Friday, January 28, 2011

A Fairytale Dream for a small wedding! - in the Okanagan?

9:31 AM | Edit Post





I toured this absolutely stunning 4 million dollar home recently and just had to share it with you. As an Okanagan Destination wedding planner I am always on the lookout for new inspiring venues that portray the beauty of this area. For those of you who have an intimate wedding in mind with thoughts of privacy yet providing your guests with a feel of the Okanagan lifestyle of the "rich and famous" so to speak, then this private home rental is for you. Mediterranean styled, lake front elegance and luxury like never before.


Beach side ceremony location with dock, against backdrop of turquoise blue waters!



Located on the North arm of Lake Okanagan, just past Coral Beach roughly 40 minutes from Kelowna and bang smack midway between Kelowna and Vernon is "CASA BELLE". If you are considering an intimate wedding of up to 25 guests this private home base would provide the most romantic of wedding venues for even the most discerning bride.

Visualize your guests seated at the waters edge with the glistening waters and Okanagan sun overhead. The bride descends in the glass observation elevator to meet her groom, family and guest waiting at the waters edge. After the ceremony everyone ascends to the outdoor reception area. The design detail of the open arches on the massive patio space bring a gentle fragrant breeze off the lake, giving you a feeling you've stepped back in time to old world Europe. You and up to 25 guests can have the most formal or informal sit down reception with room for dancing while overlooking one of the most expansive views of Lake Okanagan. A fairytale wedding come true!




Enormous covered Mediterranean patio with views and ample space for 25 guests

at a sit down reception!



Above: Opposite side of the enclosed patio



Opulent old world feel of the master bath!


Fabulous views from the spacious upstairs living area!

Picture yourself in an architectural masterpiece perched on a cliff above the majestic views of pristine Lake Okanagan nestled in mountain and forest. This newly constructed 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom (sleeps 8-12) 9,000 sq. ft. home (including outdoor living on patios and balcony's) has every amenity you could imagine. A private beach, dock, 6000 lb. boat lift, games room, and multiple levels to provide private quarters for your guests. Close by, at Coral Beach there is a tennis court, basketball hoops and children's park. Not to mention several excellent wineries and championship golf courses just a short drive away.


Magnificent views from the upper floor!





Private patios off each bedroom!

During peak season in the summer Casa Belle can be rented for $1000/night with a 7 night minimum at $7000/week. Considering this as a wedding venue location for both ceremony and reception, with accommodations for 12 included, this is not as hefty a price, as you may think. At no other location locally could you find the tranquil feel and suggestiveness of the Okanagan lifestyle as abundantly as at Casa Belle. To book please contact Charmeyn thru the vrbo listing site at http://www.vrbo.com/284716. Don't forget to mention that you found her home through my blog posting and should you need help with planning your intimate wedding, I can assist your there as well.

Dolce Vita!

Agatha

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Monday, January 24, 2011

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too, by Faking It!

1:58 PM | Edit Post


It's no secret that the costs of all things wedding are skyrocketing. Brides and grooms who are looking to cut corners may want to consider renting their wedding cake. So good news for those of you living in the Okanagan, as Kelowna now has a new wedding business catering to the frugal bride. Introducing Le Cake Couture (what a fabulous name) for Designer Wedding Cake Rentals.

Getting the cake of your dreams on a budget that works for you, just isn't that easy these days. Wedding cakes are the center of any wedding celebration, however, the cost of wedding cakes in todays economy is making the trend for Wedding Cake Rentals more of a viable option, and not as ridiculous as it sounds.

Add some jazz and pazazz!

But if you have a faux cake, and the cake is a simulation of a real wedding cake, what is next? I tend to think that wedding cakes are made from scratch, with mouthwatering real homemade perfection, hence why I eat them. That it could come from sources unnameable, and be full of partially hydrogenated fats, and I would never know, seems sad to me. So be savvy and know what's in your cake, I say. However my sweet tooth isn't the norm today with couples living healthy active lifestyles. Many feel a wedding cake is wasted because most of their guests just aren't into sweets. Yet just as many couples wish to enjoy a larger, more substantial looking cake, but don't require the 300+ servings that a larger cake provides.





Le Cake Couture wedding cake rentals provide a beautiful customized wedding cake —while keeping it affordable. The possibilities are endless.

Build the cake of your dreams-
* choice of 3, 4, 5 or 6 tiers
* choice of round or square
* choice of ivory white or chocolate fondant
* 6" cutting cake
* gourmet serving cake for up to 100 guests
* choice of color ribbon, flowers, mixed tiers to customize your look





Wedding cakes are often elaborate, labor-intensive pieces of art that take centre stage at any wedding, with many people oohing and aahing over its perfection. But that admiration comes with a hefty bill, often $2- and sometimes surpassing $10 per slice which translates to $300-$1500 for a masterpiece. Additionally, many reception venues charge a cake cutting cost and these costs can range from $.50 to $5.- per person. Hence the trend to cost savings by way of renting wedding cakes.


Call Kristi today at 250-808-6010 and tell her Agatha sent you!

So, renting a pre-designed faux cake from Le Cake Couture offers brides and grooms ultra indulgence and luxury without the hefty tab of a real cake. You can have the cake of your dreams- a much larger, more substantial looking cake and for substantially less than the price of a real cake.....and your cake photos will look incredible! They are gorgeous designer and customizable faux cakes, with a real top tier for the couple's cutting-the-cake photos but the rest of the cake on display is just a "prop" and the cake served is still on sheets in the kitchen.


Don't forget their cupcakes and cake stand rentals

So, today's savvy bride need not shocked at the prices of custom baked wedding cakes, nor disappointed at not having the budget to spend on them because they can have their cake and eat it to, with a fake cake! The hottest new trend to hit the Okanagan this summer. Be on the lookout for this new way to save, at the slew of Okanagan weddings this season. It could be another game to play: is the cake real, or is it foam?

You know where you'll find me.....eating cake!
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Monday, January 3, 2011

WHAT'S HOT, What's NOW! for 2011 Wedding Trends!

10:07 PM | Edit Post

Welcome to a New Year!

Here are some of my predictions and the experts views on hot wedding trends for 2011. Our shaken economy has forced almost everyone to get back to basics. We all seem to be looking for ways to scale-back, opening our wallets only when we absolutely need to – for high-quality essentials.

Planning couples are slowly recovering from a negative economic situation, which is causing them to aggressively seek out the biggest bang for their buck. Strategic spending is the new frugal and over-the-top extravagance will be toned down to a new era of "casual" traditional.


What's HOT:
* One of a kind is the "new black"
* Local is chic
* Intimate weddings remain strong
* Personalization elements are BIG
* Bridal hair pieces will be huge
* Cake designs will be more subtle. Think texture, not color
* Destination weddings will remain popular
* Wedding brunches will regain popularity as a fresh alternative to the traditional rehearsal dinner
* Family owned heirlooms will be hot
* City style weddings still big
* Short or tea-length wedding dresses are trendy, quirkier with a sixties feel
*Wedding gowns still romantic as ever
*Varied table shapes and sizes at receptions - long tea-party style tables
* Linens with texture and more texture, highlighting unique fabrics
* Honeysuckle is the top color for 2011



Gowns: City-style weddings with short or tea-length dresses. Wedding dresses with pockets, embellishments on dresses from jewels, flowers, frills and orgaaaanza. 2-piece dresses are hot and good value when the trend is to 1,2 or 3 gown weddings. For a modern look they can be individualized with beading, sheer lace or corsetry and tops switched with bottoms, saving cost of a whole new gown. Vintage detailing remains. The strapless dress is a continued trend. Designs are strongly detailed, with fitted bodices flowing in to complete, ruffled and pleated skirs. Embellished bodices. Small shrugs in lace provide a Spanish air. Soft tones of blush, nude as well as oyster as a flattering option from the traditional ivory and white.

Venues: outdoor weddings are a huge trend for 2011 because a party in the outdoors is different, fun and relaxing. Also trend developing for weddings taking place in unique venues such as forests, beaches, cliff tops, back gardens and galleries.

Back to the Past: The past is back and all vintage ideas as well. Incorporating modern elements that have a historical past is a growing trend. Guest Favors from historical brands, wearing and recycling your mother or grandmother's wedding dress, incorporating your parents' or grandparents' wedding pictures into the decor, wearing heirloom jewelry and creating an atmosphere of nostalgic romance is very trendy these days.

Old School Photography: Photography is taking a vintage spin. Back to wedding albums of the 70's, draped textiles as backdrops for photographing the bridal party in a relaxed setting, is a big trend and simple and easy to do.

Bridal Accessories: Tiaras, combs as well as headbands continue to be favorites. Hot is the new shreils or vrugs - yes that's what they are calling them. A new trend for veils to wear them prolonged or tied around the actual shoulder and back - a sort of cross between a shrug plus a veil.

Headwear and Add-ons: No nicely dressed bride is going to be bare headed this year. Chic headwear, from gleaming tiaras employing crystal clear or coloured stones, to fabulously chic hairbands trimmed with luxurious extra-large flowers in tones of pink, peach and lilac is so in. Feathers are fun and a little wild, again affixed to swish headbands or donned with combs in fabulous tones of fuchsia, blush, purple, blue and lime green. Crystals worked into chadelier ear rings, multiple strand bracelets and lengthy necklace strands. Even stylish pearl chokers are making a return for day and night chic.

Wedding Colors: Tropical, fun and whimsical. Bright and amazing but also vintage, earthy and sunwashed. Michele Mospens, from My Personal Artist has been predicting wedding colors for the past several seasons. After endless hours of research, this is her take on the color palettes for this year. Gray was HOT now MOCHA will return as a favorite.



If you like purples try - Lilac, Lavender, Periwinkle, Purple, add - Sky Blue as an accent!

If you love bright pink try - Hot pink, Fuchsia, Light Pink, Red, add - Lime or Tangerine as your accent color!

If you adore warm oranges try - Tangerine, Coral, Red - add soft Violet, Sky Blue or Fuchsia as your accent color!

If you like burgundy try - Dark Green, Golds, Champagne, Creams - add any of these as your accent color!

If you love blues try - Deep Ocean Blue, Navy Blue, Sky Blue, Periwindkle - add Tangerine, Silver or Sandy Brown as your accent!

Here are some HOT color combos for 2011.
Turquoise and Coral
Violet and Sky Blue
Peapod Green and Cream
Mauve and Wine
Lilac and Sky Blue
Wine and Blush Pink
Sky Blue and Light Yellow
Regal Blue and Peopod Green
Warm Gray and any Pink or Coral or Blue or Purple
Rustic Brown and Pink

Michele says, go with you heart and make your day visually appealing and reflective of your personal creativity by matching all the elements of your wedding into your color scheme.



DIY: will remain strong as it provides uniqueness and personal touches to a couples wedding. DIY will become more mainstream. It's normal for most brides to custom create at least one or more elements of their wedding.

Florals: Trend to scaling back on big mixed vase arrangements. Flower blocking is chic. Trend to less fussy, more natural. Masses of groupings of centerpieces on long banquet-style tables look less fussy and unpretentious. Little bundles of lush arrangements. Wedding bouquets are "glammed up" and personalized by making use of brooches, pins, pearls and personal heirloom items. Vibrant blossom colorings are favorite or subdued tonal effects. Bolder colors - bigger impact. More natural de-constructed look to bouquets, with natural forms with loose outlines and even teardrop or cascading rather than the tight nosegay. High petal count flowers such as peony, hydrangeas and roses give brides the most bang for their buck and look romantic and opulent. Use of imaginative vases or containers.


Loose bouquets and vibrant colors

Long rows of centerpiece groupings


Dreamy and romantic bouquet

Food: Local is the new "organic". Wedding caterers will begin offering smaller-size food portions to regain budget-bride customers. They will position it as healthier and cost effective.

Whatever your dress, colour theme, venue or the flowers you choose, the most important thing is to ensure that you have the day you want and that you enjoy the planning and preparation just as much as the day itself.

Happy Planning in 2011!
You can find my blog posting for "Trends", articled on www.weddingdirectory.com
Agatha

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AGATHA SOROS, Kelowna, B.C.

A Stylish Affair is a full service Wedding and Event Planning company serving Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley specializing in Okanagan Destination weddings. We provide innovative ideas, expert planning and coordination, premier vendors and upscale design. We love all the little details and wish to assist you in bringing out the WOW in your event! My Wedding Blog is about informing brides from across the country about our extraordinary location and inspiring you to express your personal style.

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