DIY Birdseed Wedding Favors Tutorial

If you are having a love bird theme or just love birds in general, this is the perfect DIY wedding favor for you to do. It isn't too hard or time consuming either, only 6 steps. Extra 4 steps if you want to make them pretty!



Alicia Parsons from Akimbo provided this wonderful tutorial on how to make your own birdseed heart wedding favors. Of course, this can also be used as presents for other occasions too. Here are the steps:

What To Do If Your Parents Are Not Excited About Your Engagement

After getting engaged, I'm guessing the first people you tell of your engagement are your parents. But what if they are not thrilled about your engagement or your groom? What do you do now?

1) Don't Be Too Bummed Out...Yet.
Ask your parents why they are not excited and ask them what are some of their concerns. Listen to them and hear the reasons even if it isn't what you want to hear at this time. If they have always had your back, it is likely they are still trying to protect you. They might be worried about your future, your groom, you are marrying too young,  marrying without resources, or entering into a potentially abusive relationship. Listen to what they have to say and decide for yourself whether or not there is any merit to their concerns.

2) Reassure Them Of Your Decision
Explain to your parents of your decision to marry this person as your life partner and try to reassure them you have no major concerns. Talk to them honestly (like you know your groom isn't perfect, but nobody is) and address their fears.

3) Decide For Yourself
If you decide that your parents are trying to control and prevent you from making this decision as an individual, it is time to make the decision for yourself and tell them clearly that you love them and want their support in your decision. If they can't be supportive, you may have to proceed without them.


bridalguide

What's New (With Monica) at Wishahmon - January 2016

I said this years ago that I don't believe or make New Years resolutions, mostly because I don't keep them or stay on track pass the third week of January. In the last couple of years, I opted to learn something new each year. Then, I made a goal of meeting a new friend or reconnecting with an old one every month. This one I kept true to and still do.

Regardless of what term I use, I am essentially deciding to make a change or choosing to do things differently. Here are some resolutions/goals/ideals for 2016:

Do More Of What I Love
There are certain things that I love to do but is always on the back burner to the things that I must do (and sometimes hate to do.) Yes, this is just part of life but for 2016 I want to take the time to do more things that I love to do regardless of other people's perceptions or judgment. For example, I love going to fabric stores. Just walking up and down the aisles of rolls of fabric is calming and exciting for me. I don't sew much and I tend to glue my fabrics together, but hey this is my happy time and I am going to make more time for it.

Do More Things That Scares Me
Obviously it is natural instinct to shy away from things that scare you. If you are afraid of heights, you are not going to stand on top of a tall building to look down. If you are afraid of public speaking, you are not going to volunteer to do something like that. I am no different. The things that I am scared of may come easy for others but not for me. This year, I have done two things that scares me already. 1) I reached out to a fashionable lady I follow on social media to tell her how much I love her on Instagram account. 2) I volunteered to present a workshop. It was incredibly hard but I did it. High five to me.

Say Yes More
My friend Vincci made the resolution to say No more because she is constantly over extending herself. I am doing the opposite. I am going to try to say Yes more. I get invited to a variety of things but I am always saying no and coming up with an excuse. Some excuses are legit but some are just lame - like I can't go to this open house because I have to wash my hair that night lame. I might have said No in the past because it is something that scares me, despite it being something that I love to do. 2016 is the year to change all of that! Wish me luck!

Best Wedding Movies of All Time

If you just got engaged, I wouldn't be surprised if you are now searching for "wedding" movies to watch on Netflix. You are currently over the moon happy and of course you want to keep this happy feeling. I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon or weekend! Here are the best wedding movies of all time according to ET Online. Have I watched all of these? Of course, silly!

7. The Wedding Planner (2001) Who can forget Jennifer Lopez as Mary Fiore, the ambitious and successful San Francisco wedding planner who is forced to choose between her career and love when she falls head over heels (literally) for a top client's groom-to-be (Matthew McCaughney)?

 

6. 27 Dresses (2008) "Always a bridesmaids, never a bride."Truer words have never been spoken when it comes to Katherine Heigl's character in this 2008 romantic comedy. Heigl plays an unmarried woman who has hiked up her fair share of poofy dresses, having served as a bridesmaid in 27 different weddings.

 

 

 5. The Wedding Singer (1998) This 80s inspired flick about a wedding singer, who falls in love with an event waitress, was the original Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore rom-com. ET was on the set with the two stars back in 1998 where Barrymore gushed about her co-star. "I love it," she said. "I get to come to work everyday with Adam Sandler and laugh my head off."

 

 

 

4. My Best Friend's Wedding (1998)
Before Runaway Bride, Julia Roberts was making a mad dash for Dermot Mulroney in My Best Friend's Wedding. Roberts earned a Golden Globe nomination as Julianne Potter, a woman who realizes she's in love with her longtime friend (Mulroney), just as he's about to marry another woman (Cameron Diaz). Oh, and she's the maid of honor. Awkwardddddd.

 

 3. Bridesmaids (2012) Considered one of the best R-rated comedies in the last decade, this female-driven laugh fest starred Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper and Wendi McLendon-Covey as the best (worst?) bridal party. The film earned an two Oscar nominations, Best Original Screenplay for Wiig and Annie Mumolo and Best Supporting Actress for McCarthy.

 

 

 

2. Wedding Crashers (2005) When it comes to mastering the art of crashing a wedding, look no further than Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Before there was Ted, 22 Jump Street and The Hangover, this 2005 comedy held the record for the highest opening for an R-rated film. A huge box-office and critical success, the film also served up hilarious breakthrough performances from Isla Fisher and Bradley Cooper.

 

 

1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) This wedding romp, based on Nia Vardalos' one-woman play about a young Greek woman's efforts to make her family accept her non-Greek boyfriend, was one of the biggest surprise hits in movie history. Not only did Vardalos score an Oscar nomination for her witty screenplay, but the film still stands as the highest grossing wedding flick of all time.

 

 



Free Workshop: Save Money and Still Have Your Perfect Wedding

After getting a lot of positive feedback from our readers on the valuable information we provide on our blog, we are taking our knowledge on the road!

We will be hosting a free workshop at the Glenmore Inn Wedding and Event Open House on Saturday, February 6, 2016, 12:30-1:15pm. We will be sharing our top ten tips on How to Save Money and Still Have Your Perfect Wedding.

If you want to secure a seat at this workshop, make sure you RSVP to: weddings@glenmoreinn.com with the subject line: Save Money Workshop. The first ten brides to register will receive a swag bag and extra entry in our giveaway!

 

Here are some of the other wonderful workshops available on that day:

Timeline Workshop – Adam Dubeau, Beaufair Weddings & Entertainment

Time: 10:30am – 11:15am

Room: Barlow

 

Bridal Beauty Workshop – Shannon Byrne, Place of Pretty

Time: 11:30am – 12:15pm

Room: Barlow

 

Destination Wedding Vs. Local Wedding – Chelsea Landaverde, Something Azul

Time: 1:30pm – 2:15pm

Room: Barlow

 

 

Most Lovable Engagement Photoshoot

Even at my age, I find people dressed up as cartoon characters to be just charming. I run up to them like a little girl and asks someone to take a picture of me with the person-dressed-up-as-a-cartoon-character. Yes, it sounds stupid and juvenile. But it makes me happy and I'm not hurting anyone.

When I came across this engagement shoot on the Polkadot Bride, I was instantly in awe. It is so amazing that this couple decided to put on teddy bear cartoon heads as part of their engagement shoot. How freakin' adorable is that?!

You know what else is cool? Their photographer's company is named: You Can't Be Serious. Seriously? Seriously cool and cute.









































Photographer: You Can't Be Serious

How Much It Costs to Propose at a Baseball Stadium

I know nothing about baseball but I still think it is sweet when someone proposes at a baseball game. I've always wondered how much it costs to do that. It always seems expensive to me. The infographic below shows us how much it costs at a particular stadium. Unless you are planning to propose at the Dodgers' stadium, I would say it is a fairly reasonable engagement plan. Just make sure you are 99% positive your significant other will say yes.


blog.theknot.com

It is Wedding Show Season!

If you just got engaged, you will want lots of inspiration to help with the wedding planning! Sure, you can research online but attending a wedding show does have it's benefits:

1) You can speak to vendors directly and get a feel of whether or not they will be a good fit for your needs and budget. Remember, this vendor will be playing an important role in the most important day of your life!
2) Great place to gather inspiration and information. There might be some vendors that you never even thought of that you needed. One important person that people usually forget is their wedding commissioner. Who is this? The person that will marry you.
3) There are usually some wonderful promotions available only on the day of the wedding show. If you are close to your wedding date and ready to secure a vendor, this is a great way to save a couple of bucks.

Here are some upcoming shows in Calgary!

Wedding Fair
Sunday, January 17, 2016
BMO Centre, Stampede Park




The BASH - A Calgary Wedding Event
Saturday and Sunday, January 23 and 24, 2016
Festival Hall, Calgary Folk Music Festival




Bridal Fantasy
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Calgary Telus Convention Centre




Glenmore Inn Wedding and Event Open House
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Glenmore Inn

Notifying Work of Your Engagement

If you just got engaged, Congratulations!! Of course you are going to want to tell everyone about your  engagement, including your parents,best friends, friends, people lining up behind you at the supermarket. That said, what about the people you work with?


shopstyle

The first person you should tell is your boss. Not your closest coworkers. Your boss. Yes, this can be scary because you worry that your boss will think you will be in la-la-land up until your wedding now. To prevent this, prior to telling your boss, have a plan in place. Explain how you will be dealing with your professional obligations before and after the wedding. Assure your boss that you will be the same hardworking employee the day before your engagement.

Be considerate about when to take time off for vendor appointments and your wedding. Some days and months are just worse than others for certain professions. If you are an accountant, try not to take time off during tax return season. Get it?

If you are worried that your boss might think you will be in la-la-land during your entire engagement, just don't do stuff that will make him/her think that. Don't change your work habits. If you normally take work home and work late, try to continue to do that. You might not be able to all the time but if you work hard, your boss might cut you some slack.

After you set your wedding date, tell your boss first. You don't have to necessarily change it if that time or date doesn't work with the work schedule, but it will give your boss enough time to plan and make any changes as necessary for the team.

Remember, although you are getting married, you will still have to be a team player. Especially, if you want your team to attend your wedding, be happy for you, and pitch in at work when you are on your honeymoon.

Guest Post: Bird Cage Veils

PROMOTIONAL DISCOUNT! All birdcage veils ordered through Eileen Treacy Couture for the month of January, 2016 will receive a 20% off discount. Just mention this blog post when you contact Eileen! 

Bird Cage veils are extremely popular for both vintage inspired wedding styles, as well as modern day looks.  A vintage inspired veil can be the perfect touch for expressing your unique bridal style. By pairing your birdcage veil with a fascinator hair piece it further allows you to express your personal bridal style. Vintage birdcage veils come in several different styles and lengths. Let's take a closer look at the most popular styles and help find you, your perfect bird cage veil.

The Blusher
By far the most popular, this veil looks great with many different hairstyles and fascinators. Typically this veil is made with 9 inch wide veiling, gathered up into a "cage" shape and attached to a half comb. This veil is worn asymmetrically, fastened to the head with comb or bobby pins 3-4 inches above the hairline (place it right where your part is if you part your hair to one side.)  It gently sweeps over the eye and gives you a very whimsical, romantic look.  You can also place it down a bit towards the ear even for a little more drama.

 

Bird cage veiling comes in a vast array of beautiful colours. 

The Blusher veil made with both bridal tulle and net veiling and adorned with a Swarovski crystal
edge.

The Bandeau
Very simple and elegant . The bandeau is easy to position and detach.  This veil typically fastens to the hair right behind the top half of each ear with small simple bobby pins. This veil works beautifully on its own. However my preference is to add a small fascinator on one side, usually the right side. This adds to the vintage drama of the beautiful bandeau veil.

The Mini
A smaller more discreet version of the blusher bird cage veil. The mini veil also sits asymmetrically. A fascinator or a headband works nicely with this 5 inch drop veil.

You may also choose to incorporate birdcage veiling into the design of you custom bridal fascinator.

The Merry Widow 

Despite the name, this is a popular choice for the more daring bride. Stylishly avant garde it is made with large diamond Russian netting, this gives it more shape and a stiffer feel
The veil is typically made with 12 inch drop, covering most of the face. Position the gather at the crown of the head with a comb and let it wrap around.  Use bobby pins to secure and style it to your liking.

Final Tips
I find that a veil with a comb attached works great for updo's, and then using bobby pins you can further style the veil.  If you are wearing your hair down or your fascinator has a comb attached, you might consider ordering the veil without a comb attached.  Use bobby pins to secure the veil.

For any hairstyle other than an updo, make the comb extra secure using this little trick: comb it to a pin curl.  Take a lock of hair and curl it up into a "circle" and pin it to your head using bobby pins to make an "x".  Then slide the comb in against the scalp behind the x.  Your comb will stay extra secure!

Eileen Treacy is Calgary's first birdcage veil specialist. She has been featured in Luxe by Calgary Bride and the Calgary bride blog. She designs both unique custom and ready to wear bird cage veils. Allowing Calgary brides to personalize their birdcage veils and bridal headpieces with the finest materials. With an extensive range of Swarovski, Pearl, silks and feathers, to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice.

www.eileentreacy.com
www.facebook.com/eileentreacycouture/

www.instagram.com/eileentreacy

 

Pantone Color of the Year - 2016

The Pantone Color of the Year for 2016 is: Rose Quartz and Serenity (Pantone 13-1520 and Pantone 15-3919). This is the first time, two shades have been blended and sharing the title of color of the year.



According to the Pantone website, they describe this year's colors:

As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of color association.

In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer's increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.

Of course, here are some inspirational pictures on how to incorporate these colors into your wedding color scheme:


Holly Heider Chapple Flowers Ltd. 


stylemepretty


stylemepretty


midsouthbride


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invitationsbyajalon


swoonatthemoon


invitationsbyajalon


friedatheres


bodas.facilisimo


wantthatwedding


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weddingwire


Unknown


stylemepretty