Archive for Kimberly Aglipay

Start Planning Your Wedding The Fun Way!

Planning

Posted January 17th, 2020 | 5:07 pm | By | No Comments


The Hamilton Spring Wedding Show returns to Hamilton Convention Centre on January 25 – 26, 2020. Meet local wedding vendors, taste test delicious desserts, and see the latest in bridal fashion, hair and makeup on the catwalk! Plus, you’ll be treated show-exclusive promos and all the wedding planning advice you could need for your big day. Enter your ballot at the door for your chance to win our secret grand prize! Bring your partner, squad and your family for a weekend of wedding planning fun!

DISCOUNT: Get $2 off admission here with code WB20. Happy planning!

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How To Achieve The Perfect Earth-Toned Wedding Colour Palette

Planning

Posted January 17th, 2020 | 4:22 pm | By | No Comments

 

Photography courtesy of Jonny Delgado Bosso as seen in this real wedding.

When it comes to an earth-toned wedding colour palette, muted colours such as grey, brown and black might come to mind. But who says that the palette can’t include a little colour? We’re all for embracing bright hues. Incorporate golden shades of turmeric and pops of terra cotta in your celebration for a warm and whimsical vibe. Here are all the details you need to pull off a beautifully vibrant earth-toned wedding colour palette.

Hopson Grace Old Fashioned Teaspoons in Orange, $9 each, hopsongrace.com.

Luxia Jewelry Alicia Earrings, $280, luxiajewelry.com.

Hermes Mini Lindy bag, $7,050, hermes.com.

Hopson Grace Dibbern Curved Tumblers in Amber, $36, hopsongrace.com.

Meilen Ceramics plate, price upon request, @meilenceramics.

PW Princess Weddings floral arrangement, price upon request, @pwprincessweddings.

Joni & Cake cake, price upon request, joniandcake.com.

Biko Jupiter Collar in Gold, $285, ilovebiko.com.

David’s Bridal Velvet-Wrapped Hoop Earrings in Yellow, $20, davidsbridal.com.

Flour and Flower Cakes cakes, price upon request, flourandflowercakedesign.com.

Valmont Storie Veneziane Gaggia Medio I Amber Extrait de Parfum, $550 for 100ml, lamaisonvalmont.com.

Guerlain Terracotta Light powder in 03 Natural Warm, $64, guerlain.com.

Beautycounter Sheer Lipstick in Rose and Twig, $38 each, beautycounter.com.

The Social Pops lollipops, @thesocialpops.

Shay Lowe Tangerine Sparkle Statement Ring, $80, shaylowedesign.com.

Aldo Hendra sandals, $95, aldoshoes.com.

 

The Five Hair Tools Every Bride Needs

Fashion & Beauty

Posted January 15th, 2020 | 3:53 pm | By | No Comments

Photography by Grace & Gold Studios as seen in this real wedding.

When it comes to ensuring your locks are Insta-perfect, you need to ensure you have a couple of tools in your kit. Whether it be for any pre-wedding celebrations, the wedding itself or your honeymoon, the right tools can make styling your own hair with ease. For a bride that’s choosing to DIY her wedding hairstyle, this is especially important. We’ve narrowed down the five hair tools that will make the perfect blowout, effortless waves and sleek bun an absolute breeze.

1. A curling iron. Every girl needs a good curling iron in her kit. The right curling iron has a variety of temperatures to ensure your hair doesn’t burn (if you have dry or damaged hair, turn down the heat!), but will still be hot enough so your hair can hold the curl. Try: Hot Tools Black Gold 1 1/4″ Curling Iron, which combines the power of 24k gold, titanium and their Micro-Shine technology to ensure glossy curls with a tool that lasts. ($119.99, chatters.ca)

 

Photography by Maya Visnyei.

2. A hair dryer. A good hairdryer is essential for EVERY bride. The right one will be able to dry your hair relatively quickly, freeing your time up to care for more pressing matters (wedding planning!). It will also do minimal damage to your hair and will keep frizz at bay. Most hairdryers come with attachments such as diffusers and nozzles, meant for different types of hair and to target different hairstyles. Try: Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. This hair tool made waves when it was first released, in part due to its unique, intriguing shape and colour. We can confirm that the hype is real—this dryer is powerful yet quiet, with smart technology that controls heat temperature to ensure your hair doesn’t get damaged. ($499.99, dyson.com)

3. A straightening iron. Sleek, pin-straight hair is achievable with a good straightening iron. We love seeing a bride with a sexy, sleek straight hairstyle, or in an uber-chic pony. The straightening iron not only straightens your hair, but it also removes frizz as well as create beautiful volume at the root. Try: Kenneth Bernard Vibe Flat Iron. With rounded plate edges, this iron prevent hair from tugging or getting tangled. With a vibration feature, it moves strands so that heat is distributed evenly. ($179.95, chatters.ca)

4. An two-in-one tool. There are many innovative tools out there these days that promise to dry and style your locks at the same time. Not only is this a time saver, but it allows you to achieve a salon-worthy hairstyle without having to sit in a chair—and who doesn’t want to look like they’ve had their hair touched by the hands of a stylist? One of our favourite hair styling tools is one that dries your hair and gives you a blowout at the same time, without having to use a round brush (because let’s face it, holding both a dryer and round brush at the same time is hard!) Try: Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer, which promises to give you volume at the root and softly curl the ends of your strands. ($64.97, walmart.ca.)

5. A portable hair dryer. We’ve all had that moment where you step out of the shower in your hotel room, and find out that the hair dryer provided just doesn’t work. To avoid this happening on your honeymoon (and being late to the romantic dinner you had planned), pack one of your own. The best travel-sized hair dryers are foldable, easy to put in your carry-on, but still provide the power and heat control of a regular hair dryer. Try: T3 Featherweight Compact. With a regular-sized handle that folds to save space, as well as two heat settings, this is everything you could want in a travel-sized hair dryer. ($200, sephora.ca)

 

 

The Bridal Beauty Products Our Editors Are Currently Loving For January

Fashion & Beauty

Posted January 10th, 2020 | 3:58 pm | By | No Comments

January means the start of a new year, and for many, it means the start of wedding planning! Engagement season is in full swing, and with so many of you newly engaged brides starting your planning journey, there are a few items you’ll need to ensure your beauty kit is in check. These are the products we are currently loving for the month of January.

Olay Regenerist Rentinol24 Night Collection
Some skincare products do the best work at night, undisturbed from environmental pollutants and stressors. Olay Regenerist’s Retinol24 Night Collection does just that, taking the once-scary ingredient retinol and including it in a night cream, eye cream and serum through their retinoid complex. With the addition of Vitamin B3, the product gives you hydrated, smooth skin (which we all need in the winter months).

$39.99, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

Essie expressie Polish
Whether you’re a bride who’s pinched for time and forgot to schedule in her nail appointment, or you’re a newly engaged bride who can’t wait to share that engagement ring selfie, Essie’s newest line promises to give you the nails you want and need, drying in a minute to save you time. We love the line’s new angled brush, which makes easy for both hands to achieve a beautiful mani.

$9.99, essie.com.

L’Oreal Bambi Mascara
If a doe-eyed look is what you’re aiming for on your wedding day, you’ll want to pick up L’Oreal’s latest mascara, which promises to provide separation and curl for a voluminous, yet defined look. This mascara is perfect for brides who are opting not to wear false lashes or lash extensions.

$13.99, lorealparis.ca.

Miss Dior Rose N’ Roses
If you’re a fan of Miss Dior (and fragrances until the line, such as Blooming Bouquet), you’ll love the newest scent in its family. Rose is the star ingredient in this fresh floral fragrance, which includes both grasse rose and damask rose. Bergamot and mandarin add fruity notes, while geranium gives the scent a citrusy, minty fresh finish. This is one fragrance that you should definitely consider wearing on your wedding day.

$142 for 100 ml, thebay.com.

Maybelline New York Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette
For brides her will be DIY-ing their own makeup and don’t know where to begin when it comes to eyeshadow, this palette was made for you. Created to ensure every shade is flattering to all skin tones, there are a range of neutrals here to create the perfect eyeshadow look, from natural to dramatic. We love the idea of using the lighter shades for your wedding ceremony, and adding drama to your eyes for your reception.

$17.99, maybelline.com.

Weleda Clarifying Facial Care Collection
If you are prone to blemishes (and let’s face it—the stress of planning a wedding is enough to make anyone experience a pimple or two), then we highly suggest incorporating the natural skincare brand’s newest line into your routine. Meant specifically for people with oily to combination skin, this line includes ingredients such as willow bark, witch hazel and jojoba oil.

From $27.99, weleda.com.

Buxom Raptors Red Baller Full Force Plumping Lipstick
We’re still riding off the high of the Raptors’ championship win last year, so why not channel some of that winner energy into your new year? This shade of red is wearable for any skintone, and it’s perfect for Canadian brides who want to wear a classic red lip on their wedding day (and show their We The North pride!).

$25, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

Burberry Fresh Glow Highlighting Luminous Pen
The winter weather can make anyone’s skin look dull (the lack of light doesn’t help!). For cooler months, cream products are a good idea as they won’t emphasize dry skin. This champagne-hued highlighter lives up to its name by making your skin look fresh and glowy—exactly what you want for your wedding day, too!

$42, burberry.com.

Givenchy Prisme Libre Lunar New Year Limited Edition
Every girl needs a good powder in her kit, and it works even better if the packaging is cute, too. We certainly wouldn’t mind carrying the Givenchy Prisme Libre Lunar New Year Limited Edition with us in our wedding-day clutch. The four-in-one powder allows you to colour correct and mattify your skin, which is something you’ll want to do throughout your big day.

$69, sephora.ca.

We’re Obsessed With Tea-Length Bridal Gowns For 2020

Fashion & Beauty

Posted January 9th, 2020 | 1:14 pm | By | No Comments

As we watched all the gowns float down the runways during bridal fashion week Fall 2020, there was one trend in particular that tugged at our retro-loving hearts: the tea-length bridal gown. Defined as a gown whose skirt hits mid-shin, there’s something about this silhouette that’s absolutely darling, and perfect for a bride who isn’t afraid of showing off her wedding shoes. Because, let’s face it, if you have the perfect wedding shoes, you’ll want to show everyone.

View this post on Instagram

June 29th, 2019.

A post shared by Zoë Kravitz (@zoeisabellakravitz) on

We saw this trend solidify itself as one of the hottest for 2020 when Zoe Kravitz revealed her stunning custom drop-waist Alexander Wang bridal gown from her wedding last June that had her looking every bit like a beautiful ballerina. The dress looks like a nod to Audrey Hepburn’s gown in the movie Funny Face, and, according to Vogue, Zoe referenced the actress when coming up with her gown design with Wang.

If you want to channel retro vibes on your own wedding day, here are some of our favourite tea-length bridal gowns from the Fall 2020 runways.

Zac Posen for White One Fall 2020

Important Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Date

Planning

Posted January 8th, 2020 | 2:57 pm | By | No Comments

Photography by Beige Weddings as seen in this real wedding.

So you’re engaged, and ecstatic to start everything that comes with planning your dream day. But where do you start? Before you start ticking off items on your to-do list, there’s one important detail you need to consider: your wedding date. Here are some tips to help you understand that choosing your date is a process, and something that you should put some thought into. These tips will ensure you pick the date that’s right for you!

Black out any dates that don’t work for you and your closest guests. Secondary to you and your future spouse (obviously), you’ll want to consult the schedule of close family and friends, such as your parents. Black out the dates that don’t work for them and ask them to place a hold on tentative dates you have in mind.

Avoid holidays or long weekends if possible. Having your wedding on holidays or weekends where people will likely be traveling might make it more difficult for your guests to attend. Unless your wedding is themed around this specific holiday and you don’t see it being a schedule conflict with most our guests, choose around these days. See our handy list of dates you should avoid.

Look at venues prior to choosing a date.
This is an absolute must, as you will want to choose your venue before your other vendors, and your venue’s schedule will play a key role in selecting your wedding date. Have a few dates in mind that you are okay with and don’t have your heart set on a specific date prior to booking your venue.

Keep in mind the season.
This will indicate the availability of your venue; during peak months (May to September) it may be more difficult to secure a date. If the day of the week is not important to you, consider having your wedding on a weekday (Thursday or Friday) or in the off-season months. Not only is there likely to be more dates available, but these dates can help you save a few extra dollars.

Consider the availability of must-have vendors.
If there are vendors who are a must on your list to hire, contact them early on. For example, if you are looking to hire a specific wedding planner, go to them to see if their schedule aligns with yours. As your planner will be your main point of contact with other vendors, they will be a priority to secure.

Meet Niagara Wedding Vendors All Under One Roof!

Planning

Posted January 8th, 2020 | 11:00 am | By | No Comments

The Niagara Spring Wedding Show is on this weekend from January 11 to 12, 2020 at St. Catharines Holiday Inn. There you can meet your local wedding vendors, sample sweet and savoury delights, and take in a free fashion show! You’ll be treated with a free swag bag, show-exclusive promotions and all the tips you need for your big day—plus one lucky engaged couple will win a grand secret prize. Bring your partner, bridal squad and your family for a day of wedding planning fun! Get your tickets today.

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The Top 10 Real Weddings of 2019

Real Weddings

Posted December 31st, 2019 | 5:44 pm | By | No Comments

Each year, we publish dozens of weddings meant to inspire you, the Weddingbells reader. Out of these amazing celebrations, there are a few that stand out—and for good reason. Whether it be for the bride and groom’s outfits, the reception epic details or heartfelt moments, there are weddings that clearly resonate with our readers. We’ve combed through our real weddings to narrow down the celebrations that have garnered the most views over the past year. Here are the top 10 real weddings of 2019.


1. Olympic Soccer Player Sophie Schmidt’s Rustic Summer Wedding in Greta Valley, New Zealand
Sophie, who’s a midfielder for the Canadian women’s soccer team, married her theatre actor beau Nicholas in a beautiful rustic, minimalist celebration. “We are an easy going couple that spends a lot of time traveling and living out of suitcases, so it was important to make the wedding all about the people, not things,” Sophie says. With details including florals from a local lavender farm and a Star Wars cake topper, we loved the simple beauty and personality of these destination nuptials.


2. Jill Lansky’s Modern-Chic Wedding in British Columbia
Jill Lansky, fashion and lifestyle influencer and founder of the blog The August Diaries, chose the backdrop of the Okanagan Valley for her vows to longtime love Andrew. One detail we especially loved was Jill’s dress, which she found one month after her engagement. “I saw a Calvin Klein ready-to-wear dress on Net-A-Porter about a month after our engagement and ordered it—it was my very first wedding purchase,” Jill explains. “I loved that it was white, clean, simple and timeless. I will be dyeing this one black so I can wear it for years to come—it’s just too good to only wear once!”


3. A Fairy Tale Winter Wedding in Toronto
Talia and Nelson’s wedding was the whimsical fairy tale they had envisioned from the very beginning. The Crystal Ballroom at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto served as the perfect venue for the festivities, inspiring the blue, white and gold colour palette. Talia’s gorgeous light blue dress was designed by Nikki Yassemi of Narces. To create a special experience for their guests, the couple opted for guests to start eating as soon as they arrived at the venue, with the ceremony taking place after about two hours afterward. “Everyone kept saying “You’ve figured this out! Eating before the ceremony was amazing!” Talia says. “There was no yawning during the ceremony, everyone was fed and happy and it went over so well!”


4. Musician Tyler Shaw’s Dreamy, Sophisticated Wedding in Ottawa
Musician Tyler Shaw and Alexandra Karolczyk wed in the nation’s capital, with the aim of giving their guests a beautiful view of the city. With the celebration taking place at the Westin, the couple were able to do just that, with panoramic views of the sun setting over Ottawa from the hotel’s rooftop during the festivities. We loved the fact that the reception started with a traditional Polish blessing of the couple from the bride’s parents, and continued into the evening with the couple sharing their first dance to a cover of “Collide” by Howie Day as fireworks exploded over Parliament Hill. Talk about romantic!


5. A Rustic, Laid-Back Barn Wedding in Bradford, Ontario
Jacinta and Gillian wanted their wedding to represent “rustic good times,” and with clever DIY signage and games such as giant Jenga, the couple accomplished just that. A special detail we loved was the bowtie Gillian wore that her grandfather made from their family tartan. At the end of the event, all the guests were in for a surprise, with the couple helping Gillian’s brother propose to his girlfriend!


6. A DIY Boho Wedding in Oak Bay, New Brunswick
Rustic meets boho in this east coast wedding, for which bride Joscelyn hand-made most of the decor. “I love to design, do crafts, sew and undertake anything artsy,” Joscelyne says. “I took up the task of creating almost everything myself—right down to sewing the drapes, making the groomsmen’s bow ties, bridesmaids’ bouquets, designing the centrepieces… and the list goes on.” The bride dreamt up her own perfect dress, finding a strapless gown she loved and a seamstress who added sleeves.


7. An Elegant White Spring Wedding At Graydon Hall Manor in Toronto
This spring celebration was filled with the most beautiful pastel florals, which fit in perfectly with the couple’s garden party theme. Among the details we loved were the bride’s two-piece gown, and DIY details made by the bride, Laura, and groom, David, including the laser-cut gold-painted place cards. David also created the seating chart, done in a “Flashback Friday” theme with old photos of their guests!


8. A Vintage Summer Wedding in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland
Hand-picked Newfoundland wildflowers adorned this seaside celebration. During the reception, the bride, Kayla, changed in a flannel and jeans, just one of the components that made the wedding more personal. The couple and their families participated in helping set up the tent for the reception, as well as decorating the space with antique furniture and details collected by the bride. The vintage vibe and bride’s bouquet and floral crown are just a few details we especially loved.


9. A Vintage Persian Wedding In Vancouver
The Vancouver Club was the perfect backdrop for Negar and Soroush’s traditional Persian wedding ceremony and reception, with blush and gold details. With an amazing sofreh aghd, a traditional wedding spread that includes nuts, sweets and candelabaras. The bride and groom put special effort into their first dance, a performance that was the result of three months of practice.


10. A Romantic Old Hollywood Wedding in Mississauga, Ontario
Bride Brittany and groom Adam were wed on a stunning waterfront estate, with the bride wearing a custom-made dress by close friend Joseph Tassoni that could be converted into two outfits. A glam Palm Springs vibe was the inspiration for the couple’s celebration, which featured their own unique ceremony blended with traditional Jewish customs. The photography is stunning and perfectly captured this gorgeous wedding!

An Intimate City-Chic Wedding in Toronto

Real Weddings

Posted December 18th, 2019 | 2:46 pm | By | No Comments

For their wedding, Mike and Alex wanted to ensure they had a celebration that was uniquely them, highlighting aspects of city life they enjoy together as a couple. They knew early on that they wanted a small wedding with only immediate family.

When planning their wedding details, every one of them was personal, from the cake to the table decor. “One of my best friends offered to make our wedding cake,” Alex shares. “When you have a super small wedding that friends won’t be attending, it’s incredibly touching when they offer to be involved regardless.”

Another friend of Alex’s helped her come up with a simple, elegant tablescape and assisted Alex with other details. “She helped me with everything, from candle shopping to setting up the table while we were busy tying the knot,” Alex says. “I actually don’t know what I would have done without her help on our special day.”

One extra special detail was Alex’s dress—a nontraditional ensemble consisting of separates. “I pieced together something that was equally bridal—the skirt—and felt like myself—a button down,” Alex explains. “I’m glad I went in the direction I did!”

After the couple exchanged vows, they dined with their guests at one of their favourite neighbourhood restaurants. “We had a decadent meal in the Picolo Piano room of one of our favourite restaurants, Piano Piano,” Alex says “Enjoying a great meal, surrounded by our family was the perfect way to end such a special day.”

Alexandra Ward and Mike Beauvais, October 5, 2019, Toronto Ontario. 

Photography courtesy of Scarlet O’Neill.

Vendors
Ceremony venue: Saint Pius X Catholic Parish
Reception venue: Piano Piano
Bridal skirt: Sweet Caroline Styles
Button-up top: J. Crew
Bridal shoes: Charlotte Olympia
Bridal veil: Rue de Seine from LoversLand
Groom’s tux: Indochino
Hair & makeup: Radford Studio
Flowers: Crown Flora
Cake: Jenn Bartoli






The Bridal Beauty Picks Our Editors Are Currently Loving For December

Fashion & Beauty

Posted December 10th, 2019 | 4:19 pm | By | No Comments

Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer
Although you’ll probably be enlisting the help of a hair stylist for your wedding-day hairstyle, you’ll want to ensure that your locks are perfectly tamed for the big day, as well as any pre- or post-wedding celebrations. For this, we love the Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer. Any brides looking for an instant blowout will want this tool, which smooths out your hair while drying it, allowing for a seamless one-step process from wet hair to an effortlessly styled mane. We love how quick it dries your strands, with minimal damage—perfect to bring on your honeymoon, when your locks will likely need some extra TLC.

$65, revlonhairtools.com.

L’Occitane Home Collection
Every bride needs some time to relax before the big day, and we can’t think of a better way to pamper than with a delicious, calming scent, whether that be through a soap, pillow mist, candles or diffusers. L’Occitane’s new Home collection features all of those products in four amazing scents. We particularly love the Cocon de Sérenité scent, which includes a few drops of the Lavender of Haute Provence, with sweet orange, bergamot, mandarin and geranium. Both refreshing and relaxing, this scent will definitely help any bride or groom destress—and the line is perfect for gifting as well.

Starting at $14, loccitane.com.

NYX Love Lust Disco Ink Liner
One of the best things about this season is the fun holiday collections that most brands come up with, and NYX comes out with some of the most festive products. We particularly love the Love Lust Disco Epic Ink Liner, which creates the perfect, deep black line and has a brush that’s easy to create the prefect stroke with. Whether you want a more glam look or something more natural for your wedding day, this liner will work perfectly (and it’s waterproof!).

$12, nyxcosmetics.ca.

Dior Vernis Diorific in 449 Charm
From Dior’s Happy 2020 Holiday Collection comes this beautiful pinky-nude pearl shade, which looks just as gorgeous on your nails for your wedding day as it does for any holiday parties you’ll be attending this month.

$34, thebay.com.

Valmont L’Elixir Des Glaciers Teint Majestueux
Your wedding is a fair enough reason to buy one of the most expensive foundations you’ll probably ever purchase—and with good reason. Valmont’s L’Elixir Des Glaciers Teint Majestueux includes essence of bees, which is a mixture of honey, propolis and royal jelly in oil form and waters drawn from an ancient Swiss glacier, two ingredients which are as luxe as they sound. The foundation is meant to provide both coverage and enhance your natural glow, two things you will definitely want for your skin on your wedding day. The best part is that this foundation is as buildable or as sheer as you want it to be—meaning the coverage is great, no matter what your skin type or condition. The finish is velvety matte, and feels like a second skin.

$275, valmont.com.

Burberry HER Blossom Eau de Toilette
If you’re looking to ask for a fragrance as a gift (what better time than to ask for your wedding day fragrance!?), we have one recommendation we currently love—the Burberry HER Blossom Eau de Toilette, which is inspired by London in spring. Blossoming flowers and dewy petals come together to create a fragrance that’s easy, breezy and everything you want to evoke on your wedding day.

$132 for 100 ml, thebay.com.

Marc Jacobs Extra Velvet Duo
For any bride that won’t be wearing false lashes on her wedding day, the right mascara is the trick to making those lashes looks as full as if they were falsies. We love that for the holidays Marc Jacobs has come out with both their eyelash primer and mascara in a set. The Ultra Plush Velvet Primer and Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara work together to give you the darkest, thickest lashes for dimension to your eyes that looks great in photos.

$34, sephora.ca.

NARS Studio 54 Inferno Eyeshadow Palette
We’re a fan of the rich, luxe eyeshadow tones that come out to play during the holiday season, and we think they’re especially beautiful on your wedding day as well. You’ll find these hues, along with some gorgeous shimmers and glitter for added fun, in the NARS Studio 54 Inferno Eyeshadow Palette. Neutrals, along with reds and purples make for a playful array of shades to give you everything from a neutral look to a bold, colourful one.

$74, sephora.ca.

Omorovicza Replenish & Restore Collection
This is the perfect kit to get your skin wedding-ready from luxury Hungarian brand Omorovicza. Featuring some of the brand’s staple products such as the Omoressence, Miracle Facial Oil, and the Rejuvenating Night Cream, this is a complete post-cleansing regimen to make your skill look rested, luminous, and absolutely gorgeous.

$220, omorovicza.com.

Beautycounter The Jellies
Glossy lips are totally in for your wedding day, but we’re making a case for picking up this pretty set from Beautycounter—we’re always losing our glosses, so putting one in every bag really does make sense. The hint of colour in each of these perfectly perks up any pout, and also leaves them feeling super soft. Sweetened with stevia, these glosses don’t contain synthetic fragrances or harmful ingredients, as part of Beautycounter’s mandate.

$52, beautycounter.com.

 

 

The Most Important Beauty Appointments To Make Before Your Wedding

Fashion & Beauty

Posted December 6th, 2019 | 2:00 pm | By | No Comments

beauty appointments

Photo via iStockphoto

With a heaping pile of things on your wedding to-do list, scheduling beauty appointments might be the last thing on your mind. However, locking down skincare, haircare and dental treatments in advance will ensure you’re looking your best on the big day.

Here’s a list of treatments to consider along with guidelines on when you should get them booked into your calendar.

Facials
Facials should be scheduled for at least six weeks before the wedding, advises Mariam White, president of The Principle Brands, the exclusive distributor of French cult-skincare line Biologique Recherche in Canada, which also has a signature facial available at select locations. “This is to ensure that there’s enough time for the skin to lift sun damage or calm breakouts,” she explains.

If you’ve been following a specific facial routine for awhile, your last treatment can be as late as two days before your wedding day. But if you haven’t had anything quite as regimented, your final pre-wedding facial should be no later than ten days before the event, in case of sensitivity or breakouts.

Eyelash Extensions
“Extensions are great because you don’t need to worry about happy tears ruining your mascara,” says Veronica Tran, esthetician and founder of Pretty in the City lash and brow bar in Toronto. As an added bonus, your lashes will stay looking fantastic if you’re jetting off soon after your wedding to a tropical locale for your honeymoon.

If you’ve never had eyelash extensions before, it’s best to do a trial run at least two weeks before your wedding, Tran advises. This is to rule out any allergies or irritations. If all is good, your lashes can be filled in three days before your wedding day.

Microblading
If you’re a summer bride, you might worry about your makeup melting off, especially if your ceremony is taking place outdoors. With microblading, your eyebrows will be one less thing you have to worry about. This form of tattooing is an ideal solution for brides who want fuller brows. If you’ve never had this procedure done before, make sure you do your research, Tran advises. Always ensure that your microblading artist has the appropriate certification and license, and that you like the work they produce.

The process must be started at least 12 weeks before your wedding day, Tran says. This is because microblading is a two-step process and requires time to heal. “Microblading is essentially implanting pigments under the skin in the form of hair strokes,” Tran explains. “It’s really meant to blend in with existing hairs, and won’t look as natural if there are only few brow hairs there to begin with.” If your eyebrows are extremely sparse, Tran suggests a different form of brow tattooing, called ombre powder brows, which produces a softer look.

Teeth
Most experts agree that teeth whitening procedures should be started about one to three months before the big day to ensure you’re happy with the results and any tooth sensitivity has dissipated. If you’re opting to use whitening toothpastes or strips, begin at least one month before your wedding day to ensure surface stains have time to disappear. Because there are so many options for whitening, it’s best to consult your dentist for the one that fits you best.

Tanning
When booking a spray tan appointment, keep in mind that your tan will gradually get darker in the span of a few hours, and will fade after one to two weeks. Experts suggest getting a spray tan a few days before your wedding, so it has gradually faded just a bit and looks more natural on your skin. Exfoliating is especially important when it comes to tanning, as dry skin patches can lead to an uneven tan. When in doubt, ask your local spray-tan professional.

A Romantic Paris-Themed Wedding in Vancouver

Real Weddings

Posted December 2nd, 2019 | 1:21 pm | By | No Comments

Stephanie Lund and Naleen Kumar were engaged in the most romantic city in the world—Paris—so it was only fitting for the pair to carry the theme into their wedding. “Naleen booked us a suite at the Shangri-La, with a private balcony with the best view of the Eiffel Tower,” Stephanie recalls of their fairy tale engagement. Naleen arranged for the couple to dine on their terrace with food from Michelin-star restaurant L’Abeille. “After we finished eating dinner, he nudged me to look to the right, where I saw ‘Stephanie Lund, will you marry me?’ projected on the side of the building across the street from our terrace!”

The couple had been together eight years when they tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony, with 155 guests in attendance. “Making it of official in front of the people we care about the most was the best moment,” Stephanie shares. “I had dreamed about this for so long, and I never could have imagined it being so perfect.”

Blush decor, velvet-draped tables and rose gold accents paired perfectly with the opulence of The Vancouver Club for a romantic effect. The venue’s lobby chandelier, with clear glass orbs cascading from the ceiling, inspired a unique decor theme: hanging glass spheres formed a canopy for the ceremony, and the motif was carried into the reception, with sparkling glass spheres hanging from the room’s chandeliers. “A. Elizabeth Cakes also did an amazing job at incorporating our glass-ball theme into our cake,” Stephanie shares. The couple’s outfits set a non-traditional tone for the sophisticated affair. The first purchase the couple made was Naleen’s silk, seafoam-hued Tom Ford blazer featuring a honeycomb texture. Stephanie chose two Galia Lahav outfits: an ethereal, angelic gown for the ceremony and a sexy beaded jumpsuit for the reception.

Stephanie walked down the aisle with her father to “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder. “My dad played this song when I was born, right when they brought me home from the hospital,” the bride shares. “It made the moment extra special.”

After the ceremony, Stephanie changed into her second look, debuting it first for her new husband. “Naleen knew I had a second out t, but didn’t know the details,” she reveals. “Alicia, our wedding planner, suggested surprising him, and our photographers, Kristy and Ken, captured a first look of my jumpsuit. I will never forget the look on Naleen’s face!”

After dinner, the couple and their guests watched a same-day edit video, with an extra-special element. “We wanted to do something a bit different with our vows, so we pre-recorded a voiceover of Naleen and I separately reading letters to each other for the video,” Stephanie explains. “The videographers did an amazing job capturing the moments throughout our special day.”

Stephanie Lund and Naleen Kumar, September 28, 2019, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Photography courtesy by Blush Photography.

Vendors 
Venue: The Vancouver Club
Wedding Planner: Alicia Keats
Bridal gown & jumpsuit: Galia Lahav from Bisou Bridal
Bridesmaid gowns: Blush Bridal
Groom’s tux: Farhad Younus from Tom Ford at Holt Renfrew Vancouver
Groomsmen attire: Harry Rosen
Cake: A. Elizabeth Cakes
Flowers: Koncept Event Design
Hair: Hair by Nasim
Makeup: Nina’s Vanity
Stationery: Love by Phoebe
Music: DJ Pri

Amazing Winter Wedding Details Inspired By Disney’s “Frozen”

Real Weddings

Posted November 22nd, 2019 | 10:00 am | By | No Comments

an icy blue winter inspired styled shoot - bride

Winter is coming, but luckily there’s no shortage of inspiration for a winter affair. As much as we love the warm, cozy mood this season evokes, we also adore the icy cool details inspired by the snow and cooler temperatures.

Tanya D’Angela of Classy Affairs put together this incredible styled shoot at the Royal Ambassador Event Centre with the help of several other Toronto-based vendors. The inspiration? Disney’s Frozen. With the recent release for the sequel, Frozen 2, we can’t think of better timing for this beautiful shoot. “You can’t help become attached to the main character, who is a beautiful, strong woman,” D’Angela says. “You learn to dream big, and this is the same for any other fairy tale.” The story guided the shoot in terms of colour, season and texture.

“The colour palette was meant to be soft and subtle, especially the lighter blue, which is trending for the winter months,” D’Angela explains. “The diamond white and soft pale blue accented with glass and silver touches brought the theme together.”

Our favourite details from this shoot include the exquisite laser-cut, snowflake-patterned stationery, as well as the cake, which features crystals along the middle tier. We also adore every single treat on the sweet table, from the mini cakes to doughnuts and opulent cake pops, all placed on a lovely vintage dresser.

See all the photos from this incredible shoot below.

Photography courtesy of Emily Christine Photography.

Vendors
Creative director and planner: Classy Affairs
Venue: Royal Ambassador Event Centre
Bridal gown: Rosa Clará from Mona Lisa Bridal Gallery
Bridal hair accessories: Ilieana George Couture Bridal Accessories
Groom’s tux: CE Clothier
Flowers: Wine Country Floral Design
Stationery: Elena’s Little Shoppe
Cake and sweets: The Sweetest Thing Cakes
Decor: Superior Decor and Design
Chairs, charger plates and love seat: Detailz Couture
Vintage rentals: Cre8ive Studios
Calligraphy: JY Calligraphy
Hair and makeup: Creatively Beautiful
Models: Hallea Jones and Justin from B&M Models

How To Get A Wedding-Day Beauty Look That Suits Your Style

Fashion & Beauty

Posted November 21st, 2019 | 2:18 pm | By | No Comments

how to get a wedding-day beauty look that fits your style - sexy starlet

From head to toe, your entire wedding-day look should reflect your personal style. You’ll also want everything from your dress to your shoes and accessories to complement each other and make you feel extra-special. Makeup is the finishing touch; accentuating your features and tying together your wedding look.

We put together four stunning wedding beauty looks and included the products you’ll need to achieve them to feel head-to-toe gorgeous on your big day.

Photography by Carlyle Routh. Product photography by Geoffrey Ross. Editor and creative producer Alison McGill. Styling by Tara Williams. Hair by Tony Masciangelo, Alcorn Hair/P1M.ca. Makeup by Cia Mandarello, P1M.ca. First published in the Spring/Summer 2018 issue of Weddingbells.

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