Here are some detail picture shots of the event, taken by Daniel Tiu Photography.
Wishahmon
Sunday, December 4, 2011
JDRF Fundraiser Concert (Part Two)
A lot of effort was put into the Rays of Hope Fundraiser Concert by a lot of people. Special thanks to all of our volunteers: Pam, Herbert, Christina, Heidi, Ivy, Yan, Doreen, Alex, Tiffanie, and Patrick.
Here are some detail picture shots of the event, taken by Daniel Tiu Photography.
Here are some detail picture shots of the event, taken by Daniel Tiu Photography.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
JDRF Fundraiser Concert (Part One)
The last month I was extra busy planning and organizing a fundraiser concert, Rays of Hope Musical Concert, for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. This event was inspired by one of my closest friends. Her daughter was diagnosed with type one diabetes a year ago before her third birthday. This year has been quite a challenge for my friend’s entire family - researching, learning, and adjusting to the change.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. This type of diabetes strikes children and adults suddenly, leaving them dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Living with type 1 diabetes means living a very structured lifestyle in order to adequately regulate blood sugar and avoid complications. This lifestyle requires approximately 1,460 needles a year (based on four injections per day) and 2,190 finger pokes a year to test blood sugar levels.
The concert was held on November 25, 2011 at the Cantos Music Foundation. Prior to the concert, guests were invited to a cocktail reception, wine donated by Britannia Wine Merchants, tours of the Cantos music collection, and to participate in the silent auction. We had three wonderful performers that night, Dr. J, Kaden Core, and JC and Andy Plett from Room to Dance. They were an absolutely talented bunch and did a great job entertaining our guests that night! Special thanks to them!
Our silent auction contained over 40 items that were all donated by local businesses. Many of the silent auction sponsors were from the wedding industry too. Thank you to my peeps at: Great Event Group, Naturally Chic, Sarah Pukin Photography, Jacky Chow Photography, and Ruby Woo!
With everyone’s support and participation, we were able to raise over $5500.00 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation!
Here are some pictures of our talented performers taken by our photography sponsor, Anthony Yuen Photography.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. This type of diabetes strikes children and adults suddenly, leaving them dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Living with type 1 diabetes means living a very structured lifestyle in order to adequately regulate blood sugar and avoid complications. This lifestyle requires approximately 1,460 needles a year (based on four injections per day) and 2,190 finger pokes a year to test blood sugar levels.
The concert was held on November 25, 2011 at the Cantos Music Foundation. Prior to the concert, guests were invited to a cocktail reception, wine donated by Britannia Wine Merchants, tours of the Cantos music collection, and to participate in the silent auction. We had three wonderful performers that night, Dr. J, Kaden Core, and JC and Andy Plett from Room to Dance. They were an absolutely talented bunch and did a great job entertaining our guests that night! Special thanks to them!
Our silent auction contained over 40 items that were all donated by local businesses. Many of the silent auction sponsors were from the wedding industry too. Thank you to my peeps at: Great Event Group, Naturally Chic, Sarah Pukin Photography, Jacky Chow Photography, and Ruby Woo!
With everyone’s support and participation, we were able to raise over $5500.00 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation!
Here are some pictures of our talented performers taken by our photography sponsor, Anthony Yuen Photography.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
First International Job
I knew I wouldn't be able to keep weddings out of my mind during my vacation. My first and second day in Hong Kong was spent researching and attending a wedding fair for new ideas to bring back to Canada. After the first two days, I forced myself not to think about weddings and to really focus on relaxing. This "relaxing" was short lived when my friend asked me to be one of her bridesmaids and to decorate a staircase for her. I thought she was kidding, but she was serious. A bride does not joke about such things!
My friend told me she has most of the reception decorations covered already. The only thing left was a staircase that needs decorations. I gave her some ideas and went to buy some silk flowers with her. She said she will handle purchasing the rest of the decorations given that I don't know my way around and I am a tourist afterall.
The day of the wedding, I learned that this staircase is where my friend will be making her grand entrance into the reception hall. This was a very important element to the wedding design. I was provided some pink satin fabric, silk flowers, a pair of scissors, and a roll of tape. (Not exactly the kind of "tools" I am used to.) As I started decorating, I learned there wasn't enough pink satin to decorate both sides of the staircase. The groom came by and was really stressed out. He said he was sure he measured the staircase properly. He then asked me what he should do. I told him that he should have a seat and a drink. I will handle the rest.
In the end, we changed the design slightly and skillfully borrowed satin fabric from here and there to completely decorate two sides of the staircase. From this experience, I learned that you don't have to lug around a ton of tools to decorate. All of the staircase decorations were held on by tape, only tape! Check out the pictures of my first international wedding decorating job!
My friend told me she has most of the reception decorations covered already. The only thing left was a staircase that needs decorations. I gave her some ideas and went to buy some silk flowers with her. She said she will handle purchasing the rest of the decorations given that I don't know my way around and I am a tourist afterall.
The day of the wedding, I learned that this staircase is where my friend will be making her grand entrance into the reception hall. This was a very important element to the wedding design. I was provided some pink satin fabric, silk flowers, a pair of scissors, and a roll of tape. (Not exactly the kind of "tools" I am used to.) As I started decorating, I learned there wasn't enough pink satin to decorate both sides of the staircase. The groom came by and was really stressed out. He said he was sure he measured the staircase properly. He then asked me what he should do. I told him that he should have a seat and a drink. I will handle the rest.
In the end, we changed the design slightly and skillfully borrowed satin fabric from here and there to completely decorate two sides of the staircase. From this experience, I learned that you don't have to lug around a ton of tools to decorate. All of the staircase decorations were held on by tape, only tape! Check out the pictures of my first international wedding decorating job!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Asia Trip
Earlier this month I took a small break from weddings to go to Hong Kong, Macau, and Bangkok. I found inspiration all around me and managed to relax a little bit too. I think I am now ready for the 2012 wedding season to start! Here are some pictures of my trip!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Pink and Purple Wedding at Hotel Arts
Isadora and Andrew’s Hotel Arts wedding reception was the first time I got to incorporate black into the wedding design. A lot of couples shy away from black because it can make the room very dark, is a very cool color, and sometimes a little harsh. In addition to the black, we also incorporated the colors, pink, purple and white to soften the color palette.
In order to keep the design modern and clean, we had white chair covers on all the guest chairs to brighten up the room from the black table cloths. We also had half of the tables with a pink theme and the other half with a purple theme. The pink themed tables had pink chair sashes and pink centerpieces. The flowers from the centerpieces were repurposed from the ceremony vow flowers. The purple themed tables had purple chair sashes and purple hydrangea centerpieces.
Because Isadora and Andrew were both computer “techie” people, I made custom centerpieces for them from old computer keyboards. The centerpieces spelled out phrases such as “soul mates” and “laugh always.” This was almost an impossible task! I needed to get 17 grey computer keyboards and I tried to maximize the amount of phrases I could get with a minimal number of “e’s” and “a’s.”I was pretty much playing scrabble with computer keys. I really don’t think anyone wants to challenge me to a game of scrabble now. I am pretty good with it.
The most memorable thing for me was when Andrew told me that he didn’t even recognize the reception room when he walked in. He thought he was in the wrong room, so he walked out! I truly hope that I was able to help make some great memories of Isadora and Andrew’s wedding for them too!
In order to keep the design modern and clean, we had white chair covers on all the guest chairs to brighten up the room from the black table cloths. We also had half of the tables with a pink theme and the other half with a purple theme. The pink themed tables had pink chair sashes and pink centerpieces. The flowers from the centerpieces were repurposed from the ceremony vow flowers. The purple themed tables had purple chair sashes and purple hydrangea centerpieces.
Because Isadora and Andrew were both computer “techie” people, I made custom centerpieces for them from old computer keyboards. The centerpieces spelled out phrases such as “soul mates” and “laugh always.” This was almost an impossible task! I needed to get 17 grey computer keyboards and I tried to maximize the amount of phrases I could get with a minimal number of “e’s” and “a’s.”I was pretty much playing scrabble with computer keys. I really don’t think anyone wants to challenge me to a game of scrabble now. I am pretty good with it.
The most memorable thing for me was when Andrew told me that he didn’t even recognize the reception room when he walked in. He thought he was in the wrong room, so he walked out! I truly hope that I was able to help make some great memories of Isadora and Andrew’s wedding for them too!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Center Street Church Ceremony
When Andrew asked me how Isadora and I knew, I told him that Isadora attended some Japanese courses in University with our mutual friend. Andrew gave me a blank look. I told him that I get that look a lot, I think it sounds odd too. But hey, it doesn't really matter how you meet friends right?!
Andrew and Isadora’s wedding ceremony was held at the Centre Street Church. At first, I thought this is going to be an easy/easier set up because I have done a wedding there before. Then, I learned that their wedding was the second one that day and we only had one hour to set up. My initial design was changed one month before the wedding date. Mostly because I came up with a better design and it would be easier to set up within an hour.
I made a total of 10 fresh pink floral bouquets to be placed in clear tall pillar vases at the front of the room, at the vow area. These bouquets were made with various shades of roses and carnations. (I love working with carnations!) In addition to having lots of wow power when guests walk into the room, it also eased Isadora’s fear of knocking anything down when she walks down the aisle.
After the ceremony, Pastor Miriam came up to me to tell me how lovely the decorations were and that she said she has never seen any decorations like that before. She even offered to write me a letter of recommendation. She was so sweet!
I am still in the process of getting some professional pictures of the ceremony décor as I forgot to take some pictures (again.) I did manage to snap three pictures on my phone before guests started to arrive. My pictures do not do the design any justice, but I do like how they look like they are all floating!
Andrew and Isadora’s wedding ceremony was held at the Centre Street Church. At first, I thought this is going to be an easy/easier set up because I have done a wedding there before. Then, I learned that their wedding was the second one that day and we only had one hour to set up. My initial design was changed one month before the wedding date. Mostly because I came up with a better design and it would be easier to set up within an hour.
I made a total of 10 fresh pink floral bouquets to be placed in clear tall pillar vases at the front of the room, at the vow area. These bouquets were made with various shades of roses and carnations. (I love working with carnations!) In addition to having lots of wow power when guests walk into the room, it also eased Isadora’s fear of knocking anything down when she walks down the aisle.
After the ceremony, Pastor Miriam came up to me to tell me how lovely the decorations were and that she said she has never seen any decorations like that before. She even offered to write me a letter of recommendation. She was so sweet!
I am still in the process of getting some professional pictures of the ceremony décor as I forgot to take some pictures (again.) I did manage to snap three pictures on my phone before guests started to arrive. My pictures do not do the design any justice, but I do like how they look like they are all floating!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Baby Cousin's Wedding
This blog post is a little different. The bride is my cousin and all of my dealings was with the father of the bride, my uncle. What started out as a small dinner turned into something a little bigger with more responsibilities (on my part). It is always fun working with family (I mean it!) Especially when you can tell them that they are turning into a Father-zilla.
I heard the news from my aunt in Hong Kong that my cousin, Katie, got engaged in Thailand during her and Shaughn’s vacation. I only met Shaughn once but I absolutely adored him and approved that he is a great match for my baby cousin. After I heard the great news, I contacted my uncle to congratulate him for becoming a father in law soon! After the news sunk in, my uncle said he would like to organize a small dinner reception for the family members that cannot make it to the wedding reception held in Hinton, Alberta.
During the initial planning stages, my uncle kept saying that he would like a small dinner with the closest family members. I told him that the first thing we should do is to write down a list of invitees. He was shocked by the number of family members we have! (He must have forgotten about some along way!) The next thing that we did was to book a venue. He wanted a traditional Chinese ten course dinner reception. We went with Regency Palace Restaurant because it had a private room for 50 guests. One thing that my uncle stressed throughout we he wanted a good atmosphere. He wanted everyone to have fun and not just come, eat, and leave.
In the end my cousin and I decorated the event with chair covers, chair sashes, custom table linens, floral centerpieces, and a backdrop for pictures. We hired a close photographer friend of mine to do pictures of the tea ceremony and pictures with the bride and groom. The time we had to decorate and organize everything before the guests arrived was tight. As such, I didn’t take a single picture of the venue! (I have no idea how I could have forgotten to take pictures or ask the photographer to do so.)
None the less, a blog post is not complete without some pictures. Here are some pictures of Katie and Shaughn at their Hinton afternoon reception. The pictures were taken by Paper Tiger Media. Congrats again Katie and welcome to our family, Shaughn!
I heard the news from my aunt in Hong Kong that my cousin, Katie, got engaged in Thailand during her and Shaughn’s vacation. I only met Shaughn once but I absolutely adored him and approved that he is a great match for my baby cousin. After I heard the great news, I contacted my uncle to congratulate him for becoming a father in law soon! After the news sunk in, my uncle said he would like to organize a small dinner reception for the family members that cannot make it to the wedding reception held in Hinton, Alberta.
During the initial planning stages, my uncle kept saying that he would like a small dinner with the closest family members. I told him that the first thing we should do is to write down a list of invitees. He was shocked by the number of family members we have! (He must have forgotten about some along way!) The next thing that we did was to book a venue. He wanted a traditional Chinese ten course dinner reception. We went with Regency Palace Restaurant because it had a private room for 50 guests. One thing that my uncle stressed throughout we he wanted a good atmosphere. He wanted everyone to have fun and not just come, eat, and leave.
In the end my cousin and I decorated the event with chair covers, chair sashes, custom table linens, floral centerpieces, and a backdrop for pictures. We hired a close photographer friend of mine to do pictures of the tea ceremony and pictures with the bride and groom. The time we had to decorate and organize everything before the guests arrived was tight. As such, I didn’t take a single picture of the venue! (I have no idea how I could have forgotten to take pictures or ask the photographer to do so.)
None the less, a blog post is not complete without some pictures. Here are some pictures of Katie and Shaughn at their Hinton afternoon reception. The pictures were taken by Paper Tiger Media. Congrats again Katie and welcome to our family, Shaughn!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Pink Wedding at Valley Ridge Golf Course
I was crazy excited when I got a facebook message from Kiki telling me that she was getting married. My first thought was: I have to book a flight to Hong Kong! Oh wait, I should finish reading her message to see what day she is getting married. Her next sentence was she was coming back to Calgary for her wedding. Her last sentence was she would like me to be her wedding planner. Wow, wow, wow!
Kiki and I met in school. After she graduated University, she moved back to Hong Kong and met (her now hubby) Ming. We planned her wedding long distance through telephone calls and facebook. (This was a first for me.) Kiki told me that she wanted a very pink wedding and left the rest up to me. I figured that since she was having her wedding in Calgary in the summer, it should be outdoors with lots of greenery. Hong Kong is very densely populated and green space is very hard to find. I suggested Kiki and Ming have their wedding at the Valley Ridge Golf Course. When I sent them the pictures of the venue, they loved it. They finally saw their venue two days before their big day.
The ceremony was held outside at the golf course, followed by an afternoon reception inside. A lot of the decorations at their wedding were handmade as I really wanted to provide them with a DIY personalized wedding. At the end of the afternoon reception, they were serenaded by the music of Kaden Core.
Venue: Valley Ridge Golf Course
Wedding Planner: Monica at Wishahmon – Wedding Creations
Decor and Florals: Monica at Wishahmon – Wedding Creations
Marriage Officiant: Weddings by Tamera
Cake and cupcakes: Whippt Desserts and Catering
Makeup and Hair: Polly Shum
Music: Kaden Core
Kiki and I met in school. After she graduated University, she moved back to Hong Kong and met (her now hubby) Ming. We planned her wedding long distance through telephone calls and facebook. (This was a first for me.) Kiki told me that she wanted a very pink wedding and left the rest up to me. I figured that since she was having her wedding in Calgary in the summer, it should be outdoors with lots of greenery. Hong Kong is very densely populated and green space is very hard to find. I suggested Kiki and Ming have their wedding at the Valley Ridge Golf Course. When I sent them the pictures of the venue, they loved it. They finally saw their venue two days before their big day.
The ceremony was held outside at the golf course, followed by an afternoon reception inside. A lot of the decorations at their wedding were handmade as I really wanted to provide them with a DIY personalized wedding. At the end of the afternoon reception, they were serenaded by the music of Kaden Core.
Venue: Valley Ridge Golf Course
Wedding Planner: Monica at Wishahmon – Wedding Creations
Decor and Florals: Monica at Wishahmon – Wedding Creations
Marriage Officiant: Weddings by Tamera
Cake and cupcakes: Whippt Desserts and Catering
Makeup and Hair: Polly Shum
Music: Kaden Core
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Summer of 2011!
This summer has been busy and full of happy weddings. I am not complaining at all! In between weddings, I managed to squeeze in some time for short breaks and mini vacations. If you have been a long time follower of my blog, you probably already know that I got a SLR camera a couple of years ago. Each time that I think there will be picture worthy shots, I will lug my camera and accessories out to take some "artisy" pictures. I still haven't finished reading my camera instruction manual, but hey, I have been learning through trial and error.
Here are some pictures that I took during my mini vacations. Of course, they are only 1% of the 5% good pictures I took. Thank goodness I don't take pictures with film!
Here are some pictures that I took during my mini vacations. Of course, they are only 1% of the 5% good pictures I took. Thank goodness I don't take pictures with film!
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