Friday, January 30, 2015

Wedding Fair 2015

The Wishahmon team attended the Wedding Fair on January 18, 2015 and had a blast! We had the opportunity to speak to many brides about their wedding and booked a total of 41 appointments to help brides find their dream wedding gown. At the Fair, we also sold bridal jewelry which was also a hit.

Our booth design received a lot of compliments from brides and our peers. Everyone thought the booth was eye catching and fun. I think we hit the mark with our carnival theme. One thing I wish I had was some free popcorn that day!

As for our contest, we have contacted the winner directly and she has opted to not take the featured wedding gown and take the $500 credit towards her wedding gown. Thank you so all that entered our contest! Please continue to follow us on facebook and this blog as we have periodic giveaways!

Lastly, I have to thank my wonderful team members. I couldn't have done it without you guys. Huge thanks to Yan, Rhoda, Polly, Maggie, and Jessica. I love you gals!

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our 
Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Photo: We are at booth 910 at the Wedding Fair! We are giving away a wedding gown!

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

How to Shop For Your Wedding Gown

Shopping for your wedding gown should be a fun experience but can quickly become overwhelming when dealing with all the different styles, textures, designers; budgets of gown, alterations, shipping fees; and opinions of the people that accompany you on this shopping trip. Here are some tips on how to shop for your wedding gown (fairly) stress-free.

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our 
Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Have a Price In Mind

If you know you’re not going to spend $15,000 on your dress, don’t waste time trying on a bunch of gowns out of your range. Know what your wedding gown budget is and determine whether this budget includes alterations, taxes, and accessories. All of this stuff may put a dent in your budget especially if you need the gown in a short period of time. Check out gowns close to your budget and then alter your expectations from there. You might learn the style you are looking for is not that expensive or you are willing to pay more for your dream gown.

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Start Early

Brides are often shocked when they learn they need at least six to eight months to get your gown—and that’s if you’re really decisive. If you’re a picky shopper or don’t really know what you want, start looking eight to 10 months before your wedding. Give yourself plenty of time; if you put it off for too long, your selection of dresses could be limited or you might make a quick decision you may regret later. Once you’ve found your gown, give yourself some time for alterations too. It might take several fittings before your gown fits you perfectly.

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Determine the Dress Code

You may need to consider religious restrictions when shopping for your gown. If your ceremony is in a house of worship, find out whether there are any attire guidelines you’re required to follow, such as covering your shoulders.

Martina Liana

Figure Out What You Like

Take cues from your existing closet on what you like, what your style is, and what silhouette works with your body. From there, start looking at gowns that have a similar silhouette.

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Let the Salon Make Recommendations

Although it is good to have an idea of what you like and what you think looks good on you, allow the salon to make recommendations to you. Even if you don't immediately love it, try it on, it can't hurt to keep an open mind.

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Shop At the Right Time

This time relates to the salon and yourself. Shop earlier in the week when consultants are fresh and the salon is less busy. You want as much of your consultant's attention as possible. Also, shop when you are feeling good, healthy, and happy. You don't want to try on gowns when you are under the weather or after you just had a huge fight with your fiancee. Make this is positive and memorable experience for you.

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Buy a Dress That Fits Now

Even if you’re planning on dropping 15 pounds before your wedding, your body type isn’t going to completely change. Besides, it’s a lot easier (not to mention less expensive) to take a gown in than to try and make a too-small dress work.

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Bring Your Accessories

If you already have your bridal shoes and jewelry, bring them to your appointment. You want to make sure the gown you chose will work with these items. If you already know what undergarments you will be wearing, bring those too.

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Trust Your Instincts

If you have to be reassured that the dress looks great on you, it’s probably not “the one.” If you can’t see yourself walking down the aisle in it, move on. When you find the right dress, you’ll know—you won’t want to put on anything else. Just trust your instincts.

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 Martina Liana

Monday, January 26, 2015

Glenmore Inn & Convention Centre Open House

The Glenmore Inn & Convention Centre is hosting a Wedding and Event Open House on February 7, 2015. Parking and Admission are free. If you recently got engaged and are looking for a wedding venue, you can take this opportunity to check out the venue. There will also be wedding vendors there you can speak to about your wedding. Wishahmon will be one of the vendors that day.

The rest of the vendors at the Open House are:
AffordableTravel.ca
Beaufair Weddings and Entertainment
Cake Sensations
Cakes With Attitude
Chair Flair Linen Rentals and Wedding Decor
Classic Creative Video and Photography
Eileen Treacy Wedding Accessories
Flowers Make Memories
Hi-Tech Productions
Ready, Set, Booth
RnR Wellness
Stella and Dot
Tara Whittaker Photography,
Wedding Finesse Inc. 

If you come to the Open House, please make sure you stop by our booth to say Hi! We look forward to meeting you!

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our 
Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Jay Chou Marries Hannah Quinlivan

This post is dedicated to my BFF, D, whose heart was shattered last week upon hearing the news that her idol, Jay Chou got married. For those that don't know who Jay is, he played the role of sidekick, Kato alongside Seth Rogen in The Green Hornet.
After dating secretly for four years, Jay and Hannah Quinlivan got married at Selby Abbey in Yorkshire, England on January 17, 2015. The two wed in a fairytale-themed wedding in Selby Abbey, an 11th century church in Yorkshire, Northern England, and was officiated by a Taiwanese pastor.
Hannah was walked down the aisle by her Australian father, and was dressed in a white Tudor-inspired bridal gown by Mikael Derderian, according to Elle HK. There were about 50 family members and friends in attendance, including Darren of Taiwanese group The Drifters and fitness coach Hulk as Jay's groomsmen. Actresses Beatrice Fang and Fion Sun were bridesmaids. Chou's parents, who are divorced, were also in attendance.
Jay also composed a song in honor of the moment, which was played during the wedding ceremony.The dinner reception followed at a hotel and a party at Castle Howard capped the day.
Below are some of the happy couple's pre-wedding photos in Paris and actual wedding photos. 
~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our 
Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!













Source

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

DIY Ring Holder

If you are having a vintage themed wedding or if you accidentally left your ring pillow at home, check out this easy DIY ring holder. You won't believe it is actually made from the top of a vintage can!

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our 
Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!



Materials needed:


Let's get started:













Threaded Together Photography

Monday, January 19, 2015

2015 Wedding Trends

Every year, new wedding trends tend to pop up. Here are some of our predictions:

Gold is Making a Comeback
As in engagement rings. Previously yellow gold was associated with your grandma's jewelry but it is making a comeback thanks to celebrity brides like Blake Lively and Lauren Conrad.



Elegant Invitations
Invitations are less about color and more about elegant and minimalist designs. Bold colors are out while pale shades such as brushed gold, blush, champagne, and pewter are being used. 


ADELE Suite Glitter Package, blush and gold, letterpress wedding invitations, gold glitter, glitter wedding invitations, beautiful script wedding invitations, http://justinviteme.com/collections/styled-collections/products/adele-suite-glitter-package

Flowers
Abundance of them is sought after, and not the filler type. Huge hydrangeas, hyacinths and orchids in creamy pastels. We have Kim and Kanye to thank for this. Embracing this trend will cost you a lot of pennies though. Oh wait, pennies are no longer in circulation in Canada. I meant loonies. 
Rustic Comfort Food for Your Guests
Simply cooked food that fills your guests belly, family style dining where plates are passed around like they do in the kitchen, and locally sourced and seasonal food are the new trends. A wedding embracing this trend should feel like you are inviting everyone on your wedding list to a dinner in your own home. 


THIS BLOG ENTRY IS AMAZING!! Look at the spread in this picture. I gasped out loud when I started reading about their wedding and budget. My finance thinks I'm nuts and that our wedding dreams are in the $30,000 range. But we're going to do it for hopefully less that $5,000.


No More Open Bars
Couples are offering drinks that go with their wedding theme rather than having an open bar. This option allows for the couple to share their favorites whether they are local, from a vacation getaway, or has special meaning to them. This is another way of sharing with your guests your personality as a couple. 


Handmade wedding full of love on Superbowl Sunday. #weddingchicks Captured By: Matthew Nigel http://www.weddingchicks.com/2014/08/08/hands-on-wedding-full-of-love/

Midnight Snacks
If you opt for a formal reception with tiny but pretty portions, you might want to embrace the trend of serving your guests an extra snack at the end of the night before they head home. It will be a nice touch and no one will need to hit up a 24 hour MacDonalds before calling it a night. 


Treats at a Rustic Wedding Party! See more party ideas at CatchMyParty.com!

Classic Cake
We are going back to basics and revisit classic cake designs. Classic designs mean they are timeless and not old fashioned.If you want to spice things up, maybe do this through the favor of the cake! Couples are choosing cake flavors that are rooted in their hometowns or family heritage, where they began dating, or a favorite destination. 


For more #wedding insipiration visit us at https://facebook.com/thewedco or http://www.theweddingcompany.ie

What's Old is Made New

Couples are requesting updated renditions of wedding classics. Instead of Etta James's soulful "At Last," for example, they might choose the acoustic version by Jason Mraz. or swap Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" with indie-pop sensation Ingrid Michaelson's reinterpretation.

Paying it forward
Rather than giving out wedding favors at their wedding, couples are pairing causes with their wedding themes. Donations are also been sought through a loonie or twonnie bar. If you have several causes you would like to donate to you, a new twist is to set up a jar for each, and give guests a handful of decorative chips worth $1 each to toss into the jars as a donation vote. The couple later divvies up the donation money based on how guests voted.


such a great idea! Instead of a wedding favor, give a donation to charity in the guest's name and print cards for the guests to keep

What are your thoughts on the trends this year? Will you be embracing any of them or starting a new trend yourself? We would love to hear and see it! Please do share! 

We didn't forget about wedding dress trends! Rather, we dedicated an entire post to it. 

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our 
Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Friday, January 16, 2015

Happy Wishahmon Client - Lisa B

I came to Wishahmon after some disappointing visits elsewhere, and with little time to spare.  Monica welcomed me into her lovely private boutique and I had so many beautiful and unique dresses to choose from.  Her dresses were quite unique and felt one-of-a-kind.  I was surprised to have had so many great choices for my body type and Monica's honest opinions, knowledge of the industry, and excellent taste in fashion was so helpful.  I felt like an absolute Princess on my big day, and I had nothing but compliments on how perfect the dress was for me.  I can't let the dress go and will be keeping it for a future anniversary party!  
Lisa B.





Wednesday, January 14, 2015

What's New - January 2015

Mark your calendars and come down to meet us on Sunday, January 18th at Wedding Fair at the BMO Center. Our booth number is 910, close to the fashion show entry areas.

If you visit us that day and book an appointment with us, you will receive a crystal necklace! This promotion is available one day only. Make sure you come by to visit. We are also have a big surprise that day too. Below is a hint!


See you all at the Wedding Fair!

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our 
Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!



Monday, January 12, 2015

2015 Wedding Dress Trends

Before we share our thoughts on the wedding trends of 2015, let's discuss the wedding dress trends of 2015. Because we all know a wedding starts with the perfect wedding dress! Let me know which trend you are embracing for your wedding!

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our 
Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Illusion/Embellished Backs
Although you can say this is an ongoing trend, I can say it is still a trend that is going strong. 

Lace
There is a more modern use of lace and it is being used in different applications. 


Capelets and Capes
This trend allows brides a convenient and stylish way to have a more modest neckline during the wedding ceremony, whether for personal or religious reasons.
Sparkling Appliqués
Appliques are more dimensional and sparkle now.
Modern Minimalist
More and more brides are choosing understated wedding gowns.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Studio WedBox

Monthly subscription boxes have been a huge thing for a while now. Some of my favorites are makeup samples, snacks, and experience in a package. Imagine my excitement when I learned about Studio Wedbox. This is a a monthly subscription for brides that arrives at your door. It not only guides you through the wedding planning process month by month, but will also spark innovation for your big day!

If you too are a monthly subscription junkie and you are a bride to be, this is an absolute must! (No, this is not a sponsored post. Just spreading the joy of a new monthly subscription find!)

~Monica Hui
Owner, Lead Planner and Designer
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our 
Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!










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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

V Loves B - A Tale of Two Bridal Expos

Back in September, I attended two bridal expos on back-to-back weekends. This was a little out of character for me, but I was really there for the dress sales! (Spoiler alert: I eventually found my dream dress at Wishahmon, obviously.)

 The first weekend, I attended the Bliss Bridal Show at the Carriage House Inn with two of my bridesmaids. Immediately we were greeted by some hefty swag bags! I know I razzed on bridal magazines in my previous post, but in the end I must admit I did flip through them for some inspiration, so perhaps they're not so bad after all. Anyway, Bliss Bridal Show is actually quite small compared to other bridal expos in the city. There didn't seem to be many brides there, so I was able to easily wander from booth to booth without elbowing anybody. Despite its small size, there seemed to be a good variety of vendors there, from florists and limos to photographers, personal trainers, and travel agents (for the honeymoon!).

The Bay was on hand with some makeup artists as well as their gift registry people, so you could kill two birds with one stone. There were also a few smaller outfits, like Bee Vintage Theme Rentals, which rents out vintage decor and furniture for weddings and other events, and Lollipop Girl Accessories,which makes custom bridal headpieces and hip flasks for a fairly reasonable price.

The dress sale at Bliss Bridal was run by Tafetta and Tulle Bridal from Airdrie. Brides signed up for appointment times that were set 30 minutes apart, with three brides per slot. As I mentioned, the show itself was quite small so we had lots of time to kill between hitting the booths (though admittedly I did not linger as much as I could have) and my appointment time. We sat out in the lobby, looted through our loot bags and flipped through our bridal magazines until my appointment time, but were still waiting outside for another 30 minutes before we were let in.

I was hoping that since we had set appointment times that we would be assigned a specific salesperson, but unfortunately that was not the case. My bridesmaids and I were left to sift through the racks on our own and pull out dresses to try. I tried on a few but none of them were for me, which was OK because I knew I would be looking at more dresses the next week!

Trying dresses on at Bliss Bridal Fair

The next weekend was the big Bridal Expo at the BMO Centre, which I attended with my sister (one of my bridesmaids) and my mom. I was forewarned that it would be a little chaotic, but we got there in the morning/early afternoon so the crowds weren't too bad at that point. Unlike the Bliss Bridal Fair, where the dress sale was separate, the bridal shops at the Bridal Expo were out in the open, so you could wander in, look through the racks, and hop in a change room if you found something to try on. I tried on one dress that I liked, but just didn't feel like "the one".

Not “the one”

The Bridal Expo was definitely huge - the expo hall at the BMO Centre was filled with vendors and elaborate displays, and there was a separate hall where fashion shows were held twice a day. There were stations set up near the entrance for brides to print a sheet of labels for $7 with their name, contact information and wedding date, for ease in entering draws. You could pretty much find anything wedding-related there, from venues (there are some golf courses out there with really delicious food) down to your flower girl’s shoes!

Impressive display by Lynn Fletcher Weddings

At the end of the day, I would say I didn’t find the bridal shows to be particularly helpful for me. Thanks to the internet, I went in already knowing where/when I was having my wedding, who my photographer was, and where I was going to get my accessories and décor. However, if you’re recently engaged and have no idea to start, going to a bridal show can definitely provide inspiration (and maybe you can snag a deal or win a draw!) It was also a good reminder of some things I hadn’t thought a lot about, like AV rentals and transportation.

The winter/spring bridal show season is just around the corner! If you’re looking for some wedding inspo (or just want a fun day out with the girls), here are the upcoming dates:

Bridal Fantasy Calgary
January 11, 2015

The Wedding Fair
January 18, 2015

Bliss Bridal Show
February 22, 2015


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