Featured Article - Calgary Bride

Calgary Wedding Photographer Tara Whittaker – Love You Back Project is Back!

From the moment I transitioned into wedding photography, I decided that every year I would gift one special couple with free wedding photography. I always want to remember my humble beginnings and be grateful for each and every couple that I have the privilege of photographing. If I were engaged myself, wedding photography would be my first priority (right after finding the groom). I know that quality wedding photographers are a big investment and that not everyone can afford a photographer they adore. Last year I collaborated with a like-minded colleague on the Love You Back project, our way of giving back to an industry we love. It ended up being one of the highlights of the season for me. The winners, Sarah & Bryce, stole our hearts. To quote the bride, “the entire wedding day was bliss”.

This year Tara is on the hunt for a couple with loads of personal style, who are willing to show her what’s in store for their wedding and what makes their love so special.

The Rules of Engagement

To be “The Ones” for the Love You Back project you must:

1. Provide Tara with an inspiration board that details your plans and dreams for your upcoming wedding.

2. Be willing to “style-up” your engagement shoot.

3. Be getting married in 2012. If Tara is already booked on your date… sorry!
4. Be getting married in Alberta.
5. Be willing to have your story told on blogs, facebook, twitter etc.

If you’re “The Ones”, your wedding photography will include:

1. 8 hours of coverage on your wedding day by Tara and her assistant.
2. An engagement session.
2. CD of high resolution images with print permissions.
3. A beautiful album telling the story of your day.
4. All travel fees for the photographers.

How Tara is choosing “The Ones”:

“A panel of 3 wedding experts in Calgary will chose the winning inspiration board. We are looking for three things: originality, personality and effort. We would love to see some unique ideas that really tell us about your love story. It doesn’t have to be fancy but show us that you rolled up your sleeves for a chance to win this amazing prize. Submit your entry by email to photography@tarawhittaker.com, type LOVE YOU BACK in the subject line and attach your inspiration board.”

Entry Deadline is February 29th, 2012.

Full details on the blog tarawhittaker.com/blog

Contact Tara Whittaker Photography with any questions at 403-247-3746 or photography@tarawhittaker.com

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Article, Home, News

Wedding Fair Love: GAPS the Prop Shop & Spoilt Red Productions Table Top

The Wedding Fair is of course, a place where brides come to be amazed by all the wonderful creativity that Calgary wedding professionals have to offer. Naturally. But it’s a place where the best of the best show off their best. The Table Top competition is another fun way that Calgary wedding planners and decorators as well as Calgary event designers get to shake loose – they either use the opportunity to predict upcoming trends (for bragging rights they thought of it first) or to showcase their latest and greatest wares and talents.

For me, both are good reasons to get in to the details of Calgary’s biggest wedding decor challenge. I’m dying to talk about GAPS the Prop Shop & Spolit Red Productions Table Top. Honestly, I can’t get enough of the details – the more that I look at these photos, the more through themes I see. Every inch of the table was was taken into account, and that I love. I have to stop myself from theorizing what the details represent, but maybe that’s my BFA rearing it’s artistic self in my brain, but I just love this table. Truly beautiful.

PS remember to click on the images to make them larger so you can see more details!

Love love love that table linen. The petals that hang off remind me so much of sea shells – love how they reflect the light, a linen like this is a great alternative to something sparkly. It also has a really unique texture – lots of brides are looking for linens that stand out but don’t want a floral pattern or something of the like. This is a perfect option! Notice the details on the napkin ring and chair cover knot – the dainty pearls give a delicate and feminine (kind of remind me of strings of berries) touch and paired with the gold, it really warms up the colour scheme and the entire table setting. The pearls are also complimentary to the linens, as I have already admired the pearlized feeling they give off.

The pearl/opalescent effect has been smartly carried through to the plate setting. That charger is gorgeous and it has a gold undertone, same as the pearl details above. Love that. Mixed and matched with two other plates that have contrasting texture, it add a nice touch that isn’t overwhelming. For a splash of colour, the menu’s have a touch of pink and a black border to balance out the rest of the table. And the centre piece – OH this centre piece. Love it. Love the classic white roses (which almost look cream in this photo?) paired with the tall candle holders with pearls dripping down. The height of the centre piece is nicely balanced with the rose in the vase (seen in the photo above), which bring the eyes back down to the table top.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Article, Posts by Alix

Wedding Fair Love: Cameo & Cufflinks

A wedding may be all about a marriage, but let’s be honest for a minute – the magic of the day starts with the dress. One of the decisions (if not THE decision) that Calgary brides spend the most amount of time mulling over, it’s also one of the most fun! Or am I alone in that? Although some brides experience a fair amount of anxiety over choosing the dress of their dreams (it is hard to choose a dress you’ve only dreamt about) , Cameo & Cufflinks is one of those special salons, a Calgary bridal salon that helps melt anxieties away. Full service with a huge selection, it’s about making you look and feel amazing, not just selling you a dress.

My FAVOURITE part about blogging about exhibitors at The Wedding Fair is getting to go over all the smallest details – you can look at a booth, you can look at bridal fashion, you can do it all, but until your girl sits you down and helps you define what it is that you actually like about something, it’s hard to make decisions. So as your honourary bridesmaid, let’s take a look at some of the bridal fashions Cameo & Cufflinks was proud to present at the BIG show.

PS if you click on the photos, it will enlarge them if you want to see a few more details!

Love this ultra flattering dress – the silhouette and the sweetheart neckline give a girl all the right curves. The delicate overlay give the skirt great texture if you’re looking for something with a bit more punch and paired with the blinged up sash, this look is a total statement maker.

This dress is a great option for a Calgary bride who loves the dramatic look of a full skirt, but isn’t really into the Princess feeling that many full skirt dresses evoke. The black sash is back as a big trend again for 2012 wedding dresses, and I love the long tails of the bow at the back. Paired with this chunky necklace, this is a great option for a modern, chic Calgary bride.

This dress is a nice mix of subtle and splash. The bottom is incredibly flattering (look at that mannequin’s booty!) with the button detailing on the back going all the way down to the flare of the skirt. I am especially in love with the contrast between the sleek and smooth front of the skirt (click on this picture to enlarge it so you can get a better idea), and the huge ruffle on the back. The top is so fun – the small, tight ruffles are a great contrast to the one giant ruffle on the skirt, and will easily give a bust a little boost.

Of course I love this. I love a leap of faith, especially when it comes to fashion. The bottom flows out from the knees, it almost looks likes the swirls of fabric just appear from the skirt. The clean transition from smooth dress to detailed and flourishing is fantastic. To pull it all together, the pop of flair at the top balances what could be a bottom heavy dress. A dress like this calls for very modern make up.

A splash of colour! Yes please – especially when it’s this rustic pink that has made it’s way from invitations to centre pieces to bridal gowns. This sash is such a great way to spice up this classic layered dress. The low back adds a splash of sexy-rexy. I see this dress and this sash and all I can see are soft pink pumps covered in black lace – do you see it too?

xoalix.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Article, Posts by Alix

Does your Calgary Wedding Planning include The Wedding Fair?

THE WEDDING FAIR

January 22, 2012

930am-530pm

Fashion Shows at 11am, 2pm, 4pm

BMO Centre Stampede Park

Tickets available at the door or online at The Wedding Fair for $20

Are you feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start your planning process? Well, grab your entourage, put on your comfortable shoes and head down to the BMO Centre to meet with over 200 of Calgary’s top wedding specialists at The Wedding Fair. You can sample, meet, and either confirm a vendor’s availability or book a follow up appointment to interview prospective vendors after the show. In addition to a variety of services available on the trade show floor, be sure to take in the New York Style fashion show to learn about the latest trends in bridal fashion and lingerie. While you are enjoying the show, send your man over to Club Groom to enjoy NFL football on the big screen TV while relaxing on a LaZboy recliner!

So head down to the The Wedding Fair, Calgary’s premier wedding event, this Sunday, January 22nd, at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park and follow these helpful tips to ensure you get the most out of your day!

1. Create a temporary email address to be used while you are planning your wedding. This way you can delete it when you no longer want to take advantage of special offers.

2. Bring a pen and pre-printed self addressed labels with your wedding date on them. This enables you to quickly enter the assorted draws and specials at the show.

3. Ask lots of questions and collect any information you are interested in. The wedding specialists are there to help you along the way.

4. Bring your cheque book or credit card to secure any deposits with a prospective client. Be sure to check on refund policies and read the fine print prior to signing anything.

5. Allow yourself at least three hours to view the trade show and see the exciting fashion show.

6. Don’t forget to get your complimentary copy of Calgary Bridal Guide handed out at the show. You will see many of the vendors at the show listed in The Guide and you can book follow up appointments and learn more about Calgary wedding planning.

Enjoy!

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Article, Home

Cameo & Cufflinks spring 2012 wedding dress picks

There are a lot of reasons that I feel lucky that I’m a bridey blogger. Seeing love in action, check. Admiring the creativity of planners and brides, check. Um, oogling gorgeous dresses all day and picturing myself in them (even though I’m clearly married) also check.

Wedding dresses are one of the funnest, most exciting parts of a wedding. If you disagree, please, tell me what tops your list. The liquor license? Double checking the spelling of the last names on the invites? Yes, the dress is one of the things many brides look forward to when planning a wedding.

December and January are big months for wedding dress shopping – with summer weddings 6 months away, it’s time to order your dress. Cameo & Cufflinks is one of Calgary’s full service bridal salons – as well as a full service groom salon. An expert in our city, we got to pick the brain of owner Daria Groch-Arnold on how to prepare for your bridal appointment and what’s up and coming for brides in 2012!

What silhouettes are popular with designers for Spring 2012?

Fit’n flare is still the most popular silhouette that you will find. It is a great silhouette because it can really flatter different body types. It is a great way to show off a bride’s curves, while she still gets a little bit of “pouf” at the bottom of the dress. This style sometimes get confused with mermaid styles. A mermaid is quite form-fitting almost to a brides’ calves where most fit’n flares flare out above the knee. This allows for more comfort and movement for most brides. Spring 2012 is still strong with lace, thanks to Kate Middleton.

Jim Hjelm - Style 8210

Ballgown styles are also being shown for Spring 2012. Everything from lace to heavy appliqué to simple tops and “poufy” bottoms. You will see some of the more simple ballgowns will have pockets.

The addition of belts will still be popular for Spring 2012. Sparkly belts with bling are the most popular. Many brides are looking for more simple dresses and want to add their “bling” through the belts. Coloured belts are seen as well. There is still a lot of flowers that brides can use to personalize their style with bridal and bridesmaids’ gowns.

Alvina Valenta - style 9215

Black was a big colour last year – is there a colour that is trending for 2012?

Black will still be the best contrasting colour for brides. For Spring 2012, we are seeing lighter colours as well. Light corals and peaches are being shown, as well as the more subdued champagnes.

Mikaella Bridal - Style 1656

How should a bride prepare for wedding dress shopping – any tips on what she should wear or who she should bring?

The number one tip that all brides should consider is the number of people they bring with them. It is very tempting for brides to get caught up in inviting every aunt, cousin and neighbour that she knows but in the end she will be more discouraged than excited and even more overwhelmed. Too many opinions tend to make the bride more anxious as she is more concerned with not offending her guests than deciding what is right for her. Bringing 1 to 2 people that she trusts will result in a pleasant shopping experience and success in finding the perfect dress.

Alvina Valenta - Style 9202

Brides can also do research ahead of time and bring in pictures of dresses that they may want to try on. This helps the consultants understand what direction they want to go in. Once they get an opportunity to try on dresses that they have liked, they will know more if those styles suit them. Although most brides come in with ideas in their heads, it is also very important to have an open mind and try on suggestions from the consultants. More times than not, brides choose dresses that they never would have tried on.

Mikaella Bridal - Style 1653

Since the construction of most wedding dresses are made so that little undergarments need to be worn, brides do not need to bring a lot with them. Strapless bras (optional) and underwear (mandatory) are all that most brides will need for their shopping experience. Once they have bought the dress and are coming in for their first fitting, they will need the undergarments and shoes that they plan on wearing on their wedding day. It is also appreciated from the Bridal Boutiques if girls keep the makeup light as dresses get ruined quite quickly when there is makeup all over them. This also applies to spray-on tans.

Romona Keveza - Style L268

What are the three designers that you are most excited to carry?

It is hard for me to only pick three designers because we carry designers for different reasons but I do get really excited when brides pick dresses from our North American designers. The dresses have better quality materials, are made and sewn by experts in North America and the customer service that we receive from these designers surpasses many of the other ones. I also feel better about ordering the goods from them as I know that any manufacturing that is done on the dresses is done in a controlled factory that uses processes that are friendly to the earth’s environment. These dresses tend to be more expensive than their counterparts but their quality is apparent. Many components of the dresses are hand sewn from quality dressmakers that are employed in Canada and United States. The North American designers that we carry are: Romona Keveza ( she has quite a lot of her designs on the red carpet and many celebrities wear her dresses.) Jim Hjelm, Alvina Valenta, Tara Keely, Lea Ann Belter, Paloma Blanca and Mikaella

Mikaella Bridal - Style 1651

Are there any new bridal accessories that you think will become popular for 2012?

Although, tiaras are not considered new, I am starting to see a renewed interest in them once again maybe thanks to Kate Middleton. For the last 5 years, more brides were wearing pins and clips in their hair but I think girls will want more in their hair. I also believe that veils are very important – even for those brides that want to keep simple.