Archive | April, 2012

Calgary Wedding Photographer Corrina Walker features Lisa and Mike

 

As born and raised Calgarians, Mike and Lisa couldn’t wait to plan the wedding of their dreams in the city where all the magic happened.  Stephen Avenue has always held a special for the couple, as it was where they first met 9 years ago and then reconnected more recently at V-Bar.

So there was no question that they wanted to have many of their photos in the heart of downtown Calgary.  “Strolling Stephen Avenue and taking pictures at some of our favorite spots captured exactly who we are.  A last stop at V-Bar to get a quick picture where our love story was re-ignited was the icing on the cake and a picture that will never leave our mantle. ” Calgary Wedding Photographer, Corrina Walker captured that perfectly.

The couple say their day was perfect, starting with a traditional ceremony at the church Lisa was raised in and ending with a party the couple had always wanted, in the heart of downtown Calgary at The Metropolitan Centre.

If you ask Mike his favorite part of the wedding without hesitation he will say the basketball hoop!  Mike grew up playing basketball and still has a huge love for the game, so it was no question that they would have a regulation basketball hoop in the middle of the dance floor.  Guests showed off their skills all  night in order to have the couple share a smooch! Now that’s a two pointer idea!

Love those shoes!

Calgary Wedding Photographer: Corrina Walker

Decorator:  Masha with Wedding Finesse

Flowers:  Edralyn Chapman at Flower Artistry 

Dress:  Mena’s Bridal Boutique   and it was a San Patrick dress

Ceremony Venue:  Holy Spirit Church

Reception Venue: The Metropolitan Centre

Catered by: Roma Catering

Cake:  Cakery Bakery

Shakin’ up that Wedding Registry

In this day and age, it’s pretty common for a couple to live together for years before they get married, and over the course of that time , one can collect a lot of stuff. I’ve spoken to a few people lately (mostly guys!) who just don’t know what to do about registering for wedding gifts. “If I needed a $300 blender, I’d go buy one. And guess what, I think she did last year anyways…” Registering, for all it’s glory, can be a time consuming and overwhelming process. So why not break the mould?  Although etiquette dictates that you not publicize your wedding registry, there is no harm in mentioning on your website or asking your wedding party to spread the word that you more than appreciate out of the box wedding gifts. So why not throw in a few suggestions? Here are a few fun ideas on ways to spruce up your wedding registry.

Cooking classes This was actually a gift that we got for our wedding, and I simply can not wait to use it! It’s an experience gift – a group of my friends went in together to purchase the gift certificate and we’re all going to take the class together! Great food, wine – you might even learn a few tricks, non?

Image via Google

Restaurant Gift Certificates I know – this doesn’t seem like a shake up at all but it can be if you make it!  Ask people to pick their own favourite restaurant, or where they think the most romantic or even the wackiest restaurant in town. On it’s own it’s not special, so make it special. Give people a reason to want to buy you a restaurant gift certificate.  As well, a tasty dinner always makes for a super easy little follow up thank you to let them know how you liked it!

Image via Outdoor Games Players

Outdoor Games Another great gift we received at our wedding  from one of my favourite all time people, was a game called Kubb (a combination of horseshoes and bowling) which I have yet to play but it looks hilarious and amazing. I love it! Now we have tons of excuses to have her and her boyfriend over all summer for casual bbq’s. Croquet, bocce, Norweigan golf, these are all great group games that just demand beer, burgers and lots of fun.

Summer Hikes If you’re big into the outdoors, mention that on your website. A planned hike in the mountains is not only really memorable, it’s *ahem* cost effective and the photos last forever. There’s nothing more satisfying that reaching the top of a hike with a good friend (and your new hubs) so you’ll be glad you did it.

Image via Travel To Canada Now

 

Tres chic, naturellement: Naturally Chic

Let’s call a spade a spade – weddings are an exercise in abundance and indulgence. In a Calgary bride’s quest to create her perfect day, she may perhaps take liberties or make choices she wouldn’t normally make. Paper plates – confetti everywhere – tissue balls – so many items that are tough to recycle or re-sell. As many brides have become far more environmentally conscious, we in Southern Alberta are extremely fortunate to have our own completely sustainable wedding decor company, who specializes in creating beautiful, completely customizable wedding accessories, without breaking Mother Nature’s heart.

I got a chance to chat with Sharon, founder of Naturally Chic, and find out why she is so passionate about creating environmentally friendly options for brides all around the world!

Photo Credit: Orange Girl Photography

Tell us where your inspiration to start Naturally Chic comes from I wasn’t always a person who was in love with everything weddings. In fact, being awedding planner never crossed my mind. I have a Kinesiology degree and it wasn’t until I was doing my Event Management certificate and one instructor, Lynn Fletcher (of Lynn Fletcher Weddings) completely turned me on to weddings. She was so passionate and excited about weddings and it really drew me in too!

When I started my business I wanted it to be a true reflection of who I was.Naturally Chic was born from my desire to “marry” my love of nature, outdoor pursuits and event planning!

Photo Credit: Orange Girl Photography

There is a unique creative component to using natural elements in weddings – what range of elements have you used in the past? Natural elements are intrinsically beautiful and used creatively can complement any wedding decor. We’ve used rocks, wood slabs, driftwood, pinecones, willow branches, cedar boughs and even natural antler sheds! We’ve fashioned a “ring bearer pillow” out of slate, used wood stumps for vases and driftwood for centerpieces.We also create all sorts of products, such as wood table numbers, wine boxes and memory boxes from reclaimed flooring, construction extras, dead fall or recycled woods.

What type of brides do you like to work with? We’ve been blessed to work with so many amazing couples that share our love for the mountains and the outdoors. We seem to attract laid-back, fun-loving brides, who care about the environment and we couldn’t be happier.

Photo Credit: Orange Girl Photography

You have been featured in some amazing blogs, like Style Me Pretty – whats the farthest away a bride has contacted you to do work for them? We’ve planned weddings for couples from all over including brides from Australia, Korea, the UK, New York, California and Halifax! With our Naturally Chic Design products we have couples from Australia and all over the US contact us!

Photo Credit: Orange Girl Photography

Naturally Chic is home to Canada’s Adventure Weddings – what’s the most adventurest wedding you’ve ever worked on? “Adventure” is really personal and in our definition of “adventure wedding” it can mean being married while taking part in an adventurous activity (ice climbing, skiing etc.) or by having the couple and their guests partake in adventurous activities. We’ve worked on weddings for rock climbers, paddlers, hikers and skiers, but we’re still waiting on the really adventurous couples who are wanting to get married in a unique, memorable way such as while skydiving or dog sledding!