Candles On Ceremony Aisle

Often I've had brides wanting candles on both sides of their ceremony aisle because they want to create a soft and romantic ambiance. I have always been wary of this request only because I don't stop being a worry wart until the bride walks up and down the aisle without catching on fire. When I came across these ceremony pictures, I then realized how silly I have been all these years worrying when I could have just elevated the candles. Duh.

For all my future brides with this same request, this is what I will be suggesting from now on. I think it will create a stunning ceremony for you and it will keep my blood pressure down when you walk down the aisle.

~Monica
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 LUVROX Photography 

Carisa and Richard - Married! (Sneak Peek)

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!

Carisa and Richard are officially MARRIED!

We will share more pictures of their wedding when their photographer has had the chance to sleep, edit, and release the pictures. (Most likely in this order.)

Here is one picture I took of them saying their vows. Congrats you two!! All the best in the many years to come!

~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, 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.

Calgary South Ismaili Center Wedding Ceremony

I had the pleasure of helping Shainoor and Abid with the design and décor of their wedding ceremony at the Calgary South Ismaili Center. During our first visit, Shainoor and Abid explained what they needed decorated: gift/sign in table; aisle, vow area, and cake table. I suggested an aisle decorated with tulle and silk flowers, pillars with vases and flowers, uplighting, and organza swirl overlays. Shainoor and Abid loved the suggestions! Then they dropped the bomb on me: I only had 30 minutes to decorate everything.

Mission accomplished and a new record was set for me! Below is a picture I snapped at the 29th minute. One of my friends saw the picture and said the flower balls look like they are floating - star wars style. The more I look at the picture, the more I have to agree!!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer @Wishahmon

Superstition: Bad luck for the groom to see bride's gown before the wedding

When you get engaged, you are told a lot of different things you should do, shouldn't do, and must follow. This series looks into how various superstitions came about so you can decide for yourself.

Everyone has heard of the superstition that the groom should not see the bride's wedding gown before the ceremony, but do you know why? More and more grooms are accompanying their bride to look for her wedding gown. Thus, throwing this superstition away. Of course, it is up to you on whether or not you want your groom to see your gown before the ceremony. Here is how it came about...

THEN: Back in the day when arranged marriages were custom, the couple wasn’t allowed to see each other before the wedding at all. The wedding symbolized a business deal between two families. The father of the bride feared that if the groom met the bride before the wedding and thought she wasn’t attractive, he’d call off the wedding, casting shame onto the bride and her family. Therefore, it became tradition the bride and groom were only allowed to meet at the wedding ceremony so that the groom did not have the opportunity to change his mind. The idea was if the groom saw the bride at the last possible second, it would be too late to back out and not marry the bride.

NOW: Most brides stay true to this superstition because many believe it is more exciting and memorable when her groom sees her for the first time. Most couples do see each other before the ceremony though, formal pictures are taken before the ceremony when everyone is freshly done-up. It totally makes sense! In the end, do what you and your groom wants to do. It is your day!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer @ Wishahmon



Photo Credit: Docuvitae

Funny Wedding Program

When I saw this program, I burst out laughing and thought my bf would totally appreciate a cheeky wedding program like this. The last couple of weddings he went to, he said he almost died from boredom. (To be fair, it was in Chinese and he had no idea what was being said.)

If you are thinking of putting together ceremony programs for your guests, why not include some humor in it?

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer @Wishahmon

Photo Credits: Anne-Marie Bouchard via Off Beat Bride

Winter Wedding Themes

Most Calgarian brides rush to book and plan their summer weddings because there are really a limited amount of warm days. Hot days even less. The remaining brides plan spring or fall weddings. Although not necessarily a warm wedding, it won't be freezing cold. For the brides that chose to have a winter wedding in Calgary, kudos to you for your braving the freezing cold. (Can you tell I am not a fan of -30 degree weather?)

I am a fan of winter themed weddings though! It is truly spectacular when you transform your venue into a winter wonderland. Color suggestions include white (of course!), blues, and purples. I also suggest lots of lights and candles to warm up the theme. You don't want your guests to be reminded of the cold weather outside! If you need some inspiration, here are some weddings done by my idol, Preston Bailey!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer @Wishahmon

Photo Credits: Preston Bailey



Stunning Wedding Ceremonies

When I meet with new brides to chat about their decor, they usually jump right into the reception decor they would like to see. It is very easy to understand because that is where the majority of the wedding day will be spent. Brides often think that the wedding ceremony does not need a lot of focus because it is usually over in about an hour. Personally, I think the opposite of my brides. The wedding ceremony is where you become husband and wife. This is the moment you will remember for the rest of your lives. This is also the moment when the majority of your pictures will be taken. Having said that, wouldn't you want a stunning wedding backdrop when you say your vows?

If you are currently stressing over how to make your wedding ceremony dreamy, here are some inspirational pictures!

~Monica
Owner and Lead Designer @Wishahmon





















Photo Credits: 1) Studio ATG 2) Karen Tran 3) , 9) Le Blog Wandersalle 4) Decorating Ideas 5) Exqusite Events 6) Mon Amie 7) DH Decor 8) 100 Layer Cake