Sparkling bubbly...

So I just saw this on the bff bridal email (check them out at http://www.bffbridal.com/) and I had to give it a shout out too since anything sparkly get's me pretty excited.

2 major trends coming together in this product: Personalizing or monograms plus anything that glitters. On top of it - it's on a champange bottle! And who doesn't like champange?!?

Starting December first, MOET & CHANDON are opening a temporary crystalization boutique in SOHO, New York.
You can get your name or your new monogram initials on your very own bottle of bubbly!
The cost at the store is $30.00 and uses real Swarovski crystals.
Now, since most of us don't have the ability to just pop over to SOHO New York, maybe this would be a d0-able DIY project?
My only request is that if your going to take on this project, for the love of everything sparkly DO NOT use fake crystals. If you do you just waste your time. Only real SWAROVSKI flat back crystals are what give any project it's "Wow" factor. Hit up your local craft store on look on ebay for some deals.

Either way be sure to check out: http://nymag.com/nymag/advertorial/moet/

Cakes you should know about....

Hi everyone! Sorry that there hasn't been a new post in a while. Computer problems are a bit of a pain. However! We're back and we've got lots of great new things to tell you about.

For example, who makes the best cakes around? Well we're going to start giving our opinion on that matter now every Thursday. Just like there is no need to settle for boring wedding favors there is no need to settle for a boring wedding cake. Cake decorating has come leaps and bounds since your mothers day and doesn't have to break the bank. In fact we will usually agree that the 'simpler' cake often looks best. It's well placed details that make the difference.

We start off this weeks edition by featuring FLOUR GIRLS from the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada.
To quote from their own website: "Using only the finest and freshest products, all of flourgirls' melt-in-your-mouth cupcakes, beautifully decorated cookies, ultra-decadent brownies, delectable cakes, lovely loaves and more are made from scratch with a huge helping of love."

People don't want to eat cupcakes or cake that looks like you got it at the grocery store minutes before the wedding! All of FLOUR GIRLS products look and taste like someone who cares spent good time perfecting your desserts.

Check them out at http://www.flourgirls.com/

Favor Friday!

We're adding a new feature to our blog: FAVOR FRIDAY! There are SO many options for favors out there now on the web, why choose the same old candle or picture frame or any of those other boring old favors that you always dread getting when you go to a wedding.

Favors are a way to say 'thank you' to your guests for sharing in your special day so why not put a little thought into it instead of whatever is cheapest and easiest?

Now that we all have access to the world wide web, let's use it to our advantage and get something really unique and special to give to our guests! It doesn't have to be super expensive either just original and useful.

We're going to start off this topic by featuring a great Canadian designer, Karen Smallbone.
She is great at taking simple, inexpensive items, and making them personal with a custom designed monogram or graphic to fit in with your style or wedding theme. Everyone loves candy but some mints wrapped in tulle just isn't cutting it anymore. Why not put some candy necklaces in a great clear 'purse' to give as a gift.

Her design style makes even the simplest idea look very 'designer' and high end.
Check out her website at http://www.karensmallbone.com/ for prices, pics and contact info.

What do all the flowers mean?

You may or not have realized but those flowers your trying to decide on all have a meaning to them. I thought it might help your decision making easier if you knew what some of the most popular ones meant. Or it'll confuse you and make your decision even harder. You tell me...

Baby's breath = Everlasting love
Calla lily = Magnificent beauty

Daisy = Innocence

Fern = Magic

Forget-me-not = Remember me

Freesia = Innocence

Fuchsia = Confiding love

Geranium = True friendship

Hyacinth = Sport and play

Iris = I have a message for you

Ivy = Friendship

Jasmine (pink) = I attach myself to you

Jasmine (white) = Amiability

Lilac = First emotions of love

Lily-of-the-valley = Return of happiness

Mint = Virtue

Oak leaf = Bravery

Orchid = You're in my thoughts

Peony = Bashful

Primrose = Youth

Ranunculus = Radiant with charms

Rose (white) = I am worthy of you

Rose = Love

Rosemary = Remembrance

Snowdrop = Hope

Sweet pea = Delicate pleasures

Sweet violet = Modesty

Tulip (pink) = Caring

Tulip (variegated) = Beautiful eyes

Tulip = Declaration of love

Violet (blue) = Faithfulness

BRIDE 2 BEAD featured on bridalwave.tv!

I am quite proud to announce that BRIDE 2 BEAD has recieved even more attention from the wedding industry via bridalwave.tv!

If you haven't checked out this website or signed up for their DAILY email, what are you waiting for??? And yes, it's a daily email of all the latest and greatest things in the wedding world.
It's so much fun to read and really gets those creative juices flowing when your looking to create something special for your wedding day.
Check out our article here: http://www.bridalwave.tv/2007/09/bride_2_bead_ca.html

Butterfly theme? This is the place to be...

So many brides are planning to use a butterfly theme on their wedding day. Usually they find a way to incorporate a butterfly into their monogram, wedding cake, the invites and maybe even the centerpiece's.

But if your serious about butterflies, this is the place to go:
Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory in Cambridge, Ontario.
Check out their website at: http://www.wingsofparadise.com/

You can have your small ceremony there, your reception or both! They offer full catering in their restaurant the 'Paradise Cafe'.

Or if you need just a place to take some great pictures for your wedding, they offer a special package just for that. It's so hard to find someplace indoors for great photos! But the large amount of Natural light as well as the natural background make this a great option any time of year.

To 'veil' or not to 'veil'?

For so many brides today deciding to even wear a veil or not can be an issue, (especially when discussing it with your mother).

After all, the main purpose of veil is LONG gone, thank goodness.
However, there is something very classic looking about a veil that many brides still love. And since it's really meant to be decorative only there are many ways to wear it.
But how do you pick what style or length suits you and your dress?

Well I found this great website to help those who are deciding what to do in the 'veil' department.
http://www.theflirtybride.com/faq.html

Here is a snippit of some of the great info they have posted:




Length Chart: Please keep in mind that the names of these lengths are approximations and will vary depending on the height of each individual bride. Keep in mind that it is the back of your gown that determines the best length to complement your gown.

















Hope this helps you brides in the search of the veil!

Cupcake Accesories!

So we all know that Cupcakes have been all the rage the last few years at weddings. But how do you make a cupcake stand out from the rest and still look classy? We've all seen those cupcakes that look like your friend's mom did them for you as a favor. How do you dress up a cupcake?!

Problem solved....

BRIDE 2 BEAD offers handcrafted beaded flower stems to add to the tops of cupcakes!

These flowers would make a great accessory for any spring/summer or garden themed wedding. Tie a little name tag around it with your name and wedding date and it makes a great favor to take home.

Go to http://www.bride2bead.com/ or email info@bride2bead.com for more information.

Canadian Wedding Awards / The Weddingbells People's Choice Awards...

The Canadian Wedding Industry Awards will be given out for the first time this year!
It's a great chance for those in the industry to submit their best work from the year with the hopes of being recognized for their hard work.

I think this is a brilliant idea and about time that we recognize all the creativity and tallent from our own backyard.

Click on the link below to enter your vote:
http://www.weddingbells.ca/contests/13/enter/

The contest closes October 31st 2007 so hurry up and get your votes in!

Fresh Place Settings...

Wondering what to do for place settings instead of the old typical place card?

Check out http://www.blumebox.com/ !
These great boxes turn into waterproof 'vases' that also allow you to write your guests name on it! This is a great way to incorporate your centerpiece flowers into your table arrangement and make your guest eager to sit down to dinner.

Real photographers - do they exist?

I've often asked myself this question and been hardpressed to answer in a positive way. In a digital day and age where everyone and thier dog thinks they have the ability to be their buddy's wedding photographer it can be hard to find the one that actually knows the art of photography.
As a bit of a photography nut this has always been a beef of mine. There are WAY too many of the same old - same old poses and photo treatments for WAY too much money. Is it too much to ask that someone be creative???

Well, I believe its not now that I've met Emma Smallbone.
PLEASE - do yourself a favor and check out her website and blog to see some of her amazing work. She is one of the FEW people that actually understands the idea of thinking creatively without being tacky or unprofessional.


http://www.barebonephoto.com/
www.barebonephoto.com/blog

BRIDE 2 BEAD featured in Weddingbells magazine!

BRIDE 2 BEAD is proud to annouce that one of our newest cake toppers is being featured in the Fall/Winter 2007 issue of Weddingbells!

Our "Crystal Garden Cake Topper" is featured on top of a beautiful 4 tier pastel colored square cake made by Yummy Cakes in Toronto.

This topper, like all of our others, is custom made so is available in many different color combonations.

Pick up a copy of the mag today!