Celebrating Love in Montreal

Love is celebrated in so many fascinating ways around the world. These romantic displays can be a beautiful way to solidify the love between partners, and ensure that their union lasts a lifetime. Whether you’re planning on travelling the world with your love, or staying in the city, these are ways to commemorate your happiness and love for one another.

On Ponte Milvio, in Italy, couples have displayed their oath of love to one another by fastening padlocks to the bridge. Their names, as well as short love notes and vows, are written onto the lock. It is a symbol of their love being unbreakable. The key to the padlock is then thrown into the river below, signifying that the bond will never be undone. Imagine all the lover’s locks that could line the Lachine Canal!

In Wales, an elaborately carved wooden spoon is presented to the love interest, as a way to tell their potential lover that they will always provide and care for them, (as well all know, the best way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach!). If the love interest accepts, they wear the spoon around their neck. As Montreal is a city of coffee lovers (or caffeine addicts, simply put), custom sugar spoons could be a thoughtful party favour for the engagement party, a small wedding, or as a gift to the newlyweds.

For those who were hopelessly in love, eloping was the sweetest crime—especially in England, where it became illegal in 1754 for persons under 21 to get married. That did not deter the young, passionate English lovers: they took a short day trip to Gretna Green, Scotland, and married there in secret. This is still a popular place for couples to visit, old and young, some even going to renew their vows there.  We are a city of churches, of green alleys, and historic architecture, making our city a very romantic place to love and marry. A way to spend a weekend would be to make short hops to our scenic spots and make it memorable with a few kisses and other cute ways of showing your love.

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Gretna Green Wedding Photography

The Bridal Kit

To look and feel absolutely flawless on your wedding day, you need a few must-have items that your maid of honour or mother will keep with them. A small make-up bag will suffice, and is easy to prepare ahead of time.

Of course, Kleenex, antibacterial gel, hand cream and gum will be the first items in your kit! But it goes without saying that you will have a chap stick, a lip-gloss or a lipstick, as well as a face powder.  Do touch ups before your wedding photoshoot and before the reception. Make sure that, at your make-up trial, your make-up artist shows you what colour and brand she is using on you, so you can purchase the same for your kit. Also—a face powder with matting effect or oil control will keep your complexion even and smooth.

For freshness all day, a deodorant and a roll-on perfume are a non-negotiable! Sephora has a ton of amazing roll-on and spray perfumes in portable sizes that you can keep in your purse even after your wedding. As for deodorant, go with what you trust the most and apply as needed.

Baby powder and a stain-remover stick are also important and can cover up any little mishaps. Baby powder will absorb any wet mess and blend in with your dress, then you can clean up the rest with your stain remover. (Baby powder is also a good solution for freshness in the bust area and for your feet!)

Your hairstyle will slowly let go as the day progresses, but maintain it with travel-size hair spray, bobby pins, clips and an elastic that you have stashed in your kit. Just remember not to mess with your hair too much, as playing with it will undo the volume and create frizz.

Lastly, the dress, the dress, the dress! Your maid of honour should have safety pins, white string and a sewing needle for any last-minute alterations, especially on the bustle and on the bust. Safety pins could be attached to your bra (if you are wearing one) to avoid slippage, and to the bustle to reinforce it. If your dress has lace, ask your dress designer or boutique for a small swatch to cover the safety pin.

And we always recommend a comfortable pair of shoes: foldable slip-ons or flats, or a wedge with a cushion insole will do wonders for you!

 

Swoon!: Badgley Mishka

 

Our favourite perfume! La Vie Est Belle by Lancome

 

How darling!: Pinterest

Wedding Arts and Crafts: Lovely DIY Ideas

DIY Wedding projects are getting more and more popular. Couples are enjoying the process of creating something special and sharing that time together making it. All it takes is a bit of sewing-savvy and imagination (and of course, a lazy Friday night with your love perusing Pinterest!) to spark a few creative, artsy and kitsch concepts.

The easiest DIY project is making your own ring pillow. It could be made out of anything that really speaks to you and your love, like a blanket that you cuddle with, or a piece of your wedding dress and a piece of his tuxedo jacket lining. If you’re more of the sewing connoisseur, embroider both your names and the date of your wedding with buttons! Get enough fabric to make a 5 inch square and fill with cotton balls.

A DIY bouquet is also a beautiful and simple idea, and can be done with silk flowers or real flowers, or no flowers at all. Collect your material of choice and make an arrangement that you fasten with fabric, beading, ribbons and much more. For a wedding with a 20s theme, you can attach tassels or pearls, or even add a small birdcage made of lace to the bouquet. Brides with a flair for glam can use crystal sheets to wrap the stems in. And how charming and rustic would bouquet made of acorn and pine be for a fall wedding?

And how about accessories? Buy hair clips, headbands or combs that match your hair color and beading that you really love—or maybe it’s not beading, but sequins, tulle, or fringe, and create to your heart's content. Maybe you were planning to stitch a pattern on a belt, or reuse earrings and add a bit more glamour to them. For DIY accessories, the list goes on. You have a specific image in your head that you absolutely want for your wedding day. This project is a tad more advanced but could be a lot of fun as a bridal shower activity.

What else can be DIY? Veils of different colours and your choice of edging, rings made with a designer, or with a special engraving, or maybe the ring isn’t a metal band but made of wood and carved for each other, boutonnieres and corsages, center pieces for the reception; invitations, shoes, decor… I could go on and on; I find it romantic myself!

 

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Picture Perfect: Creative Tips for Wedding Photos

There are so many beautiful locations and ideas for wedding pictures. Whether they places that are special to the couple, or a must-have photo-op, wedding photos are truly once in a lifetime keepsake mementos that could be shared for a lifetime. So it’s important to talk to your photographer and plan an itinerary for the day, and make the most of your photoshoot! Here are some tips that will make you clicker-happy:

Have a romantic walk down memory lane and discuss the places that mean the most to the two of you. Maybe it’s the place you first kissed, or where you first got engaged. Maybe it’s even a favorite café hangout! Think of all the places you cherish and see if the location is able to accommodate the happy newlyweds for a few snaps.

Ask your photographer about post-wedding photoshoots: This could a month or so after the wedding where a few beauty shots or portraits could be done with or without the groom. If you didn’t get that hand close-up you wanted, or a scenic portrait of the two of you in front of the church, schedule a portrait day where you have more time to plan out a full day of photo fun.

On that note, when searching for a photographer, always see what they specialize in and if it suits you and your partner’s vision. This is especially important because every photographer has a signature look: if you choose a photographer that specializes in boudoir photography but you want more location shoots, then you must consider there may be limitations!

Think outside the box: garden shoots, historic sites and church shoots are definitely must-haves, but what about in the centre of the city, or even in the middle of the street? No, not that crazy! (And actually, totally beautiful!) You can even DIY your own locations! Backyards are the perfect private space to set up a fun for-two picnic, with streamers and even a wedding piñata!

 

 

Trendwatch Thursday: Be Bold

Our brides at Galleria Della Sposa have class and very good fashion sense. They know how to glam and impress, their dress compliments their personality and wedding dreams. And our bride is bold: she is a bridal muse.

From the dress to the aisle, the ways to be bold are innumerable: shoes and accessories, décor and bouquets—and make up! Greet your guests with a bright lip and a sexy cat eye. Here’s a quick breakdown of the trend:

 Make sure the brows are defined and the skin clean and shimmery.  The eyeliner should be applied thickly to make the eyes stand out, and balance this with a light contrast: eye shadow in white, translucent shimmer or beige would really perfect the look.

Mascara is a question of taste. For a striking look, the mascara should be applied lightly and structured in diamond shape. For fluttery lashes, apply at the edges and absolutely use an eyelash curler for optimal length.

 Lastly, the key element is the lip. The shades of red are endless and can be glossy or matte. Make sure to use a lip liner to shape the lip and even plump them. Reds vary by skin tone and lip shape, so choose accordingly! Finally, a gloss can really add that extra oomph, and brighten your smile.  

How To Tuesday: Table Decor

First comes the ring, followed by the venue, then the bridal party, and then the dress. Something is definitely missing... 
Table decor is often the last thing on the to-do list for a bride, yet it is the one of the aspects that are most important. Where everyone sits down to dine and reminisce and congratulate the newly weds, the ambiance and  mood is set by the decorations. The centerpiece is a statement that your guests will notice as soon as they walk into the reception. So you can guarantee it is (next to the bride’s dress) the most-attention grabbing element. 

Here is a How-To on what to consider for your table decorations:

•       Personality & style (What are you trying to project? What is your theme?)

•       Cohesiveness (Colors and themes should match with the bride, bridesmaids and all floral arrangements.)

•       Added thematic details  (Place cards, ambiance lighting, table runners all add to the drama.)

•       Centerpieces (You are not limited to flowers!i If your theme is fresh and rural, an organic fruit basket can be a stellar centerpiece.)

•       Utensils! (What are your metal accents – rustic silver, bronze, gold?)

•       Napkins (Another opportunity to bring out your color palette!)

•       Glasses & plates (Dare to try new shapes and sizes.)

How To Tuesday: How to Make a Checklist

A Preparation for an Impeccable Day 

Your wedding day could be whatever you can possibly dream of it being. Nowadays, the amount of creativity and inspiration in the wedding industry is endless, and brides should take advantage of all the resources. All it takes is a little bit of organization, direction, as well as imagination and vision. 
 To begin, it’s essential to have a wedding binder. For an added flare, your binder could be in the same color of theme as your wedding-- that way you can be reminded of it and keep yourself on track. Use the binder as a scrapbook of ideas for anything you like: the dress, the colors you like, the accessories and shoes; hairstyles, make-up, etc and etc! 
It is also imperative to work on a budget. A bride deserves a helping hand in order for her to look glamorous in her Emanuele Savorani dress and for the bridal party to look stellar in their Monique L'huillier dresses. Always inquire about the prices, method of payment and procedures.
 Writing up your guest list could be a long process. When you have finalized how many individuals will be at the wedding, it’s time to plan and seek out a venue for your magical wedding. With your venue (or venues),  you will be able to confirm a date and time. It is an absolute must to plan ahead- at least a year in advance. This way you are guaranteed your place and have ample time to choose your menu, decor and focus on what matters most to you for that day.
Your staff for that day will include an officiant, photographers and videographers, a band, a make up artist, a hairstylist, florists and caterers, to name a few. Like the venue, staff should be booked one year in advance. Do research before arriving at meetings and consultations with the individual. Go into the meeting with a plan and a budget, as well as questions for what service they can provide, especially if you have special requirements (such as food allergies). 
The steps for the perfect wedding should be separated in categories in the wedding book. This process will also help plan for invitations, choosing a delicious cake, music, hair, makeup and all the magnificent elements needed for an impeccable day.