Archive for January, 2008

Somebody Waits

January 30, 2008

Okay … the draft layout for blogger bride’s (and groom’s) invites are ready! Of course I know things are going to change but they’re anxiously awaiting and this is a beginning! Keep in mind that the tops are going to be die-cut to the shape we discussed in the first trial.

* please note the images used are under copyright by other companies and will not be used in the final product by Moments That Shine
** also note text involved (addresses, names, etc) is strictly sample information. If you look for blogger bride on King Street or her wedding at the Bata Shoe Museum, you’ll be disappointed ;)

The first page … it will be a lovely clover/sage green and the artwork is coming from a friend of the bride’s …


Page Two … the main invite itself. Yes, We’ve decided to flip it to portrait … for now anyhow ;) For the next few pages, we’re going to go with a clean white paper.


Third page … all about the bus & accommodations! It will be white as well …

Kind & Generous

January 30, 2008

One of the best feelings in business is when you find out you’ve made a great impression on someone when you weren’t even trying. I’m always on my best behaviour when meeting someone new but let’s face it … we’re all human. Sometimes crankiness comes through so you don’t always know what a prospective client thinks of you.

Well, this lovely lady didn’t end up being a client (we met rather late and I was already booked on her date) but that didn’t stop her from making my day. I spotted a very sweet testimonial on her Facebook page that really warmed my heart …

My Funny Valentine

January 29, 2008

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. What was that? Did I hear collective groans mixed with a few cheers? Actually, I have a few friends who are very much into celebrating the Hallmark-inspired day-o-love but I have many more who simply detest it. For those who know me, it’s not difficult to see I’m *not* into February 14th at all. I’m a very private person, not into public displays of affection and I think it’s kind of lame we’re forced to celebrate our love on a specific date. In fact, I’m not even big on my anniversary. Yes, I’m aware that this sounds incredibly jaded and weird coming from a wedding planner. How I got into weddings, I’m not entirely sure … but I do know that I love witnessing other people’s joy so that’s all that matters ;)


Back to Valentine’s Day though …

It occurred to me that I actually added a gallery to the main site a while back and completely neglected to post about it!


Almost a year ago, a fantastic fundraiser was organized by designer Leanne Beagan, graphics designer & planner Reem Fattouh and myself. The mission was a fashion show in support of Rethink Breast Cancer … what resulted was an outpouring of kindness from people we truly weren’t expecting it from. The entire night consisted of volunteers (some of whom blog on this site, some of whom I was fortunate enough to meet through the forum Frugal Bride). A complete list of vendors involved can be found on the gallery’s page but I would like to give a special shout out to Crystal, Danielle, Sara and Sandy who gave their time and energy to the cause as well.

Falling into place.

January 23, 2008

I want to tell you that I DO think of you (the readership) often. I feel so guilty for not posting more and sharing more with you about the things I’ve learned in this whole planning process. But everytime I read a new post on here I think “Wow, I havent posted in a long time. I really should….hmmm, but what to post about?”

I have two theories as to why Im at such a loss of words (those who know me say Im NEVER at a loss for words and I have no problem going on about myself). The first possibility is that maybe Im just having a hard time remembering all the little details. The other possibility is that a lot of aspects of the planning for me just came together almost on their own.

I got engaged just over a year ago on Christmas ‘06. The proposal was nothing special…at least on paper anyway. FI and I are more like best friends than we are the gushy sentimental. So we were at our condo and he asked “so…wanna get married?” and I said “Yeah I guess.”…see? paper (or computer screen) doesnt capture the tone that it was said in with kind of a “see this is something serious but Im not saying in a serious tone” ironic humour.

The next thing I know, there was a whirlwind of bridal shows, vendors, contracts and deposits. Often times, it seemed too easy.

Are You Ready to Rock?!

January 23, 2008

Okay … I think we’ve established the invitations won’t say that but it makes for a good posting title ;)

I thought I would share some of bloggerbride’s first draft pics of her invites since she was speaking of them. For those of you who haven’t worked with me during the self-proclaimed creative process, the first meeting about invites is about likes/dislikes, colours, ideas … a general draft. So keep in mind that this is *not* what they will look like in the end. I thought it would be fun to take you on the journey of the invites as we’re going along with bb on the journey of her wedding, too!

Here’s the concept invite that struck a chord with bloggerbride and her FI …

Anyone Else But You

January 21, 2008

This is a post with a bit of a double-purpose …

First, if you haven’t seen the movie Juno, GO SEE IT! Yes, there’s a ton of hype and I’m adding to it. If you’re anything like me and kind of quirky, you’re going to be glad you saw it.

On the same topic, there’s an amazing soundtrack to this flick. The reason I mention it is because after seeing the movie opening weekend, my husband & I were driving home, being the perpetual critics we are and going on and on about a bunch of things. I won’t ruin the movie for you at all but there’s a scene where the two main stars are just playing guitar and singing a song together. The simplicity of the scene was so sweet and it got my husband and I thinking about being ‘different’ … bear with me … I have a point to bring this to weddings.

The Invitations

January 21, 2008

This weekend we met with Susan to design our invitations. We based them on something similar that she has in her portfolio, but tweaked them to make them a little bit more personalized. It was a relatively painless experience, as FI and I seemed to agree on everything. Always a good sign.

Well, almost everything. FI decided instead of a monogram on the cover page he would prefer to see “Are you ready to rock??” Um. Not so much.

When we first went through Susan’s portfolio of ideas, we were stuck trying to decide between “Classy” invites and “Fun” invites. The Classy ones fit the venue, but the fun ones fit FI and I. In the end Fun beat Classy. That being said, they aren’t exactly ‘wacky’ and the paper and font will be quite classic. They are just a bit of an unusual concept and shape. We have been receiving a lot of Michael’s kit wedding invites lately and we decided a while ago that was NOT the route we wanted to take. I am very excited for our unique, personal design. To make them even more personal, one of our bridesmaids who is a graphic design has agreed to create our monogram.

When You Say You Love Me

January 21, 2008

It’s been a while since I posted a proposal story and I did promise a certain someone it would be up a lot earlier! Without further ado, here’s the story of Jacqueline & Peter. Make sure you click on the link at the end to watch the video …

Orange is the new white!

January 18, 2008

ERIN – Hi Jess. I hope you had a nice week. How did your bridal consultation go yesterday? What colours did she choose? I have been noticing a real trend in colours with all of the brides I have been meeting with for 2008 weddings. A lot of my brides are incorporating bright colours into everything from their wedding bouquets to the ceremony arrangements and the centerpieces. One colour that keeps popping up is orange! Quite a change from the traditional all white wedding eh?

JESS – Wow- how did you know? Orange is exactly the colour we are working with for her! The wedding is in early May, but she is choosing to use a really strong palette- deep purples and vivid orange with some deep yellow thrown in the mix. It is so nice to use such strong tones for a spring wedding- unexpected for the guests. Colour scares a lot of people, but if you use it right you can create such drama and richness. We’re going to use more exotic bold flowers for her, again unexpected for a May event- purple callas with orange mokaru orchids and gerberas.