Focus on Raising Funds for Calgary Zoo

We will be taking a break for a week from blogging to focus on raising funds for the Calgary Zoo. If you want to keep in the loop of our whereabouts, please follow us on facebook, twitter, and instagram!

~Monica
Like what we are doing? Show your support by liking on our Wishahmon page! (If only there was a "good job" button!)

 

If you would like to support the Calgary zoo by purchasing a pack of six greeting cards. You can do so online at: www.rebuildyyczoo.com and at the following locations:
              

November 9/10 (Sat/Sun) Calgary Farmers Market

November 23/24 (Sat/Sun, 10-5pm) Symons Valley Ranch

November 28 (Thurs 10-2pm) Nexen Christmas Market

December 6, (Fri 7-10pm) Hillhurst Sunnyside Holiday Gift Market

December 6,7,8 (Fri 4-9pm, Sat/Sun 10-6pm) Market Collective, Historic King Edward School

December 14 (Sat 10-2pm) Marda Loop Craft Show & Home Expo

Dragon Pearl Restaurant (1223a 9th Avenue South East.) 

              
Please join us in raising $10,000 for the Calgary Zoo. All proceeds will be donated to the Calgary Zoo. Please also help spread the word on this initiative through social media and sharing our website:  www.rebuildyyczoo.com!

Nilla Fischer Got Married

Taking advantage of the wedding "(s)low" season, my crew and I have been focussing our time and efforts towards raising funds for the Calgary Zoo to help rebuild the habitats that were damaged from the June floods. Although I haven't had time to really sit down and write (thought provoking) blog posts (are they EVER though? Please let me know!), I did come across an image that I found very inspiring.  

The two images are of two brides getting married. They are both in white wedding gowns and each gown suits each of them. Love their hair too! A little research found the two brides are Nilla Fischer and her fiancee. Nilla is a Swedish footballer for VfL Wolfsburg and the Swedish national team.

~Monica
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Rebuildyyczoo Fundraiser Cards Now Available in Inglewood!

Since the announcement of our fundraiser to help rebuild the habitats at the Calgary Zoo, we have gotten a lot of support from new and old friends. I am ecstatic to announce we now have a retail location in Inglewood! Our fundraising greeting cards are now available for sale at the iconic Dragon Pearl Restaurant (1223a 9th Avenue South East.)

Drawing Credit: Ron Ellis Studios

If you happen to be in the area of Inglewood, make sure you drop in to purchase a pack of greeting cards and stay for pan fried dumplings, hot and sour soup, and salt and pepper squid too!



If you are in other parts of Calgary, you can also purchase the cards online at: www.rebuildyyczoo.com and at the following locations:

November 23/24 (Sat/Sun, 10-5pm) Symons Valley Ranch

November 28 (Thurs 10-2pm) Nexen Christmas Market

December 6, (Fri 7-10pm) Hillhurst Sunnyside Holiday Gift Market

December 6,7,8 (Fri 4-9pm, Sat/Sun 10-6pm) Market Collective, Historic King Edward School

December 14 (Sat 10-2pm) Marda Loop Craft Show & Home Expo

Please join me and our wonderful sponsors in supporting our fundraising intiative to raise $10,000 for the Calgary Zoo. All proceeds will be donated to the Calgary Zoo. Please also help spread the word on this initiative through social media and sharing our website: www.rebuildyyczoo.com!

~Monica
Like what we are doing? Show your support by liking on our Wishahmon page! (If only there was a "good job" button!)

Moustached Themed Party!

After Carisa and Richard got married, I was seriously worried that I would go into withdrawal from talking and meeting up with them. We had gotten so close that I would send Carisa pictures of jewelry I saw that would totally suit her style and she would send me pictures of shoes that she bought. Of course, all of our sharings were also shared with Richard (secondhand).

 

When Carisa called me and asked if I can help her with decorating her home for her coworker's baby shower, I told her "I'm there. When?"

 

Carisa's co-worker was having a baby boy named Brodie and Carisa wanted a moustached themed shower. I was happy to oblige and immediately made a ton of moustaches. The moustaches eventually adorned every surface and balloon we got our hands on. (Once in a while, Richard would wander into the room and shake his head.)

 

Here are some pictures of our decorating efforts. (Would have loved to invite Carisa and Richard's professional photographer, Fritz, but we (mostly, I) didn't want to share Richard's yummy lamb skewers with another person. Sorry Fritz.) As always, we are always open to trying new things and starting new ventures. Maybe in the future, Wishahmon will start offering decorating packages for baby showers and birthday parties? Stay tuned!

 

~Monica
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon Facebook page too! More goes on there!

 

Cute Wedding Veils

Last Friday, we shared with you on how to chose the right veil for you. Here are some uber cute veils that are anything but boring. Some of them have sequins, bows, and polk a dots! (Of course, not all on one veil.) Which one would you chose for your wedding day? (My fave is the one with pearls!)

~Monica
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Twigs and Honey.

Etsy.

J. Crew.

Couturemango.

Twigs and Honey.

Choosing The Right Veil For You

To some brides, a veil is an absolute must to complete their wedding look. The only issue they have is selecting the perfect veil to go with their wedding gown. (I say "go with" wedding gown because ideally you should chose your wedding gown before your veil.) Here are some great tips provided by The Knot on how to chose the right veil for you. Enjoy!!

~Monica
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

The eight basic face shapes are: oval, round, oblong, heart, diamond, square, rectangle, and triangle. The first four shapes are soft and curved, while the last four have more angles and corners. To determine your face shape, pull your hair away from your face and study the outer edge. Here's how to tell which category you fall into:

• If your face is OVAL, it is slightly longer than is it wide, with soft, curved edges.

• If your face is ROUND, there is equal distance all around, using the nose as a centerpoint. It will be as wide as it is long, with rounded edges.

• If your face is OBLONG, it will look like an elongated oval. Many oblongs are mistaken for ovals, but when placed next to a true oval you can see that an oblong has added length.

• If your face is HEART-SHAPED, it's wider at the eye, temple, and cheek area, with a narrow chin. The edges are soft and curved.

• If your face is a DIAMOND, it's widest at the cheeks, narrow at the chin and
  forehead, with sharper features.

• If your face is SQUARE, it's basically level at the forehead and down the sides. Your jaw is strong and square, and your chin may stick out a bit. If the distance from the top of your face to your chin matches the width, you have a square face.

• If your face is REGTANGULAR, it's similar to a square, but longer than it is
  wide.

• If your face is TRIANGULAR, it's similar to a heart shape, but the lines and edges are sharper and more angular.

When searching for hair and veil styles, a good rule to keep in mind is "opposites attract."

• If you're lucky enough to have a DIAMOND- or OVAL-SHAPED face,congratulations -- you're perfectly symmetrical, so your choices areunlimited, as long as they complement your gown, neckline, and proportions.

• A ROUND, full face will benefit from a veil that falls along the sidesof the face, thus working to help narrow it. As for your wedding hair:Wearing your hair down or in a face-framing bob is the best option.

• A SQUARE jawline needs softness. Face-framing tendrils will help torelax a strong jaw, and a longer veil will work better than a shortwide one. Many people consider a strong jawline a striking feature, andthe confidant bride will want to show it off.

• If you have an OBLONG face, complement it with a bit of width. Look forwaterfall veils paired with a wide tiara, wreath, or bun wrap. Stayaway from piled-high hair, which will only make you look moreelongated.

• If your face is HEART-SHAPED or TRIANGULAR, you'll want to add width atthe jawline. Since most veils will be too full for you, the best choiceis a back piece, where the width shows up behind the neckline. As forhair, a chignon or flipped-up bob is a great look.

• A RECTANGULAR face will benefit from softness too. Don't be afraid to try more voluminous veils, the poofy quality will make your face look more symmetrical. Paired with a sideswept updo, you can't go wrong.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Tips for Planning the Perfect Destination Wedding

Guest Blogger: Maggie Wenzel, Destination Wedding Specialist

Congratulations! The ring has been presented and the proposal accepted...so what's next?

You've spent your entire life dreaming about this once-in-a-lifetime occasion; the dress, the cake, the flowers; a full play by play through your minds eye on exactly how it will all come together. This is supposed to be the most magical day of your life, your wedding day.

Not so long ago “running away to get married” was taboo for most couples, and their families, but recently the popularity of hosting a wedding away has seemed to gain a lot of momentum. For the bride and groom, the lure of a glamorous, tropical getaway shared with their closest friends and family is strong enough in itself but combine it with a chance to escape the stress of planning a wedding at home and it becomes virtually irresistible.  

When it comes to a wedding away, there is so much to consider; location, ambiance, food, activities, wedding amenities, special extras and so much more...where do you start? As an experienced travel counselor, and past wedding away bride myself, there are a few things I think all couples should know when starting to plan for a destination wedding:

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Planning a wedding away with a hotel wedding coordinator who is thousands of miles away at a venue you won't see until you arrive just comes with the territory. While the hotel wedding planners will do their best to accommodate every component exactly as you had envisioned, it is important to keep an open mind and not be nit picky over every minor detail.

Un-friend?

While the invite list consists of everyone you hold near and dear to your hearts, the reality is that some of your close family members and friends may not be able to make it. Whether for financial, work or personal reasons someone can't attend, friendships shouldn't end just because they have declined your wedding invitation when you had the expectation that they should be there.

Consult a professional

Planning a trip and booking it on-line may work for your average quick getaway but when it comes to making the arrangements for the most important day of your life, you shouldn't try pulling this one off on your own. Finding someone who specializes in this area and is passionate about planning weddings away can make or break your entire experience.

Planning a wedding away comes with its own ups and downs and while it may be easy to get caught up in the drama it is important to remember why you made the decision to host a wedding away in the first place: you want to have an amazing party in an exotic location with minimal stress and really enjoy your wedding day.

Please feel free contact me for more information on planning your wedding away!

Photo Credit: Jonathan Ivy

DIY Floral Crown

If you want to have a floral crown on your wedding day but is afraid of it wilting or you are allergic to flowers (gasp! I am so sorry to hear!), you might consider making your own. It is super easy and you just need a few materials. Check out the tutorial below!

~Monica
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Rebuild YYC Zoo Fundraiser

The flood in June, 2013 was devastating for all including myself. Born and raised in Calgary, I was in tears when I saw familar places I frequent being underwater. As a wedding planner with no upper body strength, and really weak ankles (broke both feet in the same year, separate times) I felt absolutely helpless. At the time, the only thing I thought I could help with is to put my name out there to brides needing help to relocate their weddings.

Five months later now, I still want to help out. Although the flood is over, there are still lots of work ahead. Reading news of Calgary Zoo animals slowly returning home, it gave me an idea to fundraise for the Calgary Zoo to help rebuild their habitats. People can ask for help but animals can't.

 

With the help of (some new and old) friends and some wonderful sponsors, we have created a pack of six greeting cards, featuring a professional photo of a different zoo animal. These cards will be sold for $20 for a pack of 6 online at: www.rebuildyyczoo.com and at the following locations:
              

November 9/10 (Sat/Sun) Calgary Farmers Market

November 23/24 (Sat/Sun, 10-5pm) Symons Valley Ranch

November 28 (Thurs 10-2pm) Nexen Christmas Market

December 6, (Fri 7-10pm) Hillhurst Sunnyside Holiday Gift Market

December 6,7,8 (Fri 4-9pm, Sat/Sun 10-6pm) Market Collective, Historic King Edward School

December 14 (Sat 10-2pm) Marda Loop Craft Show & Home Expo

              
Please join me and our wonderful sponsors in supporting our fundraising intiative to raise $10,000 for the Calgary Zoo. All proceeds will be donated to the Calgary Zoo. Please also help spread the word on this initiative through social media and sharing our website:  www.rebuildyyczoo.com!

Here is a picture of the greeting cards (envelopes are included but not in the picture):

This project couldn't have happened without the support of our sponsors. Special thanks to:

Jeff Cruz and Dave Law for their wonderful professional pictures;
Vistek for helping our photographers with equipment to take their pictures;
Eva Wan for helping us with the design of the cards and website;
Carbon Copy Digital for printing the entire first run of cards;
Calgary Farmers Market, Symons Valley Ranch, Nexen, Hillhurst Sunnyside Holiday Gift Market, Market Collective, and the Marda Loop Craft Show & Home Expo for sponsoring us at their venue.

~Monica
Like what we are doing? Show your support by liking on our Wishahmon page! (If only there was a "good job" button!)

Carisa and Richard: Wedding Design

This is part of the 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 grooms planning their own wedding will also be shared!

If you have been following Carisa and Richard's wedding planning adventures on our blog, you will know they tied the knot on August 31 and have been officially happily married for a couple of months now!

Planning their wedding with them was a total blast. The actual wedding was even better. When we initially met to discuss their wedding, Carisa said she wanted a peach colored rustic wedding. Richard said he wanted red Chinese accents. In summary, we designed a fun peach colored rustic wedding with red Chinese accents. The fun aspect naturally was added. Almost every person I told at the beginning just looked at me like a deer in the headlights. Here are the pictures to prove that we totally pulled together Carisa and Richard's wedding design vision.

The pictures were taken and provided by Carisa and Richard's photographer, Fritz of Fritzology.

~Monica
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

 

Staircase leading up to the reception area.

Ceiling Décor and Backdrop

Guest Tables

 

Head Table



 

 



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, found a DJ, found a wedding gown, found a wedding cake, designed their décor, chose their flowers and booked hair and makeup artists, drafting a wedding timeline,  final details, and day before the wedding.

Kimono Wedding Gowns

I have always love anything that is "East meets West" or "Fusion." It might be due to growing up in Canada and knowing that you can be of a certain ethnicity and be Canadian. It is may also be due to speaking "Chinglish" (Chinese-English) all my life. It may also be substituting practically anything with soy sauce when cooking a Western dish. No salt? No problem, I will just add a couple of teaspoons of soy sauce. (According to the BF, uhhh...that doesn't work so well.)

Obviously I love looking at wedding gowns or else I wouldn't have started my wedding consignment boutique. The gowns below are a fusion of the Japanese kimono and traditional wedding gown. Absolutely the best of two worlds. A stunning gown shape and tons of color! I would love to get my hands on one of these. How about you? Would you consider wearing one of these fusion gowns? Which one is your favorite?

~Monica
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

 

Nishitetsu Grand Hotel offers a variety of wedding plans, including rental kimono dresses by its dedicated wedding shop Yamadaya.

 

Alainsa

 

Angelicale

 

Takeda Bridal 

 

Aliansa