“I cannot pretend to be impartial about the colours. I rejoice with the brilliant ones…” – Winston Churchill

There are perfect Calgary wedding venues and then there are nearly perfect Calgary wedding venues. The perfect venue has big beautiful windows with spectacular views and natural light, and the carpet is a pristine creamy white. The chairs that come with the venue are chiavari and they have extra spot lights hanging around that can put up and run at no cost. When you find this venue, please let us know. A room that can hold 200 people will almost always have a carpet that can hide shoe marks, the room will have warm embellishments when your colour scheme is cool and their chairs are a classic and respectable forest green, with arm rests. Of course they are.

So while you may find a Calgary wedding venue that works perfectly with your colour scheme, chances are you’re going to need to add a few of your own delicate touches to make the room fit your wedding. Of course that’s more than possible, so let’s explore a few ways to do it.

Paper Lanterns: Low price point, good impact. Paper lanterns are a classic trick when it comes to filling a room with a specific colour. With prices ranging from $3 for a small to $20 for humongous, they come in all sizes, colours and sometimes even shapes. Hang these throughout your room and it will look like it’s raining drops of your wedding, especially if you add an LED light to give it a glow. Be warned though, you’ll have to buy a lot of them to truly achieve a high impact – like maybe 25 – 50 – and then someone has to hang them from the ceiling and take them down. Looking for paper lanterns? Try The Social Page!

Paper lanterns are inexpensive and bright Image via The Social Page

Patterned paper on your tables: Low to medium price point, medium impact. Honestly this is a great way to get your DIY on, save a bit of cash and make a splash at your tables. If you come across a wrapping paper or wall paper that you think matches and works with your wedding perfect, pick up a roll and do a test set up of your wedding table. Try the paper as a table runner, as a napkin ring, as a part of the favour or as a part of your centre peice. If it works, fantastic! And if it doesn’t, you’re out less than $5 for the roll of paper. It can also be fun to find complimentary patterns and colours – and switch some tables out, which will add tons of pizazz to your set up. If you love the look, see if you can order rolls of the paper in bulk and grab your bridesmaids!

Martha knows best. Image via Martha Stewart Weddings

Wall lighting: High price point, high impact. Seriously, you can completely change a room with the right lighting. Cream walls become vibrant blues or electric pinks, tall drapes become violet and tables with white table clothes suddenly have teal polka dots. A bit on the pricey side, it’s the most effective and most dramatic way to make a room unrecognizable. It packs a huge punch for guests, who feel as if they’re been suddenly taken from one world to a totally new one. If it’s in your budget and it’s your dream, this is an absolute must!

As we continue our in depth research on all of Calgary’s best kept wedding secrets, this week we’re taking you to Inglewood, one of Calgary’s most diverse neighborhoods which also happens to be one of Calgary’s most historic. Whether you’re taking a stroll down 9th Avenue or relaxing by the river, there are oodles of surprises and perfect finds for ceremony locations, rehearsal dinners or wedding apparel.

Image courtesy Inglewood BRZ

If a Calgary bride was looking for bridesmaids dresses in Calgary, where could she find some unique styles? Inglewood is definitely known for its boutique clothing stores, and there are certainly a few lining the 9 Ave. S.E. strip that could do the trick for any bevy of bridesmaids. Espy Experience is known for their eclectic, affordable brand name fashion and incredible team of hands-on stylists, whereas Adorn Boutique  is perfect if  you’re on the hunt for beautiful accessories to accent the bridal party. Eye on Design, Pretty Little Things and Nicola offer slightly more sophisticated styling, with plenty of options in the gown and dress department.  All five shops are located right on 9 Ave. – Inglewood’s main drag. And speaking of pre-wedding pampering and preparation, lest we forget to mention the amazing Inglewood Beauty Bar or Citrus Laser & Advanced Esthetics!  If you are thinking of something different for a bridesmaid gift or to treat yourself, be sure to drop by and see Sheila at Shades of Sleep, an amazing store full of beautiful sleepwear, custom jewellery by Joanna Bisley Designs and stunning linens.

Adorn Boutique, Image courtesy Inglewood BRZ

For an engaged Calgary couple looking to throw a really out of the box engagement party, are there any stand out Calgary wedding venues or engagement venues? Absolutely! The Ironwood Stage and Sound has long been Inglewood’s go-to place for live music and awesome atmosphere. Located in the historic Garry Theatre, the food and drinks are as memorable as the crowd. More live music, beer and lively nights can be had at The Blues Can further down 9 Ave., and for the ladies, nothing beats a night out at Lolita’s Lounge upstairs from Salt & Pepper Mexican restaurant, home to the famed Carlie’s Angels drag show – a sold-out show nearly every Saturday night of the year. There is also the trendy Dade Art and Design Lab that we featured on a post a couple of weeks back which is a super cool spot to host an engagement party.

The Blues Can, Image courtesy Inglewood BRZ

Are there great restaurants or spots for rehearsal dinners in Calgary? Plenty, in fact, as Inglewood’s dining scene seems to get better every year. The neighbourhood is home to the award-winning Rouge Restaurant, located at 8 Ave. and 12 St. S.E., that ranked 60th in the world in 2011. Rouge is a perfect spot to hold an event of any kind and its setting is the heritage home that A.E. Cross built in 1891. There are plenty of other eateries that would do the trick for Calgary brides as well, from Sugo Caffe Italia and WOP Pizza . And now that we’ve got dessert on our minds, must mention Cookie Mama and Wilde Grainz Artisan Bakery as two top-notch spots for wedding cakes, cupcakes and all things sweet for your wedding guests to enjoy.

The Cinnamon Barn, image courtesy Inglewood BRZ

As for Calgary ceremony locations, it doesn’t get much more picturesque than the grounds and gardens at the Calgary Zoo or Fort Calgary. A quaint spot beside the Bow River adjacent to Fort Calgary is also idealic. As for finding a place to snap some photos following the ceremony, the iconic white Cinnamon Barn at 9 Ave. and 14 St. S.E. offers a stunning historical backdrop, while the pathways along the Bow, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and the old train bridge just before Harvey Passage make for ideal locations as well.

Silk Road Spice Merchant, Image courtesy Inglewood BRZ