tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42201570564534718022011-04-21T16:45:10.025-06:00... and you will too! Highlighting hip & joyful trends for your Calgary bashAndrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.comBlogger631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-33187482117807565212008-11-12T20:16:00.012-07:002008-11-12T21:04:03.034-07:00

I'm one of those people who loves organizing parties & events, but fears the actual menu-planning process of the whole thing. FEARS it. I'm actually not a half-bad cook when I know what I'm doing; where I falter is at the stage when I'm coming up with a menu. Not only do I struggle with guesstimating how much food I'll need for my guests (a true perfectionist, I always overcompensate and buy too

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-78375690346024661812008-11-02T20:40:00.007-07:002008-11-02T21:17:22.988-07:00

This past Wednesday I was lucky enough to make an appearance on the Calgary Breakfast Show . Susanne Fox and I chatted about Epiphany Designs, the success of this little bloggie, and then I gave my "Top 5 Tips" to make a wedding unique. I'll do my best to get a copy of the clip up here somehow -- until then, just imagine me doing my best not to look terrified in the beginning, and then talking

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-16590101692889713742008-10-28T21:35:00.011-06:002008-10-28T22:25:02.919-06:00

I love Etsy. You must know that by now.Feathered Swarovki Crystal Rhinestone Clutch -- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5831825Custom Family Name Frame -- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6019110Ring Bowl -- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5358026Stemless Champagne Flutes -- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5458664Handmade Pillow Boxes -- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-89881152941325828722008-10-17T12:26:00.030-06:002008-10-17T13:26:50.783-06:00

Some of you may know by now that photographers are a hobby of mine. Not photographY, but photographERS. Long before I was even engaged to Husband I was scouring the internet for fabulous photographers around the globe ... simply because I LOVE looking at beautiful photos. Even better? I LOVE stumbling across up-and-comers.This hobby has come in handy on more than one occasion, and it serves me

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-30593468805476038482008-09-21T12:32:00.005-06:002008-09-21T12:44:15.410-06:00

Wow, no posts for almost five months, and then two posts in two days? I need to get my priorities straight ...JUST noticed that the incredible Darcy Miller, editorial director at Martha Stewart Weddings, listed I Love Weddings as one of a small number of recommended wedding blogs over at The Bride's Guide on September 16th. Talk about an honour! Kind regards for the recommendation, Darcy, and

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-43175343106164305962008-09-21T11:20:00.009-06:002008-09-21T12:13:58.634-06:00

My goodness, taking a short break can sure get out-of-hand! I've been on a self-imposed exile from blogging for a number of months now, allowing me the chance to focus all of my energy on Epiphany Designs and my day job as a special needs teacher.Quite honestly, I needed the break. I could see my blog posts dwindling the last half-of the year and recognized that it was time to allow a little more

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-62361503390979961622008-05-04T18:25:00.002-06:002008-05-04T18:34:31.384-06:00

Damn Starbucks and their fancy-schmancy website -- I am unable to figure out how to get a pic to post of this super-cute bridesmaid gift idea! Now I must only use the magical power of the written word to persuade you ....The maven of all coffee houses is now offering personalized Starbucks cards. As in, cards you can customize with images and messages exactly as you want. LOVE IT! What a great

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-90822862196585973502008-04-17T20:22:00.008-06:002008-04-17T20:46:41.864-06:00

Here is something I desperately wanted for my own wedding reception but which was not, at the time, available in my city -- a photobooth!The use of photobooths at wedding receptions is a fairly new idea, but its catching on wherever it goes. Pure retro, pure fun, this idea is new enough that chances are good your wedding will be remembered as a forerunner by guests. In my hometown of Calgary,

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-61893636395471490312008-04-06T09:44:00.015-06:002008-04-06T10:15:13.520-06:00

Anyone who is a regular reader of this blog knows that I am a rabid fan of Etsy. Ridiculously rabid fan. I scour the pages of its site daily, and never leave dissatisfied. I thought I'd make a quick post about some new wedding-related items I've seen recently:Paper Cakes and Single Paper Cake Slices by Daisy's & Dots Omigod, HOW cute are these?!!! And imagine the possibilities for bridal showers!

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-62817372517110438862008-04-03T18:14:00.015-06:002008-04-04T11:00:25.227-06:00

I love changes in season. Up here in Canada it's such sweet relief to tumble from the bitter cold of winter into the welcoming arms of spring (I'm so figuratively descriptive today I could puke with disgust) that we will literally start patio season the moment the mercury rises above 0 degrees (er, 32 degrees for my american friends). I adore everything about the spring -- the milder days, the

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-23820681606110886402008-03-23T15:57:00.011-06:002008-03-24T09:09:00.937-06:00

Lord, have I been gone long! What with taking possession of and moving into our new home (LOVE it), getting hit hard with a wicked cold, and falling smack-dab into the middle of my busiest time of year .. well, its been hard to get to blogging. Oh, and becoming the proud owner of Guitar Hero III didn't help much, either (*side note: can ANYONE give me tips on how to defeat Lou on Medium? I'm

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-64150609111551450822008-02-02T21:59:00.001-07:002008-02-02T23:03:58.569-07:00

Boudoir photoshoots are quickly becoming a de rigeur thing to do as a bride-to-be, and god knows, I love things that are de rigeur. Please get the horrific image of tacky boas, strange lighting, and 80s-esq hair out of your head. "Boudoir pictures" are not like they were in years past. Now they're hip, sexy, modern, and fun. Yes, fun!Nowadays, many reputable (re: non-sleazy) photographers are

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-31903009800912948692008-01-30T21:43:00.000-07:002008-01-30T22:21:53.087-07:00

Ladies, if you've been looking for the perfect bridesmaid gift (or hell, a little-pick-me-up for yourself), look no further the Dogeared Jewels & Gifts. I am so ecstatic for this company now that I've been turned onto it (by a

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-8217623000243903552008-01-23T20:45:00.000-07:002008-01-23T21:11:55.246-07:00

All you newly-ringed brides-to-be, listen up! I know you're absolutely chomping at the bit to get going on some wedding planning (and yes, I also know it doesn't matter if the wedding is 6 months or 6 years from now, you just want to do something!), so I've got a fabulous little site to start you on your way.Muse Weddings is a free-to-use site that helps you organize, categorize, and budget-ize

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-36174738631196889422008-01-20T20:49:00.001-07:002008-01-20T20:53:42.291-07:00

A big thank you to all the fabulous brides who stopped by the Epiphany Designs booth at the Calgary Wedding Fair today. I enjoyed getting to speak with many of you personally, and only hope I was able to answer your questions as completely as possible.I look forward to working with many of you in the near future! Now for some rest and relaxation ...*image courtesy of Epiphany Designs*

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-44719094387592163352008-01-18T21:10:00.000-07:002008-01-18T21:27:51.972-07:00

I rarely post pictures of my own work, but my invitation company, Epiphany Designs, will be one year old this Monday. One year!! Thats right, the Calgary Wedding Fair in 2007 was our big "coming out" party, and now its time to celebrate.Seeing as this is such a momentous occasion, I've compiled a few pictures of some of my favorite invites Epiphany Designs created over the past year. These are

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-32252633720891197102008-01-14T19:28:00.000-07:002008-01-14T19:53:13.580-07:00

Christine over at Think Like A Bride has recently posted some ridiculously helpful tips about navigating the ins-and-outs of bridal fairs which I, in an act of pure, unadulterated kindness, am passing along to you. I am also passing along the link to my blog post from last year titled "Are You Ready For Wedding Fair Season?", which has some of the same, and a little of the different (?).Across

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-67906289256071914132008-01-11T20:21:00.000-07:002008-01-11T20:52:20.881-07:00

... and when I say big, I mean BIG. (*totally random thought* -- isn't "BIG" an odd-looking word? I mean, really weird looking. Big. BIG. Short and ugly to look at. Kinda reminds me of a few ex-boyfriends, HEYO!! Anyways ....)I got an email a few (well, more then a few ... apologies, Karen) days ago from the fantabulous Karen Gordon over at Karenscape Photographers. Why do I say fantabulous?

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-28569817572729399442008-01-02T10:21:00.000-07:002008-01-02T10:43:00.436-07:00

How appropriate that my first post of 2008 should be a fantastic list of resources for your upcoming wedding?I just received a note from Amy about this fabulous resource posted at the Bootstrapper blog: "The Bride-to-be's Toolbox: 100 Online Tools and Resources to Affordably Have the Wedding of Your Dream". Essentially, this is a huge, ginormous (is that a word?) list of cost-effective strategies

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-5350294315099607152007-12-15T22:07:00.000-07:002007-12-15T23:24:27.471-07:00

By now most brides have heard of "Trash the Dress" photography shoots. If you hadn't, the concept is simple ... either at the wedding or (more commonly) a few days later, re-wear your precious wedding dress and "trash" the hell out of it in front of a photographer by any of the following methods:(a) swimming in it(b) rolling around wet sand/mud/grass (c) doing anything else non-wedding-day-ish

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-48811128308676180582007-12-04T20:09:00.000-07:002007-12-04T20:42:40.465-07:00

I've been tagged by the lovely Jessica Lynn over at Tying the Knot, and (a) need to post 7 random or weird things about myself, (b) link to the person that tagged me and post the rules on my blog, (c) tag 7 random people at the end of my post and include links to their blogs, and (d) let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.Wow. Lots of rules for an

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-27908459665966044652007-11-25T10:06:00.000-07:002007-11-25T11:10:46.976-07:00

Apologies for the length of time between posts -- a cold bug had me waylaid and struggling to get myself into workable form. But I'm back, feeling better, and want to talk to you ladies about a great source of wedding-planning information -- wedding forums!Wedding forums, while often affiliated with a popular wedding website (such as The Knot or WeddingBells), are inherently different from said

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-72626052554857382312007-11-10T13:21:00.000-07:002007-11-10T14:01:32.263-07:00

So crazy it might just be fabulous ...If you're like most brides, after your wedding you'll have a photo album full of pictures, a dvd full of video, and a head full of memories. These are always lovely, imperative, and traditional. But what if you're looking for a unique addition to that box of post-wedding keepsakes? Enter FlipClips, an on-line company that will take any 30-second video and

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-44383317853921289222007-10-28T11:03:00.000-06:002007-10-28T12:08:43.848-06:00

Here's another Etsy designer that I am lurvin' right now --- Samantha Sultana.Samantha makes absolutely delicious accessories, from hair pieces to garters to gloves to jewelry and beyond. Her items are gorgeous, delicate, utterly feminine and incredibly unique -- all key elements to a brilliant wedding day. Samantha operates two design labels ("Illicit" and "Dollface" -- dontcha just LOVE the

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-74940052735896489822007-10-16T13:13:00.000-06:002007-10-16T13:56:20.301-06:00

How's this for a unique idea ....Leslie Hamer at Unless Someone Like You (a fabulous Etsy store) has taken invitation design to a whole new level by offering 11 x 17 posters that you mail out to your guests in tubes. How crazy is that?! Crazy like a fox, I'd say. (wait. I don't think that last line works. Are foxes crazy? I doubt National Geographic would back me on this one.)I can't get over how

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-81945047320404677122007-10-12T09:59:00.000-06:002007-10-12T10:45:13.293-06:00

File this one under "Hmmmm".I am a big fan of coordination in an event. And no, I don't mean the grace with which you pick up your fourth glass of pinot, nor your crumpin' moves with a partner on the dance floor. I'm talking about the full coordination of your theme, starting with your invitations and working your way down to table numbers, favor tags and more. Continuing your theme throughout a

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-75271797688006713392007-10-06T12:46:00.000-06:002007-10-06T13:45:21.945-06:00

Some of you might remember a post I did waaayy back about fabulous custom cake toppers by Nicole W Clark. Well, I told you then, and I'll still say now ... these things are adorable. So adorable in fact, that I finally have my own! (and yes, I realize I'm already married and done with the cake-topper-crowd. However, these little guys sure do look cute sitting in my bedroom beside my wedding photo

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-75089126341534936012007-09-30T23:08:00.000-06:002007-09-30T23:27:14.012-06:00

Awwwww .... the fabulous Molly over at The Winning Pitch has recently highlighted my little bloggie as one of her favorite wedding blogs -- plus she had some kind words to boot! Thanks so much Molly, and congrats on your recent engagement. Hopefully we'll see your face around here more often!And while we're on the topic (might as well keep patting myself on the back), I Love Weddings has also

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-61079554676877048682007-09-23T11:44:00.000-06:002007-10-08T14:44:28.630-06:00

... or for those of you who just want to make a difference, this idea is for you.I was recently notified of this fab new nonprofit website called Changing The Present, and after perusing their site have been lovin' their idea. LOVIN' it (when you omit the "g" at the end of words, it really emphasizes your point. Right?).The idea is simple: in lieu of (or as an aside to) your typical wedding

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-51390675024372219392007-09-09T13:48:00.000-06:002007-09-09T15:27:35.196-06:00

I would like you to close your eyes and imagine, if you will, that time in the near future when your wedding is past, the presents have been opened, the thank you cards have been sent, and the comfortable familiarity of married-hood has begun to creep in (I like making up words). With slight panic rising in your voice, your question may now be:"What the hell am I going to do with all this

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-15082942071018446122007-09-03T00:00:00.001-06:002007-09-03T00:18:07.165-06:00

The wonderful people at marthastewart.com have recently unveiled their newest addition -- The Brides Guide, a blog resource written by Darcy Miller (editorial director, Martha Stewart Weddings). Sure to be a bonafide "ultimate bridal resource", I've been scouring its pages nightly. As can be expected by anything Martha, its fantastic. Truly helpful, informative, and unique. You'll all love it ...

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-39698583956351798622007-08-30T20:29:00.000-06:002007-08-30T20:30:55.167-06:00

As most of you know, I likes me a good party. I enjoy the time spent searching for those perfect detail items, love planning design & layout features, and have nights filled with dreams of colour swatches. Seriously.However, I know there are many of you out there who desire similar effects with more minimal effort. Jobs, life, and other parties can often get in the way of planning your OWN soiree

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-498203947395553852007-08-19T22:02:00.000-06:002007-08-19T23:02:17.337-06:00

I'm back, back, back from my AMAZING trip to South-East Asia! While touring that part of the world I was, of course, thinking of you fabulous readers 100% of the time .... or maybe I was just soaking up the brilliant heat & sun. Either way, I'm back, I've got ideas for the next few columns, and I'd like to say a heartfelt "Thank You!!!" if you've somehow managed to find your way back to this

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-60859970760012179222007-07-03T16:44:00.001-06:002007-07-03T16:53:18.868-06:00

Hi all. I know I haven't updated this in a while, but June is an INCREDIBLY hectic month for teachers/invitation designers (go figure). The good news is that I haven't forgotten about all you fabulous ladies ... the bad news is I will officially be taking a break from posting for the next month as I am off to THAILAND!!! Yahoo!I will be resuming my posting officially in the middle of August,

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-2746208613401965732007-06-06T20:35:00.000-06:002007-06-06T21:09:18.726-06:00

Stumbled across this litte nugget while on a wedding forum I habitually frequent. Its an idea for your wedding thats truly unique ... graffiti. But in a good way.Wonderful Wedding Graffiti is a company that sells removable vinyl decals for your big day. These little numbers can be put just about anywhere -- behind the head table, on the dance floor, in the church (if they allow it), on the

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-84877793926678695632007-06-02T20:44:00.000-06:002007-06-03T07:50:12.094-06:00

I know it's not wedding-related, but I hosted a baby shower this afternoon and all the DIY details turned out so well I thought I'd post a few pics (for inspiration's sake only -- I swear I'm not a publicity whore. Well, maybe just a little. Hmm ... who'd ever thought you'd see the word "whore" in a baby shower post?)Nametags Personalized glass charms (can't call them "wine charms" when there's

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-52574361650728528652007-05-27T21:24:00.000-06:002007-05-27T21:48:44.671-06:00

I'm proud to say that my little blog has been selected by Delightful Blogs to be added to their blog directory (how many times can you use the word "blog" in a sentence?). This is noteworthy news because Delightful Blogs is renowned for being highly selective in whom they list. With the motto "cutting through the blog smog", Delightful Blogs is a directory of more than 1200 stylish blogs that

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-1772452994046773792007-05-25T16:58:00.000-06:002007-05-25T17:35:14.492-06:00

I do. I really, really do.For those who don't know what "Etsy" is, think "Ebay for Indie Designers". Its awesome. Everything listed is handcrafted by one talented little company or another, which means SUPER-unique. I spend most of my free time drooling over items listed for sale, dreaming of the day I can somehow incorporate them into my life. I must admit, part of why I'm always snooping on

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-41641823849472944072007-05-21T17:30:00.000-06:002007-05-21T17:59:45.472-06:00

Come on, admit it .... you can't wait to be called "wife". Don't take shame in feeling this way -- its a rite-of-passage that most women go through at some point in their life. And I'm not going to lie to you -- it feels GREAT the first time your new husband introduces you as his "wife"! Tingle-down-your-spine FANTASTIC! But why do we so often feel ashamed to admit this very fact? Why do we not

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-64141566430857884292007-05-15T20:47:00.000-06:002007-05-15T21:26:54.394-06:00

I recently finished an interesting little read that I thought you ladies might want to know about. Bachelor Party Confidential: A Real-Life Peek Behind The Closed-Door Tradition is exactly what the title says-- an information-packed book for all us ladies who've wondered, even just a little, what really goes on at these testosterone extravaganzas. All I can say after reading this is, if you

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-6859496546796169062007-05-13T10:19:00.000-06:002007-05-13T10:47:08.697-06:00

Happy mother's day to my mom and all the other mother's out there. If you haven't done it already, make sure you give the woman you call mom a call/hug/gift/million dollars, and thank her for putting up with your bridezilla-esq moments these past few months (come on, admit it .... you know there's been a few .... remember that little "incident" with the caterer? Yah, NOW you remember).During my

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-37705504064063656832007-05-08T20:24:00.000-06:002007-05-08T21:51:41.360-06:00

By now, most of you will have heard of the new Tassimo Hot Beverage Systems that began selling in Canada last year after three successful years in Europe. An innovation of Kraft Foods, Tassimo is a five-in-one hot beverage system combining the benefits of a high quality espresso machine, cappuccino machine, coffeemaker and tea kettle into one easy-peasy little package. It looks super-sleek on the

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-55431851878905333942007-05-01T11:15:00.000-06:002007-05-01T12:29:24.011-06:00

Ooo, ooo, ooo! Jen at Indie Fix just sent me a note letting me know that she's put together a summer indie wedding guide she thought my delightful readers would be interested in. I took a peek and YOU WILL!Everything Jen lists is truly fabulous. There are ideas for brides, grooms, those in the wedding party and even wedding guests. The big bonus: absolutely everything is handmade! As someone who

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-25811220261117874482007-04-28T11:33:00.000-06:002007-04-28T13:06:05.353-06:00

Brides mean well, they really do. Whether it be the color scheme or the invite list, most soon-to-be-wed ladies are simply trying their best to pull together an event the likes of which they've never done before (and hopefully never will have to do again!). However, there always seems to be a few stumbling blocks along the way. Case in point --- the bridesmaids' dresses.Bridesmaids' outfits are a

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-69162101176631836032007-04-15T13:17:00.000-06:002007-04-15T14:00:05.669-06:00

... and direct him to this great website I just came across. Groom 411 is kindof like The Knot, except its (a) for men and (b) not stupid (did I just say that? Oops, I guess I did). Seriously though. This is a humorous, non-threatening, and exceedingly helpful little website for your husband-to-be. Filled with useful sections relating to such things as the bachelor party, budgeting, style, tools

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-47647224960457280332007-04-13T10:41:00.000-06:002007-04-13T11:40:43.707-06:00

I'm having one of those moments where I wish I could get married all over again ... simply because I found another great vendor who I wish I'd known about on my big day. *sigh* But atleast I can pass the knowledge on to you ladies!I struggled and struggled to find just the "right" jewlery to wear on my wedding day. I knew what I was looking for, but it seemed that either items were ridiculously

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-61463792409524833042007-04-04T14:50:00.000-06:002007-04-04T17:08:05.374-06:00

Well, hubs and I went to the charity dinner for Doctors Without Borders on the weekend, and had an absolutely splendid time. Because I'm a bit of a foodie, I have to tell you what we ate. Dinner began with Roasted Beet Salad on Butter Leaf Lettuce Frisee & Raddichio with a Lemon Dijon Vinagrette and Toasted Fennel Seeds. The main course was Striploin of Alberta Beef served with a Root Vegetable

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-74223674231974189872007-03-24T14:43:00.000-06:002007-03-25T10:33:36.644-06:00

A week today, on March 31st, husband & I will be attending a gala dinner benefiting the organization "Doctors Without Borders" at the MacEwan Ballroom in the University of Calgary. This event, called the International Lights Fundraiser Gala, is being put on by a group of university students and is turning itself into something spectacular! Internationally themed, it includes a 3-course dinner,

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-14948905637409764712007-03-17T17:38:00.000-06:002007-03-17T17:50:33.672-06:00

Whoops! Forgot to add a little tidbit in my post this morning. At the risk of cramming yet another project of mine down your throat, I've recently begun a new blog called Divapreneurs, which goes hand-in-hand with my group on Facebook by the same name. My goal for this new blog is to hopefully bring together and help inspire/motivate all you young female entrepreneurs and entreprenurial-wannabes

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-201222662006667792007-03-17T12:43:00.000-06:002007-03-17T14:02:08.840-06:00

There is a special place in my heart for Scrapping Albums, a company based out of British Columbia. This wonderful company creates (yes, creates) gorgeous custom albums in a variety of shapes & sizes to be used for guestbooks, favours, CD/DVD holders, and more. Why do I love them so much? Because I have first-hand experience in working with them -- they did the photo guestbook album for my own

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-57406702987733816802007-03-12T22:30:00.000-06:002007-03-15T07:24:47.350-06:00

Welcome to the very first article in my new "Wedding Dilemma" series! This series will be highlighting the most-common questions I get asked by clients about wedding-related issues, whether they be connected to invitations or not. So *takes a deep breath* here goes! Today I chose to focus on something that most of us don't like to think about, but sadly, often have to deal with: divorce. Or, more

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-28330035448827184742007-03-11T16:56:00.000-06:002007-03-11T17:43:54.360-06:00

Very tongue-in-cheek, I know, but holy mama! Have I been away from this blog for a while! Though no excuse is good enough for you, dear reader, all I can say is that a combination of extreme busy-ness (I'm having a brain fart and cannot for the life of me remember how to spell that word) and two rounds of illness are what have impeded my progress here.But fear not! I am back, recovered, revived,

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-58756118709248607672007-02-13T17:37:00.000-07:002007-02-13T17:51:32.961-07:00

Happy February 13th! I know this post should really be done ON Valentine's Day, but I have a feeling all you nearly-weds are going to be out gallavanting with your sweeties tomorrow night, so best to post now! Besides ... I just finished making these cute-yet-simple valentines to give to my students tomorrow, and thought you all might want a tiny peek ... no? Well, I'll show them to you anyways!

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-5086620080298647092007-02-10T14:28:00.000-07:002007-02-10T14:52:48.945-07:00

I recently got the chance to look at some of the amazing products Keli Bridal here in Calgary has, and was pleasantly surprised. Not only do they have gorgeous custom-made wedding gowns, but they also sell numerous wedding "extras", of which I found a number of favorites. The ones that really caught my eye, however, were their mini-bridesmaid dress sachets .... merely for their "oh how cute"

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-57968036464101507902007-01-30T22:00:00.000-07:002007-01-30T23:01:59.637-07:00

Oh. My. God. You will not (I repeat, will not) be able to find cuter, more original caketoppers than these! One of my blog readers tipped me off on this AMAZING company, Nicole W Clark, and I am so happy that she did! Having spent the last hour perusing the website and envisioning myself & hubby as polymer clay mini-people, its safe to say that there are a lot of you out there who are going to

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-77689383811337760992007-01-28T09:56:00.000-07:002007-01-28T10:40:25.823-07:00

Close friends stopped by our booth at the Wedding Fair this past Sunday and took a few "in action" photos. Simply because it was such a great day and I want to relive it (hey, I'm allowed to do that!), I'm posting a few pics here for all to see. Enjoy!

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-29699117181462350112007-01-26T21:57:00.000-07:002007-01-28T11:50:54.386-07:00

One of my new favorite vendors is Stems Floral, located in south-west Calgary. For those of you who didn't see it, their display of flowers at the WeddingFair was absolutely stunning! Very cutting-edge and amazingly exquisite, with a healthy dose of bold & classic palettes ... I'm not what you would call a huge flower-fan (my only request from my wedding flowers was that they "generally match"),

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-21711699585556138652007-01-21T20:57:00.000-07:002007-01-28T11:51:13.830-07:00

A very big "thank you" to all the brides who stopped by our booth today at the Calgary Wedding Fair ... what a fabulous group of ladies you are! You all helped make our debut in the event a smashing success, and we'll only keep coming back for more!I also spent a fair bit of time speaking with other vendors at the tradeshow, and have some great fresh ideas for things to post on this blog. However

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-19693938249430849522007-01-13T21:01:00.000-07:002007-01-28T11:51:32.770-07:00

Are you saddened by the fact that some important people won't be able to attend your wedding due to distance? Perhaps you're having a destination wedding, or perhaps you simply have family far out-of-town?While trolling the web recently (yes, I said trolling), I came across a great new concept to help solve this dilema. At Webcast My Wedding, they offer you the opportunity to do exactly that --

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-68955879167288775292007-01-09T19:45:00.000-07:002007-01-09T20:21:28.007-07:00

For anyone who has never been to a bridal fair before, let me paint a picture for you --- imagine thousands of brides-to-be, most travelling with an entourage of at least two other women, packed into a room that normally woud be considered vast and yet, somehow, has shrunk enough to leave a miniscule 4-inch-wide gap between you & the next person for the entire time you are there.Sounds horrible?

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-41384365272581082942007-01-04T14:14:00.000-07:002007-01-28T11:51:56.639-07:00

As part of their "bridesmaid gifts", a current trend for brides right now is to purchase cute little totes in which to package the rest of the gifts (or as gifts on their own).Now, I love totes as much as the next person, but there are only so many a gal can have before it starts getting ridiculous. Right? Right?? Be honest!So what to do? Whilst out stretching my legs at a local indoor walking

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-43611348645502234192007-01-03T10:32:00.000-07:002007-01-28T11:52:09.243-07:00

Who doesn't love cupcakes? They're like scrumptious, fun-for-your-mouth tiny bundles of goodness (well, not healthy goodness, but, you know ...). At an average of $2.65/cupcake in Calgary, they're easy to sneak into a wedding budget, too. And oh how trendy they are right now!Calgary brides' fascination with cupcakes can assuredly be attributed to the fabulous ladies at Crave Cookies & Cupcakes,

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4220157056453471802.post-54832895507065480902007-01-02T21:25:00.000-07:002007-01-02T22:40:18.195-07:00

... and you will too!Fairly optimistic for my first post, but its in keeping with #327 on "Andra's New Year's 2007 Resolutions" list (er,"Be more optimistic", for those of you who don't happen to have a copy).Seriously, though ... I really hope you do grow to love this blog. It was started as a direct result of my own futile search for locally-based wedding info, tips, & suggestions for my 2006

Andrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349990631218868707noreply@blogger.com0