Happy New Year everyone! What a blur the holidays were, eh?! We spent lots of time with family and friends relaxing, and may have overindulged once (or twice) on some delicious wine and savoury treats… but that’s what the holidays are for, right?! I’m currently working on my annual end of year blog post, which should be live next week (stay tuned), but I wanted to kick the new year off with a very happy, bright and fresh wedding from Summer 2017! I did a MAJOR happy dance on Christmas Eve when it was published over on Wedding Chicks (check it out here!), and just loved getting to relive this day through the images below.

Sabrina & Dylan’s wedding took place in the middle of August, at the gorgeous Affinity Guesthouse property. And guys. This wedding was so. much. fun! I can’t remember ever seeing a Bride so relaxed and ready to party on her wedding day! Both Sabrina & Dylan had a smile from ear to ear all day long, and the entire wedding was filled with so many heartwarming moments. Planning began about a year and half in advance (it is never too early to start planning everyone!) , and their main goal was to throw the biggest party of the summer. Mission accomplished. Through the cheerful palette, lawn games, insane boho lounge, family style feast (thanks Toque Catering!) and The County Line band, guests felt comfortable and “at home” all day long. The Bride, who has a very bohemian style, wanted to make sure that her personal style was infused throughout the elegant setting. Moroccan lanterns and persian rugs lined the ceremony aisle, and the couple shared their vows on a Moroccan wedding blanket. We fully raped the tent and added twinkle lights above. Bright and happy florals, designed by FLEURtacious, lined the 4 long-long tables, and fresh lavender was placed on each place setting.

One of the most fun moments of the night happened right before the band took over: Sabrina surprised Dylan by switching her wedding skirt for a full tiered skirt. It was PERFECT for the dance floor, so definitely make sure to check out those photos below as well! This was just such a fun day filled with so much joy, and I am so grateful to have had a chance to work with this lovely couple!

**Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the complete list of all the kick ass vendors that helped make this day so incredible!  All photos courtesy of Blush Wedding Photography.

Planning/Design - French Kiss Events
Photography - Blush Photography
Venue - Affinity Guesthouse
Catering - Toque Catering
Florals - FLEURtacious
Band - The County Line
Decor rentals - Trend Decor
Lounge - Bash Specialty
Tent & rentals - Black & White
Stationery - Emma Allen
Makeup - Melanie Baird

• FKE Featured 24
• FKE Living 7
• Office Talk 55
• Planning Tips 13
• Real Weddings 48

Sometimes a wedding comes along that hits all the right notes.  The couple, their family, the vision, the vendors....and the party.  Oh, the party....  Jen & Girish's wedding in July 2016 was just one of those weddings, and I still get goosebumps (and a huge smile on my face) every time I look through the gorgeous images taken by The Nickersons.  And if having just the best clients ever, who know how to seriously party isn't enough, this wedding was just recently published in the Summer/Fall issue of Real Weddings Magazine!  Talk about a pinch me moment!  Seeing this wedding in print was a dream come true, and I am so grateful to all of the people involved who made this wedding as spectacular as it was.  

Now, let's talk about this wedding, shall we?  I began working with Jen & Girish in the late Summer of 2015.  Jen had dreams of hosting a black tie, classic wedding at her Grandparents property, and an even bigger dream of a massive tent in the middle of an even more massive field.  Over the course of the next year, these dreams became a reality, and I couldn't be more thrilled with the results.  Being the western celebration for these 2 (they also hosted an Indian wedding in India back in the Winter), we knew we wanted to have splashes of their Indian culture, while still keeping things fairly classic.  Show stopping Moroccan lanterns were sourced to hang in the tent, and custom paisley linens were designed by the Bride's mother herself.  Music, a big priority for the couple, played a large role throughout the entire day.  Side One worked their magic, and not only created the biggest dance party of the season, but also helped to pull off some amazing surprises, such as Jen & the Bridesmaids dance for Girish, and a re-creation of an Indian dance that the guests performed for the family, from the couples Indian wedding.  Looking through these photos, I'm hands down not lying when I say that the ones that give me the biggest smile are the ones from the dance floor!

The florals, designed & executed by the one and only Vanessa of Verbena Floral Design, were utter perfection.  With a classic palette of white & green (with the smallest hint of blush), Vanessa created stunning piece after piece, all of which that highlighted the natural beauty of our setting.  And the silk ribbons on the girls bouquets?  Talk about dreamy!  

Every vendor involved in this wedding brought their A-game, and I am so grateful that we got to be a part of this incredible celebration!  So, if you haven't yet picked up your copy of Real Weddings, make sure to do so soon!  And I welcome you to sit back, and relax as you scroll through some of my favourite images from the day below.   xo

**Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the complete list of all the kick ass vendors that helped make this day so incredible!  All photos courtesy of The Nickersons.

Planning/Design - French Kiss Events
Photography - The Nickersons
Floral Design - Verbena Floral Design
Catering - Toque Catering
Music - Side One
Tent & Rentals - Black & White Event Rentals
Hair - Conscious Hair 
Makeup - Jen Clark
Stationery - Caribou Creative

• FKE Featured 24
• FKE Living 7
• Office Talk 55
• Planning Tips 13
• Real Weddings 48

Every once in a while, a wedding comes along that is a game changer.  For us, the wedding of Jennifer & Alex was just that.  And so you can only imagine how beyond words THRILLED I was to see it featured on Style Me Pretty (here) this past week!  And the cherry on top of the already delicious sundae, is that now that it has been published, I can finally share all of the drop dead gorgeous images (thank you Erich McVey) with you!  

Taking place at a private property on Salt Spring Island, this 3 day celebration pushed me harder than I thought possible, and I couldn't be more proud of the outcome.  The couple, based out of NYC, first reached out to me in the Fall of 2015.  They dreamed of a wedding weekend filled with non-stop celebrations, an overabundance of food and drink, and above all else, a weekend spent surrounded by their family & friends from all over the world.  I was, of course, totally up to the challenge, and loved every bit of the next year, as we worked tirelessly to pull together 3 incredible events!  

Now, planning not just 1, but 3 events (Welcome Dinner, Wedding & Brunch) on a small Island like Salt Spring, can pose some serious challenges (understatement of the year!).  Every vendor and rental/decor piece was brought from either Victoria, Vancouver or the States, and the logistics surrounding the weekend were insane.  All 110% worth it though, once the parties started, and I think back to this weekend with nothing but amazing memories, and a huge smile on my face!  In an effort to share as much of this wonderful weekend with you all, I have decided to split the blog post into 3 parts.  First up: The Welcome BBQ

Taking place in the upper garden of Jennifer's parents home on Salt Spring, the welcome dinner was a casual al fresco affair, spent catching up with old friends (175 guests flew in from all around the world), welcoming everyone to the Island, and celebrating all that was to come over the weekend.  Food, a major focus throughout the weekend, was at the centre of the party, and food stations featuring variety of the couples favourite global cuisine.  An oyster bar, seafood risotto station, wood fired pizza, Bhutan street meat station and ice cream sundae station filled the guests palettes.  Toque Catering seriously brought their A-game to this weekend!  2 long tables, with bistro lights strung above, created a communal space for guests to catch up, and the west coast folk sounds of Noah Edwards entertained the guests late into the night.  It was a magical evening....

And full disclosure before I let you dive into the stunning photos below: this evening tops my list as my favourite party I have ever planned (and yes, it wasn't even a wedding!).  There was just something about the evening, that I can't quite put my finger on....but it was what I always imagined the perfect backyard party should be.  Effortless, relaxing, and filled with good friends and damn good food.  Thank you so much for reading, and make sure to check back next week for Part 2 of this amazing weekend! 

**Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the complete list of all the kick ass vendors that helped make this day so incredible!  All photos courtesy of Erich McVey.

Planning/Design - French Kiss Events
Photography - Erich McVey
Catering - Toque Catering & The Wandering Mollusk
Florals - Verbena Floral Design
Music - Noah Edwards
Linens - La Tavola
Rentals - Black & White, Bash Specialty

• FKE Featured 24
• FKE Living 7
• Office Talk 55
• Planning Tips 13
• Real Weddings 48

Last week, we were "shout it from the roof tops" excited to finally get to share this dreamy elopement from last May, on Grey Likes Weddings!  Oozing in Texan charm, and overflowing with romance, moody florals, and a couple ridiculously in love, this wedding was what a wedding planner's dreams are made of!  

Catherine first reached out to me in the beginning of March, with her vision of a simple and romantic elopement on the west coast.  Based out of Austin, Texas, Catherine & Patricio decided to skip a large wedding (400+) and instead keep the day as authentic to them as possible.  Working with them was seriously a dream, as their impeccable taste and trust in me (thank you C&P!!!), made my job as easy as can be! 

We drew inspiration from the historic setting at The Empress, as well as their love of vintage poetry, to create a warm, intimate and lush space for this very special occasion.  Surrounded by only their closest family (13 guests total), the days focus was on the coming together of the 2 families, and the celebration of the new adventure that they were about to embark on.  The details throughout were filled with beauty, and perfectly curated to represent their love for one another, and the darker colour palette of marsala, peach, rose & garnet, suited The Library room beautifully.  Music, an incredibly important part of both families, played a central role.  And just before dinner, the Eryn Sharpe Trio entertained the guests, while they all danced, laughed and celebrated the newlyweds!  It was truly magical to witness!!

And the florals...can we just stop for a second and talk about those florals?  Verbena Floral Design absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one!  The mantle place was the focal point of the entire design concept, and my jaw still hits the floor whenever I look at it! Both Best Bouquet & Best Overall Florals at the BC Wedding Awards were awarded to this wedding, and we couldn't agree more!  I could seriously go on for days and days about this wedding, but I think I'll let the beautiful images do the rest....enjoy. xo

**Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the complete list of all the kick ass vendors that helped make this day so incredible!  All photos courtesy of Taylor Roades.

Planning/Design - French Kiss Events
Photography - Taylor Roades Photography
Videography - Paper Heart Films
Floral Design - Verbena Floral Design 
Venue/Catering - The Fairmont Empress
Hair/Makeup - Erin Bradley
Paper Goods - Caribou Creative
Rentals - White Events Studio
Ceremony Music - Opus String Trio
Reception Music - Eryn Sharpe Trio

• FKE Featured 24
• FKE Living 7
• Office Talk 55
• Planning Tips 13
• Real Weddings 48

Today, I am completely, ridiculously, head over heels excited to see the wedding of Mica & Nate  F E A T U R E D on Style Me Pretty!  All throughout the planning, Mica & I had a running joke of whether design ideas were "SMP" worthy, and so to see their beautiful day published on this blog, is a true honour.  Definitely check out the feature right here to see all the stunning highlights, as well as read the story behind this day.  

This was an incredibly special wedding, for many many reasons.  I wrote a lot about it on SMP, and so will let you read the full story over there.  I will say though, that this wedding was a career highlight for me, and I have no doubt it will be in my top 3 favourite weddings of all time for a long time to come.   And I can honestly say that I have never witnessed love like I did on this day.  There wasn't a dry eye between the guests and vendors, and the joy and happiness that surrounded the couple was infectious.  There was so much love for Mica & Nate, and witnessing that kind of love really makes you realize what this is all about.  It may sound cheesy, but as I look through these beautiful photos by The Nickersons and see the emotions pour out, I can't help but be transported back to this incredible day.  These two are the strongest people that I know, and I consider myself truly blessed to have gotten to know them and to have been a part of their wedding.  

I have no idea how I was supposed to choose what images to share, as they are all not only beautiful, but tell the story of the day perfectly.  But I did my best, and have included below some of my favourites.  Enjoy. xo

**Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the complete list of all the kick ass vendors that helped make this day so incredible!  All photos courtesy of The Nickersons.

Planning/Design - French Kiss Events
Photography - The Nickersons
Floral Design - Verbena Floral Design
Venue - North Arm Farm
Hair/Makeup - Denise Elliot
Catering - The Collective Kitchen
Cake - The Flour Pot
Invitation/Paper Goods - La Happy
Furniture Rentals - Bash Specialty
Rentals - Rental Network, Flock Events, Sabre Rentals
Ceremony Music - Trish Jamieson
DJ - Pemberton DJ
Dress - Truvelle
Transportation - Whistler Glacier Group
 

• FKE Featured 24
• FKE Living 7
• Office Talk 55
• Planning Tips 13
• Real Weddings 48

A few weeks ago, Bretton & Chris' west coast wedding was featured on Wedding Chicks.  This was exciting for multiple reasons, one of which being that it was our first time being featured on their blog (yay!), but also that we have been DYING to share these images since basically last September.  As you go through the gallery below, I hope that you'll see why ;)

Working with Bretton & Chris was a total wedding planners dream.  The couple was just so excited to get married and to celebrate with their friends and family, and they put a lot of trust in their vendors, allowing everyone involved to really stretch their creativity.  The wedding took place at the Father of the Brides vacation property in Fanny Bay, mid Vancouver Island BC.  Fanny Bay is world famous for their oysters, and picturesque beach front properties.  We took inspiration from all of these things, and created a day that not only reflected the couples love of entertaining, but also our the location.  One of our favourite details inspired from our location had to be the oyster bar!  Obviously.  

This was a wedding day filled with tons of emotion: a lot of laughs, some (happy) tears, and best of all, a party that the couple and their guests will never forget.  I will always be thankful for Bretton & Chris asking us to be a part of their wedding, and for welcoming our whole team into their lives!  I feel like we have made life time friends, and their wedding will definitely go down as a highlight for us.  

**Make sure to check out the gallery of photos below, beautifully captured by Kristyn Harder Photography, as well as the video by the ever so talented Koyo Photography.  

Planning - French Kiss Events
Photography - Kristyn Harder Photography
Videography - Koyo Photography
Floral Design - Verbena Floral Design
Hair - Andrea Williams
Makeup - House of Beauty
Catering - Custom Gourmet 
Oyster Bar - The Wandering Mollusk
DJ - HiWay Productions
Specialty Furniture - Bash Specialty
Cake - Ruth & Dean
 

This wedding may seem a bit familiar, as it was featured a couple months ago on my favourite blog, Style Me Pretty (check it out here), and has also made numerous guest appearances in my instagram feed.  And so I thought that it was about time that I shared my favourite images of this magical wedding day with all of you! 

As you'll see for yourself in a second, Kelsey & Colin's wedding was special.  Yes, it was beautiful.  Yes, the vendors were outstanding. Yes, the couple was gorgeous.  But it was more than just all that.  The relationship that I built with K&C over the 18 months we worked together planning and designing, was one that I will always treasure, and the energy and spirit of their wedding day was one that you just can't plan for.  I always say that a wedding day takes on a life of its own, and as the day continues to unfold, I love watching this happen organically.  Kelsey & Colin's wedding day was a non-stop celebration, and I am thankful beyond words that I got to be a part of it. I could go on and on about my favourite details (The folk band that played throughout dinner, an insanely gorgeous dessert table, Kelsey's bouquet, photos strung along the path to the ceremony...), but I am going to let the photo's do it for me.  This one is special folks...enjoy.

**Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the complete list of all the kick ass vendors that helped make this day so incredible!  All photos courtesy of AMERIS.

Planning/Design - French Kiss Events
Photography - AMERIS
Ceremony Venue - Starling Lane Winery
Reception Venue - Sea Cider
Floral Design - Verbena Floral Design
Catering - The London Chef
Dessert - Ruth and Dean
Live Music - The O'Brien Family
DJ - Airwaves Music
Stationery - Tuktu Paper Co.
Specialty Furniture - Bash Specialty
Hair - Conscious Hair
Makeup - Melanie Baird Makeup Artistry
Wedding Dress - Truvelle, from The White Peony
 

It is always an honour to have our work featured in print, and I couldn't be more thrilled to have Natosha & Bryant's spring 2015 Hatley Castle wedding, in the most recent issue of wedding bells.  I mean, gorgeous jewel toned palette, classic with an edge design, and a head over heels in love couple?!!  Pretty awesome if you ask me!  Working with Natosha & Bryant on their wedding was a total treat and I loved every moment of planning and designing their day and seeing it come to life.  

The first few conversations with a couple always give us a pretty accurate idea of their priorities, overall aesthetic and personalities.  We like to get a good sense of how they decorate their home, what a perfect date night might look like, and how they normally celebrate with their friends and family.  For Natosha & Bryant, it became very clear early on, that these guys wanted a day that allowed their guests to relax and enjoy the gorgeous grounds at the Castle, listen to good music and feel like them, even though they were in a castle.  And so, with a personal style described to us as traditional, but with an edge, that is exactly what we set out to do.  Fun pops of colour and watercolour were infused throughout, and texture mixed with soft blooms, took centre stage in the florals.  Colourful lounge seating on the terrace, lawn games, and the formal dining room, all flowed seamlessly into one another, and was a space the guests could enjoy all throughout.  And the music, both live and and a customized playlist of all the couples favourites, kept the guests dancing and mingling under the stars, all night long.  

Thank you Natosha & Bryant, for trusting us with your wedding vision, and for having us be a part of this incredible day!  And thank you to ALL the amazing vendors, who made this day not only perfect for the couple, but magazine worthy too!

Photography: Kim Kalyn Photography
Venue: Hatley Castle
Catering: Truffles Catering
Florals: FLEURtacious by Lynda Marie
Invitations: Rock Paper Square
Day of Stationery: French Kiss Events
Design: French Kiss Events
Furniture Rentals: Bash Specialty
DJ: Hiway Productions
Ceremony Music: Allegro Con Trio
Hair: Conscious Hair by Elena
Makeup: Beauty & Style by Erin Bradley

**All photos below courtesy of Kim Kalyn Photography

Seeing our work printed, is always incredible.  But seeing a wedding that was a true labour of love for all the vendors and for 2 very special people...well that is just as good as it gets folks!  The most recent copy of Utterly Engaged is available to order, and amongst it's gorgeous pages of drool worth inspiration, is the wedding of Stephanie & James.  I first met Stephanie through my good friend Vanessa, of Verbena Floral Design, who snatched her up to join her crew, once discovering Steph's insane floral talent!  So, you can only imagine all the fun that we had planning their wedding, which included an over abundance of beautiful blooms, the perfect setting, a team of vendors who all know and love each other, and 2 of the best people I know!  Thank you, Steph & James, for asking us to be a part of your wedding!  We couldn't have asked for a better couple, and have loved being a part of your story ever since! And thank you to ALL the amazing vendors who helped make this day what it was!  Make sure to read below to see some of my favourite moments from the day.

Photography: E/A Photography
Planning - French Kiss Events
Florals & Decor - Verbena Floral Design
Venue - Starling Lane Winery
Bridal Gown - The White Peony
Beauty Team - Conscious Hair by Elena, Melanie Baird Makeup Artistry & Beauty & Style by Erin Bradley
Cake - Pure Vanilla
Catering -  Truffles Catering 
Decor Rentals - Simply Sunday Vintage Rentals 

All images courtesy of E/A Photography

I can hardly believe that it has been almost 6 months, since my handsome hubby & I officially tied the knot!  Where does the time go?!!  Before I know it, I'm going to be on the hunt for something "paper" to celebrate our first anniversary!  How exciting!  

In celebration of our wedding being featured on one of my favourite blogs, Style Me Pretty, last week, I thought it was about time that I shared a more personal look into what truly was, the best day of our lives!  Over on SMP, I wrote a long blurb (what Nick refers to as "the essay") that shares a bit beyond our story, the design inspiration, and why we chose Maui.  Over here though, I thought I would keep things on the simple side, and share my top 10 favourite moments of the day.

So, without further ado, here are my Top 10 Favourite Moments (in no particular order), all captured beautifully, but the insanely talented AMERIS.

1. After arriving to the location where Nick & I would share our first look, I was informed that I had to hop the fence. Challenge accepted.

Photo by: AMERIS

2. Our first look.  I'm pretty sure Nick was feeling the same thing I was in this moment...

Photo by: AMERIS

3. A quick pit stop with our wedding party. The guy at the taco truck didn't know what had hit him when we showed up.

Photo by: AMERIS

4. The moment when my Dad came to get me to walk me down the aisle.  

Photo by: AMERIS

5. Exchanging our vows, and getting to share smiles with this man throughout them.

Photo by: AMERIS

6.  Our first kiss as a married couple. This was definitely a good moment.

Photo by: AMERIS

7. Walking through our reception for the first time, with the amazing ladies of Belle Destination. It was fun getting to be on the other side of this "tour" for once!

Photo by: AMERIS

8. Sharing our first dance, under the Hawaiian sky.

Photo by: AMERIS

9. High Fives all around!  

Photo by: AMERIS

10. Laughing over the piece of cake that fell down my dress. Yup.  That happened.

Photo by: AMERIS