The Bubbly Party

If you'll remember, my New Year Resolution for this year was to drink more champagne. Oh, and how easy it was to stick to that resolution!With the number of event and wedding planners out there now, I sometimes feel as though too much attention is put on the big picture of the day and that the classic components are a bit forgotten. My goal has always been to be a bit old school and to fully understand the basic components of event planning.

I believe true event planning is becoming a bit of a lost art and it's becoming more about how beautiful an event can be. Don't get me wrong, I seriously love a beautiful event but I don't want to forget about the non-visual things that make an event great. Those things that defined an event back in the good old days; think cocktails, champagne, etiquette and more.

It seems "champagne" has become generic, used to describe sparkling wine. However, for a sparkling wine to be truly called Champagne, it must meet certain requirements. This got me thinking. What IS the difference between Champagne, prosecco and cava? What IS the difference between Brut and Extra Brut, etc.? How does it get its bubbles?

With that, I decided to throw a bubbly party for brides, planners, photographers and other industry professionals where we could learn all about these differences. We would have a guest speaker to lead us through tastings of Veuve Clicquot (Champagne), Zonin (prosecco) and Segura Viudas (cava) and even pair each with various sweets. What an afternoon this was. A great turnout with some absolutely incredible talent, great conversation, sweets and of course, loads of bubbly. All captured by the insanely talented, InJoy Imagery.

Venue Baka Gallery Cafe
Photography InJoy Imagery
Florals Delight Floral Design
Cupcakes Desmond & Beatrice
Guest Speaker Mike Willis of The Bistro at Silvercreek

The Farewell Brunch; A Lovely Tradition

I can hardly believe the busiest weekend of my career is over. After months upon months of planning, a gorgeous wedding weekend is complete. When my client asked me to style the farewell brunch they were hosting at the family home in Oakville, I was ecstatic. The aesthetic decisions we had made with the other design-related vendors were going to make this one heck of a brunch. The event came together dreamily and I can't wait to share pictures of the wedding. Until then, here's a peek of some shots I took of the farewell brunch to wet your whistle!

I can hardly believe the busiest weekend of my career is over. After months upon months of planning, a gorgeous wedding weekend is complete. When my client asked me to style the farewell brunch they were hosting at the family home in Oakville, I was ecstatic. The aesthetic decisions we had made with the other design-related vendors were going to make this one heck of a brunch. The event came together dreamily and I can't wait to share pictures of the wedding. Until then, here's a peek of some shots I took of the farewell brunch to wet your whistle!

Venue Private estate in Oakville, Ontario
Catering Jennifer's Kitchen
Florals Forget Me Not Flowers

Bubbly Party

An Educational Afternoon and Unique Bridal Shower Idea

My New Year's Resolution this year was to drink more Champagne. Seems sensible, right?Did you know, though, that in order for sparkling wine to be classified as Champagne it needs to come from the province of Champagne, France? Did you also know that Prosecco, Italy's version of Champagne, is actually the closest in taste to the divine drink but that it's about a third of the cost?In my quest to drink and learn more about different types of bubbly, I decided what better way to learn that through a party, which is exactly what we associate bubbly with!This coming Sunday, April 13th, 2014 I'm hosting a Bubbly Party with some dear friends from the industry, Jacqueline Hofing of InJoy Imagery and my associate planner, Sarah McLellan. If, like me, you're interested in learning more about different types of bubbly and what sweets to pair each with, we'd love to have you! We'll have a guest speaker, tastings, pairings, signature cocktails and music, all for $75. I promise you, it'll be a fun and educational afternoon!Please RSVP through the contact form! 

Wedding Dress Cleaning

PROPER WEDDING DRESS CLEANING IS IMPERATIVE TO THE LIFE OF YOUR GARMENT

The wedding is over and the most important (and likely most expensive) dress you will ever own is one of your only keepsakes aside from your wedding pictures. The sentimental value that it carries often motivates many brides to keep it for use in the future whether it be worn by a friend or even by their own daughter. In order to be sure it will stay such a valuable piece, you need to find a reliable professional to clean, process and package your gown. As much as I love do it yourself tasks, one place I do not recommend you take financial shortcuts is with your wedding dress cleaning. That out of the way, there are a few key rules to follow in terms of wedding dress preservation.

Will Reid Photo

THE BASICS

As soon as your wedding is over, place the dress in a pre-washed clean white sheet instead of back into the plastic bag. Plastic attracts mold and mildew and traps moisture - all elements that will deteriorate your dress. Be sure to think about this service as quickly as possible as you don’t want to wait to have your gown and any relevant accessories professionally cleaned. If you are out of town for a few weeks after your wedding for your honeymoon, make arrangements before you leave to have a family member take your dress in.  With all of this said, if you do happen to forget, it is never too late to see what a professional can do for you. When selecting someone to do your wedding dress cleaning, be as diligent about hiring someone who has as good a reputation as the other vendors who assisted with your wedding. Often your bridal shop will have a preferred rate at a recommended vendor and the bonus is that they will be familiar with the fabrics and details used on your dress. Also, consider how long the shop has been in business since you’ll want someone with a proven track record.

WARRANTIES AND GUARANTEES

Warranties and guarantees vary from shop to shop so it’s best to consider what they offer before proceeding. It’s also a good idea to ask the cleaner how they intend to handle delicate trims and decorations on your dress if your dress has a lot of detail. The dress’ material and detailing will ultimately affect what type of specialized process will be used to clean it. At the very least, the vendor should guarantee that the dress won’t yellow or change colour if you follow their storage and preservation instructions. Most importantly, make sure they stand by their work and be sure to have in writing that they will compensate you for the dress’ full value if any damage occurs while it is in their hands.

THE TREATMENT PROCESS

Just as with any cleaning process, they will begin with pretreating the stains. This is often done by hand. While it is recommended that you look over your dress and accessories before bringing it in so that you can find anything with your own eye, a professional cleaner will now to look for stains that are not visible to the untrained eye, like stains from alcohol or sugar, which can significantly brown over time if not treated. Inquire about whether your cleaner uses Perchloroethylene (Perc). While this chemical is sometimes used by dry cleaners, it is not suitable for wedding dresses. but it’s too abrasive for wedding gowns and has been known to melt beading or damage delicate fabrics. After the full cleaning process, the dress and accessories will be placed into special packaging: a lined, specifically treated, acid-free box, which is resistant to water and other potential threats. If your cleaner uses plastic packaging, be sure to ask why since it is generally a bad choice as it traps moisture and emits fumes, both of which can make the dress yellow. Note though, that your cleaner should be providing you with the opportunity to inspect the dress and accessories before they are sealed in the box.

STORAGE

Once you've completed your wedding dress cleaning, you'll want to safely store that baby! The ideal location for your safely packaged wedding dress is someplace flat, cool, dry and out of sunlight. Preferably under the bed or in the corner of a closet. Never store it in the attic or basement. With clean, dry hands check the gown once or twice a year, each time refolding along new lines to protect the fabric from breaking. By inspecting it, you now have the opportunity to have any issues addressed right away.

INVESTMENT

Finer fabrics, size and detailing can change the efforts required in the cleaning and preservation of the wedding dress. For example, a long train with lots of hand detailing will require more work than something simple. Average pricing for wedding gown preservation is somewhere between $200 and $500 but will vary based on location. You'll likely have better results from a shop that deals with more dresses.

Tips for the Perfect Boudoir Session

That’s right, ladies. It’s that time of year.  Boudoir season. You want a special gift for your partner before your big day. Maybe it’s Valentine’s Day, maybe it’s your wedding day ‘I Love You’ gift, or even a birthday. Maybe you want some extra practice in front of the camera before some of the most important pictures of your life! Today we're talking about tips for the perfect boudoir session. Well, the easiest way to get more comfortable in your own skin and in front of the camera is to do it naked. Ok, not completely naked cause that’s just weird, BUT gussy yourself up, get some sweet lingerie and let that sexy minx out.Being sexy doesn’t mean the smallest amount of clothes possible. It’s about how you carry yourself and that look in your eye. Check out this beautiful boudoir session by C. Davidson Photography and keep reading for more tips to make your boudoir shoot perfection.

LINGERIE AND MAKE UP TIPS

For curvy girls like me: It’s true, we don’t look like Victoria’s Secret models and most of the options aren’t flattering to our figures (or anyone’s for that matter)! Look for bodysuits with lace cut outs or high-wasted bottoms and a beautiful bra top. This will slim your middle and enhance those beautiful curves!Most importantly, take the time to find the right pieces that make you feel amazing in your own skin. You'll immediately feel like you want the world to see you in your skivvies.Hair and Make Up. the last thing you want to look like is a washed out wet fish. Get your hair and make up done and make a lunch or dinner date afterwards to make a day out of it!Get accessories. A simple robe, a pretty pair of shoes and some classic jewellery to finish off the look!

POSING TIPS

Pop that booty and work hard to exaggerate your curves. It’ll feel really weird, but do it. You don’t want to sink into the bed!Blink, blink off to the side at the floor and then quickly look at the camera. Repeat. Your photographer will grab such lovely shots of you as you look away.Oh, and those awkward laughs? Let them out! You feel silly but you’ll look like you’re having the time of your life.Look around on Pinterest for your favourite boudoir shots and practice those poses so you don’t get stuck in the same old poses. Then, stand in front of a full-length mirror and practice your poses to find the best angles for your curves. Finally, let your body lead you. Trust me, it knows how you look good so trust your gut!

SIMPLE STYLING TIPS

A vase of fresh flowers goes a long way. Pick colours and flowers that make you feel good when you look at them. They instantly brighten up a room and you get to enjoy them in the days to come!Prosecco in pretty glasses; go to Goodwill or another reuse shops to score a great deal! Most people don’t know that prosecco is actually the closest in taste to champagne, though it costs a heck of a lot less! Throw in a sprig of herbs or even some raspberries for an extra touch. Sweets! Go to the local bakery and get a small assortment of sweets such as macaroons and other petit fours. Get a pretty vintage plate (Goodwill will be your best friend!) to place them on and you’re all set!

THE NIGHT BEFORE

Keep your skin bright and clear by drinking lots of water and putting back that glass of wine. Alcohol is dehydrating which causes your kidneys to work on overdrive to remove excess water from your system instead of your organs. In the end, this causes dryness, bloating and redness. So, no alcohol whatsoever!Get a good night’s sleep! Have a lavender scented bubble bath and double time that with a little lavender oil on your face. Lavender is soothing and relaxing which makes it great for your pre-bedtime routine. I promise, you’ll sleep like a baby. Hope that you find these tips for the perfect boudoir session helpful for your upcoming shoot!