http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com Canadian Rocky Mountain destination weddings, outdoor, adventure and eco-chic weddings Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:31:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/24/banff-wedding/banff-wedding-planner-a-guide-to-popular-wedding-blogs-for-the-new-bride/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/24/banff-wedding/banff-wedding-planner-a-guide-to-popular-wedding-blogs-for-the-new-bride/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:35:14 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2564
by Sharon Auld Before your engagement, you may never have read a wedding blog in your life! Suddenly you find that there are literally hundreds of thousands of wedding blogs! From inspirational wedding sites, to wedding planners' and photographers' sites, to wedding publications and the list goes on. As a busy bride it can be a [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld Before your engagement, you may never have read a wedding blog in your life! Suddenly you find that there are literally hundreds of thousands of wedding blogs! From inspirational wedding sites, to wedding planners' and photographers' sites, to wedding publications and the list goes on. As a busy bride it can be a daunting task to figure out what sites to read in your precious spare time. While certainly you may find great advice and inspiration on just about any wedding blog, it does take time to figure out which sites are most relevant to you as you plan your own wedding. That's not say you may not stumble across some amazing sites along the way (that's part of the fun), but initially we wanted to give you a guide to some of the most popular wedding blogs. Here's a few of my favorites: Wedding Resources Martha Stewart Weddings - an industry leader and trendsetter Here is one of our designs featured on Martha Stewart Weddings Blog!!! Darcy Miller’s Bride Guide -  from the editors of Martha Stewart Weddings The Knot - One of the most popular resources for brides The Calgary Bride - is a great local, Alberta resource for brides! Packed with tips and featuring local weddings and vendors. Eye Candy & Design Style Me Pretty - the "Ultimate Wedding Blog", stylish weddings beautifully photographed, real weddings, stylized shoots,  engagement shoots, DIY inspiration boards and more (Our work has been featured on SMP several times this past year!!). Their new feature is "local" weddings where you can search weddings from specific areas. Check out Style Me Pretty Canada. Here's a photo of some of the work we did for Katrina and Mitch's wedding that is featured on SMP…design is by Plush Invitations and Photo by Orange Girl Photographs: Green Wedding Shoes-   A daily blog for the stylish bride with an emphasis on Southern Californian weddings (often lots of outdoor weddings featured!). Elizabeth Anne Designs -  A daily blog with beautiful classic, real weddings, engagements, stylized shoots and more! Ruffled -   Stylish vintage brides, indie and DIY, real weddings, engagement shoots, stylized shoots. Wedding Chicks - Stylish, creative weddings, stylized shoots, ideas, inspirations and more! We've been featured on the Wedding Chicks!! Here's a great photo from the stylized shoot the Wedding Chicks featured. It's by our friend Jesse Hisco of HIS.CO Photography : Postcards and Pretties - Loaded with pretty inspirations and advice for brides. The Knotty Bride - a must read inspiration for brides. Inspiration Boards Snippet and Ink -  Amazing inspiration boards, real weddings etc. The Perfect Palette - Color coded gorgeousness. Eco-Friendly Sites - Resources for environmentally and socialy responsible weddings Eco-Beautiful Weddings Green Bride Guide Eco and Elsie Non-traditional Off-beat Bride Rock n Roll Bride DIY & Handmade Emmaline Bride DIY Bride Mountain or Rustic Hindsight Bride Sparkle and Hay Celebrity Planners - They tend to be very upscale, but there's still loads of advice, tips and inspiration for every new bride Preston Bailey Colin Cowie Gay Weddings So You’re Engayged LGBT resource guide and blog for same sex couples. Groom Grooms Advice - lots of advice and tips on everything groom and the guys! I think even a few brides will enjoy reading this one! Non-Wedding Specific - For inspirations not specifically wedding related (although you they have wedding categories) Pinterest - The newest and greatest inspiration site from weddings, to food, to design and more. "pin" photos you love to your own board and follow others! We've recently started on Pininterest you can follow Naturally Chic here. Here's some of our work pinned on Pinterest: Here's a fun pin I found today! An inexpensive mat from the Dollar Store turned into wall art! The creative ideas are endless and truly something for everyone on Pinterest! Etsy - For handmade goodness! If you haven't heard of Etsy it is worth checking out for amazing, products and wedding inspirations (especially good for those who aren't DIY inclined but want the handmade look). Of course, make sure you check back here regularly for our own brand of rustic, elegant and mountain inspirations! Contact us at Naturally Chic, 1.888.679.9056 or info@naturallychic.ca for all your wedding planning and design needs! Happy Planning!!]]> http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/24/banff-wedding/banff-wedding-planner-a-guide-to-popular-wedding-blogs-for-the-new-bride/feed/ 1 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/17/banff-wedding/emerald-lake-wedding-planner-a-preview-of-kimi-and-scotts-wedding/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/17/banff-wedding/emerald-lake-wedding-planner-a-preview-of-kimi-and-scotts-wedding/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:34:21 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2653
by Sharon Auld I had the extreme pleasure of working with Kimi and Scott to plan and design a fun, rustic wedding at Emerald Lake Lodge (near Field BC). Kimi and Scott did what is known as "buying their own island" and bought out the whole resort so that the entire place was their's exclusively! It [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld I had the extreme pleasure of working with Kimi and Scott to plan and design a fun, rustic wedding at Emerald Lake Lodge (near Field BC). Kimi and Scott did what is known as "buying their own island" and bought out the whole resort so that the entire place was their's exclusively! It was a memorable, magical weekend with one of the sweetest, fun, most energetic couples I have worked with! I can't wait to show photos and tell their story! There are just too many details and heartfelt moments to write about in one post! For now, here's a sneak peek of their wedding: We designed Kimi and Scott's ceremony on the bridge to accommodate all the guests and to have a beautiful mountain backdrop! What do you think? We designed long tables in the narrow space of the cabin lakeside. A couple in love! Thanks Kimi and Scott for allowing me to be a part of your special day! I will be posting lots more of the details so keep posted! You can also check out more photos on the Orange Girl Photographs blog. For more information about planning your Emerald Lake or Rocky Mountain wedding contact us at www.naturallychic.ca , 1.888.679.9056 or info@naturallychic.ca. Happy Planning!!]]> http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/17/banff-wedding/emerald-lake-wedding-planner-a-preview-of-kimi-and-scotts-wedding/feed/ 0 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/10/banff-wedding/tips-for-brides-bridal-gowns-at-a-discount/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/10/banff-wedding/tips-for-brides-bridal-gowns-at-a-discount/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:43:30 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2588
by Sharon Auld I'm sure you're aware that January is a great time to save money on all sorts of purchases!  January is also a great time to pick up sales on wedding attire, accessories and decor! Many retailers are discounting last season's wedding items, and while  you may not want to purchase "last season's" styles, [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld I'm sure you're aware that January is a great time to save money on all sorts of purchases!  January is also a great time to pick up sales on wedding attire, accessories and decor! Many retailers are discounting last season's wedding items, and while  you may not want to purchase "last season's" styles, it's important to remember that most brides are planning their wedding a year in advance anyway. It's not a good idea to wait to make all your purchases a month or two before your wedding. Why not order ahead and save while doing it! Here's a few deals from one of my favorite online wedding stores, BHLDN: There are some great accessories for a winter wedding too! Looking for a dress for your bridesmaids? And how about decor items? These frames would be cute for table numbers and then you could re-purpose them in home: I admit that I am not a big shopper, but when you're purchasing for your wedding, any savings is a good thing! One tip though, is to not to make random purchases. Think through every purchase and make sure it is something you will use (and not sit in a box in the closest because it doesn't work out with your decor or wedding plans)! Also, ensure that you are familiar with the store's return policies. We found other sales at J.Crew and ShopBop just to name a couple…happy shopping and Happy Planning!!! For help with planning and designing your wedding, contact us via our website Naturally Chic, at 1.888.679.9056 or at info@naturallychic.ca! PS no guarantee that the sales will still be there when you're reading this post! :) ]]> http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/10/banff-wedding/tips-for-brides-bridal-gowns-at-a-discount/feed/ 0 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/09/banff-wedding/wedding-table-number-ideas-from-naturally-chic/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/09/banff-wedding/wedding-table-number-ideas-from-naturally-chic/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:29:58 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2593
by Sharon Auld There are so many options for table numbers for your wedding or event! These are just a few of our handmade, Naturally Chic Designs: Here's a few of our designs used on tables. Most of our wood table numbers are used from reclaimed wood: Here are a couple table numbers we did for one [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld There are so many options for table numbers for your wedding or event! These are just a few of our handmade, Naturally Chic Designs: Here's a few of our designs used on tables. Most of our wood table numbers are used from reclaimed wood: Here are a couple table numbers we did for one of our recent wedding. The table numbers were made to look like New York street signs and each table represented a local neighborhood or memorable spot for the couple: This one we made for one of our weddings; the bride was a world cup snowboarder: The one below we designed for our Red Deer couple who were married in Canmore: For one of our recent weddings, we did a western theme for the Calgary couple. We made barnwood table numbers, and we alternated every other number with reclaimed horse shoe and barnwood numbers: These ones are "bride and groom" markers but we also did this same design and engraved the numbers "ONE", "THREE" etc. on the wood portion: Here's a few others we made with eco-friendly paint and reclaimed wood: These ones were made from reclaimed oak wood. I almost forgot to add one of my favorite table numbers. I found these unique frames and thought they would be perfect for a carnival themed wedding. I had a friend and former bride of mine, Vishu Mahajan design some carnival designs for me including a ferris wheel, carousel etc. I think they turned out really cute! Contact Naturally Chic for all your wedding planning and design needs at 1.888.679.9056 or at info@naturallychic.ca. Happy Planning!]]> http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/09/banff-wedding/wedding-table-number-ideas-from-naturally-chic/feed/ 0 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/03/winter-wedding/banff-wedding-planner-our-top-5-posts-of-2011/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/03/winter-wedding/banff-wedding-planner-our-top-5-posts-of-2011/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:06:02 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2567
by Sharon Auld The past year has been a wonderful year for Naturally Chic! We've been so fortunate to work with the most amazing couples and are honored to have been part of their special day! We are so excited and looking forward to working with our new 2012 couples! We've connected with and worked with [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld The past year has been a wonderful year for Naturally Chic! We've been so fortunate to work with the most amazing couples and are honored to have been part of their special day! We are so excited and looking forward to working with our new 2012 couples! We've connected with and worked with some amazing wedding professionals, and look forward to meeting and working with many more! We are so fortunate that our work has been featured several times on Style Me Pretty, and on The Wedding Chicks, as well as local blogs. One of our biggest highlights and a dream come true for us, was to be featured in the Fall 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings and on the Martha Stewart Weddings blog in a feature on destination weddings at Emerald Lake Lodge (one of our favorite wedding venues :) ). We are so excited for 2012 and hope you continue to join us on our journey!  We hope we can add a little inspiration to your wedding or day! Thanks for stopping by! Here are our 5 most popular blog posts of 2011 (dominated by winter weddings!): 1. Winter Wedding Favors that Won't Be Left Behind 2. Rustic Winter Wedding Wonderland 3. Winter Wedding Cakes 4. Winter Wedding Bouquet Alternatives 5. In Love with Rustic Winter Weddings A special thank you to photographers Orange Girl Photographs and His.Co Photography for making our work look good on our published shoots! We are grateful and honored to have worked with you in 2011! Drop us a line @ info@naturallychic.ca or on our Naturally Chic website. Or say hello at 1.888.679.9056! We look forward to hearing from you! Thanks again everyone!]]> http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/03/winter-wedding/banff-wedding-planner-our-top-5-posts-of-2011/feed/ 0 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/02/wedding-planner-banff/where-to-get-married-in-banff-canmore-lake-louise-jasper-and-beyond/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/02/wedding-planner-banff/where-to-get-married-in-banff-canmore-lake-louise-jasper-and-beyond/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:46:49 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2532
by Sharon Auld You’re newly engaged and embarking on the wonderful world of wedding planning! One of the first steps for a newly engaged couple is to decide where to get married! If you’re reading this post, we’ll assume you are envisioning a destination wedding in the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains! Many couples immediately think of Banff [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld You’re newly engaged and embarking on the wonderful world of wedding planning! One of the first steps for a newly engaged couple is to decide where to get married! If you’re reading this post, we’ll assume you are envisioning a destination wedding in the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains! Many couples immediately think of Banff when they think of a wedding in the mountains and why not? You’ve probably spent time in the mountains skiing or snowboarding, hiking or enjoying the shops in Banff. Perhaps you were engaged in the mountains and find it a natural fit to be married in the mountains. Although Banff has many wonderful places to get married, there are also numerous other amazing wedding venues to suit almost any couple’s style and budget. The Fairmont Banff Springs is a timeless choice for sure. Many brides have long envisioned their Fairytale Wedding there. With exceptional service and beauty is certainly the perfect choice for a ballroom wedding! There are however, other seriously amazing venues that might be worth considering! Here’s a small sampling of some of our favorite picks (but don’t worry, there’s so many more great venues to choose from if these ones don’t suit): In Banff:

1. Buffalo Mountain Lodge
2. The Juniper Hotel and Bistro
3. The Rimrock Resort Hotel

Buffalo Mountain Lodge is a classic mountain lodge with amazing Rocky Mountain Cuisine and is within close proximity to “the meadow” (a popular outdoor ceremony spot with a fabulous mountain view). It’s perfect for smaller to medium weddings (under 100 people)! For a hip, contemporary option, the Juniper Hotel and Bistro is a fun option and the contemporary menu is delicious! It’s a pet friendly resort with a large outdoor patio often used for onsite ceremonies. Also perfect for small to medium weddings. The Rimrock Resort with equally stunning views of the mountains and Bow Valley is also worth a look if you are wanting more of a large ballroom style wedding. They offer exceptional service and their food and beverage staff are amazing! They have some beautiful onsite ceremony spots and can easily accommodate small or large weddings (weddings over 100 people). All three of these venues have onsite guest accommodations. In Canmore:

1. Silvertip Resort
2. Stewart Creek Golf Resort
3. The Grande Rockies Resort

Silvertip Resort is a stunning mountain venue suitable for small to large weddings! Their reception spaces have beautiful wood beams and rustic decor. They have numerous patio spaces and gazebo lookout for ceremonies. Stewart Creek Golf Resort is equally stunning! It is suitable for smaller to medium weddings. They have wonderful food and service, but space is available to non-members from October to May. Stewart Creek, much like Silvertip Resort, does not have accommodations onsite (but don’t worry Canmore has some of the best guest accommodations anywhere in the Canadian Rockies!). The Grande Rockies is a stunning new facility in the heart of Canmore and within walking distance to most facilities. They offer a contemporary reception spaces and food. They have excellent service and gorgeous guest accommodations onsite. In Lake Louise:

1. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
2. Deer Lodge
3. Baker Creek Chalets

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is an amazing facility with the most beautiful lake views, superior service and accommodations; perfect for ballroom weddings. Deer Lodge is a historic lodge steeped in history with amazing food. It’s within walking distance from Lake Louise, although they do have a few onsite ceremony locations suitable for smaller to medium weddings. Baker Creek Chalets is one of my absolute favorite wedding venues in the Rocky Mountains. It is in a secluded wooded area with streams, wildlife and hiking (or cross country trails) all around. The cabin accommodations are beautifully appointed in all things Canadiana! There are some onsite ceremony locations suitable for smaller weddings, but you may want to consider getting married at Moraine Lake and then having your reception back at the chalets. The food is amazing! Suitable for small to medium small weddings. In Jasper:

1. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
2. The Sawridge Inn Jasper

I've had the pleasure of working a wedding at both the Jasper Park Lodge and the Sawridge Inn in Jasper and have had excellent experiences with both. The Jasper Park Lodge has a beautiful ceremony site right on the lake, and lodge and cabin accommodations. The Sawridge can host small to large weddings and offer excellent food and nice accommodations. Bonus Options! These are a few of our favorite options beyond:

1. Emerald Lake Lodge in Field, BC
2. Island Lake Lodge in Fernie, BC
3. The Ranche Restaurant in Calgary, AB

Emerald Lake Lodge is simply one of the most gorgeous venues anywhere and one of my absolute favorite wedding venues! Even Martha Stewart Weddings has recognized it as a fabulous wedding venue (did I mention she mentioned us too :) ! Island Lake Lodge is another amazing option off the beaten path, also with amazing food and views! There you can have a lake ceremony surrounded by mountains and stay in beautiful lodge rooms (in winter they offer cat skiing right out the doors). The Ranche Restaurant is also part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts group (same as Emerald Lake Lodge, Buffalo Mountain Lodge and Deer Lodge). The historic building located in Fish Creek Park offers a rustic, vintage ambience and a private outdoor ceremony spot. I love weddings there in part, because of their secluded location; its like being in the mountains! This is, of course, just a brief overview of these wonderful wedding venues (we are so lucky in this area right?)! You may also be interested in this post on: 5 Tips to Know Before Booking Your Wedding Venue. We can be contacted for assistance with your wedding at any of these venues by calling 1.888.679.9056 (toll free in North America) or emailing us at info@naturallychic.ca or directly through our Naturally Chic website! Happy Planning!]]> http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/02/wedding-planner-banff/where-to-get-married-in-banff-canmore-lake-louise-jasper-and-beyond/feed/ 2 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/01/wedding-planner-banff/wedding-trends-2012/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/01/wedding-planner-banff/wedding-trends-2012/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:29:35 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2493
by Sharon Auld I’m not big into trends. I prefer a couple’s wedding be tailored to their individual preferences and not based on random trends. However, weddings much like fashion and home decor, are influenced by the world around us. That’s not necessarily a bad thing! One of my favorite wedding trends of the last [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld I’m not big into trends. I prefer a couple’s wedding be tailored to their individual preferences and not based on random trends. However, weddings much like fashion and home decor, are influenced by the world around us. That’s not necessarily a bad thing! One of my favorite wedding trends of the last few years has been the trend for personalization! You can have a classic, elegant style and still have a personalized wedding! As a wedding professional, I love looking back at wedding trends of the past to see how weddings have changed and how past trends influence future weddings. Last year I wrote a post on 2011 Wedding Trends and it’s been fun reflecting on how several of the weddings I worked on this past season have included many of the trends I wrote about (many of the 2011 trends are still popular). Once again, I’ve decided to compile a list of “trends” we can expect to see in 2012. As with any trend, it's important to incorporate trends into your wedding because it’s something you really love and not because it’s fashionable. Small inclusions of trends can give a wedding a modern edge without dating it. Choose design elements for your wedding that are a reflection of you as a couple, but go ahead and have some fun too! Here’s my picks for some trends we’ll be seeing in 2012:

1. Lace
2. Sequins
3. Rustic Elegance
4. More formality
5. Custom favors

One of the most renown and most watched wedding of 2011 was the Royal Wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. Wedding and style experts have been predicting that their wedding will impact not only weddings of 2012, but weddings for several years to come. Think Splendid, a consulting firm that specializes in market development and strategy for the wedding industry wrote that the Royal Wedding is "an event celebrating legitimate joy, is a guilt-free break from a world filled with heavy news...In addition, many of today's students grew up in families that didn't incorporate a lot of tradition into their daily lives and that is something that many want to change as they start their own families." Kate's wedding dress, was an Alexander McQueen dress designed by Sarah Burton with lace sleeves. Her dress may be responsible for a resurgence in the use of lace in not only wedding attire, but also in decor. Expect to see more of her "illusion neckline" that has been showing up on runways as well! The use of lace in wedding decor is also becoming increasingly fashionable! We made these engraved "faux" lace on wood veneer placecards for one of our recent weddings. The sparkle of sequins are inspiring more and more wedding decor! Here is our use of sequins in a Winter Photo Shoot we designed that was featured on Style Me Pretty! The Royal Wedding was one of classic elegance, tradition and style; as a result many couples are now choosing a more classic and formal style for their own weddings. Vintage weddings have dominated the wedding scene for a few years now and many experts believe that couples are tired of this trend. The Huffington Post’s HuffWeddings blog reported that vintage, shabby chic style weddings will give way to a more formal wedding style. They predict there will be a return to a more formal weddings influenced by classic American designers such as Ralph Lauren (whom I absolutely love by the way!). When I think of Ralph Lauren, I envision rustic elegance and luxurious natural elements; wood, leather, silver trays and candle sticks, natural shed antlers… equestrian influences. I would love to design a Ralph Lauren inspired wedding! Personally, I'm not convinced that we've seen the end of vintage weddings just quite yet (maybe the over the top eclectic vintage look however). I think we'll see weddings with more of a modern, vintage vibe…elegant, rustic with small vintage touches. Here's a recent wedding we designed that had a rustic vintage, yet elegant feel (it also incorporated lace and burlap)! What do you think? Personalization in my view isn't a trend; I really hope it is here to stay! I love when couples have personalized, custom touches that are meaningful to the couple! Whether it's a favor monogrammed with the couple's name, like our engraved veneer wood smore covers or a mason jar full of popcorn (our couple's favorite snack food), custom favors will continue to be used to add special personal touches to weddings in 2012. We personally are loving the latest wedding trends! Will you be incorporating any of these trends into your wedding? Contact us about your 2012 wedding at 1.888.679.9056 or info@naturallychic or via the Naturally Chic website. Happy Planning!!]]> http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2012/01/01/wedding-planner-banff/wedding-trends-2012/feed/ 0 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2011/12/31/wedding-planner-banff/bride-to-be-tips-for-the-newly-engaged-bride/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2011/12/31/wedding-planner-banff/bride-to-be-tips-for-the-newly-engaged-bride/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:42:00 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2475
by Sharon Auld You’ve just announced your engagement and the questions have already started! How were you proposed to? Have you set a date? Where are you getting married? With your no doubt already busy schedule, the wonderful world of being a bride to be can get overwhelming pretty quickly! Know how you’re going to handle [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld You’ve just announced your engagement and the questions have already started! How were you proposed to? Have you set a date? Where are you getting married? With your no doubt already busy schedule, the wonderful world of being a bride to be can get overwhelming pretty quickly! Know how you’re going to handle all those questions! Short of secretly planning your wedding for months before announcing your engagement, it’s unrealistic to think you’ll have all the answers right away! Know how you’re going to respond to not only the questions, but also to all the advice and offers to help from your well meaning friends and family. It’s best to be honest and let them know that you’ve just started and you’re going to take some time to figure things out. Once you’ve had a chance to sort a few things out, be clear with your loved ones on how you’d like them to help. Know what you want and communicate early on what level of involvement you are wanting from them. Next step, hire a planner! I’m a little biased, but hiring a planner is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to your wedding. I don’t know about other planners, but we like to be involved in the planning process of our brides right from the start. We’ll sit down with you and help you sort out your growing to do list, help you prioritize and recommend vendors that might best suit you. Really, we’ll walk you through the entire planning process. We’ve literally been in your shoes before (many times) and we recognize that this is likely a new experience for you. Discussing your wedding vision with your significant other should also be high on your priority list. While it’s important to take some time to just enjoy being a betrothed couple, the sooner you start talking about your combined wedding vision the sooner you can start planning a wedding that is a true reflection of who you are. As planners, we love to learn all about our couples and who they are! Once you  have a vision of the type of wedding you are wanting (and your wedding style as a couple),  your wedding planning will  fall into place. You’ll have a clearer vision of the types of vendors you’ll want to hire and you’ll be better prepared to answer their questions too. For more planning tips, check out our post as well: What to Do Now that You're Engaged And here's a great article on Martha Stewart Weddings on Caring For Your Engagement and Wedding Ring]]> http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2011/12/31/wedding-planner-banff/bride-to-be-tips-for-the-newly-engaged-bride/feed/ 0 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2011/12/30/winter-wedding/winter-wedding-decor/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2011/12/30/winter-wedding/winter-wedding-decor/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:56:04 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2421
by Sharon Auld With the New Year right around the corner, I wanted to do a post about incorporating holiday decor into your winter wedding. Most mountain venues in Banff, Canmore and area have holiday decor set up at least until New Year's Day. In our post on 5 Winter Wedding Tips, we talked about taking [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld With the New Year right around the corner, I wanted to do a post about incorporating holiday decor into your winter wedding. Most mountain venues in Banff, Canmore and area have holiday decor set up at least until New Year's Day. In our post on 5 Winter Wedding Tips, we talked about taking advantage of the festive decor already in place at your venue as a great way to save on your wedding decor budget. You can always add your own personal touches on the guest tables and other focal points! If you absolutely love the holidays then a holiday themed wedding might be just your style! Personally, I love incorporating wreaths, evergreen boughs and pinecones into holiday themed weddings. They'll never look out of place in a rustic mountain venue and really, by changing up the ribbon or bow to match your wedding colors, they can work in almost any season! Evergreen boughs, white twinkle lights and candles look great on a mantle! If you are wanting more of a holiday influence in your wedding, consider using holiday ornaments and even Christmas trees in your decor! You could hang vintage ornaments with each guests' name and table number from branches for a festive "escort card" arrangement. Or place a vintage ornament or carefully wrapped package at each guest's place setting for a memorable favor! Incorporate as little or as much holiday decor into your wedding! There's no rules; have fun!

Burberry winter shoot via Wedding Obsession

For more winter wedding inspirations check out: Rustic Winter Wedding Wonderland and Tired of Winter? Winter Wedding Inspirations to Change Your Mind or In Love With Rustic Winter Weddings Happy Holidays and Happy Planning! For more information on our wedding planning and design services contact us at 1.888.679.0956 or info@naturallychic.ca or via website at http://www.naturallychic.ca.

]]> http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2011/12/30/winter-wedding/winter-wedding-decor/feed/ 0 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2011/12/29/winter-wedding/our-best-winter-wedding-planning-tips/ http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/2011/12/29/winter-wedding/our-best-winter-wedding-planning-tips/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:51:16 +0000 http://banffandcanmoreweddingplanner.com/?p=2402
by Sharon Auld It's no surprise that we love winter weddings in the Canadian Rockies! The magic of a winter wedding in the mountains is an unparalled experience not only for the couple, but also for the wedding guests!! We've written before that although incredibly beautiful, planning a winter destination wedding in the Canadian Rockies takes special [...]]]>
by Sharon Auld It's no surprise that we love winter weddings in the Canadian Rockies! The magic of a winter wedding in the mountains is an unparalled experience not only for the couple, but also for the wedding guests!! We've written before that although incredibly beautiful, planning a winter destination wedding in the Canadian Rockies takes special planning considerations. We've compiled 10 of our favorite posts from 2011 on winter wedding planning tips for you:

• 5 Winter Wedding Tips
• Getting Your Guests Safely to Your Winter Wedding
• Winter Wedding Favors that Won't Be Left Behind
• Bundle Up We're Expecting Snow…What to Wear to a Winter Wedding
• Bundle Up It's Cold Outside…What to Wear to a Winter Wedding Part 2
• Bundle Up You're In the Rockies…What to Wear to a Winter Wedding Part 3
• 30 Tips to Planning a Canadian Destination Wedding in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Jasper - Tip # 12
• Winter Wedding Inspirations for a Cold Day
• Winter Bouquet Alternatives
• Winter Wedding Cakes

We hope these posts will be useful in planning your winter wedding in the Canadian Rockies! If you are wanting more ideas and inspirations check out our Winter Weddings Category as well. You may also enjoy this post in the Huffington Post / HuffPost Weddings on Winter Wedding Planning Tips from the Experts. While many of the tips are similar to ones we've already mentioned, I especially like the tip to purchase wedding insurance. Not to deter you from planning a wedding in the winter, but we often recommend our couples get wedding insurance. If there's a blizzard on the day of your wedding, you may be very happy you purchased insurance! Number One Tip for winter weddings is to always have a back up plan!!! Best of luck and Happy Planning! For more information on our wedding planning and design services contact us at 1.888.679.0956 or info@naturallychic.ca or via website at http://www.naturallychic.ca.

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