Vendor Spotlight :: Jennifer Bergman Weddings

I have had the pleasure to work with Jennifer of Jennifer Bergman weddings on a couple of occasions and I truly admire Jenn's precise nature in everything she does. Jen has the perfect mix of qualities for a wedding planner. She is thorough, sharp and creative. She has helped me style a reception stationery photo shoot when I couldn't be there and I feel any bride and groom can trust her with the details of their wedding. I got Jenn to answer some questions about Jennifer Bergman Weddings as well as some of her observations of current wedding trends. I love her thoughtful answers! For more information you can visit her website at: www.jenniferbergmanweddings.com

What makes Jennifer Bergman Weddings unique?
I have a background in marketing, and this helps me to truly “brand” a wedding from start to finish. I believe your theme and wedding style should be infused throughout the entire event – no detail is too small!

Who is the perfect client for Jennifer Bergman Weddings?
Couples who are excited about the planning process. I love to share in their enthusiasm, and it’s great when the couple has some idea what they want but are still very open to adding unique elements to their special day. 


Why is it important for couple to hire a wedding planner? 
Your wedding is probably the biggest party you’ll throw in your lifetime. You’re likely going to hire several vendors and spend a significant amount of money on the event – it only makes sense to hire a professional to oversee it all.
Even if you do have the time to put into the planning process, it’s advisable to budget for a wedding day or wedding month coordinator. There are so many details and logistics to take care of leading up to a wedding – not to mention the coordination required on the day itself. You don’t want to burden yourselves, your mothers or your bridal party with that task. 

What is your favourite part of planning a wedding? 
I really love getting to know my couples and working with them to design the wedding of their dreams. Each couple is so unique and I’m quite lucky to share such a personal journey with them. 

What are your sources of inspiration?  
Everything beautiful and interesting in this world. I love looking at architecture, nature, fashion and art for inspiration. I also love traveling and experiencing different cultures – I think it opens my mind to new and creative ways of thinking and doing. 

What are some of the current wedding trends this season?
1. Angled flower arrangements: think Jeff Leatham.
2. Over-the-top candy buffet tables: they’re becoming more of a décor element than dessert!
3. Paying more attention to accessories for the bride, groom and attendants: from statement jewelery to stylish socks.
4. Unique entertainment: some of my clients are in love with the idea of having dueling pianists at
their reception to entertain guests. I’m also doing a wedding with live caricature artists who will sketch guests and the drawing will be their take-home favour. 

What are your favourite color combination's?
What a tough question. I definitely have a lot…but a couple of my favourite combination's right now for weddings are:
Pink + Peach + Cream + Gold (romantic and feminine) and
Charcoal + Turquoise + Silver (modern and streamlined)

New Blog for the Urban Inspired Bride

Atlas! An amazing blog that caters to the Urban Bride. I have recently discovered theurbanbride.com I have a certain soft spot for these types of weddings as I myself yearn for everything modern and urban. I always enjoy the beautiful and romantic weddings featured on Style me Pretty and Wedding Chicks, but there is something that excites me when I see a sharp and edgy wedding. I am excited to follow this new blog and hope to get some ideas and inspiration! Enjoy! I know I will!

Vendor Spotlight: Whimsical Cake Studio

Whimsical Cake Studio is "a unique cupcake and cake design company in Edmonton owned by husband and wife team, Ken and Ailynn. [They] cater to clients who have a clever sense of taste and style. [They] think of each cupcake and cake as an original work of art designed just for you!" Recently, they have moved their cute studio to a trendy little spot in Garneau. I had a chance to ask Ailynn some questions about choosing a wedding cake and other options available for weddings.

1. Can you give me a brief description of Whimsical Cakes and the services and products offered.
Products that we offer include custom 3D cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.   We also provide styling services for events and weddings for sweet tables.

2. Are there any limitations when it comes to cakes or are the possibilities endless?
Endless...almost! :)  Icing and fondant are very versatile so depending on the request, just about anything can be created.

3. What has been your favorite wedding cake to date?
I don't think I have one favourite, but I do enjoy creating cakes for Indian weddings as the cakes are always so unique and colorful!

4. What are the most important things for couples to know when choosing a wedding cake?
Couples should try to make their cake exciting and meaningful!  Anyone can select a cake from a catalog, but in order to make it special, the cake should reflect something more personal and be memorable.


5. Can you identify some current trends in cakes and/or wedding treats.
Most current trend comes from fashion.  We recreate a lot of cakes that are inspired from haute couture!  Cakes include some bling, ruffles, patters, lace, pearls, etc. 
Couples are also wanting sweet tables...mini sweets that surround their wedding cake!  This makes for some serious eye candy.

6. What is the most popular flavor of cake?
Our chocolate buttermilk cake with real raspberry buttercream is our most popular, but we have a new flavour: chocolate and vanilla with a skor buttercream...YUMMO!

7. How far in advance should couples place their order?
Because of the care put into wedding cakes, we take limited orders and seem to book up about 4-6 months ahead of time.  The more notice that is given, the better the chance for us to fill their order.

8. What is one thing most people don't know about Whimsical Cakes?
That we can do it all!  YES! We do cakes, cupcakes, cookies, chocolates, and more!!! The oddest question that we get (at least once a day) is "do you make cakes?"  WE ABSOLUTELY DO! LOL.

All Images from Whimsical Cake Studio's website

NEW! Laser-cut Invitations

I am happy to announce that Pinkpolka Wedding Design now has laser-cut invitations. I have always gushed over the couture designs of Ceci New York and now we can have a little taste of that luxury in Edmonton! Our first ever laser cut invitation turned out beautifully. Here is a sneak peak of the Hollywood glamour inspired invitation using a laser-cut folder. Wait until you see the fabulous full invitation set to come!

Gone to NYC

Today I am on a plane to NYC! I am thrilled to be attending the National Stationery Show and will be ready to come back with tons of inspiration for my couple's planning their invitations for fall weddings!

The office will be closed from May 14 - 23. If you are interested in booking an appointment please use our online appointment scheduler and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Bye for now!

Vendor Spotlight: Eternal Reflections Photography

I love making new connections with other wedding industry vendors. My latest connection is with Radelle of Eternal Reflections Photography. I had a chance to ask her a few questions about her craft and business of photography. After the post enjoy some beautiful eye candy of Radelle's provided images! For more information visit her website at: www.eternalreflectionsphoto.com

1. Where are you located? 
Edmonton, Alberta. We serve the local market, but also photograph tons of Destination Weddings (we even offer 3 free ones/year )!

2. How did you decide to become a photographer? 
As cliché as it sounds, I have always loved photography & used to dress my sisters up as brides (when I was a little girl), using a table cloth for their dress & another one for their veil & make them pose! I went to university & got my psych degree, but while doing that my photography company took off! Being a photographer was far more fun then being a psychologist for me, so I ran with it!

3. How would you describe your style of photography? 
Romantic, Passionate & Stylish.

4. What sets you apart from other photographers? 
Firstly, my passion. I only photograph couples (engagements & weddings). I don't do babies or families, etc because I am not passionate about them. As such I am a specialist in weddings & love. Clients always comment on how much fun the shoots are, and I think that is because I genuinely love my job! Love it! People tease me about being such a romantic, but its working' for me!

Additionally, I give my clients the DVD of high resolution images, with EVERY single image touched up. I think this is key. Modern, sophisticated brides want their weddings images & they don't want the hassle of seeing tiny low resolution proofs and then having to order every single images that they want at a very inflated price from their photographer. I empower my clients & treat them the way that I would want to be treated. With ALL of my wedding images, looking perfect.

5. Tell me about your team of partners at Eternal Reflections Photography
There are 3 of us at Eternal Reflections Photography. We are all partners & have the same shooting style. Adam (my husband) is beyond talented and has a huge fan base! Kari (my sister) is a fan favourite as her work is fabulous and she is a total bubble to be around!

6. What other products do you offer once the photos are taken? 
ALL of our clients get ALL of their images (highest quality resolution) on a DVD. All of the images are perfectly touched up. In our upper two packages, brides also receive the most fabulous album! We are the only company in Canada that carries this type of album and it is a huge honour! We also carry prints, slideshows & Large stunning Gallery Wraps.

7. Who is your perfect client? 
A stylish confident woman who is madly in love. Who values Fabulous photography & Chic albums.

8. What should I bride look for when making a decision on who to hire as a wedding photographer?
1) You need to make sure that you are receiving your HIGH RESOLUTION digital files (negatives). This is key for facebook, blogs, emailing. This enables you to print whatever you want, whenever you want, for whomever you want. Your bridesmaids will no longer have to order a $40 8x10 from your photographer, as you can get your own printing (at a professional lab, recommended by your photographer). This empowers you with your own images & changes the way your photographer photographs your wedding.
 
The other thing to think about is that photographers whose focus is selling prints are gearing their shooting only towards shots that you will for sure buy. So they are mainly focusing on the family formals (as moms and dads will for sure buy them!, posed images of the two of you & certain ceremony moments. Thus knowing that Brides and Grooms have a budget, and can only purchase so much, they don’t capture the small details, the stolen glances, the laughter, the Brides shoes, the groomsmen goofing off, the Bride being silly and sweet! They don’t capture the day in full, because they are shooting to sell, and not shooting to capture. We shoot to capture. We want to you have too many images, too many memories, too many details!

2) Additionally, make sure that your photographer is touching up every single image on your disc. The last thing you want is images (no matter how great they are) straight out of the camera. You deserve beautifully hand touched images. (see more about that here: http://www.eternalreflectionsblog.com/archives/3265

9. What is the most important thing you want couples to know about Eternal Reflections Photography?
That we are Internationally Award winning photographers who are fun and know how to make you feel fabulous & look glamorous on your wedding day!

Recent Work :: Edmonton Wedding Invitations

In case you missed our feature posts on Wedding Obsession we have some of our recent work to show-off! Included with the images are a brief rationale of what the couple wanted and how I created their design. Enjoy!

This invite was a true labor of love. I created all the ornamental details on this invite with careful consideration. The couple came to me with a very clear vision for their invites, wanting a very polished and refined invitation set. They also wanted a distinct monogram which could be used throughout their reception stationery including a gobo light for the dance floor. This was also the first wedding where I created a menu selections card, where the guest had three choices of entrée and were required to enter their selection on the rsvp card. The paper used was a uncoated white cover accented with a white gold envelope and champagne cigar band (not shown) and envelope liner. This is one of my favorite pieces yet! 

This bride wanted something very classic but also with a bold sense to it. To create this we used very traditional script typefaces and a damask pattern. To create drama the damask pattern was used very large to create a bold contrast of black against the white metallic paper. To create further drama a deep purple envelope was used. The combination turned out to be gorgeous! 

For this couple the bride used the words modern and urban when describing what she wanted, but I could tell from her venue and the invitations she gravitated towards she had elegant and traditional choices in her wedding. I ended up using a more traditional stripe pattern mixed with a victorian floral pattern contrasted by a modern layout placing the text left aligned on the lower half on the invite. The black contrast on the ivory uncoated stock and ivory metallic envelope and cigar band made this invite feel truly classic!

Die-cut Invitations - MaeMae Paperie

Being a graphic designer, I love using printing and paper techniques to create interesting invitation sets. I came across a beautiful invitation set using die-cuts from MaeMae Paperie that I had to share. It was a set created for a Style Me Pretty shoot, how cool! Enjoy the inspiration and think about how you might like to use die-cuts in your wedding invitation set.

Images from the MaeMae Paperie Blog.

Vendor Spotlight: Rooy Design & Consulting

I've recently discovered a local couture designer that I had to share! The owner of R O O Y Couture & Consulting is Lani van Rooyen. She has an impressive background in design and construction of garments and her passion is evident when you see her designs. Lani offers services ranging from full design to bridal party attire consulting. Below are some gorgeous images of Lani's work taken by Borsellino Photography.

You can see more of R O O Y Couture & Consulting's fabulous work on the Popik Photography blog or visit their website at www.rooycouture.com

Classic Escort card Template Freebie!

From the same series as our Classic Table No. template we have added escort cards!

Instructions:
1. Download PDF file HERE!
2. Print on your color inkjet or laser paper using letter sized card stock.
3. Score (dotted line on template) using the dull end of a butter knife. 
4. Crop (solid line on template) using a sharp utility knife and trimming mat. (carefully of course!)
5. Write your guest's name and table number in your best hand writing. (Remember to purchase a ink flow pen in black).

Enjoy!
If you love our template, but need it in another color just email us the color and we'll send you a pdf file via email.