Easy DIY Wedding Centerpieces

Wedding season of 2014 is already here and for the couples getting married this summer still looking for centerpiece ideas, here are some easy DIY centerpieces that can be put together fairly easily but look like you both slaved over them for hours, days, and even months.

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Add Some Height

weddingchicks.com

rusticweddingchic.com

Fill a Vase or Container With Something Other Than Flowers

ndtony.blogspot.com

ruffledblog.com

intimateweddings.com

Instructions here.

Use Unusual Containers or Vases

midwestliving.com

shanty-2-chic.com

shannoneileenblog.typepad.com

Wrap a Container or Vase with Something

stylemepretty.com

blog.hwtm.com

countryliving.com

Instructions here

How to Save Money at Your Wedding

This post is not about how to save money by creating a lot of your wedding items through DIY, or asking your friends and family to pitch in with services, or how to negotiate to save money. I think by now, couples know to save money, they just have to put in the time and do a lot of the work themselves. As such, here are some other (unconventional) suggestions on how to save money at your wedding!

1. Borrow and rent for your wedding.

Often it is cheaper to rent than to purchase them from IKEA for example. A perfect example of this is if you are hosting your own wedding or your catering company does not provide cutlery or plateware. You may think it is cheaper to purchase everything from IKEA and then you will own it afterwards right? But honestly, what are you going to do with a 100 plates afterwards? Sell it to someone with the same idea? This is a lot harder than you think. Another perk to renting is you will get better quality items and you can afford to get a side plate, salad plate, entree plate, and dessert plate. There is no way you would have purchased all of these plates right?

2. Barter and trade services.
If you are a graphic designer that can help your DJ redesign their business cards, just talk to them about potentially trading services. Bring this up only if you know your DJ is actually looking to redesign his business cards. Don't start the convo by dissing his cards. Another thing not to do is ask a vendor for a discount in exchange of telling all your friends about him/her. I've had this asked of me before and my answer was: You are going to be so happy with my services that you will WANT to tell your friends and family about me.

3. Plan your wedding early.
If you plan your wedding early, it gives you time to budget and save along the way. Often couples throw out a number as their wedding budget without knowing how much everything is. One couple decided on a wedding budget and after factoring the reception costs, learned they only have $3000.00 for everything else for their wedding. If you plan early enough and find yourself in the same position, you might still have lots of months to save for your wedding. Planning your wedding early also prevents from hefty last minute costs, such as booking an overbooked vendor or rush shipping costs on wedding decor. Word of caution to all my clients and readers: Always plan your wedding within your means, try not to go into debt for your wedding.

4. Don't be picky.
The more open and flexible you are with all things related to your wedding, the more savings are open to you. A photography package for 7 hours can be significantly different in costs as opposed to a 9 hour package. Wanting a specific shade of teal for your chair covers or table cloths also mean big bucks. I'm not asking you to settle but if you are flexible to a shade of teal that is not quite the same shade as your bridesmaid's dress sash, you will save some money in the long run.

5. Sell everything after your wedding.
This is a lot easier if you don't have emotional attachments to everything. Decor can obviously be sold online but so can everything else you can think of. You never know who might want everything you had for your wedding. You can also sell your wedding gown online or on consignment. Try selling everything soon after your wedding. You want to make your items available and early enough for someone else's wedding.

Got any more tips on saving money? Make sure you comment below to share your tips with other brides!

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer

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

Arina B photography via Green Wedding Shoes

Rings 101 (Part 3) - Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

I would like to start off with a big congratulation to all of you who made it to this stage! And for those who haven’t, don’t lose hope!! Your time to shine will come shortly.

A lot of people today get quite confused when buying a ring. To top it off and make a man’s life difficult, there are promise ring, engagement ring, and wedding ring, wedding bands, and exchange ring. So, to simplify this for all you men out there, a wedding ring, wedding band or exchange ring all means the same thing! Once upon a time there was slight differentiation of the ring’s meaning itself; however, as time goes by, they have essentially become the same thing. Besides, how many rings can you fit on one finger!

Now that we have that cleared up, the only thing left would be an engagement and a wedding band/ring. Traditionally speaking, an engagement ring is given at time of, or soon after the acceptance of your wedding proposal while a wedding band/ring is to be exchanged at the wedding ceremony and worn until the end of time.

In terms of cost and design, engagement rings are the ones with big dollar sign and shiny diamond that can vary between the three popular style of solitaire, three stone or multi-stone. This is not to say there are only three styles but simply the three are the more traditional or popular choice that most jewelry store carries.

A wedding band or a wedding ring in comparison is less fancy and can vary in its style to suit the different need of individuals. The most popular choice is wedding band that compliments the engagement ring where it is often sold as a set. This way when doing the ring exchange at the ceremony, you simply put the wedding band to the engagement ring to make it a set. While this is a popular choice, others may choose a wedding ring instead of a wedding band that does not compliment the engagement ring. Why? Some people choose this because of the fear of damaging the engagement ring through their daily work routine or activities while others may find it carrying an undesirable undertone. Hence a simple wedding ring may still be exchanged the same way a wedding band would be at the ceremony. However, most people will then only wear the wedding ring in their daily life as oppose to the engagement ring and the wedding band together as a set.

Ken Hsueh

Associate Wedding Planner

I am 26, 100% made in Taiwan and flown across the Pacific Ocean in 1999 to this place called Canada. I’ve lived In Calgary, Alberta ever since and grew wonderful feelings about this city until winter… I have completed my study in the field of hospitality and have worked in the industry for over 7 years. I am happily married with 0 kids at the moment, which is great as we intend to travel more before we settle down with a family! 

Winter Lotus Photography

Remember to Take Time For Each Other

Whoa! Just checked our blog and noticed the last blog post was on Wednesday. The Victoria Day weekend threw us for a loop and we missed posting on Friday and Monday. Since we are having so much fun slacking off and enjoying the sun (finally), we are going to take the rest of the week off as well. We will be back with our regular posting schedule next Monday.

In the meantime, to all the brides and grooms out there busy planning your wedding for this summer, remember to take breaks from wedding planning and have time for each other. Yes, the wedding is coming close and there are a hundreds of bows to tie on your wedding favors but remember you are ultimately doing this for the other person you are going to marry. Continue and never stop building your relationship!

Have a great rest of the week!

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Etsy

Wedding at SAIT - Macdonald Hall

Ruby and Jason were one of the couples that were affected by the flood of June 2013. They were supposed to get married at the Calgary Zoo but wasn't able to. Both true optimists, they believed everything will work out at the zoo. As the days rolled by, they knew they had to start looking for a new venue. Luckily, the SAIT Heritage Hall was available on their wedding day and at the ceremony time they had hoped. 

With three weeks to go, I offered to help them decorate their wedding ceremony since it was not what they had originally visioned. With limitations in time and labor, we opted for very clean and fresh decor. The primary color was white to brighten the room a little bit and "drown out" the wood and beige of the room. Colorful orchids were also used to frame the aisle way. They were going to use the arch at the Calgary Zoo so we incorporated that into the new venue and added peacock feathers to bring in their wedding theme as well. We made the best of the situation and their wedding turned out wonderfully! 

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Kiss Photo

Rings 101 (Part 2) - Promise Ring

During my last blog I had talked about the common symbolic relations of rings to marriage as well as the norms of how to wear your ring in Canada. This week, I will be sharing with you one of the three types of rings that have made its stand in the different stages of one’s relationship today.

Promise Ring. As the name indicates, it is a promise or vow made between couples who want to make a stronger commitment in their relationship where a full engagement may not yet be appropriate or feasible. And by exchanging that ring, it symbolizes an agreement or a commonality that has been reached between the couple as they move forward to that path in life together.

And as time goes by, you reaffirm your affection for one another till the two of you have finally reached that agreement together. Then, it’s time to say good bye to your saving and say hello to engagement ring! But what if…NO! Stop right there! We live in a perfect world where there is no what if, so don’t ask what if you never got there!!! Alright, seriously, I would say bring it to a pawn shop…I mean return it to the person…

When is the right time to give the promise ring and are there any rules as to what they should be? In terms of timing, you should really be asking yourself how comfortable you and your partner are towards making a commitment together! Some may takes longer while others may be certain from the get-go! Don’t ask me how, we’ll say it’s a blessing!

As for the ring itself, it is generally quite simple such as matching gemstones, birthstones or engraved ring with either name, initial or your promise to one another. Remember, this is a promise ring, not an engagement ring! Hence you should not need to spend a lot of money on it nor should it be so elaborated that people mistaken it as an engagement ring!

Stay tuned for my next blogs about engagement rings and wedding bands!

Ken Hsueh

Associate Wedding Planner

I am 26, 100% made in Taiwan and flown across the Pacific Ocean in 1999 to this place called Canada. I’ve lived In Calgary, Alberta ever since and grew wonderful feelings about this city until winter… I have completed my study in the field of hospitality and have worked in the industry for over 7 years. I am happily married with 0 kids at the moment, which is great as we intend to travel more before we settle down with a family!

Pinterest

WN: Honeymood Fund

I often have discussion with my clients about host/cash/tonnie bar. Most of them are worried about how much a host bar it will cost as they won't know until they get the bill! As a wedding planner, I support a tonnie bar because there is less waste. Your guests are less likely to try every drink on the menu when there is a small cost.

If you are considering to do a tonnie bar and is afraid of it being tacky, how about changing it up and calling it your honeymoon fund? Who wouldn't want to help send you to Banff, Edmonton, or Paris!

Thanks K for this "wedding notification"!

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Regina Richards Photography / reggyrich.wix.com / Via frostedpetticoatblog.com

How to Break in New Shoes

Previously, I shared my thoughts on how to survive a day in heels. When I wrote that post, I had in mind that you are surviving in an existing pair of heels in a height you are already accustomed to. If you purchased a brand new pair of heels for your wedding or decide to wear heels on your wedding day even though you are usually in flats, here are some tips on how to break in your new shoes:

1. A few hours of wear is good but a longer break-in period is better. Buy your shoes early and wear them on and off for about a month. Seriously, wearing them though. Not once in the month. If you don't put in the time, you will pay for it on your wedding day. Just sayin'

2. Rather than just wearing your new shoes when you are watching tv, try to wear them when doing light chores. Don't mow the lawn in them, but maybe wash dishes in them? Try to wear them for at least an hour a time.

3. After the shoes are starting to be comfortable after an hour, wear them around the house until your feet hurt. Sounds extreme but you know you will be in your shoes for longer than an hour on your wedding day.

4. Gradually wear your shoes for longer and longer. Soon enough they will feel like second skin to you.

5. Wear your shoes outside where it is clean. Try to wear your shoes on surfaces similar to the ones on your wedding day at your venues.

Word of caution, there are many different tricks on how you can break in your shoes either with ice or heat from a hair dryer. Personally, none of these tricks have ever worked for me. I believe in hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Yeah, I'm a little dramatic too.

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Pinterest

Bridal Skincare Tip: Kiehl's Blue Herbal Spot Treatment

This spot treatment is one of the items I would never leave on a trip without. I use this (or another fave product) almost daily but only at night. I don't like to be in the sun with this on. I don't have a good reason for this but I personally don't like to be in the sun when I use a product with salicylic acid. A little bit on the pricey side at $19 for 15ml. Which is why I definitely just use it on the "spots" that need it.

This product is not a fast acting treatment. If you have a huge zit right the day before your wedding, this is not going to help that much. It is more for long term (and slow healing) use. One great thing about this treatment is it doesn't leave you huge scars. I feels like it heals deep down. (Of course, I have no scientific evidence to back this claim up.)

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

Disclaimer: All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am not a skin doctor rather a wedding planner obsessed with her skin.  I hope to share the skincare products that work for me. I am not paid for any of my reviews. Just sharing tips girlfriend to girlfriend.

Truly Zac Posen 2014 at David's Bridal

The last couple of posts have been dedicated to romantic brides wanting a lace gown. I shared the collections of Papillo and Sophia Tolli. If you consider yourself as a "dramatic" bride, you might want to check out the collection of Truly Zac Posen at David's Bridal. The lines and silhouettes of the gowns are extremely flattering and demands attention. If these are the words you have been using to describe your dream gown when shopping. You must scroll down to see more stunning gowns.  

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!