Feeling like a busy weekend of bridal duties? We have two events you can check out (three, if you’re planning on attending the Blush Bridal Sample Sale).

For dress hunting, head out to Ivory Bridal in Langley and peruse the Alyne Bridal Trunk Show, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and 11 am to 3 pm, respectively.

Alyne Bridal gowns are designed and made in Canada (by the talented minds behind Rivini), and Ivory Bridal is the only place nearby for Vancouver brides to get their hands on one of them. Alyne Bridal dresses are also affordable, falling in the $1,500 to $2,000 range, and at the trunk show at Ivory Bridal this weekend, you can get an extra $200 off.

On the planning side of things, you can make your way over to River Rock Casino for A Wedding Affair, a wedding show by Imagine That Events. Tons of vendors will be on hand, and appetizers will be catered by River Rock Casino with as a complimentary glass of wine or champagne by Peller Estates Winery.

Register today and you and your groom can get free admission. Tickets are $10 at the door for everyone other than the bride and groom (or for brides and grooms who don’t RSVP). Find more information here.

If you don’t love great deals quite enough to do the whole sample sale thing this weekend at Blush Bridal, we’ve got some less-stress discount gowns in this week’s preowned wedding dress roundup.

1. Mermaid Gown, $750 OBO/original price not listed

You can’t go wrong with the mermaid shape (it flatters pretty much every body type), and this dress adds in raw silk, which photographs beautifully, and on-trend pop of color in the pink sash (that you can remove if you’re more traditional).

2. Lazaro 3866, $2,500/originally $5,500

Perfect if you’re aiming for over-the-top vintage romance on your big day. Not the cheapest used wedding dress, but still a bargain when you consider that the bride only wore it for a couple hours at the reception and never altered it.

3. Paloma Blanca 4106, $1,300/original price not listed

Another un-altered gown and another mermaid shape. This one, however, adds more detailing in the form of ruching, a ruffle, and a floral accent. We think it would pair prettily with a spring wedding.

4. Lazaro 3000, $2,400/original price not listed (labeled as over 50% off)

Let’s just say it all together: Stunning. Of course, we’re suckers for beaded floral skirts and tulle (when done right) and this one has a Monique Lhuillier feel to it. The bride purchased it locally at Bisou Bridal, but you’re on your own if you want a belt since she didn’t buy the matching one.

5. Vera Wang for David’s Bridal, $600 OBO/originally $780

Great for all you Grecian goddesses out there (or brides who simply want to be that on their wedding day). This gown actually hasn’t been used for a wedding but for a graduation, and it comes with a matching white sash and a Vera Wang champagne flower belt. Since it has a charmeuse lining, you’re guaranteed to be comfortable on the big day…provided you fit a size two.

Don your Nikes and boxing gloves, ladies, it’s time for Blush Bridal’s annual sample sale. Doors are at 10 am both days (although you’ll definitely want to go on Saturday for the best selection) and it’s first come first serve. You can, however, enter to win early bird entry by liking the Blush Bridal Facebook page, which will then keep you in the know on other upcoming sales and events (worth it in our book, even if you don’t end up getting access before the crowds).

In the meantime, you can check out New York Magazine’s article on what to do at a bridal sample sales.

Believe us when we say that we can appreciate an amazing wedding cake (truthfully, we’ve browsed through Vancouver wedding cake sites like we were window shopping at Holt Renfrew), but what we can, arguably, appreciate even more is a taking a different approach to your wedding day dessert. And no, we don’t mean cupcakes.

We’re talking cookies, ladies, and not just any cookies, but little work of art cookies (literally). The uber-talented Anna over at Anna Elizabeth Cakes is creating some of the most impressive edibles we’ve ever seen (and they’re delicious to boot), including a sweet take on some of Van Gogh’s greatest works, like Starry Night.

Not as into the art scene? Anna Elizabeth Cakes does a range of cookie aesthetics, from the more modern to the quirky (like Batman cookies, which, really, could be pretty perfect in lieu of a groom’s cake), plus cakes that rival even the Louboutin section at Holts…and that’s no easy task.

Happy Valentine’s Day lovely readers!

Last week we gave you a little photographic Valentine’s Day inspiration for your wedding (we’re still swooning over that dreamy shot with the balloons). Today, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’re giving you the goods—which is to say, we’re pointing you in the direction of some cool February 14th-inspired goodies that wouldn’t be out of place at a wedding and aren’t totally over the top.

Now go out there and get your love on (after all, isn’t that what being engaged is all about?).

1. Lacquered Heart Earrings from Forever 21, $4.80

2. Wedding Conversation Hearts from Elegant Weddings Plus, $7.63

3. Heart Straw DIY, free

4. Pink Baker’s Twine from Twisted Sugar Twine, $12.00 US

5.  Red Sequin Heart Clip/Brooch from Ban.Do, $15.00 US

6. Vivienne Westwood Lady Dragon Sandal from ASOS, $153.51

7. The Olive Save The Date from Wonderwed, $85.00 for print-at-home/ from $150 for flat printing

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We were so excited about these free printable ombre wedding invitations over at The Wedding Chicks, that we had to tell you about them right away. Check them out here. And let us know if you end up using them!

This is the last weekend to check out the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival, which will come to a sad but sweet close on Valentine’s Day. Not only do festival proceeds go to a good cause (the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre), but this year’s flavor options sounds kind of insane. Think Mexican hot chocolate infused with hibiscus, jasmine or violet; orange citrus and roasted green cardamon hot chocolate served with a Valrhona fudge cookie; and blueberry hot chocolate served with organic, chocolate-covered hazelnuts (to name a few).

So what does this have to do with weddings?

Well, you just might find a little inspiration in your mug, like we did with the photos above. Of course, now we’re starving for a good cup of cocoa, but that’s what the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is for, right?

Photographers (clockwise from top left): Stacy Able Photography | Camilla Binks | Easy Dreamer Photography | Adrienne Gunde Photography | Simply Jessie Photography

]]> http://wedinvancouver.com/2012/02/10/hot-chocolate-wedding-inspiration/feed/ 1 Wed in Vancouver hot chocolate wedding inspiration http://wedinvancouver.com/2012/02/09/bridal-party-show-2012/ http://wedinvancouver.com/2012/02/09/bridal-party-show-2012/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:36:11 +0000 chloecrowson http://wedinvancouver.wordpress.com/?p=622 Continue reading →]]>

When it comes to Vancouver wedding shows, we’re fans of smaller, more original events (we’re kind of crazy about Indie I Do), and there’s another fun fete-feeling one coming up.

It’s called The Bridal Party, and it’s next Thursday (February the 16th) at Hollyburn Country Club—a swanky spot that could be what you’re looking for in a wedding venue—and admission is absolutely free.  Not just free for you, as the bride, but free for your bridesmaids, friends and family members that are involved with your wedding. In fact, the Bridal Party wedding show is catered toward them too, so they won’t spend the whole night standing behind you looking bored while you check out vendors.

Want extra incentive to check it out?  You’ll also get a complimentary cocktail (wouldn’t be a party without it), some delicious nibbles and a goodie bag. Plus, there’s a great group of vendors that will be on hand, including Frocks Modern Bridesmaid, Anna Elizabeth Cakes, Beauty Calls and Zing Paperie & Designs.

All you need to do to get the party started is RSVP (it’s required!) to bridalparty@hollyburn.org.

Your bridesmaids are probably investing a fair bit of time, money and energy into your wedding, and it’s nice to acknowledge their efforts with a little something.

The best bet? Something they can use for the wedding. And, no, we’re not talking about the old standby of jewelry. We like the idea of gifting your favorite girls with a little jar of something uber-luxurious that will give them a glowing visage for the big day (they’re in those wedding photos too, right?).

Our new go-to is Lejum Dead Sea Skincare, which is crafted right here in Vancouver, but uses “miracle mud” and salts from the Dead Sea to deliver seriously impressive results.

You won’t go wrong presenting any of the Lejum skincare products as bridesmaid presents, but we suggest you pair the Bergamot/Mandarin Body Salt Scrub with the Face Mud Mask for a gift combo that’s perfectly suited to the big day. You can even get the whole group together for some exfoliation and facial fun the night before, so it’s almost like two gifts in one (provided they aren’t thinking of you as a bridezilla by now).

Find Lejum Dead Sea Skincare products here.

Just a little lovely Valentine’s Day wedding/engagement photo inspiration from around the globe. Happy Pre-V-Day!

Photographers (clockwise from top left): Laura Leslie Photography | Miller + Miller | Simply Bloom Photography | Youkeun Oh Photography | Chelsea Nicole | Cameron Ingalls Inc. | unknown