Archive for Farheen Sikandar

10 Super Creative Wedding Cakes

Planning » Wedding Cakes

Posted July 30th, 2018 | 10:00 am | By | No Comments

10 Utterly Whimsical Wedding Cakes - Cake

Having a wedding cake that represents your wedding theme and palette but is still unique to your personality can be a challenge. We think there’s nothing better than adding a bit of fun and whimsy to your cake, a detail at your wedding that doubles as a piece of decor.

Whether they’re painted, covered in crystalline candy or topped with sugar blooms, we’ve rounded up ten beautiful wedding cakes that are modern, artsy, and well-crafted.

A Glamorous Two-Day Wedding In Toronto

Real Weddings

Posted July 26th, 2018 | 12:18 pm | By | No Comments

A Glamorous Two-Day Wedding in Toronto, Ontario - bride and groom

Lucia and Michael’s engagement took place at Quinta da Regaleira, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Sintra, Portugal, during their fifth anniversary celebrations. “We had gone to the top of one of the towers, which overlooked the entire garden. I was taking photos and when I turned around, Mike was on one knee with a box in his hand,” Lucia recalls. “I was not expecting it and he picked out the ring all by himself—which made it all the more special!”

The couple, who currently reside in London, England, enlisted the help of the planners at August In Bloom to plan a Toronto celebration for 120 guests. In order to spend more time with their nearest and dearest, the couple decided to split their wedding into a multi-day affair and have an intimate garden party following the church ceremony at Michael’s family home on Saturday. “We saved the formal sit down dinner, cake, first dance, speeches, and our final sparkler send-off for the formal reception that took place on Sunday,” Lucia explains. “It was an absolute whirlwind, but we wouldn’t have done it any other way!”

Their reception theme of glitz and champagne was inspired by The Great Gatsby, an aesthetic that suited both of them. Keeping in mind the decor of their venue, Malaparte, the couple chose a palette of silver, black, and gold complemented with pastel-hued flowers.

“How Long Will I Love You” by Ellie Goulding was the song of choice for their first dance. “Mike actually put it forward as an option,” Lucia shares. “We only made it about halfway through the song because we both started to cry. We knew it was perfect.”

Lucia Sansone and Michael Trudeau, August 5 & 6, 2017, Toronto, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Leydon Photography.

Vendors
Ceremony venue: Blessed Sacrament Church
Reception venue: Malaparte
Wedding planner: August In Bloom
Bridal gown: Dennis Basso from Kleinfeld
Bridesmaid dresses: Bill Levkoff
Groom’s tux: Andrew’s Formals
Caterer: Oliver & Bonacini
Flowers: The Flower 597
Stationery: Minted
Cake and favours: Sweet Philosophy
Hair and makeup: Fancy Face Inc.
Music: DJ Floh Back Productions
Rentals: RAD Photo Booth

Entertaining Wedding Reception Games

Planning » Reception Ideas

Posted July 16th, 2018 | 10:40 am | By | No Comments

5 Entertaining Reception Games You Must Try At Your Wedding - Reception Games

Wedding reception games are the perfect ice breaker to get guests mingling. They can range from low-key carnival games to trivia that allows guests to show just how much they know the bride and groom.

Whether you opt for giant Jenga or classic bean bag toss, reception games are sure to keep guests entertained and involved throughout the course of your big day. We’ve collected five of our top reception game picks that are suitable for indoor as well as outdoor weddings. Let the games begin!

An Elegant New Year’s Eve Wedding In Ontario

Real Weddings

Posted June 15th, 2018 | 9:00 am | By | No Comments

A Chic And Elegant Winter Wedding In Ontario - bride and groom

For Desirée and Robert, a chance meeting at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub in Toronto blossomed into a beautiful romance. After they became engaged, the couple decided to enter a new year as husband and wife with a New Year’s Eve-themed wedding.

“We wanted to celebrate our marriage, as well as ring in the New Year with all our friends and family,” Desirée explains.

For their chic theme, the couple chose champagne tones with black accents. Cream roses and baby’s breath flowers were used for the centrepieces, complemented with wood slab decor and votive candles.

Luckily for the couple, the bright sun and snow-filled grounds served as a beautiful winter wonderland for their photos. “The scenery was breathtaking during our ceremony. The sun was setting, which gave a dusk lighting that highlighted the clear marina,” Desirée shares. “The snow on the ground looked beautiful, and the lighthouse provided a beautiful architectural background.”

The couple incorporated two Spanish traditions from Desirée’s Nicaraguan background into the ceremony: the lasso and coin rituals. A crystal rosary was wrapped around both of them to symbolize two lives being united as one, and 13 silver coins were exchanged with each other in order to recognize their responsibility as providers to one another. “Acceptance of the coins means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence,” Desirée explains. “The 13 coins symbolize love, harmony, cooperation, commitment, peace, happiness, trust, respect, caring, wisdom, joy, wholeness and nurturing.”

Desirée Gadea and Robert Close, December 31, 2017, Oakville, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Sarah Eybel.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Harbour Banquet & Conference Centre
Bridal gown: Stella York from The Gown
Bridesmaid dresses: Jealous Bridesmaids
Groom’s tux: Esco Clothier
Flowers: Alana’s Flowers & Gifts
Stationery: Vistaprint
Cake: European Patisserie
Hair: Kimberly Cabral
Makeup: Karla Fuentes
Favours: Individually wrapped Lindt Excellence chocolates
Music: DJ Anthony
Videographer: Kindle & Coal

A Cozy, Rustic Wedding In St. John’s, Newfoundland

Real Weddings

Posted June 12th, 2018 | 9:00 am | By | No Comments

A Cozy, Rustic Wedding in St. John's, Newfoundland - bride and groom

Shawn proposed to Chrissie on the night before her 30th birthday. The previous year, Shawn bought Chrissie a bottle of expensive champagne and she decided to save for a special occasion. “Before dinner, Shawn slipped the bottle into the fridge, hoping that I would see it when we returned but unfortunately for him, I started to fall asleep. He insisted that I get up and have a celebratory glass of wine,” Chrissie shares. “I finally saw the bottle  in the fridge and immediately declared that my 30th birthday wasn’t special enough to break out the champagne, which was when he took the ring out of a nearby drawer and dropped onto one knee.”

For their wedding, the couple hosted an intimate cocktail party at The Fifth Ticket Piano Bar in St. John’s. “Our venue was the perfect combination of sophisticated, rustic, and warm. From the food to the red ceiling, everything about it was perfect,” Chrissie says. “The only theme we had was that we wanted our wedding to be simple, chilled-out, and stress-free.”

The couple chose navy as their wedding colour because it happened to be Chrissie’s favourite colour at the time and went well with the winter season. And at the very last minute, Chrissie decided to add fake florals that included pinecones and lots of greenery with pops of gold.

For their first dance, pianist Kathy Stock performed “XO” by John Mayer. “Shawn and our amazing photographer, Sandra Lee, are huge John Mayer fans, and I am a recent convert as well,” Chrissie explains. “The choice of our wedding song itself wasn’t a big deal to us but we did want to make it personal and we thought it would convert beautifully to a solo piano/voice performance. Kathy did a beautiful rendition for us and absolutely nailed it!”

Christina Greene and Shawn Metcalfe, December 30, 2017, St John’s, Newfoundland.

Photography courtesy of Sandra-Lee Photography.

Vendors
Reception venue: The Fifth Ticket Piano Bar
Bridal gown: WToo
Flowers: By Sharpe Design
Groom’s tux: Maxwell’s Clothier
Cake: Made by Courtney Butler (bridesmaid)
Hair and makeup: The Beauty Vault
Music: Kathy Stock

A Minimalist Wedding In Winnipeg

Real Weddings

Posted June 8th, 2018 | 9:00 am | By | No Comments

A Minimalist Marble Wedding in Winnipeg - bride and groom

Even though Mike and Osanna were both born and raised in Winnipeg, they originally met in Edmonton. “We both had recently moved there and were at a pub called O’Byrnes when he noticed the wallpaper on my phone was of the Chicago Blackhawks instead of the Edmonton Oilers and asked why I wasn’t an Oilers fan,” Osanna recalls. “We soon found out that we were both from Winnipeg and instantly hit it off.”

The couple’s wedding’s theme was “marble” with a palette of black, white and grey with heaps of greenery. “I’ve always been drawn to the classic, minimal look, so I wanted to make sure our wedding theme suited our personalities,” Osanna says. Fresh florals such as foliage with viburnum and brunia berries were added to the bouquets to create the perfect summer vibe, while the venue was adorned with Italian ruscuses. “It was very simple and pretty and didn’t cost us an arm and a leg,” she adds.

Osanna’s sister-in-law baked the cake and cookies for their wedding. “I loved what she created for us. The cake was simple and beautiful, and the cookies were decorated with marble frosting,” Osanna says. “She even surprised us by stamping the cookies with hilarious sayings such as “Married AF”.”

For their first dance, the couple swayed to “I Will Follow You” by Toulouse. “For a while, we thought we were just going to have to settle on some old classic song,” Osanna shares. “I somehow came across this one and played it for Mike and while we slow-danced to test it out, we both got teary-eyed. It was definitely the one!”

Osanna Mai and Mike Dutka, August 5, 2017, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Photography courtesy of Esther Funk Photography.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: St. Charles Country Club
Bridal gown: Truly Zac Posen from David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom’s tux: Suitsupply
Flowers: The Floral Fixx
Stationery: DIY
Cake: Bakes by Shontel
Hair: Kim Duong from Regis Salon
Makeup: Janique Lavoie from Fine Eyes Makeup Artists
Music: Crystal Sound Music

A Woodsy Summer Wedding In Montreal

Real Weddings

Posted June 5th, 2018 | 10:00 am | By | No Comments

A Woodsy Summer Wedding in Montreal - bride and groom

For Jessica and Brad, an outdoor wedding with a lakeside ceremony was something they always wanted. When they discovered the L’Oasis De L’ile, the couple knew they had found their prefect wedding location.

“Our venue offered everything we were looking for, including the lakefront setting,” Jessica shares. She also wanted to combine their rustic theme with elegant and chic elements, so they opted for pops of lavender, mauve, and violet in the bridesmaids’ attire, ties, and florals, which tied in well with the white flowers.

Jessica’s dress was one of her favourite details from the special day. “It had the perfect silhouette and fit the theme beautifully,” Jessica explains. “I just knew it was the dress for me from the moment I tried it on.”

One of the most memorable moments from the wedding was when the the maid of honour’s dress caught on fire mid-ceremony! “My step father politely interrupted the ceremony to stomp it out,” Jessica says. “This even made for a great tidbit in Brad’s speech, where he thanked the bridesmaids who were literally on fire!”

The night ended with a magical first dance under a pergola decorated with string lights. And while Brad and Jessica danced to an acoustic version of “Latch” by Sam Smith, the guests held up sparklers. “It’s like time stood still for that moment when we were in each other’s arms,” Jessica shares. “We were able to stop and really take everything in.”

Jessica Zagari and Brad Evans, July 1, 2017, Montreal, Quebec.

Photography courtesy of Lightbox Studio Montreal.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: L’Oasis De L’ile
Bridal gown: Mikaella Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: Dessy
Groom’s tux: RW & Co.
Flowers: A Timeless Celebration
Stationery: Vistaprint
Cake: Pâtisserie de L’Île-Bizard
Hair: Roger Medina
Makeup: Vanessa Cabral
Music: DJ Wesley Perez

A Modern Maritime Wedding In Prince Edward Island

Real Weddings

Posted May 30th, 2018 | 10:00 am | By | No Comments

A Modern Maritime Wedding In Prince Edward Island - bride and groom

Matt and Katie were celebrating Katie’s 30th birthday in Chicago when he popped the question. “We walked over to the Cloud Gate in Millennium Park and then to an outdoor amphitheatre that was right beside it,” Katie recalls with a smile. “As I looked up at all of the lit up buildings and the city skyline, I commented about how beautiful it was. Matt responded by asking, “well what do you think about this?” I turned around and he was standing there with a ring! I was completely taken aback. It was perfect.”

Since Matt is from Prince Edward Island and the couple resides in Ontario, 90 of their wedding guests flew out to the island for the wedding. The wedding theme was modern classic with a maritime charm. “It was really important to us to showcase the island and have a real east coast feel incorporated throughout,” Katie explains.

They created a palette of blush, navy, steel blue, and wine complemented with rustic elements throughout, including wooden signs, small branches with green fillers, and brightly-lit candles.

The couple said their vows overlooking the red cliffs of PEI with the Northumberland Strait in the background. “We were blessed with the most absolute perfect weather. It was a quintessential late summer PEI day!” Katie says.

To pay further homage to the island, they included an illustrated map of PEI on the invites, served an oyster shucker at cocktail hour, and hosted an east coast kitchen party the night before the wedding.

For their first dance, the couple chose “Lucky Man” by The Verve. “Matt played me this song when we first met and I always associate it with the beginning of our relationship alongside other countless memories,” Katie shares. “Towards the end of our first dance, the band changed the lyrics from ‘I’m a lucky man’ to ‘Matt’s a lucky man.’ It was a really cute.”

Katie Shaver and Matthew MacDonald, September 8, 2017, Prince Edward Island.

Photography courtesy of Rachel Peters Photography.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Seacow Head Lighthouse
Bridal gown: Essense of Australia from Promises & Lace Bridal Dress Boutique
Bridesmaid dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom’s tux: Tip Top Tailors
Wedding planner: Jennifer McKenney (close friend)
Caterer: Fiveleven West
Flowers: Prestige Floral Studio
Stationery: Meredith McRae
Cake: DIY
Marriage commissioner: Marsha Weeks from Your PEI Wedding
Makeup: Rebecca Powers Makeup Artist
Favours: Donation to Wells of Hope
Music: Robbie & Matthew
Rentals: Caseley’s Tent & Party Rentals

A Romantic Fairy-Tale Wedding In Toronto

Real Weddings

Posted May 23rd, 2018 | 10:17 am | By | No Comments

A Romantic Fairy-Tale Wedding In Toronto - bride and groom

Matt proposed to Lena during the couple’s vacation to France and Greece. “Matt surprised me with a white stretch limo,” Lena shares. “Inside were rose petals and a huge bouquet of red roses. He popped the question just as I got into the limo!”

The couple’s late summer affair was filled with pastel, white and gold details and rose gold and pastel blooms. “Our ceremony decor was the perfect mix of marble sophistication and floral dreaminess,” Lena says. Silk dip-dyed fabric was draped over the ceremony seating, giving the space a romantic feel. “Our planning and design team did the most incredible job at creating a magical and romantic ambiance for our reception,” she adds.

To go with their fairy-tale inspired celebration, Lena wore a sparkling tiara and a stunning ballgown, which made the bride feel like royalty. “It was a dream come true,” Lena says of her royal-inspired attire. “My maid of honour was a lifesaver, she helped me with my train all day long!”

The couple shared their first dance to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. “It was a song we both loved when it first came out,” Lena explains. “The lyrics really resonated with us.”

Lena Aseeva and Matt Currie, September 22, 2017, Toronto, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Elizabeth In Love.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Graydon Hall Manor
Bridal gown: Custom
Bridesmaid dresses: Dessy from White Toronto
Groom’s tux: Pace Men’s Collection
Wedding planner: Love by Lynzie Events + Design
Caterer: Couture Cuisine
Flowers: Coquette Studios
Stationery: Minted
Cake: Nadia and Co.
Hair and makeup: Jen Evoy Makeup Studio
Favours: Custom-made mirrors by LBL
Music: Jenna Gallagher and The Elie Band

 

A Laid-Back Gold And Marble Wedding

Real Weddings

Posted May 17th, 2018 | 2:22 pm | By | No Comments

A Gold And Marble Wedding In British Columbia - bride and groom

Before their anniversary, Ryan told Betsy that he wanted to get her a painting for the special occasion. Fast forward to their anniversary, he brought out the painting, which, much to Betsy’s surprise, was actually a framed photo. “It said “I love you” on a black background, and faded into the background in grey were the words, “Will you marry me?” He then got on one knee. Of course I said yes!” Betsy recalls.

Betsy and Ryan’s wedding was a modern and minimalist affair with neutral tones and lots of greenery. “Our vision was simple: we wanted our wedding to look beautiful,” Betsy explains. “I love the look of marble and gold, especially when they’re complemented by really toned down colours.”

To bring an extra element of fun to their party, the couple had a variety of lawn games that ranged from oversized Jenga to ladder golf.

The couple swayed to “Need Your Love So Bad” by Fleetwood Mac for their first dance. “We were at home when Ryan started playing this and it made me pause because it was such a cool song,” Betsy shares. “And the fact that it was Fleetwood Mac–a family obsession–made it all the more special.”

Betsy Wark and Ryan Lynch, July 29, 2017, Duncan, British Columbia.

Photography courtesy of Amee Nijjar.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Affinity Guesthouse
Bridal gown: Rue De Seine from Union Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: Park & Fifth Co
Groom’s tux: Coppley from Walker 24
Wedding planner: French Kiss Events
Caterer: Toque Catering
Flowers: Verbena Floral Design
Stationery: DIY
Cake: Marvellous Cakes
Hair Hairpins
Makeup: Artistry by Alexa
Music: HiWay Productions DJ Pro
Rentals Faire la Fete Linen

These Royal Accessories Are Currently Trending

Royal Wedding

Posted May 16th, 2018 | 1:39 pm | By | No Comments

Crowns, halos, tiaras, diadems: these royal accessories were all over the New York Bridal Fashion Week runways. And why wouldn’t they be? After all, many have been wondering about whether or not Meghan Markle will borrow a sparkling tiara from the queen’s vault for her May 19th nuptials like her soon to be sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, did for her wedding. Royal tradition states that all brides should wear a tiara on their wedding day, whether they borrow it from the queen or borrow them from their families.

The most well-known example of a royal bride wearing her own tiara was none other than Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, who wore the Spencer Family tiara when she wed Prince Charles in 1981.

We’re definitely hoping Meghan takes the opportunity to wear one of these coveted accessories on the day she officially becomes a royal.

Want to bring a princess vibe to your own wedding? We’ve tracked down 10 gorgeous tiaras and crowns fit for a royal-inspired celebration.

 

A Rustic Winery Wedding With Modern Details

Real Weddings

Posted May 11th, 2018 | 10:05 am | By | No Comments

Joanna and Bart were on a seven-day trip to Helsinki, Finland and Paris, France when Bart popped the question. “We decided to walk home in the rain from dinner when Bart proposed right before midnight, the day before my 30th birthday,” Joanna reveals. “It was under the love lock bridge in Paris. It was perfect.”

Their winery wedding was filled with neutral tones including black, creams and greens with subtle gold accents added to the heaps of greenery. “We wanted something elegant, sophisticated and natural,” Joanna explains.

Their ceremony site included an arbour filled with florals that ranged from white and green to orange and blue, alongside two barrels on the sides that carried the floral arrangements as well. The boutonnieres, the bride’s bouquet, and the bridesmaids’ corsages were made to match the outdoor setting.

The couple maintained the rustic look of the winery at their reception by adding rich green garlands to the harvest tables matched with white runners, which made the whole floral setting pop. To refine it further, gold charger plates were added to the mix. “Our table setting was a Pinterest dream brought to life,” Joanna says.

For their first dance, the couple chose “Use Somebody” by King of Leons. “They were a very popular band when we first started dating and the song has such beautiful words,” Joanna shares. “We decided to slow it down with a cover band singing the beautiful song.”

Joanna Dudziak and Bartholomew Nowak, August 26, 2017, Orangeville, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Avenue Photo.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Adamo Estate Winery
Bridal gown: Paloma Blanca from Becker’s Bridal
Bridesmaid’s dress: Hayley Paige from Pearl Bridal House
Groom’s tux: Surmesur
Caterer: Adamo Estate Winery and Hockey Valley
Flowers: Seasons Floral Studio
Stationery: Aktiv Art & Design
Cake: Sweet Temptations
Hair: Lucky Life Beauty
Makeup: Samantha Morgado
Music: DJ Scott and MC Adam

A Romantic Industrial Wedding In Toronto

Real Weddings

Posted May 8th, 2018 | 11:06 am | By | No Comments

A Rustic, Industrial Wedding in Toronto, Ontario - Bride and groom with dogs

Jamaal and Patricia met as teenagers working at their local McDonalds. “Our first date was dinner and a movie,” Patricia recalls with a smile. “After five years of dating, Jamaal popped the question while we were cliff diving in the Philippines!”

For their wedding, the couple enlisted the help of wedding planner Narelle Allen to create a romantic, rustic celebration using wood and earth tones with mauve accents. Gold was incorporated as an accent on the vases and glass chargers. “Everything on the tables, from the hanging mauve table runners with greenery, to the flowers and candles, gave a romantic whimsical vibe that we were looking for,” Patricia explains. “Our custom dance floor also had a big flower that went really well with our table setting. It really put the room together,” she added.

For their first dance, the couple swayed to “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur. “The song is the best representation of our relationship,” Patricia shares. “From meeting each other, to having fun, to settling down, to finally starting a family and growing old together.”

Patricia Eugenio and Jamaal Leslie, August 19, 2017, Toronto, Ontario.

Photography courtesy of Artanis Collective.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: District 28
Bridal gown: Morilee by Madeline Gardner
Bridesmaid dresses: Henkaa
Wedding planner: Narelle Janine Events
Flowers: Chateau Des Fleurs
Stationery: Paperless Post
Hair and makeup: Mary Zhen
Favours: Spicy beef jerky from Carne Boys
Music: Bernard Torroza
Late night snack: BeaverTails

A Gold And Navy Elopement In British Columbia

Real Weddings

Posted May 3rd, 2018 | 6:44 pm | By | No Comments

An Intimate Gold & Navy Wedding In British Columbia -bride and groom

On New Year’s Eve in 2012, Nadia and David bumped into each other at the Whiskey Mist bar in London, U.K.

After the birth of their daughter five years later, David surprised Nadia with a beautiful three carat ring in the Presidential Suite at River Rock Hotel in Vancouver.

Their whirlwind wedding was planned in just three days, an amazing feat managed by David. The couple hired Olivia from Lavish Engagements only three days before their wedding. “She planned a stunning elopement at Maple Bay Manor, that will have you believe she had months to put it together,” Nadia said.

Olivia created a luxurious winter wedding in an intimate setting using deep navy, silk linens with gold cutlery, and candle sticks that added a romantic ambiance to the room. For florals, she used heaps of greenery with white, cream, and blush flowers, which kept the setting simple yet trendy.

“I walked down the aisle to Beethoven’s “Für Elise” in honour of our daughter, Elizabeth,” shares Nadia. “And we danced to Tim McGraw‘s “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s” for our first dance. It is a personal favourite of David’s.””

Nadezda Rolinskaja and David Smillie, December 9, 2017, Duncan, British Columbia.

Photography courtesy of Joanna Moss Photography.

Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Maple Bay Manor
Wedding planner: Lavish Engagements
Caterer: Alibi Catering
Flowers: Poppies Floral Art
Stationery: Tickle Tree Studio
Cake: Cobble Hill Cake Co
Hair and makeup: Artistry By Alexa
Rentals: Black and White Party Rentals
Event design: All in One Party Shop, Trend Decor, and Party Mood

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