The Anti-Bridezilla

I met with Erin after work one day at Starbucks, she works at the same company as me and volunteered her fiance, Cliff and herself to be one of the couples I help coordinate this year. She is a very laid back bride-to-be, she wasn't even 100% on the date yet.

Erin and Cliff have been dating for almost 11 years, and are the same age as me, so yes, they are Junior High sweethearts, which I think is so awesome, they have grown up together, and probably know each other better than they know anyone else. Even before I met up with her, I got a great reading on Erin's personality...she reminds me of me, that's why I like her, ha ha! No, but seriously, she is very easy going, and by the sounds of it so is the lucky guy. She basically said, "he doesn't really do pink" and that was about it.

Like me, her most important expense is photography. I am a true believer that after the day is over, after the months of anticipation, time and expense, the pictures are the one material thing you have to look back on your day. Cheap out on shoes (ducking for cover from you shoe-a-holics out there!), do your own make-up, but make sure you do your research on a great photographer.

When I meet a couple I want a vision. I need to know a look, theme, colour, something about what the couple is aiming for. When I asked this of Erin she told me they were thinking chocolate browns and apple greens. Yes! I love this colour combo, and has been one of the schemes I have thought of for my own imaginary wedding. It's modern, clean and stylish. It's natural, yet super chic. Eco-chic! But yes, this made me a happy wedding planner. I got home that night and worked on their palette. For flowers she mentioned calla lilies and orchids, again, my favorites. The centrepieces we discussed were possibly going to involve live fish. Love it. Donations toward charity in lieu of favors, I will most likely do this at mine too. People spend hundreds of dollars these days toward favors, and half of them get left behind, the other half, thrown out, why not just put it towards something that is meaningful towards the couple.

Back to the anti-bridezilla thing...we still are unsure of a solid date...or place. But we have some beautiful locations in mind, until then, we'll work off the palette I created for this young, modern and laid back couple.

Damask Madness

I was going to put myself to bed the minute Brooke went to bed, as I have a massive headache, but decided that I was going to start putting together a palette for the wedding of Amanda and Trevor who are getting married next July. I met with Amanda today and I think for the most start we are starting a bit from square one, which is awesome as I have some great ideas for what they want. So far, they know black and white will be predominant in the scheme, and Amanda was pretty sure about adding coral to this, and I thought maybe an apple green accent as well would tie everything together.

The look of Damask has made a major comeback the past few years, I even have a lululemon hoodie in Damask! Using this for a black and white wedding really breaks up the starkness of the two pigments and makes it a bit more elegant and romantic, no checkerboard wedding here. Because of it's popularity you can find pretty much anything in this Syrian originated fabric (you thought it was French didn't you?), from candles, table runners, invitations and even toilet paper. Not sure if anyone works in specialty toilet paper into their budget!

Amanda is from the East Coast of Canada and wanted to integrate this into the wedding. Most shells have coral colours in them, so this wouldn't be difficult at all, it was the tartan that might be a challenge, but I want to make sure sentimental components that clients wish to have are always used. They have purpose and meaning and it's always about the little details. I found a sample of green, white and coral tartan that could be used to tie around vases or around the bouquets. I was so happy that I found something that really blended well with everything else I had chosen for this palette.

We have over a year to get this one together, so I am not sure as to why I felt I needed to do this tonight, I guess I knew I'd be awake all night worrying I would forget all of my Damask madness by morning.