Choosing Your Dream Dress!!

Choosing your dress is one of the most exciting parts of the wedding planning process. You have dreamed about your perfect dress and now it’s time to get to work in order to find this dream creation!! Below are some helpful tips to keep in mind when it comes time to choosing your gorgeous gown.

A wedding dress will feel wonderful on as long as you choose the right silhouette for your body-type. If you are tall and thin choose a mermaid style or a style that is fitted at the top and flares out at the bottom to accentuate your long, lean shape.

If you’re petite, go for a simple and elongating gown, keep any intricate details on the top and keep the bottom simple.  A beatiful satin sash (in white or a soft pastel colour) will accentuate your waistline.

Full-figured women should opt for a gown that is structured through the midsection and flares out at the bottom giving you an elongating and slimming silhouette.

Pear-shaped figures will benefit from choosing a fitted top with an a-line skirt that flares out from the midsection and accentuates your waistline.

If you’re having a destination wedding, have fun with your dress!! Choose light fabrics that travel well and think outside the box…how about instead of choosing a typical wedding gown you opt for a gorgeous short, cocktail dress in a beautiful and sparkling champagne colour!

Before heading out to shop for your perfect dress, have a clear picture of what you’re looking for. Browse through magazines, online, etc. to determine which styles really appeal to you, and bring inspiration photos with you when you go out shopping, this will also make it easier for the sales clerk to help you find what it is you’re looking for.

The most important thing to remember is that in order to shine in your dress you MUST feel comfortable in it!! Be sure to choose a dress that flatters YOUR body type and complements YOUR personality…and the result will be a dream come true!

*All images from Style Me Pretty "Look Book"

Thoughtful Favors!

Wedding favors are a way for guests to take a little piece of your celebration home and remember your day long after the party is over. Whether you want to give your guests an edible treat or a small token they can display is up to you, the important thing is that you choose something you feel will represent you and tie in with the theme of your day.

Here are some of our favorite ideas:
Candy and chocolate are always a big hit, let your guests assemble their own little take home packages and make the deal even sweeter. Display them in beautiful platters as a candy buffet and wow your guests. An equally delish idea is a cookie buffet, which can consist of homemade (a good old fashioned recipe) or store bought (from your favorite bakery) cookies displayed in beautiful jars. Offer charming little paper bags with your monogram printed on them, or go for gold with classy shimmery boxes for your guests to assemble according to their taste.

Images by http://www.theknot.com/

 Images by Martha Stewart Weddings

 If you are going for an eco-friendly favor, potted herbs, violets or orchids are lovely and thoughtful gifts your guests will be delighted to take home! Organic honey or maple syrup in beautiful jars is also a sweet and memorable option.

Images by http://www.theknot.com/

If you are looking for favors to do double duty, have them serve as seating cards by simply attaching a pretty label or flag with your guest’s name on it. It is a nice and cost effective way to welcome your guests and guide them to their table. You can also use them to create a beautiful centerpiece by grouping them together on your tables and having your guests take them at the end of the evening.

Images by Martha Stewart Weddings

Remember to display your favors in a way that is inspired by (and ties in) all the elements of the day. A simple way to do this is by matching the packaging of your favors to your colour scheme.

Images by http://www.theknot.com/

Centerpiece Ideas

If you are looking for a way to make a great style statement at your wedding reception, look no further than your centerpieces. Be sure to infuse your centerpieces with your creativity and personality and the result will be gorgeous and memorable. When it comes to centerpieces, the possibilities are endless, there are trends and styles to suit every taste and budget. If you are having a charming, vintage wedding, why not collect a variety of vintage vases and use beautiful wildflowers on your tables. To add a touch of class and elegance to a more formal wedding, choose a beautiful cluster of clear vases with blooms in a monochromatic shade. If you are going for a modern vibe, a single bold colour will do the trick while deep, rich, jewel tones will give your tables a luxurious and warm feel. For those DIY brides out there, clear glass cubes are easy to use and look beautiful with either flowers or glass beads and stones. And remember that candle light gives everything a beautiful, romantic glow, so whatever style you choose for your centerpieces, be sure to spread a few tea lights on the tables to finish things off.

All images from Style Me Pretty

Let them eat cake!

When it comes to your wedding cake, there are so many beautiful, creative, charming ways you can choose to go. You can have a classic tiered cake, opt for a variety of good old-fashioned fruit pies, or perhaps go with a pyramid of pretty and delicious cupcakes. Whatever route you choose to take, ensure that your cake (or cake alternative) blends with your wedding décor to keep the look of the day cohesive, you can use your colour palette or the pattern of your place cards, invitations, etc. as a guideline. Another great way to personalize your cake, is to add a monogram to it!
If you are looking for ways to save on your wedding cake costs, do not choose a cake that is too intricate, simple cakes can still be gorgeous, but more cost efficient. Lastly, be sure to book your cake baker at least 6 months in advance and check his/her references.

Images from Martha Stewart Weddings

Images from Real Simple Weddings

Hint: Many venues charge a “cake cutting fee”, this is a fee that covers storage and serving of the cake, so be sure to inquire about this fee when you are researching your venue in order to factor it in to your budget.

A great photographer...

How do you save on your photo budget you ask? “Don’t” is the best answer possible. Find a reasonably priced photographer and go with it. This is the one thing that will showcase your wedding day for the rest of your life. If you need to generate some wiggle-room in your funds, it’s best to do it elsewhere.
From your engagement photo shoot to your last dance of the night, a great photographer knows just when to snap those shots that you will cherish forever. Most photographers offer a variety of styles and themes but it’s important to keep in mind that regardless of the style you select, always have a few traditional photos as well.  Find a photographer you can get along with, someone professional yet easy-going with an impressive portfolio that speaks for itself.  Let the memories begin!
Team DEva

 

*All images from Style Me Pretty

Music / Entertainment

Hiring a great DJ or band on your wedding day will be one of the best investments you’ll make. A DJ can also act as MC, cueing all the important moments and keeping the energy going throughout the evening.  The average price for a quality DJ can range anywhere from $800-$1500. It is extremely important to ensure that the DJ you choose will suit your style and needs, be sure to meet them in person before you book and go over your specific song list. A great DJ should be able to satisfy a wide variety of musical tastes! And remember to check your DJ’s “back-up guarantee”, should your DJ come down with a case of the “Fridays” and become unavailable to provide service for your wedding, you need a written-in-stone promise that you will be taken care of, with another DJ of equal or better expertise.

Image from Style Me Pretty

Image from Style Me Pretty

Image from Style Me Pretty

Image from Style Me Pretty

Image from Style Me Pretty

A live band is also an amazing way to add charm to your wedding, especially if you are going with a particular theme (ie. Old Hollywood Glamour, 20’s Romance, etc.). The average price of a band is about $3000 but could go up to $15,000 or more (depending on their experience, how many pieces they are, etc.). If you are searching for a band who specifically performs at weddings, be sure to ask for a demo or go see them at a live bar / club (NEVER go to someone else’s wedding to see a band!).

Image from Style Me Pretty

Image from Style Me Pretty

 

Image from Style Me Pretty

As with every aspect of your wedding, the most important thing is to find a DJ or band that you are truly comfortable with and you feel will represent you well on your wedding day!
Team DEva

Pretty Flowers!

Flowers are an essential part of your wedding day. Lush, beautiful, fragrant blooms will add warmth, charm and character to your day. From the coolness of hydrangeas to the sleek, modern look of calla lilies, the classic fragrant rose or the sweetness and romance of spring peonies (one of my favourites!), the options are endless, and you are sure to find the perfect match for your day.

Now, it would be great to grow your own flowers for your wedding, but let’s face it, unless your name rhymes with “Martha Stewart” chances are you don’t have the time or the inhuman gardening expertise to guarantee a flock of bouquets by the big day, so it is best to leave the growing to the experts. However, if you are working with a tight budget, you might want to enlist friends and family to help you with some of the arranging (depending on their flower-skills, of course).

Ideally, you should book your florist at least 3 months in advance, (the more time, the better). Make sure you do your research, and find someone you are comfortable with, ask to see samples of their work, and references. And remember, you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to have this element in your special day. There are flowers out there to suit every taste and budget!

 

Next time: MUSIC / ENTERTAINMENT

Wishing you a lovely day,
Team DEva
*All images from http://www.theknot.com/