Creative Wedding Professionals Archives - Banff And Canmore Wedding Planner

Mad Men Wedding Inspiration

April 23, 2013 By Sharon Auld

by Sharon Auld

Naturally Chic designs and styles a Mad Men wedding.

We are so pleased to post these gorgeous images from Tara Whittaker Photography of the table top we designed for A Spoonful of Vintage’s, Vintage Wedding Showcase that took place this past weekend at the Mt.Pleasant Community Centre in Calgary.

Our “Mad Men” inspired wedding table for the Vintage Showcase #YYC

It was an amazing, inaugural event that featured so many of Calgary’s incredible wedding professionals. There truly was something for everyone, from stunning vintage gowns and headpieces, vintage furniture, jewelry and accessories, a vintage photo booth and so much more! I absolutely loved watching the toe-tapping, swing dancing performed by the super talented Toe Tappin’ Swing!

And of course, there was a vintage themed table top design competition featuring fellow wedding planners/designers. I remember at one point, looking around the room and feeling like I was transformed into another time period! From the stunning “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” table by Creative Weddings and Occasions to the super creative “Wizard of Oz” table by Reflections Weddings. Callandra from Cherry Tree Occasions captured the essence of the “Great Gatsby” with her art-deco inspired table and Alexandra from Always Alexandra Weddings created the most beautiful “Downtown Abbey”, inspired table (with not only a perfect silver tea set, but yummy tea sandwiches – thank you Alexandra!), and Lisa from We Connect created a beautiful, creative “Casablanca” inspired table that was so retro cool!

I took on a “Mad Men”, 1960’s inspired design and was told today that we won the table top competition with our design! While we are super excited (as winners we will have a feature in the July edition of the Calgary Bridal Guide!!) and are truly honored, everyone did an amazing job and are all winners in my mind!

I also want to mention a couple of special thank you’s. Thank you to Sarah Mayerson Design who created the most beautiful 60’s inspired florals for our table (and incidentally created all the beautiful bouquets for the vintage fashion show!), and to my friend Melanie Frank from Blackbird Events for coming in and helping me set up my table!

If you love vintage (and who doesn’t?) and want to be inspired for your wedding, I really encourage you to check out A Spoonful of Vintage website for more coverage of the Vintage Wedding Showcase and a look at all the other incredible table designs. They will be posting lot’s more on the Vintage Showcase in days to come. There were so many amazing vintage displays that will surely inspire!

1960’s vintage inspired wedding inspiration. Flowers by Sarah Mayerson Design.

I hope Don Draper would approve!

Mad Men inspired table top.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Planning!

Sharon

Alan Maudie Photography – Naturally Chic Vendor Spotlight

May 17, 2011 By Sharon Auld

Today we have the extreme pleasure of chatting with one of my favorite photographers, the immensely talented Alan Maudie of Alan Maudie Photography.

One of the first weddings I ever worked as a lead wedding planner, I was fortunate enough to find myself working with Alan. Not only is Alan one of the nicest guys in the industry, but he is also easy-going, good natured and professional. He is considered one of the premier wedding photographers not only in Alberta, but in all of Canada. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his art, but what strikes me most about Alan is his likeability. In an extremely competitive industry, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone speak ill of Alan. From other wedding photographers to wedding planners, to couples to venues, Alan is highly liked and respected.

If you’re like most wedding couples about to be married, then your wedding day photography likely tops your priority list for your special day. If you’re wanting someone that will put you at ease and make you feel comfortable, then Alan is an obvious choice. One look at his blog, and you will see he has an immense talent for capturing precious moments at every wedding he photographs. Alan is truly the best of the best.

I hope you enjoy our interview with Alan Maudie!

You have a Master’s of Science degree from the University of Calgary (my alma mater as well); how did you get involved in photography and in the wedding industry?

Throughout my undergraduate and graduate degrees I was really passionate about photography. For some reason I still can’t explain, when I finished my Master’s degree I thought I would try starting a photography business. It was really a bad idea, since I had no clue of how to run a business and no income potential. Initially, I didn’t photograph weddings, but over time I was drawn more and more to them. By 2004 I was shooting about 10 a year by word of mouth and had a couple really good ones that gave me a promising look at how rewarding weddings can be to photograph if you have the right couple. In the fall of 2004 we launched our first website and opened our 2005 schedule up to weddings. The rest is kind of blurry 🙂 .

What do you most love about your job in the wedding industry?

I enjoy producing something for couples that is so important to them that if their house ever catches on fire, it will be one of the things they grab on the way out the door.

What’s the biggest misconception about wedding photography?

That we (photographers) only work for a few hours on the weekend. For me, it’s a full time job to book, photograph and produce 20 weddings a year.

Your couples always look very comfortable in front of the camera, what tips do you have for couples on their wedding day?

Don’t plan your wedding on your wedding day. A perfect wedding day should not involve any decision making. You know what you are wearing, where you are going and what time dinner is at, so why add a bunch of stress to your day by making decisions that should either be made in advance or delegated to a planner. It is also really important to trust the vendors you have chosen. Nothing gets a bride or groom more stressed than things going wrong on the wedding day.

From a photography point of view I think my couples look relaxed mainly because by the time the wedding comes around they trust me. All they have to do is have a good time, I take care of the rest.

Your couples are always photographed in unique and creative locations, how do you decide what locations to photograph your couples in?

Lighting is more important than the location. Most of the locations I use are chosen based on the lighting options they provide. I ask couples if they want an urban or natural setting (or both) and then I usually pick a few places that work with their venues and timing on the wedding day.

Other than weddings, what do you like to photograph most?

My family and friends, landscapes, backcountry sports.

When you’re not taking photos, what are your favorite activities to participate in?

It’s been a lot of fun teaching our kids to ski and bike. We camp a lot and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible in all seasons. Mountain biking and backcountry skiing are my favourite two activities.

One of my favorite photos of yours, is one with Scott Niedermeyer holding up the Stanley Cup at the top of Fisher Peak near Cranbrook, BC (my favorite hike as a youth)? That photo is now a part of the Cup’s travel history, how did you get involved with that photo (and did you and Scott hike to the top or did you get a helicopter ride like the Cup)?

I grew up across the street from Scott in Cranbrook, B.C. Fisher Peak is the highest mountain in the immediate area and as young kids it was a big deal when we were old enough to climb it with the rest of the neighborhood crew. In our late teens and early twenties we did a lot of mountaineering together and joked about getting some photos on the summit of Fisher with the cup someday. After Scott won the cup for the second time in 2003 he was scheduled to get his day with the cup in Cranbrook during the summer. He arranged for a helicopter to fly it and us to the top. Hiking wasn’t an option because we didn’t have enough time with all the community appearances he had promised. I took a lot of different photos in the 20 minutes up there but my favorite is the one that gets published the most where his back is to the camera. You say a lot of crazy things as kids, so actually pulling something like that off was so amazing that it was almost kind of weird.

What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I go days and weeks without touching a camera. I’ve never been a “camera around my neck 24/7” type photographer.

Enjoy more of Alan’s beautiful images here and on his blog.

A huge thank you to Alan and to his wedding couples for graciously allowing us to share these photographs! To see more of Alan’s amazing work go to http://www.alanmaudie.com or http://www.alanmaudieblog.com (seriously addictive) .

New Luxury Hotel in the Canadian Rockies

December 8, 2010 By Sharon Auld

by Sharon Auld

The Grande Rockies Resort is a a new luxury boutique hotel in Canmore, Alberta and is sure to be another amazing wedding venue in the Canadian Rockies. I had the privilege of touring the new property a couple of times in early fall while researching a venue for clients. The exterior of the property is not dissimilar to other properties in Canmore, so it’s a little surprising to walk inside the main building and into their beautiful, contemporary lobby. The hotel’s interior is quite unlike most of the existing mountain lodges readily found in Canmore and Banff.

The Grande Rockies Resort is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts and if you are familiar with them, you will know that they provide an outstanding level of service. This unique mountain resort also features 150 beautifully appointed suites as well as spectacular penthouses (how does a private hot tub overlooking the Three Sisters sound?). They also have an indoor pool, waterslide, fitness room and a fabulous restaurant, The Habitat – Restaurant & Bar, making it perfect for couples and families alike. This hotel has all the amenities that you would expect from a great hotel. You may even want to consider staying here for your honeymoon!

The wedding and conference spaces are equally well appointed, and are well-suited for small to mid-size weddings. A penthouse suite would also be perfect for a bachelorette getaway! We’re really looking forward to working with the great staff at the Grande Rockies Resort!

Contact us at info@naturallychic.ca to discuss your “Grande Rockies ” wedding, honeymoon or bachelorette in the Rockies! Here some photos we snapped while touring the facilities:

Contact Naturally Chic for more information about planning your bachelorette party or wedding in the Canadian Rockies.

hello@naturallychic.ca

1.888.679.9056, or local in Canmore at 1.403.679.1409

Happy Planning!

Banff and Canmore Photographer – Julie Williams Photography Encore

July 17, 2010 By Sharon Auld

by Sharon Auld

A couple weeks ago we posted about a Banff and Canmore photographer, Julie Williams Photography. Julie’s the new star in the photography world in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Julie’s photos created a huge amount of buzz! You can read our Naturally Chic interview with Julie here. Julie Williams Photography is rapidly becoming one of the prominent wedding and engagement photographers in the Bow Valley and we absolutely adore her! Not only is she an incredible talent, but she is one of the nicest people you will ever work with!

Here are a few more photos of her fabulous work! You can also check out Julie at www.juliewilliamsphotography.ca .

lake-louise-wedding-photographer

Golden-wedding

canadian-rocky-mountain-wedding

banff-wedding-photographer

banff-wedding

banff-canmore-wedding-photographer

winter-wedding-photographer

winter-mountain-wedding

Thanks for visiting Naturally Chic and if you are looking for a Canadian Rocky Mountain wedding planner send us a note at hello@naturallychic.ca or call us toll free at 1.888.679.9056.

Rising Photography Star in the Rocky Mountains – Julie Williams Photography

June 18, 2010 By Sharon Auld

Vendor Spotlight – Julie Williams Photography

by Sharon Auld

I’m a so pleased to feature Julie Williams Photography on our blog today! Julie is an outstanding photographer based in Canmore, Alberta Canada and she specializes in wedding and engagement photography in the Rocky Mountains including Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Golden and Revelstoke.

I first heard about Julie on Facebook. I was hearing lots about this fabulous new photographer to the area and I thought I would check out her blog. I was absolutely impressed by the images on Julie’s blog! Not only does she capture the incredible scenery of the mountains so beautifully, but her photographs seem to completely express the love of the couples she shoots.

I knew my clients would love her photos, so I sent her an email. Julie’s first email to me was “how can I help you?”…”if I can help you in any way let me know…do you need any photographs?…”! I knew immediately how nice, caring and helpful Julie was. I continue to hear nothing but good things about Julie and cannot wait to work with her on a wedding. In the meantime, I have to settle for reading her blog and checking out the gorgeous photos after every wedding she posts. This image is one of my favorites of Julie’s work. To learn more about Julie check our Naturally Chic interview below!

How did you select photography as a career?

I seriously just fell into it. I had been working in the ski industry during the winter and restaurants throughout the summers for years and was obviously growing quite of tired of it. A few separate friends out in the Kootenays mentioned Western Academy of Photography in Victoria. One night, I looked into the school real quickly and on a total whim I applied really late in the registration process thinking I’d be at the bottom of a massive wait list. I was totally surprised when shortly thereafter I found out I’d been accepted and would be starting classes a couple months later. I convinced my boyfriend, [now fiancé!] Adam to pack up and move to Vancouver Island with me. I headed to photo school with the full intention of somehow getting into ski/snowboard photography. Turns out I’d rather just ski than bother to remove my mitts to take photos in the cold! Near the end of photography school, I began to wonder what I was going to do with all this expensive knowledge and Canon equipment I had on my hands. Luckily, I was contacted by an awesome local studio to come in and do some second shooting, post-processing and associate work. I gave it a shot, loved it, slowly started picking up my own jobs and am currently extremely stoked with where I’ve ended up! I’ve recently relocated my business to Canmore, Alberta where I serve the entire Bow Valley region, Golden BC, Calgary…and beyond! I LOVE to travel for work

What distinguishes you from other photographers?

I know a lot of photographers agree, and I have to say that I am a really strong believer in my blog. I devote a great deal of time to my blog, and I really do think it pays off in so many ways. I put a lot about my life up on there. I feel that by letting potential clients get to know me a bit through my blog, it truly helps attract the kind of people I want to work with. If a potential client is scared off by the fact that I have life beyond my business, chances are we wouldn’t jive well in the long run anyhow!

What kind of services do you offer?

I specialize in working with really cool couples of all ages, so long as they are in love! Weddings and engagement portraits are my bread and butter, and I also shoot a good amount of photojournalistic & fun family portraits. But really, I’m open to dabbling in all aspects of the photography medium. Since moving to the Bow Valley I have been contacted several times for a photo shoot with groups of girls in town for stagettes. I also sell fine art print from my personal collection.

You do engagement sessions as well, how do you find the perfect location[s] for the couple?

I live here because I truly love to hang in the mountains. Adam & I try to get out several times a week for hiking/skiing/biking/fishing/ect. While we’re out exploring I’m always keeping my eyes open for killer new spots and great light…when I spot something, I get us to backtrack so I can find a good access point from a road or street…Adam is very patient with my habits! Also, I make a much better passenger than driver while in the car; I’m constantly checking out the view in all directions and visualizing what it would look like through a particular lens…I forget what it is like to see the world like a normal person! While scheduling the session, we discuss if the couple has an ideal spot in mind, if so, we’ll try to incorporate that into the shoot. But typically, my clients travel from out of town for their photos, so they are usually more than happy to take advantage of my local knowledge and let me show them around all my favourite nooks and crannies. I am so lucky that I get to work with people who trust me so much!

What do you like most about photographing weddings?

The folks who hire me really are so great! I’ve yet to meet a bridezilla. I feel so lucky that I am able to do something that allows me to hang out with really cool people while being creative.

Do you have any wedding day photography tips for the bride and groom?

Once you find a photographer who 100% suits the style you are after, communicate as much as you can beforehand about what drew you to their work and the type of images you’re hoping for. Get to know them, and let them get to know you! Building a relationship of some kind undoubtedly yields better images and an overall more enjoyable experience on the wedding day. Ultimately, when it comes to the day of the wedding, sit back and enjoy it all…let your photographer do their thing. You chose them because you appreciated the style portrayed in their portfolio so trust their expertise regarding locations, lighting and poses.

Beyond weddings, what do you like most to photograph?

I love to have my camera plastered to my face when I am travelling. I really dig catching little slices of life and obscure views of the landscape.

Who in the industry inspires you and why?

There are a million super talented photographers out there, and the internet makes it so easy to find new inspiration. I follow tons of photography blogs from all over the world…too many to mention! I do love to browse other locals’ work, but I try not to pay too much attention to their technique and locations…I really think it is important for my work to be as unique and authentic as possible in such a small market.

Who else inspires you?

Well, my entire family is pretty awesome. They’re so fun and encouraging. They all dig the mountains in a huge way, so they try to get out here for a visit as much as possible. I’m lucky to see my parents & sister on a fairly regular basis even though we live several hours apart. And of course Adam; this guy is amazingly supportive and helpful in so many ways. He does my bookkeeping, keeps me well-nourished with a killer fruit smoothie every morning and tears me away from the office to go play outdoors when he can tell I’m getting overwhelmed.

What do you like best about living in the mountains?

Like I mentioned, we’re really into enjoying our backyard. It’s pretty awesome to have SO MANY amazing hiking and biking trails within such a short distance of our front door. In the winter I love to be able to drive 30 minutes in the morning, go for a few runs at the ski hill and then be back in the office by noon for work! Plus the people are all here for the same reason; it’s a great community to be part of.

What is the most unique wedding you have ever photographed?

I was SO happy that Jimmy & Tracy hired me to shoot their wedding in Golden BC this past January. They were actually the first couple to commission me while I was still living on Vancouver Island once we decided to leave the city for the Rockies…and it was the perfect introduction for my new career! I met up with Tracy and her friend Kim prior to the ceremony. Tracy was determined to do a run on her snowboard in her wedding dress so the three of us went for a few quick turns on the lower part of the mountain. After that, we headed up to the top of the mountain. We set up a reveal where she & Jimmy would see each other for the first time as she departed the gondola. We did our portrait session up there in the fog and snow…a perfect backdrop! Then we headed back into the town of Golden for the ceremony which was held on the pedestrian bridge right downtown which is a photographer’s symmetrical dream. Then it was back up to the mountain where they had rented a beautiful chalet and hosted a really cool BBQ. No chair covers, no center pieces, no guest favours, no first dance or cutting of the cake…just really tasty help-yourself burgers, drinks and mingling with friends. Here’s a link to their album design to get an idea of the feel of the wedding: [ http://juliewilliamsphotography.ca/blog/?p=3905 ] I hope that many of my upcoming weddings this season feature tons of neat ideas like this for me to draw inspiration as I am planning my own wedding for next summer! I want it to be loaded right up with plenty of creative touches and great thoughtful details.

Here’s some more of Julie’s fabulous photographs…enjoy!

PS If you like these photos I urge you to check out her blog (http://www.juliewilliamsphotography.ca/blog/ ) for more photos. Truthfully, I picked the photos for this post based on the images I liked best and these are not necessarily fully representative of all of Julie’s amazing work.

Thanks so much for sharing with us Julie and congrats on your own upcoming wedding!!!

Vendor Spotlight – Noteworthy Designs

April 16, 2010 By Sharon Auld

Noteworthy Designs – Laura Hit

Interview by Sharon Auld

At the time of this posting my dear friend Laura Hit from Noteworthy Designs has made the decision to close her doors. I was so sad to hear this as Laura is an amazing person and I really wanted to feature Noteworthy Designs as my very first Vendor Spotlight. However, I can completely understand her decision to retire from business. Laura is one of those people who gives her best to everything she does! Laura and her husband Mesh have a beautiful baby girl and I am not surprised she would want to dedicate more time to her beautiful family.

I decided to post my interview with Laura despite the fact that she will no longer be taking on clients. It’s my wish that brides know that there are some really fabulous, caring vendors out there to work with! We also wanted to take this opportunity to wish Laura the best of luck with everything she chooses to do, and if in the future Laura opens Noteworthy Designs or another business we would honoured to work with her! Well, here’s the interview:

I am so excited to introduce our very first vendor interview on the Naturally Chic Blog! If you aren’t familiar with Noteworthy Designs, then it’s time to get acquainted! Noteworthy Designs is a fabulous, hand-made custom stationery company located in Calgary, Alberta. Noteworthy Designs is owned and operated by Laura Hit.

Laura Hit Noteworthy Designs

Laura is a wonderful friend, colleague, and one of the nicest, most down-to-earth person I have met in the wedding industry! Not only is she crazy talented, but she’s the kind of person who really cares about her clients. She is so easy to work with! You can expect nothing less than exceptional customer care with Noteworthy Designs.

How did Noteworthy Designs come about?

Since I was a little girl, I always liked doing crafty type projects. I love creating things with my hands – things unique and special. I specifically liked working with paper and began to teach classes to make cards and do some rubber stamping. I had friends and family asking me to make them cards and help with wedding invitations and it just kept growing. It was in 2007 when I decided to officially open Noteworthy Designs and pursue it further.

What Stationery Products do you offer?

Currently we specialize in one-of-a-kind custom handmade stationery including the full wedding line (save the dates, invitations, programs, thank you cards, etc) as well as birth announcements, greeting cards and really any type of stationery someone is looking for. That’s what I love about doing custom work; we can provide exactly what the client desires.

For those brides that want to “do-it-yourself”, we have packages to suit those needs as well. It can be fun to get your bridesmaids, family and friends together and create them with help. Noteworthy Designs will help you to design, get supplies and/or prep the supplies to make sure your DIY goes well and looks amazing.

You are a certified wedding planner, how does that help you when working with brides?

I am certified through the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada and did coordinate weddings until I pursued stationery full-time. This has come in handy, knowing how important the budget is to the couples. I do what I can to make the couples dream invitations fit inside their budget. Changing the cardstock, layout and embellishments can all help to still have the stationery they desire on the budget they can afford.

Pulling everything together to coordinate, match and flow is also key to a great wedding. Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse into what your wedding will be like. I always ask my clients what they would like their guests to wear at their wedding – that helps to determine the look of their invites. Plus making your invites unique and fun can only leave the invited guests waiting for more!

What are the latest stationery trends brides are asking for?

Bling is always popular and can take a simple invite to glamorous and special. Personalization is the way of weddings these days. Bringing out the couples personality, story and relationship is what makes weddings unique and memorable. I love it when couples step outside of the box and go with something that truly matches who they are. As well, pockets and unique folds is something couples are wanting. Making their invite interactive and almost like a little gift that their guests can open seems to be quite popular.

What are the current color palettes you are seeing?

Purples! There are lots of couples using various shades of purple for their weddings. Modern couples still love the silver accents, too. Even though turquoise is this year’s “in color” and you see it all over the place, I haven’t come across any brides using it in their weddings.

What tips do you have for couples choosing their wedding stationery?

Know your budget. Yes, stationery can range in prices and can easily increase in price if you aren’t careful.

Order more invites than you think you need. Plus make sure you keep one for yourself as a keepsake!

Have more than one or two sets of eyes proofread your invites before signing any approval to print forms! You want to make sure there are no errors!

Consult with a professional stationer to ensure you have the proper etiquette and wording for your stationery.

Who in the wedding industry inspires you?

Jennifer Sbranti from Hostess with the Mostess is a huge inspiration. What I love about that site (www.hostesswiththemostess.com) is that all the parties she throws, everything coordinates. From the invites to the place settings to the décor – it all goes beautifully.

Who else inspires you?

When designing stationery, specifically for weddings, talking to the couple inspires me! I love hearing their love story and how it unfolded and brought them to this point in their lives where they are making a commitment to one another. I love incorporating personal touches to each piece of stationery.

What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you?

Ooohh, that’s always a tough question! Makes me really think. Let’s see…prior to owning Noteworthy Designs, I worked with people with disabilities. My most memorable job was working at a resource center for kids with Down syndrome. I loved my job. What else…we just celebrated my grandpa’s 102 birthday! I am his youngest grandchild (of only 4) and am the mother to his only great-grandchild. I think he is one of the oldest people with such a small number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren! And lastly, I have the most joy-inducing, smile making, love producing daughter you will ever meet!

What’s your favorite part of a wedding?

My favorite moment at a wedding ceremony is watching the groom’s face as his bride walks down the aisle. I love to watch the emotion on his face – excitement, in awe of his beautiful wife and the love that just pours out.

My second favorite part of a wedding is to see what the couple did different than the “norm”. Like I said earlier, something that makes the wedding personal. It’s an added bonus when that includes stationery that Noteworthy Designs created!

Noteworthy Designs

That’s a Wrap!

It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to do this interview! Thank you so much Laura for taking the time to talk to the Naturally Chic readers today. You can visit Noteworthy Designs at www.noteworthydesigns.ca . Thank you so much Laura for taking the time to talk to the Naturally Chic readers today. I truly believe great things are in store for Laura in all that she does.