Oscar Red Carpet Wedding Inspiration

It seems that bridal fashion inspired many an A-lister last night at the Oscars – get inspired by their red carpet looks now.

From Halle Berry's gorgeous sparkling fishtail gown to Michelle William's simple, yet stunning, column dress, the red carpet was awash with bridal fashion at this year's Academy Awards. Not only were the dresses fit for a bride, but white or cream shades also seemed to be the most popular colour.

Sparkle and froth were the order of the day with Hilary Swank, Mandy Moore and Halle Berry all sporting embellished gowns with beautiful trains of either tulle or feathers. If you're more of a minimalist bride, take inspiration from Michelle Williams, Nicole Kidman, Celine Dion and Gweneth Paltrow, who all opted for shimmery column dresses.

For the braver brides out there, you might like to take Anne Hathaway's lead and go for red – her bustled gown still stood out among the red carpet and would definitely make any bride stand out on their big day.

And one of our favourite bridalwear designers, Caroline Castigliano, actually did send a dress down the Oscar red carpet - she designed a dress for Celia Walden, wife of Piers Morgan, to wear on the big night.

Celia wore a made to measure emerald green fishtail gown, which was draped in black beaded lace. The gown is based on an integral corset that defines and sculpts the body and is a variation on one of the designer's new season creations just released last month.

For more wedding dress inspiration, see a full gallery of Oscar dresses at WeddingMagazine.co.uk OR Smart Bride Boutique

Sipping tea with the calm, cool, and collected Sarah Jenks

The beautiful & inspiring nutrition coach Sarah Jenks & I sat down this morning at Norwood to discuss everything from weddings to wellness. For those of you who aren't familiar with Sarah, she is not your average nutritionist - She helps women lose weight by changing their emotional relationship with food, their bodies and their love lives. A bride-to-be herself, Sarah has the ability to balance a flourishing career, her wedding plans & maintain an impressively healthy lifestyle.

Whether you’re a bride-to-be, eagerly awaiting your soulmate, or trying to rekindle the passion in your marriage, the way we feel about our bodies has a HUGE effect on our lives. Sarah's approach to overall health and wellness goes well beyond the food we eat or how many days a week we hit the gym. It's about living life to the fullest & really learning to love ourselves inside & out.

As we chatted about Sarah's upcoming wedding taking place in the backyard of her family home & her ever-so-romantic proposal story - It's easy to understand Sarah's success, sense her calm & be inspired.


In the midst of our fabulous conversation I asked Sarah to share a bit of her knowledge & experience with you...

SJ: Being an entrepreneur & being a bride at the same time is really hard. From a bride’s perspective - I can see how important it is for people to get help. I’m lucky that my mother is really on top of things, but if you don’t have a really supportive mom you absolutely, absolutely, need a wedding planner.


Being a bride yourself & working with other brides how do you find balance?
SJ: What’s great about being a bride & working with engaged women at the same time is that we’re really going through it together. I think it’s nice for them to see someone who’s going through the process who is actually sane, where they feel like, 'I have to lose so much weight, I’m really overwhelmed, I’m really stressed, & I don’t know how to deal with this.' A lot of times brides think that is the norm, that it's okay to be crazy. I think it's nice for them to see me be calm & collected about the whole thing & not crazy. It shows them that they don’t have to be that way & that they don’t have worry about to losing 30 pounds to look perfect. I learn so much from them; we talk about different relationship stuff, & we talk a lot about wedding planning. When you choose to be in human services teaching becomes your greatest teacher it's really how I learn so much about myself & my life. It will be really nice when I am on the other side of marriage, I look forward to being able to share that perspective as well.


What is your advice to brides when it comes to health & wellness?
SJ: I think it’s so important for women not to focus on how they want to look, but on how they want to feel. So many women think that the only way to feel a certain way is to lose 10 to 20 pounds & it’s just not true. If you only focus on losing 15 pounds because you imagine that it is going to make you feel more confident, sexier, more in love with your fiancé the reality is that what you really want, that feeling is never going to happen. So the best thing to do is think about what the emotional goal of losing weight is & then to do things to try & reach the emotional goal. Think of what you can do for your body confidence on a daily basis, something like going to a dance class, getting back massages, stepping out of your comfort zone - That has nothing to do with cutting down to only carrots & salad every day. What’s so great is that when we are building confidence & feeling happy & comfortable in our bodies, our bodies will naturally lose weight without us needing to hit the gym or starve ourselves. I think that is really the key & to not weigh yourself. The number on the scale has nothing to do with how you look in your wedding dress. If you're really concerned with if you are losing weight or not – pick a pair of jeans you can try on every other week, but the number on the scale isn’t going to be accurate or healthy for you – It’s just a way of telling yourself you suck everyday. Toss the scale.



For more insight by Sarah Jenks or to learn about her services visit, TheBreathTakingBride.com

Oscar Party Inspiration

With the 83rd Academy Awards on February 27th I have been on the hunt to create the perfect Oscar Party. In the midst of buying gold confetti, developing the perfect champagne cocktail and sending off chic Paperless Post invites I came across this fabulous article from the New York Post and found a little extra inspiration...

Enjoy (oh, and be sure to check out oscar.com for all of this years official oscar information):

As the force behind the popular New York City food and entertaining blog Sunday Suppers, Karen Mordechai knows a thing or two about achieving the perfect dinner-party atmosphere: Create a vision and then execute it flawlessly. Add a dash of relaxed humor and a stellar guest list, and you're good to go. For the Oscar extravaganza she created for Page Six Magazine, Karen was inspired by old-school Hollywood glamour. "I liked the idea of getting dressed up and experiencing a little of that red-carpet glitz yourself," she continues, "not just watching the awards show with a bowl of popcorn."


"I don't really like to use the word theme," says the hostess, who nonetheless always starts with a concept, whether it be "a dreamy French candlelit evening, a rustic waterfront picnic or an airy and beautiful brunch." This time, says Karen, "I had a vision of a pink-and-gold kind of fantasy evening. I start with how I want the party to make me feel."

It's all in the details—pink linen napkins, personalized notes, even pink sea salt!

From start to end, her events have the feel of a one-of-a-kind celebration, filled with charming, unexpected marks of whimsy that let you relish the special occasion. With a quirky display of vintage theater tickets, Karen evokes the thrill of going to an old-fashioned cinema with big red velvet curtains and a gilded marble lobby. It's more silver-screen dream than summer blockbuster. Her customized Oscar chocolates come from Chocolate Editions by Mary & Matt. The Brooklyn-based graphic designers emblazoned their strawberry-flavored white-chocolate confections with the name "Oscar" for the party. Meanwhile, the handwritten place settings and thank-you notes (given with a sweet popcorn ball as a leaving gift) were artfully done by the talented calligrapher Anna Beckman.


This story was originally posted to New York Post - see the full story here: nypost.com

No appointment necessary. Behold - BHLDN...

BHLDN launched Monday, February 14th – how appropriate! The brand new wedding shop is from one of my most favorite stores, Anthropologie. I’ve been dying to see what they’ve been working on ever since I first found out about the concept early last year. Since a few of you have asked, BHLDN is pronounced “Beholden,” and is inspired by the Dutch word for “to keep.” Absolutely love that. BHLDN is now available online.

Below are a few of my favourite picks, be sure to visit www.BHLDN.com to view the whole collection:

Some important facts to know about BHLDN:

• All items will be available in the shop for delivery right away – no waiting 6 months for your wedding or bridesmaids dresses - AMAZING

• All the dresses have the same sizing as Anthropologie clothes – although BHLDN is a totally separate store – so you won’t have to jump up 4 sizes for your wedding dress and this makes it easier since you are buying online – and they offer easy returns if you change your mind or it doesn’t fit right.

• All the dresses were designed to be easy for alterations so you could take it to your local tailer and they would be able to alter it easily.


BHLDN sells dresses, shoes, and accessories online – with more decorations for your reception and ceremony coming later this year. Their website offers an inspiration board builder in addition to the store section, along with other features not seen on their sister sites, Anthropologie, Free People and Urban Outfitters. They even offer videos so brides can see how the dresses move on a real person, and their zoom in feature for static product shots is one of best I’ve ever seen in online stores.

BHLDN wedding dresses range in cost from $1000 – $4000 and the bridesmaids dresses $200-600.

Checkout all of the beautiful dresses, shoes & accessories at: www.BHLDN.com

I’d love to hear what you guys think of the collection so far, do you have a favorite dress?

The lovely Jamie Delaine

Jamie Delaine is a local Canadian Photographer and lover of life. She is straight out of the lovely BC, and thats definitely not the loveliest thing about her . Not only does she have a love for Jesus, Photography and all things pretty. She is talented and seems like a bundle of Joy to be around. A very good friend of mine sent me a link to one of her Wedding Slideshows, I almost cried watching it. Take a look as she introduces you to Alison and Ryan.

To see Alison and Ryan’s sunshine coast slideshow click here: Alison and Ryan

12 small things.

I came across these beautiful stone hearts this past Friday at Urban Zen's HELP HAITI EVENT and absolutely fell in LOVE. The hearts were being auctioned off for hundreds, even thousands in conjunction with their "Million hearts for Haiti Campaign."

The hearts were sourced from HAND/EYE Magazine (You can purchase 3 hearts for $18 directly at www.12smallthings.com). 12 Small Things by HAND/EYE offers high quality, handmade, artisan goods from around the globe. The collections support craftspeople working to improve the lives of their families and communities in some of the most challenging situations on the planet.

Think event decor, hostess gifts, or keepsakes all with a story of strength, hope, and beauty, as each product reflects these qualities in their design and craftsmanship.

Instead of a wishing tree at your wedding, have wishing stones from Haiti (3 for $18). Tagua Nut Bracelets ($15) from Columbia or a fuchsia and gold silk-shawl ($48) from India for your bridesmaid's gifts. This organic heart-shaped bowl from Haiti is a thoughtful and thought provoking hostess or shower gift ($75).

Checkout all 12 items at: www.12smallthings.com

Show a little LOVE and support an amazing cause.

Happy Valentine's Day

Pink inspiration for your next event, bridal shower, or engagement party...

Click here to find the items in this inspiration board

send your love. no scissors or glue required.

Nothing says hip and modern more than paperless invitations. The brother/sister team behind Paperless Post have created custom and personalized invitations that are sent online. Totally cool and totally eco-friendly!

Paperless Post brings the world of online cards to a new level of design and visual elegance. They’ve also partnered with some of the best offline stationers to help them bring their craft online. Paperless Post is a convenient and cost efficient way to announce the celebration of such a special occasion while still retaining the elegance and sophistication of printed stationery. Paperless Post has a beautiful array of cards for your special Valentine! Stop by their website and show them some l-o-v-e!

Information & images courtesy of Style Me Pretty.
Paperless Post: www.paperlesspost.com

Nest Event Loft. New York, New York

I have been given the opportunity to do some event work in New York City. In the negotiation process of leaving my fabulous & capable team in Toronto for destination, New York City - I have promised to find them (& you) some true inspiration along the way.

So here you have it, part one - New York inspiration:

I am pretty positive that New York City has a million cool spots to tie the knot or host an event with all of its fab nooks and crannies. But, there is one spot that I go a little crazy for, can’t seem to get enough of. The venue? That would be The Nest Event Loft, home of Hatch Creative Studio located in the lovely Flatiron District: an ever-so-sweet loft space, studded with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, and perched on the 17th floor of a beautiful and charming old building. With floor-to-ceiling windows, a skylight, polished birch floors, 12-foot ceilings, and white everything.

Don't take my word for it, be sure to checkout the image gallery @ Nest Event Loft

simple floral. simple floral. simple floral.

I love Rachel Clingen's idea of simple floral pieces in glassware repeated. Elegant, sophisticated, yet soft and pretty. This is a great idea for mantles, foyer tables and of course head tables. Watch for this in some of the weddings that we will be featuring.

Vintage Inspired Elegance

The perfect combination of elegance and beauty. I love this hair comb with deco lines and shape, another great Estsy find. An upcycled antique brooch from the 1930's in rhodium with clear rhinestones. A fabulous accent for your vintage inspired wedding. By EmmJeyEssVintage.

A splash of colour

One of the most important aspects of designing an event is selecting the colour scheme. William of mywedding.com has some bright ideas and inspirations to help set the tone for your event’s ambiance. The proper use of colour reflects an occasion of importance and not a haphazardly, thrown-together party.

With that in mind, here are three of William's key factors to keep in mind when choosing colours for your event:

1. Consider the palette of the selected venue where your celebration will be held. If your shades blend, match or coordinate well with those of the existing décor, you are in business. Colours that work well with those of the venue will make your motif cohesive and clean, allowing the embellishments to shine.

2. The way colour affects the human psyche can inspire the mood of your guests. Lively vibrant combinations can invigorate a party and those in attendance, while muted gentle tones can relax and mellow the crowd. For example, hot, sexy red tones inspire a sultry, romantic vibe, just as celadon and black exude sophistication. Deciding how to tint your event will influence its story while evoking your chosen mood if done correctly.

3. Lastly, consider the season and time of year. While tones are typically darker for winter and brighter for summer, it is ok to break the norm. Consider punching up winter hues with lighter tones for an exciting contrast and tone. For example, pair burgundy with melon-orange for a combo that feels winter warm yet still light.

Sometimes all it takes is slowing down for a second and taking a look around you to uncover your wedding’s colour inspiration. Once you have decided on a well-thought-out and cohesive colour scheme, the next elements of your party will more easily come together.

Didn’t See That Coming! Kate Aspen's Unexpected Wedding Trends for 2011

Some trends you might have expected, like a return to elegance (especially with the royal wedding approaching) and even Grey being the new “black.” Kate Aspen has developed quite an impressive list of totally unexpected wedding trends for 2011.

A Celebration of Ethnicity
Unique cultural traditions say a lot about the couple and their family. According to OneWed, that’s why they’ll be celebrated this year with wedding ceremony rituals, traditional wedding-day garb, cultural cuisine and ethnic wedding décor. What a wonderful opportunity to incorporate some of our wedding favors with bold, ethnic patterns. The Knot agrees and says brides will follow the lead of Katy Perry’s Indian wedding, Eat, Pray, Love, and Nicole Richie’s exotic elephant as a wedding greeter. India will definitely be the “it” country for wedding inspiration. Think vibrant color palettes like purples, reds and golds, lavish décor elements such as beading and rich drapery, and exotic, spicy dishes.



Wedding Man Caves
It’s the year of the gentlemen! Blackjack tables, brandy bars, PlayStations and stogies will help them carve out a place of their own. According to The Knot , the man cave has officially moved from the home to the wedding, so don’t be surprised if you see all the male wedding guests in the new “groom’s corner” at the reception. I’m sure it will be a nice change of pace from the frilly flowers and dainty décor.




Pre-wedding PJ Parties
This isn’t Bachelorette Party, Part Two. Before the big day, brides will be planning a night of pampering and bonding via JHS-style slumber parties, complete with matching pj’s of course. (The Knot) Get ready for some girl talk, advice, movies, dancing and late-night laughter. But, be sure to give the girls a cute cosmetic bag with their initials filled with beauty essentials to make sure they look fresh the next morning. Under eye concealer, anyone?




Food Truck Fun
Waffles, tacos and dumplings, oh my! People’s hunger for gourmet food trucks has seeped into weddings, and brides will be embracing it wholeheartedly by requesting makeshift sidewalk carts during the cocktail hour or food trucks for the wedding after-party. (The Knot) Although not wildly popular in the South, gourmet food trucks have become quite the phenom in other parts of the country, especially the West Coast. What a way to interject some fun into the celebration! These diners on wheels would be a fun addition to a beach wedding, wouldn’t they?




Video Guest Books
Building on the popularity of “wedding photo booths”, wedding guests can expect confessional-style video booths and even iPads dressed up as guest books as the newest way to “write” well wishes to the happy couple. Bonus? Postwedding, couples can easily share their guest book online via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or Vimeo. (The Knot)