from vision to reality {Wedding Decor}

It was last year, June 2011, that I was completing the final look for the wedding. The look; vintage glam with a contemporary flare in shade of purple and pewter. Fortunately, I found a decorator who was able to execute my vision perfectly. Dina Da Costa from Designs by Dina was able to gather my thoughts, and lots of magazine tears, to achieve the final look. She also provided the flowers including the bridal bouquet, if your able to find a decorator that does both book it! You will save your self alot of stress plus it prevents a clash between two services. If your florist hasn't captured your vision or vice-versa you can have two distinct looks, especially if the florist also does the centrepieces and not the decorator.

my gorgeous bouquet

centrepieces that guests took home (they had to win it of course)

I have the tall vase & branches, which are now in my new home filled with other flowers

orginally the backdrop was suppose to be shelves flanked by two tall trees but that didn't work out. Keep an open mind! Sometimes you need a Plan B...

The "Mr & Mrs" letters were purchased at Walmart

The drama; the decorator had alot on her plate. Why? The banquet hall was not the prettiest, which I knew already, but they have the most delicious Portuguese food. This meant that the decor had to hide everything else I didn't like. The hall has the ugliest ceiling, normally there is drapery that hangs from the ceiling. However, being that I've been to countless weddings there (including my sister's) I wanted a different look and vibe. Not only did I have to ask the hall to take down the ceiling drapes but I had to pay a charge, hence, three gorgeous cascading crystal pieces were hung.  Oh! But there was drama behind the scenes, but only me and the decorator can laugh about it now (atleast I hope she can laugh about it now). Not between the decorator and I....other folks, I'll leave it at that! Trust me, there is a bit of drama at every wedding and not everything will go according to plan. Just remember to enjoy the day and let everything else slide. The groom and I did!

For more info:

visit Designs by Dina

(images: Renaissance Studios)

the Bridal Shower {all in the details}

Earlier this month I had my Bridal Shower and although it was fun planning it with my closest relatives glad that its over, planning a shower and wedding simultaneously is a bit stressful especially if your like me where you love little D.I.Y details. If you plan far enough in advance you'd be surprised at what you can find online, such as free template downloads like my menu cards. The key is to search blogs and lots of blogs because there are so many....
Details:
Favours-mini Claus Porto soaps (love these luxury soaps & they're a nod to my Portuguese heritage)
Personalized lipbalms from Beaucoup, a nod to my beauty blog & love of makeup.
Stamps are a D.I.Y bride-to-be's best friend, easy to use & re-usable. Just customize the ink pads to your own colour palette! I picked these up at Michael's Craft store in the $1.50 clearance bin.

the groom-to-be hard at work

Menu-one of my favourite wedding blogs is Ruffled & that is where I came across the template/idea for my menu + the idea for the IKEA double-sided picture frame which costs $.99 perfect look for my retro themed shower! Two Brunettes designed the actual template, check out their site for more inspiration. The menu graphics were the PERFECT colours as it allowed me to expand on my chosen bridal shower palette of yellow, green & minty blue.

The menu's printed at Walmart Photo Center in one hour, easy to do & colour quality vivid!

Other details like green candles purchased at IKEA, great store for wedding items.
Invites- template purchased from Apple Blossom Print, check out my post here.
And lastly flowers, I chose colours that would tie in my colour palette too! Bought retro-inspired vases at Goodwill & brought them in to a local inexpensive florist, told them what flowers I liked & colour. Sometimes its best to let the experts put the small touches together hence the florist!

Yummy bridal shower cake by Pretty Sweet Cakes by Savera, red velvet cake + chocolate and vanilla cupcakes for those that wanted to indulge a bit more. Please excuse the flower detail as it was a hot Summer day & the humidity caused the flower to "melt".

a clean, fresh streamlined look is the end result

entrance: a wire mannequin form that I dressed up with a retro kitchen tea towel & vintage ribbon to tie into an apron. Guest/picture book and shower favours, as guests arrived I took a picture which I will develop & put into the book next to their signature. 

Loved the flowers!

Hope you got inspired by my retro themed Bridal Shower!

xo

the Total Wedding Show {recap}

This past January 21st I attended the Total Wedding Show here in Toronto. Over 350 Wedding vendors from the Southern Ontario area were in attendance, which means comfortable shoes and plan of action. Prior to attending I had a list of vendors I wanted to check out. First, I looked up vendors that were in attendance and visited those vendors first, lastly write down notes on their business cards...i.e certain aspects of their booth you liked so you can remember for later. Saves you time! Also, another good reason to attend the shows is that vendors offer exclusive discounts for attendees. Saves you money!

cake by Pretty Sweet Cakes

table decor & flowers by Vivian's Decor & Design

sweets by Sweet Something Designs

table setting & flowers by Stella Decor

invitations by The Invitation Place