Each invitation can be customized to match your color theme and style.

Right from the moment I first opened the package of samples that Diane sent to me, I was mesmerized by the quality and craftmanship of each invite, program, and menu card. I found my fingertips tracing the elegant, clean lines and exquisite detailing of each piece, reinforcing that these are more than just pieces of paper, but actual works of art. From the second your guests open their invite, I know that they, too, will be impressed and know that your wedding is something special and an event to look forward to.

“The invitations were so gorgeous, and looked like sunshine in an envelope. I loved them so much, and got so many compliments on them from my guests.” - Satisfied client

Each order begins with a consultation to help determine your needs, style, and theme, either in person, by phone, or e-mail. From there, Diane can come up with a variation on an existing style or create a design customized especially for you. Her expertise will guide you through the entire process, ensuring that your wedding invites and stationary make the perfect statement about the two of you and your upcoming wedding. As one of her clients stated, "...There is something extra special about having custom made invitations. Diane made something that spoke to our personalities and the theme of our wedding, and we couldn’t have been happier with her work."

 Your invitations will set the tone and mood for your wedding, giving your guests a preview of what is to come.

Maple Mountain Designs is currently offering a 10% discount for any interested clients who contact order over $200 of product. You can find out more by contacting them at their website at www.maplemountaindesigns.com. Make sure you mention that you found her through this blog to be eligible for this discount.

If you wish further assistance in planning your wedding or decorating for you big day, please contact Cathy at cathy@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

Turquoise makes people think of springtime, tropical waters, and peacefulness.

Pantone, the global authority on color and the provider of professional color standards for the design industry, made the big announcement a few weeks ago. As stated in their press release, "... combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing."

In many cultures, turquoise is considered a talisman of healing. It's a color of peacefulness, and of compassion, inspired by the color of water and the sky. For others, turquoise represents an escape, allowing people to imagine an inviting tropical paradise.

Turquoise is the perfect color choice for a wedding as it is a color that people respond to positively. With both warm and cool overtones, it goes well with numerous other shades. While we used various shades of turquoise paired with white at Calgary's Wedding Fair 2010, the most recent edition of The Knot has paired it with chocolate brown, fire engine red, bubble gum pink, and mint green.

In fashion, turquoise is extremely versatile. It can look elegant in classy silks and and jewels or casual and fun in cottons. It's a great accent color for purses, hair accessories, shoes, and nail polish for women, and ties, shirts, and hankerchiefs for men. The best part, is that it is universally flattering for both men and women, making it a great shade for outfitting your wedding party in.

 Whether you choose it as the main shade or just purely for accents, turquoise is a fantastic wedding color! It's versatile and goes well on it's own or with so many other color hues. It can make your wedding attendants look amazing or your reception or ceremony venue look inviting and elegant. Take the plunge and make this color part of your wedding decor!

If you wish further assistance, or decor assistance for your own wedding, please contact Cathy at cathy@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

Will you still be smiling after your destination wedding?

The first thing that each couple should realize is that while most resorts offer a variety of wedding packages it is essential to read the fineprint and know exactly what you're getting for your money. Does the price include the cost of your officiant who will be performing the ceremony? Will the ceremony decor look like the pictures you've seen on their website or does it just include a basic signing table, white tablecloth, and simple floral arrangement? Is the ceremony and reception limited to a specific number of guests, and if so, what are the additional costs per person if you add to that number? These are just some of the basic questions you need to know before you sign on the dotted line of your contract.

Don't get me wrong! There are some fabulous opportunities for couples to have a beautiful destination wedding. Couples just have to be willing to do their homework ahead of time to ensure that they are not disappointed or end up paying for significant upgrades in the days before their wedidng. Here are some tips to make sure your wedding is exactly what you want it to be:

• In your initial conversations with the resort's on-site wedding coordinator, check if you will be able to make selections such as choosing your flowers or cake ahead of time. This is easy to do through e-mailing digital photos, but some resorts prefer you to wait and plan your wedding with them in the days before you get married. Unfortunately, if you wait that long, you may end up having to settle on some of your decisions as it will be too late to make alternative arrangements or else be prepared to pay significant dollars for upgrades.
• Ensure that the resort offers a bad weather alternative and know what exactly that entails. We hope for the best, but smart couples plan for the worst.
• Collect pictures from magazines or wedding websites of bouquets, centerpieces and wedding cakes that appeal to you. Scan them into your computer and it will make it much easier to communicate ideas back and forth about what you want. Many resorts offer an upgrade for flowers, musicians, cake, and decor. You mine as well get what you would like than just accept what is offered. Once again, do this early in the game to ensure that you have enough lead time to get what you want.
• Make sure you compare the package to the "a la carte" options of building your wedding yourself. It may end up more cost-effective to choose a less expensive package and personalize it yourself.
• Check online with other couples who have gotten married at your chosen resort. How was their experience? What concerns did they have? What advice could they offer? Learn from those who have married before you!
• Meet with the onsite coordinator in the early part of your trip to review the details of your wedding. The earlier you make this meeting the better chance you have of being able to make any necessary changes or improvements that need to happen.
• Most importantly, make sure you get any additions or deletions to your wedding contract in writing. Always note the time and date it was discussed, as well as who you were speaking with. In addition, bring your file with all of your notes, e-mails, and amendments with your on your trip in case you need to refer back to them.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help. Get a wedding planner in your area who has experience with destination weddings. She will have your specific needs in mind and can negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you get the wedding that you want. It is up to you on whether you want them to travel with you for the ceremony itself, but recognize that having them there can take a lot of the weight off your shoulders, allowing you to truly relax and enjoy the entire experience.

Destination weddings can be beautiful and magical with the proper planning and attention to detail ahead of time.Destination weddings can be a beautiful and magical experience. You just have to remember that although this will be one of the most important days of your lives, for the resort, this is just part of their regular business. They prefer to keep things simple because it makes their lives easier. A smart resort, however, recognizes the significance of your wedding to the two of you and will want to work with you to make it everything you dreamed of. (Happy customers will be repeat customers.) Work with your resort wedding planner to communicate your ideas and make many of the necessary decisions ahead of time. With the proper planning and attention to detail, your destination wedding can be everything you ever dreamed about and more. 

If you wish further assistance, or advice on your own destination wedding, please contact Cathy at cathy@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

With so many choices, it is important to plan ahead before you go dress shopping in order to make the most of the experience.

Most brides look forward to the shopping experience and looking for THE dress, but finding a wedding gown can quickly turn into a major frustration if you aren’t properly prepared. Here are some strategies that can help you find the perfect gown for you:

• Look through bridal magazines and wedding websites for gowns that appeal to you. Most websites will identify local vendors that may carry a sample of the gown. Some can be purchased directly online, but I would encourage you to try on the gown when at all possible.
• Identify your pricepoint before you start. What are you willing to spend. Make sure you also designate a portion for accessories, such as your veil and headpiece, shoes, and jewellry. Avoid trying on dresses that you can't afford.
• Bring in pictures of gowns that appeal to you. This will give the salon personnel a starting point to work from. 
•  Make sure you know if your ceremony site has any restrictions you should be aware of. For example, many houses of worship consider bare shoulders to be disrespectful. Therefore, you need to find something that will cover your shoulders.
• When possible, become familiar with dress terminology so you know the difference between a-line and a sheath before you start shopping. If you know the vocabulary, it will help you communicate your ideas better to the sales staff.
• Limit the number of people you shop with to 1 or 2 people that you trust explicitly to give you an honest opinion. Many brides bring along their mother and possibly their maid of honour. If your shopping party is too large, it’s too easy for your voice to get lost amidst everyone else’s opinions. Although it's tempting, try to avoid bringing more than three people with you.
• Begin looking for your dress at least six months before your wedding, if possible. This gives you some time to look, to get your dress made, and still time for alterations as necessary. If you wait too close until your wedding date, you may have limited choices and have to select gowns in stock that are already in your size.
• Choose a time to go shopping when you don’t have to rush off somewhere afterwards. You need time to try on dresses without being in a hurry. If you can swing going during the week then the sales staff will often be able to give you more attention than on weekends when traffic is heavier.
• Wait to get the WOW feeling. You'll know when you try on YOUR dress. It should speak to you. If you don't find it the first time out, don't panic. Try a few salons Even if you find your dress right away, sleep on the decision and make sure it's the right one for you.

Your wedding dress allows you to become a princess!Few moments are as special as finding your wedding dress. Take the time to enjoy the experience and share it with those who are closest to you. After all, this is your moment to shine. Enjoy your time in the spotlight!

For additional assistance on finding your perfect wedding dress, please contact us at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com. 

Wedding invitations - how can something so simple be so complex? Make sure you're familiar with the rules.

1. Each invitation should be specifically addressed to the guests that are being invited. For example, if you address the invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Smith and Family, you are inviting Carl, his wife, and their children. If you only address the invite to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Smith, the intention is to only invite Carl and his wife. However, please note that although you may be aware of invitation etiquette, your guests may not. The response card may be returned with more guests than you you intended. If this happens, it is up to you to decide on how to respond. You may have to call them and politely explain that the invitation was really intended for only the adults. If this is an uncomfortable conversation, then you may just have to be ready to add to your guest list.
2. If you are inviting a couple who live together, but who are not married, then you specifically  address the invitation to both of them, such as Mr. Carl Smith and Ms. Anna Roberts. 
3. In the past, when single friends have been invited it has been customary to address the invite as Mr. Thomas Anderson and Guest, giving them the choice of whether to bring someone or not. More recently, with the high costs associated with weddings, some couples are choosing to limit their guest list, especially if they have a number of single friends who already normally hang out together. Once again, if you receive the response card and the number is two instead of one, then be prepared to make a phone call to clarify the situation right away or accept an increase in your guest numbers.  However, please note that if a single friend has been seeing someone for three months or more, you should include "and Guest" on the wedding invitation, allowing them to bring a date.
4. RSVP cards should already be stamped and ready to be mailed back. It may seem like a little thing, but it is considered bad form to make your guests pay for their own postage.
5. Information in regards to where you've registered for gifts should not be included in your wedding invitation. Instead, create a wedding website that not only includes maps and updates about your wedding, but a specific section of links to places you've registered. Now days it is considered quite acceptable to include the website address in your wedding invitation to point guests in the right direction.
6. Wedding invitations are normally mailed out three to six months prior to the wedding. Although e-mails work for Save The Dates, invitations should still be "hard copy".

For additional assistance on how to properly word wedding invitations or help with any of your other wedding stationary questions, please contact us at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.