Thursday, January 31, 2013

DIY: Make Your Own Grand Entrance

Every bride wants and deserves a grand entrance at her ceremony. If you are having an outdoor wedding and still want a grand entrance, how about creating one yourself? All you need are two (light) doors and two (strong) ushers. Check out this awesome idea found at Green Wedding Shoes.

BTW - Also, love their simple canopy over their vow area!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon

outdoor wedding ceremony ranch

wedding ceremony doors for aisle entrance

wedding ceremony doors for aisle entrance

wedding ceremony outside under tree

Photo Credits: Sean Walker Photography

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Groom Trends 2013

Grooms are normally forgotten because it is all about the bride right? Well, this blog post is about the growing trends for groom looks. If grooms are not reading this, brides make sure you show this post to them. You shouldn't be surprised if they are attentive because they too want to look good!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon

1. Leading Men - Grooms are taking notes of what actors are wearing in the movies that their brides are swooning over. Hello James (Bond)!



2. Throw Back to the 60's - Alright, quite possibly also under the influence of their brides swooning over Mad Men's Don Draper. Fedoras is a must to complete this look.

  
3. Funky Socks - For years, grooms have been pushing the limits with footwear. Many grooms have chosen to wear cowboy boots, sneakers, and (my fave) Converse. The growing trend is for grooms to wear and be photographed wearing really funky socks! (Todd Pellow)
 
 
4. Showing Some Personality - Different prints and colors are combined as the groom's special put together look! (Dominique Bader)
 
 
5. Double Breasted Suits - This look was considered to be "dated" before but it is continuing it's come back from 2012. (New York Times Style Magazine)

 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Breakfast as a Late Night Snack!

I love eating breakfast anytime during the day. Years ago my friend and I joked about how we both prefer a steak dinner for breakfast and bacon and eggs for dinner. Of course, I am not going to blog about my weird (or normal?) eating habits. Rather, I was thinking what a great idea it would be to serve breakfast items as a late night snack to your wedding guests.

Usually as a late night snack, there would be coffee or tea; candy buffet; or seafood buffet! Personally as a wedding guests, I would prefer to have something to wind down the night with. The others are too much of a stimulant. Here are my favorite bite sized breakfast items found at Martha Stewart Weddings. They are all "good things", not to mention yummy!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon






Photo Credits: Martha Stewart Weddings

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Carisa and Richard: Wedding Dress Shopping

This is part 9 of the new blog series about Carisa and Richard's wedding planning process up until their wedding on August 31, 2013. In addition to sharing with readers their love story and wedding planning adventures, insights and tips for brides and groom's planning their own wedding will also be shared!

When you are choosing your wedding dress, consider your existing wardrobe. What do you have in there that makes you look and feel great? Do these items have anything in common? Are they enhancing a specific part of your body? When you have nailed down what you think looks great on you, start looking at wedding gowns that would do the same for you. Of course, this gown is going to be the biggest and grandest dress you will ever wear but don't go overboard. You don't want to regret your decision when you are looking at your wedding pictures in 20 years! Chose a dress that reflects your personality and allows you to feel beautiful.

Months ago, I had this conversation with Carisa and suggested she come by the Wishahmon - Glorious Gowns showroom. If you have the opportunity to try on lots of different styles of dresses without getting dirty looks from salepersons, why not? After two hours of trying on gowns, we decided we liked the top of dress #1, the middle of dress #2, and the bottom of dress #3. Sounds like a lost cause but really it helped narrow down what Carisa really liked.

After our fun appointment, Carisa had/has two opportunities to purchase her dress aboard. If you get this chance too, seize the opportunity! This is your chance to get a dress that no one has ever seen in Canada before. So excited to see Carisa in her gown!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon

If you missed the first couple of blog posts on Carisa and Richard's wedding planning adventures, you can catch up on how they got engaged, set the date, found a venue, found a marriage commissioner, found a photographer, sent out invitations, took care of out of town guests, and found a DJ.


Photo Credit: Kanchan Couture Bridal

Friday, January 25, 2013

Bridesmaid Dress Trends 2013

Without a doubt, you are the main actress on your wedding day. Your bridesmaids are your supporting actresses. They have your best interests in mind and will do everything in their power to make sure you look stunning. Wouldn't you want them to look and feel great too?

Back in the days, after you select your bridesmaids you would ask them all to go to one boutique with you and try on the dress that you chose. All the bridesmaids would be wearing the same dress. The bridesmaid are there not really for their opinion of the dress but to be measured for sizing and to pay for their dress. This former tradition has been made into many jokes in movies such as 27 Dresses and Bridesmaids.

The new trend is for the bride to chose the color and suggest the length or style. (Did you catch the part where I said "suggest?") This is honestly the best way to chose dresses that fit the figure of the bridesmaid and to keep friendships and relationships! Check out the different ways of coordinating all your supporting ladies!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon

Coordinating Colors


Coordinating Colors but Different Styles


Similar Dress but Same Texture


Similar Dress and Lots of Accessories


Fun Prints


Similar Lengths




Photo Credits: 1) SMP 2) Style Me Pretty 3) Green Wedding Shoes 4) Southbound Bride 5), 6, 7) Snippet & Ink

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Wedding Trends 2013

Every year wedding trends pop up as a result of many factors. Celebrity weddings (thank you Kate and Jessica!), trends in other industries, or trends driven by brides. Here are this year's trends!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon

Mint Green: If the color of the year, emerald, is too bold for your wedding style, consider incorporating mint green. Not only does the hue play nicely with others, but it also looks good on just about everyone. (Designs by Portobello)


 
Birch and Other Tree Bark: Rustic weddings have been trendy for a few years now and nature will continue to influence decor in 2013. Birch is a popular pick because it works year round for both summer and winter weddings. (Wed Loft)



1920s: Retro is in this year and in particular the 1920's. Think a  Great Gatsby theme, where the bride wears a sleek, beaded gown, decor has fringed chandeliers, Art Deco invites and a black-tie dress code (think top hats for the groomsmen!).

1920s

Prints: Prints will be used everywhere in 2013 weddings. Prints can be used from wedding fashion to wedding decor like cakes and table runners. Chevron will also continue to be big. (Society Bride)


Gold Gowns: Who says you have to wear white for your walk down the aisle? Gold was a huge fall fashion trend so it’s no surprise it showed up in tons of Fall 2013 bridal collections. Stunning! (Romona Keveza)


Top Buns: Once upon a time, the french twist was the go-to bridal hairstyle. These days it is all about the top bun. It can be neat or messy, on it's own or jazzed up with flowers, veil, or headpieces.  (Southbound Bride)

Top Buns

Laser cut: If you love the look of lace but want something more edgy and modern, check out laser cut wedding gowns. Elizabeth Filmore, THEIA and Ivy & Astor all had dresses using laser cut. (Pinterest)

Pinned Image

Peplum bridesmaid dresses: Peplum has been huge trend in everywhere, so it shouldn't be a surprise that it is extending to bridesmaid dresses. It’s an ultra flattering silhouette, so your bridesmaids will thank you. Donna Morgan and Alfred Angelo featured them in their collections. (Hello)

null


Intense Color: Vera Wang‘s Spring 2013 collection was full of red, crimson, burgundy gowns. In 2012, brides were taking more of a risk and wearing pink, this coming year is all about even bolder colors. If you can't imagine wearing a red gown but want to embrace in this trend, try adding a pop of color to your shoes, accessories, or jewelry.

Intense Color

Bustier Gowns: Nothing says bride like a big, full skirt, but in 2013 the classic silhouette gets a sexy update with a fitted bustier bodice. Mark Zunino for Kleinfeld, Pnina Tornai and Tulle all featured bustier designs. (J. Crew Tulipe Bustier Gown)

J. Crew Tulipe Bustier Gown

Black Details: Bold brides should take a peek at Jenny Lee’s Fall 2013 collection, which had lots of black details. If you’d rather play it safe, try a statement-making black invite or sleek black decor and desserts. (Primadonnabride)

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Calgary's Consignment Boutique Has Vera Wang!

We are UBER excited at Wishahmon - Glorious Gowns because we just got our first Vera Wang wedding gown in our collection! This gown is brand new. Check out this beauty and others at our website! If you want to book an appointment to look at our gowns, send us an email at: weddings@wishahmon.com.

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Marshmallows: The New Cupcake?

Recently, I have met a lot of people with gluten free diets. After some research, speaking to them, and eating out with them, I now have a preliminary understanding of what their diet means. I am totally shocked by the amount of things that have gluten in them. Obviously a donut is out of the question, but flavoured teas? hoisen sauce? stamps? (Turns out gluten is what keeps your envelops closed after you lick them. Ew.)

It does not seem to be much fun to have a gluten free diet. Having said this, my friend has learned of many snacks that don't contain gluten. She is constantly snacking on popcorn, some brands of chips, seasame snaps, and marshmallows. The last one seems to be the less appealling to me but is her favorite. She believes marshmallows will be the next big thing. It appears that the Globe and Mail may agree with this statement.

Marshmallows don't appeal to me because it is just a puffy white thing that always taste burnt. (I am a horrible s'mores maker.) Turns out Toronto based company, I Love Puffy has a variety of flavors, including: Lemon Sunshine, Coconut Breeze, Mint Royal, Maple Cinnamon Kiss, and Chocolate Banana Wish. The next time I am in TO, I am absolutely going to get myself some to try! If anyone is visiting from TO, can you pretty please with a marshmallow on top bring me some?

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon


Photo Credits: I Love Puffy

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Carisa and Richard: Finding a Wedding DJ

This is part 8 of the new blog series about Carisa and Richard's wedding planning process up until their wedding on August 31, 2013. In addition to sharing with readers their love story and wedding planning adventures, insights and tips for brides and groom's planning their own wedding will also be shared!

Now that Carisa and Richard are back from holidays, we are back to planning!

During our first meeting, Carisa and Richard told me their priority is for their guests to have a great time at their wedding. A lot of their guests are coming from out of town and they know it is such an honor their guests are making the trip out to Calgary for them.

One of the most important and easiest way to create a great atmosphere is with music. Without it, you will be working a lot harder to create a great time. Just imagine all the times when the room is or was quiet. Those are usually the times when I was taking a test or was in trouble by my parents. (A quiet room still gives me the chills. Ekk.)

When you are choosing your DJ, make sure you hire a professional. Playing a playlist on an IPOD hooked up to computer speakers cranked up will not cut it. (This also gives me the chills.) Take the time to meet you potential DJ and ask him questions. Check out their website and read any testimonials they may have. Some DJs might even have videos of them working a wedding. Huge plus!

Hiring a DJ is tricky because you are hiring the person and not the music. Music is just music if you don't have the right person behind the DJ table. Once you have chosen you DJ, try to provide him with a list of songs you must have and the songs you hate. Doing this extra step will prevent you from saying on your wedding day: "OMG, I hate this song." If you have songs in another language that you would like played, provide those to your DJ too. Just make sure you double check the meanings of the songs if you "foreign language" is a little rusty!

Once you hired a DJ, trust him/her to do their job. Just be ready to dance the night away as bride and groom!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon

If you missed the first couple of blog posts on Carisa and Richard's wedding planning adventures, you can catch up on how they got engaged, set the date, found a venue, found a marriage commissioner, found a photographer, sent out invitations and took care of out of town guests.



Photo Credit: National Post

Friday, January 18, 2013

Bridal Hairstyles 2013

It has finally come to my realization that great hair styles takes work. Not to mention some hair products, tools, pins, and healthy hair. I tell people that my hairstyle is simply "my style". In reality, my hairstyle is what it is because I don't know what to do with "my mop."

(Before)


Not willing to lose to my hair, I have found some pictures of potential hairstyles that I am going to tackle. These are the top bridal hairstyles of 2013 too! I admit that my chances of success are slim. However, if any of you brides out there succeed with any of these styles do share! I would love to hear all about your hair battle and success. (I don't know how this blog post ended up sounding like a hair war!)

Good luck!
~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer
@Wishahmon
 
(Afters)
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Photo Credits: Before) Essential Mums; Afters) Glamour

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