DIY Wedding Invitations

I thought I had all my invitations prepared, but apparently the parents took all the cards so now here I'm back to square one.

I originally wanted to make my whimsical one. However, after much thought and spur of the moment, I have pulled something out something just-right-for-me.

Ingredients:
- Michaels: Arts and Craft Store and it's discounts
  >> Card Stock
  >> Card Cover

- Printing Studio (I found one for cheap!) and they even cut the paper for me!

Bridesmaid dresses Update

 

Shopping for my bridal dress was easy.

Choosing my bridesmaids dresses wasn't. 

This is part of the wedding planning that I feared the most. I have heard that this subject may either make or break a friendship. Surely bridesmaids don't want to overtake the wedding, but they don't want to look old-style cliché. I plan to pay for my bridesmaid dresses, so I really want to make sure my values were considered too.

The criteria that hit me this time was:
- The material:  Light and chiffon, I never really fancied the traditional satin material dress. 

- The color: blush, light pink-beige/peach

- Matching the wedding theme: Blush/Pastel/ rosy-pink-beige

- Matching my Bouquet: Blush roses, carnations, peonies

- How it would compliment your dress.

All in all.I think at this point, I knew what I wanted. It was more of a "Love at first sight" kinda dress.

It has some crochet lace in the front. It's a light peach-nude-blush color. It's up to the knees. I don't want to post up a photo just yet. So just hang on tight=)

Inspirations:

Choosing your Photographer

Okay, I can't help but post because I am so excited!

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions in wedding planning. These people will pretty much be up, close and personal with you from the beginning of engagement to the end of the wedding night.

You have to love their work. Every photographer has their own distinguished characteristics. I have studied and browsed through a lot of wedding photographers and their portfollio.  I remember reviewing several options based on their methods and techniques. No matter how and what they were regarded for, I felt like there had to be a spark of some sort. There has to be chemistry.

Beyond the love of their work, the next thing on the list is meeting them. I felt like we had to be compatible. Getting along with them is very important because you wouldn't want to capture any incompetence in these photos. Get to know them and their work ethics. When will the photos be ready? Are they fully responsive and able to communicate when needed? I know there's a limited time for these occasions, but it sums up how your photos will turn out before and after the wedding. This relationship will be an important one, so it's best you hire someone you trust.

For the budget-safety brides, compare quotes for the pricing and value. Make sure you look over the contract to fully understand the value you are receiving. Consider  the facts, Do they offer engagement photoshoots, edited prints, albums, and online options? Make sure you do the research. Google is your second hand here.

Prepare to make another commitment (with the first being your fiance) and put down a deposit if you are real serious for the deal. That goes to the fact that I would like to share my experience...

I am happy to announce that David Tam Photography is our photographer for our wedding journey. A true and honest man. He is truly amazing. He meets all the requirements and criteria as a Wedding Photographer in our perspectives. 

We have the utmost confidence in him in truly making these memories count. 

Did you want to see the First batch of engagement photos at Grouse Mountain?

Engagement Photography

My fiance chose a great place to take our first engagement photos. I absolutely loved it. It was certainly a day where we can focus on each other. It has been a while where we got to stare into each other's eyes and it felt like it was a time to celebrate our love together. Thank you David Tam for capturing these moments. 

Modern Brides Expo at the Radisson Hotel

I took my mom to the Modern Brides Expo. My mom and I haven't been on the same page with my mom because weddings have changed quite a bit since her time. I really wanted her to have a glimpse of what happens at a wedding nowadays. I have to say though, it was quite a rough start because my mom went into every booth. EVERY BOOTH. Everytime that happened, people looked for the "bride". I can't say "No", I'm too nice about it. But, after a good walk through the booths, I was almost hypervenilating. My mom thought I was crazy. I can't help but feel overwhelmed.

There were a lot of awesome booths.

Rueben Alexander Salon - Gold Sponsor, Gregory Lui Photography - Gold Sponsor , Marsha Steeves Destination, Weddings - Gold Sponsor, The Tux Store - Gold Sponsor , Mia Boutique Bridal and Occasions - Gold Sponsor, 4everluv Photography, Luscious Creations, Tuesday’s Fabricare, Fired Up Catering, All Spiced Catering/ First Services Hospitality, Fiesta Creative Catering, Time Limo, Smooth Groove, Bell’s Bakeshop, Art Glass Designs, The Flower Box, Creative Gifts & Cards, The Studio Video,Cathy Jenson, Nutritionist, Arbonne Skincare, “It Works” – Weight Loss, Edward Jones – How to save for Educational Funds, Fifth Avenue Jewellry, Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport, The Travel Life Network, Diane Friesen, Century 21, Lesley Wagstaff, Remax Results Realty, Stella & Dot, Accent Cruise Lines, Audio Edge Entertainment, The Bay Registry, Perfect Wedding Magazine, Dinner for Two by Table Charm, Ainsley’s Affair, Wedding Connections/Wedding Planner & Directory,  etc.

We had fun and it was very informative=)

Say "Yes" to the Dress

I am watching "Say Yes to the Dress" right now. The Atlanta one.
I've been watching these episodes almost every night now and I find it sinfully entertaining.

A lot of brides feel pressured on how they look on their wedding day
They see the magazines. They see this tall thin figure. They wanna look like that and we are not all built like that.
So how do we get around that?
It's about finding the right garment that makes her feel like a million bucks.
So we really need to convince her she doesn't have to be a supermodel to be beautiful on her wedding day.
So your job is to make every girl see herself as a bride
That's a beautiful thing.


Possible wedding-dress induced anxiety attacks:
- Having too much audience: your friends+bridal party+grandma+mother+in-law+fiance?
- Hoping that you will feel that "ONE MOMENT" and being particular about it. This bride is asking to have that same butterfly-in the-stomach moment when the fiance proposed. She kept saying "no".
- Remember it's your day not your mother's. (Although I'm a super-mommy's girl who would love to please all parties)
- If you've tried more than 50 dresses, come on, what is going on?
- Best to trust your instincts, don't second guess yourself
- If you like lace, don't bring a friend that hates lace and calls it a table cloth.

Once you do feel that moment though, 
- Your heart starts racing
- You feel beautiful
- You see yourself celebrating your wedding in that dress


Dear bride-to-bes, Be confident, make a decision. Trying on more dresses should not be a stressful experience.

Cake Tasting

This was my very first cake tasting experience.
I have to say it was quite enjoyable.
Although my family will be serving a ten course meal, I would like to end the meal with a delicious satisfying dessert.

I get to choose the wedding cake of my dreams and I hope to find the right one.
This cake needs to serve 250 guests.

Does anybody have any recommendations in choosing a wedding cake?