the rustic beauty of Bruce's Mill.


The fantastic thing about Bruce's Mill in the spring is they hold a maple syrup festival. Being married to a French-Canadian means maple syrup flows through the veins and any chance we get to visit a sugar shack is much appreciated! Here are some quick pictures I snapped for J&N ...

My husband trying to scam some maple syrup straight from the bucket ...


An educational visit as well! Here are some of the cauldrons brewing the fresh stuff!


They also have hot apple cider, jams and soups ... mmmmm ...


Right here I can imagine some gorgeous wedding photos with the bride and groom!


I can't wait for this wedding. J&N truly think outside the box and everything they've chose to do for the wedding speaks to who they are as a couple. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is saying goodbye!

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Gone gone gone ... you been gone so long ...

Yikes! Talk about being M.I.A.

You may have noticed I've been away for quite some time as have the majority of guest bloggers. That can only mean one thing ... wedding season!!! Along with weddings I've also been busy in the corporate sector but right now let's focus on one nuptial that is long overdue for a report!

On April 26th, our very own kd_2b_kk married her long-time love. Set in beautiful Hockley Valley, we knew the wedding would be a delight on the senses. The other thing we knew? The bride has an amazing sense of humour and would keep things interesting! Here are some pictures to give you a sense of the day ...

The beautiful bride & her dad ... as soon as her groom caught a glimpse of her, he was grinning from ear to ear :)



The room at Hockley once it was ready for the guests to see ...


The head table ...


The centrepieces were wonderful Zen gardens and orchid candles. The bride spent two years in Japan at a very important time in the couples' lives together so they decided on this Asian theme.


The gifts for guests were coffee mugs filled with goodies ... tucked inside these packages.


Instead of a traditional guest book, the couple found this Asian scroll perfect for signing ...


Even the table numbers echoed the theme ...


As did the wine bottle covers ...


Officially married!


'Our' beautiful bride, Kait :)


Everyone was fawning over the couples' nephew ...


Another attention getter was the stunning cupcake display the bride's aunt made ...


For their introduction as newlyweds, Kait decided to piggy-back her groom into the venue ... all spur of the moment!


Humour runs in the family. Here is the bride's brother ...


Kait posing with myself and half of the DJ team ... Laura from Sounds of Distinction ...


Susan & Kait ...


At the end of the night, everyone was tired. I snapped this shot of a tuckered out guest on my way out ...



Thanks Kait! An amazing time was had by all and it really was an honour.

Special thanks go out to my assistant for the day. Amanda, you were a life-saver!!!

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The Clock- Part Two

I was rereading my previous posts and I now realize I was a little cavalier and a bit too early when I wrote The Clock . Because now at 25 days and counting, I’m officially freaked. Very freaked.

I have all but abandoned the idea of “a good night’s sleep”. I either toss and turn all night, or just lie there, watching the clock countdown the hours till work. I can’t turn my brain off and in the dark dead of night my spinning mind makes the most trivial problems seem monumental. I find myself being angry at just about everyone. These aren’t the type of problems you can fix with a cheque, or a spreadsheet, or a helpful bridesmaid. They are human ones, family ones, and friends ones. The ones that have you silently screaming, “Why don’t they understand? Why can’t they see how important this is??”

When dawn comes, it shines the light of truth on the issue. I won’t spend any of my waking moments thinking about them, they really are inconsequential in the grand scheme of life. But I know when the lights go out tonight they will be waiting for me, lurking beneath my bed, and hiding in my closet, waiting for me to close my eyes…

I apologize for the dire post. Really, I do. But I thought I would be honest. But I do promise an upbeat post next. Something fabulous and funny. I just don't have it in me this morning. Yawn.

~bb~

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The RSVPs

This stage has been THE most exciting so far. Everyday, when I get home from work it’s like a mini- Christmas. My fiancé lays the RSVPs out on the coffee table for me to see. I actually squealed yesterday at a particularly large haul! I feel like it’s a written confirmation of having friends. 9 RSVPs back today? WOW we are popular! People like us! Yay for me! (Um, I mean US).

I’m also quite enjoying the little blurbs that people are writing on the RSVP. It never occurred to me to do so. There are well wishes, a lot of “looking forward to it’s”. But the ones that I love the most are the JOKES. Again, it never occurred to me that the bride and groom on the receiving end of an RSVP might be in need of a chuckle.

So far, the biggest joke opportunity falls on the line where I have requested that people list their allergies. I have had people tell me that they are allergic to Poison Oak, cats and buffalo dander. Thank god I’m not serving any of those! Har har.

Being a bride, it goes without saying, has taught me a few things about weddings. It has taught me how I will act as a future bridesmaid, family member and as a guest.

But I think the most important things I have learned so far are two things I have learned about RSVPs:

1. Be prompt.
2. Be funny.

~bb~

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Beauty Queen ...

Sneak peek of kk_2B_kd all dressed up ...

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Going to the Chapel and They're ...

The day is finally here for kd_2B_kk!

You'll notice that she & I have been conspicuously absent for the last little while. I have been knee-deep in plans for her as well as some other business ... she's been readily getting prepared for what is to happen later this afternoon!
I can't wait to get on site and start arranging all of the lovely things I've already seen ... along with the surprises I'm sure to find in the detailed boxes put together by Mom :)

I promise to take many pictures and get them up here as soon as possible. I know the lovely bride has many friends who are eagerly awaiting the outcome as they have been wishing her well all week long.

She's sure to have a beautiful day filled with happiness and love!!!

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Honeymoon

Okay, I know you read the title and said "Whoa! first thing's first! Get yourself married first!" But I just HAD to share this with you. From the start, Adam and I talked about possible honeymoon options. We reviewed every pocket of the world possible! Hawaii, Japan, Dominican, Cuba, Germany...the list goes on and even includes road trips to various North American destinations (or via points!). Eventually, we decided that with our limited vacation time as well as to avoid pushing financial limits, it would be best to forgo a honeymoon.

Whenever I heard others talk about honeymoons, traveling, the Caribbean, and the like I admit, I got a little down about our decision. I felt like I was missing out on a big part of the wedding process. But its funny how things just happened.

It started with Adam talking about his vacation time from work. He said that no matter what (IE with or without me) he was going camping the week after the wedding because it was his only time off for the year (aside from the wedding week). I said I would consider going. He started advertising to friends on a camping message board that he was going camping for his honeymoon. Even hard core campers said "are you nuts?" and lots of arguments were made concerning chilly April/May nights. One of the campers, in their wisdom, suggested a resort just outside the provincial park. Its a 5 star resort, but its got all the outdoor activities one would want from a camping excursion.

So we booked ourselves a honeymoon. Its SO us, its budget friendly (just the cost of a tank of gas+ accommodations) Something strange happened after we booked it. suddenly, there was something to look forward to. Okay, no its not like I've been dreading the wedding itself. But all of this work, stress and worry for one day kinda seemed to not really even out in my mind. But knowing that whatever happened that day, we were getting away and having a little holiday kinda makes everything that much easier to face.

I open my emails and answer the phone with a little more ease today thinking of the honeymoon. I'm SO glad it worked out this way and I'm not even there yet!

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And the Night's in a Paper Cup ...

I am in love.

I was browsing through some stores when I came upon http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif Estilo Weddings ... it stopped me right away because of their green line of products but I have to say, those aside, I still love it! Check out some of the gems ...



What a brilliant display of colour and how special would you feel to have this at your place setting???


For the more environmentally conscious (and we all should be ;)) how about these as favours? They're made from real trees, no damage is done and everything is hand-crafted ...


And if you have kids at the wedding, how about keeping them busy with a recyclable vase they can draw on?



Once again, check out their site ... I know I can't wait to explore more of it!

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Finally it Has Happened to Me

Finally.

I've kept the photos from her long enough! Last weekend Blogger Bride's invitations were completed ... wooooo!
Compliments must be given to her and Blogger Groom not only for patience in the odd compromise but also for choosing an absolutely FUN and UNIQUE design to bring to life. I love the final product (I think it's in my top three of favourites) so I do hope Blogger Couple loves it just as much.

Now enjoy some pictures!


* please note all confidential information has been removed so some photos look scarce

Here is the front ... names have been taken out of the gray plate but you get the idea ... Blogger Couple chose a great moss green linen to flank the front and back of the invite.


The first insert is the formal invitation. Don't worry ... there are actually names & details there. We just didn't want all of Blogger Bride's fans crashing the wedding ;)


Insert two hold the details for the hotel & shuttle bus going to & from the reception site.


This is going to look funny since the first map is blank but trust me ... it looks phenomenal!


Blogger Couple opted for a postcard style RSVP and I couldn't be happier with the outcome! Since everything is fastened together, the RSVP is perforated at the side to make things easier on the guests.


And again, here's an overview.
Everything fans out (but doesn't fall out ;)). Trendy, cool, very Blogger Couple!!!

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