Spring is for Flowers

I've been into flowers lately, so thought I'd post a few photos of my creations:

For dinner with friends:

For a friend:

Wedding Shower for my soon to be sister-in law:

I'm into grouping lots of small vases or using items that are not vases: three times in the past few months I've used wine glasses and dessert cups that I picked up at the Thrift Store as vases.

Ready for 2009

I scheduled to spend this week at home with two goals:

#1. Spend time with my son.

#2. Prepare for/get into a routine for wedding season.

Fulfilling goal #1 is pretty simple. Miles and I have had a blast and our week has included a trip to the mall specifically to ride the escalators and terrorize the McNally Robinson kids section, stood on the windowsill (him, not me) for hours watching cars pass by, and we'll hopefully take a trip to the Children's Museum tomorrow, if I can get my car out of our snow-drifted parking lot.

Goal #2 has been a lot more productive than I could have thought. I've read a book about business branding, prepared a list to help me keep on top of daily tasks, and come up with a routine that should allow me to see my family and have a full wedding season, which I am hoping for (but I'm not booked up yet, so give me a call!). The very best part, though, has been staying up until 2am every night coming up with ideas to grow my business and collaborate with other eco-event companies. I wish I didn't think best at midnight, but I do, and this week, I embraced that.

I'm excited. I feel ready and energized to take on Wedding Season 2009.

Featured Wedding Vendor: Summer Bounce Entertainment

If you are going to several socials or weddings this year, you are likely to come across Summer Bounce Entertainment. Summer Bounce is an interactive DJ company, and they sent me a dvd of them in action several months ago which really impressed me. I think they might even be able to get a dance floor - shy girl like me out on the floor! They can lead dances and get out on the floor themselves, encouraging guests to dance but it seems to me that they've found the right balance of being interactive but never "in-your-face."

I met DJ Brenton and his wife, Candice who own the company at the wedding show and then for dinner a month or so later. They told me about how they constantly train employees, what they look for in a DJ and taught me a bit about using technology to help my business. They are obviously staying on top of (or ahead of) new ideas in the DJ industry.

A few of their great ideas:
Their website. It is easy to navigate, and everything can be done online. Choose songs that you definitely want or definitely don't want played, request a phone call, or make a payment.
Groom's Workshop. This is a workshop only for men, and covers things like asking your new wife to dance, making a heartfelt speech and provides ideas of ways for men to help with the planning and little surprises that he can do on the wedding day.
If you are looking for a DJ, click on over to Summer Bounce Entertainment!

Celebrate. We'll take care of the rest.

I wrote on Friday that I would write more about the Jasmine Star/Showit site contest. I'd like to fill in a few blanks for my loyal blog readers (Hi Sam, Hi Grandma!).

First of all, Jasmine Star is an Orange County, California photographer and she writes a wonderful blog about her life and her work. I read this blog every day. I prefer to sit down and read with a cup of tea and soak it all in, but I'm also known to put off cooking supper or going to bed, or standing in front of my computer with my baby on my hip to quickly skim the latest blog post. I'll take my Jasmine Star fix any way I can get it:)

Sam (my husband) and I have been working on a new website using the Showit program, which will allow my clients to have wedding websites within my webpage (rather than using a different wedding website provider). So, when Jasmine Star announced on her blog that she would be giving away a free Showit website for a year to a company with the best slogan, I entered. Out of 500+ entries, With a Flourish came out on top, with the mantra: "Celebrate. We'll take care of the rest." This phrase was created by Nicole, my marketing genius, for the Wedding Bells Magazine ad.

Please check out Jasmine's blog to see the criteria by which the mantras were judged. It's a huge compliment for me to hear that my mantra is strong coming from such a recognized and fantastic photographer - I have long admired the Jasmine Star brand.

I am thrilled with the plug from Jasmine and it has made me even more motivated to get my website up and running. My goal is to have the site up by April 3rd, and the gallery up by April 24th so please check back then!

Things I love - Toronto

It's time for part two of my "Things I Love" series. Here are some of my favourite wedding ideas coming from Toronto:

Less is more: I love the minimalist flower design above, and the simplicity of the design below, both coming from Events in Bloom.

More is more: The luxurious draping and tall flower displays layering white on white create a timeless atmosphere by Rachel A. Clingen Wedding Design.

These record "placemats" are a quirky and fun way to personalize a table from Designing Trendz.

Cake Opera is one of my very favourite Cake Decorators. I am in awe of the amount of time and creativity that goes in to each and every cake. The photo above and two below are from Cake Opera...and yes, the shoe is make of cake:)

Mirrors were the trend in table design a few years ago - they sat in the middle of the table and the centrepiece was placed on top of the mirror. Now, mirrors in wedding decor have been updated - these mirrored vases are all about vintage glamour! (also from Design Trendz).

This is my absolute favourite look from Toronto, and it is also by Design Trendz. The greens and yellows are stylish and organic, and the whole room looks bright and cozy. I love the green lighting on the fabric walls, and especially the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Showit Sites & Jasmine Star

A million times THANK YOU to Jasmine Star and Showit for choosing me as the winner of a one-year subscription to a Showit website. I am happy to say that my site is in progress and will be launched in the next month - I will write more about this contest when I'm able to sit still!

Featured Vendor: Rocky Mountain Soap Company

I believe that little surprises for wedding guests go a long way. Because of this, I often provide hand lotion, flowers and mints in the washroom at the reception venue. I am excited that this year, I will be using lotion and hand soap from Rocky Mountain Soap Company. Founded in Canmore, Alberta, Rocky Mountain Soap Company has 8 stores across western Canada including one in Polo Park Mall. They use 100% natural ingredients and their line of products ranges from handmade soap to cold & flu relief to "baby bear" soap.

Rocky Mountain also offers their products as wedding favours, and I can imagine how good the room would smell if you used handmade soap as a favour (although they do made unscented as well)!

I find all of the staff (not just the manager, who is wonderful) very knowledgable and helpful. If you're a regular blog reader you also know that I'm all about buying Canadian and natural products, so this is my kind of company!

*Photos are from the Rocky Mountain Soap Company Website.

Wedding Reception Set Up & Decor

I've received a few emails in the past couple of weeks from brides who don't necessarily want a wedding coordinator with them for the full wedding day but need a few things taken care of. For example, they have realized that their reception venue is open for decorating at the same time that the ceremony begins, or that the only time to do a final walkthrough of the reception is during the photo shoot. Oops. Before you enlist the help of your best friend or your favourite aunt, read on!

At With a Flourish we are happy to come to the wedding venue, help with decor and set up, run through your checklist of things to double check and pull the details together. You probably won't see our team at all on the wedding day, you will see a room that looks just as you'd envisioned, without having to cut your photo shoot short to put the final touches together!

It's a simple process - a quick phone call or email, a meeting to go over your plans and timeline for the wedding day, and a pay by the hour fee which will be set by the number of staff needed. We're always happy to give custom pricing and information for any big or little project that you need help with from engagement to the end of the wedding day.

Featured Wedding Venue: Evergreen Village

The Evergreen Village, near Niverville, is blanketed in snow right now but in a few short months it will look like the photos below. Going through their website has made me even more excited for summer, and most of all, for wedding season! In the Winnipeg area, there are not that many options to have a wedding with an outdoor ceremony, indoor reception and lots of room to mingle and take pictures. The Evergreen Village is a location that I recommend to brides over and over because it is only 25 minutes south of the city, it's a beautiful property with good food and great service, lots of parking, a whole house for the bridal party to get ready/freshen up and a fantastic tent reception/dance area. If you are looking for a family-friendly outdoor venue, please consider the Evergreen Village.

Manitoba Fair Trade Challenge

Only 8 days left in the Manitoba Fair Trade Challenge, which asked participants to pledge to drink fair trade coffee and tea, and eat fair trade chocolate for 30 days, beginning on Valentine's Day. I've been pretty good. At home we only buy fair trade coffee and tea, so that's easy. Away from home, it gets tricky. Tim Hortons is not fair trade, so I haven't gone there (a big accomplishment for me!). Second Cup serves fair trade and Starbucks serves fair trade if you ask for it. What I really really want is a cup of hot chocolate, but my local grocery store doesn't sell fair trade chocolate, and Ten Thousand Villages is a pretty far drive from where I live. Next time I'm in the area, I will definitely stop by to pick up a tin of hot chocolate, as pictured above. Is anyone else doing the Fair Trade Challenge? Anyone have any tips on other coffee shops or stores that sell fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate?

Featured Wedding Vendor: Cakes by Shelley

I am excited to launch my Preferred Vendors List next month. Over the past year I have met and worked with many wonderful people that I recommend to my clients, and I am currently working on putting together a list of these businesses. Many of the businesses on the list are green, and many of the business owners have helped me along in my new business. I have no doubt that I have met some of the most talented and encouraging people in the Winnipeg wedding industry, and I am excited to share a bit of information about them on Tuesdays over the next few months.

Today, our feature vendor is Cakes by Shelley.

When Shelley launched her website in February 2008, she received immediate response. A spot on Breakfast Television was followed by a full wedding season. And it's no surprise to anyone who has met Shelley or seen her cakes - she is dedicated, friendly, and creative. Shelley's love for cakes and coming up with a new idea shine through in person and on her blog. A few details: Shelley uses natural ingredients wherever possible and limits artificial dyes as much as possible. She offers gluten free, diabetic & organic options, and has plans to introduce an organic cake line. I have not tried a Cakes by Shelley cake, but I have had cupcakes and they were delicious! Here are a few photos of her cakes:

See more on the website, including flavours and pricing. You can even order cakes for special occasions or no occasion (who needs an occasion to eat cake?!) online. If you would like professional yet personal service and a beautiful cake, Cakes by Shelley just might be the cake designer for you:)