Vendor Spotlight :: Delica Bridal

With a new year of wedding planning ahead I thought this was an opportune time to share some details on the hottest bridal boutique in Edmonton - Delica Bridal! All the recently engaged brides looking for fashion-forward gowns will love the selection of brands offered. We asked some questions to help brides understand more about this awesome boutique. 

We also have an EXCLUSIVE OFFER in this post that you will want to take advantage of! Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for your Delica Bridal savings coupon!


What makes Delica Bridal a unique bridal boutique?

Delica Bridal is Edmonton's newest bridal boutique offering glamorous and exclusive bridal gowns for today's modern bride. All the designers available at Delica Bridal are straight off the runway and are exclusive and handpicked to ensure the highest quality and best fit! We have a great assortment of some of the most beautiful bridal dresses for today’s brides. Some of our exclusive bridal lines include Lazaro, Alvina Valenta, Jim Hjelm Blush, Hayley Paige, Lillen Collection, Jenny Yoo and our newest edition, Sarah Seven!

Can you explain the experience a bride can expect when she visits Delica Bridal.

Brides who visit Delica Bridal feel welcomed, relaxed and no pressure; the way they should feel when looking for their bridal gown. The store has an open concept making it easy to shop for our customers. We have three, large private rooms to ensure each bride gets the one on one attention that they deserve. Brides work with our educated bridal consultants in a private setting to ensure they find the wedding gown that makes them feel glamorous and look beautiful for their special day! We take pride in getting to know our brides and establishing close relationships with them. This makes us want to go the extra mile to make sure our brides feel beautiful and stress free before their big day.

What options does Delica Bridal have for bridesmaid dresses?

Delica Bridal offers bridesmaid dresses that will truly compliment your bridal party! The designs chosen are inspired by ready to wear fashions and are available in a variety of colors, fabrics and silhouettes. We are excited to be the exclusive Alberta retailer for the AMSALE bridesmaid collections (gowns are ultra-chic!). Our maids closet includes Alvina Valenta, AMSALE, NOIR by Lazaro, Jenny Yoo and Jim Hjelm Occasions. These gowns are modern, fashionable and fun; and we promise, our dresses that will make your bridesmaid feel and look fabulous!

What trends have you noticed for wedding dresses in 2012?

Since Delica Bridal is a fashion forward bridal boutique you will always find the latest fashions straight off the New York Bridal fashion runways in our store!

Here are some of our top three bridal fashion trends for Spring 2012:

Neckline Options!
Brides are looking to cover up skin that is typically exposed, with sheer, gentle fabrics. The illusion necklines are up and coming and unique from past collections. This look can appear conservative but at the same time, revealing (and super sexy!)

Two-tiered Skirts!
The past couple of years we have seen a lot of bridal skirts with three dimensional florals BUT this year it’s all about two-tiered skirts. These skirts focus on the hemline and are very flattering, as the top tier hides wider hips.

COLOR!!!
White and Ivory are the traditional colors worn by brides ever since Queen Victoria wore a white gown in 1840! However, designers are looking to add a little color to spice things up. In the past collections, we have seen touches of silvers, lilacs and greens in bridal gowns. This season, we are seeing that gowns look fabulous in other colors besides white…especially BLUSH!

What are some tips to help brides starting the search for the perfect wedding dress?

Don’t come in on your first visit with too many critics. We often see brides come in with a huge entourage making it hard for the bride because of too many opinions. Although it’s a lot of fun to involve the people that matter most with helping you find that special gown, it will be a lot easier for you to come with one or two people; These people should be the ones that give you their honest opinion and truly know your style and wedding inspiration. Our tip is to bring the entourage when your actual gown arrives in store, after you have already committed to it!

If you have a budget that you don’t want to go over, let your consultant know. This helps ensure you don’t fall in love with a gown that is out of your budget and leaves you disappointed. We have beautiful gowns in our store that range from $1000-$6500.00, allowing fabulous options for everyone! Our tip is to be honest and don’t be shy to express your true budget. We do our best to accommodate all brides.

Before you ask your closest gals to stand up for you in your wedding, it’s a great idea to inform them about the financial costs involved. The average bridesmaid dress in Canada ranges between $225.00 and $400.00. The financial commitment can become quite large with a dress, shoes, hair and makeup! Your girls will appreciate it more knowing the costs beforehand, then finding out after you chosen their bridesmaid dress! Our tip is to involve your bridesmaids in picking their gowns to make sure everyone is happy with the look and the cost.

Vendor Spotlight :: Bluebird Cakes

I first discovered Bluebird Cakes through the wonders of social media. I noticed other industry vendors talking about this new company and when I checked it out I first loved their adorable logo and then fell further in love with all the beautiful sweets! I got a chance to work with Amanda of Bluebird Cakes for my best friends baby shower where she created custom sugar cookie favors. Because I am such a huge fan of their work I wanted to share some details of there business on the blog. Next time you need any specialty sweets, cake, or cookies make sure to contact Bluebird Cakes !

Who is the owner behind Bluebird Cakes and what is your baking experience?
I am essentially a business of 1! My name is Amanda Van Unen and I am the owner and lead baker at Bluebird Cakes.

I studied cooking at the Dubrulle French Culinary School in Vancouver. My apprenticeship years were spent with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts working at the Banff Springs Hotel. It was my time in the pastry department of the Springs that really fuelled my love of baking. After receiving my Red Seal certification in 1997 I moved to Edmonton and joined the kitchen at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald.  When my daughter was born I left the industry to concentrate on family life but really missed the kitchen. It took me until after the birth of my son to realize that my baking talents could be developed into a successful business. Soon after that Bluebird Cakes was born. 

What type of products does Bluebird Cakes specialize in?
Bluebird Cakes specializes in one-of-a kind, special occasion cakes but we also make signature cupcakes, hand decorated sugar cookies, and whatever special requests come my way.

What is your favorite pastry to make? To eat?
My favourite pastry to make would probably be sugar cookies. I love decorating cookies and have amassed a fairly impressive (and constantly expanding) cookie cutter collection.
 
As far as eating goes, I am more of a salt/savoury person so just give me the cheese plate and you can have the cake. 

Do you have suggestions for unique event or wedding pastries?
I am a big fan of individual desserts. No muss, no fuss and everyone gets a portion. Whether it be cupcakes, individual “shots” of tiramisu, tartlets, cake pops, or whoopie pies I love them all. Bear in mind that you can still have a ceremonial cake for cutting so you won’t miss out on the tradition. 

What are some tips for ordering event and wedding pastries?
At Bluebird we book up fast! The best tip I can offer is to confirm your date with your preferred baker and get your deposit in.

Credit: Capture it! Photography (Photography) A Modern Proposal (Planning)

Credit: A Modern Proposal

Credit: Bluebird Cakes (Facebook page)

Credit: Bluebird Cakes (Facebook page)

Credit: Bluebird Cakes (Facebook page)

Grand Opening of Edmonton's newest Bridal House

Attention all brides-to-be! If you are looking for a wedding gown, you do not want to miss checking out the newest bridal house in Edmonton! Delica Bridal carries some of the most exclusive bridal lines including Jenny Yoo, Reverie by Melissa Sweet, and Jewel by Priscilla of Boston. A grand opening celebration will be held on June 11, 2011 with an open house from 12 - 5 p.m. showcasing their amazing line of dresses with two in-house fashion shows at 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. Below is the invitation with all the event details – make sure to mark your calendars!

If this announcement wasn't exciting enough, Delica Bridal will also be having an exclusive trunk show in June! I will be posting details of that event very soon!

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)

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!

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

Vendor Spotlight :: Nuance Occasions

I have had the pleasure of working with Nuance Occasions for the past couple of years and from my experience, Jolyn (Lead Planner) and her team, are nothing short of exceptional. The creativity and organization that goes into every wedding is evident by the carefully planned details. Jolyn can make anyone feel at ease with her experience and knowledge of weddings. Nuance Occasions is sought after by couples who choose to plan a lifestyle wedding. According to Jolyn, "a lifestyle weddings is for those who want an extraordinary wedding day that captures your distinct personal styles. It incorporates your hobbies, your interests, your loves into your wedding day and it shares with your guests a story about your relationship. Finally, it creates an atmosphere of fun & enjoyment for your guests and is memorable." Check out some of Nuance Occasions work below or visit the website for more information.

Photo provided by Picture That Photography

Photo provided by Picture That Photography

Photo provided by Kelsy Nielson Photography

Photo provided by IAWAR Photography

The Value of a Wedding Planner

Last Thursday I was at an event when I was talking to Jolyn Saramaga of Nuance Occasions and fully realized the value of a wedding planner. The room we were in had been transformed into a chic and modern cocktail venue and it was Jolyn who drew my attention to how they created the ambiance with something calling lighting gels. Well, I had no idea these gels would create such a dramatic difference in the light and mood of a room, nor would I have thought to use something like this for my own wedding.

Because I generally think in two dimension format I often can get a little confused by the three dimension stuff. I will have amazing stationery at my wedding, but have no idea how to create ambiance in a room, organize tables and seating, keep a flow of events for the evening, etc, etc. I am a details person, and want all these details to be perfect for my guests. The thought of having to research and have knowledge of these items seems overwhelming and exhausting. As Jolyn and I continued to talk we were discussing aisle runners and she told me a story where the aisle runner was not secure to the floor and the bride had a huge train. Jolyn had the expertise and foresight to know the aisle runner would have ended up at the alter with the bride if it wasn't held. She had two of her assistants on each side to secure the runner from moving with the bride. That is impressive!

So saying all of the above, I am convinced that a wedding planner is well worth the money! There are many qualified planners in the city, along with Jolyn, that wold be happy to meet with you to give you an idea of what they can offer!

Vendor Spotlight :: Get Married in Banff

I'm happy to share with you Get Married in Banff, a fabulous planning company based out of Banff! I first met Angie at Calgary Bridal Fantasy where were we were both exhibiting. Since I met her she has moved from Calgary to the town of Banff to specialize in spectacular Banff weddings! Herself and her partner/husband, Reg, are assisted by a talented team who know Banff inside and out! They are clearly passionate about both weddings and Banff and you can see them glowing in the team photo shoot below! Please visit their website at www.getmarriedinbanff.com to find out more information. All images are courtesy of Julie Williams Photography.

Vendor Spotlight :: JDS Photography

I am crazy about JDS Photography! Husband and wife team of Julie and David are great! Their style is ultra modern and quite different from the masses. What a keen eye! Enjoy some samples or visit their website and blog!

Infused Studios

Just back in October my little family got some great lifestyle photos done by Rina and Anthony at Infused Studios. We are thrilled with the end product and can't wait to get some lovely prints for our new home!