Cornerstone Events

Epiphanie Chocolates

2010-10-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

Imagine your photo on a delicious piece of chocolate - and I don't mean an M&M, I mean good quality chocolate in flavors like passion fruit, pomegranate and saffron swirl. Now you don't have to imagine anymore! Epiphanie Chocolates in Calgary can make you a one of a kind chocolate with your photo, wedding date and personalized message right on the Delicious chocolate! They look too good to eat, but trust me, once you try them, you'll want more and more and more!

Cornerstone Events Day of Wedding Package

2010-09-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

You've spent years thinking about your perfect wedding day, and you've spend countless hours towards making that perfect day a reality. Now you want to enjoy this magical day without having to worry about who is going to take the floral arrangements from the church to the reception. While friends and family might be more than happy to assist, you want them to be free to celebrate and enjoy this special day with you. Let Cornerstone Events take care of it all so your day is stress free for you, your fiancé and all your guests.

Services provided:

• Initial meeting to discuss your wedding plans and expectations
• Creation of wedding day timeline
• Review of all vendor contracts to ensure you “get what you pay for”
• Main vendor contact on wedding day to ensure stress free day
• Supervision and direction of wedding rehearsal.
• Use of our wedding day emergency kit.
• Day of wedding coordination from 2 hours before your ceremony to the time of bouquet toss (approx 12 hours).
• Ceremony site check and set up.
• Directing guests, bridal party and family before and after ceremony.
• Last minute decor details – attaching pew bows, scattering petals, guestbook table set up, table numbers, guest favors, etc.
• Manage wedding day timeline (working with your MC and DJ)
• Manage reception i.e. cueing bridal party for speeches, cake cutting, dances and bridal bouquet toss.
• Transfer all gifts and envelopes to safe location and distribute payments to vendors.
The above list is just some of the things we can do for you on your day; these are flexible and can be tailored to meet your specific needs. We will work with you and your fiancé to ensure you can fully enjoy your day!

Receive 10% off the above package if you book by December 15, 2010!
Call us today at 403.619.4718 or email to info@cornerstoneevents.ca

Wedding Shoes!

2010-09-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

I love shoes as much as the next girl, so I'm dedicating this post to SHOES!! I always tell my brides to do something fun with their shoes. I wore sketcher sneakers under my wedding dress as I am a tad bit taller than my wonderful husband. I was so comfortable on my wedding day! But I was torn and really wanted to wear some hot pink shoes - just like Kristine did on her wedding day!

I've got a great project I found on Green Wedding Shoes DIY Pretty Shoes! It's a fun way to add a touch of color to your wedding shoes. You could also do this to your bridesmaid shoes. It's a great way to use a classic black shoe and dress it up for your wedding. Once the wedding is over, your girls have a great black shoe that they'll wear over and over again.

If you want to add your touch of "blue" to your wedding shoe in a little more discrete way, here's a great DIY project from Wedding Bee

These are just a few ways to infuse some fun and personality into your wedding day!
Happy Planning!

*Images courtesy of TLAW Photography, Wedding Bee and Green Wedding Shoes

Calgary Bridal Expo

2010-09-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went through all the amazing talent that attended this year's Calgary Bridal Expo. But that's not all you have to choose from in the Wedding industry. There are some great vendors that were not in attendance as exhibitors and I'm here to share some of those with you!

Bridal Fashions:
Echo Bridal

Cakes:
Let Them Eat Cake
Cake Creations

Decor and Rentals:
Silva Designs

Favors:
Personalized M&Ms

Florists:
Peaseblossoms

Invitations:
Spoonful of Sugar
Maple Mountain Designs

Jewellery:
Swarovski Crystal

Photography:
TLaw Photography
Hot Shoe Photography

Reception and Catering:
Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Earl Grey Golf Course

And of course don't forget to check out our website
www.cornerstoneevents.ca Happy Planning!!

Calgary Bridal Expo

2010-09-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

For all you brides (and grooms!) who attended yesterday's fabulous Calgary Bridal Expo here are some of our favorite vendors you may have seen while checking out all those gorgeous booths yesterday:

Bridal Fashions:
Bridal Center
Frocks Modern Bridesmaids

Cakes:
Buttercream Bake Shoppe
Cakery Bakery

Decor and Rentals:
Great Event Rentals

Favors:
Canadian Cancer Society

Florists:
Modern Petals

Gift Registry:
Bed, Bath and Beyond

Invitations:
Glimpz Invitations

Jewellery:
Stella and Dot

Lingerie:
She Apparel

Photography:
Bliss
Preserving Memories

Reception and Catering:
Great Events Catering
Calgary Zoo

Tuxedos:
Bridal Center

Videographer:
Preserving Memories

Tomorrow I'll fill you in on all the great vendors out there that did not attend the show - there is a lot more talent in the city then just what you saw at the show!

A Kiss inspired wedding

2010-09-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this Kiss inspired event I found on Martha Stewart Weddings!

Jenny and Brent

2010-06-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

Jennifer and Brent were married this past Sunday at the gorgeous and fabulous Chateau Lake Louise. The weather was perfect for their outdoor ceremony out on the terrace. Later that night they were blessed with rain, but we were all indoors by then celebrating their wedding in the Victorian Ballroom.

A special thanks to Patrick Smiley from Class Act DJ for the wonderful photos (half way to Lake Louise I remembered mine was still in the diaper bag!)

Congratulations Jenny and Brent and thank you for letting us be part of your special day!

Outdoor Weddings

2010-06-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Outdoor weddings are so beautiful, but if you're getting married in Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, or any where for that matter, weather may not always be on your side! Our May Long weekend wedding in Banff gave us a taste of all four seasons! We saw sun, wind, rain and of course SNOW!

Make sure you have your back up plan ready to go and decide with your venue and wedding planner when to make the decision to keep the ceremony outdoors or move it indoors. Here are some other tips for outdoor weddings:

Have umbrellas or colorful wraps ready for your guests in case it rains or is a little chilly. Alternatively, you may want to provide those umbrellas to shade guests from the sun. Offer sunscreen in case guests forgot to lather up before heading to the ceremony.

Dress weights can be handy for you and your bridesmaids. These are sewn into your dress hem and found at most sewing supply stores.

Solemates - these handy little plastic peices fit over the heels of most high heel shoes and protect your heels from damage and from digging into the grass. You can order them here or conact us for some!

Fun Food Stations

2010-06-17T12:44:00.001-07:00

So we've probably all been to a wedding that had a candy bar, and we all know how much fun and how great they look. Especially when the bride and groom create a theme, whether it be their wedding colors or types of candy (such as old school candy - Poppey Smokes or gold mine gum anyone?)So here are some new food station ideas to WOW your guests!

Hot Chocolate Bar - think biscotti, chocolate drizzled marshmellows, whipped cream, colored sprinkles....

Coffee Bar - from espresso to flavored lattes, you can even use some of the ideas from the chocolate bar above - biscotti and coffee..mmmm

Popcorn Bar - Use sweet and savory flavors to appeal to all pallets

Cookie Bar - include some shoots of milk to wash down delicious homemade cookies

Ice Cream Bar - sprinkles, choclate and caramel sauce, whipped cream, bananas, cherries... keep your guest cool while their on the dance floor

Carnival Food Bar - Popcorn, corn dogs, mini burgers, candy floss, and of course mini donuts!

Guest Lists

2010-06-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

A source of wedding stress can typically be found once you dive into your guest list. You and your fiance have an idea of who you want at your wedding, but your parents will also have their lists, especially if they are helping pay for your wedding. Here is the best way to go about your guest list.

1. Have everyone write down who they would like to invite to the wedding and then sit down together to go through the list.
2. Be realist as to how many people you can/should invite. If you've already selected a venue, this becomes easier as your limited based on their capacity capabilities.
3. Review the list and cut people who you haven't seen in years or don't even know you're engaged. There will be people your parents want to invite that you don't even know, just remind them why this day is special to you and that you want the guests in attendance to be people who mean something to you. They're excited about the wedding just like you, so understand where both of you are coming from.
4. Just because you were invited to their wedding 4 year ago does not mean you have to invite them to your wedding.
5. Inviting coworkers usually opens up a can of worms. If you invite one or two you may cause hurt feelings to those you haven't invited. Explain to them that you are keeping the wedding to close family and friends only.
6. If you're inviting single friends or family members and are limited to how many guests you can invite, adding guests to those who are in a committed relationship and no guest to those who would be bringing just a casual date is okay. Just explain to your friends/family that you want them to be there but don't have enough room/budget for everyone to bring a guest.

One more tip, keep all your guests names, addresses, etc in one spreadsheet. This will make it easier when you go to do labels, print envelopes or send the information to your calligrapher. You can also use the same list to keep track of RSVP and meal selections as they come in.

Seating Charts

2010-04-28T07:50:00.001-07:00

If there is one thing that seems to happen to a lot of couples is last minute RSVPs. You work for hours on your seating chart, only to have to squeeze in a few more people. Sometimes we find ourselves lucky and can put those stragglers on one table that happens to have seats free, but 9/10 times it requires juggling and moving other guests around.

So once again, Martha has a great way to solve this issue. These small envelopes, which you can find at craft stores in a variety of color, have guests names on them. This way, all you need to do is change the table number in the envelope when changes are made. You can display these cute envelopes by stringing pretty ribbon on an empty frame and using cute little clips to hang them.

Happy Planning!

*photos from Martha Stewart Weddings.com and Project Wedding

Seating Cards and Charts

2010-04-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

One of the first things your guests will ask when they enter your reception is "where am I sitting"? There are a few ways you can direct guests to their tables, by creating a seating chart, having someone at the door to tell them where they are sitting or place cards. You can also do a combination of these - having a seating chart and place cards, so guests sit in certain seats.

Here are just a few fun ways to display your guests name and help them find their way to their seats!

Wine Themed Wedding?

2010-04-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

I found this step by step process for making a bathroom mat out of old wine corks. While I don't know if I'd use it in my bathroom, I would create a smaller version to use as a mat for a centerpiece! What a cool way to use those old wine corks - or an excuse to drink more wine!!

http://www.craftynest.com/2010/03/wine-cork-bath-mat/

Thanks Crafty Nest!!

Cute Candy Wedding Favors

2010-04-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

I know candy bars have been around for a while, but here's a new twist on how to display your candy. As always, Thanks Martha Stewart!!

Out of Town Guests - Hotel Room Blocks

2010-04-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

One of the things I have all my couples do if they're expecting out of town guests at their wedding (or are concerned about friends and family drinking and driving) is creating hotel room blocks. It's fast, free and can save your guests some money too!

Select some hotels within different price points in the area close to your reception and give them a call. They'll set aside rooms for your guests under your name. This guarantees that rooms will be available when they try to find a hotel for your wedding, and normally hotels will offer you a discounted rate for your guests!

This saves your guests not only money, but helps them decide where to stay. There is nothing worse than coming into a city where they don't know where the hotel is, or if it's a good hotel. Help them out by creating a room block for them!

Happy Planning!!

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2010-04-19T20:11:00.001-07:00

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Staying sane while planning your wedding...

2010-03-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd repost this as wedding season approaches!

1. Dedicate a night for you and your fiance where you don't talk about the wedding. Remember why you got engaged in the first place. Cook dinner at home, open a bottle of wine and just enjoy each other without mention of the big day.

2. So while we recommend setting aside to NOT talk about the wedding, we also recommend setting aside time to talk about the wedding. Make sure your fiance is as in the know as you are. If you hired a wedding planner, make sure they are sitting down to go over your wedding, including the budget.

3. Set and stick to a budget. No matter what the number is you will always be able to spend more. Keep all your receipts and log them in promptly so you always know what youive spent.

4. Pick your top three priorities for the wedding and allocate money accordingly. Is your photography the most important piece of the big day? Or is it the food? Determine what you will not sacrifice on and set aside budget according to those priorities. Better yet, have a wedding planner do that for you and help you find the perfect vendors that are within your budget.

5. Don't sign the first florist you meet. Make sure you do some research on each vendor. It may seem like a lot of work, but ultimately you want to find the right vendors for your big day. Wedding Bells has a great forum where you can see reviews from other brides in your area of specific vendors.

6. Stay organized and keep all documents, receipts, ideas, and all other details in one spot. Purchase a binder and keep all of it together so you know exactly where to find that contract for the DJ when it comes time to pay him.

7. Do things early - hiring a DJ or florist last minute can cost you some big bucks and not to mention stress you out. The more items you check off your list early in the game the better off you'll be. Good venues book up quickly, so unless your budget includes $100 or more per plate, better book one early.

8. Advice - you're going to get a lot of advice from your coworkers to your family to perfect strangers. So what do you do with all this advice, thank them and move on. One person will tell you a wedding gown shop is awful and the next will swear by them, everyone has good and bad experiences, so listen, take notes, but do what's best for you.

9. Guest list drama - the guest list can be a soar spot for couples and their family, but ultimately it's your wedding day. If you haven't spoken to cousin Bob in 5 years, inviting him is up to you. But you want people at your wedding that mean something to you and your fiance. After all they are witnessing one of the most important days of your life. Make sure your family knows that.

10. Ask for help - your friends and family and bridal party are there to help you out. So recruit them to help you address invitations and make your cute favors. Find a wedding planner who includes some of these tasks in their list of services and hand it over. You have better things to do - like visit the spa with your bridesmaids!

Selecting Your Perfect Wedding Colors

2010-03-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Selecting your wedding colors can sometimes seem like a difficult and daunting task. There are so many great colors and yet only one wedding to plan! So when we found this color quiz on Martha Stewart Weddings, we couldn't wait to share it with brides (and grooms too!)

Pumpkin Pie Martini

2010-01-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

I know I should be blogging about Valentines Day and Spring and Summer weddings, but since I'm also working on a fall wedding for a client, I wanted to post this recipe for a great fall signature drink:

Pumpkin Pie Martini
Mix 1 oz. Vanilla Vodka,
1 oz. pumpkin liqueur,
½ oz. Bailey's Irish Cream,
a splash butterscotch Schnapps and ice

Shake, then pour and sprinkle with ¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice.
For added "pie" effect,rim the glass with fresh lemon juice and crushed graham crackers.

*source - Simply Creative Insanity

DIY Treat Bags

2010-01-19T09:37:00.000-08:00

What a cute and cleaver idea! These DIY treat "bags" are not only easy to make, but look fabulous. While they were made for Valentines Day, we could easily make these in any color for a wedding, bridal shower, or any other great party favor.

Here are the instructions we got from the site Simply Creative Insanity

What do I need?

8 1/2 x 11 cardstock
small cellophane bags
ribbon
hole punch
candy

What do I do?

1. Cut cardstock to 9 1/2 x 2 3/4
2. Fold as shown in diagram below
3. Fill cellophane bag with candy and fold over twice
4. Place candy bag in the treat bag,positioning the folded top of candy bag inside top of treat bag.
5. Punch two holes through all layers.
6. Tie up with a ribbon

Keeping your Bridesmaids Happy and Fed

2010-01-19T06:30:00.001-08:00

Wedding days go by in a blink of a minute, or so it seems that way on the big day. So keep your bridesmaids and groomsmen happy by making sure they have something to nibble and sip on while you're taking photos.

Keep in mind not to include anything that is oily or can stain your dress, tuxes or your girls dresses. Clear liquids, crackers, grapes, and even finger sandwiches (hold the mustard and mayo!).

Having these snack boxes in the car or limo will help keep your attendants happy and save you time from having to stop through the drive-thru!

*source - Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Day Coordination

2010-01-13T19:13:00.000-08:00

So you've dreamt of your dream wedding for months, maybe even years now, and he finally popped the question! Congratulations!! Now the fun begins.

You know what you want, and are fairly organized, so you'd like to plan your wedding yourself, but maybe you need some help along the way. Did you know you can hire a wedding planner to assist you in finding great vendors or coming up and narrowing down some ideas for you? At Cornerstone Events we don't only offer full wedding planning services, we also offer hourly consultations to help you with everything from finding that perfect venue, to coming up with great ideas for a color palette, etc.

Another one of our more popular packages is our Day of Wedding Coordination. It's where you plan your wedding, and just want someone there on the day of the wedding to ensure things run smoothly. Sure you could ask your mom, mom in law, or a good friend to do stuff for you, but it's not only your day, it's their day too. They want to relax and enjoy your special day just as much as you do. You also want that for them too! You've put in so much time and effort into your big day, you want all your guest to enjoy it!

With Day of, we'll work with you to create a detailed timeline 4-6 weeks before your big day, review all your contracts so we know exactly what you're expecting and what you paid for, and ensure on the big day all your vendors know we're the point of contact should they need any information or need to get in touch with someone. We'll set up those last minute details, transfer items from the ceremony location to the reception location, and make sure you and your husband are relaxed and can enjoy the moment.

Wedding Days go by quick, so ensure you and your guest enjoy every moment. Call us today for a free consultation and we'll take you through step by step what we can do to make this special occasion that much more memorable for you!

Sport Themed Guest Book

2010-01-11T07:50:00.000-08:00

Is your fiance a huge baseball, football or hockey fan? If so, incorporate his love for his favorite team (or yours!) by having guests sign a jersey with your new last name on it. Then frame it and hang it in the house! It'll be a great memory of your special day and all your friends and family that spent it with you!

S'more Station for your Wedding

2010-01-08T06:33:00.001-08:00

I love interactive stations for weddings. Not only do you get to share some of your favorite treats with your guests, but your guests get to move around and have some fun at the reception. So when we saw this latest idea we were really excited about the potential of this idea.

We also love the idea of sending guests home with their own S'more kits to continue the fun at home!

*Source -elly b events

Great Napkin fold

2010-01-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a video from Lynn Fletcher who teaches at Mount Royal College.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhnCnGryKA0

Putting your "stamp" on your wedding....

2010-01-06T08:33:00.000-08:00

Literally put your uniqueness - your fingerprints - to good use for your wedding stationary. We love this idea which we found on Style Me Pretty!

Favors

2009-12-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

When it comes to your wedding favors, the possibilities are endless. From shot glasses, to personalized CDs of music, you can offer your guests something that fits with the theme of your wedding, or is a reflections of your personality.

But why stop at just one favor? Give guests the option of taking home what they prefer! I love the idea of setting up groups of tables with different options and letting guests decide if they prefer a keepsake from your wedding, something they can nibble on on their way home or the next day or something they can use another day. Let them decide what they want!

Table Number Idea

2009-11-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday while wandering around Pottery Barn for Holiday decor ideas (yes I'm thinking Christmas already!), I found these cute numbered mason jars. So as much as I was thinking Christmas, my mind always goes back to my favorite event - Weddings! How great would these be as table numbers? Fill each jar with a different type of candy - provide a scoop or some tongs, and encourage guests to share their treats with other tables!

Now Pottery Barn's jars only come numbered from 1-3 - so it's time to get creative and make our own. Here are some ideas:

Go to Ikea - yes that's right Ikea. Their Slom Jar is only $2.99 each and looks exactly like Pottery Barn's Mason jars.

Now go to Micheal's, get yourself some number or even alphabet stencils (you can put whatever name or number you'd like on your jar - maybe each table is named after the candy that's in the jar) and using paint that adheres to glass, stencil your jar.

What a simple and inexpensive way to create a unique way to number or name your tables!

Wedding Dress Illustration

2009-10-15T17:41:00.001-07:00

Our web designer is always sending us unique postings from the web that she thinks we'd be interested in. So today when she sent us this one, well we knew we had to post it.

What girl doesn't sometimes wish she could put on her wedding dress again and parade around in it? Well now you can have a custom illustration of you looking fabulous in your dress forever!

Happy Thanksgiving - Fall Inspiration board

2009-10-12T10:13:00.001-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We thought we'd share an fall inspiration board with you today while you're enjoying turkey and gravy!

Calgary Bridal Expo

2009-09-28T06:50:00.001-07:00

A big thank you to everyone that visited our booth on Sunday at the Calgary Bridal Expo. We hope you had fun and found some great ideas and vendors. There were so many great booths and great ideas for upcoming weddings. Some of our favorite vendors were there yesterday including Buttercream Bake Shop who just happened to be right across from our booth. Those of you who visited our booth know those amazing little morsels of chocolate cake we're talking about. I left with half a dozen of those yummy delights!

We'll be posting the winner of our Relaxation package later this week, so stay tuned! For those of you that visited you may recall that we were offering a 10% discount in that package for the lucky winner!

Have more questions about our services? Call us today to book a consultation!

Karlee and Jason

2009-09-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of working with Karlee and Jason on their wedding. They held their ceremony, cocktails and reception at the Saskatoon Farm, just south of Calgary. It's a gorgeous little venue and guest had a great time. Wei from Photobolic just posted some photos from their wedding, so we thought we'd share. Now I know were Jason was before the ceremony! Very cool gift!

Congrats again to Karlee and Jason!!

Calgary Wedding Expo

2009-09-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

With the Wedding Expo on Sunday we wanted to share some tips on how to survive these big shows.

1. Wear comfortable shoes - I love any excuse to break out my heels, but this isn't the day to do it. Hard concrete floors + a few hours walking around = very sore feet!

2. Don't bring your whole bridal party - There are A LOT of brides, maids of honour, mother of the brides, bridesmaids and even grooms that attend these shows, and it makes it hard to navigate through all these people. If you have more than two other people with you, you'll find you're always looking for them and not focusing on finding vendors for your big day. Stick to bringing only one or two people with you.

3. Hand cramps - There will be a lot of draws to enter, so save your hand and your time by coming prepared with labels with your name, address, phone number and email address on them. This will make entering the draws a piece of cake.

4. Know who will be there - all the shows have a website that list the vendors that will be at the show. Take a look at these before hand, check out the vendor's website and try to make a list of who you want to talk to. Once you're at the show, only take the business cards and brochures of vendors you're interested in. It will make it easier when you're weeding through your bag when you get home.

5. Bring water - We've all been to the Round-up Center (now BMO Center) and know that a simple bottle of water can cost over $3. You'll need it when you've been walking around all day and possibly tasting cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries!

6. Have Patience - If you really want to talk to a vendor don't get discouraged if their booth is crowded around by other potential brides. Walk around and come back to them, better yet, come back when the fashion show starts. The floor usually thins out while the show is on.

7. Sales Pressure - You're sure to run into a DJ or other vendor who tells you that he only has one opening left for your wedding date. There are a lot of other vendors at the show to talk to, so don't feel like you need to sign without having talked to the rest of them.

8. Bring a pen and take notes - so you can remember what each vendor said, bring a note book and pen and make quick notes. That way you'll be able to remember what each one said.

9. Go early - find out when the doors open and be one of the first brides there. Wait until late
afternoon and it will be more crowded on the floor.

10. Have Fun! - After all you are getting MARRIED!! Whether you're bringing your fiance, mom or maid of honour - make a day of it. Go early, get your stuff done, and then go for a great lunch to thank them for coming with you. You'll be able to compare notes and talk about what you saw at the show.

And last but certainly not least - COME VISIT US! We'll be at booth #81. Tell us you read our blog and we might have a special surprise for you!

Great Calgary wedding venue

2009-09-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of working with the Art Gallery of Calgary where Leslie and Nic got married. We hosted their ceremony on the main level of the gallery, and followed it with a champagne cocktail party immediately after on the second level of the gallery. It was a great way for guests to mingle with the bride and groom and allowed the bride and groom to capture all the photos they wanted with their family right at the gallery.

Here are some photos of their ceremony, my assistant and I were so busy ensuring everyone had food and drinks, that we didn't get any photos of the Champagne cocktail party - we'll have to wait until Johnny from JT Images posts some of his photos so we can share them with you!

Thanks to Dacey at the Art Gallery and all the staff and volunteers on board that day! And congratulations to Leslie and Nic on a spectacular day!

What we've been up to....

2009-09-09T20:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since we've blogged, so we thought it was about time to get back online and see what everyone was up to. Here's what's been going on with Cornerstone Events.

2009-08-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had the pleasure of working with another great couple. Sylvana and Brett are so in love and you could see it through the entire day. Sylvana did a fabulous of picking out all her colors and details, the ceremony and reception looked amazing.

We also got to work with some great vendors. Special thanks to Kristy and Erin and all the wonderful staff at the Sheraton, Theresa from Simply Elegant Decorations, Judy from Cake Sensations, and Corina from Dutch Touch Florist for helping the day turn out as magical as it did for these two love birds!

We'll have some other photos up soon from Maria Lang, the wonderful photographer who captured all the wonderful moments of the day!

Great Wedding Video

2009-07-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

I love when couples think outside the box. This video proves that everyone should have a little fun on their wedding day! We walked back up the aisle to Barry White's - You're my First, my last, my everything. Even my parents and in-laws danced up the aisle!

Infuse some fun into your wedding day and let your personality show :o) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

Sandra and Doug

2009-06-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to work with a wonderful couple like Sandra and Doug, who were married on June 6th. I also enjoyed working with Virginia Booth - owner of Hot Shoe Photography. Virginia is such a talented photographer! We'll be posting more photos of Sandra and Doug's wedding soon, but here's a sneak peek from Virginia's blog.

Congrats again Sandra and Doug!

Candy Store!

2009-06-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when owner of Weigh 2 Go, Allison, sent me an email inviting me to visit her store. Since I was literally in the neighbourhood of her store on Southland and Macleod, I popped in to see her amazing selection of bulk food and CANDY!

She has this amazing wall of every flavor of Jelly Bellies - including Peanut Butter and French Vanilla - YUMMY! What they don't have in store they can order for you too. So if you're in the Calgary area looking for Candy for your wedding candy bar, then pop into Weigh 2 Go to see their selection of yummy treats!

See our blog post on Candy bars too.

Butterflies and Puffy Eyes

2009-06-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

Before we start I want to introduce Julia - my amazing wedding assistant! Julia is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary and has this amazing ability to remain calm, cool and collected on frantic wedding days! She's also my go to person for beauty tips - so here's one of many articles Julia will be contributing to Cornerstone Event's wedding blog - Welcome aboard Julia!!

They say the eyes are the windows to your soul, so on your wedding day, the last thing you want is your soul mate to look into puffy, sleep deprived eyes, right?

As a result of butterflies and a system bursting with excitement and adrenaline, numerous brides, myself included, almost always never get enough sleep and end up suffering the consequences afterwards.

Solving that problem is quite simple! Here are some easy DIY tricks that can get rid of those dark circles and puffy eyes in a flash - trust me, you’ll feel much better once those puffs are gone, and your eyes are awake!

1. Chilled teaspoons - keep an arsenal of these little babies in the fridge overnight, and throw them over yours eyes in the morning. They are the perfect shape to cover the eye area, and you will feel NOTHING but a refreshing chill on your eyes. It’ll not only take down the puffiness, but it’ll also revitalize and wake up your entire eye area. This no mess option is also great to take on the go if you can put it inside a cooler and keep it chilled. Keep them handy in the morning, after or even during the ceremony and the reception and you’ll have fresh eyes all day!

2. Chilled teabags - This is a wonderful option for puffy eyes since it not only deflates the puffs, and corrects discoloration from dark circles, but acts as a minispa in your own home! With the teabags, there are two options - looseleaf teas (you will have to get teabags to put the leaves inside. Specialty tea stores offer often offer numerous styles and sizes of teabags), or prepackaged teabags. While the prepackaged teabags are often easier to do, the looseleaf teas can give you more options in mixing and creating the right infusion for yourself. Here are some pointers in choosing the right tea:

a. Black Teas - contains natural caffeine, so it can 'wake up' your eye area

b. Chamomile/Lavender Teas - both of these flavours are known for its soothing and calming
properties, it can help to soothe your eye area as well as your mind

c. White Tea - known to have more antioxidants than even green tea, white teas will provide
both nutrients and refreshment for your eyes

d. Mixture - if you are choosing looseleaf teas, most specialty tea shops can create an infusion to
your liking.

Instructions:

The night before you need the teabags, take a couple of teabags and steep them in a small pot of boiling water.
Once the tea has been steeped for about 5-10 min, remove the teabags, throw them out, and chill the tea overnight.
When you are ready to use the teabags, put an ice cube in the chilled tea, along with the number of teabags required, until the teabags are saturated.
Squeeze off excess water and place over closed eyes

Wedding Day Make-Up

2009-05-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

One of my personal favorite memories of my own wedding day was the morning. Getting ready and hanging out with my family and my favorite ladies while getting our hair and make-up done. You could feel the excitement and love in the air. I was lucky enough to find a hair and make-up professional who could both come to the house to pretty us up. But finding a great make-up professional who will travel to where you're getting ready can sometimes be a challenge. So when I heard the very talented Megan Munro of Bombshell Live Pretty did house calls, I had to sit down and interview her. I've seen her work personally and know she does an amazing job on all the ladies she works with.

Here's the answers to the interview I had with her:

1. When did you begin doing make-up?

Personally when I was eleven, though I wasn't technically allowed to wear it until I was twelve, I had an older sister...and couldn't resist the temptation. I remember that same Christmas in my stocking I got a Maybelline pastel eye shadow quad from "Santa" and I thought I had gone to heaven. It was then I started doing my friends' make-up...top secret from our parents, of course.

Professionally - I started doing 'mobile' wedding makeup four years ago and have become more involved in advertising campaign and stock photography shoot make-up and styling for the past three. I think it is important to have a make-up artist who can come to you. As a bride, the last thing you need to worry about is having to drive somewhere on your special day to get your make-up done and risk arriving at the alter late. Mobility is a differentiating factor for me and, being a bride once myself, I wouldn't have it any other way.

2. How did you discover you had a passion and talent for it?

I think in high school when girls would ask me to do their make-up for special events - school dances, hot dates etc. I was lined up the day of grad photos...if only I had been charging back then!

3. What is your favourite moment when working with a bride?

Every bride is special to work with and I am always honoured to be a part of their big day, but my most memorable moment came when I did a mother of the bride's make-up. She had stopped wearing make-up in the 80s - "after the kids " - so I was a little nervous she was not going to like anything on her face. But, when I showed her the final look in the mirror she started to cry, gave me a hug, and said she hadn't looked that beautiful since her wedding day. Moments like that are really special and definitely make doing make-up even more rewarding.

4. What is the biggest mistake you see brides or bridesmaids do with their wedding day make up?

Too much dark eye shadow. Please leave the smoky eye at the nightclub where it belongs. Even the best primers can't compete with tears of happiness and too much dark eye shadow ends up looking a mess...and not that irresistibly sexy look they were obviously after.

Another mistake is not enough blush. Camera flashes wipe a lot of colour out, so, to not look like The Corpse Bride - apply 20% more than what you would normally apply in an every day situation.

5. What is your number one tip for brides in regards to make up and/or skin care before or on their wedding day?

Exfoliate at least twice a week and wear sunscreen, evenly, all over your face, neck and décolleté every day - especially if you are a summer bride.

6. What is your favourite product in your make up bag for yourself?

My little indulgences are Laura Mercier 'thickening & building' mascara and my Clarins instant smooth perfecting touch primer - amazing products. I also love anything by Laura Geller - I am a huge fan of her Balance 'N Brighten baked foundation - I wear it every day.

7. What is your favourite product in your make up bag for your clients?

Tough question - I think I have a favourite for all skin types. One product does not work equally for all. I would say my 'secret weapon' for all brides is the Benefit Eye Bright pencil. It goes along the bottom waterline and does two things great:

1) Makes your eyes pop and seem brighter
2) Neutralizes the appearance of tired eyes

I also adore Urban Decay's eye shadow primer potion - it locks in colour, prevents fading and creasing and helps to conceal those light blue veins fair-skinned people sometimes have. I use it on all my clients. It is a must-have for brides as it provides extra make-up insurance because -unlike a photo shoot that is over in a couple hours, your 'photo shoot' lasts all day!

8. Do you have a favourite line of skin care products and why?

I am a big believer in a good night cream and day scream with at least 15+ SPF. I use Clarins, but the cost is higher . If your desired price point is lower - I also like the Olay Regenerist line. I started using their daily exfoliating cleanser and really love how it has brightened my skin.
If you are up for a splurge - Crème de la mer is the dream. Their classic face cream is rich and non-oily and feels like a luxury every time you put it on.

Instead of expensive handbags or shoes...I always choose expensive make-up - you can feel pampered every day!

9. Do you have a favourite line of makeup products and why?

I seem to love something from most product lines. My kit contains my favourite items from all kinds of brands. I think you don't need to spend a fortune to look amazing and there are so many really great drug store brands out there that work just as well, if not better, than the uber expensive brands. I believe pretty should be for all - no matter what your bank account size!

But - if I had to name a few - I would say Smashbox, NARS and Laura Geller for higher priced options and Rimmel, Coastal Scents (can order online as only sold in the USA) and Revlon for drug store brands. The Revlon colour stay foundation is one of my favourite liquid foundations - the range of colours it has is amazing and it has the lasting power and pigmentation of a comparable like M.A.C's famed Studio Fix.

10. What is your favourite memory of your wedding day?

It would have to be coming down the aisle with my Dad. All the build up, all the planning and getting ready all come to fruition as soon as you walk down that aisle. Seeing my husband-to-be standing there, looking so handsome - the look on his face - all things I will never forget. Just thinking about that makes me all teary-eyed!

Thanks Megan for letting us pick your brain. If you want to contact Megan she can be reached at:

Megan Munro
mail: megan.munro@gmail.com
Tel: 403.835.0332
URL: www.livepretty.ca - Coming Soon!

Phoebe Fairytale - the latest in trends

2009-05-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

Located right here in Calgary, Phoebe Fairytale combines fun, flirty and sophisticated while creating unique jewellery, lip gloss and hair accessories.

They personally handcraft custom, one of a kind pieces for every day, formal or bridal events. Using quality materials and their keen sense of style, Phoebe Fairytale custom accessories are both beautiful and romantic. Their feather and flower headpieces are a perfect complement to your wedding or bridesmaid dress without the high cost often associated with store-bought bridal head pieces.

Then there are their flower wristlet and anklets. They are a beautiful modern alternative to the traditional corsage and can be customized to match your wedding colours.

And if that wasn't enough for you they also create homemade lip balms - reminiscent of your favourite fairytale and perfect for staggette take-aways and bridesmaid favours. The classic namesake the "Fairytale Balm" is our dual purposes lavender scented balm - perfect for a night lip seal and moisturizing cuticle balm. There are a variety of other fairytale inspired balms: Goldilocks (lemon), Snow White (red apple) and Snow Queen (spearmint with a hint of shimmer), each has its own distinct aromatic oil and tint of color.

Making weddings and 'the every day' special - they look forward to creating a custom piece just for you. They can be reached at

Phoebe.Fairytale@gmail.com

Inspirations from his Tux

2009-05-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I heart Martha Stewart Weddings - so I have to share this latest inspiration board I put together borrowing images from the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. These touches add some much class to a formal black tie wedding.

Budgeting for your Dream Wedding

2009-05-02T08:50:00.001-07:00

Your Dream Wedding - how much will it cost you? With everything going on in today's economy, this is the question on most bride and groom's minds. How much will this day cost us, and how much are we willing to give up?

There is a bit of a misconception out there that only couples with large budgets can afford to hire a wedding consultant or wedding coordinator. We're here to tell you how hiring a good wedding consultant can actually help save you money!

Case #1 - We recently had a bride and groom who really wanted chair covers for their reception. The thought of paying $5-6 per chair cover was more than they wanted to pay for this decor item. Since this couple works full-time and has a number of different obligations, they had little time to try to find chair covers at a price they wanted to pay. After hiring us, they indicated their dilemma to us and we had a solution for them. A local vendor we work with rents chair cover for just over $3/chair cover. She also offers us a discount for our clients. The savings this couple realized were almost enough to cover our fee. We've since been able to help them find more vendors that have quality product and services that work within their budget.

Case #2 - Another bride and groom were having a small wedding to keep costs low. They hired us to help them plan the reminder of their wedding, including finding vendors for flowers, invitations, chair covers, and all their decor items. We are able to gather 3 vendor quotes for all the remaining items - thus finding them the perfect vendors for them and at the best possible price without sacrificing quality.

Most of our brides and groom work full-time and only have one or two full days off together. We are able to help them not spend those days planning their wedding, and instead spend it enjoying the spring and summer!

Budgeting out your wedding before hiring vendors is such an important part of planning your wedding. Having a plan and sticking to it will ensure you have the wedding of your dreams without going over budget. We'll work with you to ensure you have a plan and stick to it - and have that AMAZING wedding you're dreaming of!

Destination Weddings - Jamaica

2009-05-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of staying at Couples Swept Away in Negril Jamaica this winter and witnessed approximately 15 weddings in a two week period! What a great destination for a beach wedding. Not only is the resort on a gorgeous stretch of beach, but the staff goes above and beyond each and every day for it's guest.

I met with one of the resorts wedding planners who took me through the resort to show me the various locations you can hold a wedding ceremony. There is of course the beach, their beautiful garden location and the gazebo.

Their wedding package includes the following:

Minister's Fee and non denominational ceremony

Flowers for the bride and groom

Two tiered wedding cake and bottle of wine

Witnesses (if required)

Just married T-shirts and massages!

You can add extras to your wedding such as a steel drum band, photography and videography and even a Wed Cast. And of course they'll work with you to host a fabulous reception at one of their many fabulous restaurants.

Want more information about Couples? Contact us today. http://www.cornerstoneevents.ca/ info@cornerstoneevents.ca

Elegantly Yours closing sale

2009-04-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE

Veils & Tiaras ~ Hundreds to choose from
Guest books, Favors, decorations, crinolines, Honeymoon accessories, and much more!
Everything you need at up to 75% off retail prices
CASH ONLY

Date: May 2, 2009
Time: 10:00~4:00
Where: 457 Elgin Way SE
Calgary, AB
T2Z-3Y6

A great weekend in Lake Louise

2009-04-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had the pleasure of being hosted by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise to view their property for wedding related events. We were put up in a beautiful suite and fed some amazing food.

What impressed me the most about the Chateau was their creativity when it comes to weddings. Not only did they show us their amazing ballroom and other fabulous traditional reception areas, but they took us on a tour of the Brewsters Barn and various hotel suites that would be perfect for small ceremonies. The staff at the Chateau are committed to doing what they can to make a bride and groom’s experience at the hotel a fabulous one.

While the hotel and all it’s amenities are amazing, let’s not forget about the view! During our stay the lake was frozen over, in fact they said we could go walk on it. I decided to keep my feet planted firmly on the ground around the lake, but there were others venturing out there. But from any point in and around the hotel you are surrounded by a beautiful back drop and awe inspiring views. Who wouldn’t want to host their wedding in such a beautiful area? Just imagine the photos you’ll come away with!

Want to learn more about the Chateau Lake Louise? Give us a call! These are just a few of the many photos we have from our weekend out there to give you a taste of what the hotel can offer. We’ll work with you and the great staff at the hotel to create not only an amazing wedding for you, but an experience your guests will never forget!

Eco-Chic Wedding Tips

2009-04-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to republish this post:

1. Have your ceremony and reception at the same location.

2. Create a wedding website, and have guests RSVP on the site rather than using mailer inserts with your invitation. Afraid some of your older guests won’t know what to do? Include a phone number as an alternative way to RSVP.

3. Choose bridesmaids dresses that your friends will wear again, How about a LBD with a fun accessory that ties into your wedding colors like a sash or brooch? Your girls will love you for it!

4. Purchase wedding shoes that you will wear again.

5. Use your Grandma’s or mom’s vintage veil. It can be your “something borrowed” and they’ll love that you’re using a piece from their wedding.

6. If you have separate sites for your ceremony and reception, use the same decor from the ceremony for the reception.

7. Have your guests sign the mat of a framed photo from your engagement instead of a guest book.

8. Donate the flowers from your wedding to a hospital.

9. In lieu of a favor, give the money to a charity for a greener world.

10. Use a florist who uses flowers from local or organic farms.

Green Inspiration Board

2009-04-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day everyone!

*Image sources - theknot.com, brides.com, marthastewart.com, realgreenweddings.blogspot.com

Off to Lake Louise!

2009-04-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few days for us and we've been lacking on the blog posts! We'll be back at it next week as we're off to Lake Louise tomorrow for the weekend. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has invited us to tour the facility along with a select few other wedding planners from Calgary and Edmonton area. Then we're off to Banff for the day on Sunday to do some additional touring of venues and vendor meetings.

We'll be sure to share all the great photos and ideas once we're back. Do you dream of a romantic mountain wedding? Be sure to contact us to start brainstorming some great ideas for your upcoming wedding, whether you're planning a wedding here in Calgary, on the beach somewhere warm, or in the Banff, Canmore or Lake Louise area.

Happy Weekend everyone!

Wheatgrass

2009-04-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

An economical yet beautiful idea to incorporate into your wedding centerpieces or even your cocktail tables - wheatgrass. Incorporate this with a few flowers and you can see how beautiful it can look!

*Image sources - theknot.com, diy.wed-central, hostess with the mostess

More Fabulous Ideas

2009-04-09T21:14:00.001-07:00

I was just over at one of my favorite blogs, The Finer Things and loved the post Jessica did on save-the-dates, particularly this great cookie from The Flour Pot Cookies. What a fun and tasty way to tell guests to save your date!

Want these done locally? Call Amy or Kari at Buttercream Bake Shoppe with this idea. The team there is so fabulously talented, there's nothing they can't do!

Little packages of love

2009-04-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts about going to weddings is seeing all the unique ways Brides and Grooms thank their guests for sharing their special day with them. Yes, that's right - the favors. We've moved away from little rounds of tulle filled with candy coated almonds to just about anything you can think of. Candy, popcorn, candles, CDs, home-made chocolates, salt and pepper shakers, and the list goes on and on. But half the fun of it can be the packaging it comes in!!

One of my favorite stores in the city is Creative Packaging, which I've blogged about before. But today I accidentally landed on The Container Store. Usually when I find these fun sites, they never seem to ship to Canada, so when I saw the little Canadian flag that said "now shipping to Canada" - you can only imagine how happy that made me!

One of my favorites is the Birch Veneer Wine Bottle Cylinder. What a unique way to present a host/hostess or a wedding guest with a bottle of wine. You could jazz it up with a monogram stamp or some colorful ribbon.

The Clear Handled Cases would be perfect to fill up with fun shades of OPI nail polish to present to all the ladies standing by your side as you plan your big day. Just think of how much fun it would be to be presented with a case full of fun colored nail polishes just in time for Spring and Summer!Then there are all the different shapes, sizes and colors that the Amac boxes come in. You can find the perfect shape and color to package that special gift for your guests!

I've posted just a few of my favorites, but check it out for yourself.

Beyond the Candy Bar

2009-04-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge fan of the candy bar but LOVE these ideas from Brides.com. Now we have the sweet's bar, the s'mores bar (yummy!) and the ice cream bar! How much fun would your guest have making s'mores and ice cream treats at your wedding. While cutting your cake is fun for you and your husband, these ideas will have all your guest entertained!

Worried about line ups? Have your caterer set up a few stations around the room for easy access!

Now I need some ice cream!

*Photo source - Brides.com

Sweetspot.ca Wedding Guide

2009-04-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

Sweet Spot has just posted their Wedding Guide with 3 recommendations for flowers, invitations, dresses, and cakes. Whether you're looking for a green, relaxed or wow option, they have a vendor for you. Check them out, then check out the great local talent in the city that can help you with the details for your big day!

Want more suggestions? We've been busy meeting with vendors in the city and can give you a little more info - just send us and email at info@cornerstoneevents.ca

Happy Planning!!

DIY Tissue Pomanders

2009-04-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

We posted an idea for pew decorations last week and wanted to show what they are looking like in our bride's colors. I also managed to find a more comprehensive step by step process on Project Wedding

Carnations

2009-03-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

My mom loves carnations, but honestly I've never been a big fan of them. That was until I started to see them like this! Carnations can look amazing when grouped together in big bunches like in the photos attached. Best thing about carnations is they are very inexpensive and can look fantastic and elegant for a wedding or shower.

Photo sources: belladesignstudio.blogspot.com, http://www.purejoyflowers.com/, Flicker, http://www.projectwedding.com/

What will a Bridal Consultant do for me?

2009-03-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

In addition to helping make your wedding dreams come true within your budget – and perhaps saving you from costly mistakes - a consultant will save you time. With today’s hectic lifestyle, many bridal couples and their families do not have the time for the detailed planning and work that a beautiful wedding requires.

Won’t a consultant want to run the whole show?
A professional bridal consultant will work with you to handle as much or as little of your wedding as you wish. After all, it’s your wedding. The consultant is there to help you and your family and make the day as perfect as possible.

Why can’t I do the planning myself?
You certainly can do the planning yourself, and that sometimes is part of the fun. But it also can be a hassle: checking out many sources for each vendor category, making sure all the details are in place and worrying about whether you’re getting the best deal and whether everything will turn out right. An ABC bridal professional has the training and experience to make it all come together while you relax.

Do I need a contract with my consultant?
You should have some agreement in writing. While some people prefer a formal contract, a letter of agreement signed by both of you is usually enough. This is an informal contract which spells our fees, payment schedules, and what each of you will do.

What qualities should I look for in a consultant?
You should be comfortable with the person. You will be spending a lot of time together planning one of the major rites of passage in your life.

How can I tell if a Bridal Consultant is reputable?
All Association of Bridal Consultant members agree to uphold the ABC Code of Ethics and Standards of Membership. Look for the Association’s logo and ask to see a current ABC membership certificate or contact the Association to verify a bridal consultant’s status. Be sure to ask the consultant during the interview what kind of education and experience they have. The designation of Professional Bridal Consultant ™ is awarded to Association members who have completed the Professional Development Program. Some senior members have the designation of Accredited Bridal Consultant™ or Master Bridal Consultant™. Each of these has a certificate and indicates higher levels of training and experience. Some members also participate in Association–sponsored seminars and workshops. Certificates indicating that they have completed this training also may be displayed.

What will a Bridal Consultant charge?
ABC discourages its consultants from charging a percentage of the cost of the wedding. Most ABC consultants charge an hourly rate or a fixed fee, or a combination of both. All these methods are acceptable, but you should clarify in writing how and when you will compensate your wedding coordinator for his or her services.

A wedding consultant is part of your budget, not an extra expense. In fact, you often save money because a consultant suggests affordable alternatives that still enhance your wedding. The professional bridal consultant will work with you to produce your dream wedding, including the consultant’s fee, all within your budget.

How can I tell if a Bridal Consultant is providing a quality vendor?
Bridal Consultants work with many different wedding vendors and service providers. They have experience to know who is best suited for your wedding. The consultant’s reputation depends on the quality of the services you receive. A bridal professional is committed to providing the best possible wedding for the lowest possible cost. Also the consultant’s job is to keep you on budget.

The Association of Bridal Consultants is the only organization dedicated exclusively to serving wedding professionals –and brides- worldwide since 1955. www.BridalAssn.com

Pew decorations

2009-03-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

One of my brides was looking for some decorations for her ceremony. We tossed around the idea of pew bows, but when I dragged out what I had in my stash of decorations, they were just not going to cut it for her wedding. So I started doing some research on what we could do that would be inexpensive, but contemporary for her wedding.

First place I naturally go is to the Internet to search all my favorite blogs and websites. Naturally Martha Stewart Weddings was my source of inspiration for this project.

So I took some ribbon and tissue paper I had around the house, and here is my version of it:We're going to use hot pink and orange flowers for hers, with black ribbon, but we LOVE how these turned out and how easy they were to make!

Short Gowns

2009-03-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Want something a little different for your wedding day? Or maybe you're looking for that perfect dress for your engagment party or rehearsal dinner. We love the new looks from the 2009 fall runways. We're seeing some fabulous short dresses from all our favorite designers. Here are just three of some great looks.

*Images from Instyle Weddings

Fabulous Reception Locations

2009-03-18T19:52:00.001-07:00

We've been busy running around the city meeting some amazing vendors. Photographers, florists, DJs, pastry chefs and of course venues. It's amazing how many great locations there are in the city to host an event. Some of the best locations are not very well know, so we've been doing some serious investigation to find them.

Tonight I met with Maria Elena from Endeavor Arts Gallery & Event Space. They are located on 1st Street SW between 12 and 13th Avenue. For those local Calgarians, or anyone that's been in the city for a while, it used to be the old Night Gallery location. Well it's come a long, long way from what it used to look like.

What I love about the space is that it's truly a blank canvas. While the intent is to turn it into a digital media art gallery, it still is and will be an amazing event space. Just think of all the cool things you can do with a beautiful space like this! Check their site out for more great photos!

http://www.endeavorarts.com

Looking to add some color?

2009-03-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

One of the top wedding trends is adding color in unexpected places. Most brides are hesitant to wear a red wedding dress or a light pink one for that matter. But there are other ways to incorporate color into your wedding day. It can be as easy as dying your crinoline! You can do this at home or visit Wedding Cabaret on Etsy. Just send them your crinoline and they'll do it all for you.

Not sure about your crinoline? How about colored shoes. We've posted these beautiful Something Blue Satin Manolo Blahnik shoes before and still LOVE them! Whether you choose blue shoes or hot pink shoes, a little color peeking out from under your dress will surprise everyone and make for some great photos!

Black and White Inspiration Board

2009-03-11T20:16:00.001-07:00

As promised, here is our inspiration board inspired by the new Dessy bridesmaid dress we posted yesterday!

*Image sources: Dessy.com, Martha Stewart, The Knot, Brides and Flicker

Dessy Bridesmaid Dress

2009-03-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

I'm in LOVE with this new bridesmaid dress from Dessy! A fabulously funky departure from the traditional dresses bridesmaids have had to endure! Your maids will love this beautiful floral pattern and they'll look great! Stay tuned as we'll be featuring this dress in an inspiration board in the next few day!

What's in a name?

2009-03-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

So after you walk down the aisle and say I do, there's a little bit more work if you're planning on taking your sweetie's last name. Now before you think it's overly complicated, or get too worried about it all, here are some quick tips.

After your officiant registers your wedding (which they do pretty quickly after your wedding) you can go to a Registry office and submit an application for a Marriage Certificate. It takes about a week for it to come in. Once you have this document, you can then apply for a new drivers license in your new last name. Again, that takes about a week to get processed and they'll send you a new one. At the same time you can change your name on your vehicle registration.

With your new drivers license and marriage certificate you can begin contacting your credit card companies, banks, and of course don't forget to notify your HR department of your new last name. Some of these places will want a photocopy of your marriage certificate and drivers license. You'll also want to contact Revenue Canada and notify them as well, they will make all the changes with one phone call.

That wasn't so hard was it?

10 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

2009-03-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

1. Prioritize your priorities - Is it the dress? The food? Photography? Pick your top three priorities and the three things that are least important, and budget accordingly.

2. Plus One – Don’t feel obligated to invite a date for all your single guests or all your pals at work. Cutting guest doesn’t only save money on catering, but on all other items that can quickly add up such as favours, centerpieces and invitations.

3. Save on postage – Sign up for a free wedding website to collect RSVPs or include a phone number for guests to reply to. This saves money on postage and printing costs. Not to mention it’s environmentally friendly too!

4. Think outside the box – Opt for less traditional reception. Host a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre party after an evening ceremony, a lunch after a morning ceremony or a dinner reception on a day other than Saturday. Alternatively set a date in wedding off season (October – April).

5. Happy Hour – Have wine served at the tables instead of having a bottle of red and white at each table. How many weddings have you been to where you see full bottles of open wine at the end of the night? Save money by having the wait staff pour your guest wine before dinner. Close the bar for an hour during dinner, or opt for a toonie or loonie bar. Your guests won’t mind chipping in a dollar or two for each drink and it will help with the costs of the bar, which is often a big expense at a wedding.

6. Pay now or pay later? – Ask vendors if they offer any discounts for paying in full up front. Often you can save 10% for doing this. These savings can add up.

7. Two for One – Stack favours in the center of your guest tables or have mini wedding cakes tiered as centerpieces. These will serve as guest desserts/favours and centerpieces.

8. What’s in bloom? – Ask your florist which flowers are in season and stick to these for your bouquets and other floral needs. You’ll save a lot of money by doing so.

9. Picture Perfect – Shop around for a photographer and ask if you can purchase or if a CD of your digital images are included in the package. You can save a bundle by being able to print your photos when you need and many photography shops let you create beautiful photo books.

10. Fairy Godmother to the rescue – Many brides and grooms think hiring a wedding consultant is an added expense to their budget. In reality, hiring a wedding professional can save you all kinds of money in the long run. Many of them have relationships with vendors that can get you discounts on their products and services. As well, this is their business, so they know who is out there and have already done the leg work for you, so let them recommend the vendors that meet your needs and are within your budget. As an added bonus, on your wedding day, you won’t have to worry about all the details. They will be there quarterbacking your day and ensuring it runs smoothly.

Popcorn Bar

2009-03-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

I'm a HUGE fan of Candy bars at weddings, birthday parties, holiday events, and any other kind of event you can think of. But now more and more brides and event planners are trying to think outside the box. So I got to thinking about my favorite food, POPCORN, and how much fun it could be at a wedding or other type of event. Kernels has so many amazing flavors and it is such an affordable option. Just fill glass containers with your favorite kinds, from Chocolate to Jalapeno Jack and you're set. Over at Wedding Star you can even purchase these cute Popcorn containers with cute stickers on them that would be perfect for your wedding! Don't like the containers? Visit Michael's or Creative Packaging and find some glassin bags or plastic bags, decorate with your choice of sticker and VOILA! A fun, interactive bar for your guest to munch on through the night or to take home to eat the next day!

You can also have fun with this idea with cookies too!

Great invitation idea for Stag or Stagette!

2009-02-26T16:46:00.000-08:00

I just LOVE these VIP passes from Finestationary.com! What a great idea to get people excited about your night out with the girls and/or guys!

While these can be ordered through the US at finestationary.com, there are so many talented invitation specialists here that could replicate this look for you and save you on the shipping costs!

Getting Married in Alberta - Marriage License Information

2009-02-26T15:33:00.001-08:00

For those of you getting married in Alberta, here are a few things you'll need to know before you walk down the aisle. You can apply for your marriage license at any of the Registry Offices in Alberta.

When applying for your marriage license, you must both be presents at the Registers Office and you both must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs (same goes for your actual wedding ceremony)
You must be 18 years or older. If younger, you need legal consent from your parents)
Bring ID with you - Birth Certificate, Passport, Canadian Citizenship, Drivers License.
Know your parents full names and birth places (yes they ask for this on your application!)
Both parties must provide their parents' full names and birth places
You must be currently unmarried and if you are divorced, you need to bring proof such as a Certificate of Divorce.

For more information visit the government of Alberta site.

Oscar Dress Inspiration

2009-02-23T19:51:00.000-08:00

I LOVED the dresses at the Oscars this year! There were so many inspiring ideas for all you brides-to-be! My personal favorite was Sarah Jessica Parker's.

Calgary Avenue Magazine Wedding Contest!

2009-02-23T19:26:00.000-08:00

Calling all Calgary engaged couples! Avenue is looking for couples to submit their story to win some fabulous prizes! The question? How did you know your fiance was the one for you?

Contest closes on July 31, 2009. Prizes include:

Knickers N Lace - $500 gift certificate

Designs by Manuel – 19 Karat white gold pendant with 0.15 Carat round brilliant-cut diamond, with 14 Karat white gold chain

Inglewood Beauty Bar - Full set of lashes and care kit. Total value of this package is $350.00.

His and hers Bulova watch - Approximate reatil value $700.00

Visit Avenue Magazine to enter today!

Calgary Wedding Gown Sale at Ethos this weekend!

2009-02-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

*Image source -Ethos

Affordable and Chic Bridal Jewellery

2009-02-19T17:44:00.001-08:00

Looking for that perfect piece of jewellery for your wedding day? Why not "borrow" it from http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/? Bag Borrow or Steal is a online borrowing boutique for everyone! Now you can "borrow" designer handbags, stunning jewellery or those long desired sunglasses. How does it work? Simply create an account and become a member, choose the items you're wanting to "borrow" and they are shipped to you. You can keep them for a week, a month, or as long as you like. So you could have a new designer handbag each week if you so desire!

We checked out their selection of jewellery and there are some beautiful pieces that would be perfect to pair with your wedding gown. Instead of spending anywhere from $400 - $2000 on a piece, you can rent it for as little as $20 a week! From Swarovski to Vera Wang, there's a perfect piece for everyone that's affordable.

Image Source - Bagborroworsteal.com

Our website is launched!

2009-02-17T20:38:00.000-08:00

We're excited to announce that our website has launched today! Please visit www.cornerstoneevents.ca
Over the past three months we've made significant progress towards making sure we have all the tools needed to help brides and grooms with their wedding planning. We've completed the Professional Development program through the Association of Bridal Consultants and have worked with a fabulous web designer on our site. We want to ensure all our clients and potential clients know we're serious about our business and their weddings!

Custom Veils from Etsy

2009-02-16T19:56:00.000-08:00

Brenda's Bridal Veils on Esty.com has some beautiful custom veils at some incredible prices. And even more amazing are her designs. I just love the birdcage veil and they look incredible on every bride. Are you looking for that unique vintage look? Does this veil work with your wedding style? Then check out Brenda's Bridal Veils on Etsy today!

Yellow Inspiration Board

2009-02-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

Here's an inspiration board with one of this years hot colors - Yellow. One of my favorite things about this color is the fact you can use lemons for centerpieces. Such a great cost effective way to incorporate your color!

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T08:27:00.001-08:00

Of course as a wedding planner, today is one of my favorite days since it's all about love. I found some great DIY projects online that I had to share with you. The great thing about these two project is that you can easily use them for a wedding or another event.

The first are some great crochet hearts that can be used as gift tags and even place cards. You can use any colored yarn for them and tie them into your W-day colors. This is a great and easy project to do while you're watching Survivor or Greys Anatomy!

The second project are these cute little heart pillows made from felt. Even if you're not the best sewer, these are still easy! Make a bunch of these and throw them on your tables for added decor, or attach a little pin as shown in the instructions and use them as boutonnieres! There are so many fabulous things you can do with these little pillows of love.

Have a great valentines day!

Another great Etsy find

2009-02-12T19:15:00.000-08:00

My wonderful web designer Aisa is always on the look out for great Etsy finds like me. I have to thank her for sending her this one to me. These custom cake toppers are not only cute, but affordable! Click on the photo above to link to the site.

Escort Cards

2009-02-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

Escort cards, or seating cards can be a fun and personalized item at your wedding. Some couples even tie them in with their favors. Depending on the size of your wedding you can have a seating chart and cards or just seating cards. Martha Stewart, The Knot and Brides.com have some terrific ideas. The inspiration board I've created above are just some of the fantastic finds from these sites. You can see that ideas range from tying in blooms to cookies! Actual cards are just a starting point! Use your imagination and wow your guests as they take their seats!

Valentines Inspiration

2009-02-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

I love Valentines Day and it seems to have snuck up on me this year! Here's an inspiration board of beautiful centerpieces inspired by one of my favorite "holidays".

*Images courtesy of BHG.com and Martha Stewart

Back from Jamaica! So many great things to chat about!!

2009-02-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

We arrived from honeymoon in Jamaica last night and have so many amazing things to fill you in on! We stayed at Couples Swept Away in Negril Jamaica and while we were away saw over 10 beach weddings on our resort alone! I met with Kenisha and reviewed all the options for a destination wedding in Jamaica and at Couples Resorts. I'll be filling you in on all the great options for destination weddings at Couples and Sandals over the next few weeks for all you Calgary Brides that want to get away to say "I do"!

We're also excited to launch our website this month! We'll keep you updated on the progress, but we're hoping we can go live within the next couple of weeks. Can't wait that long? Call us for a free consultation to discuss your upcoming Calgary wedding!! We still have some great dates available for 2009. Let us help you plan your 2009 Calgary, Banff, or Canmore wedding. As Calgary's newest Wedding Consultant and member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, we have some amazing ideas to take your wedding dreams from paper to reality!! Call us today at 403.619.4718 or email us at cornerstoneevents@shaw.ca today!!

Professional Bridal Consultant

2009-01-23T13:09:00.000-08:00

We're very proud to announce we have just received the designation of Professional Bridal Consultant with the Association of Bridal Consultants! We are now officially ready to assist brides in the Calgary and surrounding markets with their wedding day plans!

Dancing the night away....

2009-01-22T12:48:00.001-08:00

Help your guests dance the night away by letting them kick off their shoes and slip into some fun flip flops! Baskets or buckets dressed up full of colorful flip flops around the dance floor will encourage guests to get down and comfy and dance the night away with you. You can pick up a rainbow of colors at Old Navy closer to the spring. We found these pictures on The Knot.com for inspiration. Now off to pack my own flip flops! We're headed to the Caribbean for a fun trip and to check out some great destination wedding venues!!

Out of Town Guests

2009-01-22T06:51:00.000-08:00

If you're having guests travel from outside Calgary to partake in your wedding festivities, here are so simple tips to make their trip more enjoyable:

1. Room Blocks - Call hotels at least 6 months in advance and book a room block for your guests. This guarantees a special rate for your guest until 4-6 weeks before the wedding. You will not be required to put any money down to do this. Guests can be forwarded this information on your wedding website, via email or even in an insert in your save-the-dates or wedding invitations. The hotel will release the rooms into regular inventory 4-6 weeks before your date, so ensure guests know to book by a certain date.

2. Out-of-town guest bags - These do not need to be expensive. Things like a map of the downtown area, coupons to the Calgary Zoo or Calgary tower and a few yummy treats are a nice way to say thank you to your guests for traveling from far away. Pick up a case of bottled water, some chips and a few other snacks from places such as Costco or Superstore, and put them in a simple gift bag. Deliver them to the hotel and ask them to put them in their room before they arrive. Everyone loves getting special treats! (Did you know Cornerstone Events will shop and put these together for you in their full service wedding planning package?)

3. Visit Calgary Tourism - Calgary Tourism will give you FREE guides to the city of Calgary and surrounding area. In these guides there is visitor travel tips, maps, attractions, dining, shopping guides and so much more! It even includes a great "If you've got just one day" article which gives guests a great list of things to do in just one day to take in some of the great attractions our city has to offer.

4. Welcome Reception - If time and money permit, consider having a little cocktail party for your out of town guests. This can be just as simple as a backyard get together, or a party at the hotel they are staying in. Just another little way to say thanks to them.

Blog Luv Award!!

2009-01-20T07:22:00.000-08:00

Chris at Celebrations at Home tagged us for a Blog Luv award!! What an honor!! Thanks so much for the Luv Chris! Now I'm going to tag 10 of my favorite blogs with the same award.

Honorees please follow these instructions and share the LUV!

1. Put the logo on your blog or post. (You can highlight the photo and text of this post and copy/paste wherever you need to...start your highlight from the bottom up to get the photo)

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.

Here are my ten:

Lemiga Events - http://lemiga.blogspot.com/

Celebrations at Home - http://celebrationsathome.blogspot.com/

Totally Tabletops - http://totallytabletops.blogspot.com/

Stem - http://www.stemparties.blogspot.com/

Spoonful of Sugar - http://spoonfos.blogspot.com/

Jasmine Star - http://www.jasminestarblog.com/

Hostess with the Mostess - http://www.hostessblog.com/

Australia Entertains - http://www.australiaentertains.com.au/

Karen Smallbone - http://www.karensmallbone.com/blog/

Lucky Me - http://www.eluckydesigns.blogspot.com/

Pure Yumminess

2009-01-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

This weekend I had the pleasure of tasting the cake of a fabulous baker in Calgary. Next to my love for Etsy comes my love for Kijiji. One day while searching in the "Wedding" section I came across an ad by Something Sweet by Nicole. Nicole was advertising for wedding cakes and I decided to see if she would do up a Mexican themed birthday cake for an event we had this weekend. After sending her one picture and handing over creative control to her she came up with the cake pictured above. I fell in love with the little Mexican she had created for the cake and so did all the guests at the party! But the true test was yet to come - does it taste as good as it looks? YES YES YES!! We chose a vanilla cake with vanilla bean icing filling and it was incredible! It was buttery and delicious!

Now Nicole tells me she makes a mean chocolate cake, and I can not wait to try it!

Please visit Nicole's website at www.ssbn.ca or contact her at nicole@ssbn.ca or 403.870.7726. If a simple birthday cake turned out this amazing, I can only imagine what her wedding cakes look and taste like.

I think I have some left over cake downstairs that I must go devour!

Tips for Surviving a Bridal Show

2009-01-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

With the Wedding Fair just around the corner and Bridal Fantasy today, we wanted to share some tips on how to survive these big shows.

1. Wear comfortable shoes - I love any excuse to break out my heels, but this isn’t the day to do it. Hard concrete floors + a few hours walking around = very sore feet! Slip on your Uggs or Sketcher for this event.

2. Don’t bring your whole bridal party – There are A LOT of brides, maids of honour, mom’s of the brides, bridesmaids and even grooms that attend these shows, and it makes it hard to navigate through all these people. If you have more than two other people with you, you’ll find you’re always looking for them and not focusing on finding vendors for your big day. Stick to bringing only one or two people with you.

3. Hand cramps – There will be a lot of draws to enter, so save your hand and your time by coming prepared with labels with your name, address, phone number and email address on them. This will make entering the draws a piece of cake.

4. Know who will be there – all the shows have a website that list the vendors that will be at the show. Take a look at these before hand, check out the vendor’s website and try to make a list of who you want to talk to. Once you’re at the show, only take the business cards and brochures of vendors you’re interested in. It will make it easier when you’re weeding through your bag when you get home.

5. Bring water – We’ve all been to the Round-up Center or Telus Convention Center and know that a simple bottle of water can cost over $3. You’ll need it when you’ve been walking around all day and possibly tasting cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries!

6. Have Patience – If you really want to talk to a vendor don’t get discouraged if their booth is crowded around by other potential brides. Walk around and come back to them, better yet, come back when the fashion show starts. The floor usually thins out while the show is on.

7. Sales Pressure – You’re sure to run into a DJ or other vendor who tells you that he only has one opening left for your wedding date. There are a lot of other vendors at the show to talk to, so don’t feel like you need to sign without having talked to the rest of them.

8. Bring a pen and take notes – so you can remember what each vendor said, bring a note book and pen and make quick notes. That way you’ll be able to remember what each one said.

9. Go early – find out when the doors open and be one of the first brides there. Wait until late afternoon and it will be more crowded on the floor.

10. Have Fun! – After all you are getting MARRIED!! Whether you’re bringing your fiancé, mom or maid of honour - make a day of it. Go early, get your stuff done, and then go for a great lunch to thank them for coming with you. You’ll be able to compare notes and talk about what you saw at the show.

Wedding Programs

2009-01-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

This is a neat idea to secure your wedding programs to the back of chairs. If you don't have ushers handing them out, this is a great way to get guests the information about the ceremony to them. Simply tuck your program into a little Glassine Bags (you can get them at www.creativepackaging.ca). Using double sided tape, stick the bag onto the back of the chair, and VOILA!

Cherry Blossom Inspiration

2009-01-15T21:07:00.000-08:00

The weather forecast in Calgary is finally calling for some warm weather for the next few days, and with Spring around the corner we've been thinking of some great ideas for Spring weddings. I love cherry blossoms and they look so amazing when they are in bloom. Here's an inspiration board with ideas for decor, invitations and cakes for a cherry blossom themed wedding.

*Photos from theknot.com, cakebaker.com, etsy.com - SandyPhotoArt and weddingstar.com

Ten Ways to Save Money When Planning Your Wedding

2009-01-13T20:40:00.000-08:00

1. Flowers or Food?
Once you’ve established your budget, make sure you know what is most important to you and your fiancé. Is the food and venue important to you? Or is hiring the best photographer in your area more important? Have a plan in place so that you know approximately how much money you want to set aside for each line item in your budget.

2. Venue Selection
Find out what’s included with your venue rental. Do you need to rent tables, chairs, linens and dinnerware? Or do they have all those items included with the rental? Unique venues such as art galleries are amazing spaces, but often you have to rent all the items required to convert the space into a reception hall. Figure all this out and make sure you have the necessary funds needed for this.

3. Trim Your Guest List
For each guest on your list it’s not only an added plate of food and drinks. Don’t forget about decor for the extra tables, linens and favours. It all adds up quickly. Don’t feel obligated to let single friends bring a date. Let them know you would love for them to bring their date, but you only have so much room. Instead seat them with people you know they’ll have things in common.

4. Save on Postage
Gone are the days where you need to include inner envelopes which can just add weight to your invitation. Sign up for the many free wedding websites available online to capture RSVPs or use a telephone number for guest to call. This will reduce not only the postage, but also another envelope and insert.

5. Setting the Date
A lot of couples are now opting for Friday or Sunday weddings. Not only will this open up the number of vendors available, but most charge premium rates for Saturday nuptials. Other ideas include a champagne and cake reception after an evening wedding, or a brunch after a morning wedding. Also think about setting a date outside the popular months of June, July and August. Winter weddings are beautiful as are spring weddings.

6. Bar Service
In order to reduce the cost of your bar bill there are a number of things you can do. If it’s an option, charge a loonie or a toonie for each drink. This allows you to recover some of the costs and also makes guest a little more accountable for their drinks. You can also have servers pour wine at the table for guest instead of having a bottle of white and red on each table. At a lot of weddings we see open bottles of wine sitting there untouched at the end of the night. Because they are opened you will be charged for them. You can also ask your caterer to limit the types of alcohol available. Having just beer and wine available for guest is a great option.

7. Favours
Have your favours do double duty as centerpieces. Packages can be stacked in an elegant way on a cake stand with a pedestal. How about individual cakes as your centerpieces? These will take the place of a large wedding cake. Have your baker make you a small cake to cut and save for your first anniversary.

8. Flower Power
Ask your florist what flowers are in season. If you are not picky about the type of flower you want for your bouquets and other floral arrangements, you can usually find flowers in your colors that are in season. Gerber daisies are always in season and come in some many beautiful colors.

9. Say Cheese!
Shop around and find a photographer that includes your negatives as a part of your photography package. You’ll be able to print as many photos as you need without having to pay $5 - $10 per photo. Depending on how many you think you’ll need, you may want to look into this option.

10. Dress for Success
Shop early for your wedding gown so you can take advantage of off the rack sales and other specials some bridal shops have. Find a seamstress that can do your alterations. Many bridal shops charge high prices for alterations in-house. Sometimes they can be almost half the cost of your dress!

And finally, hire a wedding planner. Most couples think a wedding planner will cost them more money and only brides with large budgets can afford the luxury of one. Realistically a wedding planner can often save you money by recommending vendors that they have relationships with. Remember it’s their job to keep on top of trends and vendors in the area, so often their contact list has vendors you might not have thought about that can save you money. Call Cornerstone Events and let us discuss your wedding plans with you and show you how we can help you plan a magical day within your budget.

*image from www.nebridalguide.com

shoes, shoes and more shoes!!

2009-01-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

What girl doesn't love her shoes? And your wedding is a perfect excuse to get some super cute shoes for the big day! And why stop at one pair? Get a sexy pair for your ceremony and pictures and make sure to get some comfortable shoes so you can dance the night away!

We love these from Neiman Marcus. Bride-to-be Corinne showed them to us and we really hope she gets them for her big day. How cute would these Manolo Blahniks look peeking out from underneath your dress?

Here's another super cute idea for your shoes, add something blue to the bottom of them. We found these Mindy Weiss appliques on Gracious Bride.com. You can also do your own take of them by visiting a craft store and purchasing these blue rhinestones and glueing them on yourself.

There - your something blue is now taken care of!

Guest book alternatives

2009-01-12T07:18:00.001-08:00

Now more than ever couples are looking for unique ways to add personal touches to their weddings. In an earlier post we talked about alternatives for guest books such as the guestbook from Guestbookstore.com. Well here's another great idea that will last a lifetime - The Wish Tree.

There are a lot of different ways to do a wish tree. From finding branches and painting them to match your decor, or purchasing a metal tree (can be found online). But we love this next idea. Go to your local nursery and find a tree and a beautiful pot that matches your decor. You can even just cover the simple plastic pot it comes in with some amazing fabric and ribbon if you'd like. Use the tree as your wishing tree on the day of your wedding. Once you're done with it you can plant it in your backyard. You now have a constant reminder of your wedding day growing in your yard!

For the actual cards your guest write wishes on, you can use just about anything. You can design them yourself or have your stationary vendor design something special for you. Just thread some ribbon through the cards and ask guest to write down their wishes or advices for you. Here is a little poem you can put next to your tree:

As we begin our new journey as the new Mr. & Mrs.

We could surely use your advice and wishes.

Share with us your wisdom about marriage, love & life,

the secret to being a good husband or a top notch wife.

Jot down a memory of us or a reminder of our day.

A doodle or picture will do if you don't know what to say.

Please don't forget, to sign your name.

What ever you pen, we're sure to treasure

long after this day has passed

The bridesmaid dress

2009-01-11T15:14:00.000-08:00

Many brides experience anxiety it comes when choosing their bridesmaid dresses. You want all your girls to looks incredible and love the dress, but you also have a vision. More and more brides now a days are letting their attendants customize their dress by giving them a color and some direction and then letting them choose the dress that they feel comfortable in. So when we came across Butter by Nadia we fell in love! Not only can bridesmaids each customize the way they wrap their dresses, but the dresses are one size fits all! No more alterations and worrying about getting your one bridesmaid who might live on the other side of the country together for a fitting! Have an attendant that's expecting? Again, no worries with this lovely dress! It comes in a great variety of colors and comes in jersey or satin, so you can pick the fabric that compliments your wedding style.

Oh and ladies, they do ship to Canada! We made sure to check for you.

You can order them through Benny and Shaw http://www.bennyandshaw.com/

Logo for Cornerstone Events

2009-01-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

After some editing and redesigning we're happy to announce Cornerstone Events is launching their new logo! Website to be launched end of January/early February. Stay tuned for more details!

Infusing your personality into your wedding

2009-01-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

Finding little ways to personalize your wedding can be easy and so much fun. So when my husband and I got married we decided to use our love of football to have some fun. We cheer for two different teams and is the only thing we don't see eye to eye on. Pretty good odds if that continues to be the only thing!

Have some fun with your wedding photos once you've captured all those important shots. Do you and your fiance have a hobby you both love like golf or skiing? Find a way to bring some of those elements with you so you can have some fun with your photos. Getting married in a park? Pack a picnic basket and a blanket and take some shots as you relax over a sandwich! Have fun and make sure your photographer knows what you're up to ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.

Blue Inspiration Board

2009-01-08T06:25:00.000-08:00

I want to take this time to congratulate Corinne and Adam on their engagement! Adam proposed on Christmas eve and of course the lovely Corinne said yes! We're thrilled these two love birds are getting hitched in 2010.

They've decided to use blue as their color scheme for their big day. All hues of blue - light blue, dark blue and my personal favorite teal blue. Adam will be wearing a blue and green kilt, and they'll be getting married near the ocean out east, so this color combination works very well for them.

I found some great cake toppers that can be personalized right down to the tiniest details on http://www.weddingcaketoppersideas.com/ - How cute are these? Etsy is also a great resource for personalized cake toppers. See our December postings for a link to an Etsy shop for these.

Congratulations Corinne and Adam!

Bride Wars!

2009-01-07T07:32:00.000-08:00

I love all things weddings, so I am super excited about the upcoming movie Bride Wars staring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway!

Best friends Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) have been dreaming of their perfect Plaza Hotel weddings since they were little girls. (Haven't we all??) So it seems only fitting that the two become engaged at the same time. But when their ceremonies are accidentally booked for the same day, these best friends turn into bridezillas and start competing for wedding guests and doing everything possible to sabotage each other's weddings!

Candice Bergen co-stars as their elite wedding planner Marion St. Claire.

Should be a great flick to go see with the girls!

Top ten tips to staying Sane while planning your wedding...

2009-01-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

1. Dedicate a night for you and your fiancé where you don’t talk about the wedding. Remember why you got engaged in the first place. Cook dinner at home, open a bottle of wine and just enjoy each other without mention of the big day.

2. So while we recommend setting aside to NOT talk about the wedding, we also recommend setting aside time to talk about the wedding. Make sure your fiancé is as in the know as you are. If you hired a wedding planner, make sure they are sitting down to go over your wedding, including the budget, on a scheduled basis.

3. Set and stick to a budget. No matter what the number is you will always be able to spend more. Keep all your receipts and log them in promptly so you always know what you’ve spent.

4. Pick your top three priorities for the wedding and allocate money accordingly. Is your photography the most important piece of the big day? Or is it the food? Determine what you will not sacrifice on and set aside budget according to those priorities. Better yet, have a wedding planner do that for you and help you find the perfect vendors that are within your budget.

5. Don’t sign the first florist you meet. Make sure you do some research on each vendor. It may seem like a lot of work, but ultimately you want to find the right vendors for your big day. Wedding Bells has a great forum where you can see reviews from other brides in your area of specific vendors.

6. Stay organized – keep all documents, receipts, ideas, and all other details in one spot. Purchase a binder and keep all of it together so you know exactly where to find that contract for the DJ when it comes time to pay him.

7. Do things early – hiring a DJ or florist last minute can cost you some big bucks and not to mention stress you out. The more items you check off your list early in the game the better off you’ll be. Good venues book up quickly, so unless your budget includes $100 or more per plate, better book one early.

8. Advice – you’re going to get a lot of advice from your coworkers to your family to perfect strangers. So what do you do with all this advice, thank them and move on. One person will tell you a wedding gown shop is awful and the next will swear by them, everyone has good and bad experiences, so listen, take notes, but do what’s best for you.

9. Guest list drama – the guest list can be a soar spot for couples and their family, but ultimately it’s your wedding day. If you haven’t spoken to cousin Bob in 5 years, inviting him is up to you. But you want people at your wedding that mean something to you and your fiancé. After all they are witnessing one of the most important days of your life. Make sure your family knows that.

10. Hire and ask for help – your friends and family and bridal party are there to help you out. So recruit them to help you address invitations and make your cute favors. Find a wedding planner who includes some of these tasks in their list of services and hand it over. You have better things to do – like visit the spa with your bridesmaids!

PS- Did you know Cornerstone Events offers all types of wedding planning packages? We customize design them to fit your needs. Call us today for a free consultation!

Spreading the News!

2009-01-02T09:11:00.000-08:00

You're engaged! Congratulations! Now all the fun begins... but hold the phone, first you have to tell people you're getting hitched. Here's the 411 on the etiquette surrounding announcing your upcoming nuptials.

Children - If you or your fiance have children, whether together or from previous relationships, they should be the first to know.

Parents - Next comes mom and dad. You can either tell them all together - say host a dinner and announce the news, or tell the separately. Either way, they should be next to know about your engagement.

Family - Grandparents, siblings and other close relatives should be next to be contacted. Most times parents start spreading the news to these special people in your lives. But make sure you give grandma a call and let her know from you, especially if you two are close.

Friends - with all of the new social media sites, announcing your engagement on Facebook might seem like the logical way to announce your engagement, but before you do, make sure you contact your close friends personally. Your best friend doesn't want to find out from a relationship status change on Facebook. She'll appreciate the call.

One tip for choosing your bridal party, wait a few weeks and then do so. You want to make sure you and your fiance agree on how many people are in the bridal party before you start asking people.

Your co-workers - telling your boss or supervisor first at work is a courteous gesture. Then tell a few of your closer co-workers and give them the go ahead to spread the news if you choose.

Stand on a mountain top and tell the rest of the world next! While taking out newspaper announcements doesn't seem to happen too often, you can choose to run an ad in your local paper. I love opening up the Calgary Herald and seeing wedding announcements! There is nothing like good news, especially when it's two people in love who have decided to spend their lives together in matrimonial bliss.

Determine if you're going to set up a wedding website. Many sites offer free wedding websites. For a minimal fee you can also set up a site with a unique website address. This is a great place to keep friends and family up to speed on wedding details! Once you're ready to send out your invitations you can also set your site up to collect RSVP's too. What a great way to save on paper and postage!

Happy Planning!

PS - Don't know where to start? Give us a call for some consultation hours, we can help you set up your budget and get you on your way to planning your dream wedding!

Winter wedding inspiration

2008-12-30T10:12:00.000-08:00