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!

Sometimes it seems that golf clubs and weddings were born to be together. Does that sound weird? Maybe a little – but really, when you think about it, they complement each other so well, kinda like you and your honey, non?  Perfectly manicured gardens, top chefs, pristine views, privacy and big open dining areas, dreamy for a reception space. It’s true that many new golf courses are having their clubhouses built with wedding season in mind.

Silvertip Resort is a favourite of Calgary wedding planners. Their stunning views are of epic proportions and their beautiful reception venue is a blank slate. With the ability to bring in all of your own decor means that the world of wedding creativity is your oyster! Whether it’s a wedding for 25 or 250, Silvertip can do plated or buffet meals, indoor or outdoor, tented or open air. It’s whatever your heart desires!

Image courtesy Silvertip Resort, courtesy Scott Gage Photography

Silvertip Resort is a first choice for many brides and grooms with in the city and I can easily see why. I got a chance to chat with Wanda Shaw of Silvertip about how a bride goes about securing one of Alberta’s most sought after venues, and few details that are good to consider when thinking about booking a golf course for your big day!

 

Image via Silvertip Resort, Courtesy Orange Girl Photography

 

Image via Silvertip Resort, courtesy Orange Girl Photography

Ok, yes I sass a lot. I think I’m so funny and people get the idea that I’m super brave because I just blurt out whatever comes to mind and sometimes it’s funny, but mostly it’s not that funny. The point is, I’m not super brave. I’m just normal brave. And I admire brides who are brave enough to get boudoir photos – so glamourous. So sexy. So beautiful. So intimate – and what a gift. WHAT husband in the world would not be beyond thrilled with a rockin’ set of professional photos of his hottie wife?! I know The Cpt would die a happy, happy man if I gave him a set of these. But I’m not that brave – yet?

To get comfortable with this type of photography, you’re best bet is to find a photographer who shares your personality traits with you. Feel you’re a little on the “classic” (i.e. conservative) side? Then opt for a photographer who’s low key, elegant and supportive. Want something a little more fun and cutesy? Find a photographer who laughs a lot and who’s life habit is to say “Yes, lets!” For me? I probably need someone who’s going to, laugh with me, sing along to Metric with me and not be concerned when I come out in mukluks and a wool sweater. That’s sexy, right?

I got to ask Alix Broadway (love her name, don’t you? :) of Miss Behave Boudoir Photography exactly what kind of chops a gal needs to shake into her skivvies and get her sexy-rexy on for the camera!

Photography Credit: Miss Behave

I think it only natural for everyone is a little nervous of the idea of getting into your intimates in front of a camera. Our photographer will give you a ton of direction throughout the shoot – everything from your poses, to what to do with your hands, to how to obtain that “sexy” look with your facial expressions – we have an arsenal of poses and lighting techniques that can hide any areas that you may feel self conscious about!  You can also set up a consultation prior to your shoot date to settle any nerves and answer any questions you may have.

Do you have any suggestions for pre shoot beauty routines for a boudoir shoot? Spray tan, waxing, ect?

Once you have booked your shoot we also recommend getting hair touch ups, waxing/shaving both below and above the waist, and manicure/pedicures done to help you get ready for your shoot. We prefer a natural look but you can also consider getting a very light spray tan but just make sure that they are a reputable company and ensure they don’t use the deep orange setting!  (We also suggest staying very far away from self tanners unless you are an expert at application. The last thing you want is streaky legs and orange palms!)

The night before we recommend exfoliating your skin and the day of your shoot drink plenty of water, moisturize your entire body and don’t wear any tight clothing to your shoot which can leave marks on your skin.

Photography Credit: Miss Behave

Your sessions include outfit changes – do brides bring their own outfits? If they’re purchasing, what kind of advice can you give them?

We do have a “Vixen Wardrobe” that you are more than happy to utilize for outfits or to add to the ones you brought. We have everything from petticoats, corsets, heels, vintage jewellery, feather boas, feather fan, over-sized feathers, ornate masks, crinolines and everything in between.

We definitely suggest bringing a corset or a favorite piece of lingerie, a push up bra and matching pantie set, some boy shorts and at least one pair of pull up stockings with a garter belt.  As a bride, you can also bring your wedding day lingerie, your veil, your fascinator, your wedding heels or your wedding jewelry to add to your shoot.

Other outfits that you might already have in your wardrobe might be seductive top, hats, his shirt and tie, brightly colorful panties and bras (pink, purple, teal, red), lots of personal jewellery ( long necklaces and some bling are great!), sexy skirts, a leather jacket, your favorite LBD, garters, a chiffon scarf, or a a baby doll.

Photography Credit: Miss Behave

Is there any liquid courage allowed at the shoots? 

Yes, you are more than welcome to bring a bottle of white wine (red can stain your teeth), bubbles or tequila depending on your preference.  We do however have a two drink limit as we would hate for you to get a little too tipsy : ) Also, bringing your own iPod with your favorite play lists can help relax you as well!

What do a lot of brides do with the photos afterwards? 

Our most popular option for brides is to present a custom album to their groom the day of the wedding as your wedding day gift to him. It is a very intimate and sexy gift to give to your partner and something that he will cherish forever!  We can create everything from a wallet size print to a 5 foot canvas to 40 page custom hand bound leather album that can be enjoyed everyday!

Photography Credit: Miss Behave

Do you use the photos in your promotions? 

We will never post anything on our site or in our promotional materials unless we have written approval on the specific shots we would like to use. We respect all our clientele’s wishes and there is absolutely no pressure to allow us to use your boudoir images.

There is nothing more fun than popping a mouth watering chocolate on your tongue and letting it melt away.  Or in my case, chomping down on it. I’ve never had the patience it takes to let it melt, it’s too good!! But can you blame me? Since 1983, Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut has been wowing Canadians with some of the most decadent and tasty chocolate around.

These famous Calgarian chocolateurs have great options for brides who want to impress their guests with a chocolate wonderland. With 11 locations around Calgary, they create everything from specialty bite sized chocolates in personalized, embossed packaging to full on chocolate sculptures. Just goes to show, it doesn’t matter what kind of chocolate you’re looking for – milk, white, dark, nutty – there’s only one place to go.

How many different variations of chocolate does Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut make? As in, how many options does a bride have to choice from for her wedding day?

  If a couple desires individual chocolates for their wedding then they have 53 different handcrafted chocolates in white, milk and dark chocolate to choose from. All our products are all-natural, preservative-free and are made daily in our Calgary factory. Our most popular wedding products are the Mini Box (containing 2 chocolates) and the Small Chocolate Box (containing 4 chocolates). Depending on availability, these boxes come in white, metallic gold or in our traditional metallic copper. Many couples like to complete their boxes with ribbons and bows, so we offer a wide range of ribbon colours to suit almost any colour palette. For further personalization, the box itself can be embossed with the names and wedding date of the bride and groom. 

We also have some new options for brides and grooms-to-be.  We showcased our mini-macaroons at the Wedding Fair this year and they were a huge hit!  These delectable bite-sized almond-based cookies are filled with chocolate or fruit ganache and are simply adorable. They come in four colourful flavours, are made fresh with all-natural ingredients and are made-to-order (for Calgary events only at this time).

Chocolate is much like wine in the sense that individual tastes differ greatly.  Someone who likes a Pinot Noir may not be interested drinking Merlot and so on.  As this relates to the world of chocolate, some people prefer milk chocolate, others prefer dark, and still others prefer a 50/50 mix of both, so it all depends on one’s preference.

When catering to a large crowd, milk chocolate can be a popular choice as it is sweeter than dark chocolate, and you can’t go wrong with a sweet desert.  But depending on the items being dipped, the less sweet, more sultry dark chocolate might be the better choice. It is possible to please everyone by using equal parts milk and dark chocolate. All our chocolate is made with high percentages of cocoa butter, which means it melts easily and smoothly.

Our chocolate fountain is a real show-stopper—it looks and tastes fantastic! And it’s so easy for the bride because our chocolate fountain rental includes the time of one of our Chocolatiers who will set up and monitor the fountain during the event, then break it down and clean it up after.

Your chocolate artisans work with themes of weddings to create specialty chocolates – what are some of the more unique themes you’ve worked with and how do your artisans work with brides?

   We have a wide selection of themed pieces to suit just about any wedding.  For example, someone getting married in Calgary might be interested in placing a chocolate cowboy hat at each plate setting, or perhaps the bride and groom’s chocolate initials are an appropriate wedding favour.  Our molded item options can range from lollipops to cars and motorcycles to flowers and animals to sports-themed items.  Pretty much if you can dream it there is a good chance we have something to help couples personalize their weddings in a special chocolate way. With enough notice we can even make custom molds and do other custom products or packaging.

Recently one couple had a Christmas-themed wedding, so our Master Chocolatiers created several custom 24” tall Christmas Tree sculptures completely out of chocolate.

     Our chocolate sculpture offering for weddings is very new.  Our Maitre Chocolatier Derrick Pho is extremely talented from both a culinary and artistic standpoint and he has done some amazingly dynamic and colourful pieces for us to showcase at events around town (See Floral Sculpture photo).  Anything from exquisitely detailed floral pieces to ghoulish Halloween-themed pieces have come to life through his work.  His talent is now being offered up to the wedding crowd by making the possibility of a show-stopping wedding sculpture made out of 100% Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut chocolate, available to the public on a limited basis.

The first step someone should take if they are interested in purchasing a sculpture is to call our office in Calgary at (403) 265-5777 to discuss their ideas.  Once we have an initial framework we can provide the couple with feedback and an idea of pricing.  Depending on the intricacy (time involved in designing, making and assembling the sculpture) and size of the proposed sculpture (amount of chocolate involved), the price can vary greatly from piece to piece.  (Also to note is that this option is currently only available for delivery to customers in the Calgary area and an absolute minimum 6 weeks lead time).

Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut loves working with our wedding customers to help make their weddings sophisticated and memorable. Visit any of our 11 Calgary locations or call us at 403.265.5777 to find out more about what we have to offer in the way of themed items. Our web site also offers information at www.bernardcallebaut.com/weddings.