We missed last months Currently Inspired by post (we blame this never ending winter), but we are back at it this month with our latest inspirations! Since we are currently knee deep in design plans, what you are seeing below is a reflection of what we have been loving for our 2017 weddings!

Geometric Decor
We are just digging this modern and clean cut decor lately. It is classy and playful at the same time. LOVE!

Source: Ruffled Blog / Sarah Libby Photography

Source: Style Me Pretty / Kim Lyn Photography

Unconventional Dishware
Whether it's ceramics, patterns, or unique textures we are leaning towards dishes that pop these days.

Source: Martha Weddings

Source: Once Wed / Manda Weaver

Stationary from Minted
We are having too much fun checking out the new designs on Minted.com! Peruse for yourself if you want to see all the beauties they have on there. We have worked with Minted product many times and are always blown away by the quality.

Source: Minted

Source: Minted

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AMERIS

It has been a couple of years since our new website was launched, and so figured it was about time to freshen things up a bit around here.  Over the past year, the FKE team has grown to include the lovely and talented Paula (our office & design assistant), basically the sweetest and most driven lady I have met.  Having her join me in the office has been amazing and everyone who meets her loves her as much as we all do!  We have also officially welcomed Nick to the team, who has basically been with us from the beginning (something that happens naturally when married to the owner of a company).  He is an instrumental person when it comes to FKE's growth & vision as well as helping with on site logistics at large events (and even carrying a chair or two).  We are thrilled to have finally convinced him to step in front of the camera.   And then there's Laura....oh Laura...she has been with me since the beginning, and I honestly couldn't imagine FKE without her!  She is our most senior production assistant, and operates as my brain on wedding days.  To say that she's a total rock star would be a major understatement, and it's been so much fun having her involved in some new upcoming projects as well.

AMERIS

We always have so much fun when working with AMERIS, and I can't even begin to tell you how hard it is to keep a straight face when being in front of their camera.  WAY too many laughs were had (is that possible?), and we are all thrilled with the results! I've included a few of my favourite shots below, and then make sure to head over to our About page, to read more about everyone.  The FKE team is like family to me, and I love that I get to spend my days working alongside them! We have a lot of exciting projects and new ventures in the works, none of which would be possible without them.  Thank you so much for following along and helping make this dream of mine a reality! xo

AMERIS

AMERIS

AMERIS

AMERIS

AMERIS

AMERIS

ps - Thank you as well, to my talented friend Elena, who made my hair look as perfect as it did, and also to Club Monaco for my outfit.  White jeans in winter was definitely a risk, but I'd say it was one worthy of taking! lol!

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We can't believe it's March already! The month that doesn't have a whole lot going for it, except for maybe St. Patrick's Day and the beginning of the Spring season (which we are very, VERY excited about)!  Although it doesn't feel like Spring is anywhere close after the snow we have had recently...  So, in honour of the new month, we thought we would share our latest guilty pleasures (ie. the things that have been non stop on our minds)!

Current Obsession:

Barb: Home Renos

Paula: Dine Around Victoria

Laura: New puppy!!

Beauty Favourites of the Moment:

Barb: Lady Like by Essie

Paula: Anastasia Glow Kit

Laura: Rouge Cream Lipstick

Must See Movies this Month:

Barb: La La Land

Paula: Beauty & The Beast

Laura: Moonlight

And because we can't help ourselves... here's the trailer for the upcoming wedding flick Table 19! Because who doesn't love Anna Kendrick and cheesy wedding movies?

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It has been just over a year now since the launch of our sister company, Heyday Events, and I am STOKED to be finally sharing a bit more about it over here on the blog!  If you are in the wedding industry on Vancouver Island, you may have heard about Heyday, and we are all so appreciative of the amazing support that this wonderful community has given us so far!  I thought it was about time though that I introduced Heyday formally, and shared with you what it is all about!

Photo by: Jesse Holland Photography

Heyday Events is a "Day-of Coordination" specialty company, meaning "day-of" is all that it does, and it does it right!  Day of Coordination is an invaluable planning service that has been around for a long long time, but its title is often very misleading. Day of Coordination is so much more than help on just the day.  A day-of coordinator typically becomes involved in the planning 1-2 months prior, helping the couple tie up any loose ends, put together timelines, and take on final confirmations with the vendors.  It is the perfect service for those couples who are super excited to take on the planning themselves, but don't want to "work" their wedding.  Or, for those couples who really see the value in having a professional on the day, but don't have the budget for a full service planner.  

Photo by: The Best Men

From 2010 - 2015, Day-of Coordination was a service that we offered at FKE, and we loved being able to help couples bring all their hard work and planning to life!  In 2015 I decided to remove this service from FKE and focus solely on a Full Service/luxury planning experience for our couples.  I see such value and importance in a really good Day-Of service though, and wanted to continue to offer that to couples in BC, hence the idea of Heyday was born!  A company that would become known for stellar day-of coordination, and would also be a place for planners to learn, grow and become even more involved in the wedding industry.  The team of "heyday makers" that we have is absolutely incredible, and all of the planners come from a great background in events.  It has been such a pleasure working with them, providing guidance when needed, and seeing them work alongside some wickedly cool couples!  Last season, we tested the waters (success!), and this upcoming wedding season, we are going full force!  We have a lot of awesome weddings lined up for Heyday, and still have some weekends available this summer.  SO.... if you, or someone you know, needs a bit of extra help pulling things together, or is at the point of wedding planning where they realize that yes, it IS a good idea to have a planner, check out Heyday Events, and give the girls a shout!  

Photo by: Sabrina Patrice Photography

Photo by: The Best Men

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We are less than 2 weeks away from Valentines Day, and if you are anything like me, you'll be thinking "who cares"...."it's overrated"...  Honestly, my idea of the perfect Feb 14th is a night spent with lots of takeout and sitting on the couch watching Netflix with the hubby.  BUT...over the holidays, I was on the receiving end of some incredibly thoughtful gift boxes, and I fell head over heels in love with them!  I know that Gift Boxes aren't a new concept, but the most recent surge in popularity of locally inspired boxes has me completely obsessed!  Supporting local companies while treating someone you love?  Yes please!  Some of my favourite peeps have been putting together some incredibly thoughtful boxes, and they are definitely inspiring me to up my Valentines Day game this year.  Here are a few of our fav's, and if you don't live in Victoria, I highly encourage you to source some local ones from your home town! 

Tara McHugh: Valentines Gift Box
$89.95  
+ free local delivery for FKE readers (use code LOVE)

Perfect for:
Your bestie who always looks like her clothes and house belong in an instagram pic, and you love her for it. 

Why we love it: 
Does it get more fem or lovely than this? And every purchase supports creative entrepreneurs, small business and big dreamers.

The Goods: 
Watercolor tea towel by artist Lindsay Remple
 Lavender scented heart soap by Sweet Pure Honey
Hand poured FLORA Woodlot candle
Dried bundle of white statice flowers

Thorn & Thistle: Sweetheart Box
$145.00

Perfect for
That special someone in your life who you want to completely spoil and maybe spend some "alone" time with...*wink wink* 

Why we love it: 
All of the products are organic, and it's the perfect combination of sexy & sweet. (hands up to those who get that reference!)

The Goods: 
A seasonal bouquet
Kismet Pink Himalayan Salt Soak with rose petals
Province Apothecary Sex Oil
Karameller Candies
Lux et Terra Beeswax Candle
 

Vancouver Island Gift Baskets: Breakfast Nook
$135.00

Perfect for: 
Your foodie friend, who spends more time at local coffee shops than bars, and appreciates the stillness of mornings. 

Why we love it: 
Because the caloric count is significantly lower than a chocolate themed gift, and who doesn't love coffee?

The Goods: 
Fernwood Coffee & Galiano Coffee Roasting Co.
Babe's Clover Honey
Denman Island Espresso Chunk Chocolate Bar
Silk Road Tea, Anteeo Tea & Biscotti
RockCoast Sea Salt Toffee Bark, Smoked Canadian Sea Salt &
Saltspring Kitchen Co. Jam

Tara McHugh: Valentines Mini Box
$49.95
+ free local delivery for FKE readers (use code LOVE)

Perfect for:
That friend that deserves a little pick me up just because. 

Why we love it: 
You can't beat the price point, and it is freakin' adorable!

The Goods: 
Wild Hill Botanical's Northwest Forest Soak bath mix
Handcrafted Lavender scented soap by Sweet Pure Honey
Tara McHugh Flora signature tin of Earl grey leafy tea

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Happy February everyone!  The month of L O V E (countdown to V-day is on!), as well as fighting those winter blues.  And what fights the winter blues the best?  Dreams of sunny beaches and warm evenings....*sigh*...   Paula, our lovely office assistant, is currently travelling in Thailand, and so in honour of her travels, and subsequent jealously that has been happening around here because of it, this months guilty pleasures round up is of all things Wanderlust!

Take me away: 

Paula: Thailand

Barb: St. Lucia

Laura: Costa Rica

Happy Hour all day long:

Paula: Margarita on the rocks

Barb: Mojito

Laura: Gin & Tonic

Can't live without travel item:

Paula: Shampoo Bar

Barb: Jaxsea Kimono

Laura: A good book

So, tell us!  Where would you go?  And what item do you have to travel with?  (Paula's Shampoo bars have just raised the bar for making air travel that much easier!! #obsessed)

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Happy Friday everyone!!!  It's been a ridiculously cold week here in Victoria, but the weather man says that this cold spell we've been having is about to end (sort of...), and so I've decided that is worth celebrating with a cocktail tonight!  Since the new year, we have been full on design mode, and 2017 inspiration has been oozing out from everywhere. Some new trends are definitely appearing, and we are finding ourselves drawn to some new things, which is always fun.  Here are just a few of the things that are currently inspiring us.

Patterned Napkins
Textiles are a beautiful way to add personality to a tablescape, and a patterned napkin feels fresh and unexpected.  

Source: BRIDES

Source: Style Me Pretty

Modern Bouquets
We are still as obsessed as ever with organic styled bouquets, but these modern, clean lined and elegant bouquets had us at hello.  Sophistication at its best.

Source: Hey Gorgeous Events

Source: Style Me Pretty

Blue
Pantone may have dubbed green the colour of the year (which we will not argue with), but one hue has become a stand out for our 2017 weddings: Blue.  It's everywhere, and whether via textiles, glassware, or styling accents, we can't get enough!

Source: Style Me Pretty

Source: MODwedding

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We're all slowly starting to emerge from the lazy days of Christmas, and things in the office are starting to pick up fast!  Just 5 months until wedding season gets really going...and we can't wait!  We thought we'd share with you another instalment of our current guilty pleasures. These are the things that we are currently talking about non-stop in the office, and may or may not be providing some good comfort during these dark winter nights as of late.  

Favourite gift under the tree:

Barb: Celebrate Everything

Paula: Bath Bombs

Laura: Matt + Nat purse

Book we're currently reading:

Barb: The Year of Living Danishly

Paula: Sapiens

Laura: The Mountain Story

Netflix series currently binging: 

Barb: The Crown

Paula: Sherlock

Laura: The Good Wife

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Jenna & Tristan

Cheers to the new year!  Another year has come to an end, and to be honest, I think I'm ok with it.  Don't get me wrong: it was another fantastic year, and I feel seriously blessed to have the life that I do!  I get to share it with an incredible man, and am surrounded by a truly inspiring tribe.  But, 2016 was filled with both highs and low's for me.  It was a year of wedding's that will top my list for years to come, but also a year of working myself to pure exhaustion, and enduring some personal struggles that I am still recovering from.  12 months is a long time, and a lot of things can happen;  It's been quite the journey, and I am really looking forward to reflecting back on it all.  We tackled 15 weddings, 7 events, and made it onto Vogue (eek!).  We got to work with some of the industries best, and started to spread our wings a bit further beyond this lovely Island of ours.  We launched a sister company to FKE, Heyday Events, and started to focus more on nurturing and training of young planners.  These year end reviews can put so much into perspective and I am so grateful to have you follow along!

I kicked the year off with a mission to be the healthiest version of myself possible.  I joined a half marathon run clinic, and instantly loved the connections that I made through the running community.  Planning for the upcoming weddings was going at full tilt, and the rest of January was spent doing what basically everyone does in January: a whole lotta nothing.  

Erich McVey Photography

In February, we managed to sneak away to one of my favourite places, Salt Spring Island, for a relaxing weekend with good friends.  I was also completely floored and incredibly honoured to be included on this list by Vogue, of the world's top wedding planners.  Talk about a pinch me moment! And I loved seeing this wedding featured on Wedding Chicks!

Jon Mark Photo

We celebrated everyone in the Victoria's Wedding industry in March, with another Meetup party!  And I was seriously stoked to see our Taylor Swift shoot from last year, featured on Inspired by This here and here.  At the end of the month, we took off to the beautiful Galiano Island and enjoyed a magical weekend at Bodega Ridge with friends over Easter.  If you take anything from this blog post, let it be this: go to Galiano Island immediately!  

Lillie Louise Photography

April saw the start of the wedding season, and the first one was definitely a good one!  We also teamed up with a slew of talented vendors to host a Farmed and Foraged dinner, in support of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.  It was a beautiful night, and a meal I will surely not forget! Mid month, I took off down to Seattle for a weekend with Bash Specialty, to shop and hang with some other fabulous industry ladies.  

Kim Kalyn Photography

We were hired to plan a ridiculously romantic proposal (she said yes!).  And the month was finished off with a very special 1st birthday party we planned for one of our best friends daughter.  I mean, if you can't celebrate the big milestones like turning 1, what can you celebrate?

Taylor Roades Photography

In May, we worked on an insanely gorgeous elopement, for some insanely wonderful Texans!  More of that to come in the new year...  We married a doctor & a runner, and I completed the Oak Bay Half Marathon as well!  Fitness goal achieved.  Phew! We also had our first ever Heyday Events wedding!  Paula, one of our fabulous planners, knocked it out of the park!

Erich McVey Photography

The Nickersons

The Nickersons

June is when the season really started to take off, and thus began the most intense 6 weeks of my career.  Before things got really crazy though, I helped completely surprise this lovely lady on her 30th birthday, and indulged in a night of charcuterie and wine.  Then, we went from Victoria's inner harbour, to Pemberton's mountains, to Salt Spring's coast, to Hatley Castle, to a sprawling field, and back to Hatley Castle, all in the matter of 6 weeks.  Man, I'm tired just thinking about it.  Amongst all that crazinesses though, were some pretty incredible weddings, and ones that I am beyond honoured to have been a part of.  We got to work with the insanely talented Erich McVey on one (another pinch me moment!) and witness love like we've never seen before.  I can't wait to share ALL of them with you in the new year!

Luke Liable Photography

Shane Deringer Photography 

EA Photo

In August, Nick & I managed to escape to Ottawa for a weekend and spend some QT time with some very good friends.  The rest of the summer was a beautiful whirlwind, and filled with a whole lotta pretty!  We got to bounce around a ton of different venues, and loved spending time with every single one of our couples.  

Jenna & Tristan

Sambajoy

In September, we finished the season off with a couple more gems.  I then spent a week in Alberta visiting my brother and my 2 nephews.  They made my heart melt every. friggin. day.

Wendy Laurel Photography

October was spent in total recovery mode, and getting ready to escape to the sun, as we always do at this time of the year.  We spent 3 magical weeks in Hawaii, splitting our time between Oahu and Maui.  This years trip couldn't have come at a better time for us, and it was the perfect way to recharge.  Spending an afternoon with photographer superstar, Wendy Laurel, was a highlight for me, as well as celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary!  

The return to reality brought on a slew of meetings in November, and left me feeling ridiculously excited for all our 2017 couples!  As the holiday's quickly approached, I focused on spending as many relaxing nights cuddled by the fire, and preparing for Christmas.  On Dec 15th, on the eve of my 30th Birthday (#flirtythirties), I was given the ultimate surprise.  My amazingingly incredible husband, planned a surprise weekend in LA for me with some good friends!  I don't think I can ever complain about him ever again! haha!  It was the perfect way to ring in a new decade, and to reflect back on the year that was.  

Wendy Laurel Photography

Photo cheer by the always awesome Jesse Holland.

The snow (was) snowing, the wind has definitely been blowing, and I'm overflowing with love for all of you, that will definitely keep me warm! (too cheesy?  never!)  We are getting ready to sign off for the holiday season, and bid 2016 adieu.  And as always for this time of year, I am left feeling overwhelmed reflecting back on all the love and support that the FKE team has received over this past year, and feel so blessed to have such incredible clients, vendors, and (most importantly) teammates that we get to work with on a day to day basis.  Thank you everyone for making this truly the best job a girl could imagine!  

This holiday season has felt refreshingly relaxing, and I've loved every minute of it so far.  We've spent lots of time with family and friends, enjoyed many a nights curled up in front of the fire watching netflix, and consumed too many delicious meals and cocktails to count.  #noregrets.  The next few days will hopefully be filled with much of the same, and I can't wait to spend the weekend surrounded by all those I love the most.  I hope that your holiday season is filled with many joys, laughs and loved ones as well, and have fabulous rest of the year!  

xo
Barb